Wednesday 1-7 May, 2019 Edition

‘Why beg for Biafra when it’s already here?’

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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he Ogilisi Igbo and Igbo spiritual leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka has stated that Ndigbo do not need to beg anybody to give them Biafra because they are al-

•Nourish Biafra by thinking home, Ezeonwuka,Ogilisi Igbo, urges Ndigbo ready Biafrans based on its declaration in May, 1967 by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

He said that what is required now is just to nur-

ture the Biafra to stardom by bringing home all our industries and properties outside Igbo land and labeling all our products madein-Biafra.

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Speaking to newsmen in his office recently, Ezeonwuka noted that it looks stupid for some to say give me my thing because according to him, “we already have Bi-

WEDNESDAY May 1 - 7, 2019

afra. All we need is to nurture it”.

“For instance, he continued, It is out of stupidity that our people who prospered with only 20 pounds shortly

after the civil war, went and developed Abuja, lagos and other parts of the country, leaving our own Igbo land under-developed”.

“Nobody stops us from establishing viable industries in Igbo land, manufacture

racle www.oraclenews.ng

ISSN: 2545-5869

Cont’d on page 2

Today

VOL.4 No.17 N200

Oil sector groans under unmet targets

•Targets missed since 2006 •Projections set for 2019/2020 from 2015 missed •Fresh targets pushed to 2025 •Virtually all Kachuckwu’s projections off mark •Only Dangote Refinery on line to meet target

...As power sector debts soar above N1 tr

•Discos’ reliance on estimated bills fraudulent •Intervention funds inadequate, hardly released

T

he Federal government is processing release of another N600 billion to help resolve over one N1tr debt disputes that currently threaten fresh investments in the gas-topower programme.

However, it is not clear whether the intervention would be enough to resolve the mounting debts across the full industry supply relay involving gas suppliers, power producers, electricity transporters and supply brokers in the chain.

It is also not clear how

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the fund injection would improve supply of electricity in the sector where key issues revolve around capacity and efficiency in electricity distribution, and revenue collection for cost and margin recovery from the market.

The current N600 billion, though not yet visible to stakeholders that play in the industry, would be the third in the routine interventions to resolve debt im-

Full story on Pg????

Traders shut Computer Village to protest installation of “Iyaoloja” Pg 4 in Tech hub

•Ibe-kachikwu

•Babatunde Raji Fashola

In praise of Zenith Bank’s smooth transitions

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS

‘Why beg for Biafra when it’s already here?’

Continued from Page 1 high quality goods and labeling them ‘made-in-Biafra’ and export them to other parts of the world like Taiwan which is still politically under the Republic of China (ROC) is manufacturing their own goods and labeling them made-in-Taiwan”.

On the killings in various parts of the country, by insurgents, Ezeonwuka roared: “these killings got to be put to a stop. Nobody should destroy lives and properties for his own private rearing business”.

•Rommy Ezeonwuka

“Government should ban open grazing because with cows destroying farm lands, we cannot survive from hunger. In Nigeria, agriculture is the next to oil in terms of economic resources and if government folds its arms and watch cattles destroy our farm lands in the name of open grazing, then we are finished economically”.

“Even if the federal government does not want to ban open grazing, let the state governments do their own banning so that the Fulani herdsmen will start doing their own grazing in their own land and

leave other peoples’ lands for them”.

“People should know that od cannot be mocked because as it is now, it seems people are mocking God by trying to take everything alone in this country. The constitution of Nigeria demands that every geo-political zone of this country must have their own share of appointments at the federal level but it is not so for now.

All the appointments are still lopsided which means that some particular ethnic and religious groups are mocking God”.

Many Pentecostal churches are fake, fetish –CAN chairman From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State chapter, has alleged that many Pentecostal churches in Nigeria were fake, even as their pastors were fetish and indulged in rituals.

According to the Chairman of Abia State CAN, Senior Apostle (Dr.) Emma Agomoh, many Pentecostal churches were into business and deceiving their followers and the public with “miracles.”

“70 per cent of churches in Abia and Nigeria are into business enterprise. CAN have cases against them, they are here to make money. Some claim they are Jesus themselves. Take a trip across streets in the country and what you see is churches, both in schools and shops,” Agomoh said during an interview with newsmen in Umuahia.

He also alleged that “60 per cent of rituals taking place in Nigeria are done by Pentecostal pastors. They are fetish, they open churches just for the sake of making money and to perform fake miracles to deceive people; they are not worshipping God.” Giving an instance of how the pastors perform their so-called miracles, Agomoh related the case of a woman who reported to him, how a pastor used and dumped her.

Said he: “I recall a day a woman came into my office, telling me how she was used and dumped by a particular pastor. She said the pastor takes her to different crusade grounds within and outside Abia where she is asked to fake different disabilities from deaf and dumb, to cripple and blindness. During miracle time, she would be made to either speak, walk or open her eyes, depending on the disability she was asked to fake. She told me ‘I have come to report the pastor to you because he has refused to pay me as agreed.”

He admonished Pentecostal pastors who were in the habit of deceiving people to quit such deceit and truly embrace Jesus Christ and expressed sadness that CAN was handicapped in sanctioning erring pastors because of freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution.

The Abia CAN leader maintained that Christians were not united as some churches do not believe in the celebration of Christmas and Easter, noting that any Church that does not believe in Easter cannot be said to be a church, adding that Christ’s death and resurrection signify the faith of Christians and their salvation.

He decried the high rate of insecurity rate of insecurity in the country as occasioned by killings by suspected herdsmen and communal clashes but rejected the call for state police.

He argued that in the current political and security situation in the country, state governors would deploy state police as instrument of oppression.

“Most state governors would abuse the system and use it to perpetuate themselves in office for life. A state governor may likely use state police to hunt and oppress his perceived enemies, thereby creating more problems and worsening the insecurity in the country,” he said.

• President General of Urhobo Progress Union,UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga got married to Barr. Efe Peller, weekend.

Photo:JONATHAN AWANYAI

Nigeria, S. Arabia to collaborate on energy investments

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inistry of Petroleum Resources has declared that ongoing arrangements would lead to partnerships between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on new investments in different energy projects.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said a memorandum of understanding is being worked out to lay basis for Saudi investments in Nigerian midstream and downstream petroleum industry.

According to him, the partnership whose frameworks would ready by May could lead to a new refinery for Nigeria and acquisition of stakes in investments in Nigeria’s LNG sector.

“Areas of interest will cover the existing refinery revamp, building of a brand new refinery, LNG investments and product supply trading in crude and refined products,” the ministry said in the statement.

The statement went on to say that Saudi’s energy minister, Khalid Al-Falih had reiterated the possibility of establishing an independent refinery in Nigeria,

considering it the best hub from which to reach other African countries.

Meanwhile, the world’s biggest oil exporter, Saudi Aramco, is reported to have sold its first LNG cargo in a new leap into the liquid gas market.

CEO of Aramco, Amin Nasser, said the company’s trading unit sold the shipment of liquefied natural gas from Singapore to an Indian buyer last month.

State-run Aramco seeks to become a “major player” in the gas industry and is looking for potential joint ventures and partnerships, Nasser said in Riyadh.

“There is a lot of potential to grow our gas in the kingdom. At the same time, we are looking at international gas.”

The LNG deal is the latest example of Aramco’s effort to expand outside its historical business of pumping and selling crude. The company plans to buy a controlling stake in the Middle East’s largest petrochemicals maker, Saudi Basic Industries, and is investing in refineries in Asia and

beyond.

While it doesn’t produce LNG itself, Aramco has been looking at gas assets in Arctic Russia and Africa, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said Wednesday in Riyadh.

In January, Aramco hired an employee from Singapore’s Pavilion Energy Pte to develop its LNG business, focusing on trading and marketing.

Aramco also wants to develop Saudi gas resources and plans to almost double gas production in the kingdom over the next 10 years, Nasser said.

“For the first time ever, we will be exporting gas either by pipeline or as LNG from Saudi Arabia,” he said. “For gas, we will be a major player.”

Gas emits less carbon than oil or coal when burned and is expected to be the fastest-growing fossil fuel, with global demand forecast to rise 43% through 2040, compared with 10% for oil, according to the International Energy Agency.

Saudi Arabia plans also to boost its use of gas at home to replace crude as a fuel for power plants.

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1- 7, 2019

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Sale of poisonous ‘ponmo’: Lagos arrest three …Warns public against consumption

By VICTOR NZE

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fficials of Lagos State government have arrested three persons connected with the sale of toxic cow skin popularly known as ‘Ponmo’ in Ojo and Iba Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state and confiscated a large amount of the poisonous substance.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this over the weekend after reviewing the report of preliminary investigation and enforcement carried out on the sale of the toxic ‘Ponmo’, stated that the three persons involved have been charged to Court while samples of the confiscated ‘Ponmo’ have been sent to the NAFDAC Laboratory for further suitability

for human consumption test analysis.

Idris, while explaining what brought about the action, stated that the attention of the State Government was drawn to the activities of traders who deal in the sales of the poisonous cow skin at odd hours in different locations in Ojo and Iba local government areas of the State.

According to him, “Preliminary investigations and suspects tracing revealed that the traders were very active in the early hours between 4.00am and 6.00am at various locations such as Volkswagen bus stop, Iyana Iba and Afolabi Ege Markets, all within Ojo local government and Iba LCDAs of the State”.

“Furthermore, a company said to be located at Ijedodo area of Iba LCDA was indicted as being the source of supply of the toxic

Ponmo and has subsequently been put under surveillance”, Idris said.

The Commissioner, however, called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sales of unwholesome foods and food products to Environmental Health Officers in the nearest LGA, the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture.

He also advised the public against the purchase and consumption of foods whose sources are doubtful or perceived to be hazardous to human health and wellbeing.

Reiterating the commitment of the State government to the protection and promotion of good health for its citizens, Idris noted that government will always ensure that only healthy foods are available for consumption in the Lagos State.

Cambridge University opens investigation into African slave trade links

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ne of Britain’s top universities announced a two-year inquiry into its links to the African slave trade on Tuesday, promising to uncover how the institution may have gained from slavery and the exploitation of labour.

Scholars at the University of Cambridge will examine archives and other records to determine how it might have benefited from slavery through financial and other bequests to departments, libraries and museums.

They will also investigate how scholarship at the university might have reinforced and validated race-based thinking between the 18th and early 20th century.

They will also investigate when Britain was a colonial power involved in slave-trading, mainly from western Africa to the Caribbean and the Americas.

“An advisory group will recommend appropriate ways to publicly acknowledge past links to slavery and to address its impact,’’ the university said.

“There is growing public and academic interest in the links between the older British universities and the slave trade.

“It is only right that Cambridge should look into its own exposure to the profits of coerced labour during the colonial period,’’ Prof. Stephen Toope, the university’s vice chancellor said.

Martin Millett, a professor of classical archaeology, who heads the advisory group, said the benefits to the university “may have been financial or through other gifts.’’

“But the panel is just as interested in the way scholars at the university helped shape public and political opinion, supporting, reinforcing and sometimes contesting racial attitudes which are repugnant in the 21st Century,’’ Millett said.

May Day: ‘Be diligent as you await new minimum wage’– NLC tells workers

igerian Labour Congress on Tuesday called N on workers to be more diligent and dedicated in their services to humanity as they await

•From left: Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Vice President Osinbajo; and Zamfara State Governor, Mr Abdulaziz Yari, at the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF)’s Induction of new and returning Governors, in Abuja, Monday

Traders shut Computer Village raders in the Computer Village, Ikeja, Tprotest Lagos, Tuesday shut down activities to the planned installation of female

and male market leaders “Iyaoloja” and “Babaloja” respectively in the hub.

The traders told a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the protest that the computer village was an international market that did not need such imposition of Iyaoloja.

Speaking, a technician, Mr Wasiu Agbaje, said that hub was not like the regular markets where such should be imposed.

Agbaje said that installing such would undermine the hub because there was no relationship between technology and Iyaoloja.

“What does the Iyaoloja and Babaloja have to offer, what value are they going to add to the hub? And what technological innovations are they bringing? The computer village is not like any other street market where pepper and other things are sold.

“It is an international technological hub and it should be treated as such,” he said.

Also, a business man who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the computer village was an international market and should be treated as such.

According to him, it will undermine the position of computer village internationally as the biggest technological hub in West Africa.

He said installing such Iyaoloja and Babaloja would contradict what the hub was known for and breach the peace

there because it was not a regular market.

A software developer, Mr Joseph Efosa, said that such installation would disturb the 25 years of peaceful existence of the hub.

Efosa said that the computer village was not a regular market and as such installation was not needed.

Gunmen abduct Taraba varsity Deputy Registrar nknown gunmen in the early hours of U Tuesday kidnapped Mr. Sanusi Sa’ad, the Deputy Registrar Administration of

the Taraba State University, Jalingo.

Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter, Dr Samuel Shikaa who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jalingo, the state capital, said that Sa’ad who is also the Information and Protocol Officer of the university was picked from his residence at the university staff quarters at about 1am.

He said the kidnappers invaded the deputy registrar’s residence through the back side of the university that was not fenced and took him to an unknown destination.

Brother to the victim, Alhaji Kalid Sa’ad,

revealed that the kidnappers had contacted him and demanded ransom.

He however, did not mention the amount being demanded, saying he was still negotiating with the kidnappers.

The university branch of ASUU is currently on strike over alleged insecurity of staff resulting from lack of perimeter fencing of the institution, funding and pension for staff, among other issues.

Kidnapping in Taraba is gradually becoming a daily occurrence as hardly a day passes without a reported case of abduction.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkasim Sanusi, while launching operation Puff Adder recently, warned kidnappers and other criminals to leave the state, saying the command was determined to root them out.

the N30,000 minimum wage which would commence in May. Kaduna State Chairman of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Sulaiman, made the call at the PreMay Day lecture held in Kaduna with the theme: “’Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement”.

He said that the lecture was organised to mobilise workers towards the celebration of the international Workers Day and also enlighten them on the importance of the day to organised labour and working class. “’During this celebration, we are offering solidarity to the cause of social justice, freedom of expression, human right, rule of law and we are supporting democracy.

“On May Day, we present our grievances, our needs, our agitations to the political class for succour, promote our unity and solidarity because strength lies in our unity,” he said.

The chairman, who solicited for support and solidarity of workers, promised to reactivate May Day celebration in the state, saying “We are going to celebrate our May Day in the proper way as obtainable in the world.”

While speaking, the lead presenter at the event, Mr Isah Aremu, said the importance of unity among workers could not be over emphasised, adding that it was only through unity that their needs would be met by the government.

Aremu commended the NLC for fighting for the new minimum wage which according to him was the fifth in the country, saying it was only achieved through the unity of workers.

“We must bet united so that we can bargain together or be divided and become beggars; we must have unity to create jobs, unity for prosperity against porverty among others,” he said.

He also urged the government to take labour along and revive the old textile industries that had created jobs in the past, noting that it would help to tackle the high rate of employment in the state.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

60m Nigerians illiterate – Education Ministry

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ermanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, says nearly 60 million Nigerians are illiterates, assuring that literacy centres will reduce the high percentage of illiteracy in the country.

Echono made this known on Thursday at the Federal Government College Otobi, during the inauguration of a pilot Literacy Centre for the North Central GeoPolitical Zone.

The permanent secretary expressed regret that the illiteracy

rate among the youths and adults is high, saying that the literacy level at the lower cadre of the colleges is also alarming.

According to him, Literacy Centres to be established in 104 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) are aimed at reducing the high rate of illiteracy at the low cadre of the staff of the institutions, stressing that the Federal Government designed the literacy programme to cater for them and others in the host communities.

He said literacy was both a social

and human right issue and called on the learners at the pilot centre to remain committed and take their studies with all seriousness.

According to him, the essence of scheme is to fit into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG number four which highlights inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of long learning opportunities.

He explained that the programme would equip its beneficiaries with literacy and numeracy skills to be able handle challenges of life.

An officer from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on SDGs, Mr Stephen Ojo, commended the foresight of the education ministry in designing the programme and promised to provide technical support to the ministry towards its success.

He emphasised that the scheme would help build capacities and skills of all the participants.

The principal of the school, Mr Amudipe Gabriel, commended the permanent secretary for his doggedness in ensuring that the pro-

gramme began in earnest and for making his school the centre in the zone.

The Coordinator of the programme, Mrs Abisode Olayiwola, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the response from learners in the school and host community far exceeded the instructional materials made available.

“We targeted 40 learners but what we had was twice that number, we are impressed by the turnout. We will make arrangements for all of them.”

No religious, ethnic coloration in Numan crisis — Hama Bachama P

•Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye receiving the Kano State committee on resuscitation of Moribund industries in Kano State on a study tour to share experiences on the positive transformation of industries in Lagos

Zamfara residents pay highest bus fare in March – NBS

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ational Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says residents of Zamfara State paid the highest bus journey fare within city in March. The NBS said this in Transport Fare Watch for March, 2019 published on its website.

The bureau said the residents paid N308.

57 followed by residents of Cross River and Abuja who paid N280.00 and N276.67 per bus fare in the month.

The report said the states with lowest bus journey fare within city were Abia (N131.75), Sokoto (N130.50) and Bauchi (N96.16).

The transport fare watch covered the following categories: bus journey within the city per drop on regular routes; intercity bus journeys and state routes as well as charge per person.

It also covered air fare charge for specified routes per journey; journey by motorcycle (Okada) per drop; and waterway passenger transport.

According to the report, average fare paid by commuters for bus journey within the city increased by 2.14 per cent monthon-month and by 12.65 per cent year-onyear from N177.57 in February to N181.36 in March.

Also, the report said average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity increased by 2.85 per cent month-on-month and decreased by -4.58% year-on-year to N1,592.07 in March from N1,548.01 in February.

It, however, said that states with highest bus journey fare intercity were Abuja FCT (N4,000.00), Borno (N2536.30) and Adamawa (N2,406.67).

In addition, it said states with lowest bus journey fare within city were Bayelsa (N1,000.33), Bauchi (N983.33) and Enugu

(N947.37).

Also, the report said average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey decreased by – 0.20 per cent month-on-month.

It said the fare decreased by -2.12 per cent year-on-year to N30,620.19 in March 2019 from N30,681.93 in February.

The bureau said states with highest air fare were Kwara (N35,200.00), Abuja FCT (N35,000.00) and Jigawa (N35,000.00) while States with lowest air fare were Nasarawa (N25,398.53), Katsina (N25,125.00), and Oyo (N25,000.00).

Field work for the report was done by

over 700 NBS staff in all states of the federation supported by supervisors who were monitored by internal and external observers.

Fuel prices were collected across all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across all states and the FCT from over 10,000 respondents and locations.

It reflected actual prices households stated they actually bought those fuel together with the prices reportedly sold by the fuel suppliers.

The average of all these prices was then reported for each state and the average for the country is the average for the state.

Robbery, pickpocket kingpin nabbed in Lagos O peratives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Taskforce) Unit have arrested a notorious thief responsible for robbery and pick-pocketing across the metropolis.

Taskforce Chairman, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the suspect was nabbed on Costain Bridge in Surulere by the Enforcement and Monitoring patrol team of the Agency during a routine patrol of the area.

“The suspect and three others, presently at large, were nabbed after they jumped down from a commercial bus on Costain Bridge immediately they suspected that a patrol team of the Agency was trailing them right from Ojuelegba,” Egbeyemi said.

According to CSP Egbeyemi, the task force has received series of complaints

from commuters on activities of these criminals using a commercial bus to rob victims of their valuables, prompting officers of the Agency to embark on a regular patrol of every nook and cranny of the State.

He stated further that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was the ring leader of a four-man criminal gang which specialised in pick-pocketing and other forms of robbery.

The gang’s activities, he said, deprived unsuspecting commuters of their valuables such as phones, wallets and jewelry via the use of a commercial bus in different parts of the State.

The Chairman maintained that the operatives of the Agency and other security agencies in the State would not relent in curbing crime and criminal activities being perpetrated by miscreants and hoodlums across the State.

aramount traditional Ruler of Bachama in Adamawa State, Mr Stephen Irmiya, has said the frequent clashes between farmers and herders in the area had no religious or ethnic coloration.

Irmiya made the observation when he received the Presidential delegation on quick intervention at his Palace in Numan.

The delegation was led by the Director, Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Akube Iyamu, who was accompanied by other top officers of the agency at both the national and state levels.

The Monarch said the frequent conflicts between farmers and herders had affected both sides.

“The frequent farmers and herders crisis in this area has no any religion or ethnic coloration as some enemies of peace are speculating.

“Because both the two sides had being affected, even our Fulanis who we are living together for long time are also affected by the common enemies of peace. Government should wake up and stop the spate of unnecessary killings,” Irmiya said.

He observed that several government emissaries and delegations had visited the affected communities and made promises but not much had been done.

Speaking earlier, Iyamu said that the delegation was in the area in furtherance of the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Iyamu explained that the delegation was in the area to assess the level of damage done and to consider areas for quick intervention.

“We are in the state following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to come and assess the level of destruction to facilitate for quick intervention. ”President Muhammadu Buhari has directed us to also convey his sympathy and to bring succor to the affected communities,” Iyamu said.

He said that the affected persons should expect intervention from the federal government through NEMA within the shortest possible time.

Also speaking in his palace in Demsa Local Government Area of the state, when the delegation visited, Mr. Alhamdu Teneke ,expressed appreciation to President Buhari for identifying with them in their times of trial.

Teneke, however, urged the government to find lasting solutions to the crisis for sustainable peace and development of communities in the area.

He said the traditional instructions were ever ready to work closely with the Federal Government to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

In his remarks, Dr. Muhammed Sulaiman, the executive secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) said that two communities of Bolon and Barai were recently under attacks by unknown gunmen.

Sulaiman said four people were killed, while ten others sustained injuries just as many houses were torched during the attack on Bolon village in Demsa LGA. During the assessment tour, the delegation visited Barai and Bolon villages and as well as the LCCN Cathedral and Numan general.hospital all in Demsa and Numan.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

NEWS Rivers SDP commits to working with Wike

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ocial Democratic party (SDP) in Rivers State has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to work with Gov. Nyesom Wike, to restore peace in the state.

The SDP also pledged its unwavering support to Wike in his efforts to develop and move the state to greater heights.

SDP State Party Chairman, Mr Joshua Worlu, disclosed this in a statement after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s office in Port Har-

court on Tuesday.

Worlu said that the party would join hands with the governor to ensure sustainable peace, security and development in the state.

The Chairman, on behalf of the party in the state, congratulated Wike over his victory at the March 23, Governorship Election.

Worlu therefore urged all Rivers citizens and stakeholders, to join hands with the government to move the state forward.

Abia to receive over N2bn from FG’s Basic Healthcare Provision Fund

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ommissioner for Health in Abia, Dr. John Ahukanna, said on Monday that the state would get over N2 billion from the Federal Government’s Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF).

Ahukanna said this in Umuahia during the inauguration of the World Bank Primary Healthcare Center (WBPHC), which was revamped through the 72-hour Clinic Makeover programme under the state’s Challenge Initiative in Umuahia.

He said that the money from the fund would be utilised to renovate, refurbish and equip the 292 primary healthcare centres in the state.

He said that the centres would wear a new look for effective health care delivery in Abia as soon as the fund became operational.

The commissioner said: “It is going to be applied in our primary healthcare centres for the transformation of healthcare delivery at the primary healthcare level.

“It would be used to ensure the provision of regular electricity supply, potable water at the primary healthcare centers and free drugs for individuals that are registered.

“It is expected that immediately the BHPF kicks off, all the 292 primary healthcare centres in the state will wear a completely new look, which is aimed at serving us better.

Ahukanna added that the BHPF would further solidify federal government’s efforts aimed at transforming the nation’s health sector.

He described the commencement

of the 72-hour clinic makeover programme, an urban reproductive health programme funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the state, as a welcome development.

Ahukanna said that the transformation of the WBPHC was an indication that through diligence and commitment, the people’s need for quality healthcare delivery could be met.

“This is the beginning of many things that will happen to health centres in Abia,” he said, adding that the makeover programme was being replicated in other six primary healthcare centres, simultaneously.

Also, Mrs Ngozi Uwasomba, the Secretary of Health Authority in Umuahia North Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said that the 72-hour clinic makeover programme was aimed at enhancing the capacity of healthcare centres and health workers.

Uwasomba said that the concept of 72-hour clinic makeover was for selected health facilities, adding that it was an initiative worthy of emulation.

Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Chinagozi Adindu, told journalists on the sideline of the ceremony, that the state-of-theart equipment in the revamped facility would greatly improve healthcare delivery in the state.

Adindu said that the programme would guarantee easy access to quality healthcare services, capable of contributing immensely to the reduction of mortality and morbidity rates in the state.

• Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Total Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick Pouyanne who led a delegation from the oil exploration firm to the State House, Abuja, Tuesday

Senate passes 2019 Budget of N8.92 trn

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he Senate, Tuesday, passed the 2019 Budget of N8.92 trillion as against N8.83 trillion presented

by President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 18, 2018.

This followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Appropriation at plenary.

Presenting the report, Sen. Danjuma Goje said the increase of N90 billion in the budget is to cater for security challenges in the country, packages for lawmakers and support for Zamfara state.

According to him, N23.68 billion was earmarked for severance gratuity for outgoing legislators and legislative aides.

He added that the amount was also for allowances for incoming legislators and legislative aides and induction programme and inauguration of the 9th Assembly.

He further said the sum of N10 billion was earmarked for Zamfara State, while security agencies had their budgets increased to cater for security challenges.

“There is a slight increase in the budget deficit.

“This is as a result of provision for severance benefits for the outgoing legislators and legislative aides and the induction and orientation and inauguration of new lawmakers. It was Chairmen in the Umuahia party of- not captured in the 2019 budget. fice on the 23rd April, 2019 to assess the performance of the party in the just-concluded general elections in ommissioner of Police in Abia, Nigeria, and to fairly review individual Mr Ene Okon, said, Tuesday, contributions towards the success of that the Inspector-General of APC in Abia State, the 17 L.G.A Chairmen of the party at the meeting ex- Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has pressed their profound gratitude to deployed his Special Technical Squad High Chief, Sir, Ikechi Emenike for his to assist the Abia command in the unequalled support to APC, Abia State fight against kidnapping.

Ene said this at a meeting he held chapter, both in terms of his financial, logistics, mobilization and strong mor- with Aba residents, Police Commual support towards the success of APC nity Relations Committee (PCRC) in Abia State during the said 2019 gen- members and policemen in the divieral elections. sions under the Aba Area Command “It is also worthy of note that for on Tuesday.

APC to score a total of 84,040 votes He said: “Already I have anti-kidin the Presidential election, that it was napping team here in Aba. I have borne out of the relentless efforts of fortified them, given them a vehicle, High Chief, Sir, Ikechi Emenike and his an office accommodation in Aba uncompromised group of support- outside the area command and apers notwithstanding the pressures proved extra manpower for them. against his gubernatorial candida“Let me give you one more cheerture.” ing news. I was in Abuja after the It would be recalled that Abia APC elections when kidnapping reared was mired in factions with Emenike up its ugly head here in Aba and I dishaving sympathy for the Dr. Emma- cussed with the IGP. nuel Ndukwe-led group where he “Luckily, yesterday, the IGP dis(Emenike) emerged as the governor- patched his Special Technical Squad ship candidate. But his candidacy was to come and meet me in Abia and nullified by the Supreme Court which they are coming with their technical ruled in favour of Dr. Sampson Uche equipment.

Ogah who was favoured by the Chief “They are coming to cover the Donatus Nwankpa-led faction. whole of Aba and I expect them by

APC chapter chairmen hail Emenike over party’s performance in Abia From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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hairmen of the 17 Local Government chapters of All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Abia State have described Chief Ikechi Emenike as the great pillar of the party in the state, given his unrivalled support in all ramifications during the 2019 general elections.

The chairmen gave their verdict during a meeting where they carried out a post-mortem of the 2019 general elections, saying that the showing of the APC Presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari in Abia, was attributable to Emenike’s support.

Leaders of the Local Government Chairmen Forum, including the Chairman, Hon. Ejike Olekanma (Umunneochi); Vice Chairman, Hon. Uzoma Nwamuo, (Ugwunagbo); Secretary, Barr.

Henry Amaefula, (Isiala Ngwa North) and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Okey Ugochukwu, ( Isuikwuato) said in a statement in Umuahia that Emenike’s support during the elections was consistent and very determined in approach, despite “obstacles placed by some individuals on the wheel of progress of Abia State chapter of APC”.

The statement read in part: “At a post-2019 general elections appraisal meeting of the All Progressive Congress held at the instance of the 17 Abia APC Local Government Party

“There was also the need to provide more funds for security and intelligence agencies to deal with additional emerging and unforeseen security challenges in the country,” he said.

He noted that Statutory Transfer stood at N502 billion, Fiscal DeficitN1.9 trillion, Special Intervention N500 billion, Recurrent Expenditure-N4 trillion, Capital Expenditure-N2 trillion and Deficit to GDP of 1.37 per cent.

The chairman said of the statutory transfer of N502 billion, the National Assembly has a budgetary provision of N128 billion and Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB)-N112.47 billion Others are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) -N45.5 billion, National Judicial Council (NJC) -N110 billion Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) -N100.18 billion.

Others are, Public Complaints Commission (PCC)-N4.40 billion and National Human Right Commission (NHRC)-N1.5 billion.

He further said that the senate maintained key assumptions of Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper sent by the Executive.

He pointed out that Daily Oil Production stood at 2.3 million barrels per day, Oil Benchmark stood at 60 Dollar per barrel, while the Exchange Rate stood at N305 per dollar.

Goje also noted that total debt

stood at N2.254 trillion, with Domestic Debt Service at N1.71 trillion, Foreign Debt Service at N433.79 trillion, while Sinking Fund stood at N110 billion.

On sectoral allocation for capital budget, he said the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, has N394.91 billion, followed by Ministry of Transportation with N179.38 billion, while the Ministry of Defence has N159.13 billion.

He further said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocation of N107. 22 billion, Water Resources - N92.18 billion.

The lawmaker also said that the Ministry of Education got N58.69 billion, Ministry of Health-N57.09 billion, Presidency-N33.15 billion and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs-N4.05billion.

On capital supplementation, Goje said the sum of N50 billion was earmarked for Special Intervention Programme(Capital), N45 billion for North East Intervention Fund, N15 billion for payment of local contractors’ debts and other liabilities.

He further noted that the sum of N3.5billion was earmarked for Counterpart Funding.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki called for prompt assent to the bill.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has also passed the budget.

next week,” he said, adding that “they are to remain here and fight it out.”

Ene said that crime and criminality escalated in the country after the civil war, pointing out that “since crime and criminality are dynamic, they now require technology to fight, accordingly.”

He said that Section 214 of the Constitution, which established the police, was made by the people, who are members of the community, hence it could be rightly said that the police are owned by the people.

He said that Section 216 assigns the police with the duties to protect lives and property, maintain law and order in the society, adding that the people as “creators of the police have their obligations also to the police.”

He, therefore, called on the people to assist the police perform their duties satisfactorily by being law-abiding, volunteering information and supporting police efforts.

The police boss urged policemen, who he described as “servants to the people,” to treat the people with respect as their paymasters.

He said he would not tolerate acts

of indiscipline, crime and criminality, corrupt practices and abuse of citizen’s rights among policemen.

He said that he was made to understand that every policeman in Abia was desirous to serve in Aba in order to engage in corrupt practices and make money, warning that he would soon transfer some of them out of the city.

He urged the police to make discipline their watchword and thanked the PCRC for its immense contribution to the success of the command.

In their separate remarks, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Central Police Station, Aba, DPO, Uratta-Eziukwu and DPO, Ndiegoro, CSP Abii Onyeulor, CSP Princewill Ekeocha, and SP Emeka Oganyi, respectively, thanked the CP for his visit.

They appealed to him to beef up the manpower in their various divisions, provide them with functional patrol vehicles and motorcycles and post more male officers to make their work easier.

In his speech, the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Opara, urged the CP to consider the request of the DPOs and help out where possible.

IG deploys special anti-kidnapping squad to Abia, says CP

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

NEWS

PUBLIC NOTICE

042 INTERNATIONAL KINSMEN CLUB This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied to cooperate affairs commission for for registration Under part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

Trustees are: 1. Chime Samuel Okechukwu - Chairman 2. Oguma Victor Kelechi - Secretary 3. Chukwunonso Henry Okonkwo - Member 4. Bethel Eloka Udeh - Member 5. Uchenna Emmanuel Nnadi - Member 6. Onyebuchi George Okoye - Member 7. Prince Silas Ani - Member 8. Chinonso Gabriel Onyia - Member 9. Chijioke Ernest Nnadozie - Member 10. Ekene Ambrose Nnaji - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To be of mutual help to members 2. To advance members’ success 3. To help the less privileged 4. To unite for the good of humanity.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28days of this publication of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

TORQUE EMPOWERMENT AND CHARITY FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES: KARA LOOKMAN OLUYOMI (Chairman) SHITTU IBRAHIM LANRE (Secretary) EJAM RITA IFEOMA (Member) JIMOH IBRAHIM ALABA (Member) ADEBAYO LATEEFAT (Member) KARA KUBURAT ADENIKE (Member) OKUNOLA ADEDEJI ADETOLA (Member) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To organise and create empowerment opportunity to our citizens.

