Wednesday May 16 2018 Edition

PDP, Presidency squabble over letter to UN

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EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP), has filed a petition at the United Nations, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of a plan to use federal agencies to win the 2019 elections.

According to PDP, this was already being executed through attacks on opposition politicians, journalists and those who are not members of the President’s

party.

Copies of the letter were sent to the embassies of China, US, Russia and the European Union Secretariat in Abuja.

Instances of the violations that PDP accused the Federal government of are violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in different parts of the country resulting in countless deaths of

farmers; violent attacks on Senators Dino Melaye and Matthew Urhoghide by pro-APC thugs in Edo State as proof of the President’s stand against the opposition.

Mr. Urhoghide of PDP was attacked at the Benin Airport after he called for Buhari’s impeachment for withdrawing $496 million from the Excess Crude Ac-

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba; BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia; CHUKS COLLINS, Awka; CHUKS EZE, Enugu; INI BILLIE, Uyo, CHRISTIAN EZE, Yenagoa, NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt and COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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oes the seeming chaos that characterized the ward congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last Saturday presage the shape of things to come as the nation readies for a general election next year?

This is the question agitating the minds of Nigerians against the backdrop of reports, television footages and still photographs that clearly showed that the APC ward congresses across the country were anything but

•Committee

Chairman creates result

•Stakeholders

fight in Awka

•Minister Onyema disavows process

•Bayelsa peaceful •Killing, thuggery all over

•Official stripped peaceful and orderly.

From Ekiti to Kogi, Anambra to Delta, Rivers to Eb-

Cont’d on page 2

count (ECA), without a budgetary approval of the National Assembly.

Melaye, though of APC, is a constant critic of the President. He is also a close ally of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is not on good political terms with the President, following the manner of Saraki’s emergence as senate President, with support from the op-

WEDNESDAY May 16, 2018

position.

“In Kogi, Borno and Kaduna States, there are reports of the government sponsoring agents to attack and destroy properties belonging to opposition members and supporters.

“The Governor of Kaduna State demolished a property belonging to an opposition member and perceived

racle Cont’d on page 2

www.oraclenews.ng

ISSN: 2545-5869

•President Buhari

Today

VOL.3 No.19 N200

APC ward congresses:

Frightening steps to 2019 9Mobile sale: Crisis hits process

By THEO RAYS

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oubts have heightened over the transparency of the bids for the sale 9Mobile hitherto known as Etisalat (Nigeria).

The doubts stem from revelations that the amount publicly declared as the winning bid was a bogus figure

Page 13

declared by the bid winner apparently in cahoots with insider sources all in a bid to throw every other bidder off-balance.

Initially, at the end of the bidding process, Teleology Holdings Ltd was declared winner of the bid with it

Cont’d on page 2

•Destruction, thuggery everywhere

Finally, Abia Refinery in the offing

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

9Mobile PDP, Presidency squabble over letter to UN Cont’d from Pg 1

$500m offer.

The second highest bidder, Smile Telecoms Holdings offered to pay $300m.

According to the agreement, the winner, Teleology Holdings was required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $50m with a mandate to pay the remaining $450m in 90 days, failing which the reserve bidder Smile Telecoms Holdings, which reportedly offered a bid price of $300 million would be invited to step in as the new winner of the bid.

But, according reports, the bid price submitted by the preferred bidder (Teleology Holdings) has become a subject of controversy as there are indications the actual price offered by Teleology Holdings is $301m.

Sources disclosed that on the 12th of last month, at the House of Representatives investigative hearing on the collapse of Etisalat, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through its Deputy Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, stated that the NCC was notified vide a letter dated March 29, 2018 from United Capital Trustees that a non-refundable sum of $50 million had been paid by the preferred bidder (Teleology Holdings) and that a balance of $251 million would be paid within 90 days.

Many are, therefore, wondering what led to the drastic reduction from the earlier claimed $500 million to the drastically diminished $301 million Indeed, $301m is a significant reduction from the earlier touted bid price of $500m and would be easier for Teleology to pay.

While the public was led to believe that Teleleology offered to pay $500m, it turned out that the company had secretly offered to pay only $301m, only $1 million above the quoted price of $300 million that Smile Telecoms Holdings was believed to have offered for 9Mobile.

More importantly, the new bid price of $301 million if sustained implies that either the public has been roundly deceived via earlier reports that credited Teleology Holdings with offering $500 million for 9Mobile or that the federal government has now been shortchanged to the tune of $190 million at a time the government is looking for every possible avenue to augment its dwindling revenue.

Against the background of the strident criticisms that have characterized the bid process, it is not unlikely that there was an insider collusion resulting in the leak of Smile’s offer price so as to enable Teleology beat it howbeit by just $1 million.

In the letter that was also directed to the Board of Directors of 9mobile, Barclays Africa placed on record that its letter to the Board dated 19th February 2018 in which it responded to the 18th February Board letter from 9mobile amongst others advised the 9mobile Board against changing the rules of the bid mid-way into the process.

Said Barclays Africa: “The instructions in the letter are not in line with the process letter dated 26th January 2018, as approved by the Board and issued to each bidder and will effectively amend the same.”

Barclays Africa further lamented that its advisories were largely ignored by the Board of 9Mobile apparently as to achieve a predetermined end.

The bank further stated it was also piqued by the delay in signing the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA).

It would be recalled that the rules governing the bid process stated that on the day of award (which was Feb 26the) the SPA should be signed.

Cont’d from Pg 1 political opponent; the PDP secretariat in Borno State was demolished; whilst party’s properties and those of supporters were destroyed by agents of government in Adamawa State,” Mr. Secondus wrote, accusing Buhari of being desperate to remain in office.

“All notable opposition leaders are being harassed or hounded by security operatives using all manners of frivolous and vexatious allegations. Today, despite our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association and speech, Nigerians now live in fear of this intolerant, overbearing, bigoted and dictatorial administration seeking to foist a fascist regime on our country.

“How do we explain or justify the evil plan of the APC-led federal government to monitor citizens’ phone calls and social media communication purportedly to check for hate speeches without any enabling law?

“We decry this raging intimidation of our party officials, members and supporters and call on the United Nations and the international community to stand up and condemn this drift towards stone-age despotism. Nigeria is a democratic state and we reject any attempt by anybody to suppress the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people, particularly, regarding the choice of how they should be governed,” Secondus stated.

The Presidency in a reaction said

Mr. Secondus’ allegations confirmed the opposition party “as a bad loser, desperate for another chance after they were kicked out for failing the nation and its people.”

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement said the letter “which is no less preposterous and comical, the opposition accused the Nigerian government of ‘destroying Nigeria’s democracy.

“Nigerian politicians at all levels have been used to dispensing with state funds in whatever manner they please, and to have someone, an administration, finally saying, ‘No. It doesn’t matter how big or important you think you are; the law must come against

you…’ That is not something they are used to at all. For the PDP, as has now emerged, national security was the major source of their funding.

“Nigerians suffered because of the poison sowed by the PDP,” Garba said, adding that Nigerians, “would understand the passion that drives the determination to nail these callous men and stop them in their corrupt tracks,” if they had access to information on the extent of damage that PDP did.

He dismissed the accusation that President Buhari was behind the spate of herdsmen and farmer clashes in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, as an embarrassing charge that the “PDP would make, conveying an allegation from the beer parlours of Nigeria to an international body like the UN. “The PDP certainly has no shred of evidence to make such an allegation. These are comments driven by tribalism and that age-old trick of balkanisation in a bid to score political points. This should not surprise anyone given the politics of anger, violence and polarisation that are the stock-in-trade of the PDP. “What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? There is no intelligent angle from which you analyse the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on.

“For the “new” PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killing of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power. They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension. They should bury their heads in shame,” Mr. Shehu said.

•PDP South West rally at Freedom Park Osogbo

APC ward congresses: Frightening steps to 2019 Continued from Pg 1 onyi, Kano to Kaduna, Enugu to Imo, etc, the story about the APC congresses was the same: chaos, pandemonium, broken heads, broken chairs and bottles.

There were, however, a few places where the congresses went smoothly, ending in peaceful election of party leaders at the ward levels.

The overall chaotic development has made people have misgivings about subsequent elections in the country, whether at the party, state or national level.

The situation has been made worse by reports that some of the efforts at reconciliation have ended in failure.

According to reports from Asaba, the Delta State capital, fresh crisis is brewing in the APC over the conduct of the ward congresses as the 6-man congress committee sent to reconcile warring factions Delta is currently divided what with the Chairman, Alhaji Sani Dododo announcing results he is believed to have unilaterally compiled with no input from members.

According to a reliable source, trouble started when other members of the panel discovered that the chairman had left the hotel where all of them lodged and switched off his phones.

“Sensing that the Chairman may have been compromised and they could be in danger, the other five

members also left the hotel to a secure place where they collated the authentic field results from the ward congresses,”the source told The Oracle Today. “I can tell you that what they announced are fake results they cooked overnight possibly from the over 100 packets of result sheets the Chairman has earlier allegedly stolen.”

The source further alleged that the other five members comprising the Secretary and four other members of the committee had earlier completed collation of the authentic results and gone to Abuja to submit same to the national APC headquarters, adding that the results have also been lodged with the appeal panel which is expected to start seating on Tuesday as stipulated by the party guidelines for the conduct of ward congress.

When contacted for his comment, the leader of the party in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor said the ward congresses are guided by party guidelines and only results authenticated by national and the appeal panel can stand.

But, he said it was said that it was sad that the Chairman alone could proceed to announce results, noting that such an action was an exercise in futility.

He appealed to all APC faithful to remain calm and await the formal release of the ward congress results by the APC national headquarters.

Similarly, the appeal panel set up

by the party to entertain issues, objections and disagreements raised by dissatisfied members arrived in Awka but could not hold any meeting with stakeholders, as the meeting was aborted at the last minute for reasons yet to be established.

In an interview with journalists at the panel’s Finotel Hotel Awka Secretariat, APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu confirmed the scheduled stakeholders’ briefing/meeting.

He said it was obvious the Appeal Panel had little or nothing to handle since there was no congress anywhere in the state, noting that the Congress Committee had left early Monday morning after the unfortunate fight at the stakeholders meeting of Sunday evening.

Moghalu confirmed that the failure of the Ward congress has directly and indirectly affected other stages of the process, like the council and state congresses.

“So, it goes without saying that it has affected other stages of the congress. The party headquarters will look into the issue and reschedule congresses in the state,” Moghalu pointed out.

Contrary to its poor reputation in Bayelsa the ward congress of the APC was very peaceful and orderly across the 105 wards in the state.

The places monitored by The Oracle Today such as Ward 13, Otu-

abula 1 & 2 in Ogbia Local Government Area, Yenagoa Ward 2 and 3, Onopa and Amarata Ward 5, all in Yenagoa Local Government Area, witnessed impressive turnout of delegates and materials were also delivered early.

Observers were surprised that such peaceful atmosphere could prevail without any incident of violence in such an activity involving the APC in the state.

This is because over time, the activities of the party have often been charaterised by disorderly conduct by miscreants.

Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa and former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva described the conduct of ward congress in the state as “smooth and peaceful.”

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Sylva said that the congress was smooth and peaceful, adding that the party was committed to the promotion of democracy.

“Today is the ward congress and this is lawful according to the party constitution and I urge all well meaning people of Bayelsa to support the APC for the change they can see,” Sylva said.

Also speaking, Dr Adebayo Dawuda, leader of the five-man team for the Congress in Bayelsa urged members and all aggrieved persons in the party to forget all their grievances and work toward

Cont’d on page 44

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Minimum wage: Fayose seeks review of allocation formula

By VICTOR NZE

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HE Ekiti State Government has called for a review of the current Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of the lower levels of government to enable them cope with the eventuality of increase in minimum wage.

Speaking in Ibadan at the presentation of a memorandum on the proposed new minimum wage to the Tripartite committee on national minimum wage, the State governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose stated that the clamour for increase in minimum wage cannot be ignored, especially as the increase in prices of goods and services have worsened the standard of living of the average Nigerian worker.

Fayose who was represented by the State Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka noted that the current revenue allocation formula has become inequitable to support the needs of lower tiers of government.

“As at the time the present minimum wage came into effect, for instance, the price of Premium Motor Spirit was N65 per litre which was later increased to N145 per litre in 2016. The increase has aggravated or triggered increase in prices of other goods and serv-

ices thereby compounding the already challenged standard of living of the average Nigerian worker”, he said.

While noting that the current minimum wage of #18,000 has become unrealistic and inadequate to support basic standards of living, the governor affirmed the need to increase the present minimum wage but same should be premised on the ability of employers to pay.

According to the memorandum, Ekiti State government proposed a new formula that would see the federal government getting 30 per cent, State governments 40 per cent, local government councils 25 per cent and 5 per cent reserved for others.

Fayose who hailed the request for memorandum from all states urged the committee to approve a new wage based on the review of the current revenue allocation formula in favour of lower levels of government.

Meanwhile, the State Government on Tuesday announced the promotion of 40, 100 workers in the public service, this was announced by Governor Ayodele Fayose during the celebration of the annual Workers’ Day popularly known as the May Day celebration in Ado-Ekiti.

Nasarawa monarchs condemn assault on Emir of Kwandere

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asarawa Traditional Council has condemned the attack on Emir of Kwandere, Alhaji Ahmadu Al-Makura by some of his aggrieved subjects over alleged land-related disagreement

Nigerian seeks N10m against Oxford Dictionary over wrong definition

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gedi Ogu, a Nigerian has prayed a Lagos High Court Igbosere, to order Oxford University Press to pay N10 million as damages, over alleged wrong word definition.

Ogu, counsel representing a claimant, Mr Emmanuel Ofoegbu, urged the court to direct Oxford to ensure that all dictionaries published by them, includes a caveat which states that: “The dictionaries are made available as a reference tool only, and that anyone who relies on definition of words in their dictionary as an alternative to seeking independent legal or financial advice, does so at his own risk’’.

Joined in the suit as first defendant, is the University of Oxford while Oxford University Press is sued as second defendant.

In the statement of claim, the claimant said that English is not his mother tongue, adding that the first defendant is reputed to be an authority in English language.

He argued that a great majority of people around the world rely on its definition of English words.

According to him, in 2005 and 2006, he purchased the Oxford Mini reference Dictionary, and the Oxford English Mini Dictionary respectively, published by the second defendant.

Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I, who is also the Chairman of the state Traditional Council made the condemnation during his solidarity visit to the emir on Monday in Lafia.

Agwai I, who was accompanied by other traditional rulers in the state, said the unruly behaviour was uncalled for and unacceptable to the traditional institution in the state.

He urged aggrieved subjects in the Kwandere Emirate to always channel their grievances over any issues to the relevant authorities for appropriate actions to be taken.

The monarch described the assault on Al-Makura as “sacrilegious,” saying the act negated the values which the revered traditional institution would always promote as the custodian of peace.

Recounting his ordeal, Emir of Kwandere said the aggrieved people protested on Friday, expressing their opposition to the move to allocate their land for the construction of the 100 housing units proposed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, the people also alleged that the state government forcibly took over their land for the erection of Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre as well as International market among others projects. Al-Makura said that he tried pacify the protesters when he met with them by appealing to them to put their grievances in writing so as to enable him to present it the governor.

He, however, said shortly after the Juma’at prayer, the aggrieved people went ahead to attack his convoy, injuring some policemen.

The governor said the exercise covered promotions from 2015 to 2017.

He added that civil servants, teachers, local government workers, health workers and others were included.

In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor was quoted

as saying that he stood by his earlier promise not to owe workers’ salaries by the time he would be leaving office come October.

“I appreciate the support that I have enjoyed from workers, even when the battle was fierce. I will never forget your role in bringing me back to office, particularly the teachers. My legacy was already

rubbished when I left office but God and you made me come back.

“You made me a man of history in our state. I had no trade name, a family name that is recognised, but with your support, I was able to defeat two incumbents and become the first Ekiti person to be elected governor twice,” he said.

•President Muhammadu Buhari departing Abuja, Tuesday, for a four-day medical check up in London

Lagos pastor arrested over hate speech

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OLICE in Lagos have arrested a 35-year-old pastor, Chris Mordi, of the Miracle of Fires Ministry, Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos, for allegedly propagating hate speech in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Edgal Imohimi, disclosed this to newsmen, stressing that the suspect was arrested on May 5 at Ado Road, Langbasa area of Ajah in Lagos.

Edgal said that the Pastor was arrested allegedly while in possession of an inciting publication titled: “Beware of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and Knights of the Catholic for they are occultic.”

He said that the pastor had invited his church members for a programme where he was to make a public pronouncement on the issue before the publications were intercepted on May 5.

“This is a case of insult to religion and propagation of hate speech which contravenes Sections 124 and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

“This should be a lesson to be imbibed by all religious leaders. We must encourage and preach religious tolerance,” he said.

He said that the clergyman would be charged to court for alleged hate speech and religious intolerance.

Meanwhile, 10 traffic robbers who specialise in dispossessing motorists of their valuables at Charity BusStop, Oshodi, were also rounded up by policemen and presented to newsmen.

According to the commissioner, the hoodlums were traced to their hideouts where they were arrested with a toy gun.

He added that the police was working toward arresting other members of the gang and urged victims of traffic robbers to visit the Command and identify the suspects.

He assured that all the suspects would be charged to court.

Enlist in military, NYSC boss urges corps members

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irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has urged corps members to consider enlisting in the armed forces.

Kazaure gave the advice, Tuesday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun.

The director-general, who inspected various physical and combat activities of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Ogun, said he was impressed by their level of discipline.

Kazaure, who also watched the quarter-guard, Man-O-War regiment, martial arts combats as well as the band display of the corps members, said he was certain that they would excel in the military.

He described the Ogun Orientation camp as one of the best in the country, noting that it had been persistent over the years in maintaining excel-

lence in the training of corps members.

“With what I have witnessed here today, I can confidently state that this has been by far the best set of corps members ever received in Ogun State camp. Their level of discipline and adherence to the teachings of their instructors has been excellent and I urge them to maintain the status quo.

“The orientation programme was designed to help prepare corps members for the challenges ahead during their service year and these ones will do very well to cope.

“To join the army, there are guidelines. You must be physically, medically and mentally fit. The army will subject you to a lot of exams both written and oral before the final selection. If you meet all the required indices, you will be enlisted,” he said.

Kazaure also said he was inspired

by the display of the band to pioneer the NYSC inter-state band competition for corps members with added rewards for outstanding groups.

He urged the corps members to be good ambassadors of the NYSC during their service year by promoting the ideals of the scheme.

Kazaure added that the NYSC would be considering posting more corps members to farms under the scheme in Oyo, Abuja, Bauchi and Kebbi.

The Ogun NYSC State Coordinator, Mr John Okpo, thanked the director general for the visit while reiterating the commitment of the NYSC in Ogun in complementing the scheme in nation building. He said the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members comprising 2,513 individuals including 1,161 males and 1,352 females distinguished themselves by arriving very early in camp.

The Oracle Today

4

Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Lagos Govt to boost strategic investment in tourism

By VICTOR NZE

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AGOS State Government has expressed its desire to strengthen investment in tourism infrastructure to unearth all tourism goldmines for Lagos’ prosperity and project the State as a global brand.

Disclosing this at the Y2018 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja in commemoration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Third Year in Office, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the government is laying a long-term foundation to make the State a sustainable tourismdriven economy.

Explaining the State government’s plan towards achieving broadband tourism affluence, the Commissioner disclosed that the desire of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to leave a legacy of solid tourism-driven economy informed the idea of developing a master plan of 15yrs-20yrs.

“The need to prepare the State ahead in terms of ideas, long-term investment, top-notch infrastructure and human capacity development necessary for the expected competition among tourism des-

tinations all over the world requires a long-term strategic master plan”.

Ayorinde averred that the master plan being prepared by Messrs. Ernst & Young would focus on sectors such as culture and heritage, film, art and entertainment, business tourism, nature and adventure, medical and wellness, beach and leisure.

“Earlier in the year, the State government, for the first time, released a calendar of sponsored and State-endorsed arts and culture events to guide tourists and visitors on indigenous cultural festivals across the State and the calendar of over 70 programmes

for Y2018 is part of the State’s innovation to project arts, entertainment and leisure benefits inherent in Lagos”.

Ayorinde disclosed that the upgraded Badagry Heritage Museum that houses abundant slave relics and historical narrative on transatlantic slave trade is now supported with a new multi-purpose hall, children arena, upgraded exhibition stands, conveniences and a security post, serving as a major attraction to visitors especially blacks in diaspora in search of their ancestral root.

Speaking on the Ford Foundation grant for the Lagos Museum

Project, the Commissioner submitted that the $600,000 grant is expected to aid the architectural design of the ongoing project at the new Eko Court, Marina, affirming the readiness of the Ford Foundation to join the State government on a global roadshow to generate additional funding for the project.

In addition, the Eko Theatre Project that will provide six theatres across the State is very much alive as four of the theatres located at Ikeja, Badagry, Igando and Epe are about 70 per cent complete while work is expected to commence at Ikorodu and Lagos Mainland locations soon.

Road Construction: Lagos Govt pays N11.85bn as compensation

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agos State Lands Bureau on Tuesday said that over N11.85 billion had been approved as compensation for properties and owners affected by the alignment and right of way for construction, reconstruction and dualisation of roads.

Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on Urban Development, Mrs Yetunde Onabule, disclosed this to newsmen at the Ministerial Briefing to mark the governor’s third year in office in Alausa.

Onabule, however, noted that payment of compensation would be with the presentation of all necessary documents as might be required, evidencing ownership of the property.

“We urge affected residents where these exercises are on-going to speed up their verification processes. The government has begun payment within the last few weeks, ” Onabule said.

On revenue generation, she said that the bureau raked in N20.78 billion and N10.58 billion in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Responding to a question on the drop in revenue generated, Onabule said that the revenue of the Lands Bureau would definitely improve at the kick-off of new schemes, subsequent transactions on state land and payment by defaulters of capital development level, among others.

On encroachment of government schemes, she advised the public to do proper charting and verification on properties before consummating transactions on land.

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (r) with the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, when he paid a condolence visit to the Lagos residence of the latter, on Sunday over the death of the cleric’s mother, Mrs. Abigael Bakare, who died on Saturday, at the age of 108 years.

Osun rakes in N13b IGR in 2017

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SUN State Government says it realised over N13 billion as consolidated Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other revenue receipts in 2017.

State’s Project Coordinator and State and Local Governance Reform (SLOGOR), Mr Yemi Ijidele, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a three-day SLOGOR Retreat in Enugu on Friday.

Ijidele said that the state had increased the number of its tax payers from below 200,000 to 470,801 tax payers at present.

The coordinator noted that more people in the informal sectors had been captured in the tax drag-net of the state.

He said that the feat was achieved by several financial and management streamlining interventions driven by the state government and SLOGOR programme.

He noted that the present administration in Osun had domesticated and internalised the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative of the Federal Government in the state.

He added that this had created more enabling environment for

businesses, especially cottage businesses, to strive in the state.

“We have continued to have increase in consolidated revenue for the state each passing year and in 2017 the state made over N13 billion in its internal consolidated revenue receipts “This increase in consolidated revenue receipts was due to the state government hard work in creating enabling and striving business environment through internalising the Federal Government’s EODB principles in the state.

“With more businesses springing up in Osun, we now have more people in the tax drag-net of the state from the informal sector. The number of people in the drag-net had increased tremendously from below 200,000 tax-payers to now 470,801 tax-payers.

“And we operate a pay direct system, which allows little or no human interference in the collection of government revenues. Our governor, the personnel in the IGR board and the state’s ministry of finance are not resting in their oars to ensure that the state revenue

increases and more people pay taxes in the state,’’ he said.

According to him, Osun people are happy to see how judicious the state government spends the consolidated revenue receipts for their benefit.

The SLOGOR project is funded by the European Union and managed by the World Bank.

The project, which commenced in 2014, is expected to wind up on September 30, 2019.

Niger Govt receives N149bn from FAAC in three yrs

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iger State Government said on Tuesday it received N149 billion from the Federation Account and funds generated as revenue internally in the last three years.

Alhaji Zakari Abubakar, the state Commissioner for Finance, who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Minna on Tuesday, said the total amount generated from internal sources during the period stood at more than N15.3 billion.

He explained that part of the money also included the N59.3 billion received as Paris Club refund, Bailout, Budget Support Facility and from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) during the period.

“The Paris Club Refund received in 2016 and 2017 was N27.84 while the bailout received was N6. 89 billion between 2015 and 2016, the budget support facility was N15.16 billion in 2016 and 2017 and the ECA was N10 billion.

“Government expended100 per cent of the ECA fund on capital projects while on budget support facility, N15.16 billion was spent on capital expenditure while 39 per cent went into recurrent, and 100 per cent of the ECA fund was used for capital expenditure.

“100 per cent of the bailout received was used for payment of salaries and pension for state and local government workers while 40 per cent of the Paris Club fund was used for capital expenditure,” he said.

Abubakar further said that the government had spent N6.8 billion on capital projects in 2015, N22.5 billion in 2016 and N37.8 billion in 2017.

He explained that Ministries, Department and Agencies N31 billion as subventions in 2015, N34 billion in 2016 and N37 billion in 2017.

This was in addition to the N8.2 billion on salaries in 2015, N8.6 billion in 2016 and, N8.2 billion in 2017, he added.

According to him, the state government had paid out N1.6 billion to pensioners in 2015, N1.7 billion in 2016 and N3.52 billion in 2017.

He added that of the last trench of N7.2 billion of the Paris Club refund, N5. 9 billion was spent on capital projects while N2. 1 billion was for recurrent expenditure.

On the state’s debt profile, the commissioner said the government has been servicing its foreign and domestic debts. He however said that local debt had gone up from N44.7 billion in 2014 to N56.8 billion in Dec. 31, 2017. “This increase was not as a result if the new facility taken between 2015 till date, rather as a result of the draw down on the existing facility such as the FADAMA programme and the IFAD value chain.”

2019: NPC to generate records of dead persons for INEC

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ational Population Commission (NPC) said it had commenced the listing all dead persons in the country for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, said in Abuja on Tuesday that the NPC would complete the process and hand over the accurate data to INEC within two months.

“In the next one month or two, the data will be made available but we have to be sure of the numbers before we make it available to INEC. We do not have 100

per cent coverage in registration of deaths and births. But the 50 per cent we have from it will be made available to INEC for them to clean out dead names from voters register,’’ he said.

He said that the final stage of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between INEC and NPC would be implemented soon.

He reassured that the partnership between the two agencies would help ascertain records of dead people nationwide.

INEC recently requested for the list of dead citizens in the country from NPC, beginning from 2015, to enable it to “sanitise’’ the voters register.

PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME MAX. PRIME

AVE. INT. RATE AVE. INT. RATE AVE. INT. RATE

MAX. PRIME CONSTRUCTION MAX. PRIME INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MAX. PRIME PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICALMAX. ACTIVITIES PRIME ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES MAX. PRIME EDUCATION MAX. PRIME HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES MAX. PRIME ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION MAX. ACTIVITIES OF EXTRATERRITORIAL PRIME ORGANIZATIONS AND BODIES MAX. PRIME POWER AND ENERGY MAX. PRIME CAPITAL MARKET MAX. PRIME OIL & GAS MAX.

GOVERNMENT WATER SUPPLY SEWAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES

GENERAL

FINANCE & INSURANCE

TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE

GENERAL COMMERCE

PUBLIC UTILITIES

REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES

MANUFACTURING

MINING & QUARRYING

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING

LENDING RATES

DEPOSIT RATES DEMAND DEPOSIT SAVINGS DEPOSIT TIME DEPOSIT

NAME OF BANK

ACCESS BANK

30.50 16.00 30.50 18.00 30.50 15.00 30.50 13.00 30.50 19.00 30.50 16.50 30.50 16.00 30.50 15.00 30.50 15.00 30.50

19.00 30.50 14.00 30.50 16.00 30.50 15.00 30.50 14.00 30.50 13.50 30.50 18.00 30.50 16.00 26.50 15.00

0.05 4.20 12.63

CITI BANK

17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50

17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 17.50 23.50 -

2.20 4.20 7.90

DIAMOND BANK

CORONATION BANK

23.00 25.00 -

19.00 22.00 19.00 22.00 20.90 24.81 19.00 23.00 19.00 20.50 21.00 23.00 5.00 5.00 -

20.00 30.00 20.00 21.44 20.00 27.00 20.00 27.76 20.00 28.87 20.00 32.00 20.00 27.89 17.77 18.00 20.00 30.00

15.00 30.00 20.00 30.00 20.00 28.78 20.00 31.91 20.00 28.00 20.00 27.76 20.00 29.00 -

0.39 4.20 12.70 11.60

EC0BANK

28.00 14.00 24.00 14.00 28.00 19.00 28.00 23.00 28.00 23.00 28.00 23.00 28.00 23.00 28.00 17.00 24.00 20.00 28.00 15.00 26.00

17.00 25.00 21.00 24.00 14.00 24.00 19.00 28.00 14.00 24.00 17.00 28.00 18.00 24.00 21.00 28.00 18.00 30.00 17.00 21.00 18.00

0.01 4.20 9.86

FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA

FCMB

FBN MERCHANT

17.64 26.04 11.80 23.04

17.50 18.00 18.00 27.00 22.69 22.69 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 14.00 14.00 30.00 21.00 27.00 6.00 24.00 20.50 30.00 10.23 27.50 18.00 30.00 7.00 23.00 3.00 30.00

4.20 30.00 5.79 30.00 5.00 27.00 5.00 30.00 25.00 26.00 2.00 28.00 1.00 30.00 1.00 9.00 1.00

0.69 4.20 11.17 11.50

FIDELITY BANK

36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00

6.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 40.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 36.00 19.00 40.00 19.00 36.00 19.00

3.00 4.20 9.00

FSDH

17.70 24.00

17.70 24.00 17.70 24.00 17.70 24.00 17.70 24.00 17.70 24.00 17.70 24.00 -

9.95

HERITAGE BANK

GUARANTY TRUST BANK

24.00 16.00 26.00 16.00 25.00 16.00 26.00 20.00 26.00 17.00 26.00 15.00 25.00 7.50 26.00

7.00 21.00 12.00 25.00 12.00 23.00 17.00 26.00 20.00 20.00 21.00 25.00 13.00 26.00 18.00 18.00 24.00 30.00 27.00 31.00 27.00 29.00 27.00 31.00 27.00 30.00 27.00 30.00 27.00 30.00 27.00 32.00 27.00 26.00 27.00 30.00

27.00 30.00 27.00 31.00 27.00 30.00 27.00 33.00 27.00 32.00 27.00 28.00 27.00 33.00 9.00 9.00 27.00

3.33 0.00 4.20 4.20 7.28 13.88

KEYSTONE BANK LTD

34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00

19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00 34.00 19.00

0.14 4.20 14.12

-

-

11.21

NOVA MERCHANT BANK

For further information. Please call: 07002255226 Signed: Management

27.00 19.00 28.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 30.00 19.00 27.00 20.00 28.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 28.00 19.00 27.00 9.00 27.00 20.00 28.00

9.00 27.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 28.00 20.00 27.00 19.00 28.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 30.00 19.00 28.00 20.00

0.00 4.20 9.50

PROVIDUS BANK

25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00

7.00 36.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 28.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00 25.00 22.00

0.64 4.20 8.09

Rand Merchant Bank Nig. Ltd

17.70 17.70 -

17.50 20.46 24.81 24.81 18.65 20.46 18.50 25.00 15.20 15.20 -

0.50 0.00 13.63

Standard Chartered Bank

25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00

20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 25.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 25.00 21.00 25.00 20.00 27.00 20.00 20.00 20.00

0.00 4.22 6.56

SKYE BANK

26.00 34.00

9.00 31.00 28.00 34.00 28.00 34.00 28.00 34.00 28.00 36.00 18.00 34.00 28.00 34.00 9.00 31.00 -

4.20 12.80

STANBIC IBTC

30.00 18.00 29.00 18.00 36.00 18.00 30.00 11.00 33.00 18.00 33.00 22.00 30.00 18.00 28.00 11.00 36.00 19.00 24.00 11.00 28.00 11.00 30.00

7.00 36.00 7.00 36.00 18.00 24.00 11.00 30.00 10.00 36.00 11.00 30.00 11.00 30.00 7.00 36.00 19.00 27.00 24.00

0.64 4.20 8.09

STERLING BANK

33.00 21.00 29.00 21.00 33.00 21.00 29.00 21.00 29.00 21.00 31.00 21.00 29.00 21.00 29.00 21.00 0.00 21.00 25.00 21.00 27.00 21.00 33.00

24.00 33.00 21.00 30.00 21.00 30.00 24.00 30.00 21.00 27.00 22.00 33.00 21.00 31.00 21.00 31.00 21.00 33.00 21.00 29.00 21.00

0.00 4.20 10.17

SUNTRUST

21.02 30.00 21.02 30.00 21.02 30.00 30.00 -

21.02 30.00 21.02 30.00 22.00 30.00 21.02 30.00 21.02 30.00 -

0.00 2.00 13.69

United Bank for Africa

29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 18.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 19.00 29.00

7.00 25.00 24.00 29.00 19.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 19.00 29.00 19.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00 29.00 24.00

0.15 4.20 11.54

UNION BANK

33.00 20.00 33.00 22.50 24.50 26.50 42.50 26.00 37.50 21.50 37.50 25.50 47.50 26.50 26.50 17.50 33.00 26.50 30.50 17.50 44.50

9.00 9.00 17.50 33.00 9.50 42.50 24.50 36.50 17.50 24.50 17.50 52.50 23.50 29.50 21.50 27.50 17.50 52.50 24.00 24.00 17.50

0.50 4.20 12.37

UNITY BANK

32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00

24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00 32.00 24.00

0.50 4.20 16.00

WEMA BANK

29.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 31.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 30.00

9.00 25.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 31.00 29.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.00 28.00 29.00

1.09 4.20 7.82

34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 34.5

22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00 34.50 22.00

0.50 4.20 7.91

ZENITH BANK

In furtherance of the transparency and full disclosure stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Monetary Policy Committee has decided that henceforth the lending rates obtainable in all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) be made public to guide business decisions.

Consequently, find below the applicable rates for each of the DMBs as at May 4, 2018. The rates will also be available on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

5

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA www.cbn.gov.ng

In furtherance of the transparency and full disclosure stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Monetary Policy Committee has decided that henceforth the lending rates obtainable in all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) be made public to guide business decisions. Consequently, find below the applicable rates for each of the DMBs as at May 4, 2018. The rates will also be available on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Ekefere seeks change of APC leadership in A/Ibom INI BILLIE, Uyo

C

hieftain of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Enefiok Ekefere, has called for a change in the leadership of the party in the state.

Speaking against the current Dr Amadu Attai-led executive committee of the party, Ekefere said the state chairman has been unable to lead the party effectively, necessitating the change in the leadership which is needed for democracy to thrive.

He said plans to impose a new leader on the party by Mr Don Etiebiet, a member of the party’s board of trustees without the consensus of stakeholders and due process as stipulated in the constitution of the party was unacceptable to members.

Stressing that the party has to be transparent in its leadership policy for effective democracy to take place, adding that a party leadership that is not transparent can never be right, he also noted that the interest of Akwa Ibom citizens should be placed first when making decisions that concerns the state, adding that popularity of a party does not translate to victory if the party’s interest conflict with that of the masses.

“Anytime a party conspiracy is in conflict with the collective interest of the people, I will take side with the people. What is happening now in the APC is quite unfortunate. It is normal. In a party leadership, there must be struggle here and there.

“When a government is not answerable to its citizens, there is no way you can call the government to order. Democracy starts with the party’s congress. When the selection process in the party is not transparent, the government can never the right.

“As far as I am concerned, the people running the party do not know what they are doing. If you have a superior argument, if you know what to say to the people, nobody can stop the masses from voting for you. The members of the party should be allowed to produce a chairman amenable to their general interest.

“Popularity does not translate to victory if you do not work for it. The masses must be happy with you in order to vote you. The party guideline is simple, you do not change the zoning but you can change individual.

“There should be a change in the leadership of the party for a vibrant democracy” he said.

Ayade’s massive industrialisation awes Akpabio

F

ormer Akwa Ibom State governor and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswil Akpabio said he is awed by the massive industrialization going on in Cross River State.

Akpabio who was amazed at the sheer technological sophistication of the state’s rice seedlings plant under construction, during an inspection of the industrial complex, described Governor Ayade as a digital transformer.

The Senate Minority Leader said for Ayade who became governor at a time of recession and receiving meagre federal allocations to have achieved such accomplishments was pure intellect at work.

“I’m a bit shocked as I arrived this site. I knew that Governor Ayade was doing well but I didn’t know the extent to which he has gone. I’m shocked because this is the period of recession when even payment of

salaries is a difficult thing for many states.

“This seeds multiplication plant is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and with a very high yield producing rice seedlings, fully vitaminized that when cultivated, will not only feed the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States but the whole of Nigeria. I’m really amazed and I say bravo to the Governor Ayade.”

At the Calabar Garment Factory,

• The Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade conducting former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senator Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio round the ultra-modern Rice City, Calabar.

C’River Assembly wants Ayade to intervene in Wanikande/Wanihen communal dispute

T

he Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to urgently intervene in the boundary dispute between Wanikande and Wanihen by directing relevant agencies to identify, survey and delineate the boundary between the two warring communities.

The House also wants the State Government to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the crises, reconstruct the Primary Health Centre in Wanihen destroyed during the crises, as well as identify and sanction all those found culpable in accordance with the law of the land.

The House which made the resolution during plenary, further resolved

to invite the Chiefs, Leaders of thought, Elders of the two warring Communities, Security Agencies as well as the Government officials and Agencies to meet with the House Committee on Land and Securities to explain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis with a view to resolving the crisis which has claimed several lives and property.

Presenting the matter during plenary, Member representing Yala II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata informed Members that between 27th to 28th July 2017, Wanihen and Wanikande Communities in Yala Local Government Area of the State took up arms against each other over land resulting in the massive destruction of lives and proper-

ty and called on the House to wade into the matter urgently.

In separate remarks, Members condemned the incessant communal clashes in the State which has claimed many lives and Property and called on the relevant Government Agencies to put in place measures that will curb these conflicts.

Speaker, John Gaul Lebo decried the alarming rate of boundary disputes between Communities within the state and as well as neighbouring boundary Communities adding that a situation where Communities that have lived together peacefully for years and inter-married would suddenly take up arms over land disputes is unfortunate.

He added that the country’s unity should be her strength, and that people who do not have sympathy for the poor should not be allowed to lead Nigeria.

“Splitting Nigeria is not the answer to our problems rather we should confront our challenges. Nigeria can achieve more by being together.

The problem is that we don’t just love ourselves. Places like Europe are even talking of integrating and coming together. Another problem s that Nigerians do not want to pay the price for success.

“Leaders must be willing to serve selflessly and Nigerians should also be willing to be responsible and pay

their tax. Leaders without the heart for the people should not be allowed to lead.” Ukpai said.

The cleric lamented the recent killings in some parts of the country, and called on Christians across the nation to fast and pray for God’s intervention.

He explained that most Christians in the country remain ignorant of God’s abilities through prayer and also doubt the capacity and anointing of men of God. He said though corruption has eaten deep into some Nigerians irrespective of age, young Nigerians should be given opportunity to rule.

Ukpai who said Nigerians should

not expect anything good from the general elections of 2019 because the entire system is corrupt, stated, “The solution to a credible leadership is for everyone above the age of 25 to retire from active politics because they all have eaten the poisoned apple and not fit to rule.

“The ones that are less than 25 are still teachable and may not have been contaminated much by the system. For those ones there should be a school of leadership for them,” he said.

He described as unfortunate excuses by government at all levels in the country on its inability to meet up with the challenges of the masses.

Splitting Nigeria not the answer to our problems - Rev Ukpai INI BILLIE, Uyo

R

enowned cleric and founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Uma Ukpai of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association has said that Nigeria can remain stronger and united as one country instead of being split.

Speaking in Uyo with newsmen on the state of the nation, Ukpai said those agitating for the division of the country under any guise were not wishing the nation well.

He said dividing Nigeria was not the solution to the nation problems but tackling the problems confronting the country was paramount.

Akpabio intoned: “This is the biggest garment factory I have ever seen in my life. It provides employment and skills for thousands of youths. Kudos Governor Ayade!”

