Wednesday November 22, 2017 Edition by oracle

Kanu’s trial, Abaribe’s trouble

•IPOB faults DSS, Ministry of Information on Kanu, Anambra poll By THEO RAYS

S the resumed trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, comes up again this Monday, 20 November, there are indications that the proceedings may still go on without the IPOB leader in Kanu. The question, “Where’s

Kanu?,” is still being asked. The Oracle Today gathered that the whereabouts of the IPOB leader is still unknown, a situation that may spell trouble for Senator Enyinna Abaribe, the Senator representing Abia South, who as the leader of the South East Caucus in the National Assembly, stood as surety for Kanu’s release from

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

•Chidoka

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said his visit to Ebonyi State was a demonstration of his strong believes in the unity of Nigeria. Buhari stated this at EXCO Hall, Government House, Abakaliki while meeting with the elders of the State during his working visit to the State. He said that though Nigeria had over 300 ethnic groups, its diversity had remained unique. The Pres-

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Not do or die – Obaze

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, flag-bearer for the Anambra governorship election slated for this Saturday, 18 November, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze has restated his commit-

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Page 12

sum. Sources told The Oracle Today that Abaribe’s lawyers have no clue as to the whereabouts of the IPOB leader. It was not clear at the time of this report how they planned to confront their dilemma before Justice Nyako on Mon-

racle Cont’d on page 2

www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY November 22, 2017

•Ezeemo

Buhari believes in Nigeria

prison on bail on 25 April 25. Kanu was not in court when the trial resumed on the 17 October prompting the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of Abuja Federal Court to order Abaribe, as the surety, to produce Kanu on 20 November, failing which he would face the consequences, including loss of the N100 million surety

•Nwoye

ISSN: 2545-5869

•Obaze

Today

VOL.2 No. 48. N200

•Obiano

Anambra 2017: Winner is ... •Debate throws up options •Candidates in final campaign •Alliances forming

From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja, CHUKS COLLINS, Awka, THEO RAYS, Onitsha,

HE uncertainties over the winner of the 18 November Anambra governorship election increased after Sunday’s debate by five of the candidates – APC’s Dr. Tony Nwoye, AGPA’s Chief Willie Obiano, PDP’s Oseloka Obaze, PPA’s Godwin

Ezeemo and UPP’s Osita Chidoka. The Oracle Today, the Official Media Partner of the debate, had predicted a possible run-off before the debate. On Sunday night, each of the candidates came up with positions that endeared them to audiences that watched the debate live. However, not many of them would be among the 2.1 million registered voters on Saturday.

Their impressions are still useful in influencing the opinion of voters. The voters, through the debate had an opportunity of seeing the candidates, listening to them, and assessing them. “Winning a debate is different from winning an election,” some of those who felt that their candidates did not get high rankings on Sunday night

kept shouting at the end of the session. Some of the positions are captured below. These have spawned series of informal debates on the outcome of the election. Opening statements Nwoye (APC) There is a lot of waste in the current administration. Outrageous

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Unity of Nigeria is negotiable – MOSOP

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

NEWS

Anambra 2017: Winner is ...

for this government to employ 300 special assistants on which the Governor spends N500m every month. Will do away with such number of Special Assistants if elected governor and use the money to empower the youths thereby creating gainful employment for them. Airport Project: It’s a bogus project. $2b or N720b on airport project is wrong priority. That amount of money could have been better utilised for projects that would be more generally beneficial to the people Nwoye (APC) Most important infrastructure for industrialisation: Roads, power, security and water. Anambra economy - Obiano We moved IGR from N40b, which the previous administration did, to N500b in three and half years. We are doing well in agriculture--we are self-sufficient in rice and we are exporting vegetable and yams to UK. Candidates’ final words Nwoye (APC) I want Anambra people to trust me to provide education, power, water, roads and fight against injustice. Obiano (APGA) I ask Ndi Anambra to re-elect me because my policies are working Obaze (PDP) Anambra is broken and needs to be mended. I have the experience to mend it. Ezeemo (PPA) I have antecedents in development matters that the people of Anambra can relate to. If voted into power, I will continue with government policies what I have

To be serialised in The Oracle Today soon

Read about the great Rangers story from next edition

been doing as a private individual

Chidoka (UPP) Anambra needs to vote for a party that has a future. APC is divisive; APGA has failed the people of Anambra; PDP has lost its soul and the founder of the PPA has left the party. The only party with a future is UPP. Security Security for the election would

be intense. A lot of the attention seems to be on the possibility of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra disrupting the elections. While there had been outcries over the earlier projections of about 34,000 security personnel being deployed foe the election, those numbers have been overtaken by miles. A statement released on Sunday by the Chief Superintendents of Police, CSP Moshood Jimoh,

IGP Idris approved the deployment of 26,000 personnel, backed up with military equipment for effective surveillance and ensuring that Crimes is reduced during the period. According to the statement, the IGP, “In order to ensure adequate security and safety of lives and properties before, during

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Buhari believes in Nigeria Cont’d from page 1 ident who recalled his meeting with the SouthEast leaders in the Presidential Villa and reassured that the issues raised by the Igbo leaders at the meeting, especially the state of the infrastructure in the region would be addressed by the 2018 budget. “My presence here today is a demonstration of my strong believe in the unity of Nigeria. As the most populous country in Africa with over 300 ethnic groups, our diversity is almost unique. When I met with the leaders of the South East in Abuja last month, they raised several issues of concern including the state of the roads and infrastructure in the region. “I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promises. Our 2018 budget included many projects for the region in the area of power agriculture and social services”. He commended Governor Umahi for his developmental strides describing it as laudable. He also thanked the people of Eb-

onyi State for their hospitality and warm reception given to him. “I am delighted to be here in Abakaliki to interact with the good people of Ebonyi State and indeed the South East region as a whole. I want to express my gratitude to the people of Ebonyi State for their hospitality and warm reception since I arrived the State. “I will like to commend His Excellency Governor David Umahi for his vision and commitment to the development of this State. Some of the projects I commissioned since my arrival are laudable.” The President was conferred with a chieftaincy title as Enyi Oha I of Ebonyi State (Friend of Ebonyi State) by the State Traditional Rulers Council. “I am also grateful to the traditional rulers of Ebonyi State for the honour bestowed on me with the traditional title of Enyi Oha I. I thank you for this honour and warm reception”, he said. The President commissioned the following projects: 14.5km Afikpo/Abakaliki road, two 700-metre

span twin flyover bridges and foundation laying of the ultra-modern Abakaliki Mall and Muhammadu Buhari’s tunnels. He also visited Agricultural Exhibition Centre located at Government House, Abakaliki. Buhari got the following gifts white horse, 2,000 bags of rice and 2.000 tubers of yam. Governor Umahi who thanked the President the visit. The Governor said that the essence of the visit was for the President to see the impact of the assistance his administration has given the State in the areas of agriculture and solid mineral development Also, first civilian Governor of the State and current Senator representing Ebonyi North, Dr. Sam Egwu thanked Buhari for coming and appealed to him to convert Ikwo College Education to a Federal college of Education. He equally appealed to the President to help resolve the boundary disputes between the people of the state and their neighboring Cross River State, which has claimed many innocent lives.

Kanu’s trial Continued from Pg 1 day. “It is a matter for the lawyers to handle. They will do their job in court,” a source close to Abaribe said, also noting that the matter was sub-judice, in court, and he would to want to discuss it. “We would hear from the professionals (lawyers) in court on Monday.” The Nigerian army invaded Kanu’s family home, in Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, on 14 September 14. IPOB alleged some people were killed and other injured. Bullet marks on the building testify to the invasion. Valuable items were reportedly carted away from the house. The invasion happened barely a month before the resumed trial of Kanu on treason charges by the Federal Government. Kanu has not been seen since then. Lawyers who spoke to The Oracle Today on this matter have faulted Justice Nyako’s order on Abaribe to produce Kanu in court, given the extenuating circumstance that led to Kanu’s disappearance from the public since 14 September. Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Mike Ozekhome who spoke with The Oracle Today on phone said, “Bail is like a contact between the court and an accused. “In Nnamdi Kanu’s case, it is a tripartite contract involving the court, Nnamdi Kanu and his surety (Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe). But that bail contract has been frustrated through no fault of Kanu’s surety (forcing) the Senator to apply for discharge of suretyship obligation, as provided in Section 177of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,” he said. “It was the court that granted bail to Nnamdi Kanu under certain conditions. So, if he had violated the conditions, it is the same court that should review such conditions. We all witnessed when the Federal Government felt uncomfortable that Kanu had, allegedly, flouted his bail condition and filed a motion before the same judge handling the case (Justice Binta Nyako), asking the court to revoke Kanu’s bail. But unfortunately, the Federal Government failed to wait for the legal process it had initiated to take its course and allowed the army to invade Kanu’s residence. Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown and nobody has either seen or heard from Kanu. “Okay, assuming that Kanu has been kidnapped or that something untoward has happened to him as a result of the invasion of his home, how do you ask the Senator to produce him when the contract has already been frustrated by agents of the Federal Government?,” he asked. “Nigerians know that the last time they saw or heard from Nnamdi Kanu was when he was resting in his home on 14 September 2017, and the army, via ‘Operation Egwu Eke II’, invaded his home in Abia State. Nigerians also, saw how his home was invaded, how the army gained entrance into the compound, and he has not been seen or heard from since then.” Meanwhile, IPOB has faulted

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The Oracle Today Wednesday Novembe 22, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Harmattan: NCAA alerts airline operators

From VICTOR NZE

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a weather alert to all airline operators indicating hazards associated with Harmattan dust haze in flight operations at this period of the year. A statement by the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, last Sunday, said the alert was important as Harmattan was a threat to aircraft particu-

larly in areas of challenging terrains due to low visibility. Adurogboye said according to the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the prevailing weather condition is likely to herald a long and severe dust haze in the months ahead. “The Advisory circular AC: NCAAAEROMET-24 is intended to alert pilots of the hazards associated with dust haze which is a dry and dusty wind that blows southwards from the Sahara across Nigeria during

the months of November to March. “The effect of the dust and sand stirred by the wind is known as Harmattan Dust Haze. Therefore, pilots should note that air-to-ground visibility may be considerably reduced due to the dust haze. In addition, aerodrome visibility might fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions dust haze can blot out runways, the markers and airfield lightings over wide areas.” According to him, this makes visual navigation extremely difficult or

impossible. “Resultantly, where visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, flight operations are expected to be delayed, diverted or outrightly cancelled. Hence, all pilots are obliged to exercise maximum restraint especially when severe weather condition is observed or reported by NIMET,” he said. The NCAA spokesperson advised pilots to obtain adequate departure, en route and destination weather information and briefing

from NIMET prior to flight operations at all the airports. He also urged Flight Crews/ Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure adherence to aerodrome operating minima. “Operators are therefore advised to ensure necessary measures are put in place to manage the effects of flight delays or cancellations on their passengers. All stakeholders are required to ensure strict compliance with this circular,” Adurogboye said.

Enugu Govt develops 6 housing estates in 1 yearear

JAMB flags off 2018 UMTE, delist 72 centres

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has flagged off the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process by confirming the delisting of 78 centres from further involvement in the exercise. This is also as the body announced the ban on the use of wrist watches and pens during the conduct of its 2018 test. The board’s Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, who disclosed this on the sideline of a one-day sensitisation workshop for Computer Based Test (CBT) centre owners, last Wednesday in Lagos, said the essence of the workshop is to appraise the registration and conduct of the 2017 examination. “What we are doing here today is to appraise the registration and conduct of our past examination and we have taken some lessons from our experience. To this end therefore we have introduced some measures that will further add to the integrity of the registration process as well as the conduct of the examination proper. “For instance, we discovered during the conduct of the last examination that some electronic devices such as pens, wristwatches and other devices were used to perpetrate examination malpractice. So, for next year, we have banned the use of wristwatches and pens by candidates and other persons in the examination hall. “We are also going to introduce

some detection devices to ensure that those who plan to cheat in the examination hall are frustrated, as we will also jam (communication network) of the centres,” he said. Oloyede noted that the sale of the registration document for the 2018 UTME would commence before the end of November. “We are planning to meet with all stakeholders on November 15 and the sale of the registration document will definitely commence before the end of this month. But before that, we expect candidates to go and download our app, go to our website and download the syllabus and brochure, so that they can now study the process. “This is in order to minimise the errors that usually occurs during the registration process,” he said. The JAMB boss added that not less than 617 centres have been accredited nationwide for the exercise. “We are still considering about 60 more centres as we have their applications waiting for consideration. However, a total of 72 centres nationwide have earlier been delisted owing to their involvement in some infractions and they remain delisted.” On the board’s plan to construct mega CBT centres for its examinations, Oloyede said: “The mega centre plan is still on, we said that last year. But the process of planning will take some time. There will be design, there will be contact with private operators, just as there will be advertisements and also due process will be

•University of Ibadan Alumni, Abia State Chapter decorating the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Barr. Okey Philip Igwe as a Great Uite. Barr. Igwe spent two years at UI from 1998-2000 studying pharmacy before proceeding to USA to complete his studies. (Above) Other members of the association with Barr. Igwe.

nugu State Government said, Monday, it developed six housing estates within one year and plans to launch website where information about housing developments in the state can be accessed. General Manager of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) Mr Chukwuemelie Agu, disclosed this in Enugu, the state capital, said that the new developed estates in the state included Heritage Estate, WTC Estate, Transparency Estate, Rangers Estate 1&2, Citadel Estate and Vally Estate. He explained that some of the estates were for low income earners, while others were for medium and high income earners. According to him, Citadel Estate is for high income earners and Valley Estate is exclusively for low income earners in the state. The general manager explained that the housing corporation ensured that the estates met the needs of all classes of people, adding that the estates were affordable for people according to their social strata. He pointed out that the developments of the estates were to cater for the growing population in the state. “In one year and few months in office, my team with tremendous support from Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been able to achieve a lot in estates development in Enugu State.” Agu said there were four upcoming estates for development from different communities outside Enugu metropolis to spread development and residence within the state. “We want to develop some of these satellite estates to be able to decongest the state capital, Enugu. There are more people in Enugu metropolis because many are coming back to the state due to one reason or the other.” On the corporation’s new website, the general manager said it was aimed at providing detailed information about houses and all housing developments in the state. He said people could check the website for information without necessarily coming to the corporation’s office.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Vaccination: Kebbi deploys teams to borders

he Kebbi Government has deployed 215 special measles vaccination teams to effectively cover communities at the border of Benin and Niger Republic in the state. Hajiya Halima Dikko, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, said this during the official inauguration of the 2017/2018 measles vaccination campaign on Saturday in Bagudo. Dikko said the state had trained and deployed 1131 teams for the entire exercise, adding that the exercise commenced on Nov. 9 in 11 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. She said the exercise was in two phases, with 11 local government areas benefiting from the first phase. These LGAs are: Bagudo, Dandi, Danko Wasagu, Fakai, Koko Besse, Ngaski, Sakaba, Suru, Yauri and Zuru. She added that the state would mop up and review the exercise before the commencement of the second phase of the exercise, which begins on Nov. 19 and ends on Nov. 24. Dikko said the second phase of the exercise would be conducted in Aliero, Arewa, Argungu, Augie, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, and Maiyama local government areas. According to her, the state intends to vaccinate not less than 850,000 children at the end of the exercise. Similarly, the State Governor, Sen Abubakar Bagudu, urged traditional leaders and other key stakeholders to support the exercise. He, however, appealed to the leadership of herdsmen and fishermen, to ensure that all eligible children, especially the children around border towns are adequately vaccinated against measles.

Chevron contributes $5m to anti-HIV campaign From VICTOR NZE

he campaign against the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) scourge in the country received a boost, last weekend, as United States-based oil firm, Chevron Corporation announced the donation of $2.5 million to the Global Fund’s Anti-Retroviral Treatment Service Maintenance Programme in Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo and Lagos states. The money to be disbursed next year among health agencies across the country represents the final installment on the US$5million set aside for the support of programmes in the fight against the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) scourge in Nigeria by Chevron. The disbursements are also part of a nine-year $60 million commitment from Chevron to the Global Fund, in the same way as the fund follows the US$6.7 million earlier donated by the company to the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT)project in Bayelsa State. Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) made the formal presentation on behalf of its parent firm, last Saturday, at the Dover Hotel, Ikeja venue of the2017 Annual Retreat of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM-Nigeria), chaired by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

“The ART Programme will help bridge a critical national health gap and continue Chevron’s work in achieving an AIDS-free generation. The program will help reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and other affected people in the communities of the targeted states. “Additionally, it will provide Nigerians with universal access to high-quality, patient-centered prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for tuberculosis, HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis by 2020,” said Esimaje Brikinn, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL). Continuing, Brikinn said: “These disbursements are part of a nineyear, US$60 million commitment from Chevron to the Global Fund. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts to fight the three diseases in countries and communities most in need. “Chevron has learned through decades of experience that our success is tied to the health and prosperity of the communities where we operate. Chevron’s social investments are developed through a participatory process and through partnerships not only with the communities who are living in proxim-

ity to our operations, but also with other stakeholders who share interests in common with our business (including, government, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], non-profits, development agencies, and others.” According to Brikinn, Chevron has also committed substantial resources over the years in implementing initiatives aimed at combating several diseases in communities close to its operations and beyond. “The initiatives include River Boat Clinic, building of community health centers, donation of medical supplies and sponsorship of health campaigns.” Responding, the health minister, who commended Chevron for the donation, urged the company to woo other international oil companies (IOCs) in the country to commit to lifting the sector as part of the corporate social responsibilities, as, according to him, the federal government alone ‘cannot do it alone.’ “We are happy about what Chevron is doing to support government’s efforts in the fight of HIV and other diseases in Nigeria. That is what we have been advocating; that the private sector should show concern about public health issues. Government cannot do it alone, and this support is needed to achieve a healthy society,” Prof. Adewole remarked.

Describing the presentation as ‘worthy’, Adewole noted that the efforts of the company over the years exemplify the private sector support for health intervention programmes in Nigeria. “We have been clamouring for the private sector to get involved in health development programmes in the country. And today we are proud to announce one of those initiatives. We commend Chevron for this laudable move. We want to appreciate you for this worthy investment in the health sector,” the health minister added. Adewole further disclosed that the donation will be computed into the national data base of government to facilitate better coordination of resources in the campaign against the diseases. The one-week CCM-Nigeria’s annual retreat for 2017 attracted participants from member organisations like the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) and other Global Fund’s Principal Recipients (PRs), contributing organizations like the USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Procurement and Supply Management Project (GHSC-PSM), as well as a host of Nigerian NGOs. The Global Fund is one of the world’s largest international financier of health care programmes fighting HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

Don’t pay for meter installation

anagement of Eko Electricity M Distribution Company (EKEDC) has warned consumers within its

network not to pay its personnel for installation of the company’s prepaid meters. General Manager, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, who gave the warning in Lagos, Monday, said that complaints have reached the company that some personnel are collecting money for installation from consumers who had been given meters free. “As long as the meters are free, installation is also free. If there are other back end equipment that are needed on the part of the customers like Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) and cables, they should provide that on their own ready for installation. “So, if they request for money before installing the meter, please ignore them. Some consumers who bribe our staff for bypassing lines that connect their freezers, air-conditioners and other electrical gadgets should know that it is absolutely illegal. “If you are caught during the routine check by our staff, you will be fined for bypassing and charged to court,” he said. Idemudia urged consumers to desist from bribing staff of the company on official assignment. “It is wrong for our staff to demand for money before clearing electricity faults because that’s what they are being paid for. Consumers should be aware that it is also wrong to connive with our staff not to settle electricity bills appropriately. “Consumers should report any EKEDC staff that demands for money to the nearest EKEDC office for proper action,’’ he said.

•Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, in a handshake with General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, flanked by other top management staff of the Chevron and Representatives of CCM-Nigeria Member Organisations after Chevron’s donation of $2.5m to the anti-HIV campaign programmes in Nigeria.

Prioritise product quality, Tambuwals urges stakeholders From VICTOR NZE

okoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has called on stakeholders in the sector to pay special attention to product quality and control in order to compete favourably in both local and international markets. Tambuwal made this call while delivering a keynote address to delegates and officials of the 9th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment, hosted by the

state, Friday. The governor who urged stakeholders, in his address, to address the ongoing market deficiencies, ensure effective price management in the country, give priority attention to product quality control mechanism and standardization, also sought for an extension on the ease of doing business order to small businesses by way of financial and other support services. Tambuwal seized the opportunity of the presentation to highlight the

efforts of his administration at diversifying the economy of his state, just as he admitted that ‘Sokoto State is one with lots of unexploited natural resources.’ “Sokoto Investment House is meant to initiate agreement, partner, engage and participate in all aspects of market activities as a conglomerate Company. It is to seek support, give incentive and guide businesses”, the Governor declared. To energize the industrial development efforts of Sokoto State, Tambu-

wal revealed further that the state’s Independent Power Project has reached 80 per cent completion with a capacity of 35MW and this, which he said will soon be commissioned. Laying out a list of incentives to the attendees, Tambuwal said tax break,waiver; support to access financing; ease processes; entry permit assistance to foreign investors; transfer or repatriation of quotas and guaranteed security await ‘serious prospective investors to Sokoto.’

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

NEWS

Awada Community leaders drum support for Obiano’s re-election By MEJEE MEJEE

ommunity leaders of Awada Obosi in the Idemili North L.G.A of Anambra state have stated the need for the electorate in the state to re-elect Gov. Obiano to enable him complete on-going projects and to avoid the problem of abandoned projects in the state, especially now that he has embarked and begun work on many roads in the community. President of Awada Obosi Central landlords Association, Chief Paul Chinedu expressed happiness that Gov. Obiano has taken up the road challenges facing the residents of Awada for so many years, stating the need for Anambranians to re-elect the incumbent governor so that he would be able to finish this project his administration embarked upon. He said that the governor is rehabilitating six major roads in Awada and they include Nwaziki, Mgbemena, Orsumoghu, Pope John Paul, Gauis Eze. The Awada Community leader Chief Chinedu noted that the residents of Awada have been suffering under the deplorable condition of the roads over the years until recently when the government of Obiano embarked on rehabilitating them. He appealed to the inhabitants of Awada to vote for him. Commenting on his achievements since he took over from the former president of the Community, Chief Patrick Oyeduba, he noted that his administration has excelled in the areas of improved security, establishment of primary Health centre, waste disposal with two additional tipper vehicles, construction of culverts, establishment of computer section amongst others. Contributing, the Secretary-general of the community, Chief Chidi Ihiasonwu decried the poor state of roads in Awada as one of the major industrial and residential estates of Anambra state, expressing appreciation for the concern the government of Dr. Willie Obiano has shown towards the rehabilitation of six major roads in the community. He called on the inhabitants of Awada to ensure that they vote for Gov. Obiano in this Saturday’s governorship election so that he would continue the good works he is doing in the state.

‘Regional integration will foster better performance in N’Delta’ From INIABASI UMO, Uyo

non-governmental organisation, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta has said the collaboration of the nine Niger Delta States will foster development in the region. PIND’s Executive Director, Dr. Dara Akala, who called on the regional states to join hands together for the development of the region, said the integration would help them learn. He said the states could learn from one another’s experiences to enhance their processes and economic performance. Akala stated this during the 6th edition of the Niger Delta Development

Forum in Uyo during the week. The theme of the workshop is, “The future in our hands: A state-led framework for planning and development in the Niger Delta.” According to him, with development planning, each state can better prepare for prosperous future by improving on thoughtful policy coordination that will improve socioeconomic outcomes. “Strengthened regional partnerships can help each state better identify ideal partners, reduce replication, learn from each other’s mistakes, and identify and interrogate examples that have worked. “With development planning, each state will be able to prepare for

a prosperous future by helping to improve thoughtful policy coordination to improve socio-economic outcomes,” he said. The Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who declared the event open, said the state has diversified from oil to agriculture to create jobs for the teeming mass of youths in the State. Emmanuel, who was represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof. Nse Essien, stated that youth restiveness in the region would only be avoided through job creation. According to Emmanuel, the state government has invested heavily in youth as measures to arrest youth

IYC President urges Amaechi to revive Niger Delta ports From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

• From right: Awada Community leaders, Assistant PRO, Nathan Nnajiofor, Secretary-Gen, Mr. Chidi Ihiasonwu, PG Awada, Paul Chinedu, Prince Peter Azubuike, Mayor WIlliam Ezenwa and Mr. Obumneme.

SEES participants task South East governors on adequate funding

• Set up implementation Committee From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

articipants in the just-concluded South East Economic Summit (SEES) have called on governors of the region to make adequate funds available to enable the implementation committee that was formed at the end of the 3-day economic parley, achieve target results. The summit, which held from November 11 to 13, 2017, in Enugu, was at the instance of South East Governors Forum (SEGF) and powered by South East Region Economic Development Company (SEREDEC), and Chaired by former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji. At the end of the summit, which was concluded at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, a special formula was adopted for the formation of a strong implementation committee to drive the recommendations that were drawn during the exercise. Nine members were nominated per state at the ratio of three per senatorial zone, of which two persons were drawn from the private sector and one nominee would be from the government. Themed “Re-positioning the South East Region for Rapid Economic Development”, the summit provided a special platform for participants to identify all items that constitute bottlenecks to ease of doing business in the South East. Ideas on how to tackle those identified bottlenecks were also proffered by various consultants, entrepreneurs, investors and international partners

restiveness and militancy in the state. The governor said the state is committed to the development of the Niger Delta region. He said the agencies of development should be more dedicated to fulfilling their mandate of having projects that were durable and touching the lives of the people. “We have invested heavily on our youths and that is one of the reasons we enjoy relative peace in the state. “As government, we will remain dedicated to improving the materials circumstance of our people, steer them on their path to stable growth and equip them with tools that will make them marketable,” he said.

that took part in the summit. In his presentation at the summit, Professor Nnaji, who is former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power, noted that the Eastern Region of Nigeria had once enjoyed rapid industrialisation in the 1960’s, during which it was adjudged one of the fastest growing economies in the world. He regretted that the Civil War of 1967 to 1970 later froze that progress, pointing out that efforts made to recover the region’s economy have not yielded the expected results. Asked whether the summit would not end up as talk-talk without effective action, Nnaji allayed such fears. He told The Oracle Today: “Everybody that knows what I do knows that I do not engage in talk-talk without action. For instance, my company, Geometric power went and built a power

plant in Aba, with distribution network; that is action.” On the action plan of SEREDEC, he disclosed that what the corporation is doing is to help South East governments repeat the feat of Geometric power and more, adding that it is often difficult for governments to get themselves together to do interstate projects. Describing the summit as a rare opportunity for the region, the former minister pointed out that SEREDEC is proposing only interstate projects such as rail networks and gas pipelines while individual states would have to take care of their respective needs as it affects them. Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, who declared the summit open, described it as “act of God”, pointing out that the present commitment and love that exist

among the governors of the South East, together with other stakeholders such as Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremmadu and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by their President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, among others, could only be made possible by God. In their respective remarks, Host Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Sen Ike Ekweremmadu, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Prof. Anya O. Anya, who was Chairman of the Opening Session, expressed joy over the summit and called for more commitment and support to the cause of the South East. On their part, representatives of international partners, UK Department for International Development (DFID) and The Brenthurt Foundation, hailed South East governors for the summit and promised to always make themselves available for all assistance that may be required of them.

Legislator, party leaders seek grassroots support for Obiano By MEJEE MEJEE

n an attempt to garner grassroots support for Gov. Willie Obiano in this Saturday’s governorship election, election in Anambra State, the member representing Onitsha South 2 Constituency in the State legislature, Hon. (Mrs). Beverly Nkemdiche Ikpeazu has intensified political campaign for the incumbent governor in the seven wards in her Electoral District. She was joined in the campaign by the leader of Onitsha South L. G. A, Chief Emeka Asoanya, the APGA Onitsha South L. G. A. Chairman, ward chairmen and women po-

litical leaders in the constituency. Addressing the supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Wards 2, 3 and 5 at Odoakpu, Hon. Ikpeazu stated the reasons the electorate in Onitsha South and other parts of the State should cast their votes for the re-election of Gov. Obiano. She enumerated all the achievements of the incumbent governor who she affirmed has justified his re-election for the November 18th governorship poll, advising patriotic Anambrarians to shun thuggery and other misconduct likely to mar the smooth conduct of the election. The legislator also advised the electorate

not to leave the scene of their polling center until their votes are counted. Also speaking at the occasion, the transition chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Chief Emeka Asoanya gave a brief rundown of the achievements of governor Obiano in his first tenure, pointing out that security of lives and property of the people has been the most outstanding achievements of his administration , apart from improved Agricultural production in the State, transformation of the state capital, payment of state civil servants salary and the provision of other basic infrastructures.

esidents of Benneth Island/Salvation City, Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on the Federal Government to revive the Niger Delta Ports that have been dormant for years, with a view to reviving legitimate maritime activities in the area. The people also complained about incessant military harassment, especially in the wake of the recent deployment of gunboats and fighter jets to their community and called on Ijaw leaders to come to their rescue. The beleaguered Ijaws who made their complaints to the President Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eric Omare when he visited the area, further called on government to withdraw the military whose presence is making life difficult for them. Responding, the IYC President condemned the unnecessary harassment of communities in the name of fighting militancy, saying that deployment of gunboats and fighter jets is not the solution to militancy but addressing the economic and environmental problems affecting the people. Omare recalled with nostalgia that the Benneth Island area used to be a beehive of economic activities when the Warri port was functional as it served as an anchor point for vessels waiting to discharge goods and sea going vessels. The IYC President, therefore, called on Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi who is from the Niger Delta region to take up the revival of the moribund seaports in the Niger Delta region as a priority. The ports, Onne, Calabar, Warri, Koko, Sapele, Burutu and other ports in the Niger Delta, all under the Ministry of Transportation are just lying fallow while the Apapa port in Lagos is congested, he added. According to him, it makes no economic sense for multinational oil companies, the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, other companies and individuals in Warri and environs to import their goods and materials through the Apapa Port, Lagos and use millions of naira to transport such materials to Warri when such goods could be easily imported through the Warri Port and create thousands of jobs for youths towards addressing the problem of militancy. Omare reminded the Minister of Transportation that if he fails to revive the ports in the Niger Delta, he would go down in history as a failure, just like other Niger Delta leaders who have been consistently accused of failing the region.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

News Governorship not do or die – Obaze Continued from Pg 1 ment to peaceful election in the State, insisting that the forthcoming election should not be seen by anyone as a do-or-die affair. Speaking at the headquarters of his campaign organisation in Awka, Obaze said no society would make progress if its democratic processes were allowed to degenerate into violence. “I need your votes so that we can embark on the process of rebuilding Anambra State,” he said. “Anambra State deserves better. Presently, it is badly broken; we need to fix it. I ask you to go and cast your votes for PDP. While you do that, I ask you also to do so peacefully. No hate speeches, no mud slinging and no violence. It does not augur well for us to engage in any form of violence. Democracy is a peaceful process, not a do or die affair. Come November 18, go out there and cast your votes for me. And please, do so peacefully.”

Obaze made a similar commitment on the sidelines of one of his campaign rallies earlier in the week. Speaking to journalists after the rally in Awka, the PDP candidate said: “This is a democratic process and I am totally committed to playing the game by the rules. I have also committed myself to honouring the results of the election. “If at the end of the day, Ndi Anambra, in their wisdom, decide to cast their votes in favour of any of my co-contestants, including the incumbent, I will congratulate the winner and move on. On the other hand, if I win, I hope the other candidates will treat me with that same attitude of sportsmanship. To me, it’s not a do or die affair. I’m in this because I sincerely believe that Anambra deserves better than it currently gets, but the ultimate decision lies with the electorate. Continuing, Obaze said: “I have served this great state of ours as the Secretary to the State Government.

My records while serving in that capacity are in the public domain. I’m now appealing to Ndi Anambra to join hands with me to serve in a higher capacity and restore our State to the path of success. We can’t allow our dear State to continue to treat our future and those of our children and children’s children with recklessness. “We must prioritize education and human capital development of our people. That is the only way we can thrive in this highly competitive 21st century global marketplace. To that effect, I’m proposing to devote 26% of our budget to education as against the paltry 3% it currently receives. The difference between what I’m offering Ndi Anambra and what other candidates are offering them is manifestly clear.” “Moreover, in the interest of rotational power shift, I have undertaken to serve for only one term and no more,” Obaze surmised.

