Wednesday november 1 2017 edition

The

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racle www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY November 1, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today

VOL.2 No. 45. N200

Confusion over 2nd Niger Bridge •Image of a Greenfield bridge and associated approach access road over the River Niger connecting Asaba and Onitsha.

•N108b, $2b, N2b spent ?

•Contractors out of site •Weeds overtake site •World Bank left in 2012 From TONY AILMEN (Abuja) and JONATHAN AWANYAI (Asaba)

•Equipment and items that were meant for the bridge. Above work done so far

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HE only thing that is certain about the 2nd Niger Bridge, proposed for 1968, is confusion, persistent confusion. Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo opened the most recent page on the

Anambra 2017: Old issues From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

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ith the four major parties—APC, APGA, PDP, UPP— in the November 18 Anambra governorship election done with their campaign flag-offs, the stage is now open for what is expected to be a keen political slugfest, for the candi-

Page 12

dates to sell coal to New Castle and water to the Eskimos: summon from within themselves uncommon energy and sagacity in political salesmanship to convince the wary Anambra voters why the self-same voters must vote for a particular candidate to be the Landlord at Amawbia and not another.

Indeed, all the top contending parties have within the last few weeks kick-started their march to take over the Anambra Government House with colourful and well-attended campaign flag-offs.

Former Aviation Minister and flag bearer of the UPP, Osita Chi-

Cont’d on page 2

bridge when he announced at flag off of the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Onitsha, October 20, that the Federal Government had paid contractors $2b for works to commence on the bridge, in fulfillment of electoral promises APC made in 2015.

Four hours after the Vice Presi-

dent spoke, a statement from his office said the actual amount that the Sovereign Wealth Fund had released for the project was N2b.

It was only a part of the confusion on the bridge that various administrations had used for cam-

Cont’d on page 47

PANDEF to militants: Be patient with us From NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt

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orried by threats by different militant groups in the Niger Delta to resume joint attacks on oil and gas installations in the region,

following the refusal of the Senate to approve the restructuring of the country and its attendant devolution of economic powers to the state governments, elders

Cont’d on page 2

Genocide is unforgivable – Emma Okocha

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1 , 2017

NEWS

•Chidoka

Cont’d from page 1 doka, who took the lead, held his at a unique but significant location at Amorka-Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State, followed by APGA’s Chief Willie Obiano, the incumbent governor, who held his tumultuous flag-off at the popular Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

While the UPP candidate’s message centred on the way forward for people of all ages in the State, his party, which wholeheartedly identifies with the Biafra spirit of never-say-die and can-do-it, believes that Nigeria can be a happy place for all when equity, justice and fair-play are given pre-eminence by leaders.

UPP used the occasion of the flag-off to assert before the world that there are no terrorists in any part of the South East.

On why he wants to be governor, Chidoka said he wants to see the emergence of a new Anambra, which will be fair and equitable to all its indigenes and non-indigenes/residents alike.

The choice of Amorka as the venue for the event was informed by its historic significance, being the location where the aircraft that supplied relief materials to Biafra landed, and from where the last plane to leave the Biafran enclave carrying the late Biafran

To be serialised in The Oracle Today soon

•Ezeemo

•Nwoye

•Obaze

leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, took off.

“It was in Amorka that the Biafran leader, Chief Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu took off to Ivory Coast in search of peace. The same plane has landed in Amorka and has brought peace to Anambra,” Chidoka, former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), said.

“History is being made again as we stage this rally today to remember Amorka which has since been forgotten since war ended,” he added.

However, in Awka, the incumbent Gov Obiano, who is struggling for a re-election owing largely to what has been described as ‘non-stellar’ performance, pulled an unprecedented crowd that had never been witnessed in the contemporary politics of the State. An elated Obiano assured the people that he would not disappoint.

Support Groups, gaily dressed in various designs and colours of clothing; cultural and masquerade troupes as well as musical artistes including Hype MC, Phyno, SlowDogg etc, thrilled the audience as the people sang and gyrated in a manner reflective of the saying that APGA is not just a political party but a movement.

In his address, the governor said his presence in the governorship line-up gives the citizens a golden opportunity to choose between continued good governance and a plunge into backwardness.

He promised that his second term agenda would focus on improved efforts towards achieving food sufficiency, fiscal sustainability and aggressive infrastructural

development in the state.

Gov Obiano urged Ndi Anambra to vehemently resist any attempt to impose any candidate on them, as that would take the state back to the era of godfather.

For PDP’s Oseloka Henry Obaze (OHO) and APC’s Dr Tony Nwoye, the All Saints Cathedral field was at different imtes, flag-off arena.

Leading a team of party stalwarts from the national headquarters, the national Chairman of the PDP and the Secretary, Senator Ben Obi stormed Onitsha for Obaze.

Said Senator Makarfi, Chairman of the party at the event: “Anambra, I urge you to take your destiny in your hand. You are enterprising people, you must change this government and vote in PDP. We will continue to unite men and women of PDP in Anambra and Nigeria. PDP is a Nigerian party and it is the only party under which Nigeria is one and has no tribal disunity.”

Significantly, Obaze insisted that if elected, he would do only one term of four years to complete the remaining four years of the Anambra North Zone, where he and the incumbent governor of the state, Willie Obiano hail.

He said: “Anambra State is in utter disrepair. Anambra State is broken. We must fix it. Our party has been out of power in Anambra State for over 12 years. This is therefore a moment of reckoning.

“Today, we seek to return Anambra to the stage of prosperity; in keeping with our party manifesto we must return power to the people.”

Anambra people are suffering, he added, noting that despite

the hype and propaganda, “our people are no longer enjoying the true dividends of democracy. The Government of Governor Willie Obiano has failed them in more ways than one. Anambra deserves better. We must, therefore, change the leadership and political narrative.

“I have committed myself and my administration to a single fouryear term in office - 2018-2022. It will be four years of intensive and productive hard work. Our focus will be primarily on human development capital anchored on education.

“We will thus commit 26% of our budget to education, with 10% going to parochial and privately owned schools. We will in that context offer free education from kindergarten to JS3. We will also tackle youth unemployment through vocational training and certification.

“Anambra is not doing very well. Poor leadership, fiscal recklessness and lack of transparency and focus remain key challenges for the incumbent government.

However, we know we have not done so well economically, not because the natural resources do not exist, not because the talents are not there, but because narrow political considerations have progressively and consistently trumped rational economic thinking and policy in governance.

Such a defeatist mindset must change,” Obaze said.

The flag-off was attended by a huge crowd political bigwigs from the party including former Rivers State governor, Celestine Omehia; Senator Abdul Ningi, Dr Raymond Dokpesi, former Vice Pres-

Anambra 2017: Old issues

PANDEF to militants: Be patient with us Cont’d from page 1

Read about the great Rangers story from next edition

and leaders of the region under the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), have appealed to the agitators in the region to exercise more patience as they are working with the federal government to develop the region.

The group, which insisted that PANDEV is on track, said the outcome of its negotiation with the federal government would positively change the tide of the events.

PANDEF has also said the federal government is committed to developing the oil-rich Niger

Delta region.

The group made the statement during the week, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while briefing newsmen on the fourth general assembly of the body.

It dismissed claims that the group is slow in its dealing with the federal government.

State Leader of PANDEF and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Forum’s Conference on Thursday, in Port Harcourt, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, pleaded with Niger Delta agitators to be patient with the elders, as they work out ways of securing better deal and, therefore, better life for the youths.

Graham-Douglas, noted that

the Federal Government has taken into consideration, the development of the region, adding that some of issues in the 16-point demands presented to the Federal Government are being given attention.

Graham-Douglas, a former Minister of Labour and Minister of Sport, said it is wrong for youths in the region to say that no attention has been given to the development of the region.

Chief Graham-Douglas emphasised: “Our youths thought we were not active enough in bringing the needed result from the Federal Government. But, we are working actively to bring development to the region,” he said.

•Obiano ident, Dr Alex Ekwueme; former Vice President, Dayo Adeyeye; former Anambra governor Peter Obi; Senator Ben Ndii Obi, former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Emeka Ihedioha, National Vice Chairman of PDP (Southeast), Austin Umahi, among others.

But the latest flag-off was that of Nwoye’s APC who was led out in a thunderous show of federal might by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Because of Nwoye’s energy and contacts, virtually all the Who Is Who in the State, were in attendance. They included billionaire businessman Prince Arthur Eze, Minister of Labour and Employment who is former governor of the state and senator, Dr Chris Ngige; a frontline national officer of the party -Chief George Moghalu, former Secretary to the state government (SSG) Prince Ossy Ezenwa, who is the Director General of the Tony Nwoye Campaign Council and many other top politicians in the state.

Chief Tony Chukwuelue, a twotime House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Idemili Federal Constituency who is now in APC told journalists why the Anambra electorate should vote Dr Tony Nwoye massively.

Believing that the zoning arrangement need be respected, he said: “I agree that the zone should complete two terms because I believe in equity. After all, we in the South East have been crying about marginalization at the Federal level over the years. Here the northern zone of the state has equally been crying about marginalization too. But within that zone there is this agitation that if you allow only one section of the area to complete the whole eight years, it won’t be fair.

“Again Dr Willie Obiano having performed so poorly do not deserve reelection, especially when we have brilliant tested young and earner persons in the race like Dr Tony Nwoye. It would be anomalous to allow Obiano’s abysmal show continue. Four years is not four days. Dr Nwoye is not just a gift to the zone, he’s a gift to the state…Nwoye should be allowed and massively supported to complete the zone’s eight years. In fact he is on a salvation mission because Obiano disappointed all of us who fought for his victory in 2013.”

Political permutations go as far they can go. But, even as bookmakers bet on candidates, what is obvious is that while the stage may be clear for candidates to showcase their strengths in salesmanship, it is not as yet clear which way the pendulum will swing: the pitching is still on and getting more intense by the day.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Lagos to establish commercial courthouse

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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HE Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has unveiled plans by the state government to establish a designated Commercial Courthouse with the overall objective of ensuring speedy resolution of disputes as well as drive commerce and enhance the ease of doing business in the State.

Speaking at the State Executive Chambers in Alausa while swearing-in Justice Opeyemi Oke as the 16th substantive Chief Judge of the State, Governor Ambode also called for more reforms aimed at fast-track-

ing justice delivery without necessarily compromising the fundamental principle of fair hearing and the rule of law. He said: “There is no gainsaying that Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country and it deserves a modern state-of-theart first class Commercial Courthouse to speedily address commercial disputes in the State.

“We plan to establish a designated Commercial Courthouse with the objective of ensuring speedy consideration of commercial matters. It is hoped that this courthouse will accommodate all commercial related organs of the judiciary in order to drive com-

merce and improve the ease of doing business.”

The Governor, who described the swearing-in ceremony as an affirmation of the belief of the present administration in the rule of law and the importance of the judiciary to the democratic system, said it was gratifying that the State judiciary, since the emergence of Justice Idowu Conrad-Taylor as the first Chief Judge of the State in 1967, had been the only democratic arm of government that had experienced a seamless transition in its leadership.

He said the 50 years of seamless transition aptly

qualified the judiciary as one of the most resilient institutions in the State, and congratulated judiciary workers and all the past and present Chief Judges of the State for maintaining the integrity of the institution.

While congratulating Justice Oke, Governor Ambode said the development was a confirmation of her competence, experience and character to preside over the sacred temple of justice, just as he expressed absolute confidence in her intellectual capacity to steer the ship of the State Judiciary on a smooth sail.

The Governor, who alongside the Chief Judge are

Kaduna registers over 1000 miners

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he Kaduna State Government has registered more than 1000 miners to check illegal operators and document active miners in the state. Mrs Amina Sijuade, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kaduna state, disclosed this to the media on the side line of the the just concluded African Gemstones and Jewellery Exhibition and Seminar (AGJES) 2017 in Abuja.

Sijuade said those registered were from Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, where Gold mining activities were being conducted by large numbers of artisanal and small scale miners on a daily basis. She said that the registration that started this year would avail the state government the opportunity to document their names into the state’s database. According to her, the state government is planing to expand the registration to other local governments to check illegal operators and document active miners in the state.

“Addressing illegal mining in Kaduna state require huge resources; we are currently operating database for all our mining operators in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

“We are setting up a taskforce that will go round to verify who is active miners in our state and this will make us to discover illegal miners that we can engage with and organise them into cooperatives, ” he said.

She said organising them

into cooperatives would help them to access the opportunities available for small scale miners in the states, at the Federal and from the development partners.

The commissioner urged title holders from the Federal Government to acquaint themselves with the state government before operating in Kaduna. She said that

the Kaduna state government has opened up a line of engagement with title holders operating in the state for easy discussion and forums about their activities and challenges.

fellows of the Fulbright Scholarship of the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship from the United States of America, said it was important for Justice Oke to see her appointment as a platform to sustain and improve on the enviable reputation which the State Judiciary had built for itself over the years.

Speaking on areas requiring improvement, Governor Ambode said: “One area of our Judicial System which I consider as work in progress is the speed of justice delivery in the State. We have made significant progress in this regard with the various reforms that have been initiated and implemented.

“However, I believe strongly that we can do more by stepping up our efforts so that the wheel of justice can roll faster without necessarily compromising the fundamental principle of fair hearing and the rule of law.”

He said owing to the fact that judges in the State face enormous work load as the State judiciary is the busiest in the country, his administration was determined to seek a significant increase in the number of judges to enhance turn-over of cases in the State. He also assured

of continued cooperate with the judiciary in developing and implementing appropriate strategies to ensure justice is done speedily.

In her vote of assurance, Justice Oke thanked Governor Ambode and other stakeholders for the confidence reposed in her, saying that she would key into the vision of the Governor who she described as a performer and a big dreamer, to transform the State Judiciary.

The CJ vowed that the Lagos judiciary, under her, would uphold rule of law in interpreting laws, stamp out all forms of official corruption and ensure speedy dispensation of justice, as well as improve public access, transparency and accountability to boost confidence of the public in the judiciary, among others.

Justice Oke was earlier sworn-in as the CJ in acting capacity on September 25, 2017 after the retirement of former Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade on September 24, 2017. Her swearing-in as the substantive CJ, however, followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and confirmation by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

NDLEA arrests 86

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he Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 86 people, suspected to be trafficking illicit drugs.

The Commander of the agency in Edo, Mr Buba Wakawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the suspects were arrested between July and September this year.

According to him, the suspects are made up of 61 males, including a Malian and 25 females.

Wakawa said that 2, 930 kg of hard drugs were seized within the period and that 46.8 hectares of suspected cannabis farms were also destroyed.

The commander said the cannabis farms were estimated to be producing 217,414 kg of cannabis.

According to him, a breakdown of the seized drugs are: cannabis (2,929.6 kg), Tramadol (159 grammes), Swino (four grammes), Vegha (26 grammes), Codeine (29 grammes) and Heroin (20 grammes).

He said that the agency had successfully prosecuted one Obiora Nkemokonam, who was

sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for possessing 20 kg of cannabis.

Wakawa said that two vehicles and two motorcycles had been impounded from suspects in connection with the seizures.

He said that 37 drug-dependent people had also been counselled and reunited with their families, while three other peole who were currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Wakawa lamented that the drug menace was not showing signs of abatement, calling on stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

“Drug seizures in the state are on the increase, while cannabis farms are overwhelming. “Cases of drug abuse are also posing greater challenge daily as more victims are getting trapped in the web of drug abuse. “This calls for greater commitment on our part to resist the activities of drug cartels.’’

He appealed for increased funding and logistics support to the command to enable it to surmount its problems.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

UPP, APDA call for fair play in Anambra election

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R. Sylvster Igwilo, Chairman of United Progressives Party (UPP) in Anambra has said that the party was confident of winning the Nov. 18 governorship election in the state if every stakeholder play by the rules. Igwilo the party’s candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka was the most qualified from the array of candidates in the race.

He said Chidoka had better plans for the people of the state and have been addressing issues that bordered on the common man in his campaigns. Igwilo warned other parties to comply with the efforts aimed at minimising irregularities during and after the Nov. 18 governorship election. “My party is quite prepared for this election, we know it is not going to be easy and as you know, UPP has the most credible candidates among all others in the race.

“Chidoka is well known and accepted by the people, a former Minister and FRSC Corps Marshal who is interested in the state and how to put back on track economic prosperity and sustainable development.’’

Igwilo said the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) was doing well compared to the previous years in terms of preparation for elections. According to him, if things are to go by the assurances INEC has given, then the election would be free and fair.

“My appeal is that other party chairmen should play by the rules, their agents should be properly identified with passport to enable us know who is who. “There are some people that are not serious about this election. they are just interested in what they will get through sharp practices,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Adaeze Okafor, candidate of the Advanced People Democratic Alliance (APDA) raised alarm at what she described as increasing monetary cost of the election. Okafor said it was as if the election was a door-die affairs from the way some candidates of the big parties were going about in their campaigns.

According to her, candidates and their supporters should see election as opportunity to serve and not avenues for amassing wealth. She noted that some of the issues raised in the campaigns so far had not addressed the wellbeing of the ordinary people of Anambra but an attack on per-

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by the new Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (left) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (right) during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Judge, at the EXCO Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja.

sons. “Issues are not addressed in the campaigns, they have not said how they are going to build the people and make their lives better. “The role of money in this

election is becoming too much, some parties have set a lot of money aside to pay for votes.

“Other candidates are throwing money around in the market

places as if their lives depend on the election.’’ She called on the INEC to restrict people from going close to the electorate during voting and to stop votes buying.

Ondo diveresifies, to revive OK LNG company

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ov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo says he will push the diversification programme of the state further by reviving moribund OK LNG, a state government-owned firm, to boost the state’s economy.

This was the high point of the discussion of top Ondo officials and oil majors in a crucial meeting held in the office of the Chief

of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, at the Presidential Villa recently. Akeredolu told State House Correspondents that the initiative emanated from the state’s economic and industrialization summit in June, 2017.

He said the gas programme was one of the five key decisions taken at the summit, adding that the state had large gas deposits that

would transform its economy and boost federal revenue. “We were at the meeting that has the Chief of Staff in attendance and what we have come to do is on the economic diversification initiative.

“As you are all aware, sometime in June, we had our summit in Akure, Ondo. And following the summit, we had about five points

Boat mishap: Kebbi Govt sets new safety measures

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ebbi Government has set new safety measures for boat operators to address the recurring boat mishaps which has claimed 33 lives since April in the state. Alhaji Sani Dododo, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Birnin Kebbi that all boat operators must comply with the new measures.

“As part of our efforts to curb recurring boat mishaps, we held a meeting with traditional rulers and boat operators and we came up with solutions to the incessant problem in the state.

“We resolved that henceforth, there will be no transportation on rivers after six in the evening and passengers and loads must be transported separately. “The

number of passengers to be taken in any boat must be specified and written on the boat to avoid overloading, and life jackets must be worn by all the passengers in addition to three extra jackets for emergency to be placed on each boat,” he said.

Dododo said the measures were precautionary to stop the current practice which endangers lives of passengers. “We discovered that a boat that carries 40 passengers is usually loaded with over 100 passengers at a time together with their loads including goats, sheep, cows and camel, all jam-packed in one boat on a river voyage,” he said.

He added that some boat operators held the superstitious belief that they would never die in river because they inherited the business from their ancestors.

“They think the river would not

kill them since the business was passed unto them from generation to generation. “We will not fold our arms and rely on superstitions while people are dying,” he said.

According to him, the agency will collaborate with the local government councils and Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority to enforce compliance to the new measures.

The SEMA chairman said the agency would embark on sensitisation campaigns targeting boat operators and local divers on safety and emergency response in case of any mishap. Dododo revealed that the agency had adequate staff and was well-funded to carry its mandate, adding that it would set up emergency response offices in the Riverine areas of the state.

that we needed to now take up.

“We have to come in and to hold meeting with all stakeholders, including NNPC, Chevron, Shell and others, and even some of our investors, for all of us to discuss on these five points. “That’s why we are here because we need to be on a spot; it is a one-stop-shop so that we discuss these initiatives,” the governor added.

The governor noted that besides the progress made at the meeting, it was an eye-opener for the state as the country’s oil regulator enlightened the Ondo delegation more on the importance of the initiative. “We have made progress in our discussion; what Ondo State is particular about, NNPC was able to even enlighten us the more.

“We were particular about being on the gas plan and it has been made clear to us that we have always been on the national gas plan and that all that is now needed is for us to decide what and what to be done. “We have the OK LNG and we felt that something has to be done there,’’ he stated.

According to Akeredolu, NNPC has put a lot of effort to have OK LNG developed but some of the partners withdrew from it.

“Ondo State is now keenly interested, we can get some of the investors to come and have OK LNG take off again for the purpose which it was established and other purposes which can be accommodated.

He stated that his administration and the gas prospecting partners would put together a working committee to work on all the discussions and come out with an implementation plan in a few weeks. The governor noted that gas reserve in Ondo State was large and would not be in short supply because of the gas pipeline that passed through the state.

“The estimate of gas reserve in Ondo State is large. You know gas reserve is not limited to Ondo State, even if we need gas it does not necessarily have to come from Ondo State alone. “You have the pipeline that comes from Bonny, Escravos, everywhere; we have too but the pipeline we have now is from the east.