“I am highly impressed and I commend His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade for his many initiatives geared towards transforming the socioeconomic landscape of this state. Let me also commend the good people of Cross River State who have been praying for him to enable these to come because there are places that these kinds of developments will come and the people themselves out of ignorant will drive them away either by harassing the investors or workers on sites.

On 2019, Akpabio maintained that “The issue of reelection is not an issue because if you have a winning team, you don’t need to change it.

So, for me I’m delighted to be the first Akwa Ibom person to stand on the soil of Cross River to endorse governor Ayade for his second term in office.”

Responding, Governor Ayade said: “You know Senator Akpabio does not mince his words, when he speaks, his comments carry weight and for the testimonials that he has given here are classical elucidation of his truth and dialectical dissection of what he has seen on ground.

“I believe that the people of Cross River State will listen to this man of quality whose foot prints in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and indeed Africa remain indelible long after his tenure as governor.

Police recruitment: PSC shortlists 133,324 for screening

T

he Police Service Commission (PSC) says 133,324 applicants have been shortlisted for screening for the recruitment of 6,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said in a statement on Thursday that the exercise would commence on May 7 in the 36 state police command headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The exercise will start with the screening of the applicants’ physical attributes and their credentials.

“Already invitations have been sent to the applicants who are expected to report at the screening venues on days indicated in their invitations,” he said.

Ani said that Kaduna State has the highest number of applicants with 6,962, while Lagos has the least with 1,013.

He said Katsina was second with 6,676, followed by Benue and Niger with 6,474 and 6,409, respectively.

Bayelsa has 1,097, followed by Anambra with 1,117 and Ebonyi with 1,303.

The spokesman said that the commission had deployed its staff to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to conduct the exercise.

He said that Mr Mike Okiro, Chairman of the Commission, was the National Coordinator for the exercise.

According to him, Mr Musa Istifanus, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, has warned that the commission would sanction any staff found to be compromising the exercise.

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

ImoleadersberateAPConwardcongress

By COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

P

rominent leaders in Imo State have condemned the failed ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state which held Saturday, May 5, 2018.

The ward congress was marred as the Ward Congress Chairmen disappeared with the voting and congress materials, forcing party faithful to wait endlessly for the materials.

While immediate past Governor, Ikedi Ohakim said he saw it coming, a former two-term executive chairman of Orlu Local Government Area of the state and former member of the House of Reps, Hon Chukwudi Mayor Eze, blamed the Governor Rochas Okorocha’s style of governance as the reason for the problem.

In a statement on Monday in Owerri, the former Governor who is running for a second term in office in 2019 said that he sent 150 youths to monitor the ward congress, adding that: “The report from this 150 Imo youths leaves very bad taste in the mouth as the APC practically failed in conducting ordinary ward congress”.

Ohakim called on the people of the state to ‘note that the monumental failure of the APC in conducting ordinary ward congress, the first major party event of the APC in Imo State despite the array of personalities in its fold, is a clear testimony that the APC is dead on arrival in Imo.’ “It is very worrisome and shameful how otherwise respectable men and women of Imo State were holding each other by the jugular in order to hold on to power. The embarrassing disappearance of the materials and personnel meant for the ward congress and the undue dragging of the security personnel in the state into the matter is an indication of a failed party and government which have been run on suspicion, division, backstabbing, greed and lack of love

2019: INEC demands inclusiveness from political parties

BY CHINEDU NWAFOR

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on political parties to ensure inclusiveness of women, youths, disabled individuals and other marginalized section of society to participate in party politics in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

INEC gender Desk officer, Ebonyi state, Mrs. Idam Esther who stated this noted that all-inclusive arrangement would help to reposition and reenergize the political arena in Nigeria’s democratic setting.

“INEC is working hard to ensure that the election in 2019 is all inclusive; INEC is saying that women should be active in politics; there is need for women, youths and disabled to be included both in election and decisions within the party.”

Idam spoke in Abakaliki during a one day programme tagged; “Ebonyi Party Engagement with Marginalized Groups” organized

by United States Agency for International Development, USAID and International Republican Institute, IRI at Monabliss Hotels and Suites, Abakaliki.

• Commissioner for Information & Orientation Mrs RoseMary Archibong, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Cross River State Council, Mr.Victor Odu and the State Director of Information, Mrs Pauline Eba, during the cake cutting exercise in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, State Housing, Calabar. for the people of the state. What could be more embarrassing than the Governor running helter skelter, from police station to private homes of party leaders in frenetic search for congress materials?

“Whereas it is not in our character to mock people who have failed or reaped their just harvest, we can only ask Governor Okorocha not to mourn any longer but to realise that what goes around comes around.

We also need to tell Imo people that we saw it coming.

“The embarrassing APC ward congress has further confirmed our position that the Governor is a man

terribly incapable of organizing people and resources to achieve a given goal. His failure to hold the APC ward congress speaks volume of his general failure in government and highlights the kind of failure Imo people have lived with for 7 years.

Ohakim recalled that Okorocha became Governor in 2011 by cutting corners and “doing dirty things, including the sudden disappearance of INEC Returning Officer for Ohaji/ Egbema, Ngozi Nwoke, who was a staff of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education”, stressing that the Returning Officer “had over 30,000 votes from Ohaji/Egbema LGA but he

was kidnapped and kept in a hotel in Anambra State.

“If that broad daylight robbery was not committed against Imo people in connivance with the gang of mercantile politicians, there would have been nothing like Governor Okorocha today”, noting that “Today, both Okorocha and the gang are stewing in their own mess. Those who helped him get away with the atrocities of 2011 have ganged up against him and he is receiving the very end of his stick”.

“These are the same people who brought Imo people to the sorry passé we found ourselves in the state,

Ex-Orient Petroleum boss accuses judge of bias in money laundering case

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra state, and presided over by Justice Bature Gafai has reserved ruling for Tuesday, June 19, in an application filed by the former Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Resources Limited, Nnaemeka Nwawka and two other defendants, for the judge to disqualify himself and transfer a money laundering charge to another court The other accused persons standing trial are; Jude Cyril Anakwe and Agbaim Nwachukwu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged the trio to the court in Charge No. FHC/ AWK/C92/2017, accusing them of laundering a substantial amount of money.

Justice Gafai fixed the date shortly after hearing from both the counsel to the applicants, Udechukwu Nnoruka Udechukwu (SAN) and his prosecution counterpart, H.O Anasor.

In the application asking Justice Gafai to disqualify himself from continuing with the trial of the charge, Udechukwu accused Gafai of bias on the grounds that one Chief Cletus Ibeto has consistently boasted that no amount of argument put forward in the Court by the defendants/applicants, would stop the presiding judge from sending the accused to prison.

“By reason of a concatenation of facts and events of which he is aware,

he would not get justice in this Honourable Court as far as this particular case is concerned, more so when the charge was based on two separate petitions written against him, by Ibeto to the EFCC,” Udechukwu said.

Udechukwu disclosed that the defendants and himself have been warned from several quarters to be wary of Ibeto whom he said they have a substantial proof both in the internet and the news media, that boasted that he has the capability to deliver on his boasts.

He contended that Ibeto himself had equally showed the defendants the charge sheet when it was just numbered and indicated to be filed at the Federal High Court Awka before the formal filling, adding that they equally saw same in Abuja even before it was formally filed in Court”.

He also tendered an affidavit in support of the application showing Premium Times Newspaper report which is Exhibit 3 in the case that linked one Joseph Nwobike, convicted by Federal High Court Lagos for trying to bribe Judges with Ibeto.

“The applicants or defendants are fortified in their fears that they have other on-going cases with Ibeto pending before this Honourable Court and at every stage of those cases, Ibeto’s predictions of the outcome had been completely right, be it by happenstance or design,” Udechukwu submitted.

He therefore urged the Court to

• Nnaemeka Nwawka hands off and allow the substantive matter to be transferred to another court so that another Judge will try it in accordance with Section 22(1) of the Federal High Court Act, saying “this will be in line with Judicial dignity and self-restraint”.

However, the prosecuting counsel, Anasor, vehemently opposed the application, arguing that although the defendants claimed that this was not a case where the Honourable Court was accused of bias but it was clear that the Court was being accused of bias towards the defendants.

where indigent families have lost the least means of livelihood they had.

Some of them had just some small houses left for them as inheritance from their fathers or grandfathers.

But Governor Okorocha has destroyed them all. Those who used to have some lock-up shops in front of their houses, those who had shops in the markets or trading in the open space in the markets have all lost them. Supported by the gang, the Governor went ahead to destroy the middle class in the state by destroying thousands of offices in the state.

The predicted outcome is that many of these people have died prematurely.

“Yet this gang of commercial politicians cannot compel the Governor and their fellow party man to help alleviate the sufferings of the people by halting his devilish demolition of business premises and once peaceful homes of Imo people. This gang now fighting the Governor looked the other way while the local government fund was being embezzled for years.

“While Imo people languished and cried for help, these commercial politicians were busy collecting lands and money or enjoying their appointment with the Governor and did not see anything wrong with the Governor and his government”, he added.

Also, a former two-term executive chairman of Orlu Local Government Area of the state and former member of the House of Reps, Hon Chukwudi Mayor Eze, condemned the failed APC ward congress, saying that the Governor’s style of governance was the reason for the problem.

In a statement he captioned; “When incumbent governor complains,” Hon Eze who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said: “What is currently happening in Imo State did not start today, I have been there. You need absolute humility to lead a proud, educated and independent minded people like Imo indigenes. Any chief executive needs experienced hands around to achieve that. People knowledgeable in politics and life to offer advice and take charge. Only one person is elected the governor of Imo but no one person can successfully govern Imo”.

“I have consistently told my friends in the Rochas administration that the governor’s style won’t help him on political rainy days. Any governor needs the party, a strong cabinet, elected local government officials (ALGON), the people and the House of Assembly in this order. This is because one day, especially during the lame duck stage of any administration, pent up emotions and ambitious must take centre stage. This is inevitable. Then the governor falls on the party, the cabinet and ALGON to weather the storm. The people are mainly spectators then and the House members are also preoccupied with their own issues to fight for anybody with full concentration.

“It is so clear that the Governor does not have these three component buffers to manage this period of long knives. He made the mistake of not building the party at all levels.

APC is not APGA. He also made the second mistake of never conducting local government elections, they are the political tap roots of the structures of any Governor. The war tested and experienced hawks hovering over him now are well aware of these mistakes and are taking advantage. An elected councillor is more relevant in mobilisation and political dog fights than an appointed local government chairman”.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Nigerians to win N7b annually in Gbam Lotto

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ILLIONS of Nigerians are about to receive financial transformation to the sum of N7billion annually as Gbam International Services Ltd, an innovative, dynamic lottery and gaming company, introduces Gbam Luckiscratch, a scratch and win lottery that can now be played online at www.gbam.ng; physical scratch cards will be available in June.

Gbam, the new market disrup-

tors, has also perfected plans to unveil series of innovative products and services that will herald a new vista in the gaming industry and in the process redefine the nations lottery landscape.

With the coming of GBAM, Nigerians, will be availed the opportunity to instantly transform their lives via the new online platform and in a matter of weeks, GBAM Lucki Scratch Cards will be available at leading supermarket, micro

stores, kiosk and independent retailers.

Gbam offers an immersive and entertaining scratch and reveal game, never before seen in Nigeria. The globally known concept of scratch and win has been evolved to create game themes that leverages on Nigeria’s pop culture. The games styles are unprecedented in their entertainment value, mass appeal and empowerment fervor

Licensed by the Nigerian Lottery Commission, with a name that confers instant recognition and conveys an every time gaily mood, Gbam is motivated by the quest to positively transform lives through empowerment and instant situation change as well as philanthropy. This it will do while holding tenaciously to its brand values of reliability, integrity, innovativeness, empowerment, social responsibility and

Factional ward excos emerge in Ebonyi APC

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress held last Saturday in Ebonyi State just did not end without crisis as the event further deepened the crisis rocking the chapter with the emergence of factional ward executive committees.

Hon. Ben Nwaobasi is the chairman of a faction loyal to Senator Julius Ali Ucha while Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze is the chairman of a faction loyal to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu..

Eze Nwachukwu who is the deputy chairman of the party in the state was made the chairman of a faction loyal to Dr. Onu, after they claimed to have impeached Nwobasi. This incident has led to emergence of two factions as Nwobasi still maintains he is the authentic Chairman of the party.

During the party’s ward congress on Saturday, the battle of supremacy was intensified by the two factions. The faction chaired by Eze Nwachukwu Eze succeeded in ‘hijacking’ the seven-man Congress committee.

The congress committee arrived the factional Secretariat on Friday night where they addressed the factional members of the party on their mission. The chairman of the Congress committee, Ajayi Nicholas while addressing them said that he would meet with the leaders and stakeholders of the party with the aim of arriving at a consensus.

“If they fail, we will invoke the powers of the national chairman of the party and conduct the election according to our conscience. We have a state chairman, Eze Nwachukwu. He will guide us. We will consult him. Is God that put him there. Where we discover that he’s playing pranks, we will suspend him and use a local government chairmen and conduct the election and write our result “, Ajayi said.

Ajay’s statement followed a comment by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Eden, who advised the Congress committee to meet with all interest groups to avoid crisis in the Congress.

But it became visibly clear Saturday morning when it was observed the two factions could not reach a compromise. To this effect, the faction led by Hon. Ben Nwobasi conducted its Congresses across the 171 wards, with a committee they had set up to assist to the ‘hijacked’ congress committee.

Nwobasi while speaking to Journalists accused the 7-man committee led by Mr Ajayi Nicholas of being hijacked by the group loyal to Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. He further alleged that the Congress committee absconded while the exercise were still going on in the state.

fun.

With great commitments to enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians, Gbam will strive to create and sustain focused partnership with small businesses that will be responsible and mutually beneficial.

Its products will be as value adding as its mass appeal will be as far reaching. The coming of Gbam is bound to excite the market to no end.

Discharge or hands-off IPOB’s case -- Group tells Justice Nyako

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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•Gov. Rochas Okorocha lead a delegation from Owerri to complain to President Buhari in Daura about the botched APC ward congress in Imo State

‘Our one-man, one-hectare’ initiative has boosted food production- Ebonyi Commissioner

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he Ebonyi Government says its agricultural programme tagged, “One-man, one-hectare’’ has boosted food production across the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Ikechukwu Nwabo, disclosed this Tuesday in Abakaliki.

The `One-man, one-hectare’ agricultural programme was launched in Abakaliki in September 2016.

Nwabo said that the Dave Umahi-led administration procured 40 multi-purpose tractors, distributed farm seedlings and gave out soft loans for genuine farmers under the programme.

He said that the programme was aimed at encouraging participation of the youths in agriculture, adding that there was hunger in the country today because Nigerians were paying little attention to agriculture.

“Poverty in the country is not acceptable, what our governor is doing is to revolutionise the agricultural sector, make more profit and get more people participate in agricultural production.

“The governor is investing so much in agriculture especially in rice, cassava, livestock production and in agro industries and the state is providing good rice seedlings, cassava stems to farmers.

“We have a lot of uncultivated arable lands and our commitment

is to ensure that every arable land in the state is put into agricultural purposes.”

The commissioner also said that fertiliser distribution was being strictly monitored to ensure that it get to the real farmers at government’s subsidised rates.

“We shall ensure that fertilisers are distributed to our local farmers at government’s approved price to avoid exploitation of these farmers by middle men.

We encourage farmers to form cooperative societies to enable them benefit from government’s agricultural loans and other incentives,” he said.

The commissioner also said that no fewer than 20, 000 farmers were profiled under the phase one of the 2018 farming season.

He said that the farmers were expected to cultivate about 29,437 hectares.

Son allegedly hacks 83-year-old father to death in Enugu

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nugu State Police Command has commenced investigation into the alleged killing of a father by his son at Ojinato, a community in the state.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday that the incident happened on May 4.

According to the statement, the suspect’s real name has not been established but investigation is continuing.

It said that the deceased, Pa Nathaniel Chukwuemerie, 83, who hailed from Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, was killed by his son simply known as `The Boy’.

The statement explained that Chukwuemerie, who resides at Ojinato community in the state “met his death when his son identified as `The Boy’ smashed his father’s head with pestle over a yet to be established issue.’’

It noted that following the development, the victim was rushed by sympathizers to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor, and the corpse was subsequently deposited at the Oji River General Hospital morgue.

“The suspect has been nabbed although information from a source closer to the place of the incident revealed that before

ro Igbo group known as Igbo Ekunie Initiative has told Justice Binta Nyako the High Court handling the case of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to either discharge all IPOB members facing trial in his court or hands off the case.

The group made the call in a statement signed by the President Tochukwu Ezeoke and Secretary Lawrence Nwobu.

“The attention of Igbo Ekunie Initiative, a coalition of professionals in Nigeria and the Diaspora was recently drawn to trial proceedings in Mr Nnamdi Kanu’s case wherein, Justice Binta Murtala Nyako declared that Senator Enyinnaya Abbaribe, who had stood as one of the sureties, must produce Mr Kanu or go to jail. We find this declaration illogical, irrational and indeed against the dictates of natural justice.

“We note that Mr Kanu was on bail and was resident in his address until the federal government flouted the law and launched a bloody invasion of his home in full view of a global audience. While dozens of people were brutally killed in Kanu’s residence, Kanu himself has not been seen since the bloody raid.

Against this backdrop, and beyond any doubt, the responsibility for first violating the rule of law by invading Kanu’s home and second his consequent disappearance rests on the Nigerian army/federal government.

“We note therefore that Justice Nyako’s bizarre and illogical declarations continue to demonstrate that she is working on an agenda and script dictated by the federal government. This is more so considering her demonstrated bias overall in the handling of the Kanu/IPOB case.

“The rule of law is the anchor of the modern state and basis for the development of all successful societies. We, however, note that justice Binta Nyako’s Kangaroo court has repudiated the essence of the rule of law and now uses her court to advance the tyranny of the federal government against ordinary citizens. In line with the federal government’s agenda, her Kangaroo court of injustice has continued to prosecute/persecute IPOB members even when it is established that they broke no law and acted within their constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and the right to self-determination.

“We hereby ask Justice Binta Murtala Nyako to redeem herself by quashing all charges against IPOB members and put a stop to the shameful trial/persecution.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

POLITICS

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he Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency seat will probably be the most keenly contested position in in Enugu State in next year’s general election.

Or, better still, it will be the most keenly contested election for a party ticket, since Enugu is 100 per cent PDP and no other party ticket matters in the State—at all.

Although the seat is occupied, many of the gladiators carry on as if the seat is completely vacant. The seat-is-vacant perception itself stems from a certain assumption, rightly or wrongly, that the incumbent has not performed.

But, the incumbent, a miffed Sir Denis Agbo, a former banker and Special Duties Commissioner under former Governor Sullivan Chime, told The Oracle Today recently that those who insist he has not done well in the past three years as House Member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency, are enemies of progress who, politics apart, would never see anything good in what other people do.

Reacting to a post in a group WHATSAPP platform to which he belongs and in which a colleague of his from Imo State was profusely praised for supplying 300kva transformer to each of the entire 57 autonomous communities in the Constituency, a project that cost the federal lawmaker a princely N142m at an estimated N2.5m per transformer, Agbo protested that his own constituency projects were not given similar publicity and promised to make facts available to show that he has done much more for his own community. He spoke about classroom blocks that he has built, water boreholes sunk, electricity lines he has erected, scholarships he has awarded, youth entrepreneurship schemes he has instituted, among others.

But, it would appear that the not-performing perception persists because many in Agbo’s Federal Constituency, a sprawling, thickly populated agrarian enclave practically one quarter of the size of Anambra State, are wont to swear they have never been able to physically count any projects executed in their own part of the Federal Constituency by the Reps Member.

At the moment, there are at least six other heavyweights eyeing the Udenu/IgboEze North Federal Constituency seat besides Agbo. And they are: 1) Honourable Fidel Ayogu: One time chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government (1987), former Member of the House of Representatives (1999-2003) where he was a minority Whip and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, Hon. Fidel Ayogu is currently Enugu State Commissioner for Environment. An experienced and popular politician, he was also a 2003 governorship aspirant in the State on the platform of the PDP. Ayogu’s expression of interest in the House, 15 years after his first outing, is generating a lot of controversy in the constituency with critics saying he has already had his day in the sun. He, however, still has a lot of supporters.

2) Engr. Simon Atigwe: A civil engineer, Atigwe, the local government engineer when Chief Ayogu served as Chairman of Council, is a system’s man who understands, and has been in, the system for some time now. Currently the general manager of Enugu State Rural Electrification Board, Atigwe has a reputation as a shrewd businessminded person and a big-hearted organizer who can make things happen when he has to and wherever he may be.

He vied for the same position in 2015 but lost the primary to Hon. Agbo who clinched the precious PDP ticket and went on to win the election.

Prince Emeka Mamah: Scion of the Igwe Jonathan Mamah family in Ugbaike, EnuguEzike, Prince Mamah who goes by the traditional title of Ide (pillar), is Chairman/ CEO of Ifesinachi Industries (Nig Ltd). Chairman of Nigerian Bus Owners Association (NBOA), he is reputed as the first trans-

At a crossroads over new National Minimum Wage’ Pg 10

One House seat, many eyes on the pie

As the jostling for elective positions in next year’s general election intensifies, FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU examines the politics of Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal constituency and concludes that it presents a big dilemma for the area, a situation that other areas with similar power-sharing arrangement can learn from.

•Honourable Fidel Ayogu

•Dennis Agbo

•Prince Emeka Mamah porter to introduce courier business as an adjunct of a larger land transport business.

Thus, he is the founder/Chairman of IFEX Courier, which became a popular/international brand long before other transporters started adding courier to their business. A personable, shrewd businessman and youth mobiliser who is beloved in the constituency for his humility, Mamah who also Chairman of Grace Manor group of hotels, Mamah served as Special Adviser on Transport to former Governor Sullivan Chime. In 2015, he

•Engr. Simon Atigwe threw his hat in the ring for the House of Reps seat on the platform of APGA but was said to have narrowly lost the election to PDP’s Sir Agbo.

His supporters say he is running on the strength of his experience as a strong contender in the 2015 race.

Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Adukwu-Bolujoko: A highly educated and widely travelled educationist and persuasive speaker, Dr. AdukwuBolujoko is the Managing Director Titsall Global Schools with headquarters in Abuja,

Abia Refinery: Finally, Ikpeazu on verge of birthing dream

Pg 13

FCT. National President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Adukwu-Bolujoko, who is also a member of the Board of Enugu State Primary Education Board (ESPEB), was President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) from 2009-2011.

An education reform advocate, AdukwuBolujoko also contested the 2015 House of Reps seat but lost the primary to Sir. Agbo.

Engr. Ifeanyi Eze: Chairman of Eze Tech Engineering Company, Eze, a young, creative entrepreneur, started creating mechanical and electrical devices long before he entered the university to major in electrical/ electronic engineering. Indeed, long before the advent of GSM in 2001, Eze had developed a wireless telephone system that was in use in Enugu-Ezike and much of other parts of Nsukka cultural zone in Enugu State.

A solar energy expert who develops his own systems and builds the devices in China, Eze is believed to be banking on his massive youth followership to have another go at the House of Reps Seat.

In 2015, he also vied for the ticket but was made to step down for Sir Agbo, who was actually a consensus candidate of the PDP. Hon. Chijioke Ugwu: Chijioke Ugwu is reputed as a successful Chairman of IgboEze North whose tenure witnessed many development projects in the local government. Ugwu contested the House of Reps seat with Agbo but he was in another camp.

After the election, he went to court against the House of Reps- elect, insisting he was the rightful candidate. Although he won at the high Court, which ordered INEC to give him the Certificate of Return (which the Commission did), Ugwu was to reconcile with the mainstream PDP in the State, a development that made him drop his suit against the incumbent. He is coming into the race on the strength of experience and good will.

There are speculations that some other interested persons are yet to come out.

But, whatever be the case, what is obvious is that whether for the incumbent or his challengers, winning the ticket of the PDP for the Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency seat isn’t going to be an easy street walk this time. There are doubts that the governor, who will also be fighting his own, will go the whole hog to “anoint” candidates, as was the case in 2015.

The challenge is made even more complex by the complicated politics of this sprawling constituency, Igbo-Eze North in particular. The virtually one-town local government area (only about three villages are not of Enugu-Ezike town) is politically divided (in a positive sense here) between Umunano and Ozzi communities and political offices rotate as such. If it is true, as has been said, that there is a written powersharing agreement that inveighs against any one of the two communities occupying the two most important political positions in the area, namely, House of Reps and chairman of the local government, at the same time at any one point in time, just how is the whole politics of Igbo-Eze North going to play out in 2019?

The current Chairman of the local government, for instance, is Ozzi while his House of Reps counterpart is Umunano. At the election of the Chairman in November last year, it was formally agreed that Umunano would produce the next Chairman come next year.

In the light of that subsisting written agreement, what, then, is going to happen?

Naturally, the incumbent House Member is raring to go back. And there are others from his area ready to challenge him. With the chairmanship already in their kitty, as it were, would they also have the House? As they say in those parts, would they hold the head of the knife and that of the chewing stick too?

It is a food for thought, which should make political leaders in the area start looking for damage control measures already.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

BOLD & BLUNT

At a crossroads over new National Minimum Wage

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he snail pace at which the current effort to set a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers in the public and private sector is reminiscent of the past two previous attempts. The most recent was on March 23, 2011, when former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), signed into law the bill passed by both houses of the National Assembly, setting the minimum wage at N18, 900, seven years ago.

Before then, the prevailing minimum wage was N5, 500, which came into effect on May 1, 2001, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also of the PDP. Even at N18, 900, many Nigerian employers of labour in the public and private sector find it difficult to pay their workers. So, the Nigerian worker is most times left to trudge through the tunnel of economic hardship, made worse by the harsh economic realities of this time and age.

Following a series of protests from organised labour, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in the wake of perennial fuel scarcity in the country, clamouring for a new minimum wage of N56, 000, President Mohammed Buhari, on Monday, November 27, 2017, inaugurated a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee to negotiate for a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, at the Council Chambers, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja. The tripartite committee consists of the federal and state governments; employers of labour from the private sector and the labour unions.

The private sector is led by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), which is the umbrella body of the largest employer of labour in the country. Under NECA are distinct groups of private sector players such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME). The two major umbrella bodies of amalgamated labour unions are also represented. The NLC is represented by its President, Wabba Ayuba while the TUC is represented by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala; Comrade Sunday Olusoji Salake, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal and President of the Nigeria Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Igwe Achese The private employers of labour are represented by the Director-General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo; Timothy Olawale; Chuma Nwankwo; Director-General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), Mrs. Olubunmi Adekoje; Chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers’ Association, MAN, Alhaji Ladan Gobi; President, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and President, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Prince Degun Agboade. A former Head of Service and Minister of Housing, Ms. Ama Pepple was named as the chairman while former Governor of Anambra State and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige serves as the deputy chairman. Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission serves as the secretary of committee.

Minister, Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udoma; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Eta and Permanent Secrtetary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Roy Ugo. Members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGE), were also included in the minimum wage committee. From the ruling APC are the governor of Imo State, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; governor of Osun State, Rauf Aragbesola; governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu and Simon Lalung of Plateau State.

Two PDP governors, Nyesom Wike of Rivers

•APC Committee on true federalism says states should fix salaries for its workers •Some state governments, private sector employers shun public hearings •NLC insists on new reviewed minimum wage, up from N56, 000 From Port Harcourt, NATH OMAME Jr. writes on the raging controversy over National Minimum Wage and how the seemingly intractable issue of true federalism has been thrown into the mix.

•President Buhari

State and Ibrahim Dakwanbo of Gombe State were also members of the committee. The Director-General of the NGF, Asishana Okauru is to serve as an observer. However, both Wike and Dakwanbo of the PDP did not attend the inauguration of the committee by President Buhari, on Monday, November 27 last year.

President Buhari admitted during the inauguration of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, that “the last minimum wage instrument has expired”, adding: “The government is determined to ensure a fair and descent living wage for Nigerian workers. You are all aware that during the period following the increase in petrol pump price in May 2016, a technical committee was established to examine and make recommendations to government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large.”

“During the deliberations of the technical committee, which comprised government and organized labour, the need for the review of the national minimum wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise,” he added.

President Buhari pointed out: “I hope that the outcome of the deliberations of the com-

mittee would be consensual and generally acceptable. I urged the members to amicably consider the issue of a national minimum wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the work-force but the effect on the country’s economy. The subject of a national minimum wage for the federation is within the exclusive legislative list of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic social protection floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.

“I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and as such should be anchored on social justice and equity. Government’s decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an executive bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law. As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new minimum wage nationwide.

“I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with social partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26

(ratified by Nigeria).”

Buhari appealed: “Accordingly, conditions of genuine social dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I therefore enjoin you all to, collectively, bargain in good faith; have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take. The committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new national minimum wage.”

To arrive at “a consensual and generally agreeable minimum wage for Nigerian workers,” the federal government has conventionally followed the pathway currently taken by the Buhari administration: a tripartite committee of the major stakeholders comprising the federal and state governments, representing the public sector; employers of labour in the private sector and the leadership of organized labour to deliberate and arrive at a figure that can be presented to the federal government whose constitutional responsibility it is to fix a national minimum wage for the Nigerian worker. Although such negotiations, invariably, involve representatives of labour in the private sector, salaries in the private sector are generally higher than those of the public sector. The minimum wage as the term implies is to act, even though it is scarcely enforceable, as a guide to would-be employers of labour.

Organized labour had earlier, through pockets of strikes against hike in the prices of

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

BOLD & BLUNT

•Gov. Nyesom Wike

•President of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi

•NLC-Ayuba-Wabba

petroleum products as well as through seminars, workshops, and written presentations to government, made repeated demands for a new minimum wage of N56, 000. So, the position of Labour, led by the NLC and the TUC, is clear. It is unlikely that labour leaders who were chosen by the federal government to represent the interest of Nigerian workers on the Tripartite Committee On The Minimum Wage would accept anything less than N56, 000. So, their involvement in the process of consultation with other relevant stakeholders is to fulfill the principle of fair hearing and unalloyed participation in the process.

Having made its acceptable minimum wage known to government, what labour leaders are more concerned with now is when the N56, 000 minimum wage that it had earlier proposed would be promulgated into law by the president. At the height of the stinging fuel scarcity during last Christmas holidays, labour leaders expressed their angst and frustration with government by giving a sixmonth deadline in their New Year message to government to ensure that the new National Minimum Wage currently being negotiated was implemented in six months time, that is in June this year.

President of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and its General-Secreatry, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, had in a joint New Year message issued on December 31 last year, insisted that TUC “can no longer accommodate this perennial fuel scarcity in the Nigeria. We urge government to take immediate steps to address its re-occurrence. If it happens, we will direct and mobilize our members all over the country to abandon their cars on major roads.

The congress is also asking all governors owing workers salaries to settle such arrears before the end of the first quarter of this year or face the full wrath of the workers. The TUC also urge the federal government to redouble its fight against corruption.”

The message further reads: “We thank Almighty God for the grace to see another year and equally appreciate all Nigerian workers for their endurance and persistent quest for an egalitarian society. Your tolerance and that of your wards is commendable. Truly the pain we bear is a needless one and we all shall work the correct the anomalies in 2018. While we also laud governments at all levels for a number of successes recorded, it is instructive that the TUC states here unequivocally that Nigerian workers have not only lost their jobs in millions, but many even committed suicide when they could no longer fend for their families.

“It is no news that pensioners (our senior servants) who served this country meritoriously die on a daily basis, even at verification locations throughout the country. Though their pensions are not paid yet, they are burdened to feed their graduate children who are yet to get jobs five years after graduation.

This is not then best of times in our country as Nigerians are subjected to various dehumanizing conditions. How do we explain it, that in the midst of the grueling fuel scarcity, many workers are still being owed up to six months’

salary? Bailouts were given but unfortunately diverted by governors and the federal government seems not to be doing anything about it.

Those governors involved in such irresponsible act should be brought to book. There is no milk of kindness left in our leaders anymore.

They prefer state of the art monuments and the houses as well as five start hotels to human life and the education of our children (the supposed leaders of tomorrow).”

The TUC further lamented: “Families die on our roads, yet they tell us our roads are not as bad as some Nigerians claim. It is only in Nigeria people pay for services that they did not use. If things remain like this the congress may have no option than to hit the street.

We are worried by the astronomical rate at which factories close shop in Nigeria, and the billions spent on medical tourism. There was a report recently decrying the rate at which our medical experts flee the country. Nigerians are brought back from Libya lame, blind and abused. As an organization, we do not blame Libyans. We blame our leaders who have failed to provide the basic things of life. What about our young graduates who have now become prostitutes, political thugs, ritual killers and other categories of criminal?

Clearly, the statements being made by labour leaders and government officials indicate that labour leaders don’t trust the federal government’s effort in promulgating a new national minimum wage before the expiration of its first term of four years on May 29, 2019. At the inaugural meeting of the Tripartite Committee, on December 14 last year, Minister of Labour and Employment and deputy chairman of the committee, Dr. Ngige said workers would soon smile: “The committee, which had brought out a framework to guide it, will conclude its work by the third quarter of 2018 and then submit its report to enable the federal government issue a white paper and subsequently transmit it the content to the National Assembly.”

Labour leaders are, however, not comfortable with Dr. Ngige’s statement that the report of the committee would be submitted to President Buhari at the end of the third quarter of 2018. In their thinking, if the report is submitted to government at the end of the third quarter, how are they sure the federal government would issue a White Paper on it before the end of 2018? Will the Presidency be able to send an executive bill to the National Assembly before the end of December 2018?

How long will it take the National Assembly to debate, conduct its own version of public hearings and pass the bill before presenting it to the President for assent?

Taking into consideration that political activities would have heightened at the third quarter of 2018-- party primary for governorship and presidential candidates, party conventions, electioneering campaigns and impending general elections, the labour leaders feel that the minister’s statement that the report would be ready and submitted to the president at the end of the third quarter is a tongue-in-the-cheek statement, which could drag on up to 2019, and perhaps, be left in a

drawer to gather cobwebs, as politicians and their political parties hit the campaign trail to canvass for votes from the electorate.

They labour leaders are unanimous in their request that the report be submitted and adopted by the federal government at the close of the third quarter in 2018. President of the NLC, Ayuba stated: “It is our expectation that all issues pertaining to the new minimum wage will be concluded before the end of third quarter of 2018 to give Nigerian workers a new hope that the government and other employers of labour have not totally abandoned them.

“Labour will reject any delay or extension on the new minimum wage. This is something that workers have long anticipated and our expectation is that we want a speedy process now that the facts of the issues are very obvious.”

President of the TUC, Kaigama reacted to Dr. Ngige’s statement, stressing: “It’s a welcome development and good news to organised labour if the minister is saying indirectly that the new minimum wage will come earlier than envisaged. We have just set the ball rolling.

We will be very happy if everything can be concluded before the third quarter. Initially, they wanted to extend it till 2019, but we rejected this. We said if this thing is for this administration, then it must happen before the third quarter.”

President of the Medical & Health Workers Union, MHWU, Biobelemoye Joshua responded: “We are certain that if the government employs delay tactics for any reason, labour will react.’’

In another front, the federal government’s effort to set a new national minimum wage that will guide all employers of labour in the country is still receiving knocks from some state governors who feel that they should be allowed to negotiate directly with workers in their states and arrive at what amount they can afford to pay based on their internally generated revenue and the statutory monthly allocation that they receive from the Federation Account.

However, Ngige does not see any reason why the state governors should negotiate what they can afford to pay their workers because the power to legislate and approve a national minimum wage is constitutionally reposed in the federal government.

Dr. Ngige explained: “The Governors’ Forum is represented in the committee and the federal government component is represented by five ministers and the Head of Service of the Federation. It will, therefore, be against the spirit of the constitution for the states to have their own minimum wage.”

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is one of the state governors that have kicked against the setting of a national minimum wage by the federal government, insisting that the states should be allowed to pay their workers according to their financial capacity.

Wike who spoke at a public hearing on the minimum wage conducted by the federal government declared that a national minimum

wage is unrealistic in Nigeria.

“The single national minimum wage system is yet another lie that betrays the distortions in our federation and the structured dislocation of the states in the power equation between the Federal Government and the federating states. It is our view that the country and its workers would be better off if states are allowed to fix and pay their own minimum wages, indexed to the prevailing cost of living and ability to pay. When this happens, it is possible that some states may go beyond the minimum threshold to pay a living wage, which is what our workers truly need.”

The Rivers State governor insisted that the current N18, 900 national minimum wage failed because most of the states have existing disparity in economic potential and capabilities.

The Lagos State government has also declared that it will fix its minimum wage and not the federal government. Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Benson Akintola Oke insisted that “it is within the purview of Governor Akinwunmi Ambodeled state government to decide what to pay workers in the state public service.”

He argued that “if Nigeria’s federalism is well-structured, each of the federating units ought to operate independently, but in synergy with the federal government where both have concurrent responsibilities.”

The Plateau State government has also stated that it can only pay a minimum wage based on the corresponding increase in internally generated revenue and allocation from the Federation Account. The tripartite committee on the national minimum wage is still running into brick walls with other state governments. At a zonal public hearing organised for the North Central zone, Benue, Kwara and Niger states were not represented at Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. Nevertheless, the Kogi State government pledged to abide with the position of the federal government on the thorny issue. To complicate matters, representatives of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), have also shunned some of the public hearings organized by the tripartite committee.

It is not unlikely, though, that some state governments and employers of labour have made written submissions to the tripartite committee.

Cumbersome as the assignment of the tripartite committee is, its task appears to be heading towards a major confrontation with labour as organized labour has declared that it has reviewed upwards the N56, 000 minimum wage it earlier demanded due to the prevailing economic realities. General-Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, stressed: “We have taken a position when we made the initial demand on the government, which is almost two years back. But then when we got to the tripartite committee and the committee called on all stakeholders involved tosubmit a memorandum we reviewed our previous upwards.

“In responding to the request for a memorandum, we then use current economic indices to make a fresh demand. So, what we place and what we demand is an outcome of analysis we carried out. We did the analysis using the current economic table and data of the nation and of cause that came to something different. We are going to maintain what is in the memorandum that we have submitted to the tripartite committee and it is not something or a figure we will be discussing in public.

We have also formerly made the presentation to the committee and we have defended it and we have a different submission from the initial one. We have also taken account of changes between the first demand and the current position.”

Clearly, the federal government’s efforts to set an improved minimum wage, as genuine as its intentions might be, are careening towards cliff as some stakeholders are far, far more interested in covering and protecting their flanks.

While the APC-led federal government is assuring Nigerian workers that it is working towards ensuring a new national minimum wage that will address the nagging issue of social imbalance, inequality and poverty in the country, the APC Committee on True Federalism recommended in its report to the Presidency that is working to fix a new national minimum wage that states should fix their own minimum wage, even as it also recommended the scrapping of local government councils as a tier of government.

Somewhat, the Buhari government is at the crossroads on the new national minimum wage!

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

INTERVIEW How did you get into Biafra struggle?

How I got into Biafra struggle? That is an interesting question. Actually, I have been an Igbo activist before I transited into Biafra struggle. First of all, I was the spokesman of Igbo Lawyers Forum in Port Harcourt. As a spokesman of the Forum In 2007, I went to Keffi to negotiate the release of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike the founder of the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). At that point Uwazuruike was detained along with other regional activists such as Asari Dokubo and Gani Adams of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC). Along the line, they released Dokubo and Adams and left Uwazuruike in prison. It happened this way. They actually targeted Uwazuruike but in other to camouflage the situation they decided to arrest three of them. They arrested Dokubo, arrested Adams and then arrested Uwazuruike last. We found out that it was a trick by President Obasanjo then to deal with Uwazuruike.

Before Obasanjo’s exit in 2007 he released Adams. When Yar’Adua came in, he released Dokubo and left Uwazuruike in prison. When this happened; all the Igbo leaders kept mute, nobody said anything or did anything to get Uwazuruike released. Then I was the spokesman of Igbo Lawyers Forum in Port Harcourt. I couldn’t bear the injustice. Why should they release other militants who were violently confronting the Federal Government and left Uwazuruike who is operating on non-violence principle to languish in prison? These other militants were openly fighting and waging war with soldiers of Nigeria Army and they were not pretending about it but their leaders were released. But, Uwazuruike who is not fighting anybody was kept in prison. Why? I was not happy about it. I couldn’t bear the injustice, so I moved a motion during a meeting of the Igbo Lawyers Forum in Port Harcourt that Ndigbo should rise up and fight the injustice being meted to Uwazuruike and the motion was adopted. Consequently, I was sent to Abuja to fight for Uwazuruike’s release. On reaching to Abuja, I was told that Uwazuruike was detained at Keffi prison. I went to Keffi and met him. We made arrangements and I went direct to meet Dr Chimezie Ikeazor, SAN, who is late now. Ikeazor and myself went to court to solicit Uwazuruike’s release.

