Wednesday January 16, 2019 Edition

E

ver since Enugu DisCo was handed over to Emeka Offor’s Interstate Electrics, six years ago, electric power supply has been abysmally low and irregular even by Nigerian standard in most parts of the South East. The situation has become so bad that both corporate and individual consumers across the South East States of

EEDC as a drag on Onitsha The Oracle Today Comment

Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi (all now served by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc, EEDC) have been protesting against

the paradox of having poor power supply and high bills.

A greater paradox is the fate of electricity consumers in the commercial and

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

industrial city of Onitsha.

Whenever Onitsha is mentioned, the uninformed assume it is just the city known in the 1980s as host

to the largest market in West Africa. But Onitsha has since morphed into adjoining towns like Obosi, Nkpor and Ogidi, and is

moving towards Ogbunike, Umuoji and other adjoining towns, thus making it the biggest commercial and industrial Nigerian city outside Lagos.

Of course, Onitsha is home to the highest number of industries in the South East: the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Yard alone boasts companies that are so big they pay

racle

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019

www.oraclenews.ng

Cont’d on page 240

Today

ISSN: 2545-5869 VOL.4 No.1 N200

Tapes: Atiku/Obi upbeat as revelations shake Presidency

•Ameachi’s voice doctored –APC •Southeast leaders behind me – Obi •Anambra sure bet for PDP –Stakeholders •Kogi stands still for Atiku/Obi Campaign

By THEO RAYS

A

lthough the party’s media handlers have tried to control the damage,

the trending revelations believed to have been made by the Minister of Transport, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi regarding the apparent listlessness of Pres-

ident Muhammadu Buhari, may have done some damage to the re-election bid of the President whose current public image may well be that of a leader who is

not responsive to the needs of the led.

A leaked audiotape in which a voice strongly believed to be that of former Governor Amaechi, the

Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, was heard lamenting the suffering in the land, the poverty of the masses as well as members

of the middle but agonising that President Buhari didn’t seem to care, as if he couldn’t care less if all the

Cont’d on page 2

• Super Falcons

Super Falcons win AITEO/CAF Women’s Team of Year, 2018 •P2

• Mo Salah with CAF president Ahmad Ahmad

Page 18

•Salah retains African Players of Year Award

MAN: Naira may depreciate further in 2019

2

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2018

NEWS

2019: Atiku/Obi upbeat as revelations shake Presidency Continued from Pg 1 people died.

Indeed, Reno Omokri, an ex-presidential aide on new media, had, last Sunday, released a full audio recording of Amaechi referring to President Muhammadu Buhari as an ignoramus who neither takes advice nor reads to acquire information.

The viral audio has since stirred public controversy with some members of the opposition calling on Amaechi to step down as Director-General of Buhari’s campaign.

But, commenting on the audio, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State,

Princewill Dike defended the Minister of Transportation over the audiotape, describing it as doctored.

He said in a statement released in Port Harcourt during the week that since the ouster of the Jonathan administration in 2015, beneficiaries of that administration have not forgiven Amaechi, who is seen as the arrowhead of their defeat.

Dike added that Amaechi is loyal, has integrity and therefore has no reason to run down President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “Amaechi is one of the few ministers who have unrestrained access to the president

and his ears. You can see that he has no reason to run down his beloved boss behind the scene.

“Amaechi is a man of iron cast integrity and thus double standard is not in his gene, a man of rare courage, what he can’t say before you, he won’t say it behind you.

“The enemies have failed woefully with their doctored voice of Amaechi. If you believe that cloned voice, you will as well believe their propaganda that Jubril is a cloned Buhari.”

However, the revelations coming at a time of other seeming missteps by the ruling APC may have shaken public confidence in

the ability of the party to run the country while boosting same in the opposition PDP whose presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running Mr. Peter Obi, appear to be campaigning now with renewed energy and confidence.

For instance, about the time the tape saga was breaking, there were reports of heightened insecurity in Jigawa and Katsina States where bandits have all but run rings around the States and in Borno where the Boko haram insurgency seems to be escalating by the day.

The recent invasion of Daily Trust newspaper offices in Maidu-

•Lucky winner of a 27 inches Plasma TV Baby Chukwuebuka Egwuonwu receiving his prize through his mother during the Christmas raffle draw organized by the Chike Epundu foundation at Onitsha Anambra State Photo : Oliver Udeogu

Super Falcons win AITEO/CAF Women’s Team of Year, 2018

By MADUABUCHI KALU

N

igeria’s women national team, the Super Falcons lived up to expectation as they were announced as the continental Women Team of the Year at the AITEO/CAF Awards, which held in Dakar, Senegal.

The nine-time African champions, in December last year won the Africa Women Nations Cup, which held in Ghana after repaying South Africa’s Bayana Bayana in their own coin by defeating them in the final of the continental biennial women football championship via penalty kicks, having suffered a shock defeat in the hands of their South Africa in their first group game for the eight nations African Women Nations Cup. The world-class and well attended ceremony was witnessed by both continental and global football eggheads such as Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) President, Gianni Infantino, host and continental football governing body boss, Ahmad Ahmad, Nigeria’s Football

Federation’s President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick among other FIFA and CAF executive committee members.

It is recalled that no Nigerian made the final three shortlists for the most prestigious award of “Africa Player of the Year as the final three shortlists include Mohammed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Liverpool and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Arsenal.

The Super Falcons did the country proud by winning the African Women Team of the Year, which they merited having braved all odds to retain the trophy they won in Cameroon two years ago even without adequate preparations.

Without the Super Falcons, Nigeria would have returned home without any award.

Accordingly, analysts said the country must give kudos to the women for removing the shame of the most populous black nation on earth returning home from the award ceremony that is sponsored by one of Nigerian companies without anything.

Below is the full list of AITEO/CAF Award winners Player of the Year Mohamed Salah

(Egypt & Liverpool)

Women’s Player of the Year Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana

(S/ Africa & Houston Dash)

Youth Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmunmd) Men’s Coach of the Year Herve Renard (Morocco) Women’s Coach of the Year Desiree Ellis

(South Africa)

Men’s National Team of the Year

Mauritania

Women’s National Team of the Year Nigeria Platinum Award His Excellency Macky Sall

(President of the Republic of Senegal) Federation President of the Year

Fouzi Lekjaa

Goal of the Year Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana

(South Africa & Houston Dash)

guri and Abuja over alleged leak of military combat plan against the insurgents in the North East may have added to fears that the APC-led federal government is losing its cool over its own mistakes, which may have put it in bad light in the eyes of the public.

Expectedly, ahead of this February 16 presidential poll in the country, Atiku/Obi ticket appears to be holding the ace as the campaign for the election takes shape.

According to reports monitored by The Oracle Today, the accent on Atiku’s huge political experience and Obi’s creativity in governance and economic management is winning their ticket new supporters who seem convinced that Atiku and Obi might just be the elixir Nigeria needs at this point in time to push forward.

If the crowds that the Atiku/Obi ticket pulls at campaign rallies— whether in Gombe, Sokoto, Ilorin, Lokoja or Jalingo-- are anything to go by, then the ticket is really headed in the right direction and may well prove right bookmakers who believe it is, indeed, a winning ticket, come February 16.

In the meantime the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP has dispelled rumours that some leaders of the party in the South East are working against the party in the forthcoming presidential election.

Obi, who addressed members of the party during an interdenominational service and reception organised for him by the party in Anambra State, said the leaders of the party in the region and all the members are working as one family, adding that the PDP in the South East is working as one family.

He assured that when the votes are turned in, it will be clear to all that the South East is totally behind the PDP. “We are working as one, one family,” he said noting that under the APC government, Nigeria and its citizens have suffered greatly.

He promised that as Vice President, he would ensure that major roads in the South East were completed as against the propaganda being peddled by the APC government.

Bishop of Awka Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Alex Ibezim, who officiated during the service, said only servant leaders could salvage Nigeria, adding that Nigeria as a country needs servant leaders who will serve selflessly.

Bishop Ibezim decried the current state of things in the country, stating that the high level of hunger, poverty, insecurity, unemployment, corruption ravaging the country was caused by the insincerity of those at the helm of affairs, who are essentially people who pursuing vain glory.

“It is only when the righteous are on the throne that the people can rejoice,” he said, quoting the scripture.

The Anglican clergy, however, in his homily expressed optimism that God has not forgotten Nigeria, urging the electorate to use the opportunity the coming general elections provide to enthrone “Servant Leaders” in all elective positions at all levels of government in the country.

“We lack leaders like Nehemi-

Cont’d on page 44

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2018

•Shipping & Aviation •Farming •Oil & Gas •Manufacturing •Construction •Real Estate •Supermarkets •Hotels & Hospitality

3

4

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Nigeria lost $2.8bn revenue in 2018 – UN report

T

HE United Nations has said that Nigeria lost an estimated 2.8 billion dollars in revenues in 2018, mainly due to oil-related crimes.

This is according to a new ‘Report by the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)’ on Monday in New York.

The report, which covered from July 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018, said “Maritime crime and piracy off the coast of West Africa continued to pose a threat to peace, security and development in the region.

“Oil-related crimes resulted in the loss of nearly 2.8 billion dollars in revenues last year in Nigeria, according to government figures.

“Between January 1 and November 23, there were 82 reported incidents of maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.’’

The report also noted that compared to the situation reflected in the previous report, there was an increase in drug trafficking throughout West Africa and the Sahel.

“In Benin, the Gambia and Nigeria, more than 50 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized between July and October by joint airport interdiction task forces.

“During the same period, joint airport interdiction task forces seized more than six kilogrammes of methamphetamines, eight kilogramme of heroin (double the

amount in the first half of 2018) and 2.6 tonnes of cannabis.

“Drug production across the region was also reportedly on the rise, with more than 100 kilogrammes of ephedrine and phenacetin seized by competent authorities,’’ the report said.

During the reporting period, it said that conflicts between farmers and herders resulted in loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and property, population displacements and human rights violations and abuses.

The report said outbreaks of violence were recorded in many states across Nigeria, although with more frequency in the Middle Belt region, as well as Adamawa and Taraba.

It said the spike in conflict between farmers and herders was closely linked with demographic pressures, desertification and the attendant loss of grazing reserves and transhumance routes, which had been exacerbated by climate change.

Others were challenges in the implementation of effective land management and climate change adaptation policies, and limited enforcement of existing pastoral laws.

Political and economic interests, the erosion of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, and weapons proliferation, were other factors attributed to the increased cases of herders-farmers conflict.

P

Lagos clamps down on railway line traders

L

29 (2) a, b and c, the NWC hereby invokes Section 59 (1) d of the constitution of the PDP on the Deputy National Chairman (North) and accordingly suspends him from the party immediately.”

The PDP has been buffeted by a wave of desertions by members in both the North West and North East of the party.

On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari formally received various members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Support Groups from the North East, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Kano, a former governorship candidate, Engineer Bello SaniGwarzo dumped the party and also joined the APC.

AGOS State Government on Monday began what it called “Operation all illegal traders must leave rail tracks in Lagos” with the confiscation of wares being sold on the rail lines.

Head, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, said in a statement on Tuesday that the operation commenced at Ikeja rail track.

According to Taofiq, different types of goods ranging from used clothing popularly called ‘Okirika clothes’, shoes, belts, fairly used electronics and gas cylinders were confiscated.

The Task Force had on Sunday warned traders and other persons doing businesses on rail lines in the state to leave or face arrest and prosecution.

Areas notorious for rail line trading include Mushin, Pen-cinema, Ikeja, Yaba, Oyingbo and Agege.

The task force chairman, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, had said that convergence of illegal traders selling and buying goods around rail lines was suicidal and an eye-sore in different parts of the state.

He said that many lives had been lost to the illegal rail track trading.

ing elections.

“It has been the narratives of the politicians and we need to put an end to this if we want credible elections. When we engage the electorate, we seek for their votes through promises. After the election, we should not abandon those promises made to the electorate; they should be the bond between us and the electorate because they are taking us for our words.

“For us in ADC, we are trying to make sure that promises are kept, it should be sacrosanct. That was the basis of our engagement with them,’’ Opatimehin said.

He said that promises made especially to the rural communities should be taken seriously, adding that attention was often focused on development of urban areas at the

expense of the rural communities.

“Judging from what we have in the past, most of the politicians do go to the rural areas to campaign for votes, but after that they will neglect those communities. It is not good enough that our rural communities suffer neglect and undeveloped and to make the matter worse, those communities are feeding us because they produce the agricultural products.

“We need to support the rural areas with agricultural implements, give them free education and also support the women with skill acquisitions. Just like ADC has promised, we will turn some abandoned housing projects in the rural communities to Technical Schools where they will be trained as artisans,’’ Opatimehin said.

PDP suspends deputy national chairman

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Deputy National Chairman (North) Sen. Gamawa Babayo, over allegation of dereliction of duty and antiparty activity.

National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said that Babayo was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC).

The committee held an extraordinary session on Jan. 5, where it critically reviewed the petition against the deputy national chairman (North).

“The NWC found merit in the petition on allegation of dereliction of duty and anti-party activity as contained in Section 58 (1) e, f, g, h of the PDP Constitution.

“Therefore, in exercise of section

•Minister of Health, Dr Isaac Adewole (second left) with Minister of Budget and national Planning, mr Udoma Udo Udoma during the official launch of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (Huwe) & 2nd National Strategic Health Development Plan (2018-2022) by the Federal Government, at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Tuesday.

Unfulfilled electoral promises responsible for voter apathy – ADC candidate

A

FRICAN Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Adegbenga Opatimehin, has blamed unfulfilled electoral promises as reasons for electoral apathy in Nigeria.

Opatimehin, who is seeking to represent Obafemi Owode Constituency, made this assertion during a ward meeting with party members and electorate at Magboro Community in Lagos.

According to him, most promises made by politician at the pre-election stage do end after the postelection with no attention given to the pressing needs of the electorate.

“It is crystal clear that politicians do not fulfill their pre-election promises which has greatly affected their disposition towards coming out dur-

Taofiq said the Monday operation was carried out as a follow-up to the earlier warning to traders to vacate the tracks.

He said that no arrest was made during the operation, as the traders ran away leaving their goods when they saw the task force operatives.

“It will no longer be business as usual until a zero tolerance on this is maintained. The government has reiterated and warned council officials and market leaders against collection of money from such illegality.

“Anybody caught collecting illegal fees from these illegal traders on rail lines across the state would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

Areas notorious for rail line trading include Mushin, Ikeja-Along, Yaba, Oyingbo and Agege.

Egbeyemi said that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law prohibits anyone to either hawk or buy/ sell goods on rail lines, including all road setbacks and walkways across the State.

“Strategically this unusual and very risky trading practice has led to the death of some people, especially those who are not quick to depart the scene for an oncoming train.

“The primary responsibility of any responsible and responsive government is to protect lives and property of the people. Anyone caught will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law,” he warned.

Egbeyemi also warned officials of both local governments and market women to desist from collecting fees from the illegal traders on rail lines in any part of the state.

2019: CAN declares Jan. 10, day prayers for elections

C

HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared January 10 as National Day of Prayers for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

The Christian body also declared the date as day of freedom for Leah Sharibu and others in the captivity of the Boko Haram sect.

CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, made this known on Saturday, in a statement signed by Adebayo Oladeji, his Special Assistant on Media and Communications in Abuja.

The cleric said the prayer meeting would be held in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Ayokunle said the programme was for to seek for God’s intervention in preventing violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes in the forthcoming general elections.

He said that all Christian politicians, especially those vying for offices, all Christian groups or organisations; as well as all stakeholders, were invited to participate in the programme.

The cleric said that all Christian

candidates for elective offices, or their representatives, were also invited to be prayed for to be good Ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election.

The CAN president directed all bloc chairmen, zonal chairmen, states and local chairmen, and all church leaders, to mobilise their members nationwide for the programme.

He said they were to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja for this all important prayer meeting.

“All State Chairmen, all denominational leaders and Christian candidates who cannot make it to Abuja, especially those who are contesting for state assembly or governorship posts, are to attend the programme at the state level. “’We are to pray for all Christians contesting for one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition; and that the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out,” he said.

The cleric again reiterated that Leah Sharibu; as well as other remaining Chibok girls in the captivity of Boko Haram, should be remembered in the prayers.

5

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Strike: FG reaches agreement with ASUU, releases N15.4bn •As Labour protests render commuters stranded in Lagos

F

EDERAL Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reached possible agreement on Monday toward resolving the ongoing lecturers’ strike.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this after a reconciliatory meeting with ASUU in Abuja.

Ngige said the meeting was fruitful as an agreement had been reached between the Federal Government and the striking university lecturers.

According to him, the Federal Government has released N15.4 billion for the payment of the salary shortfalls, which was one of the major demands of the union.

“On the issue of salaries in tertiary institutions, especially in universities, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the AccountantGeneral provided evidence that as at December 31, 2018 the Federal Government had remitted N15.4 billon.

“Also on the issue of Earned Allowances in the universities system, they also showed us evidence that Mr President has approved the N20 billion to be used to offset the outstanding arrears of the 2009 and 2012, audit verified earnings, in the university system.

“This money is being worked on, and will be released to ASUU as soon as the process is completed.

“ASUU has fulfilled its own side of the bargain in terms of NUPECO, which is the Pension Fund Administration company that ASUU has floated to take care of pension for people in the university system.

“The Pension regulator, the PenCom, has asked certain positions to be fulfilled and they gave ASUU a temporary license, which has expired.

“ASUU has submitted all the documents and fulfilled all conditions needed to get their license,” he said.

Ngige noted that the meeting had resolved to mandate the Ministry of Education to get in touch with PenCom to make sure that the permanent license is issued to

ASUU as soon as possible.

The minister also said on the issue of university revitalisation, the President Goodluck Administration entered into an agreement with the ASUU for revitalisation of 220 universities annually for the next 6 years.

“This is starting from 2009, this Government will look for resources for the funding. We have also offered ASUU some token to show good faith and that amount is known to them. Issue of visitation panel is also taken care of.

“These were major issues discussed and ASUU is supposed to take back the resolution of these meetings to their members, while we expect that they will get back to us by Thursday, ” he said.

Also, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President, said the National Executive Committee of the union will review its decisions based on the new commitment by the Federal Government.

He said the strike could only be called off or not after the NEC meeting. He did not say when the meeting will hold.

The lecturers have been on strike since November 4 to demand improved funding of universities and implementation of previous agreements with the government.

Meanwhile, the protest by the Organised Labour on Tuesday, caused heavy traffic on Lagos roads, while many commuters were stranded at the various bus stops.

The sensitisation protest by the Organised Labour started from Maryland as early as 7 a.m., to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

The labour protest also resulted into heavy traffic on Ikorodu road, down to Alausa, Ikeja.

The organised labour is protesting over government’s delay in submitting the N30,000 minimum wage report agreed by the tripartite committee.

The tripartite committee in November 2018, presented its report to President Muhammadu Buhari and expected the report to be for-

warded to the National Assembly after two weeks.

Mr Solomon Adelegan, Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) told the workers that the current demand for a new minimum wage had gone beyond negotiation stage.

According to him, labour will not renege until the report of the new minimum wage is passed to the National Assembly for implementation.

Adelegan said that the essence

F

winners.

The four children will travel to any country of their choice with one of their parents each, as part of the reward.

Making the announcement in Lagos, Dufil Prima Foods PLC’s Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Mr Temitope Ashiwaju, stated that the promo was a way of rewarding children for their unwavering loyalty to the Indomie brand.

“We are happy with the level of participation we received from children while the ‘Draw Your Dream Holiday’ promo lasted.

Such participation is a clear pointer that children really value the Indomie brand. We know that holidays create beautiful and memorable experiences for all of us, including children, and so a few months ago we came up with the idea of a promo to reward children with a fantastic travel experience.

And as a loving and caring brand,

not available, they shouted and insisted that the gate should be opened.

Adeyinka was not allowed to make further speech, as the protesting workers insisted that they did not want to hear from him.

Some of the placards carried by the workers read: “N30,000 minimum wage, not negotiable”; “place politicians and workers on the same living wage salary structure”, among others.

The one-day sensitisation protest was held nationwide by the NLC, Trade Union Congress ( NLC) and the United Labour Congress ( ULC).

•(From left): Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo and husband, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and wife Bolanle, state’s governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu with his wife, Dr. Ibijioke, during the annual special thanksgiving service of the State.

ANA gets N3m grant for 2019 Yusuf Ali literary awareness campaign

By VICTOR NZE

U

MBRELLA body of authors in the country, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has secured funding for the 8th year towards the ANA/Yusuf Ali nationwide literary awareness campaign.

The Association, in a statement made available to Oracle Today Newspapers, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary (South),

Indomie rewards 4 ‘Draw Your Holiday’ promo winners OUR winners have emerged from the just concluded Indomie ‘Draw Your Dream Holiday’ promo. The winners went away with various prizes, including a mega prize of an unforgettable all-expense paid travel experience to any country in the world.

The ‘Draw Your Dream Holiday’ promo is a consumer engagement promo organised by Dufil Prima Foods PLC, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, for children to relate their travel experiences during school holidays using illustrations. The campaign was communicated through television, radio and even through wrappers of Indomitables pack.

The promo, which ran for three months starting in September, had several interesting entries from children nationwide. At the end of the promo, Aliyat Disu, 10; Chinemeren Eze, 12; Michael Prosper Oluwaseun, 12 and Jimba Solomon Chisom, 13 emerged

of the protest was not political but to hand over a letter to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to further communicate with the Governors’ Forum on the agreed minimum wage.

Mr Abiodun Aremu, General Secretary, Joint Action Front (JAF), said that the N30,000 minimum wage was not negotiable, saying that the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), would support the organised labour till the new minimum wage is implemented.

However, when Mr Benjamin Adeyinka, a Special Adviser to Gov. Ambode told the protesting workers that the governor was

Indomie Instant Noodles planned to make the upcoming holiday much more special by offering them an all-expense paid trip to any destination in the world.

“The Indomie brand is known for fun and excitement and we needed to bring that to bear in any promo we wanted to tie the travel experience to. We could not think of a better fun-filled exercise to engage these children in than to allow them do one of the things they love doing best - drawing. We all know children love to draw, so the ‘Draw Your Dream Holiday’ promo decided to reward children for doing what they love to do best. All they needed to do was to draw their last holiday experience, take a picture of it and send it to a dedicated WhatsApp number. Dufil Prima Foods PLC is delighted to reward these children along with their parents with a trip to anywhere in the world they choose to travel to.”

Wole Adedoyin, Tuesday, said it received the sum of N3 million ‘on the 7th of January, 2019 for the 2019 project from the donor, Yusuf Ali(SAN), an Ilorin-based renowned legal practitioner, author and dedicated philanthropist, whose son, Dr Yusuf Olanrewaju Ali recently wedded Barrister Hasiya Altine Nagode in a well-attended Nikkah wedding ceremony in Ilorin on the 29th of December, 2018.’

It would be recalled that the grant was first secured by the National executive of ANA in 2012 and all state chapters of the association received sub-grants of N150,000 at various times between 2012-2014 for local literary awareness campaigns involving secondary schools across the country.

In 2015, the grant was applied by the then National Executive Council of ANA to host a workshop on fiction writing in Abuja in which about 25 students, drawn from tertiary institutions across the country via a competitive process, participated.

In 2016, the Denja Abdullahi-led National Executive Council of ANA took the literary awareness campaign a notch further by focusing on innovative literary awareness campaign among tertiary institutions across the country through the States’ chapters. Chapters submitted proposals on envisaged activities based on which they were assessed and sub-grants finally awarded to 16 Chapters that met the provisioned requirements.

The competitive process was introduced to ensure greater compliance to the overall project vision and to

improve on the process of monitoring, evaluation and reportage of the implemented activities. The grant was used in 2017 to publish three (3) children’s literature titles under the Nigerian Writers Series(NWS) which have been distributed to chapters of ANA Nationwide to power ANA ‘s A-Book-A-Child nationwide project that was flagged off at the ANA ‘s 36th International Convention which held in Makurdi, Benue State in October,2017 and the phase two of it launched by the wife of the Governor of Ekiti State,Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at the 37th International Convention of the Association held in Ikeja, Lagos in October,2018.

For the year 2018, the Yusuf Ali grant was deployed to facilitate a comprehensive media supplement on the projects executed with the yearly grants over the years since 2012 to date and an intensive workshop for 15 selected chairmen of ANA chapters focusing on ‘innovations in contemporary literary awareness campaigns’ to deepen the execution of the project in the coming years.

This year 2019 grant will be devolved to selected state chapters of the association to carry out innovative and cutting edge literary awareness campaigns in their domains as learnt in the capacity building workshop held in Ilorin in 2018.

Reacting to news of the grant, the association said: “We thank Yusuf Ali (SAN) for his consistent and yet-tobe matched generosity in supporting literary awareness in the country and we call on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate his gesture of support for the literary arts.”

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS

Otuokpoti spill: Group petitions NOSDRA il and Gas Producing Areas

O

Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI) has petitioned the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over a 2016 spill in Bayelsa.

An oil leak from an oilfield operated

by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had in November 2016 discharged yet to be ascertained volume of crude into the Ekoli River in Bayelsa.

OGPAEEI, an NGO in the petition made available to NAN in Yenagoa on Tuesday urged NOSDRA to compel the operator to comply with industry standards in the spill.

OGPAEEI in its petition addressed to the Director-General of NOSDRA, Dr Peter Idabor claimed that SPDC’s response to the incident fell short of industry standards as spelt out in the NOSDRA Act. It said that while the spill had polluted the Ekoli River and spread the oil discharge across communities along its bank, SPDC restricted its community engagement to Otuokpoto community excluding other communities.

“This spill affected more than 500 communities in Ogbia, Nembe, Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas (LGA) of Bayelsa. This is more so because these areas are in ebbs and tides within the floods plain.

“We have not seen and felt a proper procedure of contentment and mitigation of this spill by following international best practices, we have also not seen a report of this spill to appropriate agencies of the Federal Government.

“There was no comprehensive physical ecological and social mapping of the affected areas and ecosystems; we are yet to see any report of NOSDRA and its participation in containment and mitigation of short and long time impact.

“Our call therefore is for NOSDRA to compel SPDC to involve the regulatory agency namely NOSDRA and other agencies involved in spill monitoring and management in the site visit to impacted areas.

“We call for immediate comprehensive and holistic mapping of the impacted area in Yenagoa, Ogbia, Nembe, Brass and Southern LGAs, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) could still be done to meet international best practices,” the petition read in part.

The NGO further urged NOSDRA to compel Shell to immediately deploy spill response and containment teams for clean-up and remediation of polluted sites, short and long term to bring lasting relief to impacted communities.

SPDC had on Nov. 7, 2016 confirmed the spill and said the source of the oil leak that polluted Otuokpoti communities in Bayelsa was being investigated.

Mr Precious Okolobo, who was then Medial Relations Manager at SPDC had said that there was no oil leakage from its operations in the area.

“The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. (SPDC) is investigating reports of a leak around Otuokpiti community waterfront situated downstream the Ekoli River, where a section of SPDC’s Nun RiverKolo Creek Pipeline is buried.

“Preliminary site visits did not indicate any spill. SPDC has, however, shut the pipeline as a precautionary measure pending further investigation,” SPDC said.

Officials of SPDC and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) had visited Ekoli Creek near Otuokpoti in Bayelsa in search of the source of oil leak in the area.

INEC will not conduct credible elections -- A’Ibom elders From Ini Billie, Uyo

T

he Akwa Ibom Leaders Vanguard has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not conduct credible elections in the country.

The group said the appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari, a relative of President Muhammadu Buhari as national collation officer is evidence that the commission is incapable of withstanding pressures from vested interests.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo, spokesperson of the group, Senator Anietie Okon, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) party gubernatorial candidate in the state, Nsima Ekere, has recruited its members to pose as corp members.

Okon criticized the plan by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to establish an anti-terrorism unit in the state, stating that the unit was unnecessary as the state was not among states in the country experi-

encing security challenges.

He recalled that four years ago when the federal government wanted to set up a Nuclear power plant unit in the state they resisted it and it died a natural death.

He noted that they would do everything possible to resist the anti-bomb unit the state, adding that terrorism in the country have been constrained to the North East, and more recently to Katsina state.

He accused the police authorities of acting a script to assist the APC wield their ‘Federal might’ on the state, maintaining that the interest in Akwa Ibom State by the APC was to appropriate the gas, oil and maritime resources of the state for selfish ends.

He said, “We have been waiting patiently to see the actions of the federal might as far as this election is concerned.

“INEC said that they want to conduct free, fair and credible election, but we see that there is no way that

INEC can conduct election to be free, fair and credible.

“We are anticipating that the election cannot be free, fair and credible.

Recently, we have been told that the governorship candidate of APC have recruited APC members to be corpers; changing corpers uniform with APC members. So how can such elections be credible.

“We, the elders of Akwa Ibom are worried. The recent appointment of Hajia Amina Zakari had worsened our expectations of credible polls.

“Recent security challenges in Zamfara and Kaduna states had necessitated the call for help by the Governors of those states to our security forces to help forestall and curb the wild fire of insurgency rapidly spreading across theses states.

“The most embarrassing affront being the invasion of the President home state by these marauding terrorists. The above named states are the main theatres of war of insurgency.

• Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and MD NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere during the Uyo Catholic Diocesan New Year Fasting and Prayers Assembly, Monday

No minimum wage, no 2019 elections, Cross River NLC declares

C

ross River Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) says it will not participate in the 2019 general elections if the federal and state governments fail to implement the N30,000 minimum wage.

The state NLC Chairman, Mr John Ushie, made the declaration on Tuesday during a peaceful protest in Calabar to press home the workers’ demand for the implementation of the minimum wage.

Ushie said that the current minimum wage of N18,000 had become obsolete since 2015, and accused the Federal Government of playing on the intelligence of workers’ by holding several fruitless meetings to avert strike.

The chairman decried the long period the minimum the wage bill had been with the Presidency with no plans of transmitting it to the National Assembly for passage into law.

“Labour will continue the struggle until we get victory. Victory does not come easy, it will require all our en-

ergy, and it will require us to put all.

“The minimum wage is long overdue since 2015. Workers have run out of patience, so we are here to take our destinies in our hands.

“We are here to protest because it is a national directive; we will do so until we get a commitment from government concerning the N30,000 minimum wage and when it will be enacted into law.

“Secondly, we are here to send a message to President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately transmit the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for passage, so that the money can get to Nigerian workers without further delay.

“If the Federal Government and governors say no to minimum wage, we also say there is no vote for them; no election,’’ he said.

He said that the rally will culminate into an indefinite strike if nothing was done quickly by the Federal Government.

Also, Mr Boniface Isok, a national

officer of the NLC, who said he was in Calabar to monitor the rally, maintained that workers would not participate in the 2019 general elections if the minimum wage was not implemented.

Isok said that the organised labour would not hesitate to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government failed to transmit the bill to the National Assembly.

“Anytime the Federal Government heard that we want to go on strike, they will fix a meeting with no reason for it. This time, we are not giving a notice for strike.

“The Federal Government wants to hold the 2019 general elections without implementing the minimum wage because they know that once the election is held, that becomes the end of the minimum wage.

“If the Federal Government does not sign the minimum wage bill into law, there will be no election. We are ready for them this time,’’ he said.

“It is therefore shocking that most appalling that our security resources are being wrongly allocated through the ironic proposal to set up an antiterrorism Unit in Akwa Ibom state, several thousand miles away from the insurgency and terrorism prone locations mentioned above.

“These clandestine and inordinate interest in Akwa Ibom State by the APC and their Federal collaborations are in tune with well-publicized boasts and craving to appropriate our gas, oil and maritime resources for selfish ends thereby threatening the investments of ExxonMobil, Total and other multinational who have been operating peacefully in the state”.

N/Delta youth protest planned relocation of NGC from Delta

S

ome Niger Delta Youth on Monday besieged the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Limited (NGPTC) protesting the planned relocation of the Company’s head office from Warri to Lagos.

The protesters who were drawn from the various states in the Niger Delta also moved against the planned relocation of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC).

Both NGPTC and NGMC are subunits of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The protesters marched through the NPA Expressway in Warri to the office located in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area.

They held placards with inscriptions such as: “Our employment quota must not be compromised”,”NAIG says No to relocation of NGMC from Warri” among others.

Addressing newsmen, Mr Eric Omare, factional leader of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide described the planned relocation as “demonic”.

“We are not only against any subsidiary of NNPC leaving Delta; we are also saying that Chevron has no business to continue in Lekki.

“Chevron should relocate its headquarters back to Warri or Escravos.

“Delta and other states in the Niger Delta are safe for oil companies to operate,” he said.

Also, Mr Agbateyiniro Weyinmi, National President. Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) said the protest would continue until the alleged plan was reversed.

“We will remain until our demands are met by the management of the NGC,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa through his Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr Freeman Fregene, who intervened appealed to the protesters to remain calm.

Okowa promised to dialogue with the management of the company on ways to resolve the issue.

Responding, Mr Emmanuel Akinsanya, Executive Director, Assets Management and Technical Services of NGMC commended the protesters for their peaceful disposition.

Akinsanya who spoke on behalf of the management, however, described the rumour as fake.

“The said rumour of relocation is fake and it is a rumour as far as the company is concerned,” Akinsanya said.

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS APC Rivers upbeat on victory despite court ruling

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the judgments of the Federal High Court on two separate suits against it, assuring that it would get victory in the superior court.

The suits were filed by Sen. Magnus Abe and others against Rivers APC and others, and also by the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against APC and INEC. The presiding judge, Justice Kolawole Omotosho, had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restrain all the candidates of the APC from participating in the 2019 general elections in Rivers over disobedience to court order.

Omotosho also ruled that APC would not participate in governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections during the forthcoming 2019 polls in Rivers.

He declared as illegal, null and void the direct and indirect primaries of the party in the state, saying they were held while the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu nullifying the primaries was still pending. ‘’Importance of obedience and compliance to court order is paramount. Rule of law must be adhered to for the country to move forward.

Political parties should always obey the order of the court,’’ the judge had said.

On interference in another party’s internal affairs, the judge ruled that the newly expanded locus as amended in Electoral Act allowed other po-

litical parties to challenge the affairs of another, in an error.

However, in the party’s reaction, signed by Chris Finebone of Media and Publicity Department in Rivers, Monday,APC said it had instructed its lawyers to review the case and file appeal immediately.

It said this was ‘’in order not to tamper or jeopardise the already existing legal rights of our candidates before INEC.” Reacting to Omotosho’s ruling on interference in another party’s internal affairs, the party said that parties had the exclusive right of tackling their private issues. ‘’As the laws remain today, the issue of nomination of candidates of a political party remains the exclusive right and preserve of that political party, and any dispute arising thereto also remains within that political party and its aggrieved members. ‘’Under the Electoral Act 2010, a third party (PDP) can only challenge the nomination of the APC candidates as prescribed in Section 31(5) & (6), or challenge the return of APC candidates in accordance with Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act. ‘’Nothing more imaginary can fit into the contemplation of the Nigerian electoral laws. ‘’We therefore call on all members of the APC in Rivers State to remain calm, focused, undaunted and go about their electioneering business with equanimity. We believe that at the end, victory will be served,’’ it said.

Wike rallies support for administration ahead 2019 elections

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called on Rivers people to sustain their support for his administration in the forthcoming elections because he has fulfilled his campaign promises.

Addressing journalists after inspecting projects on Saturday, Governor Wike said that it is important for Rivers State to continue with his administration that has executed life changing projects in different parts of the state.

He said that Rivers people don’t need to be deceived by politicians who are from political parties that make promises without fulfilling such pledges.

He said: “This year will still be a year of projects. For us, the goal is to deliver projects and fulfil our promises to the people of Rivers State.

“We will not allow politicking to detract us from the goal of projects delivery and improving the lives of the people.

“Therefore, Rivers people should keep faith with our administration.

They should re-validate the mandate they gave us, because we have used our first term to fulfil our promises to them.

Speaking further, Governor Wike said: “They shouldn’t believe in people who will come to tell them what they will do. They should believe in people who are already doing the work.

“Instead of somebody coming to tell them if you vote for me, I will do this. Somebody is already doing the work, they should vote for him.

They should stand with the person already delivering the projects”.

Governor Wike stated that he is satisfied with the quality of work at the project sites inspected.

The governor who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Chinedu Tasie and Director General, Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement, Mr Igonibo Emmanuel Thompson visited Judges Quarters, Mile One Market and Fruit Garden Market.

Delta Govt approves construction, rehabilitation of more roads

D

elta State Government has approved the construction and rehabilitation of more roads across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Asaba, and presided over by the state Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Monday, the state Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, said that the rehabilitation of Otokutu Axial road and maintenance of Otokutu/ Ekrokpe road in Ughelli South and the rehabilitation of Orhuwhorun main road and construction of Ekrovie road in Udu Local Government Area made the list of approvals.

The Commissioner for Information

disclosed that the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Abavo Circular Road, (Phase 111 from Udomi junction to old Ekuma- Ekwueze road) and additional works on Abavo Circular Road, (Phase 11) in Ika South, and the construction of Oginibo/ Ohwahwa Road in Ughelli South were equally approved.

According to Chief Ukah, others are the construction of old Ekwuoma/Umunede road in Ika North East, rehabilitation/overlay of NDC Road and construction of St. Joseph College (Technical) Road, Ozoro, Isoko North, and the construction of Effurun-Otor/Ovwor Bridge and Access Roads in Ughelli South Local Government Area

• (From right): Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Felix Obuah, during the dedication of the 2019 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaigns at the Cathedral Church of Saint, Port Harcourt on Sunday

Okowa gives marching order on Effurun/Warri flood control From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration would commence work to check perennial flooding in Effurun/ Warri and its environs this dry season.

Governor Okowa gave the assurance in Asaba while receiving the preliminary report of the Committee to study and advise Government On measures to tackle flooding In Effurun/Warri and environs.

Governor Okowa who commended the Committee for carrying out their functions within stipulated period, disclosed that the issue of checking flooding in Effurun/Warri and environs was raised during a townhall meeting where he promised to proffer lasting solution to the challenges.

Governor Okowa said, “it is glaring that the poor sanitary habits of our communities and the poor maintenance culture of governments, both local and State to attend to drainage channels have contributed to the perennial flooding in these areas, but, with the submission of the report, we will take necessary steps to profer lasting solution to the flooding of Effurun/Warri and environs.”

“The issue of flooding in Effurun/ Warri and environs was raised at one of the town hall meetings and I did promise that we will set up a committee to study the challenges and it is gratifying that we have received the report today,” the governor stated, adding, “the half hazard approach used in the past was not sustainable and did not solve the flooding problems, hence, this study.”

Governor Okowa assured members of the committee of quick implementation of the report, noting that his administration is committed to its promise to deflood Effurun/ Warri and environs.

Chairman of the Committee, Chief James Augoye disclosed that the Committee was inaugurated in the month of July 2018 and inspected 101 flood prone areas and 13 natural water courses, noting that while the waterways overgrown with weeds and turned to refuse dumps, drains were filled with silt, among other impediments to free flow of water.

Meanwhile, Okowa has said his re-election will be premised on sustenance of peace, development and equity in line with rotation of political offices in the State.

Governor Okowa made the disclosure at the campaigns of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Koko and Sapele, Warri North and Sapele local government areas of Delta State respectively.

At the two local government areas visited, Governor Okowa expressed confidence that his administration has delivered on the promises made during the 2015 campaign, stating that the next four years of his tenure as Governor will be better.

“I thank the people for the large turnout for the rally; the people of Warri North are always reliable, great followers, members of the PDP; I am here to tell you that I am going for second term; we have done a lot of projects; during the administration of our Leader, Chief James Ibori, we worked for him for two terms, in the last administration, I was the

Director-General of the Campaign, as a government, we have executed a lot of projects, we enjoy peace in our State and if we take the line of equity, we will complete two terms, “ Okowa said at Koko.

At Sapele, the governor called on opponents to engage in campaigns and tell the people what they can do rather than holding nocturnal meetings and be scheming on how to snatch ballot boxes and engage in electoral malpractice.

“We promised to dualise the road, it has been done and will be commissioned soon, we promised to complete the market, it has been commissioned, the Sapele technical college has been revamped and in the next four years, we will do more,” the governor said, asserting, “our opponents will not campaign, they will be at home planning bad things, but, they will not succeed, we will get unprecedented number of votes in Sapele and all over the State; the opposition should come out and campaign, they should not be planning on how to disrupt the elections.”

Those who spoke at campaign grounds include Deputy Governor Burutu Otuaro, Dr Isaac Wilkie, Comrade Olumami Oyibo, Chief Solomon Areyenka, Chief Charles Obule, Hon. Joyce Overah, among others, expressed confidence that the PDP will get the votes from the people.

Chairman of the PDP in the State, Barr. Kingsley Esiso presented candidates for different electoral positions to the people.

Owa Kingdom stated that such historical documents would help the future generation of Africans to know about their history.

“Subjects of different kingdoms should be encouraged to write books about their kingdoms; this book presented today will be read by the people of Owa; other people will also read the book which will be very useful to them,” he said.

The governor continued, “many people want to know about the Owa Kingdom and we thank God that we have a book that will enlighten the people, it will inspire several people to write about their kingdoms.”

Chairman of the occasion, Sena-

tor Peter Nwaoboshi described the book as a great legacy to the people of Owa Kingdom and humanity while the book reviewer, Prof. Abednego Ekoko disclosed that the book was made of 10 chapters.

Prof. Sam Ukala, on behalf of the authors of the book, stated that more than 620 people were interviewed and several documents were collated about the Obi. He thanked Governor Okowa for the roles he played for the publication of the book stating that all the proceeds from the launch of the book would be channeled to the development of Owa Kingdom.

Okowa challenges Africans on documentation of history From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

elta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has made a case for Africans to document their history for present and future references.

The governor made the call at the public presentation of “The Odyssey of the Obi of Owa, HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor II” a biography written by Prof. Sam Ukala and Dr Ben Jeanne at Owa-Oyibu, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State.

Governor Okowa who commended the people of Owa Kingdom for documenting the history of Owa Kingship and that of the people of

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS No militants’ attack on Conoil pipeline -- JTF, Bayelsa residents

M

ilitary and community sources in Bayelsa have described some media reports of militants’ attack on an oil pipeline in Koluama 1, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state as “fake news.”

Some online media had reported that a militant group blew up a pipeline within Conoil’s oilfield near the

Atlantic coastline in Koluama 1 settlement.

Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, condemned the reports in Yenagoa.

Abdullahi described the reports as a hoax and the handiwork of mischief makers aimed at misinforming the public.

“After exhaustive verifications following enquiries from media practitioners, we found out that no such incident happened. We enjoin the media to crosscheck their facts before rushing to the press to avoid publishing falsehood such as this report,” Abdullahi said.

Also, James Dou, a resident of the area told NAN on phone that

Koluama 1 had been peaceful since the New Year with the joint military task force frequently patrolling the waterways.

“I am in Koluama 1 as we speak and there is no report of any attack on Conoil or any oil facility nearby. I did not hear any explosion neither did I hear anyone discuss it,” Dou said.

‘Opposition plotting to plant guns in my house’ -A’Ibom Speaker

Mr Mathew Sele-Epri, a community leader in Koluama 1 and Chairman, KEFFES Rural Development Board, said the report was false.

“There is no such incident. If it happened I should have known. I have made contact with my people back home and there is nothing like that; it is fake news,” the community leader said.

NDDC rehabilitated 90% of roads in C/ River—Ndoma-Egba

C

From Ini Billie, Uyo

S

peaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged plans by the opposition in the state to plant guns in his residence and link him with acts of terrorism.

