Wednesday june 28 edition

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The Oracle SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

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Today Today

VOL.2 No. 27. N200

Europe may ban Nigeria • Exports to EU threatened as Economic Partnership Agreements remain un-ratified • Export Promotion not aware of non-ratification of Agreements

Can’t Osinbajo punish those who minimise his authority?

– Page 24 Atiku urged to contest presidency in 2019 • Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State unveiling the 50th birthday anniversary cake of the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, at the Basilica of St. Andrew, Onitsha.

PHOTO: Modestus Igudobi.

From SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, Lagos

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NLESS Nigeria takes immediate steps to ratify its Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with industrialized nations of Europe, it may be unable to enjoy the benefits of such partnerships in terms of exports to Europe and inflow of foreign direct investments needed to stimulate rapid economic development.

The current administration of the federal government must, therefore, ratify the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with Europe in order to enjoy the advantages of such agreements.

Eminent economist and protrade activist, Mr. Chinyemike Torti, who advanced policy alternatives to the popular Nigerian Content policy, which prohibits use of foreign products in the country, declared that the country must not operate as an island in a

global market environment.

In a policy advocacy document available to The Oracle Today, Torti emphasized the need for the country to plug into global trade channels to offset the deleterious effects of its hostile business environment characterized by infrastructural deficits, capacity sub-optimization, brain-drain and acute supply gaps for the basic needs of its over 170 million population.

Torti’s warning came even as sources at the Export Promotion Council (EPC), Abuja told The Oracle Today they are not aware the nation has not ratified some of the Agreements in question.

The shortfalls in the nation’s supply of basic commodity needs, according to Torti, must be met by plugging into the global highway for flow of goods and services.

He said Nigeria must create platforms for export of goods and services in order to maximize the op-

portunities provided in multilateral trade agreements that valorize its human and material resources and thin down her deficits in the global balance of payment, an opportunity which the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) provide.

He pointed out that countries that develop reform and services trade policies and key them into WTO type international trade commitments, rake in huge incomes from diaspora earnings like the India software engineers who are reputed to be scooping over 10billion dollars annually but also attract foreign direct investments that will reverse the decline and rot of infrastructures like transport, education, aviation; shipping, health, financial, insurance and others.

Mr. Torti’s policy option comes in recognition of Nigeria’s local content policy, which emphasizes

Continued on Page 2

– Page 8

New twist to quit notice

• As Arewa Youths ask Osinbajo to let Ndigbo go • Northern elders want war, not peaceful dissolution • More citizens condemn Youths, Northern Elders From SOPURUCHI ONWUKA (Lagos) and IBE NWACHUKWU (Onitsha)

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twist to the saga with the Northern Youths asking Ag. President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to initiate measures that would facilitate the exit of Ndigbo from the Nigerian union via a referendum.

In a letter signed by five of the leaders of the groups, including Alhaji Shettima Yerima of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYF); Joshua Viashman (Northern Youth

ARELY 100 days to the October 1, 2017 deadline given to Ndigbo resident in all the 19 northern states of the country to quit, more reactions have continued to trail the quit notice issued by the Coalition of Northern Youths The fresh reactions are coming against the backdrop of a new Cont’d on Page 2

Okenwa, passage of political Icon

Page 16

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Europe may ban Nigeria Continued from Pg 1 the use of local products and services in preference to foreign option in hiring and supplies locally.

He made it clear that the domestic economic and commercial environment has not developed the capacity to plug off the global grid for supply of goods and services, adding that government must first build the requisite infrastructural, amenity and skills capacity to meet internal needs to meet domestic economic development goals.

According to him, the hostile operating environment and infrastructural deficit in which commercial enterprises operate exacerbate the already bad situation.

“Many enterprises in the country have gone comatose with very few outfits unable to attain 40% installed capacity. They cannot meet the yearnings of 170 million Nigerians who have to rely on foreign imports to meet the legitimate requirements of their waking lives,” he said.

He listed products Nigerian can no longer produce and have to be substituted with foreign imports to include textiles and pharmaceuticals from China, Rice from Thailand, electronics from Malaysia, Soaps and toiletries from India, South Africa and other countries.

“The upshot of all this is that re-

•President Buhari strictive trade policies don’t work and will never work. If you are in doubt, visit any of the supermarkets, and you begin to wonder how those expensive wines, brandy, cigars and a litany of prohibited items managed to creep in through the borders,” he said.

He pointed out that local industries can no longer compete in the export market due to low productivity and poor corporate governance.

In accusing policy makers of

being under the influence of few corporate oligopolies in the country, Torti declared: “We therefore must not be held hostage by a few members of the industrial sector who need to retool or re-jig an appropriate industrial template congruent to our level of development.”

He said that small and medium enterprises in the country should earn the attention of policy makers, arguing that over 80 percent of Nigerians earn their living in the

New twist to quit notice Continued from Pg 1

Vanguard); Aminu Adam (Arewa Youth Development Foundation); Abdul-Azeez Suleiman (Northern Emancipation Network) and Nastura Ashir Sharif (Arewa Citizens Action for Change), the Youths prevailed on Ag President to facilitate the actualisation of Biafra in line with the principle of self-determination as an integral part of international law.

Among those who reacted recently to the quit notice, during an interview with The Oracle Today are the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), Aguata, Anambra State branch, Barrister Clifford Iloegbune Okoye; immediate past chairman of NBA, Anaocha branch, Chief Chris Ogom Adimora;, immediate chairman of NBA, Idemili branch, Ben Okoko and the Bishop of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries (a.k.a. By-Fire-By Fire), Nnewi, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Chris Udeh.

In his own reaction, Okoye, a legal practitioner based in Onitsha, said as long as the quit notice was issued at Arewa administrative headquarters in Kaduna, there should be no more doubt as to whether the Northern Elders are in support of their youths or not.

Okoye contended that if what the Arewa youths had in mind in issuing that notice was to confiscate landed properties of Ndigbo, it would not work because even if the country is divided, the citizenship right of all ethnic nationalities as guaranteed under the constitution would still

persist.

He, however, advocated for a peaceful disintegration of the country into a confederation whereby all the ethnic groups would take control of the mineral resources in their own land and then pay percentage of the proceeds to the centre.

Adimora, in his own reaction, said by that quit notice, the northerners just want to create confusion and invite the military, through the service chiefs who are predominantly northerners and whom they will hand over the reign of power in the guise of a coup-de’tat, knowing full well that President Muhammadu Buhari is almost incapacitated health wise.

According to Adimora, “bearing in mind that they don’t want power to slip out of their hands and bearing in mind their domineering nature, the northerners want to rule this country forever but I must tell them that Ndigbo are not slaves and will never be.”

“By that quit notice, they are after the hard earned properties of Ndigbo but it cannot work again because it is against international standard. Their aspiration is to create confusion, being apprehensive of imminent restoration of Biafra, to take over the system, through the military, kill Igbo arrowheads, destroy their businesses and properties, entice the populace with another long wining transition programme that will take up to six to seven years and of course further heaping the failures and ineptitude of Buhari’s government on the past Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to justify the would-be military coupde’tat.”

“Obviously, the Arewa youths are

playing out the script of northern Hausa/Fulani oligarchy who had sunk into Niger/Delta oil and that is why no prominent Emir has condemned the Arewa youths’ outburst, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, but they should be reminded that never again would Ndigbo concede their properties whether in Gusau or Mubi, even if Biafra is to become an independent country. Citizens of the world are entitled to own properties in Arewa land, Britain or any part of the world in so far that such properties are genuinely acquired”.

In his comment, Okoko warned that since the speech was rendered inside Arewa House, which is the political headquarters of old northern Nigeria in Kaduna, it is symbolic that the statement was endorsed by the northern elders.

According to Okoko, “to be forewarned is to be fore- armed. Ndigbo should not see it as a child’s play. The target is the properties and investments of Ndigbo. The only solid properties in the north are those built by the government.”

“Northerners themselves do not have much investments in the north.

Asuming the quit notice is the collective will of the north, it is criminal.

Even if Biafra is created, does it mean that Biafrans can’t live in the north as Biafrans before the independence in 1960? Some prominent Biafrans like Sir Ojukwu, father of Ikemba Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu owned properties in London but those properties were not regarded as abandoned ones”.

Bishop Udeh, who, in his own contribution lamented that the main

SME’s He dismissed the notion that the mobility of service providers from the ECOWAS region remains low and that problems in accessing the European market for nationals of the region persist.

He also disagreed “that the liberalization of services, especially in the area of free movement of people is a one-way street. West Africa doesn’t benefit.”

For decades, he noted, Nigerian professionals like medical doctors, nurses, engineers, accountants, university lecturers and others have been plying their trade in Europe and USA in large numbers, leading to excessive fears about brain drain.

“With over 40 million Nigerians unemployed, will the ‘flight’ of our legion of out of work intelligentsias not be a good recipe to ameliorate executive joblessness?” he asked.

In citing examples, Mr. Torti pointed out that “the recent CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement signed has ensured that any Caribbean business can establish anywhere in the European Union.

“For the purposes of clarity, the European Union countries include, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithpoint that made the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu declare Biafra was the incessant killings of Ndigbo in the North before and after the 1966 coup-de-tat, appealed to Ndigbo resident in the north to forget about their so-called properties or investments in the north and return home to save their lives.

He therefore told Ndigbo not to misuse this opportunity offered by the quit notice from Arewa youths in actualizing or restoring Biafra, insisting that there is no better opportunity to establish Republic of Biafra than now when the Northern youths and some of their elders have unanimously agreed to dissociate from Ndigbo.

“My worry is only Igbo hypocrisy. There is no oneness and unity of purpose amongst Ndigbo. There are still discordant tunes, otherwise why should some people be talking about restructuring and Igbo presidency instead of rallying round Nnamdi Kanu to use this opportunity to actualize Biafra? That is the problem we have.

Anybody talking about restructuring or Igbo presidency now is a coward.”

“I must emphasize that it is only Biafra that will save Ndigbo from the evil agenda and planned extermination by the Islamic Northerners as I prophesied. Personally, I don’t believe in one Nigeria. It is quite unfortunate that some Igbo oligarchs are standing against the sovereignty of Ndigbo just because they have landed properties in the far North.

According to the Northern Youths, “the only enduring solution to this scourge (pro-Biafra agitations) that is being visited on the nation is complete separation of the states presently agitating for Biafra from the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a peaceful political process by taking steps to facilitate the actualisation of the Biafran nation in line with the principle of

uania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.”

He listed the facilities in the trade agreement to include “issuance of automatic work and resident visas to the concerned Caribbean key personnel e.g. managers and specialists and graduate trainees on intra-corporate transfers for a period of up to 3 years.”

Senior staffers responsible for establishing a commercial presence are entitled to 90 days in any 12-month period while new graduate trainees are qualified for one year visa.

“With the emergence of a globalized economy and accession of countries to the WTO General Agreement in Trades in Services {GATS} treaty, the entire brain drain/brain gain saga is being structured into the global architecture of manpower demand/ supply, production, trade and finance,” he stressed.

According to him, the core policy issues facing the country is how to galvanize and expand the productive capacities of the grassroots, producers and rural dwellers and channel such production into the global matrix of value/supply chains.

“For this to come into fruition, we must jettison the prevailing trade advocacy, promotion initiatives that adopt a top-to bottom, inverted pyramid way of doing things,” he stressed.

self-determination as an integral part of contemporary customary international law.”

However, the Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Elders Council the Northern Elders Council have ruled out referendum from the table and challenged Ndigbo to war.

The Chairman of the NEC, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, told media sources that referendum would be unconstitutional, adding that “any secession could only be actualised by war.”

In his own, Secretary of the NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, told same sources that Nigerian constitution has no provision for referendum on secession.

He said that even the Ag President has no power to organise a national referendum, adding that apart from war, there is no provision for any part to secede legally.

Deputy Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu, in his response said the Arewa groups have no right to unilaterally restructure the country whimsically, warning that the groups from the north can only speak for themselves and not for the country.

He wondered why northern groups failed to fight but ignored the Boko Haram insurgents ravaging the area only to beat war drums against Ndigbo and other southerners living in their midst.

He noted that Boko Haram insurgents are actively breaking North East away from the country without referendum, but rather than fight them, hate agents in the north have already hatched a plan for war and are impatient to ignite crisis in the country to scuttle the nation’s democracy.

Stressing that the northern youths lacked the mandate to speak for

Ndigbo, Ibegbu noted that the Arewa groups are only trying to provoke another war in the country.

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The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Nigeria, South Korea to explore improved cultural ties T From VICTOR NZE, Lagos

he South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-Duk has informed that Nigeria will now be the centre-point of his country’s cultural centres spread across Africa; just as the envoy assured of his country’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in the area of cultural and language development.

Making the disclosure, Wednesday, during a courtesy visit to the office of the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, Wednesday, Kyu-Duk acknowledged Nigeria’s cultural richness, just as he promised to give the Director-General of the NCAC all the needed cooperation in his new assignment, as, according to him, ‘he is a man of ideas and vision.’

“South Korean has more than 30 cultural centres in Africa, and we are proud to make Nigeria the coordinating centre in Africa.

“We often organize cultural con-

tests among nations annually, for students in the various countries as preliminary contest while the main event comes up in Korea. Nigeria was the overall best in the year 2015 and second best in 2016,” said the Korean envoy.

On his part, Otunba Runsewe has assured of his council’s preparedness to participate in the next Korean Cultural Festival, stressing that the aim was to build an everlasting relationship with the Koreans in so many aspects, especially in terms of cultural festivals.

This is also as Runsewe urged the Korean envoy to use his good office to accommodate deserving staff of the NCAC in the series of scholarship awards related to the various fields of arts and culture at the embassy, while expressing the hope that the envoy will partner with the NCAC in the area of language development strategy.

“I want to assure your Excellency that as the custodians of culture in Nigeria, if you grant us your support in capacity building for our staff in the areas of coordination, organis-

ing of seminars, workshops and conferences on arts and culture, we shall be extremely grateful and will seek to return the gesture in the area of our competence,” said Runsewe.

Continuing, Runsewe extended a FORMAL invitation to the Korean envoy to attend the forthcoming National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), as well as the African Arts and crafts Expo (AFAC).

“I want to appeal to you to be our special guest of honour in our forthcoming NAFEST coming up in Kaduna later this year. Your Excellency, it will interest you to know that the National Festival of Arts and Culture is a strong avenue to showcase our culture, and preach the message of unity among the various states in the country. As regards the Af-

rican Arts and crafts Expo (AFAC), it is also a channel to promote our culture among the various African nations. We shall be honored if you will allow us to declare one day of the event as South Korean Day.” Runsewe further appealed to the envoy to re-open such vistas for reunification, stressing that the council will be willing to also partner with the embassy in the training of craftsmen especially in the area of packing and finishing skills of Nigerian craft products.

Highlight of the courtesy visit was the decoration of the Korean envoy with the NCAC pin crest by Runsewe, while the South Korean number one citizen in Nigeria reciprocated by presenting the NCAC boss with a letter of invitation to his country.

62,140 candidates to retake UTME, says JAMB From OJOACHELE EJIGBO, Lagos

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he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that 62,140 candidates whose centers have been found to have engaged in malpractices will retake the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A statement by the JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oleyede said that 59,698 results have been canceled by the board based on examination malpractices.

The registrar said Of the 59,698 canceled results, 57,646 were candidates who took the exams in fraudulent centers, 1,386 were candidates caught cheating and another 666 candidates were found to have done multiple registrations.

Oleyede said that of the 59,698 candidates, only the 57,646 who took the exams in fraudulent centers would be permitted to retake the exam. They will be joined by 3,811 candidates who did late registration, and 683 candidates who encountered biometrics related issues.

He also said that the UTME exam has been rescheduled for 1st of July and JAMB has blacklisted 48 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres over their involvement in extortion and organized examination malpractices during the 2017 exam.

“We also cancelled the results of 57,646 candidates who were involved in malpractices across centres. Hence, we have rescheduled the UTME for those candidates and others who have biometric and other technical issues. We also approved Saturday, July 1, for the rescheduled examination. The board has, moreover, suspended 24 computer based test centres for one year due to technical issues. These centres would not participate in the 2018 UTME” said Professor Ishaq Oleyede.

CVR: INEC creates 10 additional centres in Bayelsa

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa has created additional ten centres in the state for the on-going Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

Director and Administrative Secretary of the Commission in Bayelsa, Mr Clement Oha, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, added that the centres were created to ease the challenge posed by the difficult terrain in the state.

Nationwide CVR, began in April with nine centres in the state which brings to 19 the total number of centres in the state.

“INEC already knows the terrain in Bayelsa and the difficulties in transportation, so, we will continue to do all that we can do to ensure that no eligible persons is disfranchise.

The new centres were part of the Commission’s efforts to decentralise the exercise as centres get closer to the people; we seek support of the stakeholders to ensure that the exercise is hitch free.

“Well, so far so good, the registration exercise has recorded some success; people’s turnout is courageous,” he said.

Kano bans sand dredging near water installations, bridges

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he Kano State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of sand dredging activities near water installations and bridges in all rivers in the state.

“The suspension of such activities is necessary in order to protect water installations, bridges and the lives of the neighbouring communities,” Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, said.

Riruwai announced the government decision in Kano after assessment of some sand excavation sites across the state. The assessment was conducted by a committee, headed by the commissioner, which was established by the state government to check illegal sand excavation in the state.

He said that apart from threatening many water installations and bridges, dredging activities had diverted flow of rivers, resulting in drying up of water intakes of most treatment plants.

The commissioner identified areas affected by the threat to include Challawa bridge, and water intake at Tashar Karauka and Kwarin Sabo in Madobi Local Government Area.

Riruwai who said the committee would recommend the relocation of sand dredging sites to at least three kilometres away from water installations and bridges, added that sand dredging has placed Yansame village at the risk of being washed away, even as he cautioned the excavators to adhere to the directive and obtain proper permit before carrying out their activities.

‘Bauchi State SDGs Office executes N1.2bn projects in 2 years’

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auchi State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) says it has executed projects, worth N1.2 billion, across the state within the last two years.

State Director-General of the agency, Hajiya Fatimah Halilu, who said this in Bauchi while briefing journalists on the achievements of the agency in the last two years, stated that the projects, which included health, water and environmental schemes, were executed under the 2015 Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) of the agency.

Halilu, who noted that the projects were jointly funded by the federal and state governments, said that the two tiers of government contributed N6 million each.

She said that 19 primary health centres, staff quarters and VIP toilets were constructed in various locations across the state during the period.

“We also drilled 33 solar-powered boreholes, 57 hand-pumped boreholes, supplied six ambulances and equipped 19 primary health centres, which were constructed across the state. In spite of challenges, most of the projects have been completed and ready for inauguration, while a few are nearing completion.

“We are awaiting executive approval from Gov. Muhammed Abubakar (of Bauchi State) to start the inauguration of the projects,” she said.

Halilu said that the state SDGs Office, in conjunction with Google Nigeria Ltd., had trained 2,340 unemployed youths in digital applications.

She said that the beneficiaries were expected to set up their own enterprises as digital marketing experts, as part of efforts to achieve the targets of SDGs in the country, adding that the governor paid N4.68 million as allowances to the beneficiaries, in addition to the stipend which the SDGs Office gave them during the training.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Niger govt. partners Bill/ Melinda Gates Foundation on healthcare delivery

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iger State Government has said it will partner with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of measures to transform its health sector.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Mustapha Jibril, who made this known when he led a delegation from the Foundation on a courtesy visit to the leadership of the House of Assembly, Friday, said the partnership would focus on revitalising and strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) system in the state.

“The Government of Niger State has created an enabling environment and we are having a lot of partners coming into the state.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are collaborating with us to see how we can strengthen our primary health care,” he said.

According to him, the state is to contribute at least one per cent of its internally generated revenue to the process, while the foundation is still working out the size of its financial commitment.

Susna De, the Foundation’s Primary Health care System Strengthening Adviser, said the partnership would cover health care financing, health management information system, drugs and vaccines and human resources.

De said that it was supporting Niger because the state had demonstrated a true commitment to PHC transformation with its increased budgetary allocation to health sector.

“One of our criteria for supporting any state is that we go into a state that has shown true commitment to strengthening its primary health care. We have seen that in Niger state going by their increased budgetary allocation to health from eight per cent last year to 11 per cent in 2017,” De added.

According to her, the partnership with the state government will run for four years, adding that the Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in October.

Arms smuggling claims in Nnewi untrue – Police A

nambra Police Command has described as ‘untrue’ media reports stating the discovery of arms and ammunition in an articulated vehicle that conveyed yam tubers into Nnewi on June 12.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Sam Okaula who said this, Sunday, in Awka assured that nothing of the sort occurred.

“What actually happened was that on June 12, a member of vigilance operative went to a pit somewhere in Uruagu, Nnewi, and dug out two rusted old magazines and

peddling this type of senseless rumour,” the police boss said.

Okaula also said no one was apprehended as speculated in the rumoured story of arms smuggling, describing it as “false in its entirety.”

He urged the public, especially those residing in Nnewi, to go about their lawful duty and report information that may lead to the arrest of criminals rather than create tension with false reports.

Corroborating Okaula, Mr Charles Nwonye, the PresidentGeneral of Uruagu, said the local

security operatives reported that two magazines and ammunition were recovered from where they were buried in the community.

According to him, the items were recovered near a cave after a scavenger brought the information to the security operative and we contacted the police to investigate the matter.

“I don’t know where they got the story because there was no scene of a truck where yam was off-loaded and arms were discovered,” the community leader added.

Ban on imported sugar remains -- FG Government has restated Ftionederal that the ban placed on importaof packaged sugar four years

•L-R: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the wife of the Minister, Alhaja Kudirat Mohammed at the 10th Lai Mohammed Ramadan Lecture in Oro, Kwara State, last weekend.

Ebonyi commences 2017 distribution of inputs to farmers

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he Ebonyi Government has commenced the formal distribution of assorted farm inputs to farmers in the state for the 2017 wet season farming.

The inputs, procured under joint partnership with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the state government,

ASUU backs JAMB over blacklist of 48 CBT centres T he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commended JAMB for blacklisting 48 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres used for the 2017 UTME. President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, also called for the prosecution of owners of the blacklisted centres.

The 48 CBT centres were among more than 600 centres used for the conduct of the UTME nationwide in May. It would be recalled that JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had, last Wednesday, announced the blacklisting of the centres for alleged involvement in extortion and `organised examination malpractice’ during the UTME. Oloyede said the decision was tak-

few ammunition. The vigilante operative drew the attention of the President-General of the community, Mr Charles Nwonye, who ultimately informed the police and I directed the officer in charge of SARS, Awkuzu to recover the items.

“We are surprised that a senseless story is making the round that large cache of ammunition was discovered in a lorry that conveyed yam tubers into the community to cause mayhem. There is nothing of the sort that happened in this command. It is falsehood at its height and we begin to wonder who is

en at the end of an enlarged meeting with external examiners and other stakeholders in the conduct of the examination.

He also announced the cancellation of results of 50,000 candidates for alleged involvement in malpractice during the examination.

The ASUU boss said the development was a step in the right direction, describing it as “the way to go.’’

“What JAMB has done in that respect is a welcome development and a good decision. I will not expect it to stop at just blacklisting of such centres. The leadership of the board should go a step forward by prosecuting owners of the affected centre in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

would be distributed to the five demonstration local government areas.

State Governor, Dave Umahi, while declaring open the exercise, Thursday, gave an assurance that his administration was committed to ensuring food sufficiency in the state.

The five local government areas to receive the inputs are Ikwo, Izzi, Ishielu, Ohaozara and Afikpo North. The inputs for distribution include NPK and Urea fertilizers, improved rice seedlings, 250 bundles of cassava stems, herbicides and irrigation pipes, among others.

Umahi, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi-Igwe, urged the people to key into the agricultural development initiative of the government, even as he charged farmers, especially the beneficiaries of the farm inputs, to take advantage of the transformation in the agriculture sector to boost production.

“Our focus is to make agriculture a major revenue earner for the state, especially now that revenue from oil is increasingly and steadily depleting. We will do everything within our powers to encourage our local farmers to increase their production, to ensure that we have

enough to eat and to export to the outside world.

“We are also committed to providing fertile ground for growth and development of agro-based businesses, to enhance steady market for farm produce. We commend IFAD for partnering with the government in the initiative and I want to assure our international partner that we will always show commitment in the payment of our counterpart fund.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Uchenna Orji, said that the farm inputs would boost agricultural yield this planting season.

IFAD state Coordinator, Mr Sunday Ituma, said that the goal of the programme was to reduce rural poverty, increase food security and ensure accelerated economic growth on a sustainable basis.

Ituma said that the programme was being implemented under three major components including agricultural market development, smallholder productivity enhancement and programme management and coordination.

He explained that no fewer than 6,245 farmers were supported during the 2016 farming season.

ago still stands and strict measures will be enforced against defaulters.

Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Dr Latif Busari, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja said the continued smuggling of the product into the country is a hindrance to local producers, who are struggling to have a chunk of the market share.

“There is no gain saying the fact that those who engage in illegal importation of these banned products are daily inflicting incalculable damage to local producers of the same commodities in the country.

Government cannot afford to look the other way while economic saboteurs who come under the guise of businessmen continue to frustrate genuine efforts geared towards building our economy.

“Regrettably, despite sustained efforts by the council and other government agencies to protect the interest of local investors in the sugar industry to enforce the ban on importation of packaged sugar, we have discovered that different brands of this product still line the shelves of big retail outlets and wholesale stores across major cities in the country.’’

Busari said as part of its efforts to grow the country’s local sugar industry and attract investment into the downstream segment of the business, the Federal Government in 2013 banned the importation of packaged sugar.

He stated that merely packaging or producing cube-shaped sugar is not rocket science as Nigerians are capable of doing it given small amount of capital.

The executive secretary, who, however, admitted that the aim of the ban was being defeated by the continued influx of imported packaged sugar, particularly the St. Louis brand, into Nigeria, said that when the ban was announced, the council had asked the major importer of the St. Louis brand to start its local production in the country if it wanted Nigerians to still consume it.

“Our position on this matter has not changed. We want importers of banned packaged sugar to either produce in Nigeria or take them elsewhere. This position is in line with Section 9.3.1 (IV) of the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) as approved.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Anambra goes tough on child labour From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka THE crux of the matter at the commemoration of the 2017 Day of African Child at the headquarters of the Anambra Broadcasting Service in Awka was the decision of the state government to raid child hawkers who roam the streets and motor parks selling their wares during school hours .

Government noted that children of school age who were sent out by their parents and guardians to hawk ended up becoming social misfits and deviants thereby becoming a threat to society.

State Commissioner for Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs, Dr. Victoria Chikwelu, disclosed this while reeling out government’s welfare packages for children in Anambra State at the event which theme was “Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Rights for African Child by 2030.”

Chikwelu, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Azuka David Ofomata, stated that the state government would in no distant time embark on massive raid of children hawking anywhere in the state and put them in schools and rehabilitation centres to determine where they can be most useful to themselves and to society at large .

Ofomata also revealed that government would prosecute parents and guardians who indulge in child labour and molestation, stressing that child hawking was hazardous and inimical to the life of the child and that such child could be killed by a vehicle or kidnapped for rituals .

He said there were policies in place to guarantee the wellbeing of children in the state, pointing out that the state governor had started giving employments to persons living with disabilities to prevent them

from begging and resignation to fate.

Dr. Ibrahim Conteh , chief of the UNICEF A field office, Enugu, noted that with the ratification of the child’s right law, UNICEF was working closely with the government to ensure that the laws were being implemented and made operational so that stakeholders would be familiar with the components of the law and ensure full implementation .

Conteh also said that UNICEF supported the Day of African Child because it was identified by the African Union as a day set aside for the commemoration of what happened to children in Soweto South Africa in 1976 when they staged a peaceful demonstration for fair treatment in terms of quality education, even though many of them were killed in the struggle.

Meanwhile, UNICEF WASH consultant in Anambra State, Mr. Clem-

ent Chigbo, observed that there were vacuums in the implementation of the rights of the African child.

Chigbo said that the gaps manifested themselves in inadequacies in government policies and implementation, pointing out that the charter on the rights of the African child had not been implemented by many states in Nigeria.

A child protection expert and former Director of Child Development in the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sir Emeka Ejide, bemoaned the fact that there was no institution that served as a detention centre for children who were in conflict with the law.

Ejide noted that such institutions should be put in place in the southeast as correction centres for children suffering from one personality disorder or the other, adding that efforts should be made by government to ensure that the sustainable

development goals and the right of the African child were attained by 2030.

UNICEF desk officer (media) Anambra State, Franca Umezuike, explained that the Day of African Child represented the unending quest for the protection of rights of children adding that UNICEF, EU and the Anambra State government had done tremendously well in the welfare of children especially as it concerns right to health, education and others.

Speaker of the Anambra state children’s parliament, Eden Rex Abara, advocated the empowerment of the nation’s judiciary to enable it treat cases of child abuse and molestation in the country while suggesting also that the police should create a more child-friendly environment to enable children report cases of domestic violence and servitude.

• Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke (2nd left), receiving an award as the Best Governor on Security and Good Governance from CEO/MD of GUO Group of Companies, Chief G.U. Okeke (3rd left), on behalf of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, by members of the Urban Drivers’ Welfare Association (UDWAS) during the association’s 2017 drivers’ day celebration at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

Anambra general hospitals now “mortuaries” – Lawmakers From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka GOVERNMENT hospitals in Anambra State have been likened to mortuaries following government’s apparent inability to rehabilitate, equip and make them functional and accessible by the citizenry.

This was the crux of the matter at plenary as lawmakers in the Anambra State House of Assembly took turns to speak on the deplorable conditions of government-owned hospitals in their various constituencies and local government areas .

Hon. Kingsley Chukwuma Iruba of Nnewi South I Constituency, in his motion, bemoaned the pitiable condition of general hospital Ukpor in Nnewi South LGA. Iruba said it was the only government hospital in the entire council area closest to the people.

The lawmaker stated that since the hospital was handed over to the state government, no tangible effort had been made to give it a befitting status of a general hospital.

Iruba regretted that the people of Nnewi South were subjected to untold hardship in search of a functional hospital where their health needs would be attended to.

He said that due to the deplorable condition of the hospital, many minor ailments had resulted to deaths, stressing that Ukpor General Hospital had been described as a glorified mortuary. He therefore called on the

state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate, equip and make it functional to save the people from further preventable deaths.

Obinna Chris Emeneka of Anambra East Constituency brought to the notice of the House the fact that the general hospital in Nando, Anambra East LGA, had become moribund.

This was contained in the motion he presented urging the state governor to direct the Commissioner for Health to urgently rehabilitate and upgrade the hospital.

He expressed worry that the hospital was grossly understaffed and ill-equipped for proper diagnosis and

treatment which he said was responsible for loss of human.

Other lawmakers who spoke on the conditions of government hospitals in their respective constituencies included Onyebuchi Augustine Ofor of Ekwusigo constituency who maintained that the two general hospitals in Ozubulu and Oraifite were now “general mortuaries”.

Ofor expressed displeasure that government had lost grip of the health sector in Anambra State, judging from the level of dilapidation at the hospitals.

Lawrence Ezeudu representing Dunukofia State Constituency also said that the general hospitals in

Ukpo and Ifitedunu had gone comatose and inaccessible even as he posited that there was need for government to be more proactive in its health policies in order to ensure that public hospitals were rehabilitated and made functional.

Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Health and member representing Awka South I Constituency, Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, noted that rehabilitation of general hospitals across the state was ongoing.

He made case for functional and modernised general hospitals in Anambra State where people can access quality healthcare services.

I use my personal money for projects – Lawmaker From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka LAWMAKER representing Idemili North State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Tochukwu Mmegbuanaeze, says he deploys his personal funds to execute choice projects in his constituency.

The lawmaker said that constituency funds were not enough to institute community-driven projects in all the 10 towns making up Idemili North, adding that to meet the demands and expectations of his constituents, he channeled his personal resources to uplift his people through provision of social amenities.

Mmegbuanaeze, who disclosed this to our correspondent in Awka, stated that he was currently on the verge of completing a health centre at Abacha, one of the towns in his constituency.

He said that the health centre became important to enable his constituents have access to quality healthcare services.

According to him, Abacha town had an existing health centre but was in a very bad shape due to inactivity, pointing out that people could not access the health facility as it was completely dilapidated.

He was of the opinion that upon completion, the health centre would address the health needs of the peo-

ple.

Mmegbuanaeze revealed that he had done a number of culverts at Nkpor and was currently constructing a drainage system at Umusiome Nkpor to control flooding in the area.

The lawmaker, who also expressed concern that Idemili North was an erosion-prone area, maintained that he had presented a number of motions on the floor of the house on erosion menace in his constituency.

He said he had drawn the attention of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and World Bank to the gully erosion site at Obosi and that they had visited the site and made firm promise to tackle the menace.

Anambra 2017: Incumbency is no threat to me – Ezeemo From CHUKS EZE, Enugu GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) in Anambra State, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, has said that his campaign organisation was not perturbed by the incumbency factor in Nigerian politics.

Speaking to The Oracle Today in Enugu, the governorship hopeful pointed out that gone were the days when candidates used to lose sleep or get intimidated over the strength of a sitting government official.

According to the philanthropist, “we are not perturbed about the incumbency factor at all. But sincerely speaking, the power of incumbency is a factor that really makes elections to appear hilly in this clime. But to us, we do not lose sleep over it because we have witnessed in the past how candidates have levelled such hills to edge out incumbents, not only in Nigeria but in other climes too.”

On the increasing number of those aspiring to contest the forthcoming elections in the state, Ezeemo said that he was not startled by such rising figure. He pointed out that they were about 23 candidates during the 2013 governorship race in the state and yet he made the strongest five at the end of the day, adding that with his current level of preparation and further finetuning that would take place in the coming weeks the sky would be his limit at the polls.

“I am focused in what I am doing and my mission and vision for Anambra State are clear and well-articulated. I am in politics because I am convinced that our people are still suffering; and it bothers me whenever I see that many problems that I noticed while growing up still stare at us in the face in Anambra today, one of which is high rate of unemployment,” he said.

The politician also emphasised that he was prompted by anomalies in the state to leave his comfort zone to seek Anambra governorship and pledged that if elected, his administration would take agriculture sector more seriously because the sector had the capacity to boost food production, create employment and stimulate the growth of other sectors.

He said he had what it takes to transform the power sector in the state to attract more investors and create enabling environment for rapid industrialisation to take place.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Police dismiss 2 traffic wardens over bribery From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja ANTI- corruption Unit of the Nigerian Police Force has announced the dismissal of two traffic wardens serving with the Federal Capital Territory Command for alleged corrupt practices.

In a statement made available to The Oracle Today in Abuja, the two traffic wardens Musa Muktari (F/ No. 394120 GDI) and Shuaibu Suleman ( F/No. 10627 GDII) attached to Wuse Police Division, FCT Abuja Command were dismissed with immediate effect.

According to the statement, their dismissal “followed an Orderly Room trial at the Provost Department, Force Headquarters Abuja in which both wardens were found guilty of abuse of office, soliciting and receiving a bribe contrary to Paragraph C sub (IV), (VI) and (II) of the 1st Schedule of the Police Act and Regulation CAP 370 of 1990.

“On 30th May, 2017 a motorist Mr. AG came to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) FHQ Abuja and reported that while driving his vehicle on 29th May, 2017 (12:30pm) along Wuse market road he was accosted by two Traffic Wardens who accused him of “beating traffic light” despite the fact that he did not.

“That the wardens started demanding for bribe before they will allow him go and they led him to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) not far from the scene where he was forced to make a withdrawal of Fifteen Thousand Naira (N15,000) from his account which he gave to the traffic wardens. He also stated that that one of the wardens forgot his mobile phone in his car.

“PCRRU immediately launched an investigation (Tracking Number PCRRU475669), both traffic wardens where identified and apprehended. The sum of N15, 000 earlier extorted from the complainant was recovered from both wardens (N7, 500 each as money was already shared).”

The two wardens were subsequently defaulted and referred to the Force Provost Marshal FHQ Abuja for Orderly Room trial during which all witnesses were called, exhibits were presented and defaulters (both wardens) heard.

“The Adjudicating officer found both defaulters guilty as charged and recommended punishment of dismissal from service, while the complainant was handed back his N15, 000, with an apology from the PCRRU.” Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, has commended the complainant for exposing this unprofessional conduct of the traffic wardens. He also stated that “we will not allow corrupt practices to continue.”

The IGP equally enjoined members of the public to make use of the PCRRU platform which was available 24/7.

The police added that they would continue to promote the PCRRU promise of “No to Impunity”, adding that “our quick response will put a smile on your face.”

Don’t scrap NERFUND, Rep tells FG From CHIDI UGWU, Abuja A member of the House of Representatives Emeka Anohu (Ihiala Federal Constituency, Anambra State) has warned that scraping the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) would do the nation more harm than good.

