Wednesday june 7 edition

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The Oracle SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

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WEDNESDAY JUNE 7, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

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Today Today

VOL.2 No. 24. N200

‘Biafra’ shuts down

•IPOB praises Ndigbo for compliance •Kanu visits site of 2016 killings •Marginaliation cause of agitation –Nwodo •Marginalisation advances other interests –Ohakim From BONIFACE OKORO (Umuahia), NATH OMAME (P/Harcourt), CHRIS EZE (Yenagoa), THEO RAYS, IBE NWACHUKWU, OLIVER UDEOGU (Onitsha), CHUKS EZE (Enugu), CHUKS COLLINS (Awka), ESSIEN ESEMA (Uyo)

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•THE NIGER BRIDGE: 09.50 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017 From TONY AILEMEN and TITUS AGBO, Abuja

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AJIYA Aisha Yessufu, one of the brains behind the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaigns, has declared that she still stands by her call for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

Hajiya Yesufu, who spoke in an exclusive chat with The Oracle Today after the formal launch of Tree-Like Shield Foundation in Abuja, said that her call was born out of the fact that the country had remained stagnated since President Buhari took ill.

This is just as wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, jetted out of the

Photo: Ikeddy Isiguzo

MPTY markets, shut shops, closed banks and emptier motor parks, were some of the marks of the shut down of businesses and commercial activities throughout the South East and parts of the South South on Tuesday. Residents stayed at home in compliance with the sitat-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and other pro-Biafra organisations, as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the •Cont’d on Page 2 Republic of Biafra.

In Enugu, the capital of the old Eastern Region, roads were deserted while banks and schools remained shut. Not even the warning by the Nigeria Police and rebuttal of the order by the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma and the Catholic Church in the State deterred the people from complying with the

Why I called for Buhari’s resignation –Yesufu

•Mrs. Buhari leaves for U.K country to join her husband who is currently recuperating in London.

Mrs. Buhari’s visit to London followed the inability of the President to return to the country for the May 29th Democracy Day, which was celebrated in a low key fashion on Monday.

A statement from her media office said she “expressed her appreciation to millions of Nigerians who

order.

All major roads and business premises in Enugu including markets, private and public motor parks, and private shops were all deserted, as people remained indoors. Some residents who live close to major roads were seen peeping out intermittently to observe the situation, as combined teams of various security agencies including the police kept steady patrol and surveillance around the metropolis.

In Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the South East, compliance was total. Very busy spots like Upper Iweka, Main Market, Ose Okwodu Market, Ochanja Market, Nkpor Junction, and buzzing streets like Awka Road, New Market Road, Old Market Road, Bida Road, Zik’s Avenue, Port Harcourt Road and Enugu-Onitsha Expressway were all deserted. Banks and schools were also closed.

Gates of the Onitsha Stock Exchange were firmly closed. The Onitsha Mall did not open. The Niger Bridge, Onitsha’s iconic passage, was open – it had no vehicles.

Security men who had antici-

Nigerians who have been praying for his quick and safe return.”

But Yesufu, who had posted video of her call for the President’s resignation that went viral on social media, called on the President to resign from office so that the country could move forward.

She said that the Acting President arrangement was not working out, adding that Professor Yemi Osibanjo would like to play the good boy

has been praying for his quick recovery and safe return.”

According to the statement “The wife of the President Her Excellency Mrs Aisha Buhari today (Tuesday) left for the United Kingdom. Her Excellency will spend some time with her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari who is presently on medical vacation. She expressed her appreciation to the millions of •Continued on Page 3

Amaechi-Abe: When friends turn bitter enemies –Pgs 10-11

Monarch calls for restructuring of Nigeria –Pg 3

50 years after Biafra: More stories from Page 27 - 32

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS

‘Biafra’ shuts down Continued from Pg 1 pated trouble from Biafran agitators were disappointed. They were no demonstrations, no blocked roads, and no bonfires.

The situation was calm enough for some of the security men to laze in their vehicles.

However, there was a brisk business for beer sellers in the remote areas of Onitsha as they got high patronage from those sitting at home.

The conflicting order by the Chief Ralph Uwazurike-led Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, for disregard of the sit-at-home order caused some panic among residents who feared possible clash between rival pro-Biafra groups on the day of the exercise.

A lorry crushed one person to death and shattered the leg of another along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway. The dead, and the injured one, according to a source, were among persons who allegedly capitalised on the unusual situation to mount a road block, where they extorted drivers who dared be on the road.

The same level of compliance was also observed in the Idemili North, close to Onitsha. A traditional ruler in the area who did not want his name in print said that the sit-at-home spoke volume of the bitterness of Ndigbo regarding the current situation of things in Nigeria.

“Personally I am impressed at the high level of response… this will certainly tell the Federal Government that Ndigbo are not just happy… (and) are capable of doing something. Imaging the traders shutting all the markets in the State including Onitsha Main Market; that is great and I like it,” the royal father said.

Elsewhere in Anambra State, the same level of compliance was witnessed as life and commercial activities in villages and cities of Awka, Ogidi, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Uga, Umunze and Agulu were brought to a standstill.

At Awka, all major markets were closed and residents desiring to move around were stranded as vehicles were off the roads.

Most of the private vehicles on the roads were on essential or emergency duties. All the major motor parks at Nkpor, Awka and Nnewi were completely deserted, just as human presence was also limited.

Not even the ubiquitous street hawkers were seen anywhere.

Armed and fierce looking security agents were sighted at expected flash points. They had no work to do.

However, people started milling around their neighbourhoods late afternoon when tension appeared to have lessened. That was when fuel stations and street shops began to open with observable caution.

No MASSOB or IPOB member was sighted anywhere trying to

The popular Ogui Road by Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, deserted with all shops under lock and key following the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the State of Biafra. Photo by CHUKS EZE.

enforce the order or intimidate anyone into compliance unlike what obtained in the last year’s exercise leading to clash of IPOB members with security agents which reportedly led to the killing of more than 30 protesters.

In Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, streets remained virtually empty. Only a few stores at Isi Gate, the heart of the capital city, and on the streets were open for business, while at schools, very poor attendance of students and pupils were recorded even as teachers who managed to turn up idled away under trees. People who ventured into the streets were making it to their destinations on foot as only very few tricycles were on the roads.

Motor parks, including the ever-bubbling Peace Park on Umuwaya by Crowther Street, Aba Park and Okigwe Park were virtually empty of passengers and vehicles.

A driver, Chidi Ikechi, who plies Aba Road in Umuahia, noted that the compliance by the people of the State was enough signal for the Federal Government to give the agitation for Biafra a serious thought.

“They war has ended. The emptiness of the streets shows that Ndigbo want Biafra. In fact, we have got it,” he said.

Ubani Market was shut and many traders had stayed away from business just as civil servants deserted the government secretariat. A civil servant who spoke from his home said Biafra

was overdue, adding that it was obvious that Biafra was still alive.

“The Federal Government should free us,” he said Similarly, reports from Aba, the commercial hub of the State, indicated that compliance with the sit-at-home call was huge as economic activities were grounded. Sources said traders resolved to stay away from the markets and that those who wished to do business would do so as from noon.

An eyewitness told The Oracle Today on phone that Osisioma, notorious for its traffic gridlock, was as free as air. “I am at Osisioma now, the place is deserted as there are no souls around; even I can see no vehicle on the road,” the source said, adding that only neighbourhood shops were open for business even as there were very few people on the streets.

However, various degrees of successes were recorded in some non-South East States including Rivers and Bayelsa.

In Port Harcourt and Obio/ Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State, commercial activities were partially paralysed.

Some shops were shut at the Rumuomasi Market while all the shops at the Ikuko Spare Parts Market were locked up just as no shop at the Mechanic Village at Elekahia was opened for business.

Many shops were locked in Rumuola, Rumuokuta and other parts of the capital city. Trading

peacefully. As we have started, we are moving forward until we get what we are looking for”, he said.

The impact of the sit-at-home directive was also very visible at the GSM Village at Tombia where phone sellers and repairers stayed away from their shops.

At the Peace Mass Transit Company loading bay in Ekeki, Yenagoa, a total of 22 buses were at the station when The Oracle Today visited about 10.06am, but it was gathered that the company had not been able to get even one full load of bus for the day.

Travellers did not show up.

However, at the Swali Main Market in Yenagoa, the story was different as many Igbo traders were in their shops and stalls doing business. One of the traders who did not want his name mentioned told our correspondent that the Chairman of the market, an Ijaw man, on Monday, announced that the market would be open on Tuesday. He said though they were in support of the Biafra struggle, they were in a “foreign” land and were bound to obey instructions given.

A tricycle operator who was observing the sit-at-home order told our correspondent that even if the sit-at-home was extended to one week, he was ready to comply in so far as Biafra would come to be. “My brother, we are facing a lot of frustration in this Nigeria, even here in Bayelsa. If this Biafra can come, my brother, all of us will go home, it is better”, he said.

However, in Akwa Ibom State, the story was quite different, as the sit-at-home directive was not obeyed.

Government offices, schools and business activities at markets and shops went on smoothly, particularly in Uyo the state capital, and other towns such as Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Abak, and Oron in Akwa Ibom State. Even Igbo traders were seen opening their shops as early as 7.46am and did not betray any knowledge of any unusual situation.

Ben Okoro, an Igbo trader, who deals in household utensils at Akpan Andem Market Uyo, told The Oracle Today that Igbo traders were not observing the sit-at-home order because there was nothing like MASSOB and IPOB in Akwa Ibom State.

Okoro, an indigene of Anambra State, said Igbos in the State would have loved to participate in the MASSOB/IPOB struggles for the realisation of the Republic of Biafra but that Akwa Ibom was not a safe place for the struggle.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okechukwu Chukwu, said there was nothing like MASSOB and IPOB in the State and as such there was no sit-at-home order in the State. He said the Commissioner of Police, Don Awunah, had deployed his men to every nook and cranny of the State to ensure that there was no breach of peace.

In Asaba, most shops and businesses were closed in the earlier hours of the day. Transporters shut down mostly. Some travellers who had made their way to

activities known to be intense at the Toll Gate in the Oyigbo axis, Eleme, Oil Mill, Artillery, Market and Slaughter Bus/Stops were at low ebbs.

At the Rumuoji Market, Mile 3 Market and the Building Material Market, many shops remained locked just as many along Ada George Road were also not open for business. Business activities in Choba and Ugwuoba axis of Port Harcourt were also low.

Some traders told The Oracle Today that they locked their shops in compliance with the order from IPOB that they should sit at home to honour their fallen heroes.

In Bayelsa State, huge compliance was observed particularly in the state capital, Yenagoa, as most of the business owners from the South East shut their shops and businesses. The popular and ever busy Chief Melford Okilo Expressway where many Igbo traders and business owners have their shops was without the usual hustle and bustle as virtually all the shops were closed from Ovom beyond the popular Tombia roundabout to the outskirts of Yenagoa city.

A trader on the Chief Melford Okilo Expressway, Timothy Ndukwe from Ebonyi State, who deals in “Belgium” shoes, expressed happiness on the occasion of the Biafra Day. “We are rejoicing, all of us in Biafra starting from Bayelsa State down to the East and South South and we are celebrating Continued on Pg 3

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS Monarch advocates restructuring Nigeria From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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FRONTLINE journalist and traditional ruler in Abia State, Eze Cletus Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya has advocated the restructuring of Nigeria along regional lines.

Eze Ogbonnaya, who is the Traditional Ruler of Umuanyi Autonomous Community Uturu

in Isuikwuato Local Council of Abia State, made the suggestion while reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Biafra.

The late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, then a Lt. Col and military governor of the defunct Eastern Region proclaimed the Republic of Biafra as an independent state out of Nigeria on May 30, 1967, exactly

50 years ago.

Ogbonnaya who practised as a journalist for over two decades before becoming a royal father 16 years ago, averred that Nigeria would fare better if restructured and each region allowed to develop at its own pace.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today

‘Biafra’ shuts down Continued from Pg 2 Asaba from Onitsha were disappointed that they could not travel. Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have expressed happiness at the level of compliance to its sit-at-home order by Igbo people both at home and in the Diaspora heaping praises on Ndigbo for shutting down their businesses in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines of Biafra, IPOB in message to Ndigbo, issued by its director of media and publicity, Emma Powerful, stated that its leadership congratulated Biafrans and all the IPOB family members worldwide both in Biafraland and in the Diaspora for their compliance.

“Our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu issued this order of sit-at-home when he was still in Kuje Prison Abuja and it has come to pass. All the people of Biafra both home and abroad complied in all totality, which was not done in the history of Biafra struggle.

“We proclaim the failure of saboteurs and disgruntled elements who were paid by the government to sabotage the restoration project because today Biafrans and IPOB members worldwide obeyed the voice of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB is strong and unshakable and we must continue be strong and we promise everybody that Biafra is here…

“The sit-at-home order was a huge success and all the markets, schools, banks, companies/industries, transport companies, businesses in Biafraland were in total compliance. May God Almighty (Chukwu Okike Abiama) bless you all.”

He added that there was also total compliance in the Diaspora as Igbos marched on the streets of Taiwan, Chad, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Angola, Congo DRC, Mozambique, Luxembourg, Brazil, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and France among other foreign lands.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, defied heavy security measures mounted by a combined team of military, police and civil defence officers to storm Anambra State late Monday

night, the eve of the sit-at-home exercise, during which he prayed and wept for those pro-Biafra protesters killed during the Biafra Day activities of last year.

According to Powerful, the IPOB leader visited St Edmund’s Catholic Church/Primary School in Nkpor, Anambra State, where security operatives reportedly killed hundreds of protesters on the 30 May 2016.

“The Supreme Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arrived at the site at about 5:30 pm. On reaching the venue, he broke down and

wept for the lives lost, he later prayed to God Almighty (Chukwu Okike Abiama) for their souls to keep on fighting for the restoration of Biafra, which was the main reason why they lost their lives.”

Powerful said that the visit to St. Edmund’s was in line with the initial plan announced by the leadership of IPOB concerning the visit to be embarked by Kanu to the sites and the families of those members killed at Nkpor and other places in Biafraland during the peaceful protests and rallies.

in Umuahia, he identified marginalization of the South East geo-political zone and the country’s stunted development occasioned by ethnicity and religion, as factors that have made it expedient for restructuring of Nigeria.

“What I am saying today is, let us restructure Nigeria. Nobody is talking of secession again.

Let the present six geo-political zones become autonomous regions while the present states should become provinces. Then we should have a regional governor,” he said.

“After the war, were we all not going to Enugu as the capital of East Central State? But look at the duplication of the civil service everywhere. Right now, some states cannot pay salaries.

The money used for the current expenditure takes the whole thing, we cannot go into capital projects.

“What happens in the civil service in Sokoto should not apply in Umuahia here,” he said, suggesting that federal bureaucracies be abolished.

“The federal presence is over choking; this is just the simple truth. So, what I am saying is,

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On the celebration of the Biafra’s 50th anniversary by pro-Biafra groups, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), he advised them to go about it peacefully.

“I fought in Fifth Squadron Rangers during the Biafran war.

Thank God I am still alive. Many of my colleagues died and that is what these MASSOB and IPOB said they are going to remember.

Whatever celebration they said they are gong to do, they should be peaceful. I don’t want any person to lose his life. They should not give any opportunity for trigger-happy Nigerian soldiers to kill them,” he counseled.

“I will not advise anybody to take that risk again we took 50 years ago. Let us live in peace in Nigeria but let us agree on how to live as Nigerians. God has made it that we have been together for the past 100 years. We tried Biafra, it didn’t work, let us now renegotiate and agree on certain things,” he surmised.

‘Why I called for Buhari’s resignation’ Continued from Pg 1

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role to his master and would not want to act without clearing from him.

“We cannot continue this way,” she said, citing the non-assent to the 2017 budget and the non disclosure of the findings of the Committee that probed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engineer David Lawal Babachir and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Olawale Okewhich, which the Acting President headed, as part of the problems caused by the absence of the President.

But speaking with The Oracle Today in Abuja, Hajia Yesufu declared that her call was still relevant as it was when she made it a few days back, adding that “no amount of intimidations will stop me from speaking the truth.

“Islam stands for the truth and as a practising Muslim, l have an obligation to speak it as it is. If the President is no longer capable of discharging his duties, the most honourable thing will be for him to follow the constitutional provisions by resigning and hand over to the appropriate person.”

She reiterated that “there is nothing unusual for anyone to be sick and that “from all indications, President Buhari has become incapacitated and therefore unable to perform his duties as the President.”

She said it was time for the people to wrestle the country out of stagnation and urged the National Assembly to carry out its duty in line with constitutional provisions.

The BBOG convener noted that the country was bigger than one man and therefore stressed that the country must move forward, hence the need for the National Assembly to declare him unfit to govern the country.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION FG announces new appointments into PenCom, BoI, CPC

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he Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the appointment of new heads of some Federal Government parastatals, agencies and commissions.

Among them are Ali Usman who was appointed as the Chairman of the National Pension Commission with Funso Doherty as the Director General; Dikko Abdulrahman as Chairman Governing Board of the Bank of Industry, with Olukayode Pitan as the Managing Director and Emeka Nwakpa, as the Chairman, Governing Board of the Consumer Protection Council.

Also appointed were four Executive Commissioners for the National Pension Commission.

A statement by the Director of Press in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Okeke, revealed that all the appointments are to take effect immediately, except those of the National Pension Commission which are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Govt. may shut five foreign embassies “We do not want to indicate the embassies that will be closed yet he Federal Government has because we are in the process of approved the closure of five submitting the proposals, the cost foreign missions and embas- analysis and also the political analysies, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr sis we did to the president. When Geoffrey Onyeama said. he sees that, he may or may not Onyeama who told newsmen want to close some, so we have about the development in Abuja on not yet reached the stage of closing Thursday did not, however, men- some,” he said. tion the embassies or missions, The minister also reiterated that rather he said the process for clo- the closing missions abroad were sure was underway and was also extremely expensive. “The exsubject to the approval of the presi- pense, costs of closing embassies dent.Gov. Obiano exchanging greetis so high and prohibitive but in the

From KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER, Lagos

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long run it will more economical.”

He admitted that it is ex¬pensive to close a country’s embassy but quickly added that in the long run the policy will be beneficial to Nigerians. Onyeama stressed that the reduction of Nigeria’s foreign missions remains on the agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Buhari had said at the inception of his administration that the Federal Government will reduce the number of missions to save cost. Nigeria currently has 119 foreign missions.

Onyeama said: “The government

ings with Igwe and his wife shortly after the certificate of recognition.png

Ekiti Catholic bishop urges full implementation of 2014 confab report

Muslim women decry harassment over hijab From PEACE AKPAN

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uslim women groups under the aegis of Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative have cried out over alleged frequent harassment and discrimination of women in hijab, saying these actions are form of violence against women, and capable of truncating the peace and progress of the nation.

Mutilat OroluBalogun, cordinator of the coalition, which comprised Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Guild of Muslim Proffessionals, Al Muminaat, The Criterion and Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, noted that hijab is an inalienable right in the 1999 Constitution, a religious duty and obligation of every muslim woman in observance of her faith.

Citing a case where the woman is forced to choose between the job and her faith, Balogun added: “Violence against women is wrong in all its forms, whether physical, emotional or psychological. Asking a muslim woman to remove her hijab is a form of violence against women. It should have no place in a progressive society like ours.”

“Rather than discriminate, we should encourage workplace diversity,” she counselled.

MSSN Lagos Area Unit president, Hajia Hafsah Badru, stated that “covering one’s head doesn’t mean that person should be looked down upon or underestimated; women in hijab deserve to enjoy their constitutionalright.”

She however appealed to the press for objective, accurate and ethical report on the issue while putting forward the public interest.

Corroborating, AburRaheed Taiwo Abubakar in her presentation of the book: ‘Hijab and the Nigerian Press,’ said various attrocities were reportedly committed under the guise of hijab, including frequent suicide bombings, leading to loss of many lives in insurgency¬prevalent North.

She urged the Buhari government to continue to respect the rights of Muslims to protect their modesty and allow religious freedom, stressing that “whether in private or goverment establishment, muslim women in their hijabs add value. No matter the job, the hijab fits.”

is following up on that and we have sort of pre¬pared the roadmap; we have started the implementation of that and made also recom¬mendations in that context.

“Paradoxically, closing missions is extremely expensive. At first sight it seems ob¬vious that you close it you are saving cost but you will actually find that the cost of closing is almost prohibitive.

“But in the long run it will be cheaper, but in the imme¬diate and short term it is ex¬pensive but we have started the process,” he said.

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•L – R: Pai Gamde, Ag. Head, Corporate Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Master Yusuf Bello, Gloryville High School, Ebute metta, Yaba, Lagos; Master Ajoh Vincent Osita, Genesis High School, Ajah-Lekki, Lagos; Miss Priscilla Ogundoku, Gloryville High School, Ebute metta, Yaba; Joshua Oginni, Riverside Montessori School, Isheri, Lagos and Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communication Department, NSE at the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration of the 2017 Children’s Day Celebration at the Exchange srecently.

Ekweremadu inspects 27km Road Project in Enugu From KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER, Lagos

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he Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said at the weekend in Enugu that the federal government’s efforts at building critical road infrastructure to boost agriculture and economic diversification in the country should be applauded by lovers of democracy.

He said lack of access roads to evacuate agricultural products had remained a huge setback for agriculture in the rural communities across the country, thereby leading to wastage, while also making farming appear an unprofitable venture to many.

The lawmaker who spoke when he inspected the ongoing construction of the 27-kilometre NenweNomeh-Mburumbu-Nara Road, with a spur to Oduma, said the federal government was on track. “It is well known that the beneficiary communities of this road project are food baskets. They are especially good at rice production and palm

produce. They also are also very good at groundnuts, palm cassava, fruits, and so many others. They are capable of hosting value-adding companies to farm products.

“Unfortunately, there has been no access road to evacuate their farm produce or encourage valueadding firms to set up around the communities to boost agriculture and help diversify the economy and create employment. Lack of access road has resulted in wastage and economic loses.

“So, we approached the Federal Government with a request to construct this vital road and we have been on it for some years now.

Today, we are happy that the federal government has made good its promise to construct the road to boost agriculture and economic diversification agenda.

“We are also happy that a capable and credible construction company is handing the project. We believe it will be concluded within the scheduled timeframe to open up these food baskets to the rest of the na-

tion and investors,” Ekweremadu urged the project communities to continue to cooperate with the construction company to make the work easier. In his remark, the Controller of Works for Enugu State, in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing, Works, Mr. Oluropo Oyetade, represented by the Resident Engineer, Clement Ogbuagu, said the federal government was committed to extending democracy dividends to every part of the country.

He assured the communities that government would deliver a durable road through the contractor.

He promised close and strict supervision of the project to ensure full compliance with every project detail stipulated by the ministry.

Also speaking, the General Manager of Arab Contractors, the firm handling the project, Mohammed El-Eldaros, promised to deliver the project on schedule and in line with the high standard stipulated by the government in the contract.

he Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, The Most Rev. Femi Ajakaiye, has said that full implementation of the 2014 National Conference report is the panacea to moving Nigeria forward. Ajakaiye, who was a representative at the conference, made the call on Sunday at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti, at a service to mark the 2017 World Communication Day. He said that the report, if fully implemented, would nip in the bud many problems threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. According to him, the report also has the potential of solving the problems of many groups agitating for selfrecognition in the country.

The topic of his sermon taken from Isaiah 43:5, was “Fear not, for I am with you: Communicating Hope and Trust in our Time.”

Ajakaiye advised journalists and other Nigerians within and abroad, to project the country in good light.

“We must engage in constructive forms of communication that rejects prejudice towards others and foster a culture of encounter, helping all to view the world around us with realism and trust. “We have to break the vicious cycle of anxiety and stem the spiral of fear resulting from a constant focus on “bad news” (wars, terrorism, scandals and all sorts of human failure).”

The cleric urged all newsmen to work toward overcoming the growing discontent and resignation that could at times generate apathy and fear. While commending the federal and state for recognizing the late Governor of the Western region, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, also urged them to do so for the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, whom he said, worked hard for the unity of the country.

He criticised the National Assembly members for increasing their own budget in the recently passed 2017 federal budget, urging the political class to always think of the masses. He charged them to make the welfare of the masses their priority and advised the people to always vote for credible candidates who would meet their yearnings and aspirations.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION NUT appeals for intervention on unpaid salary From OJOACHELE EJIGBO, Lagos igeria Union of Teachers (NUT), N Monday, applauded the Buhari led administration for its achieve-

ments, especially in the educational sector and appealed for intervention on teachers unpaid salary arrears.

Acting secretary General of the union, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, said that the applause became necessary considering the relative peace in the country since its inception.

“Although I will not say that we have gotten it correctly, when there is relative peace to an extent, we can now say that there is progress.

At least one thing this administration has done is being a little proactive to issues concerning education and other areas.

“This government is more open to dialogue, negotiation and discussion and when these things are involved in any issues, parties concerned understand themselves better” he said.

Ike-Ene also decried the rate at which some state governments owed teachers’ salary arrears for months.

According to him, Benue, Bayelsa, Osun and Imo state governors, among others owe primary school teachers several months of salary arrears.

“As I’m talking to you now our teachers in Benue primary schools are owed 10 months’ salary arrears and they are still working, 10 good months people cannot put food on their table. There are cases whereby the father and the mother are teachers, are they going to rob bank before they put food on their table, not only Benue, Bayelsa also owes eight good months.

“In Imo state our teachers are paid in percentages, primary school teachers are owed various sums of money in various states” added IkeEne.

SON nabs importer over expired products in Lagos From SAMSON AKINTARO, Lagos

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he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has arrested a dealer in expired household products stocked in two buildings at different locations in Kirikiri, Lagos. The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma told journalists that the arrest came as a result of collaborative effort with the Nigeria Police following a tip off.

He said Products found in the premises included household consumables imported by Julf Ventures Limited. The discovery came two months after another twin three-storey building belonging to the same company was discovered stocked with expired products, tampered labels with distorted expiry dates.

Aboloma who was represented

by Director Compliance, SON, Engr. Bede Obayi stated that substantial quantity of the substandard products had already left the warehouse, promising that his

agency would track them. “We acted on the intelligence received from well- meaning Nigerians. You can see the volume of expired products here and imagine the implication for our society in terms of health issues. “When somebody buys expired cream which active ingredient has expired, that may cause negative reactions on the skin”.

“We wish to assure Nigerians that we would carry out investigation on the products that have left the warehouse to different destinations all over the country with a view to withdrawing them from circulation”.

“Today, we were able to discover two other warehouses belonging to the same company based on a tip off by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to clampdown on the importer”, he said. Aboloma described as disheartening for an importer to specialize in importing almost expired goods with the aim of dubiously extending

the shelf life and sell to innocent Nigerians. Such products according to him, have negative health and economic implications. “What we are seeing here today are various products littering the whole warehouses with poor storage conditions and the products are all either expired or almost expiring”.

He commended the Lagos State government for its prompt response in sealing up the entire building housing the initial discovery some months ago to prevent the products from further circulation, adding that SON would conduct due diligence on the ones recently discovered.

“This shows that this man is bent on continually doing the wrong thing. For him not to have declared other warehouses before now, clearly shows it is an act of criminality, in our opinion”. He is tampering with the expiry dates and selling already expired products to unsuspecting Nigerian consumers”, he said, adding that more

worrisome was the fact that the products were very high security risk products.

Director, Investigation and Enforcement, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC), Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, at the occasion expressed worry that substandard products continue to find their way through porous borders, condemning this nefarious and illicit trade by unscrupulous Nigerian importers. He lauded the Nigeria Police Force and SON for clamping down on the importer while also calling for other hands to be on deck to check mate the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country.

Mr. Ejiofor urged Nigerians to always provide useful information to regulatory and security agencies. The warehouse management, according to him was very poor. “How can a person store very sensitive products for human consumption in such bad condition”, he queried.

Why Ambode’s Chaplain Was Fired From KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER, Lagos

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he real reason Femi Taiwo, the immediate past Presiding Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos State, was removed from his post has been revealed.

Contrary to claims that the cleric was removed for not giving Lagos first lady, Bolanle Ambode preference when administering anointing oil, the report is accusing the cleric of breaching several church protocols.

A source within the church told an online newspaper that in late February this year, Mr. Taiwo had paid an authorised visit’ to Mrs. Ambode without the knowledge of the church’s Governing Council; but he allegedly lied to the governor’s wife that he was sent by the Council. At the meeting, the cleric schooled the First Lady on why he should be the “alpha and omega” on anything spiritual concerning Governor Ambode and his family.

Another source said, “He was consistently pestering the First Lady with a litany of requests, and was repeatedly advised by the Governing Council. But he does not appear to have any respect for constituted authorities as advised by the Bible.”

The source added that the Governing Council was also crossed with the pastor for allegedly converting the church’s bus to his personal use. The cleric is yet to react to any of the allegations leveled against him.

Across section of Nigerian CEOs and top executive management of Insurance companies at the just concluded African Insurance Conference held in Kampala, Uganda last week

Ogun lawmaker tasks Buhari on fight against corruption

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kinpelu Aina, member, Ogun House of Assembly on last week urged President Muhammadu Buhari to continue the fight against corruption, saying that the measure would assist in ending recession in the country. Aina, who said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta, added that the present administration had done “tremendously well in its quest to end corruption in country’’.

He said that since the inception of the Buhari’s administration two years ago, the rate of corruption which was initially deep in the society had reduced drastically. The lawmaker, representing Ado Odo Ota, commended the Federal Government for introducing the whistle blowing policy, adding that the policy had led to the discovery of stolen funds which could have been used for infrastructural development.