All the candidates 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Uju UCHENDU OZOKA - AA Nwezi FELIX AMECHI - AGAP Oby KATE OKAFOR - ACD Akunwata EJOH OJIBA NNAEMEKA - ACPN Paul Chukwudi OBINANASO - ADC Edward REGINALD OKONKWO IFEANYICHUKWU - ADP 7. Tony OKECHUKWU NWOYE - APC 8. Adaeze CHIZUBE OKAFOR - APDA 9. Willie MADUABUCHI OBIANO - APGA 10. Nweke CHRISTOPHER CHUKWUDUBEM - APP 11. Ikem CECIL OHANUGO - BNPP 12. Emmanuel UCHENNA NWIBE - DA 13. Edochie YUL CHIBUIKE - DPC 14. Basil ONYEACHONAM ONUORAH - GPN 15. Samuel OSITA ORAEGBUNAM - HDP 16. Ndife FRANKLIN IKENNA - ID 17. Rufus OKEKE SUNDAY EZEOKOLONKWOR - KOWA 18. Christian OKECHUKWU ENEMUO - LP 19. Onyeka CHRISTIAN OKAFOR - MMN 20. Praise OKECHUKWU - MPPP 21. Uzoma OKPALANMA CHINEDU - NCP 22. Benneth ABANIWU - NDLP 23. Felix A.R. OBI-OKAFOR - NEPP 24. Okafor CHARLES OGBONNA - NNPP 25. Val. Okey OGUEJIOFOR - NPC 26. Nnoli AMECHI JUSTIN - NUP 27. Peter CHIBIKE - PDC 28. Oseloka HENRY OBAZE - PDP 29. Godwin CHUKWUNAENYE EZEEMO – PPA 30. Henry IKECHUKWU ONUORAH - PPN 31. Kenneth EJIKE MODEZIE -PPP 32. Stephen OBIORAH MBAH -PRP 33. Ifeanyi L. Obalum - SDP 34. Stanley UCHE EZEANYAKU -UDP 35. Osita CHIDOKA - UPP 36. Nonso OZOEMENA - YDP 37. Ifeoma EZIBE - YPP The above is the order in which the candidates would appear on the ballot paper. They have been listed on alphabetical order, using the abbreviations of their political parties’ names. How many of those candidates do you know? How many of the parties do you know? Age • Oldest governorship candidates (62) – APGA’s Willie \ Maduabuchi Obiano, PDP’s Oseloka Henry Obaze

•Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori preceding as the House resumed on Tuesday

Nnamdi Kanu’s trial Continued from Pg 2 the comments credited to the Department of State Services, DSS, and Ministry of Information over the position of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB on the 18 November governorship election in Anambra State. The group, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, accused the DSS and Ministry of information of spreading falsehood regarding the position of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB on the boycott-Anambra-governorship election campaign. Powerful said, “We the family members of IPOB and its leadership worldwide, under the supreme command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the prophet of our time, wish to clarify that the DSS/Ministry of Information-engineered speculation regarding the position of our leader is a cheap diversionary tactic designed to test our dedication and resolve in the run up to the much anticipated

boycott of Anambra governorship election of this Saturday, November 18, 2017. “Not minding the involvement of two key ministries of government in the propagation of this falsehood, we remain fiercely resolute and undeterred by the crude antics of a drowning government, which has lost every sense of shame. The only option open to them is to periodically opt for hyper-dramatics in an environment devoid of any form of investigative journalism.” “By seeking to deflect attention away from multiple fronts of attack IPOB has subjected the Buhari regime to, the DSS and their propaganda arm, the Ministry of Information came up with this laughable concoction about the dismissal of our leader as Director of Radio Biafra, a lie, which they know, even by their own very low standards of news management, is so hilarious that no sane mind will swayed by it. “Biafrans and the entire humanity know that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was

abducted by Nigerian soldiers on 14 September this year, therefore no amount of fake stories about our leader and our movement planted through government-friendly media houses, will dent our resolve to restore Biafra. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the only person with absolute command over entire Biafra restoration effort, remains the rock upon which the entire edifice of IPOB is built. The preposterous and laughable idea that he has been sacked from Radio Biafra he personally established in London and the IPOB he founded is tantamount to saying that the sun is no longer part of the solar system. It is not only unthinkable but also foolish of anyone to contemplate it. “The world can now see how the cabal is running Nigeria through fabrications and unadulterated falsehood in the hope of twisting the minds of the gullible and the easily deceived. For anyone to believe that faceless, hitherto unheard of individ-

Cont’d on page 47

• Oldest deputy governorship candidate (61) – LP’s Okoye Obi Vincent, SDP’s Clement Chukwuraa Okafor • Youngest governorship candidates (35) – DPC’s Yul Chibuike Edochie, MMN’s Okafor Onyeka Christian, ID’s Ndife Franklin Ikenna, YDP’s Ozoemena Nonso. • Youngest deputy governorship candidate is DA’s Okpezune Nnaemeka Kinsley at 28. Gender • 4 female governorship candidates • 8 female deputy governorship candidates • 33 male governorship candidates • 29 male deputy governorship candidates Education • 30 governorship candidates have a degree or a higher diploma • 1 has a post-graduate diploma, but mentioned no degree. • 8 have Master’s degrees • 7 governorship candidates have GCE/WASC • 24 deputy governorship candidates have degrees • 4 deputy governorship candidates have Master’s degrees. • 9 deputy governorship candidates have GCE/WASC

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA www.cbn.gov.ng

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

News

•Chidoka

Continued from Pg 6 and after the elections, the Inspector General of Police has graciously approved deployment of additional Twenty Six Thousand (26,000) Police Personnel, comprising the Police Special Forces, Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti Bomb Squad (EOD), the Force Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Force Armament Unit, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, FCIID,, Mounted Troops, the attack and Sniffer Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats, Police Helicopters and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to Anambra State and most of these personnel are already on the ground.” The massive deployment also include “three (3) Police Aerial/ Surveillance Helicopters, Ten (10) Gun Boats, Fifteen (15) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and Three Hundred and Three (303) Police patrol vehicles have been deployed for the operations to cover the entire State including the riverine areas and difficult terrain.” The is aside from arrangements by other security and safety agencies who are members of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, in the State are also deployed to complement the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during the election. Jimoh announced that, “Four (4) policemen are deployed to each polling unit along with personnel of other security and safety agencies. No armed security personnel will be allowed within the polling units. Armed police detachments on patrol vehicles are going to patrol the streets and other locations throughout the State to prevent crime and intervene to quell any violence that may occur during the election. “Consequent on the renewed

•Ezeemo

•Nwoye

•Obaze

Anambra 2017: Winner is ...

call for boycott of the election by Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as enough security measures are in place to protect them and every available resource of the Force are being deployed to make sure that IPOB don’t actualise the threats. “Furthermore, IPOB and its leadership are warned in their own interest to steer clear of Anambra State, the Nigeria Police Force will not hesitate to use all legal means within the ambit of the law to checkmate and prevent the group “IPOB” from interfering in the conduct of the election. The police also placed ban on se-

curity details of top government appointees, from coming to the polling units with their principals. “Political parties, their leaderships and flag bearers contesting in the election, traditional rulers, community leaders, parents and guardians in Anambra State are advised to warn and prevail on their members, supporters, subjects, children and Wards to be law abiding and not allow themselves to be used to cause disturbance of the peace or disruption of the election anywhere in the State. The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons found violating the electoral act or indulging in any criminal conduct capable of causing violence during the election. “Public office holders, politicians, traditional rulers and other VIPs will not be allowed to go to the polling unit with their security details, orderlies and escorts. Security details, orderlies and escorts in their own interest are hereby warned to desist from escorting their principals to polling booths during the election. Any deviant security orderly, detail or escort will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly.” As part of additional measures aimed at guaranteeing a secure, peaceful and credible election, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, and the INEC Chairman will attend a stakeholder/peace accord meeting with all the political parties, their flag bearers contesting in the election, INEC officials, election observers, other Stakeholders and members of the public before the date of the election in Awka, Anambra State. The statement also noted that police personnel deployed for the election are under strict instruc-

blackmail some persons politically and dent people’s images. I am from this area and I know how it works. ‘’I believe and I know that these entire Avengers’ stuff and threats are external. They are fueled by external forces; people who just want to disrupt things are behind it. Their thinking is that money will come out of it through negotiation. Even the government knows about it. It is all about destabilizing things and stealing money from the system. ‘’My advice to the youth is that they should continue to agitate. Yes, the only language that they under-

stand is constant agitation. If they did not agitate, the Amnesty budget, you remember I was shouting it was N20bn down from N56bn. ‘’When the youth started agitation, it was moved to N35bn and now it is over N50bn, with they (Amnesty operators) now having money to pay school fees and all of that. They were also shouting about the Niger Delta Ministry budget, now the government has increased it. When agitation started, we shouted about the Maritime University, they said they were going to kick off, now I am

How viewers of the debate rated the candidates. Source: Channels TV threat by the outlawed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and other affiliate groups to disrupt the election, the Force has deployed Special Police Forces, Police Mobile Force, Specially Trained Counter Terrorism Unit and other Intelligent and Tactical Squads to deal decisively with “IPOB”, a group already declared a “terrorist organisation” by court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the law”. The statement called on the good people of Anambra State “to go out and vote on the day of the election and disregard the “Vote and Die” threat campaign or the

•Obiano tions to be polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities. “They are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC Officials, election materials, election observers and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the polling booths, Collation Centres and INEC Offices in Anambra State throughout the period of the election. “There will be a complete enforcement of restriction of vehicular movements in and out of Anambra State through the land and riverine borders with other neighbouring States and within the State from 12 midnight on Friday 17 November, 2017 till after the voting period on the day of the election on 18 November, 2017. “However, government agencies and personnel on essential duties and services will be allowed passage within the period. Security identification tag will be provided for all the security and safety agencies, INEC officials, election observers/monitors and others that have statutory duties to carry out in the election. The security personnel deployed will only operate within the area they are posted for the election. “The Commissioners of Police and personnel in the States contiguous to Anambra State have been put on red alert by the Inspector General of Police not to allow influx of miscreants, thugs and people with questionable characters into Anambra State to disrupt the election. “A broad base security threats assessment has been carried out in Anambra State by the Nigeria Police Force and it’s still ongoing. All the identified flash points, trouble spots and other perceived violence/vulnerable areas in the state have been profiled and appropriate pragmatic strategies and tactics have been implemented to checkmate and tackle them ahead of the election.”

Why we support agitation by Avengers - Ex IYC President From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

omrade Udengs Eradiri, immediate past President, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has said but for agitations, the Niger Delta region would have been worse off than it is currently in the country. Eradiri who spoke in an interview in Yenagoa on Tuesday said he is in support of the agitation by the Niger Delta Avengers, (NDA), since agitation is the only language the government of Nigeria understands. He faulted the government’s handling of the agitations of the mil-

itant group, saying that agitations in the region arose from long years of underdevelopment, neglect, lack of equity, insincerity, among other challenges. According to him, to stem the agitations in the region, the government must show more commitment and seriousness in addressing the causes of agitation. He also revealed that the agitation by the Avengers is sponsored from outside, adding that government is aware of the stratagem. Eradiri stated: ‘’The government is not serious. All they want to do is

hearing President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N5bn in the new budget. “So, if there is no agitation, will they do all these? So, let the youth agitate. Government, wake up to your responsibility.’’ The former IYC leader blasted the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, saying the organization has lost focus and outlived its usefulness. While insisting that the Federal Government does not need the organization to address the Niger Del-

Cont’d on page 47

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

POLITICS

‘Ndigbo are in I ‘ll change Anambra distressed story in two years marriage with Nigeria’ – Ezeemo Pg 11

9 Pg 15

From NATH OMAME, Jr. P/Harcourt

HE long-running feud between governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and former governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi deepened precariously at the weekend when the governor’s convoy and the minister’s security details, who had gone to escort the minister from the Port Harcourt International Airport, met at the busy Nwanja Junction, connecting Garrison/Trans-Amadi/Nkorgu/Elekahia Road, in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers capita. Governor Wike was on his way to inspect projects that were under construction by his administration when the incident happened. Considering the bitter relationship between Amaechi and Wike, which dogged the 2015 general elections and the tension and widespread violence that trailed the elections, both Amaechi and Wike have remained contentious political adversaries. Wike has been unrelenting in his criticism of his predecessor, whom he accuses of doing practically nothing to transform the State and its people in the eight years that he was governor, claiming very recently that he has done more for the state in terms of infrastructural development than Amaechi did in the eight years he was governor of Riveers State. Wike has also continued to accuse Amaechi of squandering the resources of the state in allegedly funding the presidential election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2015. On his part, Amaechi has accused Wike of borrowing billions of Naira in the name of the State without the monies reflecting in the projects that the governor has so far implemented in the past two years since he took charge of governance in the state. Amaechi and the APC have repeatedly challenged the governor to make the two budgets that have been appropriated and passed into law by the Rivers State House of Assembly in 2016 and 2017 public so that the people of the state can compare his expenditure profile and the monies that have been appropriated for the projects, including the billions of Naira that Wike has borrowed from banks. The cantankerous disposition of both political leaders has also sharply divided residents of the state and even those who are not active politicians are getting increasingly soaked into the vortex of the political skirmish between both political foes. And their political parties, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform Wike won the 2015 governorship election and the APC under whose aegis Amaechi worked as the director-general of the presidential campaign that swept President Mohammadu Buhari to power in 2015 have thrown their support behind their leaders. The traffic altercation that occurred at the weekend between Amaechi and Wike’s security details has further sharpened the edges of the political fray between leaders, their parties, supporters and residents of the state. Toeing the acrimonious lines of past events, Wike and Amaechi have given two different versions of what transpired at the weekend when their heavily fortified convoys met at the Nwanja intersection, along the Trans-Amadi Road. Here is Governor Wike’s narration of what transpired: “Governor Wike at the weekend escaped assassination as Special Anti-Robbery Operatives and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in the motorcade of the Ministry of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, attacked the convoy. The governor was on project inspection at the Nwanja Junction on Trans-Amadi Road. The SARS personnel and soldiers in the minister’s convoy hit down the governor’s escort rider and attacked the policemen in the pilot car.”

•Wike

•Amaechi

Amaechi-Wike feud deepens as their security details clash Rivers Govt, PDP allege assassination attempt on the governor …Amaechi, APC say governors security men pointed gun, damaged ministers vehicle “Mr. Debewari, Aide-De-Camp to the Minister of Transportation, supervised the attack which included the damage of cameras held by journalists. Also part of the attack was the Commander of Rivers SARS, Mr. Akin Fakorede, who received the minister at the Port Harcourt International Airport and accompanied on his trip. After the attack, the governor continued with his inspection of projects. Governpor was not harmed, despite the attack. The minister of transportation had over 50 SARS personnel, soldiers and Mobile Policemen in his motorcade,” the statement added. Minister of Transportation, Amaechi’s media office, narrated: “In a blatant show of naked power, the minister, this afternoon narrowly escaped being shot by security men attached to the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. His car wasn’t that lucky, though. The car was vandalized with a broken side mirror. The incident occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, along TransAmadi Road, Nwanja axis. The minister (had) arrived Port Harcourt this afternoon. “Accompanied by cars of many of his supporters, the minister’s black jeep was intercepted and blocked at the junction by security Motorcycle Outrider attached to Wike after two cars had passed through. One of the two cars and security men assigned to protect the minister in Port Har-

court. Suddenly, gun-toting security men attached to Wike’s convoy surrounded the minister’s car, threatening to shoot him. They hit the car, tried to smash the windscreens, back and side windows and broke a side mirror. All through this attack, Amaechi remained calm, inside the fortified jeep. While the attack occurred, Wike remained inside his vehicle. “The minister eventually passed through after the intervention of the security team on ground to protect him in Port Harcourt. However, when Governor Wike got to the point where the incident occurred after Amaechi’s had gone by, his security men blocked the road again, dragged out from the vehicle and thoroughly beat up the Police man attached to protect Amaechi in Port Harcourt. The Policeman’s rifle was taken from him. “Wike came out of his car, and with his security team was going from one vehicle to another, of Amaechi supporters, charging at them, harassing and abusing them. Wike’s security men were heard loudly insulting Amaechi and called him all sorts of derogative names. This is gross show of highhandedness, arbitrary behaviour and abuse of public office by the state governor who has no care for the safety of Rivers people.” Communication of Information and Communications, Emma Okah, reiterated

that the SARS was working to frustrate Governor Wike. “We have been complaining for months that the Police in Rivers State are here to do the bidding of the APC federal government. We need the federal government to call their men to order. We now have cause to doubt the neutrality of the Police in Rivers State.” The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Sam Nwanosike, called on President Buhari to intervene because the altercation that occurred at the traffic intersection indicates that Governor Wike is not safe. “The president should intervene to save the governor from the excesses of the Police in Rivers State, especially the SARS, led by Akin Fakorede,” Nwanosike said. What transpired between both political leaders is now sending shivers down the residents of the state, who fear that if the elders of the state do not intervene to broker peace between both former close political associate, then, the 2019 general elections may be too gruesome to imagine. Both Wike and Amaechi belong to the same ethnic cluster of Ikwerre and political watchers feel that the elders of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality under the apex social-cultural group, Ogbako Ikwerre should step in to resolve the seemingly intractable imbroglio between both politicians so that the state can move forward politically.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT A LOT has been said about the negative impact of hate speeches on the polity. What role should entertainers play to help in addressing the situation? Hate speeches are a dangerous development but are indicative of the level of anger and dissatisfaction in the land. Anger, dissatisfaction and things like that breed agitations from which hate speeches emanate. Once again, I say that it is very sad to read all the hate speeches going on in the social media. You read about the Yoruba writing against the Igbo, or Hausa writing against Igbo or Yoruba, and vice versa. Why do we still make claims about one Nigeria? The injustice, neglect and unequal treatment being meted out to the black race as a whole is a global phenomenon. People are fighting against such issues in Europe and America; the global target is how to initiate and promote peace in the whole world but here you are at home, with people of same race, fully blessed with everything, yet you are faced with even fiercer, deadlier tribal war and hate speeches. It is unfortunate and I blame the government for that kind of development in Nigeria. They ought to know that if you have six children in the house, for instance, and you decide to favour a select few above the rest, that there is bound to be bad blood and dissatisfaction. Some people have also ascribed the recurring enmity, hatred and antagonisms in the country to wrong marriage of Nigeria in the name of Amalgamation, in 1914; what is your take on that? The issue of ethnic and traditional division of the three major ethnic groups – Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa, will continue to set alight or incite antipathy, distrust, and hostility. The three groups have ever remained unquestionably hostile and cruel to one another while still pretending that everything is fine, which is not true. This is where you find that Nigerians are telling lies to themselves. Why do we refuse to call a spade a spade? It is easier to call for one large peaceful Africa, like we have it in Europe, than one united Nigeria, because, in reality, ‘One Nigeria’ exists by force. Anything that is forced always ends in no peace and progress, just like we have been witnessing in Nigeria. The present structure of the country is not working at all. ‘One Nigeria’ only exists in our lips; even those saying that our unity is not negotiable know it. The system needs to be rearranged, overhauled and entirely restructured. That is the only way to encourage peaceful coexistence under the same roof called Nigeria. On the role that entertainers should play in the present situation in the country, the mental buildup of Nigerian artistes has to be looked at. It has been widely known how artistes all over the world come together in times of difficulties to either show solidarity through their works; through peaceful protests, or even put calls to lawmakers or those in political authorities pleading with them to take action to better the situation. Many peace-advocacy songs have been produced across the world, sending messages of peace and hope. Standup comedians, who usually perform at major events could formulate satiric jokes and crack them at major functions to promote peace. Nigerian entertainers need to create a lot of peace-advocacy works. Musicians should write more peace songs and do collabos on peace. That would go a

•Gov. Willi Obiano, Anambra State

•Gov. Rochas-Okorocha, Imo State

•Gov. Dave Umahi, ebonyi state

‘Ndigbo are in distressed marriage with Nigeria’

German-based Abia State-born showman and social critic, Mac Wilson, in this interview tells CHUKS EZE that the seeming containment of contemporary pro-Biafra agitations led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, does not, in any way, detract from the fact the Igbo are in a distressed marriage with Nigeria and ought to be left to go. long way, but the bulk of the job is on the shoulders of the federal government. What is your view about the agitation for Biafra, especially the Nnamdi Kanuled group? The agitation for Biafra is a sweet, unending story of a rocked marriage where the wife, in this case, the breadwinner seeks divorce, but she is being denied by her husband, who fears for tomorrow-post-divorce existence. It is also an agitation fueled by a simple mistake made by the federal government, by arresting Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB. And worst of all, at a critical hard time in Nigeria, when many people are hungry and angry. In reality, it is clear

as crystal, that none of the three major ethnic groups that we have in Nigeria’s present arrangement, want to be seen as one, but we have been pretending to be one, like I said earlier. That is a big lie. This can even be verified through the viral tribal home videos and audio messages that have been circulating across the world, in various Nigerian tribal languages. The meaning of oneness is one language, culture, religion, belief and destiny. The question is, are all these elements not missing in Nigeria’s current arrangement? Do Nigerians believe in one country? Do they believe in one another or have regard for their religious differences? So, are you in support or against agita-

tion for Biafra? Honestly speaking, if I weigh the merits and demerits, I think I should declare support for Biafra, and even for more countries out of Nigeria. After a general review of the outcome of our 50 years of being together, it became clear to me that it has yielded poor fruits. So, Biafra is a beautiful and just cause. But, everything about it should be within the confines of the law – both local and international laws. So far, we have not heard of any transgression on the side of Ndigbo’s agitation, but I still think IPOB should stick to its philosophy of non-violence no matter the provocation, and tone down its rhetoric. There is so much involved in getting a nation to stand after gaining expected free-

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT

•Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State

•Gov. Okezie-Ikpeazu, Abia State

edly breaking his bail conditions, was mooted, people kicked against it. But, it would have been better if he had been re-arrested because that would have been, to a large degree, in accordance with the law. But, for the government to deploy soldiers to invade his home, allegedly killing and maiming people in the process, was the height of political rascality on the part of government. Because, the question still remains, just what were soldiers sent to Kanu’s home to do? Was it to kill or arrest him or what? What the government used soldiers to do in Kanu’s house had no place in law; it’s complete illegality. The man had a case barely one month away when they invaded his house, couldn’t they have waited for hid trial to resume? And when did soldiers become an arresting authority in our statues? Ok, Kanu may no longer be talking, but who says it has ended the agitation. Truth is, agitation is alive and strong, even stronger now that it has been driven underground. I said earlier that the country is already tension-soaked, and so, the government should be concerned with adopting dialogue and a more civil than militant way of resolving issues. It is a pity that such agitation would pop up at this time of Buhari´s administration and he took the deceitful advice of arresting Nnamdi Kanu and detaining him for too long thereby creating a window for a stronger and louder activation of Biafra agitation. If the President had released Kanu early enough or even completely ignored him, the music would have been be playing a different tone today, and pro-Biafra agitation would have been an underground operation without all the global media attention it has received after Kanu’s arrest and detention. Agitations and protests are healthy in any healthy democratic society because they are rights of any person or group of persons so long as they are carried out in peaceful and civil manner. Agitation for Biafra is not the first of its kind in the world. Look at India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Look at Great Britain and Ireland and the current agitation from Scotland. What about Russia and Ukraine to Georgia? You know, this is part of human nature we all have to adjust to and accept as part of the changes that nature carries with it. Nigeria did not have to wage war with England to achieve her independence. So, let people agitate but it’s for government to find a way to dialogue with agitators not use force to disperse. If you do that, as they have done with Kanu and IPOB, you may have won the battle but not the war. There are complaints by the Igbo that they are not being treated fairly by the Buhari administration; is that the notion of Ndigbo in Germany or entire Europe as the case may be?

• Mac Wilson

dom or exit. Citizens need to be assured and reassured that those leading the agitation are aware of all that? What is your reaction to Operation Python Dance and the eventual invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s family home in Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia? It was completely ill advised. It had no explanation in law or security of social order. In the first place, the federal

government, through the initial arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu, helped in making him the popular, international personality he is today. I read that it was as a result of advice by former President Obasanjo, that Buhari should clamp down heavily on any Biafra agitator. But it has turned out to be very wrong advice, a destructive piece of advice at that. When the idea of re-arresting the IPOB leader for alleg-

I beg to disagree with the phrase ‘Igbo are not treated fairly by Buhari´s administration’. Biafra agitation is not an offshoot of ill-treatment or neglect of Ndigbo by Buhari. The whole agitation had started a long time before the advent of Buhari´s administration. Biafra agitation was not caused by Buhari’s administration; it only resurrected and fuelled the agitation through some of its policies and the arrest and detention of Kanu. The undisputed fact is that about 95 per cent of the Ibo populace have Biafra at the back of their minds, while still hoping to be fully integrated, respected, recognized and de-marginalized in Nigeria, which has never

happened. I would say succinctly, that every Igbo sees Biafra as the Promised Land – supreme alternative. Ndigbo are scattered all over Nigeria, Africa and the world over 70 million across the world. That is a huge nation embedded under the Nigerian nation, not to talk of the Yoruba nation and other nations that were married, under duress, to Nigeria in the name of amalgamation. Do you believe that Biafra will ever materialize? Biafra agitation came about as a result of the materialization of greedy and wicked leaders. Agitations are usually targeted at bringing about peace. When people agitate or demonstrate, we should see that as a positive means of calling those concerned to come to look into their complaint and possibly open up negotiations to resolve the problem. Agitators must be listened to and not silenced or forced to stop. So, Biafra is already a reality because it has become an international phenomenon, courtesy of the present administration in Nigeria. The realization of Biafra is something we should gradually start coming to terms with, accept and start working out ways and plans on how it could be carried out without a single drop of anybody´s blood. We should desist from threatening with quit notices and hate speeches even if Biafra does not materialize beyond our time. That is the best way to deal with pro-Biafra agitations, as far as I am concerned. What are your regrets as a Nigerian? The regret is that it is a pity that Nigeria has never been run the right way for over 50 years of its existence and everything has continued to fall apart. For 50 years, no leader or political party has been able to deal the deleterious problem of ethnic and tribal turbulences, which has made it impossible for Nigeria to be one, to facilitate the growth of the country. Nigeria is a country with millions of natural resources in abundance and yet the people are living in decadence – no electricity, no good roads, poor educational system, massive armed robbery, kidnapping, bribery, corruption, police, navy and army brutality, ritual killings, cultism, Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, militancy, and so on. Let us think outside the box for God’s sake. Let us ensure that only the right individuals are allowed to assume leadership positions in this country. Let us take the right decision for once. Let us allow Biafra to go. Europe has a population of about 743 million people while Africa has about 2.3 billion, almost three times the population of Europe. One of the less populated countries in Europe is Luxemburg, with a population of 583,000, yet they are a country. Europe carved out 50 countries out of 743m. However, Africa carved out only 54 countries out of 2.3 billion, when it (Africa) is supposed to have at least, 150 countries. As I already said, Luxemburg has a population of about 583,000 while Belgium has about 11 million population, and so on. The keyword is peace – how to bring about that peace. Let Nigeria learn from Europe. Belgium could have been merged with France and Germany with Luxemburg, Austria. These are countries that almost speak same language, yet they are separated into small countries, which is one best reason there is peace in Europe today. I think there would be more benefit than disadvantage from Biafrexit for Nigeria. Even looking at it on the historical aspect, it would go down in history that Nigeria gave independence to Biafra.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

POLITICS T Unity of Nigeria he 22nd anniversary to commemorate the execution of nine Ogoni leaders by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, on November 10, 1995, has again brought to the front burner of public discourse the clamour by diverse ethnic nationalities across the six geo-political regions of Nigeria for the restructuring of the country. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has warned that Nigeria has no option but to restructure if it is to forestall intermittent agitations that are currently rocking different regions of the country. President of MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara declared while speaking at a memorial lecture on the Ogoni Martyrs Day, in Port Harcourt, that the unity of Nigeria is negotiable. The theme of the lecture was: “Centering Social Justice in Nigeria: promoting Equality Through Effective Participation and Inclusion of Indigenous Minorities: The Case of the Ogoni People.” “We must negotiate the unity of Nigeria. We have reached that point where we have to negotiate the unity of the country till we get to the point where all Nigerians will be happy to be Nigerians,” he said. The MOSOP President insisted: “We have come to the point in Nigeria where we have to restructure or we perish. The Ogoni Nine died for a restructured Nigeria, which will guarantee equity, justice and fairness by creating political space for the sub-national entities to develop at their space while ensuring protection for national minorities and indigenous communities. “The Ogoni Bill of Rights, which is the basis of the Ogoni struggle, emphasizes local autonomy for the Ogoni people and other Nigerian communities that are threatened by internal colonalisation. It is only restructuring that can guarantee this.” He stressed: “It is, therefore, facile for some people to claim that the basis of Nigeria is not negotiable. The whole process of nation building is a process of negotiation until we arrive at the ultimate point of an authentic-nationstate. It is time that the government commences the process of restructuring the nation.” The MOSOP president reminded the people of Ogoni that “these heroes died to free us from slavery and oppression.” “They laid down their lives so that we, the Ogoni people and other indigenous minorities in Nigeria can have a sustainable future. Not only is it our responsibility on this occasion to reflect on the sacrifices of these heroes but also to challenge us to live to the higher ideals that they died for,” he added. “The enviable legacy they left behind is a continued reminder that they continue to live within us. We, on this occasion reassure our departed friends that we would not falter. We will never surrender. We have a heritage from time immemorial that Ogoni never surrenders, even at the most difficult times our people never surrendered. “Our history is replete with stories of our courage, persistence, forbearance and endurance. We must bring all these virtues to bear on our struggle at this hour. This is our moment of unity.” Pyagbara stated that “Ogoni oil assets cannot be partitioned and allocated like the partitioning of Africa, to any investor without the free, prior and informed consent of the Ogoni people as guaranteed under the international human rights law, particularly by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).” “MOSOP is not against the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. Our point remains that any resumption that does not involve a broad-based discussion with the Ogoni community taking account that the industry had been in dispute and issues surrounding those

is negotiable, says MOSOP

•Insists Ogoni will support responsible, people driven oil exploitation •UN will ensure demands receive attention From Port Harcourt, NATH OMAME reports that on the 22nd anniversary of the state-sponsored murder of the Ogoni-born environmental rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, the socio-cultural group he led, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), smarting from the continued neglect of Ogoniland by the federal government and the oil companies, insists that the only place Ogoni will get justice is in a restructured Nigeria

Legborsi Saro Pyagbara disputes have not been settled. The very conflict which consumed the heroes is why we are gathered here in remembrance today,” he further declared. He stressed: “We are warning members of Ogoni communities not to allow themselves to be deceived by any investor. It is our duty to learn from our past and find a united platform, which will

protect our interests collectively. “Our past sadly reminds us that when it sought to divide us, it is almost always easy to exploit our strong resentment, the practices that pitch us against the practices of oil multinational oil companies.” The MOSOP president maintained: “What should be clear is that any invest-

12 ment or development or responsible oil exploitation that is people-centered and people-driven will attract the overwhelming support of the Ogoni people.” Pyagbara reiterated: “On this Remembrance Day, we are sending a strong note of appeal to the Mohammadu Buhari-led administration to set in motion the process for clearing the names of the Ogoni nine. “The clearing of the names of the Ogoni nine will forever erase the blot on our national conscience as a nation and demonstrate to the Ogoni people that this government share in their pain and is atoning for the misdeeds against the Ogoni people.” The MOSOP president emphasized that the Remembrance Day was not only in the memory of the Ogoni nine: Ken Sar Wiwa; Chief Edward Kobani; Albert Badey; John Kpuinen; Barinem Kiobel; Chief S.N. Orage; Nordu Eawo; Chief T.B. Orage; Saturday Dobee; Daniel Gbokoo; Paul Levura; Baribor Bera; Garrick Leton; and Felix Nuate “but also in the memories of several others who were cut down unsung in the course of the efforts by the Nigeria-state to extinguish our struggle. “This day is also dedicated to these unsung heroes, over 2, 000 of them who also fell to the numbing gunshots of the military,” he said. “This day is also dedicated to the thousands of victims of the ongoing environmental terrorism in Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta. They are equally the heroes being remembered on this occasion.” Pyagbara assured: “These men and women have given us a legacy from the past on which to build the future. These heroes had given us tremendous virtues of determination, of compassion and self-confidence, but most of all, of service to humanity. Their spirits will continue to draw all Ogoni people together in our time of need. Their spirits will continue to lighten our paths. “Their spirits certainly will draw new breath when needed, amid all our weaknesses and pains. Their deaths can never be in vain. Our ultimate resolve from this gathering today is our unshakeable pledge that never again would we allow ourselves to be used against each other. We must unite together.” Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr. Edward Kallon stated that the UN recognizes that environmental protection in Ogoni land and indeed the whole of the Niger Delta with respect to oil and gas exploration and production, and the participation of local communities is important and is in line with the global agenda on sustainable development. The UN resident coordinator, who was represented at the event by the South South Zonal Coordinator, Wilbroad Ngambi, assured that the multilateral organization has noted the reported cases of environmental effects such as water quality degradation, destruction of vegetation and agricultural land depletion of fish populations by oil spills which occur during petroleum operations. “The people in the affected areas have complained about health issues including breathing problems. In as far as these issues affect people’s health, access to food, clean water, and livelihoods, these environment issues associated with oil works require attention,” he said. The UN coordinator assured: “In this regard. The UN remains committed to the cleanup of the affected areas and will continue to partner with the federal government, state governments in the Niger Delta and with the host communities to explore sustainable ways of protecting the environment which is our common heritage and common future. The UN will continue its engagement with MOSOP leadership to ensure that their demands are receive attention.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

POLITICS

‘Those opposing election are not Anambra indigenes’ WHAT do you think should be done to get the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State right? It is simple: Everybody should come out and vote for their preferred candidate on that day. Over the years, more than most other states, the election in Anambra State has reflected the will of the people. This scenario has occasioned the situation whereby more than most states also, Anambra has as well reflected, to a certain degree, a success of our democratic experiment. So, in the forthcoming election, what I would say, personally, and which the League of Anambra Professionals, which I am privileged to lead, is doing, is to make sure that there is massive participation in the election so that the will of the people would be reflected in the outcome. In what specific ways is LAP getting involved in the process? Historically, and even presently, we are going to be part of the election monitoring process. In past elections in the state, we had always been part of the organisation of election debate, and in this current process, we are taking it a notch further. We are organising a town hall debate whereby all sections of Anambra people would be represented, including people in the diaspora who would phone in; nothing is unprecedented. I will not tell you everything, but this is part of what we have planned to do. And by God’s grace, we would carry all our plans to fruition before the election. Do you foresee any situation of chaos or upheaval during the election? No; I do not foresee such situation at all. I am very optimistic that we would have a hitch-fee election. When some people said there was not going to be governorship election in Anambra State, we saw it as an invasion of sort. From our investigations, those who are making that threat are Okada riders and Tricycle drivers from Abia and Ebonyi States, and not indigenes of Anambra. The bulk of the people of Anambra State want to have the election because, democracy is not perfect, but if you look till date, from the administration of Chris Ngige through Peter Obi, more than most states in Nigeria, An-

President of League of Anambra Professionals (LAP), Mr. Chijioke Okoli (SAN), has allayed fears over the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, saying that the people of Anambra State want the election to hold and are eager vote for their preferred candidates as well. Okoli tells CHUKS EZE, in this interview, that those threatening to disrupt the election are mostly non-indigenes, adding that they would be effectively contained if they attempt to carry out their plan. ambra has shown where people who invest their time and efforts in electing their leaders that they can get some response. We cannot have people coming to tell us that we cannot have an election because it is a matter of public acceptability. Take judicial notice, like lawyers would say, that governance in Anambra State is far ahead, higher than the national average in terms of quality. So, when you say that people will not have election in Anambra State, quite honestly, you are not talking sense. You may say it for other places but definitely not for Anambra State. There have been complaints that the standard of Education has dropped in Anambra State in recent times, especially as regards the performance of the State in external examinations such as WAEC, NECO and UTME. Is LAP aware of that development? Quite frankly, we have taken note of that and we are engaging with the ministry of education. The thing is that, without undue immodesty, Anambra State, by most indices, is the number one state in Nigeria. If you look at anything, whether people who are dead or alive, the evidence is always there. For that reason, several other states view Anambra State as a model and always attempt to rival it. The fact that you always take the first position in class does not mean that others do not desire and strive to take that position as well. From what we saw recently, Abia State has taken the first position because they have also been working hard towards it. That is why we are calling for competitive federalism, where the different components compete in a healthy way. So, what LAP is doing is meeting with the government and the State Ministry of Education to ensure that we reclaim our top spot.

not get involved in politics, we had intervened, as a group, and had got both leaders to sheathe their swords, which they did. But, since this election season came, you have their supporters and cheer leaders fomenting issues here and there. For us, we are not worried at all. Like I said earlier, we would be part of the election monitoring exercise come November 18, and before then, we would have a worldwide debate for the contestants and we are certain that there would not be any problem at all about the election. Peter Obi and Obiano are friends and whatever they are saying is all politics. Peter Obi was Chairman of Fidelity Bank and Obiano left the bank as Deputy Managing Director. They remain friends, like Peter Obi said the other time. It is all politics and we do not want to get involved in it because we are apolitical. What we are doing, as LAP, is to ensure that the voting populace has as much information as possible for them to make an informed choice as to who they want to lead the state in the next four years; whether they want Obiano to continue or whether they want to give the mandate to another person.

•Mr. Chijioke Okoli There is also this celebrated alleged feud between former governor Peter Obi and the incumbent governor, Obiano who is largely believed to be Obi’s political godson. Do you think that the issue is distracting the electorate in the state? It is really distracting but I can assure you that it is all politics. Although at LAP, we do

What can you say about the current state of federal roads in the South East? It is abominable! I am not a politician but I would tell you that under President Goodluck Jonathan, the major people in that sector were from the South East; how were they not able to do anything to tackle the deteriorating state of federal roads in the South East? Why were they more concerned about their personal comfort? Without mincing words, I say it again that the state of the Second Niger Bridge, Enugu-Onitsha, EnuguPort Harcourt is deplorable.