Speaking on Monday during his campaign tour to Nsit Ibom local government area, Luke said the perpetrators of the plan hope that he would be arrested and detained by the police before the commencement of the general elections scheduled for February.

He however stated that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) would lawfully resist any form of intimidation from the opposition in the days ahead of the general elections.

“They tried to bring crisis to the House of Assembly, but they did not succeed. Now, they are planning to plant firearms in my house at the village, or in Uyo or in my mother’s house so that they can alert the police to arrest and charge me for terrorism.

“I have never been known to be a violent person, and I have never been involved in terrorism acts. I am a law abiding citizen.

“Therefore, I am alerting you my supporters that when that happens, you should rise, mobilize and enter the streets and ask questions.

“No matter the intimidation, they cannot silence me; and they cannot stop me from speaking for the PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel,” he said.

It was learnt that the Speaker is on the list of those allegedly marked down for arrest because he is outspoken on certain issues concerning some All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and chieftain in the state, particularly Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Also speaking during the tour, Senator Bassey Akpan representing Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district in the National Assembly urged supporters not to be intimidated by the rumour that opposition elements may cause violence during the elections to scare people away from the polling units.

He said, “Don’t allow anyone to deceive you. I can assure you that there will be elections in Akwa Ibom, and electoral materials will get to their respective units.

“So, from the INEC office in Uyo to their offices in the different local government areas, and down to the ward centres, I ask that you do a thorough follow-up”.

8

• Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (l) with Chairman, Editorial Board, Jacob Akinyemi Johnson, leading a delegation from the Silverbird Group which had honoured him with ‘Silverbird Man Of The Year’ in recognition of the governor’s sterling contributions to the infrastructural and human capital development of the state

Obi of Onitsha decries insecurity, blames unemployment

By Oge Onyeanusi, Nnewi

O

bi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe has lauded the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (PYES), of the Federal Government aimed at helping to create multiple layers of employment, for jobless youths in the country.

Achebe made the commendation in Onitsha, Monday, at the graduation ceremony of 69 youths of Onitsha origin, who underwent training in various vocations.

Obi Achebe urged the youths to key into the lofty programme for self-reliance and self-actualisation.

He further urged the youths of Onitsha origin who were yet to register with the Onitsha Youth Council to do so in their own interest and for their self-actualisation.

Achebe attributed the spate of insecurity in the country to the rising level of unemployment among the youth, saying some drastic measures must be taken to tackle the menace before it turns into a time bomb.

The training of the 69 beneficiaries was facilitated by the monarch under his Ime-Obi Entrepreneurship Development programme for Onitsha youths and sponsored by Ford Foundation.

“One of those graduating today is already employing seven graduates

in his outfit; it is one way to build the economy and the country and to discourage youths from committing crime,” he said.

The monarch disclosed that the first set of 70 youths, who were trained and assisted with loans worth N500, 000 each, totalling N35 million have repaid back over N33 million.

He commended Ford Foundation for supporting the community outreach and entrepreneurship in Onitsha.

According to him, the financial support was also used to organise long vacation programme for secondary school students as well as special remedial programme for Onitsha indigenes seeking admission into universities.

“We equally have drug addiction programme to prevent and rehabilitate our youths who are into drugs,” he added.

He noted that unemployment had made youths to join cultism, partake in kidnapping and go into armed robbery among many social ills in the country.

Achebe said the programme was, therefore, aimed at making youths useful to themselves and responsible in the society by becoming employers of labour.

In his remarks, Mr Patrick Mba, the Transition Chairman of Onit-

sha North Local Government Area, commended Ford Foundation and the Obi of Onitsha for being sensitive to the needs of youths in Onitsha in the areas of personal development and education.

Mba promised that the local government council will continue to key into the progranmmes of the monarch, especially in providing synergy for youth development.

Also speaking, the lead facilitator of the programme, Prof. Alex Ikeme explained that the youths were trained on social, communication and marketing skills, team work and business sustainability, among other courses.

Ikeme explained that plans were underway to assist the trainees in securing loans and to monitor how they progress in their various vocations.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Michael Ibekwe, who runs a block industry, told Oracle that the onemonth long training had changed how he manages his finances.

“I learnt a lot, especially how to check the financial loopholes in my business,” he said, adding that he would need a loan to enable him to expand his block industry.

High-point of the event was the presentation of certificates to the trainees by the Obi of Onitsha.

hairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has said that 90 per cent of roads rehabilitated in Cross River between 2016-2018 were carried out by the commission.

Ndoma-Egba, a former Senate Leader and the current candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Cross River Central Senatorial District, disclosed this on Sunday in Calabar during an interaction with newsmen.

The former lawmaker said that the initiative was to attract development to the state by way of expanding and rehabilitating urban and rural roads for easy movement of goods and commuters.

“I have said this before and let me say it again, whatever road you see anywhere in the state that was tarred in the last two years, 90 per cent of the chances are that they were tarred by NDDC or the Ministry of Niger Delta. ”I want to be challenged on this. We have roads right from Calabar South to Bakassi, right down to Obudu and Obanliku Local Government area of the state.

“If you see any school renovated in the last two years, new roof, new building, new furniture; 90 per cent of the chances are that it was done by NDDC. “These are some of the achievements we have in Cross River. We remember that once upon a time, the Calabar-Itu Road was impassable, but the road became passable by the effort of NDDC,” he said.

According to him, same goes for the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu road.

He pointed out that from Ikom to Calabar that usually took up to five hours is now a journey of two hours plus.

On the 2019 Cross River Central Senatorial District election, NdomaEgba said he was running the election based on his track records in the National Assembly from 2003-2015.

According to him, he attracted over 74 projects within the period under review and facilitated federal employment for over 358 constituents.

He added that he also provided scholarship for 700 undergraduates, organised skills acquisition training, and sponsored the Freedom of Information Bill, among others. “”I am seeking to return to the senate based on my track records, verifiable records, not promises. I am confident of winning this election because our people are going to vote for someone who can give them effective and quality representation. “”Some of my projects include the Faculty of Law in the University of Calabar; the Irruan Water Dam in Boki Local Government, the Edor Community Water Project and many others,’’ he said.

He expressed confidence that APC in Cross River will sweep the polls in the Presidential, Governorship, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly elections.

He also drummed support for President Muhammadu Buhari, urging people of the state to come out en mass on February 16 and vote massively for him.

POLITICS

9

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Rt. Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma believes there is no basis for Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term. Firing from all cylinders, in this interview with CHUKS EZE, in his office, the vocal prelate insisted that Buhari and APC have failed Nigerians and that they should give way for fresh ideas this year. According to him, Buhari “has expired and we need new spirit, we need new blood, we need a digital brain that can cope with the global pace of a digital age.” Chukwuma however tipped Governors Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Umahi of Ebonyi State, Wike of Rivers State and Okowa of Delta State for re-election and warned that any attempt to rig election in the South East or announce fake results would attract “fire”.

Excerpts…

Could you briefly reflect on the outgone year 2018 and state what you expect this year, 2019, which is a critical year to Nigeria?

I would say glory be to God that we survived the year 2018 and by the grace of God, we look forth to a better 2019. But frankly speaking, everybody knows that 2018 was a very tough year for Nigerian citizens. We did not find life easy at all and life has been so difficult for many people under the Buhari dispensation. Salaries were not enough for the workers, and many people were even owed their little entitlements in several states. Not only that, the economy has been generally so bad. And many people really found it very difficult to achieve what they had wanted to achieve in the outgone year; it was so much of great difficulty for people to survive. Many deaths were recorded and we found that there was no clear-cut governance. Even the 2018 budget was not properly implemented before the 2019 appropriation was proposed. So, 2018 was another year of deceitfulness from the Buhari administration. There was a lot of witchhunting and intimidation of politicians, which is still ongoing. Sadly, the year was also marred by incessant strikes by the NLC, ASU and even ASUP. We also found that corruption has not yet stopped, even when the present government has continued to claim they are fighting corruption. Anyone who is in APC, on the side of the President or who runs into APC, no matter how corrupt he had been, he is shielded from being prosecuted. Mr President talks about prosecuting those who had stolen the country’s funds, but one is yet to see any member of APC that has been prosecuted and jailed. So, we found the President to be a very great

Why maturity counts in politics, governance, by Lady Anne Dozie

Pg 10

Honour for Ugwuanyi, succour for needy Pg 12

Bishop Chukwuma: Buhari must go!

• Says the President is expired, analogue • Life better under Jonathan • FG witch-hunting, intimidating opposition • Ugwuanyi, Umahi, Wike, Okowa will return in 2019• South East must produce the President in 2023 the equipment they claimed to have acquired? Why are the Service Chiefs still there even when it is clear they nothing more to offer? Even on Christmas day, people were killed in Zamfara. So, I do not see anything that is of good governance when lives are being lost carelessly on daily basis. Go to the mortuaries and see how they are full of remains of dead Nigerians due to APC’s bad governance. I think it is time for Nigerians to tell Mr President that enough is enough. We must tell Buhari, the Pharaoh of our time, to let us go! He should allow us to go by himself going home to retire and be grateful to God for His grace. He has expired and that must be clearly made known to him, and I have said it several times. We need new spirit, we need new blood, digital brains that can cope with the global pace of a digital age. It is a pity that the people that he overthrew their government in 1983 both died the same year under his government. Ekwueme had died earlier and Shagari just died. Is that a good omen? To me, it shows that God is not happy with what is happening in Nigeria under Buhari.

•Bishop Chukwuma liar of 2018. After almost four years on the saddle, Nigerians are yet to see any positive change; it has been more of bad governance than good governance – the more you look the less you see affair. Even the judiciary is not anything to be proud of. So, I think that we need some fresh air in Aso Rock.

Are you worried that the President is presenting himself for re-election in 2019?

That is a very unfortunate development, even when it is quite clear that President Buhari has no capability or capacity to rule the country. That has been my position since he came on board and I have been severally vindicated. He is not in charge of his government, that is one of his major problems and that is why we have been having problems here and there. If we have found things uncomfortable in the last four years, what other change are we expecting to take

place within the remaining two months before the election? Just as people were very fed up with Jonathan and had clamoured for change, that is the same situation now. People are fed up with Buhari and they are clamouring for change – positive change, this time. We do not pray to move from frying pan to fire! Nigerians are tired of deceitfulness, bad governance and Buhari/APC noisemaking of fake change mantra. It is clear that life has been harder under Buhari than it was under Jonathan’s time. Even the war against corruption that they had so promised, it has not reflected on the lives of the people. Minimum wage is still a huge problem and they have continued to vote so much money for Aso Rock, including to build a new VicePresidential chapel when people are suffering. We have voted so much money to fight Boko haram, yet they are still attacking and killing many of our soldiers. So, where are

You said that President Buhari lacks the capacity to rule Nigeria but contrary to your position, some clerics and even certain influential personalities in South East are drumming support for his re-election; how do you react to that?

It is not only that President Buhari lacks capacity, he does not respect the rule of law, as well. Those individuals and clerics that you referred to are very insensitive to the plights of Nigerians. The do not have information about the state of affairs because they do not move around the country like some of us do. Those clerics are very fallacious and it is unfortunate that they are not sensible about the needs of the people. Many of them are just federal contractors. When you look at the church today, especially most of our orthodox churches, the way people give has reduced; they find it very difficult to donate generously because of hardship. Their businesses are declining and life has gone so bad.

Power may have improved but it is not stable. The Customs are after the Igbo and their goods are not coming in as they should. A lot of things are getting so difficult and messy and banks are being overtaken by individuals who are agents of people in authority.

Are you not observing all that am saying?

Nigeria must move forward. We are tired of marking time; Pharaoh must let my people go and we will cross the red sea. And anyone who will not allow us to cross the red sea, what happened to pharaoh will happen to him. We are tired of being in Egypt. Nigeria is in Egypt, under Buhari and it is time for us to move forward to the promised land.

Do you think that INEC can conduct a credible exercise in 2019?

No, I do not have any confidence in INEC anymore because the last elections in Ekiti and Osun States showed that INEC is being

Cont’d on page 13

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Bold ‘N’ Blunt

Why maturity counts in politics, governance, by Lady Anne Dozie Lady Anne Dozie is a household name in Imo State. She is deputy governorship candidate of Accord for the 2019 governorship election in Imo State. In this interview with COLLINS UGHALAA in Owerri, the Imo State capital, she speaks on her upbringing, her choice as the running mate to the immediate past governor of the state, His Excellency Dr. Ikedi Ohakim. She also speaks on gender issues and their roles in governance, assuring that Accord will form the next government in Imo State. Excerpts: Can you tell us a little about yourself? What was your growing up like?

I was born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fidelis Onu Nze in Amachara, Azaraegbelu, Emekuku, Owerri North LGA. We were 11 children - 8 boys and 3 girls - and I am the last of them all. As a kid, judging from the number of siblings I had, you would see that I was pampered. I was not a spoilt child but I grew up in love and I did not know anything about hatred and bickering. I had one of the best upbringings any child could get. My mother was a devout Catholic, and being the last child I followed her to the church and her meetings with her fellow women. I was my mother’s handbag. I learnt a lot from her.

And if you look at my CV, I did not get what I got from the sky. As a child I always played leadership roles whenever I was with other kids. I was always with my mother and I was learning, to the point that I knew every Rev Father that was posted to our community.

They would always ask after me. My mum was not a teacher. She was a housewife but in my primary school days, whenever there was a big visitor to our school I was chosen to present the bouquet, not minding that I was not a teacher’s child. I had several school uniforms. My elder brothers and sisters made sure I had many of them and they were neat always. Our house was like everybody’s house because we were many and had our friends always coming to the house.

I learnt to accommodate people early in my life as a result of the kind of family I grew up in and the kind of upbringing we had. I like to associate with people. I don’t like isolated life because I was not brought up that way.

The leadership qualities I developed as a child followed me to my secondary school where I became the Social Prefect. It followed me to the all the places I schooled and they have not left me. As a child, my mother told me to do the right things always and never to associate myself with injustice of any kind. I left the Rochas Okorocha government because of injustice. I left APGA because of injustice. Whenever you see me quarrelling with anybody you should know there is something wrong. I am a go-getter. I don’t struggle for things. I do not doubt the presence of God. I believe in God and what He can do. I am a Catholic and I believe in our Mother Virgin Mary. I am a Lady of St. Molumba.

I served as the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Imo State between June 2011 and July 2013. I left my due to injustice. I cannot stand injustice. Because of what I learnt from my mother, I have been a grassroots politician and mobilizer because I like associating with people. I belong to over 10 associations and I have led many of them to the satisfaction of all. I like to serve. I was the President of Umugburuka Women Association, Umuofor Egbu; President, Umuofor Village Women Association, Umuofor Egbu; for 9 years I was the President, Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of S.S. Philip and James Catholic Parish, Egbu. I am the Founder and President, Ezinwanne Youths Empowerment Foundation, Imo State; President, Ladies of St. Molumba Emekuku sub-council, Imo State and Honourary Member, Rotary Club of Nigeria, Ikenegbu District, Owerri. I was the Chairman, Home and Abroad Meeting Egbu Women Association, Owerri, for three consecutive years. I was a BOT member of

the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Until recently I was in charge of the Nursing Services at St. Charles Clinic, Emekuku; Senior Nursing Sister, Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku. She lectured at the School of Nursing, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra State. I champion the cause of the less privileged and I believe in women emancipation, child rights issues and girl child education. As a health professional, I will bring my wealth of experience to bear in addressing the health challenges in the state, particularly maternal health and childcare issues. I am not a corrupt person. I have clean records. I am a woman of integrity and I represent two families known for their integrity, the Dozie family and my father’s family.

Since your name was mentioned as the deputy governorship candidate to the immediate past governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, your name has become the buss word in the state and beyond. How do you feel about it?

First of all, I want to thank His Excellency Dr. Ikedi Ohakim for finding me worthy to run with him to recover Imo State and return her to the path of progress, prosperity,

equity, justice and fairness. You know very well that Dr. Ikedi Ohakim is a meticulous person. I am sure that he must have carried out all the due diligence that was required to choose his governorship running mate.

He must have looked at the personalities of several persons before choosing me.

He must have also considered the rigorous work that must be done in the state after the tortuous regime of Governor Okorocha.

Imo State has left the radar, and to bring her back to the radar requires someone with the experience and maturity, to be able to address the nitty-gritty of the challenges that the new government will face. This is where I think we are very different from the others running for the office of the governor in 2019. It is not going to be a tea-party. As you know, Ohakim has the cognate experience. His cognate experience is what Imo people need now. I have the maturity and Imo needs the maturity and presence of a mother in the governance of the state.

The maturity I will bring and the experience Ohakim brings make the difference.

My combination with Ikedi Ohakim, a man of spectacular integrity, visionary, compassionate and unassuming leader is what has

become the buss word. The reason is that Imo people are happy with our combination and they have being expressing it. Check for yourself and you will find out: among all the governorship candidates and their deputies, the buss word is the Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and Lady Anne Dozie ticket in Accord. Imo people are very enlightened. They don’t take what they don’t want; they take only what they want. That we have become the buss word shows you how widely we have been accepted. We are running on the people’s mandate and that is the reason they have accepted us.

You talked about your maturity and presence of a mother. What will a mother do in the governance of Imo State of today?

First of all, a mother is a caring person. A mother is an epitome of love. A mother is compassionate. A mother is empathic. A mother is a builder and homemaker. She understands the plights of the family members and she attends to all, even when she is weary. She puts the interests of others, the family, before hers. She can sacrifice. She lends a listening ear. She is a problem solver.

Dr. Ikedi Ohakim has distilled his recovery

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Bold ‘N’ Blunt programme to another buss word, the 4Rs, meaning Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Recovery. To do these you would need the people that would bring both the cognate experience and maturity to governance. Maturity comes with wisdom, and whether you are talking about reconciliation or reconciliation, you need people who are experienced and matured. If you bring people who are not matured or people who have no experience in governance, what you see that Imo would go into bigger catastrophe because they will not be able to manage the rot that the state has become since 2011.

A mother is in a better to listen to the complaints of the family members and proffer solutions.

Women in governance bring certain tangibles along. Like the wife and mother, she brings succor to the state. She brings the feminine approach to governance. Look at Britain and Germany where women are doing well as heads of state, and we cannot say that those countries are doing badly. Bringing a woman into governance at this time in the history of the state will unleash the feminine touch to issues of governance, where issues of merit, accountability, prudence as against frugality, kindness as against meanness, service as against slavish mentality, will define the new government under our joint ticket. As former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, I understand very well the challenges facing the women, children and the families in general in Imo State. As a trained Nurse and Midwife, I also understand very well the damage that has been done to the health sector. I understand the dearth of public healthcare services, and as someone who belongs to more than 10 social organizations, I feel the pulse of the people. I understand the challenges of maternal and infant healthcare. None of the deputies you have around can boast of understanding these critical issues as much as I do. My role in resolving these challenges will not doubt be substantial.

which zone produces the governor of the state in 2019 goes beyond sentiment or fanaticism. It touches more on the core issues of equity, fairness, brotherliness, unity, et al.

It is all about having a peaceful state where every part feels satisfied. It is about having that man who has the cognate experience to solve the problems created in the last eight years.

Nobody can talk about Owerri Zone taking any such decision without the Dozie family where I come from. And as you know we are not aware of any such jamboree. We are Igbo people and we believe in brotherliness.

We believe that when you hear your brother cry, you should not run away. This sentiment is reechoed everywhere in the state, that Okigwe Zone was unjustly treated and Imo people need the wounds to be healed. Many leaders in the state believe that until this injustice is corrected and Okigwe pacified, Imo State may continue to run from pillar to post.

And until Imo State is placed on the sphere peace, equity, justice and brotherliness, the quest for Owerri producing the governor of the state might remain a dream.

Moreover, Imo people are in agreement that we are in an unusual time in the history of Imo State, when everything has broken down and nothing is working anymore. Like I mentioned earlier, as a healthcare giver, I can tell you that the healthcare system in the state is gone. We need someone who can leverage on his cognate experience to get the system working again. Incidentally, Ohakim is the only man that has the cognate experience to fix the state. It is just like when a company is being run aground by inexperienced hands. What the company would need is a man that has wonderful experience in handling such situation. Fortunately, Ohakim has only one term only, and by 2023 he will hand over to Owerri Zone seamlessly.

We can believe he will do so because, for the first time, he went to court and swore to an affidavit, saying that he will hand over power to Owerri Zone.

You are the third woman Ohakim has picked as his running mate…

(Cuts in…) You have stated the obvious.

I am the third woman Ohakim has chosen as running mate. But that tells you so much about the personality of Dr. Ikedi Ohakim.

He is gender sensitive and gender friendly.

As a journalist, if you do your check very well, you will find out that more than 90% of the governorship candidates for 2019 chose men as their running mates. But Ohakim chose a woman. He has consistently done so, and it is not a mistake or coincidence. He was not cajoled into doing it. He did it because, apart from having respect for women, it shows that Ohakim, more than anyone else, believes deeply in the development of women. He believes in the aphorism thatnwanyi wu ihe and that behind any successful man there is a woman. He believes that women have their roles to play in the governance and in resolving the plethora of problems in the state. For this consistent character of showing respect for women and deep belief in women emancipation, Ohakim has won the love of many, including those young girls who dream of a better future. Ohakim’s choice of a woman as his running mate is symbolic of the bright opportunities open to the young girls in the remote villages. It is the assurance that so far as the girl child can go to school, she can live her dreams.

Those who said that “when a woman is empowered a whole nation is empowered”, did not make a mistake. They were wise people.

Therefore, my choice as the deputy to Dr. Ikedi Ohakim of Accord gladdens the heart of every woman in Imo State.

The most beautiful in the whole of this is that Accord as a political and Dr. Ikedi Ohakim are giving opportunities to the women to develop and contribute their quota to the governance of the state. Ohakim is gender friendly and gender sensitive. He does not discriminate against women. In other parties and with other governorship candidate, the story is different. In those other parties, even women who won their primary elections were eventually shortchanged because they are women. It is very bad. But with Ohakim and Accord, it is sweet story and the clamour for 30% affirmative action for women in positions of authority is won. You can see this by the number of women in the Ikedi Ohakim governorship campaign team and the number of women that occupy positions in the party. Imo women have therefore decided

You were a BoT member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). So much has been said about the governorship primary election of the party, so much that more than 10 governorship aspirants of the party has since left. What is your view of what happened in APGA? Honestly, I wept for days over what happened in APGA in Imo State. I wept at how brutally the party was murdered. It was such untimely death! I was a BoT member of the party. I could not continue in a party where injustice has become the normal thing to do.

If the national leadership of the party had listened to us, we would have had APGA alive by now. I was among those who stood for transparent and credible primary elections, but when we saw the antics of the national leaders, we began to cry out. Unfortunately we could not stop them. How can anyone explain the charade, the travesty that happened in the party? Can anyone tell us why there was no primary election, especially for the governorship position? Who can explain why there was no delegates list? Can anyone explain the unprecedented fraud and rape of Igbo land that happened under APGA? Anyone who loves Igbo land will have nothing to do with APGA. The truth is that as far the law is concerned, there was no primary election in APGA.

to seize this opportunity and contribute to the governance of the state.

Despite what you said about your choice as Ohakim’s deputy, there are insinuations that he will make you a spare tyre as he allegedly did to Ada Okwuonu…

(Cuts in) During political period like this you would hear a lot of gibberish, but as enlightened Imo people we must be able to separate the truth from falsehood. The position of a governor and his deputy are not ambiguous positions, and no governor who wants to deliver on his promises would make his deputy a spare tyre. If you want to know how a man behaves in terms of assigning roles, you should look at those who work for him or those who have worked with him.

Ohakim is someone who delegates functions and allows you deliver on your assignment.

He does not suffocate those who work for him or with him and he does not drag the spotlight with them. Ohakim has respect for women and he respects responsibilities a lot. During his first term when he paired with Lady Ada Okwuonu, Imo State witnessed peace. She was not impeached. She was allowed the space to do her job. The harmony that existed between them was part of the reasons that government performed. Today, the story is different as we have seen a governor working with three deputies within a period of eight years. Those who try to suffocate their deputies suffer from a complex, but if you know Ohakim very well you would know he does not suffer from any kind of complex. I am very sure that I will have a good working relationship with him. His knack for quality shows he cannot engage in suffocating his deputy, because he is a man that challenges you to give your best.

Recently, a youth organization from Owerri Zone described you and some other prominent leaders from Owerri Zone as sellouts in the quest for Owerri Zone producing the governor of the state in 2019. They went ahead to declare you and those others persona non-grata. How do you feel about it?

It is laughable and childish. I have not read the said statement, but it is obvious that anybody making such statement remains a child. Children do not understand issues the way adults do. Moreover, they are doing what they are paid to do. Obviously, grow-

ing up as a child, there were issues most people did not understand but with time they had better understanding of those issues because they had grown up. As children, those who made the statement may not understand the issues very well and they may say or do the wrong things. It is our duty as parents to guide them aright. No one can deny that the issue of Owerri Zone becoming the governor of the state has become an emotional issue with some people and they try to throw stones at anyone who has a different view. This attitude of a bully by some of those who claim to believe in the quest for Owerri to produce the governor is regrettable. As a matter of fact, no one is more Owerri person than the other. Most of the people who go about shouting that Owerri Zone will produce the governor of the state do not believe in that quest better than me. Some of them are people who had approached some governorship candidates to become their deputies but failed. We cannot therefore continue with the same strategy and expect different result. It is high time we changed tactics.

It is not strange that we have different methods to the realization of Owerri Zone becoming governor. Our approach and timing are different. It is like two people going to Lagos: while one decides to travel by road and enjoy the countryside, the other decides to fly. In the end they have one destination.

It does not mean that any of them is a sellout, and it would amount to delinquent mannerism for one to label the other a sellout.

There are very few people who think that 2019 is the time for Owerri Zone. If you have a critical look at the political development in Owerri Zone, there is never a time the leaders of the zone came up to agree that Owerri Zone should produce the governor of the state in 2019, especially after the governorship primary elections of the political parties in the state.

As leaders we should be able to separate the ambition of one man from the collective quest of Owerri Zone, because one man cannot be equated to Owerri Zone. People must gather and drink some wine and eat good food, but the fact remains that Owerri Zone has not endorsed any governorship candidate from the zone. Rather, what the leaders of the zone are saying is that the issue of

You are running for election under Accord, a relatively known party…

(Cuts in) That assumption is an error of judgement. You see, sometimes some people behave as if we do not know our history anymore. Accord is old political party and it has been contesting elections and making impacts in different places and at different levels. For example, in 2015 Accord contested the governorship election in Imo State with Barr Ken Ojiri as its governorship candidate. It was essentially because of the omission of Accord in the ballot that led to the cancellation of Okigwe Senate election, leading to a court-ordered rerun also. Elsewhere in the country, Accord had produced state assembly members and national assembly members. Accord as a party on the ballot paper is strategically placed as the number one party. It is the winning party and it will form the next government in Imo State in 2019. Accord is the party for the women; it is the party for the artisans, the traders, the students and other youths. It is the party for everyone. It is the winning party.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

POLITICS

Honour for Ugwuanyi, succour for needy

•As philanthropist floats Gburugburu support group, charity foundation “The governor deserves it; if I have more, I will even do more to support him”. That was a polite, earnest response from Enugu humanitarian, Chidozie Idoko, the Chairman of Chido Group International, to a nosy guest, who had quietly scolded him for floating, “jumbo private support group for Governor” Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with his hard-earned cash, querying Chido’s rational for choosing to “fill an ocean from his little bowl of water”.

The event was the official inauguration of two selfless foundations initiated by the businessman – Gburugburu Is A Goal Support Group and Chido Foundation. According to Chido, while he formed the former to drum support and run campaign for the reelection of the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanti, adding that the latter was to give succour to widows and the needy. Attendance was massive, there were several side attractions just as there were a lot of delicacies to savour. The youthful philanthropist also distributed gift items to over 400 widows and needy, such as small bags of rice, umbrella, cooking condiments as well as cooked food and drinks, among others, under the Chido Foundation, which he said had been on since the past five years.

Held at the expansive Umuonehe Primary School field, at Aji in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, the event was graced by several dignitaries including Governor Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Environment and Mineral resources, Prince Emeka Mammah, who is also the Director-General of Gburugburu reelection campaign organization in Igbo-Eze North LGA. Although the function was not an official political endorsement ceremony by the community, but it appeared to be a huge boost to Governor Ugwuanyi’s re-election bid ahead of the forthcoming 2019 polls.

Other dignitaries at the outing were the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chukwuka Utazi. Others were the Zonal Chairman of PDP in Enugu North Senatorial District, Nze Mike Onyeze; Council Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Comr. Uwakwe Ezeja; state legislators representing Igbo-Eze North I and II Constituencies, Hon. Ethel Oyibo-Ugwuanyi and Hon. Tony Ogidi; PDP Chairman in IgboEze North, Chief Alex Urama; former Secretary to Enugu State government, Chief Innocent Agbo, as well as the Grand Patron of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman, Igwe-in-council, Essodo, HRH Igwe Dr. Osisi Itodo, who was the royal father of the day, but represented by his son, Prince Engr. Williams Osisi Itodo, among several others.

Delegates from several other support groups and cultural troupes were also in attendance. And an indigenous artiste, who did Gburugburu is a Goal campaign song, Marcel Ugwuanyi aka Young CZed, also performed at the occasion.

In his address to the gathering, the host thanked appreciated all who had attended the event and also seized the opportunity to clear the air over contrasting various rumours and queries that had arisen he formed Gburugburu Is A Goal support group.

“Since we founded Gburugburu Is A Goal, tongues have been wagging both in loud and silent manners, questioning the motive behind the emergence of this group. Several people have asking what do these people want; some have even approached me tooth-picking me to find out whether it has any political undertone.

“We are not politicians and we are not contesting any election. Apart from our state coordinator, none of us is a politician. The rest of us are traders and students; youths and our aged mothers and fathers.

Chido told the gathering that he was overwhelmed by their huge turnout, stressing that he was delighted that irrespective of his age, “our hardworking governor honoured our invitation, just many other elders, stakeholders and well-wishers did, as well. May God honour you for honouring us”.

He further described the group as a movement that runs under Chido Group Interna-

From Enugu, CHUKS EZE writes on the philanthropic activities of a young businessman who is also happy to support the State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwaunyi’s campaign.

•Cutting the tape to officially inaugurate Gburugburu Is A Goal and Chico Foundation

tional, pointing out that the platform was put up to expresses his love, appreciation and support for “our able and capable governor”, for his achievements, which he said, evenly dots every section of Enugu State, adding that it also aims at helping to ease off the governor’s second term re-election challenges.

According to the humanitarian, the governor has touched many lives across the state including the young, old, rich and poor. And on why he cares for widows and the needy, Chido said, amid overwhelming emotions, that it was due to what his mother had passed through while struggling to raise him and his siblings, after their father’s death.

“This is the same rice that our mother would run around to purchase so she would cook for us, especially during festive periods, but to no avail do to acute poverty” he said, in an emotion-laden voice.

“As kids,” he continued, “we would visit our neighbours, to eat rice, aware they had prepared it, but they would tell us there was no food. And one day, overwhelmed by sorrow over our acute deficiency, I hit my chest severally, cried to God vowed that I would distribute free rice to the needy, if He ever blessed me. That is what we are doing here today, and we have been doing this for the past five years,” he said.

In his speech, the council chairman of IgboEze North, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, thanked Chido for his philanthropy and for initiating a support group for governor Ugwuanyi, describing the businessman as charitable, selfless and unique.

“We appreciate you, Chido. Our people celebrate you and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is proud of you,” he said.

The Council Chairman noted that it was it was instructive and exemplary that Chido was not a politician and that he had not political ambition, but yet, he was fanatical over his support for the governor. He pointed out that Chido had told him that he had only formed the support group to appreciate the governor and pat him on the back for changing the face of Nsukka and Enugu State within a short period, even during an era of difficult economy.

“The lesson for all of us today is that rather than expecting government to do everything for us, we should endeavor to encourage our leaders and support them within our various capacities,” he admonished.

In same vein, Senator Utazi also appreciated Mr. Chido declaring that the formation of Gburugburu Is A Goal and Chido Foundation, which are both non-profit organisations, as a huge lesson to the well to do in not only in Aji community and Enugu North Senatorial Zone, but in the entire state.

According to him, “through this uncommon gesture, this young man has today, pricked the hearts of so many guests here.

Chido has brought so many issues to question today, which cannot be resolved in a day. Sometimes, we think that we have known much, but when you go further, you realise that you do not know anything. Chido has taught all of us a very important lesson today. May God bless and empower him more,” he prayed.

Chido’s mother, Benedette Idoko, in a chat with our correspondent, expressed immense gratitude to God that she and her family had experienced many years of acute poverty, especially after the death of her husband, that she lived to witness her son extending charity to the penurious.

“We lived, ate and wore hardship like garment. It was so bad that I would smash okra to squeeze out the foam to wash clothes because there was no detergent and no money to purchase some.

“I was using cassava, instead of beans, to make akara balls to feed my children because there was no food and no money to buy food. But today, it has pleased God to change our story. For that, I would never stop Chido from helping the needy because I am certain that the same God who has blessed him will always replenish his purse,” she said.

While appreciating God for His favours, Mrs Idoko noted that it was only God that could make a family that could neither feed nor afford money to buy ordinary detergent to wash clothes to now feed multitudes and even have the honour of hosting a sitting governor. Describing Governor Ugwuanyi as her worthy in-law and a good man, the excited woman pledged to keep praying for more divine grace upon the governor to enable him to win the 2019 and advance his “people-oriented, and all-encompassing governance”.

While officially inaugurating the support group, with 17 coordinators for each LGA of the State, alongside Chido Foundation, Prince Mamah, who represented Governor Ugwuanyi, apologized to Chido and his group, as well as the entire gathering at the event, for governor Ugwuanyi’s absence. He explained that the governor was held up at another engagement that was taking place somewhere in Enugu East Senatorial Zone same day but which had commenced behind schedule.

“He had asked me to represent him not because this function is of less importance to him but because he has capable hands to stand in for him. That is why I am here in company of all these major stakeholders.

“Our governor has also directed me to bring Chido to the government house after this event for him to personally apologize to him and thank him for this uncommon support. He also asked me to inform you that he is pleased and excited about what you are doing, and that he recognizes you as one of the stakeholders in Aji, in Igbo-Eze North LGA and Enugu State.

“God has blessed you Chido. And for caring for the poor, God will continue to bless and enrich you in million folds. I am aware that in the current package, he is reaching out to at least ten beneficiaries per electoral ward.

We appreciate you,” he said.

On Chido’s care for the needy, Prince Mammah assured the philanthropist that God would always use the widows and needy who find solace in him as points of contact for divine connection and enablement with him both presently and in future.

Chido later presented an award of excellence to Governor Ugwuanyi on behalf of Chido Group. After receiving the plaque for the governor, Prince Mammah thanked the group for the gesture. He admonished the gathering to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and as well guard them jealously as the general election approaches. He expressed optimism that with the high turnout at the event that Governor Ugwuanyi and PDP was set to record 100 percent victory in the entire Igbo-Eze North LGA and beyond.

“What we have seen here today, shows that Chido Group alone has what it takes to deliver our governor; we therefore, expect 100 per cent votes from Aji and I think that with this group, we can go to sleep and channel our energy towards other sections of the state,” he said.

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

POLITICS

Bishop Chukwuma: Buhari must go!

Cont’d from page 9

manipulated. As we speak, the appointment of Amina Zachari is suspicious. I think she is being put there for her to manipulate election results and carry out specific jobs.

I think there is evil intention behind her appointment, but God will scuttle all evil plans over 2019 elections. Although the President has urged the INEC to be very impartial during the forthcoming polls, but one has no confidence in that statement. So, I use this medium to warn that if anyone tries to rig the 2019 election, Nigeria will be on fire and it may be difficult to recover from it. Let the election be credible and let the people’s wish and mandate be respected; let the rule of law be respected. Let us vote according to our consciences and let our votes count. I am not concerned about political parties but personalities. People should vote personalities who are ready to move Nigeria forward and not on party basis. Political parties have disappointed us, they are just interested in money and self-aggrandisement.

What if Buhari wins the election?

If Mr President wins the election in a free and fair atmosphere, then we know that it is the will of God. But we are against any manipulation of the will of God and the will of the people. However, if it is the will of God that Buhari will return to power again, then it portends that God wants the children of Nigeria to remain in Babylon as further punishment, which also would indicate that we have not repented of our collective sins and carelessness as a nation. That is why Nigerians must go into serious prayers because if God had led us to where we are today, it is a reason for us to ask God to forgive us our sins and give us credible leadership. Buhari’s return will definitely retain Nigerians in Babylon.

Come to think of it; should those campaigning for Buhari not even be ashamed?

What has he gotten? Is it the home delivery certificate that he is going to rule Nigeria with again? This is absolute indiscipline, disrespect and absolute wickedness, and it is a big shame to Nigeria that people that come to rule her are people without intelligence and genuine requisite credentials, when we have professors and internationally credible and intelligent personalities everywhere in this country and beyond. Why do we bring a mediocre whose school certificate is still a subject of argument? It is a shame! And it is a pity that 36 years ago, you were there as head of State, after overthrowing (former President Shehu) Shagari, and you are still telling lies about your age? So, I don’t have any alternative than to maintain that Nigeria needs a change. I say it with no equivocation and I am not afraid of anybody.

Do you mean that you would rather risk being arrested than to stop attacking government?

Oh yes, I stand by what I said. But I have never attacked any government. I only speak out against evil. The apostles of old went to jail because they spoke the truth.

Men of God who do not speak out the truth against evil and are compromising, they would end in disaster. Some clerics compromise and refuse to oppose evil and it is both unfortunate and dangerous. God wants to effect change and Nigerians are now clamouring for it. Let the will of God prevail.

But how could anybody wish that the cabals who have been stealing the country’s commonwealth remain in power? Corruption is in high places today; all the money that is being recovered, what has it been used for? There is no accountability in the country and people like Fr Mbaka are talking about Buhari’s achievement, Enugu-Onitsha expressway and south east roads. Let them drive through the roads and they would see that nothing is happening there. People are talking of Niger bridge, what is happening there? How many years will it take to construct the bridge? Let us not deceive our-

•Bishop Chukwuma selves.

But whether anybody likes it or not, it would be the turn of the South East to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.That will not be negotiable, otherwise, this country will be divided. It is not a question of whether the zone votes for Buhari in 2019 or not.

And again, anybody who is coming to take over from Buhari, from the north, in 2019, he should know that he is going to do one term.

Buhari had said he wanted just one term and today he wants to go for second term. It is unfair and we will not tolerate such again.

Let the Yoruba understand and not cause any confusion over 2023 because we shall be ready to fight it out unless they want another civil war. So, let all of us be very careful. Ndigbo should be confident that we shall have our chance in 2023. Enough is enough!

Some people have accused you and Father Mbaka of partisanship for supporting Gburugburu openly; how do you react to that?

Nobody has accused me because Gburugburu is doing well. Enugu is peaceful, salaries are being paid as at when due. Gburugburu has no enemy; he is not a vindictive man. He has no enemy. He has been closing ranks and everybody can attest to that. I am not interested in the PDP or whatever party, I look at personality. Now, tell me, who is that personality among those presently nursing ambition to be governor of Enugu that can do it better than Gburugburu? Governor Ugwuanyi has had an experience in house of representatives, he has chaired so many committees successfully, and he came into office without rancour. And the one that is contesting against him now had contested up to the Supreme Court without proving himself. So, Gburugburu has no threat, no rival as far as I am concerned. For me, if somebody is performing well, why change him. Go to Ebonyi state and see what is hap-

•President Buhari pening there, just as it is in Enugu, Delta and Rivers, among others. They have performed very well and they should be allowed to come back. These are personalities! So, do not think that it is only Enugu or Gburugburu alone that I am supporting. Those governors must come back whether anybody likes it or not, because they have performed well and citizens are pleased with them.

Those are PDP governors…?

Yes, they are but I am talking about personalities and performance. Would you say that any of the governors that I mentioned is not performing? not about people who are being teleguided or tossed about and cannot take own decision. I am supporting those who have done well, as far as southeast is concerned. And whether anybody likes it or not, they must come back because people have seen their worth. You see, the thing is that your antecedents and achievements are what the masses care about and follow.

Our people no longer vote people based on sentiments or party basis but on personality – those that have performed and those that have something to offer the people; people with creditability and integrity?

You were once quoted as threatening to fight whoever that should attempt to plot the removal of Governor Ugwuanyi; do you still stand by that?

I didn’t say I would fight anybody, I said that anybody who attempts to remove the people-oriented governor would see the wrath of God, and that still subsists. How can I fight? It is God who will fight the battle, the battle is his because Gburugburu is man of the masses, the people’s governor. He is governor for both the poor and the rich, and he is godly as well. We don’t want arrogant leaders anymore. There are some people who will get to that seat and they become emperors. They would not respect anybody

and no one would be able to talk to them, even on phone. But these governors that I am talking about are very respectful of elders and religious leaders. They give audience, they do not segregate. And at the same time, they remember the people and care for the poor. For instance, after the recent fire disaster in Enugu, Governor visited the site of the incident, replaced all the vehicles that were gutted by fire and as well donated some reasonable cash to other victims. He is not a selfish man, he attends to all community in the state and gives them money to fund projects of their choice. So, everything is flowing well, and anybody that tries to disrupt the 2019 election in Enugu state or tries to manipulate the results will see the wrath of God. Enugu election must be smooth and credible. What happened in Ekiti and Osun states must not occur in Enugu and the entire Southeast or we will fight it out. Should anybody announce any result that is not the will of the people, in any part of south east, the country will be on fire. Let there be no manipulation of any election in southeast or in Nigeria, because God would get very angry with such individual and His wrath would definitely descend on him.

What is your prayer and wish for Nigeria in 2019?

I prophesy well for Nigeria. Nigeria is a great country that God has blessed us with abundant human and material resources, but plagued by bad governance. We urge all Nigerians to work hard and be prayerful in 2019. Let us work hard to make Nigeria better and great again. Let us shun corruption, inequality, insensitivity and marginalisation of any sort. The poor must be cared for and their poverty alleviated. It is not just about going to the market to share money; there must be a novel means of ensuring that this country has a better way of protecting children against possible future economic woes.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

POLITICS

Abduction that tore Edemaya community apart From Uyo, INI BILLIE writes on the unfolding drama surrounding the reported abduction of a youth leader and PDP supporter, Emmanuel Sunday Ekpuk, allegedly by APC youths allegedly acting on behalf APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nsima Ekere. The correspondent reports that if the brutalities to which Ekpuk was allegedly subjected are any indication, then the forthcoming election in the Land of Promise may, indeed, be problematic

T

he abduction, last Friday, of a popular youth leader in Edemaya, hometown of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nsima Ekere, has thrown the otherwise peaceful community into panic, especially as the 2019 general elections are few weeks away.

Tongues are still wagging in the community as to why the unfortunate incident that almost cost its victim identified as Emmanuel Sunday Ekpuk, alias ‘Young King’ his life, happened in the first place.

The victim (Ekpuk) who was taken to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for treatment after he was rescued by men of the Nigeria Police from Ikot Abasi Local Government Headquarters, narrated his ordeal in the hands of his captors.

