Wednesday August 22, 2018 Edition

L

They want Nigeria for themselves

OOK at politics as a business and you would notice that the politicians hardly lose. The major losers are the voters whom they have turned into ‘commodities’ to be purchased as the elections draw near. All the decampings and defections are about politicians

The Oracle Today Comment

not losing out in the power game.

WHERE do these place the people? Unfortunately, they are nowhere. The people are meant to

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

vote and that ends their contribution. The din that rises from shouting “votes will count” appears to be a threat to those votes. If votes

don’t count, what else would? The allusions to the possibilities of rigging the elections are implied.

ASPIRANTS are not telling us

anything new. They are all happy with the electoral schedule, which shields them from public scrutiny until 18 November when campaigns start for the presidency and National Assembly seats. How do the future inheritors of Nigeria in-

racle

WEDNESDAY August 22, 2018

Cont’d on page 24

www.oraclenews.ng

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today N200

Will 2019 elections hold?

S

IX months to the 2019 general elections, there are more question marks over the elections. Will they hold?

What happens if they do not hold?

The charged political atmosphere is providing some rooms for some parties to threaten that others are working against holding the elections.

It is one of the charges against the National Assembly, which is currently on recess. Those who want the National Assembly to reconvene immediately claim that its long recess threatens the elections, as the budget for the Independent National Electoral Commission is awaiting the approval of the National Assembly. But there are more to these issues that are heating up the polity as the elections draw near.

“The National Assembly will not stop the elections. The National Assembly is doing its best to have the elections hold,” a source told The Oracle Today. “The allegations against the National Assembly are part of the politics of the day.”

Defections dominate the politics, which seems to be centred at the National Assembly. After the losses to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some other parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), wants to take control of the National Assembly.

“The interest in the National Assembly reconvening is unwholesome. There are plans to cause confusion when the sessions resume. We are aware of their plans,” said a source who did not want to be quoted.

Without President Buhari Control of national politics has been diffused in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who commenced a 10-day medical leave, in London, on August 3.

In his absence, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo fired Alhaji Lawal Daura, considered the President’s untouchable confidant. There has been no confirmation of when the President would resume.

APC is led in two parts – Acting President Osinbajo is battling with daily administration of the country; party Chairman Adams

Cont’d on page 2

Page 18

VOL.3 No.33

•Buhari’s absence an issue •NASS on recess •No budget for INEC •Parties fight for members •Too many intrigues continues

•Dogara

•Buhari

•Saraki

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

•Targets 300, 000 jobs by 2027

•Yakubu

FG to trap $14b annually for local oil contractors F

ederal government has unveiled plans to secure upstream petroleum industry contracts worth over $14 billion or N5.04 trillion for players in the domestic industrial environment.

The full revenue packages

would be trapped down from annual petroleum industry budgets worth $20 billion or N7.2 trillion by strictly enforcing compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development Content (NOGICD)

Act 2010.

The economic growth measure which is contained in a 10 year strategic plan by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) targets

to gradually increase the contract scopes and volumes in the upstream petroleum industry across the period through enhanced capacity development and enhanced access to funding.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB,

Cont’d on page 2

Fidelity unveil lending scheme for Aba leather

2

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Continued from Pg 1 Oshiomhole is playing the politics of keeping the party in the fore as the ruling party.

After Daura Previous week’s occupation of the National Assembly that caused Director General of the Directorate of State Services, Lawal Daura his job, has changed the strategy of using security agencies to scare opponents. It would require more political manoeuvres than force to take control of the Assembly. All contenders admit this.

INEC – no 2019 budget

Will 2019 elections hold?

President Buhari’s letter of 17 July 2018 sought approval of N242 billion for the p 2019 election, and virement of some projects in the 2018 budget. “Certainly, in the case of INEC for example, INEC could pick some items on the shelves but there are so many important and essential items that INEC will have to place order that could take about two to three months.

“So, it is very imperative that we do the needful, we should convene the National Assembly immediate-

ly and as legislators, as representatives of Nigerians, we will do what is best in the national interest.”

Who delayed INEC budget?

Questions are being asked about the INEC budget. Why would an organisation that first announced the schedule for the 2019 elections in March 2017 delay its budget until July 2018? Why was the budget not submitted with the 2018 budget in December 2017? Some legislators insinuate that the idea was to jury

the passage of the budget.

FG would collapse unless NASS reconvenes – Enang “You remember that we passed the budget with understanding that the greater amount of it would be gotten by foreign loans,” Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang said.

“Although this was approved that there would be loans, the amount was not approved. The

Onitsha students win Technovation World Challenge egina Pacies Secondary R School, Onitsha won the World Technovation Challenge in

the Silicon Valley in San Francisco, USA. The students are Promise Nnalue, Jessica Osita, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo and Vivian Okoye they developed a mobile application called the FD-Detector to tackle the challenge of fake pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. Under the tutelage of Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu the CEO of Edufun Technik STEM, the Golden Girls spent five months researching and developing FD-Detector which swept through over 2000 competing applications to get to the finals in San Francisco.

Over 115 countries participated in the qualifiers but only 12 teams from all over the world were selected as finalists for the pitch in Silicon Valley.

FG to trap $14b annually for local oil contractors Cont’d from Pg 1 Mr. Simbi Wabote said the plan was to dissolve significant portion of annual upstream oil and gas operations budgets in procurement of local goods and services in a deliberate strategy to catalyse activities in the domestic industrial sectors through sustained patronage.

Mr. Wabote whose presentation was delivered at an industry forum in Lagos, stated that the ultimate goals of the plan are to increase the Nigerian Content of the annual upstream petroleum industry budget from current five percent to over 70 percent during the tenure of the programme.

He said an associated funding plan is also running to develop the requisite skills, competencies and capacity to position local enterprises for business opportunities emerging from the growth plan.

Within the period, he said, a parallel programme to create industrial parks across the six geopolitical zones of the country would stimulate robust manufacturing activities across the country by providing basic factors of production including amenities, energy and infrastructure.

He said the manufacturing enclaves and investment havens are required to achieve highly enhanced ease of doing business in the economy.

According to him, a dual funding programme has been mapped out to drive the process. He explained that while government would deploy the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) in building

local capacity for individuals and corporate entities to take opportunity in the programme, the annual $20 billion upstream petroleum industry budgets would provide sustained patronage for local goods and services consumed in the industry.

Mr. Wabote said the board is grooming the funding pool to promote investments in production of industry goods and consumables as part of the deliberate measures built into the plan to provide soft credit facilities and patronage guarantee.

The Oracle Today reports that players in the upstream petroleum industry are required by regulation to remit one percent of every project budget to the NCDF as part of mandatory contribution to local capacity building.

Already, the board has carved out some $200 million under the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) hosted in the Bank of Industry (BoI) to provide soft credit to indigenous oil service providers and other key players in the upstream petroleum industry.

The NCIF which was birthed from the $650 million NCDF is promoted by the NCDMB as part of the capacity building plan to provide 8.0 percent interest loans to upstream oil contractors with a maximum of one year moratorium from the date of disbursement. Loans could have tenure of up to five years.

With the establishment of the NCIF, our enquiries yielded, The NCDF currently hosts princely $450 million with which NCDMB drives parallel intervention programmes

to develop industry capacity in other areas of upstream activities.

The NCIF loans focus on petroleum specific manufacturing, asset acquisition, contract financing, community contract financing, and refinancing of existing loans.

Mr. Wabote stated that the key objectives of the NCIF are to increase indigenous participation in huge budget upstream oil and gas operations through enabled local capacity and competences, promotion and development of core companies connected with petroleum industry activities, deepen linkages between petroleum industry and other sectors of the economy in order to boost gross domestic product.

Other objectives of the fund, he said, are to address funding challenges hindering growth of indigenous upstream oil and gas companies, and to attract the right level of foreign direct investments needed to boost job creation in the local economy.

Besides the NCIF, Mr. Wabote stated, NCDMB is also deploying significant resources in development of industries that produce materials and services to the upstream petroleum industry. He pointed at steel pipe and pipe coating mills, fabrications yards, deepwater logistics bases and marine vessel support fleets that are supported with patronage as part of the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act. With the right level of activity in the local industrial sector, he explained, the envisaged catalytic momentum would spread pro-

ductivity upside across the small and medium scale enterprises ancillary to the upstream petroleum industry operations in the country.

He added that NOGICD Act 2010 was being amended to spread the scope of mandatory local content application across the full spectrum of the economy, especially in areas where access to funding has limited the level of local participation and encouraged job export.

He explained that NCDMB was working with KPMG on reforms in the key application models for the Nigerian Content Act with a view to growing the retention of petroleum industry spend from current five percent to over 70 percent by 2027.

Within the period, adequate linkages would have been developed to guarantee internal spending of about $14 billion of upstream petroleum industry budgets in the local economy to patronise enterprises that are domiciled in the country, he stated.

The resulting economic development stimulus, he said, would generate over 300, 000 jobs across sectors while local capacity development and enhanced business environment would combine to position the country as regional hub for petroleum industry activities.

The cumulative development effect would end the era of importing equipment and facilities meant for utilization in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Fiscal Responsibility Act requires that the President should specifically state the amount the government wants to get from foreign loans and present it before the National Assembly.

“That letter has been presented to the National Assembly and the National Assembly has to pass that amount before the money could be obtained from foreign financing institutions. This is what we are asking and if it didn’t happen in the next few months, we may have a complete government shutdown.

“What we are receiving from the Federation Accounts as the federal government’s share of the capital component is not enough to sustain even the 15 or 20 per cent of the budget. So, there may be a complete government shutdown and I know that Nigerians are not going to like it. That is why we are still appealing.”

It’ll be most irresponsible to reconvene NASS – Saraki, Dogara Resumption of the National Assembly for Tuesday had been expected. It did not happen.

Spokespersons for the National Assembly leaders, Yusuph Olaniyonu, (Senate) and Turaki Hassan, (House of Representatives) in a joint statement explained why the National Assembly would not resume yet.

“The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have directed that we inform all Senators, Honourable Members and the public that a date has not been set for the reconvening of the Senate and the House of Representatives to consider the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 17, 2018.

“The leadership of the two chambers had met and agreed to reconvene to consider the proposal this week before which a meeting between the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC must have held on or before Monday August 13, 2018.

“The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.

“However, no such meeting had taken place yet as a result of which both Senate and House of Representatives cannot reconvene as there is no report to consider.

“Until the Committees have a ready report for the consideration of the two Chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.”

APC wants Saraki out as Senate President APC is not impressed. Its National Chairman Oshiohmole has threatened to impeach Saraki, even if all he could muster is five Senators.

“As a Party, we don’t believe in inducing lawmakers to achieve our legitimate goal of removing Saraki as Senate President. We will get the support of some PDP Senators to get the required 2/3 vote and impeach Saraki,” APC acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena’s statement read.

“We are already talking to some of PDP Senators who believe and support the direction of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to achieve our legitimate goal. He cannot lead the APC ma-

Cont’d on page 44

3

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

•Sunday Okpe (m) Dede Uzor A. Uzor (r) & Barr Onwuemekai during the event ,

By Oge Onyeanusi Group, Human Rights Defenders of Nigeria, has honoured the Anambra State Commander of

the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Mr. Sunday Okpe, a Superintendent of Police (SP) for his giant strides in policing.

The ceremony, which took place

at Awkuzu, the Anambra State Headquarters of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) attracted members of the human rights group led by its national

4

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Osinbajo orders immediate overhaul of SARS

By VICTOR NZE

F

OLLOWING persistent complaints by Nigerians against the operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, tooverhaul the management and activities of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Complaints against the SARS operations have bordered on allegations of human rights violations, as the Acting President’s directive is also with immediate effect.

According to a statement, Tuesday, signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media & Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the move is informed by need to ‘ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection

of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.’

“The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.

“In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress,” the statement read.

Ambode approves LagosRead competition

G

OVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved the LagosReads Competition geared towards improving the reading culture among Lagos residents.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela BankOlemoh in a statement on Thursday to announce the “Books-ofthe-month” for August, said the state-wide competition, which is an initiative of the Lagos State Library Board would hold its maiden edition in October 2018.

He said the LagosReads initiative, officially launched in June 2018, was a decisive move by the

State Government to not only improve the reading culture of Lagos residents but also reward them for reading.

According to him: “We will announce books to be read by different categories of the public every month.

“The books for the month of August are: The Making of Nigeria by Constance Omawunmi Kola-Lawal and The King and the Colony by Olasupo Shasore for the Junior and Senior categories respectively, while readers in the adult category are to read White Lagos by Pelu Awofeso”.

•Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi being welcomed to the 30th National Biennial Conference organised by the Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria, which he attended along with other Federal & State government officials.

NYSC has helped deflate fears among Nigerians – Kebbi Gov

G

OVERNOR Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State says the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme has helped to deflate fears and mistrust among Nigerians.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar Mu’azu Dakigari quoted the Governor as making the comment while hosting the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Sule Kazaure during a private dinner at the Dining Hall Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Bagudu recalled that, during his service period at Iwo in the old Oyo suspected cultists were arrested state, he was well received and felt recently in the area during vio- at home with kindness from the lent clash between two rival cult people of the state. groups.

“It is an offence for anybody to ask you to commit yourself or beHE Customer Eligibility Policy long to any secret society before of the Federal Government has giving you an employment,” he started yielding result, with five said.

According to him, anyone industrial customers presently buycaught engaging in cultism will be ing electricity directly from Generadealt within the confines of the tion Companies (GenCos), according to Minister of Power, Works and law.

Ogunjemilusi noted that there Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola said this, Monday, at the were leverage for those youths who want to denounce cultism 29th stakeholders’ meeting organand reconcile themselves to the ised by Mainstream Energy Solusociety in order to become law tions Ltd., in Minna, Niger State.

The Customer Eligibility Policy was abiding citizens.

He outlined tips on how the declared by the minister in 2017 to people could protect their prop- improve distribution side of electricity and facilitate better power supply erty and their loved ones.

“We need vehicles to improve to consumers who consumed up to our response capability in the two mws and above.

“From reports reaching me, five state,” he said.

Also, Mr Frank Archibong, the industrial customers are now benChairman of Eket Local Govern- efitting from the policy and taking ment Area, said that the council their power directly from a GENCO, incidentally is our host today, would not tolerate cultism in the which messers Mainstream Energy Ltd. area.

“We also have a list of 26 industrial “We can no longer tolerate customers who are seeking to benor fold our hands and allow the efit from the policy,’’ Fashola said. criminal minded elements in our According him, directives have midst to soil and tarnish an integ- been issued to the Nigeria Electricity rity which we have built over the Regulatory Commission (NERC) to years for ourselves and commu- work out and implement competinity,” Archibong said. tion transition charges as provided He urged people to expose any by Law, to safeguard operators cultist living within Eket and its from any losses arising from the environs. policy.

Police lost 30 officers in 1 month – CP

N

O fewer than 30 police officers sacrificed their lives in the service of their fatherland in the last one month in Nigeria.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa-Ibom, CP Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, made the disclosure, Tuesday at Eket Security Summit against Crimes and Cultism in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

The conference was organised by the local government in conjunction with the State Police Command.

“We have lost over 30 police officers within one month in the country.

“Police officers are sacrificing their lives daily, but it is unfortunately that we focus our mirror on the few bad elements that dent the image of the police force,” Ogunjemilusi said.

He, however, said that over 60

The Governor told the Director General that, his administration had made its necessary on all public office holders and traditional rulers to treat youth corps members as their children with compassion.

The Governor requested the Director-General to post more medical NYSC Doctors to enrich the medical outreach organized by the Government serially as part of its policy to improve health care services.

In addition Senator Bagudu said in his capacity as Vice Chairman of National Food Security Council of which President Muhammadu Buhari chairs he would want joint cooperation with the NYSC to tap the knowledge of graduate of agricul-

ture sciences to adequately harness the agricultural potential in Nigeria in line with ongoing agricultural revolution as a major revenue sources.

Earlier, Director-General of the NYSC Brigadier General Sule Kazaure commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for promoting the welfare of corps members serving in the state.

Brigadier-General Kazaure acknowledged the effort of the Governor for transforming Kebbi state into bastion of agricultural production and industrialization.

The Director-General is to interact with Corps members at their orientation camp in Dakingari, headquarter of Suru Local Government.

Electricity: Customer eligibility policy beginning to yield result– Fashola

T

“We will continue to monitor the impact of the policy and remain flexible to keep what works and change what does not.

“I urge everybody to remain openminded, adaptive and responsive.’’

He said the provision of N701 billion payment assurance guaranteed by government was to give comfort to investors in the generation side of the value chain.

This, he said was designed to ensure the payment of power produced by GenCos. “Since its implementation in 2017, recovery of payments by GenCos has increased from 20 per cent to 80 per cent and power supply capacity has improved from 4,000mw to 7,000mw and there is an appetite by other players to participate.

“Is it perfect, certainly not, do the GenCos like it, I am sure that they will tell that 80 per cent recovery is better for business than 20 per cent recovery, but they would rather have 100 per cent recovery,’’ he said.

The minster, however, said that GenCos must transparently invoice for their output made on generation of power.

“We must harmonise the price of gas for payment under the scheme, where there are differential prices arising from different gas suppliers.

“Therefore, we must work as owners of the policy to nurture and improve on its capabilities.

On Meter Asset Provider (MAP), he said the policy was introduced to address the meter supply gap, relieve the DISCOs of the financial burden of meters.

He said reports reaching him indicated that there was an embracement of the policy, adding that entrepreneurs were showing interest and talking to banks to raise finance.

On energising educational institutions and markets, Fashola said, “these are government-led initiatives based on the rural electrification plan approved by the President in 2016 to provide access to power for rural dwellers and vulnerable members of our society.’’

He said government had proposed to use six small hydro dams that had been abandoned for decades to energise Federal Government owned universities and some markets.

“There are currently 15 markets under contemplation with Ariaria, Sabon Gari and Sura markets in Aba, Kano and Lagos as flagships.

“The six hydro dams are to be concessioned to private operators on Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT),’’ he said.

5

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Presidency denies foreign pressure on Buhari to drop 2nd term bid

T

HE Presidency has described as fiction parading as news the Tuesday’s Daily Independent Newspaper report with the headline; ‘Pressure mounts on Buhari not to seek re-election.’

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, Tuesday, condemned the publication, describing it as `fake news’.

He maintained that the author of the `tendentious story’ was being mischievous or got procured by anti-democratic elements, and then penned the mischief.

The statement read: “It is necessary to respond to a tendentious story published today as cover choice by Daily Independent Newspaper.

“Under the headline, ‘Pressure

mounts on Buhari not to seek reelection,’ the fiction parading as news claims that foreign powers, including the European Union, United States of America, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, are putting pressure on President Buhari not to seek re-election, due to some concocted reasons.

“We thought fake news was the sole preserve of the social media in this season. Alas, a traditional medium has caught the bug. Obviously, the author of the story just got a brain wave, or got procured by anti-democratic elements, and then penned the mischief.

“If there are quarters in which President Buhari is held in very high esteem, and the work he is doing for Nigeria highly lauded, it is in the countries mentioned. Some of them are equally bastions of

democracy, and will not interfere in the democratic affairs of a sovereign country. The newspaper should simply tell its story to the marines.’’

According to him, President Buhari is not a flippant or frivolous individual, as he gave deep thought

to the prospect, before announcing his bid for a second term in office.

“It is only those who fear that their goose would be cooked, if they meet with him at the polls, that are trying to dissuade him from running by all means, includ-

ing sponsored newspaper stories.

“By saying it got feelers that President Buhari may opt out of the 2019 presidential election, Daily Independent embarrassed itself, and all those who love good journalism. The newspaper can surely do better,’’ he added.

Explosives kill 1,500 in Nigeria

T

HE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on Tuesday said no fewer than 1,500 deaths were recorded in 2017 from explosives, while 66 per cent of the deaths were civilians.

Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC Nigeria, Myriam El Kholi, made the disclosure at the Surgical Skills for Casualties of Armed Violence, Weapon Wounded Surgery Course in Abuja.

El Kholi said that the armed conflict in the North-East and violence in the Middle Belt and Niger Delta States left millions in a state of dire humanitarian needs.

She said that the mortality rate of persons injured by weapons continued to rise with inadequate resources and skills also taking into account deaths caused by weapons such as machetes, guns and mines.

The head of the delegation said that one of the most obvious results of the crises was the state of healthcare system, hence, the need to equip and train medical professionals on life saving and surgical skills.

“In the North-East where access to healthcare has not always been a strong point, the armed conflict has in some areas made it a near impossibility or a process wrought with challenges of security. “ The evolution of weapons and its use in the crises has also constituted

a challenge to healthcare as hospitals have been shut down and staff evacuated in a bid to preserve life.

“This is why it is important that the available medical professionals are able to cope in an efficient and lifesaving manner with the stream of weapons wounded casualties coming in,’’ she said.

El Kholi said that the seminar, which was the 8th since it began in 2012, had trained over 400 healthcare professionals with skills in surgical and trauma management.

She said thousands have been saved as a result of the trainings, adding that in 2017, 2,500 people were successfully operated upon by the surgical team supported by ICRC in the North-East.

“In the past 30 years, ICRC had worked in Nigeria within its mandate to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and violence.

“In the North-East, the desire to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to best healthcare, led ICRC to support 20 primary healthcare centres in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

“We also offer first aid training programmes that cut across 17 states in the North-East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta,“ she said.

El Kholi said that the content of the workshop ranges from violence-related surgery to managing weapon wounded patients.

Cholera: More deaths recorded in Kano

M

ORE deaths have been reported from cholera outbreak in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, as government officials kept mum on the situation.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who was at Gwarzo General Hospital on Monday reports that some of the cholera patients on admission were lying on the floor due to over congestion in the wards.

A brother to a patient on admission, Inuwa Ashiru, said:“Journalists have been coming to the hospital to assess the situation since last week and the reports were not favourable to the government.

“I came here with a patient, a 15-year-old boy and within these four days no fewer than 20 people lost their lives while about 350 others were admitted even though some of them have already been discharged.”

He said that the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso had visited the hospital on Sunday

and brought drugs, 75 beds and mattresse.

NAN however observed that in spite of the effort, many patients are still lying on the floor due to inadequate bed spaces.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Mudi Sulaiman confirmed that the state government had provided all the drugs and medical equipment for the treatment of the patients on admission in the facility.

“I want to confirm to you that the state government has provided all that is required for the treatment of the patients,” he said in a phone interview, but was unable to give the number of patients treated and those still on admission.

NAN recalls that the Chairman of Gwarzo local council, Alhaji Bashir Kutama had earlier denied the outbreak.

Similar efforts to contact the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso also proved abortive as he refused to take several phone calls and text message, to get his reaction to the situation.

•Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle), Minister of State, Surv. Suleiman Zarma Hassan(right) and Permanent Secretary, Power, Engr. Louis Edozien (left) during the 29th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting hosted by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, operators of Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants on Monday,13th August 2018 at the Justice Legbo Kutigi Hall, Minna, Niger State.

‘16 States in Nigeria facing hunger’

C

HAIRMAN Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, says 3.7 million people in 16 out of the 36 states and FCT are currently faced with food insecurity.

Abdullahi made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the Second Conference of the “Feed the future Nigeria agricultural policy project organised by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

He noted that several factors drove the nations challenging food and nutrition outlook.

He said it includes civic conflicts, climate change, and large scale of displacement, others are high food prices, poverty and high population amongst others.

Abdullahi commended President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing the National Food Security Council to address the challenges

in the sector.

He said to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security, there is need to maintain and strengthen the multi-sectoral approach to food security and nutritional policy.

“We need to examine the intricacies of livelihoods issues of our citizens to design workable policy frameworks.

“We also need to discuss the role of governance in achieving food security, creating space for interaction between different actors linked by common discourse,’’ he said.

Abdullahi disclosed that the Eight Senate has passed several bills that would support the Nation’s food and nutrition security efforts.

He observed that the issue of food security and nutrition is an urgent and continuous theme that must be daily emergency for any

government.

“Food security and nutrition must be tagged urgent because people, population and environmental dynamics will continue to make it so.

“It must be continuous because survival is a continuous issue and so long as humanity exist the subject remains stuck with us,’’ he said.

He said the move has become imperative because food security has been identified as a huge problem in Nigeria, as the country ranked 84th out of 119 countries on the global hunger index.

Abdullahi said Nigeria came in just below the Republic of Congo.

The three day conference is being attended by 100 experts from various sectors of agriculture to work on collaborative research for agricultural policy in Nigeria.

2019: Ezekwesili, CSOs plan new coalition to restructure Nigeria’s leadership

A

COALITION of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella, Summit of the Alternatives (SOTA), said on Monday that it was working on a political coalition to restructure Nigeria’s leadership ahead of 2019.

Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, one of the members of the group, and convener, Red Card Movement, made this known at a news conference on the SOTA summit in Abuja.

Ezekwesili said that the move became imperative because since 1999, several political parties had exhibited a distinct lack of ideology, thereby merely using politics as a platform to seek electoral offices that translated to personal wealth.

She said that the group would partner with the other 66 political parties besides Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) to change the leadership narrative in the country.

“Nigeria’s political system and her leadership have not delivered

optimal service for the people in spite of the scale of monetary, natural and human resources abundant within.

“Bereft of vision, the same class comprising generations of a decadent political elite, has undermined the quality of Nigeria’s political leadership in both military and democratic governments.

“The SOTA is in response to the security, political and socio-economic crisis that currently plague Nigeria; the Red Card Movement and other CSOs are partnering to host a gathering termed “Summit of the Alternatives.’’

Ezekwesili said that Nigeria was in a precarious situation and needed a sense of urgency to take action, considering the citizens demand for quality leadership.

She said that if Nigerians did not immediately fix the leadership crisis that its democracy had continued to suffer, citizens should have absolutely no basis to expect any-

thing different from previous elections.

She said that the missing link to Nigeria’s development had always been the quality of leadership.

“So, we decided that rather than citizens waiting for the usual cyclical pattern of the candidature of poorly prepared people to govern the country at all levels of elected offices in the 2019, we, as citizens, will work together to define a pathway where the electorate, especially, will begin to think of the quality of candidates that they will be prepared to vote for.

“They will also begin early in the game to send a clear signal to our political class that we no longer want incompetent people, people without credibility or charter to rule us.’’

Ezekwesili said that citizens now wanted the political system to pay attention to important attributes in identifying quality leadership as achieved in places like Singapore.

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Obiano doles out N357m intervention to Catholic, Anglican schools From Chuks Collins, Awka

A

nambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has presented a total of N357,136,875 to the Catholic and Anglican Churches in the state as intervention towards the renovation and upgrading of schools returned to them recently by the state government.

A breakdown of the amount shows that the Catholic Church got N211, 168, 125 million for the 433 schools returned to them, while the Anglican Church got N145,968,750 for the reconstruction of 296 schools recently handed over to them.

The Governor made the presentation of cheques to the Catholic Church at the Shanahan Hall, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, while that of the Anglican Church was presented at the Emmaus House auditorium in Awka.

According to the governor, the schools have a maximum of six weeks to execute the chosen projects.

While presenting the cheques, Gov Obiano stated that basic education is very fundamental for the complete formation of the child, and explained that the money was given according to the number of schools handed over to the two Churches.

He commended them for the judicious utilization of funds initially released to them by his administration and therefore urged them under the present phase, to focus on schools in the rural places.

Obiano promised that the state government will sustain the intervention throughout the duration of his administration even as government continues upgrade of the government and community schools across the state.

Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof Kate Omenugha who observed that the donation was consistent with the vision of the present administration to meet the learning needs of Ndi Anambra, said the partnership with the Church was really working and would help the state achieve moral and value -driven education.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Chief Nzemeka Olisa said an action plan has been drawn for the execution of projects in the various schools under the phase to ensure effective implementation and monitoring.

Receiving the cheques on behalf of the Catholic Church, the Archbishop Metropolitan, Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev Valerian Okeke said by sustaining the release of funds to the church, Obiano was sustaining the tradition of excellence and that posterity will remember him as the children will grow to remember the inputs he made for them to excel.

7 fake revenue agents apprehended in Anambra

S

even suspected illegal revenue collectors have been apprehended by security operatives at Old Garki, Amansea on the old Enugu-Onitsha road, Awka for extortion and violent attacks on lorry drivers.

The suspects were caught during the on-going crackdown on fake revenue collectors by the Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Christian Madubuko, who spoke to journalists on the arrest

on Tuesday in Awka, expressed dismay at the activity of illegal revenue collectors, especially after government’s warning.

The fake revenue collectors consisting of six men and a lady were caught on Amansea road collecting what they called “produce fees” and “Commerce and Industry fees” from lorry drivers passing through the state.

Madubuko said the group had mounted unauthorised road blocks and attacked lorry drivers and extorted money from them.

State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Michael Okonkwo, who also condemned the ugly trend, noted that some people also collected sanitation fees from the people illegally.

Okonkwo vowed that his ministry would soon set its dragnet for the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of such acts, and called on the residents to be cautious in making payments.

“The state has authorised persons issued with papers through the office of the Chief of Staff to operate as revenue collectors for gov-

ernment,” he said.

One of the suspects who identified himself simply as “State Coordinator” Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association (NILODA), Mmaduka from Ukpo in Anambra, confessed that he illegally collected revenue with his men at Amansea.

He claimed that the commissioner for agriculture authorised the collection of the fees.

However, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefor, promptly denied the allegation when his attention was drawn to the statement by the suspect.

Enugu gets Lassa fever treatment centre nugu State Government has

E

• National Chairman, Prince Mike Emuh, addressing executive and members of Anambra State chapter of Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON) including the state chairman, Hon. Anthony Chiokwe, during his working visit in Awka

No vacancy in Enugu Govt. House – Arch Chukwuma From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

A

cting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerian youths to rise against anomalies in Nigeria, especially corruption, and change the country from its present state to a better one rather wait for power to be handed them on a platter of gold.

Osinbajo, spoke in Enugu, at the 30th National Biennial Conference of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria (SCMN), which was also attended by the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; his deputy, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker of Enugu House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; Enugu Chairman of APC, Ben Nwoye; and Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma, among several others.

He noted that except the youth rose against corruption, which he said was Nigeria’s major problem, that the cankerworm may never abate.

Osinbajo challenged the youths to “make a difference” by waging war against corruption” by “swimming against the current” with their mas-

sive population, stressing that 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population was currently constituted by young people.

“You can make a difference and change our country from what it is today. You must stand up to challenge corruption to make our country better.

“Even in the social media, I expect you to stand up and condemn those who have stolen or are stealing the resources of the country – standing up to say, I condemn what you are doing. That is the only way to make a difference and have a country that is different and better than what we have today,” Osinbajo said.

In his speech, Archbishop Chukwuma appreciated Osinbajo for attending the programme in person, thanked the youths for choosing Enugu as host state for their 2018 convention and went ahead to declare that as far as 2019 general election was concerned, that there was no vacancy in Enugu State.

According to Chukwuma, the people of Enugu were at peace with the governor, who was as well at peace with everybody including members of all the opposition political parties in the state.

“Mr Acting President, Governor

Ugwuanyi does not discriminate against anybody. He respects elders; he respects everybody because Enugu State is in the hands of God. His cordial relationship with leaders of other political parties is because he always gives respect to whoever respect is due. So, no vacancy in Enugu Government House, come 2019,” he concluded.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Nationals President of SCMN, Rev. Eric Ighalo, praised the Vice President and Archbishop Chukwuma for gracing the event and participating actively as well. He also eulogised Gov. Ugwuanyi for his developmental strides attitude to governance, describing him as the most humane governor in the country.

According to Ighalo, Ugwuanyi has continued to match words with action, adding that the governor deserves every support to enable him to keep up the god job On his part, the Governor, while welcoming the Acting President and other guests to the Coal City State, also thanked the leadership of SCMN for honouring Enugu with the hosting right for the 2018 edition of the biennial youth parley, describing the event as historic.

established a Lassa fever treatment centre at the State Teaching Hospital (ESUTH).

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Fintan Echochin, said this in Enugu, Tuesday.

He explained that none of those who had both primary and secondary contact with a victim of Lassa fever visited the state with the disease.

Echochin pointed that after 21 days of surveillance and treatment on all those who came in contact with the victim were free from the disease.

He added that they were still at the treatment centre under the watch of specialised doctors in epidemiology.

The commissioner explained that the singular case of Lassa fever that was recorded last week came at a time when the state had positioned itself with the treatment centre.

“This singular case came at a time when we have positioned ourselves by having a treatment centre attached to the ESUTH hospital, where confirmed cases are treated for the safety of relations and health workers.

“Before the outbreak of the Lassa fever, the state government had already secured Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) partnership in the setting up of an ultra-modern public health emergency operation centre.

“The centre is equipped with Information Technology and Communication gadgets which helps integrating information from local government to local government, from state to state and to national levels,’’ he said.

Echochin said that the state government had trained Surveillance and Notification Officers in the 17 local government areas of the state.

He said that the officers, who were mobilised with motorcycles and phones, usually communicate with their boss, the state Epidemiologist, who helps in the coordination for effective health service delivery in the state.

He revealed that all those who had contact with the deceased were under surveillance, adding that the state government got them through effective contact tracing.

He called on residents to always cover their food and keep their environment clean and as well do away with rodents of any kind so as to avoid being affected with the disease.

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

Feature

Bakana mishap: Eye witnesses’ accounts From NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt

N

ew facts have emerged that indicate that Joseph Blankson was not the only person that died when the boat he was travelling in from Abonnema Wharf in Port Harcourt to Bakana, on Saturday, July 28, capsized in the course of the journey.

Three female survivors told journalists, at a news conference, in Port Harcourt, on Monday, that they were sure that other passengers onboard the boat also died.

The survivors, Ibimina Idasefirma; Cecilia Chinonso Ndukwe; and Bunmi Joy Odelusi noted that there were 25 passengers onboard the boat and that those that were rescued from the water were about 15.

They insisted that the number of those who were rescued were not up to the 25 that boarded the boat from Port Harcourt.

They attributed the cause of the accident to the recklessness of the boat driver whom they claimed was over-speeding and attempted to negotiate a sharp bend at Iboroma on top-speed.

Idesafirma attributed the boat accident to recklessness and over-speeding in the part of the boat driver.

Ndukwe lamented: “I complained before the commencement of the journey why we were not provided with life vests, but the boat driver kept insisting that noting will happen after all, Bakana was not far from Port Harcourt.”

Ndukwe noted that she was the last person to be rescued from the water, adding that some passengers were still in the water at the time she was rescued.

Odelusi, a survivor, also maintained that the person that held on to her leg at the time she was rescued did not come out of the water until all the survivors were taken out of the river bank were they gathered for sometime before they were ferried by another boat to Port Harcourt.

All three survivors claimed that they were rescued by young men who came to assist them with other boats. “Those who rescued us were not passengers onboard our boat. We learnt that some of them lived in nearby communities close to where the accident occurred.”

They stated that in the memory of those who died and not accounted for; and for the safety of prospective boat passengers, they have resolved to establish a “Boat Safety Minders Foundation” to ensure that safety rules and regulations are properly adhered to by boat drivers.

Higher King, a lawyer and human rights advocate who coordinated the media event enjoined journalists and the Police to do more investigation to find out if other passengers, other than Joe Blankson, died when the ill-fated boat capsized.

He appealed to other survivors to call: 08035535589 to state their own side of the story. From what I have heard from these survivors, there is a lot more that the public does not know. And we all need to know exactly what transpired.”

They insisted that life vests must be given to all passengers and the manifest comprising the names and phone numbers and addresses, including next of kin of everyone onboard must be written down before the boat embarks on the journey.

•Idasefirma: Some people were still under the water when I was rescued because we’re all struggling under the water.”

•Ndukwe: I was the last person to be rescued and there were still other persons in the water who may have drowned

•Odelusi: The person who held on to my leg when I was rescued didn’t come out of the water; we were 25 in the boat, but I saw about 15 after I was rescued

•Barrister Higher King

•Joseph Blankson who died after rescuing 13 people, and going for more. Governor Nyesom Wike has set up an endowment for the children, and employed the widow.

•From (L) Cecilia Chinonso Ndukwe; Ibimina Idasefirma; Bunmi Joy Odelusi

Idasefirma attributed her survival to an act of God. “We were under the water when the accident occurred. I can’t swim. But I kept moving my legs and hands to stay afloat. Suddenly, my head came out of the water and I saw some boats racing towards me.”

“I quickly held on the fibre of the boat that capsized with my right hand. The young men onboard the boat that came to rescue us kept telling me to hold on to the boat. Then, they held my left hand that was in the water and pulled me with so much force that my hand came out its socket.”

“I am still in pains. I could not talk, sleep and even eat for days. I am still in shock. I know that some people were still under the water when I was rescued because I saw them struggling when I was struggling under the water.”

Responding to a question, Idasefirma observed: “There was an old man sitting beside me. He does not even know Bakana. He does not know how to swim. He said he has not boarded a boat before. I recall, vividly, because he was the one that collected our

money. He did not leave the river bank with us who are the survivors.”

She was asked: Is it not possible the old man you are referring to left with another boat after being rescued earlier before the young men brought you out of the water? “All those that were rescued gathered at the bank of the river and I did not see him. And he did not leave with us.”

Ndukwe narrated: “I got to the Abonnema Wharf Jetty at about 1pm, on Saturday, July 28. There was no boat. So we all waited.

When the boat arrived, we all entered. The diver didn’t give us life jackets. We complained. But I decided to enter because I saw my friend who also entered the boat.”

“We past the creek and entered the main water with waves. Then, suddenly, the boat ceased and capsized. I was just struggling and drinking water. I tried to bring out my head but each time I tried, my head hit the boat. That was when I knew that we were under the boat.”

“Then, a big wave came and

threw us farther from the boat. I raised up my head and saw the fibre of the boat and held on to it.

I then saw a boat racing towards us. The young men onboard now told me “madam you are safe.

They first held my dress by my neck and pulled me with my left hand into the boat that they came with.”

“I don’t know how many survivors left before I was rescued. But I know for sure that I was the last person they rescued. They were looking around to see if there were other people in the water.

They waited for me to recover for awhile because my hand pulled out of its socket because of the force they applied in pulling me from the water.”

She maintained: “When I say that I am last person that was rescued I am very sure of what I am saying. It was God that saved me.

The wave threw me far away from the boat. Joe Blankson might have saved some other persons but there is no way I would know.

“I was already going. But my head came out of the water, and then, they saw me. And rescued

me. I can recall that when my head came out of the water the other people where far away from me.

My survival is an act of God.” Ndukwe recalled: “I was the only person that complained about the non-availability of life vests for the passengers. The boat driver kept telling me madam, relax. Bakana is just a few minutes from Port Harcourt. I impressed it upon the driver an other passengers that I was a safety conscious person.”

“As soon as we passed the creek and the boat entered the broad side of the river, we heard a sound from the engine. The problem was that the driver was on high speed and wanted to negotiate a bend on the same speed without slowing down. That was the cause of the boat accident.”

“I raised up my head from the water but it hit the boat. We were many under the water. People were dragging my bag; holding my legs and pulling my shoes. We were all clustered in one small area. So, I told myself I am not going to drown here.”

“So, I let my go to extricate myself from the person that was pulling it. And that is a fact. I kicked off my shoes and swarm away from others. I was so tired I had to lie on the water to rest. Then, I saw a boat coming and swarm towards it. People drowned in the river.”

Ndukwe explained: “Immediately the accident happened, members of the nearby community started ringing bells. They quickly mobilised boats and came to our rescue. What I know as a survivor is that we got help from members of the community where the accident occurred.”

“I kept insisting that the boat driver should have given us life vests. We came across the coast guards not long after we took of from Abonnema Wharf and saluted and waved at us to go on with our journey. I was disappointed.”

Ndukwe wondered, “how coast guards see a boat with 25 passengers without life vests and allowed it to continue on that journey. After we passed the creek, what I was complaining of happened. It is so sad.”

Odelusi who was onboard the boat stated: “I was the second person to be rescued. In all, I saw seven persons including me, eight.

Lives were lost in the water on that day and it is sad an unfortunate.

Their families are at home waiting for them. And there is no one to account for them. And this is not a matter that we should gloss over.”

“My survival is an act of God. I don’t know how to swim. I saw myself under the water. So, I tried to raise up my head and head hit the boat. I tried with my hands, my hands, again, touched the boat. It

Cont’d on page 44

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Anambra school students win Gold in World Technovation Challenge in U.S

By OGE ONYENUSI, Nnewi

A

bout five Anambra girls from the Regina Pacies Secondary School Onitsha who represented Nigeria and Africa at the World Technovation Challenge in the Silicon Valley in San Francisco, United States have won the Gold Medal in the contest.

It was gathered that the team was led by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu Ugwu, defeated representatives of other technological giants including the USA, Spain, Turkey, Uzbekistan and China to clinch the Gold medal.

Among the Anambra students who won the Gold Medal have now become Africa’s Golden Girls is made up of five brilliant girls including Promise Nnalue, Jessica Osita, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo and Vivian Okoye The world champions who are reported to be attracting a lot of attention in the world’s greatest technological hub won the Challenge with a mobile application called the FD-Detector which they developed to help tackle the Challenge of fake pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Under the tutelage of Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu the CEO of

Edufun Technik STEM, the Golden Girls spent five months researching and developing FD-Detector which swept through over 2000 competing applications to get to the finals in San Francisco.

Technovation is a programme that offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the programming skills they need to emerge as techentrepreneurs and leaders.

Every year, girls are invited to identify a problem in their communities, and then challenge them to solve them by developing Andriod applications that would address those problems.

Over 115 countries participated in the qualifiers but only 12 teams from all over the world were selected as finalists for the pitch in Silicon Valley.

The girls will also be attending Field trips, life-changing workshops including a networking session during their one week stay in USA. In his appreciation, The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano had personally sent them off to the US in a brief ceremony at the last Executive Council Meeting where he charged the girls to put Nigeria and Africa on the global technological map with their rare talent.

FG, states get N668.90bn in June – FAAC

T

he Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed the sum of N668.90bn to the three tiers of government in June 2018 from the revenue generated in May 2018.

The amount disbursed comprised of N575.48bn from the Statutory Account and N93.42bn from Valued Added Tax (VAT).

Federal government received a total of N282.22bn from the N668.90bn. States received a total of N181.17bn and Local governments received N136.49bn. The sum of N53.07bn was shared among the oil producing states as 13% derivation fund.

Revenue generating agencies

such as Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) received N4.63bn, N7.40bn and N3.92bn respectively as cost of revenue collections.

Further breakdown of revenue allocation distribution to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) revealed that the sum of N240.85bn was disbursed to the FGN consolidated revenue account; N5.10bn shared as share of derivation and ecology; N2.55bn as stabilization fund; N8.57bn for the development of natural resources; and N5.96bn to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Lassa/Cholera outbreaks: Step up personal hygiene -- Group urges South-East residents

A

group, known as the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), has urged the residents of South-East zone of the country to step-up their personal and environmental hygiene.

President of NUF, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, gave the advice, Monday, while speaking in Enugu on the rise of environmental borne diseases in the state.

Enugu State last week confirmed the death of one person from Lassa fever in a government-owned health facility in the state.

While there was current outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, which officials of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been battling to contain.

Chukwudum noted that Nigerians, especially residents of the SouthEast states should know that “prevention is better than cure’’, adding that individuals and households should lead the cleanliness campaign in their zone.

He said that the current wave of contiguous and deadly diseases needed the concerted efforts of all to tackle and for people to play their

parts.

“I will implore our people in the South-East to be on their guard as well as do the needful by observing personal and environmental hygiene always.

“With the news of Lassa fever and cholera outbreaks, it is not good that one relaxes over the issue of cleanliness. Households should clean their homes, cover all containers with edibles and water for household use as well as ensure proper fumigation or insecticide treatment of their compounds,’’ he said.

According to Chukwudum, these diseases are contiguous and deadly by nature and should be given no chance to thrive.

He also urged the various tiers of government to step up their refuse evacuation mechanisms.

“The recent development of refuse piling up should be checked by the government and its refuse management agencies.

“While our people should be sensitised on the need to bag and contain refuse properly before disposal,’’ he advised.

• Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike welcoming former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and others to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Monday, when they paid a condolence visit to the Rivers Government House over the death of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).