“As far as corruption is concerned, this government has done well in the last two years. “If you look at the rate of corruption in our country before now, it is nothing to write home about and it has affected our image in the international community. “This government has come to change our orientation as far as corruption is concerned. All these stolen monies are meant for the development

From: KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER, Lagos

diction that can only come from a warped and perverted mind.

“From day one as governor, Wike has made it his sole, one-point agenda to attack, abuse, insult and falsely denigrate Amaechi, his immediate predecessor and erstwhile benefactor.

“Since he became governor, Wike spends most of his time making reckless, deeply irresponsible malicious, false allegations against

Amaechi, as he attempts, albeit fruitlessly, to malign and destroy the outstandingly superb performance and legacy of Amaechi in Rivers State.”

“So, what are the bases or criteria for Wike to give an award/honour to a man he (Wike) has rashly attacked and called all sorts of unprintable names in the past two years?” the statement queried.

Amaechi rejects award from Rivers Govt

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igeria’s former Minister of Transport and former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected an award to be given him

by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Amaechi, in a statement obtained by media said, “The purported award itself is a contradiction of monumental proportions, a contra-

of the country, our leaders should do away with corruption.

“We have rich men all over the world whose money could be traced to genuine businesses but here in Nigeria we have millionaires and billionaires that no one knows there sources of their income, definitely they have stolen from the government. “Government money is not meant for any other thing but the development of the country. These are monies that could be spent on education, health, good infrastructure to develop the economy,” he said.

Aina also urged Nigerians, especially the youths to desist from illicit acts that could affect the development and progress of the country.

“Lying, stealing and other evil acts are all part of corruption and we should desist from them. “Corruption it not something that can be done alone by the government, it is a collective responsibility so that the fight can be won,” he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

Philanthropist, lawyer and politician, OWELLE EJIKEME ODUMEGWU recently organised Special Thanksgiving Service for his son, Baby Trump Ifemyorochukwu Odumegwu, at All Saints Catholic Church, Umuopu in Igbo-Eze North LGA, Enugu State, with a grand reception at his residence. During the events, he made a couple of donations including a Specialist Hospital (All Saints Specialist Hospital); 900 bags (truckload) of cement and N3m cash donation to support various on-going church building projects under St. Paul’s Catholic Parish Umuopu; two residential buildings to two indigent widows and scholarship up to tertiary level to four indigent students; a truckload of yam tubers and donation of N2m trophy to Igbo-Eze North PDP for football tournaments, among others.

Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu, his wife and family dancing happily to the alter accompanied by friends and well-wishers.

Owelle handing over a special Thanksgiving offering to the officiating priest, Fr. Jude Ugwueke during the Holy Mass.

Owelle and his wife Chinwe (left) with Amb. Fidel Ayogu and his wife (right) at the church service.

The truckload of cements (900 bags) and a truckload of yam tubers donated to the church, Umuopu community and the PDP members.

The Parish of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Fr. Jude Ugwueke blessing Owelle’s family; his daughter Amuche (centre).

Owelle welcomes Abuja-based business mogul, Chief Kenneth Ali to the event.

One of the artistes that perOwelle’s first son, HRH Igwe K.C. Odumegwu (Ochinanwata I of Divine Love Secondary formed at the event, AbujaSchool, Trans-Ekulu Enugu, and his 2nd son, Prince Ezedinobi Odumegwu at the Thanksgiv- based rapper, Ugo thrilling ing service guests.

Owelle’s mother, Mrs. Gladys Odumegwu flanked by one of her daughters and a grand daughter.

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

Owelle’s Thanksgiving Service continues

Owelle acknowledges cheers from guests at his residence during the reception.

Chief Engr. Ifeanyi Eze, aka Ezetech (centre) at the site of All Saints Specialist Hospital (already under construction) when he called on Owelle with his friends during the reception.

Owelle (3rd left) handing over a cheque of N1m to the Principal of Community Secondary School Umuopu, Mr. Ayogu Hyacinth for the renovation of delipidated school blocks as the community leaders watch.

Igbo-Eze North PDP members sharing the truckload of yam tubers at Owelle’s residence before the reception.

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Amb. Fidel Ayogu, Commissioner for Environment, Enugu State (centre) performing the foundation laying ceremony. He is flanked on the left by Owelle and on the right

by Fr. Jude Ugwueke and the PDP Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA Comrade Urama.

Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu cudles Baby Tump Ifemyorochukwu Odumegwu and his wife Lolo Amuche and family when they filed out for Special Thanksgiving.

The PDP Chairman, Igbo-Eze North LGA presenting a gift to Owelle Odumegwu on behalf of Umuozzi Ward 9 at the event.

The PDP Woman Leader, Ozzi Ward 8, Mrs. Eke Annastesia smiling home with her chair of the yam.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS

Obiano’s airport project unrealisable – HDP

From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka HOPE Democratic Party in Anambra State has described the airport project embarked upon by the Willie Obiano administration as unnecessary.

The party also claimed that the purported Anambra rice, vegetable export and some other claims of the governor are all “largely exaggerated”.

Speaking to our correspondent in Awka shortly after a meeting

of party faithful to assess success of its just concluded local council tour, the state chairman of Hope Democratic Party, Engr. Samuel Ositadimma Oraegbunam claimed that all the promises Obiano made to the people of Anambra State have remained “mostly unfulfilled.”

He observed that the flyover bridges build in Awka are not as impressive as government officials portray them, claiming that they “old-fashioned and substandard as

evident in the barricades mounted to prevent them from collapse.”

He claimed that in the last three years, no town in the central and south senatorial districts has had a project done by the present administration, pointing out that the only town that has had a project is Aguleri, the governor’s own community in Anambra which is in the north.

The Hope Party chieftain also queried the rationale behind the N20 million community project

the State government, arguing that if, indeed, the governor is giving out N20 million to communities to execute choice projects in their respective localities, “there shouldn’t have been any need to flag off an airport project.”

He pointed out that rather than the airport project, the State’s “meager resources should have been properly deployed for the conduct of local council elections and creation of job opportunities for youths rather than use the said

20 million naira grant to buy over traditional rulers and presidentsgeneral thereby causing confusion and rancour in various communities.”

He said the reason for appraisal cum stakeholders’ meeting of the HDP was “to send a notice to the APGA government to start packing their luggage because Hope Democratic Party is going to take over the government house on November 18 2017.”

Ndigbo not equitably represented in Nigeria – WIC ADC bestows “power of attorney” on stalwarts

From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka THE World Igbo Congress (WIC), an umbrella organisation for the seven Igbo-speaking States in Nigeria, has restated its stance on what it termed the marginalization and inequality meted out to the Igbo nation by the Nigerian government, saying that Ndigbo are not equitably represented in the country.

The organisation observed that Ndigbo are being shortchanged and discriminated against regarding appointments into the military, the judiciary and other facets of national life irrespective of the fact that the Igbo nation is the stronghold of the Nigerian economy.

This was the crux of the matter at a summit organised by the World Igbo Congress at Ascort Resorts, Enugu.

The convention provided a platform for Igbo leaders to deliberate on the challenges facing the nationality in Nigeria with a view to charting a new course for Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora.

Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Ike Ekweremadu, while addressing participants at the summit, noted that marginalization against the Ndigbo is clearly evident in the security architecture of the Nigerian government, stressing that Ndigbo are not fully represented in the entire arrangement.

He, however, pointed out that the issue has been taken to President Muhammadu Buhari, adding

Change of Name I formally called MISS UJUNWA ANNABEL UBAJAKA now wish to be called MRS UJUNWA ANABEL EJEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Change of Name I formally known as PETER NNENNA PATIENCE now wish to be called IKECHUKWU PATIENCE NNENNA. All former documents remain valid.

Keystone Bank and General public take note.

From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

The ever busy Abia Tower junction on Aba Road by Bende Road in Umuahia looking desolate as motorists and traders observed the sit-at-home call by IPOB that the President has promised to address the anomalies.

The Deputy Senate President emphasized that the Igbo struggle is not an armed struggle but is aimed at engaging other sections of the country to point out the inequality, discrimination and marginalization against Ndigbo in Nigeria.

“No matter the intimidation, harassment and marginalization of our people, we must never be provoked into armed struggle. It is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. But we must consistently continue to say and loudly too, ‘No! No! No!No!’ until we get to the promised land of an equitable and just society,” Ekweremadu said.

“Let no man be tired and let no woman give up. The night maybe long, but the day will surely break,” he added.

Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi was of the opinion that the Igbo nation has too many leaders, a situation he said explains the obvious disunity among Ndigbo.

Obi expressed worry that governors of the Southeast States and their deputies were conspicuously absent from such a high level meeting where issues concerning Igbo integration were being discussed.

He, therefore, advocated a knowledge economy for the Igbo nation as well, urging Ndigbo to invest in the future while resisting all forms of servitude and marginalization from the Nigerian government.

A scholar, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, President Alaigbo Development Foundation, in his remarks, ob-

GREAT FRIENDS CLUB OF ONICHA IGBOEZE

The General public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JAMES ANI –Chairman 2. UCHENNAYA NWANI –General Secretary 3. AGOM CHUKWUMA –Chairman Board of Trustees AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION 2. TO PROMOTE UNITY WITHIN THE REGION. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affair Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: JAMES ANI –President

served that Ndigbo are weak in international politics but relish only buying and selling.

Nwala, however, admonished governors of the Southeast and the entire Igbo nation to pursue regional integration as well as work together to emancipate the region from socio-economic and political suffocation.

Chairman of the World Igbo Congress, Engr. Joe Nze-Eto, said the objective of the summit was to discuss Igbo unity as well as make Nigeria recognise that it has created handicaps for Ndigbo and discriminated against them especially in the area of appointments.

He explained that the summit was also geared towards prevailing on the Buhari administration to refrain from excluding Ndigbo from his government.

He said two major issues--building a regional medical centre of excellence and the pursuit of an industrial policy to revamp industries in Igboland were focal areas of the summit.

He maintained that industrialisation of Igboland is most paramount, stressing that the summit sought to sensitize Igbo governors to pool their resources to revamp industries in the region to engender job and wealth creation in Igbo-speaking States of Nigeria.

LEADERSHIP of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State has bestowed what it described as power of attorney on party stalwarts from the 21 local councils of the state.

The ceremony was performed at the ADC party house in Awka during the inauguration of all the local councils and ward officers of the party.

State chairman of the party, Mr. Paul Uchenna Asika, while performing the ceremony, said the essence was to give staff of office and flags to leaders of the party at the local council and ward levels to enable them commence mobilisation at the grassroots in preparation for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Asika noted that some aspirants had indicated interest to contest on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, stressing that the party was in good stead to take over the government house come November 18th, 2017.

Dr. Obiora Uchenna, a chieftain of the party, said ADC has structures at the grassroots that would help to monitor elections to ensure that the party is not shortchanged, boasting that the party is prepared to produce the next governor of Anambra state.

Another party stalwart, Mr. Somadina Eze-ebo, the Orumba South Local Council chairman of the party, stressed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that ADC succeeds in the governorship election, saying that they would mobilise people adequately to this effect.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS

Protesters hail EFCC over George Turnah’s arrest, prosecution From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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UNDREDS of people staged a demonstration in Yenagoa in support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest and prosecution of Mr. George Turner.

Turner was a Special Adviser to former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and foster son of former President Good luck Jonathan.

The Oracle Today gathered

that Turnah is facing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on a 12-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and abuse of office, amongst others.

It was also learnt that the rally took place in other seven other Local Councils of the state.

Turnah was arrested in Port Harcourt in March this year in connection with alleged possession of N2 billion suspected to be funds he siphoned from the NDDC while serv-

ing there between 2012 and 2015.

The EFCC, through its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwajaren had said preliminary investigations indicated that deposits made in Turner’s personal and company bank accounts were in excess of N2 billion.

It was against this backdrop that some persons in Bayelsa embarked on the peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the anti-graft agency.

The demonstrators under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of

Bayelsa State carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “We thank the EFCC for exposing corrupt persons”, “Enemies of Niger Delta exposed”, “Well done EFCC’, “George Turnah impoverished Bayelsa State.”

Leaders of the group, Chief Harrow Zuokomor and Abule Bethel, while submitting their petition at the Bayelsa Police Command Headquarters, stated that corruption has continued to impoverish the ordinary people.

Ndigbo will resist 2019 general elections – Nnadi From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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ECRETARY-General of Lower Niger Congress (LNC), Mr. Tony Nnadi has said that the Ndigbo will resist the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

Nnadi, who spoke in an exclusive chat with The Oracle Today at the World Igbo Congress held in Enugu recently, added that participation in the 2019 elections would mean further enslavement of Ndigbo and so is unacceptable.

“We are not talking about boycott. We are going to prevent the preparations towards any further election under the 1999 constitution. We must now go to a referendum. It has been very difficult. Nigeria was not our project at the inception; it was a British project and by the time they handed over to us, we agreed on how to live together.

But, somewhere along the line, it was toppled and it became an imposition for us and we are saying now that after killing over 4m of us in that disputation of how do we live together, it is now the time for a referendum and that is what the Lower Niger Congress is saying. That is the recommendation that we are making to our people. Let us together say that.

“The young people who do not know how to articulate it are calling it Biafra but we can rearticulate it to say that we

Addressing the demonstrators, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, promised to deliver their message to the appropriate authorities.

He said the matter was already in court and expressed the hope that justice would run its full course.

The demonstration in the Bayelsa capital began early in the morning from the Ekeki Park through the State House of Assembly to the headquarters of the State Police Command at Ovom.

Police arrest 2 minors for stealing N134, 000 From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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Executive of Omagba Community Welfare Association, Omagba Phase II, Onitsha, in a group photograph with representative of the Chairman of Transition Committee of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon. Onochie Ozoma (5th from left) when the Chairman paid a familiarization visit to the community. Standing 8th from left is President-General of the Association, Chief Remigus Ojenanwayo Ikeh. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI. should go for a referendum to decide the fresh protocols that will bring us together.

“Nigeria is supposed to be a federation. It is supposed to be a symbiosis with everybody happier because we are bigger.

Suddenly, Nigeria since 1966 has been turned into a deadly parasitism in which there is now a host that must supply all the blood and there will also be a

parasite that must suck all the blood. If as a federation, it ceases to be symbiosis for me and now becomes that host that must die for the parasite to live large, I will do anything I find to do to put that parasite to death. This is what the Lower Niger Congress is committed to. I want to be alive, and for that to exist, Nigeria as it is currently configured must be put to death.”

Nnadi berated the Federal Government for continuous silence on the incessant herdsmen attacks, which he said have assumed a worrisome trend in the south.

“I am forbidden by law to touch a gun whereas they have all the guns. We will not relent in our struggle. We have put a framework of a referendum to resolve the issue,” he asserted.

ited, on an amended 15-count charge, revolving around money laundering.

The amendment, which was effected in counts 10 to 15, according to prosecution counsel, Ben Ikani, “was to accommodate new information” in the charge brought against them.

In one of the amended counts, the prosecution alleged that Bala knowingly failed to declare the sum of £472.26 standing to his credit at Standard Chartered Bank Plc, “an offence contrary to section 27 (1) of the EFCC Act

2004.”

He was also alleged to have deliberately concealed the sum of $32,512.44 and €17.45 in the same bank but with different account numbers while declaring his assets, an offence contrary to the EFCC Act, and punishable by same. He also allegedly “without going through a financial institution made cash payment of N200 million only to Faruk Saleh at Abuja as payment for purchase of House 2A, No 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, which exceeded the stat-

utory limit,” an offence contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

His counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), thereafter, urged the court to allow him continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted to him on February 3, 2017, two days after he was first arraigned.

Uche further requested for time to study the amended charge dated May 25, 2017,

AYELSA State Police Command has arrested two children for allegedly stealing the sum of N134, 000 at Swali area of Yenagoa.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the command, Asinim Butswat (DSP), said a tricycle operator carrying the suspects alerted the police at the Berger Junction that he suspected the mission of his passengers.

“On the 29th May 2017, at about 0940hrs, one Abel Miracle ‘m’ 12 years and one David Agbagidi ‘m’ 14 years boarded a tricycle from Swali Community to Kpansia.

“The driver of the tricycle one Jacob Philip drove to the Julius Berger roundabout and alerted policemen that he suspected the two children he was carrying were thieves. The children took to their heels and were chased and arrested by the policemen.

“The sum of one hundred and thirty thousand four hundred was recovered from them. They confessed to stealing the money from a bag belonging to an unknown person at Swali waterside. Investigation is ongoing”, the PPRO said.

EFCC re-arraigns ex-FCT minister’s son for N1.2bn fraud From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja

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ON of former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Shamsudeen Bala, has been re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He was re-arraigned along with four companies – Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistic Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Lim-

which he said he was “only being served” by the prosecution.

Ikani did not oppose his application for bail.

Justice Dimgba adjourned to June 26, 2017 for “continuation of hearing”.

Former FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, was also arraigned on a 7-count corruption charge before Justice Talba of FCT High Court, Gudu, Abuja on Wednesday May 10, 2017.

He was later granted bail in sum of N500m.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7 2017

Bold n’ Blunt

Rivers APC leadership tussle: Why yesterday’s

They were once the best of friends—or at least the best of political buddies, kingpins of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who fought gallantly to enthrone the party as the ruling party in Rivers State but failed to achieve their dream. However, as over 200 former APC councillors converged recently at Senator Magnus Abe’s residence to congratulate him on his electoral victory in December last year, in obvious defiance of former governor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s alleged directive that the congratulatory visit be put on hold, it became obvious that the centre, as the late Chinua Achebe would have put it, no longer holds in the Amaechi-Abe political marriage. From Port Harcourt, NATH OMAME reports.

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ONCERTED efforts allegedly made

by Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to convince 319 former All Progressives Congress (APC) councillors in Rivers State not to visit and honour Senator Magnus Ngei Abe for his election victory, has failed.

Abe won the Rivers South East senatorial re-run election in December last year.

It was a tough nut to crack for the APC candidate from Ogoni Land who squared up with a strong opposition candidate in the person of Olaka Wogu. The visit by the former APC local councillors was, therefore, intended as a congratulatory visit, to thank the Almighty for Abe’s victory.

But, it was gathered that Amaechi, the former governor, had set up a three-man contact team to reach out to the councillors and intimate them that he was not in support of their plan to hounour Abe who won his election on December 10 last year, to return to the National Assembly as a ranking Senator representing Rivers South East.

Sources said Amaechi hurriedly set up the three-man contact team after about three weeks of persuasion to discourage the councillors from going on with their planned visit to Senator Abe’s home fell through. Amaechi, the source told The Oracle Today, implored members of the team on Saturday, May 19, to ensure that the councillors’ plan to honour Abe did not come to fruition.

At about 8.pm on Sunday evening, on May 20, when it became apparent that the three-man contact team had failed in its bid to stop the councillors from attending the event, the minister of transportation took to the phone to call some elders of the party to intervene in persuading the councillors not to attend.

The councillors had initiated moves about five months ago to honour Senator Abe in appreciation of his doggedness and vigorous campaign in the run-up to the re-run legislative election in the State.

The court of appeal had ordered fresh re-run elections in the three Senatorial Districts, namely Rivers West; Rivers East and Rivers South East, including some House of Representatives and State Assembly seats on the strength of the APC’s petition that stated that the elections were fraught with irregularities.

A source close to Abe disclosed that the Senator was reluctant to accede to the request of the councillors, considering the deep-seated ruckus in the APC in Rivers State allegedly over Amaechi’s style of leadership.

Abe is the only elected APC Senator in Rivers State. And by virtue of his re-election to the Senate, Abe is the most senior elected politician in the APC in the State.

•Amaechi And as such, Senator Abe is the leader of the APC lawmakers caucus from Rivers State in the National Assembly.

Abe’s election victory appears to have diminished former Governor Amaechi’s clout as the leader of the APC in the State, the former governor having been unable to deliver his Rivers East Senatorial District won by Senator George Sekibo of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The unspoken but deafening rivalry between Amaechi and Abe has begun to manifest in some uncomplimentary remarks being made by Amaechi against Abe at different APC stakeholders fora in the State.

Amaechi’s remarks that Abe did not support Dr. Dakuku Peterside’s candidature as the flag-bearer of the APC in the April 11, 2016, governorship election provoked angry responses from APC youths whom the minister was addressing, in April, bringing the tempestuous meeting to an abrupt

• Abe end.

The minister was hurriedly whisked away from the premises of Empowerment Support Initiative, (ESI), Centre, at No. 120, Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, by his security details in a back-up vehicle.

Amaechi, a two-term governor of Rivers State who alleged that Abe, a two-term Senator betrayed him by not supporting Peterside in the last general elections, declared at that forum and, reportedly, at other stakeholderss meetings, that he will ‘never’ support Abe to earn the APC governorship ticket in 2019.

The simmering rivalry for the soul of the APC in Rivers State between Amaechi and Abe boiled over recently when the APC women leader, Mrs. Caroline Magu, summarily asked six women who had led other women to the party’s State secretariat, along Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt, to leave the place.

The women who had led their ward members to the venue of the expansive APC State women meeting were ordered to leave the meeting for speaking in support of Senator Abe’s efforts to reposition the APC in the State in preparation for the 2019 general elections.

A top brass in the APC in the State told The Oracle Today when asked if, indeed, there were some misgivings between Amaechi and Abe, and what could have been the source of the ensuing political rift.

He stated: “There is no personal quarrel between Amaechi and Abe. Both of them are friends and political associates.

But, I must admit that both gentlemen have had cause to disagree on matters bordering on how the party should approach the 2019 general elections to avoid another humiliating defeat by the PDP.” “While Amaechi wants to repeat the

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt

friends have become bitter enemies!

• Wike

Chief Oyegun glaring mistakes that cost us the governorship election in 2015, Abe is insisting that the party should change its failed strategy and make the governorship race more competitive by adopting the party’s constitutional provision that mandates States to conduct primary for all elective positions, especially that of the governor.”

He added: “Senator Abe and majority of the stakeholders in the APC want the party to conduct a primary for the governorship ticket of the party, so that the most popular candidate can emerge. In that wise, the party can go to the polls united behind a saleable candidate.”

The APC top-notcher asked: “What is wrong with that? We left the PDP because of its unbridled impunity; imposition of unpopular candidates on the party; its disdain for the rule of law. In 2015, Amaechi single-handedly arm-twisted the party to endorse Peterside. And we failed woefully. Must we fail again?

“Well...we have individually and collectively spent time, energy, resources and goodwill in building the APC in the State.

We cannot allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to mortgage our political future on the altar of personal considerations for whatever reasons.”

He recalled: “In 2015, in a bid to galvanise members to support Peterside, whose choice was solely made by Amaechi who was then governor, stakeholders unanimously agreed that candidates for future gubernatorial elections should emerge through party primary.

“The minutes are there. But must we go through such acrimonious public debate to do what is stated in the party’s constitution and formally proclaimed by stakeholders at Government House, Port Harcourt, in 2015, in the presence of Amaechi who convened the meeting?”

He lamented: “I will not deny that we have some lingering disagreement in the APC in Rivers State. But, would it not be better if the minister subsumed his per-

sonal goal in the collective good and interest of the party?”

Indeed, the tune and choice of words used by Senator Abe while addressing the councillors subtly indicated that all was not well with the Rivers State APC. Many of the over 200 former APC councillors who attended the event held at the Senator’s house, in Port Harcourt, spoke in groups in low tones about the simmering rift in the party between their leaders.

Senator Abe told his visitors, on Monday, May 22: “As we speak here today, there are lecturers at Rivers State University (UST), who have not been paid. They have been denied their just entitlement on the suspicion that they came on board during the APC era and, therefore, could be affiliated to the APC.” “And our response is not to go into name calling and blame-trading but sit back and strategise on taking back the government of Rivers State. And that should be the priority of all APC members. “ “One issue I will like to state are the events that led to what is happening here today. You will recall that when you came to see me you were not that many. You promised to come and visit me to congratulate me here if I win the election.

And I assured you all that I would win.

You were not that many.”

“Two days ago, one of our councillors saw me and asked me when I would be receiving our councillors and I told him I would do so when I settle down. He responded saying Senator you have added politics to our visit. What had transpired in the last two days shows very glaringly that certain things are not just right.

“I asked if they could come on Monday and he said yes. But I told him I wouldn’t be able to cook for that number of visitors at such short notice since I would be travelling back to Abuja later that day.

Only for me to hear this morning that they were calling people threatening them, intimidating them, warning them

not to go to Abe’s house.

“And my first instinct was fine, call it off because I have nothing to lose or gain. I felt that it was an opportunity for brothers and sisters to met, eat and dance and interact to make the party stronger and more united for the good of everybody.

But, the councillors said no, they will come to my house.

“Honestly, I did not expect to see about 15 councillors here to today. But I am truly surprised at the number of councillors here today. It shows that threats, intimidation and all sorts of shenanigans cannot work in the APC.” He stressed: “Let me use this opportunity to remind us of something we all seem to have forgotten. The APC is not just a political party; it is an idea. It is a vision that Nigerians of all works of life, from every social and economic standing came together in pursuit of a common vision.

“And that vision was to have a better country; a fairer country; a society in which there will be justice for all. Isn’t that what we came to look for in APC?” “We were running away from injustice; we were running away from the impunity that existed elsewhere. We decided and we felt that in coming to the APC, we would escape from all those things. We cannot, therefore, come to APC and see more than what we saw before. Will that work? It will not work. It will not work.

“This party is not just a political party; it is an idea and the idea of the APC is justice. It means that what you can do in another setting will be difficult to do in the APC. I want to thank you for coming.

I implore you to take these challenges in your strides.”

“I also thank those who tried to stop you from coming because if they didn’t try to stop you, half of you wouldn’t have been here. You are here principally because you want to show that you cannot be stopped.

“And you have shown the world that you cannot be stopped. So, let me thank

those who tried to stop you for making this meeting the most successful political gathering of grassroots politicians of the APC.” Senator Abe assured his guests: “For me, let me say that there is nothing that is going on that is so strange. I have confidence in the ability of our leadership to be able to resolve whatever challenges or problems that may come up in the party.

“Those who think that if there are issues in the party it means the party will scatter or anybody will leave don’t understand how hungry and angry we are.

They don’t understand how determined our people are. They don’t understand how committed we are that Rivers State must be part of the federal government.

On that point, all politicians in the State are in agreement that Rivers State must belong to the centre.”

However, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone dismissed insinuations making the rounds that the minister of transportation was averse to the presence of the APC former councillors at the event.

He stated: “Was the event advertised?

I live in Port Harcourt and I was not aware that such an event was holding in the city.

How then could the minister who is in Abuja be aware that such an event was holding?”

Finebone added: “People who are involved in organising such events simply want to create issues out of what they are doing. I don’t think it was a public event because some members of the party were surprised when they heard in the news that the event had taken place.”

It remains to be seen whether the leadership of the party in Rivers State will adhere to the party’s rule regarding the conduct of a primary, or resort to the imposition of a candidate thereby spewing up an ill wind of oppression, impunity and injustice, which could further fuel misgivings and discontent among APC members and power centres.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

FOCUS

When nature’s fist of fury descended on Yenagoa From Yenagoa, CHRIS EZE writes on the havoc flood wreaked on Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital…recently

Azikoro Estate overtaken by flood. Azikoro Estate overtaken by flood. Azikoro Estate overtaken by flood.• Onneghen, Chief Jusitice of Nigeria

R

ESIDENTS of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and environs are still counting their losses following the massive flood, which ravaged their homes and business places.

The flooding, which resulted from an all night rain that lasted till morning on Thursday sacked many people from their homes, business places and forced schools to shut temporarily, even as properties worth millions of naira were said to have been lost in the deluge.

Some of the places worst hit by the flooding include the Azikoro Estate, Ernest Ikoli NUJ Press Centre, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation (Glory FM), Bayelsa College of Arts and Science Nursery Primary and Secondary School (BYCAS), Captain Ayeni Street, INEC Road, among others.

Some of the victims of the flooding blamed it on the poor planning that characterizes development in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. This poor town planning, critics argue, has left residents at the mercy of the elements at times like these and appealed to the government to open all blocked drainages in the state capital to enable flood water flow out.

A victim of the flood at Azikoro Estate in Yenagoa, who simply identified himself as Jonah said they had never experienced flooding in their area and urged government to come to their aid.

“Water has never entered my house before. I just want them (government) to come and help us because this thing is beyond us,” he said. “We woke up this morning only to find out that we are submerged in water. All our assets, belongings, everything is in water. In fact, we don’t know where to start from,” he lamented.

A teacher at BYCAS told The Oracle Today that academic activities in the school were suspended and the pupils and students asked to go home.

“We came in this morning and discovered that the compound is flooded, the classes filled with water, the teachers swimming in water, parents swimming in water and pupils swimming in water. Learning couldn’t take place, so we asked the children to go home,” he stated.

Former Commissioner for Information in the State, Mr. Dan Kikile who was also a victim at Azikoro Estate narrated his experi-

Redemption Ministries along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa also flooded. ence and called on the relevant ministries to team up and find solutions to the situation.

He, however, blamed the situation on property developers who build houses indiscriminately.

He said: “I think that the various ministries and departments responsible should work out a permanent solution. But, not just that, I have lived in Yenagoa from the 1970s till date, so I know that one of the key challenges facing development, and which is causing this flooding, is indiscriminate building and construction on natural water channels.