Soaked in blood with bruises all over his head and parts of his body, Ekpuk said his attackers stormed his residence in Ikot Okpok, one of the 23 villages that make up Edemaya clan, at about 8am that fateful Friday in a convoy of four cars and over 30 motorcycles, and started shooting sporadically into the air to scare away the villagers. In the ensuing melee, he said, he was captured and driven away inside the booth of one of the cars.

And then, to further buttress the fact that the incident was politically-motivated, the victim was taken to some locations where he was thoroughly brutalised before he was finally dropped off at the family compound of the APC governorship candidate in Ikot Oboroenyin, also in Edemaya, where he was reportedly interrogated by Chief G. S. Ekere, the patriarch of the family.

It was at that point that a team of the Nigeria Police from the Ikot Abasi Local Government Headquarters, who had been alerted by concerned members of the public, intervened and rescued the victim who was then taken to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

There they were joined by another team from the state Anti-Kidnapping Squad, who later relocated the victim to the Police Hospital at the Force Headquarters in the state in Ikot Akpan Abia for further medical attention and interrogations.

However, at the unit (Anti-Kidnapping Squad), the victim was told he had some questions to answer as some people had lodged complaints against him and it took the intervention of the House Member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Uduak Odudoh to get the victim out of further trouble, otherwise the victim-turned accused would be cooling his heels inside the detention facilities of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

The House Member’s argument was that given the health status of the victim at that point, especially given the amount of blood he had lost, clamping him into detention would amount to sending him to early grave.

Funny enough, in addition to whatever allegation that had been levelled against the victim, part is that he was in the habit of tearing APC face caps and T-shirts wherever he comes across those wearing same. But Ekpuk maintained that he had only torn two of such face-caps which he did out of anger after some APC youths tore his large-sized flex materials he had produced to promote his

•Ekpuk favourite PDP candidates ranging from Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential flag-bearer, his proposed Vice President, Peter Obi, Member who would represent his constituency in the House of Representatives and his governor, Udom Emmanuel, amongst others.

Though all efforts to reach either the APC governorship flag-bear Nsima Ekere or his

father who is more directly at the centre of the storm for their response to the incident failed, however feelers from the Edemaya community point to the fact that the APC in the community is becoming jittery following Ekpuk’s growing clout among the youths and as such poses a threat to the party’s interest in the forth-coming elections, particularly the governorship election. Otherwise, as many are asking, why was Ekere’s family home the destination of the abductors?

It would be recalled that APC was recently hit by a wave of mass defections when hundreds of youths dumped the party for the PDP in that same community.

Whatever the petitioned motive was, both the immediate village of the victim and the PDP family in the state have risen in stout defence of the victim, contending that even if he has had any questions to answer with the Police, there are clear constitutional paths to follow.

So far, a firm of solicitors has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police over the incident, which it described as ‘attempted murder’, calling on the police authorities to, amongst others, investigate the source of arms brandished by the youths and ensure that justice is done, by bringing the perpetrators to justice.

For now, uneasy calm envelopes the community, especially as the 2019 elections draw close, against the backdrop of desperate politicians and an earlier threat to replicate the Warsaw tragedy in the state during the elections.

Whatever it is, the last has certainly not been heard of the unfolding story.

2019: Why Enugu needs Senator Ayogu Eze - Reps candidate As the 2019 governorship election in Enugu State draws nearer, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for election into the of seat of Igboeze/North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Kentus Okechukwu Eze has described his candidacy as “divinely-given”, noting that given the calibre of candidates that aPC has fielded for the February and march 2019 general elections in Enugu State, with Senator Ayogu Eze, the governorship candidate, as the head of the team, Enugu State is in for the best this time around. Explaining why Ndi Enugu should pitch their tent with Senator Eze at the polls for him to take over the Lion Building, Hon. Eze also spoke on his plans for Udenu/Igbo-Eze North if given the mandate to represent the constituency in the House Representatives come June next year.

Told that, considering the calibre of politicians in Igbo-Eze North, his emergence as the candidate for the House Representatives on the platform of the APC surprised political observers and pundits, he said: “Well, there is an Igbo saying that the leg that moves fast is subject to the eye that moves fast too because the fast eye will always catch the movement of the fast leg.

We have an army of politicians in the system of whom I am one and coming from the grassroots axis and from the youth segment of the society, I believe people know who I am and what I do for a living. I believe that people are watching me, so I can say that the feat of winning the ticket to stand for APC in the House of Representatives election for the seat of Udenu- Igbo-Eze North in National Assembly is consequent upon the fact that the people of my Constituency who know me very well and who believe in APC found me worthy of standing for the election. Certain things played out in my favour. That is the way I look at it. I am most grateful to our leader and the governorship candidate of our great party, APC in Enugu, Senator Ayogu Eze who rallied support for my victory during the primary election.”

• Promises good time for Igboeze/Udenu THEO RAYS spoke with the youthful APC House of Reps candidate for Udenu/ Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency in Enugu State, Hon. Kentus Eze, a lawyer and former highly acclaimed Supervisory Councillor for Works in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu’s third largest local council, who promises to “set the Federal Constituency aglow again” even as he explains why Senator Ayogu Eze, the APC governorship candidate for Enugu State is “the best person for the Lion Building” at this point in time.

•Hon Kentus Okechukwu Eze On the impression that his opponent, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is parading long political experience which apparently gives him an edge over him and that he has the support of the major stakeholders in the system such as the two serving local government chairmen of IgboEze North and Udenu, councillors, government appointees ex this and ex that in PDP, he was asked to assess his preparedness to deal with such seeming huge support for his opponent.

“Let me start with the issue of political experience,” Hon. Eze, who is also a successful businessman, began. “None of us has been a legislator before now, so whoever wins the election is going to be a legislator for the first time; so how does his or my experience count or affect the race? The answer is that none of us can be judged by experience in terms of legislation because we have not served in any legislative house. On the issue of support from the stakeholders, I also disagree with that because those stakeholders don’t have the support of the electorate because of their records of poor performance.

Like I told you earlier on, I am coming from the grassroots and from the youth segment and I can assure you that there is no impact of the Local government system on the rural dwellers, the youth and the people at all levels under PDP in Udenu- Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency in particular and Enugu State in general and that is why the good people of the State have decided to pitch their tent with APC; that is why they want Ayogu Eze to take over the Lion Building.

The support we have in APC, the support accorded to our governorship candidate in all parts of Enugu State is a clear evidence that the people have rejected PDP in the State.

So, I am not afraid of the so-called stakeholders because the people have ejected their platform on account of poor performance.”

Again, he is asked to compare his on-thejob experience and exposure vis-a-viz his op-

ponent and how that stands him in a good stead to win the election. Before now, he was reminded, he had only served as the Supervisory Councillor in the local government, so what exposure and capacity is he taking to the Federal House if elected?

“I am an international businessman and have travelled far and wide from Enugu to Lagos, Abuja to China and all that,” he declared. “When you are exposed to the business you take things up from there. For the fact that I have interest in politics and politicking, I have taken the advantage of my international exposure in business to build contacts, make good connections across board and that gives me the conviction that I have enough capacity to serve at any level I find myself. Having said this I can assure you that I am going to the Federal House with all it takes to be there and to give my country service and my Constituents quality representation.

Asked what his plans are for the federal constituency against the backdrop of the impression that the person he is going to replace, Hon. Dennis Agbo has done well in the House; does he plan to do better if elected.

He said: “I promise to bring good time for the people of my constituency if they give me their mandate. I will ensure an all-inclusive representation. I will use my contacts to attract jobs for the youth, which is my primary constituency. I will collaborate with colleagues and like-minds to initiate pro-people bills and motions in line with the manifesto of APC aimed at moving Nigeria to the next level. I will also work hard to attract dividends of democracy in the area of education, health and water, using the instrumentalities of the budget and other available avenues. I am going to initiate scholarship scheme for indigent students and also empower the women who are the bedrock of the society.

Women have long been neglected and that is impacting negatively on the society. Why I talk about women is to show my preparedness to carry everybody along in an all inclusive representation.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS Ebonyi to host ‘Operation Egwu Eke 111’ in S’East Zone -- Army

By VICTOR NZE

G

eneral Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Maikobi has informed the Governor of Ebonyi, Engineer David Umahi that the state has been selected as the location for the Step Up Headquarters for the new military operation, tagged; ‘Exercise EGWU EKE 111’ in the South East Zone.

Maikobi who disclosed this, weekend, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Ebonyi Government House in Abakaliki, also told the governor that the military exercise was flagged off in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“I am here to formally inform you I have taken over as the GOC 82 Division. I am also mandated by the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to inform you as the Chief Security Officer of the State, that Exercise EGWU EKE 111 was flagged off in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The Exercise is scheduled to take place from 1 January to 28 February 2019 and is to be conducted simultaneously across the nation to check criminals and criminality before, during and after the forthcoming elections”, he added.

The GOC further informed the Ebonyi State chief executive that the headquarters for the exercise in the South East Zone is sited at the 4 Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant Reserve Depot in Abakaliki.

“We have since taken over the site, work is at the final stage and we intend to invite you to Flagg off the Exercise soon”.

He used the opportunity of the visit to assure Umahi and the people of Ebonyi State that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai will remain neutral, professional, totally apolitical and will not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise.

Responding, Governor Umahi thanked the COAS for his support to the government and the people of Ebonyi State in the area of security and for the selection of Ebonyi State as the Step Up Headquarters for the Exercise.

“Despite the fact that Ebonyi State is relatively peaceful, the presence of this Exercise will further increase the level of security and I urge you to ensure that your personnel should not in any way harass/maltreat innocent civilians in line with the advocacy/ postulation of the COAS,” Umahi said.

The Commander 82 Division Provost Group, Commanding Officer 24 Support Engineer Regiment Abakaliki and Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division among others, accompanied the GOC during the visit.

• Gov. Umahi

Enugu: INEC distributes 405,000 PVCs in 260 wards

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has concluded arrangements to move its staff to the 260 wards in Enugu State to distribute 405,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“We are going to move over 500 personnel, comprising 400 staff and over 40 corps members to these wards,’’ the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said in Enugu on Tuesday.

Ononamadu said that the direct distribution in wards would commence on Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and last for six days.

He said that with the co-operation of the electorate, it is expected that the state would have 1.9 million PVC holders and potential voters at the end of the latest PVC distribution.

The REC explained that the exercise became necessary to get the uncollected PVCs closer to the people.

“INEC will also do statewide sensitisation towards the weekend. We will engage town criers and mobile public address system in each community and council areas to reach the people.

“We have discussed with tradi-

tional rulers on this so that they also help in mobilising their subjects to come out en masse to collect their PVCs. “On our own part, we have made adequate security arrangements to protect our staff and the PVCs during the exercise.”

Ononamadu said that the PVCs would not be collected by proxy, stressing that each person must collect his or her card in person.

On the recent official published INEC register handed over to , the REC said that it was promised fulfilled by the commission.

He noted that INEC had kept faith with its commitment to Nigerians by following religiously the electoral time-table, citing the official handing over of the voters’ register to the national chairmen of the 91 political parties.

He further explained that the national chairmen of the various political parties were expected to make it available to their various chairmen at the state, zonal, council and ward levels.

“This shows INEC’s readiness for a successful, hitch-free and credible election,” Ononamadu said.

‘I prioritize giving to my people’ – Ezenwankwo

By Oge Onyeanusi, Nnewi

A

• Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his wife, Dame Edith (right); Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left) and former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Flag Off, at Oghara Township Stadium, Delta State

Akpugo people endorse Ugwuanyi for second term

T

he people of Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State comprising 12 autonomous communities have unanimously endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office.

Rising from a well-attended meeting of the leadership of the town union of the autonomous communities, constituent villages, major markets and all the kindred families, the Akpugo people commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership style and giant development strides across the state, especially in their area.

The people applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for the construction of Ndiagu-Akpugo road, which they noted was the first state government’s road project in their land. They also lauded the governor for the rehabilitation of Ameze Water Scheme and appointments of their sons and daughters into sensitive positions, such as Commissioner, Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, and Executive Secretary of Local Government Pensions Board, among other appointments too numerous to mention.

Moving the motion for the endorsement, a former Federal Commissioner with the Public Complaints Commission, Hon Afam Nnaji, after highlighting the good works of the governor, his penchant for peace

and special love for the people of Nkanuland, stated that his reelection “will ensure continuity and consolidation of the developmental strides and positive economic expansion of the state”.

He also moved for the endorsement of the candidature of their son, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji for Nkanu West/East Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as other candidates of the Party in the Senatorial District.

Seconding the motion, the President General of Ndiuno Uwani Autonomous Community, Chief Moses Aniemeka, opined that “the unparalleled peace that exists in Enugu State needs to continue”, stressing that “this cannot happen if the Governor is not reelected in office”.

Consequently, the meeting adopted the motion as moved and unanimously endorsed the re-election of Gov. Ugwuanyi and the election of their son, Chief Nnaji and other PDP candidates, including Senator Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu.

In his remark, the Royal father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Igwe John Ideyi, prayed fervently for the unity and Progress of Akpugo and for God to grant of the people their wish for Gov. Ugwuanyi, Hon. Nnaji and other PDP candidates at the polls.

Speaking earlier, while welcoming

participants, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, an illustrious son of the town, Hon. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, explained that the essence of the gathering was to bring the leaders of the people together in unity, to continue to forge a common front for socio-political and economic development of their area in particular and the state in general.

Hon. Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the people for their unceasing prayers, solidarity, goodwill and support for Gov. Ugwuanyi and the emergence of their illustrious son, Hon. Nnaji as the PDP candidate for Nkanu West/ East Federal Constituency, and solicited more support for their landslide victory at the forthcoming general election.

Also speaking, Hon. Nnaji while thanking the governor for his love for Akpugo, called on the people to “imbibe the spirit of love for one another to move Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA and Enugu State forward”. He promised that if elected he will give them quality representation.

An elder statesman and the Deputy President General, Ihunekwagu Autonomous Community, Chief Paul Igweshi, thanked the participants and the entire people of Akpugo for their cooperation and sense of direction towards the progress of the area and the state.

ll Progressives Grand Alliance chieftain, and House of Representatives candidate for Orumba North and South Federal Constituency in the 2019 General election, Chief Dr Ezenwankwo Okwudili (Ikemba Orumba), has declared that he ‘does not calculate what it costs him when he gives back to his people.’

Chief Ezenwankwo disclosed this to journalists during the 12th Anniversary of Okwudili Ezenwankwo foundation of its youth empowerment and poverty alleviation programme held at his country home in Nnaka..

The event started with members of various age grades, competing at Holy Trinity Parish field Nkwo Agu Nanka, before moving to Oka Agbiligba Hall for the empowerment and poverty alleviation program.

The high point of the event was distribution of over 1000 bags of rice, 1000 pairs of sandals, 500 wrappers, 350 cartons of Noodles, 24 deep freezers, 15 motorcycles, and cash to widows, less privileged and party members drawn from all the wards in Orumba North and South Federal Constituency members of his constituency.

“When giving back to my people, i don’t calculate what I put in because there are certain things that were given to the people just to improve their social status, to support their businesses and also funds given to some people to ameliorate the sufferings of our people out of poverty which is killing the fabric of our society,” Ezenwankwo said.

Ezenwankwo who recounted that the foundation over the years has built 8 houses, sank boreholes, built a civic centre, renovated existing civic centre, has given scholarships to over 200 youths, and provided succour to over 1000 widows, stressed that the reason his foundation will continue to grow from strength to strength, is because it is grassroots oriented which will help touch more lives, at the grassroots said.

He assured them of the dividends of democracy based on the fact that he has the capacity and what it takes to deliver the dividends of democracy in Orumba North & South.

“We should all keep working together and I can only do better, we should continue energizing, to move Orumba & South Constituency forward.”

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS Extra Stop commercializing prophesies -- Catholic Chancellor warns clerics From Chuks Collins, Awka

C

No division in South-East PDP -- Obi

V

ice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi, says there is no division in the party in the South-East geo-political zone.

Obi said this on Sunday in Awka, while addressing party faithful at an interdenominational church service and reception organised in his honour by the Anambra state chapter of the party.

He described the rumour that the PDP leaders in the zone were working against the party’s interest in

the upcoming polls as false.

He said that members of the party in the zone remained one family and were working hard to ensure its victory at the polls.

“Let me tell you all, PDP in the South-East is working as one family and when the votes are turned in, you will all see it. We are working as one family,” the former Anambra state governor said.

He said that PDP’s victory at the polls would further guarantee the survival of Nigeria and give the

youths a better future.

He assured the people that the second Niger Bridge and the federal roads in the zone would be fixed

by PDP within six months of its assumption of office.

Obi, who was at the event with his wife, Margaret, commended the people of the state for the warm reception accorded him.

He said that his mission was to assist the party’s Presidential Candidate, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, to restore sanity in the

hancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Very Rev Fr(Dr) Hyginus Aghaulor has warned against what he saw as the growing commercialization of prophesies by some Christian leaders, noting that the calling into priesthood is not for money making or popularity contest but for salvation of souls.

Rev Fr Aghaulor who was interacting with journalists during a thanksgiving service in commemoration of his 25th anniversary of priesthood ordination at Azia in Ihiala council of Anambra State on the involvement of some priests in politics, acknowledged that man by nature is a political animal including priests, but cautioned that priests should not be partisan because people their parishioners belong to different political parties, hence he should be father to all and sundry always.

Rev Fr Aghaulor who is also the secretary of the Diocese is said to have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Church, humanity, especially the parishioners and the nation through his approach of making people discover their individual God-given talents and use same positively for the good of the society.

While fielding questions by journalists during the medical outreach, Fr Aghaulor said God has been so good to him noting that some priests often complain of one thing or the other but that he has nothing to complain about than thanking God always.

He said the scholarship and the medical outreach schemes were part of his own way of giving back to the soci- • President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received the youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its Acting National ety other than prayers and giving them President, Dr Kingsley Dozie, at the State House, Abuja, Friday sacrament. He noted that he told his friends who wanted to give him expensive gifts for his priesthood anniversary to convert same to the medical and scholarship empowerment programs /H DisCo, 3 others exceed 50% terprises (BPE) envisaged deploy- on delayed connection.

It said metering and billing still for the less privileged. metering of consumers in Q2, ments of 1,640,411 per annum, that “I decided to do this because I know 2018 is quarterly average of 410,103, only dominate the customer complaints, there are very many people who canNigerian Electricity Regulatory 113,126 meters were installed by Dis- resulting in 68 per cent of the total not continue their education not be- Commission (NERC), says only four Cos during the [eriod under review.’’ complaints received during the pecause they are not bright enough but out 11 Electricity Distribution CompaIt listed the metering status of riod under review. because they are handicapped finan- nies (DisCos) in the country have me- electricity customers by DisCos in “This implies that on average, cially, the same is applicable to many tered up to 50 per cent of customers the quarter to include: Kano 20 per about 1,152 customers complained indigent people who are gambling under their franchise areas. cent, Yola 21 per cent, Kaduna 28 per about metering and billing per day. with their health just because they can“Another issue of serious concern NERC in its 2018 second quarter cent, Jos 35 per cent. Enugu 35 per not buy cards in the hospital not to talk report published on its website also is service interruption, accounting cent. about the Medicare bill.

Others are, Ibadan 43 per cent, for 14 per cent of the total customer “We decided to give hope to hope- revealed that only about 45 per cent complaints received.’’ less because we know that all is not out of the total 7,476,856 registered Ikeja 49 per cent, Eko 50 per cent, It said at the end of the quarter uncustomers had been metered by the Abuja 54 per cent, Benin 64 per cent, lost, most of the drugs that are adminder review, the commission had es11 DisCos. and Port-Harcourt 68 per cent reistered to the people were imported tablished 25 forum offices across the “It is evident that only four DisCos, spectively. from USA. I thank God for doctors, On customers complaints, NERC country for effective adjudication of nurses, pharmacists and other profes- namely Abuja, Benin, Eko and Portsionals in the medical world who decid- Harcourt have metered not less than said DisCos nationwide received a customer complaints.

On market remittance, NERC said ed to partner with us on this program 50 per cent of their registered cus- total of 153,227 complaints as against aimed at alleviating the suffering of tomers as at the end of the second 108,871 complaints received in the the liquidity challenge in the Nigerian electricity supply industry continued quarter of 2018.’’ first quarter of 2018. downtrodden”., he revealed.

According to NERC, of the total The parish priest of Mary The Queen It said the proportion of the num- to manifest during the period under Catholic Church, Azia in Ihiala Council 7,973,867,registered active electric- ber of complaints resolved by DisCos review.

This it said was evidenced in the area of Anambra state, Rev Fr Ugo- ity customers, only 3,547,129 have reduced to 61.2 per cent from the chukwu Solomon Chukwuma dropped been metered.

66.9 per cent recorded in the first DisCos’ level of remittances of electricity invoice for energy received to the commendation at the flag off free NERC said 55.5 per cent of end-use quarter medical outreach organized by Rev customers were still on estimated “Benin DisCo had the highest num- the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader Aghaulor at Azia as key part of week- billing methodology. ber of complaints followed by Ikeja (NBET) and the Market Operato long activities to mark his twenty-five It said in comparison to the pre- DisCo, on the other hand, Yola DisCo (MO). years anniversary of priesthood. He ceding quarter, the number of reg- recorded the lowest number of com“During the second quarter of noted that the celebrant has charity istered customers increased by 9.32 plaints.

2018, the DisCos were issued a total in his heart reason he was using the per cent, while the metered custom“Yola, Kano, Jos and Abuja Dis- invoice of N161.4billion for energy avenue of his priesthood anniversary ers increased by 3.3 per cent.

Cos, recorded a higher rate of over received from NBET and for the adthanksgiving to help the poor and NERC said the increase in regis- 90 per cent of complaints resolved, ministrative services by MO. needy.

“But only a sum of N53.7 billion of tered customer population was as a reflecting better performance in A resident doctor at the Chukwuethe invoice was settled, creating a result of the ongoing customer enudealing with customer complaints meka Odumegwu Ojukwu University compared to other distribution com- total deficit of N107.7 billion.’’

Teaching Hospital, Awka, who led the meration exercise by DisCos. It said a comparative analysis of The commission said the exercise panies.’’ medical team, Sis (Dr) Asompta Mary The Commission said the customer market performance by DisCos in Ikenna noted that most beneficiaries had helped DisCos to properly regpresented mainly malaria, hyperten- ister individuals who have previously complaints centered on service in- the second quarter of 2018 indicated sion, malnutrition, eye problems, dia- consumed electricity through illegal terruption, poor voltage, load shed- an overall settlement rate of only 30 ding, metering, estimated billing, per cent of the market invoice. betics, arthritis, and upper respiratory connection to the networks.

According to NERC, none of the It, however, said in spite of growth disconnection, delayed connection, infection. She urged regular medical DisCos exceeded a threshold settlechecks to be able to nip any untoward inthe number of metered customer among others. total meters deployed by DisCos development early.

“Majority of the DisCos received ment of 50 per cent of its market inA beneficiary, Pa Boniface Onyejek- during the quarter was significantly huge number of complaints on each voices in the quarter.

It said Jos DisCo recorded the we, 99years old and native of Abam lower than the expected quarterly of the afore-mentioned key issues.’’ village in Azia commended Aghaulor, metering deployment under the perNERC however said Jos and Kano worst remittance performance of admitting he had never experienced formance agreement.

DisCos received just one complaint 10 per cent, adding that the comany free quality medical treatment un“Whereas the performance agree- each on load shedding, while Jos and mission was presently reviewing the til now. ment with the Bureau of Public En- Yola DisCos had one complaint each viability of the DisCO as a going concern.

ACPN chieftain endorses Atiku/Obi ticket

P

country.

He promised that they would jointly work to re-create a country “where unemployment will be tackled, jobs created, infrastructure provided and the economy rebuilt.”

Earlier, the state chairman of PDP, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, urged Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress for failing to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians.

Nwobu said: “They promised to make the naira one to a dollar, reduce the cost of food items and stop the importation of refined petroleum products, but none of those promises were delivered.”

Highlights of the event included the defection of some politicians in the state, together with their teeming supporters, to the PDP. Prominent among the defectors were Mr Godwin Ezeemo, the former governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, and Yul Edochie, a Nollywood actor and former governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) in the state.

A former factional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Mr Hygers Igwebuike, also defected to PDP.

Enugu Govt. introduces `kick-off test’ for students

E

nugu State Ministry of Education has introduced `kick-off test’ to stimulate pupils and students to attend classes early at beginning of each school term.

Prof. Uche Eze, the state’s Commissioner for Education who disclosed this Tuesday in Enugu, noted that the test would enable teachers to start their classes early as well as ensure that the state’s academic calendar would be followed religiously without any delay.

According to him, the test will be done within the first week in each new school term after few days from the first day of resumption.

“Yesterday, being Monday and today, I and other teams from the ministry had gone round schools in the state to ensure that academic activities kick-off in earnest. Yesterday, we advised teachers and their heads to embark on thorough sanitation of their school premises, while study commences today.

Most of them had complied.

“We have also told the headteachers and principals to introduce `kick-off test’ in every class each new term. These will act as a push for the pupils and students to see the need and urgency to start attending classes from day one,’’ he said.

According to him, the Ministry and its Parastatals will strengthen and improve its supervision and monitoring of schools to ensure that academic time-table and subject topics are covered properly.

“I will also appeal to our teachers to put in their best since the state government does not owe them.

The government is also doing everything within its limited resources to make them happy and comfortable in their jobs,’’ he added.

There was poor turnout of pupils and students of primary and post primary schools on resumption after the yuletide holidays.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

•Tourism

2019: Economy casts contraction shadow TotalstreamsEginaFPSO, Energy

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

B

•Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma

statutory transfers.

Recurrent expenditure in the fiscal year, according to the budget, will channel funds mainly to payment of salaries and overheads in Ministries providing critical public services. Ministry of Interior gets N569.07 billion; Defence N435.62 billion; Education N462.24 billion; and Health N315.62 billion. Personnel costs gulp N2.29 trillion or nearly 40 percent of projected revenues.

The Oracle Today reports that the N8.83 trillion budget proposal for 2019 points directly towards low capital spending in the year during which fallouts from keenly political contest in the first quarter will inevitably lead to activity freeze in the key sectors of the economy.

Rapid growth deceleration which sharply indicated in 2018, according to analyst who spoke to The Oracle Today on 2019 business outlook, will worsen in the new year if the government runs with the current budget which maps out only 23 percent or N2.031 trillion of the total revenue projection for capital spend.

Whereas the paltry provision for capital expenditure is bad enough, whopping N2.14 trillion or 24 percent to the total budget will exit into creditors’ pockets to service debts incurred by the government.

A breakdown of the budget shows

CBN Exchange Rates JANUARY 8, 2019 Currency

Buying(NGN)

US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL S/A RAND

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

305.9 390.359 350.0414 311.5071 2.824 0.5102 423.8433 44.6306 81.5516 21.9967

that proposed templates that form revenue assumptions also host contestable figures that differ from concrete market realities. The budget was prepared on the assumption of $60 per barrel with crude oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N305 to $1. Other assumptions include a real GDP growth of 3.01 per cent and inflation rate of 9.98 per cent.

According to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, all the projections and performance targets in the 2018 financial year were already missed by third quarter of the year.

According to him, projected GDP growth rate of 3.5 percent in the year only reached 1.81 percent instead of 2.625 percent by the end of third quarter; oil production target of 2.3 million barrels per day (mbd) projection achieved only 1.95 mbd in the period; the Naira depreciated by 95 kobo at the government’s official exchange rate; revenue target of N5.38 trillion only achieved N2.84 trillion; while targeted prorata expenditure N6.84 trillion only reached N4.49 trillion in the period.

“The overall revenue performance is only 53 percent of the target in the 2018 budget largely because of some one off items such as the N710 billion from oil joint venture asset restruc-

activates tie-back developments

P20 e-Platform

Nigeria’s telecoms services users hit 169.1m P22

Travel

Marriott’s data breach tops 2018 P26

Insurance

2019: Year of policy uncertainties P28 Equity & Capital Market

SEC introduces multiple initiatives to boost investors’ confidence – Uduk P30 Money Market

Agent banking to get more relevant in 2019 P31

•Cont’d on Pg 21

USINESS planners in Nigeria must brace for acute fiscal crisis in the year following visible income gaps and projection misalignments in the calculations that form basis for the N8.83 trillion 2019 federal budget.

From crude oil production figures and price benchmarks that deviate from the prevailing trends in the petroleum industry, through inflation projections, to rising debt liabilities, concerns are high that the budget may not muster adequate momentum to propel improvement from prevailing economic doldrums.

According to a presentation made

by President Buhari to provide public view into the economic plan of the government in the year, total revenue is projected at N6.97 trillion, down by 3.0 percent from N7.17 trillion in 2018.

Of the amount, oil revenue is projected at N3.73 trillion while non-oil revenue is estimated at N1.39 trillion.

“The estimate for non-oil revenue consists of N799.52 billion from Companies Income Tax (CIT), N229.34 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duties of N302.55 billion. We have reduced our expectation from Independent Revenues to N624.58 billion. Other revenues expected in 2019 include various recoveries of N203.38 billion, N710 billion as proceeds from the restructuring of government’s equity in Joint Ventures and other sundry incomes of N104.11 billion.” The president said.

On the expenditure side, a total of N8.83 trillion is estimated for 2019, including grants and donor funds of N209.92 billion.

The 2019 budget, he said, is less than the final N9.12 trillion appropriated expenditure for 2018 passed by the National Assembly but higher than the N8.6 trillion originally proposed to the legislature.

The budget deficit is projected to decrease to N1.86 trillion or 1.3 percent of GDP in 2019 from N1.95 trillion projected for 2018 as government works to reduce deficit and borrowings.

Spending distribution of the proposed N8.83 trillion, according to the budget, comprises recurrent expenditure of N4.04 trillion; debt service of N2.14 trillion; statutory transfers of about N492.36 billion; sinking fund of N120 billion to retire maturing bond to local contractors.

Capital expenditure of N2.031 trillion proposed in the budget is to include capital supplementation but excluding the capital component of

turing are yet to be actualized and have been rolled over to 2019.”

He stated in a presentation detailing the summary of 2018 budget performance and assumptions for the 2019 budget that all revenue projections overperformed in 2018 with oil revenue hitting 101 percent at the end of third quarter 2018.

Despite the revenue surge indicated in the presentation, he declared that funding release by the end of third quarter was only N4.59 trillion 67 percent of the prorated N6.84 trillion.

Senator Udoma stated that release of funds for capital projects suffered most with only N820.57 billion released by December 14, 2018. He explained that capital releases commenced only after the budget was signed in June 2018.

“The implementation of the 2018 capital budget will continue in 2019 until the 2019 budget is passed into law,” he stressed.

Despite the explanations by the minister, concerns are high over the performance of the 2019 budget as it hosts spillover from 2018 performance deficits amidst growing government borrowings, general investment flight, rising unemployment and poverty figures.

According to Senator Udoma, government debts will inevitably grow in 2019 plug income gaps in the budget.

The only difference, he points out, is that government will be borrowing less and with the limits of the Fiscal Responsibilities Act 2007.

“Overall budget deficit of N1.859 trillion in 2019 represents 1.33% of GDP. Projected deficit within threshold stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.

“Budget deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowing N1.649 trillion,” he said, explaining that domestic sources would account for N824.82 billion while foreign sources would provide N824.82 billion.

The borrowing pattern, according to him, represents a gradual shift away from commercial to more concessionary financing.

According to data from the Debt management office, Nigeria’s external and domestic debt stood $73.213 billion, or N22.4trillion, by September 2018. The figures indicate a rising trend in the volume of domestic debt from N15.629 trillion or 69.83 percent in June to N15.814 trillion or 70.51 percent as at September 30, 2018.

Foreign debt stood at $21.592 billion by September after government

306.4 390.997 350.6135 312.0163 2.8287 0.5202 424.5361 44.704 81.6849 22.0327

306.9 391.6351 351.1857 312.5255 2.8333 0.5302 425.2289 44.7774 81.8182 22.0687

Stock Market Highlights As At 8TH JANUARY, 2019

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

30,036.15 4,508.00 216,248,805.00 N2,669,490,424.07 N11,200,751,208,779.20 N10,152,509,471,809.20 N6,096,908,130.37

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close OKOMUOIL N77.6 NB N78.5 WAPCO N11.35 JBERGER N23.3 UBN N5.8

5 Top Losers

S/N Coy (By Volume) Value(N) ZENITHBANK 32,840,318 N679,772,675.65 FBNH 27,462,814 N199,303,060.10 TRANSCORP 26,365,656 N31,154,134.60 GUARANTY 18,688,691 N608,010,742.55 DIAMONDBNK 14,908,239 N28,221,986.56

FO PRESCO GUARANTY FLOURMILL ZENITHBANK

N28.85 N64 N33.85 N19.7 N21.3

Current Change %Change N83.75 6.15 7.93% N78.9 0.4 0.51% N11.7 0.35 3.08% N23.5 0.2 0.86% N6 0.2 3.45% N26.55 N62 N32 N18 N20.3

-2.3 -2 -1.85 -1.7 -1

-7.97% -3.13% -5.47% -8.63% -4.69%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

BUSINESS

Nigeria’s external reserves drop 9.92% from peak level

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

N

EW data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows that the nation’s external reserves rose by $4.35 billion or 11.22 percent at the end of the year 2018 on December 31.

Nigeria’s reserves climbed from $38.765 billion on December 29, 2017, to N43.116 billion at the end of December 2018, despite sliding by $168.868 million, or 0.39 percent from $43.285 billion on December 24 to $43.116 billion a week later.

The year-end level could have been much more robust, but for the $4.748 billion, or 9.92 percent decline from $4.765 billion peak attained on May 10, 2018.

Month-on-Month, the reserves level increased by $949.682 million, or 2.25 percent from $42.167 billion on November 30, to $43.116 billion on December 30, 2018, while shedding $4.748 billion or 9.93 percent from its peak level of $47.865 billion on May 10, 2018.

The decline in reserves level over several months, despite the robust rise in crude oil, the nation’s mainstay and the relative peace in the oil-rich Niger-Delta region was explained by Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the CBN. In his personal statement at the November 2018 meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Emefiele blamed the declining reserves on the the rising yields in the U.S and the concomitant capital flow reversals, which he noted, remains a threat to exchange rate, and inflation.

“This is further exacerbated by the anticipated fiscal and political

spending over the next few months and its prospective impact on inflations expectations. While the cyclical recovery of Nigerian economy is still fragile, it is important that inflation expectations are adequately anchored.

“As oil prices begin to soften, the expected cushion from oil receipts for FX reserves and exchange rate looks to be weakening,” he added, stressing the critically importance of protecting the economy from oil related volatilities.

Also, addressing journalists at the end o the World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia in October, Emefiele it followed a conscious decision of the apex bank to defend the Naira against international currencies, using the nation’s reserves pool.

This, he said, is a preferred route, rather than continually building the reserves and allowing the Naira’s free-float.

According to him, while not losing sight of the need to build buffers “I must say that we are in the period where it will be difficult to talk about building reserve buffers.

“We can only build reserve buffers if we want to hold on to the reserves and then allow the currency to go, and wherever it goes is something else.

“So, it is a choice we have to make and at this time, the choice for Nigeria is to maintain a stable exchange rate so that businesses can plan and we do not create problems in the banking system,” he added He spoke against the backdrop of the warning by the IMF for Nigeria to be cautious about the use of its foreign exchange reserves, as oil prices could decline at any time.

•General Secretary, Lagos State Chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Thelma Okoh; Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Olusegun McMedal; Lead Consultant, P+ Measurement Services, Philip Odiakose; and Chief Operating Officer, P+ Measurement Services, Olufunke Mohammed during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marking P+ Measurement Services as the Official Media Monitoring and Evaluation Partner for the Chapter held in Lagos.

MAN sees Naira depreciating further in 2019

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

may be largely due to the impending dilution of existing shareholders.

As part of the terms and conditions for the proposed merger, Access Bank will be issuing 6.62 billion new shares to Diamond bank shareholders. Access bank currently has 28.8 billion shares issued.

The outstanding shares would go up further following the conclusion of a planned rights issue. The bank intends to raise N75 billion through a rights issue. At the current price, this would mean that roughly 12 billion new shares would be issued.

Access Bank could also decide to lower its dividend payment for the 2018 financial year, in a bid to conserve capital.

In the previous year (2017), a total of 65 kobo was paid as a dividend,

comprising 25 kobo as interim, and a final dividend of 40 kobo. The bank paid an interim dividend of 25 kobo on September 21, 2018.

An increased number of shares in issue, meaning that the bank’s earnings per share and dividend payment could drop.

The implication of this development is that if the stock continues to decline, the bank may be forced to review the terms it has offered Diamond Bank shareholders. It would either have to issue a larger number of additional shares, or a bigger cash payment.

As at December 13, 2018, when the deal appears to have been struck, Access Bank was trading at N7.45.

The stock is thus down 28.4 percent from the deal date.

The body says: “There is the need to properly align the assumptions of the budget with economic realities. No doubt, some of the provisions of the budget would be very important in supporting economic activities in the coming year. The huge emphasis on infrastructure development, especially power, road and rail is encouraging.

However, as more development on the budget unfolds, it will be easier to understand why the budget fell short of 2018 figures, notwithstanding the improvements in the global and Nigerian economy”.

It noted, however, that the budget at it stands, suggests that a lot of works still need to be done while hoping that it will be passed with dispatch, adding that in broad terms, the manufacturing sector could be in for a tough operating environment in 2019, seeing that the needed supporting policies and infrastructure have not been given sufficient priority.

“Technically, from the observed trends in the Nigerian budget cycle, the 2019 budget proposal might undergo late passage and the resultant negative effect on the overall economic ambience of the country might be colossal for an economy whose current growth rate is still fragile”, the Association stressed.

It said in the course of the year, development in the global scene such as increasing interest rates across large developed markets and tightening commodity markets would likely contract investment inflow to the country, evidenced by the capital reversals from emerging and frontier markets observed in the current year.

Also, being an election year, perfor-

ports the waist and augments the user’s own muscle power to reduce the risk of injury and fatigue when performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting and lowering heavy loads. SuitBot increases the user’s flexibility by enabling 50-degree extension and 90-degree flexion of the waist and activates when the wearer bends at a 65-degree angle, disengaging when standing in an upright position. The wearable robot operates for four hours on a single charge and recharges in just one hour.

First introduced to the public at CES 2018, PorterBot, ServeBot and CartBot are designed for environments such as airports, hotels, su-

permarkets and malls to assist customers, transport luggage, deliver meals and carry groceries.

The new LG CLOi service robots have been updated with a more advanced autonomous navigation system as well as enhanced connectivity to allow for communication with mechanisms such as elevators and automatic doors.

Using AI technology, LG CLOi robots analyze customers’ usage patterns to constantly learn and improve performance. Equipped with touch displays and voice recognition to facilitate natural interaction with customers, LG CLOi can handle more complex tasks such as answering questions and processing payments.

These intelligent robots are designed to operate independently, navigating to a charging station when power runs low, returning to duty once fully recharged and performing daily self-diagnosis and automatic reporting.

“The progress made by our entire robot lineup points to our commitment to deliver a robotic solution for the real world in the very near future,” said senior vice president Roh Jin-seo, head of LG’s robotics business, adding: “With the ability to analyze and understand the surrounding environment, LG CLOi service robots are the culmination of significant investment in automation and artificial intelligence R&D.”

M

ANUFACTURERS Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed fears that there may be a slight depreciation of the value of Naira due to the recent pressure on the country’s external reserve due to the continuous dip in oil prices and the usual withdrawal of foreign capital as a result of anticipated political uncertainty.

In its review of the economic performance in 2018 as well as 2019 outlook, the Association observed that the proposed 2019 budget appears to be an extension of 2018 as no new grounds were explored.

Access Bank’s share price declines by over 28% on merger talks

BY JEROME USHAKANG

T

HE share price of Access Bank Plc, has been on a downward trend, dropping by 28.8 percent since the bank confirmed its intentions to merge with Diamond Bank Plc. Specifically, the share price of Tier one lender, closed at N8.15, up by 9.4 percent on December 17, 2018, when the bank issued a statement confirming the merger plans with Diamond Bank Plc. However, on Friday January 4, 2019, it closed at trading at N5.80 kobo per share depreciating by 5.69 percent.

Though, generally the market has been in the negative by 17.81 percent in 2018, and 2.6 percent so far in 2019, the decline in the stock’s share price

LG CLOi robots approach commercialization

By KELECHI NZE

A

T CES 2019, LG Electronics will debut an updated version of its wearable CLOi SuitBot alongside a lineup of improved service robots which are nearing commercialization.

The wearable LG CLOi SuitBot supports the lower body to reduce stress when lifting and bending while the enhanced CLOi service robots – PorterBot, ServeBot and CartBot – will demonstrate their more advanced capabilities made possible

by LG’s continuously evolving AI and robotics knowhow.

Originally unveiled last fall in Berlin, the updated LG CLOi SuitBot sup-

mance of the economy in 2019 would to a large extent depend on the transparency and credibility of the election while distractions from political activities may slow down infrastructure spending and the performance of the manufacturing sector being a sector whose operations relies heavily on these infrastructures.

MAN also said that inflation rate might slightly increase due to electioneering spending resulting from heightened political activities and lack of proper policy coordination while more pressure may be mounted on registered companies by Government Agencies in a bid to vigorously drive for revenue to salvage the precarious status of the country’s debt service to revenue ratio.

It also, backed the federal government refusal to sign the Africa Free Trade Agreement saying that “government should ensure that Nigeria’s economic interests, especially the private sector, are not only projected but protected in arriving at the decision to sign or not to sign or when to sign. The Association also said “As a necessary part of the readiness assessment and the resulting action plan, the government should put in place the necessary framework to protect and boost the capacity of the manufacturing sector to thrive in the continental free trade area,” it said.

MAN in the review gave some recommended measures government should take to achieve sustainable economic growth and budgetary objectives of the fiscal proposals for next year.

Among the recommendations is that government should revisit the assumptions of the 2019 budget, particularly crude oil production and price as well as ensure upward review of education and health allocations before appropriation. It said “the crude oil price has a $60 per barrel benchmark, while oil production has a 2.3 million barrel per day projection as it suggests that these assumptions should be revisited to reflect present economic realities.

It called for caution in the country’s rising debt profile in view of the associated services charges and future economic burden that it would exert on the nation. The Association called for cutting down on government recurrent expenditures to reduce fiscal deficit, borrowing and service charges. It also canvassed shedding the current borrowing size of the government in the domestic financial market so as not to completely crowd-out the private sector.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

BUSINESS

Technology capable of reducing cost of transaction – SEC

Stories by JEROME USHAKANG

A

CTING Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged industry operators to embrace technology in business as, according to her, “technology when properly leveraged will reduce the cost of doing business in the capital market.

Fielding questions during at a world press conference organized

by Federal Ministry of Finance, in Abuja, Uduk said: “This is one of the reasons why the commission is encouraging the introduction of technology in the market. We know that technology is driving a lot of things in the financial system at the moment. For instance, in the banking system, technology is driving the payment system. Even with phones people can buy, make payments and even obtain loans among others. We have seen that there is a lot of innovation and cost reduction in the money market due to technology, and so we also want to do the same in the capital market.

“To this end, the Capital Market Committee has set up a Road Map committee to come up with a guide for the capital market to enable us also leverage on technology to do business and reduce cost.”

The Acting Director-General disclosed that the Commission already has a Division dedicated to Fintech that will help look at all the technologies that relate to the capital market surrounding ICOs, among others.

She said that in the capital market, technology has assisted in improvements of processes like the use of Block chain to enhance settlement, and the use of technology to drive the platforms through which people are now able to come in to invest.