Anambra 2017: Eze Obosi prays for Gov. Obiano, drums support for him UZO UGWUNZE, in Ojoto, reports that the traditional ruler of Obosi Ukwalla Kingdom in Idemili T North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Majesty, Igwe Dubem Iweka has advised HE traditional ruler of Obosi Ukwalla Kingdom in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Majesty, Igwe Dubem Iweka has given his royal blessing to Governor Obiano of Anambra state on his re- election bid. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stakeholders have also advised the Obosi–Igwe-incouncil to support rotational governorship as endorsed by the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo socio-cultural group. Eze Iweka III of Obosi gave his royal blessing to Governor Obiano when the governor and the APGA campaign team paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler’s palace at Obosi recently. Speaking at Eze Iweka’s palace, Obiano enumerated the things his administration was able to do for the Obosi community in the last three and half years “The first thing I did as a governor was to restore honour and dignity to Ndi Igwe ( Tradional Rulers). They came from Abuja to arrest Eze Obosi but I refused. They brought out a long letter and showed me, but I refused to read it. I told them to go to the palace and ask him questions. Then, I extended the honour to all the Igwes. Anybody with certificate as Igwe remains the Igwe. Igwe deserves honour and respect. I followed up the case to Abuja and stopped it. You and I went to the erosion sites after the flood menace. I told you it would cost about 1.8 billion naira to fix the place. If I didn’t do the job, the entire house there could have collapsed. All these were for the good of Obosi people. Also, unlike other places, I installed streetlight in all the nooks and cranies of Obosi after doing the

Ndi Anambra to vote for Governor Obiano in this Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State while APGA has advised the people of Obosi to support rotational governorship by voting for Obiano to complete a second term.

major streets. I have been doing my best for you people in Obosi,” said Obiano. Governor Obiano said that the faulty transformers in Obosi would not be repaired but replaced with new ones, saying that Obosi people owe him their loyalty because he has always come to their rescue in their times of need. Former APGA National chairman, Chief Victor Umeh further enumerated the achievements of Governor Obiano in the community saying that His Excellency gave N40 million for-choose-your-project per community initiative instead of N20 million because of the importance the administration placed on Obosi community and their large number. Moreover, Chief Umeh called on the Igwe-in-council to prevail on their son Chief Osita Chidoka, a governorship candidate to retrace his steps urging them to follow the wish of the masses to zone the governorship to Anambra North senatorial zone. “His majesty, we came to thank you and solicit for your votes come November 18, 2017. We have listed all the things Governor Obiano did for Obosi community including the two slots given to obosi for the 20milion naira chose you project. The Governor and the party said we must visit Obosi

•His Majesty, Igwe Iweka

because you are large in number. Also we don’t want Obosi people to enter temptation. Yes, Anybody who want to contest for governor has the right but it should be

done the proper way. OHANEZE Ndi Igbo consulted all the traditional rulers, town unions and decided it is proper for the governorship to remain at the North senatorial zone for the next four years after which it goes to the south. Your son and my brother Ike Obosi is coming out when it is not our turn to produce a governorship candidate. Please let titled men call him and counsel him for him not to cause issues in Obosi,” Umeh said. Eze Iweka III of Obosi blessed governor Obiano and his wife Eberechukwu Obiano for their achievements in Obosi and Anambra at large. “The great man of Ndi Anambra, Akpokuedike Global and his wife Osodieme, I appreciate your coming to see Obosi people. We thank you for all you are doing for Obosi people and Ndi Anambra. God shall continue to guide you. It shall be well with you. We are behind you. By the grace of God, you shall be able to complete what you have been doing. Even what you did for Ndi Igwe because of me, God will pay you back and back you up. All your heart desire that is good, God will help you to accomplish them just as you started. Your good work shall continue in Jesus name,” Eze Iweka prayed

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

INTERVIEW

•Members of the Idemili/Fountain Bar and some guest judges and colleagues

Bar Week: NBA charges legal practitioners T to crusade for public interest HE law week in the legal profession is the flagship annual festival of events in every branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. Law Week offers lawyers the opportunity to find answers to most of their legal questions and enjoy the spectacle of the law. It equally enhances both the lawyers’ and the community’s general knowledge. It brings to limelight the benefits of continuing legal education to lawyers through the various intellectual presentations by guest speakers. The Nigeria Bar Association Idemili Branch a.k.a (Fountain Bar) chose for discussion at the Law Week ceremony recently held at Paradise Regained Hotel, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, (a) The role of the Bar and the Bench in enhancing public interest litigation in Nigeria. This was anchored by His Lordship, Hon Justice J.I Nweze, Administrative Judge, High Court of Justice, Ihiala Judicial Division as the guest lecturer. (B) “Expanding the frontiers of fundamental Human Rights Codes and its Enforcement Mechanism in Nigeria” ably anchored by Arthur Obi Okafor, (SAN) as guest lecturer. There is no doubt that in a developing country as Nigeria, there are many incidents of victimization, injustice, tyranny, executive lawlessness, oppressive barriers and denial of fundamental human rights that disenfranchise groups, minorities and the disadvantaged in the society. Hence, there is need to give back human dignity and enforce social justice to the people who may not have sufficient means of access to legal practitioners. In his lecture, Justice Nweze described public interest litigation as alitigation carried out not just in an area where the public has an interest but also for the general good of the public aimed at enforcing the general rights of the public as opposed to private and individual interest. Describing the role of the Bar and the Bench as regards public interest litigation, Justice Nweze declared: “It is about caring for the rights of others besides oneself, getting lawyers and judges committed to this struggle and using the law more for the benefit of the collective than an individual or private interest.” “The lawyer understands what use to be and what the law seeks to change. In applying the law he sees the pit falls and is in position to recommend or push for changes by all lawful means including litigation. The l legal practitioner is therefore an indispensible player in public interest litigation. He should identify the rights violated,

UZO UGWUNZE, in Ojoto, writes on the gains of NBA Bar Week in Idemili, Anambra State-for legal practitioners and members of the public. identify the aggrieved group or groups, ensure that he develops his professional skills and equally seek assistance from the more knowledge influential colleagues in the profession. Lawyers should push for institutional changes and amendments as introduced in the enforcement of fundamental human rights of 2009 which periodically altered the issue of locus standi but emphasized on substantial justice,” Justice Nweze added. However, Justice Nweze urged lawyers not to embark on public interest litigation for vainglory but must be motivated by a belief in the cause of obtaining justice for the less privileged. “The lawyer who will make impact in public interest litigation must be contented, not having any skeleton in his cupboard. Some of you cannot confront the authorities because you want to be appointed honourable judges and SAN. You must have a passion for the cause of justice irrespective of personal pains to you,” he said. According to Justice Nweze, the role of the bench in enhancing public litigation includes “as contained in the code of conduct for judicial officers- Principal adjudicative duties of a judicial officer says that he would be true and faithful to the constitution and the law. Uphold the cause of justice by abiding by provisions of the Constitution and the law. Acquire and maintain professional competence as regards public interest litigation. The bench should be fearless, bold and mete out justice even if heaven falls. Judges are no respecter of persons and should stand between the subject and any attempt on encroachment of his liberty by the executive.” He concluded by saying that the bench must be available to determine the cases filed in court and take more liberal view of the concept of locus standi. In his own contribution, Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, lectured spoke on expanding the frontiers of fundamental human rights and its enforcement mechanisms in Nigeria. He bemoaned the fact that sometimes, human rights and human rights issues are

seen and viewed as esoteric and far removed from the challenges of everyday life, adding that respect for human rights and dignity is viewed as an option of charity that should be given and or respected based on the magnanimity, ideological disposition and temperament of those in government or power. Okafor described fundamental human rights as a right guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution and it is a right, which every person is entitled to, when he or she is not subject to the disabilities enumerated in the constitution, to enjoy by virtue of being a human being. They are so basic and fundamental that they were entrenched in a particular chapter of the constitution. He posited that fundamental human Rights were not only enforced in a court of law or Human Rights archivist saying that anyone knowledgeable can fight for the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights of the ordinary people of Nigeria. Said Okafor: “The knowledge of rights, knowledge of mechanisms of rights of enforcement, rights in a period of recession, the challenge of delay, complicated and technical issues and procedures, cultural and religious factor, fear factor, the stranger element, lawyer fees are elements or irreducible minimum that must be present before arriving at the doorstep of rights enforcement.” In redressing rights violation, Okafor mentioned various available mechanisms one can resort to. They include: alternative dispute resolution, customary or communal settlement, petitions to government agencies and commissions, Nigerian Bar Association, the Justice Development and Peace Commission, Human Rights organizations and desks. However, for the judicial mechanism of fundamental rights enforcement, Okafor cited the fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules 2009 and its overriding principle as a principal document. He mentioned that filing fee in fundamental rights applications ranges from N50 to N500 only. In conclusion, Okafor SAN urged mem-

bers of the Bar to enlighten and educate the Nigerian people that the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights is not an option of charity. “We must at all times speak the truth to power no matter our religions, ethnic and cultural inclinations. The fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules, 2009 has expanded the frontiers of human rights in Nigeria and what is remaining is for us to take advantage of its expansive provisions and procedure to enforce the fundamental rights of our people given the fact that the new rules has expanded the frontiers of locus standi,” said Okafor. Earlier in his address the chairman of NBA Idemili Branch, Hon. S.O Chukwukelu (JP) Admonished his colleagues to use every opportunity within their disposal to change the attitude and believe of both the electorates and aspirants over election of people into any political office in Anambra State saying that it was no longer business or money as usual but a matter of who is the most qualified to occupy a position. “We can change the mentality of our people to choose persons with individual capacity and put an end to the practice of money politics and godfatherism in Anambra State, which has the tendency of foisting a stooge, blind and lame candidate on the State as a governor. Speaking to the press, the duo of S.N.S Eze, former chairman, NBA Idemili branch and chairman 2017 Idemili Law Week Planning Committee and his colleague P.A Oseme Esq, secretary NBA Idemili Law Week Planning Committee thanked God for the success of the just concluded law week. Moreover, the chairmen of the occasions in the persons of Hon Justice Vin Agbata, the administrative Judge Idemili Judicial division and his counterpart, Hon Justice Ijem Onwuamegbu, Admin Judge, Onitsha Judicial division both encouraged lawyers to utilize the knowledge they acquired from the lecturers and practice them righteously not being hearers alone to move the Nigeria society forward.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

POLITICS How ready are you to face both Anambra electorate and your co-contenders at the polls on Saturday, November 18, as you seek a shot at Awka Government House as Anambra governor? I feel great, with a sense of utmost gratitude to God that we are alive, hail, hearty and ready to receive my mandate from my people, on Saturday, by the special grace of God. God has been exceptionally awesome unto us through and through. It is God that gives victory and we believe that He will allow us victory, this time around, through the good people Anambra State. What makes you think that you have what it takes to create the needed change in Anambra State? My character is my first confidence – the character that I have from the beginning of my life. Then, my exposure, belief and my trust in the way I think that God wants me to live. I have existing things that I have been doing as a show of love to my people because God Himself has shown me enormous love. I love my people and if you love somebody, there is no way you cannot respond to his needs, his welfare and things that concern him. I am a devoted Christian, who desires to lead my people by the word of God and in a humane, transparent and accountable manner. God has enabled me the grace to succeed creditably in all my endeavours and I am certain that if elected by my people, I will change the story of Anambra State for better, as governor of the state. I lived in England for over 20 years, within which I got established and observed how thing were being run there. So, I desire to replicate what I have been privileged to enjoy over there, and what I have created to ease life for me, my family, business and community in the entire Anambra State for my people. My assurance is that we will definitely change the story of our state two years into office as governor. Political office seekers usually make bogus promises about how they would massively develop infrastructure if elected to power. Why do politicians in this clime make unrealisable campaign promises? My take is that inadequate infrastructure or complete absence of it, are the major challenges facing the public. So, politicians usually know where it pinches every segment of the Nigerian populace most. They fish out those spots and use it to play on their intelligence, even when they are certain that those promises are unrealisable. But one thing is that we must realise that inasmuch as infrastructure are vital, they could wear out over time, no matter how bogus or sophisticated. One of our problems as a society is that many citizens do not know their right and how to defend such rights. Our leaders emphasise infrastructural development so much, and like I said, we know that infrastructural development is important and key to development. But the truth is that if you do not develop human beings and you develop infrastructure, you are just going to give infrastructure time and it decays. So, we have to seek ways to develop the human beings, after all, democracy is made for man and not for the road. And one of the illustrations that I often use is that if you construct a wonderful road and people are afraid to drive on it due to fear of police men extorting money from them on the road or impounding their vehicles, you find that people ply your road amidst fear and intimidation.

I ‘ll change Anambra story in two years – Ezeemo Industrialist, philanthropist, principal entrepreneur, and politician, Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, is the governorship candidate of PPA in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. A youth development enthusiast, his vision, according to him, is to lead a government that would be truly for the people. In this interview, Ezeemo, who is also the Chairman of Orient Group of companies, tells CHUKS EZE in Enugu that he is willing, ready and poised to receive the mandate of the people of Anambra State to be their “servant-leader” in the next four years, adding that his assurance is that he will transform the state within two years. want to fly. So, our leaders do not understand the place of human rights and unfortunately, the electorates do not too. So, nobody talks about human rights during election – nobody makes it a campaign issue. And so, after elections, you see agents of government harassing the electorates, subjecting them to extortion of money, multiple revenue collection and several other forms of human right violation, and they begin to grumble. How would your administration ensure that people’s rights are not trampled if you are elected as the governor of Anambra State? Good governance means much and there are a lot of ingredients that must be there before we can say that it is in place. Roads and social amenities are not the only thing about good governance. Human rights should also come strong. Why it should come strong is that it helps to allow the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibilities, their freedom to live within a society without being molested, without being denied their rights and without being intimidated. It is a thing of concern to me that our people, especially in the south east, do not know their rights, and that is a major problem that we have. People are only concerned about physical things they see, such as roads, school buildings, hospital beds and all that. They however, do not ask questions when, for instance, somebody wants to collect tax from them. But to answer your question, my administration will run best human rights-based government in Africa. Our shot at the leadership of Anambra State would be a model for other states in the county to emulate. There would be no case of human rights violation under my watch and we shall embark on special education and sensitisation of our people about how to know their rights and defend them in event of attempt to trample on them. We shall make our people to realise that human rights is their entitlements and a freedom that that they should enjoy and not a favour. So, people should be able to hold their leaders accountable when their rights are violated.

Is it possible to hold leaders accountable in Nigeria? It is very possible, but that will depend on the citizenry. We have always encouraged our people to always consider the most essential factors before choosing their leaders. But the problem is that most times, factors What are the key dividends of democracy, in that electorates consider before votyour view? ing in an election are factors that One is the power to hire or fire your leader; to should not even come in at all. For choose how you should be led. But by exteninstance, if a leader or political ofsion, democratic nations hold leaders account- fice holder comes out and shares able to issues such as human rights, which one thousand naira each to the is another dividend. The power to choose electorates, ahead of election, how we live is also another one, such that if a he will go home with the mindleader fails to give us what we want and tries set that he has settled them to trample upon our rights, we sack him. That upfront and does not owe is how democracy should be and that is what anybody anything again. But we will propagate when we assume office. I how many electorates conwant to make bold to say that tarring roads is sider that? The implication is not a dividend of democracy. Under the regime that those electorates have of General Sani Abacha, Lagos-Benin-Onitsha mortgaged their rights fully, federal roads, was better than it was under de- to that politician. When you mocracy. Despots also tar roads; they also pro- accept peanuts as upfront vide infrastructures. The reason that Libyans payment for your vote, revolted against Ghadaffi, their leader, was not you have sold your future because he was not providing infrastructure. In and it would be difficult fact, Libyans under were the most cared for in for you to call the perthe whole world. But he was very poor in terms son to order or hold of respect for human rights, and you know that him accountable if when your freedom is removed, your humanity he misbehaves. reduces. It is like locking a bird inside a cage. No matter what you do for the bird, it will naturally There have been

several cases where political office holders, who were great philanthropists and looked so good before election but end up as near disasters in office. What is your view about such scenario? The thing is that people should always ask the right questions and not seat back and take everything for granted. There are various means through which you can get information about an individual. If we can do that effectively during marriage processes in Igboland, why can’t we do it on seekers of elective political positions? The question is, where did the money for some of the philanthropy that people talk about come from? Riches cannot change who you are and the source of your money marks your money. So, we must be able to ask, how did this person that wants to be our governor, make his money? What is his antecedent, his pedigree? We should begin to hold them accountable and that is why church leaders and traditional rulers who we approach for blessings have a huge role to play. You cannot be a President in America without the entire story of your life coming out. During Obama’s time, even story about how he attempted to smoke Indian hemp came out and became an issue, even though it was mere attempt not that he actually smoked it. Another thing is to check the basic attitude of those who are aspiring to lead, to the rule of law. For instance, if a man that is aspiring to run for an office drives his convoy in such a way that run into the bush whenever he is passing by, to avoid being hit or manhandled by his security

aids, you do not need a soothsayer to tell you what would happen when he eventually grabs power. This is simple wisdom. So, we must look at individual behaviour of those that seek to be our leaders before electing them to power. The governor of Anambra State once said that Awka, the state capital now looks like Dubai; do you agree with him? It was an overstatement because Awka is more than one million miles far from Dubai. Three flyovers that cannot even withstand the weight of lorries and articulated vehicles cannot transform Awka to Dubai. I think it was a casual statement, which the governor should not have engaged in because words of leaders carry a lot of weight. Truth is that Awka can be like Dubai but presently, it is nowhere new the Asian city. What is your view on the alleged human rights violations by security agents in the South East? It is appalling and gives me serious concern. I say this because I have travelled to various parts of the country and you cannot see what is happening on various south east roads in the north. There is massive extortion, harassment and intimidation of our people on various roads in the southeast by the police and army. And if you imagine how much money of the economy of the south east being lost through such extortion on hourly bases, you would be sorry for our people. Across all states in the north, policemen do not disturb road users, especially commercial transport operators. It is mild in the west and south-south. But in the south east, commercial transport operators and other road users are subjected to stringent scrutiny, delay and frustration just to ensure that they part with various sums of money as tip and illegal charges. It is unfortunate. It is appalling, like I said, and that is among the cardinal things that our government would look into when we are elected into office. Our people must be purged of any sort of calculated impoverishment.

•Emeemo

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

MARITIME

Ports: Shippers’ optimism for emerging infrastructure Special Maritime Correspondent, FRANCIS UGWOKE writes on the transport infrastructure decay, its effect on trade facilitation and the expectation that the Inland Dry Ports, Truck Transit Parks and rail links to the seaports being introduced in the system will address the nightmare suffered over the years by shippers in Nigeria.

or Nigerian shippers, there appears to be hope at last as far as ease of doing business in the country is concerned. This is with the current efforts to address issues of transport infrastructure that have affected trade facilitation adversely. Over the years, importers and exporters have groaned over infrastructural decay, such as dilapidated roads leading to the ports and lack of effective rail system being linked to the ports as is the standard in other climes. The situation had meant that everyone relied on road haulage with its many risks. This has often resulted in losses of goods, accidents and robbery attacks on the highways. Put clearly, many importers have had to lose millions of Naira worth of goods, sometimes perishable items in containers which fall off from the trucks few meters away from either the premier port of Apapa or Tin Can Island port. Other times, the drivers are attacked by armed robbers on their way to deliver goods in many parts of the country. Many had cried out since the problem has persisted for decades without solution. This is notwithstanding the fact that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) alone generate about N1.5trillion annually from the ports. Besides, the infrastructural decay puts Nigeria at a disadvantage in competing with neighbouring ports. This explains the influx of smuggled goods into Nigeria from these neighbouring countries.

lot of costs and nightmare earlier suffered on the roads.

Rail links to the ports In a bid to address the issue raised here, the federal government is currently making moves to put in place necessary infrastructure. This includes rail links to all the ports in the country. Recently, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed of plans to import more locomotives and wagons for the movement of goods from Lagos ports to Ebute Metta from where the goods will be moved to different destinations, including goods meant for the Northern part of the country. Apart from this, Amaechi said there are plans to link all the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in the country with rails. IDPs are part of the efforts of the Transport Ministry through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to bring ports closer to people far away from the seaports. To ensure that this becomes effective, government is working towards completing the rail projects, including the Lagos-Kano rail line and the Lagos- Port Harcourt standard gauge, which according to Amaechi will start running before the end of the year. At least, 20 locomotives, he said, will be dedicated for cargo movement from Lagos to Kano as well as Lagos to Port Harcourt. He assured that on completion of the rail projects, movement of goods will be easier and fast for shippers who will use fails, in what will save a

IDPS On IDPs, Bello said the concessionaires were working hard to ensure early completion of their projects. The IDPs are located in Erunmu, Ibadan, South West; Isiala-Ngwa, Aba in the South-East; Futua, Katsina and Zawachiki, Kano in the North-West; Heipang, Jos in North Central and Jauri, Maiduguri in North-East. According to Bello, “we have the activities of the IDPs rising .One in Isiala Ngwa, they have just signed an agreement to commence construction which should be done immediately, and they have 18 months to do that. If they construct a port and we examine it together with international organizations, they will be accorded a Port of Origin and Destination status which means you can consign your goods to the port from anywhere in the world. And it will be a port just like Apapa or Tin Can Island . For the Jos IDP also, a lot of progress has been made and the only thing we are having problem with is the rail line or its rehabilitation. In Funtua, a lot of activities are taking place towards construction”. He disclosed that some state governments, including Plateau, Kaduna and Abia State governments have supported these projects. He also said another one in Benin City enjoys the support of the Edo State Government.

IDPS/TTPs Saddled with the statutory responsibility of creating a conducive operating environment for shippers at the nation’s ports, the NSC as the ports economic regulator has been working round to clock to ensure that the IDPs and Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) are fully operational in the six geo-political zones in the country. The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council Barr Hassan Bello, explained that both IDPs and TTPs as modern transport infrastructure, are designed to facilitate trade at the ports. Bello said that while the IDPs will bring goods nearer to the door, steps of shippers, TTPs are designed to ensure that goods that have to move on trucks either from the seaports or dry ports get to their destinations safely. Bello also said “NSC as a think-tank will suggest permanent solution, chief of which is the rail connections to the ports. Every port should be connected to the modern mode of transport. We are also talking about the whole traffic management in Apapa and other ports to be established where we have the stage, the call system electronically controlled, so that we don’t have unwanted trucks. What we are trying to do in Shippers’ Council is to establish the Truck Transit Part (TTP), which will also have connections with the ports, and we could have a holding bay attached to that”.

•DG.Custom, Hameed Ali Investment opportunities In a bid to create more awareness on the investment opportunities on IDPs and TTPs, the ports economic regulator under auspices of the Transport Ministry recently organised a breakfast meeting attended by top government functionaries, concessionaires, investors and top financial institutions. The idea was to explain the economic benefits of the projects to interested investors and financial institutions. The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was represented on the occasion by his Senior Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Kolade Sofolahan, urged investors to invest in the TTP and IDP projects. The VP was of the view that there was no infrastructure deficit but opportunities for Nigerian investors. Similarly, the Transportation Minister told investors that there were great opportunities in investing in the IDPs and TTPs. Amaechi said IDPs have designated centres for export of non-oil agricultural commodities and solid minerals products. “I intend to very soon direct the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to open talks with the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to obtain export processing zone status for the ICDs. In the ICDS, there are great opportunities for investments (Added Values) including warehousing, commodity processing, packaging among others”, he said. On TTPs, he described the projects as priority to the government, stating that institutional and legal framework have been provided for their establishment. He added that with the concession of the six IDPs across the country, TTPs known as Rest Stops, Rest Areas in other jurisdiction will be inevitable since road transport accounts for over 90 per cent of all freight and passenger movement in the country.” The Transport Minister said government is focusing on linking the various transport modes so as to strengthen the intermodal transport of goods and passengers as well as increased maintenance and capacity expansion to improve on the state of infrastructure. Amaechi explained that government is interested in the TTPs and IDPs because of the long- term gains of efficiency and cost effectiveness. Options for financing As part of the efforts to promote the project, the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, was on hand to give professional advice on the funding op-

tions on the IDPs, TTPs and other transport infrastructure projects. While doing this, Onyema quickly pointed out that attracting private sector funds was the only way to bridge the finance gap on the projects. In this regard, he said that the capital market witnessed the birth of the Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund (NIDF), which is billed to raise N200bn. He explained that the fund which has its core investment focus on traditional infrastructure sectors, primarily transport, was an ideal investment vehicle for the planned truck transit parks and inland dry ports. Onyema said that the financial participation of the private sector in building infrastructure can take a number of forms, including public private partnership (PPP) and full privatization. For instance, he said, “a good example is the Lekki-Epe Expressway Toll Road Concession Project, Nigeria’s first ever PPP. For this project, the Lekki Concession Company was able to secure long term financing to the tune of N50bn for the construction phase of the project with participation from several local and international financial institutions on terms which were regarded as groundbreaking in Nigeria”. According to him, leveraging established PPP funding mechanisms, SPVs can utilize the NSE’s platform to gain access to low-cost, long term capital. This, he said, can be achieved through public bond issuance by a project company or by incorporating a separate company to issue bonds and lend the proceeds to the project company. “The SPVs involved in PPP projects can also utilize funding from listed funds focused on PPP infrastructure investments, and a good case of this is our recent partnership with the Lagos State Government and Visionscape Sanitation Solutions where a N50bn Medium Term Note to finance the implementation of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was issued”. He described the investment prospects for transportation infrastructure as very promising, adding that if the recently exposed draft rules by PENCOM were issued, they will allow for up to 20 per cent Accumulated pension assets (N7.16tn) to be invested in infrastructure compared to the current 5 per cent. He pointed out that this does not include potential investments from insurance, savings and fund managers.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

EACTIONS have continued to trail last Tuesday’s presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly, as financial experts continue to raise doubts about the capability of the Federal Government to significantly implement the goals of the document. Titled; the Budget of Consolidation, the 2018 proposal increased by 16 per cent from the 2017 Budget of N7.44tn to N8.61tn. According to President Buhari, the ‘2018 budget will consolidate on the previous budgets to actualise the economic growth recovery plan of this administration. 2018 is expected to be a year of positive and better outcomes.’ However, as dark clouds continue to hover around the 2017 budget in the areas of implementation and funding, experts have expressed the worry over how the 2018 budget will be successfully funded with a looming debt burden and the 2017’s level of implementation still shrouded in secrecy. Federal Government expects a total revenue of N6.61tn with nonoil revenue taking the larger component. With oil production projected to reach 2.3mbpd, crude oil price benchmarked at $45 per barrel, Inflation rate - 12.4per cent, Real GDP Growth - 3.5per cent, and foreign exchange rate pegged at N305/$1, the 2018 budget, according to President Buhari also made provision for the oversight and governance expenditure for the clean-up of Ogoni land in Rivers State. According to experts, the 2018 budget is covered in unrealizable targets from the high oil output of 2.3mbpd, in the face of the continued restiveness in the Niger Delta in addition to the emerging global trends of world economies exploring alternatives to fossil fuels, to the exchange rate of N305 which is inaccessible in the open market as attested to by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and then, of course, the borrowing spree the Federal Government has entered into. The borrowings which now threaten to hang a debt burden on the country’s economy would see any increased earnings as projected by the 2018 budget proposal spent into debt servicing and refinancing.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in August, this year, revealed that rising fiscal deficit has now hit N2.51 trillion in just the first-half of 2017 alone, meaning the current budget is already in a heavy deficit.

305.45 305.95 400.7809 401.437 355.4827 356.0646 306.7999 307.3021 2.6959 2.7004 0.5296 0.5396 427.2057 427.905 45.9976 46.0733 81.4403 81.5736 21.6041 21.6395 47.7489 47.8271 428.1798 428.8807

P20

P22

TRAVEL

2017 alone, meaning the current budget is already in a heavy deficit. With N2.4 trillion of intended capital spending, President Buhari said the budget forecast a deficit of N2.005 trillion, down from last year’s N2.36 trillion. To help plug that gap, Federal Government would borrow 1.699 trillion naira, half of it from overseas. Debt costs are, however, already high in Nigeria and the president also said almost a quarter of the budget’s expenditure would go into servicing debt. Commenting on the 2018 budget proposal, John Ashbourne, Africa economist at Capital Economics, said it amounts to setting ‘unattainable goals’ particularly on capital

expenditure that is meant to drive infrastructure development, which has been lacking. “Mostly, I think that they are setting themselves yet more unattainable goals. The federal government falls short on its revenue and expenditure targets every year, and Buhari always responds by writing an even more ambitious target into the budget for the following year,” said Ashbourne. For another analyst, Kunle Iluyemi: “It is political, they put everything in the budget to please everybody and only release funds for what they really want to do.” Also reacting, Dr Chukwujekwu Ozoemena, Assistant General Manager, Access Bank, said: “You can’t Continues on P18

2017 ANA confab: Waking up Benue P26

US DOLLAR 304.95 Pounds Sterling 400.1249 EURO 354.9008 SWISS FRANC 306.2977 YEN 2.6915 CFA 0.5196 WAUA 426.5064 YUAN/RENMINBI 45.9218 RIYAL 81.307 S/African Rand 21.5688 DANISH KRONA 47.6708 SDR 427.4789

ExxonMobil finds convergence with masses

World Bank unveils programme to support African digital innovators

“

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

Energy

e-Platform

Again, crude oil price has for the second time been placed on a benchmark of above N40 per barrel. The commodity, it would be recalled, has been on a rise since August 2017 when it traded at $47.47. Last Tuesday, it hit $64.01 per barrel. Strangely, the 2017 budget which was benchmarked on $42.5 per barrel crude oil price has already exceeded the N2.36 trillion budgeted fiscal deficit for the whole of the 2017 financial year of N7.298tn, which itself was 20.4 per cent higher than the 2016 estimates. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in August, this year, revealed that rising fiscal deficit has now hit N2.51 trillion in just the first-half of

CBN EXCHANGE RATES NOV. 10, 2017 Buying(NGN)

•Aviation

2018 Budget: More borrowing, more debt financing

By VICTOR NZE

Currency

•Insurance

Stock Market Highlights As At 10 November, 2017

Summary

ASI 37,120.28 DEALS 3,235.00 VOLUME 175,275,822.00 VALUE 2,646,043,256.00 CAP 12,847,216,950,702.06 Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Value

ZENITHBANK 32,954,861 824,219,019.35 FBNH 23,994,915 172,728,989.18 FIDELITYBK 16,664,355 27,641,826.40 FCMB 15,757,504 18,110,719.51 DIAMONDBNK 14,404,196 16,682,602.20

5 Top Gainers Company Last Close Current Change FO 42 44.1 2.1 CADBURY 11.2 12.34 1.14 INTBREW 48.99 50 1.01 NB 143 143.9 0.9 GUARANTY 42.5 43 0.5 Top Losers Company CCNN FIDSON ACCESS CHAMPION ZENITHBANK

Last Close 9.7 3.94 10.03 2.2 25.1

Current 9.27 3.76 9.91 2.09 25

Change -0.43 -0.18 -0.12 -0.11 -0.1

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

BUSINESS Total becomes LNG factor with $1.5 bn Engie’s acquisition

Forex restriction cuts import bill to $1.9b – Emefiele By VICTOR NZE

has signed an agreement with Engie to acquire its port- G TfolioOTAL of upstream liquefied natural By Sopuruchi Onwuka

gas (LNG) assets for an overall enterprise value of $1.49 billion. This portfolio includes participating interests in liquefaction plants, notably the interest in the Cameron LNG project in the US, long term LNG sales and purchase agreements, an LNG tanker fleet as well as access to regasification capacities in Europe. Additional payments of up to $550 million could be payable by Total in case of an improvement in the oil markets in the coming years. “The acquisition of Engie’s upstream LNG business enables Total to accelerate the implementation of its strategy to integrate along the full gas value chain, in an LNG market growing strongly at 5% to 6% per year. The combination of these two complementary portfolios will allow the Group to manage an overall volume of around 40 million tonnes of LNG per year by 2020, making Total the second largest global player among the majors with a worldwide market share of 10%”, commented Patrick Pouyanné, chairman & CEO of Total. “With the equity stake in the Cameron LNG project, Total will also become an integrated player in the US LNG market, where the Group is already a gas producer.” The proposed transaction is subject to the applicable legally required consultation and notification processes with employee representatives as well as approvals by the relevant regulatory authorities and partners on certain contracts. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2018 and will have an effective date of 1st January 2018. Following the transaction, Total will take over the teams in charge of the LNG activities at Engie, which represents around 180 employees. In addition, in parallel with this transaction, Total and Engie agreed to cooperate to promote the use of biogas and renewable hydrogen, with Engie becoming Total’s priority supplier in this field.

overnor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has disclosed that the placement of restrictions on certain imported items has led to improvements in the domestic production as well as a reduction in the country’s import bill. According to Emefiele, this policy has led to the country’s monthly im-

port bill dropping from an average of about US$5.5 billion to US$2.1 billion in 2016 and US$1.9 billion by half year 2017. Delivering the 2017 Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, weekend, Emefiele added further that local manufacturers were recording profits and major boosts to their revenue due to the policy.

Emefiele who further disclosed that the implementation of the policy had had a great impact on Nigeria’s import bill and boosted local rice production in Nigeria, recalled that Nigeria, in 2012, imported about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice from a trading partner, noting that, in 2016, one full year of implementation of the policy, rice exports to Nigeria had fallen by 99 percent to only 784 metric tonnes.

•From left: Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye; representative of the Lagos State Governor and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Nike Akande; Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Oladele Adekanye; (back row) Vice President, Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Ruwase at the Lagos State Day celebration at the Lagos International Trade Fair held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos

NIRSAL, Union Bank earmark N10bn for agric financing T he Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and Union Bank have earmarked N10 billion for agriculture financing in the 2018 farming season. Managing Director of NIRSAL, Mr Aliyu Abdulhameed, who spoke at the launch of the scheme in Abuja on Friday, said that the programme was aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and modernisation via increased lending to the sector. He said that the NIRSAL-Union

Bank partnership would cover NIRSAL-supported projects in livestock and crop production, agricultural mechanisation, logistics and poultry. He said that under the terms of the partnership, NIRSAL would provide credit guarantees to cover up to 75 per cent of Union Bank loans for bankable agricultural projects, using its 300-million-dollar risk-sharing facility. Abdulhameed said that the funds, if fully utilised, would create about one million direct jobs and many

more indirect jobs, while boosting the incomes of rural farmers and complementing government’s efforts to drive inclusive economic growth through agriculture. “This partnership is not only on making finance available to the relevant stakeholders but will also provide technical support for them through NIRSAL’s N60-million-dollar technical assistance facility. “We will provide a wide range of support to improve agricultural productivity, teaching best agricul-

... More borrowing, more debt financing

Continued from P17 release what you do not have the capacity to earn. We will just end up with series of CAPEX budgets that are barely 20 per cent implemented. Who is fooling who?” As it is, the 2018 budget is all about more borrowing and more debt financing. But at what cost? Consultant with the Roifilia firm in Abuja, Dr Azuka Chukwuma, said: “Government has told us that it has been making lots of discoveries from politicians who they described as corrupt. We have enough cash already in the country; why not use it instead of borrowing. We have enough money in our foreign reserve and also some idle funds in the CBN, why not use it?

“These are clearly verifiable successes of government’s attempts to create jobs locally, improve the wealth of our rural population, improve industrial capacities and ultimately attain economic growth in Nigeria,” he noted. Emefiele who also expressed delight that the Nigerian economy had recorded positive growth after five consecutive quarters of negative growth, thereby signaling its exit from recession, noted the downward trend in headline inflation from 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to the September 2017 figure of 15.98. On the country’s foreign reserves, Emefiele noted that it had recovered significantly from about US$23 billion in October 2016 to over US$34.3 billion as at November 3, 2017. “The accretion in reserves does not only reflect increased inflow but also our shrewd FX demand management strategy,” he added, in assessing the country’s rating on the ease of doing business, he disclosed that the World Bank’s ease of doing business indicator for 2018 showed that Nigeria, with a score of 52.03, improved 24 places to rank 145 out of 190, standing above the regional average score of 50.43 recorded for sub-Saharan Africa. According to the CBN chief, barring any unforeseen shocks, Inflationary pressure will continue to ease, as he expressed the optimism that the rate may return to very low double digit or high single digit levels during the next year. He therefore, urged all stakeholders to work towards ‘creating a Nigeria, where balanced growth and shared prosperity is guaranteed for all.’

“In the CBN today, we have dividend warrants that have not been claimed, what is that amount of money doing? Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, also picked holes in the formulation of the document, blaming what he termed ‘poor consultation’ for the loopholes in the budget. In his goodwill message to round off the 2018 Appropriation Bill presentation ceremony at the joint sitting of the National Assembly, Tuesday, Dogara told President Buhari: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” Only last Tuesday, while declaring open the 2017 eNigeria Conference, organised by the National Infor-

mation Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed that the Federal Government’s leveraging on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the enforcement of Bank Verification Number (BVN) has saved the nation of N24.7 billion monthly.

“We have done a lot to transform our government, especially in the areas of strategy, policies and digital infrastructure investments. You may recall that on assumption of office, we enforced the policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA). Today, we are all witnesses to the impact it has made on our financial management.