Only restructuring will save Nigeria - Makarfi From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia; CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

F

ormer Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Interim National Chairman and a Presidential aspirant, Senator Ahmed Markarfi, has warned that Nigeria may not survive for too long if it was not immediately restructured to give all regions of the country a sense of belonging.

“If we play politics with restructuring, Nigeria won’t survive for too long,” said Markarfi, the immediate past Chairman of PDP National Caretaker Committee, who also advised that any restructuring must be holistic.

Markarfi who was in Umuahia, Abia State, to meet with PDP stakeholders and canvass support for his aspiration, noted that the delay by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government in restructuring the country was speedily driving the country to the precipice, warning that unless an urgent step was taken to restructure Nigeria, the country might collapse.

Speaking Sunday evening at the PDP state secretariat in Umuahia, the Presidential aspirant pointed out that the only way to save Nigeria’s corporate existence was by restructuring. ”Nigeria is at the edge of collapse.

We must save our country now. We must not allow it to snap. That is why we are clamouring for restructuring,” he said.

He said he headed the Technical Committee that worked out modalities for the report of the 2014 National Confab which also recommended restructuring as the way to move Nigeria forward, emphasising that if the issue was properly handled, it would stem the various agitations for self-determination by ethnic nationalities in the country.

Markarfi regretted that APC which promised Nigerians restructuring in its manifesto, denied same immediately it climbed to power. ”If we don’t restructure Nige-

ria in such a way that the South or the West or even the North feels belonged, we will have problems,” he said, adding that restructuring must be holistic and should include “institutional restructuring” for it to achieve the desired result. ”We must also talk about institutional restructuring. For example, if we fail to restructure our institutions, INEC will sit down and write results and give us bad leaders. So if we fail to restructure our institutions , we are going nowhere,” he stressed.

Makarfi promised that if given the opportunity to fly the PDP presidential flag, he would defeat President Muhammad Buhari, because of the President’s alleged “unpopularity among Nigerians,” prompting members of his party to abandom.

Markarfi said that he has the competence, experience and capacity to lead PDP to victory in 2019, having ”saved the ship of the party from sinking” during its protracted crisis period.

Makarfi further added: “I have a bit of experience to do that. Most of you may not be aware that the first national conference convened

by President Olusegun Obasanjo that before he convened it he set up a technical committee which he asked me to head to prepare the background and agenda for the conference. I chaired the committee that prepared the agenda and background for the Conference, it was my report though edited that was used . I said edited because some items were taken out by the federal government as no-go-areas. But according to my own report, we did not consider them as no-go-areas.

“We thought they are matters that Nigerians should talk about so that whatever they resolve, will help put an to them once and for all; so that it does not keep on reoccurring.

So, if I played such a role back so many years ago, I think by now nobody will be in doubt what my principles and capabilities are”.

He also promised to tackle the increasing unemployment in the country, insecurity, poor educational system and poor road network in Nigeria especially by rehabilitating and expanding national railway.

“We must address the issue of unemployment. The unemployment rate is terrible. The people who have lost their jobs is about 7.7m not to talk about those who are employable but are not employed. If this trend continues, there cannot be peace and security in Nigeria. We must address it by direct employment and providing enabling environment that can make the private sector to grow. If the private sector is not allowed to grow we can hardly address the issue of unemployment in Nigeria.

“We must address the issue of our children dropping out of school because they cannot pay tuition fee or cannot do their project because of money. It is simple! We will create loan scheme where people can access money to do their studies. And when you graduate, government will ensure you get something doing so that you can pay back. If government fails to meaningfully engage you so that you can pay, it cannot come to ask of any money”, he said.

Makarfi equally appealed to the party members to unite so as to achieve the desired victory come 2019.

Remarking, Abia State chairman of PDP, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, described Makarfi as a detribalised Nigerian and ”a man who cannot be easily bought over.” ”Markarfi is a man who can be trusted.” Onuigbo added, recalling that Markarfi did not betray the party during its crisis period. ”He is a dogged man. This is the man who saved PDP’s ship from sinking. He is not an apprentice.

You can’t entrust your house in the hands of an apprentice. Makarfi is a man that can be trusted,” Onuigbo said.

POLITICS

9

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

2019: Why I am Abia Charter of Equity contesting under dead on arrival APGA – Ohakim – Ex-Speaker Pg 12 Pg 10

Impeachment of Deputy Governor creates vacuum in Imo Thirteen Members of the IMO House had in a petition to the Speaker on Tuesday July 10 accused Madumere of committing “gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office”.

According to them, the gross misconduct committed by the Deputy Governor include his “absence without official reason or permission duly obtained from office for a period of three (3) months”.

Madumere was also accused of failing or refusing “to perform any of the constitutional functions of office of Deputy Governor of Imo State “.

The lawmakers added that the Deputy Governor had refused or failed “to attend constitutional mandated proceedings of State Executive Council”, stressing that the Deputy Governor had also failed “to attend constitutional mandated proceedings of State Security Council”.

The 13 petitioners further accused Madumere of refusing “to hold meetings with the Governor and commissioners of the Government of Imo State made mandatory by and under S.193(2) of the 1999 constitution”.

Madumere was also accused of “concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of Office of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, having been convicted and imprisoned in the United States of America for theft”.

The petitioners were: Hon Ugonna Ozirigbo, Hon Chinedu Offor,

Hon Ikechukwu Amuka, Hon Lawrence Duruji, Hon Ejike Uche, Hon Henry Ezediaro, Hon Maxwell Odunze, Hon Lloyd Chukwuemeka, Hon Ngozi Obiefule, Hon Victor Onyewuchi and Hob Arthur Egwim.

Governor Okorocha had been accused of masterminding his Deputy’s travail. But in a press release by Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor called on his Deputy to face his problems with the state assembly and leave him alone.

However, the media aide to the Deputy Governor, Uche

The crisis between Governor Okorocha and his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, got to its height when on July 10 the Imo State House of Assembly raised 4-point allegations against him, thereby setting the tone for his impeachment. COLLINS UGHALAA, in Owerri, reviews the controversial process.

Onwuchekwa, said the allegations were “not only astonishing but an extreme show of lack of due diligence. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has never been convicted of any civil matter let alone a criminal matter.

“We are pained to state that two times the Deputy Governor had to go through the pains of losing his freedom in detention were all in the course of saving Owelle Rochas Okorocha from public disgrace. He rather had to carry Okorocha’s cross and bore his shame”.

He “recalled that Prince Madumere shortly after Achike Udenwa’s victory at the polls in 1999 where he had to face contempt of court for failure to make it to the court.

He was in detention in the United States for about one month all because he was delayed

by Governor Okorocha. To the glory of God, Prince Mad-

umere was acquitted of all charges. We also challenge the members of the House of Assembly to produce the verdicts of the court that convicted Prince Madumere.

“The second time he had to stoop that Governor Okorocha may be spared of the humiliation of getting incarcerated, Prince Madumere again yielded and was detained for almost two months on phony charges, which he also been absolved of all charges”.

But Governor Okorocha said that Madumere had been ungrateful, only saying the bad things he thinks he has suffered and saying the benefits he has got from the Governor who has been his friend for about 20 years.

“In responding to the accusation of gross misconduct raised against him by the State House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor of the State, His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere used that opportunity to continue his aspersions on the man who has showed him avowed charity, the Governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha”, said Onwuemeodo, Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, in a press release.

He added that Madumere “told the jaundiced stories of how he saved Governor Okorocha from ‘public disgrace’ and also ‘carried his cross and bore his shame’. He also talked about how he ‘stooped’ so that Governor Okorocha may be ‘spared of the humiliation of getting incarcerated’”.

He said that “In all these, the Deputy Governor could only talk about the minor fallouts of the 1999 election and perhaps, the incident that was also part of the 2011 election when Governor Okorocha, who ran on the ticket of APGA defeated the incumbent, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of the PDP. “All the same, it is the height of pettiness for the number two citizen of the State to begin to talk about the imaginary inconveniences he claimed he experienced during the political outings of his benefactor, but carefully skipped mentioning the avalanche or abundant favours, benefits, patronages and enviable upliftments he has enjoyed all these years”.

Onwuemeodo also said that Madumere “had returned from America a long time ago, and has been in Nigeria all the while. And he should be Christian enough to state that he has remained under the mentorship or tutelage and employment of Governor Okorocha.

“He also failed or refused to state in his publication that he has benefitted from the political successes of Governor Okorocha more than any other person. Without overstretching the debate, he was Chief of Staff Government House for two years.

And from there he became the Deputy Governor of the State. And he has occupied that position for almost Six years now.

“It is therefore very difficult

to explain any other way the Governor could have expressed or demonstrated his unflinching love for Prince Madumere than making him Chief of Staff, when he first came on board in 2011 as governor and later made him the deputy governor of the State”.

He challenged the Deputy Governor to tell “the world hisprrincipal’s sin against him for which he formed a staggering Coalition against him even as a sitting Deputy Governor. He should have told his listeners that the only known sin the governor committed against him was not chosing him as his preferred Successor. Nothing else”.

Despite the media war, respite seemed to have come the way of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, as the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, July 13, 2018, granted the prayer of one Stanley Okwara, who is the plaintiff in a suit to stop the impeachment process of the Deputy Governor.

The trial Judge, Justice Ahmed, ruled that the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of the state and five other defendants be served with the court summons, saying that the service on the respondents would “tie the hands” of the parties from going on with the impeachment.

Justice Ahmed also granted the request of the counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, to serve the defendants by substituted means or by registered courier service and outside the jurisdiction of the court in Imo State as prayed.

He also directed all the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing so as not to destroy the res (subject matter) in the motion on notice.

The Judge said: “It appears to me that the issue before me is not impeachment itself or an action on impeachment. It is an application from the applicant, a legal practitioner from Imo State of Nigeria being afraid of the continuous infraction of the constitution by lawmakers in Imo State House of Assembly as argued in his address.

“I asked myself whether the said action could not be competently commenced in the High Court of Imo State. I must caution myself not to grant the orders sought in the motion ex-parte so as not to frustrate the smooth running of the Imo State House of Assembly, or restraining the Honourable Chief Judge of Imo State from exercising his constitutional duties.

“I must also state that the parties shall be served with the processes in this suit and the orders of this court and the law remains that same ties their hands as if an order has been made in law, as this court has inherent powers to set aside any step or steps taken after the service of this processes on the defendants, to foist a situation of helplessness on this court”.

The Judge adjourned the case to 27 of

Cont’d on page 13

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

BOLD & BLUNT Your Excellency, you have just declared formally to run for the office of the governor of Imo State at the 2019 general election, thus ending several months of speculation.

But the question still remains: Why are you running?

I am running in order to help the good people of Imo S tate to recover their state so that it can function once again in accordance to known norms; not just democratic norms but also social, economic and cultural norms.

As things stand today, the state is a bizarre entity devoid of any form of decorum. Democratically, Imo state, which used to be the citadel of republicanism has been reduced to a mere fiefdom. There is even now the fear that it may be transformed into a monarchy.

The democratic rights of the people have been completely eroded. Economically, the state is run like a private company. There is no demarcation between state funds and that of the governor, his cronies and family members. Culturally and traditionally, the state has been turned into an enclave of abomination. We have a situation where traditional rulers are made to do match past and salute the governor or his wife at public functions. Administratively, the state civil service has been completely destroyed. I can go on and on but suffice it to say that I believe that my experience as governor for four years is what the state requires to return to sanity.

The situation is such that this is not the time to send an inexperienced fellow to that government house.

We will fail it if we send an inexperienced fellow to take over from the current mess.

I am the only former governor with experience that can still be elected into that office.

I’m the only person that knows what was where by May 29 2011 when I handed over.

In spite of all the abuses by a few disgruntled elements, I decided to answer the call by majority of our people to once more offer myself in the service of the state. I have been called names, I have been abused; what did Ohakim forget in government house. Such talks are mere platitudes. They are too ordinary to bother somebody like me. If those asking such questions know the magnitude of damage that have been inflicted on the state, they will not be talking that way.

The matter is not as simple as that. Imo is like a vehicle whose engine has knocked.

It has to be repaired by an experienced mechanic. An apprentice cannot repair it. There is no room for learners as of now. A patient in an intensive care unit requires an experienced surgeon not a house doctor.

But you also ran in 2014. Was it also to clear the mess as you put it? Some politicians have alleged that you merely wanted to do a second term as constitutionally allowed.

Well, of course, you cannot separate the two. The first signs that Governor Rochas Okorocha will mess up the state came quite early. Within the first six months of his administration, the state was already bleeding financially. Politically, he came up with concepts that were unheard off and not within the democratic tenets of the country; things like Community Government, abolishing town unions, dissolving democratically elected local government councils, dissolving tenured boards, dismissing ten thousand graduates from the civil service with another eight hundred thousand people loosing their means of livelihood etc. So, by 2014, it was clear to every Imolite that there was need to stop Governor Okorocha at that point.

If I could offer myself as early as then, what of now when things have gone completely awry? And remember that the Imo electorate was really determined to throw Okorocha out in 2015. It was not for nothing that the election went into a second balloting and it was at that stage that the people’s efforts were sabotaged by some politicians in the state in order to feather their personal political nests. Otherwise, Okorocha was almost gone.

As for my wanting to do another term, yes.

I am not pretending about it. I believe that my doing a second term will heal the psychological wound inflicted on Imolites when the mandate they gave me on April 26, 2011 was rubbished. Besides, it would also enable the innocent and hapless people of the state to heave a sigh of relief that, at last, they have been able to correct the mistake they made by allowing politicians to deceive them with lies about me. Today, one thing has become very clear to the good people of Imo state; which is that I won the 2011 governorship

10

2019: Why I am contesting under APGA – Ohakim On Friday, 27th of last month, immediate past Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, formally declared his intention to contest for the office he vacated about seven years ago in the 2019 general election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with COLLINS UGHALAA in Owerri after the declaration, the former Governor gave insight into his ambition and why. In particular, he came up with the novel idea of swearing to an affidavit of covenant at a high court on how he will govern and his specific action plans if elected. Excerpts:

• Dr. Ikedi Ohakim election on April 26, 2011 in spite of all the lies; but that the powers that be in Abuja collaborated with internal enemies of the people to rubbish that mandate. So, I am not ashamed at all to say that I am entitled to another term because it is in the overall interest of the state that I do a second term.

Look at the issue of equity. Whether anybody likes it or not, I hold the key to that. If our people did not succumb to lies and I was allowed to exercise the mandate I was given in 2011, by now nobody will be talking about equity. Today, we will not be talking about another fellow from Orlu zone coming in as governor in 2019 to do an entire fresh eight years after the zone had done sixteen years already, out of twenty years of democratic rule. You know the story. Fortunately, the leaders of Orlu zone have joined forces with other progressive elements in the state, together with the political intelligentsia to ensure that the matter of equity is resolved by insisting that no Orlu fellow should emerge as governor in 2019 in order to prevent unintended enmity between the three zones.

You say you have the joker to the issue of equity. Don’t you think Owerri zone people can collect it directly in 2019?

No. I am not saying that Owerri Zone cannot get the governorship in 2019. Of course, Owerri zone has everything it takes to achieve

that. The aspirants from the zone across the political parties are among the best. Having said that, I want to state, without any fear of contradictions, that the equity matter will continue to be a destabilizing factor in the politics of the state if my zone, Okigwe, is not allowed to complete eight years under the current dispensation and I am saying that I offer the best bargain for Owerri Zone because I am the only aspirant from Okigwe Zone that must compulsorily do only one term and then hand over to Owerri Zone. There is nothing sacrosanct about that arrangement but at the same time, it does not require rocket science for us to solve the problem once and for all.

Our people are still very much desirous of equity. They are still very conscious of the need to restore it, contrary to what the likes of Governor Okorocha say. I can tell you that the main reason why Imolites on the whole are resisting the imposition of Okorocha’s son-in-law is because it would further compound the equity issue. The aspect of being a close family relative is secondary. Imo people want equity restored in the state and I insist that my going back to do a second term is strategic to that. I can enter a formal agreement on that, namely that I will hand over to an Owerri Zone fellow.

You must have heard of the affidavit I swore on what I will do for the people of the state if

I am re-elected as governor in part one of the affidavit. In part two, I dwelt on the matter of equity very elaborately and that power will naturally go to Owerri zone after my tenure.

My aspiration offers the state the brightest opportunity to resolve the matter of equity once and for all. As I said earlier, I am the only aspirant in the entire state that must compulsorily do only one term and it is only natural that it will go to Owerri zone while my people in Okigwe would have been satisfied.

Some observers believe that the people of Owerri zone are being paid in their own coins for supporting Okorocha who comes from Orlu zone in 2011, instead of supporting you to do a second term and then hand over to one of them. Do you also reason along that line?

Not at all. I do not believe that Owerri zone should carry the burden of what happened in 2011 alone. Ordinarily, what these observers say might appear logical but the matter is not as simple as that. Yes, the people might have had preference for Okorocha for whatever reasons but it was not that support alone that brought Okorocha to power. Okorocha’s governorship was packaged and delivered by powerful forces outside the state, the presidency inclusive. I refer you to the wonderful book written in 2012 by my former special adviser on public enlightenment and

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

BOLD & BLUNT documentary, Ethelbert Okere. The book, Democracy By Military Tank, exposed everything. You would see how soldiers took away one Mr. Ngozi Nwoko who was the returning officer for Ohaji-Egbema, with the result sheets he was brining to the INEC headquarters in Owerri. They took him to somewhere in Ontisha with the result sheets and detained him there; so that he was not able to submit the result from that LGA where we got over twenty eight thousand votes as against a little over three thousand by APGA. That result would have given us a clear win if it was included but those who plotted my ouster made sure it was not taken by the state returning officer. It was not Owerri people that gave orders to the soldiers to intercept the results that Nwoko was brining to the INEC headquarters in Owerri.

So, I don’t hold Owerri Zone completely responsible for what the state suffered in 2011 and still suffering. In any case, don’t forget that part of the lies they were told was that Okorocha was going to do only four years.

That lie was packaged from outside the state but today, Governor Okorocha is hell bent on impeaching a second deputy from the zone in order to have a disguised third term. But as I said, I don’t want the people to live forever on their mistakes. That is not the way of God’s children especially we Christians. What is important is the lessons we learn from our mistakes and I believe majority of the people that had their hands in that sordid episode have learned from that experience. Personally, I did learn a lot. More than four years ago, I made an open apology to all those I offended while I was governor. I asked for their forgiveness just as I have also forgiven all those who offended me.

I want to use this opportunity again to apologize to all Imolites who felt offended by my actions which might have been inadvertent. I also forgive those who offended me also perhaps inadvertently. There are those who think that if Ohakim re-emerges as governor, he will go after those who sabotaged his reelection in 2011. Such a thing will never happen. Vendetta is not part of me. Vengeance against who? The people who gave me mandate in 2011 have asked me to come back. The civil servants are eager to have me back because they have seen the difference between my era and what they are subjected to now. So, who will I visit vengeance on? We have gone pass that stage.

You have just declared for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the same party that was used to dislodge you. How come?

Why APGA? That is part of the myth and mystery surrounding my current aspiration. May be providence is at work. You remember the saying that the way of man is not the way of God and that before God, the wisest man is the most foolish. But within my own canal limitations as an ordinary mortal, all I can say is that since Governor Rochas Okorocha disagraced APGA after riding on it to power, God is probably giving the party and its faithful an opportunity to not only retaliate by giving me ticket but also to go ahead to mobilize support for me to win the governorship election proper.

But I hasten to add that I made my choice of APGA based on cold and hard facts, not just on sentiments or fatalistic basis. APGA of today is not the APGA you knew in 2011. The party is one of the best in the country, one of the most robust and cosmopolitan political platforms in the country today, with an array of personalities that are among the best in the country. It is the party for the future of Nigeria.

The speculation over the party you would run on lasted for a long time. At what point did you discover that your former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was no longer the ideal platform?

It is not possible for me to completely write off the PDP in spite of the fact that I am no longer there. But if you recall, I started complaining about the party as soon as the primary elections were concluded in 2014, following what happened here in Imo where the result of the governorship primary election was predetermined. Immediately after the general elections, I wrote several articles, memos and petitions to the leadership of the party on the unconscionable impunity within the party and in which I made suggestions on how to reinvent and reposition the party. I was not the only one who made such efforts but all that fell on deaf ears. One thing led

to the other until the aborted convention in November 2016 in Port Harcourt. You know the rest of the story. Well, like every crisis, the PDP internal squabbles ran its course and ended with the Supreme Court ruling. At the national level, the party is getting itself back but unfortunately in Imo state, we had a situation where a few members felt that they were victors and as such they are exclusively entitled to the spoils of the war, so to speak.

That has really alienated it from the people.

But honestly, I still have a lot of respect for some leaders of the party at the national level. Some of them are my former colleagues whose company I found quite invaluable.

But, of course, no political party has a monopoly of knowledgeable and upright people, people of integrity. I believe I will also have a wonderful company with the people I have come to meet in APGA who, as I said earlier, are among the best in the country.

You say that your experience as a former governor makes you the best candidate to take over from Governor Okorocha. So, what are the specific issues that you think you or any other fellow may have to contend with if elected?

First of all, Governor Okorocha has already squandered the income of the state for the next four years. So, the major challenge will be how to raise funds to revamp the economy of the state. After that, the next step will be to ensure that civil servants begin to receive their salaries regularly, all arrears of gratuities for those retired paid and pensions paid regularly.

How do you mean, Sir? You mean Governor Okorocha spending the state’s income for four years in advance?

It is a simple arithmetic. As I speak to you now, the state is indebted to financial institutions to the tune of over N200 billion. Judgment debts are in the tune of over N150 billion. That brings the entire thing to over N350 billion. Now, compare this with the fact that the yearly income of the state is just about N45-N48 billion. In the next four years, this level of income will be inadequate to cover the debts as they stand currently. But what baffles everybody is that there is this level of indebtedness despite the fact that over N1.3 trillion has accrued to the state since the inception of this administration in 2011.

I handed over N26.6 billion cash to him and that was why he went on a spending spree, constructing all forms of edifices. People were hailing him for doing Ihe Ahuru N’anya.

Today, over 90 per cent of those buildings are not in use. Today, the health care system in the state has collapsed. Instead of doing something about it, the governor started erecting buildings in the 27 Local government areas and which he calls general hospitals. More than seven years later, none has been completed. The education system has collapsed under an omnibus free education mantra. Currently, there is crisis in the state owned university over payment of school fees. There is no public water system in the state even though my administration left over 1,395 water schemes, all fully functional, across the state. In Owerri capital city, there is no single public water tap.

In the last seven years, Governor Okorocha ran the state without any documents. There are no documents on contracts. It is all by verbal instructions. The administration does not make use of professionals. Appointees and civil servants are just there. He came up with a policy that confines civil servants to work only three days in a week. He claimed that they should use the other two to work in their farms. But where are the farms? Were any arrangements made to help civil servants acquire farm? That policy is still on and it completed the killing of the state civil service.

When I first noticed some of these bizarre policies, I raised an alarm. I wrote letters to the governor though mostly advisory but I was called names and abused. I warned that if the governor does not retrace his steps, the state was going to slide into total confusion.

Today, all the things I predicted have come to pass. The economy has completely collapsed, roads are impassable. There is no peace, so many people are disenchanted. If we do not bring in an experienced fellow who will hit the ground running from day one, Imo State will explode into unprecedented cataclysm.

So, how will you tackle the challenges if elected?

I will start by renegotiating the debts so

that we can have funds to begin the process of reinvigorating the state economy. Reviving the civil service will be a priority because it is vital for the sustenance of the economy.

We have a situation where those who served the state meritoriously and retired are left to wallow in abject poverty. This includes people who served at the highest cadre of the civil service, permanent secretaries, directors-general, etc.

As I talk to you now, the various categories of retired civil and public servants are owed arrears of pensions ranging from two to eight years. Retired permanent secretaries are owed almost three years of arrears; retired primary school teachers are owed close to four years. Perhaps the most pathetic is the case of retirees of the Alvan Ikoku College of Education. In the last seven years no retiree in the institution has been paid his or her entitlements. This administration maybe hiding under the excuse that the college is now a federal institution but they served the state before it was taken over by the federal government during my tenure.

So, clearing these arrears will definitely be a priority because apart from saving lives, it will help in reinvigorating the economy of the state. Of course, we will return to our various job-creating programmes. Very soon, I will roll out my economic Blue Print for Imo people to make inputs into.

Your Excellency, many observers are worried that there are too many governorship aspirants especially in APGA where you just berthed.

There is nothing like too many aspirants; especially in a state like Imo where you have several people who have proven records of success in various fields of endeavor. I can tell you that I am impressed with the quality of people who have come out to vie for the office of the governor of Imo state, in order to help salvage it. We have a common objective and challenge and I believe that with the exception of Okorocha’s son-in-law, any of the aspirants can be governor. But having said that, I also believe that the problem we have at hand requires an experienced former governor like me if we are to reap the maximum benefits from this collective struggle.

I have heard some people ask what experience did Ohakim have before he became governor in 2007, but the situation we are confronted with today is quite different from what obtained in 2007. We are talking about a situation today where the state has been completely ran down in every aspect you can think of-economy, politics, culture, health, sports, education the civil service and what have you. It was not like that in 2007 when I took over. At least there was a system. The civil service was in place and the morale of workers was high quite on like now. There were things to look at quite alright but certainly not the type of hydra headed problems and hopelessness the state is confronted with today.

Your Excellency, Nigerians are surprised that you swore to a court affidavit on what you will do for the people of Imo state if elected. It is the first time any Nigerian politician is doing such a thing and so it marks a new vista in Nigeria politics. What informed that?

Why affidavit?

Nigerians have been deceived enough. Politicians keep making promises without caring to fulfill them. Most of the promises are so bizarre that even a child would know that they cannot be kept. Yet, you keep on hearing, I will do this I will do that. Political parties write verbose manifestos but as soon as they win, those they fielded for the elections begin to do something different. What we are saying here is that the time has come for the people to have something they can legally hold on to with which they can jail those who deceive them. The affidavit I swore to can send me to jail either because of what I claimed I did not do in the past or what I will do in the future. I said I did not still public money; I did not allocate land to myself or members of my family; that I still live in the three-bedroom bungalow I built in 1992 and that I own no other house in the whole of Imo state except my village house which I built in 1986 etc, and I want anybody to prove me wrong. I then went ahead to detail the things I will do if elected and if I fail, the people have the affidavit to prosecute me. Some of my critics or opponents say it is out of desperation but it is not just about me.

I am ready to be called names if only what I can achieve at the end of the day is to make it possible for Nigerians to become conscious of the fact that they can legally and legitimately demand accountability from those they elect into public offices; that it is possible to end the era of empty promises and deceit and that that is possible right now.

Can you tell us some of the things you have promise to do for Imo people in the affidavit?

I swore that my mission in my second coming will be nothing else but to address the urgent issues of economic revival, loot recovery, reconciliation and returning Imo back to the hands of God. Second, to liberate the state from rapacious and capricious mismanagement of its affaires as well as the callous and mindless misappropriation of its resources and, thirdly to put back in place all good governance structures that were deliberately and ignorantly destroyed

by Governor Rochas Okorocha. Finally, to purify the system by restoring our Christian and traditional values; prepare the next generation of leaders and return our state to a more civilized brand of politics devoid of thugs, gangsters and brigandage before the end of my four-year tenure.

Sir, there is this talk out there that you may eventually dump APGA after using it to achieve your ambition, as you did to PPA and in fact as your successor, Governor Rochas Okorocha, did. Some say you may leave the party after four years to pursue a presidential ambition. How do you respond to this?

My ultimate goal in joining APGA is not just for election but to galvanize the Igbo nation, in collaboration with other leaders of the party, using it as a vehicle. It is high time the Igbo became one political family and that can be only possible if we have a political party through which we relate to our fellow compatriots across the country. There is no way I can leave APGA after winning my election because I have a long term vision about the party and our people, the Igbo. And that has been adequately captured in my affidavit.

Don’t you think that you might be accused of portraying the party as an Igbo party whereas it is supposed to be a national party?

Let me ask you this question; do you think it is possible for an APGA governorship candidate to win in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo or what have you in the 2019 general election that is just around the corner? Keep your answer because you know what it is. Let’s be realistic, every politics is local. Today, Ndigbo have developed this incredible affinity for APGA and if you must lead them, you have to find out what they want. Our people say that they want to build APGA as the platform for further engagement with the rest of Nigeria. That does not make it an Igbo party because in the course of that engagement, Nigerians from other parts of the country will be members and leaders of the party.

What is happening today is just like what happened in the second republic when the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) controlled the entire Igbo land but at the same time provided the platform with which a nationalist like the late Solomon Lar twice contested and won the governorship election in Plateau state. If the second republic had not been aborted, perhaps the NPP would have made further inroads in other parts of the country. The UPN was in control of the core Yoruba states but it also had the old Bendel state that was made up of diverse ethnic groups including even the Igbo.

Politics, as the living legend, Arthur Nzeribe, would say, is like Mathematics where, to solve any equation, you have to start from the known to the unknown. The known today is that Ndigbo want to nurture APGA and there is nothing wrong with that. So in summary, my joining APGA was in answer to a call by the people; a call that came from a cross section of the people, youths, professionals, artisans, traders, students, and what have you; a call to come over to the party of the future of not only Ndi igbo but the entire Nigeria. And when I enquired, I discovered that the people were not making the call on just anybody. They know whom they want to lead them this time around. It is no longer anybody coming up to mesmerize them with money or empty promises. The people say that that era is over.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

POLITICS

May we know why you left the PDP for APC? It is said that every politics is local. You have to play the politics at the local level.

If you look at the history of Abia State, especially from my senatorial zone which is Abia North, almost all the political heavy weights and gladiators have found their way into APC. I have resisted all attempts to make me join APC for the past three years. So, I just believed and I thought that PDP will do the right thing by reconciling those of us who felt aggrieved by the way they were treated during the last party primaries of 2014 ahead of the 2015 general elections. But I don’t know for whatever reason the party neglected most of us who were aggrieved and no attempt was ever made at each point in time to come to ask you what the problem is.

You cannot continue to stay in political limbo for three years, four years. More so, the general elections are coming.

Last time when, when we had these issues, we all told ourselves, well, for the good of the party, let the party’s choice and decisions remain but we all aired our grievance and we were assured that, sorry, don’t worry, as soon as possible, something was going to be done to address some of the imbalances and the injustices that the party meted out to so many people that served, slaved for and invested heavily in the party.

Abia Charter of Equity dead on arrival - Ex-Speaker • Ndigbo can achieve restructuring fighting from outside Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu has been a Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly. He disappeared from the scene after his tour of duty inn the Abia Legislature and emerged only recently to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Peoples Congress (APC). In this Interview with BONIFACE OKORO, he explains why he left PDP and why the Abia Charter of Equity, which the Abia Founding Fathers have been persistently clamouring to be legislated upon could not become law and how Ndigbo could achieve restructuring, among other contemporary issues. Excerpts:

What were the grievances?

It is not a question of this one grievance or the other. It has to do with the general direction of the party. When I had the opportunity of being the Speaker, right from when Orji Uzor Kalu was Governor, the party was structured in such a way that decisions come from the ward to the local government, then to the zone and the State.

But at a point, the whole thing changed and decisions had to come from one individual or so and were forced on people.

So, most of the stakeholders were rendered ineffective and our decisions and input were not sought any longer. We thought that it was something that with time, there was going to be a change.

But I didn’t see any change. Even in the last general election, there was no visible change. They promised reconciliation.

We waited to see if there will be reconciliation and also if there will be any visible change in the way things were being done in the State. And to the best of my knowledge and I stand to be corrected, I have not seen any change.

What attracted you to APC? My basic attraction to APC is that, I looked at it, what are the options left for me? Do I go to APGA, do I remain in PDP. APC has a national outlook and people say APC is Buhari’s party. Does it mean that if Buhari is not there, APC will not move forward? And APC has promised the Igbos that come 2023, they are going to consider giving the slot of the presidency of this country to somebody from the South East, that is a very big attraction for me.

If PDP should win the Presidency, it means the Igbo nation would have to wait for at least another eight years before that dream is actualised, if it will ever be actualised under PDP. These are the reasons why basically I left.

And again, I told you that most of my political mentors in Abia North senatorial district have found their way into APC, I didn’t want to be left out. So, that is why I decided to go where I believe majority of the people are.

Coming back home, people are not too happy with the government of the day.

I am not in the habit of criticising people in power. But I have brothers, I have sisters in the public service in this State, whereby six months, seven months, eight months, somebody is not paid salary and that has been the recurring decimal since 2014.

People are not happy. Everywhere you go, they tell you there is hunger, they will tell you that they have not been paid salary, they will tell you that their children are out of school and they are fed up with this government; they have been waiting and praying that the government will change. So, to me, I had to do

•Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu

the best thing.

The mainstream Igbo leadership holds strongly that there is need to restructure Nigeria and even places it above the presidency of Igbo extraction. But our brothers in APC are harping on the promise that by 2023, the Presidency will be handed over to the south East.

Why do you people believe that this kind of promise would be actualised?

Restructuring requires amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Because the way the constitution is structured today, you need the concurrence of 24 States in the Federation to be able to amend it. Can you restructure the country without amending the constitution? I think the answer is no.

So, if restructuring requires amending the constitution, are you going to clamour for restructuring when you are on the outside? Ndigbo is in the main opposition party and then you want to go to Abuja to ask the government of the day to first restructure this country! Will the government listen to you? The answer is no. That is why, if you ask me, we would have to go into the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics, sit down, negotiate with the other zones of the country and come to an agreement that there is going to be restructuring of this country in a friendly manner. You can’t do that by opposing the government of the day when you are in the minority. So, how are we going to influence what is happening in Abuja if wears not part of them?

Why didn’t the Abia House of Assembly under your leadership consider making the Abia Charter of Equity a law?

I think that is part of the problem we have. Such a draft bill or proposal would have been dead on arrival because the Constitution is very clear, any bill, any law or act or byelaw contrary to the provisions of the constitution, to that extent, is null and void.

So, zoning is not enshrined in the constitution; zoning is not enshrined in the constitution of any of the political parties. Abia Charter of Equity should be a working document; it should not be something that we can legislate on. We can pass a resolution, saying look, for fairness and equity, let us stick to Abia Charter of Equity.

But Abia Charter of Equity is causing a lot of trouble in this State now. That charter was raised when part of Ebonyi State was still in Abia. Because that component left for Ebonyi, that is why we still have that problem today.

But people will tell you that Abia was formed from Afikpo, Bende, Isuikwuato and Aba. Afikpo was removed. So, if Abians want to have another Charter of Equity, they should come together and look at it, because today, you have people clamouring and giving it different definitions.

You see somebody from Isiala Ngwa North will tell you that we have two divisions in Abia: Bende and Aba zones. So, which one are we looking at: is it the old Abia Charter of Equity or the new one that has divided this State into two or is it the one that divides the State into three senatorial zones.

These are the issues that made us not to give that proposal, not even a bill, a second thought.

What is your assessment of INEC’s preparation for 2019, looking at the CVR registration and do you think peoples vote will count You should give credit to INEC; they have tried their best as opposed to what happened in 2015. They have conducted elections successfully in Ondo, Edo and Ekiti States. Our problem in Nigeria is not INEC. Our problem is all of us.

The conduct of elections in Nigeria is not different from what happens in Zimbabwe, Kenya. It is the attitude of the people. This winner-takes-it-all mentality is really affecting the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

INEC is the same old story and today, you see three INEC staff remanded in prison custody, and some were found with N360 million bribe that were given to them, almost across the nation. So, if the REC at the State level, the chairman at Abuja are there giving you directives to those in the field on what they should do; Youth Corps members, this is what you should do, this one, this is what you should do, go and do it. They can’t leave their offices to go and monitor what is going on.

So, you send Policemen to polling units, they are interested in what is given to them; the party agents are interested in horse trading, give me this one so that I will look the other way. The ad-hoc and even the permanent staff of INEC, they all come there praying and hoping that they will be settled, they will be taken care of. So, I think it has to do with the people more than INEC. I believe this time, there has been a lot of improvement by INEC. They have done away with the major problem we have that people used in rigging election last time, which was the incident form.

I think they have amended the Electoral Act to encourage electronic voting and I think if that is done and we do away with the incident forms, and then employ this electronic transmission of results, it is going to help. At the end of the day, it will make sure that your vote will count.

So, my encouragement is for people to go out and get their PVCs. The day of election, call it your civic responsibility and duty that day, even if it takes six hours. Just look at it as an extended church programme, stay there vote and make sure that your vote is counted and recorded and you leave the rest to the system to take care of.

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 15, 2018

POLITICS Impeachment of Deputy Governor creates vacuum in Imo Cont’d from page 9

November 2018 for further hearing.

Notwithstanding the hues and cries against the impeachment, the Imo State House of Assembly last week went ahead and impeached the Deputy Governor. The House also cleared the former Head of Service, Chief Callistus Ekenze, from Ubomiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Things took a different turn on Tuesday July 31, 2018 as hopes of the new Imo State Deputy Governor designate, Calistus Ekenze was dashed, as the Chief Judge, Justice Pascal Nnadi, refused to administer the oath of office on him.

Mr. Calistus Ekenze, his supporters, guests, government functionaries, including Governor Rochas Okorocha had stormed the Sam Mbakwe exco chambers, inside the Government House, venue of the swearing in, but the programme was forced to a halt.

It was gathered that the Chief Judge failed to swear-in the new Deputy Governor as a result of the order of the state high court retraining the 7-man panel from sitting.

But in a press release by Onwuemeodo, the Governor said the new Deputy Governor was not sworn-in because he was obeying what he said was a new order of the court stopping the swearing-in of the new Deputy Governor.

Onwuemeodo said: “The scheduled swearing-in of the new Deputy-Governor of the State, Sir Calistus Ekenze, on Monday, July 31, 2018 by 9am, could not take place again following the directive by the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that the Interim Court Order restraining the Chief Judge of the State from carrying out the exercise be fully obeyed “The venue of the Scheduled Swearing-in, the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber was full to the brim by guests including Senior government functionaries and APC leaders in the State when the governor’s directive came through the Attorney-General of the State, Barr. M.O. Nlemedim in respect of the Court Order.

“The Governor had insisted that the interim Order be obeyed not minding some issues raised by Senior Lawyers in the government against the Order, insisting that his administration must continue to obey valid Court Orders and also served on the government or agents of the government”.

But the embattled Deputy Governor, through his Media Aide, Uche Onwuchekwa, faulted the Governor’s claim, saying that there was no new order of the court stopping the swearing-in of the new Deputy Governor, describing the Governor’s claim as “a tissue of lies from the pit of hell”.

“The Office of the Deputy Governor of Imo State wishes to correct an impression that the Court Order restraining the Chief Judge and other parties involved in illegal swearing-in of the purported candidate for the office of the Deputy Governor as not only misleading but a tissue of lies from the pit of hell.”

He added: “From our records, there is no known court of competent jurisdiction that granted such a restraining order on this day, Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

“We hereby call on the general public to disregard the said misleading information expressed in the Press Release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Sam Onwuemeodo”.

He noted that “the restraining order was granted in the early hours of Monday, July 30, 2018 at about 11am at the High Court 8, Imo State High Court, Owerri, Imo State, during a court sitting presided by Hon. Justice Benjamin Iheaka, where he granted the prayers of Chief Ken Njemanze (SAN) restraining the Chief Judge, Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, members of Imo State House of Assembly, 7 Man Panel of inquiry among other parties involved in the matter from taking any further action that bothers on the impeachment proceeding against the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, until the determination of the matters before it”.

•Prince Eze Madumere This development has left the office of the Deputy Governor vacant as there is no substantive Deputy Governor in the state.

Speaking on the vacuum, a popular lawyer and public commentator in the state, Kissinger Ikokwu, said that Ekenze remains the new Imo Deputy Governor by law.

He said: “I have read various comments regarding the confusion arising from the recent purported impeachment of His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere by the Imo State House of Assembly. Some have posited that Imo now have two Deputy Governors. The other side say Prince Eze Madumere remains Imo Deputy Governor, while the other side say Mr. Calistus Ekenze remains the Deputy Governor as at today”.

“I understand perfectly that the real reasons he (Madumere) is being persecuted today is more of politics and disagreement with his boss than issues of governance.

But I am duty bound to analyse the law here as best as I know it”, he noted, adding that “The crisis today arose from the order granted by the High Court of Imo State sitting at Owerri, on Monday 30th July, 2018, wherein the Court made an order restraining the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Imo State and the 7-Man Panel set up by the Honourable Chief Judge of Imo State, to halt all further actions regarding and in pursuance of the impeachment of His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere. While I do not have full details of the order, I am reliably informed that the Court ordered that the status quo be maintained pending determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction”.

According to him: “The House of Assembly led by Honourable Acho Ihim moved within hours after the order, probably

before the order could be served on them, to effect the impeachment of the Deputy Governor and therein announced receipt of the nomination of Mr. Calistus Ekenze from the Governor and they immediately cleared, approved and ratified him as the new Deputy Governor of Imo State. Following the action by the House of Assembly, the Governor arranged for a hurried swearing in ceremony which failed to hold because the Chief Judge of the State refused to show up for the swearing in. It was the failure of the swearing in that led to the confusion today as to whether Prince Eze Madumere or Callistus Ekenze is the Imo Deputy Governor today and also the question, whether Imo has a deputy governor or not.

“To resolve this issue, we must look at the cause of action in the suit before the High Court of Imo State. Even without having full details of the suit, from my knowledge and experience of the law, it appears the Imo Deputy Governor sued to challenge the legality of the impeachment process leading to the constitution of the 7-Man Panel to investigate allegations of ‘Gross Misconduct’ against him. His challenge was against the process that was not yet completed at the time. It was on the strength of the suit that he sought an injunction to halt the further proceedings and which he got an interim injunction pending the determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction upon service to the parties concerned to make their representations.

Having granted the order the trial Judge adjourned the matter to the vacation Court.

“Now Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution as amended states that; ‘No proceeding or determination of the Panel or House of Assembly or any matter relating to

13 such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any Court’” Ikokwu further noted: “By the above clear provisions of the Constitution, it seems clear that His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere only got a respite by the interim order of the Court. That order can only be said to have given the Deputy Governor a lifeline. I would therefore not mince words to say, the suit at that stage cannot reverse the impeachment process neither can it nullify the process which was not yet consummated as at the time the suit was filed. I must therefore state without equivocation that contrary to the believe and expectations of the lovers of His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere, the suit at the High Court cannot keep or restore him as the Deputy Governor of the Imo State. His best bet had always been and would always be to resign the position honourably.

“I do not see any serious cause of action in the substantive suit. I do not also believe that suit will plant His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere as Deputy Governor against the House of Assembly who wants him out at all cost. The issue is that the Chief Judge of Imo State merely respected a valid order of Court by refusing to swear in Mr Callistus Ekenze in the face of a clear order of Court restraining same action. The Honourable Chief Judge of Imo State only sent a serious message that while Imo House of Assembly could play with the valid orders of a Court, himself in the position as the Chief Judge as the head of Imo Judiciary could not acquiesce to action that would encourage people to denigrate the judiciary. It was a clear statement that orders of Court must be obeyed no matter how wrong you think the order may be. I must at this stage commend Justice P. O Nnadi, the Honourable Chief Judge of Imo State for the rare courage which has strengthened and upheld the sanctity of our Courts and the judiciary in Imo State. He has taught the executive abd legislature in Imo State that all men are equal before the law”.

He concluded: “Having said that, I must now resolve the issues that may have arisen from the standoff. Looking at the express wordings of Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution one can safely say the order of the Court on the matter and the substantive suit may not go too far. Following the recent decision of the Court of Appeal on the suit challenging the National Assembly bill on reordering of elections, one can safely conclude that the challenge by His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere against the impeachment process as at the time the suit was filed was still premature.

“If the order of injunction is vacated, we will fall back to the last stage of proceedings which is the presumable impeachment of His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere by the Imo House of Assembly and the ratification of Mr Callistus Ekenze as the Deputy Governor of Imo State. I am not unaware of the cogent issues that the 7-Man Panel may not have sat nor served a notice on the Prince Eze Madumere, but all that now are only grounds for nullification of the impeachment. As at today, it is on record that the Imo House of Assembly has even if purportedly, impeached Prince Eze Madumere and have approved Mr Callistus Ekenze as his replacement. That process no matter how unconstitutional and illegal can only be reversed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Unfortunately the impeachment and the approval of Mr.Calistus Ekenze was not an issue in the already filed action.