“A financially inclusive society will provide increased access to finance, especially for women, help support sustainable growth and will create a million more jobs. The gains of having a more inclusive financial system are enormous, as it helps broaden financial markets and make policies more effective” she added.

Vitafoam recommends 25kobo dividend per share

B

OARD and Management of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc have recommended a total of N260.51 million dividend payment for the financial year ended September 30, 2018. This translates to 25 kobo per share.

However, the dividend is subject to shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) as the dividend which attracts 10percent withholding tax, is expected to be paid on March 8, 2019, to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of members at the close of business on Friday, February 15, 2019.

In addition, Vitafoam shall give one bonus share for every five existing ordinary shares to shareholders. The new shares, according to Vitafoam, shall rank equally in all respects with

the exisiting ordinary shares except that they shall not rank for the dividend recommended for the year ended September 30, 2018.

Meanwhile, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc had released its results for the financial year ended September 30, 2018.Analysis of the company’s results showed that revenue increased from N17.6 billion in 2017 to N19.5 billion in 2018. This represents a growth of 10.7 per cent year on year.

Profit before tax increased from N18.1 million in 2017 to N793 million in 2018. The company made a profit after tax of N601 million in contrast to a loss after tax of N127 million recorded in the comparative period of 2017.

Earnings per share stood at N0.57 in 2018 as against a negative of N0.15 in 2017.

Zenith Bank pioneers account blocking code

By VICTOR NZE

P

OISED to ensure its customers are protected and operate their accounts in a safe and secure environment, Zenith Bank has scored yet another first with the introduction of Account Blocking code *966*911#.

A statement by the bank at the weekend said customers who suspect their accounts have been compromised, or who lost/misplaced their debit (ATM) cards can dial the Block Account Code *966*911# on the phone numbers registered with the account to secure their funds.

This has become necessary as the bank plays deeper into the retail end of the banking industry, using its topnotch technology and array of innovative products as it works to deepen financial inclusion in conjunction with regulators of the nation’s financial system regulators.

Other codes as part of the Eazy Way banking offered by Zenith Bank include the *966# to ease account opening process by potential customers; while checking account balance has never been

easier than dialing *966*00#.

Customers who desire to reset their Personal Identification Number (PIN), or Password, the bank continued, can do so from the comfort of their homes with *966*60#.

To update Bank Verification Number (BVN), the statement said customers can dial *966*BVN#; and dial *966*Amount*MobileNo.# to buy airtime. By dialing *966*Amount*AccountNo.# for funds transfers.

•Head of Department, Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Electrical, Engr Abdulrahman Musa presenting an award of recognition to the Regional General Manager South West, Mrs Victoria Shin-Aba.

SEC, NSE, shareholders approve CCNN/BUA merger A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos has given its final sanctions to the scheme of merger between the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and BUA Group’s Kalambaina Cement Company.

This comes on the back of overwhelming Shareholders’ backing as well as final approvals by the regulators – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Following this development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange is expected to list the shares of the expanded entity in what has been described by the regulator as the largest deal of the year in Nigeria in 2018 at its recently held NSE CEO Awards.

Speaking on this development,

F

EDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has warned the general public to desist from persons parading themselves as recruitment agents of the Authority, and consequently extorting money from innocent citizens in the process.

“For the purpose of clarity and emphasis, the Authority is not embarking on any recruitment exercise at the moment.

“The Authority wishes to inform the public that recruitment into any government agency has a stip-

that region over competing cement companies and brands. The expanded entity will leverage on the cost and energy efficiency of the newly commissioned Kalambaina Plant whilst providing additional value through its products in terms of better quality, higher yields and stronger cement than competing premium cement brands.”

With this merger, the total installed capacity of the merged entity will be 2 million metric tonnes per annum. This development will, therefore, bring the total capacity of BUA’s cement operations to 8 million MTPA as the group recently announced the completion of its 3 million MTP Obu II Cement Plant, in Okpella, Edo State.

FIRS targets N8.3tn revenue from taxes in 2019

F

EDERAL Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it is targeting N8.3 trillion from the collection of various taxes in 2019 from the N5.32 trillion realised in 2018.

FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr Tunde Fowler, stated this at the ongoing 2019 stakeholders’ retreat on Monday in Lagos.

The theme of the retreat is: Parliamentary Support for effective Taxation of a Digital Economy.

FAAN alerts on fake recruitment agents

By VICTOR NZE

Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who is also the Chairman of CCNN, praised the effort of all stakeholders in bringing the merger to fruition.

According to him, the expanded CCNN will remain the market leader in its regional market of North West Nigeria – which is the third largest market for cement in Nigeria by consumption, whilst continuing to explore the huge opportunities that exist in the export markets of Niger, Burkina Faso and the West African region.

“Traditionally, the huge cost of transportation to CCNN’s home region from other cement plants in Nigeria – the nearest being about 900km away – has always given us a strategic advantage in

ulated procedure, which includes advertisements in national dailies and her official website and social media platforms, in line with the provisions of the Federal Government’s conditions of service.

“Consequently, any person claiming to be an agent of the Authority in this respect is a fraudster and should be reported to the Authority or the nearest police station.

“FAAN will continue to deliver on its core values of safety, security and comfort,” read a statement signed by the agency’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu.

Fowler said the target was achievable with the support of all tax payers as well as all the stakeholders.

He said the sum of N5.32 trillion realised in 2018 was the highest in the history of the firm compared to the N4.03 trillion in 2017.

Fowler said non-oil contribution in 2018 stood at 53.62 per cent against 62.25 per cent achieved in 2017 and 64.99 per cent in 2016.

The FIRS chief said oil and gas contribution stood at 46.38 per cent in 2018 in contrast with the 37.75 per cent recorded in 2017 and 35.01 per cent in 2016.

He attributed the achievements to technological initiatives introduced by the firm in delivering taxpayers’ services such as e-payment channels, e-receipts and Value Added Tax (VAT), among others.

Reviewing FIRS 2018 operations and achievements, Fowler said VAT collection was on a steady increase since 2015.

He said FIRS collected N1.11 trillion through VAT in 2018, N972.30 billion in 2017 and N828.19 billion in 2016.

“E-stamp duties collection is on

a steady increase. In 2018, the FIRS collected N15.66 billion. The above collected in 2018 surpassed the N10.9 billion in 2017 and N5.6 billion in 2016,” Fowler said.

He noted that taxation was the most sustainable of all government revenue sources.

“There cannot be any serious discussion on diversification of the economy without reviewing the country’s tax regime for optimal performance.

“FIRS shall continue to engage stakeholders, especially the legislative arm of government in order to gain invaluable support that will drive tax compliance,” Fowler said.

The Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Babangida Ibrahim, commended FIRS for the achievements recorded over the years.

Ibrahim said the theme of the meeting was timely and important because of the efforts by the government to diversify the economy, adding that the National Assembly would remain committed to the nation’s growth and development and assured FIRS of its support in the delivering of its mandate.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday December 16, 2019

ENERGY

Total streams Egina FPSO, activates tie-back developments

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

H

AVING successfully commissioned the $16 billion Egina deepwater field development offshore Nigeria, French Multinational, Total, is working to kick off a set of new field development programmes that would ride on established infrastructure to save cost.

Starting with deepwater fields hosted in oil mining lease (OML) 130 offshore Niger Delta, the company is planning subsequent development of a proximate Porewei deepwater field hosted in same block with Egina and Akpo fields.

Deputy Managing Director of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPN) Limited, Mr. AhmaduKida Musa, told The Oracle Today at a conference in Lagos that Porewei presents an imminent development opportunity for the company.

He had earlier declared at a conference in Abuja that OML I30 which currently hosts two large deepwater production vessels and a gas export pipeline presents the country with immense opportunity for cost reduction in future deepwater development and production projects.

The Oracle Today reports that other major deepwater oil discoveries in the vicinity of OML 130 are to reach investment decisions, and Total is positioning to take advantage of early presence in the area to build robust infrastructure that provide attraction to third party producers.

The Akpo FPSO moored in 1,325m of water 200 kilometers south of Port Harcourt off the coast of Niger Delta is 310 meters long, 61 meters wide and has facilities to accommodate 240 crew members. The hull has 36,000 tons dry weight, and a storage capacity for two million barrels of oil.

The deck of Akpo FPSO is designed to accommodate 17 topside modules, which includes two processing trains for the separation of oil and water.

The Akpo FPSO is designed to produce 225,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The produced oil which is 80% condensate is transferred through a buoy, situated two kilometers from the vessel; and the

produced gas is piped 150 kilometers to the conventional offshore Amenam-Kpono integrated oil and gas platform (AKOGEP) from where the gas is transmitted to and then to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) process trains at Bonny Island.

The Egina FPSO which came onstream just before New Year exports its produced gas through the Akpo field from where a subsea conduit channels the commodity to NLNG in which Total is joint venture partner.

A company source who discussed the subject with The Oracle Today stated that the two production vessels separately present huge opportunity for proximate field that would soon come under development project, adding that Total has presented an opportunity for zero gas flare development model in the deepwater axis.

The cost estimates were not available at the time of discussion but our sources said development plans for Porewei field would also present an industry model for cost efficiency and resource optimization when the budget receives management approval.

The Oracle gathered that Porewei could pump at a rate as high as 80,000 barrels a day, putting

“

ject planners to the task of deciding which of the two FPSOs would be most suitable for the tie back development option.

Whereas Egina is tipped to take the production pressure from Porewei due its closeness, natural production declines creates more storage and processing space in the Akpo FPSO which is more distant and little costlier to connect from Porewei field.

With cost consideration overriding convenience, Total is said to be working on tie-back to the new Egina FPSO while leaving space in the Akpo FPSO for other development opportunities that might plug into existing deepwater infrastructure.

Discovered in 2005, the Porewei field, when delivered, would be Total’s fourth deepwater development in Nigeria after Akpo, Usan and Egina. Whereas Total operates Akpo and Egina, it transferred operatorship of Usan to equal partner, ExxonMobil’s Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), after field development and commissioning.

Head of upstream at Total, Arnaud Breuillac, hinted at presentation that the company is “trying to make maximum use of existing infrastructure to lower technical costs, improve profitability and lower the break-even of these projects,” he said.

He listed projects that would link back to existing facilities as the company try to beat cost and grow profit.

In pointing out that Egina field which has started production hosts FPSO designed to produce 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, he said the vessel is set to host production from other discoveries when capacity becomes available. He added that first of additional tie back developments

Shipments of Egina crude from the floating offshore production vessel have been scheduled for February, with initial exports at just above 100,000 barrels a day while cargo upside is expected in few months pro-

would be Porewei.

Porewei, where resources stand at more than 100 million boe, is likely to be tied back to Egina via subsea wells, according to Breuillac, and the project could be sanctioned in 2020 and come on stream in 2022 at rates up to 70,000 boepd and at a technical cost of $20 to $25 per boe.

Another project under consideration for tie back development is the Owowo deepwater field which is proximate to existing Usan production vessel.

Total and ExxonMobil are partners in both billion barrel Owowo discovery and producing Usan field.

With production envisaged by 2024 after final investment decision by partners in 2020, it is still unclear whether Usan FPSO could create enough space to handle 160,000 barrels per day from Owowo. Otherwise, partners in the project could plan an independent development that might involve additional production vessel in the vicinity.

Other tie back development programmes by Total include the Ikike field in OML 99 to pump 45,000 barrels per day into operated conventional offshore Amenam facilities.

It also plans to tie back production from Eben field in OML 102 to operated Ofon facilities.

Porewei in OML 130 is expected to produce around 70,000BOEPD at peak via the Egina FPSO. Already Egina marks the most significant production addition in Nigeria in the past 10 years only after Usan which was also developed by Total and currently operated by ExxonMobil.

“Egina will significantly boost the Group’s production and cash flow from 2019 onwards, and benefit from our strong cost reduction efforts in Nigeria where we have reduced our operating costs by 40% over the last four years,” company stated.

The first Egina production well was opened on the South loop on December 29, 2018 under 1,600 meters of water, 150 kilometres off the south eastern Niger Delta.

TOTAL boasts of Egina as its star project in the country, hosting the company’s largest FPSO in the world, recording 77 percent local man hours in the project stages with

significant cost reduction and reducing drilling time per well by 30 percent.

Initially discovered in 2003, the Egina field is the second development in production on the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130 following the Akpo field which started-up in 2009.

The Porewei field is another large discovery made on this prolific block for which an investment decision is scheduled for 2019.

At plateau, Egina field will produce 200,000 bopd, which represents about 10% of Nigeria’s production.

“Total is proud to deliver a project of this size under the initial budget and to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector by generating employment as well as building industrial capability,” Arnaud Breuillac, Total’s president for exploration and production, said in a written statement.

Total also stated that it achieved startup at nearly 10 percent below the initial budget. It attributes the $1 billion-plus in capital expenditure savings primarily to “excellent drilling performance” that cut drilling time per well by 30 percent.

Meanwhile, shipments of Egina crude from the floating offshore production vessel have been scheduled for February, with initial exports at just above 100,000 barrels a day while cargo upside is expected in few months.

The extra supplies will arrive at an awkward moment for an oil market that’s seen prices for benchmark Brent and West Texas Intermediate grades plunge by more than $30 a barrel since early October. The project will also bolster Nigerian production when the country is meant to be restricting supplies to help OPEC and its allies avert a glut.

Nigeria agreed on December 7 to curb its output in line with the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied producers arrest oversupply and price slide.

According to the agreement, Nigeria would start cutting supplies this month by about 40,000 barrels a day. Nigerian crude production has dipped in recent years and stood at about 1.76 million barrels a day in November, according to market sources.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

ENERGY

FG enlists communities on pipeline surveillance

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

G

OVERNMENT has appealed to communities that host national fuel distribution infrastructure to volunteer surveillance on the facilities to avert incidents that would lead to losses.

Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated in the release that communities hosting pipelines, depots, pump stations and other facilities should assist with protection against vandals.

He appealed to them to restrain their wards from tampering with the national assets to guard against fire incidents, instances of which he noted, were recorded in some parts of the country in recent times due to

the unwholesome acts of some individuals in the communities.

He also appealed to fuel consumers to resist exploitation by marketing companies trying to sell petroleum products above the recommended retail price of N145 per liter of petrol.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated in the statement that Dr. Baru made adequate arrangements to guarantee steady products supply across the country to meet consumers’ demand.

Dr. Baru, in the release, also advised motorists and other consumers of petroleum products against panic buying, saying the corporation holds a stock of 30 billion litres of petrol and 90,000 metric tonnes of kerosene.

Alternative energy: EV sales hit 60 percent in Norway

S

ALE of electric vehicles in Norway rose sharply by 60 percent in November as European countries enter the race phase out fossil energy in preference for cleaner energy options by 2040.

Battery Electric Vehicle and Plug-in Hybrid sales in Norway skyrocketed from 300 vehicles sold per month (3% market share) at the beginning of 2013 to over 6,000, or close to 60% of all new passenger vehicle sales between September and November 2018.

According to a report by Rystad Energy, 60 percent of all new vehicle sales in Norway were electric between September and November.

This indicates that electric vehicles also called EVs are rapidly gaining market share.

In 2013, EVs had only three percent of the market, but by 2017 that share reached 39 percent. For the full year of 2018, the figure looks set to be about 48 percent, even as EV sales accelerated in the final months of the year.

Rystad Energy sees EVs capturing 90 percent of the market in Norway by 2022 and 100 percent by 2025, a shift that holds significant implication for petrol and diesel demand.

The report holds that passenger vehicles comprise 23% of global oil demand and have been one of the main drivers of demand growth in recent years, illustrating the impact EVs could have on the market.

“If EVs were to displace even half of this, it would be roughly equivalent to removing the entire Chinese oil products demand (13 million bpd in 2018) from the market,” the report stated.

“Norway is a pivotal market and the government set an aspirational target that 100% of new vehicles sales would be zero-emission cars by 2025.

Given low rural EV sales potential and penetration, we forecast electric vehicles gradually taking conventional vehicles’ market share, exceeding 60% of all new vehicle sales in 2019, 90% in 2022 and 100% in 2025.”

•(R-L) NLNG MD, Mr. Tony Attah with his Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spitt, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State, at the tournament.

MAN wants crude oil benchmark in budget revised

M

ANUFACTURERS Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on government to revisit the revenue templates in the 2019 budget to revise the crude oil and production benchmarks that underpin fiscal projections for 2019.

The group also called for the resuscitation of the nation’s domestic refineries to weed out importation cost, free funds for infrastructure development and ensure the operability of Independent Power Producers (IPP) and the micro-grid operators for on-grid and off-grid power generation.

In a position paper on the budget made available to newsmen in La-

gos, the group which forms key part of the organized private sector (OPS) pointed out that some of the proposals in the budget do not align with current realities in the market.

The manufacturers group said it has become mandatory for the nation’s economic planners to revisit the budget in the face of obvious errors on the price forecasts for oil and gas in the international markets.

The group stated that government should revisit the assumptions of the 2019 budget, particularly crude oil production estimates and price; and review of education and health allocations upwards before appropriation.

2019: Economy casts contraction shadow Cont’d from Page 17

redeemed a $500 million Eurobond that matured on July 12, 2018.

Add the new N1.649 trillion borrowing plan to existing debts stock of N22.4trillion and The Oracle Today reports that the 2019 fiscal year would carry a guaranteed debt burden of N24.049 trillion, or 272 percent of the total annual federal budget! The debt service liability in the economy is also to escalate proportionately and impede national capacity to propel growth.

Despite existing issues of budget performance and compulsive borrowing, the key revenue channels available to government are exposed to the vagaries of market dynamics and price volatility.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated in its end of year report that the country produced crude oil at 2.09 million barrels per day (mbd) in 2018, indicating a 9.0 percent improvement from the 2017 average of 1.86 mbd.

The Egina deepwater oilfield developed by Total, among other production enhancement efforts by various oil companies in the country, came online in December to boost production expectations for the year with over 200,000 barrels per day.

The new production numbers, according to NNPC are building na-

tional production capacity towards 3.0 mbd; but capacity availability remains a serious issue because of militant agitations and industry facility sabotage in the Niger Delta.

Senator Udoma stated in federal budget breakdown that production capacity availability in the petroleum industry is limited by incessant attacks on onshore production flow facilities including the Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) and the Trans-Forcados Trunkline (TFTL).

“Militancy in the Niger Delta has generally abated, although breaches of pipelines still regularly occur.

This was partly responsible for the production level dropping to 1.84 mbpd in the 2nd quarter from 2.0 mbpd in the first quarter (average of 1.95 mbpd by end Q3),” he stated.

Besides, efforts by the 24 world’s biggest oil producing nations led by the 14 member Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to arrest sliding prices by cutting own production will obviously challenge government’s plan to pump crude oil at 2.3 million barrels per day to meet budget projections.

OPEC had at its meeting with 10 member cooperating countries led

by Russia last December capped Nigeria’s biggest oil output to 1.68 million barrels per day.

Besides dicey production numbers, market analysts say early price recovery in 2019 following a sell-off that has slashed the cost of crude by

about 40 percent since October will give way to new headwinds for the oil market later in the year, making projections on price also vulnerable.

End-of-year research notes by analysts are filled with warnings that oil prices could spike or slump on the outcomes of the raging U.S.-China trade dispute.

In fact, the biggest threat to the oil market in 2019 emanates from China, according to RBC analysts.

Thus, the crude oil production numbers and the projected prices that underpin fiscal calculations in the 2019 budget are feeble foundation and subject to dynamics outside immediate control of the government.

Again the next basis is the official exchange rate which has traditionally proved unrealistic at N305 to the dollar. Since 20015 when the present administration took over reins of power, the country has been experiencing galloping inflation propelled by acute scarcity of exchange rate at the government approved rate.

Instead, what proves realistic is the liberalized parallel exchange rate market where the fluctuating rate for the dollar soars as high as N500.

With low infrastructure base, low domestic productivity and massive importation of consumer goods, Nigeria’s balance of payment has remained permanently negative while inflation figures defy containment.

Consequently, the country has

ended 2018 with 90.8 million people living in extreme poverty measured on income index of less than $1.25 (N381.25) a day, overtaking India as global poverty capital.

According to World Poverty Clock, a web tool produced by World Data Lab, number of people living in extreme poverty in the country has risen by four million from estimated 86.9 million in June 2018 to 90.8 million or nearly 50 percent of the population by the end of the year.

The rising poverty and unemployment rates in the country, global benchmarks for underperforming economy, challenges government’s buzzwords for Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) which forms the theme of the annual budgets since 2016 when the economy plunged into recession.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in comments about the 2019 budget, expressed fears of economic depression in the year, pointing at gaps in government’s fiscal projections. It described the budget as a rollover of the 2018 budge, saying that no new grounds were explored in the new fiscal proposal.

The business group which bears brunt of deficits in means of production in the domestic economy declared in statement that pressure on the country’s external reserves would translate to depreciation of Naira value.

The group called on the nation’s economic planners to review the $60 per barrel crude oil price benchmark and 2.3 million barrel per day oil production projection to reflect present economic realities.

It also noted huge debt pile up in the budget and cautioned government to stop further borrowing to curtail associated costs.

The Association called for cutting down on government recurrent expenditures to reduce fiscal deficit, borrowing and service charges. It also canvassed shedding the current borrowing size of the government in the domestic financial market so as not to completely crowd-out the pri-

The group added that fears of political uncertainty in the economy following the tensed campaigns have started compelling investors to foreign capital out of the country.

“There is the need to properly align the assumptions of the budget with economic realities. No doubt, some of the provisions of the budget would be very important in supporting economic activities in the coming year. The huge emphasis on infrastructure development, especially power, road and rail is encouraging.

However, as more development on the budget unfolds, it will be easier to understand why the budget fell short of 2018 figures, notwithstanding the improvements in the global and Nigerian economy,” the body of investors declared in a statement.

MAN noted that business in the manufacturing sector would be rough in 2019, lamenting that supporting policies and infrastructure have not been given sufficient priority. It added that rising interest rates and tightening commodity markets portend limited capital inflow into the country.

It warned that performance of the economy in 2019 would depend on the credibility of the election.

The Oracle Today concludes that rolling over the 2018 budget into 2019 implementation programmes as declared by the Budget Minister, and transforming a poorly performing budget into a rolling medium term programme as feared by MAN, would render the private sector too weak to contend with highly dreaded slide into fiscal squeeze.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

e-Platform

Nigeria’s telecoms services users hit 169.1m Stories by VICTOR NZE

C

OMMUNICATIONS Commission (NCC) dispute over remittances which dogged the outgone year in the company’s annals, now finally resolved, the South African-based telecommunications firms still managed to retain top spot with the biggest subscriber base in the country.

The NCC which put the country’s telephone density growth at 120 per cent in November, increasing by 2.76 per cent from October, in its recently released November report also put telecoms services users at 169.1 million.

According to NCC, as at same period 2017, there were 142.3 million users. The operators added 26.8 million users to the telecoms radar within the year.

A breakdown of the statistics showed that the GSM operators, consisting of the the quartet of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9Mobile, grew their subscription bases by 3.86 million new subscribers. As at October, they serviced 164.8 million but it increased to 168.7 million in the month under review.

By so doing, MTN with 66.9 million customers, now controls 40

per cent market share. Globacom bounced back in November, with 43.3 million users and 26 per cent hold of the market.

Airtel in Nigeria has 25 per cent market share and 43.1 million users.

9Mobile maintained nine per cent market share and provides services to 15.4 million subscribers.To complete the active subscribers list for November, NCC puts CDMA users at 124, 815; Fixed wired/wireless users at 135,696 and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscribers at 115,314.

Internet Subscription grew from 107,547,723 in October, 2018 to 108,897,679 in November 2018.The Commission puts total active broadband subscription on 3G and 4G platforms as at November at 58.9 million, while penetration is 30.9 per cent.

The telecoms regulator put contributions of telecommunications and information services to GDP from Q1 – Q3 2018 at N4.7 Trillion, according to figures gotten from the National Bureau of Statistics.

NCC, which said in the last quarter (Q3, 2018) the amount stood at N1.5 Trillion, disclosed that telecommunications and information services sector grew by 14.7 per cent from Q1, 2017 – Q3, 2018.

Interconnect debts: NCC allays fears over disconnection of networks

N

IGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has assured the general public that none of the over 160million telecoms subscribers in Nigeria will be disconnected or suffer service disruptions as a result of its recent order to permit the disconnection of indebted operators from other operators’ networks.

Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare, explained in Abuja that the approval given by the commission was not for any network to disconnect subscribers as being wrongly presented in some media, but for some creditor networks to restrict services to debtor networks.

“The NCC is a consumer-centric regulator; the protection of our consumers and the sustainability of the industry are the primary drivers of our activities. So in this case, even before we granted the permission for disconnection, we had put some very stringent safety valves in place to protect consumers and ensure that they continue to enjoy uninterrupted service while we address the very serious issue of indebtedness in the industry.

“Over the years, the industry has been plagued with the very serious problem of interconnect and facility indebtedness.

“Some operators have racked up huge debts to others and have simply refused to pay. Now, we understand that there are ecosystem issues affecting all operators and we are daily working with all Stakeholders to resolve these issues, but the level of indebtedness in the industry is at an embarrassingly high level, and the whole telecoms industry is at risk of failure if we do not act.

“This kind of problem should ideally not occur in an industry where over 90% of consumers are pre-paid. We had held several meetings with the parties and given several deadlines for the debtors to pay, to no avail.

The Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 contains very strict consumer protection measures which we have continued to uphold, such as the requirement that no operator can disconnect another operator without

the written approval of the NCC. “But it appears that some operators were taken unfair advantage of this provision by racking up millions, sometimes billions of naira in debts to other operators, denying their creditors of funds to expand their networks and putting the industry in peril.

“Having done everything we could, including holding many meetings with the parties and brokering several payments plans to no avail, NCC has little choice in the matter but to grant the persistent requests of the creditor organisations to disconnect the chronic debtors in accordance with the Nigerian Communications Act and our Disconnection Regulations”, he said.

Continuing, Dare said: “There are a number of inbuilt safety valves we are implementing to protect consumers. In the first place, we had published a notice alerting both the debtors and the general public of the impending order to approve disconnection. This was published in major newspapers a few weeks ago, and we hoped the debtors will regularize their position, but they did not. Under the law, the next step is to publish a pre-disconnection which we did earlier last week”.

S

•Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu (l) and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana (r) pose with a beneficiary of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme at the 2018 TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

Spam calls, messages drop in 2018, as Nigerians activate DND

W

ITH South Africa ranked the highest in Africa among 20 top countries plagued by spam calls and messages, Nigeria, however, featured prominently among markets that experienced the menace of unsolicited messages in 2018, a research conducted by Truecaller has revealed.

Nigeria dropped out of the 20 worst hit countries list in 2018 with the country ranked ninth in 2017, where behind India, USA, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Mexico, Turkey, and Peru respectively.

The Truecaller 2017 report put the average spam calls/messages an average Nigerian gets in a month at 10.2 per cent. In the 2018 report found that there are common categories that tie all the spam calls together. They include operator, debt collection, bank, political, health, spam, telemarketing, financial service, scam and insurance.

It explained that the regions span across the world, and even some countries that are on the same continent differ drastically in what type of spam call they receive. Truecaller is a product of Swedish company, True Software Scandinavia AB. It is a mobile app developed to find mobile number details globally given a telephone number either using the app or their synced contacts, and

has an integrated caller ID service to achieve call-blocking functionality and social media integration to keep the phonebook up-to-date with pictures and birthdays.

In 2018 alone, Truecaller claimed to have helped users block and identify 17.7 billion spam calls including the identity of 74.1 billion calls. This means that close to every fourth call that the app users receive are spam calls. Compared to 2017, Truecaller said fewer African markets are in the top 20 list: Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and Nigeria. South Africa is the only country in the list – as a matter of fact the amount of spam calls increased from 15 to 21 spam calls/months – that is a 40 per cent increase!

It would be recalled that regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) recently introduced Do-Not-Disturb (DND) codes.

NCC had urged subscribers, who are tired of unsolicited text messages and calls to text “Stop” to “2442” or “Help” to “2442” for options.

Over 12 million subscribers had as at November 2018, activated the code and blocked unwanted messages and calls.

In the 2018 list, Brazil surprisingly took over from India as the most spammed country in the world, with

vious in this list. You can see a quartet of flagships in places fifth through eight, but the rest of the top 10 all belong to lower echelons of the market.

When we look further down, the list of manufacturers becomes slightly more diverse. The Oppo F7 and Find X flank HMD global’s best placed phone - the Nokia 6.1 Plus. vivo V9 follows before another plethora of Xiaomi and Samsung handsets comes to complete the chart For the Android and iOS devices which won the hearts of users. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro leads the pack.

It was the best mid-ranger for a large chunk of the year. It checks a lot of boxes while keeping the price reasonable and that helped it win more love than any other phone introduced in 2018.

The next one is the OnPlus 6 - the first of the two most controversial OnePlus phones up to date. It’s the first OnePlus smartphone with a notch and a glass back and even if it lacked advanced facial recognition or wireless charging its improved camera, great software and super-fast charging helped it earn a lot of love.

The Nokia 7 Plus is mentioned in almost every mid-range review these days. It has a powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset, capable cameras and good battery life. Combined with the clean Android experience and vibrant display, the Nokia 7 Plus is the most successful phone by HMD Global this year.

Of course, the list won’t be compete without the Galaxy S9+ - Samsung’s

the average Truecaller user receiving 37.5 spam calls per month. This means that Brazil saw an 81 per cent increase in spam calls last year.

The firm cited new markets entered the list including Spain, Canada, Costa Rica, Poland, Dominican Republic, and Israel, adding that there was a big increase of spam calls in European markets like Spain (100%), Greece (54.1%) and Italy (22.7%.) However, Turkey has seen a decrease of spam calls (18 %.)

Furthermore, Truecaller revealed that a lot of Latin American countries entered the top spam list, and they are seeing the biggest increase of spam calls. Costa Rica was ranked top as country that has seen the highest increase in terms of percentage (330 %.)

Digging deeper into the bigger markets, Truecaller found common categories that tie all these spam calls together. The biggest pattern discovered was that operators across the world are the biggest spammers.

“We could also see that telemarketing calls from financial services, debt collectors and insurance related matters are spamming our users globally. Others are political, health, scam, financial service, telemarketing, among others,” the Swedish firm stated.

20 most popular phones of 2018

AMSUNG brought us 7 of the most popular phones in 2018 hardly a surprise that the world’s largest manufacturer dominates the popularity chart. Somewhat less expected is that Xiaomi got 6. Last year, the number for the Korean manufacturer was the same, but the Chinese maker is up by one, showcasing that the global trend of Xiaomi catching up to the big guys is on every level.

The most popular phone of 2018 was the Redmi Note 5 Pro and it completely smashed any competition. It was so popular, that the other two Xiaomis following couldn’t gather the same number of hits even if they combined their powers. Samsung eventually caught up with the Galaxy A8 (2018).

The love for midrangers is pretty ob-

flagship phone from the first half of the year, which secured the fourth spot.

The fifth place is occupied by the Pocophone F1. In just a few months, it won over so many fans and it’s hard not to like the little fellow. It focuses on what’s important - performance and battery life. Sure, it misses on some features often found in today’s flagships but it still packs plenty of storage, a Snapdragon 845 chipset and a huge 4,000 mAh battery while costing less than half what its direct rivals ask.

Next down the list is the Huawei P20 Pro. This phone started a mini revolution in the mobile photography. It still tops the charts as the one of the best camera phones on the market. But the cameras aren’t its only selling point.

The P20 Pro is powerful and enduring as well.

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

e-Platform Stories by VICTOR NZE

F

ROM all expectations, it appears the era of foldable smartphones are about to trend in 2019 as major makers like LG, Samsung and Microsoft put finishing touches to their designs, with the likes of Samsung already announcing dates for official launch.

With costs pegged around N.9 million, the device would not come cheap, especially to those already accustomed to the high end iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones.

Foldable displays are here and foldable panels in consumer electronics finally look right around the corner. To be perfectly frank, the wait has been excruciatingly long for anybody that boarded the original flexible “hype train” a good few years ago.

Foldable display tech, arguably the biggest smartphone revolution in years finally reaching end-user viable market status was bound to demand a premium. Especially in its first iteration and from a top dog, name-brand the likes of Samsung It is clear that the Samsung Galaxy F/Flex or whatever naming the Korean giant lands on will be a concept device, not really meant for the general consumer.

Similarly, Microsoft’s foldable Andromeda smartphone plans to surprise users with the innovative device in 2019. It gives out some interesting info regarding the hybrid’s functionality, though, Microsoft would not be using the regular old Windows Phone OS, which is dead for a while now. Reportedly, it will offer a full-fledged Windows experience with some minor trimming at best.

For the foldable phone, however, there are plenty of technical and practical aspects to work through. Some, highly complex.

2019: Year of the foldable phones While others more apparent from an end-user standpoint. Like, how much “folds” will a panel take?

How will it look and behave while folded? What about while unfolded? Will it be indistinguishable from a flat panel? Also, how will a hinge design even look and feel to facilitate a fold?

First, the specs: What you are looking at here is a prototype AMOLED panel, with a diagonal of 7.65 inches and a WQHD resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Other key features include a maximum advertised brightness of 380 nits, response times as low as 1ms and a color gamut as high as 118% on the NTSC scale.

However, none of this is actually impressive or unseen on an OLED. The really interesting part is the central fold. This is actually an often overlooked, but quite aesthetically important aspect of foldable displays, since nobody wants to end up with an unshapely big bend like the one in the above render or similar to the infamous hinge design of Microsoft’s Surface Book line of laptops.

The advertised number of 100,000 bends might sound like a little, but it actually instils quite a bit of confidence in us that is should outlive the average lifespan of the rest of a high-tech consumer electronic device.

In a related development, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy F is getting a lot of attention for being a game-changing device in the smartphone industry as an industry source in South Korea has claimed that Samsung is going to supply triple camera to be used in the upcoming foldable smartphone.

The triple camera module is ex-

sors in the S10 and Galaxy F will be higher-end.

The cameras will be placed on the “rear” of the device.

The Galaxy F is set to be released sometime around or after the Galaxy S10 and is rumored to ship with the latest version of Bixby 3.0. The foldable phone is said to have a 4.6-

inch exterior display and a larger 7.3-inch display when unfolded.

Samsung is (unofficially) going to offer another demo of the Galaxy Fold in February during the MWC but until then, we don’t know much more about this device other than it will likely feature 5G connectivity and be very expensive.

ACEBOOK is said to be working on making a cryptocurrency that will let users transfer money on its WhatsApp messaging app, focusing first on the remittances market in India, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company is developing a stablecoin - a type of digital currency pegged to the US dollar - to minimise volatility, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal plans.

Facebook is far from releasing the coin, because it’s still working on the strategy, including a plan for custody assets, or regular currencies that would be held to protect the value of the stablecoin, the people said.

Facebook has long been expected to make a move in financial services, after hiring former PayPal president

David Marcus to run its Messenger app in 2014.

In May, Marcus became the head of the company’s blockchain initiatives, which haven’t been discussed publicly in detail. Facebook has been on a hiring spree, and now has about 40 people in its blockchain group, according to employee titles on LinkedIn. “Like many other companies, Facebook is exploring ways to leverage the power of blockchain technology,” a company spokesman said in a statement. “This new small team is exploring many different applications. We don’t have anything further to share.”

WhatsApp, the company’s encrypted mobile-messaging app, is popular in India, with more than 200 million users. The country also leads the world in remittances - people

HE consensus ever since the first Samsung Gear was that a smart watch didn’t need a built-in camera. We know this because Samsung never put a camera in any other wearable after the first Samsung Gear. To be fair, some kids smart watches have cameras but we’re talking about the mass market consumer. Interestingly, this notion could change in the notso-distant future from LG’s point of

view.

LetsGoDigital reported about a patent that was filed with the USTPO (United States Trademark and Patent Office) by LG for a ‘smart watch and method for controlling same’ as the patent is titled. What’s interesting is this particular patent demonstrates a couple of designs for integrating a camera into the watch band of said smart watch.

The patents also references “mo-

Nkechika, allows customers using the USSD short codes of their respective banks alongside their Mobile Apps to pay for goods and services directly from their bank accounts and wallets.

The transactions are accepted on point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and Automated Teller Machine (ATMs), with receipts printed or on eCommerce sites with emails sent to registered addresses.

The C’Gate solution, which is already being adopted and deployed by leading Nigerian banks and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), seamlessly enables USSD to POS, USSD

to Web, USSD Fast Transfer transactions, USSD on App, USSD to ATM, and CiCo (USSD Cash-In and USSD Cash-Out) on POS. It offers customers more flexibilities and payment options than anything currently available in the Nigerian market.

Zenith Bank has led the adoption of the C’Gate solution as an addition to its e-payment offerings, with other banks like GTBank, UBA, Access Bank, FCMB, FirstBank, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Keystone Bank, Sterling Bank, Providus Bank and others following suit at various levels of integration and deployment.

bile terminal” features, which indicates cellular connectivity. However, the patent also presents multiple solutions for a “smart watch to have a size as small as being worn on the wrist” but also explains how “it is difficult for the smart watch to have a camera” for the purpose of capturing information.

What all this means is that LG wants to invent a technical solution for having a camera on a smart watch and presents many ways to approach it. In one way or another, the user should have the option to conveniently adjust the angle of the camera relative to the watch body without having to turn the watch wrist in an awkward position to get the shot.

The patent shows several diagrams of how this might look. The solutions include an adjustable wrist band so you could easily angle the camera, a metal link version of the watch band where one of the links has an integrated camera, and even a camera with a spring clip you can place anywhere along the watch band.

sent $69bn home to India in 2017, the World Bank said this year.

The past year has seen a boom in crypto projects related to stablecoins. At one point, there were more than 120 ventures related to this theme, according to Stable. Report, a website that tracks stable tokens.

The concept was created to create a digital coin that would be far easier to use on daily purchases because it would be more stable than currencies like Bitcoin.

The idea has proven tough to carry out in real life, with at least one high-profile project shuttered in recent weeks. A stablecoin known as Basis recently closed after eight months.

The Hoboken, New Jersey-based company said there was no apparent way around being classified as a security as opposed to a currency, which could significantly reduce the number of potential buyers. The swift collapse came after Basis drew well-known backers like Andreessen Horowitz and Kevin Warsh, a former governor of the US Federal Reserve.

Perhaps the most high-profile stablecoin to date, Tether, has also been surrounded by controversy.

While Tether’s creators say each of its tokens is backed by one US dollar, the company’s refusal to be audited has raised questions about whether that’s the case.

Facebook, which has 2.5 billion global users, more than $40bn in annual revenue and greater experience navigating regulatory issues, may have a better chance of making a stablecoin that sticks. It would be the first large technology company to launch such a project. The company’s relationship with India has been fraught, mainly because some instances of fake news spread through WhatsApp have led to violence there.

Still, Facebook sees tremendous growth opportunity in the country.

India has 480 million internet users, second only to China. That number is projected to grow to 737 million by 2022, according to Forrester Research.

Nokia 9 PureView to be announced late January One of the longest awaited flagship smartphones in history has to be the Nokia 9 PureView. Ever since HMD Global started making handsets under the Nokia name people have been anxiously anticipating the company’s first true contender for the top of the line space. And now we may actually be only one month away from the official unveiling of the Nokia 9.

That is, at least, what a new rumor claims, reported by Russian publication Nokia Anew. Apparently the info comes from some unnamed “foreign sources”, and they also say that we should expect “many surprises” from the announcement - as if the unique rear camera setup wasn’t enough.

The Nokia 9 is supposedly becoming official during the last week of January. If this pans out, it means HMD Global will be holding a separate event for the reveal, away from both CES and MWC.

•Samsung foldable

The phone is expected to rock a 5.9” 1440x2960 touchscreen, the Snapdragon 845 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage (expandable via microSD), a whopping five cameras on the back (plus a depth sensor), a 12 MP selfie shooter, and a huge 4,150 mAh battery. The flagship to end all flagships, then? We’ll have to wait and see.

pected to be similar to the one on the upcoming Galaxy S10+, according to the report, and is rumored to be announced sometime in March.

It is said to combine a dual camera with a third super-wide camera. A similar setup is found on the Galaxy A7 – a dual camera with a superwide camera. Of course, the sen-

Facebook to develop cryptocurrency for WhatsApp transfers

F

LG patents smart watch with camera

T

CoralPay introduces first interoperable USSD payment solution

C

ORALPAY Technology Limited, a payment switching and transaction processing company, has deployed the first interoperable Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and mobile payment platform to Nigerians desirous of a seamless and secure payment solution.

The solution, which fulfils the mantra of being Africa’s Gold Standard for payments, allows for enhanced interoperability amongst stakeholders in the payment ecosystem.

The solution, according to the Chief Executive Officer, CoralPay, Chioma

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

24

VOX POPULI SACRUM

EDITORIAL EEDC as a drag on Onitsha

lack pre-paid meters. Those who have are as its costs a princely N265 to buy a litre of the forced to buy at least N2, 000 worth of credit heavy stuff in the commercial city. Residents every month. Every so often, a resident’s accomplained that they had reported to EEDC to as much as N40m a month as EEDC bill. A few cess to power is denied until he has paid N2, come fix the problem to no avail. To solve the years ago, for instance, Innosons Industries 000 to obtain what EEDC calls “tamper code” problem, they-- both domestic users and busiwere reported as stating that despite spend(not credit token) before he could open his ness owners--resorted to taxing themselves ing a whopping N60million monthly on meter and access power again. to raise money to give to EEDC to clear its diesel used by their numerous giant genera- It is an elaborate fraud woven together by the own mess! Recently, the “tax collectors” went tors, they were compelled by the EEDC to EEDC, which, like security operatives in all back to the residents and business owners to pay N100m every month for power provided of Anambra State, only sees Onitsha as a complain that some people had refused to pay epileptically. Scores of other companies cash cow that must be milked dry. Onitsha is and that this was hindering the effort to get employing thousands of workers in Onitsha populated mainly by traders with cash, but EEDC to restore light in the neighbourhood! and environs are threatened by perennial the people are not stupid as to be paying for Residents taxing themselves to help a private power supply challenges. services not enjoyed. Nobody throws money company fix its own mess! Meanwhile, the The complaints against power distribution away or to the dustbin these days. under-performing Disco would still be bringing companies may be rampant nationwide, but Calls for revocation of EEDC’s operating licence estimated bills running into thousands at the Onitsha seems to be a special case: at times have been strident in recent times. When end of the month for the already over-exploitEEDC works with thugs to intimidate cusmore than 1, 000 electricity consumers in Onited consumers to pay for light not supplied! tomers into submission; it does not provide sha and some rights’ groups protested last We had thought that this kind of operational transformers where they are needed and year, they cited non-supply of pre-paid mechicanery had gone with the dismantling of refuses to maintain existing ones; customers ters and over-billing, a charge the company NEPA. Well, it may have ended in other power pay for purchase, installation and maintedenied. It is no longer just the Onitsha South supply jurisdictions but certainly not in the nance of distribution transformers.

Elite Forum, Concerned Residents of Onitsha areas controlled by EEDC because, obviously, Needless to say that Onitsha is indispensable South, Campaign for Democracy, and the this particular power distributor does not just to the growth and stability of the econoInternational Human Rights and Equity Deseem to appreciate the enormous responsimies of the South East and South-South fence Foundation that are protesting against bilities it carries as a DISCO in its own area of States, but this commercial and industrial EEDC’s cheating. Now, the situation has got jurisdiction. behemoth is treated with so much levity by even worse and everybody residing in OnitWe call on the Minister of Power, Works and Emeka Offor’s EEDC. The total power supsha is protesting. And was there any respite Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to listen to ply to Onitsha averages barely three hours during the Christmas and New Year holidays. the cries of Onitsha residents and sanction a day. Most parts are in total darkness for Certainly not.

