Wednesday December 6 2017 edition

Kanu demands $800m from FG • FG accuses Kanu of jumping bail • Still missing • Heads to ECOWAS Court

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SUIT that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, filed at the Economic Community of West African States’ Court, in March 2016, is opening another flank in the legal battles between IPOB and the federal government.

Kanu is asking for $800m com-

pensation in that suit for unlawful detention and torture that he has suffered from the Federal Government.

The suit was adjourned to 7 February next year, after the federal government filed new

The

Cont’d on page 2

VOX POPULI SACRUM

• Kanu

racle • Buhari

• Abaribe

www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY December 6, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today

VOL.2 No. 50. N200

American praises Ezeibe’s AIDs vaccine From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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igerian scientist and inventor of HIV/AIDs cure, Prof Maduike Ezeibe, was the toast of American scientists as they celebrated their traditional Thanksgiving Day this year.

A leading diagnostic laboratory, Seeding Labs, in the United States chose the Nigerian inventor as the personality to celebrate during this year’s Thanksgiving Day in America.

George Washington, the first American President proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789, which is celebrated every fourth Thursday in November and has been an annual

holiday in the United States since 1863.

In a letter she wired to Ezeibe on Thursday, November 23, when the Thanksgiving Day was celebrated, the founder and CEOr of Seeding Labs, Nina Dudnik, extolled the university don for “giving hope to the world.”

“Today we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, a day spent with friends and family sharing gratitude,” Dudnik wrote in the letter she personally signed.

“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Seeding Labs would like to thank you for your life-saving and life-changing discoveries, believ-

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•Explosion at a filling station in Orji, Owerri North, Monday that resulted in loss of five lives. Story on page 6.

Senate splits over Nigeria From ANIEKA ANIEKA, Calabar

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HE lingering controversy over restructuring of the country has torn the Senate in the middle with Senators from the southern half of the country unanimously voting for restructuring as the most viable way forward for Nigeria, using the 2014 national Conference report as a guide.

Rising from a two-day retreat in Calabar, the Cross River State capital last weekend, the Southern Senators, who, under the aegis of Southern Senators Forum, deliberated on the theme National Unity and Restructuring, insisted

• South votes restructuring • North votes No • Govs want more revenue that given the existential challenges that have confronted Nigeria in recent time, it would be foolhardy to overlook such challenges and pretend that everything is well while the country

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drifts to the precipice, pointing out that the best way to preserve the country’s unity is to rejig it to make it better and functional.

In a communiqué read at the end of the end of the meeting by

Senator Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum, the lawmakers called on President, Muhammadu Buhari, to, as a matter of urgency, convene a conference of stakehold-

ers in the country with a view to reviewing the 2014 National Conference Report and making, therefrom, recommendations to the government on the way for-

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Atiku begins 2019…

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

NEWS Cont’d from page 1 ward for the country.

The Senators, who stated their full support for the restructuring of the country, mandated lawmakers in the National Assembly to commence a comprehensive debate on the 2014 National Conference Report.

The position of the Southern Senators is a dramatic departure from the position of the Senate in a committee of the whole House when on Wednesday July 26 this year, the Senate, in what was a major upset for the clamour for restructuring, rejected the con-

Cont’d from page 1 processes days to the suit. The Court was not happy about the development.

One of the three judges on the all-French speaking panel, Justice Alioune Sall reminded the federal government that the ECOWAS Court is an international court, and not a Nigerian court.

“The process of bringing new documents every day is not allowed here,” Sall said, referring to the new papers that the federal government filed.

Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor told the court that his team was ready for “today’s sitting for definite hearing. Two days ago, my attention was drawn to a new process filed by the federal government challenging the authority of the court to hear the case.”

Ejiofor said the new filing was a ploy to delay the hearing.

“We want the matter to be heard speedily as the court had earlier ordered. But we are sure they (FG) do not have any defence for the substantial suit hence the reason they filed this new process to truncate the day’s hearing,” he said.

Ejiofor prayed a short adjournment for him to respond to the application and a punitive cost of N10 million against the federal

To be serialised in The Oracle Today soon

Read about the great Rangers story from next edition

Senate splits over Nigeria stitution alteration bill seeking the devolution of powers that would have moved some items from the bloated Exclusive List in the 1999 Constitution to the Concurrent List, which would have given more powers to the states.

The devolution of powers bill, which sought to alter the Second Schedule, Part I & II of the constitution, was defeated with 48 no votes. Forty-six senators voted for it, with one abstention.

Similarly, the bill seeking to expunge the Land Use Act from the constitution and subject it to the regular process of legislative amendment was also defeated with 46 yes and 44 no votes.

Prior to the voting, there were speculations that some of the bills– Land Use Act and Devolution of Powers – would be defeated because the lawmakers had grouped along regional lines.

The Calabar retreat at which

the Southern Senators voted for restructuring confirmed fears that the restructuring debacle has become a north versus south affair.

Indeed, at the Calabar retreat, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on one hand and governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and former Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and Cyprus, Professor George Obiozor, on the

government.

Maimuna Lami Shiru, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, who represented the federal government, said that the application was to address a new issue, the proscription of IPOB. She asked the court to reject Ejiofor’s prayer of N10m cost against the federal government.

Kanu is seeking a declaration of the ECOWAS Court that his arrest and detention since 14 October 2015, torture and his incarceration in the federal government’s detention centre is in flagrant disobedience of several orders of court of competent jurisdiction, which directed his unconditional release, breached his rights under the African Human Rights Charter.

AT the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Binta Nyako is expected to resume Kanu’s trial on Monday.

A five-day national judges’ conference occasioned an adjournment to 5 December.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Tochukwu Uchendu and a Jewish High Priest, Immanuel-El Shalom Madu, standing as sureties to Kanu, are to tell the court where

Kanu is.

The Kanu trial is spawning more cases.

• In a separate application Ejiofor has asked that Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Lt. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, produce Kanu who has not been seen since the Nigerian Army invaded his residence on 14 September.

• Benjamin Madubugwu (third defendant) and David Nwawuisi (fourth defendant), have pending applications for bail, on health grounds.

• Senator Abaribe has two applications – N10m compensation from the Chief of Army Staff, for the trauma he has suffered since the invasion of the home of Kanu, for whom he stood surety, and for the court to discharge him of the suretyship since the invasion he said has put Kanu beyond his reach.

A member of Kanu’s team put the issues of his client’s whereabouts thus: “Nnamdi Kanu is on bail and they said he has violated his bail conditions. And they filed a motion asking the court to revoke his bail.

“We were waiting on the 17th

(September) to hear that particular motion, only for them to come up on the 14th of September, 2017, with armoured cars, killing people, dogs, and everything that is a living being in Nnamdi Kanu’s house at Afaraukwu, Umuahia.

Since then, up till now, we’ve not heard anything concerning Nnamdi Kanu.

“And in their counter-affidavit, they never denied that they went to Nnamdi Kanu’s house on 14th September; they also never denied that they killed some people there, rather, they were saying that Nnamdi Kanu is not in their possession. But the irony here is that if he’s not in their possession, who is with Nnamdi Kanu?

“Kanu is not hiding, he’s also not under arrest. Did they invite him and he refused to come? Did they ask the Police to have him arrested? Why couldn’t they wait until 17th (September), why should they go and invade his house with armoured cars, are we in a war?

Kanu has sureties. If there is an issue he has with the government, they could have asked the sureties to produce him but they never did so,” he concluded.

Kanu demands $800m

other hand, disagreed vehemently on the restructuring.

Noting that there is nothing wrong with the current structure of Nigeria, Malami argued that the 1999 constitution is framed in a way that promotes national unity and proper representation.

The underlying philosophy of the 1999 Constitution, he said, is that it is built around a democratic system of government, particularly section 14, which provides that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the philosophy of social justice and democracy.

The 1999 Constitution, he said, states that “the duty of the armed forces is to preserve the territorial integrity of the country” hence the president was right when referring to this when he said that Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable because it is consistent with the constitution.

But, countering Malami, Dickson declared that Malami was wrong in his postulation that the unity of the country can be sustained by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution especially by the strength of armed forces.

“Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained by strong military force and security presence. You are getting it wrong. Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained by the constitutional provisions we know are inefficient,” Dickson said.

“If with all the strong military might of the USSR, they could not prevent the collapse of that big empire, that behemoth, (who says Nigeria is exempt from such forces of change?). Nigerian unity depends on Nigerians.

“We need to challenge ourselves including our assumptions and then go back to the parliament and see how we can create a country that can last the next 50, 100, 200 years like America.

We have a responsibility to create mechanisms for closer interactions.”

According to the governor, “restructuring means a call to constitutional reform, amendment of the laws of the country to guarantee a more stable, inclusive country, and for a return to the original founding principles of our country, which is federalism, so there should be no confusion about it.”

“Those who clamour for restructuring are not proponents of a divided Nigeria. The more opinions we have about restructuring the better because we are a democratic country and we should not stifle views. The best guarantee for the protection of minority rights are to be founded on a proper constitutional amendment of the laws of the country because at the end, we hope to protect the individual, irrespective of where he or she comes from,” the governor stressed.

Obiozor, for his part, described as a “historical fallacy” the notion that Nigerian unity is non-negotiable.

According to the scholar, “there is nothing political that is absolute. All nations the world over are negotiated. We cannot ignore the past and say that we are building the future.”

“In fact, Nigeria’s unity is not threatened by those who have anything to lose but by those who

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Anambra election will boost investors’ confidence – ANSIPPA boss

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HIEF Cyril Enweze, Chairman, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), has said that the success of the Nov. 18 governorship election would further improve the investment climate in the state.

Enweze, who is also the traditional ruler of Umuoji community in Idemili South, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuoji. The renowned Economist said the political stability during and after the election as well as the economic blueprint of Gov. Willie Obiano who won the poll massively were great assurances that investors’ money were safe in Anambra.

He said the sceptical attitude of some of the investors in the build up to the election had given way and that ANSIPPA had already scheduled a meeting with new investors who had been calling for business talks. “People who have been waiting to see the outcome of the election but now they have

seen that it is 21 local government out of 21, it is unprecedented, they know that the governor is solidly entrenched and that their money is safe in Anambra.

“The investors are already coming back, some of them at some point were very jittery, they were afraid that a new administration will come and demolish everything that had been done, but now they know that the coast is clear. “What this governor holds dear to his heart is the work of attracting investors.

“The secret is that the more investors we get to set up in Anambra, the more they help him to achieve his security objectives through employment.

“The more investors you can attract, the more you are able to build up your Internally Generated Revenue to compliment the federal allocation. “These are the funds that will be used to execute development projects, as a visionary, Gov. Obiano is aware of these,’’ he said.

Enweze described investors as crucial stakeholders in an election

who read the “economic weather’’ but were now confident that the security, investment-friendly environment and enabling policies that attracted them to Anambra in the last three years were still be obtainable.

According to him, Gov. Obiano has not said that he is going to change his economic policies and blueprints but rather that he is going to strengthen them and as an insider, I am very optimistic about this.

“Like I said, there was this waitand-see attitude, where investors waited and listened to the tone at the debate where some candidates had said that they would bring down the bridge at Awka, others said that there was no investments in Anambra. “But there are people who came with their money and invested in the state yet people were denying that fact.

“On a general note, I want to advise that people should not say careless things during election just because they want to win. “Investors are smart and sensitive people, they are careful about the behavior

of candidates in an election as it borders on their business, so Anambra is now more open for business,’’ he said.

The ANSIPPA chairman said that apart from providing market for firms and business, Anambra economy would be virile under Obiano following the major thrust of his campaign promises and their effects. He expressed confidence that Obiano would deliver on his campaign promises for which he was overwhelmingly voted for a second term in office.

He said the Anambra Airport City, one of the biggest investments in Anambra was already in progress, noting that he was sure it would be completed on schedule. “Obiano made certain promises during the campaigns; security is one of them, he is not going to let off on that and that is why Anambra is the safest state in the country under his administration.

“The projects are there and he has said that the communities choose your own project will be

continued, the first round of that projects has ended and communities are going for the second phase, we can trust him on that. “Road and infrastructure; he has promised to complete and commence new road projects, work is progressing in that area. “We also have the Airport City project, the Chinese company executing the project are on ground and have started work at Umuleri.

“Workers salaries and payment of pensions I believe will continue, he is not going to change from `alert governor’ to `owing governor’, and you know that provides the best lubricant for any economy. “Also, the investment drive will be intensified, he has not given us order to stop the drive we are doing, ANSIPPA has set up a meeting at the end of this month,” he said.

Delta community appeals to NDDC over abandoned road project

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ouths of Aballa-Uno community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta, has appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete the 15.5 kilometre Oloa-Osissa -Aballa-Uno road project it abandoned years back. The President-General of the Abala Clan Youth Council, Comrade Micheal Dialor, made the appeal in a media interview in Asaba.

Dialor said that the road was in a deplorable condition and described it as a death trap. He recalled that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) first awarded the project to a construction firm, Kamanchi International in 2009.

“The company mobilised to site, cleared the earth surface and tarred only 200 hundred meters of the road, before abandoning the project. “Again in 2011, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) re-awarded the same road project to Interbau Construction Limited and yet again, the project •From left: General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Dauke; Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, was abandoned. “Many a time, our women die as a result of complicaand Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Logistics Command, AVM J’afaru Yahaya during a courtesy visit to the Governor. tions during child-bearing due to lack of access road to urban towns where they could receive proper medication,” he said.

Dialor said the bad condition of From SAMSON AKINTARO, Lagos Coordinator, Motunrayo Alaka, ia” the statement read. The short- food security and agriculture. the road had left a devastating imEzekwesili was nominated for the list of journalists for the award, The winning stories from journal- pact on the social-economic life of former Minister of Educa- Anti-Corruption Defender award. according to the statement, in- ists were selected by a board of the people. He said that farmers tion, Obiageli Ezekwesili, She is to be recognised for her un- cludes, Ebere Ndukwu of Ripples, judges from a total of 166 entries in Aballa-Uno and the neigbourthe Executive Director of tiring efforts to promote transpar- Ayodele Adeniran of The Guard- received by the deadline of the ing communities, sustained huge the Media Rights Agenda, Ede- ency and accountability as well as ian, Kolawole Aliu of Leadership, call for application. economic loss due to the difficulty taen Ojo, as well as ten distin- her unstinting commitment to the Soyombo Olufisayo of The Cable, Meanwhile, the 2016 winners of in conveying their farm produce to guished journalists have been values of justice within and out- Ayodele Ojo of Daily Sun, Adekun- the award, Kunle Ajayi a photo- major towns in the state. shortlisted for the 12th edition of side Nigeria. le Yusuf of The Nation, Kemi journalist with Daily IndependThe youth president further said the Wole Soyinka Award for In- “Ojo will be receiving the Lifetime Busari of Premium Times, Chinwe ent, Mojeed Alabi a reporter with that the bad condition of the road vestigative Reporting scheduled Award for Journalistic Excellence Agbeze of BusinessDay, Ujorha New Telegraph and Fisayo Soyo- had forced the few transporters plyto hold on the World Anti-Corrup- for his leadership of issues that Tadaferua of Daily Trust and Mo- mbo, the former Editor of The Ca- ing the route to abandon the area. ble, recently returned from South “On behalf of the good people of tion day, Saturday, 9 December enshrine freedom of expression, jeed Alabi of New Telegraph.

2017. including his dogged trailblazing The award this year has six cat- Africa, where they participated Aballa-Uno, I am using this medium According to a statement signed effort at ensuring the passage egories – print, online, television, in the Global Investigative Jour- to draw the attention of the Federal

by Wole Soyinka Centre for In- and implementation of the Free- radio, photo, and editorial car- nalism Conference with over a Government to the plight of the vestigative Journalism (WSCIJ) dom of Information Act in Niger- toon, as well a special prize for thousand other leading reporters communities linked by the road. from all over the world.

WSCIJ to honour Ezekwesili, 10 journalists on anti-corruption day

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

NEWS Monarch urges Ndigbo to invest in media From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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veteran Journalist and traditional ruler of Umuanyi Autonomous Community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, has called on wealthy people of Igbo extraction to invest extensively in the media industry.

Eze Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya who made the call during an interview with The Oracle Today in Umuahia, noted that it is only media power that could enhance the political and economic standing of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

“As a Nigerian journalist who is Igbo, I am using this opportunity to call on Igbo people to invest more in the media. I commend those who have already thriving publications-The Sun, The Telegraph and The Oracle Today, among others.

“I am particularly delighted at the decision of the owners to establish The Oracle Today in Onitsha. Everything must not be in Lagos or Abuja to survive. We should learn to patronize our own. So, the Igbo should invest in the media,” he said.

He expressed happiness at the springing up of many radio stations in the South East but called for more

of such investments in both print and electronic media, stressing that only things like this can give Ndigbo a voice.

He lamented the high mortality rate of state-owned/ regional newspapers.

The monarch also advised Ndigbo to channel their investments to establishing tertiary educational institutions in the South East geopolitical zone “If you go to Ogun State now, there are almost 20 universities. So, I am using this opportunity to call on the Igbo to establish private universities. Apart from the Rhema University established by a church in Aba; then the Clifford University established by the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Isiala Ngwa, I am calling other Igbos to follow the example of Dr Greg Ibe who is the Proprietor of Gregory University, Uturu and Daddy Hezekiah of Umudim who has established Hezekiah University at Umudim. I also commend Father Ede who has two universities and a polytechnic. I am calling on other Igbo people who have the resources to establish higher institutions for the growth and advancement of the area and its people,” he said.

Amnesty seeks criminal inquiry into Shell over alleged role in Nigeria killings in 1990s

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mnesty International has called for a criminal investigation against UK-Dutch Shell energy giant over its alleged role in human rights abuses by Nigeria’s government during its campaign to crush protests against the company’s work in Ogoniland the 1990s.

In 1993, the so-called Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) declared that Shell was no longer welcome to operate in Nigeria’s Ogoniland over its devastating impact on local soil and environment caused by oil spills and gas flaring.

According to Amnesty International, MOSOP activists faced numerous human rights violations, including the unlawful killing of hundreds of Ogonis, as well as torture and other ill-treatment, including rape, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.

The rights group said in a report: “That the company was a central player in the events in Ogoniland in the 1990s is undisputable.

“The governments of Nigeria and Shell’s home states, The Netherlands and the UK, should investigate, with a view to prosecuting Shell and or individuals, who were formerly in decision-making or supervisory positions within the company, for potential in-

volvement in crimes linked to human rights violations committed by the Nigerian security forces in Ogoniland in the 1990s.”

According to the report based on company documents, strategy papers, internal memos and letters to officials, Shell stopped operations in Ogoniland in early 1993 citing security concerns, but subsequently sought ways to reenter the region and end the MOSOP protests.

“Shell repeatedly encouraged the Nigerian military and police to take action to deal with community protests when the company knew this put lives at risk.

“Even when the risks came to fruition, and hundreds of Ogoni women, men and children had been killed or assaulted, Shell went back to the military and asked for their engagement,” the amnesty report said.

The authors of the report said that on several occasions Shell provided logistical assistance to Nigerian military or police personnel, specifically transport.

Shell has always denied that the company was somehow involved in the human rights violations and crimes that were carried out by the Nigerian government and armed forces in Ogonialnd in the 1990s.

CSOs storm court, demands justice for Nwosu M From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

embers of a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) campaigning against women disinheritance stormed the Leru Umuchieze Customary Court in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Monday, demanding justice for one Mrs Theresa Nwosu, who they alleged, was on the verge of being evicted from her property.

The placard-bearing human rights activists numbering about 50 said they had come to show solidarity with Nwosu and to urge the Nigerian society to do away with disinheriting women from their father’s property.

The CSOs include Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Advocacy for Partnership and Good Governance (APAGG), Youth Education on Human Rights and Civic Responsibilities, Hope Givers Initiative and Voice to the People (V2P) Safe Space Group sponsored by Christian Aid Nigeria, among others.

“Igbo culture must protect the most vulnerable group,” “A culture

that discriminates is retrogressive, abandon this practice,” “WACOL says stop female disinheritance now,” “Nwanyi bu ihe, nye ya oke ya (literally meaning that a woman should be accorded her right),” were inscriptions on some of their placards.

Speaking with The Oracle Today at the court premises, a Senior Programme Officer of WACOL, Anulika Ezennia, said: “We are mobilizing support for Mrs Theresa Nwosu, a woman from Uru Lokpa Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. We are in solidarity with her because right now, she is on the verge of being evicted from her personal property.

“The nephew is trying to take away from her, a property which she built on the land given to her by her father and after his father’s death, they started asking her to quit the property.

“So, as a human rights organization dedicated to protection of human rights, we are coming to mobilise support for her to say no, a woman has the right to inherit from her father’s property.”

• The burnt electrical section of Uwat Market Calabar on Tuesday. Photo: Anietie Anietie

CHANGE OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that REV. FR. FRANCIS OBUMNAEMENWA ORANYE , REV. FR. FRANCIS OBUMNAEMENWA ORANYE , REV. FR. FRANK OBUMNAEMENWA ORANYE and REV. FR. FRANCIS ALOYSIUS OBUMNAEMENWA NWONU ORANYE is refer as one and the same person. All documents bearing my former names remain valid.

General public take note

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME We the following formerly known and addressed as:- Mr. Agu Fabian Onoh; Mrs. Agu Paulina Nneze; Mr. Agu Solomon Udechukwu; Miss Agu Modesta Nwamaka; Mr. Agu Okechukwu Joshua; Mrs. Agu Victoria Ifeyinwa; Mrs. Agu Uchenna Afomachukwu and Miss Agu Mmesoma Faith.Now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ezeh Fabain Onoh; Mrs. Ezeh Paulina Nneze; Mr. Ezeh Solomon Udechukwu; Miss Ezeh Modesta Nwamaka; Mr. Ezeh Okechukwu Joshua; Mrs. Ezeh Victoria Ifeyinwa; Mrs. Ezeh Uchenna Afomachukwu and Miss Ezeh Mmesoma Faith. All former documents remain valid, Banks and General public take note.

Others who spoke called on the Abia State government, particularly the Ministry of Women Affairs, to wade into the matter to save Mrs Nwosu.

Mr Emeka Nwosu and two others had dragged Mrs Nwosu (their father’s sister) before the Leru Customary Court.

In suit, No. CC/UO/3/2017, Plaintiffs/Applicants are praying the court to: Make a declaration that the 1stplaintiff (Emeka Nwosu) being the first son of the late Innocent Nwosu is entitled to the Customary Right of Occupancy of the piece of land in dispute: award N200, 000.00 as general damages for several acts of trespass on the said land against Mrs Nwosu (Defendant) and a perpetual injunction restraining her from further entry into the said land/compound or claim joint ownership, or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the plaintiff’s right. During Monday’s sitting, the case was adjourned to 29th and 30th January 2018 because Counsel to both parties were not in court when the case was called up.

I formerly known as OLUNNA CHINENYE MIRIAM now wish to be known as OLUNNA CHINENYE CATHERINE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

This is to confirm and ceritfy that NJOKU CYPRAIN NJOKU and NJOKU SUNDAY C, referes to be one and same person now wish to be kown as NJOKU CYPRAIN NJOKU, all former documents remain vaild banks and general public take note

I formerly known as ANI NGOZI BLESSING now wish to be known as OWELLE NGOZI BLESSING. All Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

This is to confirm that my name was wrongly written in my BVN as OGBOJI AMAUCHE JOY Instead of OGBOJI CHARITY CHINYERE. Now wish to be known and addressed as OGBOJI CHARITY CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid, BANKS And general public take note.

I formerly known as MISS ONYEABOR MARYJULIET CHINENYE now wish to be known as MRS EZE MARYJULIET CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

I formerly known as OKOYE ROSE NGOZI now wish to be known as ANIKPE ROSELINE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

My name was wrongly written as NWAFOR CHIKA instead of NWAFOR THANKGOD CHIKA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note

I formerly known as MISS OKAFOR IFEOMA HAPPINESS now wish to be known as MRS UDUBE IFEOMA HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

For your change of Names, Public Notice & Announcements Please call: 08037029702, 08036682255, 09078310060

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

NEWS

Buratai decorates 43 new Maj-Gens

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HE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday decorated 43 of the 45 newly-promoted Majors-General in the Nigerian Army with their new ranks in Maiduguri, the epicenter of the degraded Boko Haram insurgency. This is the first time such number of generals were promoted at a time and decorated outside the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Two of the officers left out in the ceremony were the Commander, Guards Brigade, M.S. Yusuf, who was unavoidably absent due to the exigency of duty and late B.A. Raji, who was promoted posthumously. Late Brig.-Gen. Raji led the operation that liberated the popular “Alagarno forest’’, the so-called spiritual headquarters of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Buratai said that the reason for holding the ceremony in the North- East and indeed Borno, was to underscore the importance of the counter-insurgency operations in the security architecture of the country.

“Therefore, the final defeat of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists and the stabilisation efforts in conjunction with other security agencies must be uppermost in your minds.

“As you are decorated today, the next mantle of leadership of the Nigerian Army will fall on your shoulders. You are, therefore, expected to show commitment to be more dedicated and focused in the discharge of your responsibilities.

“You must put at the back of your minds the challenges of the counter-insurgency operations in the North- East,’’ Buratai said.

He noted that insurgency was a difficult war that required all hands to be on deck for it to be effectively tackled and finally destroyed. According to him, the Nigerian Army has played its role satisfactorily in that regard.

“We have won the ground war and the Boko Haram terrorists substantially degraded. We have secured Nigeria’s territorial integrity and equally maintained her sovereignty. We have carried out our tasks proudly and professionally”.

The army chief said that what remained now was for other stakeholders – the political class and intelligence community – to take up the “salient aspects of this war to the remaining ill-fated insurgents”.

“The Nigeria Police Force must be fully on ground in all the states in the NorthEast. Civil administration must be fully reestablished in all the Local Government Areas. The civil authorities must fight the

ideological, social and propaganda wars.

“The issues of indoctrination and propaganda by the terrorists must be stopped. These are the surest way to finally defeat the insurgents,’’ he said.

In goodwill message, Gov. Kashim Shettima through the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Jida, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his “irrevocable commitment to wipe out the terrorists from the region.’’

Shettima said that performing the decoration ceremony in Maiduguri was an indication that the army had subdued the terrorists, making the town and state safe and secure. He charged the newlypromoted majors-general to be committed in whatever assignment they were given with their new ranks.

In vote of thanks, Maj.-Gen. O.H. Otiki, thanked the President, Army Council, chief of army staff for the promotion and pledged that they would be committed and loyal to the nation and army authorities. Otiki noted that the constant visits of chief of army staff to troops in the frontline had served as a morale booster to them and their commanders.

Those promoted to two star generals (Majors General) are: Brig.-Gen. H.O. Otiki, Acting Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison; Brig.-Gen. O.O. Soleye, Acting Director Veteran Affairs and Defence Headquarters.

Others are: Acting Provost Marshal, Brig.- Gen. A.T. Hamman; Acting Military Secretary, Brig.-Gen. l. F Yahaya; Acting General Officers Commanding 3, 7 and 8 Divisions, Brig.-Gen. B.A. Ahanotu, I.M. Yusuf and S.O. Olabanji.

Also promoted are Acting Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Brig.Gen. J.I. Unuigbe; Brig.-Gen. A.A. Jidda, Acting Commander Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport and Acting Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Brig.Gen. J.E. Jakko.

Promoted to the two-star generals also are: Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. V.O. Ezugwu and Brig.Gen. A.C.C. Agundu, Director, Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency, Acting Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records, Brig.-Gen. H.E. Ayamasaowei and Brig.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf, Commander Guards Brigade, while late Brig.-Gen. B.A. Raji, was promoted posthumously.

THE Navy also announced the promotion of 16 officers to Rear Admirals; the army’s equivalent is Major-General. The next set of promotions would be expected from the Air Force. NAN

From left, Mr George Lakis founding partner, Morphosis Group, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole SSA to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda Director-General, SMEDAN, Osita Oparaugo President and CEO, Footprint to Africa and Mr Chris Oshiafi MD, Pan African Capital Plc at the SME Connect Expo in Lagos. The Oracle Today was the Media Partner. Photo: Kelechi Nze

•

Create jobs for yourselves, FG tell youths Creates 10, 000 jobs for youths in Abia

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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he federal government has advised Nigerian youths “to create jobs” for themselves through agriculture as a result of the dearth of white-collar jobs.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who gave the advice during the 8th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) at the weekend, disclosed that the federal government is creating 10, 000 job opportunities in Abia State through the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme.

Represented by the Abia State Director of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mr Eziri Ebere, the Minister noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would not relent in making agriculture the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.

He harped on the need for Nigerians to embrace the federal government’s many agriculture-boosting programmes, including the Anchor Borrowers Scheme, which has boost-

ed rice production.

He said that his Ministry is currently distributing equipment, agro-input and chemicals to farmers at subsidized rates.

According to him, the federal government through the Central Bank, and in partnership with Abia State government, “is creating 10, 000 jobs for the youths of Abia State” through the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme.

“So the process is on and we are asking unemployed youths to go and pick the forms, fill and submit them so that they could be assisted by government. Create job for yourselves, there is no job anywhere,” he said.

Also asking the graduates to embrace agriculture, the Pro-Chancellor of MOUAU, Rt. Hon. Muhammadu Lawal Zayyana, said graduates from universities of agriculture are expected to drive Nigeria’s dream of becoming sufficient in food production, both for domestic consumption and export.

Zayyana appealed to the federal government to government to not only increase funding to the univer-

CHANGE OF NAME

sity but release MOUAU’s take-off grant to enable it overcome the “persistent shortfall in staff emolument and declining ability of the university to discharge several of its overload and capital development responsibilities,”” adding that the fund would enable MOUAU to tackle critical infrastructural deficits.

Also speaking, Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, said: “I want to thank the federal government for the extra attention they are giving to agriculture and want to seize this opportunity to also call on them to please enhance funding of our various universities of agriculture because it will amount to payment of lip service to the issue if we just say that we want all of us to return to agriculture.”

Vice Chancellor of MOUAU while also calling for proper funding, said lack of funds is hampering infrastructural development of the university.

He nevertheless urged the graduating students to display uniqueness in all their activities.

I formerly known as MISS NWEKE ONYINYE IFUNANYA now wish to be known as MRS OKEKE ONYINYE IFUNANYA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

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6

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

News

Fires claim lives, property worth millions From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri, ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

F

IVE died on the spot in an explosion that set a filling station at Orji, in Owerri North, on fire on Monday evening. The station, which one source said was undergoing repairs, went up in flames, after an explosion as gas was being discharged.

The sound of the explosion was so loud that many thought it was a bomb, or an attack for a terrorist group. The scene of the accident was a gory sight. Many witnesses simply went away weeping.

Relations of those who were affected evacuated them to the hospital, while bits and parts of the dead were being picked into bags.

“It was no longer possible to know what part belong to what body,” one of those engaged in the evacuation told The Oracle Today. “The impact of the explosion was so loud. Buildings shock. There were fears that there could be more explosions.”

Two banks near the filling station were not affected but they staff were holed up in their offices in fear. “We thought it was a robbery attack and the robbers were trying

to break into the bank. It was a long time before we knew that it an explosion at the filling station.”

Another eye witness said that four persons were already dead by the time he got to the scene and he left because he couldn’t bear the pain, adding that by the time he returned he was told that another dead body had been discovered.

He said that the survivors had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

One of the survivors, Adubackoja Ochowoita, 28 years old from Benue State, said that two of his colleagues who came from Abuja with him to fix the filling station lost their lives while other staff of the station also died.

“We came from Abuja to fix the gas plant. We were working on it when the oxygen exploded and killed two of my colleagues, “ he said.

The management of the station refused to comment on the explosion.

Traffic became problematic as vehicles had tough rough time passing.

This was more so as the filling station was located along the busy Okigwe Road. The traffic gridlock lasted till night when it began to ease off, forcing people to get home late. Some passengers who stopped by to look at the scene said that the explosion affected their chances of getting vehicles to convey them home because commercial said there no road.

A combination of residents, and the staff of the filling station battled the fire before the Fire Service put it off.

THEN on Tuesday morning, another fire broke out at an Owerri hotel, near a girls’ secondary school. Staff blamed the fire on an el3eectrical fault. They were able to bring it under control with minimal damage to the hotel.

IN Calabar, over 20 shops and property worth millions of Naira were lost as a mystery fire engulfed Watt Market, one of the oldest mar-

kets in the city. The fire incident, which is the worst in recent history of the market, destroyed the shops behind Atakpa Police Station, TABAPS section of the market, which has mostly dealers in electronics and sundry electrical materials.

Olalekan David, the secretary of TABAPS line who spoke to The Oracle Today stated that about 7 pm, after the market had closed, there was a very heavy smoke from the TABAPS line of the market and the reason for the fire is yet to be ascertained.

For over10 years”, he said, “there has been no fire incident in the market. The fire started around 8 pm and as at now the fire is still shouldering.

“There was no help from the Fire Service which gave us a lot of excuses ranging from lack of equipment and facilities. So the fire was put off by the help of the boys who used water and detergents.”

Also speaking, Ayo Ogoluwa an

official of the TABAPS Union said that that the traders at the market faced a lot of disappointments in the course of the fire incident.

“People alerted us that there was fire but all of the Fire Services could not respond throughout the course of the incident. We thank God no life was lost but goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed. The incident would not have been this bad if the situation was managed in time.

“Its very sad that when the Fire Services were called to put off the fire, they started giving all kinds of excuses. So government should be up and doing. If those things were in place, the incident would not have been this bad”, he said.

When The Oracle Today visited the market, Tuesday, the fire was still smoldering at the TABAPS section where the incident took place.

Scrap dealers were already having a field day evacuating scraps from shops that have been affected.

132 make first class in UNN • Sultan, Jim Ovia for hon. doctorate degrees at 47th convocation From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

T

HREE eminent Nigerians including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia will be conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) at the 47th convocation ceremony of the institution.

The weeklong event, which will climax on Friday, December 1, with the conferment of first degrees, diplomas and certificates to deserving candidates, will also showcase a total of 132 first class awardees, at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena, venue of the event.

This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, at the Enugu Campus of the premier university during a press conference to mark the commencement of activities for the 2017 edition of UNN convocation.

He added that the convocation lecture would be delivered by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Emefiele, at the Princess Elexandra Auditorium and Unity Hall, UNN at 11: am on Thursday, November 30, adding that the topic would be ‘Mind-set For Succeeding In Today’s Nigeria’.

According to the VC, a total of 9,298 students would graduate from UNN at the 2017 convocation, in various categories such as first degrees, diplomas and certificates; postgraduate degrees and diplomas as well as the three honorary doctorate degrees and conferment of Professor Emeritus titles on eight renowned professors who, Ozumba said, had served UNN meritoriously.

• From left, Okorocha, Ugwanyi, Wike, Ikpeazu, Emmanuel, Okowa, Dickson, Prof Ivra Esu, during the South South/South East Governors Forum meeting in, Uyo Sunday night.

I will never tell cost of statues, Okorocha vows From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has vowed not to disclose the cost of the statues in the State, which he built in honour of the outgoing Presidents of Liberia and South Africa, Mrs. Hellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr. Jacob Zuma. Other statues built by the governor are said to include those of the President of Ghana and late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Controversy had trailed the statues with many describing them as a waste of state funds.

One of the accusations was that the governor spent public funds to host his private guests and make statues for them at a time that pensioners and civil servants in the state are not paid their salaries and pensions as and when due.

Unconfirmed reports put the cost of the statues at N520M, even as a

civil society group has taken the governor to court on the matter, accusing him of abuse of office and corruption. But, despite all this hullabaloo, the State government has kept sealed lips on the cost of the statues. However, in an interview on a national television last week, Governor Okorocha said he deliberately does not want to disclose the cost of the statues, saying that it would be wrong for him to tell anyone the

Ekweremadu bags Rotary Distict 9142 award T

he Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been named “Outstanding Citizen of the World Year 2017” by Enugu City Centre Rotary District 9142.

The District’s President, Mr Okezie Nwanjoku, who made this known in Enugu on Tuesday, said the award would be conferred on Ekweremadu on Dec. 2.

Nwanjoku said the Deputy Senate President was selected after a vigorous screening of 150 people short-

listed from across the world.

According to him, the award is given by a credible committee and not influenced by wealth or other primordial consideration.

“If one of the members of the committee vetoed the choice, then there will be no award. The committee was unanimous in its decision,” Nwanjoku said.

He pointed out that Chief Arthur Eze won the award in 2015 while the candidates nominated for 2016

were vetoed by members of the committee.

The district president also said that the club would also unveil its over N50 million service projects for 2017/2018. Nwanjoku said the service projects would tackle its aims and objectives of economic and social empowerment of the people.

“Our empowerment is not to give people fish, but to teach them on how to catch fishes,” Nwanjoku, a legal practitioner, said.

cost of the statues.

“It will be wrong for me to start announcing the cost of the statues.

If the people demand to know, I will tell them. No one has asked me in person or in writing to tell them the cost of the statues. If anyone had come to me in person to ask me, I would tell them,” he said.

He added: “But, for me to start to announce that it is one kobo and put no value to it, I won’t do that. I will be happy if they say it is N1bn so that the person who owns the statue would know that it is expensive and be happy.”

Pressed by his interviewer to disclose the cost of the statues, he said: “What if I tell them it cost less than N2M to build the statue, how would the person feel? He would feel cheap.”

The governor who was adamant that he would not disclose the cost of the statue said he finds it very difficult to tell anyone because they would tell others that the statues are cheap when, in reality, they are expensive!

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

News

Stop redeploying police during elections, coalition tells PSC From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

A

coalition of accredited election observers who participated in the just-concluded November 18 Anambra State governorship poll, has called on the police authorities and the Police Service Commission to stop the usual redeployment of state police commissioners and other top-ranking officers during elections.

The group said such transfers that come about 72 hours to an

election cause what it called “serious drawback to security preparations ahead of polls.”