To serve as a charity organization for the needs.

To promote and sponsor Talents SIGNED BY: BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as NWEKE CHIDIMMA JOY now wish to be known as MMOR CHIDIMMA JOY. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as OKIKA EBERE MARYANN now wish to be known as OKIKA EBERE MIRABEL. former documents remain valid. Banks, N-POWER , IMT ENUGU and General public take note

I formerly known as OBIEGBUSI CHIAMAKA AMANDA now wish to be known as NONSO CHIAMAKA AMANDA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as EZEKWERE EKWUTOSI ROSEMARY now wish to be known as EZEKWERE EKWUTOSI CHRISTABEL. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as EZENWAKA ANASTECIA NNEKA now wish to be known as EGBOSIMBA ANASTECIA NWANNEKA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formally known and addressed as LYNDA CHINENYE EZEAKU now wish to be known and addressed as ATTAH LYNDA CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I formerly known as IRABOR FRIDAY JULIUS now wish to be known as IRABOR FRIDAY AIRONMWANBOR. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

• Traders from the Computer Village, Ikeja comprising members of the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDAN) and the Community Development Association (CDA) during a protest march to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday over plans by state government to impose an Iyaloja and Babaloja run the affairs of the hub

Product calibration to boost local, International trade - SON From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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tandards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says products and services calibration will boost local and international trade and facilitate economy diversification.

Director-General of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, stated this in Enugu at a Stakeholders’ roundtable on Calibration Services.

Themed; “The Role of Calibration in Trade and Business Facilitation and Growth,”Aboloma, who was represented by the Director of National Metrology Institute (NMI), Enugu, Dr Bede Obayi, noted that Nigerians as well as the nation’s economy had a lot to gain by embracing calibration, which he said, was adding value for money on every product or service in the country.

He stressed that adopting of best practices of calibration with Nigeria’s NMI would enable the Nigeria to conserve hard-earned foreign exchange hitherto paid to other countries’ metrology institutes.

He added that the development would as well be a confidence-booster to exporters due to reliability of products.

“It would also enhance safe environment by providing accuracy in measurements as well as improvement of the health of the citizenry;

and be strength valves to other components of National Quality Infrastructure through standardisation, accreditation, certification and testing,’’ he said.

The DG appreciated the contributions of development partners including UNIDO, German government, National Institute of Standards, and Egypt, in areas of equipment supply, staff capacity building, and calibration of standards among other collaborative assistance.

In a lecture titled “Effective Calibration Services in Metrology on Trade, Business and Economic Growth in Nigeria,” Metrology expert, Kayode Olagunju, stated that even the holy books encouraged right, just measure and treatment of all at all times.

He also noted that calibration or right measurement was necessary for all that humans did in life, adding that it was what ensures that the right standards were maintained to build business confidence.

“The issue of calibration should be taken serious by all as we are moving towards a global business and trade environment that requires not just right quantity but also quality in all we offer as products and services,’’ he noted.

Earlier in a goodwill message, representative of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in National Au-

tomotive Design and Development Council, Dr DVC Obi, noted that the association would continue to partner with SON to ensure that its NMI calibration efforts succeeded.

Similarly, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Maikobi, represented by Brig Gen. Sylvester Oloyede, commended organisers of the event stressing that accurate calibration of goods and services would also boost the current military-civil relationship in the country.

For the Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Operation for Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi Command, Samuel Bot, his command would work with NMI to ensure that proper calibration was done on goods so that importers would always pay right duty amounts to the federal government.

Also, the Executive Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Dr Frank Ugwu posited that ensuring the right calibration would build trust and long lasting goodwill in businesses as well as ensure confidence at all time.

He urged SON and NMI to collaborate and embark on adequate sensitization on calibration and as well, follow it up with enforcement so as to achieve optimum compliance.

out their terms because it spends its scarce resources feeding and caring for their welfare, stressing that the nation and the convicts would be better off if such resources were channeled to training them on skills that would make them self-reliant.

She said that there were three categories of prisoners in Nigeria comprising the innocent, minor offenders and the hardened criminals, noting that the first two constituted majority of those awaiting trial.

“When we talk about what the media can do within this spectrum, we are talking about how you can increase the quality, as well as increase the frequency of media reporting of decriminalizing and declassification of petty offences. You need to create awareness on this issue and publish credible information for the public,” she said.

According to her, increasing the quality and frequency of reporting on petty offences would bring it to the consciousness of government and Nigerians to decriminalize and declassify petty offences and offenders sentenced to community service rather

the prisons.

In his remarks, an Ex-officio of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ezeogo Boniface Okoro, noted that the training which also sought to build a synergy between journalists and security agencies, was timely and in line with the resolve of the National President of the Union, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, to ensure constant training of members.

Okoro added that training would boost relationship between journalists and security organizations in the state and enhance access to hitherto restricted areas and urged the participants to take the workshop serious.

Communications and Research Associate of PRAWA, Abuja Office, Mercedes Alfa, Assistant Programme, Officer, PRAWA, Umuahia office; Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Prisons Service, Abia State and the Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, made presentations during the workshop which witnessed the formation of Media Network on Security, Justice and Development and Penal Reforms Media Network, Abia State chapter.

Agomoh tasks journalists on reporting of petty offences From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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ounder/Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Dr Uju Agomo, has charged practicing Journalists in Abia State to increase the quality and frequency of their reportage on security, justice and development in the state.

Agomoh who gave the challenge during a one-day Media Capacity Building Workshop on Security, Justice and Development held in Umuahia, Monday, specifically enjoined journalists to enlist in the campaign for non-custodial sentencing for people who committed petty offences.

Petty offences include loitering, wandering, inappropriate dressing or behaviours which, upon conviction, attracts sentences and fines not exceeding six months.

The PRAWA boss explained that people arrested for these offences are usually the poor and vulnerable who may be indoctrinated into major crimes while in prison.

She maintained that the nation also suffers while such convicts serve

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS EU commend Gov Okowa on water policy, commissions schemes

Okorocha’s Certificate of Return: S’East youths blast Imo APC Elders Forum

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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uropean Union (EU) has commended the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for results oriented approach adopted by his administration towards the realization of his policies and programmes, particularly water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the State.

The European Union Head of Cooperation delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Kurt Cornelis who gave the commendation at Oliego-Umuseti and Obi-Ofu communities in Ndokwa West Local Government Area during the official commissioning of water schemes funded by the EU, UNICEF and Delta state Government said that water infrastructure was critical for the well-being of the people.

Cornelis particularly applauded the State government for the payment of its counterpart contribution for the scheme, saying that it was an indication that the government had the interest of his people at heart.

He also lauded the Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Sir Fidelis Tilije for being proactive in ensuring that there was sustainable and potable water supply in the State and advised the beneficiaries to evolve ways of sustaining the facilities.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Sir Fidelis Tilije who thanked the international donor agencies especially the European Union and UNICEF for their partnership with the State government in key areas described water as social and economic commodity.

Sir Tilije said that EU had funded 333 water facilities in four local government areas in the State just as he urged the communities to generate some revenue in order to be able to maintain and sustain the water projects.

The commissioner enjoined members of WASH committee and water consumers association in the two communities to justify the confidence reposed in them by working above board so that the essence of the initiative would not be in vain.

Earlier in a goodwill message, the Team Leader, Niger Delta EU Support programme, Mr Albert Achten said that the water schemes would impact positively on the daily lives of the people of the area.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the commissioning, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Mrs Felicia Adun said that the ministry of Water Resources Development had continued to receive international agencies’ support, adding that water was sensitive for the health and well-being of the beneficiaries.

The Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Hon. Ifeanyi Osakwe, the WASH committee chairman for Obi-Ofu , Chief Stephen Ajieh and his counterpart in Olieogo -Umuseti community, Elder Ogbolu pledged to sustain the water infrastructure through consistent maintenance.

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

coalition of South East youths has blasted another group called Imo APC Elders Forum for insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not issue Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, with his Certificate of Return as the winner of Imo West Senatorial election in the recently concluded 2019 general elections.

The said forum had, penultimate week, publicly announced that they were backing INEC for denying Okorocha his Certificate of Return and urged the electoral umpire not to buckle under any

pressure and should not issue the out-going governor the coveted certificate.

But in a swift reaction, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, condemned the elders, describing them as anti-democratic forces working against the interest of Ndigbo.

“We condemn in strong terms, the unconstitutional and anti-democratic statement by Imo APC Elders Forum that His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s Certificate of Return as the duly elected Senator for Imo West Senatorial zone should not be issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The undemocratic statement

by Imo APC Elders Forum cannot override the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Law of Nigeria, which clearly stipulate that when a candidate is declared winner by the duly assigned returning officer for that election, it is only the election tribunal that can upturn it,” the coalition said in a statement made available to The Oracle Today in Umuahia.

President-General of the coalition, Chief GoodLuck Egwu Ibem, and the Secretary General, Dr. Kanice Igwe, endorsed the statement which described the Forum as “a group of disgruntled elements fighting Governor Owelle

From left: Mr. Benjamin Agili, Managing Director, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company, Mrs. Ose Oluyanwo, President, Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) and Mr. Wale Banmore, Managing Director, Royal Exchange Prudential Life Assurance

Rochas Okorocha simply because he refused to share Imo state funds meant for the development of the state to them.”

“If the so called Imo APC Elders Forum mean well for the good people of Imo state, they would have known that this is not the time for political disagreement and in-house fighting.

“They would have known that this is the time to work as a team for Imo state and South East geo-political zone.

“They would have known that South East needs to have more APC senators from the zone, so that the zone could get what is rightfully due to it from the President Buhari’s administration, especially now that the zone needs to have principal officers in the National Assembly,” the statement read in part.

The South East youth leaders called on “well-meaning Imo state citizens to disregard the so called Imo APC Elders Forum and stand behind their Governor and Pragmatic Leader, His Excellency, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, as the senator-elect of Imo West Senatorial zone.”

The coalition contends that under extant laws of the country, INEC lacks the constitutional powers to “withhold Certificate of Return in an election duly declared in line with the Electoral law or cancel an election that met the minimum requirement of the Electoral law,” adding that “INEC lacks powers to arrogate to itself the investigative powers of the police and the judiciary.”

The group had in an earlier statement, alleged that the refusal of INEC to Issue Okorocha his Certificate of Return was not only a violation of the constitution but an orchestrated plan to deny Ndigbo the 2023 Presidency.

‘I did not shoot PG’ - Suspected killer confesses

From PAMELA EBOH, Awka killer of the PresiTLocalhedentalleged General of Nimo, Njikoka Government Area, Chief

Frank Anthony Igboka was on Monday paraded by the Commissioner of Anambra State, Mustapha Dandaura.

The 27-year old suspect, Chigbo Aniegbu, aka Transformer, during interview with journalists denied being the killer of the late PG but confessed to being in company of the gang of four that shot and killed the ex lawmaker.

The suspect who is from Abba village in Nimo and a neighbour to late Igboka said that the PG was killed because he banished his cult members from the community and warned them never to return until they turned a new leaf.

According to him, he was not in the know of where his gang members were headed to on the night of the attack as he was only called up to join them for an operation.

“I was called by Obinna to join them for an operation and i told them to pick me up at Oye plus which they did. I didn’t know the operation was at Nimo until when we saw Igboka stop his car to buy something. They ordered the driv-

er to stop and we came down.

“It was Obinna that shot and killed him. I did not shoot him. I don’t have any issues with him, he is my neighbour.”

But, it was learnt from some indigenes of the town that came to see the culprit during the Police parade that the suspect has been a thorn in the flesh of the community as a whole.

A middle age man who pleaded anonymity accused the suspect of being the killer of Igboka.

He said, “I was with Igboka the night he was killed but I dropped off shortly before I started hearing gun shots, only to hear later that it was my friend, mmili that was shot and killed. I am seriously pained.”

The suspect was also said to have killed a twin in the community during a rival cult clash.

Information has it that he mistook the twin for his twin brother, shot in the head and ran away from the community but when he questioned on that, he denied it saying he has never shot anyone before.

While confessing to being a member of the Vikings confraternity said he ignorantly, joined the

gang without knowing that the operation involved the killing of Igboka.

He added, “That was why I was speechless when they started shooting the man.

“The only mistake I made was entering the vehicle without confirming exactly where they were headed.”

Addressing journalists earlier before the parade of Igboka’s suspected killer, the CP said that the state Governor, Willie Obiano has increased the cash reward of N5m earlier promised to anybody with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

He said the increment of N15m followed the arrest of the kingpin who hails from the same community as the slain Igboka.

He said three of the members of the gang were at still large, adding that efforts were being made to track them adding that the breakdown of the N15m is N5 for information that would lead to tge arrest of each of the three remaining suspects.

He gave their names as Smart whose surname is unknown, an indigene of Ukpor in Nnewi

South LGA, Chukwunonso alias, Nwasami from Aguleri and Obinna Okafor, an indigene of Onitsha.

Dandaura while commending officers for living up to their especially in the month of April expressed joy at the increment saying tgat the Command will not rest on its oars until the runaway suspects were nabbed.

His words: “I’m happy to announce that His Excellency has increased the price for anybody who can lead the police to the arrest of the remaining three suspects to N5million each.

“It would be recalled that on the 16th of April, 2019 at about 8.18pm, the President General Nimo community one Chief Frank Anthony Igboka was shot and murdered by gunmen around Nimo market in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State.

“Following the incident, the Command under my watch launched an aggressive manhunt of perpetrators of this dastardly act which led to the arrest of the main kingpin one Chigbo Aniegbu aka Transformer, aged 27 years of Abba, Nimo in connection with the murder of the late President General.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 -7, 2019

NEWS

“Anambra Govt will ban tricycles if…”

THEO RAYS, Onitsha OGE ONYEANUSi, Nnewi

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nambra State Commissioner for Transport, Hon Uchenna Okafor, (a.k.a. Wipper) has warned tricycle operators that the state Government would not hesitate to ban their operation if they became nuisance to the society.

Sounding the note of warning while addressing them at the conference hall, Government House, Awka, state capital, he told them to avoid any act capable of bringing their names to ridicule and stop any manner of payment to anybody adding that the state government has ordered that all payments be stopped immediately.

The commissioner urged them to also stop blocking the roads and allowing the use of their tricycles for criminal activities stating that such

…As operators welcome one-revenue ticket would result in the said outright ban.

Expressing satisfaction with the ban on revenue collection, the operators who later gathered at People’s club hall, along the Onitsha/ Owerri road, commended Governor Willie Obiano and the Commissioner adding that they went through untold hardship in the hands of revenue agents who they said beat, extort, assault and smash their tricycles if they delay to give them the money that ranged from #2750 to N2,000 per person in a day.

Addressing their members on the need to abide by the government directive, the Chairman of the Caretaker committee of Keke Operators, along Oba/Owerri road/Main market, Mr Ekene Ifediata, reiter-

ated that offenders would be dealt with accordingly.

“We will set up a taskforce that will take care of road decongestion that will operate in line with the state government” “Our plea is that whenever the state government wants to issue authority to Keke operators on revenue generation let it be given to our members and not touts who not only increase the amount but also extort us” In his speech, the former Chairman of the operators in Owerri road, Mr Emeka Ohaekelem said that they would continue to work with the state government now that the extortionists have been removed but urged the government to hand over authority on revenue collection to their members.

Earlier in his speech, a member of the executive, Chief Desmond Ibe expressed satisfaction with the ban on revenue collection and pledged the operators resolve to stop obstructing the roads with their tricycles.

Meanwhile, as a backdrop of Governor Willie Obiano’s order sacking fake revenue agents and introducing a one revenue ticket regime in Anambra State, operators of commercial tricycles popularly known as keke in Onitsha have welcomed the development.

Governor Obiano wielded the big stick against fake revenue agents and touting following the clash between armed touts working for fake revenue agents and keke operators which allegedly claimed one life of a keke operator at Iweka road axis in Onitsha two weeks ago. The Governor is said to have consequently introduced a one-ticket revenue for Keke operators in the State.

The Oracle Today gathered that the sacking of fake revenue agents and introduction of one ticket revenue sparked jubilation among the operators of keke in various parts of Onitsha with the operators hailing Governor Obiano for his timely intervention to rescue them from touts who have been like a thorn on their flesh for so long.

A leader of keke drivers at Obo-

do Ukwu via Owerri road axis who gave his name as Longinus Iheme told The Oracle Today that Obiano has saved them from serious problem which has been given them sleepless night for a long time noting that keke drivers in Onitsha pay as much as up to N2000 daily to touts parading all kinds of tickets.

Iheme stated that the worst part of it is that the payment to the touts is compulsory regardless of the time one starts operation adding that in some cases keke drivers go home with injuries inflicted on them by the touts who attack them with weapons whenever they fail to pay them according to the number of tickets they unleash.

He explained, “sometimes drivers do not come out in the afternoon after going to mechanic from maintenance because they will still collect the full payment of the day.

Even if you come out by 3pm they will still collect money in full, so it was a problem for us but we thank God for what Obiano has done, may God continue to bless Obiano in Jesus name. After serving as Governor he will go to the Senate or even become President” Other keke drives who spoke on the matter pleaded with Obiano to tightly hold on to the one ticket revenue and ensure that the fake ones do not come back to continue their operation as according to them some of the touts are bragging that they will return in no distance.

NLC, TUC laud Obiano on workers’ welfare From OZO RAY

T • (From left): Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, representing President Muhammudu Buhari; Minister for Youth and

Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, with one of the nine Akwa Ibomites who bagged the 2019 President’s NYSC Honours Awards for the combined years of 2015, 2016 and 2017 at the event which held at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Monday

Boko Haram: Father blames son over link to insurgents A

By IBE NWACHUKWU

man, Mr Obinna Nwakobi, has blamed his son, Emeka Nwakobi, over the alleged man hunt for him and others as suspected members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, while resident in Maiduguri, doing his legitimate business.

Speaking to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, Tuesday, amidst tears from not having seen his son, for months now, Nwakobi recalled: “I told my son, Emeka, that I got reports that he was always in company of suspected Boko Haram terrorists and he denied the allegation saying that it was false that they were just friends and business partners.

“I believed him but one day his business associate, simply identified as Yakubu, called me on phone and told me that security operatives were hunting for them and that they have been declared wanted as terrorists”.

He said that the business associate added that “anywhere they are in Nigeria they must be killed and that his residence has been destroyed by Nigerian soldiers who are fighting the terrorists and that since then he has fled and he could not locate the where-about of my son, Emeka.

“I am ageing and cannot travel now to Maiduguri to know if he is dead, alive and his where-about” he said.

Asked if he has lost hope of seeing

him, he said, “I can never tell but all I understand is that he fled for his dear life because they will kill him since he was said to be among the wanted ones”.

Edo flood victims to benefit from NEMA grants

H

ead of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ifeanyi Omoje, says over 3,148 farmers affected by the 2018 flood in Edo will benefit from the agency’s grants.

Omoje who said this on Tuesday in Benin, added that the agency had commenced the verification of the number of victims.

He said that the farmers were from Esan Sourh-East, Etsako Central and Etsako East.

He said; “The grant is from Emergency Agricultural Intervention Funds established by the National Security Council headed by President Mohammadu Buhari.

“It is coming in form of farm im-

pute, including seedlings, fertilisers and agrochemicals to enable the farmer to have good yields in the 2019 farming season.”

Omoje, however, said that the farmers would be supported based on the size of their farms.

According to him, during the presentation of grants to the farmers, the local government authorities and state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would be present.

He said that the agency recently distributed relief materials, including 75 sewing machines, 60 grinding machines, 42 hair dryers and 75 fishing nets to victims of 2018 flood, windstorm, and Ocean upsurge in the three local government areas.

he Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have extolled Governor Willie Obiano’s policies and programmes geared towards improving the welfare of workers in Anambra state.

State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr.C.Don Adinuba and the Head of Anambra State Civil Service Barr.

Harry Uduh disclosed it to our correspondent at the Exco Chambers yesterday shortly after the state executive council meeting.

The Head of Service said that the Anambra chapter of the Trade Union Congress has concluded plans to bestow an award of excellent performance on the state governor on the 2019 Workers’ Day Celebration in the state.

Uduh explained that the union deemed it worthwhile to confer such honour on the governor because since his inception into office as Governor , workers in the state have not had any reason whatsoever to fall out with the state government on account of welfare and better working conditions .

He further disclosed that such recognition was an eloquent testimony that the well-being of workers was top on the agenda of the Willie Obiano administration.

According to him , the Governor has made repeated pronouncements that he would pay workers the new national minimum wage and that all efforts have been channelled towards strengthening the Internally Generated Revenue of the state to meet the

current demand to make the new minimum wage a reality .

He also stated that the Governor was currently renovating the Anambra State Secretariat Complex to make it more conducive and habitable for workers; just as he pointed out that the conditions of service was of paramount concern to him .

Meanwhile the state commissioner for information and public enlightenment Mr.C.Don Adinuba said it was no longer news that the Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress wrote a commendation letter to Governor Willie Obiano and his wife addressing them as the most worker-friendly couple in the country.

Adinuba noted that the relationship between the organised labour and the Anambra State Government was not only cordial but also beneficial to the workers emphasising that Anambra was the only state in the country that has reviewed workers’ salaries in the last six years.

The commissioner said that all the one hundred and fourty persons that were laid off from the Anambra Broadcasting Service on grounds of redundancy by his predecessor were all recalled by the Obiano administration and equally benefitted from salary increase .

He also disclosed that Governor Obiano cleared the back log of salary arrears owed workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation adding that the Governor has equally announced his administration’s intention to be the first state in Nigeria to pay the new national minimum wage.

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS

Winner-takes-all syndrome fuelling post-election challenges – Okowa From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade (r) with a pharmaceutical certification expert from the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) India, Mr. Dave Piyushkumar, after he conducted the latter round the Cross River State Pharmaceutical Factory alongside other pharmaceutical experts

Ejoor: ‘Nigeria has lost great, patriotic citizen’-- Okowa From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Monday evening, said that Nigeria has lost a great and patriotic citizen in the person of the late Major General (Olorogun) David Akpode Ejoor (Rtd), GCON, OFR, who died on February 10. Okowa stated this at the Service of Songs and Night of Tributes which held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Governor Okowa, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, said he felt greatly touched by the news of his transition because “he was a respected senior citizen, a strong pillar and a leader in the Urhobo nation, the state and indeed our dear country. We have no doubt, lost a great, honest, straight forward and patriotic citizen”, he said.

He described the late General as a “detribalized elder statesman who stood for the unity of the state and indeed Nigeria throughout his life time. He was dependable. He exhibited astonishing intelligence in handling issues. He was always on the side of peace. We should be inspired by his legacies”, he said, adding, “he was one of the finest officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces”.

The Service of Songs and Night of Tributes led by the Military Chaplain marked the beginning of week-long obsequies for the late General as announced by his family. It was attended by an array of Military officers, top dignitaries from the Urhobo nation, members of his famous Old Boys Association of Government College Ughelli (GCUOBA) and a host of others.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Burutai, who was represented by Maj Gen Martins O Enendu, Deputy Commandant, NAFRC, said though by tradition, the Army keeps

•Okowa

its tribute till the graveside ceremonies, nevertheless noted that “if we have inherited an Army that is solid, it is because of the foundation laid by fathers like the late Gen Ejoor ”.

The tributes came in torrents from his children, family members and GCU Old Boys Association. The Late Ejoor was variously described as a man who led an exemplary life, a disciplinarian, role model, peace loving, intelligent, a great golfer and above all, a lover of God, who never allowed his achievements to becloud his love and commitment to God. Among the dignitaries present were Olorogun Dr Moses O Taiga, the President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, Arc Charles Majoroh, the President General of GCUOBA, Vanguard Publisher, Sam Amuka, Ambassador B. A Clarke, former Nigerian Permanent Rep to the UN, Engr Alfred Okoigun, GMD/Founder Arco Plc and Maj Gen Adekunle Shodunke,

Chief of Army Standard & Evaluation among others.

Born in 1932 in Ovu, Delta State, Ejoor had his secondary education at the famous Government College Ughelli where he was the School Prefect and Captain of Athletics. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1953 at its beginning; he was in the first set of Cadets and among the first dozen officers to train at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England.

In 1960, then Captain Ejoor, he commanded the Army Guards at the Flag-Raising Ceremony on Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, 1960. He was the first indigenous Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy. He was the first Military Governor of Midwest Region, now Edo and Delta states.

And later served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

He retired from the Army in 1975 at age 43 and thereafter became the President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged those victorious at elections to strive to work towards forming an inclusive government as the attitude of winner-takes-all often experienced in the country had the tendency to aggravate post-election challenges.

The governor made the assertion in Asaba, during the maiden edition of Maris Annual Lecture, organised by the Maris Trust Council.

The theme of the lecture was “Managing Post-Election Challenges: Nigeria as Case Study.”

He said, “Particularly, the winner takes it all after every election builds up tension; it complicates situations and builds high rate of unemployment and poverty in our country.”

Okowa, represented by the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Fidelis Tilije, described the theme and focus of the lecture as apt.

He said that it was unfortunate that elections in the country often turned violent with undesirable outcome, adding “I am an advocate of free, fair and credible elections.”

The governor said elections in the country should be free from all forms of hitches and promote peace which was essential for development. He noted that at every election, there must be a winner and advised those aggrieved by the outcome to seek redress through legitimate and legal means.

Okowa commended Maris Trust for the initiatives while calling on the people to toe the line of peace in their endeavours to ensure development of the State and the country at large.

The Guest Lecturer, Chief Williams Makinde, said that post-election challenges in the country had bearing with poverty, unemployment and inequality, among other ills.

According to Makinde, as a developing country, post-election challenges in Nigeria included economic, social, political and cultural challenges as well low Human Development Index (HDI).

“HID is the indicator of sustainable development; it is a summary measure for accessing long-term progress in three basic elements of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

To allow government address the challenges of the right type of development, the political elite, career politicians and all other rent-seeking stakeholders must manage their greed.

“There is enough to meet everybody’s need but there can never be enough to meet everybody’s greed,” the Managing Director, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) said.

The discussants, Dr David Oba, Ms Faith Nwadishi, Sen. Stella Omu and Chief Fred Majemite, agreed that systems and institutional failure were responsible for post-election challenges.

They argued that election, though a struggle for political power, the operators and political gladiators must play by the rules. They also said that in every contest, there must be a winner while losers must equally ensure peace by pursuing their mandate legally.

The discussants however urged winners of elections to be magnanimous in victory and strive to meet the expectations of the electorate.

Mr Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary, Maris Trust Council, in a vote of thanks, said the council would be holding the lecture annually to discuss topical issues with a view to addressing challenges in the country.

The occasion was graced by politicians from various political parties in the State.

No ongoing recruitment in Akwa Ibom public service – Govt

H

ead of Service, Akwa Ibom State Government has moved to dismiss report of ongoing recruitment in the sector, describing such as ‘rumours’ spread by fraudsters out to swindle the general public.

A statement by Mrs Ekereobong Akpan, the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, stated that government recruitment process does not attract any monetary charge, ‘therefore any officer or syndicates demanding money in the guise of facilitating employment should be promptly reported to appropriate quarters.’

“The attention of the Head of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service has been drawn to the rumours making the round that her Of-

fice is currently recruiting staff into the Service and suspecting job seekers are tricked to pay between Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira by faceless fraudsters to aid their employment.

“Applicants and parents are hereby alerted on activities of these fraudsters, who are not even Public Servants.

“The public, especially job see, should be reminded that recruitment into Akwa Ibom State Civil Service is one of the core mandates of the State Civil Service Commission and the recent online recruitment exercise by the Commission is still being processed and further action on it shall be duly communicated.”

racleToday

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12

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

NEWS From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State has waded into the perceived rivalry among the members-elect of the state House of Assembly over choosing of principal officers in the yet-to-be-inaugurated 7th House of Assembly.

Scheming and intrigues by those interested in occupying the leadership positions in the state Legislature expected to be inaugurated in June this year have allegedly triggered diatribes and vitriolic attacks on some members-elect in the social media, prompting the State Working Committee (SWC) of Abia PDP to step in to call for truce.

At the meeting held at the Finbarr’s Road State Secretariat last Thursday between the SWC and the 19 PDP members-elect

Speakership tussle: Abia PDP cautions House of Assembly members-elect

and presided over by the State Chairman, Sir Johnson Onuigbo, the SWC cautioned the incoming lawmakers to end the attacks amongst themselves.

A 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting states “that the SWC condemns in its entirety, current attacks by hired agents of some members-elect against some others over Speakership of the yet to be inaugurated 7th House of Assembly on So-

cial Media which is not in the best interest of the Party.”

The SWC, according to communiqué, warned “that henceforth any Member-elect who is found to be sponsoring any hostile and (or) damaging post(s) on Social Media or any other medium, shall be disciplined accordingly.”

The communiqué was jointly endorsed by the Syaye chairman, Sir Johnson Onuigbo; the State Secretary, Chief Ibe Nwadioha; Rt.

Hon. Bishop Njoku and Chief Emmanuel Ndubuisi, two of the 19 PDP members-elect.

The SWC told the incoming legislators that any Member-elect interested in any position in the 7th Abia State House of Assembly “is free to go about his aspiration but without creating any image problem for the Party by being unduly quarrelsome, especially using the Social Media.”

The party leadership empha-

More crises hit APGA as Anambra lawmaker defects to APC

Ebonyi Govt moves to empower over 200 persons

A

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

E

bonyi Government, Tuesday, disclosed its plans to empower not less than 200 persons under the state’s Stimulus Development Project.

The programme is designed to empower professionals, entrepreneurs and retirees at all levels in the state, according to state government.

State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji who disclosed this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen, said the project which will be implemented in partnership with Park Hill Consult, adding that it would enhance the Human Capital index of the state and make the successful trainees economically selfreliant.

He said the program was part of initiatives and policies of the state government geared toward improving the living standards of Ebonyi people.

The Commissioner expwlained that the Consultant would be saddled with the responsibility of identifying Ebonyians in the fields of Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Teachers in Science and English language, ICT, Business persons and professionals as well as retirees with business acumen that are interested in the programme.

“Interested applicants are meant to apply through a comprehensive online application mechanism. Websites, twitters, instagrams, facebook and other social media channels shall be made available to Ebonyians all over the world, including non-indigenes living in the state, provided that such applicant have or are willing to have their business locations situated in Ebonyi state.

“Those in entrepreneurship as well as in professional services shall be trained in the area of business management and marketing strategies, professional enhancement, ICT and preparation of bankable proposal as soon as they are shortlisted.

“The Consultant shall source funds for the successful participants, while Ebonyi state government shall provide the enabling environment, security and guarantee for such funds.

This is the first of its kind in human capital development initiative that will benefit the entire state”, he said.

sized that the posts of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader and other Principal Offices in the 7th Abia House of Assembly were positions accruable to the party, adding that at the appropriate time, “the Party, in consultations with the Governor and Leader of the Party in the State; Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, will advise on the distribution of the aforementioned positions, based on competence and equity.”

From left: Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Muhammadu Abubakar of Jigawa State; and Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)’s Induction of new and returning Governors, in Abuja, Monday

Protests against establishment of new university misleading, unwarranted- Okorocha Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has described the ongoing protest by Ohaji/Egbema youth over the establishment of a University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the main campus of Imo state polytechnic Umuagwo as mischievous.

He said the protest was being sponsored by some unpatriotic leaders in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area and some hostel owners in the area.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri on Tuesday, Okorocha warned those behind the protest to desist from it and allow lofty projects of government to thrive.

He said: “The attention of my government has been drawn to the misleading and inciting protest by some youths of Ohaji/Egbema LGA over relocation of the state polytechnic.

“It is very unfortunate that some people have decided to play politics with everything in Imo, including developmental projects in the state.

“It is very bad that the youths have allowed themselves to be used for protest against the development of the state, otherwise why will any sensible youth protest against sitting of a university in their area?’’

The governor had announced the establishment of University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences which he named

Aboh/Ngor Umuagwo University.

He announced that the structure of Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo would house the new university, while the polytechnic would be relocated to Ehime/Mbano Local Government Area (LGA).

The decision however led to a serious protest by leaders and youths of Ohaji/Egbema, the host community of Imo State Polytechnic.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) issued the certificate of registration for the take-off of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Imo, as the 49th state owned university in Nigeria on April 18.

n All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) lawmaker representing Aguata 11, at the Anambra House of Assembly, Mr Ikem Uzozie, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uzozie, who announced his defection on the floor of the House on Tuesday said: “Mr Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues in the House for their prayers and support while I was away for medical reasons.

“I want to also announce to you that I have left my former party, APGA, to a new party, the APC for reasons best known to me.”

It would be recalled that Uzozie emerged as factional speaker after the unsuccessful attempt by members to impeach the Speaker Rita Maduagwu.

He was suspended alongside two others by APGA on allegations of anti-party activities and being the arrowhead of the crisis that rocked the Anambra House of Assembly last November.

Speaking to newsmen, the two-term member of the House said he left APGA to enjoy greater peace of mind as the party had refused to reverse his suspension of more than five months.

He said the party had been bedevilled by crisis and unjust alienation of core party men and he could not continue under such hostile environment.