“It is coming that way and whether we like it or not, the ones at the coastal line are the ones that will get to Lekki and there is no way they will pass through the shores of Ondo.’’ The governor described Ondo as peaceful and gave the assurance that pipeline vandalism would not occur there as everything would be done to sensitize the people and partner with other stakeholders on security in the riverine areas.

“Ondo State is a peaceful area and we can give guarantee that the pipelines within our area will never be vandalised,’’ the governor assured. He hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for ensuring the security of oil pipelines across the country.

About $200 million spent in the Niger-Delta to provide infrastructure including water, road and 24/7 power supply.

N3 billion annually for the next 25 years for the development of Bonny Kingdom through Bonny Kingdom Development Foundation.

N60 billion contribution to N120 billion Bonny-Bodo Road construction.

The nation’s major supplier of LPG, supplying up to 350,000 tonnes per annum.

Reduced gas flaring in the country from above 65% to less than 20% today.

N51 billion in regulatory levies and fees makes us the single biggest tax payer to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby enabling growth and development in all sectors of the economy.

US$5.5billion in taxes.

$13 billion for Joint Venture gas purchase to FG via NNPC.

$15 billion paid as dividends

ith top management that is 100% Nigerian and workforce 95% Nigerian, we are truly and proudly Nigerian, helping to keep the country’s wheel of progress turning in many ways including:

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….as our commitment to help build a better Nigeria

Our leadership drives a culture of pursuing transparency and anti-bribery and corruption in business.

Sponsorship of the annual The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature each with $100,000 prize money, the most prestigious of such awards in Africa.

Support Nigerian companies in different areas to become more international and enhance capacity for export and foreign exchange earnings given through its Nigerian Content policy. Examples include Berger Paints, Nexans Kabelmetal, Vina and IO furniture Limited, METEC West Africa.

Donated $12 million worth of Engineering labs and equipment to six institutions from Nigeria’s geo political zones - University of Ibadan, University of Port- Harcourt, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and University of Maiduguri.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS

Enugu council election: Ugwuanyi concludes flag-offs, promises more dividends of democracy •Comrade Ezeja to reconcile aggrieved parties in Igbo-Eze North From OZOR KAMSIYO, Nsukka

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ll is now set for the Enugu State local government election scheduled for this November 4, as the State governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has rounded off the campaign flagoffs he embarked upon to drum support for PDP candidates in the coming election.

Ugwuanyi’s appeal for support for the PDP everywhere he went was hinged on the “strong performance” of the PDP administration in Enugu State where the governor has been dubbed “Austerity Governor” because of his excellent performance “even in the face of biting recession.”

The Oracle Today correspondent in Nsukka reports that the governor’s train drew exceptional crowds in local government areas in the cultural zone where the flagoffs were like home-coming of ‘a worthy son’, which Ugwuanyi, who comes from Udenu in Enugu North Senatorial District, is routinely likened to.

“Enugu North zone has always

been a PDP zone. Even before now, right from Chimaroke Nnamani, who was not particularly kind to Nsukka, to Sullivan Chime, the immediate past governor, Nsukka has always voted PDP. But, that support has become even stronger now with Ugwuanyi, a homeboy, as a high-performing, equitable and fair-minded governor, who is loved not just in Nsukka by Nsukka but also in the whole of Enugu State by the people of the State,” said Chief Chidi Obetta, a governorship aspirant in 2015 on the platform of PDP. Thus, it is widely believed that the well-attended flag-offs were mere formalities as the PDP is set to sweep the polls in the local council election, the first to be conducted by Ugwuanyi since coming to power in May 2015.

Said Obetta: “The PDP primaries have been concluded and candidates have emerged. Some will raise their heads in disagreement while majority will embrace the popular choice and that’s the beauty of politics. But, in the end, there will be alignments and realign-

ments to move the party forward.”

At Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, IgboEze North, Igbo-Etiti and Udenu Local Government Areas in the Enugu North zone, where the governor flagged-off the PDP candidates’ campaigns, his message was simple and direct: vote PDP for continuity and more dividends of democracy.

At Ogrute, headquarters of IgboEze North, for instance, the governor assured the people that in two weeks’ time, they would not see “where to pass because of the number of works equipment that would be mobilized to work on projects earmarked for the area.”

Receiving the PDP flag from the governor, the chairmanship candidate, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, a former Chairman of NLC in Enugu State and Deputy National Chairman, promised to work for the good and progress of Igbo-Eze North and all its component communities if elected.

Ezeja, who was, until recently, the Caretaker Chairman of the local government, also promised to reconcile all aggrieved parties still hurting from the outcome of the

chairmanship and councillorship primaries, assuring that Igbo-Eze North under his watch would work as it has always worked: as one.

“If elected (and I am confident of victory because PDP remains the party to beat in our State), I will ensure that our people are brought under one umbrella so that we can all work in peace, unity and love to move our local government forward,” he told The Oracle Today in an interview.

At Obollo last Saturday for the grand finale of the flag-offs, the Senator representing Enugu North, Senator Chuka Utazi called on the people to vote for the PDP, assuring that outright PDP victory in the council election will give Governor Ugwuanyi the greater confidence to do even more for the people of Enugu State.

He, however, expressed the optimism that PDP would win landslide because, according to him, the party is not actually campaigning but “only celebrating peace and good governance entrenched by a governor who is humble, visionary and fears God.”

• Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja

NAPPS sends SOS to Umahi over extortion From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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•From right Engr. Igwe Celestine, Dr. Chukwuto Nnamdi (Director NOUN Awka Study center, Abagana), Mrs Opara Amara & Mrs. Rosemary Nwafor during the digital summit by Computer Science of the institution. Photo: Oliver Udeogu

Ohuhu leaders preach unity as clan’s league kicks off From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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eaders of Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have stressed the need for unity as the best means of consolidating the socio-economic development and political advancement of the area.

The Ohuhu leaders who bared their minds last Sunday during the kick-off of the Ohuhu Unity Cup, a football competition between the component eight ABSIEC constituencies in the area, otherwise Chritened Dr Okezie Ikpeazu Unity Cup Competition, emphasized that it is only through unity that Ohuhu would reclaim its political glory in Abia State and Nigeria and even surpass the attainments of their political leaders like late Dr. Michael Okpara, Premier of defunct Eastern Nigeria

and others.

“The main reason one of our successful young men in business based in the United Kingdom, Hon. Chigoziri Gabriel (a.k.a Stainless) is sponsoring this competition is to bring about peace, unity in Ohuhu land because he discovered that politics appears to have done some damage to Ohuhu unity and all efforts to bring about unity among them, not only the political class but also the youth and women groups appear to have been a nullity. He decided to use football which appears to be a rallying point for uniting Ohuhu people,” Chief Chris Nwokocha told The Oracle Today at Williams Memorial Secondary School.

Nwokocha who is the Secretary to Umuahia North Local Government, said the competition, bankrolled by Chigoziri in the last three years, has

provided the platform bringing the people together.

Nwokocha who represented the sponsor emphasised that he (Chigoziri) advised the eight teams participating in the tournament to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and should not see it as a do-or-die affair.

Also in an interview, the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Umuahia North local government area, Prince Ben Okezie, said the Ohuhu league would boost unity among the people.

“What is happening here is sort of uniting the people of the community. It is a good development. I want to thank the sponsor and give him kudos and the entire Ohuhu community,” Okezie said.

Traditional ruler of Oriendu Au-

tonomous Community, Eze Philip Ajomiwe, said it is pleasant to watch the youths come together, adding that the sponsor, by his philanthropy, is promoting peace, unity and economic growth of Ohuhu people.

The winner of the tournament, which will end in December, will go home with a giant trophy and N1 million cash prize; the runners up will get N500, 000 while the third placed team will be rewarded with N300, 000.

During the opener, Isingwu Ward team defeated their Afugiri Ward 2 counterparts by 2-1.

Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike, the lawmaker representing Umuahia North state constituency, Chairman of Umuahia North, Chief Chidiebere Nwachukwu, were among dignitaries who watched the match.

ational Association of Proprietors of Private schools in Ebonyi State has appealed to Governor David Umahi to save their souls from the hands of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board (ACTDB) and its consultants who allegedly extort and harass them in their respective schools.

Chairman of NAPPs in the State, Mr. Onyeoma Kelechi, who made the allegation in a chat with journalists in Abakaliki further alleged that the Board, the consultants and their taskforce have constituted themselves into a nightmare for the school owners.

“They intimidate, harass our members and even cart away every kind of our school property on a daily basis. Our members are assessed and billed by the consultants beyond what we can reasonably pay. And more worrisome is the use of armed men of Civil Defence Corps to invade and terrorize our schools and children,” he alleged.

He explained that the state chapter of NAPPS had within the years under review prevailed on all their law-abiding members to pay all approved taxes and levies to the State without failure.

He prayed Governor Umahi to, as a matter of urgency, call to order, the ACTDB, the consultants and their taskforce.

He commended the regular site and establishment inspections by officials of the ministry, which have made it possible to grant approval to genuine proprietors who put in their best in to meet the basic standard requirement.

He added that NAPPS would soon set up a high-powered committee to identify all sub-standard and mushroom private schools in the State for immediate closure.

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS

PDP’s reconciliation process pays off in Cross River

• Aggrieved members return From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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he Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) desire to reconcile its aggrieved members who left the party in the build-up to the last general elections in the country has paid off bountifully with the return of a number of aggrieved former members in the Central Senatorial District of the state led by Ntufam Dr. Sandy Onor.

This was disclosed by the State Chairman of the Party, Ntufam Edim Inok Edim while welcoming back one of the “pillars” of the party in the central senatorial dis-

trict of the State, Ntufam Dr. Sandy Onor alongside his supporters back to the party in Calabar.

It would be recalled that Ntufam Onor popularly called “Original Caterpillar” left the party alongside thrones of his supporters during the last general elections due irreconcilable differences with the party.

Speaking at the event, the Party Chairman, Ntufam Edim Inok disclosed that the Governor, Professor Ayade mandated him to go back to the aggrieved members of the party and speak to them that they should not be angry with the party over the impunity they suffered by

the leadership of the party.

“Apologize to them for forgiveness but also tell them that the disenchantment was not caused by this present government. So it was on this note that, when we started the inauguration of chapters, we appealed to our people who left to come back,” he said.

He disclosed that Ntufam Onor is a big catch and it is because of his capacity that we are here. He disclosed that with the defection of Ntufam back to the party alongside thrones of his supporters, the PDP is 95% certain of victory in the central senatorial district.

Also speaking, the former depu-

ty governor of the State, Mr. Efiok Cobham welcomed back Onor to the party and advised the party to manage its differences properly because it was the incapacity of the party to manage these differences that led to a series of defections from the party in the buildup to the last general elections. He disclosed that the party is now stronger with Ntufam Onor’s defection.

He took a swipe at the APC stating that the party has not fulfilled the promises it made to the electorate particularly the exchange rate and the energy situation in the country. He disclosed that the failure of the party at the national

level stemmed from the defection of five sitting governors from the party to the opposition party. “Politics is played as a collective and not as a one man game. When we work together as a team, we will be sure of victory”, he said.

While expressing his appreciation to the party for welcoming him back, Ntufam Onor disclosed that he has put his differences with the party behind him and is not back to displace anyone in the party. He called on the people to support the government of Prof. Ben Ayade so as to actualize his numerous programmes and projects for the state.

Parents tasked on proper upbringing of children

By MEJEE MEJEE

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arents and guardians of St. Albert Catholic Church Odume Obosi have stated the need for parents to rededicate themselves to the proper upbringing of their children in the way of God. They made the call during a special event held at the parish over last weekend.

Speaking to the pres at the occasion, some members of the Catholic Men’s Organization (CMO) and their CWO counterpart regretted the rising rate of immorality among youths, evident in immodest dressing and other unchristian attitude that detract from true Christianity.

In his own opinion, the CMO chairman, Chief Christian Ikpe advised parents not to shirk their responsibility of training their children according to Christian ways of life, pointing out the need for them

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to also not relent in contributing to the progress and growth of their church.

Also speaking, the principal of Archbishop Heerey Secondary School Ogidi, Sir George Umerah and Mr. Chigozie Onyeme underscored the importance of parents in guiding their children in the path of moral rectitude, especially against the prevailing immoralities among the youths of today.

They commended the parish Priest of St. Albert De Great Church, Rev. Fr. Alex Agba for his contributions towards the growth of the parish.

Contributing, Mr. Chukwujekwu Nwankwo reiterated the commitment parents should show toward their Christian faith and their children’s welfare.

He lamented the escalating rate of immorality in society and tasked parents to live up to the challenges.

PASSAGE

he death has been announced of Mr. Philip Amodu Ezeagu of Amolu clan (Esianaekwu Kindred) in Adazi-Nnukwu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was 75.

First son of three children, the late Ezeagu attended St Andrews Primary School Adazi Nnukwu from 1950-1957 and Etukokwu Memorial Commercial School, Onitsha from 1958-1962.

He started his working career immediately after his secondary education.

Thus, he was, at different times, Sales Clerk- PZ Industries Ltd, Maiduguri Branch, Borno State, 1963-1964; Bursar – Bubendoff Memorial School, Adazi Nnukwu 1965-1967; Branch ManagerArrowhead Insurance Co. Ltd, Abakaliki, 1970- 1980; Branch Manager- Veritas Insurance Co. Ltd, Awka, 1980- 1992; Branch Manager, Manila Insurance Co. Ltd, Onitsha 1993- 1996 and Branch Manager, New Era Insurance Co. Ltd, Onitsha 1997 – 2008 when he retired from active service and set up his own insurance brokerage company, Philtina Insurance Brokers.

Married in 1970 to former Miss. Nkonyelu Justina Muonekwu, daughter of the late Mr. Atanasius and Mrs. Francisca Muonekwu from Umuabani village, Neni in Anaocha L.G.A, with whom he wedded in the Catholic Church, Ezeagu had seven children from the marriagethree girls and four boys, all doing well in their respective fields to the glory of God. Known by the social title of MGBAJIAKA, he was a very sociable man for whom there was no dull moment. A

member of a number of organizations, many of which he was a very active member, he was former Chairman Adazi Nnukwu Town Development Union (ATDU), Awka; former Financial Secretary Oganiru Age Grade, Adazi Nnukwu; member, Catholic Men Association CMO), Nigeria Society of Insurance Brokers and many others.

A release issued by the family and signed by Mrs. Njideka Chibuko, a Lagos banker and mother of four, said Pa. Ezeagu, who died on August 27 will be buried this Friday, October 27 in his Amolu Village, Adazi-Nnukwu after a burial mass.

• Mr. Philip Amodu

• Some of the Abia state Commissioner-nominees at the House of Assembly

Anambra indigenes in Enugu drum support for Obaze

By OLIVER UDEOGU

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he governorship ambition of PDP flag bearer in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State Oseloka Obaze got a boost recently when indigenes of Anambra from across the State’s 21 local government areas and who are resident in Enugu gave their unalloyed support to his candidacy.

At a meeting held recently in GRA Enugu, Coordinator of the group Mr Hillary Ikenna Ajukwu said the group decided to throw its weight behind the PDP Candidate Obaze, going by his record of excellence. ‘’We embarked on mass mobilization of Anambra Indigenes resident here in Enugu by sensitizing them on the need to vote for Obaze. Our members who do not have voters cards were given transport money to go to their respective LGA’s in the State and get themselves registered because that is the power they have to effect change in the polity’’.

Ajukwu had made it clear that the group does not register members who do not have PVC’S as members are registered once they show their voters’ cards to the Secretary.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the group, Mr Kenechukwu Ezekwugo said no stone would be left unturned in ensuring Obaze wins the

November 18 polls in the State.

According to him, Obaze is an illustrious son, an acclaimed scholar who studied in Nigeria, Europe and the United States and had worked in the Foreign Affairs ministry and at

the United Nations in New York.

“These are credentials one cannot just wish away and we strongly believe he would better the lives of the citizens if voted into power,’’ he declared.

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

the society after two years.

Addressing the Volunteers, Ambassador Nwori thanked President Buhari for initiating and implementing the programme, and called on the government at all levels to adopt N-power method of recruitment in their empowerment and employment exercises.

He said within the 10 months of the programme, it has impacted on lives, reduced poverty, improved livelihood and human capital development of the citizenry.

“The economy of the country is recuperating and stabilizing because over 200,000 unemployed graduates can now boast of N30,000 per month to carter for their basic needs. So far, the federal government has been faithful with her financial obligation and in her sincere determination to improve the skills of the volunteers and make the work easier for them, has started distributing a costly and a well packaged device, free-of-charge to N-power volunteers across the country,” he added

Ebonyi Volunteers launch ‘convert N-power to permanent job’ campaign

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olunteers of the Federal Government N-power programme in Ebonyi State have launched ‘convert N-power to permanent job’ campaign as a platform to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider absorbing them into the federal civil service.

This was part of the resolution reached at Abakaliki Local Government Headquarters during a sensitization meeting organized by the state N-power Ambassador, Nwori Valentine Chibuzor, for the Volunteers in the state.

The N-power Volunteers scheme is one of the federal government’s Social Investment Programmes that began December 2016 and billed to last for two years, according to government.

But, Volunteers in Ebonyi State are insisting that the country would not claim to have made progress if the 200,000 youths that were absorbed by the programmes were pushed back to

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS Abia will save N57b from ghost workers if – former Commissioner From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has said Abia State stands to save N57b in the next five years if the ghost workers syndrome is eliminated in the State.

Ogbonnaya made this revelation on the floor of Abia State House of Assembly Monday at the beginning of the screening of the 25 Commissioner-nominees sent to the lawmakers by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

This came as the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ahukanna put up a spirited defence to clear himself of an allegation that he squandered $1.5 billion World Bank largess to Abia.

Ogbonnaya, while responding to questions by the lawmakers, told them that while he was in charge at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, his ministry discovered 2,284 ghost workers within the local government system.

He said that that painstaking review and discovery demonstrated his uprightness and integrity, adding that the discovery would save the state N57 billion over a period of five years, “if necessary actions are taken.”

He admitted that that some autonomous communities are viable while others are not.

On the other hand, the immediate past Commissioner for health, Ahukanna, had to put up a stout defence against the allegation by a lawmaker that he squandered $1.5m given to the state by the World Bank.

Ahukanna denied knowledge of any missing World Bank funds and wondered where such allegation emanated from.

He buttressed his defence with presentation of facts, a situation that brought disagreement among the lawmakers, as some members suggested that the nominee be stepped down while others questioned the basis for the allegation as no hard facts were presented to the house.

He listed his achievements while in office and assured that he would continue to serve with dedication if confirmed by the house.

While also fielding questions from the lawmakers, immediate past Commissioner for Education, Prof Ikechi Mgbeoji, admitted that public schools in the state were in dire need of urgent attention and suggested scrapping of free education and replacing same with Education Trust Fund to enable the state to tackle the numerous challenges facing the education sector in the state.

Eight former lawmakers among the nominees: Uzo Azubuike, Eziuche Ubani, Christopher Enweremadu, Chinedum Elechi, Asiforo Okere, Chidiebere Nwoke, Obinna Ekekwe and Young Onyeike, were asked to take a bow and go while others were drilled for hours.

Before the commencement of the screening exercise, the chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on the Screening of the Commissionernominees and Geputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, had presented to the House their report which described the nominees as people of impeccable character that have served the state in various capacities, but urged for further screening by the Committee of the whole House.

The House has so far screened 12 nominees.

2018 Budget: Delta earmarks N6.6b for health sector From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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o ensure that Deltans have access to quality and affordable healthcare, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration has earmarked the sum of N6.6b to consolidate the ongoing rehabilitation of the health facilities.

It has also set aside N1b to augment the contributory health insurance scheme, especially the Under-5 and Free Maternal Health Care Scheme.

The governor made the disclosure while presenting a budget christened “Budget of Hope and Consolidation,” to the Delta State House of Assembly.

While stating that the sum of N6.6b would be spent in the health subsector, the governor reiterated: “Our guiding philosophy for this sector is the establishment of a qualitative, af-

fordable and accessible health care delivery system in the State; hence we are focusing on infrastructural development of our hospitals and primary health care centres, as well as the procurement of drugs and cutting edge medical equipment in major health care facilities across the three Senatorial Districts.”

“The Free Maternal and the Free Under-Five Healthcare programmes that were initiated by the previous administration in 2007 and 2010 respectively, are still being implemented. In January 2017, the financing of these programmes was taken over by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission. As at July 2017, total enrolment of these categories of people in the scheme stood at 71,350 (under 5 - 44,445; maternal – 26,905). Registration of civil servants under the scheme has commenced and is cur-

rently in progress. Sustaining the Free Maternal and the Free Under-Five Healthcare programmes has been critical in ensuring that the maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality in the State remain the lowest in the country,” he added.

Senator Okowa emphasised that, “in fulfillment of our pledge to deliver accessible, affordable and qualitative healthcare, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission was established in 2016; with just N7, 000 as premium, the health insurance scheme is already providing pre-paid health services to 112,169 registered enrolees; the scheme is currently functional in 63 secondary healthcare centres, while 97 primary healthcare facilities in the State have been designated to commence provision of services under the scheme.”

“The Delta State Health Insurance

Scheme has kicked off and its cardinal objective is to give Deltans access to quality and affordable healthcare no matter their socio-economic status; the sum of N1.2 Billion is provided for the Commission’s activities during the 2018 fiscal year.”