They, therefore, recommended that such deployment and redeployment be done at least two months before the date of the election.

Addressing journalists in Awka, leaders of the coalition group Mr Victor Kalu, described the Anambra poll as “credible and acceptable” to many, noting that those calling for the cancellation of the

election are not fair to the people of the state, because, “...election was well organized, free, fair, credible and acceptable.

They also pointed out observed vote-buying during poll, but said it was not enough to call for its cancellation for it might have been widespread across parties.

Kalu bemoaned some unaccredited persons and groups who seemingly wanted to disrupt the process by posting adverse reports about the election.

He, therefore, called for the arrest and immediate prosecution of unaccredited observer groups loitering around and spreading fake information about the state and the election.

They also recommended that accreditation of party agents be henceforth done by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for clear identification of such election personnel at the polling units.

Traditional rulers denounce female genital mutilation in Ebonyi 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 to the area.

The Chairman of Ohaozara Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Romanus Iyioku, while denouncing the practice, regretted the prevalence

Late night fire guts shops in Gowon Estate in Lagos

A

late night inferno early on Tuesday morning gutted five of eight shops attached to a Union Bank building on 411 Road Junction, Gowon Estate, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Egbeda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire was noticed at the make- shift shops at about 11.20 pm, shortly after electricity supply was taken by the providers, Ikeja Electric.

However, many of the shop owners had closed and gone home as some of them do not reside in the estate but those resident salvaged some of their goods with the assistance of the youth.

NAN reports that the youth had brought down the fire before the arrival of the men of the Lagos State Fire Service from Agege.

Before their arrival which took about an hour, it was wailing and lamentations by the residents and sympathisers who urged the state government to install water hydrants and fire notices all over the estate.

They also lamented that some of the areas marked for the development of infrastructure for sports, fire service stations and recreation had been sold to individuals by the FHA. “The areas meant for these purposes have been built up. The last is the Kuwait Field which used to house sports facilities, including football, basketball, tennis and others had been appropriated by land grabbers.

“It has now become a shopping complex cum estate within an estate.

“It is regrettable that the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government are not doing much to ensure that the youth have their future their own way,’’ a resident told NAN anonymously.

A resident of the Union Bank building, who does not want his name in print, told NAN that most of the shop owners did not leave in the estate, adding that the cause of the fire has not been identified.

of the harmful practice in the area.

He noted that the trend had brought much hazards on women and girls in the area and declared that no one should indict anyone for not observing the practice any longer in the area.

“We, therefore, stand that we have today expunged the practice of FGM from our culture and mandate that every ruler should publicize and effect this decision in his domain.

“The emergence of Christianity which many of our people have imbibed is gradually eroding the practice with any negative effect as was

traditionally believed.

“The advent of Western education has also brought good things to us through education,” he said.

The representative of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Enugu zonal office, Dr Ibrahim Conteh disclosed that in 2011, 72 per cent of women in the state was mutilated and that in 2016 data showed that it had gone down to 43 per cent.

“43 per cent is still very high. We need to bring it down to zero with lots of progress because we have a long way to go.

“This is not correct. When a woman is Mutilated, it has a lot of

implications especially during child birth. So the strong campaign with UNICEF, UNFPA and other partners are putting will stop this practice, “ Conteh said.

Mr. Diene Keita, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Cross River State, said the practice has a direct impact on infant mortality and stillbirth.

He said women and girls who undergo FGM suffer hemorrhage after giving birth.

Keita who was represented by Kenneth Ehouzou said Ebonyi has the second highest burden of FGM in the country.

I see revolution coming - Bishop Udeh

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 revealed that a revolution in which all past and present political leaders of the country could be prosecuted is in the offing.

He said the only thing that could avert the revolution would be if President Muhammadu Buhari administration could make haste to restructure Nigeria and revert to the 1960 Independence Constitution.

Bishop Udeh who spoke to newsmen during the week in Nnewi, Anambra State, at his church premises, further revealed that he was in spirit and saw where huge amounts of money running into billions and trillions of naira were being stashed way from Nigeria to foreign banks.

He wondered why such an outrageous amounts of money which he said could sustain the country for hundreds of years to come would be siphoned for personal aggrandizement and asked rhetorically: “who might have done that”?

Bishop Udeh maintained that former Nigerian head of State, General Yakubu Gowon owes apologies to Ndigbo “for massacring them in their millions and at the same time starving many others to death during the 30-month old civil war.”

According to him, “No amount of repentance will save the General because the cry of Biafran children massacred and starved to death will eventually continue to dog his way and as such, he should make a restitution and ask Ndigbo to forgive him before the calamity befalls him.”

“Additionally, Gowon should help Ndigbo as much as he could to get Biafra. That is the only condition that would guarantee his total forgiveness,” Udeh added.

He also called on the Federal Government to declare the Fulani herdsmen a terrorist group as the only way to stop them from incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians. He noted that if the herdsmen would continue to kill and maim innocent citizens and go scot-free, it shows that a section of the country where the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) emanated is highly marginalized.

He argued that IPOB had not done anything at all to warrant its recent proscription by the federal government, adding that even if they did any thing wrong, what they did was not up to one third of what the Fulani herdsmen had done to warrant their proscription.

He queried: “Why should the federal government proscribe or declare IPOB a terrorist group when it has not wielded weapons of war to kill any innocent citizen?”

He, therefore, called on the National Assembly to raise a motion that would start a process of prosecuting all the past and present political leaders of the country, including governors who are found to be corrupt or who corruptly enriched themselves.

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

NEWS

Educationist, industrialist, others laud Anambra election, advise Obiano

By EMMA IHEMEJE

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ommendations have continued to trail the recently concluded Anambra governorship election, with members of the academia, industrialists and community leaders across the State urging the incumbent governor and governorelect, Chief Willie Obiano to mend the state and accelerate its development.

Speaking to newsmen in the wake of the election, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Fidelis Okafor congratulated Gov Obiano for his victory in the election, which he

described as free, fair and peaceful.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and transparent election.

Prof. Okafor, who expressed immense gratitude for the manner the election was conducted, urged the governor-elect to step up the development of the state he has begun in his first administration, expressing confidence that Obiano’s second term holds better opportunity for Ndi Anambra in all aspects of their socio–economic and political life.

Also in his speech, an industrialist and managing director of Nkwubuego Steel Company Limited Onitsha,

Chief Linus Ezenkwu noted that the landslide victory of Chief Willie Obiano in the governorship election was not only based on his security of lives and property of Ndi Anambra, but also for the provision of basic infrastructures in the State by his administration.

Chief Ezenkwu who scored the governor high on security noted that nothing would have been achieved in an atmosphere of insecurity and appealed to the people and inhabitants of the state, including the other contestants in the election, to join hands with the governor in making the state a better place to live in.

On the issue of excessive trailers

parking indiscriminately along the Industrial Harbour/Brewery Way, he called on the governor and the management of the company to come to their rescue for the gridlock often experienced in the area, which hinders normal traffic flow.

In his own reaction, the principal of Estate Secondary school Fegge Onitsha, Sir Ignatius Chidi Egbuobi stated that the victory of Chief Willie Obiano in the gubernatorial election was predicated on his grassroots development strategy, especially “The choose your project” principle for the 774 communities in the state, which endeared him to many Anambraians, pointing out that his securi-

ty apparatus contributed immensely to his victory.

The educationist who described Gov. Obiano as a lovely person with humane spirit, urged him to beam his security searchlight on touts in the state who have inundated markets, roads and other places, extorting money from motorists and the business class across the state, especially in Onitsha.

Sir Egbuobi also appealed to the APGA-led state government to use the opportunity of Obiano’s re-election to make good the shortcomings of his first term by embarking on development of road infrastructure.

Delta to float refinery, signs MoU with Russian company From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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elta State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with B2B Export of Russia for the establishment of a refinery in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Agas, while signing the MoU on behalf of the state government stated that the Delta State government is committed to attracting investment to the state.

Agas said that government could not do it alone and, therefore, emphasised the need to partner and collaborate with well-focused and well-meaning investors to come and invest in the state.

He said the State government would, on its part, provide land and the enabling environment for the refinery to take off and urged B2B Export to meet the timeline.

The SSG further noted that the state is peaceful and enjoined the company to feel free to carry out its activities without let or hindrance but with the needed zeal.

Earlier, the Director-General, Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Umoru, said the MoU is

epochal because it is the first as it sets the framework of engagement between the state government and B2B Export, outlining the role of each party in actualising the project in the state.

The Founder and Leader of B2B Export team, Mrs. Katya Dyachenko, stated that true independence is the ‘ability to process the goods you produce’ and being one of the largest oil producers in the world, it is good if Nigeria is able to refine every crude it produces.

Mrs. Dyachenko stated that for the country to reach true economic independence, it should be able to process that which it produces and export the product, saying that B2B Export’s effort is to ensure that Nigeria gets to the point of exporting her refined product, which is the reason for B2B Export coming to the state.

She also stated that the refinery when completed would have capacity to refine over 10,000 barrels per day and this would add to the development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.

Present at the occasion were the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Investment Matters, Mr. Paul Nmah, and officials from the Ministry of Justice, among others.

Ebonyi APC jealous of UmahiBuhari friendship – Akpuenika From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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ommissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Ebonyi State, Chief Charles Akpuenika has said criticisms of the cordial relationship between Governor David Umahi and President Muhammadu Buhari by members of APC in Ebonyi State is borne out of jealousy.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, Akpuenika noted that opposition elements in the state are unhappy about the relationship between Umahi and Buhari, a situation that is evident in their malicious publication in a national daily against the governor after the President’s visit to the state.

He noted that terming the duo’s relationship desperate political move to the APC by Umahi shows manifestations of fear, jealousy and failure of the opposition elements in the state, who can’t seem to understand that the relationship is in the overall interest of the state.

He maintained that elections would no longer depend only on political party affiliation but on the interest of the people of the South East zone, noting that the era of using the youths for violent political gains were over.

“Critics should shut up or applaud Umahi for keeping strong and unstoppable, the Ebonyi State branch of the PDP, yet having cordial relationship with the federal authorities. Those parading as opposition politicians have continued to labour in vain trying to pitch the governor against his kinsman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu without knowing that these men know each other better than them,” he said.

Akpu-Enika explained that the defection of the immediate past governor, Chief Martin Elechi to the APC was a relief to the PDP. “Even as everyone is entitled to choice of political party, the hateful kind of opposition by a few persons in the state is undeserving of a government that has done so much for its people and non-indigenes in the state.

In the past, it was unimaginable, almost a taboo appointing a Hausa man, a Technical Assistant to the Governor in Ebonyi. Today a Hausa man is a Technical Assistant (TA) to Ebonyi Governor.

And the government has many other demonstrations of commitment to development in a sustainable manner, especially as it concerns business environment, which has been highly improved,” he stated.

• President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes The Oba of Benin, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor during his visit to the State house

Anambra poll: Ezeemo blames his loss on vote buying, inducement •

Denounces posting of security agents to polling units

•

Ezeemo

From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

G

overnorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in the just-concluded Anambra governorship election, Mr Godwin Ezeemo has blamed vote buying and inducement of the electorate for his loss in the election.

According to the candidate, the

people of the state trusted him to lead them aright and voted appropriately, but said he lost the poll to the machinations of certain politicians in the state who were involved in heavy vote-buying and inducement of the electorate.

He said: “The level of material gift exchange by some political parties was overwhelming and the electorate were helplessly swayed into doing the bids of the giver of the gifts.

“It was a real big shame that political leaders resorted to deceit by giving wrappers and money to voters on election day compelling them to vote for a particular candidate “.

He polled 2817 votes and counselled voters in the state to learn to live beyond temporary things and dwell on substance that would not only benefit them but pave way for greener pastures for the younger generation He also called on politicians to live a life worthy of emulation, adding that “seeking a political office must not be a do-or-die affair.”

“If you sincerely present yourself for service to the people you should be able to allow the electorate to make a decision , there is no need

using your position to coarse the people to making a choice that is not their mind.

“During the election, political party faithful were seen near the casting point demanding the voter to vote their party and show the ballot paper to them and come and collect wrapper and money,” he said He attributed such development to the hardship and illiteracy amongst the electorate.

He condemned posting policemen to polling units, accusing them of abetting election fraud.

He said: “Some political parties collected voters’ PVCs and copied their serial numbers. Some were given money and PVCs were never returned to them. Such desperation is uncalled for.

“Serious political education needs be introduced in our schools, churches, markets etc for people to know what electioneering is all about.

He congratulated the winner, Chief Willie Obiano and urged him to mend the broken walls of governance in the state, stating that he would be glad to offer assistance if called upon to do so.

9

The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

NEWS

American scientist celebrates Ezeibe’s HIV/AIDS drug N From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

igerian scientist and inventor of HIV/AIDs cure, Prof Maduike Ezeibe, was the toast of American scientists as they celebrated their traditional Thanksgiving Day this year.

A leading diagnostic laboratory, Seeding Labs, in the United States chose the Nigerian inventor as the personality to celebrate during this year’s Thanksgiving Day in America.

George Washington, the first American President proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789, which is celebrated every fourth Thursday in November and has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1863.

In a letter she wired to Ezeibe on

Thursday, November 23, when the Thanksgiving Day was celebrated, the founder and CEOr of Seeding Labs, Nina Dudnik, extolled the university don for “giving hope to the world.”

“Today we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, a day spent with friends and family sharing gratitude,” Dudnik wrote in the letter she personally signed.

“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Seeding Labs would like to thank you for your life-saving and life-changing discoveries, believing in the power of research, and giving hope for the future of our world and our people.

You motivate and inspire us each and every day,” she concluded.

Reacting to Dudnik’s letter, Ezeibe said he was elated by the recogni-

tion.

“If it was just a journalist in America commending me, I wouldn’t have bothered. But, this is a lab that has professionals in America. That means they have read what we have published and they believed, yes, this is it, they believe we have made. It is recognition from Scientists from America,” he said.

During the celebration, Thanksgiving Day parades are held in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season.

Most government offices, businesses, schools and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a four-day week-

end so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, it was learnt.

Ezeibe, a Professor of Clinical Virology and Head of Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State, had earlier this year announced that he has invented a drug, the Medicinal synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate (MSAMS) that could cure HIV/AIDS. The announcement of the scientific breakthrough by Ezeibe and his research team in MOUAU has been mired in controversy since then, with the Federal Ministry of Health accusing Ezeibe of flouting established methods of disclosing scientific discoveries of such magnitude.

Consequently, the Ministry has refused to give due attention to the

invention.

Not relenting in his efforts to get the government to test the efficacy of MSAMS, Ezeibe petitioned the Senate last April, requesting the Senators to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Health to investigate his claims.

The Ministry officials, in May this year, interviewed Ezeibe on his discovery but are yet to release any official report of their findings till date.

Also, recently he raced to the Senate in Abuja where he submitted a proposal where he is asking the federal government to treat 37, 000 HIV/ AIDS patients selected from the 36 states and Abuja, at the cost of N71 per day per patient for 10 months with his MSAMS. The Senate’s intervention is still being awaited.

The Willie Obiano Support Group (WOSG) calls for immortalization of Ojukwu

T

he Willie Obiano Support Group (WOSG) has called for the immortalization of the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu as a means to promote the virtues of good governance, justice and equity at all levels of government he believed in.

The Chairman of the group, Chief Jude Emecheta made the assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.

Emecheta spoke on the sixth memorial of the former governor of the Old Eastern Region who died on Nov. 26, 2011 in a London hospital at the age of 78.

“The best immortalisation anyone can do for Ojukwu is to uphold those virtues he believed in; these are good governance, justice and equitable distribution of common resources.

“He was a national hero who desired the best for all and that is what

he lived for, we need such at the federal, state and local government levels,’’ he said.

Emecheta said the overwhelming victory of APGA in the last governorship election was an acknowledgement of its good governance principles in Anambra.

Emecheta, who congratulated Obiano and the Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke on the party’s victory, also lauded the federal government for providing the free atmosphere for a fair poll.

He urged Obiano to continue with his positive leadership strides and urged him to deliver on his campaign promises.

The WOSG chairman appealed to the Federal Government to reinburse Anambra over its intervention on federal roads in the state to enable Obiano carry out his good people-oriented policies and projects.

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• Mrs Theresa Nwosu and Civil Society Organisations members protest at the premises of Leru Umuchieze Customary Court against attempts to evict her from Father’s compound by the family

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10

The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Pope urges unity in diversity as he meets Myanmar’s religious leaders

P

ope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Myanmar on Tuesday, stressing the importance of “unity in diversity”.

Pope Francis made no mention the Muslim Rohingya who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown.

The pope held private talks with Myanmar’s military chief in Yangon on Monday, the first day of a visit fraught with tension after the United States accused the Southeast Asian nation of “ethnic cleansing” against its Muslim Rohingya people.

The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also travel to Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed “crimes against humanity”.

Myanmar’s army has denied accu-

sations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it.

“Unity is always a product of diversity,” Francis told leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths in Yangon.

“Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share.

“This can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences.”

Aye Lwin, a prominent Muslim leader who was at the meeting, told Reuters he had asked the pope to appeal to Myanmar’s political leaders ”to rescue the religion that we cherish, which could be hijacked by a hidden agenda”.

Only about 700,000 of Myanmar’s 51 million people are Roman Catho-

Japan detects radio signals pointing to possible N. Korea missile test

J

apan has detected radio signals suggesting North Korea may be preparing another ballistic missile launch, although such signals are not unusual and satellite images did not show fresh activity, a Japanese government source said on Tuesday.

After firing missiles at a pace of about two or three a month since April, North Korean missile launches paused in September, after it fired a rocket that passed over Japan’s northern Hokkaido island.

“This is not enough to determine (if a launch is likely soon),” the source told Reuters.

Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported late on Monday that the Japanese government was on alert after catching such radio signals, suggesting a launch could come in a few days.

The report also said the signals might be related to winter military training by the North Korean military.

North Korea is pursuing its nuclear weapons and missile programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland.

It has fired two missiles over Japan.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean government source, also reported that intelligence officials of the U.S., South Korea and Japan had recently detected signs of a possible missile launch and have been on higher alert.

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told reporters on Tuesday there have been “noteworthy” movements from the North since its last missile launch in midSeptember, but there was no hard evidence of another nuclear or missile test.

“North Korea hasn’t been engag-

ing in new nuclear or missile tests but recently we’ve seen them persistently testing engines and carrying out fuel tests,” said Cho at a media event in Seoul.

“We need some more time to see whether these are directly related to missile and nuclear tests.”

Asked about the media reports, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning told reporters the United States continued to watch North Korea very closely.

“This is a diplomatically led effort at this point, supported by military options,” he said.

“The Republic of Korea and U.S. alliance remains strong and capable of countering any North Korean provocations or attacks.”

Two U.S. government sources familiar with official assessments of North Korean capabilities and activities said that while they were not immediately familiar with recent intelligence suggesting that North Korea was preparing to launch a new missile test, the U.S. government would not be surprised if such a test were to take place in the very near future.

Other U.S. intelligence officials noted North Korea has previously sent deliberately misleading signs of preparations for missile and nuclear tests, in part to mask real preparations, and in part to test U.S. and allied intelligence on its activities.

South Korea’s Cho said North Korea may announce the completion of its nuclear programme within a year, as it is moving more faster than expected in developing its arsenal.

North Korea defends its weapons programmes as a necessary defence against U.S. plans to invade.

The U. S., which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950 to 1953 Korean war, denies any such intention.

lic.

Thousands of them have traveled from far and wide to see him and more than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday.

The pope was later flying to the capital, Naypyitaw, where he will meet government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and democracy champion who has faced criticism from around the globe because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military.

His trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned Francis against even saying the word “Rohingya”, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country’s military and government against minority Christians.

The pope is due to deliver a speech after meeting Suu Kyi. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh began after Aug. 25, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar army launched a counteroffensive.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday called the military operation “ethnic cleansing” and threatened targeted sanctions for “horrendous atrocities”.

Myanmar’s government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops.

Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term “Rohingya” and its use.

Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip.

Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit

by Suu Kyi. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year.

A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said on Monday it welcomed the pope’s visit but warned, without elaborating, of “a response” if he spoke openly about the Rohingya.

• Kenyatta took the oath which was administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Anne Amadi, during his swearing-in ceremony presided over by Chief Justice David Maraga on Tuesday.

Saudi’s council studies proposals to protect whistleblowers

S

audi Arabia’s Shura Council, a top advisory council to the government, is studying proposals for protection of people, who report financial crime, local media reported on Tuesday, following the government’s anti-corruption crackdown.

Crown Prince Mohammed Salman has launched an inquiry into graft that has resulted in the detention of a dozens of princes, senior officials and businessmen.

The Shura Council does not have legislative powers, but it can propose laws to the king and the cabinet.

It said in a tweet on Monday that it had agreed on the “appropriateness of the draft proposal” for whistle-

blower protection for financial and administrative corruption.

The Arabic-language newspaper al-Riyadh reported on Tuesday that the council had agreed to study two proposals on the matter that also included protection of eyewitnesses, who report violations such as financial crime.

A top official said earlier this month that Saudi authorities have questioned 208 people in an anti-corruption investigation and estimate at least 100 billion dollars has been stolen through graft.

“The Government of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Sal-

man, is working within a clear legal and institutional framework to maintain transparency and integrity in the market,” Attorney-General Saud AlMojeb said in a statement on Nov. 9.

The investigation has spread to the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, as the central bank asked commercial banks and finance companies there to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudis detained in the crackdown.

The UAE central bank governor said on Thursday the request by the central bank for local banks and finance companies to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudi Arabian citizens was just an information-gathering exercise.

ECOWAS Parliament adopts 2018 community budget

T

he ECOWAS Parliament has adopted the proposed 2018 community budget of 284.9 million West African Units of Account (UA) (approximately 122 billion naira).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria puts a West African UA at 430.1 naira.

The budget was adopted following the presentation of the Report of the Ad hoc Committee for the Consideration of the Consolidated 2018 Budget

of the Community.

The report, adopted by the parliament at its ongoing Second Ordinary session in Abuja, was presented by the Chairman of the committee, Mr Orlando Pereira.

The proposed budget depends majorly on the Community Levy of 175.9 million UA (approximately 75.7 billion naira).

The committee noted that the Community Levy represented 70 per cent of the bloc’s source of funding for its activities.

It, however, said that the community budget performance for the 2017 financial year showed a relatively low recovery rate of the levy adding that the non-remittance by member states hindered the implementation of proposed community activities.

It added that member states only met up with 31.91 per cent of the proposed levy for 2017.

It further called on member states to comply with the payment of their obligations to the Community Levy aimed at funding activities of the sub-

regional bloc.

“This situation is mainly due to the non-compliance of the related Protocol.

“To this end, the Ad hoc Committee invites all parliamentarians, of whose states are not up to date in the payment of their obligations, to intercede to their respective authorities to ensure payments of the amount of the collected proceeds.

“The Ad hoc Committee invites the ECOWAS Commission to involve the parliament in their advocacy at mem-

ber state level to ensure recovery of the Community Levy.”

The committee also called on ECOWAS institutions to explore other alternative sources of funds to “conveniently carry out their activities”.

The proposed 2018 budget indicates a 16.96 million UA increase from 267.9 million UA 2017 budget.

NAN reports that the proposed external funds for the budget was put at about 41.8 million UA (17.9 billion naira).

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

POLITICS

T

HE persistent calls for restructuring of the country gained traction at the weekend as Senators from the southern part of the country rose from a two-day Retreat in Calabar with a fresh call on the federal government to initiate plans to implement the 2014 National Conference report as a critical step towards the political re-engineering of Nigeria.

The Retreat, organised by the Senators who met under the aegis of Southern Senators Forum, a newly created association of Senators from the 17 States of the federation, was specifically anchored on National Unity and Restructuring as its theme.

It was the first time members of the National Assembly would convene such a meeting to address restructuring, a burning national issue, which had earlier been rejected by the Senate Committee of the whole House.

Nigeria’s chaotic structure has over time been seen as a major reason the country lacks the capacity to fulfil its potentials as a nation. While alteration of the status quo (restructuring) is very popular in the southern part of the country, the North appears suspicious of it, preferring the status quo where the centre controls practically every aspect of the nation’s political, economic and social life, to remain.

This, perhaps, explains why Senators from the 17 Southern States decided to take a holistic view of the problems besetting the country, with particular reference to the issue of restructuring, during the retreat in Calabar last weekend.

Speaking while declaring the retreat open, Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma said the essence of the retreat was to bring together eminent and highly knowledgeable stakeholders to cross-fertilize ideas on a burning national issue, namely the restructuring of Nigeria.

According to Uzodimma, the purpose of the gathering was to consider in detail the state of the nation with specific reference to the myriad of calls for paradigm shifts in the basic structures of the federation, either by devolution of powers or by restructuring.

According to him, the formation of the South South People’s Forum is not peculiar to Nigeria’s democracy because caucuses and forums are important facets of democratic governance all over the world.

“They allow for internal brainstorming among groups, which share the same outlook. The process allows them to harmonize their viewpoints on national issues and take a unified and patriotic stand in the search for solutions to national problems.

“Forums and caucuses are even more important in young democracies such as ours, by helping to diffuse tension on acrimonious issues of state. We in the Southern Senators Forum are using this very unique platform to arrive at the surest and most peaceful means of achieving national unity on all issues capable of destabilizing our polity,” he said In a keynote address, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki harped on the imperative of unity in the country. He contended that unity in the country has not been more challenging than in the present time, adding that the retreat is “multi-faceted”.

Nigeria, he said, is not alone when it comes to agitations because these agitations are also seen in other countries around the world.

In seeking to restructure the country, Saraki said Nigerians must realize that the framers of the constitution had set out guidelines on how to go about this, noting that “the kind of democracy we practice in the country is built around compromises and to achieve this, we must be on the same page and members of the National Assembly are well placed to steer this forward.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu emphasised that restructuring is not synonymous with the break-up of the country.

Reliable electricity for Council election South East zone is reignites PDP, APC doable – Bart Nnaji rivalry in Delta Pg 12

11 Pg 16

Many Senators, one voice on restructuring In what seemed a departure from the position of the Committee of the whole Senate on the matter, Southern Senators at the weekend rose from a two-day Retreat in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, with the theme National Unity and Restructuring, with a unanimous vote for the restructuring of Nigeria, using the 2014 Conference report as a starting point. As ANIEKAN ANIEKAN reports from Calabar, while the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s opposition to restructuring, Southern leaders, including Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson, former Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and Cyprus Professor George Obiozor, Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu and Afenifere Publicity Secretary Joe Odumakin, among others, insisted that restructuring is the only way forward for Nigeria at this point in time.

• Bukola Saraki He contended that the country would not make much progress until concerted efforts are made to understand when, where and how its problems started so that solutions thereto can be properly channelled.

Said Ekweremadu: “Nigeria is the only country in the world that has a federal system of government and a unitary police.

We have a better chance of bettering the country if each region maximally explores its inherent resources. We should not fear to restructure and we should not restructure in fear,” he posited.

Leading the discourse, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General and minister of justice in his speech, which dwelt on Provisions for National Unity in the 1999 Constitution: An Appraisal, said the 1999 constitution is framed in a way that promotes national unity and proper representation.

The underlying philosophy of the 1999 Constitution, he said, is that it is built around a democratic system of government, particularly section 14, which provides that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the philosophy of social justice and democracy.

• Ike Ekweremadu The 1999 Constitution, he said, states that “the duty of the armed forces is to preserve the territorial integrity of the country” hence the president was right when referring to this when he said that Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable because it is consistent with the constitution.

He cited Section 9 of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution of the country should be amended provided that such amendment does not lead to the dismemberment of the country.

Momammed Badaru Abubakar the governor of Jigawa State, while reasoning along with the Attorney General, cited the 1999 Constitution, which he believes is a constitutional constraint that stands in the way of restructuring.

This, he said, is the biggest challenge that proponents of restructuring need to overcome.

Speaking on the theme: Sustaining National Unity In A Restructured Nigeria: The Fears, Challenges And The Way Forward, Governor Badaru Abubakar contended that an atmosphere of mistrust has been created as a result of a wrong approach to restruc-

turing.

However, in contrast with these submissions, the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson said it was wrong for Malami to state that the unity of the country can be sustained by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, especially with regard to its military strength.

“Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained by strong military force and security presence.

You are getting it wrong. Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained by the constitutional provisions we know are inefficient,” he said.

“The constitutional provisions are there but it’s the very reason we need the constitutional reform. Let us see how we can make these things actually work because the history is all over there.

“If with all the strong military might of the USSR, they could not prevent the collapse of that big empire, that behemoth, (who says Nigeria is exempt from such forces of change?). Nigerian unity depends on Nigerians.

“We need to challenge ourselves including our assumptions and then go back to

Cont’d on page 14

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT “R Reliable electricity for South ELIABLE electricity for the South East is not rocket science, it is doable… we did it in difficult terrain, we can do it here,” he says. The former Minister is the Chairman of South East Region Economic Development Corporation (SEREDEC) and founder and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited – the first privately owned power-generating plant in Nigeria. He spoke to CHUKS EZE, in Enugu, on current efforts by the South East Governors Forum, in partnership with key stakeholders, to develop the region and create jobs, among others.

What is your assessment of the justconcluded South East Economic Summit (SEES), which held in Enugu at the instance of South East Governors Forum (SEGF), in conjunction with SEREDEC, which you chair?

I think the summit went well. There were so many activities in the region that period and yet, many of the governors of the region were able to attend the opening ceremony of the exercise. The Deputy President of the Senate, together with some other Senators and House members; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; organised private sector; representatives of state governments and other leaders of the region were all in attendance. So, we had quite a good forum for discussion about how to move the region forward economically.

It is generally believed that Nigerian leaders usually engage in beautiful talk-talk without commensurate post-talk actions.

As the Chairman of SEREDEC (South East Region Economic Development Corporation), which played a very pivotal role at the Summit, are there assurances that the summit would not end up in same manner?

I think everybody who knows what I do, would know that I do not engage in talk-talk without action. My company – Geometric Power – has built a power plant in Aba, with distribution network. That is action.

So, we are trying to support government, through SEREDEC to do basically the same thing. It is often difficult for governments to get themselves together to do interstate projects. We are not proposing to do projects that are specific to states; the state governments can do that. We are focusing on projects that cut across state boundaries, such as rail networks, gas pipelines, regional electricity projects and things that help to stimulate economic development in the region. At the summit, we talked about things that states can do to change the dynamics of how things work in the region.

That is what we have tried to do. We really want to go beyond talking; we want to have an action-oriented pledge.

So, you find that we had at the Summit, where critical people came together to talk about what to do, particularly in infrastructure and hospital development.

The presentations showed that they are not merely thinking about it but they have taken certain actions to progress the development of those projects. For instance, in the gas pipeline group, we have Dr. Chima Ibeneche, who is a retired Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). And a team from Shell as well as Novantus Energy among others, were all there to make presentations.

We also had the former Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, who made presentation on how to develop the rail network with a team from those who are developing rail in Nigeria now. We also had an infrastructure finance company, which came all the way from the United Kingdom, the Roughton Group, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bernard Obika, who talked about structure for raising capital for such projects. The group on medical had a design already done. It costs quite a lot of money to do design for a hospital, and they had already done that before coming to make their presentation. That was not talk but action. So, a lot of things are being done really.

The issue of ease of doing business was also extensively treated. Can you shed more light on that?

The ease of doing business issue is about how government would make it possible for people coming to invest to succeed and operate effectively? That is basically what the summit was about. I, personally, have been here for three days, to be sure that it succeeded. And to have been part of it, I would say that normally, if it were just a talk

• Professor Bart Nnaji

• Prof. Uchenna Ortuanya, DG S/E Gov. Forum

12

• Nnia Nwodo

Professor Bartholomew Nnaji is not a man of many words but of intense action. Upon his appointment as minister of power in 2011, when Nigeria was faced with very daunting power challenges, he had, reportedly, assured former President Goodluck Jonathan that fixing the problem was, “doable”. In this encounter with The Oracle Today, Nnaji assures that reliable power for the South East is also ‘doable’. shop, we would just come and talk for just an hour or two and go away. But, we have been here all through, for three days.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremmadu, raised some legal concerns, in his keynote address, at the opening session. He expressed fears that some legal bottlenecks may militate against achievement of the set goals of the SEGF. What is your take on that?

There was value in what the DSP was talking about, but he was referring to the setting up of the South East Economic Commission (SEEC), which is similar to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and North East Development Commission.

That is government initiative; they have value because the federal government should give us what is due to the South East. It is, really, a government initiative to do some work in the region. But, it does not really address these particular issues. For instance, they are not going to build rail lines, they are not going to come and build gas network, and they are not going to build power plants. These are major initiatives that require international investments, which must be done by international investors because they are quite capital intensive. There is no government that can do it here. So, the SEEC that is proposed is very, very important to us, but it does not address this kind of problem, and I think that it is important for our people to understand it. More so, that it requires that it has to be backed by law. But, the one that we are talking about does not have to be backed by any law. If you look at rail, for instance, that has been nicely done by the DSP and his colleagues to be on concurrent list. So, people can undertake to do concession of rail network.

Power is very critical to the development of any society. In that regard, former CBN Governor, Charles Soludo, recently stated at a public function, in Enugu, that the South East would not let you go unless you fix

that sector for the region. Is SEES a move towards that direction?

I believe that it requires concerted efforts, on the part of everyone – the willingness of all – to address that problem. In fact, that was what I said two days ago when I made my presentation. We have shown, in Aba, that it is possible to do reliable electricity project. But I believe that we can do electricity projects to support industrial clusters such as in Nnewi, Onitsha, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo among others, and have reliable supply of electricity. It is not rocket science!

We have done it in a difficult environment, it can be done elsewhere. So, the idea of doing a regional gas pipeline is to bring gas closer to various places so that we can build power plants. And we would like to look at the networking, the structure and how to enhance and make it more robust, so that we can also bring this power closer to our people. We are confident that this is doable.

So, what Professor Soludo was saying is basically, that somebody has to lead the effort to get it done, and we have started doing that. A number of people from the region have interest in seeing that that is done, and we are making that progress.

Are you reaching out to other Igbo in the Diaspora to buy into your current efforts at SEREDEC and the current commitment of the SEGF to rejig the south east economy and infrastructure status?

The thing is that the Igbo in the diaspora are very, very important. If you look at the area of health, they have proposed to build a hospital in the region, starting with Enugu and then the satellite hospitals. In the team, you would notice that they are probably about 90 per cent from outside Nigeria, but they are people from the region. We have those who came from the United Kingdom; those who came from the United States and South Africa, among others, who are part of the team. And we believe, sincerely, that when we have experts, we should make

very good use of them. As a matter of fact, in virtually everything we do, we compose a team that is made up of experts, whether they are here or abroad. So, the SEREDEC is really a facilitator, perhaps, to see that these people come together. It does not claim to have all the wherewithal. What it does is that it has the capacity to bring people together and get them to do work on behalf of the region, and support the governments of the region. So, those in the Diaspora are critical in so many areas. For example, in the Infrastructure Financing team, the person who is leading the team lives in the UK; and our people would be surprised to know that he is the Managing Director of a UK-based infrastructure finance company, which is an English company. A person from this region is its MD! So, we tapped into that.

You would also be surprised that there are a number of people from this region that run international banks. So, we called on them to be part of the team to raise capital.

Therefore, yes, there is no chance that we would forget the role of our people in the Diaspora.

Some people have recommended that SEREDEC should consider the possibility of organising a follow-up version of SEES to be held abroad. Do you think that is necessary?

What I feel is that when we have a project, we go on a road show. That is where you can now take a specific project tom the people. But, we are not going to have a summit of this nature just held abroad. It is better that we hold summits here in the region, and bring those who are abroad to come home and talk to our people. However, if we have a project and we are doing a road show, we could package it in a manner that can be sold to the international community, which includes our people abroad.

There are optimisms in some quarters that with SEREDEC in place and with all the lofty programmes being designed by your team for economic rejuvenation and infrastruc-

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT East zone is doable – Bart Nnaji

• Okorocha-Rochas, Imo State

• Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State

• Willie - Obiano, Anambra State

HIGHLIGHT • Says ‘we can’t force government to appoint people but we can establish job -creating businesses’ • Wonders why government won’t concession federal roads in the region for effective reconstruction and maintenance • Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State

• Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State

ture development in the South East, that the region may soon cease to bother about marginalisation by the federal government.

Does such optimism hold water?

The federal government has to do what it needs to do for the South East. What we are doing does not cure that part. For instance, we are not going to force the President to appoint people into offices; we cannot do that. What we will do is to establish job creating industries and institutions that will employ our youths so that we reduce the pressure of people who do not have jobs.

We have so many mechanisms that we discussed at SEES that will lead to that. Even vocational technical education will lead to young people being their own entrepreneurs or being part of providing support services to the public. Once you have one person that has a job, that is one person that does not have to be on the streets agitating for anything. That is how we help in reducing the agitation.

But, the issue of marginalisation is not something the private sector does. The kind of marginalisation which the President-Gen-

eral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo talked about at the summit, for instance, which is that there is no South East indigene in the security apparatus of the nation, at the top level, is not something that we can do. That is something that must be done by people who lead at the centre. So, that still has to be done.

However, our people may soon realise that that is not really the most important thing for them. The more important thing is creation of jobs and industries for our people to be able to feed themselves. If you look at the United States, for instance, the government is there, and the people do care about who becomes their President, but the private sector drives the train. In the UK, Germany, America, name it; the economy runs on the hope of the private sector. So, if you say, the CEO of General Electric, do you really need to be a minister in the American government or any of these functionaries? It is a major sacrifice to serve in government, if you do it right and you actually hold such position. Where the Chairman of General Electric may get paid like a hundred million dollars per year; which

• Says Geometric Power demonstrates that power problem in Nigeria is surmountable government would pay you 100th of that?