“As it is today in Imo, what we have is a new Deputy Governor in the name of Mr. Calistus Ekenze, ‘awaiting swearing in’. In the eyes of the law that I know, His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere stands impeached until a court of competent jurisdiction nullifies the impeachment by the Imo Imo House of Assembly, however wrong one may term the impeachment process.”

Meanwhile, Madumere has said he remains the Deputy Governor of Imo State.

This is even as the Commissioner of Police, Dazuki Galandinchi, is said to have withdrawn the security details of Madumere and locked up his office.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

POLITICS T Day Ezeonwuka, INNOSON Boss visited Umuchukwu he trio met at the residence of Dr Maduka who is called Lion of Africa when Ezeonwuka and Chukwuma visited Umuchukwu to see for themselves the wonders being done there by the host. Their coming together amounts to a fold of the Biblical three Wise Men from the East who have think home mentality that are worthy to emulate by other sons and daughters of Anambra in particular and Ndigbo in general who are well to do all over the world. The meeting provided the host and the visitors opportunity to tell stories of their passion for the development and progress of Igbo land with their giants achievements.

The story of the day began on a practical note with the host taking the visitors round town to take a look at what he has singlehandedly put down for the development of his country home Umuchukwu Community. A 17 Storey Building called Medical Research Institute or Medical Research Centre was the first port of call. There, the host told the visitors that the Institute was meant to provide international standard health services to reduce the high rate at which Nigerians travel to foreign countries for medical services adding that the Institute will be equiped with modern medical facilities and competent expatriates for management.

The second place the host took the visitors was the ultra modern High Court edifice which is on going and near completion and which according the host was meant to give the people of Umuchukwu and its environs easy access to justice. But while the Court Building is on going p, the houses where judges and staff will live are completed already, equiped and furnished with State of the Art facilities. The third place where the visitors were taken to was a five star Guest House with over 20 super equiped rooms with a mini conference room for staff and management meeting and another a world class conference hall for a wider and more elaborate engagements.

Time did not permit the visitors to go further but they were shown a Police Station, a Secondary School, two Churches one for Catholic and the other for Anglican and tarred road, all provided singlehandedly for Ndi Umuchukwu by the host.

Chief Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo) made part two of the story by given his life story and comparing what he saw at Umuchukwu to what he did at Oba in the early years of the decades of 1980s. He explained that he began life as a Spare parts importer at Nkwo Nnewi but came into the limelight when he built Rojenny Tourist and Games Village Oba in the early 80s. As a tourist and games villages, Rojenny has he said has a tourist attraction like the amusement park, a hotel, Chinese Restaurant and a zoo where many animals including the almighty Lion are alive for everybody to see. Rojenny has many sporting facilities such as swimming pool, lawn tennis court, basketball court, volleyball pitch and a 60, 000 capacity football stadium with tartan track which has hosted international football matches involving notable football clubs in Nigeria and their counterparts from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Ezeonwuka admitted that he made fortune by importing Autor Spare parts from Taiwan and unlike other Igbo business he vowed to run all his businesses in Igbo land. He said “If am not mistaking, I am probably the only man Igbo who doesn’t have a koisk outside Igboland, others are building hotels, schools, industries and many things outside Igbo land but I decided to run all my businesses in Igbo land and I don’t regret it because if I remember that Rojenny Stadium has hosted matches involving football clubs from Egypt and other African countries I feel happy. Without Rojenny Stadium am not there could be anything that attract the North Africans to Igboland” “In the decade of 1990s Rojenny Stadium served as the home ground for two Nigerian top flight football clubs namely Udoji United and Jasper United. Udoji and Jasper at a point represented Nigeria in Continental Championship like the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League using Rojenny Stadium to play matches against clubs from Egypt and other African countries. Rojenny Stadium also played host to Golden Eaglets of Nigeria when the Eaglets made up Kanu Nwankwo, Wilson Oruma, Peter Anosike among others camped at Rojenny for nearly two years in preparation for 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Japan.

Taking a holistic view of what he saw at Umuchukwu, Ogilisi Igbo said he was happy to see somebody like Dr Maduka who deemed right enough to transform his community into a mini

•One man is turning a village into an international city •We ‘II ensure that everything will be well utilized – Ezeonwuka •I will establish an industry there – INNOSON Boss On Saturday last week, Providence brought together three eminent sons of Anambra State namely Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka who is the Proprietor of Rojenny Tourist and Games Village Oba, founder Ranet Industries also located in Oba and Rojenny Global Farm located at Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Innocent Chukwuma the founder and Chairman of INNOSON Group of Companies with Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), INNOSON Plastic Industry among others and Dr Godwin Maduka a Medical Doctor based in America and who is singlehandedly turning his Community Umuchukwu in Orumba South Local Government Area to a world class community with State of the Art amenities and infrastructural facilities. By THEO RAYS.

•Chief Innocent Chukwuma Las Vargas in Anambra State adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that all the amenities and facilities such as the Medical Research Centre which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, the High Court, the guest house and others built by the America based Surgeon and Pharmacologist are well utilised by the people of Anambra and Nigerians from all parts of the Country.

On his part Chief Innocent Chukwuma who was conspicuously marvelled at what he met on ground muted that he will establish an Industry at Umuchukwu to boost development inline with what Maduka is doing. Chukwuma who also began life as a Spare part importer zoomed into limelight when he established INNOSON Industries at Emene along Abakaliki road in Enugu which specialised in manufacturing plastic and branded ceramic wares such as plates, trays, chairs and tables and tables among others things. As if that was not enough the Nnewi born manufacturer also known as Ifediaso Nnewi and Okpuzu Ndigbo

by Chieftaincy titles moved a step further to establish the first Vehicle Assembly plant in Nigeria and what is today known as INNOSON Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) in his country home at Nnewi.

From Nnewi to Enugu INNOSON as he is popularly called made huge impact in providing jobs for the teeming Igbo youth in particular and

boosting the Nigeria economy in general. In the words of Sir Ugochukwu Udemezue who is the current President General of Nnewi town union known as Nzuko Ora Nnewi INNOSON by establishing IVM has fulfilled the potential of Nnewi as the Japan of Africa. According to Udemezue, the dream of any community is to raise individual who can bring development, provide jobs for the people and improve on the economy of the State to better the lives of the citizenry.

He maintained “INNOSON has turned Nnewi Japan and China, all the vehicles Nigerians use to import from Japan and China are being manufactured at IVM such as cars, jeep, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) security van and Spare parts so what do you need to believe that what you may travel to buy in Japan or China are right here in Nnewi, you journalists should understand this better so that will be able to tell the story of what is going on at IVM at any given time” The last part of the story came from Ndi Umuchukwu who explained in details how Dr Maduka is singlehandedly turning the community into an American city of sort According to the people of Umuchukwu Dr Maduka in addition to all have been said of him earlier has built and houses for the people. As at last count Maduka has built and donated 156 houses to poor families with water and electric-

ity facilities and has offered to build a University in Umuchukwu in two or three year time. In terms of human empowerment he has moved a good number of Umuchukwu to the United States and offered Scholarships to so many indigent students at the university level. What else does Umuchukwu needs to develop?

Speaking on Dr Maduka’s great strides at Umuchukwu Mr Okoli Egbo Tyndale Oforbike a politician from Umuchukwu neighbourhood noted that what distinguishes Dr Maduka from the crowd is that he does his things on the platform of philanthropy adding that such like him are needed in positions of leadership at all levels. Mr Oforbike who hails from Nawfija a neighbouring community to Umuchukwu pointed out that for a man to turn his community around with his personal hard earned money, there is no gainsaying the fact that he will make prudent use of the resources available in his disposal as political leader.

According to him, “if other wealthy men could do half or even one third or one quarter of what Dr Maduka has been doing to Umuchukwu, Igbo land would have developed at a faster pace because virtually all the communities in Igboland have at least 10 wealthy men who can build schools, tar roads, provide water, scholarships for children and help the poor in so many ways and secondly if we can get people like him to take the mantle of leadership as Governors things like corruption and incompetence would be a thing of the past” Continuing Mr Oforbike who is aspiring for the Orumba South Constituency Seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly ahead of 2019 general election described as role model for the youth, the business tycoon and the political class. He added, “Dr Maduka is a symbol of hard work who don’t believe that one has to be in government quarters to make it, he works hard to study, he studied Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacology at Professorate levels and he work hard to meet up with schedules of his job that goes along way to tell the youth that it pays to work hard.

“He has demonstrated a utmost level f philanthropy and made us to understand that people don’t have to be in political leadership to develop his community, he has shown that people as businessmen and professionals can use their hard earned money to freely build schools, Church, hospital, tar roads and what have you, I mean all those things that people needs to live a better life, so Dr Maduka is a role models to all of us - the youth, the businessmen, the professionals and the political class put together and we really thank God for the gift of somebody like him.

The truth is that Ezeonwuka, Chukwuma and Maduka have out shined others lately in terms of think home philosophy and if other sons and daughters from Igbo land should emulate them Anambra State and the entire Igbo land will certainly get better in terms of civilisation and development inline with the global standard.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

INTERVIEW

I defected from APC to PDP because Wike is doing very well for Rivers people, says Hon. Mpigi You were until recently a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

I was a member of the reformed All Progressives Congress (r-APC) before defecting to the PDP and my name was number two on list. I was presented to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of informing him of my willingness to go back to the PDP where I originally belong to.

Dr. Barry Mpigi is member representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Mpigi who defected along with 37 members of the House from the APC to the PDP. He spoke to NATH OMAME, Jr. on why he defected; the failure of the APC government to handle insecurity in the country and why he believes Governor Nyesom Wike will clinch a second term in 2019.

What exactly does the r-APC represent?

The r-APC was a faction of the fictionalized APC

Why did you leave the PDP? We left the PDP in an attempt to rescue Rivers State at that time. We tried a model which we thought would work for Nigeria, but that model failed us. We can always apologies to PDP.

So, you have defected from the the APC? Yes. I have left the APC. So, why did you decamp from the APC? I left the APC because of is factionalisation and the impunity level of the APC in Nigeria. I defected to save Nigeria. The APC is in crisis.

What were your grievances for leaving the PDP? For me, what make me to leave the PDP in 2014 are far smaller when compared to what made me to leave the APC for the PDP. I am assuring those still out there that the PDP is a better place to belong. And that is why we have apologised to the PDP that we took a wrong step and we are now back home.

Can you explain what you mean by factionalisation?

In Rivers State where I come from, we have the Magnus Abe faction; the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi faction and the r-APC faction that I hitherto belonged. The centre was no longer holding.

In the light of this, can you shed more light on what you mean by impunity?

Nigeria needs to be safe for all to live in. Each day on earth, People are been killed everyday in Nigeria. Armed robbery is on the increase.

Just imagine armed Policemen blocking the Senate President from leaving his official residence. Autocracy is taking over as if we are in a military regime. As it is, like minds are coming together to rescue Nigeria in 2019.

Have you been a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before?

Of course, yes! Most of those crying wolf now including Rotimi Amaechi because we left

To be specific, why did you leave the PDP? My people were not getting anything from the PDP at that time. My people are now benefiting from the state government. Things are now happening in all 23 local government areas in Rivers State because a grassroots man is in- charge of the state government.

the APC were together with us in the PDP before we defected to the APC. We even formed the new-PDP before we joined the APC. We can always apologies to the PDP for moving over to the APC. So, we are back home.

Would you say you group gave the new National Chairman of the APC enough time to mediate in settling whatever grievances your group had against the leadership of the APC? I can’t talk about the APC and Adams Oshiomhole because I am not a member of their party anymore. I can of the Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah; I can talk of the

Hope rises for Ndigbo as Igbo leaders wade into Ohanaeze, IPOB doldrum

•The journey has just begun and we still have more of such meetings - IPOB •We must unite and fight for our rights - Nwabueze

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T

he on-going reconciliation processes between Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo cultural organization and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is gradually tilting towards a positive direction, as the two parties met for the second time in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, home town of Prof. Ben Nwabueze foremost constitutional lawyer and were believed to have had a fruitful deliberation.

The maiden meeting of the duo tagged: “peace and unity”, which was kickstarted by Prof.

Nwabueze, had taken place at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu recently, before last Sunday’s second gathering which took place precisely at Nwabueze’s villa, Atani.

The meeting which was held behind closed doors, for close to four hours, was attended by a high-powered delegation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by its President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo and the representatives of IPOB, led by their legal counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

Also in attendance at the peace meeting were Most Rev Dr Maxwell Anikwenwa, Bishop emeritus of Anglican Diocese of Awka and Dean church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the chairman of Anambra state chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Youth Wing, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, among others After the deliberations, which both parties described as very fruitful, the IPOB delegation came out with brightened face but declined to address the press on the outcome so far. However, under pressure, Ejimakor confirmed to newsmen that there was actually a peace meeting between them and Ohanaeze Ndigbo but that compromise was yet to be

reached on the issues at stake, adding that hopes were not yet lost since meetings of this nataure would be a continuous exercise.

According to Ejimakor, “we don’t have anything to tell the press for now because we have not ironed out all the critical issues at stake but the truth is that we have met and we will continue to meet until we finally agree or disagree”.

Nwabueze, in hos own statement, told newsmen that the critical issue being demanded by IPOB, as one of the conditions for reconciliation with Ohanaeze Ndigbo is about the proscription of IPOB by the federal government and at the same time branding it a terrorist organization.

Nwabueze contended that another enlarged meeting of Ohanaeze, IPOB, South East Governors and major stakeholders would be held on Wednesday, August to iron out the proscription problem, after which a delegation would be assigned to convey their message to the federal government.

He expressed deep concern that while other ethnic groups are maltreating Ndigbo, Ndigbo themselves are not united among themselves, a situation which he said cause serious deprivation against Ndigbo in the national polity.

He however expressed relief that the meeting has consolidated on the previous one held in Enugu, adding that there was need to consolidate on the existing peace between both groups as a way of forging a common front among Ndigbo, adding: “Leaders can only succeed if the followers are with him. We will not be united if followers are disenchanted with the leadership”.

“There is trouble in Nigeria, we do not know what will happen in future, but we can predict and we know there is problem. We love Nigeria

but the leaders of the nation are not doing the right thing. We are not in control of anything in Nigeria, it is for this reason that we need to come together and be united. We have no control of anything in Nigeria and if we lose control of ourselves, we are finished and we will not let it happen while we are alive”.

He said there was so much disunity in Nigeria today, and the essence of the gathering was to make everyone understand the need for peace to reign, stressing that the meeting was a fruitful one, and that the IPOB was asking for the federal government to rescind its decision to proscribe it, and that Ohaneze Ndigbo and other leaders of the zone have resolved to hold another meeting with south east governors to pressure on the federal government to de-proscribe it.

“Their(IPOB) major worry was to get the federal government to lift its proscription order on them. We have promised to liaise with the state governors to do so in a later meeting that will hold on August 8”.

Speaking on the Quest for Igbo presidency, Nwabueze said that people of the south east of Nigeria were not interested in the presidency of the country, rather its quest was to have Nigeria restructured. “The primary need of Ndigbo now is restructuring not Igbo presidency. We want a restructured Nigeria, that is the only way we get what we want, and every zone would be satisfied. If Nigeria is restructured, that will go a along way to satisfy our demands.

“We don’t want Igbo presidency. As the country is today we can not get anything until Nigeria is restructured. We can begin to talk about Igbo presidency only when Nigeria is restructured”, he stated.

National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus. I can’t talk about Oshiomhole that is bullying the whole country as we speak: claiming he is even more powerful than the president of the country. If that is what they mean by change, good for the APC. We are more concerned with the positive change that is taking place in the PDP right now.

Well, some people are of the view that most of you who defected from the APC to the PDP are doing so for personal reasons rather than advancing the course of democracy. You were very vocal in the support of Senator Magnus Abe’s governorship ambition which has led to a glaring conflict between your camp and Amaechi’s group which could affect your chances of getting an APC’s ticket in 2019?

Senator Abe is an individual; I am also an individual; so, I don’t want to talk about Abe and his political party. I can talk about Governor Nyesom Wike who is my friend and who is doing very well for the people of Rivers State.

I can talk about the 4, 432 polling units in the state; I can talk about the 319 wards and 23 local governments in Rivers State as it affects the PDP. I can talk about the infrastructural strides of Governor Wike because I am working with Wike. I don’t want to talk about Abe and his political party.

So, you defected for purely political reasons?

I defected because democracy is at play in the PDP. You need to do what you think you are competent in doing; you need to do what you have been asked to do. I am doing it for the people of Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency to be specific. I am doing it for the people of Rivers State and I am doing it for Nigerians.

Governor Wike just flagged off a road construction in Tai which was abandoned about 50 years ago; a road that was abandoned by the Amaechi administration. My people will benefit from using the road; members of the APC and PDP will use the road and that is because of my personal relationship with Governor Wike. So, I am not doing it for Barry Mpigi; I am doing it for my people and it is a positive change and positive development that my people can see.

Our people in Tai have agreed to work for the PDP so that we can attract development to the area.

The contentious national legislative re-run of 2015, and the re-scheduled re-run elections for Rivers South East Senatorial District and the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency in 2016, pitched you and Senator Abe against the Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, leading to heated arguments from both parties at that time. How do you intend to manage this soured relationship now that you are back in the PDP? Felix Obuah has been my long time friend and we worked tirelessly together when I was in the PDP. I was duly elected by the people and the court of law has also affirmed the legitimacy of my election. What is past is past. What is important is to move Rivers State forward.

Are you sure the PDP will retain the governorship seat in Rivers State in 2019?

Governor Wike is doing very, very well and his projects will speak for him. For a governor that has done so much for his people, the only way to appreciate him is to return him back to government house in 2019. Governor Wike has already covered 50 per cent of the 100 metres race for the 2019 governorship election.

The other parties are yet to even pick a governorship candidate. They are bickering among themselves. They are so factionalised while the PDP and Governor Wike remain focused on developing Rivers State and impacting in the lives of the people.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Reps member secures over 80 jobs for unemployed constituents

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

M

ember representing Ohaozara/Onicha and Ivo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie said he has secured jobs for over 80 unemployed graduates in his constituency.

“The youths are currently working at various federal establishments across the country”, he said Okorie made the disclosure in Onicha Igboeze, Onicha local government area of the state during thanks giving/appreciation ceremony organized by Caring Heart Vanguard, an arm of Caring Heart Foundation, a none governmental organization founded by the Lawmaker.

Caring Heart Vanguard made up of people who gained employment through the influence of Hon. Okorie.

The event was put together by the group in honour of their benefactor and the state Governor David Umahi.

Okorie while speaking at the ceremony disclosed that he secured the employments for the youths to tackle unemployment, reduce poverty in his constituency in order to complement Governor Umahi’s efforts.

According to Okorie, some of the beneficiaries were unemployed for about fifteen years after graduation.

He urged the beneficiaries of the employment to empower other youths in the constituency.

“Some of you were 15 years out of school without jobs but we have changed that condition by securing you jobs. Some of our youths who think that going to school is no longer useful, it is very useful. Those who think that when you go to school you cannot find jobs after ten years, it doesn’t matter”, he said.

President Caring Heart Vanguard,Obinna Ngwu, said apart from Okorie securing jobs for the unemployed youths, he has executed projects in all the communities in the constituency and also offered free medical services to the constituents.

“I want to unequivocally say that the man with the caring heart (referring to Okorie), has empowered his constituents without boundary through employment in different civil service parastatals, skill acquisition trainings, free medical outreach, setting up people in business of their choice, as well as developmental projects like academic research centres, renovation of primary and secondary schools, healthcare centres, markets, town halls and proffering succor to the less privileged.

“He has executed projects in all the communities in his constituency through his unflinching generosity, and has attracted a catalogue of mega projects feared by his indefatigable efforts in ensuring effective and efficient representation. They include many linkage roads, bridges, electricity, automated water reservoirs, agriculture implements and machines”, he added.

The group endorsed Okorie and governor Umahi for reelection in 2019 and also conferred award of excellent performance on them.

Ogba, Ogwuewu in near fisticuffs over Ebonyi senatorial seat

BY CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

T

here was a drama at a meeting held at Onueke, headquarters of Ezza South Local Government Area, by Ebonyi Central Wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when the Senator representing the zone, Obinna Ogba, and the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Frank Ogbuewu were restrained from fisticuffs by other party men and women during the gathering.

Senator Ogba is seeking reelection to the red chambers but Ogbuewu who is a former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, among other political aspirants is jostling for the party’s ticket to replace him come 2019.

Governor Umahi had constituted zonal and local government committees in the state to meet with all the Senatorial, Federal House of Repre-

sentatives and the State House of Assembly Aspirants within the party with a view to harmonizing them so as to reach consensus in all the contestable positions ahead of the party’s primaries.

The four LGAs that make up the zone include: Ezza South, Ezza North, Ikwo, and Ishielu.

The Ebonyi Central Wing meeting was attended by political appointees of the Governor, Aspirants to various political positions, local government chairmen of the party, Ward chairmen of the party and the state working committee members of PDP from the zone.

However, drama ensued when the senatorial aspirants were given opportunity to address the people who are mainly delegates to the upcoming party’s primaries.

Addressing delegates, Ogbuewu said he is the best fit for the sena-

torial job, adding that as a former Minister, former Ambassador and two-time governorship flag bearer in the state, he has garnered enough experience that would make him a competent Senator if elected. He also boasted he worked excellently well in all the positions he had held in the past.

He said Ikwo local government where he hails from has never produced a Senator of the zone, arguing that Ogba simply rode on the backs of the Governor to be a Senator, adding further that it would be honorable for Ogba not to seek reelection.

Ogbuewu also faulted the insinuation that Ikwo LGA where he hails from is currently occupying deputy governorship position and cannot also occupy the senatorial seat at the same time. He said the only constitutional function of a deputy governor is boundary crisis resolution.

• Air Peace delegation and crew: Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah (right), Cabin Services Manager, Florence Opia (2nd left), Pilot-in-Command, Capt. Matthew Ekeinde (left), Head of Monitoring and Compliance, Joy Imeli (second row, left), Assistant Customer Relations Manager, Mrs. Patricia Ebilah (second row, right), Business Development Executive, Mr. Obinna Ezerioha (third row, right), Lead Crew, Marylinda Okoye (third row, middle) and Infrastructure Support Engineer, Mr. Murphy Ebietuoma (third row, left) in Air Peace Embraer 145 aircraft shortly after returning to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos from the Kaduna International Airport after the launch of the carrier’s Lagos-Kaduna service on Monday

Obtain your PVCs to re-elect Umahi, Ebonyi council chairman urges women

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

E

xecutive Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Chief Sunday Ogodo, has enjoined women of the council area to obtain their Permanent Voters Card,PVCs, so as to reelect Governor David Umahi in 2019.

He told them to endeavor to register and obtain their PVCs within the few days left before the announced deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had announced August 17 as the deadline for voters registration.

Ogodo who gave the appeal at the weekend during the closing ceremony of Amuzu women 2018 August meeting held at the community secondary school Amuzu, maintained that the only way they would collectively reciprocate the good gestures and numerous achievements of the Governor was by voting and supporting his reelection so as to consolidate on the achievements.

Ogodo urged the women and the entire people to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said is only party that has benefited the community.

Those who have not obtained their PVCs should try to use the opportunity of the August meeting to get registered especially those of

them who returned from far cities in country for the meeting, according to the chairman.

He also disclosed to the women why he rejected the award they had planned to give him, saying, he would accept it by next year when he must have brought more dividends of democracy to the community.

“I received your message about the award you had planned to give me. I thank you so much for this honor; but I said let the award be given to me by next year so that by God’s grace, I must have provided more dividends of democracy to our community so that my conscience will convince me that I merited the award.

“And by that next year when I will receive the award,His Excellency, Governor David Umahi and the his wife, Rachel Umahi, will be around, so that you will appreciate more that I’m your true son. You can bear witnesses to the fact that I have always used every God given opportunity to improve on your wellbeing.

“God has been with Amuzu community and he fights our battle. You are all aware that general election is around the corner. I want to appeal to everyone of you who has not obtained permanent voters card to use this opportunity to do so. It is only through our PVCs that we can ex-

press our appreciation to the Governor of the state for what he has done for our community and the entire Ezza South LGA. “So, wherever you reside,, whether in Abuja, Lagos, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and others, try to come home and get your PVC, so that we shall continue to support this government that remembers our community, and so that more dividends of democracy will come our way”, he said.

He further admonished them to love one another and shun gossips for the purpose of peace and progress of the community.

He said PDP deserved the total support of entire people of the community because it was the only party that has given employments, infrastructures and empowerments to the people of the community.

Ogodo told the women to respect and revere those in authority as according to him, even the Holy Bible teaches us to do so.

He equally informed the women about some efforts of his administration in bettering the lots of the community, especially as he is currently embarking on rural electricity projects in the communities that hitherto had no electricity in the area, assuring that he would remain committed to bettering their welfare.

According to him, Governor Umahi has been retaining the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe because he (Umahi) does not behave like Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who he said has been changing his deputy at will. A comment that caused laughter from other party members.

He said Ikwo cannot be denied the senatorial seat of the zone simply because an Ikwo man is occupying deputy governorship position; arguing that the deputy governor has no capacity to attract projects to the area but a Senator can do so; which is why they desired the later most.

But Ogba while addressing the people was visibly angry over some comments made by Ogbuewu especially for saying he rode on the backs of the Governor to become a Senator.

Ogba said such comment was unexpected of a man he brought to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but Ogbuewu quickly responded with a noisy laughter; apparently to disprove Ogba’s c!aim The angry Senator turned to where Ogbuewu was seated, moved closer, pointed at him and told him to his face that he would defeat him in the senatorial race so that he (Ogwuewu) would know and be convinced that he never rode on the backs of anybody to become a Senator. The Senator who was already very close to where Ogbuewu was seated was restrained by the state Publicity Secretary, and the Ebonyi Central zonal chairman of PDP who were moderating the meeting.

Due to intervention by the duo, Ogba returned to where he was standing but quickly condemned Ogbuewu for comparing Governor David Umahi with Imo state Governor Rochas Okorocha, insisting that Umahi cannot behave like Okorocha who impeaches his deputy at his will.

He said the Governor will continue to sustain his cordial relationship with his deputy whether Ogbuewu likes it or not.

Senator Ogba told the audience how he has been a loyal member of PDP; saying, he contested House of Representatives and Governorship in the past and he was asked to step down at the dying minutes and he never disobeyed or decamped because he respects the supremacy of the party Ogba said he has secured federal jobs for more than 100 youths of the zone, built civil centre in Ezza south and Akadoro bridge in Ezza north and has sponsored foreign and local trips of many people from the zone among other achievements. Though, supporters of other Aspirants at the meeting were always quick to counter his achievements claims; a development that led to a rowdy session, as his own supporters also tried to protect him from being embarrassed.

A former House of Representatives member and senatorial Aspirant, Chief Innocent Ugochima who was first to speak had given a rundown of how the zone has been rotating the senatorial seat; arguing that it was the turn of Ezza south local government area where he hails from.

He said, ordinarily, it would have been the turn of Ikwo local government area but for the fact that they are currently holding the deputy governorship position, it would be injustice for them to still occupy the senatorial seat, rather, the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal constituency, which Ezza South local government area is currently holding should be ceded to them.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Investors hope on August macroeconomic outlook

Energy

Nigeria’s oil production shows strong recovery P20

•As foreign investors sell-offs hinder equities movement

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

HE monthly business expectations survey report for July 2018, released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that business owners were more optimistic on Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook for the month of August.

The outlook according to the survey were positive but declined to 13.6 points from 34.7 points in June and 58.7 points from 64.9 points respectively; reflective of the decrease volume of total order book in July and the expected slight decrease in volume of business entity in August as their index points moderated to 3.5 points from 16.4 points and 66.2 points from 66.7 points respectively.

However, all of the four sector surveyed showed less optimism on the economy in July as the wholesale and retail trade, construction, industrial and services sectors index points nosedived to 3.7 points from 36.1 points, 10.3 points from 50 points, 11.3 points from 27.2 points and 16.6 points from 37.8 points respectively.

Albeit, the construction sector and community & social services sub sector were expected to drive the economy in the month of August 2018 as their respective index points rose to 71.1 points from 70 points and 6.5 points from 31.4 points respectively.

The apex bank’s survey of the outlook on businesses financial conditions, i.e. working capital and average capacity utilization declined their indices stood at 2.2 and 10 index points respectively in July 2018, when compared with the 11.7 and 23.4 points respectively recorded in June 2018.

The decline in the working index could be partly attributed to the limited access to credit as its index points fell to -3.5 in July from 4.4 in June. The survey revealed that amongst other conditions, unclear economic laws, insufficient demand and unfavorable political climate constrained business avidity in the month of

•Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun

July 2018 while the relative stability in exchange rate witnessed in July 2018 is expected to improve in August 2018.

In another development, freshly released report by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on domestic and foreign portfolio participation in equities trading for June 2018, showed that equities market transactions slowed due to the significant reduction in the foreign investors’ sell-offs, thus, lifting the local bourse higher by 0.46 percent to 38,278.55 index points in June 2018 from 38,104.54 index points in May 2018 amid expectations of favorable corporate earnings and in spite of growing political uncertainty.

Further analysis showed that to-

CBN EXCHANGE RATES AUGUST 14, 2018 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR 305.05 POUNDS STERLING 389.7624 348.3671 EURO SWISS FRANC 306.7988 2.7539 YEN 0.5135 CFA WAUA 423.6351 YUAN/RENMINBI 44.2895 S/AFRICAN RAND 21.3799 DANISH KRONA 46.7259

305.55 390.4012 348.9381 307.3016 2.7584 0.5235 424.3294 44.3625 21.4149 46.8025

306.05 391.0401 349.5091 307.8045 2.7629 0.5335 425.0238 44.4356 21.4499 46.8791

tal transactions at the nations bourse decline to N187.78 billion in June 2018 from N318.27 billion in May 2018; foreign transactions fell to N102.41 billion from N192.95 billion, constituting 54.54 percent down from 60.62 percent of the total trade, while domestic transactions also decreased to N85.37 billion from N125.32 billion.

Foreign portfolio outflow fell month on month by 58.40 percent to N54.45 billion in June 2018 while foreign portfolio inflow declined month on month by 22.72 percent to N47.96 billion in June 2018. On domestic front, institutional transactions declined month on month by 38.89 percent to N56.24 billion in June 2018, constituting 65.88

•Tourism

percent from 73.44 percent of the total domestic transactions while the retail transactions declined month on month by 12.53 percent to N29.12 billion in June 2018.

More so, the Nigerian bourse extended the prior week’s bearish momentum amid rising tensions in the political space. Thus, the NSE-All Share Index (ASI) ended all of five trading days of the week to 10th of August 2018 in the red territory as investors turned a blind eye to modest numbers posted by the likes of Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank. The NSE-ASI fell by 2.9 percent week on week to 35,446.5 points while year to date return sank to a 9-month low of -7.3 percent. Investors lost N381.3 billion as market capitalization ended the week at N12.9 trillion. Activity level weakened as average volume and value traded declined 33.5 percent week on week and 59 percent week on week to 185.1 million units and N1.7 billion respectively. Compared to the preceding week, there was a slight squeeze in system liquidity as rates averaged 8.3 percent against 6.1 percent previously week on the backdrop of Wholesale FX provisioning by banks.

However, analysts at Cowry Asset agreed with the lower optimism expressed by private businesses on the country’s macroeconomic in the short term as politics gets priority over economic matters ahead of the 2019 general elections.

More so, they believed that the strain in working capital occasioned by limited access to credit would stifle business performance.

The analysts opined that the domestic institutional investors, especially the pension fund administrators, following implementation of the pension multi-fund structure in July, have continued to demonstrate the wiliness and capacity to buy the share dumped by foreign portfolio investors as they become cheaper despite the political uncertainty.

e-Platform

Broadband penetration minimum target of 20% by 2017 reached, says NCC P22 Travel

Nigeria’s crafts subsector to top discourse at SA bi-national commission meeting P26

Insurance

312, 291 workers join CPS in six months

P28 Equity & Capital Market

SEC extends dateline for multiple identity investors to Dec 31 P30 Money Market

Fixed income, currency market transactions lower by 24% in July P31

Stock Market Highlights As At 14th AUGUST, 2018

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

S/N

35,288.23 3,448.00 164,512,517.00 N1,612,575,382.85 N12,883,403,316,974.84 N10,134,613,075,511.00 N6,633,908,893.43

Coy (By Volume) Volume

UBA LASACO FBNH FIDELITYBK GUARANTY

Value(N)

26,867,538 N250,662,367.45 12,240,697 N3,743,216.07 11,453,858 N108,936,588.90 8,287,983 N14,256,673.24 7,478,583 N289,739,971.10

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close INTBREW N33.45 NASCON N19.95 CUSTODIAN N5.13 UNILEVER N52.6 UAC-PROP N1.8

Five Tope Losers

FLOURMILL UACN BERGER ETERNA NNFM

N24 N14 N7.95 N7.2 N7.2

Current Change N35.2 N20.5 N5.64 N53 N1.9

N22 N12.65 N7.2 N6.5 N6.5

%Change 1.75 5.23% 0.55 2.76% 0.51 9.94% 0.4 0.76% 0.1 5.56%

-2 -1.35 -0.75 -0.7 -0.7

-8.33% -9.64% -9.43% -9.72% -9.72%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

BUSINESS

Fidelity Bank, BOI, Ford Foundation unveil lending scheme for Aba leather manufacturers

F

IDELITY Bank Plc, in strategic partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI) has launched the Aba-Finished Leather Goods Cluster Financing Programme, as part of continuous efforts to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods capable of meeting global standards for export and local consumption.

The N400 million in financing provided by BoI will be made available on a quarterly basis to over 300 members of the Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEPMAAS). The funds will be disbursed through the Fidelity Bank while the Ford Foundation would provide technical support to the artisans.

Speaking at the formal launch of the initiative in Aba on Wednesday, the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the partnership with BoI further underlines the Bank’s staunch commitment to addressing the financing challenges confronting Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. Whilst stating that the financing scheme will further boost import substitution, Okonkwo who was represented by the Bank’s Head, Corporate Bank, Obaro Odeghe, pointed out that the loans will enable them procure requisite materials and equipment for production and expansion.

Under this scheme, Obaro said the Bank will provide short-term

loans with maximum obligor limits of N300,000 to N500,000 to qualified members of LEPMAAS. According to him, the partnership with BoI is in furtherance of the financial institution’s commitment towards building the next generation of international entrepreneurs in the art of leather products manufacturing in the cluster. “Our long-running support for the growth and development of MSMEs stems from the utmost recognition of their strategic importance, as critical agents of economic development and transformation in Nigeria.

“Under the scheme, we will also provide tailored capacity building support to members of LEPMAAS”, Okonkwo explained. To enhance the governance activities of the LEPMAAS Executives and support BoI’s planned monitoring of loans under the programme, Fidelity Bank donated an ultra-modern and fully equipped secretariat for LEPMAAS. Obaro urged beneficiaries of the financing scheme to ensure that loans are repaid to drive sustainability of the financing programme. Speaking in the same vein, Managing Director of BoI, Olukayode Pitan, noted that the programme was designed to provide a tailored bundle of financial and non-financial services including capacity building to qualified members of LEPMAAS. Pitan explained that finished

•Mr. Peter Ashade, Managing Director/CEO, United Capital Plc; Mr. Peter Elumelu, Non-Executive Director, Africa Prudential Plc; Chief Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi, Chairman, Africa Prudential Plc; Mr. Tunji Kazeem, Head, Risk Enterprises, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Obiong Idiong, Managing Director/CEO, Africa Prudential Plc; Catherine Nwosu, Chief Operating Officer, Africa Prudential Plc and Tony Ibeziako, Ag. Head, Listing Business Division, NSE during the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration of new CEO to capital market stakeholders at the Exchange.

leather products to which LEPMAAS is a major contributor, accounts for over 80 percent of the textile apparel and footwear component of the manufacturing sector. According to him, informal computations put yearly revenue from the cluster at over N10 billion despite the competing volumes of similar goods being imported.

“By providing low interest, non-collaterised loans, the Bank has provided flexibility for qualified members of LEPMAAS recommended by their line and

zonal chairmen to access up to N300,000 towards the procurement of materials to expand and improve their production activities.

“The programme is being implemented alongside Ford Foundation and Fidelity Bank Plc. The Foundation will be providing a grant that specifically focuses on strengthening the capacities of the leaders and beneficiaries even as monitoring structures to ensure loan repayments are instituted. Fidelity Bank will provide account management services

to the loan beneficiaries.”

Ford Foundation Regional Director, Innocent Chukwuma, said the partnership with BoI was part of efforts to fulfil its commitment to leather manufacturers to encourage local production and increase campaign for adoption of made-inAba. To this end, Chukwuma said the Foundation would be staking a grant of $150,000 in the programme to drive social impact and enhance productivity.

Year to date return: -18 percent one year return: -2.34 percent.

The bank’s net interest income declined year-on-year by 14.4 percent to close at N46.2 billion due to lower interest income from loans and investments, and higher interest expense on deposits; while impairment charges declined by 2.9 percent to N18.39 billion.

Loans and Advances to customers reduced by 20.8 percent to close the year at N756 billion as the bank needed to de-risk its books while Other Asset ‘increased by 27.6 percent from N76 billion in 2016 to N96 billion in 2017’.

However, Gross Earnings achieved a year-on-year growth, by 3.0 percent to close the year at N190 billion, while interest and similar income grew by 13.3 percent year-on-year from N128 billion to N145billion.

It would be recalled that Diamond Bank had on number 4, 2017 announced the sale of its West African banking operations in Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal to focus on the Nigerian retail banking opportunity.

The bank sold its banking operations in the four West African countries to Manzi Finances S.A, a Cote d’Ivoire financial services holding company. The bank, in a statement, said that regulatory

approvals for the transactions had been obtained in all jurisdictions anticipated to close before Dec. 31, 2017.

In a the same vein, Diamond Bank had also on Wednesday April 25, 2018, said the it has divested its 100 per cent holdings in Diamond Bank United Kingdom (UK). Again, the reason for the divestment is to focus on the Nigerian retail banking opportunity because of its large market.

Unfortunately, Diamond Bank has not paid dividend to its shareholders for the past nine years; the dividend drought may have been attributed to negative results and other financial challenges. The investors are not happy.

Prior to this development, Diamond Bank did not pay dividend in the 2005 financial year because part of the bank’s strategy to meet the N25 billion capital base prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It was also mandated to capitalize 100 percent of its Profit after Tax (PAT) for the Full Year 2005. Consequently, the bank capitalized the PAT of N2.5 billion recorded for the financial year ended 30th April, 2005.

At the end of 2006 financial year, the bank’s shareholders’ funds was already N35.0 billion; but the CBN declined the bank’s proposal to pay dividend to its shareholders simply in compli-

ance with a statutory provision that precludes banks with unamortized intangibles in their books from paying dividend.

Diamond Bank hinted at the AGM that the year 2018 is a crucial year for it to refocus its business operation on the Nigerian market.

Shareholder groups who spoke to our correspondent stated that Diamond Bank must realize that investors are already bored with stories. The level of disenchantment among the bank’s shareholders, it is feared, could lead to share offloading as the value of the bank’s share is declining.

The half year results have already impacted negatively on the share price and eroded value for investors.

Other analysts stated that the bank should focus on its comparative advantage in retail banking after selling off its offshore subsidiaries to focus more on the Nigerian retail market.

They stated that Diamond Bank must return to profitability as it has resolved to capitalize on improved risk asset management framework to maintain a healthy risk-asset portfolio. The bank also needs to significantly increase gross earning margin significantly, among others, if it hopes to retain patronage in the market place.

Losses leave Diamond Bank lean

By JEROME USHAKANG

I

NVESTORS in new generation Diamond Bank Plc appear to sink into trepidation and panic following prevailing streak of financial losses that translate to the bank’s drastic portfolio shrink down, dividend starvation and similar stringent measures that point at flaws in business model.

Analysis of the full year results for 2017 showed that the prevailing macroeconomic headwind took tolls on the financial performance, resulting in huge losses.

Chairman, Dr. Chris Ogbechie told shareholders at the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at The Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, that: “The flight of customer’s deposit to government securities to take advantage of the elevated interest rate affected a lot of banks including ours. “ According to him, the year 2017 was a year of realigning strategic objectives of the bank with the current developments in the domestic market. However, he explained, this decision had some resultant effect on the financial performance of the Bank in 2017 but also stood as a veritable tool for solidifying its key strategic objectives and redefining its business focus.

This led to us taking some stra-

tegic business decisions and refocusing our resources exclusively in the Nigerian market with hindsight on Nigeria’s positive macroeconomic fundamentals, Dr. Ogbechie said.

Diamond Bank financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017 showed that it recorded a loss after tax of N9.01 billion as against a profit after tax of N3.49 billion recorded in year 2016. Similarly, the bank’s loss Before Tax stood at N11.5 billion in contrast to N3.36 billion profit before tax achieved in the comparable period of year 2016.

Diamond Bank also reported a Loss per share of 56 kobo in 2017 compared to earnings per share of 9 kobo in 2016.

Also, Diamond Bank half year unaudited results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), showed that profit before tax, fell sharply from N9.5 billion in 2017 to N2.9 billion in 2018.

In the same vein, Profit after tax depreciated from N8.0 billion in 2017 to N1.7 billion in 2018.

However, gross earnings increased from N97.8 billion in 2017 to N98.5 billion in 2018.

Price to earnings ratio is nil as Diamond Bank had a negative Full Year 2017 results. Others are Price to book ratio: 0.13 percent

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

BUSINESS

Nigeria’s total debt hits N22.37t

Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

N

IGERIA’S national debt stood at N22.37 trillion at the end of June 2018, up 3 percent from six months earlier, according to Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Patience Oniha.

Oniha made this known on Tuesday said, debt rose after the office issued a $2.5 billion Eurobond in February. Nigeria’s debt stood at 21.68 trillion naira at end of December 2017.

Nigeria’s debt mix is inching towards a target of 40 percent foreign and 60 percent domestic, Oniha said, adding that the government was planning to sell N850 billion of debt offshore this year.

Nigeria, with Africa’s largest economy, is trying to increase its ratio of foreign, dollar-serviced debt to local debt, in a bid to lower costs.

The government paid off about N840 billion worth of local treasury bills in the first half of 2018

instead of rolling it over as it has done in the past, reducing the interest it paid to raise domestic debt, Oniha said.

In related development, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed the sum of N668.90 billion to the three tiers of government in June 2018 from the revenue generated in May 2018.

The amount disbursed comprised of N575.48 billion from the Statutory Account and N93.42 billion from Valued Added Tax (VAT).

Federal government received a total of N282.22 billion from the N668.90 billion. States received a total of N181.17 billion and Local governments received N136.49 billion. The sum of N53.07 billion was shared among the oil producing states as 13 percent derivation fund.

Revenue generating agencies such as Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) received N4.63 billion, N7.40 billion

Africa Prudential profit grows by 20%

A

FRICA Prudential Plc, a share registration and investor services firm, has said its profit before tax for the period ended June 30, 2018 grew by 20 percent to N1.14 billion from N0.95 billion in the same period of 2017.

The firm said its profit after tax increased by 14 percent year-on-year to N0.98 billion, while its turnover grew by 48 percent to N2.17 billion from N1.47 billion in the first half of 2017.

Its total assets grew by 13 percent to N24.88 billion, compared to N21.93 billion as of the period ended December 31, 2017.

Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Africa Prudential, Mr Obong Idiong, said, “The results show the success and strength of our business model as a company, as we are committed to taking Africa Prudential Plc to greater heights by continuing to break new grounds, thereby staying ahead of competition.

“Africa Prudential is still poised to be number one in Nigeria, with an aspiration to expand into the African market, driven by technology,

translating to strong operational and financial efficiency.”

He said the company would intensify efforts to build on the progress so far recorded in its business diversification drive by pursuing relentless innovation in product development and process improvement, leveraging technology to offer exceptional customer experience to its clients.

The firm said in a statement that it was commended by the leadership of the Nigerian Stock Exchange for championing initiatives that had contributed significantly in developing the nation’s capital market.