EEDC appropriately. For its part, EEDC would weeks or months on end. Most customers Recently, residents of Obosi, an adjoining town, do well to stop extorting Onitsha residents. went to court and obtained an No power, no bill! If the people are ignored, injunction against payment of bills they might decide to take the law into their without pre-paid meters. The power own hands. And the result could be dangerous company tried to cajole them into both for the federal government and EEDC. Let paying a flat rate of N3,000 a month there be peace please, but everyone, more so but the people refused. Most resiEEDC, must do their bit to make peace reign. dents of, if you will, ‘Greater Onitsha’ are billed by estimated billing Our Vision method. And what domestic and or TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigecommercial consumers are billed ria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a seem to depend on the mood of newspaper of records that effectively caters to EEDC officials who are often unthe information needs of all segments and seccouth and threatening. tions of the Nigerian society as well as all social We expected EEDC to support classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a industrialization and economic responsible corporate citizen, a commercially vigrowth by giving priority attention able, properly organised media business, which to important commercial and indusmeets its obligations to society, government trial cities like Onitsha, Nnewi and and the workforce.

Aba and of course the state capitals and other burgeoning towns in Mission the South East. Unfortunately, the WE INTEND to contribute to the development reverse is the case. What EEDC is of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to to Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba and others getting rid of the dark sides of our national life is nothing but a complete drag. It (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalcouldn’t just care less about a town itarianism, etc); to continually engender and susthat it should rather pamper betain national debates that would ultimately lead cause of the huge revenue it generates from Onitsha and because of to the enthronement of healthy national valuesthe economic benefit to the entire -hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparzone of ‘good’ power supply. A secency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, tion of Awka Road, easily Onitsha’s the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We Broad Street, for instance, has been will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, in darkness for nearly two months strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful now. Businesses and residents alike and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle have had to rely on their generatToday, our people, the Nigerian people can see ing sets, which add to productions a bright light at the end of what has been a very costs and higher consumer prices. dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute The situation here is worse for those trust in God who blesses good intentions. who use diesel-power generators Cont’d front page 1

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

OPINION When Israel faces an adversary too powerful to be defeated

I

ran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently outlined a draft version of a vision for Iran for the next 50 years.

The vision calls for Iran to become one of the world’s top five countries in science and technology, one of the top seven in “progress and justice,” including eradication of poverty, corruption and discrimination, and one of the ten largest global economies. It further calls for strengthening Iran’s defensive and deterrent capabilities, promoting Muslim unity, jihadism and Islamic liberation movements, and “vindicating” Palestinian rights.

Khamenei’s overall objective is for Iran to gain regional, and even global, supremacy, through technological self-sufficiency, and by resisting Western concepts of the international order, politics and culture. Khamenei asked Iran’s academic and clerical establishments for feedback on the draft vision and directed the various branches of the government to turn its broad recommendations into actionable plans. A final draft is due within two years. One can legitimately ask whether a 50-year plan is at all feasible, especially in a world that is changing so rapidly. China has been somewhat more modest, recently announcing a vision for 2050, whereas the Saudis sufficed with a humble 2030. Iran itself failed to achieve an earlier 20-year vision, designed to turn it into a developed country by 2025. It may very well fail to do so again.

Nevertheless, Khamenei’s attempt to craft such an actionable vision is bold and impressive. Under his leadership, Iran is at least trying to think systematically about its national objectives. He has set out bold, if heinous, plans before. In 2014 Khamenei announced a Nine Point Plan for Israel’s destruction.

What if Israel were to adopt Khamenei’s longterm approach and prepare 50 years out? What should those national objectives include? These are my suggestions.

Preserving the national movement of the Jewish people. Zionism achieved its primary objective, the establishment of the state, rapidly, but has lost its way. The paramount, and even existential decision we face today, is whether Israel’s Jewish character is determined primarily by its borders or population.

In 2060, the furthest demographic projections available, Israel’s population will be 15.6 million, of whom 12 million will be Jewish - just 76%. This figure does not include the West Bank, in which case the combined population will only be about 60% Jewish, as it already is today.

A state in which 40% of the population is not Jewish cannot be considered a Jewish state, even if we annex all of Judea and Samaria. The future of the Zionist enterprise depends on separation from the Palestinians. There is no need for a 50-year vision.

Determining Israel’s borders, peace with our neighbours and regional acceptance. Israel’s classic defence doctrine held that the conflict with the Arabs was unresolvable. In practice, during our first 70 years, we reached peace with Egypt and Jordan, conducted advance negotiations with the Syrians and Palestinians, now have growing ties with the Saudis and others and have become a regional fixture.

Peace with the Palestinians will transform Israel’s regional and international status. It is not all up to us, but it does require a decision regarding our borders. During the next 50 years we must strive to complete the process of regional acceptance.

Maintaining Israel’s deterrence and security.

Iran is the most sophisticated and dangerous adversary Israel has ever faced. A theocracy with a long-term perspective, Iran recognizes that it cannot destroy Israel in the short term and has thus adopted a decades-long strategy of attrition until destruction.

Israel is a frenetic democracy, focused on the here and now. Although we can manage the conflict with Iran and defend ourselves successfully, Iran may simply be our first adversary that is too big and powerful to be defeated.

Israel must thus adopt a national security strategy best suited to this new kind of longterm confrontation, one of “strategic patience,” based on maximal self-restraint, even in the face of significant provocations, and greater emphasis on defense (e.g. Iron Dome) and diplomacy. Offense would be resorted to when the other options have been exhausted, Israel can achieve significant periods of calm (510 years), at a price it is willing to pay, and maintain societal resilience.

A number of regional actors are now acquiring nuclear power reactors, for legitimate energy needs, but a similar project was the technological basis for Iran’s military nuclear program. It is thus increasingly likely that Israel will face the nightmare scenario of a multinuclear Mideast in the coming decades. Should this happen, Israel may be forced to contemplate a change its policy of nuclear ambiguity, seek a defense treaty with the U.S., or even consider regional disarmament, as fanciful as that sounds today.

Promoting regional stability. All of the forces that gave rise to the “Arab Spring” are still very much at work, even more so, including a population explosion, severe poverty and absence of economic opportunity, and political suppression. The Arab states are almost all in crisis, are at risk of becoming failed states, and have already caused a refugee crisis in Europe.

In 2007 an approximately 4 million Arab population lived near Israel’s borders; by 2027, 20 million will live within 50 kms. Israel’s thriving economy may prove a socioeconomic magnet that no border obstacle can withstand. Imagine 50 years from now.

Unlike Iran, Israel does not seek regional supremacy, certainly not global, but it does wish to influence critical regional processes such as these. It has two primary means of doing so: a settlement with the Palestinians, or even a reduction in the level of conflict, which would contribute to regional stability, as would a diplomatic campaign to promote a “Mideast Marshall Plan” designed to channel regional events in more positive directions.

It will cost the international community billions, but the alternative is for the Mideast to continue exporting its ills to Europe, a change in its fundamental character and even a conflict between the West and Islam.

Preserving the “special relationship” with the U.S., a fundamental pillar of Israel’s national security, despite alarming demographic and political trends. New population groups are on the rise in the U.S. with little affinity towards Israel, especially Hispanics and the religiously non-affiliated, while the Jewish community, the second largest in the world, is decreasing in size and influence.

By 2050 the Orthodox will constitute 25% of the U.S. Jewish community, up from 10% today, whereas Reform and Conservative Jews, the vast majority of American Jews and heretofore the pillar of support for Israel, are intermarrying and assimilating themselves out of existence.

We are already witnessing a significant decline in support for Israel on the American left, and even among the Jewish community.

Israel should seek a formal alliance with the U.S., but also reduce its dependence on it, inter alia, by weaning itself off U.S. military aid, beginning in 2027, when the current ten-year military aid programme ends. In 50 years, when we are 120, we must have long become fully independent. Nothing will contribute more to ensuring the long-term vibrancy of the “special relation-

ship” than a settlement with the Palestinians.

Achieving a just and progressive society. Israel’s projected population of 15.6 million in 2060 will include 4.15 million Haredim (ultra-Orthodox) and 3.6 million Israeli Arabs. Non-Haredim will comprise just 65% of the Jewish population, or 50% of the national total, income disparities and poverty will grow far worse, and the Haredi and Arab populations will become an untenable economic burden.

Much of the nation will look to various spiritual leaders, rather than the state, as their primary locus of authority, and will have little identification with its values. Maintaining a progressive democratic society, with equality before the law and respect for minority rights, will become very difficult.

If, like Khamenei, we wish to eradicate poverty and discrimination, we should be formulating a comprehensive long-term national strategy for a “war on poverty.” The resources needed are great and poverty and discrimination can never be completely eradicated, but Israel has successfully pursued similarly ambitious national objectives in the past. A national strategy such as this would begin with a change in the absurd current policy, which encourages population growth primarily among the non-productive sectors of society.

Maintaining Israel’s stature as a world leader in science and technology. Just a few years ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a limited national vision, that Israel become one of the world’s top five cyber powers, an objective already met with great success, and he may now set a similar vision regarding artificial intelligence and big data.

One cannot, however, base a society solely on the high-tech sector. Our universities, and education generally, are at a low. Israel’s qualitative edge generated its military, economic and spiritual strength in the past. We must invest in it again. The public is focused today on other issues, possibly because the opioid of almost unlimited low-cost flights abroad has clouded our collective senses. If, however, we wish to chart our national course, not just be buffeted by the winds of change, we must prepare today. Iran’s Supreme Leader has already begun doing so.

Chuck Freilich, a former deputy Israeli national security adviser, is a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center and author of “Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change” (Oxford University Press, April 2018).

Twitter: @FreilichChuck

APC and countdown to 2019 polls (11)

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

N

igerian pastors, who profess prophetship, use the Yuletide to prophesy or predict what the New Year holds for the nation, and the world at large. They either claim to be delivering a directive from God, or what they see while in the “Spirit.”

However, only a few of their predictions are precise. Others are ambivalent, and mere conjectures from reading of the moods in the polity.

This creates a perfect alibi for them when their forecasts are off the mark, which’s the case over the years.

That’s why most Nigerians query the sincerity and credibility of the “Men of God.” Are they truly prophets “chosen by God to say the things that God wants to tell people?” Are they in contact with God, and does He speak to them, as they regularly assert?

As the 2019 elections approach, so are their prophecies coming in torrents, with the majority “seeing” a peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise, despite the obvious scheming of politicians to impugn the integrity of the electoral process.

Some of the clerics, who often boast of the precision of previous prophecies, talked about Devine revelations, while others seemed to speak from their personal conviction on the presidential balloting that’s 39 days from today, January 7.

Yet, the prognoses for the February 16 presidential contest have a mixed bag of fortunes for the candidates, particularly the leading contenders, President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As the “prophets” have prophesied: “President Buhari will be returned to power,” some said. “Atiku Abubakar will prevail,” others pronounced. Which side will be vindicated?

Well, we have 39 days to answer the poser.

In the meantime, below is a checklist of the forecasts some of the prophets reeled out during their crossover services on the eve of the New Year. They may lift or dampen your spirits for your preferred candidate!

Primate Elijah Ayodele: The head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, has predicted victory for President Buhari because the PDP “refused to do the right thing from the beginning,” which’s to give the ticket to Senate President Bukola Saraki instead of Atiku.

“I said it the other time, and I still maintain it; if PDP had given the ticket to Bukola Saraki, they will win because it’s only Saraki that can unseat Buhari. But PDP have not done what they are supposed to do,” the Primate added.

Prophet Ekong Ituen: The Spiritual leader of Christ Deliverance Ministries in Lagos, said: “Let me start by telling Nigerians that election results will spring surprises. But in my revelation, it has been established that President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the election.

“You may not like him but that is the truth...

God gives power to whoever He pleases...

Whatever anyone becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God.” Prophet Christopher Owolabi: The General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke, Irapada, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, declared: “The present leadership in piloting the affairs of this great nation, as was revealed to me, will

extend beyond 2019 and there is going to be a brighter light at the end of the tunnel, socially and economically.

“The prediction is based on God’s interest in directing the affairs of the country at this critical period of its history, as it is revealed to me... No matter any act of political commission or omission, God is the one presently in control and directing the affairs of the country.”

Dr. Emmanuel Omole: The Founder of the Devine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, said: “Now, behold the vision I received from the Throne of grace and mercy, the seat of love, security and provisions, the God of miracles and wonders: “Atiku will show amazing efforts in the coming elections but I see President Buhari ruling again. However, President Buhari would require serious prayers for his health, as this could be an avenue to sway a judicial victory in favour of Atiku.”

Apostle Joshua Mone: The General Overseer of the Voice of Liberty Intercessors Ministry in Delta State, said: “Nigerians must pray. I see a conspiracy to postpone election dates. I see the nation Atikulated in 2019... I see a strong negative manipulation on INEC. Prayers must be made.”

Apostle Johnson Suleiman: The President of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, said: “Abubakar Atiku should focus on the North during campaign... I saw most Eastern states won by APC at the national level... 2019 Nigerian election 100% rigged... Nigeria vs Military/Police...

“Northern response to election results to shock the incumbent government... They had strong response from the South... Muhammadu Buhari needs prayer. Please, sir, go and rest.”

Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka: The Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu, declared: “Among all the presidential aspirants, Buhari stands in the best position in winning the presidential election.” He enumerated some of the president’s achievements in infrastructural development, and the “revolution” in agriculture.

“In all this, we urge Nigerians to vote President Buhari in order to complete his eight years’ tenure, and after which he will hand over to a younger candidate,” Mbaka said.

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

26

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Travel & Hospitality Marriott’s data breach tops 2018 •As Nigerian hotel guests unsure of losses

By VICTOR NZE

P

ERHAPS one of the biggest developments in the outgone year was the revelation by the world’s largest hotel chain, Marriott International that hackers stole about 500 million records from its Starwood Hotels reservation system in an attack that began four years ago, exposing personal data of customers including some payment card numbers.

Aside this posing a source of worry for the global guests of the hotel, it was a major bother for Nigerian guests of the hotel chain, considering that Starwood hotels, which Marriott acquired dominates the country’s hospitality market.

Marriott, following its acquisition of Starwood Hotels now manages a host of hotel brands in Nigeria, including: Sheraton Hotels in Lagos and Abuja; Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos and Ikot Ekpene; Le Meridien in Port Harcourt.

The list also includes the Ibom Resort which up until early this year was managed by the Marriott Hotels, and was a part of Starwood properties in Nigeria, but has been repossessed by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The hack began in 2014, before Marriott offered to buy Starwood for $12.2 billion in November 2015, acquiring brands including Sheraton, Ritz Carlton and the Autograph Collection to create the world’s largest hotel operator. The company closed the Starwood deal in September 2016.

Marriott further said for 327 million guests, compromised data could include passport details, phone numbers and email addresses. For some others, it could include credit card information.

Marriott said it first found out about the breach after an internal security tool sent an alert on September 8.

“We’ve opened an investigation into the Marriott data breach. Additionally, under New York law, Marriott was required to provide notification to our office upon discovering the breach; they have not done so as of yet,” said Amy Spitalnick, Communications Director and Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the New York Attorney General.

Marriott said it would inform affected guests about the breach,

starting Friday, and that it had reported it to law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

Only last week, Marriott said that teams of forensic and data analysts had identified “approximately 383 million records as the upper limit” for the total number of guest reservations records lost. The company still says it has no idea who carried out the attack, and it suggested the figure would decline over time as more duplicate records are identified.

What made the Starwood attack different was the presence of passport numbers, which could make it far easier for an intelligence service to track people who cross borders.

So far, there are no known cases in which stolen passport or credit card information was found in fraudulent transactions. But to cyberattack investigators, that is just another sign that the hacking was conducted by intelligence agencies, not criminals. The agencies would want to use the data for their own purposes — building databases and tracking government or industrial surveillance targets — rather than exploiting the data for economic profit.

Marriott International said fewer customer records were stolen than initially feared but added that more than 25 million passport numbers were stolen in last month’s cyber attack. The company said today that the biggest hacking of personal information in history was not quite as big as first feared but for the first time conceded that its Starwood hotel unit did not encrypt the passport numbers for roughly 5 million guests. Those passport numbers were lost in an attack that many outside experts believe was carried out by Chinese intelligence agencies.

When the attack was first revealed by Marriott at the end of November, it said information on upward of 500 million guests may have been stolen, all from the reservations database of Starwood, a major hotel chain that Marriot had acquired. But at the time, the company said that the figure was a worst-case scenario because it included millions of duplicate records.

The revised figure is still the largest loss in history, greater than the attack on Equifax, the consumer

Delta records 2018 passengers for December

W

ORLD’S second largest carrier, Delta Air Lines has reported that it carried a record 15.3 million passenger in the month of December and an annual record 192 million passengers across its broad global network in 2018.

The world’s second largest airline’s December 2018 operating performance highlights include: Reaching 1 million new Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Members for the second year a row and expanding new SkyMiles Members by a record number in one year; Winning the Glassdoor Employee’s Choice Award for the fourth consecutive year, based entirely on input pro-

vided by employees.

Other feats include; Achieving a JUST Capital top 100 ranking for the second consecutive year for top marks in performance on employee culture, customers, product, communities and more; as well as; Announcing a new international route between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Mexico City pending government approval, the third newly announced international route from Minneapolis-St. Paul in 2018, and announcing new nonstop service from Boston for fall 2019 to include additional top business destinations of Washington, D.C., Chicago, Newark, N.J., and Cleveland.

•(From left): Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa and President of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, Chief Goodfaith Etuemena, during the contract extension signing of Dana Air’s sponsorship of the club for another one year recently in Owerri.

credit-reporting agency, which lost the driver’s license and Social Security numbers of roughly 145.5 million Americans in 2017, leading to the ouster of its chief executive and a huge loss of confidence in the firm.

For the Nigerian guests, industry watchers say the damage may not be huge based on the fact that reservations and other transactions in the country are largely across–thecounter-cash transactions, with most others via bank debit cards, as against the credit cards in much more developed climes.

Enquiries directed to the Marriott Hotel’s Director of Communications in Nigeria, Ms Nanji Tyem, as to the extent of loss local guests may have been exposed to following the data breach however, referred such to the parent firm in the United States.

At Marriott’s headquarters in the U.S, Connie Kim, a company spokeswoman, said: “We are looking into our ability to move to universal encryption of passport numbers and will be working with our systems vendors to better understand their capabilities, as well as reviewing applicable national and local regulations.”

Marriott has said it would pay for a new passport for anyone whose passport information, hacked from

Air Peace launches direct flights to Banjul, increases Accra frequency

A

IR PEACE has said it will begin non-stop flights from Lagos to Banjul, The Gambia from Monday, January 7.

The airline said it would no longer route its Lagos-Banjul flights through Accra, Ghana. The carrier had earlier broken its connecting

Sheraton Lagos celebrates ‘Sweet January’

S

HERATON Lagos Hotel has announced plans to commence the New Year with its indulging array of sweet treats to delight Patrons and Customers.

The hotel will activate their offerings from the 27th of January 2019 with the celebration of International Chocolate Cake day at the Pumpkin Leaf Restaurant.

“Everyone will agree that chocolate cake is a rich and good for the soul. We are happy to give all our diners the opportunity to savor our delicious desert during our Sunday brunch and dinner”. Chocolate cake will be served all through in its variations.

“We trust that both children and adults alike will enjoy this and leave very satisfied with what our experienced pastry chefs whip up. Our second sweet treat will be available on the 30th of January, 2019. This will be in celebration of ‘world croissant day.

“Sheraton Lagos is known for its tasty varieties of croissant options and to celebrate; everyone who orders a cup of tea or coffee at the

their systems, was found to be involved in a fraud. But that was something of a corporate sleight of hand, since it provided no coverage for guests who wanted a new passport simply because their data had been taken by foreign spies.

The company’s president and chief executive, Arne Sorenson, has yet to answer questions about the hacking in public, and Marriott said he was traveling and declined a request from The Times to talk about hacking.

lobby bar will get a free croissant of their choice. This crescent shaped pastry known for its buttery and flaky feel is enjoyed by many and with the new additions to the croissant menu we trust it will be a hit with our guests.

“Our Sheraton Lagos teams are geared up to ensure that every bite is a delicious memory,” said Deputy General Manager equally in charge of Food & Beverage – Mr. Farrukh Maqbool.

Continuing, Maqbool said: “At Sheraton Lagos Hotel we go beyond in being innovative when it comes to food and it delights us to offer something to our loyal customers which is eclectic and not currently in the market. By doing this, the hotel believes that it will be cementing its place as a hotel not just for business travelers but also as a venue that creates experiences for leisure seekers too.

“With the hotel’s proven success and exceptional reputation in culinary expertise, The Sheraton Lagos Hotel looks forward to celebrating January with everyone.”

flights to Freetown, Sierra Leone.

It now operates direct Lagos-Freetown-Lagos flights.

In a related development, Air Peace said it was consolidating its leadership of air services on the West Coast of Africa with scheduling of more flights on the Accra, Ghana route.

The development, the carrier said, would avail travellers an exciting opportunity to cut cost and travel time.

It pledged to continue to adjust its schedules to better serve its customers on the West Coast of Africa.

“We are pleased to announce the commencement of our non-stop flights to Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia, from Monday, January 7, 2019. We had routed our flights to Banjul through Accra, Ghana. The new schedule follows our experiment with direct flights from Lagos to Freetown. The pieces of feedback we have received from members of the flying public indicate that they prefer to take direct flights to Freetown and Banjul. The option saves air travellers money and time.

“We have also increased our offering on the Lagos-Accra with more flights. The new Banjul and Accra flight operations,we are sure, will not only deepen our West Coast operations, but also deliver a variety of smart options to our valued customers. We are a customer-centric airline and the strategy of our leadership of the airline business in Nigeria and West Africa is anchored on attaching great importance to the feedback of our esteemed customers,” Air Peace said.

27

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

AVIATION

Aviation industry appreciates despite failed national carrier project, others Stories by VICTOR NZE

A

SIDE the small matter of the national embarrassment caused by the truncation of the Nigeria Air project by the Federal Government after all the fanfare accompanying its initial launch, the Nigerian civil aviation industry recorded an appreciable improvement in the 2018.

This is against the backdrop of the worrying level of fatalities recorded in the global aviation industry for the same period under review as crashes claimed nearly 500 air passengers’ lives the world over.

With barely three months to its planned commencement of operations in December 19, the Federal Government’s pulled the plug on its Nigeria Air project which had also generated criticisms from operators and stakeholders alike in the nation’s aviation industry.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika announced in September via his Twitter handle, @hadisirika, at the end of a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting same day that the Federal Government has, in the interim, suspended the project.

“I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always,” the tweet read.

Reacting to the development, umbrella body of owners of domestic airlines in the country, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) described the concept of the suspended national carrier as ‘totally unsustainable and a drain pipe for wasting scarce resources,’ even as it commended the government for taking the bold step of halting it, a decision it stressed was ‘in the interest of the nation and in response to the many cries for reason put forward by the operators.’

Secretary General of Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Razaq Saidu, said he has been vindicated stating that the Minister had no moral justification to forge ahead with Nigeria Air. On his part, Deputy General Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Mr Frances Akinjole, said that the project failed to materialise as planned due to lack of consultations by the government.

Also, the President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr Gbenga Olowo, said that ART was not surprised about the suspension of the project.

“We saw the abortion coming right from conception. We issued all professional advice on questions bordering on the need, start-up process, government and private ownership. Others are the competing need for limited funds on aviation infrastructure and the unpaid entitlements of ex-Nigerian Airways workers.

The outgone year was also characterized by incidents of mid-air cabin decompression on an Air Peace flight, rough landings, emergency landings, flight delays amounting to 8,825 cases in the first quarter of 2018 alone, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Statistics released by the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA showed that 14,633 flights were operated by eight airlines dur-

ing the period under review, while 208 flights were cancelled for various reasons.

According to the record, Air Peace, which operated 5,066 flights, topped the chart of delayed flights with 2, 901 and 59 cancelled flights.

It said that Arik Air followed with 2,322 delayed flights and 56 cancellations out of 3,972 flights, while Dana Air operated 1,726 flights with 1,043 cases of flight delay and one cancellation.

The document said that Azman Air recorded 792 and 23 delayed and cancelled flights, respectively, out of 1,140 flights it operated during the period.

According to the record, Medview Airline operated 894 flights with 632 delayed flights and 15 cancellations, Overland, 614 flights with 484 delayed and 12 cancelled while FirstNation Airways had 359 flights with 101 delayed and three cancelled.

Flight shortage also dented the later end of the year as air fares consequently shot up as a result of the situation which arose following domestic operators decision to dispatch their fleet abroad for routine C-Checks.

Similarly, the suspense of Nigeria’s ratification of the African Open Skies agreement continued throughout the year as domestic operators mounted opposition to the move on the grounds that the industry was not yet conducive for that arrangement, further describing the agreement as planned takeover of their business.

However, despite the ill-advised attempt to establish a national carrier, air travellers heaved a sigh of relief as the new terminals of the Abuja and Port Harcourt airports were finally commissioned and put into operation after years of delay.

Also, the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) handed over a Certificate of Recognition to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) designating its training school as an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC).

Also, the second and newer domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) recorded a record total passenger traffic of 228, 239 with inbound passengers registering at 104,168 while a total of 124,071 passengers were processed out during the period under review, according to data released by the Terminal Manager of the GAT, Mr Aderigbigbe Adekunle.

“We have two sub-terminals here, the Zulu and Alfa, what we did was to move some flights from the busy terminal to the less busy terminal for passengers comfort. Calabar, Port Harcourt and Uyo flights were moved to the Zulu terminal to ease the Alfa traffic where Airpeace operates from,” said Adekunle.

As the aviation enters a new year, therefore, industry watchers insist the position of the Federal Government on the African Open Skies, under the umbrella Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship project under the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), which seeks to liberalize and unify the African skies that was launched during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU on 28 January 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has to be clarified.

It has also become imperative for the country to upgrade its airports’

Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Aeronautic Information System (AIS) from the present category 1 to the newer category 11 for improved handling of perennial weather challenges like poor visibility during the harmattan which is directly responsible for harsh or rough landings by aircraft during the season.

The equipment aside reducing incidents of harsh landings is also expected to reduce cases of flight delays that still dogs the country’s aviation industry.

Considering that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved N6 billion for the procurement of navigational aids in the outgone year, the need to install the aids will help operators ease past one of their biggest challenges which has also become the air traveller’s nightmare.

In the same vein, with the upgrade of the ILS, the industry should move to night operations which many posit would reduce the strain put on the ‘early bird’ flight schedules of airlines.

“If airlines can operate up till say 12am, then I believe many of those who scramble to catch the 5am flights would just not bother as all they have to do is catch that late flight. But of course, the authorities must have to ensure that airports have night landing aids,” opined Mr. Mike Okere, a frequent air traveller.

Elsewhere, while the Nigerian scene was spared of fatal air crashes, the same cannot be said of the global industry as the fatality rate on passenger jet aircraft worldwide jumped in 2018 after airlines recorded zero accident deaths on passenger jets in the prior year, according to a Dutch consulting firm and an aviation safety group.

Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 and the Aviation Safety Network both reported on Tuesday there were more than 500 deaths stemming from passenger airline crashes in 2018, but emphasized that fatal crashes remain rare.

To70 estimated that the fatal accident rate for large commercial passenger flights at 0.36 per million flights, or one fatal accident for every 3 million flights.

That is up from 2017’s 0.06 per million flight rate and above the most recent five-year average of 0.24 per million flights. There were 13 deaths in 2017 in two fatal crashes worldwide, but both were on regional turboprop aircraft.

Over the last two decades, aviation deaths around the world have been falling. As recently as 2005, there were 1,015 deaths aboard commercial passenger flights worldwide, the Aviation Safety Network said.

Despite the increase, 2018 was still the third safest year ever in terms

of the number of fatal accidents and the ninth safest measured by deaths, the Aviation Safety Network said.

“If the accident rate had remained the same as ten years ago, there would have been 39 fatal accidents last year,” Aviation Safety Network’s chief executive, Harro Ranter, said in a statement. “This shows the enormous progress in terms of safety in the past two decades.”

On Oct. 29, a Lion Air-operated Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the Java Sea after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189.

In May, a Cubana flight of a Boeing 737-201 crashed just outside Havana airport, killing 112 people. In March, 51 of 71 on board died after a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed on landing at Nepal’s international airport.

In February, a plane operated by Saratov Airlines crashed in Russia after taking off from Stepanovskoye, killing all 71 people aboard, while the same month an Aseman Airlines flight crashed into a mountain in Iran, killing 66 people onboard.

The United States suffered its first accident death involving a U.S. airline since 2009 in April, when a fan blade on a Southwest Airlines Co Boeing 737’s jet engine broke apart in flight, shattering a window and nearly sucking a woman out of the plane.

•Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah joined by the Assistant Customer Relations Manager, Mrs. Patricia Ebilah (right), Business Development Manager, Tracy Osakwe (2nd right), Corporate Communications Executive, Mr. Temitope Kayode (3rd right), Customer Service Executive, Mr. John Omafu (3rd left), Head of Corporate Communications, Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Mrs. Eniola Ade-Solanke (2nd left) and the Group Executive Director of Bi-Courtney, Mr. Rodger Whittle (left) to cut the tape to flag off the airline’s flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos on Wednesday

Ibom Air set for operations, acquires three aircraft

F

OLLOWING in the steps of Imo State which launched its own airline managed by Dana Air, the Akwa Ibom State Government -owned Ibom Airline Company has acquired three aircraft as it prepares to enter the aviation industry.

Similarly, the company has concluded its recrutment process with 400 direct and indirect jobs for Akwa Ibom unemployed indigenes and acquiring no fewer than three aircraft into its fleet.

This is just as the State Government has maintained that the airline will at the moment operate within Uyo-Lagos- Abuja routes,

stating that it ventured into airline operations to add to the capacity of existing airlines.

State Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development, Mr. Akan Okon who revealed this in Uyo said the recruitment process concluded, with an Akwa Ibom son as Chief Pilot maintained that the heavy traffic in Akwa Ibom airport has made it imperative for the state government to join the few airlines operating there.

“Ibom Air has come to stay. I am happy to tell you that we have completed recruitment with good number of Akwa Ibom children.

The Chief Pilot is from Akwa Ibom.

Three aircraft are secured and are ready for commencement of operation. It is completely owned and operated by Akwa Ibom State Government and it will provide 400 direct and indirect jobs.” He said Okon said though the airline is exclusively owned by the Akwa Ibom State government, its management and operations will completely align professionally with world best practices.

Okon also applauded the Director of Air Worthiness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engr Ita Awak for his role in ensuring ease of operations and the actualization of the purpose for which Ibom Airport was established.

28

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION 2019: Year of policy uncertainties T Stories by VICTOR NZE

HE better part of the outgone in the insurance industry had many Boards of Directors, chief executive officers of insurance firms wide awake scampering for solutions following the sudden decision by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to introduce the Tier-Based Solvency Capital (TBMSC) policy for operators in the sector.

What caused more discomfort among industry players may not have been the directive to recapitalize, but rather the decision to backdate the deadline for such directive from the original date of January 1, 2019to January 1, 2019.

Having directed insurance firms to realign their operations according to their capital base in August, the commission backdated the directed from January 1, 2019 to same year of October 1, 2018, barely three months after its announcement.

However, after the expiration of the October 1, 2018 date, the commission withdrew the directive for the firms to be categorized into a three-tier operational structure.

As controversial as the backdating of the TBMSC policy directive was, many still believe the development upset many an insurance firm operating in the country.

It would be recalled that NAICOM had on August 2018 announced that the insurance companies Tier-based recapitalisation commencement date to October 1, as against January 1, 2019 it earlier announced in the month of July.

According to the commission the new circular mandated all insurance companies to recapitalise and communicate to NAICOM the tier they intended to play in before October 1.

The commission noted that only companies that meet the respective tier requirements shall lead on new businesses in those categories with effect from October 1.

“Companies shall be assessed, in the first instance, on their approved financial statement for 2017, and audited half year account for 2018.

The TBMSC structure is a complementary measure to the ongoing implementation of the Risk-Based Supervision (RBS) programme. It is a three level model which specifies capital requirement for each tier based on their respective risk classification.

Going into the new year, the regulatory agencies of government appear to have kicked-off where they left off last year, as policy summersaults again characterize the business environment.

Barely few weeks after it released guidelines for its newly-introduced State Insurance Producer (SIP) policy, which it said, is also expected to boost premium income generation and the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), NAICOM has again reversed the decision.

Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari had announced in Ibadan last month that the policy is expected to take off on January 1, 2019.

The 36 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will be a new alternative insurance distribution channel in the country.

The SIP would be an agency of a

state government licensed by NAICOM to provide intermediary services as defined by the guideline issued by the commission and also remunerated as by provision of the operational guideline.

The SIP is expected to facilitate the sale of compulsory classes of insurance within the state jurisdiction and all classes for its principal’s insurances (State Government), while additional insurance products and services would be considered in the future, depending on the success of the initial approach.

While it will also be empowered to penalise defaulters according to the laws of the States, the agency, he added, will equally maintain proper records of individuals and organisations bound by the requirements of the compulsory classes of insurance and monitoring the compliance.

“Once licensed to operate by the commission, the SIP shall enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as may be sanctioned by NAICOM, with approved insurance companies in its jurisdiction for the purposes of placement and management of insurance business within a state,” he pointed out The SIP, he stressed, shall only transact insurance business with approved insurers, saying, only insurance companies with branch offices in respective states will be eligible to transact business with SIPs. To complement the SIP policy, he promised that NAICOM would open 20 new branch offices across the states of the federation for strict management and enhancement of insurance penetration.

This, he said would also go a long way in meeting government expectations with regards to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in the areas of job creation, poverty prevention and confidence in the face of risk.

He disclosed that the initiative would be the answer to the saturation in the Corporate Segment, an opportunity to improve the image of insurance industry and brand building for individual insurance firms.

Similarly, the commission had stated that insurance penetration in the country is expected to increase from 200 to 300 percent in the next two years under the new SIP framework.

Further highlighting more on the benefits accruable from the SIP policy, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari said the new policy he would help to meet the government’s expectations with regards to Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in the area of job creation, poverty prevention and confidence in the face of risks.

He listed answer to the saturation in the corporate segment, improve the image of the insurance industry and brand building for individual insurance institutions as some other benefits of the policy.

The guidelines further reads:” that there will be a signed undertaking signed by an officer of the State Government not below the rank of a Permanent Secretary that the state undertakes and agree that the sum N2,000,000.00 shall be deducted from accrued commission to be earned by the Licensed State Insurance Producer before payment of commission is made to the coffers of the Government.

“The licence will be renewed every two years with the sum of N2

•(From left): Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Life Assurance Limited, Mr. Femi Asenuga; Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc., Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; his wife, Mrs. Dotun Ogunbiyi and Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc., Mr. Segun Omosehin with members of the MUTUAL Choir at Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc.’s 2018 Christmas Carol held in Lagos recently.

million, adding that the levy chargeable on SIP business shall be 1.00 per cent of gross commission and that the commission to be paid by the insurers to a SIP shall not exceed 75 per cent of the Commission payable to insurance broker.

“If the Commission is satisfied that the applicant has satisfied the requirements as contained herein or such other requirements as may be prescribed, it shall licence the applicant as a State Insurance Producer “A license issued under this Guidelines shall entitle the holder to act as a State Insurance Producer for the appropriate state government and shall be renewable once every two (2) years by the Commission.

“The Commission may require an applicant to furnish any further information or clarification for the purpose of consideration of the application and also in regard to any other matter as may be deemed necessary by the Commission.

“The State Insurance Producer shall enter into a memorandum of understanding; as may be approved by the Commission; with approved insurance companies established in its jurisdiction for the purpose of the placement and management of insurance business.

“The State Insurance Producer shall only transact insurance business with these approved Insurers, which list shall be approved from time to time by the Commission.”

The commission further listed some key responsibilities of the agent include: “facilitating the enforcement of Compulsory classes of Insurance within the State jurisdiction by ensuring compliance; exercising on defaulters the power to penalise them according to the states laws and maintaining proper records of individuals and organisations bound by the requirements of the compulsory classes of Insurance and monitoring the compliance.

Into the new year and the commission has ordered the immediate withdrawal and cancellation of the Operational Guidelines on State Insurance Producers barely 24 hours after a fruitful town hall meeting of top management of NAICOM and Members of Nigerian Council of Reg-

istered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).

This leaves insurance operators with the PenCom’s already released framework and guidelines for Micro-Pension Scheme planned for take-off in first quarter of this year, to work with.

Acting Director-General, PenCom, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, who was represented by Mr Datti Yola, Head of Surveillance Department, PenCom, said this at the Compliance Officers Forum held in Uyo. She said that the micro-pension scheme was aimed at capturing the informal sector such as artisans, tailors and other self-employed to plan and save for their retirement.

“It is also important to mention that the commission recently released the framework and guidelines for the implementation of Micro-Pension Scheme, which is targeted at increased participation of employees in the informal sector.

“Multi fund structure and revised guidelines for Fund Accounting as well as revised Circular for Branch opening and Service for PFNs,” she said.

She said that to promote a stable and sustainable pension industry, the commission adopted zero tolerance for non-compliance and consultative supervisory philosophy in issuance of guidelines.

She advised operators of the National Pension Schemes to guard against any form of threat in an attempt to swindle those in the industry.

She said to promote better risk management in licensed pension operators, the commission had moved to a more risk based approach to supervising pension operators by aligning its supervisory framework with that of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC).

NAICOM also said two microinsurance companies will soon commence operation as they were on the verge of securing regulatory approval to do so. The two microinsurers, when they start operation, would become the pioneer microinsurance outfits in the insurance sector of the economy.

While it is yet unknown which of the Unit, State and National License the two firms will operate with, insider source revealed that one of the firm is expected to target Lagos and SouthWest market in a bid to increase insurance penetration and acceptance in the country.

Reacting to the reversal of NAICOM’s SIP, President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Shola Tinubu, appreciated the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari and his team for considering brokers’ plea to withdraw the guideline on State Insurance Producer (SIP) policy.

He described the commission as a listening regulatory body, which has again demonstrated the desire to grow an industry that would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth.

The withdrawal and cancellation of the guideline came barely 24 hours after a fruitful town hall meeting of top management of NAICOM and Members NCRIB. According to him, the gesture would further enhance the council’s confidence in the leadership of NAICOM, stressing that the confidence reposed on NAICOM was never betrayed.

“The council appreciates NAICOM for the magnanimity in withdrawing the guideline as it will lead to the much desired progress and cohesion required for the industry’s growth.

“We are back on drawing board to chat a way forward in deepening insurance penetration and entrenchment of MDRI among Nigerian populace to ensure more financial inclusion and make insurance a front burner in growing the nation’s economy as it is obtainable in other climes.

“It is pertinent to note that the current leadership of NAICOM has over the years demonstrated unprecedented understanding and all inclusive regulatory system whereby the Council has always been carried along in formulation of policies and guidelines before it eventually become operational,” he said.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION

January renewals show higher prices for clients – Report

Stories by VICTOR NZE

R

EINSURANCE placements at January 1, 2019 highlight a pricing gap between accounts with peak peril exposures, or poor loss records, and the rest, with many reinsurers placing emphasis on the quality of client counterparties, according to the latest 1st View renewals report from Willis Re. A two-track trend has been especially evident in property-catastrophe renewals, where cedents with good loss records and a disciplined, early renewal process achieved risk-adjusted rate reductions, while loss affected accounts and clients viewed as of lesser quality are seeing upward pricing across a number of lines.

The insurance linked securities (ILS) market faces a more comprehensive test in the absence of a major pricing uptick following significant loss erosion for some funds in both 2017 and 2018, said the Willis Re report.

Some funds are challenged in attracting new investors, and those with long-standing and successful track records, consistent and wellregarded management teams, and flexible trust language or fronting agreements are the ones best equipped for success, the report continued.

Adjustments to business models initiated over the year have taken on an increased urgency, including the well-documented changes within the Lloyd’s market, said the report, noting that, as a result, some primary lines are seeing significantly larger rate increases than treaty reinsurance business.

Willis Re said that reinsurers have benefited from increases in premium ceded by large carriers, notably through large new pro rata cessions where terms have slightly tilted in reinsurers’ favor. At the same time, major reinsurers’ strength and client-centric flexibility remain key to large cedents’ goal of dampening earnings volatility.

“In the immediate aftermath of the 2017 catastrophe losses, many observers felt the measured reaction of the reinsurance market was a clear sign of a changing structure and maturity,” said James Kent, global CEO, Willis Re. “Others more cautiously suggested time was needed to properly assess the impact of 2017 events,” he added. “In the wake of the high loss activity during the second half of 2018, early renewal negotiations have proved prudent, while pricing in the primary market has given reinsurers some cause for optimism in light of the increased pro rata cessions from clients.”

•(From left): Patrick Osadebe, Group Head, Retails and Distribution, Wapic Insurance Plc; Bode Ojeniyi, Executive Director; Yinka Adekoya, Managing Director/CEO; Bankole Bernard, National President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies; Aina Akintonde, Group Head, Services and Fulfilment, Wapic Insurance and Ayodeji Bankole-Olusina, Managing Director designate, Wapic Life, during the unveiling of Wapic Travel Insurance product in Lagos on Tuesday.

WAPIC launches travel insurance products

W

APIC Insurance Plc has launched innovative travel insurance product designed to cover travelers against unforeseen incidents and hazards associated with international traveling.

STI reviews performance, exceeds N10bn income target for 2018

T

HE quest for greater performance and sustainable profitability come 2019 formed the basis of the just concluded Management Retreat/Budget Session of one of the insurance companies in the country- Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. The retreat, held in Lagos, brought together all top Management staff and Heads of revenue generating units of the company across the country for a two-day intensive discourse on the way forward for the organisation in the coming year.

The performance and challenges faced by the organisation in 2018, also formed part of the highlights of the session, which was

also used to celebrate the company’s feat in meeting and surpassing the 2018 target of N10.1 billion in the history of the underwriting company.

A feat considered by many as very unprecedented in a year that was characterized by so many operational uncertainties. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Olaotan Soyinka, urged his colleagues in the management level to bring to bear an unrelenting commitment and dedication like never, in ensuring that the target set for 2019 is met and surpassed exceedingly.

His plea centered on accomplishment as the watchword for the organization’s operations

in the coming year. He enjoined them not to relent in their quest of wanting to make the STI brand one of the most preferred and patronized brands in the insurance industry in Nigeria.He further said that the company’s Management is committed to providing an enabling environment conditioned to bringing out the best in each member of staff.

“We are undoubtedly resolute in our quest to attracting the best hands in the industry through competitive remuneration/welfare packages. I require your full support and co-operation in bringing this dream to a reality as we forge ahead in the coming year and the years to come,” he said.

backlog of arrears. ‘‘The Federal Government released N45 billion accrued rights for the contributory pension scheme and N22.4 billion to start payment of ex-Nigeria Airways pensioners,’’ he said.

President Buhari told the pensioners that the federal government also bailed out states by releasing Paris Club refunds to them to enable them to clear salary and pension arrears.