“I have been on suspension, which they notified me in writing, and they have not reversed it at least in writing, so I have to continue my life in a more peaceful environment,” Uzozie said.

Uzozie’s defection has changed the composition of Anambra House of Assembly to 27 APGA members, two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers; and one APC member.

APGA will have fewer members in the next Anambra Assembly when it is inaugurated in May, as it won 24 seats and conceded six to the PDP in the March 23 election.

POLITICS

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

Nigeria: Of a name and Nigeria: its ‘hidden, distasteful’ Who hates meaning the President?

Pg 14

Pg 15

Why 7th Assembly Speaker should emerge from Anambra-South --- Hon. Chukwudi

The power rotation principle in Anambra State has been described by many political pundits as very effective. After former Governor Peter Obi completed an eight-year term, he handed over power to the incumbent Governor Willie Obiano who is from Anambra North. It is in that spirit of power rotation that stakeholders now insist that the Speaker of the 7th Anambra State House of Assembly must emerge from Anambra South. From Awka, OZOJI RAY reports...

A

head of the formal inauguration of the Anambra State 7th Legislature, words have continued to rent the air as to what senatorial zone the 7th Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly would come from. The social and traditional media are equally awash with various postulations regarding who becomes Anambra’s 7th Speaker and what part of the three senatorial districts would he or she emerge from. This is the crux of the matter as events continue to unfold heralding the formal constitution of the 7th Anambra State House of Assembly. Although political pundits as well as those who are conversant with power rotation and zoning in Anambra State have not been hesitant in making it clear as crystal that the Speakership of the 7th legislature should emanate from Anambra-South senatorial district as equity, justice and good conscience demand that the South of the State must produce the new Speaker as any move to the contrary would amount to injustice, political marginalisation as well as a rape of democracy and the rule of law.

This is the position of the proponents of the 7th Anambra Assembly Speaker coming from the South senatorial zone .

Hon. Anthony Chukwudi Orekyeh, the State chairman of National Action Council ( NAC ) in Anambra is one of those who believe very strongly that Anambra-South should not be shortchanged in producing the Speaker of the 7th lawmaking organ of the state.

Orekyeh who functions also as the Deputy State Secretary of the InterParty Advisory Council of Nigeria ( IPAC ) Anambra chapter and also the Coordinating Chairman of the National Action Council State Chairmen in Nigeria, noted that judging from the political equations in the state, it would be most undemocratic should Anambra-south senatorial district be denied its rightful slot of the Speaker. The astute politician of 41 years standing who coincidentally is the governor’s cousin, emphasized the dire need for a harmonious working relationship between the legislature and the executive arm of government especially as the citizenry looks forward to the constitution of the 7th Assembly .Orekyeh who dissociated himself from who eventually becomes the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, maintained that it need not be overemphasized that politically wise and other-

•Obiano

wise the Speaker of the 7th parliament should emanate from Anambra-South zone. He said: “We need a Speaker that is all-accommodating, a Speaker that is accessible and shouldn’t be arrogant, a Speaker that is a team player so that he can carry every legislator along as he carries the business of legislation in the House; one House, one family because whatever happens in the House affects the government in power.”

According to him , Anambra State needs a Speaker that can work with the state governor and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. He said Speakership of the State Assembly does not only involve internal activities of the House but includes also proper and adequate representation of the state elsewhere emphasising that the leadership of the legislature is indeed a serious business and such business should be handled by people who knows the nittygritty of legislation .He also stated that it was nothing about political parties any

•Rita Maduagwu

longer as the elections have come and gone but about the welfare and well-being of the citizenry noting that the entire state earnestly awaits the way and manner in which the Speaker of the 7th Anambra State House of Assembly would pilot the affairs of the House .

Though he posited that he was not a member of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA ) even though he was closely related to the state governor but observed that there hasn’t been much of cordial relations between the legislative and executive arms of government in the 6th assembly . For this reason , the 7th legislature has a greater task especially as it concerns synergy and symbiotic relationship with the executive to sustain the tempo of good governance in the state . He however reaffirmed his position that the next Speaker of the State House of Assembly should come from Anambra-South senatorial zone because the state governor according to him is from Anambra-North

, the Deputy Governor is of the Central senatorial district ; that the Deputy Speaker is also of the Central senatorial zone , stressing that from the current senario equity demands that the next Speaker should be of the South senatorial district . He said the Governor he knew from childhood wouldn’t play to the gallery but would allow equity take its natural place in the production of the next Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly . As the citizenry patiently await the emergence of the new Speaker , Orekyeh however reiterated that the 7th Speaker should be knowledgeable and well-grounded with the rudiments of legislative affairs not a mediocre . He also pointed out that the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria ( IPAC ) Anambra state led by Hon.Prince Isaac Onuka would partner the state government in ensuring harmony and also avoid a rancourous legislature for the greater Anambra and for the betterment of all and sundry in the state .

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

POLITICS Recently, I was on a flight from Dallas to London when I struck an interesting conversation with an American professor of African history. We talked about the human race and countries.

America, he said was named after an Italian explorer called Amerigo Vespucci. Amerigo was known to denote his discovered land a “ New World”. So long after her independence, the New World appropriated quite well with the dream of all Americans.

“What about Nigeria”? He asked me.

“Flora Shaw Lugard coined Nigeria and her inspiration was the river Niger”. I replied.

“Wrong”. The historian responded. “Republic of Niger was named after River Niger not Nigeria”. That’s what white historians want you to believe. I don’t understand the gullibility of blacks. You have so much information but chose not to research but dwell and believe all the white man says” He added.

Nigeria simply means “The Nigger Area” or “Land of the Black slaves”. Nigger was a common derogatory slang used for slaves” He bluntly said.

His words hit my heart sharply and I was grateful the cabin lights were dim so he couldn’t see the expression on my face. It was a night flight; we had 9 more hours to our destination so I had all the time to listen.

Sipping slowly on my orange juice I beckoned on him to continue.

The West African Region identified as Nigeria today was known to have supplied more slaves than any other country. The quality of human “cargo” was supreme and priced much more than slaves from other West African countries. The men were strongly built and were expert cotton farmers. Only wealthy plantation owners could afford slaves from “Nigeria”. Little wonder, slaves from your country were nicknamed “black gold” and the British slave ship named “White Lion” brought them into Virginia.

Nigeria: Of a name and its ‘hidden, distasteful’ meaning

What does the name Nigeria mean to you? Some have described it as a mere geographical expression, whose name conjures no patriotic fervour in citizens. Others say it’s a name simply derived from the River Niger, hence Niger Area ( NIgeria). Well, it seems the name isn’t exactly what we thought it was, if the revelations in the following article is anything to go by. In this report adapted from her Facebook page, NATASHA AKPOTI reports...

Nigeria is simply a geographical expression of the imperialists’ greed and spite.

“I am still not convinced” I shot at the grey bearded historian.

“Very well, lets start this way” he continued…

What gave River Niger its name?

I looked blankly at him…

It’s the European Slave traders and done for easy mappings. That river was the longest cutting across many black lands. River Niger simply means the River of Niggers or Negroes as you wish to say.

Listen dear Natasha, you must have an open mind to first agree that most of what you were taught in Nigerian history is distorted and made to confuse the people.

I said nothing… and he kept on talking.

The imperialists were very brutal with no humane sentiments to Africa. Their business was simply to exploit and trade for their advantage. The Berlin Conference of 1885 legalized Africa as distant colonies to the imperialists.

Most African countries were named by what suited the “masters” Ghana was named Gold Coast because the abundance of gold Britain exploited.

Zimbabwe was named Rhodesia by Mr. Cecil Rhodes who treated the country like his company.

Oh, lastly he added… the oil colony of the Niger Delta part of Nigeria was called the Slave Coast.

It was so when Asaba was the capital of the Southern Protectorate under the ownership of Sir. George Goldie the founder of the Royal Niger Company which had its headquarters in Lokoja.

Natasha, I hope you know that Sir. Goldie sold the Southern Nigeria protectorate (land and people) to the British Government for £865,000 (eight hundred and sixty five thousand pounds) in the year 1899.

“Finally, finally” he added… “there was a debate on whether to name your country Negroland or Nigritia as you were the most populated black nation. However, those on Nigritia won and the word was added in the Century Dictionary in 1904 to mean a large territory of niggers/ negros”.

Thanks for your “lecture”. I said.

Listen, I am sorry if I upset you but your country is greatly admired world wide for its great resources especially its people. What happened to them is distortion of facts to enable indirect rule function at the detrimental discord of its people.

All Nigerian people need do is reach out to their core and harness a common vision which can bring forth the missing patriotism. You guys will be a world power in no time with your fire and potentials. But first…

- reach your core - find your truth - build your nation Hints: Ask for the Southern and Northern amalgamation contracts. These should be made public for all Nigerians to know.

Get to know what terms Nigeria was married upon.

I know the Royal Niger Company was given some dubious rights to half of all mining revenue for 99 years from 1900.

These documents should be with the British government, United African Company and Leventis companies as there were parented from the Royal Nigeria Company.

That’s if they are missing at your government’s administration.

That’s right… UAC and Leventis are owned by ex slave traders and still grow their empires in Britain.

“Thanks once again dear sir. I need to get to my seat for some sleep”. I appreciated.

Just as I got to my seat, we hit turbulence and the seatbelt sign came on.

The plane shook violently, my mind went

to late Pius Adesanmi and I made a silent prayer for him.

I took a look at the live travel map that showed we were flying above the “Natashquan River” in Canada.

What? A river bearing a similarity with my name sounding like “ Natasha Can”.

Maybe this is some sort of a sign that I should not let this experience go but research more and share with you.

So I arrived Nigeria and began to research deeply; bearing in mind the professor warned that not all books are published online as some information are preserved for the “discerning” minds.

I searched up the Century Dictionary, the Slave ship named “White Lion”, Flora Shaw and the naming of Nigeria (what a story), the naming of the Republic of Niger; the Slave Coast of Niger Delta, Sir Goldie, Royal Niger Company, History of UAC & Leventis… the amalgamation contract.

Wait a second… I searched for the 1914 Nigeria Amalgamation contract and found no answer. We know the English men to be high on documentations and record keeping so where are the amalgamation papers?

Who signed on behalf of Nigeria?

- Awolowo was born in 1909 and was 5 years at 1914 - Azikiwe was born in 1904 and was 10 at 1914 - Balewa was born in 1912 and was 2 years old at 1914 - Ahmadu Bello was born in 1910 and was 4 at 1914 Moving on.

It’s clear that the formation and naming of our beloved country is shrewd in dubious inconsiderable dealings. Little wonder we have become strangers filled with ethnic bitterness hanging unto the foreign man’s religion, government and education.

We are lost… but we can find our bearing if we begin not only to have discussions about our existence but take proactive remedial steps.

Some would shove this off as “mere history”. However, remember the proverb “a river that forgets its source runs dry”.

2019 elections may have come and gone.

A lot of cases hope for redemption at the tribunal. But I say this, its not over yet. We all can put voices demanding for disclosures of amalgamation and naming contents. However, legislative and executive power matters in quickening the processes.

The Kogi governorship election comes up later in the year. Going through history, you shall see the possibilities of a New World being born from Kogi state.

Its possible to get a governor who would begin discussions towards a willing coalition of regions.

Until then, Nigeria is just a name given to a lucrative land for colonial exploits … a land of strong black negros… a land which bears the poverty capital of the world… a land afraid to be great. A land which feels it doesn’t deserve to be industrialized, educated, healthy and wealthy.

What’s in a name they say? EVERYTHING!!!

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

POLITICS

By UGOCHUKWU EJINKONYE

I

n the buildup to the 2015 elections, the wild, uproarious promotion of General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the man with the panacea for Nigeria’s myriad of problems wasted no time in saturating the air.

This was, however, sloppily packaged with a strange, aggressive refusal to give the slightest consideration for any voice of caution, any alternative opinion no matter how sound and redemptive. You either joined the rowdy herd or you are a “hater” of the “messiah.”

It was possible that, at the beginning, this undue, grotesque exaggeration of Buhari’s abilities may have rattled him, and he may have been bothered how he would be able to meet the very high expectations being raised on his behalf. But at some point, it appeared that he overcame his initial shock at the borrowed, ill-fitting garments he was being recklessly draped in, began to believe all the fiction and myth being concocted about him and even started adding his own bit to the whole absurd performance.

And soon, from his mouth tantalizing promises began to drop like overripe fruits on an exceptionally windy day. That was when he began to hear himself promising with amazing aplomb that if he won the election and became the president, he would fix the ailing economy within a very short period, end the Boko Haram terrorism within six months, create millions of jobs, boost electric power supply, bring down the price of petrol and make one Naira equal to one US dollar!

One of the most hideous sins you could commit in those days was to ask the Buhari promoters to get their candidate to try at least to throw some light on how he intended to achieve those wonderful things he was promising since he granted very few interviews and avoided debates like a plague.

Indeed, his handlers had good reasons for often shielding him from vigorous interrogation because in one particular interview with Channels TV, for instance, Candidate Buhari was asked how he intended to revive the economy as swiftly as he was promising given the falling oil prices. His answer was a bomb: “We will stabilize oil prizes and be accountable”!

For me, at this stage, the farce was over.

I doubt even whether OPEC could give that

Nigeria: Who hates the President? kind of undertaking. Obviously, the Channels TV interviewers must have been too dumbfounded to ask a follow-up question.

But despite the deluge of clearly unrealistic campaign promises, the Buharists were unyielding in their insistence that only hatred could stop somebody from buying into the Buhari hysteria. And so, once you tried to interrogate the campaign promises, point out the obvious hollowness of the countless pronouncements, or question his abilities to deliver on his promises, that could only mean one thing: you hate the man.

It was a weak stratagem but it helped to some extent to win quite a number of naïve supporters. But I never ceased to ask: Why were his promoters and supporters so obsessed with this unyielding belief that many people hated their candidate? Was there anything about him that automatically provoked hatred? Does hating him just come naturally to people?

•Buhari Were there things he had said or done that readily undercut his appeal? When Olusegun Under Buhari, instead of the economy Obasanjo and late Umar Musa Yar’Adua were reviving, it went into crushing recession. Ineither campaigning or in office, they were vis- stead of the price of petrol coming down to ited with very strong criticisms. Goodluck Jon- N40 per litre as he promised, it went up to athan was called all sorts of horrible names, N145, driving the cost of goods and services especially, by Buhari’s party which was in far beyond the reach of many people. Electhe opposition at that time. Their outbursts tric power supply became worse, plunging were readily viewed as an essential part of the country into pitch darkness and pushdemocratic practice, whereby people’s right ing several outfits in the productive sector to freely express themselves was only being out of business. And millions of Nigerians asserted. So, what is this fetish about Buhari were callously thrown back into the labour that only hatred and not healthy disagree- market. What about the exchange rate? Our ment can inspire disapproval of his policies poor Naira has never received such a ruthand style of governance, even when they less battering from the dollar since it became have produced woeful results, spreading suf- Nigeria’s currency. The last time I checked, fering and pain among the populace? which was a few minutes ago, the exchange After nearly four years of excruciating mis- was N36o.99 to US$1! rule, the Buharists are still flaunting with reBy the way, is corruption not supposed to volting obduracy the hate card in a weak at- be the greatest selling point of this regime? tempt to intimidate people into withholding The joke out there is that if the government their dismay at the abysmal failure of a regime raises corruption allegations against you, that promised so much but did very little or once you leave your party (especially, the nothing.

PDP) and join the APC, all your sins would

automatically be forgiven, as was even brazenly confirmed by the APC national chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, the other day.

Cases of monumental corruption are being swept under because the people involved are those close to the president or members of his party, or both.

On security, at no time in our recent history have the lives of Nigerians become as valueless as it is today. Reports of killings and destructions are slapped on our faces everyday. With Boko Haram wreaking untold havoc in the north east, armed bandits and kidnappers terrorizing the people in the north west and causing many of them to relocate to Niger Republic for safety, and Fulani Herdsmen wasting lives and destroying farms and houses with utmost impunity and chilling rapidity in the south and middle belt, the Nigerian state appears to have been horribly reduced to a state of war. Does one need to “hate” the president before one can decry these clear evidences of failure of leadership which are severely hurting the citizenry daily?

Clearly, what is more important to Buhari and his misguided supporters today is just the second term in office which INEC announced recently that he has secured, so he can continue the cold supervision of the brutal degradation of Nigeria. But, with God in heaven, one day, all of these politicians and their revolting chicanery and the brutal deterioration of the country and her people which they are zealously prosecuting would come to pass. It has happened before.

To those Nigerians who, like me, sincerely care for the wellbeing of this country, I can only say: Let’s not give up hope. Although, Nigeria may be experiencing the cruelest battering and most outrageous violations being supervised by a gaggle of loquacious hypocrites and arrogant failures, one day, certainly, we will surely get it right and put the right people, genuine lovers of Nigeria, in place.

Then, gradually, we would start our country’s long, difficult journey out of the deep, dark hole that many years of wayward and prodigal leadership had dragged her into. It has happened in some other places before.

It can and will surely happen here too.

EJINKPNYE, a Nigerian writer and journalist, is the author of the new book, NIGERIA: Why Looting May Not Stop.

Council autonomy: Differing tunes from Rivers, Kwara

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

issue of autonomy for loTnatedhecal contentious government councils in Nigeria resoin the past weeks in the Houses of

Assembly in Rivers and Kwara states. On the burner was the power of state governors to dissolve democratically-elected councils, and sanction “recalcitrant” chairmen.

While the Rivers Assembly seems to hold the governor as capable of doing anything with elected council chairpersons, its counterpart in Kwara seeks a complete break for the councils, in tandem with the provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Lately, Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike suspended 12 council chairmen for “failing” to attend a state-organised function, an action that “contravenes” the Local Government Laws of the state.

The governor later sent an executive request to the Rivers House of Assembly, craving for a seal to the “fait accompli.” And pronto, the lawmakers endorsed the prayer retroactively.

The affected local government areas are: Okrika, Abua/Odual, Emohua, Degema, Khana, Gokana, Ahoada East, Ikwerre, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma and Ogu/Bolo.

Meanwhile, in Kwara, the House of Assembly has passed a Bill to amend the Kwara State Local Government (Amendment) Law No. 3 of 2006, which literally gave powers to the governor to dissolve, at will, elected local government councils.

In the new amendment, the House makes it “unconstitutional for the state governor to unilaterally dissolve democratically-elected local government councils in the state.”

Worthy of note is the differing reason(s) the respective legislature in Rivers and Kwara gave for its support of the matter before it.

Debating the issue, the Rivers lawmakers

argued that the governor’s action was in line with the Local Government Laws of 2018.

Besides, they held that the suspension of the council chairmen “will serve as a deterrence to those who may feel that they are above the law.”

Contrarily, the Kwara Assembly said the principal law, empowering the governor to dissolve democratically-elected councils, was out of sync with the amended 1999 Constitution, and a Supreme Court judgment regarding elections into and dissolution of councils.

During consideration of the general principles of the amendment bill, the legislators said section 18 of the 2006 Law contradicted Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees that the local government councils shall be democratically-elected, and governed appropriately.

Section 7(1) states that: “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every State shall, subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.”

As it remains the mandate of a state to ensure the existence of local government councils, so long will the governor or House of Assembly deny autonomy to the so-called third tier of government.

The stranglehold on the councils flows from the maxim: “He who pays the piper dictates the tune.” It’s a contradiction in term for the constitution to allow the states to provide for the “establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of councils,” and yet strip the states of the power of control over the councils.

The solution lies in the constitution giving the states total control of councils, or make

them “absolutely” autonomous in creation and financing, as the “Third Tier of Government” of the Federation. That means effecting an amendment to the revised 1999 Constitution.

But carrying out an alteration requires twothirds concurrence by the 36 State Houses of Assembly - always an unachievable target, as shown in the 2014 and 2017/2018 exercises.

While both Chambers of the National Assembly ratified autonomy for councils, as capable of deepening the nation’s democracy, only 10 of the state assemblies voted for it.

Twenty-four states, excluding Lagos and Rivers, stepped it down “for future consideration.”

Ironically, the assemblies couldn’t muster the two-thirds approval for their financial autonomy until in the 2017/2018 amendment, captioned, “Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill.” Part of it grants financial autonomy to the States’ Assemblies and Judiciary, which President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to.

Henceforth, the Assemblies and Judiciary will operate like the National Assembly and the Federal Judiciary, which are financially independent of the Executive. Their budgetary allocations will be transferred directly to their accounts, respectively.

Let’s hope the assemblies will leverage on their financial independence, to assist in untying the local government councils from the apron string of state governors.

Until then, we can only hazard why the Kwara Assembly suddenly woke up to the reality of the 2006 Law that conferred undue powers on the governor to dissolve democratically-elected councils.

Was it done to advance the “freedom” the House has gained; as a forewarning to the incoming government of the All Progressives Congress (APC), or just to flex muscles over

its newfound financial autonomy? Only time will tell!

Turning to Rivers State, there maybe more to the clampdown on the 12 council chairmen by Governor Wike, and the Rivers House of Assembly’s quick endorsement of his action.

It’s surprising, and indeed unthinkable, that not one or two, but 12 council chairmen were absent at a state function without proper and tenable reasons given, and accepted in advance of the event!

What’s their aim? What’s their leaning in the Rivers political hotbed? Are they of the opposition APC or sympathetic to its cause against the ruling PDP in the state, and wanted to test the governor’s resolve?

Whatever their motives, the fate that befell the council chairmen shows that without absolute autonomy for local governments, state governors, in cahoots with the Houses of Assembly, will continue to hold and treat the councils as vassals.

The governors have argued that globally, it’s only in Nigeria that power is shared among three tiers: Federal Government, State Government and Local Government Councils. That’s why they find a common ground to oppose autonomy for councils.

The division in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum pre-2015 elections, and the fierce partisanship post-the polls didn’t, and hasn’t affected the governors’ opposition to council autonomy.

The resolution, though, is with the State Houses of Assembly, which should use their numerical strength to do the needful in the next opportune moment of constitutional amendment.

•Mr. Ezomon, journalist and media consultant, writes from Lagos. He can be reached on 08033078357.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

FOCUS

How Physically challenged construct bicycles, make beads in Anambra In our society where physically challenged persons resort to street begging and live their lives on charity, physically challenged pupils of the Jesus Abandoned International Technical and Vocation School, Umuezeopi, Oraifite, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state are proving that a person challenged physically by nature could still achieve his dreams in life without resorting to begging. From Nnewi, OGECHUKWU ONYEANUSI reports...

I

t is not always that one gets to see pleasant things that also go a long way in reinforcing one’s belief in God’s omniscience and love. The recent visit by The Oracle Today to Jesus Abandoned International Technical and Vocation School (JAITVS), Umuezeopi, Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, provided that rare opportunity of witnessing the wonders of Creation firsthand. At JAITVS, the physically-challenged are pointing the way forward for the rest of society: the imperative of using our hands to produce things. To the amazement and admiration of the world, pysically-challenged pupils at JAITVS, founded by a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Anthony Chidi Ananwa, construct bicycles, make rosary beads and necklaces, among many other products.

The priest, who spoke to our reporter, during the visit to the school, noted that the institution, which was established in 2015, is to help physically challenged and disadvantaged persons achieve their dreams of life of independence, productivity, progress, prosperity and fulfillment upon their graduation from the school.

Narrating how the physically challenged persons are able to achieve the feat of constructing bicycles and many other things, Fr. Anawa said: “In this school, our students, who are physically challenged persons construct bicycles, make beads and necklaces and many other handworks.

They are able to mould some components of the bicycle using local technology.

“The whole idea is to deliberately change the scope of our education system from theory-driven to practical or technology-driven. There is dire need for the Nigerian child to acquire holistic education by learning both the theoretical and practical aspects of any field of endeavour, so that school leavers will have skills and handworks to fall back on after graduation, instead of looking for whitecollar jobs, which hardly exist.

“It is our desire that once a student leaves this institution, such student will be able to become self-employed by fixing himself in a responsible venture that will put food on his table.

“We want to demonstrate that nobody is disabled. Somebody may be physically challenged, but as long as his brain is intact, there is no limit to what such person can do. This school challenges the physically-challenged persons to think beyond their disabilities, so that, besides fending for themselves and becoming bread winners, they will also be employers of labour.”

A 15 year-old JSS1 student of the school, Edward Ezinna, who was identified as the leader of the team that constructed the bicycle, gives an account of how his team is able to achieve the feat.

“We construct bicycles using broken parts of wheel chairs used by some of us. Instead of leaving them to rust away, we gather such irons and pipes, and also mould some other component parts ourselves, and weld them together into complete bicycle.

“The only component of the bicycle, which we do not fabricate ourselves is the special tire which does not have tube, valve or air. We import that component from Australia. This tire brand is a new technology that is highly durable and cannot be pierced by nail.”

According to Ezinna, the students are divided into groups of three and it takes each group two days to produce one bicycle.

“We have been able to fabricate 25 bicycles. It took us only one week to do this,” he said, adding that major challenge facing large scale production of the new innovation is lack of finance.

“There is a machine they call ‘start and weld’. We do not have it, but it costs a lot of money to procure it. If we get persons that would sponsor us financially to get this machine, it will help us improve in the new innovation,” he added.

He further called on government at all levels to come to their aide by visiting their home and school at Umuezopi Oraifite to lend them helping hand.

It has been said that the distance between Nigeria and industrialisation is as long as the lack of political will on the part of government and business to fund industrialsatioin efforts.

In 1997, a brilliant Orlu, Imo State-born electrical engineer and lecturer at the Federal polytechnic Nekede, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu designed and developed the Izuogu Z-600, the first African indigenous manufactured car.

The car was described by the BBC as ‘ the African dream machine’ as 90% of its parts were sourced locally. At a projected sales cost of 2000 dollars, it would have taken the world by storm and become the cheapest and most affordable car on earth. With mass production planned under Izuogu Motors plant in Naze owerri, the prospects of an industrial revolution in Igbo land and Nigeria, was in the making.

The car was equipped with a self-made 1.8L four-cylinder engine that got 18mpg and allowed the car to achieve a top speed of 140 km/h. Front Wheel Drive (FWD) was chosen over Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) be-

cause a transmission tunnel, which RWD would require, would be more expensive to fabricate.

So 90% of the car’s components were made locally. The late head of State, General Sani Abacha set up a 12-man panel of inquiry made up of professionals to ascertain the road worthiness and authenticity of the car and after several days of probing, the committee gave Dr. Izuogu’s car a clean bill of health, recommending that some of the bumps on the body of the car be smoothened. It is worthy to note that this was five years before India built their first car known as the Indi.

At a well-organized unveiling ceremony, which had General Abacha represented

by Oladipo Diya, over 20 foreign ambassadors and thousands of people in attendance, the federal government promised a grant of N235 million to Dr. Izuogu.

An excited Dr. Izuogu is still waiting for that grant till today. No dime was released to him. In 2006, the government of South Africa invited Dr. Izuogu to do a presentation about the car in the presence of several world class engineers. Being impressed with his presentation, they invited him to come and set up a plant in South Africa and begin the production of the car.

Dr. Izuogu reluctantly agreed, though he wasn’t happy that the benefits of employment generation will be lost on the locals of Naze and the Nigerian human resources environment. On Saturday, the 11th of March 2006, at about 2.00 a.m, a total of about 12 heavily armed men broke into Dr. Izuogu’s factory in Naze and carted away various machines and tools including the design history notebook of Z-600, the design file Z-MASS, containing the design history for mass production of Z-600 car, and the moulds for various parts of the car.

According to Dr. Izogu: “It seems that the target of this robbery is to stop the efforts we are making to mass-produce the first ever locally made car in Africa. Other items stolen included locally produced timing wheel, locally produced camshaft, locally produced crankshaft, locally produced engine tappets, all 20 pieces each.

Also stolen were 10 pieces of locally produced Z-600 engine blocks, 10 pieces of locally produced pistons, four pieces of engine block mounds, four pieces of top engine block moulds, 10 pieces of engine fly wheel and two pieces each of rear car and front mudguard moulds.”

The inventor regretted that not only did they lose over one N1 billion in monetary terms, but also time (about 10 years) and the energy it took to design and produce the moulds.

“To worsen the matter, our design notebook was also stolen,” he lamented.

He regarded the incident as a national economic disaster because the nation had lost a technological and intellectual property. The press was quiet about this story.

The set back and government’s attitude frustrated Izuogu and his dream died.

The pupils of JAITVS are working and praying that their dream doesn’t like Izuogu’s Z-600 dream.

17

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 -7, 2019

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Oil sector groans under four years of unmet targets

• Fuel import bills, swap deals cost N2.8 tr annually

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

F

our years after hopes were raised about oil industry prospects, following promises of better and more transparent service delivery, there are indications that most of the targets remain unmet.

Indeed, delivery date for the set of mandates and associated economic growth aspirations handed down by government on players and regulators in the country’s petroleum industry has again been shifted for the fourth time.

Government’s ambition of putting forward incentives with a view to providing congenial business environment for investors in the industry to lay out funds for enhanced exploration, development and production of oil and gas, originally set for realization in 2006 now has 2025 as its target year.

According to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, who was part of policy implementation programmes when the targets were set in 2005, the realization of the aspirations would transcend President Muhammadu Buhari’s government which ends in 2023.

He declared at an industry lecture hosted in Abuja that the key petroleum industry policy objectives, which formed part of the promises of the incumbent president, including rehabilitation of the refineries highly awaited for displacement of huge import and subsidy bills have been put forward by six more years.

The national economic growth aspirations at the time of conception were hinged on the expectations that the petroleum industry would deliver four critical mandates of growing national crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels, increasing production capacity to 4.0 million barrels of crude oil per day, reducing gas flaring at oil production sites to only operations contingencies and increasing the Nigerian content of the industry to 75 per cent.

According to The Oracle Today investigations, no result or improvement has been recorded in these areas since the enunciation of the policy targets 13 ago.

In 2005 when the targets were set, Nigeria’s crude oil reserves stood at 36 billion barrels. A spate of deep-water development programmes and production enhance-

•Tourism

Business News

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Insurance • A Petroleum Refinery and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu

CBN Exchange Rates APRIL 9th, 2019 Currency Buying(NGN) Central (NGN) Selling(NGN) US DOLLAR 305.95 306.45 306.95 POUNDS STERLING 395.165 395.8108 396.4566 EURO 341.1343 341.6918 342.2493 SWISS FRANC 299.8334 300.3234 300.8134 YEN 2.7381 2.7425 2.747 CFA 0.4996 0.5096 0.5196 WAUA 421.6499 422.339 423.0281 YUAN/RENMINBI 45.4368 45.5115 45.5862 SA RAND 21.3308 21.3657 21.4005 DANISH KRONA 45.6894 45.7641 45.8387 SDR 422.6699 423.3607 424.0514

to commit significantly to the long term and huge budget clean-up of Ogoni land as recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Delivery targets for some of the mandates, especially elimination of flares at production sites were originally set for 2006 and later shifted to 2007 following protests by Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC), which requested time to enable it complete its offshore gas gathering pipeline project.

However when the overall targets were missed in 2007, government slated new delivery deadline to 2010. But following vehement protests by multinational oil firms that dominate the industry against proposed fiscal changes in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and subsequent freeze of exploration and development investments, 2015 was fixed as new deadline for the targets.

Again, government’s inability to achieve resolution of disputed fiscal adjustments and passage of the PIB by 2015 was worsened by rancorous change of power between rival parties.

Thus, the targets along with fresh mandate to revamp the domestic refining industry were fixed for realization by 2020.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, had given numerous deadlines for the rehabilitation of the nation’s three refineries and

establishment of additional ones through a number of proposed strategies.

He had after assumption of duty in 2015 declared end of the year as deadline for the resumption of full scale commercial refining at the plants located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Warri in Delta State and Kaduna in Kaduna State.

Dr. Kachikwu had vowed that the refineries would start work by December 2015, ordering the management of the refineries to be efficient in operating the plants or get sacked.

He also declared that any of the three refineries that failed to come up by the end of 2015 would be sold.

He later announced plans for collocation of foreign brownfield refineries with local refineries in the country as another way of boosting domestic refining capacity, explaining that collocation became a viable option for early start up and quick commissioning of additional capacity, saying that the strategy would also optimize facilities at existing refinery sites in the country.

Since 2015, Dr. Kachukwu has consistently shifted the deadline for rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries displace costly fuel import programmes every year.

Dr Kachikwu further announced arrangements with foreign companies with upstream operations in the country to build greenfield refin-

Continued on page 24

LASU denies diverting pension fund P25 Travel & Hospitality

Dubai unveils choice honeymoon getaways for Nigerians P26 e-Platform

Samsung recalls all Galaxy Fold review P28 units

ments from onshore operations meant that existing reserves suffered acute depletion as there were few or no positive results from explorations meant to shore up reserves.

Going by industry statistics at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), reserves replacement ratio had remained negative, indicating strongly that Nigeria has been producing more oil without commensurate discovery of new deposits.

Also, production of physical crude oil at the time when the targets were set stood at 2.4 million barrels per day even though regulatory officials advanced capacity of over 2.5 million barrels per day (mbd).

Current production is estimated at 1.9 mbd of net crude oil while gross production including condensates and natural gas liquids stands at about 2.3 mbd.

