Wednesday December 13, 2017 Edition

Visit Kanu’s home – IPOB, Abaribe

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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oncerned family members of the missing coordinator of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Enugu State chapter, Mr Enekwe Emeka Favour have cried out to world human rights bodies to compel the Nigerian military and police authorities to produce their son dead or alive in the interest of justice and respect for human rights.

They recalled that Enekwe Emeka Favour has been missing since 2014 when he left Enugu for a meeting of IPOB in Onitsha, Anambra state

during which a combined team of military and police personnel allegedly swooped on them and disrupted their meeting.

They said they have neither set their eyes on, nor heard from, him since then, adding that they only heard that some military and policemen stormed their meeting venue in Onitsha and allegedly whisked him and others off to an unknown destination.

In a press statement yesterday in Onitsha, John Emeka, an uncle to the missing IPOB chieftain said: “Our son, Enekwe Emeka Favour, has not been seen or heard from

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

• Kanu

• Binta Nyako

since 2014 when he was last seen alive in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he had gone to attend a meeting with some other IPOB members and executive.”

According to John, “he has not returned to Enugu since then and those IPOB members he had the meeting with confided in us that they have not seen or heard from

• Abaribe him since after security personnel stormed the meeting venue and allegedly abducted as many participants as they could lay their

racle

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www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY December 13 2017

PDP kicks off 2019 with Atiku

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today

VOL.2 No. 51. N200

• Convention in Abuja • Atiku formally joins • Panic in APC From COLLINS UGHALAA,Owerri, THEO RAYS, Onitsha, NATH OMAME Jr., Port Harcourt

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HE national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which holds on Saturday, is not an ordinary convention. It is best attempt by the party since it lost the 2015 elec-

tions, and a hold on national power since 1999, to come together.

Earlier efforts failed woefully.

Legal tussles, individual differences, and undemocratic tendencies held back the party’s chances of organising itself. As PDP shredded at the national level, various factions grew in the State chapters. Most of their own contests

Fuel queues From: SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, Lagos

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IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has declared increased load out petroleum products from its storage reserves across the country in order to address the prevailing fears of fuel scarcity.

Spokesman of the corporation, Chief Ndu Ughamadu, stated that the parallel fears about increase in official prices of premium motor spirit (pms) are also baseless as, according to him, there ex-depot price of the product from government’s storage facilities remains unchanged.

In a statement he issued Tues-

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day, Chief Ughamadu admitted that there were fuel supply and distribution challenges witnessed in some parts of the country due to panic buying.

Following concerns raised by the panic in the market, he said, the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, had to cut short his trip to London to personally monitor market supply operations. Dr. Baru, who was billed to receive the Forbes Oil & Gas Man of the Year Award 2017 in the British Capital on Tuesday, flew back home to attend to what he

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over leadership have not been resolved as the party heads to the Eagle Square, Abuja, a venue that had held many conventions of the party.

New disagreements are brewing over the zoning of the party’s national offices. The most contested is the party chairmanship, with candidates from the South West and South geo-political zones.

The South West expected that the seat would be left to it, since it

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•Empty filling stations in Lagos and Abuja

Billing disrupts electricity From SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, Lagos

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HE huge debt burden on the electricity distribution companies in the country will inevitably crumble the nation’s electric power sector unless the operators address the billing disputes associated with outrageous electricity bills whimsically slammed on unmetered customers in their networks.

Investigations by The Oracle Today revealed that despite regulatory demand that all electricity consum-

ers must be accurately metered for billing purposes, most residential, commercial and industrial customers still haggle out their bills with the distribution companies.

Bill escalation, it was gathered, is prevalent in customer classes that are billed by estimation. The residential customers with low tariff entitlements, our investigation showed, appear to be deliberately denied meters even though the distribution companies point at endless metering rollout plans with which they

beat back regulatory penalties for never meeting deadlines on complete metering coverage.

An independent marketing consultant to some of on thepage distribution Cont’d ??? companies who tried to explain the situation said the distribution companies deliberately stall meter coverage to low tariff settlements in pretence to use estimation to reap high revenue from poor services.

“There are customer classes that

Nigerians rise against police

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS

PDP Continued from Pg 1

would not produce a presidential, nor vice-presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

The fights are therefore more about the future, than now. The divisions in PDP could resurface if further disagreements continue after the convention. Former presidents and some leaders of the party have invested their interests in loosening the grip of the Governors on the party. They are accusing the Governors of being responsible for the longdrawn disputes among factions in the party.

One of the highlights of the convention could be the formal introduction of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who in the past two weeks had formatted his departure from All Progressives Congress, APC, and return to PDP, which he expects to be the presidential candidate.

Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, is another PDP leader who has expressed an interest in running for president in 2019. PDP has made an official statement banning candidates for campaigning for 2019 at the convention grounds. The move, The Oracle Today learnt, was to prevent incidents that could scuttle the convention, or drive more wedges between members.

The full stories of the intrigues of PDP’s 2017 convention are on...

pages 9, 12, 13, 15

‘West and Central Africa behind in Global HIV response’

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ore than four decades into the HIV epidemic, four in five children living with HIV in West and Central Africa are still not receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, and AIDS-related deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 are on the rise, according to a new report released today.

While acknowledging progress in several areas, the report Step Up the Pace: Towards an AIDS-free generation in West and Central Africa, jointly published by UNICEF and UNAIDS, shows that West and Central Africa is lagging behind on nearly every measure of HIV prevention, treatment and care programmes for children and adolescents. In 2016, an estimated 60,000 children were newly infected with HIV in West and Central Africa.

“It is tragic that so many children and adolescents today are not receiving the treatment they need just because they have not been tested,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Regional Director. “We need to make better use of innovations to increase early diagnosis and improve access to HIV treatment and care for children. For example, the point-of-care technology diagnostic brings testing closer to where children attend health services and self-testing can be a good option for adolescents who may be more comfortable with it.”

The region’s coverage of life-saving antiretroviral therapy among

Kanu

children living with HIV is the lowest in the world because many countries have limited capacity to perform the tests needed for early infant diagnosis of HIV. Without knowing a child’s HIV status, his or her family is less likely to seek the treatment that could prevent the tragedy of a child’s death from AIDS-related illnesses.

The situation is worse among adolescents. The annual number of new HIV infections among those aged 15–19 years in the region now exceeds that of children aged 0-14 years. These new infections occur mostly through unprotected sexual contact and among adolescent girls. Equally concerning, according to the report, is that West and Central Africa has recorded a 35 per cent increase in the annual number of AIDS-related deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 years - the only age group in which the number of AIDS-related deaths increased between 2010 and 2016.

With the region’s youth population expected to grow significantly within the coming decades, especially in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, the numbers of children and adolescents becoming infected with HIV and dying from AIDS is likely to remain high, unless the HIV response – both prevention and treatment – improves dramatically.

The report highlights that the 24 countries that make up the

West and Central Africa region are home to 25 per cent of children aged 0–14 years living with HIV worldwide.

“Leaders of the region have endorsed a Catch-Up plan aiming to triple the number of people on treatment in the region – including children – by the end of 2018, the key issue now is to accelerate implementation,” said Luiz Loures, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director. “Countries should urgently put in place more effective strategies for early infant diagnosis of HIV, and start reducing inequity in children’s access to treatment.”

The report proposes key strategies that will enable countries to accelerate progress in curbing the spread of disease. These include: • A differentiated HIV response focusing on unique epidemiological and local contexts in each country and community.

• The integration of HIV services into key social services including health, education and protection.

• Community ownership and local governance of the HIV response including working with families, better placed to help reduce stigma, access prevention and treatment.

• Investment in innovations to remove barriers to scale-up including new diagnostic and biomedical approaches such as point of care diagnostics, HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis.

UNICEF announced last week that at the current pace of prog-

ress, the global 2020 Super-FastTrack targets to end AIDS among children would not be achieved.

Key facts from the report: • Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV coverage has increased 2.5-fold between 2010 and 2016 (from 21 per cent to 49 per cent), with some countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde now providing these services to more than 80 per cent of the pregnant women living with HIV. • West and Central Africa has the lowest paediatric antiretroviral treatment coverage in the world, with only 21 per cent of the 540,000 children (0-14) living with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment in 2016 – compared to 43 per cent globally.

• Today, West and Central Africa accounts for 37 per cent of the world’s AIDS-related deaths among children: about 43,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred among children in West and Central Africa in 2016, a decrease of 31 per cent compared to 2010.

• There were 62,000 adolescents (15-19) newly infected with HIV in 2016, unchanged compared to 2010.

• Adolescent girls and young women continue to be the most affected, with women making up nearly three out of five of all adolescents aged 10-19 years living with HIV across West and Central Africa.

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To be serialised in The Oracle Today soon

Read about the great Rangers story from next edition

hands on.”

“The three children and a woman he left behind when he left for the Onitsha meeting are disturbed as this is quite unusual and we will hold the military and police responsible for the missing Enekwe Emeka Favour because they were the ones who allegedly clamped down on IPOB members then, Emeka added.

“We have searched for him but to no avail and we fear for his life and safety because some of their members were reportedly arrested, kidnapped, tortured and killed by government security operatives while some were hounded in detention in different parts of the country.

“Some of those in detention were neither charged to court or released on bail and they were not given access to their families or lawyers,” he further lamented, adding that government should stop this inhuman treatment constantly meted out to defenceless and non-violent IPOB members who are seeking the right for self-determination as they (IPOB) believe they cannot co-exist with Nigeria.

Emeka, therefore, pleaded with the United Nations, UN and other international human rights agencies to come to their rescue by compelling the Nigerian military and the police to produce him dead or alive, adding that they (IPOB) are witnessing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Igbo land and cited the defunct Operation Python Dance II deployed to Igbo land, as a case study of the attack on Ndigbo.

Fuel queues: NNPC increases supplies Cont’d from page

described as a “matter of urgent national importance.”

Speaking on the development shortly before his departure back to the country, Baru called on Nigerians to stop panic buying as the Corporation was doing everything within its reach to address

the situation.

“For the umpteenth time, I wish to call on all Nigerians to stop panic buying. We have said times without number that NNPC has sufficient products to cater for the needs of all consumers,” Baru stated.

Before leaving for London, the GMD had directed that more

truckload of petroleum products be dispatched to various parts of the country to cushion the effects of excessive demand caused by panic buying.

On Monday, NNPC informed Nigerians that there was no plan

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Ember months: FRSC cautions drivers

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned motorists against drink- driving during the yuletide, which it said usually results in road crashes.

The FRSC said that many lives had been lost, especially during Christmas as a result of alcohol consumption by drivers, adding that it was collaborating with other stakeholders against the practice.

Head of Operations, Mrs Dayo Odeleye, who represented Mr Vincent Jack, the Sector Commander, Ondo State, gave this warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after an ‘Ember Month Flag Off’ in Ore. The programme, which was tagged, “Right to Life not Negotiable’ was organised for commercial drivers and other road users in Ore. Jack also urged road users to ensure that their vehicles were always in good condition and that they should cooperate with FRSC officials on the highways during and after the ember months.

“Road accidents around this time of the year are caused by human errors, especially drivers, who drink alcohol before setting out on their journeys.

“We are making serious efforts with stakeholders to rid-off alcohol sellers at motor parks for the safety of lives and property on our highways,” Jack said.

Earlier, Mr Phiilip Ozonnandi, the Unit Commander in Ore, had urged drivers to desist from the use of expired tyres and speeding, which he said were major causes of road crashes.

The commander also said that the FRSC personnel would be deployed to the Benin-Ore expressway to arrest erring motorists, who violated traffic rules throughout the festive period.

“We can no longer fold our hands and watch loss of lives and property because of speeding. I urge drivers to install speed limiter in their vehicles, which is more useful in the reduction of speed to save lives and property,’’ Ozonnandi said.

In attendance at the event included representatives of transport unions including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN).

Also present were the FRSC Marshals, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) and Public Complaints Commission.

UNICEF: Young adults unaware of their HIV status in Kaduna T he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said, Monday that less than 10 per cent of young people in Kaduna State knew their HIV status.

The HIV and AIDS Specialist, UNICEF, Kaduna, Dr Idris Baba, made this known in Kaduna at the 2017 World AIDS Day, organised by the Kaduna State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KADSACA).

The activity began with a rally from the Ministry of Health to KADSACA office along Katuru Road, Malali.

Baba said the figure, based on the 2017 data of the United Nations Programm on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), also showed that about 160,000 people died as a result of AIDS-related illness in Nigeria in 2016.

He further said that 15 per cent of Nigerian youths of less than 15 years engaged in sexual debut, adding that the development had increased

HIV vulnerability among young people.

Baba SAID there was also very low HIV testing rates with only 17 per cent of young people knowing their HIV status in the country, adding that of the figure, less than 10 per cent was recorded in Kaduna State as at 2016.

The specialist also said for various reasons, ranging from gender, biological to socio-economy; young women had a higher HIV prevalence and were infected earlier in life than men of the same age group.

He said that UNICEF had committed significant resources in supporting Adolescent and Young Persons (AYPs) HIV interventions in the state.

“The intervention is ongoing in Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Lere, kagarko, Chikun, Jaba and Jema’a Local Government Areas of the state. This is part of our goals of ensuring that 90 per cent HIV positive AYPs know

their status, 90 per cent HIV positive placed on treatment.’’

According to him, UNICEF will also ensure that 90 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression by 2020.

“UNICEF has also committed to supporting Kaduna State achieve elimination of Mother-to-ChildTransmission (PMTCT) of HIV by saturating the identified 14 high burden LGAs with PMTCT services. The LGAs include: Chikun, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaduna North, Kagarko, Kauru, Lere, Sanga, Soba, Zangon Kataf, Sabon Gari, and Kaduna South.’’

Baba commended the state government for the successes so far recorded in HIV response in the state, stressing that the state recorded HIV 5.6 per cent prevalence in the state 2001 while the figure increased to 7 per cent in 2007.

He, however, said that following

sustained coordinated prevention, the prevalence had consistently declined to 2.2 per in 2014.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Dogo, said that the state’s HIV/ AIDS response would remain strong and resilient.

Dogo also said the state could do better by further reducing the burden of HIV, especially among the AYPs population in the state.

Executive Secretary, KADSACA, Dr Mark Anthony, thanked UNICEF, UNFPA, Society for Family Health, and other development partners for supporting the state’s HIV response in no small measure.

On his part, the Coordinator of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the state, Bala Suma’ila, urged the state government and other stakeholders to carry members of the organisation along in HIV and AIDS response to ensure success.

We have enough petroleum products – NNPC

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• A reveler at the just-concluded Lagos Street Carnival which took place, weekend, in parts of Ikeja area of the state

INEC creates additional 370 CVR centres

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has approved the creation of additional 370 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centres across the country.

The commission, in a statement issued on its online newspapers on Wednesday in Abuja, said that each states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was allocated 10 new centres each.

“When added to the existing 302 centres created in the first quarter of the CVR exercise, the total number will increase to 672 nationwide.”

It noted that decision was informed by INEC’s desire to provide citizens with wider access to registration centres to enable them register in the on-going CVR exercise ahead of the 2019 general election.

The CVR exercise commenced on April 27, this year.

In another development, the statement disclosed that the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) inducted five directing staff of the Commission.

It stated that the induction took place during the institute’s annual conference held on Monday in Abuja.

It quoted INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu at the occasion, as commending the Institute for its partnership with INEC in deploying the Electoral Alternative Dispute Resolution (EADR) tool, aimed at resolving electoral disputes peacefully.

Yakubu, represented by INEC National Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, said that the introduc-

tion of the EADR through several interventions such as trainings, mediation exercises and sensitization of electoral/political stakeholders had greatly helped in reducing cases of litigations in the electoral process.

He expressed optimism that with greater partnership with the ICMC, more awareness on the use of the ADR tool in resolving electoral disputes would be created.

It noted that Yakubu was also conferred with the Institute’s honorary fellowship in recognition of his support for the ADR mechanism.

According to the statement Commission had in the past, deployed the EADR tool through its ADR Directorate in resolving electoral disputes in different states including Kano and Imo (NAN)

igerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has allayed fears of shortage of petroleum products ahead of the Yuletide as it has stated that it has enough to aid hitch-free vehicular movement during and beyond approaching Christmas season.

The corporation gave the assurance in a statement by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, its Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, in Abuja, last Thursday.

It said that Ejigbo satellite depot in Lagos was fully stocked and carrying out regular loading of petroleum products.

“The Ejigbo Satellite Depot has consistently dispensed Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) at the approved price of N133.28 per litre contrary to allegations that it was sold at a higher price.

“There is enough petroleum products to last till the end of the year and 25 vessels laden with petroleum products are also being expected to berth between now and January, 2018 to further boost supplies.

“The corporation, therefore, urges the public not to entertain any fear or engage in panic buying of petroleum products as there is enough to keep the country well supplied,’’ the statement said.

It added that appropriate government agencies had been contacted to settle the rift between Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA).

The Lagos chapter of IPMAN had threatened to withdraw its services in the state and environs sequel to alleged discrepancies in ex-depot prices of petroleum products, among other reasons.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION ASUU deplores disengagement of lecturers in Kogi, Lagos State varsities From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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he Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has lashed out at the governor of Kogi State and the management of the Lagos State Universities for disengaging their members of staff in both institutions.

The union particularly called Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello’s proscription of the activities of ASUU in the Kogi State University as an act of executive recklessness.

It would be recalled that the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Bello recently approved the dismissal of several lecturers and proscribed the activities of ASUU in the state university at Anyigba, for absenting themselves from duties.

Similarly, the authorities of the Lagos State University sacked ASUU chairman in the institution for alleged acts of financial and academic impropriety.

In a statement released to newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday and signed by the zonal coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Nsing Ogar, alongside seven other chairmen of the universities in the zone, the union described the action of the Kogi State governor as capable of throwing the education system into crisis.

“We had expected the governor to hearken to the numerous calls from well meaning Nigerians and take the honourable path of maturely engaging the intellectual workers by addressing their legitimate concerns,” the statement noted, describing the governor’s actions as a scorchedearth tactic, which will potentially create crisis in a critical sector of the nation’s economy where governments the world over are more than willing to invest in.

On Lagos State University (LASU), the union accused the Vice Chancellor of the Institution Prof. Lanre Adigun Fagbohun of engaging in a war of attrition with ASUU members, saying from information at its disposal, the Vice Chancellor is out to punish the lecturers.

An indication of this, the statement read, is the dismissal of ASUU Chairman, Vice and other members on spurious charges.

The statement notes that “the branch chairman of ASUU in the university, Dr. Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi was framed up for the simple reason that the union is taking a principled position against the excesses of the management of the institution and brazen violation of the rules.”

As a result of this, ASUU solicits the intervention of prominent members of the public and well meaning Nigerians to intervene in this dire situation to salvage the nation’s tertiary education sector.

Lagos Street Carnival: Stakeholders clamour for direct involvement

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takeholders in the Arts and Cultural sector in Lagos have appealed to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to directly involve them in the planning of subsequent editions of the Lagos Street Carnivals.

The 2017 edition of the Lagos Street Carnival was held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Responding, Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Area (LGA) Mr Mojeed Balogun, said that he was honoured that the carnival was brought to Ikeja axis; as this created employment for petty traders.

Balogun, however, said that if the area councils were directly involved in the planning process, he was sure that the residents of the axis would have displayed more of its cultural heritage at the carnival.

“I applaud the LASG for hosting such a fantastic and colourful event but I think there is need for

improvement. There is the need to get stakeholders across board involved for an even bigger and more colourful event.

“Stakeholders were not properly involved in the organisation of the carnival. That is where we are lacking,” Balogun said.

Chairman Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Niyi Saliu, commended the organisers of the event adding that there was the need to look for a more spacious space that could adequately accommodate revelers in future.

“The crowd was overwhelming and the venue did not seem to contain them despite the fact that Oba-Akran Express Road was blocked.

“It was, however, an event to for fun seekers who came to witness the carnival, “he said.

Saliu, however, urged the LASG to include the LGAs in their respec-

tive authorities in the planning process of subsequent carnivals.

The chairman said that being part of the preparation process would diffuse ideas across board and enable them prepare for a better display of cultural values.

Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Mrs Folashade Olabanji-Oba, commended the beautiful display of attires showcasing various cultures of the state, adding that it was an opportunity for the state to display to the entire international community the extent of its development in terms of arts and culture.

“This development will inadvertently have a significant effect on the tourism sector in the country, ” she said.

Director of Culture, Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs Saidat Otulana, said that Lagos was promoting excellence in the arts and cultural sector in the state.

“Lagos State is the sixth largest economy in Africa and we are working hard to make it one of the biggest tourist attraction centres in Africa. We will achieve this goal by continually developing the arts and culture sector, displaying our rich cultural heritage through the organisation of our carnivals,” she said.

Otulana, however, said that more advertisement needed to be done to engage the participation of more people and corporate bodies in subsequent carnivals.

The director said that the tourism sector had huge potential to become a major revenue spinner for the economy if it was adequately harnessed.

Oba Akeem Agbaosi-Eweogbaja 1, Alaguda of Aguda, and the acting paramount ruler of Ikeja, commended the organisers of the event.

He said that the carnival brought people of diverse ethnic groups together in unity and was free of crime usually associated with past street carnivals because of the presence of security personnel on board.

17 out of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in the state participated in the carnival.

Yuletide: NURTW bans selling of alcohol in motor parks

T • (From left): 1st Runner-up 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and student of ENAL International Schools, Miss Deborah Chinwendu Innocent; GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Overall Winner and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; and 2nd Runner-up and Student of Nigerian Christian Institute, Miss Yahofon Ettah Essien during the grand finale and prize giving ceremony held at UBA House in Lagos.

Calabar residents protest two-month blackout From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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ollowing over two months of blackout in Calabar and its environs, hundreds of residents of the city trooped en masse to the Calabar office of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to protest the blackout they have experienced in recent time.

The visibly angry consumers who could not conceal their deep displeasure with the energy company carried placards around the city in the early hours of Tuesday to announce their displeasure.

Investigations by The Oracle Today revealed that large segments of the city have been in darkness for over eight weeks and there has been no explanation from the organization as to the basis for such long period of outage.

The situation is made worse by the fact that the company has been issuing estimated bills to residents of the city for energy that has not been consumed and this has further pitched the energy consumers with the manage-

ment of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company.

In the Mbukpa area of Calabar South, the residents have been in absolute darkness right from the 24th of last month when a faulty cable electrocuted two persons along Adak Uko Street and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the process.

Other parts of the city that have not been spared the ugly treatment by PHCN include Anantigha, Church Road, Goldie Street, Mayne Avenue, Fitzibon, Ekpo Abasi, Edgerley, Edibe-Edibe, Eyo Ita, Efio Anwan Target, Chamley, Beecroft, Eyamba and Nkwa, among many others have been in darkness for over two months.

One of the protesters, Etido Eshiet who spoke to The Oracle Toady described the activities of the company as a disappointment and it’s high time the energy company was called to order.

“There has been no electricity in along the lower part of Ekpo Abasi for over two months now. Besides this, there is a faulty cable around Ekpo Abasi Junction and the officials are indiffer-

ent about this. Rather than facing the issue of electricity supply as a service to the people, they see it as a means of extorting money from energy consumers,” eh said.

Another resident, Marian Eta said this issue of power failure is very unfair to the people and shows the height of government’s nonchalant attitude to the interest of the people.

“I own a beer parlour and for the past five weeks, I have been buying fuel in order to serve chilled drinks.

After buying fuel and for an average of 2,000 daily excluding servicing my generating set at the end of the month, PHCN officials will bring a bill of N30, 000. For God’s sake how can I pay such bills when I have not used electricity?” he lamented.

Immediately after the protest, the management of the PHCN restored electricity briefly in the affected parts of the city before seizing it again.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of PHED, Mr. John Onyi promised to call back but never did as at the time of filing this report.

he National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) says it has banned sales of alcoholic drinks in all motor parks in Lagos State ahead of the festive period.

Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, who made this known, Monday, said that the union has set up a task force to enforce the ban in various motor parks across the state.

“We don’t want to experience any form of accident on the highways as a result of alcoholic drinks during the festive period. We have four units of the task force going round the motor parks, at least three times a week, to enforce the ban on sales of alcoholic drinks within and outside our parks,” he said.

The union chairman said the ban was not only meant for the festive seasons, adding that it would continue after the festivities.

Agbede also appealed to the commuters to board vehicles at the designated motor parks for security of their lives and property instead of boarding unsafe vehicles by the roadside.

He said that the union has also put in place some security measures in all the parks to guarantee safety of the commuters.

“Our motor parks are safe to board vehicles to anywhere you are going to in the country,” he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS

Nigeria will break into 4 countries – Cleric

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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eneral Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries Inc. (aka By-Fire-By-Fire), Nnewi Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has predicted the break-up of Nigeria into four different countries, with the expiration of the years of amalgamation of northern and southern parts of the country.

He said after successful 40-day fasting and prayers, which he declared for himself and members of his congregation shortly after the launch of Operation Python Dance II in the South East region in September, which culminated in the military invasion of the Afaraukwu Umuahia home of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the spirit of God showed him a vision where Nigeria was divided into four different countries.

In an SMS message he personally sent to the media, Bishop Udeh disclosed that the spirit of God also showed him huge amounts of money allegedly being stashed away by our leaders into foreign banks, which they intend to use to stabilize a particular section of the country when eventually Nigeria breaks into four countries.

According to Bishop Udeh in the text message, “when the spirit of God showed me that huge amount of money deposited in foreign banks, I asked: who owns this money but He answered: Your incumbent leaders of course and they want to use this money to stabilize their own country as soon as Nigeria is broken into four countries.”

He stated that the Spirit of God equally told him that it is high time Nigeria broke up because a section of the country is currently controlling and monopolizing the judiciary, the military and the police according to their whims and caprices, adding: “I was also told that certain tribal individuals and groups are currently looting and plundering the economy and stashing the stolen funds away in foreign banks so that when the country splits, they would use the stolen funds to stabilize their own economy.”

Contd on page 7

Group to occupy Imo State Govt House for 7 days From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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group known as Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD), said on Tuesday that they would occupy the Imo State Government House, Owerri, for a period of 7 days, from the 18th to 24th December, 2017.

The group which is “a coalition of civil society groups, activists, faithbased groups, professional bodies, community-based organizations,” said they are for the defense of democracy in Imo State, adding that they “will continuously engage both the government and the citizens on good governance and democracy.”

They also pledged to, at all times, readily mobilize Imolites on lawful steps and actions to resist bad policies and actions of government.”

In a press release signed by the their coordinator, Aku Obidinma,

Chairman Strategy Committee, Chilos Godsent, and Chairman Media Committee, Chibundu Chibunna, IPAD said they “will be holding a one-week peaceful rally tagged OCCUPY IMO from Monday the 18th to Sunday the 24th of December 2017 at Okigwe Road opposite Rock View Hotel Owerri.”

They said the one-week peaceful rally “is a response of the people to the increasing height of bad governance in the state which is now attaining its peak.”

IPAD cited “lack of due process and respect for the rule of law,” “waste of scarce resources on non-economically viable and life improving ventures”, “Refusal to fully pay workers salaries, pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners”, “Issuance of dude cheques to pensioners”, “Failure to account for the bailout funds, Paris refunds and other loans collected”,

“Use of State fund and apparatus in conducting his personal business”, “Illegal demolitions and displacement of people resulting to loss of means of livelihood by thousands of Imolites even against restraining court orders”, as reasons for their planned action.

Other reasons the group gave include “Nepotism and familiocracy”, “Unending grabbing of land using government powers and conversion of same to personal properties”, “Refusal to conduct local government election and failure to account for the trillions of Naira that has been allocated to that tier of government for over six years”, and “Construction of poor quality infrastructures and increasing multiples of abandoned projects in the State”.

IPAD further explained: “The time and venue for this protest has been strategically chosen to ensure that

G

overnor David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday said delegates from Southeast region for the December 9th Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention would take common position on who to back for the national chairmanship of the party.

Umahi who disclosed this on Tuesday when one of the contenders of

I

• Igbo-Etiti LG Chairman, Hon Malachy Agbo, Igbo-Eze North LG Chairman, Comr. Uwakwe Ezeja, Igbo-Eze South LG Chairman, Dr. Fidelis Odo and others Chairmen during the swearing in of newly elected 0LG Chairmen in Enugu State.

the party’s top job and chairman, DAAR Company, Raymond Dokpesi came to canvass for votes in Ebonyi State said delegates from the region would meet in Abuja before Saturday to take a position.

He told Dokpesi that he would inform him the position of the region after the scheduled meeting whether the pendulum swings to his (Dokpesi) side or not, saying that he is not ready to deceive anyone.

“We just had a meeting in Umuahia, Abia State; they agreed to give us direction. We are going to meet in Abuja and take a common position, common position in the sense that in the past, we voted blindly. Now, we will seek negotiation with any one they want us to vote for. The person will agree what he will do for us. But, I want to assure you that whatever decision we come up with as a zone, I will let you know. I am not a politician

had been put in place through selfhelp efforts by sons and daughters of Ojoto towards its anticipated upgrade to a General hospital.

Dr Akabuike who toured the centre in the company of stakeholders in the community including the traditional ruler, Igwe Dennis Okafor, President General, Chief Edwin Umeghalu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Kingsley Ezekwelu, among others, expressed deep appreciation for the

equipment, serene and clean environment at the Centre.

He disclosed that he would send experts from the Ministry immediately to visit and study equipment and other facilities on ground with a view to guiding the government properly on any of the three options he gave, including upgrading the centre to either a general hospital, an annex to the State University Teach-

Anambra to upgrade Ojoto health centre

From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

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he Ojoto (Obofia) Community Health Centre in Idemili South Council of Anamnra State, has now been programmed for upgrade to a referral medical facility, the State government has said.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike gave this indication while on a preliminary tour of the health centre on the invitation of the community, to assess the facilities that

Christmas: Ugwuanyi approves 13th month salary for workers From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

PDP chairmanship: South East will take common position – Umahi From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

the State government’s usual ploy of diverting attention of Chritmas returnees away from the rot in governance through impressionist cosmetic beautification of the state is thwarted”, adding that “The protest will, therefore, keep the people conscious about their sufferings in the hands of the government.”

The group also informed that “Some notable Imo-born activists that will speak at the rally inclue: Chidi Odinkalu, Sam Amadi, Festus Okoye, Ezenwa Nwangwu, Victoria Ibezim, Chido Onumah, Clement Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Wisdom Durueke, Louis Alozie, Charley Boy Oputa, Etc. They called “on Imo people irrespective of affiliations to massively sign up to this patriotic rally to ensure we collectively send our message to the government”.

Contd on page 47

but a child of God. I don’t play politics of deceit,” Umahi concluded.

Dokpesi and his campaign team were received during an enlarged PDP stakeholders meeting held at the state party’s Secretariat along Abakaliki-Enugu expressway.

Umahi noted that Dokpesi is not only a committed chieftain of PDP but has shown a rare interest in leading the party to greatness, adding that for him to have toured the 36 states of the country plus the Federal Capital Territory Abuja clearly shows his readiness to lead the party.

The governor, however, emphasised that anybody who would gain the votes of the region must be experienced and committed to the cause of the party.

Earlier, Dokpesi said he was in the State to seek their votes as he would be presenting himself for election into the national chairmanship of the party come Saturday’ s PDP convention.

He commended Umahi for his leadership strides saying, he deserves a second tenure.

n keeping with the commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to the welfare of the workers, the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO), yesterday approved a 13th month salary for civil servants of the state as an added boost to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas.

The approval was the outcome of the meeting between the leadership of the Organized Labour in the state and the Council, held at the Government House, Enugu.

Reacting to the development, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Virginus Nwobodo stated that the gesture was unprecedented in the history of the state, considering the nation’s economic downturn that has made it impossible for many states to pay workers’ salaries.

Comrade Nwobodo commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the offer, which he said was a surprise package borne out of his magnanimity and an incentive to the workers to motivate them to discharge their duties efficiently.

The Labour leader urged the state workers to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to increase productivity.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, who equally appreciated the state government’s gesture, noted that the beauty of the offer is that the workers never asked or agitated for it, saying: “It was freely given to us and because of that, it is another milestone in this administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. and Comrade Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is always passionate about workers’ welfare” Comrade Igbokwe, who stated that the workers are part of the Enugu project, maintained that the leadership of the union and the workers will continue to appreciate the gesture and reciprocate by discharging their responsibilities for the growth and development of the state.

“We use this opportunity to commend His Excellency for his kind gesture and to continue to say that as Oliver Twist, good things will continue to come. Our prayer is that the state will continue to improve and increase its revenue so that more things will come the way of the workers”, Comrade Igbokwe said.

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

News

IGP sets up panel to investigate the sins of SARS

By XAVIER NDAH

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ollowing the public outcry against the alleged excesses of the Force Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) across the country, the Inspector General of Police has set up panel to investigate all forms of abuses perpetrated by the Unit against members of the public.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Jimoh Moshood called on such aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint about past or present violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country to report to the IGP X-SQUAD and other available channels for investigation and further actions.

Part of the statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force has ob-

served the recent trends of event in the Social Media on the #ENDSARSNOW and the controversy being generated by the innuendos from the allegations and other misconceptions as it concerns the Operational roles and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Undoubtedly, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been doing very well in fighting violent crimes such as Armed Robbery, Kidnappings and Cattle Rustling in the country in the recent time and this has resulted in drastic reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.

“However, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery

to all Nigerians and ensure that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operates based on International Core Value of Policing with integrity and make sure the rule of law prevails in the operations and activities of the outfit, the IGP has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.” “ In the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja,” the release added.

The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention

and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

“Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters. A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round

the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.

“Furthermore, a new training program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling, Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the Inspector General of Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect.”

“However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions,” the statement surmised.

Securing take-off grant, major task before MOUAU Council - Zayyana •Promises to revisit case of sacked staff From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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ro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Rt. Hon. Muhammadu Lawal Zayyana has said the major task facing the Council is securing the university’s take-off grant.

Speaking in an interview with The Oracle Today in Umuahia, Zayyana also said the Council would also revisit the case of sacked staff of the university.

Authorities of MOUAU have maintained that the institution established 25 years ago started without a take-off grant.

Zayyana, who is also the Serkin Gobir Gwadabawa in Sokoto State, noted that past Councils did their best to secure the takeoff grant to no avail but assured that the present Council would deploy everything in their arsenal to ensure the grant was released.

“By the grace of God, we will put in our maximum efforts to ensure that the long, overdue take-off grant is released to the university.

“We would use our influence, we will try and pursue it, from the ministries, up to the Presidency, and by the grace of God, before we leave this time, we will try and see that that takeoff grant is released to this university,” the former Speaker of Sokoto House of Assembly said.

On the fate of the sacked workers, he said they would be interviewed again and the successful ones would be reinstated.

It would be recalled that about

400 employees on temporary appointment with MOUAU were sacked in May this year.

The action almost landed the university in serious crises and is still causing ripples in Abia State. But Zayyana insisted that the retrenchment followed due process.

“We met the academic and non-academic staff members who were recruited and most of them did not follow due process. So, we have to draw a line and say, okay, from this date to this date, all those employed have to be reconsidered,” he said.

He said that in line with civil service rule, any appointment not confirmed within one year lapses.

He further explained that names of those on temporary appointment were not on federal government payroll, a development that affected those on permanent appointment as they could not receive full salaries.

He assured that “among the ones retrenched, a time would be fixed for them to be interviewed and some among them would be retained,” he said.

He said the Council was happy working with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta, describing him as as forthright man.

“We are working together.

He tells us what he feels about the university. We think of his advice, look at the scenario on ground, consult with the professors and the unions in the university before we take a decision accordingly for the bet-

• Protest by electricity consumers in Calabar (st0ry on page 4)

Clark to Buhari: Stop deceiving N/D people Elder statesman and former federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark has again accused the federal government of fuelling the numerous problems in the Niger Delta region.

According to him, government has over the years done things that will undermine the development of the Niger Delta, insisting that the region will not be deterred because there can be no other way of defining enslavement than for a people who do not produce anything to enjoy it.

The foremost Ijaw leader, in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today during the week at Kiagbodo, his country home in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, said the federal government is not sincere about developing the area that lays the golden egg.

“In the prevailing circumstance, where agitations for better treatment are met with dastardly killings and deaths, it looks like we the people of the Niger-Delta region are under a big siege, but we will continue to demand for our rights; we will continue to demand that the country practices true federalism, where the states have the right to fiscal autonomy and control, self-management of their resources,” the elder statesman declared.

Clark, a Senator of the Second Republic, bemoaned the abandoned East-West Road, which he said has not been given the priority and attention it deserves, stressing that “the excuse we hear is that there are no funds, but the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road is being financed by the contractors, while the federal government

sources money to pay them later.”

According to him, the Abuja Federal Capital Territory was built with crude oil exchanges, asking: “What prevents the East-West Road from being completed, especially when the product being exchanged for construction is supplied by the East-West area?”

Clark added: “We don’t know where the displaced people of Bakassi stand hence we are calling on the federal government to protect and rehabilitate these Nigerian citizens who are being dehumanized, according to reports by the Cameroonian gendarmes.”

The Ijaw leader, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be more people-oriented and more people-friendly in approaching issues, adding: “We are all Nigerians and should be treated equally.”

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

News

Journalist l N880m Paris Club Refund crisis hits Imo oses N.5m • Governor, Speaker escape impeachment •Principal officers resign farm crops to herdsmen

From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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he crisis rocking Imo State House of Assembly worsened on Tuesday as the Governor and Speaker Acho Ihim escaped impeachment by the whiskers, leading to the resignation of two principal officers of the House, the Majority Leader and the Deputy Majority Leader.