“We have so far consolidated over 20,000 accounts, resulting into about N4.7 billion monthly savings. In addition, the policy facilitated transparency, accountability and ease of transactions and payments between government and businesses as well as government and citizens. “Another initiative leveraging on ICT and making huge impact on the economy is the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). Its implementation has helped to eliminate the menace of ghost workers, thereby reducing waste in the system by saving government over N20 billion monthly.

tural production best practices and providing effective capacity building to both farmers and Union Bank officials at our own cost. “We are doing all these to enable us to ensure maximum deployment of funds, efficient utilisation of the money and 100-per-cent recovery. It is, indeed, vital that we learn from the various schemes where finance was provided which turned out to be unsuccessful. “But with NIRSAL, we hope to get 100-per-cent recovery and, therefore, complete the cycle back to the banks,’’ he said. Abdulhameed also said that the scheme had been designed, not only to facilitate the beneficiaries’ access to finance but also to ensure that they succeeded and paid back the loan. He said that this year, NIRSAL had succeeded in getting commercial banks to devote N60 billion of their capital to finance agricultural businesses across the country. He urged deposit money banks with low lending to the agricultural sector to commit more of their funds into agriculture lending so as to boost the country’s food security. Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Union Bank Plc., Mr Emeka Emuwa, said that the initial N10-billion capital earmarked for the scheme would be expanded gradually as soon as milestones were achieved.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

BUSINESS

All On strikes first off-grid energy deal in Nigeria

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

NDEPENDENT impact investing company, All On, has made its first set of transactions for off grid electricity supply in Nigeria, deepening the country’s foreign direct investment in the sector. The step, according to a statement from the company, is aimed at facilitating increased access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy sources for low income households, SME’s, and communities. Seeded with funding from Royal Dutch Shell, All On said it works with partners to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and unserved off-grid energy markets in

Nigeria, with a special focus on the Niger Delta. CEO of All On, Dr. Wiebe Boer, said, “This initial set of transactions demonstrates our commitment to utilizing a market-based approach to making a sustainable impact in the off-grid energy sector in partnership with global and local market leaders.” “It is just the beginning of our investments towards improving access to energy in Nigeria for the tens of millions of off-grid households and SMEs across the country,” he added. The initial investments include an equity investment in Lumos Global BV, and a grant to Co-Creation Hub, to launch a challenge to engage Nigeria’s technology innovation ecosys-

tem in the access to energy space. All On has also entered into a grant agreement with Solar Nigeria, a UK Aid-funded project implemented by Adam Smith International, for the receipt of grant funding to further de-risk investments made by All On in the Solar Home System (SHS) space. The firm is also currently in the latter stages of negotiations for an equity and debt investment in Green Village Enterprises (GVE), an indigenous mini grid operator in Nigeria headquartered in Port Harcourt. Commenting on the proposed investment, Managing Director of GVE, Ifeanyi Orajaka, said: “We at GVE are excited about this relationship with All On. An investment from a world-class organisation

such as All On further validates our position as one of the leading and most innovative indigenous clean energy solutions providers in SubSaharan Africa. We are very optimistic and look forward to achieving our medium-term target of impacting 2% of Nigeria’s 180 Million population through this partnership.” On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of CCHub, Bosun Tijani, says: “The organisation is proud to partner with All On to support Nigeria’s early stage clean energy entrepreneurs. Matching our expertise identifying and supporting innovative startups with All On’s seed capital, we hope we can unearth amazing enterprises to meet the energy needs and aspirations of Nigerians.”

ers to enable a counter approach,” he said, citing the intractable delay in the budget approval process and the long procurement processes that followed as the two other major forces that deepened the recession. “No developing economy can afford the luxury

of long legislative rambling over the budget. Budgetary delay in a situation of national economic emergency and the hardship encountered by so many is simply unacceptable,” he said. The summit brought strategic stakeholders together as the inter-

acted on relevant issues of concern and develop a legal framework for economic recovery and sustainable development in Nigeria. It is expected that deliberations at the Summit will enhance the quality of legislative reforms for economic development.

AfDB commends FG’s efforts on economic recovery By JEROME USHAKANG

he African Development Bank’s (AfDB) has lauded Nigeria’s efforts at growth prospects underpinned by generally improved macroeconomic policies, low external debt, political stability, and good governance. This was the submission of the AfDB President, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina at a summit on Economic Recession to guide innovative legislative actions by the Nigeria House of Representatives and the National Assembly to return the economy to the path of growth and stability held last Tuesday at Abuja. He said that despite reports to the contrary, the AfDB is in consultation with the Government about how best to support the country’s laudable Economic and Growth Recovery Plan. “I would like to stress that the African Development Bank Group is highly encouraged by the economic recovery of Nigeria from recession, and the Bank salutes the Government’s efforts toward diversification of the economy, he added. According to him, the Bank also strongly supports the Economic and Growth Recovery Plan (ERGP) of the Government; including efforts to stem corruption and strengthen fiscal consolidation and efficiency. “We shall continue to strengthen our engagement and ties with the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He stressed that the country is the largest and most important shareholder of the African Development Bank Group, and as such AfDB commitment to Nigeria is resolute. Adesina was represented by AfDB senior Director, Ebrima Faal. In his presentation at the summit titled: ‘The Nigerian Recession - We must never Walk this Way Again,’ Nigeria’s Vice President, Yomi Osinbajo said that recession was not an option for Nigeria. “Never again should we experience the horrors of being in a state of recession. Reliance on dwindling oil revenue and unbridled, unprecedented corruption and waste were the major causes of the 2017 recession,” he said, noting that the country could have fared better going into a recession if it had had savings instead of debt. “We did not have the fiscal buff-

•From left: President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Teniola; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Chairman, Open Media Group and former EVC of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; all at the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecom Awards held in Lagos recently.

Danbatta bags ‘Telecom Man of the Year’ award By SAMSON AKINTARO

he Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta has won the Telecom Man of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecom Awards. The industry awards packaged by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) were aimed at rewarding excellence in the telecom sector with a view to encouraging innovations. At the awards presentation ceremony held in Lagos, which saw telecom players like MTN and Airtel received multiple awards, the NCC also bagged the “Consumer Initiative Project of the Year Award” and the “Regulator of the Year Award”. Speaking on the motive of the awards, ATCON President, Mr Olusola Teniola said the association took the initiative to give awards to some government institutions and telecom and IT companies that have led innovation and creativity in the last few years in order to reposition the efficiency of the industry. “This innovation has impacted positively on the products and services being rendered by all these organizations and ATCON thought the only way to encourage further innovation in the industry is to reward those who are not resting on their oars but striving to make a difference in the sector” he said. According to Teniola, to drive further investment into the sector –it is believed that the adoption of creativity and innovation would automatically lead to further investment in the sector both locally and internationally. “New innovations require further investments for its continuity and ATCON plans to use this reward system in the form of giving awards to establishments who see innovation as a key driver of the industry and are acknowledged and motivated to do more. We also decided to give the most authoritative and recognized awards to innovative and deserving individuals because our industry has contributed a lot to Nigeria’s GDP. Our thinking is that if we decide to ignore the contribution that our sector has made to the development of Nigeria by not recognizing the actors that made it possible what we are saying invariably is that we are ungrateful to their concerted efforts in changing the story of our industry by the Nigerian government. We hope with this initiative of rewarding excellence, the Nigerian government would pay more attention to our sector by removing all barriers that are militating against the growth of our industry” he said.

Diamond Bank grows profit by 71% in 9 months By VICTOR NZE iamond Bank has handed in its D Q3 2017 financial scorecard on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Ex-

change (NSE), displaying moderate growth in key financial parameters despite the lull trailing economic activity after the country exited recession. For the nine months business period, the Bank’s gross earnings jumped by 11 percent year-on-year to N168.4 billion while profit before tax surged by 71 percent to N6.7 billion. Impairment charges shrunk by 16 percent to N35.3 billion yearon-year, reflecting management’s

prudent approach to loan underwriting. Although operating costs rose by 16 percent to N54.3 billion from N46.7 billion in the corresponding period last year; this increase, according to the Bank, is due to the huge investment in technology acquisition in line with the management’s strategic set goal to continue to lead the digital revolution in driving the development and delivery of world-class financial products and services in the sub-sector. Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, stated that the Bank’s modest growth in the last three business quarters under review despite

the lull in economic activity and hazy operating environment, was the result of management’s focus on key strategic projections across the three core segments of retail, business, and corporate banking. “We are happy with the progress we have made against our technology-led retail strategy and in areas of our financial performance, but there is more to do in the remaining quarter and beyond. Specifically, we are committed to further developing our technology and operational infrastructure that allows us to scale rapidly, efficiently and cost-effectively across Nigeria”, Uzoma said. Continuing, Uzoma said: “Look-

ing ahead, we expect the Nigerian economy to further improve during the remainder of the year and into 2018. Therefore, we plan to make more financial support available to small and medium business owners and have revamped our propositions to this segment in anticipation of this. This is fully aligned to our ethos of fuelling growth across Nigeria by supporting businesses and entrepreneurship.” The Bank’s capital adequacy and liquidity ratios remained stable at 15.8 percent and 32.7 percent, which is far above the regulatory requirements of 15 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

ENERGY

IGERIA’S key oil and gas producer, ExxonMobil declared that it has pumped billions of dollars into deliberate programmes that promote local capacity growth, infrastructural development, social services and growth of indigenous content in the nation’s petroleum industry. The company also stated that it has continued to express faith in the country through massive investments in enduring petroleum industry infrastructure and, as well as audacious deep pocket funding outlay for exploration, development and sustainable accretive reserves and production growth. The company explained that the programmes which predate the prevailing Nigerian Content Development policy of the government are built into its annual operations budgets to form part of carefully thought out strategies to deliver tangible benefits of its operations in the country to the people of Nigeria, especially from host Akwa Ibom State and host communities. The Oracle Today reports that the position of the company on Nigerian Content policy might have explained the riddle about its smooth relationship and relative peace in its operations terrains despite the angry agitations that spur from neglect and deprivation in most oil producing communities in the Niger Delta. It would be recalled that the evolution of oil industry in Nigeria altered the shape of activities in the communities that host key national petroleum assets including pipelines, export terminals and sundry upstream oil and gas production facilities operated by various multinational oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Agip, and Total. These communities host a crisscross of oil production wells, flow stations, manifolds and pipelines operated by the oil firms. Rising petroleum industry activities and growing production assets mean that the host communities had to concede lands and rivers, their natural sources of livelihood, to oil companies hoping that goodwill and patronage arising main and ancillary industry activities would spur rapid infrastructural development and accelerate rise in the standard of living. For decades, however, the expectations of development for Niger Delta remained a mirage, and the people’s dreams turned to nightmares. Host community response to industry presence turned sour, and hostility gave expression to frustration. It is therefore simple to interpret the evolution of hostility to oil firms in the country as product of their failure to patronise their host communities. In response to economic impact of restiveness in the Niger Delta, government has evolved a number of measures to address host community grievances. From the creation of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Amnesty Programme and others, none has taken more structured approach to sustainable economic outreach like the Nigerian Content Policy which compels operating companies to domicile execution of industry jobs in-country. The policy which was crystallized into a legislative act in 2010 and enforced by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been criticized by

ExxonMobil finds convergence with masses ...Delivers tangible benefits to people Whereas most petroleum exploration and production companies in the country advance cost and risk as visible sacrifices for compliance to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, key multinational players, ExxonMobil altered the traditional stereotype with a declaration that the policy is not just a moral obligation but also a good business strategy. Deputy Editor SOPURUCHI ONWUKA reports. some multinational oil firms on the grounds of cost inefficiency, quality risks, dearth of skills and expertise, facility deficits et cetera. However, at the 7th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) seminar hosted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Mr. Paul McGrath, made it clear that his company considers local content not an option but a moral obligation that is also good for business. His statement which was made in a public presentation altered industry perspective, shattered public stereotype on the multinational oil companies in the country and marked the much expected convergence in government-industry position on the need deploy the huge petroleum industry budget to stimulate domestic industrial growth, drive infrastructural development and build human capacity. In providing details of the company’s inclusive orientation for the local operating environment, Mr. McGrath pointed at few numbers that strongly show that the nation’s offshore champion is not only supporting the government’s annual fiscal budget with revenue returns from over 600, 000 barrels of crude oil per day but has also, over a period of time, invested heavily in industry infrastructure and facility development, social services and infrastructure devel-

•Chairman, MD of ExxonMobil in Nigerian, Mr Paul McGrath opment and, most importantly, in developing local capacity for production of industry services and products. Pointing at ExxonMobil’s asset profile in the country, Mr. McGrath said the company’s three upstream producing organizations including Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited which operates joint venture with government through Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) which operates the deepwater Erha Field production sharing contract (PSC) for NNPC; and Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited which operates the Usan field PSC for NNPC account for about 30 percent of Nigeria’s total crude oil production with over 600,000 barrels per day (600 kbd). ExxonMobil, he , beats its chest with over 70 discovered fields the development and production of which entailed investments in acquisition of 108 offshore platforms and two offshore natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction plants. Providing conduits to hydrocarbon gas and liquids produced from almost exclusively offshore terrains are over 1500 kilometers of pipelines deployed by the company to form part of the sustainable petroleum industry infrastructure in the country.

With growing production, his figures showed, ExxonMobil has also raised and operates five export terminals that facilitate offtake of Nigerian crude oil grades for revenue exchange at the global commodity exchange markets. The company operates the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), Yoho Floating, Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel, the Bonny River Terminal (BRT), the Erha Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel, and the and Usan FPSO. In providing details of the configuration of ExxonMobil’s workforce in Nigeria, Mr. McGrath declared, with two pointed eyebrows that willed the audience to take notice of his point, that the company has a local workforce of about 2800 out of which 2688 are Nigerians, and 1120 of them from Akwa Ibom State. This is practical Nigerian content and local content jointly delivered, he pointed out. Outside the workforce, he said, ExxonMobil in Nigeria has continued to drive inclusive orientation of local stakeholders through workforce development, s u p plier development and community investments which, according to him, for the key elements that define the company’s National Content Strategy. He said the key elements also form the principles that guide the company’s Nigerian content imple-

mentation strategies. The principles, according to him, include incorporation of Nigerian content development into ExxonMobil’s businesses and projects, collaboration with stakeholders on Nigerian content implementation, integration of the Nigerian content principle in the company’s systems and processes, and adoption of systematic approach to secure sustainable long-term benefits. With 96 percent Nigerian workforce, Mr McGrath stated that ExxonMobil has committed to sustainable workforce capacity development through deliberate programmes that include the eestablished the Eket Technical Training Centre where, according to him, over 700 City & Guilds Full Technician certified graduates have been produced. He added that over 90 of the graduates from the center have been employed NNPC/MPN joint venture. Also on capacity development, Mr McGrath stated that ExxonMobil in Nigeria has also mapped out strategies programmes for local research and development capacity in which local contractors are integrated into field studies and seismic processing. He said about eight indigenous companies including the Integrated Data Services Limited, the oilfield services arm of NNPC, have benefited from the programme. He added that ExxonMobil is also in engineering service agreements with DeltaAfrik and National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), a subsidiary of NNPC, for development of incountry engineering capabilities. On a more sustainable platform, he said ExxonMobil has since 2007 invested over N1.45 billion on University Assistance/Partnering Program (UAP/UPP) to equip geoscience workrooms with facilities and software that would enhance geoscience skills in 17 Nigerian Universities. He said that over 50 lecturers have so far benefitted from the training. Beyond the UAP/UPP, ExxonMobil has also spent over one billion Naira on postgraduate scholarships, provided over 300 internship positions annually and enhanced the experience of Nigerian workforce through global work assignments. To ensure the retention of its huge annual operations spend for the patronage of local businesses and stimulate growth of local capacity for production and supply of industry needs, ExxonMobil has also taken the responsibility to assist indigenous companies earn petroleum industry patronage. Under its Supplier Development programme, ExxonMobil has made immense contributions towards developing in-country fabrication capacity through its Erha North Phase 2 (ENP2) project. The company selected Nigerdock and Aveon for local fabrication and production of 5641 metric tons of fabrication for the FPSO sub-structure/subsea production structures. It also tapped METEC, Nigeria for 39 metric tons of sacrificial anodes for in-country production. In its Satellite Fields Development 1 & 2 Projects, ExxonMobil also patronized Nigerdock & Dorman Long/Grinaker for full incountry engineering of three wellhead platforms. Besides the opportunity it pro-

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

ENERGY

Marketers spend N1.6 trn on fuel import lightering Stories by Sopuruchi Onwuka

LAYERS in the Nigerian petroleum fuel mart has spent over N1.6 trillion on tranfering their products from import mother vessels to shallow water jetties at the country’s major quays . Group Chief Executive Officer if Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu who spoke at the commissioning of a midstream import jetty developed by his company said marketers have in the country have spent approximately N1.6 trillion ($4.5 billion) over the past 30 years on lightering, explaining that 90 percent or N1.44 trillion of the total spend patronized foreign vessels. Oando stated that the jetty is designed to eliminate the challenges that erode marketers’ profit and escalate importation costs and spur hikes in local pump prices. Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maitanki Baru said, “Nigeria currently has 127 jetties which have proven insufficient to service the needs of the populace. This insufficiency has led to major fuel importers discharging their products outside the shores of Nigeria, specifically at the ports in Cotonou, Benin, Niger Republic and Lome, Togo. “I believe the Lagos Midstream Jetty is about to change this. We are set to witness a boost in the delivery of petroleum products to terminals around the Apapa axis and the nation at large. The jetty will effectively complement the efforts and output of existing jetties and invariably increase the number of vessel turnovers.” He added that the Lagos Midstream Jetty is an encouraging example of Public Private Partnerships and proof that both the private and public sector have come to the realisation that infrastructural development is a shared responsibility requiring collective leadership, learning and innovation. The Oracle Today reports that import charges a key template in the determination of local retail prices for imported petroleum products. It is expected that the midstream jetty will increase vessel delivery capacity and off-loading efficiency of petroleum products to marketers whilst eliminating lightering and demurrage charges.

...N1.44 trn paid to foreign firms The new facility, according to Oando, would save Nigeria’s downstream sector some $50 million (N18.1 billion) as a result of increased receipt capacity, efficiency in product discharge and reduced vessel waiting time, ultimately eliminating demurrage and lightering requirements. Mr Tinubu said the Lagos Midstream Jetty now owned by OVH consortium was conceived by Oando as an innovative industry solution to the perennial challenges marketers faced in the importation of petroleum products. “Today we have delivered a first class piece of engineering that meets global standards, is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and will be of invaluable benefit to the industry and nation at large. I must thank our regulators, bankers and contractors who believed in us from the start. “It is a proud moment for Oando PLC who

conceived the idea and OVH who have taken up this mantle. From conception to realization, the idea of the Lagos Midstream Jetty is now a reality and is indeed another infrastructural success for us, our nation and the continent,” he said Tinubu explained that marketers consistently face the very expensive discharge of products into Apapa ports which erodes their profits. Sometimes it cost oil marketers an average of $900,000 to discharge petroleum products, more than it costs to ship a cargo of products from Europe. The General Manager of ASPM Limited, a subsidiary OVH Energy, Mr. Deji Osikoya, said the Lagos Midstream Jetty is an innovative infrastructure investment designed to radically transform the efficiency of Nigeria’s downstream landscape and boost Nigerian’s petroleum downstream economics.

Nigeria’s oil output plunges by 60 kbd OPEC production (in million b/d) Member October Change September August Algeria 1.00 -0.03 1.03 1.05 Angola 1.71 0.07 1.64 1.67 Ecuador 0.53 0.00 0.53 0.53 E/Guinea 0.14 0.02 0.12 0.12 Gabon 0.20 0.00 0.20 0.19 Iran 3.81 -0.02 3.83 3.83 Iraq 4.38 -0.12 4.50 4.46 Kuwait 2.70 0.00 2.70 2.70 Libya 0.98 0.07 0.91 0.83 Nigeria 1.78 -0.06 1.84 1.86 Qatar 0.60 -0.01 0.61 0.61 Saudi Arabia 10.02 0.02 10.00 10.01 UAE 2.89 0.00 2.89 2.89 Venezuela 1.83 -0.03 1.86 1.90 Total 32.57 -0.09 32.66 32.65

Petrobras puts Nigerian deepwater stakes on sale B

razilian national oil company with financial interests in four deepwater assets in Nigeria, Petroleo Brasiliero (Petrobras), has put its entire business interests in the country on sale in a visible move to exit the country. The company announced that it was getting rid of its Nigerian subsidiary as part of a massive divestment program. In a statement Petrobras said that the Nigerian subsidiary, Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (POGBV), was being fully sold. Petrobras owns 50% of it, BTG Pactual E&P B.V. holds 40%, and Helios Investment Partners owns the remaining 10%. The Nigerian subsidiary participates in that Totaloperated Akpo and Agbami fields, which produce roughly 368,000 bpd. The announcement comes as on the fields, the total Operated Egina deepwater field which is under development approaches commissioning with the hulk of the floating production vessel sailing home for Africa’s first ever local facility integration of such magnitude. Petrobras would be the second non-operating company with sizeable asset to flee Nigeria s fiscal uncertainties becloud the country’s investment climate. American ConocoPhillips had earlier sold off all its business interests and left the country. The Oracle Today reports that Petrobras is divesting its equity interests in Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (POGBV), a joint venture with BTG Pactual E&P and Helios Investment Partners. POGBV has stakes in Nigeria’s deepwater producing Akpo and Agbami oil fields; the current Egina development, where first production is expected in late 2018; and the Preowei discovery, currently undergoing appraisal. The joint venture company’s share of reserves from these fields is around 204 MMbbl, with current production of 48,000 b/d, due to rise to around 75,000 b/d in 2019. The Akpo, and Egina deepwater projects in Nigeria are operated by Total while the Agbami is operated by Chevron. However, while Petrobras might exit its partnership with Total in Nigeria, the two companies have chances of another business in Brazil where a farm in deal appears in the horizon. Petrobras reported the suspension by the President of Brazil’s Federal Regional Court for the 5th Region of an earlier injunction that sought to hold up a transaction with Brazil in the presalt Santos basin. This concerned the agreed transfer of 22.5% of Petrobras’ stake in the Iara area and of 35% of its stake in the Lapa field to Total.

ExxonMobil finds convergence with masses vided with the contracts, ExxonMobil also took the challenge of providing a $12 million funding for expansion of Aveon Offshore, Nigerdock, and Dorman Long Engineering (Lagos) fabrication yards. The company, according to Mr McGrath, is also providing support to De Grills Integrated Services Ltd. to build fabrication yard capability. In enhancing in-country line pipe manufacturing capacity, ExxonMobil became the first oil multinational, in fact the first operating company in the country, to work with SCC Pipe Mill, Abuja with the procurement of 30 kilometers of double submerged arc weld helical (DSAWH) line pipes. The order from ExxonMobil and subsequent funding assisted in upgrading the facilities of the SCC Pipe Mills to deliver on the order and also stimulate subsisting capacity development for Made-inNigeria line pipes. The funding support to SCC Pipe Mills grow its capacity for industry orders is only a fraction the results of ExxonMobil’s commitment to facilitating local companies access to funding through the highly acclaimed ExxonMobil Contractor Finance Scheme (EMCFS) with 12

Nigerian banks from where $113 million have been accessed by local industry suppliers so far. The banks themselves formed the route for ExxonMobil’s intervention in the Nigerian money market where it has also demonstrated compliance with the local content policy with operated production project financing in which it provided patronage of over $975 million to a consortium of Nigerian. Still under its supplier development programme, Mr McGrath declared that ExxonMobil Foundation partnered with We Connect International to train 500 women entrepreneurs on “Doing Business with Multinational Companies” yearly. He said 150 women from Akwa Ibom formed part of about 400 trained in 2017. According to him, 159 women were taken from Bonny, while 104 were taken from Lagos State. He firmly promised that more women from other locations in Nigeria would be sponsored in the programme. According to Mr McGrath, ExxonMobil worked with We Connect and its partners to sponsor and mentor over 250 women entrepreneurs to the 2017 WIM Conference, implemented internal strategy to promote WBE, increased opportu-

nity for participation in bid events, facilitated women to work as subcontractors to ExxonMobil major suppliers, and focused on key areas of base strength. With the We Connect partnership, Mr McGrath stated that ExxonMobil has patronized women owned businesses with $23 million in 2016, increased women business participation in the oil and gas sector, attracted more competitive suppliers through strategic collaboration with eight new Contract awards in 2017. Besides deliberately patronizing indigenous local businesses with its operations funds, ExxonMobil is driving development of its local communities as part of its corporate social responsibility programmes. Mr McGrath stated in Uyo that it has spent over $130 million (N46.8 billion) on community investments in the past 10 years, adding that the projects were need specific with 80 percent of them nominated and executed by communities in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States respectively. Mr. McGrath added that ExxonMobil made 30 percent contribution to rehabilitation of Eket-Ibeno Road which was delivered in con-

junction with the state government. In explaining the company’s contribution towards provision of education to youth’s in the country, Mr McGrath said ExxonMobil has spent over N4.0 billion in undergraduate scholarship to Nigerian students over the last two decades; with over 50 percent awarded to students from Akwa Ibom He added that the company has also spent over N57 million on NNPC/JV secondary school scholarships targeting Akwa Ibom indigenes. He also pointed at the company’s Graduate Assistance Programme through which it trained and empowered 750 unemployed graduates in Akwa Ibom state to be employable and possibly become self employed. In the last two decades, he said, ExxonMobil has enhanced community health by incentivizing health workers to support local communities and sustaining subvention to the VVF Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Mr McGrath said ExxonMobil plans construction of Trauma Center in Uyo, Faculty of Engineering block in the University of Uyo, and restoration of Ibeno Beach near Eket all in Akwa Ibom State.

Outside Akwa Ibom State, he said, ExxonMobil also plans Waste to Wealth empowerment project in Yola ; Oluponna Fish Farming Educational Resource Centre, Osun State; and Solar systems for IDPs in the country. According to Mr McGrath, ExxonMobil sees Nigerian Content Development beyond mandatory regulatory pass mark. He emphasized that local content implementation strategies must deliver benefits to the people through deliberate strategies for development of relevant infrastructural and human capital capacity that would trap down significant petroleum industry budget for dissolution into patronage of local goods and services. He concluded: “National Content (NC) is a coordinated, focused and sustainable approach to developing human, social and economic capacity – with tangible results for people, communities, and businesses in host countries” He pointed out that ExxonMobil had adopted the principles of Nigerian Content Development in its operations strategies long before the law was enacted, adding that the company sees the strategy as healthy for its business.

The Oracle Today

Wednesday November 22, 2017

e-Platform

Nigerian Govts yet to appreciate economic value of broadband – Stakeholders Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

TAKEHOLDERS In the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry are wary of government’s attitude towards deepening broadband penetration in the country. According to them, from the federal government to the 36 state governments in the country, there is obvious lack of understanding of the huge economic benefits inherent in broadband; hence, they (the governments) consider it as a project meant for the ICT industry alone and which the industry regulator alone should be responsible for. The stakeholders comprising players in the telecom industry and the regulators spoke at a Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos. Speaking against the backdrop of low broadband penetration and the challenges confronting operators in deploying the needed infrastructure to enhance access, Mr Ibrahim Dikko, Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs at 9Mobile, said despite the existence of a national Broadband Plan (NBP), with a target of 30 per cent penetration by 2018, the federal and state governments have not done anything to make this target realizable. “The real challenge we are facing in this country is that those in governments are not seeing the NBP as a national project, rather, they see it as an industry thing to be done by the regulator”. Dikko lamented that rather than offering solution to accelerate the roll out of broadband infrastructure across the country, most state governments are compounding the problem by introducing new taxes while the process of obtaining Right of Ways

...We are talking to them, says NCC

•From left: Mr Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO Medallion Communications; Engr. Bako Wakil Deputy Director Technical Standards and Network Integrity, NCC; Mr Olusola Teniola, ATCON President; Mr Osondu Nwokoro, Director, External Affairs, Ntel; and Mr Ibrahim Dikko, Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, 9Mobile, all at the Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum held in Lagos. remain as cumbersome as ever. In the same manner, Mr Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO Medallion Communications, said most state governments don’t reall know the importance of broadband and the huge economic benefits their states are bound to derive from its availability, which is why they have continued to see ICT companies as companies coming to their states to make money. Also speaking, Mr Osondu Nwokoro, Director, External Affairs at Ntel, expressed worry that there is no synergy between various arms of governments in the country to give a clear direction to the realization of the broadband target. Corroborating other speakers, the President of ATCON, Mr Olusola Teniola, said all the drive and push for broadband has only come from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which means the government does not see it as a national project. Meanwhile, the Executive Vice

Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the Commission has begun to engage the various arms of government including the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to get their buy-in into the broadband project, especially in the area of Right of Ways and multiple taxation. Danbatta who was represented at the forum by Engr. Bako Wakil Deputy Director Technical Standards and Network Integrity at NCC, said though Broadband penetration in the country is presently at about 21 per cent, the Commission has introduced a lot of initiatives to ensure that the 30 per cent target is met by 2018. Part of the initiatives, according to the EVC, was the meeting with the NG and NEC to facilitate speedy granting of permits and harmonization of taxes. Just recently, an advocacy group, Broadband 2018 Coalition, expressed worry about the slow rollout of broadband infrastructure across Nigeria with a call on the

to grow at four percent CAGR between 2017 and 2023, from 1.59 billion in 2017 to 2.03 billion by 2023. This equates to three percent growth in the Middle East and North Africa, from 890 million mobile subscriptions to 1.04 billion subscriptions between 2017 and 2023. On the other hand, mobile broadband subscriptions are forecast to grow by 15 per cent for the MEA region from 820 million in 2017 to 1.85 billion by 2023. This is broken down into a 13 percent increase for the Middle East and North Africa from 460 million mobile broadband subscriptions

in 2017 to 980 million by 2023. Similarly, Sub-Saharan Africa mobile broadband subscriptions are forecasted to grow by 16 percent from 350 million in 2017 to 880 million by 2023. On LTE subscriptions, the MEA region is expected to grow by 29 percent from 190 million to 860 million by 2023. This means that LTE subscriptions in the Middle East and North Africa will grow by 23 percent from 160 million in 2017 to 570 million by 2023. For the Sub-Saharan Africa region, LTE subscriptions will expand by 47 percent from 30 million in 2017 to 310 million by 2023. Rafiah Ibrahim, Head of Erics-

Federal Government to expedite the implementation of the country’s five year broadband plan that was developed and submitted by the presidential committee on broadband in 2013. The group in a statement said broadband has played an outsized role in transforming societies and economic opportunities across the world, facilitating education and knowledge dissemination, enabling trade and commerce and contributing to growing entrepreneurship across the world. The Coalition is urging that the five-year National Broadband Plan (2013-2018) should be diligently implemented to spur economic growth and help Nigeria prepare for a post-oil economy. The group quoted the Minister, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Mr. Bolaji Akinremi, who had said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is key to Nigeria’s quest towards attaining a sustainable

development by 2030 when he delivered Nigeria’s statement on ‘ICT for Development’ at the UN General Assembly. The group also noted that Nigeria has declined on the broadband adoption and internet use index: Affordability Drivers Index (ADI), ranking 13th place (out of 58 countries surveyed) from 12th place ranking Nigeria earned in the 2015-16 Index in the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4aI) 2017 report. The Coalition expressed concern at this decline, reiterating the fact that every 10 per cent increase in broadband growth in developing countries, results in a commensurate increase of 1.3 per cent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and stressed the criticality now that Nigeria is trying to come out of a recession. The group is raising concerns about the implementation status of the National Broadband Plan and wondering why the government has provided no updates on their plans.

Africa’s 4G connections to hit 310m by 2023

ATEST Ericsson Mobility Report forecasts that LTE subscriptions will expand by 47 percent from 30 million in 2017 to 310 million by 2023 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report also announces that mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa are expected to grow by six percent, between 2017 and 2023, from 700 million mobile subscriptions in 2017 to 990 million subscriptions by 2023. Moreover, mobile traffic in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49 percent while mobile subscriptions for the total MEA region are expected

son Middle East and Africa, said: “Total mobile traffic for the region is forecasted to grow by around 49 percent annually between 2017 and 2023. This rapid growth is seeing operators increasingly exploring methods of optimizing their networks with more capacity and coverage. We are supporting operators across the region throughout the different phases of the network evolution, enabling best performing networks and differentiated customer experience.”

The Oracle Today

Wednesday November 22, 2017

e-Platform Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

he World Bank Group launched XL Africa, a five-month business acceleration program designed to support the 20 most promising digital startups from Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the group, start-ups will receive mentoring from global and local experts, learn through a tailor-made curriculum, increase their regional visibility, and get access to potential corporate partners and investors. With support from prominent African investment groups, XL Africa will help the 20 selected startups attract early stage capital between $250,000 and $1.5 million. “Digital start-ups are important drivers of innovation in Africa,” said Makhtar Diop, Vice President for the Africa Region at the World Bank. “To scale and spread new technologies and services beyond borders, they need an integrated ecosystem that provides access to regional markets and global finance; pan-African initiatives like XL Africa play a critical role by linking local start-ups with corporations and investors across the continent.” The program is coming at a time of increasing interest in the African digital sector. According to a recent report by Disrupt Africa, in 2016, the number of tech start-ups that secured funding increased by 16.8 per cent compared to 2015. “XL Africa aims to put a spotlight on the continent’s growing digital economy by scouting for and supporting the most innovative tech start-ups,” said Klaus Tilmes, Director of the Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice at the World Bank Group. “The success of these ventures will create a demonstration effect that can attract much-needed growth investment in the sector and catalyze scaling of transnational businesses in the region.” The program’s flagship activity includes a two-week residency in Cape Town, South Africa, where the ventures will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from their mentors, peers, and local partners. The Cape Town residency will conclude with the Venture Showcase, a regional event in which the entrepreneurs will present their business models to a select audience of corporations and investors.

Google to train African startups in Lagos

•Makhtar Diop World Bank Vice President for Africa

World Bank unveils programme to support African digital innovators

“The program’s unique combination of targeted mentorship and access to investors represents a vital resource for digital ventures ready to grow,” said Lexi Novitske, Principal Investment Officer for Singularity Investments, a venture group based in Lagos, Nigeria. “By con-

necting innovative business ideas with the knowledge and resources available in the ecosystem, XL Africa will create a pipeline of investment-ready companies, unlocking better investment opportunities for regional and global investors.”

Firm to provide Wi-Fi to rural African communities K onnect Africa, the Eutelsat-owned satellite broadband service provider, has unveiled SmartWIFI, a new hotspot service, as part of its ongoing commitment to bring digital opportunities to Africans. This new service leverages Konnect Africa’s powerful, reliable satellite broadband network to enable sales outlets (retailers, hospitalities, gas stations, etc.) as well as healthcare centres or schools to become a connectivity point and digital gateway to opportunity for the surrounding population. Users will be able to access the internet from a distance of several hundred metres around the hotspot. Access can be extended to several kilometres through off-the-shelf Wi-Fi repeaters. According to the company, users can access the SmartWIFI service through vouchers or mobile payment schemes. “In addition, SmartWIFI comes with a unique local data storage system, enabling users in remote areas to access smart digital content free of data charges, including online courses and education programmes, sports and entertainment. Mobile and computer applications will also be available to help support daily business activities.” Speaking on the service, Konnect Africa CEO, Laurent Grimaldi, said: “This new Wi-Fi hotspot solution is designed specifically to address the needs of the

majority of the African population that lives in rural areas, where there is a need to reduce the digital divide. In leveraging the ubiquity of our satellite network and locally operated hotspots we will foster more productive uses of digital technology to make everyday tasks easier for individuals and allow businesses in more remote areas to expand their footprint – let’s just think of weather apps to assist farmers, mobile phones to display

bus timetables, or better information on market days that can help small producers enlarge their catchment area”, he added. He disclosed that SmartWIFI will be available in all countries covered by Konnect Africa’s satellite broadband service. The new hotspot service will be deployed in partnership with local Internet service providers and telecom operators in strategic areas across Sub-Saharan Africa.

oogle has announced the introduction of Launchpad Accelerator, a programme aimed at boosting information technology (IT) entreprenuership in Africa. Chief Executive Officer of Google, Sundar Pichai, said in a statement that the new hands-on comprehensive mentorship programme was tailored exclusively to IT startups based in Africa. “This new development is in line with the commitment Google made to support African entrepreneurs earlier this year. “Building on the success of Google’s global Launchpad Accelerator programme, this initiative will operate from a new Google Launchpad Space in Lagos (the first onsite location for the programme outside the US). “It will provide African startups with over $3-million in equity-free support, working space and access to expert advisers from Google, Silicon Valley, and Africa over the next three years. “Participants will also receive travel and public relations support during the three-month programme,” he said. Pichai added that the first application period was now open through Dec. 11, 6pm (GMT) and the first class would start in early 2018. More classes would be hosted in 2018 and beyond, he said. According to him, applicants for the IY training programme would have to be a technology startup, be based in Sub-Saharan Africa and target the African market and have already raised seed funding. He said that Google would additionally consider the problem the startup was trying to solve, how does it create value for users? How it would address a real challenge for ones home city, country or Africa broadly? He equally asked if the startup would share what was learnt in Silicon Valley for the benefit of other startups in the local ecosystem? Also Mr Andy Volk, Google Sub-Saharan Africa Ecosystem Regional Manager, said that anyone who spends time in the African technology space know that the continent was home to some exciting innovations. “Over the years, Google has worked with some incredible startups across Africa, tackling everything from healthcare, education, streamlining e-commerce to improving the food supply chain. “We very much look forward to welcoming the first cohort of innovators for Launchpad Africa and continue to work together to drive innovation in the African market,” he said.