Nigerian content ratio of industry goods and services is estimated at less than 15 per cent, while flare reduction and host community stakeholding are now issues of commercial and legislative considerations respectively.

Other mandates in the broad national aspirations for the industry include involvement of the host communities as partners in the business and elimination of industry footprints in the operating environment.

Industry footprint is still heavy with both Shell and partners yet

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AS AT TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP Top 5 Trades S/N CCNN FBNH UNILEVER GUARANTY DANGFLOUR

29,159.74 4,682.00 543,924,121.00 N8,199,808,766.10 N10,958,721,375,970.20 N10,687,020,840,239.60 N5,596,827,780.80

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close SEPLAT N568 FO N32.1 JBERGER N24.7 MOBIL N175 DANGFLOR N17.1

Current Change N575 7 N35.3 3.2 N26.95 2.25 N177 2 N18.8 1.7

%Change 1.23% 9.97% 9.11% 1.14% 9.94%

5 Top Losers Coy (By Volume) (Value)N 132,328,491 N1,855,146,724.20 68,782,792 N497,249,735.50 50,469,605 N1,564,567,244.25 41,441,365 N1,376,864,951.40 7,881,723 N712,078,798.60

NESTLE DANGCEM STANBIC CCNN NASCON

N1550 N186 N45.1 N15.35 N19

N1520 N180 N43.4 N14 N18.1

-30 -6 -1.7 -1.35 -0.9

-1.94% -3.23% -3.77% -8.79% -4.74%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1- 7, 2019

BUSINESS

Fidelity Bank pays 11kobo dividend per share

S

hareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc unanimously approved the payment of 11 kobo dividend per share which translates to a total of N3.19 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2018.

The investors gave approval to the dividend earlier proposed by the Board of Directors at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos last weekend.

Addressing shareholders, the Chairman of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Ernest Ebi disclosed that the bank has embarked on a robust digital transformation programme that has witnessed the implementation of some digital initiatives including the set up of a digital laboratory and introduction of various digital lending products.

He stressed that plans are on the way for the establishment of a subbrand that will operate primarily via the digital platforms.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Nnamdi J. Okonkwo in his statement revealed that Fidelity Bank will three years duration transform into a tier one bank as it has already spent two years into a five year plan to becoming a tier one bank. Re-assuring investors’ on the next financial year, Okonkwo Said, “We will remained focused on the execution of our medium term strategic objectives and targets for the 2019 financial year while we look forward to sustaining the momentum and delivering another strong set of results “.

A review of the financial performance of the Bank in year 2018 showed that Gross earnings for the year increased by 4.2 percent to close the year at N188.9 billion from N180.24 billion declared in 2017 financial year. Profit Before Tax , (PBT) rose to N25.08 billion from N19.21 billion recorded in 2017, representing 30.6 percent increase. Similarly, Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 29 percent to close the year under review at N22.93 billion when compared to N17.77 billion recorded in the previous year (2017).

Some of shareholders expressed their opinions at the AGM, one of them, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President Extraordinary of the Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA) commended the bank for its push into the digital space.

In the same vein, Nona Awoh, a shareholder activist commended the directors of the bank for undergoing training in the 2018 financial year, adding that this is capable of adding value to the bank and human capital in general.

However, he quarried the huge amount of unclaimed dividends which currently stands at N2.6 billion. Awoh suggested that one of the things the bank can do and which they must do is a relationship between the office of the company Secretary coupled with the Registrar and an in house person or unit for investor relations on how to reach out to owners of the unclaimed dividends.

Responding to some shareholders clamoring for increase in dividend payout in naira and not in kobo, The CEO answered thus: “We want you to remember that fidelity bank without fail in the last twelve years has paid dividend consistently we are not changing out policy of paying out between 30percent to 50percent of profit after tax. we will keep that policy. However we want your bank to strong in terms of capital adequacy.

When the Board takes a decision to pay lesser dividend than expected, just know that we are planning a bigger dividend in the future.”

Investors query listing of 1.35bn SAHCO’s shares on NSE and till date our accounts at the Cen- liquidity and tradability of the compatral Securities Clearing System (CSCS) ny’s shares, increase the company’s visibility and credibility in the Nigerian ome shareholders’ activists have have not been credited. market and beyond.” expressed surprise and are wondering why The Nigerian Stock “T o be frank, I think this does not He added: “This is in partial compliExchange (NSE) recently listed over speak well of SAHCO nor even the ance (as approved by the BPE) with 1.35 billion Ordinary shares of Sky- regulator, who ought to keep the the share sale and purchase agreeway Aviation Handling Company Plc investing abreast with the rules, be- ment executed in respect of the Fed(SAHCO) on its main board at N4.65 fore allowing such company to list its eral Government’s divestment of 100 per cent equity stake in the erstwhile per share. shares in the market”, he added.

The investors said beside contra- However, a retinue of officials from Skypower Aviation Handling Compavening corporate governance code, SAHCO including the chairman and ny Limited”. their grouse stemmed from the rules the Managing Director,Mr. Agboaru- Agboarumi said the key investment guiding transaction between a com- mi Basil couldn’t provide a cogent highlights that would attract invespany and its shareholders, where in- reason as to what was amiss. First tors were the company’s sound busivestors in a public offer ought to be Registrar & Investors Service Limited ness model and scalable franchise; strong brand name and reputation; allotted their shares as prerequisite is the Registrar to SAHCO Plc. before such a company can be admit- The NSE listed SAHCOL’s Initial best-in-class facilities; and experited to do business on the floor of the Public Offering of 1,353,580,000 ordi- enced management team with deep nary shares at a Listing Price of N4.65 expertise and competence.

NSE. He stated that the future strategy of One of the shareholders and Chair- per share. man of Progressive Shareholders As- Following the listing, SAHCOL has the company to grow was to expand sociation of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boni- joined the Main Board of The Ex- service offerings, enter into strategic face Okezie Boniface Okezie while change and the prestigious club of alliances and partnerships, increase customer lifetime value, develop the addressing the capital market com- quoted companies in Nigeria. munity during the Facts Behind the The NSE is positioned as a premiere skills of employees and manage cost.

Listing of SAHCO, stated that a rule, listing destination for African corpo- In a presentation delivered by its SAHCO should have credited shares rates, governments and international Executive Director, Regulation Divibought during the company’s Initial issuers looking to access the capital sion, Ms. Tinuade Awe noted that Public offering (IPO) in September market of the largest economy in Af- SAHCOL’s listing has added N6.29 billion to the market capitalization of 2018 to shareholders who subscribed rica. before approaching the Exchange for In his submission, the Managing Di- The Exchange, further deepening the rector of SAHCO, Mr Basil Agboarumi, Nigerian Capital Market. listing.

Okezie said I and a reasonable explained that the listing will give Ni- “Today’s listing by Initial Public number of shareholders in the equi- gerians the opportunity to participate Offering of 1,353,580,000 ordinary ties market bought into the shares in the company’s growth story, add- shares of SAHCOL at a Listing Price of SAHCO since September last year, ing “The listing will also improve the of N4.65 per share is a result of sevStories by JEROME USHAKANG

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• Afam Power plant

ETI appoints Qureshi Director as Al Khalifa, Matjila depart

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cobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of the Ecobank Group, has appointed Dr. Aasim Ahmad Qureshi to its Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director and nominee of Qatar National Bank.

Dr. Qureshi replaces Mr. Abdulla M. Al Khalifa as Qatar National Bank’s nominee, who had been on the ETI Board since 2015. In a statement, the ETI said thatDr. Aasim has over 20 years’ experience in senior positions across investment banking, law and medicine.

He is currently Managing Director, Investment Banking at QNB Capital LLC, and holds a Senior Executive

position in QNB Capital in London and Paris. He is also a member of the Investment Committee of a multi-million-dollar Qatar Central Bank Regulated Fund and oversees a significant European real estate portfolio.

Prior to joining QNB Group in 2008, he was an investment banker at Nomura Code Securities Limited and a lawyer with CMS Cameron Mckenna LLP advising private and listed corporate clients. He holds various postgraduate qualifications in Law, Management and Medicine.

He has significant capital market experience having raised over US$50billion in corporate and sov-

ereign bonds and US$4.5 billion in primary and secondary Initial Public Offers. He is a highly experienced adviser to private and listed companies on all aspects of corporate financing strategies, oversees Mergers and Acquisitions transactions from origination to close and manages complex corporate restructurings.

ETI also announces the resignation of Dr. Daniel M. Matjila as a NonExecutive Director of ETI, a position he has held since 2012 as nominee of the Public Investment Corporation where he served until recently as Chief Executive Officer.

eral months of hard work by all parties to the transaction including the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Securities and Exchange Commission and The Exchange. This listing has added N6.29Bn to the market capitalization of The Exchange, further deepening the Nigerian Capital Market. It will also increase the visibility of SAHCO Plc whilst solidifying its brand as a major player in the Aviation sector,” Awe said.

It also regarded the listing as a promising development for the country being that SAHCOL stands as the first company under the BPE privatization programme to successfully finalize an IPO and list its shares.

Director Awe said, “Following the Federal Government’s decision to identify key state-owned enterprises from which to extract value and open to private sector expertise, SAHCOL was 100percent privatized by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and transferred to the Sifax Group in 2009. Ten 10 years on, the company has become an important success story of the Federal Government’s privatization drive.”

According to her, the feat would serves as an example to other similarly situated companies as The Exchange encourages more of these companies to explore the different opportunities in the capital markets for raising long term capital.

“We believe that increased participation of indigenous companies in the capital markets will increase investors’ confidence (both local and international) and entrench good corporate governance, transparency and sustainability.

“We are particularly pleased that SAHCOL has taken this strategic step to join the Main Board of The Exchange and in so doing, the prestigious club of quoted companies in Nigeria. This step reflects the Company’s belief that our platform remains a veritable avenue for raising capital and enabling sustainable national growth. I commend SAHCOL for this bold and strategic step.

“Your listing on the NSE today will not only showcase the company as an established player in the Aviation sector, but will enable the firm to actualize its strategic vision of becoming the leading provider of passenger, ramp and cargo handling services in West African,” Awe said.

She also noted that the SAHCOL had gone through a rigorous process to meet the listing standards of the NSE thereby demonstrating its commitment to living a culture of strong corporate governance, excellent corporate citizenship and efficient services to its clients.

“This listing shows the confidence SAHCOL has in our platform, which has a total market capitalization of N21.5trillion across various asset classes. In order to remain competitive, we have implemented far-reaching transformational programmes that have improved market access and provided products that are aligned to investors’ requirements. We have also implemented several transparency initiatives (such as BrokerTrax, X-Compliance, X-Whistle, Compliance Status Indicator Symbols, X-Issuer etc.) which have significantly improved confidence to our market,” she added.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

BUSINESS

Oando records 11% profit growth in q1 2019

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nvestors in the shares of Oando Plc may be set for a bumper harvest for the 2019, financial year end as the company continues to wax stronger.

Analysis of its first quarter results 2019 has shown that the company earned a profit after tax of N4.6 billion representing an increase of 11percent when compared with first quarter of 2018, despite the volatile nature of the sector and economy.

Oando continues in its unrelenting drive, working assiduously to restore stakeholders’ confidence in its promise to return economic value to shareholders in the very near future. The company has leveraged on the increase in the price of crude oil

which peaked at a little over $66 per barrel in the first quarter of the year, $3 more than the projected average for 2019. The current stability in oil pricing has also tilted in favor of the Nigerian economy as the Government predicted a $60 per barrel price in the 2019 budget.

An in-depth analysis of the company’s financials reveals that its turnover grew by 12percent to N168 billion from N150.6 billion in Q1 2018; profitafter-tax increased by 11 percent to N4.6 billion compared with N4.2 billion in first quarter 2018.

The Group also decreased its total borrowings by five percent to N200.9 billion compared to N210.9 billion in FYE 2018 while its long term

borrowing decreased by one percent to 75.8 billion compared to N76.8 billion in FYE 2018.

These figures reflect an increase in production by 11 percent at 43,745boe/day compared to 39,556boe/day in the same period of 2018 in Oando’s upstream subsidiary.

The company’s production activities reveals that oil production increased by 13 percent from 14,823bbls/day in Q1 2018 to 16,815bbls/day in Q1 2019, whilst natural gas production increased by 18% from 124,910mcf/ day in Q1 2018 to 147,163mcf/day in Q1 2019.

This is in line with the company’s Group Chief Executive Adewale Tinubu’s promise to aggressively grow

• NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru (right) in a discussing with Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Total Group, Patrick Jean Pouyanné in his Office Tuesday in Abuja.

UBA Chairman pledges to end low dividend payout as shareholders split N29bn dividend

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he Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu has re-assured shareholders of the company of further increase on Return on Investment (ROI) to members of the company in the years ahead, stressing that the era of kobo-kobo (lowest currency denomination) dividend has ended.

The Chairman who was addressing shareholders at the 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos as they approved N22.1 billion dividends for the financial year ended December 31, 2018, translating to 65 kobo per share with a final dividend payout at 85 kobo per share. The Bank had earlier paid N7billion as interim or 20kobo per share thus bringing thus bringing cumulative dividend paid for the year under review to 85kobo per share which amounted to N29.1billion.

Elumelu, disclosed that the upgrade of operations in the United Kingdom and formal opening of the Mali business, adding that the team in both countries were set to change the narrative of banking, and would thus strengthen the earnings growth trajectory of the UBA Group, through their respective positive contributions.

He said: “We are optimistic about the policy environment in most African economies, where we operate, as we expect diligent implementation of fiscal policies to help stimulate inclusive economic growth, ease macro pressures and lower the cost of doing business. I am very optimistic that we will sustain the strong growth trajectory, as we continue to gain market share across Africa, leveraging our core values of Enterprise, Excellence and Execution.”

Also addressing shareholders at

the AGM, UBA Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, declared that the UBA team remained poised to do more in the coming year.

According to him, UBA Group has one of the highest capital adequacy ratio in the industry, as its BASEL II CAR stands at 24 per cent as at December 31, 2018, thus reinforcing its capacity to support customers at all times and demonstrating the Group’s capacity to grow over the medium term.

“We are on a new cost optimisation journey and we are diligent in executing far-reaching cost-efficient initiatives, which will complement our revenue growth drive in moderating the cost-to-income ratio towards our desired target. Ultimately, we look forward to delivering superior returns to shareholders in the years ahead,” he emphasised.

Excited shareholders who hailed the consistent strong performance of the group, commended the staff, management and the board on impressive performance of the financial institution.

One of the prominent shareholders and the President, Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, Dr Faruk Umar, said the current management was fulfilling the vision of the founders and past leaders of UBA in creating a truly pan-African bank.

“I want to specially commend the management of UBA under the leadership of the Group Managing Director/CEO, Kennedy Uzoka, for a selfless commitment and hard-work towards building an enduring institution that we and future generations can be proud of. More so, I am impressed by the tenacity of this management in delivering on the vision

of shareholders to create a leading and dominant pan-African financial service institution with global reputation and culture. Whilst it may have taken us some time to appreciate the cutting-edge vision of Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, in expanding our group’s operation to Africa, we are today excited by the performance and contribution of these operations to our Group’s earnings,” he said.

In his view, the National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, applauded the bank for the growth recorded in all performance indicators in 2018, but bemoaned the regulatory charges being imposed on commercial banks, which unfortunately is eroding the value of dividends. He appealed to the regulators to look for other ways of making money instead of shortchanging shareholders.

However, Okezie commended the Chairman of the bank, Mr. Tony Elumelu, for supporting youth development and job creation through his personal foundation.

Meanwhile, in the year under review, the group posted a profit after tax of N78.61 billion as against N77.

55 billion recorded in 2017. Profit before tax during the period grew from N106.77 billion to N104.22 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

Despite the relatively slow recovery of the Nigerian economy, the Group’s retail deposit grew by 42 percent, a testament to its improved service channels and enhanced customer service. Interest income also rose by 11 per cent on the back of increased asset base and African operations contributed 40 percent of these earnings, reinforcing the positive outlook on the Group’s profitability over the medium to long term.

production organically and inorganically in its upstream business.

Increased production speaks to just one metric that is supporting these strong financials; the company’s near-completion of the implementation of it’s widely spoken about corporate strategic initiatives is another strong contributor.

Despite its partial divestment from its marketing subsidiary the company continues to increase its market share in the downstream sector through its trading business, Oando Trading which recorded an 11 percent increase year-on-year, driven by a strong performance in its crude oil trading division and a 3% increase in turnover to $312 million, from $301 million.

Commenting on the company’s financials, the Group Chief Executive said: “Our results reflect the progress made over the last few quarters and provides an indication of our expectation for the year. Now that our debt profile is down by 78% from $2.5billion as of December 2014 to $558million, and our de-leverage program is 90 percent complete with most of our non-core operations divested for good value, we can now focus on steady growth in our upstream entity.’’

In line with the oil and gas sector, the Nigerian economy has also been positively impacted by the recovery in oil pricing. A review of the GDP growth rate shows an increase from 1.8 percent in Q4 2018 to 2.4 percent this quarter; a reflection of the current stability in oil price against the steady fall that characterised the industry in the last quarter of 2018 and the stability of the forex market.

As is the nature of commodity pricing nothing is certain, the economic outlook for 2019 indicates that oil prices are likely to fluctuate which would leave Nigeria’s largely oil-driven economy vulnerable. Oando has regularly spoken of a realignment in its business operations with a focus on cost optimization, proactive debt reduction to name a few, as a result of learnings taken from the 2014 oil crash, the expectation therefore is that a downward shift in oil prices will not have an adverse effect on the company.

In addition to its positive results Oando has recorded a few milestones in the quarter under review, notably its recent divestment of its 25 percent residual interest in Axxela Limited to Helios Investment, a leading private equity firm with a focus on investments in Africa, signifying a complete divestment from its midstream business.

The total selling price for its 25 percent interest was $41,500,000, creating real value from a non-core business activity of the Group. The move speaks volumes of Oando’s willingness to restructure its business for increased revenue generation by focusing on its dollar-earning businesses, Oando Energy Resources (OER), its exploration and production subsidiary, and Oando Trading its trading business.

The divestment from its naira denominated businesses, specifically its marketing subsidiary which forms the company’s heritage speaks to true courage. To be so focused on returning value to shareholders even if it means letting go of what were essentially still strong businesses, evidenced by buyers such as Helios and Vitol, the world’s largest independent trader of energy products must be recognized and applauded.

Speaking on the full divestment from Axxela, Wale Tinubu said: “The completion of this divestment signifies another win for the Company.

We pioneered the development of Nigeria’s foremost natural gas dis-

tribution network which has subsequently grown to become the largest private sector gas distributor in Nigeria creating a lasting impact on both the sector and the Nigerian economy.

The divestment further reinforces Oando’s ability to create value that can be monetized and the Company’s status as the indigenous partner of choice for international companies looking to invest in Nigeria. This transaction favorably positions us to significantly reduce our debt profile and remain focused on growth through our dollar denominated businesses. We will continue to maintain significant presence in the Midstream as well as grow our gas aspirations via our Upstream gas assets in our NAOC Joint Venture wherein we have four gas projects within the NNPC’s Seven Critical Gas Development Projects (CGDPs), which are responsible for almost 50% of the 42 TCF that will be delivered by the seven CGDPs by 2020.”

Oando’s efforts towards sustainability, youth empowerment and community development remains unflinching. In February, Oando hosted the SDG 16 Innovation Challenge in support of Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for peace, justice and strong institutions in Nigeria.

This was done in partnership with Accountability Lab, a non-governmental organization and the Canadian Government.

In the same month, the company held a two-day knowledge transfer session with Masters of Oil and Gas Law (LL.M) students from the Strathmore University Law School, Nairobi, Kenya. Oando was selected by the University as the preferred indigenous sector leader for the academia visit on the basis of its knowledge pool gained from operational experience across the full energy value chain, success stories of pioneering initiatives within the sector, a diverse and local workforce and finally its impact on both the local and African oil and gas industry.

In February Oando and its Joint Venture (JV) partners commissioned six mini water schemes in primary schools in Omoku Central Communities to improve access to potable water for schools in the community. Market stalls, concrete floors and modern toilets amongst other facilities were also commissioned in Utuechi Community, Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area in Rivers State.

Most recently, the company in collaboration with its JV partners held the second edition of the Research and Development Forum/Exhibition of Emerging Technologies in Abuja where it hosted innovators across Nigerian universities as well as private companies. The aim of the event was to enable academia, research institutes and indigenous companies unveil their technological innovations to a larger and diverse audience of Government officials, bankers and oil and gas companies.

Speaking on the outlook for the rest of the year, Wale Tinubu said: “With ICE Brent Crude Oil price currently at a decent level of USD74.48 per barrel, our efforts will be geared towards increasing our production to sustain profitability and position us on the path to resumption of dividend payment to our shareholders.”

Oando could be rightfully said to be unrelenting in creating value not for itself and its shareholders but for the country at large. If all indices remain in the company’s favor, the company would be well on its way to ending 2019 on a positively high note and possibly paying shareholders long awaited dividends.

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

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VOX POPULI SACRUM

EDITORIAL Reflections on Workers’ Day

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•Culled from Asukwo blogshot.com

he new national minimum wage, job vival, since they do not earn a living wage. On losses and the dwindling fortunes of the other hand, the life of the Nigerian worker most Nigerians are issues likely to domiis still governed by fear, despair, deprivation nate speeches at rallies on this year’s May and poverty. But he is far better off than the Day, as Nigerian workers join their counterNigerian jobseeker who does not know where parts in most parts of the world to celebrate the next meal will come from. their day. It is another demand-making day Pay disparity within units of government estabfor the labour movement represented by the lishments has been a major source of discord Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union in the civil service, and government’s spendCongress of Nigeria. Chants of “Solidarity ing on its workers has been unfairly skewed forever!” are in the air. But how far have the against the rest of us. Once in this country, the demands of yesteryear been met? federal government said it was working on By law, the minimum wage is now N30, 000 per plans to harmonise the salaries of all federal month. After the legislature’s passage of a workers with a view to achieving equitable pay bill to that effect and President Muhammadu across the civil service. It never did. Employees Buhari’s assent, what is left is implementain agencies such as the NNPC, CBN, NDIC and tion. It is feared, however, that many state NIMASA – and these are the workplaces of governments will not obey the law, just as the children and wards of influential Nigerians some of them have yet to implement the who were often hired without any preceding N18, 000 minimum wage that took effect form of interview – earn more than 20 times from 2011. Even for federal workers, nobody the wages of their mates in other government knows how the law will be implemented: Is it ministries, departments and agencies. Many just an increment in the pay of the least paid Nigerians in the informal sector earn even less workers to bring it up to N30, 000? Will senior than the latter. And each politician in the legworkers who currently earn more than N30, islature or the executive arm of government 000 see a substantial increase in their pay? A earn N10million to N30million each month, minor increase is likely. Yet, market women even though they do little work; in fact, they and women have already increased the prices have made laws granting themselves eye-popof commodities in the market on hearing that ping “severance” allowance every four years, the minimum wage has become law. What and retirement to a life of everlasting comfort. is not contestable is that N30, 000 of today is Yet, all of us go to the same market. worth less than N18, 000 of 2011.

Public servants have performed poorly in their Even as we observe Workers’ Day, it is necessary duty to this country, and that is why Nigeria is to express disapproval of the average Nigein this sorry state. Rather than render quality rian worker’s poor attitude to work. Commitservice to the nation, they have put themselves ment is lacking especially in the public service first, choosing to rip the country off. It is often where “government work is nobody’s work”. a joke – but not without concrete grounds Many workers depend on sleaze for their sur– that if you went into government today,

honest and ready to serve, civil servants would teach you how to steal public funds. And if you were stubborn, they would frustrate you to unconditional surrender through their time-tested official barrier – the infamous red tape.

The labour movement and civil society groups have a lot to protest against this year. Life in Nigeria has become, in the words of Thomas Hobbes, “laborious, miserable, nasty and short”.

Insecurity, which the current APC government swore to halt, has assumed dangerous dimensions. Terrorists from hell have wasted innocent lives not just in Borno State but also in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Benue and Yobe almost every day. The monsters are extending their evil deeds to Osun, Edo, Anambra and Enugu. Only this Monday, the chairman of UBEC and her daughter were kidnapped on the Abuja—Kaduna expressway; their driver was shot dead. Hundreds of other motorists who abandoned their vehicles and fled or were captured by the hoodlums have not been accounted for.

We urge Nigerian workers to take up the challenge of making Nigeria a better place for all. Until good governance takes root, the demand for jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerian school leavers should not cease. Good governance is in everybody’s interest. Until visionary leaders take charge, there will be no solution to the security crisis, power crisis, unemployment crisis, monumental corruption and other emergencies that are killing the nation quietly.

Our Vision TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectively caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream.

We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

OPINION Why capitalism is losing its appeal (1)

By NELSON OKWONNA

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he world has seen a gradual rise in populist movements; our own President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term victory could be attributed to the unquestioning support of low-income-earning citizens. Not necessarily because they’re convinced he can help the status quo but for the mere fact that they can better identify with him. President Trump’s ascent to power was on the promise of reviving the economy for the middle class – “Making America Great Again”. The yellow vest movement in France, the nationalist parties in Germany and the Brexit brouhaha all have a major connection to the relative economic shift happening in our world – huge economically disenfranchised populations are feeling the pinch and are fighting back.

The summary is that capitalism as presently constituted is losing its appeal: In an April interview with Marketwatch.com, Richard Trumka, the president of the largest labour union in America – the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFLCIO) – noted that capitalism has failed to boost wages for the lower and middle class and is in danger of getting replaced. He cited Trump’s emergence as proof of this shift.

His assertions hold water. For the past 40 years, according to data from the Pew Research Centre, adjusting for inflation, wages for non-supervisor roles in the USA have not risen by more than 10%. In Nigeria, it has actually regressed – if we use the minimum wage for example; in dollar terms, N30, 000 (84USD) in 2019 is a lot less than N18, 000 (118USD) in 2010.

Note, however, that within the same period, globally, the prices of assets like land, housing

and automobile have seen major growth. This is so much so that, in most European cities, even surgeons – who represent the typical well-paid middle class can hardly afford a home close to the city centre; the scenario is same in Nigeria.

In addition to this gradual pauperization of the low and middle class is the increase in national debt profile. According to PENCOM (September 2018), the Nigerian federal government has borrowed more than 70% of the contributed pensions; and though Nigeria is yet to default on her debt obligations, with more than 60% of the federal government revenue going towards debt servicing, we are not too far from that destination.

With a debt to GDP ratio of 23.4%, Nigeria is pretty better than USA (82.3%), China (47.8%) and India (70.2%). Considering the size of the GDP of these nations, these are gigantic debts; and since domestic debts account for a bulk of these debts, the working middle class are hardest hit when governments print more money to pay this debt or fund the now ubiquitous welfare programmes causing inflation. In other words, it is the middle class that lends its pensions to governments that suffer the most when governments print money to repay them.

It is no surprise, then, that the middle class is shrinking. Few working-class millennials can afford what their working parents achieved at the same age. This is not just a Nigerian challenge; it is a global challenge and is contributing to a lot of global conflicts including the xenophobia in South Africa. Xenophobia and similar militant nationalism are quite appealing: it is easier to blame someone else, particularly foreigners, for intractable issues like these. Brexit is a classic case study.

Beggar thy neighbour--locally and internationally Capitalism is driven by corporations, and corporations exist solely to maximize shareholders’ wealth. Though capitalism has done much better in supporting a free and prosperous society than socialism and communism, the challenge of unequal income distribution is becoming a significant concern. With it comes a growing tolerance for socialism: many people are beginning to wonder if Karl Marx was not right after all. We now expect governments to solve most of our economic problems and it appears we must make a choice between the freedom that comes from capitalism and the equality socialism/ communism offers. The challenge is that it is unlikely that we can have both.

Even though we can argue that capitalists do not seek to beggar their neighbours, yet, it is not the stated goal of the capitalist structure to drive the development of her neighbours; rather, it is to harness the best of available resources to achieve optimal profitability. Hence, developing countries, which are less competitive generally, have a hard time getting good deals; even the USA is now aggressively renegotiating her trade deals. This survival-of-the-shrewdest scenario is the reason Nigeria will need a lot more than aid money to develop; we are far from competitive in a frantically competing world – in fact, the word “competitiveness” is just making a renaissance with our political elite.

Considerations The goal of this article is to offer an alternative perspective particularly for developing countries in Africa which are not yet completely enmeshed in the capitalist culture and are also at a loss as to which forms of governance to adopt

Ode to smooth transitions in Zenith Bank

By EMEKA OBASI

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ecently, Zenith Bank Plc, arguably Nigeria’s leading bank named a new MD/CEO. The predictable pick for the top job, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, is an old Zenith bank hand and a veteran professional. Over five years ago, he had emerged as a strong contender for the position with this newspaper going out on a limb in prematurely announcing him. In the event, Peter Amangbo was tapped, while Onyeagwu got the equally strategic position of Deputy Managing Director.

The imminent transition of power at Zenith bank marks yet another watershed in the exciting history of this great organisation. Since it opened its broad doors for business about three decades ago, Onyeagwu would be the fourth MD/CEO. Ordinarily, there is nothing really special about the cyclical change of leadership in corporate organisations, including banks. But given the nature of the banking industry in Nigeria and the crisis boardroom politics have wreaked in the fortunes of many institutions, it is usually no mean feat when institutions, especially strategic ones are able to arrange leadership transitions without rancour. Indeed, for Zenith bank,leadership changes matter a lot, and for good reason.

Perhaps unknown to its top leadership, public perception of the institution until 2010, was that it is a one-man show. Many industry observers and infact the banking public saw it largely as a Jim Ovia show, and not without reason. From the time he set it up in April 1990, Jim Ovia emerged as the personification of the bank. A usually self-effacing, soft spoken and quiet personality, Jim Ovia nevertheless towered above the bank and earned a formidable reputation for ruthless efficiency and high net-worth professionalism. His marketing savvy and professional brilliance animated the entire fabric of the Zenith corporate soul and rapidly transformed the fledging start up into a national and international financial services power house, with gross assets now cresting the $20 billion mark. Indeed, by all available indices, Zenith bank has been a marvelous success. However, despite such obvious successes, there remained the lingering doubt over its long term viability outside the context of a Jim Ovia leadership. It was a problem which GT Bank, a close industry competitor, had successfully dealt with when the founding

GMD/CEO, Fola Adeola stepped down in 2001.

The emergence of the late Tayo Aderinokun as GMD/CEO gave GT Bank a strategic advantage in the reckoning of industry analysts, over Zenith bank. It is a settled fact in Management theory that for an institution to qualify as really successful, it has to be capable of undergoing leadership changes and still remain profitable.

The logic is very simple. Human beings, including top managers, are temporary, but organisations are not. In other words, organisations are like barracks in the old saying “Soldier go, Soldier come, but barracks remain” Each year, as Zenith bank declared billions of naira in turnover and profits, many wondered, “What will happen to it without Jim Ovia?”

Well as if on cue, the answer came in 2010 with the CBN decreed term limit for bank CEO’s.

Within 24 hours of the rule coming into effect, the Zenith bank board announced Ovia’s replacement in the person of Godwin Emefiele who was hitherto the DMD. It was an impressive response. BY the end of that financial year, Emefiele answered all the sceptics by posting an impressive performance. Finally, the fears were abated; there can be a successful Zenith Bank without Jim Ovia directly at the helm of affairs! Of course there is still, even today, the whispering side talks alleging that Ovia remains big in the operations of the bank. My response is, “So what?” As Oba Otudeko, Group Chairman of First Bank Holdco once told me, “Anyone who says he would not be involved in the running of his own investments is welcome to do so. As for me, I will be involved in mine!”.

The emergence of Peter Amangbo in 2014 as the MD/CEO marked another milestone in the history of Zenith bank. Like his predecessor, it was also sudden. Emefiele’s ascension to the Governorship of the Central bank of Nigeria had opened up the way for him. But he was well primed for the role. As a veteran, he was an inheritor of its culture of peerless professionalism, Marketing savvy and first class customer service delivery. As a businessman and Newspaper publisher, I do business with quite a number of banks. Zenith bank is one of such banks. However, I make bold to say that my experiences with Zenith bank is unrivalled. Zenith bank customer services sparkles or used to sparkle. These days, I hear that the standards have fallen a notch or two. But it is still the industry leader. I recall one memorable incident to buttress this point. One Saturday in mid-

2006, I had a wedding ceremony to attend. I had planned to withdraw some brand new notes from the bank in order to indulge in the then usual Nigerian culture of spraying money at the event. Somehow, I had forgotten todo so and thus by the next day, I was stranded.

By the time I remembered, it was well past midday and as usual I was ensconced in the office working on the next edition of Hallmark.

In panic, I phoned my account officer at the Festac branch of Zenith bank. The lady said she was on her way to a social event with her husband, but that she would attend to my request notwithstanding. To cut a long story short, she let her husband continue to the event and returned to the office and arranged for the brand new currency notes which she brought to me at the office in Ikeja. I was thus able to attend the wedding ceremony and feel good! I have retold this story several times, especially to successive generation of marketing officers of various banks. Zenith bank has set a lofty record of customer service delivery. Even as they relentlessly marketed for deposits, they serviced customers with cutting edge services.

