Wednesday may 3 edition

The racle Nnamdi Kanu rejects bail

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The Oracle SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

www.oraclenews.ng

VOX POPULI SACRUM

WEDNESDAY MAY 3, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today Today

VOL.2 No. 19. N200

• Wants 3 others released • Can’t travel • No rallies • Senator, Jewish leader as sureties • N300m bail bond • Fayose in court

From Tony Ailemen, Titus Agbo (Abuja), Chuks Eze (Enugu), Boniface Okoro (Umuahia), Collins Ughalaa (Owerri).

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USTICE Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu bail in conditions that were so stringent that it appeared an exercise doomed to fail.

Nnamdi Kanu with Gov. Fayose at the Federal High Court, Abuja ...

Changes coming as Aso Rock seeks to reduce pressure on Buhari From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja

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HEAD of this May 29 second anniversary of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, there are indications that an imminent cabinet reshuffle is in the offing as the Presidency

moves to bring in “capable hands who will be transparent and effective enough in their positions as to require little or no direct supervision from the President.”

Signals to this effect came against the backdrop of what observers have described as the

“thinning out of the usual Villa crowd in the wake of the President’s health challenges.”

The Oracle Today gathered that in the looming cabinet reshuffle, Ministers who have not “effectively delivered in their Ministries” may be asked to go, as preparations for

the second half of President Buhari’s first term enter full gear.

Against growing concerns over the health status of the President and what Aso Rock insiders refer to as “the urgent need for the All

•Continued on Page 2

Kanu rejected the bail, the three other defendants were refused them bail. Justice Nyako said the IPOB leader was getting the bail on health grounds.

Bail Conditions • Three sureties in the sum N100 each, making a total of N300m • An affidavit of availability to face trial • No press interview • Cannot organise or attend a rally • Must not be found with more than 10 people Sureties: • Highly respected Igbo person, such as a Senator • Highly respected religious leader, Jewish leader • A person of integrity and a resident of Abuja • Deposit his travel documents with the court • Monthly report on Kanu’s health The judge added, “I will need monthly report of the health condition of the 1st defendant (Kanu).”

The bail application was based Kanu’s health condition. grounds. Justice Nyako said that Kuje Prisons did

•Continued on Page 2

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

Nnamdi Kanu gets, rejects bail • Jubilation in Umuahia

judge discretionary power under which the December 13 order (to shield witnesses) was made. A review of he order, he said, would mean the defendants curbed the judge’s discretionary power.

Continued from Pg 1

wu and David Nwawuisi bail who has been detained with our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu since almost two years,” not have the facilities to attend to the statement said.

Kanu’s health needs.

The matter was adjourned till July The Trio 11 and 12, 2017 for commencement of Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin trial, while the Judge warned that she Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are would no longer entertain frivolities standing trial with Kanu. They are afby way of interlocutory injunctions fected by the government’s witnesses when the trial fully begins. to be shielded. Their counsels took up Kanu Rejects Bail the fight in court.

Kanu rejected the bail on the Emmanuel Esene relied on Section grounds that it excluded his com- 36 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as to rades who were arrested because of state that criminal cases should be him. tried in open court. “When the order ”Kanu has vowed to remain at was made (to shield witnesses), terrorKuje prisons pending when his co-ac- ism charge was included now that my cused persons are granted bail. He Lordship struck out terrorism charge made it clear that these other three against the defendants, that order persons were arrested because of should be vacated”, Esene said. him (Nnamdi) and as such he can’t Chukwuma Ozougwu argued simabandon them there. “ He has made ilarly. “On what basis is the prosecuit clear that he was ready to stay and tion opposing the application for open die at Kuje Prisons.” trial? The prosecution counsel has not In a statement, IPOD said a con- given enough reasons why my appliditional release of Kanu was unac- cation should be refused. No basis, no ceptable to it, as Kanu committed foundation for opposing the applicano crime. “Again, justice Binta Nyako tion. Justice should not only seen to be refused to grant Mazi Chidiebere On- done but should not also be clouded in wudiwe, Mazi Benjamin Madubug- darkness. For interest of justice, I urge

Nnamdi Kanu and co- accused the court to grant my application”, Ozougwu held.

Prosecution counsel, Shuaibu Labaran urged the court to dismiss the defendants’ application, adding, “It

is frivolous, lacking in merit and an attempt to slow down the progress of the case.” According to him, the court’s order was based on Section 232 (4) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act which gives a

Fayose, Fani-Kayode In Court EKITI State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who was in court, as early as 9am. He was the centre of attention, for once, making Kanu seem an option in the event that was about him and three others. Fayose hugged him chatted with him before the ruling on the bail started.

Fayose said he was in court in solidarity with the Biafran leader, who he predicted would He be a free man one day.

“The country belongs to all of us.

The oppression must not continue.

Kanu must keep hope alive because one day he would be free. I have come to identify with the Igbo nation. I know one day Kanu will walk into freedom without condition,” who was in traditional Igbo outfit, said.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, was also in court in solidarity with Kanu. He had a hard time getting into the court as the security agents initially refused him entry

Changes coming as Aso Rock seeks to reduce pressure on Buhari Continued from Pg 1 Progressives Congress (APC) to deliver,” The Oracle Today gathered that the party is putting pressure on the President to rejig his cabinet “for better performance.”

“The idea is also to reduce pressure on the President in line with his decision to cut down on his activities following advice by his physicians,” a Presidency source told The Oracle Today.

Indeed, the President has drastically cut down on his public appearances since his return from the close to 50 days annual leave cum medical treatment in London, the United Kingdom, for undisclosed health challenges. This has reduced the Presidential Villa to practically an empty shell.

Apparently following that advice from his doctors, the President now attends only very high profile meetings, including the Federal Executive Council meetings (FEC) (which he has not attended for two consecutive times now), receiving foreign dignitaries, etc, while the less important ones are either directed to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo or Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

Following what was regarded as his “excellent” performance

when he managed the affairs of the country as Acting President, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was given more responsibilities especially those revolving around the economy.

It was gathered that although the Ministers were invited to brief Buhari ahead of the second anniversary coming up May 29th, their reports will form part of their assessments to justify continuous retention or otherwise.

Last week the Federal Executive Council meeting did not hold, but the Ministers took turn to brief the President individually, with the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Kayode Fayemi, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani, and Sports and Youth Development Minister, Solomon Dalung taking turn to brief the President.

This trend is expected to continue this week until the Ministers complete the cycle.

While Nigerians express serious concern over the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari, many are also not happy that the Ministers have not lived up to expectations in handling issues in their Ministries.

Public sector analysts believe that unless something is done to reduce pressures on the President, his ailment may be further worsened by the activities of

some members of the “Cabal” hanging around him, especially as Ministers fail to take effective charge and deliver on democracy dividends.

Elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai who spoke to The Oracle Today on the issue agreed that President Buhari’s illness has negatively impacted the polity and affected delivery of democracy dividends he promised Nigerians.

“It is common knowledge that when a person is sick, it affects his or her ability to perform any given task,” the elder statesman said. “Your thinking capacity will be affected because the person cannot reason effectively and by extension, it will also affect the person’s ability to act on issues the ways a normal person would act.”

Speaking the current Federal Executive Council and likelihood of a cabinet reshuffle, Yakassai advised the president to select people with sound pedigrees, who would help him deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

While pointing out that the President’s health challenges may have been exaggerated, President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch, Dr. Olanrewaju Michael, however, declared that the “President needs very strong, active, energetic and highly cerebral

Ministers who can help him fill whatever gap his health challenges may have created.”

But, he would not comment on whether the current set of Ministers meets such descriptions Dr. Olanrewaju, who opined that the President is not compelled by any law to disclose his health challenges, said it is wrong to ask Buhari to divulge his ailment to the public.

“Even as a medical doctor, the oath we subscribe to bars us from making the health status of our clients known to persons,” he said.

“We feel bad as doctors when we hear that our President is going abroad to seek medical help.

That is the same thing we have been talking about. If the hospitals in Nigeria are well equipped, he will not need to travel there.”

Added Olarenwaju: “So it is not the issue of lack of capacity alone, trust is part of the issue.

Like I said before, I cannot comment on the health of the President because I don’t even know what is wrong with him. As a doctor, I respect people’s privacy.

That he travelled abroad depends on what he went there to do or the type of ailment he went to treat. There are certain things we still cannot do here because we lack the equipment and not necessarily because we lack the man-

power. The human resources are there but the equipment to carry out certain procedures are not there; we know our limitations.”

For his part, former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, a medical doctor himself, said: “I think it is very strategic that APC goes back to the drawing table and start doing something about mentoring, about grooming and about succession planning because the future of the country is young people.

“You can’t tell me that there are no young people who are eminently qualified to handle very serious and strategic positions. After all, if you are talking like that, the whole world is going young.

“At that age, the President deserves every care he can get.

People should stop playing politics with his health. Nigerians did the same thing with Yar’Adua and the outcome was not what we expected. The President needs to work less and be guided more by his Ministers.”

The current President may have taken a cue from the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua by adopting a very easy approach to his work schedule since the emergence of his health challenges.

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Senator’s aide escapes death by the whiskers From UDEOGU OLIVER, Enugu

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HAT would have been a tragedy for the Mba family of Iji Nike in Enugu East Local Council of Enugu State almost occurred at the weekend when their Son Mr. Oguejiofor Mba, a personal assistant to Senator Gilbert Nnaji would have been sent to an early grave, as a result of carelessness.

Oguejiofor was stabbed on the neck by an overzealous Enugu ‘big boy’ Maduka Nelson known by the nickname ‘Mama’. The ugly incident took place at the Events Centre of the Shopping Mall located along EnuguAbakaliki Expressway.

The Senator representing the Enugu East Senatorial district Senator Gilbert Nnaji was at the Shopping Mall with some of his political associates and friends, including the immediate past Member for Enugu North and Enugu South Federal Constituencies at the National Assembly, Hon Prince Offor Chukwuegbo, when the incident occurred.

It was reliably gathered that Nelson Maduka, a well known ‘big boy’ who lives in the highbrow Zoo Estate had lost his temper, when he broke a bottle of champagne and drove the jagged edge into Oguejiofor’s neck, drawing a lot of blood in the process.

Oguejiofor grasped for breath immediately he fell down on the ground, and was rushed to the emergency unit of the Park Lane general hospital Enugu.

It was also gathered that Nelson Maduka immediately after that, was spirited away from the troubled scene by some thugs, before the security details of the Senator could apprehend him. However, Nelson’s black Hilux van was impounded on the orders of Senator Nnaji.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, told The Oracle Today: “You see what happened was an eye sore and a big shame on the home boys of the Coal City. The incident cannot be unconnected with Cultism, and supremacy among cult groups in this Coal City. We were seated here, when the Senator and his entourage drove in when suddenly the two guys started having some misunderstanding among themselves, which was settled by Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo.

When we taught the matter had been settled, one of the guys stood up and broke a Champagne bottle before stabbing the other guy on the neck.

We were shocked at the amount of blood that came out of the guys body thinking he had died on the spot” Commenting on the incident was another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity alleged in a chat with The Oracle Today that both men belonged to different fraternities.

“I pray this matter ends this way to avoid blood shed in the city,” he said.

It was however gathered, that some Gang Lords belonging to both cult groups in Enugu are making frantic effort, to ensure the incident does not generate into a full blown confraternal war, between the two cult groups.

It was gathered that the Senator’s aid Oguejiofor Mba allegedly blocked people from having access to Senator Nnaji whenever the law maker is in town.

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Nigeria receives more Chinese visitors than rest of Africa -- Report

By VICTOR NZE

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igeria’s inbound arrivals from China reached 200, 000, representing the highest in Africa from the Far East Asian country in the outgone year, 2016, according to a report released, Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the just-concluded 59th Conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa and High Level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourists to Africa.

According to the report, Nigeria is ahead of other acclaimed tourist destinations like Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia and the Gambia

for Chinese visitors.

It also stated that there were 157 million Chinese outbound visitors globally in the year in review out of which 3.2 million came to Africa and 260 billion dollar were spent on the whole.

Reacting to the report, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who led the Nigerian delegation to the conference, said that comparatively, it is an indication that the tourism sector is picking up in the country.

He said with the appropriate policies and legal framework that the government is putting in place, the country will maximise it

to advantage.

Mohammed, however, noted that Africa and indeed Nigeria have a lot to do to develop and promote tourism sector to attract more tourists.

“Tourism contributes 10 per cent to global GDP but the African share of this is low. When you look at this statistics that of the 137 million Chinese outbound visitors globally, spending about 260 billion dollars only 3.2 billion dollars came to Africa and 200,000 to Nigeria, that is not good enough.

“Nigeria and Africa need to invest more in promoting tourism and there must be enough mes-

Ranches’ll end herdsmen crisis ---Emir E mir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustapha-Agwai, has advised the Federal Government to create ranches, and expressed “deep optimism” that the step would end the incessant farmers/ herdsmen clashes.

The Emir gave the advice on Thursday in Lafia, during a security stakeholders’ meeting with the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Shuaibu Gambo.

Mustapha-Agwai, represented by the Madakin-Lafia, Alhaji Ishaka Daudu, said that providing ranches for cattle across the states would bring a permanent end to the lingering farmers and herdsmen clashes.

He said that ranches had facilities that would cater for the needs of the cows in a secured environment.

“If the cows are kept in one environment, the tendency to stray into farms will be eliminated and the clashes will become history,” he said.

The Emir said that ranching had become the modern way of rearing cattle, and urged stakeholders to speed up the process toward actualising them.

He thanked the police authority for organising the meeting, and urged stakeholders to feel free to offer suggestions toward effective policing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however reports that another traditional ruler, Mr Samson Gamu-Yare, the ‘Chum Mada’ and paramount ruler of the Mada Chiefdom, preferred open grazing, but with cows restricted to established grazing routes.

Gamu-Yare said that the grazing routes created in 1972 had not been reviewed, and suggested a review that would take new developments along old routes, into consideration.

In his remarks, Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini, the State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), commended the efforts of the police in the fight against crime, es-

sages about the continent to attract tourists,” he said.

Remarking, Rifai, the outgoing UNWTO Secretary General, said the high level meeting on Chinese outbound tourists to Africa aimed to exchange national experiences and tourism border development.

Rifai said the conference was organised to create synergy among African countries and promote Africa as tourist destination.

Rifai said the endorsement of Nigeria for the hosting of UNWTO Conference of Africa Tourism Ministers in 2018 is a catalyst for the realisation of the Federal Government agenda to bring tourism to the mainstream.

Industrialist laments dwindling value of properties in Lagos From Peace Akpan

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(From Left) Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai with Governor of Marina State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’I during the official launch by the Nigerian Army of its Operation HARBIN KUNAMA II at a forest between Kagoro and Kafanchan, southern part of Kaduna State.

pecially cattle rustling.

He particularly commended the police over the recent arrest of 40 suspected rustlers and recovery of 500 cows in Nasarawa Local Government Area.

Hussaini assured the police of the association’s continuous partnership, and promised to continue to offer information that would lead to the arrest of bad elements.

Also speaking, DIG Shuaibu Gambo, who supervises the North-Central zone of the Force, said that the meeting was at the instance of IGP, Ibrahim Idris, toward effective policing.

“Policing methodology has shifted to community policing with full input from stakeholders for effective service delivery,” he said.

ormer head of Employment in Lagos State and Chairman of Eagle Paints Nig. Ltd, Chief Taofeek Akinola Disu, has expressed sadness at the state of housing in the country, saying its “dwindling value” is cause for worry.

According to him, unlike in former times, the cost of housing and properties now is such that many ordinary people could barely afford, no thanks to the harsh economic situation in the country.

“Property have no value in Lagos anymore; there are no tenants. They seem to have been erected with the rich in mind. Banks (forced to) sell (appropriated buildings) because the owners can’t pay,” the industriallist lamented in Lagos at an award ceremony where he was conferred the Accolade 2017 ‘African 21st Century Person of the Year.’

He further decried what he described as the poor business atmosphere due to poor power supply, logistics problem, access to forex among other factors, which he said limits entrepreneurs, developers and other business folks from carrying out their roles in economic advancement.

Citing Eagle Paint, which he said he kickstarted with his personal funds by selling his house in England, the octogenarian technocrat and lawyer said people should not always look to government for everything. He urged entrpreneurs not to be discouraged but relentlessly forge ahead by focusing attention and all their resources towards achieving their objectives.

On the award he bagged, he attributed it to the grace of God, which he said has been working extensively in his life, stressing that good works begets kindness in return.

Dr Luke Okojie, president/CEO of Accolade Internation who presented Disu the award said he picked the honour for “his excellent and selfless contributions to the progress of Nigeria and indeed Africa.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Mobil relocation: Monarch, LG boss task youths on restiveness From ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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ESPITE the seeming refusal of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and other oil companies to relocate their headquarters to oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom, stakeholders in the state have appealed to youths not to take laws into their hands.

The admonition is coming on the heels of protests by youths of oilbearing communities such as Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna against the hard stance maintained by Independent Oil Companies against the Federal Government’s directive for them to relocate their head offices to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

However, the Paramount Ruler of Eket, HRM Etim Charles Abia, and the Local Government Transition Chairman, Hon Frank Archibong, have called on youths of Eket and Akwa Ibom State in general to continue to maintain the prevailing peace in the state.

According to the stakeholders, if youths of the state embark on violent protests and agitations, it would provide Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and other IOCs cogent reasons not to relocate their headquarters to the state.

This advice was given in a wellattended meeting involving youth residents in all the 78 villages of Eket, student leaders, the youth council chairman, Akwa Ibom Youth Caucus Chapter Chairman, Prince Tommy Enodien and members of the Traditional Rulers Council at the palace of the Paramount Ruler.

The Royal Father frowned at reports in some quarters that some youths were protesting and agitating for Mobil headquarters to be relocated to their domain, describing it as counter-productive.

He cautioned youths of Eket not to allow themselves to be used against government efforts to develop the area.

“Do not allow yourselves as instrument against development, the state government has good intention for Eket but it can only be possible if you maintain the prevailing peace,” he said, while commending the youth leaders for the synergy between them and the Transition Chairman which has brought about peace in Eket.

He called on them to shun cultism, gangsterism, kidnapping and other social vices, as such attitude only leads to retrogression and selfdestruction.

Also speaking, the Transition Chairman, Hon Frank Archibong, said Eket must return to its glory days where white expatriates were seen on the streets having leisure after work.

Lagos receives 1,237 petitions on land grabbing in 7 months

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agos State Government says its special task force on land grabbing has received 1,237 petitions in the last seven months.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said this on Tuesday in Lagos at the 2017 Ministerial Press Briefing of the state Ministry of Justice.

Kazeem said about 250 of the petitions, which were received by the special task force inaugurated in September 2016, had been resolved through various means including physical enforcement, mediation and conciliation.

The state government had set up the task force soon after Gov.

Ambode’s signing of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law in August 2016.

The law, aimed at checking the menace of land grabbing in Lagos, stipulates as much as 21 years jail term for convicts.

Kazeem said the state had passed 14 Bills into law between 2016 and 2017, to champion development in the state.

He said this was also to improve the citizens’ access to quality justice, law reform, due process, law and order in the state. ”The ministry through its Directorate of Legislative Drafting and the Law Reform Commission has been involved in the drafting,

amendment and reform of Laws and Regulations sponsored in collaboration with the House of Assembly and other MDAs. ”During the period under review, 14 Bills were passed into law while 12 bills are currently undergoing drafting process. ”Some of them are the Lagos State Environmental Protection and Management Law 2017, the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund Law 2017, The Lagos State Sports Commission 2017, Lagos State Kidnapping Prohibition Law, 2017 and others. ”Our goal is to promote access to justice, regardless of socio- economic class and to attract, develop, motivate and retain the best law of-

ficers within a supportive work environment,” he said.

On the DNA Forensic Centre, Kazeem said the centre would be inaugurated in May to aid proper investigation and prosecution of crimes in the state. ”The Centre will be world class and the first by any government in Nigeria. It will be geared towards enabling proper investigation, prosecution of crimes, adjudication and the administration of justice in the state,” he said.

Kazeem said that the Office of Public Offender handled 4,149 petitions and 5,400 cases on behalf of indigent residents of Lagos at no cost.

Niger Govt. to recruit 267 health workers iger Government on WednesN day said it had concluded arrangements to employ 267 health-

Performers recreating the famous statue of Lagos in Ojota as part of the Lagos @ 50 celebration at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), weekend

SGF in fresh scandal over reappointment of Dunoma as MD FAAN From TITUS AGBO, Abuja

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HE embattled Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Engineer Babachir David Lawal may be in for another trouble over the curious appointment of a Managing Director for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) The SGF, who was sent on compulsory leave just before the Easter holidays by the President over his complicity in the awards of questionable contracts by the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE), hurriedly announced that Alhaji Sale Dunoma’s appointment as FAAN “has been ratified”.

The announcement created confusion within the aviation industry as Alhaji Dunoma was duly appointed Managing Director of the agency by

the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan in September 2014.

Dunoma joined the services of the authority on the 5th of September 1980 and has had a career, which saw him progressively holding various positions from General Manager to the topmost position of the chief executive of FAAN. He attained the civil service mandatory retirement years of 35 in September 2015 but was allowed to stay on like several other appointees of the previous regime whose tenures were extended for sundry reasons.

Ironically, two of the directors who were appointed the same time as Dunoma were edged out upon their attainment of the retirement age of 60 last year but the Managing Director was retained without any fresh appointment letter.

The two disengaged directors were Captain Henry Umeogu, the former Director of Airport Operations and the former Director of Administration, Mr Uko Ikechi Kalu.

Kalu’s disengagement was more pathetic because he was made to pay back the salaries he collected for the extra months he stayed after he clocked 60 years.

Within the rank and file of the staff of the authority, the question begging for answer is why the claim that Alhaji Dunoma’s appointment as the Managing Director of FAAN had been ratified.

A top official of the agency who spoke to our correspondent but would not want his name in print wondered aloud: “What do they mean by the claim that his appointment has been ratified? By which body? This is the first time since my

care workers as part of efforts to boost the health sector in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Makun Sidi, disclosed this when he led the state’s Health Care Financing Technical Working Committee on an advocacy visit to the state’s House of Assembly.

He said “last year, we had approval to engage 110 health workers, out of which, 30 were doctors.

“This year, we would recruit 267, out of which, five would be consultants. Suffice to say that today, Niger has 18 consultants in different areas of specialisation as against few years ago when we had four or five.”

The permanent secretary, who noted that the remuneration of health workers in the state was poor, appealed for improvement in that regard.

According to him, the General Hospital, Minna, records 600 child deliveries monthly.

Sidi said the executive would send a bill seeking to domesticate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the state.

The Health Care Financing Technical Working Committee then appointed the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, as champion of the State Health Insurance Scheme.

In his remarks, the Speaker assured that the bill would be passed into law in record time when it was presented to the House.

Marafa maintained that the domestication of the NHIS had become necessary, as health issues were capital intensive.

Mass arrests in Onitsha as armed robbers kill police Inspector in Ogidi

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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ELL was let loose at the weekend in various part of Ogidi and Nkpor urban communities in Idemili North local Government Area of Anambra state as men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS embarked on mass arrests apparently in search of the two daredevil bandits who allegedly shot and killed a police officer, Usman Shaibu.

Shaibu, an Inspector of Police attached to Operations (OPS) Department, State headquaters, Awka, was allegedly mowed down by the two yet to be identified armed robbers operating on a motorcycle on Saturday afternoon while he was carrying out his stop-and-search duty in his duty post at Ugwunwasike roundabout, Ogidi.

An eye-witness stated that for several hours on that fateful Saturday

evening, the SARS operatives mounted a patrol van at Nkpor junction and other strategic places, shooting sporadically on air and embarked on indiscriminate arrests of passersby, a situation which forced petty traders, bread and fruits sellers to hurriedly pack their goods and run home, until the ever busy Nkpor Junction was deserted.

As at the time of filing this report, it as not yet certain how many per-

sons that were arrested in connection with the incident and whether the killers had been fished out from among those apprehended during the mass arrests.

The robbers had taken the policeman unaware as they rode straight to him at the checkpoint where he and his colleagues were focusing on flagging down of vehicles for a stop and search of commuters and allegedly shot him at a close range.

It was gathered that after watching his corpse lying stone dead, the robbers allegedly collected his AK47 riffle and zoomed off, while other policemen who were with him escaped to take cover on hearing the sound of the robbers’ gun.

The incident which occured within a minute, caused pandemonuim as road users and commuter at once alighted from their vehicles and scampered for safety.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

Gov. Ugwuanyi developing most-neglected areas, says Bishop From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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HE Bishop of Diocese of Enugu North (Anglican Communion), Ngwo, Enugu State, Rt. Rev. Engr. Sosthenes Eze, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi’s peace and grassroots development initiatives in the state, saying that the governor has extended development to the most-neglected areas in the rural communities.

Bishop Eze equally appreciated the sound relationship the governor enjoys with the stakeholders of the state, particularly his predecessor, adding that it was the first time the state was experiencing such gesture.

The bishop made the remarks during the Diocese of Enugu North’s Centenary Thanksgiving Celebration and Award Service at Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Ngwo, where Governor Ugwuanyi was conferred with an award of Transformational Leader of the Year for Infrastructural Development.

He explained that the Diocese honoured the governor for “his rapid transformation of the political and socio-economic landscape of Enugu State”, peace initiatives and commitment to the welfare of the people of the state.

“We can see for the first time that a governor is in office and is in a sound relationship with his predecessor which has not happened in the history of Enugu State.

“The governor has discovered the most-neglected areas of the state and has taken development to these areas. So, the governor is focused and deserves this award,” Bishop Eze said.

Also in his remark, the Chairman of the Centenary Committee, Ozo Ramsey Onyia, appreciated the presence and punctuality of the governor at the event, noting that “this is the first time since 1979 a governor is worshiping in this church”.

Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the Enugu North Diocese of the Anglican Church for the award and felicitated with the Diocese on its 100 years of preaching the gospel, adding that it has “contributed

immensely to the intellectual, moral, spiritual and social development of the people in this area and the society at large”.

The governor said that God has been faithful regarding the achievements his administration has been able to achieve, despite the severe economic and other challenges confronting the nation.

“We are confident that, with your prayers and the continued support of the people, we will not fail to deliver

on our promise to take the State to a higher level of growth and development for the benefit of all.

“On our own as a Government, we promise to do whatever is necessary to maintain the wonderful relationship and partnership that we currently share with religious organizations in the state and we will continue to offer them the support and assistance that they require to succeed in the cause to improve the moral and spiritual fabric of the society.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) with the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (right) and the ministry’s Minister of State, Hon. Bawa Abubakar during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu, ...recently.

Robbers invade Imo SSG’s office, cart away items

Delisting of courses in MOUAU illegal – Rep

From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

EMBER representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo says the people of the area would not relent in their fight against the delisting of Management Courses in the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) until the Federal Government rescinds the decision.

He has, therefore, enlisted the assistance of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), to help prevail on the Federal Government to reverse the policy, which he described as a “worrisome development.”

In a chat with The Oracle Today in Umuahia, Onuigbo said his motion on the issue during the plenary of the penultimate week sailed through because of the illegality of the policy, insisting that courses in the university could not be delisted by presidential fiat.

“I have moved a motion on this on the floor of the House of Representatives and the motion passed smoothly and was adopted, no problems at all; and it is in realization of the fact that their attempt (to delist the courses) borders on illegality because the laws that set up the universities have not been amended and those laws allowed for allied disciplines under which these universities are running

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N an unprecedented move, five hefty armed robbers broke into the office of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State during the Easter holiday and made away with five laptops, undisclosed number of plasma television sets and equally an undisclosed amount of money.

Insider sources who disclosed this to The Oracle Today in Owerri, said the criminals had been arrested following a tip-off from some youths who reside in one of the buildings in the area owned by the state government.

Though the police was yet to make public comment on the matter as the Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, CSP Andrew Enwerem had not responded to the inquiries on the matter as at the time of time of filing this report, our sources said that when the criminals were arrested, they were brought to the office of the SGI where they were “paraded” and brutally tortured.

The Oracle Today was informed that the suspects confessed to the crime and disclosed that they sold the items to one Hausa man doing business in Owerri, leading to the arrest of the said Hausa man.

Our sources also said that the robbery incident occurred few days after the SGI had disagreement with some traditional rulers in the state over who emerges the next Chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers.

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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these courses,” he said.

“The law,” he continued, “that established the National Universities Commission and made it the sole regulatory agency on the issue of establishing or not establishing a university; on the issue of establishing course units within the university, those laws, both the ones for the establishment of the universities of agriculture and the ones for the establishment of the National Universities Commission, they have not been amended, nor have they been repealed.

“Therefore, it is wrong for anyone to sit down and use correspondence or a presidential fiat to start delisting courses without coming to the National Assembly for those laws to be upturned.

That is what brings illegality in it. So, we are appealing to them to reconsider their decision,” he added.

It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, had in a circular, directed universities of agriculture in the country to discontinue non-agric related courses.

This resulted in the scrapping of courses offered by the College of Management Sciences in MOUAU, a development that had almost led to unrest in the institution.

Onuigbo said stakeholders from his constituency are poised to continue with their efforts and resolve to appeal to the Federal Government to rescind its decision to del-

ist some management courses in the universities of agriculture in the country.

“We know that here in Abia State, we have only one federal tertiary institution which is the MOUAU. We also know that the university has distinguished itself in carrying on other courses or what you call allied courses.

“And because this has hit us real hard, we have taken some steps.

Yesterday, the people of Ikwuano/ Umuahia met and resolved that they appeal to the government and use all instruments at our disposal to ensure that this unkind policy is reversed,” he said.

He lamented that if not reversed, the policy would hamper the admission into universities of thousands of students from the South East geopolitical zone, which would aggravate youth restiveness in the country.

Onuigbo, who was the chairman of the plenary session of the 56th Diocesan Annual Synod of the Methodist of Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Umuahia, said he used the opportunity to appeal to the Archbishop of the Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, “to help us also to appeal to the General (Gowon) to mention or to tell them in Abuja that this is a worrisome development.”

Gowon was in Abia State for a programme organised by Nigeria Prays of which he is the National Chairman.

Ugwuanyi is God-sent – Prof Onah Stories from CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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NUGU State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been described as God-sent and a governor who fears God and loves his people.

The State Commissioner of Education, Professor Uche Onah, who made the assertion in a chat with The Oracle Today in his office, also said that the people of the state have every reason to thank God for giving them a governor like Ugwuanyi at the present time.

Professor Onah noted that apart from the governor’s huge efforts towards revamping the education sector in the state, he has also vowed that his administration must touch every sector and as well ensure that at least one project is executed in every autonomous community in the state, with its rolling plan already mapped out.

According to the commissioner, the governor has been consistent in paying salaries by the 23rd of every month, adding that such style has made it possible for workers in the state to manage their lives effectively.

“I have always received my salaries on the 23rd of every month. I asked my staff and it is same experience. The governor has made it possible for anybody who wants to plan his live to do so and manage his earnings effectively. This is a case of knowing when your salaries are due and not that of receiving one this month without knowing when it will ever come again,” he said.

While praising the governor’s humility and forthrightness in governance, Prof. Onah pointed out that Ugwuanyi “has the fear of God and he believes that God has sent him to serve and save his people. Everything he does, he does it for the interest of the state. He has shown that governance is not a matter of how much you earn but how well you manage what you earn. He manages every kobo that the state earns so well that he achieves much more than those who earn so much. And it is only somebody who has the fear of God and respects his people that can do that”.

Onah believes that Enugu people owe God profound gratitude for making Ugwuanyi governor of the state

Why Ebonyi govt. ordered arrest of contractor

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BONYI State governor, Eng. Dave Umahi has explained that it ordered the arrest of one of its contractors, Tonando Nigeria Ltd, because the current administration in the state does not have room for mediocre contractors and hotchpotch jobs in the state.

Governor Umahi had recently expressed dismay at the poor job being done by the contractor handling Okposi-Umuoghara-Ebiaji Road in Ezza North Local Council, when he visited the site for unscheduled inspection, and subsequently ordered the arrest of the contractor. He also imposed two-month suspension on the supervising engineer for the contract for lack of proper supervision of the project.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Fidelis Nweze said the company had displayed gross nonchalance and disregard for constituted authority by doing less than two kilometres of earthwork with poor drainage, describing the level of work already done as paltry and unacceptable.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

We’re not terrorists, Anambra community tells police From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

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MIDST grief and tears, the remains of Mr. Ebele Nwochu who died in detention following his arrest during the Abagana/Ukpo crisis in August last year were laid to rest at his compound in Abagana, Njikoka Local Council of Anambra State.

The Anambra Police Command had last August arrested Nwochu and 22 others from Abagana during a communal clash between the two communities, describing the suspects as terrorists.

The Commissioner of Police, Sam Okaula, had said that the Abagana attackers numbering about 200 had stormed Ukpo community and descended on a police post while engaging in heavy firing.

The CP alleged that going by their number, they overwhelmed the four policemen on duty and killed the security guard, Emmanuel Okafor.

Okaula said: “The assailants went further to bomb the police post and 10-room self-contained police barracks, having completely burnt down two police vehicles.

“DPO Ukpo, who led a patrol team to the scene, was shot. Three other policemen received varied

degrees of bullet wounds from the assailants,” Okaula stated.

Speaking during the burial of Nwochu, Prof. Godson Okafor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who spoke on behalf of the Abagana elite and professionals, said the police lied against the community.

He said: “I want the world to hear this. We are not terrorists.

The police lied against us because money must have exchanged hands. Abagana people are peaceful people. We are not terrorists.

We don’t have such record in our history.”

He described Nwochu’s death as man’s inhumanity to man occasioned by power drunkenness exhibited by a certain oil mogul in the area.

He asked the youth not to avenge Nwochu’s death, but to rather embrace education, stating that education is power.

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EWLY crowned traditional ruler of Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Blaise O. Uba, has debunked a newspaper publication allegedly sponsored by one Eugene Oharama questioning the legitimacy of his stool.

According to the monarch, who spoke to the press in his palace, the story that a court order stopped him from parading himself as the traditional ruler of the community and that he proceeded with the coronation against the order of the court was false and a product of the imagination of the sponsor of the story.

He added that there was no court order stopping his coronation on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, pointing out that the newspaper publication

by Ohamara was an act of mischief and misrepresentation of facts to the general public.