Insurance to equip practitioners with technology skills

nsuranceMarket, an insurance industry focused technology company, has announced the commencement of a series of training program for insurance practitioners in Nigeria on e-Insurance. The training is a follow-up to the successful hosting of the maiden edition of the e-Insurance conference and the clamour by a number of people in the insurance industry for a deeper understanding of the application of e-Insurance to insurance business growth. Announcing the kick-off of the training in Lagos, the Executive Chairman of Insurance Market, Engr. Lanre Ajayi said the training workshop is focused on an aspect of e-Insurance that enables the use of Information Technology for the creation, promotion and marketing of Insurance Products. According to Ajayi, at the end of the training, participants are expected to acquire the skills to migrate their operations online. He said that the training will equip them with the capacity to create and enlist Insurance products online, integrate various e-Payment gateways, including credit/ debit cards, drive traffic to their products and grow sales through adoption affiliate program and promotional programs, like discount codes and coupons. Ajayi further said that the training, which is targeted at all staff of insurance companies, particularly staff from Underwriting, Marketing, Risk management, IT departments will enable them master how to market their company’s insurance products through digital channels like social media, email marketing and blogs. He also said participating insurance companies would be offered free enrollment on InsuranceMarket.ng, an online insurance products trading platform, where products from various companies are made available to the buying public.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

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EDITORIAL T

Police, our police

HE question is more about what to do with our police since we cannot do without the police. Daily, the concerns grow as the public watches the police unable to protect it, or even protect themselves. Most of the time, police responses to criticisms come in form of explanation, even justification, of what is obviously a display of ineptitude on their part. SPASMODIC reactions of the police cannot be accepted as a strategy for attaining meaningful policing. The apoplectics of these reactions are more unforgivable. Four days after two Americans, who were arriving in Lagos, were robbed in Lagos traffic, police swung into action. They arrested 30 people whom they have charged them to court. The police are working, aren’t they? WHEN the news of the robbery broke, the police could have been embarrassed that foreigners were involved. The arrest of the 30 suspects approximates to fulfilling the promise to arrest the suspect. Suddenly, police presence in the area has increased. Police absence in the area would return in a matter of days. It would take another attack on important people for the police to wake up from its self-imposed slumber. ANYWHERE there is a traffic jam becomes the scene of a robbery, especially in Lagos. The time of the day is not an important consideration for the robbers. Constructions around Oshodi slow down traffic. The robbers know this very well, and they take advantage. THE police have advised people to take alternative routes. What happens when attacks occur on those routes? Do the police study crime patterns? Why are they always taken by surprise when things happen? Have they noticed that the trend is for increase in crimes towards the end of the

year? ALL that the police need to do is to read the newspapers from October any year. Without the dates and a few differences in details, reports about crimes all over the country are about the same. Have the police learnt about that? The situation is not peculiar to Lagos. The difference is that higher media presence means that crimes may get more media attention in Lagos. COMPLAINTS are always on the increase about the under-funding of the police. Poor training, outdated and inadequate equipment, pay welfare and their low numbers are among the reasons for poor policing. There also issues of the structure of the police which take orders from Abuja, and not the governor. IT would seem that crimes have outgrown the capacity, including willingness, of the police to do anything about them. Intelligence, which is key to the work of the police, is rarely mentioned when discussing the failings of the police. LAGOS State Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimi talks more about traffic management than crime management. He visited Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) with a long list of how to ease traffic at the danger spots to quell the attacks. He intends to deploy 6,000 supernumerary (SPY) police to assist in traffic management. THE issue is crime. If Lagos State remains an example, the deficiencies of current policing would be obvious. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), annually contributes to the funding of the police. It donates boats, helicopters, vehicles and, last month, donated 120 generating sets to Lagos’ 107 divisions and 13 commands. EXPENDITURES like these are not reflected in the quality of policing of expected from the police. The Commissioner of Police’s promise to cut down crimes by 30 per cent in two months seems a mirage. Crimes appear to be on the rise. The police act only when important members of society are affected. The capacity to act for the common good has deserted the police. In August this year, the National Bureau of Statistics, in conjunction with a UN agency conducted a poll that rated the police the most corrupt institution in Nigeria. The judiciary was second. What a combination! The police promptly denied the report, stating that the claims were not empirically proven. THE police are equally in denial of the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI), which ranked the police the worst of the 127 such agencies it studied. Nigeria was 127th, though the study excluded countries where there were conflicts or inadequate data. The International Police Science Association, (IPSA), prepared the report. IT is not a consolation that “SubSaharan Africa is home to seven of the 10 worst performing countries, with Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Uganda all being ranked in the bottom five. These four countries performed poorly across all four domains”. While “Sub-Saharan African countries have police officer, armed forces, and private security rates well below the global average,” they also have “average prison occupancy rate of 166 per

cent, well above the global average.” MORE condemnations of the police follow: “Nigeria was the worst performing country on the WISPI, with a score of 0.255. Nigeria scored poorly across all four domains, and had the worst score of any country in the Index on the process and outcomes domains. All of its domain scores were in the bottom 10 countries. Nigeria had an average sized police force, and a relatively small military and private security sector. However, while Nigeria’s prison occupancy rate was about 100 per cent, it was still below the Index average of 133 per cent, and significantly lower than the regional average of 168 per cent. “POLICE and judicial system effectiveness is a serious issue in Nigeria. General corruption was high, according to the Control of Corruption indicator, and 81 per cent of Nigerian respondents to the Global Corruption Barometer admitted to paying a bribe to a police officer in the last year.” IF these do not worry anyone, the waning confidence in the police should cause some worries. “Only 0.06 per cent of thefts were reported to police. Unsurprisingly, the Rule of Law index found that military and police officials are likely to use their public positions for private gain, the report said. People seem to report incident to police, where the reports were requirements to obtain other services, otherwise they would carry on with their lives. TYPICALLY, the tendency would be to treat these matters if they affect the police and not Nigerians. The police are ours. Nigerians suffer the consequences of the failure of the police, a central institution for peace, security, and creation of favourable economic climate. It is not up to the police to care themselves of their obvious inadequacies which militate against their ability to serve the public. AN over-hauling of the police to make them effective, efficient, and able to secure Nigeria, is overdue. It is no longer a matter for claims and counter claims. WITHOUT changes in structures, functions, forms of the police, every resource allocated to them would be wasted, and cannot improve their efficiency. The billions of Naira governments, organisations and individual invest in the police would remain wastes and sources of further frustrations.

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

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

OPINION Arthur Nzeribe: Celebrating the Nostradamus of Nigeria’s politics @ 79 (1) By COLLINS UGHALAA

or those who have chosen to cast themselves in the mould of detractors of the legendary politician, community leader, statesman and consummate investor, the Nostradamus of Nigeria’s politics, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, Damamnze, Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Oyimba, there is something they cannot take away from him. That is that Ogbuagu is the shield, armour and defender of his people. He does not deny the fact of his origin as an Igbo man but flaunts his Igbo identity anywhere and anytime. He could do anything or offend anyone in the defence of his Igbo people and the Igbo nation, without apologies. For the sake of his people and to prove that the Igbo nation is a vital component of the country called Nigeria and therefore should not be treated as inconsequential, he singlehandedly formed the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), and went to court and got favourable judgment that forced the President Ibrahim Babangida-led military government to cancel the June 12 presidential election. The background to this action was a purported careless comment by then presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the late Chief MKO Abiola who was quoted as saying he could win his presidential election without the Igbo votes. Ensuring that the June 12, 1993 presidential election was cancelled is perhaps the greatest service Chief Arthur Nzeribe has rendered to the Igbo people. His belief that Ndigbo must be in the mainstream of Nigeria politics is never negotiable, and he does not regret taking any action to preserve the integrity of

the Igbo nation. To him, a situation where the President, Vice President and Party National Chairman were shared to the exclusion of the Igbo was highly unacceptable. What Chief MKO gave to the Igbo was just the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which Chief Nzeribe considered not good enough for his Igbo people or not commensurate to the efforts of the Igbo people in birthing the expected new government. The Igbo people have a popular saying that it is only a coward that would hear gunshot at the entrance to his father’s house and run for cover. Thus, Chief Nzeribe had led a delegation of notable Igbo leaders to have frank talks with Chief MKO on how his Igbo people would stand in the expected new democratic dispensation. But, Chief MKO chose to behave as if the Igbo people did not matter as he handed them a second class status in their own country, by claiming that Igbo votes were inconsequential to his emergence as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This unacceptable arrogance forced down the sledgehammer from Ogbuagu Nzeribe. And the rest is history. Though he would later come to Ogbuagu’s mansion in Oguta, the revered Haven of Peace, for peace talks, the deed had been done. It was one second too late. No matter how some people may twist this story to mean that Chief Nzeribe midwifed the abortion of the MKO Abiola’s envisaged presidency that would have taken Nigeria to Eldorado, the fact remains that by his actions, Nzeribe displayed unmatchable selflessness for the overall interest of his Igbo people. This too is in keeping with the Igbo saying that no one insults my mother in my

presence and goes scot-free. Again, the Igbo believe that “any market that will not accommodate my mother will not hold”. What sort of Eldora could happen to the exclusion of the Igbo? If we cannot be part of it, it is better it never happened. Chief Nzeribe’s comfort means nothing to him if his people are in discomfort. He would quickly sacrifice his comfort zone whenever anyone, no matter how highly placed, looks down on his people. For example, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo chose to dictate who became Senate President and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), painting the false picture that the Igbo people were unfit for such high leadership, it was Senator Arthur Nzeribe who stood in the gap and questioned him. He even went ahead to move for his impeachment on the floor of the Senate. Though the impeachment never worked and Chief Nzeribe was tongue-lashed, his actions did not go for nothing as the Igbo people got stable tenures for Senate President afterwards. The news about banana peals ended too. As the Nostradamus of Nigeria’s politics, it was Chief Nzeribe who came with what is now commonly known as restructuring. In his strong belief in equity and fairness, he moved for the creation of additional state from the Southeast, not minding that it was at a time the Igbo people were practically not interested in additional state, or the sixth state. Chief Nzeribe’s proposition for the sixth state also included creating Urashi State. This new state was proposed to comprise the minority people of Urashi who were forced

into Rivers State by the military government, parts of Imo and Anambra States, bringing together about 13 local governments of kit and kin, with abundant natural resources. Although, Nzeribe’s quest for the sixth state in the Southeast did not end in the creation of such a state for some political reasons, the whole of the Southeast is now more aware of the need for that sixth state and the demand for it has reached a deafening crescendo, to the point that it was a major issue in the 2014 national conference whose report is yet to be implemented. As a democrat, Chief Nzeribe believes in negotiations. It was for the sake of producing a stronger platform for more meaningful negotiations in the overall interest of his people that he started an initiative aimed at getting the South East and South South to work together and form a formidable front for better negotiations with other parts of the country. To give life to this idea, Chief Nzeribe created the CARIA Movement, comprising Cross River, Abia, Rivers, Imo and Anambra States. Today, this spirit lives on as the governors of the Southeast and South South have found the need to form a forum, speak with one voice and address issues of common interest. The governors met in Owerri last month and would meet again in November in AkwaIbom State. When the success story is told about this new-found regional cooperation, I am sure the governors of the two zones would write Chief Nzeribe’s name in gold.

•Ughalaa is Imo State Bureau Chief of the Oracle Today and wrote in from Owerri.

Atiku’s viable path to 2019 presidential contest By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

he calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, “to pick its ticket” to contest for the office of the President in 2019, are getting uproarious by the day. The urgent solicitation is buoyed by Atiku’s recent lamentation of being marginalised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he and other PDP chieftains helped, with their defections, to nurture into a formidable opposition party. In an interview on the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA), Atiku said: “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved. “But sadly, soon after the formation of government, I was sidelined. I have no any relationship with the government; I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they’re but three years down the line, this is where we are.” This fuelled speculations that he was on his way out of the APC. Indeed, in late September, while defecting to the PDP along with his alleged “over 20,000 supporters across Kano,” a former member of the House of Representatives, Bala Baiko, said that Atiku was going back to the PDP, as “all the plans have been concluded.” That claim was never refuted. Since then, Atiku’s return to his “original base” has become a battle cry for the hierarchy of the PDP, his supporters, allies, admirers and sympathisers across the states, the latest coming from the party’s chapter of his homestead of Adamawa, led by the state chairman, Shehu Tahir. Urging stakeholders to prevail on the Wazirin Adamawa and others to reconsider their

decision and return to the party, Tahir said: “It is not a wise decision for Atiku to abandon the house he helped to build; so, we want him back because the party needs him now to continue from where he stopped.” Interestingly, these callers are dangling the PDP presidential ticket as a bait for Atiku’s return to the party, notwithstanding that the former vice president left for the APC in hunt for the elusive ticket, and thus swelled the membership of the fledgling APC to cruise to victory in the 2015 general elections. However, of the many members angling for his return to the PDP, only Senator Walid Jibrin, chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, has the temerity to tell Atiku the home truth: There’s no automatic presidential ticket for him. Atiku’s likelihood of securing the ticket at the primaries is remote, given the power play among the heavyweights that recently pulled the PDP from the edge of the precipice, while he stood aloof. Thus, he cannot be a major beneficiary of the titanic struggle unless, of course, he was working behind the scenes to resolve the party’s factional crisis that ended at the Supreme Court. In that case, he will have to do battle with “PDP constants.” First and foremost is Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna State, who was the face of the majority faction of a divided PDP, and who claimed the trophy of Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, ahead of the December national convention. Next is Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Governor of Jigawa State, who has declared his aspiration for the presidency. To polity watchers, the above synopsis boils down to Atiku wanting to reap where he did not sow, even though those clamouring for his return to the PDP always justify their stand on his being a foundation member of

the party, which, truly, he contributed to its founding, and became the pioneer vice president of the administration it formed in 1999. But recall that before the expiration of his second term as vice president, Atiku, in 2006, defected from the PDP to the opposition Action Congress (AC), under which he contested the 2007 presidential poll, coming third behind the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2009, Atiku returned to the PDP from which he again defected to the the newlyformed APC in the run-up to the 2015 elections, contested in the party’s presidential primaries, and came third after Gen. Buhari and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State. Unlike when Atiku volitionally switched political parties, he’s today under intense persuasion, pressure, cajoling and even blackmail by his supporters and PDP members to return to the opposition party, “to pick its ticket,” which, from all permutations, is likely unfeasible. Except on one condition: All the PDP top shots, who defected along with Atiku to the APC in 2014/2015, would return to the party, and line behind him at the primaries. Which, once more, is not possible, as some of those initial defectors have consolidated their positions in the APC. So, two options are open to Atiku. One, remain in the APC and contest the primaries with President Buhari, if he’s gunning for a second term in office. Or pray that the president doesn’t run, and in that case stake out his chances with other aspirants that are getting into the double digits. All said, Atiku’s surest bet to being on the presidential ballot in 2019 is to stand on the platform of a neutral political party, outside of the mainstream APC and PDP. Or better

still, contest as an Independent candidate (if constitutionally approved), considering his acclaimed nationwide connections, grassroots mobilisation and a war chest to prosecute his desire. Undoubtedly, these are no easy contemplations, which, perhaps, underscores Atiku’s slow or delayed response to throw his hat into the ring, once again! • Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Abuja Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Advert Manager Andrew Udeh Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today, November 22, 2017

Travel & Hospitality W 2017 ANA confab: Waking up Benue Stories by VICTOR NZE

ell over 500 delegates to the 36th Annual national Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) had a good cause to ruffle the feathers of the usually serene, methodical and near regimented life of Makurdi, the little known but expansive and impressive capital city of Benue State. “Makurdi city is far from everywhere in Nigeria, but once here, you won’t wish to go back,” enthused Vitality Oda, a commercial motorcyclist. Ironically, he is not far from the fact. Accessing Makurdi is not child’s play; devoid of a functional airport, the city is at the mercy of the first-time visitor’s endurance meter considering also that it is least four hours from the nearest state by road, and what a road! For the Makurdi residents, it was therefore, rather strange seeing so many strangers of sorts, from different parts of the country milling around the city centre. However, these were no ordinary visitors. It was the turn of Benue State to host the annual national convention of the biggest writers’ confraternity in Nigeria, the ANA. And whenever this literary gang storms town, residents usually know it. The Makurdi ANA convention provided a rare but veritable opportunity to explore the city and see things as they are. It is impressive, expansive with a network of roads that is awesome and spacious. You might even mistake it for the Abuja metropolis with its similar land markings, layout, design and street signposting. With relatively fewer cars and buses on exceptionally good roads, this situation leaves the commercial motorcyclists as kings here. Sitting on of those machines along the new and impressive George Akume Road, you imagine yourself on an airport runway! “The former governor Gabriel Suswam did a lot for the capital city. That’s why it’s like this. We didn’t understand what he was doing then, but now we appreciate him for it,” Oda continued; in reference to the embattled former chief executive of the state. Makurdi city has a life of its own, it appears. And when visitors come in, they find their level without unsettling or ruffling up the terrain. This is also the state with the ‘Ortomatic Governor’ so everything here is automated, near regimented and ordered. “Even for us as motorcyclists, we can’t force them to change. There’s nothing like rush hour here. So we follow them. People are not

in a hurry to go anywhere unlike what you find in other state capitals. Makurdi is just different, but in a good way too,” Oda submitted. However, from Friday, October 26 through to Saturday, 28, the city came alive and was lifted as Nigerian authors came to town to celebrate their annual national convention, which was also an elective one. The 36th Annual National Convention of ANA held in Makurdi city under the theme of; “Cannons, Prizes and Boundaries: African Writers and Writing in World Literature.” Declaring open the just-concluded 36th Annual International Convention of the Association of the Nigerian Authors (ANA) at the Auditorium of the College of Health Sciences, University of Makurdi, the state capital, last Friday, State Governor Samuel ‘Ortomatic’ Ortom explained his administration’s decision to host the authors to their national convention, saying: “We accepted the host the convention in spite of grave financial challenges because of our conviction that ideas rule society and solutions to our problems lie with the

propagation of ideas which is the preoccupation of writers. We also believe that the event would add value to the development of the state as indigenes would interact with literary icons who would mentor, encourage and ginger them.” Represented by his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, the governor, assured the authors of his readiness to partner with them on whenever the need arose. In his remarks, Member, House of Representatives, Hon, Jerry Alagbaoso, disclosed that the 8th National Assembly will soon commence public hearing on the proposed Authors’ Fund, also called the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Fund. Alagbaoso who sponsored the bill during the 7th Assembly, said the document has now been represented at the current session, added that the importance of reading and writing in the Nigerian society cannot be overemphasized. “I will continue to reiterate the importance of reading and writing in the life of the nation. This has informed my continued advocacy for the passage of the ANA Fund,” said

Alagbaoso. Earlier, National President of the ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, remarked that the 38th national convention was remarkable in the sense that it celebrates those he described as ‘fallen heroes of the pen.’ “We strive to engender creativity in the society using the platform provided by the national convention. We are also committed to doing bit in strengthening the society through various literary advocacies put up. On this convention, we remember our fallen heroes of the pen like late Gen. Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna, Dele Giwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Adebayo Faleti, Chinua Achebe, Chukwuemeka Ike, Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo, Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa, Daniel Fagunwa, and others, and others who died advocating the literary cause to save the Nigerian society,” said Denja. According to Denja, the writers’ confraternity in the country had lost ‘great men and women who had strived to elevate the consciousness of the masses through their works.’

Highlight of the convention was the launch of the ANA Writers’ Series which was performed by a former president of the association and one-time Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada. Other events that also added colour to the convention include; The Convention Play/Cultural Night at the JS Tarka Centre, Makurdi, the AGM, the Book Chat/e-Marketing Talk. Modifying the convention theme to, “Issues in the Evaluation of Contemporary Literature in Africa,” keynote speaker, Prof Saleh Abdu Kwami, of the Gombe State University, called on African writers to carve out or create a space for themselves and their works in the broader world literature landscape so as to remain relevant and also for their audience to locate them. Benue State did not just host the convention, the state also hosted to win, as home boy Mr Maik Ortserga, editor, poet, critic and publisher, clinched a position in the National Executive Council as Assistant General Secretary. In the same way as most other positions were either returned unopposed or incumbents returned unopposed, an attestation of the approval of the serving National Council. With delegates from the 36 states of the federation including those from the Federal capital Territory (FCT), the Benue National Convention of ANA could aptly be tagged a quiet storm which left its mark on the enduring ‘Ortomatic’ capital city of Makurdi.

•From Left: Former president of ANA and one-time Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada, Member, House of Representatives, Hon, Jerry Alagbaoso, National President of the ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Benue State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar

Lagos enlists Asa festival into cultural calendar L

agos State Government has enlisted the Asa Cultural Festival as one of the major annual festival celebrated in the state, in a bid to promote the culture and tradition of the people. The festival which coincides with the unveiling of Asa Statue tagged, ‘Celebrating Ikorodu Division’s Heritage’ at Ikorodu captured the essence and origin of the local people and the need to teach generations unborn the relevance of our culture. The Asa Arokolo (a man on a

delicate stick) is one of the aged long celebrated Deities/ Festivals in Ikorodu and its environ invoking memories of the origin of the people of the town and the impact made by their ancestors during their lifetime. Presenting the certificate of endorsement to the organizers of the festival, the representative of the Governor on Arts and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola congratulated the people for propagating the Yoruba tradition and making the state a hub of historical attrac-

tion. Adebimpe, who is the Special Adviser to Governor on Arts and Culture, disclosed that Asa plays an important role in the affairs of man and the community, explaining that apart from being the deity of fertility and happiness, it serves as entertainment and spiritual purpose which are beneficial to the people. He further said that Asa serves as the fulcrum of social mobilization of the youth and society as a whole.

The Acting Commissioner assured the people that the Governor is interested in the development of arts and culture in the State, as he is determined to support events that promote unity and peaceful co-existence of all residents in the state. According to her, Governor Ambode is pleased to have many cultural festivals because he believes that these would promote the indigenous culture of the people as well as attract both the local and foreign tourists in order to pro-

pel the state’s drive for economic prosperity. She enthused that in line with the policy of the present administration, Asa and other cultural display at the festival will be listed for the State’s Cultural Road Map for 2018. The Asa carnival was organized by Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and prominent indigenes in Ikorodu as part of the efforts to revive Ikorodu culture and tradition.

The Oracle Today, Wednesday November 22, 2017

AVIATION

NAIA gets NCAA certification Stories by VICTOR NZE

ARELY two months after the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) obtained the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) certification, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja has now been certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Director General of the NCAA, Captain Mukhar Usman who handed over the certificate to the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

(FAAN), Engineer Saleh Dunoma, Friday morning, said it was an epoch-making moment for the country. “The attainment of this safety milestone is quite significant in view of the fact that less than 25% of international airports in Africa and Indian Ocean are certified.” “It is also interesting to note that with the certification of Abuja airport today, Nigeria has become the first state to achieve the certification of more than one international airport in the AFI Region. ”However, we are not resting on our oars, as the certification of Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu

airports are scheduled for completion in the 1st, 2nd and 3 red quarters of 2018 in compliance with the Abuja Ministerial declaration and safety targets of 2012. Dunoma further restated FAAN’ s commitment to continuing with the present tempo as regards the full certification of the other international airports in Enugu, Kano, Port Harcourt. ”We made a commitment to continue with this tempo soon we will go to Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu but for today we have achieved a milestone. I want to recognise the DG NCAA because anytime I talk to him, certification

is always the main topic so I want to thank the NCAA team for their commitment. Let’s sit down and continue to improve on the safety situation because that is all that it’s all about, safety.” Also remarking at the ceremony, the NAIA Manager NAIA, Mahmud Sani, said apart from 1982 when the airport was commissioned, today 10th November, 2017 should be the happiest day of this airport. “It has been a tug of war but it has come to pass and I thank God for making it possible and I want to assure the world that NAIA will stand the tempo and would not go back.”

•Managing Director FAAN, Engineer Saleh Dunoma receiving the certificate from Director General NCAA, Captain Mukhar Usman and flanked by Director of Operations FAAN, Captain Yadudu as well as Airspace Manager Jubril Haske representing Managing Director of NAMA, and the Director of Aerodrome and Safety Standards NCAA.

Shun Bi-Courtney’s request for regional flights at MMIA 2’

HE National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reject proposal for the commencement of regional flights at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos. General Secretary of NUATE, Mr Olayinka Abioye who gave the advice in Lagos, Wednesday, said NUATE and other unions in the sector would continue to oppose the move because of its contentious nature. “We are still very much opposed to Bi-Courtney operating regional flights from MMA 2. It will not only impact negatively on the revenue of FAAN, but it will also create operational discomfort for passengers. “This is because of the issue of space which Bi-Courtney does not have to accommodate regional flights at the terminal.’’ According to him, it is also unclear whether those airlines that are already engaged in regional

flights at the international wing of the airport will be compelled to relocate their offices to MMA 2. “There are a lot of questions and I think it is in the wisdom of the Federal Government through the NCAA to reject giving approval for regional flights in that terminal,’’ he said.

It would be recalled that operator of MMA2, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Lid. (BASL), had, Monday asked the NCAA to restore its approval for commencement of regional flights from the terminal. The Chief Operating Officer, BASL, Capt. Jari Williams said the request was premised on the

huge investment the firm had committed to the upgrade of facilities at the terminal for the planned operations. He said BASL was particularly worried that the NCAA after giving permission for the commencement of regional operations had to withdraw it on two occasions.

Ethiopian Airlines lands newest B787-9 in Abuja

THIOPIAN Airlines landed its newest aircraft, the Boeing 7879 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, carrying 177 passengers to celebrate the landmark event. The aircraft, which is code named: ‘’Big Brother’’, touched down with 27 business class and 150 economic class passengers with the usual flight shower. The new aircraft was welcomed by the officers of the Airport Fire Service with the usual flight shower to mark the arrival of new aircraft to the airport.

Remarking, Sales and Traffic Manager, Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen said the new aircraft, which is a 315-seater comprising 30 business class and 285 economy seats, was the newest of Boeing aircraft in the world. Mekonnen said the decision to fly the aircraft to Abuja on Tuesday was to give passengers the opportunity to experience the comfort of the new aircraft. She said the aircraft was a month old in Ethiopian airlines’ fleet, adding that the aircraft would be flown to all its 100 destinations around

the world. “The aircraft landed at Kinshasa on Monday, Abuja today and would be at Ghana on Friday. We flew in 27 passengers on business class and 150 on economy because we want our passengers to experience the comfort of the newest aircraft from Boeing, the 787. “The B787-9 is part of its commitment to deliver exceptional level of service to the African market by operating the latest technologically advanced aircraft in the market. Ethiopian Airlines has always services Abuja with its newest Aircraft.

ICAO reiterates calls for efficient transportation International Civil Aviation Ton HEOrganisation (ICAO) has called stakeholders to continue to sus-

tain safe, secure and efficient air transportation in order to improve the lives of people everywhere. ICAO Council President, Dr Benard Aliu , made the call while speaking at the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) 47th General Assembly in Montréal, Canada. Aliu’s speech which was posted on ICAO’s website, Wednesday, read: “As you embark on this year’s event, I will encourage you to keep in mind the transformational power of aviation to improve the lives of people everywhere. “Aviation growth, and especially the number of direct routes between given destinations, correlates quite closely with the positive socio-economic impacts which result from this connectivity.” According to him, the shared intent of all air transport stakeholders globally must be to sustain or improve how safely, securely, and efficiently the air transport network continues to perform despite its significant and continuous growth. “It is against this background that ICAO has worked with great determination in recent years to bring our sector together to establish and update some essential strategic planning. Our complementary ICAO Global Plans for Aviation Safety and Air Navigation Capacity and Efficiency have established comprehensive targets to guide and align our respective objectives,” he noted. Aliu reminded his IFATSEA audience that ICAO would be conducting its second Global Air Navigation Industry Symposium (GANIS) this December, and that their presence there would bring benefit to the proceedings being planned.

Dana Air celebrates at 9

ANA Air has assured of its commitment to becoming Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline as it marks its nine years of operations in the country. In a statement released to the media and signed by the Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager, Obi Mbanuzuo, on the occasion of its 9th anniversary, November 10, the airline said since commencing flight operations in 2008, ‘it is proud to have come this far, creating an exemplary model and setting the standards for a sustainable and efficient airline operation in Nigeria.’ “We are also proud to have flown over 2.7 million passengers in the last 9 years of our operation and the fact that our on-time performance, worldclass in-flight service and customercentric innovations are still unrivaled. This is testament to our obvious passion to keep flying high and offering the best of air transport in the industry. Our commitment to supporting our ‘own’ while still encouraging professionalism and growth in the Nigerian aviation industry, has led to our recruitment and constant training of Nigerian pilots. We are proud of our contribution to the industry and we thank the regulators for being supportive of our efforts in this regard,”Mbanuzuo said.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

Lagos TEPO commences online verification for retirees in Diaspora

Stories by VICTOR NZE

HE Lagos State Government, through the Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO), has commenced verification exercise for retired teachers who live abroad through Skype to confirm their “I Am Alive” status.

Speaking on the verification, the Permanent Secretary (TEPO), Mrs. Sewanu Amosu, disclosed that the exercise which is the first of its kind, was necessary to eradicate the stress involved in having the retirees travel to Nigeria before they can be verified. She said the process, which was made possible by the Direc-

Stanbic IBTC Pension disburses N279 in 11-yrs S

TANBIC IBTC Pension Managers Limited has disbursed over N279bn on retirement claims since 2006 till date. Making this disclosure at the Stanbic IBTC Employer Forum, which held in Lagos, Executive Director, Investment, Stanbic IBTC Pension Management Limited, Oladele Sotubo, further stated that the company has over N2.19trn assets under management. Sotubo also said that for the past 13 years of inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the company has not recorded any form of fraud in the sector. The Stanbic IBTC Employer Forum which was held recently in Lagos had taken place in other key cities in Nigeria, a forum that seeks to redefine and strengthen the retirement system in the country. The Lagos leg of the forum was the fifth edition of the forum themed: “Partnering to deliver excellent pension administration services.” The forum spurred Stanbic IBTC to express its desire for Nigerian pension industry to live up to its billing, while increasing participation in the CPS. “Employers have the key to unlock the sustainability of the pension scheme, and that it was neces-

sary to engage them on how their role would impact on the pension scheme,” said Sotubo. Sotubo explained that for the company, the forum was part of its strategic approach to engage industry stakeholders on ways to strengthen the pension scheme in Nigeria. He added that employers must demonstrate commitment in terms of ensuring their employees had Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), and funding the accounts through regular remittances. Sotubo stressed that there is a clear need to ensure rapid growth of the CPS by increasing its uptake by Nigerians, adding that employers are critical stakeholders in its successful implementation, especially in ensuring enrolment and compliance. “Without these two elements, the entirety of the pension scheme would lack purpose,” he added. With Nigeria’s pension system already having some level of potentials with enough promises and benefits, which all stakeholders sit up by getting more committed. According to Lanre Ogedengbe, an official at the National Pension Commission, the key players in the industry including the employers, operators and regulator, should know their roles.

Aon exits six sub-Saharan African countries

on Plc the global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, has confirmed it has completed the sale of its shareholding in its employee benefit, insurance and reinsurance brokerage operations in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda and Zambia. The buyer, Capitalworks, a leading independent alternative asset manager concentrating on subSahara Africa will rename the firm ‘Minet Group’ and will become Aon’s exclusive global network correspondent in these countries. Completion of the sale of Aon’s shareholding in Angola, Mozambique, Swaziland and Tanzania to Capitalworks is still subject to local regulatory approval. Aon operates successfully through correspondent arrangements in a number of countries globally, and in other African markets such as Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. This transaction will

give Aon one of the most comprehensive correspondent networks on the continent, backed by an African-based company. The new entity will have the benefit of consistency in leadership and staffing, with Joe Onsando, currently CEO of Aon sub-Sahara Africa, leading the business supported by his existing teams in the impacted countries.

tor of Information Communication Technology, (ICT), TEPO, Miss Yinka Fashola, commenced last week and is still ongoing. Amosu also informed that the verification exercise for TEPO retirees in Nigeria which already commenced, last Wednesday, at TEPO headquarters, in GRA, Ikeja and six other education districts

across the state, would eradicate the problem of some retirees having to travel a long distance before they can be verified. She noted that it will also make it possible to have a comprehensive database of retirees who are on the payroll of the state government, detect and delete those who are no more and reinstate

•Lagos TEPO commences online verification for retirees in Diaspora

PTAD to verify sick pensioners at home, hospitals

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) said it would conduct verification and biometric data capture of sick pensioners in hospitals and their homes. Deputy Director, PTAD, Mr Balewa Ndayako, made the disclosure, Wednesday in Jos at the ongoing verification of federal civil service pensioners in Plateau State. “What such category of persons need to do is to send their documents to us and if we verify its genuineness, we will send our mobile team to the places to capture them.” Ndayako who added that the whole exercise was aimed at creating accurate and credible database of pensioners under the Defined database Scheme (DBS), also explained that 2,500 pensioners were expected to be verified in the exercise. The deputy director said the oneweek verification which started on Monday was unique and arranged

in a such a way that it would be easy for retirees. “The verification centres are easily accessible, orderly and comfortable and the process can be concluded within one hour.” According to him, staff of Red Cross Society is on ground to assist the weak and disabled and an ambulance is also available to take care of any health challenge. He said that during the verification, documents of retirees would be checked and their biometric data captured and their pictures taken. The documents, he added, would be scanned and saved in the data where it could be retrieved with the press of a button. Ndayako noted that on completion of the exercise, pensioners would be given printout that contained the code where their data could be accessed. “This verification might be last for pensioners as PTAD would have the data that could be accessed

of the exercise which ran concurrently between October 16 and 22 in Ogun and Oyo state. Some of the pensioners in Abeokuta praised PTAD for what they described as “an organised arrangement”. Olori Yetunde Gbadebo, the wife of the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, noted with delight that the programme was a departure from the past ex-

ercises. “This present exercise is good and well-arranged and it is better than what we used to have in the past. Today, pensioners’ interest is really considered and they have provided food and catered for the welfare of the pensioners. “The arrangement in the past was not good. Pensioners were brought from all parts of the state and subjected to suffering.