He said he also authorised the schemes for the restoration of pensions for retirees of Niger Delta Steel Company, NITEL/MTEL as well as Biafra Police/Army.

While reviewing the actions taken so far by the administration in the area of pension, the president said the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) had saved N4.9 trillion per annum.

President Buhari said this was as a result of the introduction of payroll clean-up under the Civil Service verification exercise.

He added that the directorate which supervised the payment of

pension arrears to over 50,000 verified civil service pensioners, also oversaw the payment of N917.6 million to 432 war retirees.

According to him, the PTAD completed full payment of N5.8 billion to police retirees in August 2018 while three months later, N13.7 billion was paid to parastatal retirees and N18 billion to civil service pensioners. ‘‘These few examples testify to government’s positive impact on pensioners’ lives. In addition, we achieved huge savings in budgetary provisions through the elimination of ghost and duplicated details. ‘‘We have restored qualified pensioners arbitrarily removed from the payroll, thus bringing succour and hope to the senior citizens and improving the confidence of the entire county in government and its policies,’’ he said.

On the requests by the pensioners, the president promised to do all within his powers to address them, subject to availability of funds.

The leader of the delegation had

The innovative product, according to the company, offers compensation for in-flight loss of checked-in luggage, delay of flight and delay of luggage and payment of medical assistance for illness or accident sustained while traveling.

It also covers transport or repatriation for medical reasons for the insured and/or family members traveling with the insured.

Other benefits for the offering include accidental death cover and provide transport or repatriation of moral remains of insured, and Emergency return home following the death of a case family member.

At the launch, the company said the initiative has come after an extensive period of a detailed review of consumer-detriment issues in travel insurance, and the product, released as the best possible action to ensure

Africa Re Foundation to take-off January

A

FRICA’S top reinsurance firm, Africa Re on Monday has announced the establishment of Africa Re foundation.

We’ve stopped dehumanisation of pensioners – FG

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has put a stop to dehumanisation of Federal Government’s pensioners by ensuring prompt payment of their entitlements and clearing the backlog of arrears.

President Buhari stated this when he received a delegation of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners led by its Acting President, Comrade Musa Dallatu, at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

The president declared that the welfare of pensioners had remained a priority for his administration since May 2015.

According to him, the retirees deserve timely payment of their entitlements, recognition and respect for their work and dedication to the country during their active working years. ‘‘In recent times pensioners were ignored, neglected and even persecuted. We have put a stop to that. As you yourselves have confirmed today, we have begun regular payment of monthly pensions and payment of

better consumer protection during travel.

The Chief Executive Officer, Yinka Adekoya, said: “Wapic ceaselessly explores opportunities to improve our customer experience offerings to the public and to continually address the needs of our customers.

“It is for these reasons we have taken great care to ensure the documentation of persistent travel-related consumer protection issues, and with the understanding of these issues, have developed a product targeted to better protect consumers.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our customers greater options through our travel insurance package, which include pocket-friendly pricing based on duration of trip and destination of the prospective policy holder plus other great features that we believe our customers will find exciting and have confidence in.”

called for the implementation of the National Policy on Pension Parity and the National Policy on Social Security on Health and Other Related Matters of the Elderly.

Dallatu, had also sought presidential intervention on the five per cent counterpart funding for the payment of Local Government pensioners and retired primary school teachers which was arbitrarily stopped in 2010.

He also appealed for the payment of outstanding pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits that had accrued over the years, among others.

While commending Buhari on the regular payment of pensions, Dallatu said: ‘‘We are bold to say without fear or favour that you have made our lives better than you met them. ‘‘It is an incontestable fact that since the advent of this government under your able leadership, payment of monthly pensions has been more regular than ever. In fact, if the truth must be told, Mr President Sir, we have never had it so good.’’

The foundation which will become operational in January 2019 has established for efficient and transparent management of corporate social responsibility in the communities of its stakeholders.

The foundation has a governing council, which comprises of reputable insurance professionals with decades of experience, chosen from all the regions of the continent to ensure fair representation.

The first meeting of the council was held on December 4, 2018 in Mauritius.

As part of its activities, Africa Re foundation will provide grants for capacity development and risk management solution in member countries; raise awareness on major risk; support innovation and research in insurance, risk prevention and protection; partner with academic institutions in member countries to develop risk mapping and modeling; support training and development of young insurance professionals in Africa; contribute to the research and development of risk management scheme and development; promote excellence among the African insurance industry players and stakeholders; support any other initiative which contributes to the development of the African insurance industry.

Africa Re has already injected an initial endowment into the foundation.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market SEC introduces multiple initiatives to boost investors’ confidence –Uduk Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) MS. MARY UDUK in a recent interview with Channels Television disclosed various measures introduced by the commission to boost investors’ confidence in the Nigerian capital market. Excerpts from the transcript are presented by JEROME USHAKANG Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Mary Uduk in a recent interview with Channels Television disclosed various measures introduced by the commission to boost investors’ confidence in the Nigerian capital market. Excerpts from the transcript are presented by JEROME USHAKANG. What are some the initiatives the SEC is implementing to boost investors’ confidence?

W

E ARE doing a lot to boost investors’ confidence in our market. But I want to say that both local and foreign investors are very good for the market.

For instance the foreign investors, because they trade their shares all of the time it leads to price discovery as against the local investors that just takes a long term view on their investments.

Investors’ fears can be of two folds, firstly they could be afraid because they feel that capital market operators will mismanage their investments, secondly is looking at the volatility of the market that makes investors skeptical.

For the first scenario, we have a number of initiatives that we have put in place to boost investors’ confidence. We have the E-Dividend mandate system, the Direct Cash Settlement as well as multiple subscription in place. For the second category, investors have to take ownership of their investments. They have to be able to monitor their investments, attend Annual General Meetings as well as read the annual reports sent out to them. We also protect them through the National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF) Risk Based supervision that enables us to supervise the operators to ensure that they do not do what they are not supposed to do. And again the Complaints Management Framework enables investors to know where to complain to and how long it takes for such complaints to be resolved. For those of the investors that are averse to risk, they should get their financial advisers to advise them properly on where to invest.

We also advise retail investors to invest in Collective Investment Schemes and Mutual Funds because those are managed independently by professionals and they are diversified thereby reducing risks. We are committed to protecting investors in the work we do.

Is the SEC doing anything new on investor education?

An informed investor is able to take advantage of the market in and out of season. The Commission regularly carries out various investor education campaigns around the country to inform investors of the benefits of investing in long term securities among others.

We are also partnering with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to come up with a curriculum for basic and secondary schools on Capital Market Studies. The planning and writing of that curriculum has been completed and the editing has been done.

What role is technology expected to play in the Nigerian Capital Market?

Technology when properly leveraged will reduce the cost of doing business in the capital market. We know that technology is driving a lot of things in the market at the moment. For instance, in the banking system, technology is driving the

payment system. Even with phones people can buy, make payments and even obtain loans among others.

We have seen that there is a lot of innovation and cost reduction in the money market due to technology, and so we also want to do the same in the capital market. To this end, the Capital Market Committee has set up a Road Map committee to come up with a guide for the capital market to enable us also leverage on technology to do business and reduce cost.

We already have a Division in the SEC dedicated to Fintech that will help up look at all the technologies that relate to the capital market surrounding ICOs, among others. In the capital market, technology has assisted in improvements of processes like the use of Block chain to do settlement. Afex right bow uses block chain to drive its data. We also have technology driving the platforms through which people are now able to come in to invest Innovations in financial technology, has made possible the potential of using digital tools to make financial services available to a wider range of consumers and enterprises, promoting financial inclusion and the affordability of financial services. A financially inclusive society will provide increased access to finance, especially for women, help support sustainable growth and will create a million more jobs. The gains of having a more inclusive financial system are enormous, as it helps broaden financial markets and make policies more effective Why has the market not performed so well in recent times?

A large percentage of these who do business in our market are foreign investors and as at the third quarter of 2018, the capital outflow stood at N513b as against N477.7b incoming. We can see that the impact of increase in interest rate in advanced countries not just in the US, has impact on capital outflow thereby leading to reduced performance in our markets. I want to say that the interest rate increase in advanced economies not just the US, does not affect only Nigeria but also affects other emerging and frontiers market in the world.

What is the update on Access Bank/ Diamond Bank Merger and what is the fate of shareholders?

Access and Diamond Bank proposed merger, we have received formal notification informing us about their proposed merger but we have not yet received any formal application form them. But some people are worried about the fate of the shareholders. The fate of the merger is actually to be determined by the shareholders, they are the ones to either support it or disallow it depending on the proposals before them.

What is the value of unclaimed dividends and how much has been paid out this year?

The law provides that 15 months after dividends have been declared unclaimed ones should be returned to the companies. As at September 2018, the value of unclaimed dividends stood at about N100billion,

We also realized that a lot of the unclaimed dividend is as a result of this issue because investors cannot claim their shares and are unable to claim their dividends. A lot of these people bought shares in companies that were doing well and wanted to increase their holdings hence the use of multiple and fictitious names.

What we have done now is to go back to the receiving agents to go through their records particularly those paid for and let them to be registered. Investors are also advised to contact their registrars. I want to stress that there is absolutely no penalty attached to Multiple Accounts Regularization. Investors are enjoined to visit their stockbrokers, registrars, bankers or any other capital market operator through whom the shares were purchased on guidance for the steps to take to regularize them.

We just want it for the sake of the growth of the market and for their own sake. So that they will be able to take ownership of their shares and also reap the benefits of buying those shares. We are not penalizing them, we just want the market to grow and boost investor’s confidence.They can also visit our website at www.sec.gov.ng/qa for more on this information.

and those that were reduced this year stood at about N10billion.

What efforts is the SEC making to reduce this unclaimed dividends profile?

The e-dividend Mandate management System allows investors accounts to be credited immediately they are mandated with the registrars and the relevant banks.

Within 24 hours your dividend hits your account and even the back log that were not paid for years also hits the account.

You also must have heard of our multiple subscription initiative which we have extended for another one year because we want investors that subscribed to shares in multiple names to regularize their accounts.

Many of them do not even remember the names with which they bought the shares and this increases the quantum of unclaimed dividends in the market.

That is why we are engaging with the receiving agents to check into their records and see how this can be reduced and the owners can claim their dividends.

I urge more Nigerians to take advantage of the on-going e-dividend registration in a bid to reduce the unclaimed dividends profile as well as increase liquidity in the capital market and the economy.

The Commission is currently leading the entire capital market industry in an effort to migrate all shareholders to an E–Dividend regime.The essence of the E-Dividend Mandate Management System is to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of unclaimed dividend. Unclaimed dividend is an undesirable feature of the Nigerian capital market which denies investors/shareholders the gains of participating in the capital market.

It denies the economy access to the huge amount of money which should have accrued to shareholders and

would have gone into circulation to oil the wheel of the economy.

It is a consequence of the bottlenecks which are inherent in the erstwhile paper dividend warrant regime such as postal system inefficiency, change in investors’ addresses, poor fidelity and human fallibility in dividend payment processes, amongst others.

The E–Dividend regime bypasses these limitations by ensuring that dividends which do not exceed 12 years of issue are credited directly to an investors account after declaration by the paying company and within a stipulated payment period through simple interbank transfer. May I therefore implore Nigerian investors to key into the E-Dividend registration exercise by visiting the nearest bank branch or registrar. In addition to migrating to the E–Dividend regime yourselves, kindly tell everybody you know to do same in their best interest.

Multiple share subscription deadlines is now till December 2019, why are Nigerians not coming out to regularize their accounts?

I would not say they are hesitant because it is in their interest to come forward and consolidate their holdings. We are aware that during the banking and insurance sector consolidation of 2005-2007, a lot of investors completed more than one application form for particular companies and they did that by juggling their names and sometimes using fictitious names. What they fail to realize is that the capital market has a way of checkmating such violations. To be able to claim these shares, they have to be able to identify themselves. For those juggled and fictitious names, they do not have identities that are traceable to these individuals and so they were not able to claim their shares. Therefore they cannot trade and are also unable to claim dividends and other benefits that may accrue to them.

What other initiatives is the Commission working on?

We are implementing a number of Capital Market Masterplan Initiatives which are aimed at making our market deeper, vibrant and more effective. As you are aware, the Commission launched its 10-year CMMP in 2015. The Master Plan is the outcome of consultations and work with the entire market community to identify challenges and opportunities to help catalyze our market to a world class capital market. The implementation of the 10-year master plan will transform the Nigerian market, facilitate the diversification of our economy, encourage savings and create wealth. This will no doubt grow investor confidence, improve the breadth and depth of the market in terms of product offerings, engender market integrity, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

We have also developed a twopronged approach to addressing the intractable challenges associated with transmission of shares related to the estate of deceased investors.

The first step would involve engagement with and enlightenment of the Probate Registry with a view to providing solutions to the cumbersome process of transmitting shares.

Secondly, Rules would be developed around the time frame for transmission shares and the fee structure.

The Commission is working with other major stakeholders in setting up a committee that will look into and proffer solutions to problems around identity management in the Nigerian capital market. So for instance, to boost the e-dividend mandate and Direct Cash Settlement initiatives, we are engaging NIBSS (Nigeria InterBank Settlement System) on behalf of the capital market community to facilitate identity validation and account validation in an effort to enhance market processes.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

MONEY Market

Agent banking to get more relevant in 2019 •As POS transactions jump 95% in 2018 Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

HE inability of banks to open branches close to their customers has boost the patronage of agent banking operators across the country.

Agent banking is an initiative of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce unbanked segments of the society. Agent banking is the provision of financial services to customers by a third party (Agent) on behalf of a licensed deposit taking financial operator (principal).

Many people have resulted to deposit or withdraw their money through Agent banking operators both in urban and rural areas which has improve usage of Point of Sales (POS) transactions by 95 percent in 2019.

Some financial analysts believed that the increase in POS transaction in 2018 was as a result of patronage received by Agent banking operators.

Speaking with our correspondent, Mr. Benson Okereke said Agent banking will witness another upsurge in 2019 as banks are not ready to open branch in every part of the country.

Many of operators use POS for the withdrawal and this increase POS transactions significantly, he said.

According to him, it is preferable for some people to patronise Agent banking operators with little commission than to enter banking hall that would wait your time.

Some of the services carried out

by Agent banking operators are account opening, deposit and withdrawers, fund transfer services and bill payments.

However, the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said between January and September 2018, transactions worth N56.85 trillion was carried out electronically.

This is a N16.4 trillion increase from the N40.45 trillion recorded in 2017.

A total of 650.06 million transactions worth N4.76 trillion were carried out on ATMs as against the N4.61 trillion from 560.86 million transactions in 2017.

Other popular platforms used were NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), Point of Sale (PoS), Mobile Money, Electronic Bills Payment (E-Bills) and Web payments.

Under the review period, 98.73 million transactions worth N975 billion were carried out using POS in 2017, while in 2018, the volume grew to 196.83 million, valued at N1.61 trillion.

Similarly, the volume of transactions carried out by Nigerians, using mobile money rose from N795.18 billion in 2017, to N1.22 trillion as at September 2018.

Also, using the web payment channel, the total value of transactions under the review period rose from N129.24 billion in 2017, to N183.07 billion in 2018.

However, the value of such transactions on e-bill payments, which allowed customers to pay utility bills such as power, cable and so on online, declined from N420.73 billion in 2017 to N370 billion in 2018.

Meanwhile, First Bank of Nigeria Limited had last week extended the Agent Banking campaign to 14 major markets and business points across Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta States.

The market activation which spanned over three weeks was an intensive period of customer engagement, education and awareness creation of the Firstmonie Agent Network and by extension, Financial Inclusion.

In just about 18 months, the FirstmonieAgent Network has expanded to almost every Local Government Area in Nigeria (98 percent coverage) demonstrating our readiness to make financial services available to everyone irrespective of their location.

Firstmonie Agents are positioned within rural and semi-urban locations across the country to provide basic financial services such as account opening, cash deposit, cash withdrawals, airtime purchase, bill payments and much more to every Nigerian. Through this channel, the Bank is committed to providing convenient services that endear trust, provide ease of access to financial products, thereby saving time and travel costs. Transactions carried out through this channel are secure-

•Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of both BUA Group and CCNN and Tong Laigou, President CBMI during the signing ceremony for the construction of a new 3million MTPA BUA Kalambaina (CCNN) line 2 in Sokoto State.

ly authenticated.

Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, First Bank explained that the Agent Banking model, which is in line with the mandate of the CBN is targeted at ensuring individuals and members of the public irrespective of their literacy levels, familiarity with technology or income levels can access financial ser-

vices. The FirstmonieAgent Channel delivers financial services outside conventional bank branches, often using non-retail agents – Firstmonie Agents – and relying on technology such as point-of-sale (POS) terminals or mobile phones for real time transaction processing.

According to the Group Head, eBusiness, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Chuma Ezirim, “With our

Firstmonie Agents spread across the country, we are aggressive at increasing the penetration of financial services, especially in the suburbs whilst significantly reducing the unbanked in the country. We encourage the patronage of Firstmonie Agents irrespective of the location as these Agents are well trained to provide the FirstBank Gold Standard Services to customers.

said that the CBN was determined to sustain a stable exchange rate as it continues to put in place relevant measures to shore up the country’s reserves.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N357 in the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market on Friday, January 4, 2019.

litical confrontations and elevated policy uncertainty from adoption of more nationalistic policies and withdrawal from multilateral trade and security agreements, global growth expectations dampened, whilst tighter financial conditions dampened risk sentiments and fueled selloffs in risk assets especially in Emerging and developing economies.

The Sluggish growth in the Nigerian economy was further dampened by external sector developments which depreciated rapidly towards the tail end of the year in tune with the developments in the Global Economy which pressured capital flows to the economy. The Domestic Financial Markets which witnessed a strong start to the year with a continued upsurge in equity prices and significant decline in bond yields, however began to deteriorate significantly in the second half of the year due to capital flow reversals and dampened risk sentiments in view of the heightened geopolitical risks ahead of the general elections expected in early 2019.

As 2019 dawns, the Global eco-

the account to secure their funds.

This has become necessary as the bank plays deeper into the retail end of the banking industry, using its topnotch technology and array of innovative products as it works to deepen financial inclusion in conjunction with regulators of the nation’s financial system regulators.

Other codes as part of the Eazy Way banking offered by Zenith Bank include the *966# to ease account opening process by potential customers; while checking account

balance has never been easier than dialing *966*00#.

Customers who desire to reset their Personal Identification Number (PIN), or Password, the bank continued, can do so from the comfort of their homes with *966*60#.

To update Bank Verification Number (BVN), the statement said customers can dial *966*BVN#; and dial *966*Amount*MobileNo.# to buy airtime.

By dialing *966*Amount*AccountNo.# for funds transfers.

nomic outlook remains challenging as several downside risk factors which materialized over the course of the previous year remain on the front burner. Major Central banks are expected to maintain a contractionary stance, whilst Trade tensions and Geopolitical risks continue to pose threats to the outlook for global growth. We however expect pockets of value to be found in select Emerging and Developing economies with relatively stronger macro fundamentals which were significantly downbeat in the wake of the aggressive US FED rate hikes in the previous year.

Our outlook for the Nigerian Economy remains dampened by political uncertainties in view of the forthcoming General Elections. Financial markets are expected to remain downbeat in H1 19 as offshore and local investors are expected to maintain a relatively risk off stance on the country. We however expect the outlook to brighten slightly in H2 19 as political risks abate and investors get more clarity on the policies and plans of the new Government.

In the Domestic Fixed Income Space, we expect the yield curve to remain inverted over the course of the year, as the CBN is expected to maintain a tight stance on financial system liquidity, in a bid to rein in on expected inflationary pressures and maintain stability of the exchange rate, which would likely remain pressured in H1 19. We are consequently underweight duration in H1 19. A gradual return of FPIs in H2 19 should moderate the yield curve as investors are expected to overweight duration in anticipation of a further expansion to the domestic economy in 2020, with the economy expected to gain traction from implementation of key structural reforms.

2019 Fixed income outlook: Positioning for Headwinds-Zedcrest

A

S expected, 2018 started out with strong positive sentiments for both the global and domestic economy, but it however ended on a significantly turbulent note given several downside risk factors which materialized over the course of the year.

In the Global economy, global growth expectations remained strong at the start of the year, whilst global financial markets maintained an upsurge from the tail end rally in the previous year. But as global central banks adopted a more hawkish monetary stance and trade tensions reverberated across the horizon combined with a spate of geopo-

CBN makes $210 million maiden FX intervention of 2019

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had made its first intervention in the inter-bank sector of the Foreign Exchange market for 2019, injecting a total sum of $210 million into the wholesale segment and other sectors of the market.

A breakdown of the figures obtained on Friday showed that customers in the Wholesale sector of the market received the sum of $100 million with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and invisibles sectors each getting $55 million to meet the needs of customers.

Commenting, Isaac Okorafor, Director of Corporate Communications, said the CBN continued from where it stopped in 2018 so as to maintain the stability already being enjoyed in the market.

The CBN, he noted, had made commendable effort in keeping the exchange rates at the current levels, re-echoing the statement by Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor, that the current capital flow reversals from the emerging markets

were expected to bring out pressures on the market rates.

He however assured that in spite of the anticipated pressures and the forthcoming elections, the CBN was committed to maintaining the current exchange rate policy, given the level of reserves.

Quoting the Governor, Okorafor

Zenith Bank introduces account blocking code *966*911#

P

OISED to ensure its customers are protected and operate their accounts in a safe and secure environment, Zenith Bank has scored yet another first with the introduction of Account Blocking code *966*911#.

A statement by the bank at the weekend said customers who suspect their accounts have been compromised, or who lost/misplaced their debit (ATM) cards can dial the Block Account Code *966*911# on the phone numbers registered with

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS Nigerians losing faith in public institutions -- Wike

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that people are beginning to lose faith in public institutions because of the unprofessional conduct of their personnel.

Governor Wike regretted that the Army, Police and INEC have failed to carry out their responsibilities in line with approved professional ethics.

Speaking during a courtesy visit

by Mr Usman Belel, the new Commissioner of Police, Rivers State on Tuesday , the Rivers State Governor urged the Police to improve their performance in the state.

He said: “People are beginning to lose confidence in public institutions in the country. I believe that as the new police commissioner, you will work for the confidence in the Police to return”.

The governor said that the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Zaki Ahmed allowed himself to be used negatively against the state and law enforcement processes.

“Your predecessor allowed himself to be used by thugs to invade the courts in Rivers State. The Chief Justice of Nigeria called for the Investigation and prosecution of those that invaded the courts, but Zaki Ahmed refused.

“Rivers State will not forget that it was Zaki Ahmed’s time that thugs invaded the Rivers State High Court, which is located near the Police Headquarters . He didn’t bring anybody to book”.

Governor Wike assured the new police commissioner that his administration will support the command to fight crime across the state.

He urged the Police Commissioner to focus on ending kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes. He added that under no circumstances should crime be politicised.

“Government will give you all necessary support to fight crime . I believe that you will fulfill your pledge to be professional in the discharge of your duties”, he said.

Earlier, the New Rivers State Police Commissioner, Usman Belel said he was at the Government House Port Harcourt to formally introduce himself and seek the support of the administration to fight crime.

He assured that the police under his command will work professionally to fight crime and make the state safe for residents to carry out their lawful businesses.

The 7th Police Commissioner since Governor Wike assumed duty was posted to the state from Zamfara where he served last. He is officially the 39th Police Commissioner since the creation of Rivers State.

Abia APC to PDP: ‘Stop destroying our campaign posters’

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia has cautioned members of the ruling party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to desist from destruction of its posters and billboards.

APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Benedict Godson, gave the warning on Monday while reacting to alleged destruction of campaign billboards and posters of some the party’s candidates across the state.

Godson described the recent destruction of campaign posters of the Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency candidate, Mrs Blessing Nwokonneya and others in various locations as uncalled for.

He said his party was not weak to confront the PDP for retaliation, but maintained that turning Abia into a war zone was not the approach of politics that the APC believed in.

He urged the police and other security agencies to fish out and deal decisively with touts recruited to

carry out the acts and also apprehend their sponsors.

He said only prosecution of those involved would assuage those whose campaign materials were destroyed.

“The PDP is really trying to throw Abia into serious violence. We are cautioning them to stop these provocative acts to avoid throwing our peaceful state into avoidable violence as elections draw closer. ”Destroying posters and billboards belonging to opposition parties is not part of democracy. It’s a sign of frustration and frustrated people don’t play free and fair games.

“They started these their evil acts sometimes last year and have continued with it in this new year by destroying billboards of Lady Blessing Uwoma Nwokonneya our House of Representatives candidate for Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency.

“The PDP is frustrated because the people have rejected them.

Their failure to work for Abians is beginning to hunt them down.

“Their bank of lies is empty as they have run short of lies to tell our people. They now see anyone from APC as their problem which is very ridiculous”, he said.

Godson challenged the PDP to come into the electoral contests in Abia with free and fair minds if they had marketable candidates.

He said the APC had the capacity to match the PDP in anyway but noted that joining in their illegal and provocative actions would result in unnecessary bloodshed of innocent Abians.

The Abian State PDP Spokesman, Chief Don Ubani when contacted said that the PDP had no business as a party with giving orders for anybody to destroy campaign materials of other parties.

“You know that the PDP has a

• President Muhammadu Buhari was visited by the leadership of Nigeria Union of Pensioners led by Acting President/ Deputy President, Dr Dallatu Musa Ayuba, at the State House, Abuja

Lagos: Ambode, Sanwo-Olu flee as violence halts APC guber campaign flag-off

T

he campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos on Tuesday ended abruptly as violence broke out midway into the well-attended programme.

The hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the Skypower Ground Ikeja venue with guns, daggers and other dangerous weapons, engaging one another in a bloody physical fight.

The situation sent panic across the

campaign ground as party members ran in different directions to avoid being hit by bullets being fired indiscriminately by the hoodlums.

Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the situation.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was making a speech, had to leave the stage immediately and was shepherded out of the venue together with his deputy, Mrs Idiat Adebule, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, and other prominent members of the

party.

Several people were injured in the violence, including two journalists who sustained minor bullet wounds.

In the ensuing confusion, many people were dispossessed of their phones, money and other valuables by opportunistic pick-pockets and other criminals.

A large number of party faithful were seen trekking to their various homes as there was a heavy vehicular traffic in the area because of the violence.

World Bank President Kim quits Feb. 1

W • Gov Wike

orld Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, will resign effective from February 1, more than three years ahead of the expiration of his term in 2022, the multilateral lender said on Monday.

Kim, 59, announced that he will immediately join a firm and focus on increasing infrastructure in developing countries, but the bank did not provide further details.

The World Bank’s chief executive officer, Kristalina Georgieva, will as-

sume the role of interim president when Kim departs.

The Korean-born American will leave the role at the end of January, the Washington-based World Bank said in a statement.

The resignation comes as a surprise, as Kim was voted in for a second five-year term in the role in 2016.

The World Bank’s main role is to finance projects to fight poverty and its causes around the globe.

Kim was born on December 8,

1959 and also a Korean-American physician and anthropologist who, serving as the 12th and current President of the World Bank since 2012.

On January 7, he announced that he will be stepping down from his current role as President, effective from Feb. 1, 2019.

A global health leader, he was formerly the Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a co-founder and executive director of Partners In Health.

track record. PDP is not known for violence. And PDP cannot resort to pettiness. Why would you need to tear the campaign posters of persons who you know if election is conducted 20 times, your party will pip them?

“So these are very false allegations, spurious claims. The woman in Isiala Ngwa, as I passed now, I saw her poster. She constitutes not threat to us. We believe in the collective free will of the people to take precedence over whatever individual aspiration is. So we don’t have any business tearing any candidate’s poster. What would we gain by doing that? He asked.

2019: Minimum wage to determine workers’ choice in Bayelsa – Labour

T

he Organised Labour union in Bayelsa, Tuesday, said a speedy passage of the N30, 000 new National Minimum Wage into law would determine the voting pattern of workers in the state.

The two unions, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), made their position known during a protest march in Yenegoa for the review of the national minimum wage.

The labour unions are pressing for the transmission of the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for early passage to enable immediate implementation.

Mr John Ndiomu of the NLC, who decried the delay in transmitting the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, urged both the federal and state governments to make workers wellbeing their priority.

Ndiomu said that workers in Bayelsa were willing to support government policies aimed at improving workers welfare.

He explained that the implementation of the new wage would largely determine the electoral preference of workers in 2019.

“Let us make it clear, Nigerian workers will indeed take their electoral fate to the polling units and indicate in the ballots their views on the faithful implementation of the new minimum wage.

“We are going to say no to any candidate in the forthcoming elections, who hesitates or refuses to commit to the new wage.

“For avoidance of doubt, the new minimum wage will largely determine the electoral preference of workers in 2019,” he said.

Chairman of TUC, Mr Tari Dounana, said the wage was an issue of law that must be supported and implemented for the betterment of workers well-being.

“The protest today is peaceful and we are still calling on government at all levels to be committed to improving workers’ welfare,” Dounana said.

Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House, Mr Talford Ongolo, who received the labour unions, said the state government was in support of the N30,000 new minimum wage.

“I know the Governor, Seriake Dickson, is committed to labour matters, we have had excellent relationship with the labour. We believe when the new minimum wage is passed into law, we will definitely implement it in the state,” he assured.

33

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Love and Living MODEL OF THE WEEK

...With Ireto Temofeh LOVE NEWS

‘Mum’s death led to total chaos, Prince Harry reveals

P

RINCE Harry has revealed he “shut down all his emotions” for two decades after losing his mother Princess Diana.

Harry, 32, admitted he had been close to a breakdown, sought therapy and took up boxing to combat frustration.

In a frank interview, Harry, 32, said he finally faced his pain at 28 when he was “on the verge of punching someone”.

The royal talked of “shutting down all of my emotions” for two decades after Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when he was only 12.

It got so bad that brother Prince William, 34, was left begging him to face his heartache and seek help.

Harry revealed he turned to therapy after coming “close to a complete breakdown” over the loss.

And he told how he turned to boxing as a means of safely taking out his aggression and frustration.

The Prince — who insists he is now in a “good place” — spoke out in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

Giving an account of conquering his demons, Harry told mental health journalist Bryony Gordon: “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.

“I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and all sorts of lies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle.”

Prince Harry said: “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.

Harry added: “My way of dealing with it was sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help? “(I thought) it’s only going to make you sad, it’s not going to bring her back.

“So from an emotional side, I was like ‘right, don’t ever let your emotions be part of anything’.

“So I was a typical 20, 25, 28-yearold running around going ‘life is great’, or ‘life is fine’ and that was exactly it.”

But Harry explained that he started to have a few conversations and the grief he had never processed suddenly came to the fore.

He spoke out after he, William and sister-in-law Kate backed the Heads Together charity campaign to end stigma around mental health.

It is the centrepiece of this year’s London Marathon and is aimed at telling the world it is “OK to say”.

Prince Harry told how suppressing his feelings got so intense it hit his personal life and even haunted him at royal engagements.

Under the pressure of representing the Royal Family publicly — he was plunged into fight or flight mode at official events.

At 28, Harry’s life was thrown into “total chaos” but he said he realised he could not go on without coming to terms with Diana’s loss.

Name: Melissa Tel: 0706 934 5979 • If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Student blows his own hand off to impress a girl

A

CLUMSY chemistry student made a homemade bomb to impress a girl but ended up blowing his own hand off, it is claimed.

The 17-year-old teen is said to have bragged to his friends about the improvised explosive device he made in his bedroom.

Pictures even appear to show that he posed for a photo with his bomb-making kit at his flat on Vasilievskiy island in Russia’s second city of St Petersburg.

But the bungling teen, identified only as Andrey, is thought to have accidentally detonated the explosives.

He is currently being treated in St Mary Magdalena after losing one hand in the blast and injuring the other.

ROMANTIC JOKE MARRIAGE

After Brian proposed to Jill, his father took him to one side. “Son, when I first got married to your mother, the first thing I did when we got home was take off my pants. I gave them to your mother and told her to try them on, which she did. They were huge on her and she said that she couldn’t wear them because they were too large. I said to her, ‘Of course they are too big for you, I wear the pants in this family and I always will.’

Ever since that day, son, we have never had a single problem.” Brian took his dad’s advice and did the same thing to his wife on his wedding night. Then, Jill took off her panties and gave them to Brian. “Try these on,” she said. Brian went along with it and tried them on, but they were far too small. “What’s the point of this? I can’t get into your panties,” said Brian. “Exactly,” Jill replied, “and if you don’t change your attitude, you never will!”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

True Confession

‘Her makeup made me propose to her’

“How do I look,” she asked me, as she applied lipstick on her sweet, soft, and sexy lips. “Do I look beautiful, ugly or crazy?”

“You’re beautiful,” I replied.

“Do you really think so? Or are you just saying that to flatter me?”

‘I really think you’re beautiful, from the bottom of my heart. And sexy too.”

I tried to look as sincere as I could so that she would believe me. And I thank God that she did believe me.

I kept staring at her as she applied her makeup and wishing I could make her mine, even though we were obviously total strangers to each other.

The truth was that her beauty took my breath away.

My name is Frank. I’m an Igbo guy and I work with an ICT company with branches in the South-East. I met Kelechi my wife in a lift while she was working as a contract staff of a major telecommunications company.

I got into the lift from the second floor of the high rise building, and she was already in the lift when I entered.

Apparently, she had entered the lift from the ground floor. I was going up to the twelfth floor and I promptly told the lift attendant.

As the lift resumed its journey upward, I watched with curiosity as the woman standing beside me brought out a small mirror from her handbag and started applying makeup on her face.

I was actually supposed to be minding my own business instead of staring at her the way I was doing and seconds later, she noticed that I was watching her.

“Is this the first time you’re seeing a woman applying makeup,” she said, as our eyes met.

“Of course not,” I managed to answer, “but that mascara makes your eyebrows and eyelashes look so alluring, and I couldn’t just take my eyes away.”

“But I haven’t yet finished applying my makeup,” she reminded me.

“Why not wait till I’m done, then you can pass your final judgement?”

After about a minute later, she told me she was done with her makeup.

The she asked me if I thought she was beautiful, ugly or crazy.

I told her she was beautiful and those words seemed to open the door of her heart. She looked into my eyes and I didn’t need to say more than, “I would really like to see you again. How can I see you again?”

As we reached the top floor of the building, we walked out of the lift and exchanged phone numbers and complementary cards before parting from each other with a smile.

“I will definitely call you tonight, my queen,” I said to her.

“I’ll be expecting your call, my king.”

Kelechi wasn’t rich, and I too wasn’t rich. But we cared for each other.

Love was more important to us than money.

“But I haven’t yet finished applying my makeup,” she reminded me. “Why not wait till I’m done, then you can pass your final judgement?” After about a minute later, she told me she was done with her makeup. The she asked me if I thought she was beautiful, ugly or crazy.

The fact that we cared about each other was the secret to our endless love. Valentine’s Day of 2008 is a day I’ll never forget.

That night at my place, we made love on the living room floor with the television on. We slept all night long on the living room floor. It was really exciting and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Kelechi had everything I wanted in a woman. She was fair, attractive, sexy, and good in bed, or should I say, good on the floor? I loved every moment I spent with her and I was determined not to let her go, no matter what.

I told her to move in with me for three months, so that I could make up my mind to marry her. I convinced her to go to work every morning from my apartment.

And every single day that she left me to go to her job, she would tell me that she would miss me. Normal-

ly, she would say, ‘I’ll miss you. When she returned home, she would show me how much she missed me that day at work through her passionate gestures.

Her passionate gestures swept me off my feet. She simply blew my mind with the way she kissed me and hugged me, and that made me always look forward to seeing her again in the evening after work.

I missed her like crazy when she wasn’t around. But when I held her in my arms, my pains seemed to melt away and I would be filled with the joy of love.

After supper, we would take a shower together and make love in the bathroom. I never knew that love could be so sweet. Everyday, we kept on saying I love you to each other and acting as though both of us alone existed in the world.

Sometimes as we lay in each other’s arms on the bed, we would switch

off our GSM phones so that no one would disturb our romance. It was worth it.

Every single step we took was worth it because it helped to bring us closer and make us become more intimate.

Before the three months were over, Kelechi’s mum came to see us and told me to do the right thing by marrying her if I actually liked her that much.

I didn’t need to think so much about it because no other girl had made me so happy. We wedded in Enugu state in October 2008 and when we moved into our new home, we decided to put carpet and rug on our floor instead of tiles, so that it would be convenient for us to make love on the living room floor whenever we feel like. We both cherish the moment.

Your say: Have your say about this love confession. Call 08131161840 or 07031028714.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Relationships and Love Advice

My guy says he can’t forgive me

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage

Chinyere, 35, dark, single mum, humble, works, seeks a hardworking man from 38 years and above for marriage.

09038028331.

Viky, 52, widow, working, Igbo, chocolate, average height, wants to get connected to a man of 53-60 years (not a divorcee) from any tribe.

08036309809.

Humble, 40, needs a sponsor in her theology school. 09026452405.

Rose, in Lagos, just rented a shop, needs someone to support her in starting a business. 08107458039.

Funke, 44, needs a man (widower or divorcée) of 50-55 years for a serious relationship. 08185083988.

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage.

08090925014.

A single mother needs a responsible man for a relationship. 08140599563.

Uchechi, 36, a graduate, tall, fair, needs a tall, fair, graduate, Igbo evangelist, pastor or God fearing Igbo man for marriage. 08052366993.

Dear Love Doctor, My name is Ada and I live in Lagos. Please I want you to tell me what to do. I have a problem with my boyfriend and I am the cause of everything that happened because I cheated on him. However, since then, I have been begging him to for-

give me but he has refused. He says he will never forgive me. Please tell me what to do because I don’t want to lose him. I love him so much.

From Ada.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Ada,

W

hat you did must have hurt him very deeply and also destroyed the trust he had in you. If you truly loved him, you wouldn’t have cheated on him. There are boundaries in every relationship and when you cross those boundaries, your partner might be so deeply hurt or emotional-

ly/psychologically scarred that resentment towards you becomes permanent and reconciliation becomes impossible.

For now, maybe he needs time to heal. So give him time to get over it since he is still angry. When his anger cools, you can seek reconciliation with him again. Perhaps by that time

he might be willing to take you back.

However, if after all said and done, he still refuses to reconcile with you, learn the lesson that infidelity doesn’t pay, and move on with your life as a changed or more responsible person.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com Do you have a marriage/wedding, birthday, anniversary or club or town meeting announcement to make? Call 07031028714 now!

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Uche, a graduate in Lagos, needs a kind woman or man to help him in his new business. 08131161840.

Divine, 36, wants a beautiful, highly educated, tall, fair, working class lady from 25-30 years for marriage. 09054199030.

Diamond Prince, 28, living in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy. 07069498904.

Emmy needs a mature lady or widow in Lagos for companionship. 08077821830.

Godspower, 33, tall, from Kogi, based in Abuja, wants a sugar mummy from 40 years and above based in Abuja, to satisfy her very well. 0810069625, 07018735547.

Emeka, 54, in Lagos, needs an educated woman between 32-35 years for a wife.

08118482541.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

It happened to me:

M

y parents separated when I was very young, and as I grew up I realised it was because my Dad was gay. I stayed at my Dad’s place every weekend until I was about 17, so I had met and bonded with a few of his male partners over the years.

When I moved into an apartment with Uni friends, I began to see less and less of my dad.

In my first year of University I met Rob at a friend’s party. We bonded straight away over our taste in music and soon became really good friends. Rob was gorgeous- cropped dark hair, broad shoulders and bright green eyes - he looked like a male model!

While I was usually extremely shy around good looking guys, I found Rob so easy to talk to and laugh with - hanging out with him was like hanging out with one of my girlfriends.

While I always thought Rob was very good-looking, I had never really felt a spark between us, and was content with our close friendship.

One day we were both hanging out in my apartment, drinking cheap wine, and I began to feel a bit tipsy. I had just found out that a guy I really liked at my work had just gotten a girlfriend, so I was upset and pouring my heart out to Rob. He listened to me babble on all night, offering me hugs and telling me that I was beautiful and would find the perfect guy one day. Without thinking I leaned forward and kissed him.

At first he didn’t respond, like he was in shock. He looked really confused, but then kissed me back.

We made out for a while, and although he was a bit awkward at first, he soon loosened up and we both seemed to feel very comfortable.

After that night our friendly ‘dates’ turned into proper romantic dates.

Rob was such a gentleman, always holding the door open for me, paying for my meals at restaurants and never acting sleazy.

After a few weeks we started referring to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. At the age of 20 Rob was my first boyfriend, as I had always been way too shy to date boys in high school.

As he was my first boyfriend, I didn’t really know what to expect from the relationship. I knew that all my friends who were my age started sleeping with their boyfriends after a few weeks, but Rob and I had been going out for a couple of months by this stage and he still hadn’t made that move. He never kissed me in public, and our make out sessions never lasted very long, but I assumed he just wanted to take things slow.

“I assumed he just wanted to take things slow...”

Our relationship continued this way for many more months, and I began to feel rejected by Rob’s lack of physical affection. I never mentioned this to him because by this stage I was very much in love with him and didn’t want to start an argument.

Christmas time came around, and Rob invited me to lunch at his par-

‘My boyfriend had an affair with my father’

ents’ house, while I invited him to dinner at my Dad’s house. I was really nervous about meeting his parents for the first time, as he gave me the impression that they were quite strict.

I tried my best to act confident during lunch, but Rob’s parents soon proved to be very judgmental, making me even more shy than usual.

They made petty comments about their son’s appearance, and subtly criticised his choice of study (he was studying Teaching at the time).

While they weren’t out-right rude, I could tell from their sly comments that they were very hard to impress, and poor Rob copped most of their criticism.

With lunch out of the way, we finally escaped, then headed to my Dad’s house later on for dinner. After having just broken up with his latest partner before Christmas, Dad was currently living by himself, and it was obvious that he was pretty lonely.

When we arrived, Dad was really happy to see me, and very excited to finally meet my boyfriend.

Dad and Rob seemed to click straight away - they both loved to travel, and spent the entire dinner discussing the places they had been and the places they wanted to go.

Dad was a high school Art teacher, and Rob was studying to become a teacher, so they had that in common

too.

After dinner we moved into the living room to continue chatting. It was late and I soon fell asleep on the couch, but every now and then I would drift in and out of sleeping and Dad and Rob would still be immersed in conversation.

Rob and I didn’t end up leaving until well past midnight, and the whole way home he couldn’t stop commenting on how cool my Dad was and how young he seemed.

The next week, Dad invited us over again for lunch on New Year’s Day. Again, he and Rob chatted for hours, before Rob had to leave for work. I stayed to help Dad clean up and we started chatting about Uni and work, and of course Rob. Dad asked if it was serious between us two, and my mind flashed back to my embarrassing attempt to seduce him into my bed the previous night... which of course he rejected. I was feeling very unsure that day so I told Dad it wasn’t really that serious yet.

Over the next few weeks we all spent more time together than usual, and eventually it got to the point where it was just Dad and Rob spending time together without me.

“At first I was thrilled that my boyfriend and my Dad were getting along so well, but then it started to get a bit weird.”

Rob was coming over to my place

less and less, and we starting only seeing each other about once a week. At first Rob would enthusiastically tell me every detail of the time he had spent with my dad- but after a while whenever I asked what they’d gotten up to the day before, he would go quiet and try and change the subject.

It was weird and eventually I checked his phone and found a whole bunch of messages from my Dad saying things like ‘I know I only saw you this morning, but I already miss you’. My heart sunk. Never in a million years did I think that my Dad would steal my boyfriend.