“We haven’t had this sort of flooding before, but because we are building on top of natural water channels that take water out of the city to the various canals, rivers and so on, all the channels have been blocked so that there is no access for water to pass through,” he maintained.

Reacting to the development, State Commissioner for Environment, Williams Alamene who visited the Azikoro Estate to

access the extent of the flooding sympathized with the victims and attributed the flooding to poor planning.

“I think from my own experience from what I am seeing here, it is lack of proper drainage within the estate. I think that the best thing to do is to look for where we can have our channels so that we can open them up to the Ikoli River that is along the 5 star hotel,” he stated.

He said his ministry would synergize with that of Works, Housing and Lands to find a lasting solution to the situation. “So, I am trying to call my partners, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Lands. It’s a ministerial thing, working together so that we can see how to get a bulldozer and open up that creek so that once it rains; the water can flow towards that direction so that this flooding you see here won’t happen again.

“But, in the mean time, I am very sorry on behalf of the government to tell the people living here that they should bear with the

government for a little period. We will see what we can do to evacuate this water and ensure that they all come back to stay,” the Commissioner appealed.

Nonetheless, some residents attributed the constant flooding particularly in Yenagoa to lack of a comprehensive master plan for the state capital, by the State government despite the existence of an agency charged with the responsibility for the capital city development.

In 2012, Bayelsa was one of the States worst hit by the flood, which ensued in the country that year following the opening of Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian government.

The State government had set up a Flood Committee, which received funds from donor agencies and individuals as government promised to construct dykes and make other arrangements to ensure that communities in the State do not suffer the ravages of flooding again.

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

Nigerian telecoms industry on the brink of failure

By SAMSON AKINTARO

A

CBN EXCHANGE RATES MAY 19, 2017 Currency Buying

(NGN) US DOLLAR 304.35 Pounds Sterling 390.6637 EURO 340.6285 SWISS FRANC 312.6991 YEN 2.7414 CFA 0.5003 WAUA 419.6909 YUAN/RENMINBI 44.363 RIYAL 81.1513 S/African Rand 23.6297 DANISH KRONA 45.7676

Central Selling (NGN) (NGN) 304.85 305.35 391.3055 391.9473 341.1881 341.7477 313.2128 313.7265 2.7459 2.7504 0.5103 0.5203 420.3804 421.0699 44.4364 44.5097 81.2847 81.418 23.6685 23.7073 45.8428 45.918

•Aviation

•e-Platform

•Tourism

Energy

NLNG Act amendment draws more rage P16

e-Platform

E-payment chanelled Over N22trn in Q1 –NBS P17

Aviation Ebola scare:

Symptoms of the declining fortunes of Operators, they stated, are already evident in the market as debts continue to grow and overall service quality continues a downward trend. As it is, there is a grave threat to the Broadband Agenda of the Government and expected dividend from growth in Broadband penetration envisaged in the Economic Recovery and Growth plan 2020. This threat, they warn, will materialize if the market is not sanitized and the Tier II Operators are not protected to encourage and justify the Capital Investment required to continue to invest and improve Broadband penetration in the Country.

The Tier II operators also bemoaned their deteriorating fortunes due to predatory pricing and cross subsidy of data using

voice by Tier I Operators who possess significant market power.

This they said is a challenge the NCC must intervene to stop.

They nonetheless concluded by applauding the various interventions of the NCC in engaging other Stakeholders in ameliorating the difficulties that Operators face.

They expressed their gratitude to Danbatta for intervening with the CBN to reduce the burden of Forex liquidity. They also commended him for his role in leading the campaign to educate the populace that base stations do not cause cancer. They however implored him to protect the Tier II Operators so that their operations will not collapse.

Meanwhile, all indices of the Nigerian telecommunications sec

group of tier II telecoms operators in the country, comprising internet service providers (ISPs), over the weekend, warned that a systemic industry failure threat with likely negative collateral and great national socio-economic implications is in the offing. The group, while drawing attention to the difficulties that are threatening to cripple their operations with the attendant effect of derailing the broadband plan of the Federal Government, asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the industry regulator, to take immediate and decisive steps to avert the looming threat of strangulation, which its members currently face.

Led by a high-powered delegation made up of Mr. Godfrey Efeurhobo, Managing Director of Smile Communications, David Venn, Managing Director of Spectranet, Mr. Osondu Nwokoro, Director Regulatory and External Affairs of nTel and Mr. Chuma Okoye, Chief Commercial Officer of Swift Networks, on a visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Abuja, the group said the industry is in a situation where all operators are finding it difficult to justify the required investment case for additional CAPEX for network capacity expansion to improve quality of service to customers.

They further noted that the Network OPEX of Telecommunication Operations has sky rocketed in the last 15months by over 85% with Revenues remaining relatively flat. Most Operators, they observed, are currently struggling with meeting obligations to their suppliers particularly Network Vendors, TowerCos and servicing Loan obligations. This worrying trend, they noted, includes even some of the Tier I Operators. According to them, a perfect storm is brewing and if not headed off will result in the collapse of key players in the industry.

This is because the domino effect of bankruptcy of any of the Tier I or Tier II Operators on the entire ecosystem particularly, Banking, Employment, Corporate and SMEs businesses constitutes a major threat to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the current Administration. Such bankruptcy and consequent collapse will also substantially lessen competition with its attendant deleterious impact on consumer choice and attainment of the Broadband objectives of the country.

The MDs stated that the NCC’s declaration of 2017 as the Year of the Telecoms Consumer can be derailed by failure of Operators to deliver on the expected quality of service particularly on Data Throughput and Experience due to the weak investment case to support additional CAPEX as a result of deteriorating market conditions.

•Insurance

Continues P14

NCAA to sanction foreign airline over ‘undocumented repatriation’P20

Insurance

Insurers decry dearth of sexpertise in Africa P23

Stock Market Highlights As At 26 May, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume

29,064.52 4,435.00 725,542,699.00 5,715,138,652.92 10,047,764,567,253.87 Value

5 Top Gainers Company Last Close Current Change DANGCEM 163 166.8 3.8 OKOMUOIL 50.9 52.99 2.09 GUARANTY 33.6 35.28 1.68 PRESCO 48 49.01 1.01 FLOURMILL 19.27 20.23 0.96

Top Losers Company Last Close Current Change 1.

DIAMONDBNK 204,115,575 187,815,908.06 MOBIL 299.63 284.65 -14.98 9.9 9.42 -0.48 2.

ACCESS 144,728,631 1,092,502,210.93 CADBURY 36 35.75 -0.25 3.

GUARANTY 59,246,131 2,075,205,035.30 UNILEVER 4. UBA 51,264,523 383,724,092.47 NASCON 8.7 8.5 -0.2 5. ZENITHBANK 44,331,930 841,504,583.86 NAHCO 3.04 2.89 -0.15

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BUSINESS

Shell upgrades scholarship for top students

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

B

eneficiaries of The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture undergraduate scholarship who have consistently earned excellent grades have been inducted into a new mentorship programme aimed at grooming them for entry into the oil and gas industry and motivating them to maintain their top academic performance.

‘Our Shell Meet Scholars programme is an extension of our joint venture’s education initiative for undergraduates in our areas of operation. It is our way of giving recognition to beneficiaries of our university scholarship scheme who have consistently maintained a CGPA of 4.5 and above in their courses of study,’ said SPDC’s Social Investment and Social Performance Manager, Gloria Udoh when 18 out of the 22 students visited the corporate headquarters of

the company in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

She said that with the programme, the scholarship scheme has taken a more sustainable character as SPDC will encourage the 22 students to maintain their current academic grades by having SPDC mentors assigned to them.

‘They also qualify for automatic internship placement in the company and free enrolment to the Shell-built Port Harcourt Literary Society Library,’ Udoh added.

SPDC’s Campus Ambassadors Programme (CAP) would groom the 22 students to become role models in their various universities, while being prepared for possible employment in the oil and gas industry after graduation. The initiative will cover coaching in career management, self-evaluation and feedback, communications skills, technical knowledge improvement, change management, leadership skills and understanding of SPDC’s business culture.

...Industry on the brink of failure

PIGB passage marks 2nd Anniversary of 8th Senate he Nigerian Senate last week TIndustry passed a 17-year old Petroleum Bill (PIB) now known as

Continued from P13

tor, which was hitherto referred to as the shining light of the nation’s economy are currently not looking good. Statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), shows that the nation’s teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per one hundred (100) inhabitants living within an area, has been moving southward since February this year. The teledensity which had been on upward swing since GSM licenses were issued in 2001, declined for the first time in February this year, to 110.09 per cent as against 110.80 in January. By March, the teledensity had gone down significantly to 108. 91 per cent. A reflection of this is seen in the active subscriber figures over the same period, which declined from 155 million in January to 152 million in March.

A worst case scenario is reflecting in the figures of internet subscribers on the GSM networks, which has been on downward swing since October 2016. Closing September at 93.5 million users, the downward movement began in October as it dropped to 93.1, declining by over 400,000 users. By November, the figure of internet users had dropped to 92.4 million, while the year was wrapped up with a further decline to close at 91.8 million by December 2016.

The downward trend has continued this year with both January and February figures showing further declines. In January, the figure dropped to 91.3 million, declining by 500,000 users compared to December. The biggest decline was however recorded in in February as the four GSM providers lost about 1.3 million subscribers in the space of one month. By March, the internet subscriber had dropped to 89.9 million, while statistics for April is yet to be released as at the time of filing this report.

However, a source at the Nigerian Communications Commission said the regulator was also concerned with the latest statistics going southward from all indicators. He said the Commission was also monitoring the situation and hoping that the country gets out of recession quickly to see if things would improve in the telecom industry.

The elated students thanked SPDC for the transparency of the scholarship award process and pledged to work hard to be worthy ambassadors of the company.

A total of 8,145 students from SPDC operational areas have benefited from the joint venture’s regular secondary school scholarship scheme in the past six years. The university scholarship scheme is a natural progression of the scholarship scheme for students at the secondary school level.

L-R: Hon. Stella Okotete, ED/Business Development, NEXIM Bank; President Akinwunmi A. Adesina of ADB; and Abba Bello, MD/CEO, NEXIM Bank at the on-going African Development Bank Group’s 52nd Annual Meetings at Ahmedabad, India, May 22-26, 2017

Nigeria loses N200bn to cybercrime

N

igeria in 2016 is said to have lost a whopping N200billion or $500million to cybercrime, according to report by a Kenyan firm, Serianu Limited entitled “Achieving Cyber Security Resilience: Enhancing Visibility and Increasing Awareness” held in March this year.

Accordingly, five African countries were mentioned as victims of the digital threat with Nigeria being the biggest loser amounting to 500 Us Dollars, the report added.

This has prompted a new synergy between U.S and Nigerian in a bid to nib in bud the act of criminality in the West African country.

The U.S. has pledged it will support Nigeria in tackling cybercrime and financial fraud.

This was revealed by U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, at the second annual Conference on Combatting Financial Fraud, Cybercime, and Cross-Border Crimes last week.

Themed “U.S.-Nigerian Cooperation in combating cybercrime and financial fraud”, the conference was organized by the Nigerian Ministry of Justice and the National Information Technology Development Agency.

“The U.S. has partnered with the Nigerian government to combat fraud, financial crimes, money laundering, cybercrime, and crossborder crimes including drug, human, and wildlife trafficking. The

two countries also continue to work to counter these threats, strengthen information sharing, and develop strategies to work together to protect citizens, resources, and financial networks from dangerous criminal attacks,” Symington said.

For her part, Juliet IbekakuNwagwu, Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reforms, declared: “We want to ensure that we are looking at cross border crimes that can affect the national

security of Nigeria and we taking proactive steps in that direction.”

Let it be recalled that in March, Kenyan firm Serianu Ltd in a report entitled “Achieving Cyber Security Resilience: Enhancing Visibility and Increasing Awareness”, revealed that five African countries have lost overall $895 million in 2016 due to cybercrime. Nigeria is the biggest loser with losses amounting to nearly $500 million. This is to show the impact of the phenomenon on economies.

Hospitality FDI down 98% W ithin the past 10 years, foreign investments in Nigeria’s hospitality sector have slumped by a whopping 98%, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reveals.

From up to $45 million in 2007, the investments plunged to about $750,000 in 2016. This according to the apex bank was due to a combination of the 2014 Ebola breakout, threat of terrorism, recession and lower government expenditure. These have affected hotels performance in the country.

In Lagos, rates of occupancy in hotel rooms have slumped below 40per cent with an average tariff

of about $90 per night. Foreign investors are discouraged by the trend which is recorded in the various parts of Nigeria. Asides this, the performance has also been impaired by issues related to management fees, development cost and sharing formula that scare foreign investors.

Nigeria expects to get out of the recession with its 2017 budget which focuses on infrastructure development. This paired with a more flexible tax regime and the various incentives implemented by the CBN to improve business environment for investors should attract more of them to the country.

the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) as a 2nd Anniversary of the 8th Assembly’s gift to Nigerians.

The bill which had gone through five sessions of the National Assembly, beginning from the 4th Assembly inaugurated in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo was on Thursday passed into law. The much anticipated Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) after 17 years of consideration will was finally passed as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

The bill, however, will become an act of parliament upon the receipt of the president’s assent.

An attempt to pass the bill by the 7th Senate presided over by Sen. David Mark was met with a lot of controversy and a rejection of certain clauses in the bill, forcing the Senate then to drop the bill at the point of passage.

However, the passage of the Bill by the 8th Senate followed the submission of a report by Joint Committee on Gas: Petroleum (Upstream) and Petroleum (Downstream) chaired by Sen. Tayo Alasoadura.

After a clause-by-clause consideration, with few amendments, the Senate approved the bill which promises to change the way things are done in the oil sector.

The bill seeks to open up the sector to more and better business opportunities, make the sector more transparent, and ensure better accountability of revenue derived from oil.

If the bill scales through assent by the President, it would restructure the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation, Department for Petroleum Resources and also create new agencies with more responsibilities.

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki in his remark congratulated members of the upper legislative chamber for a job well done.

New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Senate President as saying; “I congratulate the 8th Senate with the passage of this landmark bill which has not been passed for many years,” he said.

Recall that after inauguration of the 8th Senate in 2015, the President of the Senate had promised to, among other things, deliver the Petroleum Industry Bill as well as make laws that would better the lot of Nigerian businesses.

The PIB is one of 11 Bills which the Senate promised to pass to steer Nigeria out of recession.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BUSINESS

Naira is still undervalued, says CBN

By SAMSON AKINTARO

C

ontrary to the belief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said the naira at its current trading value against foreign currencies is still undervalued. CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, who stated this in an online chat on recent policies of the apex bank, said the bank would do everything to shore up the value of the nation’s currency.

Gene Leon, IMF’s mission chief for Nigeria had in April declared that the Nigerian Naira is overvalued by about 10% to 20%. But when asked if the apex bank would follow the IMF advise that the naira should be devalued, Okorafor said, “We don’t think the Naira is overvalued, we think the opposite.

Some estimates have put the real value at below what the market rate is today.”

Defending the CBN’s policy of multiple forex windows, which some described as ‘fraudulent’, the spokesperson said the current economic crises necessitated the various windows to ensure that critical sectors have access to forex.

“In times of crises, multiple windows are used creatively for rationing to critical sectors. The Forex system is no scam, prioritization is a strategy to direct Forex to critical sectors and as you can see, the different rates are already converging” he said.

Speaking on the central bank’s agriculture intervention programme, he said this was done to spur growth and jobs.

According to him, the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme has produced 2.1MT of rice, setting Nigeria on the road to rice sufficiency by 2018. “Agriculture is regaining its pride of place; rural jobs are being created; farmers incomes are being boosted; and inflation is trending down”. He added that Rice imports from Thailand fell from 1.2Mm tons in 2014 to 58, 000 MMT in 2016 owing to CBNs 41 item policy and funding of rice farmers, noting that much of the incomes and jobs lost in Thailand came to Nigerian rice farmers.

While pointing to negative GDP growth reversal; decelerating inflation; and naira appreciation as signs of economic recovery in the country, Okorafor advised, “now that recovery is in sight, Nigerians should understand that no economy develops by depending on foreigners for most of their needs. Nigerians should produce what they eat and eat what they produce”.

UBA Unveils World Class Mobile Banking App

Nigerian CIOs strategise for digital transformation in businesses

By SAMSON AKINTARO

W

ith the sole aim of getting the best of technology to achieve efficiency in their various organisations, Chief Information Officers in Nigeria recently gathered at a summit organised by IDC in Lagos, where they dissected challenges inhibiting digital transformation across organisations in the country. Top among challnges identified by speakers at the forum is lack of priotitisation of IT spending by board members, who see the CIOs as demanding too much for IT. According to one of the speakers, Mr Ejike Osisioma, CIO Exchange Assurance Limited, the challenge of getting board’s approval for IT spending spreads across organisations in Nigeria. This, he said, is because they see technology as money-consuming without weighing the huge impacts it would have on the business. Citing example from his organisation, he said the company had to set up an ‘IT steering Committee’, which receives IT proposals and then forward to the management board for approval.

Also sharing his experience, Mr Rufus Magbegor, IT Manager Oriental Energy Resources, said the

situation was not different in his organisation as the management saw IT budget as money-consuming and often hesitate to approve procurement of IT solutions. However, he said a new strategy adopted is to have all departments include into their budgets their IT needs. “We have to go to each department, find out their challenges and propose solutions that can address it. They are advised to include that solution in their budget and be ready to defend it during their budget presentation,” he said.

However, Oladimeji Kazeem, IT Manager, PAL Pensions, said the only solution is to communicate with all cadres of the management team to get their buy-in into the need for digital transformation and the values to be derived from it. He said when the executives and the board fully understand this need; they would not hesitate to approve IT spending.

Earlier in his opening address at the Summit themed: ‘Enabling Dynamic Change for the Digital Era’, Mark Walker, Associate Vice President, Sub-saharan Africa IDC, said the CIOs have a critical to play in every organisation. According to him, every CIO must have digital

Fidelity Bank Empowers 400 Students in Anambra State

T

he United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, has unveiled a brand new mobile banking application with many user friendly features.

UBA’s head of digital banking, Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji, said the new App is a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to deliver superior and innovative banking solutions to its customers.

He listed the features of the App to include a more interactive, user friendly interface, ATM/branch locator for easy access to the bank’s touch-points, easier airtime top up via direct selection of contacts from the phone address book, auto reminder for bill payments and recurrent transfers.

Adedeji also said the new mobile App which comes with the biometric log-in feature for secure, personalized access is now available for download on Apple and Google Play App Stores.

“The UBA Mobile Banking App has been tailor-made to enhance ease of banking by enabling customers to carry out their transactions without visiting a branch,” he said.

He further stated that the app has fewer clicks, thereby allowing easier navigation and faster transactions.

He said customers using the one time password (OTP) can perform transactions of up to N200, 000. Adedeji added that the bank had introduced a round the clock live chat platform to the app in a bid to maintain a closer relationship with its customers.

In his remarks the bank’s group managing director/chief executive officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, expressed delight with the launch of the new mobile app.

“UBA’s new Mobile Banking App demonstrates our resolve to provide unparalleled experience across all its channels. It is in line with UBA’s vision to dominate Africa’s digital banking space,” he said.

UBA is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than 14 million customers across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 19 African countries.

With presence in New York, London and Paris, the bank is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

transformation strategy for the organisation and must continue to recommend emerging technologies to transform the business. He also advised the CIOs to collaborate and communicate their ideas to address management issues on IT spending.

Also speaking at the summit, Mr Fidelis Isekwene, Regional Director Sage Enterprise West Africa, while emphasising the role of technology in business, said everything about moving a company forward now revolves around technology. He noted that the future of business is what he called SMAC—Social, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud.

According to him, globally, 76 per cent of businesses are now using social media to achieve their business objectives, while 72 per cent cited improved productivity as a driving factor in adoption of smart mobile devices. He added that 75 per cent of executives are working to increase their companies’ use of analytics, while 92 per cent are satisfied with their cloud based services and would increase them in the future. Isekwene also noted that using cloud services as a provision without procurement is becoming a reality in Africa as last mile connectivity improves.

•Nnamdi-Okonkwo-Fidelity-Bank-CEO

By KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER idelity Bank Plc in collaboration FFederal with Gazelle Academy and the Polytechnic, Oko Venture has finalized arrangement for an entrepreneurship training programme for 400 students in Anambra State aimed at reducing youth unemployment levels in Nigeria,

The Programme which is packaged under the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy stream three, was put together to equip the students with requisite business skills even whilst in school.

According to the Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, the initiative seeks to empower the Polytechnic

Community by creating thriving business owners amongst students.

He disclosed this during a closing ceremony of the third edition of the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy (YEA) held in Oko, Anambra State.

He noted done the areas the training will cover include: fashion, accessories, cocktail, tailoring, and makeup, shoe making, digital marketing.

This, he explained is in furtherance of the financial institution’s quest to not only tackle the nation’s unemployment challenges but improve the wellbeing of communities where it does business.

Represented by the Regional Bank Head (RBH), Enugu-Anambra-Ebonyi Region, Mr. Leonard Ezugwu encouraged the participants who had successfully completed the programme aptly themed ‘Turning Your Passion Into Pay Cheque’ not to relent in their efforts to build highly successful businesses.

“I was impressed with your individual dedication and collective performance during training. Always motivate yourselves. You are indeed lucky to have been chosen as a participant. I therefore challenge you to go out there and make a success out of this for you twelves and please remember that the right attitude and a strong will to succeed will take you far,” a statement from the bank quoted him to have added.

Commenting the bank for its kind gesture, the Founder, Gazelle Academy, Muna Onuzo, equally thanked the participants for active participation.

16

The Oracle Today WednesdayJune 7, 2017

ENERGY

NLNG Act amendment draws more rage

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

T

he resolve by the National Assembly to press on with alterations in the establishment act of the nation’s gas liquefaction and export company, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, might spark off protests as more industry and community voices rise against the impact the changes would deal on the economy.

Apart from the management of the company and international interest holders in the company, senior workers union the petroleum industry as well as community stakeholders have called on government to discontinue the amendment.

Last week, the management of the company warned Nigerians that expected investment of over $25 billion or N9.5 trillion in capacity expansion programme by NLNG Limited may not happen following the amendment of the company’s establishment act.

Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke who speaks for the company has been relentless in warning government of the injuries the planned withdrawal of incentives that spurred investors to stake billions of dollars in opening the nations gas export business would have on intending investors in the country.

“The amendment of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Act (Fiscal, Guarantees, Assurances, and Incentives) will obviously breach the promises by government to its co-investors thereby damaging the reputation of the country, its credit rating, and ability to attract or even retain future investments.”

He said “the complete removal is a huge error and it is inimical to the growth of Nigeria and a direct collision with the Federal Government’s drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“The main thrust of the Guarantees and Assurances were to assure the foreign Investors that their investments would be protected by the non-amendment of the NLNG Act.” Eresia-Eke added.

Later in the week, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), restated its opposition to the amendment and called on the National Assembly to halt the process in the interest of Nigeria.

President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, faulted the National Assembly on the amendment process, saying that the lawmakers were acting outside their sphered of legislative competence since, according to him, the NLNG Act is nearly a business agreement between multinational investors and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He pointed out that any amendment to the NLNG Act should be driven by the executive arm of government which entered into the deal with the foreign investors.

Comrade Johnson also said law making should benefit Nigerians, not short-change the country.

“NLNG is close to our heart as a union because it is the jewel of the industry. Keep in mind that we have been advocating that the structure of NLNG, of which is one of the key enabler of the successful company, be replicated in the refineries and other parts of the industry. NLNG is for all Nigerians and those unborn and we need to protect it. We can’t undo what we took over 30 years to set up. We will like to encourage the

•180,000 local jobs threatened –Bonny graduates •Business agreement breached –PENGASSAN

•$25 bn investment package hanging –NLNG management of NLNG to continue its engagements with stakeholders to enlighten them about NLNG and what the company truly stand for,” he added.

In a separate protest against amendment of the act, community interest group, Bonny Graduates Forum, also condemned to amendment process, saying the move by the National Assembly places over 18000 local jobs under threat.

Spokesman of the group, Mr. Cyril Hart, declared in a statement weekend that altering the establishment act of the NLNG would not be in the interest of Nigeria, the Niger-Delta and Bonny community.

He pointed out that the fiscal changes intended in the amendment amount to reneging on promises which, according to him, is not good for business.

“As the youths of Bonny Kingdom, we have been looking forward to the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Trains 7 and 8 and construction of these plants which will create 18,000 jobs for us and youths in other Niger Delta Communities. These jobs will infuse us with skills for life.

According to Frederick Ezekiel Hart, President, Bonny Graduates Forum, ‘This amendment will cripple the basic operations of the company even though we are the most peaceful community providing the major companies with a conducive business operating environment.’

The Forum argued that NLNG has

•Dogara, Speak House of Representive yielded more development impact in the Bonny communities that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which the amendment appears to be working for.

“Today, 57 years after independence, there is no single road leading

to Bonny. The only hope for a road is NLNG who have set aside N60b to support the construction of the N120b road by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“For years, there were no roads, water and electricity in Bonny. It

took NLNG to provide us with these services.

“By the way, for all the years of existence of NDDC, there is not a single sign of its existence in Bonny.

The impact of their presence is also minimal in the Niger-Delta. Why then do they want to destroy Nigeria LNG Limited.”

Earlier, the management of NLNG had at conferences and briefings remarked “the proposed amendments infringe largely on, and specifically delete the Guarantees and Assurances provided by the Government in Paragraphs, 1, 2, 3 & 6 of the Second Schedule to the NLNG Act. These include the assurance that the Government of Nigeria would ‘take all executive, legislative, and other actions’ to effectively grant, fulfil and perform the Guarantees and Assurances provided by the Act (Para. 6).

This would indeed create a floodgate for all sorts of levies that eat away on profitability of such investments in Nigeria.

“This (amendment of the act) is a direct collision with the Federal Government’s agenda on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and the current administration’s determination to attract direct foreign investment to Nigeria. It needs to be clearly stated that investments are unlikely to flow into an environment where contracts and agreements are flagrantly violated as is imminent in this instance,” Dr. Eresia-Eke has repeatedly explained.

NCDMB taps Dangote Refinery on Nigerian Content T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has required Dangote Refinery to abide by the dictates of existing Nigerian Content optimization regulations in driving its 650 000 barrels per day crude processing plant.

The directive is the product of a meeting in Lagos between Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the President of Dangote Group, Alhalji Aliko Dangote.

The meeting with Dangote Refinery came after NCDMB also signed Service Level Agreement on compliance and timelines with the Nigerian NLNG Limited, a key strategy of shortening the contracting cycle, cutting the cost of projects and improving compliance with the Nigerian Content Act. NCDMB which monitors compliance with Nigerian Content Development laws in the country stated weekend that it was collaborating with Dangote Industries Limited on maximum utilization of local content in the construction of the company’s petroleum refinery plant.

The company, according to NCDMB, has also pledged to utilize certified Nigerian service companies for the fabrication of modules, pipe coating as well as the supply of paints and cables.

The Executive Secretary informed the Dangote team that the implementation of Nigerian Content Act in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry had developed huge capacities that should be leveraged for the rewfinery project.

He advised the company to pay assessment visits to oil and gas service companies in Nigeria to verify their capacities and subsequently contract them in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act, which mandates patronage of facilities established in-country.

Wabote clarified that companies operating in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry were not mandated to remit one percent of their contract sums to the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF).

On the company’s extensive plan to select and train local personnel who would run the refinery proficiently, the Executive Secretary suggested that the trainees be picked from the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS), which has database of Nigerians with various competencies in the oil and gas sector. He also asked the Dangote Group to engage the Oil and Gas Trainers Association (OGTAN) because members of the group

had capacity to provide some of the trainings being envisaged by the company for their new employees.

Chief of Staff to the President of Dangote Group, Engr. Joseph Makoju, noted that the company planned to set a record on Local Content accomplishment with the processing plant which would be biggest single train refinery in Africa.

The two parties are to hold technical meetings and undertake project site tours to audit Nigerian Content opportunities that could draw from the project.

Separately at a meeting in Abuja, Engr. Simbi Wabote and Managing Director of NLNG, Engr. Tony Attah signed Service Level Agreement (SLA), a pact on delivery of Nigerian Content Development targets in projects driven by the gas liquefaction company.

The SLA, first of its kind to be entered between a regulator and another entity in the oil and gas industry would be adopted as the template for managing documentations, contracting and expatriate quota between the Board and international and local operating companies.

The agreement obligates NLNG to submit to the NCDMB documents like the Quarterly Job Forecast, Nigerian Content Plan, Bidders List, Nigerian Content Evaluation

Criteria, Nigerian Content Technical Bid among others, while the Board has to respond on specific timelines.

Should the Board fail to respond in accordance with the provisions of the SLA, NLNG can proceed with its tendering process after informing the Board in writing or email.

Engr. Simbi said the SLA would ensure that “NLNG is not exposed to violations and NCDMB is not a blocker to the business.” He stated that the SLA was a key strategy of shortening the contracting cycle, cutting the cost of projects and improving compliance with the Nigerian Content Act. MD NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, said the SLA is an innovative way of addressing the company’s concerns and noted that the SLA provided an opportunity for consolidating the company’s collaboration with the Board and delivering on its mission of contributing significantly to the Nigerian economy.

He recalled that NLNG recorded high Nigerian Content achievements in the construction of its last six ships as goods worth over $10m were exported from Nigeria to South Korea and utilized on the ships.

He added that the company had previously constituted a consortium to identify and assess possible sites for dry dock in Nigeria but was yet to make appreciable progress.