... also pensioners in Kwara

Pension Transitional ArThasherangement Directorate (PTAD) now shifted its on-going pen-

sion verification exercise to Kwara state. A similar exercise had earlier been carried out in Ogun state for Civil Service Pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS). PTAD concluded the verification exercise for the South/West geopolitical zone with the conduct

those who have been wrongfully removed from the payroll by error or those who missed the last verification exercise. The exercise would be on between Wednesday, 8th and Thursday, 16th November, 2017, in order to ensure that all retirees are given ample time to participate in the exercise.

anytime there was need for it. The complaints of pensioners would now be addressed and payment of outstanding pensions effected on completion of the exercise.” Meanwhile, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD),Wednesday, commenced the verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue to determine the authentic ones. PTAD Team Elader, Mr Jimmy Adeyemi, said in Makurdi that 2,490 pensioners in the state would undergo various screening procedures, including taking of biometrics to determine their genuineness. “Pensioners will be made to go through various verification procedures which terminate at the quality assurance desk where they will be issued slips signifying they are genuine. It is only after the quality assurance check that they are free to go. Their entitlements can then be computed for payment,” Adeyemi said. He said the exercise was essentially for the former Federal Government workers but accommodated those that worked before the creation of states in 1976. The team leader said the exercise was going on smoothly and expected to end on Saturday. “So far, we have received no cases of falsification of pension documents. We have verified 852 pensioners and there have been no falsified documents. We have three more days to finish this exercise.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

•Members of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Expanded Technical Committee on enforcement of public building insurance in Nigeria, inaugurated by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Mohammed Kari, in Abuja and made up of representatives of NAICOM, the Federal Fire Service (FFS), representatives of states fire service from the six geopolitical zones and the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA).

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC),Thursday, expressed commitment to reduce the percentage of Nigerians that do not have access to financial services from 46.3 per cent to 20 per cent by 2020. Managing Director, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said this at the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) in Lagos. Represented by Mr Asunmon Bello, the Director, Claims Resolution Department of the Commission, Ibrahim said that NDIC had doubled its efforts by providing an enabling regulatory and supervisory environment to ensure that the savings of small savers were protected. According to him, it is vital to financial inclusion that the poor people need the assurance that the licensed deposit taking institutions are safe and that they will have access to their money when

Financial services: NDIC to improve access by 2020 needed. The managing director said that the corporation’s continuous monitoring and the oversight function of banks not only enhance depositor confidence in the financial sector, but served as incentive to the unbanked to access financial services of banks. He urged members of the public to take advantage of the several incentives available to Nigerians to save and have access to financial services. On non-banking Nigerians, Ibrahim noted that the requirements to open a bank account were easy to meet.

“Banking enables a depositor to save and enjoy services such as ATM transactions, mobile banking and mobile money products. “The depositor is also guaranteed his/her savings in the event of bank failure up to the maximum account balance of N500,000 in a commercial/merchant/mortgage bank and N200,000 in a Microfinance Bank,’’ Ibrahim said. The managing director warned members of the public against patronising “wonder banks’’ as they stand the risk of losing their savings. He also frowned at the emerging trend of investing in digital curren-

cies popularly known as Bitcoins. “Just like the “wonder banks,’’ the digital currencies are not licensed by the CBN and therefore not insured by the NDIC,’’ Ibrahim said. Earlier, Mrs Nike Akande, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) commended the efforts of NDIC on their supervisory and regulatory functions in the financial sector. Represented by Mr Paul Ruwase, the Deputy President, LCCI Akande noted that Nigerian banks were safer and secured through the commitment of NDIC.

Group to FG: Compensate families of Nimbo community massacre G

lobal Igbo Alliance (GIA), a non-profit organization, has called on the Federal Government to pay compensation to the victims of Nimbo Community in Enugu State fatally attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen. It said that since the attack on the community in April 2016, perpetrators of the crime have not been arrested and nothing had been done to assist the victims. The group expressed disappointment with the non-payment of compensation to the families of those who lost their lives during the attack. “We urge the Federal Government to liaise with the families of the victims of Nimbo Uzo-Uwani massacre for fair and appropriate compensations. “We regret that none of the perpetrators of this heinous crime has been apprehended

or prosecuted by the relevant authorities,’’ the group said in a statement. The statement was signed by Dr Christian Duru, the President and Mrs Chinwe Eboh, the Secretary. GIA, based in Australia, has affiliates in U.S., UK, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa among other countries. The group said that it supported calls for the restructuring of the country and respect for the rights to self-determination or regional autonomy. The group also called for an Independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of torture, kidnappings and other acts allegedly committed by the military during operation Python Dance in Abia. 17 governors from the Southern States of Nigeria had on Oct.

23 at a meeting in Lagos unanimously reiterated the call for true federalism and devolution of powers to states. The governors, in a communique at the end of the meeting read by the host Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, also resolved to collaborate with one another for the growth and development of their economies. Attendees are Ambode, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), David Umahi (Ebonyi); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Seriaki Dickson (Bayelsa) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti). Others are governors of Cross River, Anambra and Delta, who were represented by their Depu-

ties – Mr. Evara Esu; Dr. Ikem Okeke and Mr. Kingsley Otuaru respectively. Also, Afenifere, Ijaw National Congress, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had supported calls for the country’s restructuring. Information Minister Lai Mohammed had said that the Federal Government had commenced the process of restructuring the country. He said: “For the Federal Government, restructuring means devolution of power. Restructuring means for the Federal Government, a system whereby government’s policies and programmes can reach everybody at the grassroots. “For us, restructuring means ability that will allow you to deliver and in our own way, we have started. ’’

NAICOM moves to drive public building insurance

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has inaugurated a Technical Committee that would drive the enforcement of public building insurance in the country. The committee was inaugurated by the NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Mohammed Kari, in Abuja. The technical committee is made up of representatives of NAICOM, the Federal Fire Service (FFS), representatives of states fire service from the six geo-political zones and the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA). The steering committee on the other hand is made up of the Commissioner for Insurance, the ControllerGeneral of the Federal Fire Service and the Chairman of the NIA. Kari was represented by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Technical, Mr Thomas Sunday. He said that NAICOM, under the National Insurance Act 2003 had the responsibility of ensuring that public buildings and buildings under construction were insured. He noted that the collaboration with the fire service across the country will improve the level of compliance with section 65 of the Act which invariably will impact on the fire fund. “The Act provides that 0.25 per cent of premium collected with respect to public buildings are supposed to be accumulated in the fire funds. “But over time, these funds have not been forthcoming because the process for collection are not put in place. Therefore, the NAICOM in the spirit of transparency and all inclusive administration has decided to bring in those who know more about fire service into this activity,’’ he said. Kari said that it was the responsibility of the committee to advise the steering committee on how public building funds would be effectively and efficiently disbursed for firefighting in the country. “We have the responsibility for collecting of funds, monitoring and also disbursing the funds for the purpose of improving fire activities in Nigeria.”

The Oracle Today, Wednesday November 22, 2017

Business Extra

Bel-Molokwu’s Triogy of advertising

book by Dr. Josef Bel-Molokwu, Senior Fellow at the School of Media and Communication of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, will be presented under the auspices of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, on Thursday, 16 November, at the NAN Media Centre, National Theatre Annex, Iganmu, Lagos.

advertising operations, national and social roles of advertising, as well as associated elements of integrated communication like public relations. A Trilogy of Advertising pays rich attention to the practice situation in Nigeria, dwelling deservedly on APCON and its health-giving part in the great growth of advertising in Nigeria, in the process it highlights up moments of advertising as well as some beacons of this growth. More than 100 such persons and more than 70 institutions are mentioned – of course, a far cry from the number of key contributors to the consolidation of advertising in Nigeria. The book in addition casts memory to some immortal advertisements that stamped brands in the minds of the consumer.

Titled A Trilogy of Advertising: The Profession. The Practice. The Philosophy, it is the fourth book written alone by the author. Dr. Bel-Molokwu has also co-edited five other books and contributed chapters to six. The public presentation of the book commemorates the author’s 70th birthday (6 April) and 50 years of work in the media and communication field. This 472-page work was planned to cover every aspect of advertising, with a view to satisfying as wide a spectrum of interests as possible. It is indeed three books in one, covering what advertising is as a profession, how advertising is practised, and the growing area of advertising thought – something of great interest by the author. The book, which took years to actualise, is to the author a crowning opus of his decades of focus on the intellectual and sublime faces of advertising over the commercial. It is specifically designed to have something of interest for the scholar, the student, the manager, the master advertising expert, the brand owner, the support service provider, the young entrant, the researcher, the advertising historian and even the amateur reader. This intellectual bent was what stood the author out as the first Nigerian author of a book on advertising, and what spurred other Nigerian scholars into producing books on advertising. Several advertising books by Nigerians are now on the shelves, redirecting the industry towards following foundational education in the very essence of advertising, away from the original exclusively hands-on trend. The author light-heartedly calls this the heads-in approach. With a foreword by eminent Fellow of Advertising Mr. Mac Ovbiagele, the book is in 33 chapters spread over three “books”, each of which treats the Profession, the Practice and the Philosophy of Advertising. The first book is written from the perspective of understanding adver-

The book also brings up two interrogative issues: 1. Should there not be a generic name to describe practitioners of advertising, like other professionals, rather than the extant phrasal description? 2. Should advertising not be based on a Quintupod, rather than the extant Tripod, considering the unassailable importance of the Regulator and the Consumer in contemporary marketing communication? These questions are left for the industry to answer. tising; the second from the perspective of working with advertising, while the third is from the perspective of seminal papers, didactic notes and generic issues. There are lists of suggested reading materials in appropriate locations in the book. Book 1 consists of nine chapters in two parts; Book 2 has 15 chapters, and Book 3 nine chapters. More than 500 sub-issues are treated, ranging from rudiments of advertising to advanced concepts like strategy, computed planning, Integrated Brand Promotion and futuristic trending issues. Also handled are: the background and history of advertising, basic principles, regulations, international views, structures, techniques, development of agencies, Third Space Advertising, advertiser perspectives and insight, media and their importance and strategies, media independents, media monitoring, research, online and digital advertising, careers and professional development, creativity, technology in advertising, international

The work is richly indexed, using the order-of-mention indexing style, which makes it easier for entries to be located in the book. A rich reference take-away is one of the appendices, which provides an apparently endless list of advertising media outlet options, a gem for practitioners of experiential advertising. The cover of the book was conceptualised and designed by Mr. Ken Inemi Esere, Director of the SMC’s Media Unit. Josef Bel-Molokwu is a communication expert, former CEO of three newspaper organisations and Registrar/Chief Executive of APCON from 1994 to 2005. He is chairman/lead consultant of Sef Patri Services, Inc. and chairman/lead editor of The Biographic and Reference Book Centre, Inc. He has been on the adjunct Faculty of three universities, and is a Senior Fellow at the School of Media and Communication of the Pan-Atlantic University. He is a Trustee of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

FG to approve 3 modular refineries in Edo

inister for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has disclosed that the ministry had received applications to operate seven modular refineries in Edo, adding that three of the applications were already in approval stage. The minister disclosed this at the

Stakeholders Engagement and Enlightenment Campaign in Niger Delta states, organized by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with the Edo Government in Benin. Kachikwu said the Federal Government was working to bring de-

velopment to the Niger Delta region through establishment of modular refineries initiative, gas flare commercialisation programmes and collaborations with the Niger Delta region in the Amnesty Programme. Further stating that the establishment of the refineries was pri-

Fidelity Bank restates commitment to SME’s growth

idelity Bank Plc has restated its commitment to aiding the diversification agenda and economic growth of the Federal Government through its various supports to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Managing Director, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, made the assertion last Wednesday at the bank’s special day at the just-concluded Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF). Okonkwo was represented by Mrs Chijioke Ugochukwu, the Executive Director, Shared Services and Product, at the fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Okonkwo said that the bank had continued to channel significant human and financial resources into the real sector, particularly the manufacturing, food and beverages and Independent Power Projects. “We are more than just a business transaction. We are committed to the long-term expansion of business as we leverage our proven expertise and highly trained professionals to take businesses to the next level of growth,” Okonkwo said. According to him, in spite of the harsh business environment, the bank’s success story anchored on improved service quality, innovative products and services designed to

meet needs of customers beyond generic financial intermediation. He said that the bank has 250 branches nationwide with four to six Automated Teller Machines sited in each of the branches to facilitate business transactions. He disclosed that the bank had trained 300 non-oil exporters through its Export Management Programme to support the growth of the non-oil sector, adding that the bank would extend the training programme conducted at the Lagos Business School to the northern part of the country to enable more participation from non-oil exporters.

vate sector driven and the designs, analysis and engineering work for three of the refineries had been done, Kachikwu commended the oil producing communities in Edo for being peaceful and urged them to continue to toe the line of peace to allow for development in the communities. He announced the setting up of a committee, to be headed by the Secretary to the Edo Government Mr Osarodion Ogie, to identify development needs and work to address them within a specific timeline in the state. He said the committee was made up of representatives of the federal and state governments, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and security agencies On his part, State Governor, Godwin Obaseki called on the NDDCto live up to its responsibilities in the state, even as he expressed displeasure that the commission had, over the years, failed to fulfill its mandate in the state, adding that it had also failed to sign an MoU with the state

to reconstruct the Benin-Abraka Express Road. “Oil is located in 33 communities in three local government councils in the state namely, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba Okha. We want to organise the oil producing LGAs into clusters and work with Federal Government to help us with the physical planning and gap analysis to evaluate progress of development in the councils,” the governor said. The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Uguru Usani, who said the meeting was to sensitise and create awareness of the on-going Federal Government’s initiative in the region, disclosed that the Federal Government was reviewing the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region to capture those who were left out of the scheme. Present at the meeting were delegates from the three oil producing local councils in the state, who called for provisions of health care centres, modular refineries, road construction and infrastructure needs.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

Crime

Suspected killers nabbed Stories by XAVIER NDAH

peratives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) in Abeokuta, Ogun State have sniffed out a two-member gang of murderous herdsmen from their hidings. The suspects, Hassan Amodu and Abubakar Abdullah, were alleged to have kidnapped one Taye Amodu, also a herdsman, on October, 23, 2017 at Obada-Oko area of Abeokuta and equally made away with eight cows belonging to the victim. According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who

spoke with the Oracle, “On receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, directed the officer in charge of FSARS, DSP Uba Adam, to fish out the hoodlums within the shortest possible period of time. “In compliance with the CP’s directive, the FSARS operatives swung into action and, at about 5:30pm of the same day, the hideout of the culprits was located in a thick forest within Imeko area of the state through technical intelligence, and the two suspects arrested. “Recovered from them were one pump action gun, loaded with four live cartridges and two cutlasses”, the PPRO said, adding that, “On in-

terrogation, they confessed to have resorted to killing the victim for having the effrontery to struggle with them while being led away”. According to the Police image maker, the hoodlums have also confessed to burying the lifeless body of the said victim in a shallow grave within the forest, as well as dispossessing him of eight cows. Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, has commended the FSARS operatives for their gallantry and good display of intelligent investigation, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation was concluded.

RRS rescues two trafficking victims

•The alleged killers

NDLEA intercepts truckload of Indian hemp T

•Suspected traffickers arrested by RRS he Operatives of Rapid Re- where she was told that she will sponse Squad of Lagos State find young girls willing to travel out Police Command have arrested a of the country to hustle as strumsuspected human trafficker while pets. The 30-year-old met some locals trying to transport two teenage girls through Lagos to Abidjan in in the area. She came in contact Ivory Coast for commercial sex with two young ladies named Favour and Deborah who introduced work. The suspect, Martha Edea, 30, a her to the young girls. “Favour took me to one Francess mother of two from Ogoja in Cross River State, was nabbed in Lagos Bamidele who she said is her friend after travelling with the young girls and will like to be taken out of the country for prostitution. Francess from Benin, Edo State. Martha confessed to the police also agreed to follow the unknown that she was trafficked to Ivory middle aged woman after making Coast by one Mariam who told her some juicy promises and testimothere were chances of securing a nies about the foreign country”. Francess , a 19-year-old secondgood job in the country but was later introduced to sex work where ary school dropout, while talking she slaved for months in paying to the Police said she was elated to back her custodian who brought hear from Martha that prostitution is very lucrative in Abidjan so she her to Abidjan. Martha said” I worked for three opted in for it and decided to travel months to pay Mariam about with her without telling her guard300,000 Cefa ( N180,000) to bal- ian. Similarly, Martha also contacted ance her for my transportation into Ivory Coast and also for connecting Deborah who lives in the neighborhood to help get another girl who me”. She added that Mariam after col- is interested in travelling out of Nilecting the money travelled to Spain geria in search for better work. Deborah took her to one Elo Etim, an abandoning her as a sex worker. The mother of two who left her 18-year-old who assured her Martha children in the village with her is her friend and it is okay to embark mother couldn’t find a head way on such journey. Martha in her statement said, ‘I in the business after her connector paid both Favour and Deborah a had travelled to Spain. She further explained that she sum of N10,000 each for helping me yielded to her friend’s advice to get a girl each for the journey. “I also met with Elo’s mother, come back to Nigeria to recruit i told her what her daughter was young girls for the business. Martha however, came back to about to embark on in Abidjan and Nigeria and headed for Edo State she agreed to it, she also prayed for

her and wished her good luck”. She explained Elo confirmed that her mother was elated about the journey that she gave her some money and phone number to call when she got to Ivory Coast. The trafficker embarked on the journey from Benin, Edo State to Lagos from where they were supposed to connect the Nigerian land border to cross to the Republic of Benin but things began to take a twist when Francess out of her curiosity began to question Martha about her welfare and coming back from Abidjan for Christmas. She said, “I asked Aunty Martha how much we will have to pay her for the trip and she disclosed I and Elo will work for her till we are able to pay a sum of 300,000 Cefa (N180,000) to gain our freedom in Abidjan,then I told her I wanted to go back home from where we were and this led to an argument which attracted other passengers on the bus. The argument made the other passengers in the bus become suspicious and called the attention of the Police when we got to Berger Bus Stop in Lagos. We were all arrested and taken to RRS Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja”. Commenting on the development, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous Cole stated that the suspect and her two young girls have been transferred to SCID, Panti for further investigation.

he Edo State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has smashed a powerful cartel that specializes in inter-State cannabis smuggling. A truck belonging to the cartel conveying cannabis neatly concealed in a consignment of processed wood from sawmill was intercepted along Lagos Benin Byepass. State commander, of the agency Wakawa Buba,said a total of three hundred and thirty-two (332) bags of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis weighing five thousand one hundred and forty-six kilograms (5,146kg) was found in the truck. The estimated street value of the seized drug is over fifty-one point four million naira (N51.4 million). Three members of the gang comprising the driver, Ossai Frank, 35, and two workers, Azuka Ossai, 29, and Emenike Uba, 25, all from Delta State were also apprehended. The suspects have owned up to the crime adding that the quest for survival made them go into the criminal act. The interim investigation also revealed that the truck originated from Owo in Ondo State going to

Abi in Delta State. Ossai Frank who is married to two wives and a father of four children said that this is not his first time of conveying cannabis. In his words, “I used to carry rice and biscuits but whenever there is cannabis, I also carry so as to get some money to take care of my family. I was pushed into cannabis business due to financial hardship. This is not my first time”. Wakawa expressed delight over the crackdown stating that it was based on intelligence report and diligent surveillance by his officers. “This is a very successful operation. It was based on intelligence report and diligent surveillance. We have been monitoring them for some time and I am glad that our sacrifices have been handsomely rewarded. The command is prepared to counter the illegal activities of drug barons” he stated. Principal Staff Officer Public Affairs of the agency Edo State Command Ofoyeju Mitchell said efforts are in top gear to arrest and prosecute other members of the cartel in accordance with the NDLEA Act. Meanwhile, the three suspects will soon be charged to court.

racleToday

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185,000.00

14” x 5

344,500.00

14” x 4

321,000.00

14” x 2

153,000.00

10 x 6

266,000.00

10 x 5

220,000.00

10 x 4

206,000.00

10 x 3

175,000.00s

9 x 6 228,800.00 9 x 5 240,500.00 9 x 4 210,000.00 8 x 5 200,000.00 8 x 3 186,500.00 7 x 5

105,000.00

7 x 4 Quarter Page

90,000.00 102,000.00

7 x 3 82,000.00 6 x 3 72,000.00 6 x 2 45,000.00 5 x 5 40,000.00 4 x 3 35,000.00 4 x 2 30,000.00 3 x 2 24,000.00 2 x 2 16,000.00

5000.00

1 x 1

3,500.00

1 x 2

Colour

Pull Out Section

Sizes N Full Page 410,000.00 Half Page 235,000.00 14” x 5

387,500.00

14” x 4

350,000.00

14” x 2

185,000.00

10 x 6

345,000.00

10 x 5

290,000.00

10 x 4

250,400.00

Full Page 10 x 5 Half page Quarter Page FPS / Strip BPS/Strip IFC IBC OBC Earpiece

1,000,000 750,000 600,000 350,000 650,000 2,200.000 1,160,000 1,150,000 1,200,000 400,000

Special Position

Front Page strip 2 x 6

465,000

Backpage strip

2 x 6

450.000

9 x 4 313,000.00

Back Page strip

6 x 2

530,000

8 x 5 305,000.00

Front Page solus 6 x 2

500,000

9 x 6 240,000.00 9 x 3 398,000.00

8 x 3 180,000.00 7 x 5

238,750.00

7 x 4 195,000.00 Quarter Page

125,000.00

7 x 3 151,250.00

Earpiece Window (2 x 2) Front 205,000 Earpiece Window (2 x 2) back 179,000

6 x 3 125,000.00

Centre Spread

1,000,000

6 x 2 50,000.00

Double Spread

850,000

Wrap Around

16,500,000

Half Wrap Around

10,000,000

2 x 6 (Strip ROP)

40,000.00

4 x 3 75,000.00 4 x 2 42,000.00 3 x 3 56,250.00 2 x 2 18,000.00 1 x 3 13,000.00 1 x 2 10,000.00 1 x 1 4,000.00

Classified

3,000

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Name: Name: Shan George (Nollywood Icon) • If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Are your hormones making you FAT? • The common condition that could be behind your weight loss struggles

f you are struggling to shed weight despite following a textbook perfect fitness and health regime, there may be a clinical reason for it that you haven’t yet considered.. In fact, according to Australian dietitian Susie Burrell, there is a surprisingly common hormonal issue that can explain why some people have such difficulty losing weight: insulin resistance. ‘Over time, high levels of insulin in the bloodstream can cause insulin resistance which may explain why you cannot seem to lose weight no matter what you eat or how much exercise you do,’ Susie told Daily Mail Australia.. ‘Insulin resistance is a clinical condition in which insulin, the hormone secreted by the pancreas to control blood glucose levels in the body is no longer working as efficiently as it should.’ Susie explained that over time, numerous factors including a diet high in processed carbohydrates, an inactive lifestyle and genetics can lead to insulin becoming less efficient at processing the glucose we consume in carbs like cereal, bread and fruit. ‘When insulin is not working properly, the body is forced to produce more and more insulin to process the same amount of glucose that we consume in food to fuel the muscles and the brain,’ Susie said. What is insulin resistance? Insulin is produced by the pancreas. When we eat foods containing carbohydrate they are broken down to glucose in the blood. The normal function of the hormone insulin is to transfer glucose from the blood into the liver and muscle cells, to be used as energy, and managing our blood glucose levels. In people with insulin resistance, the muscles and the liver resist the action of insulin, so the body has to produce higher amounts to keep the blood glucose levels within a normal range. ‘The unfortunate thing when it comes to weight control is that the higher the amount of insulin that you have circulating in the body, the harder it becomes to burn

body fat. ‘This means that if you have insulin resistance, you can be eating an extremely healthy diet, exercising as recommended and be physically unable to lose weight.’ Worryingly, as insulin is the central regulator of both glucose and fat metabolism in the body, when it is not working, the basic energy balance equation when it comes to weight loss, calories in versus calories out simply does not hold true. So what are the signs? ‘As resistance builds up over many months or years, these signs and symptoms can be subtle before they become more noticeable over time,’ Susie said. ‘Fatigue is common as glucose is not being taken to the cells as efficiently as it should be. ‘Sugar cravings are too common, as insulin and glucose levels fluctuate widely during the day.’ The most common sign, however, is the way that fat is deposited on the body. ‘Insulin likes to deposit fat around the abdominal area, which is why women (and men) with severe insulin resistance have a large belly,’ Susie said. Tips for improving insulin resistance * Eating smaller portion sizes, being more physically active and eating less energy dense foods (extra foods) can assist with weight reduction. * Include 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. * Eat at least five serves of vegetables and two pieces of fruit each day. * Eat wholegrain foods everyday such as high fibre breakfast cereals, multigrain bread, oats, barley and cracked wheat. * Enjoy legumes (dried peas, beans and lentils) on a regular basis. * Include low glycaemic index (GI) foods. Low GI foods can help by slowing the rate of absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, so not as much insulin is required. * Reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Limit commercial cakes and biscuits, fried take-away foods, butter, lard, cream and trim the visible fat off meat. ‘It is also the reason that a waist measure-

ment greater than 80cm for a female may be a sign that insulin resistance is present.’ Susie said that perhaps the most ironic thing about insulin resistance is that the standard ‘low fat, high carb diet’ filled with wholegrains, fruit and low fat snacks may actually exacerbate it and may even act to prevent weight loss. ‘While a high carb diet is “healthy”, highly processed carbohydrate rich foods result in a relatively high release of insulin,’ Susie said. ‘The more insulin we have circulating at any one time, the less likely it is we will burn body fat. ‘For this reason, those with insulin resistance require a high protein, moderate carbohydrate diet which eliminates as much processed carbohydrate from the diet as possible. ‘This does not mean eliminating all carbs, rather working to combine both small amounts of carbohydrates with protein rich foods such as eggs, fish, meat, dairy or nuts at each meal and snack.’ Susie said this method ensures that the body has small amounts of carbohydrate at any one time, which in turn helps to regulate the release of insulin while the proteins help to keep you full and provide essential nutrients including the good fats, calcium and iron. ‘Ultimately insulin resistance is a clinical medical condition which needs to be diagnosed and managed accordingly,’ Susie concluded.. ‘If you feel you may be insulin resistant, you need to see a GP with interest in the area or an endocrinologist to have it diagnosed via a Glucose Tolerance Test. ‘The best diet long term to support weight loss with insulin resistance is a tight calorie controlled plan with moderate levels of carbohydrate and protein, which will be best developed for each individual by a dietitian who specialises in diets for hormonal issues such as insulin resistance.’ Daily Mail

LOVE NEWS

An intimate portrait of the Royals 70-year marriage

ow in their 90s — though with the mental alertness and physical fitness of a couple many years younger — the Queen and Prince Philip are in uncharted waters. As they prepare to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20, they know they have rewritten the record books. The 91-year-old Queen is now the longest reigning British monarch in history, and her husband is the oldest-ever male member of the Royal Family. At the age of 96, Philip finally retired from royal duties in August. Shortly after his decision was announced, 88-year-old mathematician Michael Atiyah said to him at a lunch: ‘I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down.’ ‘Well, I can’t stand up much longer,’ said the Prince. It was the type of dry and humorous response we’ve learned to expect from Philip. Indeed, he and the Queen have been part of our lives for so long that we imagine we know them. But do we really? After many years of writing about the Royal Family — I’ve met both the Queen and Philip on many occasions — I feel I’ve had a unique insight into their lives: and what I’ve disc overed is that there’s a great deal more to them than their popular image suggests. In public, for instance, the Queen is often unsmiling; it’s as if her royal duties, which she’s always undertaken with the utmost gravity and dedication, preclude her ever seeing the lighter side of life. In private, however, she can be quite different. Both the Queen and Prince Philip are very attached to their staff, who are like an extended part of the family. And they often take a sympathetic attitude to them when they land in trouble. On one occasion, Philip noticed that a certain footman had been missing for a few days and asked his page where he had got to. ‘He was sacked, Sir,’ the page informed him. Philip wanted to know what the man had done to deserve to be fired. ‘I am afraid they found him in bed with one of the housemaids, Sir,’ the page replied. ‘And they sacked him?’ the Duke said, outraged. ‘They should have given him a medal!’ Unexpectedly, she has a well-developed

sense of humour. This surfaced during an early trip to America, when she hilariously mimicked the U.S. photographers who were ever-present. Deciding to do some filming of her own, she pointed her camera at Philip and cried out in a nasal American voice: ‘Hey! You there! Hey, Dook! Look this way a sec! Dat’s it! Thanks a lot!’ In her old age, she still relies on humour to leaven potentially serious situations. On the weekend of her Diamond Jubilee, when Philip was taken into hospital as a precautionary measure for a bladder infection, she was heard to quip: ‘Don’t die on me. Not now, anyway!’ Surprisingly, too, it was the Queen who was keenest on doing the rather undignified stunt that was filmed for the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games. This involved her appearing in her first acting role — as a Bond girl opposite 007 star Daniel Craig — at Buckingham Palace, and then seeming to parachute into the Olympic stadium. Philip was extremely dubious about the whole thing. Needless to say, however, she wouldn’t have done it if he hadn’t eventually given his approval. His own wry and sometimes ribald sense of humour has been a crucial factor in the marriage. From the very start, he’s always been able to make his wife laugh. In the Fifties, the young Queen would freeze before TV cameras, but he’d diffuse the tension with an amusing aside to bring a smile to her face. When you’re under a constant spotlight, as she has been for almost her entire life, this makes a vital difference. Having come from a sheltered background, the Queen was still painfully shy in her 20s. During her first Commonwealth tour of Australia in 1954, there were times when it all became overwhelming. At 28, she’d been Queen for only two years and the responsibility still terrified and confused her. But with Philip at her side, she felt she’d always be able to cope.. He made her see the funny side of situations, and he was often the only person she could talk to in a superficial vein about what they’d seen and done; she didn’t have to be on her guard with him, worrying in case she might say the wrong thing or create the wrong impression. Daily Mail.

Romantic Joke The Question A husband asks his wife, “Will you marry after I die?” The wife responds, “No, I will live with my sister.” The wife asks him back, “Will you marry after I die?” The husband responds, “No, I will also live with your sister.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

True Confession

‘I had a one night stand with a lesbian’

y name is Stephnie and I’m 32 years old. I’m happily married to a lawyer in Port Harcourt and have two children. However, although I’m happily married to a good man who makes me forget my sorrows, there is one experience I had during my youth service in Lagos five years ago that I can never forget. Then, I had just graduated and luckily, I got posted to Lagos. I gladly joined my colleagues at the camp at Iyana-Ipajaand soon settled to the military routine of camp life. I made several friends while at the camp and it was during that time I met a big business woman. She had come to visit her younger sister at the camp, who happened to be my closest friend in camp. Immediately this woman saw me, she developed an instant liking for me and promised me that she would use her connections to get me a good company to work in after camp. True to her words, she secured a space for me to serve in a well-paying company after my three weeks at the camp. However, I noticed that this lady liked flattering me by telling me how beautiful I am and how beautiful and shapely my breasts look. She was always complimenting me as though she were a man complimenting a woman. At first, I didn’t think much about her compliments. I felt that maybe she was jealous of me because I was much taller than her. However, her flattery and compliments continued and she kept on inviting me to her house.. Whenever I went to her house to visit her, she would tell me that she wants me and her to be very close friends. I used to wonder what she meant by that statement until one saturday that she asked me to spend the night at her place at Ikeja. She said she was not feeling fine, that I should help her cook dinner and do a few house chores. I obliged and spent the night in her house. That night, she took me into her bedroom to ‘gist’. We gisted till late into the night, then she started telling me that she had fallen in love with me from the moment she set her eyes on me at the NYSC camp.

“That night, she took me into her bedroom to ‘gist’. We gisted till late into the night, then she started telling me that she had fallen in love with me from the moment she set her eyes on me at the NYSC camp.” She told me that she is a ‘sister’ and before I could ask her what she meant by ‘sister’, she started kissing and touching me all over my body. I protested, but she begged me to give in to her. Eventually, I gave in, and she satisfied herself throughout that night with my body. Everything was so disgusting to me, but I did it to

please her. The following morning, I said goodbye to her and swore that I would never have anything to do with that woman again. For weeks after that, she kept on putting pressure on me to remain her lesbian partner but I rebuffed all her entreaties. When she sent her younger sister to me, I told my friend that I now

know why her elder sister is not yet married at 38. Months later, I married the man who is now my husband. But for as long as I live, I can never forget the one night stand I had with that rich lesbian woman, because it was an eye-opener and a bizarre experience for me in Lagos.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

Relationships and Love Advice

‘I’m having sex with my brother’s wife’

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Sarah from Jos needs a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014. Jezzy, 25, pretty, tall, sexy, in Lagos, wants a sugar daddy or mature man in Lagos. 09062373928. Victoria, 30, from Akwa-Ibom, in Lagos, tall, big, single mother, wants a tall, responsible, working or business man for marriage.08153598363. Busola, 43, tall, chocolate, with big breasts, living in Lagos, wants a mature-minded man for a relationship with benefits. 09090517882. Comfort, tall, dark, big, with a heavy backside and good in bed, living in Lagos, wants a man that can take good care of her. 08062720819.. Faith, 35, works and lives in Port Harcourt, needs a decent guy of 36-40 years. 09037846643. Monica Ono, 35, beautiful, single mother of one, needs a handsome man of 38-41 years for marriage. 08036844539.

Dear Love Doctor, I have a very big problem. Please I need your advice. I am a single father (divorcee). I fell in love with my brother’s wife and we are into a serious relationship. But the problem we have now is that the husband is still alive. I don’t know

what to do as we cannot get married and cannot part, for we’ve gone a long way. It is like charm From, but I’ve searched all through and Ejike. seen that it is a true love and she cannot do without me. We are Email: ejikecolumbuss@gmail.com confused.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Ejike,

Don’t kill your brother because you desire his wife. It is simply not right. I think you may have lost your sense of direction and you need to retrace your steps immediately. You need to see a psychologist/counselor, or your priest/spiritual director for counseling and also pray to God to help you. That’s because dating a married woman/man is wrong and worse still, you appear to be so obsessed with your brother’s wife that the fact that her husband (your brother) is still alive appears unbearable to you. However, even if that woman is no longer interested in her marriage to your brother, she can divorce him. No one needs to die because of your illicit relationship. How did you “search to know that what you feel for your brother’s wife is true love and that she cannot do without you”? Your statement sounds very childish and immature. Please don’t think that a married woman or any woman for that matter can’t do without you, especially when she has a husband and children. Besides, true

love takes time, and it is only when it stands the test of time that it will truly become acceptable as true love. Your relationship with that woman appears sweet and intoxicating to you right now probably because you’re having sex with each other in secret. But if both of you were given the freedom to be with each other without pretenses, and with all the attendant responsibilities, stress, and financial pressure of marriage and having and raising children, you might probably quickly find that you’re both incompatible and breakup. So you better stop sleeping with your brother’s wife because love and marriage is not a child’s play. What you most probably feel for your brother’s wife is lust and infatuation, and that’s because you allowed yourself to fall into such an unnecessary temptation which you could easily have resisted, knowing fully well that she is your brother’s wife and therefore you’re not supposed to touch her.

In many cases this kind of thing happens when a man is staying with his brother’s family under the same roof. Do you live with your brother and his wife/family in the same house? If you’re living with your brother and his family, I would advise you to relocate immediately. You need to find your own woman because that woman is already taken. If she is truly meant for you, or if she is truly destined to marry you, she won’t be married to your brother. Stop dating a married woman and look for your own wife. Leave your brother’s wife alone because she belongs to your brother and don’t carry a curse on your head. Find your own woman; and don’t be worried about finding your own woman, because what is truly yours from God will definitely come to you in due course of time.. • Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com

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Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com Do you have a marriage/wedding, birthday, anniversary or club or town meeting announcement to make? Call 07031028714 now! Note: If you have fertility problems like childlessness, inability to conceive or get pregnant, miscarriages, fibroid, low sperm count, STDs, or need a male child or female? Call 07031028714, 08131161840.. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/ relationship.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

It happened to me:

‘I kept my first marriage a secret from my family’

grew up in a small town in rural Queensland. My only dream while I was growing up was to save as much money as I could to leave home and travel overseas. By the time I turned 18 I had enough money to go. I spent months travelling through Asia and then on to Europe where I would get any job I could so I’d have enough money to travel to my next destination. After doing this for a few months I met some friends who were off to America. Having never been there before I decided to go with them. It was great! We bought a beat-up old car and went on a road trip across the States seeing all there was to see. I eventually ran out of money in Las Vegas so I decided to stay there and get a job and enjoy being in totally different surroundings to the small town I grew up in. I got a job as a waitress in one of the big casinos and that was where I met Jeremy. Jeremy worked on the card tables and was the most beautiful man that I had ever seen. He was tall, blonde and ridiculously handsome. He was also very clean-cut and after months of travelling and seeing men living out of backpacks this was very appealing. I used to take every opportunity to work near his table in the hopes that he would notice me. Eventually he did and we started dating. Our relationship moved very quickly and after only six weeks we started living together. One night we were joking around about getting married and after a few drinks we decided that it would be a really funny thing to do. So we ran off to a small white chapel where ‘Elvis’ married us in true Vegas style. We were both so excited and kept laughing as we called each other ‘husband and wife’. The only downside was that I hadn’t even told my parents that I was dating Jeremy so I was not too sure how a phone call from the other side of the world telling them that I was married would go down, so I decided to tell them when the time was right.