The detention of Uwazuruike was what actually drew me into the Biafra struggle.

Let me put it that way. As I moved to solicit for Uwazuruik’s release, along the line other Igbo Lawyers came in and we told Uwazuruike that we want to henceforth use him and MASSOB as rallying point to institute a suite against all wrongs and injustices being meted against the Igbo nation by successive governments in Nigeria. We decided to use Uwazuruike and MASSOB to really fight the Igbo cause of self-determination using the instrumentalities of the law and diplomacy.

We were much ready. We made arrangements to put down the machinery for action.

But, unfortunately after our first appearance in court, Uwazuruike wrote us a letter telling us that he didn’t want us again to be involved in MASSOB and struggle for Biafra. Ikeazor, as an old man then felt bad, I felt bad and other lawyers too were badly disappointed because we discussed how to go about it using the legal methods to fight for the emancipation of the Igbo nation. Ikeazor brought a lot of ideas while I do much of the works.

I was doing the run-arounds. Ikeazor was old and was physically challenged moving on wheel chair, so I did much of the works.

Eventually, Ikeazor passed on. Nevertheless I held on to what we discussed; I held on to the vision of using the legal methods to fight for self-determination and emancipation of the Igbo nation. That was what happened and how I got into the Biafra struggle. By the time I went to London, I now repackaged the vision for self-determination and emancipation of Igbo nation and I am championing it smoothly.

How far have you gone with the vision?

Well, it has been quite interesting. When I came into the struggle in 2004, there was a voice from Igbo politicians who were saying it’s our turn to produce Igbo Presidency, but Uwazuruike said no we want Biafra. Somewhere along the line, TELL magazine published a cover story with the question: What

‘Most pro-Biafra activists have zeal but lack wisdom’ •Biafra struggle could linger, stretch to ICJ– Emekesiri Emeka Emekesiri is a lawyer, pastor, chartered surveyor and valuer and Biafra activist, who is pulling strings in his own way for the actualisation of Independent State of Biafra using the instrumentalities of diplomacy and law. Not as popular as other activists, Emekesiri who claims to have invented the popular pro-Biafra name, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) also has well- structured followers who operate under the umbrella of Movement for Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN). At the moment, he is leading a legal battle for Biafra against Nigeria at the Federal High Court, Owerri, the Imo State Capital. In this interview with THEO RAYS, he speaks on his vision for Biafra, what he has done so far and what he is prepared to do towards realising the Biafra dream. He also spoke on his relationship with other pro-Biafra activists, the 2019 general election and where he feels it is better for Ndigbo to pitch their political tent in 2019. Excerpts: said I won’t go to the Presidency because they won’t grant Biafra because they swore to keep Nigeria one at all cost. I also said that I wouldn’t go to the Parliament, the National Assembly by way of bill or motion because Igbo man doesn’t have enough seat in the Chamber and thus he won’t get a favourable rule there. I said let me use the judicial means. Let me go to court using the available provisions for self-determination in the law to champion my vision.

What I did was that I floated a rights group called Billie Human Rights Initiative and used it as a platform to launch a legal battle with Nigeria for Biafra. Billie Human Rights was incorporated in 2011 and in 2012 I filed a suit against Nigeria, asking the court to grant an order mandating the Federal Government of Nigeria to recognise the right of Biafrans to self-determination and to compel the Executive Arm of Government of Nigeria to send a bill to the National Assembly mandating the National Assembly to grant us the Independent State of Biafra. So, there is now a formal demand for Biafra. There was a formal request for Biafra presented to the Federal Government when I issued the originating court summons from Billie Human Rights, which is representing Biafra in court.

Other Biafra activists have followers, but it appears that you are operating like a lone ranger. You don’t have followers?

•Emekesiri do the Igbo want: Presidency or Biafra? That question touched me and inspired me to go for Biafra because I know they won’t allow Igbo man to be President. I adopted the TELL question as a topic for a bookwork. I started writing the book in 2004 and published it in 2012. So, I moved on with my vision. But, before I actually started to implement what I have in mind, I discovered that there is a burning zeal about Biafra but most activists don’t have the kind of wisdom needed for the struggle. There is zeal but knowledge and wisdom are not just there. Unfortunately, people are not interested in learning.

Everybody claims to know all. Everybody body thinks that he knows everything and needs not to be taught anything. That is the problem we have among Biafra activists. But when I came in, I injected a more defined legal, diplomatic and professional approach to it.

For instance, there was a time some MASSOB members came to my office and I asked them these questions: Ever since you have been doing streets to street protests confronting security agencies and being arrest-

ed and shot at times, have you presented a formal demand to the Federal Government of Nigeria that you want independent State of Biafra and given reason for that? They said no. Have you presented it to Presidency?

They said no. Have you presented it to the Parliament, I mean the National Assembly?

They said no? Have you presented it to any court of competent jurisdiction? They said no. Meanwhile they were contributing money as monthly dues to somebody’s account or whatever nomenclature the money was being paid into, in addition to the street protests. So, people were protesting and paying dues for what they didn’t really know how to pursue.

And they are being arrested and shot to death. That is to show you that some people are very zealous about Biafra but the knowledge and wisdom are not just there. The Bible says that people perish because of lack of knowledge. So, when I joined the struggle, I applied the Biblical words which say ‘seek you shall find, ask it shall be given to you and knock it shall be open to you.’ And as a lawyer, I know we’re to seek, ask and knock. I

Who said so? I have people working with me through Billie Human Rights. I have people working with me under Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra (SCEIPOB) made up of traditional rulers, elder statesmen, diplomats and religious leaders. The Chairman is His Royal Highness Justice Eze Ozobu, who has served as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi) who is also a former President General of Ohaneze Ndigb is the Deputy Chairman, while the Secretary is Col. Joe Achuzia who is now late. All these people are members of Billie Human Rights Initiative who are in court for Biafra against Nigeria. They are the ones who signed the document that authorised Billie Human Rights Initiative to file a case against Nigeria.

I am the brain behind the introduction of what is called Indigenous People of Biafra. What happened was that sometime in 2017, when I was writing the book, Biafra Or Presidency What Do Igbo Want? the United Nations passed a Law that Indigenous People have a right to self-determination. I said okay, since Ndigbo were not annihilated during the Biafra War, the remnants of Ndigbo

Cont’d on page 15

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

POLITICS

Abia Refinery: Finally, Ikpeazu on verge of birthing dream Abia is looking for a path that would catapult her into economic revolution through increased Internally Generated Revenue. And one of the paths naturally open to it is exploring the rich oil deposits in the state. The huge hydrocarbon deposits in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State qualify the state for upstream and downstream activities in the oil sector, a window of opportunity Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is poised to exploit. From Umuahia, BONIFACE OKORO reports.

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, the state took the giant step by signing joint venture agreements with two companies for development of hydrocarbon deposits; complimented with establishment of a modular refinery.

The move has elicited mixed reactions from Abians. While many applaud the Dr Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration for trying to expand the revenue base of the state by venturing into the oil industry, many are watching with cautious optimism to see the end of the beginning of this rekindled initiative.

Rekindled in the sense that Abians have been treated to failed government promises to attract investors to build a refinery in the state.

During the tenure of Chief Theodore Orji as governor of Abia State, establishment of a refinery for harnessing the huge crude oil deposits in the state was a cardinal objective of the administration. The government then held various roundtable business talks with many firms in that direction.

Receiving community leaders from Ukwa at Government House, Umuahia on Thursday, August 29, 2009, Governor Orji told his guests that his administration was determined to build a refinery and a fertilizer plant in the area; a gesture to reward the oil-rich community of Owaza which peaceful disposition which has helped to sustain Abia’s image as the most peaceful of all the Niger Delta states.

The delegation, led by Pastor Onyekachi Nwogu, assured that the people would welcome such initiative with open hands.

Perhaps the first beacon of hope of building an oil refinery in Abia under the T.A. Orjiled administration was raised by the then Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Chief Benjamin Nwankodo, who told newsmen, during the anniversary of Orji’s one year in office in May 2008, that government has commenced negotiations with a foreign firm for the establishment of a private refinery being conceived on the Built, Operate and Transfer (BOT) principle.

He said that as soon as negotiations were

•Refinery

•Gov. Ikpeazu finalised, government would approach the Department of Petroleum Resources DPR for issuance of license.

Later in September 2008, Nevada Petroleum Incorporated, a United States-based oil firm, proposed to build an $800 million refinery in Abia.

Abia Government officials, led by Governor Orji himself, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the project in America when they went to participate in the 2008 edition World Igbo Congress (WIC).

The refinery with a production capacity of 20, 000 barrels per day (bpd) was to be built in 24 months. It would have been ready by 2010.

Sam Hart, then Chief Press Secretary to Governor Orji, told newsmen on September 12, 2008 that the state government’s bargain was only to provide enabling environment and infrastructure, including land, access road network, electricity, accommodation for the officials and tax waivers on some of the company’s activities.

But the project died on arrival, may be because of vitriolic attacks by the opposition.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was in opposition then, alleged that Neveda Petroleum was registered in July 2008 with a capital base of $2000 and lacked both the financial muscle and the technical competence to undertake the proposed refinery project. The party pointedly accused the governor of siphoning state funds through what they called a phoney project. The state had to withdraw from the project.

As the controversy over Nevada was dying down, Shayaz Nigeria Limited dusted its investment portfolio and headed for God’s Own State, with special interest in the black gold.

Shayaz came with a proposal to build 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) production capacity refinery which would be carried out in modular type and in two phases of 50,000 barrels each per day.

The refinery would have been establish under a partnership between the state and the firm and was expected to have been sited at oil-rich Owaza Community. Several joint meetings between government and the firm to drive talks on the project to advanced stage.

President of Shayaz, Alhaji Audu Yaro, said the proposal for the building of the refinery in Abia State was submitted in November 2007, adding that the reigning peace in Abia served as the nectar of attraction for his firm.

He also proposed that Shayaz will build 200 housing units close to the refinery and assured that the firm was quite equipped with the technical know-how and a strong financial base to execute the project, saying the company would mobilise to site as soon as documentations were concluded.

Shayaz, at that material time, was already building the 200,000 barrels per day refinery belonging to Rivers State Government but sited at Ndoni Community in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area.

In 2009, the government announced that it has entered into strategic partnership with the Hermes Juno Consortium to develop several projects in Abia, the first being a Modular Refinery Project and a Fertilizer Plant within the same complex to be located at Owazza in Ukwa-West.

Hopes that the dream of establishing a refinery in the state were raised again when a delegation of the management of the Dubaibased Al-kamali Petroleum and Fuel Trading Limited, visited Abia on October 20, 2011.

Al-Kamali is a leading oil conglomerate in the United Arab Emirate.

Al-Kamali’s business interests span across oil and gas, construction, shipping, haulage, power generation. With branches in many countries, the turnover of the petroleum business arm of Al-Kamali was said to be in excess of $500million then.

Led by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Alkamali himself, Shiekh Bader Ali Abdulla Al-Kamali, the investor held useful discussions with the Abia State government, during which the then Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba, stood in for Governor Orji and the delegation later inspected a site for the proposed oil refinery at Owaza.

They were warmly received by the community. The Paramount Ruler of the area, His Majesty, Eze Young Ogbonna, assured them that their proposed investment was a good development for the community.

Al-Kamali had told the government officials that his company was looking forward to expanding the petroleum up-stream branch of their business interests by becoming a major player in Nigeria’s oil sector.

The Sheikh shunned other oil-producing states in the country that were wooing him and said he chose to set up his business in Abia State because of the existing friendly business atmosphere.

Country Manager of Al-Kamali Petroleum, Mr. Newman Okechukwu, said in a statement after the site inspection that the visit has “achieved its primary objective of acquaintance with the government of Abia state, the traditional institution and the

Cont’d on page 16

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

POLITICS

What I will do if elected to the Delta State House of Assembly – Mulade National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Centre for Peace and Environment Justice, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, in this interview tells OBI OTESIRI about his ambition of becoming an elected Lawmaker of Delta State House of Assembly, promising that if elected, he will offer selfless service to the people of his constituency. He also speaks on the Niger Delta, which he says is in “a coma and needs urgent attention to resuscitate it”, adding that the success recorded in terms of peace-building during the AVENGER era should be built upon. Excerpts:

You have declared interest to contest the Delta State House of Assembly seat of your constituency. What really is your offering?

I am offering undiluted credible service to my people. I will be accessible and accountable. I will offer selfless service and leadership if elected lawmaker.

How do you see the state of the NigerDelta region at the moment?

Niger Delta is in a coma and needs urgent attention to resuscitate it. We need to raise a generation of credible leaders who are ready to rise to the challenges facing the Niger Delta. We need to holistically look at the environment, check illegal activities and high handedness by security agencies as well as build credible peace process for sustainable development in the Region.

Could you tell us the successes recorded in terms of peace building during the AVENGER era?

The successes are empirically verifiable looking at the current peace in the oil-producing regions. There has been near zero oil pipeline vandalisation, zero skirmishes between security agencies and citizens.

The greatest outcome is the increase in oil production, which subsequently increased national revenue earnings.

People are becoming too worried that most government policies are not implemented and this has been a major cause of crisis in the region. What are you doing to ensure that the policies are implemented?

Firstly, government formulates policies that have no direct bearing to the needs of the people. This is so because people sit somewhere in Abuja and formulate policies without carrying the final users along or even trying to secure a buy-in. For any policy to work, there must be popular participation in the formulation by citizens through wide consultations and the people will then make inputs and see such policy as their own. I will continue to advocate inclusive governance and voice for the people.

I will continue to advocate for leaders to be accountable to the people as this will reduce tension and improve the quality of infrastructure and the lives of the people.

Do you intend to work with the private sector in achieving peace in the NigerDelta region?

There are many heavy private investors in the Niger Delta Region. The multi-nationals are involved not only in oil business but other marine related businesses including manufacturing, transportation, hotel and tourism and other small-scale businesses.

All these businesses can only thrive in a peaceful environment. It is imperative, therefore, that the private sector, the government and the ordinary citizen must form a synergy that promotes peace. So, it is in my plan to work with the private sec-

•Comrade Sheriff Mulade

I will lead by example; I will have regular interactions with the youth. I will organise periodic seminars and workshops for the youths. I will encourage the youth to read, learn life-skills, trade and get good education.

”

tor to achieve sustainable peace in the Niger Delta Region.

Did you adopt any mechanism to ensure confidence building between the companies and the people of the Niger Delta region to ensure that the potentials of the locals are fully exploited?

My team and I have consistently consulted with both citizens, extractive operators, the government and other stakeholders in our different town hall meetings, roundtable discussions and conversations periodically.

The outcome of these is that committees are set up to look at different areas of grievances and come to commonality and agreement. By doing this, we established win-win situations for everybody thereby invariably bolstering and fostering confidence of all stakeholders.

The youths of the Niger Delta don’t believe in dialogue. They feel that the only answer they have is violence. What is your advice to them?

This is a wrong perception. The youth strongly believe in dialogue and it is only when the authorities concerned refuse to dialogue that the youth resort to self-help.

My advice is for the youths to explore all avenues of peaceful dialogue and be patient.

Equally, the government or the oil companies should not take the patience of the youth for granted. There must be a mechanism for quick dialogue to address issues before they escalate.

What approach do we expect from you in tackling the issue of conflict resolution in the Niger Delta region if elected to the House of Assembly?

My approach is simple: dialogue, dialogue and dialogue. Engage with the people honestly, neutrally, and show enough concern of genuinely resolving issues for a win-win for all the people concerned.

How would you engage the youths to have a positive, leadership mind-set?

First, I will lead by example; I will have regular interactions with the youth. I will organise periodic seminars and workshops for the youths. I will encourage the youth to read, learn life-skills, trade and get good education. This is a better empowerment that will prepare them to lead and also to hold leaders accountable.

What shall we be expecting in 2019?

You should expect and see me sitting and representing Warri South-West at the Delta State House of Assembly. Expect a more peaceful Niger Delta Region. Expect better development in the region. Expect more responsible and impactful youth in the Niger Delta Region.

What is your advice to Niger Deltans, Deltans and your constituency?

Be peaceful, be vigilant, elect credible people to positions of responsibility, collect your PVC, participate in the electoral process, be peace builders and promote sustainable environment and development.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

POLITICS

Abia Refinery: Finally, Ikpeazu on verge of birthing dream Cont’d from page 13 people.” “This (visit) has given us an insight into the opportunities in oil and gas that can impact on the socio-economic aspects of the area to the benefit of all parties,” the statement added.

A prominent son of Abia, who was part of the Al-kamali delegation, Prof. Anya O. Anya, enthused that the state was privileged to be chosen as location for an oil refinery by the Dubai firm. He said with concerted efforts by both parties, the refinery project would be realised.

The then Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba, expressed satisfaction that international investors were beginning to see the huge investment opportunities that abound in Abia and were making forays to explore and exploit them.

He said Abia Government was resolved to continue to make the State an investmentfriendly environment for foreign entrepreneurs desirous of establishing industries in Abia and assured the delegation that Government would provide them with all the necessary support and information they need for a successful take-off of their oil business.

He said Government had been seeking entrepreneurs that will utilize opportunities in oil and gas in the state and help turn the sector into a major source of employment and an impressive revenue earner for the State.

Commenting on the outcome of the visit, the then Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Chika Ojiegbe, told newsmen that discussions between Government and the visiting team of investors was very fruitful.

“The visit of Al-Kamali, which was initially a fact-finding mission, ended with both sides

making deep commitments towards the objective; with Al-Kamali confirming its intention to build a refinery in Abia State,” Ojiegbe said.

He revealed that several closed door meetings aimed at fine-tuning modalities for Al-Kamali to commence operations in Abia were held between officials of Abia State Government and management of AlKamali, adding that because of the positive outcome, the company has resolved to send a technical team from the United Arab Emirates to work out details of the project after which the Memorandum of Understanding between Government and the company would be signed.

But that was not to be as the company which left with an assurance of returning to build an ultra-modern refinery in Abia never did. The euphoria died with the dream. Sadly and painfully, all efforts enumerated above fizzled out like a spiraling cigarette smoke, into the thin air.

Once again, that dream, is being revived with recent signing of agreements between Abia State government and AG Goldtrust, for the building of a modular refinery, on one hand, and with Whitepage International Concepts Limited, an upstream player, to undertake the development of hydrocarbon deposits in Ukwa West, on the other hand.

The elaborate agreements signing ceremony held at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Eme Okoro, who supervised the exercise.

He represented the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

If realized, Whitepage will undertake explorations for discovery of oil deposits and encourage the state government and indi-

genes to own oil blocks or oil wells while AG Goldtrust, a downstream player, will uptake the feedstock (crude oil) for refining.

The SSG, after endorsing the dotted lines on behalf of the government of Abia State, charged the companies to deliver on their promises within the agreed time frame.

“Our governor conceptualised a development pattern that will feature making sure that we harness resources available as enablers to power the development of this state.

“The exploitation of hydrocarbon resources will elicit interest of development partners and excite investors,” he said, adding that when the relationship with Whitepage is fully exploited, it would “metamorphose into a process that will allow indigenes of this state, or the state itself as a government, to own oil blocks, to exploit the oil blocks” while the agreement with AG Goldtrust, was a business development arrangement that would allow Abia to exploit the entire value chain of the hydrocarbon resources available in the state.

“Signing these agreements is an activity but what is important is galvanizing these activities into results and result is our ability to produce money. Whether the money comes in terms of human capital development or in terms of empowering the people who own the areas so that what we promised our people that we are going to leave them better than we met them will be shown by the smiles that come from their faces, by the exploitation of this resources to the development of their communities. And when we do this and broaden the scope of development, Abia will be better off,” the SSG said.

Managing Director of Whitepage International Concepts Limited, Mohammad Yaku-

bu, told the gathering that the firm ensures oil exploration anywhere there is hydrocarbon deposits, explaining that the state government would be involved “in such a way that they will be able to own an oil block or oil well or a marginal field.”

“If the state becomes an operator like Shell, Mobil, etc, that will bring a lot to the state: employment opportunities, infrastructural development and other developments,” Yakubu added.

On his part, managing Director of Ag Goldtrust, Freeman George Amadi, explained that “setting of up of a modular refinery, among other things that we expect as benefits to government and good people of Abia State, will spur an industrial revolution and that revolution will undoubtedly lead to economic development and wealth creation for the good people of Abia State.”

Amadi also expressed hope that industries shut down in Abia, for example, the textile companies, can be revived when his firm begins operations because the cost of generating power would be significantly reduced.

According to him, the business development period is 16 months, that is from now and when the designs are completed and different stages of approval by the federal government are obtained. “After that, construction itself begins. In about 18 months, we will have products in the market,” he assured.

He said the firm was projecting to produce between 30, 000 and 60, 000 barrels per day but stressed that “everything will depend on the final designs.”

As the parties go about looking for ways and means to realize the agreements, the question on many lips is “does Ikpeazu possess the magic wand to succeed where others failed?”

‘Most pro-Biafra activists have zeal but lack wisdom’ Cont’d from page 12

fact, none of my followers has been arrested for either confronting security agencies or breaching the Law in any form. There was a day they arrested two of my members somewhere around Owerri because Police found them as suspected members of IPOB but after investigation, police discovered that there were not members of the proscribed IPOB, so they were released immediately.

So, going to file a case in Nigerian court is a right step in a right direction. Some people say that Nigerian authorities are fond of not obeying court orders and judgements, but as far as I know when the ICJ gave judgment in favour of Cameroon against Nigeria in the case of Bakkasi Peninsula, Nigeria obeyed it.

I know it is most likely that the case we have against Nigeria could stretch to ICJ and we are much ready for that.

who survived the war are the indigenous people of Biafra. Even though we lost the war and consequently lost our sovereignty to govern ourselves as a nation, we remain indigenous people of Biafra land. That was how IPOB came into existence in the first place. It was Dr Dozie Ikedife who coined the acronym IPOB. So, people who are in court demanding Biafra against Nigeria using Billie Human Rights Initiative are indigenous people of Biafra.

In addition I initiated the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN). MOBIN is the political arm of Billie Human Rights and the aim is to get Biafrans into elective positions across Biafra land. We use MOBIN to play politics in Nigeria according to Nigerian laws and processes. Members of MOBIN have voters’ cards and participate in elections at all levels in Nigeria either to elect or to be elected.

You introduced IPOB, how come that Nnamdi Kanu is the one being associated with it as the founder and leader of the group worldwide?

It is a long story but let me cut it short.

When I was writing the book on Biafra or Igbo Presidency, I went to interview Uwazuruike and he told me that he established a Radio station called Radio Biafra with a view to using it to promote the activities of MASSOB. He told me that Nnamdi Kanu was managing the Radio to his dissatisfaction so he stopped financing the station. Nwada Amarachi, Sam Umeh, Ege Mba and others met me along the line and told me that they have a radio station furnished up to BBC standard but that somebody sold all the equipment.

We discovered that Kanu was using a mobile device-- I don’t how they conjured the equipment. But it was functional. So, all of us, including Nnamdi Kanu, started working together, using Radio Biafra. We started supporting Radio Biafra financially. The Elders started using the radio to educate the people on our activities. Dr Ikedife had a very wonderful broadcast on Radio Biafra, which attracted audience from various parts of the

•Pro-Biafra group world. So, I met Ikedife and told him to transcribe the broadcast into hard copy so that we would distribute it to people. While Ikedife was transcribing it, he coined the IPOB acronym as simply the abbreviation of Indigenous People of Biafra. That was how IPOB came to be. After the Ikedife broadcast, the way the radio station was being used was no longer acceptable to many. At a point, Kanu, Uche Mefor and others went and registered IPOB in the United Kingdom so that today, the IPOB Kanu and others run is actually different from our own, which now operates under the aegis of Supreme Council of Indigenous People of Biafra (SCIPOB) under the leadership of our elders. We cannot quarrel about the development because all of us are indigenous people of Biafra and we are entitled to our opinions. My problem is that you journalists don’t publish our own IPOB but focus on Kanu’s IPOB. You are in legal battle for Biafra in a court owned by Nigeria. What is your hope of get-

ting a favourable judgment? Do you think that a Nigerian court could muster the courage to give judgment against Nigeria and allow the birth of an independent State of Biafra?

Well, there are so many things involved in this case. I would say yes and no to your question. First, I know that going to a Nigerian court may not be favourable but that is a compulsory legal step we have to take in a case like this. We couldn’t have gone to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) because the case has to pass through lower courts before it could be admitted in ICJ. This is one. Secondly, we are in court in Nigeria so as to be protected by the court in the cause of our struggle. Following the fact that we are in court with Nigeria, we are under the protection of the court. Nigerian security agencies cannot arrest any of our members; they cannot shoot us or prosecute us because we have a case pending in court. I can assure you that since I came into the Biafra struggle, I have never lost a single soul. In

The Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB on the grounds that it is ‘terrorist’ group. As a lawyer, is it justified?

First of all, let me explain that it’s Kanu’s IPOB that was proscribed. As you rightly pointed out, as a lawyer, it is incumbent on IPOB to prove otherwise in court and unless they do so, they will remain in the hook of government as a terrorist group. There is a law prescribing them and unless that law is set aside, the validity of the law remains and bears its effect on the accused. So, the onus now lies on the lawyers defending the case to prove to the court that IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu is not a terrorist group.

Ahead of 2019 general election, which party would MOBIN pitch tent with and which would you like Ndigbo to pitch tent with?

Is it APC, PDP, APGA or Obasanjo’s Third Force?

MOBIN will pitch tent with any party that believes in freedom of the people to exercise their right. Any of the political parties that convinces us that our freedom is guaranteed under their administration will get out votes in 2019. Similarly, let Ndigbo pitch their tent with the party that will guarantee our right to enjoy our freedom.

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16

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

INTERVIEW

Why I am in the race for INC Presidency – Prof. Okaba Prof. Benjamin Okaba is a Professor of Rural and Environmental Sociology and currently the Director, Institute of Foundation Studies, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Boasting over 250 published books, book chapters, Journal articles and public lecture presentations on various aspects of Ijaw history and culture, democracy and good governance, development administration and the Niger Delta question, he has post professional training in human resource management, organisational leadership, resource diversification, collective bargaining and peace building in world class institution in United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. A UN Ambassador of Peace, a trade unionist and human rights activist, he is a fully registered member of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and has since 2001 participated actively in INC activities at the zonal and national levels. In this interview with OBI OTESIRI, he explains why he is in the race for the presidency of the Ijaw National Congress (INC). According to him, he is in the race to uphold Ijaw’s collective dreams and goals as a people united in their fight against all forms of injustice, oppression, exploitation and environmental degradation, among other issues. Excerpts: Why are you in the race for the President of the Ijaw National Congress?

I arrived at the decision to run for the presidency of the Ijaw National Congress after due consultation with the Almighty God, key stakeholders and my fellow compatriots across the clans, chapters and zones of the Ijaw Nation I am offering myself to serve our motherland in the capacity of president in order to first and foremost, reposition and rededicate the INC as a truly not-for-profit, non-governmental, non-partisan, nonreligious, self sustaining, masses-driven, socio-cultural platform for the promotion of our core values, dignity and integrity.

I am also in the race to uphold our collective dreams and goals as a people united in our fight against all forms of injustice, oppression, exploitation and environmental degradation. Furthermore, to change the present Ijaw narrative, in which the Ijaw are portrayed virulently as renegades, war-mongers, agents of destabilization, idle and a people whose existence is solely dependent on agitation, militancy, economic sabotage and insurgencies to that of a people who are truly trustworthy, enterprising, principled, industrious, cultured and resilient in our legitimate fight against oppression, exploitation, intimidation and defence of equity, justice and fairplay.

Finally, I am assured that together we can build internal true reconciliatory bridges across our various interest divides and strengthen strategic and diplomatic ties with other socio-cultural organizations with similar aspirations for socioeconomic justice.

What qualities should the Ijaw people seek from one desirous to be their leader?

I am of the candid opinion that in view of the enormous task ahead of us as a people who are still experiencing various forms of neglect, deprivation, oppression, marginalization, social and environmental injustice and gross underdevelopment, and also to deal with the plethora of internal problems and challenges we have as a people, the Ijaw nation should earnestly seek a president of the INC who is a servant-leader and shows strength of character and courage, intellectual sagacity, has local and international exposure, is agile and sensitive, accessible and accountable to the people.

The INC president of our dreams should be one who has over the years practically demonstrated uncommon passion for the Ijaw cause and the Ijaw people and has participated in driving the goals and aspirations of the INC and Ijaw people.

What in your view are the major challenges before the aspirants or better still the

ment on the standard of living of Nigerians?

A deliberate and informed focus on incentivizing and promoting Small and Medium scale enterprises as well as promoting patronage of made in Nigeria products and the indigenous manufacturing sector as opposed to perpetual importation will create more local jobs and in turn better equip our teeming and hardworking youth population for better and prosperous living.

How do you see the herdsmen activities in Nigeria? Do you want President Buhari to declare the rampaging herdsmen as terrorists?

The Global Terrorism Index classifies the Fulani herdsmen as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world, the first three being Isis, Al-shabab and Boko Haram. The declaration or non-declaration of any group or organization as terrorist has nothing to do with one’s personal opinion but the assessment of the activities of the group as it fits into the universally prescribed classification.

According to Amnesty International as at January 2018, the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria had killed 168 people across Nigeria especially in the Middle-belt, with 549 deaths in 2017. Recently, in Benue State, two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners were killed by the herdsmen during an early morning Mass.

Since terrorism is the use of intentionally indiscriminate violence and intimidation as a means to create terror among masses to achieve an ideological, religious or political aim; it is clear, therefore, that the rampaging Fulani herdsmen fit into the description of full-blown terrorists and should be proscribed.

In the light of the state of the Niger-Delta at the moment, do you think Buhari is committed to the region’s development and peace?

It is obvious that the present administration has not done anything differently to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta beyond the usual rhetoric. For instance, PANDEF and other notable socio-cultural organisations in the Niger Delta have at various instances presented demands and a roadmap to sustainable peace in the region, which the government is yet to implement.

Ignoring the recommendations of the 2014 confab on the Niger Delta is another way of expressing a lack of interest in addressing the critical problems of the Niger Delta. To show commitment to the problems of development and peace in the Niger Delta, the Buhari administration must address the needs of true federalism, which implies political restructuring, resource ownership and control and devolution of power.

• Prof. Benjamin Okaba incoming president?

The key challenges the incoming president of INC will need to deal with in order to reposition the organization as the voice of the masses of the ijaw people will include, first and foremost, addressing the problem of multiple factions and interest groups within the INC. The second critical challenge is that of political and economic self-sustenance. The third is the issue of building the confidence of the Ijaw people in the INC’s leadership’s ability to effectively and selflessly articulate, represent, protect and defend our collective dreams, goals and aspirations. Fourth is the absence of the masses’ participation in INC decision- making process. Finally, the incoming president will also need to deal with the issue of over-bloated electoral college, which makes INC elections too ex-

pensive to be undertaken independently by the INC as and when due.

What is your reading of the political dynamics that will shape 2019?

There seems to be no hard and fast rules or issues that will shape the political dynamics in 2019 though certain critical issues are signposts to cause a paradigm shift among which include reactions to the state’s management of the activities of the rampaging herdsmen and Boko haram insurgency, accusations of nepotism, increasing youth exclusion from political participation, a growing social and economic dissatisfaction with the status-quo and the clarion call for political and economic restructuring across the country.

How would you task the federal govern-

If elected President of the INC, what will you want to be remembered for at the end of your tenure?

I will like to be remembered for my success at true reconciliation and unification of the Ijaw people under the platform of the INC and IYC, the promotion of research and publication of the Ijaw people, our cultural heritage and the Ijaw National Congress, good quality representations at municipal, regional, national and international levels, for proactiveness, accountability and accessibility to all especially the downtrodden village dwellers and providing linkages for empowerment of our women and youths.

How would you end this interview?

I express my special appreciation to the heroes of the age-long Ijaw struggle, the founding fathers of the INC and other Ijaw leaders of thought, our ever-resilient freedom fighters, the peace-loving Ijaw people, present and past governors of Bayelsa State for their individual and collective commitment to sustaining the Ijaw cause and struggle. I pledge to build on and consolidate the impressive gains made so far.

The Oracle Today

17

Wednesday May 16, 2018

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Debt servicing, budget delay stall Nigeria’s economic growth

By VICTOR NZE

T

•Minister, Budget & National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

level is to identify interventions (policy, regulatory, institutional and investment, and others) that are best suited to realize development potential of sub national regions and integrate domestic markets.

“For Nigeria to tap its spatial drivers of development, policymakers may want to focus on investments that reinforce clusters and economies of scale; optimize the connectivity between rural areas and the major urban mar-

CBN EXCHANGE RATES MAY 8, 2018 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

304.75 US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING 412.2049 362.7744 EURO 303.1433 SWISS FRANC CFA 0.5369 435.331 WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI 47.8503 81.258 RIYAL SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 24.2213 DANISH KRONA 48.6899

305.25 412.8812 363.3696 303.6407 0.5469 436.0453 47.9293 81.3913 24.261 48.7698

305.75 413.5575 363.9648 304.1381 0.5569 436.7595 48.0082 81.5246 24.3008 48.8497

kets; and address structural and land management issues in major urban nodes and along major growth corridors to remove or alleviate barriers that undermine the growth potential,” read the report.

With a worrying debt profile, and a staggering deficit of nearly half its projections, economic experts had expected that this year’s Appropriation Bill of N8.612 trillion presented to a

HE continued stall in the passage of the 2018 Appropriation Bill portends further danger and decline for the country’s economy in the face of the World Bank advice to policymakers to retune strategies for negotiating Nigeria out of looming financial distress and onto the path of growth and increase in non-oil, non-agriculture sectors.

The 2016 Appropriation Bill was signed into law in May of that same year. The trend continued with the 2017 Bill which was signed in May of last year.

With the first quarter of this year already ended, the 2018 Appropriation Bill is now expected to be signed by end of the second quarter despite it being submitted in November of last year.

A World Bank Nigeria Bi-annual Economic Update titled; Connecting to Compete, and released last week, had noted that the decline in the non-oil, nonagriculture sector continued into the year, as aggregate demand remained weak and private sector credit low.

“The rates of unemployment and underemployment increased in 2017 and poverty is estimated to have increased slightly. GDP growth in 2018 is expected to hover just over 2 percent, largely oil sector-driven,” the report said.

IMF further advised the country’s policymakers to promote spatial integration and sub-national specialization which would stimulate diversified, long-term growth.

“This can be achieved through market specialization and differentiated positioning strategies for industrial clusters across the country.

“The key challenge for policymakers at the federal and state

joint session of the National Assembly on November 7, 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari, should have been signed into law long ago.

Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof Uche Uwaleke, said the delay in passing the budget was negatively impacting on the recovery of the economy.

Uwaleke said the blame game by the lawmakers was not good for economic growth and development.

According to him, blaming the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for not providing the required information on their budgets showed that the lawmakers were yet to get the budget formulation process right.

“Going forward, this crucial stage of the budget process needs to be made more transparent and inclusive with the input of the National Assembly accommodated at the early stage before the document is finalised and formally presented for consideration. “More importantly, specifying timelines for stages of the budget is needed now more than ever before,” Uwaleke said.

Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd, Malam Garba Kurfi, described the situation as unfortunate for a country that just exited recession and should be concentrating on recovery strategies, even as he urged the Senate President to sanction those delaying the budget instead of complaining.

He said the NASS had failed to keep to its April target for passing the budget and this was not good for the economy.

According to Kurfi, the budget should have been passed latest

by January as it was submitted early.

•Tourism

Energy

Oil price upside sparks industry price war Travel

P20

Marriott hotels announce 30% discount offers in new seasonal promo P26

Insurance

PenCom assures RSA holders access to mortgage financing P28

Cont’d on Page 19

Stock Market Highlights As At 8TH MAY, 2018

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

S/N

41,155.80 4,217.00 563,619,285.00 N5,768,591,773.00 N14,907,867,708,879.28 N10,157,904,489,394.30 N7,725,969,099.84

Coy (By Volume) Volume

FCMB GUARANTY ZENITHBANK SOVRENINS FIDELITYBK

Value(N)

297,522,698 N745,216,417.77 59,475,132 N2,705,866,111.20 32,535,290 N893,480,130.20 18,676,589 N4,097,887.58 17,898,325 N44,480,125.37

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close MOBIL N180.4 PRESCO N70 CCNN N22.35 JBERGER N28.05 GUARANTY N45.05

Five Tope Losers

Current Change %Change N188 7.6 4.21% N72 2 2.86% N23.45 1.1 4.92% N29 0.95 3.39% N45.65 0.6 1.33%

Symbols Last Close Current Change %Change FO N43 N40.85 -2.15 -5.00% NB N128 N127 -1 -0.78% DANGCEM N248 N247 -1 -0.40% NASCON N21.4 N20.5 -0.9 -4.21%

The Oracle Today

18

Wednesday May 16, 2018

BUSINESS

Zinox expands assembly plant, set to deploy robotics Stories by VICTOR NZE

Z

INOX Technologies Ltd., has finalised arrangements to expand its hardware assembly and production capacity with the acquisition of a 129,166.925 square feet warehouse.

The company is also considering the deployment of Robotics in handling the certification processes in the new assembly plant which will be located in Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos.

Through the new facility, Zinox will assemble the products and devices of other multinational Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) which it has recently signed agreements within a bid to domesticate technology and generate employment opportunities for many unemployed but skilled Nigerians.

The move, which will significantly boost Zinox’s assembling capacity, is also in line with the company’s Future Visions mandate which is targeted at anticipating the future of technology and creating products for the savvy consumers in areas such as Internet of Things (IOTs), Robotics, Artificial Intelligence etc.

A Nigerian-based OEM that has endured the peculiar pains and challenges that have stifled many businesses in the nation’s technology sector, Zinox has enjoyed a measure of confidence and patronage from several blue-chip companies and multinationals such as Shell, Chevron, Total among others, for whom it has supplied high-end personal computers (PCs), laptops, workstations, desktop units, monitors and other accessories.

Gideon Ayogu, Head of Corporate Communications at Zinox disclosed that the new assembly plant

will help the company expand its capacity to meet the changing demands of a dynamic market and employ more Nigerians.

“As Nigeria’s IT identity, we have not lost focus of the fact that no country can claim to be independent until it achieves technology independence. We have gained trust with global tech giants such as Microsoft Corp, Intel Inc. and many others. All we need is the support of the government and people of Nigeria.

“The acquisition of the new facility and expansion of Zinox’s assembly/production line is a critical step in the right direction as it will go a long way to boost our internal capacity and effortless delivery of large-scale rollout projects, all of which require meeting very tight deadlines. We have worked with several big institutions in the recent past such as Shell, Chevron, NCC, INEC and others. for whom we have implemented the rollout of major computer hardware and accessories. Expanding our assembling capacity will further equip us with the agility to scale and take on more of such deployments, both in the private and public sector and not outsource jobs to companies in other countries thereby empowering their citizens when many tech-savvy Nigerians graduates are unemployed and crying out for opportunities to show their competence.

Zinox is expected to open up the new assembly plant by Q3 2018, expectedly reducing the pressure on the existing production/assembly plant at the company’s headquarters.

PTAD adds 717 verified parastatals’ pensioners to payroll

P

ension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has added 639 Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and 78 NDA (Civilian) pensioners to its payroll and paid their April 2018 monthly pensions.

639 Federal Housing Authority (FHA) pensioners were paid a total of N11, 954, 362.31 while 78 NDA (Civilian) pensioners were paid a total of N1, 940,511.63.

This new batch of enrollees were verified by the Directorate during a validation exercise which was held across the country’s Six (6) geopolitical zones in Q4 2017 towards sustaining a comprehensive and credible database of pensioners domiciled at the directorate.

It will be recalled that the Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor had assured pensioners that their entitlements will be computed and they would be enrolled to receive monthly pension payments even as approval is been sought to clear all arrears for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) started verification of defunct and privatized agencies in Q4 2017, with the verification of Federal Housing Authority (FHA), New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), NICON, Nigerian-Re and Delta Steel Company (DSC) pensioners across the country. In

Q1 2018, pensioners from the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL and its subsidiary, Mobile Telecommunications Limited, MTEL, were verified and the computation of their benefits is ongoing.