17

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 7, 2017

e-Platform Experts advocate greater investments for data explosion in Africa

E

xperts at the International Telecoms Week conference in Chicago have highlighted the need to accelerate investment in Africa to facilitate the continent’s broadband data explosion.

Based on the theme “Achieving A Connected Continent: Leading The Data Explosion Across Africa”, the expert panel session with participation from Google, Facebook, WIOCC, Liquid Telecom and Angola Cables discussed strategies for achieving improved broadband access across the continent. The session reviewed the state of broadband infrastructure and data traffic trajectories in different countries on the continent and made comparisons to other markets globally.

This included areas in which investments had been made such as submarine cables, data centers, and access networks including 3G4G and FTTH networks as some of the elements that have accelerated the growth in data traffic on the continent. The consensus was that the data explosion will need to be driven by further investment in local networks to reach more end users rather than new submarine cables.

The session revealed that while most African submarine cable systems had the capability to deliver 100 GBPS wavelengths, Africa has not utilized near enough capacity to saturate those systems. According to the panelists, for broadband to become more pervasive, there is need for continued investment and innovative business models to aid the rapid deployment of Access networks across the continent.

Facebook’s Regional Head, Africa for Express Wifi, Uche Ofodile shared the company’s experiences working with carriers to jointly make infrastructure investments and highlighted its initiatives in Uganda, where it is working with Airtel to deploy fiber backhaul, but noted that demand and favorable regulatory environments informed their decisions to invest. The need to go beyond mobile infrastructure was also highlighted by the CEO of Liquid Telecom, Nic Rudnick, whose company just completed its acquisition of South African operator, Neotel for $429million. “As consumers in Africa start to use the internet for content, TV and ondemand services, mobile will have its limitations, not just in terms of technology, but also in price. We need to look at other technologies to achieve cost effectiveness”.

The panelists’ assessment of data center growth in Africa also indicated that uptake is not as rapid as experienced in other parts of the world and that most of the content consumed in Africa is hosted in Europe. Data center operators, MainOne and Liquid shared their experience that initial demand on the continent has been driven by Enterprises and financial institutions as against other geographies where OTT players are the biggest data center players. “We do not see any of these OTTs hosting their services from Africa. We are not seeing meaningful investments coming into Africa (from OTT players) and with the sizeable population of the continent, we need to see them play a larger role in the African ecosystem”, the panel concluded.

Over N22trn exchanged through e-payment channels in Q1 –NBS …as EPPAN advocates more infrastructure to drive cashless policy

By SAMSON AKINTARO

I

n what seems a growing ebrace of cashless policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2012, Nigerians have exchanged about N22.01 trillion through the various electronic payment channels between January and March this year alone.

This is according to latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which also revealed a steady growth in electronic transactions in the country over the last year.

Within the period, transactions through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) dominated the volume of all electronic transactions as there were 179, 000, 000 ATM transactions valued at N1.50 trillion. In the same period, about N285 billion were exchanged

“

over Point of Sales (PoS) machines in 26, 646, 982 transactions. The value of PoS transactions for the Q1 2017 is about N25 billion higher than the figures recorded in the previous quarter (Q4 2016) which was put at N260.58 billion. At the same time the increasing usage of PoS saw the value of transactions in 2017 going up by over N141 billion compared to the figures for Q1 2016, which was N144.76 billion.

Through other electronic channel, which is the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), about N13 trillion were exchanged in 69, 657, 556 transactions within the first quarter. Transactions over the NIP platform have also maintained steady growth with values moving up in trillions each quarter.

Also for web (internet) transactions, Nigerians exchanged

Even though the use of seat belts and helmets were meant to save people’s lives, most people didn’t comply until government began serious enforcement.

“

N46.5 billion in the first quarter in 5,520,000 deals.

Although the CBN recently suspended its initial plans to enforce the cashless policy nationwide, the pilot run in Lagos State, which started from January 2012, and the second phase in in Rivers, Anambra, Abia, Kano, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which started on the 1st July, 2013, has seen Nigerians going the way of electronic transactions. This, according to analysts, is aided by the introduction of mobile banking by most of the banks in the country.

According to Mr Abiodun Akintunde, an e-payment system expert, the huge mobile penetration in Nigeria is one key factor that has helped the success of epayment in Nigeria. While noting that the country still has a long way to go in deepening e-payment, he said with banks now having mobile applications for money transfers and purchases, the Nigerian consumers are beginning to enjoy the comfort of transacting business without cash.

Speaking on the cashless policy and the need to sustain it, the Chief Executive of Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN), Mrs. Regha Onajite, though the country appears to be making headway in the cashless policy, there is need for more infrastructure to expand the policy. “We are all aware that we are not yet there when it comes to infrastructure.

So for us to now move on, we need to make deliberate efforts

to improve the infrastructure as much as it concerns electronic or digital payment” she said.

“For E-PPAN, which is a CBN approved body to drive cashless policy, we see the cashless policy as a good policy that supports strongly what we believe in, because we believe in electronic payment and we promote e-payment. So we found out that when the CBN brought that policy, our members were excited because we are in a country where people do not do the right thing except they were compelled to do so. If you take a good look at Nigeria, you will see that the introduction of compulsory use of seat belts while driving was followed by serious enforcement, likewise the direction on the use of helmets by both private and commercial motorcyclists”. “Even though the use of seat belts and helmets were meant to save people’s lives, most people didn’t comply until government began serious enforcement.

Unfortunately, people have stopped using helmets now because the enforcement activities have died down.

So, it is the same way with the cashless policy. This is the way to go. Everywhere in the world, electronic payment is the main thing now. So, it is good for our economy. For us to be able to imbibe it; we need the support of the regulator; we need the push by the regulator. That is why we applauded the policy for cashless.

That is why we also applauded the CBN for putting penalties for not using electronic payment system” Onajite said.

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

e-Platform LG expands OLED TV lineup with innovations L

NCC seeks collaboration with security agencies to tackle telecom offences Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

T

he Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta asks the institutions of the nation’s security sector to sign on to a strategic partnership with the NCC to stop the activities of criminals undermining the operations of the telecommunications industry.

Danbatta stated this in Keffi, Nasarawa State at the North Central Zonal Sensitization Workshop organized by the Commission for personnel of the nation’s security agencies. He said the collaboration and partnership is important to enable the Commission to “move

steadily in harnessing fully, the potential of telecommunications and to sustain the exponential growth in the sector in view of the central role telecommunication plays in the social and economic development of the nation”.

The EVC seized the opportunity of the forum to thank the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Nigeria Police Force; the Department of State Services; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Nigeria Customs Service; the Federal Road Safety Commission and other agencies involved in security governance for the support they have offered the NCC in its effort to contain telecom crimes.

The Workshop, which was attended by personnel from all these agencies, featured paper presentations covering the gamut of challenges of enforcement processes including the role of ICT in Effective Policing; Challenges of Prosecuting Telecom Offences; Overview of NCC Enforcement Regulations; and Overview of NCC Enforcement Powers under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

Resource persons at the Workshop include Dr. Solomon Arase, former Inspector General of Police; and Paul Usoro, SAN; as well as the representation from the Commission which includes Efosa Idehen, Head Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement who represented

•Prof Umar Dambatta

the EVC; Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Deputy Director Research & Development; Helen Obi, Head Zonal Operations; Salisu Abdu, Head Enforcement; GT Mohammed, Assistant Director Legal and Regulatory Services; and Al-Kassim Umar, Head Compliance Monitoring.

Etisalat empowers students with career counselling I

n furtherance of its commitment to education and youth development, Nigeria’s most innovative and youth-friendly telecommunication company, Etisalat, and global education advocate/film maker, Zuriel Oduwole, recently inspired hundreds of secondary school students across Lagos State with career counselling sessions sponsored by the telecom firm.

The Etisalat Career Counselling Programme is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company, and it is part of the Etisalat Employee Volunteering Scheme.

This programme is designed to guide students of secondary schools in junior and senior levels towards making sound, positive and fulfilling career decisions which will provide long-term benefits for them, their families, organisations, and ultimately the nation.

The career counselling sessions, which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, afforded the students the opportunity to receive inspiration from 14-year-old Zuriel Oduwole and staff of Etisalat Nigeria on career opportunities and how to make the right career choice thereby fulfilling their goals in life.

Oduwole while encouraging the students drawn from 11 secondary schools across Lagos State to dream big and pursue their dreams, went further to show them the documentary of her girl-child education advocacy, for which she has met 24 heads of state and other world leaders.

After Zuriel’s session, three employees of Etisalat Nigeria including Head, Commercial and Corporate Services, Legal, Kenneth Uzim; Manager, IT Demand and Business Relationship Management, Nkechi Obigho; and Manager, Products & Products Information, Olaniyi Adefabi, took turns to educate and motivate the students. Uzim took the students through what lawyers do; Obigho gave an expose on what it entails to build a career in Information Technology, while Adefabi

•L-R: Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Oyetola Oduyemi; Director, Regulatory and Corporate Social Responsibility, Ikenna Ikeme, both of Etisalat Nigeria; global education advocate, Zuriel Oduwole; and Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, at the Etisalat Career Counselling Programme in Lagos recently taught on digital media and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the significance of the career counseling initiative, Director, Regulatory and Corporate Social Responsibility, Ikenna Ikeme said it highlights the company’s commitment to partnering with relevant authorities and organisations to drive the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal on quality education.

Ikenna said, “At Etisalat, we take Corporate Social Responsibility seriously, and education is one aspect we are very passionate about.

We also have big interventions in health and environment but we believe that education is the pillar of national development and we are happy to partner with the Lagos State Government to equip the students with the right knowledge they need to choose future careers.”

“We thank Lagos State Government for being a supporter of Etisalat Nigeria. Over the last eight years, we have consistently done things differently, which is what we are known for. Knowledge is power. It helps one make the right decisions. Today, we are empowering these students to make informed decisions about their future career paths, and also give them some ideas about the different and emerging career paths that exist”, he added.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, thanked Etisalat Nigeria for its interventions in the state’s education sector and said the state government was always glad to collaborate with Etisalat.

“I want to thank Etisalat for what they are doing with us in Lagos State. They are collaborating with

us and supporting education with lot of interventions. As we appreciate Etisalat, we believe that they will do more towards the development of education in Lagos State. I hope the students will take advantage of this opportunity of receiving great career counselling, which will help them succeed in life”, he said.

The event also featured debates, spelling and quiz competitions which saw Sodiq Ayansina, a student of Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar School, win a Cliqlite Tab. The Etisalat Career Counselling Programme is a continuous programme, and it was designed to equip Nigerian youth with the tools and information needed to become the best they can be, and to enable them transform themselves into worthy ambassadors of their homes, state and the nation.

eading electronics manufactures, LG electronics said it has expanded its HDR compatibility in the new OLED TV line up by launching support of additional HDR formats. The company added that it would position its 2017 4K HDR-enabled oled TV lineup as offering an optimal, life-like 4K HDR picture thanks to the self-lighting pixel technology of oled, enhanced by multiple HDR capabilities.

LG has been at the forefront of oled development and production - as the world’s leading oled TV producer, and with the rollout of the 2017 line-up across the Middle East & Africa, the company said consumers “can continue to expect the best from LG Electronics with its 2017 premium and award-winning oled TV offerings.” LG launched its first oled TV in 2013, and has been committed ever since to bring oled TV to more consumers’ houses. With the creation of the oled TV category in the market and increased awareness from consumers, LG is confident it will continue to lead the oled TV market.

“Consumers have now started to perceive oled TVs as the next generation of television, transcending its competition, including LCD, because of its superior pictures, design and form factors. This has resulted in continued demand increase for oleds since its introduction.

When purchasing oled TVs, consumers prioritize stylish design and high performance and while keeping this trend in mind, LG televisions are at the forefront of innovation. Revolutionary design and unrivalled picture quality are exemplified through LG’s ongoing commitment within the OLED technology,” said Kevin Cha, President of LG Electronics, Middle East and Africa.

“As each pixel on the display can be individually switched on and off, oled offers an enhanced picture quality without image degradation, such as light bleed typically found in conventional backlit systems.

This results in the highest quality image rendering with the purest black and lifelike colors.

Consumers can now take advantage of a much wider selection of LG’s oled TV lineup as LG is rolling out a host of oled TVs with a range of screen sizes and features” the company said.

It noted that all 2017 LG oled and SUPER UHD TVs feature Active HDR to render brighter scenes and greater shadow details when displaying HDR content. “In addition, 2017 LG TVs support the full palette of HDR formats, including Dolby VisionTM, HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). This versatility is compounded by the new HDR Effect feature, which processes standard definition content to improve brightness in specific areas, enhance contrast ratios, rendering more precise images”.

The Oracle Today, Wednesday June 7, 2017

Travel & Hospitality

Festac ’77 not cause of Nigeria’s woes –Anikwe

Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, who holds three Master’s degrees as well as a Ph.D in Public Administration at the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, is the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), an agency of government charged with promoting interest in the understanding and appreciation of African culture.

In this interview with VICTOR NZE, Dr. Anikwe, who also doubles as President, Pan African Cultural Congress (PACC4) Bureau, speaks on plans by his agency to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Festac ’77, and other issues. Excerpts: How relevant is Festac ‘77, 40 years after?

Yes, if there is anything relevant today, it is Festac ’77 because the greatest assemblage of people who came into one place to showcase their culture, history and philosophy, had never happened more than what happened here in 1977. And if you go round the CBAAC complex you’ll see the portraits of the Heads of State of the countries that participated at the Festac ‘77. The worry, however, is our inability to identify very important cultural aspects that can yield the growth potential in the whole of Africa. One of the most important legacies of Festac ‘77 is the compilation from the colloquium. Scholars of African descent came in to share their thoughts and to explore ways of survival completely independent of and different from the Western imperialists. And many people lacked the political will to get these things effected.

Economic value of culture to Nigeria Creative economy holds the promise for Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. From our natural endowments we can get a lot of things there. Unfortunately to this economy, our contributions from the creative economy aspect are yet to be quantified by the relevant authorities. I don’t know what is happening to our economists and some of these people that are into statistics and other institutions; we don’t know how much we contribute. If people in culture, people in tourism, people in creative arts, all the things we do are quantified, we’ll see how much we have done in growing our GDP and yet they don’t calculate it. Nollywood in particular, how much does that industry contribute to the country’s economy? Unfortunately we don’t know. But I believe they already contribute more than most other sectors do presently.

40 years after festac, what is the way forward?

What we would have learnt from there could have given us a starting point of economic and social development. We’ve not been able to exploit what we were supposed to have done many years ago. First of all, when we assemble again, for another Festac, we can look to create job opportunities for thousands of Nigerian youth. When we hosted it in 1977 the entire Festac Town was a major hotspot but today it is a relic. These sites are still there and they are most important aspects of our history. Three things that are very important to Lagos are Festac Town, National Theatre and the TBS, which was formerly the Race Course that was renamed to the Tafawa Balewa Square because of Festac as guests used it as venue for all kinds of performances. I’m basically saying that the quantum of people that will be given employment in this sector will even beat many sectors. For the Festac programme, people are coming from all over Africa. And this time around they will pay for their own hotel accommodations. We told them. They are going to contribute to our economic survival, not the other way round where we called them to come and just celebrate. Even as it were, it was a historic takeoff.

We are also going to produce custom vehicle plate numbers to commemorate the occasion. It is not going to end at Festca @ 40 celebrations; it will also show the reminiscences of the good artworks of the Benin people, a very wonderful creative sector of the Nigerian community. The best artwork

ever seen on earth was carved in Benin, and that is the Festac logo.

So what we are saying is that these things will engender interest in tourism and employment and we want people to come and see what we have here.

What should we expect at Festac at 40 celebrations?

The same things we had at the Festac ‘77 will pre-occupy this programme. There’ll be colloquium, poetry, drama, dances and exhibition of all kinds of works and new ideas. You won’t believe that Japan came and pleaded with us that even though they are not black they want to be part of this. These are people who are into adventure and on improving what they have. China has shown interest.

These people have nothing to do with our history but they say they want to come and be observers and be our brothers. I’m already holding meetings with them. There are several things we are going to do and the intellectual aspect will be so attractive because it will explore what we should have done which we didn’t do from the first programme in 1977 and navigate what we can do for other people to propel progressivism in our economic development.

What’s your take on the negative perception that Festac ’77 marked the beginning of Nigeria’s woes?

You know they say that a bad workman quarrels with his tools. I’m only trying to say that this they could not in any way have hindered our progress and I’m surprised that some of the clerics who profess to this belief are Ph.D. holders. Before the white people came here, our people were here and not everybody was a witch or wizard. So are you saying that our people were no longer human beings? So what has changed since then that Festac is now being blamed for Nigeria’s problems. Anyway, before the Missionaries came our people were progressing and they recorded points of achievements, so how can it now that we have seen Christianity and Islamism. How can we now go back and be drawn back because some people came in to showcase what we have. We are not going back because of that. Those things were there before Christianity came and we were progressing. You see, it is the inability of our people to come together and face their challenges that is responsible.

On funding for the programme The private organizations are so willing to be part of the programme because they will make more money than you do. In the process, they know how to get the money from people coming outside the country. There are social connections they are going to establish now and in the future interactions with the people that are coming that will yield them millions. And they are willing to collaborate with us. We have pressed our matter to the government of the day and we are saying your plans for the economic development of the country though it excluded tourism and culture, a very horrible situation, but we are saying that we are even going to give you more than what you need than these sectors you are looking. So are pressing them on them to accommodate and we are hopeful that something substantial will come to us from the budget for

the programme.

On African countries’ participation at Festac @ 40 celebrations We have held meetings with the embassies and we have told them that the programme will not be the same with the Festac ‘77, and we agreed with them that they will come with a contingent they can sponsor. And it’s going to last from June to December this year and we have scheduled events and programmes that will take place in those months. So if your own falls in maybe October, you’ll come within that period do your thing and go and because there are several cultural and tourism potential for exploitation for people outside we have now told them that unlike before, no contingent will be quarantined in Lagos for one month as it happened in Festac ‘77, we are going to take them outside the state. We have written to states already and some have accepted that they can come.

What is the level of involvement of the African Union?

We wrote to the African Union, and they requested for the Concept Note. I told you earlier I also play a role on the continent. We gave it to them and they circulated it to all Member States, and told them on advisory basis that it is necessary they go. They will participate.

They are so excited about the programme.

When I addressed them in Addis Ababa, in 2015, I gave them the example of Festac and Nollywood. These two things constituted the major discussions in African cultural programmes in Addis Ababa and they rose up in appreciation of Nigeria’s contribution to cultural development on the whole continent.

Role of Nollywood at Festac @ 40 celebrations Nollywood was not there in 1977.

And these guys are going to be there at Festac @ 40.

I already discussed with them ahead of this programme. And I told them to get ready.

They are very willing to be part of it.

Nobody should give a low rating to what Nollywood has done in

•Anikwe

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terms of promotion and communication for the entire Africa to the rest of the world.

Infact, Nollywood is at the center of our planning, I spoke recently with actor Pete Edochie and a lot of others including Ejike Asiegbu. First of during our cultural parade, all the Nollywood stars would assemble so that our African visitors will see that they are from here; then secondly, we have also instituted training programmes where the Nollywood stars would be part of as resource persons to inspire young people and they will also be part of the people at the colloquium to address other Africans.

The level of awareness for this programme I recall when the Ghanaian High Commissioner came here to the CBAAC’s head office on Broad Street, he remarked that this place is under-placed by the Nigerian Government.

He said every child in primary and secondary should be made to pass through the gamut of CBAAC to see what we have here in our archives and photo exhibitions. Well, every day we have children from secondary schools but then it is only available and accessible to those in Lagos. We tried to go out but there is no funding again. We have tried to institute what we have and go to schools and show clips of Festac in schools but even that is hampered by funding.

What made Chief Obasanjo to be my friend today was that I went last year to him. I said ‘Oga, next year, you will be 80 and Festac will be 40’ and he said it was thoughtful of us and asked for my suggestion on the way forward.

I told him, first of all, let’s show you the clips of Festac. He jumped up with excitement asking ‘where is it’? He didn’t know we came with the clips and were already in his banquet hallWe played the clips and he watched with rapt attention for several minutes. Infact when somebody attempted to dislocate the video from the light, he almost slapped the person.

It was a very wonderful occasion. And he said it was also educative, even though he played a role in, he so much appreciated it. We told him that we have taken time to study what he did in 1977 and are planning to replicate it this time around this year. And we started working out together until we now rolled out 40 drums in recognition of Festac at 40/and himself at 80; he was honoured. I gave him the customized vehicle plate number, he uses it now, the Festac plate number, himself and Senator (Dr) Ahmadu Ali, who was chairman of that opening ceremony and of course, FESTAC President Rear Admiral Promise Fingesi. It was a reunion of sort for these men because they had not seen each other since Festac ’77. They were very happy. The world was there, Andrew Young, for former U.S ambassador, the grand-daughter of Theodore Roosevelt were all there, a lot of them, Nigerian great heads. We spoke to the world that we will do it again.

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The Oracle Today, June 7, 2017

AVIATION

NCAA to sanction foreign airline over ‘undocumented repatriation’

Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

he Federal Government has condemned the breach of regulations by a foreign airline carrier on the repatriation of the remains of a deceased Nigerian from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo who died from Ebola.

A joint statement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Dr Jide Idris, Thursday, condemned the development as it berated the airline for bringing in the remains without all necessary documentations

that are required to process its clearance by the Department of Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health.

The statement said in line with industry practice, a report had been made to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory agency of the Nigerian Aviation Industry on the occurrence, further adding that necessary steps were being taken by the regulatory authority to sanction the airline in a bid to prevent recurrences.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria instituted a ban on the repa-

triation of human remains into the country at all points of entry as a precautionary measure to avoid importation of any infectious disease. This ban is one of the interventions we undertook as a nation during the Ebola outbreak.

“The Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Division issued guidelines to all airlines on the procedures to be followed to obtain a waiver before repatriating any human remains into the country.

The government will like to reiterate that the ban is still in force and any attempt to contravene this ban will attract serious sanction.

“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari takes the health of the citizens seriously and will not shy away from wielding a big stick on any errant individuals or organisation,’’ it said.

The statement said that officials of Port Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Lagos State Ministry of Health investigated the cause of death of the human remains and took samples for laboratory investigation.

According to the statement, the laboratory report shows that there is no evidence of Ebola infection or any other contagious

infections in the human remains.

“We assure everyone to go about their normal business without any anxiety. The government wants everyone to be vigilant and encourage all our officials at land, sea and air borders to continue screening of international passengers.

The statement said that Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government through the NCDC and Port Health Services had developed a public health emergency contingency plan at the airport and land borders.

NDDC wants Uyo airport named after Attah irector in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), D Mr Anietie Usen, has urged the

Akwa Ibom Government to rename the state-owned airport after a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah.

Usen, a journalist and social commentator, made the suggestion at a news conference on Thursday in Uyo. “It is necessary to name the airport after the former governor in recognition of his role in the resource control struggle, which led to the financial fortunes of the state. It is through the efforts of Victor Attah that we had the airport, the stadium and beautiful roads that can be compared to roads in Abuja. ” Usen suggested that Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo should be named and known as Obong Victor Attah International airport.

“I want to advise the government of Akwa Ibom to name the Uyo airport after Victor Attah.

The airport should be named and known as Obong Victor Attah International Airport,” he said.

The director said his suggestion would be in the interest of Akwa Ibom government, in view of Attah’s contributions to the development of the state.

He decried the manner in which Akwa Ibom government was criticising the activities NDDC in the state.

He noted that apart from Akwa Ibom, other state governments were writing letters commending the commission for its strides.

“Elsewhere, you notice that we have received commendations; governors write to us to say that we have done well, “he said.

Usen dismissed claims that the commission was prevented from executing projects in some state due to shoddy job.

•Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa and Regional Manager of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, Mrs. Joy Michael, flanked by members of the AYE during the signing the partnership agreement between Dana Air and Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) for the Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) Reality TV Show, recently, in Lagos

Work resumes at Port Harcourt Int’l Airport C

onstruction work has resumed at the Port-Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Omagba, in Rivers state, following the return to site by the contractors handling the project.

Contracts for the remodeling of the airport was awarded by Princess Stella Oduah as part of efforts to uplift the airport but was abandoned when she was removed from office by the President Goodluck Jonathan

in the wake of controversial bullet proof cars.

Investigation revealed that the return to site by the contractors has excited stakeholders signifying that there was still hope for the completion of the airport.

Confirming the return to site by the contractors, the manager PHIA Engr. Chigbo Nwobu said the contractors have returned but urged

them to step up the pace of work in order to complete the terminal and reduce passenger’s stress.

Engr Nwobu explained that the airport remained one of the best in the country with an 11KVA dedicated power line to ensure steady supply of light to the terminal.

“The biggest challenge we had was power supply. By the grace of God, when I came, I had to meet

T

ning security posts at the airports.

“In countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe and others, foreigners buy art works and are appreciated at the airports for buying them. But in Nigeria, it is a different story; such works are usually seized by customs and immigration officials at the various check posts in the airports.

“This has affected our sales negatively because foreigners are now afraid to buy our art works with the intention of taking it to their countries’’, Eguakun said.

Eguakun called on the Federal Government to discourage such act as artists in the country were working

round the clock to see that Nigerian art works were appreciated by the whole world.

He maintained that if their works were allowed to be taken by foreigners to their country, it would create a market for them as they were not opportune to travel out for exhibitions.

“When we put up application to travel for exhibition, our requests are not being granted immediately. It takes time before they respond.

“This has denied us the opportunity to participate in foreign exhibitions and upon that, our works bought by foreigners are being seized; this is sad’’, he said.

Group decries seizure of art works from foreigners at airports he Association of Indigenous Arts and Crafts Makers in Abuja has flayed the continued seizure of duly purchased artworks from foreigners at the nation’s airports by government authorities stationed there.

The association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Kennedy Eguakun, who condemned the trend, in Abuja on Wednesday, said it was regrettable that when foreigners visited the village and bought art works to take to their countries, such works were seized from them at airports.

He said the seizure and subsequent confiscation of the art works was carried out by government officials man-

Port Harcourt Power Company here and they graciously granted us 11KVA dedicated line at no cost to the organization. From then, we have been on steady power supply. Before, you can barely have power supply constantly on generator which is a secondary source. We have four on our line and it is a dedicated line. It is one of the greatest achievements that we have made here since inception”.

He dismissed the poor rating of the airport by an international organisation saying it was done out of ignorance adding that construction site will always attract discomforts.

According to Nwobu, security within and around the airport has improved especially on the runway adding that when work on the Close Circuit Television will be completed, PHIA will be in the lead.

He said all the fire tenders at the airport were in perfect condition, “The fire tender is in perfect condition. Port Harcourt International Airport is one of the airports that all the tenders are working, including an old equipment vehicle that I met here, that was not working; that has been put in order. If you have a crash at the runway, that equipment can move it out and it has a generating set to back up the people fighting fire. It is equipment vehicle that goes with tender.”

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

INTERVIEW At 20 years of Rainoil in the petroleum business, what milestones can we count?

I remain very grateful to God for bringing me this far. I had a very humble beginning. My upbringing was really very humble. Coming this far is only by the Grace of God. I also thank every member of Rainoil staff. I wouldn’t have done it alone. God has brought very hardworking and dedicated staff my way.

This journey has been a team race. Some of the staff members have been with every single step of the way. As we celebrate 20 years so do we have some workers who have been with us in the past 20 years; so it is an opportunity for everybody to come and give thanks to God for what He has done for us collectively.

I am also grateful to God for how long we have come. Rainoil is a company that we started essentially from the scratch for the supply of diesel to maximum demand consumers of diesel and low pour fuel oil (LPFO) also called black oil. We were main suppliers to industrial customers like Nichem Tex, Nestle and many others.

We established out first fuel filling station in 1999, and from there we expanded to two, three, four and so on until today we have about 51 filling stations scattered across the country. So, there is so much to thank God for. Looking 20 years backwards there is every cause to roll out the drums to thank God for how far we have come.

The downstream petroleum industry is challenged with issues of price regulation, funding, government relations, subsidy and many more. How have you navigated the terrain to move ahead?

The industry is challenging really but we must not take away the fact that the cash flow in the downstream petroleum business is also unimaginable. The petroleum retail enterprise is a high cash flow business. It is basically cash and carry. You drive into a filling station and buy fuel with cash. You don’t give them cheque, you give them cash. Likewise, if you to tank farm to lift products, you prepay before your truck loads.

So, we can’t be talking of the challenges without actually looking at the opportunities in the sector. The downstream sector has huge cashflow potentials; and I have always said that then sector is a high turnover low margin business. And because the turnover is huge even if you make only five percent of the turnover as margin it actually comes to something very substantial.

Having said that, there are a lot of challenges in the sector. I know that 20 years ago NNPC was the only importer of petroleum products into the country. It was the only provider of fuel for the entire economy. There were no private tank farms 20 years ago and everybody was getting fuel from NNPC. I recall that WABECO came up with the first private tank farm in 1999 before the likes of ASCON and Zenon came on stream in 2000. Between then and now, as at the last count, we have 140 tank farms in the sector.

So, the downstream sector has witnessed tremendous growth. However, one of the biggest problems we have in the sector today is that government has removed the subsidy without necessarily deregulating the sector! So, we have a situation where government says that you have to sell petrol at N145 per litre, but there is no subsidy.