The crisis, which had been denied, by both the executive and the legislature came to the fore on Tuesday as the plan by members of the House to impeach the Speaker and the Governor backfired.

The Oracle Today learnt that as a way to show their anger to the Governor and his ally, the Speaker, majority of the members of the House boycotted the 50th birthday celebration of the wife of the Governor. The House had earlier boycotted the Governor’s presentation of the 2018 budget, though the CPS to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said it was due to discrepancies in the budget speech.

Smarting from the boycott of the budget presentation, the House quickly reconvened and suspended the Clerk of the House, Chief Chris Duru, indefinitely, for what they said was insubordination and total lack of confidence.

The motion for the suspension of the Clerk of the House was sponsored by Majority Leader and member representing Owerri Municipal Council, Hon Lugard Osuji, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and supported by 22 members out of the 27 lawmakers of the House.

Hon Osuji had also been on fire by his constituents as they accused him of assisting the Governor to demolish their ancestral market, Ekeukwu Owerri. It was gathered that the suspension of the Clerk of the House was a prelude to the possible impeachment of the Speaker and Governor, who had been accused of financial embezzlement, executive recklessness and lack of accountability and probity.

A member of the State Assembly said, “You can’t imagine that while we are questioning what the Governor did with first trench of Paris Club Refund, he got another N880m for the past month, yet members of the State Assembly have been starved of fund while begging to eat and feed their families. “ There is also problem of Imo

pensioners and civil servants who have been crying for the payment of their entitlement for months now, yet the Governor looks the other way while his family smiles.”

The member lamented that few members of the House had betrayed their collective understanding and agreement, and shifted loyalty to the Governor and Speaker.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon Lugard Osuji, and his Deputy Majority Leader, Bar Kennedy Ibeh representing Obowo State Constituency, have resigned their position. Writing on his Facebook wall on Tuesday, Hon Osuji said, “I have this morning in the interest of Imo State House of Assembly resigned my position as the Majority Leader of the House”.

Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Kennedy Ibeh, resigned through a handwritten letter addressed to the Speaker. Dated 5/12/2017, the letter read: “I, Hon Kennedy Ibeh, Deputy Majority Leader Imo State House of Assembly do hereby resign as a principal officer of the House of Assembly”.

Hon. Ibeh added that his resignation was in the overall interest of the House. As at the time of filing this report, The Oracle Today learnt that the Imo State Chapter of APC was planning to suspend the me

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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• Speaker Acho Ihim and his Deputy Speaker Ugonna Ozurigbo.

N Abia State-based journalist, Deacon Steve Oko, has lost farm crops valued at over N500, 000 following the destruction of his farm by grazing cattle.

Looking distraught, sullen and shocked, The AUTHORITY Newspapers Correspondent in Abia State, lamented that the hectares of land which he cultivated this year, have been reduced to rubbles, with every crop in it destroyed.

Apart from cassava, other crops on the farm, including coco-yam and pumpkin, were also destroyed by the cows, which were said to be feeding on the farm daily.

Other farmlands around the vicinity were also destroyed by rampaging cows.

In a petition addressed to the the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Anthony Agbizi, who also doubles as the State Chairman of Farmers/ Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee, Oko said the cassava farm located at Power Word Estate, Olokoro in Umuahia North local government area was worth over “N463,000.”

He is demanding the arrest of the herdsmen grazing their cattle on his farm, adding that they should also be made to pay for the damages they have done to his crops.

Nigeria will break into 4 countries – Cleric Cont’d from page 5

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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raditional Rulers in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have denounced the traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the area.

The Monarchs proscribed the practice when the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Rachael Umahi took the campaign against FGM/C

“The spirit of God equally made me understand that God Himself is very angry with our leaders because they don’t obey the rule of law and respect the sanctity of human lives,” he added.

“They look the other way when Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen are spilling innocent blood and above all, ethnic and religious bigotry is currently plaguing the nation, to the extent that some parts of the country are claiming to be born-to-rule and as such, the sharing formula is not balanced.

“The spirit also told me that God is angry because the military was used to drop the 1960 constitution, which was drawn in favour of all ethnic nationalities and replaced with the constitution that will favour a particular section of the country, to the extent that attempts are being made to Islamize the country in such a way that there would be no longer freedom of worship.

“In a nutshell, the last thing the spirit told me bluntly before I woke up was that from all indications, the amalgamation has expired and will soon pave the way for the break-up of this country called Nigeria and as I woke up, I pondered a while before I decided to share this message with others for collective reactions since keeping it to myself will amount to carrying a heavy burden alone.”

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS

Banker in court over alleged forgery

• Granted bail under stringent condition

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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he police in Anambra state have arraigned a staff of one of the top new generation banks in Onitsha, Anambra state (Diamond bank), Uchechukwu Nwaiwu before an Atani Grade I Magistrate Court on a 14-count charge of forgery of consent letter and stealing of customers’ deposits worth over N30 million.

In the Charge No. MGB.188C.2017: C.O.P. Vs Uchechukwu Nwaiwu, the

Don’t sideline Abia’ From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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lawmaker in Abia State has charged the newly inaugurated executive of Niger Delta Network for Peace and Development, an advocacy group powered by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to discharge its functions diligently so that the state would not be sidelined in the affairs of the Niger Delta region.

Prince Ikedi Ezekwesiri, the lawmaker representing Umunneochi State Constituency gave the charge while speaking with newsmen in Umuahia.

The group is expected to put pressure on the federal government by way of constructive engagement on the needs of the people of Niger Delta States and to advise or suggest the best ways to create impact on the people and environment of the region so that the people would immensely benefit from their natural endowment.

Stakeholders also believe that when the environment is peaceful and the people are allowed to talk about their welfares, the government would be addressing the people from the standpoint of their needs and not what the government feels is their need.

Ezekwesiri charged the Abia leaders of the group to live up to their calling such that Abia’s voice would always be heard in the comity of Niger Delta States.

“The sidelining of states in Niger Delta is as a function of lack of effectiveness of the leadership. If you become lousy, you don’t attend meetings, programmes, you won’t know what is happening. Side lining starts from self,” the lawmaker said.

“They have been commissioned and charged to work, to develop this advocacy group in all the wards and local governments of the state. I expect them to take their commission seriously.

“It will be good for their names to enter in the record that in their time, through their advocacy, lasting peace and tranquil environment was secured for development in the Niger Delta States. Their engagement calls for sacrifice of time and other things,” he added.

Penultimate Saturday, the executive of the Abia State chapter of Niger Delta Network for Peace and Development was inaugurated in Umuahia.

Led by Barrister Vigilus Nwankwo, the executives were charged to preach for peace and secured, tranquil environment by mobilizing the nooks and crannies of Abia to think and sing peace that will engender the required peaceful environment for development to thrive in the state.

They would also make sure that the advocacy structure is effectively set up and sustained in all wards and local governments in Abia State and convert every family to ambassadors of peace.

The group was raised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to address the issue of volatility and restiveness which hamper development in the Niger Delta States.

National Coordinator of the group, Sylvester Okpo, had said that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, in his wisdom, saw the need to address the critical issues through dialogue and meaningful engagement than to fight and disrupt government projects in the Niger Delta States.

police prosecution, told the court that the accused person had forged consent letters of about five bank customers and allegedly withdrew whopping sums of monies worth over N30 million from their various deposit accounts, contrary to Sections 443 and 353 (12) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36., Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra state of Nigeria, 1991, as amended.

When the charge was read, the accused person pleaded not guilty in all the charges and the defence counsel applied for his bail, relying on Section 36(5) of the Constitution and (2) ACJL 2010. The defence counsel also pleaded that his client would not jump bail if granted.

In her ruling, the presiding Magistrate, G. S. Umeh Esq. granted the bail application under stringent conditions which included that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, while the other a level 16 officer in the civil service.

The court added that the sureties must provide two passport photographs each, a valid means of identification each and evidence of payment of tax for the past three years.

Some senior staff of the bank who

preferred anonymity, confirmed that the accused person was handed over to the police as soon as the fraud was detected because the management has zero tolerance for unethical conducts among its staff.

The statement therefore reassured the bank customers and the public of the safety of their deposits, adding that the culprit is being prosecuted in accordance with the law to send a strong signal to others who might want to nurse such an ill thought. .The case was initially adjourned to November 30, this year for hearing but on that day, it was further adjourned to February 26, 2018 for hearing because the court could not sit as a result of a valedictory session conducted by members of the bar and bench at Onitsha for a fallen member of the bar.

In another development, one person who posed himself as a bank staff inside the banking hall with intent to dispossess some unsuspecting customers of their cash deposits were apprehended and handed over to the police at Okpoko for thorough investigation and prosecution.

The suspect (name withheld), ac-

cording to the source, had dressed like a banker, wearing his fake identity card in his waist and posed as a staff and was busy pretending to be assisting a customer who was counting his money for deposit, with intent to grab the bulk and disappear from the banking hall before the eagle-eyed security personnel spotted him and arrested him.

Another suspect, (names also withheld, according to the source, was arrested inside the banking hall when he filled a withdrawal voucher and wanted to withdraw money from his cousin’s account with a forged signature of his cousin, but the cashier, upon verification, discovered that his face was different from that of his cousin from whose account he wanted to withdraw the money and at once he was arrested and handed over to the police.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Okpoko, Mr. Elaigwu (CSP) could not be reached for confirmation but a superior police officer who preferred anonymity, simply confirmed that the suspects were brought to the station for further interrogations and prosecution.

• From left: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Prof Anya O. Anya and President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo at the South-East Economic Summit (SEES), held in Enugu

PDP endorses staggered polls • Umahi denies endorsing Buhari

From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed support for staggered elections in the coun-

try.

Interim National Secretary of the party, Senator Ben Obi in an interaction with journalists in Awka disclosed the PDP position while appraising the recently concluded governorship election in Anambra State in which his party placed a distant third to the winner, Governor Willie Obiano of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Sen Obi admitted that PDP’s loss notwithstanding, it is advisable for elections in the country to be staggered to enable stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), security agencies, political parties, candidates, party agents as well as the electorate to have a breather before the next election.

The PDP scribe noted that reports he gathered from the field from the

recent Anambra state governorship election showed it was peaceful, orderly with minimal discrepancies and malpractices apparently because the stakeholders had enough hands to adequately supervise and man the polling units.

When taken on his reaction to the comments by some PDP governors vouching to deliver Buhari in their states, come 2019 general elections, Obis said: “I am sure you are referring to Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State. I have spoken to him on that and he said that himself as governor would like to go for a second term; so to that extent he would not oppose President Muhammadu Buhari seeking a second tenure as well; that he did not mean that the PDP would not field a presidential candidate.”

Obi further quoted Umahi as describing as “unfortunate..the way the message was put out,” lamenting that “it sounded like that he has endorsed President Buhari ahead whoever his

own party would choose when the time comes.”

“He confirmed I was not the only one who called him on the issue; that many other concerned party chiefs across the country have called him on the matter too and that like he told me, he did explain himself to them as well.’’

Obi assured PDP members as well as returnee members and new entrants that all is now well and that everyone has geared up for a better, greater Nigeria.

According to the PDP National Secretary, it is now clear to all citizens that prevailing ailing and draconian economic weather is undemocratic and unacceptable.

He said: “…It is very clear that all over the length and breadth of this country, citizens are already yearning for the PDP to come back. It’s statement of fact. So, as long as we gather our acts together, PDP will return, soon.”

Reside in your domain LGs – Ugwuanyi charges new Council Chairmen From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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he governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has charged the newly-elected Council Chairmen in Enugu State to ensure they reside in their respective local governments to be always available to attend to the needs of the grassroots people, who the governor said, had entrusted the chairmen with their mandates.

Governor Ugwuanyi gave the directive during the swearing in ceremony of the 17 local government Chairmen and their deputies, at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu on Monday.

The governor noted that since the essence of the third tier of government is to take government to the doorsteps of rural dwellers, it is only by dwelling among the grassroots that they can be effectively reached.

According to the governor: “I want to remind the newly-elected council chairmen and councillors, that one of the pre-conditions set to aspirants to these key offices, in the course of the electoral process, was that each of them must reside in his or her local government or ward.

“Let me, therefore, re-emphasise that the days of visiting council chairmen and councillors are over.

The local government is the nearest government to the greater majority of our people and unless you dwell among them as their elected leaders and wear the same shoe as the people, you may never know where it hurts,” he said, adding that government has set a benchmark for all chairmen and councillors to deliver quality democracy dividends to the people in an equitable manner.

The governor counselled the new council chairmen that God has called them to service – to serve God and to serve humanity – in a manner that is devoid of any form of nepotism and irrespective of political inclinations or people’s choices at the poll.

He, however, prayed God to grant them the required divine enablement to enable them succeed in office.

At the event, which was attended by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremmadu, as well as other serving and former National Assembly and state Assembly members, Governor Ugwuanyi commended the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, (ENSIEC) for the successful conduct of the November 4, council exercise, describing the election as “the freest, fairest, most peaceful, transparent and most credible council election in Nigeria’s recent history.”

Meanwhile, the governor also terminated all local government appointments at the event, pointing out that, “with this inauguration of the newly-elected local government chairmen and their deputies, all subsisting political appointments in the local governments stand dissolved.”

On the efforts of his administration to make life more meaningful for the rural dwellers, Governor Ugwuanyi assured the people that his administration would continue to ensure that every local government, “and community for that matter, would continue to get its fair share of the opportunities and democracy dividends.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

POLITICS

Why I’m renovating Enugu Police stations, by Owelle Odumegwu Pg 14

• Bode George

•Ahmed Makarfi

• Gbenga Daniel

Eyes on PDP as party holds make or mar convention As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holds a make or mar national convention on December 9, COLLINS UGHALAA, THEO RAYS and NATH OMAME Jr. write that the outcome of the convention will determine to a very large extent whether the nation’s former ruling party lives or dies.

AS THE National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slated for Saturday, December 9, 2017, draws closer there are permutations as to how the voting for the position of Chairman, for instance, would go. The following are key PDP personalities running for the chairman: Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the party (South West) Mr. Jimmy Agbaje, the party flag-bearer in the 2015 Lagos governorship election; Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; Professor Tunde Adeniran, former Minister of Education (Ekiti State); Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications, owners of AIT and Raypower Radio (Edo State) and Uche Secondus, former Ag Chairman of the PDP National Working Committee (Riv-

ers State).

When the PDP announced in July this year it had zoned the Presidency to the North, it also announced it had zoned the Vice Presidency and the party chairmanship to the South. With Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (South West), President from 1999 to 2007 on the platform of the PDP and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (South South), President from 2010 to 2015, it naturally follows that the next executive position in the federal government will not come from either of the two zones of the former Presidents. That means that the PDP is likely to choose its Vice Presidential candidate from the South East while the party chairmanship is up for contest between candidates from South South on one hand and those from the South West

on the other.

So, the voting for PDP chairman come Saturday December 9 is going to be done on the basis of what each zone considers to be in its strategic advantage. To that effect, for whom shall the North vote for the position of Chairman, or, rather, for which zone—South West or South South?

Similarly, for whom or for which zone shall the South East vote?

The Oracle Today’s inquiries even from the highest quarters of PDP did not yield much in terms of strategic voting plans by the zones. The East, for instance, which stands to gain from voting ‘wise’ does not seem to have a collective position. As at the time of going to press, what could be described as the South East position on the chairmanship election was yet to

Nothing but the truth

9 Pg 16

crystalize.

In Anambra and Imo States, the PDP is still reeling in crisis. In Enugu, mum is the word as to the position of the party leadership on the chairmanship election.

In Ebonyi, the leader of the party and governor of the State, Dave Umahi has openly declared for Uche Secondus from Rivers State. So, it goes without saying that Ebonyi will vote for Secondus.

CONSIDER IMO. PDP in the Igbo Heartland has known no peace since it lost the 2015 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP in Imo State has refused to he healed despite calls for reconciliation amongst the warring factions. The party had split into five factions following its inability to hold a successful state congress, leading to parallel congresses and state executives. Prominent among these factions are the Barr Charles Babatunde Ezekwem led state exco which is said to be loyal to the former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and governorship candidate of the party in 2015, Emeka Ihedioha, and the Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie led exco also said to be loyal to Senator Hope Uzodimma.

The Ihedioha-led faction has claimed to be the authentic state exco following the judgment of the Supreme Court that sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and returned Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the National Chairman of the party. Party activities have substantially moved to the Ezekwem led group. But the existence of the Senator Uzodimma faction has constituted a big problem to them, so much so that the party has resorted to slamming suspension on the members of the Senator Hope Uzodimma faction, who have since rejected the suspensions, saying that the Ihedioha faction lacked the power to suspend them.

Among those suspended by the party for what were described as anti-party activities were the Barr C.O.C Akolisa, Hon Dominic Uzowuru, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Fidelis Ibewuike, Hon Emma Mazi, Sir Ifeanyi Okeafo, Stanley Nwosu, Ebo Chidiebere, Willie TC Okoliogwo and Ikeaka Bede C. According to a press release signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Damian Oparah, the party said the suspended members were involved in activities likely to bring disrepute, hatred or contempt to the party. The party also accused them of engaging in what it called unauthorized publicity, creating parallel party organs at wards, local government, senatorial districts and engaging in conduct likely to bring disaffection among members of the party in breach of the constitution of the party (as amended 2012).

The Ihedioha faction had also suspended the State Chairman of the Senator Hope Uzodimma faction, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, and four others. In a statement issued by the party and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Oparah, on October 12, 2017, the party said that Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Sir Roy Iwuala, Hon I.K. Njoku, Barr Enyinna Onuegbu, Hon Ken Obichere and Hon Pius Nwoga were suspended for gross anti party activities.

The party justified the suspension, saying that it followed several petitions against them by various organs of the party for anti-party activities, starting from the wards, local governments, senatorial districts to the state level.

The suspension spree also affected Sir George Egu and Barr Kelvin Ugwu who were suspended via a press release on August 10, 2017, saying that their suspension was due to “recent newspaper publication written and signed by the above two persons purporting to be the Party Secretary and Legal Adviser respectively, a publication which was false and intended not only to deceive the National Caretaker Committee, but also mislead and misguide

Cont’d on page 12

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT

Anambra Central: My matter is be determined before election

A FEW days ago, INEC came up with a statement fixing a new date for the Anambra Central Senatorial election. What do you make of the position by INEC? Our position remains the same. Rushing to fix a date for the election without dealing with all the critical and genuine matters in court makes me wonder why INEC, at this point in time wants to just waste taxpayers’ money and why APGA and its candidate continue to misinform the public and want to deceitfully get into the senate from the backdoor. One thing I make out of it is that this issue of Anambra Central, as regards the rerun, cannot fully and finally be decided without dealing with my own case, which is pending in court. It is a pre-election matter, which is superior to any other post-election case as far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned. Although the Appeal Court has, rightly or wrongly, ordered a rerun, truth is that judgment is being misrepresented

by APGA and its candidate, who are also using undue pressure and propaganda to push INEC into doing what, at the end of the day, will be an effort in futility. A rerun was ordered, yes, but even in the same judgment of post-election, the Appeal Court confirmed and affirmed the victory of PDP as a party with the highest number of valid votes cast in the election hence the refusal of the court to declare APGA, which came second, as winner. My matter, which was instituted in 2014 and still pending in court, is a pre-election matter which can decide the fate of a post-election matter. Remember that in 2007, while Peter Obi was at the Supreme Court fighting to validate his four-year mandate, INEC hurriedly went and conducted an election into the office of governor in Anambra state and had someone sworn in as governor that lasted only 17 days. That episode cost Nigeria a lot in resources.

But, the recent Court of Appeal Judgment ordered that PDP should not be part of the rerun?

Now, if you go back to the Appeal Court judgment that ordered a rerun, it did not imply that PDP should not have candidate. The order was very clear. Even if that judgment was meant to exclude PDP, it would have been clearly stated in the judgment. If the Court intended to exclude PDP from the rerun, it would have been categorically stated by the court.

The disqualification contained in that judgment is strictly as it concerns the candidate of PDP as a party in that suit. It did not affect any other candidate of the PDP that contested in the primary election.

The judgment was not ambiguous. It was also very clear, in the judgment, that PDP won the senatorial election by winning majority of valid votes cast. The point the court made was that the candidate at the time was not validly nominated. It did not invalidate the election and the result from it. Remember that the candidate of APGA, in the matter, did not ask for a rerun. He rather asked to be declared the winner and be sworn in. The court refused that prayer. This means that the victory of PDP in the Anambra Central Senatorial election of 2015 is still intact.

Therefore, anybody who is interested in what is happening in Anambra Central must be interested in what becomes of my matter, which is a pre-election case and which began in 2014 and has taken this long. We had to deal with five other candidates who were interested parties in this suit. We had to face them one

• Obiora Okonkwo

• Victor Umeh

Dr. Obiora Okonkwo won the 2014 primary election of the PDP for Anambra Central Senatorial election. He became victim of the gale of impunity that reigned then. Since then, he has battled to regain his mandate in the courts.

His challenge of the matter brought before the court in December 2014 is still pending in court making it difficult to proceed with the court-ordered rerun election. He spoke to correspondents in Abuja on the Appeal Courtordered Anambra Central Senatorial election re-run, stressing that the pre-election matter, which is still pending in court, is vital in determining progress of the senatorial zone. From Abuja, CHIDI UGWU reports. after the other and now as the only one standing, I will continue to defend that mandate of PDP. Why blame APGA for asking that rerun election be held? Has APGA erred by asking that court decision be upheld?

My mention of APGA is not to blame.

But, I have heard of sorts of shenanigan from APGA’s candidate, Victor Umeh, who has now demonstrated that he has diarrhea of the mouth. He has been around insulting everyone in the senatorial district, the same persons he says he wants to represent, in a desperate pursuit of the Anambra Central seat as if his whole life depends on it. However,

I am saying that in putting your case forward, you just have to be honest and not deceitful. You also have to be respectful and show decorum in your utterances and conduct. I do not intend to join issues with him but I know we do not need to be disrespectful or touts and talk down on others to become senators.

In advancing your cause, you don’t blind your eyes to part of the judgment, which is also clear to everybody and begin to propagate a single aspect of it, which says go for a rerun. Ordinarily, one should expect that an order of court must be obeyed. No one is saying the order of court should not be obeyed but the Court of Appeal s not the final arbiter on this

matter. It is also obvious that INEC has been served with the notice of appeal at the Supreme Court and stay of execution in this matter. All the records of Appeal have been transmitted to the Supreme Court. It is, therefore, expected that a law-abiding INEC should naturally comply and wait for the outcome of the appeal at the Supreme Court rather than be stampeded into engaging in an act that will prejudice the Supreme Court. INEC cannot truthfully take an uninformed decision by saying, in its own statement, that there is no other case in any court in Nigeria, which has direct effect on the Anambra Central election. So, is it possible that INEC is not aware of this

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT

pre-election, must – Obiora Okonkwo

• Uche Ekwunife

• Annie Okonkwo

matter at the Supreme Court even when it has all documents served it (CTC of Notice of Appeal, Stay of Execution, copy of acknowledgement of service on INEC received by its own officials)?

There is argument that INEC cannot be stopped from conducting election simply because of a case in court?

It may be so if it has to do with constitutionally scheduled election time-table but surely not court-ordered election expect the matter has been finally decided by the highest court, in this case, the Supreme Court, or, if it is not encumbered with all other court matters.

Is INEC party to your suit seeking validation of result of the primary at which you were returned the winner?

Yes, INEC is a party to the suit. They have always been in court. They have never missed one day in court. They are in custody of all the processes in the matter. They have all the documents involved in this matter. They are, however, neutral and want to abide by the judgment of the court. Therefore, they should not have in any way ignored that matter in all their consideration. That is why I am asking why the deceit? Is someone trying to play a fast one? I know that the people of Anambra central are missing out in quality representation at the senate. But, what is right is right. They will also not be

• Chris Ngige

• Sylvester Okonkwo.

happy to see that the process was not properly conducted. But, I think that it is in the interest of all for the process to be clarified and the people have their say. If INEC, by any means is misinformed, I will advise that they go back and look at their records and processes in this matter, which they already have. That will help them to make a fair, unbiased and balanced decision on this matter.

Don’t you think that there are people in Anambra Central who are desirous of having the rerun and would be ready to vote in January regardless of the outcome of the pending legal matters?

We all desire for that seat to be filled.

We are only saying that if that election process must be initiated, we must have to put into consideration all the outstanding legal matters so that the election does not become an effort in futility. Elections cost resources. So, I am yet to see that Anambra Central person who would want to be dragged into an election process where he will waste time, money and resources for a rerun election only to come back to realise that the election was a mere academic exercise, except probably, Victor Umeh, who knows quite well that he cannot stand me in a free and fair election because he has been rejected by his own party for all his illicit activities which I won’t go into unless he refuses to be respectful and remains

uncouth. If at all the election should hold, let it hold at a time when all due consideration to all pending issues in court has been given.

Ekwunife, who is party to the suit, a few days ago withdrew from it. Has her withdrawal in anyway impacted on the progress of the suit?

Uche Ekwunife is one politician in Anambra state, who, I believe, has paid her dues and should never be ignored or disrespected by any one. I have nothing against her for all the effort she put in to fight to retain the senatorial seat. Anyone in her position would have done as much.

It is a welcome development at this point to withdraw her defence in the suit because there is a saying that a good soldier knows when to pull the trigger and when to pull back. He that fights and runs away lives to fight another day. I respect her for that. In an earlier development, PDP, which is the platform upon which all of us contested, had surrendered to judgment as part of the efforts to right the wrongs in the party. The interim PDP leadership had looked into the matter, reviewed it, checked the records, read the reports of the Appeal and affidavits sworn in by the panel members sent to Anambra State and come to the conclusion that from all available evidence, I won the primary election and in the interest of justice, they have no other choice than to withdraw

their own defence and said in an affidavit sworn and also filed in court, that I won the primary election. That was also a welcome development. It is a positive sign.

Therefore, I have no doubt that justice can only be delayed but, in this case, not to be denied.

Having taken over three years, do you still think there is need to continue in the pursuit of this matter when we are entering another election cycle? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on the coming election instead of dissipating energy on this?

This process has been on since 2014 and there is every need to continue because we are simply demanding justice. We are here in the court for justice. At whatever time this matter is finally determined, am convinced the outcome vindicates us.

That is why we have been very committed, and resilient, but strictly going by the rules of the court. It has taken this long obviously, but you should know that Anambra Central is the hottest Senatorial District in Nigeria. Don’t forget that contestants in that election include then sitting Senator, Chris Ngige of APC, who is Minister of Labour and Productivity; we had Victor Umeh of APGA and National Chairman of the party; inside PDP, we had Senator Annie Okonkwo, we had Uche Ekwunife who was in the House of Representatives then; we also had Sylvester Okonkwo and others. Actually, six top contenders in PDP, individually, have the resources to run for governorship of Anambra state all on their own. And then you still had to deal with the issue of the other factions of PDP. During the court processes, all these interests came into play. All these persons were involved in the matter. They applied to join and if you refuse, the matter goes up to the Supreme Court. So, we took on each of those candidates and dealt with their matter as they came before we arrived at where we are now. So, I am the only man standing in this matter. It has been a long process and a tough one. We are not doing it by any other means except by the rule of law and patiently waiting for justice. However, at this point, there is nothing to wait for anymore. There is no time to waste. There is need to determine this matter expeditiously. In the course of this matter, three judges have withdrawn. They began the process and somewhere along the line, the pulled out.

I don’t know what made them withdraw, but that has caused delay because each time a judge withdraws, we start all over again. But, at the end of the day, the truth must be told. Certain impunities in our party just have to be addressed and dealt with. I hope the outcome of the court process will help address some of these issues.

Why have you put yourself through all this trouble?

I am majorly in it to advance the rule of law and help to clean up the impunity in the political process. As a person, I am gainfully self-employed and fully engaged in business through which I have continued to provide services to my people and work for common good. This is not something to promote selfish ambition.

I am in it for the good of our system and to promote the rule of law. There are a whole lot of good people who would have loved to get involved in the political process but they are discouraged by the impunity in our political system. For this reason, they stay away. Many of them keep encouraging me in this fight. They believe that the process will help to clean up the system and encourage them to fight in the future. There are some who have been victims of such impunities and gave up because they did not have the courage and resources to fight for justice.

They look up to my case and say it will give them hope. My victory in this matter will help to, one day, bring in more decent people into the political process in Anambra and Nigeria at large.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

POLITICS Cont’d from page 9 the teaming members of the party in Imo State as to who the authentic leadership of PDP is in the state”.

The party added that its “Working Committee also cited the instances where the said Sir George Egu wrote letters to INEC in respect of the just concluded ward and local government congresses introducing different individuals as the LGA chairmen in Imo State.

“Based on the above verifiable instances, the State Working Committee rose from her meeting suspending Sir George Egu and Barr Kelvin Ugwu from participating in the activities of the party at all levels”.

Still in the spirit of suspension, the Charles Ezekwem executive attempted suspending Senator Hope Uzodimma but met a brick-wall because his suspension would require stricter procedure. The PDP in the 12 local government areas in Orlu Zone loyal to Ihedioha had signed a petition for the suspension of the Senator for several reasons, including anti-party activities, and forwarded same to the state exco for onward submission to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. This led to rumours that the Senator had been suspended.

Reacting to the suspension rumour, the State Chairman of the party loyal to the Senator, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, said on October 7, 2017, that the news about the suspension of the Senator was not true.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting of the party at its 47 Okigwe Road Secretariat, Barr Anyaehie said that the news about the suspension of the Senator was the evil imagination of those who are bereft of ideas. He noted that Senator Hope Uzodimma, apart from being a ranking member of the Senate is also a BoT member of the party, Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum and a major stakeholder in the party, and could not be suspended anyhow.

He insisted that nothing had changed in the party from the wards to the state level, saying that any attempt to thwart the outcome of the congresses held at wards and LGAs would fail. He called on members of the party to continue with their activities and concentrate on getting new members, assuring them that their positions are intact.

For the Publicity Secretary of the faction loyal to the Senator, who was also suspended, Barr Enyinna Onuegbu, the suspension of the Senator is a “ruse and a reflection of the desperation of the opposition”. He described the Senator as a pillar in the PDP, even as he added that no sensible party would like to expel such a person from its fold.

Apart from the suspensions that flew high and low as a result of the crisis in the PDP in Imo State, there were also legal actions instituted to determine the authentic leadership of the party in the state. While the party at the national level was in court over leadership tussle, the Charles Ezekwem led exco in Imo State also went to court praying the court to stop the Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie led exco from parading as the state exco of the party in Imo. In a counter move, the Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie led exco also filed a suit before an Owerri High Court challenging the authenticity of the Ezekwem exco. But in a judgement delivered by Hon Justice Theresa Eberechukwu on November 15, 2017, the court struck out the suit, saying that it was frivolous and lacked merit. It is really a ding-dong affair in Imo PDP. But, despite the many troubles of the party, many party faithful and followers hope that the December 9 national congress would provide the party the golden opportunity to mend fences and come together so as to be able to face the 2019 general elections as a united and strong party. But as the national convention comes closer it becomes obvious that the crisis in the party is far from being over as the party is sharply divided over whom to support for the position of the National Chairman.

• Tunde Adeniran

• Ifeanyi Okowa

• Jimmy Agbaje

While the faction loyal to Emeka Ihedioha is strongly in support of the candidacy of Uche Secondus, the Hope Uzodimma faction is said to be routing for Prof Tunde Adeniran from Ekiti State. Prof Adeniran is also said to be enjoying the support of the Chuks Ajaelu led faction of the party in Imo. Mr. Secondus had assured the Ihedioha faction during a visit to the party office recently in company of Emeka Ihedioha, that he has the capacity to unite the party if he emerges the National Chairman of the party.

Speaking to The Oracle Today in Owerri on Sunday, a top member of the party reiterated that the Ihedioha faction is backing Uche Seondus, noting that there is no pretence about it. He said since the party zoned the position of the National Chairman of the party to the South, they are free to support anyone for the position of the National Chairman.

The Ezekwem faction of the party is known to be enjoying the support of the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and they are most likely to participate in voting during the National Congress, having conducted a special congress to elect the delegates for the congress. Some of the delegates are former Governor Achike Udenwa, former Secretary to the state government, Chief Chris Okewulonu, and former House of Representatives member, Hon Gerald Irona.

In another chat with The Oracle Today on Sunday, a chieftain of the party said that the choice of Secondus was wrong as it is not in the interest of Ndigbo, stressing that Governor Nyesom Wike should listen to the voice of wisdom and prevail on Secondus to withdraw in the interest of the party.

He revealed that the PDP leaders in the North and other places, except for few states like Rivers and Imo, are solidly behind Prof Tunde Adeniran. He said that though Governor Ayo Fayose does not support his candidacy because he wants the position of the Vice President, the PDP leaders are sure that Prof Adeniran would emerge and restore the glory of the party.

But while the Imo PDP prepares for the National Congress divided, a gale of defection has hit the party as some of its chieftains have defected to the All Pro-

gressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Recently, one of the factional chairmen of the party and former state chairman of the PDP, Dr Alex Obi, led some big weights to APGA, among whom was a governorship aspirant of the party in 2015, Chief Charles Onyeagbako.

It has also been rumoured that another former aspirant for the governorship ticket of the party, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, has joined the party. Others said to have joined APGA include Chief Leo Stern Eke, Chief Frank Nneji and Barr Humphrey Anumodu.

But as December 9 approaches, whether the Uzodimma faction and others will cast any vote during the National Congress remains to be seen, though our source said Nigerians should watch and see.

But whatever happens, it is prayed that the PDP, especially the PDP in Imo State, comes out of the National Congress united and stronger.

finding out the reason behind the failure to win the Anambra governorship election upon the fact that PDP paraded arguably the best candidate in the election in the person of Mr Oseloka Henry Obaze.

First and foremost, the convention should find out the true position of notable members of the party like Chief Chris Ubah who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Party, Senator Stella Oduah and other members of the National Assembly from Anambra; Ifeanyi Ubah, former State Chairman of the party Chief Ken Emeakai, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Prince John Emeka and host of others who allegedly accepted mouth watering offer from incumbent Governor Willie Obiano and worked against the PDP during the Anambra governorship election.

Eyes on PDP as party holds

Anambra: Where PDP’s centre is perpetually shaky The much-publicised National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) billed for Saturday December 9, 2017, is no doubt an event that comes with a lot of promise for a better, more formidable party. Indeed, a lot is being expected of the PDP convention, including a new leadership team that will pilot the affairs of the party in the next fours years, and the vision and plans of the party toward 2019 general election.

The convention is expected to resolve all manner of crises bedevilling the opposition party at the national level and put it in a stronger position to go for 2019 election and dethrone sitting President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) and get back to power the party lost in 2015.

Thirdly and not the least that is being expected from the convention is a response to bewildering disputes among leaders of the party in some States across the nation notably Anambra State.

Going into the convention barely three weeks after losing a governorship election in Anambra taking a distance third position simply catapults Anambra chapter of the PDP into the main topics of the convention. Thus, the convention has to do thorough investigation with a view to

It was widely reported in the media that virtually all the leaders of the PDP in Anambra allegedly collected huge sums of cash from Obiano and worked against their party during the governorship election and massively mobilised votes in favour of the incumbent governor who is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who eventually won a landslide victory in the election.

Shortly before the election it was reported that the above listed leaders of the party were not comfortable with the choice of former Governor Peter Obi as the leader of the party in the State and Oseloka Henry Obaze as the candidate of the party for the governorship election.

Their reason, according to reliable sources is that both former Governor Obi and Obaze are relatively new in the party and, therefore, cannot hold sway in the party.

None of the leaders has come out to deny the report, which means the allegation of anti-party activities against them may be true.

When contacted on his mobile phone to air his view on the convention, a member of the Federal House of Representatives Hon. Chris Azubogu who represents Nnewi North and South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House under the platform of the PDP bluntly told The Oracle Today that he was not interested in the convention. It is uncommon to have a sitting Federal Lawmaker show no interest

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

POLITICS

• Uche Secondus

• Raymond Dokpesi

• Dave Umahi

make or mar convention in the national convention of his political party. It shows that something is wrong somewhere.

Secondly, the resignation of the caretaker committee chairman of the party Professor ABC Nwosu also deserves the attention of the convention. Shortly after the governorship election, Nwosu who was appointed before the election resigned as the chairman of caretaker committee.

A competent source also confided in The Oracle Today that Nwosu’s resignation is not unconnected with lack of support and anti-party activities of the leaders of the party. Nwosu has been replaced by Mr Chudi Umeaba who is relatively unpopular in the politics of The Light of the Nation.

Observers say losing the Anambra governorship poll is a big blow to the PDP in the southeast geopolitical zone, which is being viewed as the stronghold of the party along side the South South geopolitical zone. The situation on the ground, according to observers, is that the failure to win the governorship election has apparently disorganised and defaced PDP in Anambra State.

An observer and political mobiliser in the State Amb. (Dr) Simon Chukwuemeka told The Oracle Today that people who want to speak to Anambra PDP now don’t know whom to contact. According to Chukwuemeka, those who are interested in the national convention in Anambra are in the dark because there appears to be no competent source of the party in State with an update on those that would be the delegates to represent Anambra at the convention.

Contacted, a chieftain of the party and member of the current caretaker committee who didn’t want to be quoted, assured that all is well for PDP in Anambra adding that members of the party are getting ready for the national convention just like other States across the nation. Asked why none of the aspirants for National Chairman of the PDP who are going around the nation is yet to visit Anambra, the caretaker committee member said that they are expecting them adding that the committee is in the process of organising ward, local government and State delegates congresses in preparation for the convention.