“The Exchange and Africa Prudential Plc have had several years of cordial relationship. We are sure the wisdom and leadership of the company will present further opportunities to collaborate on capital market development and other mutually beneficial areas such as sustainability,” the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, who was represented by the bourse’s Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Tunji Kazeem, stated this at the closing gong ceremony held in honour of the firm on Friday.

•Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, Acting Executive Commissioner Operations, SEC Mr. Isyaku Tilde and the Acting Executive Commissioner Legal and Enforcement SEC, Mr. Reginald Karawusa during the Second Post Capital Market Committee (CMC) Briefing held in Lagos.

and N3.92 billion respectively as cost of revenue collections.

Further breakdown of revenue allocation distribution to the Federal Government of Nigeria

(FGN) revealed that the sum of N240.85 billion was disbursed to the FGN consolidated revenue account; N5.10 billion shared as share of derivation and ecology;

Undergraduate wins Skye Bank’s N5m Star Prize In ‘Ref ‘n’ Win’ Promo

A

26-year old undergraduate, Damilola Rachel Ajayi has emerged the overall winner of N5 million star prize in the justconcluded Skye Bank Ref ‘n’ Win Promo.

The ‘Ref n Win’ promo was a youth-focused initiative designed to reward Skye Bank’s account holders who were mainly undergraduates across the country. During the course of the campaign, students who referred their friends to open accounts earned commission on accounts opened and qualified for prizes ranging from N25,000, N50,000. They also stood a chance to partake in the grand draw to win star price value of N5million.

Miss Ajayi, a resident of Kwara state, who runs her account with the Skye Bank Unilorin branch learnt about the promo through the campus Ref n Win promo flyer, and went all out to canvass for account opening with friends, assuring them that they stood a chance to win big in the promo.

At the prize and cheque presenta-

tion ceremony in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Office Technology and Management (OTM) student of Federal Polytechnic Offa winner, could not hide her joy over the news of her winning; noting that “although it was not easy, but with determination and the help of God I was able to convince most students especially my friends in Unilorin to open an account with Skye bank”.

Fielding questions from the media on how she received the news of her winning, Damilola said: “A call came through from Skye Bank head office in Lagos informing me that I had won a brand new car in the “Ref ‘n’ Win” promo. On hearing this, I was more than overjoyed to say the least. But you know as a student, I don’t have money to maintain the car so Skye Bank accepted to convert the car to its cash equivalent and I’m really happy.”

On how she was able to convince other students to open account with Skye Bank, the lucky winner who intends to invest the money ‘so that it will keep increasing’ disclosed she told her prospects: “If you open

Shell targets $2b from new asset divestments ECOWAS calls for member States to develop Shell is working to claw back additional $2.0 billion or N720 billion from brownfield assets that are vulnerable in the Niger Delta.

The transaction which involves Heirs Holding as potential buyers amplifies the trepidation that has engulfed foreign investors ahead of the dreaded 2019 elections.

The Oracle Today learnt that Shell and Heirs Holding are in discussions that would see the indigenous company taking over the 45 percent financial interest exercised by Shell which currently operates two oil mining licenses (OMLs) 11 and 17 in the Niger Delta.

Secondary sources that had a glimpse at the price tag say the assets hosted in the two producing fields are worth about $2.0 billion of N720 billion.

The assets also include transportation infrastructure and a natural gas-fired power plant that would be managed by Transnational Corp. of Nigeria.

This divestment, if concluded, will reduce Shell’s presence in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta where it is one of the largest oil and gas producing companies.

For the past 10 years, Shell has sold billions of dollars in assets to the region because of local opposition, conflict with civilians, attacks by armed militants and accusations of pollution.

After the conclusion of the sale, Shell plans to focus on deep waters where the risks of attacks on infrastructure and theft are relatively low.

N2.55 billion as stabilization fund; N8.57 billion for the development of natural resources; and N5.96 billion to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

policies on the popularization of LPG

S

ECTORIAL experts from Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have called for the development of national policies for the popularization of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which will increase the access to modern energy such as electrical services and modern cooking fuels in the region.

In a two-day validation workshop of the regional strategy for the popularization of LPG in ECOWAS which ended on 10th August 2018 in Abuja, the experts called for a minimum target penetration rate of 30 percent by 2030 with emphasis being placed on rural communities’ access to LPG. The experts noted that access to LPG in the ECOWAS region remains limited with Ghana, Cote

d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Senegal accounting for 85 percent of the total 1.2 million tons of LPG being consumed amongst Member States.

They also noted that the consumption rate of LPG in rural areas stood at approximately 15 percent due to the accessibility and affordability of the product and equipment such as gas cylinders in such areas.

Hence the team of experts recommended that a regional monitoring committee be established to define measurable indicators of the popularization of LPG in the region as well as identify mechanisms to strengthen local gas cylinder factories and create new ones with the partnership and support of the private sector.

account today, you stand a chance to win.” According to her, “when I speak to 10 people, I make sure that 5 of them refer at least 3 other people and I give them my account number to use as referral code.”

The ecstatic Damilola showered so much praises on the Bank. “The stress I passed through to emerge winner was not easy but the reward far outweighs it. Truly Skye Bank is a unique bank. They are changing lives. See, my life has been changed.

I am now a millionaire,” said she.

On his part, Prof. Lanre Tajudeen Ajibade, Dean of Student Affairs, who represented the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulaiman Abdulkareem, appreciated Skye Bank for keeping faith with their promise and empowering the winner of the promo. “Although before now, I did not have a business relationship with Skye Bank, but with this gesture from the bank, I will open an account today,” he affirmed.

According to the bank’s Regional Head, South West I, Ibadan, Mr. Abimbola Akorede, “the bank was at various locations in the nation’s tertiary institutions. The objective was to empower Nigerian youths while also deepening financial inclusion in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) mandate.”

Said he: “We are happy for Damilola and would give her all the support she requires in terms of financial advisory and otherwise to enable her make the best use of her winnings through various investment opportunities that suite her needs.”

Mr. Akorede also used the opportunity to encourage youths and the academic communities to avail themselves of the exciting opportunities Skye Bank product offers to their needs, noting that Skye Bank digital solutions such as Skye Mobile and Smart Code provides a lot of convenience to their daily lifestyle.

Skye Bank is Nigeria’s leading retail bank with wide-ranging electronic solutions promoting consumer lifestyle and e-commerce experience for its customers.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

ENERGY

Nigeria’s oil production shows strong recovery

• July oil output nears 2.7 mbd • Export volumes exhaust 1.8 mbd quota • IEA adjusts 2019 demand growth to 1.5 mbd

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

IGERIA’S crude oil exports in the month of July maintained a steady growth, crossing the 2.5 million barrels per day threshold as the country joins the global race among producers to optimise market opportunities strong prices begin to succumb to enduring supply growth from new sources.

The Oracles Today reports that when export volumes, domestic refinery allocation and condensate volumes are pooled together, the country’s total production stands at about 2.65 million barrels per day in the month of July.

The production performance which is carefully underplayed by oil firms to avoid exposure to socio-political risks would be the highest attained by the country in recent years.

According to a table of production performance by members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) compiled by S&P Global Platts, Nigeria’s oil production in the month rose by 80,000 barrels per day (80 kbd) from 1.72 million barrels per day (mbd) in the month of June to 1.8 mbd in July.

It s not clear whether the figures in the table include the 445 kbd Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) swaps for refined petroleum products under deals with different foreign refineries to augment imported volumes used in meeting domestic demand for transportation fuels.

The production numbers counted for OPEC members that are guided by the group’s production quotas do not include condensate and domestic consumption volumes, limiting output calculations for member countries to export volumes which Platts monitors through tanker tracking sources.

Government allows NNPC to swap the barrels for refined products following low refining capacity at the corporation’s refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. The refineries have been comatose for decades, and have defied promises and measures by successive administrations of the government for over thirty years.

If the crude oil volumes set aside for the refineries, popularly called domestic allocation, are added to the figures tabled by Platts, Nigeria’s crude oil production for the month would be 2.25 mbd. Add about 400, 000 barrels of condensate which is used to achieve a lighter sweeter blend, gross output would arrive at 2.65 mbd in the month.

Individual output figures from nearly 400 production sites in the Niger Delta could not be accessed at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and NNPC but the recent figures dropped by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu,

show that condensate production could be close to 600, 000 barrels per day while production recovery were recorded at various locations in the area.

The July production performance, according to our records, would be a significant improvement on the country’s production for June when government started working on constraints of the quota imposed by the 25 country producers’ coalition that consolidated on OPEC output restriction to cut supplies by some 1.8 mbd.

The coalition comprising 15 member OPEC and 10 non members led by Russia had in 2016 forged an market control league to squeeze supply in a deliberate measure to buoy up prices and allow members glean out more revenue from crude oil export.

Dr. Kachikwu who is very visible in the group had stated early July that rising crude oil and condensate production was direct outcome of improving business environment in the country and expressed concern over management of output restriction among producers in the domestic petroleum industry.

He said Nigeria’s production in June was 2.15 mbd as 46 exploration and production companies pumped oil from numerous oilfields operated under various production agreements by indigenous and international oil companies.

He said 55 percent of oil and gas production in the countries are governed by Joint Venture (JV) agreements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He added that 35 percent of the production came from operations governed by Production Sharing Contracts; 2.0 percent from Sole Risk ventures and another 2.0 percent from Marginal Field operations.

Dr. Kachikwu said Nigeria needed increased production volumes to keep meeting government’s federal fiscal revenue demands.

Greater number of barrels means enhanced revenue to the nation which is currently running large borrowing campaigns to augment funding support to government’s annual budget.

A senior ministry official confirmed to our correspondent that a combination of weakening OPEC control on output, new operations funding options, and enhanced environment in the Niger Delta enabled operators to pump more oil to export terminals. He said most of the figures might not correspond with official declarations by government agencies.

Production figures have been part of the most hotly contested segments of petroleum industry reports in Nigeria. Whereas DPR hardly declares production figures officially, side glimpses from the regulator do not match figures declared by either NNPC or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which

OPEC production (in million b/d) COUNTRY JUN CHANGE JUL Algeria 1.06 0.01 1.07 Angola 1.45 0 1.45 Congo 0.33 -0.02 0.31 Ecuador 0.52 0.01 0.53 Equatorial Guinea 0.13 -0.01 0.12 Gabon 0.18 0 0.18 Iran 3.80 -0.08 3.72 Iraq 4.54 0.03 4.57 Kuwait 2.71 0.07 2.78 Libya 0.70 -0.03 0.67 Nigeria 1.72 0.08 1.80 Qatar 0.61 0.01 0.62 Saudi Arabia 10.39 0.24 10.63 UAE 2.88 0.09 2.97 Venezuela 1.30 -0.06 1.24 TOTAL 32.32 0.34 32.66 publish monthly reports.

Revenue figures accruing from the industry operations into the federation account are hardly acceptable to stakeholders that draw funding from the till.

At OPEC where rising Nigeria output helped offset declines in other countries, the 15 member group also posted output increase of 340 kbd from 32.32 mbd in June to 32.66 mbd in July. The production graphically rise indicates lax in the group’s grip on market supply following impact of high prices on demand.

In a separate report, International Energy Agency (IEA) which monitors the market for industrialized nations stated that OPEC held its production steady in July but disagreed with Platts on figures.

IEA puts total OPEC output for the month at 32.18 million b/d, with Saudi Arabia producing 10.35 million b/d, the IEA said.

Russia, OPEC’s partner in production cuts, increased its crude and condensate output by 150,000 b/d in July to 11.21 million b/d, the IEA added.

“Although OPEC is producing at the highest rate since February, overall supply in July was down

930,000 b/d year on year due to sharply lower output from Venezuela, Libya and Angola,” it said.

Iran’s output was the lowest since April last year at 3.75 million b/d as Europe reduced its Iranian crude imports and South Korea completely stopped its Iranian imports. But Iranian shipments to Asia overall crept up to 1.65 million b/d, and shipments to India reached a record 770,000 b/d, the IEA said.

It said second-largest producer Iraq had raised its production by 200,000 b/d in July to 4.56 million b/d, with exports from the south of the country at a record high as Basra Light exports hit 3.54 million b/d, offset by subdued volumes through the Kurdistan pipeline to Turkey of 330,000 b/d.

The IEA also said oil stocks in the OECD countries had reduced to 32 million barrels below the five-year average in June, falling seasonally by 7.2 million barrels on the month to 2.82 billion barrels.

The International Energy Agency on Friday raised its estimate of world oil demand growth next year to 1.5 million b/d from 1.4 million b/d, anticipating the impact of price rises will peter out, and highlighted robust non-OPEC oil

‘ Greater number of barrels

means enhanced revenue to the nation which is currently running large borrowing campaigns to augment funding support to government’s annual budget

,

output growth.

In its monthly oil market report the IEA also raised its estimates of the “call” on OPEC, or the need for OPEC crude, by 300,000 b/d in 2018 to 32.3 million b/d, and by 500,000 b/d in 2019 to 31.9 million b/d.

However, following a strong first quarter this year it said world oil demand had grown by a mere 750,000 b/d on the year in the second quarter, constrained by sharp price rises and currency depreciations, and highlighted “risks to the forecast from escalating trade disputes and rising prices if supply is constrained.”

European oil demand fell 120,000 b/d on the year in the second quarter as the stimulus from low prices ended, it said. By contrast, China and India remain “on course to grow solidly this year,” the IEA said.

“Oil demand growth is expected to remain relatively subdued in Q3 2018 before rebounding in Q4 2018,” it added.

On the supply side, the IEA raised its estimate for growth in non-OPEC oil output next year to 1.9 million b/d, from 1.8 million b/d in its previous report. Growth will be led by the US, with a 1.25 million b/d increase, Brazil with an extra 350,000 b/d, and Canada and Russia each increasing output by 210,000 b/d.

The IEA praised the global upstream oil industry for having managed to raise output while reducing its costs and improving its financial position, estimating the major oil companies had increased their oil and gas output by 11 percent since 2014 while cutting spending by 49 percent.

“Overall, the upstream industry is looking decidedly healthier on higher oil prices, sustained cost reductions and improved finances,” it said.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

ENERGY

Seplat, NNPC sign 5 gas deals for 3.4 Bscfd

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

I

NDIGENOUS gas factor, Seplat Petroleum, Monday signed multiple agreements with government to drive gas valorisation investments that would deliver some 3.4 billion standard cubic feet per day to the domestic market.

The agreements signed with subsidiaries of the joint venture partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), would be governed by an incorporated joint venture which would be twisted off from the existing operating model.

Under the new IJV arrangement, partners are source funding from the money market to drive the Assa North and Ohaji South (ANOH) gas development scheme. The programme is tagged one of the seven critical gas development projects (7CGDP) which is aimed at boosting gas production and infrastructure development.

Group General Manager in the Group Public Affairs Department of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that Seplat and subsidiaries of the corporation reached deals and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to create ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC) as special purpose vehicle to develop, build, operate and maintain the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, with an initial capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day in Imo State.

Under the deal, five different agreements were signed to govern commercial relationships between government and private interests in the project.

The MoU signed include: the AGPC Shareholders Agreement between AGPC, NGPTC and Seplat; AGPC Share Subscription Agreement between AGPC, NGPTC and Seplat; Wet Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement between, NNPC, Seplat and AGPC; Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement between AGPC and Nigerian Gas

Marketing Company (NGMC); and Gas Marketing Agreement between AGPC and NGMC. The Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) and the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) are all Gas and Power subsidiaries of NNPC which is saddled with the responsibilities of managing the nation’s abundant hydrocarbon resources on behalf of the Federal Government.

Mr. Ughamadu said the five agreements are conceived to expedite realization of the project with which government and stakeholders aim to deliver about 3.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2020.

He said the ANOH gas development scheme is aimed at boosting gas production and infrastructure development as part of efforts to bridge the projected mediumterm gas supply gap expected by 2020.

Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the corporation would do everything possible to ensure that the project was successfully delivered.

He said the AGPC would operate a world-class gas processing plant with capacity to meet the target delivery volumes.

“Following the execution of Heads of Terms (HoT) by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) on behalf of the NNPC, Seplat and AGPC on December 19, 2017, the Steering Committee for the AGPC project has provided the leadership and broad guidance for the development and finalisation of the various commercial agreements required to underpin the project,” Dr. Baru stated.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat, Mr. Austin Avuru, described the ANOH Gas Processing Plant as a landmark project which captures the essence of the gas infrastructure development initiative of the Federal Government as encapsulated in the 7 Big Wins and 12 Business Focus Areas programmes.

•The MD, Ngptc, Mr. Babatunde Barkare (left) exchange the signed agreement with the MD, signing ceremony.

He expressed confidence that AGPC would deliver the project within the next 18 months and achieve its objective of being a key gas supplier to both the domestic and export market.

The Oracle Today reports that ANOH gas commercialization project builds on Seplat’s track record and strong foundations in gas valorisation innovations. Gas business has remained one of the greatest strengths of the company, running parallel with core exploration and production business also established on strong industry expertise.

C

OPL 226, which is located in shallow to mid-water offshore Nigeria.

Drawing on the Facility is contingent on a number of things including ShoreCan receiving an additional $20 million to $33 million of funding and another $100 million in funding from an offshore oil services group to deliver the project.

The Facility is also contingent on a minimum of 6,000 bpd production rate averaged over a 20-day period and the execution of a formal definitive binding agreement between the parties.

Other material terms of the proposed Facility include two-year term to maturity, and a grant to the lenders of $3 million worth of warrants to purchase COPL common shares for two years with an exercise price equal to the market price of the COPL common shares on the date of closing of the Facility.

The project as planned involves the drilling and completion of a horizontal oil production well offsetting the 2001 NOA#1 oil discovery well and the drilling and completion of two to three additional

The company’s production performance in the second quarter of 2018 took a hit from Trans Forcados Pipeline outages. Oil production plunged from 61,150 bpd in the first quarter 2018 to 52,262 bpd in the second quarter. Gas production took similar trend, falling from 351 MMscf/d in the first quarter to 337 MMscf/d in the second quarter.

Consequently, equity production took a dive from first quarter levels of 27,306 bpd for oil and 158 MMscf/d of natural gas to 23,266 bpd of oil and 152 MMscf/d of gas.

NCDMB to promote academic engineering projects

L

OCAL oil industry capacity building agency, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has declared support for local universities and students with outstanding engineering innovation in the country.

Executive Secretary, Mr. Simbi Wabote, who spoke at the Engi-

COPL to commit $50 m in OPL 226 drilling

ANADIAN Overseas Petroleum’s (COPL) has declared it is working on funding plans to support drilling campaign by its local affiliate, Essar Exploration and Production (Nigeria) which operates oil prospecting licence (OPL) 226 offshore Niger Delta.

The company stated that its 50 percent owned JV company, Shoreline Canadian Overseas Petroleum Development Corporation (ShoreCan) has agreed to a project financing and offtake agreement term sheet, providing for a minimum $30 million to a maximum of $50 million Senior Secured Facility, for investment

by ShoreCan into its 80 percent owned affiliate Essar Exploration and Production (Nigeria).

The funding is expected to flow from The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) and Trafigura.

The Facility, the company nstated, would provide funding for all production related expenditures following the drilling and testing of the initial production well to be drilled by Essar Nigeria on its 100 percent contracted interest in

The company which announced its half year results penultimate week declared projected equity production of 48,000 to 55,000 barrels of oil equivalents per day (boepd) by year end if operating environment remains stable.

The energy value for the company’s projected JV equity production for 2018 when split into liquid and gas should be between 24,000 to 29,000 bpd and between 148MMscf/d to 158MMscf/d respectively.

For half year 2018, Seplat declared equity production average of 25,286 bpd and 155MMscf/d.

high angle oil production wells in the adjacent NOA East fault block from a common wellhead platform.

The funding plan also involves placing these wells on production in an approved early production scheme.

Essar Nigeria has prepared a work program for this initial campaign on OPL 226 in the form of a field development plan (FDP) for submission to the Concessionaire, NNPC. The company expects the presentation of the FDP to NNPC to occur in the near term.

ShoreCan is in late stage discussions with the service provider, which involve the provision of drilling services, the supply of a mobile production unit and a storage vessel for a deferred fee.

As part of the transaction, the Term Sheet provides for Essar Nigeria to enter into a crude oil offtake arrangement with Trafigura.

Cofarco of Paris is engaged as Financial Advisor to the company for the project financing.

neering Assembly organised by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja, said NCDMB would partner COREN and the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) to develop and commercialize the best engineering projects completed by undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session.

Mr. Wabote made reference to the top three individual and group engineering undergraduate projects in the country by the Committee of Deans.

The top three prizes for Best Individual Engineering Projects went to Egbe Gabriel Tobi and Nsionu John Udoka both from Covenant University Ota, Ogun State and Omoseyi Aaron Tolu of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).

Similarly, students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) clinched the top three awards for the Best Group Engineering Projects respectively.

The top three Best Graduating Students in Engineering emerged from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Covenant University and Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) while the prizes for Best Academic publication went tostudents of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Michal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

These competitions involved the 49 COREN accredited universi-

ties in Nigeria and the contestants went through departmental and faculty levels, with the top three from each university competing at their various zone before the final selectionthat was held at the sidelines of the COREN Assembly on Monday.

Announcing the Board’s support to the CODET Awards, which he described as a great initiative, Wabote said, “NCDMB would work with the Committee to reconvene the winners and go through the projects with a view to develop and commercialize them,” adding that “part of our mandate is to enhance research and development.

As part of our contribution, we will support them through the development stage of the findings they have put together.”

The Executive Secretary also announced the endowment of annual prizes for the Best Research Publication by any Engineering Undergraduate. He also procured 300 copies of the authoritative book, “Professional Engineering Practice” to be donated to the Universities.

Wabote commended the current COREN leadership, particularly the President, Engr. Kashim Ali for restoring professionalism to the engineering sector and organizing a successful COREN Assembly.

He noted that the Board had recorded numerous achievements in the oil and gas industry and would achieve much more if the agency’s mandate were extended to other key sectors like power, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and construction.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

e-Platform

Broadband penetration minimum target of 20% by 2017 reached, says NCC

Stories By KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

HE Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said that Nigeria’s broadband penetration, according to the ITU/UNESCO policy forum, is currently at 22 percent, indicating that the minimum target to reach 20 percent by 2017 was met.

Dambata at a session with journalists recently, explained that the minimum and maximum targets set were 20 percent and 30 percent respectively. Professor Danbatta further stated that the International Telecommunications Union/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization policy forum would release the latest broadband penetration figures

by September 2018.

He said that, “Nigeria’s broadband penetration was between 4 to 6 percent in 2013 when the target was set and the NCC has since, licensed infrastructure companies (Infracos) to deploy fibre network in various regions of the country.

“There is an initiative under the office of the Vice President, but being driven by some licensees of the NCC to deploy 18000km of fibre infrastructure.

“The whole idea is to add 18,000km of fibre in addition to the 38,000km of fibre that we have already on the ground, to make it 56,000km.”

He also stated that a subsidy of around N3 billion had been budgeted to be paid piecemeal to the infrastructure companies to deploy the fibre. This payment will be predicated on milestones by the licensees.

The challenges to broadband penetration in Nigeria include multiple taxation and Right of Way issues, most of which the NCC is working very hard to address.

The Commission has had very fruitful talks with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in this regard.

Speaking on the sale of 9mobile to Teleology, the vice chairman stated that a N15.3 billion debt owed the NCC and Federal Government by 9mobile had stalled the sale, but about half had been paid and the technical evaluation and due diligence on the sale have almost been concluded.

Professor Danbatta said that, “9mobile owed N12 billion Annual Operating Levies (AOL) for two years, numbering fees of N1 billion and spectrum fees of N2.3 billion

•Tony Ibeziako, Ag. Head, Listing Business Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Bola Adeeko, Head, Shared Services Division, NSE; Andrew O¡tike-Odibi, Managing Director/CEO, C&I Leasing PLC; Alex Mbakogu, Executive Director /CFO, C&I Leasing PLC and Ikechukwu Duru, Director, C&I Leasing Plc during the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the Exchange .

and on paying the spectrum fees, half of the AOL and half of the numbering fees, the NCC transmitted a letter of ‘No Objection’ to allow the transfer of shares to United Capital from Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), the original owners of Etisalat Nigeria.

“As soon as they meet the next conditions and the technical evaluation of Teleology is concluded, we will again transmit the final approval letter of ‘No Rejection’ for transfer of shares from United Capital to Teleology.”

He also reiterated NCC’s commitment to stopping illegal call mask-

ing operations in Nigeria.

“We have discovered that call masking is being perpetrated with small movable devices called SIM boxes and we are in the process of choosing the best from a list of technology solutions used in other countries, to block the devices, track and apprehend the culprits”, he said.

Federal government partners Chinese firm on smart classrooms, digital education

T

HE Federal Government has commenced a process for the implementation of a partnership strategy that will help establish digital education institute and provision of smart learning classrooms across the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, disclosed this in a statement released by her media assistant, Desmond Utomwen.

According to the Presidential Aide, the Smart Classrooms and Digital Education initiative, which will be implemented in partnership with a Chinese Digital Technology giant, NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited is in line with the commitment of the government to continue to provide quality education to Nigerian children as stipulated in Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is also designed to facilitate investment in the ICT industry by building IT Incubators, Digital Studios and Software Outsourcing and Training Hubs, towards to the creation of new jobs in the area of Technology and Innovation.

Orelope-Adefulire noted that in the pilot phase of the project, her office is collaborating with NetDragon to provide a smart classroom to the Pilot Science Nursery/Primary School in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The Initiative of Digital Education in Africa otherwise known as “IDEA” was initiated by the Nigerian Government and NetDragon through the Public Private Partnership and direct Foreign Investment that will facilitate the setting up the National Edu-

cation Resource Public Service Platform, National Education Community Network Platform, National Digital Talent Training Platform, and National Future Education Experience Centre.”

Orelepe-Adefulire stated.

The SSAP-SDGs further added that with the initiative, the government aims to provide high-quality digital education resources and a new teaching and collaboration model for ba-

sic education in Nigeria, thereby promoting education equity and improving teaching quality. In terms of lifelong education, the Talent Training Platform will carry out lifelong skills training and intelligent management of talents in Nigeria to help Nigeria achieve talent upgrading and optimal allocation of social resources.

“With the initiative, our aim is to use technology to drive the realisation of the Sustainable

Development Goals 4, 8 and 9 regarding Quality Education, Economic Growth as well as Industry & Innovation, thereby creating jobs through the E-Learning Platforms, Educational Software and Apps as well as other innovations. By 2030, we want to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.” OrelopeAdefulire stated.

The initiative according to the

SSAP-SDGs will also facilitate and promote investment in the ICT industry by building IT Incubators, Digital Studios and Software Outsourcing and Training Hubs, towards to the creation of new jobs in the area of Technology and Innovation.

It is also expected that as part of the former launch, an Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) will be signed between the Federal Government and NetDragon, represented by its chairman, Dejian LIU.

Galaxy J4 and J6, and Galaxy A6+ in July.

Samsung has shown leadership and innovation in the Nigerian smartphone market, and its commitment to developing best-inclass products to meet the everchanging needs of its consumers.

The South Korean tech giant is also under pressure to jump-

start faltering smartphone sales after posting its slowest quarterly profit growth in more than a year, as rivals nip at its heels with cheaper, feature-packed models.

In recent years, Samsung has focused its major mobile phone investments on production facilities in Vietnam and India.

It opened the world’s biggest

smartphone factory outside New Delhi last month, which is slated to become an export hub.

According to the Electronic Times, its Tianjin plant in China produces 36 million mobile phones a year and its Huizhou plant makes 72 million units a year, while the two factories in Vietnam combined make 240 million units a year.

Samsung may halt operations in China on rising labour cost, slumping sales

L

EADING smartphone manufacturer, Samsung Electronics Co Limited, might stop producing mobile phones this year at Tianjin Samsung Telecom Technology, located in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, Electronic Times reported.

The South Korean newspaper described the move under consideration as a potential withdrawal and is due largely to the rising labor costs and slumping sales.

However, the Korean smartphone maker said nothing had been decided on the fate of its Tianjin operation.

“The overall smartphone market is having difficulties due to slowing growth. Samsung Electronics’ Tianjin telecom enterprise aims to focus on activities that increase competitiveness and efficiency,” it said in a statement to Reuters.

Just five years ago, Samsung had 20 percent of the Chinese market only to see that fall to less than 1 percent this year, outgunned by Huawei, Xiaomi and other Chinese brands, particularly on pricing.

In Nigeria, it launched the latest additions to its Galaxy J-family products in Nigeria, which are

NCC, INEC meet over 2019 elections, INEC Chairman commends NCC for rising to challenge toward free, fair and staff of both the two agencies, Danbatta-led NCC picked up the Ehavefforts credible elections next year described it as a huge step toward gauntlet thrown by the INEC as received another major entrenching free, fair and credible well as the efforts of the joint boost as the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) met to review the outcome of the report of the joint committee they set up early this year on electronic transmission and collation of results.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC who spoke after the meeting, which had in attendance the INEC boss, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the Executive Commissioner Technical Services (EC-TS) of the NCC, Engr Ubale Maska, national commissioners of the electoral body and top echelon

elections in the country.

“Remember this joint committee was set up 7 months ago.

They’ve worked hard, and the whole idea was to produce a document on the basis of which elections can be conducted in a manner that’s conducive, credible, and of course, transparent.

This can only be done by leveraging the power of Information Communications Technology. So this is to bring to bear global best practices in the way and manner elections are being conducted all over the world,” he stated.

Earlier, Yakubu had expressed his delight with the way the Prof

committee of the two organizations’ “When we started we were clear in our minds that we must challenge every national institution to contribute towards free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. We are happy that the NCC has risen to this challenge.

“And we look forward to implementing these recommendations.

If there are other areas we need your collaborations we hope you will remain open to us to do so.

But we are very happy that one major national institution has been challenged and has risen to the challenge,” he noted.

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

e-Platform

Samsung Galaxy S7 vulnerable to hackers – Researchers

S

AMSUNG’S Galaxy S7 smartphones contain a microchip security flaw, uncovered earlier this year, that has put tens of millions of devices at risk to hackers looking to spy on their users, researchers told Reuters.

The Galaxy S7 and other smartphones made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd were previously thought to be immune to a security vulnerability known as Meltdown, which researchers said earlier this year was present in most of the world’s PCs, smartphones and other computing devices.

But researchers from Austria’s Graz Technical University told Reuters they have figured out a way to exploit the Meltdown vulnerability to attack Galaxy S7 handsets.

Samsung said it rolled out security patches to protect Galaxy S7 handsets from Meltdown in January, followed by a further software update in July.

“Samsung takes security very seriously and our products and services are designed with security as a priority,” the company said in a statement.

The Graz team plans to release its findings on Thursday at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas. It is looking in to Meltdown’s impact on other makes and models of smartphones and expects to uncover more vulnerable devices in the near future, researcher Michael Schwarz told Reuters.

“There are potentially even more phones affected that we don’t know about yet,” he said. “There are potentially hundreds of million of phones out there that are affected by Meltdown and may not be patched because the vendors themselves do not know.”

The Galaxy S7 is used by some 30 million people worldwide, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. Samsung has released two

new versions of its flagship Galaxy line of smartphones since the S7 debuted in 2016.

A Samsung spokeswoman did not comment on how many Galaxy S7 smartphones had been sold.

She said there were no reported cases where Meltdown had been exploited to attack an S7 handset and that no other Samsung phones

were known to be vulnerable.

Meltdown, and a second vulnerability known as Spectre, can be used to reveal the contents of a computer device’s central processing unit – designed to be a secure inner sanctum – either bypassing hardware barriers or tricking applications into giving up secret information such as passwords or bank-

ing details.

There are no known cases of hackers exploiting either vulnerability in a real-world attack, but disclosure of the widespread hardware flaws has rocked the computer industry, forcing chipmakers and device manufacturers to scramble to contain the fallout.

Blue light from smartphones could accelerate blindness – Study

T

HE blue light from digital devices like smartphones could accelerate blindness, researchers found.

According to a research by the University of Toledo in the U.S., exposure to blue light continuously might cause poisonous molecules to be generated in the eye’s light-sensitive cells and lead to macular degeneration.

Reaserachers said as one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S., macular degeneration does not lead to total blindness, but can make daily activities difficult.

“It’s no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye’s retina.

“Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop,” said Dr Ajith Karunarathne, an assistant professor in the university’s de-

partment of chemistry and biochemistry.

Macular degeneration is caused by the death of photoreceptors, a kind of light-sensitive cells.

Photoreceptor cells need molecules called retinal to sense light and trigger signalling to the brain, enabling us to see.

“If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signalling molecule on the membrane dissolves,” said Kasun Ratnayake, a PhD student at the University of Toledo who was involved in the study.

“Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they’re dead, they’re dead for good,” Ratnayake added.

To protect eyes from blue light, researchers advise people to wear sunglasses which filter both UV and blue light outside and avoid using smartphones or tablets in the dark.

Africa is open for e-Business

By JEROME USHAKANG with agency report

W

IRECARD, one of the world’s fastest growing digital platforms in the area of financial commerce, has disclosed plans to pursue an aggressive growth path further into East and West Africa.

It is presently concentrating on growth in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

Last year, the company acquired MyGate - a South African fintech firm that enables merchants across Africa to accept a wide range of different e-commerce payment options, particularly online card payments, thereby helping them to serve millions of African consumers.

“We expect to make further acquisitions in South Africa, as well as eastern Africa and western Africa in the next six to 12 months,” said Peter Stenslunde, Executive Director of Wirecard South Africa.

Online and mobile payments are taking off in Africa as a combination of improved internet access, advanced financial systems and widespread mobile penetration help spur demand for services.

However, the ability to pay and accept payments on the continent are not without their challenges, principally around risk and settlement.

“For the last decade, the ability to pay online, north of South Africa, has been difficult for a number of reasons - but it’s rapidly improving and that creates significant opportunities,” said Stenslunde.

•Naboth Onyesoh, Manager, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Isaac Yalah, Director, Finance and Personnel Management, NCDMB; Tinuade Awe, Executive Director, Regulations, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, NCDMB and Rose Chukwuonwe, Coordinator of Legal Services, NCDMB during a Closing Gong Ceremony in Lagos.

Customers urge NCC to facilitate more friendly telecoms services M OBILE telecommunication customers in Sokoto state have urged National Communication Commission (NCC) to facilitate more friendly services to them and assist in tracking insecurity in the industry.

The customers gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday at on the sideline of the Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) in Sokoto.

A customer, Alhaji Maude Danchadi, urged mobile companies to support government efforts on tracking security challenges.

Danchadi, who is the Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, commended NCC for organising such an interactive session between service providers and customers.

He said the telecoms played great roles in creating awareness and education of people on dangers of social vices as well as encourage patriotism and selfreliance through their numerous

services.

Another customer, Malam Sani Dole, who is the leader of Persons Living with Disabilities in the state state, called on mobile telecommunication companies to increase social responsibility packages to the less privileged Nigerians.

Dole noted that some companies had good gestures for the physically challenged but that some were not up to the expectation of such class of Nigerians.

He stressed that such efforts would surely argument government efforts in addressing street begging among others.

According to him, many physically challenged person have talents that when tapped properly, through viable economic ventures, would contribute to national development.

In his remark at the occasion, Alhaji Isma’il Adedigba, the NCC Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau said NCC organised COP to enhance customers satisfaction.

The Google Station would be rolling out in 200 locations in five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019, and was currently located in five areas in Lagos.

“The Google Station is a welcome development in the sense that it will span the availability of broadband and indirectly lead to economic activities and growth.

“We should also understand that anything that has to do with infrastructure providing IT services, one must always think of cyber security.

“Everyone has a role to play to ensure that the services are not easily hacked and for the individual, they should make sure that

their workstation is well protected,’’ he said.

Awe urged the public to have good security tools that are regularly updated on their workstations, which could easily block any form of hacking.

He said that the same principles that one would apply when using a Wi-Fi in the house to avoid penetration should also be applied when one was using a free Wi-Fi like the Google Station.

“Getting regular updates and putting an alert can save one’s data because of some social engineering that people also use to hack,’’ he said.

Awe added that not only does

“We must accord consumers their basic rights which include right to be heard, educated, choose, redress and right to safety. “NCC, the telecom regulatory agency, is poised to empower telecom consumers with adequate information and education through constant engagement at various levels in the country’’ Adedigba said.

The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau in NCC, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the initiative was to bring together telecom consumers, regulators, NCC and service providers to discuss and find proper solutions to consumer related issues.

Onwuegbuchulam also said that the forum aimed at educating consumers and other stakeholders on contemporary issues generating interests in the industry.

She said it also served as feedback mechanism for commission in making interventions for the benefit of consumers.

Be security conscious while using free Wi-Fi – Expert advises Nigerians

A

N Information Technology expert, Mr Jide Awe, has urged members of the general public to be security conscious while using free Wi-Fi. Awe, the Conferences Committee Chairman, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), made the plea in Lagos.

According to him, free Wi-Fi or even Wi-Fi used at home, is prone to be hacked if proper measures are not put in place to safeguard it.

It would be recalled that on July 27, Google unveiled Google Station, a programme aimed at providing free high quality, highspeed Wi-Fi hotspots to millions of Nigerians.

the free Wi-Fi pose negative threats, it also has its positive side, like the improved access to internet for people within the environment it was situated.

“When people start using it more and as long as it is sustainable, it will lead to job creation, reduction in cost of data and better access to broadband.

“It will lead to more people being included in the digital revolution that is going on, which will eventually lead to improvement of oneself.

“This access will lead to a multiplier effect in terms of economic growth for the country,’’ he said.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

ISSN: 2545-5869

EDITORIAL

www.oraclenews.ng

VOX POPULI SACRUM

They want Nigeria for themselves Cont’d front page 1

kept secret. They would be public so late that the people would have little opportunity to tend to run the country? react. The elections are here.

THINGS are so bad that we can be sold on that ON Friday August 18, 2018, INEC will give notice of “better country” lingo, but we have seen a the 2019 elections, as the law provides. From lot. We have also heard a lot. There is little Friday, political parties can collect forms, and time left for us to interrogate, investigate should conclude their primaries by October 17. and situate those who want to take charge WITHIN that period, we should also be dealing of Nigeria in 2019. Who are the candidates? with the restiveness in the polity for changes What is their idea of Nigeria? Have they in party membership.

The National Assembly tested these ideas elsewhere? being on recess is another matter that could ON December 8 last year, in Oyo State, Chairtake attention away from asking politicians man of the Independent National Electoral core questions about what there is in Nigeria Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood for Nigerians.

Yakubu at a retreat for Resident Electoral THE ‘short notice’ of the elections serves the Commissioners, repeated the election politicians well. Everything from Friday would schedule. The timetable for the elections was be in a matter of weeks. The intrigues by the first released in March 2017, two years to the parties would be easier to execute because elections. Then on January 9 this year, INEC everyone would be working towards deadSecretary Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu announced lines. Excuses about the shortness of time the full timetable for the elections. become the major weapon for currying favour POLITICIANS are talking to themselves. They and avoiding exposure to the public. are conspiring. They are deciding all by themA DELIBERATE ploy of politicians is to wait out selves who would be what and who should the demands of the electorate and turn up at not be what. Their reasons are ‘personal to the last minute as the messiah. It would be the them or, at best, ‘political’. same story in 2019 unless we start now to ask THEIR interests would have little, if anything, what individual politicians, across the political to do with the larger interest of Nigerians, parties are offering. interests that seem ordinary, yet they are THE choices are clear. We would choose between all the people have to cling to, in their daily progress and further regression. The mistake existence. that is often made is to make the choices ALL the things that ought to be public are being counting only on the words of those we hear more. The louder voices tend to be mistaken for those capable of achieving results.

EXPERIENCE, recent experience does not bear this out. Many of those running for office do not understand the issues, as they belatedly say in explaining their failings. They make fantastic promises. Their delivery is often short of what they promised.

By then, it would have been late for the electorate; they would be in office, asking for patience, and sometimes blaming the voters for showing no understanding of how government works.

PARTISANSHIP of politicians has been held up above issues that affect the ordinary people. The prism for reaching decisions has increasingly been based on regions and religions.

National interests that constitutional provisions were meant to guarantee have been rejected. In their place have been laid layers of contradictions about what Nigerians need to live better lives than the imprecations they receive from elected officials.

A LOT is at stake, particularly the future of Nigeria, and the shape in which that future would arrive. The national question is what some call it. Others talk in terms of restructuring the country. There are agitations for outright dismembering of the country so that different parts could

pursue their different interests.

DEEP issues would not find much accommodation in the election debates unless we start raising them early. With all the media attention that corruption gets, for example, there is no proof that there are any meaningful efforts to minimise it. With all the songs about the importance of transparency in government’s decisions, they are becoming more opaque by the day.

ATTEMPTS to abridge freedoms of association and speech are dangerous, not just for the elections, but our future. Power is being abused constantly in this regard. Opposition candidates do not have access to national or state media. In some instances, they are denied use of venues for their political meetings. There are no initiatives to stop these breaches that harm democracy and growth of our political practices.

CANDIDATES for the elections should make themselves known to the voters. They should engage the electorate. They should have creative ideas about managing the challenges Nigeria faces. The challenges are increasing, but the will to check them is weltering. The challenges would not vanish with the elections.

EVERY election is about the future of Nigeria.

The 2019 elections are more so. The future of Nigeria, for the ordinary people, is encased in hopes that it would be a better Nigeria than we have been through. The hopes are becoming waning.

AWAY from the hunger issues that would dominate the campaigns, Nigerians need to elect candidates who have personal values for lives, who care, and who think that lives of Nigerians matter, always – not just when their votes are needed.

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.

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

OPINION FES Peace Dialogue: Need for security, peace in W/Africa

By FRIEDRICH-EBERT STIFTUNG

O

ver the years, it has become imperative that, besides a working economy, social infrastructure, education and a number of other indicators which define the idea people have of a ‘peaceful’ society, the presence and embrace of peace itself is, above every other, needed for our societies to function as they ought to.

Since West African countries gained independence, they have recorded a number of armed, intra-state conflicts, marked by five, large-scale, civil wars.

With the dawn of the 21st Century cam a sharp drop, marking a water-shed in the political stabilisation of the region. In the place of the former form of violence came election-related violence, long-standing ethno-national conflict, drug trafficking, maritime piracy, extremism, youth inclusion, migration, the rapid development of extractive industries and land management etc., sparking fears over the region’s development.

West Africa has come into her own over time, as far as democratisation, economy and regional cooperation are concerned but sadly, total peace has eluded the region, though efforts to prevent conflicts have also improved, contributing to overall stability.

It was against this back-drop that, between July 11 and 12, 2018, in Abuja, over 50 peace and security experts and practitioners on West Africa, drawn from the academia, security structures and various institutions, West Africa policymakers, civil society organisation (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), participated in the First Abuja Dialogue convened by the Peace and Security Competence Centre Sub-Saharan Africa and the Friedrich-EbertStiftung (FES),in Abuja, Nigeria. The experts represented a diverse field of high-level policy influencers conversant with peace and security, mediation, conflict resolution, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, governance, development and gender mainstreaming.

The convener, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, is a German non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of the ideas and values of social democracy. That core value and focus informed the theme of the conference, “Understanding the Reasons for Insecurity in West Africa: Need to Promote Collective Security through Stakeholder’s Engagement and Constructive Exchanges.” The objective was to

“contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics and drivers of (violent) conflict and insecurity in West Africa and to provide new knowledge on how best to achieve sustainable security.”

The Abuja Dialogue was convened against the backdrop of the incremental and pervasive peace and security challenges, such as agropastoral conflicts, the Boko Haram insurgency, terrorism and organised crimes, fragility of State and lack of governance confronting some countries of the West Africa and Sahel region, despite the existence of various mechanisms aimed at addressing such conflicts. Affected countries which were presented as case studies or reference points included, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Nigeria. Since some post-conflict situations and new conflicts in the region were festering, the inevitable question which the dialogue sought to address was why certain conflicts, especially pastoral herdsmen conflict and Boko Haram insurgency, armed militias persist, despite the existence of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and conflict prevention and conflict resolution mechanisms meant for addressing such conflicts.

Relatedly, why were existing frameworks and mechanisms, laid down by African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Governance Architecture (AGA), structures such as, African Union, ECOWAS, ECCAS, Mano River Union, Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJFT) the G-5 Sahel, proving operationally inadequate and not delivering the expected results?

