Wednesday December 19, 2018 Edition

EFCC must guard its reputation

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must be wary of being labelled an arm of the ruling APC. It must not throw caution to the wind, as it would appear to have

The Oracle Today Comment

done in recent times, and act in any way seen to be in behalf of the ruling party.

The anti-corruption agency

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

must be bothered that it is generally perceived as nothing more than an ‘anti-opposition’ agency.

Although the Commission has denied it, many a discerning Nigerian is prepared to believe that the agency

actually froze all bank accounts belonging to APC vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi in an act of manifest oppression. A former two-term governor, Obi

racle

WEDNESDAY December 19, 2018

Cont’d on page 24

Today

www.oraclenews.ng

ISSN: 2545-5869 VOL.3 No.50 N200

Confusion in APGA over ‘new’ INEC list T

Council Poll: Group urges FG to stop LG allocations to Anambra State From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

•You are on your own, party leaders warn Araraume •I remain APGA governorship candidate for Imo •Non-handing of party flag not an issue

By AUSTIN ECHEFU

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ecent developments in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State seem to be exposing the underbelly of the party, indicating that despite that the acclaimed governorship candidate of the party, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, has carried on with his campaigns ahead of the 2019 governorship election in the state, all is not well with the party.

According to some top leaders of the party, since his controversial emergence as the governorship candidate of the party in Imo State, Araraume has divided the party, side-lining it in all his activities in relation to his campaigns.

A top leader of the party, who spoke to The Oracle

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•Anambra State Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba and others sing anniversary song as Francis Cardinal Arinze cuts the cake to mark his 60th anniversary of his ordination as a priest

EFCC battles public distrust

•Denies freezing Obi’s accounts, arresting Atiku’s sons •Greeted with uproar over ‘missteps’•Most allegations are lies-Orilade P2 Page 29

Nigeria’s pension funds hit N8.3trn

he Corruption Watch, a human rights organization, has called on the federal government to stop releasing council allocations to the Anambra State government until elections at that level government have been conducted and winners swornin in the state.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr Chuks Ogbuka who addressed journalists in Nnewi, Anambra State yesterday said there was urgent need for the federal government to take a drastic action to compel Anambra and such other state governments that are not willing to conduct council polls to do so.

He said that Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano would be taking the people of the state for a ride if he failed to conduct local government election in the state as soon as possible in fulfillment of his second term campaign promise.

Mr Ogbuka it was undemocratic and illegal for the governor to continue to govern Anambra state unilaterally without the input of democratically elected council officials, noting that non-conduct of council poll had led to uneven development of the 21 council areas in the State “whereas huge amounts of funds always come to Anambra from Federation Account for the council areas.”

The human rights activist noted that his organization considered the practice as trampling upon the right of Anambra voters who had voted for the governor for a second tenure in the belief that the caretaker commit-

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS Continued from Pg 1 Today in Owerri, revealed that Araraume is only campaigning with his Destiny Organization to the detriment of the party.

He said Araraume, by his actions, has proved that he cannot mix with the party, likening both Araraume and APGA as water and oil that cannot mix.

According to him, Araraume has not made his presence felt in the party.

He added that he has since refused to support the presidential candidate of the party but chosen to support President Buhari in his re-election bid.

He noted that even when Araraume unveiled his deputy governorship candidate in his village, Ishiebu country home in Isiala Mbano LGA, it took the intervention of certain leaders of the party, including the Vice Presidential candidate of the party, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, for him to provide transportation for members of

Confusion in APGA over new INEC list the State Working Committee, 27 local government chairmen of the party.

Meanwhile, tension in the party has heightened over who becomes the eventual governorship candidate of the party following reports said to have emanated from the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicating that Sir Stanley Amuchie is the party’s authentic governorship candidate in Imo State.

Despite the assurance by Barr Ebere Osuji, Araraume’s aide, that “Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume is the authentic and dully recognized governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance”, the tension is further heightened by the news that the national leadership of the party did not hand over the flag of the

party to Senator Ifeanyi Araraume during the national flag-off of the party’s campaigns at Awka, to confirm that he is flying the flag of the party in the state for the governorship election.

Though some loyalists of Araraume say that the non-presentation of the party’s flag to Araraume at the Awka rally was not an omission as, according to them, none of the party’s governorship candidates was presented with the flag, it should be noted that the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye, presented the party’s flag to Mr. labaran Maku for the governorship election in Nasarawa State.

Speaking on the development, an aide of the Senator, Barr Ebere Osuji, described the story of the non-presentation of the

flag to Araraume as “false and deceitful misrepresentation of facts as it relates to the presentation of flags to candidates at the flag-off of Presidential campaign held in Awka, Anambra State”.

He noted that “the peddlers of this falsehood are of the opinion that Senator Araraume was not given the flag because he is not the flag bearer of APGA in Imo State” but pointed out that the event in question “was a flag-off of the Presidential Campaign and the party in its wisdom and judgment decided to give flags to the Presidential candidate of the Party and contestants of the National Assembly elections.

“The Party decided that all governorship candidates will be presented with their flags at the official lunch of their various cam-

•(From right): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former President Goodluck Jonathan; Wife of Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo and husband, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during the interdenominational commendation service for mother of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Madam Goldcoast Dickson Mama Gogo, in Toru-Agiama community, Patani Local Government Area, in Delta State, weekend.

From CHUKS EZE, Enugu and NATH OMAME Jr., Port Harcourt

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s the 2019 electioneering campaigns gather momentum, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under pressure to demonstrate that it is impartial in its prosecution of the anti-graft war and not an instrument of witch-hunt in the hands of the ruling party against the opposition.

The need for the anti-graft agency to demonstrate even handedness became necessary in the wake of recent allegations that it had deliberately taken steps to undermine the integrity of high-profile members of the opposition in an alleged bid to rubbish their reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of the public.

Indeed, lawyers and other stakeholders have raised alarm

EFCC battles public distrust

over what they have described as “obvious EFCC legal and political missteps” following recent alleged arrests and or invitation, even harassment, of persons believed to be members or sympathisers of the opposition in the country.

Worries are being expressed that these arrests, invitations or harassment of persons by the EFCC appear to be targeted at the opposition a few months to Election Year 2019, as if there were a premeditated design to destabilize seemingly targeted candidates and render their electioneering ineffective.

The EFCC raised eyebrows in many quarters a few days ago when it allegedly froze the accounts of former governor of Anambra State and PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Until the Commission took that step, Obi was not known to have had any problem with EFCC at any time in the past.

Indeed, throughout his eight years as governor and almost four years out of power, Obi had never been invited by the EFCC, neither was the Commission known to have publicly asked questions about Obi’s financial transactions in and out of government…until he emerged as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP. A few days ago too, EFCC rustled feathers in Akwa Ibom State when it beamed its searchlight on Mr. Paul Usoro, a reputable Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and current President of Nigerian Bar association (NBA) over alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of about N1.4billion belonging to the Akwa Ibom State govern-

ment.

EFCC alleged that Usoro and Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel converted and laundered funds from the coffers of the state under the pretence that the money was payment for legal services.

However, according to informed sources, Usoro, who has been Akwa Ibom State lawyer since 1999, from the time of Obong Victor Attah, through Godswill Akpabio to incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel, is actually being owed up to N5b in legal fees by the state government.

Interestingly, according to sources, the transactions between Usoro and the Akwa Ibom State government had had no legal problems as to attract EFCC’s attention until the legal luminary

Cont’d on page 44

paigns in their various states”.

Barr Osuji assured that “Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume is the authentic and dully recognized governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and rumour/falsehood merchants will be put to shame when very soon Senator Araraume is presented with the APGA flag at a grand campaign breaking activity scheduled to hold very soon”.

“The Oracle Today had last week quoted a document said to have emanated from INEC in a report titled “Report on the Imo State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship primary election scheduled for Friday 5th October 2018” and signed by the Deputy Director Legal Services, S.O. Ibrahim Esq. According to the document, APGA had notified INEC that they would hold their governorship primary election nationwide on Friday, October 5th 2018 by 8:30am, and that on that day, the commission sent a “team of monitors” which “visited the proposed venue of the exercise in Imo State, Aladimma Mall”.

INEC had said in the report that “the delegates (for APGA governorship election) were there but all through the day, nothing happened”, adding that the “the next day Saturday, 6th October the APGA Imo State National Organizing Committee members for the primary election paid a courtesy call to the REC about 11:00am and announced that they had rescheduled the election for same day at same venue. Again we were there with the team from our national headquarters Abuja but nothing happened.”

The report added that “from the late evening of Sunday 7th October 2018, the Head, Election and Political Party Monitoring received numerous calls from members of the national leadership of the party telling him that the gubernatorial primary election was about to hold at Kanu Nwankwo Sports Complex and requesting him to send staff to go and observe the process.

“He politely declined and informed that he had no such directive from the REC. He was later to learn that the REC was similarly persuaded,” said INEC. In another report on October 8, 2018 titled: “Report of the state congress and governorship election in Imo State on 7th of October 2018 for All Progressives Grand Alliance”, signed by Suleiman Tanko from the INEC headquarters Abuja, the electoral commission said: “On the 7th October 2018 a team of monitors were notified for the primaries which took place at the Concorde Hotel, Owerri”.

INEC added: “In like note a call was received about another primary which took place afterwards with no presence of the monitoring team. The primary at the Concorde Hotel was peaceful.

The delegates were present and committee members as well but only one gubernatorial candidate participated. Votes were being cast and they went according to the guidelines of congress and

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Corruption: $1trn paid in bribes, $2.6trn stolen annually – UN

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NITED Nations (UN) has revealed that a whopping one trillion dollars are paid in bribes annually, while another $2.6 trillion are stolen, all due to corruption.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while counting the costs of corruption, said values and economic development were under assault, as trillions of dollars were lost.

He said every year, trillions of dollars – equivalent to more than five per cent of global Gross Domestic Product – are paid in bribes or stolen through corruption.

Guterres deemed corruption “an assault on the values of the United Nations,” highlighting the pervasive crime.

He said corruption “robs societies of schools, hospitals and other vital services, drives away foreign investment and strips nations of their natural resources”.

The United Nations is fighting the global scourge, which affects both rich and poor countries, through initiatives like the global campaign launched jointly by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The campaign recognised corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving the SDGs,

or 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agreed by all nations of the world in 2015, to advance the whole of humankind.

UN said government officials, civil society, the private sector, and anti-corruption advocates could reference the 2018 anti-corruption campaign’s ‘Call to Action Matrix’, which offers recommendations for strategies to stand against corruption.

Additionally, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in 2003, exists as the only legally-binding, universal anti-corruption instrument.

The Convention’s far-reaching approach covers the full spectrum of corruption, and 186 Member States are parties to the Convention.

Guterres called the Convention a “primary tool” for advancing the fight, and highlighted the positive outcomes made possible through •Left President General Igboezue International Association Elder Pius Uchenna Okoye in a condolence visit to its implementation.

Chief Innocent Chukwuma (Ifediaso Nnewi) founder Innoson Motors over the death of his brother recently at Uru “Through the Convention’s peer Umudim Nnewi North LGA Anambra State.

Photo: Oliver Udeogu review mechanism, we can work together to build a foundation of dollars in 2017, tripling the amount which opens in Marrakech, Moroc- 2000 while undertaking dangerous journeys in search of greener pastrust and accountability,” the UN sent globally for development aid. co, on Monday.

According to the UN, 3.4 per cent tures.

The world body released the chief said.

The UN General Assembly decidMeanwhile, statistics released by figure on the eve of the two-day of the world’s population today, representing 258 million, are intered to launch a process of intergovIntergovernmental Conference to the United Nations, Sunday, indicate that migrants from develop- Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, national migrants of which 50 mil- ernmental negotiations, leading to the adoption of the Global Compact ing countries sent home 466 billion Orderly and Regular Migration, lion are children.

It noted the number of men and for Migration. women were almost at par, adding The modalities for the conference that the migrants spent 85 per cent were further elaborated in resoluof their earnings in their host coun- tions 71/280 of April 6, 2017, 72/244 ing in court. them get destroyed over time with- tries. of Dec. 24, 2017 and 72/L.67 of July “And these cases may be in court out rescue. I think it will be good if The world body stated that most 31, 2018. for years.And by the time the cases those assets are managed by AM- of the migrants moved through It is the first-ever agreement on a are concluded, the premises you CON for the sake of the economy,” safe and legal means, while more common approach to international have sealed no longer have their he said. than 60,000 migrants died since migration in all its dimensions. value.

“The EFCC was set up to revive businesses not to liquidate them.

You liquidate businesses by just get- By VICTOR NZE to clamp down on the court if it sancChief Judge of Lagos State, Justice ting some court orders. That to me tions either the country or any of its Opeyemi Oke on Wednesday directed is not the way to fight corruption,” ROSECUTOR of the International allies.

Magistrate Courts to deploy more he said.

This is just as the Human Rights of non-custodial sentence for minor Criminal Court (ICC) is currently Falana added that the sight of examining allegations of crimes Watch has stepped up its call to mem- offenders in order to decongest the seized vehicles wasting away at committed in Nigeria by the All Pro- ber countries of the ICC to reaffirm prisons in Lagos.

EFCC offices was cause for concern, gressives Congress (APC)-led gov- the court’s mandate in the face of Justice Oke issued the directives saying the assets could have been ernment of President Muhammadu United States threats to weaken its while granting freedom to nine prison essential role in international justice.

Buhari. inmates, adding that a circular forput into economic use.

The lobby is on as the 17th session mally instructing magistrate courts to Nigeria was listed for investigation He, however, suggested that the vehicles could be sold by the EFCC over allegations from human rights of the court’s annual meeting, the make use of non-custodial sentences to stop decay while the proceeds and civil society organisations over Assembly of States Parties, is taking for minor offences like street trading were kept in an account pending extra-judicial killings across the coun- place in The Hague. The meeting be- would soon be issued and magistrate by the military and other security gan on December 5, and will end on courts would be monitored to ensure the determination of the cases in- try agencies since the inception of the the 12. compliance. volving their owners.

According to the human rights Buhari administration.

She also disclosed plans by the “If the case is finally resolved in faThe country along with others like group, the administration of United State government to set up vour of the suspects, they are given Venezuela, Bangladesh/Myanmar, the States President Donald Trump has Lagos restorative justice centres, stressing the money, if not, the money is for- Philippines, Colombia, Guinea, Pales- sought to undermine the court’s legit- that all simple cases need not go to feited to government. tine, Ukraine are to go under the ICC imacy and threaten to thwart investi- the courts once a defendant pleads “That, I think, is better than allow- probe over the same offences, as well gations involving the US or its allies. guilty and agrees to pay the penalty ing these vehicles to waste away as alleged abuses by United Kingdom On September 10, the US National for the said crime. while cases are being investigated armed forces in Iraq.

Security Adviser, John Bolton, deThe nine inmates released included The examination is however, aimed clared that the country would not five from the Medium Security Prisons or still pending in court,” he said.

Falana said the fight against cor- at determining whether or not to cooperate with the ICC, even as he and four from the Maximum Security ruption could not be genuinely open a full-scale investigations on Ni- threatened a number of retaliatory Prisons, Kirikiri, having spent between steps if the court investigated its citi- eight and 11 years in custody. fought by the government, but by geria.

The ICC is the first permanent global zens or citizens of allied countries, inThe Chief Judge implored the reNigerians themselves.

He therefore urged all stakehold- court mandated to bring to justice cluding against court officials and gov- leased inmates to henceforth be of good behaviour and stay away from ers to be vigilant and play their part people responsible for war crimes, ernments cooperating with the ICC. against humanity, and genoICC member countries responded crime, adding that they should desist to confront the menace of corrup- crimes cide when national courts are unable to the US threats with strong state- from any act that would bring them tion or unwilling to do so. ments of support for the court. Simi- back to prison.

Also speaking, Board Chairman of It is a court of last resort and has 123 lar efforts in the past to undermine Lagos State Controller of Prisons, Assets Management Company of member countries. In addition to the the court’s work have also been met Tunde Ladipo, while responding to Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Muiz Banire, request to open an investigation in by firm resistance from members, insaid seizing properties and allowing Afghanistan, the ICC prosecutor has cluding a hostile US campaign by the questions from newsmen commended the Lagos Chief Judge for bringing them to waste away made no eco- opened investigations in Central Afri- George W. Bush administration. hope to the inmates and applauded nomic sense. can Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Darfur Given the broader pressure on the her efforts to decongest the prisons.

Banire, also a SAN, said such prop- region of Sudan, Democratic Republic international rule of law, it is all the Ladipo also noted the efforts of the erties were better handed to AM- of Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, more important for ICC member Nigerian Prisons Service to decongest and northern Uganda. countries to defend the court’s man- the Prisons, saying that this was why CON to manage for the sake of the However, the Buhari government date with clear statements and ac- the Federal government set up the economy.

“When these assets are seized by might get the backing of the United tions, Human Rights Watch said.

Presidential Committee on PrerogaLagos CJ advocates non-custodial tive of Mercy for deserving inmates. anti-corruption agencies, most of States in avoiding the ICC probe fol-

Falana, Banire to EFCC: Seizing suspects’ properties makes no economic sense

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ENIOR Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop sealing up assets belonging to suspects of financial crimes.

The lawyer gave the advice in Ikeja at the presentation of ‘Compendium of High-Profile Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases in Nigeria,’ Sunday.

The compendium, which highlights high-profile corruption cases and their implications on the economy was compiled by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a Civil Society Organisation.

Falana said sealing up of properties while cases were still pending in courts did not do the public any good as the assets waste away with no economic value.

The lawyer said it would be good if those assets were put into use by the EFCC, pending the final determination of the cases in which they were linked.

“I do not subscribe to the locking up of assets or properties while a case is still pending in court. I do not think the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies should be doing that.

If somebody has stolen money to build a hospital, just like the one on Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja, somebody was alleged to have stolen to build the hospital worth about N2.5billion, which is sealed now.

“For me, you are not doing the public any good by just locking up the place and by putting your inscription: ‘Under Investigation’.

“Why don’t you allow it to function so that the place can benefit the people, because it is already acquired for public purpose.

“And this should go for all buildings too. People are looking for accommodation and you just lock up blocks of flat over cases still pend-

Killings: Nigeria to face ICC probe

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lowing threat by the United States sentence for minor offenders

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

U.S military assures Nigeria on quick delivery of purchased aircraft

By VICTOR NZE

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MID criticisms over the purchase of aircraft that will not deployed for immediate operations in the war against insurgency in the north east for which purpose they were purchased, the United States Department of Defence has assured the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of its readiness to channel all efforts towards on-schedule delivery of the 12 units of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, already paid for by the Federal Government.

This assurance was given by the Director of the United States Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation (AFSAC) Directorate, Brigadier General Sean Farrell, during a meeting between representatives of the US DOD and the NAF, held at the Headquarters NAF in Abuja.

General Farrell, who is one of the senior officers from Defence Department overseeing the ongoing process of the procurement of the

A-29 Supper Tucano aircraft, mentioned that he and members of his team were in Nigeria to discuss the delivery schedule of the aircraft as well as the construction effort at NAF Base where the aircraft would be stationed.

A statement by Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, quoted the U.S air chief as expressing the readiness of his team to complete the execution of the contract in record time while noting that the visit to the Base would provide the team with firsthand knowledge of the construction site as well as help avoid delays in schedule and risks in the future.

He added that the AFSAC is committed to assisting the NAF to deliver air power capability expeditiously in order to add value to what the Service is already doing in the Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chief of the

Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, applauded the US Government for the support it has rendered to the NAF over the years, which, he noted, had been instrumental in ensuring success in the COIN operations in the Northeast, despite recent setbacks.

He said it had also enabled the NAF to project air power within the West African Sub-Region, such as the deployment of NAF aircraft to the Gambia in 2017 which facilitated the peaceful transition of power in that country thereby ensuring the sustenance of democracy.

He reiterated that the Boko Haram menace was not a local problem but a global one, because the con-

sequences of not adequately dealing with the threat would not only impact on Nigeria and the West African Sub-Region but also on other parts of Africa and the rest of the world.

This, he noted, underscored the need for international collaboration and cooperation to adequately and decisively deal with the threat.

Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq has had the unfortunate effect of exacerbating the problem in Nigeria with transfer of fighters and equipment into and around the West African SubRegion, thereby emboldening the terrorist group which now have

more sophisticated weapons and equipment.

He stressed that the induction of the A-29 would, greatly enhance NAF’s capability to more effectively prosecute the war against insurgency in the Northeast.

He therefore urged the AFSAC team to do all within its power to ensure that at least 2 of the aircraft are delivered to Nigeria even before the new delivery date of 2021.

The CAS also used the opportunity to thank the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the National Assembly for granting the approvals that had enabled the acquisition of the 12 aircraft.

Ooni, Soyinka to support Nigerian cultural museum in Brazil

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EMBER, Nigeria-Brazil Culture and Business Initiative, Yinka Oduniyi, says the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, have indicated willingness to support the establishment of cultural museum.

Oduniyi said this at a reception hosted by Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for the Brazilian cultural delegation visiting the South West states.

Oduniyi said that the cultural museum would be established in collaboration with Brazil’s Ministry of Culture.

According to him, the Ooni has offered to send a 30-member delegation of experts to Brazil to help create the visual for project.

“This delegation will consist of historians, professors, artisans, curators and a couple of others who know so much about our cultural tradition,” he said.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, embarked on a 10day historical visit to Brazil in June to strengthen the cultural ties between both countries.

The visit was aimed at strengthening the cultural affinities between the blacks in Brazil and Yorubas in Nigeria with a view to using culture to harness economic partnership to benefit the two countries.

Oduniyi added that Prof. Soyinka also agreed to be on the advisory council of the museum.

“Soyinka has volunteered to use his resources and connections to ensure the narrative remains as authentic as possible. The narrative will be controlled by Africa itself. Our dream is to liberate and showcase the full riches of our culture to all,” he said.

Oduniyi told NAN that the essence of the project was to establish lasting relationship between Nigerians and Afro-Brazilians.

“There is a need to preserve the culture that Nigerians and Brazilians share. It will help address and correct the narrative of our history so that we can map out our future “There is a need to bring the authentic custodians of the culture to visit Brazil to show that culture is still alive and being practiced,” he said.

The Brazilian delegation, led by the Culture Secretary of Rio de Janeiro, Mrs Nilcemar Nogueira, sought ways to promote cultural exchange and business between Nigeria and Brazil.

Other members of the delegation were Desirree Rers, Director, Samba Musuem in Rio, Carolina Osunleye, a journalist from bistonian Ojaja TV, Iyalorisa Edelzuita and Babalawo Ifadele.

The delegation comprised AfroBrazilians and were descendants of Yoruba race in Brasil.

‘Ember Months:’ FRSC takes safety campaign motor parks in Lagos

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EDERAL Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has started enlightenment and sensitisation on distracted driving, for motorists especially commercial drivers at various motor parks in Lagos, to curb fatality during the ember months.

FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, disclosed this on Monday, said that ember month was a critical period in the operational activities of FRSC, occasioned by the increase in human and vehicular movement with some colossal negative consequences.

According to him, the command recently observed that with utmost dismay the hazardous overloading pattern of commercial fleet operators, such that even the aisle of the buses are obstructed up to the door with luggage.

He said that in the event of an emergency, escape became difficult in such situations.

“We have sent a notification of

clampdown to all the fleet operators in Lagos intimating them of a clamp down, which commenced December 1. And the command has a strategic initiative introduced a special ember month advocacy campaign targeted at passenger carrying fleet operators.

“We focus more on overloading, use of phone while driving, passenger manifest, driving under influence, driver’s license violation and excessive speed and other related offenses.

“The advocacy started at 6.30 a.m and ended at 7.30 p.m, where we speak about danger of overloading, driving under influence of drugs and alcohol, dangerous overtaking, importance of seat belt and the role of passengers in ensuring safe driving and safe arrival.

FRSC had said that it has partnered with other stakeholders to sensitise the motoring public on safe driving to reduce deaths on the highways during the festive period.

•Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture led by Commissioner, Mr Steve Ayorinde (second right) receiving a delegation of Nigeria- Brazil Culture and Business Initiative (NBCBI) led by the Culture Secretary of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mrs. Nilcemar Nogueira (third from left), who were in Lagos as part of an ongoing effort to promote cultural exchange and business between Nigeria and Brazil.

EFCC lacks right to meddle in client-lawyer relationship – NBA

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CONOMIC and Financial Commission (EFCC) lacks the locus standi to meddle into client-lawyer contractual relationship, the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) said.

In a communiqué issued at the end of NBA’s National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, the association insisted that the fees that are paid by a client to his lawyer was not only a matter of privilege but also contractual.

Briefing newsmen on Sunday, the NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), revealed that the NEC deliberated and adopted as its resolution, a report he forwarded to the EFCC in respect of criminal charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

Copies of the communiqué and Usoro’s report were made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Usoro was speaking against the background of his impending arraignment on Monday in a Federal High Court in Lagos, over money laundering allegations leveled against him by the EFCC to the tune of N1.4billion.

The alleged sum was said to have been received from the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The NBA noted in the communiqué that Usoro was investigated by the EFCC based on a Zenith Bank N300 million inflow into his law firm’s account on March 14, 2016.

The president also said he was investigated based on the subsequent outflows from the account to various senior counsel between March 22 and 23, 2016.

NEC observed that the inflow was payment by Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state in respect of an Election Petition Appeal that was determined by the Supreme Court, of

which Usoro served as the coordinating counsel.

NBA NEC said it observed that the EFCC appeared to be straining hard to criminalise the fees that were earned by lawyers for their legitimate work.

“Usoro’s case is not the first of these intrusions; we all recall the case of Mike Ozekhome, (SAN) when the EFCC attempted to forfeit his fees on the pretext that the funds came from illegal sources.

“If these EFCC incursions are not checked, the Bar and the practice of our profession are doomed.”

According to the NBA, the practice of law is founded on the independence of the legal practitioner and his courage to advocate on behalf of his

client to the best of his ability and conviction.

“That independence and the courage of the advocate are now being threatened and trampled upon by the EFCC. “Lawyers now have to work and walk on tip-toe, looking over their shoulders to determine whether the EFCC would be coming after them solely on account of their courage and independence in advocacy.

“That does not bode well for the profession or for legal practice generally.”

The association held that clientlawyer privilege had judicially and historically acknowledged that issues of fees, as between a lawyer and his client, was a matter of privilege.

Late Fasehun to be buried Jan. 10 – Family

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AMILY of the late Founder of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, says the late sage will be buried on Jan. 10, 2019.

Kayode Fasehun, son of the late activist, announced this in Lagos on Saturday.

Fasehun died on December 1 after a brief illness.

The family said he would be buried in his hometown, Ondo, Ondo State.

“The funeral arrangements for our patriarch, Dr Frederick Isiotan Folabora Fasehun, who passed onto eternal glory on the 1st of December 2018 as announced by the family are as follows: “Monday 7th January 2019: Service of Songs at St Peter’s Church 3, Ajele Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Time: 5 p.m.

“Tuesday 8th January 2019: Lying in state at the Century Hotels, Ago

Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

Time 12 – 7 p.m.

“Wake Service/Night of Tributes at same venue. Time 5 p.m. Wednesday 9th January 2019: Commendation Service at St. Peter’s Church, 3, Ajele Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Time 9a.m.

“Lying in State at 17-19 Oke Dibo Street, Ondo, Ondo State. From 5p.m. Wake Keep Service at 17-19 Oke Dibo Street, Ondo, Ondo State. Time 5:00pm.

“Thursday 10th January 2019. Funeral Service at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Oke Aluko, Ondo, Ondo State. Time 10a.m. Internment follows. Reception of guests: Civic Centre Ondo. From 2 p.m.

“Sunday 13th January 2019. Outing Service the St Peter’s Church Faji. 3, Ajele Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Time 10 a.m.

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS Extra Cross River Only two-third NASS can override Buhari’s deploys technology to veto on electoral bill -- Ndoma-Egba boost farming From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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s part of its plans to boost farming in the state, the cross river state government has announced plans to deploy digital technology to better the lot of farmers in the state and ultimately boost crop yield.

To accomplish this, the government has presented I-pads to about 1000 farmers in cross river state who were sent to the Nigerian – Israeli Training Centre in Abuja to be trained on modern farming techniques.

Speaking in Calabar during the Farmers Day Celebration and solidarity rally in support of the governor, Professor Ben Ayade, the governor disclosed that this is remarkable as Cross River will be the first state in Nigeria to have digital farmers who are abreast with the latest technologies in farming.

“This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that we are going to have digital farmers. So on behalf of the government of cross river state, for the hundreds of farmers we have sent to the Nigerian – Israeli Training Centre in Abuja, and have been trained on modern farming techniques, I have made a commitment that I am going to give them I-Pads, that will give them digital connectivity to new technologies in farming”, the governor said.

He called on the people of the state to embrace farming as it is the way to go and the government intends to use to eliminate unemployment in the state.

He said that his government has incentivized agriculture in the state by providing N500, 000, 000 grants through the newly established Calabar Microfinance bank to give out free loans to farmers and the government is also providing free lands for landless farmers to take advantage of through the State Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking on the benefits of farming in the state and the need for the people to key into it, the governor said: “The amount of money you make being a farmer is bigger than any appointment at all and so the market is there.

“Everyone is drifting into farming and I am asking you to be the early start. So you need to take advantage of our vitaminized rice plant which is the first in the whole of Africa where you produce rice that not just has starch but high levels of vitamins.

“We need to go back to the farm and this is why I set up the Cross River State Microfinance Bank with a startup investment of N500, 000, 000.

As long as you are going into agriculture, you will get something from the state”, he said.

Speaking at the occasion, the State Coordinator of the Cross River Farmers Cooperatives Empowerment, Oliver Ntui commended the governor for his concern for farmers in the state particularly for training farmers in cutting-edge technologies in farming.

“Your agricultural revolution is unprecedented; your rice revolution is overwhelming as you have empowered over twelve thousand farmers in Cross River State.

“Out of this number, you have graciously approved the training of 1000 farmers in modern and cuttingedge technologies in rice farming by a reputable agricultural research and technology transfer institute (CCS) in Abuja”, he said.

He said the various incentives put in place by the government like the ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja, the Cocoa processing factory in Ikom and many others will reposition the state as an agricultural hub not only in Nigeria but in Africa.

From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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hairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Victor Ndoma-Egba, has disclosed that only two thirds of the membership of the National Assembly can override the president’s veto on the electoral bill.

Ndoma-Egba made thins known in Calabar while speaking on the controversy generated by the bill which has been rejected by the president on several occasions.

He stressed that the Supreme Court has again and again made pronouncement on this saying that

for bill to become law, the two thirds has to be the membership of the assembly and not members present during plenary.

“The implication of not signing the electoral bill is that is not yet a law. Under the constitution, the National Assembly still has the opportunity to pass it into a law, if they must. And that is by overriding the veto of the President by getting two third of the membership of both Houses; not two of those present and sitting because the Supreme Court has clarified this again and again.

“It is two third of the membership

of both Houses that the National Assembly needs to pass the bill. If they are able to do so, then that opportunity still exists”, he said.

He emphasized that even if the President had signed the bill into law, it wouldn’t have taken effect before the next general elections because of the existing ECOWAS protocol on elections and good governance.

“Let me say this; we are less than three months to election. Nigeria is a signatory to the protocol on elections and good governance by the ECOWAS. That says that you cannot amend an electoral act anywhere

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in the member states less than six months to an election.

“So, even if the President signs this electoral bill into law, because Nigeria is a signatory to that protocol of ECOWAS, it cannot come into effect. Election is a sensitive process and this process has been going on in the last one year or so, and then suddenly, the rules of the game are changed.

“So even if the president signs it, I don’t see it, under the subsisting protocol that Nigeria is a signatory to, coming into effect until after these elections,” Ndoma-Egba explained.

SEEFOR budgets N25.2bn for 4 N’Delta states in 2019

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• Senator Eze (left) and former Governor Chime share a joke at the Nsukka zonal mega rally of the APC

Youths protest alleged maltreatment by NNPC in Aba

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ouths from Okpokoroala in Uratta Autonomous Community, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia, Monday protested what they termed “maltreatment” of their indigenes by the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC).

Okpokoroala is the host community of the Aba Depot of the NNPC. The youths, who flocked the road leading to the depot, barricaded the entrances and exits into and out of the depot demanding change of attitude from the company.

The protest took a different dimension when the community’s Chief Priest accompanied by some youths brought out an effigy representing the community deity and placed it on the main entrance of the depot while daring anyone to cross it.

The protesters, who sang peacefully at the gates, had placards bearing inscriptions like: “NNPC recognize your host community; NNPC since 1979 you’ve not offered us office pin as your host, is it fair?”

Others read: “Are we not your host community, why treat us as if we don’t exist? Enough of this 42 years of neglect and no more of such”.

President of Uratta Autonomous Community, Prince Young Ngwaziem, speaking on behalf of the host community, said the agreement was that 60 per cent of support staff must come to the host community.

“The big people here fixed their relatives and brothers to fill job openings meant for the host community.

We don’t have one person in support staff of which 60 per cent is supposed to be ours. The only person

we had was removed.

“They must tell us when they will site a single project here because they have not laid a single block here since they came,” he insisted.

He said that since 1979 when the company took their lands without compensation, they have not even given the host community even the smallest health centre.

“Let them give our people their rights. They can’t even grade the roads leading to the depot. We don’t give them trouble, but they are treating this peaceful community as though we are fools,” he said.

Youth president of Okpokoroala, Mr Chukwuemeka Chidi said that the presence of the NNPC had brought them no blessings.

He said that the community had written them severally for assistance but nothing came out of it.

Chidi said that since 1979 that it was established, they have been employing people without considering the community and its graduates whom they did not find fit for jobs at the depot.

“We don’t want promises anymore. We can stay here for one month. How many times shall we write to them? People say dialogue is better and we’ve been doing that, but it baffles us that a company filled with learned people does not value dialogue.

“We have our brothers who are registered contractors, but whenever there are jobs to be done, they don’t call them. They rather call outsiders to do what our people can easily do and even better. We came here without even a single stick not to talk

of cutlass.

“It’s a peaceful demonstration and we will remain peaceful until our cries are heard”, he said.

Chidi said in the last fire disaster that occurred on October 13, 2018, the community lost many of its sons because of the errors of the company.

He said that the committee NNPC sent from Abuja promised to do something for the community but regretted that since then they have all gone back to Abuja without fulfilling the promises.

Reacting, Depot Manager, Mr. Joseph Chukwudi, while addressing the protesters in the presence of heavily armed policemen, pleaded with the protesters to exercise patience, adding that he had forwarded all their complaints to NNPC headquarters in Abuja through its Port Harcourt office.

Chukwudi said he met the issue on ground but had not employed anybody there since he came except for two persons recently.

“What the panel from Abuja promised you will be fulfilled. They will study it and forward to Port Harcourt.

This depot is not of two divisions; Pipelines and Product Management Company (PPMC) and Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC).

“The depot has been balkanized.

The management of the depot is now two. There is a division now and it is not as easy as you think to handle,” he said.

He said NNPC had been segmented into two divisions to make management better adding that the NNPC management was on their matter.

orld Bank-sponsored State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) on Monday said it budgeted 70 million dollars (about N25bn) for its intervention in public works in youth engagements in Niger Delta States of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers for 2019.

Task Team Leader of the SEEFOR in Nigeria, Mr Parminder Barr, said this at the opening session of a four-day interaction among the four states on Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) in Benin.

He said out of the amount, Edo would get 18.2 million dollars (N6.5bn) for the year 2019.

According to Brar: “The SEEFOR project will be spending about $1.5 million every month in Edo State and basically Edo has been doing well, this project covers public works next year.

“This project will support the employment of 9,000 young people in Edo for the next 12 months and we will be implementing almost 59 small projects.

“We are supporting the Technical and Vocational Education Training; we are supporting Benin Technical College and other institutions in Edo State and we are supporting public financial management.

“We have been supporting automation, the oracle implementation in Edo State and Edo State has been doing very well in oracle implementation although there are some things they need to do.”

He said the meeting among the four states was to share ideas and compare notes and strong and weak areas.

Project Coordinator in Edo, Mr Toju Onaiwu, said SEEFOR would achieve 95 per cent disbursement of the funds in the state before the end of the year.

“We are fine tuning the system to make it function better and again with technology, we want to keep upgrading and have a robust SEEFOR system in place,” he said.

The Special Adviser on Budget to Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Joseph Eboigbe, said the Obaseki administration had ensured continued improvement of his administration’s budgetary implementation and transparency in government.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

2019: NOA takes campaign against violence, vote buying to Ebonyi

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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irector General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari, has warned residents of Ebonyi State to shun violence, vote buying and other acts capable of jeopardizing the 2019 general elections in the state.

Abari gave the admonition at the headquarters of Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State during a sensitization programme tagged; “Stakeholders voter education roundtable on free, fair and credible election in 2019,” organized by the agency.

The DG who was represented

by Deputy Director, Procurement in the agency, Mr. Kenneth Onyejekwu, stressed the need for good political culture and value reorientation among relevant stakeholders in the electoral process to improve the exercise.

He also expressed displeasure over the increasing scourge of fake news, hate speech and electoral malpractices in the country; even as he assured that NOA would continue to sensitize the people to do the right thing.

The state Director of the Agency, Dr. Emma Abah, in his remarks explained that the program was aimed at dialoguing with relevant stakeholders on the need to ensure credible election in 2019.

He noted that the task of conducting free, fair and credible election rests on all stakeholders involved in the electoral process and not INEC alone.

Speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Prof. Godswill Obioma, lamented the level of apathy Nigerians especially voters show in the electoral process.

He disclosed that over 1.4m persons registered for PVCs in Ebonyi state, but unfortunately, not too many would be willing to come out to vote during elections as the case in 2015.

He urged the people to show more interest in electoral process, saying it was their responsibility to choose their leaders so as to hold them accountable.

While commending NOA for organizing the sensitization program, the INEC boss who was represented by the Commission’s administrative Secretary,Mr. Andy Ezeani, noted that it was the duty of political parties to educate their supporters on electoral issues especially on registration and collection of their permanent voters’ cards.

The REC further disclosed that unlike in 2015, the use of incident forms won’t be allowed in 2019, stating that the card reader machine has been remodelled to serve better.

Executive Chairman of Ezza South LGA, Hon. Sunday Ogodo, who was represented by his Vice, Mrs Caroline Ewa, assured NOA they would play by the rules and ensure voilence free elections in the area, adding “we have so much interest in the 2019 general election and will ensure our votes count’.

The programme attracted Political Parties, leadership of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Traditional Rulers, security agencies, Corps members, leadership of NUT and a host of other stakeholders.

UNN postgraduate school appeals to alumni for new building

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ice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, has appealed to the alumni of its School of Postgraduate Studies to help in providing it with a befitting building or remodeling of the existing facility.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof.

Charles Igwe, the VC made the appeal during the maiden Alumni Homecoming/Reunion of the School of Postgraduate Studies, which held, weekend.

According to Ozumba, the main mission of the institution’s post graduate school was to produce high level manpower for leadership and national development.

“Over the years, the school’s teeming alumni may not know the whereabouts of one other, because after graduation, the chain of unity is broken and everybody goes his or her way. ”This home coming and reunion event also present the super lions

and lionesses the opportunity for selfrediscovery and to reunite.

“I am aware of the urgent need of the school to have a befitting building or remodeling of the existing one. It is my hope that our guests will help us to achieve this urgent need,” he said.

Also joining in the plea to address the state of infrastructure at the school, the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Patience Osadebe, said the institution organised the home-coming to interface with the alumni of the postgraduate school, noting further that the school had produced distinguished Nigerians at top positions in various fields of human endeavor. ”We call on the alumni to assist the school to complete the new PG school building stalled over 10 years ago due to paucity of fund as present postgraduate building in use was built 40 years ago,” she said.

Earlier in a remark, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, of the event Prof. Florence Orabueze,

said the homecoming was also to celebrate alumni who graduated from the postgraduate school and to welcome them back to the “den” which many of them left many years ago.

“We are using this homecoming to draw attention to the critical situation of the postgraduate school donated to the university, 40 years ago by late Chief Augustine Ilodibe, the Managing Director of Ekene Dili Chukwu transport “UNN postgraduate school that has produced over one hundred thousand super lion and lionesses that occupy top positions in various sectors of the economy within the country and outside deserve a befitting building,” she said.

Delivering his keynote lecture titled; ‘Nation-Building : The Role of Human Development and Good Governance,’ former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, posited that to encourage nation-building, pensioners who sacrificed major part of their lives to serve their fatherland

• Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano (l), former Deputy Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba (m) and the former Minister of Health, Dr Tim Menakaya at the funeral service for the late Eze Okpoko of Oba, HRM Igwe Peter Chukwuma Ezenwa of Oba, Idemili South Council

Onitsha NBA calls for legal practice reforms

By Theo Rays, Onitsha

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igerian Bar Association (NBA) Onitsha Branch has called for reforms in the legal practice for it to meet modern trends, just as it harped on the need to improve service delivery by practicing lawyers and judicial officers on the bench to enhance the process of attaining justice in the country.

Speaking recently at the Sir Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre, High Court Complex Onitsha , keynote speaker Dr. Job Odion in his paper titled; ‘’Reforming Legal Practice to meet Modern Trends in Nigeria,“ enumerated ways that legal practice could be fine-tuned to make access to justice easier and more result oriented .

Dr. Odion encouraged formidable partnership in law firms as against the sole proprietorship being practiced in Nigeria saying that such firms do not grow beyond the scope, resources and vision of its proprietor.

“An ideal partnership will not only bring accomplished senior lawyers together but they would be coming with their diverse knowledge, experience and expertise making room for

specialization and improved service delivery.’’

“In United States , Baker & Mc Kenzie LLP with 714 partners, 2,453 associates and 603 workers sometimes their post annual turnover is bigger than some states of this country,’’ said Odion.

Moreover, he suggested the need for additional measure of case scheduling by trial courts to save the time of the court, lawyers and litigants.

“A court should identify specific matters on its court’s list , identify stages of progress of each case, apportion date and time for its hearing ,saying that it would benefit litigants as they can plan court days without losing business hours or opportunities’’, Odion said.

Another reform the University of Benin, Don opined include Digital/recording of proceedings of the court other than long hand practice which he said was cumbersome, slow and debilitates the health of judges.

According to him, Electronic filling, service of court process via SMS, email services, Admissibility of internet sourced evidence, online law reporting libraries, arbitration and

multi-door courts and fast tracked procedure in civil cases were recommended as reforms for improving the quality of legal practice in the country.

In his contribution, Ikeazor Akariwe Esq, recommend the introduction of departments, judiciary divisions, more courts room and the engagement of more judges and magistrates to administrate legal process according to their areas of specialty and expertise.

He added, “we need to have commercial law, family law departments, criminal law judicial division , so that lawyers and courts will serve specific purposes with experts handling each case’’.

“Anambra state can have 150 high courts, 200 judges, 2 00 magistrates adjourning cases day to day. There is no reason why the federal laws can’t be restructured to enable creation of State Appeal courts to enable speedy justice delivery,’’ said Akariwe.