•12-year-old Nigerian ICT whiz-kid, Oluwatomisin Jasmin Ogunnubi, displaying her prize of $4,000 from Keystone Bank Limited.

31m Nigerians now enrolled in BVN project – CBN

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has captured no fewer than 31 million account customers in its Bank Verification Number (BVN) project aimed at ensuring unique identifier in the Nigerian banking industry.

CBN Director, Banking and Payment System, Mr Dipo Fatokun, disclosed this in a paper titled, `Nigeria’s progress towards the creation of a robust, trusted and inclusive Financial Services Environment’ delivered at the annual meeting of the ID4Africa movement on in Abuja.

Fatokun said the CBN had also linked a total of 43,959,282 banks accounts in the BVN project.

“To address the absence of a unique identifier in the Nigerian

banking industry and to facilitate the creation of inclusive financial services environment.

“The CBN in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee launched the BVN Project on Feb. 14, 2014, with biometric solution, as a unique identifier for all bank customers.

“The objectives includes the following: increase access, convenience, service levels across the industry; enable greater financial inclusion and integration of financial services into the economy, with its attendant positive impact on economic development,’’ he said.

Fatokun said the BVN was also targeted at promoting safe and sound financial system in the

country.

He said that the BVN has helped in the provision of unique identity for customers that impact other areas such as credit check, and non-repudiation of transactions.

According to him, the BVN has also helped to increase deterrent controls on financial transactions and reduce or mitigate fraud risk and identity theft.

“Most importantly, it has created avenues for people who cannot write regular signature to make financial transactions, thus, facilitating financial inclusion.

“As at December 2017, the implementation of the BVN Project recorded 31,426,091 registered BVNs and 43,959,282- accounts linked with BVN,’’ he said.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it has started harmonising taxes in Nigeria as part of moves to reduce cases of multiple taxation.

Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Babatunde Fowler, announced the plan at a roundtable discussion on women and the informal sector. The roundtable was organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on Friday in Abuja.

Fowler, who was represented by Ms Clara Nnachi, Senior Manager on Investigation, said that the administration would soon sort out all problems of multiple taxation in states.

He said that this would give Nigerians clear direction of what tax to pay, alleging that many states hide under FIRS to tax citizens.

“Some of the taxes Nigerians complain of as being imposed on them, especially on the market women, are done by states, not FIRS. The Joint Tax Board as a body is working together with the FIRS to harmonise tax collection from small businesses all over Nigeria.

“We have the National Tax Implementation Committee working on the National Tax Policy to harmonies the taxes that are being paid in different states. It is going to address the issue of multiple taxation,’’ Fowler said.

He expressed optimism that the government in a very short time would come up with policies on harmonised taxation.

The tax boss added that the gov-

ernment understood what the people, especially those in the informal sector, were going through.

He said the National Tax Standard Board was also doing a lot toward harmonisation of taxes.

With the bodies coming together in a short time, he said the Federal Government would be able to address the issue of multiple taxation.

Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Abdullah Candido, said the council was also working to curb multiple taxation in the FCT. Candido, who was represented

by Ms Ramat Abisola, Supervisory Councillor for Education in AMAC, said many people parading themselves as the council’s staff and collecting taxes were fake.

He said that the council was working on ways to stem this act and bring the perpetrators to book.

President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Mrs Ruth Agbo, said women as traders and farmers were part of the labour force contributing to economic growth.

Agbo, however, said women were being over-taxed. “Most of the women in the informal sector do not have shops. They are forced to trade outside but they are still taxed by different tax collectors.

The taxes are many; sometimes, the women cannot complain because of ignorance.

FG to harmonise tax payment nationwide – FIRS

Minister rallies tourism writers’ support ahead UNWTO/CAF Meeting

M

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has solicited the support of Nigeria’s tourism journalists and writers for the country’s hosting of the 61st UNWTO/CAF Meeting in Abuja 4-6 June 2018. ‘’We are keenly aware that we cannot host a successful UNWTO/CAF Meeting without you,’’ the Minister said during a meeting with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) in Lagos on Monday. ‘’I am therefore using this occasion to solicit your support for the success of the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO/CAF,’’ he said.

Mohammed described the tourism writers as Nigeria’s foremost brand ambassadors, whose writings go far beyond the shores of the country and influence the opinions of foreign tourists, adding: ‘’With that tag (of brand ambassadors), a lot of responsibility is placed on you.’’

He said the UNWTO/CAF Meeting is a great opportunity for Nigeria, ‘’in that - apart from the socio-econom-

ic gains - the event will put Nigeria, and the nation’s tourism industry in particular, on the world map, attract foreign research experts and promote the necessary network that will form the basis for future cooperation.

The Minister described as apt the theme of the Meeting, which is: ‘’Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development,’’ because ‘’it will give us the opportunity of strengthening our tourism data gathering and analysis, which is an area in which we have been relatively weak.’’

He said with participants coming from the 51 African countries that are members of the UNWTO as well as representatives of the UN agency, other international organizations, local and international media as well as experts and stakeholders from the public and private sector, the meeting will provide a good opportunity for Nigeria to showcase itself to the world, especially in the area of its culture and tourism.

Mohammed also said that Lagos State will host the Technical Visit aspect of the meeting, which will be used to showcase Eko Atlantic City .

The Oracle Today

19

Wednesday May 16, 2018

BUSINESS

PR experts call for increased professionalism

Stories by VICTOR NZE

E

MINENT professionals in public relations, academics and the media have called for increased adherence to journalism ethics, improved skills in investigative journalism and retraining among media practitioners in order to tackle the growing menace of fake news.

Speaking at the 2018 edition of the Annual Gold Medal Lecture of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) in Lagos, the experts lamented that the growing trend of fake news has become hurtful to communication, particularly public relations which is anchored on message believability.

A panel of discussants and the audience derived their admonition from the paper on “Communicating Effectively in the Era of Fake News, Alternative Facts and Post-Truth,” by the Guest Lecturer and pioneer Dean of the

School of Media and Communications, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo.

The PRCAN Gold Medal Lecture was chaired by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, with the Publisher of BusinessDay newspapers, Frank Aigbogun as the moderator. In the discussion panel were former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George; Nigeria Editor of Africa Check, David Ajikobi; and the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Dotun Oladipo.

“With the growing increase of online and social media platforms acceptance, fake news has increased as everybody with a phone can be a reporter, editor and publisher all at the same time without the burden of social responsibility, standards or ethics,” Prof. Biakolo lamented. This,

he explained, had led to different versions of the truth.

“What the trained journalist considers the truth might be his own truth as a journalist, while the bearer of the fake news who is not trained might consider his own version of the truth as the real truth while he considers the trained journalist’s own version as the alternative truth. It’s about perspective and power dynamics,” he further said.

The Guest Lecturer pointed out that trends had changed from

the days when well-trained journalists were the only gatekeepers of news, with news content and practitioners going through strict processes and training which involved high-standards before publication. “Today anybody can be in the purview of their room and disseminate alternative facts, multiple truth, post-truth or fake news without recourse to any standards or regulations,” he further said.

In his intervention, the NIPR President shared his experience

with fake news. According to Sirajo, he was astonished by the report of a small fire incident in Kaduna which was exaggerated by carriers of fake news on one of the social media platforms.

Earlier in his welcome speech, President of PRCAN, Mr. John Ehiguese had disclosed that the Annual Gold Medal Lecture is a thought leadership platform and one of the many initiatives through which PRCAN promotes the growth of public relations and communication in Nigeria.

Chevron boss bags 2018 PETAN Leadership Award at OTC

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hairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/ Mid-Africa Business Unit, Jeff Ewing, has received the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Leadership Award at the 2018 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston Texas, United States.

The award was given on Tuesday May 1, 2018, at the Oil and Gas Industry Dinner and Award event, organized by Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN); an association of oil and gas industry services providers in Nigeria; as part of activities at this year’s OTC holding from April 30 to May 3, 2018.

According to PETAN, the award was in recognition of Jeff’s leadership and professional excellence in helping to drive the development of Local Content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry.

Speaking on the award, Jeff thanked PETAN for the recognition, adding: “The award reflects the industry’s recognition of the

outstanding Chevron Way values, which represent who we are and drive the way we do business”.

He further affirmed that Chevron companies in Nigeria support Nigerian Content Development not out of a need for compliance to an act, but as “part of our business values.”

The award is the high point of PETAN’s activities at OTC, which was attended by many Nigerian based companies including IOCs. Remarking, Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, gave the opening remarks, in which he highlighted the Nigerian Government’s efforts at reforming the oil and gas industry and making it globally competitive through policy and legislative reforms. Jeff highlighted CNL’s over 90% reduction in gas fare over the last 10 years as an outstanding effort at gas commercialization and flares out, and an example of what the industry is doing to monetize flared gas in Nigeria.

The four Nigerian kids sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc to the 2018 Power Pitch Winner of the Smoke-Free World category of the Conrad Foundation Spirit of Innovation challenge summit in the United States

SAATM pact signatories grow to 25

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IGNATORIES to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship project under the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), have grown to 25, as Nigeria and South Africa still hold back on joining the pact.

SAATM which seeks to liberal-

Debt servicing, budget delay stall Nigeria’s economic growth

Cont’d from Pg 17

“I hope that NASS does the needful by ensuring the approval comes this month to enable the economy grow faster,” he said.

More worrying for Nigeria is the figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), which indicated that the Federal Government spent a total of N4.3 trillion to service the country’s debt obligations to local and foreign debtors between January 2015 and September 2017.

Already, mounting public debt among LIDCs has also caused economists at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to raise the alarm.

“The possibility for external shocks, I think, is significant. And

if that happens, there may not be a kind of universal debt crisis that we saw in the 1980s and to some extent at the end of the 1990s. But any country that gets hit by such a shock is guaranteed not to be able to make the SDGs by 2030,” said Richard Kozul-Wright, UNCTAD’s Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, last Monday in his report.

Nigeria’s debt servicing figures are computed from the quarterly budget implementation report prepared by the Budget Office.

The sum of N1.06tn was used to service debt in 2015. The amount rose to N1.31tn in 2016 before hitting N1.54tn in 2017.

Further breakdown of the N1.54tn debt service figure for 2017 showed that domestic debt servicing with a total of N1.48tn accounted for a huge chunk of

the debt service obligations. The N1.48tn is about 96.1 per cent of the entire amount spent by the nation on servicing its debt.

Foreign debt servicing obligation followed with the sum of N55.8bn or 3.9 per cent of the entire debt service amount.

The report read in part, “Total debt service in the third quarter of 2017 stood at N613.21bn, signifying a N197.24bn or 47.42 per cent increase above the N415.97bn projected for the quarter.

“It is expected that the debt profile of the country would rise considering the fact that we have a deficit budget and even the deficit side of the budget was not met in the last budget year.

“With the recession of last year, government would need to continue borrowing to meet the increased size of the deficit. Of

ize and unify the African skies was launched during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU on 28 January 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Through the advocacy activities of the African Union Commission course, the borrowing portends danger for the economy because our debt profile is rising and we do not know when we are going to scale it down,” said DirectorGeneral, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Chijioke Ekechukwu.

Deputy Director of the IMF’s Strategy, Policy and Review department, Séan Nolan, said almost three quarters of lowincome developing countries faced higher government deficits in 2017 than during 2010–2014, with Low Income and Developing Countries (LIDCs’) median public debt-to-GDP ratio hovering around 47 per cent, up from about 33 per cent, he added.

The International Monetary Fund classifies countries in three categories, namely; Advanced Countries (ACs), Emerging and Developing Countries (EDCs), and the Low Income and Developing Countries (LIDCs). Nigeria is officially listed among the LIDCs.

(AUC), the African Civil Aviation Commission and the Ministerial Working Group on the Single African Air Transport Market, the number of Member States that have signed the Solemn Commitment has increased from eleven to twenty-five.

The establishment of the SAATM follows on the 2015 Declaration of African Heads of State and Government in which they reaffirmed their commitment to realise the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) on the liberalisation of civil aviation.

The SAATM should enhance connectivity on the continent and foster the development of the aviation sector, tourism and trade. As such, it is expected to contribute to the objectives of the Action Plan for Boosting IntraAfrican Trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The AUC has estimated that the SAATM will translate into 300,000 direct jobs with further two million opportunities created indirectly.

Nigeria withheld its signature to the agreement following issues raised by the Organized Private Sector calling on Federal Government to review contents of the deal which the operators claimed put them a disadvantage in competing with other African markets.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday May 16, 2018

ENERGY

Oil price upside sparks industry price war ...Service firms want rates reviewed

•Bank Anthony Okoroafor

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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HE rising prices of crude oil in the international market are raising new commercial debate between producers and service providers on the costrevenue benefits associated with market returns.

According to oil service providers who spoke on the issue, the rising prices of crude oil and natural gas at the international markets are creating huge revenue gaps between the oil and gas producing firms on the one hand and companies which provide oilfield services that sustain production of the cash yielding commodities on the other hand.

And discussions are holding between both industry groups on the stake on service companies in the improving price cycle.

After years of watching fees shrink during the industry’s price and activity downturn, oilfield service firms; including providers of drilling and associated services, well services, geological and seismic services and engineering services in conventional petroleum plays as well as well fracturing firms and sundry contractors in unconventional oil production sites; are holding discussions around upward renegotiation of service fees.

For service companies, “now is the time to start aggressively renegotiating pricing contracts that they had set when prices were a lot lower. Seventy dollars is a very strong signal of psychological recovery,” according to Petersen of Stratas Advisors who was speaking about issues affecting shale oil and tar sand plays in the United States and Canada respectively.

In Nigeria, the muffled conversations among some service firms are about to set agenda for

industry cost debates as stronger prices breathe life into upstream activities, empowering operators to muster enough revenues to reactivate strings of investments in asset acquisitions, new developments and enhanced oil recovery activities that target greater market returns.

However, the improved market benefits made possible by the market engineering championed

by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in coalition with 10 non-member producing nations is creating cost gap between operators and service firms that currently face demands from domestic labour unions and rising cost of mobilising equipment to meet contract targets.

Demands by oil workers’ unions for improved service conditions for their members in the service sector, and rising cost of materials and equipment, industry sources say, are benchmarked against price movements in the export market. Thus, cost of service follow price movements, leading to service fee negotiations along price inclinations.

The Oracle Today reports that government and operators had in 2015 when oil prices took a slide to about $30 per barrel renegotiated all oil service contracts that were based on the pre 2014 boom price cycle of $115 per barrel, trimming the contract values in line with global movement for industry cost efficiency.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which wields overriding influence on cost determination through the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), had extracted cost discounts on existing oil service contracts as the local industry struggled to sustain operating margins by beating down

cost.

According to Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, government and operators clawed back princely $2.0 billion discounts from oil service firms through contract renegotiation.

He the huge saving came solely from renegotiated upstream contracts being executed by its various service providers, adding that the measure was part of pan industry quest to continually drive down the high cost of production in the industry.

Dr. Baru said the industry was working on cost reduction and efficiency as key features to make the industry more efficient and deliver more revenue to stakeholders.

The low price cycle, pruning of margins from existing contracts and job drought had combined to press the service sector down in the past three years, leaving most of the firms in dire financial straits as overheads run at a period of protracted redundancy. Yet the oil service firms who invested huge funds in staff training were reluctant to release skilled hands, leading to disputes with labour unions over unmet commitments to workers.

Widespread picketing by labour unions and threats of massive restaffing by oil service firms still rage; and the service companies hope that rising oil prices, uptick in industry activities and expected upward review of contract terms might save the situation for the domestic petroleum industry where government is grooming local capacity to trap down the huge upstream budget in enhancing gross domestic product of the local economy.

The Oracle Today reports that oil prices has since headed up from the crushing 2016 level of $30 per barrel and touched $74

per barrel weekend as OPEC plus 10 coalition continues to curb oversupply amid market sentiments that take consideration of building tension between Iran and the West over stuttering nuclear deal.

Brent crude oil settled up $1.25 at $74.87 a barrel. The global benchmark ended the week up 0.3 percent. The current oil price is more than twice the level when local operators and NNPC beat down oil service contracts by over $2.0 billion.

Besides, the stronger prices pull up the cost of labour, materials and equipment. And the rising cost of delivering oilfield services has implication on the capacity of the service companies to deliver on full expectation of clients.

Leader of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Bank-Antony Okoroafor, could not be reached for comments by eminent members of the group stressed the need to revisit the 2016 contract cost templates to reflect the new outlook in the industry.

Former Chairman, Mr. Emeka Ene, said that service companies are currently losing money without realising it because, according to him, labour demand and cost of mobilising equipment are rising with oil prices while old cost templates still apply.

He said discussions on cost review have not been made public because of fears that operators might withdraw patronage from companies demanding cost review. He said while everyone was still in price cutting mode, shortage of equipment keeps creeping in on the industry.

He pointed at prevailing scarcity of core tubing materials as part of the outcomes of the base cost templates that currently rule the service industry. He added

that most service firms are beginning to find it difficult to mobilise equipment to site due to low service fees.

Spokesman of the group, Mr. Ranti Omole, confirmed that the service companies are currently beset with crisis associated with cost of materials and labour, adding that rising demand by labour unions ride on the back of rising oil prices which, he lamented, have not yielded commensurate revenue impact on oilfield service companies.

While pointing out that oil service firms are currently squeezed in the midst of cost cutting measures in the industry, Mr. Omole stated that asset operating firms ought to be more flexible in service cost considerations to guarantee sustainable local capacity for sustainable cost efficiency.

He argued that cost of services should be reviewed alongside commodity prices in the domestic environment, adding that oil services are not currently valuated to reflect operating margins in the industry.

On why local service companies are not collectively pressing for review of fees, he said most of the local service firms are currently preoccupied with survival after long period staff and equipment redundancy.

He called on operating companies to evolve flexible cost mechanisms that would avert capacity loss in the local service industry, pointing out that capacity erosion under the prevailing stringent cost pressure would impose greater cost on the operators who, according to him, would be forced to spend more on imported foreign services.

Mr. Omole called for a complete cost cycle that would requires a broader medium to long term industry outlook .

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Wednesday May 16, 2018

ENERGY

FG soon to announce refinery rehab contract winners

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onsortium of contractors selected by government to rehabilitate Nigeria’s four refineries will soon emerge as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which is driving the import exit programme of the government concludes the tendering process.

Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, declared at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in United States that efforts are ongoing to resume internal fuel production by revamping existing local refining capacity and also licensing small scale refiners.

He said combination of existing capacity of 445,000 barrels per day plus total capacity of some 32 small scale processing plants, otherwise called modular refineries, would produce enough fuel to enable the country end importation of refined products by end of next year.

Dr. Baru said measures have been taken to actualize the December 2019 target set by government to end the importation of petroleum products into the country.

He pointed at ongoing arrangement with the original builders of the refineries to return them to at least 90 per

cent capacity utilization before the 2019 deadline, adding that tendering exercises for companies interested in the rehabilitation programmes of the nation’s four refineries using a contractor-financing model had been completed and successful companies for the different projects would soon be announced.

“This model is expected to be a self-sustaining financial model with near zero reliance on the federal government funds.

For smooth running and implementation, we are also changing the operating and commercial framework of the refineries to make them work efficiently and be commercially viable,’’ he said.

Besides, Dr. Baru stated that the corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources were also collaborating to encourage the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta area to encourage job creation.

He disclosed that, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had issued licenses to 13 of the 35 expressions of interest for the establishment of modular refineries in the country.

According to him, the lingering programme to transform

Ghana, Nigeria in race for investors at OTC

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HE two biggest economies in West Africa which currently for the focus of international petroleum investors, Nigeria and Ghana, were locked in a gentle competition to woo investors at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, United States.

Whereas Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, shunned the global forum that hosts innovative expositions on new ways of doing oil and gas business, his Ghanaian counterpart, Mr. Boakye Agyarko, took opportunity to throw out information about opportunities presented by the country’s growing petroleum industry.

But the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, took the stage to offer investors insight into the country’s changing operating environment and the opportunities available to commercial players.

At their presentation at the Africa Procurement Forum hosted by the US Commerical Service during the 50th Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Agyarko and Baru, highlighted opportunities in their respective oil, gas and power sectors.

Minister Agyarko revealed that Ghana was working plans to become a regional petroleum hub, adding that the country which depended on Nigeria for petroleum resources since independence is committed to creating an environment for the private sector to take position in support services like legal services, finance, telecoms, logistics, services, and others.

According to him, the Ghanaian petroleum hub would be completely privately funded.

In presenting Nigeria to the world, Mr Baru stressed that natural gas is the strong focus of Nigeria for the coming years and that opportunities within the sector are far-reaching.

The plan, according to him, includes further increased monetization of associated gas through innovative solutions such as miniLNG, in-situ power generation, CNG, among others.

Another goal for Nigeria, Baru stated, is to become a regional refining hub.

Both speakers highlighted their strong talent pools and local content regulations and suggested investors monetize their production to the large regional markets, and in Nigeria’s case, nationally with its population of 197 million.

Nigeria from a net exporter of crude oil to a net exporter of petroleum products would be a reality.

The Oracle Today reports

that Dr. Baru was conferred with the PETAN Award for exemplary leadership for his commitment to the growth of local companies in the petroleum industry.

Chairman of the association, Engr. Bank Anthony Okoroafor, described the NNPC GMD as a strong pillar in the actualization of the federal government’s Local Content dream.

Governor Serieke Dickson of Bayelsa State (l) presents certificate of asset management proficiency to the GMD of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, USA.

Metering Gap: PHED deploys 100,000 prepaid meters P ORT Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) says it has deployed about 100,000 prepaid meters to enhance billing efficiency in four states under its power distribution concession.

The company also declared that it has created over commercial feeders to enhance service delivery to nearly half a million customers covering residential and commercial clusters in Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar.

The Oracle Today reports that deployment of prepaid meters has since been advocated by stakeholders and regulators as the indispensible measure in addressing billing disputes that mainly account for huge commercial losses that build debts in the gas-topower chain.

Distribution companies which have consistently defied regulations that require them to provide about 80 percent metering coverage in their market concessions argue that they needed massive investments to provide meters with which to bill customers.

The consequent metering gap which creates opportunity for the highly condemned practice of estimated billing is at the centre of metering disputes and unwillingness of customers to pay electricity bills.

Head of corporate communications at the company, Mr. John Onyi, said the company which provides electricity supply services to customers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states delivered new set of meters as part of its effort to bridge the metering gap in its distribution network.

The meters which were deployed in 2017, according to the company, would contribute to addressing customers’ complaints arising from estimated billing.

He also said the company is working on enlightenment campaign designed to inform customers of the need, gains and benefits of energy conservation.

He said PHED has also carried out

energy efficiency programme to educate customers on how to manage their electricity consumption in a manner that is efficient and cost effective.

“With regards to metering challenges, we do have our fair share.

However, we are recording mileages. For instance, in the business year 2017, the company took delivery of over 100,000 pre-paid meters with a view to bridging the metering gap in the system and to eliminate customer’s complaints arising from estimated billing.

“As we speak, we are optimistic that we would triple this record as we explore our metering project for all initiatives in collaboration with state government within our licensed area.

“The programme is aimed at educating PHED customers both resident and industrial on how best they can manage energy usage to save cost.

This yielded positive results as it has

reduced complaints from customers in areas where energy efficiency has been fully adopted,” he said.

The Disco also disclosed that since inception, it has undertaken some projects and measures in improving service delivery to over 450,000 customers and still counting. A situation the company said has resulted in the creation of 34 commercial feeders and the extension of 24/7 power supply to cluster areas of Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar.

“Plans are ongoing to conclude and commission similar projects in other cities of our licensed area. As a customer-centre company, a modern call centre that works 24/7 was established and staffed with trained personnel to receive faults and any other electricity-related feedback and complaints from customers with a view to forwarding same to the relevant department for immediate attention, resolutions and prompt action,” he said.

Niger extends lease tenure for Savannah Petroleum

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NTERNATIONAL wild cat explorer, Savannah Petroleum, is to continue exploration in Niger Republic after making landmark discovery in operated exploration licenses.

The British independent with exploration focus in Niger and Nigeria, stated weekend that it received a one-year extension to its R1/R2 PSC with the government of Niger.

The extension is the first phase of Savannah’s Exclusive Exploration Authorization (EEA) under the PSC, and has been granted in accordance with the terms of Savannah’s PSC and within the provisions of Article 40 of Niger’s Petroleum Code.

The first phase of Savannah’s R1/ R2 EEA will now expire on August 5, 2019. The Second phase of the EEA is therefore expected to expire on August 5, 2021, with the third phase now expected to expire on August 5,

2023.

All other terms of the PSC remain unchanged.

Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Petroleum, said “Following our recently announced Bushiya discovery in the R3 section of the R3/R4 PSC area, we are pleased to have been granted this extension. Whilst no firm decisions have been made at this stage, the extension provides us with greater flexibility to plan potential additional 2018 drilling activities, unconstrained by PSC timing issues.

“We look forward to providing our stakeholders with updates on our forward plans in this regard over the course of the coming months.

As ever, we remain grateful to The Ministry of Petroleum of Niger for the support they have provided the company, and in providing this extension to the R1/R2 PSC.”

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday May 16, 2018

e-Platform MTN Nigeria grows data revenue by 73.2%

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TN Nigeria increased service revenue by 14.4 per cent year-on-year, a 73.2 per cent increase in data revenue and 15.2 per cent growth in voice revenue.

This is also the mobile operator announced, Thursday that it has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Benin following a dispute with the regulatory authorities on the frequency of fees.

The MoU includes the settlement of historic frequency fees, a five-year licence extension and the addition of fibre to the loop (FTTx) to the existing licence conditions settled by the payment of XAF35bn (R796m) in May 2018 and a second payment of XAF35bn in December 2018.

Negotiations around future frequency fees are continuing and expected to be concluded by the end of June 2018, Group president and CEO Rob Shuter noted in the group’s performance for the quarter ended March 31.

This comes after a deterioration of relationships with regulatory authorities in Nigeria and Benin which date back a number of years.

In South Africa, MTN is engaging with authorities on the proposed amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, to deliver the “most cost-effective coverage” for South Africans and to provide “much needed” resources for the national fiscus

Meanwhile, MTN also reported that it was making strides in the other African countries in which it operates.

MTN said its service revenue growth of 9.1 per cent and group voice revenue growth of 5.4 per cent was led by Nigeria and Ghana operations. The group also reported data revenue growth of 26.9 per cent.

“In Nigeria and Ghana we made good progress on the IPO (Initial Public Offering) processes, which we aim to conclude during 2018.

“To this end, we will be releasing full financial results for MTN Nigeria. On 20 April 2018, we received all required regulatory approvals to proceed with the IPO in Ghana, which we expect to launch in late May 2018,” Shuter said.

MTN Nigeria increased service revenue by 14.4 per cent yearon-year, a 73.2 per cent increase in data revenue and 15.2 per cent growth in voice revenue.

According to Shuter, MTN Nigeria’s stronger-than-expected growth in revenue allowed the business to benefit from increased scale.

“With expenses well-controlled, and the naira stable, the EBITDA margin expanded in the quarter to 41.8 per cent.

“MTN Ghana benefited from the improving macroeconomic environment and stable competitive environment. The operation

• Managing Director, SPDC, Mr. Osagie Okunbor (l); COO NNPC, Mr. Rabiu Mohammed; and MD SNEPCO, Mr. Ojulari at a conference in Abuja.

reported strong service revenue growth of 29.3% year-on-year, led by a 51.5% increase in data revenue.”

Shuter added that MTN is making progress in Cameroon, where the group intends to sign a revised licence later this month.

However Cameroon remains

a “challenged market”, having recorded a worsening operating performance during 2017. Service revenue declined 6.8 per cent year-on-year.

“Notwithstanding the weaker start to the year, we remain confident of the business returning to positive growth in the second

half of the year,” Shuter said.

Voice revenue declined by 16.6% year-on-year, while data and digital revenue grew by an encouraging 15.7% and 106.0% respectively. Month-on-month revenue increased by 700% to account for 4.1% of service revenue.

Tech industry must address Enugu Govt. equips 150 schools with ICT items cybersecurity, others – UN E

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echnology companies have an obligation to address the unintended consequences of advances like artificial intelligence and innovations that enable damaging cyber-attacks, said Atti Riazi, chief information technology officer at the United Nations.

“It’s not the responsibility of the UN and governments,” she said.

“It’s the responsibility of technology companies to say we have created this space, it has implications, it has unintended consequences and we have to figure out how to address it. You can’t just create and innovate without thinking.”

For example, AI has the potential to bring many benefits, including the way the UN is using it to better predict trouble spots globally and to monitor human trafficking and deforestation. But Riazi is also worried about predictions it could lead to mass unemployment.

The UN can’t mitigate AI’s negative outcomes or outlaw malicious uses without help, said Riazi, who also serves as assistant secretary general. “Nobody can enforce it,” she said of rules that would ban certain uses of AI. “You’ve created this species of technology, internet, with algorithms, which is beyond our understanding and it is growing, and it is growing exponentially.”

For starters, the UN, governments and nongovernmental or-

ganizations worldwide have far less money to spend than the private sector, she said. Riazi spoke an in interview last week in Seattle where she was visiting companies including Tableau Software Inc. and organizations such as Microsoft Corp. Co-Founder Paul Allen’s Vulcan. In meetings with technology companies, she said she is raising the need for more work and cooperation.

Cybersecurity is also a “serious issue” that is not being addressed, she said, including concerns there could be a cyber-attack in Syria to worries about aging energy infrastructure.

The UN has signed a contract with Tableau and is using the company’s data-visualization technology to modernize its systems and do a better job of predicting crisis situations in advance rather than responding after the fact, Riazi said. For example, the UN tried using data like monitoring the price of grain to predict possible unrest after the recent elections in Kenya.

When voters expect unrest, they stockpile grain, Riazi said.

The organization is also hoping to use a technology called SkyLight developed by Allen’s Vulcan to combat the depletion of fish populations. Vulcan built the system, which uses satellite imagery and data-analysis software to help countries spot and catch unlicensed fishing boats.

NUGU State Government says it has equipped 150 schools with Information Communication Technology (ICT) items to encourage the use of computers in secondary education in the state.

Chairman, Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), Mr Nestor Ezema, staid this on Wednesday in Enugu when the State House Committee on Edu-

cation visited the board as part of its oversight function.

He said that the board equipped 150 schools, mostly in rural areas, with ICT items in line with the state government’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice.

Ezema explained that the difference between a child in private school and a child in government school was about

4G Lite: Minister urges Airtel to ensure full coverage

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inister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu has called on Airtel Nigeria to take its 4G Lite service to all parts of the country to boost internet penetration in both the served and underserved areas.

Shittu made the call on Thursday night in Abuja at the launch of Airtel 4G Lite.

He said Airtel should ensure that it delivers its 4G experience to every doorstep not only in Abuja but throughout Nigeria to ensure inclusiveness for all no matter their social or income status.

“I charge Airtel Nigeria to simplify the process of connecting to the 4G network as it is rolling out specific offers that will be of delight to all telecom consumers regardless of income and social status.

“I urge you to sustain this giant stride in the interest of ensuring equity amongst the various communities in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The minister said he was happy with the launch of the 4G as it aligns

with the plan of empowering Nigerians and democratizing mobile broadband by making it affordable to all.

According to Shittu, without doubt, the 4G will improve productivity and help drive economic activities across the Abuja metropolis.

“The Federal Government is happy to celebrate with Airtel on this milestone and other effort aimed at achieving a robust network service in Nigeria, ‘’ Shittu said.

Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said the launch of the 4G would assist in accessing the internet very quickly.

Ogunsanya said that the launch has been done in Ibadan, now Abuja and they are also working to launch the 4G in Lagos, He said Airtel has different price plan for every purchase, we have as low as one hundred naira and as high as eight thousand naira so that customers can pick the one they can afford

equipment and the usage.

He said that the state government also approved for recruitment of 2000 teachers who were being recruited in batches by the board.

Ezema said that the board had recruited 1000 of the teachers while the remaining 1000 would be recruited after due diligence.

He assured that the state would no longer lack teachers, especially in the rural areas, by the time the board completed the exercise.

He said that the board had placed a ban on inter-zonal transfer to ensure that teachers no longer influenced their transfer from rural to urban areas.

Ezema said that the state government had trained 11,000 teachers to update the teachers on modern teaching.

Earlier, the chairman, State House Committee on Education, Mr Mathew Ugwueze, said the visit was to identify challenges facing the board and how to tackle it.

Ugwueze frowned at the alarming rate of land encroachment in public schools especially in the rural areas of the state, further calling on the public, companies and financial institutions to partner with the government in the construction and renovation of schools, saying that the government cannot do it alone.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday May 16, 2018

Travel & Hospitality Marriott hotels announce 30% discount offers in new seasonal promo Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ARRIOTT International, Friday, unveiled offers for the upcoming hot months for guests at its various hotels spread across the Middle East and Africa to enjoy an unforgettable summer.

With a mega 30 per cent off available for Marriott International’s

loyalty members and 20 per cent off for non-members, offers available across participating hotels, restaurants, lounges and spas from a choice of over 200 hotels are not to be missed.

Neal Jones, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, said: “Whether guests are seeking ex-

traordinary desert, resort or city experiences such as reliving the Bedouin way of life at the only resort in a Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai; to intimate views of the Pyramids at Marriott Mena House, Cairo; hopping onto the ski slopes in the midst of the summer heat when staying at

the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai; or simply lapping up the sun on the luxurious white sand beach at The St. Regis Mauritius Resort , Marriott international has an option suitable for all.

“Time is so valuable for busy people, and through our seasonal offers we are delighted to be able to provide guests with an exceptional opportunity to utilize their time to create memorable experiences at many of our amazing hotels.”

The summer offers announcement follows the company’s new unified loyalty programme across Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton

Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) which will launch in August 2018.

Under the promotion, Members will earn more points faster than under the prior programs – on average 20 per cent more points for every dollar spent.

“This year, we’re recognizing our loyalty members with even better rewards as ongoing appreciation for their continued support – we aim to ensure that our loyal members always have an extraordinary experience beyond the norm and lifelong memories to boot,” he concluded.

By CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

tourists, historians and research scholars amongst other visitors.

Others include’; “ika uta road walk/visit to Umuokpu (head of the villages), and the “Opu Eke Umunwayi,” among other programmes.

The annual festival, according to the Committee chairman, ranks in the same category as Kebbi State’s Argungu Fishing festival, Lagos’ Eyo Masquerade festival, OsunOshogbo cultural festival of Osun State, Iri-Ji of Imo and Abia states and the Mmanwu Uzo-Iyi festival and others documented by the United Nations.

He noted that before now the festival which was grossly neglected, has been revived by the new traditional ruler of the community, His Imperial Majesty, Obi Austine Chukwuezugo Ndigwe(Eze Uzu 3rd). Adding further that the community’s stakeholders were united in his support as he makes this maiden outing geared towards restoring Awka’s Pride of place in the global cultural map.

According to Chinwuba, international agencies, corporate bodies, banks, top government fuctionaries and politicians, as well as neighbouring communities within and outside of Anambra State have indicated interest to attend the event in solidarity with the Eze Uzu Ndigwe who they described as a prominent generous businessman.

“This is also foreign and local investors, as well as members of the diplomatic community are also being expected.

“Hotels within and around Awka, the Anambra State capital, were already fully booked for the week by guests who intend to savour the experience of the rated Imoka festival,” he said.

Imoka Cultural Festival began more than one thousand years ago by our progenitors at the Nome Imoka shrine at the present site where the great daughter of Awka was interred.

“It was reputed to exude healing, blessings and protective powers to those all, hence the high reverence being accorded the memory.

“The high priest who was usually chosen from within a particular family supernaturally and lives within the precincts of the shrine takes care of and tends to the Imoka and its visitors.

“There are historical relics of its evolution inside the shrine which are part of what visitors, tourists, scholars and researchers see and take note of,” Chinwuba.

Hotel bookings peak in Awka over 2018 Imoka festival

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••

From left: Special Adviser, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson; Minister of Culture and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde presenting a cheque for N1m to winner of the IBILE Comedy Challenge during the Lagos Laughs Season 2 which held, Sunday.

HE 1,000 year-old Imoka Cultural Festival in Awka has now gone international, according to Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, Ozo (Dr) Aneze Chinwuba, during a media briefing to announce preparations for the 2018 fiesta, the countdown of which has already kicked-off.

Chinwuba listed a unique weeklong line-up of activities already in place to usher in the grand-finale this Sunday, May 13,2018 to include display of masquerades, raffle draws, competition amongst the beautiful senior masquerades, tour of the Imoka groove by visiting

‘Dubai Pass’ announced for tourists, Data: Minister seeks MDAs’ cooperation as arrivals hit 15.8m in 2017 in developing tourism

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ubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is set to launch a new way for visitors to enjoy the city’s exciting range of attractions, experiences and tours.

Announced at the recentlyconcluded Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the product, tagged; Dubai Pass, is an all-inclusive pre-paid card, which grants cashfree access to 33 key events and venues across Dubai, making it the perfect way for tourists to explore the city’s world-class destination proposition. It will be available to redeem from 16 May 2018.

Starting at AED399, the pass offers ‘Select’ and ‘Unlimited’ packages, with a specially-curated list of popular attractions and experiences.

These include Burj Khalifa, Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Wild Wadi Waterpark, Ski Dubai, Desert Safari Tours, and many more.

With every purchase, visitors will also receive a 50% discount on tickets to La Perle – the city’s one-of-a-kind live entertainment show with acrobatics and aerial stunts – by simply presenting their Dubai Pass when buying a ticket to the show.

Meanwhile, Dubai Tourism has released its Annual Visitor Report 2017, providing an in-depth cross-

sector analysis of the Emirate’s tourism performance last year.

The report revealed that Dubai’s record international overnight visitation in 2017 totalled 15.8 million, rising to a strong 6.2 per cent over the previous year.

Other key findings and highlights of the Annual Visitor Report 2017 include: Dubai’s top 10 source markets contributed a share of 59 per cent of total tourist volumes, with the remainder made up of highly diversified markets across the globe.

Also, three out of four visitors were families and couples, with individuals making up 14 per cent, friends 8 per cent, and colleagues 3 per cent of total visitation.

“73.8 per cent of tourists travelled to Dubai for leisure purposes, with those visiting friends and relatives making up 13.9 per cent of the total, and business travellers 11.5 per cent. 77 per cent of visitors chose to stay in paid accommodation, as opposed to staying with friends and relatives.

“The gender mix was fairly balanced, with 47 per cent women travellers, while the party size averaged at 2.5 persons, staying in Dubai for an average of 7.6 days.

“The Dubai Mall remained the city’s most popular attraction, drawing 97 per cent of visitors, followed by The Dubai Fountain with 81 per cent, and heritage and cultural districts with 63 per cent.

M

INISTER of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called for cooperation among the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the generation of relevant data that will assist in making policies and planning decisions for the development of tourism in Nigeria.

The Minister made in call in Abuja, Monday when he received the Technical Consultant of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on Tourism Statistics, Mr. David McEwen, on a courtesy visit to his office.

McEwen is in Nigeria to meet with the various MDAs of government with a view to developing a framework for the generation of data in the nation’s tourism industry.

“Tourism, as an industry, and the other sectors are interdependent, so it’s not by coincidence today that while Mr. McEwen is here, he is going to interact with at least ten other parastatals or departments and ministries, including the National Bureau of Statistics; the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC); the Nigeria Police Force; the Central Bank of Nigeria; the Nigerian Immigration Service; the National Park Service; the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria; the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria and the National Population Commission and other bodies,” Mohammed said.

He said the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, which develops policies for the tourism industry, does not generate the data required

for policy formation and planning for the industry, hence the need for cooperation and coordination of the relevant MDAs. “The coordinating role of the ministry is of great importance and is for us to ensure that we persuade and get the cooperation of all the other different actors in the industry for us to be able to plan and develop,’’ the Minister said.

According to him, most of the agencies that generate the data are not under the purview of his ministry, but their input remains paramount in order to develop tourism in Nigeria. In his remarks, Technical Consultant on Tourism Statistics of the UNWTO, McEwen, said tourism is one sector that depends largely on other sectors to succeed.