Anohu who is Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the activities of Federally owned Financial Institutions or DFIs in Nigeria, urged the Federal Government to exercise caution on its decision to wind down and merge it with the Bank of Industry (BOI).

He frowned at the executive or-

der to wind down the operations of NERFUND, noting that it would be detrimental to the nation’s economy and rather increase the number of unemployed in the country.

Addressing the media during the week on the development, the lawmaker suggested that NERFUND should be reorganized and repositioned to provide the needed result.

“We must address what went wrong; let’s streamline the activities of DFIs in the country including BOI, Bank of Agriculture and NERFUND to produce maximum effect on our People,” he stated, adding that they should be restructured through models that will work, as closing them down would not be the best

the best.

Anohu’s ad-hoc committee has for sometime been conducting investigation into the activities of federally owned DFIs in Nigeria including NERFUND which was set up in 1999 by an Act of the parliament.

NERFUND has for a while ceased to carry out its mandate of providing funds for the Small and Medium Enterprises due to high non-performing loans, which rendered it comatose.

As a result, the Federal Government recently issued an executive order to wind down its activities and merge it with the Bank of Industry.

Although Anohu agreed that the ad-hoc committee investigation showed that contrary to the laud-

able purpose for which NERFUND was set up which is to provide funds to MSMEs, the Fund has largely not achieved its objectives, he said the MSMEs will still require cheap funding from the government, which can be better provided through agencies like BOI, NERFUND, BOA and the likes.

“The failure of NERFUND like it’s other counterparts was due to poor management over the years, diversion of funds to cronies, poor business models that could not support it’s operations and paucity of funds, “ Anohu explained, emphasizing however, that that despite the challenges, shutting down NERFUND is not the solution.

• Acting President Yemi Osinbajo chats with His Eminence Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, during breaking of Ramadan Fast with Northern Traditional Rulers at the State House in Abuja.

Osinbajo urges traditional rulers to promote unity From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has called on traditional rulers to take steps to promote unity amongst the various ethnic nationalities in their domain.

The Acting President stated this during the week in continuation of his consultations with various stake- holders in Nigeria with traditional rulers from the north taking their turn to meet with the Acting President Osinbajo who noted that the meeting became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitting the Southeast against the North: “WE are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region” “Before then, there was the clamour – and it’s still ongoing – by some south-eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria at all costs and by any means.”

The Acting President noted that Nigeria has seen enough violence and bloodshed in its history, adding that “the price of our unity has already been paid in the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians” “ As Royal Fathers and Leaders, I think you will agree with me that we all have a role to play in countering the voices of divisiveness, and the elements who seek to take us down a bloody path.

“Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around care-

lessly without repercussion.”

“Having said this let me say that we are not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country. Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances” “But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain.” he said Those who attended the meeting include representative of the Emir of Katsina,Professor Sung Luka,the Waziri

Katsina, HRH Alhaji Dr Yahaya Abubakar Etsu Nupe Niger State, Alhaji Ibrahim Sule Gambari,Emir of Ilorin,Kwara State, HRH Alhaji Mustapha Agwai 11, Emir of Lafia,Nasarawa State, HRH Alhaji Kyari Umar El-Kanemi,Shehu of Bama representing Shehu of Borno, HRH Jacob Buba Jang,Gbong Gwon Jos Others are HRH Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar,Emir of Gombe, HRH Ndakwo Ameh Oboni 11,Attah Igala,Kogi State, HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali, Emir

of Fika,Yobe State, HRM Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed Muhammed Emir of Zamfara, HRH Professor James Ayatse Tor Tiv,Benue State, HRH Alhaji Adamu Buba Baba Yinusa,Emir of Abaji,FCT Also present were, HRH Alhaji Muhammed Isah Muhammed,Emir of Jama in Kaduna State, HRH Justice Lawal Hassan Emir of Gumi and coordinator of the Northern traditional rulers council, HRH Alhaji Emmanuel, Etsu Karu of the FCT

Umahi to religious leaders: Don’t join hate speech bandwagon From CHUKS EZE, Enugu RELIGIOUS leaders in the country have been urged not to allow themselves to be dragged into the current wave of hate speeches in the country.

Speaking at Christ Embassy Church in Abakaliki, the state capital, on the occasion of 2017 Fathers’ Day celebration of the church, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State called on various churches across the country to eschew any tendency that was capable of igniting rancour, destruction or war in the country.

According to him, there was urgent need for all religious leaders and the faithful alike to embark on fervent prayers for the country for God to calm all frayed nerves and give citizens the grace to recognise that all are children of God were beautifully and specially made, adding that the country was large enough to accommodate everybody irrespective of race, religion or cultural affiliations.

“Let us love one another in this country

and shun hate speeches because war is not a good thing,” he said.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum, and who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, in a statement, also appealed to the faithful not to propagate hatred through speeches, actions and other attitudes no matter the level of neglect, maltreatment or provocation because Jesus Chris enjoined Christians to love everyone including their enemies.

“Those who are beating the drums of war have not witnessed war before. If there is war, the church will no longer come together. I believe with our prayers, we can avert every plans of the devil,” he said He thanked the faithful for their prayers and support for his administration since its inception and encouraged the people of the state not to depend on government for everything but to work hard to overcome the present biting economic challenges in the country, and urged Ebonyi residents to take advantage of his administration’s empow-

erment schemes and engage in productive ventures.

He also appealed to those who had excelled in their chosen careers and endeavours to assist friends, neighbours and relatives by carrying them along and teaching them how to fish just like Christ did in his time. According to him, that was the best strategy to combat the economic recession.

The head pastor of the church, Mrs. Eunice Oyeyemi, who had earlier in her sermon, advised fathers to be alive to their responsibilities, both in their respective families and the society in general, also admonished them to have respect for their marriage vows.

She advised the women to always respect and support their husbands even in times difficulties.

She praised Governor Umahi for his performance in office, describing it as sterling.

Meanwhile, the governor, accompanied by his wife, Rachael, later visited a motherless babies’ home in the city centre to celebrate the day with the orphans.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Anambra 2017: Group begins Rivers to ban roasting of animal skin with tyres interaction with aspirants From THEO RAYS, Onitsha AHEAD of the November governorship election in Anambra State, a group, Anambra Consensus Project (ACP), has commenced faceto-face interactive sessions with all the governorship aspirants in the state.

ACP is a non-governmental organization that strives to serve as a forum where Anambra indigenes and residents would bring to the fore issues of common interest, examine, understand and take decisions on them.

President of the group, Dr Emeka Eze, said apart from making the political environment lively in the state, the interaction would provide an avenue where all the aspirants could be properly scrutinized by the people.

He noted that even in the United States of America, all aspirants to elective positions are well familiar with the electorate ahead of primary elections where the final candidates for elections are selected.

He noted that even the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, would be invited to the forum while the electorate would be the ones to ultimately decide whether there is need for change of baton or continuity in the state.

Dr Alex Obiogbolu of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Chike Obidigbo of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Mr. Godwin Chukwunaenye Ezeemo of the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA, featured in the maiden edition of the interactive session where each of the aspirants at

separate sessions outlined reasons for their decision to vie for the governorship of the state.

The sessions, according to the organizers, would continue till all the aspirants are exhausted and the political process leading to the election of the governor concluded.

Obiogbolu, in his session, argued that with him as Anambra governor under the PDP, the state would be made better, while Obidigbo, in his own summation, said Anambra is better off as an APC state, promising that his administration will be synonymous with job creation.

The PPA candidate, Ezeemo, said he would use security votes to develop the 21 local government councils in the state.

• Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State handing over the document of the parcel of land procured by the state government to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for building of the permanent site of No 54 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Aguleri, Anambra State. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

RIVERS State House of Assembly is set to promulgate a law banning the roasting of animal skin with tyres, a method that is considered both a health and environmental hazard.

Apart from polluting the environment, the chemical fumes that are spewed out when tyres are burnt are widely reported and supported by medical experts as a cancerous agent, harshly injurious to health.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ikunyi Ibani, stated during a sitting on the floor of the House, in Port Harcourt, that the lawmakers would continue to push for an end to the use of tyres in burning of animal skin at abattoirs in the state.

“We need information to enable us promulgate a law that will protect the environment and people of Rivers State.

We will proceed from a point of ignorance, giving the relevant agencies and the public the opportunity to contribute meaningful ideas on the nature and character of the law that can best tackle this problem.”

Ibani stressed: “We will ensure that our society, our environment, and our people will continue to enjoy the benefit of good health. We will do our utmost best to sanitise the processing of animal skin in the state.”

The lawmakers had invited the commissioners of health, agriculture and the permanent secretary of the ministry of health to appear before the House to explain why tyres were still being used to process animal skin in abattoirs across the state.

In her response, Commissioner for Environment, Professor Rosaline Koinyan, told the lawmakers that there was need to enact tougher laws to prohibit the use of tyres

to process animal skin in the state.

“The main law regulating the practice is the Meat Inspection and Sale Law, which is in the Public Health Law of 1999, so that section needs to be looked at. Butchers can use sawdust; they can use the chaff from palm oil after squeezing oil out of it; they can use firewood instead of using tyres.”

Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Onimi Jack, while responding to enquiries made by the lawmakers, called for the revocation of licences of abattoirs where tyres were still being used to roast animal skin.

“We license slaughter houses; we license the butchers; we are working on revoking the licenses of those who are still engaged in processing animal skin with tyres and close down their facilities. Another thing we are thinking of is to amend the law.”

Addressing the lawmakers, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Caroline Wally, called for sensitisation to inform members of the public that the use of wood and hot water in processing animal skin for consumption is more effective and healthy than the use of tyres.

Speaking on efforts to discourage the use of tyres in processing animal skin, Chairman of the National Butchers Union of Nigeria, NBUN, Rivers State Chapter, Oginagba Slaughter, Alhaji Musa Baba Ahmed, called for proper sanction and punishment to anyone or group that continues to use tyres in processing animal skin.

“We support the position of the Rivers State government.

It will grow our business.

Trans-Amadi slaughter banned the use of tyre in roasting animal skin since 2006. We recommend the use of firewood, only. The new law should also outlaw the slaughtering of animals in abattoirs before 7am.”

From NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt

Change of Name

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I formerly known as EBUBECHUKWU NOBERT FRANKLIN now EZEOKPUO EBUBECHUKWU NORBERT. Born on 16/08/1996. All documents remain valid.Public take note

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This is to certify that ONWUDINJO MARTINS ANNE NGOZI and O’MARTINS ANNE NGOZI are same person just that the surname ONWUDINJO was abbreviated to “O” in my voter’s card and international passport. All documents remain valid,general public take note

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I formerly known as EZE CHIBUZOR EZE now wish to be known as Mr EDE CHIBUZOR EZE. All former documents remain valid, Keystone bank and general public take note

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This is to affirm that CHUKWU WILSON OBASI and AWA OBASI CHUKWU are my names. Now i wish to be known and addressed as AWA OBASI CHUKWU. All documents bearing my name remain valid.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Atiku urged to contest 2019 presidential election From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

P

ARTY chieftains, former top civil servants, businessmen and women, youths, captains of industry, scholars and media practitioners from across the federation at the end of a meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State, appealed to former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to contest in 2019.

“We are urging him to contest out of our good intention for this country and its citizens. We need someone who can suppress ethnic and religious bigotry in order to hold the nation together. We need somebody who knows the needs of the people and who will be dynamic enough to provide those needs. Atiku Abubakar is the best man for the job in 2019,” they said in a statement issued after the meeting.

The statement, signed by the Secretary, National Forum for Atiku (NFFA), Chief Ibrahim Babatunde Olorogun-Etti, commended Atiku for his well established reputation for tolerance, efficient management of resources and ability to manage ethnic relations.

They described the former vicepresident as a serious minded, dutiful and clearheaded individual.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is gen-

der sensitive. He has absolute respect for the constitution and the rule of law. He has also shown potentials, especially political charisma and clout.”

They also praised Atiku for the development of democratic culture and stable polity, for giving beneficial leadership in the country and rekindling the specific interest of the business community in Nigeria and the general interest of the international community in

the development of Nigeria as well as the creation of jobs for the people.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar deserves the biggest thanks for being a team player and for ensuring speedy development of the country,” the group stated, urging him to consider seriously the voices of those pleading with him to contest in 2019.

“If Nigeria is going anywhere in this democratic dispensation,

it is people like Atiku who would spearhead the attainment of that feat. He has sold himself as a competent, experienced and resourceful man.”

The National Forum for Atiku 2019 is a political organization established to mobilize Nigerians, home and abroad, towards ensuring the emergence of Atiku as the president of Nigeria come 2019.

• L – R; Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, with Prof. Otunta, when Abia Staff in MOUAU (ASIM) honoured the VC with a civic reception.

Group launches advocacy for Igbo Presidency in 2019 From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

A

new group with the name, Igbo Presidency 2019, has emerged in Enugu with the sole aim of appealing to the consciences of all stakeholders, political parties, kingmakers and other sections of the country to cede the 2019 presidency to the South-East Zone.

The group said that it was unfair that over 47 years after the civil war, the Igbo had not been allowed to produce the president of the country, hence the South-East was currently not represented both at the council of state meetings and the forum of former Presidents of Nigeria.

Addressing journalists during its inauguration at the Golden Royale Hotels Limited in Enugu, Convener and National Coordinator of the group, Barr Tagbo Obidiaso, explained that the group was neither a political party nor a secessionist group but a pressure group whose emergence was occasioned by perceived feelings of injustice and neglect by the Igbo as well as the zeal to sustain the country as one indivisible and indissoluble entity through appeal for restoration of equity and fair play in the country.

Tagbo also pointed out that the group was not out to press for restructuring, resource control or true federalism but was rather concerned about unity, trust and

understanding among Nigerian citizens as well as mutual readiness to embrace equity and fair play at all times.

Asked whether the emergence of the group was related to the recent quit order given the Igbo resident in the north by a coalition of northern youths, Tagbo explained that the group had been in operation before the said Kaduna declaration but added that the its objectives includ-

ed putting in place adequate national healing that would cover all restiveness, agitations and ill-feelings among peoples of the country.

Also speaking, one of the State Coordinators, Barr Ogechi Njoku, pointed out that the dream of Nigeria’s founding fathers was that the leadership of the country should rotate equitably without rancour, but unfortunately, the South-East had since been sidelined for years such

that whenever former Presidents of the country met, the North, SouthWest and South-South were well represented without any representative of Igbo extraction.

She said the group planned to interface with various political parties in the coming days, to appeal to them to zone their respective 2019 presidential slot to the SouthEast as a major step in healing old wounds in the country.

Okowa charges religious leaders on mentorship From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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ELTA State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has enjoined religious leaders to sustain the spread of the gospel of Christ by raising a younger generation of believers to succeed them.

Okowa, who gave the advice at the weekend during the 50th birthday anniversary of the Warri Zonal Director of the Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Siji Dara, said that the development of the church must be sustained, pointing out that a generation of true worshipers was needed for the end time army.

He said pastors should place emphasis on the message of salvation instead of focusing on prosperity which according to him was the vogue in modern Christianity.

The governor reiterated government’s determination to impact on the lives of the people and called on the church to intensify their prayers for the government of the state and the nation.

While appreciating God for the life of Pastor Dara, Okowa commended him for the tremendous impact he had made in the lives of many people, and urged him not to relent in mentoring more people for higher divine assignments.

In their remarks, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, who was the Chairman of the organising committee for the birthday and his wife, Deaconess Ebi Otuaro, said their lives had been transformed by the word of God through the celebrant.

They described Pastor Dara as a mentor and a coach as they prayed for God’s mercies and wisdom upon his life.

On his part, another State Coordinator of the group, Uyammadu Austin Charles, noted that 2019 Igbo Presidency was not just about 2019, but also about making sure that the country continues to exist as one. He said everybody knew that Nigeria’s numerical strength was a potential asset in global politics, adding that a unified Nigeria would always be greater and stronger than a dismembered one.

Monarch lauds oil firm, calls for more assistance From EMMANUEL OGOIBE, Warri

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RADITIONAL ruler of Okpe Kingdom in Ethoipe West Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Major-General Felix Mujakpero (rtd), has lauded the foresight of Seplat Petroleum Development Company for developing various host communities in the state.

The Okpe monarch stated this during the “Eye Can See” programme organized by the company at Oreropke in which scores of patients benefitted from the free medical treatment.

“No doubt, Seplat has brought a lot of relief to the people and thus reduced drastically the hardship hitherto faced by the downtrodden.

The company’s gesture has also restored peace in its area of operation,” stressed the Okpe monarch.

While urging Nigeria to live in peace and harmony with each other, the retired army general maintained that his kingdom is a peace-loving area where both natives and visitors live peacefully with one another.”

He therefore urged other companies operating in the area to emulate Seplat in her bid to make life more meaningful for the people.

Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Austin Ovuru, restated the company’s commitment to assist the needy in society, especially the host communities.

According to him, effort would be geared towards ensuring a better care for people suffering from eye problem, high bold pressure and other sicknesses that can adequately be handled.

Ovuru explained that the “Eye Can See” prgramme which was a core component of SEPLAT corporate social investment is a health-focused community engagement aimed at bringing free qualitative and comprehensive eye care to members of its host communities.

“This laudable prgramme in its sixth year of existence will be a continuous programme and we hope to support and prosecute the sustainable initiatives. Members of lour host communities are important stakeholders in our mutual enterprise and we feel duty-bound to support their health and economic circumstances,” stressed the company’s boss.

Fielding questions from newsmen on local content, Mr Ovuru maintained that the company was at the forefront of the scheme, describing it

as the best thing to have happened in the nation’s industry.

He disclosed that this year’s event which spanned three weeks saw the screening of 5,652 patients with 287 undergoing successful surgeries.

“The programme has over the course of six years, screened 48,802 patients and dispensed 19,325 glasses to persons in need of visual aid, while over 2,221 surgeries have been carried out successfully,” revealed Seplat helmsman, adding that several cases were carried out on the spot.

“Besides, we are engaged in educational programme where several schools from Edo and Delta States have benefitted immensely, community development, and provision of social amenities to our host communities,” Ovuru stated.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Catholic church says 3,383 people killed in Congo’s Kasai region

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he Catholic Church said on Tuesday that 3,383 people have been killed in the Kasai region since October 2016, when fighting between Congolese Security Forces and militia members began.

The UN had previously said hundreds died in the violence.

The church report also said Democratic Republic of Congo’s national army was responsible for destroying 10 villages.

The army’s spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

NAN reports that the DRC on Tuesday rejected an independent investigation into violence in its Kasai region.

The UN Human Rights Council is likely to vote on Thursday on whether to authorise such an investigation into the violence that has killed hundreds in central Congo, including two UN experts who were murdered earlier this year.

“Carrying out an investigation that excludes the Congolese authorities would be unacceptable. It would be as if we were not an independent country,” Justice Minister Alexis Mwamba told reporters in Geneva.

UN human rights chief Zeid Al-Hussein called on the Council to mandate an investigation after Congo missed a deadline to agree to investigate alleged massacres jointly.

Mwamba said: “that would be a pity, for the simple reason that if a resolution is voted for and doesn’t take us into account, implementing it will be difficult.

“Do you want experts to go into a foreign country without reporting to the national authorities?

“How will they get visas? How will they get access to the countryside?

The best way would be to go towards a solution that is acceptable for everyone … If you think you can do the investigation without us, go ahead.

Indian teenage girl raped, thrown from moving train, Police say

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ndian Police said on Monday that a 16-year-old girl was gang-raped and apparently thrown from a moving train in the eastern state of Bihar.

Regional police chief Ashok Kumar said the teenager was abducted near her home in Lakhisarai district by a group of six youth on Friday.

Kumar said she was sexually as-

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saulted at an isolated spot before she was forced into a train at a local station and found hours later on the tracks, injured and unconscious.

The girl’s family said she had been thrown off the train, a claim that police said they were investigating.

“The girl is being treated for serious injuries. We have arrested

one of the suspects, a boy, in the case. Results of medial tests to confirm sexual assault are awaited,” Kumar said.

Local media reports said the teen was in a critical condition and fighting for her life at a government hospital where she was being treated.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar promised strong action

against the accused.

Sexual violence has been a focus of public attention in India since the fatal gang rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in December 2012.

Activists say little has changed in attitudes towards sexual assault, and attacks on women continue unabated.

• Remains of the downed Syrian jet (Insert) the US Warplane firing the air to air missile that downed the Syrian SU-22 bomber

CNN reporter labels White House spokesman ‘just kind of useless’

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CNN reporter labelled White House spokesman Sean Spicer “just kind of useless”, in the the ongoing tussle between the Washington press corps and the Trump administration.

The comment was made by CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta during an appearance on “CNN Newsroom with Brooke

Jet downing: Russia suspends cooperation with U.S. in Syrian airspace ussia has suspended cooperation with the U.S. in Syrian airspace after the U.S.-led coalition shot down a Syrian jet on Sunday.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that it “terminates cooperation with the U.S. side within the framework of the Memorandum on Incident Prevention and Aviation Safety in operations in Syria from June 19, and demands a thorough investigation by the U.S. command (into the downing).”

According to the statement, a U.S. F/A-18 fighter jet on Sunday shot down a Syrian Su-22 bomber, which was carrying out a combat mission in support of government troops conducting an offensive against Islamic State terrorists in the vicinity of Raqqa, the group’s stronghold.

The U.S. Central Command said, however, that the Syrian plane bombed U.S.-backed

By Roswitha Chukwuma (with Agency Reports)

forces and the action against it was “in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partner forces.”

The defence ministry said it has considered the downing of the Syrian warplane “a cynical violation of the sovereignty” of Syria, and “a gross violation of international law and, in fact, a military aggression against Syria.”

It added that Russian warplanes were also operating in Syria’s airspace at the moment of the attack, but the U.S.-led coalition didn’t use the existing communication channels to warn the Russian military.

The ministry warned that from now on, all aircraft and drones of the coalition detected west of the Euphrates River will be tracked by Russian air-and ground-based air defense systems as targets.

Baldwin.”

“The White House press secretary is getting to a point, Brooke, where he’s just kind of useless,” Acosta said.

“You know, if he can’t come out and answer the questions and they’re just not going to do this on camera or audio, why are we even having these briefings or these gaggles in the first place?”

Acosta’s comments came shortly after Spicer held an off-camera press briefing that journalists were

reportedly not allowed to record.

The 47-year-old, who has covered the last three elections for CNN, also criticized President Donald Trump for not holding a “full blown press conference” since February.

“I don’t know why everybody is going along with this. It just doesn’t make any sense to me,” Acosta said.

Citing an unnamed senior White House official, the Washington Post reported Monday that Spicer

is expected to move to a more “behind-the-scenes role overseeing communications strategy.”

The move is part of a “broader overhaul” of the communications team at the White House, the Post said.

Spicer has been the subject of criticism by reporters in Washington for months, and has also attracted the attention of comedy show Saturday Night Live, where he is portrayed by actress Melissa McCarthy.

Macron’s aide says move out of govt to be LREM leader in parliament is “strategic”

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ichard Ferrand, a close aide of Emmanuel Macron who was named a minister weeks ago, said on Tuesday his move out of government to a job as leader of his party in parliament was “strategic”.

Macron’s right-hand man during the presidential campaign, Ferrand became embroiled in allegations of financial impropriety within days of the centrist’s victory in May. A preliminary investigation is under way over allegations he benefited improperly from property deals done six years ago by a health insurance fund he managed in the Brittany region.

The affair tainted the early weeks of Macron’s presidency with a whiff of bigger scandals that hit some of his opponents during a bitter presidential campaign.

Under a government reshuffle to be conducted this week after Macron’s party won a majority in parliament at the weekend, Ferrand is to step down as minister for territorial planning.

He will take up instead the leadership of the 308 lawmakers representing Ma-

cron’s Republic on the Move (LREM) party in the National Assembly, the 577seat lower house of parliament.

Many of them are young and new to politics, although they are allied in parliament to another long-established centrist party, Democratic Movement.

“It is a strategic role,” he told RTL Radio.

“Emmanuel Macron has signaled the confidence that unites us … He judged

that it was a good moment because I know the parliamentary procedure well.”

Ferrand was a Socialist member of parliament who deserted the now-devastated party to join Macron’s cause.

Other ministers in Macron’s government are from The Republicans, the mainstream conservative party that was also decimated by LREM in Sunday’s parliamentary vote.

Court sentences Somali soldier to death for mistakenly killing minister

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court martial has sentenced a Somali soldier to death for killing a government minister after mistaking him for an Islamist militant.

Public works minister Abbas Siraji was shot dead on May 3 this year, in his car in the capital Mogadishu.

The soldier, Ahmed Abdulahi Ahmed was condemned to death by a military court “for mistakenly shooting the minister,” army officer

Hassan Noor told Reuters.

A second soldier at the scene at the time was released without charge.

Siraji, 31, grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp and was the country’s youngest minister.

Militants from the al Qaeda-affiliated group al Shabaab have carried out frequent attacks in Mogadishu as they fight to oust Somalia’s Westernbacked government and drive out African Union peacekeeping troops.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

Bold n Blunt

‘Igbo can’t be president unless • Says Biafra is an ideology not a territorial claim

THE CLAMOUR for true federalism, especially restructuring of Nigeria on the basis of six geo-political zones remains a burning issue that elicits sharp reaction from diverse interest groups nationwide. In this interview with JACOB COLLINS, the President, Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Mr. RAPH OPERA, argues, among others, that the perennial agitation for Igbo presidency may remain a mere dream unless Nigeria is restructured as enshrined in the report of the Constitutional Conference constituted by former President GOODLUCK JONATHAN. Excerpts…

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HE ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) under the leadership clocked two years in office on May 29. Could you briefly assess its performance so far?

import the 41 items that are locally produced in Nigeria. On the other hand, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other similar internal financial agencies are Western institutions. What they do is to look at how our policies will affect them and react accordingly.

At times, their advice or decision may not be a solution to our economic problems. However, we shouldn’t have started by either banning the importation of the 41 items, rather the we ought to have made concerted effort to embark on massive production of the restricted items and make same available to the people in such a way that there will be no need to import them. Anything you legislate will elicit reaction from the public. The better option is for us to produce the affected items in excess in such a manner that no reasonable person will think of importing those products into Nigeria. Rather, they will think of banning same.

Interestingly, the government came to rejuvenate the nation’s economy, but the problem is that rather than institutionalize their programme, they personalized it; they built it around the person of President Muhammadu Buhari. Now that the President is ill, the entire system is apparently sick. Otherwise, they came with good programme and would have been able to lift Nigeria out of the doldrums.

What does the government require to lift Nigeria out of the prevailing economic recession that has brought untold hardship to the people?

I’m a little beat disappointed at the present situation of things because prior to the 2015 general elections that brought APC to power, a significant percentage of its topmost politicians was campaigning for true federalism among other things. But, when they came into office, they appeared to have played the issue down.

In fact, Nigeria requires to be restructured, and if the restructuring is based on the six geo-political zones, it means that each geo-political zone will be economically independent to operate and agree to pay a significant tax to the centre.

In other words, there will be a slightly weak centre and robust geo-political zones, and Nigeria will jump into economic buoyancy.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, recently stated that Nigeria will emerge from recession at the end of second quarter 2017. Do you think that is feasible?

The CBN governor, Emefiele, is right in his own perceptive. He thinks that there are sufficient U.S Dollars in the economy. Things will turn around for good. I don’t think that is the only measure that will turn around the economy because it will make the value of the naira rise against the dollar. But can we sustain such system for a long time? I’m not too sure.

The truth is that anytime we don’t sustain it, there will be a relapse. I think the way out of the problem is absolute restructuring of the country, and a reasonable percentage of the business group should go into exporting rather than importing goods into the country. This will enable us to experience good inflow of foreign currencies into Nigeria, not only from exportation of crude oil but other products we could harness from the six geo-political zones.

What is your reaction to the continued public clamour for the adoption of the Constitutional Conference report constituted by former President Goodluck Jonathan on restructuring of Nigeria?

I think the report of the members of the Constitutional Conference constituted by former President Goodluck Jonathan could have been a good basis for restructuring of Nigeria, but then some sections of the people are opposed to the report, saying; “No, it is not good”. To adopt the report means that some sections

where the dollars earned from the export of petroleum resides with the federal government, which in turn donates to the states does not augur well for the citizenry. The government should make it a geo-political issue by ensuring that all unexplored mineral resources that are embedded within our ground should be explored so that the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will How do we restructure Nigeria under the cur- have a lot of income and pay the agreed tax to the government at the centre. rent dispensation?

The restructure I mean is that we go back to basics when it was three regions and later four The World Bank recently urged the Central regions. What each region was doing was to Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to not only suspend its look at comparative advantage and deal with weekly intervention at the foreign exchange products that it will get out with ease and cheap market but lift ban on the locally produced 41 links, export and pay part of the accruing for- items restricted from allocation of foreign exeign exchange to the federal government. This change to save Nigeria from being a dumping will weaken the enormous power of the federal ground for foreign goods. What is your reacgovernment. You find for example, the man in tion to this development? the north rooted to stay in the north because Well, both sides appear right. The federal govthat was where the power was. A situation ernment’s position is that there is no need to of the people will not believe in the outcome. I think the report should be the basics. The present government can have a smaller committee that will look at the report and bring out those portions that they think will restructure the country. However, it is not right to throw away or dump the report outright. It is wasteful and not right.

Could you comment on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) pronouncement to the effect that Naira is overvalued by 20 percent?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is serving the Western powers’ interest. Therefore, it does not mean that we must accept anything they prescribe 100 percent. I think the naira is strengthening against the dollar because the CBN is able to push out dollars to the extent that purchasers can’t even purchase all dollars available in the forex market.

My concern is that it may not be sustained for too long, in which case all the things may crash.

Aside this, I think the CBN is doing well. Assuming that the apex bank can sustain it for at least between two and three years, honestly, the naira will gain value and nobody can tell us to devalue the currency. We can’t allow the bitter experience of introduction of the Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP) and other unfavourable economic policies by IMF during the defunct regime of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, to happen to Nigeria again.

Despite the level of inflation in the country, the CBN is doing its best, but the truth is that nobody operates beyond his knowledge.

Judging from the effect of the measures so far taken by the government, the inflation is galloping, and there is no food. This means that the government needs to do more. It is on record that the APC led government had prior to its coming to power in 2015, promised to create 720,000 jobs annually, but today we are not even talking about the promise any longer. Rather, I’m saying that job losses are too much. You can’t build on anything because people are losing their jobs in various sectors of the economy daily.

The 720,000 jobs promised yearly by the present regime can’t come by magic. Something has to be done to reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country, hyperinflation and hardship threatening the people. The government has to reorder its priorities and do better. We have not fared better because the government anchored all that it wanted do on one person, and that is the president who has the will and courage do it. Unfortunately, he is not there. Maybe because he is sick and there

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICS

Nigeria is restructured’ is no other person that can drive it. Until these things are institutionalized in such a way that whether Mr. ‘A’ or ‘Z’ is there or not, they will work, things will not work for the betterment of the people. More importantly, the world has gone digital. The method of ‘Catch and Catch’ we designed in the fight against corruption is not the right way to go about it. We should fight corruption in such a manner that nobody has the opportunity to steal easily from the government purse. People steal so easily and what we are doing is to run after them. That is not what it should be. The fight against corruption should be done in such a manner that when you are put in an office, you could hardly put your hand in the cooking jar and remove what you want.

Is the rate of corruption at a reduction or increasing in the country? How best can the amount so far recovered be utilized?

What is increasing is the whistle blowing that is making the government catch the money and not the people or culprits that put it in the banks and other hideouts. Indeed, the issue is that the ongoing war against corruption is not properly articulated because any person that gets into power has unlimited avenue to siphon government funds. There should be a way of blocking all these holes so that there will not be room to steal, and when we face those who have stolen before, we‘ll start recouping. Otherwise, it will appear that we are pouring water into a basket, and the more you pour, the less you have in the basket.

As to the amount so far recovered by the government, it is pertinent to point out here that we are only reading and seeing these same on the pages of newspapers. I usually don’t want to make congestions on things I do not have details of. Based on what I see on the pages of newspapers and the kind of amount, staggering figures that have become an issue of public discuss, it means that Nigeria has no business going for foreign loans. This is because if you add the entire amount that has been allegedly looted, it probably equals or exceeds the sum we are going to borrow from the international financial institutions. It also means that we can finance our budget hundred percent, especially now that the 2017 budget of N7. 441 trillion has been passed into law. Also, if those monies are re-ploughed into the economy, we should be okay by the end of December 2017.

Again, the truth is that we are on the wrong course for not passing the 2017 budget early.

We are on the wrong platform because a budget that ought to have been delivered few months before the end of 2016 fiscal year was passed into law by the National Assembly (NASS) on May 11, 2017. Members of NASS Appropriation Committee should be proactive in the execution of their assignment so that within the first weeks of January, the budget is passed into law. So far, the ugly experience is that when budget is presented on time, we start hearing stories about budget padding and stolen budget, and before these problems are ratified, we would have gone into the second quarter of the year. Thereafter, NASS will start its endless debate on the budget, and there wouldn’t be any positive development within the next three months. The truth is that things are not working well.

How could you assess the present administration, especially in the areas of economy, agriculture among others?

Honestly, I rate the government high. It is the methodology adopted in resolving issues that is the problem. President Buhari has the will to do things right, and it appears it is him that has that will. Aside the President, his subordinates don’t appear to show that will, and this is why we have problem because the President is sick now.

It is on record the ex- Minister of Agriculture, Dr, Adesina Adebisi, under the regime of former President Jonathan had made greater waves compared to his successor, Senator

should drop their dream and focus on the geographical expression called Nigeria?

Those clamouring for Biafra use that as their own method of making the world know about the oppression of, and injustice against, the Igbo. I insist that the issue of Biafra is an ideology; it is no longer a geographical thing whereby people say of South- East or some part of South-South will now form a country.

No; it is just an outcry by the people, saying; we are being marginalized or oppressed. I expect the federal government to set up a Committee to look at it critically, and hear what some of us outside that hole are saying, namely, that this country should be restructured such that the six geographical entities strive to make life better for their people by means of what they have. That is what they mean by true federalism.

The proposed launch of the law on building insurance seems to have lingered for longer than necessary amid increasing cases of collapsed buildings nationwide. What is your take on these issues?

I thank the Commissioner for insurance is intensifying efforts to ensure that the law on building insurance becomes a reality. The truth is that without government support, African businesses can’t grow. For example, look at the banks, in the 70s when I was a young insurance practitioner, and incidentally in pension consultancy, the banks were coming cap in hands to look for fund from the insurance companies. The insurance companies were doing better and they had more funds, but over the years, government policies have expanded around the banking industry. The more the government depends on the banking industry, the more they grow to the detriment of the insurance sector. If the compulsory insurance on public building is carried out, it will go a long way towards growing the industry and reinstate those who suffer calamities and a lot of damage as a result of building collapse. I think it is a good step in the right direction.

• Nnia Nwodo Audu Ogbe. Despite huge sums being pumped into agriculture, I have not seen too much of the impact of Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the life of the people so far, considering the fact that one small plastic paint container of locally produced garri that cost N150 a few months ago presently sells for more than N1,000. It is the effect of the activities of the ministry on the masses that we look at and how much money that was injected into it. So, on those bases, the agricultural policies don’t appear to be working.

What should we do?

I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’m not in government. This situation where they keep telling us about what has been pumped into the various sectors of the economy, and yet the poor man can’t afford the cost of foodstuffs in the market is not palatable. Every economic analysis appears to have failed because if the issues of food and power supply are effectively dealt with, every other thing will fall in line.

Do you subscribe to the cry of marginalisation by Ndigbo amid demand for the vacant post of Secretary to Government of the Federation under the Buhari-led administration?

What is the way forward for the Ndigbo?

Because I’m an Igbo man, I’m careful in discussing the issue, and know what Nigeria is.

The people look at the messenger rather than the message. The issue is that after the Nigerian Civil War, which ended on January 12, 1970, it is as if there is an unwritten policy that the Igbo man does not get to the top. The truth is that the other sections of the country make sure that the Igbo do not get to the topmost echelon of Nigeria’s leadership, and that is why there is need for restructuring. Nigeria should be restructured in such a way that each geo-political zone will be in charge of its own

destiny so that whosever whishes can have a shot at the presidency. Why it is important now is because it is the winner that takes all. When you get there, you can detect what happens.

For example, all your kitchen cabinet can come from your village among other top positions at the centre because the country is not restructured accordingly. If the country is properly restructured and each of the geo-political zone is working at its own pace, it may not matter again who is there. What does it matter? If there is sincerity and justice, the vacant position of Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) should ordinarily go the South East.

Do you think that the Igbo can have a shot at the presidency in the next five years?

It is not possible for an Igbo man to emerge as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because of what appears to be unwritten policy against them. So long as we have the two major tribes, irrespective of the 250 ethnic tribes in the federation, that have vowed that the Igbo man will not get there, how can he get there?