He said: “We have infused vigour and vitality into the teaching hospital at Oghara with critical personnel changes and the overhauling of the MRI and CT scan facilities that are now functional. In addition, we have instituted Public-Private Partnership for some diagnostic services to ensure sustainability, and a grant of N142m was released to the institution to meet pressing needs. Infrastructural work at the Asaba Central Hospital has continued to receive priority attention from this administration and is now almost 70 per cent completed.”

Enugu State governor, Rt. Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi acknowledging cheers from PDP supporters at Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the State on his arrival at the local government headquarters to flag off the PDP campaigns for the local government election scheduled to hold in the State this Saturday, November 4. Photo: Louis Amoke

Krisoral Group builds school block for Seminary School • Dedicates it to Justice Obiorah, Ogbaru Anglican Diocesan Chancellor

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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t was all praises and encomium for the staff and management of Krisoral Group of companies, Onitsha, Anambra State as it completed a multimillion naira ultra-modern two-storey classroom block and handed same over to the Anglican Diocese of Ogbaru in the State, for the King’s Ambassadors Seminary, Atani, under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Activities marking the hand-over, which took place at the seminary school compound, yesterday, was jointly carried out by the Founder/Chairman/ Group Managing Director (GMD) of Krisoral Group, Chief Chris Oranu Chidume; the Anglican Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Ezeofor; the Diocesan Chancellor, Justice Pete Obiorah and the state government.

In an address, the GMD, Chidume highlighted the importance of education in the overall development of the country, noting that the prosperity of any nation depended largely on its investment in a sound, robust and functional education system.

Chidume, who dedicated the project to Justice Obiorah, the Diocesan Chancellor and Administrative Judge of Aguata Judicial division, noted that his company, Krisoral decided to take up the project in 2015, under its CSR projects, to assist the church in giving

children in the State quality education.

He explained that the building comes with a cafeteria, science laboratory, library and staff offices, adding that it was in that 2015 when he visited the Diocese and Justice Obiorah was conducting him round the Ogbaru Diocesan Cathedral project that Bishop Ezeofor informed him that he had opened the King’s Ambassadors Seminary school and he decided to build the edifice for them, as part of the company’s CSR. He commended the State govern-

ment for its steadfast commitment to improving the education and value system in the State, even as he equally appreciated the church for her age-long belief in education.

Responding, Bishop Ezeofor commended Krisoral Group for achieving the feat and appealed to other individuals and corporate organizations to assist them in the provision of chapel of adoration, coaster buses, staff quarters, library and administrative block.

He recalled that the Diocese had

opened women seminary at Okpoko area of Ogbaru in 2012 and seeing how beneficial it is to the down-trodden, started the present King’s seminary for men in 2015 which has about 265 students already on its nominal roll.

Prof. Joe Asike, the Chief of Staff to Government House who represented Govenor Willie Obiano at the occasion, praised Krisoral Group and the Diocese for keyin into the state government’s quality standard of education and urged others not to relent.

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

ings with the prevailing economic recession in the country,” Okorie said.

He noted that the governor is aware that several families are finding it difficult to cope economically and the payment of school fees has become a great challenge in many homes.

“You should reciprocate the governor’s gesture by redoubling your efforts in the overall service of the government and the entire State,” he said.

“The governor has offered to offset your children’s school fees no matter the cost and you should reciprocate by showing the governor unwavering love and support to succeed.”

Chief Clement Nweke, the governor’s Principal Secretary also urged the recipients to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by re-dedicating themselves to serving the government and the state

diligently.

“The governor has also allocated N2billion to the state’s civil servants to access under an empowerment scheme and this gesture reflects his love to all sectors of the state.

“The workers who did not receive their largesse at this venue should go to their various departments and meet their accountants, to receive their money,” he said.

Mr. Christopher Nwokora, one of the beneficiaries and Accountant in the deputy governor’s office thanked the governor for the gesture and prayed God to reward him.

“The governor has remembered us in these trying times as our whole families would pray for his success in office to continue bettering people’s lives,” he said.

Gov Umahi pays school fees for children of 217 Govt. House staff G

overnor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has paid the school of fees of over 200 civil servants working in Government House, Abakaliki to the tune of N27.6 million.

The Govt. House staffers that benefited from the largesse were drawn from the offices of the governor, his wife and the deputy governor including those working in the Executive Council Secretariat and Governor’s Lodge.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Offor Okorie, who made the presentation on behalf of Umahi noted that the governor was the first governor in the country to embark on such humanitarian service.

“The governor decided to make the presentations to alleviate your suffer-

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

NEWS

BIAFRA: Church embarks on 40-day fasting, prayer session

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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orried by the unfolding scenario in the quest for the restoration of Biafra by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries (aka By Fire By Fire), Nnewi, Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh and his congregation have embarked on a 40-day fasting and prayer session.

The session, which commenced about three weeks ago, according to him, is to invoke the power of God to assist in the Biafra restoration, just like God allowed Israelites to leave Egypt.

Bishop Udeh, who disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday during a special church service to mark the 21st day of the fasting and prayer session, said the fight for the liberation of Biafra from the 1914 amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria which expired since 2014, has gone beyond physical combat and now at the spiritual warfare stage.

He maintained that the 40-day fasting, prayer and total spiritual warfare within the

Biafran land would definitely draw down the hand of God and guarantee a quicker restoration of Biafra, sooner than expected, adding that the religious exercise had to start in the month of October at a non-denominational level.

According to Bishop Udeh, “it’s the will of God that Biafra must stand as an independent nation,” adding that the spiritual exercise has become necessary since it would go beyond the control of the military, individuals or groups working against the actualization of the sovereign State of Biafra.”

“It is now time to tell Pharaoh to let my people go. As it is the will of God that the Israelites will be liberated from Egypt, so it is for Biafra. Read the Books of Exodus chapter 3 verses 1 to 14, Isaiah 37, 1 to the end and II Corinthians 20, 1 to the end. I advise every Biafran to engage in this all-important spiritual warfare which started on October 2 to end on November 10, 2017 and you will see the wonderful work of God,” he said.

“The Almighty Jehovah will certainly deliver Ndigbo from the hands of their task masters. The battle is not ours; it is of the Lord’s. As the prophet of the Most High

God, the Lord has revealed to me in a vision that now is the time for the deliverance of the children of Biafra from the hands of the Fulani Islamic Caliphate,” the Bishop declared.

On the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and labelling it a terror group, he stated that it would not have been possible if the South East governors had not banned the Biafra agitators.

He, however, queried the rationale and legal basis behind the ban of a group he said was uarmed.

Bishop Udeh described the IPOB proscription as inhuman and unlawful, even as he alleged that it was a ploy to massacre the youths who might violate the proscription order. He called for the cancellation of the order with immediate effect.

“From what I have seen, these children are not ready to give up, and if this proscription subsists, the youths may go into radicalism that may be uncontrollable. A second thought should be given to this issue of proscription and at the same time I advise the youths not to be lawless and to shun anything that could lead to violence”, he said.

Mrs Ikpeazu builds 38 houses for widows

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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r Eme Okoro, last Friday, returned to his duty post as the Secretary to the Abia State Government (SSG).

He was sworn in for a second time by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu last week at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Umuahia.

He had been swept out of office in June this year when the governor dissolved his cabinet.

The oath of allegiance was administered on the agriculturist by the State’s Solicitor-General, Enyinnaya Okezie (Esq).

Ikpeazu charged the reappointed SSG to take the administrative tempo of government activities notches higher, describing the office of the SSG as the administrative clearing house of government.

The SSG, flanked by his wife, thanked the Governor for finding him worthy of reappointment into his cabinet and pledged to continue working hard to ensure that the dreams of the Governor were fulfilled.

Dr. Eme Okoro, an indigene of Ozuitem in Bende LGA, was first appointed SSG by Governor Ikpeazu at the inception of the Ikpeazu administration.

Expert tackles diarrhea-related deaths among infants From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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ife of Abia State governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, in collaboration with Vicar Hope Foundation, her pet project, has so far built and inaugurated 38 bungalows for indigent widows in the State.

The last five bungalows were built for indigent widows in Obingwa, Ikwuano and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas.

A bungalow was built for Mrs Edith Nwosu at Mgboko Umuoria in Obingwa, while Mrs Rachael Onyeukwu Nwoko from Ihie Ukwu and Mrs Eunice John Ugoala, were the beneficiaries in Ugwunagbo.

In Ikwuano, Mrs Ngozi Ikpegbu and Mrs Ebere Sunday from Ngwugwo Amizi Oloko are now proud owners of bungalows.

The three senatorial zones are billed to benefit from this gesture.

At the ceremonies to hand over keys of the bungalows to the beneficiaries, at the respective local government areas, Mrs. Ikpeazu said her activities were borne out of her selfless service and her covenant with God to positively touch lives, explaining that providing shelter to the indigent widows is her own way of uplifting them and improving their welfare. According to her, giving them succour is aimed at complementing the efforts of her husband, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, in delivering dividends of democracy to Abians.

At Ikwuano, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo, described the kind gesture of the governor’s wife towards the downtrodden as outstanding and prayed to God to help her to sustain the programme.

Also, a former Minister of State for Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd), commended the efforts of the First Lady, especially her humanitarian services.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Ezinne Ngozi Orji, had expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor for her kind gesture.

Eme Okoro returns as SSG

•From right Engr. Igwe Celestine, Dr. Chukwuto Nnamdi (Director NOUN Awka Study center, Abagana), Mrs Opara Amara & Mrs. Rosemary Nwafor during the digital summit by Computer Science of the institution.

Photo: Oliver Udeogu

Delta committed to constructing schools From JONATHAN AWANYAI,Asaba

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elta State commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Chiedu Ebie has said lack of land is hampering construction of new schools to cater for the needs of people within the capital territory.

Ebie made the disclosure during a press briefing for the breakdown of the 2018 budget, which was presented recently to the Delta State House of Assembly.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration is committed to constructing new schools where the need arises but, in the case of the capital territory where there is a great number of people desiring to attend government schools, the government is finding it difficult to acquire land for such project, especially in the Okpanam Road/GRA axis of the town.

“We are establishing more schools in areas where they are needed, sadly, our greatest challenge is land for us to establish schools within the capital territory,” he said, adding, “as it concerns the existing schools, we have restored discipline and have also, ensured good learning environment for our children,” he said.

Specifically answering question about the secondary school in Okwe that witnesses flooding, the Commissioner said: “As a government, we are aware of the challenges, we will work with the Ministry of Housing in determining the extent of work to be done in terms of the classroom renovation and propose channeling of rain water by ensuring a proper landscaping of the school grounds.”

He stated that they are also focusing on ensuring that discipline is upheld in schools while at the same time ensuring close monitoring of students during examination.

University of Uyo Teaching Hospital based pediatrician, Dr. Ekong Udoh has disclosed that the reason why Diarrhea is prevalent among infants and also a big killer disease is that their immune system is not as developed as that of adults hence the clinical manifestation in children is higher compared to that of adults who have some level of immunity hence can stand the organism that causes diseases.

Dr. Udoh stated this in Calabar during a media roundtable organized by Cochrane Nigeria (Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases, Research and Prevention) to draw attention to the rising incidences of diarrhea related mortality as well as the imperative of hand washing as a means of mitigating this challenge.

According to him, “the main virus that causes diarrhea is the Rota Virus in children. We also have the Nowak virus is also an infantile diarrhea. The focus is on children because diarrhea is a major problem for children and it is a big killer among the top five killer diseases in children. As for adults, they have some level of immunity so they can stand the organisms that could cause diseases.

“For instance, adults have antibodies which children do not have as such.

More so, in terms of inoculation – the risk of transmission is higher in children particularly in young infants and toddlers. Those that are beginning to crawl and move from place to place, mounting of objects is a common thing, whatever they pick, they put it into their mouth so they are at a higher risk of having diarrhea”, he warns.

“Once you make contact with people that have these viruses it could persist for some time. To get infected, sometimes it could take hours while in some other instances, it could take days following contamination. So by and large, once a person comes in contact and you suspect that there may be some form of hygiene related condition that could cause contamination, it’s just good to wash your hands immediately”, he advised.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

News

Faulty power cable electrocutes 2 in Calabar, destroys over 20 apartments From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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wo persons have been electrocuted and property worth millions of naira destroyed in yet another electrocution incident in Calabar.

The incident, which occurred at Adak Uko Street off Mbukpa Road in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State occurred at about 8 pm yesterday.

An eyewitness and victim, Mr. Itorobong Akpan told The Oracle Today that the incident occurred at about 8pm local time and property worth

millions of naira, alongside over 20 apartments were destroyed.

“This is the fifth time this year between last month and this month that this high tension cable has fallen. Yesterday, at about 8:00pm, we heard some sounds and suddenly, the cable fell off and landed on our roof. The cable is a high tension and there was a huge vibration and this lit up the whole compound. The zinc, protectors, fan were all reddish and power was still on.

“We called the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company severally

and there was no answer. We called the State Fire service and there was no answer until even the Divisional Police Officer for Mbukpa went to the Fire Service and persuaded them to come and they were told that government has not given them money to repair the vehicles,” he lamented.

“Most occupants of the building were around when this inferno occurred but the young boy who died ran out of his apartment and touched an antenna pole and got electrocuted while the lady who died owns a steel provisions store in the compound.

She touched the steel housing her provision store and also got executed.

“During the electrocution, I told those who were inside their apartments to remain inside and they heeded my advice and so that’s why a number of lives have been saved. It could have been worse. I was also inside my shop until the electrocution ceased,” he said.

The Divisional Police Officer for Mbukpa Police Station, Peter Gomba confirmed the incident and expressed regrets that the state fire service lacked the capacity to come

N20m ‘Choose -your-project’ initiative needs be sustained – Obiano

Synergy will promote swift response to emergencies – IGP

From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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ov Willie Obiano has noted that the unique N20m per community choose-your-project initiative embarked on by his administration to touch lives in all parts of the state needs to be sustained as a way of life in Anambra state.

He, therefore, urged all citizens and communities in the state to support his administration’s quest for re-election to continue with heavy investments already attracted in the state. The governor who stated this at Uga, Aguata council area of the state weekend when they honoured him with a chieftaincy title of “Dike Ife” at the 2017 Ofala festival of the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Chidi Ezenwugo commended them for the honour and said it would spur him to continue to pursue programmes that would make life more meaningful for citizens.

He said the streetlights installed in communities in Aguata Council Area would soon be switched on to boost economic activities and security in the areas. While conferring the chieftaincy title on the governor, the monarch adjudged him the best governor in Nigeria due to his excellent achievements in developing all sectors of the State economy.

According to him, “Uga community would always support Gov Obiano’s vision, especially in achieving his second term bid.

The Speaker of the State Assembly, Barrister Rita Maduagwu who was also conferred with the title of “Ugodioranma”, expressed appreciation to the community for recognizing her and for their support for the Obiano administration.

She assured that the state legislature will sustain its efforts at promoting good governance in the state, reminding them that Anambra State under the APGA regime has grown in leaps and bounds, hence the need to support the party in the upcoming governorship election.

I

•Rev Fr Alex Agba in a photograph with other members of St. Albert de Great Cath Church Odume Obosi during their Silver Jubilee Celeration.

Photo Emma Ihemeje.

Delta to oil palm farmers: Take advantage of CBN Scheme to boost production From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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armers have been advised to take advantage of the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to improve and increase their oil palm production in the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Austin Chikezie gave the advice at the Town Hall meetings he held with oil palm farmers and intending oil palm farmers from the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.

Hon. Chikezie, while addressing oil palm farmers and intending oil palm farmers in the various locations during the Town Hall meetings stated that Delta State government has

gone into partnership with the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), to anchor the oil palm farming programmes on palm oil production and processing, saying the State government would provide all logistics and do everything within its power to ensure the success of the programme in the State, as Delta State has a comparative advantage in oil palm farming.

According to the Agriculture Commissioner, NIRSAL is the modality for the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, stressing that oil palm was initially removed from the list of schemes

Obong Of Calabar extols FG’s interventions through TETFUND From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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he Obong of Calabar and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has extolled the federal government’s intervention in the tertiary institutions in the country through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

These interventions, according to the monarch, has been of great assistance in Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) as well as other academic needs of tertiary

to the aid of the people when their services were most needed.

He commended the youths of the community for cooperating the Police to ensure that the number of causalities and incidences of looting were minimized.

This is the second time this year that a faulty power cable would electrocute people in Calabar.

Earlier this year at Nyakasang, a high-tension cable electrocuted over 10 soccer viewers and no one has been held to account for the unfortunate incident.

institutions in the country.

The Efik Monarch stated this in Calabar while speaking on his recent investiture as the fourth Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) as well as the conferment of Honorary Doctorate on him (Honoris Causa) by the institution. He also expressed satisfaction with the current reforms in all sectors of the economy, which would progressively be very visible in the nearest future and commended the President, Mohammadu Buhari

for his untiring efforts at developing the country.

Edidem Otu V promised that as the fourth Chancellor of FUNAAB, he will build on the achievement of his predecessors and that he would do everything within his power to ensure the institution sustains its glory as prominent citadel of learning.

The Obong of Calabar succeeded the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Joseph Chike Edozien, as the Chancellor of the institution during the institution’s combined convocation ceremony.

under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme last year due to the long gestation period of oil palm but has now been included with NIRSAL coming in to anchor it.

The Commissioner said the awareness creation became necessary so as to inform oil palm farmers, especially those who registered under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme last year and intending farmers of the benefits they stand to get when they key into the new programme under NIRSAL. He revealed that the interest rate under the new programme remains nine per cent and a moratorium of five years, saying that the amount of input that would be given to each farmer would depend on the size of each farmer’s farm.

Hon. Chikezie also informed the farmers that the State Government would soon embark on training programme for farmers so as to introduce them to new innovations and technology in oil palm farming, saying that the Nigeria Oil Palm Research Institute, (NIFOR) would certify the seedlings to be supplied.

He stated that those who already have oil palm plantations would benefit from the programme as NIRSAL would give them maintenance such as fertilizer and other farm input for better oil palm yield.

nspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, says building synergy among all the sister security agencies in the country would enhance swift responses to acts of terrorism and other emergencies.

He said without synergy, the security agencies would achieve little or nothing.

The IGP made the observation while flagging off a one-week counter-terrorism course for Police Officers and other security personnel drawn from sister agencies in Zone 9 Police comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

The training holding at the Police Officers Mess, Umuahia is organized for 200 Police officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent, Superintendent to Chief Superintendent with 50 Policemen drawn from each of the four states and 15 from the Zone 9 headquarters, Umuahia.

Also, the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire Service and National Emergency Management Agency contributed one personnel from each of the states in the zone.

Idris said the course was designed to improve the skills of the security personnel in responding to incidents, as well as educating them on the roles each security agency should play when there is an emergency.

Represented on the occasion by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Hosea Karma, Idris said the course would help them to appreciate the specific roles they should play when the security agencies work as a combined team when incidents occur.

“The importance attached to this programme can never be over emphasized considering the fact that humans live side- by-side with incidents. Incidences could be minor, they could be major. These incidents could be natural like floods, air mishap, sea mishap and the rest of them. They are indispensable features of human interactions and existence. Wherever it occurs, it becomes very important, the category of officers here as the first callers that are expected to man the scene of the incidents,” he said.

“The most important thing is that we have to work as partners. Synergy is the most important word. Without synergy, you cannot achieve anything. Everybody is important.

Once there is any incident, we need to realize that everybody has a role peculiar to his being present there,” he added.”

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

POLITICS NIGERIA at 57, would you say it’s been so far, so good?

I would say it’s so far, so bad; so far, so negative. We are taking giant steps backwards, not for development or progress.

Since when, in your opinion, did this observed slide start?

It’s been there for long. But it took a quantum leap since the coming of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari administration. For two years now, we have been in the doldrums. You can listen to your friends, the young people who come to you for assistance, the old women, the children in school, people who have been driven out of their usual abode due to non-payment of rent… we have never had it so bad. Shops closed all over the cities of the nation had never been so many.

So, it’s not a matter of proving it; everyone is living it. Perhaps some people in government are stealing money and feeling good.

What’s the way forward; what could be done?

Well, it’s our Lord’s doing and it is good for us. God has brought Buhari to change things.

He thought he was bringing change, but he is initiator of change. He has brought Nigeria down to the lowest possible level. Therefore, there is nowhere for Nigeria to go, except rise. Go up. And go up, we must. Because for 15 years, we had been doing the wrong things. Nigeria had been doing very well until 1966 when the military came, then the Civil War. In order to win the war, the military divided the country into 12 states in order to isolate the Igbo from the South East. Now after the war, we didn’t resurrect the structure we had before. Instead the Northern military leaders eventually created thirty-six (36) States, with 19 in the North and 17 in the South with Abuja Federal Territory (FCT) as if it were a State.

So what happened? There was an increase in unitarism, whereas what was agreed by our founding fathers was a federation based on regions. Now, we have States with unitary centre. Therefore, not even the indigenes of the states are monitoring the activities of their states, the spending in the States.

Whereas in those days all the money spent in the states come from the indigenes of those states, so they looked out to see that the money was well spent.

But now, they go to the FCT, get federal revenue and nobody is supervising it. Therefore, from that came gigantic increase in corruption and the country started going down, down, down and down.