He said: “We are aware that the aspir-

ants for the national chairmanship position of our great party are going round in the country doing campaign and we are also expecting them here in Anambra to come and tell us their vision and plans for our great party. But, right now, we are organising Congress into the leadership of the party; we have just concluded the Ward and Local Government Congress and the next is the State Congress.”

Further inquiries by The Oracle Today revealed that leaders of the PDP in Anambra who worked for the re-election of incumbent Governor Obiano as earlier mentioned are on the threshold to fully defect to APGA ahead of the 2019 general elections. Sources close to some of the leaders confided in The Oracle Today that most of them are making arrangements to defect to APGA after the swearing in of Obiano in March next year with the intention to contest or re-contest elective positions in 2019 on the platform of APGA. Speaking on the situation of PDP in Anambra, an ex Market leader and grassroots politician in the State, Chief Pius Ozoanakwe urged the party to put the governorship election behind and face the future with the target of making meaningful contributions to the downfall of APC at the national level in 2019. Ozoanakwe who was a one time President of Onitsha Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA) said that what happened during Anambra Poll is an opportunity for PDP to flush out those charlatans that have held the party in bondage for so long in the State.

He said: “If I have the opportunity to address the convention on Anambra issue, I will advise them to flush out those who have kept the party in bondage for so long in the State; they are the ones who kidnapped Ngige as Governor under PDP and made PDP lose Anambra to APGA. They are the ones who removed Uche Ekwunife as Senator; they have caused a lot of damage to the PDP in Anambra State because they prefer to govern in hell fire rather than to serve in paradise, so let them go to another party and leave PDP in peace. PDP can do better without them.”

The ex-market leader wondered why any reasonable person in Anambra State or elsewhere should oppose former Governor Peter Obi and Oseloka Henry Obaze

as the leader and governorship candidate of the PDP in Anambra respectively, adding that the defection of the likes of ex-governor Obi and Obaze who parade wonderful credentials and global standard contacts to PDP from APGA is one of the best things to have ever happened to the PDP in the State.

He continued: “I am speaking from the genuine point of view that PDP couldn’t have produced a better candidate than Obaze for the just-concluded governorship election when we talk about credibility and antecedents, so for the leaders of the party to have abandoned Obaze simply shows that they don’t have good intentions for the party, and it is time for the party to rise up to the occasion and get rid of these wolves in sheep’s clothings to move the party forward.”

To those who wish to see a stabilised PDP in Anambra State, the national convention is just the perfect opportunity and the national leadership of the party must do everything possible to put the party on the right track in the Light of the Nation.

South West An earlier meeting of PDP leaders in Enugu failed to produce a consensus candidate. So, all the South West candidates are going to slug it out in the election, which promises to be keenly contested. Of all them, Professor Adeniran and Otunba Daniel appear to have campaigned the most. Both have visited many States between them. In Abia, Daniel told Ndigbo, for instance, not to vote for a South South candidate but rather for a South West candidate so the Vice Presidency can come to the South East, which, he said hasn’t tasted executive power at the federal level in over 30 years.

Adeniran has also canvassed vigorously and seems to have a lot of support in the North and in the South East and even South South.

South South It is not clear whether the South South has a common position on the chairmanship contest. But, the obvious support for Secondus by Wike and Umahi may have thrown the spanner in the works of any collective position that both zones could have adopted for their own strategic

• Nysom Wike political interest.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Main Committee of December 9, 2017 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has assured that officers of the party will emerge through a transparent, peaceful and blameless process.

Senator Okowa, who is the governor of Delta State, commended the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, members of the Committee and members of the Board of Trustees of the party for finding him, members of his committee, chairmen and members of sub-committees for the convention fit to serve the party and Nigerians in that capacity.

“I am confident that we are going to carry out our assignment in such a manner that our people will be happy; we will ensure that the election process is transparent, a convention that is peaceful, reconciliatory and blameless,” Governor Okowa said.

Alhaji Markafi had, in his speech, said the party has been positioned to emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections.

He observed that in recent times, the party has been having a haul of decampees of prominent personalities from the opposition political parties, noting that the Chairman and members of the convention planning committee were carefully chosen based on their antecedents in delivering results and their commitment to the ideals of the party.

Chairman of the BOT of the party, Senator Walid Jubril, in his speech, stated that the due process was followed for a hitch-free convention to hold, assuring that the BOT will work with the convention planning committee for the best to be achieved for the party.

Some members of the Main Committee, which has the governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishiaku as deputy chairman includes former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu; former minister, Dr Kema Chiwe and exSenators Odion Ugbesia and Duro Faseyi.

Other committees inaugurated include accreditation, constitutional amendments, contact and mobilization, electoral, entertainment and welfare, medical committee, publicity committee, screening committee, security committee, transport, venue and protocol and secretariat committees.

Whatever the permutations, many PDP faithful simply pray for a peaceful and transparent elective convention whose outcome will keep the party intact and make it greater.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

POLITICS Consummate philanthropist, businessman and Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Chief Ejikeme Odumegwu (Owelle of Nsukka) is currently refurbishing all police stations in Enugu State. A lawyer and politician, he has lifted many lives and supported several churches through his charity organisation – Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu, (OEO) Foundation.

In this interview, he tells CHUKS EZE that OEOF is undertaking the police facelift project not just to encourage the Nigeria Police and support the federal government but also to advance Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s style of accommodating, protecting and caring for all residents of Enugu State irrespective of political, religious or cultural affiliations.

What prompted you to singlehandedly undertake the refurbishing of all police stations under Enugu State Command?

God prompted me. Many things that I do are borne out of God’s inspiration. The on-going facelift of Police Stations in Enugu State was divinely motivated, and it is being undertaken by my foundation – Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu Foundation (OEOF), a non-governmental, non-profit organisation. I set up the charity foundation specifically to cater for the poor, indigent widows, downtrodden and the needy as a whole.

How did the Nigeria Police come into the frame; is the force downtrodden too?

The police fall within the category of the needy. They are in dire need of assistance from private individuals and corporate organisations because government alone cannot fund the Police effectively. I appreciate the fact that the duty of the Police is not only essential but sacrosanct too. So, in order for us, as a society, to achieve optimum efficiency in policing our society, we should partner the police. There is a popular saying that whenever the Police are determined to do their job, they do it perfectly well. But they should be encouraged and motivated to be very effective. That is exactly what I am doing through OEOF. I was once pressed to visit some police facilities in Enugu State and when I went round, I saw falling and dilapidated structures, even leaking roofs, which made a mockery of the Police.

So, I decided to give Enugu Police a new look through my Foundation.

(To start with) I formally wrote the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State command, seeking his approval, which he granted immediately. Before then, I had earlier commenced work at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. That was after I had discovered the goodness and humility in the former DPO of Igbo-Eze North LGA, CSP Akaene Onyeamu, now in charge of Abakaliki Road Police Station, GRA, Enugu, along with his DCO, ASP Onele Chuks George.

How would you rate the Enugu Police in terms of performance?

Enugu is the most Police-friendly State and also the State with lowest crime rates in Nigeria. I commend the State Commissioner of Police Mr Dan Mallam Muhammed, and his men for always exhibiting high measure of professionalism in their operation. There is still room for improvement, though. But, the initial kidnapping and other security challenges in the state have been dealt with and Enugu State is calm now. I also commend Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his unprecedented approach to security issues in the state. As a result of the recent establishment of neighbourhood watch in rural communities all over the state, residents can now sleep and even snore with both eyes closed in the state.

These efforts put together stand as attraction to my contribution. You can only snore

Why I’m renovating Enugu Police stations, by Owelle Odumegwu • Says Ugwuanyi’s hard work ’ll fetch him smooth re-election

•Owelle Odumegwu at night when the city is calm. People usually troop in from various parts of the country and beyond to rest in Enugu all because the city is calm. And I am certain that the governor has also been awesome in his collaboration, contributions and availability to the Police. That is why they always speak nicely of him. That is also why we are supporting the governor to provide the Police with more conducive working environment.

Do you intend to complete the project before the 2019 general election; and do you have plans to extend the project beyond Enugu State?

Yes, the project will be completed before 2019 election. If God gives us the grace, we may even finish it under one or two months.

But it has nothing to do with 2019 election or any election for that matter. I am a politician, but I am not running for any elective office at present and I am not using it as any campaign strategy. And as regards extending the project beyond the State, I want to state that even the one that we are doing now is our little contribution to the federal government because Police is a federal agency. However, if God directs us to move beyond Enugu State and provides the resources, we shall move beyond Enugu State.

By the way, congratulations on your recent appointment as Special Adviser to Governor Ugwuanyi Thank you very much. And I seize this medium to appreciate my governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on behalf of myself, my family, Umuopu Community and Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, for finding me worthy of such appointment.

You must be happy that your candidate

emerged winner of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Council Chairman and has been sworn in, aren’t you?

You should know that Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja emerged the winner not just because he was my candidate, but also based on his antecedents and popularity. To God be the glory.

Are you still in PDP? You just congratulated me on my recent appointment as SPA to my governor, didn’t you?

Being a strong PDP member, why are you funding the Police, a federal agency under APC-controlled federal government?

What I am doing is not borne out of politics; it has nothing to do with party ideology or affiliation but the wellbeing of our citizens and visitors to our State. I am joining hands with the present administration to build our nation, particularly my state governor, the hardworking Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He is a great leader and a man upon whose shoulder we rest our oars. We should not expect the government to do everything all alone, especially under the prevailing economic difficulties in Nigeria, when government is striving to cope with workers’ salaries.

We are aware of the Specialist Hospital that you are constructing for your people back home, among other charities. What other humanitarian projects is OEOF undertaking at present?

I told you that all my undertakings are divinely inspired. So, whatever challenge that may arise is God’s challenge, not mine. Another thing is that the support that we extend to various churches is between us and God and I desist from discussing them in the media. Every support that God has allowed us the grace

to extend to several churches across different denominations, is to His glory. As you may know, I started with my local church where we extended support to, and laid the foundation of, the proposed Specialist Hospital, which will be donated to my community, through the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese. We have supported the on-going church building project of my parish and a few other churches around, including support for indigent widows and award of scholarships to some indigent students, among others. From there, we proceeded to construct a Police Station in Etteh, Igbo-Eze North Council Area. We later moved to the Divisional Police Station in Igbo-Eze North to construct peripheral fencing, with a befitting gate, and general renovation. It was after that that we commenced the current project of refurbishing all the police stations in the Enugu State Command. All that we are doing is to accomplish what the Prophesy has said. As I said earlier, whatever God directs me to do is what I do. People have been asking me to contest for this and that and I decline and tell them that I have got no message to that effect. However, being a politician, whenever such message comes, I would have no choice than to yield to their request.

Moreso, in line with our support to the police, we are currently undertaking the training of the Nigerian Police Force on human rights and rule of law to effect a core police-friendliness to the citizenry. This was in agreement with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris. The exercise is already on-going in Enugu State and the entire 36 states of the federation.

We gathered that you are also undertaking some road projects in your area; how true is that?

I earlier told you that I stand to support the candid administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who obviously commenced road construction in my local government, recently, and as a result, I decided to join him in grading some rural roads, particularly in my community, Umuopu. As we speak, I also intend to extend my charity to other sectors, God willing.

What sort of discouragement do you get from friends, associates and family members for using your hard-earned money to do charity?

That is if I am ready to lend ears to anybody in that regard. It takes just me to obey God’s directives; I do not take advice from anybody in respect of what is between me and my God. So, you are aware that some people are questioning your source of wealth?

O yes, I am. I am also aware that some people are suspecting that I am doing all these to prepare grounds for my election bid. But, all I say to them is that this is divine mandate. All those envying us will soon join us. My wealth and what I do with it is between me and God. Now that you are governor’s aid; are you going to suspend OEOF in order not to offend your boss?

The thing is that the governor is aware of all that I am doing and he is happy about it.

He knows that I do it to better the lives of our people and he sees what I am doing as part of his projects and that I am only assisting the State. He sees my input as good stewardship.

In 2014/2015, you were all over the state and the country as well, with your GGSG and NYSGG mobilising for candidates Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on one hand and Jonathan/Sambo Presidency on another. Are both groups still on ground to mobilize support for Ugwuanyi and Presidential polls, as 2019 approaches?

Sure, they are! When it comes to 2019 election, as regards Enugu State, Ugwuanyi’s victory is assured based on his performance. He is an all-embracing governor, who carries everybody along with love, humility and respect.

His hard work will definitely fetch him smooth re-election. Governor Ugwuanyi is running his first tenure and conventionally, we all know that he must be there for his second term.

As regards national mobilization, my structures are still intact nationwide. The GGSG, (Gburu Gburu Support Group) as you know, is always on ground and ready to make things happen for Governor Ugwuanyi, while my NYSGG (National Youth Solidarity for Good Governance), which is a separate group, is also intact and formidable nationwide. I founded it, just like I founded the GGSG, and I still have my 10 very committed and vibrant coordinators in all the 774 local government areas in the country intact. If you multiply 10 by 774, you would realise the kind of impact that only my coordinators can make when the chips are down – when we choose our preferred Presidential candidate for 2019!

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

INTERVIEW • South-East/SouthSouth permutation • South-West cries foul • Jonathan, IBB, former ministers, battle to wrest party from governors

T

He outcome of the national convention of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), slated to hold on Saturday, December 9, at the Eagles Square, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, will determine whether the party can reinvent itself after the dip in its fortunes, no thanks to the internecine skirmish of upward of 14 months that tore it down the middle. The convention, now precipitously snowballing into a whirlpool of accusations, finger pointing and suspicion carries a wieldy baggage of good and bad tidings.

Depending on how the current leading lights of the party go about their undisguised ambition to control the leadership of the party through its National Working Committee (NWC), which would be constituted from those to be elected by over 2, 774 delegates of the party at the national convention, the conduct and the outcome of the convention can reinvent or shatter the PDP into smithereens. The upcoming convention will indicate whether the PDP can present itself as a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and by implication, present itself as a better alternative in the 2019 general elections, or begin a slow decline into political nonentity.

All positions in the NWC are to be contested.

But, the contentious position is that of the national chairman of the party, which, for 15 years until 2015, controlled the levers of power at the federal level. The accusations of impunity and imposition of candidates and the flagrant breaches of its constitution and collective agreements which dogged its pathway prior to the 2015 general elections are again being re-echoed as entrenched forces within the PDP hanker to control the party.

The PDP under the chairmanship of Senator Ali Modu-Sherrif, former two-term governor of Bornu State, had zoned the presidential ticket of the party in 2019 to the North, comprising of North East; North-West and North-Central, while it zoned the chairmanship position to the South, comprising the South-East; South-West and the South-South. The battle for the soul of PDP, which provoked multiple court cases forestalled the national convention of the PDP that was earlier slated for May 21 last year from holding. But, even at that time, the proprietor of the African Independent Television, AIT, and Ray Power 100.5 Fm, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, from Edo State, in the South-South geo-political region had signified his ambition to contest the chairmanship position, a development that elicited murmurings and subtle disenchantment from chairmanship aspirants from the South-West.

The position of the South-West PDP is that even though the party’s 2015 reconciliation committee led by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu had zoned the national chairmanship position to the South as a monolithic geographical entity, the South-West geo-political zone argues that it has not produced a national chairman of the PDP since its formation in 1998 as a fallout out of the G-14 Northern elite meeting that asked the late military despot General Sani Abacha to relinquish power and then, the expanded G-34 put together by the late Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, which coalesced into PDP at his residence at Ikoyi, in Lagos State.

The foray of open-letters by the G-34 asking Abacha to proclaim a workable hand-over timeline to usher in an elective civilian participatory democracy inspired concerted effort by the international community to move forcefully against the Abacha-led junta. And the rest as they say is history!

The thinking of PDP top brass in the SouthWest is that at the behest of the political alliance forged by the South-West APC led by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a former two-term governor Lagos State, by leading his defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), to form an alliance with Mohammadu Buhari’s now defunct Congress of Progress Change, CPC; the All Nigeria

•Ibrahim Babangida

•Goodluck Jonathan

•Ayo Fayose

Chairmanship tussle: Can PDP reinvent itself?

NATH OMAME Jr., in Port Harcourt, writes on the intrigues, horse-trading, others, attendant to the PDP National Convention scheduled to hold in Abuja on Saturday, December 9.

Progressives Party, ANPP, and a splinter group of the All Party Grand Alliance, led by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, routed the PDP from its 16 years control of the federal government on the cumulative strength of the APC, formed in 2014, the South-West should be given a key role in the PDP to enable it chisel some appreciable support for the PDP from the South-West.

Expectedly, the South West produced more chairmanship aspirants than any other geo-political region in the South prior to the botched May 21, 2016, PDP convention. The chairmanship aspirants from the South West who indicated their interest to vie for the PDP chairmanship in 2016 are still the very active ones in the race this year. They include former National Vice Chairman of the PDP (SW), Chief Olabode George; former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels; former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; and former governorship aspirant of the PDP in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje. The only new chairmanship aspirant from the South West after the Supreme Court duly recognized the Ahmed Markafi’s led faction of the PDP as the authentic leadership of the party is the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Ladoja.

Senator Sherrif who had a long-running battle with Senator Makarfi over the leadership of the party was reportedly invited to lead the PDP by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. All thorough the 14 months that the party was in court, Wike and Fayose were said to have provided financial support for the legal battle.

Both governors became the new face of the PDP. With a huge question mark hanging over the leadership of the party, Wike and Fayose became the spokespersons of the PDP and launched a ceaseless critique of the President Buhari led APC federal government.

However, the success of the proposed national convention is now been hinged on the need for Governor Wike to withdraw his support for the former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who like Wike is from Rivers State. Political watchers say Governor Fayose and other PDP governors are supporting Secondus’s candidature. Elders and stakeholders in the PDP are said to be putting pressure on Wike to soft pedal on his support for Secondus and allow the South-West to produce the next national chairman of the PDP. What is happening now in the PDP is not new.

The PDP governors were so powerful during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. And that was the harbinger of the imposition of candidates as each state governor chose candidates who ran for elective offices whether they were popular or not. While the PDP governors are scheming to take control of the leadership of the party, Jonathan who had to contend with the influence of governors in the national leadership of the party, is said to be aligning with Prof. Adeniran to clinch the national position of the party.

Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gasau, former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and some members of the PDP Board of Trustees, BOT, are said to be garnering support for Prof. Adeniran. Otunba Gbenga Daniel seems to have the support of former PDP governors who served while he was a governor under the aegis of the PDP from 2007 to 2015.

The sitting PDP governors are in charge of their delegates. And they are confident their delegates will vote for the candidate of their choice. The PDP currently controls 11 states out of the 36 states in the federation, while the APC controls 25 states. PDP controls Akwa Ibom; Abia; Bayelsa; Cross Rivers; Delta; Ebonyi; Ekiti; Enugu; Gombe; Rivers and Taraba.

Sources say Jonathan and IBB have rallied PDP delegates in the three Northern geo-political regions in favour of Prof. Adeniran. Should Wike, Fayose and the other PDP governors refuse to back down for a candidate from the South-West, it is not unlikely that some chairmanship aspirants from the South-West may step down at the last minute and ask their delegates to join delegates from the North under the ambit of Jonathan and IBB to vote for Prof.

Adeniran.

It is not unlikely that Wike, Fayose and the other PDP governors can ask for a compromise candidate other than Prof. Adeniran if Jonathan, IBB and other heavyweights behind Prof.

Adeniran want them to withdraw their support for Prince Secondus. What transpired during the 2015 presidential election can manifest itself again. Once the delegates from the North and South-West come together in support of Prof.

Adeniran, then, no other chairmanship aspirant can defeat him.

Should that be the case, Prof. Adeniran, or whoever the coalition between the Jonathan

and the IBB group and the other aspirants from the South West put forward will win the chairmanship election, on Saturday, December 9.

The voting at the PDP national convention may give a perspective into the voting pattern that may swing the 2019 presidential election with the North and the South-West striking an electoral accord.

The South-West can also decide to punish the PDP for denying it of its coveted chairmanship slot by voting against the PDP in 2019. After all, stakeholders of the PDP in the South-West can argue that the geo-political region already has a Vice President in Prof. Yemi Osinbajo from the APC. Again, the PDP delegates from the North and their leaders are aware that the presidency has been zoned to the North by the PDP in 2019. If they support a South-South aspirant to clinch the chairmanship of the party, then, the vice presidential candidate who will run in tandem with the presidential candidate from the North will, invariably, come from the South-West, from where they can attempt to replicate what the APC did in the South West in the 2015 presidential election, by using votes from the SouthWest on the wings of a joint presidential ticket with a presidential candidate from the North to coast home to an election victory.

Politicians from the North know that the PDP is far more popular in the South-East and South-South than it is in the South West, considering the Tinubu Factor. Would the North on the strength of this empirical electoral realism, choose to support a South-West aspirant for the chairmanship of the party and then, pick a vice presidential candidate from the SouthSouth in 2019, hoping that it will get appreciable votes to shore up the votes that the presidential candidate will garner in the North?

The South-West can spring surprises and they do this often in the Nigerian political landscape when you least expect them to. What if Prof.

Adeniran, Daniels, George, Adedoja, Ladoja and Agbaje, decide to collapse their campaign machinery and subsume their individual ambition for one of them? What happens? Can Secondus pick as much votes in the North as an aspirant from the South-West would do?

Why, indeed, are South-East and South-South governors far more interested in the position of chairmanship of the party than the vice presidential slot of the PDP in 2019? Or are they expecting that the vice presidential slot would be given to the South-East if the South-South gets the chairmanship of the PDP?

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

POLITICS

By CARDINAL OLUBUNMI OKOGIE

T

he year 2018 is just a few days away. But in the horizon of Nigerian politicians, it seems 2019 will come before 2018. By their speeches, conduct and posture, even the blind is able to see that preparations for the 2019 elections are already in top gear. In utter disregard for internal party democracy, candidates and sole candidates are already being endorsed. This does not portray our politicians in good light. With very few exceptions, they are power mongers pretending to be leaders, parasites posturing as benefactors.

Endemic to our political class is an addiction to power, a chronic deficiency of desire to serve. It is becoming clearer that, for our politicians, being in power takes precedence over service to the people. In another sad reminder that they care less for the people, they are not engaged in discussions on how to alleviate the suffering of the masses, suffering visited on the people by the incompetent leadership of this country.

Nigerian politicians benefit from a system that places the citizen at a disadvantage.

They treat the people with contempt. But we the people too must be responsible for our country. If the political class is out to deceive the people, we must put some questions to our politicians. We must insist on credible answers to a number of pertinent questions. What, for example, happened to all the lofty promises made during the campaign season that preceded the 2015 elections? Why are our politicians unwilling to be accountable? Why is transparency in government a taboo? Did they not promise to change this country into a paradise? Why is it, then, that life is getting even harder for the average Nigerian? Why is the level of insecurity so high that people are abducted even from their homes? Why has our country’s leadership failed to create an environment for investments to thrive?

It is immoral and reprehensible that there is a glaring absence of internal democracy in our countries political parties. We seem not to have gotten over the flu of sole candidacy. That too raises a question. Are our poli-

Nothing but the truth ticians democrats or impostors? If they are ever ready to manipulate the process within their parties, are institutions vital for democracy safe in their hands? If, as it is, our politicians have obstinately refused to imbibe a democratic culture, are they not agents of instability?

A government that is more powerful than the people is not accountable to the people.

It does not consider transparency a sacred obligation. That is the situation as we write.

Our government is not accountable to the people. Even when government functionaries are invited to the National Assembly to answer some questions, they arrogantly fail to honour the invitation. And they get away with such insolence! But that is not what we need in Nigeria. For in a veritable democracy, the government is at the service of the citizen. Such is the profound significance of going to the polls. The citizen hires his President, Governor, Senator etc. If the people are not satisfied with their performance, those they hired are fired at the polls. But that remains a tall dream in Nigeria where, precisely because those we hire are more powerful than their employers, they are in a position to perpetuate themselves in office through an electoral process whose integrity exists only in the breach.

Meanwhile, there is a lot of work to be done in this country. Our constitution is replete with deadly inconsistencies. We need to overhaul it. But little is being done in that regard. Instead of wide-ranging reforms and far-reaching constitutional amendments, our legislators have opted for cosmetic changes. Our land is filled with indices of dilapidated infrastructure. North, South, East and West of this vast country, our roads are in terrible shape. Travelling on them strains the car and the traveler. If one chooses to travel by air, our airports are in pitiable conditions. The education sector is full of teach-

By DESMOND EKWUEME E hear that the actual cost of a Nigerian in Libya, I W mean a living soul, a complete human being breathing with hope of a better tomorrow is $200 (about N80,

000). At least that is what the Camerounian who allegedly returned to break the news said. The Cameroonian further disclosed that Nigerians are the leaders of the NEW SLAVE TRADE IN AFRICA and they are the best wares/commodities/products of the trade According to the story making the rounds, Nigerians are heads of the slave trade cartel in Libya....selling their fellow Nigerians...their compatriots for less than N80,000.....

That is how much we love ourselves. Interestingly, the Cameroonian claimed that the (victims of the slave trade) Nigerians have continued to mention one Charles as the anchor processing their trip from Nigeria to Libya. It has been alleged that he (Charles) will convince them that they are Europe bound en route Libya free of troubles/hassles. That he has an agent in Libya who will accomodate them for a brief period before processing their documents for onward and “safe” movement (sail) to Europe.

While all Nigerians are praying and hoping that our government gets to the roots of this story/crisis to expose, prosecute and punish within the ambit of the law the perpetrator(s) of this evil against mankind/humanity, let’s take a cursory look at the possibility or impossibility of the Nigerian involvement in this conspiracy theory of this dastardly act.

Here we were on March 19 when one Kemi Afolabi a 42 year old mother of three was gruesomely murdered for ritual purposes and her body dismembered by her killer one Taofeek Hassan a.k.a Mokiekie a 61-year old father of 13 who claimed that he received a paltry N4000 yes, four thousand naira for the job from his sponsors who according to the Police are still at large. This ugly incident occurred in Ikogah Zebbe area of Lagos State. The children of the deceased still wonder why the killer of their mother was allegedly released and the case closed. Four thousand naira for a Nigerian to kill his compatriot.

On September 3 Isamaila Adeyemi 46, the killer of Hector Oluwaseun Jobateh winner of Gulder Ultimate Search 2006 said he got a ridiculous N7,000 for killing Jobateh who just returned from the US and trailed from the airport to Oko-Oba in Ogba where he was murdered . The amount was the sum of Jobateh’s boxers and phone sold at the famous Computer Village market in Ikeja. Adeyemi said he actually got N5,000 and gave his younger sibling N2000 for errands ran. Seven thousand naira is what a Nigerian soul is worth.

•Anthony Cardinal Okogie ers who cannot pass simple tests. Access to good medical services remains a privilege reserved for those who can go for treatment overseas. Young and able-bodied Nigerians are unemployed. Salaries of workers have not been paid for months. Pensioners are dying while waiting for their dues. But we never hear that our political office holders

do not get paid!

When you expect government to be accountable, its officials tell blatant lies without blinking, insulting the intelligence of Nigerians. Corruption is still very much with us because lawlessness is still with us. There is no comfort anywhere. Despite all these, our politicians have the temerity to abandon governance and get on the campaign train.

They have the audacity to act this way because of their famed ability to manipulate the electoral process, their ability to ensure that the will of the people is silenced.

Our country cannot take its rightful place in the comity of nations while our political class imposes its counterfeit democracy of sole candidates and “divinely” anointed contestants on the rest of us. Let all who aspire to contest the 2019 elections go through due process within their parties. When they would have been duly nominated to contest, they must see it as a moral obligation to participate in nationally televised debates.

This time around, there must be no hiding ground. If you want to serve Nigerians, hide not your agenda.. Allow Nigerians to scrutinize your antecedents. How can you apply for a job while you do not intend to appear before an interview board? We the people need to know what each candidate for every public office stands for. We must not settle for less. Nigerian political parties should stop presenting candidates nominated through the backdoor. There must be a level playing ground within the parties.

Would it not be wise to learn from past mistakes, ours and others? This is the time to stand back from the brink. Let those who sincerely love Nigeria read and act to save our beloved country Nigeria!

• His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie sent in this contribution from Lagos

Worth of a Nigerian life

•Returnees from libya In October the police arrested a ritual killer after a mob attack along Abule Egba-Sango road who confessed to selling human parts. According to him, heads cost N20,000 each, private parts for N15,000 to N20,000 depending on gender and tongue for N10, 000 respectively. In October another ritual killer was chased out of his den, inside a hole underneath the culvert at Ile Zik bus-stop near Ikeja-Along busstop. Sadly, the stories of these ritual killers end once they are arrested by the police. No word is heard by the public they had tormented and left in sorrows over the years, from the police.

With these and several other unknown cases, the conspiracy theory of a Nigerian involvement is likely 100% true.

However, looking at the impossibility angle, the name Nigeria has become almost synonymous with crime, thanks to the way we treat ourselves backhome hence, it is assumed that any crime committed by a black in any part of the world is traceable to a Nigerian. It is also assumed that in any gathering of four blacks in any part of the world, there must be a Nigerian in their midst. That is the making of our population.

We are seen as hungry and greedy people who are frustrated to the point of desperation hence we can do anything, just anything for money. When leaders can’t provide basic and essential needs of life for their citizens such citizens are seen outside their shores as worthless, impoverished, hungry and criminal-minded. Good a thing, our anticorruption war has exposed our leaders as looters, cheap thieves, heartless criminals and haters of humanity. Aren’t they? So whatever anyone throws at us or cooks up against Nigeria and Nigerians stand.

Summary, collectively we are a wicked race. We hate ourselves. Our leaders have stripped us naked and exposed us to the world through mindless stealing from our commonwealth and preferring to leave the ordinary Nigeria jobless, homeless and helpless with the aid of religion and ethnic war. Sadly, the ordinary Nigerian foolishly and despicably transfers the aggression on fellow Nigerians who are used for money rituals, kidnapped, robbed or sold to slavery.

Little wonder the worth of life in my beloved country is between N4000 and N80,000!

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

BU$IN£SS •

Energy

•

Finance

•

Stock

•

Insurance

•

Aviation

Power sector debt:

Energy

OPEC cap on Nigeria puts 2018 budget at risk P20

Billing disputes, ineptitude drain commercial returns

Sopuruchi Onwuka

e-Platform Internet : NCC rolls out cyber security measures

T

P22

TRAVEL Exit looms for Folarin-Coker

CBN EXCHANGE RATES DEC. 4, 2017 Currency

US DOLLAR Pounds Sterling EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL S/AFRICAN RAND DANISH KRONA SDR

Buying(NGN)

306 413.1918 362.7936 310.944 2.7101 0.5331 431.6232 46.2157 81.5913 22.3529 48.7424 433.4184

plies.

Our survey of customers connected to networks operated by Ikeja Electrics which is affiliated to Sahara Group, and Eko Distribution Company, all in Lagos State, indicate that most of the residential customers who are evidently greater in number are not metered. Worse hit are residential customers in urban slums, suburban towns and satellite villages who consequently fall vulnerable to billing exploitation.

Residential customers in high brow estates that host powerful personalities in the society are better serviced with both prepayment meters and electricity supply hours. In the estates like the Ikeja GRA, Abiola GRA, Ogudu GRA and similar high profile estates covered by the Ikeja Electric; and the elite estates in Ikoyi, Lekki, and Ajah covered by Eko Disco, billing disputes are rare as nearly all houses are metered.

ment in communities where their revenue would flatten out if customers paid for exactly the right tariff for the electricity consumed.

However, wide metering gaps in the market have created room that firmly establish estimation as the main billing process among all the distribution companies, and the situation is worsened by inefficient accounting, payment processing lapses and sharp practices in the system.

It was also observed that errors in payment accounting processes also translate to faulty bills that stoke conflicts between the distribution companies and their customers.

Over checks showed that over 60 percent of all customer complaints is related to disputes associated with high bills and poor services. The customers mainly complain of outrageous bills popularly termed crazy bills, discrepancies in their statements of account and scanty sup-

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

306.5 413.867 363.3864 311.4521 2.7146 0.5431 432.3284 46.2917 81.7246 22.3894 48.8221 434.1266

307 414.5421 363.9792 311.9602 2.719 0.5531 433.0337 46.3676 81.8579 22.4259 48.9017 434.8348

Conversely, residents in Ikotun, Oshodi, Igando, Egbeda, Ipaja, Shomolu, Ikorodu and Epe all under the Ikeja Disco; and similar settlements like Idi Araba, Yaba, Ajegunle, Apapa, Amuwon Odofin, Okokomaiko, and Badagry, all under the network of Eko Disco are at war with the service providers over ‘crazy’ estimated bills as most of the homes in these locations are not metered.

From 30 samples of bills and payment receipts examined during the survey, it was observed that homes in unmetered residential clusters get high monthly bills while customers in metered residential enclaves literally buy as much consumption units as they want with the facility of prepayment meters.

Sources at some field payment centers in Ikeja stated that prepayment customers paid as low as

HE huge debt burden on the electricity distribution companies in the country will inevitably crumble the nation’s electric power sector unless the operators address the billing disputes associated with outrageous electricity bills whimsically slammed on unmetered customers in their networks.

Investigations by The Oracle Today revealed that despite regulatory demand that all electricity consumers must be accurately metered for billing purposes, most residential, commercial and industrial customers still haggle out their bills with the distribution companies.

Bill escalation, it was gathered, is prevalent in customer classes that are billed by estimation. The residential customers with low tariff entitlements, our investigation showed, appear to be deliberately denied meters even though the distribution companies point at endless metering rollout plans with which they beat back regulatory penalties for never meeting deadlines on complete metering coverage.

An independent marketing consultant to some of the distribution companies who tried to explain the situation said the distribution companies deliberately stall meter coverage to low tariff settlements in pretence to use estimation to reap high revenue from poor services.

“There are customer classes that Discos won’t want to hear they are not metered; but there some customer classes that they don’t care whether they have meters or not. If you install meters in a place where supplies are just an hour in few days, is it not the amount of energy that the customer consumes that he will pay for?”

Our source who is close to the developments in the downstream power sector pointed out that the distribution companies have sustained the excuse of prolonged metering programmes to delay meter deploy-

P26

P18

Stock Market Highlights As At 4 December, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP

37,974.58 4,966.00 500,192,422.00 N6,356,993,341.81 N13,225,335,734,273.86

Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CUSTODYINS FBNH ZENITHBANK TRANSCORP FIDELITYBK

70,002,302 56,862,365 55,624,481 54,174,384 50,527,463

5 Top Gainers Company NESTLE SEPLAT TOTAL CADBURY NB

Last Close N1315 N495 N238 N12.94 N132.3

Current N1330.11 N498 N240 N14.25 N133.5

Last Close N159.65 N97.51 N45.99 N17.5 N9.87

Current N152.21 N92.64 N44.99 N17 N9.39

Change 15.11 3 2 1.31 1.2

Value(N)

Top Losers Company N262,508,796.46 MOBIL N412,052,470.29 GUINNESS N1,389,041,040.12 FO N72,251,997.72 UACN N103,118,432.21 CCNN

Change -7.44 -4.87 -1 -0.5 -0.48

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

BUSINESS News Cont’d from page 17 N10,000 per month, whereas some slum dwellers with less loads in the same networks receive bills in excess of N50, 000 in one month! The outrageous bills which are vehemently disputed are all estimated.

Customer care officials at Ikeja Electric argue that some of the high bills are accumulated. There are however some others that are attributed to computing errors, “system errors,” and disputed load assessments.

There are also cases where bills from one customer are addressed to another!

Our checks also showed that the distribution companies derive their estimates primarily from arbitrary spread of supply accounting deficits on average household in a particular area supplied from a controlling feeder.

Chief Operating Office at Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Comrade Sam Nwaire, explained, “As I told you what each area gets most of the time is purely a determinant of input energy that is received at the point of entry in the network or in the distribution transformer less metered bills. Then the remainder is averagely shared. That is system driven; it is not allocated on individual consideration like saying give this one N200 and give that one N400.”

“For the billing we do according to estimates, we bill according to NERC’s estimation methodology.

For us, we have all our transformers metered, we have all our feeders metered. So, the only place we have gaps now is on the customers.

“What this tells you is that if I have a customer population of say 300, and I have 100 of them metered, then if I have 3000 hours of power given to those under that DT (distribution transformer), and 1000 hours is consumed by those who are metered, then automatically the remaining 2000 is what we share based on tariff structure to those who are not metered.

“Yes, I agree that we may not be fair to all concerned but that also makes it impossible for some customers to be treated preferentially.

I must say that there might be some little overbilling and underbilling but, take it or leave it, we are guided by that customer mix that have already been taken care of, enumerated, and, based on the load inventory that is already in the enumeration schedule. That is what is used in making sure that everybody is appropriately billed.

Spokesman of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED), Chief Sunday Odutan, agrees that spreading of bills for unaccounted consumption on unmetered customers is prevalent in the market. He also pointed out that most unmetered customers are reluctant to pay the estimated bills.

He said their refusal to pay worsens the rapidly growing market revenue shortfalls.

Spokesman of Ikeja Disco, Mr. Felix Ofulue, declined comments o the billing disputes between unmetered customers and his company; but an official of the company who volunteered an explanation said the company runs tough times with unstructured residential customers, explaining that most of them decline to pay their bills.

He admitted that the disputed bills are estimated, explaining that plans were ongoing by Ikeja Disco for a phased meter deployment programme that would see all customers in the network metered over a time frame.