I’m neither clamouring for Biafra nor trying to secede. I don’t support secession; the clamour for Biafra as far as I’m concerned is an ideology and every person that is trampled upon, every person that is suffering all kinds of injustice is in fact clamouring for Biafra. Biafra is not a geographical expression. It is an ideology that has come to stay. It is because of the injustice, insincerity and oppression of a certain section of the country that has led to the clamour for Biafra. If Nigeria is restructured, and the six geo-political zones are allowed to operate on its own, you will discover that the issue of Biafra or any other secessionist tendency will stop.

Are you advising that those behind the ongoing struggle for actualization of Biafra and any other ethnic group threatening to secede

How could you access insurance awareness and penetration in Nigeria, especially under the persistent recession?

The greatest problem we have against insurance in Nigeria is our traditional way of doing things. In the developed world, once you are 18 years old, you are pushed out of the family home, and what your parents will tell you is to make sure you are insured because they are not there for you. But, in this part of the world, especially Nigeria, when something happens to any person everybody will rush down to assist him, and that does not have value for insurance. That attitude should change because it will happen one day that when people rush to a person that has been traumatized by one damage or the other, every person comes without dolling out money, it will now dawn on that person that he should have taken insurance. The reason why insurance is dwindling is not because the economy is going down; it is because of tradition that is built on syndrome of “be your brother’s keeper’. There should be much emphasis on mass education for you to insure before insurance becomes a sine-qua non when people will not be rushing any longer to any person that suffers any damage.

The government is known to be the highest debtor in terms of non-payment of yearly premium. Has the situation been reversed under the present administration?

The government has changed tremendously. For example, the Lagos State government pays its premium and the federal government to a large extent is doing its best in this direction. But there are some State governments that think that insurance is on the lowest rung of priority, and they are not paying their premium. The question is, can such state governments honour their premium if they can’t pay workers’ salary?

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICS

‘Local council independence will solve For several years now, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has been agitating for better funding for local council administration in Nigeria. In this interview with our Abuja Bureau Chief, TONY AILEMEN, National President of NULGE, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel explains why Nigeria will continue to witness cries of marginalization, rural urban migration, security challenges, amongst other issues, unless local council autonomy is achieved.

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OU WERE recently in Benin, the Edo State Capital as part of your advocacy to seek support for improved local council administration in Nigeria. Can you bring us to speed on how the journey has been so far?

We were in Benin, the Edo State capital as part of the campaign to free the local governments in Nigeria from the excruciating conditions they have been subjected to, for over a decade now.

The Edo State government had invited us to give our own perspective as to how local government administration can be made more functional, deliver on its mandate and how they can be more vibrant.

As you may be aware, these are the issues that everyone associated with local government administration is focusing attention on now.

Local government is the closest level of government to the people and it is the most critical if the welfare of the people must be met. We know that over the years, this tier of administration has been bastardized by the government at the state levels. Being part of the grassroots workers, we sat down and critically analysed the situation and came up with three major issues, which we think must be addressed for local government administration to be more functional in Nigeria. Firstly, we must go back to the Aberdeen Declaration on the administration of local government, which seeks complete decentralization of government at the national level, to put more powers in the hands of rural people, and strengthen democracy of local government so that the inclusive of people and their participation at the local government levels can be achieved.

We observed, however, that the framers of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, created a lot of lacunas, which the political elites have been exploiting to divert funds meant for the local council-even the election into the Councils are done at will. And that is not good for any democracy.

So, we believe that the democracy of local government must be addressed by expunging the provisions that allow for the creation of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and allowing the National Independent Electoral Commission handle elections into the various councils as that is the only way you can guarantee free, fair and timely elections at the local government levels.

The second demand is the issue of State and Local government Joint Accounts, which is also considered as conduit pipe for syphoning local government funds, does not allow development at the rural areas, as the state governments use the funds for projects that suit their interests. In most cases, as we have seen in Nigeria, most rural areas suffer neglect and under-development.

The third issue we are canvassing now is to strengthen administration at the local government levels. To achieve this, the Local Government Service Commission needs to have a strong recogni-

tion in the Constitution with its roles, responsibilities and powers properly spelt out, so that staff at the local government can have job security. We also are of the opinion that the salaries of primary school teachers should be placed on first line charge on the government Accounts, considering the fact that the Constitution is very clear on whose responsibilities it is to fund primary schools generally. Because of the concurrent nature of education, all the three tiers of government can shoulder the responsibility. Basically, these are the issues we are agitating for.

How much support are you getting from chairmen of local governments in this fight?

There is no doubt that every Nigerian wants the local government system to be freed from the current oppression because we really have not allowed even the so-called local government Chairmen to function the way they should. This is why in most of the states, the governors would appoint caretaker committees; in some states they appoint sole administrators, rather than allow free and fair

elections. You only have elections in very few states. So, in a situation like this, you can’t expect much progress.

The constitution is very clear on who can be called a local government Chairman. Local government chairmen must emerge through the popular mandate of the people of that local government.

Even in some states where elections were conducted, the question is; were they really free and fair elections. Were they elections that really respect the will of the people? These are the issues. So, what we are actually demanding is that local government administration should be freed because the situation in local government is like colonization of Nigerian people in another way by our own citizens, by the governors who pretend to be democrats and refuse to allow people elect their representatives at that level of government.

With the kind of challenges that we have, how can we stop marginalization and agitation across the country?

In my opinion and in the opinion of NULGE, we strongly believe that if you look at the diverse nature of Nigeria, the

only thing that will give us stability, the only thing that will address these agitations by minorities, religious sentiments and so on and so forth is the use of the instrumentality of local government as a bedrock because as a nation, some are saying we are over 500 ethnic groups but I heard the former head of State, Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), at an occasion saying we have over 1000 ethnic groups.

So, for you to address or reduce to the barest minimum the agitations against marginalization, the allegation of minority plight, the problem of religious differences, we need a strong institutional framework for a functional and vibrant local government system because by the time you have a functional local government system, it is like you are making people at that level busy and by getting them involved at that level, as such, they won’t even be angling to know what is happening at other levels of government and that is the idea. But as long as we try to weaken local government system, there is no system that would work that can address the agitations of the minority groups.

Now let’s look at the issue of one of the recommendations from the confab where they recommended 18 additional states and the removal of local government from the constitution. That is, the 774 local governments should be expunged from the Constitution. That is one area we are not comfortable with, of all the recommendations. This is because the only thing that has secured and will continue to secure the local government system in Nigeria is that listing of the 774 local governments in the constitution. That is what has preserved them. Without that list, believe me by now, every governor that comes will balkanize the State and rearrange his own set of local government and because it was enshrined in the constitution nobody can near there. So one of the dangerous recommendations as far as we are concerned is the call for the expunging of that list even though we all appreciate the fact that there are allegations from some states that if you create local governments based on the population of that state some states need to have more than the number of local governments they have in the constitution.

So the truth is that local government is capable. Rural people are intelligent.

Give them the opportunities and it will amaze you what they will be able to achieve. Just provide opportunities and platform for them. This is the idea behind the local government system. If you look at 1976 Dasuki local government reform that was the idea behind it. It is to enhance inclusiveness and collectivism at that level of government so that the local talents can be harnessed. How did China develop? China became what it is today through local approach, through coordinated agricultural programmes and scheme; through rural industrialization. Up till now, when you go to China, you will see element of rural development in their industries. These are the

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICS

problems of marginalization, security’ automatically translated into law. They must undergo some further processes but who will push it? If you need to implement those things, a machinery need to be 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. The current administration is probably not too keen about it because it wasn’t their own project and they can’t be accused of not implementing it because they didn’t initiate it.

critical issues and we must not run away from them.

Your agitation will obviously require an amendment to the 1999 Constitution. How much support are you getting from the National Assembly?

The truth is that successive National Assemblies have been identifying with the struggle for the emancipation of Nigerian people. This is especially If you look at the commitment and what the 7th Assembly achieved in an attempt to free local government by way of ensuring that some constitutional reforms took place at that time. Where we normally have problems is from state governments because they benefit from the lacuna of the constitution politically and financially thereby inflicting more hardship and poverty on the rural areas.

Looking at the huge influence the state governors have, they always hijack the process of constitutional amendment when it gets to the level of state assemblies because the state assemblies also suffer or have been suffering the same problems local governments have been passing through. State governors have also pocketed State Assemblies. The governors issue directives and monitor the activities of the local councils because these councils are financially handicapped. They don’t have financial freedom. In a situation where they refuse to do the bidding of the governor, the governor will suffocate them financially.

In various states, even to get your salaries and allowances as a member of House of Assembly has become a problem and that is why we are putting the fight and struggles to free local governments, side by side with freeing the state Houses of assembly. This is so that they will have some independence because state assemblies are there to provide checks and balances to provide laws as parliamentarians. And they are not subservient to the executive.

That is why at the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE decided as a matter of strategy to take our national advocacy campaign to all the headquarters of 36 states of the federation by way of engaging governors directly because governors are also citizens of Nigeria. Today, you are governor but you won’t be governor for life. So, we should be able to engage them. We should be able to talk with them and make them understand that the issue of freeing local government is not about somebody working in the local government or somebody who finds himself as chairman of a local government at this material point in time. Freeing the local government is as equal to freeing the Nigerian people. By the time Nigerians are free by way of having an independent local government; a local government that is fully democratized; a local government system that is an all-inclusive arrangement, you will have a free society.

In 2014, there was a national conference that was put together to articulate all of these views. What has happened to that report, as nobody is talking about it today?

Fortunately I was a member of that Constitutional Conference. I attended as one of the delegate of NLC and at that level, there were mixed feelings. That is the fact. While some of us and majority of the members in the confab believed that certain things need to be done to

• Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel guarantee the independence of the local government system, the consensus of the people was that we must protect local government democracy just as we are now agitating. And as you know, a conference like that is a conference for politicians and unfortunately politics is about interest. So, because of that, there were mixed feelings and the fact still remains that the constitutional conference held in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan was nothing more than an advisory conference because for you to actually beat your chest and claim to have been a representative of a group, you must have the mandate of those people. But, the truth is that the membership of the conference did not have the mandate of the people and it also lacked constitutional base. Yes, as a leader, you can form any committee or any commission to advise you on any issue. I see the reports of that conference as an advisory document because if you look at the provision of the constitution viz a viz who is responsible for amending the constitution, you will understand why the Conference does not have the weight of law.

The constitution is very clear about it.

It is only the elected Parliament members at national and various state House of Assemblies that can come together and amend any section of the constitution and some of the recommendations of the 2014 confab are purely constitutional amendment issues and that conference was not set up to amend the Constitution, therefore cannot amend constitution. So there are constitutional hiccups in the process. Even in the recommendations of the confab, they categorized them into various categories.

Some were administrative--that means the Chief executive or the President has

the power to implement them. Some must go through constitutional amendment. Some are legal and merely need judicial pronouncement. As I said, the Conference, in my view, is advisory.

The Confab was made up of people with very rich minds and it dealt with every issue that agitated the minds of Nigerians even as billions of Naira was expended. Do we just allow that effort to go down the drain?

I agree with you. There are very useful recommendations from the conference but what I am saying is that the procedure was faulty. I was a member of the confab and part of what we are agitating for today is already part of the recommendations made by the Confab. They include issues like allowing democracy at the grassroots. The confab adopted that the democracy of local government must be protected. So we are talking of the same thing but that recommendations are not enough.

So how do we transform the recommendations into an actionable document, which can be implemented?

There is need for further action. Unfortunately, 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. But, if really you need true representation of the people, that representative must have the mandate of the people. That is what I am saying. So the recommendations of the confab committees cannot be

Talking about the centre, two years into the current APC administration, what is your take on what has happened so far in the last two years?

The truth is that no matter how you try to assess the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, people are suffering and the essence of every government is to provide for the welfare its citizens. People are dying in hunger.

There is hunger in the land. You need to go to rural areas and see how people are surviving. It is as bad in the cities. So, in the area of welfare, sincerely speaking, Nigerians are not happy, particularly the working class. This is the government we as working class considered our own because of the promises; because of the calibre of the people in the party in power; because of their track records.

Unfortunately, we are suffering more at this time when our salaries still remain at N18,000 as minimum wage. When the N18,000 minimum wage was passed into law, I think in 2010/2011 at that time, it was around N160 to a dollar. How much is the exchange rate now? At that time, how much was a litre of oil and how much is it today? You can go on and on.

But, one area in which every Nigerian must give kudos to the government is in the area of security, particularly tackling the Boko Haram insurgency. The government sincerely did very well and is still disposition of the government towards fighting corruption is also commendable. But, sincerely, the critical issue, which is welfare, the government needs to look at it closely with eagle eyes because people sincerely are suffering.

It will be nice at this point to meet you formerly. We want to know where you are coming from and what makes you so strong in the local government system.

My name is Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, MNI. I am today by the grace of God the national President of NULGE and at the same time a national treasurer of NLC. I also lead the network of local government workers on the continent of Africa.

As I said, I am a rural man. I come from a village and I have passion for my people.

I have a very deep passion for my people. Any politician rushing to Abuja or any other major city should know that he is rushing for greener pastures and that’s why I have this conviction as an individual person that if we want to get it right as a country, we must go back to the basis. Where is this basis? It is our clans, our districts, our villages. Without properly organizing our rural areas, we can never have a better city. That is the truth because we produce from the rural areas, we extract minerals from the rural areas, we produce raw materials for industrial development from rural areas and yet we abandon our rural areas and rush to the cities to do what? This is an irony of Nigerian people and yet we are accusing each other of oppression, marginalization, of this and that.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICS

Ikpeazu using clusters to boost security, revenue in Aba –Udeachara Businessman cum politician, Mr. Jude Okechukwu Udeachara, is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Trade and Investment.

The Uturu-born Industrial Microbiologist, in this interview with BONIFACE OKORO, explains efforts

by Abia state government at eradicating street trading and enhancing security in the commercial city of Aba through the building of clusters and throws light on incentives put in place by government to attract investors to Abia. Excerpts:

W

HAT IS your mandate as SSA to the Governor on Trade and Investment?

My mandate is to assist the Ministry of Trade and Investment in its activities. I have a particular assignment to help develop markets, to take out street traders and then try to engage them to form clusters. We give them a site or encourage them to acquire the site themselves and then we assist them develop those sites into standard, international markets.

My governor says we must engage them in dialogue. He wants the traders to agree with our proposals for these clusters so that the movement will be smooth.

How are the traders responding to this plan?

Their responses have been very positive. Currently, we are assisting the tyre sellers in Azikiwe Street and the heavyduty spare parts dealers along Port Harcourt – Asa Road to relocate to Asa Nnentu Spare Parts Market along Aba – Port Harcourt expressway. That project is ongoing now and the developer, Logistics De-Luke, is handling that project.

We also engage the traders in such a way that when they pay just 50 per cent, those shops will be delivered to them and they stay in the shops and then, over a period of two years, pay up the balance.

We also currently have engaged in developing a market for the St. Michael’s GSM and Components Dealers Association, Aba. We provided 45 plots of land for them at Ngwa Road Primary School.

They have finished their design and have also signed MoU with the same Logistics De-Luke Ltd Apart from helping the associations to secure bank facilities, the developer also has that understanding to allow the traders to be part and parcel of the design, registration and the development of the market and supervision of the construction.

So, I have seen how happy, how grateful these traders have been to Logistics De-Luke in the arrangement he has made to give them a place, so that they have that capacity, the capability to own a shop of their own, to own their own market.

We got all the shoe and garment makers together and collapsed all their associations into one limited liability company. We are also currently doing a market

at Umukalika for them. It is ongoing and the governor has given them the certificate of occupancy of that market. They will own the shops, it is like owner-occupier. The cluster is their own.

We are talking with the Plant Sellers and Repairers Association. These are those selling technological things like engineering tools, generators, generator parts, repairing them along Ngwa, Asa and Port Harcourt Roads. We are moving them also to Asa Nnentu. They have a market they started 15 years ago.

Now, we brought them together again because they abandoned that site. In fact, they were at the forefront in the calls on government to repair Port Harcourt Road, which, to the glory of God, has been flagged off.

They were telling us that they cannot move to that Asa Nnentu site with that bad road, that customers don’t come there. With that road now, I am sure we sill speed up the project. That is the fourth market that I have the mandate also to develop.

Then, the fifth one is the abattoir at Obrete. The developer is Transtel Group, an Onitsha-based investor. He has started work at the abattoir. We want to bring all the slaughter houses into one place, so that we can shutdown the Waterside abattoir. That is a project very close to the governor’s heart. I am working closely with the investor and work is progressing and the butchers are supervising that project which is a public-private partnership. The developer is using his money to do the abattoir, then the butchers will just come and use the facility and pay some money for using the facility.

Construction of Faulks Road has necessitated that all the tile sellers along Faulks Road to Ariaria relocate and secure their own place. So, we have given them two sites to choose from.

How does the government smoothen this process for the associations?

The governor, in assisting these traders, has promised to provide, at least, two kilometres of internal roads for each of these clusters, a standby suitable generator that has the capacity to provide the electricity needs of each of these traders.

For the Azikiwe traders, he donated a 1, 000 KVA generator, he provided two kilometres of internal roads in the market, provided electrification in the market for free; I mean for a market

Jude Udeachara that does not belong to the state; they belong to the association and he processed all their permits and registrations expressly. He put me as an SSA, I am on it for the quick and fast registration of their permits, the plans, the C of Os, so that the traders will not have any problems.

What do you think will be the effects of these developments on Aba as a city and the traders?

When we take the traders out of the streets, it will be easier to monitor the movement of goods and persons. It will be easier for traffic to flow so that commuters and residents won’t have these issues of traffic jam that are noticed these days in Aba. It will be easier for the police to monitor fewer numbers of people; also, it will be easier for neighbourhoods and the local vigilante to know who comes into their area and who leaves, so that these incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery will be reduced in Aba. It will also be easier for the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency to control refuse disposal.

So, when we take this big population out of the streets of Aba into what we call exclusive, secluded areas, where they can be better managed, the streets of Aba will be cleaner, neater; Aba will be very very habitable.

In the larger picture, it will be easier for government to set revenue targets and achieve them because it will be easier

to collect the taxes and levies; you just come to each point and the unions or associations will easily gather and give each member the government account number to go and pay all governmentapproved revenues.

We want to encourage the clusters because traders in Abia do not draw from the one-digit interest loans from the federal government’s monitoring agencies like the Bank of Industry, the special Central Bank of Nigeria schemes.

We want these traders and residents to benefit from these special intervention funds. That is why we are encouraging them to be in identifiable clusters where it will be easier to administer those special intervention funds and projects.

What has government put in place to encourage investment in the state and are investors coming?

I will describe my governor as the most investment-friendly governor, both from what he habours in his heart and what I see him actualize.

The truth is that those who have come into Abia, first ask for land. My governor has always made it possible for C of Os to be processed within one week; maximum, two weeks, to deliver them to those who requested for them.

One Chinese investor came and within two weeks, he got a C of O for land, covering 2, 000 hectares where they wanted to do commercial agriculture, housing estate and other facilities.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICS

Rumpus in Imo APC over 2019 governorship election AHEAD of the governorship election in Imo State in 2019, crisis has reared up in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the people of Owerri Zone have renewed their call to be allowed to produce the governorship of the state. It is the claim of the zone that they have been marginalized in the governorship of the state since its creation. From Owerri, COLLINS UGHALAA reports.

S

HOOTING the first salvo, former member of the House of Representatives for Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon Uche Onyeagucha, who also served as Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Strategy, resigned his appointment as the Coordinator of the State Development Council (SDC).

In the letter dated 18th May, 2017, Onyeagucha said “The reasons for my resignation are expressed below in as plain and simple language as possible to dispel every risk of ambiguity. Ordinarily, communications such as this are made through memos, but since it is common knowledge that you do not read such ‘irksome’ literature, I therefore chose to use this unconventional medium in the hope that your attention will be drawn to it one way or another”.

Okorocha wants to foist his son-in-law as next governor According to Hon Onyeagucha, his reasons for his resignation included his accusation that the Governor’s “selection of 305 persons (one per Ward) as SDC members is a mere political arrangement in your desperate attempt to foist Uche Nwosu, your son-in-law as the next governor of Imo State come 2019 despite the fact that he is from the same zone as yourself and Chief Achike Udenwa.

“You have used SDC members to mobilize our people to fill out fictitious empowerment and other forms through the office of your son-inlaw as a way to garner admiration and make the masses see him as dispenser of state favour.

“I am no longer able to allow myself to be used as an instrument against Imo State workers and pensioners. I oppose your current plan to extort Imo pensioners of 50% of their pension rights having previously extorted them of 30% of their pensions and other workers’ salaries. A state that is incapable of paying her pensioners and other workers, her Governor should not be moving around in private jet.

“I am no longer submitting myself to be used as an instrument to emasculate the State Civil Service which structure you have deliberately distorted and almost completely destroyed.

“Having fought against oppression and arbitrariness all my life as a Civil Rights activist, I’ve long observed that your administration has brazenly drifted towards dictatorship and despotism. Every effort to advice you in the contrary have failed. I am left with no option than to join forces with other progressive minds to stand up against your dictatorial tendencies.

“You have deliberately underfunded and emasculated our great party (APC) at every level. This is pronounced in the fact that no single branch of our Party in Imo State has a bus.

Party offices of Wards & LGAs have been ceased by their landlords because you have refused to assist them to pay rents. Our Party State Headquarters is only but a shadow of what the State Office of a governing Party should be. All appeal to you on these matters has failed, making us to doubt your loyalty and support for APC which delivered you as Governor of Imo State.

“You have impoverished all your political appointees who ought to be making contributions to fund and support our great Party. Precisely, your commissioners, advisers, assistants and Transition Committee Chairmen – past and present – have been paid peanuts that turned them to beggars rather than benefactors to our great Party. The situation today is so bad that every of your appointee who had been relieved of their appointments have turned into an enemy rather than asset to the Party.

“Your deception and continued refusal to conduct LGA elections after 6 long years have further worsened the development and growth of the Party and the LGAs. I challenge you to honor your word for once by conducting LGA elections in Imo State in September 2017.

“The State has suffered so much from your lack of planning and hatred for due process in the affairs of government.”

towards resolving this issue which was sadly ignored. That is a matter for another day.

“They also point to the huge contributions made by Owerri sons to your emergence as governor in 2011 and cite your seeming aversion to their governorship aspiration as, perhaps, not recognising their contributions to the fulfilment of your ambition to govern Imo state.

“Your Excellency, when you ran for the governorship in 2011, over 90% of the key personalities around you were from Owerri. God forbid, if there was any calamity in the course of the campaign, a majority of the casualties would have been Owerri indigenes! Aside from providing you the platform, they rallied round you even when your kith and kin from Orlu failed to see any ray of hope or possibility in your ambition.

If one may ask, who remembers Chief Martin Agbaso, Chief P. C. Onuoha, Dr. S. O. Amaeshi, Chief Henry Megwa, Senator Chris Anyanwu and motley of other contributors including Chief CY Amakor, Dr. Obi Njoku, among several other Owerri indigenes who made sacrifices in order that your dream of becoming Imo governor in 2011 was realized.”

Rochas Okorocha In a similar development, a former Commissioner and aide of the Governor, Chief Nick Opara-Ndudu, from Ezeogba Emekuku, Owerri, who also as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, wrote a letter to him on May 29th, 2017, saying he wanted to give his “candid advisory on the 2019 Imo governorship election and issue of zoning or rotation”; an issue he said “has generated so much controversy in the past few weeks that I find it absolutely necessary to place my views on record for the sake of posterity”.

Owerri Zone has been marginalized Chief Opara-Ndudu also said that the clamour to produce the governors of the state “has been most trenchant amongst the people of Owerri Zone who, going by the tenures served by previous office holders, would appear to have the most outstanding and compelling case in their favour”.

He added: “Just like the military that have governed the state for sixteen years since its creation 41years ago, by 2019 Orlu zone would have occupied the governorship seat for sixteen years – a period far more than the combined period that Okigwe and Owerri zones would have served the state in that capacity. When the people of Owerri zone clamour for the governorship seat, come 2019, they do so with these facts in mind. It is an aspiration that is grounded on unassailable facts and supported by the overriding tenets of justice, fair-play and even morality.

“In the past few weeks, I have heard some of our brothers from Orlu making the case for Orlu governorship yet again in 2019! Giving the foregoing facts, that aspiration, with all due respect to those our Orlu brethren, cannot pass the test of fairness and justice. I am aware that those from Orlu Zone who clamour for this position are in the minority and do not represent the opinion of the majority. Your Excellency, the minority that are in the vanguard of this project

would appear to be doing so because of your pronouncements on the issue of rotation.

“Your Excellency, it is on account of this realization that quite a number of Owerri citizens have sued for utmost moderation and an abiding spirit of accommodation as we pursue this aspiration. We realize that we need the support of other zones to achieve this collective aspiration and it is our fervent prayer that, in the final analysis, justice and fairness shall be the overriding consideration in dealing with this issue.

“Regrettably, Your Excellency, those who refuse to see the value of morality in politics have jettisoned the role and place of justice and fair play in the scheme of things. They now claim, to the discomfiture of the rest of us, that Orlu people are the Fulanis of Imo politics who must rule the rest of the state in perpetuity. That attitude is not only inappropriate and unfair, but strikes tragically at the very cord of cohesion and unity that has kept Imo people together.

“When they make such unfortunate claims, Your Excellency, backed by such infantile logic and thinking, they forget that forging an enduring and cohesive union in Imo State is a far more beneficial goal than trying to act as a lord and master over other people and tearing us apart in the process.”

Why Owerri Zone is afraid According to Opara-Ndudu, “Owerri people’s apprehension appears to have been exacerbated by the rather unfortunate encounters some sections of the zone have had with your administration since 2011. They point to the experience of the Owerri Nchise indigenes who have been progressively dispossessed of their lands through an official land acquisition policy that has seen them not even spared some land for cemeteries to bury the dead! Add to that an urban renewal programme that sought to dispossess them of their ancestral market without extensive consultations. On this matter, Your Excellency may recall my humble contributions

“Onyeagocha, others blew Owerri’s chance to produce governor” Responding to Onyeagocha’s letter to the Governor, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr Enyinna Onuegbu, described him as a zealot, whom he “saw and read his open letter and became amused over this unbridled selective amnesia of an Okorocha zealot.”

He accused him of joining forces with other leaders from Owerri Zone to frustrate efforts made to make Owerri person the governor of the state after former Governor Ikedi Ohakim.

He said: “Ordinarily angry zealots do the worst damage like Judas their patron saint who was so trusted that he held ‘the cash as treasurer’, but then our brother’s (Onyeagocha’s) own is within the realm of selfish aggrandizement that is nauseating.

“As I write, the memory I vividly see is my friend and colleague Hon Uche Onyeagocha resplendent in his usual white and red cap riding along Wetheral Road in open truck with Okorocha celebrating their electoral victories in 2011 and in 2015. I also recall countless media publications and ‘Otimkpu’ efforts over the years.

“Finally I recall Hon Uche Onyeagocha telling me personally how he had gone to Okorocha in 2007 to plead with him to take APGA, sponsor it and run as its gubernatorial candidate unsuccessfully until [Chief Martin] Agbaso smartly took the opportunity. All my recollections would have not mattered in the present circumstances because repentance, change of opinion, association or camp is a constitutional right, only if Hon. Uche Onyeagocha had firstly as a Catholic adopted a mea culpa mood.

“He ought to have first apologized publicly to Ndi-Imo and indeed humanity for his role in birthing this affliction called Rochas Administration that is founded on deception as a state policy, evidence of which abound in Hon Uche Onyeagocha’s letter. This is because Hon Uche Onyeagocha had been his political adviser and strategist over the years and cannot just jump ship or recreate Apostle Peter denials before cockcrow in our generation.

“No please it is unacceptable. We know SDC means nothing to majority of our people but it is evidence of the level [bad governance], otherwise high-level leaders like Hon Uche Onyeagocha were prepared to grovel before Emperor Okorocha when they accepted to be members [of SDC] ab initio.

“We are not amused that after helping truncate the near natural sequence that would have ensured an Imo State Governor of Owerri extraction after an Ohakim expected 2nd tenure in 2011 Hon Uche Onyeagucha is now purporting a toga of Owerri Gubernatorial irredentist without explanation”.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

Passage of Political Icon Adieu Sir Chris Okenwa, Oracle and brother in-law Tribute by to the late Sir Christian Ifeanyichukwu Felix Okenwa (Ebekuodike Akokwa), who died aged of 63.

By BEN CHUDI OKOKO

I

, Barrister Sir Ben Chudi Okoko, former Legal Adviser to Ideato North Loåcal Government Area of Imo State (1997-2012) do hereby solemnly pay a special tribute to a political icon, pathfinder, and brother-in-law and right hand man, Sir Christian Ifeanyichukwu Felix Okenwa (Ebekuodike Akokwa), former Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo state who passed on recently.

I must emphasize that it is like a sunset at dawn, otherwise, how could one explain the sudden death of a political and industrial heavyweight like Okenwa? It was Shakespeare who wrote that when beggars die, there are no comets seen but that the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of a prince. In other words, Chief Chris I. F. Okenwa could better be described as a prince of our time.

A great Iroko has fallen. A man of timber and calibre. A galvanizer. Role model. Bulldozer and juggernaut, who calls a spade a spade. He does not stand on the fence on any issue. A man who strongly believes in his convictions and pursues same with great zeal and energy. A mobilizer, an action man whose political calculations and permutations were very accurate and his understanding of people impeccable. It is this great • Late Okenwa man that death has cut down in his prime. The elements were so mixed in him that nature could stand up to say: “THIS WAS A MAN”.

O death, where is thy sting! What is life after all! Ebekuo, you left with a great wealth of experience we are still tapping as your followers and your exit at this point in time is so poignantly painful that we are left dazed and punch-drunk from this uppercut from death.

You are an oracle to be consulted on many life’s issues, social, economic, politics, etc. “DIKE ALAA!!!”

You excelled in business and at the age of 29 years you became the landlord of your own building.

Chief Hon. Sir Christian Okenwa was a business mogul and a captain of industry, having founded various companies, including the

‘

A mobilizer, an action man whose political calculations and permutations were very accurate and his understanding of people impeccable

Cont’d on Page ?????

‘

MKO Abiola’s June 12, 1993 election debacle. MKO Abiola was driven in Okenwa’s brand new Toyota 4-Runner Jeep during Abiola’s campaign tour of Aba, Enyimba City in 1992 and since then, Chris Okenwa never relented in politics.

In 1993, Okenwa contested for Ideato North Council Chairmanship election under SDP and won the primary and became the flag bearer of the party before General Sani Abacha took over the government the same year.

In 1996, Okenwa contested for the same office under United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and won, thus becoming the Executive Chairman of Ideato North LGA and was sworn in by Gov. Tanko Zubairu in 1997.

His administration was shortlived due to Abacha’s death as the then Military Head of State. However, it was Okenwa’s administration that built the Model Primary School, Akokwa block now at St. Peter’s Anglican Church premises, Akokwa. His administration also ensured a big generating set was bought and installed at Umuokwara-Akokwa to power the Akokwa water project up to the over-head tank at Post Office, Orie market, Akokwa. He was a pathfinder and leader of many politicians of repute even till date.

In 1998 when the military Head of State, Abacha died and all political parties were disbanded, Okenwa contested for Imo State Assembly election to represent Ideato North State Constituency, which was marred by some individuals and opponents.

In 2014, he emerged as an AdHoc delegate for 2015 primary election of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He will be remembered for helping the poor and needy and like St. Paul in (2 Timothy 4:7), you have fought a good fight. Ebekuo, though you are no longer physically present, yet you are in our memories and we will not continue to weep like those without hope. In your Honour, we will continue this those legacies that were dear to your heart. Good night till we meet on the resurrection morning.

His journey to the world beyond started today (Wednesday June 21) with a service of songs at his compound, Umuezanoro family, Akwu-Akokwa and a novelty football match, followe by lying in state abd burial service at St. Paul’s anglican Church, Akwu-Akokwa.

famous Idemili Farms (West African) Limited along Nkpor-Umuoji Road, Achaputa Layout, Obosi; CIF Okenwa & Co. Ltd; CIFO Petroleum Ltd Gas Plant; CIFO Mugs; Forever Chocolate Bread Industry; CIFO Poly Industries Ltd, among others.

Okenwa was also a director of Ahiaoma Community Bank Limited, later Sandtex Micro-Finance Bank Ltd, Onitsha for many years.

His political calculations and permutations were accurate and his readings of political situations impeccable. Hon. Christian Ifeanyichukwu Okenwa joined politics proper when he came in contact with Engr. Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu in 1991. He worked tirelessly with ADIEU EBEKUODIKE AKOKWA, Izuogu and later joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) up to ADIEU OKENWA 1 OF IGBO LAND

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Facts behind Nigeria’s $7.8bn Eurobond windfall

By VICTOR NZE

P

erhaps it may not have surprised many in the financial circles that Nigeria’s first-ever $1bn Eurobond offer went on offer, it was, however, the alacrity with which investors swooped on the issues that impressed many, including those in government.

It would be recalled that the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo during the formal listing of the first-ever FGN Sovereign FX denominated $1bn Eurobond on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange platform, in early March, had expressed happiness that since the $1bn FGN Eurobond offer on February 9, the subscription of investors has experienced a remarkable 800 per cent surge, affirming their confidence in the Nigerian market and economy.

Similarly, indigenous banks like the Zenith bank and United Bank for Africa Plc had raked in a windfall from the deal, as they backboned the offers.

Not even the recession plagued Nigerian economy coupled with crises of confidence in the political leadership at the time, deterred international investors from patronising the $1 billion Eurobond issued as these investors swooped on the offer, which has a 15-year tenor, with a coupon of 7.875 per cent notes and which was sold at the international market to raise $1billion to finance capital expenditure and deficit in its budget.

Given the success of the $1 billion Eurobond issue, which was subscribed to in excess of $7.8 billion, representing nearly 800 per cent high, the Federal Government, through the DMO, last week, put out another offer, designed for Nigerians abroad, called the first-ever 300 million dollars Diaspora Bond.

According to Bloomberg, which quoted financial analysts in the United States, factors bothering on the Donald Trump effect coupled with what has been described as activities of ‘battle-hardened’ investors all combined to drive the surge in demand for the FGN Eurobond offer.

It further emerged that Nigeria

was not the only market reaping from investors’ drive to expand their foothold abroad, but also the major blocs in Africa like Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Egypt.

For the Union Bancaire Privee Ubp SA, investors have become ‘battle-hardened’ and accustomed to Africa’s unstable politics, in their quest for yield, with issuance from the continent reaching $12.7 billion in 2017, already a full-year record.

Despite its political upheavals, including constant soldiers’ mutinies, Ivory Coast attracted $10 billion of orders in a sale of $2 billion of securities on June 8, while Egypt and Senegal drew around $20 billion between them for deals in May. The second factor is tied to the surprise emergence of Donald Trump as United States President in November, last year, which saw African yields initially soar even though they have since plummeted 140 basis to around the lowest since August 2015, according to Standard Bank indexes.

Still, the average rate of 6.23 percent for African government debt is almost 100 basis points more than what investors get for the riskiest emerging-market sovereign notes, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

That spread, according to investment experts, has fueled demand from global bond investors and led governments and companies to pile in to the market this year.

Commenting on the announcement of the Federal Government’s Diaspora Bond, last week, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in-

CBN EXCHANGE RATES JUNE 16, 2017 Currency

US DOLLAR Pounds Sterling EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA Yuan/Renminbi RIYAL DANISH KRONA SDR

Buying Central Selling (NGN) (NGN) (NGN) 304.75 305.25 305.75 389.1658 389.8043 390.4428 340.2839 340.8422 341.4005 312.5962 313.109 313.6219 2.7369 2.7414 2.7458 0.5012 0.5112 0.5212 420.6898 421.38 422.0702 44.7199 44.7937 44.8676 81.258 81.3913 81.5246 45.7576 45.8326 45.9077 421.2255 421.9166 422.6077

•Tourism

Energy

CBN expands forex window for diesel, ATK importers P16

e-Platform Radio, TV antennas pose higher risks than mobile phones –Report

P17

Aviation •DMO DG, Abraham Nwankwo formed that the DMO had also disclosed that application would be made for the bonds to be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange Plc. The DMO, according to her, said this is to ensure that the bonds were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market.

“The bonds will be direct general obligations of Nigeria and will be denominated in U.S. dollars. The international Joint Lead Managers are Bank of America Merrill Lynch and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

“The Nigerian Joint Lead Managers are First Bank of Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa Plc,’’ she quoted DMO as saying.

