Wednesday june 14 edition

The

The Oracle SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

VOX POPULI SACRUM

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AYS after two nights of raids on the homes of judges (7 and 8 October 2016), the Department of State Services (DSS), was gloating over the arrests of some judges in whose homes the DSS said it had allegedly found some money the Service exhibited (in various curren-

racle

Today Today

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WEDNESDAY JUNE 14, 2017

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VOL.2 No. 25. N200

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judges. The exchanges lasted days beyond the invasion.

DSS’s retort to the Port Harcourt incident was telling. It never admitted it went to the wrong address. It even suggested that the suspect in the case moved

Killing the judiciary cies). The conclusion was that they money was the proceeds of corruption.

FEW would forget the dramas of those two

October nights. There could be possibly nothing like them in the life of the judiciary again. The DSS stormed Forces Road in

Port Harcourt, invaded a wrong house and tangled with Governor Nyesom Wike, defended one of the about to be arrested

Cont’d on Page 24

Kanu hails Biafrans’ resilience From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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EADER of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has again commended ‘Biafrans’ for showing tenacity in the face of odds, especially for working assiduously towards his release from detention and ensuring that the May 30 sit-athome order to mark the 50th anniversary of Biafra and honour Biafrans killed during the Civil War, was peaceful and hitch-free.

In particular, the IPOB leader commended the leadership and members of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) for their role in his release as well as in the peaceful conduct • Abia State Gov. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu displaying his chieftaincy certificate bestowed on him by Umunneochi Traditional Rulers of Ndigbo in the recent “very PHOTO: Modestus Igudobi Council during his Thank-You tour to the local government area on Monday 5, June 2017.

Continued on Page 2

‘Save Nigeria now’ From CHUKS EZE, Enugu and TONY AILEMEN, Abuja

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ORMER Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America, Israel and Cyprus, Professor George Obiozor has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore those campaigning against the implementation of the Confab report and implement the recommendations contained in the document, saying a faithful implementation of the report “will save Nigeria.”

He appealed to the President

•Confab report is solution –Obiozor •Northerners opposed to confab report are hypocrites –Yakassai

to “listen, instead, to popular demands of majority of Nigerians who believe that the implementation of those reports will bring about a more peaceful, orderly and progressive Nigerian society.”

Accordingly, Obiozor, former

Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has warned those campaigning against the implementation of the 2014 National Conference recommendations to quit acting “arrogantly but narrow-mindedly” and tow the

path of peace, progress and general good, which the implementation of the Conference Report portends for Nigeria.

Obiozor, a member of the 2014 National Conference Steering Committee, expressed his views in a telephone chat with

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The Oracle Today during the week.

He expressed surprise at, and disappointment with, those campaigning against the implementation of the Confab Cont’d on Page 2

Page 17

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

‘Save Nigeria now’ Continued from Pg 1 report, stressing that “those opposed to the implementation of the recommendations of the finely conducted conference are simply narrow-minded and arrogant.”

Obiozor’s comments came just as foremost Northern Politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai lampooned Northern elders opposed to the restructuring of the country and who are also calling for total rejection of the Report of the 2014 National Conference, held under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today in Abuja on the delay in implementing the 2014 Confab Report, Alhaji Yakasai, a human rights activist and co-founder of, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a northern umbrella organization, berated northern politicians for turning around to discredit the confab after participating fully in it, describing their action as “hypocritical”.

He wondered why those who were part of northern delegations to the confab would now turn around to claim that the “north was not given fair representation.”

“Was this tabled at the confer-

Amb. George Obiozor ence? If they were really serious about this, why did they not walk away to register their protests then?” Yakassai queried.

Former Minister of Power and Steel who had served under the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, Alhaji Bashiru Dalhatu, had fired the first salvo when he argued that “the 2014 national conference had 492 members and the north which constitutes about 70 per cent of the country’s

landmass and 55 per cent of its population was allocated 189 delegates while the South with only 30 per cent of the landmass and 45 per cent of its population was given an incredible 305 delegates.”

Echoing that sentiment, President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, while also speaking on the issue in an exclusive chat with The Oracle

Kanu hails Biafrans’ resilience Continued from Pg 1 successful” sit-at-home exercise in honour of Biafrans slain during the Civil War. Kanu, who also appreciated all Biafrans and well-wishers who participated in exercise, noted that ADF was the first Pan Igbo organisation to advocate for his release, adding that the group kept on the heat throughout his period of incarceration, including paying him repeated visits at Kuje Prisons.

He however, urged them to keep up their good work, assuring them that Biafrans shall surely sing victory songs someday.

The visit of the IPOB leader to the ADF’s Enugu office, came just as the foundation rounded off a 2-day workshop to mark its third anniversary.

In a 12-point communiqué at the end of the workshop, the ADF demanded, among other things: • That the Federal Government reverse what the group calls acute lopsided fed-

eral appointments, which are highly skewed against Ndigbo, in order to achieve equity, justice and fairness for all.

• That the federal government engage various nationalities and stakeholders in the Nigerian federation to embark on the re-negotiation of the basis for the continued existent of Nigeria • That the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo should without further delay, order the demilitarization of the South East and South South geopolitical zone.

• That State governments in Igbo land should emulate Ekiti and Benue States and promulgate anti-grazing laws • And that the federal government immediately compel the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to commence arrest and prosecution of erring Fulani herdsmen involved in criminal activities…

In his remarks on Kanu’s visit, ADF President, Professor Uzodinma Nwala praised the

IPOB leader for his determination to drive his self-determination campaign through non-violent approach, adding that ADF is convinced that Kanu’s fight is genuine.

“We reiterate our stand that Kanu is being driven by a genuine desire for justice, equity and freedom and that he represents a generation of Nigerian youths from different zones who feel that the Nigerian federation as presently structured cannot generate and guarantee genuine democracy, rule of law and the basic norms of a human society,”Nwala said.

“ADF believes that there is urgent need to renegotiate the basis of the continued existence of Nigeria to ensure just and equitable national co-existence,” he added, calling on the federal government to grant unconditional release to Kanu, who, he said, committed no crime, together with all other Pro-Biafra agitators still being held in Kuje prison.

Today in Abuja, also blamed the problem on the criteria used to select representatives to the confab.

“The structure of that confab is the problem because many people who were handpicked went to the confab without believing in what they were actually going there to do. But, for people like us, the confab met us with this struggle. I saw myself there as a representative of the local government and I defended it the best I could,” Khaleel said.

“But, if really you need true representation of the people, a representative must have the mandate of the people. That is what I am saying. So, the recommendations of the confab committees cannot be automatically translated into law. It must undergo some further processes but who will push it?” he stated.

Alhaji Khaleel alleged that those handpicked “were people who were brought together to do the bidding of the executive.”

“They did and they submitted it to the executive and by the time the executive exited, no concrete action was taken.

If you need to implement those things, a machinery need have been put in place to persuade the current government to make the government believe in it in the first place that what they did is not political and it was in the best interest of Nigeria,” he argued.

He, however, agreed that the report contains recommendations critical to addressing current challenges in Nigeria.

“The current administration is probably not too keen about it because it wasn’t their own project…But there are critical issues that definitely if we look at them and try to process and implement them they will address a lot of issues in Nigeria,” he noted.

But, Alhaji Yakasai who stated that these arguments are not enough basis to reject the reports, wholesale, said: “We all willingly accepted to participate in the confab and as a leader from the North, I know that we had genuine intensions to ensure that Nigeria used the opportunity to address the challenges facing the country” “So, those who are now expressing contrary opinions are not speaking for the North. It is bunkum to say that the final report did not capture the interest of the north. In any case, what interests are they talking about?

Did we not fully participate at every level of the deliberations?

We did. These people are nothing but hypocrites.”

Insisting that the Confab report presents Nigeria with an opportunity to take fresh, steps towards peace and genuine reconciliation in the polity, Prof.

Obiozor urged President Buhari to consider full implementation of the document because, ac-

cording to Obiozor, “it gave options of practically all solutions to Nigeria’s current problems.”

He told the President that the “views and demands of many prominent leaders and groups across the country” are that the recommendations be implemented.

Describing the 2014 exercise as a national achievement, the elder statesman and strong proponent of true federalism, regretted that some of those who were part of the accord have turned around to oppose it.

He lamented that such individuals appear unfazed by the heightening tensions and grumblings in the land. “The 2014 National Conference is a national achievement, which some people are now trying to thwart like they thwarted the Aburi Accord, which later led to war. That is why everybody is worried and praying that history does not repeat itself. You know people do not want to learn from history until it is too late. Our stand is that all the recommendations should be considered and implemented,” Obiozor said.

“All of us said so and all reasonable Nigerians are saying so. It is unfortunate that after agreement, two years later, some people are saying that they do not believe in it anymore. And they do that with a combination of ignorance and arrogance. But, the push for the implementation of the items in the document is gaining strength by the day; it is just like a paradigm shift.”

On President Buhari’s earlier statement that he had thrown the document into the trash can, Obiozor said that the President had made such statement as a politician, stressing that what matters most is national interest and not the views of politicians.

“Look at (former Vice President) Atiku (Abubakar), Balarabe Musa, Tanko Yakassai, Prof (Ibrahim) Gambari and the rest; look at Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo and others. They are all saying the same thing. The demand is not just from one class, section or ethic divide. It is from a majority of prominent Nigerians, reigning patrons and nationalist groups across all divides. In other words, it is the yearning of majority of Nigerians who are concerned about what must be done to save our democracy and our country. But narrow-minded people want to disrupt the country again by opposing those recommendations,” he agonised.

Among the most radical recommendations of the of the Conference is the creation of one new State for the South East zone to make it have equal number of States with other zones except North West Zone which has seven.

Others are modified presidential system of government with not more than 18 ministers to be selected by the President from the six geo-political zones and not more than 30 per cent of the ministers from outside the legislature; bi-cameral but part time legislature, and rotational Presidency among others.

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The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Access Bank introduces ‘Family Savings Scheme’ to boost savings From VICTOR NZE, Lagos

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ccess Bank Plc has introduced a new account system branded; ‘Family Savings Scheme,’ initiated to give its customers a boost in their savings.

The bank said in a statement in Lagos that the exercise was in line with its commitment to promoting savings culture among the populace, adding that the ‘Family Savings Scheme’ was designed to encourage families to save together and enjoy exclusive privileges.

The bank added that such privileges included family rewards. Others, it said, were that they continued to enjoy the confidentiality of their banking relation and manage their accounts as unique individuals.

“The scheme provides access to people who are presently excluded from financial services while promoting capital accumulation and investment boom. Under the scheme, a minimum of four family members are encouraged to bank with Access Bank and enjoy exclusive value propositions. Eligible family members include partners, children, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents,” the bank said.

According to the bank’s Executive Director, Personal Banking, Mr Victor Etuokwu, the scheme comes under new segment in the Bank – Family Banking Segment.

“This is not a new product but a new segment in the bank. We have basically pulled together the various products we offer to unique family members under this segment,” he added.

FG alerts public on outbreak of birdflu in FCT, 7 states

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ederal Government on Friday alerted the public to the outbreak of Avian Influenza or Birdflu in the FCT and seven states of the country.

Director of Veterinary and Pest

Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Gideon Mshelbwala, who raised the alert at a meeting with state Commissioners of Agriculture in Abuja on Friday, listed

spread across 26 states of the federation and the FCT since it started in 2008 affecting 800 farms in no fewer than 123 local government areas.

Mshelbwala, who said that there were no scientifically proven vaccines for birdflu, noted that the Federal Government was adopting quarantine, movement control, stamping out, decontamination and bio-security measures to curb the spread.

The director expressed regret over the poor bio-security practices by some poultry farmers, adding that it was the major reason for the continuous spread of the disease.

According to him, the Federal Government has paid over N674 million in compensations to 269 farmers across the affected states.

“Our national action plan encourages proper regulation of the poultry industry and enforcement of annual registration of all actors along the poultry value chain including farmers, traders, egg merchants and feed millers.

“It also encourages the creation of veterinary extension services to facilitate the control and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo chatting with Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akw Ibom proper inspection of poultry and poultry products,’’ he said.

State, Obong Godswill Akpabio at a public function, weekend.

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adoo, a ritual cult terrorizing Ikorodu, and its environs has struck again, killing a couple and their two children.

Israel Olusanya, his pregnant wife Oriyomi, Adewale, 11; and Semilore 6 were found dead in their apartment, with a bloodstained pestle believed to have been used on them by the assailants.

The only surviving member of the family, a 15 year old senior secondary school three pupil, Tolu Olusanya, who sustained facial injuries, is said to be in a critical condition at the Lagos state university teaching hospital, Ikeja.

The assailants gained entry into the apartment through a window, smashed the Olusanya’s heads with a grinding stone.

Tolulope, 15, was found naked and unconscious on Tuesday morning with a black cloth around her head.

It was learnt that a colleague of Oriyomi, the wife of the proprietor of the school where she worked, noticed that she was absent from the school on Tuesday. The colleague was said to have checked on her after calls to the deceased’s mobile phone rang out.

According to neighbours, the woman’s alarm attracted people. The police were also invited.

A neighbor to the deceased, Alhaji Babajide Olanrewaju said the killers might have come in

through the Sabo-Imota Road.

“Government is taking this matter lightly. The police are not doing anything. The traditional institution in Ikorodu is passive about the killings. No one is talking. Badoo is a big epidemic in Ikorodu and would turn into another Boko Haram.

Maybe, that’s when government would act” said Olanrewaju.

Coordinator of a group, Ikorodu Ambassadors, Rasheed Fatuga urged the police, government, traditional and other institutions to act fast before things got out of hand.

He said “How long will this continue, what is their mission and purpose? Why kill families?

What for? What gain? So sad! A kitchen mortar is a device used to prepare ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding them. It is shocking and sad to see that Badoo gang hasn’t been neutralized. What happens in a community where constituted authorities cannot provide security of lives and properties? What is the function of the Ikorodu Police Divisions when they cannot give us peace of mind?

“What is the essence of the federal special anti-robbery squad patrolling Ikorodu 24/7 looking for only yahoo boys up and down? And where are the Ikorodu youths, that are supposed to take the Badoo issue as their priority, talk about it on social media every time, forward the news to the Lagos state government’s platforms,

and stand up against this negligible act? They are nowhere to be found.

“Instead, they are busy carrying posters of politicians on their heads, politicians/leaders that are responsible for all this suffering in the first place.

Kudos to the Vigilante Group of Ikorodu, they have been awesome, but they cannot do it alone. They don’t have the resources. We need to re-orientate and equip them.

“We use this opportunity to call on our community, religious and political leaders to neutralize this ugly situation as soon as possible. Also we are calling on Ikorodu indigenes/ambassadors all over the world, the Muslim community, Christian associations, traditional worshipers, market men, women and all mothers in Ikorodu to stand up now.

Remember, posterity is watching you all!

“The Badoo gang usually looks for easy access. They look for houses without burglary proof, incomplete, areas where there are few houses, so that even when victims scream for help in distress, they get none. It hasn’t been easy identifying and detecting the notorious gang because they don’t carry weapons when moving.

They depend on and use sharp objects and equipment.”

Command’s spokesman Olarinde Famous Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said investigation was ongoing to get the assailants.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Council boss kneels, begs governor for electricity

BY OLIVER UDEOGU

I

n what was seen as a demonstration of loyalty, political obedience and subordination, Barr Okey Igwe the executive Chairman Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State sent shock waves and admiration down the spines of many people, when he knelt down before Abia State governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, while pleading with the governor to extend the state’s rural electrification projects to his local council.

The Council boss had brought to the knowledge of the governor the nonexistence of electricity in Umunneochi.

The governor was overwhelmed by the Chairman’s respectful gesture and quickly assured the people of Umunneochi that the area would be electrified.

In his words: “I would want the Chairman to constitute a five-man committee that would follow me to the PHCN regional office in Enugu on Friday, to see how we can link the area to the national grid. My assurance to the people of Umunneochi is that by December this year, some areas will be connected then bit by bit, the whole place will be wholly linked to the national grid.”

The governor wondered what current political holders at the National Assembly who are from the area have been doing all this while.

“What have they been doing since they were elected that Umunneochi cannot have light that is available today in most communities. Is this not failure of the highest degree?” a miffed Governro Ikpeazu asked.

Currently, the Abia State government is distributing transformers in the 17 local councils of the State, which Umunneochi will benefit from, according to Governor Ikpeazu.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of the Chieftaincy title of Ohazurume 1 of Umunneochi on the governor, by the Umunneochi traditional rulers’ council.

Adamawa kingmakers pay homage to Atiku as new Waziri K

ingmakers, Councillors and District Heads of Adamawa Emirate Council, last weekend, paid homage and solidarity to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his appointment as the new Waziri of Adamawa.

The appointment of Atiku made him the next in hierarchy in the emirate to the Lamido of Adamawa.

Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers and others, the Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu, congratulated Atiku and

pledged their loyalty to him.

“Congratulations and may God guide you and give you long life and good health to discharge this deserving responsibility. You are fit for this position because of your total loyalty and support to the development of the emirate.

“Since independence of Nigeria, no citizen of the emirate had shown love and patriotism to Adamawa. You promoted Adamawa to the world and may Allah bless you and give you more health

O

gun State Government has exempted members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) the State Chapter, who had paid ground rent and tenement rate in 2016 from paying the 2016 Land Use and Amenities Charge.

A statement by Odunayo Ogunleye, Press Officer, Ministry of Finance in the state, said the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo gave the reprieve while responding to misconceptions and grievances expressed by the members of the association at a meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, OkeMosan, Abeokuta.

According to Oshinowo, the state government gave the consideration to members of the association following the harmonization of tenement rate and ground rent as the new charge.

The commissioner, however, made it clear that those who have not paid for ground rent and tenement rate in 2016 would have to pay Land Use and Amenities Charge for 2016, while the payment of tenement rate and ground rent in respect of 2017 financial year would not be ecognized.

me so that we can unite and work together for the progress of the land and our people,” Atiku said.

He also thanked friends and wellwishers in Adamawa, Nigeria and worldwide who felicitated with him over the new appointment.

Atiku succeeds the former Waziri, Alhaji Mohammad Abba who passed away in April.

Highlights of the occasion was the offering of special prayers and the presentation of the official number plate of number two man in the emirate to Atiku.

(L-R): Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, Director, Airport Operations, FAAN; Nehemiah Auta, Airport Manager, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Lawrence Pwajok of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)during a media briefing preceding the Aircraft Emergency Simulation Exercise which held at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Wednesday

Police arrest NURTW leaders over Shogunle mayhem

Ogun exempts From OJOACHELE EJIGBO, Lagos Lagos State government manufacturers THE has assured members of the safety of lives and property from Land Use public around the Oshodi area of the state following the arrest, weekCharge end, of the three gang leaders in From VICTOR NZE

and long life to continue the good work,” Aminu said.

Responding, Atiku thanked them for the visit and called for more unity in developing Adamawa.

“I want to thank God for this day and to use this opportunity to thank Lamido of Adamawa for giving me the position of Waziri, and that of Turaki to my son, Aliyu who is the grandson of Late Lamido Aliyu Mustafa.

“I want to thank you for this visit to pay homage and celebrate with

port Workers (NURTW) involved in the fracas.

The suspects, popularly called Taloo, Alayoo and Ijee were arrested by the Olayinka Egbeyemi-led task force, following a prolonged crisis that has rocked Mafoluku and other parts of Oshodi after the National Union of Road Trans- the killing of the chairman of tricy-

Monarch decries ‘too many drinking joints’ in Anambra

T

RADITIONAL ruler of Ogilisi, in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State, Chief Alex Onyido, has called for stringent measures to curtail the growing number of drinking joints in the state.

Onyido made the call on Friday in Awka, while speaking at the the 2017 edition of Lady Victoria Onyido quiz competition, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, for secondary schools.

“The trend is worrisome and not in the best interest of public health.

Such facilities breed crime and criminality; the rate at which such businesses are springing up in all corners calls for concern,” he said.

Onyido, who is the sponsor of the quiz competition, said that it was meant to draw government’s attention to the use of illicit drugs among secondary school students.

The monarch lauded NDLEA’s commitment to the fight against drug abuse and peddling, pointing out that drug addiction and abuse could lead to other vices like kidnapping, armed robbery and prostitution.

In his speech, Gov. Willie Obiano, represented by Prof. Kate Omenugha, Commissioner for Education, commended the sponsor and NDLEA for the effective collaboration in the fight against drug abuse in the society, just as he said his administration was committed to quality education that would enhance students’ capacity to compete with their peers the world over.

NDLEA Commander in Anambra, Mr Sule Momodu, in a brief remark, said that the competition, which started four years ago, had yielded positive results.

cle operators in the area, Chief Aro Razak Bello, popularly known as ‘Hamburger.’

Egbeyemi disclosed that activities of the NURTW group across the entire Oshodi area is presently under the control of the state’s task force and other security agencies who were strategically positioned for the maintenance of peace and order.

“The warring factional leaders of the NURTW and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) trying to foment trouble around Mafoluku, Shogunle, Sadiku, Ladipo and Oshodi with their supporters have been arrested and are presently being interrogated by the Lagos State police boss, Mr. Fatai Owoseni,” he said.

Egbeyemi further admonished members of the public to ignore misinformation about ‘Bomb Explosion’ and ‘Security Alert’ around Shogunle and Oshodi trending on various social media, thereby creating unnecessary fear among traders and residents of the area.

He warned miscreants and hoodlums to desist from causing chaos around Oshodi and the entire parts of the state as anyone arrested would be immediately charged to court for prosecution.

Meanwhile, a group, the Oshodi Collectives (OC), has appealed to

the Lagos State government and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to expedite action in investigating and subsequently arresting those responsible for the death of 49-year old chairman of the Lagos State Motorcycles Owners Association in Oshodi, Chief Aro Bello.

‘Hamburger’ was killed last Monday in the aftermath of the violence that broke out in Shogunle, Oshodi during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Councillorship primaries. He was buried on Friday, June 2, amid fears of reprisal attack from loyalists of the warring factions.

The group had accused a top official of the Oshodi branch of NURTW of being behind the killing of ‘Hamburger.’ The official has also been accused of maintaining a killer squad in the community.

According to the Oshodi Collectives, the NURTW official had always boasted of being highly connected in Lagos and that he has the backing of the APC leader. The group, therefore, called on the IGP to send investigators from Abuja to conduct an independent investigation into the murder of ‘Hamburger’ and others, “because this NURTW official has always boasted that nothing would come out of any investigation conducted by the police in Lagos.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

Ikpeazu vows to restore electricity in Umunneochi

From BONIFACE OKORO (Umuahia), OLIVER UDEOGU (Onitsha)

ABIA State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has vowed to restore electricity supply to Umunneochi Local Government Area.

Speaking when he paid a thankyou-visit to the local government area, Ikpeazu also directed the Abia State Roads Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) to urgently fix the Lomara Road in the local government which reports said had almost been cut into two.

At a reception for the governor held at the Nkwoagu Isuochi headquarters of the council, the people of the area congratulated him on his second Supreme Court victory and assured him of their support in 2019 and lamented that they had been without public power supply since the end of the civil war.

The governor told them that he would personally lead a five-man committee which he directed the Umunneochi Council Chairman, Barr. Okey Igwe, to put in place, to the Enugu office of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to find out why the area was still in darkness.

“I will pay serious attention to the Umunneochi electricity problem. I will not rest till power supply is restored to all the zones in the local government,” Ikpeazu said, adding that he would donate transformers to the zones.

He also requested the local government to submit names of 10 young people who would be empowered with N100, 000 to start up small scale businesses as well as two persons who would be sponsored to China to learn shoemaking

for one year.

He described his victory against Uche Ogah at the Supreme Court as divine. “I anchored my hope on God while the case lasted. God gave me victory to glorify Himself.

When God opens a door, no one can close it,” the governor said as he thanked Umunneochi people for their support for him and promised that he would not disappoint them.

Earlier in his welcome, address, Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Barr.

Okey Igwe, congratulated the gov-

ernor on his Supreme Court victory.

“We are happy that you are in our midst and we want to join the entire people of Abia State in saying congratulations on the affirmation of your God-given mandate that was delivered by the Supreme Court on May 12, 2017.

“Your victory is also the affirmation and validation of your liberation of Umunneochi because before you assumed office, a dark cloud was hovering over Umunneochi,” Igwe said.

“I want to make one thing clear: PDP Umunneochi chapter is unit-

ed behind our governor. I want to tell you that Umunneochi is unanimous, we are speaking with one voice that come 2019, we are sending you back to Government House,” the Council chairman said.

He explained that their decision was based on the infrastructural rebirth in the state embarked upon by the governor.

He reminded the governor of the electricity problem facing the local government and enlisted his assistance in restoring light to the council area.

Leaders of the four political zones

R-L: Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sen. Dino Melaye and Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara shortly after the launch of Melaye’s book in Abuja... recently.

in Umunneochi including Chief Ndidi Okereke, Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, Chief Ifeanyi Okechukwu and Chief Fabian Nwankwo who spoke on behalf of their people, expressed happiness that Ikpeazu had finally dusted his opponents and assured him of their unalloyed support both now and in 2109.

Also speaking, renowned philanthropist and political leader of Umunneochi, Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, assured the governor of the continued support of the people of Umunneochi council area in the build up to the general elections of 2019, saying there will be no vacancy at the State House. ‘’ We would ensure we sweep the polls and return you by 2019,’’ he said.

In the Governor’s entourage for the visit were member representing Abia North Senatorial District, Sen Mao Ohuabunwa; former Senate president, Sen Adolphus Wabara; State Chairman of the PDP Chief Johnson Onuigbo; member representing Umunneochi at the state legislature, Hon Ikedi Ezekwesiri; serving Commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Advisers, among others.

A quartet of film veterans of the “Living in Bondage” fame; Chinyere Nwabueze, Gloria Anozie Young, Ngozi Nwosu, and Chinyere Nnenna Okonta were all at the event, which highlights included the conferment of chieftaincy title of Ohazurume I of Umunneochi on the governor, by the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council and handing over of wheelchairs to physically challenged persons and distribution of fertilizers by the governor.

Provost lauds appointment of new councils Outrage pours at NASS over SEDC Bill From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

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ROVOST, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze in Anambra State, Prof Josephat Okechukwu Ogbuagu, has described the recent inauguration of Governing Councils for the 21 Federal Colleges of Education in the country as a crucial step towards effective running of the institutions.

Ogbuagu said the profile of personalities appointed to the new councils by the government revealed the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to address the key challenges facing the colleges and reposition them for better performance.

Ogbuagu, who is also the Chairman, Committee of Provosts for Federal Colleges of Education, stated this, while receiving members of the FCE (T) Umunze Council led by the Chairman, Dr Hassan Lawal.

Other members of the Council included Hon Uche Anakor, Barrister Abdu Ibrahim Radda and Kokomma Asamanowei.

He explained that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, took a decisive step by appointing highly respected individuals with proven track record of good performance and best practices into the Governing Councils to add verve to decision making and policy implementation.

The Minister of Education recently inaugurated the Governing

Council for the 21 Federal Colleges of Education at the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja.

Addressing the Council members, he expressed the determination to improve teacher education in the country, noting that the move to restructure the nation’s education system must start from the basics in order to achieve the desired result.

The Minister, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, congratulated the Council members on the appointment, noting that they had been found worthy both in experience and capabilities.

He said their appointment was in recognition of the positive actions they had taken at various times for the good of the nation and her citizenry.

He noted that the Federal Colleges of Education would immensely benefit from their store of knowledge and experiences and expressed optimism that their commitment to education would be manifest in the discharge of their individual responsibilities.

The Minister admitted that the appointment of the Governing Council was made at a very difficult moment in the nation’s education sector, and urged members to live up to expectation by investing their experience in addressing the challenges of the system.

...There must be a Nigeria where no man is oppressed – Chidoka

From SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, Lagos

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nalysts from different parts of the country have called for rapid reintroduction of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill in the National Assembly as a way of quickly addressing feelings of inequity, inequality and marginalization that spark protests and threaten the country’s unity.

The call followed a spate of public outcry which greeted the insensitivity that define the voting down of the bill at the House of Representatives last weekend just after a successful sit-at-home protest in the eastern parts of the country in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Biafran secession attempt.

The 50th anniversary of Biafra also came shortly after the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whose arrest for calling for selfdetermination of discontented parts of the eastern Nigeria sparked peaceful protests that led to killing of over 150 of his followers by trigger happy policemen and soldiers bidding the orders of the federal government.

Political leaders of the people of South East zone of the country which was devastated by the federal forces and marginalized ever since the end of the 1967 war had sponsored the SEDC bill to address the rising anger of youths that protest acute shortage of infrastructure and amenities that support social and economic growth.

The South South zone of the country which was also part of Biafra already has federal government and petroleum industry funded Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to address infrastructural deterioration in the region.

Government has also activated a development commission for the North East region of the country to rebuild infrastructure devastat-

ed by the Islamist Boko Haram insurgents that seek to carve out independent emirate from the country.

But in a dramatic move deplored by major political analysts in the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, last weekend threw out the SEDC bill in a biased voice vote on the flimsy excuse that the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, was not present at the session of the House when the bill was called up.

The reason for the absence of the bill’s sponsor was not advanced for consideration. But some of the lawmakers said adequate ‘consultations’ were not made before the bill was presented.

The voting down of the bill had sparked outrage by lawmakers from the South East zone of the country who decried insensitivity of colleagues to the suffering of their people whose youths currently agitate for independence due to perceived unfairness, maltreatment, abandonment and exploitation.

A wider outcry also followed the poor legislation on the bill, sparking calls from social and political analysts for the bill to be brought back to the National Assembly for proper consideration and adequate consideration of its merits.

Eminent analyst, Mr. Oladeinde Ariyo, who spoke on a live programme of Channels Television condemned the throwing out of the bill as insensitive to the precarious state of the country’s unity. He called on the sponsors of the bill as well as political leaders of the South East section of the country to rearticulate the bill for reintroduction.

He emphasized the need for collaboration between federal and collective state governments of the South East region to recover South East infrastructure from collapse. He advised them to lobby their colleagues from other sections of the country to push the bill through legislation since, according to him, the

zone cannot muster the numbers to support the bill alone in the face of current opposition.

He also advised federal government to carry every section of the country along in terms of development as a way of fostering unity of the country.

Also commenting on the discontent in the South East and the voting down of the SEDC, Mazi Ifeanyi of the Global Amnesty International stated that the agitation for the bill was coming at the right time to stem the justifiable protests for inclusion from proponents of Biafran state.

He faulted voices that insist that the country is currently indissoluble, arguing that Nigeria can only be together in peace if the component nationalities that form the nation agree to be together by their own will.

“We don’t need a strong man to keep the country together. Only justice, equity and respect for human rights can make the country very united. Democracy is about inclusion.”

He also advised the federal government to stop the ongoing “street fight” with agitators that demand legitimate stakes in the country, warning that such high handedness would continue to spur resistance and insurgency.

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, who played visible roles in the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu from detention, also condemned the voting down of the SEDC bill, describing it as a legislative blunder and careless loss of opportunity by the National Assembly to amplify the voice of the people they represent.

He called on government to seize the opportunity presented by expressions of discontent by sections of the country to redefine the purpose of Nigeria as a nation and the value of government to the citizens of the country.

“We need to draw a new charter for justiciable purpose,” he pointed out. He added that for peace and unity to thrive “there must be a Nigeria where no man is oppressed.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

Voter registration: Group warns of disenfranchisement in 2019 From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia A coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Accredited Observer Groups for the ongoing 2017 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) has raised the alarm that a lot of anomalies noticed in the exercise could lead to disenfranchisement of large number of eligible voters in Abia state in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The coalition raised the alarm in its interim report presented by the team secretary, Victor Kalu, in Umuahia. It said that the anomalies

included inadequacy of registration centres and machines as well as slow pace of registering prospective voters in the state.

The coalition expressed concerns that concentration of registration centre only in the local government headquarters and with only one machine in operation was causing frustration and denying so many eligible voters the opportunity to register and get their voters cards.

According to the report, members of the coalition observed that with the existence of single centres per council area, those living outside the local government headquarters found it difficult to access

the centres due to near impassable terrains.

Citing large local governments such as Bende, Arochukwu, Obingwa, and Osisioma, the report noted that the component communities were so dispersed and far from the council headquarters, thereby making it inconvenient for people to travel far distances in order to get registered.

But the coalition also noted that turnout at the urban areas had been very impressive.

“In many cases, there was the problem of crowd control as a result of the centralization of registration centre and slow pace of

work,” the report noted.

“Some people were seen leaving the centres in frustration after spending over three days waiting for their turn, especially in Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Aba North and Aba South local governments,” it added.

The coalition of obsevers, therefore, urged INEC to consider creating registration centres at the ward levels to capture those who might be handicapped in one way or other from participating in the exercise as a way of addressing the anomalies.