For maximum interaction and productivity, the Abuja Dialogue was structured to be interactive and to facilitate seamless exchange of ideas.

The outcome and the takeaways from the conference are a reflection the complexities of the conflicts bedeviling West Africa and the Sahel and why the extant conflict resolution panaceas are seemingly ineffective. The gaps between early warning and response, existing peace and security architecture and conflict resolution mechanisms, were all pointed out as challenges to achieving long-term peace in the region, mainly because one-size did not fit all.

Resolutions from the conference indicate that development aid need to be channeled towards lagging regions and addressing perceptions of inequity in access to opportunities. Focusing investments where conditions are best risks making already-tense situations worse. Cross-

border economic exchanges and collaboration may be useful. Improved land management and a strong, continuous addressing of grievances linked to land access is needed. In order to do away with the ‘resource curse’, extractives discoveries can be given greater attention, seeing as they are prone to conflict risks. This will help manage community and regional grievances as well as corruption.

Other recommendations made by the conference included improvement in the management of migrants, significant investments in basic and technical education to increase the size of the skilled labour force and improve livelihoods for young people, provision of more support to ECOWAS and other regional institutions by member countries, strengthening of local government structures to improve citizens’ participation, social accountability, transparency and better services.

While these recommendations were welcomed, it was highlighted that the need to replicate or borrow from working, progressive mechanisms from within and outside Africa would go a long way in helping to provide a blue-print.

It was advocated that any reframing of conflict resolution mechanisms should be centered on civil society, and that such shift in response, should lay greater emphasis on preventive mechanisms rather than peacekeeping. Notably, amnesty, DDR and SSR programmes, depending on the locality, needed to be redesigned or adapted to fit particular conflicts, reflect local realities, involve stakeholders and communities and understand their plight. There was an urgent need for the deployment of alternative dispute mechanisms (ADR) and establishing traditional dispute mechanisms. While peace education was imperative, sensitivity to gender and the aged remained vital, as was handling of war victims and amnesty beneficiaries, especially child soldiers.

Also, enhanced community involvement and ownership of processes are important to avoid politicians taking advantage of conflicts. The need for conceptual clarity and the rethinking conceptual framework for conflict resolution mechanisms in order to adapt them to local terminologies and realitieswere underlined. That an approach was expected to create alternative space, a sense of ownership and inclusivity and a better definition and understanding of who the non-state actors and beneficiaries are. It is

important to build on and expand “resilience models” by replicating and domesticating those models that are effective at the national and state levels at the local and community levels. It was necessary to avoid pitfalls of signing accords in which the local parties were not involved or signatories. Policies needed to be egovernance compliant,for access and tracking.

Since state and government apparatus are distinct entities, it should be recognised that the absence of governmental presence did not equate with “ungoverned space” in conflict theaters. Most spaces are governed, as such, there is need to avoid creating the impression that there were “two societies” – the insiders and the outsiders in post-conflict environments.

This is also pertinent in the dispensation of justice. Restorative justice should be explored and multi-door courts put in place for easy access.

Those involved in war crimes should be prosecuted equally.

Absence of a bond of performance between government and the governed often resulted in lack of trust and respect for constituted authority. Preferential dispensation of justice affected trust. It was emphasized that peace building at any level was contingent on good governance and trust. Building trust via confidence building measures (CBMs) will be critical to overcoming myths and the prevailing sense of “perpetrators versus victims” and reconciling communities.

The need to avoid extra-judicial and so-called jungle justice was reiterated.

As alternative mechanisms, the “Peace Council” used in Ghana, and the Gacaca Court used in Rwanda were considered good models for attaining sustainable peace. There was added emphasis on investing more on structural peace adjustment. The expanded use of ‘Peace Ambassadors’ was also recommended.

Peace in Africa is not elusive and, while no one body has the final say on the blueprint for peace in the region, experiments can begin on what works and what does not; for it is only from trying that we can get the perfect picture. Not trying is far worse and, given that the future of our continent and region rests on us and no other, we would do well to work, strive and preach peace. It is only in the peace of the region that everything else can prosper. – Stiftung wrote in from Abuja •Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

Governor Ikpeazu’s MSME narrative

By Godwin Adindu

T

hough he died unsung, Pa Ichiogu Ikpeazu, the great Umuobiakwa goldsmith, still lives on. Exceptional genes do not die. He produced a teacher, Nwaonono and the teacher produced another teacher, Okezie. If we could rewind the hand of the clock and call the dead back to life, Pa Ichiogu, today, would certainly take his trade beyond our borders and beyond our shores to the New Land, for the ship of the campaign for Aba-Made-Goods has sailed far and wide and landed to the New Land, America.

Perhaps, Pa Ichiogu would have been among the first batch of 60 Abia craftsmen mobilised to Turkey, in the first year of Ikpeazu’s administration or among the 30 second batch that went to China, to understudy the techniques of automation for their craft. But, there are times and seasons. Regrettably, many Pa Ichiogus have come and gone before now, great minds with their great products; Aba men and women who built empires of ideas but - “ambition mocked their useful toil”. May their souls rest in peace!

Call it a coincidence but I call it providence!

There is, indeed, a spiral link between the story of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s grandfather, the unsung goldsmith and the Governor’s inspirational obsession for encouraging Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Abia State.

He comes from a lineage of craftsmen. Today, aside infrastructural renewal captured in the caterpillar revolution, Ikpeazu’s second unique selling point is the government intervention in support of SMEs. Abia under Ikpeazu has taken the front seat as the leader in the promotion of SMEs in Nigeria and the accolades are coming in succession.

From inception, the challenge of harnessing the Aba talent has remained a major preoccupation of his administration. Thus, the Ikpeazu

narrative is the effort to develop a latent ingenuity and creativity for which Aba is known. It is a mystique of the city and her people. This rare ingenuity manifests in the phenomenon of the large spectrum of men and women of skill, trade and craft that populate Aba. From the Aba tailor, the Aba shoemaker, bag-maker and all leather workers to the fabricators, there is a generic talent that grows in the ancient city, a talent that Governor Ikpeazu has very well flaunted and for which his government has received the right applause and endorsement.

Indeed, the government intervention in support of SMEs in Abia is a narrative that has seen the Governor dealing with four main challenges, namely; Power, Market Share/Sales, Finance and Automation. He deployed the first strategy of aggressive marketing and creation of awareness. The goal was to motivate our people and rebuild their confidence. “This was necessary because our people were branding other nations and denying our ingenuity and identity.

So we started by awareness and marketing,” declared the Governor.

Looking back, the efforts in promotion and marketing have yielded great results. The Governor has taken Made in Aba (MIA) to Aso Rock, Otta Farm, Senate, NYSC, America and to many other agencies. “Today, our people have taken pride in our own dear Made in Aba and our labels have returned,” he affirmed.

To tackle the challenge of power, the government deployed the power of marketing to attract the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to Abia State six times and this has culminated in uninterrupted power for six months in Ariaria International Market where nine clusters exist. Through marketing also, Abia have sent 30 out of the 100 artisans to China to learn automation in shoe manufacturing. With this intervention, the challenge of automation is re-

solved as Abia is set to launch the first Made in Abia shoe factory in December 2018.

In the area of Sales, the Governor has also attracted over N1.3 billion to the shoe and Garment sector. About 50,000 pairs of military booths have been delivered to the military through this process.

The government has also attracted funding through BOI and other agencies because the attention is now on the World Bank data of 250,000 SMEs in Aba Governor Ikpeazu has remained the number one brand ambassador of the Made in Aba Goods and he has personally led the campaign.

The results have exceeded his expectations and this is affirmed by the torrent of recognitions.

In 2016, Ford Foundation, an American based institutional donor partnered with Abia State to launch the First Aba Development Summit. The goal was to develop a strategy for the development of the MSME in Abia and the organisation followed up by sponsoring a 50 million Naira international brand campaign for the promotional of Made in Aba Goods.

More endorsement later came in 2017 with the leading business newspaper in Nigeria, BUSINESSDAY, giving Ikpeazu the award of the “Best Governor in the Promotion of Made in Nigeria Goods.” In that same year, the Nigerian Army ordered 50,000 military booths from Aba. The Federal Government also came to debut its National Programme for MSME in Aba with over 3,000 operators having a direct engagement with industry leaders in the sector.

Recently, the Bank of Industry (BOI) in collaboration with the Ford Foundation worked with the Abia State Government to launch the State’s first ever “Aba Finished Leather Cluster”, a project targeted at providing incentive to the Aba leather and garment workers. Through this programme, the craftsmen in this sector will be

able to access funding from BOI. Indeed, the highpoint of the Ikpeazu narrative is that the Federal Government of Nigeria have crowned Ikpeazu’s effort with the award of ‘Best MSME Friendly State in Nigeria”. His forefather, Ichiogu, the great Umuobiakwa goldsmith, could not take his goods beyond Abia.

But, today, his grandson, Okezie, has taken his ideas far beyond our boundaries.

•Adindu is Special Adviser on Media & Documentation

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 Business Manager Esther Balogun Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

Travel & Hospitality

26

Nigeria’s crafts subsector to top discourse at SA bi-national commission meeting Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

HE development of Nigeria’s Art and Craft sector will top discourse, amongst other issues slated for the next edition of the Nigeria-South Africa bi-national commission scheduled to hold later this year.

This was revealed during a courtesy call to the South African High Commission (SAHC) in Abuja by the Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe and his management team.

Welcoming the delegation from NCAC, the South African Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Moroe, described the visit as auspicious, as both countries had already signed several MOUs to boost bi-lateral cooperation.

The envoy disclosed that Art and Crafts development will now be prioritised in the next Nigeria-

South Africa bi-national commission where both countries will also seek areas of mutual interest in energy and agriculture.

Moroe reaffirmed that the visit of Runsewe and his team will signal a new era for the culture and arts industry for both nations stressing that the Nigeria-South Africa binational commission is a veritable platform where issues of development are deliberated upon followed by strategic implementation plans recalling that in 2001, the two countries signed an MOU to improve bilateral relations.

The Envoy revealed that at least 34 agreements will be reached in the forthcoming Nigeria-South Africa bi-national commission where President Muhammadu Buhari will be in attendance noting that the Art and Crafts sector will be a major beneficiary in this year’s outing.

Moroe commended the INAC initiative, promising to interface with

the authorities back home with a view to ensuring South Africa’s full participation.

He thanked Otunba Runsewe for the locally made gifts of laptop and iPad pouches which the DG presented to him.

Reacting to the envoy’s remarks, Otunba Runsewe thanked his host for receiving him and his management team observing that South Africa was a country with great organizational capabilities and vast

resources intimating that his visit was informed by the need to gain support as the NCAC plans to take Commissioners of Culture in Nigeria to a farm trip in South Africa as a way of exposing them to the high standards that his country has attained, which according to the DG will translate to major gains in the arts and culture industry in Nigeria.

Runsewe also used the opportunity to intimate the Ambassador on the forthcoming International Arts

and Crafts Expo (INAC) which will be held in Abuja November this year requesting that South Africa should maximize the platform to showcase her rich cultural heritage just like other countries around the globe that have indicated interest to participate in the exhibition.

The Director General also decorated the S.A envoy and his staff with the official NCAC pinup thereby conferring on him the dual status of South Africa and NCAC Ambassador.

Sheraton Lagos to mark Rum Day 2018 with ‘inspiring’ cocktails

S

HERATON Lagos Hotel has said the Food & Beverage team will celebrate the Rum Day on August 16, this year with exciting offers.

Rum is the third most consumed spirit globally and this intriguing beverage inspires images of sandy beaches and sunlight on a nice hot summer day.

“To commemorate this day, Sheraton Lagos will serve all rum based cocktails for N2,000 only at the Hotel’s lobby bar and goodies pub.

“To add further excitement, the hotel is asking all who indulge in the cocktails to take pictures of themselves, upload on social media, tag the hotel and use the hashtag #sheratonlagosrumday.

Whoever gets the most likes stands a chance to win dinner for 2 at our Italian restaurant’ says Damian Cooper. This offer

comes hot on the heels of the company’s goal to have a foodie filled month with offers throughout the month of August, said Deputy General Manager of the hotel, Mr Damian Cooper.

“At Sheraton Lagos Hotel it is all about our loyal guests and how we innovate ways to keep them enriched and entertained with activities and great offers to show we care about them.

At Sheraton Lagos Hotel we go beyond to ensure that every moment you share with us is an unforgettable one that brings friends together and families even closer as they share those memories.

“With the hotel’s proven success and exceptional reputation in culinary expertise, The Sheraton Lagos Hotel is excited to offer guests their favourite drink to celebrate rum day,” Cooper concluded.

•Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah (6th left), Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Wellingotn Eyimina (6th right), Safety Manager, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu (4th right), Cabin Services Manager, Florence Opia (3rd left), Chief Security Officer, Mr. Monsuru Akinbola (2nd left), IT Infrastructure Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Nwankwo (left), Team Lead Commercial, Mr. Ugonna Agubuokwu (4th left), Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Liberia Airport Authority, Paula Fares Harvey (5th right) and other guests cutting the cake to mark Air Peace’s inaugural flight out of Abuja, Lagos and Accra into Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia .

Air Peace easing travel challenges in Africa for economic growth – Onyema

C

HAIRMAN/CHIEF Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has said the carrier is championing seamless air connectivity in Africa to ensure the economic growth of the continent and ease the travel challenges of the people.

Onyema spoke during the launch

Dubai maintains sustained tourism volumes

D

UBAI, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed a record 8.10 million international overnight tourists during the first six months of 2018, representing a consistent increase on the same period last year.

Figures released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), Monday, have confirmed the continued success of the emirate’s tourism sector, which at the end of 2017 was worth AED109 billion a year.

A destination of choice for a number of global markets, Dubai is on track for projected growth into the second half of 2018.

Top source markets continued to witness stable year-on-year performances in the first half of 2018, with India, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom retaining their top three positions when compared to the same period last year.

The first half of 2018 also witnessed increased contributions from the USA and Germany,

standing strong at seventh and eighth positions with 327,000 and 302,000 visitors respectively. This affirmed the successful delivery of a diversified market strategy, activating multi-pronged efforts to prioritise maintenance of continued strong appeal to travellers from key source geographies, and increasing advocacy by focusing on targeted improvements to the tourism pillars that appeal most to these audiences.

“The first six months of 2018 have both generated and sustained a steady performance, supporting strong growth across our global feeder markets. Attracting 8.10 million visitors during the first half of 2018 stands us in good stead as we accelerate momentum towards our visionary aspiration of becoming the most visited city in the world.

“The varied offering of Dubai’s tourism proposition has steadily evolved, prudently yet actively responding to market demand, and increasing the emirate’s attractiveness among target visitor

segments across our key markets.

“As such, we have strategically deployed partnerships to ensure we continue to stay relevant and front of mind to both first-time and repeat visitors, while simultaneously creating a steady stream of Dubai ambassadors. Organically expanding the outreach and impact of this authentic advocacy for the city, our integrated networks across digital, social and mobile-led platforms reflect the future-centric mandate of the 10X initiative introduced in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to embrace innovation and ensure Dubai stays 10 years ahead of any global city,” said Director General, Dubai Tourism, HelalSaeedAlmarri.

With Dubai now attracting even more diverse audiences, Dubai Tourism is continuing to innovate and customise marketing-promotions delivery backed by strong insights-driven analytics and most ‘time and audience’ relevant touchpoints within the travel decision ecosystem.

of Air Peace’s flights from Abuja, Lagos and Accra to Monrovia, Liberia and from Abuja to Accra, Ghana on Monday.

The Air Peace boss insisted that the carrier had continued to prove its mettle in the project to link African nations and connect them with the rest of the world through flights to Accra, Freetown, Banjul, Dakar and Monrovia.

Addition of Monrovia to Air Peace’s route network, he assured, would consolidate the airline’s strategy to unlock economies in Africa through air connectivity.

Onyema, who was represented by the carrier’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the carrier was gradually rewriting the negative narrative about regional flight operations in West Africa.

The launch of the airline’s Monrovia service, he said, had expanded its regional operations to five routes. ”Today’s epoch-making event is a pleasing consolidation of our efforts to unlock the economies of Africa, offer air travellers on business and leisure trips seamless connectivity as well as create jobs for people,” Onyema enthused.

Speaking on the carrier’s rapid expansion on the West Coast of Africa, he said: ”We began our intervention in the air travel difficulties of the West Coast of Africa with the inauguration of LagosAccra service in February 2017. A year later in 2018, we deepened our presence in the region with the

addition of Freetown, Banjul and Dakar to our route network.

“The addition of Monrovia to our route network is a fitting response to the yearnings of the flying public for the Air Peace experience. The launch of Monrovia brings our regional destinations to five. We are connecting Monrovia from Abuja and Lagos through Accra. Shortly, we hope to add more destinations to our regional route map.

“Our goal is to build a solid base to link African nation’s and connect the continent to the rest of the world by air. With our expanded fleet of 24aircraft comprising Boeing 737, 777; Embraer 145 and Dornier Jets, we are set to soon begin flights to many international destinations including Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou- China, London, Houson, Mumbai and South Africa. There is no doubt we mean business at Air Peace.”

For her part, Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Liberia Airport Authority, Paula Fares Harvey congratulated Air Peace on its commencement of Monrovia flights. The launch, she added, was a great milestone in Air Peace’s effort to connect Africa by air. ”It’s good for you, it’s good for us in Liberia at this time,” Harvey said shortly after the flight landed at the Roberts International Airport, Monrovia at about 12.15 p.m. (local time) to a rousing water salute and warm welcome by aviation authorities, airport workers and corporate executives.

27

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

AVIATION

Higher oil, commodity prices driving passenger traffic in Nigeria, others Stories by VICTOR NZE

A

FRICAN and Middle East airlines led growth as June international passenger demand rose 7.7 per cent compared to June 2017, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which announced global passenger traffic results for last month, as showing capacity climbed 5.9 per cent, and load factor increased 1.4 percentage points to 81.9 per cent “African airlines’ traffic soared 10.9 per cent in June, up substantially from just 2.1 per cent growth in May, although this partly also reflect volatility in the monthly data.

Capacity rose 5.5 per cent, and load factor jumped 3.3 percentage points to 68.0 per cent. Higher oil and commodity prices are buoying the economies in a number of countries, including Nigeria,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO Though all regions recorded growth, Middle East carriers posted an 11.0 per cent demand increase in June compared to the same month last year. This was a sharp turnaround from the flat traffic growth in May, which was partly attributable to the timing of Ramadan between the two years.

Results were also affected by unfavorable developments in the year-ago period, including the ban on large portable electronic devices, as well as the travel restrictions imposed by the US for visitors from certain Middle East and African countries. Capacity rose 8.0 per cent and load factor climbed 1.9 percentage points to 71.0 per cent.

According to IATA, global passenger traffic results for June showed that demand (measured

in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose by 7.8 per cent compared to June 2017.

This was up from 6.0 per cent year-over-year growth recorded in both May and April. June capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 6.5 per cent, and load factor rose 1.0 percentage point to 82.8 per cent. The first six months of 2018 produced demand growth of 7.0 per cent, a strong performance, but down from 8.3 per cent growth recorded in the first half of 2017 “The first half of 2018 concluded with another month of abovetrend demand growth, which is a good indicator for the peak summer travel season in the northern hemisphere. But the looming prospect of a global trade war is casting a long shadow.

“Additionally, rising cost inputs, fuel prices have soared by approximately 60 per cent over the past year, are reducing the stimulus of lower fares,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. IATA also said demand for domestic travel climbed 7.9 per cent in June compared to June 2017, up somewhat from the 6.7 per cent annual growth seen in May. June capacity increased 7.5 per cent, and load factor edged up 0.3 percentage point to 84.5 per cent. Led once again by double-digit gains in India and China, all markets reported demand increases, but with wide variation.

Similarly, IATA released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight ton kilometers (FTKs), rose 2.7 per cent in June 2018, compared to the same period the year before.

This continues the slowdown in air

NAHCO records N500.97m PBT for H1, 2018

N

AHCOAVIANCE has announced its 2018 half-year, posting a turnover of N4.64 billion against the N3.71 billion posted for the same period last year showing an improved financial performance.

According to the company in a statement, Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at N500.97 million as against N203.08 million reported as at halfyear 2017, a 147 percent increase over last year.

Profit After Tax (PAT) for the halfyear 2018 stands at N418.57 million – a 137 percent increase over the N176.32Million reported for the same period of last year.

This is just as the ground-handling service provider, continues its dominance of the sector as it announces a string of new business signings with new local and international airlines.

The ground handlers 2018 halfyear results showed a 25 percent increase over the same period in 2017.

The company in a statement, Monday, also disclosed that it had signed a series of new contracts with both local and international airlines including Max Air which has since started smooth operations from Lagos and Kano, and handling of Hajj operations for Medview, one of the largest operators in the country.

Aside handling of International and Hajj operations for Flynas, NAHCO also handles domestic and of recent, regional operations for the

nation’s largest operator, Air Peace and Aero World, delivering service to the delight of the airlines.

It will be recalled that NAHCO, which handles most of the airlines in the country, in February 2018 began handling the Rwandan international airline, Rwandair, providing groundhandling service for the fast rising operator at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Speaking on the strides achieved in recent times by the Company, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Idris Yakubu who took over as CEO in November 2017 said it is a result of growing faith in the new management that has superintended the Affairs of the Company during the period.

He said: “We are pleased with the patronage of our Valued Clients, the Airlines and the Agents, as well as the contributions of our hardworking and dedicated staff to this very positive result. Management is committed to staff welfare and will continue the negotiation of the Staff Condition of Service, and conclude before the current booklet expires end September 2018”.

Yakubu further stated that shareholders should look forward to sustained profit performance at year end, on the back of the strong showing of the first half of 2018.

The company recently concluded its AGM in Abuja where shareholders approved of its plans to acquire new Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

cargo growth that began earlier in 2018. Growth for the first half of 2018 stands at 4.7 per cent, less than half the growth rate in 2017.

Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), rose by 4.1 per cent in June 2018. Capacity growth has now outstripped demand growth in every month since March.

“There are three main factors driving the slowdown: The restocking cycle, during which businesses rapidly built up inventories to meet demand, ended in early 2018. There was a marked fall in air cargo volumes from March.

“We are now seeing a structural slowdown in global trading conditions as indicated by the fall in the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) to its lowest level since 2016. Factory export order books have turned

negative in China, Japan and the US. “The temporary grounding of the Nippon Cargo Airlines fleet in the second half of June exaggerated the slow-down by shaving up to 0.5 percentage points off June growth.

“Air cargo continues to be a difficult business with downside risks mounting. We still expect about 4% growth over the course of the year. But the deterioration in world trade is a real concern. While air cargo is somewhat insulated from the current round of rising tariff barriers, an escalation of trade tension resulting in a ‘reshoring’ of production and consolidation of global supply chains would change the outlook significantly for the worse.

Trade wars never produce winners.

Governments must remember that

prosperity comes from boosting their trade, not barricading economies,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. According to IATA, African carriers saw freight demand contract 8.5per cent in June 2018 compared to the same month last year.

“Capacity also fell, by 1.4 per cent. It is difficult to be positive about the current picture in Africa. International FTKs fell at the fastest pace (-8.6 per cent) for nearly nine years. Although the year-on-year growth rate for the first half of 2018 was 3.0 per cent, in seasonally-adjusted terms, FTKs are trending downward at an annualized rate of almost 20 per cent over the past six months, and demand conditions are weak on all the main markets to and from the continent.”

•Engineer Isaac Balami the Chief Executive Officer of 7 Star Global with some of the management team after obtaining the license to operate a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

NCAA grants 7 Star Global Hangar MRO licence N IGERIAN Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted full license to yet another Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation, the 7 Star Global Hangar, owned and managed

by Nigerians.

The MRO is operations-ready and will handle Boeing 737 Fleets as well as stock a comprehensive spare parts inventory marketplace to be made available to airlines in Nigeria and across the West and Central African region.

According to Chief Executive Officer of 7 Star Global Hangar, Engr.

Isaac Balami, who decried the high cost of maintenance of aircraft by airline operators in the region, said relief has come to the aviation sector, urging operators to take advantage of the opportunity.

The former National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) President who served as a senior manager at Aero Contractors, believes that with the granting of Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) to operate that millions of dollars will be saved for airlines and capital flight reduced.

Additionally, foreign airlines local currency accounts will encourage their engagement with 7 Star Global.

Working with Jordanian, Ameri-

can and European technical partners, Balami said maintenance will be carried out on Boeing Classic alongside new generation, Private jets Military/Para military Planes and other Aircraft types, over time.

In his view, a prime contributor to the failure of so many Airlines over the years, has been the capital and fleet erosion, all of which can be mitigated and eliminated with licensed local maintenance support.

Noting that maintenance costs added continuing to rise at an alarming scale, Balami and his team determined to apply their expertise to deliver such a facility in Nigeria to assist local African operators.

He also adding that, a single B737 aircraft, grounded awaiting maintenance, has a negative impact of hundred thousand dollars plus, per day, to the owner /operator Airline.

Balami also explained additional significant costs savings, including navigational charges a crew salaries and expenses to local airlines in comparison with recently the identical services performed in another country.

“Together we have determined to ensure aircraft serviceability across Africa. This MRO will create hundreds of Jobs in the next few months as well stimulate opportunities across the sector supply

chain.”

An international aviation expatriate from the USA, and a Founding Director of 7 Star Global Hangar – and the former use MD of American Airlines where he was in charge of more than 1000 Aircaft – and the Biggest MRO in the World – Dr Abiodun Asekun, who described the approval of the license by NCAA as “a right step in the right direction” adding that the MRO he hopes will play a major role in support of and close working partnership with the new Nigerian National carrier commencing operations. Currently the only standalone MRO in West And Central AFRICA with huge potentials.

“Because there is no parking space in the air, we have put together the best brains in the aircraft maintenance, managements, engineering, modifications, fabrications, training, design and manufacturing in the ground”, according to Dr. Asekun.

Accountable Manager Engr Ibrahim Nock also spoke saying that 7 Star is coming at a time when it is truly needed in the country stating that the national carrier fleet are encouraged to take advantage of our facility, to generate jobs for the vast number of talented but jobless engineers across the country.

28

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION 312, 291 workers join CPS in six months Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

HE number of pension fund contributors has now grown from 7.89 million in December 2017 to 8.14 million in June 2018 as a total of 312, 291 employees joined the pension contributory scheme during the first six months of the current year Acting Director General of National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, disclosed this during the 3rd annual conference of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO), in Lagos, Thursday The PenCom boss, who was represented by Lana Loyinmi, Head, Contributions Bond Redemption Department, PenCom, also said that pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have increased from N7.52 trillion in December 2017 to N8.23 trillion in June 2018.

The increase, according to DahirUmar, is attributed to new contributions received, interest/ coupon from fixed income securities and net realised/ unrealised gains on equities and mutual fund investments Umar, who spoke briefly in re-

cent developments in the sector, also pointed out that as part of efforts to enhance the monthly pension of retirees under the scheme, the commission initiated the Person Enhancement Programme She said: “It was discovered that the returns being generated by the PFAs on the balances of RSAs of majority of retirees could be used to enhance their monthly pensions.

Consequently, she added that, the commission sought for and obtained the approval of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to implement the pension enhancement programme, which resulted in increased monthly pensions for most retirees receiving pension under the programmed withdrawal arrangement She said the implementation of the pension enhancement was one of the significant milestones attained since the commencement of the CPS, stressing that, it confirmed that CPS had workable internal mechanisms to respond to legitimate demands of retirees as they seek a reasonable retirement income The commission, she said, intends to sustain this periodic review exercise in line with relevant provisions of the law.

•From left: Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. George Onekhena; Director General, Nigeria Insurers Association, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori; past president, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and Chairman of occasion, Alhaji Bala Zakariya’u, and Managing Director, Lancelot Ventures Ltd, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, during the 3rd Annual National Conference of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) on The Role of Stakeholders in Developing Insurance and Pension Sectors held in Lagos.

NAICOM approves Li n kage Assurance to underwri t e agri c i n surance AXA Mansard unveils new service to industry offerings L A XA Mansard Plc has launched the First Responder Service, which aims to support customers whose vehicles are insured with the company whenever they are involved in road accident.

The service is an initiative, meant to provide immediate assistance to customers on AXA Mansard’s retail motor insurance plan at the scene of an accident.

The service also aims to reduce turnaround time for service delivery to customers.

With the introduction of the new service, customers with ve-

hicles worth a minimum of N3million will have access to trained First Responder Officers.

The officers will provide onthe-spot assistance to eligible customers at the scene of an accident, access damage to customers’ vehicles and start the claims settlement process with a view to concluding it rapidly.

The Divisional Director, Retail Solutions, AXA Mansard Insurance, Mrs. Rashidat Adebisi, said: “We are delighted to introduce AXA First Responder service to our motor insurance subscribers.”

INKAGE Assurance Plc has secured the approval of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to underwrite agric insurance in the country.

With this development, Linkage is now expected to support the farmers and service providers in the agricultural value chain for greater sustainability and economic growth.

Among the products approved include Linkage Assurance Crop Insurance Solutions; Linkage Assurance Farm All Risk lnsurance; Linkage Assurance Farm Motor lnsurance; and Linkage Assurance Livestock lnsurance solutions.

Linkage Assurance Management in a statement made available to

Mutual Benefit, others top NSE’s N12b loss

C

ONTINUED price depreciation in the shares of many blue chip stocks, especially Mutual Benefit Assurance, and Secure Electronic Technology, pulled the All-share index further by 0.09 per cent.

Specifically, at the close of transactions yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.09 per cent amid sustained sell pressure.

The NSE-ASI shed 33.98 absolute points, representing a decline of 0.09 per cent to close at 36,299.82 points, while year-todate loss worsened to 5.08 per cent, the lowest since October 5, 2017.

Also, the market capitalisation declined by N12billion to close at N13.250trillion.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Mutual Benefit Assurance, Secure Electronic Technology, Total Nigeria, Cutix, Oando, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Eterna oil.

On the price movement chart,

Mutual Benefit Assurance led the losers’ chart by 9.68 per cent to close at 28kobo per share.

Secure Electronic Technology followed with a loss of 9.09 per cent to close at 30kobo per share.

Union Diagnostic & Clinical Services shed 7.69 per cent to close at 36kobo per share. Cutix declined by 5.88 per cent to close at N4, while Oando shed 4.39 per cent to close at N5.45 per share respectively.

Unity Bank recorded the highest price gain of 9.30 per cent, to close at 94kobo per share.

Sovereign Trust Insurance gained 8.70 per cent to close at 25kobo, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals appreciated by 8.45 per cent to close at 77kobo per share.

Red Star Express appreciated by 6.54 per cent to close at N5.70, while UAC Property gained 5.88 per cent to close at N1.80 per share.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said: “Yesterday, we noticed weak activity level in the market as well as increased trading activity in penny stocks, indicating

waning investor interest in bellwethers given their weak half year 2018 earnings.

We project a further bearish performance tomorrow, as the Relative Strength Index, currently at 34.75, breaches the oversold threshold.”

However, market breadth closed positive, with 19 gainers versus 16 losers.

The total volume traded declined by 54.03 per cent to 114.04 million shares worth N730.08million, traded in 2,610 deals.

Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa (UBA) topped the activity chart with 21.39 million shares valued at N205.21million.

Sovereign Trust Insurance followed with 14.13 million shares worth N3.4million.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 8.37 million shares valued at N10.02million.

Zenith Bank traded 7.86 million shares valued at N186.58million, while Regency Alliance Insurance transacted 5.56 million shares worth N1.34 million.

journalist said the Nigeria’s agribusiness sector needs insurance to remain sustainable and achieve long term growth expectation.

Linkage said stakeholders in the agricultural value chain needs to embrace insurance by reducing retained risk and transferring the burden to insurers for effective risk management.

With this approval, Linkage Assurance Plc is now well positioned to broaden its product offerings to consumers, which is in line with the federal government objective to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria.

Linkage Assurance by this development is strategically accelerating its business objective of building a dominant company in the Nigerian insurance industry.

Linkage Assurance Crop Insurance Solutions provides cover against unavoidable loss of crops or resulting directly from the insured perils, example flood, drought, excessive

rains, hailstorm, diseases and pest, with covers including Weather lndex Crop Insurance; Area Yield – lndex Crop lnsurance and Multi-peril crop insurance.

The Linkage Assurance Farm All Risk lnsurance is designed to cover the farm buildings/contents, farm products and machineries against theft and fire. It also provides cover on general accident for farm staff and farmer’s legal liability.

While, Linkage Assurance Farm Motor lnsurance protects the insured for loss of or damage to vehicles used in the farm or agricultural business, damage to Third Party property including bodily injury and death to third parties caused by accident.

Linkage Assurance Livestock lnsurance solutions is specially designed to cover the farmer’s stock with one simple policy, which can provide immediate protection against death due to accident; death due to illness or disease; loss of use due to accident; and loss of use due to illness.

ARM Life restrategizes operations

A

RM Life Insurance has affirmed its commitment to improving productivity and profitability that would meet stakeholders’ needs across the country.

This is just as the insurance firm said it paid a total of N412 million claims to policyholders to further underscore it’s commitment to prompt settlement of payments and efficient customer services.

Executive Director, Femi Ogundeji, who, weekend, said that the institution’s gross premium written has increased by 31.5 per cent to N3.62 billion in 2017, from the N2.75 billion generated in 2016, further noted that the sustained focus on growing policyholders fund, particularly in the individual life segment, the disciplined risk management practices and investment management strategies, enabled the company to return a profit before tax of N486.9 million for the year 2017, against

N123.2 million in 2016, representing an increase of 295 per cent increase over the previous year.

During the year, said it paid a total of N412 million claims to policyholders to further underscore the company’s commitment to prompt settlement of payments and efficient customer services.

On the balance sheet side, total assets grew by 27% to N16.13 billion in 2017, from N12.71 billion recorded in 2016 underscoring the success of the company’s investment management strategy and culminating in 18% increase in shareholders’ equity to N3.23 billion, up from N2.75 billion achieved in 2016.

As subsidiary of Asset and Resource Management Holding Company (ARM), the company is on course to launch new products specifically designed to provide insurance services for the retail segment of the market.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION

FG urges Nigerians to embrace insurance

Stories by VICTOR NZE

M

INISTER of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has urged Nigerians to embrace insurance to protect themselves against the eventualities of life and also enhance the sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Adeosun who made the appeal at the 2018 National Conference of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) held in Lagos, Thursday, said insurance, which remained the greatest panacea to poverty alleviation, had been neglected by many Nigerians.

She, however, said life without insurance was equal to building a house on a shallow ground.

The theme of 2018 conference was: “The Role of Stakeholders in Developing Insurance & Pension Sectors.”

According to the Finance Minister, insurance also remained the key to wise financial planning among all Nigerians, including grassroots dwellers.

She urged citizens to key into the various economic developmental initiatives of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to develop a solid financial plan.

Adeosun, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration, NAICOM, Mr George Onekhena, said excuses of non-payment of claims used by Nigerians to avoid insurance policies amounted to “self-deceit.”

The minister advised citizens to make enquiries on insurance policies before subscribing to them.

She said anyone in doubt could engage the services of insurance brokers for professional advice.

“Moreover, nobody knows the day of his or her death and it woukd be disastrous for anyone to leave dependents without benefits.

“Insurance is the foundation for every wise financial planning,” she said.

She also said the greatest challenge facing the insurance sector, which was common to the pension sector, was that many people hardly inform others when they

benefited from the sector.

“A clear example is the quantum of retirement benefits paid on monthly basis by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to retirees and the quantum of claims paid yearly by insurance firms. For instance over N76 billion insurance claims were paid in 2014, close to N90 billion claims were paid in 2015 and over N105 billion claims paid in 2016.

“Rather people react when claims or benefits are not paid,” she said.

Speaking on the challenge facing insurance and pension operators in Nigeria, she said people hardly tell the public when they get benefit from these two sectors, citing instance of quantum of retirement benefits paid on monthly basis

by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to retirees and quantum of

claims paid in yearly by insurance firms.

NAIPCO conference is the only forum that brings both pension and insurance operators, their regulators and stakeholders together to discuss their affairs.

The conference played a key role in settling the crisis that arose last year between the two sectors in annuity administration and management.

Royal Exchange reports GWP of N12.8bn

R

OYAL Exchange Plc has reported a gross written premium of N12.8 billion from its business activities in the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to N12.5 billion in 2016.

The company said its net premium income for the 2017 financial year amounted to N7.1 billion, while underwriting profit amounted to N7.6 billion in the financial year under review.

The total assets of the group grew by five per cent from N31.7 billion in 2016, to N33.3 billion as of December 31, 2017.

Contrastingly, net claims paid for the period under review dropped by four per cent to N3.4 billion from N3.6 billion in 2016, while net income before management expenses declined to N2.4 billion from the N2.7 billion that was generated in 2016.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Auwalu

Muktari, said despite the very harsh operating environment, the group was able to grow its figures, by participating in largeticket financial transactions, as well as playing in the retail insurance market, which he said would be a key growth driver in the years ahead.

“Royal Exchange envisions a situation where the retail insurance market should be able to contribute between 50-60 per cent of our revenues in the future, as the retail market is the future of insurance in Nigeria, considering the population of the country,” he said.

He noted that with the recent approval from the National Insurance Commission to undertake agricultural insurance, the company had entered into strategic alliances with various stakeholders in the sector to drive insurance.

CIIN chief canvasses structural reform of financial services sector

P

AST President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Alh. Bala Zakariya’u, has called for the structural reform of the financial services sector and the national economy so as to engender improved investors’ confidence and attract more foreign direct investments.

In his opening remarks as the chairman of the occasion at the 3rd National Conference of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) in Lagos on Thursday, stated that a key component of this reform should revolve around strengthening the inter-regulatory cooperation to build synergy between the various regulatory agencies in the financial services sector.

Zakariya’u, who is also the former Chairman of Niger Insurance Plc, pointed out that that such collaboration should reduce regulatory arbitrage and duplication of regulatory requirements, enthrone wellcoordinated institutional regulatory structure and a more risk-focused regulatory regime built on strong legal frameworks.

The modern tendencies globally, according to him, have been to build synergies, out of institutional regulatory collaboration, to license and supervise insurance, pensions, capital markets and other congruent financial services.

“It is now, more than ever before, a necessity to create the right framework that would enthrone inter-regulatory collaboration and coordination of regulatory functions to eliminate the tendency for regulators to work at cross purposes.

This should enhance proactive, efficient and effective supervision of the emergent financial industry conglomerates, offshoots of an obvious market growth, as our economy continue to improve,” he pointed out.

In a similar vein, he charged the regulators in the financial services industry to create the enabling environment for mega companies to be established through mergers and acquisitions, adding that “such mega financial institutions are to be tasked with higher capital and solvency, sophisticated information technology infrastructure, best in class human resources and strong brand presence.”

•From left: Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk, Acting Executive Commissioner Operations (SEC), Mr. Isyaku Tilde and the Acting Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement (SEC), Mr. Reginald Karawusa during the Second Post Capital Market Committee (CMC) press briefing.

Global commercial insurance prices rise for 3rd consecutive quarter – Index

G

LOBAL commercial insurance prices rose in the second quarter of 2018, marking the third consecutive quarter of increases, according to Marsh’s “Global Insurance Market Index.”

These average increases were driven by property insurance, which continued to be affected by 2017’s catastrophe losses, as well as financial and professional lines, said Marsh’s quarterly market index report. The report measures commercial insurance premium price changes at renewal, covering the world’s major insurance markets and comprising 90 percent of Marsh’s premium.

Globally, property insurance

prices increased 2.3 percent, on average, during the second quarter, which was slightly less than that observed in the previous two quarters, the report said.

Financial and professional line prices increased 3.3 percent on average, with much of the increase due to directors and officers (D&O) insurance prices in multiple regions.

Casualty prices declined an average of 1.4 percent around the globe, continuing a trend of annual rate declines, stretching back to 2013, Australia again had the largest price increases, at an average of 13

Staco Insurance Plc., has appointed a legal firm as its new Company Secretary.

A statement issued by the insurer disclosed that the firm, Jackson, Etti & Edu is now the new Company Secretary of Staco Insurance.

The appointment of this legal firm followed the resignation of the former occupier of the position, Mr Taiwo Ogunbajo.

It was disclosed that Jackson, Etti & Edu was picked as the Company Secretary at the meeting of the board of directors of the company held on July 30, 2018 in Lagos.

“We wish to notify the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), our shareholders and our esteemed stakeholders that Staco Insurance Plc has appointed a new Company

Secretary, following the resignation of Taiwo Ogunbajo as Company Secretary of the company.

“The board of directors of the company at its meeting held in Lagos on July 30, 2018, appointed Jackson, Etti & Edu as the Company Secretary of the company, effective immediately,” the statement signed by Staco Insurance’s Executive Director in charge of Management Services, Mr Tayo Ajibulu, stated.

A brief profile of the firm’s new scribe showed that Jackson, Etti & Edu is one of Nigeria’s leading commercial practices, which renders specialist legal services and advice to its clients.

The company provides company secretarial services to a wide range

percent.

While average prices trended up overall (driven primarily by the United Kingdom and Australia), pricing decreased slightly in Continental Europe and Asia.

“The global property insurance market continues to be impacted by last year’s losses, and we are now seeing increases in financial and professional lines pricing in several regions,” said Dean Klisura, president, Global Placement and Specialties at Marsh. “However, overall pricing is generally stable across all lines of business and market capacity remains strong.”

The report also covered regional trends.

Staco Insurance appoints new Secretary

of companies in various sectors of the economy and has developed expertise in company law and administration.

It would be recalled that penultimate week, the board of directors of the insurance firm fired Dr Sakiru Oyefeso as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the insurance firm explained that Oyefeso was fired on the “grounds of financial misappropriation, abuse of office and breach of corporate governance best practices.”

It was disclosed the decision to dismiss Oyefeso was taken at the board meeting held on July 30, 2018, where the resolution to fire him was passed.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

EQUITY & Capital Market

SEC extends dateline for multiple identity investors to Dec 31

By JEROME USHAKANG

A

CTING Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk has advised investors in the capital market that bought shares with different names to regularize their accounts in order to get the benefit of their investments.

Uduk who was briefing the financial press after the Second Capital Market committee (CMC) Meeting in Lagos stated that such investors should take advantage of the opportunity as the regularization exercise that would expire on December 31, 2018 is not only free but also attracts no fee nor fine.

She explained that if the investors concerned respond accordingly, it would help to prune down the number of unclaimed dividend adding that this was the reason the Capital Market Committee (CMC) extended the forbearance period to December 31, 2018 to enable investors regularise their accounts.

The CMC meeting is a periodic gathering of stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market to discuss capital market related matters.The event, which was well attended by stakeholders in the market, including the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital market and Institutions, featured presentations by various Market Technical Committees, SelfRegulatory Organizations (SROs) and other Stakeholders.

According to Uduk, “During the banking and insurance sector consolidation between 2004-2007,

there were a lot of issues in the primary market because the banks or insurance companies came to the market to raise funds and during that period, because a lot of people were coming to the capital market for the first time, they saw the capital market as a place where they can make a lot of money so a lot of them bought shares in different names.”

She said, “Today those shares are not in the system, because if you are unable to identify yourself properly those shares cannot be properly captured in the system.

We are saying come and regularize that situation and get back your shares which are being warehoused somewhere. There is absolutely no punishment attached to it, the SEC is not punishing anybody, we just want such individuals to come and regularize that transaction between now and December 31, 2018.”

The Acting SEC Director General stated that the objective of doing that is that it will increase liquidity in the market because the shares are just there and are not being traded.

In addition, the investors cannot claim their dividends too and that increases unclaimed dividend. Let them come and regularize so that there will be increase in trading of those shares and they will also claim their dividends so that the balance of unclaimed dividends will also go down.

Uduk also revealed that the meeting agreed that in addition to the physical delivery of Annual

CMC unveils key resolutions to solve knotty issues in market

T

HE Nigerian Capital Market Committee (CMC) at its second quarterly meeting for the year in Lagos last weekend resolved that the Securities and Exchange Commission would constitute a Market-wide Financial Technology (FINTECH) Committee to develop a framework for the Nigerian Capital Market.

The meeting which is a periodic gathering of stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market to discuss capital market related matters also resolved that the physical delivery of Annual Reports and Accounts, the existing pilot exercise of electronic distribution by Public Companies should continue, while efforts are made to enlighten shareholders and obtain their relevant e-mail addresses.