The Eze said that as a retired police officer, he has respect for the laws of the land and can never show the slightest disrespect for the judiciary, which he described as the last hope of the people and the soul of society.

According to the royal father, Ohamara was one of the contestants to the throne who participated to the last process in the selection of the Eze, saying that “as God would have it, I emerged the Eze.” He alleged that since his becoming the Eze of the community, neither he nor his community had known peace for years as Ohamara had gone to court to challenge his emergence as the Eze. He said two former contestants to the throne, Chief Attah and Nze Damian Osuoha, had approached the court for a motion ex-parte and motion respectively.

Eze Uba said the court in its ruling in suit number HOG/44/2012 in mo-

the crisis and wouldn’t have been at the scene of the crisis because of his impaired health.

He described as unjust for the police to have arrested him and roped him in and gone ahead to continue to detain him until his death, despite a court order ob-

tained for his release.

Commercial activities in Abagana were paralyzed during the burial as youths and women trooped out to mourn their fallen member and blocked the major road to the community, chanting war songs.

Also speaking, the community’s attorney, Emmanuel Ifeadike, said 15 members of the community, including a woman, were still in detention following last year’s communal feud.

He described the situation as injustice deliberately perpetrated

No court stopped my coronation – Eze Uba From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

on the community by the said oil mogul.

The President-General of the community, in his address, said the land in dispute that allegedly claimed the life of Nwochu, a vigilante, belonged to Abagana.

He said Nwochu was sick during

tion number HOG/53M/2017 upheld the ruling of a court on August 22, 2013, saying that the parties should maintain the status quo.

The Eze also explained that the court had also struck out the motion ex parte brought before it by Nze Osuoha, explaining that “injunctions granted ex parte last a few days.”

On the issue of maintaining the status quo as upheld by the court, the traditional ruler explained that status quo in this case is the state of things after he had become the Eze and not before it, hence maintaining the status quo means maintaining his throne. He said there was no mention of his coronation or his parading himself as the Eze of the community in the court ruling. Besides, the governor has not withdrawn his staff of office.

The monarch called on his subjects to continue to maintain the peace and unity in the community and shun all acts of criminality.

Chief (Sir) Dr. Emma Ifekandu Muonago (in feather cap), and others dancing after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Igwe Oba-Obosi by the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Dubem Iweka.

Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

Anambra 2017: No consensus yet on zoning formula for governorship seat--Moghalu

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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S politicians focus on this November 18, gubernatorial election in Anambra State, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief George Moghalu has dismissed speculations making the rounds that there is an existing zoning formula agreed to by the three senatorial zones guiding the election of the governor of Anambra State.

Although he admitted that an attempt was made to institute zoning as a power-sharing formula in Anambra in 2003 when former

Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju from Anambra South was about to be returned for a second term in office, he noted that the formula was disorganized when Dr. Chris Ngige from Anambra Central took over the seat.

He said the formula was further disorganized when Peter Obi from the same Anambra Central as Ngige, took over from Ngige after three years and instead of doing only one term to complete Ngige’s two terms for Anambra Central and leave the seat for Anambra North in 2010, Obi extended his own tenure to 2014, thereby giving Anambra Central three consecutive terms

PDP chieftain commends S/East NASS caucus on budget

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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OUTH-East National Assembly caucus has been commended by Prince Onyebuchi Agu, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Enugu State, for coming together to address issues concerning the South-East.

Agu, in a statement made available to The Oracle Today, is highly elated that for the first time in a very long while, the caucus took interest in the common good of the people of the South East.

He stated that the National Assembly members coming together to discuss the 2017 budget, not minding the platforms on which they got to the Assembly, was a step in the right direction, urging them to look into every aspect of the 2017 budget and ensure that equity is done by pointing out deficiencies in terms of allocations, execution and completion of projects earmarked for the area.

He described as valid their observation that out

of N400b allocated to capital projects in the federation, only a paltry N18b was earmarked for projects in the South East, urging the lawmakers to pursue and ensure that this disparity is looked into and corrected by doing exactly what they were voted to do.

Agu lamented the fact that while the Federal Government appeared to be in a haste to put Nigeria back on track, with the president overstretching himself, the South-East National Assembly caucus had hitherto buried themselves in self-pity, posturing the mantra of the Igbos versus Buhari, rather than joining hands with the Federal Government in revamping the deteriorated national economy.

He, therefore, urged the members of the SouthEast National Assembly caucus to re-strategize and get themselves integrated with the Federal Government with a view to returning back home with trophies and not lamentations and self-aggrandizement

(from 2003 to 2014) before handing over to Anambra North in 2014.

Speaking to members of the Correspondents Chapel in Awka, recently, Moghalu insisted that from the look of things, no one can say that the formula has been arranged in such a way that after Anambra North it would be the turn of Anambra South, after which it would now be the turn of Anambra Central or vice versa or that each zone whose turn it is at a particular point in time must govern for only one term or two before handing over to the next zone.

He said that if politicians had allowed Mbadinuju to go for a second term in 2003, after which Anambra Central would take over and govern for two terms, by now it would have been crystal clear that Anambra North from where incumbent Governor Willie Obiano comes would have automatic shot at a second term without let or hindrance from any other zone in the state.

Moghalu, the national auditor of APC, noted that even at that, another political party could still wrestle the seat from Obiano and his political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and give it to another person from Anambra North.

He stated that it was based on the fact that there is no existing zoning formula and based on the fact that the state is still under-developed and requires a vibrant person to develop it, that he decided to offer himself for the stewardship, adding that if allowed to step in, he would not look back in transforming the state into an enviable entity.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

Rivers can earn Forex from production of meningitis vaccines, says Dr. Mbata From NATH OMAME, P/Harcourt

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medical-biologist in Rivers State, Dr. Chris Mbata has declared that the state has the capacity to produce meningitis vaccines that can be sold to other states in the country.

The medical-biologist who spoke to The Oracle Today, added that Rivers State also has the capacity to produce meningitis vaccines that can be exported to other West African countries and “earn foreign exchange from the exportation of meningitis vaccines.”

Mbata, who explained that Rivers State would rake in a lot of money from the project, insisted that Nigeria does not need to import meningitis vaccines, noting that the importation of meningitis vaccines would amount to a waste of scarce resources.

“Rivers State government can make revenue out of the outbreak of meningitis because it has a public health laboratory. We know that there is also a vaccine laboratory in Yaba, in Lagos State, which has collapsed. So, we can cash in on that.”

Dr. Mbata explained: “We can gather specialists from Rivers State and take them to any state in the country and gather the meningitis organisms and come back to Rivers State to produce the vaccines and that will compel other states in the country to come to Rivers State to buy.”

“The best way to stem the spread

of meningitis in Rivers State is to embark on the production of the vaccines and ensure that residents are vaccinated. Most houses in areas like Diobu and Port Harcourt Township are over-crowded, so a meningitis infection can spread really fast,” he added.

The medical-biologist counselled: “The most productive remedy is for the Rivers State government to produce the meningitis vaccines in a massive scale. Our housing policy is zero.

Houses in many neighbourhoods are overcrowded. In some places, about 10 people live in one room of 12’ by 12’.

So, a meningitis outbreak will be very frightful, indeed!”

Dr. Mbata insisted that the state government should make a policy mandating all residents to take the meningitis vaccine, which he described as the best prevention.

He warned: “Asking members of

Bayelsa varsity graduates 300 medical doctors From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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HE National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) has urged Nigerians to assist security agencies in the fight against terrorism, without which the efforts at ending the menace would not succeed.

The NSA made the called in Uyo, while delivering his keynote address on ‘‘National Sensitization Workshop on the Implementation of National Counter Terrorism Strategy’’ (NACTEST).

Maj. Gen. Monguno, who was represented by Mrs. Catherine Udida, Head

Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism said that, to defeat terrorists or manage the acts of terrorism, security agencies must be ahead of the terrorists.

He explained that, the NSA office expects the cooperation and contribution from all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to end terrorism.

According to him, ‘‘the carnage unleashed by terrorists in the world and Nigeria in particular, required concerted approach and efforts by all citizens and governments at all level to curb

the menace.

“It is a fact that no one man, Agency or one country can achieve laudable success in the fight against terrorism.

We must all work together, identifying our crucial roles and collaborate to record success” noting that, NACTEST was a call for action to all MDAs, CSOs, NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians to take up their roles as outlined in the strategy and contribute by undertaking programmes and projects that could end terrorism.

The national security adviser charged security agencies and stakeholders not to relent but, always prepare and be on alert against any terrorists attack.

AYELSA State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), has graduated over 300 medical doctors since 2009 when the first batch of students were admitted in the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Head of Department of Pharmacology, Prof. Fidelis Ching Poh, who disclosed this in an interview, said the 10th batch of Pharmacology students who would graduate as medical doctors were admitted early April.

The Head of Department, who is from Cameroon and trained in Nigeria, explained the process of producing the medical students. “ When you admit students in the first year, they are allowed to learn the basic sciences--biology, chemistry, physics, English, mathematics and other subjects like the Nigerian People and Culture, computer and all of that.

“When they finish it, they come over to year two and begin to study anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.

This will enable them understand the human body.

“When they have gotten this one, they are now ripe enough to begin to study the science of disease and drugs which starts in 400 level; that means their fourth year in the medical school, and that is where they start pharmacology and then the science of disease, pathology,” he said.

He commended the first civilian governor of the state, the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, for his foresight in establishing the university and ensuring that the Faculty of Basic and Medical Sciences were given a priority attention.

“Thank God for the visionary nature and the commitment of his Excellency DSP Alameseigha, may his soul rest in peace for his doggedness and commitment to the medical school, to see it through; kudos also to other governors of Bayelsa State. We have had a handful of problems here and there. But our story is still on the better side. In the early years, we had cases where we would have to take the students to Port Harcourt and all of that, but that did not last for long,” he stressed.

Change of Name

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyekpudoro Perpetua Chinenye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ucheokafor Perpetua Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Muliat Ebudola Fagbohun, now wishes to be called and addressed as, Muliyat Iyabode Fagbohun.

All documents bearing my former names remain valid. This notice is for the general public.

I, formerly known and addressed as Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, now wishes to be called and addressed as, Edwin Chukwudi Nwakaeme.

All documents bearing my former names remain valid.

This notice is for the general public.

I, formerly known and addressed as Vivian Oyediya Okerezi, now wishes to be called and addressed as, Peters Vivian Oyediya.

All documents bearing my former names remain valid. This notice is for the general public.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday, preventing a restive crowd of sympathisers at the Ede, Osun State country home of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, from lynching Ms Idia Babalola, a former Special Adviser to Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Wike: Rivers govt. to tackle unemployment through rural electrification •Senator Sekibo donates transformers to his constituency From NATH OMAME, P/Harcourt

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MONG the programmes the Rivers State government will embark upon in the course of celebrating its golden jubilee, in May, is the provision of electricity for rural areas.

According to the government, this would help to stimulate the local economies.

Governor Nyesom Wike, who spoke during the presentation of transformers donated to communities by the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo, noted that an aggressive rural electrification programme would stimulate the economies of rural communities for “once there is rural electrification, micro-economies will be activated and unemployed youths empowered.”

The governor added: “The State government believes that to stimulate the economies of rural communities, rural electrification is key. Once there is rural electrification, micro-economies will be activated and unemployed youths empowered.”

“As part of our Golden Jubilee celebrations, more communities will be linked to our aggressive rural electrification schemes. We are working with a major independent power producer to ensure uninterrupted power supply to major business and government facilities in the state,” he stressed.

the public to report to health authorities anyone who is coughing, sneezing, or afflicted with stiff neck, or stiff back won’t go far enough. The safest way to prevent meningitis outbreak is through vaccination and we can produce the vaccines here in Rivers State.”

The Rivers State governor said that his administration has set up a high-powered committee to interface with a major Independent Power Producer to electrify key areas and facilities in the State.

He explained: “This is to ensure that small and medium sized busi-

nesses owners have access to electricity to carry out their trades in a financially friendly environment.”

In his remarks, Senator Representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo said the distribution of

transformers to benefiting communities was aimed at supporting the rural electrification scheme of the Wike administration.

Senator Sekibo said benefiting communities were selected in liaison with the state government and major stakeholders from the local government areas that make up the district.

NSA charges Nigerians on war against terrorism From ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS Reported defection from PDP to APC a sham – Chieftain From ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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HE purported defection of some members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s ward I to the All Progressives Party (APC) has been debunked and described as a fallacious propaganda taken too far to score cheap political points.

A PDP chieftain and president, Coalition of Onna Youths Movement, (COYM), Mr. Nkereuwen Monday Joe, who made the declaration to The Oracle Today in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said it was not true that the APC has captured Governor Udom’s ward.

He said “there is nothing like APC in Onna, not to talk of the party taking over Governor Emmanuel Udom’s Village.”

He condemned in strong terms the media report which he said was sponsored by a few disgruntled individuals in the People’s Democratic Party who have refused to be patient with the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“Those reported to have decamped to the All Progressives Congress who include Kinsley Ufang and Valentine Ufang are still members of the People’s Democratic Party”, he said.

He argued that no right thinking son of Onna will want Governor Udom to sit for a single term when his predecessors completed their constitutional two terms.

Joe called on journalist in the state to engage in developmental journalism instead of partisan politics of retrogression, while calling on all members of the People’s Democratic Party in the state to debunk the said news and remain loyal to the party.

He commended the state governor for his empowerment programme for youths and women across the state and called on all the appointees of the governor to touch the lives of their constituents positively as a way of reciprocating the trust of the governor on them.

Mr. Joe commended the effort of the member representing Onna State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Nse Essien, for placing 82 youths of Onna on monthly stipends of ten thousand naira each.

Appointees of the governor from Onna who have curried the favour of youths of the area include Edmond Uffang, Protocol Officer to the Governor, Mr. John Akpan, Dr. Elijah Udom, Chairman of Akipoc, Harryson Ekpo, Barr. Ubong Adiakpan and Mr. Godwin Ben aka Black, he said.

Obama flow station: Why AGIP shunned Supreme Court verdict From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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ACTS have emerged on why the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, has failed to comply with the Supreme Court verdict on the rightful ownership of the land hosting its Obama flow station in Nembe, Bayelsa State.

Egebekiri community in Nembe, which is laying claim to the ownership of the land, had embarked on protest last week to the flow station and shut oil wells 5, 7, 9, and 12, citing neglect of the community by AGIP. They also cited a Supreme Court judgment of 13 July 2007 which confirmed them as the legal owners of the land hosting the oilfields, but said Agip had continued to give their rights and benefits to some persons in neighbouring communities.

However, investigation by The Oracle Today reveals that AGIP had been unwilling to comply with the Supreme Court ruling for fear of outbreak of hostilities in the area.

The oil major had in a letter by its General Manager District, Fabrizio Trilli, to the Bayelsa State Governor in 2008, acknowledged Egebekiri as bona fide owners of the land. It however expressed fears then that there might be violence if the benefits shifted to Egebekiri.

The letter read thus, “Our dilemma, however, is that the subject matter of these court actions is opposite our Obama flow station in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. At the time of acquisition, the Ikoni family presented themselves as the family of occupation.

“The company dealt with them and paid the agreed compensation.

They were thereafter accorded recognition as landlords over the years.

In the light of the Supreme Court judgment, however, we are bound by law to cease to recognise them and begin to deal with the Egebekiri family.

“We believe that this may not go down well with the Ikoni family due to the benefits that may stop accru-

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EMBERS of the Eminent Persons Forum in Bayelsa State are to build a befitting police headquarters in the State.

Chairman of the Forum, Chief Robert Ayalla, who disclosed this during the working visit of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, in charge of Training and Development, Mr. Emmanuel Iyang, deplored the state of the headquarters of the state police command.

He noted that the Eminent Persons Forum is poised to work with the police high command to actual-

testimonies received from community folks that as far as patience is concerned, the people of Egebekiri are very close to the end of whatever elasticity they may have.

“Armed with a Supreme Court Judgment in their favour and, being pushed to the wall, Agip should try and seek more positive ways of reacting to this matter,” ERA had advised.

ERA, which is an environmentally focused organization, asked Agip to without further delays initiate steps to quickly address the Egebekiri matter and not allow it to degenerate into violence.

It further urged the federal and state governments to call Agip to order, especially in the area of not honouring the laws of the land, even a Supreme Court ruling.

“If possible, the National Assembly should invite the management of Agip, since they are often quick to say the State House of Assembly has no jurisdiction since oil matters are on the exclusive legislative list.

Okowa’s aide berates critic From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

ELTA State governor’s aide on special duties (media), Mr Ossai Ovie Success, has berated Chief Ayiri Emami, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over his statement that Governor Okowa has no plan for Delta youths.

Ossai said the chief promoter of the APC candidate for Warri South Constituency I bye-election was either being economical with the truth or lacked adequate information on the achievements of the Okowaled government, stating that despite the recession in the nation, the Governor had created over 17,173 jobs through prudent management of resources.

“Chief Emami needs to be enlightened because if you are not informed you will be deformed.

All he said goes to show that he lacks proper information regarding the achievements of the Government of Delta State,” he said.

According to Ossai “It is no longer news that Nigeria as a nation has been under recession and has hindered a lot of possibilities, but in Delta State the story is different.

“Since August 2015, when Gov Okowa launched the job and Wealth Creation Scheme with the following programmes viz: Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), and Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), a total of 17,173 private sector jobs” had been created, Ossai said, adding that “this figure consists of 6,800 direct jobs and 10,373 indirect jobs of both skilled and unskilled workers.”

He called on Ayiri to seek proper information before he misleads the unsuspecting public.

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From left; National President of National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria (NCWS), Dr. Mrs. Gloria Laraba Shoda; chairman of the occasion, Chief Anthony Enukeme, representative of wife of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Mrs. Chinwe Umerie; and SA to Obiano, Dr. Amaka Akudo, at the occasion of installation of patrons and award presentations organized by the NCWS, Onitsha branch.

Group raises alarm over abandoned NDDC projects From ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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rights advocate group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Group, has raised alarm that the purported execution of projects in Akwa Ibom State by the Niger Delta Devel-

opment Commission (NDDC) is nothing but a grand deceit.

The group described the NDDC projects as “phantom”, alleging that no fewer than 321 projects are currently abandoned by the intervention agency while the ones that were

Eminent Persons Forum to build new police headquarters in Bayelsa From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

ing to them.”

Meanwhile, the Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA) Nigeria has asked the Nigerian Agip Oil Company to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court on the rightful owners of the land hosting its Obama flow station.

The ERA’s intervention is coming on the heels of the protest by people of Egebekiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State against Agip’s alleged neglect of the community.

The ERA, in a report released by its Bayelsa State Coordinator, Mr. Alagoa Morris, lamented that after 10 years of the apex court’s judgment, the oil firm had yet to obey the judgment.

“The highest court in the land is the Supreme Court and Agip shouldn’t subject the ruling of the Supreme Court to any interpretation. What is expected of Agip is to explore a peaceful transition of benefits to the rightful owners of the land.

“ERA/FoEN is convinced from the

ize the objective, saying time has come for all the companies and organization, which rely on the police for protection of their facilities and personnel to show gratitude by contributing to the building of the new edifice for the police in the state.

Ayalla stressed that some police divisions in others areas were better than what is serving as headquarters of the state police command and maintained that a state police command should be a befitting one.

He noted with regret that the duties of the police in Nigeria are almost being taken over by the military.

“The police is the force in a democracy, but there is so much interference in what the police ought to be doing in our society,” he said.

Earlier, the DIG, while addressing the rank and file of the force, informed them of the welfare packages, which the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has approved for them and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by working harder.

He said there is a plan to recruit 31,000 personnel in the next five years, saying the aim is to reduce the number of hours they work per day and to meet the United Nations standard in policing.

done were “shoddy”.

In a seven-page release obtained

by The Oracle Today in Uyo, the rights group alleged that out of the 321 projects “recklessly abandoned” in the state by the Commission, the rural areas topped the chart with 121 abandoned roads, while there are 75 uncompleted classroom blocks, 69 rural water schemes and 43 mini-electrification projects, all left unattended to by the current leadership of the NDDC, the group alleged.

The release signed by Chief Okon Jim also maintained that most projects being claimed today by NDDC are at various stages of completion by the Akwa Ibom State government under the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

“The surrogates and hirelings of both the NDDC and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have inundated the pages of both the conventional and social media with some of these phantom projects.

We wish to inform the good people

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

Don’t relate with electorate only during elections – Gov Umahi •Charges traditional rulers to put their kingdom at peace From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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HE governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has described as unhealthy the attitude of politicians who relate to the electorate only during elections.

The governor, who described such attitude as crude and unacceptable, specifically urged political appointees under his government to shun such idea and always be close to the electorate in their constituency.

Umahi spoke at a special forum at the Government House, Abakaliki, where he also presented staff of office to seven traditional rulers from various autonomous communities in the state, urging all traditional rulers in the state to put their kingdom at peace by reconciling with those that opposed their emergence.

According to the governor, there is need for traditional rulers to work more closely with political appointees in their kingdom to educate the masses about government policies and programmes, especially as regards the usefulness of projects that are sited in their communities and how to protect such facilities.

While counselling political appointees on the need for them to always strengthen their relation-

ship with the electorate, he also pointed out that it is their duty to guide the people on how to reach the government for assistance where necessary.

“I want us to make our politics to be viable. The way we can make it so is by being at home with the electorate. It is not only during the time of election that we should go to them.

If we are blessed with large population during election, let us not allow it to depreciate afterwards,” he said.

The governor noted that it is time for politics to be redefined in the state, adding that politics was a means of service, uplifting them and changing their fortunes.

Governor Umahi had earlier, in a similar function, sworn in two caretaker committee Vice Chairmen of Afikpo South and Ishielu Local Government Areas respectively; and also inaugurated a seven-man revenue appeal commission, with a charge to discharge their duties with honesty and the fear of God. He enjoined the commission, which is chaired by Chief Anthony Okah, to create the necessary awareness to enable aggrieved people seek redress from the court in case of any complaint of miscarriage of justice, at any time.

He described the appeal court as supreme and final deciding point for all cases that concern revenue collection in Ebonyi State.

From left; Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Pharmaceutical Matters, Pharm. Chibuzor Okah; the Owelle of Ogidi Pharm. Ugochukwu Okwuosa; the Perm Sec. Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Emma Udenu; the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharm Alex Onyido; the President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Alhaji Ahmed Yakasai; the Ike of Ogidi, Pharm. Obi Ezegbo, and Chairman of PSN in Anambra, pose for the press when the PSN paid a courtesy visit to the Ogidi Monarch.

Fight against malaria paying off, says PSN president

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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HE President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharmacist Ahmed Yakassai has commended the federal government over the fight against malaria scourge in Nigeria, saying with government renewed effort against the disease, the rate of occurrence has reduced from 36% to 26%.

Yakassai who gave the commendation during the week in Ogidi, Anambra State when he visited the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom Igwe Alex Uzo Onyido, a Fellow of PSN, to congratulate him and felicitate with the people of Ogidi on his election and coronation as the traditional ruler of the community.

Yakassai called on the government to sustain the fight against malaria in order to eradicate it completely, urging the people to always keep their environment clean and ensure they sleep under the long lasting mosquito treated nets to prevent malaria infections.

The PSN president also advised the people who are diagnosed with malaria parasite to take good anti-malaria drugs and when it persists should consult their doctors for proper treatment, warning against the use of concocted traditional herbs, which have no dosage in the treatment of malaria to avoid complication that could lead to death.

He, however, described Igwe Onyido as a pillar of the society whose contribution could not be measured and urged him to continue to do more, saying that Ananmbra State would be at its rightful place in the country as, according to him, the State has been doing well in all spheres.

Yakassai said he was in Anambra to attend an essay competi-

tion organized by its member in the state where the winner would go home with N1m and to also participate in the celebration of World Malaria Day in the State.

In his remarks, Igwe Onyido thanked the PSN President and his team for the honour done him by their visit to his palace, saying that he has known Yakassai since 80s in Kano State where he lived and

worked and supported him during his campaign for the office of the President.

Igwe Onyido described Yakassai as a humble and easy going man who will take the PSN to greater heights and urged him to relax in the state to enjoy because Anambra State has zero crime rate, courtesy of the governor Willie Obiano agenda on security in the state.

Communities pledge support for local government

By DOM EKPUNOBI, Onitsha

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OMMUNITIES in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have pledged support for the Chief Raphael Asha Nnabuife-led Caretaker Committee of the Local Council to enable it succeed.

The communities also pledged to ensure the re-election of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for a second term in office.

This stand was declared when more than 2000 Obosi indigenes led by the Chairman Obiano Youth Support Group, Idemili North Local Government, Chief Alex Chukwurah, visited the Ogidi headquarters of the local council.

The group, which arrived at the venue around 3pm, came with dance groups, commending

Chief Obiano for re-appointing Barr. Nnabuife to the leadership of the local government.

Speaking, the leader of the group, Chukwurah said he was convinced that the appointment was based on Nnabuife’s excellent performance in his past leadership of the council and called on everybody to support the administration.

Also, another stakeholder, Chief Arthur Udo commended the people of Obosi for taking the lead in the solidarity visit.

He said that Nkpor indigenes were already making arrangement to pay similar visit to Nnabuife and his caretaker team whom he said were appointed on merit.

According to him, the people of Nkpor were resolute that Chief Willie Obiano should be re-elected for a second term as gover-

nor, to enable him complete the many projects he was already executing in the state.

Earlier, the chairman of APGA in Idemili Local Government Area, Chief Kentius Onwurah, expressed delight at the decision of Obosi people to pay solidarity visit to the re-appointed local government caretaker chairman.

Responding, Chief Nnabuife said he would serve Idemili North people much better than before in order to justify the confidence reposed in him by the governor.

He called on the people to do all within their powers to return Chief Willie Obiano for a second term in office.

Earlier in the day, a set of bishops had conducted a service at the council chambers of the local government to pray for the governor and the caretaker committee.

NDLEA takes campaign to tertiary institutions From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

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OMMANDER, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr. Sule Momodu, has urged students at all levels, especially undergraduates, to shun intake of hard drugs and concentrate on their studies, noting that drug abuse can lead to brain damage, memory loss, madness and all forms of crime and illegal activity.

The NDLEA boss, who stated this at the command’s headquarters, Awka, while receiving members of the National Drug Free Club, National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Chapter, who called on him, charged the students to avoid patronizing drug peddlers, noting that the long arm of the law would not spare anyone caught in the act.

He said the command had resolved to deal decisively with those who indulged in drug-related offences, noting that the agency was determined to institute Drug Free Clubs in all tertiary institutions in Anambra State.

Mr. Momodu said the club would be managed by student volunteers, who would be ready to take the message of anti-drug abuse round the campuses.

This is even as he thanked the NOUN Drug Free Club members for the visit and pledged to support them.

He urged the members not to arrest anyone peddling or abusing drugs but to report such person or persons to the command for necessary actions, noting that the agency would continue to sensitize the youths, especially students on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and peddling.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt Why Federal Republic of Nigeria must not discriminate In this report--details of a class action suit – Mr. OLISA AGBAKOBA, SAN, inveighs against the marginalisation of the South Eastern part of Nigeria by the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice

M

R. OLISA AGBAKOBA has filed a Fundamental Rights Class Action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria for himself and on behalf of the South East Zone on grounds of discrimination pursuant to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution. This action was by Originating Summons supported by an affidavit of 99 paragraphs and a statement.

The grounds of Mr. Agbakoba’s application are summarized as follows: (a) Total neglect of the Applicant’s Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent in terms of infrastructure and general federal presence making the Applicant feel not part of the 1st Respondent. (b) Abandonment of the Niger Bridge to collapse and failure to build the ‘Second Niger Bridge’ making the Applicant feel isolated from other parts of 1stRespondent and causing him apprehension about disaster on crossing the existing bridge. (c) Abandonment of Federal Roads, which are death traps and robbery baits and occasioning and constraining on the Applicant grueling road journeys within the Geopolitical Zone. Failure to develop strategic new roads especially the Anam-Nzam Federal Road linking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State to give the Applicant easy access to the northern part of Nigeria. (d) Failure to exploit the Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin and stalling the Applicant’s legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone.

(e) Abandonment of the Enugu Colliery and depriving the Applicant of his legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for the development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone. (f) Failure to develop trade-friendly ports and customs policies and establish ‘ease-ofbusiness’ platforms to assist the Applicant’s trading brothers and sisters to do better and operate on a higher and modern scale in trading, which makes the Applicant to spend money to support relatives. (g) Failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading, which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul airborne goods by road from Lagos, , with the attendant risks. (h) Failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul seaborne goods by road from Port Harcourt or Lagos, with the attendant risks. (i) Disparity in States structure which puts the Applicant’s South-East Zone behind every other Geopolitical Zone in political and judicial appointments and representation at the National Assembly, as well as in revenue allocation. (j) Foisting low revenue allocation status on the Applicant’s South-East Zone as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal and as a result of the said structural imbalance. (k) Over-policing and police menacing of the South-East with alarming number of police ‘check-points’ at which massive extortion of

Olisa Agbakoba, SAN billions of naira annually go on, even while vio- not less than 13% of federal allocation accrulent crimes continue as if there were no police ing directly from natural resources to be paid operatives. to the area from where such is derived, the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge (L) Abandoning the South-East to be swal- Coal reserves under the rocky hills of Enugu lowed up by erosion; failing to respond to calls and the environs in relation to the Applicant to check widening gullies in the South-East, and the Group/Class he represents, of its exespecially in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi all in An- clusive responsibility by Item 39 in the Excluambra State, which have claimed expansive sive Legislative List, Part I Second Schedule of farmlands and homelands and leveled homes, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nidisplacing people. geria 1999, to extract the said coal deposits in commercial quantity in accordance with SecThe reliefs sought are: tion 16(2)(b)of the Constitution of the Feder1. A DECLARATION that the Structural Com- al Republic of Nigeria 1999, while extracting position of the States in the 1stRespondent solid minerals in other Geopolitical Zones, is in this distribution: North-West, Seven States; discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 North-Central, Six States; North-East, Six of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of States; South-West, Six States; South-South, Nigeria 1999.

Six States; and South-East, Five States; creates 3. A DECLARATION that in view of the proa structural imbalance against the Applicant visions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the and the Group/Class he represents to their Federal Republic Nigeria 1999, which prepolitical and economic disadvantage in federal scribes not less than 13% of federal allocation legislative representation, ministerial/political accruing directly from natural resources to be and judicial appointments, and revenue alloca- paid to the area from where same is derived, tion contrary to Section 14(3) of the Constitu- the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge tion of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, Oil/Gas reserves in the Anambra Basin in relawhich requires reflection of federal character tion to the Applicant and the Group/Class he in conduct of public affairs, and accordingly a represents, of its exclusive responsibility unviolation of Section 42 of the Constitution of der Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List, the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which Part I Second Schedule of the Constitution prohibits discrimination against the Applicant of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to and the Group/Class represented based on extract the same Oil/Gas for commercial purEthnic Grouping and place of origin. pose in accordance with Section 16(2)(b) of 2. A DECLARATION that in view of the provi- the Constitution of the Federal Republic of sions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the Fed- Nigeria 1999, while extracting and exploring eral Republic Nigeria 1999, which prescribes same in other Geopolitical Zones, is discrimi-

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt

against South East Nigeria, by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

Gov. Okorocha of Imo State

Gov. Ikpeazu of Abia State

Gov. Obiano of Anambra State

natory and a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

4. A DECLARATION that the neglect by the 1st Respondent of the Federal Roads in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, the neglect of the Niger Bridge which is nearing collapse and failure to put in place a Second Niger Bridge to connect the South-East with other parts of the 1st Respondent, in accordance with Section 15(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when the 1stRespondent does so in other Geopolitical Zones, is contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

5. A DECLARATION that the over-policing of the South-East highways with numerous check-points by operatives of the 1st Respondent’s Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at every stretch of road wherein sums in excess of N9 billion annually are extorted from the South-East people, while kidnapping and other crimes still go on unchecked in violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; when such extortion and high level of crime are not obtainable in any other Geopolitical Zone, is discriminatory and a violation of the provisions of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

6. A DECLARATION that the 1st Respondent’s failure to develop friendly ports and customs policies to assist traders from the South-East Geopolitical Zone to do better in trading and on higher scale; failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading and failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading, in accordance with its constitutional obligations under Section 15(4), 16(1) (a) and (2)(a) and 17(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when it responds to the people of other Geopolitical Zones in respect of their areas of strength in the economic map of the 1st Respondent, are discriminatory acts which violate Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

7. A DECLARATION that the poor revenue allocation rate foisted on the South-East Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal in the Zone and as a result of the structural imbalance of the States in the South-East vis-à-vis other Geopolitical Zones where the 1stRespondent is mandated under Section 16(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria 1999 to promote “a planned and balanced economic development”, is discriminatory and contrary to the fundamental right of the Applicant guaranteed by Section 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

8. A DECLARATION that the worsening menace of Erosion in the South-East Zone generally and in particular in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi in Anambra State, under the watch and neglect of the 1st Respondent, who responds to similar or less-threatening ecological problems in other Zones with dispatch and commitment, is discriminatory and a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant and the Group/Class represented guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

9. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and release for immediate execution a comprehensive South-East Development Master Plan (SEDM) forurgent turn-around of the infrastructure in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, and the phased execution of such Master plan to be pursued with dispatch and vigour; which Master Plan must include immediate relief in the following identified areas of neglect: (a) Complete overhauling of all Federal Highways in the Zone and designing and construction of new ones, including the AnamNzam Federal Roadlinking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State (b) Exploration of Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin (c) Reinvigoration of modernized mining activities in Enugu (d) Re-engineering of Niger Bridge at Onitsha and construction of a Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha (e) Dredging of the Lower Niger and construction of a Lighter Berth at Onitsha, and (f) Developing a modern international cargo airport in the Eastern Heartland at Owerri 10. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and send to the National Assembly for enactment, a bill to establish the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and for ancillary matters, which body shall be charged with the execution of the said Master plan and the general development of the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

11. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith put all its machinery, including but not limited to legal and political apparatus, in motion, with a view to urgently creating TWO ADDITIONAL STATES in the South-

East Geopolitical Zone to balance with the Seven States in the North-West, and thereby bring to an end the discriminatory practices against the South-East Geopolitical Zone in terms of legislative representation, political and judicial appointments and net federal allocation accruing to the Geopolitical Zone.

12. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to take immediate steps to check the excessively aggressive and nefarious, yet ineffective policing of the South-East Geopolitical Zone and putting an end to the extortion going on at the ubiquitous police check-points on the highways in the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

13. PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restrainingthe 1st Respondent, whether by itself, its agents, servants or privies, or otherwise howsoever from further acts of discrimination against the Applicant or any member of the Group/Class represented.

14. GENERAL DAMAGES in the sum ofN1,000,000,000,000 (One Trillion Naira) against the 1st Respondent to be shared among the Five States of the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

The key arguments in support of the application are contained in the written brief to the summons. Section 42 of the constitution provide thus; (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religion or political opinions.

(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.

Mr. Agbakoba’s main point is that everyone is entitled to equal treatment.

The application was filed at the Federal High Court Enugu and is pending before Mr. Justice A.R. Mohammed. You can receive further information from the Counsel to Mr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN

Gov. Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

Gov. Umahi of Ebonyi State Mr. Olisa Agbakoba has filed a Fundamental Rights Class Action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria for himself and on behalf of the South East Zone on grounds of discrimination pursuant to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution. This action was by Originating Summons supported by an affidavit of 99 paragraphs and a statement.

The grounds of Mr. Agbakoba’s application are summarized as follows; (a) Total neglect of the Applicant’s Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent in terms of infrastructure and general federal presence making the Applicant feel not part of the 1st Respondent. (b) Abandonment of the Niger Bridge to collapse and failure to build the ‘Second Niger Bridge’ making the Applicant feel isolated from other parts of 1stRespondent and causing him apprehension about disaster on crossing the existing bridge. (c) Abandonment of Federal Roads, which are death traps and robbery baits and occasioning and constraining on the Applicant grueling road journeys within the Geopolitical Zone. Failure to develop strategic new roads

Cont’d on Page 12

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt

Why Federal Republic of Nigeria must not discriminate against South East Nigeria, by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN Continued from Page 11 especially the Anam-Nzam Federal Road linking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State to give the Applicant easy access to the northern part of Nigeria. (d) Failure to exploit the Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin and stalling the Applicant’s legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone. (e) Abandonment of the Enugu Colliery and depriving the Applicant of his legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for the development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone. (f) Failure to develop trade-friendly ports and customs policies and establish ‘ease-ofbusiness’ platforms to assist the Applicant’s trading brothers and sisters to do better and operate on a higher and modern scale in trading, which makes the Applicant to spend money to support relatives. (g) Failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading, which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul airborne goods by road from Lagos, , with the attendant risks. (h) Failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul seaborne goods by road from Port Harcourt or Lagos, with the attendant risks. (i) Disparity in States structure which puts the Applicant’s South-East Zone behind every other Geopolitical Zone in political and judicial appointments and representation at the National Assembly, as well as in revenue allocation. (j) Foisting low revenue allocation status on the Applicant’s South-East Zone as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal and as a result of the said structural imbalance. (k) Over-policing and police menacing of the South-East with alarming number of police ‘check-points’ at which massive extortion of billions of naira annually go on, even while violent crimes continue as if there were no police operatives.

(L) Abandoning the South-East to be swallowed up by erosion; failing to respond to calls to check widening gullies in the SouthEast, especially in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi all in Anambra State, which have claimed expansive farmlands and homelands and leveled homes, displacing people.

The reliefs sought are: 1. A DECLARATION that the Structural Composition of the States in the 1stRespondent in this distribution: North-West, Seven States; North-Central, Six States; North-East, Six States; South-West, Six States; South-South, Six States; and South-East, Five States; creates a structural imbalance against the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents to their political and economic disadvantage in federal legislative representation, ministerial/political and judicial appointments, and revenue allocation contrary to Section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which requires reflection of federal character in conduct of public affairs, and accordingly a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which prohibits discrimination against the Applicant and the Group/Class represented based on Ethnic Grouping and place of origin.

2. A DECLARATION that in view of the provisions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999, which prescribes not less than 13% of federal allocation accruing directly from natural resources to be paid to the area from where such is de-

rived, the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge Coal reserves under the rocky hills of Enugu and the environs in relation to the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents, of its exclusive responsibility by Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List, Part I Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to extract the said coal deposits in commercial quantity in accordance with Section 16(2)(b)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, while extracting solid minerals in other Geopolitical Zones, is discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

3. A DECLARATION that in view of the provisions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999, which prescribes not less than 13% of federal allocation accruing directly from natural resources to be paid to the area from where same is derived, the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge Oil/Gas reserves in the Anambra Basin in relation to the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents, of its exclusive responsibility under Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List, Part I Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to extract the same Oil/Gas for commercial purpose in accordance with Section 16(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, while extracting and exploring same in other Geopolitical Zones, is discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

4. A DECLARATION that the neglect by the 1st Respondent of the Federal Roads in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, the neglect of the Niger Bridge which is nearing collapse and failure to put in place a Second Niger Bridge to connect the South-East with other parts of the 1st Respondent, in accordance with Section 15(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when the 1stRespondent does so in other Geopolitical Zones, is contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

5. A DECLARATION that the over-policing of the South-East highways with numerous check-points by operatives of the 1stRespondent’s Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at every stretch of road wherein sums in excess of N9 Billion annually are extorted from the South-East people, while kidnapping and other crimes still go on unchecked in violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; when such extortion and high level of crime are not obtainable in any other Geopolitical Zone, is discriminatory and a violation of the provisions of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

6. A DECLARATION that the 1st Respondent’s failure to develop friendly ports and customs policies to assist traders from the South-East Geopolitical Zone to do better in trading and on higher scale; failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading and failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading, in accordance with its constitutional obligations under Section 15(4), 16(1) (a) and (2)(a) and 17(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when it responds to the people of other Geopolitical Zones in respect of their areas of strength in the economic map of the 1st Respondent, are discriminatory acts which violate Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

7. A DECLARATION that the poor revenue allocation rate foisted on the South-East Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal in the

Niger bridge, Onitsha/Asaba Zone and as a result of the structural imbalance of the States in the South-East vis-à-vis other Geopolitical Zones where the 1stRespondent is mandated under Section 16(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to promote “a planned and balanced economic development”, is discriminatory and contrary to the fundamental right of the Applicant guaranteed by Section 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

8. A DECLARATION that the worsening menace of Erosion in the South-East Zone generally and in particular in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi in Anambra State, under the watch and neglect of the 1st Respondent, who responds to similar or less-threatening ecological problems in other Zones with dispatch and commitment, is discriminatory and a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant and the Group/Class represented guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

9. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and release for immediate execution a comprehensive South-East Development Master Plan (SEDM) forurgent turn-around of the infrastructure in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, and the phased execution of such Master plan to be pursued with dispatch and vigour; which Master Plan must include immediate relief in the following identified areas of neglect: (a) Complete overhauling of all Federal Highways in the Zone and designing and construction of new ones, including the AnamNzam Federal Roadlinking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State (b) Exploration of Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin (c) Reinvigoration of modernized mining activities in Enugu (d) Re-engineering of Niger Bridge at Onitsha and construction of a Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha (e) Dredging of the Lower Niger and construction of a Lighter Berth at Onitsha, and (f) Developing a modern international cargo airport in the Eastern Heartland at Owerri 10. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and send to the National Assembly for enactment, a bill to establish the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and for ancillary matters, which body shall be charged with the execution of the said Master plan and the general development of the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

11. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith put all its machinery, including

but not limited to legal and political apparatus, in motion, with a view to urgently creating TWO ADDITIONAL STATES in the SouthEast Geopolitical Zone to balance with the Seven States in the North-West, and thereby bring to an end the discriminatory practices against the South-East Geopolitical Zone in terms of legislative representation, political and judicial appointments and net federal allocation accruing to the Geopolitical Zone.

12. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to take immediate steps to check the excessively aggressive and nefarious, yet ineffective policing of the South-East Geopolitical Zone and putting an end to the extortion going on at the ubiquitous police checkpoints on the highways in the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

13. PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restrainingthe 1st Respondent, whether by itself, its agents, servants or privies, or otherwise howsoever from further acts of discrimination against the Applicant or any member of the Group/Class represented.

14. GENERAL DAMAGES in the sum ofN1,000,000,000,000 (One Trillion Naira) against the 1st Respondent to be shared among the Five States of the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

The key arguments in support of the application are contained in the written brief to the summons. Section 42 of the constitution provide thus; (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religion or political opinions.

(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.

Mr. Agbakoba’s main point is that everyone is entitled to equal treatment.

The application was filed at the Federal High Court Enugu and is pending before Mr. Justice A.R. Mohammed. You can receive further information from the Counsel to Mr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

NEWS

Bail conditions unacceptable –Kanu’s Parents From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

I

T was celebration galore at the compound of His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Kanu, the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State and father of Director of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, as the news that an Abuja Federal High Court has granted the IPOB leader bail filtered into the Abia State capital.

However, Kanu’s parents roundly rejected the bail conditions given their son, describing them as stringent and obnoxious. They unequivocally demanded that Nnamdi and all those incarcerated with him must be freed unconditionally.

Fielding questions from journalists, Kanu’ father, who was flanked by his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu and their daughter, Chinwe, said he had been optimistic that one day, his son would taste freedom, adding “ that day is today. Our God is a living God.” He decried the bail conditions, saying they were indications that the Federal Government was unwilling to free Kanu.

“Where has it ever happened that in an internal matter concerning Nigeria, they are asking my son to go and bring an Israeli leader as a surety and other sureties who would pay hundreds of millions of Naira? It is for the world to consider this type of stringent conditions. If my son is freed, he will remain in Nigeria to face trial and would not bolt away,” Eze Kanu said.

According to the royal father, the stringent bail conditions represent an assault on the collective interest of Ndigbo. He, therefore, urged the people to oppose it.

Ugoeze Sally Kanu, mother of the detained IPOB leader, expressed happiness that his son has been granted bail, adding it was a sign that God has answered her fasting and prayers which she started since Nnamdi was incarcerated.

Would you encourage him to continue with the struggle if he is freed, she replied, “of course, he will carry on. No retreat, no surrender” adding “as God saved the Israelites, I was confident that is how He was going to save us and He has answered us today.”

A human rights activist, Paul Njoku, also described the bail conditions as “stringent, superfluous and a miscarriage of justice” as Biafra was not an illegal organisation.

“You cannot ask an agitator of sovereignty to go and have a Jewish leader as a bail factor, that is pure madness. We cannot allow it, it is very very bad,” Njoku added.

Youths who crowded the compound were seen singing and chanting Biafra and

Eze Israel Kanu, Nnamdi’s father with his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu addressing the media in Afaraukwu. Photo: Boniface Okoro praise songs, jubilating that their idol and brother would taste freedom sooner than later.

Kanu’s sister, Chinwe who recently got married, was present to rejoice with the family as the news that his brother has been granted bail broke out in Umuahia.

The Man Kanu

Born Nwannekaenyi “Nnamdi” Kenny Okwu Kanu in 1970s in Isiama Afara, Abia State, Nigeria. His father is HRM Eze Israel Okwu Kanu (JP) and his mother is Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu. He attended Library Avenue Primary School (now part of Government House, Umuahia) and Government College, Umuahia. He was admitted to University of Nigeria Nsukka before he left for London to complete his tertiary education.

Arrest 14 October 2015 in a Lagos hotel by security agents who agreed he was with them by 18 October, after a lot of pressure from the public. News of his arrest generated protests.

Trials 19 October 2015, Kanu was reportedly granted bail at a Wuse Magistrate Court.

The bail conditions included: Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property within Abuja Municipality A level 16 officer in the Ministry as a surety Kanu’s lawyer said he met the requirements in full. Mr. Vincent Obetta, the lawyer, protested thus, “I have not seen or heard any place where a court grants bail and the person is not released. Under UN and Africa charter, it is enshrined that once bail is granted, you release the person upon meeting the bail conditions. We are sliding to days of Decree 2 and 4 of 1984.

This is pure Dictatorship.”

18 November 2015, Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Abuja ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to produce Kanu in court on 23 November 2015 DSS obtained a secret court order to detain for the next three months to “conclude what they said was an investigation of terrorism and terrorism financing”.

Charges 23 November 2015 in an Abuja Magistrate Court, Kanu charged for “criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organisation contrary to “Section 97, 97B and 397” of Nigeria’s penal code.

Chief Magistrate S. Usman berated DSS

for failure to produce Kanu in court on two consecutive times the matter came up before the court.

Kanu’s supporters began demonstrations in Abuja. More protests in Onitsha and Aba disrupted commercial activities in both cities.

DSS) requested to discontinue the trial of Nnamdi Kanu under Section 108 (1) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Obetta also told the court that “the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected but not granted, adding that the accused had been in DSS custody since he was arrested.” Matter adjourned to 1 December 2015.

13 December 2016 was when Kanu protested the planned secret trial. He called everyone from the President to he trial judge names. The video of his protests in and outside the court went viral.

28 February 2017, Umunna, a pan-Igbo group that included Professor Charles Soludo, Professor Pat Utomi demanded fir the release of Kanu.

1 March 2017, Justice Binta Nyako struck out six of the charges against Kanu saying there was no evidence supporting them. Another key ruling was that IPOD was not an illegal organisation.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

POLITICS

‘South East/South South suffering largely from self-induced marginalization’ While the perception is rife that the Federal Republic of Nigeria marginalises the South East and South South parts of the country in terms of infrastructural development and other matters, there are those who believe that such marginalization is largely self-induced. From Owerri, COLLINS UGHALAA

F

ORMER two-time Chairman of Oguta Local Council of Imo State, Dr. Louis Nonye Obodo has declared that Ndigbo and their neighbours are more or less suffering more from self rather than externally-induced marginalization, even as he has called on them to embrace agriculture as the only path to selfsustenance in food production and economic growth.

The medical doctor and politician spoke during the Economic Summit organized by the South East/ South South Network (SESSNET), which was held at Links Hotel, Owerri, last week, saying that by continuing to depend on food and related products from the North to feed themselves, the South East and South South are making themselves dependent on the North and also building the economy of the North.

He contended that the major problem of the people of the South East and South South is not restructuring the country but their attitude towards empowering themselves and becoming self-sufficient.

He said that if the people develop the attitude cultivating enough food by engaging in agriculture, they would become self-sufficient and depend less on the North for food, thereby building their own economy as more than 95% per cent of the people spend more than half of their monthly incomes on food from outside the region.

Apart from dependence on the North for food, Dr. Obodo who said he is also a farmer, also said that the people of the South East and South South spend the little savings they might have on religious organizations most of which ferry the money out of the region, leaving them more impoverished.

Accusing the SESS people of committing Mahatma Ghandi’s Seven Social Sins, he enjoined SESSNet to educate the masses on their self-induced marginalization and the need for attitudinal change as it is only when they have gained mass support that they can embark on political change.

Obodo’s exhortations came as another speaker who is a chieftain of the Ijaw People’s Assembly and a human rights activist, Ms Annkio Briggs, who spoke during the economic summit, expressed sadness at what she described as “induced differences be-

tween the South East and the South South geo-political zones of the country.”

She said those who induced the differences are those who do not want the two zones to come together and get united to forge a common front, stressing that the two zones have been balkanized.

“Our traducers not only balkanized the former Eastern Region, but also injected false and jaundiced propaganda that has effectively left us where we are today,” she said.

According to her, “Our parents who bought into the false propaganda did not fully understand, but today we understand.” She said that her patriotism to Nigeria begins with her patriotism to the Ijaw Nation, stressing that as a proud Ijaw woman, nobody could force her into being a better Nigerian without her first being a patriotic Ijaw woman.

She said: “There is a lot of misinformation in the land. We must be determined to save ourselves from the grip

‘

The two zones are being been marginalized economically by the federal government, saying that if the federal government allows the South South and South East zones to make use of the seaports in Port Harcourt, the region would become very rich and might even surpass Lagos State

‘

of those who hate us. There must be a time when we must sit down and work a way to drive the unification project.”

According to her, the claims by some leaders in the North that the North has been fending for the South is not correct. Instead, he insisted that the record shows that during the colonial rule in the country, the North was run on a deficit budget whereas the South had surplus that took care of the North as had some savings.

She said that rather than the North sustaining the South, the reverse has always been the case, with the South making huge sacrifices to keep Nigeria afloat. He noted that even now, such sacrifices have continued in the sense that the federal allocations to the states and local governments are very much skewed in favour of the North.

She spoke also on the issue of grazing land for herdsmen, saying that it is senseless for states in the South to do so, regretting that Bayelsa State has done so.

Earlier in his presentation, one of the conveners of the economic summit, Chief Aloysius Osuji regretted

that the South East and South South zones are the worst hit in the present government.

He said the two zones are being been marginalized economically by the federal government, saying that if the federal government allows the South South and South East zones to make use of the seaports in Port Harcourt, the region would become very rich and might even surpass Lagos State.

He said that only Tincan Port is enough to pay the bills the of Lagos State, wondering why businessmen from the South East and South South are forced use the Tincan Port.

“Why are the Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar ports not functioning?

Why should our traders be forced to use only the Lagos ports? The Federal Government should please give us the answers,” Osuji said.

Also speaking during the event, an elder statesman, Dr. Uma Eleazu argued that what the people of the two zones need is self-determination and urged all the groups seeking Biafra independence to join forces together.

He said: “We have several groups pulling us in different directions.

What we need is self-determination as distinct from sovereignty.”

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

POLITICS

Rivers Amnesty: cultists, criminal gangs in face-off with govt.

• 2 suspected cult leaders declared wanted ...Disarmament process falls short in two of four local councils.

Declaring that they are the “enemy of the State and the law will take its course,” Amnesty Committee upped the ante against some cultists in Rivers who failed to effectively ‘accept’ the Rivers State Amnesty for cultists who surrender their weapons. From Port Harcourt, NATH OMAME reports

T

HE 30-day fresh window of amnesty given to members of cult groups and criminal gangs appears to have crawled into a face-off between the Rivers State government and unrepentant cultists and criminal syndicates with the government declaring two suspected cult leaders wanted.

The two suspected cult leaders are Samuel Ogosu, alias ‘Supreme’ from Eleme Local Council and ‘Pastor’ from Tai Local Council.

According to the Chairman of the Amnesty Programme and Special Adviser to the Governor on Amnesty, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, ‘Pastor’ admitted during a stakeholders’ meeting that he is the leader of ‘Iceland’ in Tai Local Council.

Ogosu was declared wanted on Wednesday, April 19, when he failed to turn himself in by 9 am deadline to submit the active weapons in his possession or under his immediate sphere of control.

Chairman of the amnesty programme disclosed that ‘Supreme’ rather than comply with the deadline, went to Ebubu community at about 9pm, recently to attack those who came out to embrace the amnesty.

“We mobilised men from the security agencies as soon as we got the information and they responded vigorously,” Chinda said. “He is an enemy of the state. He cannot fight government. I will continue to advise him in his own interest to make himself available and hand over those weapons in his custody. And that is the only option for him to have peace. To hold on to those weapons and think that he has the capacity to fight government (is a big mistake). I can tell him that we have the capacity to deal with him.”

The same scenario played out at Tai Local Council where ‘Pastor,’ self-acclaimed leader of ‘Iceland’ in the area shunned the deadline given to him by the Amnesty Committee to submit the lethal weaponry in his armoury to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Bori Police Station.

The Committee reluctantly granted amnesty to cultists and criminal gangs in Eleme, last week, after some youths submitted three AK-47 rifles; four locally made guns; five locally made pistols; four wraps of dynamites and 120 rounds of ammunition to the Committee during the disarmament process.

Chairman of the Amnesty Programme gave the youths one week to submit the lethal weapons in their possession. The same unsavoury development reoccurred at Tai Local Council on Tuesday last week, a day after the disarmament process fell short, in Gokana Local Council.

The special adviser who was palpably disappointed at the quality of weapons submitted, fumed: “What is this? Disused GPMG from Lewe, not working? Used pellets from Bomu? Tai, empty shells, nothing to show?

We sent people to Bomu, they came back to say that the community had not directed

them to submit arms. Yet, the traditional ruler said that there were no arms in Bomu.

What sort of self-deceit is this?

“I am really disappointed at what they submitted. They have deliberately refused to submit their genuine arms and ammunition.

We will not grant amnesty to cultists and members of criminal gangs in Gokana Local Council.”

The chairman of the Amnesty Committee declared: “We are giving you all one week of grace to submit your arms and ammunition to the Amnesty Committee. By next week, we will come back, if you refuse to submit your arms, we will also declare you wanted.

We know you, we know your leaders.”

“Paramount ruler, if you are hiding, or pretending, we know you, the law will also take its course. We want to sanitise Gokana local government area. For once, let us put the devil to shame and give glory to God Almighty.”

Hon. Chinda who was vexed that none of the cult groups and criminal gangs in Tai Local Council submitted genuine arms and ammunition gave the cultists and criminals a one-week grace to submit their arms to the committee.

“We shall give you one week to go back and search your conscience if you really desire amnesty,” China added. “We hall not give you amnesty because there is nothing convincing here. By the time come back next week, we want to see those arms and ammunition that you use in perpetrating violence in your area.

“We know that you have enough arms and ammunition. So, you cannot come here and pretend that you do not have weapons in your possession. We shall give you one week of grace as we did in Gokana.”

Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Tai Local Council lashed out at the youths for submitting what he described as “poor weapons to the amnesty committee.”

“My people, I urge all of you to go back home and bring your weapons within one week,” he declared. “After next week, we shall embark on a house-to- house check. As we arrest you, you must bring out the gun. If it is not in your house, you will tell us where you kept it and we will go with you to collect it.”

He pleaded: “I am appealing to all of you to bring out those arms. There are live magazines here, so where are the guns? Live bullets are here, where are the guns? You just went inside and brought out 1968 guns, or whatever. I implore those of you who are leaders of these cult groups to show leadership and bring out these weapons.”

Worried by the lack of cooperation from the cult groups in submitting their lethal weapons to the amnesty committee, President-General of KAGOTE, the apex Ogoni socio-cultural group, Dr. Peter Meede, appealed to members of cult groups to submit

Gov Wike

the arms in their possession.

He explained: “The amnesty programme is not political. All Ogoni leaders are in support of the amnesty programme. We will not allow anyone to bring political colouration into the amnesty programme. We will not take it. We will not accept it. All leaders of Ogoni have agreed that we are fully in support of the governor and we will work together to ensure that this amnesty is a success.”

A former militant and gang leader in Ogoni known as Ella, and popularly called ‘Anchor’, who spoke in a radio interview, during the week, disclosed why the amnesty programme has not been successful in Ogoniland. He said it’s because the Ogonis have not demonstrated enough sincerity in the implementation of the amnesty.

He stated: “If they truly want the amnesty programme to succeed in Ogoni, then Ogoni leaders must ensure that all known Ogoni militants and cultists embrace the amnesty.

All cultists who are hiding in the bush must come out and publicly embrace the amnesty.”

“Many of the cultists are afraid to embrace the amnesty. Some people are still in the bush. How come some people are hiding in the bush while others are being asked to embrace amnesty and submit their arms. Solomon Ndigbara who is still hiding in the bush should also be encouraged to come out and publicly embrace amnesty.”

Despite the on-going disarmament process in furtherance of the 30-day window of amnesty that Governor Nyesom Wike has approved for the four Ogoni local councils, Kana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, killings and violent skirmishes have continued in the Ogoni

area.

Thursday last week, hours after cult groups and criminal gangs failed to submit active lethal weapons in their possession to the Rivers State Amnesty Committee, a middleaged man identified as Mr. Adewale Adeyemo was reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen at Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, where he worked.

A relative of Adeyemo who claimed that he is a brother to the deceased, further added that “Adeyemo was clubbed to death.”

He narrated: “He left home in the morning and never came back. We got wind of the incident through a call that came in to his immediate younger brother and he related the message to the family.

“We have been trying to get to the root of the matter since then. We learnt that his boss, Chairman of the Rivers State Senior School Management Board, Chief David Briggs, did make some moves by notifying the governor, whom we are told, swung into action immediately. We understand that some arrests were made.

“The family is appealing to the state government to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of our brother. We understand that the governor has asked the Commissioner of Police to personally take charge of the matter. We understand that some arrests have also been made.”

The relative appealed: “We are appealing to the state government to ensure that this incident is not swept under the rug. Adeyemo died in active service. We are calling on the authorities to make sure that the killers of Adeyemo, who was full of life are brought to book.”

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

POLITICS

Chike Obidigbo: Why Anambra needs me This November 18, the electorate in Anambra will go to the polls to elect a new governor. It is a four-yearly ritual that many look forward to – some in trepidation, some with great expectations. The forthcoming election is generating a lot of interest, perhaps even concern. Just how will it all play out? From Awka, RAYMOND OZOJI reports.

A

ALREADY, a number of heavy weights with the political clout, technical know-how and financial strength have indicated interest to contest the Anambra governorship seat. Apparently, they are not impressed with the way the affairs of the State have been piloted in the past three years plus, insisting that the state needs a breathe of fresh air.

Dr. Chike Obidigbo who campaigns under the theme ‘Correction 2017’ sees himself as this breathe of fresh air and pledges to give the people of Anambra State “a fresh and clean start”, if elected the next governor come this November 18. Thus, for many, the November 18 Anambra governorship election would be a turning point in the political history of the state as the people earnestly root for a positive change in government.

This long awaited change in the governance and leadership of Anambra State is what Dr. Chike Obidigbo in seeking to be governor of Anambra intends to offer to the people of the State is, therefore, to use tax-payers’ State, as he seeks to actualise his gov- money to foster economic cooperaernorship ambition on the platform of tion and bilateral relations amongst Ndigbo in Nigeria. the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recalling that the Eastern Region, Obidigbo, who has made his marks in which encompassed the current southwealth and employment creation, says east, was once adjudged the fastest his ambition is not to get to the Govgrowing economy in the region, he reernment House “to drink champagne gretted that the reverse seems to be and other exotic wine or reduce the the case in the present circumstance.

Government House to a banquet hall” According to him, the economy of but to change the course and cost of the Igbo nation is on the verge of exgovernance in Anambra State. The intinction and as such requires urgent dustrialist of international repute, who revamping to liberate her youths from hails from Umunya in Oyi Local Counthe clutches of hunger and deprivacil area of the State, has also proved tion. his mettle and distinguished himself The industrialist, however, suggested in the manufacturing industry. Chairthat the time has come for Ndigbo to man and Managing of Director Hardis devise ways to meaningfully utilise the and Dromedas Limited with over 30 energy of her youths and not lavish it different products in the market rangon unnecessary sectional agitations. ing, from toiletries to industrial goods, Besides, he believes that Igbo youths Obidigbo also functions as Chairman should de-emphasize crave for money of Osisioma Foundation and has spent but join the crusade to correct abnorover 30 years in the manufacturing malities in government in line with his business, creating jobs and employproject tagged ‘Correction 2017’, which ment opportunities for unemployed is the sole agenda he is projecting in Nigerians. the forthcoming Anambra governorConvinced that youths in the southeast region have been subjected to all ship election.

Dr. Obidigbo explained that he has forms of servitude and political thugbeen living in Anambra State in the gery, evident in the way and manner past 5 years and that he has been able they are being subjected to the whims to understand the problems and presand caprices of desperate politicians sures of the people of the state and, by in the zone, Osisioma, as he is fondly extension, the country at large. called, sees an urgent need to emanHe ventured into manufacturing, he cipate the Igbo nation from economsaid, because he felt there was a vacuic suffocation, political brigandage and social injustice. He believes very um and that youths needed to be emstrongly that the energy of Igbo youths ployed. To that end, he sees himself as has not been properly utilised to grow one of those who believe that to fight the economy of the southeast. This, ac- crime, jobs should be created and that cording to him, is an implied conspiracy joblessness and crime are co-related.

The Umunya-born industrialist deagainst the Igbo nation in Nigeria. rives satisfaction from the fact that for The astute business administrator more 30 years, he has been creating posited that since the civil war ended, jobs and providing lasting solutions to there have been calculated attempts problems militating against sustainable to stifle and suffocate the economy of economic growth and development the Igbo nation, adding that his mission especially in Nigeria’s Igbo states.

Dr. Obidigbo maintained that as an industrialist, he has been able to put into the market sound products that have passed through all standards stressing that he has industries spread across the four states of the Southeast. To that extent, he believes that he has acquired enough experience in wealth and job creation that puts him in a good stead to lead the state so he could create even greater wealth for the people.

The governorship aspirant said that from his travel all over the world, he has discovered that it is the energy of youths that is used to develop an economy, noting that in the southeast, the energy of the youth is, unfortunately, largely ‘wasted’ as the region has the highest number of unemployed graduates.

To this end, Dr.Chike Obidigbo maintained that it is to frontally tackle the rate of unemployment in Anambra state that he earnestly seeks to become the next governor.

Obidigbo observed that stuffing people in the civil service is not employment, rather employment coheres to a situation where the energy and strength of youths are deployed productively in order to grow and sustain the economy.

He stated that so long as unemployment is not checked, there will be problems in society, stressing that the more jobs you create, the better for us to combat crime and criminality in the society.

The former Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) also acknowledged that comparatively, people of the Southeast and Southwest pursue western education vigorously but equally expressed dissatisfaction that when youths from the southeast graduate from school, they do not have jobs but their counterparts in the west get jobs after graduation.

He also noted that crude oil shouldn’t

be the mainstay of the nation’s economy but cottage industries built on Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources. But, he regretted that Nigeria is far behind industrially because manufacturing cannot be done 24 hours As a result, he said the nation was far behind industrialisation because any manufacturing business not done on 24 hours basis owing to power supply crisis, is no manufacturing. And there is power crisis in Nigeria.

Again he observed that local industries do not break even because they import virtually all the raw materials that they use noting that there is an urgent need to articulate the problems of the southeast and find lasting solutions to them. Accordingly, he identified the need for the creation of industrial parks for the provision of alternative sources of uninterrupted power supply to enable small and medium scale industries survive in the country.

Obidigbo maintained that he decided to contest for Anambra governorship to enable him bring his wealth of knowledge, experience and ideas to bear on the governance in the State.

Stressing that he is not desperate to become governor but desires to serve the people of Anambra State in truth and in all honesty, the industrialist assured that the people would have made the right decision if he is elected the next governor that will enthrone the much awaited change reflective of the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Obidigbo recalled that in 2013, he was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but somewhere along the line, a ‘certain abracadabra was performed and Chief Willie Obiano all of a sudden became the governor on the platform of APGA.’ Obidigbo, however, absolved the incumbent governor whom he said was not in the contest ab initio of any blame, saying Obiano was brought into the picture “unprepared to be the governor of the state as evident in the way and manner the economy of Anambra state is currently being run.”

The APC gubernatorial aspirant, however, expressed optimism that efforts are being made to correct the mistakes of 2013 in the 2017 governorship election.

He berated the government of Willie Obiano for “lack of vision,” saying the people do not need the three flyover bridges in Awka. He alleged that the bridges are “already sinking gradually” following the placement of barriers on the bridges to bar heavy-duty vehicles from plying them.

To this end therefore, Dr.Chike Obidigbo believes that he is the right solution to socio-economic problems facing Anambra. He believes also that he is multi-talented as well as richly endowed by God to lead Anambra State to the Promised Land.

He said for the sake of the people of Anambra State, God will intervene so that the people will have a breathe of fresh air adding that the power of incumbency may fail the sitting governor because he has not done what he is supposed to do to merit the support of the people let alone envisage a second term in office.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock N701bn Power Assurance Guarantee:

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Energy

Where is the money?

GENCos ask

OPEC extends battle with US producers P16

•Not enough -- NERC

E

lectricity consumers in the country had heaved a sigh of relief when, last month, the Federal Government, announced a novel N701 billion as Power Assurance Guarantee for the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) for it to pay the various generating firms whose backlog of debt had hampered their performance.

However, a month later, controversies among stakeholders continue to occupy discourse, even as the fund is yet to be accessed by the players. In this report, VICTOR NZE, highlights all sides to the argument.

The recent announcement of a sum total of N701 billion intervention fund to the generating firms (GENCOs) approved by the Federal Government, may have thrown up more controversies than expected as stakeholders in the sector question the sincerity of this administration in resolving the electricity challenges faced by Nigerians.

While the electricity regulatory agency of government argue that the funds are not even enough, the generating companies question the rationale behind the move in the first place, just as they declared ignorance of any such fund.

Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, has consistently blamed vandalization of power installations for the poor supply of electricity to Nigeria, maintaining that the Federal Government has adequately funded the various generating companies (GENCos) as well as the distribution firms (DISCos) to ensure optimal performance on their part.

However, damages to gas pipelines, vandalization of cable and other electrical installations may be far from the case in question as the

Currency

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

Buying (NGN) 305 392.1995 327.021 305.7644 2.7977 0.4754 413.9555 44.2822 81.3247 43.957 415.0745

e-Platform

generating firms have revealed that paucity of funds from government may be hampering performance and shortchanging Nigerians from enjoying electricity supplies.

It would be recalled that Federal Government, last month, approved the sum of N701billion as Power Assurance Guarantee for the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET).

This is just as both the government regulatory agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), have questioned the move, with the stakeholders’ body still in the dark over the funding window.

Briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Fashola said the facility would be made available by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and is aimed at guaranteeing payment for the evacuation of electricity produced by Generation Companies (GenCos) to the national grid.

The minister said the amount would be drawn on a monthly basis to tackle the liquidity challenges faced by Gencos, noting that part of the liquidity problem faced by GenCos was the inability to pay their gas suppliers.

He pointed out that NBET would pay Gencos in arrears of electricity generated as a deliberate step to improve their confidence and that of intending investors in the sector.

“The second memorandum is in another area of critical importance which is power. Part of the challenges that were addressed in the memo that was presented to council to solve some of the liquidity problems, especially as it relates to NBET. “NBET, as you know, is the government’s own company. That is the bulk electricity trader who buys power from the Gencos. The liquidity problems that have characterised the market have affected NBET’s ability to deliver on its PPP obligations through the Gencos. So, going

CBN EXCHANGE RATES APRIL 13, 2017

Central Selling (NGN) (NGN) 305.5 306 392.8425 393.4854 327.5571 328.0932 306.2657 306.7669 2.8022 2.8068 0.4854 0.4954 414.6341 415.3127 44.3553 44.4283 81.458 81.5913 44.0291 44.1011 415.755 416.4354

•Tourism

•Babatunde Fashola

forward in order to strengthen NBET, CBN is proving a payment assurance guarantee for any energy produced by any Gencos, so that the Gencos can pay their gas suppliers when they get paid. So that the hydros can continue to operate.