Nwachukwu readies JetWest airlines for launch in Nigeria P20

Insurance Jigawa State pays N12.6bn to retirees P23 Stock Market Highlights As At 16 June, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME

VALUE CAP

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

34,135.10 5,771.00 482,517,239.00 5,681,917,133.30 11,803,865,485,965.34 Value

WEMABANK 62,902,924 36,162,110.31 GUARANTY 50,443,064 1,817,079,144.58 ACCESS 34,486,696 344,881,342.77 TRANSCORP 32,347,337 58,687,087.67 FIDELITYBK 31,712,626 41,577,748.14

5 Top Gainers Company Last Close Current Change DANGCEM 205 210 5 PRESCO 72.33 75.94 3.61 INTBREW 26.05 28.35 2.3 STANBIC 31 32.45 1.45 ETI 14.33 15.35 1.02 Top Losers Company Last Close Current Change MOBIL 264.1 250.9 -13.2 CAP 37.8 34.2 -3.6 FO 55.58 52.81 -2.77 ZENITHBANK 22.89 22.5 -0.39 OANDO 8.36 8.02 -0.34

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

BUSINESS

Obaseki rescues Ogba Zoo from land grabbers

By VICTOR NZE

F

ollowing the alarm raised by Management of the Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park over activities of vandals, as reported in the Oracle Today Newspapers, last week, the Edo state Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has now moved to reclaim encroached property of the tourist destination located in Benin City, the state capital.

Obaseki, after a meeting with top management of the Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park, Friday, led

by its Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Emovon and Chief Executive, Mr Andy Enahire, immediately announced the setting up a five-man committee led by the Solicitor General of Edo State, Mr. Wole Iyamu to investigate the matter.

The Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park which houses rare species of plants and animals is also a major recreational facility in Benin City.

Obaseki, while receiving the Ogba Zoo management at the Edo State Government House in Benin

City, noted that it was part of Edo’s heritage and everything would be done to ensure it was protected.

Describing the present situation as unacceptable, Governor Obaseki stated that his administration would protect the Zoo from encroachers, no matter how highly placed such people were in the society.

“Because of our new trust in making Edo State and Benin City an attractive hub for business and tourism we will do everything possible to preserve this unique heritage of ours. I am setting up a committee

with a two-week mandate to come up with an action plan to recover every land due to Ogba Zoo. “The outcome of your report should get to me on the 3rd of July 2017. The report should be more of action steps to be taken, and if possible, document, in specific terms, violators, so that persecution can be also follow if need be. We will preserve the Zoo and Natural Park; it is our heritage. I want to assure you that we will take actions to preserve it,” he reaffirmed.

Earlier, Emovon said the visit

had become necessary because all letters and entreaties to the neighbouring communities were ignored and it was important to take necessary steps to protect the zoo and ensure it survived.

“Ogba Zoo is poised to attend full repositioning as a foremost ecotourism facility in Nigeria despite the encroachment challenges. I am calling on the government to support the management of the zoo and put an end to the worrisome situation being experienced in the zoo,” said Emovon.

‘FIRS registering only corporate taxpayers for TIN’

T

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said it presently registers only corporate taxpayers for issuance of Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Public Relations Officer, Mr Wahab Gbadamosi, who said this in Abuja, added that the service no longer registers individuals for issuance of TIN. According to Gbadamosi, the development was due to the directive by the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop collection of Personal Income Tax (PIT) in Abuja.

“The FIRS no longer registers individuals for TIN, we only register corporate taxpayers. We used to capture individuals in Abuja when we were collecting PIT for FCT. “We operate like a state in Abuja but about two months ago, the Senate Committee on FCT, chaired by Sen. Dino Melaye directed that the FCT minister should set up the FIRS board to take over collection of taxes in Abuja,’’ Gbadamosi said.

According to him, the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has a provision for issuing TIN and can issue TIN to individual taxpayers, adding further that the JTB is an umbrella body for states.

He said that if anyone wants to obtain individual TIN can go to JTB office in Asokoro, FCT to register and obtain TIN, just as if anyone registered for individual TIN in Lagos or other state and have not been issued TIN, can also visit JTB Asokoro.

The Spokesperson urged individuals who want to register for TIN to check JTB website, adding that they don’t need to go to any tax office as there were processes of obtaining TIN. “It is not possible that one registers for TIN and was not given. If you registered in Lagos or any other state, you will be given TIN immediately. If you were truly captured in any state and was not given TIN, then visit JTB office. TIN is unique to a corporate entity or individual. Once you have it, it is okay for any part of the country,’’ he added.

•L – R: Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande CON, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI); Mrs. Selloua Chakri, Head of Market Structure Strategy, MEA, Bloomberg L.P; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Honourable Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mr. Oscar N. Onyema OON, Chief Executive Officer, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at The NSE & Bloomberg CEO Roundtable event at the Exchange on Friday. dwin Obaseki over the continued vandalization of the tourist attraction located in Benin City, the state capital, Friday.

FG, stakeholders sign N4.34bn Nigeria’s economy to record MoU for Apapa Wharf road project

positive growth by Q3 2017 – Bankers’ Committee R ising from a meeting of the Bankers’ Committee, the Director of Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Ahmed Abdullahi, has posited that the economy would record tremendous improvement by the third quarter of this year.

Abdullahi who said while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the 333rd Bankers’ Committee meeting , Thursday, in Lagos, also explained that this is because the foreign exchange rate has remained stable as there is convergence between the official and parallel markets.

“The Bankers Committee noted with delight the improvement in the economy in recent times. Although the economy is still in the negative but the size of the negative growth has reduced. It is almost obvious that by the end of the end of the third quarter, there will be positive growth and there are a number of indices that are pointing toward that.

“Inflation is trending downwards.

It is about 16.25 per cent from18 per cent that it was. The exchange rate has largely stabilised, we are seeing convergence at both the nafex and Importer and Exporter window as well as the Bureau De Changes’ rate.

The director added that confidence was increasingly building in the economy, saying that it was due to improvement in oil production and oil price.

The economy will remain robust now that there is upward growth in most of the sectors of the economy. The nafex window in the last six weeks over two billion dollars has been reregistered as inflow and that has helped in stabilising the market.

“With other windows, we have seen

activities that have helped in building confidence in the market generally,’’ he said.

On her part, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Banks, Mrs Bola Adesola gave an update on the agriculture and small enterprise equity fund.

Adesola said that the equity fund was a decision reached after the last Bankers’ Committee’s retreat in May as our commitment as banks to support agriculture and Small and Medium Enterprises in a sustainable way.

“After the audited results of the banks have been published, we all contributed five per cent of our Profit After Tax (PAT) to a fund in CBN toward contributing equity to agriculture and SMEs. As you know, many companies cannot just survive on debt because of the cost of debt, and so long term capital is required to catalise the growth in SMEs and make them more viable and sustainable.”

She also disclosed that there had been a contribution of N26 billion in the equity fund, while the committee was still working on the frame work as well as looking at partnerships.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said there were also discussions on issues that could jeopardize financial inclusion and anything that would stop people from being included in the formal financial sector.

“We will work to ensure that bottlenecks are removed. One key issue that came up today is the issue on customers of Micro Finance Banks who do not yet have their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) registered.

M

inister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, weekend, signed a N4.34 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dangote Group and other stakeholders for the reconstruction of dilapidated Apapa Wharf Road.

The project is to be funded by AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, an arm of the Dangote Group, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

Signing the agreement, Fashola explained that the gridlock in Apapa became compounded and had reached an unbearable level as transporters ignored the old system of moving cargo through rail to trucks and containers.

According to him, the situation has caused stress to residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the state.

“As a result of all these unsavory practices, we have reached a point of

By CHRIS EBONG

customers, while improving customer service excellence” In the year under review, the company’s investment income stood at N966 million, which represents a 13 per cent increase against N854 million in 2015.

Few months back, the organisation in conjunction with KPMG embarked on a strategic roadmap for the next 5 years; aimed at repositioning the company for future opportunities and challenges. The roadmap focused on 4 key areas of its business, namely: Deepen Market penetration and customer acquisition; customer service delivery excellence, transform people and culture and drive operational effectiveness.

The organization is investing in technology and developing innovative customer-centric products that meets the needs of current and potential customers, while increasing its market share.

These efforts have begun to pay off, as its recently released first quarter 2017 financial results; revealed that the Group made a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N660 million, a 108 per cent increase over the same period in 2016

Mutual Benefits posts N10.7bn underwriting income in 2016

M

utual Benefits Assurance Plc, grew its underwriting income by 27 per cent from N8.3 billion to N10.7 billion in 2016, despite the challenging economy and consumer apathy towards insurance.

A statement by the firm’s Head, Corporate Communication, Ellen Offo, stated that this was revealed in the company’s result released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to the statement, the feat was achieved through the organisation’s improved risk retention policy.

The Group recorded underwriting Profit (non-life and life) of N4.1billion, which is one of the highest in the industry. This is a 16 per cent growth from the underwriting profit of N3.6 billion recorded in 2015. In 2016, the Group paid out claims amounting to N3.3 billion which is a 43 per cent increase from the N2.3 billion paid out in 2015. This development, the company’s management said is in line with its “firm commitment to honouring its obligations and delighting

near total gridlock, it is difficult to move cargo in or out, difficult for residents to get home and this must stop.

“We have finished with the design, we now have a Bill of Quantity and the cost of the road is N4.34 billion to be funded and paid for by these three groups, Flour Mills of Nigeria, AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd and NPA,’’ he said.

The minister said that although the parties were funding the project, the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing would supervise it through all the stages to ensure quality and compliance with standards.

On his part, Managing Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr Paul Gbededo said that Wharf Road was the “most important road in the entire country’’ which needed more attention, adding: “This kind of road cannot be handled with levity’’.

Responding to issues of lack of holding bays raised by transport unions, Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Usman said that government would support the private sector to drive the initiative to set up new ones.

“We have received proposals on electronic management of holding bays, we are working through processes and we would soon conclude on that,’’ she said.

Honorary Adviser to Dangote Group of Companies, Mr Joseph Makonjuola, assured that the company would contribute its funding as part of its corporate Social responsibility and would still meet its tax obligations to government.

Managing Director of AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, Mr Ashif Juma, while giving a brief of the twokilometer road project said that rigid pavement would be used on the road, just as he assured that high quality materials that would withstand stress would be used.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

BUSINESS

FG mulls establishment of commercial bank for ICT firms

By SAMSON AKINTARO

F

ederal Government has said it is considering establishing a bank specifically for the ICT industry as a way of enhancing businesses in the industry.

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this at a forum in Abuja, said the bank, when established, would be a development bank that would assist in the financing of ICT companies based in Nigeria.

The Minister said his Ministry would do everything possible to ensure to diversify the Nigerian economy by leveraging on ICT, saying its benefits cannot be overemphasized.

Also to that end, Shittu said the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications is col-

laborating with the European Union Commission to create a Digital Single Market in Nigeria.

According to him, the size of Nigeria makes it the most lucrative investment destination in sub-Sahara Africa with a high return on investment and an emerging market that made it one of the new frontiers for investment and Digital Market consideration.

“This collaboration is timely and coming at a time the ministry is making concerted efforts to implement its ICT strategic roadmap, e-Government and Mobile Broadband Plan. I have instructed that a committee be raised comprising the ministry’s agencies and the Nigerian Computer Society on the new Digital Single Market paradigm ahead of the EU/Africa Summit holding November 2017 in Ad-

dis Ababa, Ethiopia” he said.

While noting that Nigeria should no longer be a dumping ground for ICT products and services, Shittu said the Ministry would support the establishment of companies or organizations in the areas of hardware and software by ensuring that they are protected through regulations or other means.

“We will assist them to grow. We have accepted that Nigeria must take the leadership role in Africa’s ICT ecosystem. Therefore, we are amenable to PPP relationships to drive the Ministry’s projects; 2017 must be a year of action”.

“It was part of government’s preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is predicted to happen globally in the very near future, that the Federal Government had conceived a national

ICT Park and Exhibition Centre in the Federal Capital Territory. The establishment of the centre will encourage investment in the ICT sector and complement the proposed University of ICT which will also produce the required skilled manpower for Africa to partake in the inevitable Fourth Industrial Revolution” he added.

Shittu said the recent inauguration of the reconstituted Nigerian National Broadband Council and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Smart City Project were also aimed at assisting the government in providing diverse and global input in developing a comprehensive framework to help public and private stakeholders to make informed decisions about Smart City investment strategies.

Air Peace boosts fleet with 13th aircraft

By VICTOR NZE ndigenous carrier, Air Peace has boosted its operational capacity Iwith the addition to the fleet of a newly-acquired aircraft.

Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, who said in a statement that the aircraft, a Boeing 737300, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos , Friday, stressed that the new aircraft was part of the airline’s plan to expand its fleet to 22 aircraft, adding that it was the 13th aircraft acquired in less than three years of its commercial flight operations.

He said Air Peace was committed to investing in equipment and services that make travelling more comfortable, convenient and seamless for the flying public. ”The arrival of our newest aircraft underscores the depth of our resolve to make a huge difference in the Nigerian aviation industry. We are matching our huge expansion project with the right equipment and people to ensure the delivery of the best flight services to our valued guests.

“In a couple of weeks, more B737, B777 and Embraer 145 jets will be joining to increase our growing fleet to 22. We are ready and determined to cover more Nigerian cities with our Embraer jets. We will also deploy more B737 aircraft to strengthen our regional operations which we started with our first flight into Accra-Ghana on Feb. 16.”

According to him, the airline will soon launch more routes in the West Coast of Africa, including Lome, Abidjan, Douala, Dakar and Niamey.

“We are doing everything to give our esteemed guests the best long-haul flight experience with our B777 aircraft. With God on our side and with the support of our valued guests, we are sure of delivering a whole new experience on the London, Atlanta, Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou-China and South Africa routes soon,” he said.

FEC Meeting: Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udomah; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI), Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held inside the Council Chamber in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Thursday and presided over by Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

Nigeria ranks low in human development index

By CHRIS EBONG igeria is said to rank very low N in the human development index (HDI) with low quality of hu-

man development in terms of life expectancy, education and per capita income indicators.

The country also ranks 152 out of 188 countries and territories while the e-government index (EGD), which is used to measure the willingness and capacity of national administrators to use information and communication technologies to deliver prolific service.

Speaking during the 4th e-Governance Conference organized by the university in Ota, Ogun state recently, the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor A. Atayera said even though there have been some footprints of e-government implementation in the country, the scope and capacity utilization still very low and far cry from expected global standard.

He said; “In view of this, Covenant University Conference on E-Governance in Nigeria (CUCEN) 2017, going by its theme, presents another excellent opportunity for relevant stakeholders in government, industry and academia to

engage further on how to leverage on the potentials of ICT for impactful governance and efficient public service delivery in Nigeria.

The theme of the conference was entitled; “Governance and Public Service Delivery: The Role of Information and Communication Technologies”.

According to him, the CUCEN was conceived as a useful initiative of the university that seeks to contribute to issues of national development by enabling a platform for relevant stakeholders to engage on the subject of good governance in Nigeria.

While the initiative has been sustained for about three years now, the prof noted that the momentum has been sustained; the impact of the conference has also continued to grow in leaps and bounds.

“I wish to let you know that Covenant University has vibrant research cluster in the Departments of Political Science and International Relations, Computer and Information Sciences and Electrical and Information Engineering that have implemented usable models and solutions that can foster improved e-governance in Nigeria”, the erudite prof said.

This, he said, include e-opinion

poll for national polling during elections or referendum, e-podium for learning in higher institutions and e-surveillance for natural security.

In his welcome address, the Chair, Conference Organizing Committee, Professor Ayodele Adebiyi noted that even as Nigerians are clamouring for good governance and efficient public service delivery this has been lacking due to bad leadership and corruption.

He described corruption as critical social problem that is hampering the economic growth and the nation’s development across globe emphasizing African continent as a corruption hub.

“It has denied rights of hundreds of millions of people across the globe access to basic amenities of life for quality healthy living and undermining the prospect of better life for generation yet unborn”, the Organizing Chair asserted.

He continued that the latest global corruption barometer repot across 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa indicates that about 75million people have paid bribe in the past year either to escape punishment by the police or courts, or forced to pay bribe to get access to the basic services that they desperately need.

N70bn needed to complete East-West road –NDDC

M

anaging Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, has said the commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs need over N70 billion to complete the construction of the East-West Road.

Ekere who disclosed this in a statement signed by the NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede, said the commission would, however, partner with its supervising ministry and private sector investors on the construction of the East-West road.

“Over N70 billion is needed to complete the road. So, the strategy will be to harness private sector collaboration to complete the road. The portions that have totally collapsed will be addressed immediately.

“It is so bad that a 10-minute journey on that axis now takes three hours. That section of the road has failed and we will get contractors to the site immediately,” he said, adding: “Our strategy involves multiple contractors. The road, which is a strategic link to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, connects Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

According to Ekere, the commission is embarking on a centralised eproject management scheme, which will reduce waste and costs on project management.

“We are determined to improve on our project management capabilities.

NDDC projects all over the region will be managed from a central project management platform such that I can sit in my office at the headquarters and monitor projects all over the region.

Executive Order: FAAN clears NIS, NDLEA, 4 others to operate at airports

By VICTOR NZE

T

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has given full approval to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) as well as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to interface with passengers at airport terminals across the country.

This is just as the Authority gave limited access to four other agencies of government to operate at the airports.

The agency, in an online statement, explained that the approval became imperative in order to comply with the Executive Order as approved by the Federal Government and signed into law by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

FAAN listed the approved agencies that will operate at airport terminals as: The Nigeria Immigration Service (Arrival and Departure) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (Arrival and Departure).

Others given limited access to operate at the airport include are: Nigeria Customs Service (Arrival Terminal), State Security Services (SSS), the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (Cargo Terminals only).

FAAN, in the statement, further stressed that the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency must always appear in uniform with un-detachable name tags.

20

The Oracle Today WednesdayJune 28, 2017

ENERGY CBN expands forex window for diesel, ATK importers

DuPont to deploy equipment for Dangote Refinery … Diesel Prices drop to N175/litre work

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uPont Clean Technologies (DuPont) is to deploy a range of advanced proprietary equipment for the construction of a new refinery being established by Dangote Group in Lekki, Lagos.

According to the company, construction of the new refinery is part of a strategy to boost national Nigerian refinery production and the innovative DuPont technology will allow Dangote to maximize quality and profitability while minimizing its environmental impact.

The new refinery is set to become the largest single-train refinery in the world and the complex will include a petrochemical plant, a fertilizer plant and a subsea pipeline project.

DuPont will be supplying Dangote with proprietary equipment for STRATCO® alkylation unit, MECS® sulfuric acid regeneration (SAR) unit, MECS® DynaWave® sulfur recovery unit (SRU) tail gas scrubbing, and BELCO® EDV® fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) stack scrubbing that will help Dangote meet gasoline pool octane and emissions requirements.

“We are delighted to be supporting Dangote on a project that is of such critical importance to creating economic growth and opportunity in Nigeria,” said Eli Ben-Shoshan, global business leader, DuPont Clean Technologies. “Our aim is always to enable our customers to meet their emissions targets easily and efficiently with the help of cost-effective technologies and services that offer them value and flexibility while minimizing the impact on the environment.”

The new 27,000 bpsd (1,060 kmta) alkylation unit and the 260 mtpd SAR unit will allow the facility to produce high octane, low sulfur, low RVP alkylate with zero olefins. Designed to meet world standards for particulate matter and SOx emissions, the DynaWave® wet gas scrubber will ensure full-time compliance with emissions regulations on both 115 ton per day SRUs, and the BELCO® EDV® wet gas scrubber will reduce the stack emissions from the FCCU as well as provide a purge treatment to condition the scrubber effluent.

Both of the SRUs and the FCCU are supplied by other licensors.

Despite producing 2.12 mm bpd crude oil in 2015 [1], Nigeria traditionally imports 80 percent of domestically consumed refined product [2] as national refining capacity is low, at 0.002 bpd per capita [3]. With a production capacity of 650,000 bpd, the new refinery, targeted for completion in the last quarter of 2019, will boost Nigeria’s limited domestic refining production.

Licensed and designed by DuPont, the STRATCO® alkylation technology is the established global leader in the industry with over 90 units licensed worldwide and more than 850,000 bpsd (33,300 kmta) of installed capacity. For over 80 years, the STRATCO® technology has helped refineries safely to produce cleaner-burning fuel with high octane, low RVP, low sulfur and zero olefins.

Also, licensed and designed by DuPont, the MECS® SAR technology is the leading technology for sulfuric acid regeneration in the market.

Stories by Sopuruchi Onwuka

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mporters of petroleum fuel products in the country will find it easier and cheaper to source the volume of foreign exchange funds required to facilitate rapid importation of various specifications of fuels to meet demands in the domestic market.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has agreed to extend the foreign exchange window for importation of three key transport fuels in the country.

The forex window for fuel imports is the product of agreement between the Nigerian National Pet5roleum Corporation (NNPC) and CBN to enable marketers deepen supply of the premium motor spirit (pms), automotive gas oil (ago) and aviation turbine kerosene also

called Jet A-1.

Spokesman of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said in a public statement that the measure would enable marketers get foreign exchange at the official rate, enhance the volume of forex allocation to the marketers and also assist them import larger volumes of petroleum products to meet local demand.

According to him, the forex intervention was the result of consistent positive engagement between the two government agencies.

Under the agreement, he said, NNPC has convinced the CBN of the need “to extend the expansion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Foreign Exchange Intervention Scheme to accommodate Diesel and Aviation Fuel.”

The development comes as the

retail prices of AGO, also called diesel, has continued to stabilize around N175 per litre.

According to NNPC, the price of diesel has crashed to about 42% nationwide, a huge downslide over the last six months, falling from highs of over N300 per litre in the first quarter of the year.

It would be recalled that in the first quarter 2017, retail prices of AGO, which is one of the deregulated products, shot to an all-time high of N300/litre in major demand centres across the country.

The situation had placed a huge burden on truck drivers, who need the product for transporting their vehicles; the nation’s manufacturing sector, which requires it to run its operations as well as on the masses, who need it for household power generation.

However, the retail prices for the product at the end of May 2017 ranged from N175 to N200 across the country while ex-depot prices also dropped to between N135 and N155.

Mr. Ughamadu said some of the NNPC’s strategic interventions in this regard include improving the supply of AGO and remodeling of the product distribution to address sufficiency issues across the country.

“Since January this year, we have worked very hard with relevant stakeholders to improve distribution from refinery depots, by implementing a robust loading programme,” Ughamadu affirmed.

He added that the corporation, in its quest to enhance efficient distribution of AGO, was able to resuscitate its critical pipelines and depots in places such as Atlas Cove-Mosimi, Port-Harcourt Refinery-Aba and Kaduna Refinery-Kano. Efforts are also ongoing to revamp and commission other critical pipelines across the country.

also indicate substantial progress compared to corresponding period of April 2016 which recorded 214 incidents.

In terms of products availability within the period, the Corporation maintained adequate stock of over 1.2 billion litres of petrol sufficient for more than 34 days forward con-

sumption.

It was also recorded that during the period, the NNPC in an effort to reduce to the barest minimum the incidences of fire outbreak in the 21 depots across the country, received bids from no fewer than 37 companies to supply six triple agent firefighting trucks for the operation of the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), one of the downstream subsidiaries of NNPC. The report noted that NNPC has continued to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) to supplement local refining, while the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN continues to make available foreign exchange to marketers to import AGO and ATK. The April 2017 report which is the 21st edition of the NNPC Financial and Operations report also noted that average national daily gas production stood at 242.32 Billion Cubic Feet, BCF or an average of 8,077.19 Million Standard Cubic feet per day, representing 6.79% increase relative to the previous month.

Comparatively, the daily average natural gas supply to gas power plants slightly decreased to 672mmscfd (or equivalent to power generation of 2,787 MW in April, 2017) relative to 689mmscfd recorded in last month. However, this supply is also 22.85% higher than the corresponding supply recorded in April 2016 of 547mmscfd, the report stated.

Oil Pipeline Vandalism Drops by 12 Per cent

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he extensive engagement with oil and gas community stakeholders embarked upon by the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has continued to yield positive results with the attainment of 12.77 per cent reduction in downstream pipeline vandalism.

According to the April 2017 NNPC Financial and Operations report released in Abuja on Monday, downstream pipeline sabotage decreased from 94 pipeline vandalized points in March, 2017 to 82 in April 2017, representing a 12.77% reduction relative to the previous month. The April 2017 numbers

Elcrest Signs Rig Contract for Opuama Well

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land Oil & Gas’ JV company in Nigeria, Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria, signed a rig contract for drilling on its OML 40 acreage in the Niger Delta. The contract is with OES Energy for the OES Teamwork rig.

The rig will be used for the

upcoming sidetrack of the Opuama-7 well, which is expected to contribute an initial production rate of 5,900 bpd. The well should increase near term overall production on OML 40 to around 17,500 bpd gross.

The OES Teamwork swamp rig

is currently undergoing preparation, which includes mobilizing rig personnel, system tests and equipment shake down, to target the commencement of the rig move to Opuama-7 location in July 2017.

The rig will drill a sidetrack to

around 7,500 ft, expected to take in the region of a month to complete. As part of the contract’s terms, Elcrest has the option to extend the contract for the reentry of Gbetiokun-1, which it intends to start immediately after Opuama-7 sidetrack.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

FOCUS

Harmony in MOUAU as Abians honour VC From Umuahia, BONIFACE OKORO reports that, to show their appreciation for the peace and progress than reign in the university community at the moment, Abians gathered recently in Umuahia to honour the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta, a Professor of Mathematics from Ebonyi State and the substantive 5th Vice Chancellor of the university.

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HE news of the appointment of Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta, a Professor of Mathematics from Ebonyi State, as the substantive 5th Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Abia State,, was received with mixed feelings among indigenes of the state.

The state opposed the appointment and demanded that an indigene should be appointed just as commonly obtained with other federal universities in the country; more so, when four professors from Abia, who teach in MOUAU, also applied.

The state legislature was in the forefront of the opposition to Otunta’s appointment. The lawmakers were angry that none of the four Abia candidates who applied to become the Vice Chancellor was found suitable, describing the selection process which produced Otunta as flawed and should, therefore, be jettisoned.

Chairman, House Committee on Education then, Hon. Chidiebere Thomas-Nkoro, during a December 17, 2015 plenary, brought the issue as a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, contending that the appointment of Otunta should be reversed while the Selection Board and the Vice Chancellor should be “disqualified from further participation in any process leading to the appointment of a substantive VC for MOUAU for obvious display of bias, discrimination and favouritism.”

And the House so resolved and quickly handed in its position to the Federal Government via a Panel of Enquiry, which was on a fact-finding mission at the institution at that material time.

Reacting to criticisms that trailed the appointment of Prof. Otunta, the then Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of MOUAU Governing Council, Prof. Anya Oko Anya, at the occasion of the 7th convocation ceremony of the University on Saturday, November 28, 2015, gave a detailed account of how Otunta emerged.

He disclosed that 32 Professors applied for the job but only 17 survived the rigorous short-listing requirements, adding that after the process, the Selection Board sent three names as required by the Guidelines to the Governing Council.

The top three scored 79 per cent, 76 per cent and 67 per cent respectively.

Anya said the Governing Council had hoped that for continuity sake, one of the internal candidates would have emerged, but that the “odds were high” because “all the four internal candidates, hold Second Class (Lower Division) Honours Degree and none scored above 65 per cent,” while four of the external candidates hold First Class Honours Degrees in their various disciplines.

He said the explanation became necessary following “all sorts of false and tendentious claims” which have misled “highly respectable senior citizens of Abia State into taking less than dignified position on the matter.”

But many took his explanation with a pinch of salt, arguing that not all the former VCs of the institution possessed First Class Degrees and insisted that the Selection Board was skewed against the Abia candidates.

Tension was in the air. There were unresolved, contentious labour disputes between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, MOUAU branch and the man-

(R-L) Wife of Vice Chancellor, MOUAU, Barr. (Mrs.) Bertha Otunta, the VC, Prof. Otunta and Daughter, Pearl, during the event. agement. Accusations of favouritism and nepotism trailed staff promotions and key appointments while the host communities were spoiling for “war.” The atmosphere was simply charged, crises loomed!

Prof. Otunta, however, assumed office on March 1, 2016. Diligently and stealthily, Otunta, a two-term Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, settled down to work, applying his skills as a seasoned administrator.

After one year on the saddle, Otunta has earned the confidence of the university community. He has brought industrial harmony and settled several feuds while enthroning peace through due process.

In this light, the Abia Staff In MOUAU (ASIM) honoured him with a civic reception for his administrative ingenuity that has seen him transform the University into a united family.

The Saturday, April 22, 2017 event was held at Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium. It spoke eloquently of the determination and assurance of ASIM to work with the VC. At the well attended event, ASIM presented gift items to the Vice Chancellor who graced the occasion in company of his wife, daughter and friends.

Interim Chairman of ASIM, Prof. Anthony Ajuzieogu Nlewadim, who entitled his address; “An Administration to Remember, Never to Forget,” said members of ASIM have seen different administrations in MOUAU, adding “we are pleased to announce before our revered monarchs, political and religious leaders, the University community and the general public that the administration of Prof. Otunta has pleased us so far with its administrative style.”

He expressed delight that Otunta has appointed many Abia indigenes into positions of trust based on merit, not just because they are from Abia. They include Prof. Maduebibisi O. Iwe (Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Mr. Joseph Kalu (Bursar) and Prof. Udo Herbert (Chairman of the University Admission Board). Oth-

ers are Prof. Johnbull O. Echeme (Director of Academic Planning), Prof. Ike Nwachukwu (Director of MOUAU Extension Centre) and Engr. Alfred Onwubiko (Ag. Director of Physical Planning), among others.

“Abia people cannot, therefore, be ingrates. ASIM is grateful for these appointments and hereby assures the VC that it shall always remember, and he will never regret these appointments.” Nlewadim pledged.

He said the group was aware of challenges facing the Otunta administration which include the problems of land with the host communities, lack of survey plan of the permanent site, as well as “political and emotional landmines and booby traps, sponsored protests and campaigns of calumny, which are aimed at distracting, destabilizing and discrediting the administration.

“We would like to make a categorical statement today, that Abians will never allow the forces of greed, corruption, impunity and self-serving interests to get a foothold in the University again. We support the administration of Otunta as he works assiduously to restore the integrity of our University, rebuild the broken walls and make it a frontline institution of agriculture in Nigeria,” Nlewadim said.

He described the day as historic as it was the day ASIM unanimously agreed to unite for equity, peace and progress of the University and to honour their Vice Chancellor “as one united family,” adding that ASIM has resolved not only to care very deeply about the future of MOUAU but was “willing to do something about it.” He congratulated Prof. Otunta on his appointment as the 5th VC of MOUAU “after a keenly contested and selection process.”

Chairman of the Reception Planning Committee, Dr. Philip Nto, said ASIM wants to “celebrate excellence and enthronement of democratic culture and academic freedom in the affairs of MOU-

AU,” adding, that Otunta’s “principles and beliefs have liberated the university.”

Nto admitted that Otunta has taken “concrete and positive steps” to reclaim the university and appreciated the Selection Board that chose Otunta, saying their action saved the university, which was in urgent need of surgical operation, from collapse.

“Luckily for us, Prof Otunta is that surgeon who has now infused life into MOUAU. If you ask any Abia indigene the greatest achievement of Prof Otunta this past one year, he will tell you it is peace. “With peace comes academic freedom, freedom of association, merit, due process and rule of law. And with peace comes trust, the most essential ingredient in human relations,” Nto said.

He listed other achievements by Otunta to include restoring peace and hope in staff assessment so that only those qualified are promoted on merit, achievement of 95 per cent accreditation for College of Management Sciences (COLMAS) and College of Education Programmes; revival of TETFUND sponsorship by rectifying the grave human errors that previously characterized the scheme; resuscitation of the Annual Inaugural Lecture series and approval of the affiliation of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.

“Indeed, this is a new era, a new beginning. That is why Abia indigenes in MOUAU want everybody to support Prof.

Otunta for us to now work together for the progress and prosperity of the institution,” Nto declared.

The Vice Chancellor assured his hosts that he would remain focused in administering MOUAU, promising to always uphold the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

Like Nto said, it is the hope of many stakeholders that the event would usher in a new chapter of development and growth in MOUAU.

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The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

e-Platform

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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atest report on Electromagnetic Field (EMF) has revealed that radiation from radio and television broadcast station antennas pose higher health risks than that of base station antennas.

The report titled: Electromagnetic Fields and Effects on Public Safety, which is a product of study conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), notes that Commercial AM/FM radio and TV broadcast stations transmit very high levels of RF energy.

Describing various sources of electromagnetic radiation, NCC in the report noted that “some of their (Radio and TV) antennas radiate power levels of several megawatts but, fortunately, these antennas are generally placed on high towers or buildings where no humans are nearby. Even so, humans absorb more RF energy from AM/FM radios and TV broadcast station antennas than from mobile telephone and base station antennas” the report said. But the broadcast antennas are also not as deadly as X-rays, even though people rarely come in contact with it. According to the NCC report, mobile phones and base stations (BTS) fall under the low frequencies category and have no adverse effect on health, but X-RAYS on the other hand fall under the high frequency category and may impact negatively on human health.

NCC in the report explained that Electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which is a form of energy that is all around human being and takes many forms, such as radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays. “The electromagnetic spectrum is generally divided into seven regions, in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays”.

The report noted that while studies of workers exposed to strong electric and magnetic fields (60 Hz) from power lines provide no consistent evidence that these fields are damaging to DNA or that they are capable of causing mutations or cancer. It added that the most apparent biological effects of RF energy to living cells are due to heating. “While it is not certain that RF radiation generally poses any risks to human health, some reasons exist for being concerned about human health effects from

Radio, TV antennas pose higher risks than mobile phones –Report … X-Rays, Gamma rays deadly the cellular phones themselves.

These concerns exist because the antennas of these phones deliver much of their RF energy to small portions of the user’s head” it said.

The report concluded that there is no regarding any harmful effects resulting from exposure to typical levels of RF and EMF radiation.

“However, everyone should be aware that exposure to such radiation may not be completely safe at certain power levels and frequencies. It is always a good idea to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure whenever possible”.

It said EMR exposure at the highest frequencies (X-Rays, Gamma rays) is a source of serious biological damage, adding that health effects from exposure to this form of

radiation vary from no effect at all to death, and can cause diseases such as leukemia or bone, breast, and lung cancer. NCC also suggested that there is the need for continuous education to consumers and the general public on the issue of effect of RF on the community.

“They need to be enlightened on the range of the electromagnetic frequencies i.e. low frequencies to high frequencies and the resultant effects of exposure to the frequencies. Mobile phones and base stations (BTS) fall under the low frequencies category and have no adverse effect on health, but X-RAYS on the other hand fall under the high frequency category and may impact negatively on human health. The public should be more concerned with exposure

to these high frequencies such as X-rays and radioactive elements/ materials NCC said it embarked on the study in response to growing public concerns over the possible effects of electromagnetic radiation emanating from telecommunications equipment/infrastructure on human health. The Commission however noted that people are often misled to think that electromagnetic emissions from telecommunication facilities is the same as or similar to nuclear and radioactive radiations. “There are several reasons for these public fears and these include media announcements of new and unconfirmed scientific studies, leading to a feeling of uncertainty and a perception that there may be un-

known or undiscovered hazards, NCC said.”

The use of electricity and electronic devices has become an integral part of everyday life. Whenever electricity flows, both electric and magnetic fields exist close to the lines that carry electricity, and close to appliances. Since the late 1970s, questions have been raised whether exposure to these extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF) produces adverse health consequences. Since then, much research has been done, successfully resolving important issues and narrowing the focus of future research. In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the International Electromagnetic Fields Project to investigate po-

LG introduces Microwave with inverter technology

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lectronics giant, LG, has unveiled NeoChef Microwave Oven, a kitchen appliance built with smart technology. According to the company, the NeoChef oven has Inverter Technology that has enhanced it for better, faster, more efficient cooking performance while saving time and conserving energy at the same time.

LG’s Smart Inverter technology allows for flexibility to select the power level at the start of the cooking process and varies the power delivered during the cooking process depending on the cooking option selected. Speaking about the product, Kevin Cha, President, LG Electronics, Middle East & Africa, said the NeoChef packs a number of customized features designed to increase cleanliness and streamline the cooking experience. According to him, an Anti-Bacterial EasyClean Coating makes cleaning the microwave interior simple and straightforward. “The microwave’s interior can be thoroughly

cleaned twice as fast and with half the effort required for conventional microwaves. In fact, it takes just three wipes to thoroughly clean the NeoChef while conventional microwaves typically require seven.

The coating also makes it harder for dangerous contaminants to take

root, eliminating 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria”he said.

Cha added that the NeoChef can be used for melting ingredients such as chocolate or cheese and precisely preparing a variety of foods with its specialized settings.

“LG’s advanced microwave can

even be used to make healthy, lactobacilli-infused yogurt more quickly than most home yogurt makers.

The microwave’s Healthy Fry feature is even capable of preserving the distinct taste of each dish while making them healthier, with less oil and 72 percent less fat”.