Managing Director of Green Energy Limited, Engr. Chris Okaa, explained that most customers refuse to pay estimated bills based on the understanding that “the estimated bills have no bearing on reality.”

He pointed out that unmetered customers known to the billing sys-

... ineptitude drain commercial returns tem are made to pay far much more than is justifiable in other to cover for the consumers Discos fail to capture in their billing system. “So, the customers protest by refusing to pay, morally they justify their refusal to pay. The estimated bills have no bearing on reality.”

And all industry players that spoke on the issue agree that disputes arising from billing disagreements form the basis for collection shortfalls that translate to huge debts along the investment loop in the sector.

According to Chief Sunday Odutan, the market revenue shortfall as at August stands at princely N892 billion. And the former Group Executive Director in charge of Gas and Power at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. David Ige, put total debts to distribution companies, the transmission company, generation companies and gas companies at over a trillion Naira.

Our investigations showed that the critical factor for debt accumulation in the sector is hosted in the failure of the distribution companies to meet their customers’ demand for service reflective bills, a simple process that calls for deployment of prepayment meters.

Industry experts insist that billing by estimation, even when following established methodologies established by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is flawed at different points.

Engr. Chris Okaa, told our reporter that electricity bill estimation cannot be justified under any consideration, pointing out that the basis for estimating individual customer’s bill does not exist as his consumption cannot be captured within a stable context.

Engr. Okaa who functioned as CEO of several Distribution Zones of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc explained that templates do not exist for estimating a consumer’s rate of electricity consumption, duration and frequency of power supply, quality of supply, average load range, and actual consumption within the billing period.

According to him, “there is low supply availability; predictability of

supply is also low; the industry has no reliability, and the quality of supply is poor.”

He made it clear that most of the features and conditions that form calculable factors must be constant and predictable for estimates to generate figures that could be approximated into an acceptable bill.

Engr. Okaa argues that unhappy customers naturally would not want to pay an operator he considers unfriendly, dishonest and inefficient. He explained that most cases of deliberate refusal to pay are mere expression of protest against unsatisfactory services.

“Payment is not priority to unsatisfied customer because he is not happy,” he stated, adding that loss of customers’ trust in their service provider has led most of them to resort to self help and fall vulnerable to sharp practices in the system.

He said the worsening collection losses in the electricity market stem from failure of the Discos to rein in vast number of free consumers into their billing system, warning that transferring payment liability of free energy consumers on customers in the billing data would continue to meet resistance from defiant customers that patronize illegal connections and reconnections.

“Collusion is high in the evasion of payment and physical interface makes sharp practices very possible.

Unmetered customer has no impulse to pay because there is no correlation between consumption and bills,” he pointed out.

There is no argument on the urgent need for market operators to close the yawning metering gaps to restore credibility to the billing system and legitimately hold consumers liable for payment.

Comrade Nwaire said Eko Disco is already working on that. He stated that his company was running a phased meter deployment programme that would see communities flooded with prepayment meters in a scheduled process. He explained that it would be haphazard and operationally tasking for the company to attend to metering requests from customers from different areas of

the network simultaneously.

According to him, closing the metering gap would require time, funds and strategy in order to make sure that no segment of customers in the network is left unmetered.

“We have a metering plan. You cannot be running from pillar to post like what was happening in past. What we do now is metering rollout. That means that you go to an area, pick up a transformer and you meter it end to end. If we keep issuing meters without such a plan, this estimated billing will be there for life. So what we are doing now is taking it DT by DT. “What happens today is that we might have a rage from DT1 to DT9000. As I speak to you now we have done 1800. The customers under the remaining 7200 will not agree that metering is going on because they have not seen it. So if somebody from the areas covered by the 7200 transformers comes to our Disco they may tell him there is no meter. But I assure we have meters but we are deploying according to plan. That is different from what we used to have before when somebody would collect money from you today and delivers a brand new meter tomorrow.

“From the kind of complaint surge I get in the office, there is the tendency that some unscrupulous elements might be extorting money from people with the promise of getting them meters even when they know they have no access to it.

“Today it doesn’t work that way.

What obtains today is that if it is the turn of your transformer, whether you are in Jalingo or in Abuja we call you that we are in front of your door to deploy a meter for you.”

On payment accounting mishaps in some of the bills under dispute, Comrade Nwaire stated that it is not a general problem in the market, saying most Discos have already upgraded their payment and accounting systems to electronic platforms.

“The credit update errors are inherited from PHCN. In those days things were analogue. Some Discos still have not upgraded anyway; and that could lead to building of old bills into

new ones. In our own network, we have installed an automated system that credits a customer immediately he pays any money into our platform.

Today we have gone electronic!

“The only way out of such problem is for such people to report to the service provider who should investigate it and ensure correction. For you, even as the customer, you have right to protest your bills in writing to the Customer Service Unit of the Disco. And by law they are supposed to respond to you in 15 day to fix a date for load inventory in your house. They would now make recommendation to the billing department which is outside their control. Based on that, your bill is adjusted and recorded in the system which would now bill according to the verified load inventory.

The independent consultant who spoke to our man said estimated billing issue is difficult to address in the short term given the huge metering gap in networks. “But that does not mean that all hopes are lost.”

However, the distribution companies all point at the weight of investments required to cover their market concession areas with prepayment meters, arguing that time is required to muster adequate funds for metering programmes as required by regulation. The cyclical argument has lingered for years as billing disputes take huge tolls on revenue collection.

However, while strong narratives flow around billing disputes and metering gaps, some bad elements on the field operations staff of the distribution companies, including marketers and linesmen that go on revenue drive, engage in sharp practices that encourage fraudulent or unsatisfied customers to evade payment. And with their backstage operations, the complex billing and collection problems get complicated!

Chief Odutan told The Oracle Today that the problem of complicity of Disco staff members in aiding payment evasion through illegal connections and reconnections has become heavy in the hands of the distribution companies. He added that ANED was collaborating with the Discos the weed out the bad elements from the system.

“Yes, they connive but as soon as we know who such staff members are dismiss them. We have done that in some locations. When we sack them then others will now know that they cannot continue to do things like that.

“We have done that in Ibadan, we did it in Benin and Ikeja. Something is going on now in Eko. We have also done it in Abuja and some many locations, even in Kano Disco. But, you see, the level of infraction is high. Until you are able to deal with more of it you may not feel the impact. My dear brother, it is enormous!”

Engr. Okaa lamented that collapse of trust in the operator pushes aggrieved customers to resort to self help, using fraudulent Disco workers to influence changes and evade payment of disputed bills.

“Self-help makes the business of touting and sharp practices thrive; and insider collusion is high in the evasion of payment as physical interface with the field men makes sharp practices very possible,” he said.

Upstream players in the power sector including generation companies and gas producers have severally decried huge debts owed them and advised the Discos to evolve strategies and efficiently plug all revenue leakage conduits to guarantee backflow of commercial returns to players in the full service loop.

There is pan-industry convergence on the need for the distribution companies to get more efficient with their billing and revenue collection processes. Customer satisfaction has been canvassed as the most potent incentive for prompt payment of bills.

And the bills must be convincing and acceptable to customers for seamless payment to happen.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

BUSINESS

Nigeria rates high in investment opportunities

By VICTOR NZE

T

he rise in price and production of crude oil which has subsequently driven mild growth in the Nigerian economy dragging it out of a two year economic recession appears to inform the a recent report by the 5th Nielsen Africa Prospects Indicator (APi) which has ranked Nigeria as a ‘long-term priority for any business focused on Sub-Saharan Africa.’

The improvement in the economy which has also seen improvements in gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures of the country as well as a continued drop in inflation rate has largely been attributed by financial experts to the sustained rise I price of crude oil, the nation’s biggest revenue earner.

The 5th Nielsen Africa Prospects Indicator (APi) report includes a comparative ranking of eight African countries, drawn from multiple datasets, collected across the Macro Economic, Business, Consumer and Retail dimensions rated Nigeria and South Africa as the continent’s biggest prospects for manufacturers and retailers seeking to stay one step ahead in Africa’s complex markets and who need to move beyond ‘business as usual.’

“No one size fits all and no total continent, country, city, consumer or channel approach is enough to ensure sustained success in SubSaharan Africa,” said Nielsen Executive Director Thought Leadership Emerging Markets, Ailsa Wingfield, adding: “Similarly, successful brands, advertising and activation in other developing markets do not provide the passport to growth in Africa’s complex markets and challenging climates.”

According to Wingfield, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, cannot be ignored and remain a long-term priority for any business focused on Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the turmoil and heavy constraints.

“Considering this, it’s clear that the sub-continent’s two most sig-

nificant economies, Nigeria and South Africa, are slowly turning around from recent declines to low levels of growth, however, the consolidated prospects for these two powerhouse economies continue to be subdued,” she said.

Of the countries measured in Nielsen’s 5th Africa Prospects report, South Africa slips two positions to sixth place and Nigeria remains in eighth place.

Overall, the APi report shows that Africa continues to offer one of the greatest gifts of untapped growth, but requires bold strategies.

“Africa offers marketers one of the final destinations to develop and execute product, marketing and retail solutions from a clean slate perspective, which are dif-

ferentiated, generate demand and deliver value yet there still seems to be a vacuum within these areas.

“On the plus side this points to significant potential for innovation and growth – what is required now is a steady investment by manufacturers and retailers into making these untapped opportunities work for them,” Wingfield satted.

Last Friday, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at its meeting placed a cap on Nigeria’s output to 1.8 million barrels per day (1.8mbpd) ceiling a little above the present production capacity of about 1.75mbpd.

Though the ceiling could be viewed as a handicap, the 1.8mbpd production ceiling, however, represents an improved receipt and a further boost to the economy

against the backdrop of positive returns recorded by the country, according to analysts.

With sustained and uninterrupted production, therefore, the country is expected to fully exit recession so as to fully focus on repositioning the non-oil sector which is in near collapse as the present growth is only been driven by the oil sector of the economy, which experts posit is not the appropriate benchmark for measuring growth in any country’s economy.

“It’s all about prudence and realignment of the country’s priorities to achieve targeted growth figures in key sectors. It’s not about the capping. But on positive note, the ceiling was in the upward direction.

It could have been worse,” said Emeka Okereke, a broker.

• From left: Delta Air Lines Executives-Mr Jimmy Eichelgruer, Director of Sales, Africa, Asia, Europe; Mr Bobby Bryan, Director of Commercials, East & West Africa Region, Mr Bob Cortelyou, Senior Vice President, Network Planning; Mr. Shane Spyak, Vice President, Sales Europe, Middle East, Africa & India (EMEAI); and Olufemi Adefope, Managing Director, Skylogistics (Delta GSA in Nigeria), at media launch of Delta Air Lines 10th anniversary celebration, which held in Lagos.

FG names Zubair acting DG of SEC

By SAMSON AKINTARO

F

ederal Government has announced the appointment of Dr Abdul Zubair as acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as replacement for the suspended Munir Gwarzo.

SEC’s Corporate Communications Unit, said in a statement in Lagos signed by Mrs Efe Ebelo that the appointment was with immediate effect.

Gwarzo was suspended alongside two management staff of the Commission, Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, Head of Media Division and Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, Head of Legal Department, over allegations of financial impropriety.

Ebelo, however, assured the investing public and stakeholders, both local and international, of the commission’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted and orderly operation of the market and regulation.

Until his appointment, Zubair was the Director in charge of External Relations in the commission.

Ebelo stated that the SEC would continue to ensure the stability of the Nigerian capital market and sustain the all-time high level of investors’ confidence. She added that recent developments in the commis-

sion would not be allowed to disrupt its regulatory effectiveness and efficiency as statutory regulator of the capital market.

She assured that the market would run smoothly despite the development. Ebelo said the commission patiently awaited the outcome of the assignment of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry set up by the Minister of Finance to investigate the allegations against the former boss.

She said that at no point would the management allow the operational

independence of the commission to be compromised.

“This is strictly in line with the objectives and principles of securities regulations as set out by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), to which Nigeria is a signatory. “in this regard the commission will make public its decisions on matters before it as promptly as such decisions are being arrived at. “The role of the capital market in economic stability and growth cannot be over-

By VICTOR NZE

Africa and India regions of operations.

The event which took place at the Federal palace Hotel in Lagos also saw the cutting of the anniversary cake in celebration of the milestone.

Launched on December 4, 2007, Delta remains the only, United States airline to fly nonstop between Nigeria and the United States and has carried more than 1.12 million passengers between the two nations over the past decade.

“It’s an honour to serve Lagos. For 10 years it has been an important route in our trans-Atlantic network not only for the business community, but also for customers reuniting with friends

emphasised, hence the commission will not at any time permit the abandonment of its regulatory and developmental responsibilities,” she said.

Zubair is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received B.Sc. Economics, MBA, M.Sc. and PhD Business Administration degrees. He also holds a PGD (Mathematics & Computer Science) and a PGD (Education) from other universities. He has over 25-year cognate experience in the financial industry and the academia.

Delta lifts 1.12m passengers on Lagos-Atlanta route

D

elta Air Lines has lifted more than 1.12 million passengers on the Lagos – Atlanta route since it commenced service from Nigeria ten years ago, according to Mr Bobby Bryan, Commercial Director, East and West Africa, who also added that it has carried over 80, 000 travellers on the Lagos – Atlanta schedule this year alone.

The is just as the United Statesbased carrier commemorated its ten years of servicing the Lagos-Atlanta route with a media launch and celebrations which gathered the airline’s top executives from Europe, Middle East,

and families across the United States,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning.

Continuing, Cortelyou said: “With this milestone comes a new flight to New York-JFK starting in March and our customers can be sure we remain as committed as ever to delivering the very best in terms of network, schedule and on-board experience in Nigeria.” The airline also announced that from March 26, 2018, it will commence a three days of weekly flight operations from Lagos to the JFK International Airport in New York to complement the existing Atlanta route, which will now be increased to four weekly services.

FG, States, LGs share N1.76tn T

OTAL FAAC disbursements in the third quarter of 2017 was N1.757 trillion which was 1.09 percent higher than the N1.738 trillion disbursed in the third quarter of 2016, the latest report released by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed.

In its quarterly review, the agency said this disbursement was 6.88 percent lower than the N1.887 trillion shared in the third quarter of 2015.

The report said Federal Government received the largest disbursement of N752.79 billion in the period under review.

This was followed by states which received N586.58 billion, while local governments received N363.98 billion.

These increased disbursements are in line with recent developments in the oil sector, where global oil prices have rebounded and Nigeria’s oil production has risen.

In the first quarter of this year, FAAC disbursed N1.411 trillion to the three tiers of government and N1.377 trillion in the second quarter.

These figures indicate that FAAC disbursements this year to the FG, states and LGs have been highest in the third quarter of 2017.

FAAC disbursements to the federal and local governments so far in 2017 were highest in July while they were highest for states in September.

Data from the NNPC shows that oil production averaged 1.953 million barrels per day in June 2017, which is the highest level of production recorded in over a year.

The last time oil production was this high was in March 2016 when 1.957 million barrels per day was produced.

The NNPC has attributed this increase in production to normalcy in the Niger Delta region and resumption of export activities at the Forcados Terminal after many months.

Disbursements to the federal government in 2017 were highest in July (N286.65 billion) and lowest in May (N163.90 billion). This is a difference of N122.75 billion, implying a 74.8% difference between the months with the highest and lowest disbursements.

States received the highest disbursements in September (N215.78 billion) and lowest in January (N141.12 billion), a difference of N74.66 billion. This indicates a 52.9% difference. Local governments received the highest disbursement in July (N134.93 billion) and the lowest disbursement was in January (N85.40 billion).

This reveals a difference of N49.52 billion or 57.9%. These figures suggest a high degree of volatility in government revenue across all three tiers of government.

This makes economic planning and execution of capital projects difficult, and further buttresses the need for diversified sources of government revenue to limit volatility and ensure more stable and predictable revenue streams.

The nine months followed a rise and fall pattern, except between May and July when two consecutive months of increases was recorded.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

ENERGY

OPEC cap on Nigeria puts 2018 budget at risk

Sopuruchi Onwuka

T

HE instruction by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that Nigeria and Libya should maintain current production levels means that the 2.3 million barrels per day (mbd) of crude oil production which underscores the federal fiscal projections for 2018 may no longer be feasible.

However, if the production cut by 13 member OPEC and 10 other key oil producers delivers the desired impact on crude prices at the global commodity exchanges, then Nigeria’s 2018 budget might regain strength from high price cycle.

Revenue receipts from petroleum commodity exports account for over 95 percent of Nigeria’s total foreign exchange income, some 75 percent of total funding support to government’s annual budgets and paltry 35 percent of gross domestic market.

Nigeria maintains a significant role in meeting the world’s energy supply with her light sweet crude oil grades, natural gas liquids (NGL) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The country is a key member OPEC and associations of gas exporting countries.

OPEC maintains a price band mechanism with which it manipulates market forces. The group cuts members production when crude oil prices falls too low and increases members’ production quotas when prices rise.

With global supply glut unleashed by the shale oil industry in 2013, crude oil prices plunged from all time high of $148 per barrel to less than $35 per barrel, forcing OPEC to collaborate with other producers in a concerted effort to curb oversupply.

The group and the 10 non-member producers led by Russia-led had granted Libya and Nigeria exemptions when the production cut agreement was negotiated late last year. OPEC had considered that Nigeria and Libya were producing below capacity due to production facility attacks by militants.

But both countries have seen sharp rises in production this year, partially neutralizing the impact of the coalition’s collective 1.8 mbd in supply reductions.

Libyan output rose by 70,000 barrels per day (b/d) to 980,000 b/d in October as production from key fields like Sharara ramped up.

Nigeria currently posts production figure of some 2.1 mbd of wellhead petroleum liquids. Of the total volume, 1.75 mbd is crude oil while some 350,000 b/d is condensate. OPEC does not consider natural gas liquids like condensate in its production rationing arrangements.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, had beaten his chest in the past for sustaining Nigeria’s exemption from OPEC’s production cuts until Thursday when the group asked Nigeria and Libya not to exceed current production figures.

Before the OPEC meeting, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had advanced cheering production estimates for 2018, laying the basis for fiscal calculations that determined the budget.

Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mr. Bala Wunti, had during a presentation to the House of Representatives Joint Committee on 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy

• Dr Ibe Kachikwu Paper (FSP) stated that there is potential for 2.3 mbd by 2018.

According to him, “The 2018 crude oil national production projection for Joint Ventures, Modified Carry Arrangement or External Financing, Production Sharing Contracts, Independents, Marginal Fields and Service Contracts is about 2,298,000 barrels per day.”

He also projected that crude oil prices would average $45 per barrel in the year based on price scenarios of $35 (low), $45 (medium) and $55 (high) advanced by price forecasting agencies.

He told the legislators that the medium price scenario had the highest probability of occurrence, adding that the price range formed the hinge for 2018 budget.

“Consequently, a conservative price projection of $45 per barrel was used as benchmark for crude price for 2018 budget,” Mr. Wunti stated.

It would be recalled that the 2.2 mbd for 2017 budget could not ma-

terialize as the country maintained an average of 1.85 mbd so far in the year.

Mr. Wunti told the legislators that the 2017 performance of crude oil production from January to October stood at 1,885,000 barrels per day which is equivalent to about 86 per cent of the budgeted 2.2 million barrels per day.

According to him, performance shortfall was mostly due to Niger Delta security related factors and vandalism of key export infrastructure, including Trans-Forcados Pipeline (TFP), Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) export line, Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) and Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

He said robust engagement of stakeholders in the Niger Delta by the Federal Government and the NNPC had led to improved production in recent months, disclosing that sustained peace in the Niger Delta, price recovery and improved Joint Venture production would help to support government rev-

enue aspirations.

Mr. Wunti pointed out that average crude oil price for Nigerian grades so far in 2017 was $52.49 per barrel, an equivalent of 18 per cent over performance of budget price benchmark of $44.50 per barrel.

He observed that the crude price outlook for 2018 was reassuring given the positive global economic growth and the improved compliance with production cut.

He however stated fears of recurrent market oversupply.

The latest development at OPEC has however drilled deep holes in the oil production segment of the 2018 budget.

OPEC at its last meeting Vienna brought Nigeria and Libya into calculations for the first time since the production cuts started in 2016, and charged the two countries not to exceed their current combined output of 2.8 mbd without giving them specific production figures.

The instruction means that Nigeria must maintain its current pro-

OPEC production vs. cut allocations (in million b/d) Country Algeria Angola Ecuador Equatorial Guinea Gabon Iran Iraq Kuwait Libya Nigeria Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE Venezuela

Jan-Oct 1.042 1.653 0.524 0.130 0.202 3.788 4.434 2.702 0.777 1.739 0.611 9.979 2.879 1.926

avg Allocation 1.039 1.673 0.522 0.133 0.193 3.797 4.351 2.707 (exempt) (exempt) 0.618 10.058 2.874 1.972

Over/under 0.003 -0.020 0.002 -0.003 0.009 -0.009 0.083 -0.005

-0.007 -0.079 0.005 -0.046

duction of 1.8 mbd.

Thus with output projection of 2.3 mbd for 2018 at a time OPEC has placed a ceiling on current 1.8 mbd production from Nigeria, the government’s oil revenue projection for next year has suffered a notional shortfall of 500, 000 b/d.

At $45 per barrel, the budget has a paper deficit of $22.5 million per day or $8.235 billion for the year.

However, improvement in price strength of the commodity expected from the ongoing supply control measures might help reduce the shortfalls.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu however points at Nigeria’s opportunity to fill the budget gap with hikes in the production of NGLs, especially condensates.

Dr. Kachikwu told agency sources at OPEC meeting that Nigeria’s current crude oil production would not exceed current level in the near term, adding that Nigeria would accept an output cap at 1.8 mbd and would continue to be responsible with its production.

“Nigeria will always support ny moves to help solidify OPEC, especially given the gains we are having,” Dr. Kachikwu is quoted as saying.

He said, however, that Nigeria would seek to boost its condensate production instead of crude, describing the strategy as part of its commitment “to be disciplined” with OPEC’s efforts to rebalance the market.

“A lot more energy will now go to build to condensates as opposed to building crude expansion production.”

But industry sources have faulted the minister’s comments as vain consolation, pointing out that the country has no spare capacity for condensate production at the moment.

It would be recalled that OPEC has no restriction on NGLs and Nigeria has been pumping condensate as full capacity. There is therefore no significant spare capacity additional production that would give effect to the minister’s promises.

An oil industry executive told The Oracle Today that developing condensate field to meet up to 500, 000 b/d would require the same time, efforts and funding for development of two deepwater fields. Average gestation for development such production capacity is eight year.

FG dangles crude supply for $5b loan

F

EDERAL government may be seeking indirect loans from commodity trading companies with proposal that entails advance payments for crude oil volumes that would be delivered in future.

The arrangement which is fraught with complicated transactions, according to secondary sources, is being worked out between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), bankers and crude trading firms.

No deal has been sealed, our sources declared, adding that a decision is expected before the end of the year.

It was however gathered that NNPC plans to set up a cash-for-crude prepayment with the commodity traders.

The prepayments, between $3.5 and $5 billion, will be used to fund oil and gas projects as well as related infrastructure, sources were cited in an agency report.

Standard Chartered has been hired to advise on the oil prepayment and a request-for-proposal was issued a few weeks ago for a loan of up to $5 billion, to be repaid with crude over five to seven years, the sources said.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

ENERGY

NLNG works on Train 7 FID Stories by Sopuruchi Onwuka

A

FRICA’S biggest gas liquefaction and export company, Nigeria NLNG Limited has declared imminent conclusion of its final investment decision (FID) on multi-billion dollar Train 7+ with which it intends to grow it production capacity by 8.0 million tons to 30 million tons per annum.

General Manager in charge of External Relations, Dr. Kudo EresiaEke, explained in statement that FID on the additional trains could be achieved as early as next year.

The Oracle Today reports that the company’s plan to build additional trains to boost its capacity to control bigger space in the global gas market suffered crippling obstacles following protracted governmentindustry dispute over proposed policy, fiscal and legal changes.

Policy changes which sought to deemphasize gas export for domestic supply as well as changes in fiscal regime proposed in the stalled Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) pushed back investors who had pulled the wallet for gas liquefaction projects in the country.

The changes led to stalled Olokola LNG, Brass LNG and NLNG 7 &8 (Plus) projects.

With the period policy and fiscal disputes raged, other African countries including Equatorial Guine and Angola, seeing the rapid successes recorded by NLNG, initiated greenfield LNG projects that have secured regional and continental markets.

However, with the role of NLNG in pulling the nation’s economy out of recession after the last presidential elections, government appears to have reached full understanding of the position of the company that both domestic gas programme and export projects could be driven simultaneously by different commercial players in the industry.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, including the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which holds 49 equity stake, Shell Gas B.V. with 25.6 percent stake, Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France 15 percent, and Eni International N.A. N. V. S.àr. l which holds remaining 10.4 percent.

Dr. Eresia-Eke stated that the management of NLNG has full support full support of the company’s Board in making steady progress towards achieving FID on its capacity growth projects by 2018.

The company stated at World

LNG Summit in Portugal that the new phase of the company’s strategic growth programme would on completion upscale NLNG’s annual production capacity from the current capacity of 22 mtpa to 30 mtpa.

Speaking at the Summit, Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited said, “With Nigeria’s proven reserves of about 192 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and another 600 trillion cubic feet in potential, this milestone development is coming at a crucial time. “ I am excited about this development which would not be possible without the support of our Board and shareholders, the shared vision within our company of helping to build a better Nigeria; our core values of Integrity, Teamwork, Respect, Excellence and Caring; the commitment of our staff; and the cooperation from Governmentand other stakeholders including our loyal customers.

“This milestone would symbolise many things. We have consistently shown the world that NLNG is a world-class company, operating out of a globally strategic country, safely and reliably delivering clean energy to its customers. Secondly, and most importantly for Nigeria, it shows that it is time for gas; This is the time to unleash the country’s gas potentials through catalysts like Trains 7 Plus to spur socio economic transformation.

“NLNG remains a success and we are determined to sustain our status as an inspiration to Nigeria.

The company has generated $90 billion in revenues as well as paid $5.5 billion in taxes to the government. The company has also has helped monetise the country’s gas resources and significantly contributed to reducing gas flaring from 65% to less than 20%,” he remarked.

NLNG runs an integrated plant on Bonny Island where its current six liquefaction trains share common facilities including storage tanks, shipping capacity and loading jetties with a gas intake of 3.5 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The company has so far converted over five trillion cubic feet of associated gas, which otherwise would have been flared, to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) for both export and domestic use. It isNigeria’s most significantnatural gas utilization intervention to date,which ishelping to preserve the environment and support Nigeria’s eco-

Nigeria already pegged production at 2.3mbpd.

M

• Babs Omotowa, MD/CEO, NLNG nomic growth.

From an initial investment of about $6 billion, NLNG has grown into a $15.6 billion investment with an asset base of about $11billion.

At a stage in its transition from a 2 (two) train facility to its current 6 (six) train structure, the NLNG facility was recognised as one of the fastest growing such projectsin the LNG world as well as supplier of about 13% of global market supply.

Currently, NLNG is serviced by a committed fleet of23 LNG vessels which is the largest fleet in the sub-region. This is inclusive of six new vessels, constructed in South Korea and delivered between2015 and 2016 as replacements for sixmaturing vessels within its operations inventory.

In addition, NLNG has contributed significantly to the domestic LPG industry, supplying some 40% of cooking gas to Nigerian homes and businesses. This intervention continues as part of strategies and initiatives.

All these have beenachieved with a management staff entirely made up of Nigerians and a workforce which is 95% indigenous.

Through its social investment programmeon which some $200 million has so far been spent, NLNG is helping to improve lives in its immediate environment on Bonny Island and elsewhere across Nigeria.

The company recently flagged off a road project in collaboration with the Nigerian Government to construct a $392 million 34 kilometreroad which will connect several communities in the mainland of Nigeria’s Niger-Delta region to Bonny Island, which was hitherto only accessible by sea.The project was formally flagged off by Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and is the biggest CSR initiative ever by a private company in the country.

Furthermore, NLNG has also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bonny Kingdom for the economic development of the Kingdom over a 25-year period. In that MOU, NLNG committed N3 billion per annum, cumulatively more than $245 million in 25 years to the Bonny community. This will also increase the number of direct and indirect jobs and improve the quality of life on the island.

Transformer blast plunges eastern communities into darkness

A

30MVA 132/33kV power transformer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was lost to fire at the Nkalagu transmission substation, Enugu.

In a statement signed by the GM Public Affairs, Mrs. Mbah, TCN said that the Old 30MVA power transformer which had already been earmarked for replacement in line with TCNs Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), was unfortunately gutted by fire.

Although the cause of the fire is still being investigated, TCN said that its engineers are already in the substation, work-

ing to quickly restore supply through the second 30MVA transformer in the substation.

The statement further noted that NIPP is also currently installing a new 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformer in the substation, TCN would discuss with NIPP to fast track the installation to further boost the stations capacity.

TCN apologised for every inconvenience to electricity consumers in parts of Nsukka, Ihiamufu, Afikpo and Ezilo Water Works.

Power supply would be restored to the affected areas in a few days, she said.

INISTER of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, who led the country’s delegation to the OPEC meeting, disclosed that efforts would not be put in producing condensate and others not captured along pure crude by OPEC calculations.

“We’ve been asked to be disciplined, the word cut has not been used. We’ve resisted the word cut.

The word cap has been accepted by me a long time ago. Clearly, there is a continuing obligation to ensure that we do not just flood the market because of the exemptions we were given. There’s a lot more energy around bringing everybody to the ball park, Nigeria is willing to be in that ballpark and contribute.

“Our contribution is fairly limited because we are still lacking yet in that capacity to reach the marks anywhere soon. Our current production is 1.75, we are still below the 1.8 that was the benchmark which is comfortable but you’re going to see a lot more pressure as we go into next year.

“Sometime late next year, we will probably see the capacity of Nigeria to do close to 2.3, 2.5.

“Can we do it? Probably not if we all keep to discipline. We are now going to be looking at producers within our country and those giving us barrels at the least cost price because we are going to cut scientifically those who are unable to produce below a certain benchmark,” the minister said.

NNPC pledges adequate fuel supply T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it would ensure adequate supply of petroleum products to the market to meet expected surge in demand as the yuletide season comes on.

The statement comes in response to reports of strike threats by the Lagos Chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

IPMAN is reported to threaten to withdraw its services in Lagos and its environs over alleged discrepancies in ex-depot prices, among others.

In a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the Corporation clarified that the Ejigbo Satellite Depot was fully stocked and carrying out regular loading services.

The Corporation further explained that the Ejigbo Satellite Depot had consistently dispensed premium motor spirit (petrol) at the approved price of N133.28 per litre contrary to allegations that it was sold at a higher price.

It said there was enough petroleum products in the country to last till the end of the year and that 25 vessels laden with petroleum products were also being expected to berth between now and January 2018 to further boost supplies.

The Corporation, therefore, urged members of the public not to entertain any fear or engage in panic buying of petroleum products as there was enough to keep the country well supplied.

It stated that the appropriate government agencies have been contacted to settle the rift between IPMAN and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA).

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

e-Platform

• From left: Director IT Infrastructure Solution, National Information Technology Development Agency, Dr. Abdullahi Usman; CEO, AFRINIC, Alan Barrett; Director, New Media and Information Security, NCC, Engr.

Haru Alhassan; Chair of AFRINIC/President, NIRA, Rev. Sunday Folayan; Representative of the Minister of Communication, Tope Fashedemi; Vice Chairman, AFRINIC, Haithan Elnakhal; CEO, Nigeria Internet Exchange Point, Mohammed Rudman; and COO /Seceretary to the NIRA Board, Mrs. Edith Udeagu, at the opening of 2017 AFRINIC Conference in Lagos

Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

W

ITH the realization that cybercrime impedes the development of internet in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled measures aimed at strengthening cyber security in the country, just as it continues to drive deeper internet penetration through its broadband agenda. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who disclosed the new efforts at securing the country’s cyberspace at the opening of the 27th African Information Network Centre (AFRINIC) in Lagos, noted that growth of cybercrimes has been impeding the growth of internet.

As part of the measures, Danbatta said the Commission was setting up a Sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) center that will collaborate with the ngCERT in tackling issues that relate to the telecommunications industry in the fight against cybercrime.

“On the international levele, Nigeria through NCC, is partnering with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to set up Africa Regional Cybersecurity Center (RCC) in Abuja” he said.

According to the EVC, who was represented by Director, New Media and Information Security, at NCC, Engr. Habu Alhassan, the center will be used for Africa Regional Cybersecurity information sharing and also to train coun-

Internet: NCC rolls out cyber security measures tries within the Africa sub-region on Cybersecurity related issues.

Danbatta noted that the growth of the internet industry in Africa comes with the challenge of sustaining its development to ensure that the industry maintains global relevance and contends with challenges of low internet penetration. “To stimulate this growth and harness the opportunities of technological advancement, massive investment in internet infrastructures is needed, particularly broadband, which will enable job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness” he said.

On the efforts towards deepening broadband penetration in Nigeria, he said the earmarking of slots in the 700MHz band for commercial broadband deployment; the re-planning and licensing of the 800MHz, and the 900MHz E-GSM bands for 4G/LTE services; the opening of the 70/80GHz to facilitate broadband deployment; the licensing of the 2.3GHz for 4G/LTE deployment; and the authorization given some Mobile Network Operators to re-farm the 1800MHz for 4G/LTE deployment speak

to the opportunities for growth and investment in the Nigerian telecommunication sector.

Those efforts, according to Danbatta demonstrated in a concrete sense NCC’s commitment to the implementation of its Strategic Vision Plan 2015-2020 as derived from the 8-Point Agenda, which first item is the Facilitation of Broadband Penetration. The EVC said emphatically that the basis for such envisioning is oriented in the established correlation between broadband utilization and job creation, economic growth as well as global competitiveness.

Speaking on the theme of the biannual forum: ‘Taking the African Internet to the Next Level Through Policy, Collaboration and Education’ Danbatta urged all stakeholders to evolve sustainable policies and forge greater collaboration to achieve optimal utilization of the resources of the Internet. In addition, he said the challenge posed by cybercrime also require collaboration of all stakeholders in the ICT ecosystem. He therefore commended AFRINIC for its spectacular achievements in

rallying stakeholders together to provide the widest possible use of Internet resources by all interested communities.

Similarly, Nigerian Communications Minister, Honourable Adebayo Shittu, who was represented at the event by Tope Fashedemi, the Director of e-Governance at the Ministry of Communications, praised AFRINIC for providing the leadership that has contributed to the positive accomplishments in the Africa ICT ecosystem. Shittu informed the delegates that Nigeria’s Internet penetration is already at 47.44 percent and noted that the figure is set to rise as NCC finalise processes for the licensing of companies to fill the infrastructure gap and open the floodgate for citizens and enterprises to access Internet resources.

The Minister’s position was in line with the remark of Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Dr. Abdullahi Usman. Pantami stated that broadband penetration is adding profound change in many spheres including citizens participation in governance. He promised that NITDA

will work with the Federal Ministry of Communications, NCC, NIRA and other stakeholders to promote sustainability, governance and inclusion for all.

Also speaking at the forum, Rev. Sunday Afolayan, Chairman of the Board of AFRINIC, who is also the President of Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA) said Also, AFRINIC-27 provides a global platform for exchanges, policy discussions, demonstrations and trainings on how Africa can sustainably harness the massive and growing opportunities from the rapid advancements in technology.

“The focus on technology and innovation is key to the sustainable development of this continent but we must also increase access to information and communication technology for all our citizens to enable them effectively engage in the contemporary economy, as such it is of great benefit that the meeting is holding in Nigeria” he said.

Other speakers at the forum include said AFRINIC has grown from managing numbering resources to championing Internet penetration on the Continent. Specifically, Alan Barrett, CEO of AFRINIC, announced to the forum that the Centre has over 100 million IPV4 addresses and over 9000 IPV6 prefixes; has trained 550 engineers in some 18 countries in Africa; and continued to ensure that the Internet remains improved for all users in the region.

Smile delights customers with yuletide offer

A

S part of efforts to gear up customers for a fun filled holiday season celebration, Smile, the leading 4GLTE telecommunications service provider has announced a new offer of 10GB plus SMiFi with 1GB FREE data and 100% bonus on recharge for 3 months.

This offer, according to the company, is available to new and existing customers across all segments and it promises to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy SuperFast reliable mobile broadband and SuperClear voice calls.

The Head, Brands and Commu-

nications of Smile Nigeria, Mr. Lotanna Anajemba explained that the offer was designed to lower the entry barrier and provide opportunity for more customers to join the preferred network of choice. “This holiday season gives us the opportunity to share with our customers while enabling them to create memorable holiday moments,” said Mr. Anajemba. “We are giving our customers the opportunity to shop for gifts online, download and watch movies, call loved ones, have fun and most importantly share precious and memorable

holiday moments with their friends and loved ones around the world”, he reiterated further.

The bundle offer appeals to all range of customers and social economic class. At N12, 900 price point, customers get 10GB plus SMiFi with 1GB free data and 100% bonus on recharge for 3 months.

Customers are required to recharge with a minimum 1GB to enjoy the bonuses.

“The SMiFi is a classy life style device for people who love to enjoy every moment and we know that the lucky customers who get

the device will have a memorable experience surfing the internet and making calls”, said the Chief Marketing Officer of Smile Nigeria, Mr. Abdul Hafeez. “Our mission is to provide our customers greater

value in line with the company’s drive to empower our customers to gain that competitive advantage in their business and also for leisure”, he commented further on the offer.