I had no proof that they had actually had a physical relationship, but as soon as I saw those messages, I felt so stupid for not realising that Rob was gay. The signs were all there, it was so obvious. He was only with me to please his parents and to stop them from becoming suspicious about his sexuality.

Two years later and I don’t speak to Rob anymore, and my relationship with my Dad is still very strained and awkward as we have never spoken about what happened.

I never told anyone the real reason why Rob and I broke up, not even my close friends or my mum. On the plus side I’ve recently met an awesome guy who is loving, kind and can’t keep his hands off me!

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

All you need to know about ‘MORTGAGE’ T he lender is the ‘mortgagee’ while the borrower is the ‘mortgagor’ The simple idea of a mortgage is that it is security for loan. In fact a mortgage is birth. i. A contract between the mortgagor and the mortgagee ii. A proprietary interest in the land of the mortgagor granted to the mortgagee.

If a mortgage was only a contract, then this would not give the mortgage enough security as if the land was sold then the mortgagor would not have to repay the mortgagee before he/she sold the land. Therefore it must also give an interest in the land.

TYPES OF MORTGAGE A mortgage is normally a charge by deed by way of legal mortgage.

CHARGE BY DEED: It is a statutory form of legal mortgage which is shorter and simple than the accustomed form. It states merely that the property has been charged with the debt by way of legal mortgage. There is no conveyance of any estate to the mortgagee. It must be made by deed and must contain a statement that the charge is made by deed and must contain a statement that the charge is made by way of legal mortgage. The effect of such a charge is that the charge get the same protection, powers and remedies as if he has had a term of 3,000 years.

ADVANTAGES OF THE CHARGE There are 3 practical advantages in using a legal charge; 1. It is a convenient way of mortgaging a freehold and leasehold estates together.

2. Probably, the granting of a legal charge in a lease does not amount to a breach of any covenant against subletting for the charge creates no actual sublease in favour of the mortgages but merely gives him the same right as if he has a sublease.

3. The form of a legal charge is short and simple.

EQUITABLE MORTGAGES 1. Mortgage of an equitable interest: If a mortgagor has no legal estate but an equitable interest, e.g. mortgages the effect must necessarily be equitable. It need not be made by deed but must either be in writing or by will.

2. Informal mortgage: It is a contract to create a legal mortgage which gives an equitable interest to any party entitled to a specific performance. E.g. deposit of title deeds by way of security. Edge v. Worthington EQUITABLE CHARGE An equitable charge is created by appropriating specific property to the discharge of some debt or other obligations without there being any change in ownership either at law or in equity. No special form of words is required. It is sufficient in an intention that the property should constitute security can be gathered – Craddock v. Scottish Provident Institution. The same applies where a will or voluntary settlement charges land with the payment of sum of money. Matthew v.

Goodway, Re-Owen.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGEE OR CHARGEE A mortgagee may sue for the money due as soon as the date fixed for repayment has arrived but not before there.

However, the REMEDIES peculiar to the mortgagee and charge are those for enforcing the security, these are; 1. Remedies primarily for the recovery of capital a. FORECLOSURE By giving the mortgagor an equitable right to redeem after he had lost his legal right of action, equity inter-

fered with the bargain made by the parties. Once the legal date for redemption has passed, the mortgagor’s right to redeem was merely equitable. Foreclosure is the process whereby the mortgagor’s equitable right to redeem is declared by the Court to be extinguished and the mortgage is left as the owner of the property, both at law and in equity. An order of the court is essential for foreclosure. Section 111 (2) PCL. The right to foreclose does not arise until payment had become due at law – Williams v. Morgan. For until the equitable right redeem has arisen, it cannot be extinguished for foreclosure. Repayment is due at law when; i. The legal date for redemption has passed; ii. If the mortgagor makes the money fall due; iii. Breach of any term of the mortgage or iiii. The occurrence of any such breach e.g. failure to pay interest – Keene v. Biscoe.

A foreclosure action gives the mortgagee and all other interested in the equity of redemption an opportunity of redeeming the mortgage or applying for sale in lieu of foreclosure. b. SALE Section 9 of Conveyance Act 1881 gives power of sale in non-PCL states. In the PCL states, every mortgage is made by deed and has a power of sale provided that; i. The mortgage was made by deed ii. The legal money is due i.e. the legal date for redemption has passed. Section 123 (1) of PCL The power of sale is not exercisable unless and until 1. Notice requiring payment of the mortgage money has been served on the mortgagor and default has been made in the payment of part or all of it for three (3) months thereafter.

2. Some interest under the mortgage is two months or more in arrears.

3. There has been a breach of some provision contained in the mortgagedeed. Section 125 of PCL. In general, the power of sale is exercisable without an order of Court. The mortgagee may sell by public auction or private treaty or contract.

2. Remedies primarily for the recovery of interest i. To take possession Section 123 (I) (G) PCL, Section 19 (1) C.A 1881. See Chaplain v. Young ii. Power to appoint a receiver Section 131 (1) PCL, Section 19 C.A 1881, the power is not exercisable until the power of sale is exercisable.

RULE AGAINST PERPETUITIES 1. Appointive Property: Property subject to the power of appointment 2. Permission Appointee: Possible beneficiaries 3. Possessory Interest: Allows a beneficiary to possess the property when the interest is conveyed.

4. Future Interest: Allows a beneficiary to possess the

property at some time in the future, after the interest has been conveyed.

5. Reversion: When a finite estate ends and there are no other grantees with a future interest in the property, the property will revert back to the grantor.

6. Possibility/Right to Reverts: For instance, if the grantor conveys land to be used to build a church, and the grantee does not build a church, the land will revert back to the grantor automatically.

7. Right to entry: it is similar to a possibility of reverter except that the right of entry gives the grantor a choice to re-enter the property if a condition is not satisfied.

However, the grantor must obtain a court order to re-enter the property.

Case

I bought land but couldn’t complete payment Dear Lawyer, I purchased a piece of land by depositing part payment for it, but I was unable to complete payment. Is there any effect of failure to pay balance of purchase price of land?

Ngozi, Abuja.

Lawyer’s Answer:

Dear Ngozi,

W

here a purchaser of land makes part payment of the purchase price but defaulted in paying the balance, possession cannot defeat the vendor’s title. In such a case, the vendor can rescind the contract and resell the property. See Maryam v. Idris (2000) FWLR (Pt. 23) 1237 Ratio 3.

• 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

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

REVIEW: Movers and shakers of 2018

I

ndeed, 2018 would go down as an eventful year as far as the NIgerian entertainment industry is concerned. Among others it witnessed new strides and of course a number of breakthroughs for practitioners and the industry at large. The grim reaper is always on the prowl and 2018 was not an exception as a number of thespians passed away. Comedian, Baba Sala (Moses Adejumo) died on October 7 at the age of 81. Another sad death was that of Ray Ekwu, the 15-year-old son of actress, Eucharia Anunobi, who succumbed to the grim reaper due to complications from sickle cell anaemia on Tuesday, August 22.

Chukwudi Bambino Anachina, Chris Ekejimbe, Uduak Akrah, Chike Osuji, Okwy Chukwujekwu were also among celebs that bid mother earth goodbye last year.

Today, The Oracle Today brings you the movers and shakers of the entertainment industry that shaped 2018 and what fans expect from them in the New Year.

Genevieve Nnaji opens new front for Nollywood with Netflix deal At a time when movie buffs and critics believed that it was all over for actress, Genevieve Nnaji because it’s been quite a while the actress featured on a Nollywood movie, the mother of one surprised many when she returned with a bang in June 2018 when Netflix, the world’s biggest online streaming platform announced it had acquired her latest movie, Lion Heart for a deal believed to be worth millions of naira on September 7, a few days before its world premiere at the 2018 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF). Indeed, it was a remarkable moment for Nollywood as practitioners hailed the move and congratulated her. The news broke the internet as fans scrambled to congratulate the thespian. And as 2019 gets under way, it is obvious that Netflix would be inking many more deals with Nollywod practitioners and most likely, the actress would be smiling hem with awards both locally and internationally in 2019.

Omosexy back to the centre stage Another actress who has been lying low for a while now is no doubt Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde. After winning her Time 100 award, she has been off the radar but towards the close of 2017, Omosexy reboundd when she released her directorial debut, Alter Ego to rave reviews. And as expected, in 2018, she was back with a bang when she won the award for Best Actress AMVCA 2018 for her role in Alter Ego at the 6th annual Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), which held September 2018. The award is regarded as Nigeria’s Oscars. Now that she’s back, all eyes are on her and fans just can’t wait to bubble up what ever she has for them in 2019.

COSON crisis gets messier as NCC boss gets the booth The leadership crisis rocking COSON took a new dimension amid accusations and counter accusations. The climax was the sack of Afam Ezekude after the freezing of COSON accounts by a court injunction following a petition by Pretty Okafor’s PMAN faction.

Consequently, unlike in the past seven years, royalties were not disbursed to artistes bringing untold hardship to rights owners. Since late last year, COSON has been enmeshed in crisis following a ‘coup’ to dethrone Tony Okoroji which was spearheaded

by Efe Omorogbe. To date, Efe Omorogbe and Tony Okoroji continue to lay claim to the leadership of COSON. However, as 2019 beckons, all eyes will be on COSON and how the crisis plays out.

What’s next for Wizkid’s and Tiwa Savage The most talked about entertainment couple of 2018 is definitely Wizkid and Tiwa Savage! After the release of Wizkid’s Fever (stew), the internet went into hyper drive as images of skimpily dressed Tiwa Savage who played vixen while Wizkid reclined on a bed decorated with white sheets clad in a pair of pants as Tiwa Savage seduced him. In less than 24 hours, the video set new records as

ing tribute to P-Square stating that they are one thus raising hopes that in the New Year, there is hope for a reconciliation in 2019.

Banky W’s political dreams E.M.E boss, Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W declared his political ambition on November 10. Mr. Capable as he is popularly known tagged his campaign Hope 2019 and called on youths not to give up but make sure they participate in the electoral process as the 2019 elections beckon. Indeed, all eyes will be on him as the countdown to the elections gather momentum and there is speculation that even if he loses, he would be compensated with a post by the Lagos State government.

• Genevieve Nnaji, Pete Edochie and Nkem Owoh in LIONHEART

it garnered over a million views.

While Wizkid continues to smile to the bank, the pair are yet to confirm whether they are dating or not. Meanwhile, Fever will go down as one of the biggest hits of 2018.

As 2019 beckons, all eyes will be on the pair and what direction that take their new found romance.

Indefatigable Tuface Idibia Legendary pop singer, Innocent Idibia proved that as he grows older, he gets better with no signs of quitting any time soon. He returned to the entertainment space with a bang with the release of his popular hit song, Amaka, featuring Davido’d new artiste, Peruzz. On the politcal front, he is also making a statement. Thanks to the lunch of his movie, Power of One, which premiered December 5 at the the Silverbird Galleria, V. I., Lagos. And also, 2018 will also be a memorable year for the father of seven courtesy of the recent reconciliation between his legal wife, Annie Idibia and one his baby mama’s, Pero Adeniyi.

Davido’s political moves 2018 was also Davido’s year as he dominated headlines and was the topic of discussion on many chart rooms online. Thanks to his foray into politics which included campaigning vigorously for his Uncle, Sen. Adeleke of PDP and his romance with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom WIke whom he endorsed for a second term. The climax was when he was booted out of the NYSC for violating the rules of the platform.

On the musical font, it was also an exciting year for him. In a run that started last year with If, Davido has continue to heat up the airwaves with hit after hit. Earlier in the year he broke the internet with Assurance, which was followed by Nwa Baby. He shortly followed that up with Wonder Woman, which was released on December 7. As the 2019 elections beckon, Nigerians would be on the look out for him and the role he would play in the campaigns and also, on the music front, all eyes will be on him as he consolidates his hold on the industry.

Kemi Adetiba rules with King of Boys After the success of The Wedding Party, moviemaker, Kemi Adetiba returned to the cinemas with King of Boys in 2018 and dominated the cinemas. A crime thriller, for four consecutive weeks, King of Boys was the number one film in Nigeria despite strong competition from Hollywood movies. Also, it is the only non-comedy movie to gross over N100 million at the Nigerian box office. And as 2019 beckons, all eyes will be on her.

Simi and Adekunle Gold set to wed Wedding bells are surely ringing. Another celebrity couple that dominated 2018 is no doubt Adekunle Gold and his lover, Simi. After years of denials, multi-talented Simi and indigenous highlife singer, Adekunle Gold, finally admitted they were dating after exchanging a kiss openly on stage after a successful performance on December 11. The pair also held an engagement event recently and as 2019 beckons, fans can’t wait for there official wedding dates.

WIll 2019 be the year P-Square finally reunite?

That is the question on every one’s lips.

Indeed, 2018 will go down in history as another year the singing duo of P Square failed to bury their differences and reunite. Hopes were battered after the twins had another dramatic fall out to the chagrin of fans who have been praying earnestly for their reunion. Birthday are supposed to be celebrations of joy but on their birthday on November 18, lots of controversial posts got fans confused.

While Peter took a flash back to when their late mum accepted his wife as her daughter before her death and how him and not his wife is the gold digger in the union, Paul and Jude had reacted negatively. Days after their birthday, Paul released a single entitled Chizoba in order to express his feelings over the rift.

However, while performing at Star Lagar’s Lagos Fiesta, Peter aka Mr. P had paid glow-

Olamide finally tied the knot as massive exit hits his record label Voice of the street, Olamide aka Baddo finalised the marriage rites between him and Aisha Suleiman, his baby mama in August.

Olamide also made waves with his latest single entitled Motigbana. However, something strange is playing out and concerned fans are beginning to ask if all is well at his record label, YBNL as 2018 witnessed the exit of free major acts from is label including Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh and Reekado Banks. As 2019 unfolds, all eyes will be on him as events play out at YBNL. Juliet Ibrahim and Iceberg Slim’s dramatic break up!

Their break-up was one of the biggest surprises of 2018. Indeed, Juliet Ibrahim and Iceberg Slim showed flaunted their affair all over social media and even clinched an endorsement deal in the process. However, in May 2018, the cookie crumbled after Juliet Ibrahim deleted all of Iceberg Slim’s photos on her Instagram page. However, if doubts still lingered about their relationship, Juliet Ibrahim drove the final nail into the coffin of their affair when she confirmed that she was back to being single again. Meawhile, Iceberg Slim has since moved on but has refused to comment on the break up.

Is it all over for IK Ogbonna and wife?

Another shocking break-up was between hunk, IK Ogbonna and wife, Sonia. When IK Ogbonna got married to Colombian model, Sonia Lareinaa a couple of years ago, it was a union made in heaven. And when rumours began to fly around that all might not well with their marriage, it was received with some scepticism. However, in August 2018, it was obvious that there were cracks in the wall when Sonia moved out of her matrimonial home and took down her husband’s name from her Instagram page. However, there are rumours making the rounds that the couple are set to get back together.

Gbenro Ajibade and Osas Ighodaro back together?

When the celebrity couple got married in July of 2015, expectations were high and today they have a 2-year-old baby girl to show for their union. But their marriage couldn’t Continued on page 39

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

Entertainment

Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty over indecent assault charges

K

evin Spacey has pleaded not guilty of indecent assault battery stemming allegations of groping in 2016 leveled against him.

The actor who appeared in a court in the US state of Massachusetts with his legal team said he wasn’t guilty of the charges presented before him in the courtroom.

Kevin Spacey is been accused of groping an 18-year-old man back in 2016 in a restaurant. However, it is reported that the young man had told Kevin he was 22 years old at that time when they met which kind of encouraged him to sexually assault the young man.

Kevin who doesn’t live in Massachusetts arrived the state on a private jet and was mobbed by a large crowd of journalists who wanted to a photo of the once respected movie star.

If found guilty, Kevin Spacey faces up to five years in jail and will be registered as a sex offender, CNN revealed.

The next court hearing is billed for March 4, 2019. It would be recalled that late December 2018 it was announced that Kevin Spacey had been charged to court over sexual assault.

Kevin Spacey charged with sexual assault in Massachusetts Kevin Spacey has been charged for sexually assaulting a teenager in Mas-

sachusetts. The music star is expected to face trial on Monday, January 7, 2019, at a court. The sexual assault incident which occurred back in 2016 is part of the sexual assault allegations leveled against Kevin Spacey.

In a swift reaction, the ‘House Of Cards’ star has denied the allegations.

According to him, he won’t pay the price for a crime he didn’t commit.

“I’m certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn’t do. You wouldn’t believe the worst without evidence, would you?” he asks. “You wouldn’t rush to judgments without facts,” he said in a video clip.

The alleged victim is the son of former television news presenter Heather Unruh, who spoke publicly about the incident last year. She accused Mr Spacey of buying her then 18-year-old son alcohol - the drinking age in Massachusetts is 21 - and then groping him.

It would be recalled that Kevin Spacey’s nightmare began in 2017 when a certain man accused him of attempted rape. In an interview with the Vulture website, the man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he took part in an acting class taught by Spacey when he was 12.

Kevin Spacey accused of attempted rape A man, back in 2017 accused Kevin

Spacey of attempting to rape him when he was 15, amid mounting allegations of sexual harassment and assault against the “House of Cards” star. Two years later, they began what the man described in the interview as a “sexual relationship.”

Then when he was 15, Spacey attempted to rape him at his apartment, the man said, after which he ended the relationship.

“I would call him a pedophile and a sexual predator,” he said.

Eight people who worked on the “House of Cards” political drama meanwhile told CNN that the actor engaged in sexual harassment on set, typically targeting young men, while one of the eight said Spacey sexually assaulted him.

Netflix has indefinitely suspended production of “House of Cards” in the wake of allegations against Spacey, after already announcing that the upcoming sixth season of the show would be its last.

Actor Anthony Rapp opened the floodgate of harassment and assault allegations against the double Oscar winner when he said that Spacey made a “sexual advance” when he was a 14-year-old boy more than 30 years ago.

Davido Makes History On Instagram, Hits One Million Views

A

fter setting and breaking records in 2018, Davido has now started 2019 in another record breaking manner. The DMW boss has just set another record on social media platform; Instagram.

Davido who became the first Nigerian celebrity to rack up five hundred thousand views for a post on Instagram has now broken that record and yet again set another record for amassing one million views for a post on Instagram.

Also Davido becomes the first Nigerian celebrity to reach nine million followers on Instagram.

• Davido

Burna Boy Emerges The Biggest Winner At Soundcity MVP Awards

2 • Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards”

Movers and shakers of 2018

Continued from page 38

stand the test of time as the couple finally parted ways due to irreconcilable differences in 2018. However, a new chapter t would seem is playing out as the couple were spotted at Disney Land in Orlando Florida with their daughter having a swell time during the christmas holidays and tongues have started wagging if indeed the couple are back together for good.

Funke Akindele’s miraculous twins Last year, news of Funke Akindele losing her twins in a miscarriage went viral. However, this year, she finally got her groove back when she was delivered of a set of twins as she and her husband, JJC Skillz welcomed a set of twin boys a couple of days ago.

The news broke the internet as thousands of fans, friends and family kept congratulating her and her hubby.

Weddings The Bible says that he who finds a

wife finds a good thing and obtaineth favour before the Lord. Indeed, 2018 will go down as the year many Nollywood celebs tied the knot.

Nuella Njubigbo and Tchidi Chikere Indeed it was a happy year for actress, Nuella Njubigbo who finally hoooked the man of her dreams, Tchidi Chikere, a popular movie director/ producer. The couple crowned their union with a grand wedding on June 9 in Lagos and was well attended by friends, family and well-wishers.

Linda Ejiofor and Ibrahim Suleiman Obviously it was a match made in heaven. The couple, who are co-stars on popular TV drama series, Tinsel, got married on November 11 at a well attended event that attracted the creme de la creme of society.

Oma Nnadi and Nonso Enem It was fun and excitement when Oma Nnadi and Nonso Enem held

their traditional wedding in Imo State in January. What made it even more striking was that it was the first wedding of the year in the industry. Present at the wedding were relatives, friends and colleagues including Mary Njoku, Belindah Effah, Queen Nwaokoye and Yvonne Jegede-Fawole among many others.

Abimbola Ogunnowo and Okiki Afolayan The Yoruba movie industry was not left out as cupid visited when actress, Abimbola Ogunnowow and her movie producer lover, Okiki Afolayan also tied the knot.

Gabriel Afolayan and Banke Indeed, 2018 was the year actor, Gabriel Afolayan finally got hooked to his pretty American-based lover, Banke.

They got married in April of 2018 in a grand wedding that attracted family, friends and well wishers.

018 was definitely Burna Boy‘s year from the huge success of his “Outside Album” to the release of hit singles back to back. The just concluded Soundcity MVP Awards gave huge recognition to the young artiste that got talent and flows all over him.

Burna Boy emerged the biggest winner at the Soundcity MVP awards with four (4) awards to his name. His song “Ye” won the ‘Listener Choice‘ category and also the ‘Song Of The Year‘. Burna Boy himself went home with the biggest awards of the night; “Best Male MVP” and “African Artiste Of The Year“, he beat the likes of Davido, Wizkid, Nasty C, Sarkodie and Diamond Platnumz.

“I Had A Better Year And Made More Money Than Teni” – Perruzi

D

MW act, Peruzzi, has expressed his disappointment over Teni winning the Soundcity MVP’s Next Rated awards last night as he thinks he deserves it more.

He made it known via his social media. He said last year was the year he worked “hardest” than any other new act and a year he also made more money than any of the other new acts as well.

He however says it is not a matter of pride that he has said what he said, but that he is in a class of his own and no other new act comes close.

This has been seen as a controversial remark by many music fans. And we just hope this won’t kickstart the first music industry beef of 2019.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS Extra 2nd Niger Bridge to be completed Feb. 2022 – Project Director

P

roject Director, Julius Berger Nig. Ltd., Mr Frederick Weiser, Tuesday, said that the second Niger Bridge would be completed by February 28, 2022.

Weiser made the disclosure when state Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra inspected ongoing work at the project site in Ogbaru near Onitsha.

He said contract for the construction of the Bridge was awarded over the years but was abandoned due to poor funding and failure to mobilize the contractor to site.

According to him, the bridge is 1.6 kilometres long with 3.3 kilometer adjoining route from Delta and another seven kilometer at the Anambra end.

The project director, who disclosed that the project was awarded at N206 billion, said the Federal Government had so far released about 15 per cent of the contract amount.

Weiser explained that the firm was currently constructing beams and doing piling work on the bridge.

“The biggest challenge we had before now was the rising water level of River Niger which has now receded,” he told Obiano.

In his remarks, Gov. Obiano, who commended the Federal Government for releasing huge sums for the project, expressed optimism that the project would be completed as scheduled.

The governor described the bridge as “very important to the South East and the nation” and commended the contracting firm for its zeal to complete the job.

Earlier, Obiano paid similar visit to the completed Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha where he commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the project.

The governor, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done, said the project was a plus to President Buhari’s administration.

“The project has been abandoned for the past 23 years, it is an important project to the people of the South East, Nigeria and the African Continent,’’ Obiano said.

The governor said he would intimate the President on his inspections and urge him to inaugurate the Mausoleum.

A’Ibom Govt. begins construction of 60 modular classrooms A kwa Ibom Government says it has started the construction of 60 modular classroom blocks across the 10 federal constituencies in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Victor Inoka, who disclosed this in Uyo on Tuesday, said that the aim was for government to replicate modular schools of developed countries in the state’s public schools.

Inoka said that 10 modular classroom blocks had already been built in Uyo High School, Etoi Primary school, Uyo and in schools in Onna Local Government Area.

He said that the type of blocks used for the classrooms was able regulate the temperature according to the weather condition, adding that there are no need for airconditioners.

The commissioner said that the classrooms were fitted with world class gadgets to access information across the world.

He said that each classroom accommodates 30 students and a teacher, adding that “it is also fire resistant’’.

“Sixty schools are proposed for the project. It will be 60 modular classroom blocks in the 10 federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom. This is the first phase of the project; the materials are complete and ready for use.

“We have done four in Uyo High school, Oron road, one at Etoi primary and secondary schools. There are two at Onna local government areas, we have built and completed it.

“Others are spread across the 10 federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom.

“The essence is for the students to feel what other students in civilised countries such as America, Britain, China, Korea etc. feel.

“The classroom blocks regulate temperature to be moderate according to the weather condition. It

is fire resistant.

“It can be cool when the temperature is hot without air conditioner.

With the gadgets, you access anywhere that is what we want to do here. The normal classroom is 30 students to a teacher.

“The equipment for the modular class room blocks were ordered from Turkey. The experts came to assemble them from Turkey; most of the equipment are in the Ministry of Education warehouse,” Inoka said.

Inoka said the government was sponsoring the education of 31 students in private schools drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.

He said that poor but intelligent students whose parents would ordinarily not afford to sponsor them in private schools were picked for the scholarships programme.

He said that government had faithfully lived up to its expectations in the payment of fees for the

• Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle), Hon Reuben Izezi of the State House of Assembly (left), and Chief John Oguma, during the Governor’s inspection of the on going Ovwor- Efruntor Bridg project in Ughelli South LGA

Ebonyi Govt explains downward review of 2019 budget

E

bonyi Government on Tuesday offered reasons for the downward review of its 2019 budget of N188.4 billion, recently assented into law by Gov. Dave Umahi.

State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Nwachukwu, said during budget’s breakdown that it was reviewed downward because the 2018 budget of N208 billion was not fully accessed within the stipulated fiscal year.

Nwachukwu noted that the state government could not access more than N100 billion from the 2018 budget which ultimately made it to review that of 2019.

“There is no need to budget so much and access about half of what you budgeted, so we came up with a budget that would be in line with what is possible to access. We even allowed the 2019 budget to be up to N188 billion because of the African Development Bank (ADB) loan which we are expecting to be used for internal roads.

“We are expecting N50 billion from the bank as its interest rate is very insignificant with single digit

and would be spread over time.

The N50 billion was provided for in the 2018 budget but we are rolling it over to that of 2019,” he said.

The commissioner said that the 2019 budget had a recurrent expenditure of N41.5 billion while the capital expenditure was N146.8 billion.

“The administrative sector has a provision of N27.3 billion with a recurrent provision of N14.4 billion and capital provision of N12.9 billion. This is further broken into overhead and personnel costs with the former being costs of running the government such as travels and stationeries while the latter is for the payment of workers’ salaries,” he said.

He noted that the economic sector had a budgetary provision of N103.9 billion with a recurrent provision of N14 billion and capital provision of N89.9 billion.

“This sector consists of the ministries of housing, power, water resources among others and that accounts for its high budgetary provision. The law and justice sec-

tor which consists of the ministry of justice has a provision of N1.5 billion with a recurrent provision of N1.1 billion and a capital provision of N456 million.

“The regional sector which consist of the urban and capital territory has a provision of N1.5 billion while the social sector has a budgetary provision of N51.7 billion. The social sector which has a recurrent provision of N11.7 billion and a capital provision of N39.9 billion consists of the ministries of education, health, women affairs, among others,” he said.

State Accountant-General, Mrs Queen Agwu, noted that the 29 percent budgetary provision for the ministry of works would be for the completion of all ongoing projects and execution of new ones.

“The governor has approved and released funds for the completion of these projects and for the new ones such as the Isu-Agba-Ntezi road, the Uburu road, Sharon road in Izzi LGA, among others,” she added.

children to ensure that Akwa Ibom children enjoyed quality education.

The commissioner said that the government was tackling the problem of infrastructural deficits in public schools in phases with a view to addressing it.

“In all the 31 local government areas, we sent children to the best schools through scholarship, and government is paying for them. I can show you vouchers and tellers we paid straight to the schools accounts,” he said.

‘I did not sell my mandate to Ekweremadu’ – APC senatorial candidate

E

nugu West All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Mrs Juliet IbekakuNwagwu, has described as `false’ allegations that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu gave her N500 million to step down her senatorial ambition.

“I did not broker or establish any accord at Nwanjoku’s wedding which led to N500 million deal or purported N300 million advance payment to me, ” she said in a statement in Enugu on Monday.

According to her, the purported deal and advance payment is a case of desperation by her political detractors who are already frustrated after all efforts to sabotage her ambition failed.

“The concoction is hollow, cheap and laughable. Team Ibekaku is on a divine Mission,” she said.

The people of Enugu West have expressed their desire and no detractor can stand against that.

“The sum of N500 million is not worth the determination of my ambition to salvage the 16 years of wasteful and visionless leadership in Enugu West.

“I will work with all Enugu West people to secure the future of our people that have been under bondage for 16 years,” she said.

She said that she was on a mission to bring back the dividends of democracy for the senatorial district, adding that her vision for a better Enugu West had been articulated in her four-point agenda.

The female candidate said that through her four-point agenda, she would influence industrialization, job creation, improved health care services and improved education sector.

Ibekaku-Nwagwu’ said her campaign team had remained calm in the face of attempts to blackmail and undermine her person, including the destruction of her bill boards in Awgu and Aninri council areas.

“We urge those masquerades perpetrating these acts of violence to desist from it. They should not take our efforts to allow peace to reign for granted. I and my team will remain focused and will dwell on issues rather than on trivialities and cheap blackmail,” she said.

She said her recent appointment as the Deputy National Coordinator South for Women & Youth on the Presidential Campaign Team of the APC is also a confirmation and acknowledgement of her capacity and the preparedness to serve her people.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS 2019: Rivers people will end dictatorial tendencies of political godfathers -- Wike

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that 2019 General Elections will be used

by Rivers people to put an end to the dictatorial tendencies of political godfathers.

Wike also stated that Rivers politics cannot be controlled by any single politician, because it is not a State in the South-West where a political godfather has usurped the mandate of the people.

Speaking during the dedication of the 2019 PDP Campaigns at the Cathedral Church of Saint, Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike said if Rivers people allow political godfathers to succeed in planting their godsons, they will suffer the consequences.

“If you allow Rivers State to be like one of the states in the south-west, we will all suffer for it.

“Luckily for us, we don’t speak one language. Therefore, it is very difficult for any leader from an ethnic nationality to control the entire state. In that South-West state, a political godfather says something against a sitting governor and it happened.

“2019 will be the end of dictatorial tendencies in our politics”, he said.

Governor Wike prayed God to grant INEC and Police the courage to act in line with their constituonal roles during the 2019 General elections.

He said: “The Police should not be professionals in the rigging of elections. We will resist any attempt to rig the elections and the votes of the people must count”.

The governor urged Rivers people to be courageous as they work in unity towards the victory of the PDP in the state.

He said that the APC Federal Government can deploy soldiers to manipulate the 2019 elections, but they will fail as they did in 2015 and 2016 rerun elections.

Governor Wike said that the Rivers PDP Campaign will be issue based, relying on the achievements of the administration to convince the people for another mandate.

He said for every Local Government Area, his administration has planted key projects in line with the New Rivers Development Blueprint.

He said that the PDP decided to dedicate the campaign to God, because it is a tradition that has worked for the good of the party.

The governor called for three days of prayers by Christian Faithful for peaceful and credible polls. He warned politicians against promoting violence during the elections .

Dedicating the campaign to God, Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev Sunday Agwu said that one good term deserves another, adding that Governor Wike has performed credibly with the people’s mandate.

Archbishop Agwu said that people have come forward to thank God, so that he can give Rivers PDP the enablement to do more for Rivers people.

He said: “God has used Governor Wike and the PDP to touch the lives of the people and change their fortunes for the better. Governor Wike and his team have improved the infrastructural sector, health and educational facilities and also empowered the people”.

The Cleric added that God has used Governor Wike to put smiles on the faces of Rivers people. He noted that God has chosen Governor Wike for the leadership of the state .

Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo prayed for safety and victory during the campaign.

IPAC condemns billboards destruction in C’ River

T

he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned the wave of destruction of political billboards in Cross River.

The Cross River IPAC Chairman, Mr Paddy Ali, who made this known, Wednesday in Calabar condemned the act which he alleged was carried out by political opponents, describing it as barbaric and anti-democratic.

“I do not think that the destruc-

tions were carried out by the signage agency because they would have done them in broad daylight with every sense of patriotism.

“I want to caution all the candidates vying for elective offices with their billboards displayed, to be careful and not take laws into their hand.

“I also want to call on the law enforcement agencies like the police and the Directorate of State Security

to curb the act in order to prevent heating up the polity.

“We should also understand that some of these actions may be carried out by over-zealous supporters without the consent of the party candidates,’’ he said.

On the issue of buying of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by political parties, Ali said he had not seen any evidence of such in Cross River.

He urged the people of the state not to sell their PVCs to avoid being disenfranchised in the forthcoming general elections.

“Keep your PVCs safe and on the day of the election, go out there and vote, this only happens once in four years. So use it wisely,’’ he said.

Ogboru no match for Okowa -- Oleju EMMANUEL OGOIGBE Warri

D

• Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (m) accompanied by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Chinedu Tasie and Director General, Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement, Mr Igonibo Emmanuel Thompson during the inspection of construction works at the Judges Quarters, Mile One Market and Fruit Garden Market

Lagos launches reality TV show on rescue operations

L

agos State Government on Tuesday said it has launched a reality television programme to showcase the efforts and strategies of emergency management agencies before, during and after rescue operations, with the view to deepen safety of lives and property in the State.

State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan who said this while addressing a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, said the programme, tagged ‘Lagos Rescue’, was also designed to enlighten residents of their responsibilities during emergency situations.

He said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in the last three and half years, had invested massively in safety of lives and property and towards enhancing the activities of emergency management agencies, adding that the new initiative was another demonstrable commitment to the welfare of the people.

According to Bamigbetan, “Lagos Rescue is an initiative of the Lagos State Government to showcase the efforts of the State Emergency

Management Agencies at addressing emergencies in order to ensure the safety of lives and property. The programme is also meant to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the citizenry during emergencies for regular smooth operation.

“In his spirited efforts to ensure that Lagosians live in peace, and also promote an accident-free society, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode approved the reality programme in view of the many benefits it offers the State. This is in addition to the huge funds regularly allocated to the emergency management agencies to strengthen their capacity to manage an emergency.”

Stressing that everyone has a role to play in emergency rescue operations, Bamigbetan said the government, as a sensitive and responsible entity, decided to come up with the programme to send the right message to the citizenry, adding that the programme would focus majorly on the activities of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Lagos State Fire Service.

Giving further details, Bamigbetan

who addressed the briefing alongside Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi, said the State Government remained committed to the safety of lives and property.

He said: “While we cannot avoid emergency in the State, the government remains committed to ensuring immediate and effective response to emergency situations.

“As such, Lagos Rescue is peoplecentric as it will present real-life experiences involving our emergency rescue operations in order to achieve two major objectives of teaching viewers how we go about saving valuable lives of Lagosians and making them identify how they could have prevented casualties that result from such emergency situation.”

He, therefore, urged residents to take advantage of the programme which would be showing on Lagos Television every Sunday by 10:30pm, and also provide valuable feedback through the various social media platforms of the State Government.

Steer clear of evil activities – Oba Ewuare warns youth

O

ba Ewuare II of Benin has cautioned youths to desist from evil activities capable of ruining their futures.

The monarch gave the advice at a lavish reception for the youth on Saturday at the palace ground in Benin.

He said that for the young ones to excel in life, they must eschew all forms of youthful delinquencies

and focus on virtues that would make them future leaders.

Oba Ewuare also cautioned them to always be diligent in their behaviours, noting that obedience to parents’ instructions was key to generational blessings.

He added that the palace had concluded arrangements to host the event twice a year.

The monarch further reassured

the people of the Kingdom of better life, stressing that it would do everything within its powers to ensure that peace and tranquility reigned in Benin kingdom and Edo, at large.

The event also featured dance competition and various prizes given to winners, while white pigeons were released as symbol of peace and tranquility in the state.

elta State Youth leader, Okowa 2019 campaign flow, Hon Murphy Anino Oleju has insisted that the state will further develop the state if state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is returned for a second tenure.

According to him, the Governor has touched lives of all in the twenty-five local government areas within thirty-six months in office.

Hon Oleju who spoke with newsmen, Monday, in Warri, however admonished politicians against the use of foul language and campaign of calumny during and after campaign.

“We should abhor anything capable of truncating the present nascent democratic system across the country. Nigeria as it is now is transforming greatly, but I do believe that the country will be a greater democratic nation if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is voted in as President of the most populous black nation in the World”, stressed the erudite politician.

Oleju, who is also the Delta State Youth leader, Atiku campaign stream, is very confident that the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will beat President Muhammadu Buhari hands down in the February 16th presidential election.

“Already, the coast is clear for the PDP flag bearer to win the race, going by the massive support being garnered for the Turaki Adamawa across the country,” remarked the ex-member, Warri South Legislative Council.

While urging the youths in all the Local Government Areas to campaign massively for both Governor Okowa and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Hon. Oleju added; “It is no more news that Delta is a PDP state; no other political party can take this golden opportunity from the party.

“I wish to admonish all the electorates not to be scared of the socalled Federal might; because even those in Abuja knows that PDP is coming to wrestle power from President Buhari while Okowa is already holding sway to the Government House”, stressed Hon Oleju, insisting that strategies have been put in place for the success of PDP both in the state and at Federal Level.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS Abia APC to PDP: ‘Stop destroying our campaign posters’

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia has cautioned members of the ruling party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to desist from destruction of its posters and billboards.

APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Benedict Godson, gave the warning on Monday while reacting to alleged destruction of campaign billboards and posters of some the party’s candidates across the state.

Godson described the recent destruction of campaign posters of the Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency candidate, Mrs Blessing Nwokonneya and others in various locations as uncalled for.

He said his party was not weak to confront the PDP for retaliation, but maintained that turning Abia into a war zone was not the approach of politics that the APC believed in.

He urged the police and other security agencies to fish out and deal decisively with touts recruited to carry out the acts and also apprehend their sponsors.

He said only prosecution of those involved would assuage those whose campaign materials were destroyed.

“The PDP is really trying to throw Abia into serious violence. We are cautioning them to stop these provocative acts to avoid throwing our peaceful state into avoidable violence as elections draw closer. ”Destroying posters and billboards belonging to opposition parties is not part of democracy. It’s a sign of frustration and frustrated people don’t play free and fair games.

“They started these their evil acts sometimes last year and have continued with it in this new year by destroying billboards of Lady Blessing Uwoma Nwokonneya our House of Representatives candidate for Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency.

“The PDP is frustrated because the people have rejected them.

Their failure to work for Abians is beginning to hunt them down.

“Their bank of lies is empty as they have run short of lies to tell our people. They now see anyone from APC as their problem which is very ridiculous”, he said.

Godson challenged the PDP to come into the electoral contests in Abia with free and fair minds if they had marketable candidates.

He said the APC had the capacity to match the PDP in anyway but noted that joining in their illegal and provocative actions would result in unnecessary bloodshed of innocent Abians.

The Abian State PDP Spokesman, Chief Don Ubani when contacted said that the PDP had no business as a party with giving orders for anybody to destroy campaign materials of other parties.

“You know that the PDP has a track record. PDP is not known for violence. And PDP cannot resort to pettiness. Why would you need to tear the campaign posters of persons who you know if election is conducted 20 times, your party will pip them?

“So these are very false allegations, spurious claims. The woman in Isiala Ngwa, as I passed now, I saw her poster. She constitutes not threat to us. We believe in the collective free will of the people to take precedence over whatever individual aspiration is. So we don’t have any business tearing any candidate’s poster. What would we gain by doing that? He asked.

Anambra workers protest over new minimum wage

S

cores of public workers under the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday staged peaceful protest on the major streets of Awka.

The protest in Anambra is in compliance to the directive by the national leadership of NLC to press for the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage to Nigeria workers.

International Relations and Liasion Officer to National Assembly, NLC Abuja, Mr Uche Ekwe, said in Awka that the protest was targeted at making various state governments to make commitment on the implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage. ”The protest/mobilisation march is aimed at making every state govern-

ment to make commitment on the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage. ”Our resolve as labour union is that workers should vote based on the disposition of government’s willingness to pay the new wage. ”For the governors already serving their second tenure, workers should vote against their parties at all levels,” he said.

Ekwe, who read the address of Mr Ayuba Waba, NLC National President, urged workers to rally round the leadership of labour to actualise the new wage.

After addressing the protesters at a roundabout leading to Ekwueme Square, Awka, Ekwe also read the address at Government, House, Awka

before handing it to representative of Gov. Willie Obiano.

Anambra State Chairman of NLC, Mr Jerry Nubia, said the union in the state expected specific position of the state government on the implementation of the new minimum wage soonest.

“What brought us to this level after more than one year of negotiation on the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage is the divergent voices of some state governors. We want to know what Anambra State Government can do on the new minimum wage,” he said.

He said the protest was the first step towards the final struggle and added that after collation of information from various states, the union

• Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan (second left), alongside Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; and Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi, addressing a press conference to announce the launch of a reality television show on rescue operations in the state at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Tuesday

INEC settles for nationwide pilot electronics transmission of results

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would only do a nationwide pilot electronic transmission (e-collation) of results in the forthcoming general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in his opening remarks at the Commission’s regular quarterly meeting with the media on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that for the Commission to do full electronic transmission of results there must be a backing law for that.

“The Commission is also aware of the interest expressed by the media to learn more about the commission’s electronic results transmission process, including its backend processes. This meeting will include a presentation on the pilot we carried out in some of the off-season elections conducted by the Commission.”

Yakubu urged media organisations to sensitise registered voters yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so, in order for them to be able to participate in the forthcoming general elections.

He re-emphasised that the commission would not create additional polling units for 2019 elections, other than units created for the 2015 general elections.

“No new polling unit has been created and none will be created before the 2019 general elections,” he said.

The INEC chairman appealed to the media to partner with INEC in tackling the worrisome issue of vote buying which the commission had been working to address.

“We appeal to the media to continue to partner with the Commission by making information available to us while we work with the security agencies to deal with the violators of our electoral laws. These include those who may be trying to compromise our staff responsible for making the PVCs available for collection by legitimate voters.

“We understand that some actors have been going round hunting for our staff responsible for the distribution of PVCs. We are aware of this and we are ahead of them, “ he said.

Answering questions on plans to introduce the rolling and flattening of ballot papers by voters as part of measures to address vote buying, Yakubu said that plans were in place to ensure that it did not lead to increased voided votes.

“The first one is the quality of the ink. You know you have quick dry ink and the certain type of ink that immediately you thumbprint it spreads. We are committed to ensuring that we get the right type of quality,’’ he said.

He said that the initial folding would be done by the electoral officer, and folding it from the top the ballot paper it could not spread on the columns for political party on the paper.

He added that as the elections approached, the commission was working to finalise its guidelines for the 2019 general elections.

The chairman also said that the Commission was committed to effective training of its ad hoc staff for the success of the elections.

In his remarks, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journal-

ists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, pledged that the media as a criticalstakeholders in the Nigeria project would continue to partner with INEC for the successful conduct of the elections.

Isiguzo said that the forthcoming polls were critical and that the world was looking up to INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

He urged the INEC Chairman to fullfil his promise to ensure that the elections were not just credible, but should be seen to be credible.

Isiguzo also called on security operatives not to clamp down on the media during elections, saying that such would be unacceptable to the media professionals and practitioners.

“It will be unacceptable to see the repeat of what happened 48 hours ago where journalists working with Daily Trust Newspapers were arrested and their computers were taken away.

“This is not good for democracy and I believe Nigeria is democratic nation and such thing should not be happening.’’