The body said with the noticeable inadequate sensitization and

mobilization of potential voters, especially in the rural areas, there was urgent need for INEC to engage civil society groups, political parties, and other stakeholders for “intensive sensitization and in mobilization of legible persons.”

It also asked INEC to reconsider its stand on not engaging ad hoc staff for the exercise, arguing that “it is becoming evident that using permanent staff alone slows down the pace of work.”

The coalition added that the number of registration machines should be increased to two or more per centre.

Rivers: Cult clash claims 16 lives in 2 days ..As hoodlums snatch 3-month-old baby from parents’ home

From NATH OMAME, P/Harcourt

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NKNOWN gunmen stormed Seme-Tai community in Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, shooting and killing 16 people in three different attacks.

In the latest incident, the gunmen were said to have attacked the community between 11pm and 12 midnight.

Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Ikie, representing Kana Constituency II, who confirmed the incident, condemned the killings.

Chairman, Caretaker Community, Tai Local Council, Mr. Bob Uelor Nkue, regretted that the killings which resulted from clashes between cult groups in the area were happening after Governor Nyesom Wike graciously granted a fresh window of amnesty to members of cult groups and criminal gangs in Ogoniland.

“I totally condemn this barbaric act. It is uncalled for. The governor has given a second chance to the Ogoni axis to embrace the state amnesty. And we have done so. Two days ago, two persons were killed by unknown gunmen. Last night about 14 people were shot dead.”

He added: “I am using this opportunity to call on the people living in Seme-Tai not to panic.

I want to assure them that the security agencies are on top of the situation.”

Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for Tai/ Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency in the 2015 general elections, Jacobson Obinna, disclosed that gunmen invaded his father’s house as well as his residence in Seme killing six people.

He said those who were killed include members of his family and the security man at the gate. He noted that the recent wave of killings might not be unconnected with the killing of a notorious cult leader and kidnapper simply known as Supreme by the military two weeks ago.

“Supreme, the notorious

criminal and kidnapper, was using my community as a hideout from where he takes off and returns after perpetrating his criminal activities in the entire area. The youths of Seme

gave security tips on his hideout to the security agencies who stormed the place and shot him.

“The dreaded criminals invaded my residence and murdered my younger cousin and my

gateman. These killings were not enough for this criminal gang. The next day, these criminals invaded my father’s house and brutally killed four persons there.

Enugu State Traditional Rulers during the recent Democracy Day celebration in Enugu... recently

“The next day, they proceeded to the homes of some of my supporters and wickedly killed 10 people. Within the week, 16 innocent people were murdered in the community.”

Worried about the spate of killings, the local council Chairman, Nkue, has called for an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to deliberate on how to stem the ugly trend.

In another development, scores of women from Gbangbo community, Kana Local Government Area, have staged a peaceful protest to the Divisional Police Station in the area, calling on the abductors of a threemonth-old baby to release the baby the parents.

The hoodlums had forcibly snatched the baby from her parents’ home. The women dressed in black attire appealed to the state government and the security agencies to provide security in the area.

One of women lamented: “We are protesting because we don’t have peace in our homes.

We are not safe in our houses.

We want the government to help us. We are seeing strange things in our community. Some people came into our community and snatched a little child who is just three months old.”

Church trains 100 ex-cultists, other criminals in skills From NATH OMAME, P/Harcourt

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N furtherance of the Rivers State amnesty programme for members of cult groups and criminal gangs, a church in the state has trained 100 repentant cultists and other criminals in various skills through its skills acquisition programme.

The repentant cultists and other criminals were currently receiving skill acquisition training at the Omega Power Ministries, OPM, Free Skills Acquisition Centre at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in Port Harcourt.

The beneficiaries were being trained in welding, oil and gas rig-

ging, engineering and other skills.

The repentant cultists and criminals had submitted their arms and ammunition to the church during its series of evangelical programmes targeted at converting criminal elements in the state.

General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, said the programme was designed to give the converts a new lease of life. “Some of them surrendered their arms to the church, repented and by the grace of God became born again.

“The first thing the Church did was to provide accommodation in order to rehabilitate them. These are people who used to live in the streets, in the bush, kidnapping, robbing, and engaged in all types of violent crimes.”

Apostle Chinyere stated: “We also provided them feeding allowance which is very important. They need accommodation and food so that they can have a sense of belonging. Most of them are undergoing training at skills acquisition centre.

“We are receiving support from captains of industries who are members of the church. They have assured us that they will give some of them paid employment. We are confident that any of them that passed through our skills acquisition centre will turn out to be useful to themselves, their families and the society.”

The general overseer explained: “Some of them actually want to start off on their own. Some want to open barbing salons; some want to be vul-

canisers; some want to set up their own mechanic workshops; some want to be panel beaters. We are providing them with the equipment and the tools of their trade to start life afresh.

“It is our conviction that the church has a role to play in evolving a culture of peace, security and orderliness in the society. The government cannot do it alone. OPM is partnering with government, Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, and other wellmeaning people to rehabilitate repentant cultists and criminals.”

Apostle Chinyere also gave accommodations to some widows, presenting them keys to their new houses as well as gave out cash gifts to them for starting their own small scale businesses.

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

Cancer rate to We will deal ruthlessly with criminals – Okowa increase in Niger Delta if … G – Utomi From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa has vowed to end the activities of hoodlums and herdsmen across the state.

According to him, effort had been stepped up to ensure that the worrisome development is solved once and for all.

Okowa, who spoke in a chat with newsmen in Asaba to mark the second anniversary of his administration, maintained that there was no going back in ensuring that peaceful atmosphere prevails across the state. He expressed worry over the increasing activities of herdsmen who were causing serious mayhem saying the scourge must be crushed.

He cited the series of attacks being

carried out in some parts of the state, especially at the university town of Abraka where people were now afraid to go farmland.

He, therefore, revealed that about one hundred and twenty-six (126) mobile policemen have been deployed to the troubled area to be escorting people to the bush to do their daily business.

According to him, the so-called Sam-

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developmental economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has posited that the rate of cancer will increase in the Niger Delta region in the near future, unless the current rate of gas flaring is checked to stop the degradation of the environment.

Utomi noted that a healthy environment is a heritage from our fathers, but that sadly we might not be able to bequeath same to our children because of activities of oil majors and our poor attitude to environmental issues.

Presenting his keynote address at the 2nd mid-year national conference of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) women’s wing, with the theme “Building Healthy People and Healthy Planet,” he stated that history would not treat us kindly if we fail to show concern about the environment.

While advocating for women empowerment through proper education, he said that if women are well equipped with knowledge on the relevance of the environment to development, they would be well guided to take actions that would mitigate environmental challenges in the future, because women are closer to the environment as caregivers. “…there is no challenge that cannot be overcome by women, because they have milk of human kindness, therefore they are critical to development and if well educated, they can trigger up development when they apply their natural strength.”

Utomi, who was given “Isoko Prestigious Award,” posited that there were enough resources in the world, but sadly there were high levels of poverty because of failure of leadership. He added that we have leaders who don’t have the political will and the know-how as a result of which things were not changing.

He explained that the starting point in escaping from poverty was proper education for children and women, stressing that women were a very important factor in the education of the children, especially in their moral upbringing.

On his youth empowerment programme, he noted that many youths left school certificated but lacked skill and workplace attitude which he said necessitated the quest for Centre for Value in Leadership to step in to fill this gap by equipping youths with the needed skills to enable them become wealth creators through self mastering.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the President of IDU, Amb. (Mrs.) Caroline Usikpedo-Omoniye, canvassed for social inclusion of women and 50/50 affirmative action on women participation in governance, noting that if implemented, it would boost development and empower the womenfolk.

Players of All Stars Football Club, Aba, Abia State, in a group photograph before a friendly match at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

bisa forest in Abraka where people were being slaughtered on daily basis had been destroyed, adding that government would ensure that people carry out their businesses without molestation, intimidation and threat to life.

Reacting to the killing of a patient at the Bomadi Hospital by cultists who were on rampage, Governor Okowa described the incident as unfortunate and unholy even as he charged the security operatives to fish out the killers and make them face the wrath of the law. “It is unacceptable. It is barbaric and a criminal act which must not be accepted”, he said.

While admonishing parents to talk to their children on the danger of being a cultist, the Governor insisted that serious action would henceforth be taken against anybody threatening the peace of the state.

On the recent bloody clash between Amai and Ejiokpor in Ukwuami Local Government Area, Okowa disclosed that a team of investigators had been set up to mediate in the matter and come out with recommendations on the way out.

Fielding questions from newsmen on the recent killing of two youths at the premises of the Warri Refinery by navy officials, the Governor stressed that the issue was being handled by security operatives, assuring that appropriate actions would be taken against anyone found guilty.

Rivers governorship: Plot to truncate Abe’s ambition thickens … as stakeholders’ meeting ends in disarray From NATH OMAME, P/Harcourt

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stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, called at the instance of Mrs. Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, former Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, under former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, allegedly to undermine Senator Magnus Abe’s quest to contest for the 2019 gubernatorial elections on the platform of the party has ended in disarray.

The meeting was held at the APC state secretariat, along Forces Avenue, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Monday, June 5.

Those who attended the meeting included twenty three (23) local government chairmen of the party; their assistants, the leadership of former APC councillors forum and the ward chairmen of the party. Former chairmen of councils elected under the past APC government and some former aides of Amaechi while he was governor of the state also attended the expansive meeting.

Mrs. Cookey-Gam, former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, as well as Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice under former Governor Peter Odili, had called the meeting ostensibly to promote the APC’s drive for the ongoing nation-wide registration of voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. However, the Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, presided over the meeting.

According to a source, at the close of the meeting, each of those present were given a form and asked to append their signatures to formally proclaim their allegiance to the Min-

ister of Transportation who is the leader of the party in Rivers State.

The source further narrated that only seven out of all those who attended the meeting signed the form. According to the source, “the meeting ended in disarray as most of those present felt the move to intimidate or force members to pledge loyalty to Amaechi was unnecessary.

“We followed Amaechi from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC. We left the party through which we attained political power and joined the APC that had not won an elective position. What better way to pledge our loyalty to the leadership of the party?

“Some of us,” the source emphasised, “lost our bids for re-election under the aegis of the APC. We took our defeat in good faith because every decision, they say, has a price.

Although, deliberations on our participation in the ongoing voters’ registration had been concluded, the form signing session ended in disarray.”

According to the source, “I fear for

the APC in Rivers State. The national leadership should quickly intervene in the leadership crisis that is brewing in the state. All this huffing and puffing in the leadership of the APC in Rivers State is anchored, firmly, on who gets the party’s governorship ticket in 2019.”

Secretary of the APC in the Rivers State, Mr. Emeka Bekee, who was present at the meeting with other members of the State Executive Committee, SEC, of the party, confirmed that the state Chairman, Dr. Ikanya, “actually presided over a meeting at the state secretariat.”

He however denied that forms requesting the signatures of attendees to underscore their loyalty to Amaechi was given out by the state chairman.

Bekee stated: The meeting you are referring to actually held at the state secretariat of the party. We discussed how we can collectively mobilise our members to go out and sensitise those who have not been registered by INEC to endeavour to do so.

“Nobody was given a form to fill

to pledge his or her loyalty to the minister of transportation. I am not aware of that. Yesterday, people were calling me, saying they heard that I was giving out N10 million to people to pledge loyalty to Amaechi.

That is not correct.”

When he was asked whether he threatened ward chairmen and councillors from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area whom he had earlier invited to his residence in Port Harcourt before the meeting with expulsion from the party if they refused to sign the form affirming their support for Amaechi, he retorted “I don’t have such powers.”

Barely 24 hours after the meeting in which most attendees declined to sign the alleged form of allegiance, leader of the APC in Etche Local Government Area, Chief Allwell Onyesoh, was suspended from the party.

Onyesoh had been critical of alleged moves by the leadership of the party in the state to scuttle Senator Abe’s desire to vie for the governorship of the state in 2019.

Aisha Buhari returns from the UK

• Says President is recuperating fast From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja

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ife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, returned from the UK, where she went to visit her husband, who is on medical leave.

Mrs. Buhari, on arrival, conveyed the appreciation of the President to Nigerians over their constant

prayers and said he would soon be with them as he is recuperating fast.

Mrs. Buhari called on Nigerians to continue to be strong in the face of challenges and to support the Federal Government in implementing the agenda for which they were elected.

According to her, “Mr. President thanked the acting Presi-

dent, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for his loyalty and called on Nigerians to continue to support the acting President in his effort to actualize the mandate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC),” She said.

Mrs. Buhari had travelled to the UK last week to spend some time with the President.

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

Cross River criminalises littering of environment From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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ROSS River State Government will henceforth prosecute residents of the state particularly Calabar who compromise the greenery and clean status of the state.

This was revealed by the governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade, while formally renaming its non-

armed bearing outfit from “Green Police” to “Green Sheriff”.

The governor maintained that Cross River was the cleanest state in Nigeria and the tourism hub of the country hence its neatness must be sustained.

“My administration has made it clear that we will have zero tolerance for an untidy environment knowing full well that cleanliness is next to godliness.

“If you are seen dropping a litter or taking a sweet and dropping, once you drop you will be picked up by the Green Sheriff, so ensure that there is no litter as the greenery in Calabar must be sustained and maintained.

“We must maintain that dignity, image, class and elegance that Calabar is indeed the cleanest city”, he stated.

The governor disclosed that the

functions of the Green Sheriff had been expanded to include general sanitation check, tree planting, reporting erring waste evacuation contractors, stopping deforestation, supervising afforestation and apprehending those who litter the environment.

In addition, the Green Sheriff would serve as an environmental neighbourhood watch, ensuring that every resident of the state par-

APC chieftain calls for a Presidential Liaison officer in each state From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

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lder Statesman and APC chieftain, Chief Patrick Ideh, has called on the presidency to establish in each state of the federation the office of Presidential Liaison Officer to oversee the activities of the federal government.

In a statement in Effurun, Delta State, Ideh regretted that the APC Federal Government had been driving a lot of development in Delta State, but because most of these services were channeled through state agencies, the benefits were played down.

According to him, during the Shagari era between 1979 and 1983, the Presidential Liaison Officers guaranteed the image of the Federal Government in the states.

Ideh, a former member of the House of Representatives, said as an executive member of the Delta APC, he and others could save the party and successfully build it up with sincerity in partnership with trusted party elders, leaders and the minister representing Delta State in the Federal Executive Council.

He pointed out that taking the party to court was against the provision of Article 21(D)5 of its constitution which earns the defaulter automatic expulsion from the party.

“Thus Prophet Erhue and fellow

travelers stand expelled and cannot be part of any structure of our party,” he said.

The elder statesman reminded party members that Prophet Jones Erhue in suit no FHC/Wr/165/20 sued the party, its leadership and others at the Federal High Court, Warri over party-related matters.

The case comes up again in October 14th, 2017 Ideh accused some power-

ful forces inside the APC national body of colluding with some APC Deltans to frustrate the party’s unity and growth. “It is now time these faceless enemies of the party leave us alone to grow and capture the state for our dear party,” he affirmed.

He noted that since April 15th, 2015, an aggrieved party leader, Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh, obtained from a High Court, Asaba, a

judgment which nullified Prophet Jones Erhue’s elected state committee of the party and their application for stay failed.

According to him, the party is left in a state of anarchy since then and that efforts by committed party elders and leaders including the state statutory executive committee members who are willing to give their all to change Delta APC were ignored.

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ag. Yemi Osinbajo, fmr Perm. Sec. Min. of Information, Ahmed Joda, President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo & fmr. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dubem Onyia at the Forum on Biafra held at the Yar’adua Centre, Abuja... recently.

Enugu committed to judiciary independence – Chief Judge From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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NUGU State Judiciary has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his commitment to upholding the sector’s independence and the provision of the enabling facilities for justice to thrive in the state.

The State Chief Judge, Justice Ngozi Emehelu, made the commendation at the State High Court during the opening of a four-day workshop for the justices of the State Judici-

ary.

“This is the second time in a space of less than one month that His Excellency has honoured our invitation. The first was on 9th of May 2017 when he commissioned the 200 KVA and 150 KVA sound proof generators for use at this judiciary headquarters which he graciously provided for us and which have provided the enabling environment for judges and other staff to discharge their duties. The second one is this opening ceremony of the

PUBLIC NOTICE 3-Bedroom flat with tiles and running water for sale at Iba Housing Estate, Ojo, Lagos.

Price: N7million

training/workshop for Hon. Judges of Enugu State Judiciary,” she noted.

Justice Emehelu said the governor’s interest in the welfare of the judiciary has engendered harmonious relationship among the three arms of government.

According to her, “indeed I did make the point at the commissioning of the said generators that under the able leadership of His Excellency that the executive, the legislature and the judiciary have continued to enjoy harmonious working relationship which has engendered mutual respect, peace and unity in this state”, Justice Emehelu noted.

She pointed out that the training and retraining of the judges was part of the innovation towards equipping the judiciary with the requisite knowledge involved in the dispensation of justice and urged the beneficiaries to avail them-

selves of this opportunity.

Declaring the workshop open, Governor Ugwuanyi represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to the ideals of separation of powers, adding that the importance of the judiciary could not be overemphasized.

“It is a known fact that the judiciary plays a very important role in the country’s democracy and this is why the present administration in the state is determined to do all the needful in ensuring that this arm of government stands firmly to enable it discharge its duties creditably”, the governor stated.

He urged the judiciary to be steadfast in the discharge of its duties and assured the staff of his administration’s readiness to provide all the needed amenities towards achieving the noble objective.

ticularly Calabar keeps his or her environment clean besides ensuring that those who own property in Calabar keep their surroundings tidy.

The Green Sheriff Marshalls were directed by the governor to liaise with the Commissioner of Climate Change, that of Environment and the State Security Adviser to ensure that all defaulters are apprehended and prosecuted in line with the extant laws of the state.

Mentally ill mother, baby to be moved from hospital soon – Commissioner

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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OMMISSIONER for Women Affairs, Delta State, Hon. Rev. (Mrs) Omatsola Williams, has disclosed that the mentally ill woman who gave birth along a street of Asaba recently is in safe hands at the Federal Medical Centre alongside her baby but would be moved from the hospital soon.

She told The Oracle Today that while the mother would be moved to a trado-psychiatric home for further treatments, the baby will be relocated to a motherless babies’ home for proper care.

“As you know, there is no psychiatric hospital in Delta State, so we are moving her to a trado-psychiatric home. Right from the day she was taken to the hospital, this ministry was very much aware. The child department of this ministry was immediately contacted and we have been there monitoring and guiding the baby,” she said Mrs. Williams revealed that a lot of people had shown interest in taking the baby and the ministry had to draw the attention of the medical director of the centre to alert him on the interest of the ministry on the insane mother and child.

She stated that the staff of the child department of the ministry have begun incidenting the case with the police to ensure that a police extract is obtained so as to process the relocation of the child to a competent motherless babies’ home for proper care.

It would be recalled that the mentally ill woman gave birth to a baby last Friday along the busy Okpanam Road, opposite JAMB office. Eyewitnesses told The Oracle Today that the woman was usually seen in front of the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba where she went about scavenging for food.

Sources said the incident which occurred between 8 and 9am attracted the attention of workers who were on their way to work and who stopped to assist the woman in labour.

It was learnt that upon delivery, the baby was immediately taken away from her by a Good Samaritan who also attempted to reach officials of the ministry of women affairs to assist.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

NEWS

Police clip motorcycle riders’ wings in Onitsha

• Order them to push their bikes at checkpoints

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T

he incessant killings of policemen at checkpoints in various parts of Onitsha, Anambra State, by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, may have triggered off a chain reaction, leading to the police authorities clipping the wings of the motorcycle riders in the commercial city and its environs.

As a first step towards stemming the tide, motorcycle riders are now being forced, under gun point to stop within a pole radius to any police checkpoint and push their motorcycle across until another pole radius before they could climb up and ride.

In some cases, the motorcyclists would be signaled by the policemen to raise one hand up as a sign of surrender while using the other hand to push the motorcycle until after a pole radius to the checkpoint before they could bring down their hand and climb their bikes.

At each checkpoint, some policemen would focus on the stop-andsearch, while others, with hands on trigger, would monitor the compliance of the pushing by motorcycle riders.

This new development may have been prompted by the incessant shooting and killing of policemen at checkpoints and taking away their service riffles, usually AK 47 riffles.

However, it was not certain whether this new order was authorized by the police high command in the state or merely designed by those on checkpoints for their own safety.

This ugly trend started barely two months ago when some armed motorcycle riders shot and killed a policeman and injured another under the flyover bridge at New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, near Onitsha.

Barely two weeks after the kill-

ing, another gunmen on motorcycle stormed a police checkpoint at Ugwunwasike in Ogidi, near Onitsha, killed one of the policemen on duty, took his gun and zoomed off.

In another distant of two weeks, gunmen again shot and killed one more policeman at a checkpoint at Nkpor Junction and as usual, made away with his service riffle.

But the latest onslaught that led to the order by the police on the motor-

cycle riders to push their motorcycles across the police checkpoints was last Sunday’s shooting and killing of two policemen, an Inspector and a Sergeant at a checkpoint at Upper Iweka axis of the commercial city of Onitsha, and taking away the service riffle of one of the diseased policemen.

The incident, according to the source, occured at about 7.30 p.m. when the gunmen on a motorcycle,

opened fire on the policemen who were on a stop-and-search duty at the scene of the incident located near the TRACAS bus stop at the Upper Iweka axis.

The source hinted that one of the deceased who was identified as Sergeant Ike Anari died on the spot and the gunmen took away his service riffle, while the other who was identified as Inspector Onyia Cyril died later at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Players of All Stars Football Club, Onitsha, Anambra State, in a group photograph before a friendly match at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi where he was hospitalized shortly after the incident.

The deceased policemen, the source further stated, were attached to Operations, OPS Department of the state police headquarters, Awka, but were posted to Awada Division within the Onitsha metropolis.

As the news of their death filtered into town, policemen on stop-andsearch duty in various parts of Anambra state have now resorted to compelling Okada riders to roll their motorcycles with hand while passing through the checkpoints.

At the popular Nkpor junction where one of the policemen was shot dead by gunmen barely two weeks ago, all the Okada riders were ordered to come down and roll their bikes with hands within a distant radius from the police checkpoint until they would go another distant radius before they climb their bikes again and move.

Efforts o get in touch with the state police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Nkiru Nwode, ASP, proved abortive as she could not be reached on phone, but the Divisional Police Officer, DPO at Awada, Mr. Babalola and his Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, Amadi, simply confirmed the incident on phone and referred newsmen to appropriate channel for detailed information.

Delta Airport to be shut down for repairs

T

he Delta State Government has announced an imminent shutdown of the Asaba Airport for repairs in order to meet the requirements of the Nigerian

Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA).

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who made this known to journalists said that major repairs would be carried out at the B Section of the airport, while repairs on the runway

are already nearing completion.

Okowa was speaking while on tour of the ongoing upgrade of the airport.

He expressed confidence that the airport would be

the best in the south-south and south-east region of the country after the repairs, adding that it would enhance air travel and subsequently help the state generate more revenue.

Change of Name

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I formerly known and addressed as OKOYE UNIJE MICHAEL JEROM CHINAZA and now wish to be known as OKOYE MICHAEL CHINAZA. All my former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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This is to certify that ILOABUCHI NWOKEDIKE ERNEST, ILOABUCHI NWOKEDI ERNEST and OKAFOR ERNEST NWOKEDI is one and the same person now wish to be known as ILOABUCHI NWOKEDIKE ERNEST. former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14 , 2017

BOLD n BLUNT

‘Biafra was defensive action; it would

His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya, a journalist by profession and currently, the traditional ruler of Umuanyi Autonomous Community, Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Council of Abia State, was 16 years old when the 30-month Nigeria-Biafra war broke out. In this interview with BONIFACE OKORO, the Biafra war veteran recounts events that led to the war and asserts that Biafra was a defensive mechanism, adding that the worst would have happened if there was no resistance by the Eastern regional government and people. He says Ndigbo do not want to secede from Nigeria and cannot even engage in another arms struggle now but are demanding equitable and just Nigeria, while advising Biafra agitators to be wary of giving trigger-happy soldiers opportunities to mow them down as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Republic of Biafra by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967. Excerpts:

M

ay 30, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Biafra by the then Military Governor of the defunct Eastern Region, Col Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Events followed in quick succession and we went through the civil war. As someone who was around, could you please recount your experience?

I was in Class Three in Niger Grammar School, Port Harcourt, (where you now have Port Harcourt Polytechnic). It was owned by the late Frank Opigo, the man who later became Biafra Provincial Administrator for Yenagoa.

We were returning from Port Harcourt by train the day the first military coup took place on January 15, 1966. We didn’t know what was happening.

It was unfortunate that the patriotic zeal with which Nzeaogwu, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Adegboyega, I think Major Okafor and some others, carried out the coup was misinterpreted.

Unfortunately, the deaths of Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Old Northern Region; Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister; S.L. Akintola, Premier of the Western Region and some army officers from the North; somebody like Brigadier Ademolegun from Ondo, the late Brigadier Zakari Maimalari from Bornu State who was the first Nigerian Graduate Cadet from Sandhurst and was commissioned in 1953; Brigadier Bogo Lagema, who was the Commander of the Second Brigade in Ibadan tended to give the coup a tribal leaning. An Igbo Officer, Lt. Col. Authur Unaegbu from Ozubulu, was also killed.

It was unfortunate that the coup was misconstrued. And the blame must go to British lecturers at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who started instigating the Northern Students that the coup was one-sided; that it was an Igbo coup to take over Nigeria because an Igbo man, Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi from Umuahia, emerged as the Head of State.

But, Ironsi didn’t just take over, it was a resolution passed at the House of Representatives that morning that the reigns of government should be handed over to the next most senior army officer because of the absence of the Prime Minister. As at that time, nobody knew what had happened to the Prime Minister.

So, British lecturers in Ahmadu Bello stand condemned; they were the ones who started giving these tribal interpretations.

Unfortunately again, the naivety of the military then didn’t help matters; Aguiyi Ironsi didn’t plan any coup. In fact, he narrowly escaped death in Lagos on January 15, 1966.

Then by May 29, 1966, riot broke out in the North, all aimed at taking vengeance on the Igbos. And even when military reports

HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya (secrets) were given to Ironsi, that look, these people are after your life, he didn’t take it serious.

And when he set up a Panel of Inquiry into the May 29 Riots, he appointed Yakubu Gowon, his Chief of Army Staff, from the North to head the panel. And then, the worst happened! On July 29, a very bloody counter-coup masterminded by Major Theophilous Yakubu Danjuma, Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed and Major Martin Adamu, the triumvirate that planned the coup, and Ironsi paid with his head, with his host at Ibadan.

T.Y. Danjuma arrested Ironsi and then handed him over to Lt. Willaim Walbe who finished off Ironsi. William Walbe later became the ADC to Gowon after the coup. So, these were the things that happened in July 1966. The Brigade Commander at Ibadan, Col. Hillary Njoku, narrowly escaped.

Igbo army officers were slaughtered.

Both civilians and military were killed. The late Maj-Gen Shehu Yar’Adua, as a Second Lieutenant, was at the Makurdi Bridge head shooting and killing and throwing bodies

of Igbo army officers into the River Benue.

The killings continued even in September.

And then for six months, nobody knew the whereabouts of Aguiyi Ironsi, until after the Aburi Accord of January 1967 where it was announced that Ironsi had been killed.

If the Aburi Accord of 1967 in Ghana attended by Gowon, all members of the Supreme Military Council and the military governors with Ojukwu, had been implemented, the civil war would have been averted. But when they came back to Lagos, the Permanent Secretaries in Lagos and North, especially those from the Middle Belt, didn’t believe in the confederal arrangement that was agreed upon at Aburi.

They said no, it means going back to the Old North. And that was where the clamour for creation of states came up. By May 27, 1967, Gowon, on the promptings of the Middle Belt and then, the so-called former minorities of the former Eastern Region, created 12 states. So, in fact, what is being celebrated today as Children’s’ May Day is celebration of creation of the 12 states.

And three days after, the Eastern Consultative Assembly, which met in Enugu against the backdrop of demonstrations by students from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, asked Ojukwu to declare the Republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967.

And mind you, in the wake of the genocide that took place in 1966, the world remained criminally silent. Over 30, 000 Igbos and other people from the former Eastern region were slaughtered in the North. On Saturday, July 6, the Civil War started at two fronts: Gakem, Ogoja, and Obollo Afor, Nsukka.

By January 12, 1970, the centre could no longer hold in Biafra. For two years and six months, we lost almost three million people, almost half of what the Jews lost in Europe during the Second World War. We lost our people through bullets, Kwashiokor, summary executions and others. The rest is now history: the tragedy, the human suffering, etc, that was it.

So, to me, I have no regrets whatsoever.

I don’t condemn Ojukwu because nobody, after your people have been slaughtered, would have remained silent. In fact, Biafra was a sort of defensive mechanism. Biafra was defensive. We didn’t carry the war to Nigeria. It would have been worse if we had not resisted. But having lost the war, we are back to Nigeria. Let the Igbo man not be treated as a second-class citizen.

Like I said, I was in Class Three when the war started and by February 12, 1968, I enlisted into the Biafran Army as a young boy of 16. So, I thank God we are all still alive.

The Igbo man needs the environment, provide us the infrastructure, build our roads and railway, from Port Harcourt to Enugu and then to the North. That is the controversy now going on in the Senate on why a $5.3 billion project should be used to do the railway from Lagos to Kano, Kaduna to Abuja and none coming to the East.

These are the things that make people feel marginalized and unwanted. That is the point. The Igbo man is not asking so much from Nigeria; just give us the sense of belonging and make us feel that we are part of the country.

There are groups still agitating for Biafra and they are taking different stands on how to celebrate the Biafra 50th anniversary. IPOB has called for a –stay-at-home while MASSOB is opposing such method.

With your experience, how can you reconcile these two positions and what advice do you have for them I liken the situation of what is happening between IPOB and MASSOB to what happened in Angola during the war of independence.

Both Holden Roberto of National Front for Liberation of Angola, Augustino Neto for Popular Movement for Liberation of

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

BOLD n BLUNT

have been worse if we hadn’t resisted’

Nnamdi Kanu

Angola, and Jonas Savimbi of UNITA, they were all fighting to send away the Portugese but the disagreed on the method. Even MASSOB has split into two and a group visited Nnamdi Kanu the other day. The faction led by Uchenna Madu has broken away from the original MASSOB founded by Ralph Uwazuruike. I even understood that Kanu was a part of MASSOB but he eventually broke away. All of them have the same aim but how we achieve this, that is where they are disagreeing. So, that is why I liken them to what happened in Angola.

Thank God the agitation for Biafra is non-violent and that is what it should be.

The Biafra thing is of the mind. We cannot go to the arms struggle we did in 1967.

Before the war, there was only one battalion of Nigerian Army in Enugu commanded

by Lt. Col Ogunenwe, formerly under the command of David Ejoor. If he had carried out his assignment on January 15, 1966, may be Okpara would have been killed or arrested. But David Ejoor deferred to the government in the Eastern Nigeria on that day because Archbishop Mccarry from Cyprus came on a State visit. But today, we have the 82 Division in Enugu, a new Army Division in Bayelsa and a Naval Command in Calabar.

So, we cannot go into any armed struggle. If God said Biafra will be, it will be one day, no matter what any person says about it. We only lost the war 50 years ago; it is not long. If the Greeks were under the Othoman Empire for about 400 years; if the children of Israel, for 400 years were in Egypt until the Passover, then they went back to the Promised land; so, if God says Biafra will be a reality, it will be. We don’t even need to fire a shot. But, I am pleading with these young men, nobody should go and lose his life unnecessarily. The Nigerian security forces are ready to deal with anybody. But let them keep on the memory. One day if God says it will be, it will be.

What in your opinion is the answer to the agitation for Biafra Let Nigeria be restructured. Mind you, after the amalgamation of 1914, the Northern Provinces were having separate legislature, different from the South. In fact, there was no time legislators from the North and South ever came together until the 1946 Richards Constitution. That was the time legislators from the North and South came together for the first time. And that was the

Ralph Uwazuruike

But, having been born in the community, I know their aspirations (and) I have an informed cabinet. My Prime Minister is even a Professor of Business Administration. We have the Umuanyi Development Union that sees to the development aspect of the community. So, that is the situation.

The most challenging experience was the February 21, 2009 mayhem in Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU). My autonomous community hosts the university. I was not at home, but in Okigwe on that very day.