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

e-Platform

UN launches digital startup challenge for African women/girls Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

I

N its bid to deepen involvement of the female gender in the digital world, the United Nations (UN), through Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has launched a startup challenge for African women and girls. While launching the challenge, the Executive Secretary of the UN ECA Ms. Vera Songwe called on countries to give female creativity and innovation “all the opportunities required bearing fruits and achieving sustainable and inclusive development.”

The challenge which was launched in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire during a meeting themed: Attempting innovative and inclusive female transformation, is aimed at promoting female digital entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and business projects. It will also help to marshal funds for

young female digital entrepreneurs.

Ms. Songwe, who serves as sponsor of the initiative, stressed that through collective commitment, girls and women should be supported to become what she termed as, “key, dynamic and strategic digital stakeholders” through boosting their creativity. She promised the young entrepreneurs that she would “leave no stone unturned” in bringing together the private sector, policy-makers and associations to support the initiative.

“Your success could trigger the launch of a larger continent-wide movement”, she said. The Women and Girls Startup Challenge aims to give aspiring female entrepreneurs the opportunity to submit their projects online and to make a ten-minute presentation before a jury composed of seasoned professionals. Follow-up through men-

torship or access to funding is also included.

In addition to the launch of the initiative, the Executive Secretary delivered remarks at the meeting, speaking on the sub-theme: “Contributing more efficiently to the sustainable development Agenda for girls and women through digitalization”. “While digital evolution is not a panacea, its opportunities for an effective participation of women in sustainable development and the benefits that they can derive from this process are immeasurable,” she stated.

She noted that access and control of information on products, as well as the composition and other types of variables that are essential for the processing of these products, play a role in determining women’s participation in value chains - from production to market sales. “This is essential, not only for

• Vera Songwe the structural transformation of the African economy, but also for return on investment,” she said.

9mobile wins SERAs’ CSR award O NE of the leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria, 9mobile, has emerged the Most Outstanding Company in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-Online Category in the 2017 Sustainability, Enterprise & Responsibility Awards (SERAs).

In winning the award, which was presented at an award ceremony in Lagos, 9mobile surpassed over twenty other companies that submitted entries for consideration in the 2017 SERAs, to win this category of the award. The winner of the category was determined by the general public via online voting.

Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, 9mobile, Oyetola Oduyemi, described the award as proof that the company’s stakeholders and the general public appreciate 9mobile’s impact and various contributions to national development through its CSR initiatives.

She said, “being adjudged the most outstanding company in CSR – online category means that in the eyes of the general voting public, through our CSR policy, platforms and initiatives 9mobile out-performed all other companies, who were formidable contenders, to win this award.

“Therefore, this win by 9mobile announces boldly to our critical stakeholder groups, our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development; and the recognition, far and wide, of our work in this area. It also propels us to do even more, to drive sustainable development of our nation Nigeria.”

Twitter Lite launches in Nigeria, others • From left: Engr. Lanre Ajayi, former President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria; Ayuba Shuaibu, Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund; Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Fraser Graham, Senior Director, Policy Engagement, Government & Regulatory Affairs, GSMA; Engr. Abiodun Omoniyi, Managing Director, VDT Communications at a roundtable meeting aimed at achieving the objectives of Universal Access System in Nigeria

Google introduces mobile data-saving app T

HE search giant, Google, has launched a new product known as `Datally’, a mobile data-saving application that helps users to understand, control and save data into the emerging market.

Google Nigeria Country Manager, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, who disclosed this in Lagos said that with Datally, Nigerians could save and do more with data. According to Ehimuan-Chiazor, the app is a technology built to tackle some of the challenges being faced by internet users of the emerging market.

“Some of the characteristics of the emerging market are their aspirations for better life, appetite to lift family out of poverty, and highly mobile among others. They face some challenges such as; huge percentage of people who use low earned phones, connectivity and localised content which forces them to either use airplane mode, rationing, or tethering to save data” she said.

Ehimuan-Chiazor added that the new data management app would

help users understand how data is being used on the phone and help to control and save it. According to her, Datally can also help mobile users to understand where data is going, to save up to 30 per cent of data, and turn-on data saver bubble to see a real-time speedometer of their data.

She said the new app could also help users find great Wi-Fi nearby, and rate Wi-Fi networks among others. “Datally shows you how much data you have used on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and alerts you when apps consume a lot of data. Over time, Datally will learn your usage patterns and offer more recommendations to save data,’’ she said.

Ehimuan-Chiazor said that apps frequently use data in the background to update content and information and one may not know it happens. She added that Da-

tally’s Data Saver feature would turn off background data for these non-essential functions as well as let one manage data usage on an app-by-app basis. According to her, Data Saver bubble will be used to block background data and track real-time data usage, whatever app one is using at a particular time, it works like a speedometer for ones data. She said that users could also block data with one tap if data usage gets out of control.

The country manager said finding quality public Wi-Fi could be challenging, adding that within the range of a public network, Datally’s Wi-Fi finder would notify users and help them connect. She said that directions were also given for one to be able to locate the Wi-Fi and once one was connected to a network, it was important to rate it in order to help others in the Datally community find great Wi-Fi.

T

WITTER has announced the release of Twitter Lite in Nigeria and 24 new countries including five other African countries, such as South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Tanzania. The announcement was made by Jesar Shah, the product manager at Twitter, via the company’s blog.

According to the company, Twitter Lite offer users a new mobile web experience that minimises data usage, loads quicker on slower connections, and is more resilient on unreliable mobile networks. The release comes after Twitter initially tested the application in the Philippines in September 2017.

The company revealed that it saw a 50 percent increase in the number of tweets since it debuted Lite earlier this year. That was likely due to the data-saving version’s quick loading times even on 2G and 3G networks, 3MB install size, offline mode and data saver mode that only loads images and videos you actually want to see. These features are tailored for people in developing nations where access to the internet is not as affordable and freely available as some of the developed nations in the world.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Libya – After blames, what next?

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he security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Section 14 2(b), Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999

LIBYA has been happening for years. The feigned surprise by the authorities is part of hypocrisy that rules the land. What had not happened to this point is the high numbers involved, and the steel determination of the “victims” to go through hell, rather than remain in Nigeria.

THE first reaction to the Libya situation is to share blames, if they cannot be pushed. Governments are not seeing their failure in the tragedy. Hardship, of unimaginable proportions descended on Nigerians with the superintendence of our governments, which have minimal concerns about Nigerians.

nothing” about their condition. Many fully appreciated the dangers involved only at the point of “no return”.

LIBYA would keep happening because our governments do not care. In a matter of weeks, they expect Libya would not be a hot news item again. There are elections that are months away. The elections are the most important matter of the moment.

THEY had invested so much of their lives and family resources in making the trip that abandoning it because of the obvious dangers of the sea was never WHAT is Libya? Who are involved? What if hundreds of an option. They had history behind them. Many thousands of Nigerians die? Does it matter how they knew those who passed through the same sea to die? Is it important who or what killed them? Their Europe and prosperity. love for Nigeria would still be questioned, even if they were dead.

HOPES of families dangled on the decisions they make.

Back home were people waiting to benefit from SPURIOUS debates about the Libyan debacle have comthe money sojourners would send or for the signal menced. The most strident position is that the victims to join them. In those circumstances, thoughts of caused their own troubles and deserved what they abandoning the trip were rare. The bigger question got. There are no rooms for expectations that Nigeria was what they would do, if they chickened out at the would protect her citizens. Has everyone given up on verge of “success”. a country that we call ours?

THE blames are flying already. Who would accept reOFFICIAL reactions have remained tepid. No strong sponsibility for another failure of our governments? condemnations of what happened (which most of Who does not know that some of those whose psythe returnees claim is still happening) in Libya. Our ches were battered in Libya, if they have the resourcgovernment has affinities with Libya that it consides, would make another attempt to seek a future ers more important than the security and welfare of outside Nigeria? Would governments bother to halt Nigerians. the illegal migration of hundreds of thousands of young people, who have given up hope on Nigeria?

NO words are too strong to condemn the Libyan affront.

Nigerians expected a severing of diplomatic relations THERE are other crossings through Morocco, Tunisia LIBYA is the symptom. Nobody should confuse it with with Libya, while investigating how its government and Las Palmas. Italy is the most attractive because the disease. A symptom if not used as the map to could not protect Nigerians. of traditional routes that decades of Nigerian the illness, develops other features. If we listen to migration had established. The links drew Nigerian those who were lucky to return, many of them are THE Nigerian Ambassador to Libya remains in office. His youths, mostly ladies, to Italy. educated, or passed through our higher institutions.

Libyan counterpart is in Abuja, no queries. Does NigeWhat were they searching for in Libya? ria, in establishing the Libyan precedent, expect other RISKY as the Mediterranean crossing is – many of countries would place any premium on the dignity of those waiting to use it know they could die – peo- YEARS back, Libya’s prosperity was such that those Nigerians? ple have lost so much hope at home, that death who could not make Europe stayed back there. They on the turbulent sea was worthier than “doing worked, earned descent wages, while bidding their SOME are calling for a stop to slavery in Libya. The disintime to cross into Europe. Relations joined terest and indifference of our government to Nigerithem. The remnants are reportedly the ans is worse than slavery. Would the government see ones running the slave camps in Libya. the links between Libya and creating opportunities for a fulfiling life for Nigerians at home?

WHEN Mummar Gadhafi was killed, Libya collapsed. It has not recovered.

LIBYA, if any further proof was needed, confirms the holMilitias sprouted like overnight mushlowness of the oaths our leaders take, particularly, as rooms. Each partitioned a part of Libya they affect the “security and welfare of the people”, for itself, much like Somalia. Without a and their primacy, in the execution of government central government that is able to enpolicies. force law and order, lawlessness became the law.

IT took years for Libya to build up. In those years, Libya was a transit camp for those migrating to Europe, mostly Italy, where thousands of Africans die in their illegal attempts to cross with rickety into Europe. Majority of those who die could be Nigerians. More Nigerians perish in the Sahara Desert as they make the tortuous journey to Europe.

NIGERIANS or others who ventured into any part of Libya have to live by the laws of those in charge of it. Calls on the Federal Government to intervene shows how unconnected the government is to the people. Does government need to be told that drastic measures were required to deal with the fallouts of the maltreatment of Nigerians in Libya?

YET anyone who expects that the Nigerian government would raise a voice against the Libyans, or ask for an investigation, does not understand how our governments work. Libya, if investigated, would indict governments for swearing to words, which mean nothing to them. All they want is power. Have they not got the power? Is the power not for them to attend to their greed?

WHERE is the security for our people?

Where is the welfare of our people?

Where are these two items, which the Constitution says should be the primary purpose of our governments? What government policies consider the “security and welfare of the people”?

Our Vision

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

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

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

OPINION Atiku, 2019 and Obasanjo’s political hegemony

By Ehichioya Ezomon

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S former President Olusegun Obasanjo now God that has the power to forgive sins?

This is the question of the day, as Nigeria marches towards the 2019 general elections, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is reportedly under pressure to go and “apologise” to Obasanjo and “beg him for forgiveness of his sins” against him (Obasanjo).

Contributing to this debate, former President Goodluck Jonathan said that the only hindrance to Atiku achieving his life-long ambition to be president was Obasanjo. Hence, he needed to “go and beg him for forgiveness,” without which Atiku should more or less forget his quest.

Dr. Jonathan’s admonition reflects the level politics and politicians have sunk in Nigeria: That man, and not God, as the teachings of the Holy Books indicate (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:20-22; Proverbs 5:15-16; 1 Samuel 2:7-8), is the ultimate “Kingmaker.” Consider Jonathan’s averment that their “boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses,” must be appeased because, “we’ve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your own peril. OBJ has the magic wand, respected at home and abroad.”

Many discerning polity watchers are not surprised by Jonathan’s motto, having regard to his meteoric climb up the political ladder of the country: From lecturer to Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State, and from Vice President to Acting President, and President of Nigeria, without really contesting,

until 2015, for the positions, thanks majorly to the ‘benevolence’ of Chief Obasanjo as president of Nigeria.

Remarkably, Obasanjo opposed Jonathan’s 2015 candidature (that eventually failed at the polls) because it abridged the North’s presidential slot of two terms of four years each, as the Presidency rotates between the North and South every eight years. The slot Jonathan vied for “belonged” to the North, which had barely utilised three years of it through the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with Jonathan as the Vice President.

It’s now history how Obasanjo used the anti-graft agencies to hound qualified Nigerians out of the 2007 presidential race, and railroaded a very sickly Yar’Adua in as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Jonathan as his running mate.

As experience is the best teacher, Jonathan is well-placed to counsel Atiku on the path to the presidency. The only snag being that Atiku would be charting a treacherous political terrain should he go begging Obasanjo, rather than God and the populace, to crown him president in 2015. The reasons are many but a few will suffice here.

• For Obasanjo to get his second term in 2003, he reportedly knelt for his deputy, Atiku who, backed by majority of the PDP governors, wanted the presidential ticket.

• While still Vice President under the PDP, Atiku joined the 2007 presidential race on the opposition Action Congress (AC) platform, but was disqualified by INEC, alleged-

ly engineered by President Obasanjo. Atiku went to court and got reprieve to contest.

• Atiku reportedly pushed, several times, for Obasanjo’s impeachment by the National Assembly. Recall the display of piles of millions of hard currencies on the floor of the Assembly, purportedly to bribe the lawmakers!

• Atiku often boasts of working against the infamous Obasanjo “Third Term Agenda” that would have enabled him to stay in office for 12 years (some feared “for life”), and use it as a bragging right.

• Without exhibiting a scintilla of evidence, Obasanjo has always labelled Atiku as corrupt. So, how could he, in good conscience, endorse him for the presidency of Nigeria?

These and other reasons sum up Obasanjo’s memorable vow that, “Only over my dead body will Atiku become president of Nigeria.” Thus, to spite Atiku, Obasanjo nominated Yar’Adua (and Jonathan) as the PDP candidate in 2007. He vigorously campaigned for Yar’Adua, who was frequently indisposed. (Think back that Obasanjo’s stomp query: “Umoru, are you dead?” to the unfounded reported demise of Yar’Adua abroad!)

Obasanjo has never relented in de-marketing Atiku, even reportedly during the December 10, 2014 presidential primaries of the fledgling All Progressives Congress, in which Atiku placed third behind Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, respectively.

Now the nagging question: “Is Atiku going to ‘beg’ Obasanjo to forgive him of the ‘sins’ against him?” Both in his personality and normality, the ‘Ebora Owu’ does not forget, and forgive. And who would contend that he hasn’t considered the implications of “making Atiku president,”only for the ‘Waziri Adamawa’ to “show Obasanjo pepper” for denying him twice (2003 and 2007) the presidency, and trolling him and hanging on his neck the label of corruption over the years?

Should he, indeed, beg Obasanjo, how would the average Nigerian - the electorate, and not the politicians - view Atiku Abubakar?

Is it as a man of integrity and independentminded deserving of the Office of the President of Nigeria? Or as a desperate politician, who, notwithstanding his acclaimed political reach and war chest, would do anything, including beholden to godfather(s), to achieve his ambition?

Well, the decision is Atiku’s to make, as politicians see possibilities in impossibilities. And he might have crossed the rubicon, having told the world that he had “consulted with God” before leaving the APC. I would advise, though, he sticks with that “consultation,” and not to set much store by man, who cannot play God, such as Obasanjo is being held up by Jonathan and others.

• Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

Abuse of migrants, a blot on the world’s conscience

By William Lacy Swing

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ibya is awash with tears for the tens of thousands of migrants from across Africa and beyond who have travelled there in search of a better life.

This time-honoured practice began last century, when workers from the Middle East and Africa flocked to Libya for jobs in its booming petro-economy -- a pattern that continues even now, despite Libya’s dismal security climate.

That practice has become conflated with the global trend of migrants from poor lands seeking jobs in developed countries -- especially Europe, a continent that will require millions of new health care workers to serve its increasingly elderly populations.

Libya’s emergence as a migration choke point is a symptom of this labor demand, but not its cause. Nonetheless, with insecurity all around, the age-old trade in smuggling people to Europe has become turbo-charged -and has turned into a machine of exploitation and profit, impacting thousands of migrants as well as Libyan citizens.

What can realistically be done about this?

Tens of thousands of the estimated 700,000 migrants in Libya suffer horrendously at the hands of unscrupulous people smugglers.

The abuse of migrants being held against their will in squalid, inhumane conditions is a blot on our conscience. I was the first head of a United Nations agency to venture into the country since Moammar Gadhafi was toppled in 2011. There, I had the chance to meet with some of the country’s more than 5,000 migrants arbitrarily held in government-run detention centres.

The detainees’ harrowing stories have left an indelible mark on me, both the journeys to Libya and the endless misery of unjust detention.

Their ordeal begins before reaching Libya.

Tragically ill-equipped, these sub-Saharan Africans travel in open trucks across a thousand or more miles of desert with little food or water. Countless witnesses have testified to seeing friends abandoned after falling off trucks, only to be left to die.

Once over the border and in the hands of people smugglers, a fresh nightmare begins

for the migrants. One man reported systematic beating and rape; others witnessed people being starved to death or shot.

The agency I run focuses on saving migrant lives. In multiple meetings with various Libyan authorities, I have requested that they do all in their power to stop rounding up migrants and confining them to detention centres where they lose their freedom and dignity.

I have also called, repeatedly, for the establishment of alternatives to detention and to ensure accountability for abuses perpetrated against migrants in detention.

Engaging with Libyan authorities seems to be paying off. I’m happy to report that seven of the more than 30 official migrant detention centre in Libya have closed recently.

While this is progress, IOM calls for all detention centres -- official and nonofficial -- to be closed and replaced with open centres, where migrants’ basic human rights are respected. We stand ready to provide the necessary support to the Libyan authorities that would help make this a reality.

But, let’s be clear: exploiting migrants is not exclusively a Libyan matter.

An eternal optimism is what keeps migrants taking to the road -- the same optimism that makes migrants everywhere crucial spurs to any receiving country’s economic growth.

But, for those who travel through Libya, optimism too often leads to a deadly trap.

In the face of often overwhelming evidence that their journeys may be undertaken in vain, they still leave. Climate change, poverty and outright persecution drive many to migrate.

But migrants are enticed with false promises to take dangerous journeys. Tantalizing photos appear on social media of migrants apparently doing well in Europe, while messaging apps provide secret channels through which smugglers guide migrants on their journeys.

This is a disturbing development.

The worst abuse happens at the hands of people looking to make a profit from the lucrative business of people smuggling. They show no mercy in enslaving migrants or torturing them for extortion.

A few months ago, IOM highlighted the fact that smugglers had arranged for a Facebook Live broadcast of some 75 migrants being held and tortured in a dungeon. Short video

clips were sent via the mobile phone messenger platforms to anguished family members thousands of miles away.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to reach or influence the criminal gangs behind these acts. So, we are asking social media giants to prevent their platforms from becoming instruments of migrant exploitation.

Many detained migrants want only to go home and right now; often, only IOM can help them. Indeed, already this year, IOM has managed to return over 10,000 stranded migrants to their homes -- many of them had spent months, or even years, in Libya’s worst detention centres. Since 2015, we have flown a total of 13,530 men, women and children home to 30 countries.

The closure of all the centres is still not a reality, so to save lives we must be pragmatic.

We need to provide an escape from the grinding nightmare of detention by helping migrants get home, and simultaneously protect them in detention.

In Libya today, brave IOM staff are working against the odds to improve conditions to meet minimum standards of safety, hygiene and sanitation: installing proper toilets and water purification systems, repairing sewage pipes and electrical cabling, and providing ventilation fans and water heaters.

Migrants in detention have limited choices and are subject to extreme stress. But they can make informed decisions that save their lives.

Right now, IOM’s voluntary humanitarian return assistance is one of few viable humane solutions for migrants in this Libyan nightmare. They can decide to go home in a free and informed process, with institutional safeguards. They can withdraw an application any time -- as some do.

Ways to help on-going migrant crisis We are working to establish safe houses as alternatives to detention for the most vulnerable, especially children and victims of trafficking. We want women and children who are released from detention to be temporarily placed inside migrant community houses, and for migrants with medical and mental health conditions to be released to hospitals.

IOM is working to establish what we call a Migrant Response and Resource Mechanism

that provides information and referral services, including health screening, psychological first aid and support to vulnerable migrants from mobile teams. Libya, once a destination for hardworking migrants across the continent to earn a living wage in decent conditions, can become just that once again.

We have been criticized for our work in detention centres but let’s be clear: Not a single additional migrant is detained as a result, nor does our work prolong detention.

Instead, it offers a glimmer of hope for brutalized, innocent people as long as they are locked up. If we were not bearing witness and improving conditions, I know that migrants would unnecessarily die.

• Swing is the director general of the UN Migration Agency. Culled from cnn.com

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

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Travel & Hospitality Exit looms for Folarin-Coker Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HE exit door at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) may once again welcome the embattled Director General of the agency, Mr Folusho Folarin-Coker, as aside his drop in rating among industry operators of late, has now also lost the trust of his staff, who last Wednesday, demanded the resignation of the former Lagos State Commissioner.

Unceremoniously shoved out of Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode’s cabinet as Commissioner for Tourism, FolarinCoker’s appointment as Director General of the NTDC in April, this year, was expected to seal the constantly revolving door at the agency that has seen four chief executives occupy the top seat in a space of three months.

Folarin-Coker’s appointment by the Federal Government was

initially hailed as a step in the right direction by industry operators against the backdrop of his professional background as an outsider considering that the previous three occupants of the position who succeeded Mrs Sally Mbanefo, had been from within civil service structure with two of them senior directors from within the NTDC. It would be recalled that following the exit of Mbanefo in November 2016, three senior directors, namely; Mr Boniface Ebuka in December 2016 (acting capacity), Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh in January 2017 (acting capacity) and Dr Paul Adalikwu in March 2017 (in acting capacity,) were variously appointed within three months from late December 2016 to March 2017, before the eventual emergence of FolarinCoker in April (in full capacity).

However, less than eight months into his tenure as boss of NTDC, Folarin-Coker has already fallen out

with the industry stakeholders who celebrated his initial appointment, as well as other interest groups.

And only last Wednesday, staff at the agency’s headquarters located at the Old Secretariat, Garki, Abuja, took over the corporation’s premises in a protest demanding the immediate removal of their Director General over accusations bordering on misconduct and incompetence.

The aggrieved NTDC staff accused Folarin-Coker of high-handedness and poor welfare of workers, in addition of further claims that he should not occupy the position, just as they called on the Federal Government to remove him immediately.

The demonstrators carried placards conveying different messages including ‘NTDC staff not animals,’ and ‘NTDC staff says no to oppressor,’ ‘DG Mr Folunrusho Coker, we are tired of your insults, we are not

your slaves,’ ‘Coker, give us our job, we want to work,’ ‘Coker needs management training,’ ‘Coker, stop all impunity and financial recklessness in NTDC.’ Other placards read: ‘NTDC staff are not animals, treat us like human beings,’ ‘Special assistant is not a full time employment,’ ‘Let the staff work, what kind of a leader is Coker,’ ‘Seven months after assumption of duty, no meeting with staff,’ ‘Coker said Buhari has not been able to achieve anything in two years and so NTDC staff should not expect him to do magic,’ ‘Folunrunsho Coker lacks human relations, he is a bully,’ ‘PMB, as a matter of urgency, should sack Folorunsho Coker,’ ‘Only Coker attends foreign exhibition,’ among others.

They further accused FolarinCoker of setting up a project unit which is not part of the NTDC nomenclature, but a conduit pipe to

•Protesting staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation

Marriott tops loyalty programme ranking

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ARRIOTT Rewards has come out on top once more in J.D. Power’s new 2017 Hotel Loyalty Programme Satisfaction Study.

Marriott Rewards ranked highest with a score of 806 on a 1,000-point scale, and was followed very closely by World of Hyatt with a score of 805. Hilton Honors, which tied with Marriott last year for the top ranking, had a score of 793. Last year, Marriott and Hilton tied for first place with scores of 741 each.

Satisfaction took into account the following four factors: ease of earning and redeeming rewards (35 percent of score); program benefits (27 percent of score); account management (22 percent of score); and member communication (16 percent of score).

The study measured responses from 4,682 hotel rewards program members who took five or more

trips in the past 12 months. The survey was conducted from September to October 2017.

The criteria for this year’s study was different from last year’s, said Rick Garlick, global practice lead, travel and hospitality, for J.D. Pow-

er, so “it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison between this year and last year.”

Marriott is preparing to merge its Marriott Rewards programme with Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Ritz-Carlton Rewards

by 2019. New reports suggest the programmes will remain separate throughout 2018, and giving customers the same amount of choice will remain crucial to guest satisfaction, according to J.D. Power’s findings.

Africa tourism growing - UNWTO T

HE potential of tourism in poverty alleviation and to induce transformative change has been addressed in Lusaka, Zambia, in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Conference on Promoting Sustainable Tourism, a Tool for Inclusive Growth and Community Engagement in Africa.

The conference, a flagship event of the Africa region for the celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for

Development, took place last 1618 November and was coordinated by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in cooperation with Zambia.

According to UNWTO statistical data, the African continent had an increase of international arrivals of 8 per cent in 2016, compared to the previous year. This, together with the increasing commitment of African governments to position tourism in their agenda, re-

veals the gaining prominence of the sector as well as its strong potential to foster positive change and transformation.

The Conference that was preceded by a technical workshop to revise strategies and approaches to develop sustainable tourism initiatives in the African continent, tackled these issues as well as the potential of sustainable tourism to lead policies to foster communities inclusion.

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syphon money out of the NTDC. The workers lamented that Folarin-Coker has not been able to achieve anything since taking over NTDC barely eight months ago as they also expressed disappointment over what they called his poor leadership style and lack of respect for the workers.

However, the NTDC helmsman is not new to controversies as back in August, his decision to forward to the National Assembly a bill which sought to revise the framework of operations of the corporation came up for public hearing drew the ire of industry operators.

Heavy criticisms trailed the proposed NTDC Act Cap N137 LFN, 2004 (Repeal Re-enactment) Bill, 2017 (SB.429),as it came up for public hearing on the floor of the senate, with the umbrella body of industry practitioners, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN)and other stakeholders contesting amendments sought by the corporation in the bill.

Immediate past president of FTAN and chairman of its Board of Trustees, Samuel Alabi, who is also a legal practitioner, described the proposed NTDC bill said as an ‘illegality.’ ‘‘It appears the drafters of the bill are not aware of the import of the Supreme Court judicial pronouncement on the status of tourism in the 1999 constitution as amended.

By the Supreme Court decision, tourism has been held to be a residual matter, and therefore, only state Houses of Assembly could validly legislate on it. ‘‘It is laughable that what the Supreme Court had dismantled in 2013 on the basis of the 1999 constitution is now been reassembled by the Senate without first amending the relevant 1999 constitution. It is like reinventing the will, pure and simple,’’ said the Legal Adviser of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

The FTAN in its own position paper presented on the floor of the Senate by its President, Alhaji Rabo Saleh Kareem, faulted Section 4 (c) Membership of the Governing Board; Section 15 (c) Functions of the Corporation; Section 15 (d) Functions of the Corporation; Section 16 (f) – Functions of the Corporation (continued); Other contentious portions of the proposed bill, according to FTAN, include: Section 18 – Establishment of a Tour Operating Company; Section 22 (f) and (g) Funds of the Corporation; Section 26 & 28 – Establishment and object of Tourism Development Fund; Section 29 – Tourism Development levy, which the association must be expunged from the proposed bill.

Particularly for Section 29, titled; ‘Tourism Development levy’, FTAN said the ‘entire prayers sought for inserting this section and clauses into the amendment are ill conceived and would make the Levy inoperable on ground, more so there would be no transparency in the processes.’

According to FTAN, “Tourism Development levy should be collected on the site where it is applicable by the operators and immediately paid into the bank accounts of Tourism Development Fund. Tourism Development levy should be the primary source of funding for the Tourism Development Fund.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

AVIATION Increase aircraft requirement for AOC -- Group urges NCAA Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HE Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI) has urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to increase the number of aircraft required by an airline to secure an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).

ARTI wants the number increased from the current two to a minimum of 20 aircraft.

President of the group, Mr

Gbenga Olowo who made the call in Lagos, noted that there was need for local airlines to pull resources together and establish a local maintenance hangar as a way of minimising their aircraft maintenance cost.

He called for a culture of corporate governance and transparency in the business of managing the aviation sector.

“Government and other parties in infrastructure-related commer-

cial agreements in the industry should respect the terms of such agreements if the industry is to move forward. Therefore, existing concession/agreements that have developed into controversies affecting the entire industry should be resolved immediately in the interest of the industry taking cognisance of initial capital invested.

“Also, political interference should be avoided in the sector’s

regulatory activities,” he said.

According to him, there is the need for the establishment of an inter-governmental agency stakeholder group to be led by NCAA for the administration and management of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) funds.

Olowo said that the BASA funds should be used for critical safety infrastructure development as provided for in the Civil Aviation Act 2006.

• International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu with Minister of State for Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika (m)and other delegates at the just concluded ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF)

AIB publishes 117 safety recommendations

he Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has announced the T publication of a total of 117 safety recommendations since it began operations 10 years ago.

This is also as the agency presented final report of four air traffic accidents which occurred in the country.

Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru, who made the announcement while presenting the reports at a ceremony in Lagos, Wednesday, also used the platform to announce the official launch the AIB’s Mobile Application.

Among incident reports presented by AIB was the Aero Contractors’ Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-BLE which occured en route Kaduna Airport on June 5, 2015.

It also presented a report on the serious incident of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Socata TBM 850 aircraft with registration 5N-BZA near Kaduna Airport, Kaduna, on May 21, 2013.

Others were the Bell 407 helicopter 5N-BIC at Uyo Airport, Akwa Ibom State, on October 21, 2009 and International Aviation College (IAC) Diamond DA42 aircraft 5N-BNH incident which occurred on August 18, 2014 at the

Ilorin International Airport.

Olateru, said the AIB had also stepped up collaboration with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure the implementation of the recommendations to improve air safety in the country.

“AIB was established in 2006 by the Civil Aviation Act and since commencing operations in 2007, we have published 117 safety recommendations. This year from the 10 published reports, 35 safety recommendations have been made.

“Our statutory obligation is to

investigate air accidents and serious incidents: and by our safety recommendations, mitigate them in order to forestall reoccurrence,” Olateru said.

Olateru noted that his administration inherited 27 pending accident investigation reports when he assumed office in early 2017 and assured that it would conclude all the reports by the end of 2018.

He said that accident investigation played vital role in enthroning and sustaining robust air safety regime, adding that this could

only be achieved when outcomes of accident investigations are timely released.

Olateru said that the launch of AIB Mobile Application was one of many processes aimed at easing communication for a safer sky for the flying public.

“AIB Mobile App, as it is called, gives us a new and more convenient way to receive aircraft accident report in real time. This app would improve engagement with Nigerians by providing easy and open access to the bureau and its activities,” he added.

Delta leads airline loyalty programmes U nited States-based On Point Loyalty, LLC has announced the release of its first annual report on the Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programmes around the world providing the first-ever comprehensive, datadriven ranking of the value of airline loyalty programmes with Delta Air Lines topping a list of ten other airlines.

Examined was public information on over 170 airlines around the world to determine an estimated value for each air-

line’s loyalty program. Over 50 variables relating to the airline, loyalty programme, credit card industry and local market dynamics were incorporated into On Point Loyalty’s proprietary valuation algorithms.

This pioneering report gives a unique view on the value generated by these somewhat opaque marketing businesses which are important ancillary revenue contributors for airlines.

“We are excited to share this report with the airline, investor and

credit card communities to shed new light on the value of airline loyalty programmes from around the world. This report will be a new standard by which programs can be measured,” Managing Partner, Jeremy Rabe said.

The global airline loyalty industry is estimated to be worth over US $160 billion. Airline loyalty programmes are tremendously popular with approximately 288 million active loyalty members earning around 3.5 trillion points per year.

ICAO, agencies evolve new runway safety plan

T

he International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and its global runway safety partners have agreed on a new Global Runway Safety Action Plan to address civil aviation’s safety risks.

ICAO’s Secretary-General, Dr Fang Liu, who disclosed this, Thursday, in a statement, said runway safety had been a global aviation priority for more than 15 years, adding that the new action plan was an important outcome of the detailed analysis of runway risk factors recently undertaken

by ICAO. Liu, however, said runway accident related fatalities had declined significantly in recent years through ICAO’s collaborative Runway Safety Programme with its stakeholders.

According to her, such collaborative efforts include the establishment of Runway Safety Teams across airports, noting further that runway accidents still remained aviation’s number one safety risk category.

“The new Action Plan agreed at 2017 ICAO Symposium will serve to guide the integrated activities of states, airports, airlines, ANSPs and manufacturers to implement runway safety improvement and risk reduction measures. The overall objective is about reducing runway safety related accident fatalities and costs.

“Regardless of the success achieved thus far, the numbers still reveal for us that we have more work to do to fully mitigate runway-related risks. That helps explain why ICAO has brought the world’s runway safety specialists here to Lima this week for our second Global Runway Safety Symposium.

“And we are encouraged by the outcome of this new Action Plan which will drive improved runway safety risk mitigation over the next five years,’’ she said.

Liu also said the Action Plan targeted and timelines had been developed to support the runway safety targets already established under ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan, adding that aviation safety specialists all over the world were currently looking into the plan as a high-level strategic tool to help align international actions and initiatives to avoid duplication of efforts.

According to her, an additional and related development announced at the Lima Symposium includes EUROCONTROL’s launch of its revised European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions.

“The 2017 ICAO Global Runway Safety Symposium was hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Peru. It enjoyed the participation of global runway safety experts from Member States and many international organizations and industry groups,” she said.

28

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

PTAD pays 33% pension arrears Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has paid another installment of the 33 per cent Pension Arrears owed to its pensioners, according to the management in a statement issued, last Monday.

The statement informed that the categories involved included the police, civil service as well as parastatal pensioners.

“The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) wishes to inform all pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) that the Directorate has paid another installment of the 33% Pension Arrears owed to its pensioners.

“The categories of pensioners affected are as follows: “Police Pensioners: 12 (Months Paid this installment), 24 (Months Paid To Date), 18 (Months Outstanding); Civil Service Pensioners:

... To commence verification of NITEL, MTEL pensioners 6 (Months Paid this installment), 30 (Months Paid To Date), 12 (Months Outstanding); Parastatal Pensioners: 6 (Months Paid this installment), 18 (Months Paid To Date), 36 (Months Outstanding).

“All pensioners under the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensions Department had already been paid the 33% arrears in full since August 2016.

“The latest payment was made from the Service Wide Vote released last week by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF). PTAD will settle the outstanding arrears of the 33% increment as soon as additional releases are made. Until then, the Directorate implores all its pensioners to be patient and continue to exercise vigilance against the activities of fraudsters and rabble-rousers,” the state-

ment read.

PTAD also advised beneficiaries to ‘report any incident of extortion to the Directorate or the security agencies.’

In another development, The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has announced dates for the verification of pensioners of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

Management of PTAD in a statement in Abuja, Thursday, announced that the verification would begin from January 15 to 26, 2018.

According to PTAD, the exercise will take place across the six geopolitical zones in selected venues that will be announced in January.

PTAD said the verification ex-

ercise was in pursuant to the payment of pension benefits to eligible retirees of the agencies after receiving approval from the Ministry of Finance that appropriate benefits be paid to qualified retirees.

“Pursuant to PTAD being assigned with the responsibility, the directorate has been working with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to get the nominal roll and other required information on qualified pensioners of the defunct NITEL.“ PTAD said qualified retirees are required to come with originals and photocopies of their required documents including their computation sheets issued by their former employer.

It said Next-of-Kins (NOK) are also mandated to obtain a Letter of Administration from the High

Courts of Justice for the deceased pensioner.

It further said that affidavit for loss of mandatory documents including letter of retirement will not be accepted for the verification.

According to PTAD, issue of proxy will not be allowed in the process as security agencies will be stationed at the venues to check fraudsters, who will be immediately prosecuted when apprehended.

It said the directorate was ready to attend to the sick and infirmed at their locations, and are therefore advised to send an application for mobile verification.

It advised that the application must include pensioners’ contact details, photo copies of all documents as listed and certified Doctor’s report for such services.

PenCom issues new guidelines

N

ATIONAL Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued new guidelines on voluntary pension contributions (VCs).

A November 16, 2017 dated circular by the commission to all licensed Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Custodians in the country, limited withdrawals from account to once every two years, among other changes it reeled out in the guidelines.

According to PenComm, the new guidelines take effect from December 1, 2017.

“In respect of voluntary contributions (VCs) by Mandatory Contributors: Withdrawals from VC account is limited to once every 2 years; Taxes will be deducted on any income earned if withdrawn within 5 years; Total withdrawal from VC account is limited to 50% while the balance of 50% must be kept to augment contributor’s retirement benefit.

‘In respect of VC by Exempt Contributors (including foreigners): Withdrawals from VC account is limited to once every 2 years; All the VCs may be withdrawn after 2 years but subject to tax on both

the principal contribution and income earned thereon; Withdrawals made after 5 years from date of contribution will be fully tax exempt.

“Note: Mandatory Contributors are those legally required to make compulsory pension contributions under the pension act while those who have no legal obligations to do so are Exempt Contributors.

“In all cases, PFAs are to deduct tax where applicable and remit within 21 days to the relevant tax authority and report any withdrawal of N5 million or more to the EFCC. “While it is clear that PENCOM is trying to address instances of abuse by some contributors, some of the new rules are inconsistent with the Pension Reform Act and therefore can be legally challenged. A better approach is for PENCOM to engage with key stakeholders and seek an amendment to the law.