None, it is not possible. So, we have to create an economy where our people can feel comfortable in being part of development and job creation within the region. We want to see more jobs in the region that employ our graduates, so that they do not have to be going to Port Harcourt, Lagos or Abuja in search of these jobs.

With the summit over now, what next?

What next is that we have set up a task force, which will, essentially, drive the implementation of the things outlined in the summit. So, it is not going to be like your typical summit where you just print the report and go away. We are also proposing the setting up of state-by-state implementa-

13 tion committees that essentially dovetail into the regional task force. The regional task force, for example, is made up of 15 people, plus the Governors Forum Secretariat. In each state, we have nine people – three from each Senatorial Zone, which are composed of two members from the private sector and one from government.

It is set up that way, (to have more people from the private sector than government), so that the private sector drives the process. In the regional task force, we have people from say, South East Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), as well as nominees from South East Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), SEREDEC, Civil Societies, the Media, the religious, women and youths and so on.

It is a very composite group. But, the sole objective is for it not to be so unwieldy. So, I think that the implementation group is tight, well composed and well thought-out one. That is the implementation, and they should be driving the process.

One of the major concerns of both local and international investors is the issue of security. Are there plans towards assuring investors of adequate security for their lives and investments?

There are different types of security issues in Nigeria. I would say that the South East has become more secure than before. We used to have very high incidence of kidnapping and armed robbery in the region. It is no longer so, but it is not wiped out. People can even travel at night these days, which was not so before. The other day, I was coming back from Aba, at night, and there were a lot of people on the road around10: pm. Before, you would not find anybody on that road by that time of the night. That is also made possible by the cashless system in place. So, people do not really know how crimes reduce by certain policies of government, and this is one of those.

Now, in the region, we say that the governors are still working actively to support the integration policies whereby they are able to share intelligence information on the issues of security because that will help a lot. There are certain things that one government would have to stretch itself to buy, but governments together, can buy certain equipment to support security. SEREDEC, for example, has a number of very key security people – a number of retired Army Generals, Inspectors-General of Police – in the security group; and the intention is for them to be advising on how to address security concerns in the region. We believe that the people in these states can then work with the people at the federal government to better secure the region. But, you cannot leave your region without protection to be able to use legal ways to ensure that the region is well secured.

What about the issue of poor state of federal roads in the South East region?

Aren’t good access road networks also key to the success of the current regional drive?

Yes, actually, the proposal in that regard is very interesting. It is one that we do not understand why people have not hit on it. There have been proposals, at SEES, for the concession of the key roads in the region and tolling them. If you concession Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road and toll them, you would be surprised that in a very short order, these roads would be fixed. They would be functional and people would love to be on them. I do not know anybody who would not want to go from Enugu to Aba in 1 hour and 15 minutes, or maximum of one hour and half, and pay a certain amount of toll that is reasonable. It is better than that you would go on those roads and your car gets damaged while manoeuvring portholes. And when you get back, you have to take medicine to deal with body ache and fatigue. These are some of the initiatives that really work. The question is: can it be done? Yes, it can easily be done, and the government does not have to put the money. The money does not, necessarily, have to come from the federal budget.

But, the private sector can lend money for such roads, because federal budget comes in drips. So, those drips can still be coming to support the process. Meanwhile, the toll will help to address it. That is the proposal; it is doable and those people are moving. So, it is not just talking.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

POLITICS Cont’d from page 9 the parliament and see how we can create a country that can last the next 50, 100, 200 years like America. We have a responsibility to create mechanisms for closer interactions.”

According to the governor, restructuring means a call to constitutional reform, amendment of the laws of the country to guarantee a more stable, inclusive country, and for a return to the original founding principles of our country, which is federalism, so there should be no confusion about it.

“Those who clamour for restructuring are not proponents of a divided Nigeria. The more opinions we have about restructuring the better because we are a democratic country and we should not stifle views. The best guarantee for the protection of minority rights are to be founded on a proper constitutional amendment of the laws of the country because at the end, we hope to protect the individual, irrespective of where he or she comes from,” the governor submitted.

Also disagreeing with the position that the unity of the country is non-negotiable, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel and Cyprus, Professor George Obiozor described as “a historical fallacy” the notion that Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable.

According to the scholar, “there is nothing political that is absolutism. All nations the world over are negotiated. We cannot ignore the past and say that we are building the future.”

“In fact, Nigeria’s unity is not threatened by those who have anything to lose but by those who have everything to lose. That is the irony of Nigeria.

“We often fail to realize that we have a past in this country. Nigeria is a country with a recognizable past, a critical present and an uncertain future. That is why we want to restructure.

“What Nigeria needs is restructuring and restructuring means a system of shared power, bearing in mind that political decency thrives best in societies in which stable, political and just institutions make it difficult for political adventurers to thrive.

“Cohesive integration or integration by force or threat and intimidation has long failed worldwide and it will fail here. We must stop the political elites from the concept of self delusion and self deception,” he said.

Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his own presentation, said Nigeria could not solve the problems besetting it until it goes back to where its problems started.

He disagreed with those who claim that the problems of the nation started with the amalgamation of the country in 1914, rather, the nation’s problems, he averred, actually started in 1903 after Lord Lugard captured the Sokoto Caliphate.

“After the fall of the Caliphate in 1903, the way the residual elements responded after the conquest is not the same way the rest of Nigeria responded. The way the Caliphate responded to the conquest of Nigeria is different from the way the rest of the country saw it. British conquest was a celebration for those in the South and Middle Belt and you will not be able to understand it until you go back to history.

“Sadly, most of these conversations have not changed till date and the result is that you have the political protestations which have overtime fused into politics and are reflected in the voting pattern. When people say that they want to live in an Islamic State in a democracy, it is elements of an unfinished business,” he said.

While decrying the quality of leadership in the country, the Cleric stated that he has never seen anyone who has had a clear template for developing Nigeria and most presidents come into office by accident.

Corruption, he said, is a symptom and not a disease and so you cannot fight it without a proper diagnosis.

“The imprecision in our conversation shows that we do not know who we are,” he added.

In his contribution, the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin called on all to have a proper understanding of what

• Hope Uzodimma

• Abubakar Malami (Attorney General of the federation)

• Professor George Obiozor

• Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V

• Hassan Kukah

• Yinka Odumakin

Many Senators, one voice on restructuring restructuring is all about.

Citing an instance with next year’s budget, he said that when you convert the budget into dollars, the budget of N8tr amounts to $23b.

“In 1983, President Shagari was budgeting $25b for less than 80 million people and we are now budgeting $23b for 200 million people,” he agonised, stressing that “this alone tells us why the country needs to be restructured so that we can become productive.”

“The sharing thing is taking us nowhere,” he declared. “The sharing formula, which is based on landmass and population is quite unacceptable. Land and population are sup-

posed to be factors of production and not basis for revenue-sharing as is being done in the country.”

Restructuring, he contended, would, therefore, move the country away from sharing money to a productive economy where every section of the country produces and brings something to the table.

Describing the 1999 Constitution as ‘doctored’, the Obong of Calabar, HRM Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Out, who represented the traditional institution, in an interaction with journalists on the imperative of restructuring, disclosed that the 1999 Constitution, which “is not a product of the people’s consent” needs to be reviewed.

“What Nigeria needs is restructuring and restructuring means a system of shared power, bearing in mind that political decency thrives best in societies in which stable, political and just institutions make it difficult for political adventurers to thrive.

“

Said the royal father: “Restructuring does not mean dismantling Nigeria. The 1963 Constitution was built up by the people and had the consent of the people. Other ones like the 1999 Constitution did not have the consent of the people. Those were doctored Constitutions and we have to go back.

If you look at it, what we have put ourselves into, we have to go back and enthrone a system that will take care of everybody.”

“Restructuring is one of the things that will keep the country together and it’s something that is serious. We have to look back at where we started and made mistakes and then look forward for the progress of the country,” the monarch added.

In a communiqué read by Senator Uzodimma and adopted by the Senators at the end of the retreat, the lawmakers called on the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to, as a matter of urgency, convene a conference of stakeholders in the country with a view to reviewing the 2014 National Conference Report and making recommendations to the government on the way forward for the country.

The Senators, who stated their full support for the restructuring of the country, mandated lawmakers in the National Assembly to commence a comprehensive debate on the 2014 National Conference Report.

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

POLITICS R Asadu: Sterling ESIDENTS of Nsukka local government area have commended the performance of the Nsukka Transition Committee Chairman, Dr Ejike Asadu in the past 60 days he has served as the council Chief.

In separate interviews with The Oracle Today, many of the residents said the chairman’s achievements in less than two months he has been in office are evident in the systematic maintenance of roads and markets that the university community and its environs have witnessed recently.

Chief Tony Ugwu, former Chairman Nsukka Council opined that Asadu has done very well in less two months in spite of the hard economic situation in the country which has affected the federal monthly allocation to states and local governments in the country.

“Frankly speaking, the incumbent chairman Dr Asadu has done very well. Some roads that were hitherto impassable, like Ikpe Commodity Market Road, St Cypriam Science Road and Odenigbo Mini Market Road are all now wearing new looks,” Ugwu, a lawyer and hospitality entrepreneur, said in a chat with The Oracle Today.

“In two weeks, the T/C Chairman changed nsukka Council Secretariat complex surroundings that had been overtaken by and rodents, cleared the dirt around the complex and repainted in the national colour of green-white-green to the admiration all and sundry. The Secretariat complex now looks like a new edifice.”

In his own contribution, Godfirst Ezeugwu, Speaker of Nsukka Youth Assembly described Asadu’s performance as wonderful, adding that if he could achieve all these in not more than two months, only God knows how Nsukka LGA would look if he had the opportunity to be the council chairman for two years.

“What Asadu has achieved within a limited time is an indication that he is committed to the progress of the local government while some people come in just to enrich their pocket without remembering to work for the people,” Ezeugwu said. “Asadu has achieved much, operates open door policy and welcomes suggestions that would help move the council forward.

For her part, Mrs Helen Ezema, a trader, commended Asadu for being honest, transparent and patriotic in using the position given to him as the transition council boss of Nsukka to render quality service to his people.

“My humble advice to the incoming government is that it should emulate the leadership style of Asadu so that at the end of its two-year tenure, Nsukka Local Council would be the best local government in terms of infrastructure and good leadership,” Ezema said.

Similarly, Hon. Domnic Ajibo, former leader, Nsukka Local Government Legislative Council expressed his elation at the transparent manner in which Dr Asadu is administering the council, adding that the TC is returning the town to its old glory of cleanliness and cordial relationship with the generality of the people.

Commenting further on developments in Nsukka local administration under Dr. Asadu in 60 days, Chief Ugwu described the Transition Chairman’s breakthroughs as “60-day” wonder, saying as a one-time Chairman himself, he knows that it is not easy for someone to do what Asadu has done in 60 days—clearing accumulated dirt that had made the local government look shabby over time, opening the drainage for easy flow of flood water, sprucing up (repainting) the secretariat complex and opening a the revenue court, first of its kind in the history of the council.

The appointment of Transition Chairmen by the Enugu State government in August this year for the 17 local councils in the State followed the announcement by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) that council election would hold in the State early this month--November 4 to be precise. Statutorily, serving chairmen must resign to contest the election three months to the election.

60-day testimonial for Transition Chairman From Nsukka, OZOR KAMSIYO reports that the 60-day report card of the Transition Chairman of the Local Council, Dr. Ejike Asadu is stellar, indeed.

The appointment of the Transition Chairmen (TC’s) by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was greeted with a lot of enthusiasm for two main reasons. One, the action signalled the certainty of the council election, first to be conducted by the Ugwuanyi Administration since coming to power in May 2015.

Two, with only three or four months to stay in office, the TC’s, it was believed, would work diligently in order to make their own marks in the governance history of the Coal City State.

And that is largely what has happened, as Asadu’s performance as TC of Nsukka Local Council exemplifies.

The ancient town, which, for decades, played host to the first President of Nigeria, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who established the first indigenous university in the town, is known for its peace and tranquillity and for the accommodating nature of its people. It is also blessed with abundant natural resources—vast expanse of arable and fertile lands, exotic food and cash crops (the yellow Ose Nsukka, a nutritious, healthy spice, is the only one of its type in Africa) as well as a huge, educated and vibrant population. Adani in Uzo-Uwani Local Council (where the popular Ada-rice is cultivated), for instance, is, with Abakaliki in Ebonyi State and Awgu in Awgu Local Counci of Enugu State, recognised in the entire Eastern Region as food baskets, with a variety of agricultural produce enough to feed the whole of West Africa.

Before the advent of the Ugwuanyi Administration, Nsukka was a largely neglected political, cultural and economic zone,

15 Indeed, before the arrival of the incumbent council boss, most parts of the town were occupied by rodents, motor parks were turned into mini cafeterias and drinking palours, motorcycle operators and Keke NAPEP were lawless and boldly parked their vehicles in any available space, thereby making the university town look clumsy ad unkempt.

Similarly, markets in the area were untidy while dirt and refuse were thrown with reckless abandon into gutters or just about anywhere residents deemed fit. Cabs and commercial buses blocked entry and exit points in the area, causing avoidable traffic gridlock.

But, Asadu has changed all that.

How did Asadu do it? What governance style did he adopt that won him the cooperation of the people?

“Prayer is part of it; he prayed and asked for God’s help and He did help him,” an ally of Dr. Asadu’s told The Oracle Today.

“Dr. Asadu on assumption of office went to Mass and prayed for co-operation from both staff and non-staff of the council to enable his administration leave a mark within the four months he would stay as Transition Chairman of the council.”

The first task he assigned himself was sprucing the Council Secretariat and the environs, which, inexplicably, had been taken over by untended grass and reptiles. So, he immediately hired labourers, cleared the grasse, opened up gutters and other water ways, painted the Secretariat complex in and out with the Nigerian colour of green and white, replaced the complex’s collapsed staircase hand rails and applied the civil service work rule of 8am resumption time. Indeed, the effigy at the Secretariat complex bears eloquent testimonies to its beautification. Needless to say, this instantly endeared Asadu to the council staff, residents of the university town and even the State government.

Streets and markets In a bid to further sanitize the council area, Dr Asadu invited Nsukka main market executives, Okada/Keke NAPEP operators and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and addressed them on the need to maintain orderliness along the roads and in markets. This yielded instant positive result, as vehicular logjams in the cosmopolitan town of Nsukka are now a thing of the past.

Similarly, the clustered Ogurugu Road Mini Market at Odenigbo has been graded and its dangerous potholes that made the mini market a no go area covered. The Ikpa Commodity Market Road at Nru has been given a face-lift, graded to standard with drainages for free flow of floodwater.

The St. Cyprian’s Road, which leads to the Anglican Bishop Court where erosion created deep gullies, has been graded with drainages for easy traffic movement and free flow of floodwater.

• Dr. Asadu

comprising 7 out of Enugu’s 17 councils.

But, since his accent to power, Ugwuanyi, applying the principle of triangular equilibrium, has given Nsukka a facelift. He has built roads and bridges in the area just as he has done in other parts of the State. It is this new beauty that Ugwuanyi has brought to Nsukka that Asadu is amplifying by ensuring that dirt and other impediments to that beauty are neatly removed from city centres and appropriately disposed of.

Revenue Court It is on record that the Transition Chairman of Nsukka Local Council remains the only one to make use of the revenue court by not allowing touts to handle revenue collection in the council. He appointed Hon. Okey Asadu (not a relation of his) Chairman of the Revenue Generation Committee, whose committee was empowered to apprehend and prosecute offenders most of who fall under a group that calls itself People’s Rights Movement in Nsukka, which had hitherto allegedly hijacked council revenue collection in Nsukka.

As he prepares to hand over to the newly elected Council Chairman, Chief Patrick Omeje, come December 4 or so, residents of the ancient university town are elated that Dr. has acquitted himself creditably and may well have opened the incoming Chairman’s eyes to what had hitherto gone wrong in the Council and what possibly can be done to clean up any mess in the Nsukka socio-economic space at any one point in time. As they say, the TC came, saw and conquered.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

POLITICS

S

INCE the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has remained the dominant political platform in Delta State.From 1999 when James Ibori was elected governor to 2007 when he handed the baton to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, and in 2015 when the former Secretary to State Government Senator Ifeanyi Okowa took over the mantle of leadership in the State, it has been PDP all the way.

Apart from a few occasions when opposition parties made slight inroads in election into the National Assembly, the story has remained practically the same since then. However, it is trite to state that within these periods under review, the party had equally dominated the nation’s body politic—it was the ruling party and in most of the States. The story, however, changed in 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC), which also controls most of the States, upstaged the PDP at the national level.

This is now a major tonic that has encouraged the opposition party in the state to begin to dare to upset the applecart.

The strength of the two major parties will be tested in the State which prides itself as the big heart of the nation on January 6, next year when the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) under the chairmanship of Chief Mark Ogbodu will conduct council election in the state.

DSIEC has consistently pledged its readiness to conduct a credible election but the fear remains that the trend whereby ruling parties clear all the seats in states where they are in control might still repeat itself in Delta.With the conclusion of primaries by the two main parties, electioneering campaigns are going on in earnest throughout the State, with each party making efforts to outdo the other.

Unlike in the past when most PDP chairmanship and councillorship candidates were returned unopposed following the inability of opposition parties to field candidates, the APC will field candidates in all the 25 chairmanship seats and councillorship slots. Other fringe parties like All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Accord Party and Labour Party will also field candidates in some areas.

At the moment, Okowa is leading the PDP campaign tours to all the councils bearing in mind that the outcome of the election would to a large extent give a clear picture of what to expect in the state during the 2019 elections when the governor will be seeking a second term.

The PDP has resolved to embark on vigorous campaign in order to win the forthcoming council polls since that would form the bedrock upon which the party will work to ensure victory in 2019.

The PDP believes that the performance of the governor in the past two years will ensure victory for the party. The governor also enjoys an overwhelming support across the state. The governor has recorded achievements across all the sectors especially prompt payment of workers’ salaries, massive road rehabilitation, construction of classroom blocks, healthcare delivery, job creation, among others.

It is also believed that the incumbency factor would play a huge role in the election as some of those presently in the race on the platform of the PDP are seeking re-election.

The PDP campaign tours have also witnessed massive turnouts of enthusiastic party members and teeming supporters, as the governor continues to appeal to politicians to eschew any form of bickering and divisive rhetoric during the campaigns and the elections for the party to enjoy a landslide victory.

The governor has also urged party faithful and supporters to go to every household to canvass for votes, saying that the people would be receptive to their message because they are already at home with the PDP and its government in the state.

Okowa, while presenting flags to the party’s candidates, entrusted their candidacy into the hands of God and urged the people of the state to come out en masse on January 6 to vote for candidates of the PDP in all the councils and electoral wards of the state. He preached peace, harmony and a united Delta State, stressing that the state remained essentially one family, admired for its inclusive style of leadership.

The governor continued: “There is nothing greater than a united family and I am happy that our party is strong, united and peaceful.

Let us continue to campaign and prepare ourselves for the January 6 elections. We should sensitize our people to come out and vote.”

At the campaign rallies, Chairman of the PDP in the State, Barr Kingsley Esiso assured the

Council election reignites Delta PDP, APC rivalry Although the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State and the opposition All Progressives Congress are locked in a fierce battle ahead of the January 6 council elections in the state, there are little expectations that the opposition will make any impact in the polls. From Asaba, JONATHAN AWANYAI reports.

• Ifeanyi Okowa people that the PDP would continue to work for the people by delivering on its electoral promises.

He urged Deltans to resist political parties that are not known and have records of failing in their promises, asserting: “We should not follow parties that tell us lies, they will tell lies in the state, if the lies fail, they will call their masters to continue with their lies.”

The Senator representing Delta North, Barr Peter Nwaoboshio reiterated that the PDP has a winning streak in Delta State and such will continue because the people are comfortable with the party and are ready to remain with the PDP. A stalwart of the PDP from Aniocha South local government area, a former member of the House of Representatives and Special Adviser to the governor on NASS and National Affairs, Hon. Pascal Adigwe also applauded the governor for entrenching peace and good governance in the State, notwithstanding the meagre resources at his disposal, saying that the unprecedented achievements recorded and the governor’s uncommon leadership style, have enhanced PDP’s chances of winning all the elective positions in the forthcoming council elections.

The candidate of the PDP in Ika North East local government area, Barrister Victor Ebonka thanked Governor Okowa for showing interest in the local government area.

“We have received an appreciable share of your various appointments, empowerment and development of projects,” he said. “Our amiable governor deserves accolades for be-

ing able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people since he came into office. He has been able to construct roads, build schools, hospitals and execute a lot of projects across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has done well and is still doing well. We pray that God Almighty continues to direct him on the right path to enable him deliver more of his promises to Deltans.”

He also thanked the governor for creating direct and indirect jobs, which includes the STEP/ YAGEP empowerment programme that has lifted thousands of Deltans from the shackles of poverty.

The APC on its part is mainly relying on the support base of notable chieftains of the PDP that joined its fold. They include former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, wife of former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Maryam Ali, Senator Omo agege, Chief Ominimini Obiuwebvi, Chief Khalil Ofuomukoro, Chief Malachi Orode, Prof. Patrick Utomi, Chief Adolor Okotiebor, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, among others.

At the moment, none of the federal appointees has joined the party’s campaigns. Many believe this may eventually affect the party’s chances in the election.

Currently, the party is battling with internal wrangling, which has pitched supporters of Chief Great Ogboru against some party leaders who are in favour of the 2015 governorship candidate of the party in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor.

Chief Ogboru who defected to APC at Abuja

in the company of a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Engr. Victor Ochei in June last year had convened a pressure group christened Light of APC in a bid to unseat the incumbent governor of the State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa come 2019.

Emerhor, who is referred to in some circles in the party as the leader of the party in the state, also convened another pressure group named Mainstream Delta APC, with the sole aim of occupying the Delta State Government House come 2019.

Apparently undaunted, leaders of the APC in the state have warned that on no account should the local government election be rigged by anybody.

Recently, chieftains of the party came together ahead of the January 6 council polls in the state with a charge to the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), to conduct a free and fair election.

The chieftains in a meeting hosted by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor at his Evwreni residence, had in attendance, minister of state for petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Hon. Victor Ochie, Prof. Patrick Utomi, Chief Adolor Okotiebor, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Hon Temi Harriman, Engr Sam Adjogbe, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo and a host of others.

The State chairman of the party, Jones Erue who attended the meeting in company of some members of his exco, congratulated Emerhor for hosting the unity meeting and the other leaders for putting their differences aside and uniting to give APC a fighting chance in future elections in the state.

Leaders of the party from Delta Central Senatorial district also met at the Ughelli kingdom hall to foster unity between Emerhor and Ogboru over a purported lingering dispute between both chieftains. At the meeting, Senator representing the district, Senator Ovie OmoAgege explained that he would consult with Olorogun Emerhor, Chief Ogboru and other chieftains of the party on how to ensure that DSIEC conducts a free and fair council election in the state.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today in Asaba, the youth leader of the party, Christopher Agali noted that the APC has come to stay as the party is ready to floor PDP in the forthcoming local government polls.

He disclosed that the mega rally of the party held in Bomadi was to consolidate ahead of the local government elections for the party’s victory.

“The rally was to sensitize our people and the teeming supporters of APC that there is no other person that can fight our fight for us,” he said, stressing that the rally was also aimed at ensuring that “APC wins chairmanship and councillorship positions in the January 6, 2018 election.”

He took the opportunity to call on President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to move swiftly to put a stop on the suffering of Deltans.

“The youth wing of APC in Delta state is calling on the federal government to put a stop to the PDP bad government in Delta state,” he contended, stressing that PDP has failed Deltans amidst the promise of prosperity for all Deltans.

As the expected local council election date draws closer, political actors in Delta State are clearly looking forward to something positive but how far their expectations will be met is left in the hands of time.

The Oracle Today

17

Wednesday December 6, 2017

BU$IN£SS •

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Energy

Finance

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Stock

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Insurance

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Aviation

Electricity: 2nd tier liberalisation sparks market war

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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...Discos, Gencos fight over MD, customers ... FG blamed for N892b revenue shortfall ... Gencos owed N500b

e-Platform Stakeholders worry as Nigeria plunges in ICT development ranking P22

TRAVEL

Gencos that operate thermal plants are further tangled with suppliers of fuel used in firing their turbines.

The commercial arrangement provides that NBET buys off volume power generation from the Gencos, pays wheeling tariff to TCN and sells power to the discos which are required to offset payments on all supply invoices. With the volumes of electricity made available to them, the only role of Discos in the commercial loop is to deploy their distribution networks in generating cash returns for all players.

However, The Oracle Today reports that investors in the upstream segment of the value chain, comprising gas suppliers and power producers, have consistently called for review of the prevailing commercial arrangement which places the commerciality of all investments in the inefficient

CBN EXCHANGE RATES NOV. 27, 2017 Currency

Buying(NGN)

US DOLLAR 304.85 POUNDS STERLING 406.3041 EURO 361.8874 SWISS FRANC 310.6277 YEN 2.7363 CFA 0.5269 WAUA 429.3945 YUAN/RENMINBI 46.1396 RIYAL 81.2847 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 21.8062 DANISH KRONA 48.6181 SDR 430.0976

P20

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

305.35 406.9705 362.481 311.1372 2.7408 0.5369 430.0987 46.2157 81.418 21.8419 48.6978 430.803

305.85 407.6369 363.0745 311.6466 2.7453 0.5469 430.803 46.2918 81.5513 21.8777 48.7776 431.5085

hands of the distribution companies.

They blame the Discos for the staggering debt overhang in the sector which was calculated to be in the range of a trillion Naira. They also complain that commercial returns on capital inputs in the production and transmission of electricity are trapped in the inept billing system and porous cash collection processes managed by the distribution companies. Key condition for divesting controlling equity in the Discos to private firms is the requirement to zero down the average technical, commercial and collection losses (ATC&C) in the cash generation channel to guarantee the right level of market incentives for incremental deployment of capital for capacity growth.

However, the anticipated surge in cash backflow from the downstream

market frontline to upstream industry backstage is yet to post any hope of profitable returns on invested funds, tossing the industry into severe liquidity crises as debts continue to mount at every stratum.

Besides the debts, Gencos decry the high level of systems redundancy at their generating stations. They attribute the downtime to inability of TCN and Discos to evolve effective offtake strategies for enhanced delivery of electricity to starved markets.

The Gencos blame the Discos for low capacity utilization at their generation plants, saying poor downstream market operations and associated low cash returns have put huge investments in upstream capacity development at risk.

Cont’d on Page 20

Olamide, others headline 2017 Lagos Street Carnival P26

HE declaration of eligible customer policy in the electric power industry regulation has sparked a full blown war between electricity distribution companies and power generation companies over control of deep pocket end of the market.

Ministry of Power activated the regulation, which entails direct sale of power from generating companies to maximum demand customers, in response to chorus of complaints from cash strapped upstream players owed huge sums of money by the distribution companies; and also in response to overwhelming complaints by unsatisfied electricity consumers in the country.

The eligible customer regulation, The Oracle Today gathered, was also brought into effect to open up the market from the upstream end in order to unleash stranded generation capacity through increased offtake by high consumption customers that currently cope with suppressed load.

The eligible customers are electricity consumers with significantly high load capacity whose pockets are also deep enough to meet timely payment requirement for dedicated supply directly from generation stations.

The policy enables power generating companies to strike supply deals with such customers without intervention of distribution companies.

Whereas the distribution companies under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) kick against the policy for undermining their market control, the members of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) applaud the move as critical leap out of the prevailing debt trap that threaten investments in the government’s power sector reform program.

The power sector reform process started with the unbundling of the state owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and subsequent privatization of its successor companies. The business model that evolved has power generating companies (Gencos), the electricity distribution companies (Discos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) entwined in a commercial relay managed by National Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) and regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Energy SPDC secures licence extension for Afam VI power plants

Stock Market Highlights As At 27 November, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP Most Traded Coy (By Volume) WAPIC TANTALIZER FIDELITYBK ZENITHBANK

37,250.78 3,868.00 942,716,595.00 N4,778,643,859.42 N12,972,948,065,744.05 N7,907,950,422,196.84 N6,454,054,832.05 Volume 650,541,968 43,813,954 31,865,815 25,603,411

Value(N) N325,270,984.00 N21,906,977.00 N54,250,538.47 N636,668,786.52

5 Top Gainers Company NB FO PZ DANGSUGAR NASCON

Last Close Current N130.07 N131.17 N40 N41 1 N23 N23.87 0.87 N17.24 N17.81 0.57 N15.1 N15.6 0.5

5Top Losers Company

Last Close

Current

MOBIL GUINNESS STANBIC FLOURMILL UNILEVER

N170 N102 N41.99 N35 N40.9

-2.1 -2 -1.99 -1 -0.86

N167.9 N100 N40 N34 N40.04

Change 1.1 0.85% 2.50% 3.78% 3.31% 3.31% Change -1.24% -1.96% -4.74% -2.86% -2.10%-1.62%

The Oracle Today

18

Wednesday December 6, 2017

BUSINESS

Forensic Audit: Court strikes out Oando’s case against SEC

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out a case filed by Oando Plc against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking to stop SEC from conducting a forensic audit on the company and also lift a technical suspension placed on its shares. The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa on Thursday struck out the case on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and advised Oando to take its case to the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST).

The ruling was based on a preliminary objection filed by Counsel to SEC, George Uwechue, SAN.In his ruling, the judge said, “I hold that the subject matter of this issue falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) and not this court. “In addressing this issue, I find the provisions of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 quite instructive.

Section 284 of the ISA (2007) says the Tribunal shall, to the exclusion of any other court of law or body in Nigeria, exercise jurisdiction to hear and determine any question of law or dispute involving- (a) a decision or determination of the Commission in the operation and application of this Act, and in particular, relating to any dispute- (i) between capital market operators; (ii) between capital market operators and their clients; (iii) between an investor and a securities exchange or capital trade point or clearing and settlement agency; (iv) between capital market operators and self regulatory organisation; (b) the Commission and self regulatory organisation; (c) a capital market operator and the Commission; (d) an investor and the Commission; (e) an issuer of securities and the Commission; and Jurisdiction of the Tribunal, etc. 132 (f) disputes arising from the administration, management and operation of collective investment schemes. “It is not in dispute that the matter before me is a dispute between capital market operators.”According to the judge, “the duty of the court is to apply the law”.

“On this premise, I have no option than to uphold the preliminary objection. I also in the same vein

• From left: Prof. Umar Danbatta, EVC NCC; Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Sunday Dare, Executive Comissioner Stakeholder Management NCC, after the signing of an MOU on protection of telecom infrastructure with NSCDC. uphold the preliminary objection of the 2nd defendant (Nigerian Stock Exchange). This court lacks the jurisdiction to adjudicate the dispute between both parties. “The proper place for this matter to go is IST. I therefore strike out this matter,” the judge ruled.

Reacting to the ruling, the Counsel to SEC, George Uwechue, SAN, said, “We brought a notice of preliminary objection stating that this court has no jurisdiction to hear capital market matters because there is a special tribunal set up for it. And the court agreed with us. So the court upheld our preliminary objection and therefore struck out the application.”

Oando approached the Federal High Court to obtain an order to stop the suspension of its shares and an impending forensic audit after SEC, on October 18, directed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to place the shares of Oando Plc on full suspension for 48 hours and on technical suspension from Friday,

October 20.

The suspension, according to SEC, was to enable it conduct a forensic audit into the affairs of Oando Plc following petitions and protests by some aggrieved shareholders leading to a directive by the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market to issue a directive to the regulator to investigate the grievances.

SEC had explained in a statement in October that it carried out a comprehensive review of the petitions and found a breach of the provisions of the Investments & Securities Act 2007; breach of the SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies; suspected insider dealing; suspected related party transactions not conducted at arm’s length and discrepancies in the shareholding structure of Oando Plc, among others.

SEC, in the memo said these findings were weighty and

the Commission’s support and indicated that they would comply with government’s directives in obtaining NITDA’s clearance for the Commission’s IT procurements and services.

“The commission fulfilled this pledge by subjecting its Information Communication Technology Security and Systems Infrastructure Upgrade project to rigorous scrutiny by NITDA’s IT Projects Clearance Committee.

“By this singular act, the EFCC has shown that it is not above the law thereby serving as an example to other government establishments,” Pantami said. He also said that other MDAs should follow suit, adding that the agency was committed to the task as the government’s clearinghouse for all IT procurement and services.

The director-general recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had at the opening ceremony of the

eNigeria 2017 Conference recently held in Abuja, called for strict compliance to the directive.

NITDA had earlier this year issued warnings to all MDAs on the need for clearance before embarking on any IT projects. This, it said became necessary as it realized that government’s investments in IT over the years were not commensurate with the value derived from such investments and had also failed to evolve a digitally-enabled public service that will advance the citizens’ yearnings of digital economy made it necessary for strategic repositioning of IT procurement in the public sector.

“The Agency’s assessment of the 2017 Appropriation Bill revealed that MDAs proposed to spend approximately Forty-Two Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-One Naira (42,560,945,191.00) on IT projects.

therefore needed to be further investigated.“The commission’s primary role as apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market is to regulate the market and protect the investing public. The commission notes that the above findings are weighty and therefore needs to be further investigated. After due consideration, the commission believes that it is necessary to conduct a forensic audit into the affairs of Oando Plc. This is pursuant to the statutory duties of the Commission as provided in section 13(k), (n), (r) and (aa) of the ISA 2017.

“To ensure the independence and transparency of the exercise, the forensic audit shall be conducted by a consortium of experts made up of auditors, lawyers, stockbrokers and registrars,” the regulator had stated. Oando’s shares were also suspended by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in October.

NITDA, EFCC partner to enforce IT projects clearance

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said it is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) comply with the clearance of Information Technology projects procurement.

Dr Isa Pantami, Director-General of NITDA, said this in a statement signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations. “In an effort to strengthen the IT Projects clearance process, Dr Isa Pantami, the Director General sought for the support of the EFCC. “This is to sustain its fight against corrupt practices in IT procurements of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). “Mr Ibrahim Magu, the EFCC Acting Chairman pledged

This represents 2.1% of the total capital budget of Two Trillion, Forty-Eight Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira (N2,048,989,578,222.00). It is therefore imperative to ensure that maximum value is derived from such huge investment of public funds, especially at a time when the need for accountable, transparent, efficient and effective public spending is high on the current administration’s agenda’ the agency had noted.

Establishments need to seek clearance from the Agency before embarking on any Information Technology (IT) project. This is in line with Section 6 of the NITDA Act, 2007 as well as Service-wide Circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation which makes the Agency the clearing house for all IT procurement the public sector.

Smile empowers customers

By SAMSON AKINTARO

S

mile Nigeria, the pioneer 4G LTE telecommunications service provider in West Africa, has introduced new Flexi and BumpaValue plans to further empower customers to do more. Announcing this in a statement, the company said the introduction is indicative of its listening to the needs of its customers, thereby exciting the market.

“With the FlexiData Plan, the consumer is open to choose from two variants; the DailyFlexi and the WeeklyFlexi Plans. Similarly, the BumpaValue Data Plan comes in three variants. The 30GB, 60GB and 80GB BumpaValue Plans” Smile explained.

“Acknowledged by industry watchers as a worthwhile holiday season offer, customers on the Smile Network who opt for the DailyFlexi Data Plan will enjoy 1GB for only N500 with 24 hours validity. For the WeeklyFlexi Data Plan, the customer will get 2GB data for only N1200 with a validity period of 7 days. As part of the attractive offering, a 30GB BumpaValue Plan goes for N15, 000 with 60 days validity. 60GB BumpaValue Plan is on offer for N30, 000 with 90 days validity while the 80GB BumpaValue Plan costs N50, 000 with a validity period of 120 days” it added.

Smile said the BumpaValue plans can be rolled over before expiration date, adding that customers can also share their data with their loved ones, friends and family.

“The plans are designed to be flexible and user friendly. They can be used for voice calls & SMS. The plans are available on all 3rd party payment channels, including MySmile portal. They can also be purchased at Smile shops, Kiosks, and independent partners in all the cities that Smile has network coverage” the company said in the statement.

Import waivers: ‘We followed due process’

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he Federal Ministry of Finance says that due process is always followed in granting import duty waivers to importers, as part of efforts to check corruption and abuses of government’s fiscal incentives. The Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, Mr Salisu Dambatta said this in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to Danbatta, these procedures have been put in place to curb rampart corrupt practices in the economic sector. The statement came after some importers and Nongovernmental Orgnisations (NGOs) criticised the ministry for allegedly refusing to grant import duty waivers in respect of drugs, health commodities and related equipment donated by the Global Fund. “The Ministry strongly denies that the Minister has refused to grant import duty waivers to some importers and NGOs for drugs and health commodities imported into the country. “To get an import waiver, an application by the importer must be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Finance through the Federal Ministry of Health with evidence of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) duly signed by the Minister or Minister-of-State, Budget and National Planning between the DonoUr Agencies, Federal Government of Nigeria and the RecipientNGOs must be presented alongside a certificate of exemption from tax from the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

The Oracle Today

19

Wednesday December 6, 2017

BUSINESS

FCMB Group concludes acquisition of Legacy Pension Managers Stories by JEROME USHAKANG

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IRST City Monument Bank Group Plc, (FCMB) has successfully completed the acquisition of additional 60 percent equity stake in Legacy Pension Managers Limited (Legacy).

The Banking Group has already notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of the acquisition, following the Completion Board Meeting held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in Abuja.

The completion of the deal follows the approvals of the regulatory authorities which include the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), the National Pension Commission, (Pencom) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Prior to the acquisition of Legacy

Pension Managers Limited, FCMB Group’s stake in the company was 28.2 percent. But with the recent acquisition of 60 percent stake and acquisition of Legacy, FCMB has thus increased its holding to 88.2 percent in the subsidiary company.

Some investors and Analysts have commended FCMB Group for their decision to acquire majority stake in Legacy Pension as a significant development that would enhance the future performance of both organizations.