“I don’t think there is any industry that needs coordination and cooperation like tourism. It’s one part of it that the airlines can’t do without accommodation and the accommodation can’t do without the airlines,” he said. The UNWTO Consultant said from the experience he gathered from other countries, statistics generated by other agencies and organs play a vital role in attaining the objective of tourism development, hence, the need for the government to play a vital role in the development of synergy for tourism to thrive in Nigeria.

McEwen said there will be a Technical Workshop on Tourism Statistics for stakeholders on the way forward, during the UNWTO/CAF Meeting to be hosted by Nigeria in Abuja in June.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

ISSN: 2545-5869

EDITORIAL

www.oraclenews.ng

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Fulani herdsmen: Eye for eye, blindness for all

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VERYONE knows that a Fulani herdsman is above the law. The remaining contention is why he is above the law. The federal government in its responses is surprised Nigerians are willing to accept that Fulani herdsmen kill (in the most gruesome manners), rape, burn villages, destroy farm lands and move to next destinations to repeat the crimes.

GOVERNMENT denies that the criminals are Fulani herdsmen or admits that they are Fulani herdsmen but foreigners, warns Nigerians to accommodate the excesses of the Fulani herdsmen as neighbours. It is impossible to know how to co-exist with Fulani herdsmen, who have risen to befuddling new heights in impunity.

EXCUSES that government officials make that the attacks are reprisals for cattle rustling are not true. Why do Fulani herdsmen not report their stolen cattle to the police?

Where do they acquire the sophisticated weapons with which they annihilate villages? Who trains them? Where do they train?

Why are they so certain they would not be punished? Why does the federal government not condemn the attacks?

WHY do federal government officials treat victims of the attacks as if they are the aggressors? In the countless instances of these attacks, there are indications that they are massacres, executed to the last details, with the leisure of time on their side. Security agencies would arrive hours after to record the horror. The villagers are blamed if they defended themselves.

WHEREVER these attacks have taken place,

the grisly pictures of the dead, their throats silted and pregnant women disemboweled, have become common sights. The criminals often return with deadlier outcomes.

The reactions have become normal: media headlines, visits by some officials to scene of attack and promises to apprehend the offenders, which never happens.

THERE have been attacks in Plateau for ages.

Other States that were attacked are Abia, Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Taraba, Zamfara, Nasarawa, and Ekiti. GOVERNOR Nasir el-Rufai, while the attacks raged in 2017, used public funds to finance missions by the Nigeria Air Force to secure the cattle of Fulani herdsmen, which he said were being rustled. He must have learnt from President Buhari, who on a visit to Sokoto State, promised a battalion of the Nigerian Army would be deployed to the area to deal with cattle rustlers.

BENUE State has been attacked variously. Tiv villages bore the brunt until 2016 when Agatu, an Idoma settlement was attacked.

Nothing has been done about finding the killers. Instead, series of meaningless meetingsthat the to appease to the Fulani herdsmen have been held.

GOVERNOR Sam Ortom’s new-found anger is belated. When the attacks raged in 2016, he ignored them. His preference was to hold political office, afraid that a condemnation of the attacks could offend his party, which controls the security agencies that have consistently failed to stop attacks, or protect villagers who warn of impending attacks.

ATTACKS in the South West have been far between. Clashes with farmers in Iseyin, Oyo State, lasted for years. Remarkably, Muhammadu Buhari, now President, made a visit to Oyo State in 2001, after an attack in which the Fulani herdsmen did not fare well, to lambast Governor Lam Adeshina on the handling of the crisis. Governor Adeshina stood up to him, wondering why an elder statesman, a former Head of State of Nigeria, would take sides, without finding out what happened. Buhari stormed out of the meeting.

SIXTEEN years after, it was the turn of Alhaji Mohammed Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, a Senator, to turn up in Ile-Ife to ask why Ifes defended themselves after Fulani settlers attacked a man, whose wife one of them molested. The whole town erupted and more lives were lost.

What was Kwankwao’s point except to emphasise that the Fulanis were above the law, whether they were herdsmen or settlers?

LIKE his brother governors, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State incensed people with his comments that tended to blame the Ifes, while it was known that the Fulanis were the aggressors. The attack against Yorubas in Sagamu in 2008, just like the Ile-Ife attacks, generated a lot of media attention, possibly because of

the proximity to Lagos, the hub of the media.

A COUNTRY that once condemned discrimination in all its known forms, a country that crafted its Constitution and condemned discrimination in all its ramifications, now applauds, justifies, encourages, and identifies with the oppression of its people under guises that promote principles that negate democracy and civil rule.

SECTION 17 (3) of the 1999 Constitution abhors discrimination and pointedly expects that Nigeria would direct its policies towards equity, fairness, and justness. “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that- (a) all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment”.

IS Government making any efforts to cater for the interests of Nigerians, even if the question is limited to the management of the clashes between Fulani herdsmen and other Nigerians? Why does the federal government concede the destruction of others’ lives and livelihood to Fulani herdsmen?

WHEN would governments punish Fulani herdsmen for their various crimes? Why has the earlier lull in the attacks since 2017 been broken? Unpunished impunity creates more impunity. It is time we broke the cycle by punishing the guilty, whoever they are, without fear, or favour.

PATIENCE is running thin on several fronts. The calls for self-help are no longer mere suggestions. But Mahatma Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”

THE more people know that government and security agencies would not defend them, when they know that government security agencies would belittle their pains, as the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris did by referring to the killings in Benue State as communal clashes, they would defend themselves.

CONSEQUENCES may include escalation of inert tensions and unimaginable lawlessness. They are all preventable if government is more equitable in punishing impunity.

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

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

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

OPINION Putin’s 4th term: More a coronation than an inauguration

By ANDREW E. KRAMER

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ladimir V. Putin took the oath of office on Monday (May 7, 2018) for a fourth term as Russia’s president, in a ceremony staged in a gilded Kremlin hall once used to crown Czars and replete with pageantry, highlighting his vast accumulation of authority after nearly two decades in power.

Mr. Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In a theatrical touch, a televised ceremony began on Monday with Mr. Putin sitting at his desk in the Kremlin, suit jacket looped over his chair, as if hard at work until moments before the ceremony. A phone rang, letting him know it was time for his fourth term; he donned his jacket and walked alone through the red-carpeted Kremlin corridors and into a hall packed with about 6,000 invited, cheering guests.

In a short speech, Mr. Putin suggested his focus had now turned to domestic matters and improving Russia’s economy for the “well-being of every family,” though there were no words of reconciliation in the country’s tense relations with the West.

“The country’s security and defence capabilities are reliably ensured,” Mr. Putin told the audience of government ministers, lawmakers, religious leaders and celebrities.

“Now we will use all the possibilities we have first of all for the resolution of internal, and most essential, tasks of development,” he said. “A new quality of life, well-being, security and health for the people, that is what is important today.”

Mr. Putin won re-election in March with nearly 77 per cent of the vote, the largest margin for any post-Soviet leader. It was a result that his backers said showed widespread

support, but one his critics dismissed as illustrating the stifling of any real opposition.

While lower key than Mr. Putin’s inauguration in 2012, the ceremony’s regal themes nevertheless gave it the air of a coronation.

The honour guard and flag bearers wore uniforms with tall military caps, of a style dating from Russia’s war with Napoleon in 1812.

The ceremony itself unfolded in a Kremlin hall used to crown three Czars — Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II — as well as previous presidential inaugurations. And later, Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, gave Mr. Putin an 18th century icon while blessing him for his new term.

Abroad, Mr. Putin has sought to restore Russia’s sway in world affairs. During his third term as president, he intervened militarily in Ukraine and Syria, putting him at loggerheads with the West. And, according to U.S. intelligence agencies, he directed Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election to aid Donald J. Trump.

At home, he has presided over the restitution to power of the security agency he once served, with many high officials and corporate executives now former officers like Mr. Putin. But the domestic economy has continued to lag, only recently emerging from a painful recession. He has also clamped down on critics, arresting scores of opposition activists and restricting the media.

“The symbolic Putin is omnipotent, like St. George slaying the Western dragon, but the flesh-and-bones Putin is barely capable of solving Russians’ everyday problems or preventing tragedies,” Andrei Kolesnikov, an associate at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, wrote in a commentary on Mr. Putin’s continued popularity despite the economic slump.

“The President answers for the symbolic renaissance of feelings of belonging to a great world power, while it is mayors, regional heads and ministers who answer for fires and rubbish dumps.”

European election observers with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe wrote that his recent re-election “took place in an overly controlled legal and political environment marked by continued pressure on critical voices.”

Underscoring that point, two days before the inauguration, the police arrested about 1,600 people at protest actions called “He is not our Czar.” Demonstrators wore paper crowns to mock Mr. Putin’s long rule, now running longer than any Russian leader since Stalin.

The arrests added images of swinging nightsticks and shoving matches with the police to the inaugural events. The repression, Vedomosti, a business newspaper, wrote, risked “spoiling the upcoming inauguration more even than the protest.”

The violence included a throwback to an earlier era of crowd-control tactics in Russia.

Men wearing Cossack uniforms and carrying a type of traditional leather whip known as a nagaika had mingled in the crowd, occasionally lashing out. The Echo of Moscow radio station reported Monday that the Cossack group had won municipal contracts to train for and help with crowd control, though it remained unclear whether they acted in an official capacity on Saturday.

Mr. Putin signed decrees on Monday outlining his goals, such as reducing poverty and, by the end of his six-year term, raising Russian life expectancy to 78 years, from 72 now.

He signalled political continuity by nominating a long-time ally, Dmitri A. Medvedev, as prime minister.

Whether Mr. Putin shifts gears on economic policy hinges on the possible appointment of a liberal economist, Aleksei L. Kudrin, a former finance minister, to a new post as economic adviser, analysts said. Kremlin hard-liners oppose Mr. Kudrin for advocating an easing of tensions with the West, as well as efforts to revive trade. Mr. Kudrin has also

argued for raising taxes and the retirement age to shore up the budget.

Mr. Putin first became president on Dec. 31, 1999, when Boris Yeltsin, ailing from heart troubles, resigned. Mr. Putin was then elected in 2000 and served twice, the constitutional limit for successive terms. He then became prime minister for one term, before returning to the presidency in 2012. For his third and now fourth spells as president, the term was extended to six years from four.

While not short on pomp, the ceremony on Monday was less elaborate than his inauguration in 2012.

In 2012, the police cordoned off much of the city centre to allow Mr. Putin’s motorcade to glide through quiet streets toward the Kremlin. Eerie images of the leader in an empty city sparked criticism that Mr. Putin had lost touch with the people.

This year, he stayed within the Kremlin grounds. He walked from his office to a motorcade that drove from one Kremlin building to another, escorted by motorcycles.

In the ceremony, Mr. Putin strode through several interlinked, gilded and chandeliered halls in an historical Kremlin palace before arriving at the Andreyevsky Hall, where guests waited. Few foreign dignitaries attended.

Among those in the hall were Gerhard Schröder, the former German chancellor and long-time supporter of Mr. Putin.

Dozhd, an opposition television station, cited Kremlin officials saying they sought a lower-key ceremony this time. While not exactly calling it routine, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told reporters that the inauguration was less significant this year because Mr. Putin was just beginning a new term, not shifting from the prime minister’s office to the presidency.

•Culled from nytimes.com

Obasanjo the ‘Messiah’ decides for youths

By Ehichioya Ezomon

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ielding questions from journalists during ceremonies marking his 80th anniversary in Abeokuta in 2017, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was asked if he had forgiven Professor Wole Soyinka, as regards the Nobel Laureate’s campaign against his unsuccessful bid for the Secretary General of the United Nations in 1991.

His response: “You’re absolutely wrong.

I don’t hold a grudge. Wole Soyinka is not God. And I don’t believe there’s any human being that is absolutely right. Wole Soyinka has what I believe he has. He’s a gifted person in his own way. But Wole Soyinka is not an oracle. I will not accept Wole Soyinka making (ex) cathedra statement(s) on everything. I don’t believe that anybody could do that.”

It makes the Nigerian polity watchers to wonder aloud: What has been Obasanjo’s pastime all his adult life, if not to pontificate, oraclize and play God on any issue under the Nigerian firmament? He virtually hammered, through public statements, usually phrased as “open letters,” all the governments (military or civilian) since his first coming as Head of State, between 1976 and 1979.

And what could be more “ex cathedra” than his January “Special Press Statement” - and subsequent public declarations - describing President Muhammadu Buhari a total failure, and demanding he removed himself from the presidential contest in the 2019 elections.

In the damning rundown, Obasanjo specifically urged the president that being an old man, and having survived an ailment that took him to London for over three months, he should be thankful to God, and go home to a take a deserved rest.

But not before telling Buhari that he had tried his best, which was not good enough to remedy the myriad of problems besetting the country, including but not limited to Boko Haram insurgency; herdsmen’s killing of farmers; economy in shambles; hunger and anger in the land; ethnic and religious divide; nepotism; and selective fight against corruption.

Obasanjo added a caveat: If President Buhari refused to respect his entreaty, and listen to those persuading him to run for reelection, he would form a Coalition for Nigeria (CN), a body of concerned Nigerians that would work for the youths to takeover the reins of power in the country.

Actually, as President Buhari gave no heed to that statement, which was complemented by a similar “don’t run for re-election” one written by former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Obasanjo launched the “Coalition for Nigeria Movement” (CNM), to galvanize dissatisfied Nigerians into action.

Buhari, too, would later declare his intention to re-contest for the presidency. Thus, the hen, having come home to roost for the CNM, Obasanjo has practically recanted: that the 2019 task was no more a walkover, but that, which must be fought with God’s armour.

This reality was divulged on April 28 in Ibadan, where he had gone to conscript new members, and admitted that it won’t be easy to dethrone the current incumbents, even as his hosts branded him as, “He is, indeed, our Messiah... He is, indeed, the father of modern Nigeria.”

Obasanjo said: “Some people believe that those that are in position, whether they are doing well or not, they must continue to be there. But when we say they must not be there, they will want to fight back. They will do many things to wreak havoc, but every-

body must be prepared. It will not be easy to wrest powers from them. If you think it will be easy to liberate Nigeria, you are deceiving yourself.

“But the God that did it yesterday will do it again today. We have seen this before. In this Nigeria, we have had a situation that we had five political parties, and the five parties nominated one person (former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha) as candidate for presidency. If only his nuclear family had voted for him, he would have won.

“But our God is wonderful. God laughed.

Now, God is laughing. When the time came, God revealed that He’s God. He is the omnipotent, omnipresent and eternal, who can do all things and who can make all things possible. But if we are leaving things to God, we have to do our own side.”

Similarly, Obasanjo seems to have vetoed the submission that the coalition, codenamed, “Third Force” (sounds familiar?) is principally focused on the “Nigerian youth” to takeover the mantle of leadership next year.

At its launch at the Yar’Adua Centre, in Abuja in January, former Osun governor, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who’s the national coordinator of the movement, said: “What we (elders) are trying to do is like a guardian angel. It is you (youths) that must decide who is to do what and at what level.

That is why we are having this meeting today and putting it back to you.”

But what did we see barely three months later? The leader of the coalition, Obasanjo, deciding and dictating what percentage of positions should go to the youths (and women), who the elders had promised “would be in the driver’s seat.”

In Ibadan, Obasanjo was quoted as directing as follows: “He tasked the executive of the movement across the country to ensure that the youths are given a pride of place,

with a view that they should be given 30 per cent and women 30 per cent in all organs of the movement.”

How about that: deciding for the youths in the so-called platform organised for their sake? Hasn’t this confirmed critics’ fears that Obasanjo formed the coalition in order to advance his interests, and possibly use the disposition to realise, through proxies, his failed bid for a “third term” in 2007? Talk of the youths being really in control!

•Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Abuja Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Business Manager Kelechi Nze Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today

26

Wednesday May 16, 2018

AVIATION

Nigeria, SA traffic rise by 11.2% Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HE International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for March 2018 showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 9.5 per cent, compared to the same month a year ago, the fastest pace in 12 months.

In the same vein, African airlines, according tom IATA, continued to enjoy very strong demand as well, with traffic up 11.2 per cent compared to March 2017,

which was more than twice the 5-year average pace of 4.8 per cent.

“Airlines are seeing healthy growth on routes to/from Europe and Asia, while the region’s two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, continue to improve,” said the IATA report.

Similarly, capacity climbed 6.7 per cent, and load factor strengthened 2.9 percentage points to 71.0 per cent.

The body also disclosed that capacity (available seat kilometers, or ASKs) grew 6.4 per cent and load factor climbed 2.3 per-

centage points to 82.4 per cent, which set a record for the month, following on the record set in February. All regions except for the Middle East posted record load factors.

“Demand for air travel remains strong, supported by the comparatively healthy economic backdrop and business confidence levels. But rising cost inputs—particularly fuel prices— suggest that any demand boosts from lower fares will moderate going into the second quarter,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

African airlines continued to enjoy very strong demand as well, with traffic up 11.2 per cent compared to March 2017, which was more than twice the 5-year average pace of 4.8 per cent. Airlines here are seeing healthy growth on routes to/from Europe and Asia, while the region’s two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, continue to improve.

Also, capacity climbed 6.7 per cent, and load factor strengthened 2.9 percentage points to 71.0 per cent.

Globally, March international passenger demand rose 10.6 per cent compared to March 2017, which was up from 7.4 per cent year-over-year growth recorded in February. All regions showed strong increases. Total capacity climbed 6.6 per cent, and load

factor improved 2.9 percentage points to 81.5 per cent.

“The strong first quarter provides healthy momentum heading into the peak travel period in the Northern Hemisphere.

Benign economic conditions are supporting, and being supported by, good demand for air travel.

It’s a mutually-beneficial effect that smart governments recognize and encourage, by embracing affordable, quality aviation infrastructure and reasonable commercial regulation. But we need to deliver that message every day. The setback to modernizing air traffic management in the US, and a proposal to stop construction of the new airport in Mexico, are reminders of that fact,” said de Juniac.

Onyema to chair 22nd LAAC seminar

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• From left: General Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Mrs. Firiehiwot Mekonnen; Managing Director, JetWest Airlines, Mr. Dikko Nwachukwu; and Manager, Sales and Business Development, Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy, Mrs. Tigist Terefe, at a ceremony to announce the partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and the Aviators Africa School Club (AASC).,

FAAN adopts digital payment system

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EDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to commence cashless transactions across airports in the country in order to foster ease of payment, create payment options and improve the speed and convenience of payment General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in an interview in Lagos, said all necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth take-off of the exercise bid to commence across the airports soon.

According to Mrs Yakubu, the cashless transactions will reduce the carrying of cash as transactions will be made in different ways such as POS, money transfers adding that Remita agents have also been positioned strategically at various points across the airports.

She explained that the initiative was designed under the Presidential Enabling Environment Business Council PEBEC to ensure convenience and curb corruption, identifying car parks, cargo section, chartered /unscheduled flights among others

will be affected by the introduction.

“It will help FAAN to eliminate leakages and further increase revenue base of the organization. No government official will handle cash during transactions when the exercise takes off. We are soliciting the cooperation of all airport users, concessionaires and the general public to ensure a hitch free exercise” According Mrs Yakubu, the decision to adopt digital payment was as a result of the success of the Executive Order of the Federal Government in a bid to create enabling business environment in the country especially within the airports as entry points into the country.

She explained that it was to ensure that those doing business at the airports were not harassed but furnished accurate information on what and where to pay at every point in time.

According to Yakubu, Visa on arrival which has commenced at the airport was part of the Ease of Doing Business adding that the digital payment was another feat to be achieved.

Yakubu noted that at the end, it will be a win – win situation for both FAAN and customers adding that the agency has been repositioned to provide more improved services for customers, further disclosing that sensitization of the general public through jingles was on going.

HAIRMAN of Air Peace, Barr.

Allen Onyema, is expected to chair the forthcoming 22nd annual seminar of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), which is scheduled to hold in Lagos.

The seminar, which has as a theme: ‘Financing Aviation Development Through Private Sector Partnerships,’ would hold July 19, 2018 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos.

Apart from Onyema, other major players in the global aviation industry would also be in attendance and would present various papers on how to move the Nigerian aviation industry forward.

Some of the topics slated for discussion include; ‘Partnerships as Key to Survival of Local Airlines in Nigeria,’ ‘Funding Perspectives of Aviation Security in Nigeria,’ ‘Federal/State Government Partnership in Air Navigational Development and ‘Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Financing.’

Spokesman for Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said that the annual seminar would offer the players in the sector a platform to discuss elaborately on the challenges and prospects in the Nigerian aviation

industry in particular and Africa as a whole.

Onyema has a wealth of experience in the aviation industry, having started Air Peace in 2014 with just seven aircraft, which has grown to 24 within the last four years.

The airline is the fastest growing carrier in the entire West and Central Africa Region, connecting major cities in Nigeria, West Africa while plans have reached an advanced stage to expand its wings to United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and other long haul routes.

The leadership of LAAC and its Seminar Committee said that the league was happy to have Onyema as the chairman of the seminar.

“No doubt, Onyema is one of the major players in the Nigerian aviation industry and beyond. He will bring his wealth of experience to the table as the Chairman of the seminar. We are glad to have someone of his calibre chair our seminar,” the league said.

“However, we are also expecting resources persons from outside the country to deliver papers at the seminar.”

Ethiopian Airlines wins 2018 outstanding food services award

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thiopian Airlines has won the 2018 ‘Africa’s Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier’ Award as voted by PAX International readers at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg, Germany in April 2018.

Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked: “It is very gratifying to receive this prestigious award, which is based on the vote of the traveling public.

We are highly honoured that the traveling public has recognized our continuous effort to avail the best possible products and services. As part of our Vision 2025, we have built the largest and most modern catering facility in the continent at our main hub in Addis Ababa with a daily production capacity of 100,000 meals.

“This has enabled us to significantly upgrade the capacity, the quality and the variety of our meal production. Our modern catering facility produces a variety of cuisines that can meet the need of our esteemed customers ranging from our national Ethiopian dishes to Chinese, Indian and Italian culinary delights. It also caters for specific dietary needs with vegan, Halal and Kosher meals. Going forward, we will further diversify our meal offering with more choices and culinary delights from across Africa and other parts of the world.”

Winners of the awards were selected by PAX International readers over a period of six months.

“Each year, the PAX International Readership Awards honour the best in the industry, as selected by

our readers,” said Aijaz Khan, publisher of PAX International.

“From airline caterers and airport lounges, to amenity kits and dutyfree programs, to IFE and seating, the PAX Awards is a barometer of where executives in the on-board services and aircraft interiors industries have found their attention over the course of the previous year. We were overwhelmed with the response to this year’s event.

The PAX International team and I would like to thank the industry at large for their continued support of our publication and these awards and would like to once again extend our congratulations to the 2018 winners. We look forward to an even larger celebration when we return to Hamburg in 2019,” he added.

The Oracle Today

27

Wednesday May 16, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION

NAIC wades into farmers/herdsmen clashes with new insurance product

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IGERIAN Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) says it will unveil some insurance products to address the loss of agricultural investments due to farmers and herdsmen clashes across the country.

Managing Director of NAIC, Mrs Folashade Joseph, said this at the sideline of a workshop titled; `Accelerating Growth of Agriculture Insurance in Nigeria’ in Abuja on Sunday.

Joseph, who was represented by Mr Bashir Martins, NAIC Deputy General Manager, Technical, said the corporation was working on the revenue insurance, weather index insurance and livestock index insurance to match with the re-evolving agriculture trends.

“There are a lot of things that we have been thinking and working on because agriculture is re-evolving.

“As agriculture becomes our main attraction in the country, so many businesses will come along the line. So many lines of production, and of course, risks that we did not know as at yesterday will come up today.

“Product development is a continuous thing in NAIC, there were challenges in the past, there are challenges now.

“Herdsmen-farmers clashes

have become an issue that is with us and we are actually working on ways to address these challenges. It can be from the herdsmen angle or from the farmers’ angle,’’ she said.

The managing director said that the corporation had given coverage to agricultural projects worth N850 billion investments across the country since inception.

On losses and compensation, Joseph said that NAIC had also paid out about two billion naira as claims to farmers of various classes from inception to date.

She listed subsidised crops insurance, commercial crops insurance, subsidised livestock insurance, commercial livestock insurance, combined agricultural produce and investment policy and area yield index insurance as some products of NAIC. Joseph expressed regrets over the low awareness of insurance products, adding that the corporation was educating farmers in various states to understand these agricultural insurance products.

The one-day workshop was organised by the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and PULA, an insurance and technology company.

Fines, management expenses discourage investors – CSAN President

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he huge fines paid by some insurance companies and management expenses discourages shareholders from investing more in the industry, according to the President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria (CSAN), Alhaji Shehu Milkail.

Milkail said, Monday in Lagos that data sourced on X-Compliance Report from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) updated last on April 12 called for caution.

He said that African Alliance Insurance Plc, according to the report, paid about N46. 1 million monetary fines to the NSE for breaking its rule on account submission.

“The company filed its audited and interim financial statements after the regulatory date of March 31. The underwriter was slammed N46. 1 million by the Exchange for late submission of 2015 and 2016 accounts,’’ he said.

He said the huge fine and management expenses of underwriters could affect their buoyancy if not meticulously managed.

Milkail pleaded with underwriters to abide with the corporate governance policies of regulators to avoid sanctions and to make the industry investors destination.

“No doubt that the slams, bogus management expenses

aside the country’s economic situation were responsible for the low or no dividends payments in the previous years as only 7 per cent of the underwriters were able to pay dividends,’’ he said.

Milkail added that data also sourced from the umbrella body of insurance companies, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), disclosed that a whopping N264.15 billion was spent as management expenses in five years.

According to the data, in the 2012 financial year, N48. 22 billion was incurred on management expenses.

“About N48.59 billion, N53.83 billion, N52.12 billion, and N61.39 billion in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, brought the total spent as management expenses to N264.15 billion in five years,’’ he said.

•Mohamed Kari, NAICOM DG

•Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (m) flanked by a federal delegation presenting a cheque for N135 million to families of the victims of Apo Killings as compensation.

NPF Pensions records over N75.7b profit

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IGERIAn Police Force Pensions Ltd recorded over N75.7 billion profit for the 2017 financial year.

Chairman of the NPF Pensions Ltd, retired Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, who stated this Monday in Abuja, at the NPF Pensions Ltd 4th Annual General Meeting, said the company’s funds grew from N274.1billion to N349.8 billion, as at 31 Dec.2017, representing 27.62 per cent growth.

“Embedded in this was a rate of return of 14.09 per cent, which was earned in 2017.’’

The chairman said that the benefits payment process commenced in May 2017, due to the delay in the release of accrued rights by the Federal Government.

He said the Retiree Fund in the year generated an annualised return rate of 20.53 per cent.

Abba said the company ini-

tiated the Retiree Support Scheme(RRSS), the first of its kind in the industry.

He said the welfare scheme was in support of all police retirees who are the company’s clients at point of retirement with effect from January, 2017.

Managing Director of the NPF Pension Ltd, Mr Hamza Sule Bokki, who spoke to journalists, said that for the operations in 2017, the company declared a dividend of 30k per N1 share.

Bokki said that the company declared dividend of 20k in 2016, “meaning that there was a 50% increment.’’

He also said that shareholders in the company will get that in the proportion of their holdings.

According to Bokki, “we have reported a profit of about N90billion investment income on the RSA account. As we invest the money, the profits are shared to every RSA account holder.’’

NAICOM insists on June 30 deadline for accounts

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EGULATORY agency, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has restated the June 30 deadline for the submission of the 2017 financial accounts by insurance companies to the commission.

NAICOM’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Rasaaq Salami, said this in a statement in Abuja, Tuesday.

Salami, however, noted that no insurance company could be said to have defaulted till after the deadline.

He said the statement was informed by speculations that the commission had sanctioned 14 insurance companies for failure to submit their 2017 financial re-

ports.

“The commission is shocked at this display of ignorance and total lack of knowledge by these media. NAICOM, hereby, states that it has not sanctioned any insurance company for failure to submit its 2017 accounts as claimed in the said reports.

“Please note that the deadline for submission of financial reports by insurance companies to the commission is June 30. Thus, no insurance company could be said to be at default when the year is still in April, ” he said.

Salami urged journalists to seek clarifications on issues before publishing in order not to mislead the public.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by the DIG Val Ntoromchukwu, expressed support for the Police Pension Ltd. He said that the I-G and the entire police management team are solidly behind the company, adding that the “I-G is out to ensure that we consolidate on our previous gains.’’

Lagos pays accrued pension rights of N892m under the CPS

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agos state government has credited the sum of N892m into the Retirement savings accounts of 156 retirees under the contributory pension scheme (CPS).

The Governor, who was represented at the event on Monday 30th April 2018 by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training & Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke said that Pensioners are a vital part of this administration.

Speaking earlier during her welcome Address, the DirectorGeneral – LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga implored the beneficiaries to carefully go through the handbills on Programmed withdrawal and Annuity options provided by the State government.

She explained the new development in the Programmed Withdrawal Pension benefit option as it relates to Pension Enhancement for those who had been on a static Pension for a minimum of 5 years, and also the issue of minimum guaranteed pension. The retirees appreciated His Excellency for his consistency and requested that the process of issuing them Identification Cards be fast tracked so as to give them access to other benefits such as health care services and others.

The Oracle Today

28

Wednesday May 16, 2018

EQUITY & Capital Market

Stockbrokers seek financial support for IST Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

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TOCKBROKERS have urged capital market regulators to provide financial support for Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) that will enable the Tribunal to function optimally.

Speaking during a courtesy visit of IST to the exchange and closing gong ceremony in Lagos, Doyen of the market, Sam Ndata urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NSE to make the tribunal more functional through proper funding.

He noted that lack of funding would undermine the efficiency of the tribunal.

Ndata enjoined the tribunal to be judicious with funds as well as ensure proper accountability of every fund allocated to it.

The Doyen said that members on IST board were men of integrity and expertise, noting that their contributions were of essence.

In his own, Chairman, IST, Mr Isiaka Idoko-Akoh, urged companies to adhere to the principles of corporate governance to reduce trade disputes in the capital market.

He said that adherence to cor-

porate governance by companies would reduce trade disputes and fraud in the market.

Idoko-Akoh assured investors that the tribunal would continue to ensure quick resolution of disputes and cases brought before it to strengthen investor confidence.

According to him, the tribunal will ensure that no investor losses money in the market.

He said that IST was established to adjudicate on matters relating to capital market disputes to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

The chairman urged investors to embrace the tribunal in dispute resolutions instead of going to normal court that could take up to 10 years before passing judgment.

He, however, stressed the need for awareness creation, public enlightenment and training for people to understand the workings of IST. The chairman said that disputes, when properly handled would increase quantum of business in the market.

Idoko-Akoh also called for good remuneration for the management and staffers of the tribunal for efficient service delivery.

Capital market regional regulators plan to boost cross border listing

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HE West African Securities Regulatory Authorities (WASRA) has agreed to converge existing rules of Capital Market regulatory agencies within the region in a bid to ensure that cross border listing is carried out with little or no hindrances.

This is to allow foreign companies carry out their businesses within the region and assist in deepening capital markets within the West African sub region. Already, the body is rounding up work on guidelines on cross border trading and settlement of securities.

These were some of the high points of the meeting of the body held in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday on the sidelines of the 43rd Conference/meeting of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Chairman of WASRA and Executive Secretary of Le Conseil Regional de l’Epargne Publique et des Marches Financiers (CREPMF), Abidjan, Mr. Mory Soumahoro, who stated these, also said that on the planned establishment of a regional bond issuing framework for infrastructure financing, issuance will be done across borders.

He also confirmed that work has commenced on the modalities, including the rules that will guide the issuance.

Also, the body is working towards building relationship between WASRA and ECOWAS Commission; the integrated supervision model needed for the establishment of cross border transaction and issuers; the development of the WASRA website

and the monitoring framework and review and recommendation of appropriate risk management framework for the supervision in the region (issuance of cross border).

In her remarks, the Acting Director General, SEC Nigeria, Ms. Mary Uduak commended WASRA members on their determination to building a strong and competitive regional market that will rank at par with the markets of other regions of the world, and more importantly, in the areas of transparency, disclosure, efficiency, accountability and indeed, investor protection.

Uduak who also expressed the commitment of the SEC Nigeria in assisting to achieve the objectives of WASRA. She noted the imperative of a cohesive collaboration between the relevant regulators, operators and other stakeholders in West Africa, and the need to ensure that adequate resources are devoted.

WASRA is a regional organization for West African countries that aims to fashion out modalities and to establish an umbrella body as mutually acceptable basis for cooperation and consultations aimed at fostering market integration in the region. WASRA, established in 2015, is the recognized forum for capital markets regulators in the West African Sub Region The regional capital market regulators came together to establish a mutually acceptable basis for cooperation and consultations in a bid to foster market integration in the region.

GMD NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in a warm handshake with the Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, during the Association’s Panel Session at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), in Houston, United States, Tuesday. Watching with keen interest is the Chairman CEO, Lee Engineering & Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Leemon Ikpea.

SEC sees N200bn corporate bonds issuance

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HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing for record bond issuance from companies seeking to benefit from lower interest rates and an economy on the mend.

The Commission said in an emailed that companies could raise N200 billion ($554 million) of bonds in 2018, almost double the all-time high set two years ago, according to Bloomberg.

It noted that five companies have already submitted plans for debt sales totaling N60.5 billion, it said.

The bond bonanza comes as Africa’s biggest oil producer recovers from a 2016 contraction, with the International Monetary Fund predicting an expansion of 2.1 per cent this year. It will also mark a turnaround from last year when corporate bond sales tumbled to a four-year low as the government ramped up borrowing to fund its spending plans.

That flooded the market, drove up borrowing costs, deterred businesses and curbed demand for riskier debt.

The funds are being earmarked for infrastructure projects including rail, roads and power, as well as to create capital buffers, the Abuja-based regulator said. Improved liquidity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange is also encouraging firms to sell more debt securities, it said.

Bank loans may not be enough for companies seeking to raise cash to expand, meaning businesses will have to be substantially financed in the corporate bond market, said Abubakar Jimoh, the chief executive officer of Lagos-based Coronation Merchant Bank.

The investment bank plans to issue its first tranche of a 100 billion-naira debt program this year, he said in an interview, predicting that at least four of his peers will sell bonds in 2018 to increase their lending capacity.

Dangote Cement Plc plans to issue N50 billion of bonds in the second half to fund an expansion and refinance debt. Wema Bank Plc plans to sell N20 billion of debt to bolster its capital levels after suspending the plan last year. C&I Leasing Plc is targeting a N7 billion issuance this quar-

ter to purchase vehicles and meet increased demand.

“Owing to the recent strong liquidity in the market, largely driven by the reduction in domestic borrowing and the consequent downward trend in rates, we expect to see an increase in corporate bond issuance in 2018,” Jimoh said. Coronation plans to raise short-term loans to fund trade deals between companies, while the bonds will help meet customers’ project-finance needs, the CEO said.

Authorities raised dollar bonds late last year and in the first quarter with the aim of reducing naira borrowing, bringing down costs and encouraging companies to access the local debt market. That helped drive yields on local bonds down about 400 basis points since late August.

“The macro-economy is encouraging now,” creating the right conditions for a return to the bond mar-

ket, C&I Managing Director Andrew Otike-Odibi said by phone from Lagos. C&I raised N700 million at about 16 percent in 2016, which was below N3 billion it had targeted because of the high costs.

Sterling Bank Plc has also revived its plans to sell bonds after abandoning a 65 billion-naira bond program in 2016 after being charged 16.5 percent for N7.9 billion of debt, which it considered too high. A drop in inflation to a two-year low bodes well for a sale later this year, Chief Executive Officer Abubakar Suleiman said. Inflation fell to 13.3 per cent in March, below the benchmark rate of 14 per cent.

“We’re still watching the market closely and will only issue when rates moderate to acceptable levels,” he said. “With the recent inflation data, we expect to see improvement in interest rates in the coming months.”

NSE sanctions Sterling Bank, FBN Holdings, others for failing to submit results

I

n its efforts to sanitize Nigerian Capital Market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has sanctioned some quoted companies for failing to submit their financial statements before the regulatory due date.

The affected firms are First Bank Nigeria Holdings Plc- the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria with N2.1 million as fine for the duration of its delay.

Also, the bourse fined Fidelity Bank Plc N2.7 million which just released its results last week. Others are: Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc was fined N2.1 million, Meyer Plc was also fined N2.1 million.

While Presco Plc will pay N1.3 million fine for failing to submit their audited report within the deadline and Sterling Bank will pay N1.3 million fine for the delay of its 2017 audited financial statements and another N300,000 for failing to submit its first quarter results for 2018.

Other companies fined for the same reason are Academy Press, which is expected to pay N35 million; International Breweries to pay N100,000 and Vitafoam to pay N800,000.

The sanctioned is a follow up to the post listing rules of the exchange which mandated companies to submit their financial year-end result latest by 90 days after the end of each year.

Also, quarterly results expected to be submitted at most 60 days after the end of each quarter.

The attitudes of some banks failing to submit their financial results as at when due, also triggered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at its Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines for fiscal years 2018/2019 to suggested removal the chairman and managing director of any bank that fails to publish its financial results 12 months after the period under review ends.

The CBN also said it would bar the chief executive or his/her nominee from participation at the bankers’ committee and disclose the reason for such suspension.

The NSE had earlier fined about 38 companies the sum of N433 million for their failure to adhere to the minimum listing standards as regards the timely disclosure of their audited financial report for the year ended 2017.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Ebonyi govt earmarks N8bn for 2018 planting season

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

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bonyi state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Ikechukwu Nwobo yesterday said Ebonyi state government it has secured N8 billion agric loan to facilitate the 2018 planting season.

Nwobo who disclosed while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki, said the loan would be given to farmers with low interest rate to assist them in farming activities.

According to him, the loan which carries low interest rate will be given to interested genuine farmers and youths to facilitate the 2018 farming season.

He noted that government secured the loan in order to increase the volume of other agricultural production in the state as well as to encourage local farmers to engage

in modern farming activities.

“The state government has secured N8Billion agric loan to be distributed to farmers this 2018 planting season to boost yield.

“We have money in the Bank of Industry, we have money also in the Agric Development Bank and this money is to be given to interested genuine farmers and idle youths willing to invest in agriculture at low interest rate.

“You can make more money engaging in modern agricultural production including poutry, snail, fishery and piggery farming.

“The state government has revolutionised agricultural sector to make it not only lucrative but attractive, “Nwobo said.

The Commissioner reiterated commitment of the administration to sustain the roadmap for the development of agricultural sector and

Freedom Party unveils presidential aspirant

By CHUKS COLLINS; THEO RAYS, Awka

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rontline cleric and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), of the Freedom and Justice Party(FJP), Prof Jide Jisos Ejie, has charged Nigerian electrorate to use the opportunity presented by the emergence of the party to vote out the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Prof Ejie, who was unveiled as a presidential aspirant of the party ran for the last governorship election in Anambra state is the International Commandant General of the United Nigerian Chaplaincy.

While expressing his resolve to restor the nation to the path of security, economic and political buoyancy, noted that “...citizens are dying; Nigerians are suffering. Yet we have more than enough that can go round all citizens adequately.”

The presidential hopeful therefore urged electorates to support the party which has the masses as its backbone.

National Chairman, Dr Alex Onwubuya, who was represented by

the National Publicity Secretary, Apostle S.O Eduviereh, inaugurated the party’s Anambra state chapter charged citizens not to make same mistake of 2015 in the coming general election.

Eduviereh who stormed Awka alongside some national officers of the party noted that Anambra state occupies a distinguished position in the political annals of Nigeria, hence the party wants to open its first state chapter office and executives in Anambra.

In response to journalists’ questions, the national Chairman’s representative commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo “for coming out openly to canvass need for a legitimate change of leadership in the polity. We are happy someone like him has realized the need to make a change.

“SDP driven by Chief Obasanjo is a gang of old breed Nigerians who played key roles to put Nigeria in the present quagmire. But FJP is a party of new breed who believes in restructuring the polity”, he added.

A/Ibom state assembly passes advertisement agency bill into law INI BILLIE, Uyo

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he Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed into law the bill for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State signage and advertisement control agency, noting that it will improve the internally generated revenue of the state.

Speaking Tuesday, in Uyo after the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Mr Onofiok Luke, said the law will help generate revenue to the state from marketing communication activities in addition to sanitizing the environment.

Directing the Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, to send a clean copy of the bill to the Executive Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for assent and the commencement date from May 8, 2018, the Speaker said: “Today, we have passed a bill to provide for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State Signage and advertisement control agency.