In fact, I didn’t even know or hear that any member of staff from Uturu was killed and thank God that despite all the plans by my enemies to rope me in, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry led by Justice Izima (may his soul rest in peace) gave me a clean bill of health and held that there was no evidence against me, even when my enemies internally colluded with some persons in ABSU to rope me in but God was with me. The whole thing is over now and I have made up with all those who accused me falsely. ]

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu first time Tafawa Balewa, a teacher from Balewa, came to Lagos for the first time, he came down by train.

What I am saying today is let us restructure Nigeria. Nobody is talking of secession again. Let the present six geo-political zones become autonomous regions while the present states should become provinc-

Gov. Rochas Okorocha es. Then we should have a regional governor.

What has been your experience on the throne for the past 16 years and the challenges you have had Community administration is quite a different thing from what we used to know.

As the host community, what has been the relationship between ABSU and your community ABSU was relocated to Uturu soil in February 1987, from Etiti, in the days of late Commodore Amadi Ikwechegh as Military Governor of Old Imo State. Virtually, the university was located on Uturu soil.

One of the challenges we had when the university was relocated was that it was answering Imo State University. But with the creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991, those of us who had been in Okigwe – Uturu, Umuchieze, Isuikwuato, Isuochi and Nneato - found ourselves in Abia. So, it was my community that provided the evidence that the university was actually on Uturu soil before the Brigadier Tajudeen Olanrewaju Panel.

We brought the evidence that as far as 1977, the Old Imo State government had acquired 68.4 hectares of land from us for the purpose of building the old Imo State Youth Training Centre which is now part of the university. And then, when the land was acquired for the transfer of the university in 1985, Uturu gave more than half of the 10, 800 hectares of land and the action area where the building started was on Umuanyi soil.

So, we put our case before the panel and it was decided that the university was on Abia soil and that was what changed the name to Abia State University, Uturu.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

POLITICS

Why I have not developed Oguta Lake • Says Imo free education programme a huge success GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA of Imo State was recently a guest on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Radio Link anchored by Fubara Pepple on Saturday, 27 May, 2017. This was part of his activities to mark the 2017 Democracy Day and his sixth year in office. The interview was monitored in Owerri by COLLINS UGHALAA monitored the interview in Owerri for The Oracle Today. He spoke on several issues, including the development of Oguta Lake as a tourist centre and economic hub for the state, saying that his inability to find partners explains why he has not developed the lake resort—six years on. Excerpts: Six years of piloting the affairs of Imo State, tell us about your experience.

that N600m was spent on that. What happened was that we have what we call The Freedom Square and International Conference Center. There are so many facilities that were built around The Freedom Square. And I remember I mentioned the N600 in line with other infrastructures around there, including roads. But definitely not for Christmas decoration. That is unthinkable. These are mere allegations.

S

IX YEARS down the line, one would thank God because we have been able to meet up with our campaign promises and the demand of democracy. I came in on a rescue mission to make Imo State better. Even the word, rescue, shows that apparently things were wrong that needed rescue. There was danger that needed rescue, and we thank God for what we have been able to do. And today we are proud to say that Imo is not the same any more and Imo has been rescued in many respects of human endeavor. We are very happy. Looking six years down the line, we can pinpoint a good number of projects and we have been able to touch the lives of the people for the better. Basically, what we came in for was to rescue the people from ignorance and poverty and to chart a new course for the people.

Let us go to the education programme. One time there was report that you said workers should go to work for three days a week and go to farm for two days a week. Does that affect the teachers?

No. That does not affect the teachers.

Teachers must go to their normal classrooms. We are looking at how to handle recession and we try to make agriculture the pivot on which Imo economy could rotate in the face of recession.

We said the workers should give us from 7:30 am to 5pm every day and up to Wednesday, and use Thursdays and Fridays to go to the farm. That saves the cost of transportation and money to wash your clothes, since you could use the two days to do something else and add to what you are doing and help your salary.

Ignorance and poverty; on ignorance you are talking about education, and on poverty you are talking about the economy.

That’s right.

Let’s begin with ignorance. In education what have you done?

In the area of education, we have made a lot of landmark achievements.

First is the declaration of free education from primary to secondary and the tertiary education, which has been on for the past six years. In other words, no child in Imo State pays any tuition fee to any school, be it a university, polytechnic, secondary and primary school.

And in addition, for those in the primary and secondary school, we provide them stockings, shoes, lockers and all they need to go to school. Probably the only thing we have not provided them is their underwears. And I am hoping to do that before the end of the two years. Again, the infrastructures have been way better, much better than they had ever been. Today we have built over 502 new schools. I am talking about schools that are 12 classroom, 24 classroom or 100 classroom blocks, all standing on two floors. We are no longer doing bungalow in Imo State.

We have been able to train our teachers and we now have more capable hands. But the challenge we now have is population explosion. When I came in as governor in 2011, the number of students in the public schools stood at 376,000, but we now have over 875,000 students in public schools because of the free education, and we are doing well. Take for instance, in JAMB, the

total number of Imo students that took JAMB was over 104,000. That’s to tell you that the free education we have in the state is working.

Is this the total number of the students that took JAMB or the number that excelled?

Sat and excelled. We have been doing this for the past six years since I came in as the governor. So, education, which is human capital-intensive development has done well in the state.

How would you respond to the claim by one writer who said that you spent about N600m for Christmas decoration when the teachers were owed eight months in salary arrears and pension-

ers owed arrears of pension? The last time you were here, the teachers were not going to school. How would you respond to that?

I don’t think you got it right this time.

There has never been any time the teachers went on strike in my administration.

Quite frankly, we are not owing salary.

We don’t owe N1 salary to any worker in Imo State, and that is to tell you what we are doing in the state. We are talking about N600M Chritsmas decoration.

That sounds funny. It is not realistic. But you see, in this life, some people who rarely see can always say things that are not in physical reality. What they could have said is that, may be the man was overwhelmed by the beauty of the state and he concludes with the figure,

Doesn’t that negate the principle of the civil service that says that civil servants must work for certain hours a w week?

It does not. And let me tell you, do they even make the five days a week?

If you go there from Monday to Friday you would not see anybody. But if they can go to work from Mondays to Wednesdays and go to their farms from Thursdays to Fridays and use Saturdays for burials, that would be good for us. What we have now is that people now use Mondays and Tuesdays for burials and when you go to the offices you wouldn’t see anybody and they would say they have gonfor burials. We wanted solid three days of work for the workers, and given the fact that we are passing through a recession, we must think outside the box. If they all depend on the meager salaries they get, they cannot perform.

So, do you pay them their full salaries, working three days a week?

We paythem full salaries, working threedays a week. But the problem is that they were scared that they were going to get half of their salaries for working three days a week. That was the arrangement we had in Imo. But the one you talked about was when the workers complained about their salary. It was

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POLITICS

six years after –Gov. Okorocha their proposal that we should do 70%/30%.

The issue is that even when you were paying them 70% you were forcing them to sign that they are taking full salaries?

No. We are not paying 70% salary.

We are paying 70% of the total income of the state to the workers. What that means is that both our IGR and subvention, whatever comes to the state, 70% of it is paid to about 40,000 workers of Imo State, while the remaining 5 million people make use of the remaining 30% for infrastructure development. This is only fair. What happened was that there was a time when the workers said they would have 70% of what comes to the state. The people think that there are several funds coming to the state from the federal government. They don’t think that there is only one revenue coming to the state from the federal government. Then, since that was the understanding we entered a deal to give them 70% while the government takes 30%. Then the first time money entered the state was N3.7bn while the total salary we were supposed to pay was N5.3bn. I quickly took my 30% and what was left couldn’t make 50%. But even at that, we had to augment so that they could get up to 70%.

But let me tell you something you don’t know. The fact is that Imo State pays the highest salary of workers than most states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Get this point right. Take for instance, Law Officers in some states take home N170 or N180,000, but Imo State pays N390,000 and N480,000.

Now, you come to the Magistrates, some states pay about N300,000, but Imo State pays N520,000. A level 9 civil servant in Imo State collects about N107 when their colleagues elsewhere collect about N90,000. The discrepancy is too much. Yes, down the line we have counted what we have spent and it is in excess of what other states have spent.

We have spent over N16.9bn extra. Even when recession came, because we were paying until recession came, and we agreed on 70/30, what they collect out of their 70% is still far higher than what most states pay.

It means that you needed to generate more funds internally?

That’s right.

Let’s go to the other part. You said you wanted to tackle poverty, which is economic transformation. What have you done in that regard to ensure that your IGR rises?

Well, let me talk about IGR. You have to do IGR with a human face. How do you raise IGR in states like Imo or Zamfara? It is not like Lagos where you have all the factories and businesses. These are basically civil servants states and you don’t have industries or factories.

The maximum IGR for Imo State stands at N556M or N800M. We are trying to improve on that. But if you go all the way and want to tax people, it will be too hard on them. So you do this IGR with human face. But what we have done really in terms of IGR is that in order to remove poverty from the people, the free education policy has worked like magic.

Before I came, secondary school students were paying N5,000 a term and some were paying N15,000. Primary

That’s right.

That’s what I am saying. You are saying that whatever is generated from the oil palm production goes to the individuals.

It goes to the community government.

How then do you get money into your state’s coffers?

We generate funds from the IGR. We have several subheads of IGR that bring in money. We have money coming from the government. Take for instance, the Imo Palm Plantation that generated N3.2bn. We concessioned that but that is just one of it. There are other subheads. Like the Concorde Hotel that we concessioned and it is bringing in money. There are so many areas.

They say when you go to Owerri all you see is hotels. They don’t see anything happen.

It is tourism. Tourism in action. Let me tell you something…

(Cuts in)… Do you have tourist sites?

Yes, we do. Outside Lagos and Abuja, Owerri is probably the fastest growing city today in Nigeria. So, during the weekends you don’t have rooms because there is influx of people because of tourism, and the environment is cool.

People come for holidays in Owerri.

So what sites do you have in Owerri that people go to see?

We have Oguta Lake. It is still there but not fully developed. We have one of the best lakes.

• Gov. Okorocha schools were also paying. And this constituted of the poor people. For your child to be in the public schools means you are of the low or middle class. The high rank members of the society were not sending their children there. So, we understand that 2/4 of the population have their children in the public schools.

And since we removed the issue of school fees you no longer see the widows selling their goats and wrappers or begging uncles to pay the school fees of their children, and that removes poverty.

In fact, the poverty rate as recorded

by World Bank in 2010 stood at about 56% in Imo State before I came in. As at today, the poverty rate by the same World Bank has come to 14%. Imagine that from 56% it has come down to 14%.

What is the magic? The widows and the market women do not have to bother how to pay the school fees of their children anymore, and they are better for it. So, these are some of the things we have done to alleviate poverty and fight ignorance in the state.

You talked about giving a human face and that people are not overtaxed.

Now, let us look at how you have been able to harness the natural endowment you have in the state. I know that you were talking about the palm oil production plant. How far has it gone?

What we did was that we had a programme – I don’t know if you are conversant with this. In Imo State we run the fourth tier of government: we have the federal government, the state government, the local government and the community government. Because

I believe that every society has the capacity to develop themselves and they work better when they work as a community. In our culture, people work better as a community than as a state.

Community is defined as a people who have the same interest. They have the same pain and understand each other.

At that level, there is no corruption and all hands are on deck. We made sure that every community planted one hectare of palm. Today we are proud to say that we have over 734 hectares of palm plantation which is helping the communities meet up their needs. This is what we have done. We have the Adapalm, which we changed to Imo Palm Plantation and we have concessioned that out and we made our first money there with which we built the schools, though we have problem with the concessionaire and the communities. Other than that, the palm is the best way to go.

How much has it generated for the state, for instance?

It is generating for the individuals. It is an empowerment programme. It is for the communities. They bring nothing back to the state. We encourage them to develop themselves.

Are you saying to me really that all you have done is that you have just saved money by making education free?

How? I don’t understand your question. Save money, how?

You said that you observed that if you give free education people would not spend and they would be able to save more money for themselves.

(Cuts in)… After six years, why is it not fully developed? This is six years…

(Angry) I know it is six years. (Apologises) Excuse me. I know it is six years but these things are done when you have investors. Governments are not good business people. There are certain things you must get PPP to run, because the government getting involved makes a mess out of it, because of the attitude of workers who feel that government business is nobody’s property. We are still looking forward to getting people to whom we can concession the place.

We have built a multi-purpose hall there and renovated the hotel to a 5-Star standard. People still go for their mini weddings. That’s not what it should be.

But we have brought in boats into the place and we intend to have our carnival there for the Christmas. Last December, we had the carnival, which brought in over 50,000 people into the state. So, a lot of tourist activities go on now in Imo State, but the most important is that people feel secured now in Owerri. That is why there is influx of people from neighbouring states.

What have you done to improve on security?

What has helped us so well is the Community Government Council. We tried to localize security with the help of the armed forces, police and DSS, and coupled with our community watch, which we introduced. It made it much easier for people to identify criminals at the local level before they even arrive at the state level. We have been able to check crime, and we are proud to say that we have recruited over 8,000 community watch officers who help fight crime within their communities.

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POLITICS

Anambra needs a youth as Hon. Ojukwu Nzubechukwu Ojukwu is the governorship candidate of Young Democratic Party (YDP) in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election. In this interview with HENRY DURU and UDEOGU OLIVER UDEOGU, the economics graduate of Abia State University, Uturu, reveals his motives for seeking the state’s number one political position.

Excerpts…

Why have you decided to run for the governorship of Anambra?

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State like Anambra is full of potentials, full of talents and has done well in so many areas. However, with what has been happening, you find out that a good number of areas have not been addressed. A State like Anambra has so much money, yet 60 to 70 percent of our youths are not employed. Our leaders, including the present administration, have done their bits in the past, but you discover that if they had been given N100 to work with, they made use of only N10 while the remaining N90 ended up in private pockets.

I have had chats with previous governors including Madinuju and Ezeife and they made their comments. But, I believe that time is ripe to bring good governance to our people, for us to ensure that youths participate in the governing process. An old man cannot address the problems of a young man. A 60-year-old man cannot understand or solve the problems of a 30-yearold man.

You find that so many of our youths are jobless, still eating from the pot of their mother. This and so many other things should be changed. All these issues have prompted me to run for the office of the governor of Anambra State come November 18 2017; to make some changes. A lot of things that have not been seen in Anambra, we can do them. There is so much potential, so much untapped IGR. There are so many areas we can work on. Besides, a reasonable leader should be able to create many sources of revenue and not relying on allocations only.

The government should be able to touch the lives of everybody – children, youths and old people. For instance, it is unfortunate that in a state like Anambra, children still pay school fees.

The fact is that a state like Anambra should operate free education from the nursery, primary, secondary to the university level. It is realizable if there is a good leader to enforce it.

If elected governor of Anambra State, I will institute a trust fund, which I will call Anambra Investment Trust Fund. This fund should be able to help us in tapping potentials and talents that are abound in our people. You could imagine a young boy of 16 or 17 years being able to build an aircraft using cartons and other materials; if he is encouraged, he would be able to build us a real aircraft.

A pregnant woman in the state, from the time of conception to the time of childbirth, receives no support from the government. She pays for everything from the day one to the last. What is the essence of government? What are they doing with the money? The incumbent government boasts that it pays salaries. Paying salaries is not an achievement. I have articulated these and other things in my manifesto, on my website and in other media interviews I have granted.

By the grace of God, if I have the mandate of Anambrarians and emerge as the governor of the state – the youngest in the history of Nigeria – I think the dream of the Dubai of Africa (as originated by Soludo) will become a reality in real time.

Also we asked the question, “what brings investors in a state like Anambra State?”

As a chartered economist, I know of what is called Foreign Direct Investment. If you create the enabling environment, you will attract investments. For instance, if you tackle the issue of power by ensuring that industrial areas in particular have sufficient power supply, you will attract investors. The government can initiate independent power projects to help boost productivity and thus have these idol youths em-

ambition considering that you are from the Central Zone that last held the position for 11 consecutive years?

When it comes to delivering good governance to the people, zoning should not be an issue. That is the new mentality of our party. For instance, we have through Senator Hope Uzodinma, introduced a bill in the National Assembly to tackle the current scenario whereby if you are not up to 35 years you cannot contest to be a governor, though at 18 you can vote. It should be made that once you are capable of voting you should be capable of being voted for as well.

That’s the same way we see zoning. When you have someone that has the capacity to deliver good governance, you should not allow zoning to stand in the way of progress. However, in my party, we still have an arrangement to accommodate zoning. For instance, I have a running mate who happens to come from the same zone as Obiano.

Nevertheless, with Obiano, the respect we have for zoning has diminished. He failed us. This is a man that came up with Anambra rice. You went to Thailand and imported rice, re-bagged it and branded it Anambra rice. We have the documents. The quantity they produce here (in Anambra) is so infinitesimal to account for the number of bags that has been distributed. We have the facts. The same man, because he wanted to give himself a good name, perpetrated the same deceit in regard to vegetables – pumpkins, waterleaf and others. Is this the kind of man that we should leave as governor because he is from Anambra North? It cannot be possible. Time to stop deceiving ourselves is now. Secondly, Obiano is an old man, he is over 59. We should not leave our destiny in the hands of a man who does not understand where it pains us. We should go for a young man who shares our pains and our aspirations, and that is why I have come out.

ployed in the agricultural sector, the manufacturing sector and other sectors, which would have a multiplier effect and wealth will be created everywhere.

I had a chat with Chris Ngige, the Minister for Labour and Employment, he said something; that Anambra has potentials but has no leaders.

That is why I have come out and offering myself to be elected as governor.

You mentioned that past administrations in the state had failed to fully utilize the funds made available to them due to corruption; how do you intend to address the problem in the event you are elected?

If I become the governor, there is going to be a committee. I call it Special Coordinating Committee. This committee is going to sit on the finances of the state. We are going to get people from the three senatorial zones of Anambra State. We are going to get professionals, those who are sound in accounting and finance and also people who are passionate about moving Anambra forward. This committee is going to, number one,

look into the IGR we realize in this state, ensure it is systematically and transparently managed, that everything is receipted. If you have a committee sitting on the finance of the state, it will be very difficult for a governor to steal. You can convince and connive with a few officials in your cabinet, but when you have a committee that is independent you cannot do that. I remember that late Mala Kachalla, former Governor of Bornu State, did that and he did very well. So what I am saying in essence is that with that committee, I will be able to plug the leakages in the IGR, make its management systematic and accountable. Every kobo of Anambra State should be accounted for.

There has been this feeling that since Anambra North had never had a shot at the governorship of the state except now that Obiano is on the mantle, they should be allowed to complete two tenures before it rotates to another zone for equity sake, even if they would have to go for another candidate if one feels Obiano has failed. How would you reconcile this with your

Considering your young age, many people would wonder whether you have garnered enough experience to competently handle the office you are aspiring to; what do you have to say on this?

By the grace of God I am a chartered economist and a successful businessman. I am the owner of Davonch Oil. I run Davonch Group under which there is Davonch Energy Limited, Davoch Investments Limited, Davonch Properties Limited. And by the grace of God, we have been able to take a lot of young people out of the streets; we have contributed in creating jobs.

I have employed so many.

I have been able to make achievements as an individual. In the area of politics, I have worked with some good politicians. I have contributed my little quota. I have done some projects both within and outside my community. I have given scholarships to some people who could not afford to fund their education.

I think with all these and the little experience I have had in the business world, I am emboldened and motivated to join the governorship race.

Having joined this race, I have some people who say to me “Hon. Ojukwu even if you want to go back now, it is too late”. They say “because we needed a driver, we needed a vehicle and now we have a purpose but do not have a vehicle and a driver, you are the vehicle, you are the driver, you must move us, we must go; there is no going back.” They say this in the knowledge that if we don’t solve this problem now, we are going to push it down to the next generation to solve, and probably they may not be able to

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POLITICS

governor –Hon. Ojukwu solve it.

Do you think your party, the YDP, can contend with APGA, PDP and APC? I tell you something; we are already winning.

If I tell you the level of attack we are having currently, you will marvel. At our national secretariat, there is no single month we don’t have invitation (from the security agencies). That tells you that we are already a threat to some people.

At a time I spoke with the DIG (Deputy Inspector General of Police) Admin and he said to me, “if you are going to your state, you have to go with protection.” I said, “oga, I am a youth, I can defend myself.”

All of us know that this government has failed.

Chris Ngige knows that it is not easy for APC to win the governorship of Anambra. I told Chris Ngige, “if you know that APC will easily win the governorship (you have always been interested in becoming governor), why not resign as a minister and contest?” He will not do that because he knows that it will be a big gamble.

Let me tell you, the only contender I have in this journey is Obiano. Why? Obiano is the incumbent. He has the funds. With his incumbent power and funds, I know it is going to be tough but I will defeat him. The voters in Anambra are 90 percent youth, go and check INEC register.

And now the youth are angry, and prior to now, the governorship of Anambra State had been decided from the centre (federal). But now the President of this country, Muhammadu Buahri, does not even give a damn. This is a man who locked up his in-law in an underground cell because he collected kickback. This is the man that told his wife to retire to the other room and kitchen. So, if he is thinking Federal might will save him, he is deceiving himself.

PDP is already in a mess. I was in PDP before.

Hon. Ojukwu We decided to leave PDP because PDP is gone.

We decided to form this platform to liberate our state from the hands of these old men, these

blood suckers that have refused to allow this state to move forward.

Anambra is one state that has the potential to become a city state; how do you intend to realise Anambra as the “Dubai of Africa”?

I will do three things. One is massive attention to SMEs. I always say this; Mrs Oputa failed in Bank of Industry; former Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Magnus Kpakol, failed in NAPEP. Why? Ninety percent of all the money given to them was mismanaged; they allowed politicians and thieves to embezzle it. For instance, Jimoh Ibrahim collected N268bn from Bank of Industry through UBA Capitals to finance dead Air Nigeria and the money ended up in the pockets of their cronies. Two years, three years and the money is gone. So what am I saying in essence? The trust fund I mentioned earlier is going to be vital here. Imagine if I devout minimum of 1Nbn in a year to SMEs and empower those who have the capacity to help themselves. This way, I will stimulate internal productivity and the effect will diffuse from families to the community and ultimately to the state and the nation.

Secondly, I am going to invest heavily in independent power projects. How do I do this? I am going to get private investors who and give them palliative measures. They are going to invest in Anambra industrial layouts where power is actually needed.

Thirdly, I will pursue tax incentives. Dubai is Dubai today because there is tax incentive. People who built Dubai are Americans. People who built China are Americans. Because of the high taxations in their country, they relocated their investments to China because of cheap tax, cheap labour and maximum output.

If these three things are put together, I tell you, the “Dubai of Africa” which Prof. Chukwuma Soludo talked about would become a reality. He will be happy. I will invite him to come and inaugurate and celebrate the achievement.

Philanthropist bags Oracle of Wisdom award …Donates hostel block to Tansian University From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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ANSIAN University, Umunya, Anambra State, has honoured Enugu-State born philanthropist and politician, Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu, with “2017 Oracle of Wisdom Award”.

The institution said the award was in appreciation of his longstanding support to her, youths and the less privileged in Enugu, his home state, and beyond.

The award took place at the Msgr Rechberger Hall at the institution’s permanent site during the 2017 special annual lecture of the Department of Philosophy.

Delivering Owelle’s citation before the award conferment, a top staff member of the institution, Dr. Peter Ejikeme, pointed out that Owelle had always emerged first in most of his endeavours, describing him as a free giver.

According to Dr. Peter, Owelle Ejikeme was the only one who summoned rare courage, at 23, to approach late Nigeria’s President, Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, and requested the elder statesman to confer the title of Owelle of Nsukka on him, adding that late Zik obliged him that before he passed on.

He stated that the university found Owelle worthy of the award because of his many exploits and humanitarian gestures, pointing out that he was the founder/coordinator of several social and pressure and support groups, some of which were National Youth Solidarity for Good Governance (NYSGG), through which he galvanized support for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid and Gburu Gburu Support Group (GGSG), which he said, was instrumental to the success of the incumbent governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the 2015 governorship polls.

“In recognition of his wisdom and economic development in Nigeria, and in appreciation of his kind support to our university and humanity, we find Owelle Barr Ejikeme Odumegwu worthy to be conferred with the prestigious honour of 2017 Oracle of Wisdom Award,” he said.

While presenting the award plaque to Owelle, Rev Fr Prof Celestine Mbegbu noted that the recipient had made cash donations to the university in the past and encouraged him to keep up his life of charity, assuring him that God would

not leave him unrewarded.

In his acceptance speech, Owelle Odumegwu thanked the organisers and university authority for finding him worthy of the award, with a pledge to keep supporting the institution in any form that falls within his capacity.

Corroborating some lines of his citation as read by Dr. Ejikeme, Owelle noted that it was true that he actually visited the late Zik at age 23 and asked him to confer the title of Owelle on him. He described the journey to his eventual reception of the title as very long, windy and story-for-anotherday, adding that Zik later passed on two years after conferring the title on him.

“Most of my actions – be it charity and otherwise – usually emanate from divine dream messages. As regards my Owelle title, it all started when Jesus appeared to me in the dream when I was 23, and asked me to go to late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, and ask him to confer a chieftaincy title of Owelle of Nsukka on me. I would not bore you with the story because the journey to the eventual reception of the title is a story for another day. But I have to state that it was not made cumbersome by Zik but by my own people.

You know what happens to somebody ‘whose father has no name’ in this country,” he said.

The politician, who hails from Umuopu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, stated that he was humbled by the award, pointing out that, “it shows that people are really observing my little contributions at making life better for those around me. This award will surely spur me to do more. And on that note, I announce my willingness to donate a hostel block to the Tansian University, and request that the university authority allow me that opportunity.

Kindly communicate to me your preferred site for the project immediately”.

He explained that his decision to construct a hostel block in the university was to enable him establish a permanent bond with the institution, which he said, he loved so much, adding that he would as well send one of his children to study at the school so as to further cement the bond. After his announcement, many guests, members of the university staff and students who were present at the event, went haywire in excitement amid shouts of various eulogizing phrases.

The event attracted dignitaries such as the Vice Chancel-

• Owelle displays the award after the event. He is flanked

by Dr. Peter Ejikeme of Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya, Anamambra State lor of the university, Prof Chima B. Iwuchukwu, who was the chief host; Chairman Board of Trustees of the university, Very Rev. Msgr. Johnbosco Akam; Prof. Maduabuchi Dukor of the Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the lead paper presenter, Very Rev. Fr. Prof Marcel Onyeocha, of the Imo State University, Owerri among others.

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‘FG must create more states in the South-East’

PEDRO AZUOGU has been the Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Abia State Branch since 2014. Also, he is the South East zonal treasurer of the organization and Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Abia State chapter. In this interview with BONIFACE OKORO, Azuogu speaks of challenges facing the group, decries the human rights record of the federal government and opines that only the creation of two additional states in the South East would bring about proper integration of the zone into Nigeria. Excerpts:

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agencies.

We are not really comfortable, we are not happy about the whole thing. But it is a gradual thing. So, my take is that the civil society will continue to trudge on and continue to play the watchdog that we have been playing.

INCE you assumed the leadership of the CLO at the state branch level, what have been the achievements you have recorded and in the same stretch, what have been the challenges?

Before I became the chairman of CLO in Abia, the organization was almost comatose.

But, by the time I took off, I discovered that the reason the organisation was in a sleepy state was because Abia, as a state, is a peculiar state, no thanks to the fact that when Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was the governor of Abia State, from 1999 to 2007, it was not easy to challenge the activities of his government.

So, when eventually I became the chairman during the days of Chief Theodore Orji, we adopted what I will describe as constructive engagement because in 1999 when the civil society fought the military to a standstill and then made them surrender power to the civilians, constructive engagement was adopted as the main plank for pursuit of activism and not frontal criticism. So, somehow, because the CLO at the national level started having problem and the problem is still lingering up till today, the activities of CLO dwindled, even to the lowest ebb. So, everything now was consigned to states and then, considering the fact that one needs money to carry out activities of any sort, it was not very easy to even call monthly meetings.

The modest achievements we have had so far in Abia State centre principally on bringing the awareness of the existence of CLO to the fore through the media and some people have started getting registered as new members. Currently we are pursuing the case of a woman whose husband abandoned and sold off their building in Aba and judgment would be given on the matter soon.

Talking about challenges, they are enormous, unlike before when we used to have grants from international donors. So, because CLO doesn’t have even a national office now, it is no longer possible for donors to come to our aid. So, we are really having it so rough. But somehow, some weeks ago, at the zonal level, the five chairmen of the South East came together and decided to revive the organization at the zonal level. We have started with assessing the performance of governors in the zone, beginning with Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

And we have decided that every month, we are going to be X-raying the activities and achievements, problems or challenges and failures of each of the South East governors.

Democracy in Nigeria has been uninterrupted for 18 years since transition from military rule in 1999. From the perspective of the CLO, are we improving on our human rights records It is so surprising that between 1999 and 2015, I will say there has been no so much of infractions of human rights, outside the Zakibiam and Odi massacres during the days of President Olusegun Obasanjo, excepting some little pockets of Police harassments here and there.

But I will tell you that between 2015 and now, what we are witnessing is almost akin to the military era. One fears to suspect whether it is because the man at the helm of

Like this EFCC issue, what do you make of its perceived media trial; is it a good way of fighting corruption?

If I am to talk as a lawyer, it is roundly condemnable. The media trial of persons, who are alleged to have stolen monies or, may be, committed one form of fraud or the other, is completely objectionable and absurd. Because the normal and real situation is that when somebody is accused of any wrongdoing, an organisation like EFCC is supposed to do a silent investigation so that at the end of the day, once somebody is arraigned, they will have grips of facts and evidence to present before the court.

I want to believe that the helmsman of EFCC, probably because he’s been battling for his confirmation, he is just using the media. To me, it is mere razzmatazz, declaring that monies have been discovered. The worst is that some of these monies have no identities of their owners. How would you go out to say you have found an amount of money without taking time, silently, to find out who owns the money?

affairs presently was a military Head of State.

So, probably he is not comfortable with the slow pace of litigations in court and due process. So, our human rights record is almost nose-diving and it is not healthy for our democracy.

So, generally speaking, our human rights record presently is not something to write home about because we are even experiencing Police brutality. You can see what is happening to Biafra agitators, people who are not carrying arms but merely coming out to the streets to say one thing or the other and they are mowed down in their hundreds.

That is not good for us. Agitation cannot be compared with insurgency. That is obvious.

So, we don’t know why unarmed agitators are being mowed down. That was one of the things we condemned in our Press Conference in Anambra.

As you mentioned, we have seen cases where courts give rulings and the federal government in particular, refuses to obey.

Does it speak well of our democracy and our human rights record?

It doesn’t and it is so pitiable. Look at the case of Nnamdi Kanu (who has just been released) and Col Sambo Dasuki. Both local courts and international courts (ECOWAS court) have given legal pronouncements for their being unhooked. They are still being held behind bars. This is exactly what used to

happen during the military era. And all voices of reasoning have been talking and the President, Muhammadu Buhari, is not listening and I don’t know whether it is he as a person that has made up his mind that court orders should not be respected or the cabals, as it were, around him. But whichever way, he is the man who is on top of the game. So the failure and success of this administration must be heaped on his shoulders and on his head.

Being a group concerned with human rights record, what suggestions do you have for the improvement of our human rights record as a nation.

Well, it still boils down to the fact that at the end of the day, the task is still that of the civil society. CLO is just one arm of civil society.

Before now, whenever there was an infraction, the civil society went to court but now, it has become so obvious that even when you go to court and obtain a ruling or judgment against the government, it can never be obeyed. We are praying that civil society as a family should come together and probably see how they can form a synergy with either the Ministry of Justice or some other extra-ministerial agencies of government because we have discovered that the EFCC is assuming so much air, they have taken over the job of the Police and other investigative

Recently, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), instituted a N1 trillion suit on behalf of himself and the South East geo-political zone against the federal government. What is your take on that suit?

It is a very beautiful suit. Beautiful in the sense that since after the 3Rs (Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation) after the collapse of Biafra, we have not had any serious government policy to actually reconstruct the South East after the devastation of the three-year civil war. I think he has taken a cue from the North East Development Commission. So, what is good for the geese is also good for the gander. I think the suit is treated in the sense that the marginalisation of the South East has become something almost institutionalized, in the sense that the present government has completely abandoned the provisions of our constitution, particularly as it relates to appointments.

Again, the marginalization is not just in appointments, how about award of contracts for infrastructure? Why must it be the South East all the time that will be crying of bad roads? And most often, when certain road contracts are awarded in the South East, they deliberately give them to private road construction companies who they know would never perform and in the South East where you have heavy rainfall, if roads are not well constructed, within two to three years, they will be washed off.