He said the approval given by FEC was to provide this guarantee for NBET which he said, was a one hundred per cent government-owned company to pay on a monthly basis its obligations for energy actually produced on to the grid to the Gencos that were its customers.

Fashola said the quantum of the guarantee was for two years from January this year right through to December 2018.

On its part, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) insists that the Federal Government’s intervention in the power sector is not enough.

“The N701 billion fund approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is necessary but not sufficient intervention for resolving the liquidity challenge in the power sector. Other regulatory interventions would be enforced by the regulatory commission.

“They (GENCOs) do not have the financial resources to deal with the critical infrastructure. They are running a business, they too are being owed and they owe people. They owe banks. The meeting we just finished here was on efforts to give them loans (some of them) to pay their debts.

“Who will give them loans to supply you transformers, who will give them loans to repair the damaged distribution lines? Nobody will give

them money,” said Vice Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba, while reacting to the development.

However, the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), say paucity of funds hinders GENCOs from procuring gas to fire their power plants, wondering where the funds purportedly made available by government were.

“For now we don’t have vandalism problem but inability to pay for gas. How do we pay for the gas, my people were paid a week ago for the electricity generated in January. And when they put 100 per cent on the grid, maximally they have been paid 30 per cent, of the money this is one of the issues,’’ she said.

“As we speak, the sector owes the generation companies about N600 billion, unpaid for power that have been generated and consumed already, about N600 billion. Now Federal Government came to announce on March 1, that they are bringing N701 billion for the generation companies.

“Where is this money, that N701 billion where is the money? We have written to government, please show us where this money is,’’ Executive Secretary of APGC, Joy Ogaji asked.

Ogaji said the GENCOs currently have available 8,000 MW capacity, given the readiness of the transmission and distribution networks to absorb the power generated.

“A system stress test that was conducted on the distribution lines shows that the distribution companies (DISCOs), can take a maximum of 4,600MW.With the available capacity I have 8,000MW if I say okay, come and take no one can take’’.

Unsolicited messages: Telcos defy ‘DND’ rule; Subscribers lament P17

Aviation Harsh times await Kaduna airport; as airlines return to NAIA

P20

Insurance Over 7.49m employees registered under CPS – NBSRSA –FG

P22

Stock Market Highlights As At 13 April, 2017

Summary

ASI 25,189.37 DEALS 2,846.00 VOLUME 171,605,253.00 VALUE 1,106,484,243.39 CAP 8,715,820,237,046.76 Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Value

FCMB 35,514,341 35,578,022.96 TRANSCORP 33,273,580 31,840,452.43 FLOURMILL 15,530,612 279,545,847.10 DIAMONDBNK 14,369,220 12,799,137.30 FBNH 10,830,128 35,946,626.34

5 Top Gainers Company Last Close Current Change UNILEVER 33.15 35.5 2.35 STANBIC 19.5 20.47 0.97 DANGSUGAR 5.8 6.09 0.29 AIRSERVICE 3.91 4.1 0.19 OKOMUOIL 47.39 47.5 0.11 Top Losers Company Last Close Current Change 7UP 99.66 89.95 -9.71 NB 124 120.11 -3.89 PRESCO 47 46.7 -0.3 ETI 7.38 7.1 -0.28 UBN 5 4.75 -0.25

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

BUSINESS

First Bank commits to revamping FirstMobile

By VICTOR NZE

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Ltd., Thursday, assured that it would continue to revamp its mobile banking application, FirstMobile, to boost convenience and ease of banking.

The bank which this in a statement in Lagos, assured that it would continue to repackage the application to enhance customers’ digital banking experience.

It added that the bank wouLd

leverage on evolving technology to provide cutting-edge banking services to its customers.

“First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s most valuable banking brand, has for over 120 years remained committed to offering value-added services that suit the lifestyle of its customers.”

It added that the bank recently increased the application maximum daily limit to N500,000 without the use of a token and a total daily transaction limit of one million naira.

According to the statement, the banking application, which is secure and easy to use, allows users to carry out banking transactions on the go from their mobile phones anywhere in the world.

“FirstMobile comes with a userdefined transaction pin which is an extra security feature and customers can also perform the following actions on the enhanced app: Change Transaction PIN, Reset Transaction PIN, Synchronize token, and change their log in pin – mPIN.

With the integrated lifestyle mobile banking app, customers can enjoy real-time mobile banking services such as domestic funds transfer from self-owned accounts to FirstBank accounts and other banks’ accounts,” it said.

The statement added that customers could make quick airtime purchase for self and others on all mobile networks; numerous bill payments; cheque services, including confirmed cheque and stopped cheque; flight booking

and quick account services such as account balance inquiry, statement view.

It said that FirstMobile recorded a milestone in December 2016 in its user numbers with the attainment of one million active users with over N1.3 trillion transaction volume consummated since the application’s launch in 2015.

The statement noted that FirstMobile app was currently available for download on Google Playstore, Blackberry World and Apple store.

NPA will ensure optimal utilisation of facilities – MD anagement of Nigerian Ports and peanuts), adding that the inM Authority (NPA) has stated tervention had boosted the confithat it will ensure optimal utilisa- dence of companies like Nestlé to tion of facilities in all its locations.

Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, who gave the assurance in Lagos, Friday when the management of NPA inspected facilities at Tarkwa Bay, said the step would go a long way in generating more dividends to the country through the seaports.

She said that the NPA had identified the possibility of a green field development and sources of foreign direct investments at the location, especially through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Bala-Usman said that NPA would not hesitate to rehabilitate the Lagos Light House at Tarkwa Bay. She said that it would enable NPA to prioritise the possibility of deploying an Automatic Identification System (A.I.S) at the location.

“This will enhance smooth navigation to approach Lagos ports by vessels.

“The revitalisation of Tarkwa Bay and optimal use of the facilities there will create more employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the country.

“The management is dialoguing with stakeholders with a view to ensuring that all encumbrances on the facility are resolved,’’ said.

Bala-Usman said that the inspection team assessed the Inagbe Grand Resort Facility and Estate, a typical PPP project in Tarkwa Bay. CADP has upgraded farmers’ skills in agribusiness -- World Bank The World Bank says its Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) has upgraded the skills of the country’s farmers in agribusiness.

The World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr Sheu Salau, said this in Kaduna on Friday, while addressing stakeholders at 14th and final implementation support mission of CADP. World Bank in 2010 introduced the pilot stage of CADP and funded it with 150 million U.S. dollars.

Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Osun and Lagos states participated in the pilot programme which involved skills acquisition, agribusiness development plans as well as technology-based farming methods, among others.

Salau said that the pilot programme, which was successful, entailed the production of selected crops and livestock in the five states.

He said that dairy products, maize and fruit processing activities in Kaduna State were successful, adding that the programme had also empowered thousands of women and youths with agribusiness skills.

He also said that the programme had tackled the menace of Aflatoxin (a toxin produced by certain fungi found on crops like maize

buy maize directly from farmers for baby foods production.

Salau said that Kaduna State Government had already established three Maize Aggregation Centres that served as one-stop market for high-grade, germ-free maize, while improving the income of maize farmers.

The World Bank team leader said that under the programme, a poultry hatchery had been established in Enugu State, adding that poultry farmers could now buy day-old chicks there.

“Fish farmers in Lagos State have begun exporting dry fish to the U.S. because of the quality of our fishery projects. We also have rice and dairy processing projects in Kano State and the state’s farmers can now access loan facilities from Stanbic Bank without difficulties,’’ he said.

Salau, however, said with all the feats recorded under the programme, it was somewhat expedient to take stock to appraise the successes and failures, with a view to making amendments where there were lapses.

“We, at the World Bank, want to take stock of your challenges and results; we want to know the achievements and limitations of the beneficiary states. For us at the World Bank, we value successes and failures for if you don’t talk about failures, you may repeat the mistakes again.

“So, it is important for us to come together and be open while talking of challenges, we should then devise means of going forward. This is one unique thing about this project. We also know that the farmers lack knowledge of technology and through the project, farmers are able to access finance for their production. There is horizontal and vertical coordination among farmers,’’ he said.

Also speaking, National Project Coordinator, Dr. Amin Babadi, said that the project had positively touched the lives of small-scale farmers, while exposing them to a number of opportunities in agricultural development.

He, however, urged the task team of the project to document all the relevant issues, as part of efforts to make their field visit productive.

Earlier, Prof. Kabiru Mato, Kaduna State Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, said that the project had facilitated the access of small and medium scale farmers to new technology, adding that this had boosted diary, fruits and maize production in the state.

He said that under the programme, access roads were constructed, while a women and youth empowerment programme was initiated.

•Newly-appointed Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja (l) with the immediate past DG, Director General Geoffrey Wahungu, when the latter resumed office, Friday in Abuja

Focus on non-oil revenues to drive development -- Adeosun advises Nigerians M inister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has advised Nigerians to focus on non-oil revenue growth, tax compliance and budget transparency to drive economic development in the country.

The minister gave the advice on Friday during a Finance Ministers’ meeting convened by the G24

Group at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Spring meetings in Washington DC. She discussed strategies to drive non-oil revenue growth and achieve inclusive growth in Nigeria.

“Revenue mobilisation is critical to the success of Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

Customs redeploy 48 comptrollers

By VICTOR NZE

C

omptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, has approved the redeployment of 48 comptrollers.

A statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, Thursday, in Abuja explained that the redeployment was ‘for more effective and efficient service delivery, and in line with the ongoing reforms of the service.’

It said that Comptroller Madugu Mustapha was moved from Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Command to Open Company, while Comptroller Udo-aka, E.A was moved from Investigation to Oyo/Osun Command, among others.

According to the statement, the CGC compliance team has been disbanded, adding that a new team would soon be reconstituted.

“The new compliance team is divided into three, Team A for Western axis, Team B for Northern axis and Team C for Eastern axis.

“They are to complement the Federal Operation Units in order to vigorously crackdown on all forms of smuggling activities nationwide with particular focus on the enforcement of non-importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders,” the statement said.

It said that the new CGC compliance team would be coordinated

by Comptroller Azarema Ahmed, who was until the appointment, Comptroller, License and Permit at the headquarter.

The statement said that each of the axes would be led by an Assistant Comptrollers.

It said that the CGC expressed his determination to strategically reposition the service as a crucial contributor to the success story of the nation, adding that “all revenue leakages must be blocked.”

The statement said that the CGC called on all stakeholders to support the service by being compliant as well as provide needed information for the operatives to nip smuggling in the bud.

“We have an unacceptably low level of non-oil revenue and much of that is driven by a failure to collect tax revenues. With a tax to GDP ratio of only six per cent, one of the lowest levels in the world, we have a lot of work to do if we are going to build a sustainable revenue base that will deliver inclusive growth.

“Our data gathering programme, over the past year, has now given us the tools we need to be more aggressive at pursuing tax evaders both domestically and abroad,” she said.

Adeosun said that Nigeria’s strategy to improve tax in 2017 was through an asset income declaration scheme to address low tax revenue collection and ensure improved compliance.

She said that the strategy would lead to a broader tax base and more sustainable revenue for all tiers of government.

“This is fundamental to delivering on our reform plans,” she said.

Adeosun also highlighted the need for strong budget implementation and transparency to create trust and accountability in government: “While we focus on raising revenue and bringing people into the tax system, we must be equally aggressive in our approach to budget implementation and transparency.

Our people must know where their hard earned tax contributions are being spent and the impact that they are having on national development and the daily lives of citizens.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

BUSINESS

Diaspora remittances to Nigeria drop by 10% – World Bank

By VICTOR NZE

R

•Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed (left) with his counterpart from Niger at the 59th edition of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday.

Nigeria not yet out of recession –NBS

By SAMSON AKINTARO

C

hief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, has denounced recent reports attributed to the London-based World Economic Forum (WEC), which declared that Nigeria is out of economic recession.

Dr. Kale described the reports as “fake news or at best just an opinion” until verified and reported by the NBS. The NBS had in August 2016 declared that Nigeria’s economy had slid into recession after negative growth in the first two quarters of the year. “In the second quarter of 2016, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by -2.06 percent (year-on-year) in real terms.

This was lower by 1.70 percentage points from the growth rate of 0.36 percent recorded in the preceding quarter, and also lower by 4.41 percentage points from the growth rate of 2.35 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015,” it said.

However, the World Economic Forum in a post on its Website on Wednesday declared that nation’s economy was out of recession and growing strong.

The organisation, which is dedicated to producing analysis, insight and data relating to questions of importance in understanding the world economy, said this development was reflected in the growth of its April Sales Managers’ Index, SMI, for Nigeria, which rose to 58.5 per cent from 56.7 per cent in March.

According to the report on its website, the organisation said: “April Sales Managers’ Index, SMI, data suggests that the Nigerian economy is continuing to grow out of the recession which saw 10 months of consecutive contraction in 2016.

“The Market Growth Index grew to 58.5 in April as the monthly Sales Growth Index ticked up to 56.7, its highest value since 2015 and representative of rapid growth. Price inflation for April, which is tracked by the Prices Charged Index, remained high at 58.7 – indicative of high levels of inflation. A slowing trend has, however, developed for the past nine months.”

But Dr Kale urged Nigerians to wait for the official data from the NBS, adding that whatever data that is being bandied by any organization may not be a true reflection of the Nigerian economic situation. “Nigerians should know this, NBS is the official source of data in Nigeria and

by law any other source without NBS validation is not only illegal but fake news”.

Meanwhile, the Statistician-General has declared that the nation’s economy had performed better in the first three months of this year than during the previous three quarters on improved oil production and factory output. “From the numbers we are seeing, certainly things are improving, and if the data doesn’t show Nigeria out of recession, it will show Nigeria is on its way out of recession,” he said. Gross domestic product for the three months through March “might be close to the first-quarter numbers, whether positive or negative,” Kale said, referring to the first quarter of 2016 when the economy contracted 0.4 percent.

“I can state categorically, the numbers suggest things are improving. Oil production and factory output improved in the first quarter, while farming and telecoms sectors maintained growth, and other nonoil sectors were under less pressure than previously, according to Kale.

“Whether or not the improvement is strong enough to turn into a positive, I can’t speculate,” he said. The statistics agency plans to release its first quarter GDP report on May 30.

EMITTANCES to Nigeria as well as other developing economies fell for a second consecutive year in 2016, a trend not seen in three decades, says the latest edition of the Migration and Development Brief.

The report released, Friday, by the World Bank, at the ongoing IMF/ World Bank’s Spring Meetings in Washington DC, United States, showed that many large remittancereceiving countries saw sharp declines in remittance flows.

Remittance to Nigeria, according to the report, went down by 10 per cent in 2016; Bangladesh 11.1 per cent, and Egypt, 9.5 percent.

“Remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa declined by an estimated 6.1 per cent to 33 billion dollars 2016, due to slow economic growth in remittance-sending countries; decline in commodity prices, especially oil, which impacted remittance receiving countries.

“The diversion of remittances to informal channels due to controlled exchange rate regimes in countries such as Nigeria contributed to decline in the region.

“However, remittances to the region are projected to increase by 3.3 per cent to 34 billion dollars in 2017,” it said.

The report showed however, that Mexico and the Philippines were the only exceptions, which saw inflows

increase by an estimated 8.8 per cent and 4.9 per cent last year.

The Bank estimates that officially recorded remittances to developing countries amounted to 429 billion dollars in 2016, a decline of 2.4 per cent, from over 440 billion dollars in 2015.

Global remittances which include flows to high-income countries, also contracted by 1.2 per cent to 575 billion dollars in 2016, from 582 billion dollars in 2015.

“Low oil prices and weak economic growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Russian Federation are taking a toll on remittance flows to South Asia and Central Asia.

“Also, weak growth in Europe has reduced flows to North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,” the report stated.

According to the report, the decline in remittances, when valued in U.S. dollars, was made worse by a weaker Euro, British pound and Russian ruble against the U.S. dollar.

Acting Director of the World Bank’s Global Indicators Group, Ms Rita Ramalho, said that the decline in remittances could affect the livelihood of many families.

Ramalho, however, said that with an improved global economic outlook, remittances to developing countries were expected to recover in 2017, growing by an estimated 3.3 per cent , which is about 444 billion dollars in 2017.

Lagos to enforce safety measures in Computer Village

By SAMSON AKINTARO

D

irector-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Hakeem Dickson has advised business men and traders in Computer Village, Ikeja to adhere to the state’s safety laws in order to protect their lives, property and investments in order to avoid disaster.

Dickson, during a visit to the Computer Village observed several safety infractions which include lack of proper safety measures, poor parking, and improper stacking of goods as well as lack of signage amongst others. The Director-General said the traders should henceforth have a budget line for safety in order to accommodate all the necessary safety measures including the provision of Personal Protective Equipment.

He said the Akinwunmi Ambode administration is very passionate about safety of lives and property, adding that a business environment can only thrive and be attractive to investors and customers when it is safe. The Director-General advised that the parking arrangement should be improved upon to allow free movement, noting that in case

of fire, accessibility will be difficult.

Mr. Dickson appreciated the cooperation of the members of Computer and Allied Products Association of Nigeria, CAPDAN and their willingness to synergize with the vision of Governor Ambode to ensure a safe and conducive environment for business and tourism to thrive.

He reminded the association of the need to insure their business premises and other assets, stressing that embracing appropriate insurance policy would save them and their businesses in the event of any unforeseen disaster.

He expressed the hope that Computer Village will be a reference point for other business associations in the State in terms of safety Compliance, saying that “Safety compliance is cheap compared to the colossal loss that will be incurred in case of fire and other hazards”.

Responding, the President of CAPDAN, Alhaji Ojikutu Ahmed Adeniyi expressed delight at the proactiveness of the Lagos State Safety Commission for initiating series of meetings with the Association prior to the visit which he said has been very fruitful and was an eye opener about safety.

CADP has upgraded farmers’ skills in agribusiness -- World Bank The World Bank says its Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) has upgraded the skills of the country’s farmers in agribusiness.

The World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr Sheu Salau, said this in Kaduna on Friday, while addressing stakeholders at 14th and final implementation support mission of CADP. World Bank in 2010 introduced the pilot stage of CADP and funded it with 150 million U.S. dollars.

Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Osun and Lagos states participated in the pilot programme which involved skills acquisition, agribusiness development plans as well as technology-based farming methods, among others.

Salau said that the pilot programme, which was successful,

entailed the production of selected crops and livestock in the five states.

He said that dairy products, maize and fruit processing activities in Kaduna State were successful, adding that the programme had also empowered thousands of women and youths with agribusiness skills.

He also said that the programme had tackled the menace of Aflatoxin (a toxin produced by certain fungi found on crops like maize and peanuts), adding that the intervention had boosted the confidence of companies like Nestlé to buy maize directly from farmers for baby foods production.

Salau said that Kaduna State Government had already established three Maize Aggregation Centres

that served as one-stop market for high-grade, germ-free maize, while improving the income of maize farmers.

The World Bank team leader said that under the programme, a poultry hatchery had been established in Enugu State, adding that poultry farmers could now buy day-old chicks there.

“Fish farmers in Lagos State have begun exporting dry fish to the U.S. because of the quality of our fishery projects. We also have rice and dairy processing projects in Kano State and the state’s farmers can now access loan facilities from Stanbic Bank without difficulties,’’ he said.

Salau, however, said with all the feats recorded under the pro-

gramme, it was somewhat expedient to take stock to appraise the successes and failures, with a view to making amendments where there were lapses.

“We, at the World Bank, want to take stock of your challenges and results; we want to know the achievements and limitations of the beneficiary states. For us at the World Bank, we value successes and failures for if you don’t talk about failures, you may repeat the mistakes again.

“So, it is important for us to come together and be open while talking of challenges, we should then devise means of going forward. This is one unique thing about this project. We also know that the farm-

ers lack knowledge of technology and through the project, farmers are able to access finance for their production. There is horizontal and vertical coordination among farmers,’’ he said.

Also speaking, National Project Coordinator, Dr. Amin Babadi, said that the project had positively touched the lives of small-scale farmers, while exposing them to a number of opportunities in agricultural development.

He, however, urged the task team of the project to document all the relevant issues, as part of efforts to make their field visit productive.

Earlier, Prof. Kabiru Mato, Kaduna State Commissioner of Agriculture

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

ENERGY

OPEC extends battle with US producers F

ollowing the hazy market outlook after three months of production cuts, OPEC is considering extension of its deal with 11 other producing countries to reduce the flow of crude oil to the export market as they helplessly battle surprising production ramp up from the United States.

The OPEC alliance seeks to inject market value into the commodity, attract investments, build production capacity and earn more foreign exchange revenues from petroleum resources.

Secretary-General, Mohammad Barkindo, said weekend that OPEC would decide at a meeting on May 25 whether to prolong its pledged cuts into the second half of the year.

Countries participating in the cuts have yet to reach a consensus on prolonging their agreement into the second half of the year, and an extension wouldn’t necessarily be for an additional six months, he said.

Oil headed for its biggest weekly loss since early March as signals from OPEC that it will persevere with output cuts failed to offset evidence that U.S. supplies are plentiful. Prices dropped by more than 3.8% weekend after data showed U.S. crude production rose for a ninth straight week, even as stockpiles continued to decline from a record.

Economists and market players are not in doubt that OPEC might have shot itself in the foot when it had earlier oversupplied the market to deliberately crash prices and push competitors playing in the high cost unconventional terrain out of business.

The production war led by Saudi Arabia and other high capacity OPEC producers coincided with the reentry of Iran into global market fray after United Nations lifted series of sanctions on the country. The supply surge promptly yielded the low price cycle which saw crude oil sinking below $40 per barrel.

In rising go rescue the oil price, members of OPEC, Russia and 10 other producers struck an accord last year to boost prices by eliminating an inventory surplus of about 300 million bbl over the five-year average. The volume of cuts would be equivalent to three days of global oil production.

Under the six-month deal, which expires in June, OPEC was to cut 1.2 million b/d of crude production from October levels and 11 key non-OPEC producers led by Russia to cut output by 558,000 b/d.

International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its most recent monthly oil market report that stocks held by key industrialized oil countries grouped under Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) led by the United States and its European allies remained 336 million barrels above the five-year average at the end of February.

The OPEC decision which took effect in January may has failed to rescue prices which dipped last weekend and prompted the allied producers to propose further extension of the production cuts.

Citigroup Inc. noted in report that OPEC has been “hoisted by its own petard” by agreeing in principle to reduce production last September while allowing members to keep boosting sales until the deal took effect on Jan. 1, While the group has fully implemented its pledged cuts, that’s being offset by U.S. shale oil producers buoyed by price gains, according to another report by Commerzbank AG.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) might be stuck in its own strategies of pushing high cost unconventional rivals out of business when it opened all taps last year to stimulate global glut. The resulting low price cycle has become the greatest problem the group and its non-member allies currently battle to rverse with protracted production cuts. Meanwhile, rival memnbers of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have perfected technologies for production boost that would permanently tether prices at the south end. SOPURUCHI ONWUKA offers insight into the oil market war.

Commerzbank’s head of commodities research in Frankfurt, Eugen Weinberg, said, “OPEC is like a magician waving his hands and trying to pull the rabbit out the hat, but still the rabbit isn’t there. They’ve done all they can with the production cuts and the effect is close to non-existent.”

The 13 member OPEC plus 11 allied oil producers currently face a new puzzle in the export market where expected price rise has been stalled by production surge from the United States where improved technologies and price gains support commercial investments in traditional and unconventional crude oil production.

Even more output shows signs of

rebounding in the U.S., where explorers have added rigs for the past 13 weeks, data from Baker Hughes show.

The resulting production surge supports stable global oil stock levels and also addresses supply concerns associated with the decision by 24 producing countries to arrest price decline through deliberate production cuts.

The cyclical boom-burst price movements have evolved high level of volatility that limits predictions by market pundits to supply volumes and stock inventory which now form the key basis for price outlook.

Analysts predict that any gain

OPEC production (in million b/d) Member Algeria Angola Ecuador Gabon Iran Iraq Kuwait Libya Nigeria Qatar S/Arabia UAE Venezuela Total

March 1.04 1.60 0.52 0.21 3.77 4.40 2.70 0.62 1.59 0.60 10 2.85 1.95 31.85

Change 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.05 -0.11 -0.03 0.15 -0.05 -0.06 -0.18

Feb. 1.04 1.66 0.52 0.19 3.75 4.40 2.71 0.67 1.70 0.63 9.85 2.90 2.01 32.03

Jan. 1.05 1.63 0.52 0.20 3.72 4.48 2.70 0.67 1.65 0.62 9.98 2.93 2.0 32.16

in price increase might further strengthen the commerciality of unconventional oil players and result in further production boost from key consumer countries that seek to break OPEC’s control of the market.

However, production cut is the strongest grip OPEC has on the market, and the group is not tired of applying this tool.

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, Khalid Al-Falih, said weekend that some major crude-producing countries have reached an initial agreement to extend output cuts, as prices succumb to high stockpiles. He didn’t say the number of countries in the initial deal for an extension.

“Although there is a high level of commitment, we haven’t reached our goal, which is to reach the fiveyear average,” Al-Falih said. “There is an initial agreement that we might be obligated to extend to get to our target.”

Gulf Cooperation Council countries agreed to push for an extension of cuts in a meeting on Wednesday, Oman Oil Minister Mohammed Al Rumhy said in an interview in Abu Dhabi. The GCC comprises OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Oman and Bahrain. GCC states are participating in the current deal to cap output.

Iran and Venezuela, both members of OPEC, have expressed support for an extension of the production cuts, Al Rumhy said. Iran’s oil minister made a commitment to freeze output at 3.8 MMbpd for the rest of the year on the assumption the cuts are extended beyond June, Kuwait Oil Minister Issam Almarzooq told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

OPEC and Russia haven’t reached a final agreement on extending output limits, Almarzooq said. Russia is likely

NNPC floats 2 medical service firms

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

Nigerian National Petroleum TtheheCorporation (NNPC) has raised stake in its commitment to di-

versify into the health sector in line with the Corporation’s stand to stay afloat as a commercially viable entity.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has already inaugurated the Boards of the NNPC Medical Services Ltd. (NMSL) and the NNPC Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) Ltd. “My vision is to make NNPC a renowned Health Medical Services (HMS) provider globally. In the nearby future, we are committed to making our medical facilities a reference point for the provision of world-class health medical services in Africa and beyond,” Dr. Baru stated.

Following the recent restructuring of the NNPC, its Group Medical Services was realigned as a new venture non-core business entity, charged with the responsibility of creating new medical businesses that will generate revenue for the

Corporation.

As at today, the NNPC Medical Services Division boasts of 52 clinics and hospitals spread across the Corporation’s various locations across the country, providing services to staff and their family members.

The aim now, according to the GMD, is to open up these medical facilities to other oil and gas organisations as well as other interested third party consumers for profitability.

Dr. Baru charged the Board members to provide the necessary direction to medical service delivery in NNPC in line with global best standards.

“It is going to be a new terrain for all of you. You must take advantage of the latest and most efficient technological advancement in healthcare service delivery,” Dr. Baru told the Board members.

While urging the two boards to “carve a niche” for the NNPC Medical Services as a specialized medical service provider such as “Burns and Trauma Centre”, he also called on them to collaborate with the

best partners as it is very critical towards service delivery.

He further charged the two boards to work with synergy, without at the same time compromising their respective independence, stressing that “your job comes with a lot of responsibility and you must prove yourselves on this critical assignment.”

Earlier in his remarks, the COO Ventures who is also the Board Chairman of the two organisations, Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran said that with this development, the NNPC was taking advantage of the new opportunities in the nation’s health sector.

“With this development, the existing NNPC Hospitals will compete for clients with other top class hospitals in locations where they operate hence quality of service would be improved,” Adeniran stated.

Aside Dr. Adeniran who chairs the Boards of the NNPC Medical Services Ltd (NMSL) and the NNPC Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) Ltd, there are also seven (7) members for each of the boards, which are expected to commence work immediately.

to support an extension, a survey shows.

“We are once again seeing the emerging stalemate between OPEC and non-OPEC cutting efforts on one side and rising U.S. production on the other,” said Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S in Copenhagen. “We are currently testing the lower end of the range.

This market is unlikely to go anywhere for the foreseeable future.”

Oil’s rally has faltered after three straight weekly gains on expectations OPEC and its allies will extend its supply reductions.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said there’s no fundamental evidence in the oil market to justify the slide, which was driven by technical indicators.

OPEC itself is voicing concern over the global glut it aims to ease.

EIA stated in a report that U.S. crude production rose by 17,000 bpd to 9.25 million a day penultimate week, the highest since August 2015.

Stockpiles dropped by 1.03 MMbbl to 532.3 million.

Libya’s El-Feel oil field is ready to resume production after a two-year halt in operations that crimped the OPEC nation’s output, but it however needs electricity to pump the crude.

Inventories have started to decline, but by the time ministers gather in Vienna on May 25, developed nations still won’t have burned through the big stockpile increase caused by a surge in OPEC output just before the cuts came into force, data from the International Energy Agency indicate.

“Producers unintentionally accelerated activities that would ultimately obstruct, and for a period reverse, the very rebalancing they were trying to accelerate,” said Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Citigroup.

At the end of December commercial oil stockpiles in the 35-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development totaled 2.98 billion bbl, according to the Paris-based IEA, which advises those countries on energy policy. That rose to 3.06 billion bbl in January due to a late surge in OPEC shipments before the cuts came into force.

Inventories in the OECD, which consumes about half global supply, fell only slightly in February and remained 330 million barrels above the five-year average, bigger than the surplus of 286 million at the end of December, IEA data show.

That picture could change in the coming weeks, said Paul Horsnell, head of commodities research at Standard Chartered Plc in London.

Data for the first quarter aren’t detailed enough yet to make solid conclusions, and inventories in more obscure locations may be falling more rapidly than it appears, he said. Some major oil consumers, notably China and India, do not publish monthly inventory levels.

Even if current data are correct, Citigroup, Standard Chartered and many other analysts aren’t declaring the cuts a failure. Instead they predict that OPEC and Russia will extend their pact for another six months, giving time to fulfill their goal.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

e-Platform Unsolicited messages: Subscribers lament as telcos defy ‘DND’ rule Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

…We will sanction erring operators –NCC

T

elecommunications subscribers in the country have expressed their frustration over the incessant menace of unsolicited calls and messages from the telecom operators, despite their efforts to opt out of such service through the 2442 ‘Do Not Disturb’ code as recommended by the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This is coming amidst a viral campaign by the NCC, declaring the year 2017 as ‘the year of the consumer’ with promises to always protect the consumer interest. However, consumers in their responses to the messages on the regulators’ social media pages vented their anger over the issue of unsolicited messages and messages from the telcos, saying the Commission has not done enough in compelling the network operators to adhere to the DND rule introduced since last year.

According to the subscribers, the mobile operators are defying the order with impunity by continuing to send unwanted messages even after they( the subscribers) had opted out several times, while the regulator has been campaigning for the use of the 2442 code. One of the subscribers, Shuaib Abdulkadir, said: “I have sent the word ‘STOP’ to the said code several times, they never stopped sending or making unsolicited text and massages to my phone number. Last time, I received an unsolicited call from

54881, later that same day I received a massage telling me that 50 naira has been deducted from my account for a subscription I never made. So I decided to just unsubscribe just to avoid future deduction from my credit”. Another subscriber, identified as Olamide Olagoke, queried the regulator saying, “ why is it so difficult for you ‘guys’ at NCC to stop these network providers from such gibberish messages. Why is everything so wrong about this country?”

While the NCC has continually insisted that consumers should escalate their complaints to it direct-

ly by calling its toll-free line, 622, whenever the telcos fail to address their issue, the subscribers said the regulator has failed to prevail on the telcos even when complaints are made to it. Tosin Adigun, a subscriber, said he called the NCC line several times to report an operator, but the regulator’s agent kept promising to intervene but never did. “I called them NCC) on their line for more than 7 different times reporting unsolicited calls from Airtel. It was very annoying because it was a time I was grieving the loss of my older sister. On all the occasions, they told me that they would call Airtel to order but to no avail.

I was given two different ticket numbers to track my complaints.

Finally, I had to block the number as well as many others” he said.

For Chukwudi Jacob, he had done everything to stop unsolicited messages to no avail and can only plead the NCC to also plead with the telco to stop unwanted messages. “I have sent the message more than 20 times to MTN and they have not stop calling me and sending me messages. I have called them to plead with them still they are calling me. Please NCC should help me to beg them” he said.

Reacting to the subscribers com-

Mobile internet usage in Nigeria fast growing –Report N igeria has continued to move on a fast lane in the use of mobile internet, a report by the ecommerce giant, Jumia, has indicated. Jumia in its 2017 ‘African Mobile Trends’ report, said Nigeria has become a ‘mobile first nation’ as majority use the mobile to browse the internet as against desktop.

Using its e-commerce platform as a yardstick, Jumia said about 71 per cent of its website visitors use their mobile phones. “This is in comparison to 53 per cent of Jumia African customers. One of the main vehicles of this mobile trajectory is the increasing adoption of the smartphone device by consumers. As predicted in our 2016 report, smartphone adoption continues to rise in Nigeria. The mobile phone category continues to be the most popular among Nigerian shoppers on Jumia, both in terms of the number of items sold, and in terms of revenue generated. The sales of smartphones jumped up by 394 per cent between 2014 and 2016, mostly driven by an increasing range of smartphones price points” it said in the report.

The report, according to Jumia, is a product of a study carried out in 15 African countries which generate more than 80 per cent of Africa’s GDP - Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Senegal.

According to the report, there are 960 million mobile subscriptions across Africa - an 80 per cent penetration rate among the continent’s population. “Internet penetration is at 18 per cent with 216 million

internet users. While Nigeria’s internet penetration is much higher at 53 per cent, it mobile subscription is similar to Africa’s at 81 per cent penetration (150 million mobile subscriptions). Like last year, it is presumed that the unique subscription rate is lower as each subscriber owns an average of 2 SIM cards” It noted that the increased access and affordability of low specification smartphones had revealed a need for the mobile ecosystem to respond with dataefficient browsers and mobile apps that are optimized for performance and an easy user experience. “Looking at the mobile internet browsers customers use to access Jumia, 50% of customers in Africa come onto Jumia’s mobile site with Google Chrome. In Nigeria that number is just 28%. Instead, the Opera mini browser is much more popular, with 41% of the mobile traffic to Jumia Nigeria coming from Opera mini.”