“In 2012, I moved a motion on the floor of this house against the continued defacing of the sale of public primary and secondary schools in our dear state by advertisers. The House made recommendations urging government to act in line with that motion by ensuring stringent control

measures were put in place to check activities of advertisers.

“I am therefore delighted that this Honourable House has taken a bolder and more concrete step to make a law that will put the right people in place to control such and many other forms of outdoor advertising in our state,” he said.

The bill which had earlier passed through the first and second reading as well as the committee stage was read a third time through a motion by the House leader, Mr Udo Keriean and seconded by Mr Monday Eyo, member representing Uyo state constituency.

If the bill is assented to by the state governor, it would help sanitise the practice of outdoor/indoor advertising and hoarding for the benefit of the state. It will also improve the aesthetics of the environment and enhance the state internally generated revenue.

The bill would also provide an enabling environment for investors to operate in the state, motivate them to subscribe to signage installation boards on the roadside.

The bill also seeks to protect the environment by regulating indiscriminate and indecent display of non-approved posters in public places.

to ensure that the sector became a leading revenue earner for the state.

He said that government was investing so much in the development of rice, cassava and livestock productions.

Nwobo said that government had procured high yielding cassava stems to be distributed to cassava farmers to boost cassava production in the state.

He added that government had established cassava processing plants in the three geopolitical zones of the state with capacity to produce millions of tons of processed cassava products every year.

“The cassava processing plants will provide steady market for processed cassava products including starch and garri while the farmer will have value for his or her labour”.

Nwobo emphasized the commitment of the Governor Dave Umahi

led administration to restore agriculture to its pride of place.

He said that state government was targeting between 20000 and 30000 rice farmers that would engage in aggressive rice farming in 2018 and noted that Ebonyi would remain the highest rice producing state in Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria could no longer afford to run the economy on oil revenue hence the need to deepen, develop and revolutionise the agricultural sector to make it alternative revenue earner.

He maintained that Ebonyi had the capacity to supply rice and cassava needs of the country and export the produce overseas.

He said: “Time has come for us to make a radical shift from over dependence on oil revenue by developing the agricultural sector as alternative source of revenue gen-

eration.

“The recent events in the oil sector shows that we can no longer drive the national economy on oil revenue alone because fuel reserve is steadily depleting and may not be relied on as main source of foreign exchange”.

He said that Ebonyi government would partner local and foreign investors willing to invest in the agricultural sector and also provide environment conducive for their enterprise.

“We have so many untapped fertile lands for agricultural purposes and we are willing to partner genuine investors willing to invest in the state.

“We are ready to open our land space to investors who will invest in livestock production and dairy business”, He added.

• Members Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Cross River State Chapter, flanking their President in the state, Mrs. Effanga Henshaw and the State Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Kelly Ayamba, celebrating their 40th anniversary with a thanksgiving service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Henshaw Town Parish, Calabar.

Declare emergency in education sector -- Iwuanyanwu

By CHUKS COLLLINS, Awka

C

hieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the education sector in the country.

Speaking as the Guest lecturer at the maiden Faculty of Education Public Lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, on the topic “Restructuring Education to meet the economic social challenges”, Iwuanyanwu expressed serious concern that most Nigerian graduates “are unemployable due to lack of skills”.

The ugly trend, he noted, was the cause of massive unemployment in the country because of the absence of skill-oriented education.

He frowned at the pursuit of certain courses in the country’s institutions, hence, proposes review of the country’s education curricular to focus on skills acquisition.

“Any educational system that produces unemployable graduates is faulty. A large number of graduates produced by Nigerian universities are unemployed and most of them are unemployable,” he said, adding that the education sector of every

country should respond to its societal needs.

Iwuanyanwu, therefore, called for the resuscitation of the private sectors as well as adequate funding of tertiary institutions in the country.

“The Curriculum of Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions including secondary schools must be reviewed immediately to respond to the stark realities of Nigerian experience. It is dangerous for any nation to produce large number of unemployed and unemployable young men and women. This creates discontent and may even lead to social rebellion or revolution.

“Educational curriculum must therefore be reviewed to ensure that students while in school acquire skills that will enable them earn money in school and also enable them establish their own businesses after school.

“This will reduce the pressure on government to create jobs. The Federal Ministry of Education must as a matter of urgency address this this. Today in Nigeria thousands of young men and women graduate from universities and other tertiary institutions without any hope if employment. This is worsened by the economic situation of the country

that has substantially destroyed the private sector.”

“In the 60s, a brilliant graduate will not look for job in government.

Such a graduate will prefer to work in a private sector where his skills will be challenged and where the remuneration was certainly higher.

But today, the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria is the government.

“From my experience, the first indication of a faulty economy is when graduates prefer to get employment from government or government agencies rather than the private sector. In any economy where the private sector is weak the country is bound to face economic and social crisis.”

He however noted that there is still hope for the nation if education would be given budgetary priority.

“This is true and we can achieve this through an effective educational system; one that promotes highly knowledgeable, well skilled and resourceful graduates. Quality education is indispensable to economic development. A balanced educational system with adequate skill acquisition components promotes not only economic development but also productivity.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

Crime Businessman begs police over threat to life A

Lagos resident, Mr. Aderotimi Lateef Balogun, has appealed to the police authorities and other security agents for his protection.

The Complainant alleged that his life is in danger following an alleged threat to his life over an issue bothering on his property.

Balogun, while explaining to newsmen during the week said he bought a land located on 26/27 Modupe Davis Street, on Lagos Island from a lawyer and estate agent, whose identity he gave as Babatunde Olabode Johnson, principal partner, Johnson and Johnson solicitors, six years ago.

He lamented that life became unbearable for him since the purchase, following litigations and subsequent threat to his life by some persons who later surfaced to lay claim to the same land.

According to him he has been threatened by unknown men since the case started in 2012. “ I was not informed that the land is under litigation. I bought the land at the cost of 92,000 British Pounds from Johnson.

“No sooner had I purchased the property that one Modupe Davis, who claimed original ownership of the land, surfaced to lay claim to it,” he said.

Information, however, indicated that a case over the land had been on before Balogun made the purchase and that Johnson had already own possession of the land and was awaiting the mandatory three months for appeal.

He (Johnson) was said to have sold the land to Balogun, since there was no appeal during the specific window period, only for Davies to surface with a claim to the land.

Balogun informed that in the subsequent court cases right up to the Supreme Court where the case was struck out by a five-man panel headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen, his opponent lost all appeals and resorted to intimidation and harrassment.

According to him,” The people who have been trailing me he even wrote a petition against me at the state Police Public Complaint Bureau, PCB,.

He then was trying to force me to sign a document I know nothing about, but I refused in the presence of PCB.He was advised by the PCB that I cannot be given a court order regarding the case. I cannot say what their next line of action will be”, “I cannot move freely anymore, I now feel very unsafe.

I am crying out so that the police, government, Nigerians and other security agencies will take note.” He explained.

Girl 14 faints after two men subject her to marathon sex Stories by XAVIER NDAH Police in Ogun State have arrested two men for gang raping a 14- year -old girl in Obantoko area of Odeda Local Government Abeokuta to a state of unconsciousness.

The suspects Abiodun Ishola 19 years and Kehinde Oloyede 18, were arrested on April 28,following a complaint from the victim (name withheld) who reported that she is a hairdressing apprentice and that she was going to her boss’ shop unknown to her that there was environmental sanitation exercise going on.

According to her, the principal suspect Abiodun was sitting in front of his father’s house when she was passing by and Abiodun called her attention on the movement restriction and offered to give her a place to stay pending when the exercise will last.

She said while she was staying with the said Abiodun, he stylishly took her bag inside and when she wanted to leave, he told her to go and pick her bag from inside, not knowing that he has sent for his friend Kehinde who later joined

•The suspects

him and they both forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. It was her screaming that attracted people who eventually came to her rescued.

Sources said the girl was sexed and she fainted neighbours had to revive her by pouring water on her.

It was gathered that the victim after regaining consciousness had to make the report and based on her report the Divisional Police Officer Obantoko Division Superintendent of Police, DPO , Veronica Osakwe led detectives to the scene where Abiodun was arrested, and his arrest led to the eventual arrest of his accomplice Kehinde Oloyede.

On interrogation they both confessed to the commission of the crime. The victim has been taken to general hospital for medical examination meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the two suspects be transfer to Anti Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

‘I have a magic hand’… Says man who stole 1200 phones A phone thief arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has confessed that he has stolen over 1200 from Lagos commuters since he joined pickpocketing gang.

The suspect, Femi Solomon, from Ogun State was arrested by the operatives in Iyana Oworo, Lagos, after stealing a Samsung phone from a commuter in a bus stampede at the bus stop.

Solomon, an auto technician noted that he joined pickpocketing gang in Obalende, where he was ushering people to buy used cloth popularly called “Okrika”.

According to him, one of his customers, Ismaila, who was about 50 years old, “introduced me to pickpocketing. I noticed he was coming to Obalende finely dressed with so much money.

I told him I was looking for better job opportunity, and he assured me that he was going to assist me with one. And, when he was going to introduced me to one, he said I should be following him, while I learn from him”.

He continued I was following from behind and monitoring what he was doing. We were moving from one bus stop in Lagos to the other from morning till evening. He was stealing phones and wallets from passengers inside bus and at bus stops.

Throughout the six months “I followed him, we could pick 6 to 8 phones and wallets from people without them knowing. He was an expert in the business ; he can collect anything from anyone without the owner noticing it. When I started it alone I tried it and it worked out, it is best practiced at a crowd mostly when people are struggling to board a bus He kept everything to himself, but at the end of the day, he would give me between N4,000 to N6,000 depending on his wish”.

“On August 2016, I started on my own. I wasn’t bold enough to pickpocket during the day. Besides, I was still a “green horn” and inexperienced, so I started to go out from evening since nobody pickpocket at night until I become and expert, I think I have a magic hand b4cause

acts have emerged that the female lawyer who murder her husband in Lagos last week was premeditated.

Our correspondent gathered that police investigation into the gruesome murder revealed that the killer-wife’s action bordered on alleged indulgence of the late husband in extra marital affair.

Findings also revealed that the killing was premeditated, as the suspect had procured a set of new knives with which she committed the murderous act.

Confirming the development while giving an update on the incident, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimi said the suspect has confessed to the commission of the alleged crime.

Edgal added that the suspect confessed to have sent a whatsap message to her sister in-law on the day of the incident complaining about her husband and asked her to pray for them and ask God to forgive her.

“Findings also revealed that the suspect had hit the deceased with a frying pan on his head before stab-

I have never been arrested.

I start operation at 6:00 p.m and I end at 9:00 p.m. My target is between four to five mobile phones in a day. Once am able to hit that figure, I stop operation and I retire.

I sell phones to a friend based in Lagos Island”.

“In my rough estimation, I would have stolen 1200 phones both by standing in Lagos bus stops and inside commercial buses.

The routes I normally go to are Ajegunle, Iyana Oworo to Ketu, Ketu to Ojota and Oshodi to Mile 2.

I operate on Monday, Tuesdays , Fridays and Saturdays. I also operate at night parties and where there are overnight events”, he stated.

Recovered from the suspects were four mobile phones.

The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for further investigations.

Commenting on the development, the Command’s PPRO, SP Chike Oti said the onslaught against criminal elements still operating in the state is still on going and that no criminal would be spared.

•The Femi Solomon

Female Lawyer killing of husband premeditated – Police F bing him with knife. That after stabbing the deceased on the stomach and seeing the intestines forced out, the suspect did not seek assistance from their neighbours, and rather, she called her mother who was miles away that she had killed him. That the killing is suspected to be premeditated as the suspect procured a set of new knives with which she used to execute her plan, that the suspect had packed all her certificates including ‘O’Level certificate and had made all arrangements to travel to the United

Kingdom on Thursday morning 3rd March, via Virgin Atlantic Airline”, the Police boss disclosed.

The Police Commissioner added that the weapon used in the execution of the act has been recovered by investigators.

In addition, Edgal said the autopsy of the deceased is currently being carried out at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) by a team of pathologists, while the forensic analysis result is being compiled and would be made public.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS Disintegration: Blame yourselves – Iroanya to US, EU, others

By IBE NWACHUKWU

B

iafran agitator based in Houston, Texas, United States of America (USA) Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, has predicted that Nigeria must disintegrate but that its disintegration may not be peaceful based on the obvious fact that Nigerian government has pushed Biafran agitators to the wall.

He therefore warned that American government and other free democracies in the world should have themselves to blame for letting Biafrans down through their pretence that they did not know that Biarfrans are being massacred on daily basis for merely agitating for seccession.

In a press statement issued, Tuesday, via e-mail, Iroanya however noted that it is not yet too late now for President Donald Trump and the American government to do an immediate volte-face on their romance with President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government of Nigeria and to support the extrication of the nation of Biafra from Nigeria, before things get to unmanageable levels.

In the statement entitled: “My last epistle and warning before the inevitable happens”, Iroanya who described his statement as his last epistle, contended that he might not be as prophetic as Michel de Nostradame (Nostradamus) but that this his epistle would come in handy as a reference naterial very soon when the inevitable happens, adding, “to President Trump and all lovers of freedom, a stitch in time saves nine”.

He lamented that the Nigerian government’s response to the agitations by the various Biafran agitation groups was the use of lethal force to kill, maim, imprison and terminally injure members of the groups, adding that even the groups that chose the legal path were faced with endless court postponements and procedural red-herring in order to frustrate and kill the morale of the litigants.

He further lamented that to worsen the situation, in 2015, the British and American governments covertly connived and installed as a Nigerian President, someone who he alleged, committed the crime of Treason on December 31, 1983, in the person of Retired Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.

He noted that the height of it all was the recent invitation of Buhari to America by Trump whose inauguration day in January, 2017 saw the slaughtering of thousands of Biafrans who came out to celebrate Trump’s inauguration, by Nigeria’s armed forces, under the instructions and order from this same Buhari that he (Trump) invited.

He stated that this President Trump’s diplomatic and political misadventure made many Biafrans to repeat a recent American hotlycontested slogan: “Black lives matter”, adding that most Biafrans and friends of Biafra are of the view that Trump has cut-off their noses and spat it in their faces by hobnobbing with the Biafran-killers and bloodthirsty government of Nigeria, even as Biafrans had looked up to Trump and the good people of America to support their quest for freedom, just as America has supported other countries and other indigenous peoples to gain their freedom.

‘85% of psychiatric patients in Nigeria are youths’

P

resident of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Dr Taiwo Sheikh, says that youths account for up to 85 per cent of psychiatric cases in Nigeria, due to drug and substance abuse.

Sheikh made the disclosure in in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, the high figure poses a serious threat to the future of Nigeria.

He said that from the association’s investigation, causes of mental disorder among youths were beyond drug abuse as the youths y now inhaled lizard faeces.

“They also put their noses in pit toilets and smoke match sticks to

get high.”

Sheikh said that most of the youths affected by the lifestyle were between the ages of 18 and 38, the most productive segment of the population.

He called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies not to treat the problem lightly as investigations had showed that the lifestyle was common among the rich, poor, male and female.

“People always think that this is a problem common among the poor and jobless but studies show that even the working class is not left out.

“Current studies carried out in the

North-West shows that women are not left out in substance use disorders either. We found that not only young or single ladies are involved but housewives and mother.

“It is sad that this category of people who are supposed to be parents looking after their children go around misusing drugs like cough mixtures and pain-killers.

“Our young men are sniffing lizard faeces, they are putting their noses into pit toilets to inhale things from there and they are also smoking match sticks.

“It is now beyond the abuse of drugs sold in pharmacies. Before now, when you talk of substance

use disorder your mind goes to use and abuse of substances like heroine, Indian hemp or cocaine but this trend has changed.”

He reiterated the need to intensify efforts to educate citizens on the dangers and health risks of engaging in substance abuse.

The APN chief said that engaging in the campaign was crucial as getting addicted to drugs and substances was quite easy.

According to him, the moment you use these drugs once or twice, you get hooked as the substances are addictive.

MASSOB accuses UK, Buhari of plot to rig 2019 poll

By CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

M

• Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (r) with Senator Kabiru Marafa who led a delegation of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill to the Government House Port Harcourt, recently

We will not abandon projects – Okowa assures

D

ELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has doused fear that some projects would not be completed because of the numerous development projects embarked on by his administration saying emphatically, “we will not abandon any project.”

The Governor gave the assurance during the empowerment programme organised by the member representing Okpe Constituency and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at Osubi, Okpe local government area of Delta State.

According to the Governor, “we are aware of the numerous projects going on in different parts of the state, for every project that we set out to execute, we will complete it.

We will not abandon any project because, every project is as a result of well thought out process, I am passionate about the development of the state.”

He also clarified why his administration embarked on massive construction of roads across the state, asserting, “roads are very important for the development of any community.”

Governor Okowa who was accompanied by top political aides to witness the programme which was attended by people from all walks of life expressed delight with the

nature of the programme. He commended Rt. Hon. Oborevwori for appreciating his constituents.

“Several times, our people work for us, it is good that we come back to show appreciation, it may not be of this magnitude but we should empower our people to be economically independent, as a state, we have several wealth creation programmes for our people, parents should send their children to technical schools where they can acquire basic skills,” the Governor said.

Hon. Oborevwori had in his speech, observed that Governor Okowa had executed a lot of projects in his constituency noting that the empowerment programme was to appreciate his constituents for their support.

“I have presented my stewardship as your humble representative at the hallowed chambers of the most vibrant House of Assembly in Nigeria; the programme we are witnessing today is in fulfillment of my promise to always appreciate you for your support for me, our great party, the ‘Peoples Democratic Party’ (PDP) and our amiable Governor, His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker stressed that, “this empowerment is hinged on the fact that over the years, I have been a

strong believer that it is better to teach a man how to fish than to give him handouts; more so, this is in line with His Excellency, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa’s S.M.A.R.T Agenda of wealth creation; I am glad to say I enjoy putting permanent smiles on the faces of my constituents.”

“Today, some number of persons will benefit from the empowerment Programme. I congratulate the beneficiaries and urge those who are not getting today to be patient, as it will get to their turn in due course. I urge all beneficiaries to make good use of the packages to better their lives”.

4 Cars, 20 Buses, 20 Deep freezers, 10 Tricycles (KEKE), 20 Hair Dressing Saloon Components including Generator sets, 40 Grinding Machines, 500 Wrappers and Head Ties, 30 Sewing Machines, grants for Secondary and University Students, Financial Assistance to Traders, among others, were carried out as empowerment programmes at the event.

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman of PDP in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, among others who spoke at the event described Rt. Hon. Oborevwori as a philanthropist who derives joy in giving and working for his people.

ovement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) have described the sudden travel of President Mohammed Buhari to London on medical check-up as guise to deceive the people that found themselves in an enslavement called Nigeria.

The pro-Biafra group saw the sudden seeming unscheduled departure as mere decoy to the real aim that has little or nothing to do with medical tourism that all patriotic Nigerians are now aware and conversant with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

MASSOB said that rather, “Buhari did not go for medical treatment but went to London to liaise and strategize with the Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the Prime Minister and the British Royal House cabals for another easier, effective and diplomatic means to frustrate the emergence of Biafra.”

In a press statement which was made available to journalists in Awka, MASSOB noted that “Britain is more jittery and uncomfortable since the meeting of President Buhari and Trump of the USA. “The meeting which exposed the false foundation of Nigeria against the British deceit shocked the government of the United Kingdom and their collaborators.

“MASSOB therefore called on the people of Biafra to be more vigilant, our people must know today that the arch enemy of Biafra is not Hausa/Fulani but the British government that deceived the world against Biafra during the Nigeria/ Biafra war.

“They are trying to frustrate the independence of Biafra from Nigeria, but they will never succeed. The deceit, hypocrisy and lies of the British monarch has been exposed”.

The statement which was signed by its servant-leader Uchenna Madu, MASSOB insists that with the current consciousness and desire for the Biafra actualization and restoration, “no amount of President Buhari meeting, lobbying and manoeuvring with the British and their Islamic allies will ever stop the emergence of Biafra because God, History and Humanity are on our side, Biafra Revolution is indestructible.”

32

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33

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

When love is a drug: 19 unhealthy signs you could be genuinely addicted to your partner

‘W

e can get addicted to people just as we can to alcohol or food’, doctor says Being addicted to your partner can damage your career and mental health Experts say it is important to enjoy time away from your partner It is often said that love conquers all and the throes of romance are a buzz that’s hard to beat, but could being in love actually be bad for you?

Experts say the way people’s brains work means you can become addicted to your partner in the same way you could be hooked on drugs or food.

If you are infatuated with your partner you could develop a dependency which has knock-on effects on your mental health, your job and your friends and family.

Dr. Femke Buisman-Pijlman, an addiction researcher at Australia’s University of Adelaide, and author and counsellor Margaret Paul, PhD, have come up with 19 signs that you could be unhealthily attached to your other half.

‘We can get addicted to people just as we can to alcohol or food,’ says Paul.

‘It’s a form of self-abandonment where you use another person to avoid responsibility for your feelings.’

In the list written for Cosmopolitan, Dr Buisman-Pjilman adds: ‘When you [first] fall in love, you can feel ecstatic like with initial drug or alcohol use.

‘When the thrill of new love subsides, you could be left with a psychological dependence where you think you need the other person.’

Here are the experts’ 19 signs you

should be worried about your relationship: You want to be with them so much it invades your own life You annoy your friends by taking your partner everywhere, and spend time with them when you should be doing more important things.

Dr. Buisman-Pijlman says: ‘Addiction is not about really enjoying something, but being unable to stop something that gives some pleasures but many problems.’

Your sex life gets in the way of the day-to-day If you’re regularly skipping work to have sex, having it in inappropriate places or at bad times, or it’s taking up hours of your day, it could be unhealthy.

You can’t control your desire to see or talk to them If you set yourself rules about when you want to have contact with your partner but you can’t stick to them, you might be out of control.

You spend all your money on them It can be nice to give a gift every now and then, or help out with the bills, but you could be dependent if you keep buying your partner presents or get into debt because of them.

You start arguments just to get attention If you often pick fights about petty things you might just be desperate for their attention, which puts strain

Continued on page: 34

ROMANTIC JOKE

THE WIFE’S EXPERIMENT

Name: Chika Tel: 08123423134 • If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

E

A man drinks a shot of whiskey every night before bed. After years of this, the wife wants him to quit. She gets two shot glasses, fills one with water and the other with whiskey. After bringing him to the table that has the glasses, she brings his bait box. She says, “I want you to see this.” She puts a worm in the water, and it swims around. She puts a worm in the whiskey, and the worm dies immediately. She then says, feeling that she has made her point clear, “What do you have to say about this experiment?” He responds by saying, “If I drink whiskey, I won’t get worms!”

ODD NEWS

xperiments to reanimate dead brains could lead to humans being locked in an eternal ‘living hell’ and enduring a ‘fate worse than death.’

That’s according to Nottingham Trent ethics and philosophy lecturer Benjamin Curtis who made the comments in light of controversial experiments on pig brains.

Last month, Yale University announced it had successfully resurrected the brains of more than 100 slaughtered pigs and kept them alive for up to 36 hours.

Scientists said it could pave the way for brain transplants and may one day allow humans to become immortal by hooking up our minds to artificial systems after our natural bodies have perished.

‘Even if your conscious brain were kept alive after your body had died, you would have to spend the foreseeable future as a disembodied brain in a

Humans whose brains were reanimated after they die could be locked in an eternal ‘living HELL’ bucket, locked away inside your own mind without access to the sense that allow us to experience and interact with the world,’ Curtis told The Conversation.

‘In the best case scenario you would be spending your life with only your own thoughts for company.

‘Some have argued that even with a fully functional body, immortality would be tedious. With absolutely no contact to external reality it might just be a living hell.

‘To end up a disembodied human brain may well be to suffer a fate worse than death.’

The pig research was presented at a National Institutes of Health meeting by Yale University neuroscientist

Nenad Sestan Researchers were able to successfully remove the heads of between 100 and 200 pigs and resuscitate their brains while detached from the body.

The organs were connected to a closed-loop system the scientists dubbed ‘BrainEX’ that pumped key areas with artificial oxygen-rich blood to sustain life.

In what Dr Sestan described as a ‘mind-boggling’ and ‘unexpected’ result, billions of cells in the brains were found to be alive and healthy.

He told the NIH it is possible the brains could be kept alive indefinitely and that additional steps could be taken to restore awareness, according to a report in the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology’s Technology Review.

The neuroscientist said his team chose not to attempt either because ‘this is uncharted territory.’

Chemicals added to prevent swelling during the procedure would likely prohibit consciousness indefinitely.

This means it may not be possible for the team to resuscitate brains that can still ‘think’ using their current methods.

According to Dr Sesta, the brains they operated on were definitely not alive or conscious.

‘That animal brain is not aware of anything, I am very confident of that,’ he said, according to the MIT report.

Previous research has shown it is possible to keep the brains of a num-

ber of mammals alive after the organ is removed from the body.

HOW SOON WILL WE BE ABLE TO UPLOAD OUR MINDS TO A COMPUTER? Brain and memory preservation has been explored at length by futurists, scientists and science fiction junkies alike.

Many say it falls under the category of ‘transhumanism.’

Transhumanism is the belief that the human body can evolve beyond its current form with the help of scientists and technology.

The practice of mind uploading has been promoted by many people, including Ray Kurzweil, Google’s di-

Continued on page: 34

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

True Confession I t all began several years ago while I was at the University. I was staying with my aunt in Lagos and school was on vacation, so my aunt suggested I go spend the holiday with the children of her close friend in Kaduna.

The family of my aunt’s friend was a very happy one. Patrick was her most handsome son. He was 24 years old. We fell in love at first sight. Maybe because we seemed to have a lot of things in common.

Patrick loved playing chess or ludo whenever he was less busy, and I was also passionate about both games. So, everyday, after we had had our lunch, he would call me to play chess with him. I was very good at chess.

That was one game Patrick and I couldn’t do without. We competed seriously to see who would emerge as the regular winner, but it was very hard to tell, because if he won the first game, I would win the next game.

The most interesting part of my holiday with Patrick and his family was that Patrick enjoyed taking me out whenever I was bored.

Patrick’s mother seemed pleased as we grew more and more fond of each other, and when the holiday ended and it was time for me to depart, she encouraged us to keep in touch.

Back home, I missed Patrick so much, but we communicated through phone calls, e-mails and text messages.

In some of my e-mails, I told Patrick never to cheat on me with another girl, in spite of the distance. I longed to have him by my side, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I was still a virgin then, but I was a big girl.

I was 21 years old, tall and curvy. Men always admired me because of my beautiful shape but I couldn’t bring myself to date any man other than Patrick.

After a long interval of about nine months, Patrick decided to travel down to Lagos to visit me.

I went to the motor park to receive him with open arms. When I saw him again, I melted in his arms.

“Maria, you look so beautiful, I wish I could eat you raw,” he said to me.

“You, too, look as handsome as a prince as usual,” I said.

We continued flattering each other as we hugged each other.

Patrick slept in a hotel that night. But the following day, I took him home and introduced him to members of my family. Every-

He jilted me because we were not old enough to marry one approved of our relationship and before long, my family and friends were beginning to ask me when Patrick and I were going to get married.

I tried to make Patrick understand that I loved him and really wanted to marry him, but his reaction always surprised me whenever I raised the issue of marriage.

Patrick said that both of us were not old

enough to get married. He would always say: “Maria, my love, you know very well that I love you. Everyone knows that. But the fact is that I don’t think we are old enough to marry.

I’m only 24 and you’re just 21. So why don’t we wait for at least five or six more years before getting married?”

Although I wasn’t pleased with his statement, I made it clear to him that I wanted to

first time a pig brain has been kept alive outside of the body.

The experiment is signficiant because pig brains bare a striking similarity in the way they function to human brains.

According to Dr Steve Hyman, a brain researcher at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who was among those briefed on the work, the brain’s used in the study were

technically alive.

He told Technology Review: ‘These brains may be damaged, but if the cells are alive, it’s a living organ.

‘It’s at the extreme of technical know-how, but not that different from preserving a kidney.’

But despite the breakthrough, transplanting a brain into a new body is still ‘not remotely possible,’ he added.

Humans whose brains were reanimated...

Continued from page: 33 rector of engineering, who believes we will be able to upload our entire brains to computers by 2045.

Similar technologies have been depicted in science fiction dramas, ranging from Netflix’s Altered Carbon, to the popular series Black Mirror.

Another prominent futurist, Dr Michio Kaku, believes virtual reality can be used to keep our loved ones’ personalities and memories alive even after they die.

‘Imagine being able to speak to your loved one after they die ... it is possible if their personality has been downloaded onto a computer as an avatar,’ he explained.

These ideas haven’t been met without criticism.

McGill University Neuroscientist Michael Hendricks told MIT that these technologies are a ‘joke.’

‘I hope future people are appalled that in the 21st century, the richest and most comfortable people in history spent their money and resources trying to live forever on the backs of their descendants. I mean, it’s a joke, right? They are cartoon bad guys,’ he said.

Meanwhile, neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis said recently that such technologies would be virtually impossible.

‘The brain is not computable and no engineering can reproduce it,’ he said.

‘You can have all the computer chips in the world and you won’t create a consciousness.’

In 1928 Soviet researchers severed the head of a dog and kept it partly alive by connecting key blood vessels to an artificial circulation machine.

A researcher at New York University kept a guine-pig brain alive in a special fluid for several days in 1993.

But the new research, which has been submitted for publication in a scientific journal, is the

When love is a drug: 19 unhealthy signs...

Continued from page: 33 on both of you.

You feel high when you’re around them, but low when you’re not If you feel sort of drunk with happiness when you’re together and devastated when you’re apart, you could be addicted to them.

You try to calculate how much they love you by their actions You could be obsessed if you scrutinise everything they do from their body language to the gifts they give and things you do together.

You shouldn’t agonise over trying to gauge how much they love you.

You can’t cope when they’re away for work If you stop caring and don’t want to do anything if they go on a work trip, you need to take charge of your own happiness.

Likewise, you can’t cope when they’re away with friends If they go on a weekend away with their friends you should be able to entertain yourself.

Feeling upset or angry that they’d rather be with their friends than you could be a sign that you’re too dependent.

You use sex to try and make them love you

more If you force yourself to have sex with them to try and make them like you more, even though you’re not in the mood, you could be overdoing it.

Sex shouldn’t be used to buy their love, it should be something you both enjoy.

You don’t do other important things because you’re always togetherIf the housework doesn’t get done and you don’t see your friends or phone your parents, you could be spending too much time together.

It’s important to keep normal life going outside the relationship.

You only enjoy being with them If you used to enjoy spending time with friends and family but now you only want to be with your partner, the relationship could be damaging your social circle in the long term.

You’re bad at your job because of them If you don’t get your work done because you’re too busy texting them or checking your phone to see what they’re up to, you need to take a step back.

You feel like your life would be meaningless without them You need to love yourself, too.

marry in my early twenties since as a woman, I was already ripe for marriage.

“Age is nothing but a number. So there is nothing wrong with us getting married now.

If we love each other, what prevents us from getting married even though we might still be young?”

Patrick would always keep silence whenever I argued in that manner. However, I did something which on hindsight, I now consider as a mistake.

I told my mother to help me convince Patrick’s mother on the need for us to settle down as soon as possible. My mum agreed and talked to Patrick’s mum to put pressure on Patrick to marry me as soon as possible. Both my parents and Patrick’s parents agreed to jointly sponsor our wedding.

I heard that Patrick reluctantly agreed to heed his mother’s advice, and before long, a wedding date was set. Since Patrick’s parents had a house in Lagos, they decided to relocate to Lagos six weeks before the wedding to help with the preparation.

However, on the morning of our wedding day, Patrick’s parents awoke to find that Mayor had run away from home.

A search was quickly conducted and even the police were involved. But all our efforts were in vain as Patrick was nowhere to be found. It was clear that he had jilted me on our wedding day because he felt we were not yet old enough to get married.

Patrick jilted me because he felt we were not old enough to marry. Even though I had tried my best to apply pressure on him, he had only pretended to agree with me just to please his mum. Now it was clear that he wasn’t going to be forced to marry me against his wish.

I am now older and wiser. I am now married to somebody else. I only found the strength to forgive Patrick after my parents talked to me and his parents begged me to forgive and forget. I have forgiven him. But I can never forget what Patrick did to me 10 years ago.

I now have a man who kisses all my tears away, but I still wish I could turn back time. *Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

Relationships and Love Advice

I need a man who can treat me like a woman

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Chioma, 32, living and working in Lagos, needs a working man better 35-40 years from the east for marriage. +234 803 549 6158.

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Dear Love Doctor, I need a caring man in my life. I’m a very beautiful, young Igbo lady. Some men have already started asking for my hand in marriage, but I don’t feel anything for most of these men. I want a man who can treat me like a woman and make me feel special and loved; not just any man. Is that too much to ask? All I want is for a man who knows how to treat a woman right to call me.

Thanks.

From Juliet, Lagos.

Tel: 08144069613.

Love Doctor’s Advice:

I

al gentleman, because like they say, God’s time is the best. Destiny can only be delayed but never denied. So never give in to despair because what belongs to you will eventually come to you.

You will definitely find your soulmate. Just keep searching and praying and God will help you find the one for you. Money is not everything. So don’t assess a man only by how much money he has in the bank.

Don’t focus your attention on outward appearance but look out

Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840, 08077821830 for Counseling, infertility & Direct Hookup.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Ajibola, 38, in Lagos, needs a serious lady above 30 years for a genuine relationship that can lead to marriage. 08075821083.

Dear Juliet,

t is certainly not too much to ask for a man to treat you like a woman. That’s because real men are gentlemen. A gentleman is simply a refined kind of man and such men are truly separate from the crowd because they are real men.

Real men treat their women the way they ought to be treated. A real man is an ever-loving gentleman who knows what a woman deserves and gives it to her.

Don’t give up because it seems like you’re yet to find your ide-

Chichi, 28, from Abia, needs a caring, God fearing, loving man for marriage.

08130775977.

for the inner beauty that will reveal the truth about him.

I wish you the best in your relationship!

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Emmy, works in Lagos, wants a working lady in Lagos who loves receiving cunnilingus. 08077821830.

Dele, 50, a media practitioner, needs a working class career lady of 30-38 years for intimate loving relationship that could ultimately climax into decent marriage. 08030729579.

Kunle, 40, widower, fair, tall, medical, wants a caring woman from 28 years and above from any tribe. 08103329049.

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Chigozie, 37, from Ebonyi, fair, 5.6ft, works in Lagos, needs a God-fearing, working class lady for a relationship leading to marriage. 08164630953.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

It happened to me:

My wife doesn’t want us to wed in church M She doesn’t even go y name is Chris and I’m an Igbo man from the Eastern part of the country. I’m 47years old and have a good job.

I grew up with what I can describe as a semi-silver spoon. That’s because my parents were not too rich but at least they were comfortable.

I had my elementary education in Nigeria. I also completed my first degree programme in Physiotherapy at a university in the South-West.

However, my parents wanted me to become a medical doctor by all means. So was sent overseas to study medicine soon after I graduated.

After I had successfully completed my medical studies overseas, I returned to Nigeria to work based on the advise of my parents who said they wanted me back in the country because they were scared of me marrying a white woman.

On my return to the country, my parents quickly urged me to look for a suitable girl to marry in Nigeria.

They advised me to go to the village and pick a good girl. I heeded their advice and headed to my hometown three weeks after I returned to Nigeria after my studies abroad. It was in my village that I met Kelechi.

Kelechi was a tall, fair and very pretty girl to behold when I first set my eyes on her. However, there arose a minor problem of communication gap between us during the initial days of our courtship.

The problem was that Kelechi was not very good at understanding the

to church except on Christmas day, Easter or New Year day. I’ve begged her to state her reasons, if any, for not wanting to wed in church, and she hasn’t said anything.

english language. She only spoke and understood Igbo, while I spoke queen’s english.

I wasn’t so fluent in Igbo and my many years of living overseas as a medical student had made me almost forget my mother tongue.

But soon, I picked up with my mother tongue and Kelechi too began to

communicate better in english.

Before long, we were head over heels in love with each other and we made certain that we saw each other everyday.

It didn’t need to seek a second opinion before I decided to marry Kelechi, because as she lay in my arms everyday, the fire of love consumed me and

I just couldn’t let her go.

Both families consented to our getting married and we had one of the most memorable traditional marriages.

Kelechi was heavily pregnant during our traditional marriage, so she advised me to postpone the church wedding until after she had given birth.

That was 12 years ago. We have had five children during the past twelve years, yet my wife is still not keen on getting wedded in the church.

Over the past decade of our marriage, I’ve tried my best to convince her on the need to wed in church. I’m a devoted Catholic but the problem is that my wife is not interested in anything that has to do with church.

She doesn’t even go to church except on Christmas day, Easter or New Year day. I’ve begged her to state her reasons, if any, for not wanting to wed in church, and she hasn’t said anything.

I’m a member of several societies in the church and fellow church members always look at me strangely in the church because they know that I and my wife have not wedded in church.

I’ve reported the matter to my parish priest and he says he’ll talk it over with my wife. I’m ashamed and very disturbed about it, but I don’t know what to do. *Do you have a story or comment about this true confession? Call 07031028714.

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Defamation

R

ecently, there have been series of defamations in our media and country. Most people do not realize the implication of what they say or write. They do not know that such words are tantamount to a crime or an offence which is punishable by law. They believe with their position in the society, they have the right to say or write anything they deem fit without recourse to the law of this country. Don’t forget that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says no one is above the law. It is on this note that I decided to discuss this topic.

Defamation is a tort which protects a person from loss of reputation by prohibiting the production of information likely to attract negative attention for others.

The publication of defamatory matter is both civil injury and criminal offence but it is usually ranked amongst criminal offences since it has the tendency to arouse angry passion, provoke revenge and is likely to cause the breach of public peace. However, it is not necessary for the prosecution to show a breach of peace was likely to result from or is calculated to arise from it as in R. v.

Holbrook (1878) 4 QB. 42 at 46.

Defamation is defined in section 373 of the code as matter likely to injure the reputation of any person by exposing him to hatred, contempt, or ridicule or likely to damage any person in his lawful profession or lawful trade by an injury to his reputation.

Furthermore, defamation is the publication of an untrue statement of another person which reflects on that person’s reputation and tends to lower him in the estimation of right thinking members of the society generally or tends to make them shun and avoid him.

Defamation may be expressed in spoken words which are usually very difficult to prove or in any audible words or by any sign or object signifying such matter and may be expressed either directly or by insinuation or irony.

There are two distinct types of defamation namely; Slander and Libel The difference between these two can be explained thus;

i. LIBEL: In libel, the statement must be in a permanent form. It usually refers to a written statement but can include television broadcast, cable programme and theatre, etc. see Metro Godwin Meyers Ltd (1934) 50 TMR 581. Here, the court held that the defamation statements contained in a talking cinematograph film was a libel in the words of the court. Libel is actionable per se which means that it is the conduct which is wrong irrespective of whether or not any harm is caused to the claimant as a result. ii. SLANDER: The statement must in the respect of defamation be in a non-permanent form that is transitory – which generally involves spoken words but if they are broadcasted falls within libel. A gesture may suffice.

Slander requires special damage. The claimant must establish loss(es) or harm(s) that is quantifiable in financial terms. Such as loss of a job or damage to business interest. In NTHEND v. Alade (1974) 2 ES CRP 109, the court held that “in an action for libel, the plaintiff need not prove malice in law and need not prove any actual damage as the result of the publication, but malice and damage are assumed from the publication itself in the absence of lawful excuse……..once a publication has been found to be a libel, the law presumes damages.”

Slander is actionable per se in the following situation i. Any imputation that a claimant has committed a serious criminal offence. ii. That the claimant is unchaste or has committed adultery (female claimant only). iii. That the claimant has a contagious and infectious disease that prevents others from associating with him. iiii. That the claimant is unfit, dishonest or incompetent in relation to his trade, profession or business.

Note that, libel may be criminal but slander is only civil injury. See section 374 and 375 of the Criminal Code. Further to this is that the imputation of obscene conduct to

a person is defamatory of that person. To allege that a person is a thief, an armed robber, a kidnapper, or even a criminal or to impute him the commission of any offence which is found out to be false is also defamatory.

See, Monson v. Tussands Ltd (1894) 1 Q.B. 671; Webb v.

Reavan (1883) 11 Q.B.D. 609.