So, the marginalization that the South East is talking about is not just only on appointments, it is holistic. In siting industries, Onitsha is overdue to become a seaport. What is wrong if a seaport is sited in Onitsha and what is wrong if the Lower Niger has an international airport? So, I completely and totally align myself with that suit.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Over 45m bank accounts not linked to BVN …CBN, NIBSS unsure of total number of bank accounts

Three years, four months into the introduction of the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) regime by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), there appears to be uncertainty at the various regulatory financial institutions over the actual figure of bank accounts and their holders in the country.

VICTOR NZE in this report examines the recent revelation by a financial regulatory agency of a shocking number of bank accounts not yet linked to the biometric platform in the country.

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ITH barely three months to the expiration of a deadline by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to enroll their customers onto the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) regime, there still exists over 45 million account numbers yet to be linked to the biometric technology-based system by the financial institutions where the exercise first kicked off.

It would be recalled that the CBN had in April issued a statement warning that all customers without BVN linked to their bank accounts will not be allowed to make withdrawal from those accounts, as from August 1.

The deadline for BVN registration has twice been shifted.

Similarly, another circular to all Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), including micro-finance banks, by its Director, OFIs Supervision Department, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said that it has become necessary to extend the BVN enrollment to customers of OFIs, especially as some OFIs are located in the rural areas and have customers that may not have enrolled with commercial banks.

Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Interbank Settlements System (NIBSS), and Chief Executive of Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Regha Onajite, recently disclosed in an interview that till date BVNs have been linked to 51.7 million account numbers out of a total 97.57 million bank accounts in the country.

“The Nigeria Interbank Settlements System (NIBSS) releases information about the kind of transaction we have seen happening. Last year alone, close to N40 trillion transactions were carried out through various electronic platforms. In the first quarter of this year, transactions on NEFT and NITP

hit N10 trillion.

“The Cashless policy has also brought about effective Know Your Customer (KYC) policy in the sector with 28.6 million Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) already issued.

These BVNs have also been linked to 51.7 million of the total 97.57 million bank accounts in the country,” Onajite said.

From a total number of 97.57 million bank accounts, as disclosed by Onajite, the various banks have been able to link only 51.7 million numbers to the BVN, this figure, however, leaves a rather shocking shortfall of 45.85 million bank accounts, not excluding account holders, yet to be enrolled onto the platform.

Disputing the figure, however, in a December 15, 2016 edition of an online medium, Director, Banking and Payment Systems at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Fatokun who is also responsible for issuing circulars, guidelines, policies regarding both electronic and paper-based payments, had put the total number of BVN holders in Nigeria at ‘about 25 million’, from the 28.6 figure given by NIBSS. “What this means is that the number of people who have bank accounts with one or more banks (regardless of the number of accounts each person has) cannot be more than 27 million. The extra 2 million stands for the number of people with bank accounts in Nigeria who have domiciled abroad. We only allow them to continue to operate the accounts because they have proven that they do not reside in Nigeria” he said.

For Deputy General Manager, Access Bank Plc, Dr Chukwujekwu Ozoemena, the number of bank accounts not yet linked to the BVN regime, though high, does not have any major implication as, according to him, the account owners will

CBN EXCHANGE RATES JUNE 5, 2017 Currency Buying

(NGN) US DOLLAR 304.55 Pounds Sterling 393.2654 EURO 342.4969 SWISS FRANC 315.3344 YEN 2.7551 CFA 0.5016 Yuan/Renminbi 44.7431 RIYAL 81.2003 DANISH KRONA 46.0247 SDR 421.284

Central Selling (NGN) (NGN) 305.05 305.55 393.9111 394.5567 343.0592 343.6215 315.8521 316.3698 2.7596 2.7642 0.5116 0.5216 44.817 44.8909 81.3337 81.467 46.1003 46.1758 421.9757 422.6673

Adults with an account at a formanl financial institution

get or link a BVN whenever they are ready to transact on the account.’

Continuing, Ozoemena said: “The account holders cannot make an over-the-counter withdrawal or deposits without a BVN. But all banks have BVN machines in their branches, including mobile BVN machines, so it cannot be a problem.”

However, Kingsley Osuji, a financial analyst, believes that the problem is not with new transactions but instead with account holders with monies long domiciled in banks before the introduction of BVN or during the window for extension of deadlines.

“Those who deposited illegal money in the banks can assume that those funds are hidden from prying eyes. The funds are not needed, so nobody can trace them. That’s where the problem is. You cannot have so many accounts still not linked to the system by now after over three years of the BVN. Stolen funds are still hid-

ing in those accounts,” he said.

The BVN regime was launched by the CBN on February 14, 2014. The process involves the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology. This record can be used to correctly identify the person afterward.

According to the CBN, the BVN policy became necessary as the absence of a unique identifier in the banking industry had become a major challenge inhibiting the effectiveness of the Know Your Customer (KYC) principle.

Experts say that beyond nipping efraud in the bud and nabbing ghost workers, the BVN with over 45 million un-enrolled bank account numbers is not yet to tackle other forms corruption outside the public service, especially against the backdrop of shocking revelation at the top regulatory institutions over how many account holders actually exist in the country.

•Tourism

Energy

Environment: Chevron cuts gas flare by 90 percent P16

e-Platform Global tech giants back Nigeria’s ICT University project P17

Aviation African airlines’ grow capacity by 17.7% -- IATA P20

Insurance

Insurers decry dearth of sexpertise in Africa P23

Stock Market Highlights As At 5 June, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume

32,578.38 7,024.00 640,439,207.00 7,675,245,294.72 11,262,526,136,498.84 Value

5 Top Gainers Company Last Close Current Change NESTLE 918.76 955 36.24 MOBIL 290 319.72 29.72 DANGCEM 192.93 210 17.07 TOTAL 265 270 5 CONOIL 37.35 41.17 3.82

Top Losers Company Last Close Current Change 1. FBNH 90,559,560 639,156,967.25 NB 160.05 155.5 -4.55 14.15 13.45 -0.7 2. FCMB 84,589,344 109,501,187.53 UNIONDICON PZ 19.27 19 -0.27 3. FIDELITYBK 69,546,439 89,422,314.18 4. ZENITHBANK 54,883,738 1,115,558,347.83 CUTIX 2.11 2.02 -0.09 5. SKYEBANK 49,087,961 25,090,967.76 INTBREW 24.19 24.13 -0.06

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

BUSINESS 10,000MWwill be achieved by 2019 –Fashola

By CHRIS EBONG, Lagos

M

inister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that the 10,000 megawatts target given by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance electricity supply in the country will be achieved by the end of 2019.

Fashola who stated this while speaking as a guest on a television show, said: “Sometimes when we sustain energy over 4,000 or 5,000 the feedback I get suggests to me that if we added a little more, we might as well be getting a little closer, but we must continue to work harder.”

According to him, the administration inherited 2,690 megawatts on the grid when it came into power on May 29, 2015, while the amount increased to 4,014 megawatts as at May 29, 2017. He explained that by February 2016 the megawatts increased to 5,074 only for it to drop to the level it is now due to attacks on the pipelines.

“We have had 16 consecutive attacks on the pipeline since we grew to 5,074 megawatts,” the minister said.

Gas flaring, a national embarrassment – Saraki, NNPC

By VICTOR NZE

T

he Senate has described the continued incidence of gas flaring in the country as a national embarrassment, even as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pledged its support for any legislative process to end Gas flaring in the country.

Group Managing Director of the company, Dr Maikanti Baru, who said this in Abuja in a statement by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division NNPC, last weekend, said the Corporation considered the legislation from its financial benefits rather than seeing it from the point of view of a penalty.

Baru who made the pledge during his submission at a one-day public hearing on Gas Flaring Prohi-

bition Bill 2017, at the National Assembly, further expressed NNPC’s strong support for the legislation to reduce gas flaring.

He was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Mr Yusuf Matashi.

“NNPC supports the legislative intervention to prohibit gas flaring in line with global best practices, considering its negative impacts on the environment and the communities where the gas is flared.

NPDC, the Exploration and Production arm of the Corporation, is going ahead to see that the monetization of flared gas is realized despite the challenges of the past,” Baru said.

He said that NPDC was the highest gas supplier to Nigerian domestic market and was therefore

committed to the reduction and elimination of gas flaring to generate more revenue for the country.

Earlier, Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Nallah, while declaring open the public hearing said the issue of gas flaring was a national embarrassment.

He added that the 8th Senate was committed to enacting a legislation that would end gas flaring in the country.

“Gas flaring is as old as crude oil exploration in the country. We are, therefore, committed to this legislation which seeks to put an end to gas flaring which has deprived the nation of huge revenue, impacted the lives of oil producing areas negatively and depleted the ozone layers,” Saraki said.

On his part, the Senate Committee Chairman on Gas, Senator Albert Bassey, stated that the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill 2017 served as a legislative panacea to end gas flaring in the country.

On May 28, the Senate began legislative processes aimed at prohibiting gas flaring and imposing stiffer penalties on defaulting oil and gas firms, as proposed by the Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill 2017.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bassey Akpan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, is intended to address the inadequacies and shortcomings of the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act of 1979, provide stiffer penalties in line with current economic realities, and ensure the achievement of the National Flares-out Target of January 1, 2030.

FG’s support for Made-in-Nigeria goods will boost SMEs – Nmonwu

By VICTOR NZE

R

egional Director for Sage in West Africa, Magnus Nmonwu, has commended the Federal Government for putting the spotlight on local manufacturers through initiatives such as the Made-in-Nigeria Dress Days and an Executive Order compelling state agencies to direct at 40 per cent of procurement to Made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

“Local service providers and manufacturers could play an important role in the revival of Nigeria’s economy,” he adds. “We welcome the effort to encourage industrialisation and diversify the economy from commodities into new areas. Strong local demand is the foundation of a manufacturing sector that can grow into an export industry.”

“Government is putting its money where its mouth is with its Executive Order and giving the public a good example to follow.

However, there is scope for the public sector to do more to encourage the growth of small businesses in Nigeria, including tax incentives for local producers, support in accessing finance, and facilitating mentoring and skills development programmes between small business and bigger companies.

“Government should encourage small businesses to adopt business software so that they can improve regulatory compliance and financial controls. This could also help in tracking the performance of those that benefit from state loans and incentives, and hold them accountable,” said Nmonwu.

Continuing, Nmonwu said: “The sooner we start supporting our proudly Nigerian suppliers and service providers, the better for us.

With our support, they can create wealth and jobs for the country, and many of them could grow into globally competitive exporters.”

•L-R: Company Secretary, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. Miriam Kachikwu; Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Roger Brown; Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. Ambrose Orjiako; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Austin Avuru; Director, Mr. Basil Omiyi and General Manager, External Affairs and Communications Seplat, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, during the 4th Annual General Meeting of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc at Civil Centre in Lagos.

NSE launches capital market academy

By SAMSON AKINTARO

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched X-Academy, a knowledge-platform designed to provide education services to individuals who want to gain a better understanding of various aspects of the capital markets. The academy, according to NSE would a wide range of courses geared towards bridging the knowledge gap of dealing members, issuers, investors and the general public about products and services of the capital market.

The bourse noted the establishment of X-Academy was consistent with the Exchange’s tradition

of pioneering far-reaching innovations within the Nigerian capital market. It also feeds directly into the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) which was launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2012 to reduce the number of adult Nigerians who are financially excluded, from 46.3% in 2010 to 20% in 2020.

Speaking to journalists at the interactive session, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema,, noted that the training programmes at X-Academy would provide individuals and businesses with a robust and effective array of training solutions that will ensure participants are

abreast with trends in the rapidly evolving financial markets.

“As a socially responsible organization devoted to enhancing the fortunes of Nigerians and our investors, we are confident that participants of programmes offered

by X-Academy will be better positioned to make informed financial decisions”.

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Head, Corporate Services Division, Ms Pai Gamde stated that: “X-Academy is a crucial step to enhancing financial literacy levels in Nigeria and equipping professionals with requisite skill sets to deliver innovative solutions for the challenges confronting our fi-

nancial sector.

The programmes offered by XAcademy will be facilitated by seasoned and certified subject matter experts with both local and international exposure to practical experience. Partnerships with professional bodies to ensure that courses taken at X-Academy are award points under the Continuous Development Programmes of these bodies” The first training from the XAcademy, titled; ‘Legal and Risk Aspects of Derivatives and Central Counterparty Clearing (CCP) Transactions,’ is scheduled to hold from 12th–15th June 2017 at the Civic Center, Lagos.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

BUSINESS China, Indonesia, others for 12th International Trade Fair in Abuja

T

he Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has assured exhibitors that its forthcoming 12th Abuja International Trade Fair will be bigger than the previous editions in terms of number of exhibitors and other participants.

Director-General of ACCI, Mr Chijioke Ekechukwu, who gave the assurance, last Thursday, in Abuja, listed China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ecuador, Egypt and even some European countries among many others as exhibitors that would come for the fair.

“The 12th Abuja international trade fair that ACCI is going to hold this Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 is going to be bigger than the previous fairs the organisation has ever held in Abuja. I tell you that we are planning so big and we are in serious collaboration with many countries of the world and many of them have already paid for their stands. “We are going to have many countries, both local and foreign, and quite unlike before, not much awareness was created for the fair, but this year, greater awareness is being giving for the event. So this year, we are expecting that we are going to have a better, bigger trade fair exhibition,’’ the director-general said.

He commended the Federal Government for providing N220 billion loans scheme for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), adding that the loans would assist the small scale enterprise holders in their various businesses.

Ekechukwu who called on federal and state governments to remove hindrance like multiple taxation, said: “There are so many taxes that a man who starts his business today will pay such as the corporate tax, P.A.Y.E, tenement rate. I think any country that wants to grow its medium scale enterprises should actually give tax reliefs to its investors.

“In fact Ghana did it recently by giving serious tax holidays to its various businesses and now investors have begun to troop into the country because of the tax relief. And I expect the Nigerian government to do same by giving tax rebate to its investors now that the nation is in economic recession to attract investments’’, Ekechukwu said.

EU rejects 24 Nigerian food exports -- NAFDAC

T

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has disclosed that the European Union (EU) rejected 24 exported food products from Nigeria in 2016 for failing to meet standards.

The NAFDAC spokesperson, Dr Abubakar Jimoh who made the disclosure, Monday in Abuja, said the five major products are groundnut, palm oil, sesame seed and beans that were illegally exported to the EU. According to Jimoh, groundnut was rejected because it contained aflatoxin, which made the quality substandard.

“The exported palm oil did not scale through the EU’s test because it also contained a coloring agent that was carcinogenic. Beans was banned by EU some time ago but it was illegally exported to European countries.

“Beans was initially banned for one year, when EU was not satisfied with our exported beans in terms of quality assurance, it extended the ban by another two years, which expires next year.

BPE targets listing of privatised enterprises on NSE

By SAMSON AKINTARO

D

irector-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr Alex Okoh, has said that the structure of reforms being carried out by the organisation is targeted at listing of privatised enterprises on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Okoh, according to a statement

from the Bureau, stated this during a meeting with members of the technical committee on attraction of new listings to the capital market, where he pledged strong collaboration with the capital market to help strengthen the market.

“We will collaborate in reviewing what the conditions are and try to make it right for the listings.”

He, however, raised concerns

about the stability of the market and prospects of getting good value should the privatised entities be listed. “We will collaborate with you in establishing the conditions that reduces the nerves of the core investors.” He explained that there was a period of assessment of privatised entities during which the BPE examines the conditions of listing. Okoh urged the

committee to adopt a holistic approach in carrying out their assignment.

The statement also quoted Chairman of the committee, Mr Jallo Waziri, an Executive Director at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) as saying ” the exchange was engaging trade groups, regulators and quasi-regulators to actualise their mandate.”

Director, Commercial Directorate, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc., Feyi Ogoji (left); staff/second runner-up, best dressed, male category, Victor Nwanosike; winner, Abdullahi Egunjobi; Group Deputy Managing Director, Victor Osadolor; second runner-up, best dressed, female category, Amuche Aladi and Group Head, Risk Management, Kubi Momoh; during the 2017 Africa Day celebration in Lagos.

CBN forex intervention strengthens Naira further CHRIS EBONG, Lagos igerian Naira continued to sustain gain at the parallel N markets and move closer inch

to converge with the Official market rate as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) make steady interventions at the foreign exchange market.

The CBN has since February been pumping in dollars in all segments of the interbank market to ensure liquidity and availability of forex. More than $5 billion has

be a win-win situation that would grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that would be beneficial to the citizen of both countries, further hinting that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed in Johannesburg, South-Africa by September 2017.

“The essence of this relationship is that between the Province of Gauteng and the State of Lagos, we actually have the powerhouse of commerce and the economy of the two countries so you can imagine a relationship that strives to bring that economic comparative advantage bloc force into a synergy. So, that’s where our focus is; the powerhouse in South Africa and the powerhouse in Nigeria coming together to now do something instructive and also constructive to the benefit of their own people. That’s the framework with which that MOU will be driven.”

On his part, Premier of Gauteng, Mr. David Makhura who

expressed optimism that the partnership would enhance the industrial capacity of Nigeria and South Africa, said that it was high time for both Lagos and Gauteng Province to rise to the challenge and utilize their strengths for the benefit of the continent.

“We believe very strongly that Lagos State has got some industrial capacity that we can bring our business people together to check up that capacity. There is lot of innovation happening, the ICT industry, the creative industry, here in Nigeria and particularly in Lagos has got youths, professional services and financial business capacities and the economies are more or less compatible.

“So what the State of Lagos has in terms of sectors of the economy, we think if there is better synergy, better coordination, we can also look at how the two governments can support more inclusive growth,” he said.

Lagos, SA Province to sign trade deals

By VICTOR NZE

L

agos State Government and Gauteng, a Province in South Africa have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2017 to cover trade, capacity building, manufacturing and other related sectors.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who addressed Government House Correspondents shortly after a meeting with the Premier of the Province of Gauteng, Mr. David Makhura on a possible partnership on advancing trade and industrialization at the Lagos House in Ikeja, also described both City-States as the economic powerhouse of both Nigeria and South Africa.

The Governor, who disclosed plans to enter into a bi-lateral relationship with the Province of Gauteng, aimed at boosting the economic capacities of not just Nigeria and South Africa, but the continent of Africa, said it would

been injected into the market.

The naira has gained substantial ground against the United States dollar, selling at N363/$1 compared to the previous rate of N378/$1, the apex bank said.

According to market sources, the CBN is determined to ensure a convergence between the interbank and Bureau de Change (BDC) rates soon, hence the move to continue its intervention in the interbank market.

The regulator had last Tuesday intervened in the inter-bank market to the tune of $482.6 million with the Retail SMIS allocated the sum of $285,779,350, while the $100 million was offered in the Wholesale SMIS auction window.

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) window got an allocation of $52 million, while the invisibles segment, comprising Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), Personal Travel Allowance, medicals and tuition fees, among others, was allocated the sum of $45 million.

Speaking at the weekend, CBN spokesman Isaac Okorafor said there were indeed plans by the CBN to make necessary interventions in the forex market, in line with its earlier resolve to achieve forex rates convergence and liquidity in the market.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

ENERGY

Bayelsa State seeks oil prospecting license

…Suffers strings of NNPC project failures

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

B

ayelsa State, one of the key oil and gas producing states of the federation is seeking opportunities to increase its stake in the in the industry after hopes of hopes of hosting a string of projects sponsored by the federal government in the state failed.

Governor Seriake Dickson who spoke with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, in Abuja declared the intention of his government to seek direct participation in the oil and gas exploration and production to shore up its revenue base.

However, Dr. Baru instead offers the state opportunity for joint venture in an electric power project conceived to provide power for proposed industrial park in the state.

Governor Dickson whose people agitate for higher inclusion in the business opportunities provided by the country’s petroleum industry told Dr. Baru that his state would seek an Oil Prospecting License, (OPL) in the bid round, adding that his state needed such investments to legitimately earn alternate revenue that would augment the monthly fund allocation from the federal government.

The Oracle Today reports that most states of the country have floated oil firms to join the fray for stakes in the high profit upstream oil industry. Rivers States owns the Treasure Resources Limited which also seeks assets to operate in the upstream petroleum industry. Anambra State is believed to be a stake holder in Orient Petroleum Resources which operates integrated oil production, processing and trading business in the state. Akwa Ibom State also fiddled with stakes in Amakpe Refinery, a joint venture with private investors.

The move by Bayelsa to search asset stakes in the industry followed dashed hopes of seeing federal government establish viable industry projects in the state.

Previous administrations of the federal government had initiated the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (Brass LNG) project in the state but series of fiscal disputes, market outlook and issues of capital incentives stalled the investment decisions by private partners in the project which was conceived as an incorporated joint venture.

Commenting on the delay on the Final Investment Decision (FID) of Brass LNG, Dr. Baru told the governor that the private investors were looking for market offtakers from

the plant before they could stake funds in the venture.

“We have spent a lot of money on the Brass LNG project and we had planned the FID for 2012 but the shareholders were unable to secure the market due to new plants in East Africa and other developments in the industry. What the shareholders in Brass LNG are doing now is to redesign the plant and secure a market because without the market the project cannot go on,” he said.

Bayelsa state was also earmarked to host some of the modular refinery projects conceived by the government in partnership with foreign investors, but the programme never took off the ground.

Dr. Baru explained that the federal government’s modular refinery project the feasibility studies of which had been concluded was stalled due to the withdrawal of the foreign part-

•Governor Seriake Dickson

ners from the project.

He however promised that NNPC was prepared to invest in the state’s Brass Fertilizer Company project as a shareholder.

In throwing the opportunity for a power project at the governor, Dr. Baru stated that, “We have a lot of areas of collaboration. The NNPC will support Bayelsa State Government every inch of the way to deliver on the power plant in the proposed industrial park, ensure security of oil and gas infrastructure and siting of other inclusive projects that would improve the lives of the people in the communities.”

Dr. Baru said the power plant would be built at the state’s proposed industrial park, stressing that the collaboration would afford the state and NNPC the opportunity to share technical knowledge that would attract investors to the Niger Delta region.

Paris Agreement: Nigeria needs $120 bn for gas flare down ith the United States pulling W out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Nigeria’s gas

flare liability might leave it without any significant funding support for flare down.

According to industry analyst, Mr. John Osonwa, who spoke on the impact of the withdrawal by the United States from the global pact on reducing emissions, Nigeria is now stuck with how to fund obligatory gas flare reduction estimated to cost about $120 billion.

Mr. Osonwa who spoke in a live television interview stated that Nigeria carried huge liability to cut emissions arising from its petroleum industry operations gas flare, massive fumes from over 50 million micro electricity generating sets and hundreds of million cars that spend hours creeping crowded city roads before covering short distances.

Arguably, Nigeria currently ranks second after Russian in the global chart of gas emission, venting and flaring countries and thus constantly falls under radar by agencies seeking reductions in global greenhouse gas emission cuts.

Mr. Osonwa said the country’s global reputation for greenhouse gas emissions comes with proportionate pressure on the nation to do more on limiting and ultimately cutting its gas flare volumes.

According to him, gas gathering and monetization as well as reinjection would require that both government and her partners in the petroleum industry invest about $120 billion in the short to medium term in curbing emissions from the petroleum industry.

Hopes that funding assistance would come from frontline countries like the United States of America were weekend dashed when President Donald Trump declared his country’s withdrawal from the pact, promising he would later negotiate terms of future participation.

Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US from the Paris agreement on climate change, saying he wants to “renegotiate” a fairer deal that would not disadvantage US businesses and workers.

Mr Trump, who has made pulling out of the pact – which has been signed by almost 200 nations – a central plank of his run for the presidency, said that in withdrawing he was keeping his campaign promise to put American workers first.

However, the nations of France, Germany and Italy put out a statement saying that the Paris deal was “not renegotiable”. That statement followed a swift outcry from

politicians including the former US President Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said that she regretted Mr Trump’s decision but she would continue to work hard to “save the Earth”.

United States’ new money in renewable energy outpaced new investments in fossil fuels for the first time in 2015 to the tune of $350bn.

During the campaign, Mr Trump said the accord would cost the US economy trillions of dollars with no tangible benefit. Vice President Mike Pence said that Mr Trump was putting “American energy first”.

However, the numbers Mr Trump presented – notably losing 2.7 million jobs by 2025 – are inaccurate and do not take into account normal job rate loss and creation, jobs shifting towards more “green” While travelling abroad last week, Mr Trump was repeatedly pressed to stay in the deal by European leaders and the Pope.

American corporate leaders have also appealed to the businessman-turned-president to stay in the pact. They include Apple, Google and Walmart. Even fossil fuel companies such as Exxon Mobil, BP and Shell say the United States should abide by the deal.

In a Berlin speech, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that fighting climate change is a “global consensus” and an “international responsibility”.

“China in recent years has stayed true to its commitment,” said Mr Li. Last year was the warmest since records began in the 19th century, as global average temperatures continued a rise dating back decades that leading climate scientists attribute to man-made greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in the atmosphere.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted on Thursday, “Climate action is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who pressed Mr Trump to stay in the pact last week at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, described the accord as essential and said she was pleased many other governments agreed.

A recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that the world’s economies could boost economic growth by nearly three per cent by 2021 if they institute policies that would lower greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050 that growth could reach up to five per cent.

21

The Oracle Today WednesdayJune 14, 2017

FOCUS Environment: How Chevron cut gas flare by 90 percent SOPURUCHI ONWUKA examines efforts by Chevron Oil Company to restore and return drill sites to host communities in the Niger Delta.

M

ajor multinational oil producing company in Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria Limited has declared top range environmental performance in oil and gas assets under its operations, saying it has reduced gas flare at production sites by over 90 per cent.

Besides, the company which operates variegated production agreements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) claims that it did not just cut gas flares to less than 10 percent but also enhanced the country’s revenue from operated assets through gas valorisation, added fillip to gross domestic product through domestic gas supplies, and also wiped out negative footprints of the industry operations at drill sites.

The acute reduction of operations footprint on the environment is a reward for sustained investment of several billion dollars in harnessing and channelling gas away from flare booms to transmission conduits that provide industrial, commercial and domestic consumers cleaner, cheaper and more reliable fuel options for homes and business.

The feat which comes as the highpoint of the company’s participation in the 2017 World Environment Day (WED) celebrations places the company in the front row of global list of energy companies that alter the stereotype of environment hostility label on the petroleum industry to shine as the champions of earth and nature preservation.

According to figures advanced by the company’s corporate communications team, the company has evolved clear business strategies that translated investments in emissions control and environmental impact amelioration into viable commercial ventures that yield both financial and non-revenue economic benefits for asset owners and commercial partners.

“From 2008 to 2016, the NNPC/CNL JV reduced routine gas flaring by over 90% through sustained investments, demonstrating its strong commitment to elimination of routine flaring and beneficial utilization of gas resources. The company remains an industry leader in growing supply of high quality gas to the domestic and regional markets, with a strong focus on operational excellence, environmental stewardship and enduring stakeholder partnerships,” the company stated in a document to mark WED 2017.

The company says it has a strategic phase development for commercialization of produced gas throughout its operations. It listed some of the key projects to reduce gas flaring include Escravos Gas Project (EGP), West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP), Escravos Gas-to-Liquids Project (EGLP), Sonam Field Development Project, Abiteye and Makaraba Non-Associated Gas (NAG) Development projects, amongst others.

Besides the gas flare reduction, cleaner cheaper fuel for domestic economy and improved revenue base to the country through gas monetization, Chevron also beats its chest for capturing gains from operations history. The company declared in the statement that it has completely cleaned out industry footprints even from decommissioned production sites.

“CNL took inventory of its old land drill sites that are not in use and embarked on priority restoration work to return the sites to their initial states, and return the restored sites to their original owners,” the statement contains.

Delivering on the task of restoration, according to the company, entails utilizing a combination of modern afforestation techniques including natural recovery and direct planting of mangroves.

“CNL continues to develop and implement sound conservation practices through mangrove restoration, utilizing a combination of modern afforestation techniques, including natural recovery and direct planting of mangroves. CNL commenced the regeneration of the mangrove vegetation with a pilot scheme involving the planting of mangrove seedlings of different species at selected locations.”

The effort has more than story to deliver. Chevron points at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC), a thick

•Chairman/MD, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jeff Ewing. densely woven scary forest that hosts a plethora of rare animals and plants that find a haven for bionetwork in a new ecology evolved by deliberate conservatism.

Chevron stated that its commitment to preserving the environment has left enduring landmarks in the landscape, including the LCC which it describes as “a centre of excellence in environmental research and education reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.”

“This 78-­hectare facility is the only one of its kind in the Lagos area and it was established by CNL in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in 1992.”

NCF is Nigeria’s foremost non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental conservation and an affiliate of the World-Wide Fund for Nature.

Support for the LCC best connects CNL’s activities to the theme of the WED 2017 and the future, hinging on an education platform that provides connectivity to sustainable conservatism.

Chevron established a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation in 2005. The company also hosts the annual S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness.

The company is also working with the NCF on the possibility of establishing the Niger Delta Conservation Centre.

On environmental stewardship, Chevron

states that it lays the foundation for sound environmental management through inclusion of the environment in decision making from the identification, assessment and management of environmental risks at project inception, to operations and through decommissioning.

“CNL recognizes the importance of minimizing its environmental footprints and conserving biodiversity. The NNPC/CNL JV strives continually to achieve world class environmental excellence by assessing and reducing its environmental footprints and any potential impact from its operations on the environment.

“CNL, while working with relevant environmental protection agencies, has also developed and is implementing internal processes to identify, assesses, mitigate and manage potentially significant risk and impacts to human health and the environment (including natural resources) associated with its existing operations and capital projects, including emissions, releases and wastes in a consistent and systematic manner. The company effectively engages its stakeholders and obtains alignment on its projects and proposals.”

Support for sustainable conservation of natural environment, which the company noted has made environmental stewardship part of its social investments, connects Chevron’s activities to the theme of the WED 2017.

Chevron stated that it has remained an active agent of sustainable development and a strong

advocate of partnerships in support of the environment for over 50 years,.

Explaining CNL’s commitment to the environment, the Chairman/Managing Director, Jeff Ewing, noted that CNL is happy to be part of the solution to global environmental issues wherever the company operates through its sound environmental management policy that supports environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

According to him, CNL has in place a company-wide health, environment and safety guideline to ensure that its performance is world-class. “In Nigeria, our Operational Excellence obliges us to deliver industryleading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability and efficiency to achieve world-class performance. CNL has a record of responsible environmental stewardship everywhere it operates and has also established enduring partnerships with governments, non–governmental organizations, business organizations and communities. CNL has been supporting and sponsoring various programmes aimed at preserving the environment.

These partnerships and efforts have been recognized and rewarded within and outside the country,” he remarked.

Given that Chevron has driven best environmental performance leadership in the Nigerian petroleum industry for over 50 years, it would be expected that responsible organizations that track activities in the industry have continued to pour in commendations and applause.

In 1999, Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in acknowledgement of these efforts presented the company with its Environmental Achievement Award, which was the first of such awards in the industry.

Similarly, in 2001, the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) awarded CNL the Star Merit Award on Environment, in recognition of its contributions to the sustenance of the Nigerian ecology and its support for society’s activities.

Also in 2016, the company was bestowed with the “Green Label Award” by NES in recognition of CNL’s laudable projects on sustainable development of the environment, good environmental management and conservation practices.

In addition, the NCF honoured the company with two awards - Sustained Support for Environmental Excellence and Conservation Leadership - in 2002 and 2010 respectively. In 2006, the Delta State Government honoured CNL with the Best Oil Company in Oil Spill Management Practices award, while the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria gave CNL a Corporate Good Environment Health Practice Award for the company’s “commitment to responsible environmental stewardship” in Nigeria.

Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs notes that, beyond the awards, CNL is ever willing to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to safeguard the environment.

“We are continually working to improve our processes to reduce pollution and waste, conserve natural resources, and reduce potentially negative environmental impacts of our activities and operations,” he remarked.

The Oracle Today reports that the World Environment Day (WED), established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1972 and held annually on June 5, is the biggest event to celebrate and promote environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe. WED aims to raise global awareness and mobilize humans to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.

From 1973, when the first WED was held, the event has always been marked with different campaign themes and discussions focusing on environmental stewardship.

With the theme: ‘Connecting People to Nature’, WED Day 2017 implores everyone to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. According to the UN, the 2017 WED invites people to think about how they are part of nature and how intimately they depend on it.

Chevron is not only ahead of these expectations by providing leadership, but has also established enduring legacies and processes that guarantee sustainability.

22

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 14, 2017

e-Platform

By SAMSON AKINTARO

A

S preparations hit top gear for the establishment of the first Information and Communications Technology (ICT) University in the country, multinational ICT companies in the country are said to have thrown their weights behind the quest, pledging their expertise, facilities and funds to make the project a success. The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the implementation committee on the proposed ICT University, said the industry giants have expressed their unequivocal support for this project with pledges in the provision of faculty, library content, syllabus, logistics, including funds towards the realization of the ICT University of Nigeria. Already, the Federal Government had earmarked a sum of N166.6 million for the project in the 2017 budget.