So, the price is capped at N145 per litre without subsidy provision. This means that private people can only bring in fuel into the country if price is below N145 per litre. But if price goes above N145 per litre that means only NNPC would bring fuel and absorb the differential losses between the capped price and actual open

•Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie

‘Policy environment is too hostile for private marketers’ Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, a fast growing independent downstream petroleum industry player, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, is celebrating double anniversary: his birthday and 20 years of Rainoil Limited. In this interview, he chronicles the rise of indigenous companies in the petroleum market, analyses opportunities and challenges in the industry and advocates sound policies that would free up the market for more investments. Deputy Editor SOPURUCHI ONWUKA presents the excerpt. market price. There is actually subsidy on petroleum products today. It is just that the subsidy is absorbed in-house by the government through NNPC. Expecting private players to import fuel is like sending a man to war front and tying his hand to the back. So, you have to compete under very difficult situation.

Then, there is the foreign exchange situation we have had for over 18 months where marketers don’t have enough foreign exchange to import petroleum products. And even when they import fuel and time came to liquidate the letters of credit that funded the importation Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) devalued the Naira.

I recall on the 20th of June last year when the CBN devalued the Naira from N197 to N280.5 to the dollar, marketers had foreign exchange exposure in excess of a billion dollars. So marketers on that day took a hit of over billion Naira. That is

pretty challenging.

What strategies enable you move through the challenges?

It is really something a lot of marketers are battling and are still contending with. One of our surviving strategies is the principle we started with: to grow at our own pace. Rainoil is a company we have grown largely organically. We deliberately grow the company organically, not overreaching ourself at any point in time. It is a company we have been able to grow from one petrol station to two, three, four and so on.

We have grown the company from one truck to two trucks, to three trucks to a fleet of over 90 trucks today. We have built one tank farm of our own. We built a second one in Calabar.

We acquired one vessel and grew to two vessels to three and to a fleet of six

vessels today.

So, Rainoil is a company we have built at our own pace, not biting more than we can chew at any point in time. Most importantly, we have also tried to build a company using our own internal capacity, and being very prudent when it comes to leverage. That is, we don’t have a huge appetite for borrowing. In other words, we are building our assets with our own funds, our own internally retained earnings while rather than going aborrowing to massively expand the business. The truth is that interest rates hovering anything between 20-25 percent can hardly support business. Depending on the bank you deal with there are very few assets that you can do with 25 percent interest on funds and be able to break even.

So we try to build the assets with our Continued on Page 22

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

INTERVIEW

‘Refining is a space in which we want to play’ Continued from Page 21

petroleum industry, and I think we are very much on course towards achieving that vision. We are investing very heavily own money and then borrow money to across the entire value chain: from shiptrade. You can borrow money to fund ping to terminals which is the tank farm, your working capital, you can borrow to retail outlets, trucking, and various assets boost your trade: buy fuel, sell fuel, and needed in the entire business loop. take the money back to the bank.

We are already positioned in these And then as you do that, always develop areas. We currently own two tank farms: internal capacity which will give you the one in Oghala and one in Calabar. We are ability to withstand shock which regularly comes. Devaluing the currency from N187 building the next one in Lagos. And by the grace of God, we also have an LPG facility. to N280.5 to a dollar is a massive shock, We are massively expanding our retail and you need internal capacity to absorb outlets. We are also investing in then shipthese shocks. And don’t forget that prior ping space because that also supports the to that we have had a devaluation from terminal and retail business.

N157 to N170; then from N170 to 197; and For the industry, I am also seeing a shake then from N197 again to N285.5 to the out. I have been dollar. So, if the in this industry company does not for the past 25 have some level years. I came into of internal capacUnfortunately, the this industry in ity these wave finance structure in Ni1992, and for the of devaluations past 25 years I could easily mar a geria does not encourhave seen a lot company. age such large scale of of changes. The people who were The Nigeria investments; not in an the key players 25 Content Developeconomy where people years ago were ment Act is being not the key playdescribed to be are borrowing money ers 20 years ago. targeted at mainly at 25 percent interest Those that held upstream petrosway 20 years leum industry rate. And that is comago were not the operations. In the pound interest rate. So key players 10 face of all the chalyears ago. And lenges, does the if you borrow money the people who policy provide any at 25 percent interest were making level of leverage in waves 10 years the downstream? rate, the money would ago are no longer Yes, I agree that the people domihave doubled in three the Nigerian Connating the space tent Development years. How many busitoday.

Policy is largely tarSo, the industry ness or investments can geted at upstream is going through players. Historicalrepay for themselves in a lot of evolution, ly, the downstream but the greatest the short term of high sector has been thing I see there largely driven by interest rate? is that indigenous Nigerians. players are taking Prior to 1978, all over the space. the downstream British Petroleum players were which was foreign company later became foreign companies: The Total, thr Mobil, Esso which later became Unipetrol, British African Petroleum which was a Nigerian company but in the public sector, but Petroleum which later became African today it is Forte Oil now an indigenous Petroleum and now Forte Oil, Shell which company owned by Nigerians! became National Oil and now Conoil, MoShell which became National Oil is today bil has now also sold to Nipco.

Conoil owned by Nigerians. Esso became In 1978, the government introduced Unipetrol and then became Oando which the independent marketers’ scheme. So, is a Nigerian company. And then we are today we have more than 5000 indeseeing the independent marketers takpendent marketers nationwide. Also, ing a much higher share of the industry prior to 1999, most of the tank farms in space. this country belonged to either NNPC or So, five to ten years from today I actually very few major marketers in Ijora. But between 1999 and today the independent see the downstream Nigerian petroleum sector being more than 95 percent indigmarketers through depot operators have enous. invested in more than 149 tank farms in When you were reeling out your expanthe country.

So today, even if you look at then down- sion plans, I was listening to hear if there stream space, apart from Total Nigeria Plc are intentions to take advantage of interwhich is still foreign in core ownership, the nal fuel processing?

As we speak, we are progressing indigenous companies have largely taken seriously to building a modular refinery over the industry. So, regardless of the somewhere in Delta State. We are collaboNigerian Content Development policy, I rating with one of the marginal oilfield think that Nigerians have actually dome producers to do about 10000 barrels per very well in the downstream space, and day refinery. We are still at the study or I dare say that Nigerians today actually preliminary stage but it is what we really control the downstream Nigerian oil and want to do. It is a space we want to play in gas industry. because that is actually the way to go.

Everybody needs to up his game. We What is the outlook for both Rainoil and can’t remain at the point of just importthe downstream petroleum industry in ing fully refined petroleum products to the short to medium term? sell as fully refined petroleum products.

For Rainoil, our aspiration is to be the Downstream players need to begin to add dominant player in the downstream

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Continued on Page 23

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

INTERVIEW

‘Nigerian banking industry does not support economic growth’ value. We need to take crude and process it to get refined petroleum products.

Nigeria is about the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world, and it is a shame that we still have to import 80 percent of our refined petroleum products when we have the crude oil.

So the time has come for us to have that conversation on how to process that crude to refined petroleum products to save us the massive pressure on our scarce foreign exchange. It is reputed that importation of petroleum products account for more than 45 percent of the demand for foreign exchange. So you can imagine if we take away that demand how it will help the Naira to stabilize.

Honestly, it is a needless demand because we have the crude which should be able to process and get our petrol, our diesel and our kerosene.

Most indigenous players talk of plans for modular refinery. Is it possible that all of you could pool resources together for a mega-refinery that would offer the advantage of economies of scale?

Well we definitely need refineries.

Thankfully, Dangote is leading the way.

He is building 450, 000 barrels per day refinery.

But make no mistake about it. Building a refinery is no child’s play. It is no tea party.

It takes a lot of money. Unfortunately, the finance structure in Nigeria does not encourage such large scale of investments; not in an economy where people are borrowing money at 25 percent interest rate.

And that is compound interest rate. So if you borrow money at 25 percent interest rate, the money would have doubled in three years. How many business or investments can repay for themselves in the short term of high interest rate?

Now if you want to relay on your own funds, how many years would it take you to save up funds for a $200 million project.

So, it is a big challenge.

Yes, it is easy for you to say marketers or DAPPMA members can come together and do these things. But, again, they are also pulling their banks when they come together to fund large scale projects. So, coming together means pulling your bank which also coming to give you money at 25 percent. So, how far can you gor? So it is a structural problem.

Nigerian banks today truly don’t really support businesses. They are not supporting the economy. Most of them are doing nothing but mobilising funds to go and buy treasury bills. When treasury bill is paying as much as 18 percent then there is no incentive to lend money. So all they do is mobilise money and then go and dump the money in the Central Bank all in the name of treasury bills; and then the real sector suffers, the manufacturing sector suffers, and these are sectors where people actually need to be investing.

The role of banks is to mobilise funds for investor who would now channel the funds in heavy industries, do manufacturing, create jobs and stimulate multiplier effects in the economy. Unfortunately in Nigeria, we don’t see that. All we see are banks that mop up money, stash it in treasury bills and go and sleep. That is wrong!

Deregulate or not to deregulate the downstream petroleum market?

I believe that government should deregulate and allow prices to float. The price of diesel has long been deregulated and Nigerians have gotten on with it.

We should remove the price cap on petrol. We are not unmindful of the fact that it carries political sensitivities. At N145 per litre, you find out that the difference

between expected open market prices are not far from the capped pump prices.

Government has already taken the major decision which is moving it from N87 per litre to N145 per litre. At N145 per litre, if deregulate today you will find out that petrol will go up only by N15 per litre which is really immaterial compared to the bleeding that the government has to suffer on account of subsidy. Now compare that to the amount of inefficiency in the system because government happen to run a regulated system.

How do you think the industry could get better?

The best way to address inefficiency is to free up the market. Again, I refer you mack to diesel. Yes, diesel is deregulated yet we are seeing very serious competition among the marketers in that space.

Are marketers making a kill from diesel today? No! you make N2 today and you’ll lose N1 the next day. If you make N2 the following day you’ll lose N3 the next day.

There is very serious competition on diesel because it is deregulated. The same thing is gonna happen if government frees up the market on petrol.

When you free up the market and serious competition comes up, then people become more creative on how to save cost, and how to collaborate. In fact once

government deregulates, it would force the market to consolidate. So if you really want to create efficiency and weed out flaws in the system, the best thing to do is deregulate the market and free it up.

Nigeria is lowing sulphur content level in the quality of petrol consumed in the country from 1000 ppm to about 500 ppm. How are huge stock holders like your company positioned for quality control?

I am happy that government is finally taking those steps. It is something they should have long done. The world has since moved on from dirty fuels to very clean fuels. In Europe and United States they are talking about 10 ppm wheras we are talking about coming down from 1000 ppm to 500 ppm and we are seeing that as massive development. However, it is a step in the right direction.

Thankfully, the cost difference is really not that much, but because we run a regulated system where government fixes the price, I believe that government itself is trying to keep the prices as low as possible to reduce the subsidy impact that it has to absorb. If government were passing that cost to the people, then it would have been easier to float a policy that recommends 20 ppm of sulphur. Nigerians will

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When you free up the market and serious competition comes up, then people become more creative on how to save cost, and how to collaborate. In fact once government deregulates, it would force the market to consolidate.

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Continued from Page 22

pay a few Naira per litre higher but the overall impact on society would far overcompensate for the little increase in the cost of cleaner fuel.

We are in dire need of clean fuels now, especially for a country where we don’t have electricity supply. Everybody is running generators that spew so many fumes into the environment. We also don’t have mass transit system and everybody has a car stuck in lingering traffic jams here and there. Then, all the cars a emitting hazardous fumes from dirty fuel into the environment. So, if we care for our environment we can only move in the direction of very clean fuels.

Clean fuels can only come as a result of government policy. When government says you can’t bring dirty fuel into this country, it simply means you cannot do that. You have to go a get clean fuel. If government says your refinery can’t produce dirty fuel, it simply means you have to make the necessary investments to ensure that fuel coming from the refinery is clean.

So, everything boils down to deregulation and strict quality control. And these are products of policy articulation. By a single policy, former president Olusegun Obasanjo revolutionized the telecommunication industry by deregulating it and deepening the country’s teledensity.

Prior to that policy, Nigeria had only 400,000 telephone lines from Nitel.

Obasanjo didn’t have to do much to deepen telephone access. All he needed to do was to come up with the right policy of liberalizing the sector.

He sold the GSM licenses, made $285 million from the licensing rounds, and activated a competition that has created over 100 million lines today!

That policy, not only did it not coast government money, government made money from the policy.

So, with policy you can achieve a lot. Changing from dirty fuel to clean fuel is just a policy matter. One the policy is in place everybody will adjust to compliance and adapt to it. It will come at a cost but if the market is deregulated, that cost will not be borne by government. Everyboody bearing just N5000 out of that cost will make it spread evenly, most people will not feel the hurt but if instead of spreading the cost on over 180 million people government decides to bear the cost alone, then the burden will be heavy.

And that is what I think we are witnessing.

What alternative funding options are open to your company apart from the money market?

All options are on the table. We are talking to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). We are looking at sometime in the near future to explore listing at the NSE and raise funds. The challenge as we all know the stock market has not fully recovered from the crash of 1999.

I don’t know of any company that has successfully gone to raise funds from the market in recent times. Actually a lot of people got their fingers burnt in the stock market crash, so the investor appetite has been very low for stock.

However, once the stock market has been able to bounce back, a lot of companies like ours would very seriously consider going to the stock exchange.

We wish you and you and Rainoil great birthday celebrations.

Thank you very much.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

EDITORIAL

Biafra – 50 years on

T

HERE would not be much to Biafra without controversies. Biafra from beginning to the 50th anniversary has been mired in controversies. The latest has been over the mode of marking the 5oth anniversary of the struggle that ended on January 14, 1970 when hostilities between Biafra and Nigeria ceased, but assumes an ascendancy of importance each anniversary.

In many ways, the 50th anniversary has been extraordinary. While many had thought that Biafra would die at the end of the civil war, which saw the people of the East, mostly Ndigbo, suffer one of the most brutal war methods ever unleashed on a people, the idea of Biafra has lived on.

There have been moments of fleeting forgetfulness. There have been doubts whether the agitations for a better Nigeria, which Biafra and Ndigbo asked for, in more than three years of killings, starvation, blockade and economic strangulation, would survive more than a few years after the war.

But, Biafra has grown in strength instead, the idea, that is. There have often been references to more freedoms for our various peoples. The various attempts at resolving the imbroglio through dialogue make consistent reference to Aburi, the final effort to stop Nigeria from falling apart.

If Biafra rolls on controversies, Aburi, the Ghanaian town - where delegations from Nigeria and the then Eastern Region met in January 1967 to deliberate on stopping the pogroms against Ndigbo, and more devolution of powers to the

regions - ascended to global reckoning as the point of no return in the Nigerian crisis.

Various accounts of the transactions in Aburi emerged. None of them resolved the matters that had been compounded by two coups, more pogroms, and the silence over the death of the Head of State, Major-General Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Four months after Aburi, without a solution and series of agitations in Eastern Region (evidenced in daily demonstrations in different cities, asking for a new country), Lt-Col Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, on 30 May 1967, declared the Republic of Biafra, in a radio broadcast that also announced immediate cancellations of all ways that the Eastern region related to Nigeria as a country.

Nigeria fired the first shots of the war at Gakem, now in Cross River State, for one of the most ferocious wars in Africa. The continent’s most populous nation descended to brutalities that have outlasted the battle on the fields, the injuries, the deaths, and the loss of property and positions.

More injuries have been inflicted on Ndigbo since the end of the civil war in 1970. Arguments that tend to deny official policies that have targeted Ndigbo and their businesses reverse the narrative. They blame Ndigbo for their plight in Nigeria, including discriminatory policies against Ndigbo as individuals, and their geographical space in Nigeria, all these 50 years after Ndigbo stated that the country was not working, and went to war in defence of that conviction.

These days, individuals, groups, debate fiercely about restructuring Nigeria as if it were their innovative idea to rescue the world from the Nigerian illness.

Few of them admit that the mistake made in Aburi in 1967, is hugely responsible for where Nigeria is today.

What would have happened to Nigeria if it accepted the resolutions in Aburi for autonomy for the regions or outright separation? What type of country would Biafra have become?

Could competitions between Nigeria and Biafra have helped in producing better countries that would have been the pride of Africa? What would have been the place of the technological developments that Biafra made during the war?

We can continue to speculate about what the country would have been, if different decisions were made in 1967. What appears certain is that Nigeria, since 1967, has not been run to the satisfaction of any section. There is also agreement that eyes on oil and gas have been more important than the situation of Nigeria.

It may be 50 years after Biafra came into existence; it is also 50 years since Nigeria threw away the regions and the competitive developments that they entail. Nigeria has gone through 50 years of fruitless search for a replacement of what it lost in 1967. It has hurt Nigeria; it is still hurting the country.

Most of those asking for regional

governments have not envisaged the leadership gaps that exist today, compared to the tight reins that regional leaders had 50 years ago. The creation of States, one of the measures that the Federal Government used to buffet the support non-Ndigbo in Eastern Region had for Biafra, has decimated political strongholds across Nigeria.

It also entrenched new power blocks that have prospered in the past half a century.

The new measures being suggested to devolve power means an attack on the fortunes of these strongholds. They would not watch idly.

Biafra, 50 years on, is a celebration of the strength of the human spirit, a remembrance of those who paid the supreme price for our cause, a lesson on the futility of injustice, a tribute to the heroes of our struggles, some of them non-Ndigbo, a bigger lesson to all that the fortunes of Nigeria cannot be enhanced by deleterious policies that target certain sections of the country.

Lessons are being learnt. One of them could be that non-violence approaches could produce more results, not necessarily better results, than the loss of lives that war guarantees. Another could be that ideas could be so strong that they never expire, until they have been used.

Without stronger alternatives to the freedoms on which Aburi prefaced Nigeria’s survival, the country would continue in circles as it has done for years. It is not a matter of pretences to patriotism, which collapse at the critical moments.

Nigeria fought a civil war; it has spent almost 50 years after the denying that such a monumental patch in a country’s history deserves deeper interrogation than the fleeting references to it.

Nigeria amassed more resources, more governments, more policies, and more rhetoric after the civil war. What it has neglected is the realisation that the greatness of a country is built on catering for its peoples.

Biafra challenges us; it is not about Ndigbo. Biafra-its ideas, its ideals, which scare many of us, will challenge us, until we deal with Biafra – wholesomely. Biafra at 50 is part of that challenge.

Our Vision TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectively caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

OPINION

Memory and nation building: Biafra 50 years after…(1)

By UZODIMA NWALA

B

EFORE I thank the organisers of this Conference and pay my tribute to the memory of my friend, late Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, in whose Foundation Centre this historic event is being organised, let me quickly dismiss certain lingering pernicious fallacies that have dominated all discussion about the coup of January 15, 1966 and the Biafra War. First, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, has alluded to the January 15, 1966 coup as an Igbo coup that, according to him, was replied by a Northern coup of July 29 1966.

Let it be said loud and clear that that coup, namely January 15, 1966 coup, was not an Igbo coup. It was a coup led by certain Igbo and Yoruba Officers, involving the active participation of soldiers from the North. The aim, as has been stated again and again, by the leaders of the coup was to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was in detention at the time and install him the Prime Minister of Nigeria.

That coup was foiled by Igbo military officers.

Igbo political leaders and activists knew nothing about the coup.

Again the Incursion into the Mid-West by the Biafran troops was not a quest for territorial grabbing by the Igbos. Ojukwu sent troops under the Command of Col, banjo in response to Chief Awolowo’s request for troops to help liberate Yoruba land from the noccupation of soldiers from the North.

By the time Col Banjo got to Ore, the British had gotten Gowon to offer Chief Awolowo Vice Chairmanship of the Nigerian Government. Awolowo, therefore, asked Banjo not to proceed on his mission.

General Yakubu Gowon knows the truth of all

these things. And that is why the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) had written him and asked him to tell Nigerians and the whole world the truth about the January 15, 1966 coup and the Biafra incursion into the Mid-West.to stop all the lies against Ndigbo, which have been the basis of the burden they carry as a nation within the Nigerian Federation.

Secondly, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Head of State and a frontline commander on the Federal side during the war, said that they (the Federal military leaders) conducted the war without any hate or vengeance because it was a quarrel between brothers.

To this one is constrained to ask a few pertinent questions: * How did the world come to describe the conduct of the war as POGROM? * What about the policy that hunger was a legitimate weapon of war and so was justified in its application against the Biafrans? * What about bombing of refugee camps, market places, churches, etc? * Again, when Chief Obasanjo said that they, the victorious side, have been more magnanimous than the victors in the American civil war, where, according to him, those who lost the war never had a chance to be President of America until several decades if not a century later, I would ask him WHAT ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA? WHAT ABOUT NELSON MANDELLA? Such assertions rather than heal the wounds of the war, keep the wounds aglow, rather than reconcile pour raw paper of unjustified arrogance on the wounded hearts of the Biafrans. How can you genuinely talk about reconciliation with that kind o mind-set. The truth is that for General Obasanjo, the Biafrans are defeated people. Period!

Indeed, before we can talk about reconciliation, we must accept that grave wrongs were done to the Biafrans, Before, During and Since the end of the war.

Tribute to General Yar’Adua …Let me go on to thank the organisers of this conference - the Yar’Adua Foundation and the six Nigerian Universities partnering with the Foundation; the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa who have provided support for this Conference - Biafra: 50 Years After.

What is more, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of my late friend, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. I met him for the first time during the 1994-5 National Constitutional Conference. There we struck a friendship that would have born great fruits but for his untimely death. I personally escaped being arrested with him.

General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, became a great democrat after the war despite his aristocratic background. He genuinely believed that this wobbly Federation could be given a dependable foundation. Consequently, he set out to recruit gifted compatriots to work with him for that purpose.

What a great hunter of talent Shehu was! …What is important in this narrative is that General Yar’Adua was a very sincere leader who always spoke to me and to anyone in his political company from the bottom of his heart. He was sincerely in search of a genuine way forward. He was a man who knew that all is not well with the Nigerian Federation and genuinely sough the correct path to its healing!

The point of the story is to reveal a bit of

the life of this great political strategist, who if he had lived after that Conference, he and the powerful circle of comrades he had built at the Conference would have helped to see to a more liberal accommodating political order in Nigeria. Shehu was the darling of a liberal democratic movement that was emerging in Nigeria before he died. He was equally hated by what many of us call the hegemonists who have consistently aborted every opportunity to create a democratic political culture. It is the later who have consistently made it difficult to achieve a genuine reconciliation in Nigeria. It is these forces that have insisted on a Federation founded on the peace of the graveyard.

Yes, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua along with the compatriots he had worked to put together would have constituted an authentic force for reconciliation and national integration. He was a victim of the forces of hegemony.

Post –Biafra Reconciliation – What Lessons?

During the trial of Adolf Hitler after Germany and her allies lost the war to the Allied Forces, the following exchange took place between Hitler and his interlocutor – Interlocutor to Hitler: You were responsible for the Second World War? Hitler: No! The Versailles Treaties was.

I believe this Conference has been provoked by the renewed agitation for Biafra. In that case, a similar question can be posed to the Biafra Self-determination Agitators in Nigeria today as to whether they are responsible for the renewed agitation for Biafra.

To be continued next week

Nigeria’s housing deficit: We must act now, lest the ‘angry gods’ be enraged

By CHIMA CHRISTIAN

I

RECALL, with a copious mix of laughter and feelings of disappointment, a fable I circumstantially heard repeatedly and believed. I can’t trace the origin of such tales but I recall coming in contact with it when a section of a major road that runs through my town failed. The road was practically cut into two by unforgiving floods which insisted it must empty itself into the nearest water body, even if it means washing away people’s houses and cutting an expressway into two to achieve that purpose.

The erosion site was massive. Hearing the sound of floods raging through the erosion site each time it rains is enough to send any six year old into panic. I don’t recall specifically interviewing people to ascertain the cause of such menace but the popular rhetoric then was that “the gods were angry at the people and therefore plagued them with such erosion as a punishment for their preferred lifestyle.”

Before you jeer at my folly (for those who find sufficient reasons to do so), please note that I was young, naïve and innocently gullible. It is needless to argue whether I would have believed such fables if I were to be an adult at the material time but I know that adults (my uncles inclusive), local chiefs/titleholders, the religious who were calling for fervent prayers, school teachers who didn’t fail to communicate such to their hapless students and even some intellectuals people looked up to, believed the angry gods fable. It took the intervention of the Obasanjo–led Federal Government to arrest the situation, fix the erosion site and unshackle the minds of the people.

David-Chyddy Eleke of Thisday Newspaper, in his November 2016 report, said; “there are over 960 active erosion sites in Anambra State, and these have in most communities swallowed up houses, making residents lose their places of abode.” It is safer not to imagine what fables some of these traumatized people might still hold on to.

Not too long ago, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State and the Chairman of Nigerian Gov-

ernors’ Forum offered his thoughts on a variant of a known infectious disease – Type C Meningitis, which threatened the peace, security and orderliness of the state he governs. He opened his mouth, as widely reported by the media, to say; “What we used to know as far as meningitis is concerned is the type A virus…however, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send Type C virus, which has no vaccination. People have turned away from God and he has promised that ‘if you do anyhow, you see anyhow’ that is just the cause of this outbreak as far as I am concerned.

There is no way fornication will be so rampant and God will not send a disease that cannot be cured.”

It is either the governor sincerely expressed what he believes in or that he resorted to telling fables because he knows his people will buy into such tales. And any of these two points to the magnitude of scientific and civic illiteracy still ravaging our society even in this 21st century.

A little digression. This call for repentance, is it not coming from the same Gov. Yari who is now being accused by the EFCC of stealing (diverting, to be politically correct) a substantial part of the money that would have been deployed to combat the epidemic, pay workers’ salaries and attend to other needs of the people and allegedly used same to service his personal debts and acquire a $3Million hotel? Without acquiescing with Gov. Yari’s accusers, which is tantamount to striping him off his presumption of innocence, I tend to wonder what type of Meningitis the angry gods will visit the governor with if he indeed committed the alleged crimes. Type D, E or F? Who knows?

Back to my point. At the risk of running into philosophical or theological arguments with Gov. Yari and the people he shares similar views with, I beg to be allowed to think aloud for a few more minutes. Had my State Government enforced total compliance with the state’s master plan and prohibited people from erecting buildings on areas mapped out for drainages, cleared

clogged drainage facilities and reinforced or replaced existing ones when they showed signs of weakness, perhaps the gods wouldn’t have been so angry to strike the people with a devastating gully erosion. Had Zamfara State Government provided the people of the state with affordable well-ventilated houses and was proactive enough, perhaps the angry gods would have spared them the agony of burying hundreds of their kinsmen who died by the sword of Type C Meningitis like they spared other people who “do anyhow” but live in well ventilated houses and have access to proper medication.

The danger with angry gods fables is that, though they pass responsibility to the people, they misdirect the people’s collective energy into seeking solutions where there are none, thereby killing creativity and elongating (if not perpetuating) the problems. Nigeria has continued to under develop herself by cheaply resorting to prayers where she ought to think and act.

Will there be situations that call for prayers? Yes. Do all situations call for prayers? No. Even those situations that call for prayers also call for folding up of sleeves after those prayers. Nigeria is very privileged, imagine for a second, what would have happened if we have earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and things like that.

This author has repeatedly observed that Nigeria is plagued by terrible leadership, but a lot more damage is done by gullible followership.

We must, by all possible means, invest in massive civic and scientific literacy – both for the leaders and the led, but essentially for the later. The gullibility of our people, the exploitation of such by the political class, and the attendant consequences have now assumed a rather dangerous dimension.

Nigeria, with a population of about 180 million people, is presently challenged with a threatening national housing deficit. In 1991, the deficit was 7 million units. It has since increased from 7 million units in 1991 to 14 million units in 2010 and currently 17 million units. By 2050, exactly 33 years from today, popular estimates say Nigeria will be

the third most populous nation, with a projected population of about 390 million people. If we do not, as a matter of priority, build well ventilated and affordable houses for our teeming population in this era of global warming, let Gov. Yari and his followers be assured that the gods were just test running their anger in Type C Meningitis.

• Chima is a good governance advocate and a public policy analyst. He writes in from Nnewi, Anambra State. He can be contacted on chimachris2@gmail.com and can also be connected with on Twitter via @ChimaCChristian.

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

26

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

Export Platform

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI

Earn lucrative income from charcoal exports

Charcoals ready for export

T

HE genesis of the production of wood charcoal is steeped in the misty recesses of history. But way back in the 12th century; the productive uses of charcoal found expression amongst European artists; and painters.

Today, it is very big business world wide, as demand for the product has virtually outstripped supply because it is a major fuel input of several industries like the smelting, steel furnaces, catering, public water purification systems and chemical industries Essentially charcoal is produced in Nigeria using the traditional pit method of burning waste wood sourced from all kinds of places ranging from logging companies furniture makers, trimmers, building contractors, forests etc. In the pit method; you dig or excavate a pit in the earth whose length should be 6m and width 2.70m and a lighting point of 1.20m. The beauty of this method is that you can convert your back yard (subject to environmental considerations) to a charcoal making factory. Capital investment is minimal, nothing more than a shovel; an axe and a box of matches is required. To acquire mastery in this production type,a visit to the charcoal belt which straddles Oyo-Iseyin- Igbeti, Eruwa, in the South West and Kogi would suffice.

Other production methods are the brick kilns, and the metal cylindrical transportable kiln you could move from one location to the other. Hardwoods like Iroko, shea tree, oak “emii” “idi” “ayin” “asapa” produce excellent grade charcoal much sought after by overseas buyers. Talking about the overseas buyers; one should quickly mention that; they dictate the quality parameters and to some extent prices.