They anticipate that Legacy Pension will be better positioned to grow its market share, compete effectively upon the onset of Retirement Savings Account portability, and also enter the micro-pensions segment in the informal market by leveraging on

the network of First City Monument Bank, the retail and commercial banking arm of FCMB Group. They also reasoned that FCMB Group’s acquisition of Legacy is set to open a new vista of sustained growth for Legacy through the enhanced distribution and market presence.

FCMB believes that Legacy will contribute and accelerate the group’s sustained profitability as well as shareholder value. It will support and facilitate strategic initiatives that will position Legacy in the top-tier of its industry over the next five years.

Meanwhile, FCMB Group Plc’s subsidiaries include: First City Monument Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, CSL Trustees Limited, First City Asset Management Limited, FCMB Microfinance Limited and now, Legacy Pen-

sion Managers Limited.

It has over 4.3 million customers and 204 branches in Nigeria and a banking subsidiary in the United Kingdom through FCMB Bank (UK) Limited (which is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the PRA in the United Kingdom).

Legacy Pension Managers Limited is licensed by the National Pension Commission, to carry on business as a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

It has over N220 billion assets under management comprising, retirement savings accounts, retiree accounts as well as privately managed pension funds for institutions. Meantime, it has over 350,000 pension contributors which it services from 48 locations across the country.

UACN N15b Rights Issue closes Dec. 22

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he ongoing United Africa Company Plc (UACN) Rights Issue of 960.5 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at the offer price N16 per share on the basis of one new ordinary shares for every two held as at October 19, 2017 will close on December 22, 2017.

The Group Managing Director of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Larry Ephraim Ettah, in a notice signed and released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the opening of its Rights Issue of 960.5million ordinary shares for subscription as acceptance list opened on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.

According to the Rights Issue circular released by the company, the company’s target is to raise a total of N15 billion after deducting costs related to the offer.

Details of the offer also revealed that N5 billion will be injected into Grand Cereals Limited as equity, in addition to a N3.5 billion company loan. UACN also intends to allocate N4 billion as working capital support to both Livestock Feeds Plc and Grand Cereals Plc. While N2.5 billion also from the Rights Issue will be reserved for new business development.

UAC of Nigeria is a conglomerate, operating in the food and beverage, real estate, paints and logistics sectors of the economy, through its subsidiaries.

• Tinuade Awe (left), General Counsel & Head of Regulation, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) presenting a replica of the closing gong to Laurent Polonceaux, Consul General of the French Consulate during the FrancoNigerian Chamber of Commerce’s visit to NSE.

The company was incorporated on April 22, 1931 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the United Africa Company Limited (a subsidiary of Unilever), which later became UAC International. The Company’s name was

changed to United Africa Company (Nigeria) Limited on July 23, 1943, and became UAC of Nigeria PLC in 1991. It was listed on the NSE in 1974.

IOSCO out with 14 points on termination of investment funds

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HE Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has published 14 good practices on the voluntary termination of investment funds that seek to protect investors’ interests during the termination process.

The 14 good practices are categorized under the following five headings: Disclosure at Time of Investment, Decision to Terminate, Decision to Merge, During the Termination Process and Specific Types of Investment Funds IOSCO in a statement said this is contained in its final report titled: IOSCO Report on Good Practices for the Termination of Investment funds. It also highlighted the importance for investment funds, adopting termination procedures that take into account investor protection issues. It stressed that the decision to terminate an investment fund can have a significant impact on investors, including their ability to withdraw their funds in a timely manner.

The good practices apply to voluntary terminations, as legislation

at a national level in most jurisdictions addresses involuntary terminations, such as those caused by insolvency. Voluntary terminations typically occur because an investment fund, although still solvent, is no longer economically viable or can no longer serve its intended objectives.

The report sets out additional good practices for the voluntary termination of investment funds with illiquid or hard-to-value securities, such as commodity funds, real estate funds or hedge funds.

IOSCO is the leading international policy forum for securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for securities regulation. The organization’s membership regulates more than 95 percent of the world’s securities markets in more than 115 jurisdictions and it continues to expand.

The IOSCO Board is the governing and standard-setting body of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and is made up of 34 securities regulators. Ashley Alder, the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities

and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong, is the Chair of the IOSCO Board. The members of the IOSCO Board are the securities regulatory authorities of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ire-

land, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Ontario, Pakistan, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, theNetherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Ship owners demand release of $100m Cabotage Fund

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he President, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Mr Aminu Umar, has called on the Federal Government to intervene in delayed disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to sustain shipping business.

Umar made the call in a media interview in Lagos. The ship owners have been expressing worries over the non-disbursement of the sum of more than 100 million dollars being administered by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The fund has been growing in the last 14 years when the Cabotage and Inland Shipping Act 2003 was en-

acted. According to Umar, there is no improvement in shipping business in the country, adding that they are still engaging NIMASA over the fund.

“We hope that in 2018, NIMASA will come up with the intervention fund for ship owners because the fund is already there. We want to see improvement in our operations. “There is need for government to make the CVFF fund transparent so that our members will have access to it.

“So far, we do not know why the CVFF has not been disbursed and government through NIMASA has not told us why its not being disbursed.’’

NDIC urges banks back to NE

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he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has implored Banks to open business operations in the North East part of the country to help resuscitate business activities in the once devastated area by Boko Haram insurgents.

The NDIC hopes that resumption of banking operations will facilitate access to funds to business men and women in the region. Impeccable sources revealed that only 25 per cent of adults out of the estimated population of 26.26 million people in the region have access to financial services.

The NDIC Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said concerted efforts must be made to economically revive the North East as the region has a very large population that cannot be neglected and appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to encourage Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), DMBs and other players in the financial sector to return to the region and catalyze economic growth and prosperity.

Ibrahim in his paper titled “Rebuilding Financial Infrastructure in the North East, which he presented through Deputy Director, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sani Mohammed, at the opening of the workshop for Business editors and finance correspondents, FICAN in Kano, called for collaboration between the CBN and governors in the North East to fashion ways of attracting investment to the region.

According to him, “I think with this low percentage of people having access to formal financial service, there is need for more collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Governors of the North East, I will love to see a situation whereby we sit with the government of the North East because without their collaboration, there is not much we can achieve. “Secondly, it will be very necessary for the CBN to find a way of providing some incentives to DMBs, Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and other financial institution to come back to the North East”.

The NDIC MD urged the National Assembly to do everything possible to push the CBN to provide some of the much needed incentives for the banks to come back to the North East. Deputy Director, Development Finance, CBN, Sani Mohammed, said the justification for rebuilding the North East is because of the region’s potential for Agricultural development and fitting into the Federal Government’s economic development and diversification agenda. He thereafter said the North East presents an enormous potential to contribute to the economy, adding that the apex bank will continue to support initiatives to ensure access to financial services. “The current vision to drive the North East infrastructural redevelopment stems from the presidential initiative for the North East. The North East presents an enormous potential to contributing to the economy and the CBN will continue to support initiatives to ensure access to formal financial services”, Mohammed said.

The Oracle Today

20

Wednesday December 6, 2017

ENERGY

SPDC secures licence extension for Afam VI power plants

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

S

HELL Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Limited says it has secured regulatory approval to operate its Afam VI power generating station for the next 10 year .

Shell stated in a release that Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) renewed the power generation licence for 650MW Afam VI Power Plant, which has delivered over 25.97 million Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity into the Nigerian grid since inception in 2008.

Shell operates Afam VI located in Afam in Oyigbo Local Government area of Rivers State on the same terms with the NNPC/Shell/Total/ Agip joint venture. Presenting the renewed licence to the leadership of SPDC at the Commission’s office in Abuja on Tuesday, the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, described SPDC JV as a committed partner in the Nigerian power sector adding that the company’s belief in the sector and its resolve to help it develop were

remarkable.

“We hope for greater efficiency and improved operations from Afam VI in the next 10-year phase of your operations just as we look forward to working together to resolve some of the challenging issues in the power sector,” he said. Receiving the licence, the General Manager, Gas of SPDC, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, described the Afam VI as a model worthy of emulation by government and other players in the power sector. “Here’s a power plant with a dedicated gas plant operating with high uptime generating clean and efficient power from the combined cycle of three gas and one steam turbines.”

He lamented the challenges of debt, power evacuation and off-take which he said prevented the plant from delivering optimally at 15 percent of the total national grid-connected electricity.

Afam VI uses combined cycle gas turbine technology that burns 40 percent less gas than plants using older open cycle technologies. This also contributes significantly to the

reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, Afam VI power plant supplied approximately 12% of the nation’s grid-electricity.

Built with the most efficient technology in the industry and utilising

waste heat energy from the gas turbine exhaust, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbine without consuming any additional gas, thereby considerably reducing its carbon footprint.

day Odutan, condemned the declaration, saying the Eligible Customer regulation would prompt customers that consume over two megawatts per supply hour (2MW/h) of electricity per month to leave the supply network of the Discos for direct contract with power generators.

In their objection, the discos stated: “While we do not question the legitimacy of the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing’s right to declare Eligible Customers, we believe that the declaration is premature and is inconsistent with the pre-conditions established under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005. In particular, the level of competition envisaged for such declaration, which should be in tandem with sufficiency of power supply, does not currently exist. Nor has there been an implementation of the Competition Transition Charge that is specified under the Act.” Mr. Odutan pointed out that the Eligible Customers contribute an average of 60 percent to Discos revenues with which, according to him, they cross-subsidize the low tariff paid by residential customers.

He warned that the huge revenue gap that would be created by the exit of Eligible Customers from their network would now be imposed on the residential class of customers via increased tariffs under the Competition Transition Charge.

According to him, there would be a minimum tariff increase of N4 per kWh on the residential class customers upon the exit of Eligible Customers.

In blaming government for policy crisis and prevailing market revenue shortfall of N892 billion, Mr. Odutan listed government’s unmet commitments in the sector to include: Debt free books; Cost reflective tariff; N100 billion of subsidy payment; Payment of MDA debt; and commitment to return on investment for the investors.

He also stated that the Eligible Customer regulation would further contribute to the DisCos’ inability to recover the revenues that would enable them invest in market opera-

tions efficiency.

He explained that the Discos had to serve government a notice of force majeure because the new regulation is bound to weaken their capacity to meet their Performance Agreements with BPE. He described the new regulation as a disruption in policy similar to “a previous situation in which the regulator, arbitrarily, removed Collection Losses from the DisCos’ tariff in April 2015, a contributor to the current market shortfall.”

“Unless we begin to see a consistency of sector governance, a critical requirement for the viability and sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), it is unlikely that we will achieve the objective of 24/7 power supply, an outcome that all Nigerians deserve,” Mr. Odutan warned. Polarised against ANED on the Eligible Customer regulation, APGC commended government on the declaration, describing it as a strategic step to improving efficiency, competition and the economy.

Spokesman, Dr. Joy Ogaji, stated: “With stranded generation capacity in the electricity market and poor market liquidity, declaration of eligible customer is the brilliant way to liberate the electricity sector from the current monopoly by some under-performing companies.”

According to her, the policy directive will lead to increased energy supply, enable Gencos ramp up their generation capacity to supply eligible customers, address financial viability of the electricity supply value chain, and solidify the benefits of the power sector reforms.

In challenging ANED on the legality of the declaration, Dr Ogaji who is also a lawyer argued that “declaration of Eligible Customer is in line with the provisions of an Act of Parliament, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSR) — the Grund norm of the Power Sector.

Contrary to arguments against the Declaration, the Minister has taken the right step!”

She said the National Electricity Power Policy (NEPP) 2001 and the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005 provides for the develop-

ment of Nigeria electricity market with wholesale competition recommended to assist in monopoly control and cost insensitivity.

“The declaration pursuant to Section 24 Subsection 2 and 3 of the Act, does not portend that the market is competitive but rather the declaration is intended to initiate a competitive market as captured by Section 24 Subsection 3 of the Act. This policy directive heralds the initiation of a competitive market as captured by Part II of the Act with the title Development of a Competitive Electricity Market,” she pointed out.

Dr. Ogaji quoted Subsection 3 of the Act as holding that: “The Minister shall present to the President and the National Council on Privatisation and National Assembly, each report submitted by the Commission under subsection (2) of this section and when the Minister, in consultation with the President and the National Council on Privatisation is satisfied that the electricity market in Nigeria has developed to the point where a more competitive market ought to be established pursuant to section 26 of this Act, having regard to the criteria described in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (2) of this section, and the Minister shall issue a declaration that a more competitive electricity market is to be initiated.”

She cited Section 26 (1) of the Power Act 2005 to rupture Mr. Odutan’s argument that competition should be fully in place before the declaration. “Instead it states that the declaration initiates, commences, heralds, starts, begins, originates, inaugurates, and launches etc the process of market competition,” she argued.

She blamed private sector monopoly in electric power distribution for the huge gaps between available generation capacity of 8,000MW, and actual average daily generation of about 3,750MW. Meanwhile the demand estimate for about 30 percent of Nigerian households with access to grid electricity stands at 17,720MW. “This figure proves that there is a huge gap in delivering generation capacity and also a bigger gap in meeting grid connected as well as suppressed load three years after

As a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the United Nations Executive Board for Climate Change, Afam VI Power Plant eliminates over 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, while also maintaining excellent safety standards.

The operations at Afam VI have generated subcontract opportunities and employment for over 150 people from the 16 host communities. It also provided hands-on and offshore training for 30 youths in Electrical, Mechanical and Instrumentation engineering on Combined Cycle Power Plant operations and maintenance.

All the trainees are already employed in the Nigerian power industry.

The power plant also won SPDC the Best Company in Climate Action Award in the 2016 edition of Sustainability, Enterprise, Responsibility Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (SERAs–CSR), an annual event to celebrate organisations that invest resources to improve the socioeconomic living conditions of people in Nigeria and Africa.

2nd tier liberalisation sparks market war

Cont’d from Page 17 They constantly point at rising cost of investment funds and low cash returns from the market.

The public sector player, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Plc which manages the National Integrated Power Programme, and private power producers in the country regret huge debts owed them by the Discos. They bitterly decry reluctance of the Discos to defray the huge power bills advanced by NBET. The bulk trader which brokers supply deals between the Gencos, TCN and Discos claims that the 11 distribution companies collectively owe power producers over N500 billion.

Discos also accuse government of inability to defray about N26 billion bills on electricity consumed by its ministries, departments and agencies.

With no visible point of convergence with the Discos over unsettled bills, gas and power suppliers had stridently called for further liberalization of the market to enable direct supply deals as provided by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and associated policy directives derived from the law. They argue that unlocking the intricate commercial bond in the market would save the wobbling sector from total collapse.

Thus, in a response to a spate of public outcry against the debt burden on the crumbling power sector reform process, Minister of Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, in May, activated section 27 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 with declaration of the Eligible Customers in the Nigerian Electricity Market.

He said the declaration came after government’s assessment of the market status and the need to propel retail competition in the market where Discos have shown loss of capacity to fulfil their obligations to consumers and suppliers.

In response the declaration, the Discos served a breach of agreement notice to Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), citing the Eligible Customer Regulation issued them by NERC. Spokesman for the Discos, Mr. Sun-

privatization. The implication is that transmission and distribution infrastructures are yet to be put in place to take stranded generation capacity from the generation companies who are willing to sell power to suppressed load centres desperately in need and willing to buy power,” Dr. Ogaji stated.

On market illiquidity, she lamented that “the 11 Distribution companies have enjoyed the monopoly of bulk power purchase and are still unable to distribute and account properly for power purchased and distributed” over three years after privatization.

According to the Dr. Ogaji, the poor market operation by Discos remains the major hindrance to Gencos who are waiting desperately to sell more power to end users willing to buy more power for residential, commercial and industrial use.

With the declaration, she said, “Gencos can now sell power to suppressed load centres thereby making up dwindling revenue and pay their gas suppliers. Customers now have the permission to cooperate amongst themselves providing the enabling environment and also infrastructure to be classified as eligible customers.”

Dr. Ogaji added that the declaration would guarantee cash flow, boost confidence of gas producers, power producers and manufacturers of industry products.

She said the Eligibility Customer regulation would deepen the liberalization of NESI, improve efficiency, promote national economic development through supplying electricity to the productive sector of the economy, and support economies of scale through bulk purchase of electricity.

According to her, there will be reduction of technical and nontechnical losses for bulk High Voltage supply, reduced financial risk by supplying credit worthy eligible consumers, increased attention to consumers, choice of energy supplier for customers, efficient electricity market, increased investment in the sector and bankable long term supply contracts.

The Oracle Today

21

Wednesday December 6, 2017

ENERGY

African, M/East upbeat with refinery projects

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, with agency reports

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HE 650, 000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery in Lagos puts Nigeria on the frontline of Africa’s refining capacity uptick in the three years as Middle East and African countries retool and rehabilitate existing refineries while breaking grounds for greenfield plants.

In Africa specifically, numerous refinery project plans are still on the table in Nigeria and other new petroleum producing countries, few projects have delivered while others have reached advanced stages of completion.

Nigeria the continents capacity outlook for petroleum refinery with significant private investment coming from Dangote Group which is pressing forward with its highly publicised large scale crude oil and natural gas liquids processing complex located in coastal Lekki area of Lagos State.

However, the refinery project expected to change the status of Nigeria from net importer of refined fuel to exporter is running behind schedule for reasons that have not been publicised to anxious public.

The Oracle Today gathered that the Dangote refinery earlier expected come online next year is now to be delayed to the last quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu who has recently been singing about the Dangote project declared at an industry event earlier in the month that the new refinery plants would come on stream much more latter than scheduled.

Dr. Kachikeu no longer finds it exciting to talk about the country’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri. His previous proclamations on the refineries regarding their rehabilitation, upgrade and possible sale proved unrealistic. The refineries are operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The refineries before Dr. Kachikwu became minister had been planned to be shut for a major overhaul to restore production to their combined nameplate capacity of 445,000 b/d.

Following series of policy changes by the minister, NNPC could no longer provide a timeframe for the rehabilitation of the refineries which have been operating below average capacity due to technical problems and pipeline sabotage. Elsewhere in Africa, Gabon’s Sogara has been undergoing maintenance which started mid-September. Work was set to continue for around six to eight weeks. Libya’s National Oil Corporation announced that it is due to increase refining rates at the Zawiya refinery by restarting

Status update on African refinery capacity Refinery

Capacity b/d

Country

Owner

Uni

Duration

Mina Al Fahal Mesaieed Ras Tanura Ras Laffan 2 Sogara Zawiya Tema Sir Skikda Jeddah

106,000 137,000 550,000 146,000 23,000 120,000 45,000 75,000 330,000 90,000

Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Qatar Gabon Libya Ghana Cote D’ivoire Algeria Saudi Arabia

Orpic Qatar Petr Aramco Qatar Petr Joint NOC TOR Joint Sonatrach Aramco Closed

Full Full Splitter Splitter Full Partial To restart Hcracker Nov All Q4’17

Restarted Q4 Delayed Oct Sep-nov Aug-nov Q1 2018

840,000

Uae

ADNOC

Rfcc

2019

466,000 270,000 840,000 125,000 110,000 210,000 102,000

Kuwait Kuwait Uae Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria Jordan

KNPC KNPC ADNOC NNPC NNPC NNPC JPRC

Clean fuel Clean fuel Expansion Overhaul N/a Overhaul N/a Overhaul N/a Expansion

2018 2018 2022

N/a 650,000 360,000

Iraq Nigeria Iran

State Dangote Ind NIOR

Launch Launch Launch

N/a Q4’19/q1’20 Delayed

Future Ruwais Upgrades Mina Al-ahmadi Mina Abdullah Ruwais Warri Kaduna Port Harcourt Zarqa Launches Basra Dangote Pg Star

the second crude distillation unit (CDU). The plant has been operating just one of its two atmospheric distillation units. Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery, shut since late January, is expected to restart in the “first quarter of 2018 or earlier”, a source at Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority said, but market sources add that the facility might temporarily restart for about three weeks by the end of the year. In Cote d’Ivoire, imports for petrol and fuel oil has resumed after the hydrocracker at SIR went down

and could no longer producing middle distillates, while the two CDUs continue to operate, market sources said.

In Algeria, numerous units at Skikda refinery are offline since a maintenance that started in April.

Iraq opened its latest downstream tender October 23, hoping to attract engineering and construction companies to build a new refinery in the Basra province. In Iran, there are expectations that the 120,000 b/d phase two of the Persian Gulf

O

mercialization of discoveries made in OPLs will meet the$1 million requirement for conversion to OML. Besides the renewal fees, some $2,500 application fee applies for renewal of marginal field licenses, $5,000 for renewal of OPLs, $10,000 for OMLs. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) operates 17 of the 19 OMLs due for renewal while the rest are located in the operating enclaves of other traditional joint venture operators.

The Oracle Today reports that exploration fields transit to mining fields upon discovery of commercial quantity of hydrocarbon resources and declaration of intention by the operator to begin devel-

2020

Star condensates refinery to be completed by mid-2018, while phase three, which will take total capacity to 360,000 b/d, is expected to come online around mid-2019. The 120,000 b/d first phase of the Persian Gulf Star complex was officially opened after the refinery’s naphtha treatment unit began operations in March 2017.

In the Middle East, Oman’s Mina Al Fahal restarted after works. Orpic began the restart process at the Mina al-Fahal refinery following a 45-day

47 oil licences near renewal

VER 47 operating licenses relating to producing and nonproducing oil blocks in the country will expire by 2019, requiring the operators to seek renewal of rights to continue with the assets or return them to government.

According to regulatory sources, 19 producing acreages hosted in mining lease licenses and 28 exploration blocks hosted in prospecting licenses will be due for renewal in accordance with subsisting lease agreements by 2019.

Under the 2017 Service Requirements set by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), companies applying to renewal must meet the statutory fee of $2 million.

Companies approaching DPR for com-

Ongoing

opment and production investments to commercialize the resources.

At the point of field development, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which administers the nation’s exploration acreages converts the initial oil prospecting license (OPL) to oil mining license (OML).

New regulations expected to emerge with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill might entail separate licenses for gas fields.

Whereas the OPLs have three year tenures with option of renewal for two years, the OMLs have 10 year tenures with option for another 10 year.

maintenance that started October 3. The refinery is shut for full maintenance every four years. Also, Qatar Petroleum plans to carry out a total shutdown at its refinery at Mesaieed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Qatar Petroleum informed players of “small maintenance work” at its No. 1 and No. 2 splitters at Ras Laffan 2, market sources said, adding they had been notified that about 30,000 b/d of the total 140,000 b/d splitter capacity would be down. Saudi Aramco had initially planned to shut the gas condensate distillation unit, or condensate splitter, at Ras Tanura in October, but has delayed the shutdown to the end of November or later, sources said. The Saudi national oil company closed its Jeddah refinery in the west of Saudi Arabia, as part of its plan to convert the industrial complex into a distribution hub for oil products. Aramco decided to convert the complex, including the 50-year old refinery, into a distribution center to improve its performance, the company said in a statement. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction Company is awarded a contract to repair units at the Ruwais refinery that were damaged in a fire in January 2017. GS said it will restore fire-damaged parts of the oil processing plant at Ruwais by early 2019. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) had initially hoped to restart production from the residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) unit in the first quarter of 2018.

ADNOC is also prequalifying international engineering, procurement and construction companies to take part in a major new project to upgrade and expand gasoline and aromatics production at the Ruwais refinery. The entire scheme is scheduled for completion before the end of 2022.

Separately, ADNOC and Cepsa signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) complex. The basic engineering of the complex will start in 2018. Also on upgrades, Kuwait National Petroleum Company will begin commissioning newly installed units

by April 2018, once it has completed its Clean Fuels Project to revamp the country’s main refineries comprising Mina al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah.

The entire project, to be completed by the end of 2018, aims to improve the quality of products and slash the pooled fuel oil yield from to 5.7% from 20.7%. Also on upgrade, Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) has awarded a contract to US engineers KBR for the design of a new residue hydroprocessing unit, as part of its expansion of the Zarqa refinery in Jordan. The upgrade aims to increase the quality of its product to meet Euro 5 standard.

NNPC secures $3.7b alternative financing

N

IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it secured $3.7bn in Alternative Financing Agreement in the last three years.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who made this known while speaking Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos, said securing external funding arrangement was crucial to sustaining oil and gas production in Nigeria and ensuring the survival of Nigeria’s energy future.

“Within the last three years, we have embarked on several successful Alternative Funding Programmes to sustain and increase the national daily production and producibility,” Dr. Baru told delegates at the annual conference.

Project Cheetah is expected to increase crude oil production by 41,000bopd and 127Mmscfd with a Government-take of $6Billion over the life of the Project.

The Oracle Today

22

Wednesday December 6, 2017

e-Platform

Stakeholders worry as Nigeria plunges in ICT development ranking Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

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ost recent ranking by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has seen Nigeria dropped from 137th position in 2016 to 143rd in 2017 in the global ICT Development Index (IDI), a development that has left many stakeholders disturbed over the country’s poor ICT growth. On the African index, Nigeria placed 15th behind countries like Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Gabon, Ghana, Zimbabwe and even Cote d’Ivoire.

The ICT Development Index is a composite measure that combines 11 indicators into one benchmark index to monitor and compare ICT developments between 176 countries across the world. The threedimension frameworks used to measure the IDI are Access (level of ICT readiness which includes five infrastructure and access indicators: fixed-telephone subscriptions, mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions, international Internet bandwidth per Internet user, households with a computer, and households with Internet access); Use (level of ICT intensity which includes three intensity and usage indicators: individuals using the Internet, fixed broadband subscriptions, and mobile-broadband subscriptions) and Skills (Capabilities or skills which are important for ICTs and include three proxy indicators: mean years of schooling, gross secondary enrolment, and gross tertiary enrolment).

Reacting to the ranking, a group of stakeholders in Nigeria, Broadband 2018 Coalition, expressed shock poor performance of the country in ICT development. The coalition convener and technology expert, Danjuma Yusuf pointed that Nigeria’s technology landscape needs urgent intervention given its sharp stagnation and decline in recent years and tasked the Federal and State Governments and other relevant regulatory agencies to quickly focus on

strategies that would increase the country’s global competitiveness in ICT. According to Yusuf, Nigeria has become an object of ridicule on global ICT rankings, been bested by countries with much lower Gross Domestic Product. He mentioned that with direct connections to 5 submarine cables ($7bn of Africa’s $20bn submarine cable investments), Nigeria has no excuse for not leading the African index ahead of South Africa (with 4 submarine cables), Zimbabwe and Gabon with 2 cables each, and urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s ICT sector.

Yusuf cited as example, Kenya, which also launched its Broadband Policy in 2013 but is currently leading Africa in internet penetration with over 30 million people having (67%) internet access according to the Jumia Business Intelligence and GSMA ‘White Paper 2017: Trends from the Kenyan Smartphone and eCommerce Industry’. He stressed that proactive regulation and a government-funded National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) project rolled out hundreds of thousands kilometers of fiber optic cables across Kenya’s 47 counties. According to him, Kenya’s leadership initiatives have ensured the country remains one of Africa’s leading recipients of foreign direct investment and the fastest advancing country in ICT on the continent.

Mr. Yusuf urged speedy implementation of the five-year Broadband Plan stating broadband has played an outsized role in transforming societies and economic opportunities across the world, facilitating education and knowledge dissemination, enabling trade and commerce and contributing to growing entrepreneurship across the world.

According to the ITU report, the average value for Africa in the IDI 2017 is 2.64 points. Mauritius, which is the first ranked African country, occupying 72nd position in the glo-

• Shittu, Minister of Communications bal ranking has 5.88 value and is among the the upper half of the global IDI distribution. Two countries in the region, Namibia and Gabon, were said to have achieved the most dynamic improvements in their IDI value over the year.

The ITU notes that Nigeria as subSaharan Africa’s largest economy has huge potential for developing her ICT sector, adding however, that high level of competition exist only in the mobile market. “This needs to be extended to the retail fixed-broadband and wholesale backbone markets so that highspeed connectivity can extend to all parts of the country and meet the needs of business and government” ITU advised Nigeria in the

report.

In his comments on the report, ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao said:”This year’s report shows that ICTs have the potential to make the world a better place and contribute immensely to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,”. “However, despite the overall progress achieved, the digital divide remains a challenge which needs to be addressed. This is important because information and communication technology and the digital economy have the potential to transform the lives of billions of men, women and children. The digital revolution can transform nations -- entire conti-

nents – but only if digital resources are accessible.”

The Secretary General noted that in spite of the rapid expansion of ICTs, there are substantial digital divides between countries and regions. “However, there has been registered progress in ICT growth by least developed countries, in terms of connectivity as well as the use of the Internet. Globally, more than half of households worldwide now have access to the Internet, though the rate of growth appears to have fallen below 5 per cent a year. There has also been significant progress in terms of bridging the gender digital divide across the regions” he said.

Nigerians to enjoy satellite services at home soon – NIGCOMSAT

T

• Alale, MD NIGCOMSAT

he Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite LTD (NIGCOMSAT), has reiterated the company’s commitment toward ensuring that Nigerians reap the benefits of communication satellite, promising that that very soon, every Nigerian would have access to communication satellite services in their homes as against a few who presently enjoys the services.

Alale stated this at a training of resellers and installers on Ka-VSAT in Abuja recently. Represented by Mr Raji Kolawole, the Executive Director, Engineering Services NIGCOMSAT, Alale said “Our services had been rated very high by current users as second to none, it is therefore our humble appeal to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to utilise the services offered by NIGCOMSAT.

“The services offered by NIGCOMSAT are geared toward ensuring reduction in capital flight and to engender the socio-economic development and growth of our nation. With the recent signing of a back-up agreement with Belintersat, operators of Belintersat-1, NigComSat IR is poised to offer excellent service and capture the communication satellite market available in Africa and beyond,’’ she said.

Alale said that NIGCOMSAT Ka band offers a VSATS Network cost effective solutions that reduces total cost of Ownership (TCO) and cheaper bandwidth pricing for subscribers in comparison to Ku and C-bad networks. According to her, the training exercise is designed specifically for NIGCOMSAT V’SAT installers on its Ka band and it is meant to equip them with the best

and emerging trends in the satellite communications industry. She said that the training was envisaged to further deepen and strengthen the Federal Government’s broadband penetration plan. “The installers will be adequately trained to handle all issues relating to configuration, deployment and management of the service,’’ Alale said.

While urging the participants to take the training seriously, the NIGCOMSAT boss said that they had been carefully selected out of the hundreds that applied to leverage on the opportunity to improve themselves. Alale said that training was also part of NIGCOMSAT way of fulfilling its corporate social responsibility in achieving the goals and aspirations of President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of reaching out to Nigerians no matter where they reside.

The Oracle Today

23

Wednesday December 6, 2017

e-Platform

Africa needs secure Internet for economic growth – Group Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

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NTERNET Society, a global non-profit dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet has canvassed for secure and trusted internet access in Africa in a new report emphasizing the benefits of internet economy for businesses and citizens. In the report titled: “Promoting the African Internet Economy”, Internet Society highlights how greater use of the Internet and digitization of the traditional economy will spur economic growth in Africa.

In the report, Dawit Bekele, Africa Region Bureau Director for the Internet Society, noted that the Internet economy presents a major opportunity for Africa.

“However, Africa needs a secure and reliable Internet infrastructure that users trust in order to bring large and small businesses online, along with governments and other social services” he said. The Internet Society in collaboration with the African Union recently introduced Internet Infrastructure Security Guidelines for Africa to help AU member states strengthen the security of their local Internet infrastructure through actions at a regional, national, ISP/operator and organizational level.

According to the report, in Kenya, the Internet economy already represents 3.6 per cent of the country’s GDP and in other developing countries 1.3 per cent of GDP comes from the Internet economy.

A McKinsey Global Institute predicts that in addition to contributions to GDP, the Internet will deliver productivity gains across Africa. These productivity gains across six key sectors: financial services,

education, health, retail, agriculture and government are projected to be valued at between US$148 billion and $318 billion by 2025.

However, the group warned that a thriving Internet economy in Africa could be put at risk by the increasing number of Internet shutdowns in the region. “In 2016 alone, there were at least 56 shutdowns of the Internet around the world. These shutdowns affect individuals and organizations that depend on the Internet for their daily lives and have negative effects on the economy.

“In addition to the economic costs, Internet shutdowns also affect trust. If people don’t know whether they will have connectivity, they can no longer rely on that connectivity to build Internet-based businesses. This will affect entrepreneurs in greatest need of digital-led innovation for their own future, and the future of the Internet economy in Africa,” added Bekele.

On the adoption of internet in Africa, the report noted: “Internet penetration and usage varies widely across Africa, with urban areas generally having higher Internet penetration rates than rural areas do. As of 2017, 388 million of the continent’s 1.25 billion people are online, with 160 million holding Facebook accounts. In the table below, we chart the progress that the 14 largest economies in Africa are making at getting people online.

We see that there remains a great deal of the population unconnected — which means that as penetration increases, so too do the benefits that the Internet can bring. We also observe that all African countries score low on the technological readiness pillar of the World Bank’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017. This is a measurement of the agility with which traditional industries adopt

new technology. As we identified previously that 75 per cent of the impact of the Internet on growth comes from traditional industries leveraging the Internet to increase their efficiency and competitiveness, these scores suggest that more work needs to be done”.

The report further examines Internet adoption and use by companies and governments throughout the region, identifying barriers that must be overcome in order to create an Internet economy that delivers innovative services, job opportunities and income growth across the continent. The report also outlines what needs to be done for Africa to take full advantage of the digital opportunity offered by the Internet. It highlights local successes as well as broader challenges, offering recommendations for policymakers in Africa to adopt.

iSON bags awards for CSR Initiatives

• From left: Adebayo Bakare Deputy General Manager-HR; Henry Erigha Deputy Sales Director; and Sujeet Matwankar, Head, Human Resource all of iSON Group after receiving CSR Initiative awards in Lagos.

i

SON Group, Africa’s Leading IT Company has won two awards at the 2017 Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) for Best Company in Poverty Eradication and Best New Entrant in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

These awards were presented to iSON Group in recognition of its robust CSR philosophy, and its progress in eradicating poverty in Africa as it drives sustainable development across the communities beyond the bands of its operation.

The SERAS–CSR Awards is an annual event to celebrate organisations investing resources in the improvement of lives of stakeholders and through their social performance and investment programmes contributing to the development of Africa.

This is the first edition to recognise individuals and organisations outside Nigeria.

Accepting the awards on behalf of Mr. Ramesh Awtaney, the Founder and Chairman, iSON Group, were Sujeet Matwankar Head of Human Resources, iSON BPO and

Bakare Adebayo, Deputy General Manager - HR, iSON BPO and Ms. Olapeju Allison, Manager –HR, iSON Technologies and Mr. Henry Erigha Deputy Sales Director, iSON Technologies. They expressed satisfaction for being part of a system that addresses the very essence of human existence. Sujeet Matwankar said, ‘’These recognitions on Responsibility awarded to iSON Group demonstrates the progress made by the organization in leading Africa’s IT and ITeS industry towards sustainable investments in human capital development whilst driving communities to achieve the global sustainable development goals’’.

As part of its CSR initiatives iSON is on a mission to build capacities focused on specialized training in IT-enabled services for the youth. Its “Welfare through Empowerment” program, in partnership with the local business communities, enables growth in IT and ITeS for the African youth. Its corporate social responsibility initiatives are directed at empowering the underprivileged

and the youth.

According to media officer of The SERAS, Mr. Michael Ogunbanwo, “We are indeed delighted at the quality of participation thus far. Noteworthy for us is the fact that we have so many first time entrants for The SERAS this year. For us, this clearly is an indicator of the wide acceptability of the worksTruContact CSR Nigeria- initiators of the awards, in promoting and standardizing corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Nigeria and Africa’’.

The annual SERAS CSR Awards which first held in 2007 has since grown to become the primed corporate award aimed at not only promoting but measuring corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Africa. Described as the gold standard for recognising impactful investment in CSR and sustainability the awards pulls organisations from across countries across the African continent Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana and Ghana and of course Nigeria.

Lumos connects 60,000 mobile electricity boxes

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UMOS Mobile Electricity Service in partnership with MTN Nigeria, said it has deployed its 60,000th Y’ello Box, an at-home solar electricity device that lets users gain access to reliable electricity at an affordable price.

The Lumos service is combining the power of the sun and MTN mobile phone to bring a new type of power to Nigeria.

The company in a statement notes that the significant milestone means more than 300,000 people right across Nigeria are now benefitting from affordable, reliable, clean electricity, thanks to its ability to unleash the power of the mobile.

Yuri Tsitrinbaum, CEO of Lumos Nigeria said: “The mobile revolution has transformed our need for power, and the mobile electricity service is also going to be a significant part of the answer.” “The Nigerian economy will thrive if we give people the power they need to succeed. We cannot wait, and we need put power in everyone’s own hands.”

“At Lumos we have built a unique system that uses groundbreaking technology to harness the energy of the sun, capture and store it, and release it thanks to your mobile phone.” “The energy mix in Nigeria is a complex issue which we all need to work together to solve. We believe we have created something fantastic that is bringing power to people’s homes and businesses like nothing else before.”

“Mobile phones have transformed the way we spend our daily lives. In fact, a recent report declared Nigeria as the ‘world’s most mobilized country with more mobile traffic than any other nation. With more and more mobiles, they not only drive our demand for more accessible and reliable power, but they can also help provide the solution” he added.

Infinix launches Zero 5

I

NFINIX mobility unveiled has unveiled its flagship model for 2017 the Infinix Zero 5.

Infinix first unveiled the Zero series 5 years ago in Nigeria and, according to the company, it has become a leading brand in the country.

Infinix believes that the smartphone repr sents phone photography, style and speed all in one smartphone.

Speaking at the device Launch in Lagos, Benjamin Jiang, global head of Infinix, said: “The Zero series at large has been our flagship product globally by virtue of its innovative features and validates our R&D prowess. It has witnessed brilliant performance in key global markets such as Africa.

Our vision is to take smartphone photography to a level where it bridges the gap between amateur and professional photography.