Furthermore, Dr Grabriel Arishie in his discussion recommended reforms in law curriculum of study instructional materials used in universities , access to online materials , equipping of court rooms to meet global practices .

should be accorded respect and paid their pension regularly to spur other civil servants to put in their best.

Shekarau, who was also a former Minister of Education, said for nation building to thrive, there must be adequate security, quality education and social justice as well as patriotism that would be a propelling force.

“It is impossible to get required nation building and good governance in absence of security of lives and property quality education as well as patriotism.

“Education plays vital role in nation development. That is why it is said that “no nation can rise beyond the level of its education.”

“Corruption, economic mismanagement, political instability and lack of internal party democracy are enemies of good governance.”

The former governor urged politicians to always put the interest of the country first by being patriotic and avoid corruption in all its ramifications. ”It was as result of sacrifice and patriotism that made it possible for our forefathers to secure independence for the country. Our problem today is that, majority of our politicians and leaders put their own interest first and lack patriotism that drives nation building and good governance.”

The former Minister of Education expressed appreciation to UNN School of Postgraduate Studies for finding him worthy to deliver its first alumni homecoming lecture.

“UNN is one of the universities in the country that is highly respected because of its academic excellence, I feel humbled to be found worthy to deliver this lecture.”

Highpoint of the occasion was excellent award to 30 alumni of UNN School of Postgraduate Studies.

South Africa plans Consular office in Awka From Chuks Collins, Awka

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lans have been concluded by the governments of South Africa and Anambra to open that country’s Consular office in the state.

This was part of the outcome of deliberations between representatives of the state led by Governor Willie Obiano and the South African delegation led by the Acting High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Bobby Moroe when they paid a courtesy visit recently to the Anambra State Governor’s Lodge, Awka Friday.

The governor and the High Commissioner who briefed journalists after their closed-door meeting, said deliberations centered on plans to set up a South African Consul in Anambra State to facilitate travels to and from the country as well as other areas of cooperation in the areas of agriculture, power, and hospitality.

That there was also plans for Anambra state to partner South Africa to train young people from the state in the Tourism/Hospitality industry and other related areas.

The High Commissioner, in his remarks said they were impressed with what the state has achieved in the select areas and said the move to strengthen relations between South Africa and Anambra State will translate into dividends that will extensively benefit the people and drive mutual economic growth.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

Ex-speaker faults Ohaneze over political endorsements

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nugu North Senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Eugene Odo has condemned the pan-Igbo cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, for endorsing candidates for the 2019 general elections.

Odo, who was also a two time Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said this in Nsukka on Sunday at the flag-off of campaign by all the Enugu North candidates of the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He said that Igbos had turned Ohaneze into a laughing stock noting that the Afenifere had not endorsed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo nor the Arewa endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari because they are social cultural groups.

The candidate noted with dismay that the pan Igbo socio cultural group which ought to be father to all had stooped so low by endorsing candidates from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and all also getting involved in political affairs.

According to him, Ohaneze is speaking for itself and not on behalf of Igbos as the South East people will vote for President Buhari to enable him complete ongoing projects in the zone.

The former speaker said that PDP government lasted for 16 years without any meaningful project in the south east adding that APC administration had invested so much in the zone including second Niger Bridge, Enugu-Onitsha, and EnuguPort Harcourt expressways.

He said that he was going to the senate to attract projects that would benefit the senatorial zone.

Odo said that his administration with Sullivan Chime from 2007 to 2015 constructed Opi -Nsukka road which is still the only road leading to Nsukka till date.

He expressed dismay that Enugu North was the poorest in terms of infrastructural development, promising that if elected, he would reticulate the Adada water scheme to supply portable water to the whole senatorial zone.

In his remarks, the immediate past governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, said that he came to introduce the candidates who were vying for various positions in Nsukka.

Chime said that the turnout in Nsukka showed that APC was in the right direction, adding that Muhammadu Buhari had shown them a good example of leadership by cubing corruption to the lowest level in the nation.

Also speaking, the Governorship candidate of the APC in the state,

Sen. Ayogu Eze said that if God was not truly on their side, Enugu State would have fallen apart because of bad governance.

Eze said that Nsukka people in the helm of affairs had been recording success until when the present administration came on board, adding that if they kept quiet, things would spoil for the good people of the state.

He said that the era of money sharing had gone adding that what they are agitating for was free, fair and credible elections.

In the same vein, the South East vice Chairman of the Party, Mr. Emma Eneukwu said that APC in Enugu state had moved to the next level adding that all the men of integrity in the state had moved from PDP to APC. The candidate representing Nsukka/ Igboeze South federal constituency, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede said that APC was poised to give the country better leadership in Nsukka and Enugu State as a whole as they had selected credible people that would steer the affairs of the state.

Ugwuegede said that his constituency had the oldest university in the country adding that there is no legislation or representation that had addressed the need of his people.

He promised to use the four years tenure if elected to bring back to his people what his opponent could not do for the past 12 years he had been in the green chambers.

In his remark, the candidate representing, Udenu/Igboeze North federal constituency, Mr. Kentus Eze said that if he was elected that his people would feel the impact of governance as he would ensure that their dues got to them.

The candidate promised to sponsor bills and motions that would benefit his constituency adding that they had not been getting their share from the good works of President Buhari because of bad representation.

He promised to be organising town hall meetings at intervals if elected to ascertain the basic needs of his people.

Also present at the flag-off were Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, the Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform, Prince Lawrence Eze, the Senatorial Candidate of Enugu East, Mr. Okey Ezea, former Governorship aspirant of the party in 2015.

Others are Mr. Jonathan Chukwuma, the House of Representative candidate for Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency and nine Candidates for House of Assembly in the zone.

From Chuks Collins, Awka

broad-based vision aimed towards quality representation in the red Chamber has buoyed his positive match towards triumph.

It would be recalled that Ukachukwu remains a strong and devoted Christian even before he came into politics and has remained very committed to his faith and service to humanity.

Ikukuoma candidature is a divine project and would be fully commissioned come 2019 in the red chamber as senator representing Anambra South.

2019: Ukachukwu gets Anglican diocese nod

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spiring senator for Anambra South zone in the coming 2019 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (Ikukuoma) has received divine endorsement as he was showered with prayers to emerge victorious, by the Anglican Diocese of Aguata.

This indication of the purposeful and heavenly acknowledgement of his mandate which is driven by a

• From left): National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, former National President of NUJ, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, Director of News and Current and Current Affairs, BCA, Comrade Hyacinth Okolie, Chairman, BCA Chapel, Comrade Chukwuma Emele during the presentation of an award to the NUJ President during the grand finale of the BCA Press Week

Yuletide: We are set to backup police – Army From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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he Nigerian Army has disclosed that it has been repositioned and battle-ready offer effective back-up to the Police through utmost professional and tactical knowhow to ensure that law-abiding citizens have no cause for alarm before, during and after the forthcoming Yuletide and 2019 general election seasons.

Briefing journalists after a high-powered security summit in Enugu, The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Kabuk, who made the disclosure at the army headquarters, in Enugu, also pointed out that the repositioning was in line with the visions of both the Chief of Army Staff (COS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The GOC described the Enugu Security Summit as a follow-up to the earlier edition that had taken place in Abuja, adding that the COAS had directed all GOCs to pass on resolutions

of the parley to all army formations and units across the country.

He added that apart from heads of all the formations and unit commanders; deputy directors and principal staff officers under the 82 Division coverage that attended the meeting, he had also invited heads of other sister security agencies under the Division’s operational area to be part of the assembly.

According to Major Kabuk, part of the COAS’s directive was that all operations that would arise before, during and after the forthcoming Christmas, New Year and 2019 election periods, must be led by the appropriate security agencies, with effectively support of the Nigerian Army, where necessary. He warned hoodlums and troublemakers to shun violence and embrace peace or be prepared to face consequencies of their actions.

He also enjoined members of the public to cooperate with the army in their efforts to ensure effective provision of security in the south east re-

gion, urging them to report any issue of security interest including suspicious movement of persons or items to the nearest security unit for necessary action.

“In obedience to the directive of the COAS, we shall ensure constant collaboration and synergy with other security agencies within 82 Division AOR to ensure security, safety of lives and property of law-abiding citizens in the South East Zone and other parts of the Division’s AOR, especially during the yuletide and 2019 general elections.

“The COAS had also ordered that all Formations Commanders should immediately review their contingency plan towards ensuring free, fair and credible 2019 general elections, which is also the desire of the President, Commander in Chief; and that commanders and indeed all Nigerian Army personnel must remain apolitical, professional and responsive to all security challenges before, during and after the process,” the GOC said.

powered with skills to provide quality life-saving maternal, new born and child care in Ebonyi and Kogi states through the programme.

USAID enumerated other achievements of MCSP in both states to include: 1,938 babies out of 2,029 not breathing at birth were successfully resuscitated; 862 proprietary and patent medicine vendors were empowered to access, classify and treat uncomplicated childhood illnesses in their communities; 233 facilities initiated post-partum family planning services-65 women counselled, family planning increased from 5percent in 2016 to 42 percent in 2018 with 25,000 pregnancies averted; and 91 health facilities established quality improvement teams and processes which reduced death from pregnancy complications.

It added that health facilities reporting routine data for monitoring increased from 53percent to 86 percent in Ebonyi and 65 percent to 70 percent in Kogi; 539 women and 315 children in emergency situations transported to health facilities by emergency transport scheme volunteer drivers; 70 mothers’ saving & loan clubs serving over 2000 rural women were established and over #5 million contributed for health and livelihood needs among other numerous successes recorded.

“It is assuring that key stakeholders like health care workers, Federal ministry of health and state ministry of health officials, professional associations, and proprietary and patent medicine vendors have already been engaged to serve as effective champions, advocates, mentors and trainers. MNCH Core Technical Committee (CTC) in both states have also been revitalized to mirror the CTC at national level and champion the cause of maternal, newborn and child health in the state.

“It is important that state actors show serious political will to drive the process of scaling up these gains and communities should continue to demand quality services in order to achieve the goal of reducing maternal and child deaths in the states”, it said.

The Ebonyi State MCSP focal person, Dr. Onwe Ogbannaya Boniface, in an interview with Journalists explained that the programme had achieved a lot in the state and wished that the state government take it up since USAID was rounding off in order to sustained the gains.

The Ebonyi state Commissioner for health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike, in his remarks assured that the state government would continue to give the state’s health sector unflinching priority to improve quality health care services delivery to the people.

USAID urges Ebonyi, Kogi govts to scale-up gains of MCSP interventions

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

A

s the Mother and Child Survival Programme (MCSP) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) winds up in Ebonyi and Kogi states, the agency has urged government of both states to scale-up the gains of the interventions and show serious political will to drive the process.

This was contained in a paper presented by the Country Director/Chief of Party, MCSP, Dr. Adetiloye Oniyire, during the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Core Technical Committee (CTC) meeting held at Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki.

USAID emphasized that scaling up the gains of the interventions across the states was a critical step that should be prioritized.

MCSP was a health intervention launched four years ago by USAID in two states of Nigeria-Ebonyi & Kogi, where indices of maternal and new born deaths were not too good. The programme would officially come to an end by December 2018.

According to the agency, the programme recorded invaluable gains and should be sustained and improved upon by both states It said over 3800 health workers across 321 health facilities were em-

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

Zik’s mausoleum not politically-motivated - Fashola From Chuks Collins, Awka

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he open commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari -led Federal administration towards the completion of the final resting place of Nigeria’s first president and Owelle of Onitsha, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, construction of which started in 1997, has been described as a national service, not a political move to gain favour from Ndigbo.

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN,

on made this clarification this afternoon in Onitsha during an on-thespot-inspection of the progress of work at the mausoleum.

Fashola debunked what he saw as insinuations in some quarters that the completion of the Mausoleum by the Buhari administration was in pursuit of political favours from Ndigbo, but was as a mark of honour to the late sage after successive administrations abandoned the project.

According to him, “This is the fourth time I have visited this project

since 2016. Why didn’t you accuse us then that we were playing politics with it.

“Now that we have completed the project you are now saying it’s politics. Well if that is politics, it’s development politics and I think I like that type of politics.

He commended members of his ministry for working dedicatedly to ensure the completion of the project.

While saying he could not give offheart what it cost the Federal Gov-

ernment to complete the Mausoleum, Fashola said what remained was furnishing of the complex.

On his part, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who was in the delegation, expressed gratitude to Buhari for the honour done to Zik and the Igbo by completing the Zik resting place.

Hear him, “This is the beginning of the great things coming to the Igbo from the Buhari government. What successive governments couldn’t do in two decades; the APC government

Xmas/New Year: Police nab 124 suspected cultists in Anambra

2019: Back clamour for restructuring, cleric tells Igbo leaders

I

n order to further stem the tide of crime and ensure that all Ndi Anambra, both at home and in diaspora celebrate Christmas and New Year without hindrance or molestation, Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command CP Garba Baba Umar has directed aggressive raids on criminal hideouts and blackspots in the state.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, SP Haruna Mohammed, said the directives have started yielding positive results as during the period under review the Command recorded the following achievement: “Between penultimate Monday to date, the State Command through its Special Anti-Cultism Squad/FSARS and Divisional Police headquarters arrested total number of One hundred and twenty four (124) Suspected cultists/hoodlums from various parts of the State as follows: “Oyi/Nsugbe 10 suspected cultists were arrested; Ihiala LGA 5 suspects arrested; Eziagulu Aguleri 6 suspects arrested; Abata Nsugbe 7 Suspects arrested; Amikwo Awka 5 Suspects arrested; Okpuno Awka,22 suspects arrested; 3-3 Area 11 suspects arrested; Amansea Awka axis 8 suspects arrested; Nibo/Nise 22 suspects arrested; Nkpor Area 11 suspects arrested; Onitsha Area 15 suspects; and Ekwulobia, 2 suspects arrested, respectively.

“Consequently, the Command has equally recovered the following exhibits from the raids, -Four locally made pistols, six cutlasses, -two axes, over one thousand wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, two regalia for Aye and Junior Vickings Confraternity (JVC) respectively.

“Meanwhile, out of the 124 suspects arrested so far, 37 have confessed and charged to Court, 53 were screened and released while 34others are under investigation.

“Finally, the command assures the public that it is determined as usual to ensure that criminals have no hiding place in the State especially during this yuletide period and would deal decisively with anyone apprehended in accordance with the Law,” the statement read.

of President Buhari has done in three years,”Ngige stated.

None of the ministers was able to address the economic benefit of the mausoleum and why other life changing projects were yet to be seen from the Buhari administration in the state.

Fashola also inspected section of the road project on the Onitsha/ Enugu Express Way at Umunya in Oyi LGA of the state and the Federal Secretariat project in Awka, the state capital.

By Theo Rays Onitsha

G

• All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship candidate for Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti (second left), Mr. Martin Umeh, Group CEO Petro-Base Group (left), Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha (standing third left), Mrs. Priscilla Otti, Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke and former Managing Director of Shell, Mutiu Sunmonu at the launching of the book, SIMPLY ALEX - A testimonial biography on the remarkable life of Dr. Alex Otti, OFR. The event took place Sunday December 9, 2018 at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos

FG spends over N300m on relief materials – PCFRR From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

O

ver N300 million has so far been expended for the provision of relief items for disaster victims in the country.

This was disclosed by the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), pointing out that such procurements included assorted relief materials which were distributed to disaster victims across the six geo political zones of the country in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The committee which is co-headed by billionaire-entrepreneur, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Human Rights Lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) as Chairman and co- chairman, respectively, had been set up by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to take

care of victims of the 2012 devastating flood disasters across the country and similar subsequent incidents.

The agency has, since inception, been providing relief materials to victims of disasters in parts of the country, in conjunction with NEMA, with a view to cushioning the effect of concerned tragedies that befall citizens.

A member of the committee, Mr. Owoicho John, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on behalf of the co-chairmen in Enugu, during inspection and formal presentation of assorted relief materials to NEMA for onward distribution to disaster victims across the SouthEast. The items were valued at several millions of naira Owokho, urged the agency to ensure that the items get to the targeted recipients to help ameliorate their sufferings occasioned by disaster.

He said the 1,427 bags of cement were to assist the victims to rebuild their damaged homes, adding that the zonal presentation exercise had begun recently in Abuja, the federal capital territory, and moved to Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, for South-South, and to Enugu, for the South-East zone.

Receiving the items, DirectorGeneral of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja, represented by its South East zonal Coordinator, Mr. Walson Brandon, expressed appreciation to the presidential committee for the gesture, assuring of transparent distribution of the items to deserved victims in its area of jurisdiction.

The relief materials were edible and non-food items including 159 bags of Granulated sugar, 1427 bags of cement, 3,337 bags of Tactic whole wheat meal and bags of salt, amongst others.

adding that he would run skills acquisition in diverse ways to raise a generation that would assist in developing the state.

“I will ensure that Ebonyi has an ICT skills acquisition centre that will train our young ones in IT and harness their dormant potentials and in addition, we will run skills acquisition in diverse ways.

“Through that, we will raise a generation that will make and deploy simple drones to hover over their rice fields and spray herbicides and scare away birds, and monitor farming from ICT data hubs down to tracking sales and tastes of the consumer of their products”.

He also promised to tackle power shortage by tapping into our solar

energy potentials and to also engage the right hands in power to build skills centres where the youths that cannot afford higher education after their basic education would be trained.

The governorship hopeful said he would harness the various natural resources the state is endowed with to boast its revenue generation base; just as he pledged to run an allinclusive government.

Both Ogbuorji and the incumbent Governor David Umahi hail from Ebonyi South zone of the state and they have only one tenure of four years left to complete their eight years and hand over to the Abakaliki bloc.

2019: I’ll be governor for only one term -- Ebonyi APC candidate

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sunni Ogbuorji, has vowed to rule for only one term of four years and hand over to the Abakaliki bloc if elected in 2019.

Ogbuorji reiterated the promise during a press conference to officially flag-off his campaign at his campaign office in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

“For the umpteenth time, I want to state that I, Sunday Ogbuorji, shall spend only one term of four years, as governor”, he vowed.

Ogbuorji also promised to empower Ebonyi youths through skills acquisition programmes if elected;

eneral Overseer of Bible Base Assembly, Rev. Jerry Nwachukwu, has advised Ndigbo to throw their weight behind the clamour for restructuring of Nigeria as according to him, restructuring is the only feasible solution to the myraid of challenges facing the country. Rev. Nwachukeu thus urged Ndigbo not allow themselves to be deceived by some top Igbo political classa to vote for those that are in not support of restructuring in the forthcoming presidential election.

Rev. Nwachukwu who spoke to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State said God has expressly told him to warn Ndigbo and their political leaders not to be more concerned about re-strategising for selfish interest but about restructuring of the country, noting that any Igbo leader who is entering into alliance or agreement with any political leader about the presidency that negates the overall interest of Ndigbo will definitely incur the wrath of God on himself/herself.

“Ndigbo should steer clear of restrategising or refocusing for selfish interest instead of restructuring.

God is warning those Igbo political front liners who want to compromise to desist from that. If not, God will bring them to their knees. Those who are receiving money to re-channel the voting pattern of Ndigbo are bringing curse on themselves and their families,” said the cleric.

Rev. Nwachukwu said those who were bent on working against the interest of Igbo in 2019 should be ready to be retired prematurely by God, saying that even if they will hold political positions, it will be without honour.

“I am encouraging and advising the Igbo race not to allow the few to determine the fate of majority of Ndigbo in the forthcoming election.

“Backdoor game, heaven will not allow it this time around. More secret meetings will take place as we approach 2019 but it will amount to nothing because God has not endorsed such meetings. Time has come for Ndigbo to seek for the overall interest of all, not personal gain, which is the character of political elites in Igbo land. 2019 will bring down so many people,” said Rev. Nwachukwu.

He lambasted Ndigbo for dillydallying in who they should support in 2019, contending that by now it would have been very obvious where the race will be heading to in this election.

He, therefore, urged Igbo political class to give the direction to ordinary Igbo people where the pendulum will swing in 2019.

POLITICS

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Orashi flood victims: Shifting grounds of accusations, neglect, double standards

Pg 10

2019 is about Nigeria, not about any party in power – Isiguzo

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Pg 12

As controversy brews between Rivers and army over neighbourhood watch…

• APC insists on setting up a parallel security outfit • Jonathan intervenes, speaks with Buhari From Port Harcourt, NATH OMAME, Jr. writes that attempts by the Rivers State government to strengthen the local vigilante, its internal security out fit have become mired in controversy.

•Wike

•Ameachi

ontroversy is not a strange turf for the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch Corps. Its formation was embroiled in controversy whipped up by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was poised to employ its personnel as foot-soldiers for the 2019 general elections.

The timing of the setting up of the neighbourhood watch and the earlier notion by the state government that personnel of the local security agency will bear arms provoked an eruption of verbal cacophony.

To assuage tempestuous angst, the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the bill for a law to establish the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch Corps Agency without granting its personnel the right to carry arms.

Upon the passage of the Neighbourhood Watch Corps Agency bill into law, the Director-General of the New Rivers Vision, Chief Sampson Ngerebara, an engineer and a former commissioner, threatened that his proAPC group would set up a parallel group to counter the neighbourhood watch.

Following the appointment of Dr. Uche Chukuma, a retired assistant commissioner of Police as the director-general of the agency by Governor Nyesom Wike, Ngerebara declared that his group has begun interviewing and profiling capable and qualified candidates for enlistment into the APC’s version of a neighbourhood watch, essentially, not to be outdone by the ruling PDP.

The seeming discontent between the APC and the PDP appeared to have simmered down after Governor Wike appointed and inaugurated the board of the neighbourhood watch agency. But that lull was evidently shattered on Thursday, November 29, when the army stormed the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp, at Nonwa Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, and shut down the camp where candidates where undergoing military drills to ascertain their physical fitness.

A terse statement from the Deputy-Director of the Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Illiasu, on Thursday, November 29, stated that “troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army had discovered an illegal militia training camp while on a routine surveillance at the NYSC orientation camp at Nonwa Gbam in Tai local government area of Rivers State.”

He said the army had begun an investigation to identify the sponsors of the camp and its activities. The action of the military roiled the Rivers State government, eliciting a rash of harsh vociferous responses from its officials.

The tone of Governor Wike’s response was so emotionally acerbic that former President Goodluck Jonathan who visited Governor Wike, and later the site of the seven storey building that collapsed along Woji Road, GRA Phase ii, Port Harcourt, to commiserate with the governor and the people of the state, indicated his willingness to intercede

C

•Tukur-Buratai on behalf of the Rivers State government.

Responding to the action of the Army, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Emma Okah, who emphasised that the agency was “a body created by an act of Parliament to assist security agencies in local intelligence gathering “dubbed the action of the Army as “ biased, illegal and politically motivated.”

He explained: “Before carrying out the screening, the agency had written to the Nigerian Army and other relevant agencies asking for drill and physical training instructors. But the Army ignored the request and never advised against it but preferred an ambush.”

Okah wondered why the Army had not interfered with the drill and training programmes of states like Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Enugu, and Zamfara State with similar local security agencies. Apparently taken aback, Governor Wike accused the Army of having “abandoned its core responsibilities and transformed into a political force.”

Responding to the hoopla by the APC that the PDP intends to deploy personnel of the neighbourhood watch as the armour of its electioneering structure designed to allegedly rig the 2019 general elections in its favour, Wike stressed: “We did not hire boys for political reasons. This has been a transparent process and that is why the personnel are trained at the NYSC orientation camp. We involved the Police and the DSS to ensure that

the trainees are being profiled for the good of the society.”

Speaking from empirical experience, Jonathan said to reduce crime and criminality in Nigeria, and specifically in a state like Rivers State rife with violent cult clashes that have led to the killing and beheading of rival cult members, community policing remains a ‘deserati’ because the locals know themselves.

The former president recalled that his administration had to enlist civilian members of the Joint Task Force, (Civilian JTF) because intelligence findings showed that soldiers and other security agencies were being ambushed by the Boko Haram terrorists because they didn’t understand the terrain like the insurgents, most of who were locals.

Convinced that Rivers State needs its version of the civilian JTF in the setting up of its neighbourhood watch, former President Jonathan who spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt, promised to raise the issue with President Mohammadu Buhari to give his executive nod to facilitate the take-off of the scheme in Rivers State, considering that such local security agency was already operating in some states in the country.

Ideally, personnel of the neighbourhood watch assist the Police and other security agencies in the state to maintain law and order by gathering information about crime, crime in progress, suspicious activities and crime suspects among other things.

Make available relevant information to the Police and other security agencies; put structure in place to ensure that hoodlums and cult groups do not have opportunity to operate in the communities or anywhere in the state: undertaking routine motorised patrol day and night, among others.

Taking partisan politics aside, the concept of the neighbourhood watch is in essence a much better organized local vigilante group set up with the legal muscle to operate as such. So, why are some indigenes of the state that the personnel of the agency are meant to protect, diametrically averse to its formation?

State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Darlington Orji stated that the Army cannot stop the state government from implementing laws that have been enacted by the state legislature because of the imminent 2019 general elections. He stressed that the law setting up the neighbourhood watch was duly passed by the state House of Assembly.

“The Army cannot cow us from doing what is right for our state.”

Governorship candidate of the Legend Party in Rivers State, Leader Sampson regretted that the action of the military was a calculated attempt by some persons to deny youths in Rivers State thousands of jobs that would be created by the agency.

Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organizations (RSCSO), Enefa Georgewill, who also condemned the disruption of the training of prospective personnel of the neighbourhood watch by the army said only the court has the power to stop the training of personnel of the neighbourhood watch agency since it’s existence has been sanctioned by a law passed by the state House of Assembly.

He, however, faulted the timing of its formation, stressing that other political parties in the state may see the neighbourhood watch as a recruiting ground for foot soldiers that could allegedly be deployed by the PDP to rig the 2019 general elections. He advised the state government to suspend the

Cont’d on page 13

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Bold ‘N’ Blunt

Pompigne-Mognard: The journalist as multi-million dollar media tycoon Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is a Franco-Gabonese journalist and entrepreneur who founded the APO GROUP, a leading media consulting firm and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East. The company, which Pompigne-Mognard founded in 2007, employs close to 80 people across its offices in Switzerland, Dubai, Senegal and Hong Kong, and has an annual turnover of several million dollars. APO’s bluechip clients include GE Africa, Dangote Group and DHL among others. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard recently stepped down as CEO of APO Group, and will now assume the position of Chairman, focusing on delivering high-level counsel for APO Group clients and developing his own investment fund dedicated to Africa. He recently recounted the story of APO’s early beginnings and mused on the evolution of the media relations business in Africa.

He spoke with MFONOBONG NSEHE. You founded APO Group 11 years ago while you were working as a journalist for Gabonews, an online publication. Relive that period for us and walk us through the series of events that led you to establishing the company.

I was a European correspondent for Gabonews, and I soon realised how difficult it was to get hold of Africa-related press releases, press briefings and official statements issued

by European-based institutions, NGOs, diplomacies and governments.

As a journalist, I needed to receive all this information in order to stay on top of everything that was happening between Europe and Africa at a diplomatic, economic - even a cultural level. To access press releases, I had to subscribe to all the mailing lists and RSS feeds. Most organizations were only publishing their press releases on their websites, naively hoping that journalists would be constantly monitoring them all to see if anything new had been published. I was spending hours and days trying to reach the relevant people so they could send me their press releases.

And as the European correspondent in an African media organization, I was also supposed to monitor all contents issued by African governments and institutions about any European matter. Receiving press releases issued by these organizations was even more difficult. As I struggled, I realized that it was extremely problematic for any journalist to get all this Africa-related press release content - and that had some very bad consequences.

First, the inability of African journalists to access this information was reinforcing their dependence on Western media and press agencies. Second, most of the press releases issued by African governments and African institutions never reached the international media community at all. Many even failed to reach the African media community.

We have to remember that, back then, international institutions like the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were having serious discussions about the role of African media in the promotion of good governance, and we were starting to hear about the concept of “communication for development” - that is the part media has to play in the transparency and accountability of organizations in-

volved in public investment in the region.

But what really triggered my decision to act was a series of discussions I had with the President of the African Development Bank at the time, Donald Kaberuka, who explained to me how crucial the dissemination of news about Africa’s economy was to the development of the continent. We needed to reverse the tide and make sure the international media community and all African media had access to news releases announcing new investments in Africa, new CEO appointments, new startups, new international events, new awards and so on.

Of course, all this positive news is typically spread via press releases.

A few months later, APO started signing strategic agreements with Bloomberg, Reuters, LexisNexis, Dow Jones Factiva and other major international players to guarantee the worldwide distribution of thousands of Africa-related press releases in a standardised, internationally-recognized NewsML format for the first time.

That’s how it all started.

APO Group is currently the leading media relations consulting firm and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East. What else does the company do apart from these flagship services?

APO Group manages an extensive variety of services, ranging from TV and photo production, distribution and monitoring, to Online Press Conferences, government relations and more. But what really makes us unique is our ability to not only advise clients, but also to implement their plans using our own proprietary tools across all 54 markets of the continent.

And this is what our clients really need: a single interlocutor with deep knowledge of Africa, the tools to deliver the right results and an ability to stand alongside them in whatever challenges they face in their communications strategies.

The company’s turnover grew by 50% last year and is forecasted to grow by 60% in 2018. Much of this growth is because of the amazing success of our Advisory division.

Most of our clients understand that the most effective way to use APO Group is not as an ad hoc press release distribution function, but as a holistic consultative partner.

57 of the biggest PR agencies in the world

worked with us in 2017 because they truly understood the value of what we provide.

We have over a decade of experience so we can benchmark their strategies at a local level and throughout the continent as a whole. Not only do we immerse ourselves in their clients’ communications plans, we implement them and provide monitoring data to evaluate their success and return on investment.

What were some of the challenges you encountered in the beginning, and what were some milestone moments for APO Group?

It’s actually quite difficult for me to mention milestone moments for APO Group. When a company is growing fast, you are living milestone moments quarter-by-quarter. But I certainly encountered plenty of challenges in the beginning! I was a journalist. I studied law. I really was not prepared to create, much less develop a multinational company.

I built APO Group from my living room - literally - and during the first years I had to be the IT manager, the sales consultant, the PA, HR, Finance, Marketing - everything. I had to learn it all from scratch. Not to mention, my English was very poor.

I remember one day, I was calling the head of communications at Boeing. I had noticed they just made an announcement related to Africa and I was hoping I could convince them to try my press release distribution service. The problem was my English was terrible. During the discussion, and most probably to get rid of me, my contact says, “you know what, why don’t you just send me a quotation.”

“Quotation?” I had never heard that word before. I didn’t know what it meant. But with my tiny amount of English I said “Yes, of course, I will send you a ‘quotation’. Thank you, bye!”

And the first thing I did was to search Google for ‘quotation’. I wasn’t even sure about the spelling. When I realised that the guy just asked me for an estimated cost, I started doing somersaults. I called my wife in to tell her the good news: “Boeing just asked me for a ‘quotation’!” And of course, I’d never done a quotation before so we had to find a template on the Internet to create the very first one.

Since then I’ve never stopped learning. The past 11 years have been a constant educa-

tion. And many mistakes have been made along the way. My most rookie errors in the beginning were hiring misjudgements. I made poor choices with the first three people I brought on board.

This is not a criticism of those three individuals. They were my mistakes. I had wrongly assessed the profiles and skills the company needed at the time. I realize that now. When turnover is starting to take off, and the company is still very small and fragile, you really have to make the right choices or the dream can be over within just a few months.

In my experience, creating and developing a company is one of the most difficult things a human being can do. It requires a huge amount of time and energy, a lot of sacrifice, a healthy lifestyle and a lot of others’ ingredients too, which - even if they are all put together with love and care - do not always guarantee success.

It goes without saying that you will also need a little bit of luck. The right encounters, the right timing, not to mention (and in my view, most important of all) the unconditional support of a loved one or family.

How has the media relations business in Africa evolved over the last decade, and how has APO Group evolved along with it?

What I think has changed the most is perception. Ten years ago, I was in the European headquarters of PR Newswire, in London. At the time, they were considered the leading global press release distribution service and there I was explaining to several of their senior executives how Africa will soon represent a huge market for press releases - and why it was time for them to invest in the continent.

It was 2008, remember, and they basically laughed at me.

Ten years later, APO Group is receiving purchase offers, strategic partnership offers and M&A transaction offers from some of the leading players in the industry.

They are seeing unprecedented demand from their clients for press release distribution in Africa - and they simply don’t know how to serve them. And this is just the beginning. According to the World Bank, the African population will double by 2050, reaching 2.4 billion. The latest United Nations population report, published in 2017, says that by 2100 Africa will be home to 40% of all humanity!

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Bold ‘N’ Blunt

•Pompigne-Mognard A recent McKinsey study said “Africa is poised for economic acceleration akin to the Asian boom”. There are around 440 US companies and 480 German companies who have been operating in South Africa for several years now. Today, most of them are planning their expansion across the continent to get their chunk of this huge untapped market. This will obviously translate into more media relations spending, especially if you consider a growing trend where communicators are re-evaluating their mix of advertising versus PR. African consumers are becoming savvier. They are starting to value news and information above blatant advertising - and that creates opportunities for the media relations business.

In your experience, what are the biggest problems that news agencies are facing today?

It’s partly to do with this idea of African evolution: More savvy Africans means a better educated, more demanding audience. Their expectations are higher, so they require more diverse, better quality content. And as the audience develops, so too the media must follow - and that means better technology, better innovation, better content and crucially - better journalists.

I’ve been in touch with a lot of African jour-

nalists, and when you ask them what they need most desperately above everything else, they all say: training. That tells you everything you need to know about the evolution of African audiences: They are moving too fast for the talent to keep up. So, finance plays a big part. If you want to attract the best talent to produce the highest quality content, you have to invest in their development. Talent will always mean the difference between success and failure - so the greatest challenge facing African media houses is making sure their journalists are meeting the expectations of their audience.

How do you see the future of news agencies, particularly regarding technology and its changing role in the news industry?

Clearly, continuous digital transformation is key. Media houses must keep evolving if they are to survive. The days where they could rely on advertising as a sole revenue stream are long gone. Consumers are not browsing for advertisements - they are browsing for content - so that’s where the focus of these outlets needs to be. The challenge is to find new ways to monetize content and invent new models.

One area we’ve been focusing on at APO Group is media monitoring. Right now, in Africa, it’s very poor. That is partly because

a lot of African media are offline, and print, TV and radio monitoring across 54 countries is impossible to do cheaply and painlessly.

As the digitalisation of media continues and technology improves, monitoring becomes a critical part of the content value proposition.

It produces metrics, data and insights that, in turn, encourage spending. In the last few years, big international media players have started to come to Africa. CNBC, Euronews, Forbes, CNN and BBC have all increased their presence on the continent. The Washington Post announced this week they will be opening a new office in West Africa, explaining that they want to extend their reach in Africa – “because the continent is projected to account for more than half the world’s population growth over the next three decades”. If the international media can see the potential, the African media needs to make sure it keeps up.

What are your greatest accomplishments at APO Group? Could you share a ballpark figure of APO Group’s annual revenues?

A lot of the work we are doing - around 70% in fact - is providing strategic advisory services for leading multinational companies, therefore many of our biggest accomplishments are covered by non-disclosure agreements. Let me just say that in 2017,

we organized 250+ interviews, including off-the-record interviews, placed dozens of opinion pieces, organized tens of journalists round tables, press conferences and press trips, and actively participated in helping to shape some of the most important business stories in Africa. Our project managers are in constant contact with some of the most influential media in the world, from CNN to CNBC, BBC to Al Jazeera, The Financial Times to The Wall Street Journal. We are organising interviews and media events in the US, in London, in Oman - but also in very complex African markets such as Eritrea and Somaliland. That’s something we are extremely proud of.

While I’m not allowed to disclose our exact turnover, I can give you some figures. Our turnover grew by 50% in 2017 and is projected to grow by 60% in 2018. Our press release distribution activity grew by 44% in volume in 2017 and is projected to maintain that growth in 2018, while our advisory division is projected to grow by 50% in 2018. Our fiveyear-plan consists of multiplying our profit margin 4.5 times. But I would say my greatest accomplishment is to have turned my 10,000 euros of savings - which I invested to create APO in 2007 - into a multimillion-euro business without the aid of any loans or investors. That means that, 11 years later, I’m still the 100% owner of my company.

Why did you decide to step down from APO, and what’s next for you and the company?

Being able to create a company does not necessarily mean that you are the right person to develop it and allow it to reach its full potential. I built a race car. I did it on my own and I’m very proud that the car can reach 300 km per hour. But just because I built it doesn’t mean I’m the best driver to take it to 300 km per hour. That requires another set of skills. Often, by sticking to the helm, the founder of a company can become the main obstacle to its development. I’m not that person.

APO Group has huge potential. As we’ve seen, the situation in Africa is such that, in many ways, we are the right company at the right time with the right services on the right market. Our performance in the last three years is proof of that - and if you factor in the projected growth of the continent as a whole, the figures will back you up. I always knew that someday I would have to hand the reins to a “professional CEO” so he or she could make sure the company realises its potential.

The new CEO I have appointed, Lionel Reina, has a fantastic track record in helping companies scale up quickly and break new ground. Lionel is the former Vice President and General Manager for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Orange Business Services, the B2B division of French telecoms giant Orange. He has also served as Middle East Director in the Gulf region for Accenture.

Lionel and I met in Africa and we have known each other for years. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better CEO. I am now officially the chairman of the company and I remain its 100% owner. My focus will be on delivering high-level counsel for APO Group clients and continuing to contribute to the growth of the continent by developing my own investment fund dedicated to Africa. I will also continue to oversee our relationship with the World Rugby’s African association, Rugby Africa, of whom we are the main Official Sponsor. Today, Rugby is the fast-growing sport in Africa. In 2002, only six African countries were playing the game, and now the Rugby Africa boasts 38 countries! APO Group is also helping its clients to enjoy the unique sponsorship opportunities offered

by World Rugby’s African association, Rugby Africa.

Any advice for budding, young African entrepreneurs?

It would be a very long list! And it would really depend on which stage of the company’s development you are in. But if there are two things common to most self-made entrepreneurs, it’s hard work and resilience.

If it was easy, everybody would have already done it. If it was easy, it wouldn’t have any value. You need be ready to work 12 hours a day - and don’t make any plans for the weekend, because you’ll be working then too.

As for everything else I’ve learned? That would take an entire book to cover…

•CULLED FROM FORBES AFRICA

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

POLITICS T 2019 is about Nigeria, not about he event held at the BCA International Field on November 29, 2018. Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; House of Assembly Majority Leader and chairman of the occasion; Engr. Chinedum Orji, represented by Tony Ezeigbo; General Manager of Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme and co-chairman, Dr. ACB Agbazuere; National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo and the National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman and a former President of NUJ, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, amongst other dignitaries, graced the occasion.

First Class traditional rulers were also there.

They were Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe, Chairman, Ngwa Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Pual Okpanku, Chairman, Isiala Ngwa South Traditional Rulers Council and his Secretary, Eze Ozioma Nwogu; Eze Ogbuka Origa, Chairman, Abam Onyerubi Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Nelson Ohaka, traditional ruler of Ihenwakala Autonomous Community, Umuahia South local and government area, Eze Chetachi Chinyere, traditional ruler of Ovom Amairinabuo, Obingwa and Eze OJ Ananaba, traditional ruler of Okahia Autonomous Community, Obingwa who was installed the Patron of BCA Chapel.

Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Barrister Okey Igwe, who is also the PDP House of Assembly candidate for Umunneochi State Constituency, Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Prof.

Uche Ikonne, an agriculturist, Chief Israel Amanze and Chief Emmanuel Egwu, a businessman cum politician were recipients of merit awards used to garnish the event.

Igwe was honoured with Community Service award for his developmental strides in Umunneochi. Represented at the occasion

by Barr. Chima Mgbaeke, Igwe assured that if he makes it to the Abia legislature, the entire Abia and Umunneochi, in particular, would benefit from his wealth of experience in community development.

Welcoming his guests, Chairman, BCA Chapel, Comrade Chukwuma Emele, set the tone for the day’s discourse when he said that “The Journalism Profession and Nigeria’s Unity” was chosen as theme of the BCA Press Week. He emphasized that journalists possessed the capacity to make or mar the nation and appealed to all to collectively ensure peace and unity of Nigeria, especially with the forthcoming general elections.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Abia State, Dr. Joseph Iloh, through his lecture on the occasion, titled “Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Election in 2019,” declared that for the polls to be free, fair and credible, all stakeholders must play very positively, their expected roles.

Iloh listed eight values that will guide INEC in conducting free and fair elections to include autonomy, transparency, integrity, credibility and impartiality. The rest are dedication, equity, excellence and teamwork.

He maintained that for an election to be free and fair, it must be: done through secret balloting, violence and corruption-free, conducted by an independent body, transparent, neutral and accurate.

According to him, free and fair elections have four major components: independent political parties competing in the electoral process in freely and fairly manner; individuals must be free to participate in politics and election process based on their own choices; election process would be free and fair so that every adult franchise can apply their voting right equally with equal weight and outcome of the election or vote counting would be accurate and legitimate.

“When all the four variables will be available in the process, conduct and outcome of an election, that election could be considered to be free, fair and credible.

He enumerated steps taken and being taken by INEC to ensure the conduct of credible polls in 2019.

NUJ National President, Isiguzo, in his contribution, observed that Nigeria’s electoral system was flawed, stressing that unless the country gets her electoral system right, “there is no way we are going to get to the level we ought to be.”

“Most of our problems, if not all, have their roots from the defective electoral system. And I believe that by 2019, we are going

any party in power – Isiguzo

•Igwe, others bag awards as BCA marks Press Week As 2019 fast approaches, public discourse about the 2019 general elections in the country has taken the front burner. Expectedly, the issue featured prominently during the grand finale of the 2018 Press Week organized by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, with the NUJ President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, appealing for all hands to on deck for the 2019 polls to be credible, reports BONIFACE OKORO

•Chris Isiguzo to collectively agree that we will deliver credible elections. The INEC, the people, the media, everybody must have to come together and accept the fact that we need credible elections in 2019. It is not about the party in power but it is about Nigeria,” he said.

He said all stakeholders must be mindful that anyone who puts anti-people leadership in place was not a victim but an accomplice, and will lose the right to demand good governance.

He charged the electorate to be prepared to do the right thing when they are voting and advised parents to prevail on their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used as tools for committing electoral violence.

He charged journalists in the country to do away with mercantile journalism in order to reduce the hazards they go through while discharging their professional duties.

“For my colleagues, 2019 election is here.

For some of us who are more interested in pecuniary matters; who have become so mercantile in their practice, it is time for us to do a retrace of our steps,” he said.

Isiguzo’s warned against attacks on journalists during the 2019 polls would not be treated with kid gloves while reacting to the pathetic story related to the audience by Emele while delivering his welcome address.