“One reason for this could be that countries with higher levels of income have been found to have more users accessing the internet with heavier brows-

ers like chrome – which typically have higher system requirements. Opera mini is a lighter browser in terms of data usage and is popular among new mobile internet users who have lower incomes and can’t afford costly internet data packs. A recent report from Opera determined the savings on mobile data costs for Opera mini users in Nigeria has amounted to about $198 million (N39.5 billion) over a 10-month period, due to its data compression technology.

This is a clear example of the ripple effect that customer enjoy when a slight change is introduced by one of the digital ecosystem players”.

“On our end, an immediate key priority is to enhance the desktop user experience (which accounts for almost 30% of Jumia’s traffic and almost 40% of orders placed) by delivering a progressive web application that bridges the gap between conventional web pages and native mobile applications, to give customers a faster web and desktop experience that includes functionalities like push notifications and the ability to browse while offline” the report said.

plaints, a source from one of the telecom companies said all the telcos have complied with the NCC rule on the activation of DND using the 2442 code since June 2016 and information has been sent to subscribers through the various networks on how to use the code to stop unsolicited messages.

He however noted that a situation where a consumer continues to get such messages after opting out could only occur as result of “system error” he urged the subscribers to continue using the code.

But the regulator has said that protection and satisfaction of the telecom consumer is sacrosanct and would do everything to protect their interest. It urged the subscribers to make use of the 2442 code to stop unsolicited messages and to lodge their complaints with the Consumer Affairs Bureau through the NCC Toll free line 622. Earlier this year, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Dambatta, said the Commission was at the stage of enforcement of the DND code, having given the operators ample time to comply. “If a consumer lodges complaint to NCC that a MNO send unsolicited text messages and the complaint from the consumer get to us, we will ensure that credit deducted from the consumers for this unsolicited text messages is returned to the consumer and will also invoke provision of the fine on the MNO which is N5 million. “This is to ensure total compliance and this is a measure of last resort” he said.

Instagram now offers private collections

S

ocial media platform, Instagram, has announced in a statement that they will be offering a new update which will allow users to save and organise posts into private collections.

With the update, users will be able to create and name a new collection when saving a post or they will be able to save the post to an already existing collection. Fans of the platform will be happy to hear that you can also create a collection out of your existing saved posts.

“To create these collections the user will have to tap the plus icon in the top right corner, they will then have to give their collection a name and finally select the saved posts that they would like to add to the collection. The collections update comes after Instagram users were finally given the ability to save images when the previous update was release last December.

The collections will be viewed just like all other saved posts and just like those posts, a user’s collections will be private and secure. This update is available for iOS and Android in the Apple App Store and Google Play as part of Instagram version 10.16” it said.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

e-Platform NITDA debunks employment racketeering report Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

T

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has denied a report in the media that its Director General, Dr. Isa Pantami is involved in employment racketeering.

An online news platform had reported that NITDA was enmeshed in an employment racketeering.

The online news platform reported that Whistleblowers Group Nigeria (WGN) uncovered unwholesome practices in NITDA, where 90 percent staffs were shoddily recruited from Bauchi and Gombe states, the home state of the DG. But, in a statement titled ‘Employment Racketeering Reports: Our Story’, the agency saddled with the responsibility of building IT capacity said the report is an attempt to discredit the achievements of Pantami since his appointment. The statement sent to the media by Hadiza Umar (Mrs), the head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations noted that NITDA has not engaged any staff since Pantami’s appointment, rather it has been done on secondment, which are also approved by the relevant authority. The statement reads: “NITDA has since inception been involved in headhunting individuals

that can add value to the effective execution of its mandate and has been engaging staff on Secondment. In this regard, there is no single staff that has been engaged on Secondment without due approval of the relevant authority.

“There has been no employment in the Agency since the exit of Mr Peter Jack, the previous Director General. Only non-pensionable Consultants are being engaged on contract basis to support some offices, departments and units.

“There has been no region that has been marginalised in the Agency as the North. Upon resumption of the Director General, there was no single full Director from the entire Northern Nigeria. Very soon the Agency’s nominal role with states of origin of all staff will be made public.

“The Director General is a man of proven integrity who vowed to do all he can in supporting Mr President’s fight against corruption in all forms, both within and outside the Agency. He has, for the first time, set mechanisms in place that will ensure transparency, accountability and value for money in all IT-based contracts in the country; “The Director General is the first in the history of the Agency to implement the Auditor General of the Federa-

Nigeria vulnerable to cyber-attacks, group warns

C

•Dr Isa Pantami tion’s report. In the over 1,000-page report, about 100 people were affected and the Director General ensured that all recommendations were carried out to the latter.

“The Director General also ensured that contracts awarded by a previous administration were negotiated and reviewed downwards. A typical example is the eNigeria Conference where the Contractors brought down the cost by 10 percent and this was paid back to the account of the Federation.

The negotiation saved money for government, not any individuals; and the Director General has, in an effort to ensure transparency and accountability in service delivery,

instituted a whistleblowing initiative. This is in addition to the Federal Government’s initiative and any staff member that provides credible information that results in the recovery of public funds is handsomely rewarded.

“We thank all friends and wellwishers of the Agency for bringing this false information to our attention. This is the best way in ensuring that Mr President’s fight against corrupt practices succeeds.

We want to restate our commitment to serve our country in the best interest of all. We promise to be fair and just to all Nigerians without discrimination or favour” the statement read.

T

he World Bank Group has launched XL Africa, a five-month business acceleration program designed to support the 20 most promising digital start-ups from SubSaharan Africa. According to a statement from World Bank, under the programme, start-ups will receive mentoring from global and local experts, learn through a tailor-made curriculum, increase their regional visibility, and get access to potential corporate partners and investors.

With support from prominent African investment groups, XL Africa will help the 20 selected start-ups attract early stage capital between $250,000 and $1.5 million. “Digital start-ups are important drivers of innovation in Africa,” Makhtar Diop, Vice President for the Africa Region at the World Bank said. “To scale and spread new technologies and services beyond borders, they need an integrated ecosystem that provides access to regional markets and global finance; pan-African initiatives like XL Africa play a critical role by linking local start-ups with corporations and investors across the continent.”

According to the statement, the program comes at a time of increasing interest in the African digital sector. According to a recent report by Disrupt Africa, in 2016, the number of tech start-ups that secured funding increased by 16.8% compared to 2015. “XL Africa aims to put a spotlight on the continent’s growing digital economy by scouting for and supporting the most innovative tech start-ups,” said Klaus Tilmes, Director of the Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice at the World Bank Group.

“The success of these ventures will create a demonstration effect that can attract much-needed growth investment in the sector and cata-

World Bank Launches scheme to support Africa’s tech start-startups lyze scaling of transnational businesses in the region.”

The program’s flagship activity includes a two-week residency in Cape Town, South Africa, where the ventures will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from their mentors, peers, and local partners. The Cape Town residency will conclude with the Venture Showcase, a regional event in which the entrepreneurs will present their business models to a select audience of corporations and investors.

“The program’s unique combination of targeted mentorship and access to investors represents a vital resource for digital ventures ready to grow,” said Lexi Novitske, Principal Investment Officer for Singularity Investments, a venture group based in Lagos, Nigeria. “By connecting innovative business ideas with the knowledge and resources available in the ecosystem, XL Africa will create a pipeline of investment-ready companies, unlocking better investment opportu-

nities for regional and global investors.” The program will collaborate with prominent African investment groups, including the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), AngelHub Ventures, Goodwell Investments, Knife Capital, Nest Africa, Silvertree Capital, Singularity Investments, South African Business Angel Network (SABAN), TLcom Capital, Zephyr Acorn and 4Di Capital, and corporate partners, such as Orange, .Eco, Ringier, and Thomson Reuters.

yber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has warned that the country is currently vulnerable to cyberattacks. Remi Afon, CSEAN President stated in Abuja that corporate organisations and government establishments have refused to realise and prepare for imminent dangers of cyber threats. He stated that cyber-attacks were becoming more dynamic and sophisticated, thus need to build a resilient cyber defence system for the country.

According to a statement, issued by the association, a report recently released by Kaspersky revealed that some banks are targeted by North Korean hacking operation group in 18 countries including Nigeria. The statement reads: “A recent report by Kaspersky showed that North Korean hacking operation linked to Lazarus group targeted banks in 18 countries of which Nigeria was among the targets.

Clearly, this has shown that Nigeria is not immune to cyber threats. The vast scope of Cyber threats we face today makes a compelling case for legislation that will compel organisations to have minimum cyber security controls in place and also mandate them to make full disclosure once they are breached. This will assist the nation in understanding attack vectors we face and aid security experts in the implementation of adequate security controls.”

Afon added that “the global cost of cybercrime will reach $6 trillion by 2021, a threefold increase from the 2015 estimate of $3 trillion according to Cybersecurity Ventures. Unfortunately, over 80 per cent of organisations and government agencies in Nigeria believe that since they have not suffered a major cyber-attack, there is no need for security to be implemented in their business plan.

“Cyber threats and attacks are becoming commonplace, sophisticated and damaging.

Governments, organisations and individuals are faced with an evolving complex threat landscape. State and non-state actors are capitalising on vulnerabilities to launch attacks.

Through workshops, plenary and breakout sessions, Cyber Secure Nigeria 2017 will prepare participants to defend their networks and operations against growing sophistication of cyber-attacks by Building Resilient Cyber Defence.”

However, Afon said the 2017 cyber security conference tagged “Cyber Secure Nigeria 2017,” scheduled to hold in Abuja on May 16-18, would provide the platform for cyber security gatherings.

23

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

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EDITORIAL Osborne Towers: Presidency can’t judge its own case

I

S THERE more to the discovery of $43.3 million, 27,800 Pound Sterling, and N23.4 million in an Ikoyi flat, than the Presidency is willing to tell the public? The first sign was secrecy about the ownership of the money, a secrecy that has been maintained. The other is the speed with which the Presidency appointed itself judge in a case involving its members.

Details of the case were straight forward enough to elicit prosecution. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stormed Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos, and seized the money in an operation the Commission claimed a whistle-blower facilitated. Within hours of the discovery, speculations about the ownership of the money began.

Among the suspects were a former employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a Minister in the current administration, a former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a daughter of a trustee of PDP, a television station owner and anyone else who caught the imagination of speculators. Each of them denied the allegation.

Rivers State Government joined the fray. It threatened to sue the Federal Government if the money, which it said belonged to Rivers State, was not returned to it within seven days. By its account, a serving Minister took the money from sale of Rivers State resources. The Minister threatened legal action against his accusers who said they were waiting for him in court.

In the midst of the rising and falling doubts about ownership of the money, Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), said the money was NIA’s. The apex intelligence organisation was using the money for some “covert operations in the Lagos area,” he said.

NIA’s narrated how the discovery of the funds had compromised the covert operations, the futile efforts of Ambassador Oke made to gain EFCC’s understanding, the rejection of his plea to suspend the raid on and the consequences for sister agency relations. The incident grew more intriguing when the public was told that Ambassador Oke was refused admission into the presidential villa in Abuja, apparently to his surprise. Some accounts said he became emotional.

The controversies heightened. The ownership of the apartment was not resolved. Many also wondered why NIA would consider a residential apartment for warehousing such huge sum of money. Was the Osborne Towers more secure than NIA facilities in Lagos?

Unlike in the past when EFCC confessed unknown source of seized money, like the N49 million that abandoned at Kaduna Airport, EFCC in this instance neither disclosed ownership of the money, nor expressed doubts about its ownership. It went totally mute, under the cover of “investigation continues”.

Days after, EFCC, on suspicion that more money could be hidden in the building, searched other apartments in Osborne Towers, including three unoccupied ones; it found nothing. EFCC obtained a court order for interim forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government. Anyone claiming the money would have a day in court on 5 May. Nigerians were warming up for what would have been an interesting case, if EFCC charged the suspects under Sections 16 and 17 of EFCC Act (2004), which deal with concealment, possession, acquisition and use of a property that is proceed of a criminal conduct.

On conviction, the offender would have been liable to imprisonment for not less than five years or a fine the equivalent of 105 times the proceeds of the crime or both fine and imprisonment.

A conviction would have resulted in a hefty fine of $4.546 billion, 2.919 million pound sterling, and N2.457 billion, figures likely to put the culprit to penury, no matter what he had stolen. There are other prison terms associated with the crime that range from 15 to not more than 25 years.

The prosecution of suspects was suspended with the Presidency’s announcement of a three-man panel to probe the incident. The Vice President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), got a presidential order to probe the

incident, within two weeks, including allegations against Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal. Oke and Lawal were suspended from office. Lawal’s inclusion was a surprise as the allegations against him were made late last year without any reaction from the Presidency.

None of these troubles Nigerians as much as the intrusion of the Presidency in a process that is expected to end up in court. Why did the Federal Government have to sit in judgment over its own case? The EFCC that discovered the money and NIA, the claimant of the money, are both under the Presidency. Should the Presidency not have allowed NIA to make its case in court? There are fears that the investigation was a first step in concealing what happened. There have been calls for an independent investigation.

Comparisons are made between the case and the continued detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Dasuki Sambo, on allegations of corruption, against several court orders granting him bail. If Dasuki is the Presidency’s standard for dealing with allegations of corruption, why is it not prosecuting Oke and Lawal? Is the Presidency an investigative agency for prosecutions?

Former military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Dangiwa Umar (rtd) commends the non-detention of Oke and Lawal, but asks that the same treatment be extended to Dasuki.

“For the war (on corruption) to be meaningful and sustainable, it must be elevated beyond a President Buhari personal struggle to a national one,” Col Umar said. “Most fair-minded Nigerians are no more impressed and are indeed sceptical about the conduct of this government’s anti-corruption war, which appears to be aimed at the neutralisation and destruction of the opposition.”

We share these sentiments, and add that public perception of the anti-corruption war would worsen if it is obvious the Presidency is biased in handling the cases. Oke and Lawal are the test.

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 3, 2017

OPINION

Six geo-political zones or six geo-political suicide? (1)

By OBASI IGWE

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REAMBLE: It is not yet too late for the Igbo political class to stop misrepresenting the Igbos and misleading the world in pursuit of their extremely selfish and ill-conceived objectives since the end of the civil war, which the six geo-political zones advocacy represents. Yes, most Nigerians desire a re-ordering of the administrative structure of Nigeria, in order to save costs, promote efficiency, engender greater mutually beneficial competitive emulation, reduce the pressures at the center, as much as possible ensure the autonomy and pride of socio-linguistic groups, eliminate group exploitation and injustice, and achieve national peace, more rapid development and, hopefully, an egalitarian society.

Whereas almost every Igbo adult that witnessed the civil war, today desires to give Nigeria another chance, and the call for restructuring one expression of that goal, its six geo-political zones form is a reactionary suicidal pact by Igbo self-seeking politicians, which would sentence the Igbos into eternal servitude, and create another room, not for peace in Igboland and Nigeria, especially of the South, but, sow the seeds for possibly more violent demands for yet another restructuring in the future. The restructuring needed in Nigeria today is one built on largely contiguous geocultural parameters evolved over centuries or generations and, therefore, more likely to be stable over a very long time. It is essentially about how people used to live in the past, and how they can build on that to better their lives in the future. Hence, restructuring in Nigeria, as elsewhere, is a definite step in solving the national question.

Nigerian nationalities and restructuring: The Yoru-

ba objective in restructuring is, at the cultural level, all but already practically achieved in the form of a homogenous basic six Yoruba states becoming one region, with Lagos as their import-export trade route, which other Nigerians may also continue to use to promote yet more Yoruba prosperity. This ports- related wealth is the greatest Yoruba ticket to restructuring. Incidentally, the Igbo have had a longer and bigger coastal history than practically every other Nigerian nationality since the mid-15th century.

The Hausa-Fulani, on the other hand, seem mostly silent and outwardly opposed to restructuring, but, that’s only a decoy. The Northern political class is fully aware that the present arrangement has exhausted its potentials, if any, and that the monies to feed the fraudulent states and Local Governments, and continue to guarantee the parasitic well-being of their feudal elites would not last forever. But, they are keeping relatively mute, facilitating the Igbos and other Southerners to shout themselves hoarse on restructuring, before inveigling the North to come up with a position that would try to scatter and upset everyone that needs to be. They did this during the constitutional conference of 1966, and will try to do so yet again when the time is ripe. Meanwhile, they are systematically seeking to improve the unity and common attitude of the North towards the common “enemy” in the South, employing whatever means possible to further the internal cohesion of the caliphate states, and their leadership over the malleable Middle Belters. Another reason why the North appears slow in responding to restructuring, is that their extremists are yet to decide which groups in the South would be easier targets to either suppress, align with or persuade, to achieve a

permanent access to Southern wealth, their leaders since independence having done all they could to inflict as much damage as possible to the Southern minorities and the country, and in various degrees destroying their relations with practically every Southern nationality, be they Igbo, Yoruba, EfikIbibio-Annang, Ijaw, Ogoni, Urhobo, the Edo or Bini, the Ogojas, Isoko, and Andoni. Everyone has a tale of woes to tell about what the Northern feudal class had done to her, usually in liaison with anti-African foreign backers. (The caliphate-led groups are not the only guilty ones in Nigeria’s problems, but, we are here only discussing restructuring in relation to the North). Unfortunately, these blames on the caliphate-inspired and led Northern political classes are occasionally also transferred to the equally exploited masses that they often employ in their antics against all sorts of groups, individuals and ideas that seek progress and modernization in the country.

The Southern minorities are to a good extent equally very clear on their restructuring objectives. Ijaw extremists want or wanted a homogenous Ijaw nation and territory, stretching from Lagos to the Cameroonian border, which would mean landlocking everyone else except themselves, in what might appear as disdainful disregard of Nigerian coastal history. Probably with the intervention of some of their more moderate leaders, they had been gradually adjusting that goal to between the Mahin River or thereabouts to wherever else in the East, but not forgetting that except they landlock the

Igbos, the extremist Ijaw-led ethnic cleansing programme code-named Abandoned Property under the Gowon/Diete-Spiff alliance, would have been to no avail. The Ogoni and Andoni for various reasons don’t trust anybody any longer, even the North and West that used to pretend to be their allies. The Efik, Annang and central Ibibios have a lot of linguistic and cultural affinities, and can join with the Ogojas to form a viable region to recreate the former South-Eastern state, while the Bini/Edo (including the Ishan), Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Isoko, can form a federated region partly replicating the old Benin kingdom.

South-South, a logistical monstruosity and cultural absurdity: with the foregoing, it is clear that the so-called South-South region is a totally geographically and culturally unworkable and unwieldy circumvallation, not intended for anything worthwhile except the mythical landlocking of the Igbos, the legitimization of the criminal post-war Rivers ethnic cleansing programme intended to achieve it, the subjugation of the southern Igbos of the Rivers state (the Mbamiri) and the Anioma in the present Delta state as pawns in this bad chess game, and the general chaos and permanent seeds of discord that any restructuring on that basis would be intended to sow in the East in particular, and the South in general. It is a tragedy that it is people answering Igbo leaders that are either sponsoring themselves or being sponsored to pursue this suicide, to a possible amusement of others, especially some misguided Eastern minorities that are fully aware of its unworkability, and the fact that it is a purely ant-Igbo design, which some Igbo “leaders” are propagating on their behalf.

• To be cont’d next week

Obiano, Soludo and the Biafra Dream (1) MANY PEOPLE are calling me to come and contest, but the point is, if Anambra has not broken, why mend it? This is a time of crises, and you don’t change a general in the middle of a war. Anambra, Obiano is your general. All of you planning to spend billions to contest governorship please bring your money and come and open factories and industries here to support the state economy. There will only be vacancy in Anambra government house in the next four years.

–Professor Charles Soludo, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria while endorsing Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for second term.

By EMMA AGU

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S preparations for the Anambra gubernatorial election gather momentum, various candidates and interest groups are deploying every conceivable strategy to score as many political points as possible. To those against incumbent Governor Willie Obiano, the battle cry is to label him a Biafra hater who should not campaign with the name of Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the late leader of Biafra, who remains the symbol of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, on whose platform the governor was elected. Their argument is that Obiano has not supported the Biafra cause and has not done enough for Nnewi, the industrial pearl of Anambra and home of the late leader of defunct Biafra.

It is a paradox that while there are those who would wish the Biafra dream away, the phenomenon remains as strong as it was when it started fifty years ago, to the extent that invoking it can be a formidable electoral asset in the south east. The same goes for the late Ikemba Nnewi who, for all practical purposes, remains a hero in Igboland. Therefore, it makes political sense to identify with Ojukwu the way politicians in other parts of Nigeria identify with their heroes.

But does Obiano qualify to ride on Ojukwu’s name to political stardom and electoral victory? Put differently, what qualifies one to be an Ikembarite? Is it simply Biafra sloganeering which, in some cases, amount to a subterfuge for self- validation, self-enrichment and political fame? Is it by promoting the dismemberment of Nigeria into flag-hoisting new geographical entities, each singing a new national anthem at the United Nations? Or are we talking about the legitimate demand for restructuring to save the country from self-destructing?

From an entirely different angle, wouldn’t the establishment of a new socio-economic force that creates new opportunities at home, that catalyzes a think home mentality and promotes aku ruo ulo,

which places the Igbo nation on a strong political pedestal at home and commanding global recognition, meet the yearnings of the Igbo nation and by extension the Biafra ideal?

There are as many different answers to these questions as there are individuals and groups.

However, to put the discussion in its proper perspective, it is advisable to recall that, in later years, Ojukwu had said that he would not hesitate to pick up arms, if the need arose, not to carve up Nigeria, but to defend the country from being dismembered! He was no longer the gladiator of old but the benign strategist who knew that most times, there could be many different routes to the same destination. He pushed for a political arrangement that guaranteed equity and fair play for all ethnic groups in Nigeria. But of greatest concern to him, also, was the enthronement of progressive governments driven by the highest ideals that would restore the lost glory of Igboland epitomized by the globally recognized economic miracle of the defunct eastern region of Nigeria.

Considered from that angle, one can say without equivocation that Obiano is serving creditably in pushing the frontiers of that ideal. Enumerating the usual deliverables such as good roads, educational infrastructure, hospitals and security of lives and property would be adjudged commonplace in today’s Anambra State. Since Chris Ngige’s era, such indices of growth have been taken for granted with Peter Obi setting a pace in infrastructural development that is now cited as the reference point of good governance all over Nigeria. Ask the average Anambrarian and he or she will proudly tell you that Anambra is on the rise. On security, the transformation of Anambra, from its previous unenviable reputation as a dangerous enclave to a state where there is now zero tolerance for crime testifies to the giant strides recorded in establishing a safe zone for human habitation and investment.

So, in what sense does Obiano’s Anambra approximate Ikemba’s dream? To what extent can it be said that his administration has contributed to creating the psychological and physical environment of the new Biafra? That is, if, we accept that, the Biafra, of our dream, should be an investmentdriven economic proposition guided by a clearsighted political vanguard that gives the Igbo in the Diaspora the confidence to invest at home; that reverses the migration of the Igbo to other parts of the country where, time and again, they are placed in jeopardy and ultimately, to confer the political clout that only a strong geo-political

bonding can generate. I think that is where Obiano is making a difference, where he has created a new political economy.

The city airport project at Umuleri is the latest and perhaps, the most profound illustration of the profundity of Obiano’s vision. To be sure, building an airport is nothing new. Imo, Delta and Gombe States have all built their own airports. So, there is nothing new in a state government building an airport. What is novel in the Obiano paradigm is that he is not just building an airport; he is developing a new city, with an airport as its hub. The Umuleri International Cargo Airport is conceived as an “Airport City Model” comprising an airport with dual runway, a shopping mall, industrial and business parks and an airport motel. Perhaps, most significant in the business model is that, for the first time in airport development in Nigeria, the project affected people have been factored into the conceptualization and life of the project. Believe it or not, for the life of the project, host community, Umuleri will receive 4.3 percent of the yearly profit. If you are looking for the definition of democracy dividend, here is it!

Much more reassuring, three years from today, a new city will emerge in Anambra State. Think of the huge effect of this project in redrawing the critical demography of the state. Imagine the multiplier effect of this on the state, the developmental impetus that it would trigger, spreading far beyond the boundaries of the state to far off locations in Kogi, Imo, Enugu and Delta States? What about the predictable inflow of investment capital from thousands of Igbo men and women in the Diaspora who would confidently invest in real estate, travel and tours, ICT, hospitality and haulage, and the security and stevedoring services that would necessarily flow from this well though-out project, this visionary step? Not to mention the huge job creation opportunities that, for many a young school leaver, will mean the difference between a life of self worth and existing on the fringes of discrimination, groveling and frustration in climes that could be palpably disorienting? This, to me, is a resurgent Biafra without a gun!

The dream Biafra of the average Igbo is a congenial environment where he will not suffer discrimination because of his ethnic background, where he has equal access to the bounties of nature with other people of other nationalities in the Nigeria project, where he can hone his skills and ply his trade. He yearns for a return of the halcyon days of regular power supply, of reliable means of transportation, where government can guarantee the safety of lives and property and he can wor-

ship his Maker the way he deems fit. It is in that sense that Biafra is at once a geographical as well as a mental construct. I am persuaded to argue that Obiano, more than anyone else, is pushing the frontiers of the Biafra that will emerge without firing a shot, without any acrimonious debate and without Nigeria losing an inch of its territory.

It is in the place of Anambra voters to decide whether or not Obiano should be re-elected or who their next governor should be. I do not have that locus. But I hope that I have the liberty to state that since the time of Ngige, Anambra has continued to provide laudable leadership in good governance. I also strongly believe that, given a say in the matter, like Professor Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Ojukwu, who I had the privilege of meeting at solemn moments that challenged the Igbo identity, would have endorsed Obiano as a true son of Biafra!

• Agu, Publisher of Zest Traveller magazine is a Fellow of both the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Production Editor Henry Duru Business Dev. Manager Amaka Onumajulu Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Circulation Manager Ben Obika Head, Advertising Femi Anamelechi

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Travel & Hospitality

World Heritage Sites:

UNESCO berates state of Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ccording to a recent study, 46 percent of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) natural World Heritage Sites have no active tourism management plan. The research also found about 105 sites of the 229 natural UNESCO sites lack tourism management plans.

The finding also brings to the fore the neglect at one of the Nigeria’s only two UNESCO acclaimed natural heritage sites, the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State, which rarely gets a look-in from government quarters, compounded further by the fact of its not having a cultural festival attached to it.

Few visitors dare the destination for accessibility and security factors, with no attempt by the state or federal government to improve accessibility with the retention of its natural topography still protected.

Particularly for the Sukur people who inhabit the destination, access to modern amenities like potable water and electricity remain a challenge, while for the visitors, enduring the hours of trekking and hiking through steep and winding terrain is not for the faint-hearted.

The UNESCO report discovered that only 11 of these natural UNESCO sites have a dedicated tourism management plan that is not integrated with a larger management plan for the site.

However, what happens for these UNESCO sites is that a larger management plan overshadows any dedicated tourism planning.

“In terms of years since listing, newer or more recently inscribed World Heritage sites were more likely to have extensive planning or at least moderate tourism planning, compared with sites that had been listed a very long time ago,” the report said.

The researchers used UNESCO’s list of 229 natural World Heritage Sites to search the Internet for their tourism management plans — if they even exist. The analysis does not account for UNESCO sites without an online presence or those that researchers weren’t able to find

•The Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State First gate into the Sukur Community through Google searches.

Cultural sites, such as Vatican City or the Pyramids of Giza, were not part of the analysis and the number of UNESCO sites with tourism management plans would likely be higher if those sites were included in the study.

Outlining sustainable tourism development goals such as monitoring

the number of visitor arrivals and identifying specific areas zoned for tourists, tourism management plans are possibly the foundation of the UNESCO organization.

Over tourism on many of these natural UNESCO sites potentially puts these attractions and also the lives of the residents and wildlife in the vicinity under harmful impact.

“Despite the early focus on recreation and enjoyment of nature by people, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972 makes only a single mention of tourism, namely in Article 11.4, the study stated.

Nigeria currently has two UNESCO designated World Heritage sites in Osun and Adamawa states.

In Adamawa state, the Sukur Cul-

Nigeria wins hosting rights for UNWTO’s CAF in 2018

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igeria has won the right to host the 61st meeting of African Ministers in charge of Tourism, tagged; the United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO) Commission for Africa (CAF) in 2018.

Nigeria won the hosting right, Wednesday, by acclamation following the presentation of a five-minute video, entitled; ‘’Simply Nigeria’’, to delegates at the ongoing 59th edition of the UNWTO CAF Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The compelling video, which highlighted Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage

and tourism destinations, was greeted by a prolonged applause.

Responding, Chairman of the UNWTO Commission for Africa and Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Walter Nzembi, said: ‘’Procedurally, when a member state offers its destination for the host of the next CAF, we all put that request to a test, do I take the applause of the Minister’s presentation to mean your approval of Nigeria as next destination call?’’

The question was greeted by a more resounding applause, confirming Nigeria as the host of the 2018 meeting.

Making a case for Nigeria’s bid, which was launched at the 58th edition of the UNWTO CAF Meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in 2015, the Minister said it presents an opportunity for the country of almost 200 million people ‘’to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to promote Nigeria as a leisure and business destination’’.

He described Nigeria as a ‘fascinating country’ which previously hosted the UNWTO CAF Meeting in 2003, 2008 and 2012, in addition to hosting the Second World Festival of Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977.

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tural Landscape is a cultural heritage, which was included to the world heritage sites in 1999.

Located on top of the highest plains on the Mandara Mountains in Madageli, it features the Palace of the Hidi, terraced fields, and the remains of a former iron industry.

In Osun state, there is also the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, considered to be the last scared grove of the Yoruba culture and its dense forests are one of the final remnants of high forests in southern Nigeria.

A cultural heritage which was included to the World Heritage Sites in 2005, it is situated along the banks of the Osun River, on the outskirts of the capital city of Osogbo, which is regarded as the home of the goddess of fertility - Osun.

However, of the two, only the Osun Osogbo gets both state and Federal Government attention. In terms of overtourism, the annual Osun Osogbo festival which is built around the grove, enjoys international patronage in stark contrast to the Sukur Landscape destination which situation is not helped with the insurgency in the north east of the country.

Moving to advance explanation for government, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, last Thursday, noted that part of the major challenges facing World heritage nomination in Nigeria include community neglect and relegation of the sites saying that such attitude had it practically impossible to be enlisted in UNESCO’s record.

Mohammed, who also challenged traditional leaders and stakeholders to take full ownership and protection of national monuments and heritage to boost the nation’s tourism, said their nonchalant attitude has hindered economic viability deposited in tourism sub sector.

Mohammed, represented by National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM)’s Director General, Yusuf Abdullah Usman said this in Kano at the opening of a two-day management retreat of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

The minister, who posited that until the communities where these sites are located complement government’s efforts in terms of preservation and conservation, it will be difficult for the rich cultural heritage to attract international recognition.

However, the case of neglect of heritage sites go beyond the involvement and participation of the communities, as many believe posit that the federal government on its part has its own role to play in the regard.

“The Osun Osogbo grove may be a UNESCO heritage site, but it has a religious/cultural festival tied to it, in addition to the fact that is in the national tourism calendar of Nigeria. It has been there for years.

This makes it easier for all players to come on board to exploit its marketing potential. Government has to create that platform for communities to begin to see their heritage as prized assets,” said Mr Victor Enwezor, a travel operator.

The case of the Sukur Landscape is purely that of neglect, regardless of the efforts put in by the community in preserving and safeguarding their heritage. The UNESCO report should, therefore, serve as a wake-up call to the Federal Government and the Adamawa State Government to reappraise their strategy with a view to impacting the true tenets of sustainable tourism on the country’s destinations.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

AVIATION Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ollowing the reopening of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, after a six-week closure for repairs on its runway, the temporary hub provided by the hurriedly refurbished Kaduna International Airport may yet again be facing tough times as airlines returned to the capital city for operations.

As foreign airlines especially closed their Abuja routes opting not to divert to Kaduna airport despite pleas by the Federal Government on the grounds logistics factors, only Ethiopian Airlines considered diverting operations to the airport along with a handful of domestic operators, some of which favoured the Minna International Airport instead.

With the Abuja airport now fully open for operation for business, as both the foreign and local have almost resumed flights to the airport, the Kaduna facility which was even under-utilized up until now, may be heading back to status quo as practically all domestic carriers have returned to their Abuja base.

The Ethiopian Airlines, which was the only foreign carrier that continued patronage of the Kaduna facility, had hit a windfall as others avoided the airport lifting over 4,500 passengers from airport in the first 28 days after the closure of the Abuja airport at an average of 286 passengers daily.

Many believe the fear of Kaduna airport returning to abandonment may have also prompted the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai to quickly engage the Ethiopian Airlines into discussion with a view to seeing the foreign carrier maintain the flight route alongside its Abuja destination.

Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had on March 30, disclosed

Harsh times await Kaduna airport; as airlines return to NAIA that over 50 international flights had been operated from Kaduna airport with about 4,000 international passengers in three weeks.

He added that about 73,000 domestic passengers had been airlifted with about 1,119 aircraft movements for domestic operations.

Ethiopian Airlines is the only foreign airline operating from Kaduna, while two Nigerian airlines, Arik and Medview, also operated international flights from the airport.

As at March 29, Arik had airlifted about 165 international passengers with 11 aircraft movements for both arrivals and departures.

Aviation experts posit that the

Kaduna government may have raked in a sizeable sum in revenue from not only airlines, but also private business operators from the transport, hotel, catering and security sub-sectors of the state’s economy.

This revenue, the state government believes should not slip from its coffers, hence, all efforts put into wooing foreign carriers to continue to utilize the facility.

According to Firiehiwot Mekonnen, the Ethiopian Airlines’ Traffic and Sales Manager, airline is also favourably disposed to the idea of maintaining the route on account

of the state governor’s intervention, although it could also be on the strength of the route’s considered viability.

Mekonnen revealed, last Thursday, that El-Rufai has requested that Ethiopian Airlines continue separate flights to Kaduna even after the reopening of Abuja airport.

“The management is still considering the possibility and will come with its decision on that before the reopening of Abuja airport. If the option is good, we will go ahead with our operation there.