One interesting aspect of defamation is that it seems that merely to publish of another that he owes money is not defamatory but if an inability to repay is implied it becomes defamatory. See Arayi v. Ojubu (19955-56) WRNLR 145. In this case, the magistrate found that the Olu of Warri has said nothing of the kind and that words were defamatory. But at an appeal, the High court held that the words spoken were, without an innuendo, not defamatory of the Olu for they could not reasonably be said to expose him to hatred, ridicule or contempt, etc.

VULGAR ABUSE Mere vulgar abuse does not constitute actionable slander. Whether an utterance constitutes a vulgar abuse or not depends on the circumstances of the case.

In Bakare v. Ishola, 1959, 106 where in the heat of anger that led to a fight, the defendant said in Yoruba “ole ni ooo iwo to sesede lati ewonyi”meaning (you are a thief, ex-convict), Jibowu C.J.held that the words were vulgar abuse as they were spoken while the parties were exchanging words which led to blows. “It is a matter of common knowledge of which this Court takes judicial notice that people commonly abuse each other as a prelude to a fight, and call each other “ole elewon” which abuse no one takes seriously as they are words of heat and anger.” See also Ajala v. Oyimade Adeladun (2979) 123 CCHCAJ 263. However, in Ibeanu v. UBA (1972) 2 ECSLR, 194 Egbuna J. held that the words “Josiah, omgi kpo mdi ori bia zulu ewu…….. etc.” meaning (you brought the thieves with whom you stole my goat and now you’ve come to ask) were not mere vulgar abuse as it was clear from the evidence that there was no quarrel between the parties.

INNUENDO In Morrison v. Riteline (1902) 393 COTLB 432, the Court stated that a statement that X “has given birth

to twins” is innocent in itself but it carries a libelous innuendo if published to persons who know the person has been married only a few weeks ago. In Akinsola v.

Anyim (1962) ALL NLR, an apparently harmless publication about the P in a booklet that he was a “son of a Chief Sawe of Ilesha and Alice” was held defamatory because the publication was capable of conveying the imputation that the plaintiff was a liar to the people who knows that the P claimed to be an Ogbomosho man. In Sketch Press Ltd v. Ajagbemokeferi (1989)1 NWLR pt.

100, 683, it was held that publication deals not only with what was said or written but also what is passed on to some other person. Thus, no action will lie for defamation unless the matter has been published. It is important to state that there are other forms of defamation apart from those I have discussed above. I shall list few and briefly discuss thus; a. Defamation of the dead: A dead person can be defamed in a way if the intent is to injure the family and if proved that a living member of the family’s reputation may have been injured by the publication. However, it should be noted that in this case no prosecution can be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation. See section 373. b. Defamation of a class: Class here includes any company association or body of persons, corporate or unincorporated. Here, these classes of persons as in section 18(1) of the Interpretation Act can be the object of defamation. c. Publication: This is defined in section 374 as follows i. In the case of spoken words or audible sounds, the speaking of such words or the making of such sounds in the hearing of the person defamed or any other person; ii. In other cases, exhibiting it in public, or causing it to be read or seen or shown or delivered, with intent that it may be read or seen by the person defamed or by any other person.

It is clear therefore that from the above definitions that a publication which defames a person or a mere exhibition in public of the defamatory matter is deemed defamatory.

Note also that the law stipulates punishments for these offenses, so, avoid committing them.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call or send a text message to Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT Tell us about yourself?

I am a media person, entertainer, TV producer and a legal adviser. I do a lot of legal stuff for Nigerian artistes in the US, UK and Canada. I also organise tours and visas for Nigerian artistes. Last year I handled Yemi Alade’s tour to the US and this year, I am gonna be doing her Canadian tour. I have also been P Square’s Agent since 2010. I did Wizkid’s first visa to the US and I used to be Cynthia Morgan’s manager but I stopped working with her in 2016. I am also the co-founder of Nigeria Entertainment Award (NEA); I was the president. And the first time BET decided to come to Nigeria, I was one of the pioneers to bring them down here.

With Douglas Omoyooma

Ophrah Winfrey my role model – Joy Tongo With 12 years under her belt, the showbiz executive known as Joy Tongo has surely come a long way. A former president of Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA), the Masters degree holder who also holds an MBA in this chat with Oracle Today opens up on career and her dreams.

You are an MBA holder, a consultant, motivational speaker, management personality and a production company owner.

How do you combine all these?

When you do your passion, things happen easily so though it is quite a handful but it is driven by passion. However, everything boils down to entertainment.

They are intertwined. I have an MBA in Finance and a Masters in Business so for me, everything is business.

How many artiste have you managed so far?

Well I don’t manage artiste anymore and back then I was a bit picky. Basically I managed Retta and Cynthia Morgan. I have also worked with Yemi Alade and P Square.

Why did you stop artiste management?

It is a lot of work and drama. I think I have entered the next level of my life.

I have grown above certain things and artiste management is one of them. I don’t think I can manage any artiste now because there is a lot of stress and work to do: I can’t even live in Nigeria anymore but I can come here for business; I have passed through that stage.

Are you saying there is a lot of stress managing artiste in Nigeria than it is abroad?

Well, there is stress everywhere but I think you have to be tough to live in Nigeria and I think I am tough and strong but I have passed that phase. However, I would like to work with Wizkid. It is very very possible for us to work together musically because Wizkid is very talented: a whole lot of artistes are doing very well right now.

How would you rate the Nigerian entertainment scene?

It is great! There is a lot going on over here. The Nigeria entertainment industry is growing and again, I was one of the people in America that brought afro music to America starting with the NEA. I used to bring artistes for tours in the US. Nigerian Music is booming in the State with the likes of Wizkid, Davido, Tekno and all the acts are making waves. African music is really doing great in the States right now. Years ago radio stations didn’t play Nigerian music but now they do.

Gospel singer, Sinach, is doing very well in the US. I am actually going to be working with her this summer. I think we have just started.

• Joy Tongo

What is your advice for up-and-coming artiste?

Number one is have passion. Talent is not everything. I used to say talent was 10 per cent out of a 100 per cent but recently, Yemi Alade’s manager, Taiye, said that talent is just two or five per cent out of 100 per cent. You can be so talented and don’t have a head of where you are going and nobody knows about you.

How did you make it in this male dominated industry and what is the greatest challenge you have faced working in Nigeria?

In Nigeria and everywhere in the world, being a lady in a male dominated industry What motivates you? could be very challenging. When I first God is my number one motivator became to this country, things were very cause without the Lord Jesus Christ I don’t think I will be able to go through the hard. I remember I used to break down and cry. I will go backstage and shed day. Right now Jesus is my only motitears. Later, people started saying ‘ahh… vation. The Bible says ‘seek ye first the that girl is strong, mean and tough’ but kingdom of God and His righteousness I wasn’t like that when I first came to and every other things will be added to you.’ So, what motivates me is having the Nigeria. I was a very soft person, tender but Nigeria broke me. So, I will say my Lord Jesus in my life. biggest achievement ever is living in Nigeria because Nigeria made me strong. I

learnt business wise in Nigeria. One of the person that taught me how to be tough is Jude Okoye. like I said I used to cry. I am still learning everyday though but I know that I am a better person now. People will ride you in this country so it is really hard living in Nigeria. I give it up to people living in this country I must admit and has Nigeria made me. Nigeria gave me a different way to see life.

Who is your role model?

Ahh! I like Oprah. She is just hard working but I will say I also like Mo Abudu but in America, people say I look like Angela Basset. But I seriously like Oprah; I just like women doing great things and being fearless.

Are you single?

Well, as far as I am not married I am single; even if am dating anyone, I am still single.

What project are you working on currently?

Right now I am going into production because I am working on a talk show and

documentary but basically, I just want to put Africa in the spotlight spotlight and let the world know that Africa is very beautiful and we are talented. I am specially interested in African fashion.

What advice do you have for young ladies out there that use the economic recession as an excuse to depend on men for sustenance?

When you have a goal and a dream, nothing can stop you. Wherever you found yourself, just get the best of it. If you have a dream, goal and a vision, I don’t think the economy can stop you: it could be a hindrance but it cannot stop you. I have heard a lot about people who started with nothing but today they are very successful in this same Nigeria that we all say is hard and everything. If you have a goal, vision and a dream, with God you will be unstoppable.

Who is your crush?

Wow! I don’t have a crush in Nigeria but in America. I like Tyler Perry but he is taken. I just like a God fearing person.

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS Why we are building an ultramodern haulage city –Ayade

2019: Delta governorship aspirant plans to deploy drones for monitoring

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

By JONATHAN WANYAI, Asaba

T

he Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has justified the decision of his government in creating an ultra-modern haulage city within the Calabar metropolis stressing that it is aimed at contending the miasma associated with trucks.

The governor made this known in Calabar while paying a working visit to the city which is under construction. He disclosed that the city which is designed to accommodate 8000 trucks daily is aimed at ensuring that the roads remained safe and the city centre is decongested.

Justifying his decision to establish the facility, the governor said “the idea of building the haulage city became imperative as Calabar plays host to 19 active tank farms creating an aggregate of 7000 trucks a day.

“When you look at that in synergism with what we experience with the quarries, the flour mill, ports and the cement factory, then we have up to 8000 trucks a day.”

“The present scenario is creating a huge embarrassment to the state and indeed Calabar, and to be able to contend with the social miasma that is associated with the trucks, it became evident that we needed to create a haulage city, the governor emphasized.

“In the haulage city, there will be a proper bed, air-conditioned rooms at a considerate price, so you can sleep properly and wake like a human being in the morning while avoiding mobile accidents that would have occurred,” he stated.

He said the haulage city which has a unique design will be fully digitalized with ICT-based communication and more importantly providing service maintenance, lubrication as well as other support services.

APC ward congress sign of system failure -- Onuesoke

By JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

C

hieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has described the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses across the country, as a sign of system failure of the ruling party.

Onuesoke made this known in media chat with newsmen in Osun State while reacting to the conduct and outcome of the APC ward congresses held across the country over the weekend after the PDP South West mega rally in Oshogbo.

“The violence, killings and brutality that characterized the conduct and the outcome of the ward congress of the ruling party is a sign of system failure within the structure of the party and the country if Nigerians allow APC to come back in 2019. This is just a prelude to the monumental collapse that will befall the APC if they go ahead with their planed national convention” “No doubt, the outcome of the APC ward congresses across the country is a manifestation of the level of division, injustice and lack of internal democracy which has been the hallmark of the ruling party since its conception till date and this goes to show that all is not well with the ruling party, which is a further prove that APC as a party can no longer be trusted by Nigerians for another four years, How can we trust a party that is divided against itself”

A

head of the 2019 general elections, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the Action Democratic Party(ADP), Comrade Frank Ufuoma Esanubi, has said that in order to check rigging of elections in Delta state, he plans to deploy modern technology including drones to monitor the 2019 elections.

Comrade Esanubi who spoke to journalists in Warri to outline his plans for Delta state said he would introduce various innovations to jump start economic development of the state saying it was time for Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and others like him to retire, having been in government for over 16 years with nothing to show for it, resulting to massive unemployment and infrastructural decay.

He blamed the previous PDP government in the state for neglecting

economic development while making politics the largest employer of labour with the State governor alone having over 200 aides.

Comrade Esanubi promised to reorganize and make efficient, the airports in Asaba, Warri as well as upgrade the educational sector.

“I have a firm conviction within me that we cannot all give up on the future of our homeland. In that we have not inherited the earth from our fathers but have borrowed it from our children, we need to leave our communities better than we met it by contributing our own quota to the development of the nation, wherever we find ourselves.

We are collectively worse off when we try to be individually better off.

‘The evident frustration and loss of faith in “Project Nigeria” is due to persistent and successive maladministration by the political class.

Many Nigerians are risking their lives daily travelling through the

hostile Sahara Desert and tempestuous Mediterranean Sea just to escape the hopelessness that shrouds this country despite its abundant wealth of resources. Those in the middle to upper class continue to send their children to be educated outside our shores and follow suit by relocating to live abroad. We cannot solve the problem by running away from it but rather we must rise to the challenge of making our country great again.

In a related development, Esanubi also declared his intention to contest as Delta State Governor before his kinsmen in Aghalokpe.

Also, in support of his candidacy, scores of party faithful from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) embraced the ADP to ensure that Esanubi’s governorship aspiration came to fruition.

Declaring his intention to a mammoth crowd at Aghalokpe, week-

end, Esanubi said his intention to contest for the revered position was to enable him change the story of Delta State, adding that his success story would not be complete if it is not on record that he is from Aghalokpe.

“My fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters the change we will bring will commence from Aghalokpe community and there is no way you will develop everywhere without starting from your community because as popular the saying goes ‘ charity begins at home.

“So all I require from you is your prayers because it is sufficient to carry me through. I need not ask for your support because I already know I have your support as nobody would throw his own child away. I have come here today to offer myself in service to my community and state at large and I need you as human being needs air to survive.

C’River: Senatorial hopeful advocates politics without bitterness

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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• A cross section of new executive committee members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Wing during their inauguration, in Enugu, by President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo Jnr

Bayelsa community demands access road from Agip

By CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

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he people of Ikarama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Monday took to the streets demanding the construction of a two-kilometer access road to the oilfield operated

by Nigeria Agip Oil Company in the area.

The protesters in their numbers sang solidarity songs with placards and danced round the riverside settlement.

The traditional ruler of the community, Chief Herbertson Alfred who spoke at the occasion lamented that officials of Agip pass through neighboring communities in Rivers state to access Ikarama fields which he said is approximately 16 kilometers.

According to the traditional ruler, the practice makes it difficult for the community to monitor movement of unscrupulous people who he claimed often vandalize pipelines at the oilfield to create the wrong

impression that Ikarama people are vandals.

He said that the people had tabled its request for construction of the two-kilometer access road in writing and was deploying peaceful and persuasive ways to get Agip to see the need for the road to both parties.

“Agip started operating in Ikarama forests in 1984, and when they started operations they said they did not have the resources to construct a bridge across the Ikarama River and opted to pass through Idagbare in Rivers.

“That route is awkward and causes a lot of problems, it is like a visitor passing through the window or kitchen to enter your house, and we want Agip to come into Ikarama through our entrance and not through the window”.

Alfred noted with pleasure that Shell had constructed a solid bridge across Ikarama River to their own location in Ikarama, saying the community is ready to also give Agip land at no cost because the road will

open up the areas nearby.

“It will be a win- win situation for all of us and we had appealed to Agip to do the road and we want other stakeholders to prevail on the oil firm to take advantage of our hand of friendship and work with us to unlock our potentials”, he said.

The traditional ruler maintained that contrary to the perception that Ikarama was notorious for oil spills from pipeline sabotage; the attacks in the oilfield were perpetrated by people who gain access through other communities.

In the same vein, a Women leader in the community, Mrs Ayibakoro Warder noted that the road to the oilfields would add value to the fishing and farming vocations of the people and connect them to the markets for their produce.

She said that the construction of the access road to the Ikarama oil fields would reposition the area for economic development and bring the social benefits to the community.

n entrepreneur and senatorial hopeful in Cross River State, Chris Agara has warned the electorate particularly his supporters against the use of violence just because they want him to represent them in the national assembly.

Agara who joins the increasing number of aspirants jostling to represent the Central Senatorial District in the national assembly gave the charge during a courtesy visit to the PDP state party chairman at the party secretariat in Calabar.

According to Agara who has invested largely in the cocoa and rice sectors in the state, his kind of politics is likened to that of late Ibrahim Waziri of the then Great Nigerians Party GNPP whose ideology was based on Politics without bitterness.

“My own kind of politics is like that of Waziri Ibrahim, politics of bitterness please don’t go and spill blood just because you want me to win at all cost.

“I prefer not to get the position am aspiring for rather than to spill the blood of an innocent man just because you want me to win at all cost. If you go and die in the course of trying to spill blood for my sake what will you tell God when the reckoning comings?” Agara said.

He disclosed that he came to the Secretariat to notify the leaders of the party of his intention to serve his people at the national assembly as well as show solidarity and loyalty to the party leadership.

Also speaking, the Director General DG, Agara Agam Support Group and former House of the representative member for Ikom Boki federal constituency, Hon. Jones Ojong Tangban said they came to familiarize themselves with the leadership of the party and also show the people that they have a viable product to market.

Tangban said Agara Agam is not new to the party adding that the aspirant had an immense capacity to lead the people of the senatorial district if given the opportunity.

Ntufam Inok Edim, the chairman of the party in the state commended the group for the visit to the secretariat adding that as a party the secretariat was open to all aspirants who may want to pay a courtesy visit.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Women accountants in C’River celebrate 40th anniversary

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he Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Cross River State Chapter, 29th April, 2018, marked her 40th anniversary with a thanksgiving service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Henshaw Town Parish, Calabar.

In her remarks, the President of SWAN in the State, Mrs. Effanga Henshaw stated that the event which went on across all states of the federation was aimed at thanking the Almighty God for seeing them through the association’s forty years of existence.

Henshaw said the Executive of SWAN which was barely inaugurated in December, 2017 has recorded tremendous strides and grown in leaps and bounds, adding that as female accountants, their aspiration are not only to serve the profession, but also contribute meaningfully to the development of society.

The President pointed out that in a male-dominated discipline such as accounting; it has become pertinent for more females to veer into the accounting profession. She prayed that God that has made the Cross River Chapter of SWAN waxed strong in spite of its fledgling existence in the State will make it stronger in the years to come, while appreciating the support shown by their male counterparts in the State.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Kelly Ayamba said they deemed it important to support the female wing of ICAN in thanking God for its fortieth anniversary celebration.

Ayamba felicitated with SWAN on its fortieth anniversary, describing it as a “great feat.” He also prayed that God continues to strengthen SWAN in the State for the betterment of the profession and the society at large.

In his admonition, the Associate Minister, Rev. Anoke Otu thanked the leadership of SWAN in Cross River for their choice of Henshaw Town Parish of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria for their thanksgiving service and prayed the Almighty’s divine hand on SWAN in the State and Nigeria at large.

As part of its celebration, the body also visited the Motherless Babies Home at Ekpo Nsa Street, off Uwanse Lane, Calabar with donations of assorted gifts items.

Presenting the items to the management of the home, Mrs. Effanga Henshaw said SWAN had deemed it necessary to visit and share with the kids as part of activities marking its fortieth anniversary.

Receiving the gifts on behalf of the management of the home, Madam Victoria Asuquo thanked SWAN for the gesture and promised to make judicious use of the gifts for the betterment of the children. She also prayed for replenishment and God’s blessings to members of the group.

The event of SWAN fortieth anniversary climaxed with a reception at the State Secretariat of the body at State Housing Estate, Calabar.

Oyegun’s NWC behind ward congress crises – Ucha

BY CHINEDU NWAFOR

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overnorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections in Ebonyi state, Senator Julius Ucha, has accused the Chief John Odegie Oyegun’s led National Working Committee of the party of masterminding the crises witnessed during the last Saturday’s APC ward congress nationwide.

Senator Ucha who represented Ebonyi senatorial zone in the national Assembly, while briefing journalists in Abakaliki Monday, over the outcome of the congress, alleged that the activities of the Oyegun’s led NWC were akin to a civilian coup against President Muhammadu Buhari and the teeming supporters of the party.

He said the crises and violence that engulfed the last Saturday

ward congress across the country were “illegal and unethical” actions of NWC members which have endangered the democratic process.

Ucha noted that the actions have given rise to anarchy in the party, evident in the violence and lawlessness witnessed all over the place because people were not given the freedom to choose who would be their party leaders.

He said Oyegun’s led NWC was bent in destroying the party since they were no longer wanted instead of leaving the party, just to satisfy their own interest.

Ucha added that Oyegun was breeding crises in the party in all the states of the federation especially Ebonyi state, where factional executive members had emerged since the congresses in 2014 which the national chairman reportedly adopted as the best congress in the

state.

“Our great party, the APC slated our party ward congress all over the country. This is what we had expected over the years and it came eventually. Last Saturday in Ebonyi state, we were expecting an unbiased state congress committee. Fundamentally, congressional election is anchored on quick sand. I say this because when you give your trust on illegality, there is a tendency that any trust founded on illegality will eventually collapse.

“What is happening today is like a civilian coup against the teeming supporters of APC in Nigeria and also against the leader of the party, President Muhamammdu Buhari. I say this and I’m serious about it. We have a NWC that will expire in June, 2018 and these members of NWC want to contest.

“The National convention com-

• Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki checking Senator Dino Melaye’s blood pressure. Melaye is confined to hospital from where he attends court sessions.

NUPENG suspends operations in Bayelsa over Army, NSCDC clash

By CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

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carcity of petroleum products has again hit Bayelsa State following the decision of members of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend operations until the two trucks impounded by the16 Brigade, Nigeria Army are released along with their drivers.

As at the time of filing this report, many petrol stations in the state were under lock and key as many consumers sourced the product from the black market at N300 to 400 per liter.

Our correspondent gathered that the operatives of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa Command had impounded two trucks along Ogbia-Nembe road and were taking them to their command headquarters when soldiers from the 16 Brigade intercepted and took the truck to their own premises in Yenagoa.

It was further learnt that the soldiers who outnumbered the civil defense personnel forcibly took possession of the truck and compelled the NSCDC personnel to take to their heels.

While officials of NSCDC maintained that it was their mandate under the law to handle oil theft, check diversion of petroleum products, the soldiers claimed that the NSCDC operation was suspicious.

Speaking on the development on Monday, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Godwin Nwachukwu said that the two security agencies were already in talks to resolve the face off.

“Our personnel and soldiers had an encounter in the field but the leadership of the sister security agencies have stepped in and maturity has come to play and we are jointly handling the case.

“Our mandate is very clear and unambiguous when it comes to protecting oil and gas facilities, curbing oil theft, and checking di-

version of petroleum products.

What happened was unfortunate, but due to the excellent relations we have it is being resolved.

“We are working with the Army and investigation is already underway,” the NSCDC boss said.

On his part, Spokesman of the16 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Danjuma Danjuma, said on Monday that the Army intercepted the trucks under suspicious circumstances as the community and NSCDC were engaged in arguments when soldiers came.

Danjuma said that samples of the products were undergoing laboratory tests to ascertain whether the products were illegally refined or duly sourced from NNPC as claimed by owners of the products.

He said that until the suspicions were cleared, the trucks would remain with the Brigade, adding that the trucks are safe and test results are expected in a few days.

mittee was put in place and members of NWC who are also going to contest for their various offices are now driving the process, to jettison the convention. That is why I called it a civilian coup against the system.

These party officials at the national secretariat are now judges in their own courts. They are the people who have put in place the structures that are called congress committees that elect delegates that will elect them.

The APC chieftain insisted that the Ajayi Nicholas led seven-man congress committee had not conducted any congress in the state as the committee had not put the structure in place to conduct the ward congresses, stressing that the inclusion of a staff of the National secretariat of the party, Mr Anyagh Memorial, as secretary of Ebonyi state ward congress committee was also illegal.

He alleged that instead of the committee to conduct the congresses, they relocated to one factional office of the party to allocate wards indiscriminately to some stakeholders.

“That’s why on our own seeing that the committee was not here to conduct congresses, but to call some people to say look I allocate four wards to you, I allocate three wards to you. I said look, this is to disenfranchise the teeming supporters of APC and create an impression that these our supporters are idiot who have no rights to vote.

“So what we did was that we have the three people we nominated as congress committee. We used them to conduct congresses all over the wards in the state. INEC visited them and saw our men conducting congresses. They monitored it. We are going to present our results to the national leadership of our party”.

“In Ebonyi State, we were told that the congress committee arrived. We didn’t see anybody. We were told again that they were operating from Enugu state. I told the chairman of the congress committee that there are two secretariats of APC in Ebonyi state. If you were given directives to go to a particular place and you went to a particular office, he should have asked questions. There are two functional offices of APC. “What they should have asked the stakeholders was to get a hotel accommodation for them so that they will be neutral. That was what Mrs Adesole Ndu did in 2014. When you do that, you have not offended anybody. People will be happy and ask leaders of the two groups to send two or three names so you will use to build your ward congress committees. Apart from that, it will be difficult for you to do the proper thing. The chairman of the committee told me that he was in Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police’s office that he will get back to me, up till now, he has not gotten to me”.

Ucha further said that though he was not against any member of the NWC but called on President Buhari to intervene to save the party from the onslaught by the NWC members who have captured the party as a personal enterprise, to give their teeming supporters in the party hope that democracy is still an institution that they should have confidence in.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Pupils in Onitsha protest citing of market by school gate

BY CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

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ome school pupils of the Bethroots Model Schools, Anambra State, Tuesday took to the streets, protesting the recent building of a market in the city near their school premises.

The placards-carrying pupils had various inscriptions critical of the initial siting of and building of rows of shops and thereafter now a “full blown market” near their school.

Some of the placards read, “Don’t allow Education to go into extinction”, “Respect our right to education”, “Our future is worth more than money”, “I love school, please keep me safe”, “Live and Let live”.

They argued that the development was against their right to education.

According to the head pupil, Chioma, who spoke to journalists, Gov Willie Obiano should intervene before things get out of hand.

“They want to expose us to imminent danger by citing this market here.

How can we cope with the volume of traffic that will be on this road if this market is allowed to be? Already this place is replete with shops which were not in the original plan for this area; and now they are building this market again.

“Our governor, Chief Willie Obiano should save us from this calamity. All of us must not be traders. Our founding fathers like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, Prof Kenneth Dike, Prof Chike Obi and so on were not traders. Why are they foisting this trader mentality on all us now?

Mr Valentine Utulu, who is the legal adviser to the school, we gathered earlier petitioned the state governor urging him to stop the distortion of the master plan of the area by traders, land speculators and such interest groups.

The petition entitled, “Protest against the distortion of the master plan of Victory Estate, Odoagba/Otakpo phase two, 3-3,Onitsha”, dated October, 17,2017 read in part,” There is no approval for a market in that vicinity.

The Area is designated as a residential area, with schools and limited commercial activity.

“There is no provision made, in the master plan to accommodate the huge traffic of vehicles the proposed market will attract and it will greatly and adversely affect the quality of life of residents, pupils and those merely driving through. “It is wrong to site a market next to a school, any school, for that matter. It destroys the serenity of the academic environment painstakingly created for learning.

“It will pose a serious security challenge for the safety of the children of the school, especially being a coeducational school. If this market is allowed, the students will be exposed to the dangers of rape, physical attacks by touts who are usually attracted to markets, and kidnapping which is rife in Anambra State.

“The proposed market is an intention to bring disorder into an orderly environment, it is a distortion of the master plan and a flouting of extant environmental and town planning laws with the motive of putting the pecuniary interests of Mr. Ikenna Unachukwu above the interests of society, the, government, and our little children who ought to be nurtured in a conducive safe and secure environment.

“We are therefore by this letter urge you sir, in the name of God and for the benefit of posterity to use your good offices to put a stop to the plans of Mr. Ikenna Unachukwu to bring a market into a residential Estate and in the middle of nursery, primary and secondary schools, in defiance of existing laws.”

Ward Congress: APC Panel came to do hatchet job in C’River – Enoh

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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s the controversy generated by the aborted APC Ward Congresses in Cross River festers, the Senator representing Cross River Central in the National Assembly, John Owan Enoh has described the Stan Ekezie Panel as coming to the state to do a hatchet job.

It would be recalled that the ward congresses in the state were inadvertently aborted when materials intended for use in the Congress were diverted and eventually seized by concerned stakeholders at a Hotel in the state capital. The materials which were taken to the State Headquarters of the party along Barracks Road in Calabar were handed over to the Cross River State Police Commissioner for further investigations.

Speaking with Oracle Today after the aborted congresses, Senator Enoh emphasized that the Stan Ekezie came to the state to foist an unpopular mandate against the generality of the people of the state and the congresses had to be aborted in view of this.

According to the Senator, “I

think that the fact that congresses have not been held in Cross River is something we should not be proud about. This is part of the process of deepening democracy in the APC in Cross River. This is part of the processes of widening the room to accommodate different tendencies within the party.

“I think that the congress committee that was sent to Cross River came to do a hatchet job against the generality of membership in Cross River. The chairman of the Congress, I have met with him twice in Abuja and each time I met with him, I made one request to him and I told him that we have 196 wards in Cross River and I told him that when he comes he should ensure that there are transparency and that election held in all the 196 wards and locations.

“I think he came in yesterday (Friday) and told us that there was going to meeting at 8 am for him to address stakeholders. After waiting for about two hours without seeing him, we had to go in search of him and found him in a hotel where you have the people who on their own

want to foist on Cross River APC an unpopular agenda.

“So what we have decided here is that given all the prevailing circumstances and all the things that have happened here, that we have lost confidence in the ability of this panel to conduct free and fair primaries”, he said.

He disclosed that it is disheartening that while party men and women are working hard to ensure that they emerge through a democratic process, some people have been writing names whom they think are their loyalists.

He maintained that Abuja needs to know that the Cross River APC has rejected the panel set up to conduct congresses in the state so that when next time they will not send a team that will come and do a hatchet job.

While corroborating the position of the Senator, the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the Party, Hilliard Eta stated that the congresses in the state were designed

by John Oyegun and Osita Izunazo to fail and they have lost confidence in the appointing authority.

“The Congress in the state was designed to fail. It was designed by John Oyegun and Osita Izunazo to fail we have lost confidence in Oyegun, the appointing authority.

“Our position is that a new national chairman and executive of the party will take over by the 13th of June, we will wait until they take over and then come to Cross River State to conduct free, fair and transparent congresses. We have lost confidence in Oyegun and Cross River State will wait for the next chairman of the party to come and constitute a panel that will conduct congress in the state”, he said.

Also speaking, the special adviser to the president on Public Prosecution and Chairman of the Presidential Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, Okoi Obono Obla chastised the attitude of the Panel.

According to him, the stakeholders of the party in the state are absolutely disappointed over the attitude of the chairman of the Panel, Dr Stan Ekezie thus it is impracticable to hold congresses in the state because it is premised on the electoral act.

Agriculture: Partnership with Korean investors to create 2000 direct jobs -- Wike

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• Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike receiving a delegation of Korean investors in agriculture at the Government House Port Harcourt, led by Mr Kim Kyochang.

PUBLIC NOTICE AND CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as MISS. UCHE BIBIAN NDIBE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BIBIAN UCHE CHUKWUMAIGWE. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has stated that 2000 direct jobs will be created in the state when the agricultural project by Korean Investors comes to fruition.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by Korean Investors in agriculture at the Government House Port Harcourt, weekend, Governor Wike said that the administration places premium on agriculture.

He said agriculture will be developed by the State Government in liaison with private investors to create jobs across the state.

He assured the Korean Investors that the State Government will create an enabling environment for their company to thrive. He said a certificate of occupancy will be processed for the 10,000 hectares to be used by the company.

“Our priority is how to attract investors to the state. Agriculture if well harnessed will be highest employer of labour after government.

That is what we are trying to do.

Rice production is very key. Ours is to make sure that the right environment is created for foreign investors to bring their funds to the state.”

The governor directed that details of further involvement of the State Government in the investment be worked out by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Commerce and the Attorney General of Rivers State in liaison with the investors.

Remarking, Managing Director of Chang B2B Company Limited and Leader of Delegation, Mr Kim Kyochang assured that the company will invest in rice production in Emohua Local Government Area.

He said that over the last 50 years, South Korea has witnessed massive development, noting that his company like others has committed themselves to investments outside South Korea.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Luxurious bus owners, drivers protest killing of members by armed militias

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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uxury Bus drivers along with members of the Luxury Bus Owners Association of Nigeria (LUBOAN) has threatened to lock down the highways leading to and out of northern parts of Nigeria following the killing of their drivers, conductors and passengers along the Benue - Nasarawa highways by armed bandits terrorizing them in the two states.

The drivers and LUBOAN members expressed their anger on the killing of their members in a protest march in Onitsha following the recent killing of a conductor working for Ifeanyichukwu Motors along Benue - Nasarawa Road by gun men

who were armed with Ak-47 rifles and dressed in Army uniform The transporters carried leaves and placards during the protest saying that their lives are danger on the highways because of the killing spree by suspected herdsmen. They gave the Federal Government 7days to address the issue or face their action.

They also alleged to have lost over 20 lives between last year and this year, while over 50 persons have sustained various degrees of bullet wounds on the road and repeatedly said that they are ready to block the road completely if the Federal Government fails to pay attention to the ugly issue.

Leaders of the group and the

Confusion over transfer of Imo CP

By COLLINS UGHALAA

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here is confusion in Imo State over the purported transfer of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Chris Ezike, Tuesday due to his alleged partisan involvement in the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held Saturday, May 5, 2018.

It was gathered that the CP would be replaced by a new CP, D.D. Galadinchi. However, the embattled Ezike was seen at the state police command on Tuesday inspecting the process for the ongoing recruitment into the force and later received the wife of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum.

The Governor was represented at the reception by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir George Eche, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Head of Service, Sir Calistus Ekenze, commissioners, and special advisers as they welcomed the wife of the Inspector General of Police, Princess Asmau Ndayako Idris, who is in Imo State with her entourage on official function for a campaign against child trafficking, cultism and drug abuse.

The CP’s transfer is said to have emanated from his alleged partisan roles in the APC ward congress on Saturday, following the disappearance of sensitive mate-

rials that were meant for the conduct of APC ward congresses in the state.

While government house sources claimed that the CP was removed because he aided the opponents of the Governor in the disappearance of the Ward Congress Committee Chairman and the sensitive materials for the congress, the opponents of the Governor said it was not true.

It was also gathered that said transfer of the CP followed an alleged petition to the IGP by the National Organizing Secretary of the APC, Senator Osita Izunaso, who accused the CP of bungling his house in search of the missing materials for the ward congress and the Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee.

The CP had accompanied the Governor to the private residence of the Senator on Saturday in search of the materials during which the Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee was said to have disappeared. The Governor had said that the Chairman could not have left the premises in the midst of heavy security at the Senator’s house, insisting that the CP searched the house.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Andrew Enwerem, has not been available for a comment as he did not pick calls on his phone.

2019: Rescue Movement vows to rescue Nigerians

By OGE ONYEANUSI

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nambra State Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (N.R.M), Rev Dr Emeka Chukwuemeka has stated the resolve of the party to make a clarion call to duty and rescue Nigeria from ‘its present decadent and comatose state as a task all Nigerians must undertake otherwise future generation and posterity will have question on us.’

Chukwukemeka, who stated this during his constituency visit to Idemili North local government area Anambra State, noted that it is an established fact that the socioeconomic, political and cultural challenges in Nigeria are the major burning issues that have varied consequences on our existence as a nation, our survival and livelihood as a people.

He restated the party’s continuous commitment to democratic principles and norms that incor-

porates all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity into a single socioeconomic and political system.

“We all know that the changes we have experienced in Nigeria have not been for the benefit of the common managing that only those in the corridors of power have gained with the multiplication of riches whereas the ordinary citizens have remained in penury.

“National Rescue Movement as NRM has rightly created the needed and long over-due political platform for like minds who are determined to salvage this country and emancipate its youths and citizenry from these cabals that call themselves political Godfathers who for many years have refused to give way to our youths to inject the God given talents and digital modern ideology into the system of governance thereby moving the nation forward into a new developed productive nation’’ he said.

National Task Force Chairman of the Association Mr. Chigbo Emebo, and his South East counterpart, Mr. Uchenna Maduako, lamented the incessant attack on their buses, wondering why the gunmen dressed in police and army uniforms always attack them at check points.

They alleged that within one week, they witnessed three robbery attacks, the latest on May 6, when the driver of Ifeanyichukwu Motors was stopped at checkpoint and gunmen in army uniform opened fire on them killing the assistant driver (conductor) on the spot.

“They are using police and army uniforms to rob our buses and kill our drivers and conductors as well as passengers. Early this week,

they shot and killed a conductor of Ifeanyichukwu Motors, three days ago they robbed and killed two passengers of FG Onyenwe Motors.

“The federal government and security agents should do something from now till next week, and if they fail to provide adequate security, then, we will proceed on massive protest and block the entire roads.

“We cannot afford to lose where we are feeding our families. We are providing job for many people, because there is no luxury bus company that doesn’t have about 200 workers, and you know what it means to sack such number of workers, what will be their fate?

We are, also, contributing to the revenue base of the country, we

pay taxes and levies, we pay for our plate numbers and licenses; after aviation, it is luxury buses in terms of revenue and services, so, government should provide adequate security on the highway,”Maduako said.

The luxury bus owners also alleged that Customs officers always delay their buses on the road “for unnecessary checks, which force the drivers to pass through black spots at late hours. They insisted that their busses don’t carry contraband goods, but only carry clothes from Onitsha to the North, stressing that the incessant attack on the roads may force them to withdraw their busses from the highways.

• Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa (r) during the empowerment programme organised by the member representing Okpe Constituency and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at Osubi, Okpe local government area of Delta State

C’River community lauds govt over road rehabilitation projects

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

R

esidents, stakeholders and farmers in Yala, an agrarian community in Cross River State have expressed huge relief and appreciation to the State government for commencing massive and comprehensive road rehabilitation in the community.

Yala which is noted for its enormous agricultural produce particularly yam and rice is one of the remotest parts of the state and shares boundary with Benue State.

The parlous state of its feeder and link roads have over time posed an enormous challenge to the residents who had suffered huge losses from their farm produce as a result.

Speaking while flagging off the rehabilitation of some feeder roads in the community, the traditional ruler’s council of Yache and Gabu communities, Chief Godwin Abru, Clan head of Aji--Endichwi clan said the area has never had it so good. They maintained that the rehabilitation of the roads will go a long way in the economy of the communities.

On his part, the Hon. Mathias Oko, former Secretary of Yala

Council who spoke on behalf of Gabu commended the governor for his intervention stressing that in view of this the community will always stand by the governor in his political aspirations.

“We commend governor Ayade for the prompt intervention on the road project as well as the quick release of funds towards the project. We also appreciate the Executive Secretary of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Steve for his resilience in standing by the governor at all times to deserve the needed attention as shown here today”.

He implored the supervisor of the road project to expedite action to touch on critical areas of the roads up to Gabu before heavy rains may set in to save the people of the untold hardship they have been going through in the past decades.

Responding, Executive Secretary of SUBEB, Barr Stephen Odey who is also an indigene of the community commended the governor for listening to the pleas of the community by coming to rescue the people of the area through road rehabilitation.

“He feels fulfilled because his

dream of improving the welfare and wellbeing of his people is gradually being accomplished, courtesy of a listening father like governor Ayade as has manifested in the change going on in his area.

“My motivation has been that of thinking about the welfare and wellbeing of the needy. And today, through my boss, my mentor and a listening father, governor Ayade, my dreams have turned reality having picked me to touch on the lives of my people”.

On his part, the Director-General, Urban renewal, Cross River state and the road project supervisor, Mr Uko Inaku, said the agelong suffering of the people of the area will soon be history as governor Ayade, a listening father has ordered immediate intervention on the rehabilitation of the rural roads to assuage the age-long suffering of the people.

“We know how long our people have suffered from neglect. But the case is now different under Prof Ayade. As you can see, we have commenced work in earnest beginning with bulldozing of the roads, after which we will get to the next phase which is grading and tarring”.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

IPOB directs sit-at-home protest for May 30 A THE RAYS, Onitsha

s part of activities to mark this year’s Biafra Remembrance Day, the leadership and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have declared May 30, 2018 as no-work day but also a sit-athome day for people in Biafra Land and other parts of the country.

A statement issued by IPOB Director of Media and Publicity Emma Powerful, said the pro-Biafra group will also use the day to ‘remember all victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram violence and those that died at the hands of Nigerian security agencies over the years that nobody remembers.’

“We are calling on all the people of Southern Kaduna, Middle Belt especially Benue, Adamawa, Kogi, those affected by herdsmen terrorism in Ondo and other states in Yoruba-

land to join the great family of IPOB in observing a day of solemn prayer and sit at home to remember those that lost their lives unlawfully at the hands of Fulani terrorist herdsmen and security agencies.

“There will be no human, vehicular or animal movement across Biafraland on the 30th May 2018. Biafraland will be in total lock down. Middle Belt and Yorubaland brethren are advised to join this historic sit at home to honour the memory of all that died unjustly in Nigeria.

“Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are encouraged to open their places of worship on the midnight of the 29th of May for special midnightprayers in remembrance of all that died as a result of violence. Special vigil will be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes.

“30th of May is an annual remembrance event initiated by IPOB

worldwide to honour our fallen Biafran soldiers without whom this generation of Biafrans would not have existed. We owe our heroes of the class of 67-70 an incalculable debt of gratitude and shall honor them annually until the end of time.