In his widely trumpeted book, “Africa Rise and Shine”, where Jim Ovia made a rather modest effort to tell his and Zenith bank’s fascinating story, he calmly asserts that, “Zenith bank is one of the greatest success stories accredited to a Pan-African organisation. It is a globally recognised brand, recently named among the top 500 global bank brands in the world”. Obviously, that is true. I testify that Ovia was not exaggerating. Indeed, the success of Zenith bank speaks to the innate capabilities of the human spirit, and the immense possibilities of Nigeria. It is remarkable that within one generation, this man who was not born with a silver spoon has soared to the pinnacle of global success. The rise of Zenith bank recalls to my mind the meteoric rise of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, which Pastor E.A Adeboye has within one generation, built into such a global behemoth as perhaps the fastest growing Christian church in the world.

They both represent the amazing potentials of this amazing country.

The secret of Zenith bank, which explains its success is the unrelenting drive of its founder, a man I have known quite closely for about twenty years now; his ambition and the excellence of the Zenith people. Such excellence is typified by the rich professionalism and digni-

considering the challenges of the available alternatives. It is premised on the conclusion that the current state is not sustainable. The basis of the recommendations is underpinned by the following key factors: 1. Socio-economic impacts can and should be measured – regardless of the agent, i.e., either the public or private sector.

2. Sustainability of national development interventions is hinged on the level of balance within the system (quality of human and material development, equal opportunity in income distribution, etc.).

3. The pricing of inputs and outputs provides indicators on the level of efficiency, level of balance in income distribution and long-term system sustainability.

4.Culture and education are key factors that influence capacity for long-term productivity.

Sustainability indices Sustainability Indices (SIs) as envisioned here are guidelines/regulations/laws prescribed by government (in collaboration with the private sector) that stipulate expected, desired and required ranges of input and output conditions for broad sectors of the economy. For example, what is the required ratio of house pricing as a proportion of median income, corporate profit allocation between workers and shareholders; the price of basic education as a ratio of longterm individual productivity, the price of basic health care as a proportion of median income and the best pricing system for public bonds?

•Okwonna is the CEO of Octopus Venture Capital, a venture advisory and management firm based in Abuja.

fied personality of Peter Amangbo who took over the leadership at a time of grave turbulence in the political economy. His calm leadership has added immense value to this dynamic lender. The seamless transition, ushering in an old reliable Ebenezer Onyeagwuto the helm, marks yet another opportunity for Zenith to continue its unparalled growth trajectory.

Like the iconic FirstBank, this reporter and the banking industry high command, are betting on heavy odds that Zenith bank will be very much around to celebrate its 100th anniversary as one of the leading financial institutions in the world. And it will be thanks to Jim Ovia, Godwin Emefiele, Peter Amangbo, Ebenezer Onyeagwu and all their foot soldiers!!

•Prince OBASI is CEO of Business Hallmark newspaper. This article was culled from his Facebook page.

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

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

HEALTH

T

he staging of breast cancer relies on both clinical and pathological criteria that are useful in the treatment and prognosis of the disease.

Reliable, reproducible and accurate staging are necessary to compare results of various treatments.

The determination of the stage of breast cancer depends on an accurate physical examination as well as histological confirmation.

Examination should include an estimate of size of the primary lesion within the breast, whether the lesion is mobile within the breast or fixed to the underlying pectoral fascia or chest wall, and whether there is any involvement of the skin; either by ulceration, satellite skin nodules or erythema and oedema (peau d’orange). The presence or absence of those physical findings are important in planning the patient subsequent treatment because the type and extent of surgery will be influenced greatly by the size of the lesion and its fixation to underlying structures. Involvement of the skin, including ulceration as well as erythema and oedema – so called inflammatory breast cancer – probably should be treated by a combined modality approach in which chemotherapy, not surgery, is the initial step.

Eczematous change of the nipple with pagetoid changes on a biopsy specimen or skin, deter surgery, however, because these findings are not in themselves features of advanced or surgically incurable cancer. The use of mammography is helpful in determining the extent of the primary tumour but also can suggest multicentricity within the ipsilateral breast or a lesion in the contralateral breast requiring further evaluation.

To some degree, physical examination also plays a role in determining the nodal status of a patient. Examination of the nodal draining areas should include both the ipsilateral axiliary and supraclavicular regions, although there are some inaccuracies in examination of the axiliary, this will harbor histologically positive lymph nodes in up to 30% of cases. A clinical positive axiliary may contain malignancy. The presence of histologically confirmed ipsilateral supraclavicular adenopathy is an indication that the tumour is beyond the limit of surgical resection and that primary treatment should consist of a modality other than surgery.

The treatment of breast cancer has undergone a marked evolution from the initial imputative procedure and even from the radical mastectomy as described by Halsted. The additions of radiation therapy, hormonal ablation, chemotherapy and most recently immune therapy to surgery have proved to be useful techniques in patients with metastatic diseases.

Approximately, one-third of patient with breast cancer will die

Breast cancer staging: A plan for achievable cure

of their disease in ten years of suffering the scourge. Unfortunately, the death rate of breast cancer has remained constant for at least 35 years despite the instruction of hormonal ablation, chemotherapy and the most recent immunotherapy.

The ability to predict who will die and who will survive their disease in patient with invasive cancer limited to the breast and axillary have been based on information gained at the time of surgery by the surgeon, pathologist and more recently, the molecular biologist. This information has been used in an attempt to determine who might benefit from adjuvant therapy after initial locoregional treatment.

The treatment of stage I and II breast cancer have undergone significant changes over the past 40 years. For the first three quarters of the 20th century to 21st century, the radical mastectomy first described by Halsted was attempted with little change in over all prognosis.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, a more systemic approach to the treatment of breast cancer evolved as the concept that metastatic disease developed early in the disease’s natural

HEALTH With Dr. JOHN

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

history was established. This resulted in more and more conservative breast surgery being performed.

There are two accepted options for the surgical treatment of the stage I and II breast cancer: A modified radical mastectomy or lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection.

Most patients are candidates for lumpectomy and axillary dissections. However, there are factors that make the modified radical mastectomy a more desirable procedure. The factors related to the tumour include: (1) The large tumours in small breasts, causing a poor cosmet-

ic result. (2) Superficial centrally located tumours directly behind the nipple/areola complex and (3) The patients who have had previous radiation to the chest wall. These are relative indications for choosing to perform a modified radical mastectomy.

Other patient factors for choice of treatment include: (1) Reluctance to have radiation therapy (2) Fear of local recurrence in the breast, and (3) A sense that mastectomy with reconstruction rather than a lumpectomy, axiliary node dissection and radiation therapy given would give better cosmetic result.

The need for excellent rap-

port between the surgeons and the patient is extremely important. The above option should be presented in a logical unbiased fashion. Some physicians believe that the modified radical mastectomy is the only treatment of choice and that lumpectomy and axiliary dissection should be discouraged.

Since the surgeon might influence a decision that ultimately should be made by the patient.

The best approach is for the multidisciplinary team to have a thorough and complete discussion with each patient and help the patient to make perfect correct decision. This team should include a surgical oncologist, plastic surgeon, radiation therapist, medical oncologist and protocol nurse. The entire treatment plan should be outlined and specific questions concerning surgery, radiation, reconstruction, post operative therapy, rehabilitation and plan other psychosocial problems should be addressed at one time. Only by this approach can patient make a fully healthy educated decision on what treatment would be the best for her – I mean the woman for the achievable cure.

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

ENERGY

As power sector debts soar above N1 tr

Aiteo appoints new management FG to inject another N600b he Federal government is pro- some N213 billion and subsequently team cessing release of another another N800 billion intervention

I

ndigenous energy group, Aiteo, has changed out its management team, retiring Mr. Chike Onyejekwe as and appointing Mr. Mr. Victor Okoronkwo to replace him as Managing Director of Aiteo Exploration and Production (E & P) Limited.

Mr. Onyejekwe who is the pioneer Managing Director of Aiteo E & P Limited, according to the company’s spokesman, Mr. Mathew Ndiana, was due for retirement.

Mr. Victor Okoronkwo who was the Senior Vice President, Commercial & Gas, for Aiteo E & P Limited, brings over 30 years of oil and gas experience to his new position after spending a long time in the service Shell where he was a General Manager.

Aiteo also appointed current General Manager in charge of Assets, Mr. Mr. Emmanuel Ogagarue, to the position of Director in charge of Asset Development and Engineering.

Mr. Emmanuel Ukegbu who was the Chief Operating Officer of Aiteo E & P Limited would also retire from the company.

General Manager in charge of Operations, Mr. James Iwoh, was also promoted to become Director in charge of Production and Operations.

Also, the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Mitchell Uchegbulam, becomes Group Head in charge of Planning, Budget and Implementation and would report to the Group Office; while General Manager Joint Venture & Project Management, Mr. Taiye Eyewuoma, becomes Acting Chief Financial Officer, Aiteo E & P Limited.

Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Head Corporate Finance, Mrs. Osareme Archibong, has also been promoted to the position of General Manager, Joint Venture Finance, Aiteo E & P Limited; while Treasury Manager, Mr. Uzoh Anijah–Obi, becomes Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Aiteo E & P Limited.

Mr Mathew stated that the management reorganization followed a review of the company’s operational and investment objectives and in reaction to prevailing business environment.

Aiteo’s Chief Executive and Executive Vice Chairman, Benedict Peters, explained that the organization had undertaken the exercise to realign its considerable interests across the various sectors within which it currently operates.

He said the reorganization was carried out “to make the investment arms of the various businesses more effective; galvanise and enhance collective productivity to demonstrate visibly profitable outcomes for the ultimate benefit of its considerable stakeholders…” Peters further observed that “… the uniqueness of the Group demands that an infusion of important impetus is given the necessary momentum by recognising as well as empowering key positions within the Group and realigning its considerable personcapacity to fit operational demands.”

He further stated, “I am delighted to confirm that we have been able to harmonise such a talented team to deepen and embolden the growth and future of our businesses, direction of which has been predicated on the urge to enhance innovative, new approaches to the beneficiation of resources across the Energy landscape.

“We have always prided ourselves in housing a strong blend of skills which has been central to the attainment of our investment objectives. These appointments bring together important experiences as well as industry initiative, policy, technical and financing skills. Most importantly, it maximizes the strong energy among the team to provide material impact in sustaining refreshing, creative conviction to our approach to achieving the very lofty goals that we have set for ourselves.”

T

N600 billion to help resolve over one N1tr debt disputes that currently threaten fresh investments in the gas-to-power programme.

However, it is not clear whether the intervention would be enough to resolve the mounting debts across the full industry supply relay involving gas suppliers, power producers, electricity transporters and supply brokers in the chain.

It is also not clear how the fund injection would improve supply of electricity in the sector where key issues revolve around capacity and efficiency in electricity distribution, and revenue collection for cost and margin recovery from the market.

The current N600 billion, though not yet visible to stakeholders that play in the industry, would be the third in the routine interventions to resolve debt impasse that arose from over N1.0 trillion unpaid power supply invoices.

According to the spokesman of power generating companies, Mrs Joy Ogaji, even the highly hyped fund intervention remains a rumour as, she said, there is no government document or policy statement notifying players in the industry about fund intervention.

The Oracle Today can report that government had in the past infused

funds to enable the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) attend to piling invoices from power generation companies.

The earlier interventions did not, however, address critical issues of operations commercialization in a sector where gas players and generating companies call for market liberalization, and distribution companies demand tariff correction.

Enquiries by The Oracle Today showed that the generating companies jointly push a monthly power invoice of N55 billion or annual invoice N660 billion to NBET for power supplied to the distribution companies.

In response to the invoices, they get paltry N13.2 billion monthly or N158.4 billion annually, representing mere 24 percent cash back on verified invoices.

Mrs Ogaji said the consistent payment shortfalls have built existing debts in the industry to over N1.2 trillion, pointing out that even the uncertain N600 billion intervention from government would be inadequate to defray significant portion of unpaid invoices in the system.

Gas suppliers who decry huge debts by generating companies are also worried about the accounting inefficiency and regulatory impotence in the sector, wondering why

the regulators have failed to enforce compliance to payment commitments in the market.

The Oracle Today gathered that the power sector takes about 80 per cent of total domestic gas supply in the country where upstream petroleum producers are required by regulation to meet allocated supply obligations under a defined tariff system.

Whereas the investors in gas gathering, processing and transportation have no qualms with the commercial arrangements and tariff structure that govern commercial gas supply to the domestic market, lack of physical cash returns from the power sector has remained a nightmare.

Mrs Ogaji said that about 60 per cent of the total invoices from generating companies actually belong to gas suppliers, adding that remittances to the gas suppliers has also remained proportionate to returns from the distribution companies.

Thus, N720 billion of the N1.2 trillion power sector debt is actually owed the gas suppliers.

President of Nigerian Gas Association, Mrs Audrey Ez’igbo, could not be reached for comments but the group had earlier proposed commercial liberalization of the sector so that individual suppliers could enter separate commercial arrange-

• Fashola

Angola woos exploration, refinery investments

A

frica’s second-biggest oil producer, Angola, is putting a number of exploration blocks on auction as a strategy in positioning to trap down floating global investment capital in boosting its reserves and output numbers.

The country plans to put a total of 55 blocks on offer between now and 2025.

According to sources close to the government of Angola, the country is riding on the rising crude oil prices in the international market and associated growing capacity of international oil companies to invest in reserves accretion.

The Angolan government is offering tax concessions for companies developing smaller fields, is cutting bureaucracy and selling parts of state-owned oil company Sonangol EP to attract foreign companies. The country will host an oil and gas conference in the capital Luanda on June 4-6 to promote investments.

The Oracle Today gathered that Angola is working on immediate plans to put nine offshore exploration blocks located in the Namibe basin on offer

as part of efforts to lure back global explorers and boost production after activity lull associated with oil price fall in 2014.

Angola’s output has declined in recent years due to lower investments in new projects and as aging fields deplete. The drop has put a strain on an economy that depends on oil for more than 90 percent of its exports.

Angola’s crude output is forecast to fall to 1.434 million barrels a day this year from 1.479 million barrels a day last year. That compares with about 1.9 million in 2010, when it competed neck-and-neck with Nigeria as Africa’s biggest producer.

President Joao Lourenco, who came to power in 2017, is trying to revive finances by attracting foreign investment, tackling corruption and selling assets.

As part of the reforms in the oil industry, the government has transferred the role of concessionaire of oil and gas blocks from Sonangol to the new National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels.

A Bloomberg report has it that So-

nangol, long the main engine of Angola’s oil-focused economy, is also selling companies and assets outside its core business to focus on oil.

Besides owning stakes in Angolan oil blocks, the state-run company has shares in several local banks and a 25 percent stake in Unitel SA, the country’s biggest telecommunications firm.

It also holds indirect stake in Portuguese oil company Galp Energia SGPS SA and an interest in Banco Comercial Portugues SA. “During a first phase, 52 companies and two assets were marked to be sold,” said Azevedo. The process is expected to take about three years, he said.

The government is also looking to cut Angola’s dependence on fuel imports by revamping the country’s only refinery in Luanda, which accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s needs.

It’s also resurrecting plans to construct a 200,000 barrel-a-day refinery in the coastal city of Lobito and build a new 60,000-barrels-a-day plant in the northern enclave of Cabinda, he said.

ments with their customers.

“All we want is ‘willing buyer-willing seller’ arrangement,” erstwhile President of the group, Mr. Dada Thomas had told The Oracle Today in an earlier interview.

Our findings show that revenue collection disputes arising from estimated billing mainly account for high collection losses declared by distribution companies, and pressure from all quarters including the Ministry of Power on the distribution companies to resolve billing disputes with prepayment metering has failed to yield results.

Inside sources revealed to our correspondents that the distribution companies had stalled implementation of complete metering coverage across their networks after pilot projects showed that whereas billing disputes were efficiently resolved in the areas, revenue drastically dropped due to low power supply.

He said the distribution companies now rely on vast number of vulnerable communities without prepayment meters to maximize revenue through estimated billing.

“How do you expect them to make money if they don’t supply you with power? If you implement the full metering coverage under the prevailing tariff structure, the entire commercial chain will collapse and government will return to subsidy.

“There two things that must happen before the total metering coverage would come. One is cost reflective tariff structure. The other is a law that compels government agencies, including the security forces to pay their electricity bills. The worst debtors to the power sector are not the DISCOs, they are the military, police, customs, and other government agencies that you cannot prosecute or disconnect.

“Another alternative is for government to examine the annual power supply budget of these agencies and remit the funds to either NBET or NERC for easy settlement of their bills. Even as we speak, the Eligible Customer declaration by the minister makes it easy for some of the maximum demand government agencies to enter into service contracts directly with the generating companies. That will eliminate the distribution agents,” a source who provides consultancy to some of the distribution companies said on condition of anonymity.

Spokesman of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distribution Companies (ANED), Mr. Sunday Odutan, could not be reached for comments on the current fund intervention, but he had earlier stated that government must revert to full implementation of the agreements on privatization which, according to him, outline clear steps towards achieving commerciality, efficiency and growth in the power sector.

He had warned that debts in the power sector might continue to rise until a cost reflective tariff system is enthroned to confer commercial viability on investments made by different players across the value chain.

Thus, the commercial outlook for the sector remains gloomy as key issues of building capacity in the distribution end of the commercial relay are now drowned in festering debt quarrels among all players in the industry.

And at the root of the entire commercial issues that translate to rising debts is the inefficient reliance on estimated billing which provides no verifiable basis for distribution companies to place payment demand on their consumers.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

ENERGY

Total to partner NNPC on renewable energy

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

F

rench multinational oil firm with significant business interest in Nigeria, Total, has declared interest in investing in renewable energy in Nigeria, seeking collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The interest in renewable energy is part of package of investment proposals that marked the visit of the company’s Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick Jean Pouyanné, to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

According to the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the two energy chiefs agreed to collaborate in possible new investments besides Total’s existing joint venture and production sharing contracts on oil and gas exploration and production.

“Nigeria has the largest potential for oil and gas exploration in Africa.

Total Group is looking ahead into the future and we would continue to collaborate with Nigeria and NNPC in Oil and Gas Exploration, NLNG and Renewable energy,” Pouyanné was quoted in a statement by Mr Ughamadu.

He said Nigeria remains very important to the Total Group, assuring that the company would continue to invest in more projects in Nigeria. He also restated the company’s commitment to the expansion of the Nigeria LNG Limited.

The Oracle Today reports that Total operates the NNPC/Total joint venture with NPPC; it operates production sharing contract (PSC) for the corporation in the deepwater and holds significant interests in third party operated JVs and PSCs. Total is also one of the investment partners in the Nigeria LNG Limited which leads Africa’s gas liquefaction and export business. Total and other partners are currently working to achieve final investment decision on the seventh train conceived to boost

the liquefaction capacity of NLNG. Total also delivered Nigeria’s newest deepwater field development project designed to pump some 200,000 barrels of crude oil from the Egina Field.

Mr. Pouyanne stated in the meeting with Dr. Baru that the Egina field development was delivered below budget with high Nigerian content.

Dr. Baru who hosted the total team commended Total on delivering the Egina field development at the cost of $14.9 billion, below approved project budget of $16 billion. He also expressed appreciation for the company’s use of 75 percent local resources in the project.

“On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, we congratulate you on the successful delivery of Egina FPSO project. We also congratulate you on the efficiency you brought to bear on that project as it was delivered below budget and with very high Nigerian Content. The integration yard of Egina FPSO is there to stay and many other FPSOs will be constructed from that yard,” Dr. Baru informed.

Dr. Baru also applauded Total for its proposal on a renewable energy solution joint venture between NNPC and the Group, adding that the corporation would expeditiously set up a team to work with Total Group with a view to boosting the electricity supply in-country.

In the downstream, he also praised Total Group for the collaboration with the corporation in ensuring steady supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

“We want to thank you and your leadership for your pragmatic approach to resolving all issues as it relates to Joint Ventures and Production Sharing Contracts. This strategy has further strengthen our business relations and deepen our commitment to our goals of adding value to the nation’s hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders,” Dr. Baru said.

•A typical solar and wind energy farm

Houston students take on Energy Challenge at OTC

S

eventy-one high school students from the Houston metro area will on May 7 develop and present solutions to real-world energy challenges at the internationally attended Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.

The teams are paired with industry mentors to solve complex energy problems and the winners will be awarded scholarships totaling $12,000.

This year’s conference brings together exploration and production (E&P) experts and leaders from across the world to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources.

Chairman, OTC Board of Directors, Mr Wafik Beydoun, said: “For the third year at OTC, the Energy Challenge will inspire the students, their teachers, their mentors and our conference attendees.

“These are the young minds that will shape the future of our industry, and we have much to learn from their

Oil sector groans under...

Continued from P 17

eries; he also announced modular refinery programme in the industry to displace illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, as well as government’s support for private refinery projects, especially the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery.

Recently, the minister also announced plans for deal with Saudi Arabia to invest in crude oil processing in the country under an arrangement in which the Middle Eastern oil powerhouse would now assist Nigeria in meeting domestic fuel demand through direct supply, local refining and commodity for fuel swap deals.

He declared a target to develop domestic refining capacity from current installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day to about 1.5 mbd.

Dr. Kachikwu even swore to resign his position if he failed to achieve the targets by 2019.

Dr. Kachikwu was later to declare at Africa Oil Week in Cape Town last year that government had to push the refinery reactivation deadline from 2019 to 2020 following glitches in funding arrangements with joint venture partners in the a new concession model.

Thus, all the refinery programmes of the minister have failed to either

take off or meet delivery target with only the privately owned Dangote Refinery which has also missed several delivery deadlines visibly on course.

The three existing domestic refineries, inside sources said, currently operate at 3.5 percent installed capacity.

A former Managing Director of one of the refineries told our correspondent that even the estimated 3.5 percent utilization forms the minimum the plants must do to avoid complete shutdown, adding that none of the refineries has commercial quantity of feed-stock for processing.

He made it clear that the refineries would exceed over 40 per-cent plant capacity if challenged with crude feed-stock.

His comments are interpreted to strongly infer that the domestic refineries have been deliberately starved of crude oil feed-stock as government focuses controversial crude for products swap deals with foreign refineries and traders, an arrangement considered to cost inefficiency in meeting the fuel demand for the domestic economy.

NNPC spends some 1.4 trillion annually to import fuel for the domestic market, and also suffers huge losses in its 500,000 barrels per day

crude for petrol swap deals with foreign partners.

The swap arrangement thus takes crude oil worth $35 million or N12.6 billion from the national income stream on a daily basis to support domestic fuel supply.

The corporation’s swap deals termed Direct Supply and Direct Purchase (DSDP), its huge import bills and revenue remittance accountability issues only form part of corruption allegations which the management continues to deny.

The corporation has been struggling to explain its position in the alleged N1.4 trillion annual import bills, another $3.5 billion (N1.26 trillion) escrow account for Petroleum Support Fund as well as allegations of illegal deductions from Nigeria’s dividends from profits posted by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.

In the past four years of the administration of President Muhammdu Buhari, it is difficult to count accomplishments in any of the key national aspirations in the petroleum sector, except leaps in the Nigerian Content profile in field development projects.

Indeed, shifts in delivery of policy targets have become routine and unending.

perspective. We hope this next generation of engineers and scientists will take full advantage of the STEM opportunities in the energy industry, and this is one step in that journey.”

The 10 challenges include using AI to optimize production; designing an app to optimize offshore logistics; designing a carbon neutral coastal city powered by offshore resources; and using 3-D printing to manufacture equipment in-situ.

Other challenges include developing an offshore system to deal with ocean plastic waste; the use of ocean energy to power an offshore production platform; finding additional uses for flood protection structures; and designing/building an offshore algae farm and product line.

The rest are repurposing a depleted offshore oil and gas field to capture CO2; and designing an offshore facility that is run via an onshore ‘twin’ facility.

The winning teams receive a scholarship prize of $5,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place and $3,000

for third place.

Schools competing this year include Awty High School, Chavez High School, Dulles High School, Energy Institute High School, and George Ranch High School.

Others are Harmony High School, Kinkaid High School, Lamar Consolidated High School, Memorial High School, Milby High School, Paetow High School, Seven Lakes High School, Stratford High School, and Stephen F. Austin High School.

The rest are St. Johns High School, The Village School, Westside High School, and the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy.

Cities represented include Houston, Sugar Land, Richmond, Big Sandy, Rosenberg and Katy.

The Energy Challenge is sponsored by major energy firms and professional groups including BHP Billiton, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Society of Petroleum Engineers International Gulf Coast Section, BP, and The American Petroleum Institute.

Custodian pays 45k final dividend

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ustodian Investment Plc has paid a total dividend of 45 kobo per share as approved by shareholders at the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos for the financial year ended December 31, 2018,.

Addressing shareholders, the Chairman of the company, Dr. Omobola Johnson, said,“The board recognises the importance of dividends to shareholders and therefore sustained the company’s practice of regular dividend payment by rewarding shareholders with an interim dividend of 10 kobo per share in September 2018, and your board will propose, subject to your approval, the payment of additional 35 kobo per share as final dividend.

Cumulatively, bringing a total dividend of 45 kobo per share for the 2018 financial year.”

The chairman told shareholders that She significant higher reinsurance and claims expenses, typical of the cyclical nature of the underwriting business kept profit after tax at N7.1billion.

She stated that despite the moderate macro-economic growth on the domestic front, the company

was able to post strong financial performances across all its business lines and from the subsidiaries.

Johnson revealed that the company’s Gross revenue rose by 16.8 per cent in the year under review to peak at N50.3billion, while its Total assets and shareholders’ funds remained strong at N98.1billion and N41.5billion respectively with yearon-year growths of 21.5 per cent and 13.9 per cent.

“Our overall strong performance underscores the resilience of our business model and tenacity of our management team and staff,” she said.

The chairman also said that through Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation, corporate social responsibility initiatives with high impact and tangible benefits had continued to remain a key aspect of the organisation.

The company, which was formerly known as Custodian and Allied Plc, is a non-bank financial institution quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with investments in life and non-life insurance, pension fund administration, trusteeship and property holding businesses.

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION

FBN General Insurance grows PBT to N615.6m in FY 2018

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BN General Insurance Limited has released its financial account for the year ended 31 December 2018 as approved by the industry regulator, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

According to statement released by the company, Gross Premium Written (GPW) for the year closed at N4.63 billion in 2018 achieving a YoY growth of 32 per cent from N3.51 billion reported in 2017.

The insurer also realised a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N615.6 million, with a marked YoY growth of 91per cent from the N322.8 million realised as at the same period in 2017. Over the same period, they grew their total assets year-on-year by 31% from N7.24 billion in 2017 to N9.45 billion in 2018, realising a significant improvement in their capital efficiency as they nurture robust liquidity and solvency margin above the required benchmark.

While commenting on the company’s performance, Bode Opadokun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FBN General Insurance, attributed the performance of the company to their commitment in putting their clients first and resilience in achieving remarkable milestones. “The business gained momentum in 2018 as results across key performance metrics clearly validate FBN General Insurance commitment to the delivery of profitable growth and unwavering dedication to our clients, communities and stakeholders’’, he said.

It will be recalled that FBN General Insurance last year won the Best Customer Service Award (Insurance Category), at the 2018 Nigeria Brand Award held in Lagos.

LASU denies diverting pension fund

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anagement of the Lagos State University (LASU) has debunked allegation of diverting N198 million staff pension fund to buy luxury cars.

According to statement released by the university Spokesman, Ademola Adekoya, that at no time did the university borrowed from its Staff Contributory Fund to finance accreditation expenses.

Adekoya said N474 million was borrowed by the university from its provision and not from pension fund in order to meet past service obligations.

“The Pension Fund for members of staff who are yet to register with Pension Fund Administrators, which is less than N100 million, is intact.

“As a matter of practice, the university does not default in the payment of its obligations to either the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) or its retirees. The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), the regulatory body for pension fund, had recently commended the university for its efficiency in remittance,” Adekoya said.

He added that the money borrowed was a proactive measure to ensure that the university did not lose its accreditation of the programmes presented to the National University Commission (NUC).

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AIICO grows GWP to N37.7bn in ‘significant’ FY 2018

By VICTOR NZE

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IICO Insurance Plc has said that its Gross Written Premiums for the year ending 31 December 2018 increased 17.4 per cent to N37.7 billion from N32.1 billion in 2017, a development which it said was driven by growth in its Life and Non-life businesses.

Announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018, in a statement released, Tuesday, Executive Director /Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, described as ‘significant’ the company’s performance

for the year.

“The year 2018 was significant for our company, as it marked the end of a 5-year transformation plan.

The meticulous execution of our transformation plans continue to yield expected results with year-onyear improvements in our performance,” he said.

The company’s Gross Written Premiums for the year ending 31 December 2018 increased 17.4 per cent to N37.7 billion from N32.1 billion in 2017. This outstanding performance was predominantly driven by growth in both the Life and Non-life businesses of the com-

pany.

According to the Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, “the year 2018 was significant for our company, as it marked the end of a 5-year transformation plan. The meticulous execution of our transformation plans continue to yield expected results with year-onyear improvements in our performance”.

Giving details of the financial performance for the outgone year, Fajemirokun said: “Profit after tax (PAT) continued on the same positive path with a 146 performance

• (From left): MD/CEO Mr. Umar Mairami, Chairman of the Premium Pension Board Architect Yunusa Yakubu and Company Secretary Mr. Bada Adeshina at the Premium Pension14th Annual General Meeting which held in Abuja

Insurance industry must wake up to costs of ‘secondary’ catastrophe perils -- Report

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he insurance industry must wake up to the growing cost of “secondary” catastrophe perils, which amounted to more than 60 percent of the $76 billion price tag for insured natural catastrophe losses during 2018, according to Swiss Re Institute’s latest sigma study.

Secondary perils are defined as small-to-mid-sized events or the secondary effects of a primary peril, said Swiss Re, explaining that they often are not modeled and receive little monitoring by the industry, despite their potential for severity.

“Insurers need to develop their modelling capabilities to better assess the risk that these perils pose,” said Swiss Re’s sigma report titled “Natural catastrophes and manmade disasters in 2018: ‘secondary’ perils on the frontline.”

Examples of secondary events include river floods, torrential rainfall, landslides, thunderstorms, snow and ice storms, draught and wildfires. Secondary effects of a primary peril might be hurricane-induced precipitation, storm surges, tsunamis, and liquefaction and fire following an earthquake.

To highlight the growing costs of these secondary perils, Swiss Re

said, the combined insured losses from natural catastrophes during 2017 and 2018 was US$219 billion, which is the highest-ever total for a two-year period. More than half of that total resulted from secondary perils, the report affirmed.

Last year’s insured loss total of $76 billion was the fourth highest on record, although there were no mega-loss generating events. Swiss Re noted that 62 percent of the overall total was due to secondary perils.

“Large losses from secondary perils are occurring more regularly,” said Edouard Schmid, Swiss Re’s group chief underwriting officer, in a statement. “This is a trend the insurance industry must act on so that we can continue to underwrite catastrophe business sustainably.”

The acceleration in secondary peril losses is due to urbanization and associated development of floodprone areas along coast lines and on river plains, the report indicated.

Other factors include development in areas vulnerable to fire risk, such as the wildland-urban interface, as well as long-term climate change, the report said.

Other findings in the report include: Natural catastrophes and

man-made disasters had an economic cost of US$165 billion during 2018, with around US$155 billion resulting from natural catastrophes and the remainder from man-made events.

“Insurance covered about half (US$85 billion) of 2018’s economic losses from natural and man-made disasters, creating a global catastrophe insurance protection gap of US$80 billion. (The insurance protection gap is the financial loss generated by catastrophes not covered by insurance.)

“During 2017 and 2018, the global all-catastrophe protection gap of the past two years was $280 billion, with more than half of that resulting from independent secondary and secondary-effect peril events.

“Approximately 13,500 people lost their lives or went missing in last year’s catastrophe events. Natural catastrophes claimed more than 9,800 victims, and man-made disasters resulted in roughly 3,600 deaths, up from around 3 000 in 2017.

“There were 304 catastrophe events in 2018, which was level with the previous year. Of those, 181 were natural catastrophes (184 in 2017), and 123 were man-made disasters.”

improvement to close at N3.1 billion for FY’18 compared to N1.3billon in 2017. Earnings per Share (EPS) increased by 144 performance from 18k in 2017 to 44k in 2018.

“The company’s deliberate approach to risk selection, superior technical underwriting capabilities, actuarial excellence, asset / liability management, reinsurance arrangements and positive movement in yields contributed to over 180% improvements in underwriting profits from negative N4 billion in 2017 to over N3.2 billion in 2018.”

Speaking on the company’s strategic aspirations, Mr. Fajemirokun, stated that AIICO’s main strategic objective over the next 5years is to regain market leadership through rapid and profitable growth and to deliver on this renewed mandate.

“We will streamline and leverage capabilities across the group to grow market share, increase shareholder value and build customer centric capabilities powered by digital technologies for superior service delivery.

“We believe that AIICO is wellequipped to Go Above and Beyond current performance levels as we commence this next phase of our journey to transform and take our company to much greater heights.”

Also commenting, Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said: “As a company, we are in the business of bringing relief to our esteemed clients in times of losses”.