These tech giants, according to the Minister, include CISCO, Facebook, Huawei, MTN, D-LINKS, Globacom, Lenovo, Samsung, Apple, Siemens -Nortel, INTEL, Motorola, Ericsson, DELL, HP, ZTE and IBM. “In other words, we shall be partnering with some of these globally-acknowledged ICT giants to run the ICT University of Nigeria on a publicprivate partnership basis” the Minister said.

While the inauguration of the implementation committee for the project, which took place on June 1st , would mean late delivery of the project contrary to the Minster’s promise late last year that the University would be up and running by this same June, Shittu declared that the University would offer varieties of programmes aimed at providing specialist knowledge and expertise required for a professional career in the broad field of Information Communication Technology such as Telecommunications, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Robotic embedded systems, Computer forensics, digital media and Entertainment technology. He added that the University would also be expected to offer skills development programmes in emerging and transformational technologies such as Cloud Computing and Big Data.

Noting that the establishment of a specialized ICT University is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, the Minister said, “such institutions located around the globe include the Multimedia University of Malaysia; IT University of Gutenberg, Sweden; IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark; the Informatics Institute in Singapore; University of Information Technology and Management, Poland; Jaypee University of Information Technologies, India; Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Uzbekistan; Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications in China; and the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications”.

On the benefits of the project, Shittu said the university would

Global tech giants back Nigeria’s ICT University project meet the need for capacity of ICT education in Nigeria to be strengthened to provide the required skills. “It is also my hope that the seamless linkage which would be created between the academia and industry as a result of the establishment of the ICT University of Nigeria will not only lead to constant improvement of the curriculum, but also drive innovation through joint research and development programmes. Of course, the unquantifiable benefits of this revolutionary initiative would be to the greatest advantage of Nigeria in particular, Africa and the world in general” he said.

Explaining the targets and de-

liverables of the implementation committee, the Minister said they are expected to: develop a very robust Curriculum of the proposed ICT University of Nigeria; propose DBI’s facilities utilization including upgrade and expansion where necessary; propose faculty members for the University including resource persons; provide framework for collaboration between the university and the industry on one hand and between the university and global industry giants; develop a sustainable PPP Model for funding the University; and to come up with regulations and standards for the proposed university.

“While assuring you that all ef-

forts are already in top gear to appoint both an Acting Vice-Chancellor and an Acting Registrar for this University within the next few weeks, I expect your full report to be submitted to my office within six weeks from today” the Minister told the committee.

Meanwhile, an expert in the Nigerian ICT industry and Managing Director of Programmos Software, Mr Emmanuel Amos, has expressed dissatisfaction with the move by the government to establish ICT university, describing it as a ‘misguided move. Amos argued that many of the existing institutions offering ICT related courses have been running without the basic equipment and

quality standards expected to run them, which eventually are reflecting the caliber of graduates they are churning out, whom he described as ‘unemployable. He said without solving the problems facing the existing institutions, the idea of an ICT University can never be sustained, even when built. “A government that has failed and have not identified a correction to the existing problems cannot build and sustain an ICT university in Nigeria. The hope is that they do not turn it into nursery school after,” he said.

Mr Emmanuel also noted that Nigeria currently lacks the competence to manage the standards expected of such institution being planned. “This country does not have a smart city or an ICT park to encourage ICT ventures in practical product and innovation creation and graduates of such a university will need such environments to become incubated in out-of-school research. I can only hope the graduates of the school in this scenario become employers of labour from the onset, if not, then it is a sheer waste of resources” he said.

•L-R: Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications; Mr Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry; and Dr Isa Pantami, Director General NITDA, at the inauguration of implementation committee on the proposed ICT University in Abuja

IDC predicts modest smartphone market recovery A

NALYSTS at International Data Corporation (IDC) have predicted slight rebound in global smartphone shipments in 2017 through to 2018. This followed a 2.5 per cent growth recorded in 2016, which was the lowest the industry ever experienced.

IDC in its latest forecasts, said for the full year 2017, growth will be 3 per cent, with a 4.5 per cent increase in 2018, “fuelled by improved economic conditions in many emerging markets and a full year of new iPhone shipments from Apple”. Ryan Reith, pro-

gramme VP with IDC, said: “We continue to believe several factors will enable the smartphone market to regain some of its momentum. First and foremost is that less than half the world’s population is currently using a smartphone, and markets like the Middle East and Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia still have plenty of room to grow.”

“In addition, as consumers continue to demand more from their smartphones we expect to see a large portion of the installed base

that is currently using low-end devices begin to seek a more robust experience on more capable devices. Media consumption, gaming, augmented and virtual reality, and constant connectivity are drivers of this trend.”

IDC said the “other big topic” is the intense fight at the high end, with Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ launches “proving that last year’s Note 7 debacle is not going to alter the company’s plans for remaining number one”.

With Apple expected to push the boat out with its next-generation iPhone, this vendor is also set for

a big year.

Anthony Scarsella, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said: “The display looks like it could be the next battlefield for the smartphone over the next couple years. We have seen both Samsung and LG opt for new borderless 18:9 displays and Apple could be set to join the party later this year.” “As smartphone owners continue to consume media on their devices, the screen (bigger, brighter, and bolder) will be an integral part of the overall design language for each vendor.”

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

e-Platform

New internet security guidelines for Africa released Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

T

HE Internet Society and the African Union Commission have unveiled a new set of Internet Infrastructure Security Guidelines for Africa. The new guidelines, which were unveiled at the just concluded African Internet Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, were designed to help the continent create a more secure Internet infrastructure and to change the way African Union States approach cyber security preparedness.

The guidelines - the first of their kind in Africa - were developed by a multi-stakeholder group of African and global internet infrastructure security experts, and are the first step towards building a more secure Internet in Africa. They will help AU member states strengthen the security of their local Internet infrastructure through actions at a regional, national, ISP/operator and organizational level.

Africa’s cyber security environment faces a unique combination of challenges, including a lack of awareness of the risks involved in using technology. Kenya was ranked the 69th most vulnerable country (out of 127) in the 2015 Deloitte Global Threat Index. Some of the main reasons are: low awareness, underinvestment, talent shortage and overload of data. Deloitte further estimates that Kenya lost $171 million to cybercrime in 2016.

Moctar Yeday, Head, Information Society Division, African Union (L) and Dawit Bekele, Africa Regional Bureau Director for the Internet Society (R), while unveiling the new internet security guidelines for Africa.

“Africa has achieved major strides in developing its Internet Infrastructure in the past decade.

However, the Internet won’t provide the aspired benefits unless we can trust it. We have seen from recent experiences that Africa is not immune from cyber-attacks and other security threats. These guidelines, developed in collaboration with the African Union Commission, will help African countries put in place the necessary measures to increase the security of their Inter-

net infrastructure,” explained Dawit Bekele, Africa Regional Bureau Director for the Internet Society.

The launch of the new guidelines came at a time when the world feels the real and urgent need to build and reinforce structures aimed at tackling the growing cyber threat to the global digital economy. Governments, companies, network operators, universities and organizations across African Union member states are encouraged to take action to implement the Internet

MTN kicks off ‘share knowledge’ programme across operations

GTBank unveils full biometric mobile banking app

F

OREMOST African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, has taken innovative lead in digital banking with the launch of GTWorld, a mobile banking app that is designed to cater to all customers’ needs easily and seamlessly.

Built on the back of the bank’s customer-centric digital strategy, GTWorld, which is available for download from the Google Playstore for Android phones and the Apple App Store for iPhones, features biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprint, which recognizes a customer and adapts to how and when they want to bank. The Mobile banking app also features a seamless switch to GAPS-Lite, the online banking platform for small businesses which offers a flexible and secure channel to make payments and collections anywhere in the world.

With the rapid growth of Smartphone penetration in Nigeria, there has been a steady increase in the adoption of mobile banking solutions. Smartphone users are however very conscious about the security and efficiency and convenience of such applications; and on those three fronts, the GTWorld app excels remarkably. The mobile banking App offers customers access to more than 90 percent of the Bank’s services on their Smartphones, guarantees further security through biometric authentication and ensures convenience through the Quick feature, which enables

a user to perform transactions without signing in, among others.

GTWorld empowers customers, like never before, to make payments and access in-branch services swiftly and seamlessly, without going to a branch. Some of the App’s many innovative features include sending money to people using their mobile phone numbers, withdrawing from an ATM without a debit card, and conducting self-transfers without having to login the App, amongst several others. When switched to GAPS-Lite, the app offers small business owners access to realtime monitoring of all transactions and the ability to make Bulk and single transfers on the go to any account in the world.

Speaking at the launch of the App, Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, stated that “We are delighted to be at the forefront of digital banking solutions that are making banking faster, easier and safer for our customers. The simplicity of GTWorld and innovations such as facial recognition and fingerprint also ensure that our customers enjoy a seamless experience, anywhere, anytime and anyhow that they choose to bank.

He further added that, “GTWorld also reflects our commitment to driving digital banking solutions that not only enable our customers to make financial transactions, but also position us at the centre of an ecosystem that offers them benefits beyond

Infrastructure Security Guidelines.

“This is another timely milestone achievement given the new security challenges in cyberspace,” said Moctar Yeday, Head, Information Society Division, African Union.

“The Commission of the African Union will continue its partnership with the Internet Society on a second set of guidelines addressing personal data protection in Africa,” he added.

According to ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2016, it is estimated that 25.1

per cent of Africans are now online and despite lower Internet access rates vs. other regions in the world, there has been a sustained doubledigit growth in Internet penetration over the past 10 years. This is due in large part to an increase of mobile Internet and in more affordable smart phones in the market and Africa’s young, technology-savvy population. However, to continue to improve access and connect the unconnected, people need to trust the Internet.

Symantec, a global leader in cyber security, observed 24 million malware incidents targeting Africa in 2016. As some malware incidents probably go unobserved, the real number of incidents may be much higher. In a 2013 report from Symantec, cybercrime was increasing at a faster rate in Africa than any other region.

As Internet penetration grows in Africa and more business takes place online, implementing security measures against malware incidents to protect Internet users becomes increasingly important.

Offering actions that are tailored to the African cyber security environment and solutions for an ever changing online landscape, the recommendations in the document launched are expected to play a key role in helping Africa respond to the kind of Internet attacks that recently paralyzed critical public and government services.

M

•GTBank MD Segun Agbaje

banking.”

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service, quality and innovation.

With GTWorld targeted at smartphone users with access to internet, Agbaje said banking would continue to be easier for users of feature phones with the USSD service, which allows them to transfer money or buy recharge cards through the 737 code.

TN Group said it is extending invitations to social media users across Africa and the Middle East to join its employees in a virtual campaign to break down traditional barriers to education, by sharing interesting facts during the company’s annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care programme.

Using the hashtag ‘#ShareKnowledge’, members of the public with access to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, are encouraged to share fun facts or pieces of information about their countries that are less known but of great interest to the world. The campaign aims to pass on knowledge and make learning fun.

“Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote, ‘be the change you want to see in the world’, we are launching this campaign to practically demonstrate the role of technology in enabling greater access to education. We are particularly excited about this initiative because it is something that everyone in our communities can be part of,” said Chris Maroleng, Executive for Corporate Affairs, MTN Group.

While the knowledge share efforts gain momentum virtually, MTN employees will be making a difference physically by embarking on a myriad of education-focused activities in

local communities. These range from classroom renovations and literacy projects, to Information Communication Technology (ICT) training and the provision of digital educational content.

Maroleng said if past efforts were anything to go by, 2017 would deliver yet another memorable Y’ello Care campaign for communities in MTN’s markets.

“In 2016, more than 10 000 employees participated in Y’ello Care. Together, they built 10 classrooms, established 56 libraries and launched eight ICT labs. Their efforts benefitted more than 100 000 people in our communities,” said Maroleng.

Y’ello Care 2017 activities is expected to take place across MTN’s operations including Nigeria, Syria, Swaziland, Guinea Bissau, Botswana, Kenya, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Benin, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, Congo, South Sudan, Guinea, and Liberia According to the company, at the end of the programme, all MTN operations that participate in Y’ello Care stand in line to win monetary prizes, which are to be invested into CSI or community upliftment programmes in their market. These include the Group President & CEO prize of US$100 000 and Vice President prizes for each region (WECA, SEA and MENA) of US$30 000.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

EDITORIAL

Killing the judiciary Continued from Front Page out evidences, particularly money, while the security agents were arguing with Governor Wike.

Having known that someone, without immunity, tampered with evidences, in the way DSS knew, we expected DSS to make arrests. There were none.

ONE of the judges, a Supreme Court judge, possessed a gun. A charge of illegal possession of firearm was added to his charges. He was said to have conspired with his wife and son in the alleged crimes.

The judge shouted himself hoarse that he had a licence for the gun. DSS would not listen. He was charged to court, where all the allegations were thrown out. The licence for the gun was also produced in court.

A TOTAL of N360 million, including the Naira equivalent of the foreign currencies, DSS said, was found in the homes of the judges who were detained, interrogated before some of them were charged to court.

DSS’s case was straightforward – cash was stashed in the homes of the judges, above amounts that money- laundering laws permitted; some of the judges had refused invitations from DSS and nobody was above the law.

THE point that nobody was above the law, as DSS kept emphasizing, resonated with the anti-corruption buzz of the Buhari administration. The invasion of the residences of judges was not an indication of disrespect for the judiciary or an attempt to abridge its independence. The arrests were constitutional and nobody was above the law.

SPECIAL Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Mr. Okoi Obono Obla made that point thus: “The Nigerian big man wants us to have two standards of justice; one for the big man and another for the poor man, and we say no to that. The big man should not do anything and get away with it in this country. The poor people are being arrested everyday and nobody talks about them.

“EVERYBODY should be subjected before the law. If the President does not have immunity, he can be arrested. The Senate President was arraigned and put on trial, so what is wrong with arresting Supreme Court justices? DSS carried out their operations constitutionally with a bench warrant and are free to do their work at any time of the day.

The Nigerian big men must change their mentality and subject themselves before the law. It is unprecedented in Africa for senior judges to be arrested for corruption and you say we are not fighting corruption?

Judges are partly responsible, the corrupt lawyers are partly responsible.”

DSS investigated two Supreme Court Justices -Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Inyang Okoro; the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court, Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court), Justice Bashir Sukola and Justice Ladan Manir, from the Kaduna State High Court. Of the nine judges, the NJC had recommended sanctions for Justice Tsamiya, Justice Umezulike and Justice Kabiru Auta.

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has investigated six judges of the Federal High Court. They were: Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa; Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa; Musa Haruna Kurya; Agbadu James Fishim; Uwani Abba Aji; and Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia. There is a case in court against Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia from the investigations.

SUGGESTIONS that the judges under investigation should be suspended did not meet the

National Judicial Council’s interpretation of discipline for judges. NJC said that it had the powers to discipline judges, whether their offences were criminal or civil. Its position also put some focus on NJC, and the futility of having people as judges in their own cases.

NJC’s position summed up thus: “Once the evidence is made available to the NJC, the trial of the judges will suffer a setback from the outset because they will know what the government has against them.” The security agencies refused to hand over the reports, but the judges were later suspended.

WE are not in a position to determine whether judges are corrupt or not. Our concerns are with the tar that the prosecution of the judges, the noise about the arrests, the feeble efforts at prosecution, the indecision not to appeal in the only decided case, all have put on the judiciary? Why did the Federal Government not appeal?

PEOPLE still doubt that the attitude of the government clears the judges of the allegations.

The inability of the prosecution to make its case in court creates the impression that the prosecution was more interested in scandalising the judiciary than in winning a case in court. Could there have been bias on the part of the judges, in defence of their colleague?

THE trite announcement from NJC last week telling the judges to return to work was as if nothing ever happened. Is the NJC satisfied with the humiliation of the judiciary? Is it pleading guilty on behalf of judges? Is it asking for compensation for the maligned judges?

Is there any punishment for those who disgraced the judges? The silence suggests there would not be any.

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

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

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

OPINION

Memory and nation building: Biafra 50 years after…(2)

By UZODIMA NWALA

I

IMAGINE that the Biafra freedom agitators, just like Adolf Hitler, would emphatically respond NO! They would rather blame the present upsurge for Self-determination and Biafra and all its fallouts on all those leaders on the victorious side who, rather than pursuing the path of genuine Reconciliation, pursued the path of punitive retributions against those who lost the war.

Unfortunately, as it was in the case of the defeated Germany that was neither pacified nor conciliated, nor was it permanently weakened, so do we find in the case of Biafra, that despite all the retributive measures against her people, Biafra and the Biafrans, have neither been pacified, nor conciliated, nor have they been permanently weakened.

Unlike the Treaty of Versailles that exerted bloody pound of flesh on the side that lost the First World War, the victorious side in the Second World War padded their retributive actions with the Marshall Plan. And thus unlike the intended Carthagenian peace of the Versailles Treaty of 28 June 1919, the Marshall Plan brought a relatively permanent peace to Europe that withstood the shock waves of the cold war including the Cuban Missile crises.

In pursuing the lessons of the retributive post-war treatment of the Biafrans, I would ask the leaders on the victorious side – When you took all their financial deposits in the banks and paid them only £20 (twenty pounds), what did you expect the result to be – pacification, conciliation or to have them permanently weakened?

When you allowed massacre of unarmed soldiers and leaders even when they had declared their return to Nigeria, what did you expect? I mean when you murdered Prof. Kalu Ezera or when you killed unarmed Col Onwuatuegwu in cold blood, what did you expect?

When you killed and also buried alive thousands of innocent civilians in Asaba, was that a circus show?

I escaped being killed at the end of the war through the mysterious intervention of my college mate, Mr Nwogugbe from Asa in Abia

State who was a member of the Nigerian battalion that overran my area on that fateful day of January 8, 1970. The solders had sent for me and when I arrived at Nkwo Mbaise their base, Nwoguegbe instantly recognised me and shouted Nkume! I responded Nwoguegbe! Despite being introduced to his commander, Captain Jibowu, the later took him to one corner, asking to be convinced why I should not be treated in accordance with the official instructions, namely to waste any such able-bodied young-man who may have been an actual or potential Biafra soldier. I was lucky.

Nwoguegbe saved me, but several of my mates from my community were not. Cornellius Oguikpe, Michael Osuagwu, Efriam Chukwunoyerem, Echewodo Onwunali, all were murdered at the end of the war by the Nigerian soldiers.

Yes, post-Biafra was not attended by any genuine efforts to seek reconciliation nor even to find out what led to the war.

Rather, what we have witnessed is decades of vengeance, arrogance and conspiracy against Alaigbo and Ndigbo – Yes these are on record Immediate post-war punitive massacre, Dismissal of some officers on the losing side, reduction in rank of others Dismissal of civil servants.

Secret Execution of some officers (Col. Onwuatuegwu, Prof, Kalu Ezera) Abandoned property seizure of Igbo property.

Punitive boundary adjustment.

Closure of the Eastern Sea Port and Railway lines.

Deliberate policy of encirclement of Alaigbo, inciting Igbo outside Igbo heartland to reject their Igbo identity.

Deliberate policy of exclusion from the governance and power equation i Nigeria..

Deliberate policy of destroying Igbo businesses.

Continued massacre, lynching of Igbos in many places in the North Insensitivity to the plight of the IDPs of Igbo extraction who were initially the major targets of Boko Harm bombings and killings.

No serious effort at post-war reconstruction and reconciliation I strongly recommend to all those who care to understand how the Igbos view their predicament in the Federation to read the Petition of Ohanaeze ndigbo to the Human Rights Violations Investigating Committee of 1999. It is captioned The Violations of the Human and Civil Rights of Ndigbo in the Federation of Nigeria (1966-1999).

President Obasanjo should speak to the nation now about why and how that initiative of his was aborted. A Truth and Reconciliation was a great idea, but just like all National Conference decisions meant to deal with the resolution of the injustices of the system. It was arrogantly dismissed and nothing happened.

Biafra : A Collective Guilt Have we forgotten that Biafra was a collective guilt and that those who created the Nigerian Federation did so to satisfy their own agenda They designed a local a local agenda for the same purpose?

Have we forgotten the cause of Biafra and the war? Have we ever come together to examine why Biafra?

Obasanjo’s Truth Commission and the Justice Oputa Commission were arrogantly dismissed and nothing happened.

Who was the aggressor in that war?

Aborted Efforts to Solve the Nigerian Problem What about several efforts to sit down and dispassionately examine the fate of the Federation and how to heal the wounds of the past. Several aborted historical opportunities for peace and stability, or a genuine democratic system include Ibadan Conference of Sept/Oct 1966 Aburi Accord.

Abiola’s election that wuld have set a precedent.

1994-5 Constitutional Conference

Ndigbo and the Nigerian project

By FERDINAND CHIKELU

A

REMARKABLE event occurred in the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 1, 2017. That day, a bill sponsored by the minority leader, Chukwuka Onyema with two other Reps, for the establishment of South East Development Commission (SEDC), was killed, through a gang-up by Northern Representatives, acting in connivance with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as alleged by the sponsor of the bill.

It will be recalled that shortly after the Civil War, the then government of Gen. Yakubu Gowon declared the famous, but highly deceitful, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (otherwise known as 3R) with a view to ameliorating the effect of the civil war on the people of South East region.

The fact that the 3R did not achieve the desired purpose cannot be over-emphasised. The failure of that initiative, just like that of the Aburi Accord, could be attributed to the failure of the government in power to match actions with words. Not that there were not enough resources to implement the program, the government of the day had an agendum of continuing the war on another plain, thus a deliberate infrastructural neglect of the region was hatched and was religiously followed by subsequent governments.

To clearly show the insensitivity and parti-

ality of the Nigerian government against the South East, a group known as Boko Haram that raised arms against their people in a self-inflicted injury was rewarded and practically with a North East Development Commission for the development and Reconstruction of the North East, while the South East devastation that took place 50 years ago is yet to be addressed.

Also of note, in the systematic marginalization of the South East, is the fact that South East remains the only region with five states.

While the clamour for the realization of the State of Biafra is going on, and some well meaning Nigerians are calling for dialogue, one would have thought that the bill for the establishment of South East Development Commission would have been a good starting point towards addressing the criminal neglect of the region, and all the injustices perpetrated against it by subsequent governments. Unfortunately, that was effectively killed through the infamous gang-up.

In the light of the foregoing, how do the rest of Nigerians want an average South Easterner to still believe in the project called Nigeria?

It is an undeniable fact that no other region or ethnic nationality in the project called Nigeria believes more in the country than the South Easterners, a that could be attested to by the volume of investments by South Easterners in other parts of the country.

It is only a South Easterner that will establish business and build edifices in Lagos, Kano, Jos and Maiduguri.

The many injustices being meted out to the people of South East are the main reason behind the deafening clamour for Biafra. And it is unfortunate that the other regions do not seem to care, but are only interested in mere rhetoric, insisting on ‘one indivisible Nigeria’ where some stakeholders are treated as second class citizens.

The infrastructural decay in the South East is incomparable. So also is the marginalization of the region in all aspects. A case in point is the shenanigan in the Pension Commission, where the tenure of the region was cut short, in flagrant disregard of the constitutional provision that a person from the same region shall serve out the tenure of an incumbent, who did not complete his /her tenure before removal.

The adage that ‘you cannot beat a child and ask him not to cry ‘ is apt in this case, and that is what the Nigerian State is doing to the South East.

If we must remain together, there is need to treat every region as equal and eschew the current unbridled injustices to, and glaring contempt for, a region that has contributed in no small measure to the overall development of project Nigeria.

• Chikelu, a public affairs commentator, lives in Lagos.

and the 1995 Draft Constitution, the best Constitutional Draft in the history of Nigeria.

Conferences organised by Obasanjos regime.

President Jonathan’s 2014 Conference.

Current Ferocious opposition to restructuring.

Laying the Foundations for Genuine Reconciliation – The Biafra Initiative The Birth of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – A child of the post-war East Central State Youth Volunteer Services Corps (ECSYVSC) whose memo to General Gowon led to the establishment of the NYSC by the Federal Government.

I led the delegation, as Chairman of the ECSYVSC, that delivered the Memoradum to the Federal Government on the eve of the first post-war independence anniversary, precisely on30th September, 1970.

In response General Gowon had given Dr Ukpabi Asika’s Government £75,000 (Seventy-five thousand pounds) in appreciation of that historical initiative of the youth of Alaigbo.

The great objective of that historical initiative as conceived by us, the youth of Alaigbo, was to forge a genuine instrument of national reconciliation and national integration.

What has happened to the NYSC? Any credit to the initiators? Several attempts have been made by the chaps in the NYSC Foundation in Abuja to interview me in order to draw inspiration from the original mind that conceived the NYSC; each time they were discouraged from a follow-up.

It was the same way that a former Governor had advised the Federal Government to create an institution to house the Biafra scientist. The answer was no!, because doing so would give credit to the Biafrans.

The Road to Reconciliation.

Not Restructuring but Renegotiation of the basis of the Nigerian Federation.

Nigeria is a multi-national Federation.

The task is to agree on the terms for a form of political union among these nations and mini-nations.

Unless this is done, there would never be any stable Federation uniting all these peoples who are culturally, religiously and philosophically separate nations and mininations.

Prof. Nwala, President Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), delivered this speech at the Conference on Biafra: 50 Years After held at the Yar’Adua Centre recently.

Concluded

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Abuja Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Production Editor Henry Duru Business Dev. Manager Amaka Onumajulu Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu ADVERT MANAGER Andrew Udeh Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 14, 2017

Travel & Hospitality

26

Indigenous fashion industry can lift Nigeria’s economy –Experts Stories by VICTOR NZE

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the African identity.

“This is what I call the hybridization of the world; the homogenization of the world’s cultures has stripped distinct civilizations of their unique traits, even our dress code has been overtaken by contemporary trends and styles, thus, to go any further, our dress culture has to blend with other ideas and styles from foreign cultures while still retaining our unique identity,” he stressed.

For Prof. Yusuf, in his paper titled; African Dress as an Instrument of Power, the African-Yoruba dress sense has always been informed by the ‘dress as you wish to be addressed’ culture, hence, the clothing connoted power, status, creed and occupation.

Earlier, in his address, Director General of CBAAC, Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, described as ‘worrisome’ the penchant for second-hand Western clothing by Nigerians, saying the trend has to be checked if the economy is to grow.

“The beauty, unique designs and vitality of our traditional attires were such that led to massive demand for indigenous fabrics by the Europeans to the extent that African attires became highly competitive in Europe. At a point, European textiles industries began to copy African designs but still could not compete favourably with African fabrics.

“Ironically, today, the reverse is the case as most Africans prefer Western attires to that which make

us unique. The insatiable appetite for second-hand Western clothing has assumed a very worrisome dimension that all hands must be on deck to address this ugly trend. If the amount expended on buying Western dresses is channeled into the purchase of African attires, the African fashion industry would receive a great boost.

According to Anikwe, the Annual Symposium has been carefully designed to address an important aspect of the African rich cultural heritage that has remained largely unexplored, that is, the African Dress Code, adding further that the two-day symposium ‘offers us an opportunity to interrogate the place of African fashion in contemporary times.’

On her part, Chairperson of the occasion, the Erelu of Lagos, Princess Abiola Dosunmu, described the choice of theme for the event as ‘apt,’ just as she urged participants to ‘take pride in what makes us Africans, that is, our culture. If we do not appreciate who we are obviously it would be very difficult for us to appreciate what we have, then appreciating who we are and what we have is synonymous to development.’

Continuing, Princess Dosunmu said: “When we patronize our locally made or indigenous fabrics, the resultant effect is that there will be more money in the economy, the fashion industry will grow and unemployment will be drastically reduced.”

HE Nigerian fashion industry has enormous capacity to create wealth and employment opportunities in the country’s economy even as Nigerians need to rethink their clothing preferences away from the Western oriented cultures while also evolving their own unique dress sense in a highly globalized world.

This was submission of keynote speakers at the just-concluded two-day Annual Symposium organized by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) which held at the Archbishop Soremilekun all, Broad street, Lagos, Wednesday, under the theme; African Dress code.

The speakers, including; Prof Ayo Yusuf, Dr Obi Iwuagwu and Dr Augustine Agugua, all lecturers at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, posited that the craving for Western clothing while stunting the growth and development of the indigenous fashion industry, has also negatively impacted on the mindset of the African to the extent of discrediting the traditional attires and locally-made fabrics.

According to Dr Iwuagwu, in his paper titled; Making money from what we wear- The Economics of African Dress Code, the economic potential of the African fashion for Nigeria remanis enormous, pointing out that; ‘we are literarily sitting on goldmine’.

“There are three things we can do with this potential; create wealth, create employment, diversify the economy. The market for Africa and Nigerian dresses can create wealth for a lot of people and by extension help in cleaning up our image as a dumping ground •L-R: Dr Obi Iwuagwu, Dept of History, University of Lagos; Dr Augustine Agugua, Dept of Sociology, University of Lagos; Prof. Ayo Yusuf, Dept of for second-hand Western clothing, Linguistics & African Studies, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos; Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, DG, CBAAC, during the two-day Annual Symposium of the in addition to helping the country Centre for Black and African Civilization (CBAAC), which held at the Archbishop Soremilekun Hall, Broad street, Lagos, Wednesday, save on foreign exchange expended on buying some of these clothing.

There’s also a market for Nigerian fashion abroad with the DiasUTGOING President of the Fedpora; these people will serve to exeration of Tourism Associations pand the market for our products of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Tomi Akingoverseas. bogun, has declared that his group “FTAN has grown to be recog- ciation’s Vice Chairman for South behind a legacy of peace and har“However, there are impera- was better positioned, coordinated tives. We need to rethink our to reposition the industry, even as nized by all arms of government West Zone, also used the forum to mony as he steps down as FTAN strategies; we need to restructure he decried the spate of closures as the umbrella association and decry the spate of closures in the President in June, this year, also of the private sec- hospitality subsector, especially urged the Federal Government to our industry policies at the govern- of hospitality establishments over representative tor tourism association in Nigeria. the hotels across the country, and step up efforts at enforcing memment level. It’s time we mecha- multiple taxations by states and lo- Presently, FTAN has two seats at particularly in Abuja over high cost bership of the body as an Organnized production processes and cal councils in the country. the Presidential Council on Tourism of operations occasioned by multi- ized Private Sector player saying evolved proper legislations to proAkingbogun who was fielding (PCT) which has been reactivated ple tariffs. this had become necessary in order tect emerging players in the indus- questions by travel writers during a by the President Muhammadu Bu“FTAN is concerned about the to stem the rising wave of unprotry by way of providing a conducive Media Roundtable at the Eko Hotels hari administration and on which cost of electricity and its attendant fessionalism and substandard pracand enabling environment so that & Suites, Lagos, ahead of the forth- we have presented interesting effect on cost of tourism business tices in the industry. This is also he what they eventually produce will coming Annual General Meeting position papers before the Acting in Nigeria. Due to our presenta- called for the creation of a tourism be competitive in the market at (AGM) of FTAN slated for the Nanet President Yemi Osinbajo. tions, the FTAN president (my hum- bank by government to guarantee home or abroad. We also need to Hotel & Suites, Abuja, June 29, pos“FTAN has started and has been ble self) was made chairman of the low interest rate loans to tourism embrace industry’s global best ited that his two-term, four-year ten- sustaining the Nigerian Tourism Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advo- sector investors as well as grants for the development of tourism in practices in terms of standard and ure had left the association better Investors Forum and Exhibitions cacy Network. placed to interface with government (NTIFE). FTAN is currently a mem“However, as I’m talking to you the country. security.”

“By enforcing membership of the ber of the Ministerial Committee now, so many hotel owners have Agugua, in his presentation ti- on issues affecting the industry.

According to the Managing Di- on Culture and Tourism. FTAN is called me up to tell me they are OPS in tourism and hospitality, the tled; Globalization and Cultural rector of Hotel Rosebud, Abuja, Dressing Pattern of Africans, ex- the Federal Government has now a member of the Nigeria Tourism closing down their businesses due problems of insecurity and unpropounded that in the face of an ev- recognized industry practitioners Masterplan Implementation Com- to multiple taxations and high bills fessional practices will be checked. er-expanding global culture which through the efforts of FTAN follow- mittee recently reconstituted by on their operations. And this is not As it is now, we have succeeded to incorporates aspects of smaller civ- ing series of interactions on various the Minister of Information and acceptable to us as a business unit. get the government to harmonize There has to be a conducive environ- the MDAs related to the industry Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ilizations, the way forward would economic committees of geared Culture, The FTAN chief, who was ac- ment for our businesses that is ac- while we have also been able to be the local fashion industry to em- towards repositioning the industry companied on the media forum ceptable to everybody,” he stressed. gather the private sector practitionbrace other style while retaining and national economy in general.