Emele had revealed that in 2015, he went to Bende for election coverage. No sooner had he reached there than he was jacked “six feet above the ground,” by political thugs who took him for a spy and administered several “dirty slaps” on him.

He said his explanations and his identity

card could not save him from the underserved punishment, which only ended when a respectable politician who knew him emerged on the scene. He ended his tale by urging the public not to perceive journalists as enemies but to accord them the respect and cooperation they needed to do their work.

“What the BCA Chapel chairman related to us is to show you a little bit of the occupational hazards we go through every day in the course of our duty. We are not going to treat such experience with kid gloves in the 2019 elections,” Isiguzo warned.

To avert any ugly experience, he charged journalists to promote and project ethical behaviours in line with NUJ’s Code of Ethics at all times and not to indulge in dissemination of fake news and hate speeches but should rather imbibe the culture of neutrality and objectivity.

Chairman of Abia Council of NUJ, Comrade John Emejor, insisted that no person or institution has any right to stop journalists from performing their constitutional duties, while urging journalists to be very professional in discharging their duties.

“Stories must be true, objective and forthright. We must be fair to all and sundry. All ethical issues surrounding our job must be observed in Abia State. None of us is licensed to malign, kill or rubbish any person,” he pointed out.

Agbazuere, a human rights lawyer and activist, vowed to prosecute any politicians who manhandle journalists while on their official duties, particularly during elections, pro bono and advised politicians to henceforth

do away with the idea of habouring intentions to kill during elections.

He noted that factors plaguing Nigeria’s electoral system include power-hungry politicians who see politics as a-do-or-die affair, tyrannical political parties who manipulate primary elections and inability of INEC to punish erring political parties.

“The constitution of Nigeria is very clear.

Sections 222, 223, 224 and 225 are very clear that if you look at them and make use of what you see there, you can discipline any political party. Any party that thinks that it is so important and so powerful and does not work within democratic tenets and principles could be deregistered by INEC so that others will learn lessons.

“What happens in political party primaries, all the parties, is sordid. INEC should learn to begin to overlap and do their work. No party primary should be held without INEC coming in,” he said.

For His Royal Majesty, Eze OJ. Ananaba, Eze Okahia 1 of Okahia kingdom in Obingwa, the new Patron of BCA Chapel, NUJ should press for more freedom to enable her members to operate freely in Nigeria.

Director-General of BCA, Chief Uchenna Dike, commended the chapel for a successful outing. Also the Director of News and Current Affairs, Comrade Hyacinth Okoli, was happy that the Chapel was able to attract notable dignitaries to her first ever Press Week.

For those who graced the grand finale of the 2018 BCA Press Week, its frills and thrills will continue to linger for a long time to come.

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

POLITICS

PDP leaders storm P/H to consolidate on gains of national acceptance L

eaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Friday met at the party’s Campaign Office in Port Harcourt, where they discussed key issues ahead of the party’s victory during the forthcoming 2019 General elections.

The party’s Presidential Candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Vice Presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi; Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senate President Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike attended the strategy session.

Others in attendance were: PDP National

Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi and Cross River State Governor Prof Ben Ayade.

Before the commencement of the meeting, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike conducted members of the PDP Presidential Council on a tour of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Office.

The office also houses the PDP Presidential Campaign Office in the state.

Ahead of the strategic meeting of the PDP Presidential Council at the Rivers State PDP Campaign Office, Governor Wike hosted an expanded meeting of PDP Leaders at the

Government House Port Harcourt.

Those in attendance at the Government House meeting were: Atiku Abubakar, Obi, Wike, PDP National Chairman, Secondus, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade , Senate President Saraki, Dogara, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi.

Also in attendance were Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, former Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Hon Hassan Saleh and several members of the National Assembly.

•Atiku

•Obi

•Saraki

Area, at the weekend, during the defection of some PDP stakeholders to the APC reiterated the position of the party that “the APC will set up its own neighbourhood watch if Governor Wike insists on going ahead with the establishment of the neighbourhood watch corps agency.

The position of the APC is that the timing of the establishment of the neighbourhood watch is geared towards using them to do the bidding of the PDP in the 2019 general elections. And repeated threats by the APC that it will recruit and train personnel of its own version of a neighbourhood watch should Governor Wike continue with the creation of the agency in spite of the action of Army has further elicited fear and trepidation in the minds and hearts of the people.

Should the state government go ahead with the setting up of the neighbourhood watch, conducting military drills and training for applicants or trainees, and should the APC continue with its threat to set up its neighbourhood watch, what would become of the security architecture of the state?

With the controversy trailing the recruitment and training process of the neighbourhood watch, should the APC set up its version of a local or community security outfit, what authority will personnel of both security agencies be loyal to?

With the APC alleging that the Neighbourhood Watch is a subterfuge by the state government to influence the outcome of 2019 general elections; should it carry out its threat to set up its own security agency, its action will also be adjudged by the PDP as a political wing of the APC aimed at securing an undue political advantage in the 2019 general elections.

Unless this thorny issue is amicably resolved so that an unfettered local vigilante group devoid of political appendages is established without undue political rancour, the upsurge in crime and criminality, essentially violent clashes between rival cult groups, killings and beheading, and the wanton occurrences of vicious kidnappings, may further deteriorate which will, cumulatively, affect residents and businesses in the state.

Okowa bags NUPENG award for peace D

elta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has bagged NUPENG’s Award for Peace in recognition of his contributions to peaceful oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta region.

Okowa who was conferred with the award, Thursday, in Abuja during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) appreciated the labour unions, security agencies, traditional rulers, youths and all other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry for their positive contributions to the sustainable peace and development in Delta State.

“I receive this award with gratitude, we will continue to contribute our little quota to the development of our state and our nation. But i must truly appreciate NUPENG for their drive to have a more peaceful and better Nigeria. I thank you for recognising our modest efforts in ensuring peace and security in Delta State which has impacted positively on not just the economy of Delta State but the entire country. As the largest producer of oil and gas in Nigeria it is imperative that all stakeholders must continue to work hard for sustainable peace and development in the oil and gas sector he said He noted that government will continue to strive for peaceful coexistence among oil companies and their host communities as it will encourage more investments in the sector.

Presenting the award to the Governor, General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Adamu Song said the Governor was being honoured for his role in ensuring peaceful oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta region.

President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion was conferred with the award of Grand Commander of Labour while former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon bagged the Peace Ambassador Award for his contributions to peaceful Nigeria with his Nigeria Prays project and former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro was made a patron of NUPENG. The ceremony was attended by Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who represented President Buhari, NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru among other dignitaries.

As controversy brews between Rivers and army over neighbourhood watch…

Cont’d from page 9 scheme until after the elections.

“In a democracy, only the people, their representatives or the courts can stop the government from implementing certain policies. We, however, frown at the timing of the formation of the agency. The government should wait after the elections so that other parties do not see the neighbourhood watch as the attack dog of the PDP government for the 2019 general elections.”

Ojukaiye Flag-Amachree of the APC in a statement, Friday, November 30, commended the army for disrupting the drills and training for applicants for the neighbourhood watch, adding that the description of the outfit as an illegal militia has vindicated the position of the party that the Rivers State government was recruiting political thugs for the 2019 general elections.

He called on the Army to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the process.

Speaking in Abua-Adua Local Government

•Okowa

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

POLITICS

Ezike brings strategic policing to Abia • Police unravel Aba empowerment scam

Chris Okey Ezike, assumed office on the 19th of last month as the 29th Commissioner of Police in the 27-year-old Abia State. BONIFACE OKORO reports that in his maiden encounter with the Media, Ezike unveiled his roadmap to a secured Abia, urging all stake holders to come on board and be part of a Police/Public Partnership (PPP) that would combine forces to eradicate crime and criminality and uproot criminal elements from the state. He gave incite to ongoing Police investigations into several empowerment scams that have the capacity to cripple retail business in Aba.

U

nraveling the financial empowerment scam that is threatening commerce in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, through an Investigative Panel is one of the innovations by the new Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike.

And within two weeks, when most of the innovations are yet to take root, the reawakened Police in Abia hauled in a total of 57 suspects, 18 of whom are said to be involved in the Aba financial empowerment scam, recovery of three vehicles, one tricycle and five motorcycles; one Ak47 Rifle, two Revolver pistols, six locally-made pistols and three Dane guns, as well as 24 live cartridges and five other ammunitions.

Aba is currently in the throes of fake empowerment schemes and illegal cooperative societies. Those who operate the empowerment scheme are believed to have set up financial institutions and cooperative societies. They solicit for customers. The Oracle Today gathered that when these schemes kicked off, those who participated were showered with mouth-watering rewards.

For instance, prospective participants deposited N40, 000.

After one week, they were paid N70, 000 with a bag of rice or, sometimes, a deep freezer, as gifts. The confidence trick went on till the unsuspecting public took it to be real and plunged into the money spinning scheme headlong in their numbers.

To their utter shock and dismay, and characteristic of Ponzi schemes and wonder banks, they did not even get their money back not to talk of the accrued interest and gifts. Petitions started flooding Police stations in Aba. “Following reports/complaints from members of the public, especially within Aba metropolis about the unscrupulous activities of some individuals/groups who masquerade as Empowerment companies, Church Cooperative Group, Poverty Alleviation Units, Wonder Financial Institutions, etc, I set up an Investigative Panel to aggregate the complaints, investigate same and determine the scale, extent of suspected fraud and unmask the brains behind the scam,” Ezike disclosed to newsmen in Umuahia at the Police Officers Mess. One week after the Panel, headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, relocated to Aba, 22 empowerment groups have been unmasked, 18 suspects, 15 of them women, were rounded up and over 6, 728 victims have been identified while N7,933,900 cash has been recovered. Also, N1, 182, 369.69 is warehoused in the banks.

“The scam was pervasive and held the potentials of crippling retail activities in Aba. Investigation is ongoing and our legal consultation has been expanded to ensure that our decisions are prudent, satisfy public policy and ensure justice for all,” the CP assured, while commending the Chairman and members of the Panel for their professional service and display of high level of integrity.

“It is important to arrest the tide. If you don’t arrest the tide, retail business in Aba will close up. I tell you, some husbands have driven their wives away because some of them used money meant for children’s school fees to go and put in these wonder institutions,” the CP further disclosed.

He said the Command will write to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for clarification on the status of the operators of the

•CP, Chris Ezike. empowerment schemes and also seek advice from the Ministry of Justice.

The method adopted by the CP bespeaks of the new methods he was putting in place to ensure effective policing of Abia which he described as a “gateway and a get away state” because it shares boundaries with seven states.

“Abia State is at the middle and mercy of several other States whose activities impact either positively or negatively on the security and safety of Abians. For the avoidance of doubt, Abia State shares boundary with Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The gateway and getaway nature of our road networks facilitate tourism, trade and commerce. However, it

also donated entrance and exit impetus to potential criminals in the commission of nefarious crimes.

Ezike believes that living near a rich man either becomes an advantage or a disadvantage, adding that Abia’s gateway and get away nature “encourages commerce, helps in easy movement in and out of the state; helps to increase the per capita income of the individuals because business activities thrive; while it allows the criminals to get away quickly and equally allows them to get in very quickly as well.”

Based on this and other briefings he has received since he assumed office, Ezike said he was fashioning out a new direction for strategic policing under his watch anchored

on reducing crime and anti-social behaviors; enhance safety and security.

Unveiling the new Policing strategy, he said the principal focus of the Abia State Command in the coming months shall include provision of qualitative Police service to the people of Abia State; fight violent crimes of armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other violent social disorders with renewed vigour, strength and commitment to ensure a hitch free yuletide and partner with other security agencies and non-state actors in a transparent and professional manner and promoting Community Policing and partnership through building positive bridges between the Police, traditional rulers, local government administrators, student groups, professional bodies, traders and private sector organizations, Nongovernmental Organisations and the Media.

Others are establishment of structures that will aid fight against violent crimes/cultism; enhance traffic control and management throughout the State; provision of security for people returning for Christmas and New Year celebrations; robust preparations for the 2019 Elections which has started with political campaigns; continuous monitoring of outlawed Groups to ensure they do not truncate our hard earned democracy and ensuring accountability policing.

“Operationally, we shall adopt high visibility policing method. Policemen must not only be on patrol but must be seen to be on Patrol. We shall work hard to reduce response time in management of distress calls through enhanced coordination.

He said there will be high visibility policing methodology will rekindle assurance to the citizenry besides physical certainty which involves effective patrols.

Accordingly, he said that weekend patrols undertaken by Police personnel who work in offices and other areas not patrol related has been reintroduced to complement Operational deployments.

He said that the Command Monitoring Unit headed by a Chief Superintendent of Police has been established to ensure best practices by Policemen and speedily resolve all cases of excessive use of force, abuse of human rights and corruption/corrupt practice reported against Police Officers.

Also established are the Abia State Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad to mitigate the challenges of kidnapping and abductions in Aba area; the State Traffic Unit to plan and coordinate traffic control and management throughout the State and act as a liaison between the Police and other Traffic- related Agencies as well as handle all cases of fatal motor accidents.

Plans, he said, were underway to establish an Anti-cultism outfit pending the findings of Operational-Psycho-social Study commissioned by the Command as a result of cult activities Secondary Schools, Streets, Markets and Social clusters, which he said may assume a worrisome dimension if drastic measures are not put in place to eradicate cult activities.

The CP said assurances from the governor, Dr, Okezie Ikpeazu and his passion for peace and security have given him the impetus to drive his new vision and commended the governor for his support.

Promising to take advantage of his wealth of policing experience, Ezike said “I have therefore come with tremendous goodwill, open mind, willingness to work and partner with all Abia citizens/residents to ensure we make Abia State safer, more secure, better and prosperous.”

He charged his officers to rise to “the business of serious policing and law enforcement” which has just began in a bid ensure that “ Abians sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Ezike noted that the task ahead was daunting but not impossible and he appealed to all Abians to partner with the Police to make his dream of a crime-free Abia a reality.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

Obiano pardons 10 inmates of Aguata prisons From Chuks Collins, Awka

G

overnor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano has granted state pardon to ten inmates serving various jail terms at the Aguata Prisons, Ekwulobia.

The governor disclosed this today when along with his wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu and other stakeholders worshipped with the inmates at the prison facility.

Obiano in his remarks, said although it is a Federal Facility, his government will be supporting it with operational vehicles, transformers for electricity, as well as other logistics.

In a homily, the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Jonas-Benson Okoye reminded the inmates that the worst form of imprisonment is the spiritual imprisonment and urged them to utilize their stay in incarceration to make their ways right with God. Assistant Controller of Prisons in-charge, Mr Patrick Ubenyi solicited for increased assistance towards building an effective and efficient penal system in the State.

Some stakeholders including the Member representing Aguata One in the State House of Assembly, Chief Iyke Umenwa, his Njikoka Two Counterpart, Sir Pete Ibida and Chief Titus Anigbogu commended the governor and his wife for identifying with the inmates and admonished Christians to constantly visit prisoners especially during festive periods to extend love to them.

Bags of rice, tubers of yam, mosquito nets, toiletries, bags of sachet water among others items were donated to the prison authority by Obiano

Social Harmony award: Cardinal Arinze honours Obiano, two others From Chuks Collins, Awka

T

he Catholic Church has presenting Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano with a Special Award for promoting social harmony in the state and beyond.

Obiano received the honor during a high mass celebrated by Cardinal Francis Arinze at Christ the King Parish Ihiala.

In a homily, Cardinal Arinze explained the Catholic Church the world over is celebrating the history of Blessed Virgin Mary who he described as a woman full of grace, and said that the mass was to recognize three persons in the state with Awards for social Harmony.

While asking God for blessings upon the three awardees, the Cardinal charged Christians to always pray for those in power as authority comes from God, urging those in power to always desire wisdom, fair play, balanced judgment and willingness to serve the masses, as well as give hope to the unemployed and pensioners.

Receiving the honour, Gov Obiano expressed appreciation for the honour and said that it was gratifying to be remembered and honoured in one’s home for good deeds, and thanked the Catholic Community for the honour.

The Governor promised to continue to project the State in a good light, and announced that he has empowered and mobilized the contractor handling the Ihiala road project to tar the road as it has great economic relevance and importance to the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba appreciated Cardinal Arinze for always thinking home, praying God to continue to keep him.

During the high mass, the Governor was honoured alongside two other notable Ndi Anambra.

APGA’s Awka rally stage-managed -- AAPGA

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

L

eader and National Chairman of breakaway Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance (AAPGA), Comrade Jerry Obasi, has reacted to the recent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) rally in Awka, Anambra State, saying that Governor Willie Obiano and Dr. Victor Ike Oye, cannot deceive them.

The group further reiterated their stance that the duo of Obiano and

Oye must leave APGA. Recall that Obasi and his faction had at a world press conference in Abuja last week unveiled AAPGA and vowed to reclaim the soul of APGA from Obiano’s faction chaired by Dr. Oye. Obasi maintained that the Awka rally was not only an afterthought but a ruse, aimed at deepening the ideology of deception smuggled into APGA by Obiano and Oye. The AAPGA leader also reiterated

his group determination to reclaim the soul of APGA from the people he described as charlatans who are interested in burying the party.

He added that the belated attempt to show solidarity with General John Gbor as the APGA presidential candidate does not vitiate the position of AAPGA that Obiano, Oye and co were rooting for President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the entire game plan is to divide Igbo votes so that

• (From right): Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Kunle Ajanaku; New Coordinator of Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, Mr Owolabi Arole; Vice Chairman Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro; Mr. Alfred Olufunwa from the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and CSP. Fakeye Olubode from Lagos State Police Command, Zone 2 at a Stakeholders Meeting of the Task Force at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Friday

2019: Zoning won’t save PDP, Ayade from defeat - Enoh

From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

S

enator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Owan Enoh has disclosed that zoning will not save Professor Ben Ayade from defeat in 2019 in view of his poor performance in office.

Senator Enoh maintained that having come into office through zoning in 2015, the governor’s reelection should be based on his performance and not zoning and it is an insult on the people for the present administration in the state to raise the issue of zoning and not performance after four years in office.

Enoh made this known in Calabar during the official kick off of campaign for the APC in the state as well as the unveiling of campaign offices of the party.

Senator Enoh who was accompanied by the National Vice Chairman South South of the APC, Hilliard Etta, the Chairman of the NDDC, Victor Ndoma-Egba, acting chairman of APC in the state John Ochalla and a number of other chieftains of the party, said the party will run an issue based campaign and let the electorate know the failings of the PDP administration in the state.

He said the decision of the PDP in the state not to campaign shows that they have nothing to show case to the electorate after our

years in office.

“The present government in the state cannot campaign because the governor has nothing to offer. After three years, the government has nothing to show in any part of cross river state.

“Four years ago, the governor depended on zoning to assume office and after three years, he cannot still rely on zoning. Because he has done nothing and after three years, to come back and depend on zoning is an insult on the people.

“Having secured the ticket in 2015 through zoning, the governor has to seek re-election through his performance and his decision not to campaign shows that he has nothing to showcase as his achievements after three years in office”, the senator said.

He charged the electorate not to elect a lying administration in 2019 but to vote an administration that will be loving, caring, honest and always available to the people stressing that for the first time since 1999, elections in cross river will be very competitive as this is the first time an opposition party will field candidates for all elective positions in the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the NDDC, Victor Ndoma-Egba said the party will restore the lost glory of the state lamenting that the state has suffered a history of losses following its association with the PDP.

He apologised to the people for the series of losses suffered by the state over the past years particularly the loss of Bakassi.

“Under PDP, we lost Bakassi, we lost the oil wells, and we lost the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar and also lost the hosting rights of the National Sports Festival. It has been a history of losses.

“The elections next year will be on our records and not on false promises and we are going to challenge the PDP to mention their achievements in the state.

He commended President Buhari as well as the APC for their magnanimity for the state saying that the people gave the president 28,000 votes but despite this, the state has the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Head of Service of the federation, auditor general, chief of naval staff, chairman of the NDDC, Special Advisers and chair of various boards which cannot be enumerated.

In his remarks, the national vice chairman south South of the APC, Hilliard Etta said the PDP administration has reduced governance in the state to a joke and this is saddening to the people of the state.

He said time has come for a change in cross river state and charged aggrieved members who still have issues with the primaries to seek justice in the courts as advised by the president.

its bloc voting pattern would not allow opposition parties to win elections, especially National Assembly positions in Anambra state.

“We challenge Obiano and Oye to come out and swear to Ndigbo and Anambra people in particular that they did not enter into a pact with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2017 to support Buhari’s second term to reciprocate the contribution on the Presidency to his second term election. In the circumstance, we are not averred in any way to the presidential bid of President Muhammadu Buhari if well deserved.

“Just few days after we launched our group AAPGA and called for the governor and the embattled national chairman to resign from their positions, they stage-managed an impromptu rally to fool Ndigbo and Nigerians. General Gbor was nominated by Buhari’s Presidency in cahoots with Governor Willie Obiano and Oye after it became obvious that members of APGA would not allow the party to be without a presidential candidate, as teeming members of APGA cannot be fooled again, most especially in this all important 2019 election.

“Let me use this opportunity to inform Obiano and Oye that their deception and cocktail of lies and charade would not save them. Nigerians would recall that shortly after the Anambra governorship abracadabra, Oye told journalists in Abuja that APGA would meet to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari. Obiano and Oye also started attacking Emeka Ojukwu Junior, the son of APGA most revered late leader, Ikemba Nnewi for jumping ship before their own appointed time,”Obasi stated.

Obasi expressed that Igbo politicians have decided to keep quiet while ‘Obiano and Oye, persons who are alien to the original ideals of APGA continue to make merchandise of the people’s only political legacy in the name of backdoor endorsement of an unwanted-unholy and unacceptable political alliance, it simply goes to say that he who does not know when, where and how a corpse is buried will always exhume such from her legs.

And such is the case of Oye and Obiano with regards the APGA scenario”.

Obasi disclosed that it is putting finishing touches to its plans to drag Obiano and Oye to court for serial breaches of the APGA constitution, insisting that AAPGA were made up of original members of APGA that are against the auctioning and murder of the people’s party.

“We are determined to recover APGA from these traducers and stranger elements, Nigerians should watch out how this imminent battle for the soul of APGA would play out. The fact that some eminent stakeholders are not speaking should not deceive Obiano and his gangs. he is clutching at the shortest end of the stick. They cannot get away with this impunity and injustice against founding members of APGA”, he submitted.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS Extra AE-FUNAI to honor oldest living education minister at 3rd convocation

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

T

he Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) Ebonyi State, says it will honor the oldest living Minister of Education in Nigeria, Professor Ikechukwu Madubuike, with an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters, at its upcoming 3rd convocation.

Madubike was a Minister of Education in 1979 during the Shagari era.

Another personality to be honored with Honourary Doctorate Degree in Management, according to the university, is its Chancellor and Alake of Egba land, His Royal Majesty Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (CFR).

The awards will be conferred on them on 18th of this month, the University convocation day.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba made this known to Journalists during pre-convocation press conference in the university.

The award of honorary Doctorate degrees to the deserving persons was the first time since the school was established as it was hitherto not qualified to do so, according to the Vice Chancellor.

Nwajiuba further disclosed that the university would be graduating 355 students during her convocation.

He added that of the number, 15 made 1st Class while 188 made second class upper.

“355 persons have graduated which we will be convoking. 15 of them made 1st class, 188 made 2nd class upper, 145 made 2nd class lower, 7 third class; 355 in all. They are from four faculties; Faculty of Humanities as the least 44, Faculty of Basic Medicine 52, Faculty of Science 101, Faculty of Management and Social Science 138. Those are the four faculties that we have the graduates.

“We have seven faculties and the other three are yet to produce graduates and they are Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Education and the College of Medicine which is still in the second year.

“This year’s convocation will be on Tuesday 18th of this month as you have realized that it is becoming the culture of AE-FUNAI to hold convocation in this period when people will be around. The convocation lecture will be on Monday December 17 and our convocation lecturer will be Professor Emmanuel Nnadozie.

He is coming from Harare in Zimbabwe and he will be speaking on Education in the African continent.

“For the first time, we shall be awarding Honorary Doctoral Degrees and the first will be. The first will be our chancellor His Royal Majesty Oba Michael Aremu Adedeji CFR the Alake of Egba land. He will be conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management.

“The second person will be Professor Ikechukwu Madubuike.

Professor Madubike was Minister of Education in 1979 during the Shagari-era and I think he is the oldest Minster of Education in Nigeria.

He became a Minister quite early in life. He has a PhD in French from a University in France and he was himself an academic and we though it wise to honour him with a Doctor of letters”.

2019: Accord candidate flags off campaign for Onitsha South 1 constituency

By Theo Rays, Onitsha

A

head of the general elections, the candidate of Accord Party in the race for the seat of Onitsha South 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Chris Arinze has flagged off his campaign with the aim to oust Hon Patrick Aniuno, the incumbent member representing the Constituency who is also the candidate All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 polls.

Hon Aniuno is seeking a reelection for a second term but the youthful Accord candidate in a wellattended flag off rally at Top Rank Hotel Fegge, dared the incumbent and candidates of other political parties saying that the people of

the Constituency deserves a better deal in Awka than what other political parties can offer as according to him, other parties have at different times represented the Constituency but none has something tangible to show for being there.

Unveiling his manifesto, Arinze said that he will initiate projects and programs such as pet projects, renovation of culverts, grading of roads that are not motorable and lobbying for construction of same roads, initiating of innovative bills aimed at improving on the living standard of the constituents and creation of job opportunities through lobbying and recommendations of qualified candidates for jobs to public and private sectors.

He went further to revealed that

if elected, he will sanitize constituency and ensure that each street has a traceable sign post and clearly indicated House number adding that he will job creation and Police measures to wage fight against crime to restore night life for his constituents like the days of old, put measures against touting and fake revenue agents to prevent double taxation, checkmate the excesses of herbal drug dealers and engage local and foreign partners on health care and entrepreneur development as another measures for youth and women empowerment.

Continuing he said; “within my first 90 days in office I will invite all stakeholders from 10 wards of my constituency in a town hall meet-

ing to avail me the opportunity to know the critical areas that need interventions and ensure that the pressing needs of the constituency are pushed into the annual budget of the State with a view to make sure that my vision and programs for the people that sent me to Awka to represent them are achieved.”

In his remark, the Chairman of Accord in Onitsha South Local Government Area, Chief Ikechukwu Nnubia called on the residents who have the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to give their votes to the Accord candidate saying that Accord is prepared to give the constituency the best representative ever in history hence the choice of Arinze who is well gifted and well prepared for the legislative job at the State House of Assembly in Awka.

30 countries, 25 states to grace 2018 Calabar Carnival -- Onah

T

• (From left): Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, after a meeting of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which held at the PDP Campaign Office in Port Harcourt, Friday

You can’t reinstate sacked workers, Ebonyi varsity replies Ogbuorji

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

M

anagement of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki has responded to the statement credited to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2019 general elections, Senator Sunday Ogbuorji, that he would reinstate sacked staff of the state institution if elected governor of the state.

Ogbuorji made the statement recently in his campaign office while flagging off his campaign where he also criticized harshly the state government for disengaging the workers of the university.

However, briefing Journalists at the main campus of the university alongside other management staff of the university, the Vice Chancellor and former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, frowned at Senator Ogbuorji’s comment.

Ogbu urged the APC governorship candidate to understand the fact that the university is autonomous and regulated by National University Commission (NUC) and a set of rules and certainly, not by any polician.

“The politicians should find another ground to spread their falsehood and leave the university in peace,” Ogbu added.

The university’s Management had recently disengaged 63 of its pen-

sionable staff and the withdrawal of extension of services of 46 contract and 90 adjunct academic staff following staff audit ordered by the Governing Council of the university.

The Vice Chancellor who explained the reasons behind the disengagement of the workers noted that the rumor making ride that the university sacked over 300 staff was a total falsehood and a figment of those peddling it.

According to Ogbu, the university has the highest number of staff among the universities within the region and its salary wage bill is over 345 million naira every month and it was finding it extremely difficult to sustain the payment.

He said it was on the process of finding lasting solution to the problem that the university embarked on staff audit as ordered by the university governing council.

He said the workers were disengaged sequel to the findings and recommendation of the staff audit committee as approved by the university governing council.

He added that the 63 pensionable workers affected indulged in irregularities that contravened the extant regulations of the university.

“In the university system, there are two categories of workers the non-pensionable, including the Contract and Adjunct staff are those who have retired after the age of 70 years or have primary employ-

ment in other places. The Council, therefore, approved the disengagement of 46 and 90 academic staff, most of whom are 75-80 years of age. This will create room for young Professors and academics including many qualified Ebonyians who are yet to get employment. This will also put the university in a better standing before our foreign university collaborators who have advised us to get younger dynamic academics, in line with global best practices”.

“The second category of staff who were recommended for disengagement are sixty three (63) in number, and nowhere near the exaggerated number in the social media. These staff were disengaged on the basis of findings of overstay in service, non-retirement after the age of 65/70, falsification of records of age and qualifications. Each staff was confronted with the finding in his/her records and they had no evidence to counter the findings of the committee. They were disengaged without any further changes,” he explained.

Ogbu assured that contrary to the insinuations in some quarters that the affected staff were disengaged in order to bring in his cronies, the university under his watch would not tolerate any sectional activity, saying, he believes in equal treatment of all Ebonyians.

he 2018 Calabar Carnival edition will host over 30 countries and 25 states on the International Carnival Day on 29th December.

Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Mr Gabe Onah disclosed during an interview recently.

Onah hinted that this year’s edition would be used to tell the story of the African race through the theme `Africanism’.

He mentioned some of the countries to include; Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Greece, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, among others.

He said the countries have indicated interest to participate in the 2018 edition of the carnival.

The chairman also mentioned some of the states to include; Kano, Nasarawa, Anambra, Imo, Kaduna, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Kogi Enugu and others.

Onah said that the carnival brings tourists from all over the world to the state.

According to him, Calabar has been the melting point of Africa’s hospitality due to its diverse tourism events and sites, the green environment and the warm hospitality of the people.

“The 2018 edition of the carnival will play host to over 30 countries and 25 states. Most of the countries will have their own band on Dec. 29, scheduled for the International Carnival.

“Top of our priority is security. I can assure tourists coming in for the event of adequate security because we are liaising with security agencies to ensure we have a peaceful and fun-filled celebration.

“Calabar carnival is a platform that has made itself a template to measure any beautiful art of festival or tourism product because all the ingredients that make for a tourism product are present here.”

He said the carnival is a pull factor that brings visitors and tourists alike to the clean and beautiful city of Calabar. The value of any event of this nature is seen through the socio-economic impact on the people.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

•Tourism

Subsidy crisis: NNPC plans market monopoly No Nigerian project in Energy

• Private depots face business gloom

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation is taking coordinated step to revamp and operate all its fuel distribution facilities and permanently address the incessant controversies over fuel supply models that attract allegations of subsidy funds mismanagement.

But the move which is coming at a time NNPC is operating as sole supplier in the market has been flayed by investors in the downstream petroleum industry as threat to hundreds of billion Naira investments staked by private to fill infrastructure gaps in the industry in response to government policy on market liberalization and price deregulation.

Specifically operators of storage depots in the country fear that full control of the market by NNPC would cast a gloom in their business outlook and crumble enterprises they have nurtured with borrowed funds across years.

The Oracle Today reports that the corporation is currently recovering its collapsed downstream distribution infrastructure and storage facilities and may soon minimize use of private depots it rents to store fuel stock at N3 per litre every month.

The market incentive for investments into storage followed col-

lapse of the national downstream infrastructure under the administrative control of the defunct Petroleum Special Trust Fund (PTF) when NNPC became cash strapped and incapable of maintaining its facilities.

According to a document in the corporate planning unit of the corporation seen by our correspondent, national midstream and downstream petroleum industry facilities and infrastructure under the control of the NNPC became dilapidated due to poor maintenance.

The situation was made worse by incessant pipeline breaches along the rights of way, hot tapping by thieving syndicates that thrive on stolen petroleum products, ageing and weakening pipeline segments and deliberate sabotage by agitating community militants.

With funding and revenue squeeze as revenue came under the control of PTF, the corporation’s facilities deployed in low margin downstream operations suffered dilapidation and obsolesce, leading to outages, the document states.

In the midstream, breaches on refinery crude oil feedstock and refined products evacuation pipelines also led to storage congestion at the refineries, leading to low capacity utilization and forced shut down.

Attempts at use of barges for feed-

stock and evacuation also encountered serious security challenges that built cost premiums and rendered refinery operations cost prohibitive and totally uneconomic. Consequently, the nation’s four refineries with total capacity to process 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day increasingly lost capacity and remained unable to make significant contribution to domestic fuel supply.

In the midst of acute fuel shortages in the economy and the attendant hardship on the citizens, government encouraged indigenous marketing companies to pool resources and venture into petroleum products importation to bridge supply.

Though the market was still price regulated, government liberalized participation to allow private marketers assist NNPC with importation of petroleum products and arrest incessant scarcity in the country.

In response, the marketing companies dashed into the import scrimmage, concentrating fuel source to Lagos and exposing acute storage deficits that that offered parallel investment opportunities for tariff based stock holding. With almost all fuel import jetties concentrated in Lagos and NNPC gradually becoming the sole importer under confused pricing arrangement that discourage private imports, the corporation

overreached its storage capacity in the zone and exte4nde patronage to private depots.

Use of private depots has severally led to serious contractual disagreements that led to legal disputes and huge fuel losses; and the ripples created by one of the squabbles led to forced retirement of some management level executives of the corporation involved in the deals.

Besides use of private depots, NNPC has also come under intense allegations over accounting processes it employs in consumption calculations as basis for claim to importation costs, retail price differentials and subsidy funds. From declaration by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, that corporation spends whopping N1.4 trillion annually to subsidize fuel supply to the economy; withdrawals from Petroleum Support Fund; unauthorized tampering with receivables from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited; to the operating an escrow account secret to stakeholders, NNPC has been constantly struggling to absolve itself of suspicions of financial mismanagement.

According to the Chief Operating Officer in charge of upstream operations of the corporation, Mr. Rabiu Bello, all the allegations against the corporation revolve around fuel supply through importation. He attributed all the issues to a common source: inability of the country to revive and operate her refineries to achieve internal self sufficiency.

He also pointed out that the current inefficiency in the midstream and downstream business segments of the industry has broken the linkages required to stimulate the highly needed industrial development of the country through businesses ancillary to crude oil transportation, processing, as well as products distribution and application.

He pointed out that years of petroleum products importation have robbed the country of substantial opportunity in local content development, job creation and huge foreign exchange debits as, according to him, the downstream petroleum industry have been severed from the economy.

He noted that Nigeria remains the only member of the Organization of Petroleum Countries (OPEC) that also remains a net fuel importer. He also made it clear that the nation’s huge import bills have become a liability to the domestic economy.

Chevron’s N7.2 trn 2019 budget P20 e-Platform

Telecom stakeholders’ engagement key to rollout of infrastructure, protection P22 – NCC Travel

Lagos targets 2m participants at 2018 OLF P26

Insurance

CIIN canvasses skills growth strategy for practitioners

P28 Equity & Capital Market

Financial experts canvasses more domestic participation in green bonds P30 Money Market

FG opens N100bn Sukuk subscription, targets road projects

P31

•Cont’d on Pg 18

CBN Exchange Rates DECEMBER 12TH, 2018 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR 305.8 EURO 347.5417 POUNDS STERLING 390.1091 SWISS FRANC 306.2901 YEN 2.6933 CFA 0.5117 WAUA 422.3267 YUAN/RENMINBI 44.0168 RIYAL 81.5032 S/A RAND 22.2492

306.3 348.11 390.7469 306.7909 2.6977 0.5217 423.0173 44.0893 81.6365 22.2856

306.8 348.6782 391.3848 307.2917 2.7021 0.5317 423.7078 44.1617 81.7697 22.322

Stock Market Highlights As At 12TH DECEMBER, 2018

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP S/N

32,143.41 2,772.00 142,110,924.00 N1,556,344,511.64 N11,734,825,417,476.24 N10,063,889,334,086.60 N5,871,605,905.12

Coy (By Volume)

DIAMONDBNK GUARANTY UBA FBNH ZENITHBANK

Value(N)

32,238,108 N37,676,244.47 19,979,436 N738,137,188.45 16,057,330 N128,291,119.15 13,255,534 98,732,995.95 11,738,654 N285,213,065.90

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close FLOURMILL N15.4 OANDO N4.65 ETI N15.55 FBNH N7.45 PZ N9

5 Top Losers

GUARANTY ZENITHBANK NEM DIAMONDBNK ABBEYBDS

N37.15 N24.4 N2.8 N1.28 N1.17

Current Change %Change N16.5 1.1 7.14% N4.95 0.3 6.45% N15.7 0.15 0.96% N7.6 0.15 2.01% N9.15 0.15 1.67% N36.5 N24 N2.57 N1.16 N1.06

-0.65 -0.4 -0.23 -0.12 -0.11

-1.75% -1.64% -8.21% -9.38% -9.40%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

BUSINESS

LCCI decries frequent regulatory challenges Stories by VICTOR NZE

L

AGOS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has expressed worry about the fragile nature of the economy and its implications for poverty and citizens’ welfare, considering the rising population growth rate.

This is as the chamber described year 2018 as challenging for many businesses, as operators experienced frequent incidence of regulatory challenges leading to increased burden on businesses, higher cost of operation, waste of executive time and reputational consequences.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Babatunde Ruwase stated this during the Chamber’s yearly general meeting in Lagos, Thursday.

According to the LCCI, these challenges manifested in form of arbitrary fines and charges, sanctions and frequent summons of corporate executives by the National Assembly, noting that the regulatory environment was a major source of distraction for many corporate entities during the outgoing year.

The LCCI chief said the Federal Government has a huge task in fostering an environment where businesses can thrive better. He said that sound and result-oriented business regulations were critical for pri-

vate sector development.

“The regulatory environment was a major source of distraction for many corporations during the outgoing year and it also adversely impacted the confidence of investors,’’ the LCCI boss said.He acknowledged the efforts of the present administration through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and series of Presidential Executive Orders targeted at improving the business environment.

Ruwase noted that the outgoing year was characterised by numerous opportunities, noting that despite all the challenges, the economy was able to maintain a positive growth trajectory driven by the recovery of oil price for most part of the year.

“Nigeria remains a robust economy with a large market, abundant natural resources and a productive population,’’ he said.

The LCCI chief, however, appealed to all members to improve their participation in activities of the chamber by regularly attending meetings and events.

“It provides veritable platform for discussing policy matters and issues that affect various sub-sectors of the economy,’’ he said.

Ruwase said that the chamber remained resolute in promoting policies that supported private sector development and the general progress of the economy.

•(From left): Air Peace Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide receiving the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s award recognising the airline and The Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria’s support for the campaign against gender-based violence from the Rule of Law Adviser to the Vice President, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi during the National Conference on Sexual and Gender Based Violence at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

PZ Cussons takes re-launched ‘Morning Fresh’ to P/H markets

P

Z Cussons has taken its recently re-launched brand, Morning Fresh to markets in Port Harcourt. The initiative was aimed at increasing demand at wholesale, retail, and distributor level.

Following its recent relaunch, the dishwashing liquid has been engaging in numerous activities targeted at engaging all stakeholders. Amongst

Subsidy crisis: NNPC plans market monopoly

Continued from P 17

He declared that the corporation was working on an integrated approach to downstream industry capacity recovery with a view to returning the nation’s refineries to over 60 percent by next year and 90 percent by 2020.

He said government and industry stakeholders are relentless on restoring and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta while deploying effective security mechanism that would guarantee efficient feed stock supply to the nation’s refineries and flawless products evacuation from the plants and distribution through the pipelines to all zones of the country.

The Oracle Today reports that NNPC operates 5001 kilometers of fuel distribution pipelines, 22 strorage depots spread across all zones of the country, large storage depots located at the refineries and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) depots also located near the refineries.

Mr. Bello said all the pipelines including the notorious Port HarcourtAba-Enugu distribution lines are being repaired to connect depots across the country to decentralize source of fuel supply. He said all the lines and facilities must work to link the downstream petroleum industry back to the economy.

According to him, oil money must be used to grow the nation’s productivity and drive economic development instead of the prevailing massive import which, he said, negatively impacts the nation’s exchange rate, interest rate, foreign reserves and local productivity.

On the concession model being used for refinery rehabilitation, Mr. Bello said government and the private investors would finalize agree-

ment by end of December while work would start on the plants as quickly as possible to meet the targets of 60 percent utilization capacity by 2019 and 90 percent by 2010.

However with the targets set for rehabilitation and revival of the government’s downstream infrastructure and facilities, concerns are high over the fate of private depots concentrated in Lagos from where thousands of haulage tankers flock to lift fuel to different parts of the country.

A member of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) who spike to our correspondent confirmed the fears, stating that some of the depots are already experiencing low activity due to restriction on importation to only NNPC. He said concentrating the country’s whole supply process into the hand of the corporation would expose a lot of depot owners to breach of loan agreements with many banks, warning that failure of the private investments in distribution storage would spell disaster for the economy.

Managing Director of West African Bitumen and Emulsion Company (WABECO), Chief Sylvarius Okoli, also objected the NNPC’s plan to rehabilitate and operate the nation’s 22 depots across the country, warning that the facilities might slip back into deterioration in the hands of the public sector player.

He advised the government to revive and concession the depots to different competing private companies and allow regulators to benchmark performance in the utilization of the depots to ensure high level of management efficiency and collaboration in supply and distribution.

He pointed out that policy thrust should address market challenges

that halted private importation, adding that strengthening NNPC and concentrating means of supply and distribution into its hands would dismantle basis for private investments in the industry.

He warned that the domestic petroleum industry would suffer double losses if government restored public sector monopoly that would ultimately fail to meet the demands of a growing economy while allowing more efficient and pragmatic private participants to fizzle out.

He warned that price fiat imposed on the market was already hampering existing policies on market liberalization and price deregulation which, he pointed out, form the prime incentives for private investments in development of distribution and marketing infrastructure.

He made it clear that policies that derail investments would also fail to drive the economy.

Chief Okoli who is former Chairman of DAPPMAN also warned of double infrastructural decay in the industry if public sector monopoly is allowed to murder thriving businesses, stressing that downstream petroleum infrastructure never thrived well under public sector management.

He appealed that government policies should be structured to encourage investments in public-private partnership model which would necessarily place asset management in the efficient and shrewd hand of the private sector.

Chief Okoli advised government to concession the downstream distribution facilities to players already positioned in the storage and distribution end of the business to ensure high level of efficiency, expertise and core competency in fuel distribution across the country.

these activities was the ‘market storm’ which took place in Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets in Port Harcourt.

Accompanying the brand team was Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, who took part in the numerous fun activities during the activation, engaging with the distributors, retailers, and traders alike.

Also present at the in-market activations were members of the brand team which include Brand Manager, Morning Fresh, Ahusimere Ejiroghene; Regional Sales Manager, East, PZ Cussons Consumer, Sunday Okereke; and Area Sales Manager, Morning Fresh, PZ Cussons Consumer, Sunday Ekpo.