Other resolutions reachedat the meeting includes the completion of the work by committee on Minimum Operating Standard, as the Commission pledged to work with Trade Group Associations to implement the Committee’s recommendations, and that Trade Group Associations who are yet to register with the Commission should register immediately, while the Capital Market Operators (CMOs) are expected to register with their respective Trade Group Associations on or before December 31, 2018.

And moreover, the multiple subscription initiative, which encourages the regularization of shares purchased with multiple identities, would run until December 31, 2018.

The event, which was well attended by stakeholders in the market, including the Chairman of the House of Representatives Commit-

tee on Capital market and Institution.

The event also featured presentations by various Market Technical Committees, Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) and other Stakeholders.

The major essence of this quarterly meeting is to identify challenges affecting operations/activities in the Nigerian capital market and formulate relevant solutions.

Earlier in her remarks, Acting Director-General of SEC, Ms Mary Uduk said, “ I am glad to inform you that the Nigerian capital market within the quarter under review witnessed some achievements in various segments of its operations.

These achievements validate then continuous efforts of all market participants”.

Reports and Accounts, the existing pilot exercise of electronic distribution by Public Companies should continue, while efforts are made to enlighten shareholders and obtain their relevant e-mail addresses.

The meeting she said, also resolved that following the completion of the work by the committee on Minimum Operating Standard, the Commission would work with

Trade Group Associations to implement the Committee’s recommendations “We also enjoined Trade Group Associations who are yet to register with the Commission to register immediately, while the Capital Market Operators (CMOs) are expected to register with their respective Trade Group Associations on or before December 31, 2018

•Acting DG SEC, Mary Uduk.

Firm unveils intellect digital solution to lift banking sector

By VICTOR NZE

M

ANAGEMENT consulting firm, Phillips Consulting Limited (PCL), has transformed the financial technology sector by introducing cutting-edge technology, Intellect Digital Core Banking Solution, to Nigeria.

Phillips Consulting collaborated with Intellect Design Arena Limited, a global leading company that offers services in Financial Technology for Banking, Insurance and other Financial Services. This collaborative banking solution will no doubt revolutionize the Nigerian banking industry.

Intellect Digital Core banking solution is a comprehensive, integrat-

ed, yet modular and agile business solution, addressing all core banking needs. It is designed to help banks accelerate their digital banking and channel transformation journey.

Intellect Digital Core comes with a Digital 360 proposition with an inbuiltdesign for both Digital Outside and Digital Inside. Digital Outside ensures true Omni-channel and consistency of customer experience at all touch points while Digital Inside drives operational excellence. In addition, it provides all the building blocks of business functionality, enabling users to flexibly configure products and processes in order to adapt to a dynamic environment.

Through this partnership with Intellect Design Arena, Phillips Con-

UBA trades 19.07% of total market volume

U

NITED Bank of Africa Plc (UBA) on Monday traded total 30.59million Ordinary shares valued at N288.32million in 128 deals at the close of transactions.

Analysis of trading statistics showed that this represents 19.07 percent of the total market volumes of traded shares which stood at 160.43million shares worth N2.214 billion in 3,120 deals.

On the other hand, the value of UBA shares traded represents 13.02 percent of the total market value traded which was put at N2.21billion.

Furthermore, the volume trad-

and also devised to constitute a Market-wide Financial Technology (FINTECH) Committee to develop a FINTECH framework for the Nigerian Capital Market” she said.

The SEC boss expressed delight that the Nigerian capital market within the quarter under review witnessed some achievements in various segments of its operations.

These achievements she said, validate the continuous efforts of all market participants and include aggressive use of various social media platforms to boost financial literacy campaigns such as the creation and deployment of a one minute Financial Literacy video on YouTube, The renovation of five warehouses by the Nigerian Commodities Exchange (NCX) in preparation for commodities trading.

Uduk listed other achievements as the Conclusion of about 30 cases at the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) from a backlog of over 50 cases, Commencement of modalities to introduce the Investments and Securities Tribunal Law Reports and the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commodities Trading Ecosystem in phases, from 2018 to 2025.

She also announced an Increase in the number of shareholders who have mandated their accounts for E-Dividend payments to 2.55million.

The major essence of the quarterly meeting is to identify challenges affecting operations/activities in the Nigerian capital market and formulate relevant solutions.

ed represents 0.08 percent of UBA’s total shares outstanding put at 36.28billion shares while the value of the shares traded represents 0.67 percent of UBA’s market capitalization as at August 13, 2018.

A comparison of UBA’s today’s volume traded with that of the previous day trading volume revealed that it depreciated by 41.27 percent. The share price of UBA also dropped by a tick size of -3.17 percent to close at N9.15kobo per share at the close of trading Monday.

Meantime, the Nigerian Stock Exchange said that in line with its practice, the UBA 2018 Half Year Financial Statements will be

audited, following which the Exchange will seek the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before its publication on The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

According to the NSE, it has planned to publish the 2018 Half Year Results on or before August 29, 2018 in line with Section 1.1.3 of the Rules for filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, Rule Book of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (Issuers Rule), which stipulates that “An issuer that chooses, in addition, to audit its quarterly accounts shall file such accounts not later than sixty calendar days after the relevant quarter”.

sulting builds local capacity by playing an integral role in the joint implementation and on-going support of Intellect Digital Core in Nigeria.

Speaking on the Core Banking Solution, the Managing Director of Phillips Consulting, Mr. Robert Taiwo, explained the benefits of Intellect Digital Core.

“In banking, the digital discourse has shifted from ‘nice to have’, to critical business imperative. Market share will increasingly swing to those banks that can quickly and effectively respond to technology advancements. The ability to grapple with 4.0 technologies such as AI, Big Data, Robotics and Blockchain, will differentiate the leaders from followers.

Superior interconnectivity and system integration will enhance customer-centricity and this by default will accelerate first mover advantage.” He added “But technology must not become the end in itself. “Me too” strategies will not be effective.

CEOs must, therefore, drive business aligned digital strategies which speak directly to the operating models and value propositions of their respective organisations.”

Although the Intellect Digital Core Banking Platform is new to Nigeria, a new age bank recently implemented it.

Further discussing the core banking solution, Senior Partner at Phillips Consulting, Mr. Seun Ngonnase explained, “In today’s world, banks require a single, seamlessly integrated global payments system for domestic and cross-border transactions.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

MONEY Market

Fixed income, currency market transactions lower by 24% in July

Stories By KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

RADING activities on the floor of the FMDQ OTC for the month of July declined by 23.99 percent month on month.

Specifically, the Fixed Income and Currency (FIC) market ended July by N13.09 trillion against N17.23 trillion recorded in June, representing a 23.99 percent or N4.13 trillion month on month decline and a 13.53 percent or N1.56 trillion year on year increase.

The month turnover largely declined across all segments of the FIC market, excluding the repurchase agreement/buy-backs market which recorded a 5.22 percent or N0.12 trillion month on month increase in July.

Consequently, the Treasury bills (T.bills) and Foreign Exchange (FX) segments remained the major drivers of turnover in the FIC market, jointly accounting for 74.26 percent of total turnover in July, albeit a 5.09 percentage points decline from their levels of contribution in June.

Total FX market turnover in July was $12.61 billion, a 36.31 percent represented $7.19 billion decline from $19.80 billion turnover recorded in June.

Also, turnover at the Investors & Exporters (I&E) FX Window in July was $3.39 billion, representing a 13.74 percent ($0.54 billion) month on month decline from the value recorded in June ($3.93 billion).

Despite the month on month decline in turnover at the I&E FX Window, its contribution

to total FX market turnover increased from 19.85 percent in June to 26.88 percent in July, bringing the total year to date turnover at the I&E FX Window to $33.67 billion.

Analysis of FX turnover by trade type showed a similar MoM trend to the total FX Market turnover in July, with Member-CBN4 trades recording the highest MoM Percentage decline of 38.11% ($2.14bn), while Member-Clients trades recorded the highest MoM decline in value of $4.06bn from $11.21bn in June to $7.16bn in July (see table 1) Analysis of contribution to total FX turnover by trade type indicated Member-Client and Member-CBN trades remained the major drivers of turnover.

However, the contribution of Member-CBN trades declined marginally by 0.76 percent points to 27.52 percent, while the contribution of Inter-Member and Member-Client trades to total FX turnover increased marginally by 0.73ppts and 0.16 percent points to 15.78 percent and 56.78 percent respectively.

In line with the month on month trend in the FX market, analysis by product type showed that turnover in FX Spot and Derivatives declined by 35.01 percent or $4.25 billion and 41.85 percent or $2.78 billion respectively. In July, the Dollar/ Naira rate in the parallel market appreciated by $/N2.00 to close the month at $/N360.00 (from $/N362.00 as at June 29, 2018), while the Naira depreciated at the I&E FX Window, losing $/N1.08 to close the month at $/

NSIA refunds $417m to NBET

T

HE Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has said it made a payment of $417.46 million to the Nigeria Bulk Energy Trading Company Plc (NBET), being interest and earnings from $350 million which it had managed on behalf of the bulk trader since 2014.

The money according to the agency was managed on behalf of NBET since 2014 and was returned following the expiration of the four years investment term.

A statement issued by the NSIA said it transferred the funds to the NBET in three tranches as follows: $8 million (May 2016), $5.5 million (August 2016) and lastly $403.96 million (July 2018).

The returned fund consists of the principal sum of $350 million allocated to the NSIA from the proceeds of the $1 billion Eurobond issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria in July 2013 under a fund management agreement and the sum of $67.46 million (net of fees) as interest and earnings over the investment period.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji stated, that the NSIA had accomplished its goals of “enhancing NBET’s liquidity position whilst enabling the company to focus on its principal function of developing the

electricity market.

“NSIA’s role as fund manager helped to safeguard NBET’s capital against market volatility and also conferred the agreed financial benefits on the company,” Commenting on the transfer, the NBET Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, said NBET was pleased with the management of the fund over the last four years, adding that the NSIA as a competent fund manager preserved the capital, thereby helping to promote NBET’s credit worthiness as an off-taker for grid injected electric energy in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

N362.40 (from $/N361.22 as at June 29, 2018), resulting in the closing Dollar/Naira rate at the parallel market being N2.40 lower than the Dollar/Naira rate at the I&E FX Window for the first time in 2018. Similarly, the CBN Official Spot rate also depreciated in July, losing $/N0.15 to close at $/N305.90 (from $/N305.75 as at June 29,2018 Fixed Income Market (T.bills and FGN6 bonds) In July, the total turnover in the fixed income (FI) market was N6.16 trillion, representing a 21.54 percent (N1.69 trillion) month on month decline from the turnover reported in June.

Turnover in the T.bills market recorded a month on month decline of 21.06 percent (N1.40 trillion) while turnover in the FGN Bonds market declined month on month by 24.28 percent (0.29 trillion) Total T.bills outstanding as at July 31, 2018, stood at N13.47 trillion, representing a 2.13 percent (N0.29 trillion) month on month decline, driven by the continued redemption of T.bills in the month of July.

Conversely, total FGN Bonds outstanding increased marginally by 0.86 percent (N0.07 trillion) month on month to close at N7.90 trillion evidencing the

•Managing Director, Kedari Capital Limited, Abolaji Nurudeen; Manager, Customer Service, Hewlett-Packard, Jennifer Odia; Director, HIS Plc, Olusegun Akeini; Managing Director, Purpledot Media Services, Atuche Patrick; Managing Director, Somtoc Together Limited, Ugockwu Tochukwu and Managing Director, Hedgestone Capital Partners, Akinwale Rotimi, at the MoU signing ceremony by HIS with Tuchi Technologies Nigeria Limited to provide affordable mass transit for commuters in Lagos metropolis, which Heritage Bank Plc is the banker to the project.

Heritage Bank, HIS, Tuchi partner to provide affordable mass transit in Lagos

R

ELIEF is on the way for the estimated over 7 million passengers plying Lagos roads on a daily basis, as Heritage Investment Services Limited (HIS), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tuchi Technologies Nigeria Limited to provide affordable mass transit for commuters in Lagos metropolis, which Heritage Bank Plc is the banker to the project.

Besides HIS and Tuchi, other parties to the MoU are Solola & Akpana, legal advisers; Kedari Capital, financial advisers and Hedgestone Capital Partners Limited, one of the prospective investors in the project.

The affordable mass transit allows passengers to make an e-hailing in order to book for the Lagos

State coloured buses in the Lagos metropolis within the state.

In a statement made available by the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Fela Ibidapo, said Heritage bank was focused on achieving its primary role of financial intermediation through intervention in the transportation sector, which will create jobs and bring about economic growth for the State.

According to him, this is a milestone achievement for the bank in supporting the commuting experience; challenges inherent in the sector and social well-being of more than 7 million of Lagos residents who rely on public transport daily Speaking at the signing ceremony

Isaac Okorafor, said that the exercise which was in tune with the CBN guidelines, were for the payment of Renminbi denominated Letters of Credit for agriculture as well as raw materials. He added that the sales in the Chinese Yuan were through a combination of spot and short-tenored forwards, arising from bids received from authorized dealers.

While noting that availability of Renminbi was sure to ease pressure on the Nigerian foreign exchange market, Mr. Okorafor at-

tributed the relative stability in the foreign exchange market to the intervention of the CBN as well as the sustained increase in crude oil prices in the international market.

He further assured that the CBN would remain committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange by Nigerians.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N360 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY 1 exchanged for N53.35.

CBN sustain forex intervention, injects $327m, CNY 69 million into retail SMIS

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has injected the sum $327,440,499.50 into the interbank retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS). This is in addition to the sale of CNY 69,707,333.39 in the spot and short-tenored forwards.

The figures obtained from the CBN showed that the US dollar-denominated interventions were only for concerns in the agricultural and raw materials sectors.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mr.

FGN’s continued stance to refinance some of its short-term obligations with longer term instruments Monthly Trading Intensity in the T.bills and FGN Bonds markets declined from 0.48 and 0.15 in June, to 0.39 and 0.11 in July respectively.

Meanwhile, turnover recorded in the Unsecured Money Market (i.e. Repos/Buy-Backs) was N2.44 trillion for July, representing a 5.22 percent (N0.12 trillion) month on month increase from the value recorded in June (N2.32 trillion) and a 94.62percent year on year increase on the turnover recorded in July 2017.

in Lagos, Mr. Olusegun Akanji, a Director of HIS said the company is an investment vehicle that has committed itself to impact investing to support small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in a bid to create new set of businesses that are technologically-oriented.

He said technology is the future of the world in terms of employment generation, wealth creation and economic development.

The director noted that, “If you want to see those indications achieved in the world we are going into now, you need to focus on technology, particularly technology that is mobile driven and this is one of the reasons why are partnering and investing in this new initiative under the brand name, Tuchi Technologies.”

Akanji said HIS would make some significant investment in the company to get it off the ground.

Also speaking, Mr. Patrick Atuche, Managing Director of Purpledot Media, promoters of Tuchi Technologies said they came up with the initiative to solve transportation system problems in Lagos State.

He said the new initiative is a transportation system that would enable commuters to move from one place to another conveniently and comfortably, adding that it will operate like the Uber transportation system, except that it will use buses as its means of transportation.

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Bishop Ezedebego takes over as Chairman Anambra PFN

By Theo Rays, Onitsha

B

ishop Moses Ezedebego has assumed office as the Chairman of Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN) Anambra State chapter following the election into the executive council of the chapter which he won.

Bishop Ezedebego is the Presiding Bishop of Rescue Mission Christian Center and also the current State Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Anambra State chapter.

Speaking to The Oracle Today on his new position, the new PFN boss said that his administration will consolidate on the legacies left behind by his predecessor late Archbishop David Eberechukwu who, according to him, took PFN to greater height during his regime.

The Bishop who will rein for a constitutional 4 years tenure noted that late Eberechukwu made Anambra PFN thick as a body that spoke with voice and ensured a cordial relationship between the Christian body and the State adding that he is prepared to ensure that unity and love among members of the body and good relationship with the State are intact as ever.

He also said that he will emulate the late Eberechukwu who built a hospital and a school that were recognised by the state by building more hospitals and schools assuring that his 4 year administration is going be a busy and fruitful one for PFN in particular and Anambra State in general.

However in a bid to ensure a smooth run of things the Bishop who hinted that his executive will be duly inaugurated next month appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to extend the close relationship he accorded late Archbishop Eberechukwu’s administration to the new administration assuring the governor of unflinching support and prayers of PFN in the State just like his predecessor did.

While commending the members of the Anambra based Christian body for given him the opportunity to serve them for the next four years, he also appealed to them to also give him the maximum support as they did to his predecessor assuring repeatedly that his administration is going be a fruitful one.

Asked to comment on 2019 general and how he intends to mobilize PFN to vote, he said that Anambra PFN is ready for 2019 noting that all members of the body were mandated to ensure that every eligible voter in all the Pentecostal Churches in Anambra gets registered to obtain the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and they did.

“We are ready for 2019, first we are praying for the success of the elections and secondly we are ready to go out and participate in voting on each election day and believe you me any candidate supported by PFN as a body is going to carry the day because we really have the numbers required for any candidate to win election for Senate, House of Reps and State Assembly seats,” he added

You can’t fight corruption with starving civil servants, pensioners -- Church tells FG From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

T

he Methodist of Nigeria has advised governments at all levels to adopt promotion of workers’ welfare as the best approach towards tackling corruption in Nigeria.

The church adopted this position in a communiqué read Monday by the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, at the end of the week-long 46th/11th biennial conference of the Church held at Wesley Cathedral Aba, Abia State.

During the conference, the church deliberated on the various economic, political and social problems militating against Nigeria.

On the he fight against corruption, the church noted that workers and pensioners were groaning under unpaid wages and pensions, stressing that their agonies do not engender a favourable atmosphere

for waging war against corruption which the federal government was currently undertaking.

The Church noted that it would be foolhardy for government to believe that the war against corruption could be won when workers and retirees were faced with starvation.

“One of the ways to discourage financial corruption in both public and private sectors of the economy is for government and other employers of labour to handle the welfare of workers and pensioners with care.,” the church maintained.

The Methodist Church Nigeria also warned that the ongoing clamour for restructuring of Nigeria should not be ignored, saying that the nation risks disintegration if the current imbalance is allowed to stay.

The Methodist Prelate noted that though Nigeria has been able to withstand various challenges arising from the state of insecurity and

still remained one indivisible nation, it would be expecting too much to think that it would continue to survive under the present structure.

“Methodist Church Nigeria is of the view that Nigeria needs restructuring and not disintegration,” the prelate said.

He added:, “This has become necessary in order to practice true federalism where each state is allowed to tap from resources available to her and make agreed contribution to the federal government of Nigeria.”

Uche recalled that when true federalism was practiced during the pre-independence and post-independence era, the nation witnessed rapid development in the First Republic, hence, there was no reason for the present crop of political leaders to jettison true federalism.

The Church strongly condemned the “the mindless killing of citizens

and wanton destruction of properties in some parts of the country, especially North Central, North East and North West, saying that the bloodletting was caused by the unwieldy political structure of the country.

The insecurity in the land, according to the church, could be addressed in a true federal system where the federating zones or regions would have their own security apparatus to tackle any security problems.

“We advocate of creation of state police under the command of the state governor who, constitutionally, is the chief security officer of the state” the church said.

On establishment of cattle ranches, the church held that it should be set up in the home states of the cattle breeders.

“Cattle colonies or grazing fields should not be used as a means of colonization, religious proselytizing and forceful acquisition of the ancestral lands of other people,” the Church warned.

“Nigeria is our own. We can’t run away from this country (and) that’s why we say: live and let live,” said the Prelate who added that “a well absorbed, well integrated and equitably empowered South East would quell separatist sentiments for Biafra.”

13% oil revenue derivation formula: HOSCON laud Buhari

By IBE NWACHUKWU

O • Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Stella Odey receiving delegates of the state Widows Association to her office recently in Calabar

2019: Don’t be part of election rigging – Umahi urges corps members

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

G

overnor David Umahi, Monday, urged Corps members not to give in to the nefarious plot by some politicians to rig the 2019 general elections.

Umahi made the appeal while addressing Batch B stream 1 Corps members during pass out parade at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), at the scheme’s Orientation Camp located at Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi told the corps members not to allow themselves be used by politicians to twart the country’s democracy.

According to him, some politicians are planning to rig next year’s election and the corps members owe a duty to the country not to give in to the nefarious plots of such politicians.

Umahi said: “I have no doubt that you were adequately motivated and sensitised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on your participation in the forthcoming 2019 General Election.

“Let me inform you that your participation in that all important assign-

ment is a rare opportunity for you to contribute your quota towards enthroning a credible leadership, good governance and above all, engendering a peaceful and prosperous Nation”.

“In the light of the above, I charge you to discharge the INEC assignment with utmost sense of responsibility and good conscience by not allowing yourselves to be manipulated by desperate and unscrupulous politicians who will be willing to buy your conscience at all cost”.

“Do not in any way give in to their antics, desperation and lure of cash or kind especially when you have to consider that posterity will judge you for the role you will play either positively or negatively during the general elections”.

The Governor donated N400 million to the NYSC in Ebonyi State for the renovation of the scheme’s permanent Orientation camp. The camp has been in a deplorable condition.

He also doled out N10m as travel allowance to the corps members which he directed is to be immediately shared among the 2,200 Batch B stream 1 Corps members who ended their orientation course, Monday.

Also, Umahi gave the corps mem-

bers who took part in the parade N2million.

He also gave out various cash sums to the staff of NYSC and the Military officers who took part in the orientation exercise.

Umahi explained that the N400m would be used to renovate the road leading to the cam, renovate dilapidated structures in the camp, provision of drainage and regrassing of the camp’s parade ground, connection of the camp to national grid, solar street lighting of the camp and the road leading to the camp, among other things.

Coordinator of the scheme in Ebonyi State, Ann Ngozika Ibe, said that the corps members were posted to all the local government areas in the state except Ishielu local government area.

“This decision is an aftermath of the 2008 Ezillo/Ezza-Ezillo communal crisis. We remain open-minded to post corps members to Ishielu LGA as soon as we receive the approval of the state government and clearance from relevant security agencies via the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters, Abuja to do so”, she said.

il producing communities in the country, under the aegis of the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON) have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving a new template for calculating oil revenue remittance by the federal government as contained in Section 152 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

HOSCON said its acknowledgement was stemmed from the fact that the new template is expected to permanently address the controversy over inadequate remittances between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, governments of oil producing states and the oil producing communities themselves.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun had while announcing the sharing of the sum of N821.9 billion by the federal, states and local governments for the month of June, this year, disclosed that the draft for template would be out by this month and be sent to the states for their inputs, adding that already, oil producing states of the Niger Delta region received an additional N42.8 billion representing 13 percent derivation for the month.

National Chairman of HOSCON, Prince Mike Emuh, who gave Buhari a pat on the back in a press statement issued yesterday to newsmen, described the federal government’s action as a welcome development and cheery news.

Prince Emuh therefore urged both the federal government, Niger Delta Development Corporation, NDDC and NNPC to expedite action on the new template and the remittance of the 13 percent derivation directly to oil producing communities as it would no doubt assist in quelling youth restiveness and ensuring peaceful atmosphere among the oil producing communities in the country.

33

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

‘We were all abused’ says Former member of Pussycat Dolls Kaya Jones

A

NAME: Awesome Age: 22 Location: Mobile: 07033567942.

• If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Van wedged into cottage wall after crash in Bedfordshire

A

van has crashed into a 16th century cottage in Bedfordshire, smashing through its front door and becoming lodged in the wall.

The vehicle flew over a hedge after coming off the road on a bend.

The driver, a 34-year-old man, has been arrested and is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Val Fossey, who has lived in the house for 14 years, told the BBC she heard a noise “like an earthquake” when the van smashed into her property.

“This van came flying over a hedge and crashed into our hall and kitchen,” she said.

“If I had (not) left the room I don’t know what would have hap-

former member of the Pussycat Dolls has claimed that the girl group operated as a ‘prostitution ring’, with the members forced into sex with entertainment executives.

Kaya Jones, 33, made the explosive accusation in a series oftweets on Saturday and Sunday, accusing managers and executives of taking advantage of the group she joined as a teenager in 2003.

‘My truth. I wasn’t in a girl group.

I was in a prostitution ring. Oh & we happened to sing & be famous. While everyone who owned us made the $,’ Jones wrote.

‘How bad was it? people ask - bad enough that I walked away from my dreams, bandmates & a 13 million dollar record deal. We knew we were going to #1,’ she continued.

The founder of the Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin, blasted Jones’ assertions as ‘disgusting, ridiculous lies’. She told The Blast that Jones is ‘clearly looking for her 15 minutes’.

Antin went on to claim that Jones was never even a real member of the group, and had merely been one of many trial members who did not pan out.

The accusations are also likely to outrage former members of the group, including Nicole Scherzinger.

Jones’ allegations date back at least a decade, and did not name specific men who took part in the alleged abuse.

In an interview over the weekend, she said that she had decided to come forward because she was deeply affected by the Las Vegas concert massacre, which took place shortly after she had left the venue for a friend’s bar nearby.

Jones’ startling claims come as mounting sexual harassment and assault allegation rock the entertainment industry, most notably regarding film producer Harvey Weinstein.

The Pussycat Dolls are one of the best-selling girl groups of all times, selling 53million records worldwide before their breakup in 2010.

After just two years as a member, Jones in 2005 quit the group, which was assembled by choreographer Robin Antin under a deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records.

Jones said that part of being in the girl group was being told to sleep with executives.

‘Executives, and managers, and agents and other artists that are on the label, if you don’t want to sleep with an executive they’ll pass you to that. Or sometimes they’ll continue to pass the girl, so she’s just passed around,’ Jones explained in a recorded interview with InfoWars.com.

‘To be apart of the team you must be a team player. Meaning sleep with whoever they say. If you dont they have nothing on you to leverage,’ Jones tweeted.

‘Yes I said leverage. Meaning after

they turn you out or get you hooked on drugs they use it against you. Correct. Victimizing the victim again,’ she continued.

Jones also leveled stark accusations in apparent reference to the 2014 suicide of Simone Battle, a member of G.R.L., another girl group founded by Pussycat-mastermind Antin.

Battle’s death by hanging was ruled a suicide, and a spokesperson at the time said the performer had suffered from depression due to financial issues.

‘I want the den mother from hell to confess why another 1 of her girl group girls committed suicide? Tell the public how you mentally broke us,’ Jones tweeted.

She later added: ‘It’s best to not get defensive & attack when you’re guilty.

‘Sorry your house of cards is done.

Everyone will soon know the truth ....

‘I love how predators enjoy playing the victim. Pathetic.’

Antin responded that the comment ‘nasty’ and told The Blast that Jones had demeaned Battle’s memory by bringing up her suicide in such a fashion.

Those claims came just days after rumors hit of a Pussycat Dolls reunion tour, with an official-seeming website appearing.

Former Pussycat Dolls members were largely mum on Jones’ allegations over the weekend, with a few cryptic exceptions. ‘#Friday13th really brought out the crazies...’ tweeted Carmit Bachar several hours after Jones’ tweets, declining to specify what she meant.

On Friday, former member Melody Thornton tweeted: ‘It was a smart move! A Dick move but a smart one.’

A spokeswoman for Thornton did not immediately respond to a message asking if the ‘move’ she was referring to was Jones’ decision to speak out.

‘Robin & the record label made all the money. We as Pussycat Dolls were paid $500 a week. While we were being abused & used. Fact!’ she wrote.

Jones said that she had tried speaking up to the entertainment press in the past but had been brushed aside by journalists in the thrall of Hollywood and music industry titans.

She attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on October 1 shortly before a gunman killed 58 and injured hundreds, and told InfoWars the experience galvanized her to speak out publicly.

‘I finally feel the weight I’ve held in my heart lifted & mending. It’s been hard to hold lies in for people who broke me. No more,’ Jones wrote.

‘I hope more women & men come out & share their abuse & pain. We must shine a light on this issue in the entertainment business,’ she said.

Daily Mail

ROMANTIC JOKE SOCIAL SECURITY SEX pened.”

The thatched cottage - in the village of Maulden - is a listed building.

Luckily, it has been found to be

structurally safe and nobody was hurt, but Mrs Fossey and her husband are yet to learn when they will be allowed to return home.

Two men were talking. “So, how’s your sex life?”

“Oh, nothing special. I’m having Social Security sex.”

“Social Security sex?”

“Yeah, you know, I get a little each month, but not enough to live on.”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

Relationships and Love Advice

My former boyfriend wants to ruin my new relationship

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Blessing, 26, fair, fat, in Anambra, needs a responsible, God-fearing and buoyant man of 40-55 years that can take good care of her.

08038198746.

Mojisola, 43, works in Lagos, needs a Yoruba man of 45-50 years for marriage. 08091027827.

Chidinma, 28, single mother, HIV positive, needs a HIV positive man of 35-50 years for marriage.

08160430231.

Uchechi, 36, a graduate, tall, fair, needs a tall, fair, graduate, Igbo evangelist, pastor or God fearing Igbo man for marriage. 08052366993.

Wunmi, works in Lagos, needs a working Yoruba man from 32-45 years who attends Cherubim & Seraphim for marriage. 09075839386.

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014.

Dear Love Doctor,

M

y present boyfriend really loves me and is very good to me. And I love him. However, my ex-boyfriend who maltreated me so much in the past is now trying to come back into my life by telling me sweet things again and trying to deceive me with his false promises of marriage. I know that he can’t change but I have fallen for him again and had sex with him again even against my will, because of his sweet tongue. Because I’ve fallen for him again, I now quarrel all the time with my new boyfriend. My ex wants to spoil my new relationship. What do I do to keep this my ex-boyfriend out of my life? And again, how will I know if a man loves me?

From Yinka.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Yinka,

F

irst search your heart to know what you really want.

However, if that your former boyfriend had really changed or truly fixed his unacceptable behaviors you wouldn’t have ended the relationship with him in the first place. So don’t be deceived or carried away by the words that come out of his mouth. Words could be misleading but actions show you the true character or true personality/nature of an individual.

How will you know if a man loves you? You will know a man loves you from the way he treats you.

But if what a man says is totally at variance or opposite to the way he treats you, then you can be sure that he doesn’t love you, because action speaks louder than words.

If you’ve actually dated someone and you’re sure he doesn’t practice what he preaches, it should be clear to you by now that he isn’t going to give you any form of hap-

piness both now or in future, but would keep breaking your heart over and over if you keep taking him back into your life.

Do you want a relationship in which the other person doesn’t change but pretends to bend over backwards to make you happy each time he messes up? If that didn’t work for you before, why would it work for you now? You really need to stop acting immature or falling for a pretender because of his so-called sweet tongue.

Grow up and let go of your ex for good, so that you can move forward in your love life.

Finally, you need to search your heart. If you truly love your present boyfriend like you say, why are you falling for your ex all over again? Is there something missing from your present relationship?

Do you say your present guy loves you and treats you well? If what you feel for your present guy

Announcements AUGUST CELEBRANTS!

Roseline, 38, chocolate, from Cross River, living in Port Harcourt, needs a honest, mature, caring, god-fearing and well-to-do man of 40-50 years for marriage. 08180072310.

Blessing, 33, from Imo, in Lagos, fat, busty, single mother, needs a matured man of 45years+ for marriage. 08025117116, 08053407885.

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs. com.ng. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage

If your birthday is in the month of August, send your beautiful birthday pictures and let’s celebrate you! Send your birthday pictures now to ireto007 @yahoo.com

Mr Jacob needs a romantic woman for marriage.

08096492553.

is love, stick with him and don’t let anything from the past destroy the love you share. If your new relationship works for you, stick with it. Stick to what works for you. Leave what is in the past in the past, and try to concentrate on building a future with someone who truly loves you.

Emmy, tall, handsome, works in Lagos, wants a mature, sexy, nurse or working lady from 23-35 years in Lagos for a relationship leading to marriage. 08077821830.

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!

A 36-year-old man wants a very fair, beautiful, working class graduate lady between 23-30 years for marriage. 09035867445.

Amara needs a mature woman who can help him. 08142372211.

Lanre, self-employed, needs a very fair girl who is ready to have a baby and start a family. She should either be Yoruba or a Northerner. 07030595988.

Uche needs a tall, busty, working lady in Lagos between 20-40 years. 08131161840.

Chigozie, 37, from Ebonyi, fair, 5.6ft, works in Lagos, needs a God-fearing, working class lady for a relationship leading to marriage. 08164630953.

John, 52, a widower with two kids, from Edo, in Lagos, needs a fair, plump, Christian woman.

08025313929.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

It happened to me:

My parents made us breakup

True Confession ‘I married him even though he was a heartbreaker’

• My heart beats for you as strongly as the rain beats the earth in a storm.

I

t is said that one should not pass judgement in a case after hearing from one party alone. We ought to hear from the other party before reaching a decision. My name is Taiwo and I swore never to love again after two men broke me and my twin sister’s heart.

At that time, I believed strongly that a woman ought not to express her feelings to any man, because after that, the man would start taking her for granted.

I got a job after NYSC with a company in Kaduna. I was in the marketing department and had to travel a lot. It was on one of such marketing travels to Abuja that I ran into Benson, the man who broke my sister’s heart about 10 years back. He was a staff of the company I was visiting.

I greeted him reluctantly to show that I still disapproved of his action though it happened a long time ago. He knew I wasn’t too happy meeting him after such a long time, but he humbled himself and offered to take me out for lunch. I initially refused but when I saw the hurt look on his face, I agreed. So we went out for lunch and talked. I told him my sister was now happily married to another man after he broke her heart and that she has forgiven him. Benson now began to tell me the whole story of their ill-fated relationship.

According to him, my twin sister, Kehinde, was the cause of the breakdown of their relationship. He said my sister was always demanding for money and material things, without caring whether he had the money or not. At a point, he said, he found it impossi-

M

y name is Ugo and I live in Lagos. I’m 19 years old and I’m dating a guy of 40. I met him after my NECO and fell in love with him.

One reason I love Felix is that he’s very sensitive and responsive to my needs. He’s the only man that understands me.

Felix told me that he is a divorcee. He said he married his ex-wife out of sympathy and that after their wedding, he discovered they were incompatible.

Their incompatibility finally led to their divorce and now he has found true love in me.

You may ask, what do I mean when I say that he has found true love in me? Well, according to my man Felix, there are only a few women or ladies in this country who are ready to accept a man the way he is, especially if he isn’t so rich.

That’s because most of those ladies you see on the streets these days are only after money. They don’t really care about love because all they are after is money and material things like clothes, bags, shoes, cars, etc.

Felix begged me to accept him for whom he is and give him my love, and I did. And ever since I did accept him the way he is and give him my love, I have never regretted it.

He treats me like a lady, with respect and compassion. From the first day we met he promised to marry me.

And he backed up his words with action by

coming to see my parents three months later.

But unfortunately, my parents refused to give him my hand in marriage.

I’m from Imo state while he’s from Benue.

I’m the first daughter of my parents in a family of seven.

My parents said they wouldn’t let me marry any man outside my state. They also say the age gap between us is too wide.

Another thing they said was that my first husband cannot be a divorcee, because I’m too young to marry a divorcee.

But the fact is that I love this man so much and I can’t imagine life without him. I told my aunt and she said that the age difference does not matter because age is nothing but a number.

I’ve tried to talk my parents into allowing me to marry me but they’ve bluntly refused.

I had to tell Felix that my parents are not in support of our marriage. We both wept when I told him that our marriage cannot work out.

But now, I’m angry with my parents because I feel they’ve made me lose the only man I ever loved. I feel miserable, and I’ve warned them that if I don’t find another man to love me like Felix, I’ll run away and marry him. *Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

ble to cope. Benson told me that he tried to warn my sister severally that her demands were impossible, but she wouldn’t listen.

According to him, my sister refused to take correction until he was forced to leave her.

Ever since, he too had been lonely and heartbroken because he had never loved any woman the way he loved my sister. I was really touched when Benson made this revelation about my sister. But I knew it was true. My sister, Kehinde, loved material things so much then. But the truth was that the heartbreak shook her so much that she changed after that. In fact, during courtship, she never demanded for a penny from the man who eventually married her for fear of losing him the same way she lost Benson.

After the revelation, I began to see Benson as a gentleman, not as the heartbreaker my sister portrayed him as. We grew closer and one thing led to another till we ended up in bed. When he brought up the topic of marriage, I felt that since my sister was already happily married to someone else, there was no point refusing to marry Benson. I married him even though he was a heartbreaker in the opinion of my sister.

However, my sister did not oppose our marriage. Today, I and Benson are happily married and all old wounds have been healed, because we have handled our past with maturity and let bygones be bygones.

We and our children sometimes spend our vacation with Kehinde and her husband and children in Lagos, and we are all united like one big happy family.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

The Law and You Bailing an accused

I

have continuously been called by some of our readers recently asking me questions relating to bail. It has been made a controversial issue by some politicians and misleading or confusing some ordinary Nigerians that a particular court or judge is “wicked” or “biased”. But is that true? The answer is No! This, to my understanding, is because of lack of proper knowledge and understanding of what a bail is and what it’s meant for as well as what it is meant to safeguard. Do you know that refusal of certain bail by the court can save a lot of lives which could have been wasted? The refusal to grant a bail to the accused, a notorious armed robber, for instance, can save the lives of the innocent whom he and his gang would have attacked. Likewise, the refusal to grant bail to an innocent and harmless accused may lead to his been corrupted or his life being wasted because of the refusal. It is based on these facts and more as we will understand from my write-up that I decided to discuss this topic and to educate and enlighten those who do not know the truth.

WHAT IS A BAIL Bail is a conditional release of an accused implicated in a crime upon receiving such security to ensure that the accused will be available for his trial. This further can be said to be a process by which an accused awaiting trial or sentence or the hearing of an appeal, for one cogent reason or another is released from custody on entering with or without a surety or sureties into a bail bond for a sum of money or other conditions for his appearance at the time or place the court requires.

Section 35 of 1999 constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the legal frame work for bail in Nigeria as it states among others that “Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty save in the following cases (read your constitution) and in accordance with a procedure permitted by law”. However, there are some exceptions to these provisions and just to mention but one; that a person who has been detained in lawful custody awaiting trial shall not continue to be kept in such detention for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence, etc. It is also important to understand from the provision of the constitution that an accused who has been accused of a non-capital offence is not a criminal and as such should not be treated as one until he is proven guilty by the prosecution. If not, he is presumed innocent and his fundamental rights are not restricted.

Types of Bail Basically, three types of bail are known based on the level of criminal investigation and trial such as; 1. Police bail 2. Bail during trial 3. Bail pending Appeal

Police Bail: This is the combined effect of the provision in Section 35(4) & (5) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 17 CPA; 131CPC and 27 of the Police to grant bail to arrested persons where it is impossible to arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction within a period of 24 or 48 hours as the case may be and in accordance with the provisions and requirement of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Note that a police officer may refuse bail even if the 24 and 48 hours stipulated by the Constitution is due where the committed offence is of a serious nature as classified as a capital offence. For details of the list of the capital offenses and more please consult any lawyer near you or call me for more details.

Please note further that the law does not empower the police to demand for money before releasing anybody on bail. Bail is free though discretionary and an accused should not be made to believe he has to furnish any money or property before he can be released on police bail.

Bail During Trial: After an accused is arrested and the necessary security investigating authorities have concluded their investigations and taken the accused to Court, application for his bail is usually made to the magistrate, or the judge depending on the court where he is arraigned for his bail and if worthy of grant, the court may direct that the person be admitted to bail as in the provisions of the law. The lawyers, the experts in this field, know this very well. Consult any lawyer close to you or call me for more details.

Note also that the granting of bail by the court depends on whether the offence is a simple offence or misdemeanor or a felony. Usually, a court does not grant bail for an accused person in capital offences, like a person charged with any offence punishable with death shall not be admitted bail except by a judge of the High Court. Also, where a person is charged with any felony other than a felony punishable with death, the court may, if it thinks fit, admit him to bail.

Let us examine some aspects of Law which at times some people are being deceived to see the court as rigid or what some of my callers who fail to ask from experts or be plain in the understanding of a court’s intentions term the court as biased or wicked. This is the section which restricts a person being admitted to bail. Section 341 of the criminal procedure code states: (1) Person accused of an offence punishable with death shall not be released on bail.

(2) Person accused of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding 3 years shall not ordinarily be released on bail, but the court may on application release on bail

CASE 1

Can a Court revoke a bail after granting it?

Dear Lawyer,

T

hanks for the oral advice given to me concerning bail issues I complained to you about.

Please, can a court which grants a bail revoke it?

From Mohammed, Minna, Niger State.

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

a person accused as aforesaid if it considers: (a) That by reason of the granting of bail the proper investigation of the offence would not be prejudicial; and (b) That no serious risk of the accused escaping from justice would be occasioned; and (c) That no ground exists for believing that the accused if released would commit an offence.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsections (1) & (2) of this section, if it appears to the court that there are not reasonable grounds for believing that a person accused has committed the offence, but that there are sufficient grounds for further inquiry, the person may, pending the inquiry be released on bail.

Thus, the court would not go against the provisions of section 35(4) & (5) of the Constitution in the exercise of its discretionary power.

Bail Pending Appeal: The presumption of innocence of an accused ends once a court convicts him. Although he may apply for bail pending the hearing of his appeal, such a bail is usually rarely granted except upon special circumstance being shown by the prisoner.

Factors That Govern Grant of Bail Granting and the refusal to granting bail lie within the discretionary power of the Court. The primary factor among others is to ensure that the accused stand his trial. Secondly if there is the likelihood that the accused will not commit any offence while on bail. Thirdly, the Court will consider the criminal records of the accused. If his criminal record is not bad, the Court may grant bail. Fourthly, the court will also consider the nature of the offence, the severity of the punishment and the character of the evidence against the accused. Fifthly, if the offence is the prevalent one that can indulge ardent criminals to commit crimes, the court will not grant such bail. Sixthly, when there is the possibility of the accused interfering with the prosecution of the case, the court will not grant a bail. Seventhly, if there is a threat to the life of the accused by certain persons, the court will try to protect the accused by not granting the bail.

Finally, where the accused is seriously ill and treatment is not affordable within his detention and he could die if care is not taken, the court will grant an accused bail.

Note: The court must not refuse the accused bail as a punishment.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

CASE 2

Can a judge be biased in the granting of bail to an accused person?

Dear Lawyer,

I am a trader with standard six certificate. In most recent cases in Nigeria as I read from the press it appears to me that the judges are biased and sentimental in the granting of bail to the accused. Please, can a judge be biased or sentimental or even tribalistic in this aspect of justice?

From Igbokwe, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Dear Igbokwe, Dear Mohammed, I appreciate your calls and as a matter of fact you are one of those who compelled me to discuss this topic this week. The answer to your question is simply “yes.” A court may revoke a bail when the accused jumps bail or refuses to attend his trial by running away from the cause of justice.

You did not cite any case in point to me but I can understand your problem. You are one of those who think that the court is politicized or tribalised because you are deceived by those who don’t know and who don’t even want to learn from those who know better. Please, the hands of these judges are tied. Tied by the laws of this great country, Nigeria. They are even human beings like us who are bound to err at times but the superior court corrects their mistakes if at all they make mistakes. They can’t go out of the law as I have explained in this edition.

Always consult and make friends with lawyers to get more knowledge or call me.

• 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

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

How LoveWorld Records shortchanged me – Iyke Onka, artiste Singer and music producer, Iyke Onka is angry and disappointed. Nine years after he inked a recording deal with LoveWorld Records, the act is yet to get a dime in royalties. In a recent chat with The Oracle Today, Onka, an indigene of Abia State described his experience at the hands of LoveWorld records as harrowing.

H

production, recording, distribution, promotion, marketing, and representation of musical artists”. The Directors of Loveworld Records Limited named in the contract were Evang. Kathy Oyakhilome, Pastor Tom Obiaze, Pastor Linda Okocha, Pastor Ose Oyakhilome, Pastor Mary Owase, Pastor Sola Olubode and Dcn Emeka Anene while the signatories for Loveworld Records Limited were Ehi Moses: Chief In the beginning Operating Officer and A. A. Sogunle & Onka must have been a very happy man Associates, Company Secretary. I was so when in 2009, officials of LoveWord Reexcited especially because of the calibre cords approached him for a record deal. of people involved and its affiliations with Recalling that meeting he said: “I entered Christ Embassy. I could see my dreams the contract with Loveworld Records coming true.”