Now, with the noise on restructuring increasing, if we restructure we’ll begin to grow again. In fact, we will experience explosive growth if we restructure and allow justice to prevail. And nobody will any longer be looking for secession.

This word has been on the lips of virtually everybody. And am sure there are many who are confused about its real meaning that makes some Nigerians so uncomfortable.

What is restructuring?

Ok. It will sound like big grammar. But, it is very ordinary. It is like keeping agreement. It is like going back to what was agreed.

Restructuring is taking Nigeria back to what was agreed in the 1960s, when there were regions and those regions were strong, and were growing. That is restructuring.

There is nothing else--just making sure the federal system works; that the federal government does not run everything; that regions are important and that regions have power over resources in their lands, which they should use to grow and modernize at their own pace.

So, ‘restructuring’ (unfortunately the grammar sounds big) simply means that we keep agreement. What was the agreement?

Federal system with regions-that was the agreement we reached.

Why, then, does it appear that some Nige-

‘Genocide is unforgivable’ Pg 12

Buhari, North want restructuring dead –Ezeife Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, an elder statesman and former governor of Anambra State has seen it all as a social crusader and a revered commentator on topical national issues. He is one who says how he feels and sees it, no matter whose ox is gored.

Virtually no national discourse is complete without a word from Dr Ezeife. In this interview with CHUKS COLLINS, he speaks on several burning national issues.Excerpts:

•Dr. Ezeife rians easily get very agitated whenever the word ‘restructuring’ is mentioned?

The people getting agitated are mostly from the North. As you know, the military rulers of Nigeria created states and favoured the North more than the South. They have more Senators and more House of Representatives Members. Therefore, when Buhari says we should take restructuring to the National Assembly, he knows what he’s doing. It means we should kill it.

So, if you look at even the local government areas, that is where the action is more.

Sokoto State has 20 LGAs, the same number as Lagos State. But today, out of Sokoto has come 83 LGAs and Lagos is still 20 LGAs.

Kano has 44 LGAs. Kano and Jigawa states are about the size of the number of LGAs in the whole South East. And money is paid to LGAs from the centre, as well as to the states. So, in both states and LGAs they have a lot, lot more. Wherefore we are saying restructure!

It may be to equalize the numbers or remove LGAs from Federation Account. Because, you have federating units and LGAs are never part of the federating units in an organized society. That is the main issue and that is why they say they don’t understand it.

But, those of them who have positive intellect know that if the country is growing faster, it would be better for them than get

11

Anambra Poll: Federal Might on display as Osinbajo, others storm Onitsha for Nwoye Pg 16

money, share money without any form of growth. Who is suffering more now in the country? It’s the Northern poor. If the country were growing, they won’t be depending on government. They would instead depend on themselves and on the private sector where our people play dominant role.

Suddenly, the agitation for self-determination appears louder with more of such groups agitating for self-determination springing up. Surprisingly, instead of fashioning out ways of peacefully dousing the tension, the FG is sending out soldiers, guns and fighter jets on them. Why are we not getting it?

They don’t want to get it. There is only one agenda in this government and that is Islamization. That is why the herdsmen kill with impunity. That is why the President is massacring anybody he can see in South the East and South South.

It’s not that they don’t know, but they don’t want to know. We keep playing into their hands to achieve the Islamization agenda. Look at the money flowing into your zone to enable them succeed in that agenda.

In Ebonyi State, how many million dollars are they being promised for the three mosques they want to build. Then in Enugu State, Iran is to build a hospital. So, the hatred for the South East by President Buhari is the love for Islam. The East is the place where you have the greatest percentage of Christians in Nigeria.

But could all these be reason anytime Biafra is mentioned it sends jitters down the spine of other Nigerians Biafra sends jitters down the spine of even well-educated Igbo people. Although Biafra may be inevitable, it is not the way the young men are going about it. Yes, life without honour is not worth living- “e ji ndu eme gini?”

More Igbo slaves committed suicide, jumped overboard into the deep sea in the era of slave trade, because life in slavery is not our way. If we can have restructured Nigeria, living in peace with others and having access to this mass market of Nigeria that is the best for us and any group in Nigeria. But, if we cannot get that and you are rejected, would you reject yourself? Therefore it is not inevitable that we must be in Nigeria. But those who know don’t want Biafra now. It’s only as a last resort that Biafra comes up in the scheme of things.

APC has replaced the PDP. Can you observe any difference in the scheme of things even in the face of the change mantra?

Never. Sometime ago a major newspaper had a headline that said ‘APC equals All Promises Cancelled—Ezeife’.

Well, but if you look at it, what have they brought to the table? They promised to make N1=$1, they promised N40 per litre of petrol, they promised change, and they promised most things. They also said they are fighting corruption but this is the most corrupt administration we have had in history. Because even the man heading it doesn’t know what is going on.

The people behind the government are carting money away. There was a time it was a matter of everyday you go and take dollars from one bank, change it into Naira and become a billionaire. Even Lamido Sanusi, may God bless and keep him going for Nigeria because we need people who have conscience.

It’s not just intellect. He has the intellect but has also the conscience to do things right and say the truth.

APC brought nothing and up till today, after all they are all PDP anyway. What they brought were Islam and herdsmen. That’s all.

Sir as Anambra goes to the polls to elect a governor in the next one moth, what advice do you have for the electorate, the parties, the candidates and the rest stakeholders?

To all, I say, think about the Igbo and vote.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT

12

‘Genocide is unforgivable’

Emma Okocha is the author of the classic “Blood on the Niger,” the first book that opened the world’s eye to the bestial killing of thousands of unarmed males of Asaba origin by Nigerian soldiers during the Biafra-Nigeria War of 1967. He is also a human rights crusader and conflict studies expert. For his pioneering work on Asaba Massacre and for accurately telling the story of the genocide, he was recently honoured by the Asaba community. In this chat with JONATHAN AWANYAI, the author recounts blood-chilling events of the Asaba Massacre, which form the thesis of his book, “Blood on the Niger”, explaining why he feels the massacre is unforgivable. He also speaks on some exigent national issues and the re-emergence of pro-Biafra agitations 50 years after the Civil War. Excerpts: Why do u feel that the Asaba genocide is unforgivable?

I was a member of the committee that hosted the 50th anniversary of the Asaba massacre but some of us in the committee do not share the views of the Chairman and his group, especially his unwarranted outbursts and pronouncements on the Asaba genocide. Without any mandate and lacking in the understanding of what our community went through, the gentleman said Asaba has forgiven the genocide. That was undermining our strenuous 30-year cliff mountain climb to establish Asaba as world recognized genocide victimized community.

There are several principled differences and colliding definitions of the Asaba genocide narrative. What are those differences? The chairman argues that for the community to resurge and experience rebirth, the people should forgive the butchers.

We on the other side, reject that stand because there is no place for forgiveness in the genocide register. It is not a matter of choice. Come to think of it, one murderer is never forgiven whenever our legal system declares a suspect a murderer. Now, compare that to the extremity of the deliberate killing of one group, like in the case of Asaba. Can you now imagine a situation where over 5,000 people fell on the day the Second Division landed in town?

There is nothing like forgiveness in the proven cases of genocide by victimised communities all over the world. Since the proclamation of genocide as a crime against humanity, there is nothing like forgiveness in that register.

Genocide is not like a communal crisis; it is not even a case of nation against nation in a war but a deliberate killing on a massive level by a group aimed at exterminating another group.

The soldiers were told that Asaba was the home community of Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, the man who carried out the revolution of January 15 1966, so Asaba was planned out.

There was a deliberate concession by the army to wipe out Asaba and they did. There was also the issue of our neighbours, the Urhobos and the people of Benin who saw the opportunity to level up with the educated western Igbos--talking about the master plan.

These are proven cases of deliberate co-plan.

The crime, because of its savagery, is unforgivable and unforgettable.

What is happening today in the

gida and many others who were killed and we never received any justice.

The question is “why is it that Asaba that has proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and has been admitted into the United Nations Committee of genocide communities yet to get justice?”

We will continue in the struggle to get justice. We have been to Oputa panel over our issue, and we are also worried that other victimized communities have been compensated and Asaba remains forgotten even after 50 years of the incident. The butchers must face the ultimate justice. The story of Asaba massacre during the Nigerian Civil War remained untold for long due to the concerted plan to carpet the story after the heinous crime was committed. The story was carpeted over the years. I was the first to un-carpet the story through my book “Blood on the Niger”. For anybody to preach forgiveness shows that that person is not properly informed and nobody can change the over 50 years of Asaba genocide narrative.

Why do people keep talking about peace without mentioning the word ‘Justice’? Asaba will never be stampeded into supporting any new narrative that diminishes the calamity that was the genocide of October 7, 1967.

Before the arrival of the two Human Rights Crusaders, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka and Archbishop Kukah, Barrister Nduka Eze and I were in the minority opposing the frightening new narrative being imposed on our people. The two giants won the debate back to us. Finally, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, ended the debate when he decreed that Asaba would seek and stand for justice.

•Emma Okocha

Korean peninsula in many ways can be traced to World War 11. Korea has not forgiven the Japanese atrocities, including the rape of their women.

Christian Armenia is not contemplating forgiveness for the Turks that decimated their population. Ditto for the Jews. The Israeli Intelligence would haunt you down even if you are about to die until you answer for your holocaust extremities. In Africa, Rwanda will retain the Tutsi President forever as the Hutsi Genocide that took out thousands of people is never going to be forgotten or forgiven.

The people who went about preaching “forgiveness” were never authorized to do so. They were not given the authority to step into such sensitive area. We cannot forgive such deliber-

ate attempt at exterminating us.

The Chairman made the declaration without any authorisation and with that pronouncement of forgiveness attempted to destroy our over 30-year struggle establishing Asaba as a genocide victimized community.

Will the victims of Asaba Massacre ever get justice?

The people of Odi in Bayelsa got justice after their genocide attack. However, compared to the victims of Odi attack who were mostly fishermen, the victims of Asaba massacre had doctors, lawyers, accountants among them. My father who was killed during the genocide was a chief accountant, so also was the man who started import and export business in West Africa, the father of Maryam Baban-

Exact casualty figures involved in the genocide?

I forgive some ill-informed members of the committee who postulate that 700 youths were killed. The correct figure is far from this conservative estimate awarded to Ogbeosowa. The killings at Ogbeke Square were more than 500. The killings at present day NECAB/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were more than 800. At AGGS and SPC Asaba, you could count over 1,000 dead. This was confirmed by the Nigerian Chaplain of the Nigerian Army, Rev. Pedro Martins and the late Father Ossai from Obamkpa. The killing that happened opposite the present Police Headquarters recorded more than 500 shot victims. That is why that piece of property is uninhabitable till this day. Every 4am, eerie, terrible

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

BOLD & BLUNT •Asaba Genocide has no room for forgiveness •Biafra is every Igbo man’s obsession •40% of youth, 30% of elders (i.e 70%) want an independent Biafran State •Biafra has to exit for Nigeria to work •Asaba can’t abandon Eastern Igbo; they were kind to us during the war •The butchers of Asaba must face ultimate justice voices disturb the peace of the night because the thousands buried there were victims of the same genocide.

Before Ogbeosowa, the killings at SPC, opposite the Police Headquarters, etc., the whole town was a bloody mess with corpses of the murdered lying on every street, meat for dogs and pigs. Those numbers are uncountable. There were those who were not Asaba people, who didn’t participate in the procession from the villages to Ogbeke and finally to the slaughter ground of Ogbeosowa.

Those victims were uncountable.

These Nigerians were mainly from Ndokwa, Aboh and Ukwuani areas and have been here since the turn of the last century, trading in fish and were slaughtered near the Brigade areas down the river.

Of course, in the Cable Point area, there were massive killings and burning of houses. Many died when their houses and properties were burnt to ashes. It was at Cable Point that my father and two of my brothers were shot into the River Niger after the soldiers identified his name in the Master list from Benin City. The greatest number of death was registered when soldiers were killing and

dumping bodies into the river. When the Biafrans collapsed the bridge, hundreds of fleeing Asaba refugees were buried down the river together with falling debris from the bridge. So, I feel insulted when some of my own brothers are pleading for the perpetrators and spewing out numbers that don’t match the scope of the calamity that was the plight of our people on October 7, 1967.

Indeed, many Asaba families as a result of that war have ceased to exist. Families like the Ezeadiefe, Wemeambu, Ojogwo and the Chukwuras, who suffered over six dead in one day, may never forgive anybody that is singing the forgiveness anthem.

Many people who survived the bullets did not make the gory aftermath. The trauma of losing bread winners, life partners, beloved little children and the anguish of staring every day at the burnt debris of your home, etc., these are the unrecorded trauma that killed most of the victims even after the war had ended.

What is the major thesis of your book, Blood on the Niger?

In his foreword to the book, Chief P.C. Asiodu, who was a member of General Gowon’s war Cabinet stressed that our account of the tragic event at Asaba, Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Isheagu is succinct, and that the narrative is based on a long painstaking research. He had in his own introductory lines concurred with the thesis of our study, when he explained that “at Asaba and environs from October 2 to October 7, 1967, horrible massacres were committed by the Federal troops, hundreds of men were slaughtered as a result of cold, deliberate planning. Men of all ages, teenagers and septuagenarians were shot in cold blood.”

I am fulfilled that we were able to document the names of these victims, the villages, the communities and for every year, a new edition comes out with fresh names that were not included in the last edition.

Your view on renewed pro-Biafra agitations.

I strongly believe that Biafra has to leave for Nigeria to survive. Biafra has to exit so that Nigeria will be a working nation. Look at little North Korea; when they sneeze, the world catches cold. Is Korea more powerful than Biafra? Is Korea more scientifically inclined or do they have more potentials than Biafra?

It is unfair to say that Biafra will not be free. Biafra is the obsession and major interest of every Igbo man. It is sacred.

We from Asaba, even though geographically tied to Nigeria, cannot abandon the Igbo of the East. During the civil war, our people didn’t run to Benin or Warri but to the East. That is because the refugee passage from war zones determine where they come from or where they have their sympathies during the war. The Igbo were very friendly to us.

From my perspective, Biafra means the inability of Nigeria to become a nation. I also don’t believe in restructuring. What are we going to restructure: the executive, legislature or judiciary, or the bureaucracy that is totally corrupt? There is absolutely no need for any restructuring.

Once Biafra leaves Nigeria, I strongly believe that they will perform excel-

•Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien

lently because they will want to prove that they made the right choice and that will awaken other components of Nigeria towards striving for their development. From my research, over 70 per cent of those living in Biafra want independence and 30 per cent of them is not young people.

will advance the cause of Biafra.

It is unfair for the South East governors to proscribe IPOB. The governors made a wrong decision in the proscription of IPOB. The Biafra obsession is beyond any governor’s reach. The army came into the South East when they saw division among our people.

Nnamdi Kanu’s disappearance If the IPOB leader cannot be found, that means his mysticism is still on.

Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, without the intellectual fertilisation of people like Uche Chukwumerije, Clem Nwankwo, Prof.

Ikoku, among others is just a mega phone of the Igbo governors.

It is also expected that the present leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo does not attempt to disturb the activities of the IPOB, MASSOB and other Biafran groups as we are all Biafrans and our children will continue to be Biafrans just as the Bight of Biafra has been there even before Nigeria was created.

Way forward I suggest that there should be a meeting of Igbo stakeholders to decide what becomes their fate under Nigeria. Such meeting will avail Ndigbo an opportunity to examine the 1945 blueprint by Nnamdi Azikiwe, the ground breaking Aburi Accord and what exactly Ojukwu wanted for the Igbo, the Ariaria Declaration among other iconic papers and policies that

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

POLITICS Chief Tony Chukwuelue, a deputy director in the Tony Nwoye Campaign Council, and a two-time House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Idemili Federal Constituency tells CHUKS COLLINS why the Anambra electorate should vote for Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 18 governorship.

Nwoye is face of change, hope – Chukwuelue • Insists that experienced leaders use their know-how to loot public treasury were reported to have been pictures of projects from Ekiti, Delta, Rivers and Lagos States. What a shame.

They arrogate attracting billions of foreign and local investments to the state, yet we cannot find anything. Please where do they exist, in the air? Or are they in the spirit realm, because we cannot see, feel or touch them. What I am saying is that government is not run by sheer propaganda.

It appears Nwoye enjoys the financial and political goodwill of many notable citizens like Prince Arthur Eze. Curiously this has elicited some negative comments.

There is clearly nothing wrong with Prince Arthur Eze or any other kind-hearted Nigerian supporting Nwoye. It shows he earns their trust and friendship. It’s a big plus for Nwoye. This candidate is an exceptionally brilliant young man, a talent who, just as it is in other parts of the world, has been discovered. The immediate past American President, Barrack Obama was discovered

by Senator Ted Kennedy of the famous Kennedy family and was given the opportunity.

He heavily supported him and gathered all his friends to do so. Kennedy was quoted as saying that he saw a new America under Obama.

Prince Eze, an internationally acclaimed philanthropist who has all his life lived for the masses’ welfare and public good. He has always given lavishly to support the public cause. This project is just another aspect.

Didn’t you hear also that he normally gives all aspirants what they spent?

ABOUT 17 very capable candidates are on parade for the governorship poll from different parties. Why Tony Nwoye?

The truth is that in this election, there are three contenders from three political parties, namely APC, PDP and APGA. And Nwoye is the best, going by his antecedents.

He was a former students union leader and a well-known go-getter. He has the interest of the masses at heart and variously championed same to the admiration and praise of all, all his life. There is no ambiguity in saying he’s the first among equals. So, he deserves the votes of Anambra citizens.

There’s this catch phrase—‘why mend it if it’s not broken?’ And in view of the clamour for the North Senatorial zone to complete their eight years before the governorship moves elsewhere.

I agree that the zone should complete two terms because I believe in equity. After all, we in the South East have been crying about marginalization at the federal level over the years. Here, the northern zone of the state has equally been crying about marginalization too. But, within that zone, there is this agitation that if you allow only one section of the area to complete the whole eight years, it won’t be fair.

Again, Dr Willie Obiano having performed so poorly does not deserve re-election, especially when we have a brilliant and tested young and energetic person in the race like Dr Tony Nwoye. It would be anomalous to allow Obiano’s abysmal show continue. Four years is not four days. Dr Nwoye is not just a gift to the zone, he’s a gift to the state. If Chief Obiano had performed, most of us won’t be willing to stake our neck in support of another.

Nwoye should be allowed and massively supported to complete the zone’s eight years. In fact, he is on a salvation mission because Obiano disappointed all of us who fought for his victory in 2013. He openly rubbished our goodwill and should actually quietly hide his face from public view.

Some other issues have been brought against Nwoye such as his lack of experience in governance, in administration and what have you.

Well, this is democracy where people are at liberty to say whatever they like. This nation has witnessed old brigades who failed, else the nation would have been up there in development and advancement among other nations. What we need is one who understands the problems of the masses, a practical and compassionate person eager to develop the society. And these are exactly the qualities you can find in Dr Nwoye.

Over the years we have discovered that the experienced ones have mastered the art of looting and successfully covering their tracks. This is surely not the type of experi-

•Tony Nwoye ence we need now. As a matter of fact, that is the problem we are having right now.

Three years ago, we were bamboozled into believing that this person being the most experienced, versed and deep in administrative matters would take us to the Eldorado.

But how wrong we have been. Now there is nothing on ground; nothing to show for our trust, belief and acceptance of the man Obiano. The only thing you see everywhere is ‘Willie Working’ noisy propaganda everywhere you go, yet very low achievement and development. It is unfortunate.

So, if it’s a child that can give us the pace of development that we yearn, we go for him. Tony Nwoye is not in that sticky finger league. By the way, he’s a medical doctor; he’s in the House of Representatives and at the age of 30, he was already the PDP chairman in the State. He produced governors, national and state assemblies members.

He’s having the singular honour of being the governorship candidate of the PDP about 4 years ago and today won the nomination of the APC to run as its governorship candidate, having defeated all the political heavyweights in the state. What else do you need to prove that the young man is highly talented and would deliver? For such a young man

at such age to tower above all in a state like Anambra where you have so many money bags, political heavyweights shows the intrinsic stuff he’s made of.

Is it not too generalizing for you to say the incumbent has not performed. Are you really sure?

To whom much is given, much is expected.

Obiano’s predecessor told us he left N75billion for Obiano. Shocking that today there is no evidence that someone has been in the saddle since Obi left. Look at the infrastructures, the schools, the health sector or the level of unemployment. Everything about Obiano is massive propaganda -the state government has done this and that. But in reality, there is nothing to see.

These are practical realities. Am from Central zone and there is nothing to show we have an administration in the state in the last three and half years beyond where it was left about four years ago. It is even worse in the South zone. As a governor, Obiano ought to have known he was the father of all zones.

Beyond that, as a citizen I pass virtually all areas from time to time and wonder where those phantom projects being displayed on pages of newspapers and television. Some

Eze is not the regular capitalist who wants to amass wealth for self alone and I can say anywhere that if I am Prince Eze or Bill Gates, I will stake all I have on someone like Tony Nwoye- a high flying achiever who has always excelled wherever he finds himself.

Eze as all know doesn’t need anything from the State. In fact, from history, he has been giving his wealth to the development of the State and humanity wherever he goes. Check the records of the building of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu and the Security Fund of Anambra State and see what he has given in the advancement of these projects and programmes.