If you are not ready to conform to quality standards, you are well advised to invest elsewhere as the market out there is fastidious, ruthless and competitive. However, if you can get your acts together as many serious Nigerian exporters are doing, you will rake in very good forex.

Charcoal for exports are usually shiny black, well carbonized, dried, cleaned and contain no unburnt pieces, stones or which have been sorted out; and graded in three categories namely industrial (20mm– 60mm) barbecue (20mm-80mm) and restaurant (20mm-140mm) The essence of producing charcoal yourself is to drastically cut down on procurement costs. The charcoal cartel of middlemen/ processors at Oyo, Iseyin, Eruwa axis now sell a 32kg bag of charcoal for N400.

If you produce yourself your total cost for the same size of bag falls within the range of N280-N320 per bag. The advantage of dealing with the processor/middlemen is their capacity to deliver very large orders within a limited space of time. Having been in the business for a very long time, they produce in line with the international standards and classifications for exports, having acquired the hands-on experience for choosing the requisite trees and wood for burning. Quite a lot of them are good business people; but a few of their members do not believe that making money is a Sunday school affair. You have to keep a hawk’s eye when dealing with them. If you must pay any one in advance.do not commit funds with any itinerant processor whose address you cannot verify. Ensure every little detail is documented. If your order is for barbecue charcoal, state it in writing. And when they are stuffing your charcoal into containers, make sure, repeat, ensure you supervise the entire process bag-by-bag. If for one reason or the other you are not available; depute a trusted assistant or your manager to keep an eye on things.

Some unscrupulous processors could mingle wet charcoal with oddities like dust, sweepings and stones which unbeknown to the exporter, gets shipped abroad. resulting in fingers badly burnt; and lost investments . It is not very difficult meeting these standards if you take direct charge.

The physico- chemical parameters of export grade charcoal fall within these limits.

Carbon content: (75-80) % Moisture content: (10% maximum) Ash content: (3-4) % Volatile matter (15% maximum) Nobody expects you to hop into the laboratory to verify each consignment bag-by –bag. Advisedly you could do only a random sample. In other climes where you have genuine pre shipment inspectors, it is their job to ascertain the quality of all export shipments and thereby issue a clean report of findings. The way around this problem is to ensure the charcoal is well carbonized, and dried as stipulated above.

The fob & c&f prices of charcoal swing within a continuum depending on the buyer, charcoal type, bulk delivery or packaging; and mode of payment. Last season a French importer of barbecue charcoal paid 170 euro per ton fob Apapa on CAD

terms. Same season, a German buyer bought industrial charcoal for 190 euro C & F Hamburg. Another German importer was willing to pay between 130-160 Euro/ mt fob Apapa on telex release payment for industrial charcoal.

This season opened up with low bids.

But things are picking up with Portuguese and Czech importers posting prices of 145euros per ton fob Apapa for restaurant charcoal package in 20kg pp bags. Using this as a working figure a profitability analysis of charcoal looks thus: PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS ESTIMATES FOR THE EXPORT OF 1 X 40FT HIGH CUBE CONTAINER OF CHARCOAL ON FOB APAPA BASIS AS AT NOVEMBER 2016 Cost 1. Wood charcoal 22 tons in a container x 11,200 N246,400:00 2. Transportation (Trailer: Lagos-OyoLagos) N 80,000.00 3. Loading at Oyo N N5,000.00 4.

Road expenses (“roja” money) N 2,000.00 5. Bagging expenses N 22,000.00 6.

Forwarding expenses N 60,000.00 Total N 415,400.00 REVENUE (SELLING PRICE) 145euros/mt FOB Apapa 145euros x 22 tons= (3190 Euros) N 526,350:00 Less (costs) N 415,400:00 Profit ------- N 110,950.00 ASSUMPTIONS: 1. 1 x 40 foot container contain 22 tons of packaged of charcoal 2. Outside stuffing of container at Oyo 3. Wood charcoal purchased from processors @ N11, 200/mt (max) 4. Turnaround period: 21 days.

It is important to state that a very shrewd exporter could still prune down costs especially with regards to trailer hire, forwarding expenses, charcoal procurement and the amount allocated to offsetting “roja” bills and other unofficial levies on the high way.

If you know your onions; you could really slash your forwarding expenses to as low as N40,000. Watch out for the terminal operators at Apapa; who are wont to extort money from the exporter at the slightest excuse. Don’t buy that hogwash they call demurrage or storage bills; on outgoing containers. If they threaten not to issue your bill of lading after paying all the statutory NPA and other handling charges which must be receipted for; report to the ports anti corruption commit-

tee.

Before shipping out ensure that you have a good purchase order/contract from a reputable buyer. Do not jack around with cowboy importers who will rob the Pope if given the chance. If you can not verify the track records of any buyer by way of credit checks do not accept cash-against –document or telex release payment terms. Request for an irrevocable letter of credit.

Prospective exporters could reach me for assistance in any area of export market development services.

SOME OVERSEAS CHARCOAL IMPORTERS ROUSSAU Less Nouhauds 2427 Dussac- FRANCE Tel: +33 553 5261 50 LLENYES I CARBONS PONC SL Cami del Gementiri 38, 08211 Castellar Del Valle Barcelona-SPAIN Tel: +34937 1455 64 Fax: +34937 15 93 OPTIMAGRO LTD Charcoal production sale DIN quality Insituta 1, LV-2130 Riga-LATVIA Tel: +371 791 0872 Fax: 371 791 08 56 BIG K CHARCOAL MERCHANTS LTD Whittington Hill, Stoke Feny King’s Lynn PE33 9TE- UNITED KINGDOM Tel: +44 1366 500 1 47 Fax: +44 1366 50 1608 Sales@bigk.co.uk CARBO DISTRIBUTIONS SA 03360 Braize-FRANCE Tel: +33 47006 1229 Fax: 33 47006 11 88 CARBO ATLANTIC SARL La Noe Mat 1 in 44170 La Grigonnaise-FRANCE Tel: +33240513186 Fax: +33 240 5131 88 MIBRYCAR SL Din briquettes and DIN charcoal C/Mendez Nunez 4, 061 00 Olivenza Badajoz -SPAIN Tel: +3492449 17 36 Fax: +34924491741 Tel: +34924491 14 31 Mobile: 699942865 • 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

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BIAFRA ... 50 years after

27

50 years of Biafra: Sit-at-home is potent tool of civil disobedience The Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu in this interview with CHUKS COLLINS asserts that despite the despicable killing of harmless and unarmed pro-Biafra agitators by cowards in Police and Army uniform, Biafran activists would not stop or relent until their quest for an independent republic is achieved. Excerpts:

TAKING stock of the Biafra journey so far, have the reasons for the secession call changed or improved at all?

Their duty is to watch and observe the sympathetic reactions of the international community towards the Biafra restoration project.

Sit-at-home exercise has been a recycling programme of civil disobedience that ultimately promotes and re-echoes the consciousness of Biafran reality. No military or spiritual powers can stop the collective will of the people.

T

HE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) admonished that the existence and sojourn of the people of Biafra can be likened to the affirmation of Jesus Christ himself when he compared the Hebrew children as the salt of the earth, which the earth would be worthless without.

Just as the children of light is the salt of the earth, so are the Igbos the salt of Nigeria. Without the Igbo, Nigeria will lose its taste and Nigeria will be no more. In all ramifications, men of goodwill and uprightness know that this assertion is true.

In terms of adaptation, J.P Clarke had once referred to the Igbo as soldier ants that came relatively late to the Nigerian political scene but as soon as they emerged they seized the floor and dictated the pace of nationalism.

Arthur Nwankwo also asserted that Ndigbo are the only group in Nigeria that has the capacity to make a comfortable and productive home anywhere outside their homeland. They are industrious and determined and they do not easily give up.

They are very clever and hardworking.

The attempt at establishing an independent state through the declaration of the Republic of Biafra on June 30, 1967, was consequent upon the premeditated genocidal pogrom against the Igbo and other people of eastern region of Nigeria then outside of their homeland. These choreographed genocidal attacks were followed by the coup of July 29,1966, during which Nigerian soldiers of northern origin systematically killed many southern officers and men, of whom at least three quarters were easterners. It is apt to say that the involvement of military officers of northern extraction in these massacres effectively destroyed the Nigerian army as an effective agent of Nigeria unity.

The subsequent massacre of citizens of Eastern region in the north, starting again in September 1966 and the mass migration back to the east that ensued widened the rupture in national unity. It was at this point that issues such as problems of refugees, economic support of displaced persons and intensified fears of citizens of the Eastern region for their personal safety combined to escalate the tension between the Eastern region and the central (Federal) government.

Given the gravity of the challenges confronting our people and the murderous hatred directed against us, the ebullient then Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was the Military Governor of the Eastern Region, was left with no other option than to declare the State of Biafra.

Nobody could have blamed him in the circumstance.

This attempt at secession by the people of Biafra was brutally resisted by the Nigerian State resulting in a fratricidal civil war that resulted in the loss of over two million lives of the people of Biafra and the displacement of many others in Eastern Nigeria.

Many citizens are confused about what was celebrated on May 22 For clarity purpose, MASSOB wishes to inform the general public that the people that paraded themselves on the streets recently on 22 May displaying the Biafra flags were not MASSOB members as they might have claimed, they were members of Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) observing their own Biafra day.

The end of the war was followed by deliberate social, political and economic policies aimed at reducing the capacity of the Igbo people to challenge the State or the dominance of the victorious groups.

These policies of marginalization were effectively and efficiently carried out through the various military dictatorships that dominated Nigerian politics for the greater part of its post-war history, spanning 1970 to 1999.

Interestingly, the current democratic dispensation has also coincided with the emergence of a post-war Igbo generation who do not accept the obvious marginalization of the Igbo in Nigeria. The manifestation of this resentment is seen in the number of pro-Biafra groups and movements that have emerged to demand the re-establishment of an independent Biafran State as a panacea to the alienation of the Igbo from the mainstream of Nigerian affairs. This new Igbo nationalism and consciousness like any other nationalism is anchored on a shared vision among our people that we are better off as an independent State than as an integral part of the Nigeria State.

MASSOB also declares that the golden jubilee celebration of Biafra declaration

will be golden and superlative. It will be a moment of sober reflection among all Biafra agitators worldwide. The commemoration and celebration of the anniversary will surely bring more unifying forces of non-violence for speedy actualization and its restoration with different activities by all pro-Biafra groups to recharge the consciousness of the struggle.

We the people of Biafra will never relent in promoting, projecting and upholding all the legacies of Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Supreme Leader and Commander of Biafra nation. Whatever measure or approach the oppressive security agents adopt against the celebration of Biafra anniversary can never subdue us from observing the independence declaration of Biafra by Gen Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Lately the sit-at-home calls have not been as effective. Why do you continue with it instead of other equally peaceful alternatives?

MASSOB is not seeing the Federal government stopping or challenging the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Biafra declaration. The Nigerian government cannot stop what they didn’t establish or institute.

In view of past experiences and current unfriendly disposition of the security agencies, would MASSOB proceed with the anniversary celebration?

MASSOB under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu will observe the 50th anniversary of declaration of Biafra Republic by Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on 30th May, 2017 with a sit-at-home call in honor and remembrance of the gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians that laid down their lives for the establishment of the Republic of Biafra during the genocidal war against the people of Biafra in 1967-1970. As MASSOB will honour the fallen heroes that died during the war, we will also remember the victims of the current struggle for the restoration and actualization of Biafra. MASSOB is not against BIM or any other group.

MASSOB collaborates and works with other genuine pro-Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants.

We are aware that Nigerian security agents are not comfortable about the anniversary. MASSOB is also aware that security agents will exhibit their jittery and fears mostly the overzealous ones that love operating the trigger in a cowardly manner against non-violent pro-Biafra agitators.

The threat and presence of Nigeria security agents will not deter us from exercising our fundamental human and civil rights and liberties. We the people of Biafra will never relent in promoting, projecting and upholding all the legacies of Gen Ojukwu, the supreme leader and Commander of Biafra Nation. Whatever measure or approach of security agents against the celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary day can never subdue or deter us from observing the independence anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

UPP and relationship with Biafra movement On the issue of the United Progressives Party (UPP) affiliating or trying to affiliate with Biafranism, MASSOB is yet to be briefed, so we can’t make any statement on that.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BIAFRA ... 50 years after

Biafra: Why Nigeria demonizes • Says South-East is not landlocked Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State last Tuesday, May 23 to be precise, at the First Chinua Achebe International Conference held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) drew attention to the plight of the Igbo in Nigeria, what has come to be addressed as The Igbo Question. Correspondent COLLINS UGHALAA was there and reports…

D

ELIVERING a lecture on The Igbo and the Leadership Question: the Achebe Example, Dr Ikedi Ohakim said Ndigbo are being demonized in Nigeria, because of the civil war and other negative descriptions.

Ohakim reminded the Igbo that they have a great past that is filled with great accomplishments, saying that it is the fear of the great past of the Igbo people that has led to the demonization of the Igbo people.

“Our past was a great past not just a past replete with defeats. It was, in fact, that great past that came under attack during the civil war. And it is the fear of that great past that has continued to sustain that attack, which manifests in what many of us call ‘marginalization’,” he said.

“Keeping the Igbo down has become a vehicle for the political advancement of other rival groups. And to perpetuate that, all manner of stereotyping of the Igbo is employed. External forces exploit the greed among some of our mendicant political class, induce crisis among us and turn round to demonize us as people incapable of providing leadership.”

The immediate past Imo State governor said the rest of Nigeria is afraid that the Igbo did not die in the war but survived and became resilient.

“The truth is that there is a mortal fear among fellow Nigerians that rather than destroy us, the war honed a more resilient and enterprising Igbo nation, and that if they allow us space, we would not only surge ahead, we would probably wipe out everybody.

“Thus, the Igbo have become a people to be feared, a people to be suspected, a people to be subjugated and a people not to be trusted. But to me, what is important is not how people choose to see us, but how we want them to see us.”

The former governor regretted that Nigeria has developed a bad attitude of needing the Igbo but not wanting them, stressing that this has made the Igbo peripheral players in the national economy.

“Another truth, which proceeds from the above, is that Nigeria has developed a strategy of needing the Igbo but not wanting them. This may have succeeded in making the Igbo marginal players in the Nigerian economy, that is, if we ignore self-inflicted limitations, but it has really done more harm to Nigeria itself,” the former governor reiterated.

He noted that “the fear of the Igbo has held Nigeria down and will continue to hold it down. After all, it was Harry Truman who said that you cannot hold a man down without staying down yourself.”

“And I will illustrate,” he declared.

“Many times in the past, during Nige-

ria’s many constitutional conferences, the proposal was made that Nigerians should enjoy full rights and obligations of citizenship wherever they have lived for some minimum specified years and paid tax. The knee-jerk response by other Nigerians to this proposal was that it would benefit the Igbo and make him take over the entire country. The proposal was always thrown out in the belief of keeping the Igbo man caged in his own geo-political area. Now, years after, the war of “indigenes” against “settlers” emerged in the North, claiming thousands of lives. It has not subsided even as I speak.

“Those who killed the unity of Nigeria for the fear of the Igbo are worse for it.

There is also the case of Dr. Njoku Obi of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, who produced anti-cholera vaccine soon after the war. His effort was reduced to

is a ‘rejection of self’ and ‘identification with the colonizer’ and ‘the acceptance of the latter’s image of one’s inferior status.’ If you watch the Nigerian scene closer, you will notice a progressive lack of self-belief among our people and an identification with our internal colonizers.

“Some Igbo regard our language as inferior, but show off their mastery of Hausa or Yoruba language. Our young millionaires are so showy, loud and noisy, thus attracting resentment and envy to themselves. Our enterprising spirit is sometimes carried to an exuberant excess, eliciting an aggressive resolve among our competitors to contain and subjugate us. Most of our leaders have become compromisers and cash and carry leaders.

“Unfortunately, there is no discipline in Igbo land today because those who should lead by example have abandoned their responsibilities for a mess of porridge. I can go on and on to give reasons why we must reposition the Igbo nation for the future.”

Speaking on the problem of leadership, the former governor said that leadership, which has been the problem of Nigeria has also become the problem of Ndigbo. He called on the Igbo to “grow and develop the right leadership”, saying that “the Igbo leadership of the 21st century must be informed, transparent and honest. The leadership for the future must be committed, focused, highly motivated and accountable to be people.”

“The new Igbo leadership must be bold, bright, brave, forthright and, above all, compassionate,” Ohakim stressed. “The new leadership must be educated beyond just the ability to read and write, but must be knowledgeable about the dynamics of the environment in which Ndigbo live. In other words, we need to put our intellectual class to work in the field of political leadership.

We must never be led in the 21st century by bit-players and artisans who lack a complete view of the structures they contend with and cannot relate politics to the need for development.”

South East is not landlocked The former governor also said that contrary to the claim that the region is landlocked, “it is only the economy of the region that is landlocked”, noting that the only way to unlock the fortunes of the region is through marine business.

He said: “Please let it be known from today that the South East is not landlocked. It is only our economy that is locked. One quick way of unlocking the economy of the South-East is through marine business.

“Contrary to the impression that the

ethnic debate, probably because it was not expected that such a feat could come from a rebel. Dr. Njoku Obi simply sold his patent abroad while Nigeria continues to spend billions of dollars to import the same anti-cholera vaccines from the foreign patent holders.”

The former governor added: “When other ethnic groups try to give us negative stereotyping, they are really trying to induce our obsolescence. That effort translates to what we call our marginalization. They paint us black to justify our oppression. Prof Okwudiba Nnoli in his work, Ethnic Politics in Nigeria, validates this when he said, ‘Colonial racism provided a myth whose primary objective was the complete alienation of the colonized African, enabling a better and more complete domination and control of him.’

“The result, according to Frantz Fanon Cont’d on Page 29

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BIAFRA ... 50 years after

Ndigbo, by Ikedi Ohakim

Cont’d from Page 28 South-East is landlocked, the truth is that it has one of the potentially deepest seaports in the country at Osemoto/ Oseokwa in Imo and Anambra States.

A seaport was designated there in 1959 but the project was abandoned and the admiralty member erased for obvious political reasons. African Development Bank (ADB) feasibility report on this is unambiguous.

“Oseokwa (Ihiala LGA, Anambra State) and Osemoto (Oguta LGA, Imo State) are the deepest natural harbor in the country (over 20m deep) and offer real naval and marine transportation platforms if developed. Besides, it lies only 18 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean and a strategic hub for the oil industry and inland dry-docks to promote trade.

“This potential seaport has the capacity of handling over 35 per cent of marine business in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, it was the attraction to these potentials that made my administration in Imo State site the Oguta Wonder Lake and Resort Centre in the area to encourage the federal government and foreign investors. If Ndigbo pursue and complete the seaport, it will also open up over 3,000 square kilometers of the most fertile agricultural land that has one of the highest alluvial deposits in existence for well over a million years.”

He recalled that he was removed from office because of his “pursuit of this revolutionary project, which attracted both national and international panic and may have cost me second tenure as governor.”

“This deep seaport will create over

Late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu

Nnia Nwodo two million jobs, directly and indirectly, in marine business, oil and gas, power, education, housing, agro-food industry, entertainment, tourism, etc,” he emphasized. “With that type of set-

ting, Igbo youths will have no need to crisscross the country in search of jobs and, in the process, endanger their young lives.”

Politics of Second Niger Bridge

Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

According to the former governor: “The federal government had created a National Intervention Project in 2006 under President Obasanjo to restore peace and promote sense of belonging in the country. This gave rise to the N400 billion East-West Road project; the N600 billion Kano-Maiduguri Road project, the N200 billion Lokoja-AbajiAbuja Road project and the N150 billion Ibadan-Ogbomosho-Oshogb road.

“But curiously, the South-East was left out. When we demanded an explanation, we were promised the Second Niger Bridge but alas, this project is being pushed to a public-private (sector) participation (PPP) arrangement with a tolling scheme to recoup the cost of the project. Is this a fair deal for Ndigbo? We must continue to ask for our own share of the 2006 National Intervention fund.”

Roads Infrastructure: Otuocha-Nmiata-Kogi Road He continued: “Ndigbo of the SouthEast must demand the immediate completion of this road, with high economic value but which has been abandoned. This is the Otuocha-NmiataKogi road of less than 150 kilometers, which will knock off about three hours from every journey from the SouthEast to Abuja.

“The road was awarded to Nigercat in 2009 but curiously, the federal government has not shown any interest in completing this project. Our governors and national assembly members should take note. Ndigbo must demand that this road be completed to reduce the agony of Ndigbo who frequently visit the federal capital in their characteristic manner of making all parts of the country their home.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7 2017

BIAFRA ... 50 years after

50 years after Biafra:

By JOHN NNIA NWODO

I

AM GRATEFUL to Shehu Musa Yar Adua Foundation, Ford Foundation and OSIWA - the co-sponsors of this event for your kind invitation. I commend your foresight in convening this conference, the first major conference discussing Biafra outside of Igboland.

In hosting this conference the Yar’Adua Centre, which is best known for promoting national cohesion, honours the legacy of a great patriot: Shehu Musa Yar Adua. He died building bridges of understanding across our nation. I salute his family and associates for sustaining the legacy of Shehu through the works of this Foundation.

It is significant that you have chosen to harvest sober memories of Biafra. By so doing, you help us to wisely situate today’s talks of Biafra in the proper context: namely, as an opportunity for nation building; and not - as an invitation for invectives or recrimination.

50 years ago, Nigeria faced disintegration by the declaration of the Republic of Biafra. Biafra was born out of the political crisis, which engulfed Nigeria at that time. The crisis began with the struggle for leadership in the Western Region of Nigeria, the declaration of state of emergency in the West, the coup of January 1966, the counter coup of July 1966, the pogroms, the declaration of Biafra and the commencement of a police action that turned into a three years civil war.

I hope that our gathering today may contribute to the body of knowledge or body of lessons from the war. Lest we forget, there is wisdom in the words of George Santayana that: those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. That is why I thank you for the chance for us to collectively remember, reflect, hope and seek ways to build anew.

My most heartfelt reflection is that in the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, we can and should acknowledge the sacrifice in blood, suffering and toil - by millions of citizens on both sides of that divide.

They shared a common hope for their sacrifice: namely, that out of that war, we shall build a nation where no man is oppressed. The only difference was that for one side, Nigeria was that nation.

For the other it was Biafra.

Let us spare a thought for every victim of that conflict and the crises before that: the leaders and the soldiers, ordinary men, women and children. Each one loved life; had hopes and dreamt dreams. They died prematurely and often, painfully.

For those of us that survived the war and others who came afterwards, we are both heirs to the sacrifices of fallen brethren. Let us commit ourselves today and always to their hopes for peace and justice. Anytime that we are violent, anytime that we are unjust in the exercise of our public trust, anytime we lower the ideals of this nation, we betray them; and we act as if they died in vain.

As we honour their memory, today my worry is not only about the rising feeling of marginalization of Igbos or any other group but that our nation may not emerge from this conflict a more united

and prosperous country.

At the end of the war, in spite of a policy of no victor no vanquished by the Government of General Yakubu Gowon, an unconscionable policy of impoverishment of Biafrans was unleashed by the federal government. Every bank deposit of Biafrans that had encountered a transaction whether by deposit or withdrawal was reduced to £20. Massive savings were completely wiped out. Capacity for investment and recovery from the war was shattered. Whilst this poverty pervaded, the Indigenisation Decree was promulgated enabling other Nigerians, except Biafrans to acquire commanding heights in the indigenised companies, which held at that time the critical and commanding heights of Nigeria’s private sector economy.

Nevertheless, on the issue of reconciliation, we must give due credit to the resilience of the people from the war affected areas and the generosity of millions of other Nigerians that opened their hearts and homes to their friends and neighbours that were victims of war.

In many ways, it was by these incredible citizen to citizen relationships that Nigeria achieved one of the most remarkable post-conflict people to people reconciliation and reintegration in modern times.

Before the war national unity was the norm. A Biafran was a member of Northern Nigeria House of Chiefs. Biafrans lived freely and invested in all parts of Nigeria. In Lagos Dr Azikiwe was elected leader of Government Business. Mbonu Ojike was elected Deputy Speaker. In Enugu Alhaji Umoru Altine, a Fulani man was elected Mayor of Enugu. Mr Willougby a Yoruba man, was Accountant General.

On the economic front, the economy was buoyant. Import substitution industries grew rapidly and were more profitable. In the North, groundnut production and export fuelled economic growth. Textile industries flourished, agriculture boomed. Ahmadu Bello Uni-

,

Our political system is jaundiced, unfair, exploitative and unsustainable. Since attainment of independence the civilians have not been able to agree on a political structure. Our present constitution and the previous 1979 constitution were impositions of the military – an unrepresentative and dictatorial corps whose decrees were seriously influenced by the lop-sidedness of their composition

,

Nnia Nwodo versity thrived with outstanding international reputation.

In Lagos and the entire Western Region growth was phenomenal. Cocoa was a dependable foreign exchange earner. Cement, soft drinks, rubber, beer, soap and other import substitution industries grew phenomenally. Lagos, Ibadan and Ife housed universities of world standards. The first television station in black Africa was built. The first stadium in Nigeria was also built in the West.

In the Eastern Region palm produce grew the Eastern economy. Coal was mined and exported. Beer, cement, cashew nuts, tyres, aluminium, steel and soft drink factories grew rapidly. University of Nigeria was built and run by Americans.

Reflecting on 50 years after the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, it would seem to me that we have made very elaborate efforts: constitutional, political and administrative to ensure a united Nigeria. We

must not shy away from giving our nation its due credit, after all, some other societies with challenges like ours did not fare as well as we did.

However, we should not rest on our oars. Unity is not an end in itself; and ultimately, the best way to sustain our unity is to apply it to achieve a higher objective; namely, nation building.

Our political system is jaundiced, unfair, exploitative and unsustainable.

Since attainment of independence the civilians have not been able to agree on a political structure. Our present constitution and the previous 1979 constitution were impositions of the military – an unrepresentative and dictatorial corps whose decrees were seriously influenced by the lop-sidedness of their composition.

The economic and development data from Nigeria is discouraging in many sectors. Our law and order system including the police, the court system and the penal system has been charac-

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

BIAFRA ... 50 years after

32

50 years after…and the agitation for Biafra lingers IBE NWACHUKWU and COLLINS UGHALAA takes a close look at events in Nigeria in recent years and explain that the reasons for the resurgence of the agitation for self-determination among Ndigbo 50 years after the declaration of Biafra is because the factors that led to that first declaration on May 30, 1967 are still the same – practically nothing has changed.

M

ANY prominent Igbo personalities have continued to ventilate their views on the need to sustain the on-going agitation for the restoration of independent state of Biafra.

They argue that the same injustice that pushed Ndigbo in the first place to commence the agitation is still very much around and even worse than when the agitation started following the 1966 coup-de-tat, the counter coup and the gruesome events that followed in their wake.

According to an Onitsha-based legal practitioner and immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Idemili, Anambra State branch, Barrister Ben Okoko who spoke to The Oracle Today on the issue, “the relationship between Ndigbo and other parts of Nigeria is just not cordial.”

In his statement, Okoko declared: There is a mutual suspicion and overriding assumption by the Muslim North that Ndigbo want to totally dominate them. There is also this evergreen fear of Igbo domination. This fear was first made manifest by Ahmadu Bello against Sarduana of Sokoto.”

Okoko who is also the Representative of National Executive Committee of NBA at Idemili NBA branch, further declared: “Now, based on this unfounded fear of Igbo domination, the Igbo man is never at ease wherever he finds himself in the Muslim North. Now, as a result of this, if he ventures into the Northern part of this country, his activities are monitored with the seriousness often exhibited only by international espionage experts.”

Despite the freedom of worship, freedom from discrimination and right to live anywhere in the country without molestation and fear of favour as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, the Igboman is still seen as a stranger in the Northern part of Nigeria and every little misunderstanding with the Northern Muslim natives will be used as a platform for organizing riots which will eventually lead to killing of Ndigbo in their droves, burning their markets, looting and destroying their articles of trade.”

“This deep-rooted hatred of the Igboman by the Muslim North did not start today. Before the 1966 coup-de-tat and counter coup that led to the massive killing of Ndigbo, under the guise that the 1966 coup was hatched and executed

by Ndigbo targeted against the Muslim north, there had been skirmishes in the 50s where Ndigbo in the Northern part of the country were massacred in their thousands, giving credence to the suspicion that the hatred did not just start in 1066. But it was a major massacre of 1967 that degenerated into the full blown civil war,” Okoko added.

Unfortunately, according to the legal luminary, “ those things that led to the war are still very much present with us--the killings and attempts to Islamize parts of Nigeria especially Igboland.

“Apart from the fear of Igbo domination, Igbo have refused to be converted to Islam. They have been worshipping their God wherever they are and that is

Nnamdi Kanu why they are so hated and despised.

“There is always a grand conspiracy against an Igboman being in government, coupled with the marginalization.

They collect taxes, levies and all government-approved revenues from Ndigbo but find it difficult to use such revenues to develop Igbo land and other Biafran enclaves.

“With such hatred, marginalization and suppression of the Igbo man, the quest for self determination will never seize, hence the Biafra debacle has been a recurring decimal, as long as they continue to treat the Biafran enclave with disdain.”

He queried: “Imaging getting a loan of over $5 billion US Dollars for a railway project that excludes an entire region.

What other evidence are we looking for to prove marginalization?”

For his part, Bishop of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries (a.k.a.