Limited on a purely business level. My first However, events took a drastic turn after album did pretty well and I was aiming at he signed the contract. He said: “I noticed improving on that performance in y second signs of fraud a few weeks after the deal album. I spent my time, talent, skill and fiwas signed when Loveworld Records nancial resources in producing the musical defaulted in paying the agreed sign on fee works only for Loveworld Records and its of N2.5m which also covered my cost of handlers to rob me of the fruit of my labor. producing the musical works included in “As a full-time music artist, I was subthe deal. jected to immense financial difficulty due “I played down on the signs with the to the fraudulent behavior of Loveworld thought that I was dealing with an organRecords. The adverse effects of this huge ization owned and ran by good Christians and unexpected disappointment spilled whom I believed wouldn’t stoop low to into other aspects of my life but I would certain levels of business impropriety and rather not narrate here what I had to put dubiousness. up with,” Onka lamented.

“I handed over the master recording of Recalling the experience he said that it my second album titled Fly High to Loveall began sometime in the third quarter world Records Limited after signing the of 2009 while finalising the production of contract and was expecting to receive the his sophomore album when he was apsign-on-fee according to the terms of our proached by the Chief Operating officer contract. Surprisingly, Loveworld Records of Loveworld Records Limited to consider Limited never paid and began exploiting signing up with the label. “I gave it a good and monetizing my works. All I got were thought,” he recalls, “weighing the cons of excuses, endless promises and lies. Meansigning with a relatively young record label while, my musical works were clearly being against the pros of the label’s potential in exploited and monetized even beyond the the industry. regions agreed in our contract.”

“I also considered the fact that the “Aside the sign on fee, Loveworld Recompany held affiliation with Believers cords Limited was supposed to take 70% of Loveworld a.k.a Christ Embassy, the Chris- royalty on sales of my works and remit 30% tian group I was fellowshipping with at to me. They transacted and made profits that time. Directors of Loveworld Records from my musical works but never made Limited, which happened to be senior any royalty payments to me. Loveworld pastors and well-placed members of Christ Records Limited shamelessly reaped 100% Embassy Church also fostered a level of of my royalties without paying a dime to confidence in my dealing with Loveworld me. Loveworld Records Limited impudentRecords Limited. So I assented to the initial ly breached our agreement and displayed proposal of the chief operating officer of unacceptable levels of irresponsibility with Loveworld Records Limited. regards to our agreement.”

“A few days later, I received a draft of Onka says that thrice, during the tenure the recording contract agreement from of the contract and after, he instructed his Loveworld Records for my perusal. We solicitors to write Loveworld Records Limitwent back and forth on the terms, had a ed and request for his overdue sign-on-fee couple of meetings and in October 2009 and all accrued royalties. He also requested we reached a deal. Subsequently, a record- access to their books and sales records. ing contract, dated 10th of October 2009, The letters were dated 29th July 2010, 9th was signed between Loveworld Records November 2011 and 2nd March 2012 but Limited and me.” all the letters were treated by LoveWorld Onka reveals that Loveworld Records Records with levity.

Limited was represented at the recording “As at the time our contract expired, contract agreement as an ‘organization Loveworld Records Limited refused to pay which specializes in the management, both sign-on-fee and accrued royalties. I e said: “It is tragic that after nine years of inking a contract with LoveWorld records, I am yet to get a dime in royalties even though they exploited my works. I have done everything humanly possible to engage the record label but they have totally ignored me. I am totally heartbroken and that is why I have run to the press.”

• Iyke Onka was also kept out of the books of our deal.

They arrogantly refused to take part in any arbitration as provided for in our contract and also made attempts to frustrate any legal action resulting from their fraudulent breach. They went as far as claiming that Loveworld Records Limited no longer existed contrary to the records of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and in clear contravention of section 548 of the Companies & Allied Matters Act.” Justice @ last but...

Obviously frustrated, Onka resorted to the courts in 2012. He continues: “In June 2012, my solicitors filed a suit (No. ID: 614/2012) at the High Court of Lagos State against Loveworld Records Limited as the first defendant, HNM Limited as the second defendant and Quartz Digital Limited as the third defendant.

“It took four years for the court to reach a decision. The High Court of Lagos State sitting before Hon. Justice O. A. Williams delivered judgment in my favour on the 16th of May 2016. The judgment granted my plea and awarded claims to the sum of N55.8m with 15% annual interest against

Loveworld Records Limited. Since the judgment was delivered, Loveworld Records Limited have refused to take responsibility of their liability and judgment indebtedness.”

Why did it take him so long to cry out in the media? “It took me this long because I believed, against all contrary evidence, that the handlers of Loveworld Records were reasonable and civilized people. I was totally wrong as it turned out they were out to defraud,” Onka alleged. 08027776760 080730882837 “I had initially resolved to handle this matter privately to avoid the usual public drama but I am now forced to go public with it. I also believe these fellows, not being able to sweep the matter under their huge carpet, could go any length to silence me. Of course, I am not afraid of what they might possible scheme against me. I just want the public to be aware of this evil and unjust exploitation.”

Attempts to reach Evangelist Kathy Oyakhilome, a board member of LoveWorld records as at the time of writing this report was not successful. text messages sent to her phone were also ignored.

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Extra Settle 3 months’ salary arrears of civil servants -- NLC to Bayelsa Govt

B

ayelsa Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the state government to pay the three months’ salary arrears to workers to improve their well-being.

State Governor, Seriake Dickson, had on January 2018, explained that the outstanding salary arrears were the balance of half salaries he paid during the recession in 2016.

NLC Chairman in the state, Mr John Ndiomu, however, said Tuesday in Yenagoa that workers were still being owed.

Ndiomu said that if these salary arrears were paid, they could go a long way in reducing the plight of workers as well as improving their well-being.

“Yes, we are being owed three months’ salary by the state government; we call their attention to the need to pay the arrears now that we have come out of the recession. We agreed that in the last two years, salary have been paid regularly, but the arrears are still our major concern, especially now that the economy is improving.

“There is need for the government to pay the three months’ arrears being owed to workers in the state since 2016,” the union leader said.

On the new minimum wage being considered by the Federal Government, Ndiomu said that the Congress supported the move, stressing that “I believe that the negotiations with tripartite committee will yield good fruit.”

“The on-going negotiations for the new minimum wage is on the right track; we urge the Federal Government to hasten action to implement the favourable outcome of the negotiations,” he said.

Army explains role in Rivers bye-election

T

he Nigerian Army has said that its personnel will be on standby to forestall possible violence in the Port Harcourt III state constituency bye-election slated for Aug. 18.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, who made this known in Monday, said soldiers will be stationed at strategic points and will not be involved in the election process unless called upon.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the bye-election to fill the House of Assembly vacated by Victor Ihunwo to become a local government council chairman.

“We are not directly involved in the election and no soldier is going to be deployed in any election duty. It is only the police and Department of State Security that has the constitutional responsibility to provide security in the election.

“However, we are always on alert whenever there is election.

We will only be on standby in case our service is needed.”

Iliyasu said that soldiers had been banned from going into polling centres and escorting polling materials to the centres.

Okorocha urges corps members to respect culture of hosts

I

mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has advised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state to respect the culture, values and traditions of their host communities for peace and development Okorocha gave the advice, Monday, at the official closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2018 Batch ‘B’ corps members deployed to state at the permanent orientation camp, Eziama Obaire, Nkwere Local Government area.

The governor was represented by the state Commissioner for Talent and Youth Development and Chairman NYSC Governing Board, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Onwueyiagba.

He described culture as inherent identity and acceptable norms of people of a given state or community which direct their ways of life.

He urged them to endeavour to stand up for the truth and support only those things that would

engender and promote peace and development in the state and nation.

Okorocha commended the corps members for keeping faith and living up to expectations all through the orientation programme and urged them to remain dutiful and committed to their service obligation.

He enjoined them to stay clear of undesirable elements in the society whose weapons were hate speech, ethnocentric utterances and bigotry geared toward drawing the nation back.

“Endeavour to stay at your duty post always and shun truancy and unnecessary journeys. I charge you to shun the get rich quick syndrome and other societal ills which lead youths into various criminal tendencies.

“Feel free to mix with people of the state without fear or hindrance. Identify their felt needs

and make concerted efforts in your host communities to solve these challenges, while at the same time respecting their culture and traditions,” he said.

Okorocha assured NYSC management that every effort would be made by his administration to provide the needed structures and facilities in the camp.

“The recent payment of transport allowance to passing out corps members and approval of the improvement of the general welfare of the corps members is a clear statement in that direction,” he said.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Sunday Aroni, had said that effective measures had been put in place for the safety of corps members as they engaged in their primary assignments.

He urged the 2,046 corps members to be security conscious, avoid night parties, unwarranted

journeys and going to places that might pose danger to them.

Aroni said there was the need for states and local governments to review their policy trust on welfare of corps members.

He said that the policy had been in place, but the challenge was its implementation.

“State governments should provide befitting camps and facilities for the comfort of corps members.

“Some state governments are trying, but there should be a system in place to make their ministries and organisations adhere to the policies regarding the welfare of corps members. They should ensure steady allowances to corps members posted to them to encourage them,” he said.

The NYSC state coordinator frowned at employers of labour who reject corps members or make life too difficult for them and urged them to desist.

He said that the corps members had been richly endowed within the few weeks of orientation to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the state and the nation in general.

Aroni thanked the state governor for his continued support to the scheme, especially the completion of the twin two storey hostel buildings for corps members.

C’River bye-election winner promises to uphold late husband’s ideal

W • Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel being honoured with the Award of Excellence for her meritorious service to the people of the state through her pet project FEYReP, at the Fourth Square Gospel Church, Uyo district as the church celebrated the grand finale of their 9th District Convocation 2018 with the theme: “Greater Harvest”.

Akpabio’s defection, unimportant -- Wike

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has described the recent defection of the former Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as unimportant.

This is also as the Rivers governor called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu for ‘overthrowing the Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States.’

In an interview with journalists on Thursday at the Government House Port Harcourt, Wike while commenting on the defection of Akpabio, Wike, Monday, said that ‘it is not an important issue because it has not affected the structure of the PDP.’ The governor who said he will further comment on the defection of Akpabio ‘at the appropriate time’ noted that the issue ‘has been brewing for two months.’

“Nigerians will be shocked at what transpired before Akpabio defected.

There is no need highlighting an issue of no consequence,” said Wike.

Similarly, Wike said the freezing of the accounts of the two states is more grievous than the invasion of the National Assembly by the sacked

Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), adding that the unconstitutional freezing of the accounts of the two states ‘is tantamount to the closure of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary of the two two states.’

“I am calling for the sack of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu for overthrowing a tier government. The mere fact that the two accounts have been re-opened does not mean that a crime was not committed.

“When you freeze the account of the State Government, you have overthrown that government. Without funds, a state cannot function.

This means the shutdown of government business at Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in the affected states”.

The governor said that the impunity of the EFCC can no longer be overlooked because it has the capacity to destroy democracy.

He said the condemnation of the EFCC illegality by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum is not enough, noting that the Governors Forum must stand up to defend the independence of states as the second tier of government.

Governor Wike also called for the prosecution of Ibrahim Magu, say-

ing if the Director General of DSS can be sacked for overthrowing just one arm of Federal Government, then Magu should be sacked.

He said: “The Chairman of that Agency overthrew the Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States. Remember that this country is a Federation consisting of federating Units.

As a federal system, we have three tiers of Government. These tiers of Government share the funds that accrue to the Federation monthly.

“It disheartens some of us to see the inconsistency of this government. This particular agency thrives on impunity. It disobeys court orders at will and on reckless anti-democratic actions. This impunity must stop”.

Governor Wike said when the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom was still in the APC, the State Government accounts were never frozen. He said the action was because he defected.

He also traced the freezing of Akwa Ibom State Government Accounts to defection of the former Senate Minority Leader.

The governor said that the ultimate target of the APC Federal Government was Rivers State where the EFCC has been using the EFCC to perpetrate illegality.

inner of the last Saturday bye-election into Obudu State Constituency, Cross River House of Assembly, Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen, has promised to uphold the ideals of her late husband, Mr Stephen Ukpukpen in the state Assembly.

Abbey, who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the promise, Tuesday in Calabar while addressing newsmen.

“The overwhelming support displayed by all those that turned out to vote was indeed a vote to honour the memory of my late husband,“ she said.

The winner enumerated ideals she said were close to her husband’s heart to include “simplicity, approachability, integrity and contentment.“ Ukpukpen, who described her victory as a mark of respect for her late husband by the constituents, thanked the electorate for their overwhelming support and show of solidarity.

“I will like to assure the Obudu people that this new mandate will not deviate from those ideals.

“I will reciprocate this gesture and will do my best to provide them the representation they deserve in the remaining months of the 8th Assembly.“ She also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the party in the state and other stakeholders, including, Gov. Ben Ayade, for making the victory possible.

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Extra Defection: Don’t declare my seat vacant -- Akpabio to senate

F

ormer Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio (APCAkwa Ibom) has warned that any move to declare his seat vacant in the Senate will prove abortive.

Akpabio who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said though he has not heard about it, if his seat must be declared vacant, the seats of those, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should also be declared vacant.

According to him, if the excuse of those calling for his seat to be declared vacant is that there is no rancour in PDP to warrant his defection, they should also know there is no rancour in APC. “Any defection from APC to PDP, we will like to declare those seats vacant. As you are looking at me, do I look perturbed? I have not heard the report. I think that is a rumour because at the moment, there is no division in the APC. The APC is one family.

“If you hear about R-APC that was not really a political party, that was not a division. It has since been consumed in what they call Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).

On the threat by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to get the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki impeached, Akpabio said he was not aware of that.

“I just came in from Ikot-Ekpene, where I decided with my people to join APC. I’m yet to be briefed on any of those items. I have not heard anything. Why don’t you wait for me to formally talk to you? I believe that when the National Assembly resumes, you will hear from me directly.

So, exercise patience’’, he said.

It would be recalled that Akpabio, while defecting from PDP to APC, also tendered his resignation as Minority Leader.

CBN grants N14.9bn loan to North-East Commodity Association

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted N14.9 billion loan to the North East Commodity Association (NECAS), on the platform of its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

National President, NECAS, Alhaji Sadiq Deware, who disclosed, Monday, in Abuja, that the loan is for a period of one year at a single digit of 9 per cent, said under the programme 27,000 farmers would benefit while 75,000 hectares of land would be cultivated in the four participating states.

“The beneficiaries were farmers were mainly affected by the insurgency in Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Deware explained that Borno state was not included as a result of the insecurity in the state.

He explained that out of the 27,000 farmers 10,000 out of them were from Gombe State, and attributed the development to their dedication and commitment in terms of farming activities.

“For example 11,525 farmers are cultivating 38,678 hectares of land for maize, sorghum, soya beans , rice and cotton, while the nearest to it Yobe state is cultivating 14,666 hectares of land by 5,676 farmers.

He said the programme would cover all the commodities that the North east have comparative advantage of producing which includes, rice, maize, millet, sorghum and even small ruminants amongst others.

Deware said that inputs would be given to farmers on loan basis and they were expected to pay back in

three phases.

“Starting with first payment of 40 per cent after the first farming cycle, then they would pay the remaining two cycles of 30 per cent making a total of 100 per cent.

“Before now, the size of each farm had been captured and an identity card was issued to each of the beneficiaries of the project for easy identification and documentation to enable them to access the required support,’’ he said.

Daware said that the project was a modified version of the ABP, which was aimed at strengthening efforts to attain bumper harvests and expressed the optimism that the new initiative would double the achievements of the ABP. He said that under the new initiative, the Central Bank of Ni-

Only judicial officers below 50yrs can be appointed judges – Delta CJ

• Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong with the Navy Hospital Commander, Surgeon Rear Admiral Abubakar Haruna Yusuf, when she paid a familiarization visit to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital recently in Calabar, recently

hief Judge of Delta, Marshal Umukoro, has announced that only judicial officers under 50 years of age are now eligible for appointment as judges in the state.

Umukoro announced this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the Office of the Chief Judge, Mr Agbaragu Timothy, on Tuesday in Asaba.

The chief judge said that the policy had become necessary to enhance the prospects of judges from the state for appointment into the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

He said that based on this policy, greater number of judges from the state would go to superior courts of records at the centre.

Umukoro cited as examples the elevation of Justice Ebiowei Tobi to the Court of Appeal and Justice P.O. Onajite-Kujuobola’s secondment to the Gambia judiciary as a function of their eligibility and vibrancy.

He explained that the new policy was is a paradigm shift from the old order which allowed elderly judicial officers with less prospects of making it to the apex court to be appointed judges.

The chief judge said that appointment of judges in the state was also subject to availability of fund.

He commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his unwavering support to the state judiciary in the discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

E

C

Elections: Be guided by national interest, Ugwuanyi urges NYSC members nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has advised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that would participate in the conduct of the 2019 general elections to be guided by national interest.

Ugwuanyi gave the advice on Monday in Enugu during the closing ceremony of 2018 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members deployed to the state.

The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Josef Udedi.

The governor said that the call became necessary following the increasing and critical roles of corps members in the electoral process.

“The 2019 general election is fast approaching and corps members, as usual, will play vital roles in making the exercise successful as electoral umpires.

“I urge you not to be partisan but to acquit yourselves creditably in order to contribute positively to the smooth electoral system in the nation,” he said.

The governor said that the actions of the corps members should be anchored on the objectives of the scheme among which he said was to promote unity among the diverse nationalities in the country.

“I, therefore, charge you to pur-

sue the realisation of this goal in practical terms by regarding your host communities as your homes by joining to uplift them.

“Your primary assignment will certainly be challenging as you will be posted to four key sectors of the state economy where your services will be mostly needed.”

Ugwuanyi said that residents of the state expected much from the corps members, adding, “I have no doubt that the training you received had prepared you adequately.

“It is my belief that your initial apprehension and prejudices have given way for better understanding of the diverse cultures and nationalities that make up this country. “ The governor, however, cautioned them against unnecessary journeys, adding that many lives had been lost in the process.

“You should, therefore, avoid embarking on frequent travels except when absolutely necessary.“ Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Chief Ahmed Ikaka, said that 2,488 corps members participated in the orientation programme.

Ikaka assured the corps members that their safety was guaranteed in the state, considering that the South-East in general was safe.

He said that the society was looking out for the corps members to provide model leadership in their host communities. ”I want to assure you that the people of Enugu State are hospitable.

“I, therefore, implore you to reciprocate this gesture by being committed to the improvement of your host communities.

“Remember that this is an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our dear country,“ he said.

The state coordinator said that the scheme was appreciative of genuine concerns the state government had shown in the upgrade of infrastructure in the NYSC orientation camp.

“We look forward to the governor’s response in fulfilling his promises of constructing the access road leading to the camp and to restore light to the orientation camp and adjoining communities. “ He also expressed optimism that the state government would soon redeem its promise of providing operational vehicle to the state secretariat of the NYSC. Ikaka commended all corporate organisations that contributed in the success of the orientation programme.

geria (CBN) had modified the programme to facilitate its direct relations with NECAS so as to ensure timely disbursement and full repayment of ABP loans, unlike what obtained in the past.

Deware disclosed that the association has re-absorbed some of the retired extension agents in the beneficiary states and re-trained them on modern technologies in enhancing their job performance.

“NECAS under the programme has commenced the recruitment of retired but willing to work extension workers in order to boost support for farmers and ensure proper sensitisation on new farming methods as well as advise on any problem faced by farmers.

He said that more than 128 extension agents were recruited for the programme in Adamawa state as it was in other states.

Dware said that for the successful implementation of the exercise the extension workers have been taught the working systems of modern technologies in service delivery and they are optimistic that the training would be beneficial to the farmers.

According to him, the efforts are geared toward encouraging increased agricultural production in line with the drive to diversify the economy.

He said this has become imperative because the role of agricultural extension agents in the development of agriculture throughout the world is very essential.

“It has remained one of the prime movers in the development of agriculture and invariably in the rural development.

“There specific objectives as agricultural extension officers were to provide advice to farmers on problems or opportunities in agricultural production, facilitate development of local skills and transfer new technologies to farmers and rural people,’’ he said.

Deware said they have also developed a suitable extension service that is gender specific and tailored to women farmers.

CVR: Okowa declares Thursday, Friday as public holidays

By VICTOR NZE

D

elta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has declared Thursday 16 and Friday 17 August, 2018, as public holidays to ensure public servants in the state participate fully in the ongoing continuous voters’ registration (CVR) exercise.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government Hon Festus Agas.

According to the statement, the declaration is informed by the fact that the ongoing voters registration exercise will terminate on Friday, 17th August, 2018.

It is expected that public officers who have not registered before now will take advantage of the work-free days to do so and ensure that they are not disenfranchised.

Similarly, officers that are yet to collect their permanent voters card should take advantage of the holidays to do so and conclude this important aspect of our political process.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS IPOB uncovers bodies of slain members in Abia

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

I

ndigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) says it has uncovered bodies of slain Biafrans in Obiawom village of Ogwe Autonomous Community in Asa Ukwa West council of Abia State allegedly killed during the Operation Python Dance carried by Nigerian soldiers in the South East last year.

IPOB in a statement issued, Tuesday, by Mr Emma Powerful, said that the pro Biafra group commends the intelligence unit over the horrific discovery of yet more dead bodies at Abia State adding that the find will once again drive home the horrors of Operation Python Dance and ‘why all those that participated in its instigation and execution such as Ohaneze Ndigbo, South East governors and selected Igbo elders and politicians must not go unpunished.’

If anything, this cold blooded execution and unceremonious dumping of dead bodies in the forest by Fulani soldiers in Obiawom village in Ukwa West under the control of Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu is ample justification for the recent decision of IPOB to disengage from any further talks with Ohaneze Ndigbo and South East governors until all issues surrounding the genocidal Operation Python Dance is cleared up.

“Had these number of murder victims been discovered in any Muslim country, region or part of the world, the International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations, Britain, USA and world media will be up in arms demanding explanation and holding the perpetrators accountable. Because these events are happening to Biafrans in Nigeria; where an Islamic government, along with her security operatives staffed by Fulani officers are aiding and protecting Hausa Fulani herdsmen and their kinsmen in the army from the consequences of the worst form of ethnically motivated genocide presently in Africa, the world remains deaf to the cries of IPOB. The site of these decomposed bodies should be designated as an international crime scene and promptly investigated.

“Should the United Nations, ICC, USA and European Union fail to act on this gruesome discovery of mass grave of Biafrans in Ukwa Ngwa Abia State, we would conclude that there exists a credible bias and conspiracy to exterminate and Islamise Biafra by the pro-Islamic international community.

“As we draw near to the anniversary of the murderous invasion of Afaraukwu on the 14th of September 2017, we once again call on Igbo governors, the global Christian community, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other reputable and relevant human rights organisations around the world, to prevail upon the International Criminal Court, the Nigeria Government and her security operatives to release the remaining dead bodies of Biafrans in their custody since last year. An international panel of enquiry must constituted as a matter of urgency to investigate the atrocities of this Buhari regime against innocent populations in Nigeria and Biafra in particular,” the statement read.

A’Ibom governor’s wife disbands women group From INI BILLIE, Uyo

W

ife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel has disbanded the Executive Committee of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District Women Forum.

According to Mrs Emmanuel, the dissolution of the women’s group was carried out for the purpose of restructuring the committee for better result.

Speaking through a press statement on Tuesday in Uyo, Mrs. Amayo

Umoh, Press Secretary to wife of the governor said, “Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel; wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State has dissolved the Executive Committee of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Women Forum with immediate effect.

“This dissolution is aimed at rejigging the Committee for optimal result. Her Excellency appreciates the contributions of the members of the dissolved Committee and wishes them well in their future endevours.

A new Executive committee will be inaugurated in due time, “ the state-

ment read.

It was gathered that Mrs Emmanuel arrived at the decision to dissolve the leadership of the women’s forum during a closed door meeting on Monday in the Government House.

Sources within the government house revealed that Mrs Emmanuel discovered that two top leaders of the group were making plans to join the wife of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Mrs Unoma Akpabio in the APC, leading to the disbandment.

“The women forum was set up

last year in the three senatorial districts to garner support for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re-election in 2019. And you are aware of the political gimmick that is going on now.

“It was discovered that two top leaders of the forum were planning to follow Akpabio to APC. This is not surprising as they had been loyal to Akpabio’s wife.

“So it became necessary for the wife of the governor to dissolve the executive committee and replace them with those she is sure are loyal to our party, the PDP”.

Benin Disco recruits 1, 400 to boost service delivery

B

• Stakeholders of the Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District at their enlarged meeting of Stakeholders which held, weekend, at Ibom Hall, Uyo, and convened by Chairman, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga; Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, Senator Representing Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo); Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Mr Okon Nsentip, the State Vice Chairman (Uyo Senatorial District) of PDP

Rice: Ayade flags-off 2018 WSID for CR-RIFAN

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commended the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, over his efforts in commercial agriculture and commodities supply, especially in the rice value chain in the state.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented by the Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, stated this during the flag-off of its Anchor Borrowers Programme for the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) 2018 Wet Season Input Distribution (WSID) in Cross River State, held recently at the Rice Seed and Seedlings Multiplication Factory, Ayade Industrial Park, Calabar.

“We are very pleased with the progress we have seen in Cross River State. The CBN is very glad to be in partnership with the State Government and RIFAN in making the programme a success,” Mr. Emefiele remarked.

Flagging-off the distribution, Mr. Emefiele stated that the Anchor Borrowers Programme will give Rice Farmers in the State loans of N250, 000 per hectare, as well as herbicides, insecticides, fertilizer, spraying machines and other agroallied products.

The CBN Governor, who expressed satisfaction with the responsiveness of the farmers and determination of the State Government in the rice value chain, wished the Cross River State Rice Farmers heavy harvest, adding that “the objective of Nigeria becoming a rice

sufficient production nation and an exporter of rice remain on course to be attained.” He also enjoined famers to comply with their loan returns to enable roll-over, emphasizing that “it is the only secret to accessing another loan.”

Stressing on the biometric data capturing, Mr. Emefiele maintained that “it is important to invest in ensuring that the identity system in the whole programme is well managed and devoid of circumvention by recipients.”

In his remarks, the State Governor, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Anthony Eneji, said the CBN-RIFAN project is in continuation of the rice revolution of the State, adding that Cross River has never had it so good in the history of farming in the State.

Senator Ayade stated that his administration’s effort in revolutionalizing the rice value chain is in line with federal government’s zero-crude oil policy and drive to cut down the 40 billion naira Nigeria spends annually on rice importation.

The Governor restated the State Government’s support to CR-RIFAN, noting that, with twelve thousand registered rice farmers, the vision of getting 100, 000 rice farmers in the near future has become imminent.

The Governor charged rice farmers to make judicious use of the inputs from the CBN and hoped that a bumper harvest awaits them in the farming season.

Speaking in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Cross River State Rice Farmers Association (CRRIFAN), Chief John Ntaji, thanked Governor Ben Ayade for the giant strides recorded in the agriculture sector, adding that loans received will assist farmers to transit from peasantry into commercial agriculture.

Chief Ntaji stated that with improved variety of seeds and seedlings from the Rice City and soil preparation equipment, rice production in the State will take another dimension in the near future.

In a vote of thanks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations, Mr. Emmanuel Anoh, thanked Governor Ayade for engendering sustainable agricultural development and the realization of his dream of ensuring food sufficiency for all Cross Riverians.

Mr. Anoh commended the State Government’s partnership with CBN in ensuring that rice farmers in the State are given the needed support to delve into commercial agriculture, adding that in no distant time, Cross River would become a major exporter of rice.

The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of Unity Bank (the Coordinating Financial Partner) and National Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC), with notable attendance from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong and other government officials.

enin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has recruited no fewer than 1,400 personnel in the past four years to boost its workforce for better service delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Managing Director of the utility company, Mrs Funke Osibodu, disclosed this at a media parley in Benin on Monday.

Osibodu said that within the same period, the BEDC invested heavily in manpower development, training over 5,700 of its workforce in its operational states of Ondo, Ekiti, Delta and Edo. She further said that management had put in place structures, processes and infrastructure to lay the required foundation to run an efficient organisation.

Besides investment in human capacity development, the BEDC has upgraded as well as expanded its network in addition to metering, to enhance its service delivery, she said.

“We are pleased to say that based on the recent publication by the National Bureau of Statistics, BEDC is adjudged to have the highest number of meters among all Discos.

“We will continue to be relentless in metering our customers in Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo states,” she said.

On the issue of power supply, the BEDC boss noted that there has been great improvement, as some areas now enjoy 24-hour power supply.

“In Edo State, power availability has improved. Those that enjoyed two hours in 2013 now have between six and 10 hours power supply daily.

“In the same vein, there is 18-24 hours power for commercial outlets including 23 hotels and government establishments, as well as 10 street lights in some parts of Benin City.

“The same thing is also applicable in other states where we operate.”

Osibodu noted that with the improvements and initiatives expected in the later part of the year, customers would have a good story to tell about the BEDC.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

News

Nigerians celebrate Odili at 70

By VICTOR NZE

P

ROMINENt Nigerians, Tuesday, gathered in Port Harcourt to celebrate former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili as the former Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned 70.

Those who graced the public lecture lined up to celebrate Odili include: Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion; former Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former President Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi and former Akwa Ibom Military Governor, Colonel Yakubu Bako (retired) were joined by former ministers, serving senators, National Assembly members, traditional rulers, professionals and renowned jurists turned up to pay glowing tributes to an outstanding political leader.

Also, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,

Rivers State Executive Council, State Judiciary and Legislature, as well as the Afenifere chieftain, Mr Yinka Odumakin, were among dignitaries who celebrated Odili.

In the public lecture organised in honour of the Former Rivers State Governor by the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Wike, Nigerian leaders hailed Dr Odili for investing his intellect and resources in building the country.

In lecture titled: “Sir Dr Peter Odili: Defender of the Faith, Defender of the Fatherland”, former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), said Odili is an ornament of Rivers State.

“Formerly, he belonged to Rivers State. He has ceased to be the property of Rivers State. He is now the property of Nigeria and the world,” said Agabi.

Agabi said that Odili is an outstanding humanist, who is courageous and committed to the growth of the country.

He said: “Whatever he has done is for the benefit of mankind. Whatever he has refrained

from doing, it is in the interest of society “.

Agabi added that Odili used power to advance public good, noting that he never deserted his friends whilst in office. He noted that the array of guests celebrating him is a proof of his loyalty to them.

He called for the unity of the country where all Nigerians can work anywhere, irrespective of their state of origin. Agabi called for the setting up of a National Integration Centre to build a united country.

Agabi praised Justice Mary Odili for providing the right sup-

port for the Former Rivers State Governor to do exploits and be a blessing to all generations.

In an epilogue, Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin said that at 70, Dr Odili and other men of goodwill should stand and work for revival of the country.

He said: “Except all men of goodwill should stand up to be counted. We may witness a major cataclysm in this country. “ Odumakin said the country has lost track and will descend into full blown dictatorship and anarchy, unless Nigerians check the slide.

Celebrant and Former Rivers

State Governor, Dr Peter Odili thanked God for his mercies and enabling him with the capacity to transform the society.

He commended Governor Wike for organising the programme to celebrate his 70th Birthday. He pledged to continue working for the advancement of humanity Odili stated that the Rivers State Governor is committed nationalist whose message is critical to the development of the nation.

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said that Odili is an indisputable political political leader of Rivers State.

Chairman of the occasion, Former President Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdulahi said Odili has created a place for himself in the history of Nigeria.

We want new constitution or no 2019 election – Igbo leaders

From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

L

EADERS of Ndigbo under the umbrella of Igbo Leaders of Though (ILT) have risen from a three-day retreat in Enugu to declare its opposition to the forthcoming 2019 general election that is anchored on the 1999 constitution.

The group which is a conglomeration of major Igbo organisations in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, in a communiqué it released at the end of the Enugu parley, however demanded for a fresh, acceptable constitution that would address key national questions and which would be backed by law and approved by Nigerians through a referendum.

According renowned Igbo leader and top signatory to the communiqué, Professor Ben Nwabueze, the demand for a new constitution before election became imperative owing to general rejection of the 1999 constitution by Nigerians, because it is faulty and drawn through nondemocratic process.

He further noted that the flawed nature of the 1999 constitution was the reason for high level of anomalies that have followed successive elections in Nigeria, adding that it was also the reason for persistent massive political corruption in the country, which he said, included nepotism, political appointments on the basis of religious faith; protection of loyalists who were obviously corrupt; and disbursement of public funds without budgeting, among others.

Assessing the war against corruption, the major thrust of the President Muhammed Buhari administration, the group noted that it had observed that the present administration was running a selective prosecution agenda, adding that the programme had been brazenly targeted at political opponents.

“The police, EFCC and other security agencies appear to be serving as political thugs to govern-

ment. This is unacceptable and government should call them to order. Flagrant disobedience to the ruling of courts is not acceptable in a democracy,” the group said.

While regretting that nothing had been done to the issue of the national question since ILT had called the attention of the federal government to it, at its Awka plenary meeting on August 27, the leaders again demanded for “immediate setting up of a Constituent Assembly to prepare a new constitution before 2019 elections,” adding that it was a step towards solving the said national question.

ILT also called for de-proscription of the Indigenous people of Biafra, (IPOB), pointing out that it was bewildering that rather than proscribe the Boko Haram and killer-herdsmen that, allegedly, carry dangerous arms about, wasting hundreds of innocent lives on daily basis, according to the group, government chose to slam the outlaw order on IPOB which does not bear arms.

•Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (r) paying homage to former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili who celebrated his 70th birthday in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, flanked by celebrant’s wife, Justice Mary Odili (l); and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike.

Bishop Udeh decries looming bloodbath in Aso Rock Villa

By IBE NWACHUKWU

G

ENERAL Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministry Inc.( a.k.a. By Fire By Fire), Nnewi, Anambra state, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh; Bishop Udeh has decried what he termed looming bloodbath in the country, going by what transpired in his vision where he said he heard gun shots in Aso Rock Villa..

Electricity workers threaten shutdown of power

E

LECTRICITY Workers Nationwide on Tuesday in Abuja threatened to shut down power, unless the Federal Government immediately sack the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN), Managing Director, Usman Mohammed.

The workers, under the auspices of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), are accusing Mohammed of high handedness and anti-labour practices.

The union threatened that it would ground the entire power structure in the country, if government refused to heed its advice to relief the managing director of his appointment.

The workers’ threat followed the alleged administrative irregularities and high handedness of the Mohammed-led management.

It is recalled that TCN emerged from the defunct National Electric

Power Authority (NEPA), following the merger of the Transmission and Operations sectors on April 1, 2004.

TCN represents one of the 18 unbundled business units under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and was issued a transmission license on July, 1, 2006.

The development prompted workers of the organisation to picket the TCN premise where they disrupted vehicular and commercial activities for several hours.

The workers, who spoke through Umar Abubakar, SSAEAC’s General Secretary, accused Mohammed of allegedly flouting most of the administrative procedures, which they claimed were inimical to their welfare.

According to them, the MD allegedly single handedly conducted examinations for staff due for promotion without recourse to input from other management staff.

He expressed the fear that with the way things are going, there is every likelihood that war might break out if urgent steps are not taken to ameliorate the ongoing political tension in the country.

Bishop Udeh who spoke to newsmen in Nnewi, disclosed that in a vision, he heard gun shots in Aso Rock Villa immediately after President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Nigeria from his London vacation, adding that the gun shots being fired by Buhari’s subordinates, were targeted at his political opponents.

According to Udeh, “I saw it coming that people would come out enmasse with their PVCs to vote and that the votes would not count. All the law enforcement agencies would be used by the APC to intimidate their opposition for it to win the 2019 presidential election.

According to him, “Buhari has imported idols which he will use to rig the elections. The idols are the Fulani herdsmen, EFCC, DSS, INEC and the Judiciary. His government is already militarized in such a way that it can no longer be called democracy. We have all seen how he is rumpling the legislative arm of government in an undemocratic form suggestive of a dictator who has no iotas regard for the rule of law”.

Like I said earlier, I saw Bu-

hari in the spirit realm standing on air and commanding all the Herdsmen to take over the whole land of this nation, every tribe and all nooks and crannies.

I remember identifying APC as a Jihadists party and I had warned Christians to come out from APC as a Jihadists party but they would nort listen to me. Imagine a whole Senate President being accused of aiding the Offa robbery, Dino Melaye accused of gun running and Enyinnaya Abaribe accused of ammunition supplier/IPOB membership, while Fulani Judge is handling the IPOB cases and giving verdict and labeling IPOB terrorists as they liked, even after the military invaded Nnamdi Kanu’s father’s palace at Afaraukkwu, Umuahia.

Bishop Udeh said the ideal government he expected to reign in Nigeria was a situation where every army division would be controlled by the State Governor known to be the chief security officer of his State, adding that it is only when the the State take control of the police, that security lapses in Nigeria could be checked, adding, “it is like we are living in Fulani empire and I had earlier called for his impeachment but the national assembly does not seem to heed to my clarion call, hence they are now preserving what will kill them”.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

Crime

Customs ‘FOU’ Zone A intercepts elephant tusk, pangolin scales worth over N253m Stories by XAVIER NDAH

T

he Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit,FOU, zone A are on the trail of some suspected smugglers alleged to be dealing on some animals categorised as endangered species.

This came following the seizure and evacuation of 21 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,031kg and four pieces of elephant tusk weighing 29.35kg from a shop located in Tejuosho market in Victoria Island following information received by the Warehouse Operations team led by Assistant Controller of Customs, AC, Mutalib Sule.

Sources at the service said the occupants of the shop fled when they got wind that they were being sought after.

Controller Federal Operations unit, zone A, Ikeja Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Uba who has just been redeployed to Seme Area Command as the new CAC told The Oracle Today that the dealers are still at large but investigation is already ongoing towards getting the culprit arrested and prosecuted.

According to him, the seized endangered species have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two Hundred and Fifty Three Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand, Fifty Six Naira, Seven Kobo.

‘You will recall that the Minister of State for Environment, Mallam Usman Jibril accompanied by the

•Some of the ceased vehicle

Cities Delegates from UN visited the Unit, inspected the previous seizure of such endangered species this year and even commended us for a job well done. The trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited, hence the need for us all to fight against such illegality so that such endangered species do not go into extinction ‘he explained.

“It is my desire to inform you that after our reinvigorated effort in anti-smuggling drive in South West Zone, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit between July 25th to August 7th

Police arrest man who robbed, rape Facebook lover A suspected notorious robber has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping and robing a lady he met on Facebook.

It was gathered that the love romance between them started in the month of July, 2018, where the suspect Richard Samuel Gbenga met the lady (names withheld) on Facebook unknown to her that the supposed lover had another intention.

The duo we gathered had interacted a couple of times, getting to know each other and on August 4, 2018, the said Richard Samuel Gbenga invited the young woman for a dinner and she accepted and also directed him at where they would meet before taking off for the dinner.

The suspect we gathered had arrived at the agreed take off point in a Toyota Camry saloon car registra-

2018 intercepted various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of Two Billion, Fifty Five Million, Three Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Four Kobo in two weeks “Notably among the seizures was the interception of one MAN Diesel Truck with registration number XB 286 BEN along Afromedia Estate by Egbeda Junction beside Alaba International carrying 2,748 cartons of DSP Codeine Cough Syrup 100mg (100 per carton) and 95 cartons of Chaka pain Xtra based on the information. This is the sec-

ond time in a row the unit is intercepting this substance since the Federal Government banned the importation of cough syrup that contains codeine.

“The substance is valued at One Billion, One Hundred and SeventyFive Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira only. The driver of the truck on sighting our officers abandoned the truck and fled. Also, 49 cartons of tramadol capsules

Four IRT policemen killed

tion number JJJ 406 DL driven by one Ayo Salau, a member of his robbery gang.

On their way to Lekki, Police source said they pulled over at a lonely spot, armed with cutlasses, they ordered her to take off clothes or be killed and they took turns to rape her after which they robbed her of her wristwatch and all the money in her possession.

Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command , Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Chike Oti said “ the moment the hoodlums left, the victim raised the alarm and gave description of their car. Police operatives attached to Maroko Division were alerted and immediately they laid ambush for the fleeing criminals.

“As soon as the police operatives stopped their vehicle, the criminals took to their heels. The officers chased them and arrested Ayo Salau while his partner in crime, Richard Samuel Gbenga escaped.

“The suspect had since been identified by the victim and he confessed to have committed the crime. He added that his fleeing partner recruited him for the job” Oti revealed.

According to Oti, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi has cautioned the youths especially young women to •The killed policemen beware of people who may use the our operatives of the IGP In- pers in Kaduna state. social media to take advantage of telligence Response Team IRT Police sources close to the IRT them. He assures that the long arm have been killed in the line of team said the men were felled of the law will surely catch up with duty by some suspected kidnap- following the Kidnapping of one the fleeing suspect.

F

•Oti

•The Indian hemp concealed in a heap of vegetables

100mg were evacuated from a warehouse in Ajao Estate based on the information. The drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation” the controller revealed.

“Also within the weeks under review,the unit intercepted one Ford Transit Bus with Engine no.

XL32452L along Olorunda axis of Ogun State based conveying 39 sacks and 1,220 parcels of Cannabis Sativa popularly known as Indian Hemp weighing 1, 610 kg concealed with baskets of Fresh Tomatoes, pepper and vegetables.

“In the spirit of interagency relationship, the seized substance will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation. Other seized items include: 17 units of exotic vehicles, 1,380 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1, 126 pieces of used shoes, and 140 jerrycan of vegetable oil. “ Among the detained vehicles are seven Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps (2015-2018), four Toyota Hiace Bus (2017), two Toyota Coaster Bus (2017), and 4 Toyota Camry (2014). These 17 Exotic Vehicles have a duty paid value of N384,291,251.94 only. While four of the vehicles were intercepted along Ijebu Ode Expressway, 13 were evacuated from House Plot 1,Akintailor Close, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, based on credible information. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with these 25 seizures” he explained.

Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna State on August 2.

It was gathered that two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested after a huge ransom was paid and they led the team to a remote settlement inside Rigasa Forrest kaduna State where the victim was kept.

Our source said the operatives after a successful operation where the victim was released and was being taken out from the bush with the arrested kidnappers, other gang-members who were hiding inside the bush we gathered had ambushed the IRT team and opened fire which resulted in the death of four IRT Operatives.

The killed suspects according to the Commander of the IRT Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari said were Inspector Benard Odibo with force number AP/No. 148333 Inspector, Mamman Abubakar number AP/No. 181539 Inspector Haruna Ibrahim number AP/No. 192938 and Sergent Emmanuel Istifanus number F/No. 267815.

Kyari said bodies of the deceased Operatives have been deposited at Saint Gerald Hospital Mortuary Kaduna State for Autopsy stating that the perpetrators will be fished out as efforts are in progress to get the killers to face Justice.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

News

2019: Okowa, Makarfi make case for acceptable presidential candidate

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

ELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi have called on the party to ensure that the best candidate emerges as flagbearer ahead the Presidential poll in 2019.

The duo spoke, Monday, when Senator Makarfi met with PDP delegates for the forthcoming national convention of the party in Asaba.

According to Governor Okowa,

“going into 2019, it is only God that can decide the best for us as a country, and as a party, the best we can do, is to ensure a free and fair primaries at the national convention.”

“There is no doubt that listening to Senator Ahmed Makarfi he understands the problems of this country, he has a lot of exposure and he is a very honest man,” the governor said.

He continued, “as you (Alhaji Makarfi) continue to reach out to Nigerians, travelling by road will expose you more to a lot and we hope you continue to do your best as you take your campaign

to every part of Nigeria. As a State Governor, I will continue to stay as neutral as I can,” the governor stated.

Makarfi had listed his achievements and sacrifices for the PDP disclosing: “I am not an opportunist; in 2007, I was basically the presumed candidate to take over from President Olusegun Obasanjo but, for some reasons, the person who was behind me in the ballot was selected. We have never been given a task that we

did not perform and we remain focused and never distracted.

“PDP must present a credible candidate that all class of people will feel comfortable with, associate with and come out to cast their votes for and protect the vote, if we act correctly, the people will be with us and the finances will be enough to give the party victory, but, if we present a wrong candidate, no amount of money will give us victory,” he said.