“We met with the governor today at the Kaduna State Governor’s

Aviation unions commend FG for prompt re-opening of NAIA

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rade unions in the aviation sector have commended the Federal Government for sticking to its planned schedule for repair of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The Association of Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), in their separate reactions, lauded the prompt repair work which was concluded ahead of schedule.

Federal Government had, on March 8, closed the airport for six weeks for the complete rehabilitation of its dilapidated runway. The airport runway has since re-opened, last Wednesday.

“Let me commend the Federal Government, particularly President Muhammed Buhari, for approving funds for the complete rehabilitation of the Abuja Airport’s runway. We must also commend the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, for spearheading the project.

“Initially, there were criticisms but in spite of it, the minister still went ahead because he believed in what he wanted to do. Today, as the airport is being declared open which is a day ahead of the promised date of April 19, we will be seen as partners in progress toward achieving the rehabilitation of Abuja Airport’s runway,’’ General Sec-

retary of NUATE, Mr Olayinka Abioye, said in Lagos, last Tuesday.

Abioye further expressed optimism that the runway would last the next 10 years before any major rehabilitation would be carried out on it as projected by the contractor that handled the project, even as he urged government to start the construction of a second runway for the Abuja Airport.

“We are hoping that between now and in the next two to three years, we should have a second runway in Abuja Airport. Further to that, the airport should have its own domestic wing,’’ he said.

According to the union leader, Nigerians demand a holistic approach where the country would have a fullfledged and functional domestic terminal rather than directing local aircraft to the international terminal of the airport to land and take-off.

“Domestic or local aircraft should land and take-off at the domestic terminal while international flights should operate from the international wing of the airport. This will give the operators room to bring in more local and international aircraft to the Abuja Airport,’’ he said.

On its part, ANAP, in a statement signed by the General Secretary of ANAP, Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, said:

Arik Air resumes flight operations to Abuja, May 1

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•Minister Aviation, Hadi Sirika

“Through your professional know-how and your patriotic commitment, Abuja Airport Runway repairs are completed and open to the flying public. ANAP as a union is very happily vindicated for supporting your objective, accept our sincere congratulations.”

Lodge in Abuja and we discussed extensively. The discussion was to see if it is possible to continue separate flight to Kaduna even after Abuja airport is opened,’’ she said.

She explained that the passengers had adjusted to the arrangement of flying out through Kaduna, adding that Ethiopian airlines had recorded great success in its Kaduna operation.

“We have been having full flights from Kaduna since last week and even today, tomorrow and next, our flights are already fully booked,’’ she said.

rik Air has said it will resume scheduled flight operations to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Wednesday, May 1.

This follows the reopening of the Abuja airport for normal flight operations after it was closed on March 8 for major runway repairs.

The airline said in a statement on Tuesday that it would be operating daily flights between Abuja and Lagos.

“Other destinations to be connected from Abuja include Ilorin, Ibadan, Gombe, Yola, Sokoto, Port Harcourt and Accra (Ghana).

“Passengers are advised to buy their tickets on-line at www.arikair.com for cheaper fares or visit any Arik Air City/Airport Ticket Office or Travel Agent,” it said.

Commenting on the resumption of flights to Abuja, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu said the airline was pleased that the Federal Government had fulfilled its promise to reopen Abuja Airport on schedule.

“This is highly commendable and airline operators can now operate safely to Abuja without any concerns about the state of the runway.

“We assure our Abuja-bound passengers of the same high safety standard they have known the airline for over the years. Our pledge is to continue to improve on our ontime performance and team friendliness,” he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION Premium Pensions pays 75% dead workers

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xecutive Director, Operational Services, Premium Pension Ltd. (PPL), Mr Adamu Mele, Thursday, said the company had paid next-of-kins of over 75 per cent of workers who died in active service their entitlements.

According to him, PPL has solved over 75 per cent of those cases because it reviewed the payments of these entitlements on a monthly basis to determine the levels those complaints were being resolved.

Mele explained that PPL tried as much as possible to get across to the next-of-kins of those who died in active service in order to assist them to get the entitlements of their dead ones, immediately.

He advised that as soon as the next–of kin noticed that their relation had died and he happened to be a customer of PPL, they should quickly notify the company.

He said that there were certain documentations that were required in order to enable the next-of-kin to access these benefits left by their dead ones who were customers of PPL. The executive director noted that delays in the receipt of these benefits of workers who died in service were sometimes due to ignorance on the part of their next-of-kin of the procedures and the documentation processes.

Mele said that the process of documentation was simply enshrined in the National Pension Commission (PenCom) Act, adding that a nextof-kin who lost his relation should quickly notify his Pension Fund Administrator.

He said that in order to fast track payment of entitlements to the relations of workers who died in service PPL had established call centres that worked day and night across Nigeria to reach beneficiaries.

Similarly, Mele said PPL had relationship management officers across the nation to guide next-of –kin who lost their relations on how to go about their documentation so that they could quickly process their benefits.

He explained that PPL staff took calls from customers 24 hours; hence clients had nothing to fear as they would get quality services.

On the recent release of N54 billion by the Federal Government to settle pension arrears of pensioners from 2014, 2015, 2016 to even 2013, Mele described it as a welcome development noting that the money when paid to the retirees would act as a catalyst to economic development.

Over 7.49m employees registered under CPS – NBS Stories by KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER

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he Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has put the total number of employees with the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) at 7,493,590 as at first quarter of 2017, a marginal increase from 7,348,028 recorded as at end of 2016, according to the agency’s Membership Distribution Data report.

According to the report, a total working population also put 69,470,900, as at Q4 2016 while data for Q1 2017 will be updated as soon as it is available. The figure represents 10.8per cent of the total working population.

Analyzing the report, the agency said it is not surprising given the largely informal structure of the Nigerian labour force with about 50per cent of the current workforce engaged in subsistence agriculture and informal trading, noting that Micro businesses for example account for over 90per cent of total Micro, Small

and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria.

Further disaggregation of RSA membership reveals that of a total male working population of 36,363,042 only 5,328,035 or 14.65per cent male workers are registered under the pension scheme as at Q1 2017 compared to 5,226,897 or 14.37per cent registered male workers in Q4 2016.

Similarly, only 2,165,555 or 6.54per cent out of a total female working population of 33,107,859 are registered under the scheme as at Q1 2017 compared to 2,121,131 or 6.41per cent registered female workers in Q4 2016.

Accordingly, out of the 7,493,590 RSA members, 71.10 were men and 28.90per cent were women compared to 71.13per cent men and 28.87per cent women in Q4 2016.

This can be compared with the gender split of the working population which has 52.3per cent men and 47.7per cent women.

The report continued that RSA membership is dominated by the Private sector. The Federal level had 1,889,143 registered RSA members under the national pension scheme as at Q1 2017 of which 1,378,382 or 72.96per cent were male and 510,761 or 27.04per cent were female compared to 1,866,580 registered RSA members of which 1,363,266 or 73per cent were male and 503,584 or 27per cent were female in Q4 2016, indicating that there are a lot more male employees in the Federal public service than female.

At the State (including local government) level, 1,525,748 State public workers are registered under the national pension scheme with 858,365 or 56.26per cent male and 667,383 or 43.74per cent female as at Q1 2017 compared to 1,508,471 registered public workers of which 849,493 or 56.3per cent were male and 658,978 or 43.7per cent were female in Q4 2016. This also indicates that the Fed-

eral Public Service is larger than that of all 36 States combined and similar to the Federal service, men dominate with respect to number of employees.

Private firms had 4,078,699 registered RSA members under the pension scheme as at Q1 2017 of which 3,091,288 or 75.79per cent were male and 987,411 or 24.21per cent were female compared to 3,972,707 registered RSA members of whom 3,014,138 or 75.9per cent were male and 958,569 or 24.1per cent were female in Q4 2016.

The highest number of registered working population, accordingly, came from the age bracket of 3039yrs and closely followed by the working population within the age bracket of 40-49yrs and 50-59yrs.

This is expected considering ages 2544 account for about 55per cent of the total working population.

However, the least number of registered working populations came from above 65yrs and 60-65yrs age bracket.

Lagos pensioners got N16.9b in one year – Ambode G

ov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State disclosed that the state released N16.9 billion pension arrears from April 2016 to March this year.

Ambode who said this on Thursday while inaugurating the headquarters of Providus Bank in Lagos, added that N2 billion had also been disbursed to young entrepreneurs and artisans under the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) scheme.

He said his administration had maintained a consistent programme of actively reflating the economy through massive expenditure in infrastructure development and engaging competent local contractors to employ the people.

Ambode expressed delight at the consistent investment of the state government in critical sectors that contributed to the resurgence of the economy, stressing that as a govern-

ment, his administration was relentless in its commitment to providing a conducive, safe and secure enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The governor also said that efforts were being made daily to improve the ease of doing business in the state, especially by working to ensure that all businesses succeeded, even in a recession.

“We have maintained a consistent programme of actively reflating the economy through massive expenditure in infrastructural development and engaging competent local contractors who in turn employ our people.

“Our Employment Trust Fund has disbursed almost N2 billion in the last quarter to young entrepreneurs and artisans.

“We have released N16.9 billion

for payment of arrears to pensioners in the state between April 2016 and March 2017.

“Our Light Up Lagos initiative has given traders and artisans extended time to carry out their businesses as we move towards our 24/7 economy.

“With these actions, we energized the economy and ensured that commercial activities continued in the state,” Ambode said.

Ambode called for a convergence of the foreign exchange rates.

He said that there should be deliberate strategies to force down inflation to single digit and reduce lending rates to enable more businesses to access funds and meet their obligations.

The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) recently released by the Fed-

eral Government.

He said the economic blueprint would go a long way in charting the course of economic recovery and growth desired by all.

Ambode also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for efforts at stabilising the exchange rates and expressed optimism that the steps being adopted would help ailing businesses to bounce back to profitability.

He equally commended the management of Providus Bank for its commitment to positively impact on the banking sector. Ambode urged the bank to come up with programmes that would bring more financial inclusion to Lagos.

“I urge you, as financial intermediaries, to facilitate the growth of the economy by designing products for the real sector, thereby supporting

made-in-Nigeria goods.

“I also urge you to pay special attention to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises because these are the fastest vehicles for job creation and growing new businesses,” Ambode said.

Mr Walter Akpani, the Managing Director of the bank, commended the governor for the massive infrastructure development in the state and efforts at enhancing ease of doing business.

Akpani said that the bank’s focus was to be a niche player by distinguishing itself in terms of service, cost saving, speed, transparency as well as innovations and excellence.

“Our aim is to be number one in service delivery, supporting the growth of Nigerian economy through best practices,” he said.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

FG to license Bancassurance Insurers for N3m

By KINGSLEY CHRISTPHER, Lagos

I

nsurance firms have been authorised to sell insurance products in banks through the Bancassurance Referral Distribution Model with an application and licensing fee of N500, 000 and N2.5 million.

The implementation of the guideline takes effect from April 1.

This was made known by Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mohammed Kari at the Maiden Bancassurance Certification Workshop held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM), Asese town on the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway recently.

Speaking on the guidelines by the Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Authorisation and Policy, Mr Pius Agboola, said that insurance companies are to pay renewal fees of N1 million.

Bancassurance is the collaboration between a bank and an insurance company to market insurance products to the customers of the bank.

The commissioner, however, said that training on bancassurance mandatory course for 12 and 18 hours is binding on employees of an insurance company that aims to act as bancassurance manager or desk officer.

He stressed that the training was aimed at equipping the operators of the bancassurance scheme with the requisite knowledge needed for seamless bancassurance operations.

He added that the training was to ensure that those representing the partner insurer were competent.

He said the Commission believes in the ability of the CIFMS to give competent training and certification that would be sufficient for any employee occupying this position alongside other qualifications stated in the guidelines” Agboola at the training explained to the participants that Bancassurance referral service shall be by referring to the Insurer, bank customer that require insurance services and products while estab-

lishing a Bancassurance referral operation might also be by way of locating a Bancassurance Desk in the banking hall of the Referral Bank.

He said the insurer shall maintain a Bancassurance relation with not more than two referral banks at any one time and vice versa.

On restrictions and conducts, he noted that the insurer approved to partner with a referral bank shall not engage the referral bank in any form of marketing, sales or services other than referral only.

He said: “The insurer shall make known to the customers so referred that the insurer will wholly be liable for underwriting of the risks, assessment, adjustment and payment of claims that may arise from the risk covered; not use any advertisement or promotion that would make people to mistakenly

believe that the Referral Bank stands behind or guarantees any return on the Insurance Products; not pay compensation to any individual for the referral of a customer where such a person is not an approved referral bank; not fail to disclose in writing to the Customer that the insurance policy to be sold is not a cash deposit; not insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) and not guaranteed by the CBN. “The insurer shall not enter into a referral arrangement with more than two referral bank; not fail to keep distinct and separate, the records relating to Bancassurance transactions and that, such records are to be made available to NAICOM as and when required; and not made any payment to the referral bank by whatever name

called (fees, charges, etc.) over and above the approved referral Commission; and not pay fees or commission for the insurance of a policyholder that is not a referral client on the referral client list maintained in the insurer records.

“Other restrictions include that the insurer shall ensure that all prospective clients are allowed to decide out of their own volition, which insurance product they wish to buy and from which insurance company; not fail to open and maintain a dedicated premium/operational account for the purpose of capturing bancassurance (referral) transactions; maintain a standstill period of one year for an account/business that have an existing intermediary before a change to Bancassurance referral is uphold.”

The Rector, Dr. Yeside Otetayo

AIICO takes insurance awareness to Tejuosho Market

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•Mohammed Kari

•Godwin Emefiele

... To recover pension money from 53,000 ghost workers

T

he Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has said that the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is set to recover the pensions so far paid into the Retirement Savings Accounts of ghost workers.

According to her since the establishment of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit in March last year, about 53,000 ghost workers had so far been removed from the Federal Government payroll.

The minister who gave the figure in her first Facebook video session, filmed for 23-minutes at the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja said: “The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit came in so that they can check the payroll and make sure that we pay the right amount and ghost workers do not exist; there is no fraud and that there is no error in the payroll.

“So far, we have removed 53,000 people from the payroll and we are working with PenCom to recover some of the pensions because the problem with these ghost salary earners is that not only are we pay-

further said the college has been appointed as the certifying body of the principal officers in the Bancassurance business.

“The commission has confidence in the college knowing that it has the capacity to certify and develop human capital within that segment of the market. The Commissioner has kicked off the maiden edition.

“At the end of each workshop, we are going to have an assessment so it is not an automatic certification taken workshop. After the end of the sessions, we will have an assessment to judge the knowledge of the participants as regards what they have learnt from the workshop. It is after they have passed that assessment that we issue them certificates.’’ She said.

ing their salaries, we are also paying pensions.

“So, we are trying to recover some of the overpaid pensions from some of the people we have removed from the payroll.”

Adeosun said before the commencement of the continuous audit initiative, the wage bill of the government was huge, standing at about N165bn monthly.

She added that the government was spending N16bn each on pensions and overheads monthly; noting that when added to the N165bn wage bill, about N200bn was being expended monthly on recurrent items.

Her words: “The wage bill when we started was N165bn a month, and that was huge. It’s a huge bill and we have N16bn for pensions and another one for overheads.

“And so by the time you add statutory transfers to agencies like the judiciary, the National Assembly, INEC and other statutory agencies, you will have N200bn every month before you can have anything to

spend on capital projects.

“So, we set a priority that we need to control this. It’s a continuous battle and the real thing is that we are using technology to make sure we are paying people using the biometric system, which ensures that you cannot get two salaries and ensures that the number of personnel is the same as the number on the payroll.”

She noted that the focus of the government going forward was to bring all its agencies into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System platform.

This, according to would assist the government to further bring down the wage bill.

The IPPIS is one of the Federal Government’s reform initiatives to improve the management of human resources and provide a centralised payroll system in the civil service.

“Our focus now is getting as many agencies and individuals as possible on the IPPIS and that sound a quite ambitious target. The

•Kemi-Adeosun moment we finish with the police, we will move on to the military and then the prisons and immigration and other agencies like that.”

IICO Insurance Plc, one of the frontline insurance firms in Nigeria has kicked-off an insurance market sensitization and awareness program tagged ‘Market Storm’ of some of the major markets in Lagos’.

The initiative, according to the company, is intended to educate the traders in the market on the strategic role of insurance and its numerous benefits, while the plan is aimed at bringing insurance closer to the market men and women who are involved in retail and micro businesses through the provision of tailored insurance services that suits the need of the traders with room for market feedback that can be used for further products development.

“AIICO Storms Tejuosho market program offers basic retail products to the market traders that guides against business and personal risks. Such products include the AIICO Fire Insurance policy tailored for Shop Owners, AIICO Shield Personal Accident Insurance, AIICO Householder (Home) Insurance and AIICO Auto Insurance.

Despite the fact that no one plans of losing their means of livelihood to fire, flood or any form of natural disaster, these occurrences happen daily resulting in; loss of financial investments, revenue, closure of business, shock and grieve, inability to start again.

AIICO Fire Insurance for Shop Owners provides compensation up to the tune of N2million in the event that stocks, materials and/or wares in trade is affected by fire. Benefits include compensation for fire & special perils, permanent disability, medical expenses & public liability.

AIICO Shield Personal Accident Insurance is designed to provide an accident only insurance whereby the Insured, in any mishap, has access to some level of compensations for death, disability and medical treatment for injuries following accident.

Benefits include compensation for death, temporary and permanent disability & medical expenses.

AIICO Householder (Home) Insurance is designed essentially for those living in rented apartment to cover their contents only against loss as a result of fire & special peril and burglary. The benefits include compensation to the tune of N2million for fire damage, N1million for burglary, rent for alternative accommodation, public liability, permanent disability, death, & medical expense as a result of the incidence.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Export Platform

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI

Yam is worth its name in dollars

Nigerian yam tubers in high demand

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI exportgazette@gmail.com

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HE uniqueness of the Nigerian agro commodity space; is derived from the wide latitude it provides to micro, small, medium and large scale entrepreneurs to do fruitful business, irrespective of the size of your wallet. Given the phenomenal array of exportable products ranging from lemon grass, snails, bitter leaf, yam, plastic scrap (pure water sachets) rags, cow bones, hooves, palm oil, you do not have to be a multimillionaire or endowed with the brains of a rocket scientist before you can smile your way to the bank. So long as, you possess a modicum of intelligence, basic organizational abilities, and a willingness to learn, export business is a terrain you can play in without burning your fingers.

The beauty of it all is that you do not necessarily have to disengage completely from your present occupation to be an exporter.

Presently I have full time, engineers, lawyers, medical doctors, hoteliers, clergymen, students, bankers who succeeded under my tutelage..Some two decades ago, I paid my way through university education abroad by freighting food condiments, yams, garri, and fish to lucrative markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

One commodity that is a WIN- WIN export product is Yam tuber. In Texas where you have over 1 million resident diaspora Africans, a kilo of yam costs five dollars. You can imagine what the market potential is for the entire United States, not to talk of europe, where Nigerians nay Africans abound..

Yams, originally were cultivated in the Far east before it spread westwards. Today the countries in the tropical zone are swing producers especially West Africa; where the crop commands social and economic value.

The good news is that Nigeria is the largest producer in the world and you would not believe that most of the yams being shipped

out through ECOWAS countries are sourced from Benue, Abakaliki and Abuja. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria alone accounts for 75% of world production.

TABLE 1: WORLD PRODUCTION OF YAM (DIOSCOREA) Area

Area % of Production % of world Yiield % of

(10 3 World area World (Mt.

World World 2,110 100 20,198 100 9.6 100 Africa 2,049 97.1 19,539 96.1 94.1 97.9 North & Central America 22 1.0 243 1.2 11.1 115.6 South America 10 .05 48 0.2 4.7 0.5 Asia 15 0.7 168 0.8 11.14 118.8 Oceania 15 0.7 200 1.0 13.5 140.6 Leading Countries Nigeria 1,350 64.0 15,000 74.3 11.1 115.6 Cote d’Ivoire 200 9.5 1,700 8.4 8.5 88.5 Ghana 160 7.6 800 4.0 5.0 52.1 Togo 100 4.7 750 3.7 7.5 78.1 Benin 59 2.8 610 3.0 10.3 107.3 World 2,928 100 29,449 100 10,057 100 Africa 2,789 95.3 28,249 95.6 10,127 100.7 West Indies 59 2.0 350 1.2 6,122 60.9 Oceania 18 0.5 284 1.0 15,818 157.3 Asia 15 0.5 198 0.6 12,876 128.0 Nigeria 1,900 64.9 22,000 74.7 11,579 115.1 Cote d’Ivoire 266 9.1 2,528 8.6 9,504 94.5 Ghana 200 6.8 168 2.4 3,500 34.8 Togo 140 1.4 420 1.4 10,500 104.4 Benin 90 3.1 990 3.4 11,026 109.6 Zaire 38 1.3 270 0.9 7,200 71.6 SOURCE: ADAPTED FROM (FAO)

Consumer preference overseas is skewed in favour for the white fleshed yams which have very firm texture. Prices vary, but when market is bullish, you can get as high as 5-6 USD per kilo.

Although these are no established grades and standards for fresh yam exports; it is noteworthy to mention that the outward bound yams must be brown clean, fresh and should have attained their full maturity in the field before harvest. Skin should be entirely intact, with no surface shrivelling; fungal infection insect damage or sprouting. For the exporters who have an eye on the continental or USA markets, they should be mindful that yams are susceptible to chill damage.

It is imperative that the tubes are stored at 12 -130 Centigrade. Lower temperatures will expose the consignments to excessive chill and higher temperatures will result in sprouting. Packaging should be done in conformity to standard international practice.

This is achieved by contracting packaging companies to put together cartons made of corrugated cardboard with inner linings. To prevent abrasion, sawdust or coconut fibre material could be used to brace up the gaps.

Yams are exported to the USA and Europe on a year round basis; although the demand could be sluggish during the summer or warmer weather; but the tempo picks up during the winter months.

Ghana, Jamaica, Costa Rica today are key players in the US market. There is no reason why Nigerians should not join the fray.

YAM IMPORTERS Bod’s Red Mill Safari Food Market 5209 SE International Way

Cont’d on Page 31

1296

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

Export Platform Yam is worth its name in dollars Cont’d from Page 30 Broadway Milwaukie, OR 97222 Phone: 503-654-3215 Fax: 503-653-1339

Buffalo, New York 14212 1-866-846-0661 toll free, 716-896-4009 in Western New York

The Bakers Catalog P.O.Box 876 Norwich, Vermont 05050876 (800) 827-6836

The Oriented Pantry 423 Great Road Action, MA01720 (800) 828-0368

Calabash Top Choice African Market 45 Edison Place 8021 N 43rd Avenue suith 5 Newwark, Nj 07102(973) 643-7828 Phoneix AZ 85051

(623) 934 3055 Cape Dutch Bakery 710 Accokeek Road Pacific Island Market International Grocery Accokeek, MD 20607 2610 Breezy Point Phone: (301) 203-7990 O’ Fallon, Missouri 63366 Fax: (301) 203- 7995 1-877-274-2639 Fax: 1-636-379-9529 Frieda’s By Mail 4465 Corporate center Drive Los Alamitos CA 90720-2561 (800) 241-1771

Rafal Spice Company 2521 Russell Detroit, Michigan 48207 (313) 259-6373

Goodwood’s British Market 216 Gentry Street Old Town Spring, Texas 77373 1-800-528-7767

Wazobia Foods Phone: (404) 510-2900 Order your African foods at this online store

J & B African Market 10327- 3rd Avenue S Seattle WA 98168 Phone: (206) 915-5178 Fax: (206) 767-7663

Business International Ltd 51, Highmore Drive, Bartley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands B32 3jY Tel: 07939 285565

Kalustyans 123 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10016 (212) 685-3451

Vallebona Ltd Unite 14,55-59, Weir Road London, SW 198 UG Tel: 02089445665

Kitchen Market 218 Eighth Avenue at 21 St. New York NY 10011 (888) 468-4433 Tel: 01634827842

Philpps & Co Ltd 34, Edinburgh Road, Chatham, kent MEA 5BY

Makola African Market Imports Mamma Roma Ltd 375 Lyson avenue 377, Holloway Road New wark Nj 07112 London N7 or N Phone: (973) 926-3919 Tel: 02076099139 Fax: (973) 926-2520 Centaur Foods Ltd Unit 2, Beaufort Trade Park Pucklechurch, Bristol Avon BS16 9QH Tel: 01173039337

Peter Hatton Ltd 124 Old Vicarage, West Houghton, Holton Lancashire B15 2 EG Tel: 01942841233

General Food Trading Co.Ltd

3, Viveash Close, Halyes, Middlesex Ub3 SRY Tel: 02088487555

Tel: 01617999666

Mediterranean Gourment Foods Ltd Unit 5, Worsley Business Park, Mosley Common Rod, Worsley Manchester Lancashire M2B INL

Bri-tal (Foods) Ltd Cibo Ltd Suite 2-3 Chaucer House, Chaucer business Park, Dummurry Watery Lane, kemsing, Sevenoaks, Kent TN 156PW 179HU Tel: 01732763221

Merko (Europe) Ltd 64, Ruskin Road, Staines, Middlesex TW 1820X

Tel: 01636610564

United 32 Derryiaghy Industrial Park, Ind Est. Dummurry, Belfast Country Antrim Bt Tel: 0209030 1821 Zambezi Foods 79, High Town road, Luton Bedfordshire LUZ OBW Tel: 01582419284

Lincoln International Foods Marketing Group Navigation House, 48, Mill Gate, Newwark, Nottinghamshire

NG244TS Tel: 01636610564

Britef Food Ltd 36, Row town, Addlestone, Surrey KT 15 1 HQ Tel: 01932705359

Chtoura Garden

Fra Angelico Ltd

105, Uxbridge Road Shepherds Bush London Gordon House Business Center, 6 Lissenden W128 NL

Gardens Tel: 02087405559 London NW51LX Tel: 02077337049 Milegate Ltd Rusheroft Road London SW21JH Tel: 02077337049

J.F Cottanceau 7c, Mercer Row, Louth, Lincolnshire LN 119JG Tel: 01760725697

•CHINYEMIKE TORTI, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Nigerian Exporters, an alumnus, of World Bank Institute, a resource person with the InternationalTrade Centre/World Trade Organisation, Geneva.

Admin of the EXPORT ADVOCACY GROUP Email:exportgazette@gmail.com

32

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3 2017

Love and Living

... With Ireto Temofeh

Oracle Girl of the Week

ODD NEWS Dinosaur egg fossils from 70 million years ago found in China

F

Name: Dammy Tel: +234 8185681641

*Do you want to be our next Oracle Girl? Send your photos to ireto007@yahoo.com and call 07031028714.

OSSILISED dinosaur eggs from 70 million years ago have been unearthed on a building site in China.

The shells, discovered near Foshan in the southeast of the country, were found at a depth of about 26ft (8m), preserved in red sandstone.

The round-shaped eggs belonged to plant-eating phytophagous dinosaurs in the late Cretaceous period.

Qiu Licheng, from Guangdong’s Archaeological Institute, said: “We found five eggs: three were destroyed, but they are still visible.

“The other two have their imprints on the stone. The

eggs were round in shape, belonging to phytophagous dinosaurs,” There have been similar finds in the Foshan region, which has gained a reputation in the scientific community for revealing valuable information from the Cretaceous period.

Liu Jianxiong, Foshan’s chief geologist, said: “There are two things special about the Sanshui Basin: one, it’s rich in minerals, two is that it’s rich in fossils, like dinosaur eggs.

“This discovery is very important to our research on paleoclimate and sedimentary environment.”

The fossils are now being studied at a local museum.

LOVE NEWS Victim of online deception found love with the man whose profile pic had been stolen

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WOMAN has revealed how she was tricked by an impersonator on a dating website – only to end up in a relationship with the actual man in the photos she’d been sent.

Emma Perrier, 35, signed up to dating website Zoosk and started chatting with a man who claimed to be called Ronaldo, the Sunday People reported.

But after a year of messaging, she discovered she had been duped, after discovering “Ronaldo’s” profile pictures belonged to Adam Guzel, a 35-year-old model from Turkey.

What’s more, she searched other photos sent by “Ronaldo” and found

they had also been posted to a TripAdvisor account belonging to a man named Alan Stanley – who turned out to be a 55-year-old shopfitter from Stratford-upon-Avon.

But undeterred, Emma tracked down Adam Guzel to warn him someone was using his photos – and the pair have since fallen for each other, with Adam moving to live with Emma in Richmond, South West London.

She messaged Adam on Facebook, writing: “I wasn’t sure if getting in touch with you was a good idea but I just need you to know.”

Emma told the Sunday People: “[Alan] told me he was bored and

lonely. He admitted he was a dad, over 50 and divorced.

“He said he found the ­pictures and used them because he thought no one would talk to him if he used his own.”

Emma then sent Alan a screenshot of her and aspiring actor Adam videochatting.

She said: “I wanted Alan to know what he did was wrong.”

After seven months of talking, Adam moved to Richmond – and the pair want to thank Alan for bringing them together.

He said: “I don’t know what to say about Alan. Sometimes what he did makes me angry but sometimes I feel grateful to him because I would never

have met Emma.”

Emma added: “There’s no point holding grudges. I hope Alan meets someone nice too who will love him

for who he really is.”

Meanwhile, Alan admitted he was wrong – and gave the couple his best wishes.

33

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

True Confession

‘My husband’s mistress changed my life’ I

have always heard people say that men will be men. But I never knew that my husband would act like a typical married man who cheats on his wife.

I have enough evidence, short of a photograph of him and his mistress in bed together, to prove that my husband has been cheating on me.

I am no longer a child but a grown woman. I’m a 38-year-old woman and I thought that I could handle this discovery of my husband’s infidelity better because of my level of maturity.

However, at this moment, I am going through different phases of depression, shock, extreme disappointment, and feelings of resentment towards my husband.

Since he is a very good medical doctor, my husband managed to get a job abroad. Through his success in his medical practice abroad, he was also able to bring some of his brothers and sisters abroad.

However, some of my husband’s brothers who weren’t fortunate enough to bring their families overseas with them, succumbed to the temptation of being with other women. Two of them have already broken their families in the process.

My husband was always very critical of those his brothers who had broken homes. According to him, no responsible man would have a broken home.

Therefore, I would never have believed if anyone had told me that my husband would ever become unfaithful towards me, because he knew the implication. He knew that infidelity in marriage could lead to a broken home.

When my husband got a job in the U.S., he took me and our three children along. We lived together in New Jersey where he worked for about 10 years until my husband suddenly started having nostalgic feelings.

He woke me up from sleep one night and said: “Martha, I’m seriously thinking of returning to Nigeria.” “Why?” I asked him. “Because there is no place like home,” he said.

My husband advised that I return to the country to buy a piece of land in order to build a house for the family, while he would remain in the U.S. and be sending me money both for the construction of the family house and for the upkeep of myself and the children.

So I returned to the country according to my husband’s advice. I bought a piece of land in a choice location and began to build a house. My husband promised to visit us regularly.

However, I started to suspect my husband of cheating around 3 years ago.

When my husband first visited us in the country, he used to come straight to the house to sleep. But later on, he started acting strangely whenever he visited.

For example, when he visited last April, he didn’t let me come and pick him at the airport. Before he boarded the plane from the U.S., he called me and said there was no point for me coming to the airport to wait for him.

He insisted that I stay at home to take care of the children because he could find his way home by himself.

To my further surprise, my husband checked into a hotel first on arrival,

instead of coming straight to the house where I and the children were.

From the hotel, my husband traveled to Abuja and came back two weeks later with an apology. He claimed to have gone on a very important business trip.

According to him, it was for a business which demanded his immediate attention the moment he arrived the country.

“My dear, oil and gas business is like that,” my husband had said to me. “It demands your instant and total attention.”

I forgave him even though I knew he was lying, but I didn’t forget. Days later, I started getting reports from people who claimed they had seen my husband on several occasions at the same hotel with a particular lady.

So I dropped by the hotel unexpectedly. I caught him having drinks with a lady, whom he introduced to me as his “business partner.”

That day, I let the issue of his infidelity rest without making any trouble. Three days later, my husband returned to America.

Approximately six months ago, he visited Nigeria again and I suspected he was still seeing that particular woman. On my way to a popular mall called Justrite on a weekend afternoon, I recognized his car on the road.

I stopped and watched from a safe distance. About five minutes later, my husband appeared and entered his car with that same woman I had seen with him at the hotel.

He turned on the engine and turned the car around. The way he was now taking showed that they were headed towards the hotel. I forgot about what

I wanted to buy at the mall and followed them from a safe distance.

Trailing my husband and his mistress broke my heart. And I wept in my car as I secretly followed them to the hotel.

While my husband drove into the hotel, I parked my car outside the hotel to avoid detection and sneaked into the hotel.

I managed to conceal myself until my husband and his mistress had gone into one of the rooms in the hotel. Then I bribed the hotel staff to tell me the number of the room in which they were lodged.

After getting the room number, I went and knocked on the door of their room.

The first time I knocked, there was no answer, so I knocked harder. “Who is that,” came a male voice from inside the room.

It was obviously my husband.

I pretended as if I was a member of the hotel staff who had come to give them free drinks. So, using a fake voice, I said: “The hotel manager sent me to give you free drinks in appreciation of your patronage.”

“Oh that’s good,” came my husband’s voice from inside the room. Not knowing it was me, he opened the door to receive the so-called free drinks.

Immediately my husband opened the door, I pushed him out of my way and forced myself into the room. I saw the lady naked on the bed and pounced on her instantly. It was a big fight.

I had a shoe in my hand and I hit her with it, and she fought back. But what pained me most was that she mocked and insulted me as she fought back.

For example, after I had slapped her the first time, I tried to slap her again, but

she held my hand and asked me: “When was the last time you had sex with your husband? When last were you intimate with your so-called husband? Are you even sure he is still your husband?”

Her words stung me. It was like a sword had pierced my heart. But everything she had said was the truth. Even though the hotel staff threw my husband’s mistress out of the hotel, I went home that day feeling guilty.

The fact was that after I had given birth to our last child, I practically stopped having sex with my husband.

I refused to let him touch me on most occasions and I didn’t care about his feelings.

I realized that my husband had taken a mistress for himself because I had neglected him instead of fulfilling my duty as a good wife to sexually satisfy my husband.

I realized that my husband’s mistress had done me good in the sense that she had at least told me the truth about the problem I had created in my marriage.