Speaking about the in-market activations, Ejiroghene who expressed her delight at the turnout of the events said the company has revamped the Morning Fresh brand, emphasizing on its premium look and feel, which is in line with its commitment to constantly innovate and evolve to exceed the expectations of stakeholders in the country.

“The elegant transparent bottle de-

livers both functional and aesthetic value to our stakeholders, making the product stand out on shelves – we are confident that these stakeholders will take completely to our products and aid us in achieving our sales targets,” she said.

Now featuring a new transparent bottle and a double-faced, one-sided label which is aimed at increasing the standout appeal and authenticity of the brand across all consumer touch points in an increasingly competitive market, Morning Fresh is now said to be ‘super-powered’ to provide more value for money through its superior grease-cutting performance.

The new packaging also comes in its usual three usual options – Original, Zesty Lemon, and Antibacterial.

Morning Fresh has been in Nigeria for 25 years and has established itself as the bestselling dishwashing liquid in the market, remaining relevant with consistent delivery on superior grease-cutting performance designed to tackle with ease, all food stains and providing squeaky clean results.

‘TraderMoni’ approved by NASS – Osinbajo

V

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that providing interest-free loans to petty traders nationwide empowers ordinary Nigerians and helps to tackle poverty, while enabling those at the bottom of the economic ladder who work the hardest do better.

This is also the VP informed that the scheme was approved by the National Assembly in its budgetary provisions, as he also assured that there was ‘enough money to fund the loan scheme.

Osinbajo who stated this on Friday during his visit to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where he launched the N10,000 collateral-free TraderMoni scheme at the Ipata market, disclosed that so far over 1.5 million petty traders have benefitted from the scheme.

The TraderMoni scheme is under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes (GEEP), one of the Social Investment Programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“TraderMoni is a very important aspect of our economic policy.

We believe that one of the ways to counter poverty and to enable those who work the hardest, and these are the petty traders, to empower them to enable them to be

able to do better, we have to give them credit.

“Nobody else will give microcredit to the petty traders because nobody is sure whether they will be able to pay or not. Only the government can do such. That is why we have decided that we must give micro credit to the petty traders,” the Vice President, said while responding to questions after the launch of the scheme.

Noting that the petty traders are the lowest in the wrung of the economic ladder, Prof. Osinbajo said: “It is important for us to do so and for now we are giving microcredits to 2 million petty traders. We intend to increase that as we go along. Now we give them N10,000, when they pay back, we give them N15,000 and when they pay back also, we give them another N20,000.”

Osinbajo noted that TraderMoni beneficiaries can graduate to the MarketMoni scheme where they can access loans from N50,000 to N350,000 or more.

Asked about sustainability of the scheme, he explained, “I believe that there is enough money to be able to take care of the scheme, and the needs of the people. We don’t steal public resources, so, yes, there will be enough money for the scheme.”

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

BUSINESS

Fidelity Bank reaffirms commitment to strategic plan, corporate sustainability

Stories by VICTOR NZE

F

IDELITY Bank Plc, a top Nigeria lender, has reaffirmed its commitment towards achieving its five-year strategic plan whilst advancing socio-economic development through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, made this assertion in Lagos, during its annual Fidelity Year End Party, themed; “Doing Good”, which held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

Organised in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of its flagship CSR initiative known as, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), Okonkwo said that the event provided ample opportunity for the Bank to appreciate its teeming customers and other stakeholders for their support and patronage.

“Last year, we crafted a new

five-year strategic plan, to mark the beginning of another growth phase. We are making good progress so far and the figures are panning out as envisaged.”

He explained that the FHHP is the Bank’s unique approach to giving back to the society and allows staff members to contribute personal funds to execute sustainable projects of their choice, supported by a 100 percent counterpart funding from the financial institution.

“It gladdens our hearts to see that we have impacted lives through the numerous projects recorded over the years by FHHP in the focus areas of Health, Social Welfare, Environment, Education and Youth Empowerment,” Okonkwo stated.

Commending the staff for hard work and customers for their continued patronage, Board Chairman, Ernest Ebi, reiterated Fidelity Bank’s commitment to service delivery.

Aviation industry contributes $2.7trn to global GDP – ICAO

I

NTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), says aviation industry’s contribution to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), currently stands at 2.7 trillion dollars.

President of ICAO, Dr Bernard Aliyu and the Secretary General, Dr Fang Liu Friday, in a joint statement to commemorate the 2018 International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD), said no fewer than 4.1 billion passengers and 56 million tonnes of freight were carried on 37 million commercial flights in 2017.

December 7 every year is recognised globally as ICAD and the theme for this year is: “Working Together to Ensure No Country is Left Behind”.

“In light of this massive volume of operations, aviation generates over 65 million jobs worldwide and more than 2.7 trillion dollars to global GDP. “In spite of the incredible scale of these economic impacts, the growth in commercial flight volumes shows no signs of slowing.

“Indeed current forecasts see the numbers of passengers and operations in global air transport doubling by the mid-2030s and by that time, no fewer than 200,000 flights per day are expected to take off and land all over the world.

“This tremendous exponential growth, coupled with the distinct contributions of aviation connectivity to States’ achievement of 15 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presents a new and tremendous opportunity for global development in the coming decades,” they said.

They said that governments of member states must commit to raising their levels of ICAO compliance to be in line with global norms in order to take advantage of the growth and optimise it for their local businesses and populations.

ICAO said that governments must also continue to support the principles of open borders and freer trade to enable air transport to continue to connect all and foster new understanding among the peoples of the world and new opportunities for travel and trade.

According to ICAO leaders, improving local skills and capabilities

to assure ICAO compliance can be a daunting task for many developing States, and the No Country Left Behind theme acknowledges these challenges while encouraging greater generosity and assistance from more developed States and donors.

“This theme was established on a recurring basis for the 2016-2018 ICAO triennium, in order to highlight the enormous transformational power of air connectivity to improve people’s lives.

“It also reflects the key role of cooperation and assistance to help spread aviation’s benefits to every corner of the world, and on the power of capacity-building to help needful States leverage the latest technologies and innovations.

“To-date it has helped many countries become more active participants in international aviation, helping to augment travel and tourism revenues for Small Island States, provide Landlocked Developing States with safe, secure and rapid access to global suppliers and trade routes.

“It has also helped to present a brighter and more sustainable future of opportunity for their local populations,” they said.

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•Customs Area Controller Apapa Command, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar (left); General Manager HRG Nigeria, Ms. Lola Adefope; Publisher Inside Watch Africa IWA, Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo; former Deputy Executive Secretary of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Sola Afolabi; former Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, and Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, at the celebration of 10th anniversary of Inside Watch Africa (IWA) magazine in Lagos.

AfCFTA will increase Africans’ freedoms – ECA T HE African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), if fully implemented, will not only give a substantial boost to Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) but also help expand the freedoms of the continent’s citizens, the majority of whom have never been outside their countries of origin, says a top official of the Economic Commission (ECA).

In his closing remarks to the African Economic Conference that was held in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme; Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s Development, ECA’s Macroeconomic Policy Division Director, Adam Elhiraika, said; “Regional integration is not only good because of the boost that it gives to our economies, but because it allows Africans to better live the lives they want.”

Africans, he said, need the freedom to travel in their own continent, adding the free movement of people will make the continent a much better place, especially as Africans exchange ideas and other services.

Elhiraika said regional economic

integration will reduce barriers to the movement of goods, services, people, capital and ideas across borders within the region, raising the need for countries that have not yet signed the historic agreement to do so.

He urged countries that have signed the AfCFTA to ratify the accord so it can come into effect and change the face of the continent as the game-changer that it is expected to be. The AfCFTA will enter into force once 22 member States have deposited their instruments of ratification.

“Africans want regional integration. In the language of Africa’s Agenda 2063, regional integration is an essential part of the Africa that Africans want,” the ECA Director said, adding regional and economic integration was the most important priority for the continent at present.

He saluted the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for working seamlessly with the ECA in hosting the conference that saw 300 experts discussing is-

sues around the AfCFTA; intra-regional trade; how far regional integration will be inclusive and how it might be more; how to support the private sector to take advantage of new opportunities presented by regional integration; the importance of infrastructure in facilitating integration; and what regional integration means for Africa’s youth, among other topics.

At least 49 of Africa’s 55 countries have signed the agreement and Kenya, Ghana, eSwatini, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Guinea Conakry have deposited their instruments of ratification.

South Africa is expected to deposit its instrument of ratification during the February African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Once it enters into force, the AfCFTA will constitute the largest free trade area globally. It aims to build an integrated market in Africa that will see a market of more than onebillion people, with a combined gross domestic product of about $3.3-trillion.

The next AEC conference will take place in December 2019.

hotels around the world, free travel insurance cover for them and their family for medical emergencies, lost luggage, flight cancellation and much more anytime they travel,” Head, Consumer Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Kari Tukur, said in a statement.

Adding that the insurance is also valid for foreign visa applications and also benefits closer to home, including free cinema tickets all year around for the movie lovers, free premium events tickets such as concerts, comedy shows and art exhibitions and lots of great offers and discounts from a wide range of merchants across the country ranging from restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping and others.

Tukur further said subscribers are also invited to various seminars, conferences and round table discussions covering a wide range of topics such as Wealth Management & Investment, Economic Outlook, Financial

Planning, Assess to Finance and others.

“These events will give them the opportunity to acquire knowledge from industry experts and network with like minds. Subscribing to Xclu-

sivePlus is simple, all the customer needs to do is visit www.diamondbank.com/xclusiveplus/ and fill out the easy opt-in form and within 2 minutes they will start enjoying all these benefits,” she said.

Diamond Bank unveils ‘Xclusiveplus’

IAMOND Bank has introduced a proposition called ‘XclusivePlus’ a premium lifestyle subscription service for its affluent banking customers to impact on their lives whilst serving them better.

“We have seen a rise in customer expenditure amongst the emerging affluent client segment in the past few years for luxury travel, luxury experiences and luxury products.

“Our XclusivePlus proposition is well positioned to further enhance their lifestyle and provide them with the most satisfying rewards.

“XclusivePlus membership comes with an automatic card upgrade to the Diamond visa signature naira debit card. This is a naira card with higher spends limits and enables for international spend. With this card, our customer will enjoy lots of world class travel and lifestyle benefits such as free access to over 800 Premium airport lounges globally, great discounts and VIP treatment at luxury

Trade liberalisation critical to West Africa’s economy

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ORMER Deputy Executive Secretary, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Sola Afolabi, has described trade liberalisation as critical to lifting the economy of member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Afolabi, who delivered a paper titled: “The Trajectory of IntraWest Africa Trade and Travel 1975 till date,” at the inaugural lecture to mark the 10th anniversary of Inside Watch Africa (IWA) magazine in Lagos, said Nigeria is the greatest beneficiary of the ECOWAS Trade

Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).

He said ETLS and Free Movement Protocol are the most promising tools for enhancing regional integration in West Africa.

“The success of the schemes today has made Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to stand out among the Regional Economic Communities in Africa. The entry of Morocco into ECOWAS and the enforcement of AfCTA should be prudently managed to achieve the desired objectives. With greater sensitisation and efficient application, the schemes can continue to contribute to the enhancement of the welfare of ECOWAS citizens.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

ENERGY

No Nigerian project in Chevron’s N7.2 trn 2019 budget Stories by SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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IGERIA is not in any major calculation in the $20 billion or N7.2 trillion operating and capital budget mapped out

by American multinational petroleum industry operator, Chevron, in 2019.

Despite holding significant business interests in Nigeria, including some huge undeveloped assets in the nation’s deepwater area, the oil giant is not looking at Nigeria as major source of new production in the short term, and has not assigned capital deployment to any major Nigerian project for next year.

According to a statement issued

by Chevron Corporation from San Ramon, United States, major capital project penciled for 2019 are outside Nigeria even though there is unspecified plan for continued exploration for new reserves in the corporation’s group operations.

Chevron Corporation whose local affiliates operate various production agreements with the Nigerian government stated in a release that it will hike spending by 9.3% next year to $20 billion, its first budget increase since 2014 as it expands investments in the Permian Basin and its Tengiz project in Kazakhstan.

The world’s No. 3 oil producer by market value will spend $3.6 billion in the West Texas and New Mexico basin, 18% of its total budget. The amount is up about 9% from this year’s budget.

Chevron’s annual spending is now about half of what it was half a decade ago, when oil prices were more than $100 per barrel ($100/bbl) and it was exceeding its budget on giant Australian gas-export projects. Major oil explorers are setting 2019 spending plans during a period of considerable price volatility: New York crude futures have lost about a third of their value since early October, prompting OPEC, Russia and other significant producers to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day.

In announcing the $20 billion

capital and exploratory budget for 2019, Chevron pointed out that the budget would cut across all its business segments, with interests in short gestation projects and quick win programmes.

Chairman and CEO, Mr. Michael K. Wirth said, “Our investments are anchored in high-return shortcycle projects, with more than two-thirds of spend projected to realize cash flow within two years.”

“Our 2019 budget supports a robust portfolio of upstream and downstream investments, highlighted by our world-class Permian Basin position, additional shale and tight development in other basins and our major capital project at TCO in Kazakhstan,” he added.

Wirth continued, “We expect to continue to deliver steady production growth, enabling continued free cash flow that underpins our strong dividend and share repurchase program.”

Details of the 2019 spending program include $7.6 billion planned expenditure in the U.S. upstream; $9.7 billion on international upstream; $1.5 billion in US downstream and another $1.0 billion in international downstream.

Some $200 million will be spent on the company’s other businesses.

On the whole, $6.3 billion of the total 2019 budget will be spent

by Chevron’s affiliate companies, while the remaining $13.7 billion is to be expended by Chevron consolidated companies.

“In the upstream business, approximately $10.4 billion is forecasted to sustain and grow currently producing assets, including $3.6 billion for the Permian and $1.6 billion for other shale and tight investments. Approximately $5.1 billion of the upstream program is planned for major capital projects underway, including $4.3 billion associated with the Future Growth Project at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan,” the company stated.

It also added that its global exploration funding is expected to be about $1.3 billion, while the re-

•NNPC GMD’s representative and Chief Operating Officer, NNPC Upstream, Mr. Rabiu Bello (middle) cutting the tape to flag-off the CS Connect programme. He is flanked by the Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services, Mr. Isah Inuwa (right); Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Isiaka Abdulrazaq (2nd from right); and the Group General Manager, Group Human Resources, Mrs. Oyeyemi Ladipo (2nd from left).

maining upstream spend will be for early stage projects supporting potential future developments.

Approximately $2.5 billion of planned capital spending is associated with the company’s downstream businesses that refine, market and transport fuels, and manufacture and distribute lubricants, additives and petrochemicals.

Chevron divested its downstream assets in Nigeria, ruling out possibility of spending a dime in the country from its 2019 downstream budget. In the upstream also, there is no mention of any significant project in Nigeria that commands significant investment

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NDIGENOUS gas and power specialty firm, Axxela Limited, has become the first independent company to activate natural gas export to West African countries just as the industry positions for energy transition and fuel choices shift to gas.

Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Kevin Azuara, said in a statement that Axxela remains sub-Saharan Africa’s preferred and fast-growing gas and power portfolio company.

He said the company has in Accra, Ghana, signed a Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA) with the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) Limited to transport over 15 million standard cubic feet per day (Mscf/d) of natural gas via the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to Lome, Togo.

The Oracle Today reports that Axxela which evolved from Oando

Gas & Power is the pioneer independent developer of Nigeria’s foremost natural gas distribution network and has subsequently grown to become the largest private sector natural gas distributor in Nigeria, delivering at peak 80 Mscf/d to over 160 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of gas infrastructure.

With over 280 kilometers in gas pipeline infrastructure in itys assets, Axxela says it provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, and Central Horizon Gas Company.

Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bolaji Osunsaya, declatres: “The partnership between Axxela, WAPCo, and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), portends major benefits for the West African gas markets. The flow of new mol-

The Oracle Today reports that Chevron is a prominent member of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LACCI), and the group is jointly protesting proposed changes in the fiscal arrangements that govern their production sharing contracts (PSCs) with government.

Since 2008 when the new fiscal arrangements were built into the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as part pf wider industry reform process, the major players have frozen investment while protesting perceived breaches in existing contracts and new taxes in proposed laws.

pation and local job creation.

The platform which aligns the requirements of the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NIPEX) qualification system managed by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS) controlled by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in one qualification system targets to capture the capacity of local companies to enable them take advantage of the available opportunities.

Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated at a local content conference in Yenegoa, Bayealsa State, that the corporation has continuously worked with NCDMB to align the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NipeX) portal and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS) portal.

He said the aligment was part of wider collaboration between the two agencies to grow Nigerian Content of the petroleum industry from the current 40 per cent to 70 per cent by 2027 as part of strategies to sustain economic development in country.

Dr. Baru said other strategies for

implementing Local Content development include closing human capacity gaps, skills acquisition and assets ownership by indigenous companies, among others.

He explained that part of the policy objectives was to identify and guide the implementation of key national content initiatives, including promotion of local manufacturing of steel plates and pipes as well as development of engineering design expertise in the country.

He added that that the NNPC was actively collaborating with NCDMB to drive indigenous participation through the engagement of community resources, human resources and capital in the execution of Joint Venture projects and maintenance activities.

The process, he explained, informed the move to align NipeX portal and NOGICJQS portal with a view to adequately capture the capacity of local companies to enable them take advantage of the available opportunities.

He also said NNPC established the NNPC Oil Field Services Limited (NOFS) in order to directly intervene in local participation and create sufficient capacity for direct involvement in the provision of high-end value-added services to the industry.

Govt syncs NIPEX, NOGICJQS qualification systems

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OVERNMENT is working on synchronized qualification platform for petroleum industry contractors, and the model targets to guarantee full compliance to the Nigerian Content policy, community contractor partici-

Axxela feeds 15 Mscf/d into WAGP

•Signs on WAPCo for gas export

consideration for the year.

The statement contains no intention of sparking development of any of the company’s discoveries in the country despite expectations that the company’s local affiliate, Stardeep, might take a decisive step towards production from its Nsiko deep offshore field in Nigeria.

This means that speculations in the industry that Chevron operated fields with significant discoveries in the country may not take any major step towards development stages in the year when oil service firms in the country expect vibrancy in the deep offshore terrain.

ecules beyond the existing foundation contracts will diversify gas supply sources into the WAGP, and affirms Axxela’s proactive mid-term growth plan. Propelled by our professionalism, strategic partnerships, and excellence across our business enterprise, we remain firmly committed to the positioning of gas as a catalyst for socio-economic empowerment across the region’s key markets.”

Also commenting at the signing ceremony, WAPCo Managing Director, Walter Perez, stated: “With public and private players increasingly working together to propel the gas advantage, our partnership with Axxela speaks to our overarching strategy for increased regional supply and participation.

WAPCo is continuously driven to spur regional gas integration, and we are highly delighted to welcome Axxela on board the WAGP, and look forward to a fruitful and industry-defining collaboration.”

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

ENERGY

Energia, Oando JV delivers more host communities projects • Plans to upgrade Kwale General Hospital to a first grade referral hospital Stories by SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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WO indigenous companies, Energia and Oando, are not just in oil and gas exploration and production alliance; they are also deploying venture profits into rural infrastructure development, cultivation of small enterprises, and restoration of social stability in the restive Niger Delta.

The companies which jointly deploy industry efficiency in harnessing production from marginal petroleum reserves holed up in a number of small oilfields in onshore Delta State declared weekend that they have poured in over N2.0 billion in building of roads, civic centers, hospitals and providing other social services that lift living standards among host community stakeholders.

According to information circulated by Modion Communications, investment partner, Oando Energy Resources (OER); and joint venture operator, Energia Limited; early in the month commissioned and handed over multi-billion Naira infrastructural projects to six host communities in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

The joint venture operates the Ebendo/Obodeti Marginal Field hosted in oil mining lease (OML) 56 located in the area.

The projects include a newly built health centre; housing estate; fully furnished community town hall;

two new and fully furnished palaces; an integrated drainage system and roads and rural electrification for the benefit of the communities of Ebendo, Obodougwa and Umusam.

Other communities covered in the development programme are Isumpe, Umusadege and Ogbeani.

According to Modion, the projects are an actualization of the promises made by the Joint Venture in an agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host communities for the exploration and operations of the Ebendo/Obodeti oil field.

The newly commissioned projects, it was stated, are in addition to the 35 other social and infrastructural projects worth over N2.0 billion delivered over a 10 year period in line with the MoU. Earlier projects delivered by the joint venture include the Ebendo Community Ultra-Modern Market, the Isumpe Community fully furnished Ultra-Modern Town Hall, and the provision of community buses and a robust Welfare Programme through a Trust Board for elderly community members.

Speaking at the recent commissioning, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Freeman Fregene, said; “The existence of Oando and Energia has brought rapid developments to these host communities.

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Joseph Akinlaja (left), and the representative of the NNPC GMD/Chief Operating Officer, NNPC Downstream, Engr. Henry Ikem Obih, exchanging pleasantries during the oversight visit of members of the Committee to the Corporation’s downstream subsidiaries… Tuesday.

The performance of these companies reflects on the developmental strides of the communities and it is worth emulating at all levels.”

From inception the mission of the JV partnership has been to effectively drive the rapid and sustained development of its host communities. To do this they put aside a percentage of their gross production revenue for diverse community development projects.

In 2009, they established the Community Trust Fund (CTF) Board,

Anyaegbudike seeks sanity in PR practice

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PUBLIC Relations expert, Mr. Victor Anyaegbudike has advocated the training and certification of all practitioners of Public Relations to curb quackery and institute professionalism in the practice.

Mr. Anyaegbudike, who is the External Communications Coordinator at Chevron Nigeria Limited gave the charge while delivering a lecture on “Developing a brand in a hostile environment – Brand building as a PR tool” at a workshop organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) FCT Abuja chapter as part of their 2018 conference and Annual General Meeting.

He quoted the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) as defining PR as the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of earning understanding and support

while influencing opinion and behavior. He added that Public Relations is the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organization and its publics.

According to him, PR is a fundamental aspect of brand building, as it encapsulates the essence of reputation and relationship building which are critical for performance of any organization or company.

In citing examples from the product and service marketing perspectives, he emphasized that organizations can build their brands if they leveraged the value of research, build brand awareness, leverage digital marketing/social media and develop strong company culture.

He also advised corporate organizations to sustain the customer

promise, build trust, and embrace innovation beyond the familiar as well as train company’s executives and spokespersons.

“Companies should strive for innovations. As famously accentuated by Peter F. Drucker: Business has only two functions — marketing and innovation and innovation is potent

to enhance brand personality if managed justly,” he stated.

Mr. Anyaegbudike noted that branding building is a discipline process and brands should be ingrained with quality, promise, authenticity, trust, value and other characteristics.

According to him, branding involves analytical, prescriptive and futuristic approach to business development and therefore requires PR practitioners to possess high leadership propensity, mental vitality, finesse dexterity and intellectual curiosity.

Volkswagen plans N. America electric vehicle factory

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OLKSWAGEN is deciding where to locate a new factory in North America to build electric vehicles for the U.S. market, the German automaker’s new head for the Americas said.

Scott Keogh, the newly appointed CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said a new plant was needed to build a vehicle yet to be revealed under the Volkswagen brand, priced between $30,000 and $40,000, that is due in 2020.

“We are 100 percent deep in the process of ‘We will need an electric car plant in North America,’ and we’re holding those conversations now,” Keogh told journalists at the Los Angeles auto show.

An electric car that could take on Silicon Valley’s Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is part of the massive investment in

electric vehicles that Europe’s largest carmaker plans to make.

Volkswagen announced earlier this month it would spend almost 44 billion euros ($50 billion) on developing electric cars, autonomous driving and new mobility services by 2023, while exploring areas of cooperation with U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co (F.N).

To meet a production timeline for 2020, the new electric car will initially be sourced outside of the United States, Keogh said, but then will be produced at the newly chosen site.

Volkswagen’s existing U.S. plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Passat and Atlas are built, could be one option as there is enough room at that facility, but it will not necessarily be chosen, Keogh said.

Tesla has thus far captured the

largest share of the U.S. market for electric vehicles, but a host of new models will hit the market from German automakers and others over the next two years.

For Volkswagen, although it is behind Tesla, it is not necessarily too late to capture a U.S. market that presents a “massive opportunity,” Keogh said.

“The market timing actually is quite perfect,” he said. “You need to have this intersection of, ‘Can you get costs down enough that you can produce a car at that price point, make enough money, have the technology capabilities that this is a car that we would want to put in the marketplace, and have market acceptance?’” he said.

“And when all these things intersect that’s ideally when you want to throw the dart.”

consisting of representatives from Oando, Energia and the host communities. So far, the CTF has spent N2 billion on over 35 infrastructural projects across the Emu Ebendo, Oboduguwa, Umusam, Isumpe, Ogbeani and Umusadege communities.

These have included 9 road and drainage projects, 7 town halls and palaces, 6 educational facilities, 5 electrification projects, 4 elders’ welfare projects, 3 youth and women empowerment projects, healthcare facilities, markets, housing estates, transportation systems, security and landscaping projects.

Commenting, the Chairman, Energia Limited, Mr. Geroge Osahon, said, “The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding based on mutual agreement on the initiation and implementation of projects has brought meaningful and measurable development to the communities

and in turn a peaceful environment for operations for the Joint Venture”.

Also commenting the General Manager, Government Relations, Oando Energy Resources, Kofo Tunji-Olagunju stated; “At Oando, we believe it is our corporate social responsibility as a proudly Nigerian company, to give back to our host communities and promote sustainable development.

“Our mantra is that we must leave all our host communities better off than we met them. In this light, we have earmarked more impactful projects to further upgrade the quality of living in the communities. Plans are in advance planning stage for the upgrade of Kwale General Hospital into a fully functional referral hospital which will provide improved health care delivery services to the communities within the Ndokwa West Local Government Area.”

OPEC+ slashes 1.2 mbd from production

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RGANIZATION of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) plus 10 cooperating producer nations agreed at a meeting in Vienna, Austria, weekend to cut global oil supplies by 1.2 million barrels per day (mbd).

Of the total figure, Russia and other nine countries cooperating with OPEC on the price redemption campaign take responsibility to cut collective output by one million barrels of crude oil every day, while OPEC members led by Saudi Arabia will assume the sacrifice of 800,000 barrels of daily production.

However, some members of OPEC including Iran, Venezuela, Qatar and Iraq may not have to cut production, leaving the larger responsibility to other members including Nigeria which was recently factored into production calculation.

Iran secured consideration in the contentious talks, saying it’s secured an exemption from cuts as it suffers the effects of U.S. sanctions.

Crude surged as much as 5.4% in London, raising the risk that the deal could anger U.S. President Trump, who had urged the group to keep the taps open and prices low.

The breakthrough at OPEC’s secretariat followed a series of bilateral meetings convened by non-OPEC member Russia, which emerged as the key broker between arch rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.

OPEC has been under increasing

pressure from forces re-drawing the global oil map, leaving it ever more dependent on Russia’s support while also subject to vehement opposition from Trump.

The final deal came as a surprise, since discussions had earlier centered on a proposed output reduction from OPEC and its allies of about 1 MMbpd, with OPEC cutting 650,000 bbl of the total, according to delegates.

Producers will use October production levels as a baseline for cuts and the agreement will be reviewed in April. Russia’s contribution to the reduction is not yet known. The country had initially pitched for a 100,000 to 150,000-bpd cut, but subsequently indicated it might agree to a slightly larger reduction, a delegate said earlier.

Much has changed for OPEC since 2016, when Russia and Saudi Arabia ended their historic animosity and started to manage the market together. The alliance has transformed the group into a duopoly in which the Kremlin is asserting its power.

“OPEC, or more precisely Saudi Arabia, has been the head honcho of the oil world for nearly six decades; yet these days it seems unable to make a decision without Russia’s blessing, let alone without risking the wrath of the U.S. president,” said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates in London.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

e-Platform

Telecom stakeholders’ engagement key to rollout of infrastructure, protection – NCC Stories by VICTOR NZE

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IGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) says constant engagement with telecom stakeholders is key to the roll out of telecom infrastructure and protection.

Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare, said this at the NCC Stakeholders Parliament on ‘Optimising the Benefits of Telecom Infrastructure in Nigeria” in Lokoja on Thursday.

Represented by Gwa Mohammed, Deputy Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Dare said that NCC was concerned that progress was being hampered by activities of some state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which refused to grant required approvals timely.

He said “some state MDAs impose inordinate charges for building approvals and right of way and frequently interfere with the operations of such infrastructure by shutting them down at will.

“When the industry faces challenges of this nature , it is ultimately the citizens that suffer. If we were to quantify the monetary impact of the disruptions to communications, security, health and other platforms which rely on these infrastructure, I am sure the national economy would have lost billions of naira.

“Events such as this underscores the need for closer cooperation and consultations between stakeholders in public and private sectors of our economy.”

Dare said that the common objective was service to the citizens and not to allow short term revenue goal to hamper the nation’s ability to leverage technology for growth and development.

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Paul Osoro, during his presentation on “Legal Framework for Telecom Infrastructure Rollout” said infrastructure was the platform on which Information Communication Technology (ICT) network thrive.

Osoro, who was represented by Mr Sixtus Onwuka, said that “the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants the Federal Government powers to collect National Information Technology Development Levy.

“The state governments also have the power to collect infrastructure maintenance charge, these two are similar types of charges for one person to pay and these are being demanded by two levels of government which amounts to multiple taxation and duplicate levies.”

He outlined these as some of the challenges facing operations and these he said included multiple taxation which hindered telecom development, lands tenure system, the lack of adequate security and vandalism. ”Disruption of infrastructure and poor engineering personnel, the charge of ecological and environmental levy, payment of value added tax and sales tax over the transaction could be streamlined even if it was increased.

“That way, the operator who paid would know that he or she had paid once and for all.”

He commended the NCC for setting up an industry working group over multiple taxation.

Osoro tasked stakeholders to work together to champion the cause for review and harmonisation of technology, information and telecommunication laws.

He said government should improve on measures to protect the

•(From left): Chair of Judges, 9mobile Photography Competition, Kola Oshalusi; Acting Managing Director, 9mobile, Stephane Beuvelet; Second runner-up, 9mobile Photography Competition, Ayodeji Ogunro and fellow Judge, Bernard Kalu at the prize presentation ceremony to finalists of the 2018 Competition in Lagos.

telecom infrastructure, as well as eliminate all barriers to telecom operations and development in Nigeria.

Prof. Abiola Sanni, a Lecturer of Commercial Law, University of Lagos, called on government to ensure that tlecom operators were encouraged to be in every nook and cranny of the country, irrespective of profit.

I

Obozuwa expressed pleasure at the continued success of the Lagos Garage since inception.

“Our goal is to empower Nigeria entrepreneurs with the relevant skills required to compete on a global scale. I’m happy to say that so far, over 250 people have successfully graduated from the advanced manufacturing training program we offer here at the Garage” she said.

Obozuwa added that with the e-learning platform, interested entrepreneurs no longer have to be physically present at the Garage to benefit from the innovative training the hub offers.

“This platform will make the training on offer at our GE hub reach a much wider audience than ever before, thus increasing the number of beneficiaries and making it more impactful.

This has always been our goal: to reach the maximum number of Nigerian entrepreneurs in a short period, delivering valuable training that they would otherwise not have access to.”

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Hon. Hakeem Fahm, Commissioner of Lagos State Ministry of Science & Technology, who was

derstand the peculiar issues that state MDAs experience in their interface with operators and how to resolve them.

The engagements were also to ensure actionable work plan for speedy deployment of critical telecoms infrastructure and to protect those already deployed to stimulate national socio-economic growth.

themed ‘9ja: My Grind, My Hustle’ for her image titled ‘My Passion, My Strength’.

Christiana Obafemi was announced the winner at a prize presentation ceremony held on Thursday, December 6. The event took place at 9mobile’s office in Banana Island, Lagos.

She received a brand-new Canon camera for emerging the most outstanding shutterbug, in the talent development initiative aimed to engage and empower budding photographers using the power of digital media.

In addition, Bambi Daniel and Ayodeji Ogunro emerged the runners-up for the Photography Competition with their images, ‘Female Barber’ and ‘The Wind’ respectively.

The announcement of Christiana Obafemi as the winner followed the unanimous selection of her image by the judging panel for this year’s Photography Competition, made up of creative photographer, Kola Oshalusi; documentary photographer, Bernard Kalu; and awardwinning photo-journalist, Aisha Augie-Kuta.

Director of Brands and Experience, 9mobile, Elvis Ogiemwanye, congratulated the winner and runners-up, noting that their images were amazing interpretations of the theme ‘9ja: My Grind, My Hustle’ which was chosen to celebrate individuals who appreciate the importance of hard work and have a drive

for success and fulfilment.

“We at 9mobiIe congratulate Christiana Obafemi on coming tops in this competition; it is certainly a huge accomplishment amongst hundreds of other contestants. I also commend the runners-up for putting up a good showing. The three-shortlisted works are good interpretations of the effort to celebrate hardworking Nigerians who aim for success,” he said.

Elvis added that as a telecoms operator dedicated to the unique Nigerian spirit, 9mobile will not relent in assisting talented photographers to reach their maximum potential.

Acting Managing Director Stephane Beuvelet said, “We are a proudly youth-focused brand, and we will not rest on our oars in ensuring that this important segment of our population get a lift through initiatives like 9mobile Photography Competition. It’s the digital age, and we are giving them a platform to leverage the power of digital media.”

Stephane also appreciated the judges and thanked Nigerians for participating in the contest, assuring that it will get bigger and better.

David Gideon had earlier emerged winner of the ‘Voters’ Choice’ category of the competition, with his work titled ‘A Woman’. He was selected through a two-week online public vote and his image received the most votes.

Obafemi wins 9mobile Photography Competition

O

LUWATOYIN Christiana Obafemi has been announced the winner of the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Photography Competition,

GE Nigeria launches e-learning portal at Lagos Garage Week 2018 N line with its commitment to skills development and the empowerment of entrepreneurs in Nigeria, General Electric (GE), the world’s premier digital industrial company, Friday, launched an e-learning portal for its Lagos Garage advanced manufacturing training programme with the objective of extending the training program’s reach to thousands of Nigerians across the country.

The portal was launched during GE’s Lagos Garage Week 2018, a year-end series of events held annually at the Lagos Garage which is located in GE’s Lagos office in Victoria Island.

During Garage week, GE opens up its innovation hub to the public for interested entrepreneurs to register for carefully curated courses in advanced manufacturing and business development. Courses on offer introduce participants to principles of 3-D printing and rapid prototyping as well as a range of business development skills in Finance, Personal Branding, Marketing and Innovation.

Speaking at the portal launch, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, GE Africa, Patricia

Sanni also called for regulation and standard setting to ensure safety of lives and property.

The engagement is the 3rd in the series of NCC sessions with senior officials of telecoms interfacing MDAs of federal and state governments across the country.

The engagements were designed to ensure seamless operation of telecoms infrastructure and to un-

represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Kayode Ogunnubi commended GE on being a collaborative partner of the Lagos State Government for several years.

He congratulated the company on the launch of the Garage e-learning portal saying, “Lagos state is at the forefront of ICT development in Nigeria and training programs like the GE Garage that equip youths with innovative skills is one of the ways we believe we can develop the economy of the state and by extension the entire country.”

Launched in 2016, the permanent installation of the Lagos Garage, is a hub for advanced manufacturing-based innovation, strategy development, idea generation and collaboration. The Garage offers yearround series of skills training programs focused on building the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs. Till date, 250 entrepreneurs have graduated the program having been trained to use the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies; 3D printers, CNC mills, and laser cutters as well as in business development.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

e-Platform

Apple to hold off on 5G until 2020; as China already targeting 6G

Stories by VICTOR NZE

A

PPLE plans to hold off until at least 2020 before offering an iPhone that can connect to the next generation of high-speed phone services coming next year, according to people familiar with its plans.

The delay may make it easier for rivals like Samsung Electronics to win over consumers to phones that connect to 5G networks, which will provide a leap forward in mobile data speeds when they are introduced in 2019.

As with 3G and 4G, the two previous generations of mobile technology, Apple will wait as long as a year after the initial deployment of the new networks before its main product gets the capability to access them, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the company’s plans.

Apple’s previous calculations proven correct - were that the new networks and the first versions of rival smartphones would come with problems such as spotty coverage, making consumers less compelled to immediately make the jump. This time, 5G boosters argue the switch is a much bigger speed upgrade, making Apple’s decision to wait riskier. The networks will open the floodgates to new types of mobile computing, 5G advocates say.

The decision to sit on the sidelines may be related to the company’s feud with Qualcomm, the leader in 5G-enabled chips, and its alliance instead with Intel, which won’t have chips available in time to support 2019 phones.

In the past, it hasn’t been a problem for the Cupertino, Californiabased company to wait a year after much of its competition to release

phones compatible with the latest wireless networks. The original iPhone in 2007 was so far ahead of rivals that its slower connection, known as 2G EDGE, wasn’t a deal breaker for early adopters. Even the iPhone 4S with its flashy features like a stainless steel frame and the promise of Siri were enough for some to ignore its lack of true 4G LTE speeds.

However, going into 2019, the stakes have changed: the leap from 4G to 5G is significant enough that it may become a major selling point for new devices. Samsung plans to have 5G phones in its Galaxy range next year. And in China - the largest market for smartphones - major producers Oppo and Huawei Technologies also have indicated they plan to offer 5G phones.

“Apple has always been a laggard in cellular technology,” said Mark Hung, an analyst at Gartner, adding: “They weren’t impacted in the past, but 5G is going to be much easier to market. But if they wait beyond 2020, then I think they’ll be impacted.”

Apple also is under more pressure to keep its iPhone customer base. The company has lost a fifth of its value the past two months amid a tech stock rout and reports of suppliers cutting forecasts, signaling the new models introduced in September aren’t selling as well as anticipated. While the global smartphone market has declined for four consecutive quarters, according to industry analyst IDC, the The iPhone accounts for almost 60 percent of Apple’s revenue and is the foundation of the company’s push for sales in consumer services such as music, video and cloud storage.

Meanwhile, as the world’s largest wireless network operators are put-

HMD sells over 70m Nokia phones in 2yrs

H

MD Global recently turned 2-years old – the company was founded on December 1 2016. Barely a month later, its first phone hit the market – the Nokia 6. Since then the young company has sold around 70 million phones bearing the resurrected Nokia brand. Note that the number includes both the Android smartphones as well as the new feature phones.

Its most popular phones are typically in the €300-400 price range.

The Nokia 6.1 became the company’s best-selling phone globally after it took the crown from the Nokia 7 plus. The Nokia 3.1 has been doing well too, in Germany at least.

With the mid-range and entrylevel segments covered, HMD really needs a successful flagship.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco failed to live up to expectations, both from fans and from the company itself. HMD did no talk about the oft-rumored Nokia 9.

HMD acknowledges that much of its success is owed to fans’ allegiance to the Nokia brand, so it focuses on living up to that legacy by building high quality phones. But there’s a problem – nearly 80% of HMD’s customers are 35-years old and older. Those are people who remember Nokia in its prime.

So, HMD wants to draw in the young crowd, under 20, possibly leveraging esports for promotion.

The people in between – 20 to 35-years old – will come into focus

in the future.

Credit also goes to Google. The two companies are collaborating on the software front and as a result almost all of HMD’s Nokias run Android One (and some Android Go). This ensures that the phones will have fresh software for several years to come.

•The all-new Samsung Galaxy S10 pictured with two cameras, S855-powered S10+ benchmarked..

ting 5G technology in place, Chinese researchers are setting targets for the next generation of wireless services, according to state media.

China is expected to formally start research and development of 6th generation wireless systems in 2020, the Securities Times newspa-

per said Tuesday, citing Su Xin, team leader of a 5G working group under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

In addition to expanding coverage to higher altitudes, 6G will offer transmission speeds more than 10 times faster than 5G, according to

Su. The world’s most populous country is trying to secure an edge over the US and other countries in establishing high-speed networks, including in the race to deploy 5G systems.

OLLED out earlier this month, Facebook has announced it has teamed up with CoCreation Hub (CcHub) and Junior Achievement Nigeria to launch an Online Safety Programme for students in secondary schools across the country including in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan and Kaduna.

A 12-week workshop, the programme is designed to introduce and challenge teenagers between the ages of 14-17 in understanding the fundamentals of online safety and digital literacy. Covering topics such as Managing an Online Presence, Social Media and Sharing, Public Wi-Fi Safety, Building Healthy Relationships Online, Understanding Password Security and Privacy Settings, as well as Identifying Misinformation Online.

Speaking on the initiative, Sherry Dzinoreva Facebook’s Policy Programmes Manager, Sub-Saharan

Africa commented: “Collectively, we all have a responsibility to help teach the fundamentals of staying safe online to our future generations. With the youngest aged continent, we’re seeing more young people come online in Nigeria, and understanding how to identify and filter misinformation, managing their online presence and how to stay safe online are just some of the core skills we need to equip them with. Facebook’s Digital Literacy Library has been designed to make it easy to integrate these lessons into the curriculum or on their own as part of after-school programmes.”

Aimed to empower youths, these will be run as after-school clubs through a network of specially trained safety educators. Using select modules from Facebook’s Digital Literacy Library, a new online resource tool developed by Youth

The move to Chromium is largely going to be something that’s only under the hood. As far as the users are concerned, nothing really is going to change on the surface (no pun intended) and Edge will continue to operate as before, just with better compatibility.

Because Chromium is open source, Microsoft will also be giving back to the community, causing other Chromium browsers such as Chrome to improve as well on Windows.

The second important part of this story is that Microsoft will also be bringing this new version of Edge to more platforms. Instead of being exclusively baked into Windows 10, Edge will now be a downloadable browser on all platforms, including Windows 7, Windows 8 and, macOS. The rationale here being making developmental work easy across all platforms but it won’t hurt to increase the user base as well.

This will also mean the new version of Edge will be updated more frequently. Currently, Edge updates are tied with Windows 10 updates, which means it only gets a handful of updates throughout the year but

once it’s decoupled from the OS, it can be updated as often as required across all platforms.

There are no concrete launch dates for this browser yet. Betas may start showing up early next year but we may be a year or so from release.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has called for new legislation to govern artificial intelligence software for recognising faces, advocating for human review and oversight of the technology in critical cases.

“This includes where decisions may create a risk of bodily or emotional harm to a consumer, where there may be implications on human or fundamental rights, or where a consumer’s personal freedom or privacy may be impinged,” Microsoft President and chief legal officer Brad Smith wrote in a blog published in conjunction with a speech on the topic at the Brookings Institution think tank.

Sellers of the technology must “recognise that they are not absolved of their obligation to comply with laws prohibiting discrimination against individual consumers or groups of consumers,” he added.

and Media (YaM) researchers at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, the Facebook Digital Literacy Library is currently available for teachers and youth facilitators to access free of charge, and consists of over 18 lessons covering a range of topics in both English and Hausa.