Akingbogun who wishes to leave ers under one umbrella,” he said.

by Chief Ayo Olumokun, the asso-

‘There’s better coordination, recognition now at FTAN’ O

…Decries spate of hotel closures over taxation

27

The Oracle Today, June 14, 2017

AVIATION MMIA ready to handle emergency cases, certification –Auta

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HE Manager, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) , Lagos, Mr Nehemiah Auta, has assured that the personnel at the airport are now adequately trained and were ready to handle emergency cases at all times.

Auta who gave the assurance while speaking at the mock emergency airport exercise held at the MMIA on Wednesday, said the essence of the exercise was to test the capability of the personnel and the equipment on ground to ensure that they conformed with emergency requirements.

The airport manager explained that with the required personnel on ground, there was no reason why the response time would not be met in the event of emergency at the airport.

According to him, with proper coordination, improved level of alertness and cooperation from various sister organisations in the industry, emergency remains a great task, further stressing the need to improve on the level of alertness and communication among the agencies.

“We have a structure on ground and all we need to do is to test the structure and to know how they will respond.

We are trying to improve on the level of our alertness towards emergencies because emergencies can be in the day, at night or at any time.

“The timely response is what matters. You can imagine an aircraft engulfed in flames, the time of response of the medical support matters. That’s the essence,’’ Auta said.

He said that with the Category 9 status of the MMIA, the airport had adequate fire tenders and was ready to handle emergency situations.

On his part, the Director of Airport Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, explained that the agency was working in line with the aerodrome emergency plan at the airport, in readiness towards the certification.

Yadudu said the exercise would lead to the certification of the airport as both personnel and equipment were being tested, adding that FAAN personnel were always compliant to the response time as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and had taken the training very seriously.

The annual exercise was witnessed by the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the police and other industry stakeholders.

moves African airlines’ grow FAAN to implement capacity by 17.7% -- IATA Executive Order at

Stories by VICTOR NZE

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FRICAN carriers posted the largest year-on-year increase in demand of all regions in April 2017 with freight volumes growing 26 percent as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets.

The report showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 8.5percent in April 2017 compared to the yearearlier period. While this was down from the 13.4 percent year-on-year growth recorded in March 2017, which is well above the average annual growth rate of 3.5percent over the past five years.

Growth in freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilo-

meters (AFTKs), slowed to 3.9percent in April 2017.

“Demand eased in April. Growth rates, however, are still much more robust than anything we have seen in the last six years. That’s good news, but it should not be taken as a message that all is well in air cargo. The industry’s antiquated processes need modernization.

With e-air waybill utilization topping 50percent in April, progress is being made. And we must harness the momentum to drive transformational change across the way the industry operates,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO. All regions, with the exception of Latin America, reported year-onyear increases in demand in April 2017. Airlines in Europe and Asia-

Pacific accounted for more than 70 percent of the annual increase in global freight volumes. North American airlines accounted for much of the rest with Middle Eastern and African airlines also making a positive contribution.

African carriers posted the largest year-on-year increase in demand of all regions in April 2017 with freight volumes growing 26 percent. Capacity increased by 17.7percent over the same time.

Demand has been boosted by very strong growth on the trade lanes to and from Asia which have increased by nearly 55percent so far this year.

The region’s load factor remains challenged–the lowest of all regions and well under half that of carriers based in Asia-Pacific.

Ground Rescue Personnel responding to mock casualties during the Aircraft Emergency Simulation Exercise which held at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Wednesday

‘Airports’ concession not feasible until 2019’

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MBRELLA body of aviation sector workers in the country, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has said the Federal Government’s plan to concession the four major airports in the country might not be feasible until 2019.

This is also the labour union said the planned establishment of a national carrier to replace the defunct Nigeria Airways cannot take off until government resolved outstanding welfare issues of former staff of the old carrier.

According to the union, through its General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, last Tuesday, all thorny issues surrounding the concession arrangement must be addressed before the deal is to commence.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had recently

appointed Transaction Advisers to oversee the concession of the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports.

“What happened is that the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, unilaterally made the appointment without recourse to the committee he set up for the same purpose, which had some of our members.

“The committee is yet to submit its report; so, we were surprised when the announcement was made,’’ he said.

The union maintained that the concession of the airports would lead to job losses for thousands of their members, hence the stiff opposition from the unions.

“Anytime there is a concession, people are bound to lose their jobs. What the unions are saying

is that there should be dialogue between us and the government on how to protect the interest of these workers.

“We believe that these issues must be addressed before the concession; and from our projections, this could take even up to two years. So, that should be sometime in 2019,’’ he said.

Abioye noted that the plan by government to set up another national carrier would not work until it settled the N78 billion debt owed workers of the defunct Nigerian Airways.

“You cannot be talking of another national carrier when workers of Nigerian Airways have not been settled. That is the position of the unions, as far as this issue is concerned,’’ he said.

airports T

HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has begun moves to implement the recently announced Executive Order on ease of doing business issued by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the airports in the country.

Managing Director, FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, who made this known in a statement signed by the agency’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in Lagos, disclosed that machinery had been put in place to ensure a successful implementation of the executive order which he would supervise himself.

According to him, the importance of the executive order cannot be over-emphasised, especially because it will strengthen the nation’s fight against terrorism and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy that impedes business activities at the airports.

He said it would also improve safety, security and passenger facilitation within and around the airports.

Dunoma urged passengers, airport users and the general public to cooperate with FAAN officials carrying out their responsibilities.

Acting President Osinbajo, penultimate week, issued the executive order which is aims at easing business.

The order states among others that: ”There shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in Nigeria; On duty staff shall be properly identified by uniform and official cards. Off duty staff shall stay away from the ports except with the express approval of the agency head; The FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Security shall enforce this order.”

The Order further directed that all non-official staff should be removed from the secured areas of airports, among others.

Delta Air Lines appoints new Senior VP for EMEA

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NITED States-based carrier, Delta Air Lines has appointed Corneel Koster as Senior Vice President Europe, Middle East, Africa and India.

He takes over from Nat Pieper who has become Senior Vice President Global Alliances.

Based in London, Koster will further expand on Delta’s successes in the EMEAI region in cooperation with long-term partner airlines including Air France KLM, Alitalia, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Jet Airways.

He will report to Delta’s President – International & EVP – Global Sales, Steve Sear.

“Corneel brings a wealth of industry experience to Delta and his knowledge of airline partnerships combined with his commercial and operational acumen will build a stronger, more competitive future for Delta in the region,” said Steve Sear.

Prior to Delta, Koster was Chief Operating Officer at Aeroméxico, since 2013. He has also served as Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Operations, Safety and Security and held senior commercial roles at Air France/KLM, KLM and KLM Cargo.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION PenCom, NAICOM meet on annuity

Stories by KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER

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onverged at the just concluded 44th General Assembly and Conference of the African Insurance Organisation, AIO, insurance experts expressed worry over lack of insurance professionals and actuaries in the continent.

Findings from a survey conducted on 371 members from 47 countries and 14 international associate members from eight countries indicated that 80per cent of the interviewees agreed that the continent is short of professionals and actuaries who, according to them, are not adequate to drive the sector, saying it is one of the major impediments militating against the growth of the risk management sector in the region.

In Nigeria for instance, the total number of insurance professionals, according to the statistics from the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, was put at about 3,000 core insurance professionals only as at 2016. Nigerian is the most populous member of the AIO with 57 underwriting firms, over 500 brokers and 47 loss adjusters.

They consensually noted; “While expertise is generally hard to come by in small markets, specialists, such as actuaries, are scarce even in the more populous markets. As know-how is missing to develop and introduce new products, capital is invested in mainstream solutions, further aggravating the fierce competition in those segments”, the report stated.

Interviewees expect a further concentration of Africa’s insurance industry, driven by heightened competition, regulatory pressure and the economic downturn. While regional or international insurers increase their footprint through acquisitions, smaller insurers might choose to exit the market.

As regulators force them to strengthen their capital base, they struggle to survive in an environment of anemic top line growth, high claims, currency devaluation and inflationary pressure.

Similarly, the 44th Assembly which took off Sunday, May 21 in Kampala, Uganda launched its 2nd Africa Insurance Barometer.

The launch was held Monday at the opening session of the conference.

The 29 senior executives from regional and international insurers, reinsurers and brokers polled for this year’s survey contend that the young, growing and more affluent population as well as investments in infrastructure and exploitation of the continent’s raw materials will drive demand for insurance protection.

They, however, noted that inadequately harmonised regulatory frameworks across the continent, which frequently are poorly enforced, as well as the persistent lack in skills and local talents remain the industry’s soft spots unless the regulators take action.

Experts observed that African insurers are insufficiently capitalized and lack financial stability, which could dampen consumer confidence. “The Africa Insurance Barometer provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of the US$ 64 billion African insurance market,” says Prisca Soares, the Secretary General of the African

T

• CIIN PRESIDENT

• Prisca-soares

Insurers decry dearth of sexpertise in Africa

Insurance Organisation.

“The executives interviewed for this year’s edition expect the underlying market fundamentals to prevail over the economic decline that many markets witnessed in 2016.

Report has it that a majority of interviewees assume that premiums will outgrow “Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Africa’s insurance penetration, which currently stands at 2.9per cent or less than half of the global average, will translate into accelerated premium growth –provided global demand and commodity prices continue to bounce back in 2017 and 2018.”

The statement indicated that due to new technology, in particular mobile telephones and the internet, a broader array of products and distribution channels is available to access the continent’s corporate and partly untapped consumer base, including its growing middle class. However, adequate regulation is needed to control and facilitate the market’s expansion. Some requirements tightened in the past year. But interviewees are also concerned

about overregulation with a tendency to burdening insurers with additional cost, complexity and incoherent regulatory enactment.

“Pressure on insurance rates is most pronounced among Africa’s commoditized commercial lines of business, where barriers to entry are low and customers are insurance-savvy, opportunistic and fight for the best price. Obviously, non-commoditized lines, which require a high specialization, are able to escape from some of the pricing pressure”, the statement added.

As a result, interviewees predict that rates will remain subdued over the next twelve months.

Profitability still benefits from the adequate original pricing of the risks, but declining rates, inflation and claims costs reduce margins, while personal lines rates are more favourable.

Access to the market also came to the front burner as they noted that it presents more complexity and policyholders act less opportunistically. According to experts, insurers would try to control more of the value chain themselves.

Even as profitability also fares

better than in commercial lines, they were of the view that claims inflation and a depressed economy negatively affect the bottom line. Going forward they agreed that stable or even rising profits, as personal lines are viewed as less volatile and exposed to cutthroat competition. According to 70per cent of executives, access to local skills and talent is a challenge for African insurers.

African Insurance Organisation,AIO, was established in 1972 in Mauritius as a nongovernmental organisation recognized by many African governments. Following headquarters agreement with the Government of Cameroon, the Permanent Secretariat of the AIO was set up in Douala. The AIO pursues the objective of developing a healthy insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa and to promote inter-African cooperation in insurance.

Currently, the AIO has 371 members, 363 of them from 47 countries in Africa and 14 associate international members from 8 countries.

op management echelon of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) were said to have commenced a process of resolving the contending issues inhibiting the approval of annuity.

A report gathered that the meeting which was purely administrative would pave way for the regulators to clear all concerns and set new template for the administration of annuity.

Our source noted that the outcome of the meeting will be tabled separately before the leadership of NAICOM and PenCom, for them to critically examine the terms and made input before a final resolution would be reached.

A source from the insurance side was quoted as saying that the main issue which is the payment of commission to intermediaries would be vigorously pushed forward in the meeting.

It would be recalled that the two regulatory bodies in the month of March this year, attempted to resolve the annuity impasse by agreeing to allow life insurance companies to open operational accounts with Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) of their choice.

The regulators in a joint circular made available to the media, said they are currently reviewing the regulation on retiree life annuity, which will be jointly released to the public in compliance with the PRA 2014 within 3 months of this notice.

The parties also agreed to allow all new annuities purchased or being processed to be domiciled in the dedicated account with the PFC, while the treatment of all existing retiree life annuity funds and assets, should be dealt with upon issuance of the forthcoming joint regulation.

NAICOM was enjoined to ensure that Life Insurance companies comply with the requirements, while the processing and approvals of new retiree life annuity requests shall continue forthwith.

Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) were asked to resume the processing of new annuity requests for retirees and forward same to PenCom for necessary approval without delay, while PenCom expected to ensure that PFAs transfer all approved premium for Retiree Life Annuity to the Operational Accounts opened by the Life Insurance Companies with PFCs.

Capital Verification, RBS take Discourse At NAICOM

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he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in a bid to align with the executive order on ease of doing business, recently signed by the Federal Government, is working out suitable deadlines for all its priority initiatives.

Gathered by the top manage-

ment echelon of the commission for a meeting with the Deputy Commission Technical, Sunday Thomas, the session meant to initiate moves on how to tight feasible dates to takeoff of initiatives such as: capital verification, Risk-Based Supervision (RBS), insurance

distribution channels and more were on the front burner.

A source told this medium that the commission hopes to leverage the Insurance Act to drive the initiatives already stated in the Act, while guidelines will be used to drive those not stipulated in the insurance Act.

He noted that in enforcing the order by the government, the commission would henceforth ensure that all initiatives are implemented within specified period, adding that the executive order has given new impetus to all ongoing initiatives introduced by the commission.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

Law Union paid out N1.454bn Claims in 2016 Stories by KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER

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he Management of the Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc said the company paid out a whopping N1.454billion in 2016. The firm also declared an increase in Profit before Tax by 100per cent to N0.658billion from N0.328billion in 2015.

The company’s chairman, Mr. Remi Babalola who announced this at the company’s 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last week in Lagos, added that that business year ended with N3.935 billion Gross Premium Written (GPW) compared to N3.858 billion recorded in 2015.

While total assets of the second oldest underwriter grew by 3.72per cent to N8.580 billion,

shareholders’ funds grew by 13.03per cent from N4.458 billion to N5.039 billion within the period of review. Mr. Babalola said the Company’s mantra remains “unfailing and prompt settlement of all claims”. Law Union & Rock was recently rated Claims Paying Ability (CPA) rating of A- .

“The company increased marginally in her top-line whilst it recorded a significant growth in the bottom-line”. Mr. Babalola told the shareholders.

In addition the board chairman said given the approval of the shareholders to raise additional capital through private placement, the offer was 83.3per cent subscribed to the tune of 1,031,199,000 ordinary shares of N0.50 Kobo at N0.70 Kobo per share, according to

him, the total shares subscribed were 859,000,000 representing 83.3per cent ordinary shares.

He said: “Consequent upon a conditional approval issued by the National Insurance Commission, that the investor’s postplacement position should not exceed 20per cent of the Company’s equity, the placement was 83.3per cent subscribed, thus bringing the total shares subscribed to 859,000,000 ordinary shares”.

Babalola assured that the additional capital raised is expected to significantly enhance the Company’s operations and boost its capacity to play in the oil & gas and engineering subsector of the insurance space.

The Chairman also eulogised the immediate past Chairperson

of the company, Princess Adenike Adeniran who retired last year from the Board for her astuteness and leadership openness and accountability while heading the Board.

Additionally, the Managing Director - Mr. Jide Orimolade, said that the profitability of the company has constantly been increased since 2014. He also confirmed that the repositioning has begun to yield result as the company was able to regain her dominance in the Engineering market. He attributed the company’s great feat to the various strategic initiatives which were driven by state of art technology which gave the company competitive advantage ahead of her competitors and enable her to navigate through the turbulent economy

in 2016 with a good profitability.

On the service delivery, the CEO said: “Our careful attention on our service delivery to the customer satisfaction has further given the company respect and recognition in the industry”, adding that an attention would be given to distribution of the company’s products to the burgeoning middle class which has the highest volume.

While expecting to reap huge premium through retail products as well as launch more new retail product, he maintain that the management shall continue to upgrade its technology platform in order to provide excellent and cutting edge service delivery. He added that huge value will be placed on customers in a view to winning their loyalty.

Ugandan President Museveni lists challenges of insurance sector in africa

T

he Ugandan President, His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has attributed the low insurance penetration in Africa to either lack of knowledge about insurance products or misunderstanding of the concept of insurance accounts, making a choice between immediate need versus signing a long term beneficial needs.

The President who made the assertion while declaring open, the 44th Africa Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference in Kampala, Uganda, noted that despite the challenges, there are tremendous growth opportunities which the continent has for the insurance companies globally.

Museveni, represented by his Vice President, Mr. Edward Sekandi assured that the potentials in Africa is huge and the opportunities are also much, saying; “The future is ours if we sort out what needs to be done.

Africa shall not continue to attempt the greedy by being weak.”

He disclosed that in Uganda the industry have 29 insurance companies made up of 21 non-life and eight life companies, one reinsurance company, 30 Brokers, 21 loss adjusters and 1000 agents.

Offering an antidote, he listed 10 strategic areas that must be eliminated by Africa countries and operators in the insurance industry in other for the continent to move forward.

These, according to him, include ideological disorientation, attacking the private sector, inadequate infrastructure that causes the cost of doing business to be exorbitant, underdeveloped human resources and fragmented markets that cannot stimulate and sustain large scale production by providing adequate demand.

He said; “lack of industrialization and export of unprocessed raw materials, undeveloped services sector which under-utilize our huge potentials in tourism, transport, banking, underdeveloped agriculture, lack of democracy, lack of ideology creating a criminal state are issues to tackle”.

He further said the insurance industry in Africa is privileged that it has a role to play in dealing with these bottlenecks, adding that insurance operators in Africa must take stock of what has been done by accurately defining the interests of its people, so as to be able to plan for the future the continent from time to time.

For him, the Theme of this year’s conference: “Furthering the financial Inclusion Agenda of Africa National through Insurance” is very timely, noting that the global insurance industry is dominated by insurance companies all vying for a piece of Africa.

Republican health bill to leave 23m uninsured S ome 23 million people would lose health insurance over the next decade under the revised Republican healthcare plan, says a non-partisan agency, while 14 million people would be uninsured in 2018 alone, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The analysis said federal deficits would fall by $119bn (£91bn) from 2017-2026 under the proposal, which is championed by President Donald Trump.

House Republicans were criticised for passing the bill before the assessment. Wednesday’s rating lays down the gauntlet to Republican senators who are now crafting their own version of the bill, which Democrats have labelled “Trumpcare”.

House Republicans amended their American Health Care Act

(AHCA) after it failed back in March to attract enough support to even win a vote in a chamber their party controls.

The bill would accomplish a long-running conservative goal of repealing and replacing former President Barack Obama’s 2010 Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

Analysts predict that the revised AHCA would leave 1 million fewer Americans uninsured overall compared with the last version, which said 24 million would lose coverage.

The $119bn projected to be shaved off the federal deficit is less than the $150bn in savings forecast in the previous version of the bill.

The American President, Mr. Donald Trump presenting the repealed version of the bill described the Obamacare as a nightmare.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO - Jide Orimolade, Chairman – Remi Babalola & Company Secretary – Stanley Chikwendu at Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc. 48th Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Tuesday 23rd May, 2017.

Senate wants lower Naira notes changed to coins

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria should convert the country’s lower currency notes into coins to facilitate “highly repetitive” retail transactions, the Senate said Tuesday.

The advice came after a Senator spoke on the implications of rejection of the existing coin denominations for the economy.

“The local retailers keep rejecting the coins because commercial banks won’t accept them as deposit, even when they are reflected on paper, and the CBN still recognizes them as legal tender,” said Mustapha Bukar, the APC Senator representing Katsina South.

Given the rejection, plus the loss of value of the coins due to inflation, Mr. Bukar, therefore, suggested conversion of the the lower notes into coins to “cater for highly repetitive transactions” which “overwhelming majority” of Nigerians are engaged in due to “location and income”.

“Since the three coin denominations of 50 kobo, one kobo and 10 kobo have lost their values due to inflation, the conversion of lower

currency notes to coins will facilitate retail transactions in the economy, like we have in developed countries,” the senator said.

“Despite the huge budget by the CBN on sensitising Nigerians on the need to accept coins, the transaction chains were broken and banks and customers reject the currency, thus, promoting corruption and escalating inflation to the extent of diminishing the value of the coins.”

Quoting unnamed “experts”, he said coin denominations were important in helping control devaluation of country’s currency. Taking an instance from the U.S.A, he said a reason why one cent had not phased out “is due to inflationary ramifications of such a move”.

He observed that coins were still being used in advanced countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates, but lamented Nigeria has now become the only country in West Africa “where there is a total absence of the coins in the economy.”

“In Nigeria, there are two types

of retail payments; the highly repetitive small value transactions, such as urban transportation, sweets, cigarettes, kola nuts, sachet water, vegetable etc., as well as, less frequent but high value transactions like clothing, footwear, raw foodstuff, electronics etc.

“Coin currencies are designed globally to cater for highly repetitive transactions because of the nature and conditions under which they happen, such as crowded markets, bus stations, congested traffic, and varying weather conditions, including rainy, sunny and humid conditions in which notes are ill-suited for them.

“Countries regularly upgrade their coinage to keep pace with the prices of this category of retail items,” Mr. Bukar explained.

Following the motion, the Senate, led by Ike Ekweremadu, resolved to urge the CBN to intensify efforts to bring coins back to the economy; and convert lower currency notes into coins to be used “side-by-side with the notes” to facilitate highly repetitive retail transactions in the country.

30

The Oracle Today WednesdayJune 14, 2017

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

Export Platform

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI

Okra market opportunities in Europe familiarised himself with the UK food and standards that came into force recently.

Okra ready for export

I

F YOU are an enthusiast at licking okra soup; be rest assured that you are in very good cosmopolitan company because your culinary habit is shared by a legion of consumers in the EU; chewing, eating and swallowing okra and they definitely need regular and consistent supply. Trade intelligence reveals that most okra produced in Africa is exported to the UK and Netherlands that constitute the two largest markets within the EU. On a recent visit to Germany I was pleasantly surprised to behold a spectacle of a very long queue of okra patrons at the fruits and vegetable section of a supermarket, eager to buy up supplies that was flown in from Kenya; the previous day.

Okra known in some circles as “lady finger” are available in varying lengths and colours. Its stems and leaves, are swathed in sharp hairy spines. Some varieties are bereft of hairs. It is primarily a food ingredient consumed not only by diaspora Africans, Caribbean and Asian communities but also Americans, Caucasians as a component part of stews, soup, gumbos etc. The ripe seeds, are roasted and ground into a coffee substitute and often find expression in herbal concoctions that relieve swellings and inflammation.

A survey conducted not too long ago by the Federation of Nigerian Exporters revealed that most suppliers to the UK market were from Kenya, Thailand, Ghana, Uganda, India, Jordan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Gambia, Mexico et al. like most product sectors where we have comparative advantages, Nigeria’s trade presence is literally nil. Wholesale price of Okra stands at $ 4,000/ mt cif but when the markets get bullish; it shoots up to $ 5,000 - $ 5,600 mt cif.

In the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy; the market potentials are enormous. Am aware that a particular supermarket in Liverpool, UK dispatches Okra to clients in Switzerland, frame to like we always wont to say, a successful exporting outing must be predicated on being subjected to the quality parameters of the trade. The market out there is a dictator of some sorts that brooks no variation from set standards. Okra for shipment should be bright green, firm and free of blemishes, insect and mechanical damage. Very young and

fully developed pods are of poor flavour.

Regardless of the length, okra that are dull, flaccid and yellowish are inferior, mainly due to a high flare content. Okra products should be selected which are 4 to 9 cm in length (1.5” to 3.5”), green, tender and readily snap at the tip.

Okra are highly perishable but with optimum post-harvest handling systems, quality is maintained for four to seven days. Due to the crop size requirements and the rapid rate of growth and development, okra have to be harvested every one to two days to ensure the size specification range. They should not be harvested in the rain or when excessively wet, and should be handled with care; rubber gloves should be used during harvesting and handling. On harvesting approximately 1 cm of stem should remain attached to the pod. Oversize and damage crops are to be removed. Sacks or bags are not to be used as these incur damage and cause heat build up. During transport from field to the pack house, the crates should be covered from the elements, but have sufficient ventilation to prevent heat build-up. Due to the perishable nature of okra, harvesting is required on the day, or the day preceding shipment.

Removal of pods, which show discoloration, bruising, blackening of the ridges or insect damage, is required during the grading procedures. All pods meeting the size specifications can be loose packed into cartons (size grading into individual size is not required). Okras are graded by hand or moving conveyors or standard grading table. Net weights are dependent on the importers requirements vary from 3.5 to 4.5 kg (8 to 10 Ibs).

The usual packing is 4-5 kg cartons with ventilation holes to prevent overheating, because okra exhibits exceedingly high rates of respirations, which generate immerse production of heat and subsequent deterioration. It must be stated that a suitable cooling ambience of 10 oC to 12 oC is a sine qua non after packing the okra for air liftment. The maximum storage period prior to shipment should not exceed 36 hours otherwise blackening of the pod results. Storage with other fruits and vegetables, which produce ethylene, should be avoided. However before freighting consignments, it is needful that every potential exporter

IMPORTING FRUIT OR VEGETABLES (effective from Thursday 1 March 2007) All fruit and vegetable imports must follow UK law on issues such as pesticides and labeling. There are also rules that relate specially to particular types of fruit or vegetable.

Applying for a ‘Certificate of Conformity’ Plants and plant products Potatoes Lettuce and spinach Wonder Bean ‘Lupinus Albus’ Kaffir lime and other citrus fruit leaves Applying for a ‘Certificate of Conformity’ Many fruit and vegetables must meet European marketing standards to be imported into the UK, or other European Union (EU) countries. If you are planning to import fresh fruit or vegetables you should apply for a ‘Certificate of Conformity’ under the PEACH system, which is run by the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The PEACH system can be accessed on the DEFRA website.

Plants and plant products Some plants and plant products are prohibited from entering this country.

Others are restricted and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary (‘plant health’) certificate, which is issued by the Plant Health Authority in the exporting country. These measures exit to prevent the introduction into, and spread within, the European Community of serious pests and diseases of plants and plant produce (including fruit). They apply to plants and plant produce brought into the UK from countries outside the European Community for personal use or with the intention of being made available for sale.

DEFRA is responsible for imports of plants. See the Plant Health Guide for Importers on the DEFRA website or email q.info@defra.gsi.gov.uk for more information for sale.

Potatoes Potatoes and potato seeds can carry pests and diseases, so there are strict rules about importing them into the UK from non-EU countries. DEFRA is responsible for plant-health requirements relating to imports. See the DEFRA website or email q.info@defra.gsi.gov.uk for more information for sale.

Lettuce and spinach Lettuce and spinach can contain nitrates, which can be harmful at high levels. There are maximum levels of nitrates set by the European Commission, so if you are importing these vegetables you must make sure they comply with these rules.

Wonder Bean ‘Lupinus Albus’ Some products containing the Wonder Bean ‘Lupinus Albus’ have previously been imported with medical claims on the packaging. These products have been classified as medicines. This means that they must meet the requirements of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisation Etc.) Regulations 1994, the Medicines Act 1968 and the Pharmaceutical Directive 2001/83/EC. Lupinus Albus has a history of medicinal use as well as food use, so products containing it may fall within the definition of a medicinal

product regardless of any claims.

See the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Guidance Note No. 8: ‘A guide to what is a medicinal product’ on the MHRA website.

Products classified as medicines normally require a licence before they can be sold or supplied. For further information see the MHRA website.

Kaffir lime and other citrus fruit leaves Kaffir lime leaves are not allowed to be imported to the UK. Fresh cut parts (such as foliage and bark, but not fruit) of any Citrus species are prohibited entry to the EC from all non-EU countries as they carry plant diseases (see The Plant Health (England) Order 2005 on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website). This prohibition covers fresh cut parts only and does not apply to dried leaves and other dried cut parts.

Many nurseries in the UK now supply fresh Kaffir lime leaves and other fresh cut citrus parts.

SOME IMPORTERS OF OKRA IN THE EU Agrolon Ltd. Caribbean International Wettern, House, Dingwall Road Croydon.

Hoogkarspelstraat 139 Survey CR0 0XH 25-47 Den Haag Fax: +44 (00) 181 681 Holland Tel: +44 (0) 181 681 6978 Tel: +31 703639999 E-mail: Caribbean@wanadoo.nl Exotic Farm Produce Ltd Farmgate Exotics Mani Estate, Skeldyke Road, Kirton, The Old Malthouse Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 1LR UK. Clarence Street, Bath BA1 5NS, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1205 725500 Tel: +44 (0) 1225 460289 Fax: +44 (0) 1205 722691 E-mail: farmexotic@hotmail.com Mallet Azoulay UK Ltd Agrexco Agriculture Export Co. Ltd West Marsh Road, Spalding, Lines Carmel House, Clayton Road, PE11 2BD Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 1AX. Tel: +44 (0) 1775 711565 Tel: 0181 848 7788 Fax: +44 (0) 1775 711571 Fax: 0181 848 1106 Hilo Supermarket Shipleys Fruit & Vegetables Dortselaan, Dortselaan 3081 BN Upton Ct Rd Slough SL3 7LU Tel: +31 10 4819361 United Kingdom Fax: +31 10 485 2825 Tel: +44 (1753) 52 51 55 Email: hilo@chello.nl Fax: +44 (1753) 52 51 55 Eurofresh Fruit & Vegetables Limited Bos Brothers Fruit & Vegetables BV P.O.Box 20619 Amersgat 17 PB 151 3151 ZJ Hoek Van Idaliou Street 1010 Lefkosia, Cyprus Holland, Netherlands Tel: +357 (22) 48 95 10 Tel: +31 (174) 53 14 44 Fax: +357 (22) 48 95 20 Tel: +31 (174) 51 07 25I • CHINYEMIKE TORTI, is the Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Nigerian Exporters, Alumnus, World Bank Institute, Washington DC, Resource Person ITC/ WTO, Geneva-Switzerland. Moderator, EXPORT ADVOCACY GROUP exportgazette@gmail.com

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

Love & Living racle Girl 0f the Week

••• With Ireto Temofeh

LOVE NEWS ‘Stay with me, please, I love you’:

Bystanders rush to save the lives of injured pedestrians on London Bridge as one woman is heard begging her loved one to ‘hold on’ while paramedics give CPR

L

Name: Blessing Tel: 0806411 8825 •Do you want to be our next Oracle Girl? Send your photos to ireto007@yahoo.com and call 07031028714

ast Sunday night seven people were killed in brutal terror attack on London Bridge. Pictured above, the devastating scene as bystanders and emergency workers tried to save the injured.

A number of video and pictures have emerged showing the devastating impact of last Sunday’s terrorist attack in the UK and the immediate aftermath.

‘I thought they were going to help, then I saw the knives’: Witnesses saw London Bridge attackers mow down innocent people then kick and stab them as they lay helpless One woman’s throat was slit while she was eating a meal in a restaurant while others were ran over when the trio ploughed into pedestrians in a white van.

In a video seen by MailOnline, a man lies on the floor while his heartbroken companion pleaded with him to stay alive.

As sirens whirl in the background, the woman cried: ‘Come on darling, you can do this. You keep going.

Don’t let those f***** do this, oh my God I love you, come on, come on.’

She held onto his hand as she asked the paramedic to ‘run’ to another ambulance to get more equipment.

It is not known who recorded the clip but at the beginning he was told not to film by a man close to the scene. After he walked away from the woman and man, a troubled bystander can be heard recapping the last few moments.

A stunned American tells the cameraman: ‘I started walking over the bridge then there was like eight people.’

In a separate but equally

Odd News

before departing at the other end.

The authors suspected that reports of goats dispersing argan seeds by this more common mechanism were mistaken.

Tree-climbing, seed-spitting goats aid farming

I

t’s tough for trees to thrive in the semi-desert Sous valley region of southern Morocco, but scientists have found that some might be getting a helping hand from an unlikely source.

While the local goats have been considered something of a menace because of their fondness for the argan fruit, Spanish ecologists have observed an unusual way in which they might actually be helping - they are constantly spitting out their seeds.

Domesticated goats in the region are inordinately fond of climbing to the

precarious tops of argan trees to find fresh forage.

In some arid habitats, such as argan forests, most green vegetation is at the tops of the trees - which can grow 10 metres high.

Local goatherds are known to encourage the activity, pruning the bushy, thorny trees to make it easier for goats to ascend them, and even helping the goats’ kids to learn how to climb.

During the bare autumn season in the region, goats can spend three quarters of their foraging time “tree-

top grazing” in the argan trees.

Argan is popular for the beauty products which feature in argan oil, made from the tree’s nuts.

However, the goats don’t like the large argan seeds. Like cows, sheep and deer, goats re-chew their food after fermenting it for a while in a specialised stomach, and while ruminating over their cud, the goats have been observed spitting out the argan nuts. This means they are delivering clean seeds to new ground, wherever the goat has wandered.