Records show he has never visited any governor of this State for any reason, instead it has always been the other way round. His support for Nwoye, I believe is because of the talent he sees in him and, therefore, wants to help the State. So, to me, there is absolutely nothing wrong in that. Yet, they are not related in anyway. One thing I am convinced about is that Nwoye would give us a new chapter in our history.

The last time I checked, Obiano could not harness the numerous budding resources in the State. It is unfortunate that we have joined the ignoble league of failed States that can no longer sustain themselves without relying heavily on monthly federal allocation like a hopeless lazy child.

It’s noteworthy that the internally generated revenue (IGR) are regularly shared to political touts that abound in the administration. Today, it’s clear to all that Obiano is running what is called “patronage government” where if they feel you can unleash nuisance value, they go and dump something in your account, instead of using the resources to develop the state.

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

POLITICS

Obiano has done enough to deserve second term, says Awogu Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu, a human rights activist is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Willie Obiano on political matters. In this report, he tells GABRIEL EJIOFOR that his principal, Gov. Obiano’s chances in the November 18 Anambra governorship election are very bright. A native of Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area, he also denies allegations that the governor abandoned projects in Ogbaru, where the PDP candidate, Mr. Oseloka Obaze comes from. Excerpts DO you think Obiano deserves another term?

Yes, because Gov. Willie Obiano has earned our trust and confidence. As incumbent, he has performed exceptionally well in his three and half years in office and has equally fulfilled the primary responsibility of government which is the provision of security and seeing to the welfare of the people of Anambra state. Section 14 Sub-section 2 (b) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and as contained in Chapter Two under fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy says emphatically: “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government ...” That basic requirement remained a puzzle in Anambra State until Gov. Willie Obiano came in and solved it. He swept all forms of crime and criminality out of Anambra State and made the state conducive for businesses to thrive and for investors both indigenous and foreign to see Anambra as first choice destination in Nigeria, which earned the governor accolades from event watchers and brought the state to the number one position in crime fighting. And while the recession lasted, Anambra state never felt the bite of the economic meltdown simply because we have a governor that pays salaries promptly. Understandably, government (be it state or federal) is the highest employer of labour and when the worker gets his or her salary he or she heads to the market to buy needs and the payment of salary by Gov. Willie Obiano rubs off positively on the traders and down to the spectrum which was why the recession was not felt in the state coupled with the injection of N40 million directly to each of the 181 communities in the state in the choose-your-project initiative.

These and many more are the reasons we cannot at this point afford to joke with the re-election of Gov. Willie Obiano. Ndi-Anambra understand the need to guard the security and welfare we now enjoy in Anambra State jealously and the only way to do that is by re-electing Gov. Willie Obiano come November 18th.

But critics of your governor say he has not done much. Can you mention some things to prove them wrong?

You see, what we do in our party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is not to fight, abuse or threaten malicious and deliberate lies peddlers, but engage Anambra voters with facts and naked truth of what we have done in three years and seven months with the mandate they gave to us.

And daily, we keep winning support and their ranks (negative critics) keep depleting. I think, what we need going forward is to speak more to the people and presenting our scorecard.

Let me refer to the concept of negative profiling and downright misinformation against our party and government by the desperate opposition as political hypothesis of Anambra state political logjam. And I would want to ask, for how long will the opposition in Anambra state relish in lies, whip up all sorts of sentiments, twist the truth all in a desperate bid to deceive and mislead the Anambra voters?

However, we are all witnesses to the litany of Gov. Willie Obiano’s achievements in security, investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, public infrastructure, workers’ welfare, industrialization, public

•Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu

utility and human capacity building among others in Anambra state. The story of Anambra state has long changed since the inception of Governor Willie Obiano’s administration with the provision of effective security of lives and property to the people of the state, attracting investments worth over 4 billion US dollars, renovation of our schools and improving the standards of education in the state, prompt payment of workers’ salaries and increasing same not minding the economic challenges, infrastructural development, prudent management of resources and achievement of maximum output with minimum input - a product of Gov. Obiano’s doctrine of “doing more with less.”

Road infrastructure and beautification of our cities are visible effects of Gov. Willie Obiano’s sterling achievements. Everywhere in Anambra state is lit up in ecstasy; from Awka to Onitsha to Nnewi and others, the skyline is lit up in rapture. Gov. Willie Obiano is running riot with massive road construction in the hinterlands, there is the provision of N40m to each of the 181 communities to

execute whichever project that suits them.

Our markets are wearing new look because of the infrastructures the governor is putting in all the markets in the state, our hospitals are refurbished and made functional.

Ambulances and fire trucks are common sights in the state now for rapid response to emergencies. Hospitality industry is booming in Anambra state and people now have longer hours to do their business owing to adequate security and availability of street lighting system. We can only but ask Gov. Willie Obiano to keep doing the good works.

Again, the Anambra South Zone are no fools; they know that Obiano’s victory is the surest way of power remaining in their zone in the next four years.

Your people in Ogbaru complain that Obiano left their roads untouched. What do you tell them?

I don’t think that is correct. Fair enough, when people talk and deliberately spread falsehood, rather than reply them you should sympathize with them for their ignorance.

The people of Ogbaru local government area have every cause to stay glued to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government under the leadership of Gov. Willie Obiano, the party whose government is remembering Ogbaru people in very many positive ways. A number of road projects have been built and commissioned in Ogbaru by Gov. Willie Obiano with many still at various impressive stages. The Abazuonu Street road and Acha by Madonna Catholic Street road, all in Iyiowa Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area, were asphalted and completed by the governor in the spirit of continuity.

Ossomala-Umunankwo-Mputu-Ogwuaniocha road has progressed with much speed.

The GMO by Ogbuagwu-Ngbuka-Amazu road is on going, same with Ossomala-Akiliogidi-Obeagwe-Ogwuikpele road. So, it is not correct when people who in the last 24 months have not visited home sit in distant lands and say that the governor abandoned Ogbaru roads. Agreed that there is huge infrastructural deficit in Ogbaru, which is as a result of the neglect of the area by past administrations. So, it is rather preposterous to say that Gov. Obiano is not doing anything for Ogbaru people.

Those who criticise should not stay far away and talk; they should come home and see for themselves. Ogbaru obviously will not be stampeded into voting because someone lives next door. Ogbaru people will vote because there is conviction and part of the conviction is that we can now since after the civil war sleep with our two eyes closed in Anambra State and that Gov. Willie Obiano has been fair to Ogbaru people.

Ogbaru is an agrarian community and most farmers prefer to live in their farms because of distance which are mostly located on the islands and far-away camps and have over time grown to become settlements on their own. When you go to such islands in Ogbaru, we call it Agwe, you will see how education has been taken to the inhabitants by building schools for the children of the farmers and fishermen there and sending teachers to the place to teach them. So, what the governor did was to craft a policy that takes school infrastructure to the islands and camps instead of the children having to take pains and risk everyday to cross the River Niger to and fro with its consequences.

It is also important that we appreciate the muddy and spongy nature of our terrain. The amount of resources expended on one road in Ogbaru could do three of the same number of kilometres elsewhere. But, our terrain makes us who we are and it’s no excuse to deny Ogbaru the much-needed development. While we are hopeful that contractors handling Ossomala-Ogwuikpele, GMO-Ogbuagwu-Ngbuka-Amazu roads and others will speed up work on the roads now that the rains have subsided, we will not fall for those who were in office for eight years but could not do or complete the said roads and now desperately wanting to use the state of those roads to confuse Ogbaru people. Gov. Willie Obiano is continuing with his sustained approach to opening up Ogbaru hinterland and the next four years will be crucial to his aggressive push on the many needs of Ogbaru people and fulfilling them. It hasn’t been this good for Ndi-Ogbaru and November 18th will see the people of Ogbaru troop out in their numbers to show their support and preference for Gov. Willie Obiano as against other candidates.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

POLITICS I T was more of a show of federal might in the commercial city of Onitsha when the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo led a powerful team of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to flag off the electioneering campaign of Hon. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State holding this November 18.

In addition to Vice President Osinbajo, there were, in attendance, governors of Imo, Edo, Kogi, Plateau, Bauchi and Adamawa. Others were national chairman of APC Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Minister Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige and his Science and Technology counterpart, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; former governor of old Anambra State Senator Jim Nwodo and former governor of Balyelsa State, Chief Timipreye Sylvia, among others.

Speaking amid thunderous ovation from the mammoth crowd who ceaselessly chanted ‘Obiano must go,’ Vice President Osinbajo hinged the campaign of the party on the promise that the APC government under president Muhammadu Buhari would soon start work on the Second Niger Bridge, assuring that, unlike the past administrations which made promises on the bridge but never did it, the present administration would surely do it.

Osinbajo said the 2nd Niger Bridge project is now top priority of President Buhari, adding that it has been accommodated in the budget and the fund for it is ready. He, thus, called on the people to vote for the APC candidate come November 18 as doing so would connect Anambra to the centre.

Speakers after speaker pointed at the 2nd Niger Bridge as the major reason Ndi Anambra should embrace APC and vote for Nwoye in the November poll.

In his words, Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum Owele Rochas Okorocha pleaded with the Anambra electorate to give him a brother governor who will join him to fight for Igbo interest in Abuja by voting for Nwoye come November 18.

Also speaking the governor of Kaduna State Naira El- Rufai told the people that President Buhari is in love with the people of Anambra State.

He recalled that in 2003 and 2007 respectively, Buhari as presidential candidate picked the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo and the late Edwin Umezoke both from Anambra as his running mates.

The Kaduna governor urged the people of the State to disregard those who dub APC a Muslim party as according to him, APC is not a Muslim party.

He reminded the crowd that the national chairman of the party is a Christian and Governor Lalong of Plateau State is also a Christian who was elected under APC. Speaking after collecting the flag from the national chairman, Nwoye assured the electorate that he would revamp the education sector as well as the health sector and also create jobs if elected. He also promised to conduct local government election shortly after his swearing in.

“If I am elected and sworn in, I will look into the education system and review the school fees in government-owned schools with a view to improving on the standard of education in the State. I will effect a turnaround in the health sector to ensure effective healthcare delivery to the people,” Nwoye said.

“In addition, I will create jobs and do a lot of things for the overall development and progress of Anambra State. And to cap it all, I will conduct local government election and ensure that a functional local government system is in place.

“The APGA government under Governor Willie Obiano is milking the local governments and not using the resources to develop rural areas, which is the reason local governments were created.”

Highlights of the event were the presentation of the party flag to Nwoye and declaration of support for him by other aspirants who lost at the primary election.

Meanwhile, Nwoye has appealed to the federal government to order contractors handling the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway project back to work so as to alleviate the

•Nwoye

•Osinbajo

•Oyegun

Anambra Poll: Federal Might on display as Osinbajo, others storm Onitsha for Nwoye Last Friday, October 20 to be precise, the APC candidate for the Anambra November 18 governorship election, Tony Nwoye flagged off his campaign in Onitsha, the commercial city on the Niger. THEO RAYS and IBE NWACHUKWU report that the gathering at the All Saints Cathedral Field, Onitsha, where the event took place was remarkable for the political heavy weights that attended the rally. suffering of commuters on the road.

Nwoye noted that ordering the contractors back to work would help to convince the electorate to regard APC as a party that has the interest of the people at heart.

Speaking shortly after he received the flag from the national chairman of the party, John Oyegun and Vice-President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo last Friday in Onitsha during the flag-off of his governorship election campaign, Nwoye stated that his priority, if elected governor of Anambra State would be education, promising to pay WAEC fees for indigent students and provide bursary awards to students of the state.

He further stated that he would make pre-natal and post-natal health care free for women, equally equip hospitals in the state and create jobs by creating enabling environment for business to thrive.

Earlier, Vice President Osinbajo had disclosed that the Federal Government has paid $2b from the sovereign wealth fund for the actualization of the Second Niger Bridge project (the figure has been revised to N2b, the actual figure the VP meant to say).

Osinbajo also disclosed that the national rail project has been redesigned to include the South-East geopolitical zone, adding that the Lagos-Calabar rail line would now pass through Onitsha while the Maiduguri -Port-Harcourt rail line would pass through Enugu and Umuahia.

Osinbajo noted that Anambra is key in the policy of the federal government as it was the first to receive fund for National School

Feeding Programme, adding that over 800 schools in the state are now benefiting from the programme.

“Southeast is of prime importance to this administration and that is why the Second Niger Bridge project is in this year’s budget and just two days ago, the sovereign wealth fund paid the sum of 2 billion Dollars to the project. We will definitely see the Second Niger bridge actualized,” he said.

“Under the same administration, the Lagos-Calabar rail project, which was designed under the old administration excluded the South-East zone but when President Buhari came on board, it was redesigned to pass through Onitsha in the first phase while the Port-Harcourt rail way project has been also redesigned to pass through Enugu and Umuahia. In all of these, we will not make promises we cannot keep; all these promises we make, we will keep,” Osinbajo assured.

He said Anambra people would be making the right choice by voting Dr. Tony Nwoye and the APC in November 18 governorship election, saying that when you make the right choice, then you get the right result.

For his part, the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige said APGA government has cheated the opposition since the time of Action Congress, during the 2010 governorship election when they manipulated the election to favour APGA, saying that such cannot happen again since the opposition in the state are now the ruling party at the centre.

He observed that with the former governor of the State Mr. Peter Obi and the incumbent governor accusing each other over the state fund--Obi said he left N75 billion and Obiano said Obi demanded N7.5 billion from him—the EFCC should investigate them over the expenditure of state funds.

Ngige also commended the governorship aspirants in the party for coming together and putting their differences aside to work and support the party and Nwoye to win the forthcoming election, calling on Anambra people to come out en masse to vote for APC in order to transform the state.

Former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo said that like the great Zik of Africa raised his hand and called on the people of old Anambra to vote for him to be governor and he later won and became governor of old Anambra State, he said he had done exactly the same to Nwoye, transferring Zik’s blessing to him to win the November 18 governorship election.

Others who spoke at the rally were governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; National Chairman of Tony Nwoye Campaign Council, M. A. Abubukar; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; National Woman leader of APC and National Organizing Secretary, Chief Osita Izunazo.

Chief George Moughalu and Emma Eneukwu who spoke on behalf of other defeated aspirants, described APC as the party to beat in the November 18 Anambra governorship election.

The Oracle Today

17

Wednesday November 1, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Nigerian oil projects beckon technology firms

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

T

HE resilience of the African petroleum plays in driving new exploration and production projects posts more hopes for the global oil service community whose equipment all over the world are reaching morbid levels of redundancy.

The Oracle Today reports that despite the low oil cycle and corresponding plunge in oilfield activities around the globe, active exploration regions across Africa have continue to witness high level of oilfield activities, engaging service providers that have taken early positions in the existing and emerging terrains.

According to industry survey, Nigeria leads other African countries in the number of field activity prospects with a line up of proposals for world class deepwater discoveries, proposed deepwater development projects, onshore and shallow water enhanced production and reserves replacement projects.

Industry project data available at regulatory agencies show that Nigeria has ongoing and proposed oilfield development projects, including Chevron’s onshore Sonam field development, Nsiko deepwater development and other production enhancement programmes across operated onshore and swamp locations.

Contractors are also focusing at Nigeria’s biggest producer, Shell, which has a programme that hosts onshore GbaranUbie II integrated project, deepwater Bonga Southwest/ Aparo development project, deepwater Bonga North development project, Forcados Yokri Integrated Project, and Southern Swamp Associated Gas. Shell also penned down programmes for Forcados Yokri Integrated Project and Southern

• Dr. Paul McGrath, Chairman, Managing Director of ExxonMobil in Nigeria Swamp Associated Gas. Nigeria’s offshore champion, ExxonMobil posts hope for service contracts in existing and proposed projects including deepwater Bosi field development, deepwater Uge field development, and shallow water Satellite Field Development Phase 2.

Total also raises Nigeria’s oilfield activity profile with a string of projects including the popular deepwater Egina field development; while Eni posts the challenge of deepwater Zabazaba-Etan field development.

Elsewhere in Africa, alliances between governments and commercial investors have continued nto drive exploration,

CBN EXCHANGE RATES OCTOBER 20, 2017 Currency

Buying (NGN)

Central Selling (NGN) (NGN)

US DOLLAR

304.65

305.15 305.65

POUNDS STERLING 401.6506

402.3098 402.969

EURO 359.9744 360.5652 361.156 SWISS FRANC

310.2974

310.8067 311.316

YEN 2.6917 2.6961 2.7006 CFA 0.5265 0.5365 0.5465

development and production activities in existing and new terrains.

First oil has been produced from the TEN field offshore Ghana and Cairn Energy has completed its ninth successful well in Senegal in three years.

Further south, Tullow has identified encouraging oil plays in their two licence areas offshore Namibia; while pipeline and refinery construction opportunities are moving forward in East Africa with the presidents of Uganda and Tanzania recently signing the East African Crude Oil Pipe Line Agreement.

Major developments are also progressing across Kenya, Mozambique and Somalia.

•Tourism

Energy

The Oracle Today gathered that the second Scotland Africa Oil & Gas Forum scheduled to hold in Aberdeen next month will have a convergence of world’s industry contractors who are following the trend in Africa.

High-level speakers including energy ministers, African national oil and international oil company CEOs and the main private sector oil and gas organisations on the continent are expected to examine both current and future market conditions and prospects.

The conference is hyped among oil contractors and investors to provide an overview on opportunities presented by sub-Saharan Africa projects and offer practical guidance for firms looking to do business in the region.

Frazer Lang, managing director of the Scotland Africa Business Exchange, said: “Uncertainty with regulatory frameworks and complications around the interpretation of updated or developing energy policies are often cited as one of the main barriers to companies and investors entering African markets.

To have the high-level delegations attending and speaking, those who actually formulate and implement these policies, is a unique opportunity for companies to listen to explanations first hand and ask direct questions.

“As the market has matured, the opportunities, for service and training companies in particular, across the supply chain have increased exponentially and the expertise that Scotland has in these areas fits well with the objectives of many African Governments. It’s not too much to say that Scotland currently holds a competitive advantage in many areas that should be seized by companies in this sector.”

OPEC seeks broader coalition against glut

e-Platform Nigerian telecoms market still has huge prospects – Ericsson

P22

Aviation Expert calls for more investments in airport infrastructure P27

Stock Market Highlights As At OCTOBER 20, 2017

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP (By Volume) ACCESS FBNH TRANSCORP FIDELITYBK ZENITHBANK SWISS FRANC

36,411.73 3,609.00 253,537,418.00 2,699,400,207.42 12,533,526,509,268.85 Volume 67,306,977 27,270,812 25,995,315 20,492,495 13,536,092 312.6991313.2128

Coy

Value 639,737,749.84 163,571,104.39 37,676,403.64 30,473,358.78 337,377,006.81 313.7265

5 Top Gainers Symbols INTBREW FLOURMILL UACN GUARANTY REDSTAREX Top Losers Symbols WAPCO NB PRESCO ZENITHBANK GUINNESS

P20

Last Close 51.01 29.2 16.11 41.7 4.75

Current Change 56.23 5.22 30 0.8 16.5 0.39 42 0.3 4.98 0.23

Last Close

Current Change

56 160.01 68 25.99 101

50.54 157 65 25.1 100.35

-5.46 -3.01 -3 -0.89 -0.65

The Oracle Today

18

Wednesday November 1, 2017

BUSINESS

AfDB plans to invest $24b in agriculture – Adesina

By JEROME USHAKANG

T

HE African Development Bank, (AfDB), has said it will invest $24 billion in agriculture over the next 10 years to help unlock its potential and assure food security in Africa. This was the submission of the AfDB President, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, at a side event of the Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States of America (USA).

Adesina said there was the need for supportive public policies and significant investments in infrastructure, especially for roads, irrigation, storage, warehousing and agro-processing. He said that AfDB would provide support to strengthen African agricultural research and development systems to play significant roles in the transformation processes.

The former Agriculture Minister said the support was to ensure that valuable research no longer gathered dust on the shelves of academia. The president said that AfDB’s Feed Africa strategy had launched the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiatives (TASI) to help unlock the potential of the Savannas of Africa.

He said that the initiative would start by bringing approximately two million hectares of savannah in eight African countries - Ghana, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Mozambique.

These countries come under the cultivation of maize, soybean and livestock production in op-

timum conditions. “Success in this endeavour requires that we wake up the savannas of Africa.

When we do so, African agriculture will indeed rise up from its slumber. Let’s wake up Africa’s savannas and turn them into the new wealth zones of Africa and unleash Africa as a global powerhouse in food. Together let arise and feed Africa,” he added.

According to him, Valuable research must meet the needs of farmers and agri-businesses in ways that exponentially increase productivity and improve the quality of lives of our rural poor.

Africa must learn from the experiences that have worked elsewhere while tailoring the interventions to the specific realities of Africa.

“We must ensure that small, medium scale and large-scale commercial farmers co-exist in a way that allows opportunities for all. Partnerships in research and development will be crucial,” Mr. Adesina said. He explained that the bank has engaged to work with the strongest possible organisations with proven track records in tropical agriculture from South America.

The AfDB President said that this included the Brazilian Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), the Agricultural Corporation of Brazil (CAMPO), and others with long experience in conservation agriculture. Adesina stated that the research institutions would work closely with the universities and the national agricultural research systems across the savannas of Africa to enhance agriculture.