Developed for educators, the lessons incorporate over 10 years of academic research by the Youth and Media team and reflect the diverse voices of young people from around the world.

“In our work raising young digital makers, we have seen the enthusiasm with which they use the internet to access knowledge and tools to develop their skills. With this, we have realized that now more than ever it is important to also empower them with the skills to stay safe as they explore the online world.

SafeOnline has been designed to teach concepts that address online habits of the target group in a series of fun and interactive sessions using resources from the Facebook Digital Literacy Library. We believe that this programme lays the foundation for building young digital safety champions across Nigeria.” Said Nissi Madu, Programme Manager, re:learn by CcHub Commenting, Simi Nwogugu, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria said: “Junior Achievement Nigeria embarked on a digital transformation strategy in 2015 to take advantage of new technologies and tools for reaching our thousands of students across Nigeria. We realized the opportunities afforded by the Internet also came with some challenges, particularly for young students who may be more vulnerable online, so when Facebook approached us about SafeOnline, it was exactly what we needed to insure our students against those vulnerabilities. We are proud to be a partner in this initiative and look forward to taking SafeOnline to all our schools across all regions of Nigeria.”

Next year, the programme will extend to Enugu, Port Harcourt, Jos, Aba and Uyo.

Facebook launches online youth safety programme in Nigeria

R

Microsoft to rebuild Edge on Chromium-based browser

M

ICROSOFT confirmed earlier rumors that it will be rebuilding Edge on the Chromium platform. It will also be bringing the browsers to more platforms, including Windows 7, 8 and macOS. The Microsoft Edge browser currently runs on the EdgeHTML engine. The new variant, codenamed Anaheim, will be rebuilt on the Chromium platform and use the Blink rendering engine and V8 JavaScript engine. Chromium is an open source browser platform developed by Google and is the basis of Google’s own Chrome as well as Opera. This makes Chromium and its Blink engine the most popular on the web due to Chrome’s inherent popularity and omnipresence.

The switch is largely to take advantage of this popularity. Edge currently suffers from compatibility issues with some websites, many of which are now optimized to run properly on Chrome. By switching Edge to Chromium, Microsoft can leverage some of that popularity and jump ahead of the queue instead of being in a constant battle with web developers and changing goalposts.

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

24

VOX POPULI SACRUM

EDITORIAL EFCC must guard its reputation Cont’d front page 1 was not known to have EFCC issues until after his emergence as presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s running mate. If the stopping of transactions on all accounts belonging to Obi, his family members and his businesses, just two months to a decisive poll, is not political witchhunt, what else is? Apparently, the intention is to weaken the opposition party in the run-up to the general election. EFCC has, however, denied that it froze Obi’s accounts.

Now, consider the Akwa Ibom State where Obong Godswill Akpabio, former PDP governor who joined the ruling APC this year, has been working with agents of the federal government to change Akwa Ibom to an APC State. Currently—and this one has not been denied--Mr Paul Usoro, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is wrestling with the EFCC over his alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of about N1.4billion belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government.

EFCC alleges that Usoro and Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel converted and laundered funds from the coffers of the state under the pretence that the money was payment for legal services.

Without prejudice to the “case” against the NBA president, what is known about Usoro, or what may be his offence, is that he has been Akwa Ibom State lawyer since the days of Obong Victor Attah through Obong Akpabio to incumbent governor Udom Emmanuel. Whatever money

laundering offences the Senior Advoctate of Nigeof a government using state agencies to subdue ria may have committed in the course of rendering opposition candidates. Where then is the change, if to his home state legal services, for which he is “some are more equal than others”? reportedly owed over N5billion in outstanding legal In a statement in June this year, the EFCC described fees, the EFCC will have to prove in court. But it is itself as “apolitical, blind to the political colours and instructive that Usoro has earned the ire of EFCC affiliations of crime suspects”. Using the convicobviously for the simple reason that he refused to tion of Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former PDP “port” to the ruling party with former Governor governors who later crossed over to the APC, to ilAkpabio. lustrate its non-partiality, the agency said, “It will be There is also the case of Ayo Fayose, immediate past foolhardy for any politically exposed person under governor of Ekiti State. A known critic of Buhari, prosecution to think that mere change of political Fayose apparently incurred the wrath of the antiaffiliation will guarantee immunity from prosecugraft agency for his vocal opposition to what he tion.” But how else would partisanship be better consistently called (and calls) Buhari’s mis-governdescribed than EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu openly ance. Even before he stepped down as governor, wearing a Buhari re-election lapel pin? Service chiefs after completing his tenure of office, EFCC had sent who should never have, or be seen to have, political word to Immigration, Customs, Interpol and all othleaning were seated at an APC campaign rally! er border security agencies that Fayose must not We appreciate the little efforts the EFCC has made to at be allowed to “escape” from the country because least put fear in the minds of potential looters, even he had a case to answer at the EFCC. Such drama in though it doesn’t have enough funds to investigate pursuit of a public officer who had as yet no proven cases properly. But it should not let those in power case of financial misdemeanour against him by a or those close to the ruling party be seen as saints or supposedly impartial anti-corruption agency of the untouchables. If the Electoral Law, for instance, forFederal Republic of Nigeria! bids huge campaign funding, the EFCC should strive Last weekend, EFCC agents in Lagos were uninvited to find culprits across all parties. Politicians who colguests in the home of Doyin Okupe, a PDP chieftain lude with civil servants at the end of every fiscal year and critic of the Buhari administration. The EFCC (such as this period) to share billions and then cover operatives had no arrest warrant or letter of invitaup with non-existent projects could be found in the tion but wanted Okupe to follow them. He refused. ruling party as well as in the opposition party. At the When he reported to the agency’s office this Monfederal level, there is monumental corruption. But day, however, he learned he was being investigated the thieves at the state and local government levels for violating the Cyber Crime Act, which includes seem to have overwhelmed the EFCC, ICPC and all hate speech. Okupe wonders what he has done other agencies. wrong because, for all we know, hate The expectation is that agents of an anti-corruption speech is not within the purview of the agency must live above board. Let no one pretend EFCC to investigate! to be fighting corruption when they are fighting These recent cases have put EFCC in political enemies. Discrimination itself is a form of the dock. If they were not politically corruption, as is any act by a public agency to enmotivated, why hasn’t the agency acted courage election fraud under any guise. The EFCC’s swiftly in more damaging cases involvslogan – “Nobody is above the law” – is a guide. ing “loyal” friends of the party in power?

We need not go far back. Only recently, Our Vision Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigewas caught in a web of scandal involvria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a ing $5million bribe. The noise triggered newspaper of records that effectively caters to by the widely-circulated video clips has the information needs of all segments and secyet to subside, even as a Kano State high tions of the Nigerian society as well as all social court has stopped the state House of classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a Assembly from investigating the bribery responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viallegation against the governor. Where able, properly organised media business, which were the corruption fighters? Maybe it’s meets its obligations to society, government because Ganduje, APC, is a sitting goverand the workforce. nor who enjoys immunity from prosecution. But the same cannot be said about a second recent case: the ruling party’s Mission national chairman Adams Oshiomhole WE INTEND to contribute to the development has not received a query from President of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to Buhari or EFCC over claims that he [Osgetting rid of the dark sides of our national life hiomhole] received millions of dollars (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalas bribes during the party’s primaries. itarianism, etc); to continually engender and susRather than arrest the accused bribe tain national debates that would ultimately lead taker, the EFCC invited Malam Daudu Lato the enthronement of healthy national valueswal, a governorship aspirant in Zamfara -hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparState, who allegedly gave 17m US dollars ency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, to Oshiomhole.

So long as such cases are ignored, so the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We long will the EFCC and the political party will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, it supports lack the moral authority to strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful fight corruption. We challenge the presi- and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle dent who in his inaugural speech promToday, our people, the Nigerian people can see ised to “belong to everybody and belong a bright light at the end of what has been a very to nobody” to walk the talk. Before he dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute emerged victorious on the mantra of trust in God who blesses good intentions. “change”, he too was perhaps a victim

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

OPINION APC and countdown to 2019 polls (7)

By Ehichioya Ezomon

I

t’s 67 days to the 2019 General Election, which begins with the Presidential and National Assembly balloting at 8 a.m. on February 16. The candidates for the first of the two-part poll have only 65 days for electioneering that closes on Thursday, February 14.

Going by the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election, campaigning officially began on November 18, 2018, exactly 22 days today, December 10.

Taking advantage of the INEC whistle, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has “hit the ground running.” He has formally introduced himself to his constituency of Adamawa State, and kicked-off a nationwide campaign, with stops last week in Sokoto (North-West), Ilorin (North Central) and Ibadan (South-West), respectively.

President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to lift the “ban” he placed on himself, his party members, supporters, followers, sympathizers and various groups from canvassing for votes on his behalf until the INEC so declared.

But for this “self-censorship,” these individuals and groups could have filled the void created by the absence, on the hustings, of a campaign council/committee. Or is the Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria (GOGAN), which has been launching the ‘Buhari Unity Wrist Band’ across the country, the principal campaign arm for Buhari’s reelection?

The president’s handlers may argue that as a challenger, Atiku has a lot of ground to

cover. Hence, he needs to utilize every window in the campaign period. But such positing is puerile in that Atiku is a household name since 1999 when he became deputy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Competing in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries in 1993, he ran as the candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in 2007, contested the PDP primaries in 2011, the APC primaries in 2014, and that of the PDP in 2018, thus staying on the political pedestal, and in the people’s consciousness for almost 26 years.

And being in the opposition, Atiku has many things going for him, mostly the congregation of “dissatisfied and disgruntled” heavyweight politicians, former presidents/ heads of state, captains of industry, retired Generals, and powerful traditional rulers and clerics, who, for various reasons, do not want Buhari’s reelection.

On Thursday, December 6, that rank swelled when 41 registered political parties, on the platform of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), chose Atiku as their sole presidential candidate. They hinted of “more” parties negotiating to join the alliance.

Certainly, it won’t be a tea party to confront, and overwhelm this determined opposition that has no qualms throwing the kitchen sink at Buhari (and his party), who needs a groundswell of grassroots mobilization, which his “self-censorship” has denied him and his supporters and members of the APC for months.

As incumbent, Buhari has opportunities to reach the people across the country. He could arrange or caused to be arranged of-

ficial or private visits, to lay or commission projects, and attend social gatherings, such as weddings, birthday anniversaries, book launches, cultural festivities, church/mosque programmes, and turbaning/chieftaincy ceremonies. These events are never in short supply in the society.

If he loathes social functions (he’s hardly seen at such events in the past three and half years), what about using official engagements to reach out to the people? Oh yes, he terms them a breach of the INEC guidelines on campaigning offseason!

But while the INEC regularly reminds politicians not to infringe on the timetable for the 2019 elections, how does it determine which events are campaigns and others are not?

Can it decipher canvassing for votes (which they’re primed to achieve) in routine inspection/commissioning of projects by elected officials?

Why did the framers of our electoral laws impose restriction on early campaigning?

Is it to prevent interference with governance? If so, won’t the same governance suffer during the period of officially-sanctioned electioneering, which is an everyday affair in the United States of America where we borrowed our system of government?

President Buhari and the governors need to take a page - and some have already - from the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who, from his inaugural on May 29, 2015, sees politicking, even at church services, as a 24/7 must-grab opportunity.

He uses his daily inspection of projects and inviting the “Who’s Who” in Nigeria to commission them - to rally support for his government, and reelection, thereby bur-

nishing his image as the acclaimed “Most Performing Governor” in this dispensation.

Whereas it’s Atiku and other presidential candidates that had much space to cover from November 18 when INEC gave the goahead for electioneering, the tables have turned. The shoe is on the other foot: Buhari, who hasn’t taken-off with barely seven weeks to spare.

Touting his achievements in the media won’t do the magic, but meeting, and showcasing them to the voters on their turfs. It’s time he left the Aso Rock comfort zone, roll up the sleeves, and hit the streets to preach and propagate the “Next Level” agenda.

For the remaining period of campaigning, he should devote one day per state, moving from one to another, and staying away from Abuja for at least 36 days. Within that timeframe, he should schedule a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 108 campaign stops: two or three rendezvous in the senatorial districts of each state.

For instance, if he begins the shuttles tomorrow, December 11, he could traverse the entire country by January 20 - allowing for three-days (December 25 and 26 and January 1) of no canvassing, to celebrate the Yuletide (Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Day).

Back in the Presidential Villa on January 21, Buhari would then use the remaining 24 days - till February 14 - for a mop-up operation in areas (states) where Intel indicates the party needs more galvanizing of the electorate for the poll on February 16. * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

Ikedi Ohakim’s recovery plan for Imo State (1)

By COLLINS UGHALAA

S

uppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’

Luke 15:4-7.

The Igbo say that when a man is not present when a corpse is being buried, when asked to exhume it he would start from the position of the head. This is true of many of the so-called governorship candidates in the state. From becoming an all-comers affair, the governorship of the state has become a free market of the low-thinkers. It is a sorry state of affairs that now calls for serious thinking and action more than ever before. Those who are following the political discourse in Imo State ahead of the 2019 governorship election will agree with me that many of those who are running for the governorship of the state do not understand what the problems are and what needs to be done. They have become mere sound and fury and their promises signify nothing.

Never in the annals of Imo State had the condition of the state been so bad. In fact, to graphically present the Imo situation, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim who is running for the 2019 governorship election for one term only on the platform of the Accord party, had likened the bad situation in the state to a broken down vehicle that requires only a master mechanic, not an apprentice mechanic, to fix. With the level of damage in the state: the economy down on its knees, porous security, poor quality education, skyrocketing debt to the tune of N350bn, decaying infrastructure, general disconnect of the people and the government, corrupt budget system, broken down bureaucracy, dead civil service, poor quality leadership and general corrupt government, 27% of unemployment, etc, Imo

State has broken down.

Perhaps the story of the lost sheep as told

by Jesus Christ also illustrates the situation we all face in the state. Imo State is like a broken down vehicle that requires only a master mechanic. Imo State is also like the lost sheep that requires the urgency of the time; that requires that everything else be suspended until it is sought and brought back to its status amongst the flock. Imo State needs only the governor that can understand the urgency of the work that must be done post Rochas and make all necessary sacrifices in order to find/recover it and put it back on track, give it back its status among the 36 States and the FCT. For example, Ikedi Ohakim was the first governor to hand over billions of Naira to his successor, Okorocha. He was the first to give 10,000 jobs in the country. He was the first to record the cleanest city, he was the first to hand over schools to the missionaries – years before it was replicated in Anambra State. Ohakim was the first governor to go to the stock exchange and raised funds there for state development. He lifted Imo State to such envious height that it became the talk in town among the rest of the governors.

Ohakim scored so many firsts and Imo State felt good for it. It is because he understands the urgency of what needs to be done to get Imo State back that he has promised to first of all recover Imo State from the ruination it has been since 2011. But what actually will Ohakim recover? Is recovery the same as vengeance? No. Ohakim is a child of God. He loves Imo State and the people. Ohakim believes that the masses of the state have been with him and that they did not remove him from office. He believes that there is nothing to avenge for. He is rather consumed by the love to serve and make things work again in the state. He cannot hurt a fly.

Ohakim’s recovery project which is captured in his 4Rs of Reconstruction, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Recovery is at the heart of Imo survival. It is believed that

nobody can build anything on nothing. Therefore, for any meaningful thing to be done, Imo State must be recovered first. According to Ohakim, for any driver to be able drive the broken down Imo vehicle, it must be first of all fixed by the chief mechanic. The way Imo State is today, if it handed over to any apprentice, those who will become learners and waste our time on the job, we might be composing our nunc-demitis.

Falling back to his cognate experience in the governance of the state, Ohakim will first recover the bureaucracy and the entire governance structure so that the government will function effectively once more. Not many people understand the gravity of the damage we are living with in the state; not many understand the forgery and destruction of vital documents, especially occasioned by a weakened bureaucracy, that have taken place for the past seven years. Only a man who had been there, a man who has a float of the documents, can begin the rebuilding process by recovering the state. Only Dr. Ikedi Ohakim can do this, and until we recover the state and install an efficient governance system, nothing will work.

Ohakim had gone to the Imo State High Court on the 10th day of May, 2018, and swore to recover all lands illegally or forcefully taken from the owners and return it to them. Though some people have copied him verbatim, the truth remains that anyone who took part in the forceful or illegal land grabbing will not be able to recover the lands, let alone returning them to their owners. Will he also recover the ones he grabbed from himself? A man who does not have the history or record of the lands in the state cannot recover the lands. Only a man who has the records and who did not taken part in the land theft can recover them and return them to their owners. Ohakim has shown beyond any doubt that he is not driven by mundane things and he cannot be linked to the land grabbing madness we have seen in

the last seven years. He is not infected with the disease of materialism that now ravages the state. While he was Governor between 2007 and 2011, he lived in his three bedroom bungalow at the Prefab area of Owerri. He built this house in 1992 when he was Commissioner. He lived in this house as Governor and he has been living here since he left office in 2011. This is the only house he has in the whole of Owerri.

Even as Governor, Ohakim gave out the plot of land that was allocated to him by his predecessor, Chief Achike Udenwa, at the Civic Center, a highbrow estate in Owerri.

It is therefore heartwarming when Ohakim promised in paragraph 16 of his Covenant Affidavit, saying: “That I hereby guarantee that any person whose land has been taken away unjustly, including communities and churches, shall get the land back no matter what has been built on it”.

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Travel & Hospitality

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Lagos targets 2m participants at 2018 OLF Stories by VICTOR NZE

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AGOS State Government has said it is set to host this year’s edition of the Yuletide revue -‘One Lagos Fiesta’ (OLF), which is anticipated to attract over two million direct participants across the state.

State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said this on Monday in Alausa, while unveiling activities ahead of the fiesta themed ‘December To Remember’, to hold from December 24 to the wee hours of the New year.

He announced the introduction of a raffle draw as part of this year’s fiesta for the purpose of winning a brand new car.

Ayorinde said the event had become the biggest end of the year entertainment brand in Africa, as it provides an unparalleled platform for residents and visitors, both old and young, to relax and enjoy themselves in a secure environment.

He said that over 90 million viewers were expected to participate via live television and live streaming on social media.

“As a government, we are encouraged by the noticeable achievements recorded as a result of hosting this event and we are taking advantage of this year’s edition to fete millions of Lagosians who have supported this initiative running for the 4th consecutive year.

“The OLF draws parallel with other international crossover events in the world, especially in the countdown night of December 31, and with its unique features,” he said.

Ayorinde said the State Government believed that the platform had and will continue to engender economic development, empowerment of the people and promote tourism.

“This is exemplified by the fact that besides entertainment, OLF offers upcoming artistes and tradesmen ample opportunity to showcase their talents and market their products, which fits into the agenda of the present administration,” he said.

According to Ayorinde, this year’s OLF will continue in its tradition of holding across the five divisions of the state for eight consecutive days.

He listed the venues to include the Agege stadium, the bar beach/ Eko Atlantic city in Victoria Island, Badagry Grammar School, Marina waterfront in Epe and the Ikorodu town hall in Ikorodu.

The commissioner said festivities for the OLF include kiddies’ corner, cultural performances, stage plays, talent hunt and live music concert.

He said the talent hunt tagged “Lagos Grows Talent,” is a grassroots competition which provides a platform for youths to compete using their talents in the areas of music, dance, comedy and other creative activities.

Ayorinde said the objective was to discover, celebrate and reward budding talents amongst the youth in the state.

He also gave details on the introduction of a raffle draw as part of this year’s fiesta for the purpose of winning a new car.

“The competition is open to only residents of Lagos State who are up to 18 years of age and are in possession of a valid Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

“Every individual that resides in Lagos and wishes to participate is a potential winner of the vehicle.

“Entries will open on December 6 and close on December 26, and entries will be submitted strictly online through the OLF website, while the winner is expected to emerge through a raffle draw which will be conducted on the December 31 at Eko Atlantic City

•Participants including Nigeria’s Minister of Culture and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (3rd from left) and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili (4th from left) among 30 ministers at the opening of the justconcluded third cultural tourism conference organized jointly by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Wednesday, in Istanbul, Turkey.

venue. ”There are other consolation prizes to be won,” he said.

Ayorinde thanked all the sponsors for supporting the vision of the present administration to scale up the entertainment and tourism potentials of the state via the OLF platform.

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HE third cultural tourism conference organized jointly between the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) concluded, Wednesday, in Istanbul, Turkey, with participants declaring support for cultural tourism as a driver for safeguarding living heritage, catalyzing creativity in cities, and spreading tourism’s socioeconomic

can order and collect at the boat’s window counter — or order via app or phone call.

Customers in larger vessels will have their purchases delivered to them.

Oceangoing transport isn’t mandatory. Beachgoers can also use the app and have orders delivered to their towel.

The aim, says Majid Al Futtaim Retail CEO Hani Weiss, is “making sure that we can serve our customers not only on shore, but always.”

The specialized vessel, dubbed an

“Aqua Pod,” was custom-designed and created by Aquatic Architects Design Studio.

It’s apparently designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, and will be powered by rechargable batteries.

Plus, it’s got a trash unit that vacuums up floating debris into a holding tank, to be disposed of on the shore.

The vessel is now in service. Weather-depending, it should be accessible year-round.

“It’s already floating out in the sea,” says Weiss. “It floats six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 7 a.m.”

Johannesburg also recorded the highest international overnight visitor expenditure among African cities with travelers spending US$2.14 billion in 2017, well ahead of Marrakech (US$1.64 billion). On average, international visitors stayed 10.9 nights and spent US$48 per day in Johannesburg, with shopping accounting for more than 50 percent of their total spend.

“The City of Gold has once again topped the ranks of this year’s African index, with its mix of shopping and tourism offerings still hitting the mark with international travellers,”

says Mark Elliott, Division President of Mastercard Southern Africa, adding: “The ranking is significant for Joburg’s economic prospects as visitor expenditure contributes an important source of revenue to the retail, hospitality, restaurant and cultural sectors.”

The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index ranks the world’s top 162 destination cities in terms of visitor volume and spend for the 2017 calendar year. It also provides insight on the fastest growing destination cities, and a deeper understanding of why people travel and how they spend around the world.

Johannesburg named Africa’s most popular destination

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OHANNESBURG has emerged as the most popular destination city in Africa for the fifth consecutive year, according to the annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.

The City of Gold attracted 4.05 million international overnight visitors in 2017. Close on its heels, Marrakech in Morocco is the second most popular African destination city, welcoming 3.93 million international overnight visitors last year. Polokwane (1.88 million), Cape Town (1.73 million) and Djerba in Tunisia (1.65 million) rounded out the top five African cities ranked in the Index.

sanitation and health concerns, to ensure safety of lives and property throughout the course of the fiesta.

Artistes expected to perform at the OLF include Olamide, Teni, Slimcase, Mr Real, Humblesmith, Blackky, Mr P, Adewale Ayuba and Saheed Osupa.

benefits to all.

A key conclusion from the conference was the need for a clear and strong link between tourism, culture and local community stakeholders.

According to participants who included Nigeria’s minister of Culture and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamed, cultural tourism policies and strategies must consider the perspectives and interests of local communities, who can also assist governance bodies in balancing tourism development with heritage conservation and safeguarding. Channelling tourism revenues into cultural preservation and community development was identified as a key governance challenge.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca of Malta who addressed the conference at its opening, stressed that: “In today’s world, tourism diplomacy is becoming more important to foster understanding, and culture is key to achieving this”.

UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu affirmed tourism’s essential role, stating: “Tourism provides a tremendous opportunity to support local economic development, while breaking down barriers between people. Harnessing creativity and technological innovation, as well as safeguarding heritage is essential for promoting responsible and sustainable tourism to support and unify communities for years to come.”

“Culture is one of the drivers of tourism growth, so protecting cultural heritage and promoting tourism for sustainable development are part of the same equation. That 30-plus ministers from around the world are gathered here proves the place of culture in tourism,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab

Pololikashvili opening the event.

Corroborating, Turkey’s culture and tourism minister Mehmet Ersoy, said. “The culture and tourism partnership provides a framework for public-private cooperation, education, investments and sustainability.”

In a debate moderated by the BBC’s Rajan Datar, the more than 30 ministers present concluded that tourism and culture are indivisible and must work together so that tourism does not suffocate cultural heritage and its benefits for visitors and locals. However, the main challenge is to spread cultural tourism’s attractiveness beyond established sites whilst managing large visitor numbers.

The first session of the conference focused on cultural tourism’s potential to help cities transform into more sustainable and creative environments and destinations. It ended in agreement that the creative and cultural sectors can strengthen and provide innovation in cultural tourism, forging links that turn tourism into a tool to safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

The second day of the event was given over to the twin influence of responsible tourism and technological advances in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. It was agreed that innovation should be strengthened for better management, promotion and preservation of heritage, as well as to make cultural tourism accessible to all.

During the event, five leading Turkish tourism companies signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, boosting the efforts of Turkish industry leaders to ensure sustainable development of the sector.

Cultural tourism remains driver for socio-economic benefits – Ministers

Dubai launches sail-thru supermarket UBAI has introduced a new attraction to its tourism, the world’s first “sail-thru supermarket” — a floating retail emporium ready to cater to anyone unwilling to leave the comfort of their yacht when picking up the groceries.

The purpose-built ship, anchored out at sea, is the work of Dubai-based shopping mall Majid Al Futtaim.

Customers have the choice of more than 300 snacks and treats from the vessel, which is a franchise of French retail giant Carrefour. Anyone passing by on a yacht or Jet Ski,

The commissioner also encouraged Lagosians and visitors to take advantage of the fiesta to experience and savour the attraction it brings, while enjoying the fun available in all the venues.

He assured that adequate measures had been put in place for security, traffic management,

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

AVIATION

SAA restates commitment to turnaround strategies

•Celebrates 20yrs of Lagos-J’burg service Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ROUP Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of South African Airways (SAA), Mr Vuyani Jarana, has restated the commitment of his management team to fully implement the three-year turnaround strategic plan of the country’s national carrier which ends in 2021.

This is also as the SAA chief executive declared that calls for the airline’s liquidation over mounting debts was misplaced, as they were borne out of impatience from those quarters, further reiterating that the strategic turnaround plan was the best way forward towards repositioning the airline on to the path profitability.

Jarana said this at a media event organized to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of the Johannesburg-Lagos direct flight services, at the Eko Hotels, Victor Island, Tuesday.

The SAA chief used the opportunity of the occasion to salute the Nigerian market, which, according to him, ‘has been loyal to us, hence this occasion to repay our gratitude and trust in them over these years.’

“We said it before that the turnaround plans was over a three-year course. We have adopted strategies which we are committed to implementing fully. Mind you, it’s not that SAA has ever lacked strategies to execute its growth plans; it’s the willingness to implement these strategies that has been the problem.

But under this management, we are committed to effectively and fully implementing the four pillars of our growth plan which include; smart procurement and optimal organisation design, SAA Technical (SAAT) transformation, and the revenue optimisation and network rationalisation.

“These plans we are committed to implementing. Particularly on the revenue optimisation and network rationalization, we have had to cut down on costs, frequencies on routes that don’t generate revenues, and many others, in maximizing our opportunities and potential by deploying the best cost to services these. So we are on the right path to recovery and growth.

“We have removed non-profitable routes and other strategies, reducing frequencies on some routes due to high cost operability. Now we are balancing scale and profitability. So that’s what we are doing with our

strategy. However, the problem with the calls for the outright sale of the airline may probably stem from the lack of patience at home in seeing out the plan.

“Operating in the African business terrain is challenging and tough. It requires different dynamics for an airline to remain in operations let alone profitable. The demographics and the closed markets of members African counties have only made it possible for foreign airlines to profit at our expense. African airlines need to go into alliances, and trade agreements like the one presented by the continent’s single air agreement for them to make profits. What obtain sin Europe, like the demographics is not even practicable in Africa.

“However, we have decided to celebrate the Nigerian market. We are not taking it for granted. It has been loyal to us and on this 20th year anniversary of our service on this route, we want to show our appreciation,” said Jarana.

Also remarking, the Regional General Manager, Africa, Middle-East & Indian Ocean Islands of the airline, Mr. Aaron Munetsi, said the carrier has airlifted over 3 million passengers on the route in the 20 years of operation, noting that the figure could have been more but for the few frequencies allowed in the original bilateral air service agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and South Africa that allowed for two flights each.

Operations commenced on 4 December 1998 as SAA launched its first flight into Nigeria soon after the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries had been signed.

SAA has since brought several aircraft onto this route, from the initial Airbus 300 series, which had to make a technical stop en-route in Luanda to the Boeing 767 and the B747-400 and to the Airbus A340–600, which has since been replaced by the current state-of-the-art Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

SAA operates a daily service to Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, consistently delivering exceptional turnaround times and excellent facilities including state of the art on-demand inflight entertainment system, increased economy and business class space and legroom for extra comfort.

“The Nigeria operations rank amongst SAA’s most profitable and

we want to continue to support this important destination by continuously improving the overall customer experience and exploring new opportunities. This will enable us to retain our market position as the carrier of choice amongst the Nigerian travelling community. Our understanding of our customer profiles who travel in both business and economy class cabins, is one of the reasons we decided to deploy the A330-300 aircraft which responds well to the needs of this market,” said Pumla Luhabe, SAA General Manager Commercial.

“Nigeria is among the top destinations to which we fly, and over the past 20 years SAA has transported over three (3) million passengers into the region and we will continue to listen to our customers to ensure we are providing them with the best possible service for continued loyalty.

Reinforcing our legacy of exceptional service, SAA was recently voted Best Airline Staff in Africa at the World Aviation Awards,” concludes Luhabe.

In honour of this milestone, SAA rolled out a campaign that saw brand activation on social media, radio and print publications from September 2018 in the Nigeria region. Some of the activities include Voyager / Corporate dinner, a Travel trade award

function, SAA movie night for the Travel trade and to the children of the Arrow of God Orphanage (an Orphanage supported by SAA over the past 8 years), all leading to a celebration to be hosted in Lagos this December.

Last October, the financially challenged airline issued a statement assuring investors and customers of its confidence with its turnaround strategy which it said showed positive performance in the first quarter of the year, just as it insisted that it will file for bankruptcy in the face challenging and lingering operational environment.

The online statement issued by its Group Corporate Affairs desk, further assured that it currently has access to financial facilities to support its working capital requirements.

“Our turnaround strategy is on track with quarter one results showing that the company is ahead of the plan in its trading performance.

“We have always maintained that it will take us until 2021 to break even.

This means that our costs will remain higher than our revenue until we reach the breakeven point. We continue to implement initiatives to drive costs down and improve revenue as part of the turnaround strategy. The quarter one results, reflect the Board and management’s commitment to turn the airline around despite the challenges.

“The company currently has access to financial facilities to support its working capital requirements. The Board and the shareholder are working around the clock to find a lasting financial solution to the company’s capital requirements.

According to the airline, it “has made some headway in the implementation of its turnaround plan to transform SAA into a commercially viable entity, which must have the ability to sustain itself financially and remain competitive operationally.

“At a recently held Board strategy session on 11 – 12 September 2018, the executive management presented to the Board a comprehensive strategy update reflecting on the present-day strategy execution achievements and challenges as well as the road map and options for the outlook of the business. No decisions have been taken to dispose of any SAA entities or assets at this stage. Options were merely presented to the Board for consideration.

“These include meeting the funding requirements of R21.7 billion over a three-year implementation cycle, aggressively containing costs through smart procurement and optimal organisation design, SAA Technical (SAAT) transformation to bring more efficiencies as well as revenue optimisation and network rationalisation.

•(From left): Regional Manager, West and Central Africa, Ohis Ehimiaghe; Group Chief Executive Officer, Vuyani Jarana; Regional General Manager, Africa, Middle-East & Indian Ocean Islands, Aaron Munetsi; and National Sales Manager, Nigeria, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, all of South African Airways (SAA) at the press conference commemorating the 20 years anniversary of the airline’s service in Nigeria.

UK, FAAN sign pact on aviation security; as ICAO inaugurates AVSEC training centre M ANAGING Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr.

Saleh Dunoma has stated that the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-certified FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC)Training Centre (ASTC) would not only contribute to the development of aviation security in the country, but also in the entire West and Central Africa (WACAF) sub-regions.

ICAO handed over a Certificate of Recognition to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) designating its training school an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC).

This is also the Federal Government through FAAN signed a Mem-

orandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Government on aviation security, aimed at boosting ideas and capacity on civil aviation security.

Speaking during the commissioning of the FAAN AVSEC Training Centre, Friday, at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, Friday, Dunoma disclosed that inauguration of the AVSEC training centre is to complement the overall efforts of ICAO in improving capacity in the West and Central African sub –regions.

The FAAN chief who commended ICAO, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria College Aviation Technology (NCAT) for the contributions towards making the training centre a reality, said the

new facility would further help the agency to train more agency staff compared to when they go outside the shores of the country for training.

He stated that with the certification of the school by ICAO, it would further bring about patronage from the civil aviation personnel from WACAF regions.

Also speaking, the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Usman Muhtar, commended ICAO for endorsing the school after a successful evaluation process which proved that FAAN Aviation Training School was ready to contribute to the ICAO global aviation security training programme.

He stated that the request for the designation of FAAN AVSEC Training

School as an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre(ASTC)was made on the June 18,2017, after which an evaluation by ICAO was conducted in May 2018 by the Regional Security Officer for Western and Central Africa office and that under 24 months , the request was granted.

While lauding the Federal Government and others for the centre, ICAO, through its Regional Director, Mr. Mam Sait Jallow, noted that with the designation of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of AVSEC Training Centres now includes 35 centres distributed in all ICAO regions. ”With the recognition of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of aviation security trading centres (ASTC) now includes 35 centers widely

distributed in all ICAO regions, to provide aviation security training at the international (ICAO), regional and national levels to all categories of personnel involved or responsible for implementation of security measures, policies and procedures in accordance with its strategic objectives to improve the level of implementation of Annex 17 Standards.” ”The certificate of recognition issued by ICAO to the ASTC of Nigeria means that it has been duly demonstrated that the Centre meets the general and specific requirements in this respect, and that is able to continue to meet such requirement during the period of validity of the certificate of recognition,” said Jallow.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION CIIN canvasses skills growth strategy for practitioners

•Harps on ethical discipline in improving industry’s image Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HARTERED Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has reiterated the imperative of ethical discipline among professionals as key to improving the image of the industry in the country, even as it called for a new creative approach to improving the skills set of practitioners.

President and chairman of council of the institute, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, said this during the induction of 138 new associates and three fellows into the fold of Insurance professionals at a ceremony which took place in Lagos, Thursday.

The well-attended event was graced by past presidents, managing directors/CEOs of various insurance companies and families and friends of the new inductees and fellows.

According to Efekoha in his remarks at the event, the need for professionals to embrace ethics has become imperative as he described it as the ‘principal way’ to improving the perception of the industry among Nigerians, even as he added that to this end, the institute has published a new code of conduct for practitioners.

“The professional qualifications are a source of pride to the institute and as I stated earlier, it should be the same for all holders.

It is extremely important to point out that by attaining our profes-

sional qualification; you have become custodians of the ethics and codes of practice of our noble profession.

“The institute has recently introduced a new code of ethics for insurance practitioners in Nigeria and this will be distributed amongst you all today.

“The purpose is to set forth the values, principles and standards that will guide the conduct of all insurance practitioners. Instilling ethical behavior among insurance professionals is the principal way to improve corporate governance and ultimately improve the public image of the insurance business.

Similarly, the CIIN boss charged the newly-inducted members to strive to continue to update their knowledge base and acquire skills so as to ‘stay relevant in the ever-changing business environment.’

“We are ever conscious of the demands of the dynamic business environment and the role that technology is playing in the evolution of current business trends.

Consequently, there is a need to substantially adopt a creative approach to improving the skill set of insurance practitioners.

“There is considerable effort being put into constantly retooling the examination system through regular review of the syllabus and examination structure in order to make it relevant to addressing

•(From left): Fellow, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Olona Oladimeji; Chairman, CIIN Board of Fellows, Chief Rasheed Alaba Williams; President, CIIN, Mr. Eddie Efekoha; Fellows; Mrs Izilen Okosun and Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, during the Institute’s 2018 induction of Fellows and Associates in Lagos on Thursday.

modern day business challenges.

“The goal is to ensure that insurance practitioners retain the competitive edge and are wellequipped to perform to optimal levels in order to tackle the current challenges in the business landscape and to stand out successfully.”

“Completion of the Institute’s

Linkage wins sectoral leadership category award

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INKAGE Assurance Plc has won the 2018 Pearl Sectoral Leadership Award in the insurance industry on corporate excellence in the capital market.

According to the organisers, Linkage Assurance Plc, alongside other sectoral winners, were companies that despite challenges in the economy in the 2017 financial year weathered the storm, outperformed others, and sustained leadership of the market.

President/Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Awards Nigeria,

Tayo Orekoya, said the award has recognised and rewarded over 85 quoted companies for outstanding operational and stock performance since inception.

While commending Linkage Assurance for standing tall amidst challenges undermining growth of insurance business in Nigeria, Orekoya said: “As partners in progress with capital market regulators, we shall continue to engender healthy rivalry among other initiatives aimed at deepening the vibrancy of the market”.

The Acting Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Linkage Assurance Plc, Daniel Braie, who led top management of the company to receive the award, thanked the organisers for recognising the efforts that the Board and management of the company were making to ensure value creation for shareholders.

“As a company, we are committed to sustaining the rules and regulations of the capital market, ensure regulatory compliance and good corporate governance practice,” he said.

Shekarau decries continued debts to pensioners

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ORMER Governor of Kano State Malam Ibrahim Shekarau says it is unfair for any government to owe pensioners who worked for many years to serve their fatherland.

Shekarau said this in Nsukka on Saturday while delivering a lecture entitled; ‘Nation-Building: The Role of Human Development and Good Governance,’ at the maiden alumni homecoming/reunion of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka.

He said to encourage nationbuilding, pensioners who sacrificed major part of their lives to serve their fatherland should be accorded respect and paid their pension regularly to spur other civil servants to put in their best.

“To me as a person, it is unfair for government, be it federal or state, to owe pensioners who served their fatherland with all their strength

and youthful age. It’s unfortunate that majority of these ‘senior citizens’ are suffering because they are owned arrears of pension.

“It is the respect I have for pensioners that made me, as soon as l assumed office as governor of Kano state to clear all arrears owed pensioners. Throughout my administration, no pensioner was owed even one month and the record is there for anybody to verify,” he said Shekarau, who was also a former Minister of Education, said for nation building to thrive, there must be adequate security, quality education and social justice as well as patriotism that would be a propelling force.

“It is impossible to get required nation building and good governance in absence of security of lives and property quality education as well as patriotism. Education plays vital role in nation development.

that is why it is said that “no nation can rise beyond the level of its education.”

“Corruption, economic mismanagement, political instability and lack of internal party democracy are enemies of good governance.”

Remarking, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof.

Charles Igwe, said the main mission of the institution’s post graduate school was to produce high level manpower for leadership and national development.

“Over the years, the school’s teeming alumni may not know the whereabouts of one other, because after graduation, the chain of unity is broken and everybody goes his or her way. This home coming and reunion event also present the super lions and lionesses the opportunity for self-rediscovery and to reunite.

examination and your induction as Associates of the institute does not put an end to the quest for knowledge. You are admonished to develop yourselves in order to keep abreast of developments that will ensure you stay relevant in the ever-changing business environment.

“I, therefore, urge you all to

take advantage of the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (M.C.P.D) programmes offered by the institute in addition to other post-qualification,” he said.

Efekoha noted that the mantra of the Institute remains focused around repositioning and reinforcing the integrity of our profession.

Leadway bags 2018 BAFI awards

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EADWAY Assurance Plc has been crowned Nigeria’s Insurance Company of the Year 2018 at this year’s edition of the Business Day Banking and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

BAFI Awards is a yearly event that celebrates the achievements of those who drive growth, development and financial Inclusion in Nigeria.

Receiving the award on behalf of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, the Divisional Director, Life Sales, Oluwafemi Adebayo, said the honour was an acknowledgement of Leadway’s iconic position as a path finder, as well as an innovation driver in the insurance segment of the nation’s financial sector.

“Since 1970 when Leadway came on the scene as an indigenous insurance service provider, there has been a dramatic expansion of local service providers. Leadway has continued to evolve and be dynamic in order to remain in the forefront as Nigeria’s largest and an insurer of repute” Adebayo thanked the organizers and pledged that Leadway Assurance would continue to work hard as a value-driven operator in the Nigerian Insurance sector.

Executive Director, Financial Services & Systems, Leadway Assurance, Tunde Hassan-Odukale, described the award as a testament to Leadway’s position as Nigeria’s most dynamic insurer.

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ficult year for insurers and reinsurers operating in the mining sector.

Year-to-date the industry is aware of 61 significant mining loss events globally, with 16 of these incidents occurring in South Africa. The three worst domestic mining incidents are expected to cost mining firms and their insurance partners in excess of R1 billion each.

On his part, Mr. Günter Becker, Head of Mining at Munich Re Corporate Insurance Partners (CIP) believes that increased claims volatility could lead to reduced re/insurance capacity in the mining segment.

“Over the past four years mining insurance premiums were softer; but deductibles and coverage remained unchanged with the result that the premium pool is getting smaller while losses and claims pay-outs are getting exponentially bigger,” he said.

Insurance not panacea for poor risk selection -- Experts

LOBAL mining conglomerates and their insurance and reinsurance partners will have to improve their risk management outcomes to ensure the long-term sustainability of mining insurance.

The importance of prudent risk management in mining insurance was a central theme at the inaugural Munich Re of Africa (MRoA) Mining Re/ insurance Client Seminar held in Johannesburg, penultimate Thursday.

“It does not matter what premium you charge for cover nor what terms and conditions you attach to the insurance policy if the underlying risk is bad; you cannot change a bad risk into a good risk by covering it with insurance,” said Mr. Nico Conradie, CEO at MRoA. His frank assessment of the risk environment came following a dif-

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION Stories by VICTOR NZE

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RESIDENT, Fund Managers Association of Nigeria, Dayo Obisan, said disclosed that pension fund in the country has now hit N8.3 trillion.

Obisan said this at the just-concluded Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) annual Conference, tagged, “Exchange Traded Products: Evolving investment themes, Accessing New Markets and Enhancing Portfolio Alpha,” in Lagos.

According to Obisan, the pension fund figure rose to N8.3 trillion due to the effective return of retail investors to the capital market waiting for products other than shares, even as he advocated the creation of ETFs on smaller capitalized stocks.

“The pension fund in the country as at today has risen to N8.3 trillion as the retail investors are really back to the capital market waiting for products other than shares. It is these retail investors, who had retired that have made the pension fund to grow to this level. There is need to create ETFs on small capitalised stocks, rather than concentrate on the larger stocks.”

Obisan, therefore, urged ETP product issuers and intermediaries to expand their footprint by broadening distribution channels, introducing other asset classes/ strategies, entering new markets, leveraging technology and data analytics to understand the market.