And that realization made me resolve to change for the better. Her taunting words literally changed my life.

I now do everything expected of a good wife to please her husband. And I’m glad that my husband now looks much happier than he ever was and spends more time with me indoors whenever he visits, rather than going on suspicious outings and fake business trips.

Your say: Have your say about this love confession. Call 08131161840 or 07031028714.

34

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

Relationship and Love Advice

‘She left me for my friend’ Dear Love Doctor,

LOVE SEARCH Women seeking relationship/marriage Rosemary, 31, from Anambra based in Abuja, self employed, good looking & homely, needs an educated, godly, comfortable man from the East between 32-45 years strictly for marriage.

08161186244.

Annie, 32, a graduate, christian, single mum in Lagos, wants a man between the ages of 37-55 years; literate and working, a Christian, either single, widowed or divorced for a relationship. 09026823456 or 08168485612.

A single mother needs a responsible man for a relationship. 08140599563.

Uchechi, 36, a graduate, tall, fair, needs a tall, fair, graduate, Igbo evangelist, pastor or God fearing Igbo man for marriage.

08052366993.

Godsgift, Igbo, orphan, undergraduate, a devoted Christian, homely and trusted, wants a serious widower that is educated, comfortable and a true pentecostal Christian man of 35-38 years for marriage. +234 706 565 8063.

Wunmi, works in Lagos, needs a working Yoruba man from 32-45 years who attends Cherubim & Seraphim for marriage.

09075839386.

Joy, 30, graduate, tall, light in complexion, from Kogi, living in Kaduna, wants a responsible graduate, Christian man within 35-42 years for marriage.

08127651483.

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014.

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng.

Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840 for Counseling, fertility problems & Direct Hookup.

Men seeking relationship/marriage

I

’m going to start from the beginning. This girl and I have been best friends for about a year and she always came to me with her problems and stuff. She recently broke up with her boyfriend of 3 years and she wanted me to be there for her since she took it hard.

This happened about 2 months ago. I always had feelings for her but since I respect others’ relationships, I kept those feelings to myself but everyone including her knew I liked her. Now for the past 2 months we got really close and she made it clear she liked me too. We hung out everyday, or she’d come over, and we would chat all day and all night.

We also did stupid stuff together like sing to each other at night and other romantic things.

Now, about a week and a half ago, she traveled and stopped responding to my texts and calls. During this time I noticed that my friend and her have been texting constantly but I wasn’t worried that much since my friend already had a crush on a different girl.

When my girl came back, all communication stopped. She stopped coming over and didn’t have time to hang out with me anymore.

Later she told me that she only wants to be my friend. That same day, my friend told me that he was taking her out to the movies and that I should not bother her anymore.

This was when I felt extremely betrayed by my friend and by my girl. If there’s any way I can get her back, I’d like to hear the advice.

Steven, from Anambra, in Lagos, wants a lady from 22 to 30 years for a serious relationship.

08081972446.

Gavin, 35, from Enugu, in Lagos, needs a female from 3045 years for a relationship that will take them to the future.

09039290091.

Frank, 27, in Enugu, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy. 08096522435.

Larry, 33, in Lagos, needs a beautiful and sweet mummy or widow for dating.

08101103008.

Ogbonna, 40, from Ebonyi, in Abuja, business man, needs a working class lady between 30-40 years for marriage.

09069054706.

Note: If you have fertility problems like childlessness, inability to conceive or get pregnant, miscarriages, fibroid, low sperm count, STDs, or need a male child or female? Call 08153536405, 08122352054. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/relationship.

Love Doctor’s advice: Dear Andy,

Y

Daniel, 25, student, needs a sugar mummy or a single mum in Minna, Abuja or Kaduna who can take care of his educational finance. 08167627446.

Eric, 30, from Anambra, in Lekki, Lagos, needs a lady who needs a man to get her pregnant. 08064558484.

Call Love Dr. 07031028714, 08131161840.

E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com

From Andy.

our so-called friend didn’t snatch her from you, because she went to him on her own accord. If she wanted to be your girlfriend, she would be. Simple.

She used you while she was grieving for her last re-

Goodheart wants a tall, fair, beautiful, working class Yoruba, Akwa-Ibom, Kogi or PortHarcourt lady for marriage.

08030725296

lationship, but when she got over it, she found someone else who she is attracted to.

I think you need to stay away from her. She’s not actually your friend and neither is he. Your circle of friends will understand and now you are going to find

out who your real friends are in your time of need. I am sorry that this happened to you, but you will get over this. Don’t waste your time.

Give your kindness and heart to someone who genuinely cares about you and wants it.

Love Question of the Week: A girl with phone number 08109233270 is asking: “Why do some men love breaking women’s hearts?”

35

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

It happened to me:

‘I Got My First STD on Valentine’s Day’ I

spent my last Valentine’s Day with my first (STD) primary genital herpes outbreak — technically, HSV2. I almost wrote “suffering” there instead of “spent,” but I’m not writing this for a pity party; I’m writing it so everyone can celebrate the fact that about a fifth of the population of the US has HSV-2. Yay! So, how did I get it? What dirty nooks and crannies did I find myself in prior to the diagnosis? Does it matter? I can tell you it was from protected sex; at least the actual penetration by the penis was protected. But everything before that was raw. And fantastic.

I’m one of those people who can actually say I took STI precautions and still ended up bedridden due to one.

And I didn’t care too much about what had happened, until the guy who gave it to me went silent.

We spent time together. Good nights. Good days. A fun, memorable hike in the snow where we found a liquor store and both took shots of whiskey to warm us up. I enjoyed spending time with him. It was a nice release. We shared old friends in common, and I was happy hanging out with him.

But it wasn’t all fun. Our visit together ended up being awkward at times, and we both realized we were ready to go our separate ways. It happened quickly, and we didn’t speak of how we would proceed moving forward.

We just left it as is.

But, then, the day he left, my vagina started feeling off. I know my vagina well, like I hope that any other 33-year-old woman does, and it felt messed up. I had never experienced this before, but wasn’t surprised, really. I was 33 and had somehow made it this long without an STI. The symptoms got worse. Large, open sores began to cover my most beloved lady-parts, and I found myself in stirrups with a fever on the day of my fun women’s clinic staff retreat. (Life is funny, huh?)

“So, what brings you in?” my adorable gynecologist muttered while glancing over my chart.

“Well, I think I am having my first herpes outbreak. I have a fever, I’m very sore, and my vagina is covered with open sores. I know what it is.

I just had sex for a few days with a new-ish partner. We used condoms, but only for actual intercourse.”

“Okay, let me take a look,” the doctor said. “Well, yes. It does look like exactly how you described it. This is definitely a new exposure.”

“I work at a women’s clinic so I know the routine, and how the sob stories don’t matter, and that its actually just a cold sore on my vagina,” I said, “but I loved my perfect pussy before today. I really did.”

Did I really say that to the doctor?

I did. I wasn’t concerned about how or why I caught what I did. I had sex, I knew the risks. I was more daunted by the idea of my pretty perfect vagina being tampered with.

I reached out to the guy who I spent the time with and who I had most likely contracted it from. At first,

he was somewhat responsive: “Oh, you’re getting tested? Let me know what you find out. I’ll get tested, and I’ll let you know my results, too.” Then he responded to an email with, “This sucks.”

To which I said “Yeah, ya think? It really does suck.”

And then he went silent.

I emailed. I asked. I knew that what I was experiencing was an initial outbreak from new exposure. I didn’t want explanation. I wanted to laugh about it with someone; I wanted support. I told him that over and over again in a few emails and even a phone call.

My contact with him regarding this started casual. Hey, this is going on.

Wanted you to know. I never blamed him. I don’t think he would have ever harmed me knowingly. Herpes can lie dormant; many are carriers without knowing it. Not everyone has a fullblown initial outbreak like I did.

I emailed again with my test results, wanting to talk. Weeks went by and I never heard anything back.

My world started to spiral downward. This guy had violated me so badly at this point. I was physically healed, but I was hurting emotionally now. I finally hit rock bottom and contacted some mutual friends about the situation.

And then, suddenly, he responded to

me.

He said he also tested positive, and that he didn’t want to talk about it.

Ha! He didn’t want to talk about it?!

We haven’t spoken since.

I wanted to share this for a few reasons. For one, educate yourself on STIs, your risks, prevention, etc. Be aware and able to deal with the outcome if you don’t. Secondly, I was hurting for quite some time over

someone else’s silence. It crippled me.

I felt unheard, unworthy, dismissed. It was way worse pain than any sores.

I’ll never quite understand what happened there.

I know I stooped low by reaching out to our mutual friends about it, but I wanted to be acknowledged. My only hope is that he found a constructive way to deal with his issues around our situation.

Romantic Joke Playing Golf

A

married man was having an affair with his secretary. One day, their passions overcame them in the office and they took off for her house. Exhausted from the afternoon’s activities, they fell asleep and awoke at around 8 p.m. As the man threw on his clothes, he told the woman to take his shoes outside and rub them through the grass and dirt. Confused, she nonetheless complied and he slipped into his shoes and drove home. “Where have you been?” demanded his wife when he entered the house. “Darling,” replied the man, “I can’t lie to you. I’ve been having an affair with my secretary. I fell asleep in her bed and didn’t wake up until eight o’clock.” The wife glanced down at his shoes and said, “You liar! You’ve been playing golf!”

36

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

My L ve & Life

When love Is Blind, Things Happen…

THINGS of the heart tend to lend themselves to several outcomes, the expected, the unexpected, and total surprise, IFY ARONU, charming, chatty, clever, leads us through the corners and curves of love which we daily sojourn in blindfolds of emotions. Where love is involved, she suggests partial blindness, though as partial salvation, solution. She warns that the desire for a good marriage could be a debacle…

Y

OU desire a great marriage of more good memories than bad, right! Well, trends have shown that only a few of us will ever have that ideal marriage story that we all crave so dearly. While thousands of marriages are annulled daily, some couples wake up under the same roof day-by-day knowing that their marriages are long over and it’s only a matter of time before the bubble finally bursts. How sad!

To lose your marriage is easier than to keep it, little wonder then that many lose it ever before they can keep it. Love is blind, they say, but I say, blind love is stupid. Don’t challenge me until you’ve met my dear friend, Susan, a victim of blind love, stupid love.

It was only a few days to her wed-

ding and she was tying up loose ends.

John, her intended, was a banker, a comfortable one at that. He was in fact a consolation after her beloved Charles dealt her poor heart doses of misery and left. She had since picked the pieces; all thanks to John, moving on was easier. Everything was taking shape for the wedding and Susan was again at Mabel’s, her designer, to fit her classy wedding dress for the umpteenth time. Looking absolutely resplendent, she made faces at the mirror with squeaks of laughter in between.

“You look angelic”, said Mabel, admiringly.

“Thank you”, sang Susan in response.

Just then, her phone rang and surprisingly it was him, not John but

Charles, her ex. What does he want, she thought, her heart racing. Didn’t he say she wasn’t his type after all those years of waiting and hoping for a happy ending? Why was he calling her only days to her big day after making her feel worthless and small?

Or could it be that he was only calling to wish her a happy married life? “How dare him”, she fumed.

By this time, the call had ended but she was still staring blankly at the screen of the phone, her countenance now cold.

“Hope all is well”, asked Mabel visibly concerned.

“Oh no, not at all”, lied Susan.

She was now fiddling with the wedding dress zipper as though she couldn’t wait to get out of it. Mabel lent a hand and soon Susan was free and in her own clothes. Bidding her farewell, Susan left the shop in a mad rush; all she wanted was to lie in her bed, there were too many memories playing in her head and the nagging question, “why did Charles call?”

Now home, she could neither sleep nor rest, her mind was full, full of him!

His call came yet again and again and when she could bear it no more, she took it in anger to scream at him for daring to ever call and then she froze!

“My baby love”, he fondly called.

Still reeling from the very effect of those words, Susan could barely speak, and when she finally did, it was just a faint “hi”.

The rest, they say, is history. Did the wedding hold? Of course! Did Susan marry John? You bet she did! It’s been six years but if you ask me why a DNA report now proves that Susan’s first child is not her husband’s, I would tersely say, blind love is stupid love.

The reality is that Susan is only one of the millions of victims of stupid love out there because if a wider search were carried out, many marriages will not stand the findings.

It only takes blind love to give one last night as souvenir and farewell package to your ex. Of course, blind loves considers it as right and no big deal; after all, you both had lots of sex in the past so what’s the difference? Then, blind love shuts out guilt and rather welcomes flood of stupidity. It doesn’t remind you to at least take caution by protecting yourself but burdens you with lifetime secrets right from the start of your marriage.

Blind love rips your marriage apart and questions your worth as a parent before your own children in the future.

If you still insist that love is blind, I give it to you. But it’s only wise to note that the reason why we have a pair of eyes is to at the worst be blind in just one of them.

For commendations, recommendations, condemnations, please email: ifyaronu@gmail.com

37

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 3, 2017

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom (08162016410)

Death of spouse part 3

You need to make your will now before it’s too late

T

HE WILLS Act of 1837 which later was amended as WILLS Laws of various states introduced the first formal will in Nigeria by its provisions. Formal Will are distinguished from customary will or nuncupative – that is the will made by a dead person orally at the time he suspects that death is inevitable in his life.

This was why in my first series I drew attention to the distinction between statutory law and customary law. I received a phone call from one of my readers who informed me that his father married in the statutory form of marriage in Lagos State, owned most of his estates in Lagos state, lived all his life in Lagos state, but was honoured with a chieftaincy ti-

tle in his village in Delta state of Nigeria before his death but his uncles of different surnames with his father who know fully well the existence of the statutory marriage and even attended all the series of engagements and the actual statutory marriage at the death of his father seized all his father’s documents, drove them away from their father’s estates and instituted outsiders to be enjoying their father’s efforts on earth and that him, his mother and other siblings are tenants in people’s houses while their father has mansions, property and costly cars everywhere in Lagos State. According to him, his so-called uncles applied the Customary Law of Delta State Town of his origin to distribute his father’s estates even to their

Case 1:

How much will a lawyer charge me to write my will?

own children who they now tagged as his father’s children born outside his marriage secretly but now made public and accepted by them the indigenes of his town as his father’s children who must have shares in their late father’s estates. Most annoyingly was that they ‘stole’ his father’s dead body from the hospital, imposed an impostor who claimed to be the man’s first son, not accepted by the man for over fifty years that the impostor is to parade himself as the deceased first son and conducted a secret burial of his father without the rightful family and even against their wishes. They never saw the corpse of their father and how it was buried.

This is a very sympathetic development

which should have been prevented by his very wealthy father if he had been wise enough to consult a lawyer around him to make and prepare a will of his desire before death struck him. I am sure that if the dead can rise again he would have risen to fight those ‘gold-diggers’ who are now celebrating with his wealth. A very simple transaction with a lawyer could have put a check on this annoying and provocative attitude of opportunist relatives. Are you in such a situation as this my caller or need to correct your own mistakes now that you are alive? You may wish to phone in as my caller or email me or consult a lawyer around you as experts to assist you put things right. *Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

Case 2: Can a blind person make a will?

Dear Lawyer,

I

really intend to write my will now because I have a large family and I don’t want my family members to fight and disagree with each other in the event that God calls me to be with Him in heaven. I would not like my wife and children to remember me with shame. Therefore I will like to know how much it will cost me to get a lawyer to help me write or make my will.

From, Chief Azuka Lagos

Lawyer’s Answer:

Dear Chief Azuka,

D

I

am a blind man and I was informed by my elder brother about your writing on wills and its importance to me. I would like to make a will for my family but I want to know if I can make one in view of my handicap so that what my lawyer makes will be my real wish or intention.

From, Joseph Plateau State

Lawyer’s Answer: on’t bother about how much a lawyer will charge you to make your will because it certainly will not be too much. What a lawyer charges for helping you write or make your will depends on where you live and how complicated your family and financial circumstances are. Therefore a lawyer may charge anything reasonable for

Dear Lawyer,

a will and other basic estate planning documents.

However, it’s very common for a lawyer to charge a flat fee to write a will and other basic estate planning documents. You’ll have to discuss with a lawyer and negotiate with him to find out what the cost will be for you.

Call me if you need help.

Dear Joseph,

T

hanks for your interesting mail. Yes as a blind person you can make a will but it must be shown that it was read severally to you to your understanding before the affixing of your seal or fingerprints on it.

As a blind person, you cannot attest a will because your disability makes it impossible.

A lawyer know exactly how to handle your matter; he will draft a JURAT for you.

My advise always is that people should consult the experts – lawyers who know the best and who are not as expensive as people think. Call on me for more detailed explanations or consult a lawyer.

Lawyer Jokes

The Cows

A

farmhand consulted a lawyer. He had long tended the late farmer’s cows, and believed they would his when the farmer died. Now the farmer’s son claimed ownership.

“I’ll take your case,” said the lawyer, “Don’t worry about the cows.”

The next day the farmer’s son came in. The cows were raised on his land, he said, they should be his.

“I’ll take your case,” said the lawyer, “Don’t worry about the cows.”

Later, his secretary asked, “How can the cows belong to both?”

“Don’t worry about the cows,” the lawyer said. “The cows will be ours.”

The Duck

A

lawyer went duck hunting for the first time in Texas. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer’s field on the other side of the fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing.

The litigator responded, “I shot a duck, it fell into this field, and now I’m going to retrieve it.”

The old farmer replied, “This is my property and you are not coming over here.”

The indignant lawyer said, “I am one of the best trial attorneys in the U.S. and if you don’t let me get that duck, I’ll sue you and take everything you own.”

The old farmer smiled and said, “Apparently, you don’t know how we do things in Texas. We settle small disagreements like this

with the Texas Three-Kick Rule.”

The lawyer asked, “What is the Texas Three-Kick Rule?”

The Farmer replied, “Well, first I kick you three times and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up.” The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.

The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the city feller. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy work boot into the lawyer’s groin and dropped him to his knees. His second kick nearly wiped the man’s nose off his face.

The barrister was flat on his belly when the farmer’s third kick to a kidney nearly caused him to give up.

The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet and said, “Okay, you old coot! Now, it’s my turn!”

The old farmer smiled and said, “No, I give up. You can have the duck.”

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Chief Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya): Nollywood scripts lack content CHIEF CHIKA OKPALA is the famed Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30 in the popular rested national sitcom, The New Masquerade. In the heydays of television series and local content production in Nigeria, he was the lead character of the comedy series that obviously stood out from the rest. In this interview with JONATHAN AWANYAI, the popular comedian who hails from Nnobi in Anambra State reveals that the idea was to ease the induced tension of the civil war. He also speaks on the problems of the movie industry in Nigeria and why he has not been a part of it.

WHAT is your assessment of the Nollywood industry?

ple just jump into it and begin to talk anyhow. There is a need for them to package themselves properly and people will begin to look up to them. It is not about going to an occasion to crack a joke and people begin to laugh and you think you have been accepted!

No.

T

HE script we see in Nollywood lacks content. The standard is poor. They are no longer as weighty as they used to be. Previously, scripts used to very much exciting and you want to see more. These days, it looks as if they are repeating the same thing. I expect that they should be able to present to the public a much-researched work. A lot has to do with going into research of the stories before presenting it. They just come out hurriedly.

Even if it is the same story, it should be presented in a way that it becomes exciting again. The stories that Nollywood presents to the public these days are not properly researched. The veterans find it uninteresting. The scriptwriters have a lot of work to do. We do not want a situation where a writer quarrels with his wife today and tomorrow he wants to put it on air and wants us to act without asking questions like what has happened, why should people see this movie, what lessons will the viewers learn? If it doesn’t have morals some of us are not interested.

So, it becomes difficult for me to follow the present day producers whose interest is in how to make money and not in how to produce quality content. Some want to show blood blood blood. That is why I have not been closely involved in Nollywood. I want to see a movie that will bring out our people from the woods and bring them into limelight. You do not rush into production because you want to make money but because you want to tell a story that will change the lives of people positively. They don’t know the rudiments of producing a movie or even having the expertise of theatre.

All they want is to tell a little story between a man and his wife and go, just to make money. Instead of allowing the producer to do his work, they keep begging to choose for him who will appear, not minding the professionalism of the persons. They want to use known faces so that they can continue making millions. They don’t give opportunities to younger ones who are very talented.

That is why you keep on seeing almost same movies with same faces, making the films look monotonous.

Actually during our time, you would not be allowed to appear on Village Headmaster when you are on Samanja unless you are a special guest star. You

would not see me on Village Headmaster unless as a guest star and they would say that a guest from New Masquerade, Chief Zebrudaya is a guest star on Village Headmaster. Aluwe, Bello, Jide Kosoko featured as guest stars on New Masquerade. I also went to them and was featured. We didn’t hold grudges among ourselves the way it is today.

Other problems of Nollywood: Apart from the issue of content, what is worthy of note is the professionalism, production and the equipment. Now, everybody wants to act because they feel that there is money in acting whether they know what to do or not. There is mediocrity in the system because everybody wants to come out and have a bite of the cake. Formerly, people used to take their time to practice. Again, our latest industry, the comedy industry, peo-

What was the idea of the New Masquerade?

The New Masquerade was a satire aimed at correcting the ills in the society. The plan was also to ease the tension in the country, which was induced by the civil war. The character Zebrudaya is a man of character who is associated with standing firm on the truth. His character is moulding the youths for a better Nigeria. His character is such that everybody admires and looks forward to seeing him, meeting him, shaking hands with him and interacting with him all the time. And he has never disappointed anybody who came across him. So, he has an open mind, and indeed, his character is open-minded. He always wants the best for the people. He is a social critic, and being a social critic, he is not with prejudice.

I have not seen that kind of production again. Sometimes in the city or village where we go to perform, they would send their traditional council to us with a welcome address and to tell me, Chief Zebrudaya what to tell the government as if government sent me to come and perform for them and find out what is their problem. As much as possible, when we go back to our writing board we look at the issues they raised and also try as much as possible to carry them along.

Why do we not see your productions on the screen or in the market?

My problem is the issue of money; otherwise you would have been seeing my productions on the screen or in the market depending on who is sponsoring me. I am prepared to come back, the older the better. It is quite difficult to convince our people or to find a sponsor otherwise you should have been seeing my productions in the market or on the screen.

When I produce, I keep them--they are there in Enugu. We have the capacity to produce good television shows but when you don’t get sponsorship you can’t afford to pay the producers, director, or even the other cast and crew. So, the major challenges I have is sponsorship because what I have in my head is too much.

What have you been up to lately?

I went back to school to repackage myself. I went for a master’s degree in Business Administration and also in Mass Communication. I was not going to use the certificates to get a job but for myself and the kind of industry I belong to. Now, I am fully packaged and I can come out better.

What is your assessment of Federal Government’s impact on Nollywood?

Federal government is gradually looking into it. I mean that they are beginning to respect the industry. The past government was quite interested and tried to harness some of the financial benefit of the industry. They also ensured that the country is being propagated outside. People are beginning to know more about our culture as it is being projected by our entertainers.

What is your plan in the next five years?

I want to produce a radio and television series. I am also looking at grooming the younger artistes. I also want to open up a radio and television station in Enugu.

What’s your advice to the youth who look up to you?

I advise those who would love to have a better view of the screen to put on a third eye because entertainment is not just reading the script and reproducing what you find in the script. It is for you to interpret it and see what is in the script. Try and identify faults and if you do that you are stepping into the shoes of professionals.

They should know that they are not just coming to make money but should also be interested in what positive impact they can make in the industry.

39

The Oracle Today Wednesda May 3, 2017

ENTERTAINENT Gist

Why I’m organising D’Lyte & Stars –D’Lyte

A

S THE countdown continues, organizer of D’Lyte & Stars, D’Lyte has shared the reasons why she founded the show, which holds on April 22 at Freedom Park, Lagos.

“My passion for good quality and prosperity in our industry gave birth to D’lyte and the stars, a platform where stars both new and old stars are celebrated.

The old ones are meant to motivate the new ones. It is a pity that great talents are fading all because they do not have the resource or sponsors or promote their craft while the ones that are not real and deep are seen and heard,” D’Lyte lamented to TS Weekend.

“I may not have all that it takes to groom talents but I will always create platforms for talented acts by God’s special grace.

This is because I was once in their shoes and I know where and how they pinch,” D’Lyte added.

Chineze Anyaene ties the knot!

C

Okafor’s Law heats up the Cinema Box Office

D

ESPITE the setbacks it faced including a lawsuit, Omoni Oboli’s latest movie, Okafor’s Law is currently rocking the box office and poised to set new records.

Okafor’s Law opened to cinema lovers on Friday, March 31 and has displaced all other

movies, including the Hollywood movies such as John Wick, Beauty and the Beast, Kung: Skull Island, Life, Logan and others.

Said a Nollywood source: “Halls were sold out and additional halls were allotted in Ibadan, Ilorin, Kano and other cinemas. The movie is arguably the highest selling movie at the Nigerian cinemas right now.”

Meanwhile, Omoni Oboli, who has been touring different cinemas across different states in Nigeria, has expressed surprise at how the fans accepted the movie despite initial setback.

“Actors in Okafor’s Law have been visiting the cinemas at different locations and we have all been surprised at the reception from fans across the country. Truth be told,

the tickets have been sold out everywhere we went and we just want this to continue for as long as possible. I am grateful to God for his blessings”, Omoni Oboli said.

Okafor’s Law tells the story of Terminator (Blossom Chukwujekwu), a known playboy who was challenged that he could not sleep with three of his exes who had moved on.

He has to carry out the bet in less than 21 days. He decided to prove the existence of Okafor’s Law but his quest revealed more than he bargained for.

Okafor’s Law is a drama, comedy and thriller starring Toyin Abraham, RMD, Tina Mba, Ufuoma Mcdermott, Yvonne Jegede, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Gabriel Afolayan, Ken Erics, Halima Abubakar and Omoni Oboli herself who doubles as director.

At last, MCSN licensed as collection society

A

FTER YEARS of struggling and fighting to be recognized, recently, the NCC caved in following a directive from the Honorable Attorney General of The Federation & Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, which directed the NCC to grant MCSN, license to operate as a collection society.

And the words of boss of Westside Records, Solomon Arueya, who doubles as a Board

member of MCSN aptly captures the mood in the creative industry following the recent nod given by the Federal Government for MCSN to resume operations as a collection society breaking COSON’s seven year monopoly.

“It is a welcome development.

I have tasted both sides and I am settling for MCSN. From my experience in the past, MCSN has what it takes to deliver as a collection society. This move by

the Federal Government is most laudable. Because there is competition now, COSON will be forced to reform and improve on its services. Stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment space never had it so good,” Arueya told The Oracle Today during a press conference by MCSN to formerly commence operations.

For ex-PMAN president and Board member, MCSN, Tee Mac, it is a big victory:

HINEZE ANYAENE — remember her, the Executive Director and co proprietor of Stella Maris Schools turned movie producer, who made one of Nigeria’s highest grossing movies entitled IJE: The Journey, starring Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji?

Feelers reaching The Oracle Today indicate that the moviemaker is now a happily married woman.

Sources say the film-maker got married to her beau, Chibuzor Abonyi in a private ceremony at a registry in

Abuja, after which she and her hubby held a traditional marriage which was graced by family, close friends and select guests.

Revealed a source: “Although private, the traditional ceremony could be described as nothing but lavish and would surely be the talk of town for a long while as the couple stunned guests with exotic drinks and assorted dishes.”

Anyaene’s Ije heralded Nollywood’s Box Office era, grossing over N60m at the cinemas in 2010.

40

The Oracle Today, May 3, 2017

ENTERTAINENT

Omotola, Kate-Henshaw for Womens’ Conference

A

CTRESSES, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde and Kate Henshaw are among notable personalities lined up to address issues affecting women at the Sexually Confident Women (SCW) conference scheduled for June 25, at the Renaissance Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Themed Self Love, the event is organised by REB 360 Media and aimed at bringing women together with a view to emo=phasising the importance of self love both in achieving greatness in the bedroom and boardroom. Mrs. Tope Mark Odigie, the convener and co-host of the programme Your View on TV Continental (TVC), explained that the conference would be interactive as there would be line of experienced speakers to comment on the issue.

Jalade-Ekeinde, will talk on her journey through motherhood and its impact on her body and the process of loving herself, while Henshaw will discuss how physical fitness helped her fall more in love with herself.

Other speakers include a gynaecologist, who will proffer medical solutions to women on sex and understanding their hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, and a psychologist who will talk on

women and therapy; among others.

According to Odigie, about 350 women are expected to be in attendance. “We hope to build a support system for women, break the silence

on sex and encourage one other.

Many women struggle with weight gain, low sex drive, low self-esteem and many other issues. Our speakers will share their journey to self-love

Tega drops Shower of Blessing

By CHRISTIAN AGADIBE

F

AST RISING SINGER, Tsegha Paul Terhide aka Tega has dropped a single entitled Shower of Blessings.

According to the Engineering graduate from the Federal University of Agriculture Markurdi, his passion for music was as result of his dream to contribute positively to the development of mankind.

“The zeal towards reaching out to so many people at the same time motivated me into music. I always want to leave a legacy behind; always desired to have a one-on-one-connection with the world. Thank God I am blessed with this talent for music.”

Talking about his new single, the Benue born singer added: “Showers of Blessing is basically talking about God`s blessing upon me, my family and friends in spite of the challenges and hate from the world. We all know that this world is a wicked place. I chose that title because that`s what the song is all about.”

He disclosed that the song has earned massive airplay from both television and Radio stations. In his word: “So far so good the acceptance has been positive. In less than 24hours, the had more than 8000 views on YouTube. It is presently playing on Hiptv, Planet TV and Soundcity. I get calls from many fans appreciating my work. The response has been overwhelming!”

and how it has positively impacted their sex-life,” she said.

She also called for sponsorship from corporate organisations and wellmeaning Nigerians to be part of the ground-breaking event

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

PEOPLE

How I transformed from selling in wheelbarrow to a successful entrepreneur – Chukwuogo Victor Chukwuogo Okwudili, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of VOC Resources Nigeria Limited, in this exclusive interview with The Oracle Today, narrates how he moved from petty trading using wheel barrow at the ever busy Oyingbo Bus Stop to become the owner of a thriving food processing and packaging company. It is an inspiring story of rising from grass to grace.

According to Chukwuogo, the strong desire to make a different in his line of business led him into becoming the first Nigerian to delve into processing and packaging of local food items for local consumption and export.

He recounts how he was frustrated after going to Dubai to purchase bangles and lost his money including the one he borrowed from people as a result of the fake products he bought in Dubai. MADUABUCHI KALU reports.

Could you describe to us what you do?

We are into local food processing, packaging and marketing. We are also into mentorship in agribusiness and export. We also serve as resource persons on agribusiness and export of local food items, seminars and workshops.

How did it all start?

I started my business at the Oyingbo Market. As a matter of fact, I started by selling egusi and ogbono at the Oyingbo Bus Stop. I served my master for three years and he settled me with the sum of N20, 000 in 1996. After my master whom I served for three years had been settled me, I started my own business as an independent man dealing the same line of products I was trained in.

So, I was there just like many of my contemporaries. I would go to the market to purchase egusi and ogbono from different places and when I returned, I would take them to the ever-busy Oyingbo Bus Stop to sell on wheelbarrow. In the process of selling, different buyers would come, especially women; they would ask you to measure a derica of egusi or ogbono for them. Some would ask for either a tomato cup or milk cup, then you would sell to them. Some would come and whatever you measure to them they would not be satisfied. They would pour it back and demand that you measure it again and yet they would not be satisfied. So, at a point, I got frustrated about the whole thing as I kept asking myself, Victor, is it what you will keep doing throughout the rest of your life? Staying at the bus stop and exchanging words with some uncooperative women, whereas some other young men were travelling outside the country and bringing in electronics, clothes, shoes, motor spare parts, pharmaceutical products etc. Of course, we consider such people as the big boys and I wanted to be a part of the big boys’ league.

So, I was pondering over what I would be doing then, and just one day, as I was selling at the bus stop, I overheard one street urchin (area boy) telling his friend that he just returned from Dubai. I said what? That this area boy who had been collecting tolls from us went to Dubai? It was as if that was what I needed to hear to answer the question that I had been asking myself – whether selling at the Oyingbo Market Bus Stop is what I really wanted to do all my life.

As I heard that, I immediately went to the area boy and told him that I was interested in going to Dubai. Right there, he asked me whether I had international passport and I said no! He said I should get international passport and I went into action immediately. I acquired international passport and I went to him to inform him that I then had interna-

tional passport. He said ok that he would call someone in Dubai so that he would assist me when I get to Dubai, and that was how I saw myself flying to Dubai.

I was so happy when I got to Dubai, being my first time of travelling outside the shores of Nigeria. Before I left for Dubai, I had planned to buy children’s wears there, but the guy I was with advised that I should buy bangles so that I could just put them in my handbag which would not attract any cost, and I agreed.

When I returned, I went to the Oyingbo Bus Stop to market the bangles, but to my greatest surprise, I was told by the women that the ones I bought were not original. Some said had it been that I told them what I wanted to do, they would have informed me of the type of bangles that I would purchase. To cut the long story short, I lost the money that I used in buying those bangles including over N1million I borrowed from people.

It was a terrible experience as people were on my neck asking for their money.

When the heat became so much, I travelled home and at home I went to my pastor and narrated everything to him and he prayed for me and said I must return to Lagos. So, I returned to Lagos and pleaded with those that I owed assuring them that I would pay them their money and God touched their hearts and they had mercy and started giving me goods (egusi and ogbono) on credit, and when I sold I returned their money until I finished paying all the debts I owed them.

I continued with the business at Oyingbo Bus Stop and yet my spirit was not at rest as I want to do something else rather than selling at the Bus Stop.

As I was pondering on what to do, my mind raced to some of the things I saw

Egusi

Chukwuogo in Dubai. I remembered I never saw any of their food items being displayed without cover. I remembered I saw their food items well packaged, but here in Nigeria,

Ogbono

it is exposed in the open market where flies and other insects perch on them.

At the same time, I remembered that when I was small and was living in Agbor in Delta State, we used to package water in nylon bags, which we used to call “ice water” and sell to people. Then there was nothing like the present day sachet water, which has taken over the streets of Nigeria.

So, one day I was just pondering over what to do outside of selling at the busstop as I was not satisfied with selling at the bus stop. I really wanted to make a difference even if it was in the same business; I wanted to be different. As I was pondering over what to do to make that difference, I slept off and I had this vision of packaging the egusi and ogbono.