•From left: Peter Olusoji, Director Ericsson Nigeria; Shiletsi Makhofane, Head Government and Industry Relations (Ericsson Group); Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management NCC; and Bako Wakil, Deputy Director Technical Standards and Network Integrity NCC during a courtesy visit by Ericsson team to NCC’s Headquarters in Abuja recently.

PZ shareholders approve 50 kobo dividend per share

By JEROME USHAKANG

S

hareholders of PZ Cussons have approved a dividend payment of 50 kobo per share at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja for the financial year ended May 31, 2017.

The 50 kobo dividend to be paid per share translated to a total of N1.98 billion during the period under review. Analysis of the company’s Annual Report and Accounts showed that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc recorded a revenue of N79.65 billion for the financial year ended

NAIPCO to honour insurance coys, pension operators

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wenty-one insurance companies, pension operators and others are to be honoured for their good financial performances and contributions to the growth of the pensions and insurance industries.

The companies were chosen for the honour by the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) after their books underwent financial performance analysis on Premium Income (PI) and Return on Investment (RoI).

The President of NAIPCO, Mrs Mobola Tolu-Kusimo, said that “Pension Assets under Management (PuM), Clientele Base and Profitability were the bases for choosing them for the awards. “They were equally examined on how impactful and innovative their products are through customers’ research.

“The awardees must have contributed to the growth and development of the sectors they play in through investment or advocacy,’’ Tolu-Kusimo said in a statement.

The statement noted that

the event which would hold on Oct. 25 at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, would be chaired by investor and industrialist, Mr Dele Fajemirokun. “The Iyaloja of Lagos, Mrs Folashade TinubuOjo, will lead the delegation of market women and traders in Lagos State to grace the occasion.

“The three-in-one event is designed to discuss burning issues bothering on the two sectors, will also accommodate the launch of the Association’s Quarterly Journal, NAIPCO Trumpet. “The lead paper of the conference on “Insurance Legislation: Beyond Lawmaking”, will be delivered by the Managing Director, Leadway Assurance Ltd., Mr Oye HassanOdukale.

“Another paper on “Insurance Consumption: The Apathy and Unknown Secret’’, will be delivered by the Deputy Commissioner, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas,’’ it said. It added that the DirectorGeneral, Lagos State Pensions Commission (LASPEC), Mrs Folashade Onanuga, would speak on “Boosting Customer Ser-

vice Relations between Insurance and Pension Operators’’.

A paper titled: “An Overview of Pension Administration in Nigeria’’, is also expected to be de-

livered by the Chairman, Pension Funds Operators’ Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr Lounge Eguarekhide,’’ the statement said.

Expert urges FG to establish youths/ women development bank

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he Chairman, Splendid Micro-finance Bank Ltd., Dr Ja’afaru Sa’ad, has advised Federal Government to establish Youths and Women Development Bank to address the problem of unemployment in the country.

Sa’ad, who made the call in Kaduna said the bank would provide the youth, women with loans to set up small scale businesses and thus tackle unemployment challenges in the country. “The bank could be set up with a take up grant of about N50 billion for the unemployed youth and women to access between N50, 000 to N150,000 loan as start up capital for small scale businesses. “The federal government can work with the state governments to set up branches in all the states of the federation. “This would go a long way in generating employ-

ment, achieving financial inclusion, and end youth restiveness in the country,” Sa’ad said.

The bank chairman also advised Nigerian youths to shun politicians using them as thugs especially as the 2019 election approaches. He noted that the youths constitute crucial segment of the country’s population and must be guided to engage in economic activities that would add value to their lives and the nation.

“Rather than exploiting their innovation, creativity and resourcefulness, they are idle and invariably become ready tools in the hands of self-centered politicians who use them as thugs against political opponents. “It is time to stop looking for public sector job that does not exist, exploit your creativity.”

May 31, 2017, an increase of 14.5 per cent from N69.52 billion posted in 2016.

Also during the year under review, Profit Before Tax (PBT) closed at N4.811 billion , rising from N3.48 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased by 73.1 per cent to close the year at N3.68 billion in 2017 in contrast to N2.12 billion in the previous year. Shareholders’ funds recorded a growth to N42.27 billion from N40.90 billion in the previous financial year.

In his statement, Chairman of the company, Chief Kolawole Jamodu said despite the challenging economic environment, the company was able to grow both top line and bottom line.

He said: “The result reflects that the underlying business is solid and reflects the strength of our operations. Your board and management will continue to monitor the business environment and will make necessary adjust to sustain the positive growth momentum into the future.”

According to him, he is certain excited and confident about the future of the company.”This confidence is emboldened by the recent positive turn in the economic situation in the country which has witnessed the starting of a turnaround during the second quarter of the fiscal year..We are confident of our brands which are leading in the markets segment in which we participate. We are going to sustain the current initiatives that have proved to be supportive and effective. We sustained our strong cash position which makes us flexible and agile to fund operations and pursue any business opportunities that may arise.”

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

BUSINESS

We won’t regulate OTTs, NCC insists

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again rejected pleas by telecom operators imploring it to regulate over the top services OTTS. Telecom operators in the country had for long been Nigeria calling on the NCC to regulate OTT operators such as Facebook, WhatsApp, 2go, Instagram and others who ride on social media to reach their audience.

However, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Garuba Danbatta, while receiving a delegation from the United States (US) embassy said the regulator would yield to the requests of the operators. “The operators are saying we should do something about the OTT and that the OTT is riding on their infrastructure to make money. But it will be very difficult to regulate OTT,” Prof Danbatta said.

According to him, though NCC understands the operators’ plight “the truth is that there is nothing we can do for now.” The NCC EVC said he had interacted with heads of telecom industry’s regulatory agencies in the US and some other advanced economies and

he was indirectly told that OTT couldn’t be regulated for now.

He also said that the NCC couldn’t regulate content in the social media space as this falls within the jurisdiction of its sister regulatory agency, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). He was also eager to emphasise to the US embassy delegation, which was led by Rachael Atwood Mendiola, to convince US investors to come and invest in Nigeria’s telecom industry as this is the best time to stake their money in the country.

“We want investors to come and invest in telecoms infrastructure across the country.

I believe they will make their money in no time. Our investment environment is becoming friendlier, our security has improved greatly and the Federal Government had promised some number of incentives for would-be investors.” “Plus we still have access gap. We still have about 200 locations across the country yet to have telecom services. This has cut off about 40million people, including people in my local government in Kano. So, investors can come in and take this opportunity,” added Danbatta.

Unity Bank builds capital base to N80b

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nity Bank Plc’s capital base has hit N80 billion, up from N31 billion in 2014, Mr Thomas Etuh, former Chairman, Board of Directors, has said. Etuh, the immediate past board chairman of the bank said in a post-retirement interview in Abuja that the growth was recorded under his watch, between 2014 and 2017.

Etuh who retired as the bank’s board chairman a fortnight ago, explained that the bank was able to achieve the feat because of its “agric business” banking.

“You know Unity Bank is number one in agriculture, in terms of agric lending to small holder farmers; we also have a product for youths because youths own this generation. “I came into Unity Bank in time of recapitalisation under Mohammed Sanusi as the CBN Governor and we recapitalised the bank to get it to a national bank where it is today.

“Interestingly, we are leaving the bank in the capital excess of N80 billion from the N31 billion that we met it,” Etuh said. According to Etuh, “the successes recorded by the bank did not come without the contributions of its two major co-shareholders, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. He said: “Obasanjo and Babangida came up with that name `Unity’ after the merger of some Southern and Northern banks.

“The merger means a lot for Nigeria’s unity. So, having nine

banks from different entities, it behoves on the board to also merge the different banks culture into one; and that, we did to make it a national bank. “You can see that the bank has flourished in various products which have brought it to stability, and I won’t say it was achieved singlehandedly; it was a collective effort of the board and management.

The former Unity Bank board chairman named the merged banks to include Bank of the North, Tropical Commercial Bank, Intercity Bank, African

From left: Director, Enterprise Segment, 9mobile, Plato Syrimis; Head of Sales, Master Noodles, Paul Njoko, an entrepreneur; Manager, Entreprise Service Delivery, 9mobile, Andrew Enebeli, and Keynote speaker and ED, Nigerian Association of SMEs, Eke Obiji, at the 9mobile Market Access Forum for SMEs held in Lagos recently.

9mobile introduces new corporate roaming bundles

By SAMSON AKINTARO

A

s part of its corporate strategy to empower customers with innovative services that deliver real value at bargain prices, 9mobile, Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications company, has introduced new Corporate Roaming Bundles specifically developed for its enterprise customers.

The roaming bundles, which comprise the Social Corporate Bundle, Basic Corporate Bundle, Premium Corporate Bundle and Executive Corporate Bundle, are uniquely de-

signed to allow users maintain instant communication with colleagues, family and friends when they roam and at very affordable rates.

Speaking on the new bundles, Director, Enterprise Segment, 9mobile, Plato Syrimis, stated that the new Corporate Roaming Bundles were designed after adopting valuable customer feedback. It therefore addresses their pain points and issues with respect to what they typically experience when they communicate with colleagues and loved ones when out of the country.

Syrimis said, “9mobile pays

NSE lifts full suspension on Oando’s shares

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange authorities have lifted the full suspension placed on the shares of Oando Plc. However, the shares of the company is still on a lesser restriction of technical suspension, which means the shares can be traded but there will be no change in price, irrespective of the demand and supply of the shares.

General counsel, head of regulation, NSE, Tinuade Aweaid in a notice to dealing members at the Exchange said from October 23, Oando shares will be available to

trading. “Dealing members are referred to our market bulletins of Wednesday, October 18, 2017 (NSE/LARD/LRD/ MB05/17/10/18) notifying them that effective Friday, October 20, 2017 and until further directive, the shares of Oando Plc (“Oando” or “the company”) will be placed on technical suspension; and that of Friday, October 20, 2017 (NSE/ LARD/LRD/MB07/17/10/20) informing them that the shares of Oando were still on full suspension as the process of converting from full to technical suspension was yet to be completed” the statemen read.

“Please be informed that

effective today, Monday, October 23, 2017; the shares of Oando Plc have been placed on technical suspension. Thus, the shares will be available for trading but there will be no price movement while the technical suspension subsists.”

Oando Plc shares was suspended after Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) accused it of; breach of the provisions of the Investments & Securities Act 2007, breach of the SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies, suspected insider dealing, related party transactions not conducted at arm’s length, and discrepancies in the shareholding structure of Oando Plc.

very serious attention to customer feedback. We act on them and develop solutions, products and services in response to the needs of our customers. For example, our Social Corporate Bundle, priced at N2, 500/weekly allows customers to chat on social media sites and access their email in the top 30 travel destinations across the globe. Our Premium Corporate roaming bundles, priced at N17, 500/monthly offers 500MB of data and calls at N100/min within the top 30 travel destinations as well as for calls back to Nigeria.

“These new bundles remove the uncertainty that surrounds roaming experience as customers now have the option to choose the services they desire, the price they would like to pay and then dial *6589# to subscribe to their preferred bundle effortlessly and all from their mobile phones. Dialing *6589# unlocks the roaming services available to the customer and the code works both within and outside the country. Customers can also check their bundle balance and view a list of eligible countries when they text ‘List’ to ‘6589’.” The roaming bundles can be used for voice and data roaming on selected networks in the United Kingdom, USA, United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Africa, Netherlands, Ghana, Spain, Turkey, China, Kenya, Israel, Austria, Belgium, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Qatar, France, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal, Mali, Morocco, Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Italy.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

ENERGY

O

RGANIZATION of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is working to institutionalize current cooperation with other oil producing countries to protect the value of the commodity in the market place through supply control.

Secretary General, Nigeria’s Mohammed Barkindo, told agency sources that forming a permanent platform for supply control would form key subject for discussion when the group and cooperating non-members meet on November 30.

The decision of OPEC follows proposals by the group and other 10 producing nations including Russia to sustain prevailing production cuts which is evaluated to be producing the desired result of arresting steep plunge of oil prices in oversupplied market.

OPEC also disputes the supply overhang forecast for 2018 by International Energy Association (IEA) which represents the interest of the industrialized economies that form the market for oil and gas.

Mr. Barkindo who was Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC is versed in export market politics said in London that the new group of 24 countries would be built into a larger permanent platform to accommodate more members for greater influence on market supply balance.

“We should have a permanent framework to sustain this platform,” he pointed out.

Barkindo said the proposal to formalize cooperation with nonOPEC countries should “give comfort” to some currently nonparticipating countries, an apparent reference to efforts to get more countries to join the cuts.

OPEC late last year agreed with 10 non-OPEC countries, led by Russia, to cut a combined 1.8 million b/d in supplies to support the market’s rebalancing.

Asked about projections by the IEA of oversupply in the first quar-

OPEC seeks broader coalition against glut ter of 2018 and how that would play into discussions about renewing supply cuts which expire at the end of March, Barkindo cast doubt on the projections.

“For us the projections for 2018 remain robust. We are looking at growth of about 1.4 million b/d” for the year.

“With this strong demand growth and all the challenges that the non-OPEC supply is facing, I have my doubt on the projections of the IEA for 2018. You have had the various headwinds that the shale producers...are facing,” he said.

“It is expected normally for companies to put on a brave face, especially companies that are financed by private equity, to paint a very robust picture. We know that private equity is not patient capital.”

Barkindo said he would not pre-empt the OPEC’s next meeting, particularly while Saudi oil minister Khalid Al-Falih and Russian energy minister Alexander Novak consult with the countries involved.

However, he played down a claim by Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and Russia were targeting a $60/b oil price.

“As a matter of policy at OPEC we do not target price, but our member countries, for fiscal considerations...they have to have a certain price assumption for their budgets,” he said.

In his speech, Barkindo credited last year’s deal with inducing a “massive draining” of global oil stocks, saying that a balanced market “is now fully in sight.”

“There is far more light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been traveling down for the past three years,” he said.

“Today it is about how to sustain this balance,” he said in a press briefing. “Hence the call on us to construct a more institutionalized framework...We are working with the Russian and Saudis on how we can structure this platform to sustain it.”

tor.

The session was attended by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu; the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr MaikantiBaru as well as the President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Engineer Dada Thomas and other industry chief executives.

Commenting on the potential of gas in Nigeria, Attah stressed that it was time for gas development in Nigeria, adding that the industry can stimulate growth in every sector of the economy especially agriculture, industries and power, but it will only do so if factors currently inhibiting rapid growth are effectively addressed.

“Underinvestment in appraisal and exploration activitiesdue to inconsistent policies, unattractive commercial framework, security of investments, etc. invariably impact gas reserves, production, and com-

mercialization”.

Summarising short to long term solutions reached by the panel, Attah stated that the gas industry should be liberalised and a climate of willing seller and willing buyer should drive gas price, rather than the current practice of price capping.

He also remarked further that Nigeria and Qatar started out in the gas business about the same time, however, Qatar has rapidly developed its gas industry and produces77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) while Nigeria’s current capacity is just about 22 mtpa.

The panel also recommended a revamp of the fiscal and commercial framework in the industry to encourage investments in gas and guarantee investors’ return on investments.

Earlier, while opening the session, Dr Kachikwu said the Federal Government is looking at more gas investments as part of a strategic move from oil. He

•Former Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Mr. Reg Stanley, commissions ultramodern filling station built by Mainland Oil & Gas Limited in Umuahia, Abia State. On his right is Executive Chairman, Prince Chris Igwe.

“There is no doubt that this market is rebalancing at an accelerating pace,” Barkindo said, pegging compliance with quotas for September at 116%, an improvement on August.

“Stability is steadily returning.”

Meanwhile, ministers from the coalition of OPEC and non-OPEC countries were expected to discuss potentially extending their cut deal at the November 30

NLNG canvasses strategic plan for gas

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HE Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Tony Attah, has declared that a long term strategic development plan would encourage investments, improve infrastructure in the country and boost production of both export and domestic gas.

Chairing a breakout panel discussion at the Energy Session of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) titled “Exploring private sector opportunities and investment in gas,” Attah remarked that the gas export business could easily attract more investments which can be used to develop the much needed infrastructure to unlock and unleash the potentials ofproven and unproven gas reserves of 187 and 600 trillion cubic feet (tcf) respectively in the country.

He added that this can only be enabled via the right policies, legislation and incentives to drive investments in the sec-

stated that the government is reviewing the existing Production Sharing Contract (PSC) gas terms as well as strengthening implementation of gas policies to encourage exploration of gas, adding “gas infrastructure is a key area but policies will have to drive tariff possibilities.”

Attah was a session panellist at the NES which is an annual event and a platform for Chief Executives and experts to brain storm and build consensus on policy options and implementation frameworks. This year’s theme is “Opportunities, Productivity and Employment: Actualising the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan”.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%).

meeting.

Russia, in particular, has used the agreement to build closer ties with OPEC members, notably Saudi Arabia, whose King Salman recently visited Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia was keen to continue cooperation, though he did not see a need for Russia to join the organization.

OPEC has been keen to expand the coalition, with Venezuelan oil minister Eulogio Del Pino saying this month that a dozen, and even up to 16, other oil producers were being courted. Skeptics have questioned which other countries could be persuaded to make a meaningful contribution.

On the issue of shale production, Barkindo said the independent US producers needed to exercise “shared responsibility” and accused some of “playing the proverbial ostrich.”

However following a meeting with a group of shale producers chaired by Continental Resources head Harold Hamm earlier in the year, he claimed to detect a more positive attitude from some companies.

“You cannot have your cake and eat it. Hence we are beginning to see some of them coming out to say we have to be mindful of fiscal discipline. The funding they are getting from Wall Street is not continuing at the pace and level that they were getting,” he said.

“Considerations are gradually moving from volume to value.

No producer is immune from the negative consequences of this cycle. They are beginning to ask themselves pertinent questions on how to proceed in a more responsible manner.”

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

ENERGY

FG to drive aggressive gas development T

he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, has stated that the Federal Government has mandated the Corporation to pursue an aggressive gas development programme to stimulate economic growth in the Country.

Dr. Baru told industry captains Lagos that the mandate was to ensure that gas infrastructure development is enhanced for gas supply.

“With the vast Oil and Gas experience entrenched in this Advisory Board and with the passion, I, as the Pioneer Chairman of the NGA Advisory Board have for gas development, I hereby re-dedicate myself to the aggressive development of the Nigerian Gas Sector and commit myself and all members of the NGA Advisory Board to do everything possible to achieve the objectives of the Board which align perfectly with NNPC’s key business focus area,” Dr. Baru affirmed.

He noted that opportunities at the Upstream gas development included the acquisition and operatorship of oil blocks, drilling rig leasing, provision of engineering services, heavy equipment leasing, seismic acquisition and processing, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracting, Fabrication of pressure vessel, running steel mills and provision of banking/financing services and others.

Speaking on opportunities

in the midstream of the gas value chain, Dr. Baru listed the following as areas that should interest investors: Investment in gas processing facilities, mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), floating LNG, Gas storage facilities, EPC of over 2000km gas pipelines, EPC of gas processing facilities, EPC of gas metering and monitoring system and Fabrication of pipes.

According to him, downstream value chain offered opportunities for investment in LPG bottling and marketing, Investment in gas based industries (Fertilizer, Methanol, Petrochemicals, CNG stations and conversion workshop), EPC of fertilizer and petrochemical plants, manufacturing of LPG cylinders/accessories.

The NNPC GMD added that the Nigerian Gas sector remained the largest and most vibrant in Sub-Saharan Africa with lots of potentials, especially in the deep water and untapped gas resources.

He averred that the gas reform was anchored on a robust strategic framework that is focused on maximum economic impact through gas, saying that it aims to drive linkages with agriculture, manufacturing and dispersed small enterprise through Power.

Earlier, the President of NGA, Mr. Dada Thomas, stated that for the Nigerian economy to achieve its full potential there must be power anchored on gas development through active private sector participation.

•NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru and former Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki (left), displaying their certificates of membership of Advisory Board of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) at the Gas Roundtable Meeting in Lagos. With them is NGA President, Mr Dada Thomas.

Propel commissions Port Harcourt service station

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ropetrol Limited, also called Propel, has commissioned a new filling station at the strategic Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout Road in Rumubiakani, Port Harcourt River State.

The filling station would be the fourth in Port Harcourt and 19th across its retail network in Lagos, Ondo, Cross River and Edo States.

Chief Executive Officer of Propetrol Limited, Mr. Harry Ebohon, stated that the launch of another Propel service station in Port Harcourt was a strategic step to enable the brand expand its services and products to more customers in the state.

“With the new retail outlet at Trans Amadi, we would be fueling

casing Trelleborg’s range of offshore solutions including thermal insulation, passive fire protection, and pipeline security, to name a few.

OddvarKopstad, Sales Manager with Trelleborg’s offshore opera-

tion in Norway states: “The day was far beyond expectation. We are in contact with attendees to set up additional meetings and we have already started planning a new event in 2018 together with NCDMB.”

challenges on economic inclusion, access to capital, legislation, skills building, and local production.

This edition also marks the first time that the Nigerian Economic Summit will hold a session on Niger Delta development, which is important for several reasons. Firstly, it is noted that nearly 32 million Nigerians representing over 40 different ethnic groups live in the Niger Delta.