This is evidenced by over 25 per cent growth in gross claims from N23.3 billion in 2017 to N29.1 billion in 2018. From this amount, about 76 per cent was for benefits and claims payment in our Life business with the remaining 24 per cent incurred in the Non-Life business.

“We expect that as the company continues to grow, claims expenses will grow accordingly, however, sound reinsurance arrangements (for Non-Life) and conservative reserves (for Life benefits & claims) have been put in place to moderate impact on the company’s statement of financial position.

“The company’s financial position remains robust and continues to improve with total assets witnessing a 19% growth from N92.4 billion in 2017 to N109.9 billion in 2018. Shareholders’ equities also increased by 38% to N14.5 billion (from N10.5 billion in 2017). Our financial position is an indicator of our capacity and ability to continue to provide protection and risk assurance services to our clients over the long-term.

“In line with decision to adopt a progressive dividend policy, the Board shall recommend to the shareholders a 20% increment in dividend payout for approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders. This shall translate to a payment of N415,812,268.80, representing six kobo per ordinary share of fifty kobo each for the financial year ended December 31, 2018.

“The proportion of earnings recommended for dividend pay-out this year has taken into account regulatory solvency requirement for future business growth. As stated earlier, with the adoption of a progressive dividend payout policy, our shareholders and investors can expect to benefit from sustained and improved performance in the coming years,” he said.

26

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

Travel & Hospitality Accor to open 35 hotels in Nigeria, Kenya, others by 2020 Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ospitality group, Accor has announced plans for 35 hotels spread across the African continent in targeted markets in Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, as well as Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, along with Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.

The hotel group explained that the move is geared towards fast-tracking its development plans in Africa, leveraging its expanded portfolio to consolidate its leadership position in North and West Africa, and achieve rapid growth in Sub Saharan and East Africa.

The Group is on track to open 35 hotels in Africa by 2020, and has set a target of signing between fifteen to twenty projects each year between 2019 and 2025.

Already, Accor commands the largest market share in terms of keys, with more than 26,500 rooms across over 156 properties in 23 countries continent-wide and a pipeline of 54 hotels with over 10,386 rooms.

“Our expanded portfolio of more than 30 brands across the entire market spectrum – economy, midscale, upscale, luxury and high-end

luxury – is a catalyst for growth in Africa; it means we have a range of hospitality options for every project in every destination across the continent,” said Mark Willis, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East & Africa for Accor.

Continuing, Willis said: “Our brand offering, combined with our unparalleled market expertise, puts us in a strong position to meet our key development goals, namely consolidating our leadership position in North Africa and accelerating development in East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This will be achieved by maximizing opportunities for recent brand additions, including lifestyle concepts; identifying markets for branded residences and extended-stay projects – a segment in its relative infancy in Africa; and capitalizing on the success of existing brands such as ibis, Novotel, Pullman, Sofitel and Fairmont, to name a few.”

Accor said its decision to spread to Nigeria and others is with a view to operating both stand-alone and multiple properties in one location such as mixed-use projects - the current focus of infrastructure development plans in many African locations.

Lagos Tourism inaugurates Service Charter committee

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agos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has inaugurated a Service Charter Committee.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja explained that Service Charter is all about the people making things work and the inauguration became necessary to ensure Lagosians obtain a quick and prompt response to inquiries and services provided by the Ministry.

According to her, “Service Charter is basically about service delivery improvement and Lagos has been the trailblazer; often times everyone looks at us and asks how to go about it”.

She, therefore, called on all staff to embrace the Service Charter ideals while remaining committed and

passionate about service delivery in order to ensure the public has a good story to tell about the courteous and prompt services rendered in the Ministry.

Mrs. Adelaja thanked the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation (OTCI) officials and staff of the Ministry present at the event, expressing optimism that positive changes and values will be added to the rating of Lagos Tourism with the infusion of Service Charter ideals.

While tasking the Service Charter Committee members to ensure that all departments and units live up to expectation, the Permanent Secretary spelt out the roles of all Service Delivery Officers and implored members to work together to make the Service Charter a reality in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

•Namibian High Commissioner, Humphrey Geiseb, Acting General Manager Air Namibia, Mr Wimpe Van Vauren and Lagos Commissioner of Tourism, Steve Ayorinde among other dignitaries during the official opening of the Visa Office of the Namibian High Commission in Lagos, Wednesday

Miss Apex Queen Nigeria 2019 for May 11

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reparations are in top gear for the hosting of this year’s edition of Miss Apex Queen Nigeria 2019.

The beauty pageant, which made its entry into the Nigerian pageantry calendar last year, is set for its grand finale and award night billed for May 11 at Gracepoint Hotel, Wuse, Abuja.

The pageant is the pet project of Queen of Tourism Nigeria 2017, Miss Favour Amarachi Uzochukwu, who hails from Anambra State and a final year student of History and Diplomatic Studies of University of Abuja.

The beauty pageant is being promoted under Apex-white Empire Bloc, an outfit set up by her to groom the girl – child and give meaning to their existence by offering them the platform to realise their lifetime ambition.

As the queen of tourism, she is also dedicated to the development and promotion of tourism related activities hence the twin events, Miss Apex Queen Nigeria Beauty Pageant and Apex Achievers Award, which are being promoted by her to draw attention to the

child – girl.

The achievers award, according to her, is devoted to honouring and celebrating leaders, businesses, personalities and celebrities who have contributed immensely to the development of the country and that of the youth especially the girl – child through their various humanitarian activities.

Aside of its tourism activities, the former Miss Queen of Tourism disclosed that the strength of her outfit lies in its girl - child advocacy, which has become a big issue in the country following the ill - treatments meted to them by the society. ‘‘The organisation supports more opportunities for girl - child and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by them worldwide,’’ she said, adding that: ‘‘These inequalities include areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women and child marriage.’’

According to her, the event this year will be a very colourful and enriching one, with a lot of enter-

tainment, informative and educative line ups for the people. Some of the activities include: Dance drama, fashion show, and musical performances by some of the notable and upcoming Nigerian musical acts. Participant’s age for the beauty pageant is put between 18 and 27, with no height or statistical restrictions. While prizes to be carted home include official car, vacation trip, cash prize, movie and modelling contracts as well as lots of sponsored projects as the winner is expected to be a girl – child and tourism advocate.

She also revealed that at last year’s edition, which was staged at Marantha Suite, Owerri, Imo State, five beauty queens were crowned as ambassadors with Queen Cynthia Ocheze Opara as Miss Apex Queen Nigeria 2018 representing Imo State; Queen Precious Ogwumike as Miss Apex Queen Nigeria Tourism; Queen Jessica Charles as Miss Apex Queen Nigeria Culture; Queen Ellah Mbah as Miss Apex Queen South East; and Queen Christopher Juliana as the Photogenic and face of the Company.

Dubai unveils choice honeymoon getaways for Nigerians, others

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he City of Dubai has unveiled an array of venues for Nigerians seeking an epic wedding adventure and a romantic honeymoon getaway in the beautiful Emirati City.

They include beautiful indoor, outdoor, desert, and quirky locations that can also serve as backdrops for exotic pre-wedding photoshoots.

Couples interested in indoor wedding venues with a pleasant ambience and sophisticated interior design to make intimate ceremonies truly unforgettable will be spoilt for choice with the number of available options. Some of these include the Dubai Opera, the city’s first purpose-built performing arts theatre.

The Opera’s auditorium can be transformed into a unique proscenium arch hall, with the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 guests across the 1,800sqm hall. In the foyer, the immense drop chandelier (made of 30,000 individually crafted glass pearls and lit up by 3,000 LED sources) creates an ideal setting for

the welcome reception, or as a focal point for a wedding photo shoot.

The venue’s rooftop restaurant, meanwhile, offers iconic views of Downtown Dubai and is another good choice for pictures.

There’s also the clean, contemporary space at Armani Hotel Dubai that occupies a prime address in the first 39 floors within the spectacular Burj Khalifa. Famed designer, Giorgio Armani, designed it as the perfect canvas for unique luxury wedding celebrations.

What’s more, expert planners are on hand to coordinate the entire affair – be it in the sophisticated setting of the Armani/Ballroom or the stunning landscaped gardens at Armani/Pavilion, boasting the iconic backdrop of The Dubai Fountain.

Reminiscent of a 16th-century Italian palace with high ceilings and landscaped gardens, Palazzo Versace Dubai is an iconic addition to Dubai’s portfolio of hotels. Dramatic neoclassical architecture, a beautifully decorated ballroom

with chandeliers, glassware and tableware from the Versace Home Collection, and a tailored menu selection make weddings here genuinely distinctive. The venue options include the magnificent Gala Ballroom, providing the perfect setting for lavish wedding events for up to 900 guests, with an outdoor patio offering unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek to complement the luxurious experience.

Couples interested in stunning stretches of sandy shorelines and lush gardens outdoors also have the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, One& Only Royal Mirage, Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis, The Palm.

The Ritz-Carlton’s beachfront retreat features an elegant modern setting amidst the towering skyscrapers of Dubai Marina. The resort’s outdoor venues are set amongst landscaped gardens, with views of the turquoise waters and sandy shores of the Arabian Gulf

providing an idyllic backdrop for alfresco weddings.

At the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, brides can choose to arrive by horse-drawn carriage against a backdrop of majestic stallions or tie the knot in a special ceremony under the stars while The Farm, Al Barari provides a natural atmosphere for a wedding celebration amongst nature.

Overlooking the Palm Island Bay, the One&Only Royal Mirage is set amidst a 65-acre oasis of lavishly landscaped gardens, just minutes away from Dubai Marina. With magnificent settings of an expansive, picturesque beachfront, spacious gardens, a variety of water fountains, winding walkways, arches and domes, the resort offers a collection of the most unique and scenic venues – making it one of the city’s most stylish beach resorts for weddings and honeymoons.

Some of the other outdoor venues include Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), a great

destination with a history spanning 50 years and Anantara The Palm.

Perfect for those seeking a taste of Dubai’s unique desert culture, the city is home to picturesque landscapes set amid the beauty of sand dunes with the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa being two of the leading desert wedding venues.

Couples interested in quirky weddings also have their taste well catered for in the helipad of Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, boasting breath-taking panoramic views of the entire city and the Arabian Gulf and Platinum Heritage out in the desert dunes.

With a choice of excellent wedding packages to suit every couple’s requirements, couples at the Atlantis, The Palm can opt to welcome 65,000 marine guests at a unique underwater ceremony at The Lost Chambers Aquarium – from sharks, stingrays, piranhas, lobsters, or even the tiniest of seahorses.

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7 2019

27

AVIATION

Late Suntai not qualified to fly ill-fated aircraft -- AIB

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ccident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has declared that the late Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai was not qualified to fly the ill-fated aircraft which crashed killing him along with four other occupants of the plane in 2012.

Commissioner of AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru made this known, Thursday, while releasing six final accidents and incidents reports, as part of 46 final reports and 178 safety recommendations made by his agency since inception.

The reports include; that involving the former Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, who piloted a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft with registration Marks 5N-BMJ that crashed on October 25, 2012; a Diamond

DA40D aircraft operated by International aviation a college (IAC) Ilorin with registration number 5N-BRD, which occurred at Ilorin International Airport on November 25, 2013 and accident involving Bristow Helicopter, Nigeria Limited Sikorsky S76C Helicopter with registration number 5N-BQJ which occurred at 777NM offshore from Murtala Muhammed Airport on February 3,2016, Others are: The serious incident involving an Air bus A33-223 aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines with registration number N858NW, which occurred after take-off from runway 18R Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on February 13,2018; another serious incident involving a Gulfstream G200aircraft

operated by Nestle Oil Plc with registration mark5N-BTF,which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on January 25,2018 and an accident involving a Boeing MD-83aircraft operated by Dana Air Limited with registration number marks 5N-SRI, which occurred at Port Harcourt International Airport on February 20, 2018.

Speaking further Olateru said that the six reports generated 24 safety recommendations and that the accident investigation body has released a total of 27 final reports since January 2017, adding that this represents 58.79 per cent of the 46 final reports released since inception in 2007.

He also revealed that the agency has issued 97 safety recommenda-

• Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB), Engr. Akin Olateru, (m), flanked by Director, Human Resources, (AIB), Mr. Dalhatu Kankangi, (l), and Director of Engineering , (AIB) Engr. Mohammed Wali at the media briefing on the release of six occurrence report held at the AIB Safety House, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Thursday

NAMA moves to replace VHF radios at Lagos, P/H, 12 other sites

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igerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has stated that it has taken steps to replace all the Very High Frequency (VHF) radios at 14 sites across the country as part of efforts to boost the clarity of radio communication especially at the upper airspace They include; the eight existing remote sites in Lagos, Kano, Wukari, Sokoto, Ilorin, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Maiduguri and six new sites in Jos, Kaduna, Yola, Enugu, Benin and Calabar, making a total of 14 VHF sites.

Already, the agency said that machinery has been put in place to accelerate an ongoing programme geared towards the total upgrade of its radio communication infra-

structure across the country.

This, NAMA said is to ensure that communication challenges experienced by pilots in some parts of the airspace are totally eliminated.

These VHF remote sites, according to NAMA are operated in a network which will have signal pattern that covers the entire Nigerian airspace, adding that the agency has taken delivery of the VHF radio equipment under the “Extended Range VHF Coverage” project and installation will commence soon.

Recalled that in 2018, NAMA deployed four stand-alone Jotron High-power long range VHF radios at Lagos East and Lagos West as well as Kano East and Kano West Area Control Centres (ACCs).

“This backup solution is targeted at addressing Remote Control Air to Ground (RCAG) communication challenges in the upper airspace by providing reliable backup in the event of loss of VHF radio communication on the main system,” NAMA said.

Also, the agency said that arrangements have been concluded to extend the range of the above stated long-range backup radios and that it was only awaiting the passage of 2019 budget by the National Assembly for implementation to commence, adding that when completed, the backup radios would also have sufficient overlap of propagated signals to cover the entire Nigerian airspace.

Most control towers in deplorable conditions – Air traffic controllers

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ontrol towers at Kaduna, Maiduguri, Ilorin, Yola, Sokoto, Benin, and Katsina airports have been described as very deplorable with poor radio communication capable of breaching flight safety, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has warned.

Rising from its recent seminar in Lagos, the group called for immediate attention to restore acceptable safety limits in the named airports to avoid disasters’.

President of NATCA, Abayomi Agoro, who made the appeal at the

occasion decried that the condition of the facility at the named airports, adding that radio communication ecosystem is not getting even better by the day.

While regretting that the recent collapse of the Abuja Tower Elevator remains a sore point in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Agoro revealed that “Even more worrisome is its health hazard to ATCs, who go through agony climbing 232 flights of stairs on a daily basis.

“Besides, the poor communication in commercial flight opera-

tions, between the pilot in the cockpit, and controllers in the tower, poses grim consequences and better unimagined than experienced.

“The present Controller-Pilot VHF Communication coverage of Nigeria’s airspace is a far cry from the required international standard, but it is still work in progress with the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Over the years, it has been quite herculean for Air Traffic Controllers to communicate effectively with pilots,” the NATCA chief said.

tions since 2017, which according to him account for 54.5 per cent off the total 178 issued since inception.

“I would like to acknowledge and commend the commitment of AIB staff in achieving this milestone by turning out a total of 27 occurrence reports in the last two years. Our Investigations are now more dynamic using team approach,“ he assured.

Olateru stated that of the 37 outstanding reports inherited by the present administration, 10 reports were released in 2017 and another 10 in 2018, adding that with one serious incident occurring in 2017, two accidents and four serious incidents in 2018 and one accident and three serious incidents in 2019, AIB now has 22 outstanding reports.

“We are now more committed to swift response to incident and accident notifications through our wellequipped Command and Control Centre, which will be actively in use soon. Our Mobile Application, which was introduced to interface with the public and make it easy for them to communicate with AIB digitally, thereby simplifying the process of accident reporting, is also in use.”

The six final reports, he explained are addressed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), affected airlines, airport operators and foreign agencies.

Examining the reports, AIB linked all six air accidents across the country since 2012 to date to either pilots’ self-righteousness and abuse of laid down flying procedures for each of the affected air craft, or facility defects.

On the accident involving Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S76C++ Helicopter with registration number 5N-BQJ, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on February 3, 2016, AIB report blamed non-adherence of the crew to company’s operations manual regarding after take-off checks and failure to disengage the autopilot to fly the aircraft manually.

“Besides, the pilot underestimated heavy rain, visibility and strong wind on short final and landing period which also caused another accident involving a Boeing MD-83 aircraft operated by Dana Airlines, which occurred at Port Harcourt International Airport on February 20, 2018.”

On the accident involving the late Taraba governor, the final report released on the Cessna 208B Caravan with registration marks 5N-BMJ belonging to Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State Government and flown by the late former governor, said the governor though, ‘was qualified to fly a Cessna 172 but on the day of the unfortunate accident he commandeered a Cessna Caravan 208B.’ The AIB among its findings also identified the decision of the pilot to operate a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight after sunset when he was not type rated on such operations as well as inadequate oversight by the Regulatory Authority as contributory causal factors.

“Also that the pilot does not have instrument ratings and night flight privileges and reported an incorrect estimated time of arrival (ETA at Yola as 10:01 UTC as against the time 17:19 UTC. “The deceased had also reported the number of persons on board as 06 to the Control Tower as against 04 actual persons found after the accident.

“The flight, it was discovered, was conducted after the sunset time in Yola on the day of accident and the Control Tower was notified about 5N-BMJ departure by phone call

from Jalingo after the aircraft was airborne.

“The Bureau was unable to interview the pilot as he was flown out of the country for further medical treatment but established that the pilot has completed training and obtained a Private Pilot License.

“The engine, according to the report, exhibited contact signatures to its internal components characteristics of an engine producing power at the time of impact and did not display any indications of any pre-impact anomalies or distress that would have precluded normal engine operation.

“As at the time the accident occurred, 5N-BMJ and two Bell helicopters were under the maintenance and operational control of MWTTSG. MWTTSG did not have the maintenance and operational capabilities to support the operation of 5N-BMJ. “There was no evidence to suggest that MWTTSG had a Permit to Fly for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) as required by Nig.CARs part 18.2.4: Air Transport Economic Regulations. Before the arrival of the rescue team to the accident site, the locals had rescued the occupants from the wreckage.

“The terminal building being renovated at Yola airport is obstructing the view of the approach path of runway 35 from the Control Tower,” read the report inn parts.

The AIB in it safety recommendations called on the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) to take appropriate action to relocate the existing control tower at Yola Airport in order to enhance the aerial view of the approach path of runway 35 from the Tower.

The Bureau also advised NCAA to ensure all pertinent regulations with regards to the operations of the aircraft and certification of all relevant personnel and facilities of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Taraba State Government are appropriately complied with.

Also, on the Delta Air Lines N858NW incident which occurred after take-off from Runway 18R, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on 13th February 2018 with 234 persons on board comprising two captains and two first officers; nine cabin crew members and 221 passengers including two infants, AIB said that the over-temperature and fire were caused by the ignition of fuel from a hairline crack on the fuel manifold supplying fuel nozzle 1.

“The major contributory factor was the cracking of the fuel manifold which could be attributed to high vibratory stresses due to coupling of an acoustic combustor mode and a fuel manifold structural mode.

“The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) reported observing a fire in engine No.1 and attempted to extinguish it. ATC confirmed there was fire at the tail end of the engine No.1 exhaust pipe; the Captain then ordered an evacuation.

“The passengers were evacuated using the emergency slides on the Right-Hand side of the aircraft. One passenger was seriously injured, and 11 passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.

“The AIB made one safety recommendation to the NTSB stating that they may consider recommending to the FAA to issue an Airworthiness Directive with respect to Pratt & Whitney Service BulletinPW4G-100-A73-47 and PW4G-100-7348 to address the fuel nozzle and fuel manifold failure modes.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

e-Platform

Facebook switching to renewable energy by 2020

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acebook is developing six solar plants to power its data centres. US-based utility Dominion Energy will add to its portfolio 350MW of solar assets in North Carolina and Virginia that will supply power for the social media giant.

The capacity will come from six projects, one of which was developed by Dominion Energy, while the other five have been or will be acquired from EDF Renewables, BayWa re Solar Projects and Strata

Solar.

In a Facebook post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that “For Earth Day, we’re announcing six new solar projects to support Facebook data centres.

Our data centres are already some of the most energy-efficient in the world, and last year we set a goal for all our data centres and offices to use 100% renewable energy by 2020. These new solar projects will help us reach that goal.”

Xiaomi debuts in Nigeria with Redmi Note 7

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iaomi has announced the launch of Redmi Note 7, the latest smartphone in the highly popular Redmi Note series, in partnership with Jumia Nigeria.

Redmi Note 7 continued the series’ tradition of featuring a large display and excellent battery life, and pushes smartphone photography to a new level in this price range. Together with Redmi Note 7, Xiaomi also launched Redmi 7, the latest smartphone in the new Redmi brand.

Head of Expansion Marketing, Xiaomi Global, Steven Wang, said Redmi Note is one of Xiaomi’s most popular series, “Redmi Note 7 truly illustrates our philosophy of innovation from everyone because of its amazing performance and attractive price. Partnering with Jumia, we’re very excited today to bring Redmi Note 7 and Redmi 7 to our customers in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah, said the launch of Redmi Note 7 is coming at a time when Nigeria is mentioned among seven countries that would contribute 700 million new mobile subscribers to hit the six billion mobile subscribers mark in the world by 2025.

Anammah said the availability of honest price point smartphones such as Xiaomi will deepen smartphone penetration in the country and help the country in meeting its four per cent quota of the 700 million new global mobile subscribers, as predicted by GSMA Intelligence.

Redmi Note 7 marks the greatest shift in design in the series, sporting a new premium style with the front and rear covered in Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The gorgeous 19.5:9 Dot Drop display measures 6.3 inches diagonally and has a FHD+ resolution of 2380 x 1080. The Redmi Note 7 screen’s high pixel density and accurate colors (84 per cent NTSC color gamut) offers one of the fin-

est visual experiences in its class.

At the back, Redmi Note 7 sports the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 backside illuminated CMOS sensor that has 48 million physical pixels.

When taking pictures, the sensor uses Samsung’s Tetracell technology that merges four pixels to work as one large 1.6µm pixel. This greatly increases light sensitivity and makes the resulting 12MP image much brighter and clearer, even in low-light conditions.

Furthermore, Xiaomi couples Redmi Note 7’s cameras with the latest AI features, including the night mode photography feature that was introduced along with Xiaomi’s flagship Mi MIX 3, as well as AI scene detection, AI beautify and AI portraits that allow users to create amazing photos with ease.

Redmi Note 7 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE SoC, with a 2.2GHz maximum clock speed, ensuring uncompromised peak performance when playing games and processing data.

Redmi Note 7 carries on the Redmi tradition of excellent battery life with its large 4000mAh battery, which will last over a day for almost all users. Recharge via the USB TypeC port, and enjoy shorter charging times thanks to support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4. Redmi Note 7 also includes an IR blaster capable of controlling numerous home appliances, such as televisions or air conditioners. In addition, it comes with Smart PA audio for louder and higher-quality sound.

Redmi Note 7 is built to be reliable, designed to last so users can use it worry-free for longer. It features Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, making it less vulnerable to damage from drops. Corners on the chassis are also reinforced, further improving durability. In addition, buttons and ports come with watertight seals to lessen the impact of accidental splashes that may occur in everyday use.

• (From left): Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo; Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Wale Odeyemi; Chief Executive Officer, Communication Week Media, Ken Nwogbo; Commercial Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Solomon Ogufere; and Chairman, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola during the 2019 Beacon of ICT Awards held in Lagos

LG introduces energy efficient and high performing Washing Machines for Mea N ew Top-Loader and Front Loader Washing Machines Use Deep Learning to Maximise Washing Effectiveness, Saving Energy and Time At InnoFest MEA, LG’s annual celebration of innovations in technology, the company displayed its latest washing machines headed to the region this year.

LG’s new front-loader washing machine is powered by the company’s new AI DD (Direct Drive) with deep learning. It delivers thorough yet gentle care, determining the characteristics and volume of each load to minimize fabric damage. This guarantees exceptional results every time, and reduces the occurrence of fabric damage by 18 percent, prolonging the lifespan of favorite clothing items.[1] Courtesy of TurboWash™360°, the front-loader provides the convenience of Fast Wash, which takes just 39 minutes to complete – 34 percent faster than the conventional TurboWash™ option.[2] The washer sprays jets of water and laundry detergent in four different directions to get clothes cleaner, faster. Steam™+ completes this comprehensive laundry solution, neutralizing 99.9 percent of allergens through a special sterilizing cycle, and removing 30 percent of creases via Wrinkle Care.

[3] Durable and reliable, the washer boasts an energy rating of A+++-50

percent and comes with a 10-year warranty.

LG’s latest top-loader washing machine also comes with its own unique features. The new top-loader employs TurboWash3D™ technology, which harnesses the combined strengths of TurboShot™ (the pairing of WaveForce™ and JetSpray) and TurboDrum™ to deliver a high-quality performance. WaveForce™ sends powerful vertical streams of water from top to bottom, ensuring each and every load is thoroughly clean, while JetSpray provides quick and effective rinsing. At the same time, TurboDrum™ rotates the tub and pulsator to generate dynamic flows of water moving in opposite directions.

Moreover, LG’s top-loader washer boasts improved efficiency; with the TurboWash™ option on, it can cut cycle lengths to approximately 39 minutes, while reducing energy consumption by up to 27 percent and water consumption by 14 percent when compared with conventional LG washing machines.[4] Fitted with a Full Stainless Steel Tub and Wide Stainless Lint Filter[5], the washing machine offers convenient hygiene management, preventing contamination and guaranteeing cleanliness for every load. Taking away an annoying, time-consuming chore, and removing the need for a separate cleaning program, the Auto

Tub Cleaning function cleanses the tub during the laundry cycle.

For delicate laundry care, users can add Steam™ to the Stain Care cycle to softly soak and wash items in warm water (40 degrees Celsius).

Moreover, the Allergy Care cycle with 60 degrees Celsius Steam™ boosts the hygienic performance of this robust washer, reducing allergens by 99.9 percent to safeguard users’ health.[6] Both the new front and top-loader machines from LG’s latest lineup are compatible with the SmartThinQ™ app, letting users control their devices via their smartphones. With Smart Diagnosis™, consumers can also download custom wash programs, monitor energy consumption and manage cycles and setting.

“We are delighted by the positive reception InnoFest attendees had to our latest front and top-loader washing machines,” said Song Dae-hyun, President of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company.

“Ensuring better washing results and energy savings, alongside greater flexibility, we strongly believe that our new washing machines for 2019 will impress consumers throughout the Middle East and Africa. LG will continue in its efforts towards championing innovative, providing differentiated products and solutions to help our consumers live better.”

NCAA gives NCC, MNOs ultimatum over masts on airport runway paths

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hances of pulling down well over 8,000 telecommunication masts and towers are imminent should Main Network Operators (MNOs) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) fail to comply with the statutory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) within 30 days from now.

Handing down the ultimatum, the Aviation regulator said Under the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, Section 30(3)(1), the NCAA is empowered to prohibit and regulate the

installation of any structure which by virtue of its height or position is considered to endanger the safety of air navigation.

MNOs are expected to comply with the ultimatum by obtaining the statutory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) as a clearance to the safety of air navigation and flight operations across Nigeria.

NCAA added that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 12.1.7.1.3.1 stipulates that ‘No person or organisation shall put up a structure (permanent or temporary) within the navigable airspace

of Nigeria unless such a person or organisation is a holder of Aviation Height Clearance Certificate granted under this Regulation.’

This particular provision mandates every mast or tower, no matter where is erected to possess Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) approval for every tower installation irrespective of the height and location.

Though several MNOs are yet to respond, telecoms industry stakeholders’ who barred their minds on the development saw it as another form of multiple taxation which the industry had been suffering.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1- 7, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market Elumelu challenges FG on favorable tax regime STORIES BY KAYODE OGUNWALE

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hairman, Heirs Holdings, and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for far-reaching tax reforms, while urging the National Assembly to urgently pass the Executive Tax Bill into law.

He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 21st Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), titled, “National Development: Unlocking the Potentials of Taxation.”

To underscore the challenges that stifle small businesses, Elumelu quoted a young entrepreneur beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, “The average business owner in Nigeria is a local government authority on his own because he caters for his own electricity with generators. He builds his own borehole, handles his own waste disposal, and the government can make his life easier by creating favourable tax policies that support SMEs.” Elumelu also decried the plight of SMEs at the mercy of the tax system, saying: “The average number of taxes businesses pay in Nigeria is 48, compared to 33 in other sub-Saharan countries. In Hong Kong, it’s just three. Multiple taxes remain a significant burden for SMEs and corporates operating in the country.

“With a population of close to 200 million people in Nigeria, we have only 75,000 registered SMEs in the country. No one needs to tell us that people are avoiding tax or refusing to be a part of the system,” he said.

Elumelu used the occasion to task the government to increase the number of double tax treaties between host countries and Nigeria.

According to him, “Nigeria has 14 taxation treaties, while a country like South Africa has 79 double taxation treaties, and we are the largest economy in Africa. Our embassies should adopt a target in the next two years to sign Tax treaties with our top 100 trading partners in the world.”

Speaking as the leading proponent of entrepreneurship in Africa, and an advocate for entrepreneurs, Elumelu charged government to put in place tax systems to encourage SMEs, which he described as the engine for job creation in the economy.

“Until there is a reduction in what SMEs pay as tax, elimination of multiple taxes, abolition of minimum income tax, and excess dividend tax, it will be difficult for us to expand the tax base. It will be difficult for us to attract investors into this country, and it will be difficult for us to retain the ones already in the country. It will be difficult for us to mobilise our SMEs to help create employment that we need so much in this country. It will be difficult for us to have the citizens hold leaders accountable.”

Commenting on the presentation, a former CITN President, Chief Mark Anthony Dike, emphasized the urgency for the Executive Tax Bill to be passed into law.

He said: “Every year during the military regime, there was a Finance Miscellaneous Provision Decree aimed at looking at what has happened and review the areas that need to be amended. As they say, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. We may conceptualise, but in order to know the efficacy of a theory, we have to test it. Until the provision of the Executive order is tested, we cannot know how efficacious it will be.”

FG to injects N10bn capital into Bank of Agriculture

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he Federal Government plans to inject N10 billion in the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) as part of measure to reposition it for improved performance.

This was disclosed by the management of Lead Capital Consortuim, the consortium tasked to provide financial advisory and policy that will support the Federal Government, regarding the recapitalisation of the bank.

The consortuim is to also ensure that good control and governance is instituted in BoA. Speaking during a visit to the bank on Thursday, the Managing Director, Lead Capital Consortium, Dr Wale Adewunmi, said the bank would also undergo several restructuring to meet up with modern technological advancement in banking sector.

This is even as the Managing Director of the Bank, Kabir Mohammed Adamu, said the bank has recovered over N7billion as part of outstanding debts owed it by borrowers.

Adewunmi said, “Upon completion of restructuring the bank over the next 14 weeks, the Federal Government will recapitalise it with over N10 billion and subseqently, the process will continue through public funding”.

Adewunmi further explained, “The first funding will come form

Federal Government, then the subsquent one will be from the public.

“The objective is that , the consortium has been tasked to provide financial advice and policy options as well that will support the Federal Government of Nigeria, regarding the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agric and also ensuring that good corporate governance is instituted into it.

“The bank is at the verge of receiving fresh capital, so it needs to really deal with issue of cooperate governance, so that there will be proper management of resources going forward.

“The second objective is also to have the BOA to catch up on the gaps it currently have in its operations. For instance, is still not having a license perse as a bank. This will be sorted out at this point so that its now properly licensed at this point by the CBN. “Thirdly, it is planned that the capital to be injected into BOA will come from even the public. The first round will come from the government and then subsequently it will be open to the general public and interested stakeholders.

“Having said that, we are very passionate on the mandate we are given to ensure that the project is completed within 14weeks that we are told to do this exercise.”

• Member, Board of Trustee (BOT), Magodo Residents Association, Chief Akinbiyi Akinsete; Project Secretary, Magodo Residents Association Phase 2, Olajide Oduyoye; Chairman, Mr. Jade Niboro; Regional Head, Lagos Island, Heritage Bank, Mr. Abiodun Agbaje; Financial Secretary, Mr. Yoni Akinyemi and Security Secretary, Mohammed Sadiq, during the Magodo Cultural Day 2019 Dinner, by Magodo Residents Association phase 2, in Lagos.

Fidelity Bank improves performance through digital banking

…Assures shareholders of greater returns

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hareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc are in for greater returns in 2019 financial year with the lender’s sustained investment in digital innovations that would engender enhanced customer service delivery and open fresh streams of revenue.

Indications to this effect were given in Lagos by the Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo during the Bank’s 31th Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the audited financial report for the year ended December 31, 2018, was presented to shareholders.

According to Okonkwo, the bank will not relent on efforts to increase the adoption rates and migration of customers to its digital banking platform. “We are investing heavily in digital technologies to drive our retail strategy, reduce cost and consequently improve revenue and returns for our shareholders” he stated.

With 25 percent of the bank’s feebased income coming from digital banking, the Fidelity boss disclosed that the lender is introducing a digital lending solution and AI-Chatbots to spur further growth in the industry verticals, where it currently operates.