Contributors are advised to note the new rules as PFAs are likely to implement the guidelines regardless of whether they are legitimate or not.”

PenComm, others back FMDQ approval of MWFL N20b CP

F

MDQ, tFMDQ, through its Board Listings, Markets and Technology Committee, has approved the registration of the N20 billion Mortgage Warehouse Funding Limited (MWFL) Commercial Paper (CP) Programme to the platform of the OTC Exchange.

The approval which came, last Tuesday, was with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Pension Commission, Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc (NMRC), Dunn Loren Merrifield Advisory Partners Limited and other key stakeholders.

With this MWFL is now set to support the tackling of the 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria, by championing programmes to resolve the housing finance issues in the mortgage subsector.

This short-term finance will enable MMBs to expand their origination ca-

pacity and ultimately enable them to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably, whilst ensuring the steady growth of the mortgage subsector in the Nigerian housing sector.

With this CP Programme registration, MWFL is availed the opportunity to easily raise short-term finance from the debt capital markets, within the Programme limit, to support its business operations as at when required in the future. Series from this CP programme will be quoted on FMDQ. As part of efforts towards unlocking the potential of the Nigerian economy, FMDQ said it will continue to promote market development in collaboration with the participants, to make the markets within its purview globally competitive and wellaligned to support economic growth and development for the benefit of the citizenry.

• Participants at the opening session of the just-concluded training programme for civil servants which held in Ikeja, under the theme: “Impact of Transformation Leadership on Work Ethics, Innovation and Attitudinal Change”

‘Integrate HIV/AIDS treatment into health insurance’

T

HEInstitute of Human Virology in Nigeria (IHVN) has called for the integration of the treatment of the HIV/AIDS into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum made the call, Thursday, in Abuja on the occasion of the International World AIDS Day, Friday.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘’The Right to Health”.

He said the challenges of HIV/ AIDS patients demanded that insurance institutions be actively involved in their treatment to increase the number of benefiting persons.

Dakum said that the institution’s experience with infected persons made it mandatory for it to canvass for a wider platform

for the treatment of HIV/AIDS victims in the country.

He said adopting the HIV/AIDS treatment into the NHIS would boost the sustainability of the treatment regime for such cases in Nigeria.

“In Ngeria today on HIV issue, over 90 per cent of HIV/AIDS patients get their suppor from donors principally The Global Fund and others. Now if you look at that the question you ask is that of the one million people on treatment today, 150,000 are taken care of by the Nigerian government.

“This means that if the donor agencies, for any reason, decides to stop the treatment, what do we do with this one million people that are on their treatment, a lifelong treatment. And you know once you are diagnosed with HIV/

AIDS you don’t stop treatment because once you stop, the virus will bounce back in your body and you begin to get symptoms of the ailment. ‘’So for us the issue has to do with bridging the funding from the donor agencies. This is why we are always calling for the insurance to be involved in funding the treatment.”

“If you have an insurance policy for your health, you go to the clinic you are assigned to for treatment. So if I test positive for HIV today why should they not pay for the treatment as they did for other ailments.

“Therefore, there is no reason we should not incorporate HIV/ AIDS treatment into the NHIS. It will take care of treatment for such infections.’’

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION Ecobank Nigeria appoints Chief Risk Officer

E

cobank Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr. Adebiyi Olagbami as an Executive Director and the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank effective November 15, 2017.

Mr Olagbami has 25 years banking experience with over 21 years in Risk Management.

In a statement, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Mr Charles Kie said this appointment is in furtherance of the bank’s repositioning strategy and the enhancement of the risk function in the Bank.

The Bank remains fully focused on its strategic objective to be one of top three banks in Nigeria within the next five years. Mr Kie explained that Ecobank continues to realign its workforce to meet its business expectations across all cadres. Only recently the bank had announced the appointments of Mr. Akin Dada as Executive Director Corporate Banking and Carol Oyedeji Executive Director Con-

• Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor, (right) welcoming the Chief Executive Officer, Public Service Institute of Nigerian (PSIN), Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatoyinbo, during the PSIN’s courtesy visit to PTAD headquarters in Abuja.

Legacy to drive FCMB expansion plans Stories by VICTOR NZE

F

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) has now provided a broader outlook into its growth plans for the newly-acquired Legacy Pension Managers.

Management of FCMB which hosted a conference call to review its nine-months 2017 result, provide guidance on outlook and update investors on its acquisition of the pension management firm, said it plans to leverage on its holding of Legacy Pension to diversify the group’s earnings and increase profitability.

“This aligns with our view in our recent report ‘Tier 2 Banks – Playing a catch-up game’ where we forecast a growth in Legacy’s contribution to the group’s PBT from ~3% to 7% in FY 2018. Irrespective, we hold the view that a material change in FCMB’s fortunes in the near term is contingent on its ability to combat funding cost pressures which resonates with the words of Williams Shakespeare ‘No legacy is so rich as Honesty’ or as Funding cost in the case of FCMB.

“Earnings weighed by funding cost and lower NIR. FCMB’s ninemonths 2017 result was in line with our expectation. Interest expense of N46.4 billion (+15.8% YoY) grew faster than interest income (+3.3% YoY to N96.3 billion) to drive net interest income lower by 6.2% YoY to N49.9 billion.

“Further down, the impact of a high-base in Non-Interest Revenue (NIR) for 9M 2016, which captured N35.3 billion in foreign exchange gain, marred NIR in the review period (-58% YoY to N18.7 billion). Consequently, despite lower loan-loss provision (-63% YoY to N12.3 billion) and flat operating expenses, the impact of higher funding cost and lower NIR drove a 58% decline in EPS to N0.28 (9M 2016: N0.66).

“That said, the breakdown of standalone Q3 17 results reveal improvement in core performance.

In the review quarter, interest income of N39.4 billion (+3.8% YoY) outpaced funding cost (+3% YoY) to drive a 4.5% increase in net interest income. Consequently, Net Interest Margin (NIM) expanded

1.5pps YoY (+0.4% QoQ) to 7.4%.

“More so, despite the absence of sizeable FX gains which underpinned lower NIR in the quarter, FCMB reported robust fee income (+34% YoY) and trading income (+49% YoY). Against this backdrop and markedly lower loan-loss provision of N2.7 billion (Q3 2016: N21 billion), FCMB reported PAT of N2.5 billion relative to loss after tax in Q3 2016 of N2.7 billion.

“O&G and Commerce mar asset quality. In the review quarter, asset quality deteriorated with NPL ratio rising 130bps to 4.7%.

Breakdowns provided by FCMB links the sharp deterioration in asset quality to the O&G Downstream (4.6x YoY), O&G Services (25.5x YoY) and Commerce (50.8% YoY) sectors even as Education, Manufacturing and Transport also posed mild quality concerns.

Across these sectors, FCMB stated that a prudent stance informed increased provisioning for NPLs with coverage ratio at 108.2% for its entire NPL book.

CAR improved by 90bps QoQ to 17.9 per cent.

sumer Banking.

Prior to Olagbami’s new appointment, he was Chief Credit Officer of Union Bank Nigeria Plc. He has also worked as Chief Risk Officer with Fidelity Bank Ghana; Chief Risk and Compliance Officer with Keystone Bank Limited (then Bank PHB), Head of Credit (CIB) with Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and briefly as Group Market Risk Manager with Access Bank Plc. Olagbami’s earlier banking career was with Citigroup where he held various positions including Country Risk Manager (Central Africa); Risk Manager (Egypt); Country Portfolio Manager; Senior Risk and Business Analyst, among others.

He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Architecture from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Mr Olagbami is an MBA alumnus from the IESE (University of Navara), Spain.

FG, States, LGs share N1.76tr in Q3 2017 T

OTAL FAAC disbursements in the third quarter of 2017 was N1.757 trillion which was 1.09 percent higher than the N1.738 trillion disbursed in the third quarter of 2016, the latest report released by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed.

In its quarterly review, the agency said this disbursement was 6.88 percent lower than the N1.887 trillion shared in the third quarter of 2015.

The report said Federal Government received the largest disbursement of N752.79 billion in the period under review.

This was followed by states which received N586.58 billion, while local governments received N363.98 billion.

These increased disbursements are in line with recent developments in the oil sector, where global oil prices have rebounded and Nigeria’s oil production has risen.

In the first quarter of this year, FAAC disbursed N1.411 trillion to the three tiers of government and N1.377 trillion in the second quarter.

These figures indicate that FAAC disbursements this year to the FG, states and LGs have been highest in the third quarter of 2017.

FAAC disbursements to the federal and local governments so far in 2017 were highest in July while they were highest for states in September.

Data from the NNPC shows that oil production averaged 1.953 million barrels per day in June 2017, which

is the highest level of production recorded in over a year.

The last time oil production was this high was in March 2016 when 1.957 million barrels per day was produced.

The NNPC has attributed this increase in production to normalcy in the Niger Delta region and resumption of export activities at the Forcados Terminal after many months.

Disbursements to the federal government in 2017 were highest in July (N286.65 billion) and lowest in May (N163.90 billion). This is a difference of N122.75 billion, implying a 74.8% difference between the months with the highest and lowest disbursements.

States received the highest disbursements in September (N215.78 billion) and lowest in January (N141.12 billion), a difference of N74.66 billion.

This indicates a 52.9% difference. Local governments received the highest disbursement in July (N134.93 billion) and the lowest disbursement was in January (N85.40 billion).

This reveals a difference of N49.52 billion or 57.9%. These figures suggest a high degree of volatility in government revenue across all three tiers of government.

This makes economic planning and execution of capital projects difficult, and further buttresses the need for diversified sources of government revenue to limit volatility and ensure more stable and predictable revenue streams.

On his part, Ibrahim Kangiwa, Investment Analyst at PenCom at the event said: “We are working with PFAs to reach all stakeholders, the media and the public and private sectors to ensure increased awareness of the scheme.”

The forum provided a platform to appreciate the tremendous success Premium Pension has witnessed since coming on stream in 2005. Presentations were made on EPCCOS, With-

drawal from Voluntary Contribution and Enhanced Programmed Withdrawal and also the soon-tobe-introduced introduced Multifund Structure.

Both the imperative of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the intricacy of its operations as well as individual and collective responsibilities of all stakeholders came to light at the forum.

So also was the general renewed commitment to its continued success.

Premium holds desk officers forum

P

ENSION fund administrator, Premiumfund administrator, Premium Pension Limited, has concluded a pension desk officers forum organized to collectively evaluate the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and enhance operational effectiveness.

The forum which was organized by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) region of the company, Thursday, November 23, is a routine industry requirement that provides opportunity for

stakeholders to keep abreast of current trends in the industry.

“This forum provides an opportunity to identify challenges faced by clients and collectively proffer clarifications and solutions. “There are still challenges in the CPS thirteen years since inception, especially in the area of public awareness of the law and the workings of the scheme,” said Mr. Kabir Ahmed Tijjani, Executive Director and Acting Managing Director/CEO of the

company, at the opening of the forum which held at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

Tijjani also pointed out that the regulatory bodies, the National Pension Commission, (PenCom) and the National Association of Pension Operators of Nigeria, (PenOp) have been doing a lot in the area of generation of public awareness of the immense advantages and desirability of the scheme.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Crime

‘I trade on Indian hemp to feed my children’ Stories by XAVIER NDAH

A

Free sex lands motorcyclist in trouble

B

motorcycle rider popularly known as Okechukwu Desmond alleged to have been in the habit of raising false alarm of his missing manhood in order to get free sex has been arrested by the officials of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos Police Command.

The suspect’s escapades, hit the brick wall when he picked a young lady whose name was not disclosed at Apple Junction, Festac, around 9:00 p.m. last week in Lagos and at midway into the journey, Okechukwu raised alarm that his passenger lady has taken his manhood.

It took the speedy intervention of the RRS to save the lady from an angry mob who were already at the scene wanting to lynch the young lady for using charm to cause the disappearance of the rider’s .

It was gathered that RRS team thereafter transferred the case to the nearest police station in Festac , where it was discovered that the supposed victim had recently reported a similar case of a missing manhood at the station.

On further interrogation, the okada rider confessed to the police of his habit of getting cheap sex from unsuspecting ladies that patronise him by raising false alarm that they have stolen his manhood.

It was gathered that the rider Okechukwu had once reported in the same station similar incident where he demanded he be put up with a commercial sex worker to test whether his manhood was still functioning.

In his confession, Okechukwu disclosed that nothing was wrong with his manhood and that all he wanted was free sex.

Efforts to get him to disclose how many ladies he has done it for proved abortive as investigator disclosed the case was still under investigation.

While the lady was allowed to go after offering statement to the police, the rider was taken into custody at Base 44, Festac Police Station for further investigation into the case.

It could not be ascertained if he would be charged to court.

41- year -old driver has pleaded to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) not to persecute him for dealing on Indian hemp as he caters for his children through proceeds of the illegal business.

The driver Ojuneme Festus, was intercepted by the Edo State command of the NDLEA with a shipment of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa at Ehor, Edo State.

In his statement, Ojuneme said that he has been driving for fifteen years but recently began to smuggle cannabis because of lack of a stable job. “I have been driving for the past fifteen years. However, in the past two years, I have been out of a stable employment.

It was in the process of looking for food for my family that l accepted

to smuggle cannabis. Shortly after l took off; my bus was stopped at Ehor by NDLEA officers on patrol.

The drug was well hidden but l was surprised when the officers discovered the drug in a false compartment” Ojuneme stated.

The Oracle gathered that the drug which was packed in 20 bags weighing 200kg was ingeniously concealed in a false compartment lined on the inside wall of a dark blue Volkswagen Bus with Anambra registration number ACA 711 XT. A preliminary investigation conducted by the command revealed that the illicit drugs were being conveyed from Iruekpen in Edo State to Uko-Orji in Imo State. The driver of the bus, Ojuneme Festus, who lives in Oluku road, Benin City is assisting investigating narcotic officers handling the case. Ojuneme is married with four children and hails from Ndokwa East Local

Government Area of Delta State.

NDLEA Edo State commander, Mr Wakawa Buba while confirming the arrest and seizure commended the arresting officers for detecting the drug despite the clever way it was concealed.

“This is a very interesting seizure because ordinarily, it is difficult to detect the drugs considering the manner it was hidden. The bus was empty as it were but it took the superior techniques and experience of the officers to disable the stratagem employed by the drug trafficking cartel. The twenty bags of cannabis were concealed in a false compartment on the inside walls of the bus” Wakawa stated.

The commander warned that drug trafficking cartels shall not go unpunished as the command is working assiduously to detect drugs and apprehend offenders within the State. Meanwhile, the suspect will be diligently prose-

cuted for unlawful transportation of cannabis under the NDLEA Act while the bus will be forfeited to the federal government.

Community administer oath on youths who renounce cultism

CP Imohimi Oluwole Edgal with two leaders of Eye and Aye cult groups at Imota while denouncing and surrendering their arms and ammunition to the police at Imota in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

O avert the 120 youths who reT nounced cultism at the Imota, Ikorodu area of Lagos State from returning back, the community leaders have subjected them to swear to an oath never to return back to their old status.

Dependable sources told The Oracle that the cultists from the two notorious cult groups the’ Aiye’ and ‘Eye’ who surrendered

their weapons last Wednesday were made to go through spiritual cleansing at a shrine in the community before they marched to the Oba’s palace where they surrendered their arms.

The renunciation by the cultists followed recent violent clash between rival cult gangs which claimed three lives in the area.

Lagos State Commissioner of

Police (CP), Imohimi Edgar, while addressing the repented cultists said that their voluntary renouncement would be accompanied by vocational training to enable them acquire new skills.

“When I assumed duty as Commissioner of Police in Lagos, I discovered that cultism and drug abuse are the most challenging crimes.

“The important thing is that the

Two suspected armed robbers shot dead

detectives attached to PhaveOLICE the Police Ogun state command shot dead two men suspected to be armed robbers alleged to have attacked Dangote cement company at Ibese in the early hours of Saturday.

Police Public Relations Officer of the command Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abimbola Oyeyemi told the Oracle that the gang numbering about seven invaded the company armed with dangerous weapons and moved straight to the material section to cart away some armoured cables.

Oyeyemi said the policemen posted on duty at the company were alerted by the company security men and they promptly moved to the scene and n sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in gun battle which lasted for about 45 minutes.

According to him, at the end of the encounter one of the robbers was shot dead while one was arrested with serious gunshot wounds but died on the way to the hospital. “ Other members of the gang escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries and we have recov-

ered from them one locally made single barrel gun, 14 expended cartridges, dagger and a house breaking equipment” Oyeyemi explained.

The commissioner of police Commissioner of Police (CP) Ahmed Iliyasu while commending the gallantry display of his men appealed to members of the public especially hospital to report anybody seen with gunshot wound to the police. He also assured residents of the state of adequate security before during and after the forthcoming Yuletide season.

processes whereby youths are now willingly renouncing cultism to take up vocational skills have started.

“The vocational job is to be instituted by the council chairman, the lawmaker and other stakeholders in Imota.

“We want a 24-hours economic and nightlife in Lagos,” Edgar said.

He added that the police would obtain data of all the repented cultists so as to monitor their activities for the safety of lives and property in the area.

The CP, who was at the palace of the paramount ruler of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, with officers of the Nigerian army, the DSS, NSCDC, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency , urged community leaders to partner with the police and other security agencies to sensitise other cultists to renounce their membership and surrender their arms ‘ because without peace there cannot be development’.

The monarch said that he would use traditional ancestral means to make the repented cultists swear an oath not to return to cultism.

“People cannot be living in fear and contribute immensely to the development of the community,” said the royal father.

Mr Nurudeen Solaja, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu 2 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the renouncement was a welcome development.

Solaja said he would join hands with other stakeholders to ensure that the repented cultists were re-integrated back into the community.

“We will train those cultists who willingly renounced their membership to become better individuals.

“Most of these cultists are artisans who don’t have an idea of how or what cultism is all about; we want to make sure that peace returns to Imota community which is my constituency,” Solaja said.

Prince Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said that the council would continue to sensitise the community on the need to maintain peace for development of the area.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Crime

19 traffic offenders to forfeit vehicles Stories by XAVIER NDAH

A

total of 19 traffic offenders, comprising 12 private and seven commercial drivers, were last week docked before Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court in Oshodi, Lagos State, for driving against traffic..

The accused persons were accosted by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway in an operation led by the Chairman of the agency, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

Of the 19 accused persons, only one, Felix John, pleaded guilty to the offence, following which, the Presiding Magistrate delivered instant judgment of forfeiture of accused person’s Honda car with registration No Lagos BDG 465 Xl, to the Lagos State Government for driving against traffic , as an offence contrary to Scheduled (1) item 27 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.

Meanwhile, Chief Magistrate Olajuwon has adjourned the matter to a further date for commencement of trial on the remaining 18 motorists, who pleaded not guilty.

Speaking on the arraignment, the Prosecuting Counsel, Barrister Olumide Ajibola, said the action would serve as a deterrent to other road users across the state.

The Taskforce Chairman expressed worries over the unruly attitude of some motorists, including private car owners, for driving against traffic on a long Expressway without fear of imminent collision with upcoming vehicles, adding that the action taken by the Agency, to prosecute the accused persons, was an order from the Lagos State acting Commissioner of

• Yinka Egbeyemi

Police, CP Edgal Imohimi.

While confirming that 12 private car owners and 7 commercial bus drivers were apprehended during the enforcement operations, Egbeyemi stated that the on-going construction of ‘BRT Corridor’ along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway by the Lagos government was to decongest traffic gridlock on the road.

The Chairman urged motorists, particularly commercial bus drivers, to desist from driving against traffic and obey different traffic signs conspicuously displayed by traffic officers along that axis.

He warned that any motorist(s) arrested for flouting the law in any part of the state would be charge to court.

Police probe death of cult leader HE police in Lagos have commenced investigation T on the death of a trader Mr

Chekwube Nzediowu popularly known as ‘Azonto’ alleged to be a high ranking cultist at the Ladipo market area of the state.

The victim we gathered was killed at the weekend following a disagreement with a local vigilante group known as Alado boys in Lagos.

Dependable police source said the victim who owns a shop at the Ladipo spare parts market was killed at the Isheri Oshun area of the state when he left his house at Kerube area to an undisclosed hotel with his friend on a commercial motorcyclist popularly known as okada.

It was gathered that midway in the journey there was a disagreement with the ‘Okada’ rider which resulted in exchange of words and exchange of blows unknown to them the ‘okada man’ was a member of the local vigilante.

It was learnt that the ‘Okada’ rider had raised the alarm which attracted the local vigilante group claiming that the deceased and his friends were armed robbers who wanted to rob him of his motorcycle. “The alarm attracted other security men around who stabbed him to death while his friend escaped.

The deceased was reported to have bled profusely following the several cuts he received and help could not come his way immediately since it was at late hour of the night.

Sources said he was eventually rushed to the Isolo General Hospital where he was confirmed dead and his corpse was immediately deposited at Yaba mortuary for autopsy re-

• CP, Lagos State Imohimi Edgal

port.

Meanwhile, the police at Isheri Oshun Division have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged murder. The suspects whose identities were not disclosed by the police have been transferred to State Anti Robbery Squad at Ikeja for further interrogations.

When our correspondent visited Isheri Oshun Police Division, the DPO was not around for comments. However, sources at the police station confirmed the incident and referred the reporter to SARS for further inquiry.

‘Don’t struggle with robbers’ police warn T

HE police Lagos command have warned members of the public not to risk their lives by attempting to drag their valuables with robbers mostly when they are armed to avert casualty.

Giving this warning at the weekend was the State Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal who gave the warning through the Police image maker Chike Oti while commenting on a robbery incident in Lagos where a driver was killed by robbers.

It would be recalled that a 20-year Liberty Whitney from Warri, Delta State had her valuables recovered from “one chance” robbers by the men of the Rapid Response Squad of the Police Lagos State Command during the week.

Giving an account of the incident, the International Relations graduate of Lead City University, Ibadan, said she was on her way from school at about 9.30pm recently when she boarded an unpainted bus from Oshodi to Mile 2.

According to her, she was the only passenger in the vehicle as at the time she boarded and minutes after more passengers came on board and the bus was left with two empty seats and the journey started.

“On getting to Rainbow bus top, two men boarded the bus and that was when pandemonium struck unknown to those already seated in the

bus that they were robbers as they started to unleashed mayhem on the passengers.

“The bus was slowing down to pick passengers at Cele bus stop when two guys in white native attires, having two guns each and pointing at us while asking that we remained calm and take order while other passengers were screaming and jumping down from the bus, I was held by a man that had joined the bus earlier unknown to us he was a member of the gang, he held me down so that I can be robbed apparently thinking that I had more money in my bag.

“When I made another attempt to jump down, one of the robbers, now three of them brandished a gun in my face with threat of getting shot if I failed to comply, he asked me to part with all my valuables.

“One of them asked me for my phone, bag and money and when I was reluctant, he hit me on my neckline close to my chest with the butt of the gun with him. I couldn’t breathe well for some minutes. I handed over all I had with me instantly, my travelling bag, polythene bag, laptop, phone, chargers and school certificates.

“I was allowed to jump down from the vehicle. Barely some minutes later, I heard a gunshot, and then a guy was thrown off the bus. He had been shot but he hung on the back

• One of the suspect returning the items ceased to the owner

of the bus. I don’t know why he did that though but it was at this point that RRS policemen men chased the vehicle with bikes. The robbers shot several times in the air but the policemen went after them” “The robbers on getting to mile 2, skedaddled from the vehicle, abandoning the bus. At this time I was following the bus and the police at a reasonable distance on a bike until the

robbers stopped and ran. I was able to get my valuables and documents back except for my telephone that the robbers took with them.

“It was after the whole thing that I realized that the man that clung to the back of the bus was the driver of the vehicle. He was fighting for his bus which probably was his only source of livelihood” Whitney narrates.

Police image maker confirmed that

the driver passed away after all efforts to revive him at the Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja failed.

According to him, he died of the gun-shot wound he sustained from the robbers and assured that investigations have been stepped up by the police to arrest the fleeing robbers as the case has been transferred to SCID, Panti for further investigations

32

racleToday

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33

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

Baby won’t get to meet grandparents this Xmas

• British citizen for 10 years denied passport over ‘national security’ concerns

A

Name: Kate Joe Tel: 08079521318.

•

If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

British baby won’t get to meet his grandparents this Christmas after his Russian-born mother was denied a new passport over ‘national security’ concerns.

Elena Holdsworth, 42, of Southendon-Sea, Essex, who has been a UK citizen for ten years, wanted to introduce her 12-week-old son Brian to her parents in Russia.

But the mother-of-two faced trouble when applying to renew her UK passport, which expired in September, because her Russian passport is still in her maiden name.

This is because a policy was introduced in Britain two years ago of every person who holds a UK passport having to have one identity for ‘national security’ reasons.

However, Mrs Holdsworth is unable to change her international Russian passport because she has to go to Siberia to change her internal Russian passport first.

But she cannot do this, because - having got her internal passport changed in her home city of Novosibirsk - she wouldn’t have a UK passport to get her back to Britain.

Her husband Antony, 44, who runs an accounting firm, told MailOnline today: ‘My wife’s British passport expired in September, so we filled in the forms to renew it.

‘There is a new box to tick on the passport form where you have to tick it if you have any other passports with any other countries.

‘Then you have to send all of your other passports in with your application. From what my MP said, we think (this rule) came in around 2015.

‘My wife’s Russian passport is still in her maiden name because it’s quite a

difficult process for a Russian living in Britain to change their passport.

‘It seems Great Britain has introduced a policy of one identity for every person, and they say it’s for reasons of national security.’

Mr Holdsworth said Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) will not issue a new British passport until she gets her Russia passport changed to her married name.

Russians have an international passport which the Russian Embassy in London will change, but only once Mrs Holdsworth changed her internal Russian passport.

This can only be changed in the person’s place of birth, so his wife would have to travel to Siberia and spend four weeks there to get it sorted.

But, having got her internal passport changed after spending about £2,000 in flights and other costs, she would not be able to get back to Britain.

Mr Holdsworth told how others have reported similar problems - and, while it will happen to any dual citizens, it’s a bigger problem for those from Russia.

He said: ‘This is supposedly to stop terrorism and crime. But what self-respecting terrorist is going to tick the box to say “Yeah, I’ve got another passport?”’

Mr Holdsworth said one of two solutions now is HMPO issuing his wife a passport with an observation to say she has a passport in another name.

The other possibility would be to give Mrs Holdsworth a ‘certificate of right of abode’ visa, which would enable her to go to Russia, but could take Cont’d on page: 36

ISIS threatens Christmas shoppers with image showing armed jihadist in London Street

I

SIS has made another threat to Christmas shoppers in London with a menacing poster warning of an impending attack.

The poster, which as been published by a pro-ISIS media group, shows a jihadi draped in a bullet belt walking down Oxford Street underneath this year’s Christmas lights which currently hang above the central London road.

It carries the warning: ‘From now onwards we will go to attack them and they will not come to attack us.’

ISIS appears to be revving up their propaganda machine ahead of the holidays, producing a series of graphic posters threatening attacks in Europe and the United States.

Previous posters show Santa Claus kneeling before an ISIS executioner on London’s Regent Street, a jihadi with a bloody knife looking out over a Paris Christmas market, and Santa Claus standing next to a box of dynamite looking out over New York’s Times Square.

The first two images carried the message ‘Soon on your holidays’ in English, French, and German.

The latter had the words ‘We meet at Christmas in New York... soon,’ written across it in black on white.

The group’s propaganda wing – the Wafa Media Foundation - is continuing to churn out threats despite the regime suffering huge losses in Syria and Iraq.

Romantic Joke The Kiss And ISIS is increasingly turning to lonewolf supporters to take up its violent cause around the world.

‘Wafa Media Foundation specialises in these types of graphics. Wafa’s threat, like others recently issued by pro-ISIS media groups, is a specific attack directive within a larger push by ISIS for lone wolf attacks

as it rapidly loses territory in Iraq and Syria,’ Rita Katz, director of the SITE Intelligence Group, ‘Though these threats should be taken seriously, there is also a publicity element to pro-ISIS media groups’ threats against places like the Vatican or events like 2018 FIFA World Cup.’

Wife: “Our new neighbour always kisses his wife when he leaves for work.

Why don’t you do that?”

Husband: “How can I? I don’t even know her.”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

True Confession

M

y name is Femi and I shared the greatest love of my life with a beautiful lady called Amina. I remember there were people that said beautiful things about our relationship.

They called it a Cinderella story, something beyond perfect. But sadly, the relationship had to end. In February this year, my lover, Amina, finally told me that there was more going on than I thought between her and the Alhaji from Kano.

I had been in a long distance relationship for 3 years with Amina, and I thought things were working and that the relationship was leading to marriage. But the truth was that Amina was only interested in dating any man that has a lot of cash to spend on her.

Her list of boyfriends included several white men and black Nigerian sugar daddies especially rich Muslim men from the Northern part of the country.

Initially, a friend of Amina had sent me emails, telling me how Amina and one particular Alhaji were always seen together.

I demanded to hear the truth from Amina herself. But Amina avoided my questions and kept torturing me with thoughts of her and Alhaji actually making love.

After a week she finally admitted the story was true, and that was the moment our relationship ended.

I loved her so much that I was actually willing to forgive her if she still wanted me, but without words she let me know that she preferred Alhaji to me.

I had been in love with Amina for so long, thinking I was indispensable to her, and foolishly believing that what we shared was true love. But to her, I was dispensable, something she could exchange for a rich man.

I cried my eyes out for love of Amina, because she was my life. I had given her so much of my life that when the relationship ended I didn’t even remember who I was anymore.

After Amina broke up with me, I developed a minor mental problem.

I became a crippled monster that needed love to walk. I was addicted to Amina like cocaine, and I couldn’t live without her.

Sometimes, I felt the love I once had for Amina change into hate and I kept asking myself, “How could she do this to me?” “What have I done to deserve this?”

Amina called me after we broke up, saying that she wanted us to remain friends. But I told her that it would be better we remain enemies.

That’s because when you have dated for that long and loved someone with all your heart, friendship is like knowing a sword has pierced your heart, and yet you pretend that it didn’t and keep deceiving yourself.

I stopped receiving Amina’s ‘friendship’ calls altogether, even when I

‘My girlfriend died because of her love for money’ Your memory is a memory of flowers, Loving you was the greatest moment of my life.

“I had been in love with Amina for so long, thinking I was indispensable to her, and foolishly believing that what we shared was true love. But to her, I was dispensable, something she could exchange for a rich man.” knew she was trying to talk Alhaji into getting me a job with an oil company as a way of consoling me for breaking my heart.

But on April 24th, I received the news that Amina had died in a ghastly motor accident on her way to Kaduna state to inform her parents of her upcoming marriage to Alhaji. She

was to be Alhaji’s fourth wife.

I was devastated at the news of Amina’s death. But I noticed that Alhaji went about as usual with his girlfriends as if nothing had happened.

I wonder why girls don’t love guys that love them, but fall for rich men who don’t love them. I was dying for Amina, but instead of dying for me,

she was dying for Alhaji.

Amina died for love of Alhaji and ruined my life. How can I ever love again? I wish I had married Amina before she died. I wish things had turned out differently, like in the Cinderella story. Part of me has died with Amina.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Relationships and Love Advice

‘We have sex but he doesn’t love me’

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Joyce, 26, in Lagos, romantic, wants a caring sugar daddy who can also help her get a job.

08050572880.

Sarah from Jos needs a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014.

Victoria, 30, from Akwa-Ibom, in Lagos, tall, big, single mother, wants a tall, responsible, working or business man for marriage.08153598363.

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Faith, 35, works and lives in Port Harcourt, needs a decent guy of 36-40 years.. 09037846643.

Dear Love Doctor, I’m presently in a relationship with a guy who has been a good friend to me from my secondary school days.

We have sex but the problem is that I love him but he doesn’t love me. He always says that he likes me as a friend but that he isn’t in love with me. I’ve tried to use sex to make him love me but it isn’t working. What do I do?

Thanks, From Grace.

Love Doctor’s Advice:

H

I’m not going to say that he’s using you because I think he may truly see you as a friend, otherwise he would be telling you what you want to hear to get what he wants out of you. Remember, what you are doing with him, you are doing of your own free will.

So you are also to blame. But if you think having sex with him will make him love you. It won’t.

My suggestion is that you stop having sex with him. You are hurting yourself unnecessarily by having sex with your friend who you are in love with. Move

on. Sex is great fun. It feels good.

And it is possible to have sex with your friends without it meaning anything other than both of you wanted to have fun with each other.

However for you, this isn’t just harmless fun. But for him, it is harmless fun. And that’s why you feel so disheartened. So I would advise you to forget him and move on. You can stay just friends with him if you like, but stop having sex with him for your own good.

Remember that you have control over your future and present.

So please, for the sake of your self respect and dignity move on and learn from your mistake. You are worthy of love, respect and affection. Don’t be an object for anyone to satisfy their physical needs. Please be careful with that

• Mature Singles Party is a romantic event for mature single men and women which will take place in December to help you find your Mr. Right or Miss Right. To register for the Mature Singles Party, call Diana on 08034033167.

Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840, 08077821830 for Counseling, infertility & Direct Hookup.

Dear Grace,

e isn’t lying to you. That’s a good thing. He doesn’t love you and he isn’t telling you he does to get what he wants from you. He also likely isn’t going to fall in love with you. Ever.

It’s always better for you to hear the truth.

Monica Ono, 35, beautiful, single mother of one, needs a handsome man of 38-41 years for marriage. 08036844539.

guy.. I believes that guy is treating you as an entertaining object in the name of friendship.

Don’t run after people who are not worthy in your life. There are lot more people available in this world. Learn to love those who love you a lot, understands you a lot and care about you a lot. Love people who are also there with you in any situation.

Don’t overthink and don’t think about your past. Think in a way that from now onwards there will be a new beginning in your life. In so doing, you will leave that guy and be happy. And then you will get a good guy who understands, cares and loves you. God bless you.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage An educated, God fearing young man wants an educated, God fearing, tall, very fair, working class lady with a B.Sc. or M.Sc. for marriage.

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Ephraim, a pastor, not buoyant, needs a buoyant girl of 20-30 years with big hips and big bust for marriage. Email: ugochukwuodor@yahoo.com Uche, in Lagos, needs a matured sexy woman from 40 years and above for friendship, not marriage. 08077821830.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@ yahoo.com

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36

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

It happened to me:

I caught my boyfriend’s mistress with an STD test My boyfriend Donny and I had been together for almost two years and although we didn’t live together we were inseparable. Every Friday night we would head to the local pub together and because we lived in a small town we knew most people there.

cial-sounding voice.

One night, I returned from the bathroom to find him chatting to a flirty brunette who I’d never met before. He introduced me to Julie and quickly explained that they went to primary school together and hadn’t seen each other in years.

“It’s concerning your friend Donny. He is very embarrassed at the moment and has asked me to contact you on his behalf regarding the results of his STD test. Donny put your details on a list of people he has had intercourse with in the last six months. Is this correct?”

I soon forgot about her until one day a friend told me that she had seen Donny and a mysterious brunette eating lunch at a local cafe. I decided to confront Donny about.

Donny laughed it off and said that he was having lunch with his sister and that I was being paranoid.

But my suspicions didn’t leave me, and they weren’t helped by the fact that we began to stay together less and less. And when we did, upon his insistence, we only stayed at my place.

When I received a phone bill of his a few days letter, I couldn’t help myself — I had to open it. Donny had made several late-night calls to a mystery number, which I soon confirmed was Julie’s. It seemed that they were making a lot of contact for two old primary school friends who hadn’t seen each other in 10 years.

I was convinced that Donny was cheating on me but he wouldn’t budge, not matter how much I probed him, so I decided to call Julie.

“Hello Julie, this is Heather from the local healthcare clinic. I have something very private I need to discuss with you”.

“OK,” she replied slowly.

I could hear Julie gasp before blurting out, “Yes, but what’s wrong with him? Oh my God ... Am I going to be all right?!”

I could hardly contain my anger and slight amusement at her freaking out, so I swiftly ended the conversation. “Well you better get yourself checked out then. Bye!” I was so hurt by what Donny did but I figured that there was little point in bringing it up with him, if he hadn’t been truthful to me all this time, why would he start now? I broke up with him two days later saying that we had grown apart and, between that and all of the STD rumours about him flying around, that it made sense to just put it behind me.

Besides, I had a few old friends that I wanted to look up myself. *Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

I cleared my throat, dialled her number and put on my most offi-

Baby won’t get to meet grandparents...

Cont’d from page: 33 six months.

The couple, who met scuba diving in Cyprus in 2002, got married in Thundersley, Essex, in 2004 and also have a nine-year-old daughter named Tatyana.

They are now desperate to visit Mrs Holdsworth’s parents Vladimir, 68, and Tatyana

Knol, 69, in Russia – and appealing to the Home Secretary for help.

Mr Holdsworth said: ‘The only way I can see it happening is if Amber Rudd instructs the Home Office to issue the passport, or to issue the certificate of abode.’

He has been unhappy with the ‘appalling’ service provided by HMPO and the Home Office

so far, saying they have been ‘rude and even obstructive’.

Mr Holdsworth said he has complained to the director general of UK Visas and Immigration, but the response failed to address any of his complaints..

In a Facebook post on Monday, he wrote: ‘Unless we can obtain a passport in the next week we will not be able to take baby Brian to see his Russian family.