Again, even though the oil-rich region is the source of 75% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, over 70% of the population in the region live on an average of less than US$ 2 a day and are beset by diverse development challenges.

Furthermore, the region’s importance has typically centered on oil but the sector provides only 0.01% of Nigeria’s total jobs. Agriculture, while still hampered by low productivity and land-based conflicts

in the Niger Delta, remains a key sector for unlocking growth for both the region and the whole country, employing approximately 45% of the workforce.

“It is no coincidence that this panel is happening this year, following one of the worst economic recessions that Nigeria has seen,” said PIND’s Deputy Executive Director Mr. Tunji Idowu. “The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to put us back onto the path of sustained economic growth presents a unique opportunity for non-oil sector development in the Niger Delta that both tackles youth restiveness and employment. We can only ensure the sustainability of the Nigerian economy by focusing on sectors with high-growth potential. That is why agriculture is so important,” he noted.

Trellborg hosts Local Content Day

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relleborg’s offshore operation, along with its partner SDH Integrated Services, hosted its first local content event in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The purpose of this was to highlight how Trelleborg is complying with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 by training and hiring local talent in Nigeria to manufacture its range of innovative offshore solutions.

The successful event was attended by approximately 150 influential people including decision makers from the local area in Port Harcourt, members of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and executives from leading international oil companies invested in the region.

Event attendees were greeted

by Morrison Fiddi, Chairman SDH, AkintundeAdelana, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on behalf of the Executive Secretary, SimbiWabote, a senior management staff of the National

Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and Eirik Simonsen, Business Group Director from Trelleborg’s offshore operation based in Norway.

The day also included real-time demos and presentations show-

PIND, MADE partner NESG on N/Delta ERGP

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he Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Market Development Project in the Niger Delta (MADE) have partnered Nigerian Economic Summit’s Sustainability Policy Commission to sponsor discussions on “Low Carbon Investment Opportunities for Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in Niger Delta Communities”.

The 2017 edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit themed “Opportunities, Productivity, and Employment: Actualizing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan”, was a direct response to the Nigerian government’s plan to strengthen and diversify the Nigerian economy.

The expectation was that the ten policy breakout sessions will generate short, medium and long-term plans that address the

the trust of more customers in River States as we have done with thousands of customers from our other existing stations, since establishing our footsteps in the state.

The people of Port Harcourt deserve to be served right, with the assurance that what they buy is what they get”, he said.

“We plan to continue to expand our retail business, increase our bulk supply customer base and redefine the Nigerian bunkering industry. Our heavy retail presence in the South-South and the SouthWest is strategic. Although, the efficiency and service delivery gaps in these markets were huge when we set out, we have done well in correcting these anomalies and are now shifting our focus to the northern market in the nearest future.

We hope our value proposition and core values as an organization will continue to provide us the foothold we need to succeed in the markets and industry segments where we offer our goods and services”, Mr. Ebohon added.

Propetrol which has been in business for over 15 years, started off as a haulage company, moving products for the oil majors.

However, having observed the inefficiencies in the retail market, made a bold decision to make a foray in the petroleum products retail marketing space to contribute to bridging the fuel supply gap in the Nigerian energy market.

Over the years, the company has further expanded into other sectors if the downstream industry and is now a market leader in the maritime and bunkering service niche. Propel was never deterred by foreign dominance in the Nigerian bunkering space, but was rather determined to outperform them in delivering critical time-dependent bunkers to clients.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

e-Platform Nigerian telecoms market still has huge prospects – Ericsson Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

threat to security.

HILE some stakeholders would argue that the Nigerian telecom sector has become saturated, global vendor, Ericson thinks differently of the fastest growing telecoms market in Africa and is set to commit additional investments to bring out these potentials. Ericson team, which paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission recently, said it had studied the Nigerian telecom market and had speculated that the vast potentials of the market was yet to be fully harnessed.

The Ericsson team led by Head Government and Industry Relations of the Ericsson Group, Shitlesi Makkhofane, based on this finding and conviction, expressed interest in the deployment of Broadband to unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria.

The Company also said it is going to deploy the latest innovative technology to this end paying emphasis on the tripod of availability, accessibility and affordability of broadband - the leading item of NCC Management’s 8-Point Agenda.

The team, while at the Commission’s office, also sought clarifications on licensing requirements for a couple of businesses including type approval procedure for certain equipment because of its interest in exploring the realities of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G networks; huge data management; as well as providing cybersecurity solutions to enable network interoperability and traceability to check the use of cloned devices that pose

However, the Ericsson team expressed concern on dearth of Forex and its implications for the development of telecommunications infrastructure and market.

In his response, Mr. Dare expressed NCC Management’s appreciation of the team’s visit as well as its knowledge and interest in the Nigerian telecom ecosystem. He expressed delight on the issues raised by the Ericsson team and assured the team that the NCC would continue to do what is right to attract FDI for the development and growth of the telecom industry in Nigeria.

Mr. Dare promised to convey the interests and concerns of the team to the EVC/CEO of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta for Management’s consideration and necessary action.

Meanwhile, in what appeared to be another vote of confidence in the Nigerian telecom market and its regulator, a delegation from the United States Embassy in Abuja had also visited the Head Office NCC to gain insight into the workings of the Commission and to commend NCC’s Management for its regulatory strides in sustaining the growth of the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.

The team, led by Rachel Atwood Mendiola, Fraud Prevention Manager at the Embassy, was received at the Commission with characteristic warmth by NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Prof. Umar Danbatta and other top Management staff of the Commission.

Danbatta recalled to the admi-

W

•EVC of NCC Prof. Umar Danbatta (right) in a handshake with the leader of US Embassy delegation Rachel Atwood Mendiola, during the team’s visit to the NCC’s Office in Abuja recently. ration of his guests some of the Commission’s efforts in ensuring effective regulation of the telecoms sector and providing an enabling environment for telecoms services to flourish exponentially attributing Commission’s successes to the faith reposed in it by the consumers and their unflinching loyalty. The reason the Commission commits itself irrevocably to protecting the interest of consumers and all stakeholders in the industry.

As a world-class organisation

Danbatta told his guests that NCC continues to be a strategic member and active participant in the activities of many bodies including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), African Telecommunications Union (ATU), and the West Africa Telecommunication Regulators Assembly (WATRA).

To demonstrate the resilience of the telecommunication sector even in the face of challenging economic climate, Danbatta stayed that the sector contribut-

ed about 9.5% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in the second quarter of 2017 and credited the Nigerian telecom consumers with the successes recorded because of their patronage.

The EVC/CEO of NCC said it is the faith the consumers have demonstrated in the sector that made the Management of the Commission to declare the 2017 as the Year of the Telecom Consumer to celebrate the primacy of the consumer and to rededicate itself to addressing the challenges of the consumer.

Shittu urges NTEL to spread to rural areas

T

he Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has advised the Management of NTEL to spread to more parts of the country for more Nigerians, especially in the rural areas subscribe to it. Shittu made the call when the new Managing Director of NTEL, Mr Ernest Akinlola and his management team visited the minister in his office. The minister said that by going national and moving to the rural areas, Nigerians in those areas would enjoy the services of NTEL along other network providers.

Shittu, while congratulating the new MD, said he would give him the necessary support because NTEL belongs to Nigeria, adding that the challenges of funding and going international should be addressed. “It is government ambition to encourage Nigerian companies in the telecom sector to succeed. “Hence, they should be able to have a timeline to be able to use NTEL everywhere in the country and internationally,’’ Shittu said.

Earleir, Akinlola said he deemed it necessary to pay a visit to the minister because of the massive support his company had received from him and the ministry since its inception.

He said that he had a clear vision of where he was taking the company to “that is to be number one in

Nigeria”. He assured the minister that the management would build a customer-based company that would engage in network sharing of information with NCC and infrastructure with other network providers in the country. Akinlola said that he would build relationship

with the ministry as well as customers because telecom industry needed to survive in the country. The chief executive said that he would also build a nomenclature to invest in Ericsson, grow the country’s footprint, and get cheaper handset for the customers.

ready available in Indonesia, India and Brazil. “Forty per cent of Android users experience slow connection while on the web and this low connection can be attributed to the usage of low RAM devices. Presently in Africa, web pages that you access from Google’s search results page with a low RAM device via the Google App, Chrome or Android browser, would be optimised to load faster and use less data.”

Analyses showed that these optimised pages load three times faster and use 80 per

cent less data. When it comes to searching, faster is always better.

“Whether you are commuting to work, searching for the latest sports news; or for the phone number of a nearby restaurant, quick access to information from the web is crucial,’’ said the Google spokesman.

The Google manager said that in Africa, nearly 40 per cent of people with Android devices may be experiencing slow or delayed connection while they are on the web due to usage of

Google introduces new Android feature

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he global search engine, Google has announced the introduction of a new feature which makes surfing the internet on Android phones quicker, easier and more affordable. Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, said that with the new feature, accessing web pages would become three times faster, using 80 per cent less data.

Kola-Ogunlade said in a statement that the feature, newly introduced to Nigeria, was al-

low RAM devices.

He said that Google hoped that the new feature would help in getting needed information quicker, easier and more affordably. “Traffic to webpages from Google search increased by up to 40 per cent, and if one preferred to see the original page, one could choose that option at the top of their page. We hope this feature can help improve the search experience for millions of people where network connections are slow and access to devices is limited,’’ KolaOgunlade said.

The Oracle Today

23

Wednesday November 1, 2017

e-Platform Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

O

UT of a population of about 180 million, only 23.3 million Nigerians have so far get enrolled for the National Identification Number (NIN), which is the most crucial aspect of the ongoing national identification project being implemented by National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr.

Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, who disclosed this, advised Nigerians and residents in the country to regard the National Identification Number as a most crucial feature of their entire life as it is the unique identifier for all in Nigeria.

Engr. Aziz said Nigerians should view the NIN the same way Social Security Number is regarded in the United States, the National Insurance Number in the United Kingdom, or AADHAR number in India. “What is common in all the countries I mentioned is just the number. Therefore, you need a unique NIN from cradle to grave,”

Only 23.3m Nigerians enrolled for NIN – NIMC he emphasised in a statement issued by Mr. Loveday Ogbonna, Head, Corporate Communications Unit of NIMC. The NIMC boss advised Nigerians and residents to present themselves to be enrolled for the NIN to avoid the usual rush that may arise with enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN for transactions and access to services as stipulated in NIMC Act of 2007, Section 27. The DG NIMC noted that “by law and along the entire lifecycle of individuals in Nigeria, you need to present your NIN whenever you need to be identified for services such as passport issuance, banking services, land transactions, insurance services, pension, health insur-

ance, payment of taxes, voter’s registration, consumer credits, and all government services,” he said.

“In all these there’s nothing temporary about the NIN slip issued after registration,” he said, in apparent reaction to questions and enquiries in some quarters where some Nigerians had asked whether the NIN is a temporary feature while the physical electronic Identity Card is yet to be issued, and added that “the NIN is your identity and is considered more important than the card.” Engr.

Aziz further said that “NIMC’s current focus is on the number - NIN and not card. We are already in a digital economy driven by unique index numbers and not by physi-

cal tokens such as a card, though the law specified we should issue general multipurpose smart cards as the exercise continues.”

He also explained that the Commission is mindful of the demands of the general public for the physical card and all hands are on deck to meet this enormous demand that has huge financial implication for the nation.

Engr. Aziz appealed to Nigerians to enrol, saying “so please enrol for the NIN, encourage everyone you know to do same including children and legal residents as all other government agencies will follow soon and make their respective announcements on the mandatory use of the NIN.”

9mobile,Total Spin, reward customers N igeria’s most innovative and customer-friendly telecommunications company, 9mobile, has again affirmed its commitment to positive customer experience by partnering with Total Spin, a subsidiary of TIMWE Group, to reward customers in a promo tagged ‘Digital Business Promo’.

The promo which had three categories: “Spin the Wheel”, “Make a Wish” and “Sports Promo”, is one of the many innovative platforms used by 9mobile to empower and appreciate its customers.

9mobile Digital Business Promo aims to empower customers and strengthen the bond between the telecom brand and its subscribers through valuable incentives.

The promo is also targeted at rewarding subscriber loyalty to the network.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony held recently in Lagos, Manager, Content and Partnership, 9mobile, Dayo Adeyelure, said 9mobile is passionate about partnering with credible organizations to empower its customers with innovative solutions and platforms that enable them to achieve their dreams.

He further noted that Prizes for the ‘Sports Promo’ segment were awarded to customers who won between last year and June of this year, 2017, when the contract with its earlier partners ended.

Over 100 9mobile subscribers had won various prizes including 3 brand new Hyundai Accent Sedan cars and cash prizes ranging from 500,000, 1 million, 2.5 million, 5 and 15 million naira in the ongoing promos; and customers still have an opportunity to win something on their preferred network.

Project Manager, TIMWE Group, Odion Oherein said: “TIMWE is all about adding value, using technology as a tool to offer mobile monetisation solutions for mobile carriers, media groups, governments, brands, marketing and advertising agencies and consumers.”

One of the lucky winners of the Hyundai Accent car, 22-year-

•From left : Specialist, Partnerships - Digital Business, 9mobile, Olashile Hassan; winner of N15m, Adeleke Adefola Adefiola; Specialist, Customer Experience, 9mobile, Oladimeji Opeseyitan, and Project Manager, TIMWE Group, Odion Oherein, presenting prizes to winners, at the prize presentation for 9mobile ‘Make a Wish Promo’ held in Lagos recently. old Joseph Seyi Obanla from Benin City, Edo State, expressed gratitude to 9mobile and TIMWE Group for empowering him with his first car in life. He said it was still difficult to believe he was not dreaming. “I am very excited. I thought it was just another phone call from network providers when I was informed that I had won.

But after the call, I didn’t know what to say. I am so happy that I played the ‘Spin the Wheel’ promo. I have been on 9mobile network since my secondary school days and I don’t intend to stop using 9mobile because it is the fastest network for browsing and it is very clear when making calls”, he enthused.

Adeleke Adefola Adefiola and Adams Eniwari also emerged millionaires as both won 15 million Naira each in the ‘Make a Wish’ promo. Since its launch in

Nigeria nine years ago, 9mobile through its array of innovative solutions and platforms has been at the forefront of empowering its customers and supporting communities. 9mobile provides

innovative enterprise solutions and platforms such as SME Arena, morebusiness 2.0, Millionaire Hunt, KwikCash, 9mobile Prize for Innovation and 9mobile Prize for Literature amongst others.

MDXi enables enterprises optimise operations –MainOne CEO

T

he Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke has reiterated that the company through its world-class Tier III datacenter, MDXi, is enabling Nigerian companies to focus more on their core business, reduce inefficiencies, improve production capacity, and enhance customer services by outsourcing their IT infrastructure to MDXi. Opeke made these remarks during a recent Breakfast Session with Customers hosted by MainOne for the health, manufacturing, e-commerce, media and hospitality sectors recently. The session which had in attendance C-suite executives and IT heads was themed “Future proofing your business with ICT”.

Expanding on the theme, the Product Manager- Data Center services, MDXi, Vremudia Oghene-Ruemu highlighted sector specific solutions offered by the company and how various Nigerian businesses in these sectors have adopted and successfully implemented them for success in today’s market. According to him, “There is massive uptake of technology by businesses looking to stay a step ahead of competition while increasing profitability and market share. MainOne has invested in technology to enable Nigerian businesses increase operating efficiency and achieve improved results faster. These solutions are available in our open access, Tier III certified data centre, MDXi”.

The panel sessions had representatives from leading Nigerian firms such as UAC, Reddington Hospitals, Avon HMO, Honeywell Flour, RDM Africa, The George Hotel, TVC Continental and Yudala discussing the benefits of leveraging solutions offered by MainOne and how such has helped them achieve their business objectives.

According to Adesimbo Ukiri, CEO Avon HMO, “leveraging MainOne’s services has helped us remove the barrier to health care access in Nigeria as patients can now easily subscribe to various health plans online at the click of a button from their smart phones.”

Having our servers at MainOne’s datacenter decreased our downtime risks, enabled us to operate 24/7 even when there was heavy flooding on the island restricting movement. Being in the healthcare sector, 100% uptime is required for us to succeed and so far we have not had any downtime with MainOne” she continued.

LG inks 3-year deal with Evian Championship

L

G Electronics (LG) said ithas entered into an agreement with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) to partner with the Evian Championship as a global partner until 2020. The Evian Championship is the fifth major on the LPGA Tour along with ANA Inspiration, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, U.S. Women’s Open and Ricoh Women’s British Open. The golf partnership, according to LG, is aimed at connecting high-end consumers with the LG SIGNATURE Brand.

As the fifth and final major of

the year, the Evian Championship reaches a total audience of over 24 million viewers from 170 different countries. This wide appeal to golf enthusiasts will provide LG Electronics with the opportunity to leverage up to 30 million dollars in publicity. This year both Chun Ingee, the record-setting winner of the 2016 Evian Championship, and Park Sung-hyun, the leading prize money winner after her recent victories at the prestigious U.S. Women’s Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, will compete for the purse of USD 3.65 million.

LG SIGNATURE is the company’s recently launched premium brand that features the most advanced technologies, a refined design and intuitive usability. Available in key markets in Europe, Asia and North America to date, the LG SIGNATURE lineup currently includes a uniquely-designed OLED TV, washing machine, refrigerator and air purifier. Concurrent with the Evian Championship sponsorship, LG intends to expand the availability of LG SIGNATURE to new markets such as the Middle East, Russia and India in the near future.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

EDITORIAL

VOX POPULI SACRUM

www.oraclenews.ng

More arms against the people

T

HERE is a lot to raise concern about in the constant resort to arms in dealing with issues involving unarmed civilians. The latest effort is the move by the House of Representatives to have personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) bear arms.

INCREASE in cases of harassment and intimidation of personnel of FRSC, the House reasons, would be solved by arming the FRSC, an organisation taken out of the Police, whose responsibilities centre on ensuring safety on the nation’s roads.

HON. Solomon Maren moved a motion titled, “Need to Curb Incessant Attacks on Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)”. How the need was distilled to the need for arms for FRSC is one of the wonders of legislation. No other measures were considered, not even a thought about the consequences for the people.

WITH a recourse to the law setting up FRSC, Hon. Maren made his case, saying although “Section 19 of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, stipulates that personnel of the Commission who are exposed to high risk in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, shall have same powers, authorities and privileges, including power to bear arms, as are granted by law to members of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Government has not provided Road Safety officers with arms to enable them protect themselves in the course of performing their duties.”

HE wondered why. He cited the increasing cases

of violent attacks, harassment and intimidation of personnel and officers of FRSC by highly placed individuals, motorists and hoodlums across the country, particularly in Zamfara, Jigawa, Abia and Lagos States. From 2015 to date, there have been 149 cases of attacks on personnel and 201 cases of damage to properties and equipment of the Commission, he said.

According to Hon Maren, “Officers sometimes discover offensive weapons in vehicles during routine operations on highways but are incapable of challenging occupants of such vehicles as they lack the capacity to protect themselves from any attack that could arise.” These are further justifications for arming the FRSC. Another concern of Hon. Maren is that Nigeria is on the verge of losing the milestones United Nation’s Declaration on Reduction of Road Accidents by 50 per cent by year 2020, just three years away.

Unless there is a reduction in the attacks, he reasoned, FRSC personal would keep away from the roads, for their own safety, especially at night when motorists are more brazen in their breach of traffic regulations. The lawmaker sees more accidents in place of the decrease that the United Nations expects.

WE have to run to the United Nations to match our national needs. It just has to be with the FRSC that concerns about our flagging global standards have to be addressed with urgency. No further questions are required than the House urging the Federal Government to facilitate the procurement of arms and ammunition for officers of the FRSC. IT all looked so transactional. Arms and ammunitions would be purchased – contracts are involved. Did anyone think of what it would cost to arm more than 40,000 personnel of the FRSC? In their haste to open another flank for exhausting national resources, the House did not even mention training for weapon handling. How would FRSC manage the training of its personnel for the purpose while making the roads safe?

HOW would bearing arms enhance the functions of the FRSC? How would bearing arms affect the relationships of the FRSC with the public? Are arms the only solution to the challenges that the FRSC faces with road users? Why the upsurge in the number of assault cases against the FRSC? Is there a new breed of Nigerians on the roads?

IT is important that attacks on FRSC personnel are investigated. Would such an investigation not have helped on a decision on their safety, rather than arming them being the first shot at a solution? How would being armed make the FRSC personnel safer? Is their safety the sole consideration in the decision? Did anyone consider the safety of travellers and other road users? Is anyone seeing the possibility of more violence on the roads?

ARMING the FRSC to enhance their safety, without interrogating the consequences for the unarmed is unnecessary. It amounts to curing a headache by decapitation. There are so many things that could be done; one of them is not making the road more violent.

THERE are too many arms already in too many hands.

Many of them are being put into wrong uses. Too many armed security officials have either not undergone adequate training in weapon handling, or the training was poor. The incidents of poor weapon handling, the “gun mentality” of most security personnel that revolves on “killing and going free” is a long way from being cured.

WHAT type of arms should they bear? So, when they complain that their rifles and pistols are inadequate, we give them machine guns and bombs?

FRSC personnel are already a terror on the roads without guns. What would happen when they are armed?

FRSC should train its personnel in courteous approaches in their dealing with the public. Their aggressiveness on the roads partly accounts for the incidents of assaults. FRSC personnel on many occasions exceed their briefs. They search vehicles.