Also speaking at the confab, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, revealed that the global net flows of the Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), is currently put at $358 billion, even as pension fund

Nigeria’s pension funds hit N8.3trn in the country has risen to N8.3 trillion year-to-date.

Onyema stressed the need for retail investors to leverage ETP instrument to diversify portfolio.

“Nigeria’s Exchange Traded Products, ETPs has grown steadily by cumulative average growth rate of eight per cent over the last four years, while ETPs globally have grown remarkably this year recording net flows of approximately $358billion as at October 2018.

Currently, there are nine ETPs listed on the Exchange – two thematic ETFs providing access to Pension-compliant, and Shariahcompliant stocks; two broad equity market ETFs tracking the NSE 30 Index; three sector based ETFs; one commodity ETF; and one bond ETF tracking exposure to benchmark FGN Sovereign Bonds.

He described ETP as one of the most significant financial innovations in recent decades that have shaped the financial markets.

“Since the introduction of ETPs in 1993, they have gained widespread acceptance in most developed markets. Over the last 15 years, investors’ demand for ETPs (both retail and institutional) has grown remarkably, which in turn has led to a greater variety of products offered by ETP sponsors.

“It is interesting to note that equity-based ETPs make up 76.7 per cent of global ETP listings, whilst fixed income based ETPs represent 16.7 per cent of listings, similar to the asset split in Nigeria.”

•(From right): Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Kunle Ajanaku; New Coordinator of Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, Mr Owolabi Arole; Vice Chairman Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro; Mr. Alfred Olufunwa from the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and CSP. Fakeye Olubode from Lagos State Police Command, Zone 2 at a Stakeholders Meeting of the Task Force at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, last week.

Skype Bank: N949bn deposits intact – NDIC assures customers

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IGERIA Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured customers of the defunct Sky Bank Plc, of maximum guarantee and unhindered access to their deposits in excess of N949.60 billion.

Besides, the Corporation revealed that plans have been concluded to settled over N200,000 insured deposits to customers of micro finance banks (MFBs) shut by Central Bank of

N124bn police pension scam: Court to rule on trial-within-trial

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USTICE Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an FCT High Court Maitama, Thursday, fixed February 19 to rule on whether the alleged confession of Veronica Onyegbula, was made under duress or free from oppression; and whether or not the statement should be admitted as evidence.

Onyegbula is the fourth defendant in the case of alleged complicity in over N14 billion Police Pension Fund scam filed by the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Others are: Esar Dangabar, Atiku Kigo, Ahmed Wada, Sani Zira, Uzoma Attang, and Christian Madubuke.

Justice Baba-Yusuf fixed the date, after the parties in the matter adopted their written addresses.

Onyegbula’s counsel, Mr Ernest Ikeji had earlier informed the court that EFCC forced Onyegbula

to make some confessional statements which EFCC wanted to tender.

He therefore prayed for a trial within trial.

The judge then ordered for trial within trial to ascertain whether those statements were made voluntarily by Onyegbula.

The prosecution called three witnesses while Onyegbula testified by herself before both parties closed their case.

in its “Global Humanitarian Overview 2019” report.

It cited World Bank data predicting 140 million people could be internally displaced by 2050 as a result of global warming.

Among the countries being significantly hit by climate-linked extreme weather is the United States, whose President Donald Trump is one of the most prominent sceptics of manmade climate change, the agency said.

Hurricanes and storms in the United States and Caribbean caused more than $220 billion dollars worth of damage last year, representing nearly two thirds of global losses caused by natural disasters in 2017, OCHA said.

“Climate events are contributing to greater humanitarian problems than we have seen in the past,” said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for OCHA. “This is something the world has not yet adapted fully to.”

As hurricanes and tropical cyclones intensify in strength, they are particularly hurting poor nations that are unprepared for the threat, researchers said on the sidelines of U.N. climate talks in Poland.

In the tiny island country of Dominica, Maria caused losses equal to more than twice its gross domestic product, damaging or destroying about 90 percent of housing.

Lloyd Pascal, a Dominican climate negotiator whose home has yet to be fully repaired after being hit by the storm, urged the United Nations talks to pay more attention to “weaker countries”.

Dominica, with 72,000 people, lacks the ability to prepare for the increasingly severe weather it is suffering, he said.

Even though storm warnings are received, the state does not have resources to evacuate people into shelters, he said, nor understand clearly how heavy rainfall will boost river levels.

“We are just not prepared to do that kind of work,” he told reporters.

“We are like sitting ducks.”

But rich countries, including the United States, also are seeing clearer climate impacts, and need to step up efforts to keep their people safe, Germanwatch said.

“Effective climate protection, as well as increasing resilience, is… in the self-interest of these countries,” Eckstein said.

Climate risk index shows countries threatened by devastating storms

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HE devastation caused by powerful storms is a growing threat to both poor and rich nations, propelling Caribbean islands to the top of a global index of countries most severely affected by weather disasters last year, researchers said on Tuesday.

The United Sattes territory of Puerto Rico was ranked as the hardest-hit and the island of Dominica came in third place after both were battered

by Hurricane Maria last September, according to an annual climate risk index from Germanwatch, an environmental policy group.

The United States ranked 12th in the 2017 index, with 389 fatalities and nearly $175 billion in losses from extreme weather.

“Recent storms with intensity levels never seen before have had disastrous impacts,” said the index’s lead author David Eckstein.

Such weather disasters are likely to worsen further in coming years, the United Nations’ humanitarian agency warned on Tuesday, creating significant new humanitarian needs.

Floods, storms and droughts all are expected to strengthen, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said

Nigeria (CBN).CBN recently revoked the licences of 154 MFB’s and six PMB’s due to erosion of their capital base, poor liquidity, inept management and other insolvency tendencies.

NDIC Managing Director, Umaru Ibrahim, disclosed this weekend, during the Corporation’s Special Day at the ongoing 39th Kano International Trade Fair, held at fair complex.

He who also hinted that at the end of 2017, the Corporation recorded 153 million accounts in the 23 duly licensed Mobile Money Operators, further added that despite the obstruction of scope and depth of banking regulations the new banking system created, NDIC is providing maximum limit of N500,000 for the MMOs, through the pass-through deposit insurance framework.

He explained that NDIC adopted bridge bank option on the defunct Sky Bank, to prevent it from outright liquidation that would be more disruptive. Umaru posited that the ingenuity of the bridge method for the near-collapsed, Sky Bank saved over 6,000 jobs, and enabled the Polaris to sustain operations across the 278 branches of the Bank.

Represented by the Controller, NDIC Zonal Office, Kano, Bashir Nuh, he insisted that the agency will continue working closely with the CBN to ensure effective supervision of the

financial institutions; to adhere strictly to rules and regulations guiding banking operations.

“This is to protect depositors in the domestic financial system against fragrant disregard of extant rules by management of financial institutions. The collaboration with the CBN will help to minimise the occurrence of unlawful insiders’ dealings, weak internal control and overall non-compliance to prudential guidelines.”

Umar said the NDIC has commenced the process of verification of insured depositors after which payment of verified claims to appropriate depositors will kick-off.

“The action of CBN to revoke those MFBs and PMBs became necessary due to their insolvency and the boisterous life style of their management that remained at variance with the philosophy of microfinance banking operations.

“NDIC has commenced verification of insured depositors and will soon start paying the verified claims to appropriate depositors in fulfilment of our mandate. From the record obtained so far, majority of the depositors especially in the MFBs, have less than N200,000 in their accounts, which implied that the NDIC will hopefully cover 100 per cent of the depositors’ funds in the affected MFBs,” Umaru assured.

Lagos pensioners commend Ambode

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AGOS State Primary School Teaching and Non-Teaching Pensioners’ Chairman, Comrade Samuel Adekoya, has commended the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his unflinching support to the well-being of Retired Septuagenarians in the State Basic Education Sector.

Speaking on Friday in Lagos at the Septuagenarians Welfare Package Programme organised by the State Universal Basic Education Board, Comrade Adekoya noted that since the inception of the present administration, the State Universal Basic Education has been consistent in its efforts at uplifting the welfare and well-being of the retired septuagenarians.

According to him, the occasion provides the retirees the time to fellowship with one another and give thanks to God, in addition to other benefits

like the health talk, gifts items and merriment which the Board provides every year.

In his own remarks, the State Universal Basic Education Board Executive Chairman, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Sopeyin stated that the occasion was a testimony that the Board would not relent in its efforts to honour highly devoted Septuagenarians who have served the State meritoriously.

He said the Board cherishes their invaluable contributions towards the development of the Education Sector in the State, stressing that the Board equally appreciates their devotion to duty, integrity and excellent interpersonal relationship while in Service.

He said the Welfare Package Programme, apart from appreciating retired Septuagenarians, is also to assure those who are still in Service that Government would not forget them after retiring from service.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

EQUITY & Capital Market Financial experts canvasses more domestic participation in green bonds Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

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OR Nigeria to claw its way out of deficit in infrastructure, power and energy, transportation as well as eliminating environmental degradation, financial market experts has called for more domestic participation in green bonds investment.

Speaking during a panel session of the 2018 Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) Annual workshop which held in Lagos at the weekend, Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mary Uduk, said the issuance of the first N10 billion tranche of the green bond received an excellent A+ rating from Moody while adding that SEC’s drive to the green bond program is unprecedented because it touches human lives.

Uduk who was represented by Head, Registration and Market Infrastructure Department, SEC, Emomotimi Agama, said that it is necessary Nigeria stands at the fore-front of innovations and initiatives while adding that the second tranche of green bonds which has been issued, presents an opportunity for the country to solve its infrastructural deficit.

“Infrastructural deficit is expected to hit $878 billion by 2040 and the future holds opportunities for renewable energy, energy efficiency, infrastructure, food, agriculture and the task ahead is to ensure funds are channeled to green projects with multiple socio-merits.

The Commission will continue to promote an active enabling and

regulative environment for the issuance of this instrument.”, Agama said.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Bola Onadele, who was represented by Senior Vice President, Economic development division at the Exchange, Emmanuel Etaderhi, said that $155 billion has been gotten from the green bonds issuance, thereby gaining attention of investors.

Etaderhi noted that the country’s resources is not growing in tandem with the rising population while adding that the reason for Nigeria’s woeful performance in the power and energy sector is down to its inability tap into energy utilization from the sun like other European countries.

According to him, the challenges affecting green bonds include low level of local participation in green bond verifiers, lack of investible projects, cost of verification and lack of understanding on the part of key investors.

“Green bond investors enjoy waivers relating to tax and in the next 15 years, we will require $7 trillion in investments connecting sustainable finance to capital markets.”, he said.

He revealed that the FMDQ has set a sustainable finance committee to engage private and public and will engage in training with partnership with FSD Africa and Climate Bond Initiative (CBI).

Commenting further, Director, Climate Finance Advisor, CBI, Dr Jubril Adeojo, noted that green bonds is made for Africa and with

Linkage Assurance Gets A-Rating based on capitalization, investment returns, liquidity profile

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IGERIA’S credit Rating Agency and a pan African leader in credit reports, Agusto & Co. Limited has assigned an A- rating to Linkage Assurance Plc based on its capitalisation, investment returns and liquidity profile.

Agusto & Co. In a relaese said that the rating assigned to Linkage Assurance is reflective of an insurer with good financial condition and strong capacity to meet its obligations as and when they fall due.

According to the rating agency, the rating is underpinned by good capitalisation, good investment return and good liquidity profile.

“Linkage’s investment in Stanbic IBTC Pensions Limited, which accounted for 50 per cent of its investment portfolio has supported the Insurer’s performance and liquidity position.

“The rating is however constrained by elevated underwriting expenses, sub-par risk management, concentration in the investment portfolio & investment income, sub-par underwriting performance and the fragile state of the economy.”

Agusto & Co. stated that “as at December 31, 2017, Linkage’s shareholders’ funds stood at N20 billion, significantly above the regulatory minimum for non-life insurers. Retained earnings also swung to positive territory on account of high profit retention rate. This should pave the way for dividend payment and strengthen relationship with shareholders.”

It stated further that the insurer prioritises liquid assets in its invest-

ment management in a bid to maintain strong ability to meet obligations as and when they fall due.

“As a result, money market securities which are highly liquid represented about 45.5 per cent of the investment portfolio as at December 31, 2017. As at the same date, liquid assets accounted for 39.5 per cent of total assets and covered outstanding claims 9.6 times. We consider the Insurer’s liquidity to be adequate for current business risks.

“During the financial year ended 31 December 2017, Linkage’s performance in the core insurance business was constrained by high underwriting expenses. As a result, underwriting profit margin plummeted to 0.1 per cent from 14 per cent in the prior year” it said.

Agusto & Co. considered the Insurer’s profitability ratios to be good by industry standard, saying “we are concerned about the vulnerability of income to dividend from an investee company and in the same vein, weak underwriting income remains a rating negative.”

It added that the Nigerian Insurance industry has contended with multiple challenges which has been aggravated by the lingering macroeconomic slowdown.

As a result, the insurance penetration ratio is below 0.5 per cent and premium per capita is one of the lowest in Africa, according to the Agusto & Co 2018 insurance Industry report.

“In spite of growing confidence in insurance products, the appetite of Nigerians for insurance remains abysmal.”

the deficits seen in major sectors of the economy, there is opportunity to focus more on renewable energy, hybrids to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Adeojo said, “there is so much money to be made from green bonds and there is a way by eliminating exposure to foreign exchange which is sticking to local

currency debt instruments. Once the real sector moves, things will change drastically and I believe that more people have to be encouraged to invest in the bonds”

•Capital Markets Development Specialist (FSD Africa), Mr Victor Nkiri, Managing Director/CEO (FMDQ OTC SecuritiEs Exchange) Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, Ag. Director-General Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Mary Uduk, Acting Executive Commissioner Operations SEC, Mr Isyaku Tilde, Africa Markets Programmes Manager (Climate Bonds Initiative) Mr Olumide Lala at the launch of SEC Nigeria Green Bond Rules.

E-dividend registration will boost liquidity – SEC

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HE Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has enjoined more Nigerians to take advantage of the on-going e-dividend registration in a bid to reduce the unclaimed dividends profile as well as increase liquidity in the capital market and the economy.

Acting Director General of the SEC, Mary Uduk, stated this at an Enlightenment program on e-Dividend and contemporary issues in the Nigerian Capital Market held in Enugu.

The event which had as its Theme: “Current Initiatives by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Nigeria to Enhance Investor Value” drew participants from various segments of the society.

Represented by the Head, Port Harcourt Zonal office of the SEC, Mr. Obi Adindu, Uduk disclosed that the Commission is currently leading the entire capital market industry in an effort to migrate all shareholders to an E –Dividend regime.

According to her, “The essence of the E-Dividend Mandate Management System is to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of unclaimed dividend.

Unclaimed dividend is an undesirable feature of the Nigerian capital market which denies investors/ shareholders the gains of participating in the capital market. It denies the economy access to the huge amount of money which should have accrued to shareholders and would have gone into circulation to oil the wheel of the economy.

“It is a consequence of the bottlenecks which are inherent in the erstwhile paper dividend warrant regime such as postal system inefficiency, change in investors’ addresses, poor fidelity and human fallibility in dividend payment processes, amongst others.

She stated that the E–Dividend regime bypasses these limitations by ensuring that dividends which

do not exceed 12 years of issue are credited directly to an investors account after declaration by the paying company and within a stipulated payment period through simple interbank transfer.

The E-Dividend registration exercise started on November 23, 2016.

Each successful registration cost N150, however, between that time and March 31, 2018, the Commission underwrote the registration cost for all investors that mandated. It is my pleasure to let us know, that a total of 2.4million accounts had been mandated.

“May I therefore implore you all to key into the E-Dividend registration exercise by visiting the nearest bank branch or registrar. In addition to migrating to the E–Dividend regime yourselves, kindly tell everybody you know to do same in their best interest.

“I am informed that some registrars are present at this forum. I implore us to visit them and take advantage of the services they are providing to register for your E-Dividend, here and now” she stated.

Uduk also disclosed that the SEC is implementing various initiatives which are aimed at making our market deeper, vibrant and more effective.

According to her “The forbearance window for shareholders with multiple subscriptions has been extended by another year from the December 31, 2018 deadline previously communicated. Consequently, we enjoin those who have not come forward for the regularization of shares purchased with multiple identities, to do so.

“We have also developed a twopronged approach to addressing the intractable challenges associated with transmission of shares related to the estate of deceased investors.

The first step would involve engagement with and enlightenment of the

Probate Registry with a view to providing solutions to the cumbersome process of transmitting shares. Secondly, Rules would be developed around the time frame for transmission shares and the fee structure”.

Nigerian Breweries announces managerial changes, appoints new directors

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IGERIAN Breweries Plc has announced the appointment of two new Non-Executive directors to its Board of Directors.

The company in a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) named Mr Oluseyi Bickersteth and Mrs Adeyinka O. Aroyewun as its new Non-Executive Directors.

The new appointment takes effect from January 1, 2019.

The company also announced the resignation of Chief Samuel O. Bolarinde, a Non-Executive Director from the Board effective the 31st of December, 2018 to enable him pursue other personal interests.

Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth has B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Ibadan and an M.Sc. in Economics from the York University in Canada.

He is a Director of the NigerianSouth African Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group. Also served as Chairman of the Board at Diamond Bank Plc since June 26, 2018 until October 24, 2018. He is currently the Chairman of Andersen Tax Africa.

Bickersteth is an Independent NonExecutive Director at Leadway Assurance Company Ltd. since January 1, 2017. He was head of tax and regulatory practice and served as engagement partner on major tax advisory and compliance projects. He was National Senior Partner of KPMG in Nigeria and doubles as the Chairman KPMG Africa.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

MONEY Market

FG opens N100bn Sukuk subscription, targets road projects Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HE Federal Government on last week issued N100 billion seven-year Sukuk that will be due in 2025.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) on its website said that the Sukuk, with a rental rate of 15.743 percent, would open on December 6, 2018 and close on December 17.

The settlement date for the bond is December 18, 2018, according to the DMO. “The proceeds will be used solely for the construction and rehabilitation of key roads across the six geopolitical zones of the country,” it added.

According to the debt office, some of the road projects the fund would be used for are the reconstruction of Bida-Lambatta road in Niger State; the rehabilitation of Gwoza-Damboa-GoniriNgamdu road in Yobe/Borno states; and the construction of Ikom Bridge in Cross River State.

It noted that the instrument type is Ijarah (Lease) Sukuk, and the issuer is FGN Roads Sukuk Company 1 Plc on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to the DMO, the unit of sale is N1,000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N10,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

The rental payment is payable half yearly, with a redemption bullet repayment on the date of maturity.

The DMO stated that the Sukuk was backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to it, the Sukuk is an investment that represents the ownership interest of the holder in an asset or pool of assets.

The certificate entitles the holder to receive income from the use of the assets.

It noted that the Federal Government issued Sukuk to fund the construction/rehabilitation of key economic infrastructure projects across Nigeria such as roads, to diversity the sources of government funding, and to offer investors an opportunity to invest in government-issued securities.

According to the DMO, the Sukuk is useful to achieve a higher level of financial inclusion and to serve as a reference for pricing Sukuk issued by other bodies, especially private sector issuers.

•Delegate of the Regional Economic Advisor, French Embassy, William Levasseur; representative of the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo; Jubril Adeojo, Team Lead, Power Corporate Banking and the Chairman of the NYPF, Moses Siloko Siasia, when Heritage Bank Plc was awarded for its Outstanding Contributions toward improving the lives of Young Business Owners in Nigeria at the 5th Anniversary Ceremony of the highly-rated Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) Awards for 2018, in Abuja yesterday.

Nigeria’s external reserves up by $1bn in 2 weeks

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VAILABLE data on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Friday showed that the nation’s external reserves re-

Osinbajo launches AfDB funded $258m landmark northeast recovery Programme

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HE African Development Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria have launched the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme a $258 million comprehensive multisectoral intervention aimed at bolstering rehabilitation efforts in north-eastern Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo launched the program at the African Development Bank premises in Abuja on Thursday. The launch was attended by Governors of five northeast states, ministers, development partners and key stakeholders.

“It has been gratifying to note how enthusiastically our friends and partners have rallied to our support, mobilizing resources to tackle the crisis in the northeast.

We would like to express the profound appreciation of the Federal Government to the Bank for being a partner in progress with us. When the story of the region’s recovery is told, the work of the African Development Bank will occupy a wellmerited and prominent chapter,” Osibanjo said, lauding the program as a landmark intervention in support of the region, which has suffered devastation from insurgency.

State governments of the northeast will implement the Bank’s $258 million programme with Nigerian Federal Government’s support.

In terms of impact, 14 million affected people including 2.3 million internal displaced persons (IDPs) will benefit from health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation services. The Programme is targeting 9,000 IDPs and heads of vulnerable households who will receive direct economic assistance, while 2,023 small and medium scale enterprises (79 percent women) will receive business development support. About 2,900 construction artisans and mechanics in the informal sector will also get help to improve their productivity. The initiative en-

visages that 2,000 unskilled youth will be trained for employment.

The President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina represented by the Bank’s Senior Director in Nigeria, Ebrima Faal, highlighted the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity.

“It incorporates special gender considerations by ensuring that women are active participants in all stages of the project and providing training for women and youth entrepreneurs to increase their chances for employment and business opportunities,” Adesina said.

“The Bank has remained a strong partner of the Federal and State Governments in their efforts to restore livelihoods in the northeast.

For instance, throughout the period of heightened conflict in the region, the Bank intervened with two critical programmes in Yobe and Taraba States. The experience gained and lessons learned from implementing these two projects are incorporated in the design of the current intervention,” he added.

Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar thanked the Bank for putting together what he described as the first integrated and inclusive plan for rebuilding of northeast Nigeria.

“Part of the underlying factors that led to the crazy phenomenon of Boko Haram is illiteracy and lack of economic capacity. For the first time, we have now a program that attempts to address all these issues at once,” he said.

The intervention seeks to reduce fragility aggravated by the Boko Haram insurgency by contributing to emergency transition, recovery and peacebuilding efforts. It focuses on three main components – service delivery, economic recovery and institutional strengthening.

It also includes support to ensure increased access of the poor and vulnerable to basic social services in water, sanitation, hygiene, health and education, as well as livelihood

opportunities, food security and strengthened safety net systems.

Participating states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and Taraba states.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative, Theophilus Danjuma noted that given the growing traffic of displaced persons back to their home communities, the provision of essential services and job creation in safe locations will play a huge role in ensuring the sustainability of the post-crisis recovery.

mained on the upswing after months of decline soon after peaking at $47.865 billion on May 10, 2018.

According to information on the CBN website, the reserves level closed at $42.485 billion representing a rise by $962.239 million, or 2.32 percent on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, from $41.523 billion 13 days earlier on November 22.

The sustained rise is linked to proceeds of the Federal Government’s $2.86 billion Eurobond issue, the latest in the series, which achieved three-fold oversubscription by leading global institutional investors.

The subscription rate was described by Finance Minister, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed as a demonstration of confidence among global institutional investors, with a peak combined order book of over $9.5 billion.

A breakdown of the notes, showed that “a $1.18 billion 7-year series, $1

billion 12-year series and a $750m 30year series. The 7-year series will bear interest at a rate of 7.625 percent, while the 12-year series will bear interest at a rate of 8.75 billion and the 30-year series will bear interest at a rate of 9.25 billion.”

In each case, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO), “they will be repayable with a bullet repayment of the principal on maturity.

The offering is expected to close on or about 21 November 2018, subject to the satisfaction of various customary closing conditions.

“The Republic intends to use the proceeds of the Notes towards funding of the fiscal deficit and other financing needs. The Notes represent the Republic’s sixth Eurobond issuance, following issuances in 2011, 2013, two in 2017 and one in early 2018 and its first triple-tranche offering.”

trepreneurial growth and welfare of youth is to see young men and women play vital roles in the socio-economic development of the country and help curb the high level of unemployment,” sekibo said.

The MD who was represented by Jubril Adeojo, Team Lead, Power Corporate Banking, said Heritage Bank is positioned to lead the recovery of the Nigerian economy through enhancing youth entrepreneurship development and engendering self-employment via its various initiatives and products.

According Sekibo, the drive to continue in the support of youths was to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

He explained that the entrepreneur schemes of the bank in the support for business had always focused on dependable job-creating sectors, such as agricultural value chain (fish farming, poultry, snail farming), cottage industry, mining and solid minerals, creative industry (tourism, arts and crafts), and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Sekibo, restated that the aim of Heritage Bank being in the forefront of youth empowerment is to emancipate the latent entrepreneurial spirit in the teeming youths, by providing adequate and affordable loans to execute their business ideas and, hopefully, migrate them to successful Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), thereby, providing

the mechanism of stimulating growth, reducing unemployment as well as addressing youth restiveness in the economy.

The Chairman of the NYPF, Moses Siloko Siasia, who disclosed that the NGO’s success stories and feats attained were made possible by the supports from Heritage Bank, while commending Sekibo who took it upon himself to support NYPF. He hinted that the forum, in the last five years, was able to make a lot of milestone achievements like providing employment for 780 unemployed youths nationwide.

However, NYPF as part of events to celebrate its fifth anniversary, gave out honourary awards and scholarships to several dignitaries, and students, yesterday.

All the award recipients, according to the organizers, were thoroughly considered and shortlisted in recognition of their meritorious service in support for nation building and advancement of democracy, development and good governance in Nigeria.

Some of the beneficiaries of the awards are the Imam of Nghar Village, Gashish district in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Abdullahi Abubakar alongside Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of AfDB, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, Deputy Governor of Kano State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Okezie Ipkeazu.

Heritage Bank receives award for improving “Young Business Owners in Nigeria

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ERITAGE Bank Plc, has been awarded for its Outstanding Contributions toward improving the lives of Young Business Owners in Nigeria at the 5th Anniversary Ceremony of the highly-rated Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) Awards for 2018.

The bank recently was bestowed with the “Best Bank of the Year Business Support/Entrepreneur Development,” at the Africa Value Award 2018; adjudged “Best SME Bank Nigeria 2018” by Capital Finance International (CFI.co) and “Agriculture Bank of the Year 2018” by the Nigeria Agriculture Awards (MAA). It was also honoured for being the Best CIBN Chapter of the Year 2018 in terms of members’ mobilization and participation as well as sponsorship of the Institute programmes; “Most Supportive Bank of the Year,” at the fourth edition of Green October Event 2018, organised by Alamode Magazine amongst others.

Speaking at the highly-rated NYPF, Awards for 2018, a non-governmental organisation, in Abuja, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo, who was immensely honoured by the award, said it speaks volume of the bank’s efforts to demonstrate its commitment towards developing and positioning youths to become world-class citizens equipped and ready to be absorbed into an increasingly competitive workforce.

“One of the reasons why we chose, as an organization, to support the en-

32

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33

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

Husband repeatedly stabbed wife’s lover after she taunted him saying ‘He’s better in bed than you’

A

Name: Eve Mobile: +234 803 526 1657 • If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Millionaire helping pregnant women flee UK to avoid babies taken into care

A

multi-millionaire is helping pregnant women whose babies are deemed at risk to flee the UK. Ian Joseph has spent over £30,000 helping 200 to avoid having their newborns taken away by social services.

He pays for their fares to a new life and offers them free legal advice, even paying for lawyers in some cases.

Around 50 have fled to Ireland on his money while another 150 went to France, Spain and Italy.

Forced adoption opponent Mr Joseph, who runs a language business and has a law degree, has defended his decision to fund their escape, despite many already having children in care.

He said: “Social services have moved away from giving families support and are now too quick to take children away.

“I know what I do is controversial.

People ask how I know the people I’ve helped don’t go on to do something wicked, but my reply is that even killers are entitled to lawyers.

“These woman are entitled to a fair chance to keep their children if they have not been convicted of any crime of cruelty and aren’t on drink or drugs.”

jilted husband repeatedly stabbed his wife’s lover in front of crowds in a shopping centre after she told him his love rival was better in the bedroom.

David Barrow, 46, had followed Nicolette Barrow, his wife of 19 years, to a secret rendez-vous with her lover Jason Earle at a shopping centre in Bristol.

He confronted the pair and was about to walk away when Mrs Barrow said ‘He’s better in bed that you, deal with it.’

Barrow then repeatedly stabbed Mr Earle, causing damage to his liver.

Onlookers at the busy shopping centre in Cribbs Causeway said Barrow appeared to be punching Mr Earle and to have forgotten he had the knife in his hand. After the attack he was seen repeatedly headbutting a wall.

At a hearing at Bristol Crown Court, Barrow, who has two teenage children with his wife, was jailed for four-and-a-half years after he admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The court heard the Barrows had been married for 19 years when Mrs Barrow, 43, met Mr Earle over the internet and the pair started an affair. They met in secret, sometimes even at the family home in Patchway in Bristol.

Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said on one occasion the Barrows, Mr Earle and his wife met at Strensham services on the M5 in Worcestershire to discuss what had been going on.

During this meeting Barrow said to Mr Earle: ‘It’s a good job this wasn’t two hours ago.

‘I would be banged up by now because I had a knife.

‘If I found you in my house you’d have been dead. I know everything about you. I know where you live.’

The Barrows decided to go to marriage counselling and Mrs Barrow agreed not to see Mr Earle while she and her husband tried to repair their marriage.

But the affair continued.

Barrow found out and bought a satnav and block of knives as he planned to warn off his wife’s lover.

He hired a car and on July 12 drove

to Mr Earle’s home in Malvern, Worcestershire, to confront him.

But he changed his mind on the way and began to make his way back to Bristol, the court heard. As he drove home along M5 he saw Mr Earle’s van overtake him and he decided to change course again and follow him.

Barrow called his wife to ask where she was and found he was at The Mall shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol - where Mr Earle was also heading.

When the trio arrived at the busy shopping centre Barrow confronted Mr Earle who admitted he was meeting Mrs Barrow.

Barrow phoned his wife and she joined the two men before they each ‘exchanged words’.

He was just about to walk away when his wife insulted his prowess in the bedroom and he attacked Mr Earle.

Barrow lunged at his wife’s lover outside a Marks and Spencer store and plunged the knife into him.

Some of the wounds were so deep his liver was injured and blood was found in his lungs.

Mr Earle was given life-saving treatment by a number of firefighters who were doing a charity event at the shopping centre before police and paramedics arrived.

Ian Kelcey, mitigating, said: ‘This is a truly tragic case.

‘Clearly this was an act completely out of character for this man, a man with no previous convictions who had led a blameless life.

‘He had been a hard worker within a major institution within this city, where he had been positively vetted to a high degree.

‘He was a family man, dedicated to his children and his wife. He had been told a tissue of lies. He was desperate to save his marriage and his family life with his children.’

Mr Kelcey added: ‘This [the comment about his bedroom prowess] really was what broke this man on that fateful Saturday morning.

‘He has lost everything that he strived for throughout the years. In short, he is a broken man who appears before you today.’

As well as the prison sentence, a three-year restraining order was imposed.

ROMANTIC JOKE BAD LUCK

The dad of seven set up a website and receives “around a thousand” calls a year from mothers.

Britain is the only EU country allowing forced adoption. Last year, 1,860 children were adopted without parental consent.

Mr Joseph, 82, featured in a documentary advising a woman called Mary with previous mental health issues who has two children in care and is expecting another.

Mary, who now raises her child in France, said: “The social services here are helpful and supportive, the opposite of the UK.”

Mr Joseph says he ploughs through piles of documents before agreeing to help.

He said: “Adoption shouldn’t go ahead if a mother is begging to get her child back. They should be given a fair chance.

“Social services used to only take children away if a parent was convicted of cruelty. Now social workers are feared and hated.

But one GP who works with social ¬services said: “People think they are right to help a mother but they do not have all the background to a case.

A woman’s husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she stayed by his bedside every single day.

When he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer.

As she sat by him, he said, “You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you gave me support. When my health started failing, you were still by my side... You know what?”

“What dear?” She asked gently.

“I think you bring me bad luck.”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

True Confession

I regret marrying a guy based overseas

M

y story can break the hardest hearts, and my tears can melt any rock. What have I done to deserve this? What have I done to deserve the way life and love have been treating me?

My name is Ifeoma. I’m 32 years old and my guy is 43 and is based abroad.

He came from Germany and paid my bride price six years ago.

But since he returned to Europe, he has virtually abandoned me. The last time he came to Nigeria, he spent only two weeks. Besides, I don’t like his character.

Our marriage is what I’ll call ‘telephone marriage’ because we talk more on phone than we see each other. God knows I’ve done all I can to make him happy. But he likes keeping things to himself when annoyed.

He won’t call and he won’t tell me what I’ve done to offend him. Rather, he would keep malice. He does not call me all the time and even when he calls, he talks so rudely that I end up being angry with him over the phone.

The most annoying thing is that

If not for the child I have for him, I would have quit the joyless marriage a long time ago. The problem is that I already have a child for him. That’s why I’m still managing. I’m tired of my ‘telephone marriage’. he is married to a white woman in Germany. And sometimes when I call him, the woman asks me who I am.

In order to avoid problems with his white wife, Chidi told her that I’m his sister from Nigeria and he forces me to tell such a lie whenever I call.

Even our daughter that is with me, he doesn’t send me money regularly for her upkeep. My Germany-based husband sends money to me only once or twice in a whole year.

And even the money he send to me for the whole year for the upkeep of I and our daughter is not up to N50,000. When I complain, he will tell me to go and find work to do to

survive.

But when I see my mates and my friends who are living with their husbands here in Nigeria, I cry.

I cry because I see how happily they are living together and taking care of their children. I regret getting pregnant for Chidi and marrying him just because he came from overseas.

For the past five years, he hasn’t visited Nigeria and I am all alone with my child struggling to survive.

If not for the child I have for him, I would have quit the joyless marriage a long time ago. The problem is that I already have a child for him. That’s why I’m still managing. I’m tired of

my ‘telephone marriage’.

I need the physical presence of a husband in my life. I advise all single ladies to beware of these overseas-based Nigerians who come down to marry. Most of them will just put you in the family way, pay your bride price and disappear.

Then you and your kids will start suffering. Guys based abroad don’t make the best of husbands. Marriage with them is “telephone marriage”, because you’ll relate more with them on phone since their physical presence is never there.

Your say: Call 07031028714.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

Relationships and Love Advice

Men only come to deceive me

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage

Chinyere, 35, dark, single mum, humble, works, seeks a hardworking man from 38 years and above for marriage.

09038028331.

Viky, 52, widow, working, Igbo, chocolate, average height, wants to get connected to a man of 53-60 years (not a divorcee) from any tribe.

08036309809.

Humble, 40, needs a sponsor in her theology school. 09026452405.

Rose, in Lagos, just rented a shop, needs someone to support her in starting a business. 08107458039.

Funke, 44, needs a man (widower or divorcée) of 50-55 years for a serious relationship. 08185083988.

Dear Love Doctor,

I

am a 36-year-old lady. I have had series of heartbreaks. All the men I’ve met only came to deceive me. The last men I met promised me marriage, but when I got pregnant for him he told me to abort the pregnancy, which I never did. And ever since I had my baby, I don’t want

to love again since I can’t find a real and serious man. Please advise me.

From CHICHI, Lagos.

Dear Chichi, judge all men. Focus on improving yourself and your character so that you can make yourself right for the right man. And keep searching for your Mr. Right and praying for God’s help, and in the end you will surely find a good and sincere man who deserves a lovely and hardworking woman like you for marriage.

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage

Love Doctor’s Advice: Not all men are the same. Do you remember the saying that a woman has to kiss many frogs before she finally finds her charming prince? That’s the way life is, because are never easy to come by. So please don’t get discouraged or disappointed, and never give up.

Don’t make the mistake of using a few men’s bad attitude to

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage.

08090925014.

Jesus Christ our Lord tells us in the Bible that if you seek, you will find. Never forget that. Also remember that God’s time is the best. So cheer up and keep looking beautiful for the right man to find you at the right moment. I wish you the very best in your search for true love.

Diamond Prince, 28, living in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy. 07069498904.

Godspower, 33, tall, from Kogi, based in Abuja, wants a sugar mummy from 40 years and above based in Abuja, to satisfy her very well. 0810069625, 07018735547.

Divine, 36, wants a beautiful, highly educated, tall, fair, working class lady from 25-30 years for marriage. 09054199030.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com

Uche in Lagos wants a mature working woman or widow living in Festac Town or Ikeja, Lagos for companionship or a romantic relationship. 08077821830.

Do you have a marriage/wedding, birthday, anniversary or club or town meeting announcement to make? Call 07031028714 now!

Emeka, 54, in Lagos, needs an educated woman between 32-35 years for a wife.

08118482541.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

It happened to me:

I kissed my twin sister’s fiance

M

y twin sister had been away travelling and working abroad for three years. We were very close and when she called one morning to let me know that she would be returning home within the month I was very excited. Not only would she be returning but she also mentioned that she had a big surprise.

I couldn’t wait to see her and the big surprise. Well, the month dragged on but finally she arrived.

The whole family arrived at the airport to greet her and eventually we spotted Jessica walking through the crowd of people. But she wasn’t alone. A tall guy was walking next to her. Immediately everyone was abuzz with excitement. Jessica ran up to me smiling, crying and hugging.

Instantly my attention drew back to the tall guy standing behind her.

Jessica took his hand and introduced him to everyone as Chris, her fiancé.

Over the course of the week, Chris settled in at home while Jessica caught up with family and friends.

Over the next few months Jessica started the wedding preparations.

During that time, if I wasn’t needed for wedding duties and chores, Jessica had mainly left Chris with me as she didn’t want him to be left alone and bored. So I was left to entertain

him. At first I felt a little awkward as I was quite shy but eventually we hit it off and I began to realise all the great things Jessica saw in Chris.

One day, after spending a great day out with Chris I became quite depressed. Of course Chris asked if he had done something wrong to upset me. I told him he hadn’t. I told him that I was just a little sad after having spent so much time with him and having a great time, and that I began to wonder when I would ever find my true love.

Chris assured me I would but I was very adamant that it would never happen. Being single and alone for three years, you do lose hope. I explained this to Chris and he continued to point out all my great qualities and traits. And then all of a sudden he kissed me. I was so shocked. I didn’t know what to do, so I excused myself and quickly ran into my room to be alone. I didn’t talk to or see Chris for the next three days. I stayed at my friend’s house and told my family that she needed support as she was going through a rough patch.

Chris constantly tried to call me and left messages explaining that he did not know what had come over him and that he was only trying to console me, but I did not want to speak to him as I had no idea what to do or

say. I had never been in a situation like that before and I had never kept anything from my sister. I was very confused and tried to avoid both of them.

A couple of days later Mum was hosting a family dinner and it was a ‘must-attend’ event. I reluctantly went along and saw Chris for the first time in days. I completely ignored him. Jessica made a comment on my mood and I just replied that I was tired. Towards the end of the night I offered to do the dishes to get away from everyone.

I slipped into the kitchen but two minutes later Chris followed. He started talking and I instantly cut him off and told him not to say anything, but he wasn’t listening. He said that he had wanted to speak to me for days about what happened and he couldn’t keep it in any longer.

I was expecting him to apologise, to put it all down to bad judgment but instead he started confessing his feelings for me. I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t really listening to what he was saying. It was all a blur. He told me how he couldn’t stop thinking about me, that he had strong feelings for me, my head started spinning.

I didn’t know what to do. My twin sister was to marry this guy in less than a month and here he was telling

me that he didn’t know what to do or how to stop his feelings for me.

I quickly snapped out of my daze and took hold of Chris by both arms.

Very clearly and directly I told him to never mention this conversation again. Not to bring it up or repeat to anyone what he just said to me. I assured him that what he was feeling would soon subside and it was only because Jessica and I were so alike that he was confusing his feelings for her with me. I told him that I was not taking anything he said seriously and that I was going to turn a blind eye to it after the day had ended.

I left after that and never told anyone what happened between Chris and me. The wedding went ahead and my sister was none the wiser.

Chris carried on very convincingly, much to my relief, and he never spoke to me about the issue again.

To this day I am still unsure whether I should have told Jessica. I did not want her to blame me or even worse, herself, for losing the love of her life.

I believe that everyone has moments of weakness. I just hope that Chris won’t have a moment of weakness with someone else in the future.

• Do you have a story or comment about this confession?

Call 07031028714.

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

An appraisal of the scope of a citizen’s right to fair hearing under the 1999 constitution of Nigeria I am compelled to write on this topic and will be on it even on subsequent editions because of the need to correct some of the misconceptions of some “powerful persons” in our society using their influence to subdue and afflict injustices on the less privileged. If you like, call me a “radical lawyer” or even “Pastor Lawyer” but I am doing what God called me to do in this profession -Tell them the truth-.

One of my friend’s clients was “kidnapped” I say “kidnapped” because all the elements of kidnap were applied in the way he was taken away and only to be discovered in the cell framed-up as an armed robber by the “Police kidnappers”. He was bailed from the police (don’t ask me how). He petitioned against those policemen who he alleged did the foiled kidnapping because of property matter. When a State Commissioner of Police set up a team of investigators on the matter, those set of policemen refused to make their individual statements on the excuses that their authorities are from the Federal Arm who are conducting secret investigation on this issue already made public without the invitation of the writer of that petition or his legal representation to throw more light on the issue nor were those perpetuators arrested, detained or even suspended so as not to mar the investigation. Those sets of policemen preferred the secret investigation excluding the petitioner or his legal representation to that set up by the State Commissioner of Police.

Even the head of that set of policemen made a statement to a National Daily Newspaper (not The Oracle Today) implyingly agreeing the offence was committed without his knowledge by these men under him. He said he got to know about it from a relation. He went further to be a judge in his own case by saying that his generally acclaimed good writer is mentally unstable just to justify his action and make the different organizations the petitioner petitioned to take the report of the petitioner as that of a ‘mad’ person. Probably, he is now a psychiatric doctor.

Also, there have been series of jungle justices being perpetuated all over the country today without following due process. Culprits are lynched by burning them without hearing first from them in a conducive condition before judgment. The reason they (perpetuators) usually give is that they do not trust our police system that is why they take laws into their hands. The big question is: does all this conform to the doctrine of fair hearing and fair trial? There are so many other instances but I can’t mention all now. Therefore, from this edition and the subsequent ones I shall focus on this very important and sensitive topic. Please enjoy your reading.

A right is an ability to modify a state of affairs in relations to the persons having correlative duties to the advantage of the holder of the right. The existence of a legal right therefore implies an existence of a correlative duty on other persons to obey or not to derogate form the rights vested in the holder. Note also that a legal right must have its existence guaranteed and recognized by law and its exercise must be based on the acceptability by law of the consequences.

The right of fair hearing is the bedrock for security justice where an aggrieved party is denied the right to be heard by an unbiased court or tribunal, there is every likelihood of there being denial of justice. The right has gathered a lot of moss over the years thus elevating it to the status of being the most litigated fundamental right.