He noted that smart cooking provides unique solutions in the kitchen for both homemakers and chefs – whether it is for the holy month of Ramadan or any day of the week during the year, smart cooking is all set to redefine the future in relation to cooking healthy meals and saving money.

“In the near future, technological advances will eventually enable appliances to actively interact with other, recommending recipes from ingredients store in the refrigerator whilst also providing consumers the option to 3D print their meals – that can potentially result in significant cost savings and have a positive impact in people” he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

e-Platform

Global mobile subscriptions now 5 billion –GSMA

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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SMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSMA, the world’s mobile industry said it has signed up its 5 billionth unique mobile subscriber. This milestone means that more than two-thirds of the global population is now connected to a mobile service.

According to data from the body, it has taken four years to add the latest 1 billion subscribers. “Reaching the 5 billion subscriber milestone is a tremendous achievement for an industry that is only a few decades old, and reflects the many billions of dol-

lars that mobile operators have invested in networks, services and spectrum over many years,” commented Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA. “Today mobile is a truly global platform, delivering connectivity and, perhaps more importantly, social and economic opportunities to citizens in all corners of the world. This massive reach allows the mobile industry to be a key player in delivering global initiatives such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals1,” Granryd added.

The GSMA statistics revealed that more than half (55 per cent) of mobile subscribers are based in the Asia Pacific region, which is home

to the world’s two largest mobile markets: China and India. China accounts for more than a billion of the world’s subscribers, while India accounts for 730 million. The most highly penetrated region in the world is Europe, where 86 per cent of citizens are subscribed to a mobile service. Sub-Saharan Africa is the least penetrated region at 44 per cent.

It is forecast that the number of unique mobile subscribers worldwide will increase to 5.7 billion by the end of the decade2. By that point, almost three-quarters of the world’s population will subscribe to a mobile service. India is expected to account for the largest share of growth over this

period, responsible for around 30 per cent of new unique subscribers by 2020.

“Subscriber growth opportunities over the coming years will be focused on connecting mainly rural, low-income populations; operators are developing a range of sustainable solutions to deliver affordable connectivity to underserved communities,” added Granryd. “Meanwhile, in mature markets where subscriber growth is slowing, operators are evolving their business models to capture increasing value within the expanding mobile ecosystem, and providing the platform for a new digital world as we enter the 5G era.”

L-R: Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi; Etisalat Customer and Team Lead SME-North, Ecobank, Elijah Dodo; and Head, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, at the Etisalat Customer Forum in Kaduna

Etisalat feels customers’ pulse in Kaduna N

igeria’s acclaimed most innovative and customer-friendly telecommunications company, Etisalat, has further shown its commitment to consistently improve on its products and services by soliciting feedback from its subscribers at a quarterly Etisalat Customer Forum, which was held Kaduna.

The Etisalat Customer Forum had hundreds of customers in attendance. They shared their experiences with the network, asked questions, and commended Etisalat for providing superior customer service. In return, the Etisalat team, which included heads of service units, answered all questions and resolved all concerns raised by the customers on the spot.

Speaking at the Kaduna Customer Forum, Director, Brands and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said the forum underscores the fact

that Etisalat holds its customers in high esteem and seeks to get quality feedback, which helps it to improve on its services and develop new products.

Ogiemwanye said, “We at Etisalat Nigeria consider the customer forum as extremely important because this is the platform from which we get feedback that helps us improve on our products and services and develop new ones.

Also, at the customer forum sessions, we get to interact faceto-face with subscribers on our network; know them better and learn how to serve them better.

“We are passionate about engaging with our customers to know how they feel; what they think; and what their experiences are with our products and services. This is because we recognise our customers as number one in

everything we do and our goal is to keep delighting them.”

One of the customers at the forum, Elijah Dodo, a banker, commended Etisalat for seeking feedback from its customers, saying he was satisfied with how his complaints were resolved at the forum.

He said, “The customer forum is a rewarding experience. I like the fact that customers that came for the forum participated actively. On a general note, I’ll say that the customers here seem quite happy with Etisalat”.

Another customer, Patience Madlion, a farmer, said the sincerity with which the Etisalat team answered questions at the forum was commendable.

She said, “The customer forum was awesome and for me, it came at the right time. I’m glad I came for this forum. Though the Etisalat cus-

tomer care unit has been doing very well, obviously, some issues cannot be easily resolved over the phone.

By coming here today, I’ve got my complaint resolved and I have a better understanding of the Etisalat products and services that I use.”

Ahead of the customer forum, the Etisalat team, led by Ogiemwanye, visited Rimi College, Kaduna as part of its community engagement efforts. The team held a career counselling session for students of the college, where Ogiemwanye, an old student of the college, enjoined the students to work hard for a bright future. Etisalat also presented books and other educational materials to the school.

The Etisalat Customer Forum has been held in several cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Benin, Calabar, Uyo, Warri, Onitsha, Akure and Ilorin.

Why Africa is short of ICT experts –Nokia Head of Government Relations of Middle East & Africa at Nokia, Brahim Ghribi, has blamed gap between job realities and classroom teachings for ICT skills shortage in Africa. This, it said, continues to pose challenge for businesses in the continent.

According to him, there is a dire need to close the gap between the need for and the availability of skilled individuals in the workforce in Africa.

“We need to ask, ‘is it because the youth quit school early and therefore lack the adequate training and skills required, or is there a mismatch between what they are being taught at school and the job market reality? As far as I’m concerned, in many cases, it is a combination of the two and this issue” he said. “We need an urgent revision of the whole education system, drive broader access to the internet as an information and learning delivery mechanism, get the youth online and try to adapt learning” added Ghribi.

He said that the rate at which technology changes requires a joint effort between the public and private sectors to find ways to allow the education system to keep up with this change. He highlighted the importance of showing the youth the many opportunities there are as often they are not aware of it.

Ghribi said young people in Africa must be given the opportunity to be innovative and be given a platform to not only expose their ideas and projects but also to find investors and financial support. Gender diversity, particularly in the ICT sector, also needs to be a priority. “We at Nokia believe that although a lot is already being done to encourage women to enter the ICT sector, it requires an ongoing effort. As a company, we strive to have a gender balance that reflects the world around us and we support several programmes to achieve this.” The company runs a project called Strong Her, which is an employee network that promotes gender diversity.

“Companies need to start internally and then, also, focus on promoting diversity externally. They should also look for the skills at a much broader scale and promote women in ICT, by getting them on board and training them with the right skills so that they have an equal opportunity.”

Nokia has also been supporting initiatives such as CodeBus Africa project, and global scale project Green Light for Girls which highlights their focus on playing their role in the change and helping African countries combat the unemployment through education. He says the responsibility to drive this change lies with both governments and private companies. “We all have a role to play and need to join hands in terms of shaping the future of technology.

This must not just be done for the sake of it, but to transform the human experience.”

Ghribi said governments need to play a role in creating a favourable environment and lay out a comprehensive social strategy that puts the youth and, more particularly girls, at the heart of their plans. “We know that most governments in Africa and in other parts of the world have national ICT plans. For the youth to truly benefit, these plans must go beyond the frontiers of telecommunications and touch every sector of the economy.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

EDITORIAL

Flawed budget Osinbajo signed F OR months, Nigeria waited for the 2017 budget. Nothing compares with Nigerians’ anticipation of the budget. No country goes through this ritual the way we do, not one. The citizens believe, incurably, that their annual wellbeing is tied to a voluminous compilation of papers, with adequate subterfuge to guarantee that everyone observes it in breach.

Several issues would cast smudges on the budget.

The cast that stood firmly against the Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo while signing the budget was an impervious conduct that appears to have been accepted as part of our long history of belittling those in authority. How could the Acting President have the same people who were against his signature on the budget gleaming as he signed it?

Is there no provision in his authority to punish those who vicariously, violently, viciously, variously minimise his authority? How could the Acting President have tolerated the peddling of stories by the same officials who work with him about how little he could do without authorisation from London? Does the Acting President not have the power to fire some of them?

Doubtlessly, Nigeria is going through a patch worse than anything that those who set off the process had anticipated. Outside the civil war, Nigeria has not undergone crises in the manner of the current events. The closest could be the longlasting June 12 crisis that was partially resolved with the supposed appeasement that the elec-

tion of Olusegun Obasanjo six years after, should have been, except that with the divine status that Obasanjo appended to everything he did, he never understood that he was elected to serve the people.

With his inclinations to ascribe celestial approvals for his misdeeds, it was not surprising that though budget padding began in his administration, he did nothing other than demonise a Minister and disgrace a few legislators. Today, he preaches about the corruption in the National Assembly, as if he did not work the National Assembly, or that the executive under him was immaculate.

Obasanjo was the father of meaningless budgets.

Under him, in eight years, over-spent budgets, wanton invasion of the federation account to implement two main national projects that ended inchoate were deliberate, also divine. One was the plan to build primary health centres in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, a state government function that he hijacked--the Federal Government had to refund the deductions that he made from the States. The other was the unbudgeted national electrification project that a National Assembly investigation found gulped more than $16 billion while some equipment have, up till now, been stuck at the ports awaiting construction of infrastructure that can bear the bulk that needs to be transported to different parts of Nigeria.

Some of the turbines were so heavy that the only means of transportation could have been by sea until we discovered that not all parts of Nigeria had navigable waters. Our bridges were not strong enough to bear the weight of the turbines, if we had the vehicles that could freight them. What a country!

Not much has changed since Obasanjo.

Where there were changes, they were barely for the better.

To his credit, Obasanjo would not tolerate delayed budgets or create doubts about their importance, for they would have badgered Obasanjo’s importance, one of a few things he never compromises. His Finance Minister would quickly tell the nation about the budget, latest March. Those have become memories, only partly carried over to the Jonathan days, when good luck and mercies still visited Nigeria in detailed measures.

Flawed budgets - blighted budgets, bungled budgets, battered budgets, and bloated budgets (padded budgets since 2016) - are not new. Nigerians could have lived with them except that they were overfed on the hyped message of change, particularly, the insistence that Nigeria could not otherwise survive. Change now has many meanings, the latest of which is seeing that national matters are conducted in manners that are not only different, but beneficial to only the unknown.

Osinbajo in telling Nigerians that the 2017 budget is flawed sounded pathetic. He is selling a new hopelessness the source of which is challenging to determine. What should the Acting President have done in the situation?

Was he forced to sign a flawed budget? Who forced him? Why was he telling Nigeria that he had signed a law, for the budget is a law, that is flawed?

Was he expecting Nigerians to rescue his confusion? If he could sign a flawed law, what other concessions has he made in the dark recesses of power? What else would he do? Plead that his hands are tied?

Does he, even if for a fleeting moment, understand the implications, complications, and consequences of his admission that he signed a flawed budget?

In other circumstances, the omission could have been pardonable, maybe overlooked, but these circumstances are not ordinary. The change we were promised was premised on eliminating corruption, tardiness and building a new Nigeria post-carded in overwhelming craving for the common good. What went wrong, though not so suddenly?

There was more expected of Osinbajo. He is a Professor of Law of long standing. Nobody should understand the legal constipations of a flawed budget, as he called the paper he signed. He swore on 29 May 2015 to uphold the law, to place Nigeria’s interest above all interests. Which interests did he place above Nigeria’s in signing a flawed budget?

Moreover, he is a famous pastor, of long standing.

Some swear by his name, a man who understands that a stiffer judgement awaits him with his Creator. What imperilled him to sign a flawed budget?

How low would we finally get before we know the dangers that await us as a country, as peoples, as we expect the offerings of change?

Prof Osinbajo had an option not to sign a flawed budget. In signing it, in letting Nigerians know it was flawed, he only added to the helplessness that we are getting used to as Nigerians? No explanation suffices for the insult that an explanation imposes on Nigerians.

Whose interests does Prof Osinbajo, the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria now serve?

His answers would never ameliorate the admission that he knowingly signed away Nigeria’s interests…in a flawed budget.

Our Vision TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectively caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

OPINION

Why the odds favour Islam (1)

By WILLIAM KILPATRICK

O

N May 22, an Islamic suicide bomber detonated himself outside a pop concert in Manchester, England, killing and wounding dozens, many of them young children.

The terrorist was a 22-year-old named Salman Abedi. A few days after the attack, I was reading an article about the mosque he attended—the Didsbury Mosque. “That’s funny,” I thought looking at the accompanying photo, “that doesn’t look like a mosque, it looks like a church.”

Sure enough, as I discovered, the Didsbury Mosque was once the Albert Park Methodist Chapel. It had been bought by the local Syrian Muslim community and transformed into a Muslim place of worship.

Similar transformations have been taking place in other parts of the UK. St. Mark’s Church in London is now the New Peckham Mosque, St. Peter’s Church in Cobridge was sold to the Madina Mosque. The Brick Lane Mosque in London was originally a Methodist church. But churchto-mosque conversions are only part of a larger story. There are now 423 mosques in London, and the number is expected to grow. Meanwhile, 500 London churches have closed since 2001, and in all of England 10,000 churches have closed since 1960.

The transformation of the Albert Park Methodist Church to the Didsbury Mosque is emblematic of one of the most significant shifts in history: the transformation of Europe from a largely Christian continent to a largely Islamic one. The transformation is far from complete, and there’s an outside chance the process can be reversed, but time and demographics favor Islam.

In several of Europe’s cities, the Muslim population now hovers around the thirty percent mark. In ten years’ time, that will be forty percent. Of course that doesn’t mean 40 percent of highly committed Muslims facing 60 percent of deeply devout Christians. Both faiths have their share of half-hearted “nominals” for whom religion is more a cultural inheritance than a deeply held conviction. Still, the “nominal” problem is a much greater problem for European Christians than for European Muslims.

In many European countries, Sunday church attendance is the 5-10 percent range whereas mosque attendance is very high in relation to the size of the Muslim population. In England, there are already more Muslims attending Friday prayers than there are Christians attending Anglican services on Sundays. A study by Christian Research predicts that by 2020 the number of Muslims attending prayer service in England and Wales will exceed the number of Catholics attending weekly Mass.

It’s also noteworthy that the expanding Muslim population in Europe is relatively young, whereas the declining “Christian” population is an aging one. Sixty-forty seems like good odds until you realize that the average age of the 60 percenters will be around 55 while the average age of the 40 percenters will be around 25.

You may object that if there is any fighting to be done, most of the fighting on the “Christian” side will be done by the army, not by citizens in walkers and wheelchairs. But keep in mind that the military draws its recruits from the ranks of the young. As the population of the people that Islamists refer to as “crusaders” ages, European governments will be forced to draw more of their new recruits from

the Muslim population. The same goes for the police forces. Many Muslims will serve their country or their city faithfully, but many will have divided loyalties, and some will have signed up in the first place with mutiny in mind.

Most likely, however, the transformation will be effected without major battles. It won’t be a matter of numbers or of military strength, but of strength of belief. Those with the strongest beliefs will prevail. Those who are not sure what to believe will submit without a fight.

Will Europe Defend its “Values”?

That’s the theme of Michel Houellebecq’s Submission, a novel about the gradual Islamization of France. The protagonist, a middle-aged professor, has a number of qualms about the Islamic takeover of the university system, but nothing sufficient to resist it. The things he values most—literature, good food, and sex—are, in the end, no impediment to accepting Islam. True, he is offered several inducements to convert—career advancement, plenty of money, and several “wives”—but one gets the impression that, even without these incentives, he would still eventually convert. At one point prior to his submission, he thinks about joining a monastic order as his literary hero, J.K. Huysmans, had done, but he soon realizes that he lacks the necessary Christian conviction. Indeed, he has no strong convictions.

His plight is the plight of contempo-

rary Europe in a nutshell. Many Europeans see no sense in resisting Islamization because they have nothing worth defending. To be sure, European leaders still talk about “our values,” but they can’t seem to specify what those values are, beyond appeals to “diversity” and “pluralism.” For example, after the Manchester massacre, British Prime Minister Theresa May stated that “our values—the liberal, pluralistic values of Britain—will always prevail over the hateful ideology of the terrorists.”

I’m not so sure of that. In an earlier era, Brits would have connected their values to God, country, family, and honor. In other words, things worth fighting for. But “liberal, pluralistic values”? That’s not very solid ground on which to take your stand. Who wants to die for diversity? Indeed, it can be argued that the worship of diversity for its own sake is what allowed terrorists to get a foothold in England in the first place. No one wanted to question all those diverse preachers spreading their diverse message about Jews, infidels, and homosexuals. The trouble is, unless there are higher values than diversity, there’s no way of judging between good diversities and bad diversities—between, say, honoring your wife and honor-killing her if she displeases you.

The same is true of freedom. Freedom is a fundamental right, but what you do with your freedom is also important. There has to be some higher objective value that directs our choices to good ends rather than bad ones.

Otherwise, freedom becomes a license to do anything one pleases.

• Culled from Crisismagazine.com

Time to rein in these ethnic irredentists

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

T

HREE popular sayings (idioms) in Esanland, Edo State, herald this analysis on the hot-button issue of ultimatum by the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups for the Igbo, indigenes of the Southeast zone of the country, to quit the Northern region within 90 days.

They are one: “A child does not know when sleep takes food out of his/her mouth.” Two: “What beats the drum for the dove to dance is in the ground, and a day is coming when the drummer will reveal itself.” And three: “Be careful what you wish for” (which is also frequently used for quotes, movies, lyrics, documentaries, and indeed, forms the title of the fourth in the seven books in Bestselling author, Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Clifton Chronicles’).

If members of the youth coalition were expecting accolades when they gave that ultimatum, they received an all-round condemnation instead. If they thought their action would have no consequences and unchallenged, they got a dose of counterthreat from a quarters not directly targeted or threatened.

And if they assumed that they had the force to compel compliance with their final warning, they met a greater force in a Coalition of Niger Delta Militants, which has honed and mastered the art of protracted armed struggles, and has the will, the determination and the gumption to advance its threat.

So annoying was the bravado displayed by these ego trippers that their 19 state governors, on the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, disavowed them and dissociated themselves from their action.

And most Nigerians were no less offended by their brazen mischief obviously aimed at causing mayhem, leading to bloodshed.

Did these uniformed youths forget the history of the Nigerian civil war: that it trod a similar path before the shooting started in 1967? Perhaps, they were too young to remember those catastrophic events in the

North against the same Igbo of Eastern Region they are threatening Armageddon against with no justifiable reason other than that they are agitating for self-determination, as they did in 1967 on the back of a pogrom in the North.

It’s true the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has no provisions for seceding from the country; hence, the oft-repeated warning by particularly officials of government that, “Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable.”

However, that Military-imposed constitutional provision should not warrant the threatening of indigenes of a state or group of states or of a particular ethnic stock to quit a section of the country or else get expelled, against the express provisions of the Constitution on discrimination and the right of the citizens of Nigeria to live and own property in any part of the federation.

Pushed against the wall, won’t such aggrieved and oppressed people, citing unprovoked aggression and/or actual attacks on their person and property, seek outside intervention for a separate country, by invoking international norms for a plebiscite or referendum, which the Nigerian Government seemingly doesn’t want to broach?

To avoid such a scenario, the government, even with all its awesome powers, has been sketching the Biafra agitation, by employing more of the carrot than the stick approach via recourse to the courts.

And for all we known, the government has not delegated powers to any civil authority, least of all ethnic warlords, whether comprised of young or elderly persons, to foment trouble on its behalf or in its absence.

The public summation of the Northern youths’ aggressive posturing was that they might not be acting of their own volition, and that it wouldn’t be long for their sponsors to show their hands. And, surely, they did!

The drummers (backers) for the youth

groups were the same irredentists - the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice Chancellor - that have, over the years, stoked hatred, discord and divisiveness, instead of working to find lasting peace and good neighbourliness in the country.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari does not need additional problems on its crammed table. It already has the unenviable task of confronting a degraded but still deadly Boko Haram insurgency and the untold devastation in human and material resources it wreaks in the Northeast; the agitation for independence by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast; the herdsmen and farmers’ clashes across the country; a restive Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in the Northwest; cattle rustling and banditry in the North; the lingering agitation for more inclusion and improvement of welfare packages in the Amnesty Programme for ex-militants in the SouthSouth; kidnappings, armed robberies and other criminalities all over the nation; and a biting economic recession with no end in sight yet for the citizenry.

It’s relieving, though, that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after meeting separately with Leaders of Thought from the North and Southeast last week, has scheduled a larger platform for this week, to enable both sides meet with the government and other stakeholders on the way forward out of the logjam.

But is the government overlooking, and excluding from the talks the Coalition of Niger Delta Militants, which, in “retaliation” to the threat on the Igbo in the North, also gave a quit notice for Northern indigenes to leave the Niger Delta by October 1?

What about the MASSOB and IBOP members, the originators of the current impasse? They have queried being left out of the parley last week. So, by all means,

get them involved this time. It’s a sign of the good things to come!

Summing up those prior meetings last week, Osinbajo said: “I firmly believe that we ought to address these agitations (from the Southeast) and proclamations (from the North) urgently and decisively.”

We hope, in trying to find amicable solutions to these contrived problems, the government would not surrender its initiative, but follow through its warning to rein in the antics of mischief makers that may want to foment crisis to divide the country.

• Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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 28, 2017

Travel & Hospitality

•Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker flanked by the President, Hotel & Personal Services Employers’ Association of Nigeria, HOPESEA , Ugbor Vincent (Right); Member, HOPESEA, Ebi Seimodei (2nd Right); Executive Secretary, HOPESEA, Adeniyi Ologun (3rd Right) and Member, HOPESEA, Omorinsola Sofola (Left); Member, HOPESEA, Obinna Ijoma during a courtesy visit to the director general by HOPESEA on collaboration and partnership for sustainable tourism development held at the corporate headquarters of the corporation in Abuja

Nigeria Tourism; now over-regulated, over-taxed

By VICTOR NZE

S

takeholders in the travel and tourism industry of the country have continued to register their displeasure over moves by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to push through a bill presently before the National Assembly which seeks to confer on it the sole authority to regulate the industry.

This is also as experts have advised the federal lawmakers not to duplicate laws governing the industry, but address challenges bedeviling the sector by way of clarifying on existing constitutional provisions guiding the operations of various agencies in the tourism industry, instead of looking to create fresh ones.

Tagged the; ‘Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism for Training of Personnel and Regulation of Professional Personnel Practices and Services of Hospitality and Tourism Activities in Nigeria and other related matters,’ the document seeks to effectively extend the control of the institute in industry practice.

The proposed NIHOTOUR Bill which came up for Public hearing, June 15, has continued to generate contempt within the tourism industry in the country as stakeholders flay the move by NIHOTOUR to establish itself as apex regulatory and registration body for tourism establishments across the country.

It would be recalled that in January 2011, former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, said at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the corporation in Lagos, under the theme of; ‘Tourism and National Security,’ that the corporation remains the apex tourism body ‘empowered by law to

regulate, coordinate, and harmonize all tourism activities in Nigeria’.

“Section 1, Sub-Section 3 of the bye-law provides that no person shall operate a hospitality or Tourism establishment unless he has obtained and in possession of a current certificate of registration from the Corporation. It becomes illegal for anybody or group to operate any form of tourism establishment without duly registering with the NTDC,” said Runsewe.

He said the Hospitality and Tourism Establishment (Registration, Grading, and Classification) regulation bye-law enacted by the Federal Government in 1997, Section 1, SubSection 3 of that bye-law provides that no person shall operate a hospitality or Tourism establishment without the approval of the NTDC. However, the Supreme Court in its ruling of 19 July 2013 validated both the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State (as amended) and the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State, while the offending sections of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Act was rendered null and void.

The Supreme Court in dismissing the case filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and upholding the contention of the Attorney General (AG) of Lagos State Mr. Ade Ipaye, held that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (CFRN) 1999 as amended, only empowers the National Assembly (NASS) to regulate tourist traffic, a term which does not extend to hotel registration or licensing.

It was the view of the Supreme Court that the NTDC Act went beyond its powers as stated in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution which is to regulate “tourist traffic”. This effectively challenged the constitutionality of the NTDC’s powers to unilaterally regulate and

control of hotels and tourism in Nigeria. The court therefore validated the respective laws of Lagos State.

In validating the position of Lagos State to regulate its tourism establishments, the Supreme Court ruling also paved the way for other states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to lay siege to hospitality and leisure establishments and extort all manner of fees, levies and taxes such that the local councils in each of these states delved in to explore these business firms for their IGRs. Though the laws setting up the NTDC were promulgated during the military era specifically the Decree 81 of 1992 which empowers the NTDC to regulate, grade and standardize hotel operations, however, the Supreme Court ruling of 2013 apart from effectively stripping hotel regulations off the corporation, it has also inadvertently exposed the incapability of states to adequately ensure best practices and standards in the hotel industry.

The Nigerian hospitality sub-sector is currently faced with an avalanche of taxes like the : Registration of Hospitality Premises, Stamp Duty, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIT), Industrial Training Fund (ITF) National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Company Income Tax, Withholding Tax, Liquor License, Food Handlers and Health Certificate.

Other taxes include; the Visual Advert, Waste Disposal, Bill Board, Sign Post, Operation Permit, Vehicle Emission Fee, Contravention Charges, Business Premises, Administrative Charges for Environmental, Audit, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), water supply, electricity supply, copious levies by the local government councils, as well as other fees charged by regulatory agen-

cies across the sectors at the state and federal levels.

“The reality is that the current burden of taxes and levies is heavy, especially when situated within the context of the high operating cost for business. The sector wants to be very clear and certain of its tax obligations, the number of taxes, the rates, period of payment, mode of payment and so on; a tax system that is devoid of arbitrariness and not driven by the whims and caprices of state officials,” said former President of the Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA), Engr. Onofiok Ekong, who added that “the local governments are the main culprits here as these taxes have by extension pushed the sector to the brink.”

Many in the industry, therefore, see the proposed NIHOTOUR Bill as adding to the controversy, with the National Assembly attempting to shoot itself in the foot by moving to enact another controversial law rather than address the constitutional challenge thrown up by the Supreme Court.

In condemning the proposed NIHOTOUR bill, NTDC Director-General, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, opined that NIHOTOUR would be going beyond the mandate for which it was established if the bill is passed into law by the National Assembly.

Insisting that the institute was established, principally, as a training institute for personnel and stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry, Folarin-Coker said: “The bill will be giving NIHOTOUR the position of both a trainer and a regulator of everything relating to tourism; thereby disregarding the legality of other parastatal agencies.’’

According to him, the country’s tertiary institutions should be allowed to establish departments that would train personnel in tourism, adding that by encouraging several tertiary institutions to be part of it,

26

this would enhance the ease of doing business as enunciated by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently.

Also, the National President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Bankole Bernard, said NIHOTOUR had no statutory power to regulate tourism affairs in Nigeria, just as he insisted that NIHOTOUR would even do well as a directorate under NTDC. “This is a bill that cannot see the light of the day because NIHOTOUR has no capacity to regulate the huge tourism industry. We should have NIHOTOUR as a directorate under NTDC,’’ he said.

Travel and writers under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Editors of Tourism (ANJET), also an affiliate of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) said NIHOTOUR has completely gone beyond its brief and what is expected of it, described the proposed bill as “death knell of hospitality and tourism”.

The tourism writers, who joined other stakeholders from travel agents, tour operators, park and leisure services providers, in blasting the document, maintained that the proposed bill further compounds the precarious situation of tourism regulation in the country, as the agency itself should rather be seeking to grow its capacity in the field of training of industry practitioners.

“If it is a training institute then it should restrict itself to that regardless of the NOC/NOS/NBTE provisions. What it is seeking to be with the full provisions of this bill is become omnibus body and ombudsman of tourism, which should not be,” ANJET said.

Also reacting, the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) said; “the proposed bill is an attempt to corner and colonize Nigeria Tourism by a training school and should be discouraged wondering why an institute wants to overreach itself”.

Similarly, a hospitality expert and scholar, Dr Wasiu Babalola, called for the outright rejection of the proposed NIHOTOUR bill by the National Assembly.

The outgoing Managing Director - West Africa, Swiss International Hotels and incumbent Honorary Secretary, Institute of Hospitality UK in Nigeria said: “The bill should be rejected for the agency aiming beyond its mandate. Why should it try to define who a professional is?

“When did government start deciding who should be president / chairman of council of professional bodies? Why should the agency want to take over the powers of NUC and NBTE? The proposers of the bill are surely ill-informed”.

NIHOTOUR, an agency in the Ministry of Culture and Information, with two campuses in Lagos and Osogbo, in Osun State, has for some time come under heavy fire, as industry watchers insist the agency has been undergoing challenges in its statutory role as a training institute established to boost capacity in the industry.

Established in 1987 following an agreement signed by the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Federal Government had to ensure that NIHOTOUR started its training activities in 1988.

The institute was a department and the training wing of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation before it gained autonomy in 1998.

Thereafter, the mandate of the institute was widened to provide technical skills and vocational manpower need for hotel, catering, and tourism workforce in Nigeria.

27

The Oracle Today, June 28, 2017

AVIATION

Lufthansa introduces direct payment

G

erman carrier, Lufthansa Airlines has introduced direct payment option at check-in counters and gates in Nigeria with card terminals effective from June.

A statement by Lufthansa’s spokesperson, Hakeem Jimo, said that customers would be able to pay with Amadeus Airport Pay for ancillary services while checking in Lufthansa.

Jimo said the new service, developed by Amadeus and Ingenico, would enable and secure simple payments at the check-in counter in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

According to him, the new service will subsequently be available at more than 170 airports around the world.

“The customers will be able to pay for ancillary services, such as excess baggage, with chip-cards (credit/ debit cards), girocard payments and compatible digital wallets.

The statement quoted Lufthansa General Manager in Nigeria, Robin Sohdi as saying, “this direct-payment option will further improve the customer experience for our passengers in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt”.

“Additionally, airline staff are able to initiate compensation payments with these terminals, for instance in case a passenger voluntary steps back from an overbooked flight. To bring secure and seamless payment options to our passengers to ease their individual and seamless travel experience is a core objective for the Lufthansa Group,” he said.

According to the statement, Kai Schilb, Head of Payment, said the service will enable travellers to choose customized ancillary services for their flight securely, with a variety of payment options and without the need for detours

Nwachukwu readies JetWest airlines for launch in Nigeria Stories by VICTOR NZE

D

espite the prevalent gloomy conditions encountered by operators in the Nigerian aviation industry, a new and ambitious airline is being cleared for take-off.

Branded; JetWest, the newest addition to the country’s aviation sector founded by Mr Dikko Nwachukwu hopes to make its maiden voyage in December, this year, and the team behind it is aiming high.

Nwachukwu, a serial entrepreneur with a background in aviation, says his mission statement is simple.

“The guiding vision for JetWest is to make air travel accessible for more people,” says Nwachukwu adding: “We are about democratizing the skies.”

With just 15.2 million passengers passing through Nigerian airports in 2016, according to official statistics, Nwachukwu sees opportunity in the vast market unserved by existing airlines in the country, even aside having by far the largest population in Africa, and the entrepreneur draws inspiration from rapid progress in another technology field.

“We want to do for travel what cell phones did for telecoms. Fifteen years ago there were less than one million phone lines in Nigeria and now there are 100

million. We could have 100 million (air) travelers, and I know JetWest will be in the middle of the revolution.”

JetWest aims to project a fresh and vibrant image. The company’s social media accounts are already trailing colorful cocktails and memes ahead of launch, aimed at youthful, savvy consumers. Such consumers may also be attracted to the airline’s core selling point: value. JetWest will offer a pared down service “more Easyjet than Etihad” at rock-bottom prices.

“We will cut out everything not core to the business and focus on getting fliers from A to B,” says Nwachukwu, assuring: “Beyond that, we will have unbundled services so customers can pick and choose what they want.”

Given the high cost and risk involved with launching a fleet in Nigeria’s current economic climate, the entrepreneur is mindful of the need to find efficiencies, suggesting that the company might pool resources with other airlines.

More ambitiously, the business model will rely on innovation.

JetWest is developing its own proprietary technologies in-house, drawing on the best talent from Nigeria’s renowned start-up scene, in a conscious effort to boost local industry as well to avoid costly rental equipment. The company intends

•Mr Dikko Nwachukwu to eventually supply technology to other airlines.

If all goes to plan, JetWest will launch this year with 100 employees and a fleet of three AC-20 jets flying local routes in Nigeria, which could expand to 15 planes within three years, and 40 within five, carrying over 10 million passengers a year. The company hopes this will cover neighboring countries in the region.

Nigerian aviation has struggled

in recent years, with leading carrier Arik Air subject to a government takeover to prevent its collapse.

Nwachukwu is aware of the scale of the challenge and he lists several other industries that would be easier to turn a profit in.

However, difficulty is part of the motivation, and he believes that aviation is key to dragging Nigeria out of its malaise.

“We know for sure that economic development is tied to transport,” he says. “If we don’t have the transport for business, for friends and family to see each other, we will remain stagnant and we will not see growth.”

The entrepreneur is confident that if JetWest can make gains it will lead to wider progress in the industry, and more support from the government in areas such as access to airspace, just as he gives the example of AirAsia in Malaysia, which helped the country boom with help from politicians.

But even without support, Nwachukwu is confident in his concept, his team, and his reading of the region.

“I do an enormous amount of travel across the country and I know how important it is for me.

If other people could, they would.

West Africans travel more than anyone else for business, friends and family,” he said.

Enugu disruption: Air Peace threatens legal action against FAAN

I

ndigenous carrier, Air Peace, has said it may take legal action against the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for disrupting the airline’s operations in Enugu last Friday, causing it the loss of millions of Naira, Chairman of the airline, Mr Allen Onyema, told newsmen in Lagos, Friday that the airport manager disrupted the airline’s operations for two hours over an alleged N7 million debt.

He alleged that the FAAN’s Enugu Airport Manager stopped the airline’s operations despite their clarification that the said money had been paid to FAAN. “I got a call this morning that FAAN stopped our operations in Enugu over N7 million debt, which we have already paid. The airport manager did not go back to check his books to know if we actually paid or not but hurriedly stopped our operations, a situation that is costing us millions of naira,” Onyema said.

According to him, despite providing evidence of the N7 million payment, the airport manager claimed that the airline was still owing an outstanding of N1.8 million.

Onyema said it was ironic that another airline that was heavily indebted to the Federal Government was allowed to operate during the said period from the airport.

•Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman with the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Attache - West African Region, Mr Gary Pleus (m) during a meeting in Lagos over the implementation of Federal Government’s Executive Order as it relates to Delta Air Lines operations at the Lagos airport. They are flanked by of Mr James Plasman, Economic officer of the United States Consulate General, Group Captain U.S.A Sadiq, Director Security Services, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and others

NAMA to train personnel on strategic safety management

N

igerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is to embark on the training of various categories of its workforce on strategic safety management, as part of efforts to enhance safety of air navigation in the country.

Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, who made the announcement while signing the NAMA Safety Policy and Commitment to Safety Management

in Lagos, said the training would focus on areas such as Safety Audit of Air Traffic Services, Safety Oversight Management and Practical Preparation for International Civil Aviation Universal Safety Oversight Programme (ICAO USOAP).

According to him, it will also focus on Air Traffic Management Safety Investigation and Analysis, among others, adding that it was targeted at equipping critical staff

of the agency with the capacity and proficiency to investigate and analyse air traffic incidents, with a view to mitigating or eliminating future occurrence.

“Everything we do in the agency, one way or the other impacts on safety. We must therefore focus not only on the obvious, but even the non-obvious things, and by this, every NAMA staff should key into the safety policy and also be pas-

sionate about it.’’

The signing of the NAMA Safety Policy is in compliance with the prescription of ICAO Document 9859 (Safety Management Manual) Annex 19 (Safety Management Systems).

It requires that the Chief Executive Officer of an aviation service provider must sign a commitment to safety as the Accounting Executive for Safety Management Systems (SMS).

28

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

By CHRIS EBONG

P

rior to the introduction of the current pension scheme known as the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) there was a lot of challenges surrounding pension administration in Jigawa state and this led to the state government making frantic effort in redefining and adopting a suitable and unique pension administration best suit the need of the public service employees in the state.

Therefore, in 2001 the state adopted the Defined Contributory Scheme to test run the new initiative in pension management. Having tested and proved that it would meet the pension yearning of its employees, an executive bill was sent to Jigawa State House of Assembly who did a critical analysis of the scheme and eventually passed the bill into law under the Jigawa State Pension Act. In 2002 the new pension system had received the blessing of the state authorities. That was before the inauguration of the Pension Reform Act 2004 that brought about the Contributory Pension Scheme and established a tripartite pension structure, the National Pension Commission PenCom, the Pension Fund Administrators and the Pension Fund Custodian in the country.

In Jigawa state pension system, the government contributes 17percent while an employee contributes 8per cent totaling 25per cent of the entire pension contribution to an employee’s retirement account managed by PFAs appointed by the state government.