Everything was great between Jeremy and me, I loved him and I loved the fact that he was my husband. It was after a few months that I started to notice the cracks forming in our relationship. He started hanging out with friends more, coming home late and was getting different shifts to me at work. It got to the point that between both of us working shifts we hardly ever saw each other. After being married for only three months I decided to go and surprise him at work. He was on his break so I went to the staffroom where I found him kissing some girl who was sitting on his lap. I was devastated and marched into the room demanding to know what he was doing. He was very apologetic and told me that this was the first time anything had happened and that it would never happen again. Being young and in love I believed him.

“One night we were joking around about getting married and after a few drinks we decided that it would be a really funny thing to do. So we ran off to a small white chapel where ‘Elvis’ married us in true Vegas style. We were both so excited and kept laughing as we called each other ‘husband and wife.” Things worked well for a few more months then he started being distant and I had a feeling that he was cheating again. My suspicions were confirmed when I spotted him with another girl one day when he was supposed to be at work. He didn’t know that I knew and by this stage I was sick of the lies. I went and saw a lawyer about getting an annulment. He gave me the forms I needed and all I had to do was get Jeremy to sign them. I waited until Jeremy

was quite drunk one night and told him that he needed to sign a tax form for work. I gave him the annulment and he signed it — he didn’t even read what he was signing. I posted it off and waited for it to clear. By the time the annulment came through I had saved enough money to go home so I packed my bags, left the annulment on the table with a note telling him that I knew about the other girl and that I was leaving. I got on the next plane home.

I have never spoken to Jeremy again and I occasionally wonder how he’s doing but I am now happily married with a baby on the way and even though my family and husband know that I was in a relationship in America they don’t know the extent of it and I have no intentions of ever telling them. Courtesy: nine.com • Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

Love & Living

EN are wonderful, in their own special ways they spice up our world making every day an adventure. A million ladies wake up each day wondering what their men would be up to. Would he pick a fight at home or get emotionally involved with another woman outside. Granted, we put up a strong face and say we don’t worry about those, isn’t that what we should say after all? But truly, only a few women don’t care whatever he does. We say we don’t but it would surprise even ourselves to know how much we really do care. But there’s a special class of men though, ones you don’t need to worry about. These men don’t cheat; they prioritise faithfulness and commitment. Yes, they exist but as expected, a rare find. It is somewhat curious then that most ladies can’t stand them. They are every woman’s dream but only to a point. Not to say they are fickle minded or any less manly, but their understanding of love so made in Nollywood makes them love too hard that it hurts. These nice guys can drive one crazy because they tend to be clingy and hyper demanding but they are not too blamed, they have good reason. A man has a lot of space in his heart for love and when he let’s a woman take up the whole area, he builds his world around her resulting in unreserved commitment and utmost faithfulness.

Could it be true love?

Ify ARONU ifyaronu@gmail.com

The issue though is that such men find that women who appreciate having some private space in relationship ain’t able to cope with their demands. Most ladies would rather not be with any guy this ideal and super faithful not because they don’t appreciate the virtues but the attendant extreme attachment might just be too much to live with. Many nice guys have suffered heart break as a result since the ladies seem to prefer guys with the action, those who may be less demanding but only because they have shared their love on quota basis to as many ladies as possible.

Ladies should know this, if he seems a bit detached and not so committed, then his love isn’t all yours after all. The men are beginning to defend their act insisting that though they may keep many concubines, they still love the main woman much more. They even throw stones our way saying that a woman can’t cheat and love her main man at the same time because females are emotional. They say a man can have sex with other women without attaching feelings but a woman can’t do same,

her emotions almost always gets involved. And that’s how they have managed to justify cheating on the part of men. In other words, they say it’s risky for a woman to cheat but not a big deal when a man does the same. Also, it is thought that a married woman who’s cheating is as dangerous as a rattle snake since she can do anything including murdering her man just to be with the lover. The true picture is that a man who cheats is twice deadly, if he doesn’t murder his woman himself, the other woman may do so and then he would still not have the decency to pretend. It is usual for men to quickly marry the other woman in the event of their wives’ deaths and it is considered normal. But we know too well that a woman wouldn’t dare do such. When it comes to cheating, gender doesn’t make a difference. One who cheats has no self-love because the act itself is self-destructive. Also, one who cheats can’t claim to truly be in love with another. In fact, if you can comfortably cheat on anyone then you don’t love him or her. The mark of true love remains total commitment. •Please email recommendations, commendations, and condemnations to ifyaruonu@gmail.com

‘Christians, their attitude to work’

ONDAYS are beautiful days, and they arrive after Sunday when Christians from all walks of life get to attend a church gathering of other Christians (not forgetting those who gather on other days of week). There are sets of Christians who have not come to the full realisation of the role of their faith, they are ignorantly unaware that being a Christian does not exonerate them from working and earning a living for themselves and for their assignment on earth. These Christians have so soaked themselves into the BS mindset that because they are Christians thus they should not and must never work to earn a living, so they resort to being hundred percent dependent on people, in their churches, on their families and on their friends (I am not disputing the fact that there are people such help out in dire situations. My grouse is with those who are totally dependent on those in the working class, while they choose not to work. They are a perfect definition of laziness. It is sad they do not know this because of one wrong move, which has kept many bound till dateindoctrination. Indoctrination is the shallowest form of Christianity. They were indoctrinated into a certain falsehood of life fully catered for once you become “born again”. That is, they have been sold a falsehood that once they come into the faith, they receive automatic exoneration from work, so their needs have to be sorted out by other persons, who supposedly have no needs, or whose needs re being sorted out by other non-humans. Some of these Christians are to be

e& ore

Maureen Alikor maureenalikor@gmail.com

My grouse is with those who are totally dependent on those in the working class, while they choose not to work.They are a perfect definition of laziness. It is sad they do not know this because of one wrong move, which has kept many bound till dateindoctrination.

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blamed, while I’d not blame the other group, the ignorant ones, those who do not know. The group I am referring to are those who have been told, taught and shown examples and ways to do it, BUT THEY HAVE BLATANTLY DECIDED AGAINST WORKING citing the scriptures “my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. They existed even in the times of Apostle Paul and in one of his letters; he said “... they should not eat”.

who believes that the salvation of your soul means laziness of your hands and mind? You are off track. Christianity is not a yardstick for laziness. It is not in any way required of you to be idle. And should you be unaware, as a Christian, the mandate of work is heavy on you and should not be taken lightly. You may be wondering why. Here is why? When Jesus was to ascend into heaven, he gave Christians all over the world the great commission. What was the great commission? Go into the world and share the gospel of the Kingdom of GOD. To do this world tour and travel, sharing the gospel, you need resources. This earth, though created by God has its own principles, ways and modes of operation and in our sojourn on this earth while on the journey, we HAVE to live according to these principles, and of them is the money system. We need money to do a whole lot of things and sharing the gospel is one of those things. The world we live in has its economy and we as residents of this world are supposed to be contributing to the growth of this world and we are not doing so, then we have a lot of unlearning to do. If we as Christ’s own are not boosting the economy of the world we live in and operate on, who are we leaving the assignment to? Dear such Christians, laziness is not a good thing and should be discouraged. I believe this sermon should be preached every day and in churches too.

They have decided that prayer is the master and only key to having food on their table, clothes on their body and a roof over their head. Then they end up becoming leeches latching onto the goodwill of other persons and soon the entitlement syndrome hits them. For these persons the entitlement mentality is very evident and it is very sickening. Are you a Christian, do you work with your hands or with your minds? •Please send your comments to mauYou are on track? Are you a Christian reenalikor@gmail.com

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

The Law and You Election, voting processes With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

lection is a process in which people known as the electorates choose whom they want as their leader through voting. In Nigeria, just like in other Democratic Nations, election is the process in which citizen’s vote for political candidates of their choice during election period. It also gives the citizens the opportunity to vote out a serving unpopular political office holder. The constitution of Nigeria provides for two terms tenure in office of office holders but at the choice of the electorates. IS ELECTION IMPORTANT? As a result of the previous and present experiences of the citizen of Nigeria in the manipulation of election results to favour an unpopular candidate who for no reason whatsoever ought to win in any election, most citizens are no longer interested in election processes. Some people see it as ‘selection’ instead of ‘election’ hence there is no need for participating in elections. But I am advising those classes of citizens to have a change of perception of election and to read and understand the need for them to participate. The question is, is election important? The simple answer is YES in view of the following reasons; 1. It makes preferred choice of candidates who make themselves available to be put in position of leadership. 2. It provides a level playing ground of participation for interested candidates. 3. It is a process that an ineffective, accused candidate who misbehaved can be recalled. 4. It enables citizens reviews critically the policies of the candidates for the elections and the manifestos of their parties and to take a stand. 5. With the principle of one man one vote in an election, it brings political equality before the ballot box.

VOTING IN ELECTION WHO IS A VOTER? A voter is a person who has the right to participate actively in an election. He can be voted for and he too can vote. Voters in 2. The voter will be identified on the voters’ register and an inelections are known as ELECTORATES. dication will be made on the register and his or her voter’s card. 3. He will then be presided with a ballot paper to vote once the WHAT IS VOTING? presiding officer is satisfied that the name of the voter is on the Voting is an act of electing a person for political office. In some voters’ register. days from one, the Anambra citizens will go to the polls to elect 4. The voter having received the ballot paper will secretly move their Governor for the next four years, by god’s Grace and your to the booth and vote for the candidates of his or her choice by vote counts. You should note that it is one of the electoral of- thumb-printing against the symbol of the candidates party. This fences to sell your votes or go into any electoral mal-practices. means that voters must study the symbol of the candidates’ parStay away from troubles and advice your trouble sponsors to ty. This means that voters must study the symbols of the party sponsor their own family members. After all, how much can they of the candidate of their choice very well in advance so as not to give you and can they later after the election remember to fulfill make mistakes. The idea of going to the station to start asking their ‘’fake electoral promises to you. Please, make good use of others whom to vote for is illegal and an electoral offence in law. your conscience and fairness to vote in the elections. 5. After the voter has cast his or her vote he or she is expected to put the ballot paper into a transparent ballot paper provided VOTER REGISTRATION at the election venue For a citizen to be eligible to participate in election processes, 6. After thumb-printing and voting, the voter thumb is the he must be involved in the first and most important process in marked with an indelible ink to indicate that he or she has voted election which is registration. as a measure to prevent multiple voting. Voters’ registration is the process of writing down the names 7. The voter is expected to leave immediately the venue of the of every eligible citizen for voting and compiling the list of these names in register known as voters register. An eligible person who intends to vote in an election must register his or her name in the voters’ register in the area they intend to cast the vote. In Nigeria, the voting as is from 18years upwards and must have signified his or her desire and willingness to vote by doing the registration and be issued with voter’s card. In this aspect of voting card, I wish to state that this to my own opinion is where the rigging in every election starts. I said this because, in the last election, I personally participated in the registration exercise in Lagos and was issued with a temporary voters’ card. But to my surprised, when I went to collect the original of my voters’ card I with other where told that our registrations could not fetch us the main voters’ cards, so we were disenfranchised. The electoral bodies and the political parties should please work harder to prevent this type of electoral mal-practice.

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IMPORTANCE OF VOTING 1. A good citizen of Nigeria and who is eligible to vote is mandated by law to perform this civic duty of voting. 2. This process of voting ensures that good and generally acceptable candidates are elected. 3. Voting of acceptable and capable candidates and parties contributed to the decision making process of the government. 4. It is one of the rights of a citizen to be voted for in an election. HOW THEN DO WE VOTE? 1. Voter should report to his or her polling booth on the exact day and time of the election and queue up patiently for his or her own turn to vote.

Law enforcement agents are not politicians and must not be seen as such. The supporters of the political parties must respect the law of the land which is supreme and do things as good citizens of this great nation.

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election and allow the electoral commission and the agents of the candidates and partied who are there watching to sort out things by themselves and the result will be officially announced. Finally, it is my humble view to advise the officials of the electoral bodies and security agents involve in any election to please allow fair play and justice for all other citizens who are not in positions of authorities but who are the real people with the power to make those authorities to see every election as credible. The idea of power of incumbency and suppression/intimidation to win by all means possible should be avoided. The military is not known for maintenance of peace is an armless civilian set-up and they are not expected to be featured in any way. The Nigerian Police Force is very properly trained and capable as we are meant to understand by their authorities and we expect the display of their capabilities. The police should see themselves as an unbiased staff of the citizens. The electoral bodies should desist from undue influence and control. The idea of let me declare the fake results and let there be Court/Tribunal cases should stop. The Courts/Tribunals are already congested and over loaded with works and need no more. Harassing, victimizing and arresting of innocent opponent supporters with thump-up charges as had been some cases in past by the law enforcement agents must stop. Law enforcement agents are not politicians and must not be seen as such. The supporters of the political parties must respect the law of the land which is supreme and do things as good citizens of this great nation. Elections should not be seen as a ‘do or die’ affair but a ‘game’ of electing the best choice for the area that has good credulities and trust. Finally, avoid crime and criminal activities. Do not allow what you eat or drink how temporally to mar your God chosen longtime enjoyment on earth. Be patience for God to bless you and not man. Man can disappoint you at any time, as have been the known cases every day, but God does not. Wait patiently for God because no condition is permanent. Do you know whether in the next electoral dispensation if it is the will of God that people will vote for you? For the losers, please accept. Your lost with clean acceptance and must work with the winner. The winners should learn to accommodate the losers in their cabinets so that the idea of politics with bitterness will end in this country. Do not punish those who voted less for you on the idea of not voting for you. Do you expect them to vote for you at the expense of their own person? Nigerians politics should be detribalized or sectionalized so as to forester true love and unity which out colonial masters allowed us to be independent country. The Nation Anthem they left us with in one of the verses said; “though tribes and tongues may differ in brotherhood love we trust”. Is it so in this country now? Do we need to bring back this anthem? I rest my submission, stay away always 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

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

Yes, I can marry second wife for my hubby – Lolar Shon, model

ecently, entertainment personality, fashionista, model and entrepreneur, Lolar Shon (Lola Shonowo) added another feather to her cap when she was decorated Entrepreneur of The Year at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, during this year’s edition of West African Youth Awards in recognition of her exploits. In this chat with Oracle Today, the publisher of LolarShon Fashion Magazine opens up on her exploits and why she is cool with polygamy. Tell us about growing up? Growing up was fun and I always say this, I am from a polygamous home and I am the first daughter of my mother and the 10th child of my father. Really… how many kids were you? From my dad we are almost 20 kids (laughter). I am from a polygamous home and grew up with a strong Christian upbringing. I believe so much in God and I am married and I have three amazing kids; two boys and a girl. And growing up in a polygamous home was fun; polygamy was sweet. I mean it wasn’t a war thing or a Fuji House of Commotion kind of situation. The mothers were fighting but we the kids were in harmony and we always laughed at our mothers like ‘look at this women fighting over a man.’ We were very united and we are still very united as I speak. We visit each other often. Even when I was in Accra, my step sister was with me. She came to visit me with her daughter and now I am back in Nigeria and we have been visiting each other all of my father’s kids. Could you practice polygamy? Yes. I can, I am open to it. Won’t you get jealous when the other woman starts getting all the attention? I won’t get jealous. Some women actually marry second wives for their husbands. Could you do that? Yes I can (laughter).

• Lolar Shon

fashion world to a new level. I took a break in Ghana for a year to explore Abidjan and Accra in order to see what fashion is like in other west African countries and as you know, I just won the African Entrepreneur of the Year Award at West African Youth Award We live in a world where people could be very jealous and posses(WAYA) which was held at Oriental Hotel recently so I am back here sive. So, where are you coming from? and I am taking Nigeria’s fashion and food world to a new level. But The truth of the matter is that like I said, I can practice polygamy. basically, the fashion magazine is going to be the highlight of my Yes I can and if my husband has another wife after me or a wife stay in Nigeria because now I have been to Ghana and Abidjan. And before me, I wouldn’t mind so long as the wife is very respectful guess what, in the French world, fashion is totally different from and whatever they do on the road they don’t bring home to me. what we do here. I was like OMG! I thought we were up there in The lady should be descent enough to respect the policy of our fashion but when I got to Abidjan I realized that fashion wise, they Now that you are in Nigeria, who is taking care of business in home and keep our home our home like my dad and his wives did are way ahead of us. They are already wearing what we will were in Ghana? by keeping our business in our home. When a third party comes in My younger sister is. She lives there. She has been living there years 2020 and I realized that Ghanaians, no matter how wealthy they are we pretend that all is well even if it is not well. It has be that way before I came and is still there and her own business outlet is not far embrace their culture. You see what they wear speaking volumes in for the health of the man. Due to my job, I am always on the move, from mine and we were doing it together when I was there; she is their culture; their colours depict mood. When you see them wearyou understand? Instead of my husband to have girlfriends, let me my business partner so she is saddled with running it for now while ing red of black, it means they are mourning. When you see them know who he is sleeping with. Let me know that this is the person, I seek new frontiers to conquer back home in Nigeria. wear white, maybe, the person is a widow or widower. When you and then I would know that if I have STD, it is either from me or see them wear purple, it is a mark of royalty; the person must be from her. You understand. That way you can streamline what you from a royal home. Then they have kente, they have the one for the We know you to be a fashion and entertainment person. What do and the man can have peace of mind. And then money can be chiefs and the normal one for everybody. I have learnt a lot about inspired you to move into food business? put to proper use instead of sharing it among so many other girls what colours say about who you are in fashion. I have always loved cooking. It is something I do spontaneously out there. so when I got to Ghana I realized many Nigerians were coming How are you going to use that to impact Nigerian fashion? to my house to have lunch and dinner and they were like ‘Lola, if Are you saying that men are intrinsically programmed to cheat? you can have a place where you can make this things for us we will I am going to do another fashion show. And like I always tell The truth is men are polygamous in nature. That is the way I see patronize you. I kind of have this adventurous spirit and I am always people, this time I am going to make sure it is strictly africanised it but I believe that there are some men that can still stick to one and my fashion magazine has been elevated to a West African looking out for new things to do so I decided to go into it and I woman but if per chance that is what my man wants, I won’t want realised that many Nigerians were actually looking for home made fashion magazine; it is a whole new level and it is mind blowing. him to die tomorrow and some child will pop out of the blue and We talk about people, fashion and culture. All that I have learned food away from home. And I am still doing my fashion magazine say I am your husband’s daughter. No, I want to know what time it because fashion and food and fashion go together. As you can see will be infused both in writing and in pictures in the magazine It will is and I want to know what I am into. be such that people can actually learn and take some experiences we have the latest edition of my fashion magazine here. I realized that people go out of their way bleaching skins and doing whatever away with them. After three lovely kids you still look sweet. What is the secret? forgetting the fact that getting a good skin also comes from eating That is what I am always talking about. It is about traveling, giving What does your recent award mean to you? good food. And I realised that many people are looking for good yourself peace of mind. It is about fashion. You know, when you The West African entrepreneur Award of the year at The West food but they don’t know where to get it or how to get it so I said are into this fashion thing you want to keep your game up so you African Youth Awards WAYA means a lot to me. It makes me to ‘Lola it is high time you started a food business where people can have to take care of yourself and that includes eating well, sleeping eat healthy, where people can say I want to get skinny or I want to know that hard work surely pays because people are watching. I well and drinking lots of water. And like Pumba said in Lion King, am thanking God for the award. It is very close to my heart. add weight and I will tell them this is the kind of food you should akuna matata, no worries, no fears and I think that is working for eat, if you are big and you want to slim down, and this is the kind me. of food you should eat if you want to slim down. And we make sure What advice do you have for young girls who want to take after we use proper oils so I decided to go into food because food and A while ago you popped into the blue, and then we heard that you fashion go hand in hand for me. There is a delicate balance between you? had settled in Ghana and running a restaurant for the exclusively Be persistent and be courageous. Many obstacles will be thrown diet, skincare and fashion. rich in Accra Ghana, and now you are in Nigeria winning awards. your way but always pray hard and go for what you believe in. The What is happening? sky will be your foot stool. Now that you are back in Nigeria, what is new about LolarShon? Wow! My Ghana experience was quite exciting! In Ghana I opened I am back in Nigeria and as you can see, I am back to take the an eatery, a Nigerian restaurant where people come to eat homemade Nigerian delicacies and even Ghanaians found my delicacies irresistible. They love egusi and eba like hell! They always come to try eba and bitter leaf soup and ofada rice so it is actually catering not only to Nigerians but Ghanaians as well and it is located in the heart of Spintex, opposite Tespo Market in Accra Ghana. It is very strategically located. Everybody comes there to eat. We even do home delivery and guess what, straight from the airport, people call and place orders and we deliver straight to their hotel rooms.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

Entertainment

Davido flops @ AFRIMA as We must unite to save Sadiq Daba – Ajuka Jebose Wizkid, others shine N V igerian music fans expecting that Davido would clinch awards at the just concluded AFRIMA Award which was held last Sunday at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, were disappointed as Wizkid trounced him clinching two awards in the process. Wizkid won two of the most prestigious categories – Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year and Best West African Artiste award. Tiwa Savage, YCee, Wande Coal, 2baba, Adasa Cookey and Orezi were also among the winners on the night.

See the full list of winners below Best male artiste in Central Africa – Locko Best female artiste in Central Africa – Montess Best male artiste in Northern Africa – Shefi Best female artiste in Northern Africa – Ibitssam Tiskat Best male artiste in South Africa – Emtee Best female artiste in South Africa – Thandiswa Most influential African artiste – Neza African fan favourite – The Dogg Best African collaboration – Ali Beka Best artiste in African jazz – Nduduzo Makhatini Best artiste/group in African rock – Gilad Millo Best in contemporary African RnB &

• Wizkid soul – Eli Keba Best Artiste in contemporary song – Wande Coal (Iskaba) Best artiste in African raggae/dancehall – 2baba Best artiste in African traditional – Halmelmal Abate Best African hip-hop – Ycee Best artiste in African pop – Tofaan Best female artist in inspirational – Asike Best male artiste in inspirational- Gilad

eteran actor and broadcaster, Sadiq Daba, is currently battling to save his life as he is battling leukaemia and prostate cancer and despite denyng earlier reports that he is terminally ill, the singer has cried out for help. Currently receiving treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), a statement by his close associate and journalist, Azuka Jebose stated: “These times, our famous and fantastic movie star, director and one of the pioneers of Nollywood, is terminally ill. Sadiq is battling leukaemia and prostate cancer. These deadly diseases are challenging his existence and comfort. He is determined to beat these. His fight to survive has become ours. We must embrace him just as we embraced his characters on his movies and television acting. “These treatments are costly. He • Tiwa Savage needs us now. We are determined Video of the year – Orezi (Cooking to help him live again, by beating cancer. Please support our goal of Pot) African legend award – Salif Keita $25,000 to pay for his medical bills,” • Ajuka Jebose he said. and Oliver ‘Tutu’ Mtukudzi Songwriter of the year – Simi Best African group – Toofan African discovery of the year – Shyfan Producer of the year – DJ Cublon Album of the year – Eddy Kenzo Song of the year – Wizkid igerian music producer and starting to really respect me because Artiste of the year – Wizkid daughter of Nigerian billion- I’ve built a goodreputation for myaire, Femi Otedola, AKA DJ self. So now I’m happy to say who Cuppy has revealed that she once my dad is. I can’treally change who wished her father wasnot the fa- my dad is and I’m embracing it and seeing it as ablessing now.” mous business mogul. Speaking to Showtime, the ‘’Greenlight’’ crooner said she felt shewon’t be accepted into the music industry as people will not becomfortable with her, thinking she has an advantage. “Yes I once wished I wasn’t the daughter of my father, but that wasback in the days, I’m now very comfortable in my own skin. When Ifirst entered the industry, I felt like a lot of artistes and industry people wouldn’t accept me because I’m Femi Otedola’s daughter. I felt they wouldn’t feel comfortable with me, thinking I have an unfair advantage to enter their space and dominate it all.” According to her, with hard work, resilience and consistency, she nolonger feel the same way. • Yvonne Nelson She said, “But now, I feel like I’ve and she was so shocked and her first paid my dues over the last fewyears and I’ve built some great relationwords were but you are not married and I replied her back ships in the industry andpeople are • DJ Cuppy yes mum I know and then it was a long conversation but right now she is just so happy and so am I.’’ uy Code, a television series step he has taken in the right direcpowered by Gulder, a brand tion,” Adodo said. from Nigerian Breweries Plc, According to the organisers, partichas wrapped up plans to host view- ipants will be selected from an ongoers to a dream-come-true party ing video contest. Entries are sent via tagged Ultimate Party, scheduled for a direct message (DM) to Gulder on Instagram (@GulderNg), Facebook November 17. “I’ve heard it too many times on Portfolio Manager, National Pre- (@GulderNigeria) and Twitter (@ different occasions; it shows the mium at Nigerian Breweries Plc, GulderNg). quality of the music that has come Tokunbo Adodo, said the winners of Each participant is required to send a long way. As far as I’m concerned, the competition would also have an a 60-second video that captures I’ve lived five lives (from one genera- opportunity to take part in Gulder’s his idea of what an Ultimate Party tion to the other), so if they want to online and offline activations. should be. Each participant should appreciate and still appreciate me, it “Ultimate Party is a unique experi- also state his age and location. Selecshows the quality of the music. It’s ence. It is a way of assuring our con- tion will be made from clips of videos one thing to be an artiste and it’s an- sumers that we are part of their jour- received with assessment based on other thing to stay on the scene for ney. It is for the man who works very originality and creativity. a long time; so I will not discourage hard daily to achieve his goals. This Guy Code has triggered healthy artistes trying to remix or do another is because he is the one that stands online conversations about guys rendition of Joromi, but rather out, because he is the one that leads, tendencies towards friends and the encourage them to give credit to an ‘Ultimate Party’ has been crafted female folk. the composer if they do.’’ exclusively for him to celebrate every

Why I dumped my fiance to become babymama – Yvonne Nelson

hanaian Actress, Yvonne Nelson has revealed that she dumped herfiance to become a baby mama. She was reacting to the backlash from controversial Ghanaian marriage counselor, Rev. George Lutterodt, that Yvonne is Stupid for giving birth out of Wedlock. In an Interview with Wow Magazine, Yvonne disclosed that an ideal guy proposed to her on her 30th birthday but she dumped him because he wanted her to move to London. She said although people change their whole life for marriage, that was not something she wanted to do. Speaking on her Pregnancy, she said ‘’It’s quite funny because someone proposed and I didn’t even get to have a baby for the person and then this person who hasn’t proposed I’m having a baby for him. So

it’s avibe, its friendship, its understanding, it’s how happy the person makes you, it is not about someone putting a rock on your finger and you forget.’’ When asked of her reaction when she knew she was pregnant, Yvonne said ‘’I wasn’t sure but I suspected I was. I was in London at the time with my man. I was so ready; I knew this was what I wanted at this moment in my life. I pray to God all the time and I tell him that I want to start a family and have kids of my own, It was part of my prayers so I just knew that I’m not married but this is what I want todo. So when I did a test and it came out positive, I was truly happy. ‘’But the hard part was having to tell my mum, I waited for my mum ,she had just returned from a trip, I remember telling her I was pregnant

Victor Uwaifo accuses Simi, Jaywon of copyright infringment

eteran Nigerian musician, Prof Victor Uwaifo, has accused Nigeriansinger, Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye AKA Simi and Iledare Oluwajuwonlon, AKA Jaywon of copyright theft. The one-time Edo State Commissioner for Arts and Culture who has hitsongs like ‘Joromi’, ‘Mami Water’and ‘Guitar Boy’ Said the duo failedto seek his permission before making the different remixes of hissong, Joromi. It was gathered that ”Joromi” a highlife song by Uwaifo, was firstreleased on the album titled Big Sound on June 27, 1969, however,almost 5

decades after its release, new versions of Joromi resurfaced in Nigerian music scene. Uwaifo in an interview with Showtime, said, simply ascribing credit to him as original composer of the song would suffice as permission for him although he has no intention to drag them to court. He said, “They didn’t contact me before doing a remix of Joromi; but I’m like a father to them so I can’t begin to drag them to court, so let them make a living out of it, but at the same time it’s piracy.”

I once wished Femi Otedola wasn’t my father — DJ Cuppy

All set for Guy Code Ultimate Party

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

NEWS

Ilomuanya accuses Okorocha of ‘desecrating’ Igbo culture From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

bi of Obinugwu in Orlu LGA of Imo State and Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, has condemned what he termed “the continuous desecration of Igbo culture, customs and values by the Imo State government.” Contending that the rate of such desecration is alarming, he insisted that traditional rulers in Igbo land and Ohaneze Ndigbo should completely condemn “the relentless abomination and debasement of Igbo culture with impunity in Imo State, to save our culture from going into extinction or being ridiculed.” Eze Ilomuanya was reacting to the recent conferment of another chieftaincy title on the Liberian President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf by the Imo State government. According to the monarch, “it is an aberration in Igbo culture to confer chieftaincy title at about 11pm. It is never done. Only initiations into clandestine or cult groups are done at that time of the night.” He regretted that in recent times, Imo State has constantly made a mockery of Igbo culture and traditional institution, pointing out that unless those knowledgeable in Igbo culture and the consequences of their desecration speak out, such an ugly trend might continue. “A few weeks back, it was Jacob Zuma and today, it’s the Librarian woman. Who even chose the bogus titles being conferred on them? What have they done to deserve the titles when Igbos and Nigerians are dying everyday in South Africa and Liberia?” he queried. Eze Ilomuanya argued that the visit of these Presidents to Imo State only creates the impression that Nigeria is now running a confederate system of government with Imo as an independent State within the confederation. “As far as I am concerned, these visits are for personal gains and have no sociocultural or economic benefit or relevance for Imo people. Instead, our culture has become a foot-mat for foreigners to match on and trivialize. Imo has obviously becomean independent component state within Nigeria. The whole thing is exasperating,” the monarch lamented. The Obinugwu monarch, who is also Chancellor of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers and wellmeaning Igbo leaders, to intervene in this matter to avoid portraying Igbo culture as worthless, noting the Igbo are respected all over the world. “Culture is a symbol of our identity. If it is debased, desecrated and extinction, we have also lost our identity as a people and therefore irrelevant too, he warned.

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CCD hails Ikpeazu for creating ministry for vulnerable group From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

ersons with disabilities in Abia State have commended Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for creating the Ministry for Special Duties and Vulnerable Groups, to cater to the needs of the vulnerable in society. According to the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), the new ministry would help to reduce the discrimination and exclusion its members have suffered in the hands of the authorities of the Ministry of Women Affairs. CCD, while expressing the feelings of its members in Abia, commended Ikpeazu for giving ear to their yearnings over the years, promising its unflinching support that would assist the

new ministry to set a high standard in service delivery to vulnerable groups for other states in Nigeria to copy. In a statement made available to The Oracle Today in Umuahia and endorsed by the Executive Director of CCD, Mr David Anyaele, the group contended that people with disabilities should not be left behind in a democratic society in terms of human capital and other indices of development. Part of the statement read: “We welcome with gratitude, the creation of a Ministry for Special Duties and Vulnerable Group by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. With this creation, disability issues have been separated from the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs. “This new Ministry creation is com-

mendable, as vulnerable people – like persons with disabilities - have over the years been neglected and marginalized by Women Affairs Ministries in Nigeria and Abia State in particular. “The creation of this New Ministry for Special Duty and Vulnerable has been the yearnings of organisations of persons with disabilities for decades, as Ministry of Women Affairs designed their programmes and services with focus on women and girl child only, to the exclusion of persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.” Anyaele expressed the opinion that with proper management, the new ministry “will go a long way towards reducing the challenge vulnerable people face due to stigma, discrimination, marginalization and exclusion

from government programmes and activities by the Ministry of Women Affairs across the country.” CCD therefore called on “the Federal Government and other state governments to copy from Abia State government on how to integrate vulnerable people in governance through creation of Ministry of Special Duty and Vulnerable group,” describing it as the surest approach of “demonstrating that no-one-should-be-leftbehind, most especially citizens with disabilities, in democratic governance and development.” The urged Governor Ikpeazu to “take appropriate measures to criminalize discrimination on grounds of disability through support for the passage of the disability bill by the Abia State House of Assembly.”

Abia to wear new look soon – Commissioner From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

• Buhari Commissioning Federal Roads built by Ebonyi state government

Delta PDP chairman dares opposition parties on council poll From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

he Delta State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olorogun Kingsley Esiso has challenged opposition parties in the State to come out of their bedrooms and test their strength inthe forthcoming local government elections, forecasting that Deltans already know where to cast their votes. Esiso, a lawyer, who threw this challenge during a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, where the Chairmanship candidates of the party for January 6, 2018 LGA elections were unveiled, took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC), sneering that if even they decide to import the master of lies from Abuja, he would not have any good deeds to campaign with. In his words: “We want to also use this medium to encourage other parties not to sit down in their bedrooms and believe that they will win elections. We are encouraging them to go out and campaign. We want to meet them on the field; they should come and tell Deltans what they have done

to and for them through their parties. Probably, they will come and tell Deltans that they have brought Nigeria into recession, that today our market men and women can no longer buy foodstuffs from the market. I am very sure that they will come and tell Deltans, as they always do, that Dr. Jonathan, our past President and PDP have stopped their wives from conceiving to give them children.” While presenting the PDP chairmanship candidates alongside their vice for the LGA elections, Esiso said: “We are here to inform Deltans that our party, PDP is prepared to go and campaign vigorously for our candidates based on two strategies. One is simply our believe, our trust in the ability, capacity and capabilities of our candidates to win elections, because they have all been carefully and thoroughly screened after which they passed through the primary process and emerged victorious in their respective constituencies. “Secondly we are going out there to campaign, basing our campaigns on the achievements of the PDP government ably led by our governor, Sen.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, believing that in the past two years plus, the PDP led Government in Delta State has delivered on our campaign promises which include, superlative infrastructural developments including constructions and renovations of roads, including constructions and renovations of schools, including constructions and renovations of markets and health centres, and hospitals and of course, creating jobs for our youths through the office of Job creation which has gone a long way in empowering our youths. Consequently we believe Deltans are waiting for us to support our candidates trusting in the contributions of the party in the state in developing our people.” Speaking further, he disclosed that, a statewide campaign for the PDP aspirants will kick off this Friday, November 17, at Aniocha North Local Government Area with Governor Okowa leading the vanguard across the 25 LGAs, adding that the campaigns will elapse on the 21st of December, 3017 at Ukwuani Local Government Area.

ewly sworn-in Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko has assured that government will introduce new measures to give the environment a new outlook such that people will value keeping their environment clean in order to experience a healthier living. Uko gave the assurance while speaking with The Oracle Today in his Nkwoegwu Ohuhu country home shortly after being sworn in by the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. Uko is among the 27 Commissioners sworn in last Monday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium. “People must see a difference in my emergence as the Commissioner for Environment. I can assure you that within 90 days -maximum, there must be visible changes going on and we seek the cooperation of everybody to ensure that we change the environmental landscape here in Abia,” the renowned banker said. “We will have a way of making our environment cleaner than it used to be. So, in some ways, there will be reorientation, there will be education of the people for them to understand the need to have a healthier environment and there must be some enforcement to ensure that those who go contrary to it will be reprimanded,” Uko added. He promised to review the methods of environmental sanitation in the state to make it “more effective and more efficient” to improve on the environmental cleanliness of the state, hinting that receptacles on the highways and major roads would relocated. He thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve. “To the governor, I say thank you so very much for giving me this appointment, and I think, to the glory of God, he will begin to get commendations on environment, given what we are going to do,” Uko assured, adding that he is open to suggestions and ideas on how to do things better, but insisted that he would be firm in doing what is right.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

SPORTS Enyeama’sdisciplinechallengesinLille Joshua accepts

Wilder’s re-match

By MADUABUCHI KALU

oach of French league side Lille Metropol, Marcelo Bielsa has cited indiscipline as the major reason why goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and ten other players were told to stay away from the team when he took over as the coach of the club in the summer. Bielsa opened up while reacting to question how he would have reacted to Patrice Evra’s incident when he kicked a fan during a warm-up last weekend if he was still the coach of Olympique de Marseille. “I have always said that to build an option you need a very solid factual basis,” Bielsa began. “Obviously I value Basa, Enyeama and Amavuba, what I am saying is that I don’t want to repeat a conduct that seemed to be wrong to me. “That if you say to express an opinion on things that I do not have all in and out details. There were indiscipline, so much indiscipline in the team reason I told Enyeama and ten others to step out. “Now that they are disciplined, they are back,” the coach said. It is recalled that Nigerians were shocked to hear that Enyeama and • Enyeama ten other players of Lille were jettisoned immediately Marcelo Bielsa ma and other ten players because he arrived the club in the summer. No- were asked to stay by the side. body was able to place hand on why For some due to lack of informa- does not like black players. the former Eagles’ captain and goal- tion had alleged that the club’s man- That insinuation has been rubkeeper and his other ten teammates ager Marcelo Bielsa jettisoned Enyea- bished with this revelation and En-

• Fight billed for 2018 By MADUABUCHI KALU

yeama’s subsequent recall to the club’s first team after falling in line with the club’s laid down rule has put paid to such claims.