Depending on how it is approached the right to fair hearing may mean so many things in the eye of the law to wit presumption of innocence of an accused person; right to counsel of one choice, right to informed timeously of the charge or allegation against ones expeditions trial by an unbiased court or tribunal, right against double jeopardy, the rule against interest and bias, right to be prosecuted under an existing law (i.e. nullioncrimes sine lege – crime except in accordance with the law) and so forth.

In Nigeria among other countries, fair hearing has been embodied as a requirement of natural justice, in Chapter Four of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeriaconstitution. The concept of natural justice has been said to be rooted in the philosophy of natural law which in itself connoted the inherent right of man to that which is fair and just natural justice as we know today is summed up by twin Latin maxims of NEMO JUDEX IN CAUSA SUA (one should not be a judge in his own case) and AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM (he who decides a case must hear both sides).

The early proponents and adherents to concept of natural justice found justification as it is in biblical story of tat first recorded in the book of Genesis chapter 3:8-13. Thus, in R. v. Chancellor of Cambridge University, Dr. Benilly Fort, J., in considering the case of the applicant who had been deprived of his degree by the respondent unheard noted that even God did not condemned Adam in the Garden of Eden after he had eaten the forbidden fruit until he heard Adam’s side of the story.

The above authority represents the judicial genesis of the AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM rule which presuppose that in contentious matters, parties must be given the opportunity of stating their case before they are condemned or pronounced guilty. The maxim has grown over the years and has covered the issues of notice, time adjournment, legal representation, opportunity to see and cross-examine witnesses, etc.

In this edition, I believe that the right to fair hearing has been constantly abused by both past and present government in Nigeria. It is intended to look critically at the right to fair hearing under the 1999 Constitution oif the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its application in criminal procedures.

This essay is not intended to be a condemnation of sectiomn35,

and section 36 of the constitution rather it is hoped that it would be helpful for a possible reform of the constitution and towards that the provision in its present form is abused; the accused person whom it seeks to project is far from seeing the light of protection.

FAIR HEARING AS A NATURAL RIGHT Natural rights by their origin are Universal rights, that is, it is the right of everyman anywhere on the globe to enjoy, “because of the fact that in contradiction with other beings, he is rational and moral” other species of natural rights include the right to life, right to personal liberty, right to freedom of expression, right to freedom of movement, right to dignity of human person, to mention a few.

In the development of these rights, the theory of natural law played a predominant role and it is on record that the formulation of the theory of natural law was first embarked upon by the stoics after the demise of the Greek city states and they based this theory on eternalreasoning, justice, universality and immutability.

Socrates, Plato and later, Aristotle had different views about natural law (natural right), it was easily deducible from their teaching, belief and doctrine that they conceived the idea of justice as a form of law decreased by nature to which man-made laws were subordinate and must as of necessity comply with.

Natural law which can be called Natural Justice is derived from Roman concept Jus-Naturae, which means the principle of natural law, natural justice or good conscience. The question her which I shall be answering is how this relates to the answering on fair-hearing.

In the case of Copper Wordsworth v. Boards of Words, the learned Judge said that “Even God did not pass sentence upon Adam before he was called to make a defense; Adam where are thou, has thou not eaten of the tree thereof I commanded thee that thou shouldn’t eat?”

This means that even God right from creation know that people shouldn’t be judged without hearing from them or given them fair hearing. God has the omnipotent power to say whatever He likes and does whatsoever he likes with them because He is their creator but He did it fit to have fair trial before condemning them. In the case, Adam blamed it on Eve and God used His own wisdom and fair assessment of his answer to judge him by condemning Adam and Eve. As specie of natural right, the right to fair hearing or to common law rule of natural justice is embedded in a twin rule, viz: the right to be heard which is expressed in the Latin maxim – (Audi Alteram Partem) and the right to have ones dispute determined by the impartial judge is also based on the Latin maxim – (Nemo Judex In Causa Sua).

At this juncture, these principles should be considered one after the other.

AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM: This has been various defined as the right to be heard on “no man should be condemned unheard”. Commenting on the implication and meaning of the right, Lord Denning has this to say; “If the right to be heard is to be a real right which is worth anything, it must carry with it a right in the accused man to know the case which is made against him. He must know what evidence has been given and what statements have been affecting him and then he must be given a fair opportunity to correct and contradict them.”

This appears in all the cases from the celebrated judgment of Lord Coveburn, L.C. in Board of Education v. Rice down to the decision of the Lordship Board in Ceylon University v. Fernando. It follows, of

course, that the judge or whoever has to adjudicate must not hear evidence or receive representation form one side behind the back of the other. The court will not inquire into whether the evidence or representation did work to his prejudice or not. Sufficient that they might do so, the court will not go into the likelihood of prejudice.

The risk of it is enough. No one who has lost a case will believe he has been fairly treated if the other side has had access to the judge without his knowing.

As already pointed out, the right to be heard is of universal application and the right has been upheld in many Nigerian cases.

In Adedeji v. Police Service Commission for instance where the appellant, a police officer was dismissed by the commission for receiving a bribe, a written allegation was sent to him to which he replied.

It was however at the hearing of an application for an order of certiorari to quash the order of the Police Service Commission that the appellant for the first time got to know of the evidence relied on by the commission in making the order of dismissal.

The court held that although a tribunal is entitled to decide its own procedure, it must however conform to the rules of natural justice.

That failure to get the appellant acquainted fully with all the evidence relied upon by the commission was fatal to the commission’s case.

It should be noted also that the right to be heard entails that the parties be notified of the time and place of the hearing and that adequate opportunity is given to the parties to prepare their cases. The American enactment of the control order regime for the prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, which is still in force, imposes some strict restrictions as house arrest, on anyone suspected of involvement in terrorism actions.

We should now consider the other arm of the principle of natural justice in so far as it relates to fair hearing NEMO JUDEX IN CAUSA SUA: Interpreted, the rule means a man should not be a judge in his own cases or the natural justice rule against bias. The rule against bias means that a person interested in a matter should not adjudicate or take part in the adjudication of such matter in which he is interested.

It should be noted that ‘interest’ here has a wide connection and it is stringently constructed. The ‘interest’ may be professional, proprietary or personal.

The test often applied by the courts in deciding whether a person is interested in a matter or not is whether a person’s interest in the case or his relationship with one of the parties is such as is capable of creating a real likelihood of bias. If the situation is such that bias is very likely to result, the person should not hear and determine the case.

Thus in Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee v. Gani Fawehinmi, where the applicant, a legal practitioner and author was summoned to appear before the committee on allegations of advertising in the magazine, ‘WEST AFRICA’, he went to court to seek injunction on the ground that the Attorney-General was both the complainant and prosecutor; therefore it raised a real likelihood of bias.

The Supreme Court held that the committee which is expected to act judicially must observe the rules of natural justice and must not place itself in a position in which it may appear that there is real likelihood of bias.

Note you can contact any lawyer around you or text my phone numbers or email for further assistance if need be. Please stay away from crime.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call or send a text message to Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

How woman, Indian hemp, Seven Books of Moses destroyed Majek Fashek’s career – Kofo The Wonderman

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ccording to the talking drummer, before his career came crashing, he had secured a multi-million naira record deal with Inerscope, a record label that at that time had some of the biggest recording artistes on it label and the incident that led to his being dumped by the label happened during a tour of America organised by a show promoter which included big acts like Tracy Chapman, Jimmy CLiff and Burning Spear.

He began: “We always opened for the big stars and played for a maximum of 30 minutes. The next day the papers would review the show and talk about Majek Fashek and not the other big stars. The idea was that Interscope wanted the fans of these big stars to key into Majek Fashek’s sound.

“In 1992, after our tour of LA during Majek Fashek tour of America, he followed a woman. Now that is not a problem but you have to be time conscious,” Kofo recalled. “We left LA after we played and headed for San Diego which is about two and half hours journey and he followed a light complexioned lady and failed to turn up on time for his own show by 7pm. In the middle of Burning Spear’s show he suddenly showed up; that was not good.”

“That was when things went rough for him. They (Interscope) looked at his behaviour and felt there was no point continuing with him and once oyinbo change their minds, it is finished! He lost a big chance for the whole of Africa. He could have opened the doors for African artistes looking for an American break and that was why Kimono, Mandators and Mike Okri all came to America. They were like ‘if Majek Fashek can have it, maybe we can also have it’ but Majek Fashek messed it up!

Kofo also suggested that his dabbling with the Seven Books of Moses also contributed to his problem. He continued: “When I joined his band, he was not an igbo smoker, he could only drink half a bottle of Coca Cola and was a very clean guy. That was when he would say something and it would happen! Everywhere we went, Send Down The Rain was the song we played last because if we played it first, that was the end of the show as the rain would come down hard.

“Even Majek Fashek did not understand it so whenever it happened he would express his amazement. He was a gifted man and was very clean. Before anything we did we prayed. He even had a prophet that followed him all the time.

But all of a sudden things changed. Maybe, he got into things he was not supposed to. I am taking about the Seven Books of Moses, he started doing rituals, slaughtering hens on the streets of New York which could have sent him to jail.

“Maybe he read something in those book that turned him around. And Jamaicans loved him because they were looking at him as Bob Marley. They always followed him around and the only favour they did for him was to bring igbo for him in the dressing room. Majek has a very light brain so when he started doing these things, his life began to fall apart. Probably he did not know how to reject or he wanted to prove that he belonged so he started smoking igbo or maybe, they mixed something else with the igbo; I don’t know. When I hear

Though he might not be very popular back home in Nigeria but in the US where he is based, he is a frontline Afro beat musician who runs a band christened Kofi The Wonderman & The Afro Beat Stars. Descended from a line of talking drummers, he was a key band member in Majek Fashek’s band when the reggae legend toured America as a sign-on of one of the biggest record labels in the world, Interscope, in the early 1990s. Kofo, who recently relocated to Nigeria opened up on his relationship with the Reggae legend and the events that eventually sent Majek Fashek’s career into a tailspin which he is yet to recover from.

• Kofo people say Majek was taking drugs I am shocked because I did not for one day see him taking cocaine or heroine when I was in the band. Maybe he started when I left. The only thing I am sure of is that during the tour, it was the Jamaicans that were bringing igbo for him.”

Recalling how he met Majek Fashek he continues: “We had been together before he even did Send Down The Rain,” Kofo recalled. “I knew him a long time ago at Japex Studio in Anthony. There

was Ras kimono, Mandators and Feladay among others. I was at Decca Studio doing a recording that fateful day when Sunday Are revealed Majek Fashek was doing a new album and he needed an African talking drummer. He said that if I could hook up with him we would work together. The song was Free Mandela.

That was how I joined his band.

“Majek was a big blessing for my career. With my old band, if I played three shows in a week, I couldn’t get more

than N45 but with Makek Fashek, I got N150 for my first show performing for just an hour and half. But juju bands will start at 8pm and play till 6am, yet pay you peanuts. Later, Majek started paying N200 per show.

“Majek is a very nice and talented artiste; highly blessed. Like I said, nobody is above mistake. We all make mistakes but when you make mistakes, you have to accept and correct yourself and then you move on.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018t

NEWS

Yuletide: Cameroonian refugees in C’River get relief items from Foundation

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he Africa Now Foundation, a charity organization owned

by Africa’s leading Oil and Gas lawyer, NJ Ayuk, CEO of Centurion Law Group has donated relief materials worth over thousands of dollars to hundreds of Cameroonian refugees living in the Adagom Resettlement site in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State.

“This is most impressive and undoubtedly the largest single donation we have received in years,” said Mr. Remi Oyasanya, the zonal coordinator South-South region, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internal Displaced Persons, who took the delivery of the materials alongside the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Cross Rivers State Emergency Management Agency in the presence of thousands of the refugees.

The materials donated included children school chairs, mattresses, pillows, blankets, buckets, Indomie Noodles, bathroom slippers, water bottles; sachets of packaged tomato paste, salt, spices, cooking oil; children school tables and a desktop computer.

In the spirit of the Christmas, the foundation also donated soft drinks of different brands, biscuits, wafers and sweets that could reach over 2,000 people.

“We are committed to doing more as a foundation, because they deserve all the love and support, we can show to them to mitigate their daily ordeals. They don’t deserve to be in refugee camps during Christmas. It is wrong and immoral.” said NJ Ayuk, while urging governments in West/Central Africa to do everything to end hostilities in the sub-region.

“The reasons for so much suffering coming out of this Anglophone crisis are complex and varied. It is important that everyone really sees a need for an all-inclusive dialogue that cultivates a true respect for everyone in Cameroon and the diaspora,” said the lawyer.

As a Foundation, we believe we have an obligation to work with the good minded people of the UNHCR, and others to seek out ways to foster this life-saving dialogue and provide support to so many that have been made refugees against their will. We are thankful to the Nigerian authorities and the UNHCR who did everything to facilitate to our work.

The Africa Now Foundation is a humanitarian organisation committed to “six corporal works of mercy, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead and give alms to the poor.”

The foundation has further expressed the commitment to visit as many African communities where succor is needed and “we can avail to them little we have.”

ESUTH resident doctors call off 7-day warning strike in Enugu A ssociation of Resident Doctors in Enugu State Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) has called off its seven days warning strike following state government’s promise to begin processes on payment of allowances.

President of the Association of Resident Doctors, ESUTH branch, Dr Felix Mba, who disclosed this in Enugu, Monday said that the state government had assured them that it had started the processes of the payment of the Healthcare Professional Clinical allowance.

“From all indications, the process-

es have started based on the discussions with the government of Enugu State,” he said.

According to the president, all the resident doctors in Enugu were captured for the payment of the Healthcare Professional Clinical allowance scale, but unfortunately, when the payment began, the names of ESUTH resident doctors were omitted.

He added that the omission of their names for the payment of the allowances was mainly the purpose of the warning strike.

The president explained that it was the right of every resident doctor to

get his or her healthcare professional clinical allowance no matter the amount he or she would receive.

Mba said he was hopeful that the state government would redeem its promise made to the association as regards paying the allowances.

Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Ike Okwesiri, had said the resident doctors took to the strike as a last option following series of futile efforts to get the state government pay their allowances.

He said that while the body believed the consolidated medical scale

should be paid to every doctor; there had been segregation in the case of Enugu State, as the allowances were paid to doctors in the Ministry of Health and leaving those of resident doctors at ESUT-Parklane.

“ESUT Parklane doctors are receiving close to nothing and they have been at the forefront to say put us at par with our colleagues in the state.

Surprisingly, this has not happened and we have tried to reach out to the state government within the last two weeks to avert this crisis in the health sector but the government was not keen on doing that.”

Ita-Giwa hails youth intervention in C’River communal crises From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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• (From left): Chairman of the occasion, and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari; and and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, during during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in Abuja, Thursday

‘Apolo’ hits Enugu, as price of sunglasses skyrockets

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raders of sun glasses in Enugu State are enjoying a boom in business as the demand for the protective lenses rise, following an outbreak of conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apolo, in parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while victims of the eye disease are complaining of the cost, the marketers are smiling to their banks.

Most sun glass shops were seen making brisk businesses, as many customers who wanted to prevent themselves from contacting the eye disease, flooded their shops.

Some sellers of the shade lenses expressed joy over the number of customers coming into their shops to buy the item.

Mr Ebuka Abba, a seller at Ogbete market, said that the last quarter of every year was usually good for sun shade glass dealers.

Abba explained that due to dry season, which is usually characterised by dust, high degree of sun and sometimes ‘Apollo’ necessitated the increase in sun shade glass sales.

Mrs Agatha Uchechi, another seller, pointed out that the prices were affordable, saying it is based on someone’s status, income and as well as the choice of a customer.

“In my shop, I have sun shade glasses ranging from N400 up to N8,000, depending on the customer’s choice.

NAN reports that the demand for sun shades has increased in Enugu, as many residents express fear of contacting conjunctivitis, an eye disease generally called Apollo.

Some residents who came to Ogbete Market to purchase the glasses told NAN that ‘prevention is better than cure’.

They added that the pain and the discomfort from Apollo were too severe for somebody to be careless over his or her eyes.

Mrs Vivian Ude, a banker, said she has to purchase the sun shade to prevent the eye disease because she works in a bank where many people come in for transaction.

“I am a banker and every day I come into contact with many people who come to the bank to transact one business or the other,’’ she said.

Miss Chidiogor Lebechi, a student, said that some of her colleagues had already been infected with the eye disease, saying that she is afraid of contacting same.

“Looking at the way my fellow students were lamenting due to the pain they are undergoing as a result

of the ‘Apollo’, I decided to get sun shade glasses for myself. I don’t want to have such pain,” she said.

Another buyer, Mr Innocent Ajuluchukwu, a businessman, said it was important for everyone to have sun shade glasses.

According to him, it will help to minimise the level of the sun and dust getting into the eyes, especially during dry season.

However, Dr Emeka Ossai, an Ophthalmologist, at the Arema Eye Clinic, Enugu, recommended the use of sun shades during the dry season to reduce spread of conjunctivitis, which he described as an airborne disease.

Ossai who gave the advice in Friday, in Enugu, explained that the purpose of the sun shade was to reduce the effect of sun on the eyes.

“Sun shade glasses help to reduce the emission from the rays of sun, which also reduces the effect of ultra-radiation of the sun.’’

The ophthalmologist said that it was healthy to use sun shades especially now that the dust has increased due to change in weather condition.

According to him, conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, which can be highly contagious.

ormer Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence ItaGiwa has commended the youth in the Southern Senatorial District of the state for intervening the communal crisis besetting the state.

She said their intervention in the crisis and their coming together as youths is a welcome development and will go a long way in enhancing the peace, socio-economic and political development of the state.

Senator Ita-Giwa made this know while playing host to the Ikem – Esit Mkparawa Essien Efik Duop Eba, an Assembly of Efik Community Leaders in Calabar.

“It’s good to have an assembly like yours that holds the Efik people together. I’m happy to have an association like this which is interested in the peace, socio-economic and political development of the state.

“There is a lot of work to do in Efik Nation, and as a mother in the Efik Kingdom, I have a duty to support the youths and I pledge to assist you in bringing peace and development to our communities”, she said.

She pledged her commitment to ensure that there is peace and development in Efik communities and support the youths in the upcoming Calabar Carnival, Utomo Obong, and other activities that will bring peace and development.

Earlier, Ekpo Ekeng, the leader of the group said the crisis in the state has given them sleepless nights and this is unbecoming of the Efiks who are known for peace.

“The issue of war in Eki, Obomitat, Etehentem Ikot Otu and Ikot Efa is one issue that gives us sleepless nights and we have made a move to see how we can bring them together and solve the problem once and for all.

“Our message is that this must be the first and last Efik community to fight with one another even with their neighbouring communities.

“Efik people are always known to be peaceful, we love peace and are always ready to embrace peace”, he said.

He said wisdom is contributory and the youths will welcome advice from elders like her to see how they can curtail excess violence and other insecurity situations in Efik land and also advance the cause of the state.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS 2019: Be cautious in endorsing presidential candidates – Group advises Ndigbo

By Oliver Udeogu

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frontline Igbo socio-cultural group, the Igboezue International, has enjoined Igbo leaders not to be in hurry in endorsing any presidential candidate in the February 2019 Presidential elections in order to avert regrets.

The group gave the advice in a two-page communiqué issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting was held, Thursday in Awka the Anambra State capital.

According to the communiqué endorsed by its National President Elder Pius Uchenna Okoye and the National Secretary Chief Everest Ezihe: ‘’ Igbo leaders must not be in a hurry to endorse any Presidential Candidate in the forthcoming 2019 Presidential elections.

“This is the time for Ndigbo to shine their eyes as our cry of marginalization has turned to lamentation.

Ndigbo will only vote for a candidate that will carry our ethnic nationality along, ensure visionary, compassion and purposeful governance, listening to her genuine aspiration as a people and their agitations. Be willing to realize Ndigbo as principal partners in the Nigerian project. However, any endorsement that does not meet the aspirations of Ndigbo such as protecting the People’s interest must be declared null and void’’ the group warned.”

Igboezue had expressed disappointment in roles of some traditional leaders of South east extraction who have abandoned their fundamental duties as custodians of Igbo cultural and traditional heritages in pursuance of politicians for selfish political interests.

The group also noted with disdain activities of some men of God in recent past who seem to have become Politicians rather than being models in God’s vineyard.

“We are worried that some of our traditional rulers here in the South east have desecrated their royal thrones and crowns by playing politics more than the politicians themselves. This has become to the detriment of their sacred enthronement as custodians of the peoples traditional norms. Unfortunately too is the disheartening development of some of our ordained Clergy men who are supposed to be in charge of the flocks and have practically abandoned their divine callings due to materialism and now play politics more than the Politicians themselves. These have made us in Igboezue family to rise in total condemnation of these retrogressive acts by our people.”

The Igboezue commended the federal government for its effort in completing the second Niger bridge at Onitsha and further appealed to the government to take the issue of constant power supply and creation of job opportunities seriously.

While wishing Nigerians and Ndigbo in general a happy yuletide, the group advised on the need to shun hate speeches and campaigns of calumny, blackmail, thuggery, vote buying and violence which are among the anti- social vices that are ongoing in the current dispensation.

The group further restated its resolve to commence the building of her multi-million naira National Secretariat complex and organizing a world class Iriji festivity next day just as it is poised to organize a National Political summit, free ultra-modern skills acquisition training for Igbo youths among other projects, while thanking God for a successful outing within the year.

Okowa tasks Delta PDP’s council on issue-based campaign D elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowahas urged newly-inaugurated Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to focus on issues-based campaign ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The governor gave the charge, Monday, while addressing the council after its inauguration by the party’s Chairman in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso, in Asaba, the state capital.

The 60-member campaign council has Prof. Sam Oyovbaire as Chairman, Prince Ned Nwoko, Vice- Chairman and Chief Funkekeme Solomon, Director-General.

Former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, his former deputy governors, Chief Benjamin Elue and Prof. Amos Utuama and some other PDP stalwarts in the state are members of the council.

Okowa said that as a government, his administration had performed and delivered the dividends of democracy in infrastructure, health, ed-

ucation, job creations for youths and women among others, to guarantee the party’s return to power.

According to him, the campaign for 2019 general elections must be issuebased.

He said that in the past three and half years, his administration had achieved a lot, adding that there were still more to be done for the people.

“You must take the campaigns to the local governments, wards and units; tell the people the truth about what we have done because we have done well to deserve their support and vote,” he said.

He said that the state was the first to introduce and implement the contributory health scheme in the country and the state human capital development remained number one.

“Our technical colleges have received lots of awards and many youths and women in the state have been impacted through our jobs creation and entrepreneurial pro-

grammes.

“We are committed to making things better and in three years, our tertiary institutions have had all their courses accredited. And on road constructions, we have done well and many more will be constructed.

“In sports, our youths have been encouraged and I have made promises without regrets because any Deltan that has done well will be rewarded and we must continue to encourage our people,” he said.

He charged the campaign team to go all out in one mind and to reconcile their differences in order to achieve success.

Earlier, the party chairman, Esiso, while inaugurating the council, said the inauguration marked the kick-off of the party’s campaign in the state.

He said that the council was made up of carefully selected men and women who were poised to deliver by taking the campaign from door to door across the state.

“Today is a great day for our party

because we are kick-starting our campaign and we have carefully selected men and women capable of leading our party through a grassroots campaign not only in the wards but in the units.

“Our campaign will be issue-based because our governor and party have performed creditably well on roads’ construction, education, health, empowerment programmes, sports and many more,” Esiso said.

Oyovbaire in his response on behalf of the council assured the party of their commitment to deliver on the assignment.

“We accept this honour and affirm that we will deliver on this task to ensure the return of our governor, and all the PDP candidates seeking elections into the NASS and the state assembly.

“The council will also work for the election of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, come 2019 general election,” he said.

Assembly passes Bill to prohibit secret cults in Edo

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• Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Acting General Manager of Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle, the immediate past General Manager of the Station, Mr. Olayinka Adagun and other participants at the ongoing maiden management retreat of the Lagos Traffic Radio holding at EastGate Hotels, Lekki-Lagos

Yuletide season: Commence decoration of parks – Lagos directs agencies

By VICTOR NZE

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agos State Parks and Gardens Agency, (LASPARK) has called on Green Partners to begin the decoration of adopted parks across the State through colourful lighting and adornment in preparation for the Yuletide festivities.

The call was made through a statement issued by the General Manager of the Agency, Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, urging all the Green Partners of the State to utilise the opportunities provided by the yuletide season to support Government’s efforts at making the season more glamorous through decorating and lighting of the sites adopted by their organisations.

“The exercise is a unique opportunity for the agency and its partners to intensify and advance the ideals of Greening across the State and create a comfortable atmosphere for citizens as they look forward to connecting with nature during the season”, she said.

Outlining the necessity for the project at this festive season, the LASPARK boss revealed that edify-

ing the various parks in the State with eye-catching decorations will stimulate public interest thereby improving patronage.

While acknowledging the contributions of some of its partners who had constantly been identified with the Christmas lighting and decoration project of the State Government, Adebiyi-Abiola, implored other partners to key into the special project as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

“Government takes cognisance and appreciates the contributions of all partners and relevant stakeholders towards keeping the state’s adopted sites green and clean. I enjoin you to be steadfast in bequeathing an enviable environment to the generation yet unborn”, she stated.

Adebiyi-Abiola affirmed that the project will further reposition their brands and portray their organisations as admirers of a distinct and healthy society, thus creating a beneficial and desirous response among the citizens.

According to her, “To further entrench the model of greening, the

agency has developed a system that is making private and non-governmental organisations to show interest in adopting parks in the State”.

She acknowledged and praised the roles of all the environmentally friendly organisations towards the sustainability of the greening programme in the State and noted that more efforts were needed to attain the heights set by the State Government.

Speaking further, the General Manager affirmed that mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and global warming requires an intensive increment in the green cover, saying it can only be achieved through conscious, intensive and aggressive landscaping, beautification and tree planting activities which the agency’s partners have keyed into.

Adebiyi-Abiola assured all partners that the Agency will not relent in providing strategic support as it continues to improve the living environment and wellbeing of Lagosians through landscaping, beautification and tree planting.

do House of Assembly, Monday, passed a Bill for a law to repeal and re-enact the law to prohibit the existence, membership and activities of Secret Cults in the state.

The motion to consider the Bil,l at the committee of the House, was moved by the Majority Leader, Roland Asoro, member representing (APC Orhionmwon South) and seconded by the Chief Whip, Iyoha Osaigbovo (APC-Oredo East).

The passage of the 11-section Bill was sequel to the suspension of House rules 20,27,42,43,44,45,46,47,48 and 49.

The Bill prescribes 21-year jail term for secret cult members and 7-year imprisonment for anyone who harbours a cultist.

The Bill also prescribes that all offences under the law shall be by summary trial and empowers the police to arrest suspected cultists without a warrant.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Kabiru Adjoto, has constituted a 5-man Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the Tayo Akpata University of Education from taking off approved by the state government, few years ago.

The committee is chaired by Ojo Asein, member representing ( APC Owan West),Henry Okhuarhobo (APC Ikpoba -Okha) Patrick Iluobe (PDP Esan North East).

Other members of the committee are: Festus Edughele(APC Esan South East ) Nosayaba Okhunbor (APC Orhionmwon East) and Elizabeth Ativie (APC Uhunmwode) .

The constitution of the committee followed a petition by 11 host communities of the institution to the House protesting the abandonment of the University.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS A’Ibom indigenes in SA honour NDDC boss, others

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group, the Akwa Ibom Indigenes Organisation in South Africa has presented the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, with the award of “Akwa Ibom Top Personality of the Year.’’

President of the organisation, Mr Kingsley Ibokette, said in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt that Mr Larry Udom received the award on behalf of Ekere.

He said that the group chose Ekere as its personality of the year for his contributions to the development of the Niger Delta.

“Dr Ladislas Agbesi, the President of Pan-Africa Business Forum, received the award of “Africa`s Top Personality of the Year. In addition, the association also inducted other indigenes such as Dr Inyang Out, Dr Ubon Akpabio, Prof. Patrick Ebewo, Rev. Uwana-Abasi Israel and Mr Simeon Iwatt as patrons of the association.

“The awards were presented to the recipients at the organisation’s End of Year party in Pretoria, South Africa,” he added.

Ibokette said that the organisation recorded several successes in promoting and protecting the interests of indigenes of the state as well as other Nigerians living in South Africa.

He attributed the successes to the group’s focus in promoting unity and discipline among Nigerians in that country.

“We have been preaching the message of togetherness, unity and discipline in our society as Akwa Ibomites and as a people in Diaspora. It is worth mentioning again that not a single Akwa Ibomite has been convicted for any fraudulent activity in South Africa.

“Akwa Ibom State was recently promoted by the General Officer Commanding of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Jamil Sarham.

“Sarham said out of 36 states, Akwa Ibom has the lowest crime rate in Nigeria. This virtue is being exhibited here in South Africa by Akwa Ibomites,” he said.

Remarking, President of Nigerian Union, South Africa, Mr Adetola Olubajo, also commended Akwa Ibom indigenes living in that country for being law abiding.

The statement quoted Olubajo as saying that the union had no record of any Akwa Ibom indigene languishing in a South African prison.

“This is not to say that they (Akwa Ibom indigenes) are angels, but they have self-control and avoid the get rich quick attitude.

“We urge Akwa Ibom indigenes in South Africa to join hands with the union to fight crime. Successful Akwa Ibom indigenes should help the upcoming ones out of the streets. The union would work with government officials to continue to protect lives and properties of Nigerians living in South Africa,” he said.

Other dignitaries at the award ceremony included; Nigeria’s Consul General to South Africa, Godwin Adama, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Oluwasomi Stephen, and Mr Brian Rengasamy, Special Adviser to the South African Minister of Energy.

Vote buying, threat to democracy - Saraki, Dogara

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resident of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Monday said vote buying is a threat to the nation’s democracy.

Speaking at a public hearing in Abuja, they called for urgent action by stakeholders, especially security agencies to check the menace before the 2019 general election.

The hearing was conducted by the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

In a keynote address, Saraki said the country was in a delicate situation as the entire world was looking forward to what would happen in the coming general election.

This, he said, is understandable considering that President Muhammadu Buhari is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).

“Moreover, the Chairman of INEC is the head of Electoral Commissions in West Africa. With these positions, it is clear that we cannot afford to

conduct an election that will not be credible, peaceful, free and fair.

“It is noteworthy that in 2015, we set an enviable standard that encouraged more countries in Africa to democratise. In 2019, we cannot lower the standard. We must up the ante, because whatever we do will have impact on the continent and serve as a representation of Africa on the global stage,” he said.

Saraki noted that the country could not afford to send wrong signals with its actions or inactions in the build-up to the election.

He said that Nigeria must tell the world in action that it was ready to improve its electoral process by making it more transparent and commendable.

“At this point, it does seem to me that the onus is on INEC to demonstrate its independence. It should be pro-active and take bold decisions.

And this is necessary because the responsibility to conduct a credible poll is solely that of the Commission. This is elemental to retaining the confidence of the electorate,”

he said.

He expressed worry over alleged collusion by security agents with political actors to disenfranchise voters, citing reports of voter intimidation in the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun.

“We cannot under any circumstances militarise election, because that defeats the purpose of free, fair and credible poll. In an election, access to the polling units for the purpose of casting one’s vote is the bare minimum.

“INEC must set the rules for their engagement during elections, which they are to follow. The Commission should further seek the co-operation of respective security agencies to ensure strict compliance,” he said.

On his part, Dogara described vote buying as the highest form of corruption.

He said although “undue influence of voters” was a global phenomenon, the recent “direct pricing and buying of votes as if in a market square is very disturbing”.

Dogara said, “It is disheartening that this absurd phenomenon has assumed alarming proportions in recent times.

“As citizens, we must not surrender to this criminality as we cannot do so and still expect honour. When political office holders defy the law and corruptly assume office, they will always operate as if they are above the law.

“Vote buying and other sundry criminal manipulation of the electoral process in Nigeria has left our citizens in a state of unmitigated disaster,’’ he said.

He added that the nation’s democracy had stagnated and would sadly remain so until Nigerians eliminate all sham election that produces their worst as leaders over their best.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Nazif, blamed vote buying on poverty, unemployment, lack of stringent punitive measures, lawlessness, laxity of law enforcement agencies, insufficient voter education, and ignorance, among others.

Nazif said the public hearing was, therefore, held to seek suggestions from stakeholders on how to find lasting solutions to the problem.

CD lauds FRSC for efficient traffic management in Onitsha

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T • President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu who led a delegation of Abia leaders to the Aso Villa, Abuja, for a meeting which focused on the on-going Enyimba City project in Aba, part of the Federal Government’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Agenda, in partnership with Abia State Government and private investors, Friday

Ahoada East, Omuma applaud Wike over projects

L

eaders and people of Ahoada East and Omuma Local Government Areas of Rivers State have stated that they will overwhelmingly vote for the re-election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on the account of his grassroots projects.

Respondents from the two local government areas who spoke during a project evaluation tour stated that the projects have empowered less privileged persons and improved their standard of living.

Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon Christian Chisorom Nwaiwu said for the first time in recent history Omuma people are witnessing the execution of key projects.

He praised Governor Wike for the 16 kilometre road that cuts across several communities with positive impact on the economy of the area.

He said: “I want thank God that Omuma people are witnessing tremendous progress during this regime of our leader,Mr project. The type of road the governor is building in Omoma local government area is second to none. Compared to other roads we have been seeing, this is about the best.

“This 16km road cuts across Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu- Umueke-Umunju-Umuellechi-Eberi communities. This road was flagged off sometime in March, and it is above 70% completion stage.

“We will stand behind Governor Wike for his second term. We assure him of our votes, support. We will cast and protect our votes. “ He noted that the key educational projects in Omuma Local Government Area have changed the landscape of the area.

In his remarks, a community leader, Chief Hon.Godfrey Nwogu said that the Governor Wike has electrified several communities in Omuma Local Government Area.

“I want to on behalf of myself and the people of Omuma, express our support to the Governor for what he has done for us,he provided transformers to almost all the communities in Omuma local government. We have 52 villages in Omuma and every community in Omuma has a transformer and it is the good work of the governor. He has always supported our son; Hon Kelechi. We lack words to express what he has done for the people of Omuma,” he said.

Other respondents in Omuma Local Government Area thanked the Rivers State Governor for his developmental strides in the area.A Teacher at State School, Umudu, Mrs Joy Nwosu, the Headmaster of Modern Primary School, Umuagwozia and Gold Nwachukwu of State School, Umudu said that they will continue to support Governor Wike.

In Ahoada East Local Government Area, Chairman of the Local Govern-

ment Area, Mr Ben Eke said the people are happy that Governor Wike has invested in the completion of the Zonal Hospital, Ahoada and the rehabilitation of Western County High School, Ahoada The Ahoada East Local Government Chairman commended Governor Wike for the reconstruction of several schools and roads in the area.

He said: “Governor Wike made promises during his campaign. He has fulfilled the promises. Western Ahoada County High School is nearing completion. We are happy with the key projects. We will support the Rivers State Governor to be reelected”.

Vice Principal Community Secondary School,Ula Upata, Obiri Uwasekpo Blessing , PRO Ochigba Community Community Development Committee and Vice Principal, Community Secondary School, Stephen Abadi praised Governor Wike for the education sector projects in Ahoada East Local Government Area. They assured the Rivers State Governor of their commitment to his re-election.

Senior Perfect Community Secondary school, Ochigba , Okpara Commissioner and Youth President Ekpena Community, Ekine Chinuji Saturday thanked the Rivers State Governor for fulfilling his promises to Ahoada East Local Government Area.

he Campaign for Democracy (CD), Monday, lauded the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC in Onitsha Unit Command, Anambra state for their efficient traffic control mechanism.

CD said with the efforts of the Unit command so far, commuters would not suffer so much pains under traffic gridlock in Onitsha and its environs during the fast approaching yuletide festivities.

State Chairman of CD, Ekene Nnadi who stated this during a courtesy call on the FRSC Unit Commander for Onitsha, P. M. Akpotobo, said they monitored the activities of men of the FRSC in Onitsha and its environs from a vantaged positions and discovered that they were doing good job as we are gradually entering into the heart of the yuletide season.

Flanked by his secretary, Zacheus Onah and two other members, Jude Onuigbo and Nosa Anthony, Nnadi commended Akpotobo for effective control of the traffic in Onitsha and urged him not to relent until the yuletide season is over.

Responding, Akpotobo commended CD for taking notice of his efforts in rendering the national service at this crucial time, adding that apart from being a commercial city, Onitsha is a gateway to both the Norther, Western and Southern routes in the country, to the extent that whenever there is any little problem, the entire state and the nation will feel the pain.

Flanked by the unit’s Chief Route Commander and Head of Operations, Idris Danladi, contended that people who listen when they are corrected usually live long, while those who don’t accept corrections are usually doomed, adding that they deemed it necessary not to allow Anambra roads to be congested at any point in time.

According to the Unit Commander, “FRSC is a lead agency on traffic management and administration and we will continue to do our best. We have not pocknosed into other agencies jobs. So, we quite appreciate CD for noticing us efforts and this is an encouragement for us to do more”.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS Air Peace CEO, Onyema to deliver NOCEN 19th convocation lecture

By IBE NWACHUKWU

C

hief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema is to speak on entrepreneurship for self-reliance at the 19th Convocation lecture of Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCEN) in Anambra.

Provost of the College, Dr Ifeyinwa Osegbo made the disclosure in a pre-convocation press statement made available to newsmen, Monday, in Onitsha.

Osegbo said the lecture slated for December 13 at the College Auditorium by 10a.m., was part of the College’s efforts to tackle unemployment challenges among graduates in the country.

“Entrepreneurship has remained a key factor in the economic development of any nation. If we are serious about solving the unemployment challenges, our graduates must be equipped on using their skills and talents to create jobs and empower people to fulfil their Godgiven potentials,” she said.

According to her, 1,250 graduates of the College would be awarded the National Certificate in Education (NCE) while about 50 other graduates would be award Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) at the convocation proper on December 14.

Osegbo said the visitor of the College, Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra and other guests at the event will later inspect exhibitions and the School of Vocational and Technical Education building, an ongoing joint project of TETfund and the state government.

Ikpeazu off to Cairo for Enyimba Economic City investors From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

A

bia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has left for Cairo, the Egyptian capital, to attend the 2018 Intra-African Trade Fair organized by the African Export- Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The governor departed Nigeria Tuesday.

AFREXIM Bank is in strategic relationship with the Abia State Government on the promotion of Investment and Industrialization and also one of the strategic partners of the Enyimba Economic City project.

Ikpeazu is one of the keynote speakers in strategic sessions on promotion of the Agro-processing value chain in Africa.

He is also participating in several meetings with International Finance organizations and Foreign delegations and would equally use the opportunity to further promote the Enyimba Economic City project to the Investing Public.

It will be recalled that the Federal and Abia State governments recently signed Definitive Agreements for the take-off of Enyimba Economic City Project.

The endorsement of the agreement between the Enyimba City Economic Zone Limited and Nigeria Special Economic Zone Company, took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari, Ikpeazu and other top federal and state governments’ functionaries, alongside representatives of host communities.

Ignore IPOB’s call for election boycott – Methodist Prelate tells Ndigbo

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

M

ethodist Prelate, Most-Rev. Samuel Chukwuma Kanu Uche, has advised Ndigbo against heeding the call by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to boycott the 2019 elections, saying that it would be counterproductive.

The Prelate while addressing journalists in Umuahia Monday at the end of his one-week tour of the Umuahia Methodist Archdiocese also urged Nigerians to vote out candidates seeking re-election that failed to perform in their first term.

Uche said that the people of the South-East did not stand to gain any-

thing from boycotting the polls.

It would be recalled that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, after his emergence in Israel since escaping from Nigeria, called on Ndigbo to boycott the elections in his broadcast.

He said that if Ndigbo boycotted the elections, other sections of Nigeria would still go ahead to elect leaders for the country during the polls.

“I do not like the idea of Ndigbo boycotting the general elections.

Boycotting the elections would amount to shooting ourselves in the foot,” Uche said.

He said that what Nigeria needed as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious country, “is a mature

leader not a bigot.”

He urged Nigerians to elect leaders, who would be ready to unite the various segments of the country in order to achieve a homogeneous nation, while admonishing politicians to promote things that would help to unite Nigeria.

On the 2019 polls, the Prelate appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible, free and fair elections so that votes must count.

“INEC must ensure fairness in the conduct of the elections. Let the best candidate win, irrespective of his or her political party. All I want is credible elections. Any person that won

should be declared, whether Muslim of Christian.

“There should not be any intimidation by security operatives and manipulation of results. Let the votes count,” he said.

He warned that candidates who failed to address the problem of insecurity, unemployment, salaries and pensions as well as general poverty should not be re-elected.

“About the roads, there is nothing to write home about. There are no access roads to the communities, most of which are agrarian.”

He cited the Amudo-Itumbuzo Road in Bende Local Government Area of the state, which he said was in a terrible state of disrepair.

Uche described the discharge and empowerment of 29 inmates of the Methodist-owned Mentally-ill Persons Home at Amudo-Itumbuzo as one of the major highpoints of his visit.

He said that the inmates were fully treated and trained in different trades, including tailoring, carpentry, hair dressing, poultry, soap and pomade making and shoe mending, amongst others.

He said that the church provided them with cash and tools to start their businesses before discharging them to join their families.

FG secured $100bn loan for roads; S’East got $16bn - Ngige

By IBE NWACHUKWU

• Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke (r), performing the foundation laying for a community town hall in Egbeda, Emohua Local Government Area, funds for which was released by the state governor, Nyesom Wike, weekend

Yuletide: Fidelity Bank rewards 13 customers with N19m

F

idelity Bank Plc on Monday rewarded 13 customers with N19 million under the Get Alert in Millions Savings (GAIM) season three, to mark the yuletide.

The customers were awarded cash and consolation prizes at the second monthly draw in Lagos.

Some of the customers who cash prizes are: Mr Kamsiyochukwu Okoli, Abuja, N2 million; Ms Elisabeth David (Kaduna branch) N3 million and Mr Collins Oragwam of Akoka branch Lagos, N2 million.

The bank’s Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Mrs Chijioke Ugochukwu, said the winners emerged from a process conducted by the bank’s control team, witnessed by officials of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and other stakeholders.

She said the promo was initiated

to strengthen the Federal Government’s financial inclusion policy.

Ugochukwu added that the bank had given a total of N34 million to over 62 customers under the GAIM season three initiative.

“N76 million is still outstanding for grabs by lucky customers in the course of the promo. N110 million will be given to customers at the end of the GAIM 3 promo expected to last for six months. We also rewarded 1,400 customers with airtime worth N1.8 million.

“The GAIM season 3, popularly known as Game 3, is the eight promo being conducted by the bank in the past 11 years. The focus of the bank is to improve the standard of living of its customers and to strengthen savings culture,’’ she said.

Ugochukwu said the savings promo allowed the bank to go into the `nooks and crannies’ of the country to enlighten people on financial inclusion.