While other states including the federal government are still struggling to offset their unending and ever accrued pension liabilities, Jigawa state can make bold to say that no employee of the state is owed any outstanding pension arrears. To back up this claim, the state paid out a total of N12.6billion to both pension retirement benefits including death.

Unlike the CPS at the national level where employees’ contributions are paid by employers directly into employees Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), under the Jigawa pension scheme, all contributions made by an employee are under a Trusteeship of the Board of Trustees as provided by the state’s Pension Fund Act and only licensed PFAs are allowed to manage pension assets.

Jigawa state who is reputed to have pioneered the CPS in Nigeria, having started its scheme in 2001, is also the first state in the federation to have established an automated system processes for its pension administration in the country.

Speaking exclusively to The Oracle Today on pension issues in his state in Ota, Ogun state recently, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa (State and Local Governments) Contributory Pension Scheme, Comrade Suleiman Kiyawa said: “In Jigawa state we have two different pension systems and ours is the pioneer contributory system in the country. We started even before the pension reform in 2004. Jigawa state pension commenced in 2001 and was backed up by the passage of the executive bill by the Jigawa state House of Assembly in 2002, which was before the National Pension Commission was established.

And the issue concerning our two schemes is that for those who came on board the CPS and started contributing based on the content

Jigawa State pays N12.6bn to retirees of the law continued to contribute and would be eligible to derive benefits on retirement or on account of employees health, but contribution must be made in not less than five years.

Those who contribute or die before the end of five years, their total contribution into the scheme will be calculated as the final benefits. Then they will go back to the old system which is responsible for all pensioners who retire before the commencement of the new scheme where all the entitlements are calculated and paid”.

Explaining further, the executive secretary added that the directorate that is in charge at that level

would then draw the attention of the treasury to also pay the pension while the pension board also takes care of part of the computation and payment”.

He continued that the state has been progressing and it is far ahead of all other states in the country, noting that unlike other states, Jigawa’s scheme is different because other states are operating Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) where the employee through his PFA who posts to individual employees accounts, while that of his state is known as Defined Contribution.

Accordingly, the Comrade disclosed that another significant

feature in Jigawa’s pension is that all contributions made by an employee is under a trusteeship of the Board of Trustees as stated in the Pension Fund Act, while only licensed PFAs are allowed to manage pension assets.

“So, based on that, we engage some of the PFAs after critical assessment of their performance.

We have a set criteria and standard which we ensure that any of them engaged adheres or meets that standard.

So after monthly collections employee and employers total amount are sent to the lead PFA who will now disburse it to the participating PFAs to manage. Then

we send a letter to all the participating PFAs notifying them that the monthly contribution has been remitted through the lead PFA while the regulator is also copied.

So that is how we operate”.

“Between May 2015 and May 2017 we paid out N12.6billion to both pension retirement benefits including death and as I speak no retiree is owed outstanding pension arrears in the state. We are up to date as at May 2017 because we always commence payment on every 9th of June and by the 10th everyone must have gotten an alert except where there is a network challenge”. The pension board boss explained.

•Managing Director/Chief Executive, FUG Pensions, Mr. Usman Suleiman (l) with participants at the just concluded E-Governance Conference organised by the Covenant University held in Ota, Ogun State recently.

Leadway Assurance pays N23bn Claims L

eadway Assurance Company Limited says it paid N23billion claims in the year 2016.

The company, at its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Lagos also declared growth in its assets from N137.3billion 2015 to N166 billion in 2016, while the Gross Premium Income (GPI) also rose by 13per cent from N46.6 billion in 2015 to N52.7 billion, an increase largely attributable to annuity business within the period under review.

A statement made available to The Oracle Today reads; “Leadway reaffirmed its commitment to its policyholders by paying claims in excess of N23billion in 2016, the largest payout in the market. This is further evidence of the promise that the company has kept to its customers over the years, maintaining its position as the highest claims’ paying company for over five years”.

The underwriting firm added that despite the depressed economic environment, its investment in-

come grew from N7.4 billion in 2015 to N10.5 billion in 2016, while profit after tax increased marginally from N6.3 billion to N6.6 billion within the same period.

The firm marginal increase in profitability was attributed to increased cost of doing business resulting from inflationary pressures within the economy due largely to gains recorded in foreign currency translation.

Similarly, the company also announced the appointment of three non-executive directors to its Board following the retirement of three erstwhile directors in compliance with the 2009 NAICOM Code of Good Corporate Governance.

The new appointees include Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, who now holds the position of Chairman, Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth and Mr. Odein Ajumogobia who are also Non-Executive Directors.

Gen. Martin Luther Agwai is a Commander of the order of the Federal Republic (CFR) and was a former Chief of Defence Staff of

the Nigerian Armed Forces. He is pro-Chancellor of a Nigerian University and the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P). He is chairman and a member of several local and international boards.

Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth was National Senior Partner at KPMG, Nigeria and head of the oversight committee for KPMG Africa. He currently sits as Chairman KPMG, Africa and is a director on the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and well as the South African Chamber of Commerce. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Mr. Odein Ajumogobia is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators FCI, Arb (London) and a Former member, ICC, International Court of Arbitration in Paris. He is a leading environment and pollution litigator and at various times held the positions of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Riv-

ers state, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Commenting on the performance, the newly appointed Chairman, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, expressed his optimism and confidence about the company’s successes and aspirations saying, “We are consistently inspired by the doggedness, unflinching support and patronage of our revered customers, brokers, agents and other stakeholders. We thank you for your continued loyalty and pledge our improved services to your contentment.”

On his part, the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale stated; “The current realities of our operating environment appears dire and continues to test us on all fronts. However, we continue to find ways to deepen penetration of insurance by educating the public and encouraging them to Think Leadway once they have decided to buy insurance.”

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

Wapic Insurance’s ratings reviewed downwards, four Nigerian Insurers retain ratings Stories by CHRIS EBONG

A

.M. Best Company has reaffirmed that the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of Wapic Insurance Plc downgraded to C++ (Stable) from B- (Stable), and its Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) downgraded to b+ (Stable) from bb- (Stable), are yet to improve.

This means the fact that the insurance company was adjudged as having a marginal ability to meet its senior financial obligations remain the same.

A.M. Best downgraded the ratings of Wapic Insurance in March 2017 after having stated in December 2016 that the insurance firm had a fair ability to meet its senior financial obligations, but that the credit quality was vulnerable to adverse changes in industry and economic conditions.

According to the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating agency, the other four Nigerian based insurance outfits rated by the organisation, however, retained their ratings.

In its latest edition of A.M. Best Credit Ratings (Global) published today, the organisation assigned to African Reinsurance Corporation A Stable (FSR) a Stable (ICR), Continental Reinsurance Plc got B+ Stable (FSR) bbb- Stable (ICR), Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc got B Stable (FSR) bb Positive (ICR), and Axa Mansard Insurance Plc was assigned B+ Positive (FSR) bbb- Positive (ICR).

Associate Director, Market Development and Communications, A.M. Best -Europe, the Middle

East and Africa (EMEA), Dr. Edem Kuenyehia, says the FSR indicates an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations, while the ICR specifies an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing senior financial obligations.

The rating agency explained that the FSR of African Reinsurance was A, indicating that the company has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.

Continental Reinsurance’s B+ means the firm has a good ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.

Custodian and Allied’s B means the organisation has a fair ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations but its financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.

Mansard’s B+ indicates the company also has a good ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.

STInsurance bags most Innovative brand ward 2016 S

•L-R: Company Secretary, Ms Ifeoma Onubogu, Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Segun Adebanji and Group Managing Director, Mr Ganiyu Musa all of the Cornerstone Insurance Plc at the company’s 25th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos weekend.

FUG Pensions, Covenant University partner on e-Governance Confab

K

nown for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gesture from inception, Future Unity Glanvills Pensions Limited (FUG Pensions) has again proved itself as a worthy partner in the CSR projects emerging the major sponsor of the 2017 edition of e-Governance Conference organized by the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

The PFA is known for its active roles in CSR by sponsoring good initiatives that can aid the growth and development of the society, thus using the medium to spread the gospel of the new pension scheme in the country.

Speaking on ‘The Role of Information Technology (IT) in Pension Industry’ at the conference, which took place at the African Leadership Development Centre of the University on 7th to 9th June 2017, the Managing Director, FUG Pensions, Mr. Usman Suleiman, said his firm values good governance, especially when such governance is driven by IT; saying, the conference is coming at a time the country needs change in governance to, not only exit the current recession, but to also eradicate all manners of sharp practices in civil service.

Mr. Suleiman stated that the tremendous growth recorded in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was attributable to the vibrant role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in pension service delivery, adding that the tripartite arrangement between the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) and Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) guarantees the security of the over N6 trillion pension funds. This, he said, is a major and unique characteristic that differentiates the old scheme, where several frauds cases were recorded, to the new scheme.

“IT plays an integral role in prompt service delivery in pension industry and it’s responsible for why pension operators are able to manage over N6 trillion Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders without having a single fraud record since the inception of CPS in 2004,” he said.

However, he charged other sectors of the economy, including Federal and State Government parastatals to take a cue from the pension industry by automating all their processes, saying, this, if

done, will checkmate excesses in the governance system.

Speaking in the same vein, Executive Secretary, Jigawa (State & Local Governments) Contributory Pension Scheme Board, Comrade Suleiman Adamu Kiyawa, said, the success recorded by his Board was due to the manner the State was able to drive its pension system through proper adoption of IT, noting that through this process, theSstate is able to eradicate ghost workers and pensioners, thus, saving cost for Jigawa State Government.

He said the State is one of a few states that have no outstanding pension, adding that, Jigawa State has paid N12 billion pension benefits to beneficiaries between May 2015 and May 2017. The State, since automating its pension system, according to him, has and is paying pension benefits on 8th and 9th of every month, a feat he attributed to dedication of the State to embrace IT in its pension system for transparency and accountability.

He applauded FUG Pension, as a strong PFA with outstanding service delivery as it is one of the accredited PFAs that are providing services to Jigawa State CPS Board.

He urged the Company to keep the good work and improve on its service delivery where necessary.

Speaking on FUG Pensions, the Conference Facilitator, Professor Patience Akpan-Obong said that FUG Pensions has been on the frontline in ensuring the success of the annual conference for three years running. She added that apart from being a very senior conference partner, FUG Pensions has proved its mettle as a reliable pension fund administrator in the pension industry as she urged institutions to also strive to benefit from the quality services offered by the PFA. Professor Akpan-Obong, thanked FUG Pension for sponsoring the event, and presented a plaque to the Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Usman Suleiman, to appreciate the kind gesture of the PFA. Licensed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in 2007, as a pension fund administrators, FUG Pensions is one of the frontline PFAs with over N52billion pension fund Assets under management subscribed by over 120,000 Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) holders and retirees.

overeign Trust Insurance Plc has been named the Most Innovative Insurance Brand of the year at the Businesstoday Insurance and Pensions Industry Awards for 2016.

The underwriting firm was nominated alongside four other insurance companies in the category for the coveted award. The organizers of the event, Businesstoday online publications noted that sovereign Trust Insurance Plc have often times shown a considerable trend of pace-setting innovative initiatives in the Insurance Industry which was why it got nominated in the first instance for the award in 2016 and eventually won the award based on the total number of votes garnered from members of the insuring and General public respectively.

The Managing Director/CEO of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Olaotan Soyinka applauded the Management and staff of Businesstoday Insurance and Pensions for projecting the image of the industry as well as informing the publics about the happenings in the insurance sector.

He went further to appreciating the Management of the online communications outfit in creating such a platform to celebrate the hard work put in by various insurance companies. In his words, “I sincerely want to thank everyone who took out time out of their busy schedules to vote for Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc as the Most Innovative Insurance Brand of the year 2016”. He said that the company will continue to do more to take the industry to greater heights.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is committed to placing high premium on ethics and professionalism in the Insurance Industry as it continues to engender growth in the industry while creating insurance and financial services of global standards.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

Export Platform

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI

Nigeria must endorse Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) A

S A PRO TRADE ACTIVIST, I proceed from the philosophical under pinning of open and unrestrained markets. I have for some time be engaged in some of these conference hall, discussions on EPA/WTO, ECOWAS regional integration initiatives and i detect a subterranean maneuver to steer discussions to achieve an anti market opening agenda that reeks with all the frightening apocalypses of the same anti EPA twiddle twaddle.

For purposes of clarity it is needful to mention that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are the main pillar of ACP-EU trade cooperation, and aim at creating the right conditions for trade and investment. In this context, the West Africa-EU EPA establishes a long-term and stable trade relationship between both parties, in compliance with international trade rules.

For us in the ECOWAS sub region, it will increase exports to the EU, stimulate investment and contribute to developing productive capacity, with a positive effect on employment The scheme will support necessary reforms and promote economic and social development. For the EU, it opens new business opportunities and increases legal certainty for European investors in the region.

Let me quickly chip in that right from the days of the TRANS-SAHARA trade route, Nigerians have been key players in cross border economic activities. Today Nigerian SME’s, traders, bankers, service providers, are an octopus all over the ECOWAS sub region doing what they know best. Check out all the trading hubs even in Asia, like China, Dubai, India, Malaysia, Europe ,our patriots are there well grounded. All these debates about postponing and not signing the EPA is a protectionist and anti trade argument. The EPA/WTO accords simply put, are all spin-offs of globalization which is like a moving train, nobody can stop. It’s about time we hop on the train and desist from all these conspiracy theories being peddled by our manufacturers and industrialists of local industries dying, agricultural products on account of liberalization.

Our so-called ‘industries’ were dead on arrival when shortly after our flag independence in the sixties, they adopted an industrial policy of import substitution.

These ”manufacturers” were just assembly plants knocking together spare parts, and completely knocked down{CKD}, raw materials from foreign outposts like LEVER BROTHERS Liverpool, UAC UK, GUINNESS Ireland, HEINEKEN, JOHN HOLT, BRITISH LEYLAND, CADBURY UK, NESTLES FOODS, etc.

For decades there was no attempt at domesticating an industrial policy with backward integration to link our local agricultural products as veritable supplies of raw materials.

LEVER Brothers Apapa hitherto imported over 500 of its raw materials for its soap and detergent plant from its parent company. Instead of using our local palm oil as input for their soap, cosmetics, they

• President Buhari preferred to import animal tallow from Europe. GUINNESS and NIGERIAN BREWERIES all had a sweet tooth for imported barley when we had grains in abundance locally like maize, sorghum, millet, rice, etc.

The governments of the day and every successive administration in deference to the infant industry argument pursued a very restrictive trade and fiscal policy occasioned by high tariff walls on imports. The high point of this this protectionism came with the INDIGENISATION decree of the seventies. This protection lulled them into complacency. And when the push came to shove during the structural adjustment era, they started screaming blue murder!

My argument rests on the plank that we have been spoon feeding our “industrialists” for 57 years. A fifty seven year old toddler that refused to grow up is a basket case. The hostile operative environment and infrastructural deficit they operate in exacerbated things.

Many have gone comatose with very few outfits unable to attain 40% installed capacity. They cannot meet the yearnings of 170 million Nigerians who have to rely on foreign imports to meet the legitimate requirements of their waking lives, ie textiles, pharmaceuticals from China, Rice from Thailand, electronics from Malaysia, Soaps/ toiletries from India, South Africa etc.

The upshot of all this is that restrictive trade policies don’t work and will never work. If you are in doubt, visit any of the supermarkets, and you begin to wonder how those expensive wines, brandy, cigars

and a litany of prohibited items managed to creep in through the borders.

I am for trade facilitation policies and not trade restriction. Truth of the matter is that our industries are scared of liberalization because they cannot compete in the export market. Productivity is low and worse still the corporate iniquities of industry captains are legion.

Recall the salacious details of the monumental fraud at CADBURY Nigeria where certain directors dipped their sticker fingers into the cookie jar. Same rumblings in DUNLOP Nigeria were well publicized. We therefore must not be held hostage by a few members of the industrial sector who need to retool, re-jig an appropriate industrial template congruent to our level of development. 80% of Nigerians earn their living in the SME’s.

I strongly disagree with the notion that the mobility of service providers from the ECOWAS region remains low and that problems in accessing the European market for nationals of the region persist. You also made the erroneous assertion “that the liberalization of services, especially in the area of free movement of people is a one-way street. West Africa doesn’t benefit” For decades Nigerian professionals like medical doctors, nurses, engineers, accountants, university lecturers etc have been plying their trade in Europe and USA in large numbers which has led to hysterical alarms of brain drain. With over 40 million Nigerians unemployed, will the ‘flight’

of our legion of out of work intelligentsias not be a good recipe to ameliorate executive joblessness? The recent CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement signed, ensures that any Caribbean business can establish anywhere in the European Union .For the purposes of clarity the European Union countries include, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus ,Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany ,Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This provision includes the issuance of automatic work and resident visas to the concerned Caribbean key personnel e.g. managers and specialists and graduate trainees on intra-corporate transfers for a period of up to 3 years.. Senior staff responsible for establishing a commercial presence are entitled to 90 days in any 12-month period while new graduate trainees are qualified for one year visa.

With the emergence of a globalized economy and accession of countries to the WTO General Agreement in Trades in Services {GATS}treaty, the entire brain drain/brain gain saga is being structured into the global architecture of manpower demand/supply, production ,trade and finance.In effect countries that develop reform and services trade policies and key them into WTO type international trade commitments, rake in huge incomes from diasporas earnings like the India software engineers who are reputed to be scooping over 10billion dollars annually but also attract foreign direct investments that will reverse the decline and rot of infrastructures like transport, education, aviation; shipping, health, financial, insurance etc .

At least we have witnessed improvements that were ushered into our telecommunications industry.

The claim that the region’s agricultural sector is in a very bad position does not tally with the facts on the ground. Unassailable evidence, both documentary and field studies that Nigeria is the largest producer of Cassava,Yam tubers,Sesame seed Shea nut in the World.Yet I hear people in conference halls talking about putting Cassava on the EPA ‘sensitive’ list because it will be a victim of massive importation from Europe. The core issue today,is how to galvanise and expand the productive capacities of the grass root,producers and rural dwellers and channel such production into the global matrix of value/supply chains.For this to come into fruition,we must jettison the prevailing trade advocacy,promotion initiatives that adopts a top-to bottom,inverted pyramid way of doing things.

•CHINYEMIKE TORTI,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 Emails:tortichinyemike@gmail.com exportgazette@yahoo.com

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

Love and Living

... With Ireto Temofeh

Oracle Girl of the Week

LOVE NEWS Guy attacked by crocodile while trying to impress girl

A

N Australian teenager who was attacked by a crocodile after jumping into a river for a dare has admitted he did it to impress a British backpacker.

Australian Lee de Paauw suffered extensive injuries to his left arm and confessed he was “lucky” to get out of the saltwater crocodileinfested Johnstone River alive.

The 18-year-old was at a hostel in the northern Queensland town of Innisfail with friends when he started bragging to the group that he could swim in the river in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“It all happened very fast. Pretty much as soon as he jumped in, there was splashing and screaming,” Sophie Paterson, who the teenager was trying to impress, told Queensland’s The Courier Mail newspaper.

“There was blood everywhere and he just wouldn’t stop screaming,” said the 24-year-old from Yeovil in Somerset.

She and others had dared him to jump in, but did not think he would actually follow through on his boast.

“He was walking about the local creek saying, ‘I can swim out’, and so we said, ‘go on then’, but we didn’t think he would do it,” she said.

The teenager managed to punch the reptile in the head twice to free himself of its grip before he was helped out of the water.

He is now recovering from the se-

Name: Emelda Tel: +234 816 633 9597

rious wounds to his arm.

“I just wanted to show the backpacker. I got her number,” he told Nova FM’s Fitzy and Wippa on Monday.

“The croc grabbed my arm, dragged me back out and started rolling.

“It took me about six metres from the wharf. I hit it once on the nose, it loosened a bit.

“I got another hit in and it was right on its eye. I was lucky because it just dropped me.”

Asked by Channel 9 news how he would describe his stunt, the teenager replied: “Stupidity”.

He added: “Just done it for Sophie.”

Paramedic Neil Noble said: “He’s very fortunate that he survived this incident and was able to be rescued.”

Just hours later, authorities recovered the body of a man who they believe may have been mauled to death by a crocodile in nearby waters.

The 35-year-old vanished on Saturday while spearfishing alone in waters just north of Innisfail.

The attack has renewed calls for a crocodile cull in Queensland, with the Katter’s Australian Party drafting legislation to go before the state parliament to allow a controlled cull.

But, reacting to the attack on Mr De Paauw, Liberal National Party Whitsundays MP Jason Costigan insisted: “We can’t legislate to protect d***heads”.

*Do you want to be our next Oracle Girl? Send your photos to ireto007@yahoo.com and call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Salt in food kills 14,000 people every year in UK

T

OO much salt in our diets is causing up to 14,000 preventable deaths every year according to health campaigners.

And food producers, they say, are not meeting voluntary reduction targets because it would drive down their profits.

It is called the hidden killer, causing strokes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of Consensus on Salt and Health (CASH), said: “The easiest way to make bland, cheap food more palatable is to add salt - and salt is practically free.

“This is a national scandal. The UK was leading the world in salt re-

duction, but the Government is doing nothing to ensure that the 2017 salt targets are met.”

Professor MacGregor is urging the Government to impose strict limits on the amount of salt used in processed foods.

So far only one out of 28 food categories is on track to meet 2017 salt reduction targets. That is bread rolls.

A product survey, which was conducted using the updated FoodSwitch UK app and its SaltSwitch filter, compared two shopping baskets, each containing similar everyday food items, but with different amounts of salt.

The difference in salt content be-

tween the unhealthy and healthy baskets of products was 57g of salt.

Findings revealed many products exceed the maximum salt reduction targets.

Galaxy Ultimate Marshmallow Hot Chocolate is saltier than seawater and has 16 times more salt (per

100g) than the maximum target one serving is saltier than a bag of crisps, the study found.

Katharine Jenner, registered nutritionist and campaign director for CASH, said: “Salt is the forgotten killer.

“The findings from our FoodSwitch shopping basket survey are alarming and we are shocked to see that many food manufacturers and retailers are still failing to meet the salt reduction targets, despite having had years to work towards them.

“We congratulate the other, more responsible manufacturers, that have successfully achieved them, or are on track to meet them by the end of the year - which shows it is possible.

Romantic Joke The Perfect shot

A

guy stood over his tee shot for what seemed an eternity; looking up, looking down, measuring the distance, figuring the wind direction and speed. Driving his partner nuts. Finally his exasperated partner says, “What’s taking so long? Hit the blasted ball!”

The guy answers, “My wife is up there watching me from the clubhouse. I want to make this a perfect shot.”

“Forget it, man! You don’t stand a chance of hitting her from here!”

33

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

True Confession

‘I adopted children to teach my husband a lesson’ T

HE going was good when Dominic and I met in Niger some years back. We had so much in common that we thought our love was made in heaven. We met when Dominic was doing his youth service with a very profitable company in Minna and I was a final year student at the State University.

Dominic was a fun loving person and liked to take me out regularly.

We attended many parties together and danced together all through the night on several occasions. We were not ashamed, nor were we afraid to kiss in public.

Dominic set my body and soul on fire. Whenever I heard the sound of his voice, I would be turned on and even my nipples would get erect.

Furthermore, at night whenever I lay down in bed, the mere remembrance of his touch roused me and made hunger for his embrace. We were in love and love made us do crazy.

We made love whenever and wherever possible and that sense of sexual adventure seemed to boost our level of intimacy. Indeed the taste of love was sweet at the time.

I didn’t have to fight or quarrel with Dominic throughout the time we dated. We were just too much in love to quarrel or fight each other.

Dominic didn’t really need to propose to me. We naturally found ourselves planning marriage and eventually, our marriage ceremony turned out to be a great celebration and ceremony.

As the years went by however, my husband and I grew richer and he began to acquire more and more possessions.

But sadly, as we became more and more wealthy, my husband began to womanize. He started keeping mistresses and before I knew what was happening, I started hearing rumours of children born for my husband by his teeming number of mistresses.

I hired a private investigator to look for evidence and he confirmed the rumours with considerable evidence.

I was devastated when I was shown proof of my husband’s other women and other children. It was revealed that my husband had three children from other women.

But what could I do about it?

I felt that there was nothing I could do about it because men would always be men. However, I thought that my husband had carried his passion for philandering too far.

I comforted myself with the thought that since I was his lawful wedded wife, my children were going to inherit everything my husband possessed and that my husband had already clearly stated it in his will that my two children would be the only heirs or inheritors of his estate.

But my husband seemed to have other plans. To my greatest shock, Dominic called a family meeting one Saturday morning. At the meeting,

he explained that he actually had other children who were unknown to me as his wife.

He asked me to forgive him for that.

Next came the bombshell. My husband said that he has instructed his lawyer to divide his property upon his death and share it equally among all his children, both legitimate and illegitimate.

This plan meant that since my husband had three children from other women, the three illegitimate children would receive the greater part of my husband’s assets upon his death than my two children.

What have I been labouring for all along in marriage?

I wept profusely after my husband told me that his decision is final. How could I sit and watch my husband’s children from other women take away my children’s inheritance?

How could I fold my arms and watch

the illegitimate children of my husband’s mistresses get the lion’s share of what ought to be my own children’s inheritance?

I decided to catch my husband in his own game of mathematics. So I went to an orphanage and adopted two sets of twins, that is, four children.

This meant that in addition to my two biological children for my husband, I now had a total of six children.

I then informed my husband that I now had six children who bear his name, and therefore, he had to make adequate provision for ‘our latest children’ too in his will.

He initially objected to my adoption of four children but I clearly told him that as far as I was concerned, we have six children together, so the earlier he accepted those adopted children as his own, the better.

I warned him that if he didn’t provide for all ‘our’ six children in his will,

I would file for divorce, which meant that since we wedded in court, he would lose much of his possessions to me. I also threatened to contest his so-called will in court if he didn’t grant my request.

In the end, my husband gave in to me and adjusted his will appropriately by raising the number of my children in the document from two to six. This means that according to my husband’s mathematics, I and my children would now get the largest share of my husband’s assets when he is gone.

The ratio is now six to three instead of two to three!

I hear that Dominic and his mistresses can’t stop complaining about me and what I did, but that is their business. I’ve thought them a lesson well deserved.

I’m happy that I did my calculation well, otherwise me and my children would have been schemed out!

34

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

Relationship and Love Advice

LOVE SEARCH Women seeking relationship/marriage

‘I’m attracted to another man besides my husband’ Dear Love Doctor,

Busayo, 33, single mother from Ogun, needs a hardworking Yoruba man between 34-40 years for marriage. 09096187179.

08052366993.

Uchechi, 36, a graduate, tall, fair, needs a tall, fair, graduate, Igbo evangelist, pastor or God fearing Igbo man for marriage.

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Positive, wants a man of 3040 years from the East, with Joy, 30, graduate, tall, light in a good job, for a relationship. complexion, from Kogi, living 08187859630. in Kaduna, wants a responsible graduate, Christian man Bola, 34, in Abuja, needs a nice, within 35-42 years for marcaring, employed man for a seri- riage. 08127651483. ous relationship. 08184384600.

Jenny, 38, Big, Busty, Needs Mojisola, 43, works in La- An Igbo Or South - South gos, needs a Yoruba man Man Above 50 Years In Lagos of 45-50 years for marriage. Who Is Romantic And Caring.

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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 Emeka, 54, in Lagos, needs an educated woman between 3235 years for a wife. 08118482541.

Ogbonna, 40, from Ebonyi, in Abuja, business man, needs a working class lady between 30-40 years for marriage.

09069054706.

Bukky, 32, employed, good looking, needs an employed/busi-

M

Y name is Celine and I am 35 years old. I reside in the Northern part of the country. I have a problem and my problem is that I just can’t stay with only one man. I got married five years ago and my husband is a very caring and loving man.

However, after these few years of marriage, I seem to have gotten tired of my husband and now I am desperately attracted to another man. I feel like cheating on my husband or even leaving him with our two children and eloping with the new man I fancy. How do I go about it?

Please tell me what to do.

ness woman of 40-65 years in Abuja. 07057749475.

Tony, in Lagos, needs a pretty, wealthy and nice looking sugar mummy for a serious hookup.

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CARTOON

From Celine.

Love Doctor’s advice: Dear Celine,

T

HIS is actually not acceptable. If you are after more than one relationship or can’t stay with only one man permanently, then don’t get married. You shouldn’t have got married in the first place.

Your partner might adore you more than anything in this world, but what happens when he or she finds out you have cheated, especially if you are the only person your partner has his or her eyes on? Put yourself in your partner’s position and feel what he or she would feel.

Even if you may be having issues in your marriage at the

moment, you can resolve these issues by taking the bull by the horns by having a serious discussion with your husband and adjusting your attitude where necessary. Running away from your problems won’t make your problems disappear. It will only make them worse.

Temptation is all around us but only weak people fall for it. It is people that cheat that make other people feel insecure in life.

However, one way to resolve this issue is for you to try to rekindle the love you have for your husband for the sake of your children.

That will help you to remain with your husband. However, if you know you can’t be faithful to your

husband, tell him, so that both of you can find an amicable way to dissolve the marriage. *Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Or call for help. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo. com Note: If you have fertility problems like childlessness, inability to conceive or get pregnant, miscarriages, fibroid, low sperm count, STDs, or need a male child or female? Call 08153536405, 08122352054. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/relationship.

Love Question of the Week: My name is Mariam. I have loved two guys before without sex and now I’m heartbroken. Can I ever love again?

Call Mariam via 08171847914.

35

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

It happened to me:

‘I carried a used condom inside my body’ M

AYBE the men I was sleeping with purchased the wrong size condoms; perhaps the sex was simply too drunk and too messy; or maybe my occasionally vindictive body just decided to have a three-week-long craving for Latex rubber.

Whatever the explanation, the result was that I walked around for 7 days unknowingly carrying a used condom in my vagina.

My first foray into condom hideand-seek was in early June, when I met Paul.

He was a visiting PhD student — Danish, attractive, witty and intelligent. We talked endlessly about the plight of modern Scandinavian social democracy, the American labour movement, dogs and Legos (overall, a high-rate date).

I liked him, and we had managed to talk without awkward silences through a few drinks. I began feeling lucky, and asked him to come over.

Shortly after my apartment door shut and locked, the two of us started having lively, consensual, protected genital-to-genital contact of the highest caliber.

Yet after awhile, he paused his heavy petting and breathlessly said, “I think the condom may have come off.”

My first reaction in this novel situation was not a worry over possible pregnancy. In addition to this temporarily sucked-up condom, my vagina permanently sports the Mirena IUD, so my condom usage is (gratefully) not primarily for birth control.

“I’ll see if I can find it,” I said, commencing a hopeless journey into my genitalia. It was no use. My vagina had become a rotating black hole, a gravitational force, sucking up the condom into its horizon and making it impossible to locate, much less retrieve.

“Do you want me to try?” Paul offered. I immediately agreed, and he began his own finger-led expedition into my innards.

His complete lack of sarcastic commentary on our odd circumstances was a grateful soundtrack. Within a few moments, Paul located the lost condom somewhere toward my cervix, deftly and gently removing the obstruction to our sexual engagement.

We grabbed another and continued, laughing only momentarily about the situation. I was filled with appreciation for his maturity.

This was the first time I had experienced this phenomenon, but it was not to be my last. Nor was it to be my most memorable.

A week later, I found myself on the path to sexual bliss once again with another man, Will.

Our experience was drowned considerably in alcohol; the sex was

more messy, more heedless and more sloshed than with Paul. But once again, in the midst of it all, I heard the familiar words, this time in a voice more panicked than the week prior.

“I think the condom is in you.”

In my inebriated state, I casually waved away any worry and slurred, “No problem. I got this under control.”

I was glad my words were accurate, because Will’s slightly horrified face portrayed to me he had no intention of offering to journey into the unknown himself.

After the condom was retrieved and hidden from Will’s still-terrified eyes, we proceeded without discussion.

I don’t remember how many condoms were slapped on during the rest of the night. But somewhere along the way, we must have lost count of just how many came back out.

The next weekend, amidst a raucous night of celebration on New York’s midsummer streets, I chatted with a tall Australian and eventually asked him out for a drink.

After determining his chances of killing me were low, I invited him to my place. Having (protected) sex, I was pleased to discover that this time, my vagina decided not to suck up any condoms; and, in accordance with the unwritten rules of post-coital manners, he began touching me with his fingers shortly after intercourse.

I laid back and let him explore until I heard him ask.

“Do you have a birth control device in?”

The question gave me pause. I re-

sponded, “Yes, I have an IUD in there.”

But I was suddenly perturbed.

My mind raced through the motions of the night; I felt sure that he had removed and disposed of the condom we had used.

Nevertheless, I pushed his hands away and wrapped up the evening, falling asleep after he left.

The next day, I felt jubilant despite my hangover, recalling the handsome man I had found on the streets and the pleasure we had experienced.

I had enjoyed myself immensely; but, something in the pit of my stomach felt raw. That question — “Do you have a birth control device in?” — unsettled me. I was overcome by an unthinkable thought.

Could I…would it be possible that… how long could I have gone…

Finally, I inserted an exploratory finger inside myself. Everything felt normal for a moment.

Then, my fingers brushed an unfamiliar ridge. I stiffened and moved in further. My fingers pressed down on something smooth, and I realized that I could grasp this smooth surface, that I could pull it and detach it from the inside of my vaginal wall. That it wasn’t a part of my body, but a material existent on its own.

I pulled carefully, until slowly, emerging from my vagina was an inexplicable but incontrovertible old, used condom.

My mind raced…until I knew. This condom was certain to have come from my evening with Will. Will, with whom I had had sex A WEEK prior.

What had I accomplished during those seven days? I imagined all the steps I had taken, all the meetings I had attended, all the emails I had written and Skype calls I had made.

How many times had I gone running, and sat cross-legged on public transportation, stretched out naked on my living room floor and sat not cross-legged on even more public transportation?

How many happy hours had I attended, and jokes had I told? How often had I cooked and cleaned, and texted my parents, unaware that the whole time, inside of me, my vagina was quietly munching on the used vestiges of my last sexual encounter?

Going through the mental B-roll of my week’s routine knowing I had been harboring a used condom inside me through all my daily activities made me hysterical with laughter.

I realized at that moment, I wasn’t ashamed; I wasn’t disgusted; I wasn’t feeling complete horror, because what was the point?

I had lived my daily existence, literally and obliviously carrying the baggage of my sexual life within me, and had functioned normally.

My body had done what my mind sometimes had difficulty doing: melded my sexual existence incontrovertibly into the rest of my life, making my socially acceptable and socially stigmatized sides congruous.

I proceeded to make myself a coffee and congratulate my body for outsmarting me.

36

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom

08162016410

What is marriage?

G

ENERALLY, marriage can be explained to be a union of a man and a woman, known in law to mean that they are husband and wife. Marriage is even recognized by our Creator, God, right from creation when, according to the Bible in the book of Genesis, God created the first man and woman. God tagged the woman as man’s helper. However, God didn’t stop after creating man and woman. He went further to create peace and harmony or orderliness and stability in the marriage by giving them a rule of what to do and prohibiting them on what not to do, which I will say here to be the foundation of the Laws of Marriage today.

Different Types of Marriage Under the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Some may classify the types of marriage in Nigeria to be of two types- Statutory Marriage and Customary Marriage. The Customary type of marriage may be seen as including Islamic Marriage. However, some classify the types of marriage in Nigeria into three different types, namely: (1) Statutory Marriage (2) Customary Marriage (3) Islamic Marriage.

However, for those of you who have legal questions concerning your marriage that have been causing you sleepless nights, feel free to send me your questions. Also don’t forget to learn from the different cases I will be treating every week. Book an appointment with your vendor every week for The Oracle Today newspaper!

Case 1: Can I inherit my husband’s property under Customary Law?

Case 2: Do I need to do a court marriage after a catholic wedding?

Dear Marriage & Probate Lawyer,

Dear Marriage & Probate Lawyer,

I

and my husband got married under Customary Law in Onitsha, Anambra state. As a wife, am I entitled to inherit any part of his property in future after he dies?

From Ujunwa, Onitsha.

From Chioma, Lagos.

Answer:

T

HE issue in this your case is the right of spouses. The general rule according to customary law is that a husband cannot inherit his deceased wife’s share of her family property. Also, a widow is not entitled to share in the property of the deceased husband.

An exception to this is where the widow had occupied an apartment during her lifetime, except where she has taken another husband (other than the brother of the deceased husband), in which case, she loses her right of occupation and may be asked to leave.

Also, you should note that this seemingly unfair practice exists by virtue of intestacy in customary law; whereby the devolution of property follows the blood.

Consequently, a wife or widow, not being of the blood, has no claim to any share.

An exception to this practice does exist: When a widow chooses to remain in her husband’s house; and in his name, she can do so even if she has no children.