With its design, dual camera, 2x Optical Zoom and overall performance, the Infinix Zero 5 bridges the narrowing gap between smartphone and tablet, and we believe our new device speaks to the middle-class consumer demand in the Dual-camera smartphone segment.”

The Zero 5 smartphone is Infinix’s most highend and technologically-advanced product to date, according to the company.

The Chinese Company will target a new generation of consumers and believes that the Zero 5’s design and features – particularly the camera- will shock the industry.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

EDITORIAL

Restructuring – Southern senators seeing signs

T

HERE is little to celebrate in the Southern Senators’ meeting that seeks the “political reengineering” of Nigeria. Celebrate we should, since we are in settings that rarely offer anything to celebrate. That the gathering ever took place is cause for anticipation that some things, especially thinking, are changing.

means. There would never be. The simple point is that different parts of Nigeria hurt from different things.

Interpretations of a restructured Nigeria merely reflect the perspectives of the different parts of Nigeria in their pains.

principles of the Constitution.

WHEN people discuss restructuring, the attention instantly goes to material and mineral resources, which evince the immediate greed of most of those concerned.

There would be enough resources that restructuring would throw up in the management of the economy.

IT is important that the different pains are diagnosed, and not dismissed as tends to be the reaction of some OPPOSITION to suggestions that Nigeria requires some parts of Nigeria to other parts. There also appears SOME of the wastes that the size of a centrally adminisadjustments in its administrative and political stricto be a misunderstanding of the fact that structural tered Nigeria entails would be saved. There would be tures, if it would survive, is often stiff. The reasons defects in the systems Nigeria runs are capable of perno need for a National Assembly of the size that we are not difficult to find. There are beneficiaries of the petually bugging the country down by the differences have. It would also be necessary for the various composkewed structures on which Nigeria runs. They are that they generate. nents to operate according to their needs, and not necscared of losing their control of the various centres essarily the compulsion of replicating the bureaucracies of power that would emerge from de-centralisation. EXAMPLES abound, but we would concentrate on educaof the Federal Government. tion in this instance. The common ownership of adminALL the concerns about the survival of Nigeria are secistration of education by the Federal Government has FEARS about losing power persist. Those who believe that ondary to power-mongering. Many legislators, while resulted in a lot of maladministration and constitutionthe current structure gives them the best opportunities rightly claiming they are the ones to legislate on al abuses. They are all overlooked. The Federal Governto access power have little concerns about what type restructuring, have done nothing. They, too, are conment through its agencies determines admissions into of Nigeria they would govern. Membership of group cerned about how much of their powers, especially all government-owned higher institutions, including counts everyone from the councillorship aspirant to the appurtenances of their offices, will be adversely those that belong to the States. Federal government the presidential hopeful. For each of them, restructuraffected by restructuring. colleges are also in this category. ing could delay or deny them the trophy that is within sight.

CALLS to restructure Nigeria have been deemed the cry IN line with policies that enunciate federal character, of the opposition. Some who wanted to obfuscate a quota system is applied to gain access to these THE Senate had rejected restructuring. Some of its memthe issues said they were the cries of those who lost institutions. Admission spaces in those institutions are bers re-considering it, indicates the tensions that the the 2015 elections. They knew the befuddlement seemed as national assets that should be apportioned earlier decision is generating. It could also be a later lacked substance, or they were at best outright lies. to all the States, including those with unqualified realisation that restructuring was critical to any of them candidates. maintaining their relevance, something politicians can MOST of the debates at the 2014 National Conference give an arm for, in the near future.

– when there were no winners or losers, as they are WE think that the practice ensures that those States seen today – were on restructuring Nigeria. It did would not develop rapidly. The entitlement that the WHATEVER informed the meeting of Southern senators not matter the part, party or the politics of those inpractices ensure means that candidates from some should not be the imposition of an elite group’s selfish volved. The main difference was on how the restrucof those States only need to show up, and they have interest as a substitute to the common interest. There turing would be done. places reserved for them, for efforts that in some is no doubt that the journey to restructuring Nigeria cases would produce less than 10 per cent of the marks would take more meetings, some not as placid as the THERE is no unanimity on what restructuring Nigeria demanded from other students. one just concluded in Calabar.

A restructured Nigeria would not tolerate such practice. There would be better ways of getting those candidates into higher institutions without denying more qualified candidates places, a practice that violates the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These practices violate Section 42 of the Constitution.

SECTION 42. (1) states, “A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.”

IF these are not enough, Section 42 (2) re-emphasised discrimination through origin thus, “No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.” The deprivation and disability that Nigerians from certain part of the country suffer through the administrative policies on admission to federally managed educational institution abnegate the

OUR advice to the Senators is that the issues about Nigeria are so imminent that they afford no further latitudes for the indulgences of more meetings. The 2014 National Conference and other national engagements have documents the concerns of Nigerians about Nigeria.

THEY can be dusted up in months to restructure Nigeria along lines that reflect the urgency of its survival. Restructuring is now a race against time.

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 6, 2017

OPINION

Ekwueme - Last words to Nigeria

By IFEOHA AZIKIWE

F

or the past week, the nation mourns the death of a siege, statesman, an icon, and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979-1983, Dr. Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.

As of August 2012, when I called his telephone line, humbly requesting audience with him to discuss Nigeria’s impending centenary, there was no iota of doubt that Ekwueme, Ide Oko, would make it to 90, and beyond. Unfortunately, he died on November 19, 2017, barely one month after his 85th anniversary (Born October 21, 1932) He responded to that call from far away Bridgetown in the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados, where he was attending a crucial international conference, suggesting that his line was roamed. He was still mentally and physically alert.

Not minding who was at the other end, he simply gave me a date to call, by which time he would have returned to Nigeria.

On the appointed date, he invited me to his suite at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and we got talking.

I needed his input to clear certain doubts, assumptions, and misconceptions on the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates that forms the entity called Nigeria, to back up my work, “Nigeria, Echoes of a century, 1914-2014,” then in the making.

He recollected vividly how, during the colonial days, they were ordered into the bush to collect palm nuts without pay as school children. They would crack the nuts, bag and move them to a central collection point for export to England. Part of the

By Chigozie Udeh

I

t was on a snowy evening last year in Munich that I received one of my broadcast emails containing some policy statements from Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze. As usual with him, I was super impressed and wrote him, saying: “I wish you will present yourself soon for the service of Anambra State; you have so much to offer. The least you can do for Nigeria is to help govern your State”.

By this time, I had no idea he was already consulting. I had arrived Marrakech for COP22 when I received another email containing his interview where he said “Anambra State has been hijacked”.

I could hardly wait to get back to Nigeria to ask him one on one, “Sir, are you running?” When I eventually arrived, I headed to his consultancy office to pop the question and he answered in the affirmative. I was really delighted. Here was the type of leader Nigeria had been yearning for that Anambra would be getting after such a good time with HE Peter Obi, whom he was going to succeed before being dubiously disqualified by a section of the APGA leadership who felt his emergence won’t serve the interest of their deep pockets.

Obaze began his campaign from the very grassroots where he formed a movement named Obaze Grassroots Movement (OGM), which was instrumental to his emergence as the PDP flag bearer for the election. He campaigned hard and well. The electorate warmed up to his message. He walked the streets, markets and villages personally convincing the would-be voters. But, it turned out that the result completely did not reflect the hard work he had put in.

Let me say that the result as announced by INEC was not a reflection of the actual votes cast. There is something

proceeds; he recalled, went into colonial administration, while the rest was used to aid British efforts during the World War II. The slogan then was, “Let’s get cracking”, coming from the merchants who came regularly in their Kit cars to evacuate copious palm produce from Eastern Nigeria.

“Oh, you mean the British Amalgamation of January I, 1914?” he questioned? And I said, Yes, Your Excellency. Apart from Dr. Marion Wallace, curator of the British Library, whom I worked closely with on that project, Ekwueme was the only person, among the numerous I encountered locally, who remembered the exert date of amalgamation extempore.

According to him, “the most important thing about amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria is that it never happened.” None of Nigeria’s over 250 ethnic nationalities was consulted. He did tell me, however, that amalgamation per se, was not solely responsible for Nigeria’s myriad of problems, but the structure adopted at amalgamation where the units evolved very amorphously.”

From amalgamation, we discussed 46 years of colonial governance; the domestic movements, agitations and struggle that culminated in Nigeria’s independence of October 1, 1960, and finally an appraisal of post independence Nigeria.

Have we done well as a nation? “Emphatically, no,” he replied. “We have not done well because at independence the world was full of expectations from Nigeria. It was expected that Nigeria would be a model for ex-British colonies, with her abundant human and mineral resources, but we have not met the expectations of our own lead-

ers and of our own citizens.”

Is this not a product of bad leadership since 1960, through the military, to the current democratic dispensation? “I won’t exactly put it as a product of poor leadership.

It is a combination of poor leadership and poor followers,” he responded disappointingly.

He stated that Nigeria is a very complex country, quite unlike other smaller nations where one charismatic leader would gather the rest of his countrymen, and everybody moves along with him.

“The structure was basically wrong from the outset. That is why any time there is crisis we tend to collapse, so to speak. Everything we have done, as a nation has always been based on compromise and not strictly on constitutionality. We compromise and make adjustments. It is that consensual approach to problems that has kept the country running.”

Nigeria has been a nation at war with itself, beginning with the civil war of 1967, to the current Boko Haram insurgency in the North, militancy in the Niger Delta, IPOB agitation in the South East, and menace of Hausa/Fulani herdsmen nationwide.

The nation has been fighting to accommodate diverse individual and parochial group interests. But we have, through divine providence, managed to remain a nation in spite of our obvious, and sometimes, irreconcilable differences. Why? I asked.

In his estimation, “God loves Nigeria more than we love ourselves, otherwise Nigeria would have disintegrated long ago.

Each time we got to the precipice, we managed to pull back and move on”.

A firm believer in the corporate existence

of Nigeria, Ekwueme was of the view that Nigeria could only survive on condition that there is fair play, equity and justice for all, and that no Nigerian is regarded as a second-class citizen in his own country.

“The minute a group feels that they are not wanted, and if we change the Nigerian policy, and they feel they will do much better outside of Nigeria than inside Nigeria, then our problem begins. So, it is the duty of government to make sure that every part of Nigeria feels that they stand to gain more by staying in Nigeria than staying out of it. This is the cardinal principle that will fasten Nigeria’s corporate existence, unity and development.”

On his last days, Ekwueme was seriously concerned about the level of corruption, which has become nearly institutionalised as part of state apparatus, and its negative impact on Nigeria’s future. “Corruption is allowed to thrive because we do not have enough deterrent to stop it. Where nothing happens, like in our present circumstance, there is no genuine reason for people to stop those involved in corruption.”

Although he predicted bright future for Nigeria, he expressed doubts on the nation’s ambitions to join the world’s 20 economies in the nearest future, considering huge deficits in infrastructure, and in a situation where 67% of annual budget goes into recurrent expenditure. “ It is an uphill task but we have to keep trying,” he concluded.

• Azikiwe, journalist, author, is a retired diplomat

Eloka Obaze: Anambra’s big loss strange about this election that probably only some INEC staff and top leadership of a few political parties know. In the history of Anambra State and perhaps Nigeria, no governor has won the entire local governments in a State, 21 of them in this case. Not even Peter Obi who is almost worshiped by the masses in the State won as much. HE Willie Obiano is yet to attain the popularity or achievements of Sen. Chris Ngige talk less of an institution in HE Peter Obi and this is quite in the public domain. So, how come the election result told us something different?

In every election anywhere in the world, top politicians have strongholds.

No matter how much they are hated, you can’t win them in their strongholds.

How come the incumbent won Oseloka Obaze, Tony Nwoye, Osita Chidoka and Godwin Ezeemo all his top contenders in their own local governments? Sen. Chris Ngige normally wins his Idemili Local Government while Peter Obi has his Anambra Central Senatorial district, which has seven local governments under sufficient control. This time, they lost their very own local governments. How possible is that? It is certainly not a landslide unless we are becoming deliberately foolhardy.

INEC should be worried that this happened; there are many questions with no answers.

Granted that some political parties shared money to induce votes, there is a level to which money can buy you votes.

No matter what happened, PDP was expected to win the two local governments in Onitsha as the city, which enjoyed a huge portion of the PDP campaign, in addition to their love for Peter Obi. They

were in Onitsha almost on a daily basis.

What really happened?

There are allegations that the card readers were already loaded with 50 per cent voters’ information some two weeks before the election and the voters cards used were said to be those of State civil servants, which the government had demanded from them three months before the election, as a requirement for payment of salaries. It is alleged that those cards were cloned for this purpose, which now accounted for over-voting in all the local governments in the State as they struggled to reconcile figures. If this is actually true on investigation, it would never be possible without close connivance with INEC staff. This should be very well investigated. We can’t continue with this stark rape of our democracy.

However, it was an incredible experience actively participating in the 2017 governorship election in Anambra State working with Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze.

An astute gentleman and a first-class diplomat whose virtues lived through the entire campaign team within such a short period of time, I remain ever proud to be associated with him and this campaign.

If this election was to be repeated a 100 times, I will only support Obaze all the time. In him, I found a unique opportunity to place Anambra State far above other States in Nigeria. I was not just looking at what it would mean for Ndi Anambra, but also how Obaze’s emergence would help transform the situation of South East Nigeria. There’s a lot of interest in helping this region, but the question of whom to trust is keeping them at bay. The diplomatic community has repeatedly held

audience with him on the situation of the South East. At some point in one of such meetings which I was privileged to sit in, the Consul General of one of the two biggest economies in the world was so impressed that he wondered, “Mr. Obaze, you’re sure not contesting for the President of Nigeria?” Obaze’s ‘loss’ is, indeed, a big loss to Anambra State and indeed, South East Nigeria.

• Chiagozie Udeh, a climate activist and policy development expert, wrote in from Awka.

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

26

Wednesday December 6, 2017

Travel & Hospitality Yuletide:

Med-View announces discounted fares

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ed-View Airline has announced low fares on the Lagos-London route as part of the Yuletide offer to passengers.

The promo, which takes immediate effect and ends December 31, 2017 for out bound and January 15, 2018 in-bound passengers, goes as low as N249, 000 round trip for economy ticket Giving the details of the offer, the airline executive director, Business Development and Commercial, Mr. Isiaq Na-Allah said, Thursday, the promotional offer is designed to appreciate customers robust patronage throughout the year.

“This is a peak period but we have to offer passengers something to take home. We are saying that anyone that takes advantage of the promo will save as much as N45,000,” he said.

Na-Allah said passengers will have value for their money as they will enjoy a variety of Africa and continental meals on board the airline state of the art B777 aircraft.

Olamide, others headline 2017 Lagos Street Carnival Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

OP rated artistes like Olamide, Small Doctor, Lil Kesh, 9ce and Ycee will headline the forthcoming Lagos Street Carnival scheduled to hold, Sunday, 3rd December, 2017.

The carnival, expected to kickstart the series of entertainment activities, will be held along the stretch of Oba Akran Road, Ikeja.

The event previously known as

the Lagos Street Party in 2016 but now rebranded and repackaged to serve a much wider purpose, will launch the state into a series of activities lined-up to celebrate the yuletide season.

Top Fuji act, Alhaji Sule Alao Malaika and Waka Queen, Alhaja Salawa Abeni as well as top DJs are also in the rich line-up of artists that will entertain at the carnival.

In a press release signed on Friday by the Commissioner for In-

formation and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the event will feature activities like colourful carnival processions, outdoor games, kiddies’ play zone, food stalls and a starstudded musical concert.

According to the Commissioner, the carnival will attract more than a thousand revellers in colourful costumes and displays in a controlled procession. “They will flag off and sustain a spectacular parade of colours, dance and showmanship to create a carnival atmosphere that

SAA offers reduced holiday fares

LIRS seals 18 hotels, event centres over N426m tax debt

S

T

he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut 13 hotels, restaurants and event centers for failure to pay their taxes due under the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Laws of Lagos State 2009.

The Hotels and Restaurants were said to be owing the State a sum of N426,976,528.

87 The Director Legal Services of the LIRS, Mr. Seyi Alade, during the state-wide tax enforcement exercise, Friday, warned that defaulting Hotels, Restaurants and Event Centers will henceforth face the full wrath of the law if they fail to deduct and remit their taxes as provided by the law.

He promised to release in due course the names of the entities affected by the enforcement exercise.

According to him, failure to deduct and remit taxes as at when due attracts very serious penalties that may lead to the sealing, seizure of the goods and chattels and criminal prosecution of principal officers of recalcitrant entities.

He said the LIRS usually gives a long rope by issuing multiple notices to the taxpayers to inform and also remind them of their tax liabilities adding that only recalcitrant taxpayers are shut down as in the present case.

Lagosians always crave at the end of the year, “ he said.

Although the carnival is being managed by an independent organisation - HEAT Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Lagos State government, Ayorinde said government had put in place adequate security measures and seamless traffic management strategy to ensure safety of the people and to make sure motorists using the designated alternative routes do not experience discomfort as a result of the planned road closures on Oba Akran road and its environs.

The event as usual is expected to display the inherent creativity, beauty and energy of Lagosians who are widely celebrated for knowing how to work hard and to derive maximum pleasure from entertainment and leisure activities.

The rich culture, food and lifestyle of Lagos will also be experienced by visitors and tourists that are already drawn to the attractions that the Lagosians Street Carnival holds, the Commissioner stated.

• From right: Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadri Fanini, at a Mini Durbar in honour of the Minister at the Emir’s Palace.

Tourism, key driver of economic diversification – Emir

E

mir of Dutse in Jigawa State, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, has described tourism as one of the key drivers of the diversification of the economy away from oil, urged government at all levels to provide the necessary infrastructure that will enable the country to fully harness its tourism potentials.

The emir said this, Thursday, when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid a courtesy visit to his palace, Thursday, on the sidelines of the 9th National Council Meeting on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation holding in the Jigawa State capital.

The Emir of Dutse also used the used the occasion to laud the Ministerfor his role in the promotion of tourism, culture and peaceful co-existence in the country.

“We understand the enormity

of work you are doing with regards to promoting our culture and also as the mouthpiece of the government of Nigeria. We are very proud of your performance,” he said.

The Emir expressed the optimism that the visit of the Minister will open a new window of opportunity for Jigawa State to showcase its tourism attraction.

“I am glad you have visited Birnin Kudu, the rock painting and also I want to remind you that it’s only in Jigawa State that we have the wetlands and wildlife sanctuary (for birds) and in other areas of the state we have sand dunes, which are also of tourist interest.

“We hope your visit will open up new avenues for us to introduce our tourism potential in this state and particularly at the time when we want to promote revenues

from other sectors other than oil.

I think tourism is the key to this,” he said.

Remarking, the Minister said he is humbled by the reception accorded him and his team by the Emir, whom he described as the custodian of the culture and tradition of the people of Jigawa State, just as he commended the quality of leadership of the Emir and his titleholders which, he said, has made it possible for the stability, peace and progress being witnessed in the Emirate.

Alhaji Muhammed said his visit to the rock paintings in Birnin Kudu, as well as the centuries-old palace of the Emir of Dutse, have revealed the rich history of the people of the Emirate.

The Emir of Dutse later treated the Minister and his entourage to a colourful Mini-Durbar in his palace.

outh African Airways (SAA), has unveiled a holiday sale that offers its lowest fares of the year to selected destinations throughout Africa.

The discounts involves routes such as round-trip travel from New York-JFK International Airport or Washington, DC Dulles International Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa or to Cape Town; nonstop flights from Washington, DC Dulles International Airport to Dakar, Senegal; roundtrip or to Accra, Ghana.

According to SAA, the fares are available for purchase through November 28, 2017, for travel between January 10 and March 27, 2018.

“At this festive time of year for giving, we are expressing our thanks by making Africa even more affordable for travelers from North America. There is nothing that can compare to witnessing the beauty of an African sunset, sipping sundowners on a safari, taking in the magnificent sights in Cape Town, or exploring the history and culture of Ghana and Senegal”, said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, North America, for South African Airways.

Continuing, “Neuman said: With these fares, our very lowest of the year, we are encouraging everyone to give the gift of Africa to oneself, a loved one or a friend this holiday season. Giving this gift, on Africa’s most awarded airline, is certainly a terrific way to show your appreciation to that someone special.”

The Oracle Today

27

Wednesday December 6, 2017

AVIATION Stories by VICTOR NZE

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he International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has called for continuous development in aviation infrastructure, capacity and technology, supported by a globally harmonised regulatory framework to achieve a sustainable air traffic and enhanced connectivity.

The body made the call in a communiqué issued, last Thursday, at the end of the third ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) held in Abuja from November 20 to 22.

This is also as the international aviation regulatory body along with Nigeria and 53 other African countries adopted the Declaration and Plan of Action for Aviation Infrastructure Development in Africa.

The theme of the forum was “Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure’’.

ICAO in the communiqué also called on member states to im-

ICAO advocates continuous infrastructure development prove the effective implementation of ICAO’s global aviation standards and policies, plans and programmes as pre-condition to developing and modernising aviation infrastructure.

The organisation pledged to continue to play key role in fostering effective partnerships between donors, investors and needful states as well as facilitating the mobilisation of resources.

It also pledged to identify, coordinate and provide assistance to Member States in need in order to be able to fulfill the above precondition under its “No Country Left Behind (NCLB)’’ initiative.

“We underline that addressing financing challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity

development requires both ambition and credible means of planning and implementation. We aspire to the goal of no constraints of infrastructure capacity, technology and financial resources for aviation development.

“The attainment of this goal would be well-aligned with States’ ultimate policy objectives.

We call for a comprehensive, holistic and transformative approach with respect to the means of planning and implementation, which should be underpinned by coherent policies and good governance at all levels’’.

According to the communiqué, the primary step taken by States is to develop national and/or regional aviation infrastructure

programmes and plans in cooperation with international and regional organisations, industry and donor communities.

It said that the programmes and plans should have strategic infrastructure targets that were consistent with ICAO’s Global Plans and according to national and regional needs.

ICAO further advocated that long-term uncertainty for infrastructure investment should be balanced with the need to adjust in accordance to short-term priorities and funding constraints to ensure successful project delivery.

“We reiterate our call on States to take pragmatic measures to build a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate

• African Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC) Secretary General, Ms. Iyabo Sosina; International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and ICAO Representative Captain Musa Nuhu at a press briefing organized for the third ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) in Abuja.

to support aviation development.

For States with limited access to investment finance, it is critical to include major aviation infrastructure projects in the priority list of international public finance and assistance for development.

Meanwhile, the organisation and its development partners and 54 African countries, including Nigeria, last Wednesday adopted the Declaration and Plan of Action for Aviation Infrastructure Development in Africa.

The document titled “The Abuja Declaration “, was adopted during a High Level Session at the Third ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF) in Abuja.

It is expected to be forwarded to the Assembly of Heads of States and Government of the Member States of the African Union in 2018 for ratification and implementation.

Speaking at the session, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the government of Nigeria would continue to do everything to promote aviation and transportation in the country.

“This declaration for a plan of action will of course be the problem solver and provide practical solutions to addressing the problem of aviation infrastructure development in Africa. With your kind permission, I hereby declare that this declaration should be known as the Abuja Declaration, ” he said.

Also, the President of the ICAO Council, Dr Bernard Aliu, said the declaration demonstrates practical commitment by the member states and gives ICAO confidence that it would be implemented, just as he recalled that an earlier declaration made by African States on Safety in Abuja in 2012 had led to a significant improvement in that area to the delight of ICAO.

FAAN improves airport facilities -- Dunoma M

anaging Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, says the body has recorded some achievements in the improvement of infrastructure in airports nationwide under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Dumoma who said that FAAN had enjoyed unflinching support from the Federal Government in the last two years resulting in the complete rehabilitation of the runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, added that the completion of the Kaduna International Airport terminal and others like Kano, Abuja, and Lagos that were near completion were other achievements of FAAN. He added that the certification of Lagos and Abuja airports were another manifestation of the government’s commitment to repositioning the nation’s aviation sector.

“You would recall that recently, this government supported FAAN

through the Ministry of Aviation and rehabilitated the runway of the NAIA, during which we transferred our operations to Kaduna Airport.

“One of the greatest achievements of FAAN ever is the certification of our two airports because, according to Abuja Declaration, International airports in this continent are supposed to be certified.

Certification means compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety standards “The certification was supposed to be done 11 years ago, but unfortunately, we could not. But in two years of this administration we have been able to certify two. We will continue to certify the airports in accordance with ICAO recommended practices and the Nigerian Civil Aviation specification,’’ he said.

The FAAN boss disclosed that the agency was presently developing a business case to enhance its revenue generation to be able to

embark on capital projects in the airports without recourse to funding from government.

He explained that the Transaction Adviser was working on how to develop a model that would assist FAAN to achieve the objective.

According to him, FAAN does not

depend on federal budget for its recurrent expenditure as it has not been getting anything from the government coffer in the last two to three years “We generate our revenue, we pay our workers, and we maintain our airports and so on and so forth.

FAAN is trying to make sure that it enhances its revenue in order to make sure that it provides the service that is required to provide.

“We are also planning that in future as the revenue improves, we will also go into some semi capital projects,’’ he said.

FG to retain 5% stake in new national carrier --- Minister

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inister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has clarified that the Federal Government will retain up to 5 per cent equity in the proposed national carrier, adding that the project will be private-sector driven.

He made this known at a press conference in the ongoing ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF) 2017, where he explained that government went through a series of national carrier ideas starting with Virgin but it failed because it was not thoroughly thought out and planned.

According to Senator Sirika, the national carrier idea was one he took over from the president, Muhammadu Buhari who had already put in place a National carrier committee and all he is doing is fine-tuning and executing. “ The national carrier was there before I became minister and I am just driving an already established idea and bringing it to fruition. And like we always said, the national carrier is going to be private sector driven but that doesn’t mean it will be entirely owned privately as that is a misconception. Government is going

to own at least three to five per cent equity and that is the plan so, it’s a national carrier not a private airline.”

On various criticisms stemming from the multiple designations granted airlines and of recent Ethiopian Airline, which operates to five of the country’s international airports, Sirika explained that he was trying to ensure that Nigeria was not left behind when Africa airspace is totally liberalised.

He said it was a good move that would benefit the nation in the long run especially as the big picture is clear.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday December 6, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION Glanvill Enthoven earns N937.6b

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he Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers & Pensions Consultants Limited, Olasupo Falana, has said that the increasing evolution of the business of insurance has continually put pressure on the need to redefine the company’s role and become more creative in its approach to business. He also said the firm had generated almost N1tn for the insurance industry since it commenced operations.

According to a statement obtained from the firm, he said this while speaking on Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers & Pensions Consultants’s six decades of doing business in Nigeria. He said, “We hope to reposition our company by deploying practical long-term growth strategies that will reinstate us as a leader of the market. As the leader, we have factored into our growth strategies global signals and trends in the world economy.

“Having commenced operation in 1957, the company has applied highest quality in service delivery and is continuously profitable, with over N937.6bn gross direct premium contributed to the Nigerian insurance industry, as of the end of 2016. While its reinsurance arm, Enthoven Reinsurance Brokers Limited, has generated cumulative N23.391bn in gross premium income.” The managing director said he was excited about the doggedness and commitment that had enabled the firm to weather all storms to remain in business and create value for all its stakeholders.

According to the statement, Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers and Pensions Consultants (formerly Glanvill Enthoven & Company Nigeria Ltd) is an insurance brokerage firm incorporated in 1957 to provide risk solutions services to the insuring public.

The company has an authorised share capital of N170m and a professional indemnity insurance cover of N500m. It added, “Glanvills is wholly owned by Odua Investment Company Limited, an investment holding company incorporated in 1976 to manage the business interests of the former Western State of Nigeria.

It is now owned by six state governments in the South-West namely: Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states.”

Enugu millers seek govt’s aid over N200m loss

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he Association of Corn Millers in Ogbette Main Market, Enugu, has called on the state government for assistance, following a fire that destroyed goods worth over N200 million in the market.

The Chairman of the association, Mr Augustine Ogbonna, made the call in Enugu during a damage assessment tour by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Nwobodo. Ogbonna said that the incident had put the victims out of jobs and rendered them incapable of taking care of their families. He said that no fewer than 150 bags of Bambara nut were destroyed, adding that each bag cost N50,000.

Bambara nut is a specie of pea used in preparing the state’s popular local delicacy known as “okpa’’. “The incident destroyed machines and used in milling the goods, among others worth over N200 million.

AfDB to help Nigeria access crop insurance

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HE African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced plans to support Nigeria to access Crop Insurance, to mitigate the impact of climate change in the country.

The President of the AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Adesina said that the bank would implement the support under its Second Climate Action Plan for 2016 to 2020. “When it comes to Climate Financing, what we will do is to support Nigeria, especially to have access to Crop insurance. “A lot of pastoralists actually needs to have insurance as well because lack of access to water can become a big problem because of drought.

“Also, I have been a big supporter

of the need for the global climate financing mechanism to support countries to pay the premium to insure them against catastrophic risk. “For example, there is a facility, which is called Africa Risk Capacity and this is the Africa Union Facility that allows countries to buy insurance. “It allows countries to buy insurance and if there is drought and flood, they will pay it back into the coffer of government to cover a lot of recovery activities.’’

The Boards of Directors of AfDB had, on Nov. 8, approved the Africa Thriving and Resilient: The Bank Group’s Second Climate Change Action Plan, 2016-2020 (CCAP2).

The approval of this document is propitious as it echoes at just concluded Climate Change Conference

(COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

This is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change and achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

According to Adesina, the Chair of the Africa Risk Capacity Facility is the former Minister of Finance in Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. “I consider it as unfair that Africa, which has been shortchanged by climate change, is now shortchanged in terms of climate financing. “It is very important therefore, that the global mechanism for climate should pay insurance for African Countries that are suffering this disproportionate in negative impact of climate change.

“I have reached out as well to President Buhari on this issue because I

know within the context of what is trying to push for Lake Chad Basin.

“If somebody pays the premium, if there is any catastrophic event, they will be able to get money from Africa Risk Insurance.

“I have said that Africa Development (Bank) is willing to co-finance the premium payment. I don’t want Africa to be short-changed because we are suffering quite a lot from the impact of Climate Change,’’ he said.

Adesina, however, said that the international community had bought into the idea and it would also form part of the agenda at the forthcoming World leaders meeting.

“I have discussed it with the former UN Secretary-General and incumbent UN Secretary and I have discussed it with a number of G7 leaders. “Also, I have discussed it with President Buhari and several African Heads of State; we will continue to push it and look forward to One World Summit in December.

“This is for me a big agenda that I am pushing. I think Africa must have access to financing, to adapt to the impact of Climate Change and mitigate the issue of greenhouse gases emission. “ It will have big impact on our urban centres and rural areas; we have to make our economy more resistant and resilient in face of climate change,’’ he said.

PTAD settles 12 months of Police pension

T • From left: Tony Ibeziako, Ag. Head, Capital Markets Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Oscar N. Onyema OON, Chief Executive Officer, NSE; Dr. Engr. Godwin Omene, Chairman, Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc; and Colm Doyle, Chief Executive Officer, Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc during the presentation of Facts Behind the Listing of Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc at The NSE.

CIIN targets additional 3,000 members

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resident of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigerian (CIIN), Mrs. Funmi BabingtonAshaye has said that the Institute is on a drive to achieve an additional 3,000 members within the next one year. Ashaye, who disclosed this at a media parley in Lagos, said that the institute is presently made up of 8,976 professionals.

She said, “Pursuant to attaining the set target, I led a delegation of the CIIN to visit the Commissioner for Insurance in Abuja on the September 12, 2017 and after the deliberations, the Commission graciously promised to issue a guideline that will compel all staff of insurance institutions in Nigeria to register as members of CIIN. This will go a long way in achieving our set goal.” Ashaye noted that the Institute is presently working with the University of Lagos to introduce an Executive Master’s Degree programme in Insurance and Risk Management which will be structured like the programme of Cass Business School (CBS), UK. She added that

on successful completion of the CBS Master programme in Insurance & Risk Management, for instance, its graduates are usually eligible to predetermined exemptions from both the CII UK and Nigeria qualifying examinations.

“This also facilitates the attainment of the Chartered Institute Advanced Diploma of both UK & Nigeria. Our desire is to replicate this programme in partnership with the University of Lagos for the benefit of our members.

“The University of Lagos team in conjunction with the institute and Rector of the College of Insurance & Financial Studies are presently working on the content of the proposed M.Sc Risk Management and Insurance Programme. Also, a series of top level meetings are been held by all the key stakeholders to fashion out the best possible modalities for the programme,” she said. Ashaye noted that the institute has taken the insurance awareness campaign to the youths, adding, “Our desire is to catch them young and imbibe

in their consciousness the crucial roles insurance plays in human endeavours. “As part of this initiative, the Council has developed a roadmap to drive the Institute’s proposed partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Accordingly, the Institute has established contacts with the national headquarters of the NYSC, the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state chapters to intimate them of the CIIN’s Catch-Them-Young Initiative. “The pilot edition of the programme will kick-off at the Lagos State NYSC Camp during the November 2017 orientation exercise where a career talk will be organised for the benefit of Corps members. To facilitate continuous information dissemination, a CIIN enquiry and help desk will be on ground throughout the duration of the orientation exercise. “This initiative, which is designed to help attract young Nigerians into the insurance profession, will be replicated and sustained in other state s of the Federation until it achieves a national spread,” she said.

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate PTAD has paid additional 12 months arrears of 33 percent pension increase to Police Pensioners, bringing the number of months so far paid to months, the Directorate has said. In a statement made available to newsmen, PTAD said it has so far paid 24 months of the arrears to the police pensioners, leaving an outstanding of 18 months, while civil service pensioner have so far been paid 30 months arrears with the payment of an additional 6 months.

It said that pensioners from government parastatals were also paid an additional six month pension from the payment made recently from the service wide vote released by the federal Ministry of finance.

The statement further said that all pensioners under Customs, Immigration and Prison Pensions Department had already been paid the 33 per cent 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.

It said it will settle the outstanding arrears of the 33 per cent increment as soon as additional releases are made.

Until then, the Directorate implores its pensioners to be patient and continue to exercise vigilance against the activities of fraudsters and rabble-rousers.

Always remember that the payment of pension and other retirement benefits is free.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday December 6, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION Premium to boost contributory scheme, others

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• From left: Oluwole Ololade Adeosun, Council Member, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); John Oriogun, Founder, John Oriogun PLLC; Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, Head, Legal Department, NSE; Marylin Ramplin, Founder, Novia One Group; Tinuade Awe, General Counsel & Head of Regulation, NSE; Patrick Adebayo Ajayi, Council Member, NSE and Yomi Adeyemi, Council Member, NSE during Legal and Risk Aspects of Derivative and Central Counterparty Clearing (CCP) Transaction programme held in Lagos.

LUR pays policyholders N1.25b as claims

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n a bid to regain confidence in the nation’s insurance sector, Law Union & Rock Insurance (LUR) Plc, said over N1.25billion claims have been paid to its policyholders from January to this year till date.

This was confirmed by the Managing Director of the firm, Jide Orimolade, at a press conference in Lagos, said LUR has reviewed its processes to ensure that claims payment are done within a short time, and that there are efforts to digitalise claims payment process.

According to him, the firm’s gross premium written for 2017 stood at N3.51billion against

N3.19billion in 2016. Investment income, N611.86million; profit before tax, N727.87million; retailed earning N470.56million; shareholders’ fund, N6.22billion; and total assets, N10.36billion. He said LUR in recent time, won some awards, inccluding: Global Most Trusted Company in Quality Insurance for the Year 2017, and CEOs Today 2017 in Africa.“You will all agree with me that one of the ways of measuring company brand visibility is through public recognition and award.

“Part of our corporate objective is to create niche for ourselves in the industry. We are not unmindful of the competition, which is charac-

terised by price war in the industry, but we believe we could navigate through by differentiation and best service delivery.

“It is on this onerous focus that we have been giving our best to our esteemed customers,” he said.

On prospects for 2018, he noted that Federal Government’s budget proposal of N8.612trillion with improvement on capital expenditure, which is 30.8 per cent, would really impact insurance business.

He added that with improve revenue, decrease in domestic borrowing (as the government plans to reduce their borrowing share to 60 per cent domestic and 40

Firm to make products more available

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n insurance firm, Saham Trust Insurance Nigeria Limited has said it is making its services more accessible to the insuring public. A statement from the underwriting firm said Saham Trust’s innovative products were tailor-made to meet diverse needs, and could be bought electronically through the company’s website and branches across the country.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Ijerheime, said that Saham Trust had passion for excellent service delivery. He explained that individuals and organisations could buy insurance through its electronic insurance portal and be issued their certificates within a few minutes.

He said, “We are in business to give peace of mind to everyone through prompt claims payment.

Our concern is to protect our customers from going through any difficulty as a result of losses incurred.”

The Managing Director explained that through its e-insurance portal, motorists could purchase, renew and reprint certificates of their third party motor insurance and as-

sured the public that the company would continue to deploy cuttingedge technology to provide the best services in the insurance industry. Established and licensed in 1986 as Unitrust Insurance Company Limited, the firm’s name was changed to Saham Unitrust Insurance Nigeria Limited after the investment of Saham Finances in the company.

As of December 31, 2016, the

shareholders’ funds and solvency margin stood at 7.52bn and 6.4bn, respectively while the total asset was put at N11.54bn. According to the statement, the company underwrites motor, marine, aviation, engineering, bonds, fire and special perils, burglary, money, goods in transit, personal/group personal accident, employers’ liability, fidelity guarantee, including oil and gas insurance.

per cent foreign) with significant decrease on interest on Treasury bills, there would definitely be an improvement in economic bubbling. Customer purchasing power is expected to increase, and all things being equal, insurance is expected to have a better share, better penetration and improve gross premium written in coming year.