We shall never forget them!

Meanwhile, as part of activities lined up for the 18th year of re-declaration of the New Biafra which took place in Aba, Abia state on May 22, 2,000. Founder of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM/Leader of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has directed all MASSOB/BIM members to march in major federal roads within its territories on Tuesday, May 22, this year.

According to the Uwazuruike, march would take place simultaneously in Benin, Edo state; Port Har-

court, Rivers State; Asaba, Delta State; Calabar, Cross River State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; Onitsha, Anambra State; Enugu, Enugu State; Aba, Abia State; Owerri, Imo State; Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

In a press statement issued, Tuesday, and signed on his behalf by the Biafra Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike stated that the annual celebration is in line with its non-violence principle towards the carving out of Biafra as an independent state from Nigeria.

Uwazuruike recalled that in the world history, no revolutionary struggles, no matter how long it takes has ever failed to achieve its goals and objectives but emphasised that starting a revolution as he did in 1999 was the most difficult thing anyone can do.

He stressed that the importance

Ebonyi Orientation Camp deplorable -- NYSC DG

Youths demand inclusion in SME in Abia

By BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

Y

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

B

rigadier General Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said the condition of the permanent orientation camp in Afikpo, Ebonyi state was deplorable.

The DG who handed down the appeal while inspecting the camp during his visit to the 2018 Batch “A’’ corps members corps, noted that the camp was old and needs total overhaul.

“We are appealing to the state government to look into the state of facilities in the camp as it is the responsibility of state governments to maintain NYSC orientation camps in their states”.

He also urged corps members to shun crimes such as advance free fraud.

He noted that the corps would has not started posting corps members to Ishiellu LGA of the state because it was still waiting for information from security agencies and stakeholders of the council on its safety.

“Corps members would not be posted to areas such as communities in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states because of the security situation in those places,” he said.

He noted that the corps has resumed the posting of corps members to Maiduguri because of improvement in security as it would post corps members only to safe areas in the country.

“I commend the corps members for the report of good conduct received about them and I advise them to shun crimes such as Advanced Free Fraud, corruption among others.

Kazaure advised them take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme seriously because it is clear that there are no longer white collar jobs in the country.

The NYSC State Director, Mrs Regina Iluebbey, thanked Kazaure for the visit, noting that it was not all corps members that have the privilege of meeting the NYSC DG during their service years.

“2, 201 corps members were deployed to the state under the batch, consisting of 1,116 males and 1,085 females as 80 pregnant females left the camp or were relocated to their homes within Ebonyi.

of the 2018 Biafran Day celebration was intended to draw the attention of the international community that Biafra struggle for independence is still on course.

Robinson Agbo and Onyebuchi Ezia arrested 6 days before Nov 18th election.

He therefore charged Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to facilitate the release of nine MASSOB Members Including under detention in Anambra State, including Chukwuma Nwoba, Longinus Akuegbuv, Okechukwu Onuorah, Anthony Wilfred, Sunday Igwe, Sunday Nweke, David Ota, Robinson Agbo and Onyebuchi Ezia who were arrested by the security agents in the state and hounded into detention, six days before the November 18, 2017 governorship election in the state.

• Minister of Employment, Chief Chris Ngige (r) with his Culture and Information counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Aso Villa, Abuja

Ward congress: Don’t intervene for Okorocha -- APC leaders warn Osinbajo

By COLLINS UGHALAA

L

eaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja insisting that they had credible ward congresses in the state on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in the 305 wards in the state that produced ward excos.

The leaders warned the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who has been allegedly mounting pressures on the national leadership of the party to cancel the ward congresses in Imo, to steer clear of the Imo APC, saying that Governor Okorocha has lost relevance.

In a press release signed by Dr. James Obi after the meeting in Abuja, the APC leaders said the Vice President should steer clear of the state chapter’s affairs and respect the will of the people, noting that as a senior lawyer he should be mindful of the legal implications of his alleged interference.

“There is credible information that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led forces within the party were mounting pressure on the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to alter the party’s ward congress that took place last Saturday in Imo State,” the statement read.

Governor Okorocha had rushed to Daura, Katsina State, last Sunday and briefed President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged infractions that characterised the congress in Imo, saying that the “funny politics” witnessed at Saturday’s ward congress of the APC across the country must stop.

“We expect internal democracy and internal democracy is the way to go. This kind of funny politics that we are playing must stop,” the governor said after meeting with the President.

However, the APC leaders in the statement signed by Dr Obi said the outcome of the congress on Saturday in the state was a ‘’sound democratic decision’’ of members of APC across the wards, and warned against tampering with the result.

“Against the falsehoods being peddled around by Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was defeated in the ward congress on Saturday, congress was held in all wards in Imo State. ‘’In fact, it was Okorocha who attempted to write the result in the Imo State Government House, but he failed woefully. From the beginning, he wanted to manipulate the process.

“First, he rejected members of the committee that were sent to the state to conduct the congress, and

forced the party to send the panel initially deployed to Anambra State to Imo State. But members of the committee who came to Imo State stood their ground and refused to be used

by Governor Okorocha.

“Now we hear the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is putting pressure on the national leadership of our party, on behalf of Okoroacha, to tamper with the congress”, the leaders said.

The party leaders further said: ‘’The Vice President should be very careful; he is a senior lawyer and should not do anything that will undermine the internal democracy of our party.

Those elected will go to court if their mandate is tampered with. ‘’We should not resort to the impunity and lawlessness that destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past; we are trying to rescue Imo APC from Governor Okorocha, who wants to destroy the party in the state.’’

They also stated that Governor Okorocha has lost relevance in the state because of his alleged antipeople policies and programmes in the past seven years, saying that any attempt to placate him through undemocratic process would spell doom for APC in Imo State.

ouths from Abia State are pressing for inclusion in the policy drafting committee expected to produce a policy framework for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

To this end, an advocacy group has been raised to meet with top officials of the Ministries of SME and Youth Development to discuss the need to involve the youths in the planning, processes and implementation of Abia State SME programmes.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day forum in Umuahia tagged; “Abia Youths’ Dialogue with Government Agenda,” organized by a non-governmental organisation, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSSDO), with support from Department for International Development (DFID) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the youths also want the government top develop a data base that would capture new and old SMEs in the State.

The activity was partly designed to enable the youths to develop strategies to engage the relevant stakeholders and policy makers from the ministries of SMEs and Youth Development towards making the youths part-owners and actively involved in championing the course of new policy development in the Ministry SME. Participants were drawn from the two ministries, various youth organizations, Civil Society Organisations and the Media.

Programme Manager of SSSDO, Barrister Onyinye Nwachukwu, presented the overview of the dialogue, saying it was to arouse the interest of youths to key into the SME drive of the Abia State government.

Also, a management Consultant, Iyke Donald, delivered a lecture titled; “Entrepreneurship and SMEs in Abia State – Role of government and citizens).”

Iyke stressed the need for the citizens to do their part, including going into business not just for survival but driven by purpose on the basis of interest, determination and conviction before looking up to government.

The participants commended the state government for its commitment and sincere pursuit of SME development in the State.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS Cont’d from Pg 2 moving APC forward.

Dauda expressed delight at the conduct of the congress, saying, “we have seen fair and equity in the conduct.”

He commended party faithful in the state for exhibiting politics of brotherhood and compromise.

A Judge of the state High Court, Sagbama Division, Justice E.G. Omukoro, had granted an injunction on ex parte motion sought by the expelled former chairman and reinstated him as State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

But earlier at a press conference that preceded the congress, Sylva had slammed the Judge for reinstating the sacked chairman.

Sylva argued that there was already a subsisting appeal at the Court of Appeal on the matter of chairmanship of the party, averring that the injunction was not in order.

In Enugu State, but for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who has written off the Saturday, May 5, APC national ward elective congresses, the exercise was adjudged by many party faithful in that state as generally peaceful and rancour-free.

Although many of the elected officers were returned unopposed, The Oracle Today gathered that elections were still held in all the 260 political wards in the state to officially ratify the process.

Similarly, virtually all leaders of the party in the state had, after the congress, passed the exercise as generally flawless, and as praised party delegates for their peaceful conduct throughout the outing, in spite of persistent rain showers.

Those who had certified the exercise as being generally “peaceful, free, fair, orderly and credible” include Former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo to Former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; National Vice Chairman of APC South-East, Emma Eneukwu; Former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, and The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, among others.

However, Onyeama saw the Congress as poorly conducted and a tremendously flawed process.

According to the Minister in a post-congress address to his supporters, “the problem is that there were a lot of complaints that forms were not made available to all the intending contestants, which was a major issue.”

He declared: “We were excluded from the process. I was side-lined alongside my loyalists. Leaders of the party in the state, including a Senior Special Adviser to the president (on Justice Reform, Juliet Ibekaku) were excluded from the process.

“When I noticed that there was a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise several people, as nomination forms were not given to many contestants, I informed all the party leaders that this is what is happening.”

The minister, who described himself as the leader of APC in Enugu State, had reportedly arrived at his Eke Ward when voting had already ended, allegedly in favour of the DG, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, his assumed rival party man.

But Onyeama later disclosed that “our own election was free and fair and we collated our results”, suggesting that there had been parallel congresses in some wards in Enugu State.

He continued: “I was very careful to ensure there was no violence. So, I personally visited a number of wards to ensure there was a transparent process, as well.

So we carried out those elections

APC ward congresses:

•Destruction of APC Secretariat in Port Harcourt before the congress

and they were peaceful and transparent”.

He also alleged that the committee that was sent from the APC headquarters to monitor the congresses in Enugu State never contacted him or any of the eminent members of the party in the state.

“When I saw the level of fraud and disenfranchisement that was playing out, I quickly called all the major national party personalities and advised them that to avoid violence, the process should be cancelled and re-conducted later because it was flawed”.

Meanwhile, most of other leaders of the party maintained their earlier position that the congress was largely successful.

Describing the process as one of the best ever, Emma Eneukwu, who corroborated the position of other prominent leaders of the party in the state said: “The entire exercise was very peaceful and orderly while the turnout remains unprecedented in the history of political ward congresses in Enugu state.”

Before the congress, there were rumours of disagreement and discontent among members in Akwa Ibom, which were, however, denied by some chieftains of the party but the congress exposed the extent of the disagreement.

Founding member of the party in the State and political bigwig from Uyo, Senator John Udoedehe who had been awfully quiet on happenings in the party was among those affected by the rancour brought to an end with the intervention of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Senate) Affairs, Senator Ita Enang.

While speaking at the party secretariat in Uyo after about 18 to 24 hours spanning three days of negotiation with stakeholders, Enang who led the peace move explained to the congress committee that all aggrieved parties had embraced the idea of accommodation, peace and togetherness.

He explained that the party’s intention after the reconciliation is to elect men in each ward and local government capable of campaigning and winning the elections, and that the decision of warring members to forego their individual interests and ensure that the party wins in the next elections was paramount.

He said, “I’m in charge of coordinating the ward local government chapter and state congresses in Akwa Ibom as adviser to the president. I had to coordinate and anchor the peace among the contending interests to ensure that we go into the ward congresses as one united family.

“The different interests have stated what they want and how

they want, and after painstaking discussions and negotiations, we have agreed on the modalities to conduct the ward congresses to accommodate interests of all in the party and carry the party along.

“After about 18 to 24 hours of negotiation we are able to arrive at very solid peace and at the end of the day, we called the congress committee and addressed them and that is the idea of accommodation, peace and togetherness.

“They are going to take to the exercise of conducting the exercises in all the wards. So, we don’t have problem. That is how the matter in Akwa Ibom State has been resolved. We have also agreed that the main intention of the party is to elect men in each ward and each local government that will be able to campaign and win election.

“All interests have been collapsed into one interest. Together, we will be able to win PDP and claim Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge”, he noted.

Bigwigs of the party who were part of the reconciliation include a member of the board of trustees of the party, Chief Don Etiebet; former Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator James Akpanudoedehe; Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Nsima Ekere; Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr Umana Umana; former military governor, Capt. Sam Enwang (retd); member representing Akwa Ibom South in the Senate, Sen. Nelson Effiong; ertswhile senate member, Sen. Aloysius Etok and Ben Ukpong, Chairman, National Population Commission.

No one will dispute that the APC Ward Congress did not pass off peacefully. But it is, arguably, the peace of the grave yard as major stakeholders in the party is locked in bitter struggle for the control of the leadership organs of the state branch.

Prior to the Ward Congresses, there existed two factions contending for the control of the party. A group led by Chief Ikechi Emenike, is trying to uproot the incumbent leadership headed by Chief Donatus Nwankpa.

Nwankpa is believed to have the sympathy and support of many bigwigs in the Abia APC. They include such personalities like a former governor of the State, Dr OrjiUzor Kalu, a former Deputy governor, Chris Akomas, Senator Chris Adighije, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udah Azubuko.

The Ikechi Emenike faction had approached the Court to uproot Nwankpa and his executive. Mr. Fabian Okonkwo, Engr Chris Okpe-

chi and Hon Onyebuchi Igodo, had in a suit number NO: HIN/4/2018 dragged the APC, its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Abia State chairman, Hon Donatus Nwankpa and three others to an Abia State High Court at Okpuala Ngwa in Isiala Ngwa North local government area, challenging the legality of Nwankpa’s executive committee.

Ruling on an exparte motion, Justice C. U. Okoroafor directed the party’s national leadership led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to stop dealing with the Nwankpa and Barr. Menyechi Onuoha and other members of the Abia executive committee, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“The first to fourth respondents are restrained from dealing with the factional list of state, LGA and ward delegates sent to the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja by the Nwankpa- led state exco in any manner until the substantive suit is determined”, the court ordered.

With the pronouncement, the faction that instituted the suit appointed Dr. Emmanuel Aguzie Ndukwe as the party’s interim chairman.

However, Nwankpa dismissed the action of Ndukwe and his group as “irresponsible act by frustrated politicians who want to be noticed.

They should be disregarded,” The Emenike group took a step further by suspending some members of the party including, Nwankpa, Hon. Acho Obioma, Chief Sam Nkire, the 2015 governorship candidate of the party, Anyim Nyerere, Ben Godson, Merechi Onuoha and John Ogumka indefinitely and six others over alleged anti-party activities. Pronto, the Nwankpa group also claimed that Chief Emenike has been suspended by the party in his ward.

An attempt by the Emenike group to take over the party secretariat on Friday April 20, 2019 degenerated into a free-for-all as both factions clashed. The intervention of the security agents saved the day. But the Emenike group failed to dislodge the Nwankpa faction.

Their matter is still in court and Nwankpa has filed applications asking Justice Okorafor to set aside the ruling sacking him.

This was the scenario before the Saturday, May 5, 2018 Ward Congress. The congress, for all intents and purposes, provided the factions the legitimate means to wrestle the leadership party, so a fierce contest was to be expected.

But the parties opted for harmonization. It failed to sail through.

Reports alleged that the Ikechi Emenike faction demanded that leadership of the wards in nine out of the 17 local governments in the state be ceded to them. But the Nwankpa group objected. Be-

cause of the stalemate, the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee for Abia headed by a former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello, had no option than to ask them to go and test their popularity in the field.

Chief Ralph Ukoro, a stakeholder from Uturu in Isuikwuato local government area gave an insight as to how the tension generated by the failed harmonisation attempt was resolved: “It was resolved that stakeholders should take control. The stakeholders now took control and everybody was asked to go to his ward and do option A4 and any person that emerged victorious should be declared winner. The result will be brought to Umuahia. Everybody left and the forms were distributed to all the stakeholders. So that is what happened and the results are being expected.”

Factional Chairman, Nwankpa who said the party was “building a new house” admitted that there were tensions, adducing it as the reason for moving the Abia APC ward congresss to Sunday “The ward congress is ongoing in some places in the state but it has officially been extended to Sunday,” he told newsmen Saturday after the botched harmonisation meeting.

In his reaction during a telephone interview, factional chairman of the Emenike group, Dr Emma Ndukwe, said “The Ward Congresses have come and gone and it was peaceful and we are looking forward to local Government Congresses next weekend.”

However, an insider of the party who craved anonymity dismissed claims of any ward congress holding in Abia. For him, the exercise was a charade as people sat down and wrote lists.

“There was no APC ward congress in Abia. What we had was a faction sitting down and writing result.

“What we had expected was that the two factions should have put forward their candidates and let the popular one carry the day.

But no, they just sat down and wrote a list of those they wanted and urged their supporters to endorse them,” the source said. To buttress this claim, another APC faithful said that in his ward, names of people were read out and they were asked to affirm such persons their ward executives. But there are those who said the party opted for consensus candidates, which, they said, was a standard practices in such exercises.

However, Ikechukwu Apugo who is believed to be eyeing the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency ticket of the party disagreed with those who picked holes with the ward congress in Abia.

Apugo described the process of the ward congress in the state as free, fair, AND peaceful. According to him, the party will come out stronger and well positioned to win elections at all levels, from the ward to the state.

Also an APC governorship hopeful, Madukolam Kenneth Adibe, and another stakeholder, Mr. Dike Uko, concurred with Apugo. They maintained that the congress was peaceful and smooth, adding that the party was now well positioned to win elections at all levels in the country.

As at the time of filing this report, it was reliably gathered that results from some wards were still being expected.

Many are wondering if the ongoing congresses would be able to resolve the leadership crisis in Abia APC and unify the heavy weights who are doing proxy war or whether it would polarize the party further.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

Don’t be intimidated, Yobo tells Eagles T

CANA Zone 2: Nigeria places 3rd with 16 medals

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ORMER national team captain, Joseph Ikpo Yobo, has charged the Super Eagles not to be intimidated by their group opponents as they prepare for the biggest global football fiesta.

According to the former Everton and Super Eagles defender, the Super Eagles should ensure that they are not scared by the big names in their Group B such as Argentina and Croatia and of cause debutants Iceland but should remain focus and determined to ensure that they

make it out of the group stage from where anything can happen.

“You don’t go to the World Cup and start begging, if you dream of being at the final, then you take one game at a time. Try to get a point, try to win your first game; that is always very crucial,” the 2013 Africa Nations Cup winners began.

“If you can get a good result in your first game I think the confidence is going to build up, you are going to see more quality play from them.

So, every team is there to win, every team is there to qualify. So my advise is try to get out of the group first,

before you think of the next stage,” Yobo advised.

Speaking on the goalkeeping worries of the team, Yobo said he believed that the challenge in the goalkeeping area would also be overcome as the team would do the nation proud in Russia. He also believed that there is no need to worry over the refusal of his former vice, Vincent Enyeama if he has decided to call it quit since he has already paid his dues just like himself.

“Is always an opportunity for people coming through, if he decided that he doesn’t want to come back, he has paid his dues, there is always

time to call it quit just like I did. I was very happy when Carl came in. He did wonderfully well before the illness and I felt very bad that he is not going to make the World Cup. In my opinion he is a core professional.

“But it is another chance for another person to grab it with both hands and hopefully, we have excellent goalkeepers that can do their best to support the team,” Yobo said.

The former Eagles’ captain however, used the opportunity to commend the Technical Adviser of the team, Gernot Rohr for assembling youthful players to fight for Jerseys ahead of the Mundial.

Wike to receive Sports Award in Brussels

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IVER State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike a.k.a (Mr. Project) will today (Wednesday) in faraway Brussels, be honoured by International Sports Press Association (AIPS) this as the world’s sports media converged on in the European capital.

The Rivers’ Governor will not only be honoured by receiving the highly coveted AIPS AFRICA Power of Sports Award, but the strongman of Rivers politics will also present a paper on Peace and Progress Through Sports in The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Governor Wike’s presentation comes up in the morning of today, May 9th, a day after the opening of the 81st AIPS congress, the largest congregation of professional sports journalists in the world.

The honour for Wike would be the first of its kind by AIPS Africa since it took on a new coat from the Africa Sports Journalists

Union (ASJU).

The former, ASJU in 1980 installed late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola as the first Pillar of Sports in Africa. No other personality has since been honoured with such a continental award.

According to veteran sports journalist and the president of the continental body, Mitchell

Obi, the Rivers State helmsman whose government recently sponsored the African Wrestling Championship, is being recognized for consistently raising the bar of sports matters and effectively using sports as a veritable vehicle for fast-track communal growth along the United Nations Sustain-

he two day CANA Zone 2 Senior Swimming Championship which held in Dakar, Senegal came to a glorious end on Sunday with host, Senegal emerging tops of the biennial swimming championship with a total of 37 medals made up of 15g, 17s and 5b medals.

Senegal was followed by Ghana who garnered a total of 19 medals made up of 6g, 7s and 6b medals while Nigeria took third position after winning a total of 16 medals made up of 5g, 2s and 9bronze medals. Mali came fourth behind with a total of 2g, 2s and 7 bronze medals while Guinea brought the rear as they placed fifth with a bronze medal.

The two day CANA Zone 2 Senior Swimming Championship had a total of 12 countries in attendance but only five countries were able to make it to the medals’ table while seven went home without any medals attached to their names.

The other countries that failed to register their names on the medals’ table include; Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Nigeria went into the championship with seven swimmers and all of them won personal medals according to the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams.

It is recalled that the Nigerian representatives to the CANA Zone 2 Senior Swimming championship were selected during the two day National Trials that held at the refurbished Swimming Pool Complex of the National Stadium Surulere-Lagos.

Before the two Day National Trials in Lagos, the country’s swimming athletes have been inactive as there has not been any competition for them since the beginning of the year. Therefore, placing 3rd on the overall medals’ table is a testament that Nigerian youths are not lazy at all.

Had it been that they have been training before the national trial, they would have done better but all the same, the swimmers should be given kudos for doing the country proud despite the daunting challenges they faced to bring honour to the fatherland.

able Development Goals (SDG) as well as engaging a booming but restive youth populace in his state and country.

“It is indeed a badge of honour, freely and independently considered and granted and we think strongly that this would serve as an apt catalyst to His Excellency as he continuously strives to put sports on the front burner of his developmental strides,” Obi remarked.

At the global level, only four personalities have been honoured by AIPS, the last being the immediate past president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge of Belgium.

Indeed, the Power of Sports Award derives its inspiration from the great Nelson Mandela whose school of thought holds that sports have the power to change the world.

For Wike, whose delegation was expected in Brussels yesterday (Tuesday), the award stands out from his bulging collection and • Babatunde Fatayi-Williams

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

SPORTS

Putin, Infantino declare Russia ‘ready’ for World Cup Onazi declares self ‘fit’ for World Cup

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

R

USSIAN President, Vladimir Putin has declared that his country is “practically finished” with preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is to be held from June 14 to July 15 in 11 Russian cities.

And in view of this the Russian strongman has declared his country ready to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite the Western world staging a diplomatic boycott of the football biggest party due to their misgivings in the role Russia in the Syrian conflict and the poisoning of for Russian spy in Britain.

“Russia is ready for the tournament,” and has only some lastminute “fine-tuning” to do, Putin said after meeting in Sochi with FIFA boss, Gianni Infantino.

Putin said he hoped the Russian team would perform well.

Russia hasn’t made it past the group stage at any senior men’s tournament since the 2008 European Championship.

“We all very much hope that our players will commit themselves to the game, will give it all they’ve got, playing to their full potential,” he said. “And the most important thing -- they must show hard-nosed, uncom-

S •President Putin and FIFA boss Infantino

promising football, one which the fans love.”

The first World Cup staged in the eastern part of Europe will be the most expensive ever and comes as tensions have flared between Russia and the West over alleged chemical-weapons attacks in Syria, the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy in Britain, a new round of U.S. sanctions, Moscow’s interference in Ukraine, and other matters.

The games have also been plagued by stadium construction delays and concerns about the possibility of fans engaging in hooliganism and racist chants at matches.

Speaking also at the meeting, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino declared that Russia was “absolutely ready,” and said Moscow had shown a “unique” level of “commitment, dedication, and professionalism” in hosting the

games.

“The feedback from all our experts at FIFA are extremely positive,” he said.

Putin and Infantino provided a glimpse of the FAN ID cards that ticket-holders must use to attend events. To get the cards, fans must give personal information to the Russian government.

They said the cards will double as visas for foreign visitors.

You can’t abscond in Russia, Okumagba tells ‘Supporters Club’

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HE Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba, has told members of the club who are interested in making it to the Mundial to perish the idea of absconding during the FIFA World Cup which will be starting next month in Russia.

According to him any member who feels that this is an opportunity of him disappearing in Russia should better forget about it because as a responsible and patriotic organisation whose aim is to support the national do the country proud, the club which he presides over will not sit by and allow few individual tarnish the image of the country through their activities.

According to him, every member of the club who genuinely wants to be in Russia to support the Super Eagles have the opportunity but will not allow anyone to use the chance of going to support the national team to be exploited for ulterior motives.

He directed members to only pay for their trips via the club’s treasurer and no other person. He explained that the money charged for the trip is very moderate considering that it also includes flight tick, accommodation amongst other things.

“I would like to use this opportunity to sound a note of warning

for members who are interested in making the trip to Russia for the FIFA World Cup in support of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to make payment only to the treasurer of the club and not any other person, including myself,” Prince Okumagba began.

“And again, I would like to also use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to members who are interested in making the trip to Russia to ensure that their aim and objective is not different from the club’s objective which to be in Russia and give support to our national team the Super Eagles.

“Anybody who is having the idea of absconding during the World Cup should forget about it. This is a responsible and patriotic organisation whose only objective is to give our dear country support through football supportership.

“I want to make abundantly clear to everyone that as far as I am concerned, there will be no room for anybody to abscond during the World Cup because as soon as we get to Russia, every member will hand over his International Passport to me. I will be the one who

With Ronaldo, ‘nothing is impossible’– Mourinho

T

•Vincent Okumagba

will be in possession of everyone’s passport because I wouldn’t want to create room for mischief makers to exploit whatever loophole that may be available to bring the image of our dear country to disrepute,” Okumagba explained.

Continuing he said: “I don’t want to be accused of human trafficking in any form. All I know is those who comply with the rules will not have any regrets because we are liaising with the Russian Embassy to ensure that members are granted visas for the trip,” Okumagba concludes.

uper Eagles’ midfielder, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi has declared himself fit for the 2018 FIFA World Cup which will be kicking off next month in Vladimir Putin’s country of Russia. The Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder who is one of the senior members of Eagles squad said as far as he is concerned; he is 100 per cent fit for the Mundial.

Speaking further, the Vice Captain of the Super Eagles disclosed that his fast recovery is down to the Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr, who dispatched the team’s trainer to work with him at his club in Turkey.

“I wish to thank Coach Gernot Rohr for getting the Eagles physical trainer to come and work with me at my club,” Onazi began.

“I’m now 100% fit and ready for the World Cup,” he declared.

The hard working midfielder said the Eagles will go with a mentality to win their games so as to go beyond a tough group stage that has Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

“It’s most important to get the first two games, but I believe if we won our games, we will go through, that’s the mentality we will take to the World Cup,” he disclosed.

Onazi has scored two goals in 20 appearances for Trabzonspor and said his most immediate priority is to help his Turkish club clinch a Europa League spot. They are currently fifth on the table with 49 points from 32 matches.

he hopes of a nation rest on the Real Madrid star, says the Manchester United boss, who believes Lionel Messi is under similar pressure.

Jose Mourinho believes that Portugal have the capacity to win World Cup 2018 thanks to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid star played a large part in helping his country to Euro 2016 success in France, although he went off injured early in the final, which Eder won in extratime with the only goal.

The Manchester United boss has backed the Ballon d’Or winner to replicate that influence in Russia.

“Portugal has an interesting squad. Without Cristiano, it would be impossible. But with him nothing is impossible,” he told ESPN Brazil.

Mourinho, meanwhile, believes that Argentina are a contender for a first crown since 1986 thanks to the individual talents of Lionel Messi.

“I believe that the Argentinian national team without Lionel Messi wouldn’t be a contender,” he said of Jorge Sampaoli’s side, who struggled to qualify for the competition, relying on a hat-trick from the Barcelona ace to see them past Ecuador 3-1 in their final qualifying

match. “But with him, they’re one of the favourites.”

Looking at the favourites due to the strength of their squads, Mourinho picked out Brazil and Spain as two of his top picks for the competition.

“I like the basic structure of Brazil a great deal, their tactics and mentality,” he said. “There is a mixture between Brazilian natural talent, with a serious approach, physical, tactical. “They are a team capable of defending well, allowing few goals, with a good support base.

And then up front with Willian, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus .

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 16, 2018

NEWS

Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Egbelu, Rivers

A

rainstorm which occurred on Monday afternoon in Egbelu community, Obio/Akpor council area of Rivers, destroyed several houses and rendered many families homeless.

The storm pulled down the roofs of several houses, making families to vacate their homes.

Several fences and electricity polls were also affected during the rain that lasted for several hours.

Some of the affected residents told NAN that they were worried about problems they would face following the impact of the rainstorm.

Chairman of Peace Avenue Area Landlords Association, in EgbeluOzodo, Mr Kelvin Onuegbu, said the entire area had been thrown into confusion as a result of the damage.

He said “I have yet to see any house that did not suffer damage no matter how small, as you can see some roofs have been entirely pulled down.

“Many have vacated their homes, of course you will agree that nobody will live in a house without roof.”

Another resident, Mr ThankGod Okannah, whose house suffered severe damage, said he was happy no member of his household was injured.

He said “as you can see, the fence was pulled down, some part of it fell on my car, I have just handed it over to God.” Mrs Gold Aleru, another resident, called on relevant government agencies to assist the people.

She said “we want government and aid agencies to come to our aid, we built this house with our retirement benefits, today, the roof is off, where do we go from here?.

“We really need assistance, there are people who may never rebuild their houses, and the question now is: will they leave outside?”

A Port Harcourt-based environmentalist, Dr Godfrey Ajor, said that natural occurrences such as the rainstorm could be avoided by planting trees around the compound.

He said “some trees are windbreakers, they have the capacity to protect homes against storms such as the one we are talking about.”

Ayade approves enquiry into Boki Oil Palm Estate crisis

T

he Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has approved the constitution of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Boki Oil Palm Estate crisis.

The commission has Justice M. Eneji , as Chairman, with the following; Justice Edem Ekefre, Barr. Attah Ochinke, Pastor Sam Inyang, Rev. (Dr) Mercy Akpama, and Mr. Jude Ngaji, as members.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, further announced the dissolution of the current management committee of the estate, adding that that the Nigerian Army have been directed to immediately take-over and secure the estate.

Anambra Central dispute: Your case lacks merit – Appeal Court to Okonkwo

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special panel constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on Monday, in Abuja, dismissed an appeal filed by a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Obiora Okonkwo.

In the appeal, Okonkwo asked the appellate court to restore the consent judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him a certificate of return as senator for Anambra Central zone.

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had delivered the consent judgment on Dec. 13, 2017, but INEC approached the trial court, seeking for an order to vary the consent judgment.

Following submissions from

counsel, Justice Tsoho, on Jan. 12, vacated and set aside the consent judgment on the grounds that Okonkwo had misled the court into giving the consent judgment.

Justice Tsoho held that Okonkwo had misrepresented the facts and failed to furnish the court with such vital information that there were already three existing judgments from the Court of Appeal on the matter.

Not satisfied with the ruling, Okonkwo headed to the Court of Appeal.

In his lead judgment, Justice Fredrick Oho, dismissed Okonkwo’s appeal for lacking in merit.

The five-man panel, headed by Justice M.L. Garba, affirmed the ruling of Justice Tsoho, which set

aside the consent judgment of Dec. 13, 2017.

Justice Oho said he was in agreement with the trial court and the consent judgment was properly and correctly set aside.

The panel unanimously agreed that Okonkwo’s appeal was a desecration of the doctrine of “stare decisis,” since the appeal was filed in spite of pendency and subsisting three judgments delivered on the matter.

“The consent judgment was rightly set aside to reinforce compliance with three subsisting judgments.

“The judgments had made compelling orders for INEC to conduct fresh election in Anambra Central Senatorial District within 90 days,

and without the participation of the PDP.” The judge held that the appellant hid facts and fraudulently misled the trial court to obtain the consent judgment and the appeal was according dismissed.

Respondents in the appeal were INEC, PDP, former National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Adamu Muazu, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Sen. Victor Umeh, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA).

Members of the special panel were drawn from the various divisions of the appellate court to hear the pre-election matter.

They included Justices M.A. Danjuma, T.O. Awotoye; M.L. Shuaibu and F.O. Oho.

2019: Church will speak through their votes – Fr Ekabo

By JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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• Chairperson, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Mrs Yemisi Ayeni (left), Managing Director: Paul Farrer, and Executive Director, Commercial: Fatima Aliko-Dangote, at the 2017 yearly general meeting of NASCON Allied Industries Plc.

PHEDC losses 320 transformers to vandals in 2yrs

T

he Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) said on Tuesday that it had lost over 320 transformers to vandals in Akwa Ibom in the last two years.

PHEDC Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr John Onyi, who disclosed this in Eket, headquarters of Eket Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom, explained that apart from the Eket axis, the company at large had lost over 320 transformers to act of vandalism in the last two years.

“This is aside the ones that were replaced by the company,” Onyi said.

He said that the situation had caused the company huge financial loss.

Onyi, therefore, called on members of the public to step up vigilance by reporting suspicious movements around PHEDC installations to security agents.

He said that the company had raised alarm over the spate of van-

dalism of its transformers in Eket and Ikot Abasi LGAs, adding that about 13 transformers of various sizes were vandalised in the area in the last two months.

According to Onyi, the unwarranted action of the vandals had plunged the company’s customers in many locations in the area into total darkness.

He named some of the affected areas to include Liverpool 1and 2, Eket Secretariat, Ikot Udoma, Gravine 1, Edua road/ TRC junction among others.

Also commenting on the issue, some youths in Eket condemned the upsurge in the activities of vandals in the area, saying it had caused untold hardship to the people of the community and its environs.

Mr Charles Enodien, a youth leader, expressed displeasure over the frequent power outage in the area, saying that unknown youths were involved in vandalism of PHEDC installations in the area.

Enodien attributed the incessant

vandalism to lack of unemployment.

“Some youths vandalised PHEDC installations in Mkpo Street and made away with the armoured cable last week.

“The area has been thrown into darkness for over a week now.

“The rate at which facilities are being vandalised in Eket metropolis is alarming and it calls for concern by stakeholders, youths, elders and security agencies to find lasting solution to the problem,” he said.

Mr Ephraim Mbong, another youth, corroborated Enodien’s claim calling for stringent measures to address the problem.

Mbong urged the people to form vigilante group in order to prevent electricity facilities from vandals in the area.

He also called on government at all levels to evolve policies that would provide employment to the teeming unemployed youths in the society.

he Vicar and Parish Priest of St Patrick Catholic Church in Sapele, Delta State, Very Reverend Father Christopher Ekabo over the weekend condemned the recent killing of two Catholic Church priests and 17 other worshipers at a church in Ukpor – Mbalom Community in Gwerim East Local Government area of Benue State.

Fr Ekabo added that if nothing is done to address the killings of Christian in parts of the country, the Catholic Church and the Church in Nigeria will speak through their votes in the 2019 general elections.

The outspoken priest stated this while addressing journalists on the 94years of the parish creation, 80 years anniversary of St Patrick Catholic Church Sapele dedication, and the commissioning of the N50m Mission House in the parish said “We cannot close our eyes on these unabated killings in the Country.

“These armed herdsmen have continued to murder Christians and innocent persons, the killing of 2 Catholic Priests and 17 other worshipers in recent attack in Benue State is not only evil but satanic.

“I condemn this despicable act and I am calling on the Federal Government to put a stop to theses senseless killing,” he said.

The fiery Reverend Father then charged Catholics all over the country to continue to pray for the killings to stop, while also urging them to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) which he described as their power “and we will speak through it in 2019, if nothing is done about this endless bloodletting,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Reverend Dr John Okeoghene Afareha has described Reverend Father Ekabo as a man of all season. The elated Bishop who was the father of the day at St Patrick Catholic Church anniversary in Sapele said Father Ekabo feat in completing the mission house in less than 18 months was no surprise.

“We know what he could do, so we are not surprised” the Bishop said while urging Christian faithful to continue to pray against these wanton killing in the Country.”

WEDNESDAY May 16, 2018

The

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racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

Have you read Dino Melaye’s book?

W

E have a lot to learn from Dino Melaye. I can hear shouts of God forbid. Dino wrote a book. Does he not have a right to write a book? Did he have to come to us for the title of his book? Have we become so obsessed with self-righteousness that it now is our place to think for others, including dictating how they think, a preliminary process in writing a book?

I goggled Dino Melaye and these popped up • Cars • Children • LinkedIn • Profile • Song • Twitter • Website Then I goggled Ikeddy ISIGUZO and saw stories that I wrote, some of which I had forgotten that I did. I laughed. I was promptly reminded that Dino understands Nigeria better than most of us. He is projecting himself, his concerns, his mistakes – it is called branding. You may not like him, but you know him, you hate him, he rankles you, your day is probably not complete without a mention of him. He is important to you.

I won’t for a moment want to be Dino.

I can’t handle it. The likes of him deserve their place in society; no society is without them. It is debatable whether the Senate is a place for him. Our Parliament has more similar people, they are unlike Dino because they can ‘endure’ silence. Dino cannot survive not being heard, not being seen and not having an audience.

Before I forget this: HOW many have read the book that they are so multitudinously criticising? I haven’t.

Dino is not interested in what light you see him. He is the light; if you do not see him you

are blind; that is the type of thinking that informs his decisions. I, however, object to corruption being pinned on him, and all who associate with him. He is Dino, which may be another name for another thing to you.

Let us leave Dino alone. We have bigger challenges. We cannot sign the budget-sometimes I imagine there is no budget (have we forgotten how many times it was lost, then found?); electricity is eluding us and our infrastructure is collapsing. Terrorists and herdsmen are unceasingly at work.

We do not know whether we have a Vice President, an Acting President, or a Co-ordinator of national affairs (I wonder who co-ordinates foreign affairs).

If you decide not to leave Dino alone, I will not make any fuss about it. Like him, you are entitled to be heard. Unlike him, he will be too busy ensuring that he is heard, that he would not find the time to tell you to shut up.

Why do we find so much time for Dino, a

man who acts on his convictions unlike most of us? How many of the righteous among us can write a book on corruption? Why don’t we respond to Dino with a book?

My slight anger is about my inability to write a book that the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker House of Representatives Mr. Yakubu Dogara will launch.

Imagine the 469 members of Parliament (I guess those on suspension are counted at moments that count) buy a copy of my book at N50, 000 each? Many have easily calculated that at N23.45m. I am not that greedy. I will pay tax, pay VAT, pay collection charges to staff of the National Assembly who will deduct from the parliamentarians and I will pay for consultants, many of who would advise that I can avoid the taxes.

Even that decision to pay taxes would remind me that corruption is well and alive.

Dino has reminded us about it, whether we accept it or not.

Did anyone wonder why saints in APC would be associating with sinners in PDP? Someone who did not intend to confirm that President Muhammadu Buhari was a dictator wrote that the Dino book event held because the President was not in town, sorry in the country. I call that another oddity against corruption. He was suggesting that Buhari would have stopped the gathering of sinners, as he called them.

The oddities of Nollywood, where man and woman are caught in scenes that leave nothing to the imagination and they would sing, “It is not what you think”, may help in analysing the Nigerian appreciation of corruption. Could it be that corruption is not what you think?

PS: This piece was first published in May 2017, when Dino Melaye wrote his book, ‘Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigeria Story’. Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki in the foreword to the book wrote: “Evidence abounds that no country can make progress where corruption thrives. In other words, while several factors may have conspired in holding Nigeria back from attaining its full potential as the greatest black nation on earth, corruption, defined as the appropriation of public resources to create private values, would definitely rank ahead of the other factors.

“It, therefore, stands to reason and common sense that Nigeria would not experience real progress unless we take the bold steps in arresting the scourge of corruption from our public, and even private, spaces. It is significant to note that increased citizens’ participation in governance, which democracy had made possible, has also deepened and broadened the voice of our people in bringing the issue of corruption to the centre of our country’s political agenda.”

When I ponder Melaye’s plight, I wonder if “corruption is not fight back”.

•From left: FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Bello; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara; former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; APC National Organising Secretary, Sen Osita Izunaso; the author, Sen Dino Melaye, during the presentation of his book: Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigerian Story in Abuja on Monday 15 May 2017

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited. Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha. Lagos Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja. Abuja Office: 1st Floor, Plateau House, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenews.ng@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.