Scientists believe that in gaining

gut-wrenching video, a group of four bystanders tried their hardest to resuscitate a man while they waited for emergency services to arrive.

A witness’s footage, taken on a mobile phone, shows traffic and cars continuing to drive past.

In the background a distressed woman can be heard screaming: ‘Call an ambulance!’

Witnesses claimed between three and five men entered a restaurant just south of The Thames and started stabbing people - slashing their throats, faces and stomachs during the horrifying attack.

Customers ran, hiding behind tables and chairs and in basements as some hurled bottles at the attackers, as staff tried to lock the doors, witnesses said.

Police are now hunting the identities of three jihadis who were shot dead in the street after killing seven people and injuring 48 at London Bridge, Sunday night.

The bodies of the attackers were photographed outside the Wheatsheaf pub in Borough Market, with at least one wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest - though police later said it was fake. Witnesses described seeing ‘bodies everywhere’ after the white van with a B&Q logo weaved across the bridge at around 50mph southbound towards The Shard.

The knifemen then ran through nearby Borough Market, stabbing victims at random, witnesses said.

‘The men said, “This is for Allah” as they left the van and attacked victims. There were definitely three people sitting at the front of the van,’ witness Eric Seguenzo told BBC News.

some distance from the parent tree, the seedling gains a much better chance of survival.

This novel seed dispersal effect is a variation on the mechanism ecologists call “endozoochory”, in which seeds more commonly pass all the way through the animal’s digestive system

The researchers have witnessed sheep, captive red deer and fallow deer spitting seeds while chewing their cud, and suspect this spitting variation on endozoochory may actually be common - and perhaps an essential route of seed spread for some plant species.

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

True Confession

My ex saved my marriage’ ...My love, I cry whenever I think of leaving you

A

t the time I wedded in the Catholic Church, the priest made it clear that the church forbids divorce. But after several years of marriage without a child, I took my wife to see a doctor and after I and my wife had been examined, it was revealed that both me and my wife have serious fertility issues.

When the problem became too much for me to bear, I went to see my parish priest in his office for counseling. He told me he would offer Masses for me and pray for me. He counseled me, saying that if childlessness was my cross, I must bear it like Abraham, with faith and trust in God, and that at God’s time, my miracle would happen.

He told me not to think of marrying a second wife. I told him I cry whenever I think of divorcing my wife. And to my surprise I noticed the priest was so touched that there were tears in his eyes as he spoke to me.

He said to me: “Abu, do not worry because God, who sees all in secret, would be your refuge as you carry your cross and follow Jesus.”

Never judge a book by the cover.

It was during this my period of trial that I heard a rumour that the girlfriend I had in Jos in my secondary school days, had had a child for me.

I investigated the rumour and was advised by a reliable source to retrace her family back in Jos if I knew what was good for me. So I traveled to Jos and used my memory of where her family used to live in those days to find her. I finally found Joan’s parents.

They were very angry with me and said that it was true Joan had had a child for me, a baby boy, after I’d dumped her when I heard she was pregnant.

I said I was sorry for putting them through so much pain. I told them what I was suffering in my marriage and why I had come. Joan’s parents pitied me and agreed to summon Joan.

They said Joan was married and had four children for her husband, but that the boy she had for me lived with her. They said Joan’s husband had been a wonderful step-father to my son.

Two days later, Joan arrived.

Joan said she was happily married to her husband and that it would give her joy to see me and my wife living happily together too.

She said that if childlessness was the cause of all the trouble in my home, she was ready to release her son to me, to live with me and my wife as our own child. She said she had put the past behind her and that she is grateful to God that I finally found out that she had a son for me 15 years ago.

I brought Joan’s son, my son, to my house last year, and since then, people have stopped referring to me and my wife as a childless couple.

When my parish priest heard, he was full of praises to God. The Rev. Fr. told me that I must not judge a book by its cover, because things that may appear useless to us now, are the very things God may use in helping us tomorrow.

Life has taught me never to judge a book by the cover, because appearances may be deceitful. Imagine Joan, the girl I dumped in Jos 15 years ago because she told me that she had missed her period, is now the one God has used to give me peace of mind.

The rejected stone of my past has now become the pillar of my marriage. May God bless virtuous women like Joan that have a forgiving spirit. My former girlfriend saved my marriage. Now, I and my wife are living happily together again.

•Your say: Have your say about this love confession. Call 08131161840 or 07031028714.

33

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

Relationships and love advice ‘I caught my wife cheating on camera’

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Lilian, dark and sexy, living in Lekki, Lagos, needs a hot and sexy sugar daddy.

07064482338.

Nkechi, 38, graduate, seeks a matured man and also a devoted christian from 40 years and above for marriage. 08112063224.

Loveth, 27, residing in Kaduna, wants a sugar daddy from Abuja. 09062373928.

Princess, 29, from Anambra, in Lagos, HIV Positive, needs a decent, working, healthy, HIV Positive guy from 30 years and above from Anambra for marriage. 09090675833.

Rosemary, 29, from Anambra based in Abuja, self employed, good looking & homely needs an educated God fearing, comfortable man from the East between 32-45 years strictly for marriage. 09092942483.

Dear Love Doctor, I am an oil worker and usually spend months working offshore before returning to my wife and two children. Last year, I installed a Closed-Circuit Television in my house for security and I forgot to tell my wife about it. But I came home during the holiday period

and out of curiosity I decided to play the recording of the CCTV only to find that it recorded my wife having sex with another man in our living room. Needless to say, I’m completely devastated but I haven’t told my wife anything. I just want to get a lawyer

and divorce her quietly. Should I go ahead? Please reply fast, because I don’t want to commit murder, nor do I want that unfaithful woman to remain in my house.

From Joseph, Lagos.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Joseph, I don’t usually advise married people to install cctv in their homes because besides catching burglars, robbers or other undesirable elements in the act, it could make you discover something about your partner or member of your family which you wouldn’t like to discover. You could just get a nasty surprise from a cctv in your home! That’s why cctv is better left for offices rather than matrimonial homes! Remember the saying that what you don’t see can’t hurt you.

Sometimes a wife’s behavior can indicate cheating, but just because there are indications and suspicions does not mean there is cheating. My first advice to anyone who doesn’t have definitive proof of cheating is to not let your suspicions get away with you and don’t make accusations of infidelity unless you’re absolutely sure there is an issue to be dealt with.

What should you do if You’re Sure Your Wife is Cheating?

Don’t use violence on your wife or on the other man. Sure, your wife has been unfaithful to you, and that man has encroached on your territory, but threats or physical violence from you will land you in jail and push your wife further into his arms. And, like the old saying goes, “when you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.” Your wife and the other man have lowered their standard, but that doesn’t mean you have to lower your standard also.

Check your emotions before exposing her secret. When you find out that she has been unfaithful to you, you will experience many different emotions.

You will fear losing your wife, your marriage ending and of course the shame of knowing that marital trust has been broken. If your desire is to save your marriage you need to check your emotions and tackle this problem with a level head. If your desire is to divorce, you will fare better during the divorce process if you don’t allow your emotions to guide your decisions.

If your desire is to save your marriage, talk to a therapist before confronting your wife. A therapist can help you process the information and emotions and guide you in the steps you need to take to save the marriage. Find somebody you can confide in, like a therapist. But don’t share your marital problems with just anybody that is willing to listen to you. It is dangerous to share your problems with just anybody.

Therefore, it is important that you know you are not alone, that you have a confidant to go to when your emotions get the best of you. Choose a good friend or trusted family member to confide in but don’t allow your anger to cause you to spread the word to too many people. If you are able to save your marriage, you don’t want people judging you or your wife or gossiping.

Your marital problems are your private business; keep it close to the chest.

Again, don’t compare your situation to that of others. Every marriage or affair is unique and different. What happens in someone else’s situation is not a reflection of what will happen in your situation. You also need to develop a plan for personal and marital recovery based on your marriage and your relationship with your wife. Take care of your emotional and physical needs. Lean on your support system, talk to a therapist, and

do what you need to do to keep your emotions from causing you illness. Eat a balanced diet so the stress of your situation does not interfere with your optimum physical well-being. Exercise regularly, nothing alleviates stress and prevents depression like a regular workout routine.

Protect your legal rights in case your marriage doesn’t survive. Whether or not you want a divorce, it is in your best interest to consult with a divorce attorney if your wife is cheating. You don’t have to file for a divorce but a consultation with a divorce attorney will help you understand your legal divorce rights and how to protect yourself and any marital assets should the affair mean the demise of your marriage. Confront your wife about her betrayal. It is important to have proof of the infidelity.

Make sure you preserve the proof or evidence carefully. If you’ve spoken with a therapist and a divorce attorney and have gotten a good grasp of your emotions, the confrontation with your wife will more than likely go in your favor.

Look inwards and reflect on the whole situation. Ask yourself if you’re actually the cause of your wife’s infidelity. Have you been meeting her physical and emotional needs?Have an open and frank discussion with your wife over the reason she had to cheat on you. Ask her for an explanation, and make the decision whether to stay in the marriage or file for a divorce. Whatever you do, is your choice. Don’t allow your wife to dictate how you choose to respond to her bad behavior. Only you know what is and isn’t acceptable marital behavior.

In the end it is up to you what you can and can’t live with.

Rosemary, 31, from Anambra based in Abuja, self employed, good looking & homely, needs an educated, godly, comfortable man from the East between 32-45 years strictly for marriage. 08161186244.

Annie, 32, a graduate, christian, single mum in Lagos, wants a man between the ages of 37-55 years; literate and working, a Christian, either single, widowed or divorced for a relationship. 09026823456 or 08168485612.

Wunmi, works in Lagos, needs a working Yoruba man from 32-45 years who attends Cherubim & Seraphim for marriage.

09075839386.

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014.

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840 for Counseling, fertility problems & Direct Hookup.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Rexos, from Enugu, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy of 35 years and below. 08096374374.

Desmond, HIV Positive, from Anambra, living in Lagos, needs a pretty, HIV Positive woman for marriage. 09092935581, 08127618536.

Goodheart wants a tall, fair, beautiful, working class Yoruba, Akwa-Ibom, Kogi or Port-Harcourt lady for marriage.

08030725296.

Love needs a mature lady in Lagos for companionship. 08077821830.

Daniel, 25, student, needs a sugar mummy or a single mum in Minna, Abuja or Kaduna who can take care of his educational finance. 08167627446.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

It happened to me

I

am addicted to shopping. I will go to extreme lengths to get the latest fashion trend. But nothing compares to what I did for my latest fashion fix.

I was at lunch with friends in the city and we decided to stop in at the local boutiques for some retail therapy. We entered a very expensive store that always had something fabulous and that day was no exception. I was instantly drawn to a beautiful coat in the window.

My friends also started hustling for the coat and asking for sizes from the shop assistant. They only had one in stock but it was my size.

I tried it on and fell in love with it. It was gorgeous!

I was very nervous to look at the price tag. The lovely coat cost $1500.

I couldn’t believe it. There was no way I could afford it. But I just had to have it.

That night I went home and tried to think of ways to get the money for the coat. Like I said, I was addicted and convinced myself I needed the coat. I wanted to buy it before anyone else could. If I had the coat, I knew I would be the envy of all my friends. The problem was, it was so out of my reach.

A couple of days later my friends and I met up for coffee and as we walked past the boutique I noticed a ‘staff wanted’ sign. I suddenly had a thought. Once my friends and I parted ways, I went to the store and enquired about the job. It was a casual position, mainly weekends.

I turned on my sales persona and told the manager I was interested in finding a second, casual job and had a lot of sales experience. I apologised for not having a resume on me as I had only noticed the sign as I was walking by, but the manager was quite eager to give me a trial anyway.

I wasn’t really sure what I was doing. Well, I was in a way, but I couldn’t believe I was actually contemplating it. So I went for my trial, fake resume in hand. The manager gave me a few tasks and then gave me a set target to try and reach before the end of the day.

It was really busy and funnily enough the only thing I was nervous about was if one of my friends happened to walk by. That would surely thwart my plan. Thankfully, no familiar faces showed up. My next challenge was to figure out my plan of attack.

Lunchtime showed that opportunity. The manager told me she would be leaving for lunch but would only be 20 minutes or so. She took some large bills from the register and said that she was going to get change from the bank. I watched her walk into the bank as I could see it from the boutique. The rush had died down and there was no one left browsing the racks.

I knew this was my chance. The coat had been removed from the window dummy earlier as someone was trying it on and it now remained on a centre couch. I quickly picked it up, folded it and stuffed it into a large bag I had ready.

I peeped at the bank to see if the manager had left. She was still in there. I had parked my car just around the corner. I grabbed the bag and ran to my car, leaving the

‘I stole because of my addiction to shopping’

store unattended. I didn’t care at this point. All I knew was that I needed to get the bag out of the shop.

I was in and out in less than a minute. I took a quick glance around the shop and everything seemed in place. I composed myself and waited for the manager to return. At this point I was getting very nervous. I had a fair idea of what I was going to say but wasn’t sure it would work.

By the time the manager walked in I had put on my frantic face and even managed some tears. I was carrying on in a hysterical panic and she told me to calm down and explain why I was panicking. I told her that a cus-

tomer had come in and asked for another size in a particular top. I’d gone out the back and when I’d returned the girl was gone and so was the coat.

All the manager could do was scream out a huge “What?” I explained that I had only been out the back for one minute but the manager said that I should never have left the front in the first place. I was very afraid she was going to make me pay for the coat, so I said I was only trying to reach budget and that I didn’t want to lose out on a sale. The manager looked distraught.

She called the police and told me

Romantic Joke

Best Friend Mark was passing by the bar on the way home from work when he sees his good friend Tom gulping down one shot after another. Fearing the worst, Mark charged into the bar and confronted Tom. “Tom what’s going on?” Mark asked. “It’s my wife Beckie,” Tom replied. “She ran off with my best friend!”

“Hey wait a second! said Mark. “Aren’t I your best friend?”

“Not any more,” Tom said with a happy smile. “He is!”

that I would have to give a full statement of what the thief looked like. I already knew they didn’t have cameras installed. The police asked me to give a description of the girl and I gave the best description I could of my imaginary thief. I kept picturing a girl who I despised so my description would be consistent.

After the police left, the manager told me that under the circumstances the trial had not worked out. I put on a devastated face and once again said how sorry I was. I walked to my car and couldn’t believe what I had just pulled off or what I’d done for a coat.

I never told anyone what I did. I still have the coat tucked away secretly in my closet. I haven’t even worn it because I am scared the manager might see me in it. Being a small city, it’s quite possible I could bump into her on one of my nights out with the girls.

I am waiting until next season to wear my beautiful coat but I have now become quite paranoid that I will get caught. I feel guilty for what I did and of course ashamed that I was so desperate. If I eventually wear the coat and my friends ask where I got it, I am going to say it’s from eBay. Since then I have stopped shopping so much and am considering talking to someone about my compulsive shopping behaviour. When I was younger I used to joke about how much I liked to shop and being a typical shop-o-holic. But after what I stooped to, somehow it doesn’t seem so funny any more.

•Comments: Call 07031028714.

•Sent from my iPhone with love. You can reach me via +2348131161840 or +2347031028714. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com. Thank you very much. May God bless you.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Conducting a search It is now a very common scene on our roads to see uniformed and non-uniformed law enforcement agencies blocking the main roads and in some cases dangerously blocking free flow of traffic at the express roads. Stop! Stop!! Come down everybody!!! Wetin you carry!!!! etc, have been the cajole used all in the name of searching. It is even funny that some unauthorized officers abuse this Lawful enactment for some selfish and personal interest reasons hence, giving bad image about the authorities entrusted with these functions. Also some citizens, out of ignorance of the Law and who never cared to consult the Lawyers who are properly and adequately equipped to assist whosoever is in trouble or problems relating to such a Law are victims of these illegalities. It is on this premise that I decided to discuss this topic.

What is a search?

The examination of a person’s body, or that of house, vehicle, aircraft, premises or any other vessel with the intention of discovering some evidence of guilt to be utilized in a criminal prosecution or action or acquittals or any other criminal offence which he is to be charged is regarded as search. The discovery may be contraband, stolen property or illicit, etc.

Necessity for conducting searches The necessity for conducting a search is to obtain evidence with which to prosecute an alleged offender. This is one of the reasons the police usually mount some road blocks urgently especially after the report of a violent crime in other to track down the criminals with the information of the identity of them given to them.

The result of a search usually gives a clue as to the strength of the prosecutor’s case thereby determining to a large extent whether a case should proceed or not.

Forms of searches Basically there are three forms a search can take. They are: (1) Search of persons (2) Search of premises

(3) Search of things SEARCH OF PERSON: Section 28 of Police Act empowers a police officer to search the body of a person whenever he intends to make Lawful arrest or suspects reasonably a crime. Likewise section 29 of Police Act empowers a policeman to detain and search a person. It should be noted that this search cannot be because of undue influence or with malice or to ridicule or cajole a person/personality as some of my callers have been complaining to me. The police must reasonably, (reasonably here is objective, that is would a reasonable person conduct a search in such circumstances), suspect the offender to have committed any of these recognized offences under the section or as informed. Similarly, section 150 (1) of custom and excise management Act and section 32 of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency empowers these two agencies to conduct searches in the performance of their work.

It is very important to state that our women being scared and highly respected are adequately protected by the Law from indecent search.

To this end, the law in section 6 (2) CPA; section 44(3) CPC; section 150 (1) CEMA provides that where a search is to be conducted on a woman, it shall be done by a woman who is a security officer. This is to be done with strict regard to decency.

SEARCH OF PREMISES: The general rule regarding searching of premises is that the police officer or any other officer conducting a search on premises must be with an authentic search warrant before embarking on such mission. The use of force or military procedures is not acceptable by law as it must be done orderly. It is illegal to embark on the search of premises without search warrant. However, there are some exceptions as; (a) Custom and excise management Act, section 147 (1) gives powers to custom officers to enter or break into a place where there are reasonable grounds to suspects any concealment. (b) If a person to be arrested under a warrant is suspected to be within suspected premis-

CASE 1: What can I do if I’m unjustly arrested?

es, search may be conducted on such premises without warrant.

Note: there are so many other circumstances which you need to consult with a Lawyer near you for guidance/assistance or you can call me through any of my phone lines. Do not take laws into your hands.

SEARCH OF THINGS: this simply means the inspection of things such as vehicles, ship, cars, etc, including “wetin you dey carry”. Police, NDLEA etc, are empowered for such but without abuse or illegalities. I wish to state here that these agencies are legally instituted and always have good intentions for the general public.

After all, they take big risk in conducting these searches and deserve our commendations.

Also, we should note that they are a very large family and cannot fully be monitored by their overseeing authorities and the public assistance to guide them by reporting mistakes by their men is usually appreciated and once they are found guilty they are not spared by the Law. Procedural rights of an accused So far, I have tried acquainting my readers with some explanation of the criminal aspects of Law they put to me so that our rights are not unjustly and unlawfully trampled upon because of ignorance. However, I wish to warn and advise that when one knows one’s rights but pursues it wrongly it will become illegality and one cannot fight illegality with illegality. My candid advice to everybody is to consult a lawyer who is well and properly trained to handle Legal matters whenever cases of Law come in one’s life.

Always seek Legal advice/opinion in everything or venture you want to embark upon. You may wish to call on me if a Lawyer is not readily available to you.

2.Right to be brought before a Court within the Jurisdiction of an accused within 24 or 48 hours of the arrest.

3.Right to be bailed on re-organization or without sureties as the case may be.

4.Right not to be handcuffed or subjected to unnecessary restraint except by order of the Court or where reasonable fear of escape is envisaged.

5.Right not to use excessive force on the accused.

6.Right to be informed of the cause of the arrest except where the cause is known to the accused.

7.Right of a woman to be searched by a woman police and with decency.

8.Right to be showed a valid search warrant before search is conducted.

9.Right of the execution of search warrant of premises in the presence of two respected neighbors.

10.In the North, right of a woman in purdah to withdraw before a search is conducted in their home.

When an accused is arrested what constitutional rights has he? i. Right to silence. ii. Right to a lawyer or counsel of his choice. iii. Right to be informed of the crime he is alleged to have committed. iv. Right not to be treated like or termed a criminal but rather treated as innocent until a Court proves otherwise. v. Right to bail in a bailable offence. vi. Right to public apology upon a wrongful arrest or false imprisonment by the Law enforcement agencies.

Finally, Lawyers know them best and is always ready to assist once contacted. Consult one around you when in such needs.

Come to think of it is there no procedure of •Do you have questions or seek legal clarifitreating an accused, or has he no rights? Yes, cation on issues concerning your marriage, prothere are as follows: 1.Right to be handed to a policeman or police bate, property, etc? Call Barr. Ken: 08162016410, station where arrest is made by a private per- 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com son.

CASE 2: Is it right for a police man to search my wife?

Dear Lawyer,

Dear Lawyer, Please, I was wrongfully and unjustly arrest, detained and charged to Court and I felt disgraced and embarrassed. Please, can i sue them for redress?

Solomon, Jos, Pleatuea State.

Lawyer,s Answer: Dear Solomon, Nobody is above the Law no matter how highly placed one is. Law is not a respecter of persons. If you are wrongly arrested and detained, the defendant may be liable to false imprisonment. Likewise, in the case of search of persons or premises, the complainant could be liable in damages for malicious procurement of search warrant. Finally, in the case of a complainant eading to the prosecution of suspect, the complainant will be liable for malicious prosecution. I will advise you to consult further any Lawyer nearest to you or call me again on my line if not clear.

Please, a policeman came to search for the theft of a generator in my house as a cotenant reported me to their station. However, he did not see the generator but saw something that looks like Indian hemp in my house and also before my arrival to my house the policeman searched my wife even when she refused the search on her body. Please, has he the right to search the body of my wife as a man and deviate from the main purpose of the search which is the lost generator. Can the Court admit his evidence?

Tunji, Ibadan, Oyo state.

Lawyer’s Answer Dear Tunji, A police man has no right to search the body of a woman. It must be done by a female police officer. Secondly, the Court can admit in evidence the Indian hemp found on you if it is relevant to the case, except in cases of involuntary confession any evidence respective of how it is obtained is admissible once it is relevant.

Call Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

Sent from my iPhone with love. You can reach me via +2348131161840 or +2347031028714. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com. Thank you very much. May God bless you.

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

My Love & Life

He only says ‘I love you’ during sex

By Ify ARONU I read a touching email from a young woman who’s had an uneventful marriage in the short term.

Please read her: “Hi Ify, OPE YOU are fine. I just want to ask for your opinion on something I noticed about my husband. Our marriage is just over a year old and it hasn’t been smooth at all.

From one issue to the other and I strongly suspect that my man is cheating but no evidence. Unlike when we were only dating, he now nags a lot and seems to find fault in everything I do. We hardly have happy times as newly married couples should but he has never laid hands on me to beat me or slap though. But I just feel that he doesn’t love me anymore even though he wasn’t forced to marry me. Before we got married, he reaffirmed his love for me everyday but now I only hear those words during our rare intimate moments. And usually I say it first and he l reluctantly responds. I really don’t know what to think, I really need to be loved and appreciated. I do everything to show my commitment to him, I have been faithful too. Do you think he still loves me?

Thank you. From Joy”

H

From me to Joy: Through the maze, one thing is clear; sex is the only thing that interests him right now. Everything he used to appreciate in you seems to have lost its spice because something likely changed along the line. So Joy, what changed? Usually, unmet marriage expectations cause early rifts in marriage and cast doubts on ones choice of marriage partner. Also, deception, that is, hiding some nasty habits that only come to light after marriage, is known to precipitate early issues in marriage proper. It is quite sad that your honey moon excitement never lasted as it should but I still think that happy ever after can still happen for you. I don’t believe in giving up on something as serious and divine as marriage on the short run. You did say that he doesn’t beat you up, being together still is a good sign that you both can fix this. You have to make up your mind to initiate the recovery process yourself. If

you do it right, he will follow suit someday.

Before setting out to recover your marriage, you must know a few not so pleasant yet important things.

If I ever heard a scary thing about marriage, it should be that love may fade at some point to show that marriage thrives on something more than love. You have to discover that ‘something’ that will sustain your marriage. For many, putting up with a nag is the hardest thing because some certified nags would poke you until you nag back. Also, being with a man who doesn’t seem to see anything good in you anymore may be so unbearable.

That’s the reality you have to live with but you can deal with it.

At certain stages of marriage, you find that someone has to rescue the home even when the other party seems to care less.

Now is your turn to fight for it, Joy. Firstly, if you used to react to him or nag back, change that.

You also need to understand him, his mood at different times, tell him about your concerns during happy moments and always use comely words when presenting issues. By this, I am not suggesting that you develop unhealthy fear for him, not at all. You just have to be word savvy around him as your husband and lord. I bet you, with good understanding and kind patience, you can win through this.

Now, It is not about periodic moments of peace that still faze off leaving bitterness and rancour. Lasting peace, though not easily achieved, should be your marriage goal going forward.

Try to follow his lead and guide and quietly register displeasure only when his mood would let him hear you and respond right.

I have detailed your roles in the recovery process because the change you desire starts with you. Give it time, do these and I’m positive that you will have a better outcome provided his heart is still with you, and I believe it is. For now, try not to worry about the fact that he never professes love except during sex. Concentrate on setting a new and better stage and you just might have a super outcome.

I wish you the much deserved happiness that you crave.

Want to share your experiences regarding this issue, ask questions or make suggestions. Tell me about your love experienced today.

Email: ifyaronu@gmail.com, Facebook:Ify Aronu, Twitter :Iamifyaronu SMS:0808 213 8580

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38

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

S

tar of Seven Books of Moses, Mike Godson has sensationally denied ever dating Nollywood sex siren, Ini Edo. In a chat with Oracle Today, the hunk who has been described as a Ramsay Noauh look-alike said he never dated the actress despite pictures of the pair in a romantic mood going viral online.

“Ini is just my friend and my senior colleague.

I have lots of respect for her. Those pictures were actually movie pictures. I don’t know how they got out there. There are enemies everywhere. Actually the pictures were for a movie we shot together.”

Is he ing that the future holds nothing for him and Ini Edo from a romantic perspective? “She is my friend and senior colleague and that is all. I don’t think there is something more than that,” he declared.

Commenting on how his journey to Nollywood began he continued: “I have been in Nollywood for quite a while. It wasn’t easy I must confess. I started from the bottom and rose by sheer dint of hard work to where I am today and I thank God every day for the elevation.”

Born in Northern Nigeria, Kano State to be precise, he studied Theater & Communication Arts.

Recalling the early years he said: “When I came to Lagos, I met Ernest Obi who introduced me to a few people. Then one day Onyi Okechukwu introduced me to some working producers after I followed him to Enugu.

Luckily for me, Van Vicker, was supposed to be on the set of the movie that he was working on and Van was supposed to have a little brother.

“So, when they saw me, they said I should play the role of junior Van Vicker.

Although they had paid someone else to play the role but I got it. That was how my acting career kicked-off.”

My affair with Ini Edo – Mike Godson Douglas Omoyooma

• Ini edo Though he has starred in a lot of movies, the flick that brought him to limelight is Seven Books of Moses. Commenting he continued: “Seven Books of Moses did. It was produced by Richmond Eze. After that movie my life changed. I played the role of Kazzeem who could turn into a beast. Of course, it was quite challenging because I haven’t played such a role before in my entire life. After that movie I haven’t rested.”

What is the secret to his success? “It all boils down to hard work. If you work hard, things would be less difficult. When I started, it wasn’t easy. I had to start from the scratch. You have to remain humble to get to the top. Some people envy me because they believe I just got in and suddenly became famous. I owe it all to the grace of God. What has stardom denied him? “My freedom I must confess. People always want to see you cheerful and all smiles because you are an actor.

•Mike Godson Douglas Omoyooma The better part of me has been taken away by my career.”

Lady’s man?

“A lot of people see me as a lady’s man but I don’t see myself in that light. It hasn’t been easy though trying to deal with female fans. Some of them even cross the lines. I am a very cool and friendly person but I know where to draw the line.

Has he ever cried for love? “I don’t think I have.

I can feel bad, very bad but I can’t cry for a woman but I have a very big eye when it comes to women.

My taste is huge when it has to do with women. I love pretty women, very intelligent, tall, sexy, Godfearing, hardworking and very beautiful women.”

Dreams “I am a very honest person. My word is my bond.

I don’t like lies..I want to be a very successful actor.

I hope to have achieved a lot in the next five years.”

Dele Momodu to speak at COSON House on June 12 as Kasi marks birthday

C

OSON House Arena, located in Ikeja, Lagos, will come alive on Monday, June 12, when it plays host to the publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu and the event will also witness the birthday celebration of TOPS singer, Kasi.

A key figure in the June 12 Movement, Dele Momodu will be at the arena to speak to a top selection of the media, artistes, political activists and young people on a theme tagged: June 12 and the Lessons of History.

And on hand to thrill guests is birthday girl, Kasi, who has promised everyone coming to her special birthday event a memorable experience. The June 12 damsel says that she will be joined by several of her friends to thrill the guests to scintillating music.

Commenting, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and CEO of TOPS, managers of KASI said: “All invited to the special June 12 celebration must arrive on time as seats will be at a premium.”

39

The Oracle Today Wednesda June 14, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

T.W.O honour Bob Marley, Orits Wiliki others in new video

T

unde and Wunmi Obe aka T.W.O have chosen to celebrate musical legends from Africa and the world with their new music video entitled Rise Up, a reggae song which was done in honour of legends including Orits Wiliki, Lucky Dube and Bob Marley.

Commenting, Tunde Obe said: “Rise-Up is a unique and different style of music from T.W.O. for the enjoyment of all reggae fans in the world. Rise Up is an up-tempo roots-reggae beat that is meant to take roots reggae lovers on a nostalgic journey back to the 80s, when the genre held sway. With

this song, we are celebrating and honouring music legends like Orits Wiliki, Lucky Dube and Bob Marley; many of whom have inspired us in one way or the other.”

Among others, the video was directed by Clarence Peters. The couple, who are Nigeria’s most recognizable husband and wife act first achieved recognition and public acclaim in ‘The Charly Boy Show’; a television programme in the 90s, after which they released their debut album ‘Sealed’ in 1999, followed by a self-titled album ‘T.W.O which was the first album they recorded as a married couple.

Excitement as Alakada Reloaded rakes in 50 million in one week

T

hese are definitely happy times for actress turned movie producer, Toyin Abraham.

Her movie, Alakada Reloaded, is heating up Nollywood and has grossed N50 million at the Box Office barely a week after its release.

Speaking on the success of the movie, the Edo born actress said: “I am very happy, God has been so good to me and my fans have been so wonderful. I am extremely happy. We worked really hard on this movie, and I am glad the hard work is paying off. I expected something like this but not this big. N25m in one week is huge!

“The rate at which we are selling out is mind blowing, even in nonYoruba speaking state. I have been visiting different cinemas and people in large numbers have been storming the cinema to see the movie.”

Recall that Alakada Reloaded became one of

Kemi Stone heats up social media with stunning pictures •Set to unveil fashion line

F

the top grossing movies of this year after grossing N25 million in its first three days. Alakada Reloaded parades a star-studded cast including Ali Baba, Odunlade Adekola, Kehinde Bankole, Woli Arole,

Nedu OAP, Helen Paul, Lilian Esoro, Annie Idibia, Bidemi Kosoko, Liz Da Silva, Lala Akindoju, Mr Latin, Iyabo Ojo, Gabriel Afolayan and Toyin Abraham.

ast rising actress, Kemi Stone has released hot new promo pictures ahead of projects to be launched in September.

The sizzling new shoot which features pieces and accessories from her collection is a prelude to her Kemi Stone fashion line collection and ‘Let’s Go Places with Kemi Stone’, travel and tour guide show launch which comes up in September.

The light-skinned actress hit Nollywood in 2007 after she enrolled at Wale Adenuga’s Pencil Film Institute where she met a couple of friends who invited her to several movie auditions at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos and today, the rest is history.

Among others she has produced two movies, Ojo Kan and Ijogbon and has featured in several others.

Apart from acting, she is also into fashion designing

and contemporary jewellery designing. Kemi, who likes to refer to herself as the ‘Queen of all trades’ is also a model. She has featured in a couple of TV commercials including Globacom TVC with King Sunny Ade.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

US arrest: Davido may dump Dammy Krane –Insider •May get 40-year prison sentence

I

ndeed it was with shock that the industry received news of the arrest of singer Dami Krane late last week. Feelers reaching Oracle Today indicate that the singer might be offloaded off Davido’s record label due to the negative media trailing the incidence so says an insider.

“These are really tough times for Dammy Krane and also his close pal, and label boss, Davido.

Despite the support Davido has shown his act on social media, all is not well as the label is considering dumping the artiste due to the embarrassing spin-off which has trailed his arrest.