He also said insurance operators expect that ongoing partnership between the insurance industry and Government midwife by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), will grow the income from compulsory insurance policies, would impact the sector positively.

The Executive Director, Technical Operations, LUR, Supo Sogelola, said the firm is presently investing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to drive operations, adding that the claims processes are being digitalised to ensure prompt settlement. According to him, the firm is working hard to deepen its retail operations, adding that the company has acquired a software that would enable the public procure their insurances from the comfort of their homes without necessary coming to the company.

‘FIRS hits 79.35% of 2017 target in 10 months’

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he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on Monday in Abuja, said it generated N3.233 trillion in 10 months, an amount that represented 79.35 per cent of its collection target for 2017.

Mr Tunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, disclosed this at interactive session for review of 2018–2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), organised by House of Representatives Committee on Finance and Appropriations.

The FIRS boss who briefed the joint committees on key strategies for achieving the objectives of the

2018 budget, said FIRS justification for 2018-2020 Revenue frameworks was based on Federal Government Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). According to him, FIRS deployed technology to ramp up more revenue for the nation, especially as its tax assessment between 2013 and 2015 revealed N1 trillion after its tax audit exercise.

The chief tax officer of the country said the exercise had already yielded over N3.7 billion in collection of taxes into Federal Government coffers. This, he said, was a pointer of its ability to meet FIRS assumptions for the 2018 – 2020 M-TEF expectations.

These successes, he noted, were as a result of various measures adopted by the service to ensure increased collections of Federal Government dues in corporate and individual taxes. He added that the measure would continue to be relevant in achieving better collections in 2018.

While listing the measures that brought about the successes, Fowler said the new modalities structured for optimal access of accruable dues from Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme had yielded over 54 million dollars (N16.73 billion) and N207.41 billion), totalling about N16.40 billion at the federal level only.

remium Pension Limited has unveiled plans to grow the nation’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and chart ways on enhancing operational effectiveness of sector. This was disclosed at the Pension Desk Officers forum, organised by the company, aimed at evaluating the workings of the xcheme in the country. The Head, Corporate Communications, Premium Pension, Paddy Ezeala, said the forum organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) region of the company, at the weekend, is a routine industry requirement that provides opportunity for stakeholders to keep abreast of current trends in the industry.

Executive Director and Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Kabir Ahmed Tijjani, said: “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.”

Tijjani pointed out that the regulatory body- 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 on the immense advantages and desirability of the scheme. This was corroborated at the event, by Investment Analyst at PenCom, Ibrahim Kangiwa, when he 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 Electronic Pension Contribution Collection System (EPCCOS), Withdrawal from Voluntary Contribution, Enhanced Programmed Withdrawal and also the soon-to-be-introduced Multi-fund Structure.

EPCCOS is a payment platform that makes it convenient for employers to make pension payments online to several PFAs with relevant schedules uploaded simultaneously. This system, developed by the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Plc (NIBBS) at the instance of PenOp, would soon be the sole platform for pension contribution remittances in Nigeria.It tracks payment schedule such that each payment batch can be uniquely identified.

The new guidelines and safeguards regarding withdrawals from voluntary contribution were shared with participants at the forum, which is mainly with regard to limits, periodicity and also foreign contributors.

The proposed Multi-Fund Structure regarding the investment of pension funds is geared towards enhanced protection of pension funds from undue exposure to risk, beginning with funds of contributors in the twilight of their careers and gives active contributors opportunity to opt for the investment that aligns with their risk appetite

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

NEWS Oyo approves N2b for 100 schools

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YO State Government has approved two billion naira for rehabilitation of 100 public secondary schools and construction of four compartments VIP toilets. This was announced in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

Arulogun stated that the projects, which cost N2 billion would be handled by 10 contractors across the state. He said that the upgrading of infrastructure in schools to facilitate the provision of enabling learning environment and fast track transformation and repositioning of education sector in the state, was non-negotiable.

The commissioner emphasised that the Ajimobi-led administration had prioritised education as one of its legacy sectors. He explained that 34 schools would be renovated in Ibadan, 30 in Oke Ogun, 15 in Ogbomoso and 12 in Oyo zones while the remaining nine were in Ibarapa zone.

“Among the schools to be rehabilitated with the construction of four compartments VIP toilets are Emmanuel Grammar School, Samonda; Anglican Grammar School, Kudeti and Otun Agbaakin Community Grammar School, Akinyele.

“In the list are Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi; Orayan Grammar School, Progressive Grammar School, Tede; Community High School, Alarere; Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu and Jericho High School, Eleyele, among others.

He said that the state’s Bureau of Public Procurement had issued the certification for the renovation of the one hundred schools, warning that contractors should abide by the project specification and duration.

The commissioner stressed that government would not relent in its resolve to positively turn around the education sector.

Arulogun pointed out that government’s efforts were already yielding fruitful results with the recent 54.4 per cent pass rate in WASSCE, being the best in the last 18 years.

He said that students from the state also emerged first and second best in the 2017 WASSCE in Nigeria as well as the best 2017 WASSCE students in public schools.

NNPC boss canvasses diversification Stories by SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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ROUP Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has declared that Nigeria must invest in speedy development of critical infrastructure as key requirement in conditioning the domestic environment for investments that would lead to economic diversification.

He said rapid infrastructural development has become very urgent in the government’s move to diversify her economy away from petroleum resources.

He added that the country must also explore new opportunities advanced by technology.

Dr. Baru who spoke at the 40thPre-Convocation Lecture of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said unstable and gloomy outlook of oil and gas revenue have made it mandatory for government drive speedy diversification measures for sustainable future.

He regretted that complete de-

pendence on oil as main source of national income had remained a fundamental problem to the Nigerian economy.

According to him, investments in infrastructure would entail improving transportation network and access to power and other utilities to reduce the cost of doing business and improve competitiveness. He advised government to promote growth of agriculture which, according to him, has the potential for large scale employment.

“Improving agricultural productivity and commercialization, and linking producers to markets are among some of the important measures required in this regard.

Examples of Countries such as Chile and Malaysia confirmed the proposition that a healthy rural economy is necessary for industrialization because the linkages between the two are obvious,’’ Dr. Baru said.

He also stated that economic diversification that embraces various sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing could rescue

the nation from the current economic challenges.

He canvassed measures that must encourage entrepreneurship and innovation through improved access to information, communication technology, finance, research and development. He added that promoting private investment in non-extractive sectors through improving the business and regulatory environment, providing better access to finance, and supporting entrepreneurship and skills development would also drive diversification.

He added that Regional Economic Cooperation (RECs) was another factor that would enhance economic diversification by creating common markets, pooling resources, and providing a framework to coordinate the regional management of infrastructure such as transportation corridors, energy and natural resources.

Dr. Baru stated that a good strategy for economic diversification should include increased investments in education, especially sci-

• Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi greets President Muhammadu Buhari, during the President’s meeting with representatives of the Governor’s Forum. Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu is beside the President.

Abia completes 41 road projects, says Perm. Sec.

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he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Abia State, Mr Richard Nwala, has said that the present administration in the state had completed and inaugurated 41 roads since its inception.

Nwala said that the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration had made long strides in road construction in the state. He said that rehabilitation and reconstruction of 74 other roads, including some bridges, were ongoing in different parts of the state.

“Not only do the roads have drains built with cement pavement technology on both sides, they also have street light component for aesthetic and security at night.”

The permanent secretary said that

ence, technology, technical and vocational education.

On the role of the university in promoting economic diversification, revenue growth and job creation, he noted that Nigeria’s dream would not be fully realized without the deliberate contribution of the academia ``Our Universities must move from certificate awarding institutions and take leading position in strengthening the foundation for National prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurial education. These days, no nation can move forward by mass-producing graduates, who cannot move on their own until they are pushed”, he said.

Dr Baru expressed optimism that the foundation for long term economic growth through the agenda of ensuring security, curbing corruption and growing the economy had been well articulated in the 2017 – 2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the present administration.

the roads were evenly distributed across the three senatorial districts of the state and not in accordance with political patronage. He said that the state government placed high premium on road transformation so as to enhance transportation and alleviate the plight of motorists in the state.

According to the permanent secretary, the worst roads in the state were those owned by the Federal Government, citing the Aba-Owerri, Aba-Port Harcourt and Aba-Ikot Ekpene roads, as instances. Nwala further said that the dilapidated Umuahia-Ohafia-Arochukwu, road another federal road on which reconstruction had stalled for over a decade, posed a serious danger to

the users.

He said that the state government intervened in rehabilitating portions of the roads in order to ameliorate the sufferings of those plying them.

“Though these are federal roads, the state resolved to fix them because they are used by Abians, most of who could hardly differentiate between state and federal roads,” he said. The permanent secretary said the five kilometre tunnel now under construction in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, would permanently check flooding in the popular Ariaria International Market. He said that the tunnel, measuring four meters wide and five meters deep, would also help to check flooding in other parts of the commercial city.

According to him, the tunnel will carry excess water from the Ifeobara pond which causes flooding in the area, into the Aba River. He said, “The problem is that the whole water in Ariaria finds its way into the Ifeobara pond, resulting in an overflow into Ukwu-Mango area.

“The governor now wants to find a permanent solution to the problem.” Nwala said that government also expanded the pond in order to enhance its capacity to take more water. The permanent secretary further said that the state government intervened in the rehabilitation of roads at the World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia. He said that the intervention was necessary because the Niger Delta Develop-

ment Commission (NDDC) awarded contract for the rehabilitation of only five kilometer length of roads in the estate. He said also that the ministry had a plan to relocate the dumpsite at the Ubakala-Umuahia end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.

Nwala said that a new dumpsite had been acquired and that plans were underway to evacuate the refuse. He said that the ministry would also remove the flower pots which were constructed and placed along the three major roads in Umuahia, the state capital, by the last administration. The permanent secretary said that the ministry would remove the pots before the yuletide. NAN reports that some residents of Umuahia have converted the cement-cast pots into refuse bins.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Crime

‘I have 7 children to feed please pardon me’ …woman caught with 40 kg Indian Hemp pleads Stories by XAVIER NDAH

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50 -year -old woman Menewe Grace who was arrested by the operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has pleaded with the NDLEA to be pardoned for she was forced into the crime because her husband had abandoned her with seven children to cater for.

According to her she is the only one catering for the children and since her farming business is not lucrative enough to cater for them she opted to dealing on Cannabis business.

The woman was apprehended by the agency operatives with forty kilograms of cannabis hidden in vegetables.

Menewe Grace who lives in Ibadan was arrested along Uzebba -Ifon road on her way to Oyo State with the illicit drugs. Four bags of dried weeds that tested positive to cannabis weighing 40kg were found in a consignment of vegetables like the bitter leaf, pumpkin and pumpkin fruits.

NDLEA Edo State commander, Mr. Wakawa Buba who confirmed the arrest said that the suspect was caught while on her way back to Ibadan. “We have commenced a strategic motorized patrol across the State to intercept cannabis shipment. Drug barons usually target the end of year season sales especially as we are at the peak of harvest season. This arrest is a product of motorized patrol embarked upon by the State command as a counter strategy to intercept illegal movement of narcotic drugs. The

target is to promptly cut off supply and prevent drugs from getting to the end users” the commander stated.

The suspect who hails from Izionum in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State said that she wanted to source for money to register her children for secondary school certificate examination. In her words, “I am a divorcee with seven children under my care. I am struggling to give them a good education so that they can be successful in life. This is my second trip.

The first time I came with my friend who introduced me to the cannabis business, we were successful. Unfortunately, I was caught this time around. My husband left me three

years ago with seven children that is what led me to this problem” she lamented.

The commander decried the involvement of a mother of seven in drug trafficking. “This is very bad.

At age 50, she is setting a bad precedence for her children. The suspect will soon be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to those seeking to earn money from criminal acts. It is unacceptable and must be condemned by all” he added.

Meanwhile, the command is making efforts to arrest her friend, the cannabis dealer that sold to her and other accomplices connected to the case. Efforts are on-going to reduce the drug problem to the barest minimum thereby improving the security of lives and property in the State.

Fraudster recharges N.4m call cards from victim’s bank account

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peratives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS)of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a man who specializes in recharging call credit from other people’s bank account.

The suspect, Ebenezer Oyeneye, a 50-year-old truck driver who resides at 4, Moyinoluwa Avenue, Ijoko Lemode, Ogun State, was arrested by the Decoy team of RRS. It was reported at Aguda Divisional Headquarters in Surulere that one woman who wants to remain anonymous, reported that an unknown person has been recharging their phone call credit from her bank account at one of the new generation commercial banks in the country since July 2016.

The victim complained about the frequency and sum of money which the suspect had withdrawn from her bank account by purchasing a credit “top up” which is debited from her account.

According to the victim, she noted that the fraud began on the 4th of July 2016, after she received a debit alert from her bank that she had recharged a sum of N1,000 call credit for her phone line without sending such command or initiating such transaction.

“I was amazed when my financial institution notified me of a debit on my bank account and the same thing continued for like 11 months.”

The woman filed the case with the operatives of the Aguda Divisional

Headquarters, Aguda Surulere, from where it was transferred to RRS for in depth investigation. This led to the arrest of the suspect, Ebenezer, whose academic education wouldn’t have alerted anybody from linking such crime to him was arrested and questioned on his involvement in the crime by the decoy team of the RRS. He confessed that in July 2016, in trying to make a living after the truck he was driving before now , was retrieved back from him by the owner due to a misunderstanding. With nothing to live on and maintain his family needs. He then found a means of livelihood after trying to recharge his phone line with a short code and was credited N1, 000 immediately.

“I tried it the following day and I issued a N3, 000 balances which were also credited and so I continue day in, day out, for weeks and months.”

I became so overwhelmed by the value of my call credit balance and I immediately resorted to selling of my loot to people around me for months before I was blocked.

“The maximum I can recharge from the account is N3, 000 per day because my network provider restrict me to a daily top up of the said amount. I then sell from the proceed and collect back physical cash from my customers”.

The suspect, who is a patron of a popular Pentecostal church branch

around Otta Area of Ogun State confessed to have been sharing his loot with his wife and calling his mistresses as a big man with so much call credit.

When told the amount he had recharged within eleven months of his escapade, Ebenezer said he knew he would have recharged up to the said amount (N400,000) because he never gave too much break as he finds it profitable using the illegal platform to enrich himself and be on top of his mobile phone call usage.

Commenting on this latest development, the outgoing Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous Cole, advices members of the public to seek professional advice from their financial institution before connecting their bank account to any online transaction and report immediately any case of strange activities on their bank account to the necessary authorities.

• Ebebezer Oyeneye

• The suspect and her exhibits.

Herbalist caught with fake currencies

M

en of Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 41 years old self acclaimed herbalist Bidemi Idowu with various local and foreign currencies suspected to be fake.

Trouble started for the herbalist when one Basiru Amosun reported at Imeko Divisional headquarters on November 21, that the suspect fraudulently collected the sum of N400,000 from his 21-yrs- old son Habeeb Amosun under the pretense that he will prepare a money doubling charm for him. Consequently, he gave a drinking concoction for the victim which made him to develop serious stomach disorder.

Upon the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Chief superintendent of police (DPO) Ajose Muhammed detailed detectives to effect the arrest of the suspect with a search warrant to search his house.

On searching the house, the sum of N400,000 allegedly collected from the victim was recovered. Also recovered are 59 pieces of 1,000 fake CFA, I piece of 50 US Dollars, 600 pieces of fake N1,0000 notes and

assorted charms.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Cp Ahmed Iliyasu has directed that the suspect be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. He equally appealed to parents to educate their children on the reason why they should desist from unnecessary quest for quick money.

• Bidemi Idowu

32

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33

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Name: Tessy Samuel Tel: 08136640556.

•

If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Ach-eww! Mother shares ingenious way of clearing out her toddler’s blocked nose

LOVE NEWS

‘I knew she was the one from the very first day’ Prince Harry said today he is ‘thrilled’ to be marrying Meghan Markle and admitted he knew the Suits star was ‘the one’ from ‘the first day we met’.

Meghan, 36, also showed the world her engagement ring designed by Harry himself containing two diamonds from Princess Diana’s own personal collection set in a gold band.

The couple will marry in church in spring 2018 after the prince proposed in early November after getting permission from the Queen and Meghan’s parents.

Harry looked nervous but happy as they made their first public appearance since the announcement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, much loved by his late mother Princess Diana.

His fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: ‘When did you know she was the one?’ and he replied: ‘From the very first time we met’.

He refused to say how he proposed saying: ‘That will come later’ but when asked if it was romantic he said: ‘Of course it was’ - but the couple didn’t kiss for the cameras.

The prince said he was ‘thrilled, over the moon’ adding: ‘Very glad it’s not raining as well.’ Meghan said she was ‘so happy, thank you’ before they wandered back into Kensington Palace beaming.

The happy couple made their first appearance in public since the announcement of their impending nuptials, posing for photographs in the Sunken Garden at around 2pm.

Harry and his brother William had white roses planted there in her memory when the 20th anniversary of her death fell in August.

Kensington Palace said the prince designed Ms Markle’s engagement ring himself - using two stones which belong to his late mother Princess Diana.

The two outside stones are diamonds from the personal collection of Princess of Wales.

At the centre is a diamond from Bot-

swana, a country that holds special significance for Harry who has visited many times since he was a child.

It is also a place the couple has spent time together over the last year and a half, Kensington Palace said.

The band is made of gold and the ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen.

The two outside stones are diamonds from the personal collection of Diana, Princess of Wales.

At the centre is a diamond from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for Harry who has visited many times since he was a child and they went on safari in September.

It is also a place the couple has spent time together over the last year and a half, Kensington Palace said.

The band is made of gold and the ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen.

Harry, 33, who revealed a year ago he had fallen for the actress after a four to six month secret relationship, proposed to Meghan, 36, in London earlier this month.

Royal protocol dictated that fifth in line to the throne Harry had to ask his grandmother the Queen for permission to marry and she agreed in the month where she celebrated her own 70th wedding anniversary.

In a statement Her Majesty and Prince Philip said they are ‘delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness’ and this morning huge crowds of tourists and royal fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace.

Harry and his American fiancee, who divorced her first husband in 2013, will move into Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace next door to his brother William and sister-in-law Kate.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said in a joint statement: ‘We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getCont’d on page: 36

T

his ingenious way unblocking your nose may not be the prettiest - but it’s surely one of the most effective.

This young mother filmed the moment she blasts bogeys out of her daughter’s nose using a syringe filled with salty water.

While there are nasal respirators which can help unblock sinuses, this mother’s DIY solution has been hailed as ‘brilliant’ after the video was posted on social media.

Using a phone camera to distract the toddler, she tells her young one to keep her mouth open and places a syringe into one of the nostril and pushes down, releasing a torrent of gunk which out of the other nostril.

However the nostril therapy has divided people on social media about how effective and safe the treatment really is.

One person said: ‘As a respiratory therapist, this is the bomb! Although most kids may not be so cooperative and may require some sort of containment system.’

Another added: ‘Yes it’s safe! I had to do this to my adult son. He could not breathe nor sleep for days. Doctor kept giving him Meds that didn’t work. I told him he would hate me for what I was about to do.

‘On the 3rd squirt this disgusting chunk of yuck came out and he could breathe again. He took a hot shower and his nose was running clear. He put Vick’s under his nose and slept for 2 Days.’

Yet some were less than convinced by

Romantic Joke the treatment.

Jamie Richard Steele said: ‘This is not a safe practice. It can lead to choking and aspiration which could result in a pneumonia.

But what do I know. I’m only a children’s nurse.’

Sherouk Salem said it was the ‘cutest most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen’.

The NHS recommends: ‘If they have a blocked nose, you can make their breathing easier by raising the pillow end of your child’s bed or cot by putting books or bricks

under the legs, or placing a pillow under the mattress (although you shouldn’t put anything under the mattress of a baby younger than one year old).

‘A warm, moist atmosphere can ease breathing if your child has a blocked nose – take your child into the bathroom and run a hot bath or shower, or use a vaporiser to humidify the air.

‘If you are unsure of anything, contact your GP or speak to your pharmacist.’

Hurrricanes Q: Why are most hurricanes named after women?

A: Because when they come, they are wet and wild and when they leave they take your house and your car.

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

True Confession ‘I told him the truth that he is not my son’s daddy’

M

y husband Eze and I have been married for 15 years.

We have one son, Chibuzor.

Chibuzor is not Eze’s biological son and for many years, Eze didn’t know the truth because I never told him. I had never shared my secret with anyone and I’d hoped I would never have to.

Chibuzor was diagnosed with acute leukaemia shortly after he turned 10.

He was immediately admitted to one of the teaching hospitals and from there my husband flew him abroad to a great hospital in the UK where he remained critically ill for many months.

The doctors told us that his best chance of survival was to have a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible.

We needed a compatible donor.

As Chibuzor’s parents, we were to have our blood tested the following day. If neither of our blood types was compatible, then our other relatives would be contacted and his name would be put on the donor list.

At this stage, I realised it was inevitable that Eze would discover he wasn’t Chibuzor’s biological father. I had to tell him the truth that very evening. I felt that it was better he heard it from me than from the doctors the next day. You can just imagine!

That night after having dinner, I explained to Eze that he was not really Chibuzor’s biological father and that I’d had a brief affair with a man in my office called Edward, during our marriage. Eze was filled with shock. Without a word, he stood up in a daze and walked away from me to his bedroom and locked himself inside the room and slept off.

I waited up for him all night on the sofa in the living room, for him to call me into the bedroom but he didn’t call me.

The following morning, Eze coldly told me that he would divorce me but not now. He said that he would remain with me for now for Chibuzor’s sake because Chibuzor needed him.

He said that when Chibuzor was well again, he would file for divorce and leave me. From that time on, he refused to have anything to do with me outside of Chibuzor’s hospital room and he slept on his own in the bedroom.

My blood type was not compatible with that of Chibuzor so I had to contact Chibuzor’s biological father, Edward. He had moved to London with his wife before Chibuzor was born and we had long ago lost contact.

Edward was shocked to learn that I had become pregnant and given birth to his child as a result of our extra-marital affair. He was sorry to hear about Chibuzor’s illness, but re-

“That night after having dinner, I explained to Eze that he was not really Chibuzor’s biological father and that I’d had a brief affair with a man in my office called Edward, during our marriage. Eze was filled with shock. Without a word, he stood up in a daze and walked away from me to his bedroom and locked himself inside the room and slept off.” fused to help. He didn’t want his wife to find out about the affair or about Chibuzor.

After many weeks of trying, we were not able to find a compatible donor for Chibuzor and we were reduced to simply waiting in the hope that one might eventually turn up.

It was as though all my sins were finally catching up with me; I was being severely punished for my infidelity and stood to lose all that I loved.

I had already lost my husband and now I could lose my son!

Chibuzor became so ill that the doctors said that conventional medical treatment could do no more for him.

All we could do was remain positive and do everything in our power to

help support him in his fight against the Leukamia cancer.

Throughout this terrible, terrible time, Eze my husband was simply wonderful to Chibuzor. He was loving and funny; an endless source of comfort, hope and strength. Chibuzor never suspected that behind Eze’s cheerful facade, he was hiding so much hurt and anger.

Over a year later and against all odds, Chibuzor won his fight against cancer and returned home with me.

For a short, precious time, we were once again a family. My joy at having my son safely home was tinged with sadness; because now that Chibuzor had fully recovered, Eze was free to leave me.

I was determined to be as calm and as strong as Eze had been for Chibuzor for all those months. If Eze wanted to leave, I would let him go with grace. He had already given me so much by helping to bring Chibuzor back home.

However, to my greatest surprise, later that night, Eze gently took my hand in his. With tears in his eyes, he asked me to please forgive him for his foolish, stubborn pride.

He said that it was no longer important to him whether he was Chibuzor’s biological father or not. Chibuzor’s long illness and recovery had made him realise what really mattered, which is that we were a very special family and we all belonged together.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Relationships and Love Advice

‘He likes keeping malice with me’

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08050572880.

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Dear Love Doctor, My name is Nneka. I’ve been in love with a guy for 3 years now. And he has started paying my bride price since the past one month. What I want in marriage is happiness and understanding, irrespective of if my husband is rich or not. However, I’m not happy with his attitude at present. He gets upset at the slightest provocation and keeps malice with me for one to two months. I have begged him and advised him to change but he has refused. Now I want to quit the marriage for peace to reign since he doesn’t want my happiness.

Nneka

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Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Nneka,

P

lease try to control your anger because anger makes people take rash decisions. What do you do that makes him keep malice with you? Do you demand too much or offend him in some way? Or is your man simply acting childishly? It is assumed that before two people decide to marry, they must be compatible. If you’re not sure of your compatibility, why rush into marriage? Three years is long enough to decide if you’re compatible or not to marry. Or have you endured for three years with him because he gives you money? I advise you to search your heart. Take time to search your heart & find out the reason you want to be with him. Most people go into relationships for one of four major reasons. 1.Love. 2. Lust. 3. Loneliness.

4. Financial or other benefit (eg, job, sponsor etc). Search your heart & find out the real reason you want to be with him. Then decide if you want to spend the rest of your life with

him or not. If you want to marry, learn to accept someone the way he is & be patient. You can’t change his personality. Lovers who like keeping malice with their partners are usually either immature, extremely sensitive or the vindictive/unforgiving type. If your man is very sensitive, stopdoing things that provoke him. Does he always act childishly? If he is childish, don’t rush to marry him because he may not bepsychologically ripe or mature enough for marriage. One way to heal an immature male lover is by depending less on him. When he sees that you’re independent (eg, you don’t ask him for money anymore), he will start behaving himself in order to win your love. Maybe he keeps malice with you because you always depend on him. Depend less on him so that he can respect you.

Relationships are not generally built on changing people’s character. Rather, relationships are built on accepting people the way they are

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& learning to live with their faults, because no one is perfect. The best way to address your man’s attitude of “keeping malice” is through communication. Call him & explain to him how much his attitude hurts you. Tell him that you love him & that if he values your happiness, he should stop hurting you through his attitude. Tell him that his attitude of keeping malice is the only issue that could affect your happiness if both of you marry.

If there is any other issue bothering you about him, now is the time to tell him & resolve it before marriage. Explain the implications to him & stop doing anything that givesrise to such a negative attitude from him. Be patient with him, because people who act childishly are like babies. It would take time for them to grow up. But if you can’t take it anymore, tell his parents to talk to him. Finally, try to control your anger so that your final decision will be based on reason & sound judgment.

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36

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

It happened to me:

‘I made my husband look violent to end our marriage’

W

hen I first met Timothy, I knew I had found the man I was looking for. He clearly felt the same — we were engaged within three months, married within six, and I was pregnant by the end of our first year together.

To the outside world, although it happened quite quickly, everything looked perfect — we had everything other people wanted. But by the end of our first year of marriage, I got sick of people commenting on how great I had it.

Because this really wasn’t the case at all.

Timothy was lovely — kind, considerate, thoughtful. I always got breakfast in bed, coffee brought to me without asking and sweet, thoughtful presents for no reason.

I also got phone calls at all hours and extreme jealousy about the relationship I was building with our three-month-old baby — the constant attention really began to wear on my nerves. I couldn’t go anywhere without him insisting he tag along. It wasn’t done in an aggressive, possessive way (I was allowed to do whatever I wanted), but he simply had to be there with me every minute that he wasn’t at work.

I began to long for my carefree single days. Being a mother was one thing (my three-month-old baby was less clingy

than my husband!) but I couldn’t stand being a wife any longer.

Everybody loved Timothy, and I didn’t want to be the one who was looked upon as the “ungrateful one who walked out on the perfect marriage.” So I decided I had to make Timothy look less perfect.

I wasn’t quite sure how to do it, and the idea really came to me at the last minute — not something I planned. Or something I’m proud of.

One night I fell on the curb taking the bins out in the dark, and an ugly black bruise on my arm was the result. The following day, my friends wanted to know how I’d hurt myself, and the answer was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“Oh, you know,” I said, pretending to be evasive. “I walked into a door.”

As soon as I’d lied, it all seemed so simple, and soon I was doing it all the time. A naturally clumsy person, I often had bruises, and I always made sure my friends saw them, before putting on my evasive act. After a few months, two of my best friends sat me down and demanded to know what was going on. I wouldn’t tell them but my silence, and the months of evasion, had done enough.

My best friend rang my husband and accused him outright of physical violence.

Of course, he denied it, and angrily want-

ed me to explain what I had been telling my friends. I simply told him they were jumping to conclusions that I couldn’t talk them out of. But Timothy was really angry. He kept pestering me to lay down the truth and clear his name — but every time he saw my friends they were rude and hostile, and he was soon over it. We separated and my friends never suspected that my husband wouldn’t hurt a fly.

I have since remarried and had more children. My new husband is lovely —

and distant when I need him to be. Personal space is a healthy part of our relationship.

I heard that my best friend ran into Timothy and his new wife a few months ago — she told his wife to be careful of Timothy’s temper. I felt awful when I heard that: Timothy had never done anything besides want to be with me.

And he has no idea that I actually led my friends to believe he was physically violent so I could get out of the marriage.

‘I knew she was the one from the very first day’ Cont’d from page: 33 ting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together’. The boys’ father Prince Charles said he was ‘thrilled’ and ‘very happy indeed’ for them.

Harry also asked Meghan’s parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, who divorced when their daughter was six, for her hand in marriage before popping the question a few weeks ago, it emerged today.

They said: ‘Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents’.

Harry and Meghan have not said where they will marry but most senior royals marry at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral or the chapel at Windsor Castle. Sources have said it is likely to

be a church wedding, especially after the Archbishop of Canterbury gave his blessing today.

Meghan could become a princess or alternatively be given the title Duchess of Sussex when she marries the fifth in line to the throne and joins the royal family.

But they are likely to wait until Prince William and Kate have their third child, which is due in April.

Bookmakers refused to take any more bets on the couple getting engaged last week as Meghan landed in London and started moving her belongings and two dogs to the UK. Social media went into meltdown but they have had to wait until today to hear that the fifth-in-line to the throne has proposed to his actress girlfriend.

Courtesy: Daily Mail

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Love & Living

Can you stay married after wedding?

W

E can’t get over #BAAD2017, top Nigerian music act Banky W and actress Adesua Etomi recently tied the nuptial knot in the most glamorous ways imaginable.

From the traditional and court weddings in Lagos to the church wedding proper in South Africa, the phenomenal outings and packaging left us all in awe.

No doubt, that marriage has set a new milestone for ideal weddings in Nigeria.

Trust Nigerian ladies, many have already taken to social media to advise any interested guy to step up to Banky’s level before coming close.

It is only normal to crave for such beautiful show of love and while we celebrate with the newly weds on their new beginning, we mustn’t forget that there’s much more to marriage than the whole fan fare. Can’t blame anyone who’s having endless bouts of marriage-phobia, it does take a lot to commit to marriage these days since one never knows what’s coming. We should be thankful when marriages break up without records of permanent scars or even deaths of either or both parties.

More and more people are dying in marriage mainly because we see marriage as a do or die affair. When things are going wrong, keeping up the pretence game for too long can lead to a sad ending.

The son of a former PDP chairman died recently at the very hands of his

Ify ARONU ifyaronu@gmail.com

own wife, a classical case of marriage turned disaster. In a similar incident two years ago in Ibadan, a certain lawyer stabbed her husband to death. In both incidents the men were accused of infidelity yet they both sealed their fates as they trivialised the wrath of their angry wives.

Is marriage worth dying for and in that manner? Or any manner for that matter?

Thankfully, there aren’t many people who would gladly die in marriage, when that happens it is usually accidental.

While these sad cases are regrettable, the men are all the wiser. Or are they? If

you have met men who refused to conclude marital rites to their spouses citing financial constraints, take a closer look and you will discover that they probably developed cold feet, I tell you why.

I chanced on a young man who clearly falls into that category. Just when he decided to get married and took the first step, a serious bout of marriage phobia hit him. He began to wish he stayed single because his lady wasn’t letting any of his shady moves pass.

Hear him, “Yes, she suspected that I was making out with a certain lady. I won’t tell you if she was right because this isn’t a confession session.

“ But who is she to tell me who to associate with and to determine the depth of my relationships? I married her, always provided her needs and she thinks that’s her licence to say what happens in my private life. How can that happen?”

I didn’t exactly know how to respond to that nor did I belabour the matter. As it stood, he had put further marital rites on hold to avoid being the next victim of brutal domestic violence. The thing is, even if he was actually dating another woman and unwilling to break off from her, the failure to give his lady the much needed sense of security in the relationship is likely the main problem.

Delaying marital ties or letting marriage phobia consume you will only keep you in a cage of your own making.

Even if you consider faithfulness an uphill task, the least you can do is to be discreet and somewhat decent about your indiscretions. You could be saving your life by simply doing that.

Beyond the fun fare, marriage is not a do or die affair, if it isn’t working, try. If it’s still not working, try harder. If it gets risky, let it go. To stay married, you need to stay alive first. Let go if it could get you killed.

• Please send your comments to ifyaronu@gmail.com

Port Harcourt rocks literarily…

ONE of the less known evils of oil is that it dominates its environment. I am not talking about the pollution. Oil takes over everything, dropping and dumping itself on everything. Its dominance is so emphatic that nothing else seems to matter. It may surprise it. I am a witness to the surprises.

How can anyone be surprised that Port Harcourt is hosting literary events? Why the questions about our qualifications to have literary minds, or have literary interests. You can see what oil has done, and is still doing to us?

Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, is also a home for literary minds, asides been known its oil, politics and bole and fish. The State has given birth to great minds like Elechi Amadi and many others who are making meaningful contributions to the art via its various genres: drama, prose, poetry and of course music.

Is it possible that you have never heard of the Port Harcourt Book Festival, formerly known as Garden City Literary Festival? It ran annually for five years. In July 2012, UNESCO, IPA, IBF and IFLA named Port Harcourt the World Book Capital for the year 2014, making her the 14th city in the world to be selected as World Book Capital and the first in Black Africa.

It hosted authors Wole Soyinka, Kofi Awoonor, Gabriel Okara and Prof. E J Alagoa, Elechi Amadi, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, J.P. Clark, Buchi Emecheta, Okey Ndibe, Kaine Agary, Sefi Atta, Petrina Crockford, A. Igoni Barrett, Lindsay Barrett, Toni Kan, Fela Durotoye, Tade Ipadeola, Jumoke Verissimo, Abimbola Adunni, and Joy Isi Bewaji.

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Maureen Alikor maureenalikor@gmail.com

Is it possible that you have never heard of the Port Harcourt Book Festival, formerly known as Garden City Literary Festival? It ran annually for five years.

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President Goodluck Jonathan, American activist Jesse Jackson, former Cross Rivers State Governor Donald Duke, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, Véronique Tadjo, were special guests. Mrs. Koko Kalango co-ordinated the Book Capital project, which with the Port Harcourt Book Festival, were among literary initiatives of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

I can therefore say that Port Harcourt is on the map of the world not only as

a global oil and gas hub, a seaport, but also as one of the world’s book capitals. Port Harcourt stood firmer on the international literary, five years ago when UNESCO confirmed its World Book Capital status.

Just recently, the Port Harcourt Literary Society, PHLS, appointed Mr. Chijioke Amu Nnadi its resident poet.

Shortly after his appointment, he unveiled two literary events, the PHLS Literary Evening & Open Mic, an evening for lovers of literature who are

gifted in the arts to showcase their talents, providing inspiration and relaxation for others.

The event is scheduled to hold once Friday evening every month at 4pm at the Port Harcourt Book Centre. The maiden edition of the PHLS Literary evening & Open Mic held on the November 3 The PHLS Literature For Teens, PHLS LIFT, is the second brainchild of the resident poet; PHLS LIFT is geared towards encouraging reading and the appreciation of literature in our secondary schools. It provides mentorship for young minds that are literarily inclined and may be needing tutorships on various subjects or matters related to literature. Each month, select secondary schools in the state are invited to the Port Harcourt Book Centre where the students representing each school are taught, motivated and encouraged by select young writers.

At the end of the sessions, the schools are advised to organise their own Junior Literary Society events. The first edition of took place on the November 10.

In line with all these, the Port Harcourt Book Centre and the Port Harcourt Literary Society will set to host the residents of Port Harcourt and its environs to its second edition of the Literary Evening & Open Mic on Friday, December 1 at 4pm. You are invited to see more sides of Port Harcourt – or can I say that Port Harcourt is diversifying?

• Please send your comments to maureenalikor@gmail.com

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

The Law and You TRUSTEESHIP: APPOINTMENTS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEES oday, the trust institution has become a charismatic institution that has won the imagination of generations of lawyers and historians. The trust is also a profit institution that serves property owning class. Its reputation is built on its versatility to manipulate the facets of ownership and management. With this versatility it has since its early days leaped out of the family circle and has ventured into commercial arena. For example the unit trust scheme remains a money spinning commercial trust regulated under SEC in Nigeria today. Hence it is essential for law students to learn the management and administration of trusts.

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WHO IS A TRUSTEE? A trustee can be defined as the person who is bound to hold and administer property on behalf of another person. This obligation may be created expressly or by implication or by operation of law. The applicable law governing Trusteeship in Nigeria is the Trustees Act of 1893 which is a statute of general application applicable in all the states of the Federation except in the states forming the old Western Region of Nigeria. For these states the law can be found in the Trustee Law of 1959. The old Anambra State in 1986 also enacted the Equity and Trust Law which also governs Trusteeship in that state. We must note from the onset that these various trustees’ laws are in-pari-material with the Trustee Act 1893. Except where otherwise indicated our reference shall be to the Ogun State Trustee Law and also to the PCL where applicable.

WHO CAN APPOINT A TRUSTEE? 1.

A testator by his will.

2.

A settler/donor/grantor by his trust instrument or deed.

3.

The beneficiaries of a trust where they are all sui juris i.e. of full age and legal capacity.

4.

The court on the application of any of the beneficiary or on the application of the public Trustee. See Section 28 of the Trustee Law of Ogun State.

WHO CAN BE APPOINTED AS A TRUSTEE? The rules to note are as follows: i.