By-Fire-By Fire), Nnewi, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Abraham Chris Udeh lamented that the main point that made the late Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu declare Biafra was the incessant killings of Ndigbo in the North before and after the 1966 coup-de-tat.

According to the clergy, “Secondly, the Jihad issue was at play. Now, the killings are on top gear, while Jihad has spread like wild fire to the extent that Nigeria

has been completely Islamized by the incumbent Buhari administration”.

“God prophesied to me that this present administration is out to deal ruthlessly with Ndigbo as a reprisal for staging the 1966 coup-de-tat. God also prophesied to me that the Northerners are still aggrieved about the coup-de-tat of 1966 and that is the reason behind the decision of the North to wipe Ndigbo out of existence, upon all the massacres they meted out to Ndigbo during the civil war.

“My prophecy also told me that the Islamic Northerners have evil agenda and that is why I am calling on Ndigbo to join hands with the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in the struggle to restore Biafra as the only hope for Ndigbo to be saved.

“I must emphasize that it is only this Biafra of a thing 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.

“I must confess that some Ndigbo are so foolish that they don’t reason well.

They still go to the North to establish assets. I would have advised them to forget their so-called assets in the North

and fight for Biafra restoration because once Biafra comes into existence, they will still rise to the peak”.

He asked rhetorically: “How can we continue in this slave mentality? Those of us who have sky scrappers in the North should forget about them and go for Biafra. Personally, I even have a very big Cathedral in Lagos but that will not deter me from wanting Biafra. I rather choose to forfeit the Cathedral than to stand against Biafra.

“If we remain in Nigeria, they will not allow us to make any headway. The Muslim Northerners are dishing out juicy contracts to the Igbo elite. These contracts blindfold and make them subject themselves as willing tools for the stoppage of Biafra restoration struggle.

Speaking on why the agitation for the Republic of Biafra is on the rise again, Chief Linus Madu, an Owerri resident noted that the federal government has not taken any meaningful action to address the issues that led to the agitation 50 years ago, warning that unless something good is done, the situation may not abate.

“Many of us would like to live in Nigeria, but we are being forced out of the country by the daily policies of the federal government. It is very painful to see that the federal government is not doing anything to resolve the issues that were raised more than 50 years ago.”

He lamented that in “Nigeria today, the Igbo are still being killed at the slightest provocation, so much that it might seem that to kill an Igbo man is now considered national service. How do you feel when you see the way the people are killed in the country they should call theirs? How do you feel that security agencies now find fun in killing any Igbo man in the name of quelling the agitation for Biafra?

“It might now seem to many that to kill an Igbo is now considered national service. How do you feel when you see the way the people are killed in the country they should call theirs? How do you feel that security agencies now find fun in killing any Igbo man in the name of quelling the agitation for Biafra?

In his own contribution, a political activist and whistleblower, Nze Ebubeagu Ekenulo, also declared that the renewed agitations for Biafra would not have arisen had the federal government been more favourably disposed to the Igbo.

“Nigeria must restructure now or allow Ndi Igbo to go their separate way with Biafra. The spirit of Biafra is strong, the wave is strong,” he said.

For his part, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), while speaking on a radio programme, called for the restructuring of the country, saying that the issue of resource control which was agreed on in London prior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960 to be 50% must be restored as part of the restructuring process.

He noted said that the issue of restructuring was the late Odumegwu Ojukwu’s idea, which he proposed at Aburi in Ghana as a condition to end the crisis, saying that 50 years after, the issue of restructuring the country has also resurfaced.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

NEWS

Abia now processes C of O in one week – Ikpeazu

From TONY AILEMEN Abia State Governor, Okezia Ikpeazu has revealed that the state has set machinery in motion to make it easier to do business in the State, adding that the Abia now processes certificate of occupancy in one week.

Governor Ikpeazu stated this while speaking with State House Correspondents shortly after meeting with Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential

Villa, Abuja Tuesday.

The governor who was speaking on the impact of ease of doing business, said: “Abia is one of the first states that built a house and set up a structure for ease of doing business” “So, if today you want to set up industry, in less than one week I assure you, you will get your Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

“So that all that you need to know, land acquisition, licensing will be made available to you.”

“We see our potential business partners as the oxygen that will drive the economic life of Abia state going forward. And we are prepared to hold them and make sure you establish without stress.”

“Speaking on the Sit at home order currently going on in the south East, he noted that it has been very peaceful, adding that the agitation is “part of the beauty of democracy” “You know the beauty of de-

mocracy is that there is freedom of expression and we also have the freedom of gathering and meeting. My experience in that area is that we have two major cities in Abia, Umuhia was quiet” “ Aba is calm also, government offices and agencies opened but it is up to businessmen to either open their shops or close them at will” “Two reasons, one some people want to comply and the sec-

Gunmen kill policeman at police station in Bayelsa

Fears grip appointees as Gov Umahi plans cabinet reshuffle

From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa Unknown gunmen have shot and killed a police sergeant on guard duty in front of the Sagbama police station in Sagbama Local Council, Bayelsa State.

The State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson is from Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Council. It was gathered that the slain policeman was left to his fate by his colleagues who ran for cover.

Spokesman of Bayelsa State police command, Asinim Butswat,( DSP), who confirmed the incident said the police have launched a manhunt for the killer hoodlums.

“The policeman was killed on Sunday at about 8:30pm in front of the Sagabma Police Station by two unknown gunmen on an unregistered motorcycle.

“We are working to establish the motive behind the dastardly act because they didn’t stop. We recovered the rifle of the dead policeman.

“They shot at the policemen and zoomed off, but we have swung into action and some people have volunteered useful information,” Butswat said.

It was learnt that the incident, which occurred about 8.30pm on Sunday, threw the entire policemen at the station into confusion.

Residents near the Police station told newsmen that the gunmen numbering two escaped before the policemen at the station could recover from the confusion triggered by the unexpected attack.

The residents who witnessed the incident claimed that the fleeing gunmen shot at a group of policemen in front of the station with a pump action gun, which hit the sergeant killing him on the spot.

The residents, however, con-

ond reason is that a few people will want to close their shops for fear that hoodlum may hijack the exercise to loot. So, in all, as long as no life is lost, as long as nobody is molested, as long as lives and properties are secured it is okay.

That’s my assessment of it.”

The situation in Abuja was very peaceful as most of the people went about doing their business as usual.

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

L-R: Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (m), his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye during the Commissioning/Dedication of the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt on Sunday by Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi acknowledges greeting from the crowd during Children’s Day parade at Okpara Square, Enugu... recently

Idemili North L.G.A. Transition Committee Chairman, Barrister Ralph Acha Nnabuife (in white), presenting a trophy to students of Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji, who took the first position in the march past competition held during the 2017 Children’s Day celebration at Idemili North Local Council headquarters, Ogidi. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

Palpable fears have gripped members of Governor David Umahi’s cabinet following his planned cabinet reshuffle scheduled to take place on Thursday this week.

Umahi disclosed this during the week at breakfast with the new local council chairmen and the Democracy Day awardees at bouquet hall, governor’s lodge, Abakaliki.

According to the governor, the cabinet needs to be reshuffled on Thursday to reorganize it for more effective governance.

The bouquet hall was in a celebration mood among government officials and visitors, but immediately the governor pronounced his plan to reshuffle cabinet, there was partial disquiet as the news sent jitters in the spines of cabinet members.

Although Umahi had allayed fears of sack of appointees, he however insisted that those who were not performing effectively would only be striped-off their portfolios and allowed to answer Special Assistants, but the announcement did not go down well with appointees.

Recall that, at the Abakaliki township stadium, venue of Democracy day celebration in Ebonyi State on Monday, the governor sacked all the 64 Coordinators and 512 Management Committee members of the 64 Development Centres by Governor David Umahi.

The governor said the dissolved Development Centres would be reconstituted in the months ahead.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

ROYALTY

Monago: The scientist as an ichie!

IBE NWACHUKWU writes that the recent installation of Emmanuel Kandudi Monago, a medical practitioner, as Igweoba Akalam of Obosi Kingdom, came as a veritable marriage of culture and science.

I

t was a cultural fiesta at Obosi community in Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State at the weekend as an illustrious son of the area, Dr. Emmanuel Kandudi Monago and his wife were conferred with chieftaincy titles of Igweoba Akalam and Enyi Nwanyi Ifeka Oledo of Obosi kingdom respectively, by the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka.

With his coronation as Igweoba Akalam Obosi, Dr. Monago, a private medical practitioner and incumbent Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State will now represent his Umudualor Kindred of Ugamuma village, Obosi in the Obosi royal cabinet as their Ichie and traditional head, while his wife, the director of Medical Services, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, joined the Otu Odu Obosi women society.

Performing the ceremony, Igwe Iweka noted that installation of Monago was to fill the vacant position in the royal cabinet, thus bringing the expected members of the royal cabinet to 30, adding that among the 15 personalities that aspired for the position, Monago was adjudged the best among them because of his philanthropic activities.

Said the monarch: “Dr. Monago has been helping helpless people within and outside Obosi, his home town. He is a philanthropist to the core. He has his private hospital at Achina community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state. He has helped many people medically and educationally.

So, we considered him the most suitable to become the 30th Ichie in Obosi royal cabinet.”

He, therefore, reminded Monago that the task was quite demanding, but prayed God to give him the requisite courage and determination to carry on successfully.

He also reminded him that Obosi is a strong town and he should be prepared and not shy away from any burden from his people that the new status would bring on him.

On the communal crisis rocking Obosi for some time now, Igwe Iweka noted that peace had finally returned to the extent that he had even welcomed about five members of the opposition party who have repented, adding that he was ready to welcome the remaining ones, once they repent and indicate their interest to come back to the fold.

Responding, Monago, the newly installed Igweoba Obosi thanked the monarch and his fellow cabinet members for admitting

him into their fold, adding that he was prepared to abide by the tenets of the royal cabinet membership at all times.

As he put it, “I now see myself as a first class citizen of Obosi and my focus remains community work.”

Throwing more light on his title of Igweoba, he said though Oba means bank in English translation, be it commercial, microfinance or even the traditional yam barn, his taking the title did not mean he has stupendous wealth but that the people only gave him the title based on his character in uplifting the welfare of the people and his mind-set in this direction.

He recalled that his traditional Ozo title name, Nkpunaeluaku (the anthill that breeds wealth) was also given to him in the same vein.

He said he felt elated that the wish of his kindred, Umudualor, Ugamuma village, to have him as the traditional leader who would represent them in the council of traditional rulers and ensure that their entitlements were not denied them has been fulfilled.

Also speaking, his wife said that the recognition given to her was a call to rededicate herself to community work which has been her major focus and to channel more of her energy into helping the poor and the downtrodden.

Monago’s elder brother, Engr. Obed Monago expressed happiness that with the installation of his younger brother as an Ichie, Monago being crowned by Igwe Iweka as Igweoba of Obosi. PHOTO: IBE NWACHUKWU his kindred has now been fully represented in the royal cabinet.

New beginning for Nanka New Anambra monarch declares communal conflicts over as he receives certificate of recognition from Governor Obiano, writes IBE NWACHUKWU

T

he protracted Igweship imbroglio which had hitherto disrupted peaceful co-existence in Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra state appeared to have been over , following a declaration to that effect by His Royal Highness, HRH, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo, shortly after he was issued a certificate of recognition and staff of office by Governor Willie Obiano.

Obiano had presented him with the chieftaincy certificate at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, in line with the stipulated laws of traditional institution in Igbo land and because Ezeilo’s election was unanimously accepted by the entire community.

According to the Governor while presenting the certificate, “the presentation is in accordance with the traditional rulers Act of 1981, which fully satisfied that you HRH, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo of Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area, has been duly elected and presented to me by the people of the said community”.

Obiano further declared: “In accordance with the customary law and usages of the community and in provisions of section 4, 5, 6 of the traditional law of 1981, I do hereby certify that you had accordingly been recognized by me as the traditional head of Nanka”.

The Governor recalled his prompt intervention during the last crisis in the com-

Gov. Obiano exchanging greetings with Igwe and his wife shortly after the certificate of recognition munity, where some suspected hoodlums disrupted the peace and tranquility the community had been enjoying.

Obiano therefore urged him to maintain a peaceful co-existence among the people of the community, adding that the throne was a divine intervention to ameliorate the sufferings of indigent people in the area.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter, Mr Greg Obi explained that the present

government had vowed to restore peace in every community by resolving any outstanding issue affecting the royalty of the area.

Obi pointed out that the election of the new traditional ruler fell in line with the stipulated traditional rulers Act of the state, adding that Ezeilo’s landslide victory at the polls was an indication that peace and justice have actually returned in the community.

Also speaking, the Obi of Onitsha and

Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, while commending Governor Obiano for his transformation agenda, charged the newly recognized monarch to always uphold the tradition of Ndigbo and enthrone meaningful development to the community.

Igwe Achebe also charged him to respect constituted authorities, especially the present administration of governor Obiano.

In his own speech, the Legal Adviser to Nanka Patriotic Union, NPU, Clifford Iloegbune Okoye, advised those who felt otherwise to sheathe their sword and join hands with the rest of the indigenes in moving the community forward.

According to Okoye who is a legal practitioner based in Onitsha and Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aguata branch, “The process of election and enthronement of Igwe Ezeilo witnessed a no victor, no vanquished contest in the community because Nanka is a winner, while all of us as Nankarians fall in line with the winning train”.

He charged youths in the area to eschew violent tendencies as it does not help in the growth of the society. “I advise every able bodies to engage himself meaningfully in craftsmanship that will better his lot, rather than engaging in criminality or allowing themselves to be used by agents of destruction”.

“To the new Igwe, I urge him to see every Nanka person as having voted for him, irrespective of political inclination which featured during the process of election, as both those who voted for him and those who did not are all his subjects”.

Responding, Igwe Ezeilo who was highly elated, commended the Governor for his administrative blueprints and unprecedented achievements in the state especially in the area of security and pledged his community’s support to his administration.

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT I’m pregnant outside of wedlock so what?

–Anita Joseph A

CTRESS, Anita Jospeh has replied critics slamming her for getting pregnant outside wed-

Wizkid raises the bar

lock.

Reacting to a fan who slammed her on instagram, the actress said: “Must I be married to be pregnant? Oh please, who needs marriage help? African nonsense! @patchyn12, wish me well that is all I am, ndi africans ana akoyeri.”

On Friday, May 26, the actress had sent social media agog with a ct scan suggesting she was pregnant with a set of twins which generated mixed reactions. Some expressed excitement and congratulated her while others condemned her for getting pregnant out of wedlock.

N

IGERIAN Music star, Wizkid has won three music awards at the recently concluded 2017 Billboard Music Awards’ ceremony. The Come close crooner had earlier set the record as the first Nigerian singer to get

7 Billboard Music Award nominations.

The singer bagged three awards. They are Top Hot 100 song, Top R&B song and Top R&B Collaboration. Other stars who won big include Beyonce and Drake.

More trouble for Mercy Aigbe’s hubby T

HE Lagos State Government has taken up the case of battery leveled against Lanre Gentry by his wife, actress, Mercy Aigbe after it wrote a letter to the Nigerian Police, demanding that it forward the duplicate of the case file on alleged assault on actress, Mercy Aigbe.

Reports say LASG wrote the Police, sequel to the result of the medical check-up conducted on the actress in Nigeria and in the UK that indicated alleged assault by her husband.

Mercy took to Instagram to share pictures of her visit to a UK hospital where she went visiting a specialist Oral and Maxilloficial Surgeon for further check-up and medical care.

In the picture post on the social media platform, Mercy scribbled a message which reads thus; “In the UK to see an Oral and Maxilloficial Surgeon; no woman should go through these much pain, anguish and trauma all in the name of marriage.”

Days after she was reportedly beaten by her husband, a CT scan conducted at St. Solomon Health Care Limited in Lagos, showed that Mercy suffered a head fracture from beatings she received.

38

The Oracle Today Wednesda June 7, 2017

ENTERTAINENT Gist

Secret to my youthful look @ 55 –Yeni Kuti E

Kunle Afolayan’s son makes acting debut in Roti

LDEST daughter of late Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Yeni Kuti has revealed the secrets to her youthful looks. Yeni who turns 56 later this year told Oracle Today that laughter and sleeping are her secrets.

“I just try to sleep and laugh a lot. I think laughter works a lot and you hardly find me miserable even if something makes me sad I still try and overcome it with laughter. Laughter is very important in our lives.”

L

IKE father like son aptly described the relationship between Kunle Afolayan and his son, Dari Afolayan, who starred in Roti, his latest movie which will hit the cinemas on June 30.

Shot in English and Yoruba in 40 days it stars Kate Henshaw, Kunle Afolayan, Toyin Oshinaike, Fathia Balogun and Dari Afolayan, Afolayan’s son who plays Roti.

“I will encourage any of my kids who wants to go into acting,” Afolayan told Oracle Today. “My son auditioned for the role and got it and w actually called for audtion for child actors but h was the most outstanding so he eventually got the role,” Afolaya said after the medioa screening of the film on May 19at Ozone Cinemas,

surulere, Lagos.

Speaking, the MD of Blue Pictures, Joy Odiette, distributors of the film in Nigeria stated: “Kunle Afolayan’s movies are well known for their outstanding success at the box office and Roti will not be an exception. Roti has a compelling story line, it will definitely interest audience. It is an attempt to depict a reincarnation story in a way that has never been done before. I am certain that the movie will attempt not just to entertain but also document a long known belief in African society,” she said.

Following the success of Omugwo, award winning producer and director, Kunle Afolayan’s new movie Roti will hit the cinemas on June 30.

Ghallywood star, Eddie Watson makes Nolywood debut

A

S the countdown to the premiere of actress turned moviemaker, Judith Audu’s Stormy Hearts heads to the cinemas on June 2, it has emerged that Ghallywood star, Eddie Watson will be making his Nollywood debut in the flick where he plays lead alongside actress, Nollywood debutante, Christiana Martin.

Directed by Tope Alake and written by Brenda Ogbuka, Stormy Hearts stars Christiana Martin, Theresa Edem, Kenneth Okoli and Fred Amata among a host of others.

Meanwhile, ahead its June

2 cinema release date, Judith Audu Productions has released the official trailer and poster for Stormy Hearts. Stormy Hearts is the story of a music producer who has a fight with his protégé, a talented singer, over her partying ways. She abandons him for Johnson a bigger music producer in town.

The breakup hits Basi hard.

Meanwhile, Ella, a prostitute escapes from her abusive pimp, Goldigga to another city to start a new life. Ella and Basi’s paths cross and they develop a relationship that changes both their lives forever.

Stormy Hearts is a Judith Audu Productions’ project for Rok Studios and will be distributed

by Genesis Distribution.

Klint Da Drunk, others to thrill as MOG’s Expensive Lafta beckons

I

T promises to be fun and excitement when MOG aka Akpors holds the next edition of his show, Expensive Lafta on June 25, at Brainfield Event Centre, Egbeda, Lagos.

Speaking, the comedian said: “It is happening live here in Egbeda. You don’t have to go all

the way to Ikoyi and VI to attend a quality show. Right here in Egbeda Lagos, it is happening live as I hold the next edition of my comedy show, Expensive Laughter.”

Billed to perform are Klint Da Drunk, African China, Ajele, Makati, Danfo, Tripple U and De Don among a host of others.

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

Love and Living racle Girl

0f the Week

••• With Ireto Temofeh

LOVE NEWS

Study says stressful marriages can lead to early death in men

E

veryone knows that stress is bad for your health, but a new study has found that a stressful marriage full of conflict and worry is more than just bad, it actually increases the risk of premature death in men.

The study used data from 9,875 Danish men and women aged 36 to 52 that was collected as part of the ongoing Danish Longitudinal Study on Work, Unemployment and Health.

For this paper specifically -- published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health -- researchers tracked participants’ health from 2000 to 2011.

Participants were surveyed about stressful people and scenarios in their

lives. Questions included, “In your everyday life, do you experience that any of the following people [partner, children, other family, friends, and neighbors] demand too much of you or seriously worry you?” and “In your everyday life, do you experience conflicts with any of the following people?”

By the end of the 11-year study, 196 women and 226 men had died. Using the health data and survey data, researchers found that men’s risk of death increased when in stressful marriages.

“Those [men] who ‘always’ or ‘often’ experienced worries and demands from partner had a higher

mortality risk than those who ‘seldom’ had this experience ... whereas worries and demands from other family, friends and neighbors were not [associated with higher mortality].”A press release clarified, “Men seemed to be particularly vulnerable to the worries and demands generated by their female partners, with a higher risk of death than that normally associated with being a man or with this particular relationship stressor.”

The authors of the study suggested that skills in conflict management could help curb premature deaths associated with relationship stressors.

Odd News

Newborn baby starts walking moments after birth

T

Name: Onome Occupation: Upcoming musician Twitter: @E_onomE •Do you want to be our next Oracle Girl? Send your photos to ireto007@ yahoo.com and call 07031028714

HIS is the incredible moment a newborn baby girl shocked nurses by appearing to walk just minutes after she was born at a hospital in Brazil.

The video, which was uploaded to social media on Friday has stunned viewers who declare the tiny tot’s attempt to walk is nothing short of a miracle.

The midwife cradling the little mite across the chest and supporting her weight with one arm can’t believe what she is seeing, as the amazing infant wrestles to walk on her own.

The nurse, who is dressed in surgical robes with a clinical mask over her mouth, is heard crying out in amazement: “Oh my gosh, the girl is walking. Good gracious!”

Another person in the room who is capturing the moment on camera declares: “Wait let me film this.”

They then shout for another colleague called Ju, probably short for Julia, to come to witness the unbelievable moment.

“Ju, Ju come and see this,” they cry.

The midwife seen in the video, explains she has been trying to give the baby a bath but the child just wants to get up and walk.

“Merciful father. I was trying to

wash her here and she keeps getting up to walk,” she explains pointing with one hand to where she initially tried to lay the baby down to give the child her first bath.

“She has walked from here to here,” she adds indicting the area the child has already covered.

The midwife then lifts the baby up and returns the infant back to the original position and in an astounding burst of strength, the little nipper refuses to lie down on her front, pushes up onto her legs and resumes her astonishing journey across the neonatal table once again.

A gob-smacked onlooker declares: “Wow, she is so cute it’s amazing. If she’s like this now, I can just imagine how precocious she is going to be as she grows up.”

To which the midwife holding the baby girl says: “Heavens above. If you told people what has just happened no one would believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes.”

The video has gone viral with over 50 million views and 1.3 million shares on Facebook.

Few details are available to identify whose baby it is and where the incident happened.

But the insignia on the midwife’s robes suggest she works at a Santa Cruz Hospital, in a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil.

A newborn normally takes up to 12 months to learn to walk and that usually comes only after they have achieved and passed other major miles-stones in their development such as hand to eye coordination, sitting up and crawling.

Meanwhile, there have been several reports of babies as young as six months old walking on their own, unaided.

But this newborn appears to have incredible determination and it looks as though there will be no stopping her.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

True Confession

L

ast year, on a beautiful day in May, I had the best day of my life. I married the man of my dreams in a wonderful ceremony with all my closest friends and family around me. It was simply perfection.

I had spent 11 months planning this day down to the last detail, my husband was heavily involved, but I loved the planning so much I didn’t mind taking on the lion’s share. I did this while at the same time trying to find a new job and a new house for us in a nicer area of the city to start our married life.

It was a hectic time for me, but I enjoyed it and started to worry what I would do after it was all over. What would I spend my time doing once the dust was settled? Little did I know that life had something in store for me.

We only had enough money for the wedding, so we decided we’d take a mini break straight after our big day and then save up again for a bigger and proper honeymoon that would last for at least two weeks, later in the year.

We booked four nights in an old hotel, just the two of us, and it was utterly romantic!

We had sex and played throughout the first two days in the hotel and I felt I was in Heaven. However, on the third day, I noticed that I was bleeding excessively through my private part.

At first, I thought that my period had started again. But I remembered that I had already seen my period about 14 days earlier, and apart from that, the kind of bleeding I was experiencing was just too heavy to be my period.

To make matters worse for me that day, my vaginal bleeding simply refused to stop. It was so heavy and prolonged and I first tried to use pads to stop it but the pads were soaked very quickly. It continued until I started experiencing headache and fatigue. It was at that point my poor husband had to drive me to the nearest hospital to see a doctor.

After a brief diagnosis period including some x-rays of my stomach, it turned out that I have Fibroid.

The doctor told me that the excessive bleeding had made me develop anemia, also known as a low blood count.

Anemia can cause fatigue, headaches and lightheadedness.

I learned that often fibroids do not cause symptoms. Or sometimes the symptoms may be mild. I was shocked when the doctor told me, and I haven’t felt well since.

Sleep used to be my ever present friend, my sweet sanctuary, my favourite weekend activity. But it is now the enemy. It either never comes or leaves me feeling worse when I wake up and remember that I have fibroid and that I am still unable to successful carry a pregnancy to the point of delivery as the threat of miscarriage due to fibroid is ever present.

My stomach is getting bigger and bigger, yet I am not pregnant. It is very disheartening and heartbreaking to be told that my big stomach is not as a result of pregnancy but a sign that I have fibroid.

The doctor told me that I need to have an operation to remove the fibroid. The doctor also told me that I can not get pregnant or have a child unless the fibroid is removed. He said that even if I managed to conceive, I would likely have a miscarriage because the fibroid wouldn’t let me successfully carry a pregnancy to the point of delivery.

But I am afraid, because I heard that many women die through fibroid operations. So, I don’t want to have an operation but I’m looking for another way to remove my fibroid. I think

‘I became barren after my honeymoon’

I would be better off if I got a herbal solution to this fibroid problem.

I’ve lost job opportunities because I spend all my time looking for solution to my problem to the point of visiting many different churches and pastors, and attending all manner of vigils. I have become desperate and I am so aware that I’m no longer the fun, confident person that I used to be.

My mission has been to be well enough to go to work. My days and weekends are spent running around from doctors to fertility specialists to alternative medicine practitioners trying to find a solution to my problem.

My husband, bless him, has been a tower of strength for me. Helping me endlessly and encouraging me every day. He has been incredibly understanding. He knows that when I’m de-

pressed and unhappy, or anxious and lashing out, that it’s not him, it’s my frustration at the fibroid.

He has never complained and has helped me negotiate all the appointments with doctors, fertility specialists or herbal medicine practitioners.

I could not ask more of him and I will never be able to repay his kindness.

I feel a tremendous amount of guilt around how he married a lively, funny woman who was always active and seemed so fertile and able to bear him lots of kids, and now he’s trying to manage a problem that seems beyond his capability.

He didn’t sign on for this, but I guess that’s what marriage is about, for better, for worse. We will hopefully come through this stronger than before, and loving and laughing like always.

Fibroid is a medical condition that affects mainly black or African women, and doesn’t actually kill people. But there are ways of getting treatment and getting better over time. Barrenness is not my portion. And I know that God will deliver me in the name of Jesus.

By the grace of God, after my ordeal with fibroid is over, I will start a family.

I will get promotions at work. I will go on exciting holidays. And most importantly, I will have lovely children and will always be there for my husband if he ever needs me.

•Your say: Have your say about this love confession. Call 08131161840 or 07031028714.

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

41

Relationships & Love Advice Love Search ‘I want him to love Women seeking only me, even though relationship/marriage he has a girlfriend’

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Dear Love Doctor,

My name is Blessing. I am 22 years old and resides in Port Harcourt. Please there is this guy I love so much, but he has a girlfriend. He knew her before me and I found out recently that they are still together. The problem is that I think I love him more than her and I want him to love only me. Please advise me on what to do.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Blessing, It is normal to fall in love with a guy you fancy. However, problems could arise if he already has a girlfriend. What makes you think you love him more than his girl?

In any case, loving him more than his girl wouldn’t matter if he isn’t ready to love you in return and dump his girlfriend for you.

Therefore, you really need to have a frank discussion with him now and find out where his heart stands, so that you can be sure he isn’t playing games with your heart.

Call Love Dr. 07031028714, 08131161840.

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.

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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.

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42

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

It happened to me

W

hen I met Katie, my current wife, I had already been married before and had a young son. While the marriage had not worked out, the subsequent estrangement from 1-year-old Dave was an unbearable consequence of the divorce.

I was adamant that I did not want any more children if I could not be a proper and present father to the child I already had.

When I told Katie about this — many, many months before I asked her to marry me — she was clearly heartbroken, and I thought that it may just be the end of our otherwise perfect relationship. But we talked through it, and Katie was finally able to agree that our love was worth it, no matter what. Our part-time custody of little Dave would be enough, she said, as long as she still had me.

When Katie and I got married it truly was the happiest day of my life, and occasionally I considered how selfish I was being, and wondered if I could give her the baby she craved — create our own little family. But every time I had to hand Dave back over to his mother, I remembered the pain of everything I was missing. I had missed Dave’ first steps, first proper words — first everything. I couldn’t and wouldn’t go through that again.

Katie was wonderful with my son, and every weekend I realised how unfair I was being. But knowing my reasons for not wanting more children, my beautiful, selfless wife never said a word after we were married — though I’m sure she shed many tears in private.

Around the time that Katie and I shared our fifth wedding anniversary, my son turned eight and suddenly got very, very sick. My little boy was diagnosed with a rare type of leukaemia.

He needed a bone marrow transplant or he would die.

My ex-wife, Maria, and I were not a match, and there was no match on the national donor register either. Our best chance, we were told, was to provide a sibling for Dave. I asked if Katie and I had a baby what the chances would be that he or she would be a match, only to be informed that with a different mother, statistically, the chance of it being a match would be the same as if it were a complete stranger. I was glad that Katie wasn’t at the doctor’s office to find out how close I had come to making her a mother — but if it wasn’t going to help Dave, what was the point?