“Left to Davido, he would have left him alone but pressure is mounting from his business partners, friends and advisers that continuous association with Dami

Krane is not in his best interest,” the insider added.

Meanwhile, a new twist has been

added to the controversy. Wikipedia has made a new entry about his arrest on his profile page on

the platform.

A quick check on Wikepedia shows a section tagged “Arrest” has been added to his main page which reads thus: “On Friday 2nd June 2017, the Nigerian news circuit was set ablaze with surprising news that Dammy Krane had been arrested in the US for Grand Theft, Credit Card & Identity Fraud.

“In the days that followed more details revealed that the talented Nigerian musician had used a stolen credit card to book a private jet from a company – Tap Jets – while on holiday in Miami.”

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Dammy Krane was slammed with a 9-count chargel amid fresh reports that the singer may spend close to 40-years in prison if convicted of the charges. The jailed singer’s bail was set at $22,500.

Sylvia Edem unleashes Sandcastles A Wonder woman hits Nigerian cinemas M ovie buffs are in for a swell time as the media screening for superhero movie, Wonder Women was held at Genesis Cinemas, The Palms, Lekki, Lagos, on May 30.

Wonder Woman is the story of Diane, Princess of the Amazons trained to be an unconquerable warrior before she becomes Wonder Woman. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot who tells her about the massive conflict that is raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home, fighting in a war to end all wars and she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.

The first live action feature film built around the 1941 DC comic book charac-

ter, Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot as Wonder woman. It also stars Chris Pine and Robin Wright and was directed by Patty Jenkins Speaking, an official of Blue Pictures, Tobu Ogunlowo said: “A lot of people have been anticipating this movie coming to the cinemas and so today is kind of a climax of expectations for movie buffs. The cinematography and the sound is wonderful. The movie just premiered in Hollywood and Blue Pictures is already bringing it to Nigerians because we believe in bringing the latest to Nigeria so that as Americans are enjoying it, Nigerians are also enjoying it. What sets this version of Wonder Woman apart is that it has a romantic ring as wonder women finally gets to fall in love.”

ctress turned movie maker, Sylvia Edem, is set to heat up Nollywood with her latest movie entitled Sandcastle, which hits Nigerian cinemas on July 9.

Speaking at a press parley held on Tuesday, May 30 in Lagos, Sylvia revealed: “We plan to take this movie to every state in Nigeria because it is not just a movie but one that rekindles hope. Through this movie, the physically challenged will know that they are not different from other person but they are accepted and loved and they can be whatever they want to be. As a matter of fact, we will be giving out free tickets to the physically challenged in every state we screen Sandcastle.”

“This is my first feature length movie,” says Bassey Okon Bassey, singer turned actor “as an artiste, I get to be in front of the camera every now and then but this is different. I am grateful to Sylvia for this opportunity. I enjoyed the set of Sandcastle.”

A romantic thriller, Sandcastle was directed by Edward Ukah and Sylvia plays the role of Timi,

a young blind girl who finds favour in the eyes of a prominent man Ayade (Wale Ojo).

Sandcastle also features Wale Ojo, Charles Okocha, Shirley Igwe, Mary Uranta, Sylvia Edem and Bassey Okon Bassey among others.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

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42

The Oracle Today, June 14, 2017

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Thank-You Visit

Governor Ikpeazu on arrival with Sir Ndidi Okereke, former PDP Chairman Abia State

Gov Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief Udeh Oko Chukwu, Chief Johnson Onuigbo

From left, former Senate President, Sen. Adolphos Nwagbara, Prof Isabella Igwe & Barr. Okey Igwe

HRM Eze Prof. S. I. Nwankwo given out a Chieftaincy certificate on behalf of Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council

From right HRM Eze Godson Ezekwesiri, HRM Eze Prof S. I. Nwankwo, HRM Eze Okechukwu Chukwuji & HRH Eze Ohia Onyekachi

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu during his speech

The Chairman making a welcome speech

(L-R) PDP State Chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo (middle) flanked by the PDP Chairman Umunneochi, Hon Mbanefo Agbadogo (2nd left), Hon Madubuike (right), Chief Godwin Ike (2nd Right)

43

The Oracle Today Wednesda June 14, 2017

to Umunneochi Local Government Area

Cross section of Traditional Rulers

Living in Bondage veteran, from left Chinyereugo Nnenna Okonta, Ngozi Nwosu, Gloria Anozie Young, Chinyere Nwabueze with SSA to the governor, Dauda Ogbonna and Chief Mrs. Florence Anya

Members of Chrisnak Fans Club

Beneficiaries of the wheelchairs

Prince Odinaka Igwe (4th from left), (4th from right) Barr Okey & Prof. Isabella Igwe, Hon Matthew Ibeh (3rd left), Sir Ndidi Okereke (5th left) and others

Sen. Nwagbara with a copy of The Oracle Today

Okezuo Women Support Group

The Hausa Community led by Chairman of Cattle Dealers Association Umuchieze Cattle Market, Alhaji Annayiru Umaru

The Oracle Today June 14, 2017

PEOPLE 2017 BB Naija winner, Efe dazzles in Enugu From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

game plan, adding that, “I just chose to live my normal life without any ‘forming’ or pretence, and I am happy that it paid off for me in the end”.

Manager of the Club, Osifo Prince Osaro, aka DJ Funky, described the decision of the club’s management to invite Efe to the grand opening of the club over as enriching. He also thanked the artiste for honouring their invitation, and as well, appreciated guests for making the day great and memorable.

Describing ClubRush as unique and a club with class, with 100 per cent security guaranteed, Osifo also pointed out that, “Rush is a club with class. We have so many special attractions that make us unique. For instance, there is what we call ‘Funky 4 Blend’, which is a combination of music, jazz band and conga.

Rush is the only club in Nigeria that has such concept. Also, Rush is not a club for any kind of girl; only classy and well-packaged girls are admitted here. The point I am making is that Rush is not an all-comers club.” he said.

Meanwhile, in addition to DJs FX2 and Xtacee, who blasted away a blend of choice jamz all through the night, in a relay manner, several other talented upcoming artistes and comedians enjoyed a field say as they were given special opportunity to perform and entertain the audience at the bar, before and after Efe’s appearance. They include Enugubased popular female rapper, Lucy Q; Joel of Dream FM; Boss Lady; Big Big, rapper; The Yaga Boys, and Star C, among others.

W

INNER of the 2017 edition of Big Brother Naija reality TV show, Efe Ejeba, recently stormed Enugu, the Coal City, where he treated fans to dozes of scintillating stage performances.

The smooth rapper was in the city as special guest at the grand opening of an exclusive night club called ClubRush, at Top Rank Hotels, Enugu. He also seized the opportunity to pour out gratitude to his fans and all Nigerians who voted him to success at the reality show, which held in South Africa, recently.

Efe’s first appearance was at the open bar wing of the club, where he displayed introductory but irresistible flashes of easy-flow raps, including a few lines from his hugely trending new rap song, ‘Based on Logistics’ amid thunderous cheers and standing ovation from guests. However, that was shortlived because, as soon as he started off, the atmosphere got tensed and tended to become uncontrollable.

The Oracle Today observed that several seemingly over-excited fans and guest alike surged towards the stage, in ecstasy, and attempted to overwhelm both Efe and the Disc Jokers (DJs) on duty – DJ FX2 of Dream FM, and DJ Extacee. But the organisers promptly signalled him to halt his performance and save the rest for the club hall which was a more organised setting.

Addressing fans before being guided out of the bar, Efe appealed to guests to remain calm because he had come to town to rock with them all night. He thanked Enugu residents and all Nigerians in general, for their love and support during the BBN show and afterwards.

In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Efe pointed out that his show at the bar was just a tip of the iceberg. According to him, he had come prepared and was eager and ready to reciprocate the amazing reception and love that Enugu residents had extended to

44

him.

“You have not seen anything yet, my brother. They will see the real Efe at the club hall.

When we arrived, I was humbled almost to the point of tears on sighting how people had lined up to welcome us; others were struggling to have a glimpse of us. But all na by

God’s grace sha. You know that many people are not away that I am a good rapper. I am a gifted rapper and Enugu go see am in full today,” he said.

And on the strategy that helped him to win the popular reality show, Efe explained that he did not employ any special strategy or

PASSAGE Eclipse of rare Amazon

By Rapuluchukwu Udechukwu

D

EATH is a priceless debt. No matter the age, race or social status, death still remains a cross awaiting all the living. It’s just a matter of time, despite the circumstances or travails that heralded such painful departure.

Madam Josephine Nwamalubia Okeke would not have died if money was the issue. Even at her ripe age, 95 years, she was receiving her children’s constant attention. She had seven children, four males and three females – all with sound academic background. They are Rev. Tony, Arch (Dr.) Hyacinth, Engr. Ignatius Emeka, Theresa, Paul, Virginia, Anna – these are men and women of virtue who benefitted immensely from Mama’s motherly care.

Born in 1922 to Adibe and Nkeobuna Obiasogu family of Okofia Otolo Nnewi, Anambra State, Josephine displayed a stoic and displinary character that won admiration from her peers. Though not privileged to attend school due to life vicissitudes, she was able to make amend via evening school at adult stage. She got married to Sylvester Nwokolo Okeke of Ndiakwu Otolo Nnewi. She stayed with him in Maiduguri, Bornu State, engaging in various business activities. She made positive impact in bakery business, Ony-

emaechi buttered bread as brand name.

She was not only hardworking, but a dogged fighter especially in her husband utilities. She single handedly fought and recovered his properties taken away by some influential individuals and relations in the society.

Josephine believed in equity and fair play, not minding the critics and level of intimidation. A deeply religious woman of catholic faith who went to Isreal for pilgrimage, Nwamalubia was indeed a staunch member of Christian Women Organization (CWO) of St. Cletus Catholic church of Otolo Nnewi. Her fluidity in church activities coupled with strong determination to serve God were well known and appreciated by the Nnewi community. Sadly a golden heart has gone, a role model is no more, it was no doubt an eclipse of rare amazon.

Speaking to The Oracle Today at Nnewi, the deceased first son, Chief Paul Nduka Okeke lamented, “Mama departed when we needed her most. Though she lived up to 95 years, our love for her was overwhelming. She struggled to raise us in a manner that made us to be what we are today. Her humble personality is exemplary, she was a mother and a leader we cherished so much. But then it’s the will of God to recall her and I have no choice Late Madam Josephine Nwamalubia Okeke

than to console my mind that Mama is resting in the bosom of the Lord”.

Arch Dr Hyacinth Okeke, the third son stated that Mama was too dear to him.

The Abuja based Architect whose wife, Hon. Justice Anulika Okeke, is the current Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Lafia, Nasarawa State, further mourned, “my mother lived in my house until she breathed last. I took care of her to the best of my ability. I struggled with my little power to fight the battle against her death, even at her old age I still believed that she would live up to 120 years. Yes, I nursed such ambition because mum was spiritually strong. When we were young, she did so much to train us up to the university level. Through her effort and forthrightness we were able to make a difference. Mum was an offspring of Ezeoguine royal family Otolo Nnewi, a well respected kindred with good history. I will surely miss her but then I give God all the glory and thanks for her ripe age”.

How else to bury a woman of substance like Josephine Nwamalubia Okeke? And what a rousing ceremony to crown the life and time of nonagenarian, a woman with 15 son -in- laws, 41 grandchildren and 47 great grand children? Even the yawning gap of death cannot obliterate the love and feeling of all these multitude.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

Rohr to unleash 3 strikers against Bafana Bafana •Explains exclusion of Moses, Mikel others

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Eagles’ gaffer, Gernot Rohr has concluded plans to unleash three strikers against the visiting South African team, Bafana Bafana in this weekend’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier.

The three strikers that Rohr will unleash on the visiting South Africa national team are the 2013 FIFA Under-17 Most Valuable Player and Manchester City player, Kelechi Iheanacho, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and newly wedded Ahmed Musa. It is recalled that the three players were unleashed on the Hawks of Togo in Paris and the result was emphatic 3-0.

The Oracle Today sports was reliably informed that the plan to unleash the three striker to the South Africans was taken by Rohr because he wanted outright victory against President Jacob Zuma’s boys when they come calling in Uyo for the encounter.

According to our inside source who does not want his name mentioned as he was not permitted to talk, Gernot Rohr and his able assistants want to start the 2019 Afcon Qualifier on a winning note and as a result, there is every need for the team to go all out in search of goals from the blast of the whistle.

“I want to tell you that Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr wants to unleash three strikers against the Bafana Bafana come this weekend,” our source began.

“Rohr wants to use the same set of strikers that played against the Hawks of Togo on the Bafana Bafana when they come calling at the majestic Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

“The Franco-German tactician does not want any excuse and more importantly he wants the team to replicate what they did in their World Cup Qualifier when they went to Ndola, in Zambia

and secured the maximum points against all expectation.

“You are aware that he used these players against Togo and they did well. It is true that they are yet to get to where he wants them to be but he is happy that they delivered against Togo and the same thing is expected of them.

“Of course you know that the South African coach has been talking a lot in the media concerning this game and the experienced German has not said a word. He probably wants to reply Coach Baxter on the pitch.

“Of course, you are also aware that it was South Africa that stopped the Eagles from participating in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations that Cameroon won in February.

“So, all these are not lost to the coach and he is plotting his strategies on how to ensure that Eagles come out of that game with good result,” our source declared.

Meanwhile, Gernot Rohr has explained the exclusion of some of the Eagles first team players in the list he released last week for the crucial Afcon Qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

According to Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, some of the players left behind such as the captain of the team John Obi Mikel, Chelsea’s Victor Moses have injuries and as a result will not be feat to feature for the game as the manager have no room for injured players to be part of the squad that will confront South Africa on Saturday.

Apart from injuries Ibitoye explained that the coach picked

players that he believes will get the job done.

It is recalled that when the list of the Super Eagles was released Moses, Mikel, Ighalo, and Ideye who are regulars were conspicuously missing but the German tactician through the team’s spokesman, has explained the rationale behind the exclusion of some of the players.

“Coach (Rohr) has just picked those he believes will get the job done for him given the number of days they have spent together,” spokesman of the Super Eagles, Toyin Ibitoye explained to supersport.com from Paris, France.

“He has called up new players only in the areas where he thinks the team needs reinforcement.

“Apart from that, Moses will be having surgery on his injured toe this summer and that effectively rules him out of the game versus Bafana Bafana.”

Moses was a title winner with Chelsea in the English

Taribo West dismisses death rumour F

ormer Nigerian defence ace, Pastor Taribo West, has dismissed his death rumour which went viral on the social media early last week. The former Nigerian defender said he does not know the rationale behind such rumoured as he is hale and hearty to the glory of God. The Rivers State born defensive stalwart stated that he is yet to come to terms with what the person who wrote the story intends to achieve by declaring him dead when he is not even sick.

He also acknowledged that this is not the first time it has been rumoured that he was dead while in the actual sense there was no iota of truth in the rumour.

He urged all his numerous fans and well-wishers to disregard the rumour as he is sound both body and soul. He is of the opinion that the rumour may not be unconnected with the fact that the paper that published his alleged death wanted to use his name to make money.

“My brother may God bless you. As you can see, Taribo West is hale hearty

and has no issues of ill health let alone death,” West began.

“I am surprised that someone could go and write that Taribo West is dead when I don’t even have terminal illness. I want to tell you that whenever I get calls trying to get clarification if I am still alive, I feel happy because it means that those who are wishing me dead are really wishing me long life.

“It means that I will live longer than anyone else. I am alive and if it is God’s will I will live up to 120 years,” West

declared.

“I won’t know the motive behind publishing my death except perhaps the paper wanted to use my name to make money but I am fine.

“Look, I want to tell you that those wishing dead cannot be serious because I don’t have any terminal illness. Moreover, I am not in London as the story suggested, I am in Lagos and I hope to be in Ibadan today to participate in the annual Coca-Cola soccer tourney for kids,” Taribo West explained.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

SPORTS

Chukwu, Agbo, under fire over Rangers’ humiliation Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

T

HE management of Enugu Rangers led by the General Manager, Christian Chukwu and the head coach of the Flying Antelope have come under serious fire over their scandalous defeat the club suffered in the hands of Abia Warriors Fc in Umuahia penultimate weekend in the 2nd game of the second stanza of the 2016/17 NPFL season.

Miffed by the humiliating defeat Rangers suffered in Umuahia, a former member of the old Anambra State Sports Council and a former executive board member of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Prince Isidore Oduah, said the blamed for the humiliating defeat should be laid on the door step of Christian Chukwu and the head coach of the team, Uche Agbo.

According to him, it is most unfortunate that Chukwu and the entire management of the club including the technical crew led by Uche Agbo are not thinking at all. He explained that what informed his position of the lack of thinking capacity by Chuk-

wu and co stems from the fact that Abia Warriors were the same team that handed the NPFL defending champions their first defeat of the season at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

“I am totally disappointed with the management and the technical crew of Enugu Rangers led by Christian Chukwu and Coach Agbo respectively,” Prince Oduah began.

“What happened at the Umuahia Township Stadium is unheard of.

How do you explain such a humiliation of Ranger in Umuahia? He queried. It is a sad commentary I must tell you.

“Christian Chukwu was a fantastic player during his playing days, there is no doubt about that but in terms of administration, he is nowhere near his achievements as a player.

That is the simple truth.

“He was a very good player but

he has not been able to translate his brilliant football career into good football manager. He was a player when I was a part of Rangers management team. But there is nothing to show that Chukwu learnt a single thing on how we ran the club during his playing days with the way things are going in Rangers.

“If there is any match Rangers should not lose, it is this game against Abia Warriors. What the management of Rangers and their technical crew ought to have done before the match is to call the players together and showed them the replay of the game.

“Then, if there are areas where the technical crew discovers lapses during the encounter against Abia Warriors in the first game while studying the tape, they will sit down and plot out strategies on how to correct such lapses.

“Being the first team to have handed Rangers their first defeat of the season as defending champions, what ought to be paramount in their mind while filing out against Abia Warriors should have been revenge and not allowing Abia Warriors have a better of them once again.

“The result of the game clearly showed that the management team of Rangers and their technical crew are not thinking at all. If they are thinking, they have no single reason to lose the match let alone being humiliated 4-0.

“If they are thinking they should have realize that going to play a team that defeated them at their home was not going to be easy and as a result, they ought to have prepared well for the game.

“What it shows is that Abia Warriors have confirmed their superiority over Rangers having done a dou-

ble over them. It is a shame I must confess to you because I am pained with this sad news of the humiliating defeat of Enugu Rangers by the Warriors from Umuahia.

“It is like those managing Rangers and the players do not really understand what the club stands for. For the avoidance of doubt, Rangers are not just club like every other club in the country. Rangers are a symbol of Igbo identity. Rangers is movement, Rangers is the soul of Nd’Igbo.

“This is not what the Governor should be blamed for rather Chukwu and the technical crew should blame themselves for this ugly situation. But whatever their laxity is they should not allow Rangers to go on Relegation because as it is at the moment, they can’t defend the trophy they won last season,” Prince Oduah declared.

Amajuoyi emerges Lagos Island All Stars Football Club President

By MADUABUCHI KALU and KELECHI NZE

M

onday 29th June will remain indelible in the annals of Lagos Island All Stars Football Club reason being that it was the day members of club trooped out in their numbers and overwhelmingly elected Barrister Briggs Azubike Amajuoyi as their president.

The election of Barrister Amajuoyi and his executives was conducted under peaceful atmosphere as all the eligible members who trooped out to exercise their franchise did so without any hindrance.

The election which held at the Royal London Hotel Ibeju Lekki started with the accreditation of eligible members who had arrive the venue early enough from different parts of Lagos to be part of the process of electing those who steer the affairs of the club in the next two years.

According to the electoral guidelines as laid down by the electoral committee of the club, the criteria for taking part in the election are be-

ing a registered member of the club and secondly being financially up to date which means that you do not own in any way as a member.

Two persons contested for the post of the president of the club and they include; Barrister Briggs Azubike Amajuoyi and Mr. Aliyu Momodu. The post of the vice president was contested between Mr. Bonny Alanta and Mr. Kennedy Nnadi while the post of Welfare Officer was contested by Mr. Emeka Asikakpulu and Mr. Joe Igwe.

After casting and counting of votes, it emerged that majority of the club members preferred Barrister Briggs Azubuike Amajuoyi to be their president as he was overwhelmingly voted for. He scored a total of 77 votes to defeat Mr. Aliyu Momodu who scored 25 votes.

In his acceptance speech, the president elect of the Club Barrister Briggs Azubuike Amajuoyi expressed gratitude to members for finding him worthy to serve them even as he assured them of carrying everyone along in realizing his vision for the club. He dedicated his victory at the

erybody along in the discharge of his responsibility with the sole aim of taking the club to the next level.

Below is except from the interview: Congratulations Barrister Amajuoyi on your election as the president of this prestigious club, the Lagos Island All Stars Football Club.

Thank you very much.

•Amajuoyi

pool to the club saying the victory is for Island All Stars Football Club.

In a brief interview with Barrister Amajuoyi after the election, he maintained that he would carry ev-

Having won as the president of this club, what is your vision?

Our vision is clear. During our campaign, we marshalled out things we want to do and achieve like setting a proper landmark, profile the club and build competition vis-à-vis the capacity of the club. It is our vision to take the club to the next level and that is my vision and that is my mission statement.

We will build a solid capacity around the club. We will build capacity around all the members of the club who will in turn build the capacity of the club. As you can see, the club is an emerging one. It is a super emerging club that everyone wants to identify with.

How do you intend to achieve your vision?

Well as you can see, I have been a part of the executives and all the committees in the club. I want to achieve my vision for the club by using committees in whatever we want to carry out. I am a team player and being a team player, I am going to carry every member of the club along and everybody will be part the activities of the club and by so doing; we will be able to achieve the set goal together.

How do you intend to carry oppositions along?

Today, there is no opposition in Island All Stars. Island All Stars is one family. The election is won by Island All Stars as a whole and like I said earlier, we are going to carry everyone along,” Amajuoyi assured.

On his part, Mr. Momodu, who lost the presidency to Barrister Amajuoyi expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election and pledged to work with the President elect for the good of the club

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 14, 2017

SPORTS Onyekuru to earn N15.35m weekly at Emirates •Signs £6.8m deal

N

Tyson rubbishes McGregor vs Mayweather showdown

F

ormer heavyweight world boxing champion, Mike Tyson says Conor McGregor will embarrass himself if the UFC star engages Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match this year.

“Conor McGregor is going to look really ridiculous boxing Floyd Mayweather,” Tyson said on Sirius XM Sports radio.

“But if he goes in there with the UFC stuff (mixed martial arts), then it could be pretty interesting.”

Negotiations for the highly-anticipated McGregor vs Mayweather fight hinge on the latter, as UFC president, Dana White confirmed in

May that McGregor had already agreed his terms for a fight with Floyd Mayweather.

Speaking to reporters in London after McGregor had signed his terms, Mayweather reaffirmed his desire to fight McGregor as it was the fight “that fans want to see” and would “do record-breaking numbers.”

Though UFC legend, Georges St-Pierre believes McGregor wants to lure Mayweather into a “cagefight”, the bout currently being planned will only take place in a boxing ring.

W h e n Mike Tyson was reminded of this on Sirius radio he was not confident in the Irishman’s chances. “McGregor does not win in a boxing match.”

Real Madrid richer by N13bn after 12th UCL title

Tanzania confirms Zanzibar’s bid for FIFA membership

T

anzania’s Football Federation (TFF) president, Jamal Malinzi, has confirmed Zanzibar’s fresh bid to become a member of Fifa.

Zanzibar, which is officially part of Tanzania but has its own government, was given unanimous approval at the Confederation of African Football’s general assembly in March.

The archipelago has long hoped to become a member of the international football community and had its previous application rejected by Fifa in 2005.

“Following admission of Zanzibar into CAF, TFF has now formally submitted application for Zanzibar to become a member of FIFA.,” TFF president Malinzi wrote on his official Twitter account on Sunday.

The Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) has already fulfilled a crucial requirement which states that national associations must be affiliated to continental confederations before they can join FIFA.

By MADUABUCHI KALU

I

t is no longer news that Spanish giants Real Madrid, on Saturday claimed their 12th Uefa Champions League title after humiliating Italian champions, Juventus in Cardiff in this year’s Europe most

lucrative club competition.

However, what is news is that Los Blancos are richer by N13billion which is 54.2million Euros or 47.4million pounds. This is why the competition is the most lucrative competition in the world.

The Italians giants have earned

more money than any other club through the competition in last decade. They have earned a total of 345.7 Euros while by their perennial rivals, FC Barcelona have earned for themselves the sum of 338.7million Euros to place second on the ladder.

They are followed by German giants, Bayern Munich who hold the record of earning 335.3million Euros in the last ten years to place third. The fourth position went to West London Club, Chelsea, who have earned 332 million Euros while the fifth highest earners are this year’s finalist, Juventus with 304.7million Euros.

The sixth position is held by FA Cup champions, Arsenal with the sum of 242.1 million while PSG have earned 232million Euros to place seventh. Manchester City occupied the eight position with the sum of 228.4 million Euros.

The ninth position is occupied by Atletico Madrid who have earned for themselves the sum of 197.5million Euros while the tenth position is occupied by Dortmund with the sum of 166.7 million Euros.

igeria’s new kid on the block, Henry Chukwuemeka Onyekuru, has sealed a move to Arsenal that will see him earn £38,000 about N15.352million per week in a deal worth £6.8million.

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger has never hidden his love for the Nigerian who was invited to the national team for the first time by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) after consistent calls by well- meaning Nigerians to hand him a call up.

It is no longer news that Onyekuru was impressive at the just concluded 2016/17 Belgian Jupiter League which resulted to many clubs including Anderlecht bidding for his signature but for the first time in a while, Wenger did not waste time in doing the needful by signing him as he looks forward to reposition the most successful FA champions in England.

Arsenal agreed to pay £6.8million for the 19 year old Nigerian striker in order to avoid had I known because that is usually their plight year in year out. Onyekuru emerged joint top scorer with 24 goals and 14 assists at the just concluded Belgian Jupiter League.

It is recalled that the Anambra State youngster in a bid to force a transfer from Eupen embarked on strike in January, as he accused the club of reneging on their earlier promise of allowing him move to another club.

Onyekuru made his debut for Eupen in 2015 as a 17-year-old and helped the club achieve promotion to the Belgian top flight in his debut season.

Onyekuru played for K.A.S Eupen in the Belgian League, where he impressed both the management and fans of the club scoring 24 goals in 41 appearances for the struggling Eupen side, thereby, helping them to escape relegation at the end of the season.

The www.oraclenews.ng

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Today

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THE FRONTIER

ISSN: 2545-5869

Wednesday Junen 14, 2017

By Martin Ike-Muonso (Ph.D, DBA) 08033148722

Leveraging our market size N

IGERIA’S global attractiveness for investment and trade has been a major source of concern to policy makers and entrepreneurs in the past two decades.

The reason is very simple. Sustainable prosperity is only guaranteed when individual entrepreneurs ‘in the pursuit of their own legally permitted self-interest’ can be profitably engaged. On the aggregate, these activities define the level of prosperity or otherwise of the economy. However, the ease with which investments are attracted to cause this prosperity for the economy as a whole depends considerably on the level of environmental attractiveness or ‘competitiveness’. Since different economies are ‘investment-wise’ attractive in relatively varying degrees the one (s) which is most attractive to the investor/trader based on series of considerations is/are usually chosen for requisite engagement. How attractive is our economy for investment and trade?

Let us start with the strength of size.

Our large market size is undoubtedly a major source of competitiveness. First, it positively impacts firm scale economies. Secondly, in combination with enormous natural resource endowment, globalization advantages and the relatively high degree of openness of economy, and extension of domestic demand via the ensuing export potentials, our market size should invariably deliver strong national economic growth. However, this is conditional on the extent to which this strength is mainstreamed in policy design and implementation, nurtured and properly harnessed. In other words, what is required is a combination of policy and action programmes that considerably reduces the barriers to trade and which should in turn spur investment in currently traded goods, enable the discovery of new and potentially trade-able goods and inevitably the much desired export product diversification.

The barriers however are many and can be decomposed along the lines of (a) at-the-border/port obstacles (b) between-the-border barriers (c) behind-the-border conditions and (d) intra-country transaction costs associated with the movement of goods for more robust analysis. Our trade potentials have been hurt at the ports and borders by high customs tariffs, high port charges, unnecessary delays at the border posts, inadequate port infrastructure and so forth. These unduly escalate the transaction costs of trade. Many traders along the West African and African trade corridors tell tales of woes because of strenuous border checks, harassments and bribe demands by the officials. The police and customs officials delay traders for hours in the guise of searching the contents just to compel the trader to part with some kickbacks.

Thus ‘between-the-border trades’ across Nigeria-Africa/West Africa trade routes lack the

Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Trade & Investment seamlessness that is required to maximize the benefits of trade. Not only is the treaty (ECOWAS treaty specifically) on the free movement of goods within these corridors are violated, the regional agreements to eliminate these barriers are not being effectively pursued.

This ugly scenario is well known to be playing out actively within the trade routes within the country. The damaging consequences on the prosperity of traders resulted at a certain point in tomato sellers from Northern Nigeria insisting that they no longer move tomatoes to the Southern part of Nigeria. The reason was too obvious. In spite of the additional transaction cost burden imposed by inadequate infrastructure are hundreds of bribe collecting and time wasting road blocks that the traders are expected to deliver toll charges to before they can successfully get their goods to the South.

The effects on price (of say tomato) can be conjectured. Time wastage will result in losses and consequent shrinkage in available supply while the paid bribes will naturally be added to the price. Added to the other costs associated with bad infrastructure how on earth can price competitiveness be achieved?

Nigeria’s trade advantage is heightened by the huge diversification opportunities in gas, agriculture and solid minerals; the develop-

ment of all which hold tremendous promises for sustainable economic prosperity of the country. But then as pointed out, appropriate policy stance and effective implementation that will come together to make the realization of the huge prospects must be in place. Take agriculture for instance. Nigeria spends almost all her oil receipts to import food and other agro-based consumables in spite of the fact that she produces at least three times more food than she requires while losing about 70% of the produce due to poor post-harvest preservation infrastructure. What a shame! Ghana produces only 3.7 million metric tons of yam while Nigeria produces 28 million tons, yet 70% of the yam in Europe is exported from Ghana.

As at 2005, Nigeria was producing 889,000 tons of pineapple while Cote d’ivoire produces only 174,000 mtons yet the latter sells 17% of world traded pineapple. Are we cursed by a strange god at birth?

Many of the suggestions which have been made as ways out of this morass will be rehashed to further emphasize the need to urgently pursue their implementation. Mainstreaming trade in Nigeria’s national development policy is key as it will help in ensuring that trade needs are met. To that extent, conscious pursuit and leveraging of opportunities

offered by ‘aid for trade’ may be necessary.

These can come in ways such as the launching of mechanisms for sharing information among governments, SME’s and other businesses on opportunities that preferential market access offers as well as capacity support that will ensure that participants in trade beat supply-side and policy constraints. There is equally need for meaningful assistance (technical and otherwise) to trade-support institutions. Trade development can rarely take place without a strong infrastructure of trade institutions.

Good business practices will equally greatly enhance the integration of many enterprises into large-scale business relationships as well as enhance their export capacity.

Many of the output from our firms fall short of standard export quality which severely hampers their prospects. With increased and well-targeted public education, technology transfer skills, and regulations regarding certain minimum standards, some of these products can meet international production and quality standards and by extension enhance variety and overall size of exports.

Similarly, initiatives that minimize adverse bureaucratic impacts on businesses, improve intellectual property rights protection, should be vigorously pursued. In sum, much of the challenges faced by the exporters revolve around pricing, quality and production challenges.

In concluding this essay, it is worthwhile pointing out once more that we need not rocket science to discover that with policy enactments which mainstream trade and adequately backed with the political will to provide the funding and other support bases that we can produce agricultural, solid mineral and gas at much lower opportunity costs than many countries in the world. This comparative advantage implies therefore that the sooner we accord the requisite consideration to our market size as a factor on which to predicate our national competitive advantage, we can more easily launch our growth on the trade particularly on agriculture, agro-allied products, solid minerals and gas; the areas where our comparative advantages are considerably high.

The snag to all these remain that very little can be achieved when trade policies are addressed to the exclusion of the desiderata for macroeconomic stability: appropriate monetary and fiscal policies and programmes plus the rule of law. Where this condition is not satisfied, the benefits that can be achieved through trade if any can only be minimal. Until, issues of infrastructure inadequacies particularly electric power and transport infrastructure, access to finance and corruption are satisfactorily addressed, commitments to mainstreaming trade will yield less than desirable outcomes.

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited, 116 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenewsngr@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.