Martins tipped for award By MADUABUCHI KALU

ormer Super Eagles striker who currently ply his football trade in China, Obafemi Martins, otherwise called ‘Oba Goal’ by his numerous admirers, has been tipped for ‘Excellence Award’ by a popular online sports paper, Daily Sportsng. com. Martins who recently donated medical equipment worth millions of Naira to Lagos State as a part of his foundation’s effort reducing the sufferings of the downtrodden in the society, is selected for the Daily Sports median award due to his selfless service to fatherland. This much was exclusively revealed to the Oracle Today Sports by no other person than the Chairman of the Award Committee, Prince Isidore Oduah. According to Prince Oduah, who is the owner of Red Carpet Advertising Agency, the decision to honour Martins with the Excellence Award was reached after painstaking review of his activities with the national team and his contributions over the years in the development of his immediate society. He recalled that the multi-million Naira medical equipment the Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC striker donated to the Lagos State Government was not the first time he was extending his goodwill to members of the society particularly, the less privilege. “As we gear towards having a very successful award ceremony come December 2, 2017, I want to inform you that after painstakingly review

of personalities penciled down for the median edition of Daily Sportsng. com Award, Obafemi Martins came tops,” Prince Oduah began. “After reviewing his selfless service to fatherland during his days with the national team, the Super Eagles, we all agreed that he stands tall above other players listed for award due to his patriotic service to this great country Nigeria. That is why he is one of the few people that we are going to honour come December 2, 2017. “Obefemi has been a good role model for upcoming players. “You will recall that he has a foundation and through this foundation he has been able to touch a lot of lives particularly the less privilege in the society. “I want to tell you that since he launched the foundation, there is no year that passes by that he does not donate equipment worth million to the less privilege in the society. “Last year, despite the fact that he was not present, he donated many wheel chairs including walking aids to the less privilege in the society. He did that through his representatives at the Sportswriter Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Secretariat at the National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos. And I can assure you that those who benefitted from his goodwill are still praying for him. “And this year, I just read in the papers that he came down from his base in China and donated a lot of medical equipment to the Lagos State Government to help the less privilege. What a wonderful gesture that is. “So, somebody of such a large heart deserves to be honoured for

• Martins his contributions to the development of the round leather game and humanity because that is the way it should be. One should not forget the environment that made him. So, we are looking forward to a successful Award ceremony,” Prince enthused.

It is recalled that Martins who returned to the country to make the donation handed 185 wheel chairs, 100 baby cots, 180 crutches, 60 hospital beds, 13 electronic wheelchairs and 400 pieces of white canes for the blind.

igerian-born British heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has finally accepted to fight his American challenger, Deontay Wilder and that the fight is expected to take place next year. This confirmation of the fight between the two heavyweight champions was made by Promoter Eddie Hearn in a tweet on SkySport twitter handle, Hearn wrote: “@ EddieHearn tells@SkySportsNews that@anthonyfjoshua will fight@ BronzeBomber in 2018. Talks start today,” (last Thursday). Prior to the confirmation of the fight which is already generating anxiety and excitement for the lovers of the square rope sport, Deontay Wilder had challenged Britain’s IBF and WBA champion after defending his WBC title against Bermane Stiverne penultimate Saturday. Meanwhile, despite accepting to fight Deontay Wilder next year, the Nigerian-born British boxer said the fight could only happen on his terms, which means he is the one to dictate the condition for the fight. It is recalled that after Anthony Joshua defeated his last opponent Carlos Takam in Round 10 of their 12 Round fight, a lot of came up to challenge him for a fight including Tyson Fury among others. However, it is also noted that after Wilder called out Joshua for a fight after his knockout victory against Stiverne, the Nigerian-born British heavyweight champion said he intends to ‘eat’ Wilder during the world title unification fight next year. This much was revealed by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn while reacting to Wilder’s declaration of war on Joshua. Anthony Joshua has worked with Eddie Hearn since turning pro after the London 2012 Olympics where he won gold for Britain. Already, Hearn has met with Wilder’s promoter in the USA last Thursday and urged the American to keep his financial demands realistic. “We need middle ground between reality and fantasy,” said Hearn. “If we can, I don’t see problems making the fight.” He added: “Unfortunately, Anthony has to overpay opponents. If we offered Deontay the correct purse for this fight, it would never happen because he would think it was disrespectful. “So we have to overpay him to make it happen. And we have to give him respect because he’s a great fighter, a great champion, really exciting, a great self-promoter. “I feel a bit bad for him; he’s got no promoter pushing him.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

SPORTS

Agali backs Moses for CAF Africa Player of Year Award By MADUABUCHI KALU

ormer Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Okechukwu Agali has thrown his weight behind recuperating Nigeria and Chelsea of FC of England utility players, Victor Moses to win January CAF Africa Players of the Year Award. According to Agali, Victor Moses’ performances for both club and country last season as good enough to get him the prestigious Africa Footballer of the Year gong. “I can speak well of Moses who I think has done tremendously well with his club side • Victor Agali and I see him winning the Africa Footballer of the

Year Award next January. “It is my conviction that Moses has acquitted himself so well with his performances to merit the Africa Football Players of the Year. “The good thing about Moses good run of form is that he is doing well not only for his club but also for Nigeria which I consider good enough to earn him the award. “Moses performances for country and club are exceptional when you consider other players in Eagles’ squad. That is why I strongly wish that he could win the Award because he has done enough to win it. “Everybody knows that Moses is playing the best football of his life. Everybody including the national team gaffer, Gernot Rohr is full of praise for Moses. “Of course we are all aware of the fact that in September in the double header World Cup Qualifier against African champions both in Uyo and Cameroon, Moses emerged as one of the continent’s best XI in company of compatriots, Troost Ekong and Wilfred Ndidi,” Agali explained.

I don’t need to ‘get fit’ to beat Joshua – Fury By MADUABUCHI KALU

ormer International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury of Great Britain has responded to Anthony Joshua jab at him to “get fit you fat fuck” before thinking of having any chance of a fight with him. Joshua caused a bit of a stir on social media last Thursday when he twitted to former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to “get fit you fat fuck,” while also addressing other potential opponents like Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker. It is not in the character of Fury is to let a rival’s trash talk go by without a response, of course, so he pretty quickly fired back. In his own Instagram post in response to Joshua’s jab at him, Fury posted: “To be honest with you, me old mate, I don’t need to get fit for somebody like you at all. I’ll come to you and I’ll punch all your face right in for you, even at 25 stone. So I really don’t need to get fit for you, anyway, put it that way. I’ve seen what you’re about. Useless. No gas, no stamina, too many weights. You wanna practice a bit more speed and less power.”

It is recalled that Fury, 29, hasn’t fought since his November 2015 win over Wladimir Klitschko, and at this point has lost his British boxing license and been stripped of all of his title belts — he gained the IBF (which Joshua now holds), WBA, and WBO titles with the victory over Wladimir. There has been talk of him returning to the ring this year, but none of it panned out, and in public appearances, he’s been well out of ring shape. That said, it has to be repeated that Joshua vs Fury is easily the biggest money fight possible in the heavyweight division, something that would surely sell a mass amount of tickets at Wembley Stadium and be a huge pay-per-view event in the UK, not to mention demanding major money for U.S. TV rights if it weren’t also a pay-perview here. That’s the reason for the backand-forth. If the fight ever becomes a reality, it’s going to be massive. It’s bigger than Joshua-Parker or Joshua-Wilder, and even with Fury currently completely out of active competition, there’s a ton of interest there. So they’ll keep talking smack until it happens, or forever even if it doesn’t, probably.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

SPORTS

Oshoala wins Super Cup with Chinese club

Udeze rues absence of key players against Argentina By MADUABUCHI KALU

• Emerges highest goal scorer By MADUABUCHI KALU

uper Falcons and Dalian Quanjian FC striker, Asisat Oshoala in the early hours of last Wednesday powered her club to their second trophy of the season as the Nigerian deadly striker scored two goals and provided two assist in her team’s 5-3 victory over Shanghai to claim the Super Cup title having already won the league. The Chinese Super Cup is an annual final between the winners of Chinese Women’s Super League and Chinese Women’s Football Championship. Oshala emerged the highest scorer in the league with a solid 12 goals. This much was made public by the striker via her post on social media where she displayed the gold plat-

Why I awarded penalty against Nigeria – Gabonese ref

ed trophies and medals. This is her post: “SUPER CUP CHAMPIONEEEEE. BUZZINGGGGGG…. mad game..5-3 against Shanghai, two (2) goals and two (2) assists from me,” Oshoala wrote on Twitter. SUPER CUP CHAMPIONEEEEE… BUZZINGGGGGG…. mad game..53 against shanghai, two (2) goals and two (2) assists from me.Alhamdulilah pic.twitter.com/n4szTc6rhy Dalian Quanjian, completed a double by picking up the Chinese Women’s Super Cup title, having earlier won the 2017 Chinese Super League title. The Chinese Women’s Super-Cup title represents Oshoala’s second trophy at the club since the 23 yearold joined Dalian Quanjian in February this year.

Dalung expresses joy over pool renovation • Lauds O’Jez for partnership

ollowing the uproar that greeted the award of the controversial penalty against the Super Eagles in Constantine in the final game of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, the man at the centre of the controversy, Eric Otogo-Castane of Gabon has attributed his decision to the newly introduced law by the World football governing body FIFA. It is recalled that Nigeria was already coasting him with victory when she was forced to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late penalty awarded to the Fennecs when Shehu Abdullahi was adjudged to have fouled Algerian winger, Yacine Brahaimi in the box. However, replays suggest the defender didn’t do much to warrant a penalty to be awarded against him, but referee Eric Otogo-Castane explained to some Nigerian officials the reason behind the harsh spot kick awarded to the Algerians. “Expectedly we asked questions after the game and the referee explained to us that the decision was taken based on a newly introduced law into the game, which allows for intention to be punished,” the NFF board member told Owngoalnigeria.com. “He interpreted Shehu’s intention to impede the man, who stayed on his feet instead of going down from the tackle. The fact that the Algerian attacker Brahaimi didn’t go down is what made the decision to look like the wrong call according to him. “Let’s be frank, he did his best considering the atmosphere he was under and especially after turning down numerous attempt by the Algerians to con him into giving them a penalty. “Maybe Brahaimi should have been sent off before the incident that lead to the goal; I guess he didn’t want to lose grip of the match, which a red card to the Algerian captain would have triggered. It’s called game management and we understand his explanation”.

By MADUABUCHI KALU

outh and Sports Minister, Hon. Solomon Dalung has expressed joy over the renovation of the National Stadium Swimming Pool. Dalung made the expression while performing double

functions at the pool site recently. The two in one function by the Honourable Minister was the commissioning of the pool and the declaration of the recently held 2nd edition of Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship open in Lagos. In the words of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development: “It is with immense joy and pride that I welcome the youth of Africa to the 2nd CANA Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship splashing off today in the bustling commercial city of Lagos, Nigeria,” Dalung began. “It also fills me with special joy as the pool comes alive today, not only because the last time this pool was used for any competitive event, none of the contestants in this competition was even born, but in resuscitating this Olympic edifice after 18 years of being in the sports mortuary, Nigeria is signaling its intention to mount a serious challenge to fish for medals in swimming on the glob-

al stage. “Sports facilities like this are indispensable for a countries seriously considering podium level performance,” Dalung declared. Speaking further, he said: “I thank O’Jez Entertainment for having the courage to partner with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to make this a reality. “I must confess that without the courage and commitment of O’Jez Entertainment, we may not have gathered here today. I want to say that I am proud of O’Jez Entertainment for the critical role it has played in making sure that this dream of bringing this facility back to life is a reality,” Dalung said. It is recalled that the National Stadium Surulere Lagos was built by the General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and commissioned in 1972. It was at the sports city otherwise called the National Stadium that Nigeria played host to All Africa Games between January 7 -18, 1973.

Ex- Eagle player, Okpara arraigned for wife battering

odwin Okpara, Super Eagles player, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly battering his wife, Linda Oladoyinbo, at their house on Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja. Okpara played for the Super Eagles at the France 98 World Cup and African Nations Cup in 2000, among other tournaments. The couple were based in France, where the former played for French club, PSG, had been married for over 25 years, and the union blessed with four children. However, crisis started in the marriage in 2005 when the wife reported to the French authorities that Okpara was sleeping with their 13-year-old housemaid, Tina.

He was arrested and convicted for the crime. While he served a 10-year prison term and was released in 2012, his wife got 15 years for child abuse. Although Okpara was released early on the grounds of good conduct in prison, he forfeited all his property and money to the French government, who also took custody of the family’s three surviving children. Oladoyinbo, after her release, returned to their house in Ikeja, in May 2016. However, she was said to have met some persons in the house, which led to an argument between her and the husband. Oladoyinbo, who wrote a petition to the police at the Zone 2 Police

Command, Onikan, alleged that 45-year-old Okpara later brought some thugs into the house and ordered them to beat her up. The attack, according to the petition, was because Oladoyinbo questioned the partitioning and sale of the family’s landed property in Ikeja. One of her relatives was said to have videoed the attack and also took pictures of the injuries sustained by the victim. Okpara, in his reaction, told the police that the fight happened after he returned home and discovered that his wife had stabbed one of his visitors. The case was referred to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, which issued advice on it.

ormer Super Eagles and AO Kasalas’s defender, Ifeanyi Udeze, has expressed regret over the inability of some key members of the Super Eagles to feature in the international friendly match against Argentina yesterday (Tuesday). According to Udeze, it would have served the Eagles better had it been that there was no injury worries against some key members of the team as they would have used the game to get the real test of what to expect at the World Cup. “I must say that it is most unfortunate that some of our key players didn’t take part in the international friendly against two time world champions, Argentina due to injuries,” Udeze began. “It would have been very good if all our key players played the match. It would have afforded them the opportunity of playing against some of the best footballers in the world. “Playing against a team like Argentina that parade some of the best players in world football is one in life time opportunity that no responsible player would like to miss. “Frankly speaking, the match would have afforded some of the players the opportunity of knowing what to expect from the World Cup proper. “It is a great opportunity to play at the World Cup because it is there that you see very fast thinking players. Players that even before they received a have already figured out what they want to do with the ball or where it is going. So, it is a big opportunity. “However, despite the absence of some of our key players in that encounter, those that had the opportunity of playing against Argentina would have learnt one thing or the other particularly the newly introduced players like Ola Aina, Henry Onyekuru, John Ogu, Etebo, Nwaekeme etc. Udeze explained Speaking further, the former AEK Athens defend said the game would have afforded some of the experienced national team players the opportunity of playing against some of the best footballers in world football. Udeze explained that Argentina parade some of the world best as far as football is concerned. He explained that playing such a high profile game would have afforded some of the players who did not participate in the game due to injury worries the opportunity of getting psychologically prepared for the Mundial where only the best that the world could afford exhibit their talents and skills. It is recalled that some senior national team players such Victor Moses, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Jude Ighalo among others could not make it to final World Cup Qualifying match against the Fennes of Algeria and the much publicized grade A friendly match against two time world champions, Argentina yesterday (Tuesday) in Russia.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Zimbabwe’s top U.S. launches media fund for Hungary to aid press freedom general to end purge on ousted VP supporters

he U.S. said on Monday it would fund rural media outlets in Hungary to help train and equip journalists in defence of an independent media it sees subject to growing pressure and intimidation. Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has increased media control by legal changes, regulatory steps and takeovers of outlets by business sector associates. The moves have alarmed Western partners with the approach of elections, due in April 2018, which he is widely expected to win comfortably. The trend was especially strong in rural Hungary, where governmentcontrolled public media and a handful of outlets friendly to the ruling Fidesz party are the only news sources most people get.

That is where the 700,000 dollars programme focuses. “The Department of State… seeks a partner for the U.S. Government, who will help educate journalists and aspiring journalists on how to practise their trade,” a State Department official said in a statement. “The U.S. has publicly and privately expressed our concerns about the status of the free press in Hungary on multiple occasions,” the official said. “Hungary has committed to upholding these standards.” The government had no immediate comment. The programme offers technical and financial assistance to media outlets, as well as increased local and international exposure, small grants and other tools. They can use the

funds after May 2018. Washington denied entry to top officials of his government on corruption charges in 2014, and Orban ruffled feathers with attacks on the U.S.-chartered Central European University, an issue yet to be resolved. The U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour launched the programme after the top U.S. diplomat in Budapest cited an erosion of media freedoms. “There are still independent and opposition media outlets there that are able to practise journalism with broad editorial freedom,” Chargé d‘Affaires Kostelancik said in October at a journalism conference. “That is a good thing.” “However, their numbers are dwindling, and they face challenges in the

imbabwe’s top military general on Monday called for an immediate end to purges against former liberation war fighters in President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party, after Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from office. In a move that highlighted the tensions rising in the southern African nation, Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, Commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces, said there was instability in ZANU-PF, which was causing anxiety in Zimbabwe. “We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in,” Chiwenga said in a statement. “The current purging, targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith.” It is rare for the country’s defence forces to take sides in the affairs of ZANU-PF. When Joice Mujuru, a war veteran and Mugabe’s deputy of 10 years was sacked from the ruling party in 2014, the military remained quiet. ZANU-PF is deeply divided over, who will eventually succeed 93-yearold Mugabe, with one faction, named G40 rallying behind Mugabe’s wife Grace and another that rooted for Mnangagwa. The mostly youthful G40 group is made up of members, who did not fight in the independence war, who believed that a younger generation should lead ZANU-PF during a postMugabe era. • Iranian rescuers search the wreckage of a building in the city of Pole-Zahab in Kermanshah Province, after a The army general said ZANU-PF powerful earthquake struck near the border of Iran and Iraq late Sunday. had since 2015 been rocked by infighting, which had afflicted the economy, causing serious cash shortages and soaring prices of basic commodities.

Iran declares day of mourning for quake victims

ran has declared Tuesday a day of mourning for the more than 400 people, who died after a powerful earthquake struck its border region with Iraq. The Cabinet expressed its condolences to the families of the dead and wished the injured a swift recovery, it said in a statement, according to state-run news wire IRNA. The government said that at least 430 people had been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the quake, which struck late Sundayand had its epicentre in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah. Media reports put the dead at 450. Most of the quake victims were in Iran, with the highest casualties reported from the Kermanshah town of Sarpol-e Zahab, though eight people also died and more than 500 were injured in Iraq. President Hassan Rowhani of Iran is set to visit the affected areas on Tuesday.

Zuma again denounces ‘monopoly’ white economic power

resident Jacob Zuma of South Africa reiterated his call for radical reforms to shift the balance of “monopoly” economic power away from whites who dominated under apartheid. He made the remarks, reiterating a staple criticism levelled by his ruling ANC about South Africa’s economy, against the backdrop of widespread allegations of corruption against Zuma and his friends, the Indian-born Gupta brothers Zuma said without such change blacks would stay poor for a long time. He was responding to a question about his role as an enemy of “white capital”, during an interview with the ANN7 news network, which was founded by the Guptas. Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. “I don’t know why there is a debate in fact. Because there is a monopoly capital and in South Africa it is white … because of our history, it does have a colour. “It is white,” Zuma, who steps down as head of the ANC in December but can remain head of state until elections due in 2019, said. “Companies that dominate in the mines, there are not many … You will find the same companies in charge.

“That means they are monopolising the economy and they’re not black,” he said. The Chamber of Mines in the world’s top platinum producer says that in 2016, 39 per cent of the sector was owned by “historically disadvantaged South Africans”, meaning nonwhites. Zuma said the policy of “radical economic transformation,” which has also seen moves to change the constitution to allow for the expropriation of land for redistribution to landless blacks, was needed to “correct the past.” “The ANC must follow this policy because if you don‘t, we are going to stay in poverty, in inequality, for a long time.” The frontrunners to replace Zuma at the helm of the ANC are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a trade unionist who amassed a fortune in the world of business, and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former chair of the AU and Zuma’s ex-wife. Ramaphosa is viewed more favourably by foreign investors, who help cover the country’s deficits. Many of them are unsettled by Dlamini-Zuma’s calls to radically redistribute wealth and her perceived links to her former husband. In a separate interview on state

broadcaster SABC, ANC Secretary Gen. Gwede Mantashe said “state capture is a reality,” referring to allegations that the Guptas and others have undue political influence with access to state resources and contracts under Zuma. Mantashe is regarded as an ally of Ramaphosa with ties that go back to the 1980s when they were involved in the founding of the National Union of Mineworkers.

• President Jacob Zuma

advertising market that the pro-government outlets do not. “They face pressure and intimidation… as a result, fewer and fewer Hungarians are exposed to the robust debate and discussion that is so important – in fact fundamental – to a representative democracy.” Foreign Ministry State Secretary, Levente Magyar, reacting to those comments, said the government would “continue to reject all statements that affect Hungarian internal affairs and are based on misrepresentation in the strongest possible terms”. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an intergovernmental human rights and media freedom watchdog, has said media pluralism has declined in Hungary.

Tanzania investigates ex-minister days after he joins opposition

anzania’s tourism minister ordered a corruption investigation into his predecessor on Monday, just two weeks after the former post-holder quit the ruling party and joined the opposition. Hamisi Kigwangalla, in charge of regulating one of Tanzania’s most lucrative sectors, told parliament he had asked the anti-corruption watchdog to look into allegations of abuse of office by Lazaro Nyalandu. Nyalandu took to Twitter to deny any wrongdoing and called the announcement a smear campaign meant to stop anyone else jumping ship. He quit the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party on Oct. 30 and joined the main opposition CHADEMA, citing rights abuses and a weakening of democracy in the east African nation. Rights groups have accused President John Magufuli’s government of cracking down on opposition voices, something it denies. Earlier, the government threatened to disband an oppositioncontrolled municipal council after the body decided to stay in a prodemocracy organisation that the country as a whole had left. The northwestern Kigoma Ujiji Municipal Council, run by the relatively small ACT-Wazalendo party, has decided to remain in the Washington-based Open Government Partnership (OGP) in spite of the central government’s withdrawal. Tanzania joined the OGP in 2011 to promote transparency and accountability in government spending, but withdrew in July, saying it wanted to focus on participation in APRM, a similar peer review system for African governments. At the time it said it wanted to cut down on the time and paperwork involved in taking part in two initiatives. “If they (the council) continue to communicate with OGP as they are doing now, the government will take stern measures … which may include disbanding the municipal council. “Don’t force us to go there,” Tanzania’s Good Governance Minister, George Mkuchika, said in parliament. The leader of ACT-Wazalendo criticised the announcement. “Forcing it (the municipal council) to withdraw… is unconstitutional because the central government is interfering in the affairs of local government,” he said in a statement.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 22, 2017

News

Abia Commissioners • Rt. Hon. C.O Enweremadu - Local Govt & Chieftaincy • Hon. Ikechukwu Anyatonwu - Youth Development • Hon. Obinna Ekekwe - Strategy and Social Development • Hon. Eziuche Ubani - Works • Barr. Uche Ihediwa - Lands, Survey & Urban Planning • Obioma Ogbonna - Tourism, Arts & Culture • Dr. John Ahukanna - Health • John Okiyi Kalu- Information • Rt. Hon. Charles Chinedum Elechi- Transport • Rt. Hon. Chidiebere Nwoke - Public Utilities •Abia State commissioners taking their oath of office and allegiance at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.

Woman slices step-daughter with razor

By XAVIER NDAH

en of Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Mrs Rose James Michael for allegedly inflicting life threatened injuries on her eight years old step daughter Blessing James Michael. The woman who resides at No. 10 Onofowokan Street Ita-oluwa via Ogijo was arrested following a complaint by her husband James

Michael. Police said the complainant had reported that his wife had called him on phone while he was away at work informing him that his daughter Blessing beat her little daughter and injured her on her leg and that she was going to revenge by inflicting injuries on her too. The complainant stated further that he pleaded with her wife on phone to be calm until his return

Why we support

Continued from Pg 8

ta question, he said the PANDEF led by foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has become an embarrassment and a disgrace to the people of the region. Eradiri stated: ‘’We have lost confidence in PANDEF. We no longer believe in them. I was part of those that brought up the idea when the government said they did not know whom to talk to in the region. “We agreed to come together as one, hence we established PANDEF. But unfortunately, PANDEF has now lost focus. They are now talking about constitution and leadership.

They have women’s wing, youths’ wing etc. “At every point that we strive to make progress, we are the same persons to scatter it. Everyone is seeking audience. Let those elders go and rest, particularly Clark. We have no elders to report to; they want to be the rulers, owning the power. They seek to overthrow the IYC and all others. They want to be the leaders all because of the selfish gains they want to derive. PANDEF has lost its usefulness. The group is becoming an embarrassment and a disgrace to the Niger Delta, ‘’ he maintained.

but before his arrival, the woman has used razor blade to inflict deep cuts on the little girl’s two hands and thigh, which led to the victim bleeding profusely. Police Public Relations Officer Ogun State, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abimbola Oyeyemi,told the Oracle newspapers that based on the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ogijo Division Superintendent of Police (SP) Tijani Muhammed detailed detectives to effect the arrest of the suspect. On interrogation, the suspect owned up to have committed the offence but blame it on the devil as she claimed not to know what come over her that made her to do so. The victim has been taken to Lenard Hospital Ogijo where she is currently on admission. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police cp Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to Anti Human Trafficking and Child labor Unit of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and possible prosecution of the suspect. He equally warned that the Command will not tolerate any act of wickedness and man inhumanity to man in whatever form.

• Dr. Aham Uko----Environment • Chief Charles Ogbonna - Trade & Investment • Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere - Energy & Mineral Resources • Barr. Chizuru Kanu - Petroleum • Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji- Education • Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike--Agriculture • Thaddeus Izuogu Imo - Inter-State Affairs • Barr. Gab Igboko - SME Development • Obike Mascot - Boundary Affairs • Barr. James Okpara - Housing • Chief Henry Ikoh - Industries •

Lady Elizabeth Uhuegbu - Special Duties, Esta & Training

• Chief Fabian Nwankwo - Science & Technology • Precious Achumba---Special Duties, Vulnerable Groups •

Lady Kate Onyemaechi - Women Affairs

• Hon. Young Onyike - Cooperatives & Rural Development • Martin Okoji - Sports • Chief Umeh Kalu (SAN), Attorney-General, Justice • Mr Obinna Oriaku - Finance

Kanu’s trial, Abaribe’s trouble

Continued from Pg 6 uals could wake up one evening and announce the replacement of a man that commands over 50 million people, with presence in over 100 countries of the world, that person must be foolish. Anybody who peddles or believes such a story needs his or her brain examined. This is another classic DSS-engineered subterfuge that fell flat on its face as all their previous efforts to rubbish the personality of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did. Many more weird and ludicrous stories will emerge in the coming days. The more IPOB applies the pressure, the more bizarre the antics of this shambolic APC Government becomes.” Powerful stated that no amount of “fabricated falsehood or carefully packaged lies by DSS and Lai Mohammed’s Ministry of Information will ever erase the

fact that Nigerian soldiers last September invaded Kanu’s compound and abducted him.” “The Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali on Channels Television admitted during an interview that troops went in search of our leader in his home without court warrant in a supposed democracy,” Powerful further noted in the statement. “This invasion led to the death of 28 people shot by Nigerian soldiers. It doesn’t take much to understand that fake stories are part of the strategy of government to stop people from asking them where Nnamdi Kanu is. “By regaling the gullible few with wild stories such as the sacking of our leader, they hope to cheapen a very serious matter of abduction and possible extra judicial execution. We advise the discerning public to disregard such junk news and continue to demand the whereabouts of our

leader from the Buhari regime. “We must not forget the case of purported splinter groups set up by DSS such as REIPOB, TRIPOB, RENIPOB, SEXIPOB etc. None of them made it from newspaper pages into the real world. This latest show of shame by DSS and the Nigerian Army proves that they are still holding our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their custody and are hoping to create a diversion with this talk of his replacement when they know such is impossible. “We have all become accustomed to the crude antics of this shameless Nigerian government and its security agencies who are so desperate to create confusion and pandemonium within the hierarchy of IPOB. That they came up with this ludicrous propaganda of the replacement of the irreplaceable IPOB leader is confirmation of their desperation. “IPOB is arguably the most dis-

ciplined mass movement in the world today; if not, all the years of torture of Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie Ishinwa would have provided the DSS the key witness against Kanu in the treasonable felony trial they have been looking for. “This fabricated news of the sacking of our leader is nothing more than mere childish prank played by unintelligent people in a supposedly intelligence agency. No right-thinking person would waste his or her time on such nonsensical gimmick. “Fabricating, concocting and peddling lies against IPOB through government-friendly newspapers and media houses to the amusement of the undiscerning public is an exercise in futility. Our leader cannot be demystified with cheap lies. IPOB under the leadership and supreme command of Mazi

Nnamdi Kanu, even in custody, is unstoppable, unquenchable, irreversible and irrevocable. We are waiting for their next instalment.” The Anambra governorship election holds on Saturday and security has been beefed up in the State, and surrounding States. November 20’s court matter in Abuja is awaited with much anticipation. Would the judge ask the same question everyone is asking, “Where is Kanu?” Would she give an order for the Nigerian Army to produce Kanu? Would Senator Abaribe faces the consequences of a surety not producing a bailed suspect in court? What defences would the lawyers from both present? What reliefs would they seek from the court? The Oracle Today would be there to provide you the answers. You can also follow more developments on the story on www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY November 22, 2017

The

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racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

Don’t panic, it’s a democracy

HATEVER happens do not panic, it is a democracy, though there are times you think it is a dictator without a ship, meaning once the ship is discovered and attached, we would have a dictatorship. While we are at the search, there is a general feeling that we know who is President, but remain uncertain about who runs the country. The feeling has nothing to do with the President’s health. It has everything to do with the complicating decisions and indecisions that appear not to serve the President’s interests. We only assume what those interests could be outside the platitudes about loving Nigeria, which translates to patriotism. One of the drawbacks of the vast expanses that democracy provides for choices is the arguments for the rights of people to make choices that could harm democracy and themselves. The right to association, in particular, subsumes and guarantees the right to any association that we consider “right”, as long as it is legal. In the long drawn efforts to stretch the frontiers of freedom, rights are blurring from both ends – those who say they must be regulated (using noses as boundaries, not good enough for space management) and others who vote for limitless rights, in the perpetual expectations that all their choices would automatically become right. It is a long way to choices and rights. The circumstances of whose rights are in contention circumscribe the rights of others with the law winking hence they say the law is an ass for all to ride, an uncharitable remark on the law. Rights that our politicians hold dear include moving from one political party to the other. Spates of crossing from one party to the other are on again. In the legislative houses, there are muffled noises about the propriety of another party gaining seats it did not win at the elections. The position of the law is vacuous. Crisis in a party is deemed enough reason to move to another party. What is a crisis? Suppose I prime my supporters (thugs) to disrupt party meetings, raise my voice high enough about the democratic abnegations our great party patronises, and as a respect for the law, file multiple suits against the party, would that be a crisis in the opinion of the law? Other changes in party affiliations have been the decade-long practices of groups (any associations, or affiliations) gathering a crowd of hundreds or thousands, depending on their resources, to accompany a known political merchant to change his business address. The accompanying crowd becomes his supporters who are following him to the next party. A close look at some of the faces shows that they have so professionalised political merchandising that their expertise is in assembling crowds for rallies, cross carpeting, and sometimes as thugs.

ing. The gateways to political appointments may seem shut, but they are never locked. Hopes are high that 2019 would be some people’s year of entry into “the next level” of their political sojourns. Some have waited since 1999, not coming the years of hoping the military would depart. These attainments are expensive. You have to be well-behaved to those who make the decisions. You have to pledge your unflinching loyalty. I have a friend who defines the blindness of his loyalty by the fact that though his sight may be failing, he has refused to wear glasses, in case, he saw something wrong. How does he see the good work His Excellency has done? He explained that he did not need to see them. Whether they existed or not, he said, all that was required of him was to parrot the comments of other mainstream supporters of His Excellency. Blind loyalty is not mere stringing of words. If the ruling party plays its cards well (poor visibility permitting) it would soon have enough members, coverts, new comers – all steeped in old ways – that fears about the stability of our democracy would heighten. In those doubtful moments, our leaders would paraphrase every speech with, “Let me remind you that we are in a democracy.” Our consolation would be in knowing, that they know, that we need to be reminded that we are in a democracy.

Mark My Words… 6 March 2017 Working with you was a school in itself, and the lessons learnt are worth their weight in gold. – President Muhammadu Buhari’s 80th birthday message, from his convalesce abode in London, to Gen Olusegun Obasanjo (Head of State, 1976-1999, President, 19992003) who has publicly confessed that he did not know his age.

•Senate President, Bukola Saraki For many politicians, these moves are post-election re-alignments. It is a time to re-assess their involvement in the previous election season; time to prepare for a future counted in terms of success at the next election. Nothing could be wrong in these except that they constrict the political sphere and make it indiscernible. The people do not seem to be a consideration until the next election. Hunger can do a couple of things to an individual. He could get angry, go for anything to quash the hunger, without minding the conditions or hold on to his convictions, no matter what. Where the hunger for power is involved, our politicians have few qualms if any. It is power at all costs, every cost, which could be an appropriate attitude, if you consider

that for most parts, no costs are spared in the pursuit of power and its maintenance. I hope it is clear that we are not discussing electricity. Power is for their immediate families, and for attainment of positions to oppress others. Compromise has gained more notoriety lately. Serial compromises hold Nigeria down. Joining the ruling party in the local government, State, or at the centre, is an admission that a day is too long in politics. Why wait until 2019, the future, as some euphemistically call it? Ministerial appointments would be made, in case someone is evaluating the performances of Ministers, most of who, in fairness to them, are anonymous. Board positions are still vacant, and 2019 does not appear too many months away, politically speak-

As progressives, we believe that Nigeria is greater than any individual or the sum of her federating units, therefore the country can only succeed when all of us have equal rights, where no one is above the law, where the culture of impunity is abolished and where there is level playing field. – All Progressives Congress, APC, “About Us”, on its website 17 February 2017 We will keep coming back until we get the permission to see our imprisoned colleagues. - Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on their members detained in Edirne Prison; PDP is a minority party in Turkey. If you did not know, you are not alone. I too found out only days ago.

•This article was first published on 29th of March 2017

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.