‘They will never have the privilege of knowing him as a small baby. These are precious moments that will be lost forever.’

The couple are being helped by their local Conservative MP James Duddridge, whom Mr Holdsworth said had been ‘excellent’ and ‘tried hard’ for them.

Daily Mail

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Love & Living

I

My Birthday reflection...

Between Banky’s and Tuface’s marriages

HAPPILY completed another 365 days circle on Saturday December 2, and I am so thankful to God for another opportunity to live afresh.

Here’s my birthday reflection from a happy and thoughtful heart overflowing with love. Good thing, it’s December and my day was last Saturday which afforded me the chance to witness the wedding of a dear academic mate, Ken Udeh and his heart throb, Ukamaka. I am usually very emotional and it was easy for the couple to get me reflecting on love and weddings all over again.

Same day, a lady sparked up a debate on Facebook asking why Banky W went for Adesua Etomi, she wondered if he (Banky) never had a normal girl friend who built with him when he was nobody and why he ended up marrying a celebrity like himself.

It’s simple - she’s an angel. That’s why he chose her. I recall watching her in the movie “Knocking on heavens door,” and thinking “wow, what a beauty”. Beyond the celebrity cover, Susu, as she is fondly called, comes off as a reserved, humble and caring heart. Who in his right mind would ignore such virtues in a lady of her status these days?

But then, to be fair, who built with Banky? Who stood by him when he was at point zero? We may never know who, but does it matter now that the

Ify ARONU ifyaronu@gmail.com young man had put paid to the debate by settling fully with his woman of choice? Yet, there must have been someone who held him down, back when he was potentially Mr. Capable.

Doesn’t she deserve to be Mrs. W instead of Adesua? The case of TuFace and Annie appears like the exact opposite of the Banky account. TuFace made a U-turn after many years of adventure, to finally settle with his old love, Annie, despite having two other baby mamas and the dilemma of choice that comes with such complexity. The straight forward explanation for his action is that he chose her for being his “day one babe”.

But in my reflection, I now see beyond the surface. And I now wonder if he would have gone for Annie if all there was to her was her portfolio as his long time girl friend who was there for him despite his philandering. What if pretty Annie had been content being a normal lady dating a celeb? What if she hasn’t built her own brand and taken up a career? It is clear that she anchored on the African queen popularity to find her way into the creative industry but it’s no mean feat still, not many can seize the day even when the path is as clear as day.

Her ability to chart her course is a further testament to her sense of

purpose and vision, qualities that may have added points to her. Being just a normal girl who stood by him during trying times may not have been enough to win her a permanent place in his celeb life.

Now that’s why Banky married Adesua. She may not have been there from the start but she more than made up for it considering the worth of her personality, personally and in term of career. It is not enough to help a man build and grow. In fact, the process isn’t complete if you fail to build yourself as well. If he’s the only one that’s on the path to self-discovery, there will most likely be a natural disconnect in the end.

Here’s the best part, the ideal partner is that one who builds you in turn, both of you complement, support, spur and encourage each other. If you are his investment as much as he is yours, why would he ever think of leaving those long years of sowing behind? But if you fail to secure his utmost commitment, then be ready to lose him to another.

Now you know why Banky’s old love ended up without the Mrs. W title after all.

• Please send your comments to ifyaronu@gmail.com

Women killing spouses over infidelity

A

FEW weeks ago, the Internet broke loose with the news of the death of the son of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The death caused a whole lot of uproar not because death was a rare occurrence - his own wife, killed him, for infidelity, under the most unusual circumstances, and under setting where the reason for the killing could be dubbed “unexpected”. People appeared to be discovering how far an angry wife could be.

Yet another angry wife, for yet another case of infidelity, a couple of days after, stabbed yet another husband to death. Could the season of death for infidelity have descended on Nigeria?

Could these stories that are seen in “foreign films,” while we thought all along that they were mere fiction?

Many other cases of death caused by infidelity have been recorded, but they didn’t make as much rounds as these ones and it is solely because it is as though more women are resorting to violence in other to vent their frustration over their disapproval of their husband’s way of life, and this is a very bad turn of events. Things should not get to a point where killing is considered an option.

The issue of men towing the path of infidelity is a national issue, if not an international one and shows grossly how many men have lost respect for the marriage covenant they made on their wedding day.

Marriage on its own is a good thing, but happenings and circumstances are beginning to make many people have

M

e& ore

Maureen Alikor maureenalikor@gmail.com

If a woman is in a relationship or marriage with someone who is not faithful, she could opt out, divorce, separate or stay put and get her emotions in check if she desperately wants to remain married or a Mrs. Somebody.

”

double thoughts towards marriage. Is it worth all the trouble?

In as much as we often hear that the equation for marriage is 1+1=1, many who have towed the marriage path have actually take it literarily and have come to falsely believe they own the other spouses and as such, they can do anything they please with their spouses, good or bad.

Infidelity is one of the commonest abnormalities that accompany a dysfunctional marriage. Though it is bad, it DOES NOT in any way WARRANT DEATH. I really find it quite disheartening to hear nonetheless that murder is the next best step that these wives (husbands) tend towards. The support this position gets may be a direct bearing

on the extent of the anger that affected partners feel.

These two stories are a huge eye opener that there are things wrong with the home front. For every disease diagnosed, there are root causes and then there are symptoms. In the case of marriage in Nigeria, murder is the disease, infidelity is the root cause, disrespect and lack of discipline is the symptoms. And as we do in other areas, we often overlook the root cause, and symptoms and concentrate on the disease.

It is sad to note that many women are in marriages where their spouses are oozing infidelity and because the society expects them to accept him just how he is and overlook and his life like nothing happened, this puts these women in very tight positions and the unceasing frustration can lead to serious psychological imbalance, yet that is no excuse for MURDER. I am a woman. I disapprove of infidelity, most importantly, and I disapprove of MURDER. I would not want to have anything to do with either or both of them.

If a woman is in a relationship or marriage with someone who is not faithful, she could opt out, divorce, separate or stay put and get her emotions in check if she desperately wants to remain married or a Mrs. Somebody.

There is no justification for murder and it should be discouraged.

• Please send your comments to maureenalikor@gmail.com

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Types of business organisations, guidelines for suitable choices M ost traders and persons often set up businesses anyhow and not in accordance with the Law governing company formations. Some will even wake up one morning, having become servants (boy-boy) for years and now settled by their masters with some amount of money that they have never had in their lives before, and rent out a shop and decide to curl out a name for their businesses and with the aids of an artist and printer make out a sign post for their businesses conspicuously placed at the front of the shop and make a complimentary cards and letter heading with their names written on it and the big title ‘Director’ or ‘Managing Director’ and ‘Chief Executive Officer’ printed on for public consumption. They will not bother to consult the experts on Law to guide them so as not to be trapped in the Law of the land. Some will even use those business names and the title of director to execute some businesses with certain companies, organizations and who consequently make out payments to them through crossed cheques to be transacted in the banks. When they reach the banks, they meet obstacles as to receiving these payments because the proper procedure in Law was not followed. It is based on these facts and so many others as most of my clients coming to do business with me faces that I decide to write on this topic.

Business organizations are profit-oriented in nature. They are namely formed to doing businesses and making returns for their members. These organizations can be classified as follows; • Business name (Registered as Sole Proprietor or Partnership) • Companies • Company Limited by Shares (Private or Public) • Unlimited Company and • Company Limited by Guarantee • Sole Proprietorship (not registered as business name) • Partnership (Unregistered Partnership or Limited Partnership) HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICE OF BUSINESS? Several factors should be looked into in making this choice. Some of these factors include; • Post-Registration compliances and regulatory supervision • Speed of processing and completion of registration • Cost/amount of registration and expenses • Documentation and legal compliances • Extent of operation.

• • •

Public Company Limited by share: Plc. Unlimited Company: Ultd.

Company Limited by Guarantee: (Ltd/Gte).

Note that the following need to be observed as well. Some business men without proper legal procedure use these things illegally.

Hence, they should take note of it and keep to the law.

• The name of a private company limited by share shall end with the word “Limited”.

• The name of a public company limited by share shall end with the word “Public Limited Company”.

• The name of a company limited by guarantee shall end with the words “(Limited by Guarantee)” in brackets.

• The name of an unlimited company shall end with the word “Unlimited” • A company may use the abbreviations “Ltd”, “Plc.”, “(Ltd/Gte)” and “Ultd” for the words “Limited”, “Public Limited Company” “(Limited by Guarantee)” and “Unlimited” respectively in the name of the company.

I would like to explain briefly the different types of companies I mentioned earlier so as to enable you my readers to make your choice. However, it is my humble opinion that you consult expert in these field which includes lawyers so that they can give you in more detailed explanation and ways in which you can approach your choice. You can still send me a text on my lines if you are not satisfied. The explanations are

i.

PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES (LTD) This is the most popular and often used company by both private individuals and institutions engaged in business. The word private company here is classified by the Memorandum of Association of the company.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARE • Its articles of association must restrict the transfers of its shares.

• Its membership must be between two to fifty persons only.

• It cannot offer its shares or debentures to the general public.

• It is prohibited from acting as banking organization except registered as a banking business.

• Its minimum authorized share capital is Ten Thousand Naira Only.

COMPANIES • Its name must end with the word “Limited” These are the most widely used business organizations whose inten- • Its memorandum and article of association must state to be a tion is profit maximization. Most people preferred it because they private company are highly organized and regulated administratively and structurally in statutory way. Companies once incorporated obtained a separate SUITABILITY legal personality independent of the shareholders who may then It is most suitable in the following situations: become employees and contractors. Company objects and rules are • Where the capital available to start off business is relatively small setup in two statutory documents known as Memorandum of As- • Where small and medium sized business needs to acquire incorsociation and Articles of Association. The difference between these porated status two is that the former contains the business/object for which the • Where family members want to engage in business activities excompany is formed with the details of the subscription and its pow- pected to have long duration and enjoy incorporated status. ers, while the latter brings out the governing rules for the company. ii.

PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES TYPES OF COMPANIES This is usually a large membership company that undertakes profThere are basically four types of companies that can be incorporat- it-maximizing business transactions for its members. The word pried in Nigeria and these are as follows; vate company here is classified by the Memorandum of Association • Private Company Limited by Shares: Limited or Ltd of the company.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY BY SHARE • It has no limitation to membership • It can offer its shares and debentures to the public • Its authorized minimum share capital is Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only with at least 25% of the share capital allotted to its members at incorporation • It must hold statutory meeting within Six months of incorporation • It must appoint a Company Secretary who is a professional of any of the selected professions • Its name must end with the word “Public Limited Company (Plc.)” SUITABILITY It is most suitable in the following situations: • Where the family ties or other personal relationships are not the main drive for business relationship among the members • Where industry regulation requires a business organization to be a public company in order to be permitted to operate • Where the business organization would have access to public funds, through invitation of the public to subscribe to the shares • Where medium or large sized business organization need to acquire incorporated status • Where the capital available to start off business is relatively large • Where a small or medium sized business organization is envisaged to be expected into large scale business organization and the subscribers would not want a conversion and re-registration whenever the envisaged the large scale business activities are achieved iii.

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE This is formed for promoting commerce, art, science, sports and the income and property of the company that are applied solely towards the promotion of its objects.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE • It must clearly state the number of people forming the company • It is allowed to do small business but not with a view to making profit for distribution to its members.

• It must obtain the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation • Its members are obliged to contribute to the assets of the company in the event and such contribution shall not at any time be less than Ten Thousand Naira Only • It name must end with the word “Limited by Guarantee (Ltd/Gte)” • Its memorandum and articles are designed specially SUITABILITY • Where there is need to form an organization that must be keeping accounting records • Where time is of the essence in registration of a charitable organization • Where the company with the object of promoting commerce, science, art or other similar objects • Where the company can engage in business activities. iv.

UNLIMITED COMPANY This is a company which has no limit on the liability of its members.

Although the company has limited status, its members’ liabilities are not limited to the extent of their unpaid subscription at winding up.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF UNLIMITED COMPANY • Its members will be provided by the memorandum of association unlimited liability • Its company must have share capital and not guarantee • Its members are like partners in respect of the liability of its members.

SUITABILITY It is most suitable in the following situations: • Where contributed funds are to be managed by the company expected to exhibit due honesty • Where enlarged partnership which is getting beyond the legal maximum of the number of membership • Where imposed by law to ensure probity in management of public funds.

• 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

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

Day SSS ‘arrested’ me for cracking expensive joke – Gordons A list comedian, Gordons, has opened up on how SSS operatives arrested him for cracking what he described as expensive jokes at an event a while ago. In a chat with Oracle Today he recalled the experience thus: “I did a show at Nicon Hilton where ministers, members of the diplomatic core and everybody were gathered and I cracked a joke about our epileptic light situation and to my surprise, I was embarrassed because in this country, they don’t want you to say the truth but I am a comedian, I won’t shut up! I am a social commentator and I have gone beyond cracking mere jokes. “I was asked to drop the microphone and SSS escorted me to my hotel room with warning to desist from cracking such jokes in the future but I am still here today doing my thing. It was a very embarrassing experience, It is sad that in Nigeria, our politicians went gaga the truth.”

In the beginning Born without a silver spoon in Warri, Delta State, Gordons says that growing up was quite a challenge. However, today, he has risen to the top of his game: “I don’t know how my childhood was,” he recalls going down memory lane. “ I just discovered that I grew up living in a large family; a polygamous family. I was the first child which is challenging because everybody is look looking up to you as the messiah but they don’t know that you too are also looking for a messiah. Feeding was rough and rough. If you call it one-zero-zero it is an insult! Just say you have one meal and then you have faith tat another is on the way and the thing about us is that we lived in one room but we were still happy.

“We were ‘tortured’ but we were still hopeful. There was no child abuse and there was no child

spacing or family planning. We were just ‘dropping’ and we grew up like that eating from two plates; 12 children eating from one plate of eba. We ate fast so that we could get filled on time even if the food was hot we had coolers in our mouths and if you are not fast enough, that is

your own cup of tea. It was a case of survival of the fittest.”

Today, he is grateful to Alibaba, the man who has been descbed as the godfather of NIgerian comedy. Describing Alibaba, he continued: “Alibaba is the grand patron of Nigerian comedy; he is our father and the pope of comedy in Nigeria. He gave many people a platform that put food on our ta tables. He came on board when Warri comedy was nothing but today, he has redefined and recreated comedy. Ali baba did not fade but took it and developed it and today we are all enjoying comedy and I am grateful to him and to God and of course, he is the father of Nigerian comedy.”

Success tips comeThere is no gain saying it, today, the come indian has carved a niche for himself and in spired millions of Nigerian youths. He shares suchis five tips to success: “The five tips to suc cess- number one is creativity, number two is originality. You got to have your own niche and be recognized. Number three is to be spontaneous which means as a comedian, you should be able to convert anything ter. Number into laughfour, you got to be humble and witty be because comedy is wisdom and number five is, you should not forget the God fac factor. No man can do any anything unless God be with him.

So, even if you are creative and spontaneous, you should not forget the God factor.”

Gordons started out as a musician with gospel group, DC envoys. However, he end ended up making it in comedy. Does he have any regrets over dumping music? “I don’t regret the decision and today I am a house hold name which might not have been possible if I didn’t move, I came, I saw and I conquered and I am still conquering. Leaving my family and coming to Lagos to hustle; I mean my wife and kids was the greatest decision that I ever took. Definitely there is no human being born with one talent. God has blessed every everyone with more than one talent. I can sing, do comedy and do a couple of other things that I have not displayed yet but when I was doing music, I was also doing music comedy.

“What I did was to filter the comedy from the music and have both running concurrently and I discovered that comedy took the better part of me so I stuck with it. I can’t do two things at the same time so for now so I am concentrating on comedy. If God says go back to music I will.”

Female fans How does he cope with female attention: “Just like every other man. When you see females hanging around you, it is a sign that you are doing well; women don’t hang around failure. Some of this women come to you because you are a star but I don’t want anybody dampening my star so I deal with them intelligently because they are fans, as an entertainer we need fans.”

Is his wife not jealous with all the women chasing him? “As an entertainer, you should educate your wife. I told my wife ‘don’t go to my phone because you must see what will break your heart, just trust me because I do a job that is slippery. If I am not looking for them, they are looking for me.’ It is the nature of the job.

“If my phone rings I always tell her to give it to me, let me answer it. We don’t go through each other’s phones, It is a line that we don’t cross and I also educated my wife that whenever you see me taking pictures on instagram, it is nothing; this is all to make sure that there is food on the table. The only time when you will get alarmed is if you hear I am getting married to someone else. I dated her for seven years before we got married.”

After 12 years of marriage, is she still as romantic as then: “Well it depends on your definition of romantic. When the kids had not come the romance will be different from when the kids have atarted arriving. How do you expect her to be romantic when we have four kids? The truth is that she is still very good as a woman and she knows how to play her role. For the kids, she is supportive and she takes care of the home while I go out to face the lions.”

Dreams “I want to have a comedy academy and I also want to perform on the biggest stage of comedy on this earth and not just Africa.

I want to perform on the biggest comedy platform in the world so that I will hear people looking up to me saying, Gordon’s, God took you there, God can also take us there too.”

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

Entertainment

Excitement as Nickelodeon superstars thrill kids at NickFest F or over 4,000 children, their parents and other family members who attended the inaugural Nickelodeon’s NickFest recently held in Lagos, it was an unforgettable experience.

Indeed, it was a fun-filled NickFest, as kids and other guests were captivated with Nickelodeon characters and also entertained by top Nigerian artistes like Yemi Alade, Simi, Mr. P (Paul of P-Square), Ill Blizz, Mr. Eazi, Samantha Walsh, Ehiz and Chioma Akpotha among others.

Organised by Nickelodeon, popular family entertainment TV network owned by Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) in partnership with Maltina, the show washosted by the hilarious duo of IK Osakioduwa and Emmanuella of Mark Angel Comedy.

At the event, children were held spellbound seeing live their favourite animated superstars such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Chase, Marshall, Leo, Donnie, Raph and Mikey, Rubble and Skye from Paw Patrol, and Shimmer and Shine. Dora, from Dora and Friends, also made a special appearance.

Nickelodeon’s trademark Slime Area equally entertained the children while

• Dora and a kid adults and celebrities present had fun participating in the Celebrity Slime Challenge organised to raise awareness and funds for the North East Children’s Trust.

Commenting, Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, VIMN Africa, said: “Nickelodeon is a firm favourite for family entertainment

Fans slam Burna Boy for dropping new singles amid armed robbery scandal

S

inger, Burna Boy who was recently implicated in an armed robbery scandal which led to police dealing him wanted has dropped new singles Gba and De Javu and fans have accused him of being insensitive.

According to Emeka Opia, a music enthusiast: “It is sad that burn Boy has found himself in this embarrassing situation. As a role model to a lot of youths, he needs to come forward and clear his name like Davido did when he was accused of being complicit in Tagbo Omeike but he is busy elegising a single. Too bad.”

For Titi Adeyanju, an educationist: “Recently, the NIgerian police declared that he was on the run and that is very sad, Now we hear that he is not even in the country but in the US reelasing new singles. Until he clarets his name he should forget about music. Or maybe, he doesn’t understand the implication of the accusations he is facing. If he is not careful this could be the end of his career.”

“What is wrong with Nigerian musicians said Udoka Ugbonna, a maritime expert. “This is a very weighty issue and Burna Boy is less concerned. even though his management has issued a statement absolving him of blame but the police still insist he has a case to answer so enough of this nonsense talk about a new single; he should come back home and clear his name.”

globally. With this first installment of NickFest, we brought lots of happiness and fun to kids and their parents in Nigeria. This is the first NickFest in Lagos and considering the success and incredible show of support from parents, children and local artistes, we hope to include NickFest as a regular festival in our calendar.”

Kadiri launches mental health awareness with a movie • Burna Boy

Why I want to eradicate cervical cancer – Isioma Okolie

R From left: Grace Edwin Okon,producer Director, Osas Ighodaro Ajidade, Doctor Kadiri and a crew member XAVIER NDAH

D

r Maymunnah Yussuf Kadiri a consultant neuro psychiatrist and a mental health advocate which is geared toward managing patients with psychological behavioural and mental related challenges, has released Little Drops Of Happy.

The movie according to Kadiri is one of the advocacy films in creating the much needed awareness in mental health and mental illnesses.

Kadiri says she wants to change the narrative to let people know that mental illnesses are real just like hypertension and diabetes.

“And we need to show people empathy and give them support like we give people that have cancer, so, little drops of happy was borne out of the fact that we are seeing more cases of depression in Nigeria and suicide too, it covers mainly issues of depression, postpartum depression, that is common among women, It sends a strong message but in an entertaining way”.

The movie which premier recently during the weekend at Silverbird galleria Victoria Island is pack full of drama to hold viewers glued to their TV sets as it is very educative and entertaining and featur-

ing actors like Ayoola Ayoola, Osa,Ngozi Nwosu, Seun , Ijeoma Onyeato of Channels, Lisa Omorodion.

Speaking further on the movie Kadiri explained that “depression is a medical condition, not a spiritual attack and the people should stop being in denial because it will not help in good treatment outcome, so, letting them know that depression is real but the good news is that depression is treatable.

“The word manage is what we are trying to drive now If you are at risk if you are vulnerable instead of getting to the state of managing it because if you understand the preventive measures what you need to put in place you won’t get to management. “ Apart from healthy diet regular exercises sleeping adequately people need to get healthy support system around them because a healthy support system will help you seek for that much needed help if you cannot seek for help. And of course if you have depression and the doctor says that you need medication please take that medication will help you live a functional and productive life “So management of depression are basically, counseling therapy, medication or the combination of all ‘sometimes people that have depression medicate

themselves by taking substance to alleviate those systems they may be having so when they take the substances which can be alcohol drugs marijuana or anywhere, even prescription drugs, the truth is that that help is a temporary one.

“The movie which is already in the cinemas nationwide is for people to understand that when you have these depressive symptoms do not go taking different concoctions thinking that it will help you it is another roadmap to addiction and substance addiction is more difficult to manage or treat that depression So, go to the right place, the right people, the time is now. Get evaluation, get assessed, what type of depression are you having Is it mild? Is moderate, is it severe In this movie, Mano Ojo has to deal with the infidelity of her husband and domestic violence. This leads to a series of challenges she has to confront and overcome. The challenges become too overwhelming to the extent that she loses her poise. She is misunderstood and termed mentally deranged Nevertheless, Mano in the midst of her chaotic experience of dealing with depression and post-partum depression, has to save not just herself , but her estranged husband as well, from his promiscuous stance.

eigning Miss Electronic Media Nigeria 2016/2017, Queen Gift Isioma Okolie, has disclosed plans to launch a foundation to create awareness and combat the scourge of cervical cancer in Nigeria on January 30, 2018.

Christened El-Beulah Foundation, the move will coincide with the celebration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January and is also preparatory to her handover to the new Queen of Electronic Media Nigeria who will be crowned shortly afterwards.

She said: “As the month of January 2018 draws near, the least we can do for humanity is to bring the news nearer and closer to the general public, especially the women.

“That is why we have committed ourselves to using El-Beulah Foundation as a platform to combat cervical cancer. Remember that cervical cancer is the most common cancer worldwide with almost 80 per cent of cases occurring in developing countries such as Nigeria.”

I’m glad I went into politics –Yul Edochie

A

fter he lost out to the incumbent governor in the recently conducted Anambra State gubernatorial elections, Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has said he has no regrets taking a break from the movie industry to pursue his dreams of becoming a Governor.

In a recent chat with Orcle Today the proud father of three said: “No regrets at all. I am happy I ventured into it and I have come to stay in politics. And I urge more Nigerian youths to come into politics. We all need to know how our state and country is being run and make contributions.

“If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. 95 per cent of Nigerianian politicians are there to grab money; they don’t care about giving the people good governance. I gained so much experience which I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere. It brought me closer to the people and I witnessed first hand, problems plaguing various communities in Anambra State and through me, their voices will be heard,” he stated.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 13 2017

CHANGE OF NAME PUBLIC NOTICE UGBO – ODOGWU COMMUNITY LANDLORDS and LANDLADIES ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration Under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 OZIOKO MICHAEL 2.

OKPE HYACINTH 3.

OBIEKWE BONIFACE IFEANYI

-

Chairman Secretary Treasurer

AIMS & OBJECTIVE 1) To cater for the welfare of it’s members 2) To encourage peaceful co – existence amongst members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FEEDMILLIONS RURAL FARMERS EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT INT’L ORGANIZATION. This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part c of the companies and allied matters act of 1990.

Trustees 1) HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, IGWE NOSE SYLVESTER UD 2) EVELYN NDIMELE 3) EZENWAFOR UCHE 4) UMEOKOLI ALEXANDER C. Aims and objectives 1)EMPOWER OF RURAL FARMERS 2) CREATING ORIENTATION ON GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL POLICIES 3)ASSISTING FARMERS ACCESS GRANTS AND LOANS WHEN NECESSARY 4)CONTRIBUTING IMMENSELY TO NATIONAL/STATE G.D.P THROUGH REVOLUTIONIZING COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES OPERATION FOR WEALTH CREATION AND ERADICATION OF POVERTY TO THE LOWEST MINIMUM. (5) CREATING AWARENESS ON AGRO PRODUCTS,PROCESSING PRESERVATION AND EXPORT. 6)CREATING JOBS AND INCENTIVES FOR BOTH YOUTHS AND WOMEN INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE. 7) ENCOURAGE AGRO ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MINI AGRO INDUSTRIES, RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed OZIOKO MICHAEL Chairman

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that it has come to the notice of the Management of Our Daily Bakery Ind. Ltd. that some people are adultrating the products of Our Daily Bakery Ind Ltd with registered Trade Mark of Our Daily Bakery Ind Ltd. Our Daily Bakery Ind Ltd makers of Our Daily Bread in different sizes has registered Trade Mark From Federal Ministry of Commerce & Tourism Commercial Law Department Trade Marks Section Abuja, Nigeria.

Any body or group of person using the Trade Mark of Our Daily Bakery Ind. Ltd is hereby warned to stop it. Or Face the Consequences Signed Chief Ben Ezemuo Ezeorachi For The Management

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 13 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS AU’s plan to trim force in Somalia will affect mission – AMISOM

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he African Union’s plan to trim its Somalia peacekeeping force (AMISOM) will hurt the mission unless extra equipment is found to offset the troop decrease, the mission’s leader told Reuters.

The force of 22,000 deployed a decade ago is set to lose 1,000 soldiers this year as part of a long-term plan to pull out of the country and hand security to the Somali army.

AMISOM head Fransisco Madeira told Reuters: “unless we have a proportionate forces multiplier in terms of equipment … intelligence, electronic intelligence, that (withdrawal) will have a very considerable effect on our mission.

“We believe the UN will find ways and means of covering or making up the gap that might result.”

The diplomat from Mozambique was speaking on the sidelines of a security conference in Mogadishu. He said it was hard to estimate the number of al Shabaab fighters.

AMISOM is confronting the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, whose ranks have been swelled by Islamic State fighters fleeing military setbacks in Libya and Syria.

Militants killed more than 500 people in an attack in the capital Mogadishu last month. It was the deadliest such attack in the country’s recent history.

AMISOM deployed to help secure the government of a country that since 1991 has struggled to establish central control.

The peacekeepers helped push al Shabaab out of Mogadishu but the group still frequently attacks civilian and military targets.

Somalia’s minister of internal security Mohamed Islow told Reuters the government wants the lifting of an arms embargo “so that our forces get enough weapons and military equipment.”

The UN imposed an arms embargo on Somalia shortly after the nation plunged into civil war in the early 1990s.

It partially lifted the ban in 2013 to help equip government forces.

Ugandan govt appeals to nurses, midwives to call off planned strike

U

ganda’s Ministry of Health on Monday appealed to nurses and midwives to call off their planned strike scheduled to start on Tuesday.

According to the Minister of Health, Ruth Aceng, the government is working to address the demands of nurses and midwives for higher salaries, allowances, health coverage and better working conditions.

“We ask the nurses and midwives to call off the planned strike and continue to work normally as their concerns are already being handled by the government,’’ Aceng said.

In a Nov. 30 circular to over 21,000 nurses and midwives, Paul Byenkya, general secretary of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU), asked the union members to lay down their tools effective from Tuesday to protest over low pay, allowances and poor working conditions.

“Following UNMU’s submission to government demanding the implementation of schemes of service for nursing and midwifery cadres, salary increment and allowances, the government has not responded.

“Therefore, the scheduled date for laying down tools still remains Tuesday,” Byenkya said.

The strike came barely two weeks after doctors on Nov. 25 halted a threeweek strike following government commitment to increase salaries and improve working conditions in public hospitals by Dec. 15.

The nationwide nurses and midwives strike is expected to paralyse operations in public hospitals and health facilities.

2017 was driest year in Italy in over 200 years – researchers T he last 12 months in Italy were the driest and among the warmest since the year 1800, the Italian National Council for Research (CNR) said on Monday.

“During December 2016 to November 2017, a time frame that CNR calls a “meteorological year”, rainfall was over 30 per cent below the average for the 1971-2000 reference period,’’ the research body said.

It also said that temperatures were 1.3 degrees above the 1971 to 2000 average, making 2017 the fourthhottest year on record, on a par with 2001, 2007 and 2016.

Earlier this year, Italian farmers and winemakers complained repeatedly about a severe drought, and au-

thorities in Rome partially turned off public fountains to deal with water shortages.

Israel fumes at EU event marking occupation with left-wing NGO Israel issued a strong condemnation of an upcoming EU event held in conjunction with an NGO highly critical of Israel’s policies in Palestinian territories on Monday.

The event, commemorating International Human Rights Day, features photographs of 50 Palestinians born in 1967, the year that Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza and instituted military rule over the territories.

The photo exhibition is organised

by B’tselem, an Israeli NGO which alleges rights violations against Pal-

estinians.

EU’s Ambassador to Israel, Emanuele Giaufret, is expected to attend the event along with other visiting foreign dignitaries, a spokesperson for the EU delegation in Israel said.

“For unclear reasons, the EU people believe that the way to Israelis’ hearts is by spitting in their faces,’’ Emmanual Nahshon, a spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement.

“We are again witnessing the same patronising approach of moral preaching, hypocritical and arrogant.

This causes distance rather than bringing closer; just pushes away rather than bringing closer. It is sad and unnecessary,’’ he said.

The EU delegation spokesperson said that the event was planned in order to enforce the EU’s commitment to human rights, “It’s an ongoing photography event and we have organised a number of events at different points of the day,’’ he said.

Israel has accuses B’tselem and other left-wing human rights organisations of “slander.’’

In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a meeting with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel over Gabriel’s decision to meet B’tselem and another government-critical NGO.

Ramaphosa gets 1,862 nominations ahead of ANC vote

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• People protest President Donald Trump’s travel ban outside of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Seattle, Washington.

UK agrees to ‘regulatory alignment’ on both sides of Irish border

I

rish government on Monday said Britain agreed to keep Northern Ireland in “regulatory alignment’’ with the EU after Brexit, raising hopes Prime Minister Theresa May can strike a deal in Brussels to start free trade talks.

Britain, after intensive negotiations in recent days, made what the Irish sources called a clear commitment to keep economic rules on both sides of the new UK-EU land border across the island of Ireland similar enough to allow no frontier.

The negotiation has also eased fears of stirring up conflict again in Northern Ireland.

News of a deal, by raising the prospect of starting trade negotiations in the coming weeks, lifted sterling.

It triggered speculation that it could result in the whole of the UK effectively remaining in a customs union, or even the EU single market, in spite of May’s insistence that it would not do so.

The pro-British Northern Irish party on which May relied for support in

parliament immediately insisted rules on the British mainland must not deviate from those in Northern Ireland, a position May herself supports.

As a result, it is hard to see that Britain could itself stray far from EU regulations.

That idea was immediately em-

braced by the leaders of London and Scotland, two major British regions where voters strongly opposed Brexit in 2017 referendum.

First minister and the mayor of London both repeated their wish to stay in a customs union or, better, the EU single market.

outh African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the most nominations for leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), voting data from the country’s nine provinces show.

Ramaphosa is one of two frontrunners in a closely watched contest to take over from President Jacob Zuma as ANC leader at a party conference starting on Dec. 16.

Whoever becomes ANC leader will most likely be the next president of South Africa, owing to the ruling party’s electoral dominance.

Ramaphosa received 1,862 nominations by ANC branches, whereas his main rival for ANC leader, former cabinet minister Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, received 1,309 endorsements.

Reuters compiled the number of nominations for each candidate based on voting data released by provincial ANC structures.

ANC officials in the provinces of Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal were the last to release their nominations totals .

Ramaphosa, a former trade union leader and millionaire businessman, is seen as more market-friendly than Dlamini-Zuma, who was previously married to Zuma.

Signs that Ramaphosa has been doing well in the nominations by ANC branches have boosted the rand currency in recent weeks.

However, Dlamini-Zuma could still win the race for ANC leader as analysts say the outcome in December could be swayed by inducements and pressure on conference delegates.

Delegates are not bound to vote for the candidate that was nominated by their ANC branch.

EU States adopt new anti-dumping rules

T

he European Union (EU) member states on Monday adopted the union’s new anti-dumping rules with “market distortion approach” at its core.

“The new legal framework removes the former distinction between market and non-market economies for calculating dumping while maintaining the same level of protection for producers.

“The Commission will now need to prove the existence of a significant market distortion between a product’s sale price and its production cost.

“The Commission will also draft specific reports on countries or sectors describing distortions,’’ an EU

statement said.

According to the statement, in line with current practice, it will be for EU firms to file complaints, but they will be able to use the Commission’s reports to support their case.

In November 2016, the European Commission proposed a non-exhaustive list of examples to be used to identify significant market distortions, unlocking its campaign to replace its “surrogate country” approach with “market distortion.”

The European Parliament on Nov. 15 endorsed the new rules by 554 votes to 48.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said the EU’s new anti-dumping law that grants separate treat-

ment for imports under “significant market distortions” is not in compliance with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

“The concept of significant market distortions is not stated in the WTO rules, while there are no rules regarding social and environmental dumping,’’ the MOC said in an online statement.

According to the statement, the move is therefore groundless and will cause serious damage to the WTO’s anti-dumping legal system, and has already been questioned by many WTO members, including China.

The new regulation is expected to enter into force on Dec. 20.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

SPORTS Amaju opens up on Rohr’s appointment • Explains why he battled Hayatou in CAF elections

By MADUABUCHI KALU

T

he President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick has finally opened up on the appointment of national team Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr even as he expressed satisfaction that the choice of the Franco-German tactician has paid off.

The Delta State-born football technocrat said the appointment of the

Franco-German tactician would not have been possible with the recommendations of two renowned football tacticians, Arsenal Manager and former Liverpool boss, Gerald du Lee. He explained that two tacticians • Pinnick played a key role in the employment of Gernot Rohr as the coach of the Super Eagles. termined we must overcome,” PinnRecounting he says: “When we saw ick began. the draw for the World Cup, we knew “The first thing we identified is that we are condemned and we were de- we needed a coach, then we reached out to Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier and one name kept coming forth, Rohr, Rohr, Rohr and now we have no regret about hiring him.

“He has proved himself not only by qualifying us to the World Cup but the foundation he is laying for our lost him before his time but we can’t team which now have young players question God. But the most important from the age of 19. He is doing very thing is that he lived well while alive. well,” Amaju said.

“Like I told before now, he paid me a Meanwhile, Amaju has opened up visit with a council of ours whom I have on why he offered Rohr a new two not seen for a while and we all were year deal few days ago. He explained very happy even as he brought some that the resolve of the Federation malt drink from his car and a bottle of executives to ensure there are no hot drink saying that we should drink. distractions of any size or complexion around Nigeria 2018 FIFA World “I was curious and I enquired wheth- Cup preparation and participation er all was well and he replied that informed the decision to give the there was no problems but that he just felt like sharing a drink with me. I said Okey! And since I do not take alcohol, I took a can of malt and drank while he opened the hot and took some shorts.

“At times when I am alone I kept thinking that maybe he was having a By MADUABUCHI KALU feeling of his death and decided to pay rganisers of the annual Okpekme last visit. pe International 10km Road “As a matter of fact, I still feel the Race are thrilled that their efdevastating effect of that sad news of forts at promoting road running in his death. At this time there is nothing Nigeria have been recognised by the anybody would do than to pay him last world governing body for athletics, the International Association of Athrespect,” Prince Oduah said.

It is recalled that the late Prince letics Federations (IAAF).

The Okpekpe race was granted Frank Oduah who worked in the real estate arm of global oil giants, Mobil, a silver label status for next year’s event by the IAAF which makes it the made history when I built the very first first road race in Nigeria to be so recfiling station in the whole of Ogbaru ognised and the first in the West AfriLocal Government Area. can sub-region as well as the second Prince Frank Oduah happened to be road race ever in Africa to enjoy a silthe younger brother of Prince Isidoreh ver label status. ”We are truly delighted the IAAF Oduah. With the directive from the Igwe Alanza that every member of has recognised our effort to promote the Oduah dynasty must be at home road running in Nigeria. Our mission for the burial of Prince Frank, it is ex- is to ensure we get more Nigerians pected that his cousin, distinguish involved in road running so that we can restore that tradition that we had Senator Stella Oduah will lead other in the past when Abbas Mohammed family members to the burial of Prince was a then truly world-class 2:16 in the Frank just as his widow and mother of full marathon. We are happy a couple his children and other mourners will of road races have sprung up and one throng Ogbaru for the burial rights of of them has actually been recognised as well by the IAAF. This is our greatest Prince Frank Oduah. joy,” said Dare Esan, the spokesman for the Okpekpe race who revealed

Prince Oduah’s brother burial rites for December 15

By MADUABUCHI KALU

T

he date for the burial ceremony of the younger brother of former member of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the founder of Red Carpet Advertising, Prince Isidoreh Odua, Prince Frank Oduah has been fixed for December 15th according the former member of Anambra State Sports Council, Prince Isidoreh Oduah.