On the overall outlook of the bank, Okonkwo said Fidelity Bank was on track towards breaking in to the

league of Tier 1 bank by 2022. “The 2018 financial year marked the beginning of the second phase of the growth aspirations of your Bank and I am happy, we closed the year impressively”, he stated.

Gross earnings in FY2018 increased by 4.8 percent to close at N188.9 billion driven primarily by 22.7 percent growth in earning assets. Total deposit, increased by 26.3 percent to N979.4 billion from N775.3 billion, just as current and domiciliary accounts grew in double digit In other indices Profit Before Tax soared by 30.6% to N25.1BN, when compared with the 19.2BN it recorded in 2017. Similarly Profit After Tax (PAT) increased by 29.0 percent to N22.9 billion from N17.8 billion in 2017.

Shareholders commended management and staff for growing the fortunes of the bank in the last financial year. They made a plea for better returns in 2019 and unanimously approved the proposed dividend of N3.19 billion, which translates to 11kobo per ordinary share of 50k held by investors at the close of business on April 12, 2019.

Chairman, Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian

Shareholders, Dr. Farouk Umar who lauded the bank for its consistent dividend payout, charged Management to continue to record better financial performances.

Mr. Timothy Adesiyan, President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSAN) extolled the bank for its impressive showing in digital banking. “Digital banking has shown us increased profitability and progress. Kudos to Fidelity Bank he said.

Whilst commending the management of Fidelity Bank for its participation in the Bank of Industry (BOI) Traders Moni Scheme, he said “we are quite appreciative that the cost of risk has reduced considerably in the bank from 1.5 percent in 2017 to 0.5 percent”.

Speaking during the meeting, Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Ernest Ebi assured shareholders that the Board will continue to provide the right leadership at Board level, with focus on governance, risk management and capital preservation.

“Every action and everything we have done thus far have been around these areas. The fundamentals are very strong we intend to keep things that way” he said.

Tax (PBT) was maintained at N5.4 billion, consistent with Q1 2018.

Customer Deposits continue to grow, up 14 year on year to N867.2 billion compared to N759.1 billion at the end of Q1 2018, driven by a 3 percent increase in our low cost current and savings accounts deposit balances. Rebalancing our deposit mix is key as we push to conservatively rebuild our loan book with high quality risk assets, he said.

He further that the bank recorded a material improvement of 819 percent in loan recoveries with N2.8 billion recovered during the period saying, the asset quality continues to improve, with Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) down to 7.8 percent from 8.7 percent as at December 2018.

“We are employing a multipronged approach focused on increasing revenue and optimizing cost to ensure we deliver enhanced performance in 2019.”

Speaking on the Q1 2019 numbers, the Chief Financial Officer, Joe Mbulu said: “The Group’s resilience in a challenged environment is demonstrated in these first quarter numbers. While Gross Earnings declined by 5 percent

to N37.7 billion from N39.5 billion in Q1 2018 due to loan book resolutions from the previous year, our NonInterest Income grew by 39 percent from N7.8 billion to N10.8 billion driven by recoveries, credit-related fees and dividends from investments.

Operating Expenses increased marginally by 4 percent quarter on quarter, reflecting adjustment to staff compensation to strengthen our workforce; and increased depreciation expenses from technology investments to strengthen our treasury and transaction banking platforms in 2018, in line with our desire to lead in the transaction banking space. With the commencement of our Long-term Efficiency Acceleration Programme (LEAP), we expect to record savings on the expense line in 2019.

Notwithstanding a challenging macro-economic backdrop, the Group improved Return on Equity to 9.3 percent from 6.8 percent as at December 2018.The Bank remains well capitalized with a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 16.5 percent, which provides room to grow quality risk assets as the economy recovers.

Group Unaudited Financial Statement for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

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nion Bank has announced its unaudited financial statement for the quarter ended 31st March 2019.

According to the Group financial highlights: it’s profit before tax: unchanged at N5.4 billion during the first quarter of 2019.

The gross earnings dropped by 5 percent to N37.7 billion in Q1 2019 against N39.5 billion recorded in Q1 2018); driven by a lower loan book base and declining yields in the current interest rate environment.

Meanwhile customer deposits rose by 1 percent to N867.2 billion from N857.6 billion recorded in December 2018); driven predominantly by low cost deposits.

Commenting on the results, Emeka Emuwa, the CEO said: “Our focus in 2019 is to leverage our platform to deliver efficiency and seek to maximize value across all areas of the Bank.

In a low yield environment, the Group’s Non-Interest Income growth compensated for the slowdown in interest income stemming from the optimization of our loan portfolio in 2018. Consequently, Profit Before

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

Why I’m still single – Nkechi Blessing Sunday, actress

By Douglas Omoyooma

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f there is one thing that sets Nkechi Blessing Sunday, aka Omoge Lekki apart, it’s how she has blended seamlessly into acting Yoruba movies despite being of Igbo descent.

Blessed with a fluent Yoruba accent, the fair skinned-AbiaState-born actress is indeed making waves in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood both as an actress and a moviemaker. Thanks to her role in Omoge Lekki, where she acted the role of a seductress which earned her the sobriquet, Omoge Lekki. Also she has stared in Omo Ologodidan and Bad Market among others. Oracle Today recently caught up with the actress and she opened up on the journey so far.

Recalling her foray into the Yoruba sector of Hollywood and how she became popular in the sector she began: “Switching character wasn’t hard at all even though it was my first production. I had fun acting that character because it went as far as showing and teaching young ladies out there not to live fake life.

“Talking about how I ended up being successful in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood, it all started in my early days. I had all my early days in the Agege area of Lagos where we communicated with our neighbours in Yoruba and with that, I was able to master the language like my mother tongue.”

Nkechi Blessing came into Nollywood in 2007 and ever since she has never looked back, starring in movies like Omo Bewaji, Star of Fire, Fiditi and Church Girls among others.

In fact, ever since her exploits in Omoge Lekki where she put her alluring backside to good use, Nkechi has never stopped flaunting what her mama gave her.

Speaking on her alluring backside she continued: “It’s interesting, I like to show off what I have got. It’s not always intentional though.

Flaunting my sex appeal it is my way of appreciating the work of God and the way he created me. My being able to act has gotten me more roles than my sex appeal. However, I was featured in Ikatobase and Omoge Lekki because of my sex appeal. In the movie Ikatobase, I had to seduce a lecturer because of my sex appeal,” she said.

How does she handle your admirers?

I simply tell them I am not searching.

Have you ever been sexually harassed by either a producer or a director?

Never! she says waving her head vigorously. “I tHave never been sexually harassed by anyone in the industry. And by the way, you know, the way you carry yourself matters too. So I try as much to be me at all times. And talking about sex for role, I have never experienced it so I can only speak for myself and based on that, I really can’t speak. I don’t know about anyone else.

What is that role she can’t play?

The role I can’t play is going nude on set, not even for a huge some of money; nah, I can never act nude!

Each time I look in the mirror, I see a more beautiful version of myself. I’m happy I never gave up... I want to believe that we are a blessed people.

Nollywood exposes you to better opportunities and takes you to greater heights.

Relationship Despite being pretty and curvy, the actress says she is currently not in a relationship: “ At the Moment I am Single. I am very serious. Of cause! I am ready for marriage but that’s only when Mr Right comes through.”

Does she see marriage as a barrier to your career?

Marriage as a barrier to my career? For now I don’t because I am not in a serious relationship right now.

Can you quit acting for marriage?

Yes, I can quit acting for marriage if my partner doesn’t want it.

Anything that will make my home work is paramount to me.

Role models?

“My role models are Mercy Aigbe and Toyin Abraham. They have both added value to my life. Mercy Aigbe made my first Movie, Omoge Lekki possible while, Toyin Abraham taught me the power of positivity; she is the definition of a perfect role model.”

Advice for fans “Please, always remember to put God first in everything you do and pray without ceasing. Also, always have it at the back of your minds that God’s time is the best. Lastly, popularity is not the same as being successful; let us be wise.”

“It’s interesting, I like to show off what I have got. It’s not always intentional though. Flaunting my sex appeal it is my way of appreciating the work of God and the way he created me”

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1- 7, 2019

True Confession

‘My husband impregnated a married woman’ M

y name is Tina and I’m from Rivers state. I’m tall, slim and beautiful.

Although I’m from Rivers state, I agreed to marry Akin my husband, because I am not tribalistic.

When Akin asked for my hand in marriage about three years ago, my mother was not happy with his request.

She called me in private and told me that people from Akin’s place of origin don’t value marriage and have a high rate of separation and divorce.

But I disagreed with my mother and insisted that such bad opinions people have about Akin’s place of origin are due to tribalism.

I told her that such stories are told out of discrimination and that she shouldn’t believe such nonsense that Akin’s kith do not value marriage.

I went ahead to marry Akin and gave birth to a son for him within the first year of our marriage. But my son had hardly celebrated his second birthday when I started hearing rumoursthat my Yoruba husband was a flirt.

I quarreled with him severally over it and on one occasion when I saw a sexy text message in his phone, he beat me up so badly that my face was swollen.

I heard that my husband specializes in dating married women. Finally, the bubble burst in April last year when my husband impregnated a married woman and her husband threw her out because of it.

The husband of the woman told her to go to the man who impregnated her and tell him to marry her. My husband had to rent a house for the woman to stay.

But my husband is now saying that he loves the woman and wants to divorce me and marry her. After all I’ve suffered for him, he now wants to divorce me and marry a married woman that he impregnated.

He has no shame. He wants to divorce me to marry his shameless lover. To cut the long story short, I have informed my lawyer and told Akin that he has to be paying me every month for my son’s upkeep, else I will sue him.

The husband of the woman told her to go to the man who impregnated her and tell him to marry her. My husband had to rent a house for the woman to stay.

Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

Relationships and Love Advice

‘My love for him is controversial’

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Gift, 35, from Imo, needs a man of 40-50 years for a serious relationship even if he is a widower. 09068433969.

Vanessa, 20, chocolate, young, calm, supportive, patient and sweet needs a mature, wealthy man for a very happy relationship. Distance is not a barrier. Call +2348171590309.

Precious, Igbo, with great potentials needs a genuine rich widower with 2 -3 kids, must be presentable, born again, educated, of 40 years & above for marriage. 07065658063.

Stella; 32; fair; from Enugu; living in Lagos; needs a clean rich man for a serious relationship: 08028003811.

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.

Funke, 44, needs a man (widower or divorcée) of 50-55 years for a serious relationship. 08185083988.

Dear Love Doctor, Hello, my name is Idowu and I am from Oyo state. I am dating a guy from the East and he has proposed.

I’ve accepted his proposal, but the problem is that my family members object to our getting married since my boyfriend is not from the same tribe with me.

Right now, my love for him is controversial among

my family members, because it is causing a lot of arguments and quarrels. We are not from the same place, but still I love this Igbo guy. What should I do?

From Idowu.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Idowu, Love knows no limit. Love knows no boundaries, tribe or nation. It is a thing of the heart.

Therefore you need to hold on to what you feel and in the end they will you be. It’s not right for any person or group of persons to try to make you feel bad or ashamed of falling in love with a man from a tribe other than yours.

It is also unacceptable for your family members to promote tribalism or ethnicity as a barrier to true love and/or marriage.

If they have any logical reason to disapprove of your getting married to that man, they ought to tell you, rather than rejecting your suitor based on his ethnic background. It is indefensible to reject a man who truly loves you and wants to marry you, on the basis of ethnicity, language or

religion.

Trying to limit your desire for true love or trying to keep your romantic feelings within the limits of race, ethnicity or religion is a recipe for unhappiness in life.

However, your happiness should be the most important thing to consider in this situation. Their rejection of your suitor is probably based on common misconceptions and prejudices that exist between African tribes/ethnic groups.

Tribalism is a local form of racism in Africa. Education and enlightenment ought to change such a mindset.

However, ethnicity should not be used to separate two people who love each other. Ethnicity/ tribalism should not be a barrier to true love and marriage. Ethnicity has been used as a divisive factor for a very long time in Nigeria and is partly responsible for the poor

political, social and economic state of the country.

Inter-tribal marriages ought to be a welcome development since it helps unite diverse ethnic groups and promotes greater understanding and friendship among members of different ethnic groups. Basically, the two most important requirements for marriage are love and the mutual consent of both parties involved.

Therefore, you are the only one to take the decision to get married to him or not.

However, you must search your heart to know if you truly love that man and want to spend the rest of your life with him. If you truly love him, listen to your heart. Go ahead and marry him. Stand firm on this true love you believe in, and with time your family members will back down and/or support you, and the controversy will go away.

Call Love Dr. 07031028714, 08077821830. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Note: If you have fertility problems like childlessness, inability to conceive or get pregnant, miscarriages, fibroid, low sperm count, STDs, or need a male child or female? Call 07031028714. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/ relationship.

Ngozi, 28, fat, jovial, fair, in Onitsha, Anambra state, needs a God-fearing and buoyant man of 45 years and above to take good care of her. 08022792682.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Derek, 26, fashion designer, black, 5.6ft, handsome, caring, kind and very rom mature minded lady from age 30-45 for a seriously relationship, a single mom is welcome.

08063448037.

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34

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

It happened to me:

I

was 16 years old. I had just moved from the Midwest to the East Coast. I got my first job at a pizza place. The 23-year-old manager began hitting on me right away.

I fended him off over and over again even though I was flattered by his desire.

During this time, I was growing closer with a boy my age who also worked with us. We began dating and it was wonderful.

I found out his mother had died of breast cancer the year before and my heart opened up to him. Now it was just him, his Dad and his brother.

We spent all of our shifts working together exchanging smiles, looks, and the occasional pat on the ass. We didn’t go to the same high school so that was our only place to be coy and flirt with each other until we felt comfortable enough to hang out alone.

We would leave to go to either his Dad’s house or mine and have sex, watch movies and enjoy each other’s silly company. Many date nights and every Friday, the whole Pizzeria went to cosmic bowling.

He was very sincere, charming, gentle and so funny. He always had me laughing.

We coordinated Halloween costumes -- he was a zombie and I was a zombie princess.

We were cute. We both lived with our parents so I remember a lot of sex in the car.

Yet, at a certain point, I couldn’t resist my manager any longer. I secretly loved the attention he showered me with, and I eventually gave in. I don’t know exactly why I did it. The thrill and adrenaline rush of doing something I knew I shouldn’t have been. The sort of “I know something and you don’t” childish mentality I had at the time.

He was in a committed long term relationship and I had become close friends with his girlfriend. My boyfriend and I would even spend the night in their guest room close to our work.

I was not a victim. I made an active decision to cheat on my boyfriend and have sex with someone else. I began having sex with him all of the time. At night when the restaurant closed, in the booths people sat and ate in (disgusting I know).

I would go to his apartment, have sex everywhere -- the couch, the floor, their bed, the shower. I would park far away from his building and walk in the back so his neighbors wouldn’t notice how frequently I was there. I found a thrill in this routine and embraced it.

My boyfriend and I and my manager and his girlfriend went on many double dates. My boyfriend and I would still spend the night at their place. I became closer and closer to his girlfriend.

I knew what I was doing was wrong and hurtful on so many levels, yet I continued this lifestyle for many months. When leaving my manager’s place, I felt like the world knew that I was secretly trying to slip out of the apartment complex. But still I didn’t change a thing.

On a Wednesday night at the beginning of January, my manager’s girlfriend called me and asked if she could come to my parents’ house to talk to me. She had never been there before. I was very alarmed. I thought she had found out what had been going on between her boyfriend and me.

I started thinking of all the lies I could.

I am 30 now, yet I can recall her entry into my home so vividly. We went back into my parent’s room to speak privately because my room was in the basement; it seemed like too long of a walk for what I thought was about to ensue. I just wanted to get this confrontation over with.

As my stomach was doing flips thinking of how I was going to explain my affair with her boyfriend, her words melted the world away. She was coming to tell me that my boyfriend had died in a motorcycle accident only an hour before.

At the time, we used AIM to communicate. I had messaged with him and few hours before and he told me he was

‘I Was Cheating On My Boyfriend When He Died’ going for a ride. That was the last time we “spoke.”

What I had envisioned as a skirmish between two girls over a guy was was literally about life and death, about so much more than my teenage stupidity.

After she got out the first words -- that he had crashed his motorcycle around a steep curve -- everything became a blur. I cried for three days. I cried so much that when it came time for the funeral all of the tears were dried up and gone. I was just a zombie.

I have never been a religious person.

But once he died,I believed he could see everything, know everything that I had been doing to him. How much I had wronged him, lied to him, and had continuous sex with someone he had become very close friends with.

I also felt something I didn’t think I would feel; anger. I was angry that he had died not only because of the loss of his beautiful life, but because I felt caught. The shame of this reaction weighed on me so heavily I can still feel the heaviness today.

Yet his death did not change my habits. I continued having sex with my manager. His girlfriend took me in and tended to me as though I was her child. She took such pity on me for having lost my boyfriend to a deathly accident.

I would spend the night in the guest room, but I never spent the entire night alone. My manager would come in and we would have sex after she fell asleep.

Even the night before the funeral, I had sex with him in the same bed I had shared with my boyfriend. I have never come to terms with this specific act of complete lack of respect to my boyfriend who had passed, and the wonderful woman who was nursing me out of my depression.

I went to the funeral with my manager and his girlfriend. He picked out a white rose for me to put on his casket. My manager was one of the pallbearers. Seeing him walk along holding my boyfriend’s casket was too much to bear. Yet I still could not shed another tear.

I had found this comfortably numb space

in my mind and I just stayed there. At the time I don’t think I realized the scope of my actions, and how they would affect me for the rest of my life. I have harbored this “I am an evil person” mentality ever since.

People will tell me I’m a good person and I secretly think to myself, You have no idea the damage I have done.

I kept my job at the Pizzeria for about a month. I tried to work there without thinking about my boyfriend, but I kept expecting him to be around every corner.

One day my manager’s girlfriend showed up to surprise me with a very nicely framed picture I had never seen of my boyfriend and I on Halloween. It is still in my bedroom to this day. I suppose I torture myself with it.

It’s a reminder not only of him but her as well; the thoughtfulness of the frame, of surprising me, of trying to lift my spirits. And the whole time I was having sex with her boyfriend.

That day she came and gave me the picture, I later quit and walked out.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

SPORTS Dikko, Adepoju count gains of NPFL/LaLiga U-15 Tournament

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igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in collaboration with Spanish Football League (LaLiga) over the last two weeks organised a tournament for U-15 players of all the 24 NPFL clubs, tagged NPFL/LaLiga U-15 Promises.

The tournament is a product of the partnership between the two leagues and Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) says it has greatly contributed to development of the country’s future players.

Former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju who is an Ambassador of LaLiga also appraised the tournament and concluded that it has yielded fruits for football in the country.

According to Dikko, young talents have gained exposure in competitive atmosphere provided by the tournament and have also enjoyed the benefits of traveling to other parts of the country.

“The competitive atmosphere has been good for the young players and they can now look forward to the level next of their career.

“The tournament is organised in consonance with international football rules and is thus a rich learning platform for the teenagers to become accustomed with organised football rules”, remarked Dikko.

Adepoju on his part pointed out that the Nigeria cadet national team, the Eaglets have players from the last edition of the tournament.

In his words, “the tournament has produced players for the present U-16 team, the likes of Akinwunmi Amao, Olusegun A., Divine Nwachukwu were picked from the last edition as part of the team that represented Nigeria in the Africa Cadet Championship in Tanzania”.

ATTT hails Quadri’s feat at worlds

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frican Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) has congratulated Aruna Quadri for reaching the round of 32 at the 2019 ITTF World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The feat sees Quadri as the best performer from Africa in the history of the championships in the Hungarian capital.

ATTT President, Khaled El-Salhy, described the Nigerian as a good ambassador for always putting the continent on the world map with his scintillating performances.

El-Salhy, however, lauded Egypt’s Dina Meshref for her second feat in the women’s singles as well as her partnership with compatriot – Yousra Helmy for making it to the second round of the women’s doubles.

“Some African players did quite well especially Aruna Quadri who was the last male player on track by reaching the round of 32, also Dina Meshref who also made it to the round of 64 in singles while her doubles’ pairing with Yousra Helmy reached the last 32 of the event. I think they all tried their best and lost in some very tough matches,” the ATTF boss said.

Why I didn’t travel with Flying Eagles- Maikaba

Eagles to regroup middle of next month

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•Maikaba Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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lying Eagles’ Assistant Coach, Abdu Maikaba, has given reason he was unable to travel to Germany with Flying Eagles where they are camping to prepare for this year’s Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup which will be played host to by Poland from 23 May – 15of June.

According to Maikaba the reason he was unable to travel with Flying Eagles was because his Nigeria Professional Football Club, Plateau United Football Club are in a very critical stage in their league campaign and needed his services.

He explained that it will not be good for him to abandon them to their faith when they are struggling to survive relegation.

“There is no problem. We are in touch with the team in Germany.

The fact that I did not travel with the team to Germany did not mean

that I am no longer in touch with them. We communicate every now and then.

“The main reason I did not travel with them is because of my club, Plateau United. This is not the best of times for them. There is no way I can abandon them because they need my assistance.

“Therefore, there is need for me to be on ground to assist them navigate the turbulent times, they find themselves,” Maikaba explained.

Speaking further, Maikaba explained that he was unable to travel with the Flying Eagles because of the type of agreement he had with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

According to him: “Another reason, I couldn’t travel with the Flying Eagles to Germany was down to the agreement I had with the NFF. “I was appointed not given a contract. So, considering the fact that my club, Plateau United are strug-

gling to secure their place in the NPFL, it will not be good for me to leave them behind when I needed to be there to help them salvage the situation. Moreover, like I said earlier I was appointed and was not given a contract.

It is on record that the former champions are not finding things easy in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as they second to the bottom in Group of the league table.

Plateau United have 19 points out of 16 matches already played remaining about eight matches to go. Therefore, there is every reason for Maikaba to stay behind and see what he could do to assist Plateau United to escape relegation.

Nigeria it is noted is group alongside Honduras, New Zealand and Qatar. The West Africans are to start their campaign in the age group competition against Qatar on 24 May, 2019.

league is difficult and not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Once in a while, you are lucky to get one. We will make best use of the situation we have found ourselves, until we are able to get one that can adjust very quickly and fit into the team.

“We will likely go for a youngster that we can easily groom, who will understand the philosophy of the team and that of the coach. In no distant time we will get it right,” Ogunbote said.

Seka has scored five for the Enugu-based side, and his coach believes he can achieve more before end of the season.

“He (Seka) has not gotten to his peak yet. He is about 75% effective as at now. I expect him to have a perfect end of the season. I am confident he will do more for the team in the coming weeks,” Ogunbote posited.

Unfortunately Seka will be suspended for the next three league matches following the red card he got in their 1-2 loss at Bendel Insurance last week.

•Ogunbote

Ogunbote predicts superb run-in for Ivorian Seka

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angers International head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote says he is confident Ivorian Pascal Seka will end the season on a high.

The former Enyimba trainer heaped praises on the forward for his recent performances which has seen the Flying Antelope rise to the top of Group A. Ogunbote, while admitting the striker is gradually gaining momentum needed to help the team return to the continent, rued the inability of the former FC Ifeanyiubah marksman, to key into the club’s pre-season programme.

“Pascal is a prolific player. The issue is that he did not find his form early enough. I cannot blame him because we did not have enough time for pre-season. This was one of the reasons we were knocked of the continent, because he was supposed to be one of those supplementing those that were playing, but the gap between them was far.

“Getting a quality striker in the

he Super Eagles will regroup for the final preparations for the Egypt 2019 African Nations Cup shortly after the end of the major European football seasons, a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have revealed.

Nigeria is in Group B alongside Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar at the African Nations Cup, which will hold in Egypt in June. And to be ready for the Super Eagles’ first game against Burundi on June 22, Coach Gernot Rohr and his wards will begin preparation for the championship in the middle of May in the country.

According to the NFF official, who pleaded anonymity, the Super Eagles will converge in Asaba before moving to a centre in North Africa for acclimatisation before heading to Egypt.

Rohr said: “We still have two friendly games to play before our first game against Burundi, but before then, the boys will return to Nigeria to give the doctors to assess their level of fitness after the hectic European season.

“One of the friendlies is against Senegal and there is also a possible game with Ghana, but we want to play against either an East African team or a team from Southern Africa before the competition kicks off.”

Meanwhile, Kenya Coach, Sebastian Migne has explained his decision to pass on the opportunity of playing against Nigeria and Tunisia in international friendlies ahead of the African Nations Cup. Kenya qualified to compete at the 24-nation biannual sporting showpiece in Egypt for the first time in 15 years and the government has since facilitated a threeweek camp in Paris for the squad to fine tune.

According to Kenya News, Football Kenya Federation president, Nick Mwendwa has repeatedly confirmed his team are working round the clock to secure the team high-level buildup games. But Frenchman Migne is seemingly not keen on Tunisia and Nigeria.

“Playing away in Abuja or Tunis with the probability of a heavy defeat just before the tournament starts may not help the team’s confidence,” Kenya News reports.

“Then the proposed dates for these matches are too close to the tournament and there is that possibility of getting injuries. You also have to factor in the weather.”

It reported that the Harambee Stars could however face Madagascar, Uganda or Cote d’Ivoire in France, with Migne expected to name his 30-man squad for the French camp this week. The tournament kicks off in Cairo on June 21.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

SPORTS F/Eagles storm Germany for World Cup preparations

Beware of Guinea, Adepoju warns Eagles

igeria’s Flying Eagles have arrived in Bad Goegging Munich in Germany for a three-week intensive final camping programme ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland, the Nigeria Football Federation announced on Sunday.

A delegation comprising team officials and 23 players travelled aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight from Abuja on Saturday night and arrived in Frankfurt just before 6am, before a four-hour road trip to the city.

The delegation is staying at The Monarch Hotel. Before their departure from Abuja, the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi, charged the team to adopt good character and discipline as winning words in the camp and at the global championship, while eschewing any conduct that could tarnish the image of Nigeria.

“A good name is forever better than gold. While we implore you to go out there and put in the best efforts to win your matches and do the country and the African continent proud, it is important that you do so with good conduct, discipline and dedication, and with respect for the good name of our dear country,” Sanusi said. “You are flying the country’s flag and also flying the continent’s flag.

It is therefore incumbent on you to show good character on and off the field of play at all times and abide by the tenets of fairplay.”

While advising the players and team officials to valorise hard work and patriotism, Dr. Sanusi assured that the NFF is committed to giving the team its full support, including payment of their bonuses and allowances in the training camp and at the championship in Poland.

In his response, team captain Ikouwem Utin thanked the Federation for the support given the team so far and pledged that the players would give their very best to do Nigeria and Africa proud in Poland, while maintaining discipline as their watchword.

By MADUABUCHI KALU

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AFCON 2019: Eagles to land in Egypt early • To camp few weeks in Asaba

By MADUABUCHI KALU (with agency report)

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he Nigerian national team; the Super Eagles are to storm Egypt on time to continue with their preparations for the June/ July Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This much was disclosed by the Eagles image maker, Toyin Ibitoye. According to Ibitoye, Eagles will camp in Asaba, the Delta State capital where they would play a friendly before getting out to Egypt to engage Senegal in another friendly before the commencement of the tournament.

“The team will have few weeks of camping in Asaba, but we want to be in Egypt early to start preparations.

“The plan is for us to get to Egypt at least seven or eight days before our first match. So, in Egypt, we will play a friendly against Senegal because we want to really focus on getting our players fresh.

“There is a need to understand that AFCON is coming up at the end of European football season, so the trick is to get the players fresh and keep them away from injuries.

“It is going to be a tough challenge in Egypt, so the coach has been talking to the players on his approach and the need for them to be fit so that we can come together to play the tournament with full blast,” he said.

Ibitoye said that Egypt remained the tournament favourites considering the fact that they were the host nation and also have a good squad.

“The tournament will be taking place in Egypt so they are the favourites and also have a good squad.

Morocco also comes to mind and Senegal.

“The likes of the defending champions, Cameroon and Ghana are potential winners and outsiders such as South Africa, Mali and Guinea; these are teams that can spring surprises,”

he said.

It is recalled that the three time African champions failed to participate in the last two editions of the tournament in 2015 and 2017 precisely due to their inability to qualify for the biennial continental biggest football fiesta.

Now, Nigerians are expecting them to do well by lifting the trophy in the Land of the Pharaohs but their handler, Gernor Rohr has consistently averred that they are not favourites for the diadem considering the fact that Eagles are just returning to the tournament after being absent for two consecutive editions.

Eagle are grouped alongside Madagascar, Guinea and Burundi in Group B which many see as an easy group, but many especially the exstars of the team have come out to sound a note of warning that they should not complacent as they are no minnows in world football.

ormer international, Mutiu Adepoju, has warned the Super Eagles to be wary of the Syli Nationale of Guinea when the two sides meet at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt later in the year.

Adepoju gave the warning while speaking with journalists saying the Guineans could become Nigeria’s Achilles heel and called for adequate preparation to enable the three time African champions do well at the championships.

It is recalled that Guinea stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2012 AFCON, while they also stopped the CHAN Eagles from progressing to the next stage of the competition meant for the home-based teams on the continent in 2016.

Also, only last week at the U-17 AFCON, the Guineans defeated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria 10-9 on penalties in the semifinals, stopping them from adding to the two trophies they have won at that level.

“We have to be very careful of them as they have shown that they have what it takes to play against us at all levels,” Adepoju said. “After losing against them in 2011 in Conakry, they came to Nigeria to force us to a 2-2 draw which ended our aspirations of going to the AFCON. “In Rwanda, it was another heartbreak caused by the Syli Nationale as they ended Nigeria’s participation at the CHAN with a 1-0 defeat in Ribavu, Rwanda.

“Even though we don’t necessarily have to win the tournament at U-17 level, we still have to put up a fantastic performance. “It is not a case of wanting the Eaglets to win the competition, but we have to fight and that’s what we failed to do.

“We must be very careful in Egypt so that what happened against the Golden Eaglets won’t repeat itself at the AFCON.” The Super Eagles are in the same group as Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi and will have to overcome them to progress to the next stage of the AFCON in Egypt.

Pinnick gives reason for Chukwu’s appointment as Eagles’ ‘Life Ambassador’

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resident of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has explained the reason the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have decided to appoint former national team’s captain and coach Life Ambassador of the national team the Super Eagles with a monthly allowance of five hundred thousand Naira (N.5m).

According to Pinnick the reason they appointed Chukwu Life Ambassador of the Super Eagles was because contributions to the development of the game in the country.

He further explained that the decision was a way of rewarding past players who have contributed to the development of the game in the country, adding that the football legend will equally accompany the Super Eagles to matches to help boost their morale.

“Chukwu is a legend of the game in Nigeria. The NFF decided to introduce this award as a way of rewarding past players who have contributed to the development of the game in Nigeria. As a Life Ambassador, Chukwu will be placed on a monthly salary of N500,000 as well as accompanying the Super Eagles to matches,” he said.

• Places him on N.5m monthly life salary

He added that the gesture will be extended to other legends of the game who have equally contributed to the game. Meanwhile, he called on other football clubs and state governments in the country to emulate Rangers Football Club of Enugu as well as the Enugu State government for their leading roles in the resuscitation of ailing former national team captain and coach, who he explained through his football exploits during his playing days, brought joy to many homes.

According to Pinnick, the federation decided to be part of the healing process of the former Super Eagles captain and coach, because he is a living legend of the game in the country.

Pinnick spoke during a visit to Chukwu where business mogul, Femi Otedola redeemed the $50,000 pledge he made to the former Harambee Stars of Kenya coach, said he was delighted to see Chukwu in high spirits, noting that he “has paid his dues for Nigeria.”

He equally described Chukwu as “a legend that we love so much” adding that “we believe that his name has been written in people’s

hearts and in the annals of football in Nigeria”.

“We are here to acknowledge a super living legend, a legend that if you mention his name everybody shakes; a legend that has paid his dues for the polity called Nigeria, a legend that we love so much, a legend that would not be allowed to die, a legend that his name is already in the annals of history in Nigeria.

“We believe that if you call Christian Chukwu and confine him to Enugu state government, you will not be doing him any good because even Nigeria as a country is too small to accommodate him.

The NFF from the beginning decided that we will be part of this.

“There were mistakes in the past but we have decided it will not happen again, hence we have decided we will acknowledge our legends at all points in time, it’s not when they pass on we will say, oh he was a good man. Amodu Shaibu is gone. Stephen Keshi is gone.

Our great striker, Rashidi Yekini is no more with us.

“And so it has been with us. We want to see how these heroes will stay and enjoy the fruits of their

labour. It is for you that we have sports administrators. Without you, no FA. Without you, no CAF, no FIFA. So, we must recognise you.

“We are about to set up a foundation that will look into the lives of our footballers and advise them on life after football.

“For Christian Chukwu, we hope and pray that he goes for the treatment, returns in good health to be with us.

We will appoint him Super Eagles Ambassador and he may have to be touring with the Eagles. Some stipends will follow this.

“The Cheque is basically to take care of his medical surgery, on our part, we don’t want him to go to USA, we want him to go to England, we have already made arrangement with two hospitals because we still want him around and we will do everything within our resources to ensure he gets the best treatment.”