Isiguzo said that the union intended to also reach out to the military and other security agencies with a view to ensuring that they regarded journalists as key stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

“Media practitioners are not criminals, they are people concerned with going forward of the country and intend to have a sunnier climes where all Nigerians will be happy to live in,’’ he said.

The meeting was attended by journalists and senior editors from various media institutions in the country.

would enter the next stage.

Prof. Solo Chukwudebelu, the Secretary to Anambra State Government who represented Obiano, thanked NLC for the peaceful conduct during the march.

He, however, appealed to labour to reconsider its position on using commitment to pay the new wage as condition for the support of parties in next month’s elections. ”We appeal that workers support Obiano to ensure our party return majority of its candidates during the 2019 polls. Voting APGA candidates would make Gov. Obiano do more to our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Federal Government says the National Minimum Wage Bill will be transmitted to the National Assembly on or before Jan. 23, 2019.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this while speaking with newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the leadership of organised labour on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ngige said that the Federal Government and the organised labour had signed a Memorandum of Understanding that on or before Jan. 23, the National Minimum Wage Bill would be sent to the National Assembly.

“On the part of government, we are going to try to religiously implement all the processes that will enable us to transmit this bill within the stipulated time.

“We have a target time of January 23, and we hope that all things being equal, the executive will be able to do so.

“We will take on the statutory meetings of the Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council and the National Council of States to enable us to transmit the bill on the new national minimum wage.”

The minister, while commending labour for its cooperation and understanding, called for the withdrawal of the threat of an industrial action, saying that it was no longer necessary.

Also speaking with newsmen, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba, said they had agreed that on or before Jan. 23, the bill would be transmitted to the National Assembly.

“We have agreed that the agreement reached should be documented and it should be signed by government representatives and organised labour; we thought that is a more firm commitment.

“We believe with this, we can actually start following up the process; we have asked them to keep faith with the timeline, so that it will be concluded, as the minimum wage issue has been on the table for the past two years.

“We also thought that after having submitted the report and also drafted a draft the bill, by now, we expected that it should have been submitted.”

He also noted that the NASS would resume from their recess on Jan. 16 and that since the legislators were desirous of ensuring that Nigerian workers earned decent wage, they would also do the needful.

“We will shift our lobby to the NASS because once the bill is enacted, the money will be in the pockets of the workers.

“The issue of industrial relations is always addressed at the roundtable.

We have been diligent in the whole process and workers have been patient. So, we are committed to the process and hope that the timeline will be respected.

“We will put this across to our organs and give them all the details contained in the Memorandum of Understanding,’’ Wabba said.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

NEWS PUBLIC NOTICE AND CHANGE OF NAME This is to inform the General Public that trustees of Clara Chime Child and Mother Empowerment Initiative incorporated in Nigeria CAC/IT/60169 has applied for certified true copy of the original certificate of incorporation.

The organizations original certificate was misplaced and all efforts to recover it proved abortive.

That we request Corporate Affairs Commission to re-issue the certified true copy to enable us use it.

That any objection to this request be forwarded to Registrar General within (28) twenty eight days of this publication.

• Rivers State Deputy Governor, Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo (r) welcoming the newly-posted state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Belel, to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Tuesday

Sign: Mrs. Beatrice Nkem Onyema I, formerly addressed as OLUWAFUNMILAYO AFUSAT ADEBAYO now wish be to known as OLUWAFUNMILAYO MARIA OPEODU. All documents remain valid. Banks, general public take note

I formerly known as AGU SIMON CHUKWUMA now wish to be known as AGU CHUKWUMA SAMUEL. Former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as OKONKWO IFEOMA NONYE now wish to be known as OKONKWO IFEOMA JOY. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as ONYEUCHI MICHAEL now wish to be known as ONYEUCHI NNAMDI MICHAEL . BORN ON 6TH SEPTEMBER 1968. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as ENEMCHUKWU PRETTY OGECHUKWU now wish to be known as ENEMCHUKWU SABINA OGECHUKWU. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as MADOJUTIMI ABDULLAHI ISHOLA now wish to known and address as MADOJUTIMI ABDULLAHI OLA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as JOY NNENNA OZONGWU now wish to be known as JOY NNENNA OBI. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as ANEKWE UJUNWA JOSEPHINE now wish to be known as ANEKWE UJUNWA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as CHUKS CHIDIEBUBE CHUKS now wish to be known as CALEB CHIDIEBUBE CHUKWUNEKE. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as DURU OKECHUKWU KINGSLEY now wish to be known as DURUAMUKA OKECHUKWU KINGSLEY. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

I formerly known as OKEAKPU NGOZI FRANCISCA now wish to be known as IFEBUZO NGOZI FRANCISCA. All former documents remain valid.

Please Banks and General Public take note.

I formerly known as NWABUFOH IFEYINWA JULIET ANTHONIA now wish to be known and addressed as OBIAMUKA IFEYINWA JULIET. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

This is to certify that TOKE IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR and ALEX IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR is one and the same person now wish to be known as TOKE IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OKONKWO NDIDIAMAKA PATIENCE now wish to be known as AIDOOH NDIDIAMAKA PATIENCE. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as AJUZIE STELLA NNEOMA now wish to be known as MRS IJERI STELLA NNEOMA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

2019: Okowa tasks INEC, security agencies with credible elections

D

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

Okowa made the call on Monday in Asaba when the management of Silverbird Communications led by its Chairman, Editorial Board, Mr Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson, paid him a courtesy visit.

The visit was to present a letter of nomination to Okowa as the 2018 Silverbird Man of the Year Award.

Okowa said that the award would spur people of the state to work in unity and achieve more developmental successes.

“Nigerians expect that we will

have free and fair general elections in February and March 2019.

“The security agencies and INEC are expected to abide by the rules so that we can have a country where democracy can grow, and also a country that can take its rightful place among the comity of nations.

“The world looks up to us to get it right. I receive this award with gratitude as it will encourage us to do more for our people.

“In the last three years, we have had our challenges, but we have been able to manage ourselves, united as Deltans; we have connected with our people through roads, education and health.

“Our people are happy with us

and we are happy with them,’’ he said.

The governor commended the Silverbird Management for the painstaking award process, saying that the award would encourage people to understand that working together would guarantee more successes and achievements.

Earlier, Akinyemi-Johnson congratulated the governor for emerging the “Silverbird Man of the Year Award”.

He said that Okowa was voted for overwhelmingly by the public among the four nominees.

Akinyemi-Johnson said that the award would be formally presented to the governor in sometimes in February in Lagos.

He charged them to commence active campaign activities in their various constituencies in accordance with electoral guidelines.

“Our candidates do not have any problem concerning their candidacies. We are here to assure them of our total support and encourage them to begin their campaign activities,” Onuigbo said Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Cosmos Ndukwe, candidate for Bende North State Constituency said he was certain that PDP would record success in

the election.

Ndukwe said that “All the candidates will be committed to working to win the support of the people for PDP because to whom much is given much is expected’’.

In his remark, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu said his administration had made serious efforts to deliver good quality infrastructure to facilitate socioeconomic development in the state.

Ikpeazu charged members of the party to be steadfast in promoting the objectives of the party in the state and at national level.

PDP presents flags to state assembly candidates in Abia

T

he leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia on Monday presented flags to the 24 candidates contesting for seats in the House of Assembly candidates.

The PDP State Chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, at the ceremony in Umuahia, said the candidates had clearly shown their capacities to the contest election.

Onuigbo expressed optimism that the candidates would be victorious in all the 24 constituencies of the state.

Minimum wage: NLC protest shut down government offices in Enugu

E

nugu State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday joined their counterparts across the congress to observe the labour ‘National Day of Protest’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers trooped out en masse to participate in the rally that took place at the state secretariat.

It would be recalled that the national leadership of the NLC had directed the protest to register their dismay on the handling of the national minimum wage by the Fed-

eral Government.

The Chairman of the NLC in Enugu State, Mr Viginus Nwobodo described the exercise in the state as a `huge success’ as workers turned out in their numbers.

Nwobodo said that the success of the protest was a pointer to what would happen if labour eventually went on strike.

The chairman who addressed the workers after a peaceful road protest said that the workers were miffed that the Federal Government had failed to transmit the report of the tripartite committee to

the National Assembly.

“This protest is as a result of the lingering issue of the national minimum wage. We are not happy that legislative work has not started on the matter,” he said.

He said that workers were running out of patience, adding that they were waiting for further directives from their headquarters.

“We are waiting for further directives from our headquarters and anytime they direct us to commence strike we shall fully comply,” Nwobodo said.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2018

NEWS

Abia: APGA accuses PDP of plot to rig election • INEC Chairman raises alarm over ‘new method’ of vote-buying

T

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has raised the alarm over what it described as ‘plots by the PDP to rig election in Abia State.

The statement issued by the Director Media and Publicity of Alex Otti Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kazie Uko came even as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu warned against “A new method of vote-buying is being devised.”

The Alex Otti Campaign Organisation had on Sunday, January 6, issued a statement alleging that there were “clandestine and fraudulent plot by the PDP to collect details of people’s PVCs and in some cases outrightly purchase the PVCs from unsuspecting members of the public.”

According to the statement signed by the Director Media and Publicity of Alex Otti Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kazie Uko, accused the ruling party in Abia of organising groups, allocating large sums of money to them and charging them with the responsibility of fraudulently obtaining PVC details of voters, especially those in the rural areas.”

“To realise this evil agenda, they printed fake employment forms, brought some fertilisers and palm seedlings, and other gifts which are given to their unsuspecting victims in exchange for their PVCs. We understand that PVCs so collected are intended to be used if incident forms are going to be used by INEC, otherwise, they would be withheld to ensure genuine voters, majority of whom would vote against PDP, are disenfranchised,” the statement revealed.

At the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, Yakubu accused some politicians of buying up Permanent Voter Cards or inducing voters financially to col-

lect their Voter Identification Numbers. According to the INEC chairman, by collecting PVCs, the politicians may be trying to deprive the voters of voting.

Said Yakubu: “A new method of vote-buying is being devised.

We have received credible information that some partisan actors are now going around buying up PVCs from voters or financially inducing them to collect the VINs (Voter Identification Number) on their PVCs. “In some instances, telephone numbers and details of bank accounts of voters have been collected. By collecting the PVCs, their intention may be to deprive the voters of voting since no one can vote without the PVC. By collecting their phone numbers and bank details, the intention

is to induce voters by electronic transfer of funds to their accounts, since it will be difficult to buy votes at polling units.

“By collecting the VINs, they may be acting on the mistaken notion that our system can be hacked into and the card readers somehow preloaded ahead of election and compromised.

We want to assure Nigerians that we are aware of the new tricks. It is a futile effort; we will work with security agencies to deal with the violators of our electoral laws, including those who may be trying to compromise our staff responsible for making the PVCs available for collection by the legitimate voters.”

The Alex Otti Campaign Organisation commended the

INEC chairman for confirming the alarm the Organisation said it had earlier raised.

“We commend the chairman of INEC for this act of courage and boldness hardly seen in public service. We believe that with this kind of attitude, Nigerians will have confidence in INEC and the electoral process. We urge INEC to go a step further by collaborating with relevant security agencies to fish out politicians involved in this fraud and deal with them, accordingly. We urge Ndi Abia to be vigilant, we must not allow the event of 2015 repeat itself. The Alex Otti Campaign is resolute and will defend the mandate so given by Ndi Abia,” Mr. Uko stated in his response. sw

•Wife of former Senate President Sen Margery Chuba Okadigbo flanked by her campaign DG Chief Joe Ofokansi (Right) while on her immediate right is Hon Chief Michael Mbanefo the party’s flag bearer for the Onitsha North/ Onitsha South federal constituency during the inauguration of the APC Campaign Council at Onitsha North LGA Anambra State Photo: Oliver Udeogu

... Atiku/Obi upbeat as revelations shake Presidency Cont’d on page 2 ah. Nehemiah served in the king’s palace, but didn’t take pay for the work he did. We need leaders like Nehemiah. Nehemiahs are fast disappearing in Nigeria. We must pray for God to give us God-fearing leaders through this election,” he prayed.

Stakeholders of PDP in the State vowed to deliver Anambra to PDP. Various speakers at the event, which had in attendance tens of thousands of PDP supporters including former National Secretary

of the party, Senator Ben Obi, erstwhile Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chuchu Onyema, former Secretary to Anambra State government, and, candidate of the PDP in the last Anambra State gubernatorial poll, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, praised PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for choosing Mr. Obi as his running-mate, assuring that Obi would acquit himself creditably and Nigerians would benefit immensely from the choice.

Sen. Ben Obi, after quoting Van-

guard Newspaper’s report of 5th January on Nigerians that have been killed recently, said the only way to stop the atrocities and misgovernment going on in Nigeria is by voting out the APC and voting in the PDP. After reviewing the performance of Mr. Peter Obi in all the positions he had held, he said he had all the qualities required to help Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to restore the glory of Nigeria.

PDP State Chairman Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, who recalled the promises of the APC during electioneering, including making the

Naira one to a dollar, reduction in the cost of food items, stoppage of importation of refined petroleum products, among others, said it was time to vote them out since not one of those promises was delivered.

Clergymen around took the opportunity to pray for Obi and his wife, Margaret, against any form of attacks as the election draws near.

The party received and presented PDP flags to new entrants including Godwin Ezeemo, Yul Edochie and Hygers Igwebuike who were accompanied by their supporters.

Steer clear of evil activities – Oba Ewuare warns youth Oba Ewuare II of Benin has cautioned youths to desist from evil activities capable of ruining their futures.

The monarch gave the advice at a lavish reception for the youth on Saturday at the palace ground in Benin.

He said that for the young ones to excel in life, they must eschew all forms of youthful delinquencies and focus on virtues that would make them future leaders.

Oba Ewuare also cautioned them to always be diligent in their behaviours, noting that obedience to parents’ instructions was key to generational blessings.

He added that the palace had concluded arrangements to host the event twice a year.

The monarch further reassured the people of the Kingdom of better life, stressing that it would do everything within its powers to ensure that peace and tranquility reigned in Benin kingdom and Edo, at large.

The event also featured dance competition and various prizes given to winners, while white pigeons were released as symbol of peace and tranquility in the state.

2019: Rivers people will end dictatorial tendencies of political godfathers –Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that 2019 General Elections will be used by Rivers people to put an end to the dictatorial tendencies of political godfathers.

Wike also stated that Rivers politics cannot be controlled by any single politician, because it is not a State in the South-West where a political godfather has usurped the mandate of the people.

Speaking during the dedication of the 2019 PDP Campaigns at the Cathedral Church of Saint, Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike said if Rivers people allow political godfathers to succeed in planting their godsons, they will suffer the consequences.

“If you allow Rivers State to be like one of the states in the southwest, we will all suffer for it.

“Luckily for us, we don’t speak one language. Therefore, it is very difficult for any leader from an ethnic nationality to control the entire state. In that South-West state, a political godfather says something against a sitting governor and it happened.

“2019 will be the end of dictatorial tendencies in our politics”, he said. Governor Wike prayed God to grant INEC and Police the courage to act in line with their constituonal roles during the 2019 General elections.

He said: “The Police should not be professionals in the rigging of elections. We will resist any attempt to rig the elections and the votes of the people must count”.

The governor urged Rivers people to be courageous as they work in unity towards the victory of the PDP in the state.

He said that the APC Federal Government can deploy soldiers to manipulate the 2019 elections, but they will fail as they did in 2015 and 2016 rerun elections.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

SPORTS

Shagari changed Nigerian Sports – Chukwu •Says ‘he made us what we are, may his soul rest in peace’ Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ORMER national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, has poured encomium on first executive President of Nigeria, Ahjai Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, who joined his ancestors at the ripe age of 96 years on December 28, 2018 at the National Hospital, Abuja.

According to Chukwu, Shagari was a father not only to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad but the entire country as he treated every Nigerian as one.

The former Enugu Rangers captain and coach said there was no President or Head of State that had ruled this country that will ever come near the late President Shagari when it comes to sports reward, development and growth.

“As far as I am concerned, I do not have the right words to describe the former first executive President of this great country, Shehu Shagari,” Chukwu began.

“He was our father and ever the news filtered in that he has passed on, I have been mourning him because he was our father. He wasn’t just the father of the historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad but the father of nation.

“Like I said, he was our father and you know what it means to lose a beloved father. You have taken me back to mourning mood because our former President was a true father to all Nigerians and there is no well-meaning Nigerian who will not appreciate the former president for what he stood for,” Chukwu explained.

Speaking further he said: “He was the president who revolutionized sports in Nigeria. He changed the face of sports with the way he showered us with gifts as a result of the honour of winning the Nations

Cup for the first time and since that historic show of love by the former president, every subsequent president have been trying to march his standard.

“He was the one who changed the face of football in particular and sports generally. You will recall that our winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time for the country was his first major assignment after assuming office as the elected

T

processes of the law will not make such assumptions of the President.

“The position of the President that allegations of criminal nature should be addressed only by inves-

E

Defoe joins Rangers on 18-month loan deal

B

the practice in the past.

“Rather, he allows all allegations of this nature to be addressed using the mechanism of the rule of law even as law enforcement and investigation agencies should not in any way be hampered in performing their duties.

“At the same time, nobody should drop names to seek to influence the course of those investigations.”

the reports of Rooney’s arrest.

“We understand the media’s interest in this matter but believe this is a private matter for Wayne that D.C. United will handle internally,” the club said in a statement obtained by the Washington Post.

D.C. United did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rooney, England’s former captain and all-time top scorer, joined the Major League Soccer club in mid-2018 in a deal that was reportedly worth more than $12 million and made him the highest paid player in D.C. United’s history.

Liverpool-born Rooney was the latest addition to an elite list of former England captains to cross the

Atlantic, following David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.

Rooney burst into the consciousness of English soccer when he made his Premier League debut for Everton at age 16.

He joined Manchester United for $35 million in 2004 and stayed there for 13 seasons – winning five English titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, three League Cups and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals.

He earned 119 caps for England – a national record for an outfield player – and in 2015 he surpassed Manchester United great Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record, ending his international career with 53 goals for his country.

executive president of the most populous black nation on earth and he didn’t disappoint.

“I can say it anywhere, Shagari changed our lives. He made us what we are today and we are proud of him.

“After winning the 1980 Nations Cup at the National Stadium, he was so delighted that he had to roll out the drums to celebrate us.

He hosted us to a Presidential Din- •Christian Chukwu

tigation and law enforcement agencies, within the framework of the law has not changed.

“It is not in the nature of President Buhari to say go and arrest that man or woman as formed was

delivered without delay because he ensured that all his pronouncements in respect of what he promised us were delivered.

“So, I and my teammates mourn him just like other Nigerians him.

May the good lord grant his soul eternal repose,” Chukwu prayed.

OURNEMOUTH striker Jermain Defoe has completed an 18-month loan switch to Scottish Premier League club Rangers, the English Premier League side said on Sunday.

It is a move that reunites him with former England team mate Steven Gerrard who is the manager of the club.

Bournemouth added that Defoe, who has struggled for playing time this season, making only four substitute appearances in the league, will remain at Rangers until 2020.

But the south-coast club have the option of recalling the 36-year-old in July.

“I’m delighted to be able to welcome Jermain to Rangers,” Gerrard told the Rangers website.

“He is an exceptionally talented striker and vastly experienced footballer who has scored goals at every club he has played for.

“He’ll be a great addition to our dressing room and we look forward to integrating him into the squad whilst we work in Tenerife over the next week.”

Former West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland veteran Defoe has made 34 appearances in his second spell at Bournemouth scoring four goals.

He has scored 162 Premier League goals in 496 appearances throughout his 24-year professional career and has 57 caps for the national team to date.

Bournemouth signed Dominic Solanke from Liverpool on Friday with the striker expected to fill in for Defoe, but the 21-year-old will be unavailable throughout January due to a hamstring injury.

Rangers are second in the Scottish Premiership, level on 42 points with great rivals Celtic, as they seek a first top flight title in eight years

•Late ex-President Shehu Shagari

Presidency denies ordering for Pinnick’s arrest HE Presidency Sunday described as `fake news’ a press release that circulated all over the place to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the arrest and prosecution of President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.

The report that went viral in social media indicating that there were palpable fears in the country’s football family following alleged President Buhari’s directive for the prosecution of Amaju Pinnick, over a litany of corruption allegations levelled against Amaju Pinnick by the Presidency was quick in putting the records straight by denying such directive.

“The allegations which also involved funds embezzlement are in billions of naira,’’ the report quoted.

But, a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, dismissed the report as untrue and false.

He said: “This is fake news because anyone familiar with the President’s unmitigated and unshakable commitment to the due

ner; he shook hands and embraced each and every one of us including our officials and rewarded us handsomely.

“He did not only give cash reward, he gave us a block of flat each in FESTAC. He also gave us cars and to crown it all, he bestowed on us National Honours. What would been greater than that in terms of reward? Chukwu asked.

“While every member of the Nations Cup winning team was honoured with Member, Order of Niger (MON) I was awarded with a higher honour, Member Federal Republic (MFR) as the captain of the team.

“So you can see why I said he made us what we are. There is no way we can forget Shagari for all he did to change the face of Nigeria Sports in terms of showering us with gifts.

“It was the standard that he set that every other president after him tried to copy or follow but the standard was too big for them to fully copy.

“One good thing about his benevolence to us after winning the tournament at the National Sports Festival was that all that he promised us was never delayed. They were

Rooney arrested in Dec in U.S. for public intoxication

NGLISH football star Wayne Rooney was arrested in December at Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C. for public intoxication, local police said on Sunday.

Rooney, who has played for U.S. soccer team D.C. United since last year, was booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on Dec. 16, on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, the local sheriff’s office said.

The 33-year-old footballer was arrested at an international arrivals gate at Dulles after he triggered a door alarm but did not breach airport security, a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

spokesman said in a statement.

He received a $25 fine, according to court documents.

Rooney was released later the same day on a personal recognizance bond, said Kraig Troxell, a spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

It was not immediately clear why authorities had delayed releasing details of Rooney’s arrest for more than two weeks.

Rooney’s agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for the player was quoted by British media as saying he was “disorientated” after mixing sleeping pills with alcohol during a flight from Saudi Arabia.

D.C. United said it was aware of

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

SPORTS

Why Buhari’s National Open Water did not hold – Rev. Jesimiel Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

C

HAIRMAN of the Facilities Committee of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) Rev. Samuel Jesimiel has exclusively revealed why the much anticipated median edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Open Swimming Championship could not take place.

According to the former national swimmer, the President Buhari’s National Open Swimming Championship did not take place last month and will take place this month because of the fact that the National Sports Festival had just ended in Abuja before the Christmas and since Abuja is the venue for the tournament, the time was too short to call swimmers back to Abuja.

Speaking further; Rev. Jesimiel said another reason the championship will not take place this month is because of harmattan which he explained is so severe in the northern part of country at this period. He explained that the federation took a decision not to have competition now in order not to have casualty during the competition as a result of cold.

“The reason we did not hold the much awaited median edition of President Muhammadu Buharu’s National Open Water Swimming Championship is because the National Sports Festival that took place in Abuja ended before the

Christmas. So, the time is too short for us to start extending invitations to athletes. Moreover, this a national competition just like the national sports festival,” Rev. Jesimiel began.

“The second reason the championship will not hold this January also is because of the weather condition in the country.

“The harmattan is here with us and it’s more severe in the northern part of the country.

“All that we do is to be proactive so that we wouldn’t any casualty in our hand during the competition because of cold. It is not that the River will be extremely cold but due to the weather condition, we have to postpone till further notice,” Jesimiel explained.

Speaking further, the man who will be resuming as the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Swimming Association told the Oracle Today Sports that apart from the above two reasons, the most critical reason the championship is yet to hold is because those who are in-charge in respect of the funds for Championship are yet to release money to the federation to them prepare the river at Jabi Abuja and at the same time extend invitations to swimmers.

“Outside the above mentioned two reasons why the President Muhammadu Buhari’s median National Open Water Swimming Championship will hold this month is because, those incharge are yet to release money to the federation.

•President Muhammadu Buhari

“It true that we are aware that money has been made available but as I speak with you, the federation are yet to receive any money and with money, there is no way federation will extend invitations to the athletes.

“We expect that the organisers

will sooner than later release money to the federation to enable us extend invitations to the athletes.

Once money is made available, I can assure you that the federation will not waste any time in ensuring that the competition takes place,” Jesimiel explained.

CNS Open likely to hold this month – Jesimiel

R

EV. Samuel Jesimiel, the chairman of Facilities Committee of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) said there was likelihood that the federation’s flagship competition, the Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming competition would hold this month.

The man of God stated this in exclusive telephone interview with the Oracle Today Sports Thursday.

According to him, there is strong indication that the annual competi-

tion which is meant for elite swimmers in the country will hold this month but said he does not know the particular state that it will take place.

“It’s likely that the Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship is going to hod this month but the venue is what I don’t know for now,” Rev. Jesimiel began.

“As you are aware, we have not had the competition in the past two years.

NFF to monitor Rohr, targets trophy

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will closely monitor the Super Eagles’ gaffer, Gernot Rohr and the NFF are also looking forward to winning the 2019 African Cup of Nations title.

The NFF President, Amaju Pinnick said that although it would not entirely interfere with Rohr’s selection of his team, the football body would be part of critical decisions regarding the squad for the 2019 AFCON. Pinnick said the only thing that would be acceptable to the Nigerian people was for the Eagles to win this year’s AFCON after missing out of the last two editions of the tournament.

“Rohr is the coach of the team but we are going to monitor his activities very closely; we are not going to take over his job but it is important that we guide him very well because AFCON is a very huge project.

“We were not in the last two editions of the tournament, the only way we can impress Nigerians is to win this year’s competition, even if we reach the final, I don’t think the fans will really appreciate it.

So, we have to do everything to

make sure that we win that tournament,” he said.

The NFF chief said finance was always a challenge but they had mapped out strategies to raise the needed funds to prosecute the tournament.

“We are keen to work our socks off to raise money; it is always a challenge but we will find a way around it, we have the support of our sponsors, the government and hopefully we can get all what we want to make this dream a reality,” he said.

“The last time the competition held was in 2016 in Lagos and since then, we have not had the opportunity of hosting the competition.

So we are in deficit of two competitions in respect of the CNS,” Rev. Jesimiel explained.

“It is our hope that we are not going experience this type of situation going forward. This is one competition that everyone always look forward to every year. As a matter of fact, it is our flagship tournament hence, the need to remain consistent in hosting the competition,” he said.

“The inability of the competition to hold in the last two years was a big set to us and we pray that, it should not repeat itself,” Rev. Jesimiel concluded.

It is recalled that at the end of the 2016 edition of the competition, following the success recorded, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State promised that Lagos was going to follow the foot step of Delta State hosted the championship back to back in 2013 and 2014 by playing host to the 2017 edition but reneged as the state could not

host the championship as earlier pledged.

Again, in 2018, in order to ensure that the competition was held, the federation led by Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams wanted to take the competition to another state but was assured that the competition will certainly hold by the Lagos State Government and again it reneged as the Governor was unable to attend to the file submitted to him for the competition. There Oracle Today Sports was reliably informed that this situation was not peculiar to swimming as many other competitions billed for the state could not hold but the difference is that the CNS is a national sporting event and the fact that for two years running, Lagos denied athletes and swimming fans the opportunity of watching the competition.

It is hoped that the competition will hold as anticipated this month no matter where it takes place this month so that swimming will make the desired progress and take its pride of place in the scheme of sporting events in the country.

in England.

The Gunners are said to be in the hunt for Chukwueze once again, but are prepared to wait until his current deal at Villarreal ends in June.

The Gunners would be excited to learn that Chukwueze is currently valued at just €5m, after his professional contract with The Yellow Submarine began on November 1, 2018 and is billed to run till June 30, 2019.

Villarreal bought Chukwueze in 2015 for €500,000 from Diamond Football Academy of Umuahia, Abia State, after their initial arrangement with Arsenal collapsed.

• Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze’s market value generates controversy

T

HE market value of Nigeria’s and Villarreal’s rave of the moment, Samuel Chukwueze prompted controversy, as pundits believe the Nigerian is worth only €5m, which is in contrast with figures bandied by his La Liga club.

While Villarreal reportedly value Chukwueze at €40m, market experts have come out with statistics revealing that he is actually worth only €5m.

This exposé might interest Arsenal, who initially signed Chukwueze in 2015 but could not keep him on account of work permit restrictions

CAF Confederation Cup: Chukwu hopeful of Rangers win against Bantu

C

HRISTIAN Chukwu, the sports Sport Manager of Enugu Rangers, on Monday predicted victory for the Enugu State financed side in their away match against Bantu of Lesotho this weekend.

According to the former Super Eagles coach, Rangers are confident of securing victory in Lesotho in the team’s bid to qualify from the group stage.

“You know that it is our goal to qualify from the group stage and this is why we must win in both home and away.

“We are good to go. As I said before, we are not intimidated by any club at all,” Chukwu said.

The current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions; would face Bantu FC of Lesotho in their second round of 16 fixture in the competition.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi is likely to play in the Turkish Super Lig as Fenerbahce open negotiation with the former Chelsea player.

According to sports daily Fanatik, a representative of Mikel has contacted Fenerbahce and negotiations will begin if the technical staff gives a positive report.

Mikel has already terminated his contract with Tianjin Teda, paving the way for him to return to Europe, where he spent 13 years before his move to the Chinese Super League.

It is recalled that last season; the versatile Nigerian midfielder did not play much for Tianjin Teda in the second half of the league due to injuries and other problems.

Mikel, who was Tianjin Teda’s biggest signing in their history, had one year remaining on his contract with the club.

Fenerbahce tried to sign the Nigeria captain prior to his transfer to Tianjin Teda.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday January 16, 2019

SPORTS

Our NSF bid not an embarrassment – C/River Sports Director Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

T

HE 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) may have come and gone with Delta retaining their No1 position just as River State, Edo and Lagos State placed second, third and fourth respectively with Edo State winning the hosting right for the next edition next year.

However, one interesting thing that happened as the Festival was coming to an end is the bid by some state to play host to the next edition and one of the five states that tendered their bid to host the biennial National Sports meet is no other state than Cross River State, who won the bid to host the Festival after Lagos played host to the Festival in 2012 tagged “Eko 2012” but failed woefully to stage the competition after about six years.

Therefore, when the name of the state was mentioned as one of the states that applied to play host to the championship, Nigerians were scandalized as they expressed surprised that a state that could not host the National Sports Festival for six years will have the courage to apply to host the next edition of the champion.

As a result as of the surprise expressed by well-meaning Nigerians, who feel betrayed by the state for her inability to host the competition after several years, The Oracle Today Sports had to sort the view of the State’s Director of Sports, D. Jude Amadi who incidentally was a part of the Cross River “Bid Team” to play host to the 21st edition of the biennial national sports tournament.

When he was contacted, the renowned sports administrator said there was nothing embarrassing in respect of the state’s bid to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival despite their inability to do so in past six years.

According to him, this is not the first a state was unable to host the national sports Festival due to paucity of funds saying the 1998 National Sports Festival (NSF) that Lagos

played host to was supposed to be hosted by Benue but due to lack of funds, Lagos stepped in to host the tournament saying in the same vain the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung’s in hosting the championship in Abuja was an intervention just like it happened during the time Benue was unable to play host to the festival in 1998.

“Of course we are not embarrassed. Embarrassed over what? He queried. No! we are not at all embarrassed.

“We are not embarrassed. Why should we be embarrassed? Our bid was genuine. We had the authority of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade.

“We were armed with a letter the governor personally signed for our bid to host the next edition of the Festival but unfortunately, we were denied,” Dr. Amadi regretted.

“I want to remind you that this is not the first time a state is unable to play host to the National Sports Festival (NSF). It happened in the past.

“The NSF which Lagos hosted in 1998 was supposed to have been hosted by Benue but they failed due to paucity of funds and Lagos had to intervene by hosting it. This is the same thing that the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung did by hosting the festival in Abuja.

Speaking further, Dr. Amadi explained that the fault of the state not being able to play host to the NSF should not be entirely put on the doorstep of Cross River State saying the Federal Government as represented by Ministry also has a fair share of the blame.

“Talking of the inability of Cross River to play host to the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival which Abuja hosted as intervention, I want to state categorically that the fault is not entirely ours. The Federal Government represented by the Ministry has a fair share of the blame as well. They knew what our constraints were but refused to as-

sist us.

“That notwithstanding, I want to state that what happened in our bid to play host to the next edition of the National Sports Festival was that the Governor, Prof. Ayade having realized that the state has the capacity in terms of funds, to host the biennial national sports meets urged us to bid for the hosting of the next edition of the championship.

“Probably, he never knew that the state has financial muscle to play host to the National Sports Festival before now. So, our bid was not a child’s play but a serious and well-articulated bid; but like I stated earlier, it is most unfortunate we were refused and the hosting right was

ation boss the last time he spoke with the late Adeyeye either October or November, he never showed any sign of ill-health hence his shock over his death.

He disclosed that he got the sad news of Adeyeye’s death while in Abuja for the recently concluded 20th edition of the biennial National Sports Festival (NSF). According him, he got the news of Adeyeye’s death via the whatsapp platform he is a member. He, therefore, described the untimely death of Mr Adeyeye as sad and most unfortunate.

Continuing, Williams waxing philosophical said the untimely death of Adeyeye has brought to the fore, the reality of King Solomon who having critically examined every situation as vanity, all is vanity.

Williams, prayed God to great his gentle soul peace even as he used the opportunity to offer his condolences to his family and loved ones.

“I think the last time I spoke with Kunle was around October or there about,” Williams began while answering the last time he spoke with the late Adeyeye.

“It’s sad Kunle is late,” he quipped.

“I came know about Adeyeye’s death while I was at Abuja for the recently concluded 20th edition of the National Sports Festival.

“I got to know about Kunle’s

death the whatsapp flatform I belong to. I just woke that fateful morning and on opening my whatsapp, I saw condolence messages of Adeyeye with his picture.

“Initially I was confused because the last I spoke with him around October or November, he never betrayed any sign of ill-health for me take information like that.

“I couldn’t have believed it if not for his picture that was posted along condolence messages.

“His death is sad and most unfortunate. He was one of the finest sports journalist I know. He was a sincere and core gentler. I had very good working relationship with him. He was one the two journalists that have worked closely with the federation with any issues. We will certainly miss him and I for one will miss him,” Williams explained.

Continuing he: “His death is a testament to the fact that there is nothing in this world that we should be fighting and killing ourselves for; because once one closes one’s eyes in death, that is the end.

“As a matter of fact, Kunle’s death shows the truth in wise saying of King Solomon that “vanity upon vanity, all is vanity”.

“All the struggles for position, wealth and power is vanity because when one closes one’s eyes in death, one does not know anything again,” Williams explained.

•Dr. Jude Amadi

Williams mourns veteran sports journalist, Adeyeye

N

IGERIA Aquatics Federation (NAqF) President, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams, has joined thousands of admirers, family members, friends and colleagues to mourn the late veteran sports journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kunle Adeyeye, who passed on 15th of last month as a result of illhealth.

Williams who also serves as the CANA Zone II President the Vice President of the continental aquatics governing body CANA in exclusive telephone interview expressed shock on the demise of the experienced sports journalist.

According to the aquatics feder-

•Williams

granted to Edo State and there is nothing we could do about that,” Dr Amadi explained.

Continuing he said: “More importantly, you should also realize that by the time the hosting right was ceded to Cross River State it was Liyen Imoke was on the saddle but was unable host the tournament

before he left office. And of course, by the time Senator Ayade took over power, the economy not only of the state but of the country was bad.

“Of course I know that Government is a continuum but then you have to look at the financial situation of the state and it priority before you embark on any project,” Dr. Amadi explained.

“I want to state that what Abuja played host to was a bridged sports festival both in terms of time and events. Not every event took part in Abuja National Sports Festival and the time was also abridged.

“So, in all honesty, what happened in Abuja was an abridged sports festival because only about 20 sports events featured during the sports festival in Abuja and I can tell that despite not competing in all the 20 sports events, Cross River did well.

We only participated in only eight sports events. So, we performed at the festival,” Dr. Amadi explained.

CAF name Egypt host of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

T

HE Confederation of African Football Tuesday announced Egypt as the host of the host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations that will hold between June 15 and July 13.

Egypt trounced South Africa to emerge the host after both countries submitted bid to play host of the biennial biggest continental football showpiece which was originally awarded to Cameroon but was withdrawn when the continental football governing body was left with no option as the Central African country was unable to convince it of their ability to put structures in place for the tournament.

The President of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad announced Egypt as the host on Tuesday in Dakar Tuesday, after the CAF Executive Committee meeting.

According to Ahmad Ahmad, the CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South Africa as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security.

It will be the fifth time that Egypt will staging the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United

Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

Egypt only entered the running to host the Cup of Nations when fellow North African country, Morocco announced they would not bid to do so.

Morocco were the hot media favourites to replace Cameroon as hosts and Egypt said they “did not want to compete against a fellow Arab nation”.

Egypt boast many international-standard venues with the Cairo International Stadium (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (87,000) boasting the largest capacities.

The choice of Egypt will immediately make them favourites to win a record-extending eighth Cup of Nations this year.

They won three of the four previous tournaments they hosted, failing only in 1974 when they were beaten

by Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi-finals.

It is recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick told reporters Monday that CAF will certainly pick the most qualified candidate to host the continental biennial premier football fiesta.

• President of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad

•NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

WEDNESDAY January 16, 2019

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

The unwise travellers from the east

T

here was no fuel scarcity during this festive season, but by December 23 you had to pay N12, 000 to board a rickety bus from Abuja to Onitsha. Those returning from Lagos parted with N18, 000. Air passengers parted with double the amount they used to pay airlines.

High transport fare is the least of the problems, however. But the people of the southeast especially have not been deterred: they have travelled in their millions to their villages to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Many have returned to their workplaces but many haven’t. Transport operators have now shifted high transport fares to those on return journeys, after the New Year.

Rail and sea transportation would have been the saving grace. But travellers from the southeast can’t find either. On Facebook, someone has asked those travelling by road to take the second Niger bridge which they announced had been completed! Had the River Niger been dredged since the late President Yar’Adua commissioned the project in 2007, a trip to Onitsha from Lokoja would have taken less than one hour by flying boat; and the fare wouldn’t have exceeded N500. Ditto for a trip from Lagos to Calabar by boat – it would take less than two hours and cost no more than N1, 000.

That’s what is meant by visionary leadership. If the right transportation policies had been implemented, it would be possible for one to live in Asaba and work in Lagos or Abuja. I wouldn’t live in Abuja if I could travel by speed train from Awka or Aba – the trip would take less than an hour to Abuja. Is it not the reason many Britishers don’t live in London? Or why someone would take the train from Paris (France) to Berlin (Germany) – a distance of 1, 055km – with ease?

The Buhari administration, both military and civilian, will forever be remembered for doing one thing: turning most Nigerians away from false life. Civil

GUEST COLUMNIST Aniebo

Nwamu

servants who have three and four children studying overseas are bringing them back or breathing rapidly on account of unpaid school fees. Garages that were hosting 12 and 15 cars are shedding their baggage.

Dwellers in highbrow parts of cities are relocating to the outskirts: my friend who used to pay N6m annual rent in Maitama has moved to Suleja where he pays N500, 000. Dried fish has driven beef and chicken away from soup pots. Across Nigeria people are adopting new lifestyles.

It would have been the right thing for a government to do, but for the existence of sacred cows or those immune to the unfriendly downpour. And while the “chosen people” revel in opulence, most Nigerians have not been provided with alternative means of livelihood in a dead economy.

Like everyone else from the east, I would have loved to be in my village with my children. I desire to be reunited with my extended family, to attend several meetings, weddings of loved ones and lots more. When I was a struggling bachelor in Lagos, I used to travel on December 25 or 26 when the roads were free and transport fares had crashed. It seems many Ndigbo have discovered the trick and now travel after Christmas: as a result the fares refuse to come down until after New Year’s Day, obviously because transport operators

•Christmas: Travellers decried hike in fares despite fuel surplus

have also been watching the trend and have been seeking to maximise profits.

The hunters have learned to shoot without missing, and Eneke the bird has learned to fly without perching on a twig.

I can’t afford to waste N250, 000 on air tickets or N130, 000 on bus fares in these “Change” times. And I’ve since chosen to not drive with my family on the dilapidated roads to the east. Besides, I’m aware that road marshals or policemen are all over the east, not to ensure road safety but to extort motorists. Then, you have to worry about armed robbers and kidnappers. Why take an avoidable risk?

Unlike the biblical wise men from the east who went seeking the baby Jesus, the men from the east of Nigeria take foolish risks on overcrowded roads. The story, which is told in churches worldwide every Christmas Day, is instructive: At the direction of an angel, the wise men found the would-be saviour of the world born in an animals’ shed. On their return trip they were directed to take another route to avoid Herod. Moral: Nigerian easterners should learn to leave the city early or late, not during rush hours, to avoid their shylock brothers (transport operators).

The story also reminds us of the oneness of man: the biblical wise men from the east were likely Arabs! Yes, God first chose Arabs (whose progeny today are non-Christians)

to seek out the founder of Christianity. And we shouldn’t forget that the two great religions took their roots from the Middle East.

Another irony: Christ was born in presentday Palestine – in Bethlehem of Judea.

Palestinians are predominantly Muslims.

Their enemy, Israel, is composed of not even Christians but Judaists. So, those who fight wars or murder their fellow beings in the name of religion don’t even understand what their religion preaches.

We are one nation under God. Ignore the politicians who strive to divide us in order to steal from us.

I miss palm-wine. Until city people discovered the treasure hidden in this holy drink, you could drink it to excess without knowing it. Now, all marriage, birthday, funeral and other ceremonies are incomplete without palm-wine, sending the price sky high. This is a time for tappers to make a killing. In October, a litre [we now measure everything in litres] of it used to cost about N250. Today in the east, you would be lucky to get it at N750. Reason: everyone is asking for it. Only when it’s not available do merry makers resort to the familiar concoctions labelled as beer and stout.

Wise people do not make promises they cannot keep. As a city dweller, you are invited to all occasions, including fundraisers. If you pledge to donate N2million, make sure the N2million is already in the bank. And while you spend lavishly, remember that school fees will be paid in January – the longest month of the year. Don’t overspend.

Nevertheless, no-one would fail to help the less privileged during this festive season. All around us is crippling poverty.

Most villagers (even in the southeast) need help. But, alas, many of them are better off than most of the urban poor who live in shanties, drink polluted water and pay high rents. The villagers live more happily.

A piece of advice for people in their 60s and 70s who cling to the cities: Consider relocating to your village after this season.

It’s true that jobs are not found in villages, but the jobs don’t exist in the cities either.

City dwellers pay taxes of every description: water rates, power tariffs, environmental sanitation fees, transport fares, high food prices, house rents, and now high fuel prices and tollgates. The augury for 2019 is not pleasant at all.

Christmas is best celebrated in the heart.

I won’t fail to give our people hope, for God has been kind to us Nigerians. Something tells me that better times are ahead for the upright, and God will always intervene in the affairs of men. Let’s love one another.

The poor and the needy, whether they are Christians or Muslims, need help. Those who indulge in vices like drunkenness, illicit sex and dangerous driving in the name of Christmas celebrate crime, not Christmas or New Year.

Now that we’re done with the celebrations, I felicitate with everyone from the east, west, north and south. The people who wandered in darkness have seen a great light! This joy and peace can elude only foolish people – those who ignore the rules for happy living.

•Nwamu is the CEO of Eyeway.ng. +234-8054100220 (SMS/WhatsApp only)

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.