Driving them home from the doctor’s office, Maria hit me with a bombshell: what if she and I were to have another baby? We could keep it a secret.

At first, I was outraged. It didn’t matter what the reason; cheating on Katie was cheating on Katie, and I wouldn’t do it.

But when I looked over my shoulder to the backseat where my son — once so full of life and promise — was sleeping fitfully, exhausted to his very bones, I knew I had no choice. When I got back to Maria’s house, she put our son to bed. And we slept together.

Over the next few months, Maria and I slept together whenever she was ovulating. It only took about three months before we got the news we’d hoped for: Maria was pregnant with my baby.

Subsequent tests revealed the further miracle that our new little boy would be a perfect match for Dave. Now we just had to wait and see if he could last the months until the birth.

‘I was unfaithful to my wife to save my son’s life’

I didn’t go to see Harry being born, and had to sneak out to visit him in the hospital. For all intents and purposes, he is not my son — an elaborate denial to ensure that Katie never learns the truth.

Occasionally, when Dave comes to stay Harry comes too, just as a play mate. For that reason, even he doesn’t know who his father is. Again, Katie is just wonderful with my new son too,

and I live in fear every day of what she would do if she knew what a scoundrel I am. I won’t give her any children of her own, but was perfectly prepared to cheat on her with my ex wife, to create a sibling that would save my son.

Romantic Joke

Why I fired my secretary L

ast week was my birthday and I didn’t feel very well waking up on that morning. I went downstairs for breakfast hoping my wife would be pleasant and say, ‘Happy Birthday!’, and possibly have a small present for me.

As it turned out, she barely said good morning, let alone ‘ Happy Birthday.’

I thought, well that’s marriage for you, but the kids, they will remember. My kids came bounding down stairs to breakfast and didn’t say a word. So when I left for the office, I felt pretty low and somewhat despondent.

As I walked into my office, my secretary Jane said, ‘Good Morning Boss, and by the way Happy Birthday! It felt a little better that at least someone had remembered.

I worked until one o’clock , when Jane knocked on my door and said, ‘You know, It’s such a beautiful day outside, and it is your Birthday, what do you say we go out to lunch, just you and me.’

I said, ‘Thanks, Jane, that’s the greatest thing I’ve heard all day. Let’s go !’

We went to lunch. But we didn’t go where we normally would go. She chose instead at a quiet bistro with a private table.

We had two martinis each and I enjoyed the meal tremendously.

On the way back to the office, Jane said, ‘You know, It’s such a beautiful day, we don’t need to go straight back to the office, do we?’

I responded, ‘I guess not. What do you have in mind?’ She said, ‘Let’s drop by my apartment, it’s just around the corner.’

After arriving at her apartment, Jane turned to me and said, ‘Boss, if you don’t mind, I’m going to step into the bedroom for just a moment. I’ll be right back.’ ‘Ok.’ I nervously replied.

She went into the bedroom and, after a couple of minutes, she came out carrying a huge birthday cake, followed by my wife, my kids, and dozens of my friends and co-workers, all singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

And I just sat there, On the couch, NAKED.

•Your say: Have you been a woman scorned? What revenge have you sought? Call 07031028714.

•Sent from my iPhone with love. You can reach me via +2348131161840 or +2347031028714. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com. Thank you very much. May God bless you.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

My Love & Life

Sex by barter or sex by threat?

I

received two emails from two young people who are presently under intense pressure for sex and I just couldn’t ignore them. Apparently, being pressured for sex has become somewhat normal. Many job seekers are forced to get down with top company officials before being considered for appointment, likewise for promotion of staff.

People in dire need of financial or material assistance are usually asked to trade their bodies in exchange for means, uncles and aunties abuse younger dependent and sometimes their own children.

My cousin once told an “off the record” story of how an uncle kept pressuring her for sex when she was holidaying at his place. She was in secondary school and quite vulnerable then.

The emails I got were real stories, the senders explained their situations and asked for advice.

One told of how an aunty who’s presently accommodating him in her apartment in lagos wants to have sex with him at all cost.

The woman has also threatened to deal with him if he keeps rejecting her. He is now worried that she may throw him out of the house anytime soon. While protecting the identity of the sender, I put up the post on Facebook and some helpful comments came through. It was a typical account of “sex by barter”. (screenshots) The other email was from a troubled young man who lamented about his girlfriend’s ordeal at the hands of her HOD. He explained that for close to one year, the lady has put up with the man’s constant demand to “taste her big back side”. Even worse, her course adviser, an accomplice, keeps persuading her to give in to the boss’s demands. I termed this case “sex by threat”, and then put up the post on Facebook, the comments received were insightful. (screenshots).

Dealing effectively with this issue comes with the understanding that it is pretty normal to encounter sex by barter or sex by threat these days. Sometimes, it could even be from multiple angles and you are left wondering why such should be your lot.

Looking back now, I wonder if my cousin would have bowed to pressure from that uncle if she hadn’t confided in someone. Whether it’s “sex by barter” or “sex by threat”, silence could intensify pressure and lead to compromise. I totally agree with those who decried the culture of silence that only serves to encourage the ignoble act. Asides confiding in someone trust worthy, start thinking of an alternate path to getting what you want, that’s if it’s a case of sex by barter. But if it’s sex by threat, you will need to get concrete evidence to prove your case, then do some underground research to know who to approach and align with in order to get justice. Whatever

Write a Reply....

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be the case, brace up and face it and never give in. Sex should be fully consensual, both parties should enjoy it wholly. It is therefore selfish for any party to impose it on the other.

I also took the issue up on my

Write a Comment....

radio programme, “love zone” on ABS 88.5fm, Mondays at 9:35. It was a very rewarding outing as the two scenarios came under intense review by callers who made invaluable contributions.

Want to share your experi- rienced today. ences regarding this issue, ask questions or make suggestions. •Email: ifyaronu@gmail.com, Want your experience be up for Facebook:Ify Aronu, Twitter discussion on radio next Mon- :Iamifyaronu day?

SMS: 0808 213 8580 Tell me about your love expe-

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

PEOPLE

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

OGBUAGU. CHIEF UKPAI AGWU UKPAI Tower of Strength to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

By Chinyemike Torti

V

isitors to Government House, Umuahia never cease to marvel at the humility, aplomb, comportment, deportment and effectiveness of Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, Ogbuagu 1 of Ohafia, and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. In spite of the fact, that he occupies one of the most powerful positions in government, his carriage and demeanour is devoid of aloofness and hubris. He runs an open office and he is one the few head hunchos you saunter into his bureau to keep an appointment, without completing tedious visitors forms.

As the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, he brings an imprimatur of two decades of real time political experience in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the overall operation of the Governor’s office.

Ogbuagu Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, performs a variety of advanced professional duties and analytical projects for the Governor; relieves him the tedium of administrative detail; acts

as a liaison to the political class; responds to constituent inquiries and complaints, attends and represents the government as directed by the chief executive.

As the undisputed leader of the Ohafia political class - a positioned he earned, with his altruism, contributions to community development, empowerment, human capacity development, Ukpai has developed an awesome political structure with outreaches to the entire Abia north that is 100% loyal to Governor Ikpeazu ipso facto PDP. Recall that during his tenure as the erstwhile,Executive Chairman of the Ohafia Local Government, he went beyond the call of duty to work assiduously and selflessly worked to enhance the social and economic well being of the doughty MBEN people who rewarded him with the title of OGBUAGU 1 Come 2019,we affirm a solid tower of support from Ukpai, OVI is guaranteed solid rock support from Ohafia.

Chinyemike Torti, is a management consultant and public policy analyst

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

SPORTS

Jesimiel humiliates Lawal in Federation

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Corsica friendly achieved its purpose –Chukwu, Lawal Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

I

t is no longer news that Nigeria engaged the Island of Corsica in a friendly game last week and that the game ended in 1-1 draw, but the news is that former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu and other former players of the team such as Garba Lawal are unanimous in in their assessment of the game.

The former Enugu Rangers captain and coach, Chukwu while reacting to the outcome of the game said the friendly game against Corsica achieved the purpose for which it was organized and that the result of the match is insignificant though it would have been better if Eagles had won the game.

According to the General Manager of Enugu Rangers, the purpose of any friendly game is for the coach to assess his team and at the same time assess news players that have been injected into the team to know their ability whether they can add value to the team.

It is recalled that some new players such as Henry Onyekuru of Eupen FC of Belgium and others were invited to the national team for the very first time after he distinguished himself in the Belgian League where he scored 25 goals to emerge the highest goal scorer of the League.

In his words: “I think that the Corsica friendly match served its purpose,” Chukwu began.

“The outcome or the result of the friendly match does not matter though it would have been better had Eagles won the match. This is because winning any game brings confidence to the team but just I said; the result is not the reason for the game.

“The purpose of that game is not to go and win because there is nothing at stake in the game. It was not a competitive game per se.

“The purpose of the game is for the coach to assess the new invitees to the team. To discover areas were the team is weak and strengthen it.

That is the primary purpose of any friendly game. That you win a friendly does not mean that a team is good and that you lost does not indicate that a team is bad either.

“It is purposely to assess new players that have been called to the team in other to ascertain whether they have something new or special that they can bring to the team and to plough the loopholes that may have been discovered in course of the game. That’s all.

“So, as far as I am concerned, I believed that the friendly match against Corsica has serviced its purpose because the technical crew of the team, led by Gernot Rohr has been able to assess the players and what they are capable of doing particularly new players like Henry Onyekuru etc. Chukwu explained.

Also speaking in the same vein, the former midfielder of the team and former technical committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Garba Lawal corroborated what Chukwu said.

According to Lawal: “The friendly match against the small Island of Corsica achieved the purpose for which it was meant to achieve which is to assess the players and see the possibility of adding new players to the original team.

“Friendly matches are organized to assess a team, it is not meant for you to win by all means possible, no!

“As you are aware, the game was meant to get the team prepared for our very important

Afr i c a n Cup of Nations Qualifier against South Africa.

“As far as I am concerned, the AFCON Qualifier against South Africa is a very important game for us and the players know what is at stake. So, they wouldn’t want to play the game and get injured and there was nothing at stake.

“The Afcon Qualifier is more important than the Corsica friendly because any game involving Nigeria and South Africa is always a huge game and this Afcon is not going to be an exception. So, the players know what is at stake as they wouldn’t want to have any injury worry going into the South African game.

“Moreover, it is important for us to face reality in the sense that there are no more minnows in the game of football. As far as football is concerned, there are no more small teams.

“That Corsica is a small Island does not mean that Nigeria should run over them. It does not happen like that moreover, it is a game of eleven men against eleven men.

“More importantly, most of their players ply their trade in French League One. So, they are not pushovers at all as far as the round leather game is concerned,” Lawal explained.

everend Samuel Nseobong Jesimiel last Friday in Abuja, humiliated former chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF) and former chairman of CANA Technical Committee, Navy Captain Olugbenga Lawal in election to choose Athlete’s Representative and Technical Bodies Representative on the Board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF).

During the election to elect the Technical Bodies Representatives, a position contested by Reverend Jesinmiel and Captain Lawal (retd), Jesimiel scored a total of 37 votes to emerge victorious while Captain Lawal recorded a consolatory 9 votes to bring up the rear.

According to The Oracles Today Sports reliable source, with the result of the election, it is obvious that members preferred Rev. Jesimiel to Capt. Lawal to be the Technical Bodies Representative. Our source also revealed that the election of Rev. Jesimiel instead of Capt. Lawal is in recognition and reward of Rev. Jesimiels’ hard work and commitment to the development of aquatics sports in Nigeria.

The source further revealed that the election of Jesimiel is also an approval of his invaluable work in the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation as he has been described as the engine room of federation as the Chairman of Facilities Committee, working behind the scene to ensure the success of the Federation’s activities.

It is recalled that in recognition of his hard work and commitment to the development of Aquatics Sports in Nigeria, Rev. Jesimiel was elected a member of CANA Open Water Swimming Technical Committee in absentia in South Africa last December during the continental congress in President Zuma’s country.

Rev. Jesimiel is also a FINA listed referee for both Swimming and Open Water Swimming. He is the Chairman of the Facilities Committee of the outgoing Nigeria Aquatics Federation Board.

On the other hand, Navy Captain Gbenga Lawal (retd) is a retiring member of FINA Swimming Technical Committee (he retires in July). He is a member of CANA and FINA listed Referee for Swimming.

Meanwhile, Policeman Yellow Yeiyah from Ondo State, a former national champion in different swimming events was last Friday also elected as Athletes’ representatives unopposed in accordance with the new guideline for the Federation elections.

With his election last Friday, Yeiyah will henceforth sits on the board of Nigeria Aquatics Federation as the Representatives of Aquatics athletes, as he serves as the eye of athletes this time (swimmers).

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

SPORTS Onyekuru in dilemma over Arsenal, Anderlecht, others

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onfusion is the word to describe the state of Nigeria’s new kid on the block, Henry Onyekuru as many clubs jostle for his signature for the 2017/18 season which starts in the middle of August.

Report from Europe has it that the Eupen of Belgium striker who scored 25 goals in Belgium elite league is being sort after by different European clubs particularly those from the English Premier League including, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Harm etc. while clubs in France and Belgium are not left out including Seria A clubs.

However, The Oracle Today Sports reliable source has it that of all the clubs jostling for Onyekuru’s signature, he seems to be keen in joining Arsenal or Anderlecht because according to our source he feels that he stands a better opportunity of seeing ample playing time with the clubs than the rest as they are known for their disposition to give young players opportunity than other.

The red hot striker who was called to the Super Eagles for the Corsica friendly game is currently turned apart between Arsenal and Anderlecht. This is because Anderlecht is a big club in Belgium Jupiter League and having played in Belgium in the last two years, he seems to like the league and the environment. However, Arsenal has been his dream club before evening moving to Europe and now that he has the opportunity of living his dream, he wants to catch on the opportunity and join the club of dream.

What happened in the next couple of weeks will determine whether he will join the either Anderlecht or Arsenal but many are of the opinion that it will pay him better to join Arsenal where he will get the opportunity of working with one of the best football tactician in global football in Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has made a name for himself as someone who likes to give youngsters the opportunity of developing to world stars and examples of his products are out there for all to see. Players like legendary Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Nwankwo Kanu, Theo Walcott, Oxladen Chamberlain etc.

So, a move to Arsenal will definitely guaranty him not only regular playing time provided that he is able to take his current form in Eupen to Arsenal but also develop into world class player for his own good and country.

Musa shocks Nigerians with unannounced wedding

By MADUABUCHI KALU

I

t was a huge surprise for Nigerians last week, when the pictures of Ahmed Musa’s second wedding filled the social media after the couple tied the knot in the registry.

It was surprising thing for Nigerians due to the fact that the information the couple sent out to the public earlier in the year was contrary to what happened last week. They were supposed to wed in July but took Nigerians unawares by tying the knot last week.

Musa and Juliet had sold a dummy to Nigerians by putting their wedding period to be in July but the Super Eagles and Leicester City striker flew in from his United Kingdom base last Tuesday and had his wedding when no one looking except closed family members and friends were looking.

Musa had divorced his first wife and mother of their two children in order not to have any encumbrances in his desire to have Juliet as his wife. Report has it that it was the discovery that Musa was poised to marrying a second wife that infuriated Halimat, his first wife which resulted to heated argument that attracted the British Police to his apartment that led to Musa’s arrest in March.

When the Police arrested him, it was discovered that Musa did not commit any domestic violence against Halimat which was what the Police thought which led them to insinuate that they may charge him for domestic violence. Musa was subsequently let off the hook as Halimat told the Police that Musa could not hurt a fly and that he has never touched him.

The Oracle Today Sports gathered that the problem between Musa and Halimat was later resolved by their families. Musa as a Muslim can marry as many as four wives at a time but he chose to stick

with one at a time. Halimat it was gathered happened to be Musa’s girlfriend in Kano when he was plying his football trade in the domestic league with Kano Pillars and when finally he married her; everyone who knew them were very happy but only the two and God knows what went wrong.

Meanwhile, many fans of the striker and other stakeholders believe that the unstable state of the Leicester striker may be responsible to his poor run of form since joining the former English Premier League champions. It is yet to be ascertained whether Musa will still be in Leicester next season as everything points to his exit from the club after his 19million Pound move from CSK Moscow particularly with the exit of Claudio Ranieri, the former manager of Leicester who brought him to England.

Halimat, The Oracle Today Sport can author-

itatively report has since relocated to Kano with their two children. It is believed that Musa will be taking care of them as they settle in the ancient City of Kano.

While Musa has not been able to pin down a spot at Leicester City squad, compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi has since wormed himself into the hearts of the fan with his superlative performance since joining the team in January. He has equally voted the club’s Young Player of the Year by the club’s teeming fans and supporters.

There is no gain saying that Ahmed Musa has not been able to replicate the form that led to Claudio Ranieri coughing out 17 million pounds to drag him to England despite opposition from some quarters.

It is believe that his unstable emotion was responsible for his inability to tie down a place in the club’s squad.

Now that he has achieved his dream of marrying Juliet, it is expected that he will bounce back to reckoning having achieved his heart desire.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday June 7, 2017

SPORTS

Nigeria to host Africa Zone II Jnr Swimming Champioship –Onyeacholam

Goals from Sanchez, Ramsay save Wenger’s job

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•As Gunners boss lauds players’ performance Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

A

rsenal players on Saturday displayed one of their best footballs this season, as they ensured that Manager Arsene Wenger remains at the Emirates Stadium come August; when the new English Premier season for 2017/18 kicks off.

The Gunner did not leave anybody in doubt as to their determination to save their manager’s job as went into business from the blast of the whistle in this year’s FA Cup final against perennial rivals and league champions, Chelsea.

The impressive Gunners applied the pressure against their West London rivals and their effort was rewarded minutes into the first half, as their South American talisman from Chile, Alexis Sanchez showed what makes him a world class player by scoring the first goal of the match to the amazement of Chelsea players and their fans.

The Assistant Referee from the right corner had had raised his flag to suggest that Sanchez goal was offside goal to surprise of everyone resulting to the centre referee running to consult with him. After a brief chat, the referee pointed to the centre thereby restoring confidence in the game and the stadium erupted with shouts of joy.

Arsenal did not relent in their impres-

sive performance after scoring the goal rather they continued with what they know how to do best but were unlucky as they missed many begging opportunities.

Chelsea on the other hand equally came to win but they met a more determined Arsenal side that they couldn’t intimate nor subdue. First half ended in 1-0 in favour of Arsenal and in the resumption of the second half, Chelsea came into the party more forceful than they were in the first half.

They pressurized the Gunners but Arsenal remain resolute and refused to cave in. In a bid to restore parity, Victor Moses who had already earned a yellow card dived in the 18-yard box expecting to be awarded a penalty, but he miscalculated as the centre referee was very close and saw that nobody touched him and as a result he was given the second yellow card for stimulation punishable by yellow card. He was sent off for earning a second yellow which equals to a red card and effectively reduced the Blues to 10 men.

With the removal of Moses, Chelsea became more aggressive playing as if they had advantage of number and in the process, Diego Costa equalized.

As Chelsea were still jubilating over the eqauliser, Arsenal went straight

and restored advantage via Aaron Ramsay nodding resulting from across from the left corner flag.

Meanwhile, Gunners managers, Arsene Wenger has heaped praises on his charges saying they were “outstanding from the first minute” in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

It is recalled that before the match, Wenger was quoted to have said that “I want to win the FA Cup for the records,” and he achieved his dream as Gunners have now won the FA Cup

for the record 13th times. The North London Club are the highest winners of the FA Cup with their victory over Chelsea on Saturday at the magnificent Wembley Stadium.

Reaction to his side defeat on Saturday, Chelsea Manger, Antonio Conte; who was quoted before the match to have expressed his desire to equal his countryman’s record, Carlo Ancelotti of winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first year in the EPL said the Gunners “surprised” the Blues by their performance.

arring any unforeseen circumstance, Nigeria is to play host to the African Zone II Swimming Championship despite the date yet to be determined as negotiations for the championship as it relates to sponsors are ongoing.

This much was disclosed to The Oracle Today Sports by no other person than the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) Mr. Steve Onyeacholam in a telephone interview.

According to Onyeacholam, the city of Lagos which has shown serious desire of developing aquatics sports will be the host state even as Onyeacholam equally revealed that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led the state of Aquatic splendor has also made good with it promise last year to play host to the 11th Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship as the state has reminded the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation of its readiness to fulfill its promise by hosting this year’s CNS Open Swimming Championship.

Onyeacholam explained Nigeria first played host to the African Zone II Junior Swimming Championship in 2011 when former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, graciously agreed to host the championship in Akure.

“Well, what is on ground is that the country is going to host Africa Zone II Junior Swimming Championship this year,” Onyeacholam began.

“The country has secured the hosting right. At the moment negotiations are ongoing on the sponsorship and I believe that progress is being made in that direction.

“You can recall; the country first played host to the African Zone II Junior Swimming Championship which Ondo State hosted in 2011 during the tenure of Olusegun Mimiko.

“This championship is very dear to the President of the Federation and all the board members because it is a grassroots developmental championship where young talents could be discovered and nurtured for the future.

Prince Oduah lauds Gov. Emmanuel for transforming Akwa United

F

ormer member of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Prince Isidore Oduah, has heaped praises on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel for turning around the fortunes of the state owned club, Akwa United Fc. The renowned football administrator said after watching Akwa United game against home side, Mountain of Fire Miracles (MFM) at Agege Stadium in the opening game of the second stanza of 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), he was full of admiration for the brand of football displayed by the Akwa United players which he explained effectively silenced the home fans.

“I want to commend the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel for transforming his State owed team, Akwa United Fc into one of the best teams in the country at the moment,” Prince Oduah began.

“The Governor has proved himself to be a man of honour and integrity.

He is a man who has the capacity to identify capable hands, who know and understand football to the core and appointed them to steer the ship of the state owed club, Akwa United Fc and the result is already showing for all to see.

“As a football administrator myself, I know how it used to be with Akwa United. He has brought a lot of changes to the club because he has people who know what it takes to run football and the number one among them is the veteran sports journalist and publisher, Paul Bassey who is currently the chairman of the club. Bassey is the General Secretary of Nigerian Veteran Sports Administrators. He is the engine room of the Nigerian Veteran Sports Administrators.

“The Governor at the moment is doing the right thing in the development of football in Akwa Ibom State.

•Gov. Udom Emmanuel

He has given the youth of Akwa Ibom the opportunity to develop themselves in sports and in football in particular.

“He has challenged the Akwa Ibom youth to express themselves in sports

•Prince Isidore Oduah

and they have accepted the challenge and they are equal to the task. I watched Akwa United match against MFM at the Agege Stadium and the team silenced Lagos fans with their scientific brand of football and those

of us from across the Niger were very proud of Akwa United FC. We left the stadium with our heads high.

“I want to use this opportunity to give kudos to the governor for doing the right thing which has resulted in the quality performance of the team and I want to state categorically that we are proud of him. With the brand of football being played by Akwa United FC at the moment, I want to state without fear or contraction that they are one of the best teams in the country at the moment.

“What Governor Emmanuel has done with Akwa United Fc should serve as a challenge to other states governors in South-south and Southeast geo-political zones. It is a challenge and a clarion call for them to equally give the youths of their various states the same opportunity that Udom Emmanuel has given to the youths of Akwa Ibom State,” Prince Oduah said.

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Wednesday June 7, 2017

Abdulmumuni Jubrin –forgotten whistleblower N

IGERIA challenges everything though some say everything challenges Nigeria. Two years into the anti-corruption-driven Buhari administration, many have forgotten the young Alhaji Abdulmumuni Jubrin, the first whistleblower, the one who never waited for a whistle blowing policy. He blew himself away. It was 2015/2016, when we had not heard whistles, though in full circle, whoever blew the whistle on Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, blew into deaf ears.

The budget was the target. Unknown to many Nigerians, the end of the budget debates actually started dark moves that would throw Nigeria into adjustments of its corruption ranking - downwards. Was the whole essence of politics no longer to warehouse the greater good for the least number of people?

Olusegun Obasanjo, self-acclaimed patriot, the only saint in Nigeria, whose management of Nigeria hugely accounts for the imprecations that we are meant to tolerate from him, has not missed the opportunity to excavate his line about the National Assembly being corrupt. Obasanjo thinks we have all forgotten that he introduced constituency projects, the epicentre of corruption, to appease the National Assembly. Under him, parliamentarians were contractors for their constituency projects. Parliamentarians got $50,000 each, which one of their members edited to any figure that pleased him, as the former President tried to foist his third term ambition on Nigerians. It was not corruption that saw Nigeria spend $16 billion on electricity projects under Obasanjo to remain in darkness. When Obasanjo speaks with candour about corruption, he is in a podium position to know those who are corrupt.

Corruption is the buzzword that throws Nigerians into frenzy before a government that waves brooms around to sweep out corruption. It has largely admitted its failure by warning, before each move, that corruption would fight back. Is corruption fighting back or people are fighting to prove how corruptly innovative they are?

There seems to be a competition among Nigerians of means, my new name for those who have access to our resources, to be the best in warehousing these resources for the future, a future so immediate that we may be looking at 2019. What may seem a lot of money to ordinary folks like me (N481 billion padding of the 2016 budget, by some accounts) is a trickle of national resources for them.

With the Naira looking so down that looking up appears a remote ambition, politicians are putting things away for the dry day. Would it ever rain again? In first year of the administration’s budget, the House of Representatives led the charge. Its pliant leadership mustered the courage to pad things for itself, a scandal of a unique dimension, given that the cry nationwide was that there was no money.

The Senate’s concerted efforts at supporting the flank that insisted that there was no padding in the budget suggested that the Senate wanted to quench the budget fire quickly and quietly. Is it imaginable that 360 people could speak in one voice until now about the budget? If the House of Representatives padded the budget, could the Senate of only 109 people not have inserted some projects too?

• Abdulmumuni Jubrin A serious crime was concealed because if fully investigated and punished, it could take down some personalities that governments and greed require for 2019. Was it for nothing that people are not referring to the massive mutilation, infestation, manipulation, complication that have been heaped on the 2016 budget as forgery?

Indeed, our leaders are schooled in malapropism; they live on it, cannot survive without it. Too many of them defended the thievery that was planned for the 2016 budget as mere insertion of new projects, or padding, knowing that there were no laws that would punish padding, a word that sounds like some protective casing for the budget instead of the despoliation that it represented.

Saddening as the drama was, its end was predictable. The All Progressives Congress (APC), called its warring members to order.

The crimes involved in robbing Nigeria of sums

of money that may not be all that was meant to be stolen, was treated as a “family affair”.

The treatment was extended to members of the opposing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represented all APC claims not to be, but are essentially extended family now.

Anyone who needed proof that the APC was not different from PDP got one. The only difference seems to be that the finesse with which APC fumbles and stumbles over critical issues is not a PDP trait. Some PDP officials in the National Assembly years back were indicted for fiddling with the budget; two Ministers also lost their jobs over the matter in a rare moment of wakefulness for the Obasanjo government.

It is doubtful whether the accusers and the accused were not in the same corner in the corruption the 2016 budget became. The expose could have been rooted in fights over the sharing of the spoils of the banditry exe-

cuted on the floor of the National Assembly, its committee rooms, and homes of its most ardent leaders. Talks also emerged that parliamentary immunity provided adequate cover for the padding. Politicians are desperate to accumulate so much that they are from different fronts holding Nigeria hostage. The frustration with change was showing for those who promised, promoted and are supposed to protect policies that would cleanse Nigeria.

Before us were possible criminal offences that leave the security agencies with no option but to investigate went on with the National Assembly and the collaborators in the Federal Executive Council (Ministers). Were Ministers unaware of the padded budget?

Were they part of the new looters, leaning on experience?

A curious development was the facility with which Alhaji Abdulmumuni Jubrin, who lost his Chairmanship of the House Committee on Appropriation to the fray, continued pelting the drums on the transgressions of the House of Representatives. When did he discover the padding? Was he not part of the gang? He sounded like he was guaranteed a plea bargain. His visits to the security agencies, as he said, to submit petitions on the crimes in the House, the naming of those who should be removed from their positions, all painted a picture of the dramatisation of the agenda to seize the House leadership by other means.

Did Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives distribute $20,000 to each of the House’s 360 members as Jubrin alleged?

The $20,000 (N2.628 billion at the semi-official exchange rate of N315 for 360 members) appears huge. Dogara’s aides deny the payment while Jubrin was ready to prove the payment. Why was the payment of about $7.2 million made in Dollars? Jubrin said the leadership distributed N40 billion from the budget and distributed among a few members. It sounded like there would have been peace if the money got to more members.

Nothing mattered. Jubrin was suspended for six months. None of the security agencies that he presented evidence to ever investigated the padding of the 2016 budget.

APC, contrary to its claims that saints populated it, has discovered that the men and women who migrated from PDP, in their numbers, to effect change, were anxious to reap the fruits of their investments. It did not appear that they would be patient enough to profit legitimately from their efforts.

While it may be convenient to present this matter as confounding and unexpected, the truth is that change still means different things to those parroting it. For some, it is a change of positions to enable them get their hands into the national pie.

Is the President unaware of the implications of the budget 2016 saga?

The verdict: Members of the House of Representatives have done nothing wrong, it is their time to chop, only that they are eating too noisily that their complaints would not allow the food to digest.

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited, 116 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenewsngr. Facebook: oraclenewsngr@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.