“Femi Otedola has shown tremendous concern and made the money available.

He would have been here with us but for other engagements that kept him away. But he has prom-

ised to visit you in London when your treatment is on. He will even speak with you shortly.”

Continuing, the NFF’s arrowhead commended the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his administration’s prompt intervention in offsetting the medical bills of the former captain of Rangers International Football Club, Chukwu during his treatment at a clinic in Enugu.

“I have to thank the governor, who has been amazing, he is a role model for many people in terms of display of total humility, he is a man of destiny, you see a lot of positives radiating around him.

“This shows that he is a man of the people genuinely, despite that he is a politician. I say thank you, Your Excellency, the good people of Enugu State are solidly behind you.”

Commenting on the $50,000 donation by Otedola for Chukwu’s treatment abroad, which was presented via a cheque to the family by his Chief Operating Officer, Akinola, the NFF President commended the Nigerian businessman and philanthropist for his display of “dexterity” describing him as an “astute administrator.”

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1-7, 2019

SPORTS Obuh lampoons Odegbami for calling for Mikel’s retirement

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Virgil van Dijk wins PFA Player of Year Award

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

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iverpool centre-back, Virgil van Dijk, Sunday declared England’s PFA Player of the Year for 2019 on succeeding team mate, Mohamed Salah.

Van Dijk was voted for by his fellow players and saw off competition from Manchester City striker, Raheem Sterling.

But Sterling, 24, was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year, following on from City colleague, Leroy Sane.

It is recalled that Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million ($97 million, 87 million euros) in January 2018.

The 27-year-old Dutchman has been an ever-present for Liverpool in their bid to dethrone City as Premier League champions this season, with Sterling’s side one point clear of the Reds at the top of the table with just two games left to play.

Van Dijk has starred in a hugely improved Liverpool defence that has kept 20 clean sheets and conceded a mere 20 goals in the current campaign.

“It’s pretty difficult to put into words,” said Van Dijk, the first defender to win the award since Chelsea’s John Terry 14 years ago.

“I think it’s the highest honour you can get as a player to get voted player of the year by the players you play against every week. It’s special. I’m very proud and honoured to receive it,” he declared.

Van Dijk, who also has a Champions League semi-final tie to play against Barcelona this week, added: “If you see the standard of strikers or playmakers we have in the league, it’s unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, England international, Raheem Sterling has been praised both for his on-field performances and a willingness to speak out about football’s continuing problems with racism.

Arsenal Women forward Vivianne Miedema won the Women’s Player of the Year award after scoring 22 times to lead the Gunners to their first title since 2012, with her and Van Dijk completing a Dutch double.

The north London side were crowned champions with a 4-0 win away to Brighton on Sunday.

Miedema was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year award won by Manchester City forward, Georgia Stanway.

Miedema said: “I’m obviously really proud to represent my team here. I think we’ve had an amazing year, especially with winning the league today.”

Meanwhile, the PFA’s special achievement award went to Manchester City and England captain, Steph Houghton.

The 31-year-old defender is set to skipper the Lionesses at this year’s World Cup in France.

But Houghton has said she could miss the tournament in order to care for her husband, former Liverpool midfielder, Stephen Darby, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.

Darby, however, is determined Houghton takes her place in manager Phil Neville’s squad.

Cameroon‘re Africa U-17 Champions

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ameroon Sunday emerged champions of Total Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Guinea 5-3 on penalties.

The match which was the climax of this year’s Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations was played at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Manfred EKoi was the hero for “Les Lionceaux” saving Mohamed Sacko’s kick from the short distance before Saidou Moubarak scored to give Cameroon their second title after their maiden triumph in 2003 in Eswatini (then Swaziland).

The game went into penalties after the game ended scoreless stalemate which forced the game into penalties.

Steve Mvoue, Nassourou Ndongo, Leonel Wamba, Toni Nang and Moubarak scored for Cameroon while Alya Bangoura, Alya Toure and Aboubacar Conte scored for Guinea. Sacko was denied by Ekoi.

The clash served a repeat of the group phase clash between the two teams which Cameroon won 2-0, while Guinea were seeking to avenge the previous defeat, it was Cameroon who laughed loudest to confirm their superiority over the former.

Guinea forward, Bah Algassime nearly broke the deadlock for the junior Syli in the opening minute of the game, with a long range effort that missed target.

Cameroon will respond on 11 minutes through the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Steve Mvoue, with a shot that deflected to corner.

Guinea goalie, Sekou Camara was to his side rescue minutes later, stopping Ismaila Seidou in a one-on-one situation, to keep the scoreline barren.

“Les Lionceaux” best chance at breaking the virginity of the game came on 23 minutes, but Moubarak again

failed to beat Camara in the Guinea post.

Cameroon goalie, Manfred Ekoi made a blunder in the 55th minute when he was forced to move outside his zone after a defensive error, but Ekoi weathered the calm with a clearance to safety.

Cameroon will later miss three chances to score the lead in the 58th minute, but Camara and his backline remained resolute.

On 75 minutes, Nassourou Ndongo missed a sitter to give Cameroon the lead with a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar with Camara completely beaten.

It was a balanced effort from both sides taking the game to shots from the short distance where the boys of Thomas Libiih triumphed 5-3.

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad handed over the trophy to Cameroon captain Fabrice Ndzie amidst jubilation from the victorious members of the Cameroon team.

Reactions to the outcome of the encounter, Cameroon head coach, Thomas Libiih said: “I feel great to win this trophy. It’s been hard since the beginning but my boys kept their confidence and fought until the last breath.

“It is good that we are going to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup as champions and I believe we will perform well. I hope that this trophy will be the turning point of Cameroon football.

On his part, Guinea coach, Mohamed Camara said: “I am not disappointed by the results. We played well and created a lot of chances but we were not lucky enough to win.

“We had ambitions of taking our revenge on Cameroon but we couldn’t, however, this time we didn’t lose in regular time. It is huge improvement for us because we were in the final for the first time ever and still showed some quality.

ormer Flying Eagles coach, John Sam Obuh, has come hard on former national team striker and captain, Segun Odegbami for calling for the retirement of national team captain, John Obi Mikel, claiming his call was to enable younger players have the opportunity of contributing the development of the national team.

However, Obuh could not take such an unsolicited advise lightly as he believes that Mikel still have a lot to offer the national team, saying if Odegbami is to be sincere to himself, he would have known that the young players in the team need the inspiration and guidance of a player of Mikel’s calibre and experience to go all the way at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which starts in the next two months. Obuh made his feelings known in exclusive interview with The Oracle Today Sports.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to join issues with Chief Segun Odegbami but all the same, I take exception from his recent call for the retirement of John Obi Mikel from the national team, the Super Eagles,” Obuh began.

“I think the unsolicited call was made in bad faith if not how could a former national team player and captain be calling for Mikel’s retirement? Obuh queried. If I may ask, what was Mikel’s crime to necessitate the call for his retirement from Segun Odegbami? What is the average age of the national team players? Just 25?

“So, why should Mikel retire when he is still very useful to the team? I do not expect such a call from Odegbami because he should know better. Ours are young team that needed the experience and encouragement of an experienced player like Mikel, who has seen it all to do well in Egypt. So, why the call for his retirement if not for bad feeling or hatred, I am yet to come to terms with the reason for the call for Mikel’s retirement,” Obhu said.

Speaking further, the Abia State-born sweat merchant opined that at 32 years, Mikel still have what it takes to play in one of the top leagues in the world, saying playing with a championship side in England does not in any way diminish Mikel’s ability saying that it’s only in Nigeria that players are forced to retire untimely due the insinuations of people like Odegbami.

“How old is Mikel? He is just 32 years. Does it mean that Mikel is too old as a player? I mean at 32, he still has all it takes to play for the best leagues in the world. The fact that he returned to England to lace his boot with English championship side Middleborough, does not in any way diminish his talent and experience.

“We all knew what he passed through in Chelsea before he moved to China in 2017. And before that time, he had been an integral part of Chelsea golden era winning all trophies including the prestigious EUFA Champions League. If Mikel is not good as a player he wouldn’t have spent such a long period with star studded club like Chelsea.

“This is one of the major problems we have in this country, forcing players to retire untimely. This is the reason we lack mentorship in our football. Does Odegbami realised that there is something called mentorship?

“Even if Mikel is not playing as a member of the national team set, there aura that flows around him as senior player in the team that the young players would like to tap from.

“Has Odegbami forgotten so soon the role Mikel played in the dream Team VI, which caused him a place in Chelsea as he was asked not to feature for Nigeria at the Olympics by his former boss at Chelsea, Antonio Conte.

“The fact that Nigeria won bronze in that Summer Olympic in Brazil was down to Mikel’s role in the team because he was there to give the players all the support and encouragement that they need in all ramifications, including spending his personal money to ensure that they were not distracted following lack of adequate preparations due to lack of support from the federation.

“He motivated them as big brother and the players gave their best, culminating in winning bronze in the football event. This was attested to by Coach Samson Siasia and other backroom staff of the team. That is the reason the team needs him at least in Egypt.

“The fact that Gernot Rohr still leaves his position for him means he is still needed in the team. Odegbami cannot convince me that he knows better than Gernot, who has said repeatedly that Mikel was still the team’s captain,” Obuh explained.

Coach Obuh while speaking further, maintained that if not for probably hatred, there is no reason a person of former national team player and captain should be asking Mikel to retire when the like of Lionel Messi who started his football career with Mikel are being begged to feature for his national team Albicelestes of Argentina.

Continuing, Obuh querried: “I don’t really understand the motive behind Odegbami’s call for Mikel’s retirement from the national team. The flimsy excuse that his retirement will make a way for younger players to come in and contribute to the team does not hold water as far as I am concerned.

“I am saying this because I have never seen or heard that Mikel is blocking any young player from making the Super Eagles’ squad. So, how does Mikel’s place in the national team become something that is preventing younger players from making the national team squad?

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

Crime

Gunmen kidnap UBEC chairman, daughter along Kaduna-Abuja highway •Duo released after payment of N25m ransom •As police arrest killer of Kaduna monarch Stories by VICTOR NZE

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rmed men blocked the KadunaAbuja highway, Monday afternoon, opened fire on some vehicles and abducted the chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Mohammad Abubakar along with his daughter.

Abubakar’s driver was killed in the attack, while two other persons were injured.

The attack, which punctured the claimed successes of police’s ‘Operation Puff Adder,’ occurred at about 3.30 pm in Kurmin Kare village.

Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the kidnap and the attack.

He said the injured victims were rescued.

“Today April 29, we received information through DPO Katari that at about 1530hrs, he got a distress call

that Armed Men in military uniform intercepted a Land Cruiser Jeep with Reg. No 07E o4 FG and Toyota Sienna with Reg. No SLJ 465 TN at Kurmin Kare Village along Kaduna -Abuja Expressway, opened fire on the vehicles and in the process the driver of the jeep was shot dead.

“While the occupants, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar who is the Chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and his daughter were kidnapped, the occupants of the Sienna; one Alowonle Olalere and Onuka Victor both of Ibadan, Oyo State were injured and rescued to Katari Police Station.”

Sabo added that the two injured victims were returning from Kano where they went to shoot a film titled ‘The Last Step’.

He disclosed that a combined team of mobile policemen, anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command, Special Forces

and Operations Yaki operatives were quickly mobilized to the area with a view to combing the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arresting the criminals.

He added that the Inspector General of Police Intelligent Response Team was also contacted for technical support in tracking the hoodlums.

“At the moment, the two vehicles were recovered to the station,” he added.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Ahmad Abdur-Rahman appeals to members of the public to support the Police with relevant information that could assist in apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous act.

“The Command will not be deterred in its efforts to bring crime to the barest minimum in the state. The hoodlums are only testing our collective will and we cannot relent.”

However, unconfirmed police re-

port say the kidnapped UBEC Chairman, daughter who were kidnapped Monday afternoon, may have regained their freedom.

Sources indicate that the duo was released after alleged payment of N25 million ransom Sources said they were released around 1:00 P.m. after N25 million ransom was allegedly paid to the kidnappers.

Police Spokesperson, Kaduna State Command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, has however, not confirmed the release or the ransom payment, as at Tuesday.

Alhaji Abubakar’s driver was killed and two other persons injured during the abduction which occurred at about 3:30 p.m. in Kurmin Kare village, Kaduna, on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Police Force said it had arrested Abubakar Ibrahim, 37, the suspected killer of late traditional ruler of Adara chiefdom, Maiwada

Drug dealer sentences to death for killing policeman From Pamela Eboh, Awka

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suspected cannabis seller identified as Chukwuebuka Nneji-Olona has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Anambra State High Court sitting at Otuocha.

He was declared guilty of killing a police officer Oluwadaini Temidayo using stones and planks at Oye Olisa market in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State in 2014 by the presiding Judge, Justice Dilibe O.C Amaechina.

According to facts put forward by the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Stella Ofokansi, the deceased police corporal was a corrupt policeman, working at Nteje Divisional Police Station who used to visit the shops of Indian hemp dealers at Oye-Olisa market every month demanding and collecting bribes from the illicit drug dealers in order to keep quiet over their illegal business.

“But luck ran out of the police officer when he stormed the market in company of other police officers to raid the shops of the illegal Indian hemp sellers, after coming the previous day to collect his usual bribe money.

“This action by the corrupt police officer brought about so much anger, resistance and resentment from the drug peddlers that they physically assaulted him with stones and woods leading to his sudden death.

“The defendant, feeling guilty that he killed the victim in cold blood and for fear of being caught, ran to the house of a herbalist known as AjanaOyibo to do a spiritual work that would free him from the guilt of killing the deceased which was disturbing him.

“The defendant, Chukwuebuka was identified as one of the Indian hemp dealers at the market, who killed the police officer by beating him to death with stones and wooden planks,on the 2nd day of May, 2014, contrary to section 274(1) of the criminal code”, she stated.

The details further revealed that the native doctor reported the matter to the local vigilante operatives, who arrested the defendant and handed him over to the Divisional Police Station at Nteje for investigation and persecution.

Justice Amaechina explained that

Galadima of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The late Mr Galadima was abducted and murdered by his abductors in October 2018, after being held captive for days. Other suspects arrested in the recent raid are: Johnson Okafor, 44, Shaibu Iliyasu, 20, Ishaik Dabo,38, Mohammed Nasiru, 25, Aminu Haruna, 25, Shafiu Gudau, 25, Auwalu Hamisu, 24, Ado Ya’u, 35, Ibrahim Yusuf, 30, Ibrahim Audu, 22, Salisu Ajah, 50, Magaji Abubakar, 27, Salisu Ali, 18, among others.

A statement by the force spokesperson, Frank Mba, on Sunday in Abuja, said Mr Ibrahim was arrested on April 15 at Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State.

He said the suspect confessed to the kidnapping and murder of the traditional ruler of Adara and other kidnappings and murders.

Mr Mba, a deputy commissioner of police, said the arrest of other suspects followed the arrest of the “Spiritual Father” of kidnappers and armed bandits operating in the Northern part of the country, Salisu Abubakar.

Embrace community policing in combating crime – AIG urges Zone 9 commands

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•Suspected internet fradusters; Mmizoro Chinedu and Utyo Philip, and another accomplice nabbed at the Nigerian Army Resettlement Estate, Jikwoyi, Abuja, and paraded by the Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the case of the prosecution fell within section 8 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 5 of the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State, which states that “when two or more persons form a common intention to prosecute an unlawful purpose in conjunction with one another, and in the prosecution of such purpose an offence is committed of such a nature that its commission was a probable consequence of the prosecution of such purpose, each of them is deemed to have committed the offence”.

He said, “After considering all the evidence before me I am left in no reasonable doubt as to the facts put forward by the state. I accord-

ingly hold that the facts alleged by the state have been established beyond reasonable doubt.

“I therefore hold the accused liable of unlawfully killing the deceased and find him guilty as charged. The defendant s sentenced to death by hanging.”

Reacting to the judgment, the prosecuting counsel from the State Department of Public Prosecution DPP, Mrs Stella Ofokansi said the turn out of the case should serve as a deterrent to the entire citizenry, as anyone that engages in jungle justice would be apprehended, prosecuted and punished according to the law.

CP disarms, arrests 3 illegal police escorts

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

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t least three illegal police escorts from Kogi State attached to an Ezinifite businessman in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been disarmed and arrested on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr Danduara Mustapha while their principal is on the run.

Making this disclosure to newsmen in Onitsha, Mr Anthony Onyia, a director of German company products, Carlton chainsaw, in Nigeria, said the master now on the run defrauded him about N75 million excluding products he fraudulently auctioned worth millions of naira.

“As a result the German company on a tip-off that he is in his Ezinnifite residence, arrived the place with some policemen from Lagos to arrest him but his three police escorts refused the police entry to effect the arrest” On the process the DPO Aguata was alerted and he in turn informed the Commissioner of Police who ordered that the three police escorts be disarmed and brought to his office.

“The master who was then in the house went into hiding having been informed of what was happening. The order by the CP that the master and other policemen been resent at Awka was ignored by the master who reportedly was on the run”.

ssistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Mr Baba Tijjani, has charged all the commands in the zone to embrace community policing as a potent measure in the fight against violent crime.

Tijjani gave the charge on Monday in Owerri, while addressing officers of the Imo police command during his familiarisation visit to the command.

He said that the most effective means of fighting crime was through the identification of its roots causes.

He said that such roots causes could easily be identified at the grassroots through community policing.

He promised that community policing would be further strengthened in the zone to further enhance the performance of the police force.

The police chief further advised officers of the command to also adopt “intelligence-based policing”.

He commended the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Rabiu Ladodo, and his officers and men for their commitment toward crime reduction, in spite of the limited resources.

He promised to instill discipline among the rankand-file to reduce operational lapses in the zone.

“Even though we have limited resources at our disposal, we must continue to use these resources to ensure that crime is completely eradicated, or at least, brought to the barest minimum,” Tijani said.

In his response, Ladodo pledged the command’s readiness to support the AIG in his efforts to sanitize the force in the zone and make the area crimefree.

He said: “We are ready to support our AIG in his efforts to sanitise our zone and make it crime-free without minding whose ox is gored. We will leave

•AIG Mohammed Adamu

39 The Oracle Today Wednesday May 1 - 7, 2019

Nuns, Priests and Sex: Who takes the blame? (1) H In aemorrhage! Have you heard educated ladies speaking in this tongue?

They are just referring to bleeding mostly after mifepristone abortion! Hundreds of abortion are done daily surprisingly by both the educated, illiterate and religious groups.

These Religious groups especially the Roman Catholic Churches pretend there are never ills that can come from their priests, yet discuss their shortcomings in low tones in their gatherings. Any other Religious group may discuss it in the open, even go on the social media to write about their Religious Leaders misdemeanour, but not Roman Catholics. Their priests are infallible. They are celibates!

I read Pope’s confirmation of Nuns abuse and later Vatican’s clarification but the one that puts me off was the report in Malawi mail newspaper, where 30 nuns were said to have been impregnated by priests. That news trended in the e-world as if such is not seen among us in Nigeria. I personally had cases like that. Pregnancies from priests have been recorded in Benue, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Oko, Ugwuoba, Nise, Onitsha, Nkpor , Obosi, Abia, Imo to mention, but a few.

Some amoral relationship of some priests and their girlfriends ended in court rooms like that of a priest in a popular Catholic Church in the heart of Awka. Anglican priests too have been a disgrace in some situations even when they marry like witnessed in Mgbakwu and Amawbia. Misdeeds of Pastors of the Pentecostals are uncountable sequel to many mushroom Churches springing up everywhere.

Victims are known but not for media consumption. Even when it is hidden, congregation knows and discusses it. Strangely, the highest punishment before now was transfer or posting depending on denominational terminology to a new Church/ station. And infidelity of priests have been recorded virtually in all the states, if not communities in Nigeria. Minors have been either raped or abused daily. Rape is the worst case scenario and it occurs daily in different disguise particularly in Pentecostal Churches that are now in every Warehouse in town. Men are promiscuous but the distinction remained that these men are ordained.

A visit to most of the prime hospitals in town across Nigeria will reveal to you the number of Nuns, Ladies and Girls that visit for one stage of abortion or the other in this hospitals. Some in company of mufti wearing clergymen or their partners in sex, while others go alone. It is no longer a shameful act. It’s now common.

Some others resort to drugs from Pharmaceutical stores, or Patent Medicine Dealers to flush away the unwanted pregnancies and only visit the hospital if the foetus proves stubborn. Some as well have died in the effort to self-medicate but got wrong prescriptions.

On Thursday, 25th April, 2019, news came in that a Catholic clergyman identified as Rev. Father Richard Bilé of Saint Francis of Assisi D ‘Affiénou (Maferé) parish in Ivory Coast hanged himself on Wednesday over the case of paedophilia on

CORNUCOPIA

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Telephone number: 08060750240

E-mail : odogwuchampionawka@yahoo.co.uk

•Members of Ending Clergy Abuse, a Rome

an underage girl, according to Presse Cote d’ivoire.

The news of his death came after the church council met and notified the priest of their decision to temporarily suspend him over the sexual molestation case.

He also left a suicide note, where he wrote that “Near God, I will have peace. God’s world is too harsh and does things elusive ... “ The diocese of South-West Cote d’Ivoire through its communication officer, Father Lambert Lath Yedo confirmed the death of Rev.Father Richard Bilé.

Aside underage girls’ even boys, nuns are the biggest casualties.

Who is a Nun? One may ask? A nun is a member of a religious community of women, living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery.

Nuns are sometimes mistaken as Sisters in the Roman Catholic Church though can be interchangeably used by outsiders but true Roman Catholic members know there is a difference between the two.

A Nun professes the perpetual solemn vows living a life of celibacy etc; but a Catholic sister is a woman who lives, ministers, and prays within the world or so I think.

There are thousands of reports of abuse of children, women particularly Religious Groups across the globe that have been covered up by Bishops and Church leaders.

In the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania, Bishops and Leaders covered up child sexual abuse by more than 300 priests over a period of 70 years. They persuaded victims not to report the abuse and law enforcement

global organization of prominent survivors and activists demonstrations in

not to investigate it. There are over 1,000 identifiable victims of these molestation by Catholic priests. A government agency in the United States carried out the investigation on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio , USA released a list of 16 priests accused of sexual abuse including Father Christopher Foxhoven, whose parishioners at Holy Cross Church said they were stunned by allegations that Foxhoven, 45 was in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old altar girl who is now pregnant.

Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said “Foxhoven started engaging in sexual relationship with her over the past several months. He has now alleged to have impregnated her and she is underage of 18.”

“The fact that we trust our clergy, especially in the Catholic Church, we trust our priests.

We believe they are going to be celibate and that there is no way they would harm a child and that is what he is accused of doing here,” Blackburn said.

Investigators found eight used condoms and a pregnancy test at the church residence where Foxhoven lived.

There is a funny angle to it that some priests abuse Nuns sexually because of the fear of contracting HIV/AIDS from none nuns. The Nuns are allegedly free of diseases. Therefore there are many casualties to the extent some are pregnant for priests and others abort. This, some school of thought said increased the existence of Motherless Babies Homes or Community Children’s Homes as it is called today.

These priests it is believed Church leaders have never punished them even when Cases of sexual abuse against nuns

have been reported in at least 23 countries. In one report, Sister Maura O’Donohue, a physician and a member of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, wrote that women were “forced” by priests into sexual liaisons in order to obtain certificates or recommendations needed for work in a diocese. She accused priests of recommending contraception to Nuns after forcefully molesting them sexually. She said some personally take the pregnant Nuns to Catholic Health Institutions for abortion.

Does it mean that priests all over the world have other interpretations of the word ‘’celibacy”. Some viewed it as banning from marriage but they can enjoy sex, and have children while others view it differently?

Some priests allegedly use “false theological arguments to persuade Nuns to have sex with them as sex between two celibate religious people is not sin and does not violate their vows of celibacy. Strange but that was the view of Sister Marie McDonald, Superior General of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa.

Priests normally get mild reprimands while Nuns get compulsory exit from convent or monastery and if it comes from their Superior General, she gets replacement.

Rev. Robert Vitillo, Executive Director of the United States Bishops Campaign for Human Development, wrote in a 1994 report, “I myself have heard the tragic stories of religious women who were forced to have sex with the local priest or with a spiritual counsellor who insisted that this activity was ‘good’ for the both of them’’.

Vatican spokesperson Joaquin Navarro-Valls had said on the scandals, “Work is being done both on the training of people and the resolution of individual cases”, though pointing out that few negative cases should not be focused on against ‘’heroic faith expressed by the large majority of those men and women in religious orders and of the clergy”.

But another Nun, now a Nigerian, Sister Veronica Openibo, at an unprecedented Vatican summit on clergy sexual abuse emphatically blamed priests for the shortcomings of the Nuns and other ladies. She challenged the Catholic Church’s culture of silence on sexual issues and said priests are too often put on pedestals. Openibo also criticized the practice of letting elderly clergy who had abused children retire quietly with their pension and good names in place.

Her words: “Let us not hide such events (sexual abuse by clergy) anymore because of the fear of making mistakes”.

Pope Francis was there when Openibo was calling for a policy of “zero tolerance” toward clergy who abuse children. She referred to dozens of sexual abuse survivors gathered for protests and vigils on the streets of Vatican City recently. She commended Pope Francis about his stand on the Chilean abuse survivors about a notorious priest who was defrocked last year, and the bishops who covered up his crimes.

Openibo spoke in an assembly of 190 Catholic leaders, 114 of them bishops and cardinals from around the world as well as a dozen of women participants, most Superiors General of religious orders.

Veronica Openibo was invited to address the Meeting on the Protection of Minors in Vatican City through her role on the executive committee of the International Union of Superiors General.

In 2010, Openibo, who has a doctorate in pastoral education from Boston College in the United States, was elected as the first African leader of her religious order, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Founded in England by an American-born nun, the order focuses particularly on education.

Openibo said her experience in the “Global North” -- fifteen years in Rome and three in the US -gave her a distinct perspective on the church’s massive and morally compromising sexual abuse scandal.

Openibo said many bishops have wounded the Church’s moral standing by covering up the abuses in their church.

“We proclaim the Ten Commandments and ‘parade ourselves’ as being the custodians of moral standards and values and good behavior in society.

Hypocrites at times? Yes! Why did we keep silent for so long?”

Pope Francis had acknowledged for the first time that Catholic priests and bishops had sexually abused nuns. This was a break from the culture of silence and secrecy that has allowed abuses by the clergy for so long.

To be continued next week…….

•Phone Number: 08060750240 E-mail :odogwuchampionawka@ yahoo.co.ukOdogwu

WEDNESDAY May 1 - 7, 2019

The

www.oraclenews.ng

40

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

Census by imagination

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obody knows the actual population of Nigeria today. Not even the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) which intermittently releases figures knows. The foreigners, it seems, conduct censuses from their air-conditioned offices in New York.

In its 2019 State of the World Population report about to be released, UNFPA says our population has hit 201million. Of this 201million, it states, 88.44million (44%) are between the ages of 0 and 14, while 64.32million (32%) are within the ages of 10 and 24. UNFPA further tells us the fertility rate of our women has dropped from 6.4% in 1969 to 5.3% in 2019.

I don’t believe UNFPA one bit, even as it claims to be “the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled”. Nor do I listen to all other arm-chair population enumerators who seek to justify their pay by occasionally issuing statements. In recent times, I’ve not read figures associated with population controllers like Boko Haram, kidnappers, and politicians who make sure our roads are death-traps and the water we drink unclean.

Four years ago, we’re told Boko Haram terrorists had killed 20, 000 and displaced 2million Nigerians. Our own National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) doesn’t update us with information on the number killed on bad roads or by ill-health, malnutrition, kidnappers, cattle herders and terrorists. Nor does UNFPA or NBS consider that many Nigerians in their 40s and early 50s are not yet married because of the hard times. We know, however, that Nigerian families have been getting smaller – couples have fewer children because they listen to the economy rather than to those who preach “reproductive rights” or family planning.

The last census conducted in the country was in 2006. But both the census of that year and the one before it (conducted in 1988) were figments of the imagination. The one of 1988, in particular, exposed itself as a fraud by finding that there were more males than females in the country.

This is a country that lives a lie and tells itself a lie. And I speak with authority because I’ve seen it all. More elderly people I’ve interviewed also confirmed that dishonesty in the

•Crowd in a popular Lagos market

GUEST COLUMNIST Aniebo

Nwamu

country’s affairs predates our flag independence in 1960.

Whenever it’s time to update the voter register or conduct a census, crooked politicians take charge. I remember when the enumerators came to our home in 1973. We were not more than five at the time, but they recorded 11 or 12 people. When they came again in 1988, some of us had left home but the enumerators found “64”! The situation got worse during voter registration. Trees and insects were given names and registered. When thumb-printing was introduced, palm-kernel shells were used – they have unique prints just like humans.

Lest some hypocrites begin to scoff, let me state that politicians in the part of Nigeria I come from were the least offenders. In most of the south-west, shrines, mountains, goats and chickens were baptised and registered.

Unmarried girls transformed to grandmothers overnight with hundreds of children and grandchildren. All the ancestors were resurrected!

In riverine areas, fishes and other contents of rivers and oceans got enumerated too. But the greatest offenders were in the north-east and north-west. Every nuclear family became a village with thousands of inhabitants. And these “villages” were hidden by mountains, forests and desert sand. Every cow and every goat was a male married to four wives from Fouta Djallon or Mali and blessed with 40 or 50 children. Grass names were registered as human.

I’ve been told such manipulations were encouraged by the British colonialists in 1953

when they wanted to deny educated people from the south leadership of the country they were about to leave behind. And so election rigging and census rigging have continued to this day. When the military brats seized power, they created states and local government areas based on the fraudulent census figures.

Accordingly, many of today’s LGAs are composed of just a few families. If you visited their LG secretariat, you won’t find anyone until the day federal allocations shared in Abuja were brought home for sharing at the end of each month. Thereafter, everyone disappears.

Sometime in 2000, we found that my LGA was more populated than two states in the same country put together.

What the politicians do at elections need no refresher here. Except in cities where television cameras could reach, there was nothing like election in almost 80% of polling stations.

Beforehand, result sheets were seized or stolen or bought and completed in hotel rooms, government houses and evil forests. To match their records with the number of ballots cast, one person thumb-printed on thousands of ballot papers. Where an opposition party was strong, its agents were bribed or intimidated to keep quiet. Whether each signed the result sheet or not was unimportant – signatures were routinely forged. The electoral “umpire” almost always sided with the party in power.

The card reader was introduced to reduce such irregularities, at least at the accreditation stage. But the ruling politicians saw the “danger” and used the legislature to ensure it didn’t find acceptance in the electoral laws of 2006,

2010 and 2014. During polls, those caught with their fingers in the soup-pots were later freed by the courts because electronic voting was an anathema under Nigerian law. But it didn’t stop the allocators of public funds from setting aside hundreds of billions of naira for purchase of card readers and computers for transmission of results right from polling units.

In 2018, former ruling politicians found themselves in the opposition and wanted to give electronic voting the force of law. They were frustrated yet again: President Buhari refused to assent to the amended electoral act. With INEC well prepared – it received almost N250billion, much of it for purchase of card readers and other electronic equipment to stop rigging – we went into the elections.

The incumbent ruling party already had its eyes on the 2019 polls. After the polls and election petition panels were to begin sitting, INEC chairman Mahmood, who had before and during the polls sworn to utilise computers and gadgets, told us the electronic things were never used. Together with the “winner” party, INEC hopes the courts will agree with it that electronic voting means election rigging – never mind the funds appropriated for the gadgets.

INEC registered 87million Nigerians to vote in 2019. Common sense tells me the figure is very close to the actual population of Nigeria.

Infants and animals and foreigners were registered and issued with voter cards. Eventually, on Election Day, the manipulators couldn’t even make use of 30million of the cards, in spite of all the energies they expended to thumb-print and cook up figures.

Then, let’s look at the number of registered phone lines. Did they say the total is now 160 or 170million active lines? Whatever it is, note that, on average, each person uses about three lines. I have six lines, and all my children have theirs too. Old mamas and papas in villages have one or two. Only children aged below 8 probably do not own a phone line yet.

When he was appointed chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Festus Odimegwu several times pointed out that the country’s population figures were orchestrated and swore to conduct a credible census. Instantly, the manipulators moved against him – they pressured President Goodluck Jonathan to sack him or lose their support (in a future election). Apparently for political expediency, the “ineffectual” Jonathan succumbed, leaving his country in the darkness it had always been in.

Whenever some hear “restructuring”, it sends chills down their spines because they don’t want to stop taking advantage of false population figures. In a future book meant to provide a solution to crimes like terrorism and robbery, I will recommend that every Nigerian aged 18 and above pay tax. If the proposal got accepted, we would know the actual population of Nigerians.

Who knows, our inability to know our population and other demographics is the reason we can’t plan well. There is even a ministry of national planning, but only God knows what they do there. Just as those who cheated with contrived population figures have not fared well, nobody should hope to live in comfort when the economy of this country finally collapses. The day of reckoning is not far ahead.

• Nwamu, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of Eyeway.ng. +234-8054100220 (SMS/WhatsApp only)

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