He disclosed that when elected as President, he will restructure the country in the interest of every Nigerian and this will include “institutional restructuring to make our institutions accountable to the people.”

Makarfi also called for the decentralization of power distribution and generation for equity’s sake and urged the Federal Government to stop all sorts of killings and clashes going on in the country.

Freezing of A/Ibom, Benue Govts’ accounts, worst coup in Nigeria – Wike

R

IVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the freezing of the accounts of Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States by the APC Federal Government through the EFCC is the worst coup since the return to democracy.

He stated that there is no worse form of impunity than attempting to cripple a tier of government simply because the APC Federal Government plans to attain unconstitutional political mileage.

Speaking on national issues at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said that the ultimate target of the APC Federal Government is Rivers State, where they have already detailed the EFCC to carry out very unconstitutional activities.

He said: “There is no worse impunity than for the EFCC to shut down a tier of government through the freezing of the accounts of two State Governments.

“An agency of federal government has frozen the accounts of Akwa Ibom and Benue State Governments. This is the worst coup against the constitution and the law-abiding people of those states.

“But the target is not Benue or Akwa Ibom States. The real target is Rivers State. The EFCC as a federal agency has no business with State Funds. That is the responsibility of the State House of Assembly “.

He said that Rivers State Government under Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili obtained got a court judgment that the EFCC has no constitutional power to investigate state funds, pointing out that the EFCC is yet to vacate that order at a superior court.

Governor Wike noted that the APC Federal Government has continued to use the EFCC for illegal actions in Rivers State, despite the Attorney General of Rivers State writing to the EFCC and attaching the said judgement against the Federal Agency.

•Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) presenting a mosquito net to one of the beneficiaries, Governor Wike said that he is during the Grand Finale of the 05 free Medical Outreach held in collaboration with the Restore Sight Africa not moved by the sack of Former Initiative, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.

Director General of DSS, noting that it was a function of internal politics.

“If you are sacking Lawan Daura for coup at the National Assembly, what will you do with a From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Oshimili South local government dedication to serving humanity has man who overthrew two state Asaba area. shown that she will do a lot as civil According to the governor, “we servant and as such, from today, I governments through two sepaHOUSANDS of Deltans on will work with the people to devel- give her automatic employment in rate coups?” he asked.

Monday participated in the op the state, continue to pray for Delta State.”

Governor Wike added that the free eye treatment organ- us, prosperity is for all Deltans, as The founder of 05 Initiative, Dame APC Federal Government has enthroned a culture of impunity ised by 05 Initiative free Medical a government we are not to share Edith Okowa, had in an address, using all security agencies to de- Outreach in Asaba with Governor money but, to develop our state, thanked Governor Okowa for being Ifeanyi Okowa assuring that his execute projects and programmes supportive which has made her to stroy democracy.

He said: “The sack of the DG administration will continue to de- that will empower the people and carry out humanitarian activities to the benefits of humanity. of DSS is mere internal politics. liver on programmes that will em- make them happy.”

Governor Okowa observed that power the people and make them She assured Deltans that the acIf not, even the Inspector Gen- happy. the 05 Initiative, a pet project of tivities of 05 Initiative will continue eral of Police has done worse.

The 05 Free Medical Outreach in his wife, Dame Edith Okowa has to impact on the people and comThe Inspector General of Police collaboration with Restore Sight touched a lot of lives within these mended her partners and sponsors invaded the Benue State House Africa Initiative and the Delta few years, observing that it was of her programmes, urging them of Assembly. He also invaded the State Government commenced gladdening to note that more than not to relax as a lot is still needed Rivers State High Court Complex. free medical treatment for Deltans 2, 000 eye surgeries have been to be done.

No action has been taken against three months ago and capped their successfully done through the Dr Ernest Ukpedor of Restore the Inspector General of Police.” activities with a grand finale at the free eye care programme while 12 Sight Initiatives commended Dame

Okowa reiterates pledge on people-oriented programmes

T

Delta Gov calls for steady efforts to check housing deficit From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba finance banks to develop the housing sector in Delta State”.

ELTA State Governor, Senator While observing that a lot of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called progress has been recorded by his for steady efforts towards ad- administration in creating the enadressing the housing deficiency in bling environment for housing development, Governor Okowa emthe country.

The governor made the call at the phasised that mortgage institutions unveiling of Governance Villa Hous- have a lot of roles to play in encouring Estate, Ibusa, Oshimili North lo- aging civil servants in particular to own their houses. cal government area of the state.

According to him, “there is a lot of He used the occasion to urge prigap in the nation’s housing sector vate property developers to work and the more we provide afford- with relevant government minable houses for the civil servants istries in designing their building and all Nigerians, the better for our plans to avoid going against the nation.” laws of the country, noting that it “With steady efforts, with deter- will be wrong for buildings to be mination, for every house that is erected under high tension powerbuilt, we are reducing the housing lines. gap in our nation,” the governor The governor who attended the emphasised, adding that his ad- ceremony accompanied by top ministration will continue to work government functionaries, comwith the private sector, mortgage mended management of Juniuc

D

Nigeria Limited for contributing to the housing development of the country.

Chief Executive Officer of Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited, Mrs Rubby Okoro had in an address, thanked Governor Okowa’s administration for providing the enabling environment for private sector to thrive in the state and urged Deltans to utilise the services rendered by the mortgage bank to own their houses.

The CEO of Juniuc Nigeria Limited, Mr Godwin Nonyalim in an address, said, “my huge debt of gratitude goes to our amiable Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for actualizing the need for housing under the SMART agenda; by this, he endorsed the creation of housing for all and as well as creating enabling environment for young and upcoming developers like me.”

Sickle Cell Centres have been built at different locations in the state.

While commending donors and those who have partnered with the 05 Initiative which has led to its success stories, Governor Okowa emphasized: “I appreciate the team of 05 Initiative for what they are doing, I commend those who have helped in the sponsorship of the programmes because in all her programmes, the state government has not spent one kobo.”

“It is good to note that what they are doing is for the poor in the society bearing in mind that what we do for the poor is what touches the heart of God, if we can find a way to help our neighbours, through our actions, we can change the world; I want to appreciate Restore Sight Initiative for their wonderful partnership which has led to a lot of people regaining their sights in the last three months,” the governor said, adding, “I have heard stories about the volunteering efforts of Dr Onoriode Umolu in the activities of the 05 Initiative despite the fact that she is not employed, her

Okowa for providing the platform to reach out to those with eye challenges in the society, disclosing that within the period, more than 23,000 persons with eye challenges have been treated, with over 2,000 surgeries successfully carried out.

He also, stated that more than 13,000 eye glasses and more than 8, 000 eye drops were freely given out to those treated.

Chairman of Oshimili South local government area, Hon. Uche Osadebe had in an address, stated that, “official health statistics in Nigeria indicates that malaria account for more than 70 per cent of out-patients population in hospitals across the country while sight challenges are now known to be prevalent in the country and as a result of which, many of our people suffer either severe sight impairment or even outright blindness most often due to ignorance, poverty and lack of access to affordable and reliable health facilities and services.”

He commended the Governor Okowa for his developmental pro-

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS Continued from Pg2 jority Senate. But if he fails to resign honourably, we will impeach him. The PDP’s propaganda and threat of violence cannot save him,” the statement concluded.

Oshiohmole was more elaborate in his reasons for getting Saraki out.

“Whatever is the reason, we can defect from the party but we can’t defect from Nigeria. The only thing is that there are other consequential issues that every man or woman of honour who had taken such decisions would be expected to follow through.

“I mean you should not collect a crown that belongs to a family and wear it on behalf of the family if for your personal reasons which he has enumerated that he has gone to another family. It is just a matter of honour to leave the crown in the house that the crown belongs to.

As it stands even now, the APC is still the largest party in the Senate.

We have 53 senators, that is much more than what the PDP has, or APGA has,” Oshiomhole said.

Saraki replies Oshiomhole Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki’s media aide responded to Oshiomhole: 1. It is rather surprising that Mr. Adams Oshiomhole is behaving like a rain-beaten chicken, crying all over the place about Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as if the Senate President is the apparition haunting his life and the sinking ship that he captains.

2. Having decided not to join the pigs in rolling in the dirt, we would not like to be involved in any mean-

Will 2019 elections hold? ingless exchange with the demagogue now in charge of APC. However, because he claimed that he was reacting to the issues raised by the Senate President during his World Press Conference, we thought it necessary to give the APC chairman some attention.

Alas, we found that instead of addressing any issue raised by the Senate President, his press conference merely showcased his obsession and those of his sponsors with Saraki’s removal, which he did without any decorum befitting of his age or his awarded office.

He brimmed with hate, hurled abuses, threw tantrums, told lies, huffed, puffed. In the end, he said nothing.

3. It is indeed amazing that the same Oshiomhole, who is now describing Saraki as a politician of no consequence was the same one who only a few months ago was crawling all over the place pleading for Saraki’s support to become chairman. We are sure that those who took him to Saraki several times to plead his case must now be thoroughly embarrassed by his reckless and uncouth manner.

4. By his conduct and utterances, Oshiomhole, who accused Saraki of not acting in national interest needs to do more to convince Nigerians that his desperate desire to become party chairman is not simply to feed his over-size ego.

5. The position of Oshiomhole and his cohorts in the APC that the Senate President must resign is a mere wishful thinking. They will continue to dream about their planned removal of the Senate President. They will need 73 Senators to lawfully remove Dr. Saraki and they will never get that in the present 8th Senate.

6. The argument of APC that the Senate President must come from a majority party; that the Senate Presidency is their crown and National Assembly is their palace is only supported by ignorance and dangerous delusion. First, the issue of which party is in the majority will only be resolved when the Senate resumes. Two, Section 50 (1) (a) of the constitution is clear that any Senator can be elected as Senate President. If the only thing left of the APC change agenda is to change the Senate President, we can only wish them good luck.

7. Perhaps, Mr. Oshiomhole needs to be better educated about our parliamentary history when he stated, “For the first time in parliamentary history in Nigeria, we had a situation where the APC had majority of Senators and went on to elect a PDP as Deputy Senate President”. Where was Mr. Oshiomhole when Senator John Wash Pam of the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) became Deputy Senate President in the

Second Republic even when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had the majority? The same thing happened in the House of Representatives when NPP’s Rt. Hon. Edwin Umezeoke was elected Speaker in an NPN-majority House. But then, it would require a level of education to understand these things.

8. What hypocrisy! To think that this same APC were jubilating when Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal retained his position after he defected from the PDP and still retained his seat, even when his new party was in the minority. These are people whose standards of morality are infinitely elastic.

9. We are sure the remaining APC Senators need to do a lot of work to bring Oshiomhole up to speed about parliamentary practice. His ignorance is too clear in his comments about how the Senate was adjourned on July 24, 2018, the distribution of committee chairmanship in the Senate and the difference between the post of Senate President and Minority Leader.

10. He has made so much song and dance about Mr. Godswill Akpabio resigning as Senate Minority Leader when he left the PDP to join APC. For this, Akpabio has become his hero and a symbol of honour.

He obviously does not understand that the post of Minority Leader is a strictly party affair. And the PDP simply decided whom to give it

Flood: Anambra Govt. to begin sensitisation to prevent disaster nambra Government says it A will begin sensitisation campaign to prevent disaster along

the flood prone areas of the state on Tuesday.

The Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha on Monday.

It would be recalled that on May 11, the Nigeria Hydrological Agency (NHSA) released the 2018 flood outlook which projected Anambra and seven other states to have high risks of flooding.

It also indicated that some states may experience coastal flooding with further indication that flash and urban floods were expected in Awka, Onitsha and Lokoja among other major cities.

Odenigbo said the four-day sensitisation tour, which would cover eight local government areas was to prepare the people in the area for emergency evacuation.

The SEMA boss reiterated the need for residents of flood prone communities to be vigilant and ready to relocate promptly to emergency shelters located in the headquarters of their council areas.

“In the event of overwhelming water upsurge in their rivers or streams, they would be told what to do to prevent loss of lives,” he said.

He said the agency would visit Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North and Ihiala Local Council Areas.

Odenigbo assured that arrangements had been made by the state government to give succour to likely victims of the impending flood disaster.

Bakana mishap: Eye witnesses’ accounts Continued from Pg7

was then I said to myself, this is an accident.”

“I began moving my hands and legs in an attempt to get away from under the boat. I succeeded. My head came up and I saw the boat we had entered and held on to a rope. I also saw about five boats racing towards us.”

She recalled: “The man on the boat then told me not to leave the rope that I was holding. He then lifted me unto the boat that he came with. Before then, someone was holding my leg under the water and I kept saying: Jesus....

Jesus.. Please save me. Don’t let

me drown.”

“The man in the boat now told me that he was going to leave me on the boat and I pleaded with him not to. I told me someone was still inside the water and the person has been holding my leg. He said, ok. He will go into the water and try to rescue the person. I didn’t see him come our with the person.”

Odelusi lamented: “We were 24 passengers in the boat, plus the driver, 25. When I was brought onshore, I saw about 15 people. We were not more than 15. So, where are the rest people? I am worried.”

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Nnamdi Omoni, insisted that

only one person died who is Joe Blankson and has since been buried.

But the boat drivers in a stakeholders meeting with the chairman of Degema council insisted that there was only one casualty whose body had been recovered and buried. They, however, challenged anyone with conflicting and verifiable figures to present them for public scrutiny.

The boat drivers further maintained that all survivors have been re-united with their families. So far, no one has seen any other body floating in the waterways, a week after the sad accident occurred.

to, as it is not even a position that was mentioned in the constitution whereas the Senate President is a constitutional creation, which requires majority votes of all the members (to be elected or impeached). Again, we don’t expect people whose only experience in politics is at the provincial levels to understand this. No wonder they are talking of crowns and inheritance.

11. The fair distribution of committee chairmanships is one of the stabilizing factors in the 8th Senate and has helped it in achieving more than all its predecessors.

12. We need to inform this divisive element who now leads APC that if he wants to know why the 2018 budget was delayed, he should ask the heads of the MDAs. We reckon that that should be easy for him since he is now their ‘headmaster’, moving around with canes to whip ministers into line.

13. Oshiomhole once again demonstrated his lack of sense of history by talking of Buhari winning more votes in Kwara than Saraki. We are sure President Buhari himself will disagree with the APC chairman. We invite the APC chairman to look at the figures of votes secured by the President in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 to know that the difference is clear, like a commercial advert stated.

14. We hereby assure this garrulous, tactless and reckless APC chairman that a million Adams Oshiomhole cannot remove Saraki as Senate President. His illegal plots can only feed his insatiable ego and keep him awake at nights. But it will remain an exercise in futility.

PDP plans to attack our Senators – APC Mr. Nabena called on security agents to protect APC Senators.

“If any Senator is harmed, the PDP and Saraki should be held directly responsible. We call on security agencies to also closely monitor the activities of some PDP leaders including Saraki because the plan to attack APC Senators is real and imminent.”

The party alleged that the plot was hatched in the private residence of a PDP leader in Maitama-Abuja on Sunday night.

According to him, 15 pro-Saraki Senators including the Senate President himself attended the meeting.

New fights in parties Defections are causing their own fights within the parties.

Some “returnees” as they are called, in some cases, have been assigned responsibilities above those “who built the party”, a party member told The Oracle Today, using Senator Godswill Akpabio, in Akwa Ibom, as an example. “Most of those he has been asked to lead left PDP for him. Now he is in APC and is their leaders.” The challenges from these fights could hurt the parties.

Small parties could benefit The scenario that is playing out is that “independent candidacy” by default would be seen in the 2019 elections. Individual candidates who have standing in their constituencies could win, not minding the parties they use as platform.

The nation may witness more diverse legislatures.

As the parties fight for control of the political space, INEC’s announcement of the dates for aligning with parties for the elections would heighten political activities.

“The real reasons why the National Assembly would not reconvene now is that members have to fight to retain their seats in 2019.

They are in the field. They are fighting for the individual survival,” one former legislator said.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

SPORTS

My earnest prayer for Amuneke – Obuh .Says “his success will open doors for us” Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

OLLOWING the appointment of former national team winger and 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winning coach, Emmanuel Amuneke as Tanzania national team head coach, former national Under-20 coach, John Sam Obuh has disclosed that his earnest prayer for the Imo State born sweat merchant is to be successful in his assignment which he says will impact positively on Nigerian coaches.

It is recalled that just about two weeks ago, the former Super Eagles’ and FC Barcelona pacy winger was announced by the Tanzania Football Federation as the new coach of Terfa of Tanzania just days after finishing his assignment as one of the technical review team of the 2018 FIFA World Cup which held in Russia.

According to Obuh, he is highly delighted that Amuneke was considered for the plump job of the head coach of the Tanzania national team.

The Abia State-born football tactician said whether Amuneke was appointed as Twiga Stars of Kenya coach through agent or through recommendation, the bottom line is that his hard work is being recognized with his recent stint with Sudanese Club and his subsequent appointment by the world football governing body FIFA as one of the member of the technical review committee of the last World Cup in Russia.

“Well, I would like to answer your question from this aspect of how his appointment as the Tanzanian national team coach is going to impact on us, his colleagues. I want to begin by saying that it is a great thing that Amuneke has been considered good

enough to be appointed as the national team coach of Tanzania,” Obuh began.

“It is a great thing that at his young age, he has this opportunity which a lot of us have been praying for. My advice for him is to maximize this opportunity and knowing Amuneke for who he is, I believe that he will make judicious use of this singular opportunity because he is a very serious minded person and hard work is his second name.

“My sincere prayer for him is to succeed in this assignment because his success will impact positively on us his colleagues at home and his failure will have negative impact on us as well.

That is why I sincerely pray he succeeds because his success is our success,” Coach Obuh explained.

“Of course, coaching is playing football. If a player from a particular country is playing for a club outside his immediate environment and he performs well, there is that tendency that players from his country will be looked at or rated or viewed by the success recorded by such a player and that gives room for opportunities for players from his country to play for such club or clubs as the case may be and the same thing goes with coaching.

“Therefore, if Amuneke succeeds the way we have been praying for him to succeed, his success story will certainly impact positively on those of us at home. With his success, some of our colleagues may be asked to come and take over some other national teams on the continent and beyond.

There may be opportunities for Nigerian coaches to be employed as coaches in other leagues on the continent and beyond.

“That is why his success should be our concern because it is like he is now carrying the flag of Nigerian coaches outside the shores of our land,” Coach Obuh explained.

Speaking on whether he will return to the dugout when the leagues starts for the second stanza, the immediate past coach of Kwara United of Ilorin said for more than 20 years, he has never been without a job but at the moment, he is using this period as a resting time.

He expressed confidence that in no distant time he is going to be back to

what he knows how to do best saying that there have been some offers but that there has not been anyone that has been tied down.

“Well, as for whether I am going to return when the league resumes, for now I don’t think so because I am using this period as my rest time.

“In the past 20 years, I have never been without a job but for now, I am resting hoping to come back soon.

“Of course there have been offers but no one has been finalized. So, it is unlikely that when the league resumes that I will be on the bench for any club as at now but definitely, I hope to return to the dugout very soon,” Obuh declared.

T

HE General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by Amaju Pinnick, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Monday said he could only be booted out of office by an NFF’s board recognised by CAF and FIFA. The NFF’s Secretary Gen Sanusi told the Newsmen in Abuja that he would not be bothered by any declaration of his being sacked by any group.

Mohammed Sanusi Recall that the Chris Giwa-led NFF board had on Sunday said it had terminated the appointment of Sanusi as NFF General Secretary.

“I wonder how a group of people who did not employ me will think they have the power to sack someone they did not employ.

“How can a body that did not employ me sack me? It is only an NFF that is recognised by CAF or FIFA that can sack me,” Sanusi said.

According to the Giwa-led NFF board, Sanusi’s appointment ter-

mination followed the enrolment Order 5, page 3 of the Order of the Federal High Court in Jos. Victor Iroele, Giwa’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, had said on Sunday in a statement that the order was granted to the matter’s first and second applicants.

According to the order, all acts, resolutions and or decisions made or taken by the Executive Committee of the NFF purportedly elected on Sept. 30 2014 were also set aside.

•Dr. Mohammed Sansi

B

RAZIL and Chelsea winger, Willian has disclosed that he would not have stayed at the Stamford Bridge had former manager, Antonio Conte remain in charge of the club.

It is recalled that Conte won the English Premier League (EPL) in his first year in charge of the club in 201617 EPL but finished 5th last season and consequently sent packing in July.

Willian believes the situation at Stamford Bridge with the coming of the Italian manager, Maurizio Sarri who he disclosed encouraged them to enjoy their football unlike the previous manager, Conte.

Conte’s fellow Italian replacement Maurizio Sarri, won his first Premier League match in charge, 3-0 at Huddersfield on Saturday.

“The manager tells us to play, to enjoy ourselves on the pitch,” Willian said.

“Is it fun to play this way? I think so.

We have a lot of players with quality up front, like Eden Hazard and Pedro.

Players like that want to play football.

“That’s why he (Sarri) talked about ‘fun’ football (after arriving at Chelsea). This is what we will try to do this season.”

Brazilian Willian, 30, was linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United this summer but committed his future to the Blues in early August.

Asked whether he would have stayed if Conte had not been fired, he told the Evening Standard: “No chance. No. I’m here because I want to play for Chelsea. I will only leave if Chelsea want me to go.”

Chelsea are at home to Arsenal in their next league fixture on Saturday, and Willian added: “Now we have a different style, that’s why we can create problems for Arsenal.

“Of course, it will be a special game against Arsenal because it is a derby.

It is always difficult against them.

We have to prepare well during the week.”

Banned Smith tops ICC rankings despite not playing

You can’t sack me, Sanusi tells Giwa’s NFF .Says “only NFF recognised by CAF, FIFA can axe me”

I would have left Chelsea with Conte in charge – Willian

A •Emmanuel Amuneke, Tanzania National Team Head Coach.

Seamaster ITTF Challenge: Quadri’s victory is promised

T

HE wife of the champion of the just-concluded 2018 Seamaster ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open, Ganiyat Aruna, has described her husband victory as the fulfillment of the promise to make her proud.

It is recalled that Quadri made history Sunday when he emerged the winner of the fifth edition of 2018 Seamaster ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open as he becomes the first Nigerian to have done that in the championship.

It is also recalled that just this month Quadri became the first Nigerian and the second African to have been ranked 18th globally by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The Sports Hall of Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium was literally put on fire when Quadri emerged champions after defeating Anthonio Hachard of France 4-2 at the final of men’s single event of the tournament.

Ganiyat told journalists that she supported Quadri with prayers after much preparation.

She explained that Quadri had promised to make her and the entire nation proud before the championship and with his victory he has fulfilled that promise.

“My husband promised and delivered; I am so excited; this is a promise fulfilled; I am proud of him,” she said.

The former national player and mother of three also hailed the Aruna Quadri Fans Club and spectators for support for her husband.

“The France player was good, and it was indeed a tough game, but cheers coming from his (Quadri’s) fans and spectators went a long way to help in his victory,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction that the victory was honour to Nigeria and brought to reality, the longawaited dream of having a Nigerian win the tournament.

USTRALIAN banned batsman, Steve Smith has returned to the top of the Test batting rankings, despite not playing in the format since March.

Smith is serving a 12-month ban from playing state or international cricket for Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa.

India captain, Virat Kohli had taken top spot after scoring 200 runs in the first Test against England.

However, his 40 runs in the second Test defeat has seen him slip behind Smith. England’s Joe Root is ranked third in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batting rankings, while his Yorkshire colleague Jonny Bairstow has climbed to ninth after scoring 93 against India on Saturday.

Jimmy Anderson remains the top bowler in the world and has become the first England player to exceed 900 points in the ICC rankings since Ian Botham in 1980.

Anderson, 36, achieved match figures of 9-43 at Lord’s to help England open up a 2-0 lead over India in the five-match series.

England’s Chris Woakes has broken into the top ten of the ICC’s allrounder rankings following his man of the match performance at Lord’s.

The 29-year old has risen to seventh after scoring an unbeaten 137 and taking four wickets as England beat India by an innings and 159 runs.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

SPORTS

Eulogies, as Obiorah Chukwu’s remains were interred Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

I

T was tributes galore as the remains of Dr. Obiorah Chukwu (a.k.a. Eze Oha), the younger and only brother of former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu were interred Friday at his family compound in Umuikeowo Obe in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

As a matter of fact, it was tribute upon tribute as speaker after speaker eulogies the virtues of the departed academic.

In his tribute, the officiating priest Rev. Canon Uche Nwachineke who is the Vicar of St Philip’s Anglican Church, Obe asked the family to take solace in the fact that their, brother, uncle, father and husband lived a good life saying how long a person lived doesn’t really matter but the impact the person made in the lives of others and his relationship with God is what counts.

He said that the late Obiora was a well-known individual who never hurts a fly and participated actively in church and communities activities to the admiration of his people. Rev. Canon Nwachineke explained that the late Obiora was an embodiment of good virtues who does not like trouble and can go to any length to ensure that peace reigns anywhere he is.

Speaking further, Canon Nwachineke explained that the family should take solace in the fact that their departed brother, uncle, husband and father lived a very rewarding life and that it pleases God to call him home. He advised that the wife, children, brother and sisters and the loved ones should not despair for God knows the reason he has called Dr. Obiora home.

He equally advised Christians not to mourn like people who do not have hope as Christ has since conquered death even as he hoped and pray that the late Obiora will rest in the bosom of the Lord.

On her own tribute, the wife of the deceased, Okeoma Chukwu,

who returned from the United States of America with their three children made up of two boys and a girl described her late husband as a great friend, husband and father, promising to take absolute care of their children the way the late husband would be pleased wherever he is.

“It is with heavy heart and deep sadness that I wrote this tribute. I never thought you would be gone so soon.

You were a great friend, husband and father.

“The patience, empathy and love you bestowed on your children were unparalleled. I am broken! I promise,

by God’s grace, to take absolute care of our amazing children the way you would be pleased wherever you are.

We will sustain the good you stood for.

We will make you proud. We love you!

We will surely miss you greatly.

And for the first son, Ikenna, his father was a source of inspiration and encouragement in his studies as he was always urging him to work hard and be the best he could. He said it was sad his dad left too soon and unfortunate that his final hour ended the way it did.

“I remembered that the last time we talked: how hearty you were despite your plight and all that was happening around you.

“My siblings and I will carry on the good legacy you left and will make you proud. I pray you find everlasting peace by the grace of God. You will forever be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. We will miss you dearly,” he said On his part, the head of Chukwu’s family, Christian Chukwu, Member Federal Republic (MFR) lamented the demise of his younger and only brother saying he could not still believe he was no more saying the greatest shock of his life was when he went to the hospital and found Dr. Obiorah dead and tears started rolling down his eyes as it down on him that he has nobody to advise him on his important private problems and nobody to disagree and later agree with.

“My brother, I could not still believe

France 2018: Luck takes Nigeria to q/final

T

HE God of soccer Monday favoured Nigeria her final Group D match against China People’s Republic as stoppage time on goal by their opponents earned the Falconets 1-1 draw to storm to the quarterfinal of the competition which is holding in France.

It was highly-dramatic 1-1 draw in Dinan-Lehon, with the Nigerians claiming a spot in the quarter-finals from Group D at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018.

China needed a victory to leapfrog the Falconets to the runnersup spot in the group. There is no gain saying that the Chinese women were the more dangerous side in the first half at the Stade du Clos Gastel. Mengyu Shen had the first chance of the match on 25 minutes when she hit the Nigeria crossbar.

A few minutes later, Captain Linlin Wang headed over the target from

close range.

China’s breakthrough came four minutes before half-time, as the diminutive Linyan Zhang turned her Nigerian marker in the box and stroked the ball past a diving Chiamaka Nnadozie to give the Asians the lead at the break.

The Super Falconets pushed hard in search of an equaliser in the second half, but found the China backline and goalkeeper Huan Xu in resilient form until the end of the contest.

With seconds left to play, substitute Aishat Bello’s cross from the right saw captain Rashdeedat Ajibade challenge for the ball with China right-back Jiaxing Dou. Bello’s cross struck the Chinese defender before nestling in the back of the net and sparking emotional celebrations from the West Africans at the full-time whistle.

that you are no more. I have my greatest shock when I came to the hospital and found you were no more, tears started rolling down my eyes because it down on me that I have nobody to share my family problems, nobody to advise me on my important private problems, nobody to disagree and

later agree.

“If I have to go down on our youthful age how you use to make every member of our family laugh with your tricks and stories until you left for Unite States of America. We were communicating regularly; there was nothing you requested for that we did

not fulfilled until you came back.

“All the family was at the airport to welcome you. Our Sister, Stella insisted she will host you for some months.

We provided you with all you required to settle down while your family is still in the United States of America.

“You got a lecturing job in ESUT; you bought a new Honda Jeep and you were settling down fast when the cold hand of death came to take you from us. We cannot question God but only pray to God to keep you in his hand until we meet to part no more.”

Meanwhile, a lot of dignitaries graced the burial ceremony to pay their last respect to the late academic.

Some of the dignitaries that graced the burial of the Dr. Obiorah Chukwu include the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, (RTD) AIG Aloyius Okorie, Chief Sampson Chukwu (a.k.a Ohagu Obodo) Ari Meta, Umuikeowo Welfare Association, Late Igwe P.C.N Egbogu, Enugu State Sports Club, Chief Stephen Aniagu (Ikemba I of Attakwu Kingdom), one of the Permanent Secretaries from Anambra State Government, who represented the State Governor, Willie Obiano, full complement of Heartland Fc of Owerri, one of the clubs that Christian Chukwu coached amongst others.

It is recalled that the late academic died early June as a result of Low Blood Pressure and Diabetes according to the immediate past general manager of Enugu Rangers, Christian Chukwu, who is yet to recover from the shock of the sad demise of his only brother.

The Oracle Today Sports was at the burial and can report that the burial of late Dr. Obiorah Chukwu (a.k.a. Eze Oha), a lecturer with the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), attracted a lot of dignitaries who converged at Chukwu’s compound to pay their last respect. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

CAN 2019: Rohr sweats over Mikel, Uzoho

A

S the technical crew of the Super Eagles led by Gernot Rohr are preparing for their next match in their Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, all seems not to be well in the national team following the reported injuries to two Super Eagles players, John Obi Mikel and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho down with injuries.

Due to the injuries to these two key Super Eagles’ players, the Franco-German Eagles’ tacticians is sweating over the players that would replace them in case they

did not recover from their injuries in the game against Seychelles next month.

Uzoho is said to have missed two of Deportivo La Corona games due to ankle injury and he said to be out of action for at least two weeks and it is after that that he will begin training thereby casting doubt over his readiness for the encounter against Seychelles.

On his part, the Super Eagles’ and Tianjin TEDA captain, John Obi Mikel did not feature in his club encounter due to the Chinese Super

I can beat Wilder, Joshua same night – Fury

F

ORMER British heavyweight champion,Tyson Fury claims he is the greatest heavyweight boxer ever and says Anthony Joshua has “made a laughing stock of British boxing”, according to The Sun of London.

The Gypsy King slated “idiot” world champion, Joshua for avoiding a unification fight with Deontay Wilder.

Fury told the Telegraph, “If he’s a fighting man, he should have

taken the fight.

“He didn’t so I have to step in.

I’m not afraid to fight any man in any backyard.

“If I can’t beat Wilder and Joshua on the same night, I’m a bum too.”

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren hopes to soon tie up a showdown with Wilder in New York or Las Vegas late this year.

He said, “I’ll beat them both twice, just to show them how s*** they really are. I will beat them senseless.

“People may listen to this and think this man’s a lunatic. He’s been out for a year, but I am the greatest boxer that has ever lived in the heavyweight division.

“People may say I’m arrogant but I am because I’m the best.

And the best don’t mess. And I am because I back it up every single time.”

Fury takes on former two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta in his second comeback fight at Windsor Park, Belfast, on August 18.

League rule that not more than two foreign players should be fielded in any match.

Therefore, this rule limited him from participating from his club’s match last weekend and this is not the first time that Mikel will be missing his club’s game.

Meanwhile, the inability of Mikel to take part in last weekend match was due to the accumulated Yellow Cards that he garnered last season.

So there is a big question mark for the two Nigerians as the country prepare for her next match in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Seychelles next month.

It is recalled that the Super Eagles’ first AFCON 2019 game was against The Bafana Bafana of South Africa and it was played in Uyo and Eagles were handed a 2-0 defeat.

Therefore, Rohr and his backroom staff are very much aware of how important this match against Seychelles is as they would not like to lose any other game in qualifiers if they really want to make it to championship which is expect to hold in Cameroon.

It was a rude shock to Nigerians when South Africa defeated Nigeria in Uyo in the first game. Eagles were captained by then vice-captain Ogenyi Eddy Onazi. Eagles prosecuted that match with many of their key players missing and it is hoped that Eagles will go for the maximum points when they file out against Seychelles next month to ensure that their dream of participating in the 2019 edition of the competition is not scuttled.

Nigeria have missed two consecutive editions of the championship they won last in South Africa in 2013 when Stephen Keshi led the team to their third continental trophy.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday August 22, 2018

NEWS P/Harcourt disco urges FG, states to pay N10.2bn electricity debt

T

he Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has urged both the Federal and State Governments to pay the N10.2 billion electricity bill they owed the company.

A statement issued by PHED’s Manager of Corporate Communication, Mr John Onyi, on Monday in Port Harcourt quoted the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Naveen Kapoor as demanding the payment of the debt.

It said Kapoor made the appeal when officials of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) visited PHED’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“PHED is dissatisfied over nonpayment of electricity bills owed by various categories of customers that amount to over N138.5 billion as at the close of business in July 2018.

“Out of this figure, the Federal and states Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are indebted to PHED to the tune of over N10.2 billion.

“Our premium customers, otherwise known as Maximum Demand and Non-Maximum Demand, who are mostly residential customers are owing N13.7 billion and N115.2 billion, respectively,” he said.

Kapoor said aside the debt; the company was losing over N3 billion annually through diversion of electricity and outright meter bypass by some customers.

He said the company was also worried over the attitude of some customers, who erroneously believed and insisted that electricity was free for those who hailed from oil producing areas.

According to him, non-cost reflective tariff, non-implementation

of minor tariff review and regulatory uncertainties in the industry had affected the company’s revenue and operations.

“If this trend continues unabated, it would further plunge the company into serious financial difficulties. It is a known fact that nonpayment in any business is a killer.

“We appeal to NACCIMA to use its good offices in the various ministries to influence the federal government in settling the prolonged outstanding MDAs debt.

“We also appeal to our Maximum Demand customers to pay their bills as at when due. Making these payments will enable the company to invest more in its network,” he told NACCIMA. Kapoor said in spite of challenges, the company had installed over 300,000 electric meters to homes and workplaces in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Rivers states.

The PHED boss said the company had also installed 23 “critical feeders” spread across the four states of its operations to improve electricity supply chain to industries.

“Additionally, the company has started enumerating its customer’s database as part of plans to end estimated billing of customers and improve service delivery,” he added.

The National President of NACCIMA, Mrs Iyalode Lawanson said the association would work with PHED to enable the company improve its service delivery to customers.

“We are partners in progress, and as such, we are here to show solidarity with PHED for partnering NACCIMA. “In unity lies strength, and so, all hands must be on deck either in the private sector or public sector,” she said.

THE ORACLE BUSINESS ARENA

• Leader of the Rivers State West Senatorial District delegation and former Presidential Aspirant, Chief Ferdy Alabrabra endorsing State Governor, Nyesom Wike for a second term, during a rally in Ahoada which gathered thousands of leaders and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Members from the eight Local Government Areas of Rivers in the District

Navy hospital, boost to Ayade’s healthcare policy -- Commissioner

C

ommissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong has stated that the state-of-the-art facilities in Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar would boost the Governor Ben Ayade administration’s policy thrust on healthcare for the overall good of Cross Riverians and Nigerians in general.

Archibong made this assertion when she paid a familiarization visit to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital recently in Calabar, the state capital.

While on an inspection tour of the Hospital, led by the Commander, Surgeon Rear Admiral Abubakar Haruna Yusuf, the Information and Orientation Commissioner noted that the Hospital is replete with state-of-the-art facilities, qualified personnel and a conducive health environment that meet international standard and best practices. She added that these should avail the citizenry the opportunity to seek solutions to their health challenges in Nigeria rather than travel abroad.

She further pointed out that the ultra-modern digital equipment in the Radiology, Dental, Laboratories, Intensive Care Units, Ophthalmology Departments, among others will ensure accurate, timely and cost-saving diagnosis, emphasizing that the availability of a Helipad in

the hospital complex would facilitate safe and prompt transport of emergency patients.

She thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and the Federal Government for ensuring the completion of such a gigantic medical complex that was started since 1979.

The Commissioner also thanked Rear Admiral Yusuf and the Hospital Management for their warm reception, urging them to sustain the high standards that she saw, and promised to convey their goodwill messages to the Governor.

She further charged the hospital management to also engage its personnel in training and re-training in order to enhance sustainability of healthcare delivery and expand the frontiers in medical advancement.

Mrs. Archibong reminded the Hospital Management of the high premium the Governor Ben Ayade administration places on healthcare, which has given birth to the establishment of the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company (CALAPHARM), the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme (AYADECARE) and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency to take healthcare delivery to the door steps of the citizenry, assuring that the present administration will remain supportive partners in ensur-

ing that the Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital continues to thrive.

In his remarks, the Hospital Commander, Rear Admiral Abubakar Haruna Yusuf, welcomed the Commissioner and her team and expressed utmost delight in the visit, noting that as the number one information officer of the State, the gesture will help inform the public of the workings of the hospital.

The Commander informed the Commissioner that hospital personnel have been sent severally on overseas training on the operations and maintenance of the various equipment and assured the continuous training and re-training.

Rear Admiral Yusuf also thanked Governor Ben Ayade for the security and waste management services extended to the Hospital, but appealed for attention to be directed to a more effective medical waste management in the State.

He used the opportunity to inform residents of the State that though the Navy Clinic at Moore Road will continue to maintain medical presence for a while, activities have fully commenced at the Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital at Murtala Muhammed Highway, Calabar.

Highpoints of the visit featured exchange of gifts by the Commissioner and the Hospital Commander.

CHANGE OF NAME

DUMBU

I formerly known as ASIEGBU UCHENNA PASCAL now wish to be known as ASIEGBU UCHECHUKWU PASCHAL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

I formerly known as KAMANI ANTHONIA NWANKATA now wish to be known as NWANKATA ANTHONIA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note .

I formerly known as MISS STELLA MOPELOLA ADEOTI now wish to be known as MRS STELLA MOPELOLA OYEGADE. All former documents remain valid. Banks, Embassies, and general public take note

PHONE: 08037792062 124 Ogui Road, Enugu

I formerly known as UWAEZUOKE NGOZI ROSEMARY now wish to be known as UMEZURUIKE NGOZI ROSEMARY. all former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

I formerly known as ORJI NONSO JOSHUA now wish to be known as ORJI ABONYI NONSO. All Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note .

I formerly known as OKPALA AMOBI HYGINUS now wish to be known as OKPALEKE AMOBI. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

I formerly known as EMEKA EMMANUEL now wish to be known as EMMANUEL EMEKA PAUL. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as MRS OKPALA IFEOMA ROSEANN now wish to be known as MRS OCHILI IFEOMA ROSEANN. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as OKEKE HENRIETTA OZIOMAnow wish to be known as AMAMCHUKWU HENRIETTA OZIOMA. All former documents remain valid.

Please Banks and General Public take note.

BUREAU DE CHANGE

I formerly known as CHIAKA NKEIRUKA JACINTA now wish to be known as IHEDIKE NKIRU JACINTA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

I formerly known as NWEKE ARINZE KELVIN now wish to be known as NWEKE ARINZE CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

WEDNESDAY August 22, 2018

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

N400b bribes not corruption

N

OT many Nigerians may know about the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS. They could be forgiven, given that many of us do no0t love figures, unless they are money due to us. The ‘non-recognition’ of NBS, which appears to be the stance of the Federal Government on its publications, should not be so dismissive forgiven.

The Bureau is a creation of the law.

It is eight years old, and Act 9 of 2007 that created it charged it with one of the responsibilities that it executed with a report that it published recently, “Bribery: public experience and response 2017”, it revealed that public officials collected bribes worth more than N400 billion in a one year period (2015-2016). There have been no official reactions to this revelation.

Section 6 of The Statistics Act, 2007 published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 60 Lagos - 11thJune, 2007 Vol. 94 Government Notice No. 39, states, “The Bureau which shall be the main National Agency responsible for the development and management of official statistics, the authoritative source and custodian of official statistics in the custodian of official statistics in the country.”

NBS was on its mandate when it published that report which many doubt, possibly their lack of belief in the capacity of NBS to have pulled off a nation-wide study in a subject that some consider “unstudyable”, it cannot be investigated. How could NBS have known, after all, bribes are not receipted?

THERE should be more shock than disbelief. Is it possible that the public did not realise that the publication was a joint effort of NBS and the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, UNODC? Section 6 (f) of the NBS law says it should “provide a focal point of contact with international agencies on statistical matters”. No statistical investigations of Nigeria, by international organisations should be done, with NBS stamping the forms.

Remarkably, the N400 billion bribes to civil servants were in the first year of President Muhammad Buhari’s administration. The administration had (has?) anti-corruption programmes that had seen the storming some offices, tanks, towers, tunnels, cesspits, farms, firms, in search of hidden, assumedly, stolen wealth.

Were these also cases of corruption fighting back? I did not expect that corruption, whatever arsenals were deployed against it, would disappear in one year. The APC mantra of defeating corruption, one of the many issues

•President Buhari it said it would tackle with marked difference would suggest that such staggering amounts should not be taken as bribes from the public.

HEAD of Cooperation, European Union, EU, Kurt Cornelis said the investigation cost about €30m from the survey and to the publication of the report. According to Cornelis, it was part of the EU, UNODC and other partners contribution to help Nigeria overcome the scourge of corruption, but I would add to put the enormity of the challenge before the.

THE report was detailed, and showed the expansive reaches of bribe giving and taking. “Almost a third of Nigerian adults (32.3 per

cent) who had contact with a public official between June 2015 and May 2016 had to pay, or were requested to pay, a bribe to that public official, ” it said. There are suggestions that the figures could be higher.

Summaries • 82.3m bribes in 12 months • Average of 6 bribes yearly • 0.93 bribe paid per adult, per year • 92% paid in cash • N28, 200 average annually on cash bribe • 12.5 % of the annual average salary.”

• N5, 300 - average cash paid as bribe

• N400b or $4.6 billion (in purchasing power parity, PPP) paid as bribe • 39 % of combined federal and state education budgets in 2016 About 90.2 per cent of those living in the North West believe that government is very effective in fighting corruption. In the North East, the figure is 88.4 per cent, it drops to 72.6 per cent in the North Central, 68.9 per cent in the South West, 41.2 per cent in the South East and 41.3 per cent in the South South region.

PUBLIC service, the report observed was not the only place bribery was prevalent. It said that data from private organisations showed that bribery was common too, but the focus of the study was the civil service.

AFTER high cost of living and unemployment, according to the report, Nigerians consider corruption to be the third most important problem of the country, ahead of infrastructure and health service. It would also not be surprising.

MONEY, expectedly, was the most important form of bribe payment, the survey’s findings stated. Foods, drinks, handing over of valuables (telephones handsets, computers, laptops) or the exchange of another service or favour were also noted.

Exchanges sometimes included sexual services, although the survey noted actual extent of that particular form of bribe payment is unknown.

THE survey also noted that police officers receive bribes the most, prosecutors come in second at 33 per cent, and judges and magistrates closely follow them, at 31.5 per cent.

The public would hardly disagree with finding. They are in daily touch with that reality. “Other public officials with a high risk of bribery include car registration/driving licence officers (28.5 per cent), tax and custom officers (27.3 per cent), road traffic management officials (25.5 per cent), public utilities officers (22.4 per cent) and land registry officers (20.9 per cent), ” said the report. Section 12 (i) of the Act mandates NBS, to “provide the President with a Quarterly Progress Report on activities of the bureau and the entire System (wholesome statistical information of federal, state and local government units)”. There is high hope then that in some quarters, the report would get to the President.

•PS: Since the report was released last year, by NBS, a federal parastatal. The Federal Government remains in denial about increasing corruption.

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.