“Today, the draw produced 13 cash winners of N19 million nationwide and produced 18 consolation prize winners of table top fridges, generators and television sets. This event has been public conduct and public witnessing that produced winners across the country,” Ugochukwu said.

Also speaking, Mr Richard Madiebo, the bank’s Divisional Head, Retail Banking, said the bank used the savings promo to reward customers during this Yuletide season.

“What we urge customers to do, is to go and save your money with Fidelity in any of our branches across the country,” he said.

Sign electoral bill - Ezekwesili urges Buhari

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residential Candidate for Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018.

Ezekwesili, who made call at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, said signing of the bill was for the development of democracy in Nigeria.

She said the constitutional will of Nigerians had been expressed through elections since 1999, and therefore the chain should not be broken in the 2019 General Elections.

According to her, without a dem-

ocratic and electoral system that enables quality candidates to participate, it will be impossible to get competent leaders into elective offices across the country.

“The 1999 transition to civil rule and the election that ushered in our latest experience of democracy was the beginning of the longest ever and unbroken cycle. This democratic turn of event may not mean much seeing that it has not translated to good governance and improvement in quality of life to citizens.

“The 2019 elections are looked upon as the moment Nigeria must entrench electoral integrity and level playing field for all contestants. I

have called this press conference to demand that President Buhari signs the Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted by the National Assembly into law,” she said.

The Bring Back Our Girls convener added that failure to sign the electoral bill would undermine transparent and democratic growth of the country.

“The President should immediately request the National Assembly to re-transmit the amendment bill for his swift assent. The President must be reminded to avoid all actions that will mar the genuineness of the 2019 elections,” she said.

M

inister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has disclosed that the $100 billion loan secured by the federal government would be tied to construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads in the six geo-political zones of the country.

He said the South-East zone got $16.6 billion Dollars as its own share of the loan which had already been committed to Enugu/Onitsha dual carriageway, Nnewi/Amichi/Uga/ Akokwa/Arondizuogu/Umulolo/ Okigwe highway, Enugu/Okigwe/ Umuahia/Aba highway, among others.

Ngige who spoke to newsmen in Onitsha, Monday, shortly after a radio programme, said now that the rainy season was over and we have stepped into the dry season, the rehabilitation of all the affected roads would soon commence, since all the contractors have been mobilized to site.

Ngige contended that the Buhari administration has laid a solid foundation for the past three years which will soon materialize and the fruits of APC-controlled federal government enjoyed by Nigerians in the nearest future.

He dismissed the speculations making the rounds that Buhari hate Ndigbo, adding that if he hated Ndigbo, he would not have made the late Chuba Okadigbo and the late Edwin Ume-Ezeoke his trusted allies in the past, adding that it was because some Igbo governors refused to take up the vice presidential slot from Buhari in 2015 that Buhari went to the West and brought in Osinbajo.

Ngige noted that since no single zone can produce a president with its voting strength, it behooves on Ndigbo to rally round Buhari’s second tenure in order to guarantee their future presidential ambition in 2022 when the nomination would commence ahead of 2023 general election in the country.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

I will make Enugu work again – Senator Ayogu Eze

By THEO RAYS

S

en. Ayogu Eze, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised the people of Enugu State that the State “will work again” if he is elected governor in March next year.

Addressing a capacity crowd of supporters and party faithful at Nsukka Township stadium, venue of the APC zonal mega rally held at the weekend, Eze, former chairman of the Senate Committees on Information and Works, accused the incumbent Governor Ugwuanyi Administration of under-performance, noting that the Administration has failed to deliver on virtually all indices of development—education, healthcare, potable water supply and sanitation, housing, employment—among several others, and promising to invest heavily in agriculture and other productive ventures that would generate employment for the teeming masses of the unemployed in the State.

Eze, whose speech aroused thousands of APC supporters to their feet, assured the people that, as governor, he would ensure that what is due to Enugu state is given to her, pointing out that it was in a bid to get for Enugu what is Enugu’s in Nigeria that he joined the ruling APC “so as to take Enugu State to the centre.”

He accused the current administration of mismanagement, stating that although the State’s current IGR is no longer as robust as it was under the Sullivan Chime administration, “what we generate locally in addition to what comes by way of revenue allocation is enough for this government to use and develop the State.”

“But, that is not happening because rather than develop the State, the government prefers to spend our scarce resources on irrelevant things that do not add value to the economy of the State and, by extension, the lives of the people,” Eze lamented.

He promised to make running tap available in every home in all the urban centres in the State, especially Enugu and Nsukka, adding that he would also generate 100,000 jobs in agriculture in the State every year for the four years that he would be in power as governor.

The zonal rally afforded the party the opportunity to introduce all the other candidates being fielded for the various elective positions up for grabs in the elections of February and March next year as far as Enugu North Senatorial zone is concerned.

Notable among the candidates are the APC Enugu North Senatorial candidate and former Speaker of the State House of assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, House of Repre-

sentatives candidates for Nsukka/ Igbo-Eze South and Udenu/IgboEze North, among others, in the persons of Engr. Ik Ugwuegede and Hon. Kentus Eze, respectively.

As he addressed the zonal rally, applauses were visited on every word he uttered as his message that Enugu would work again under him resonated with the impossible crowd at the stadium.

In attendance, among other chieftains, were Barr. Sullivan Chime, immediate past governor of Enugu State, who is loved in Nsukka for handing over power to an Nsukka man and Hon. Emma Enukwu, South East zonal Chairman of the APC. In his remarks, Chime expressed delight at the turnout of people for the rally, noting that the massive crowd was a clear indication that the people of Nsukka are in love with Senator Eze and ready to vote him in as the next governor of Enugu State.

Chime lamented that his legacies in the State—good roads, good healthcare system, qualitative education, etc--have all crumbled in less than four years of what has been described as “the worst administration the State has had in its 27 years”.

A week ago, Senator Eze launched his manifesto, which captures his vision for the State, promising, at that event, to keep to the letter of the manifesto, which is erected on fairness to all parts of the State.

The weak, poor, pensioners, workers, women, youth, and segments of the population that have borne the brunt of the poor administration of the past four years, Eze further said, would be the concern of his administration when elected.

C

hairman of Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) in Anambra North Senatorial District, Chief Chinenye Ihenko (a.k.a Okpompi), has predicted that the Christmas and New Year in the state would be crime and violence-free because of the enormous security strategies put in place by the state government at the moment.

Ihenko who spoke to newsmen at the Anambra trade fair in Onitsha, therefore urged all indigenes and non-indigenes alike the state to come home for Xmas celebra-

We’ll deploy smart card readers for 2019 general elections – INEC

C

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Monday, assured Nigerians that the smart card readers would be used in the conduct of the 2019 General Elections.

Yakub gave the assurance amidst controversy over President Muhammadu Buhari’s withholding of assent to the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted to him for the fourth time.

Speaking at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections in Abuja, Yakubu said the technological device had become an integral part of the country’s electoral process. ‘’The Independent National Electoral Commission will continue to follow its timetable and schedule of activities as well as its strategic plan. ‘’The commission assures Nigerians that the smart card reader has become an integral part of the electoral process and will be deployed for the conduct of the 2019 general

elections,” he said.

The INEC chairman, who was represented by National Commissioner Festus Okoye, said the commission had improved on its 2015 experience on the use of smart card readers. ‘’The commission has taken onboard the challenges and glitches faced in the use and deployment of smart card readers in 2015 and has made significant improvements and upgrade to the said smart card readers. ‘’The upgraded smart card reader is faster, more robust and has new features that enable it to store additional data and transmit results,” he said.

Yakubu stressed that the electoral umpire would not compromise on its use for the 2019 elections.

He said the commission had also redesigned the voters’ register and abolished the use of incident forms.

He called on all Nigerians to collaborate with INEC toward guaranteeing of free and fair polls.

Chairman, House Committee on

Electoral and Political Parties Matters, Rep Aishatu Dukku, said ‘’as INEC takes the lead as the electoral umpire, all hands must be on deck to provide necessary support for the smooth conduct of the election.”

Dukku urged Nigerians to shun do-or-die politics. ‘’We must therefore be watchful and not to do anything that would hinder the smooth conduct of the polls. Politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair; rather, it should be seen as a contest that must produce a winner based on popular votes,” she said.

The Convener of the Situation Room, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said based on the provision of the law, INEC should ensure that security agencies deployed for the election complied with its instructions. ‘’We are asking INEC as we prepare for the election to ensure that its powers as provided under Section 29, Sub-section 2 of the Electoral Act Amendment made in 2015 is used to the utmost,” he said.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME

MAWUH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS

• Sen Eze

Vigilante boss assures crime-free yuletide in Anambra

By IBE NWACHUKWU

• (From left): Former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori; President-General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, and state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at the 87th annual national congress and award of honours of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) which held at Effurun, Uvwie local government area of the State, recently

tion as their security is guaranteed as a result of the existing synergy among all the security operatives in the state.

Flanked by Oraegbunam Amene, Chairman of Onitsha Ado Central Vigilante Group, Ihenko who spoke at Chuba Ikpeazu Mini-Stadium, Onitsha, venue of the trade fair, maintained that there would be no cause for alarm in the state, in terms of security as according to him, a security measures have been perfected to ensure that there would be no breach of peace before, during and after the yuletide season

The general public is hereby notified that the above name has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees are: 1. ESTHER BAKUME - C.E.O/FOUNDER 2. DR. SAMA SYLVEINUS - PRESIDENT 3. JOELLA AYAH - VICE PRESIDENT 4. DR. MARY EYONG - SECRETARY 5. MR. NKONGHO EMMEANUEL OJONG - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 6. AKOACHERE VIVIAN ARREY - PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR 7. MARY JACKSON - FINANCIAL SECRETARY 8. TRUDY TOH-NGAKO - PROJECT DIRECTOR Aims and Objectives: - To reduce extreme poverty in the refugees and vulnerable communities in Africa.

- To empower women and the youths with skills and tools that will help them to generate income and create opportunities for themselves, their families, their communities and countries.

-To focus on humanitarian and development activities in the domain of Health and Sanitation, Mental health, Nutrition, food security, Education, Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurial Innovations.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed by: Dr. Sama Slveinus President

I formally known as EZIE ONYINYE LOVETH now wish to be known as OGENYI ONYINYE LOVETH. all former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

I formerly known as NWOYE AUGUSTINA CHUKWUNENYENWA now wish to be known as MRS. OKOYE AUGUSTINA CHUKWUNENYENWA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

NEWS

Confusion in APGA over new INEC list Cont’d from page 2

primaries of the commission.

“In conclusion, Mr. Amuchie Stanley Chiedozim emerged with a vote of 638 and returned as the governorship candidate”.

However, a report from the police dated October 19, 2018, said: “The governorship primary election of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State was held on the 7th day of October, 2018, at Concorde Hotels, Owerri.

After the primary election, members of the Special State Congress Electoral Committee, Imo State, of the party led by Engr. Charles Nwoye submitted the report of the election to our office.”

The police report, which was signed by DCP Rabiu Hassaini, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, State headquarters, Owerri, said: “From the said report, one Amuchie Stanley Chidozim emerged as the winner, having polled a total of 638 votes.”

The reports from the Police and INEC have created confusion in APGA in Imo State.

Sources in the party told The Oracle Today on Monday that the state chairman of the party, Barr Peter Ezeobi, said that members of the state executive committee of the party should keep sealed lips on the matter and watch developments therefrom.

Also speaking to The Oracle Today over the telephone on Monday, embattled Senator Ifeanyi Araraume assured that he remains the governorship candidate of APGA in Imo State.

He spoke through his media aide, Mr. Agunwa Nzeribe, saying: “Araraume remains the guber

Cont’d from page 2 allegedly refused to follow the immediate past governor, Obong Akpabio to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to which the former governor decamped in August this year.

Although the Commission has denied it, there were reports on Monday that the EFCC attacked the home of two sons of PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

According to a statement on Monday, Aliyu and Mustapha Atiku were not at home when EFCC agents broke into their home in search of imaginary cache of foreign currency.

But, EFCC has denied that report, saying a politician’s son was arrested but it was that of former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, not that or those of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Last Saturday also, EFCC agents visited the Maryland, lagos home of Doyin Okupe, a PDP chieftain and critic of the Buhari administration.

Although the The EFCC operatives had no arrest warrant or letter of invitation, they wanted Okupe to follow them but he reused, preferring instead to report himself at the agency’s on Monday, whereupon he learned that he was being investigated for violating the Cyber Crime Act, which includes hate speech, a crime that is not within the purview of the EFCC.

candidate of APGA in Imo State.

The document is not from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police did not give such information. The National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye, duly submitted the name of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume to INEC and as we speak, Araraume has not declined from being the candidate of APGA and there is no court order stopping his candidature”.

•Araraume

He noted that there are processes for the emergence of a governorship candidate of any political party, noting that they include that the person must have been involved in the processes for the selection of the candidate, a committee set up by the national body of the party must have conducted election and submitted the name of the candidate to INEEC. He assured that Araraume fulfilled all the requirements.

He also noted that another way a candidate could stop being candidate is by substitution, which he said could happen if the candidate dies before the date of the election, if he willingly withdraws or if there is a valid court order mandating the removal of the candidate. He stressed that up till now, Araraume has not withdrawn his candidature and there is no court order stopping him from running for the election.

•Victor Oye

EFCC battles public distrust The above investigations of persons identified as mainly members of the opposition were being carried against the backdrop of allegations that members of the ruling party who accused of corrupt practices are left untouched even as persons once accused of profiting from corruption were left of the hook once they defected to the ruling party.

For instance, the Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje was recently caught in a scandal involving $5million bribe but the EFCC would not investigate him.

According to Chief Mike (SAN), Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, “it’s the height of desperation and political rascality in the glaring face of the people’s total rejection for non-performance, duplicity, cluelessness, corruption, unspeakable cronyism and unparalled nepotism for the EFCC to focus its attention solely on members of the opposition in the run-up to an election year.

“This was an opposition party that rode to power on the crest of the ruling party’s tolerance, accommodation and display of acceptable democratic credentials.

Nigerians should not just sit. They should say no to impunity and barefaced intimidation,” he said.

However, the EFCC has denied the allegations.

In a statement entitled EFCC

NEVER RAIDED, ARRESTED ATIKU’S SONS and signed by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, the EFCC declared: “We have received several calls and email messages asking us to confirm the arrest of the sons of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as being alleged in some quarters.

“Some only said we raided the apartments of Atiku’s sons looking for foreign currencies.

“This is nothing but another tales by moonlight.

“It is in the news that we have been investigating the former Abia governor, Senator Theodore Orji over alleged N27b money laundering.

“In the course of investigation, we discovered that he laundered part of the money through his sons.

“We have been on the trail of some of the purchases made by his sons, including the cars the boys allegedly bought.

“Last Friday, we traced one of the cars to a Nite Club in Abuja. In order not to cause panic, we waited until the business of the club was over and when the owner of the suspected car came to enter to take off, we arrested him and his friend who has a similar brand of car. That was about 5am on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

“The two boys we arrested were Ogbonna Orji, 32, and Kelvin Ilonah. While Orji’s Car, a Range Rover is valued at about N100 million, Ilonah’s car also a Range Rover, is valued at about N35 Million.

In the course of further interrogation, the two boys led us to their apartment, three flats, and documents retrieved from the apartment showed it was rented for N13 million each per annum.

“Another brand new Prado Jeep, a 2017 model was recovered from the boys in the compound.

“The two boys in question gave useful information to the Commission, which is helping in our further investigation.

“The EFCC, as a responsible organisation is abreast of the establishment mandate and we shall not deviate from such mandate.

“We never went after Atiku’s sons neither were Atiku’s sons among the two boys arrested.

There is no link whatsoever to Atiku.

“Only last week, PDP was alleged to have raised alarm that the Commission blocked and or froze the accounts of the vice presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi. Again, this was another lie which we immediately punctured as there was no truth in it whatsoever, to the accusation. Till now, only silence has prevailed from the camp of the accusers.”

Council Poll: Group urges FG to stop LG allocations to Anambra State Continued from Pg 1 tee system currently in operation in the state would be replaced with elected officials without wasting further time.

“As social crusaders, we want Governor Obiano to tell Anambra people why he has not deemed it fit to conduct local government election in the State almost one year after being sworn in for a second tenure. Flagging off presidential campaign for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) without any plan by the APGA government to flag off issues of council poll in Anambra is, to us, anathema to the people of the State and offends their sensibilities,” Mr Ogbuka said.

According to the human rights activist, more jobs would be created in Anambra State in addition to more grassroots developments in the 21 council areas of the State, if the local government election had been conducted and democractically elected local government administration emplaced in the State.

He said that the current caretaker committee system in the State’s local government administration where workers were handpicked has reduced officials at the council areas as mere stooges in the hands of the governor as they are not answerable to the electorate.

The group, Mr Ogbuka said, has concluded arrangement on having town hall meetings with candidates of all the political parties seeking to participate in the state and National Assembly elections so as to enter into social contracts between the candidates and the people of the state.

2019: Enugu PDP support groups form alliance for Ugwuanyi

ll support groups under the A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elec-

tions have formed an alliance to ensure victory of the party at the polls in the state.

Director-General of one of the support groups known as the G17, Mr Chinedu Mbah, disclosed this on Monday in Enugu during a grand rally for good governance in the state.

Mbah, who is also the coordinator of the support groups, said that the alliance became necessary to harmonise activities of the groups. He said that it was necessary for the groups to work together since they have a common goal which is to ensure the victory of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the PDP at the polls.

“Gov. Ugwuanyi is leading the state by example, delivering on his campaign promises. The G17 had supported the PDP administration in the state and is poised to work for the re-election of the governor in 2019.

“This group in the last eight months had been building structures in all the 260 wards in the state to ensure the victory of the governor. I call on residents of the state to reciprocate the kind disposition of the governor by supporting his political aspiration,” Mbah said.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

SPORTS •Gianni Infantino

Pinnick inaugurates NFF reform Committee •Tasks committee on moving Nigerian Football forward

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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HE president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick last Thursday in Lagos inaugurated the Federation’s Reform Committee headed by the first Vice President of the Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

The Committee which is peopled by experienced sports personalities was charged with initiating ways that can lead to the growth, development and transformation of football in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony that held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Amaju Pinnick said the committee would be given every encouragement it requires to succeed.

The NFF gaffer charged the committee to bring up recommendations that would affect the fortunes of Nigerian football positively.

“This can be the turning point for all of us,” Pinnick began. Continuing he said, “we expect very gainful recommendations that cab bring about drastic changes in the way we run the sport in order to take us to the level our football deserved.”

He admitted that the NFF was not perfect. “If we were perfect, there would have been no need for this committee,” he said.

“We should, therefore put the interest of the country above every other interest and work as a team.

We must expunge every trace of animosity and embrace oneness so that together, we can achieve our set goal.”

He also promised to do everything to ensure the recommendations of the committee are implemented.

“I cannot afford to assemble this calibre of people to come and spend

Dalung blames lack of funds on states’ inability to host festival

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HE Minister of Sports and youth Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung has identified misplacement of priorities as the reason states are unable to host the National Sports Festival(NSF).

Dalung stated this while answering reporters, questions on the sidelines of the Opening Ceremony of the 19th National Sports Festival at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday.

It is recalled that the last time the sports festival was hosted was in 2012 in Lagos when Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Barrister Babatunde Fashola was the Governor of the state.

Since then, state governors have been reluctant to table a bid for the sports fiesta that was instituted by the General Yakubu Gowon administration in 1973.

Cross River State had put in a bid to host the 19th edition but the state later pulled out citing lack of funds.

“The foot-dragging of states in hosting the event is informed by their funding challenges. However, the funding challenges are as a result of states not getting their priorities right.

“There is nothing as worthy of investment as the National Sports Festival.

Rohr excited by Kalu and Chukwueze’s club forms

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• NFF President, Amaju Pinnick their time and energies and not implement their recommendations.

We will follow the committee’s recommendations religiously,” the first Vice President of Confederation of African Football pledged.

Speaking on behalf of the other members of the committee, Dr Abba Yola assured that the committee would do its best to bring about the desired change in the way the sport was run in Nigeria.

“First I was moved by the humility demonstrated by the NFF President, who said the NFF was not perfect.

Another thing that touched me was his promise to implement the recommendations of the committee.

So we are assured that whatever we recommend would be implemented.,” assuring, “I can assure you that you have taken the right decision for setting up this committee.”

HERE is no doubt that Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr is a happy man at the moment reason being the fantastic club forms of Eagles’ players, Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux of France and Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal of Spain.

The is no gain saying that the two players are among the newest players injected into the national team set and the duo are already making the Franco-German football tactician happy with their performances for both club and country and the former Burkina Faso manager could not hide his excitement.

While Kalu has made four appearances with one goal to his name, Chukwueze on other hand made his debut against Ugandan in Asaba.

Just last weekend, Kalu made a strong showing as Bordeaux came back from the dead to draw 2-2 against Paris St Germain in League 1 while Chukwueze showed the stuff he was made of when his side, Villarreal confronted FC Barcelona in a La Liga game. The Nigerian youngster did not disappoint in that encounter as he operated from the right side as Villarreal went down 2-0 at Nou Camp.

In his excitement Rohr declared: “I was a Special Guest at Kalu’s Bordeaux versus PSG game. In fact, any time I am at home in France, I always assist Bordeaux,” Rohr began.

“So, I watched the match live.

Kalu came in after 67 minutes. He had a good performance. He actually changed the match. He had an immediate impact. He had a strong pressing and also gave good

Etuhu cleared of match fixing allegation

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T WAS a big relieve for former Super Eagles midfielder, Dickson Etuhu last Thursday when he escaped an impending six year jail term over match fixing allegation after a Swedish court found him not guilty of the allegation.

The former Nigerian international was accused of attempting to fix the result of a 2017 league match between IFK Gothenburg and his former club, Stockholm giants AIK. Right from the very first time the allegation was made against him, the former Eagles’ midfielder has consistently maintained that there was no iota of truth in the allegation.

The verdict of no guilt passed on the Nigerian has vindicated him as he has maintained that there was nothing like that in the first place.

Dickson Etuhu it is recalled was charged with trying to bribe his former AIK teammate, goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos, to fix the result of the game.

The match, which was due to be played on May 18, 2017, was subsequently postponed when Stamatopoulos informed his club about the alleged approach from Etuhu and another man, according to the

pre-trial documents.

Denying the charge, Etuhu insisted that his former teammate must have misunderstood the conversation, telling Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter: “I respect everyone’s opin-

ion, but the facts remain the same – it never happened … It’s unbelievable that an ordinary conversation with a friend can lead to something like this.”

It is recalled that Etuhu, represent-

crosses. “I also watched Samuel Chukwueze on television. He had an interesting performance against Barcelona also. I am very happy with these players,” Rohr stated.

It is recalled that Chukwueze scored in his first Villarreal appearance in the Copa de Rel and repeated that same feat when he made his La Liga debut. Giving insight why the young Chukwueze was invited to the national team, Rohr said his coming to the team will provide more options in the attack and midfield which means he is bring a lot to the team which he declared is good for the Super Eagles.

• Samuel Kalu

•Samuel Chukwueze

ed Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and spent 14 years as a midfielder in England for Manchester City, Preston North End, Norwich, Sunderland, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers before moving to play in Sweden. On retirement, he embarked on a new career as a football agent.

The just will always be vindicated, says the Holy Book!

CAF Champions League: Onazi doles out N1m to Lobi •Promises to do more as they progress

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N a bid to lift the spirit of Benue State owned Nigeria Professional Football League outfit who are flying the flag of the country on the continent in the premier club competition, the CAF Champions League, Super Eagles former Vice Captain, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi, has donated the sum of N1million to Lobi Stars as motivation for them to do the country proud on the continent.

Onazi made the N1million gift to lift Lobi Stars ahead of last Wednesday’s CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg match against UMS de Loum of Cameroon in Makurdi.

It is recalled that the relatively un-

CAF Confederation Cup, Enugu Rangers will play away to Defence known Cameroonians stunned Lobi Force SC of Ethiopia. The Flying AnStars 1-0 in Yaounde penultimate telopes won the first leg 2-0 in Enugu last week. week.

Onazi told SCORENigeria: “I am pleased to motivate the boys who are the pride of Benue State to win the game on Wednesday (last week).

“It is my state team and I need to do more as they progress in the tournament.”

It is also noted that the Turkey based midfielder, last week, presented an undisclosed cash gifts to both Kano Pillars and the Nigeria Under-20s, the Flying Eagles, in Abuja.

Nigeria’s representatives in the • Ogenyi Onazi

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

SPORTS

WBC clears Wilder-Fury ‘direct rematch’ Oshonaike targets 7th Olympics with history in mind

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Stories by MABUABUCHI KALU

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HE World Boxing Council (WBC) on Friday gave the goahead for a “direct rematch” between their heavyweight world champion, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, who battled to a draw in Los Angeles last Saturday.

“Wilder and Fury gave boxing one of the best fights in the heavyweight division in a long time, which has created tremendous popular demand for the fans to see a rematch,” the WBC said in a statement last Friday, adding that it had conducted voting through the board of governors “which resulted in unanimous agreement” to sanction the rematch.

Wilder (40-0-1, 39 knockouts) retained his WBC belt after a thrilling

12-round battle ended in a split decision draw.

Many thought Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) did enough to win despite being knocked down twice.

On Monday, Fury voiced fears

T

of the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

“I wish to once again congratulate Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury for their great battle inside the ring and for the exemplary sportsmanship after the bout,” he said.

Jesimiel expresses excitement over Long Service Award • As Lagos inaugurates 40 Sports Associations

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EVEREND Samuel Jesimiel, former chairman of Lagos State Swimming Association and a board member and the chairman of the Facilities Committee of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has expressed excitement over the Long Service Award honour recently bestowed on him and others the by Akinwunmi Ambode led Lagos State Government.

Egypt’s Mo Salah wins SuperSport Player of Month HERE is no slowing down of African Players of the Year, Egypt’s Mo Salah as he was announced Thursday as the Player of the Month by leading sports TV network, SuperSport for the November 2018.

Salah who has shrugged off his sluggish start this season is back to his signature show-stopping play manship.

Salah helped Liverpool secure a 3-0 away win over Watford, which kept them in touch with Premier League pacesetters, Manchester City. The 26-year-old opened the scoring at Vicarage Road to pave the way for an emphatic Reds victory, which also featured goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino.

The Egyptian was thrown under the bus by critics for a solid but unspectacular start to the 2018/19 season.

However, things have been looking up for him since the middle of October. The winger has scored eight goals and provided two assists for club and country and also managed to become the fastest player to ever reach the 50-goal mark for Liverpool.

Additionally, Salah has been shortlisted for the prestigious BBC African Footballer of the Year award which he is widely expected to win for a second successive time.

that Wilder would seek to duck a rematch.

But Wilder promptly rejected that claim, saying a rematch with Fury was his priority over a unification bout with Anthony Joshua, holder

GELESS Nigerian table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, says if she qualifies for Tokyo Olympics in 2020, she will go down in history as the only female in Africa to participate in seven Olympics.

The 44-year-old table tennis star made this on Friday while fielding questions with the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the sidelines of the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival.

According to Oshonaike, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be my last international outing and I intend to retire after the Games and be a coach of the Nigerian team for the right price.

“If I qualify for Tokyo 2020, I am really going to thank God because I am going to be the only female in Africa that has been to seven Olympics. Thereafter, I would retire.

“Upon retirement, I could take up a coaching job in Nigeria and train the ladies; only if they can pay me because that’s the same thing (job) I do in Germany,’’ she said.

Oshonaike, who is representing Akwa Ibom in Table Tennis at the 19th NSF, said she planned to give back to the society by serving as a coach.

The 2007 Algeria All Africa Games gold medalist, who is a player and coach in Germany, will played her first game in the table tennis event on Friday.

Salah’s combination of strong performances and his humble, down-toearth demeanour have earned him praise from his fellow professionals.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Cameroonian defender, Gaetan Bong believes even if Salah is not scoring, his attacking contribution is always a positive one.

“He has everything, he’s top scorer,” Bong told BBC Sports. “He is a good player and good on the ball, strong and always working hard. You might not see it sometimes but when you are on the pitch, he is making a lot of runs, a lot of strong runs.”

Veteran Ivorian attacker Gervinho (who was a candidate for this Player of the Month after becoming the top-scoring African in the Serie A this season) was a teammate of Salah’s at Italian giants Roma and believes the hard work the Egyptian puts in at the gym underscores his on-pitch brilliance.

“Salah is a tough guy,” the Parma attacker told the Guardian. “Always calm and strong, with the mentality of a hard worker.

“I’ll never forget his training sessions: very high rhythm, pushed like a madman, you watched him in amazement. He had a sort of positive effect – you saw Salah and wanted to work harder. Talent and sacrifice.”

Speaking with The Oracle Today Sports on phone, the Akwa-Ibomborn former national swimmer, who always describes himself as a Nigerian owing to his orientation and belief, said despite the fact that the award of long service award to him and his fellow sports administrators did not come with any envelop, he was excited that his contributions to the development of swimming in Lagos State did not go unnoticed.

Jesimiel said: “I want to inform you that I am somewhere in Ikoyi, where we are being honoured by Governor Ambode Akinwunmi led Lagos State Government for the services we have rendered to the State,’ Jesimiel began.

“As a matter of fact, I am excited of this award in recognition of our selfless services to the development of sports in the state. This award is long overdue. Before now nobody

•Mo Salah

had thought it wise to honour us for all the years we put in making sure that sports does not die in the state.

“That is why I am personally excited because I know I did my best as far as the development of swimming is concerned in the state.

“I voluntarily quit the job not that anybody asked me to. I believe some other people should equally have the opportunity of contributing to the growth and development of the sport in the state in particular and in the country in general.

“As far as I am concerned, I have offers from different states including my home state of Akwa Ibom, Gombe amongst other. For now, due to the pressure from my home state to come and help out in the development and growth of aquatics sports, I feel the need to heed the clarion call if not, I have mouthwatering offer from Gombe State.

“Of course, I consider myself a true Nigerian because I have transverse all the nook and crannies of this country and I can tell you, every part of this country is my home,” Jesimiel declared.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) last Monday inaugurated the Boards of 40 Sports Associations in the state.

The inauguration of the 40 sports Association took place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, and was performed by the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh.

It is recalled that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, had recently approved the reconstitution of the Boards of the Sports Associations, excluding the Lagos State Football Association, for a four-year term.

“The appointment of the chairmen and members of the sports associations was based on the appointees’ passionate interest in sports and past contributions to sports development in Lagos State,’’ she said.

According to information made available to sportswriters, associations whose boards have been inaugurated include; Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Chess and Darts.

Other are Fives, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Kick-boxing, Kung Fu, Para Soccer, Para Sports, Tennis, Rugby, Rowing and yachting, Scrabble and Shooting.

Also included are: Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tug of war, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Volleyball, Golf, Deaf Sports, Traditional Sports, Triathlon, Archery and Sports Medicine.

•Reverend Samuel Jesimiel

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 19, 2018

SPORTS

We’re ready for All African Badminton Championship – Wike Stories by MABUABUCHI KALU

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IVERS State Governor, Nye‑ som Ezenwo Wike, has de‑ clared that the government and people of the state are ready for the All Africa Badminton Cham‑ pionship and promised to provide a serene environment for the 2019 All African Seniors Badminton Championships.

The action Governor made the declaration on Thursday, while speaking during a courtesy visit by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He thanked the Badminton Con‑ federation of Africa (BCA) for ap‑ proving Port Harcourt, as the city to host the rest of the continent.

He assured the Badminton fam‑ ily that the State Government will get the venue for the tournament ready before the Rivers Governor’s Badminton Championship.

“We will prepare the Civic Cen‑ tre and get it ready for the Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship. We will support the organisation of the champion‑ ship”, he said.

The Governor, therefore, direct‑ ed the State Commissioner for Sports to work with the Badmin‑

ton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to ensure the successful hosting of Rivers Governor’s National Bad‑ minton Championship and the 2019 All African Senior Badminton Championships.

Earlier, the President of Bad‑ minton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Orbih, praised Wike for turning around the sporting sector through quality investments.

He informed the governor that the State has been granted the hosting rights for the 2019 All Afri‑ can Seniors Badminton Champion‑ ship in April.

According to him, the forthcom‑ ing Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship will pre‑ pare the ground for the continen‑ tal fiesta.

He said that the African Badmin‑ ton Championship is coming to Ni‑ geria for the first time in 19 years.

The BFN president urged the governor to assist the federation install the needed facilities that would make the Civic Centre ready for the Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship.

Continuing, Mr. Orbi said Nation‑ al Badminton hero, Mr. Tamuno Gibson, who hails from Rivers State has contributed to the growth of the game.

•Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

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True Confession! ‘Am not big spender, I like to invest’ – Serena Williams

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ERENA Williams has made what could be described as true confession when he told the world last week that in truth she is not a big spender, rather she likes to invest’.

The African American, Williams earned $88 million career prize money so far and she was the highest paid women’s athlete this year. The American was asked how he spends her money and her response was,’I’m not a big spend‑ er’, said Serena.

“Actually, I was‑‑ I just was think‑

ing about getting a new place in Paris because mine’s so small. I was going to upgrade. But I’m really‑‑ I’m just one of those girls that like to invest and do things like that, one of those bonds and stock, re‑ ally boring.

“I probably should have been‑‑ yeah, that’s me. I always have meetings with my money guy, and all we talk about is investments and blue-chip companies and which ones I want to do and stuff like that. So, yeah, that’s what I do.’

Serena was also asked what she

thinks about the US Open crowd: ‘I think, when you’re first com‑ ing out, people don’t really know you and they have to get used to you, and if you’re going up against another American that they’ve known and seen for years and years and years, people have their favourites.

E

•Emmanuel Emenike

his heart as that was the major reason he has decided to launch the project at this time. “This programme did not start today,” he said. “It is something that has been in the pipeline for a very long time.

“I decided that now is the time because I believe in giving back to the community also giving young talented players the opportunity to show what they are capable of doing.”

A total of 32 teams will be part of the talent hunt programme which will be played in a knock out format with the best of scouts across the world coming out to look for the next big star that will follow in the footstep of the for‑ mer Super Eagles goal poacher.

Emenike at the parley organ‑ ised for the press in Lagos said he was still in contact with a host of teams he played for in the past which would serve as an advan‑ tage to the players from the tour‑ nament. Chairman of the Main Or‑ ganising Committee, Uche Ugwu, promised fairness to all partici‑ pating teams and also informing them that the ultimate goal of the project is to get the players the needed exposure and not just winning the N300, 000 prize money.

“But as you win more and as peo‑ ple get to know you more and get to become a fan, then, you know, you have to kind of make your way in there. You can’t just come in and expect everyone to root for you.

It’s like you’re a rookie, and you have to pay your respects.”

N a bid to retain red-hot goal merchant, Odion Jude Ighalo and ward-off possible suitors, relegated Chinese club, Changc‑ hun Yatai have slammed a £20m price tag on the Nigerian who recently was nominated for the prestigious African Footballer of the Year Award.

The Oracle Today Sports can re‑ port that the future of the striker has since the relegation of the club has been dominating the lo‑ cal back pages. Meanwhile, his long time agent, Atta Aneke said that there was no going back on his decision to quit Changchun Yatai as he doesn’t want to play in the Chinese second-tier.

However, any team wishing to have the former Watford striker, his agent disclosed would have to match the £20 million relegated Changchun Yatai splashed to sign him two years ago.

Having scored 27 goals for club and country in competitive match‑ es this calendar year, Ighalo is a wanted target of English Premier League and Chinese Super League teams, and he has left negotia‑ tions to Aneke to decide what’s best for him.

Ighalo is currently in the country after his vacation in the United States where he was joined by his mom. He is likely going to take a decision on his next club after the break.

The hamstring injury that saw him miss the final round of last season is a thing of the past as he has resumed training and is doing ev‑ erything possible to return to full fitness after spending a month on the sidelines.

The former Watford striker has delivered in his two seasons in Chi‑ na – 15 goals in his debut season in 2017 and 21 goals this year.

Abuja 2018: Obaseki tasks contingent to restore state’s glory

Emenike targets more talents with Future XI tourney

MMANUEL Emenike, former Nigerian international, has disclosed that giving back to the community and also an op‑ portunity to see talented Nigeri‑ an kids achieve their aim of play‑ ing abroad is the main reason for starting the Emmanuel Emenike Future XI which is ongoing at the Legacy and NIS pitches of the Na‑ tional Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

The former Spatak Moscow striker, a product of the Oba Cup in Isolo, a talent scouting tournament, mentioned that the tournament is a project close to

Changchun Yatai hang £20m on Ighalo

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•Serena Williams

OVERNOR Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has charged the state contingent to the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), to restore the sporting glo‑ ry for which the state was known, even as he declared that his admin‑ istration has the capacity to host the 2020 edition of the festival.

Obaseki gave the charge during the opening ceremony of the 19th National Sports Festival in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday.

He said: “My state is more than ready to host the forthcoming Na‑ tional Sports Festival as it’s high time we regained our lost glory in sports.”

“Edo State is known for produc‑ ing great sportsmen and women and I charge you to ensure you do the state proud by winning med‑ als,” he told the contingent.

In his remark, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Da‑ lung, confirmed that he has re‑ ceived two applications from Edo and one other state to host the festival in 2020.

Dalung assured that his ministry would look at the ranking of states and assess the infrastructure in the bidding states before giving the hosting right to the most qual‑ ified state.

WEDNESDAY December 19, 2018

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

Bad loans or bad banks?

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younger Nigerian with a burning desire for greatness got excited after reading a statement issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in July this year. The sweet-sounding release that arrested the attention of Natty [surname withheld] was entitled “Guidelines for accessing real sector support facility through CRR and corporate bonds”.

Agricultural, manufacturing or other employment-generating businesses, it stated, were now free to borrow as much as N10billion at 9% interest rate from any bank.

I didn’t want to dampen Natty’s enthusiasm with tales of similar pronouncements I had read from the 1980s but which turned out to be a fraud.

So when he approached me I asked him to “try your luck” as I did sometime in 1994.

After two weeks – and after he had visited three commercial banks as well as the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture – he reported a familiar story: Each bank’s representative was courteous; in the end, they were only happy to hand him A4 envelope filled with forms not for loan application but for opening a new corporate account with their bank. Behind closed doors, however, one confided in him the conditions for obtaining the loan: After opening an account with them, he must submit a brilliant proposal – he would be connected to a consultant for that purpose. He must provide collateral worth at least 120% of any amount he would be seeking, preferably a house in a state capital with a certificate of occupancy.

He wasn’t going to see any cash – the bank would send supervisors after him to ensure he didn’t divert any money, and it would pay vendors of tractors, pesticides or other inputs directly. Yes, the 9% interest was real, but he should be ready to start paying back in three years, not seven as advertised.

Natty’s dream of starting a business – as his age mate Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook did, and as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs did while still in their early 20s – has suffered a setback. He has read lots of literature on several inventors and entrepreneurs who eventually established centuries-old ventures. He couldn’t understand why he has failed to “hit it big” in spite of his determination and business acumen.

I told Natty I had walked on the same path 24 years earlier. By 1993 I had worked for more than four years postgraduation and felt I had gathered enough experience to run a business. But I met a brick wall, as Natty has.

Whether it was Steve Jobs who started from his parents’ garage or Zuckerberg who started Facebook from his dormitory room, each enjoyed the support of venture capitalists that were able to raise millions of dollars. Their banks lent them money at less than 2% interest – or 0% in some cases. Not so for us Nigerians. The difference between us and them is the nation we were born into.

A policy such as the advertised CBN-

Eastside w

From the

By Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Phone: 08076290498 (SMS only)

•Godwin Emefiele funded agric loan – or another the apex bank started five years ago, which purports to let banks disburse N220billion for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) at 9% -- is not meant for the poor. You have to prove that you’re already rich [by having collateral] and therefore don’t even need the loan!

That’s where we are – where businesses are not helped to thrive.

Why, despite all the supposed stringent conditions for obtaining a loan, are Nigerian banks still burdened by bad debts? How are borrowers able to beat all the risk and security checks? The latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics show an ugly trend: as at the

third quarter of 2018, the value of nonperforming loans stood at N2.3trillion – TRILLION, not billion – while the total loans given out by all the banks increased to N15.6trillion.

Persisting bad loans prompted the federal government to set up AMCON (Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria) almost a decade ago. In my view, it was the rich people’s way of protecting their kind. Imagine the public funds spent on Amcon and its employees since then, just to beg debtors to pay up. It’s different from the “failed banks tribunal” set up by the military regime of Gen. Abacha in the mid-1990s which hauled some debtors and bank managers into jail. Seven years

ago, the CBN reportedly sent a bill to the National Assembly asking for tribunals or special courts to try cases of loan default.

It never happened. Failing banks were, instead, bailed out and their liabilities scooped by Amcon.

I thought Amcon’s life would be short-lived. Now it has become another unproductive agency fed from the public till to solve private individuals’ problems.

Statements alluding to Amcon’s “giant strides” in debt recovery will always be available, if to keep the wheels of bureaucracy running. But I know the corporation is either overwhelmed or engaged in a wild goose chase. Only last week, it held a meeting with “Asset Management Partners”, another creation to help it in chasing bank debtors or recovering a part of N3.7trillion held by Amcon’s obligors.

Names of some bank debtors have been published a few times in newspapers.

“Naming and shaming” them has solved little problem, though it has been instructive. We’ve seen some who owed different banks hundreds of billions! The Nigerians we thought were rich were heavy borrowers after all.

Yet the average Nigerian bank debtor deserves sympathy. In a nation continually facing economic crunch and naira devaluations, few businesses could yield profits enough to pay for 25—35% interest demanded by banks. Regulation is weak and so some people could gang up to establish a bank and give themselves interest-free and collateral-free loans.

After carefully collecting customers’ deposits, the bank is allowed to fail so the founders could make their stay abroad permanent and “live happily ever after”.

Or they could return to the country in the fullness of time: in Nigeria, government changes frequently; new actors come with new programmes. No continuity.

Debts are not paid in jail. The better way is for banks or Amcon to help businesses trapped by bad loans to thrive. A large chunk of the debts should be written off.

It is the price they should pay for refusing to give loans to those who need them and giving to those who have nothing but beautifully-written proposals to show.

Those in leadership positions who wish to help Nigeria should create conducive environment for investments. Poor infrastructure (especially irregular power supply), high interest rates and political uncertainty are sure harbingers of losses to bad loans as well as weak investor and consumer confidence.

I see no better way for an entrepreneur to make a giant leap forward than taking a loan with low interest rate. If I had got the money I was looking for between 1994 and 1997 (just N50million), perhaps I would have been an employer of at least 5,000 people today. A loan, well managed, could make the big difference between poverty and affluence. When Nigeria gets ready to have its own Bill Gates or Thomas Edison or Henry Ford, it will encourage banks to give grants or loans at 1% interest to deserving seekers like Natty.

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited. Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha. Lagos Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja. Abuja Office: 1st Floor, Plateau House, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenews.ng@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.