When I woke up, I told myself that this is what I am going to do. So, I called my printer to start printing labels for me and I bought sealing machine.

When I got to my printer, there was one woman with him and she was just sitting and was not interfering with our discussion as I narrated what I wanted to do to my printer. And after listening to me, my

Continued on page 42

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

PEOPLE

Chukwuogo: From selling in wheelbarrow to a successful entrepreneur his business. And for you to expand your business, you need money. As for me, if the government is serious or desirous of helping the SMEs, they should ensure that genuine entrepreneurs are given loans at affordable interest rates. A situation where interest rates are not friendly is not encouraging.

Moreover, all those conditions attached to the loans are not good enough.

Take for instance, a situation whereby somebody who is struggling to establish a small outfit is asked to deposit documents for a landed property; it does not show that we are serious. So, if people who are asked to deposit documents for their landed properties have such things, why should they even want to approach the government or banks for loans? They will certainly sell them and set up whatever they want to set up and when they start making money they will buy other properties.

Continued from page 41

People over the years have always complained that money is the greatest hindrance to starting up a business, what is your take on that?

I totally disagree with the notion that if you want to go into business the first thing you have to think about or look for is money. That is not true because I am a living example. However, I am not saying that money is not important but that should not be the greatest challenge one should have.

For me, I think that for anyone who wants to become a small and medium entrepreneur, passion is what he needs more than any other thing because it is the passion that will drive the business.

Who are the people you look up to in business?

I look up to people like Cosmas Maduka, the CEO of Coscharis Motors. He is somebody whose life story is almost like my own, and today, look at where he is.

Do you know that there was a point in his life when he had no money anywhere and he took up a scale somebody gave him as a wedding gift and started going from place to place asking people to measure their weight and he would collect five naira for the service? He never gave up because he knew the type of vision he had and he was determined to achieve his set target and today he is a big success story. He even did that here at Oyingbo Market.

What is your advice to people who look up to you as their role model?

My advice to people who are looking up to me as their role model is that they should not lose focus in whatever thing they feel strongly about or on what they want to do. They should remain focused and work towards meeting their set targets. There is no setback that should make them lose focus of what they want to achieve in life. If you remain focused and determined, God will certainly grant you the grace to achieve your goal.

Chukwuogo

“

For me, I think that for anyone who wants to become a small and medium entrepreneur, passion is what he needs more than any other thing because it is the passion that will drive the business. Money for me is a secondary issue.

It is the passion you have for what you want to do that matters most.

“

printer encouraged me that it was a good idea since nobody was doing that. When my products were ready, I was taking the packaged egusi and ogbono to people to buy, and little by little, people started patronizing my products and today I give God the glory.

As I was selling the products, trying to create awareness for them, one day my printer called me and said that someone was in his office and wanted to see me. I went to see him to know the person who wanted to see me since I had no appointment with anybody that would take place at my printer’s place. When I got there, I saw the same woman who was sitting the day I was telling my printer about the vision I had.

The woman told me that she is a wife of a pastor, that after she left that day, the spirit told her to come and inform me that the vision is from God. It was like somebody poured cold water on me and I said, well if the vision is from God, what am I waiting for? I went in full force into the processing and packaging of egusi and ogbono and by then for local consumption.

One day, I was reading a newspaper when I saw an advertisement by the British High Commission talking of exhibition. I quickly went to the High Commission to make inquiries concerning the exhibition, and when I got there, I told them why I was there and showed them my products. They were amazed; they asked me whether I produced them here in Nigeria and I said yes. They asked me whether I have Passport and I said yes.

They asked me to go and bring the passport, and when I brought it, they gave me six months visa. They took us to London City, Coventry City and Middleborough City. I spent three months there. This food processing and packaging business has taken me to different parts of the world including the United States of America, Turkey, South Africa and Japan.

Our participation in United States Agency for International Development (USAID) exhibition in Baltimore, Maryland, has helped us immensely as USAID has set up a factory for us. Before the American exhibition, we were producing in a small shop, but after the USAID exhibition, they came here and set up a factory for us. As we speak, our shop is in Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.

We are not only in the processing and packing of our agricultural products, we are also into mentorship. We mentor people who want to go into agricultural products processing, packaging and marketing. We serve as resource persons at seminars and workshops.

Money for me is a secondary issue. It is the passion you have for what you want to do that matters most. Take for example, if you are a football player, when you start, it is not money that is the motivating factor, but the passion you have that will be pushing you to continue playing the game even when nothing is coming in. It is the passion that will bring the

money at last. So, that is the way it is with business as well.

Which area would you like government to help those who are desirous of going into SMEs? The area I would like government to assist the SMEs is finance. There is no entrepreneur who does not like to expand

Where do you see yourself in the next couple of years, say five to 10 years time?

I think that we would like to be a global business outfit in the next five years and not 10 years because 10 years is too long a period. We would love to be a global business that will be known the world over.

What are you doing to ensure that your products are also seen in various supermarkets in the Southeast and South-South as is seen here in Lagos?

You see our business is a chain type of business. It is not something that one person can do alone. We cannot be the ones playing the music and at the same time be the ones dancing to the music. It is not possible.

We would like to have people, particularly the young ones who are unemployed, who are looking for what to do to come and become our distributors in the East and South-South and by so doing start making a living from doing that.

Like I said earlier, this is not a business that one person or organization can do alone. It is a chain business that involves a whole lot of people.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

HEALTH

How to fight cancer through reading –DG Library Board

AS they say, there are many ways to kill a rat.

KELVIN MACROY extrapolates that statement and declares that among many ways to fight cancer is through reading and, to that end, library facilities come handy.

A

LTHOUGH their vision and mission statement may be to provide information at the shortest possible time to users or to provide first class 21st century information services to the residents of Anambra State through professional librarians, giving information on health issues and other related matters has also been added to the chores of the state library board.

All over the world, millions of people marked the World Cancer Day 2017 with the theme “We can; I can.”

It was a day to join forces to increase awareness, spur affirmative action and encourage all and sundry to be part of the big fight.

It is no longer news that early detection is the key to successful management of cancer, hence the need to continuously remind, sensitize and educate people on the causative factors of cancer, the life-style to be adopted, signs and symptoms to look out for, how to manage cancer and the need for routine screening.

Data available from Ibadan and Abuja cancer registries show an increasing number of children having various forms of cancer. With this information, it can be deduced that cancer is no respecter of age, hence the need to educate children and adults alike about cancer at schools, churches and communities.

The realization of this fact prompted Anambra State Library Board, Awka, to flag off cancer awareness campaign at the community library Adazi-Nnukwu, recently.

The campaign will take the State Library Board to the 11 libraries it runs across different communities in the state. Targets of the campaign are the youth, the married (male and female), widowers, widows and the general public who tend to get busy, such that they neglect to pay attention to their meals and health.

Theme adopted by the global community encourages the involvement of everyone in the fight against the deadly scourge. To this end, necessary measures have been put in place by the Anambra State Library Board to provide a free health check package for individuals of each of the designated communities.

Addressing the people of Adazi Nnukwu, the Director of Library Services, Anambra State Library Board, Nkechi Udeze advised them to al-

Adamu Adamu, Education Minister ways carry out self-examination for any abnormal changes in various parts of their body, including their breasts,

‘

Udeze, saddened by fading reading culture and continued use of ‘special’ centres for exams by students as encouraged by their parents, argued that such centres have become commonplace because students no longer read their books

‘

and stressed the importance of reporting any abnormality such as distended nipple, change of colour, fluid discharge and boils or lumps in their body. She also warned girls to desist from early sexual activity, saying it predisposes them to cervical cancer.

She noted that the common types of cancer in the country include prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, throat cancer, corolectal cancer and uterine cancer, adding that most cancer cases in the state and in the country generally reach advanced stage before being brought to medical attention, and advised people to pay attention to their body so as to be able to detect any changes early.

Udeze, who said Nigeria still faces high cancer burden, especially cervical, prostrate and breast cancer, listed the risk factors to include, intake of unwholesome food and unhealthy items, gene or family history, menstrual and reproductive history. She advised mothers to make natural food their medicine and desist from canned food, which contributes significantly to cancer.

On the use of the community library, the director urged students and retir-

ees to make good use of the library, adding that without reading and getting information, the brain becomes senile. She noted that in her several supervision visits, she met not even a single soul reading in the library. She, therefore, warned that libraries would be withdrawn from communities that feel they don’t have a need for them and taken to communities where there is such need.

Udeze, saddened by fading reading culture and continued use of “special” centres for exams by students as encouraged by their parents, argued that such centres have become commonplace because students no longer read their books. She frowned at the trend, observing that “special” centres have adversely affected the standard of education in Nigeria, as they make it possible for one to obtain certificates he or she cannot defend.

Udeze stated that the library board partners with communities so that the children in the rural areas will have the same opportunity as those in the urban areas even as she charged students to make good use of the library.

Earlier in her presentation, a nurse at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku, Awka, Mrs. Uche Ikenwa, hinted that cancer takes time to manifest and debunked the idea that cancer is mainly a disease of the female. She enumerated the causes of cancer to include tobacco use, diet, obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to sun and other types of radiation, white flour, alcoholism, viruses, infections, carbon monoxide from vehicles, genetically modified food, canned food and salted smoked food. She, however, added that the actual cause of cancer is the Human papilloma virus, which is a group of more than 150 related viruses. She advised people to take more of natural food and fruits especially apples and watermelons which she said contain vitamin D17.

Some of the possible signs of cancer she enumerated include sore or lumps, frequent urination and blood in urine, among others, and advised men above 40 years and girls above nine years to go for periodic urological test for early detection, adding that prostrate, breast and cervical cancers are among the major causes of death in men and women.

Ikenwa applauded Anambra State Library Board and the Ministry of Health for initiating the awareness campaign, and urged the people to do the needful to prevent cancer.

While fielding questions from participants, a medical officer from the State Secretariat Clinic Awka, Dr Chukwudi Onwuaghamba advised people to always go for a medical check-up before any medication, adding that by so doing, ailments like cancer, high blood pressure and others will be detected early and followed up.

In a chat later, the newly appointed Chairman of Library Board, Adazi Nnukwu, Mr Ejike Okafor, who was visibly happy, commended the State Library Board for their initiative and called on students and pupils in the area to use the library, adding that the library is a powerhouse of information.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

The

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45

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

Super Juve demystify Barca

I

Indomitable Lions can’t stop Eagles’ World Cup dream -Okumagba

•Says “Cameroon won Afcon due to Nigeria’s absence” Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

T

he Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba, has thrown his weight behind the Super Eagles to pick the sole ticket of Group B of the Africa World Cup Qualifying ticket.

According to him, the Indomitable Lions cannot stop the current Super Eagles squad from landing in Russia next year. Okugba explained that he based his confidence on the current form of the Super Eagles’ players who he said are doing well in their various clubs abroad.

The Delta borne Super Eagles No1 supporter said despite the Indomitable Lions winning this year’s continental Premier football fiesta in February, it does not translate that they would stop the red hot Eagles from landing in Russia.

He reminded those who are seeing the current African football kings as threat because their Nations Cup exploits that the continental championship is a different ball game to the World Cup. He disclosed that he does not expect an easy game in the double header encounter against the Lions in August.

“I am not disturbed about our double header game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. In any case why should I be bothered about the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon?”

Okumagba began.

“Cameroon cannot stop the Super Eagles from picking the sole ticket in our group. I don’t entertain any fears concerning our qualification because I am sure that Eagles will land in Russia next year.

“To start with, every member of our group has played two matches and out of the two games played already, the Super Eagles have garnered the maximum points of six while the Indomitable Lions have just two points coming from the two draws they have played.

“Now tell me why I should be both-

ered because of the Indomitable Lions? We got maximum points in Ndola against the Chipolopolo of Zambia against all expectations.

“Again, when we were about playing Algeria most people were afraid based on the fact that Algeria was ranked No1 in Africa by the world football governing body, FIFA. What happened, they were beaten in Uyo to confirm that the victory recorded in Ndola was not a fluke.

“I am not expecting easy games against the Cameroonians in August.

It is going to be tough because considering the role Amaju played in defeat of their son, Isa Hayatou, in the recent Caf elections, they would like to vent their anger on Eagles but that will be of no use because the Eagles will be

equal to the task.

“So, I don’t see Cameroon stopping us from being in Russia next year and I can assure you that the Nigerian Football Supporters Club would mobilize well to give them maximum support as they compete for honours in the Mundial,” Okumagba assured.

Speaking further, Okumagba declared that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were able to lift their fifth Afcon trophy due to the absence of the Super Eagles. He said had the Eagles been in Gabon the Cameroonians would not have reached the finals because they would have met the Eagles in their quest for the final and that would have been the end of the road for them.

“I can tell you that the World Cup is

a different ball game from the Africa Cup of Nations. The fact that Cameroon won the Afcon in February does not mean that they are going to take our leadership position of the group.

“And I want to say that the absence of Nigeria in Gabon gave the Cameroonians the cup. Had Nigeria qualified for the AFCON, I can assure you that Cameroon would not have reached the final in that competition because probably they would have met Nigeria along the way and that would have been the end of the road for them.

“Therefore, I want to put it on record that the absence of Nigeria gifted the Indomitable Lions the February Afcon trophy,” Okumagba declared.

Musa to wed 2nd wife, Juliet in July

By MADUABUCHI KALU with Agency report

I

t is no longer news that Nigerian and Leicester City star, Ahmed Musa has parted way with his wife and mother of his two children, Jamila. The rationale behind the devoice The Oracle Today Sports source reveals is unconnected with inreconcilable differences in their relationship.

However, the former CSKA Moscow forward has since moved on with his life as he has found love in one beautiful damsel by the name Juliet.

According to our reliable source, the Super Eagles and Leicester City star is head over heels in love with Juliet and he will marry her in July.

Continuing, our source disclosed that Musa has already done the traditional wedding introduction after he quit the Super Ea-

gles training camp in London last month. Our source said it had been whirlwind romance between the soccer star and Lagos-based graduate, Juliet so much so that any spare time Musa gets at his base in England; he is off to Lagos to spend it with Juliet.

Musa is one of the richest Nigeria football stars courtesy of his time at Russian army club, CSKA Moscow and his club record transfer to the Premier League with Leicester City.

In order to ensure that everything goes on well, our source disclosed that Musa has already bought his first house in Lagos on the back of this romance.

“She’s a tall, light-skinned, beautiful girl, someone you could call a Lagos big girl,” another source revealed.

Her family has finally given their blessing to the wedding after their initial reluctance that their daughter cannot be a second wife.

•Juliet

talian champions, Juventus on Wednesday demystified FC Barca to reach the semifinals of this year’s Uefa Champions League after a defensive master-class that held Barcelona to a frustrating goalless draw at Nou Camp on Wednesday to seal their place in the semifinal after having secured a 3-0 win in the first leg in Turin.

Having seen what happened in Turin, a lot people had predicted that it will extremely difficult for Barcelona to repeat the feat they achieved against PSG in the round of 16, when the Spanish giants did the unthinkable by off-setting a 4-0 defeating and advancing to the quarterfinals after scoring a five goals in Camp Nou without PSG getting one.

Many people who watched the game against PSG in Camp Nou believe that Barca’s victory was aided by the referee who didn’t hide his bias for the Spanish giants.

Those who strongly believe Barca cannot repeat the feat they achieved against PSG based their argument on the brand of Italian football which they say does not give room for the Spanish giants to offset the 3-0 deficit they recorded a fortnight ago in Turin.

And true to their prediction, despite the determination and desire of Barca to upturn the three goals disadvantage, the Old Lady as the Italian giants are known ensured that Barca did not even see a goal; no thanks to the superlative performance of the team, particularly the veteran goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon.

The Juventus victory against Barcelona was a sort of revenge as the Spanish giants prevented the Italian giants from advancing in the competition on their way to triumph, crashed out of the competition after stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar fail to find the net in 180 underwhelming minutes.

Of course, after advancing to the semifinals of the Champions League, the Italian Media went agog with different headlines such as “Fly Juve Fly” was the front page headline on Italy’s biggest-selling sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, which included a vignette showing teary-eyed Barca star Neymar being comforted by former club defender Dani Alves.

Corriere dello Sport used the same dramatic picture of Alves and Neymar to fully illustrate the Brazilian starlet’s disappointment.

“You made them cry,” screamed Corriere’s headline, while for Turin-based Tuttosport Juventus are simply “Unbeatable”.

Even Barcelona, outdone by Paulo Dybala’s impressive brace and Giorgio Chiellini’s 55th minute header in Turin last week, had to agree.

“Compliments to @Juventusfc for reaching the semifinal,” the Catalan club wrote on its official Twitter page.

To which Juventus replied: “Thank @FCBarcelona, it’s an honour to beat such a great opponent.”

For Barca defender Gerard Pique, though, the Italians showed enough over the two legs to merit another tilt at the trophy they last won in 1996 with a 4-2 penalties victory over Ajax.

“Over the two legs, they were better than us so they deserve to go through to the semifinals. I think they can win the Champions League this season,” said Pique.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

SPORTS Stoires by MADUABUCHI KALU

Ehiogu dies after suffering cardiac arrest

I

t is like the last has not been heard concerning the recent meeting held by the Hon Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, the presidents of the various sports federations and other stakeholders held in Kaduna.

According to The Oracle Today Sports impeccable source, Dalung ambushed the Federation Presidents by bring in some individuals who he had briefed on his target for the meeting which is to ensure that his plans of stopping some of the federation presidents who have served two terms and those who are members of international bodies are prevented from participating in the June 20 Federation Elections.

The Oracle Today Sports reliable source explained that the so called stakeholders had never been a part of such meetings, where the modalities for the elections are discussed. The source said the essence of bringing the stakeholders was to achieve the premeditated target of preventing certain individuals from contesting in the elections.

In the words of our source: “We were ambushed by the Hon Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung during our meeting with him in respect of the forthcoming Federation Elections,” our source began.

“The meeting we had with him was the first of its kind because some individuals who had never been a part of such this type of meetings were brought in as stakeholders. These are people who had already been briefed on the goal of the meeting which is to prevent certain people from contesting during the elections ensured that the goal of the meeting was achieved.

“The meeting was arranged to make it look as if it was a mutual agreement between the various federation presidents and the Hon Minister. And decisions reached in that meeting were through voice votes.

“The so called stakeholders who were brought in were to ensure that the plans of the Minister were accomplished and they were accomplished.

“With what happened at the meeting, we have problems in our hands. What do I mean by that? You may ask me. First and foremost, with the exclusion of certain individuals from participating in the June elections, Nigeria does not stand any chance of being elected into international bodies which these federations belong to.

“The new people that would be elected will not be known by the international bodies. And based on that, they would not want to elect

I

•Dalung

•Ogba

Last not heard of Dalung’s meeting with Fed presidents, stakeholders •As Ogba, Gumel, Ndanusa others shown exit door them into the international bodies because they don’t know them as they can’t trust them.

“Secondly, what transpired during that meeting runs contrary to the rules and regulations of the international bodies which these federations are affiliated to and if they get to hear or know about what happened in Kaduna, they will certainly ban these federations based on government interference which they seriously frown at.

“So, I don’t think the last has been heard of the meeting,” our source declared.

Meanwhile, The Oracle Today Sports can authoritatively report it is not yet Uhuru for the Hon. Minister as some of the affected individuals have gone back to the drawing board to ensure that they make it equally difficult for the Minister to have some of his favoured candidate elected.

It is recalled that Dalung had not hid-

den his desire to ensure that some of the current Federation Presidents do not return to their post in order to make way for other interested individuals to come and contribute their quota to the development of the country’s sports.

Some of the affected individuals include the former Minster of Sports, Hon. Sani Ndanusa, who is the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Habu Gumel, the president of the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVF), The President of the Nigeria Athletics Federation (AFN) Evangelist Solomon Ogba, The President of Nigeria Basket Federation (NBF) Tijani Umar, The President of the Nigeria Handball Federation (NHF) Yusuf Dauda among others.

Meanwhile, Dalung while declaring the meeting open accused the

Federations of incapable of delivering on the present administration’s aspiration of moving Nigerian sports to the next level, blaming it on their flawed corporate governance structure.

“In the past, Sports Federation Elections had been marred with controversy; with various accusations of manipulation and connivance of the Government Sports Authority – the then National Sports Commission (NSC).

“We have had cases of imposition of candidates and exclusion of the real stakeholders, thus calling into question the credibility of the entire process. This has resulted in many Boards having majority of their members with either little or no knowledge of the sport, or even any passion for it. In some cases, Federations had been run as personal estates, with impunity and sometimes outright disregard to the Ministry,” Dalung stated.

Eagles clarify agreement on no fees for matches

By Maduabuchi Kalu with agency report

F

ollowing the rumour making the rounds that the national team, the Super Eagles would be playing the remaining games of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers for free, the team have come out to deny such agreement rather they have clarified the issue.

According to one of the players, there was never a time the team

agreed to play for free instead they pledged not to abandon any of the remaining games because of bonuses even as they urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that they are paid once the funds are available.

The national team players were reported to have agreed not to accept payment for the remaining 2018 World Cup and 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying matches.

It has been explained that the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) held a meeting in London where they (players) agreed that will not cause any row over issues bothering on bonuses and allowances during the remaining qualifying matches.

“Maybe your source didn’t explain to you in details. We had a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in London. We agreed that the issue

of match bonus won’t make us down tool during the World Cup qualifiers.

“We pleaded with the NFF that we won’t hold the nation to ransom over bonuses, but they on their part have to pay us when they have money, not that we will play for free.

“Furthermore it was agreed that our bonus will be $5,000 for the 2019 Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa in June, he said.

t is no longer news that former Aston Villa defender, Ugo Ehiogu passed on last week Thursday after spending just 44 years on mother earth but his sudden death last week threw English football into murning.

Nobody saw this coming. Ehiogu, before his untimely death was working as a coach with Tottenham’s Under-23 team. He suffered a cardiac arrest at training last Thursday, but sadly passed away in hospital the following day (Friday).

According to the Tottenham: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ugo Ehiogu, our Under-23 coach,” a statement released by Tottenham said.

“The club sends its deepest condolences to Ugo’s family.”

“Words cannot express the shock and sadness that we all feel at the club,” said John McDermott, Tottenham’s Head of Coaching Development.

“Ugo’s immense presence will be irreplaceable. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Gemma and his family.”

Ehiogu’s former club Aston Villa expressed sadness at the news of his passing.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former defender Ugo Ehiogu,” the club said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time,” Ehiogu began his career at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Aston Villa in 1991, where he spent a decade, winning two League Cups.

He then moved on to Middlesbrough in 2000.

The defender won four caps for England, scoring one goal in a 3-0 friendly win over Spain in 2001.

After winding down his career at clubs such as Leeds United, Rangers and Sheffield United, he pursued a coaching career, first with England’s U-20 team and later with Tottenham’s youth teams.

Meanwhile the former Aston Villa defender’s family has asked that it should be given privacy during this period of great grief.

Ehiogu was a co-founder of music label Dirty Hit, which has British indie band The 1975 on its books.

He married his wife, Gemma, in 2005 and had two children — son Obi Jackson and daughter Jodie.

Villa will hold a minute’s applause before their Championship match against Birmingham City on Sunday, with both sets of players to wear black armbands.

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 3, 2017

SPORTS

Terry to quit Chelsea after 20 years

•Says “I ‘ll always be a Blues”

C

Tennis stars congratulate Serena Williams on her pregnancy

T

ennis’ biggest stars and their families congratulated Serena Williams after she revealed her pregnancy news Serena Williams, considered tennis’ greatest player of all time, revealed last Thursday on her Snapchat account that she is 20 weeks pregnant with her first child, a fact later confirmed in an official statement by her publicist.

Williams was eight weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open, her 23rd Major Tennis stars from around the world took to Twitter to congratulate Williams, some of them the 23-Major winner’s biggest rivals.

Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was among the earliest to congratulate Williams:

“Auntie Caro” sounds pretty good to me Everyone around me getting pregnant! What a beautiful time — Caroline Wozniacki (@ CaroWozniacki) April 20, 2017 So was former No.1 Andy Roddick.... and his model wife Brooklyn Decker, with whom he shares son Hank, joined in to crack a joke at her own expense: There’s gonna be a baby GOAT ..... We are so happy, and we know @serenawilliams will be a great mother — andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 20, 2017 She won a grand slam pregnant.

I needed Andy to dress me, carry me, and delicately place me on the toilet when I was 4 weeks preg-

nant. https://t.co/gxXaj6VVDF — Brooklyn Decker (@BrooklynDecker) April 20, 2017Warm wishes came from Williams’ biggest rival in the past few years, World No. 1 Angelique Kerber! @serenawilliams !!

You will be such an amazing mother and I wish your family health and happiness for the best journey in the world — Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) April 20, 2017 And another member of the GOAT pantheon chimed in!

Twitter Is Thrilled By Serena William’s Pregnancy Announcement- I guess it’s official now- CONGRATS to you both!:) https://t.co/NrFNQgb1Es — Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 20, 2017

C/River to foot hospital bills of Calabar electrocution victims

C

ross River Government said it would foot the medical bills of hospitalised victims of Thursday’s electrocution some football fans in Calabar.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, announced the gesture when he visited some of the victims at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) on Friday.

In the incident, which occurred while the fans were watching a Europa Championship match between Manchester United and Anderlecth of Belgium, at a private viewing centre, some persons reportedly died and many injured.

The viewing centre is pm at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipal Council Area, and the tragedy occurred at about 9.30 p.m.

Esu stated that seven persons died in the incident, which happened when electric cables from a high tension installation fell on the make-shift beer parlour used a viewing centres during football matches.

He said that the dead were among 18 injured who were taken to the teaching hospital, adding that 10 of them were responding to treatment while one was in the intensive care unit.

He described the incident as `painful’, but said that there had been misinformation about the casualty figure.

•Victim of the viewing centre According to him, from what I have been briefed by the hospital management, seven persons died here in UCTH. “Some persons said that some of the victims were taken to private hospitals and native homes for treatment, but what we can confirm from UCTH is that seven persons died out of the tragedy.

“The government is going to take full responsibility for their treatment,’’ he said.

The deputy governor said that the state would set up a commission of inquiry to ascertain the real cause of the problem.

“The Commissioner for Lands and Housing has been mandated to investigate why the building was erected directly under the high tension.

“We are still trying to trace where the other victims were taken to; what we can account for now are those in UCTH,’’ he said.

The Head of Emergency Response Team in UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, told newsmen that the victims were in stable condition and responding to treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the victims in the hospital sustained injuries on their legs, hands and head region.

helsea captain John Terry will leave at the end of the season after more than two decades at Stamford Bridge.

The defender, 36, is the Blues’ most decorated player, having won four Premier Leagues, five FA Cups and three League Cups. He also has Champions League and Europa League medals.

He has made 713 appearances since his debut in 1998 - 578 of them as captain.

“I feel I still have plenty to offer but understand that opportunities here will be limited for me,” Terry said.

The centre-back, who has scored 66 goals for the club he joined as a 14-year-old, has made just four Premier League starts this season.

He is the club’s third highest alltime appearance maker, behind Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti, and holds the club record for appearances as captain.

Terry was banned for the 2012 Champions League final, when Chelsea lifted the trophy ‘I will always be a Blue’ Terry, who made his debut for Chelsea as a 17-year-old in a 1998 League Cup match, has gone on to score 40 Premier League goals over 19 years.

He has played almost all of his ca-

reer at Chelsea, other than six loan appearances for Nottingham Forest in 2000.

“I will always be a Blue and am desperate to end my final season as a Chelsea player with more silverware,” said Terry, whose team have a fourpoint lead at the top of the Premier League.

“I’ve always been conscious that I depart at the right time, in the right way, and I feel that the end of this season is the right time for the club and I.” Terry is one of just five defenders to have won the PFA Player of the Year award.

He retired from international football in 2012 after winning 78 England caps and signed a one-year contract extension with the Blues in May 2016.

“I’m eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge,” Terry added.

“Words cannot describe the love I have for our club and our amazing fans. You mean the world to me and I will never forget the incredible journey we’ve been on.”

Chelsea director, Marina Granovskaia said: “He will always be held in the highest regard by everybody at Stamford Bridge and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future.”

The

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Today

48 What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.

Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

THE FRONTIER

ISSN: 2545-5869

—John Ruskin Wednesday Mary 3, 2017

By Martin Ike-Muonso (Ph.D, DBA) 08033148722 (SMS only)

Where is the youth in economic policy gevelopment?

O

NE of the clichés that have psychologically dampened many teachers’ enthusiasm about their profession is the insinuation that their rewards are reserved in the life hereafter. Thus, they are not actually remembered now. By extension, therefore, even if they are owed for months, they should literally endure because their rewards are in heaven or in the far future.

Similarly, Nigerian youths have been reminded repeatedly that they are the leaders of tomorrow. Being leaders only of tomorrow means that they are not leaders today. By extension, they should wait till they are adults so as to have matured enough to take up leadership roles. In defiance of longstanding evolution in many countries where the youths have emerged to occupy strategic leadership – economic, political social etc - positions, the older generations in Nigeria are scarcely interested in giving the deserved chance to the young to play leadership roles. Ironically, many of the champions of anti-youth-leadership roles attained the peaks of their achievements as youth.

In life, there are seasons, which subtly define what our activities and expectations from us should be at each phase in the human life cycle. The life cycle psychology makes this clearer by trying to relate the position of a person at each point in time in his life to (a) the kind of challenges that the person faces, (b) the resources available to the person to tackle those challenges and (c) the consequences to the person of failing to either be he/she should be at the expected time and/or not having the requisite resources to deal with the challenges faced. Each phase, therefore, is expected to build upon the previous one and as such one is not expected to be a child forever. If that is the case then the youth cannot conceivably remain youth until the ‘tomorrow’ when he should be a leader.

In a general sense, there are about five phases in life. The first stage expectedly corresponds to the period of birth and childhood growth.

Loosely, this stage can be found within the age range of zero and about 16 years. Then, there is the capacity development stage in which one is expected to make or open up for human capital investments into one’s life either via formal advanced/tertiary or vocational education.

This group belongs to around 17 and 25-year age ranges. At this stage, the humans replete with optimism about the future deliberately go through the process of acquiring the skills relevant for conquering it. The third stage is the planting phase where these persons who have acquired the capacity to conquer their environment actually move on to plant and transform.

Some get employed while others establish own enterprises and employ others. In most of the cases, the dominant objective is to become

• The charm, energy and productivity of youth ... leaders in their various rights. The age bracket for this phase extends from about age 25 to about age 55. Some complete this phase much earlier while for some it extends much beyond age 65. The fourth phase is the reaping stage where one sits back to reap either his years of well invested labour or the penalty for laziness and un-strategic investment.

Based on recent global estimates, Nigeria is the eightieth country with the largest concentration of people belonging to the capacity de-

‘

The life cycle psychology makes this clearer by trying to relate the position of a person at each point in time in his life to (a) the kind of challenges that the person faces, (b) the resources available to the person to tackle those challenges and (c) the consequences to the person of failing to either be he/she should be at the expected time and/or not having the requisite resources to deal with the challenges faced

‘

velopment stage and the lower bands of the planting phase in the world. United States of America is the third after China and India. The implication is that Nigeria has a large deposit of the young who should be acquiring the requisite capacity with which to transform this country as leaders in various spheres of life.

This should actually signal massive quantum of national optimism for the future. But that is where the tragedy lies. The older generation of leaders had deliberately mangled the machinery for high quality development of this teeming mass of the young. The educational system and the consequent output are pitiable and heighten the un-employability of young Nigerians with adverse implications for their chances of turning out as leaders within good age. The story goes on that way. Unfortunately, this is a massively untapped area that should foster our growth as a nation as over 70% of Nigerians are less than 30 years of age.

That is why it has become even more imperative to inquire into the extent of deliberate involvement of the young in the design, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of government’s economic policies. Rarely are the young deliberately involved in economic policy formulation; on the contrary policies that affect their current and future evolution into the next phases of life are designed for them assuming completely that they do not have what it takes to participate in policy formulation. Or that they cannot take decisions about their future. The consequences are immense. Debts burdens, poorly trained manpower, corrupt system, decrepit institutions, etc are piled up to further damage the prospects of their enjoying their own future with their children. But the more of these young that are exposed to economic policy formulation, implementation and monitoring, the better it will be for this country

for many reasons: (a) it will help throw up an increasing generation of knowledgeable people with the energy to challenge the excesses of the older generation of leaders who has indeed plunged and has continued to plunge this country into the economic mess that it is experiencing, (b) it will have adequately prepared today’s leaders among the youth who will be well knowledgeable in growth and development targeted resource allocation, (c) it will help in quickly consigning the older generation of leaders who have continued to deprive them of their opportunities to lead, to the background where they ought to belong as statesmen and advisers, (d) it will orchestrate better advancement in the knowledge economy - science, technology and innovations - which in most instances are not associated with the ageing. And so on. But economics education in Nigerian tertiary institutions is in a big mess!! Where then lies this hope?

Economic leadership should be the current/ next big idea for the Nigerian youth and by extension the entire country. The time for a new generation of the young who patriotically think about the growth and advancement of this country to begin to come together has really come. This new generation is expected to possess the requisite economic knowledge powerbase to unearth the sources and nature of the ‘policy-coated’ scams that have been used over the years to perennially subject this country to underdevelopment by a few. This new generation should have the voice that is strident enough to bring the evil perpetrators among us to order and justice. They shall represent the true spirit of the real Nigerian.

It cannot be effectively done without robust education, much of which many of our youths have been denied and deprived of. That is why Boko Haram in the north, Bakassi in the east, Niger Delta and OPC militancy became easily successful. The minds of most of our youths are so much empty that any wrong thing inscribed on it becomes easily absorbed and acted upon.

In conclusion, consider the average age of the federal executive cabinet members which is about 51years. The same pattern seemingly runs across the legislature and judiciary. The system is populated and driven by the old who are not prepared to give the younger ones reasonable space to participate in policy formulation and implementation, even in the things that concern them. Would it not be worthwhile if the constitution is amended to forcibly accommodate a certain percentage of the youth in executive cabinet composition?

Yes, as much as one would argue that good leadership may not be dependent on age, it is also good to point out that it is only fair that each age band needs be represented when decisions that concern them are being taken.

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited, 116 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenewsngr@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.