This is to ensure her maintenance. Al-

I

wedded in the Catholic Church in October 2016. I want to know if my marriage in the Catholic Church is a legal marriage. Or do I have to go to court and wed a second time? Please reply fast because I’m really bothered about it, since somebody recently told me that my marriage in the Catholic Church might not be legal. Thanks.

though she cannot transfer any of her deceased husband’s property outright, if her husband’s family fail to maintain her, then she has a qualified right to let out part of the house to tenants and use the rent to maintain herself.

In one instance, a widow remained with her only daughter in occupation of her late husband’s house at Onitsha. She renovated the house and let part of it to tenants from whom she collected rent, and in all other respects treated the house as her own for 44 years. Upon her death, she devised it by Will. The bequest was ruled void against her husband’s relations on the principle of nemo dat quod non habet.

Nemo dat quod non habet is a Latin phrase which literally means “no one can give what he does not have.”

Regarding antenuptial property, the general rule is that such property remains property of the wife except it is mixed with the property acquired during overture - that is where the wife is predeceased by the husband and all her children will go to her husband’s relatives.

Answer:

A

Catholic marriage is a monogamous one like the court. The only difference is that the Catholic Church insists that its members must be married in accordance with the rites of the Church.

As long as your parish priest or catechist directed you to obtain a license from the marriage registry from the local government secretariat near you and due process was followed before and after your wedding, you have no problem, because it is a legal or Statutory Marriage. Also, if your priest issued you a Certificate of Marriage in Form E of the First Schedule in accordance with the Marriage Act immediately after your marriage on your wedding day, it means that your marriage is a legal marriage.

Therefore, you need not go to court for a second wedding.

A church marriage certificate is not sufficient until it follows the order of form E as stipulated by the Marriage Act. Therefore a church wedding becomes valid as a legal

marriage if the place of worship is a licensed place and if the certificate of marriage issued to you is in the pattern of the Form E. Another question is: Were you given a copy of your certificate of marriage and told to deliver it to the marriage registrar at the marriage registry at the local government office nearest to you which initially gave you the license to wed, and did you deliver it within the stipulated time frame? If you followed due process, then it means that your marriage in the Catholic Church is legal.

The fact is that once you are wedded in any of the Orthodox Churches particularly Catholic or Anglican, you are issued a certificate of marriage which is the same as that issued by the Court registry so you do not need to do another marriage in the Marriage Registry unless you wish to. The Orthodox churches are licensed places of worship.

Your marriage certificate will be that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pursuant to the Marriage Act, that is, in Form E, not that of the name of a church.

*Do you have problems or questions bothering your mind, or seek clarification on legal issues concerning your marriage, deceased spouse or probate matters? Contact the Marriage & Probate Lawyer via 08162016410 or 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

My Love & Life

37

To love a C

hange is constant and people change. If you love someone based on who they are now, the near future may present you with surprises, unpleasant ones. How else do you explain the situation of several woman and men out there who have to live with the knowledge that their spouses are either criminals or engaged in some form of nefarious activity. Many who are in this fix are caught in the middle, not knowing how to make them stop yet can’t contemplate reporting to the authorities nor leaving them, Chioma is one of those.

She had known about his activities for all the ten years they were together. But he wasn’t always that way.

Chioma had married him when he was only trying to put his life in order. He was a God loving and optimistic young man. And then after a while the long awaited miracle happened. He told a well conjectured story about a contract job that just popped up and she of course bought it.

It was however the strange calls and lifestyle changes that later caught her attention.

She could tell that there was more to the new status than what’s seen, time to ask questions. Surprisingly, he was on the offensive, kept on about the fact that what’s most important is that he can now provide for his family, that how he does it is no body’s headache.

She thought about all possible ways of getting him to stop but how could she without having them take away the father of her kids. And he had already threatened her life once if she ever told. The vicious look in his eyes that day still sends shocks down her spine.

Then came the black day when her husband was gunned down during an ill fated operation. Now helpless, traumatised and consumed in self pity, saddled with the task of raising three children all alone, she thinks there was a better way out just that she never took it.

This story came to mind in the wake of the confessions and counter confessions by the recently nabbed king of kidnappers, Evans and his wife, Uchenna. While the husband earlier claimed that his wife was infact an accomplice, she mantains that she had no knowledge of his criminal activities.

I have stopped asking if she knew or not as that’s not the main issue. In my experience dealing with matters of the heart, I found that when the heart is involved, the head is on break. Only a few women will stay with a man for a long time without knowing what he does for a living, those ones who never notice are either plain dumb or not paying enough attention. It’s given that some may not know exactly what it is but they can smell the nature of it.

For all I care, Evans wife may have very

Criminal

“The reality is that most are staying with their criminal spouses, either hoping they change or just indifferent. I know of some cases where the other partner couldn’t take it and left though. Now, leaving a partner on account of their involvement in crime appears to be what many would rather do instead of reporting them but how safe is that?”

well known but only denying it now in the interest of her five children who may have to grow up without both parents if she has to go in for it too.

The reality is that most are staying with their criminal spouses, either hoping they change or just indifferent. I know of some cases where the other partner couldn’t take it and left though. Now, leaving a partner on account of their involvement in crime appears to be what many would rather do instead of reporting them but how safe is that? An abandoned spouse who knows why you left is boiling over on two accounts, abandonment and fear of being reported? Such a person may opt to silence his ex who he now sees as a threat.

The least favored option is to report to security operatives, I’m not sure if anyone would do that though except in extreme cases where the violence knows no kin. But here’s a good reason why you should probably report.

You can actually cut down the scale of atrocities if you report, thereby saving your spouse from the death penalty.

But when you do report, maintain anonymity in the best interest of the family, since all you want to do is to stop them from wrecking further havoc.

I know a young man who never knew his dad. The father was killed during an operation with his gang when his wife was pregnant many years ago. The same boy, only son, grew up to be a vicious criminal, last I heard, he was in prison. So, in making the huge sacrifice of turning in a dangerous spouse,you could be saving your children from going down the same bad road in the future. To love a criminal is to aid the act.

You will never be a victim of the same vices you decry, do the right thing.

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

My grass to grace story

–Denrele Edun O

nce upon a time, comic, Denrele Edun had had to fight tooth to claw to gain acceptance and despite the odds, today, he is the most sought after red carpet show host in Nigeria and has his own programme on Channel O while Fox TV is planning a Denrele themed TV programme. In this chat with Oracle Today, Denrele opened up on how he found his groove and marriage.

“There is something that I always say,” Denrele begins, going down memory lane, “Everybody is gifted but a lot of people have not discovered themselves. I discovered myself a long time ago.

“Back then there was no social media so it was very challenging because the controversy was right in my face. I had people walk up to me and tell me straight in the face that I was a bad person and I should stop all the nonsense I was doing.

“There was nothing I did not face. I would go into a church and the pastor would starts preaching against me and eventually, I was excommunicated from church. In school my lecturers walked me out of class. I had it up front and it was confrontational and no matter how, one will be led to have suicidal thoughts. It is normal.

“At a point I was tired and I was like ‘but I am not stepping on anybody toes. I am just trying to build an identity for myself. What the hell is going on? Why can’t people just accept me? But today I am standing here and all the negative vibe I was getting has now turned into positivity. In the end it paid-off. It was a long journey, a hurdle I had to cross.”

Discouraged “Too many times when it was really lonely I was discouraged and felt like quitting. I had so many doors slammed in my face. I was the only presenter that did not have a show and I was earning the least. Some were earning between a N100, 000 and N120, 000 and I was earning between N35, 000 to N45, 000.

And then they told me if you work well, we will give you N65, 000 so I worked very hard and I made SoundCity synonymous with my name to the extent that from N35, 000, I was earning N100, 000 and then it rose to N200, 000. I was relegated to the background. I was like their errand boy Turning point Despite the odds, things began to look brighter at SoundCity. Recalling his turning point, Denrele continues: “I was the only presenter that got an official car because they started to see what I was trying to project and then the brands came scrambling and everybody was like ‘if it is not Denrele handling our red carpet, if it is not Denrele handling our event, it should not be anybody at all.’ And. “Fast forward to when I left SoundCity and everybody was wondering what I was going to do next and then

• Denrele Edun Channel O came calling and gave me my own show. I wanted something that was quintessentially Nigerian.

Above all of this, underneath all of this, the exterior, the hype, the fashion, the madness, the avant guarde, trust me I am 100 per cent representing naija and I know where I am coming from, I know my roots. I started out in the industry in 1995 and I am grateful to God for the consistency and visibility I have to date. Something new always comes up.”

Marriage Denrele is not getting any younger.

Isn’t he planning to settle down any time soon? “Omo, we go marry o but I still de hustle my hustle o. I still de ginger the ginger but you know

what, that time will come and again, a lot of people are wondering, who is he going to marry? Na man abi na woman? On that, Nigerians shall find out who I want to marry. Whether na same gender or different gender una go know (laughter).

“I mean I can’t wait to have kids, I love kids. It is something I am still looking for. I am still single and searching and ready to mingle.”

Are you a female fan of Denrele?

Are you heard over heels in love with him? You just might be his ideal partner. Hear him: “I am, looking for somebody who understands my true essence, somebody who when I talk will not always be saying yes person.

Somebody who can flow with me and make me laugh and then we can

both go to the salon together to do our hair and she is not wondering ‘what the f**k is going on. I am talking about somebody whom if she is wearing high heels and I am wearing my high heels too she won’t be bothered.”

Happiest moment “There have been so many. One was when CNN did a feature story on me. That story ran for almost a month. I don’t think anybody’s CNN feature has run for more than a week. CNN had been calling me that they wanted to do CNN African Voices and Feature Edition for CNN International and I was like ‘what kind of prank was this? They chased me around for a week.”

39

The Oracle Today Wednesda June 28, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Casanovas inspired Agaracha –Jenny O I

n 2007, the music act known as Jenny O hit the Nigerian music scene with her debut single, Yepirapira, which earned her relative success. However, she took a break to hone her skills in TV presenting and also released a couple of singles including Take it away, Follow U Go, and Shomara to mention a few. Today she is back to her first love with the release of her latest single, Agaracha.

You are a TV presenter and an artiste.

How do you combine both worlds?

It’s been tasking juggling being a TV presenter and an artiste but I have found a way to balance the two. Since they are intertwined it hasn’t been so difficult. I’m passionate about the two and I try to ensure they both don’t clash.

How did you stumble on TV preventing?

It has always been a dream to be a singer. I love to express myself through music.

Music helps me find my inner self and connect with people. I didn’t stumble on TV presenting, it is something I have always known I wanted to do because I know I have the voice and I have an endearing and relatable personality. I started my sojourn into broadcasting in 2007 same year I came into music but I took a break to harness my skills as a presenter, voiceover artiste, writer and producer.

At what age did you discover you were cut out for TV? At 16 I started figuring I had the skills which were natural as a couple of my friends began telling me I had an amazing voice so I recorded my voice and listened and I was impressed. I wrote my first song in 2007 and it was titled Yepirapira.

I heard about Casanovas. You know the chop and go kind of guys so I felt the need to touch on that grey area as most times we often emphasis on a boy loving a girl and what not. I sing about what I see in my immediate environment like love, life, dreams and the list goes on.

What inspired Agaracha and what do you generally sing about?

Agaracha was inspired by a few stories

Who are your influences?

I love Beyoncé, Adele, Jhene Aiko, Torri Kelly and Celione Dion to name a few.

As a new kid on d block, what are your challenges?

I don’t see the challenges. I work hard to surmount them. But I feel there is a lot that can be done to help young singers.

What are your dreams?

I see myself being at par with international acts, representing Nigeria on a global scale, winning awards locally and globally, collaborating with big international acts and churning out timeless songs.

AY, is this a publicity stunt?

E

arlier in the week, comedy buffs woke up to receive the news that AY’s wife, Mabel, had called out Freda asking her to stay of her man and her family.

Reports say the reason for this was a steamy watsapp chat AY had with Freda a while ago.

However, when contacted by an online platform, rather than deny the reports, AY had used the opportunity to stoke the fire by dismissing the issue and talking about his latest movie, SunCity.

“And so if I impregnated Freda, is it something new? Because most of these celebs cover up? That na why you think say people never hear dis kain thing before. So what if na me give am belle? Abeg abeg! Na today?”

“Leave my wife for me abeg. Na me get my thing. My wife put something for Instagram, all of una dey kolo. I don see my name for every blog wey dey dis country since morning.Everywhere I turn, na AY this, Freda that. Una no even shout on top my upcoming film like this.

However, sources say Alibaba’s wife has waded into the crisis and the father of the baby is not AY but a Delta State-born America based guy named Alex who is thoroughly embarrassed by the rumour over his baby.

AY’s latest movie, 10 days in SunCity, will hit cinemas across Nigeria on June 23. His debut movie, 30 days in Atlanta grossed over N300m.

Little wonder, everybody is asking the question ‘is this not just another publicity stunt?’ AY over to you.

• AY and Freda

Echoes of June 12 as COSON honours MKO Abiola

I

keja, Lagos, came to a standstill on Monday, June 12, as dignitaries thronged COSON House, located on Oluwaleimu Street, Ikeja, Lagos, to mark this year’s June 12 celebrations which encompassed a lecture themed: June 12 and the Lessons of History, which had journalist and Publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu as guest speaker. It also coincided with the birthday celebration of TOPS First Lady, KASI, the June 12 Girl as she added another year.

Speaking, the Ovation publisher revealed that Nigeria is run by a mafia who decide who rules the country. Momodu added that these men were not happy that Chief Abiola had won the elections without their support, and that was the genesis of the June 12 problem.

Bashorun Dele Momodu described the late politician as a philanthropist, noting that it was his dream to use Nigeria’s wealth to eliminate suffering in the country. Bashorun Momodu went on to site an example of how Chief MKO Abiola who was extremely passionate about the country donated N30 million to 30 Federal Universities in a day.

Bashorun Momodu also recounted his last discussion on phone with Chief MKO Abiola, and how he and the Chief’s daughter had planned to issue a statement on July 7, 1998, the same day Chief Abiola passed on.

Concluding, Momodu declared that he believes the time is right to document his June 12 story in a book as the June 12 story will not be complete without detailing the events that happened to Chief Abiola during his imprisonment.

Guests included Professor Egerton Uvieghara, Ken Calebs Olumese, Emeka Oparah, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Ayo Animashaun, Mayor Akinpelu, Sir Azuh Arinze, Tony Onyima, Dr Austin Izagbo and Femi Akintunde Johnson among a host of others.

Social media agog as charley Boy celebrates Diana

E

ccentric, Charley Boy is heating up Social media following an emotional note he penned to his wife of over 30 years, Lady Di on social media.

In the post which has since gone viral, Charley Boy declared: “You are one of the things I got right in my life. I trust that our togetherness over the years has thought some people about perseverance, tolerance discipline and friendship, though our marriage has not been a bed of roses, we have managed to stay loyal to each other. I have been your soldier protecting this fragile thing called marriage. E-or easy-ooo. Now we know that marriage isn’t about how compatible couples are but how they deal with incompatibility. If nor be you na who? Your loyal mugu.

As soon as the post came up it attracted hundreds of comments with some heaping praises on charley Boy while others mocked him that it was just an attempt to flatter his wife.

Reacting, a fan, obviously shocked that Charley Boy had a wife said: “I thought he was gay.” However, a fan reacted: “No, he’s been married to that woman for over 30 years. For Chinny: “Your wife is one of the strongest on earth because it takes a strong woman to marry a man like Charley Boy who has initiated her into this demonic kingdom. God have mercy.

However, Tynna_Cool had this to say: “This is deep. Another fan posted: “Nice one areafada, grabdpa Charliepapa, God bless your home.”

“Actually, this is the only good thing he has done,” said more_vera.

Lambrainy wrapped it all up by saying “all men are mugu but Baba Charley is the most loyal.”

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

POLITICSXtra

The fight to keep Nigeria one was not worth it –Gen. Akinrinade

By OMOTAYO YUSUF (Compiled by Nnamdi Alex Chukwu from Agency Reports)

G

ENERAL Ipoola Alani Akinrinade said the current Nigeria structure makes the attempt the country united futile.

He insisted the country needs to be restructured. The Biafra war veteran said the fight against corruption was following the wrong direction.

General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade has said that the fight to keep Nigeria as a single country is futile and that the Igbos agitating for Biafra should be allowed to go. The Biafra war veteran said although he still believes a true Federal system is good for the country, the current structure made the war to keep the country as one looked futile.

He said: “Good, you allow people to make choices. And you also said it is good to allow people decide their fate. This present agitation by the Igbos, garbed in the Biafra movement, in retrospect, wouldn’t we now begin to admit that the fight to keep Nigeria one, based on contemporary realities, was futile, a fool’s errand, that was not worth it? Those ideals that people had, in keeping the nation one, appear to have been thrown out of the window.

“Well, I think as far back as the early 1980s, I’d alluded to the fact that it is still possible to keep a country like Nigeria one. I still have that belief. “Maybe because some of us have served everywhere and we have friends everywhere and we talk and discuss and share views.

As far back as 1983 when I went to Ife to deliver a lecture, I suggested that we would do much better with a confederation. There were quite a number of things I also said there. Because, there, I made it clear that the way free education was being continued, it was not going to survive or give quality education, that it needed remodelling. Those who had made good and were expected to pay back to society were still hinging their hopes on free education.

That was not fair. When you have benefitted and can afford to offer at least 20 scholarships, you still want to keep your wealth made through free education and you want your children to also participate? On top of that, you add bursary. Are you going to give bursary to children of people in my social category? It would be unfair on the farmers and those in dire need of the bursary.

So, because my father married five women, I should now marry six because I appear to be a bit more comfortable? The society will not grow like that. Somebody has to apply the brakes and fine tune things. “I believe a confederal system is more manageable. “When the people are pushed and there is no other way, we would become reasonable because what is going on now, the governance structure, cannot continue forever.”

On the issue of corruption and its

.Gen Akinrinade (rtd) fight, general Akinrinade said the current method would not work as the structure of the country breed corruption. “It is simply because we are poorly organised. That is not the fault of Buhari. But it will be his fault if he

did nothing about it. So, this idea of shying away from a wholesale look at how we are organised for these tasks ahead, simply because it is tedious and difficult, then we are not serious.

“Let me tell you what breeds cor-

‘

Good, you allow people to make choices. And you also said it is good to allow people decide their fate.

This present agitation by the Igbos, garbed in the Biafra movement, in retrospect, wouldn’t we now begin to admit that the fight to keep Nigeria one, based on contemporary realities, was futile, a fool’s errand, that was not worth it? Those ideals that people had, in keeping the nation one, appear to have been thrown out of the window

‘

ruption: You cannot, for instance, as minister of agriculture, sit in Abuja, and ask people to apply for or show interest in a scheme like ranching. Do you know how big Nigeria is? Are you going to start driving round Nigeria to inspect?

This is just one of the things open to abuse. Just last week, a young man came to meet me in the farm and asked to be assisted with a tractor to work on a farm land; that he had just gotten approval for a N30,000 per month allocation – a Federal Government scheme. He said his wife too applied and got.

So, if they had a grown up child, that, too, will benefit. I tried assisting him but I told him it would be better if I helped him negotiate with the owner of the tractor that was being used on my farm. I was interested in helping him; so I took him in my car to the owner’s place. When we got to the owner’s place, that one requested to see the farm; and I was still prepared to help drive him to that farm so he could show it to us.

It was then he said we should give him some few more days so that the farmland he wants to use would be made available – by the original owners.

“Now, the point I’m trying to make about corruption and the way we are organised is that you say you want to give people money to farm for a year or two – N30,000 per month – yet you sit in Abuja. How many people like him do we have in the country?

How many more people’s names would be added who are not even existing. That is how government allows the system to become corrupt. The remoteness of government to the people breeds things like this and it fits into the issue of restructuring. Beautiful idea no doubt.

But the system you are using has failed from the beginning. You have an outfit called SUBEB; it is based in Abuja. So they say they must have branches in every state. What are they doing? They are supposed to be building schools, primary schools-o, in every state. Why should that be?

This is money coming from the purse of all of us. “Let the local people have the money and do the thing the best way that suits them. That is the nexus between restructuring and corruption – not that corruption will disappear when we restructure, but these avenues of muddling things up would be reduced.

Why must the Federal Government come and build primary school in my village? Why? There is a local government and a state government, yet you want to come and do it from Abuja.

Or, that state should bring some money and then Federal Government will bring some money. We do not have an effective mechanism to monitor such. It will be and it is open to abuse.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Quit notice: Hausa, Igbo leaders in Calabar flay Northern Youths From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar LEADER of the Hausa-Fulani Muslim Committee in Cross River State, Sarki Salisu Abba Lawan, has denounced the call by Hausa youths on the Igbos to vacate the north within twelve months and affirmed that Nigerians are free and can go anywhere to settle.

Sarki Lawan, who is also a Universal Ambassador of Peace, debunked the allegation in certain quarters that as a result of the call, the Hausa-Fulani community in Calabar are leaving in droves.

“In Nigeria, even if you are not a native, you are free to go anywhere.

The issue of Biafra is over 50 years now and is a foregone issue. The Igbos came out on their own and demanded for a nation. I called our leaders in Owerri and Onitsha and we were told that no one should come out. They asked about Calabar and I told them that there is no problem whatsoever. People are doing their businesses and we are staying in peace.

“I saw in a paper that our people are relocating and I told them no, that is not happening in Cross River State. It was the mobilization of

Igbos in the Northern States that caused our brothers to call for their relocation”, he said.

He also disclosed that the constitution does not prevent any Nigerian from going anywhere. The call by northern youths for relocation, according to him, was of no consequence because the youths are not the Nigerian government.

According to him, “it is only the Federal Government of Nigeria that has such right and should decide this, likewise the Senate, House of Representatives and the security agencies.

This call is against the law and everyone should be law-abiding.”

On his part, the President General of Igbo Community in Calabar, Chief Albert Enya, sees the call as laughable. To him, the Hausas cannot call for relocation when they know that without the Igbos, nothing happens in the economy. If they feel that oil wells will make them rich, they are not correct because without enterprise, you cannot be successful.

Chief Enya affirmed that 80% of the businesses up north are done by the Igbos and that if they leave the north, the north would have to come down south to buy goods or import it themselves.

“The demand for Biafra is right be-

Fear as police free suspected kidnappers From EMMANUEL OGOIBE, Warri TWO suspected kidnappers nabbed by the combined team of Igbe Ogume vigilante and Obodugwa Ogume vigilante in Ndokwa West Local Government Area and handed over to the police have been set free.

The suspects were Ndu Osakwe and Odishika Ossai both from Obodugwa Ogume.

Osakwe and Ossai were nabbed on Sunday April 30, 2017 following a tip-off while their accomplice, Elvis Isu, escaped with gunshot wounds.

The vigilante groups of the two communities combed the Amede farmland of Igbe Ogume and discovered the hideout the suspects had established. None of the suspects were found when they got there but they discovered two tents and a place where they tortured their victims.

Other items found at the base were shoes, gowns, skirts, blouses, handbags, weavons, 12 cartons of noodles, one bag of rice, yams, 40 toilet soaps, provisions, food flask and jerry cans.

Also found were a wheelbarrow with which they transported their victims to the bush so as not to leave trace of footsteps, freshly made stew, egusi soup, pepper soup, banga soup, owho soup prepared with goat meat, fresh fish and grass cutter, smoked meat and fish among other items.

At the hideout, the vigilante groups wondered whether the suspects were from neighbouring Emu Ebendo community and therefore concluded to send a party to Emu Ebendo. However, they decided to first report at the police station at Abbi even as they collected some of the items found as evidence.

Not too long after getting home preparatory to go to the police station, they received a distress call from the farmland and were informed that three of the suspects met the duo of Gold Iwenji and Azuka Omolu and threatened to kill them with a locally made pistol for nearing their camp and collecting their items. Before leaving them, they asked them to pass a message to Igbe Ogume community to prepare for war as they were going to make the area unsafe for them.

Upon receiving the distress call, the vigilante groups mobilised to the camp and when the suspected kidnappers sighted them, they opened fire at them leading to exchange of gunfire. The leader of the group, Elvis Isu, who sensed danger, quietly escaped while his two accomplices were apprehended with gunshot wounds and immediately taken to the police station at Abbi.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Abbi Police Station praised the effort of the vigilante groups and mobilized his men to the scene. When they got there, they took some items found at the scene before taking the suspects to Asaba.

• From Left: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; his Deputy, Barr Kingsley Otuaro; and his wife, Engr. Ebi Otuaro, at the 50th Birthday celebration of the Zonal Director, Pastor Siji Dara of the Christ Embassy in Warri.

cause we are being marginalized. It is not a threat but a demand. We need to sit on a round table and discuss because the demand is legitimate.

With a roundtable discussion, there will be stability in the nation,” he added.

Also speaking, the immediate past President of Igbo community in Cross River and former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Cross River State, Barr. Fidelis Onyebueke, sees the call as being a “normal reaction of youths particularly uninformed youths who are normally used by disgruntled elements in the society.

“I am happy that all the governors from the 19 northern states have condemned the actions of the youths. The fact that few individuals from the South East are clamouring for Biafra Republic is not a basis to give the entire Igbos quit notice from the North.

“Igbos living in the North are not demanding for secession otherwise they would not have been living in the North up till now. What the Igbos want is to have a sense of belonging and they are not begging for it because Igbos are part of Nigeria and are entitled to share from the resources of this country.

“I’m in support of Igbos benefiting from the resources of this country in terms of employment and creation of one more state in the South East.

These are what the Igbos need at this stage. I condemn in its entirety the notice to quit given to Igbos in the north. It is not constitutional and not supported by any law”, he submitted.

Cleric tasks fathers to model their life after Christ C/River assembly From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa AS Christian fathers in the various denominations celebrated the Fathers’ Day, Very Reverend Father James Morkor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ovom, Yenagoa, has charged them to model their lives after the example of Jesus Christ and God the creator.

The clergy who is the priest in charge of the parish gave the charge in an interview with The Oracle Today shortly after celebrating a Holy Mass to mark the feast of the Eucharist and the Fathers’ Day of members of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of the church.

“For God to continue creation, He had to bring fathers into existence from the beginning. Without the fathers, the continuous creation of human beings will not be there. So it’s good to celebrate fathers.

“Apart from that, the fathers’ image resembles that of the Father in heaven.

So as we are celebrating the Fathers’ Day, we are also remembering that God is the father and that is also a challenge

to them that while we rejoice with them, they should model their lives in the various families they come from after the image of the Father; that they may remember who they are and fulfil their obligations in the family as true Christian fathers for that matter”, the cleric said.

The president of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of the church, Prince Leonard Okoye, described the fathers as the pillars of the church, hence the need to set aside a day to celebrate them.

He however regretted that a lot of fathers are shying away from joining the CMO because of levies and dues they might be asked to pay.

The president said as a way to bring down the burden of levies on members, his administration intended to buy land and set up an income generating venture so that proceeds from such venture could be used to run the organization.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Planning Committee of the Fathers’ Day,

Chief Polycarp Udeafor, said the celebration was aimed at redirecting the spirit of fathers to the things of God and re-orientating them on their responsibilities in their families.

Renowned newspaper distributor in the state and Secretary of the Planning Committee, Chief Alaka Shedrack Oko, who said the spirit of God directed him to leave the church where he was worshipping for the Catholic Church, expressed happiness that he had found a “spirit-filled place” to serve God. He urged fathers to stand up to their responsibilities in their various homes, stating that a home without a father is always like a “leaking roof”.

“Fathers should know their role as a father. Any man who is not handling his family very well is not a father, and any man who cannot control his wife and children is not a father. The father must ensure order always”, he argued.

High points of the celebration included cultural dance by the Igba Ndieze of the CMO, question and answers by couples and refreshments.

PDP ends factional leadership at Otibio ward ...receives 200 APC, LP defectors From EMMANUEL OGOIBE, Warri

P

EOPLE’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Otibio Ward, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, recently witnessed the collapse of factional leadership and consequent uniting of the party under one leadership.

This is just as over 200 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Labour Party defected to PDP in the ward.

Prince Godwin Ogorugba, PDP Chairman, Isoko North, who was the convener of the event, expressed delight over the “thinking back” philosophy of those returning from

other parties and the factional executive, noting that PDP as a party had structures on ground to take care of everybody.

He called on party members at all levels to work towards the victory of the party as one big happy family, while assuring the collapsed factional executive and the new comers of accommodation in leadership position to ensure that all grievances are buried to achieve a common goal.

Ogorugba enjoined members to shun anti-party activities just as he sued for oneness and called for reconciliation, saying: “We need not to encourage factions, those avoiding PDP due to one excuse cum griev-

ance or the other should come back as victory is sure for the party in all elections and as such the need to remain focus is paramount.”

Okpoho Isreal and Okih Edegware, formerly of APC, disclosed that they left APC for PDP because APC was dead, just as Etakibuebu Edwin and Odhudhu Isaac, former members of the factional executive, said their actions were targeted at getting attention and addressing the issue of negligence.

They added that their coming back was for the progress of the party even as Emiowhe Samuel said that he brought seven persons from the other parties to join the PDP train in the ward.

investigates killing of students From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

CROSS River State House of Assembly has set up a committee headed by Hon. Matthew Olory to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the shooting of students during the last children’s day celebration in Calabar.

This follows a motion of urgent public interest brought before it by the member representing Boki II State Constituency, Hon. Hillary Ekpang Bissong.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo, charged them to invite all relevant persons including the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

In addition, the heads of all security agencies in the state, Students’ Union Governments heads of CRUTECH, UNICAL and the State College of Health Technology, Calabar, youth groups, National Youth Service Corps members and all recognized youth associations in the state were also expected to appear before the committee.

In a related development, the House had set up a joint Committee of Health and Local Government Affairs to be chaired by Mrs Regina Anyogor, the member representing Yala I. The committee was empowered to investigate the alleged diversion of the materials meant for the displaced people of Bakassi Local Government Area.

This followed the public spat by stakeholders of the area and public outcry that had trailed the alleged diversion of the materials.

All relevant stakeholders including the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. John Inaku, were expected to appear before the committee.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

NEWS

Separatist agitations: Adopt dialogue not repression – Nwabueze ...calls for truth commission From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja NIGERIA’s foremost constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, has advocated the use of dialogue as against repression in addressing separatist agitations that had engulf the nation in the past few weeks.

Nwabueze stated this while speaking at the public presentation of his book “Save Our Constitutional Democracy From Emasculation” at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

While also commending the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, for taking proactive action to address agitations and hate campaigns, recommended the immediate constitution of a truth and reconciliation commission as had been done by some 23 other countries with

experience similar to that of Nigeria, as a panacea for the current challenges.

He however advised the Acting President to do more. “He needs to persuade his boss, President Buhari, to withdraw his opposition to restructuring of the federation into six more or less self governing regions or zones, with powers of the central government drastically reduced, so as to diminish the fierce contest for its control.”

He noted that from adolescence, he had “always had an abiding wish which, over the years since then, has become one of the passions of my life, namely, preservation of the corporate existence of Nigeria as one country, comprising over 300 ethnic nationalities, but coalesced and nurtured into one nation.”

He noted that the book would be

From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

his “final contribution to (solving) the problems of the country” after having written over 34 of such books and several other publication on how to deal with deficiency of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.

While noting that the judiciary had failed the nation, Professor Nwabueze called on the National Assembly to take up the mantle and rescue democracy through enactment of appropriate laws.

The Speaker of House of Representatives and Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in his opening remarks, said the executive arm of government had undermined other arms via the control of public funds.

He noted that democracy would continue to suffer as long at the other arms depend on the executive for sustenance.

“Who is best suited to save our democracy from danger? ... The president controls the purse, the judiciary panders to the chief executive because they control the resources.”

Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo called on Nigerians to always celebrate achievers while they are still alive rather than wait for them to depart this world before naming edifices after them Former Governor of Rivers, Chief Celestine Omehia, commended Professor Nwabueze for his contributions to the growth and development of constitutional democracy in the Commonwealth community, noting that his writing would continue to be valued by generations after him.

The book was reviewed by Professor Dakas C. J. Dakas, SAN, of the University of Jos.

Landlords in trouble over conversion of houses to shops From DANIEL MADUAGWU, Umuahia LANDLORDS in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State who converted their residential buildings to commercial centres have been warned to revert to the original plans or risk heavy sanction.

This warning was given by the Chairman of Umuahia North LGA, Hon Chidiebere Nwachukwu, while reviewing the infrastructural condition of the state municipal centre.

Nwachukwu, who frowned at the illegal manner some landlords were converting their residential houses to shopping centres, threatened to deal with any landlord who goes against the master plan of the town.

The council Chairman also reiterated that the law to maintain sanitary lanes was still in place.

He ordered the land owners or occupants who had erected illegal projections in front of residential houses to remove them, as according to him, they were not authorized to do so.

The council boss maintained that his administration would transform the look of Umuahia capital city in line with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s development vision.

Nwachukwu’s warning may not be unconnected with the swift increase in number of residential houses in the city which the owners had either rented out to traders as business centres or had been converted to warehouses, contrary to original land certificates.

The warning could also be traced to the outcry by some concerned citizens that sanitary lanes of houses in the city had been abridged by landlords and tenants to create shops, which could cause flood disaster or undermine the city’s beauty.

Meanwhile, Abia State Board of Internal revenue has sealed 10 houses in Aba for their owners’ failure to pay necessary taxes.

This was disclosed by the chairman of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Udochukwu Ogbonna.

Ogbonna stated that seven of the houses were sealed at Ehi while three were sealed at Dan Fodio Street, both in Aba.

Publishers to Okorocha’s CPS: Face your N2bn libel suit

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, laying the foundation stone of the permanent site of No 54 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Aguleri, Anambra State. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

N

EWSPAPER publishers in Imo State under the umbrella of the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association (INPA) has called on the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, to face the N2bn libel suit instituted against him by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim following articles the former governor considered libelous.

In a press release by INPA signed by the chairman, Elder Lambert Ojukwu, and the Secretary, Elder Chukwuemeka Ike, the publishers said the former governor went to court against Okorocha’s CPS because in his “attempt to reply Ohakim’s letter to his boss the Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha went off the track by accusing or alleging that Chief Ikedi Ohakim had beaten or assaulted a reverend father during his tenure as Imo state Governor, a report which the former Governor considered to be slanderous, scandalous and libelous against his reputation by Mr. Onwuamaedo.”

The publishers said that instead of whipping up baseless sentiments, the CPS should face his case in court and leave them out of it. “We however dissociate ourselves individually and collectively and once again reinstate our total neutrality on the matter. We therefore ask Mr Sam Onwuamaedo to go and defend himself in court and stop dragging the name of Imo publishers into his private matter with Ohakim. He who obstructs the beehive should endure the stings of the bees.”

They also berated Okorocha’s CPS for being in the habit of insulting elders in the state whenever they raised cogent issues with the governor, describing such habit as unfortunate.

“It is very unfortunate that Onwuamaedo is usually in this habit of insulting, abusing and maligning very respected personalities and institutions in the state any time they raise salient issues or criticize the Governor. He has repeatedly done this to Archbishop AJV Obinna, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Imo Pensioners, INPA, Imo workers just to mention but a few.

No quality CPS that is worth his salt will ply this inglorious route just to defend his master. There is no other way to de-market a Governor than this”, they said.

I have forgiven you, Eze Ilomuanya tells Okorocha From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri CHAIRMAN of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, has declared that he has forgiven the Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for what he described as his aggressions against him.

Eze Ilomuanya, who had won nine court cases against the governor, also pleaded with the Igbo not to react hastily to the threat by Arewa Youths to eject the Igbo from the north

by October 1, 2017, in the interest of national unity and cohesion.

Speaking in his Palace Extension in Owerri, shortly after receiving the “Distinguished Royal Father Award” for ex-

emplary leadership and conducts, from a media group, Association for Media and Communication Development, Eze Ilomuanya, explained that Okorocha engaged in “error of hubris which led him to indulge in so many unlawful actions including ordering the invasion of my residence in Owerri by government thugs, attempting to dethrone me and the Kangaroo dissolution of the State Council of Traditional Rulers under my Chairmanship”.

He said that since the courts have reversed all these unlawful actions, there was no need to continue harbouring bitterness against the governor. “I still regard him as my brother and friend. Power could be misused especially when incompetent advisers are hover-

ing everywhere.”

The monarch, who is the Obi of Obinugwu, also appealed to Igbos to allow Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders to find a way of peacefully resolving the tension created by the Arewa Youths’ threat against Igbos. The situation, he stated, called for caution on the part of everybody even as he condemned the northern youths for making such reckless statements.

He thanked the leadership of the media group led by its President and former National Vice Chairman (Zone C) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Onyebuchi Okoronkwo, for the award. He stated that he was dedicating the award to God, rule of law, equity and justice, pointing out

that being the first traditional ruler to be honoured by the group since its establishment in 2005 was heartwarming.