THE RULE AS TO LEGAL CAPACITY A trustee must be a person who has full capacity at law to hold property.

Thus an infant cannot be appointed as a trustee as he lacks legal capacity and also lacks cognate experience. Section 18 of the PCL makes the appointment of an infant as a trustee void. In the other states of the Federation it is possible an infant as a trustee. This is however not advisable knowing fully well that an infant is not a person at law. Furthermore, an un-discharged bankrupt lacks legal capacity at law and is thus unfit to manage any trust.

So also an insane person cannot be appointed as a trustee for lack of legal capacity. ii.

A beneficiary may be appointed as a trustee. This however is not advisable due to the possibility of conflict of interest as may arise in his handling of the trust property. iii.

Artificial persons may also be appointed as trustees. There are certain corporations who by their memorandum and Article of Association are empowered to handle trust property. Examples of such companies are First Bank Trustees, Stanbic IBTC, Capital Brokers Ltd., Price Securities & Trust Ltd., and Integrated Trust & Investment Ltd. TYPES OF TRUSTEE i.

PRIVATE TRUSTEE This could be a friend or relative of the donor/settler/grantor/testator. He could also be a professional such as a lawyer, an accountant or estate valuer. These persons are usually appointed by the feoffor for the basic fact that they are trustworthy and capable of holding and managing the trust property. ii.

PUBLIC TRUSTEE This is originally a creation of the English Public Trustee Act of 1906. Although this Act is not a Statute of General Application; its provisions were re-enacted into a Nigerian Act called the Public Trustee Act of 1938. It is worthwhile to note that this Act is no longer in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The old WRN also enacted its Public Trustee Law which is still applicable in all states formed out of that region. Thus by Section 3(2) of the Public Trustee Law of Ogun state, the public trustee is a corporation sole under the name with perpetual succession and official seal with power to sue and be sued under the said name.

By Section 6 of the Law, the Public Trustee is empowered to act as an ordinary trustee, a custodian trustee or be appointed by the court. What this means in essence is that a public trustee may be appointed by a private person or it may be appointed by the court. By Section 6(2) the Public Trustee Law, it may also act as a sole trustee in respect of an estate or may act as a co-trustee with other trustee who are private trustees. By the provision of Section 6(3), although the Public Trustee can decline to accept a trust property it cannot decline on account of the email value of the trust property. In practice the public trustee is housed in the Ministry of Justice of every state and is specially quartered and named the Administrator General & Public Trustee (Ag & PT) of the state. iii.

CORPORATE TRUSTEE A corporation or a company may be formed to undertake the business of managing trust properties. Such companies are often formed for profit.

They offer and provide professional expertise in the management of trust properties. Examples are First Bank Trustees, Stanbic IBTC, Capital Brokers Ltd., Price Securities & Trust Ltd., and Integrated Trust & Investment Ltd. iv.

CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE This is a trustee appointed for the sole purpose of taking possession or custody of the trust property without the necessary burden of managing the trust property which in that case would be run by a managing trustee. At times it is possible for the custodian trustee to also be the managing trustee.

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Administration of trusts II property and where the issues are complex. The appointment is often subsequent to an application by beneficiaries or a donor himself. The judicial trustee differs from a person appointed by a court upon the application of a beneficiary; for example where a vacancy has occurred in the number of original or initial trustees. This is so because the judicial trustees being an appointee of the court act in close supervision by the court.

HOW MANY TRUSTEES MAY BE APPOINTED? The relevant provision on the number of trustee is Section 22 of the Trustee Law of Ogun State. The following rules must be noted: 1.

The Trustee Law by Section 22(2) prescribes that not more than four (4) trustee can be appointed for a trust of settlement of land or trust for sale of land. Where more than four are appointed only the first four trustees listed will be recognized and the rest will be obliterated.

2.

The Trustee Law by Section 6(2) provides that a sole trustee except a trust corporation cannot issue a valid receipt for the sale of land.

3.

Section 22(3) however provides a rider that a trust corporation can issue a valid receipt for the sale of land.

4.

Section 22(3)(a) and (b) provides that trustees for land or net proceeds of same held under charitable, ecclesiastical and public purpose are not subject to the restriction on the number of trustees We must note that in practice however, letter of administration and probate are granted to a maximum of four administrators.

IN WHAT MANNER CAN A TRUSTEE BE APPOINTED? Section 24 of the Trustee Law of Ogun state requires that the appointment of trustees be made in writing. We must note however that even though the law does not require that such writing to be under deed, it is advisable that the appointment is made by a deed. This is preferable because the trust property will automatically vests in the trustee and as such the need for another separate vesting instrument would be dispensed with.

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES A. APPOINTMENT OF INITIAL TRUSTEES The original or initial trustees are appointed either by the settlor at the creation of the trust if it is inter-vivos or by the testator in his will.

B. APPOINTMENT OF SUBSEQUENT I.E. ADDITIONAL OR SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES An addition or substitute trustee can only be appointed where a vacancy had occurred in the number of trustees.

A vacancy is said to occur where • An original or initial trustee dies, • Retires, • Is removed from office, • Disclaims the trust or • Remains outside Nigeria for a period longer than twelve months. See Section 24 of the Trustee Law The subsequent trustees are appointed as follows: • By the settlor himself where he has reserved the power of appointment to himself. This is possible only where the settlement is inter-vivos.

• By the person or body of persons whom the settlor or testator has named or vested with the power to appoint additional or substitute trustee in his trust deed or will respectively.

• The surviving or remaining trustees shall have power to jointly appoint additional or substitute trustee(s).

• The personal representatives of the last surviving or remaining trustee shall have the power of appointment of an additional trustee.

• The power of competent jurisdiction upon the application of any beneficiary. See Section 28.

RULES OF VESTING OF THE TRUST PROPERTY ON TRUSTEES The cardinal rule is that all trust properties must be vested on the initial or original trustee by virtue of a vesting instrument which must comply with the applicable law for the taking of valid and effective possession of the trust property. Thus where the trust property is land or includes land, then the vesting instrument must be in writing and by deed to give effectual vesting of the legal estate on the trustees. This is accordance with the provision of Section 3 of the Statute of Fraud and Section 81 of the FCI. i.

The legal title in a trust property vests in the original trustee(s) at the inception of the trust. ii.

That upon the death of one of the initial trustees, the trust property vests automatically unto the remaining trustee(s). iii.

That where the remaining trustee(s) appoints another trustee, then the legal estate also vests in the said new trustee together or jointly with the earlier trustee(s). iv.

That upon the death of the last surviving or sole trustee(s) the legal title to the trust property vests in his personal representatives who can exercised by the sole or surviving trustee including the power of appointment of an additional trustees. See Section 10 of the Trustee Law of Ogun State v.

That where all the initial or subsequent trustee for the time being are involved in a mishap which led to their death, then the youngest among them in age is deemed to have survived them all and as such the power of appointment shall vest on his personal representatives.

POWER AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE In the administration of trust, trustees are clothed with both powers and duties. The main distinction between a duty and power is that while a duty is imperative, a power is discretionary. In both cases trustees are expected administer the trust subject to the powers laid down by the trust instrument and the statutes. Trustee in exercising the powers vested in them v.

JUDICIAL TRUSTEE must be unanimous as Jessel, M.R. stated in the case of Luke v. South KensThis is a fit and proper person appointed by the court under the Judicial ington Hotel Co 1879 III CHD. 121 “There is no law that I am acquainted with Trustee Act of 1896. He is often an officer of the court and is often appoint- which enables the majority of trustee to bind the minority. The only power ed where there has been a protracted litigation with respect to the trust to bind is the act of them all”.

There are two types of trustees’ power • Specific Powers and • Legal/Statutory Powers SPECIFIC POWERS These are those powers conferred on the trustees by the trust instrument.

Be it a will or a trust/settlement deed, a trust instrument will normally give certain express to the trustees. These are the specific discretions given to the trustees by the settlor/testator. These powers granted to the trustee under the trust instrument may be similar to those which have been laid down under statute. These powers are also coterminous with each other as a power may be exercised by a trustee both under the trust instrument and also under the statutory provisions.

LEGAL/STATUTORY POWERS By the provision of Section 3(2) of the Trustee Law, the powers conferred by the trust instrument overrides any the powers conferred under the T.L. This means that all the powers conferred on the trustee under the TL shall only apply where there is no contrary intention exhibited by the trust instrument. Thus the trustee’s legal/statutory powers are a number of discretionary powers conferred by the Trustee Law of Ogun State.

These statutory powers include the following: 1.

POWER OF SALE A trustee will have a power to sell the trust property if granted expressly or by implication by the trust instrument or statute. If the property is land held in trust for sale, the Trustee has both the power to sell and a duty to sell. Trustees are normally given a power to postpone a sale section 4(1) Trustee Law of Ogun State. They have a duty to obtain the best price for the beneficiaries and must act prudently.

2.

POWER TO SELL SUBJECT TO DEPRECIATORY CONDITIONS Trustees are endowed with the discretion to sell the trust property which has declined in value under devalued term. However, the beneficiaries can proceed against the trustee where the price paid for the property is inadequate given the extent of the depreciation in value. They can also go after the purchaser even after the execution of a conveyance and impeach such a sale for the same reason. This means that a trustee must exercise reasonable caution in selling a depreciating property and must seek and obtain adequate valuation report before exercising the power.

3.

POWER TO GIVE RECEIPTS FOR SALE Trustees have full power to give receipts for any money, securities, payable or transferable to them. However, where the trustees are neither trust corporations nor ecclesiastical trustees, a single trustee cannot give receipt but all four trustees. This provision will apply even if there is any contrary provision contained in the trust instrument.

4.

POWER TO COMPOUND LIABILITIES Trustees are given a wide discretion as to claims made by third parties against the trust estate. These claims can be agreed to on the actual or less than the actual claim and the trustee may agree to go for arbitration on such claims. This principle is also applicable to any claims which the trust estate may have against third parties.

5.

POWER TO RAISE MONEY BY SALE OF MORTGAGE Trustees may raise money for the purpose of paying any claim or apply any capital whether required by law (e.g. tenement rate, land use charge, tax etc.) or by the trust instrument (e.g. payment of a legacy, annuity or debt) by putting the trust property up for sale or mortgage. This power avails the trustee despite any contrary provision in the trust instrument. We must note carefully however that this provision does not apply to trustee of charitable purpose.

6.

POWER TO INSURE THE TRUST PROPERTY In the absence of an express direction in the trust instrument, trustees are not bound to insure property, but they have power to insure any building or other insurable property against fire to the and the premiums may be paid out of the income of the property insured. The total amount of the insurance must not exceed three quarter of the value of the property.

7.

POWER TO DELEGATE The general rule is that a trustee, being in a fiduciary position may not delegate his duties and responsibilities to any other person. This rationale is also based on the principle of “delegatus non potest delegare”. However there are two exceptions to this rule.

• They may employ as their agents professional persons such as solicitors, bankers and stock brokers in matters requiring skill possessed by such agent. However, trustees are not liable for the default of such agent provided there is moral and legal necessity for such employment and they have exercised due caution in the appointment of such agents.

• A trustee intending to remain out of Nigeria for a period exceeding one month may delegate to any person by a power of attorney the power to act on his behalf. Such a power of attorney comes into operation only when the trustee actually leaves Nigeria and lapses as soon as he returns. This power however does not permit a co-trustee to be appointed.

8.

POWER TO ADVERTISE FOR CLAIMANTS Where trustee for sale or personal representatives are about to distribute the estate, they may give notice of their intention to distribute by advertising in the state Gazette and in newspaper circulating in the area in which the property is situated.

Generally, trustee are not liable for loss caused by an act done by them in the exercise of the powers conferred to them by the statute, so long as they acted in good faith and have reached their decision by a proper exercise of their discretions.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call or send a text message to Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

We need a Nigerian Film Festival not owned or run by individuals – Shan George

As one of the celebrated Nigerian actresses and founders of Nollywood, can you give us an insight into the way Nollywood operated in those early days when you first started acting and compare it with Nollywood of today?

In the years back, Nollywood shot with Betacam, then Dvcam, now we are shooting with cameras like Red, Blackmagic, 35mm, etc.

Same goes with editing equipment. We have advanced a lot.

What do you consider as your most challenging movie or character and why?

All movies are great and all characters are challenging. The most challenging character I’ve ever played is a Mermaid. Because this is not human and I’ve never seen a Mermaid in my life. How do I talk and act like something I’ve never seen? It was in a movie titled HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN by Helen Ukpabio.

Now why did you decide to take a break from acting for some time now, and what have you been doing during your absence from the big screen?

I didn’t decided to take a break, My mother fell ill, I had to leave work to go take care of my mom. I didn’t envisage she will be ill for so long.

It’s been almost seven years now. Although she’s much better now and I’m back to work.

You have been part of the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) for over a decade now; do you see any improvement in Nollywood now compared to the way it was many years ago, or are the same low quality movies still being produced with only a few films of good quality?

I’ve been in Nollywood for over a decade and the improvement is much, from the kind of equipment to the kind of stories, to the level of acting and dynamism of the producers and directors; everything has improved for the better. There are still a few wishy-washy movies being produced now, but we now have more good well produced movies than a decade ago.

Who are your favorite actors or actresses in Nollywood of today and why?

My favourite actors are anybody who carries their role and play the character in a movie to the letter. I have favourite actors based on each movie I see because some actors are good in one movie and not so good in another movie.

What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Nollywood today and how do you think those challenges can be overcome?

One of the most pressing challenges facing Nollywood is FINANCING. like the saying goes BETTER SOUP NA MONEY KILL AM. To do a good movie cost loads of money, millions. Another major challenge is MARKET, we don’t have a good film market in Nigeria. Even in America there’s a film market. We finish making a good movie in Nigeria and there’s no solid base market to sell the products well enough to reach the people. That’s why piracy thrives. When you can’t get your products to a certain place and there is demand for that product there, anyone would device a means to get that product to those demanding for it. There’s also the challenge of security, since there’s no film village in Nigeria, producers have to sort their filming locations themselves and sometimes it’s at places not safe enough, so we face a lot of physical attacks from hoodlums and miscreants. It’s a long list of challenges.

An actor, John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), recently reportedly recommended the establishment of an Anti-Piracy Board to deal squarely with issues of piracy in Nigeria. What is your opinion on the best or most effective way to tackle piracy in the Nigerian movie industry?

Government needs to make policies and provisions for the industry to grow.

I believe one of the ways to tackle piracy is to create good movie marketing platforms. If people know how to get original copies from known markets, the pirated copies would suffer. Also good pronounced punishment for piracy that can be implemented. So as to discourage the act of piracy. John okafor (Mr Ibu) has a good point too.

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Shan George

han George is one of the most cerebral and highly talented Nollywood idols. Her new movie titled “Grey Shadows” recently premiered in Lagos.

In this interview with Ireto Temofeh, the icon of the Nigerian movie industry explains the importance for governments at both national and state levels to create Nigerian Film Villages in each of the six geo-political zones, establish solid marketing platforms for movies to eliminate piracy, and help fund movies that teach rather than only entertain. She is also sad that there are no children’s content/movies at all coming out of Nollywood, and believes that more children’s movies should be produced. However, on the idea of a Nigerian Film Festival, she insists that government must get involved if they really realize that Nollywood is a money-spinning machine. Enjoy it!

“One of the most pressing challenges facing Nollywood is FINANCING. As the saying goes, BETTER SOUP NA MONEY KILL AM. To do a good movie costs loads of money, millions. Another major challenge is MARKET; we don’t have a good film market in Nigeria. Even in America, there’s a film market.

We finish making a good movie in Nigeria and there’s no solid base market to sell the products well enough to reach the people.

That’s why piracy thrives.”

What do you think about the idea of a Nigerian Film Festival?

We really need to have a Nigerian film festival. The film festivals we currently have are ones owned and run by individuals and those won’t do. Seriously the government need to realise that Nollywood is a money spinning machine once well operated.

Don’t you think Nollywood should have a school for actors, especially as a way for actors to improve their skills by embarking on training and re-training?

I’ve been working in Nollywood for 20 years. I read Mass Communications in University of Lagos and majored in broadcasting. Plus I read online on my own to improve my work. There are many film academies currently running, like Wale Adenuga’s PEFTI, Emem Isong’s Royal Arts Academy, Stephnie Okereke’s DELYORK AcadeVery sad indeed that there are no children’s movies at all. Is there my, etc. a way to partner with the private sector, for example, Indomie, to As a mass communications graduate, why did you ditch the journalproduce more content for children?

It all begins with the script writers. I believe that many producers will ism profession instead of becoming a journalist? And how do you be willing, and sponsors would also key in, if presented with a good rate Nigerian journalists and journalism in Nigeria today?

I majored in broadcasting which has to do with TV. So I won’t call it a children’s movie script. ditch to be in Nollywood.

Tell us more about your plans or projects which you’re seriously Nigerian journalism is doing well but a lot of half baked quacks are publishing fake unconfirmed contents, making the real journalist working on right now?

Currently I’ve just finished producing a movie titled GREY SHADOWS. look lazy and not good enough.

What else can the government of President Muhammadu Buhari do to improve Nollywood?

The government like I said earlier should provide us a film village and a good film market in the six zones of Nigeria, and also help fund movies that can make impact for correction of societal ills and norms.

Fund stories that are mostly about teaching, not only entertaining. are no children’s movies at all. That’s very sad.

Concerning content coming out of Nollywood, some feel that there is little or no content being produced specifically for children. For example, Tales By Moonlight was a storytelling TV series produced for children by the NTA many years ago. Do you think more children’s programs and even children’s films/movies should be produced?

I think more children’s movies should be produced. But this kind of movies don’t make money for the producers in Nigeria, so government needs to put out more funds for making children’s movies, to teach, inspire and groom the young minds. As it is right now, there

Premiering in lagos on the 24th of November. It’s a story that showcases the condition of health facilities and its staff. The sham that the health sector in Nigeria has become and how it affects the average Nigerian. It is a movie that I believe every Nigerian can relate to.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Entertainment How I balance family and career – Uche Elendu

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ward winning actress and mother of two, Uche Elendu has, no doubt, carved a niche for herself in Nollywood with movies like Lies Men Tell, Mrs. Somebody, Holding Hope, Kiss & Tell and The Altar, among others.

The indigene of Abia State and graduate of International Relations from Imo State University (IMSU) joined the movie industry in 2001 after she starred in her debut movie entitled Fear of the Unknown. Uche got married in January 2012 to Walter Ogochukwu Igweanyiba and today the union is blessed with two children. The Oracle Today caught up with her recently and she opened up on on her career and how she balances it with the home front. Excerpts:

On career, marriage and motherhood How I balance the home front is a great challenge because those two are very important aspects of my life--family and career. But, I make sure that I attend to both accordingly and I have a great manager that helps me properly handle the career and work out my schedule while I work on my home front.

Acting is quite demanding but it has not affected my career negatively. I got married at the peak of my acting career and though it slowed me down, I had no choice and neither was my husband behind it. I just felt it was my obligation to concentrate on fulfilling the purpose of marriage. God has been the centre of all my activities, so he has been able to balance things for me. I must confess, having to balance the home as a mom and also create time for movies is a big challenge in itself but I thank God (for everything).

Why is it that career women are not good home makers?

Honestly, I don’t subscribe to that because career women are humans just like everyone else and there are a lot of distractions associated with our career but with focus and the grace of God, one can balance both.

Childhood I come from a family of four kids. My dad is a retired civil servant; he worked with Nigerian Ports Authority while my mom is a retired headmistress with Loral International Schools and I have three younger brothers.

While growing up, my parents were in active service and made sure we lacked nothing, though my father was a strict disciplinarian and he never spared the rod to save the child. I was bored most of the time with no sister to play with and a dad that won’t allow me go out to play with other kids except with due permission. He

ZUMA Film Festival kicks – off Dec 1

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he Nigerian Film Corporation (NFCs) Zuma Film Festival kicks-off today, December 1 in Abuja which is scheduled to run from December 1 to December 3.

A statement from the platform revealed that the threeday event will host the ZUMA Lightning Night; Morocco Day; Screening of opening film; Red Carpet, Opening of film/video exhibition/market. NFC Annual Film Lecture; Master Classes/Workshops/Symposium/Colloquium; Celebrity Hangout and Costume Party among others which will climax with The Zuma Film festival Awards.

Motion picture practitioners to be recognised include Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) James Iroha, Oba Funso Adolu, Sam Loco Efe and Sadiq Daba among a host of others.

Christmas is Coming hits heats up cinemas

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ctress, Ufuoma MC Dermot’s Christmas is Comimg is heating up cinemas in the country following its premiere last week Friday, November 24.

Christmas is Coming is the story of a tomboy who has a string of ill-luck after being transformed to a lady by her mischievous flat mates just a few days to Christmas. She unexpectedly falls in love quickly and has to deal with its immediate consequences.

Written, Produced and Directed by Ufuoma McDermott, the romantic comedy stars Ufuoma McDermott, Sola Sobowale, Chioma Akpotha, Zack Orji, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Mary Lazarus, Gregory Ojefua, Michael Okon, Izzie Otaigbe and Odenike Odetola.

Speaking, Ufuoma McDermott said; “I am so excited.

Christmas is Coming has been receiving rave reviews and will set new standards in Nollywood. Christmas is all about giving and that is what we intend to do with this movie.”

My songs inspire positively – Anyanwu Chijioke •

Uche Elendu

made sure we had the best of education to influence the lives of people positively. and in everything, we give God the glory.

What were her fears when she came into acting?

Nollywood With over 60 movies to her credit, Uche There was the initial scare due to the highly Elendu has come a long way. Could you competitive nature of the movie industry.

But, I believed in my ability and in my God recall your foray into movies?

Venturing into the movie industry wasn’t and this gave me strength to pull through. by chance. I had a passion and a strong burning desire to use my talent to create Dreams a lasting impact in the life of people. So, I will like to reach the highest of heights. it was easy to delve into the industry be- I will love to break into Hollywood and cause aside the fact that I could identify make movies that would hold the world with the gift I had, it is also a career that has spellbound! great influence on people. And I intended

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Nollywood Actor, Benjamin Iroegbu (Coach) and Juliet Ukamaka Ugwu during their traditional marriage at Nkpamtte Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State. Photo Oliver Udeogu

Anyanwu Chijioke

ast rising musician, Anyanwu Joseph Chijioke aka Joe Chaembez says the messages in his songs give hope to people and they should not give up despite their challenges.

An indigene of Ahiazu Mbaise LGA in Imo State, Chijioke plays different genres of music. He added that his ability to make people happy makes his songs different from others.

Recalling his childhood days, he says he loved praise and worship songs and has always led family and friends in worship whenever they had a programme.

“Some of my tracks include Carry Me Dey Go, Thank God and U and I among others. Carry Me Dey Go is a motivational song that encourages people to keep up and never give up in whatever they do in life while Thank God is an expression of gratitude to God for everything He has done in my life and U and I is a song for lovers advising them to learn to appreciate each other.”

The singer adds music is his calling and his source of inspiration is God. He also draws inspiration from his environment and things happening around inspire him adding that Tuface Idibia, Dare Alade, Duncan Mighty, Timaya and Wacomzy are his role models.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December, 6 2017

NEWS

Alex Obi and group have added value to our party - APGA From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State has debunked the publication in some local newspapers, that the mass defection of politicians from opposition parties is creating cracks within the party and that the State Chairman is having running battles with BOT members from the state.

APGA through the Publicity Secretary, Chief George Nkwoji said the alleged crisis in the party is absolutely unfounded, describing it as the fabrication of confusionists who are envious of the growing profile of the party in the State.

The party said contrary to the bad wishes of opposition parties, Imo State APGA is happy with those who defected to it, such as Dr. Alex Obi and his group, adding that they have added values to the party.

The party assured that there is no crack within the state chapter.

According to Nkwoji, Imo State APGA is more united than ever before and has continued to grow from strength to strength under the visionary leadership of the legal luminary, Barrister Peter Ezeobi.

He added that the clarification became necessary in order to allay fears of members of the party and her teeming supporters in the state.

He described as laughable the insinuation that the BOT has a role in the running of the party and, therefore, blamed it on idleness.

While dismissing the rumour of crisis within the party, the APGA Publicity Secretary also called on members of the public to ignore such misleading information, adding that Imo State APGA is focused on the onerous task of winning the 2019 general elections and, therefore, has no time for distractions.

SCP: Community inaugurates 20-man committee A From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

20-man Community Consultative Committee (CCC) charged with drawing up an action plan for the actualisation of development projects in Ekeowkuru Okahiauga Alike Nkwoegwu community of Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State has been inaugurated.

The committee, comprising eight male adults and female adults of equal number, as well as four youths of each gender, were specifically charged to ensure the realization of the community’s needs including the construction of a market, solarpowered streetlights, construction of drainages on the community’s roads, renovation of school blocks and establishment of a cassava processing mill which have been built into a three-year action plan.

The community carried out its needs assessment during a town hall meeting on October 30, 2017.

The people were happy that these projects would be executed under the Sustainable Citizens Participation (SCP) project of the United Nations to facilitate development and economic advancement of the area.

The SCP programme, which is facilitated by Afrihealth Optonet Association comprising civil society organisations, and funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), provides a platform for communities to engage governments on sustainable basis such that they (community people) could identify their problems, source for funds or sponsor and participate actively in the execution or implementation of selected projects or programmes.

During the well-attended town hall meeting by select stakeholders, the

indigenes were excited that the local government chairman, Chief Chidiebere Nwachukwu, has committed to building the market in fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people.

They, therefore, resolved to clear the site for early commencement of the perimeter fencing of the proposed market.

Representative of the Transform Rural Design Organisation (TURDORG), the sub-Implementer/Duty bearer of the SCP programme in Ekeowkuru Okahiauga Alike Nkwoegwu community, Hawkins Emerueh, explained to the people that the projects would be categorized into long, medium and short-term depending on their cost implications, adding that governments, donor agencies and wealthy indigenes would be attracted to develop the community..

Emerueh added that the CCC would play active roles in sourcing for spon-

A

head of the January 6, 2018 local government elections in Delta State, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it has come to wrestle power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today in Asaba, the youth leader of the party, Christopher Agali, noted that APC has come to stay as the party is ready to floor PDP in the forthcoming local government polls.

He disclosed that the mega rally of the party held in Bomadi was to consolidate ahead of the local government elections for the party’s victory.

“The rally was to sensitize our people and the teeming supporters of APC that there is no other person that can fight our fight for us,” he said, stressing that the rally was also aimed at ensuring that the “January 6, 2018 election, APC wins chairmanship and councillorship positions.”

Agali, appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate works done by the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS) Peter Nwaoboshi, along Illah and Okpanam roads, with a view to ascertaining their truth cost and quality.

Appeal court orders restoration of Delta constituency From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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Some of the delegates at the Ebony State Ministries and MDAs State Budget Presentation to the Delta APC vows •State Committee on Budget. to win council elections ADP Chairman vow to take party to greater height in Enugu From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

sors of the projects and equally supervise their execution.

Traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Majesty, Eze Innocent Nwaigwe, commended the United Nations and Afrihealth for choosing his community for the programme, pointing out that if the identified projects were realized they would contribute immensely to developing his community..

Eze Nwaigwe pledged the commitment of his people to the SCP, and expressed appreciation to the local government chairman, Chief Chidiebere Nwachukwu, for promising to construct their market.

President-General of the community, Chief Francis Ohaeri, inaugurated the CCC, which in turn, elected their officers.

By OLIVER UDEOGU

E

nugu State Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP) Engr Emeka Ochin has vowed to take the party to enviable heights where it would be reckoned with by other political parties in the State and beyond.

Ochin made the declaration during the inauguration of the party’s contact and mobilization committee, at the party state headquarters in Enugu.

Speaking at the event, chairman advised members of the party to brace up for the task ahead, in order to position the ADP to be one of the political parties to beat in Enugu State.

Speaking further at the occasion, Ochin poured encomiums on the leadership of the ADP at the national level for its sound leadership qualities and steadfastness while describing the National Chairman of the Party Engr Y.Y. Sani as a leader with an impeccable character whose leadership vision has contributed towards building the ADP with the party standing out among newly registered political parties by INEC and among the existing ones in the country.

He further advised members to avail themselves of the opportunity of benefitting from the party’s loan scheme meant to empower gener-

ality of Nigerians so that they can escape poverty.

According to him, that can be done if members can group themselves into Co-operative societies for easy access to the micro finance loans and grants being offered by the party to its members.

Meanwhile, the ADP Chairman has decried youth restiveness in the country, saying an idle mind is always the devil’s workshop.

He tasked youths to live their youthful age well by engaging in useful ventures that would make them better citizens, adding that time has come for the them to take their rightful position in the leadership of the country.

He further urged youths and women to organize themselves in a way that could make them eligible to contest elections on the party’s platform and thereby be voted into executive and legislative positions in future elections in the State.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of party membership cards to new members of the party who were told to remain good and loyal members.

The ADP Chairman further disclosed that arrangements were in top gear to inaugurate its local government executives in the 17 local government areas in the State, while maintaining that the ADP will win many States of the federation •

both in legislative and Executive capacities come 2019.

He further advised all democrats and progressive forces in Enugu State and beyond, to join the ADP in order to build a prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, the ADP is a beautiful bride and a credible alternative.

Engr Emeka Ochin

he Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore forthwith the Aniocha North Constituency II, Delta State and conduct election within three months in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State to henceforth elect member to represent Aniocha North Constituency II in the State House of Assembly.

In a unanimous judgment read by Justice M.A.A Adumein, the Appeal Court said the Federal High Court, Asaba, erred and, therefore, upheld the claim by the appellants, Mssrs. Akiah Humphrey, Emma Ebo and Sunday Okenyi.

The appellants represented by Mr. Habeeb Lawal, had complained that INEC ought not to have suppressed Aniocha North Constituency II, which was created by the National Electoral Commission in 1991 and which was duly represented by Mr. Akiah Humphrey in the Delta State House of Assembly from January 1992 to November, 1993.

The Appeal Court judge, Justice Adumein, after careful study of the case declared that the appellants’ claims have merit and that INEC acted without legal justification in suppressing the constituency of the appellants.

The court also found that the restoration of the appellants’ constituency would aid in the fulfilment of the constitution, which requires that a State House of Assembly must be made up of at least three or four times the number of members of the House of Representatives from that state.

The court noted that Delta State has 10 members in the House of Representatives and should at least have 30 members in the House of Assembly as against the 29 members that it currently has.

The Aniocha North II State Constituency comprises Idumuje Unor, IdumujeUgboko, Nkwu-Nzu, Ugboba, Idumuogo, Ugbodu, Ubulubu and Ogodo clans in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

When contacted by The Oracle Today, the Secretary, Administrative Department of INEC, Rose Anthony, said the copy of the judgment has not been sent to INEC “so I can’t say anything on it for now.”

“We are yet to get a copy of the judgment, until we do that INEC will come out to tell you the way forward to let you know what we are going to do about it,” he said.

Also, one of the complainants in the case, Emma Eboh, said he was very happy and grateful to God for the judgment delivered in their favour, saying: “I give glory to God. It was taken away from us unjustly but God by his mercies restored it to us, stressing that INEC should carry out the judgment of the Appeal Court without further delay.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

NEWS

NIMASA, ship owners oppose 1 per cent contribution to Navy

from FRANCIS UGWOKE, Lagos

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he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and ship-owners have opposed the contribution of one per cent levy from its revenue to the Nigerian Navy for the protection of Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage, Mr. Gambo Ahmed who spoke at a public hearing in the National Assembly said NIMASA Act only provided for maritime security to be managed by the agency not the military.

The public hearing was on the amendment of the NIMASA and Security Agent Act in which one per cent of the maritime fund is being proposed to be taken and given to Navy for security purposes.

Ahmed said the involvement of the military in commercial shipping is against the principles of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and will ridicule the country before the international community.

He said: “We signed international conventions. All international conventions are to be implemented by NIMASA. We’ve to separate NIMASA function from the Military.”

In his contribution, Rear Admiral Ferguson Dukas Bobai, who is in favour of the collection of one per cent to the Navy said any agency seeking the services of the Navy in international waters should be prepared to pay because of the huge investment required.

“If you want to use the navy, you should be able to fund the navy: People should pay for it,” he said.

The move to pay one per cent to Navy was also condemned by industry players at the Public Hearing on “A bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, No. 17 2017 to increase the functions of the Agency; and for related matters (HB; 1131 & 1178)” before the House of Representative Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

Speaking at the event, President, African Ship Owners Association and a former Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Temisan Omatseye pointed out clearly that it would be against all international conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) entered into by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which have to be implemented.

While citing Section 22 (P) of the

NIMASA Act, which provides opportunity for the Agency to provide maritime security, he noted that the IMO frowns at issues of military engagement in commercial activities.

Also lending his voice to the condemnation of the proposed bill, Chairman, Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin noted that Nigeria is a critical stakeholder in the international maritime space, hence the need to exercise caution in amending any bill that may jeopardize the future of Nigeria in the global maritime sector.

In his words, “NIMASA’s efforts on regional co-operation should be consolidated, rather than trying to usurp some of the functions of the Agency as it will affect the day to day operations of NIMASA in carrying out its mandates.”

He, however, was quick to caution that the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration should ensure that NIMASA and Nigerian Navy should not work at cross-purposes as they are both critical to the safety and security of the nation’s territorial waterways.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Em-

manuel Ilori in strong terms also condemned the moves by the Nigerian Navy to usurp the roles of NIMASA by way of seeking amendment to the bill.

According to him, the Cabotage fund should not be raided to fund another Agency of government that already has a budget from the Federal Government. He called on the Navy to seek more budgetary funding from the right source and not from NIMASA as both Agencies have their jurisdiction as regarding budget and expenditure.

“NIMASA is already investing in infrastructure that will lead to a total coverage of the maritime sector, hence the need to encourage them for the good of the maritime sector.

At this critical time, it is premature to seek any form of amendment and we need to support NIMASA on this; more so we are going to IMO again and Nigeria must not be an object of ridicule again,” Ilori said.

Other Stakeholders who also condemned the proposed bill were President of the Stevedoring Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, representative of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) Mrs. Oritsema Tosa, Lagos coordinator of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA),

Captain Taiwo Akinpelumi, Director General, NISA, Engr. Oliver Ogbuagu, Secretary General, Abuja MoU, Mrs. Mfon Usoro amongst others.

They all unanimously called for caution, noting that NIMASA needs more strength in order to be able to carry out its function effectively.

In his comment, the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside noted that NIMASA is a responsible Agency and will always encourage collaborations rather than acrimonies.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago observed that the maritime industry is so critical to the nation and its economy in particular that anything concerning its statutory and regulatory framework should be given adequate legislative attention.

The Speaker of the House of Representative Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Dr. Ossai Ossai, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privilege, noted that the essence of the Public Hearing is to give everyone an opportunity to air their views and contribute to the legislative process.

Hydrographic Society calls for National Hydrographic Commission

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he Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS), Lagos /SouthWest Zone, has called for the establishment of a National Hydrographic Commission, in order to drive policies on hydrography for full utilization of hydrographic surveys to benefit the nation’s economy.

Mr. Olumide Omotoso, the Hydrographer General of the Nigerian ports Authority, who is also the Chairman NHS Lagos/South-West Zone made this known weekend at the 2017 Hydro Summit titled “ Charting for safety and Underwater Renewable Resources,” which held in Lagos.

Giving a keynote address, Omotoso said a National Hydrographic Commission would ensure more regular and sustained hydrographic surveys and charting to support decision making for other benefits in the areas of dredging, fisheries, security, and even telecoms.

“If there is a national policy on hydrography to chart all the navigable rivers in Nigeria we will do the survey and give it to government for informed policy decisions.

“When you have a national policy that says okay, you keep the data for hydrographic survey, what we call the national hydrographic commission, they will come out with programmes that show that we need to prioritize our rivers, we survey it yearly and chart it, and make it available to decision makers,’ he said.

Omotoso added that the summit was to showcase the importance of hydrography in a coastal nation as Nigeria, “The summit is to address the applications of hydrographic surveying in terms

of the kind of things they can offer in Nigeria; taking inventory of all your rivers, both inland and national waters and then your aids to navigation, safety of navigation, nautical charting, and oil and gas.”

Highlighting the critical place of maritime in the oil and gas operations, Omotoso added that “We want to get it right, as in, every policy that affects oil and gas must affect the maritime, especially in the local content issue, because whatever applies most time to the oil and gas, applies to the maritime.”

Speaking further, the NPA Hydrographer General said that besides hydrographic surveys for charts to ensure safe navigation, discovery and protection of fish habitats is made possible also.

He said: “You want to apply hydrography to fishery and aquatic area; you need to also carry out a survey to discover the fish habitat, their breeding ground and be able to isolate that area for people not to go and disturb that breeding area. And you can see what that can contribute to national development.”

Omotoso commended a proposed consideration by the Federal Government to segment the Ministry of Transportation into Air Transport, Land Transport, and the Marine Transport.

Mr. Paul Adeyeye, a Hydrographer with Digital Horizon Compay, Port Harcourt, made a paper presentation on “Charting for safety and Underwater Renewable Resources.”

According to Omotoso, the zone plans strategic moves for partnerships with the Southwest States.

•

River State governor, Barr Nyesom Wike and his wife, Barr. Suzzette Nyesom Wike accompanied by other state officials during the governors project inspection.

Cargo tracking note can address firearms imports, revenue leakages, – NSC boss From FRANCIS UGWOKE, Lagos

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he Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr Hassan Bello has said that the Advanced Cargo Information System otherwise known as cargo tracking note (CTN) will address issues related to illegal imports into the country, including firearms.

Bello also said CTN is the best in checking revenue leakages in imports.

Speaking at a gala-night organised for stakeholders in Lagos, he described Advanced Cargo Information System as a trade facilitation mechanism, which is being introduced by

the NSC to achieve efficiency in the system.