Revealing this exclusively to The Oracle Today Sports, Prince Isidoreh Oduah explained that the head of the Oduah dynasty who happened to be the Igwe of Ogbaru, has ordered that every member of the royal family of Alanze must return for the burial ceremony of Prince Frank Oduah who passed on about three months ago.

It is recalled that the late Prince Frank Oduah’s remains have since been committed to mother earth as soon as he passed on as he directed while alive. It is the burial rights that have been fixed for December 15th.

According to Prince Oduah: “The date for the burial right of my late younger brother, Prince Frank Oduah has been fixed for December 15th in Ogbaru.

“The head of the our royal dynasty and the Alanza of Ogbaru, has directed every member of the dynasty no matter where he or she may reside to return home to give Prince Frank a befitting burial deserves of a worthy prince.

“They brought about five pictures of different caskets to me for his burial ceremony. The clothes that would be used for the burial have all been procured.

“It is most unfortunate that we

German tactician a new contract to enable him focus on his job.

“We have decided to confront head-on any possible area of conflict or controversy and fully resolve each and every possible friction point well ahead of the competition,” he says after signing the new contract with Rohr.

He also said: “After signing payment agreement with the players from expected FIFA income, the next stage was to take care of the Technical Adviser. He has done very well and does not need to go to the World Cup uncertain of his future,” Amaju explained.

Meanwhile, Rohr’s World Cup qualifying squad has been declared the youngest among the 32 finalists by the world football governing body FIFA. Expressing his feeling about his

squad, the Franco-German football tactician disclosed that he liked working with the squad and delighted being at the head of such a wonderful level headed and ambitious squad.

Meanwhile, Melvin Amaju Pinnick has expressed satisfaction on Eagles World Cup Qualification saying: “Despite not qualifying for the Africa Nations Cup before now, I ensured we must qualify for the FIFA World Cup. “I took the risk by bringing Rohr and also running for the CAF Executive election knowing fully well that should Isah Hayatou emerges as CAF President again with Nigeria in the same group with Cameroon, it will spell doom for us hence I had to put everything aside for Nigeria and I went into FIFA elections for Nigeria and now I am justified,” Amaju declared.

Silver Label Status excites Okpekpe race organisers • As IAAF gives reasons for elevation

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organisers of the event will continue to make use of technology to ensure they continue to set benchmarks for future races in Nigeria nay the West Africa.

“We launched a tracking application last year which helped fans, friends and relations to follow the progress of participants at the fifth edition of the race last May. It was a completely new experience we designed to engage the athletes and the fans. The application offered mobile features designed to address three core digital needs: information delivery, sponsor activation and race day experience. It was unprecedented in the history of road races in Nigeria,” Esan revealed.

Meanwhile, the IAAF has given reasons why it has accorded the Okpekpe race another historic status following its elevation from a bronze to a silver label race.

Alessio Punzi, the IAAF Road Running Manager in an email sent to the promoter of the race, Mike Itemuagbor recognised the role played by the event’s organisers to promote elite road running in Nigeria nay the West Africa region. ”In recognition of the role played by your event for the promotion of elite

road racing in your region, and of your efforts towards the improvement of the technical aspects of the event, the IAAF is happy to inform you that the Okpekpe Road Race 10km is upgraded to IAAF Silver Label status for 2018,” wrote Punzi in the email following the application for an upgrade from a bronze to a sliver label race submitted by the organisers.

The Okpekpe international 10km road race is the first road race to be granted a label status by the IAAF and it is the only IAAF silver label race in the African continent following the elevation of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to a gold label status early this year.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

SPORTS

Anyansi lauds Ikpeazu

• Plead with fans to be patient

By MADUABUCHI KALU

C

hief Felix Anyansi Agwu, a member of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the longest and most successful club chairman in the country, has commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for what he called ’thinking outside the box’.

Anyansi made the commendation in exclusive telephone interview with the Oracle Today Sports.

He explained that his reason for commending the Abia Chief Executive is because of the Governor’s foresightedness and vision in building a befitting infrastructure for the people’s elephant particularly during this time of economic hardship in the country.

He, therefore, urged the supporters of the club and their fans all over the globe to exercise patience with the club as they have been playing away from home in the past two seasons saying t there is no cause for alarm despite playing away from home as Enyimba’s results have shown.

He, however, assure the club’s supporters and fans across the globe that in no distant time Enyimba would return to their natural ground and continue to play good and quality football for which the club is known.

“We know the anxiety of the millions of our fans and supporters

over our not playing at our natural turf at the Enyimba International Stadium,” Anyansi began.

“I want to assure them that there is no cause for alarm because in no distant time, they will start seeing us play at our natural turf at Aba. “At this point I would want to commend our state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu for thinking outside the box by deciding to build our infrastructure particularly at this time of economic hardship in the country.

“I want to commend him for looking beyond now. What he is doing now by wanting to give us a befitting environment and conducive atmosphere for the team to conduct their business is very commendable.

“That is why I started by saying that there is no cause for alarm because the governor wants to ensure that Enyimba get a facility befitting of their status.

“I want to assure our numerous fans and supporters that in no distant time, they will see us playing at our natural ground.

“Of course, there is no cause for alarm because nothing has changed. Enyimba are still the team to beat in the country. If you consider the fact that despite not playing at our natural turf, we still place 3rd at the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log.

“It is not a mean achievement in

Neymar won’t join Real Madrid

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arcelona striker, Luis Suarez insisted he cannot envisage former teammate, Neymar moving to rivals, Real Madrid due to his “admiration” for Barca.

Neymar spent four years at the Camp Nou before sensationally moving to Paris Saint-German in August for a world record 222 million euro ($264 million) fee.

However, rumours of a move back to Spain with the European champions surfaced after Neymar clashed with new strike partner and Suarez’s international teammate Edison Cavani back in September.

“No, not at all,” Suarez told Spanish sports daily Marca on Monday when asked about the prospect of Neymar moving to Madrid.

“Sincerely, I don’t see it. I know how Neymar is and the admiration that he had for Barcelona and his teammates. I don’t see him now going to play for Real Madrid.”

Along with five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar formed one of the deadliest strike forces of all-time as they won two La Liga titles and a Champions League in three seasons together.

However, despite a bitter fallout between the club and Neymar after PSG paid the Brazilian’s buyout clause, Suarez insists he has only admiration and love for his former colleague.

“Ney is now mature enough and •

was completely aware of the decision he took,” added Suarez.

“I am sure it was painful because he was happy here, but we all have to accept that he had other challenges he wanted to take on.

“It was an understandable decision that he took with his family.

There is no reproach, only admiration and pure love for what he gave this club and the relationship we had during those years.”

And Suarez said he had no role in calming tensions between Cavani and Neymar.

Neymar

the Nigerian League,” Anyansi declared.

On what to expect from the two time African champions as they fly the country’s flag on the continent, the Item-Abia State born renowned football administrator said the people’s elephant will as usual continue to give the country quality representation on the continent.

He explained that there has never been a time Enyimba have entered into any competition with aim of making up the numbers rather they play competitions with their eyes fixed at the top prize.

“Well, all I want to say is that our fans and supporters should be rest assured that we will give the country quality representation on the continent as usual.

“Of course don’t enter into any competition for the fun of it rather we enter into competitions with our eyes set on the top prize.

“We enter into competitions for business and not for leisure. We enter inter into competition to fight for the top prize and we fight till the end. That is the philosophy of the people’s elephant,” Anyansi declared.

Speaking further he said: “I want to reiterate the fact that in no distant time Enyimba will return to their natural turf in Aba to play both domestic and continental competitions.

“We will certainly return to Aba to continue to play good quality football we are known for. Again I want to assure our supporters and fans that we cannot disappoint them. We will keep working hard because we know the expectations of millions of fans and supporters within and outside the country and we can’t afford to disappoint them,” Anyansi assured.

•

Gov Ikpeazu

Ezenwa signs for Enyimba

By MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Eagles Team B captain and goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has sealed contract with two time African Champions, Enyimba International FC of Aba. Ezenwa seal the deal last Friday after he announced his exit from FC Ifeanyi Ubah penultimate week after the expiration of his contract with the Nnewi- based Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

It is recalled that when Ezenwa announced his exit from FC Ifeanyi Ubah penultimate week he equally announced that he has signed with another club but said he won’t disclose the identity of the club. However, with this announcement that he has signed with the two time African champions, it now clear that the club under wrap are Enyimba International.

With this deal, Ezenwa will be manning the post for the Peoples

Elephant as the Abia State financed club campaign for the NPFL and CAF Confederation Cup. According to the captain of the home-based Eagles, he is satisfied with Enyimba deal and he will be at home with the Aba outfit. He explained that the Aba-based club have better structures than where he was coming from even as he expressed optimism to ply his trade abroad when such opportunity calls.

He however did not disclose details of the deal but The Oracle Today Sports was reliably informed that the deal was mouthwatering as both parties were happy after signing the dotted lines.

Ezenwa, who is also the captain of CHAN Eagles will resume camping Friday in Kano with his teammates preparing for next year’s Africa Nations Championship holding in Morocco.

•

Ezenwa

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

SPORTS

Brazil footballers remembered one year after plane crash

By MADUABUCHI KALU

T

wo army helicopters scattered flower petals over a town square penultimate Tuesday as part of sad tributes to the upstart Brazilian football team Chapecoense, most of whose players died in a plane crash exactly a year ago.

La Union, the town closest to the site of the accident on a mountainside near Medellin, Colombia, hosted a commemorative ceremony.

The names of the late players and team staff — members of a modest squad that was about to play in a championship game — were read aloud in the town plaza.

The crash killed 71 of the 76 people aboard the plane operated by the Bolivian carrier, LaMia. The team lost most of its players and coaches. Only three players survived.

A probe into the crash determined the plane ran out of fuel and was overloaded.

“Glory was close,” said Andres Botero, president of Atletico Nacional, the Colombian team that Chapecoense was going to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana tournament last year.

“Tragedy crushed their dream,” Botero added.

A memorial plaque was unveiled in the town square as part of the remembrance activities, which were also to feature two Masses and flyover of the crash site by a Colombian air force jet.

A separate memorial ceremony was planned for just after midnight in the town of Chapeco itself.

The plane crash took place a year ago Tuesday Colombia time, early Wednesday Brazil time.

An outpouring of tributes came from towering figures in the world of football.

“Today my heart is in Chapeco,” Brazilian legend Pele wrote on Twitter. “It is a day to remember

and pray for those who went to heaven too soon.”

Current Brazilian star Neymar told Spanish TV, “All of us Brazilians carry them in our hearts.”

On the road leading to the hill where the plane crashed — known now as Mount Chapeco — a farmer named Luis Albeiro Valencia has set up a monument erected to those killed in the tragedy.

It is a wooden replica of a plane

beside two brick columns. One holds tires from the landing gear of the airliner that went down, the other a deflated football.

He said he was given the items in appreciation for helping with rescue operations that horrible night.

Of the monument, Albeiro Valencia said: “It is to remember.

So people will not forget them, because with time everyone will probably forget this hill.”

•

Reactions trail 2018 FIFA World Cup draws As Nigeria draw, Argentina, Iceland, Croatia

By MADUABUCHI KALU

M

ore reactions are still trailing the 2018 FIFA World Cup Draws held on last Friday December 1, 2018 at the State Kremlin Palace Moscow, Russia.

Nigeria, one of the five countries to represent Africa at the Mundial have once again been drawn in Group D along with Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

Reacting to the World Cup draws that pitched his charges against fa-

miliar foes, Argentina, Croatia and Iceland, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has already given up the top spot in the group to Argentina.

The Franco-German tactician who has a lot of respect for Argentina, said it was not easy playing a team like Argentina with Lionel Messi and his friends.

According to Rohr: “Our group is a difficult group you know. We are supposed to be the last one because we are in the pot N0 4. So, we

have the first game against Croatia.

“They have a very good team.

They play a very technical football.

The second game will be against Iceland, so Iceland are a very strong side.

“I saw them in European championship, they played very well with a strong football and the last game is against Argentina is already the same, because we played in three World Cups in 1994 in the United States of America, in 2010 in South Africa and in 2014 in Brazil.

Nigerian Paralympian breaks, sets world record

By MADUABUCHI KALU

H

istory was made in faraway Mexico on Sunday, when Nigerian Alice Oluwafemi Ayo, broke the women’s +86 kilogramme world record at the world record at the world Paralympic championships.

Oluwafemi Ayo won after lifting 140kg in her first three attempts. In her fourth attempt she broke the earlier record in her category set by fellow Nigerian Lovelyn Obiji in 2014 by lifting 145 kilogrammes.

As at the time of filing this report, Nigeria has won her first medal in

the competition. The Nigeria team has 11 power lifters in the Mexico tournament. “I feel very happy, it was something I was expecting,” Oluwafemi Ayo told journalists after the record breaking performance.

Meanwhile, on the table of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere-Lagos on Sunday, Jamiu Azeez won the men singles champions of the 49th Asiodu Oba Molade Okoya Thomas Table Tennis Cup which just-ended in Lagos.

He dismissed Deji Falaye 4 sets to nothing in the final while Bose Odusoya also easily retained the

women singles title after beating Halimat Ayinla also by the same score line 4 sets to nothing in the final.

And in world table tennis, China has restated her supremacy at the World Junior Table Tennis Championship by sweeping all seven titles, Boys Singles, Girls Singles, Boys Doubles, Girls Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Boys Team and Girls Team.

The Chinese showed no mercy at the championship as they cleared every available medal at the championship.

“We recently played them in friendly but we are not sure we are going to get the same result. We played against Argentina in Crasidar in Russia and they played without Messi. So, we know it is not easy to play against these teams, they are supposed to be No1 in our group.

“Yes, so interesting we have to start in Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is in the western part of Russia and we have to go to Saint Petersburg for the second game against Iceland and our last game in the group will be against Argentina at the same venue. We have to travel a lot. We have to choose a place not too far away from these cities,” Rohr said.

Just as Gernot Rohr has relinquished the top spot in Group D to Argentina, his counterpart from Argentina, Jorge Sampaoli is developing migraine over the Super Eagles saying that the Eagles plays good quality football just as Barcelona midfield maestro, Javier Mascherano as acknowledged that Eagles have really improved.

The Argentina Coach, Jorge Sampaoli says: “The only thing I can tell our fans is that we would make Argentina proud and I also have best player in history that is always a plus. Nigeria are unpredictable side.

“With Nigeria you don’t know who you are going to get. They are very dangerous,” he declared.

Maria Sharapova gets on-court marriage proposal

By MADUABUCHI KALU

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ussian tennis star, Maria Sharapova, got a surprised marriage proposal during an exhibition game against Cagla Buyukakcay in Istanbul penultimate Tuesday.

During the game, where she beat her opponent 7-6, 6-0, an enthusiastic fan yelled out, “Maria will you marry me?” Gearing up to serve for a point, Sharapova paused as the audience burst into laughter.

In a sporting response, Sharapova nodded her head, denoting in a light vein that she might give it a thought. She then “Maybe,” following which the audience gave a louder response and applause.

This incident is akin to another incident in 1995, when German tennis star, Steffi Graf was proposed during a Wimbledon match against Japanese player, Kimiko Date-Krumm. A fan shouted out a marriage proposal to Steffi, who responded saying, “How much money do you have?” This response had the audience in splits.

Sharapova is now training hard to make a comeback after she was suspended for 15 months for using the banned drug meldonium. She will be playing next at the WTA event in China in January 2018.

Tiger Woods makes strong injury return

T

iger Woods made strong injury comeback as he shot a 3-under 69 on the first day of the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, his first competitive outing after a nine-month injury break.

The 14-time major champion, who has had four back operations in the past three years, finished tied for eighth in the 18-strong field with Englishman Tommy Fleetwood in the lead on 66.

The 41-year-old’s round could have been better were it not for a bogey on the par-5 15th hole.

“I thought I did great,” he told broadcaster Sky Sports.

“I hadn’t played in a while after some of the difficulties I’ve been through. To come out here and score like I did that was nice.

“It was fun to get out there and actually be part of a scorecard again.”

Woods had not played competitively since withdrawing from February’s Dubai Desert Classic.

The world’s top three players Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are among an elite field at the Bahamas tournament, which is organised by Woods’ foundation and is an unofficial money event on the PGA Tour.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

NEWS

‘On Court of Appeal judgment we stand’ From Chuks Collins, Awka

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he attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Anambra State Chapter) has called on all parties in the lawsuits over the Anambra Central re-run election to sheathe their swords and allow the election to hold.

In a statement signed by its State President, Ichie Damian Afam Okeke-Ogene and Chief Mike M. Nnakwuzie, Secretary, Ohanaeze said it does not see the grounds for the objection by some individuals to the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the re-run of the Anambra Central Senatorial election that has been fixed for 13 January 2018.

“Under our laws, the Court of Appeal is the final court on senatorial elections. It has given its ruling, and we ask all parties affected to abide by it. Earlier objections and injunctions in the

case postponed an early resolution, and denied Anambra State, South East, full representation at the Senate,” the statement read in part.

“Those asking for further postponement of the election should consider how much Anambra Central has lost in the 27 months that it has gone without representation. Any further postponement of the election may result in no senatorial election in Anambra Central, and no representation until 2019. Is that in the interest of our people? How does one even count the losses of the past 27 months? It is no longer in the interest of our people to stop the election. Any further delays mean more denials of the opportunities that would have accrued to Anambra Central, Anambra State and the South East.”

“With our lowest number of States out of the six geo-political

Buhari to UNN: Reciprocate govt’s gestures From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has urged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to reciprocate noble gestures of the federal government by always striving to measure up to the required standard to justify, what he called, government’s monumental investments.

The President, who was visitor to the university at its grand-finale event for her 47th Convocation Ceremony and conferment of Postgraduate Diplomas, Higher Degrees, Title of Professor Emeritus and Award of Honorary Degrees, however, reassured of his administration’s resolve to extend necessary support to the institution and other universities in Nigeria, to enable them achieve the objectives for which they were established.

Represented by the Minister of State, Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, the President noted that his administration recognised that “Nigeria cannot achieve accelerated development without high investments in education”, adding that that was the reason the present administration has been making increased budgetary allocations for education, especially tertiary education.

Highlight of the event was conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on three eminent Nigerians including The Sultan of Soko-

to, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; and the Chairman of of Slok Group of Companies and Publisher of The Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

A total of 1,523 postgraduate degrees and diplomas were awarded to deserving candidates at the event, in the ratio of 340 Doctorate Degrees, 1,027 Masters Degrees and 156 Postgraduate Degrees. Eight retired professors of the institution were as well conferred with the status of Emeritus Professors.

The university had about 24 hours earlier, (December 2, 2018), awarded 7,830 first degrees, diplomas and certificates to deserving graduands, including 132 First Class graduands, and Miss Ufondu Chinasa Augusta, who emerged the overall best graduand, with a total of 4.90 grade points.

Some of other dignitaries at the event were the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Sokoto State Counterpart, Rt. Hon Anonymity Tambuwal: UNN Chancellor, and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university Governing Council, Chief Mike Olorunfemi; the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka diocese, Most Rev. Dr Godfrey Onah and his Anglican counterpart in Nsukka, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Agbo, among several others.

zones, we have suffered the extra loss from having only 14 Senators instead of our 15, while others have their full numbers of 18, and in case of the North West 21,” the statement further added.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Anambra State Chapter) appeals that in the interest of the common good, that the election should be allowed to hold without further delays. There are ways of resolving our political differences peacefully, and sustaining the growing image of Anambra State as a place where political contests are not war.”

Meanwhile, Ohanaeze has called on security agencies to prevail on their operatives not to harass South Easterners returning for Christmas.

In a statement signed by Anambra State President, Ichie Damian Afam Okeke-Ogene and Chief Mike M. Nnakwuzie, Secretary, Ohanaeze said: “As we step into December, the month of festivities, with higher numbers of our people returning for the holidays,

the number of check points has started increasing. We know that the target is our people who are returning.

“In the past we had asked that the harassments these check points present should be addressed. The authorities would claim that they are dismantling them, but their numbers continue increasing. We condemn the practices.

“Anambra State is not at war.

Police, Customs, Soldiers, and other security agents have formed a habit of mounting checkpoints to extort our people. It does not matter whether people have their complete vehicle particulars, or can account for the goods that they have.

“They are treated like criminals, harassed, embarrassed, delayed from their journeys, all in the bid to make them part with money.

It is mostly in Anambra State that these check points are mounted, or on roads that our people pass.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Anambra

State Chapter) condemns the practices in their entirety. While it is important that the security agencies do their work, part of that work is not embarrassing travelers and extorting them. It is totally unacceptable to us.

“In contributing to end the harassments on the roads, we are working with the security agencies to establish telephone numbers that travelers can call when security agencies make illegal demands on them.

“The leadership of the security agencies should call their men and women to order. Stopping harassments of travelers present another opportunity for the authorities to show Nigerians that they care.”

“We are watching. We are willing to contribute our quota to returning the liberties of movement that our Constitution guarantees, to our people. Together, we can have festivities that would be noted by the peace that reigned through them, but it starts with the treatment that people get, as they are travelling home.”

• Miss Chinasa Ufondu, best graduating student 2016/2017 (UNN) with her mother (right) and UNN VC, Prof Benjamin Ozumba (left), at the convocation ceremony.

Save Nigeria now, tackle youth unemployment – Chigoziri Gabriel From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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HE sponsor of Ohuhu Unity Cup, Chigoziri Gabriel, says there was need by all stakeholders to urgently address the issue of youth unemployment to save Nigeria from exploding in crises.

The London-based businessman also noted that fixing youth unemployment in Nigeria would contribute immensely to sanitizing the game of politics in the country.

According to him, unemployment has become a potential

threat to the peace and stability of Nigeria as it has become the scourge of every family. He, therefore, advocated a return to the era vocational training by building technical schools where youths could acquire skills and become wealth creators.

The Federal Polytechnic, Okotrained Accountant traced the perceived “dirtiness” of Nigeria’s politics to the unemployment ravaging the youths, stressing that if they were gainfully employed, they would not engage in thuggery, ballot snatching and violence during elections.

A lot of things need to be reorganized. Based on my own experience, even in my business world, change is possible. First, we need to go back to the drawing board.

If you look around in the society now, we have a lot of unemployed people. Why is unemployment very high? Because there is overdependence on white collar jobs.

“We can create wealth; we have the resources, mentally and otherwise, to create wealth. We can go back to the days of technical schools to provide opportunities for people to acquire skills. You mustn’t work in an office and wear tie. We can create wealth;

we have the talents and the manpower, mostly the youths. With them, we can achieve a lot,” said Chigoziri Gabriel (a.k.a Stainless).

He, therefore, advised governments at all levels, organisations and individuals to jointly or separately engage in youth empowerment.

“If I am in power today, what I will assure you is that there will be youth empowerment because the youths are the future of tomorrow; we need to take care of them very well. If we get that right, the system will be alright,” he said.

The sports enthusiast who has

been sponsoring the Ohuhu Unity Cup (now renamed Dr Okezie Ikpeazu Unity Cup)for the past three years, said he was still making consultations on the request by his people to vie for a political office.

The businessman who returned home to a lavish reception by the people of Ohuhu last week, said he was at home with the political terrain of Nigeria, having run for the Abia State House of Assembly during the General Sani Abacha regime, adding that he has been monitoring political developments in Nigeria while in his London base.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 13, 2017

News

• Crisis in Owerri as Imo State tries enforcing ban on Keke operators in some parts of Owerri

Keke operators clash with ENTRACO over ban From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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NGRY keke operators on Tuesday, in Owerri, clashed with the officials of Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, an agency of the Imo State Government. The state government had announced the ban on keke iån September but the order had not been complied with by the keke operators.

Some of them told The Oracle Today in Owerri on Tuesday that the Governor allowed them to operate pending when the issues would

be sorted out finally. But the state government had also last month announced on its radio station, IBC, that keke would stop operating in Owerri by December 1. The keke operators defied the order.

Crisis began on Tuesday when the keke operators assembled in front of Government House in the morning demanding to meet with the Governor. While they were still waiting, with their keke packed around government house, some officials of ENTRACO came around to arrest them and their keke for violating the government ban.

The keke operators resisted the arrest while some of them ran away. Eye witnesses told The Oracle Today that the crisis which started at the state government house spread to Item Street, where they said the keke operators vandalised vehicles belonging to ENTRACO. The clash with the keke operators also spread to the popular ITC park at MCC Road, where keke operators were said to have attacked other ENTRACO vehicles.

When The Oracle Today visited the ITC Park there were no vandalised vehicles but there were signs

Fuel queues: NNPC increases supplies Cont’d from page 2 whatsoever to increase the prices of petroleum products both at the ex-depot level and pump price ahead of the forthcoming holidays.

The NNPC in a release said that the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and the pump price of N143/N145 per litre have not changed noting that the Corporation had enough stock of fuel to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country.

While assuring that the Corporation had the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders including petroleum marketers and industry unions to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond, the NNPC enjoined motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumours of an impending fuel price hike as reported in some news platforms.

The Corporation also noted that its downstream subsidiary companies namely the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, and NNPC Retail Limited were fully geared up to ensure that motorists enjoy uninterrupted access to petrol throughout the nation during the yuletide period and beyond.

Reactions across to the fuel situation have varied. In most cities in the South East there is fuel,

no queues but the stations were selling above the official ceiling of N145 per litre. The price ranged from N148 to N150 per litre. “We are buying from the depot at higher prices,” of the fuel station operators, said. “We only adjusted our prices to meet our own costs.”

The change in price had started since Friday.

NNPC-operated mega stations are still selling at N143 per litre.

There were no queues to indicate that anything was amiss.

Suddenly, cars are now disappearing from roads in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

Some Filling Stations are now selling fuel, using just one or two pumps, NATH OMAME JR, report Consequently, car owners are parking their vehicles to save what the have. Ahead of the Yuletide season, most petrol filling stations in Abuja metropolis have been providing skeletal Service while many remained shut down The filling stations attributed the development to non-availability of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The development has led to panic buying where such products are available in the metropolis resulting in motorists having hectic time buying PMS. Expectecdly, long queues have resurfaced on major streets.

Our Correspondent who moved round the city observed that only NNPC mega station located at

Jabi, along Zuba – Abuja expressway had PMS as at 7pm, thereby leading to long queue and causing gridlock on the expressway.

Out of the two filling stations located in front of Transcorp Hilton hotel, Maitama, only one has PMS while the others were completely shut down.

It was gathered that some of the filling stations belonging to members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have increased the pump price of a litre of petrol from N145 to as much as N165 per liters.

Some motorists on queue who expressed concerns over the development, urged Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strep up action in curtailing the crisis.

It is however not clear where the problem is emanating from as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had on the 30th November, 2017, issued a statement saying there was no plan to increase fuel price at the depot and at filling stations, even as NNPC assured that it had enough products to serve motorists throughout the Yuletide season.

A statement by the Group General Manager Corporate Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu said the Corporation, the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and pump price of N143/N145 per litre had not changed.

of rioting. Though no one agreed to speak on the development, our correspondent saw broken bottles and burnt objects scattered across the road.

Meanwhile, the ban on keke has began to take its toll on the people as passengers, especially students, had hectic time getting vehicles to take them to their destinations.

Students and others were seen trekking long distances while the bus stops became overcrowded.

Some students were seen mounting trucks so as to find their way home.

Mr. Ifeanyi Maxwell told our correspondent that the state government has never been very thoughtful before carrying out certain policies.

He lamented that banning keke in the city when there are no adequate measures in place to ensure that the people do no suffer unduly is not the best thing.

He added that the Taximo released by the state government are very few and cannot address the transportation need of the people, noting that the outcome would be heavy even when keke is removed on the roads for 30 minutes without plans to cushion its effects on the people.

He called on the government to allow the keke operators to continue while they work out other plans, because according to him, “if this situation continues for one week everybody might be forced to come to the government house for a protest”.

Anambra to upgrade Ojoto Cont’d from page 5 ing Hospital or a maternal and Child Healthcare Specialist Centre.

The Commissioner commended Ndi Ojoto for their commitment to self-help ideology that saw to the establishment of a high-class health institution within the community.

He affirmed that their request was in line with the Gov Willie Obiano’s administration’s objective towards efficiency in primary healthcare delivery across the state.

He thanked the community for their overwhelming support to the governor during the just concluded governorship election in the state, assuring that they would not regret their decision to vote for the governor.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler, Igwe Okafor explained expressed optimism that the Obiano administration having identified health as a major enabler in what it is doing, would key into the project to ensure that it is fully realized.

For his part, President General of the town union, Chief Umeghalu described the visit as a clear evi-

dence the Obiano administration places on health and its readiness to partner communities towards improving the health of their people.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths Mobilization, Tony Uche-Ezekwelu noted that the community has been in the forefront of supporting the Obiano administration and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), adding that the upgrade of the Health Centre will help give Ojoto a sense of fulfilment that the government they supported has their interest at heart.

WEDNESDAY December 13, 2017

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

GUEST COLUMIST

ALEX OTTI

What did you contribute to GDP today?

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HE critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are a few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. Nolan Bushnell.

In layman’s English, the term Gross Domestic Product, GDP, refers to the monetary value of all economic activities carried out within a country over a period of time, usually quarterly and/or annually. In calculating GDP, the monetary value of all the goods and services produced across the country, over the relevant period is summed up and can be compared with the value over the previous quarter to determine the percentage change which represents economic growth or decline. The size of the economy is therefore determined by the size of the GDP over a period of one year. In Economics, there are two ways to calculate GDP. The first is by adding up all the income earned by residents in the country whether they are by foreigners or locals. The second approach is by adding up all the expenditures of residents in the country. Both the income and expenditure approaches should give the same result. It means that activities that do not have economic value will not make it into the GDP calculation. One thing readily comes to mind when discussing GDP. While some people would be making heavy contributions to GDP, others may be making little or no contributions. Theoretically, the harder people work, the more they contribute to GDP. In practice, however, it does not work that way and we shall return to this shortly.

Like we all know, Nigeria rebased her GDP in 2014 and became notionally, the largest economy in Africa. Ordinarily, there shouldn’t be any problems with this as GDP is supposed to be rebased about every five years and the last time that was done for the Nigerian economy, was in the 1990s. Whichever way you look at it, a $510b economy is a large economy. The only issue was the hysteria and euphoria that followed the exercise, which seemed to have ignored more fundamental issues, the first of which is that ‘biggest’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘best’. It is therefore instructive that even with the largest GDP we were still dealing with what Abraham Maslow in his famous theory of needs hierarchy, referred to hygiene issues of food and survival.

So, we became the biggest economy but still had the biggest problems. The second was that we conveniently forgot to focus on the more useful data: GDP Per Capita. The concept of GDP Per Capita refers to comparing the total cake baked with the number of mouths available to eat it.

When we rebased the economy in 2014, and became the largest economy in Africa, we also became the 26th largest economy in the world. However, on the basis of GDP Per Capita, our position was a distant 17th largest economy out of the 53 African countries ranked. According to the IMF, while 2017 estimates of our GDP at $395b have reduced our global ranking from No. 26 to No. 29, we still maintained our position as the largest economy in Africa, in absolute terms. However, Per Capita GDP of $2,902 places Nigeria as the 139th out of the 185 countries ranked worldwide. For purposes of comparison, Luxembourg came first with its GDP Per Capita of $107,708. Two countries in Africa that stood out were Seychelles and Equatorial Guinea who placed 52nd and 62nd with GDP Per Capita of $15,658 and

$12,000 respectively. Considering the foregoing, my contention is that we must redirect our attention to the productivity of the average Nigerian rather than to the total productivity represented by GDP. Bringing this point home dramatically, we can liken it to a farmer who at the end of the season, harvested 30 tubers of yam while his counterpart harvested only 10 tubers of yam. If the first farmer has 10 mouths to feed, it means that each person in his household can only get a share of 3 tubers of yam. Compare this with the second farmer who has only 2 mouths to feed, then it is clear that he is relatively richer because each of his dependents would take home 5 tubers of yam. The first farmer would have behaved like us if he went on a celebration spree boasting with his 30 tubers of yam, without attempting to compare oranges with oranges by considering how many people will eat out of his yams.

We must be able to place the productivity problem in its correct context. A simplistic reasoning would recommend reduction in our population to increase GDP Per Capita. This is a lazy man’s solution to the challenge. How about getting the population to contribute maximally to the GDP like in the countries mentioned above? This takes us to the concept of GDP per hour of work. This concept measures labour productivity in and around countries. It measures how efficiently labour, combined with other factors of production would yield results. On this score, Luxembourg has continued to remain the world’s most productive country in the last three years. Current data shows that the country has a GDP per hour of work of about $94 and interestingly, it has an average work week of only 29 hours. Most countries have a 40-hour work week, save for France, which has maintained a 35-hour work week in the last 17 years. The latest figures on productivity in Nigeria show that as at the end of 2016, our GDP per hour of work was less than $3. This is not very cheering news and may be one of the reasons for the biting poverty in the country. Given the level of unemployment, which is chasing 15% officially, it would not be difficult to understand why we have a gap of over $90 in productivity, between us and the most productive country in the world. It is therefore important to understand why we are one of the least productive countries in the world and what can be done to change this situation.

The usual suspects in our blame game are infrastructural deficits including roads, rail and power. While we concede to the overriding constraining effects of these challenges to productivity, we must also agree that we have over-flogged these issues and I will therefore not spend time on them in this discourse.

One major problem in our system is the availability of work, or lack thereof, in the first place. That is the reason for the very high unemployment and underemployment figures. A lot of people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs because the jobs are simply not there. Our economy is not structured to create jobs and sadly, job creation gets mentioned glibly as part of government deliverables, while hardly are governments measured on the basis of job creation nor are they held responsible for failing to do so. In the recent times, private investments, particularly foreign private investments, have plummeted owing to the exchange rate management policy and the sustained economic crisis. Private investment goes with job creation. The few investments that we attract are hardly channeled to job creating opportunities. Some go to speculative activities and others follow non-labour intensive activities. Again, all our attempts at industrializing the economy have not yielded any reasonable results. Without industrialization, the number of jobs that can be created would remain limited.

The next challenge is the ability of the entrepreneurial cadre to create jobs for itself. This is where the country has not done very well, frankly speaking. This is also the whole essence of this

intervention. We must rise above folding our arms and looking for alms. I believe that with the proper incentives, a lot more of our people could get involved in economic activities and therefore job creation. This should be located within what is described as small and medium scale enterprises, – the SME space. Even though SMEs contribute over 40% to our GDP and employ a lot of people, we can do a whole lot more by encouraging many of our unemployed and underemployed people to find something to do to ensure that they contribute to the GDP and thereby reduce unemployment. If we are able to push more people into this sector, it is possible for SMEs to contribute over 80% to GDP and take more people out of the unemployment line.

For those that have something to do, there is also the argument that our work culture or attitude is poor. While this cannot apply across board, there is no denying the fact that a lot of workers, particularly in the public sector do not put in equal day’s work for equal day’s pay. The level of truancy and absenteeism in the public sector is simply alarming and unacceptable.

In addition, the sector has a lot of bureaucratic bottlenecks that slow down service delivery and therefore productivity. High productivity cannot be guaranteed under this kind of atmosphere.

This may just be one of the reasons for low productivity. We also don’t seem to work smarter, rather, we tend to work harder.

From the story of Luxembourg and in fact other high productivity countries like Norway and Ireland, who do not necessarily have a longer work week, the need to work smarter cannot be overemphasized. Putting in longer hours does not necessarily guarantee better results or higher productivity. The difference is that they are simply more productive per hour of work done.

Closely related to this is the idea of work/life balance. Under a situation that guarantees work/life balance, workers have enough time to rest, go on vacation and attend to other forms of leisure and when they are at work, their productivity is at its peak. They also tend to be less affected by fatigue and sickness, even while producing better results.

Again, the kind of tasks that the country focuses on is also very important. Higher value tasks are naturally more rewarding and impact productivity much better than low value tasks. A study of the tasks undertaken by the high productivity countries would easily prove this point. This may be moderated by the argument that we have a lot of people that we need to get busy. But it is also correct to say that there are some tasks which are labor-intensive, require a lot of intensity but yield poor results in terms of productivity. At the point where a country has a choice, such tasks should go down on the table of preference.

All said and done, I believe that Nigeria has a lot of job to do in creating the enabling environment to get most of our people busy with rewarding economic activities that would impact GDP more positively. These would include setting up the necessary infrastructure, monetary and fiscal policies, including tax breaks, to encourage investments into the productive and job creating sectors of the economy. Most importantly, I also think that Nigerians should begin to focus more on ensuring that each and every one of us should consciously bring ourselves into the economic activity framework and consciously ensure that we make an impact that would translate to positive contributions to the nation’s GDP. We can complain and make excuses the much we can. The truth, however, is that if some people are able to contribute, then all of us, with sheer determination, can. You may not succeed immediately, but as the saying goes, you must continue to try and succeed, you will. As highlighted above, we must make a decision to do something, no matter how little you think it is. And that should be now rather than later. The clarion call is for all of us in our big and small pursuits.

• Dr. Otti was Managing Director of a bank, and a governorship candidate in the 2015 election in Abia State

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.