Earlier, Comrade Okoronkwo averred that Eze Ilomuanya was chosen for the award because of the “panache, impetus and honour” he had brought to the royal institution in the South-East. He described the monarch as “a bridge builder who opened the doors of interethnic relationship between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria”, stressing that as a media-friendly monarch, the media practitioners regarded him as “a detribalized Nigerian, whose legacies in the growth and development of Igbo traditional institution remain a source of pride to Igbos.”

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

Crime

Have mercy on us, Evans wife, Uchenna begs Nigerians …I didn’t know he was into crime …He took part in our daily prayers and always prayed Psalm 23 …His wealth should be sold off and given to his victims …I didn’t know he was this rich, the highest he gave to me was N200,000 …Please, forgive him for the sake of myself and the children Vanguard reports The call was a surprise. And in the words of our Crime Editor, Emma Nnadozie “it was shocking but revealing and even pathetic.” The caller had said “hold on for Evans’ wife.” The female voice quickly pleaded to Mr. Nnadozie to call her back as she did not have enough credit. Nnadozie returned the call from Ghana and the caller told her story.

Excerpts:

• Kidnap kingpin, Evans, his wife Uchenna and children

M

Y NAME Is Uchenna Precious Onwuamadike, the wife of the Chikwudubem Onwuamadike who you call Evans. I am 31 years old. I got married to Evans at the age of 17 at Oraifite, Anambra state in 2004. He met me while I was coming back from lesson as a student of All Saints Secondary School, Oraifite and I was in class 6 going to take my West African Examination. After we met, I agreed to go with him because of my poor background.

He told me his father married three wives when he was six years old and threw his mother out of his house. He said that one of the wives influenced his father to drive them out of his house also and they were forced to stay with outsiders. Evans was taken to his grandmother who trained him.

He told me his father accused the mother of being adulterous before driving her out of his house. Our marriage is blessed with five children. Our first issue is 12 years plus and her name us Udochukwu. After we got married, he said I should stay with his mother in his village at Akanmiri, Umudim, Nnewi to teach me how to be a good housewife. I was there for three years before he took me to Lagos. We were living at Satellite town in 2006 and after one year, he relocated us back to the village because he could not pay house rent. While in the village, he normally came to see us. We spent three years in the village and relocated to Ghana. On our way to Ghana, we passed through Lagos and stayed at Benny Hotels in Festac where we spent two days before

travelling to Ghana. He spent a month with us in Ghana before coming back to Lagos. I was pregnant with our fourth child in 2010 when he left for Nigeria to come back in two months time. After I gave birth, he came back four months later and was able to clear the accumulated bills we kept for him because I borrowed money from friends to clear hospital bill. When he came back, he complained bitterly that things were rough for him in Nigeria and that customs seized his goods. I was not aware that he was into kidnapping and all the criminal acts he is being associated with now. All I know about his business is that he was into haulage, buying engine and spare parts for trucks and imports exhaust pipes. That was what he told me. The reason he kept me in Ghana was because he said our children should get quality education. I have spent six years here and after I stopped hearing from him, I called and complained bitterly but he said I should stay for some time. I then called his friend, Okechukwu, who now lives in China. He told me that he has not been seeing him and that he spends most of his time with a girlfriend in Festac. When I called him to complain, he was angry with me and warned that I should stop listening to gossip. He said that If I should return, I should go to his younger brother’s house in Lagos until he is ready to get accommodation for us. The brother was formally living in Lagos but he is in Brazil now. So, when it was impossible to pay my children’s school fees, I packed my bags and baggage and came

back to Lagos with our children. We stayed at his brother’s house at Agric, close to Trade Fair until he took us to a house in Magodo where he claimed he owed rent pending the completion of his own house there.

We have spent just one year in that house in Magodo. I have no idea of the type of business he was into but he told me that his friends overseas used to buy phones and jewelries for him.

While in Lagos, i was idle and I pressured him to find something for me to do and he promised to do that. Several times, I asked him to take me to his office but he said they move from place to place to offload goods in haulage business and share profits. I can’t remember having any visitor in our house. It is only the agent called Sunny that helped us to pack into our house that I know.

At times, artisans come to do one repair or the other, that’s all. I don’t know any of his friends and if we were invited to parties, he would not allow us to attend. He told me that he has no friends and that he hates associating with people.

I was always indoors because he warned me to beware of Lagos women that they are wayward. I was staying indoors and it was only when I was sick that he took me to a hospital in Ikeja. I always have BP and it makes weak. We went back to Ghana on the 6th of this month and he promised to join us in no distant time. On the 9th, I called him to know when he would be coming and even the youngest of our children was crying, begging him to come as soon as

possible and he promised to come. In the afternoon, I called but he was not picking.

I called again, there was noise in the background and the line was switched off. I then called the driver that took us to the motor pack when we were going to Ghana and he told me that there was a problem, that police came and arrested Oga and that they came with a fair complexioned lady.

When I heard all the allegations against him, I called his brother in Ghana, his mother, father and other relations but I could not get them. I then called their last born, a student at Oko Polytechnic but he said he had not spoken with him for long. I was confused until I opened Niger news and Vanguard Websites. That was how I got the shocking news about my husband. I collapsed and later called my kids to inform them what I just read about their father. Since then, I have not eaten, I am still in shock. Our children could not believe what they were reading about their father. They are saying that he cannot do all the things they said he did. In fact, while we were in Nigeria, he had never slept outside our house. My children were crying when they saw his bloody eyes and swollen face. Our condition was worsened when I saw my picture with him and our children on the face book. I don’t know where they got it. I have not been receiving money from him, I have never seen his money. The only thing I know is that there was a time he bought an expensive watch in Dubai and I wanted to know why he bought it when he could not open any business for me. He kept on teasing me, claiming it came from a friend. It was only when we wanted to travel to South Africa last year Christmas where we spent two years that he gave me N200, 000 for the trip. I have never seen him as a rich man.

While with him, we made sure we had all we wanted to eat and that’s all. I can’t remember seeing any sign of affluence in him. He is not a proud man and he has been wearing one sandal and slippers for long now.

He does not go for parties. In fact, I have never suspected him as a criminal. If I have been seeing any strange things, I would have suspected him. We have three cars, one Hilux, one grand Cherokee and an SUV. The N20m they said he sent to me through transfer was given to one Hausa man to pay into an account in Ghana to be used in paying our rent and furnish the house in Ghana.

I know he banks with GTB only. Their staff used to visit us in the house. I am not aware that he has five girlfriends and I have never suspected him because he did not keep late nights. It was shocking to hear about his girlfriends. He did not answer calls in my presence. I uses to see his phones being charged but he normally switched them off.

I always asked him why use pin code to lock his phones and that he lived a secret life but he threatened to beat me if ever I touched any of his phones. I didn’t even know the security pin. He would leave the house sometimes in the evenings with his phones and would come back between 8pm and 9pm. Most of the things I read about him are strange to me. As his wife, I should have seen the signs but I have not. He has can-

Cont’d on Page 44

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 28, 2017

Crime Three arrested over Visa scam

44

By XAVIER NDAH

T

hree persons have been arrested by the detectives attached to the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos over their involvement in the visa racketing said to have denied the American embassy of generating several millions of naira into its coffers.

The suspects Owolola Segun Sesan, Adebayo Rilwan Ajasa and Afolabi Olubunmi Modupeola are now being interrogated and have confessed to the police what the know about the deal.

The PSFU spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) L awal Audu said the suspects were arrested following complaints by the embassy to the police that some certain individuals have been tampering with their operations and making them to lost huge sums in stipulated visa fees.

Sesan 31 and Ajasa 28 both from the Lagos Island police sources said are unrepentant specialists in forging Visa payments slips and fake visa procurement as they were involved in forwarding used visa receipts repeatedly to the embassy thereby swindling the embassy of several millions of money .

The suspects who claimed to be working as online appointment agents to the American embassy specializes in manipulating visa payments receipts by using CoralDraw application in Microsoft Word to edit payments slips in order to use same for more than one applicants.

This apparently has made the embassy to lose some revenue in some of their transactions.

However, trouble started when an applicant (names withheld) paid N60,000 into Ajasa,s account with the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) money meant for application / visa fees for his son.

The police said Ajasa instead of making payment upon receipt of the money opted to buying an already used payment receipt belonging to another applicant from Sesan for the sum of N30,000. “ Ajasa used the payment slip using CorelDraw application and made a booking for his client. American embassy noticed the irregularities and decided to invite both applicants who then revealed the names of the suspects. The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime” police said.

It was gathered that Sesan has been working with a notorious document vendor one Ismaila Adefile who was arrested in 2016 for the same offence and charged to the Chief Magistrate Court 2, Igbosere road, Lagos.

Speaking with The Oracle Today Ajasa admitted to the crime stating that he has

• Modupeola been doing business with Sesan since 2012 although he sold him a fake visa to him at first sometime ago and he was tempted to ask him for a visa receipt which he claimed he had a genuine and unused one so he opted to buy it from him unknown to him it had been used.

Modupeola, 34, from Osun state and a graduate of Marketing from the University of Ilorin, is a single mother and trading on ladies wear. Police said she had applied for British visit visas twice and was refused for procuring fake documents.

This time she had appeared at the American Consulate with passport N0. A0055907 containing fake UK visa and Heathrow Immigration stamp and also seen in her pass-

• Ajasa and Sesan port were fake Chinese Visa and departure / arrival stamps of various African countries.

The suspect was arrested when the American consulate detected that all the visas in her passport were fake and reported to the police.

Speaking with The Oracle Today the suspect said she opted to purchasing the fake visa’s to boost her passport to convince the US embassy of her travelling history “because I didn’t want to go through what I experience with the UK as I was denied twice, so someone introduced me to a visa vendor in Ibadan where I procure fake UK, Chinese and stamps on my passport in order to give me an appreciable previous travelling history”. She explained.

When asked why she was desperate in travelling out of Nigeria she said “I am not desperate but I just needed to travel because my business can be done online , but I need to travel there to see things by myself ,I believe it will also help to expand the business”.

Audu who also double as the Officer In Charge Of the Diplomatic Mission who confirm the stories advise the public that visas are applied and obtained by the embassies and High Commission and not through an individual.

He warned members of the public to desist from patronizing Visa vendors as it could have an diverse effect on their identities which may affect them in future.

Have mercy on us, Evans wife, Uchenna begs Nigerians Cont’d from Page 43 I have not. He has cancer and does not drink alcohol nor smoke anything. I have never seen gun in our house. I don’t know where they got those frightening guns. He has never told me he has another house at Igando. Any time he went out, he always called to ask after the children and reassure me that he would be back soon. I am suspecting that whatever happened to

• Evans

him must have come from his father’s second wife. I don’t know what he did to him when he was young but he told the story.

He said that after their mother was driven out of the house, he was with his brothers playing outside one day when the second wife called him to pick a bucket and collect water for her. He was four years then, he picked the bucket, collected water and when he came back, she removed her dress and she was wearing only a bag made from animal skin on her waist. She brought seven small stones from the bag, gave to Evans and ordered him to pour the stones into the bucket to know if the gravel would rise (sail) on top of the water or not. Evans said he did as she directed but the only thing the woman did was to take the bucket back and ordered him to go back and play with his brothers. He said he told his father later but he said he was telling lies. I feel very bad because I did not know if he was doing all these or not. Even if he was into all these, why did he not stop because of me and his children? All the time when we pray, he used to promise God that he would tell Him his story later in life. Here reads psalm 23 a lot. Even his phone, he sets alarm for 12

noon to read psalm 23. He took part in our daily prayers in the morning, evening and night. He used to lead us in prayers. We attend Anglican Church. He has never given them money to show off. We used to give N5000 or N10,000 and the highest we have given so far was N50,000 when we baptised one of our children. I am appealing to the powers that be to spare his life (crying), as I speak now, I am kneeling down with my children, crying and begging for forgiveness. Have mercy on us. He did not know what he was doing. He did not know what came over him. I am ready to come back to Nigeria and plead on his behalf. What I am reading in the news is shocking. Though, I have not heard that he killed anybody but all those he injured or took their money should please forgive him because me and my children. They should kindly forgive him, he will repent. God knows I will not be alive and see my husband doing bad thing and keep quiet. All his wealth should be sold off and given to his victims. Evans is a good man. He takes care of all his relations including the children of the second wife we are suspecting did this to him. He has just two houses in Ghana but I have never

seen them. I saw the house on his phone.

Since I have been living with him, he has never injured anybody or beat me. He has milk of human kindness in his heart. He has not been harsh or wicked to anybody. He always advised us to be prayerful I (starts crying again) and complains bitterly any time I failed to pray. His neighbours also know him as a kind and generous man.

Members of my family are worse hit by this ugly development. They said some people brought newspaper publications to show them about their in-law and they have been wondering if he actually did all that because he has been good to all of them. I am from a very good, God-fearing family and if any of us had suspected this in him, they would have forced me out of his house for long.

I am ready to come back and testify on his behalf. I will also like to see the Governor of Lagos state and explain the whole thing to him. They said he is rich but I have only N13, 000 in my Diamond bank account. He does not give me money. He told me he will be paying N40, 000 into my account every month but after two months, he stopped, claiming that he was penniless.

Source: Online Platform

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45

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

By MADUABUCHI KALU

E

nugu Rangers General Manager and former captain and coach of the national team, the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, has urged Eagles to put the defeat they suffered in the hands of visiting South African National team, the Bafana Bafana in their first game of their group Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match behind them and forge ahead in the qualifiers.

According to the former Harambee Stars of Kenya coach, it is good that the team suffered the defeat in their very first game of the Afcon Qualifiers to enable them realise their mistakes on time and try to correct them before it is too late.

He reiterated the need to build the national team around the home based players instead of the current practice whereby national team players have been made exclusive right of foreign based Nigerian players.

Chukwu explained that when Clemence Westerhof was the technical Adviser of the national team and he was the Chief Coach of the team, they built the team with home based players and till today, Nigerians still remember with nostalgia the exploits of the team they were able to raise for the country in 1994 otherwise known as the ’94 squad’.

He said the same thing could still happen if the technical crew adopt the policy that made their reign reference point in Nigerian football history.

Chukwu further explained that during the period under review; they were going to league venues to watch and fish out good players and invite them to the national team and after they have matured they move abroad where they command great respect.

He equally explained that one of the advantages of building the national team with home-based players is that they can be kept in camp for one to two month and by so doing, they will be able to blend and because they have already understood each other, once they are called to camp they always deliver unlike what obtains now where players from different places are called together and within two or three days they pushed to pitch to play. He said such arrangement cannot work and cannot take us to our destination.

“Well, the defeat of the Eagles came as a surprise to many but that is football for you,” Chukwu began.

“The defeat of Eagles in Uyo is wakeup call to the technical crew

Chukwu points way forward for Eagles •Says ‘defeat is wake-up call

•Super Eagle celebrating AFCON victory (Inset) Christian Chukwu and the players. It is good that it happened now that we are just beginning the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers for the 2019 Nations Cup which we have already missed the two previous editions in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

“I have always say there are no more minnows in African Football and global football for that matter.

Even in Europe, South America, sometimes you see a country once considered as minnows in football beating the so called big names in football.

“Who could have believed that Chile would win the South American Cup and still retain it where the like of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay etc. are? That we have been beating South Africa in previous competitive games does not mean that if we do not do our homework well, they will

not take advantage of that and that was what happened in Uyo. “It is a wakeup call for all of us.

It would have been worse if it happened probably in the middle of the Qualifiers. They have the opportunity of correcting their mistakes.

They can still make it. The situation is not hopeless, we can salvage the situation.

“As far as I am concerned, they should avoid being complaisant in their games. It was like they were over confidence of themselves going into the match. It is a very big mistake to underrate your opponents in the game of football,” Chukwu explained.

“Meanwhile, I think that the most important thing that we should do as a nation; is to build the national team with the home based players. We have a lot of good players

at home but we don’t care about them.

“Look at the South African team, how many of them are based abroad? They are not more than three or four and the rest are playing in South Africa.

“I have always said that the hope of our national team lies with the home base. There is no country that I know that is serious about their football that rely on their foreign based players. Look at the European teams starting from Spain, Germany, Italy, England even France, the bulk of their national team players are sourced from home. But here we prefer to assemble strange legs from different leagues to don our national colours.

“I will always make reference to the time we have Clemence Westerhof as our Technical Adviser and I

was the chief coach. We built the team with home based players. We were going from one league venue to another to fish out good players and after discovering them we invite them to the national team.

“At the national team we camp them for a period of time and through that they were able to blend, understand themselves. That is why were able to build a formidable team that Nigerians still remember with nostalgia. They still make reference to the 94 Eagles’ squad.

“We need to build the national team with the home based that’s the only we will be able to get the Eagles of our dream. You don’t need to just call somebody to the national team just because he scored some goals in one league outside the shores of this country. That is not how to build a national team,” Chuk-

Musa gives reason for divorcing wife, Jamila A

•Musa with new wife, Juliet

hmed Musa, Nigeria and Leicester City striker, has given why he divorced his wife of four years and mother of their two children.

According to him, he was not happy and needed to find happiness again which he has succeeded in doing with his new wife, Juliet. The couple is recalled married last month, May instead of the July date they had sold to the public earlier on.

He however expressed confidence that his poor form of last season will not repeat itself attributing his below

average performance to turbulent marriage. Musa said that he has already put that behind him because there are in the past.

In his words: “Marriage is not new to me but I believe that it was a right move to make when I did. The past remains in the past.

“I am happy now and I think well and I can focus on my game which suffered a bit,” Musa said The former Eagles’ captain has been linked away from Leicester City.

The speedy winger who is also com-

fortable as a striker insists he has a future at the club and as a result he is not ready to consider a move away from King Power Stadium.

Musa and his Leicester City teammate Jamie Vardy are said to have emerged Fenerbahce’s top transfer targets.

Musa signed for Leicester City last season but has struggled to make major impact at the King Power Stadium having scored a paltry four goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

SPORTS

World Cup Qualifiers: Rohr assures of better Eagles against Cameroon Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has assured distraught Nigerian that Cameroon would meet a better and experienced Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifying match

by Aug. 28.

Rohr gave the assurance in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while speaking on way forward for the team.

He said that Cameroon would not find it easy like South Africa because he was going to field the best legs in Super Eagles. ‘’South Africa met an inexperienced and younger Eagles, that is why they won the match. ‘’We did not play with our main team, many of our experienced players were not in the match mainly due to injury, but they will be ready for Cameroon,’’ Rohr said.

Speaking further, the Franco German tactician implored all Nigerians to rally round the team in order to ensure that the team win all their remaining matches.

Rohr explained that inexperience cost the team the lost they suffered in the hands of Bafana Bafana in that Afcon Qualifier.

He urged Nigerian not to panic over the lost saying that the situation can be remedied as he

assured that the remaining five matches would be won by the team.

He said that all hands were on deck to ensure that victory was achieved in the Aug. 28 World Cup campaign against Cameroon.

According to him, “We still have chances of qualifying; therefore, there is no cause for alarm or panic”.

Rohr expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to overrun all their opponents in both the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers.

It is recalled that the inexperienced Nigerian side were beaten by the Bafana Bafana for the very first time in a competitive encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo during the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers on June 10.

Williams re-elected NAqF boss

•Promises to consolidate on achievements B abatunde Fatayi Williams on Tuesday got re-elected as the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) by the delegates who converged in Abuja for the sports federation election.

Williams it is recalled, is the immediate past President of the Aquatics Federation and this time he contested the position against former member of the board who is representing South East, Hon. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, who he defeated overwhelmingly.

Williams polled a total of 33 votes to Chamberlain Dunkwu’s 14 to return as the boss of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF). With the outcome of the election on Tuesday, the Vice President of the CANA and the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Federation (NOC) will oversee the affairs of the federation in the next four years.

It is recalled that this is the third time that the experienced sports administrator is being elected as the president of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation.

Meanwhile, Williams has expressed gratitude to the delegates who found him worthy to continue in office even as he assured them of consolidation of the achievements already recorded in the aquatics sports in the country.

“First and foremost, I wish to express my gratitude to the delegates for founding me worthy of being reelected into office. The victory at the poll is not mine alone it is victory for the Nigeria Aquatics sports in Nigeria and the Federation,” Williams began.

“With this victory I want to assure all the stakeholders that we are going to consolidate on the achievements already recorded in the past eight years which has made it possible for Nigeria to be recognized by the continental aquatics governing body, CANA. “It is our hope that aquatics sports will continue to make progress in the country so that it will be able to take its pride of place in sports in this country.

“It is our desire to build on the successes already recorded. It is because of the tremendous progress that aquatics sports have recorded that some members of the board got elected into various committees of CANA,” Williams explained.

Speaking further Williams told the Oracle that Rear Admiral Babs Egbedina returned as the Vice President as nobody opposed him or contested against him. Williams is currently the Vice President of CANA and a member of FINA Bureau which is a big plus for the country.

Echiejile apologises to Nigerians over Uyo defeat

S

uper Eagles’ left back, Elderson Uwa Echiejile, on behalf of his teammates, on Wednesday, apologized to Nigerians over the team’s scandalous lost to Bafana Bafana of South Africa in last Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying game played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He disclosed that the players felt bad both as individuals and as players in respect of the outcome of the game as they never meant to lose the game. Echiejile said they had put that behind them and assured that they are now focused on the game ahead against Cameroon and hoped that by God’s grace, they will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

In his words: “We apologise to Nigerians for making their weekend bad with the result,” the Delta State borne defender began.

“We felt bad as individuals and players too, but we have to put it aside. There is a crucial game coming very soon against Cameroon, we definitely going to do our best and

by God’s grace, we will put smiles on their face,” Echiejile assured.

It is recalled that the Super Eagles suffered a 0-2 defeat in the hands of visiting Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo in their first game of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The defeat, marked the first time Bafana Bafana have beaten the Super Eagles in competitive game and at the same time marked the first time that the team’s gaffer,

•Elderson-Echiejile

Gernot Rohr has lost a game since taking over the mantle of leadership of the team after the exit of Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh after few months in saddle.

There is no gain saying that Nigerians were disappointed of the outcome of the game because of the previous performance of the team since the Franco-German tactician took over.

More than 90 per cent of Nigerians believed that Eagles had already secured the maximum points even before the match was played looking at the record the team have over the South Africans. But they were hugely disappointed when at the end of the 90 minutes football hostilities, the South Africans smiled home with the maximum points. Thereby creating doubts in the ability of the team to qualify for the Cameroon 2019 Nations Cup after having missed the previous two editions in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon respectively.

Meanwhile it is important to note that just four days after defeating the Super Eagles in their back yard, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa were beaten 2-1 by the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a friendly match on Wednesday.

•Babtunde Fatayi William

Onyekuru unhappy with bench role against Bafana Bafana

S

uper Eagle invitee, Henry Onyekuru, has expressed disappointment for being left on the bench during Eagles home defeat to South Africa penultimate Saturday.

He, however, thanked the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the team’s gaffer, Gernot Rohr for extending invitation to him. Onyekuru assured that he will remain level headed waiting for his turn to play for his fatherland even as he promised to give 100 per cent in the discharger of his duties to his fatherland.

“I thank God for my first call up to the national team and I thank the President of the Nigeria Football

Federation (NFF) and the coach for inviting to camp.

“Of course the invitation was beautiful but only for me to be left out in the game against South Africa which was a game I was looking forward to in order to show what I can offer as a player.

“It was a game I was looking forward to give 100 per cent but the coach made the decision and he has the right to do so.

“I am not angry but I am a little bit disappointed because I am hungry to play for my country. I believe in the next two games coming up I may have the opportunity of playing for my country,” Onyekuru enthused.

Speaking on his exploits in Belgium Jupiter League and his prospect of leaving the club, Onyekuru said: “I just want to clear certain things in my head and be free. It wasn’t my intention to dish the club but we had to understand each other.

“The director of the club wanted to make everything go their own way without thinking about the players and that didn’t go down well with me.

“It was really annoying but I thank God we had conversation where we had an agreement that if I come back and keep scoring that I have my ticket to leave and now I have my ticket to leave,” Onyekuru declared.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 28, 2017

SPORTS

How 6 Nigerians helped England win FIFA U-20 World Cup

By MADUABUCHI KALU

I

t is no longer news that England penultimate Sunday won her first major trophy in 50 years in Suwon, Korea Republic after beating Venezuela in the final of this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, what is news in the England victory is that the success achieved in Korea Republic

by England was everywhere laced with Nigerian blood. As a matter of fact, six Nigerians made the England victory possible because they were in every inch part and parcel of the history making event in Suwon, Korea Republic penultimate Sunday.

These players of Nigerian de-

cent were born England and they are already playing in various clubs across England. The good thing is that they are still eligible to play for their fatherland Nigeria if they so desired as they are still eligible to switch allegiance to Nigeria.

This is where the country’s football authorities should put their thinking cap to convince them to play for the country as they have a lot to bring to the country’s football having already made their marks in the international stage.

It will not be over statement to declare that England perhaps would not have achieved the success it recently recorded without

•Two of the six England players of Nigerian decent, Sheyi Ojo and Fikayo Tomori of the world conquering Junior Three Lions the input of the six Nigerians in their squad.

It is recalled that at the semi-final stage, it was one of the players of Nigerians decent that made it possible for England to qualify for the final via his a goal from Dominic Solanke.

The six England players of Nigeri-

an decent include; Ademola Lookman of Everton Fc, Ovie Ejaria and Sheyi Ojo (both from Liverpool) Dominic Solanke and Fikayo Tomori (from Chelsea) and Joshua Onomah of Tottenham Hotspurs.

These are the England players of Nigerian decent that emerged champions of the world with the

Junior Three Lions of England.

With this array of stars, it has been proved once again that Nigeria is not lacking in talent, but the human capacity to discover and harnessed these talents to the benefit of the country and humanity.

19th NNPC/Shell

Feyenoord to conduct coaching clinic for coaches, games masters

A

s the 19th edition of the NNPC/ Shell Cup kicks off across the 36 states of the country and Abjua, no fewer than 54,000 students from 2700 secondary school will be taking part in the biggest youth football championship in the country.

This much was disclosed to The Oracle Today Sports in a press release made available by the organisers of the annual youth football tournament on Thursday. According to the press release, the secondary school students across the country will be competing for honours at the various centres in the 36 states and Abuja.

The competition according the press release, provide yet another opportunity for the youngsters to develop their dream while still studying even as the organisers stated that the championship provides yet another platform for Nigeria to tap into a potential pool of top-class players.

In the words of the organisers: “This is another opportunity for young football talents to develop their dreams while still studying, and another platform for Nigeria to tap into a potential pool of top-class players,” declared Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the NNPC/Shell Cup 2017 preliminaries began in May with state competitions which were concluded early this month,

•L-R: Social Performance Advisor, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Hope Nuka; Social Performance Advisor, Ibukun Adewale; Non-Technical Risk Manager, Adebanji Adekoya; former Super Eagles striker and CEO, Worldwide Sports, Chief Olusegun Odegbami and Chairman Sports Writers Association, Oyo State Chapter, Niyi Alebiosu, at a press conference to announce the commencement of the 2017 edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos… recently. thereby paving the way for the zonal stage and quarter finals.

Coaches from the current Dutch League champion, Feyenoord Rotterdam will hold coaching clinics as part of the process for the semi-final and final matches which are planned for end of the month. The coaching clinic by Feyenoord Rotterdam is expected to improve the skills of the coaches, games masters and players bringing to bear their award-winning global youth

football academy programme.

A total of N8.2 million will be awarded for the development of sports facilities in the top four schools with the 1st place winner receiving N3.5m. In addition, the two Most Valuable Players will head to The Netherlands for a short stint with the Feyenoord Rotterdam Youth Academy. And, on completion of secondary education, the top 10 talents will be eligible to compete for NNPC/Shell

university undergraduate scholarships.

Adding his voice, former Nigerian international and NNPC/Shell Cup consultant, Segun Odegbami said: “Aside the monetary rewards, many young footballers have been discovered through this championship and they have gone on to represent the country in age-group football tournaments. Several have graduated to the Under-23 team and then on to the Super Eagles

level. Professional clubs in Nigeria and overseas have often used the platform of the NNPC/Shell Cup to scout for talents for their teams. In a way, everybody is a winner in this football tournament.”

It is recalled that the NNPC/Shell Cup tournament was initiated in 1998 by the SPDC Joint Venture comprising the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

A notable success in the 19 years of the tournament is the increase in the number of students who have successfully combined their education even as they prepare for a rewarding career in football.

The NNPC/Shell Cup Football Competition has contributed a lot in the development of the round leather game in the country and some of the recent examples of the NNPC/Shell Cup successes include Idowu Akinjide, who wore Number 4 jersey for National College, Ughelli in the 2012 NNPC/Shell Cup edition and wore the same Number 4 for the Golden Eaglets team that won the 2013 FIFA Under-17 tournament in the United Arab Emirate.

Ejike Uzoenyi represented Global Secondary School, Onitsha at the 2002 NNPC/Shell Cup. In 2003, he was part of the NNPC/Shell Cup selected team that represented Nigeria in the Ghana/Nigeria academicals; he then went on to represent Nigeria in the Super Eagles team that won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa and then Bronze Medal at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) where he emerged the Most Valuable Player.

Cletus Itodo; Ajani Ibrahim; Eyimofe Joseph and many others in the Nigeria Premier League are products of this championship.

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48 This Space is for Sale

Today

Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

THE FRONTIER

ISSN: 2545-5869

Wednesday June 28, 2017

By Martin Ike-Muonso (Ph.D, DBA) 08033148722

Thinking about the ERGP (2017 – 2020)

T

HE economy just like a business is covered in a plenitude of risks. These risks arise from varieties of sources such as the overall demand pattern; the changes in the level of prices of various goods sold and bought; the rates at which monies are borrowed; the rates at which our currencies exchange with those of other countries; the cost of money and so on. But these risks are all in operation and are accentuated by corresponding uncertainties around their magnitudes and growth directions. Since the start of this administration, one thing that seems to have defined its life is self-inflicted uncertainty. For instance, although the trend of the recession had long been in operation before its commencement, it appears to have tipped the instance of this administration. The approach to exchange rate management, to addressing the issue of corruption has all been inflammatory. Like seamen battling a ravaging ocean wind, the policy managers came up at various times with arguably knee-jerk plans to deal with the situation. These efforts seem to have plateaued with the release of the economic recovery and growth plan (2017 – 2020) document.

But one great take away from this plan are the inclusiveness, continuity and consistency mind-set in its design. A recurring concern in policy design and implementation in this country has been the discontinuation or dumping of previously constructed ideas for a supposedly new variant sometimes for no obvious reasons.

Again, even when such policies are designed, they are obviously biased in favour of some sectors or socio-economic groups. But the ERGP appears to signal a departure from such reprehensible norms and has promised inclusiveness as well as being constructed and predicated on the achievement of the strategic implementation plan (SIP). SIP is a short-term strategy for the 2016 budget of change. The plan also seems to have been designed to be consistent with the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

That noted, we know that we most badly need economic recovery. Not only that, we also need sustainable growth and development too. This makes the choice of the title for this document very apt. At least this administration now has a plan document regardless of how good or bad it is. Generally, such plans give room for better co-ordination of ideas and objectives, control and greater innovation. As many analysts, would opine, much of the depreciation in the value of the naira at the start of this administration’s life was due to massive withdrawals of funds by foreign investors who felt that there was no plan to address the recession challenge.

There is one thing however that seems to stand out in the document. It is what looks like an inadequate handle on the short-term recovery side of the strategic plan. Structural transfor-

• Kemi Adeosun, Finance Minister mation, the superstructure upon which this plan appears to have been built is not necessarily new.

Even SAP was a different brand of same kind of product. But, the truth remains that altering and diversifying the composition of our output structure in such a way that enhances output/supply capacities will invariably create more jobs and income with minimal economic risks and uncertainties. This is no doubt a long-desired solution to the challenge facing Nigeria. The challenge is usually with the design of the transformation/adjustment policies and programmes as well as the spirit behind their implementation. So, if the ERG plan and the implementation approach is appropriate, I do not think that it is sufficiently eager to save us now until it is 2018.

Unless I am operating in a limbo, it seems correct to allude that the average Nigerian would want the top execution priorities to first and foremost be unapologetically short-term. And even in the short-term, efforts should focus on addressing the current aggregate demand slide and foreign exchange challenge. The short-term component should tie seamlessly into the medium term ERGP. Without doubt, the structural economic transformation programme can no doubt do a great job it promised if well-articulated and implemented, but that can only be in the medium-term.

Waiting for a resolution of the current recession till about 2018 is a huge burden for an average Nigerian. For me, that is one of the critical omissions in this plan. It would have been good to see a clean, clear plan to exit recession which starts NOW and seamlessly connected to the medium-long-term transformation programme.

One thing that we had expected from those designing the recession-exit programme for Nigeria was a package of very short-term economic stimulation that truly works. Dumping monies on some sectors with slow and small multiplier im-

pacts would never have been the option. A study of exit strategies adopted by seven countries - Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Turkey, Vietnam - in recession between 2008 and 2009 showed that consciously developing a package of economic stimulation incentives that are effective is the way to go.

For instance, Brazil put in place, reversible countercyclical stimulus package (including automatic stabilizers). This amounted to 1% of their GDP in 2009. China also put in place totally discretionary multiyear stimulus package amounting to a whopping12.5% of their GDP. India also had about three stimulus packages amounting to 3.5% of their GDP. Philippines also announced discretionary measures amounting to about 4.1% of their GDP while in the same period, Vietnam had multiyear discretionary stimulus package amounting to about 10% of their GDP. For most of these countries, the accompanying monetary policies indicated easing of the interest rates.

Let us for simplicity sake assume that part of a very short-term ‘discretionary stimulus package’ for Nigeria targets the revamp of the textile sector. The federal government can lead an economic patriotism campaign in which it shows an example by ordering a change of uniforms for all government agencies and the military that typically wear uniforms based on locally available capacity and quality and instructing that all such new uniforms shall be made locally. One can only imagine the amount of employment that shall be instantly created. Imagine also that the federal government approves the surfacing of a minimum of 15-kilometre feeder roads in each local government area and insists that the construction must be done using local direct labour.

What a huge short-term impact to expect. Again, imagine that civil servants and salaried persons at a level who are interested in farming are given no-interest loan repayable over a five-year period.

Indeed many “imagines” that should ultimately create a short-term relief and lay the foundation for the medium term structural transformation programme!

Imagine that maximum efforts are put in place to encourage the remittances of Nigerians in diaspora. A system of incentives that encourages and protects investments by Nigerians in diaspora who choose to invest in Nigeria can do a whole lot to bring down the naira exchange rate. Let us assume that the governments of the federation and the states agree that diasporas that are ready to set up a business in Nigeria within the next 12 months of up to a particular minimum dollar threshold (say three million dollars), will be given free land in some designated areas suitable for such enterprise, given tax holidays for up to a minimum period (say three years) and some level of protection. In my opinion, such incentives, which can be modified in various forms can enable Nigerians in diaspora to either merge, team

up with some foreign investors and or borrow outright to invest in Nigeria. Of course, success in this regard will also require all-out communication and persuasion. In the end, the net effect on the confidence of foreign investors will be higher; the employment prospects and outcomes will also be positively good. Ultimately the naira exchange rate should show better positive response.

The projections that accompany this plan also appear too optimistic in the light of the prevailing circumstances and outlook. Perhaps, if the basis of the projected growth rates is made known, it would have been easier to decide how and whether to accept or reject them. For instance, the 2.19% projected by the ERGP as the GDP growth in 2017 is more than twice the 1% real output growth forecast by the World Bank and 0.8% growth forecast by the IMF for same year. Even the 2.3% growth forecast by the IMF for 2018 is less than half of the real output projection for same year by the ERGP. Albeit that all forecasts are wrong, the forecasts by the IMF and the World Bank appear more consistent with minimal disparity between them.

More so, the implementation of the ERGP is not taking root in 2017, which invariably means that the variables in operation at this point might have been used in building the forecast models. How the Nigerian model probably delivered more optimistic results gives room for a lot of concern.

Before I end this essay, I will like to comment on the cost of delays by this administration. I believe that many of the good programmes and initiatives that this administration has put forward came late. And the fact that they came late greatly affected their effectiveness. It all started with the appointment of the ministers. If it would take minsters six months to settle down, then we practically lost one full year before putting together a team that should have started much earlier to address the challenges facing the country. Much of the exacerbation of the recession challenge attributable in part to the exchange rate spike was largely due to the fact of delays by the government in taking the right action. The tug-of-war and go-come-go approaches were innately delay measures because most of the policy positions on the exchange rate management at the time were obvious even to those executing them that they would not work.

This ERG plan coming out at this time is also a case of unexplainable delays. Why would it take this long for a plan that would address the Nigerian crisis to be out when the crises were always known? Like I wrote earlier, perhaps we should take solace in the fact that we have a plan at last. Whether the plan would take us out of the present state of things as it promises is a different thing altogether.

• Prof. Martin Ike-Muonso is the Founder/CEO of ValueFronteira Limited and the Country Director of Baywood Foundation. martin@valuefronteira. com

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