“It is a method through which we transmit the manifest even before the loading and shipment. It is transmitted to the customs for vessel, cargo reception and cargo clearance,” he said, adding that it blocks revenue leakages at the ports.

He also explained that it enables the Customs to levy the correct duty, adding that the problem of firearms imports will not be there with CTN. He disclosed that there are some administrative issues, which are being resolved for the CTN to be in effect.

Bello also gave an indication that

the issue that the Council has with some service providers will soon be resolved.

He said: “We are building mechanism for settlement of dispute with the terminal operators and shipping companies and very soon you will see the result and so also with other stakeholders.”

Bello also disclosed that the Council has been able to resolve many complaints brought to it by shippers.

He said: “We are handling so many complaints from shippers. We are using our regulatory powers in a persuasive way to achieve much higher result.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

SPORTS How Mikel, Eagles scuttled NFF’s earn-as-you-play proposal

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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T HAS been revealed how Nigeria and Tianji TEDA FC Captain, John Obi Mikel, scuttled the plan by the Nigeria Football Federation to pay the players according to the number of minutes they played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In a meeting the Federation led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick held with the Super Eagles senior players led by John Obi Mikel in conjunction with the team’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr before the team’s international friendly match against Argentina in Russia on the 14, Mikel and his team-

mate refused to accept the NFF’s proposal instead asked that they should be paid like they were paid in Brazil 2014.

The refusal of Mikel to accept the NFF’s proposal according to an insider report is based on the fact that Mikel believes that there should not be any discrimination in terms of remuneration of the players as who will play and how long does not depend on the individual players as all would have loved to play but it is not possible that all of them will be playing at the same time.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles players have backed their captain, on

his refusal to accept the NFF’s earn as you play proposal saying he is a leader they are well pleased.

The latest to back Mikel on his stand of paying every player of the squad at the World Cup is his compatriot national team who equally plies his football trade in China, Odion Jude Ighalo.

Ighalo said during a sports programme on radio that as the captain of the team, Mikel’s decision is binding on team and that his position is for the good of all the players hence he is throwing his weight behind his captain.

“I think the position of our captain is perfect. It is good for the players. He is an experienced player and he knows what is in the best interest of the people he is leading.

“I give him kudos for standing firm for the players. He is our leader on and off the pitch as far as the national team is concerned.

“He is somebody who has experience and at the same time he knows what it means to carry everybody along. So, my position can’t be different from the position of the team,” Ighalo explained.

Rohr targets another Bundesliga player for Eagles • Appoints Agali as Eagles’ W/Cup scout S UPER Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr is about making up his mind on another long time target for Nigeria, who impressed him penultimate weekend.

Rohr was among the over 30,000 spectators that watched Bundesliga clash between Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt, “I watched him play for Hoffeinheim against Frankfurt on Saturday. Kelvin Akpoguma is an excellent player for the players who we are on the looking out for. But he has to decide whether he wants to wear the colours of Nigeria,” Rohr declared.

Gernot Rohr, who is also monitoring Hannover 96 Germa-born Nigerian forward, Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee’s situation.

The attacker is said to have returned to action after six months on the treatment table due to various problems with his leg.

Meanwhile, the Franco German tactician has appointed former Super Eagles’ attacker, Victor Okechukwu Agali as Eagles’ scout.

Agali, who played under Gernot Rohr when he was the coach of Nice of France from

in Europe to see whether there are other Nigerian players in Diaspora who can be better than those who are already doing well for the team as they prepare for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Meanwhile, former Eagles’ defender, Ifeanyi Udeze has thrown his weight behind Agali on his new assignment saying that what Rohr has done is apt because the Mundial is just around the corner and the Franco German tactician doesn’t luxury of time to be running up and down scouting for players across the globe when he has a serious mental work on how to prosecute the World Cup to take care of.

He explained that the choice of Agali is perfect in the sense that Agali is someone that Rohr has confidence in having coached him at • Kelvin Akpoguma Nice in France. He explained that there is no better person that could have performed the 2002-2005, is to take over the scouting of Ni- assignment than Agali as the Eagles’ gaffer gerian players all over the world particularly reposes his confidence on him.

Barca, Napoli, Sevilla, others

track Onyekuru

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OLLOWING his continued quality performances in Belgium Jupiter Leagues, Everton of England and Nigerian forward who is currently on a loan to Anderlecht of Belgium, Henry Onyekuru has become the hottest players from Nigeria as many clubs including FC Barcelona are tracking the Nigerian international.

Onyekuru, popularly called ‘Onye Goal’ due to his prowess in goal scoring had FC Barcelona scout witness Onyekuru find the back of the net for the 7th time this season during Anderlecht visit to Royal Excel Mouscron last weekend.

Onyekuru’s goal against Mouscron last weekend has been nominated for the goal of the week in Belgium.

It is recalled that FC Barcelona are not the only club tracking Onyekuru from La Liga as it was also reported that Sevilla FC, Athletico are also interested in the red hot Nigerian forward.

From Germany also comes report of Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Hertha BSC, FC Schalker 04 and SV Werder Bremen are all interested in Onyekuru’s signature.

In the English Premier League (EPL), many clubs such as Wesh Ham United are said to have renewed their interest in the Nigerian even as he is also being linked to Tottehham and Watford.

Seria A is not left of the European leagues whose clubs are showing serious interest in signing ‘Onye Goal’. Former champions, Napoli and Roma are said to have sent their scouts to watch the Everton attacker while in Netherlands, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are equally reported to have shown interest in Onyekuru.

Whatever that will be the outcome of the numerous interests by various clubs in Europe in the services of Henry Onyekuru is still embedded in womb of time but for now, he remains Everton player and on loan to Anderlecht in Belgium.

• Henry Onyekuru

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

SPORTS Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

Ebuehi opens up on NFF

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ORMER Flying Eagles and Enugu Rangers coach, John Obuh, has charged the football authorities in the country not to worry themselves over players of Nigerian decent who don’t want to don the national colours and concentrate on those who are willing and able to represent the country.

According to the Abia State-born football tactician, the country is blessed with abundant football talents that no players of Nigerian decent who refuses to play for the country should be a source of worry to them asking them to concentrate on those who are ready to play for the country as no single individual supposed to hold the country to ransom.

Obuh explained that in Nigeria, there is nothing like dearth of players because as one player is about to exit or giving the authorities problems many more are being discovered on daily basis and as a result, those who feel that they don’t want to play for country shouldn’t be any problems.

In his words: “In Nigeria, we do not get satisfied with players because as the more you think that this player is the best the more you discover another good player and it takes a good player to challenge another good player.

“It is because of the fact that we want to ensure that our brothers do not get lost in other countries, that is why we normally talk to players of Nigerian decent scattered all over the globe.

“There is an adage in my place that says ‘one stick cannot form a broom. It is when you bring many sticks together, tie them together that they become a broom. In Ni-

N

Don’t bother about Diaspora players, Obuh tells NFF geria, we understand the game of football.

“Some of the players are born abroad and if there is any possibility on how to get them back to the country it will help us but if they say they are not going to come, we will continue with those available because without them we have been existing. So the refusal of some players of Nigerian decent to play for the country should be a problem,” Obuh declared.

It is recalled that just recently, the media was awash with the sto-

My Russian coach wanted me to shun Nigeria – Idowu

ry of Tammy Abraham who humiliated Nigeria when he addressed a press conference in London to denied ever indicating any interest of changing is nationality and allegiance to Nigeria.

Abraham’s outburst came as a result the interview the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick granted the federation website in which he declared that discussion with Tammy Abraham was going on well hoping that at the end of the day the Delta State Chelsea

player would switch his international allegiance to the country of his birth.

It is on this basis that Coach Obuh’s advice that players of Nigerian decent who do not want to represent the country should be left alone is apt. There are many good players in the country who are just begging to be given opportunity to showcase what they can do but nobody is looking at their direction as the attention of the Federation is directed at those who are residing oversees.

7 Nigerian sports personalities for NASE

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ATEST sensation in Nigerian football, Brain Idowu, has revealed how his coach in Russia wanted him to snub Nigeria and lace his booth for the Russian national team.

Idowu said his Russian coach at FC Amkar Perm, Gadzhi Gadzhiyev wanted him to play for Russia where he was born and tried to stop him from switching his international allegiance to Nigeria, the country of his parents.

According to him: “Gernot Rohr, the Nigerian coach contacted me and told me he was following me and that he wanted to invite me to the squad but that was impossible because I didn’t have Nigerian passport.

“Gazief, my coach at Amkar Perm said such a call was not incidental that I should keep progressing.

“He advised me to wait and see if I get calledup by Russia as well. I can’t see why I can’t play for Russia because if I keep getting better.

“But there are quality players like Mario Fenedez in my position, they don’t miss me. And I had to look over my shoulder ladies and gentlemen and I pitch my tent with Nigeria,” Idowu explained.

Apart from guarantying him a place in World Cup squad to Russia 2018, Gernot Rohr is considering him for dual roles at the tournament in Russia next year.

Idowu made history as the fifth player in the national team to have scored in their debut for the Super Eagles.

Idowu’s first appearance for Eagles was superb hence Nigerians have already seen him in Russia for the Mundial just like the other two debutants, Francis Odinaka Uzoho and Tyronne Ebuehi. All of them performed well at the international friendly against Argentina.

S

EVEN Nigerian sportsmen and women who distinguished themselves this year have been nominated to be honoured during the maiden Nigerian Awards for Sporting Excellence (NASE). The award ceremony will hold next week Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.

A statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday and signed by the Chairman of the Award Committee, Prince Isidore Oduah, named the nominees to include Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel; mesmerizing winger, Victor Moses; veteran striker Obafemi Martins; as well as safe hands Carl Ikeme and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

Others are goal queen, Asisat Oshoala and tennis sensation Aruna Quadri.

“This has been a tremendous year of remarkable achievements for Nigerian sports. While we congratulate the entire community of Nigerian sportsmen and women for their exploits this year, we are happy to celebrate the above outstanding seven in the hope that this will motivate them and others to work even harder – not only for the sake of their respective careers, but also for the collective interest of Nigerian sports,” said Prince Oduah, a former Executive

EWLY capped Super Eagles defender, Tyronne Ebuehi has opened up on how he was approached by the country’s football governing body the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to represent the country rather than his country of birth, Netherland.

Speaking after another impressive performance by the Ado Den Haag in Eredivisie last weekend, Ebuehi revealed for the first time that Troost Ekong acted as gobetween for the Nigerian Football Federation and Manager Gernot Rohr.

“Troost Ekong is an international and now plays for Bursaspor and he plays well for Ado Den Haag and he approached me and I was shocked.

“Why do they want a right-back from Ado Den Haag? Where there are footballers who play in the top leagues in the world,” queried Ebuehi.

“All of a sudden you play against world stars. Normally you see them on TVs or play with them with FIFA on the computer. I am so excited that Nigeria gave me overtures and I will handle everything with both hands,” Ebuehi said.

Ebuehi it is recalled debuted for Nigeria in the friendly against La Albiceleste of Argentina in Russia. His introduction in the second half alongside Brain Idowu and Francis Uzoho totally changed the complexion of the Grade A against Argentina as the Gernot Rohr boys demystified the two time world champions who had scored two goals within the first 36 minutes.

It was Kelechi Iheanacho’s superb free-kick at the dying minutes of the first that ensured that Eagles ended the first half with a goal deficit. The second was used

by Eagles to send a signal to the South American nay the world as to what to expect from Nigeria at the Mundial next year.

Committee Member of the Nigeria Football Association (now known as NFF).

“Names of other nominated sports stakeholders, including administrators and corporate bodies contributing significantly to the development and growth of Nigerian sports, will be unveiled in the days ahead as we count down to the award ceremony,” Prince Oduah stated.

A brainchild of Nigeria’s pioneer all-sport online daily newspaper, Daily Sports (dailysportsng.com), the Nigerian Awards for Sporting Excellence is scheduled to be held annually.

• Tyronne Ebuehi

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

SPORTS

Stay away from Eagles, Siasia tells Enyeama

• Says “you can’t reap where you didn’t sow” Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ striker and coach, Samson Siasia, has come hard on for Eagles’ captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama for desiring to return to the Eagles ahead the 2018 FIFA World Cup which will hold in Russia next year.

According to the Bayelsa State born football tactician, who was booted out as the team’s gaffer for his failure to qualify the country for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2011, Enyeama should stay away from the team because he played

no part in the team’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He explained that every well-meaning Nigerian pleaded with Enyeama to return to the Eagles squad after he had misunderstanding with the former captain and gaffer of the team, Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh but re bluffed everybody including himself and the late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

So, as far as Siasia is concerned Enyeama does not have any business nearing the team insisting that it is only those who played the qualifiers that should be made to prosecute the World Cup for the country.

“Well, for me as a coach, if you are not a part of the qualifying campaign, I don’t think you have to come and play any part in the World Cup. What about those who played and ensured that we qualified?

“I don’t think it is fair to bring Enyeama after other players have labored and ensured that the country qualified for the World Cup even after the team were not given any chance to make it as our group was tagged “Group of Death” due to the caliber of teams in the group.

“They begged him after he had disagreement with the former

Gatlin sees Bolt’s U-turn for Tokyo 2020

Robinho to spend 9 years in prison

F

ormer Real Madrid and Brazilian football super-star, Robinho, is to spend the next nine years of his life behind bars for playing a part in the gang rape of a woman in Milan, Italy in 2013.

An Italian court ruled that the 33-year-old and five other Brazilians assaulted an Albanian woman, who was 22, after plying her with alcohol in a nightclub.

The Brazilian star was not in court in Italy when the judgment was delivered as he had already left his former Italian Club, AC Milan in 2015 after spending five years at San Siro.

According report, Robinho despite not being in court when the

sentence was passed pleaded not guilty through his lawyer.

The end has not been heard as it regards the case as the sentence will be put on hold until the appeals process is completed.

Robinho, capped 100 times by his country, spent two years at Manchester City after leaving Real Madrid and currently plays for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.

Meanwhile, according to a post on Robinho’s Instagram page the former AC Milan striker said he had “already defended himself against the accusations, affirming that he did not participate in the episode” and that “all legal measures are being taken”.

in the Eagles’ squad Siasia said the World Cup will further expose them to sharpen their skills and attract better deals at the end of the Mundial.

“Of course there are many youngsters in the Eagles’ squad and I believe that the tournament will expose and sharpen them for better deals after the tournament.

“Like the young goalkeeper, Francis Odinaka Uzoho, I think he is a good goalkeeper and he is going to be one of the best goalkeepers in future,” Siasia said.

It is recalled that Siasia was fired on 28 October 2011 for failing to take the Nigeria team to the 2012 African Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Ezenwa ditches FC Ifeanyi Uba

S

J

ustin Gatlin believes Usain Bolt might decide to come out of retirement and compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

The 31-year-old, an eight-time Olympic champion, retired from athletics after the London World Championships in August when his 100m farewell ended in a thirdplaced finish behind Gatlin and Christian Coleman.

However, Gatlin, who has served bans for two doping offences, says he can see “massive competitor” Bolt returning for the Games in Japan.

“If he has a love for the sport then it will be hard for him to stay away. Put it this way, I think he loves track. A lot,” Gatlin told the Daily Mail.

“He is a massive competitor, forget everything else. He loves being there on that line, against the other guy and going for the win.

Usain Bolt explains why he doesn’t regret continuing his career for another year despite a disappointing end to the World Athletics Championships “When I think about it, I think he might take a run in 2020.”

coach of the team who was equally a former player and captain of the team but he refused, so why do you need him when you have qualified?

“Inviting to the team is doing injustice to those players who qualified us to the World Cup. So how do you explain that? Siasia One as he is fondly called queried.

“When Ikeme was injured, they called him he refused; they begged him he didn’t bulge. Even when I was the coach, I called him, I begged him but he refused including the late Stephen Keshi but he refused.

“So, why are they asking him to come and play after other players have worked very hard by putting their lives on line to secure the World Cup ticket,” he explained.

Speaking on the young players

uper Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has dumped FC Ifeanyi Uba of Nnewi for another Nigerian club side. He has yet to disclose the new club.

Ezenwa Ezenwa told the Newsmen in Abuja on Monday that he took the decision “after making some consultations and putting considerations in place.”

He said that his new club would be made known soon in grand style.

“The new club will be unveiled very soon in an occasion that I will sign a new jersey.

“Although my contract with FC Ifeanyi Uba is over but I have considered leaving them after contract expiration,” Ezenwa said.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper said he was expecting to do better with the new club.

“I am always focused and determined to excel at goal posts which is

the secret of my success.”

Ezenwa has been with FC Ifeanyi Uba as number one goalkeeper.

He is currently the Eagles’ Team B captain. Ezenwa has really improved after Eagles lost the services of Carl Ikeme after he was diagnosed with Leukemia.

It was Ezenwa who ensured that Eagles did not miss out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup as he made some eye catching saves against Cameroon during the double header in Uyo and in Cameroon.

All things being equal, Ezenwa has placed himself in a better position for a spot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup than Chipa United FC of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi who ironically has succeeded in playing himself out the 2018 FIFA World Cup no thanks with his poor performances in his previous assignments all things being equal.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

Special Report NATH OMAME in Port Harcourt, writes on the controversy trailing the plan to clean up Ogoniland of years of oil spills...

T

HE People of Ogoniland, comprising four local governments in Rivers State, Kana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme are not happy with the federal government over the seeming delay in the commencement of the clean-p of Ogoniland. Vice President Yemi Osibanjo who represented President Mohammadu Buhari had flagged off the cleanup on Monday, June 2, last year, at Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area. The cleanup of Ogoniland was recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), in a report released by the multilateral agency on August 4, 2011.

There have been incessant murmurings and snide comments in the past weeks and months by indigenes of Ogoni, their leaders, environmental rights groups, civil society and non-governmental organisations, (NGO’s) and the state government on the worrisome delay in the commencement of the actual cleanup of the swamps, creeks, streams, rivers, farmlands and wells that have been severely polluted by oil spills.

Blessed with expansive and fertile arable land, the Ogonis are predominantly farmers and fishermen. The massive and widespread oil spills, which devastated the eco-system have dulled farming activities. In another breath, the upsurge in rival cult clashes among cult groups that led to violent and deadly clashes and long-running communal skirmishes have also whittled down farming activities as farmers stayed away from their farms for fear of being caught in intermittent crossfire by rival cult gangs and warring communities.

The consequences were felt in the increase in the prices of staple food crops and foodstuffs such as garri, plantain, maize, yam, vegetable, and fish, among others.

The visit of the Senate Committee on Environment to Rivers State, on Monday, November 27, in pursuance of its oversight functions accorded the Rivers State government and stakeholders in Ogoni the avenue to express their misgivings about the slow pace of the federal government and its coordinating agency of the cleanup exercise the, Hydrocarbon Remediation Project (HYPREP).

On November 15, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Dekil, stated that the agency had started the selection of companies that would be involved in the setting up of emergency facilities that would be involved in the cleaning of oil impacted areas. The project coordinator has always insisted that the cleanup exercise had actually commenced several months ago, but the people of Ogoni on the other hand have continued to insist that there is nothing on ground to show that the exercise flagged off by the federal government since June 2, has actually commenced.

The Senate Committee on Environment led by its Chairman, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visited the Governor Wike at Government House, on Monday, November 27, before embarking on the inspection of some of the areas affected by the oil spills. Other members of the environment committee include Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi; Foster Ogola; Avwal Bukar Ibrahim and Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, an indigene of Ogoni, from Bera in Gokana Local Government Area.

Governor Wike told members of the environment committee,

Ogoni stakeholders decry slow pace of cleanup • FG not serious – Wike • We are committed to Ogoni clean-up –Tinubu

at Government House, that the federal government is not serious about the cleanup of the polluted sites in Ogoni.

“The cleanup remains a political project aimed at attaining political mileage. The people of Rivers State are tired of the procrastination of the clean-up exercise,” Wike said.

“The federal government is not serious about the cleanup of Ogoniland. We are tired of telling our people that the project will start next year. Let it not be a political project. Look at the North East, a commission was established and $1 billion was released. The devastation of Ogoniland has impoverished the people by destroying their farmlands and fishing waters. Rivers State that produces the wealth of the nation has no single motorable road.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Tinubu, explained that the committee was in Rivers State on an oversight and investigative visit to ascertain the level of environmental degradation in Ogoniland.

“We are concerned about these issues. We will use face masks when we get to the location to draw attention of the world to the essence of the clean-up,” he said.

The committee visited two polluted sites: A stream at Ogale community in Eleme local government area and a long circuitous stream at B-Dere, in Gokana local government area. Both streams wore dark, morbid and mournful looks. The pool of water was dark, indeed, very dark; it visage could even be described as darkbrown. Crude oil in its raw state has severely dominated the water that was originally found in both streams.

There was no sign of aquatic life. Both streams have been polluted for upwards of 20 years.

Those who earned a living fishing in those waters cannot do so for some years to come. And that will be some years after the remedia-

tion exercise. The aquatic life will have to find their way back to both streams as well as scores of other streams, rivers and ponds in Ogoniland.

It was observed that indigenes usually do some farming around the streams, but the oil spills have also taken a toll on the adjoining farmlands. At B-Dere, some farmers did actually plant some Cassava about 150 meters from the polluted stream, but the Cassava were afflicted with stunted growth manifested with anemic yellowish leaves. Even some giant trees have either fallen into the streams or beside the streams.

The highly toxic crude oil has percolated the taproots of the trees, depriving them of the toxic-free water they direly need to survive.

It will take years for even grass or shrubs with green leaves to grow around the streams that have been polluted because of the dense layer of crude oil floating in the streams. At B-Dere, two white see-through plastic buckets were used to demonstrate the intensity of the oil spill in its darkish blanket over the water.

Both plastic buckets gave what could pass as the same result. A dark brown layer of crude oil sat over the murky water beneath the film of crude oil. It is the duty and responsibility of those experts that will be enlisted for the remediation exercise and the thousands of Ogoni indigenes that will be trained by these experts to separate the dense much thicker film of crude oil from the water that lies beneath it.

Clearly, the remediation exercise is a huge task! Adjoining lands to the streams, rivers and ponds have also been polluted by the oil spills. At Ogale and B-Dere, demonstration sites were cordoned off beside the streams with white tarpaulin. The remediation experts had carried out some physical experiments in their onerous attempt to treat

• Mess oil spillage cause

the soil. In plain language to return the soil to the natural state that it was before it was toxically impacted upon by the crude oil spills.

From an empirical observation, on the strength of what was visible at Ogale in Elem local government area and B-Dere in Gokana local area, to attain the natural state of the polluted soil through treatment, based on what was seen at the polluted sites, will take quite a while to attain. Undoubtedly, the clean up of any river, stream, pond, farmland and bushes will take years.

Even at that, getting aquatic life and animals to begin to dwell in their natural habitat as they did before the decades of spills will also take some years. Fishermen and farmers, including hunters, that is those who set traps around and within the farmlands; and fishermen who throw nets in the mornings and evenings to catch fish will also have to wait for years for aquatic live to return to the rivers, streams and ponds.

It is on this score that the infectious disenchantment of the people of Ogoni can be introspectively situated. From empirical observation during the visit of members of the Senate environment committee, the rambunctious oil spills have turned fishermen and farmers into arable migration.

Some farmers and fishermen had to move to other communities to farm and catch fish. The sorry

story is that many communities in Ogoniland are affected by the tormenting regime of crude oil spills in the past 30 years.

As underscored by the minister of environment, the restoration and remediation of Ogoniland will come to naught if the activities of illegal bunkering and illegal crude oil refining continues in Ogoniland.

The illegal refining of crude oil spews dense hydrocarbon soot into the atmosphere. And because of the crude refining methods employed by the illegal artisan refiners, the dark, murky residue of crude oil and multiple petroleum properties are poured into rivers, swamps, creeks, ponds and farmlands, killing aquatic and animal life.

Just last week two Ogoni youths who were members of a local vigilante were shot dead when they attempted to stop a truck carrying illegally refined petroleum products being escorted by some Policemen from passing through their community. Stakeholders in Ogoni should take the bull by the horn and counsel their people from continued involvement in illegal bunkering. As Senator Tinubu lamented, “We are destroying the environment from illegal refining that is producing the soot and destroying the rivers and farmlands by pouring oil into them. We must endeavour to protect our environment for ourselves, our children and children’s children.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 6, 2017

News

Atiku begins 2019…

S

PECULATIONS about the political future of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar assumed new dimensions with his resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC. He did not settle all the matters since he did not say where he was pitching his tent for the 2019 election, in which he is expected to be a presidential candidate.

He is a presidential candidate without a party, though everyone expects him to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which he left in 2013, as the momentum gathered for the

2015 election. He had thought that he would win the APC primaries. Muhammadu Buhari denied him the ticket.

With the certainties that the presidential primaries for the 2019 election would not tilt to the incumbent – he is already receiving endorsements – Atiku fired his shots early. It would be the second time that Atiku was leaving the PDP. He departed before the 2007 election when President Olusegun Obasanjo, with whom he ran a rancourous two terms, made it clear that Atiku would not suc-

Senate splits over Nigeria Cont’d from page 2

have everything to lose. That is the irony of Nigeria,” he emphasized. “We often fail to realize that we have a past in this country. Nigeria is a country with a recognizable past, a critical present and an uncertain future. That is why we want to restructure.”

“What Nigeria needs is restructuring and restructuring means a system of shared power, bearing in mind that political decency thrives best in societies in which stable, political and just institutions make it difficult for political adventurers to thrive.

“Cohesive integration or integration by force or threat and intimidation has long failed worldwide and it will fail here. We must stop the political elites from the concept of self delusion and self deception,” he declared.

According to Yinka Odumakin, Publicity secretary of Afenifere,

restructuring would “move the country away from sharing money to a productive economy where every section of the country produces and brings something to the table.”

Describing the 1999 Constitution as ‘doctored’, the Obong of Calabar, HRM Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, who represented the traditional institution, disclosed that the 1999 Constitution, which “is not a product of the people’s consent” needs to be reviewed.

Said the royal father: “Restructuring does not mean dismantling Nigeria. The 1963 Constitution was built up by the people and had the consent of the people.

Other ones like the 1999 Constitution did not have the consent of the people. Those were doctored Constitutions and we have to go back. If you look at it, what we have put ourselves into, we have to go back and enthrone a system that will take care of everybody.”

ceed him.

Obasanjo indicted Atiku for corruption and had the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, disqualify him from contesting. The Supreme Court reinstated him as a candidate days to the election. Obasanjo had ensured that he was not President.

His earlier presidential ambition had been withered under other circumstances. When he realised that in 2015 he would not get a ticket of the PDP, he led others out of PDP. Many thought that the ticket was his until the last moment alliances that threw up Buhari was the man.

Disappointed at his associates with whom he joined APC, he withdrew from the activities of APC. He however played a critical role in the leadership of the National Assembly that put a wedge in the plans of some APC leaders to annex all the power handles the party could.

Atiku, essentially his own man, with a wide web of associates, is revving his campaign engines again. PDP is his assumed destination. The Presidency is his target. His foes are unforgiving as always.

The series of challenges that his businesses are suddenly facing are linked to the fact that he is daring the incumbent. He is weathering the stormy, which is still nothing compared with what he went through with Obasanjo.

At 71, he is possibly in his final attempt at being the President of Nigeria. His decision to run would give the race some sem-

blance of a contest. It also has a deeper implication.

Those who major reason for saying that Buhari should run again, is that there is no candidate can no longer sell that line, as Atiku has affirmed again that he is ready and willing to run.

His statement announcing hisdeparture from APC follows “Statement of resignation of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar (Waziri Adamawa) Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007 from the All Progressives Congress,” reads in full…

“On the 19th of December, 2013, I received members of the All Progressives Congress at my house in Abuja. They had come to appeal to me to join their party after my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had become factionalised as a result of the special convention of August 31, 2013.

“The fractionalisation of the Peoples Democratic Party on August 31, 2013 had left me in a situation where I was, with several other loyal party members, in limbo, not knowing which of the parallel executives of the party was the legitimate leadership.

“It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision other founding fathers and I had for the PDP could be actualized through the All Progressives Congress.

“It was on the basis of this invitation and the assurances made to me that I, being party-less at that time, due to the fractionalisation of my party, accepted on February 2, 2014, the hand of fellowship given to me by the All Progressives Congress.

“On that day, I said “it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision” to accept the invitation to join the All Progressives Congress.

“Like you, I said that because I believed that we had finally seen the beginnings of the rebirth of the new Nigeria of our dreams which would work for all of us, old and young.

“However, events of the intervening years have shown that like any other human and like many other Nigerians, I was fallible.

“While other parties have purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality that led to fractionalisation, the All Progressives Congress has adopted those same practices and even gone beyond them to institute a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.

“Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked. In that memo, he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had ‘not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of

governance’.

“Of the party itself, that same governor said ‘Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.

“Since that memorandum was written up until today, nothing has been done to reverse the treatment meted out to those of us invited to join the All Progressives Congress on the strength of a promise that has proven to be false. If anything, those behaviours have actually worsened.

“But more importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth?

“A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.

“I admit that I and others who accepted the invitation to join the APC were eager to make positive changes for our country that we fell for a mirage. Can you blame us for wanting to put a speedy end to the sufferings of the masses of our people?

“Be that as it may be, after due consultation with my God, my family, my supporters and the Nigerian people whom I meet in all walks of life, I, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, hereby tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress while I take time to ponder my future.

“May God bless you and may God bless Nigeria”.

As the speculations about the directions of the former Vice President’s politics continue, the enthusiasm with which he has been embraced is indicated in the various suggestions about choice of running mate for his ticket. Prospective candidates have been mentioned from the South East, with considerations too for gender.

There have been other suggestions that he seeks more alliances in the South West, where it is still assumed with President Buhari would run with the Vice president Yemi Osinbajo.

Whatever happens, Atiku would ensure that the issues of the 2019 election would not be quiet for too long. He has fire early shots. He still needs to fire more as the journey to another attempt at the Presidency starts.

WEDNESDAY December 6, 2017

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

The King is winning souls here... effortlessly P resident Muhammadu Buhari waltzed— or better still, swaggered—through the South East zone the other day. Abakaliki, capital of the Ebonyi, the Salt State, was his first port of call. His friend, his groveling friend that is, Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi, the State governor had invited him to commission a few projects the governor had built, including a 700-metre bridge! It was such a privilege for the governor to be the first to have Buhari, the great conqueror of the Enyimba spirit, visit the South East, one of the two territories on the Eastern corridor that must be taught the bitter lesson of contemporary Nigerian citizenship: you don’t question any action of the desert prince, a god-man who is always right. The other territory is the South South, except that there is neither a groveling Wike nor a quisling Dickson to embrace oppression on behalf of their people with gusto. But, we shall return to that later.

Umahi may well have good reasons to show gratitude to Buhari. According to the governor, the President has assisted his State to develop the agric and solid mineral sectors.

Very well. But, what I do know is that Ebonyi is yet to become a net exporter of rice or salt because of Buhari. As a matter of fact, I read, the other day, a report in which the Cross River State governor Prof. Ben Ayade said he is investing in rice plants so his people would process their rice in the State because the bulk of the rice processed in Ebonyi is actually from Cross River State! I have no proof of that, to be sure, but it is enough to make me ask this question: so, just what are these momentous ways in which Buhari has assisted Ebonyi’s agric sector if neighbouring Cross River is now besting Ebonyi, traditional home of local rice in Nigeria, in rice production?

I wager that there is a grander reason--for the President--for this burgeoning but clearly odd friendship with Umahi. Ebonyi is the bastion of Islam in Igboland. Afikpo, in Ebonyi South Local Government hosts the biggest Islamic and Arabic Study Centre in Nigeria. And, as is well known already, the President loves his religion and, by extension, those who love and help to promote it, especially if such people are powerful South Easterners like Dave Umahi who, withingly and or unwittingly are helping Islam to make big in-road into nearly 100 per cent Christian Igboland.

Of all the South East governors, for instance, Umahi was the only one that clearly told IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu to stay off Ebonyi land. And to show he meant it, the governor called in the army. But, at that time, Buratai, Nigeria’s ruthless Army Chief was yet to receive his orders from the king, who was still recuperating from his illness in a London hospital, to “destroy every threat to national unity.” That was why troops did not attack when IPOB defied Umahi and welcomed Kanu to Abakaliki for what turned out to be a successful IPOB rally.

Most Nigerian leaders from outside Igboland tend to love it when there is no consensus in the East as to the way forward; in fact they promote it. Former President Obasanjo, at the height of his impunity-infested administration, appeared so angry at the progress Anambra was making under Ngige that he simply turned a blind eye when his ‘political associates’, in a fit of benumbing insanity, practically set Anambra ablaze. Now consider Buhari. The President opposes restructuring (he

Eastside From the

By Felix Oguejiofor

Phone: 08076290498 (SMS only)

• President Buhari hates the word with bile) while Ndigbo want it; in fact, they desire it. Such diffident support for restructuring, as exemplified by Ohanaeze’s Ndigbo’s campaigns, which seem to be pulling the rest of the country, especially the southern half, towards the direction of restructuring as an alternative to break-up, which an Igbo group promotes, makes Buhari even angrier with Ndigbo. Umahi opposes restructuring too, in spite of Ohanaeze (he wants the status quo to remain provided the president would be magnanimous enough to allow more money to be given to the States). He fears that restructuring could return the country to regionalism and he doesn’t want Ebonyi to be part of any regional arrangement with the rest of Igbo mainland.

So, he is in cahoots with the President. Persecution complex? Not really: just trying to err on the side of caution, you would say. For, somebody must stand as a bulwark against the predatory instincts of the rest of Igboland against ‘Abakaliki’! And, in Umahi’s reckoning, if there is anyone to assist the governor, the savior of Ebonyi, protect ‘Abakaliki’ from the rest of predatory Ndigbo, it is Buhari. So, as could be clearly seen, the Buharia and Umahi’s is a friendship rooted in dubious, even convoluted, political and religious interests.

Which is why Umahi is loathe to contemplate any untoward political development around the President. Is it any surprise, therefore, that the Ebonyi governor, an engineer elected on the platform of the PDP, was the first to certify

the ailing (?) Buhari fit and able to seek election for a second term come 2019? And you ask, just how will Dave Umahi juggle this? Will he still support his own party’s presidential candidate when he eventually emerges to fly the party’s flag in the 2019 presidential? Or will he go all out to support Buhari to win Ebonyi in the hope of getting an unmistakable presidential nod to win his own re-election as governor, even if on the ticket of a party other than the President’s?

As they say, when we get to the bridge, will cross. But, it is interesting to note that while the President was in Ebonyi and having a real good time with his host, a member of the opposition, he couldn’t as much as settle a little but lingering dispute between Ogbonnaya Onu, his Minister’s faction and another faction of the APC in the State? Worse still, he ignored appeals by APC leaders in Ebonyi to call Umahi to order for what they described as the governor’s “highhandedness in dealing with the opposition in the State!” What is going on? But, no matter.

From Abakaliki, the President hopped over to Awka, ostensibly for the grand finale of the APC governorship rally for Candidate Tony Nwoye. Although he didn’t exactly meet a crowd ready to prostrate in obeisance to him (his earlier planned visit to the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha was cancelled at the last minute because he wanted Anambra traditional rulers, including the revered Obi to meet him at the APC campaign ground in Awka and they turned down the ‘offer), he was consoled by the fact

that the State governor was practically on his knees apologizing for the ‘mix-up’ in communication, which made it difficult for the State’s natural rulers to do as the king pleased. An agitated Governor Willie Obiano, Akpokuedike Aguleri (it means if you call a meeting behind a strong man’s back, you must call the meeting afresh when he comes), was seen standing before Buhari, his red cap tucked neatly into his ampit, and explaining himself. Obiano, a titled man in Igboland, an Ozor title holder in the warrior Kingdom of Aguleri and governor of easily Nigeria’s most human-resource endowed State, obsequiously removed his red cap, the symbol of honour and attainment in Igboland, to greet a fellow politician from a different culture, who only happens to be President of the Federal Republic! Hello!

Oh, ok, he went to thank the President for the honour of coming to Anambra, even if on a campaign rally, and to apologize on behalf of traditional rulers who, convinced that the President would never have invited the Emir of Zaria and members of the Kaduna State Council of Traditional Rulers to a campaign ground for a meeting, stayed away from such a meeting and he needed to disrespect his own culture to be seen to be respectful to the paramount ruler of Nigeria? Perhaps. But, were all those genuflection and obeisance necessary, really?

In any case, Obiano is also smart--make no mistake about it. It is just possible that at that point in time, the Anambra governor had his eye on the big—his re-election—and needed to stoop low to conquer. And he did. For the first time in history, an Anambra governor won in all 21 local councils of the State. And he has Buhari to thank for making it possible!

Anambra is the Light of the Nation. Thanks to its governor, we now know that elections are won or can only be free and fair at the behest of the President. Can anyone hope to win an election against such a President? Hello, Atiku Abubakar!

The point is this: twice President Buhari has rolled tanks into civilian space with the disastrous consequences we are all familiar with.

Twice in national broadcasts, he has reserved nothing but diatribe against Igbo leaders and he does not show any tinge of conscience when he does things against Ndigbo. An all Igbo leaders do is lead him into the square on horseback, singing all hail the king, he’s never wrong? Never even a single criticism, even if diplomatically couched, against misdeeds of the President against the people they purport to lead?

The other day, Abia governor said the South East won’t enact laws banning open grazing.

Why? Because, according to Ikpeazu, the South East plans to “get our people to get into the business of ranching and once that happens, open grazing will disappear!” or something to that effect. Can you beat that?

Nobody is advocating any unnecessary antagonism against the President. But, he is human.

Whenever he does something that adversely affects the Igbo (and he does such things 10 times a day!), the least we expect is that those we have put in office to lead us should be able to say ‘no, but that is evil against our people; could you do the other way, Mr. President?’ Leadership isn’t always about self-preservation, if it at self-preservation is an element of leadership us.

It is up to our leaders to decide how to address this challenge.

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.