One wonders what they would be searching for, when their work would have been to view vehicle particulars and examine vehicles for particular items.

SOME force themselves into vehicles in the process of effecting arrests. Others have been harmed when they threw them before moving vehicles to effect arrests. Indeed, some of the actions of FRSC personnel on the roads place them in harm’s way.

It is sheer providence that has kept the number of deaths low.

DOUBTLESSLY, FRSC personnel need security for the execution of their duties; arming them is not the solution, for it would be an endless chase after the wind. Instead of their own arms, co-operation with the police, who patrol roads too and have their own check points would help. Diligent prosecution of people who attack FRSC personnel should be carried out; it would make FRSC personnel safer than guns.

WE do not support putting more arms in the civil space. It would make our roads more dangerous, more violent, and more lives than we are trying to save could be lost.

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 November 1, 2017

OPINION Tribute to General Victor Malu, Nigeria’s ECOMOG hero

By PAUL EJIM

E

ven before the United States assembled the 30-nation “Allied Forces” against Iraq during the first Gulf war in 1991, with all the attendant controversies and uncertainties, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had demonstrated an international best practice in regional peace keeping operation in Liberia through its Military Monitoring Group, ECOMOG. Nigeria provided the bulk of troops for the ECOMOG maiden mission with 10 journalists including this writer embedded in the regional force which landed with the Nigerian Naval War Ship (NNS AMBE) in Monrovia’s Freeport on 24th August 1990, to help end the civil war waged against then President Samuel Doe

by Charles Taylor, ex-warlord now war crime convict serving time in Scotland.

That mission was under the command of Ghanaian General Arnold Quainoo, whose tenure was later marred by the controversy that surrounded Doe’s capture and eventual death at the hands of former rebel leader Prince Yormie Johnson, now a Liberian Senator.

The rest, they say is now history, but a host of Nigerian Generals were later to succeed Quainoo and the 8th ECOMOG Commander (1996-98), was General Samuel Victor Malu, who sadly passed away on 9th October at a Cairo, Egypt hospital after a prolonged illness, aged 70.

The chronicle of international peace keeping operation may not be complete without a mention of General Malu, who at a time when the armed forces in Africa were rather reputed for their penchant to interfere in politics, distinguished himself as an icon among the endangered uniformed species.

In an interview he granted this writer in Monrovia in July 1997, shortly after Liberia’s elections won by Taylor, the stoutly-built in-

fantry general was quick to point out that as a professional soldier; he probably did not require diplomatese or the suavity of the politician to be an effective commander of the 10,500-strong regional troops with diverse backgrounds then under his command as ECOMOG Commander.

But Malu may have unwittingly combined those attributes and even more, especially a depth of talent, courage and professionalism in making the Liberian operation an acclaimed success it turned out to be. Ever exuding the tough aura of a general, Malu was however, always modest in conceding that the campaign represented more than a personal success.

“It is a collective achievement,” said the man, who was nicknamed a “Frank General.” He said he owed “whatever achievement in Liberia during my tenure to the loyalty, commitment and dedication of the troops from diverse cultural backgrounds, the ECOWAS leaders, who sent ECOMOG to Liberia in 1990, and the international community for their support.”

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, Ambassador Al-Hassan Contey, has in Abuja, paid a glowing tribute to the Nigerian general, whose “pivotal efforts” he said, led to the resolution of the Liberian conflict.

“Gen. Malu led the (ECOMOG) Command at the critical juncture of the conflict in Liberia,” and “we express our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Nigeria and his family for this great loss,” the envoy said.

Similarly, Sierra Leone’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Alfred Williams, who as commander of his country’s contingent to ECOMOG in Liberia from 1992 worked closely with Gen. Malu, described the late ECOMOG Commander as a “soldier’s soldier,” who was resolute, demonstrated “courage and leadership,” and “ensured fair-

ness and equity for all.”

Like any mortal, Malu had his faults. Indeed, some rights groups probably might not have forgiven him for the military operation carried out in November 1999 at Ogoniland’s Odi town in Bayelsa State, during his tenure as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (19992001) under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, with whom Malu later fell out of favour resulting his being eased out of military in April 2001.

Some might even consider Malu a lucky officer in the right place at the right time. But to Liberians and Liberia, which bestowed a National Honour on him for liberating the country from a bloody rebellion, Malu was God sent.

“Thank God for ECOMOG, thank God for Malu,” is a common refrain in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, even as Africa’s oldest Republic struggles to consolidate democracy through recent presidential and legislative elections, which have now gone into a second round because none of the 20 candidates was able to gain the required 50% plus one vote in the first round of balloting on October 10.

Malu had earlier served as ECOMOG Chief of Staff and Director of Operations in 1992/93, for what represented his military baptism of fire before he became the Commander in August 1996.

With more than 30 years of a distinguished career in the military, Malu had disclosed that the period he served as ECOMOG Chief of Staff had more than compensated for the opportunity of a first combat operation he missed during Nigeria’s Biafra civil war of 1967-70. He was in military school during the war and only got commissioned at the end of the hostilities.

Although Malu went ahead to hold many command duties after training in Nigeria, Britain and the United States, he said the

one-year stint as ECOMOG Chief of Staff represented a highpoint in his career. “As a soldier, the only thing I know how to do very well is military duty, but the real test for me came in Liberia,” he said, adding that even as a Brigadier directing ECOMOG operations in 1992/93, he was obliged to do the job of a Battalion or Brigade Commander, leading troops into the frontline.

For those familiar with the history of the Liberian crisis, that delicate period of the ECOMOG so-called Octopus Operation, was ironically, against the National Patriotic Front of Liberia forces of Charles Taylor, who went ahead to win the country’s presidential elections in 1997, only to be tried and convicted in 2013 at the International Tribunal at The Hague, for war crimes in neighbouring Sierra Leone. “Taylor knows me very well when it comes to military action, but thank God all that is over and the important thing is that there is peace now in Liberia, Malu said then.

A pioneer staff member of Nigeria’s elite National War College, Malu was the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, a post that made him a member of the Ruling Military Council under General Sani Abacha regime, before he took over the ECOMOG command from compatriot Maj. Gen. John Mark Inienger.

To those who have had dealings with him, especially as ECOMOG Commander, Malu was acomplete gentleman officer, firm and resolute. “He was fearless,” one of his subordinates said. Malu himself admitted that when he took over the ECOMOG Command, “some Liberians considered me too tough and even threatened to leave the country, but we all eventually understood ourselves.”

•International journalist PAUL EJIME writes on the life and times of the late ECOMOG Commander, General Victor Malu

2019: PDP drubbing of Fayose over ambition

By Ehichioya Ezomon

A

ny political party, especially in the opposition, will be thrilled to have a candidate of the calibre and clout of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, willing and faithful to wrest power from the ruling government.

That’s exactly what Mr. Fayose has promised to achieve for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections.

At his formal declaration for the position of president on September 28 in Abuja, the governor presented himself as the only candidate that could unseat President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He boasted: “My party leaders, standing before you is Peter (The Rock) Ayodele Fayose, the man already destined by God to take Nigeria out of the present political and economic stagnations. We (PDP) must be mindful of the fact that our party needs a candidate like me, with a penchant for defeating incumbents.

“Twice, I defeated incumbents to become the Governor of Ekiti State and I am confident that with your support as my party leaders and supporters, I will defeat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a free and fair election.”

But metaphorically, it’s been a ‘Night of the Long Knives’ in the PDP since the governor formally declared his ambition. The party top shots are not amused, as they view his action as breaching a code of conduct or “gentleman’s agreement” couched in the zoning arrangement of rotating the presidency between the North and South of the country. And they are primed to prevent him from assuming awesome powers and disrupt the well-choreographed plan of the party for 2019.

Surely, Governor Fayose acknowledged the PDP zoning and yet, chose to query the absence of aspirants from the region, even as

he recalled that other aspirants contested in 1999 and 2003, and also in 2007 when the party allocated the slot to the South and North, respectively.

He said: “If PDP gives me ticket, I will use it and win. They say they have zoned presidency to the North, what if nobody comes out from the North? Whoever wants to contest for the seat of president, what are they afraid of? Let them come out. We don’t want to package anyone for president again. God forbid.”

Chances are that due to his self-appointed over-sight of President Buhari and his administration, Governor Fayose has been very busy to realise the depth of loathing, and rejection his audacious aspiration has caused in the PDP platform he intends to use.

Truly lately, rather than blame himself for the political drubbing he’s facing from members of his party, he switched to holding the President responsible for allegedly instigating the EFCC to seize his aides “because they (Buhari and the APC) know I will defeat them in 2019.” No wonder he quickly sensed the biblical “The Voice of Jacob, The Hand of Esau” (the ‘Voice’ representing Buhari and the ‘Hand’ implying EFCC) in the anti-graft arrest and detention of his commissioners.

In a press interview, he cautioned his traducers: “My ambition to contest the presidential election in 2019 is God’s project and no human effort can thwart it. Democracy allows for people to aspire to occupy public offices and I have not breached any law doing that. Those who think they can get to (sic) me by harassing my aides and supporters would soon hit a dead end.”

Still, to PDP leaders, Governor Fayose is his worst enemy: for deliberately flouting the party arrangement to produce the president from the North in 2019. Hence, he needed reminding about that position at the Port Harcourt convention. The first reminder came

from the governor’s home turf of Ekiti - from the PDP spokesperson, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who wants to replace Fayose in 2018.

To Adeyeye, Fayose is not eligible for the position he’s aspiring to. “The highest organ of the party, which is the national convention, zoned the presidential ticket of the PDP to the North. That has not changed,” he said. And when the governor continued rationalising his action, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, delivered the knock-out punch.

At a meeting in Abuja with Northern leaders and elders of the PDP on the zoning for the 2019 elections and the convention in December, Makarfi picked his words carefully: “Anything that has to do with the party, it is from the leadership of the party that you will hear and that is why I have reaffirmed that the zoning position of the party has not changed.

It was the decision of the Port Harcourt May 21, 2017 convention. The decision is supreme.

“I wish to emphasize that the Supreme Court, in affirming the authenticity of our caretaker committee, has also reaffirmed the supremacy of decisions of the (Port Harcourt) convention.”

Senator Makarfi previously told journalists in Kaduna that, “He (Fayose) is on his own.

What he is doing is not in compliance with the position of the party. The party’s position has not changed. The convention has zoned the presidency to the North and the chairmanship of the party to the South.”

The fear in the PDP is that Governor Fayose’s success or failure in capturing the candidacy has the potential to sow discord in the party - a marked departure from their embrace of his “triumphal entry” into the Abuja mini-convention of August 12, when they thought his hint about running for the presidency “was a fluke.”

But the governor’s formal declaration has changed the calculus. His initial clever-by-half

letter that his ambition was “without prejudice to the party’s position” but “in the interest of the party and Nigeria, as I know how to defeat incumbents,” has not mollified the PDP leaders in their resolve to stop him “before the damage is done.”

So, the long knives have been drawn from all sides, threatening to sink a once-promising ambition of an enfant terrible to replace the very President that’s his butt and plaything, before he sinks the PDP itself in the bargain!

•Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Abuja Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Advert Manager Andrew Udeh Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today

26

Wednesday November 1, 2017

Travel & Hospitality

Curator decries FG’s apathy to historical monuments Stories by VICTOR NZE

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URATOR at the Seriki Abass Slave Museum in Badagry, Lagos, Mr Anago Osho, has expressed dismay at the deplorable conditions of historical monuments across the country.

Osho who bared his mind in Lagos, last Thursday, maintained that government apathy contributed to the destruction of some of the relics in the nation.

The curator also blamed lackadaisical attitude of people towards government utilities for the decay.

“I-don’t-care attitude towards government property is killing us in this country and government is not standing to its responsibility to check the situation. With this attitude, the nation’s tourism industry will not develop,” he said.

Osho mentioned some of the monuments that required government urgent attention as Seriki Abass Slave Museum, First Storey Building, Point of No Return, Yankari Game Reserve and Olumo Rock.

Others, he listed, are Osunoshogbo Shrine, the Nok Village among others across the federation.

He called on government to upgrade the historical monuments to international standard to prevent it from going into extinction.

“Government does not take projects like these seriously until it go into extinction forgetting that things like these boost the economy through foreign exchange earnings.

“How Nigeria treats her heritage sites and monuments is nothing short of despicable.

“Unfortunately, many of the monuments are left in the hands of descendants of those that built them with no government support for preservation, thereby allowing the monuments to be destroyed,” he noted.

Osho said that Nigeria’s history would continue to die if nothing was done to restore and maintain the historical sites, and urged government to provide needed funds to upgrade and maintain them.

•From left: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, afrobeat musician Femi Kuti and sibling Yeni Kuti at the New Afrika Shrine to mark Felabration 2017.

Sheraton Lagos celebrates World Pasta Day L

Ambode, Utomi, others celebrate Fela at Afrika Shrine

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heraton Lagos Hotel, Wednesday, announced that its Food and Beverage teams have put together an enriching package to celebrate World Pasta Day with all lovers of original Italian Pasta delicacies.

According to the General Manager of the Hotel, Mr. Barry Curran: “Our Italian Restaurant, renowned for unique gourmet meals is definitely the go-to place for great tasty pasta dishes. As we are located on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way at the epicentre of Ikeja’s bustling area; our teams have decided to celebrate World Pasta Day’ on the 25th of October 2017 “In this regards, we are excited to offer 25 per cent off all

pasta dishes ordered on that day alongside a free glass of wine to all our visitors and loyal Patrons”. “This will enable all our customers have a taste of favorite pasta dish of choice at a reduced rate”. Pasta is popularly referred to as comfort food and in this sense we trust this will be a great hit for all who come through the Italian Restaurant on the 25th of this Month”.

“Gourmet Meals such as our Compelling Pasta Gamberi and our tasty lasagna are always in popular demand; therefore we are geared to offer transformative culinary experiences on that day.

“At, Sheraton Lagos Hotel actions speak louder than words and by this; our hotel is all out to

differentiate itself not just as a venue for business travelers but also as a destination that creates illuminating experiences for leisure seekers too.

“With our hotel’s exceptional reputation in culinary expertise, Sheraton Lagos Hotel looks forward to inviting all pasta lovers and enthusiasts to celebrate this remarkable day.”

Delta introduces auto check-in for app users

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nited States-based carrier, Delta Air Lines has added automatic check-in to the Fly Delta app to streamline the checkin experience for customers and take the guesswork out of access-

Ethiopia extends e-Visa service to MICE participants

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thiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs main Department in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines Group has launched e-Visa service for African and international participants of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, MICE, effective September 2017.

With the launching of the evisa, participants of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions to be held in Ethiopia, will be able to issue their visa online, book, pay and check-in their

flight with Ethiopian, all online.

Regarding the launch of the new service, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, “With the immense potential for conference tourism, Ethiopia has still a lot to do to tap into the sector and the launching of an e-visa service for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions is an impetus for the exponential demand of Ethiopia’s conference tourism; saving time and cost besides inducing a modern online visa application

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, last weekend, hosted a well-attended special Lagos Jump event at the New Afrika Shrine to round off Felabration 2017 in honour of the 79th posthumous birthday of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

The Governor, who had earlier in the day unveiled an effigy of the late Afrobeat legend erected at the Allen Avenue Roundabout, led top officials of the State Government and other special guests of honour to grace the Special La-

process with more simplicity and efficiency. Further facilitating passengers travel experience, Ethiopian offers special fares and discounts besides availing custom designed tour packages to the various breathtaking tourist sites in the country.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank our IT team and our colleagues at Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs main Department for a remarkably gratifying collaboration.”

ing a boarding pass.

The new functionality, available on the latest version of the app, automatically checks in eligible customers 24 hours prior to their scheduled departure. Customers receive an alert via email or push notification, open the app, acknowledge the federal government mandate for restricted items, and their boarding pass is there along with all the tools needed for their trip.

“Our customers have told us Delta can eliminate some of their stress associated with upcoming travel if they know their boarding pass is ready and can see their seat assignment. Auto check-in provides that peace of mind in a simple, automated solution that also saves valuable time, ”said Rhonda Crawford, Vice President – Global Distribution & Digital Strategy.

gos Jump to climax the 2017 Felabration.

Giving an opening remark, Fela’s daughter, Yeni Kuti thanked the Lagos State Government for supporting this year’s edition of the event, saying that it was an honour done to the entire Fela family.

She specifically thanked Governor Ambode for personally gracing the Special Lagos Jump at the Afrika Shrine, noting that he was the first sitting Governor to do so in official capacity.

“I sent the Governor an email requesting for support for Felabration 2017 and he responded immediately. I was shocked. I met him (Governor) for the first time two weeks ago, but he has proved that he is an action Governor,” she said.

Also speaking, Afrobeat star and son of the late icon, Femi Kuti thanked the Governor for the honour done to the family, just as he urged him to continue the developmental strides and purposeful leadership in the State.

“Your Excellency, we wish you good governance, we wish you prosperity in your leadership and we do hope this State can be satisfactory to all citizens because I believe that is your ambition,” Femi said.

The Guinness Book of Records holder, who got a standing ovation for his dexterity on the saxophone, thrilled the audience with some of his hit songs as well as a special rendition of Fela’s hit song “Water No Get Enemy”, to the excitement of the guests.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

AVIATION Expert calls for more investments ICAO lists challenges in airport infrastructure Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ORMER Managing Director of the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways, Capt. Dapo Olumide, has called for more investment in airport infrastructure in order to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Olumide, who made the call while speaking with aviation correspondents in Lagos on Thursday, noted that infrastructural deficit had remained a major challenge to airline operations in the country.

“We must invest in infrastructure. Without infrastructure you

can’t go anywhere. The challenge we have here is that in order to accelerate the growth of our aviation sector; we must improve our infrastructure,” he said.

Olumide, who is presently Chief Executive Officer of Ropeways Transport Limited, also reiterated the need for government to provide a conducive environment for investors to come into the sector, adding that for instance, the landing aids at the airports in the country would only allow an aircraft to land in visibility of 800 metres.

“Anything less than that, the airplane can’t land. That is a loss of

revenue for the airline and for the airport. So we need to install the infrastructure that will allow aircraft to land with reduced visibility.

“We have it all over the world. It is just equipment on the ground, equipment on the aircraft and specialised training for the pilots. So, without infrastructure you can’t bring in more modern aircraft to compete with the western airlines because there are no places to park them.”

He said that in order to attract investments to the sector, the government should give assurances to the investors about being able to

recoup and remit their funds.

“It is more about issues like how do you remit your funds. If you are investing in dollars how you do get your dollars back because it is one thing for the government to say you can get it at the official rate but can you go to the bank and get it just like that?

“So we need to increase the confidence of investors,” Olumide said.

Federal Government had begun moves to concession the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports in order to improve flights and passengers facilitation.

NAMA, U.S. firm sign MoU on surveillance broadcast

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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aireon LLC of USA on the possible deployment of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said in Lagos, last weekend, that the ADS-B was a recognised next generation standard for surveillance and air traffic management.

According to him, it is a critical requirement in preparation for the implementation of the relevant elements of Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU).

He expressed optimism that the ADS-B solution would ensure 100 per cent real time surveillance coverage of the Nigerian airspace.

Akinkuotu noted that management was committed to exploring every opportunity and relevant technologies that would ensure safety of air navigation in the country in line with world best practices and regulatory requirements.

Meanwhile, Akinkuotu has described the role of human factor in Air Traffic Management (ATM) safety as critical in the process of hazard identification and safety risk management.

The NAMA boss made the assertion while speaking at the just-concluded Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Africa Conference and Safety Seminar win Marrakesh, Morocco.

He listed the human factors to include environmental, organisational and job factors as well as individual characteristics, stressing that they had direct impact on the individual’s behaviour, health and safety.

Akinkuotu said in ATM, any technological advances deployed to improve the system capacity, if not properly interfaced through adequate training and orientation, could lead to “operational error”.

“While these technologies are introduced to increase ATM capacities, the consequences of operational error caused by poor interface between systems and Air Traffic Control Officers outweigh the primary objective of mass production with the ultimate safety penalties,” he said in a statement.

• Alhaji Muneer Bankole, MD/CEO, Medview Airline PLC (m) flanked by (from left to right) Captain Jika Keghtor; Captain Olatunbosun Buraimoh; First Officer Oguare Eziegbe and Captain Ayub Kambinda, all newlydecorated Pilots of Med-View Airline during the decoration ceremony in Lagos, last weekend.

FAAN training school gets ACI accreditation

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ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) Training School has become an accredited Training Centre for the Airports Council International (ACI) to aid capacity building and expertise development through access to ACI’s training and review programmes.

This is just as the President of the Airport Council InternationalAfrica (ACI-Africa), Engineer Saleh Dunoma has said that despite growing air traffic demands in 2017 across Africa, the continent still faces challenges that deter it reaching its full potential Dunoma made this known in his welcome speech at the 27th ACI Africa / World Annual General Assembly Conference & Exhibition in Port Louis, Mauritius stated that collaboration is the true key to launch the continent to reach its peak.

Ali Tounsi ACI Africa, Secretary General, Angela Gittens, ACI Director General, Engineer Saleh Dunoma, ACI Africa President at the signing ceremony of the accreditation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) FAAN Training School as a Training Centr In his address which encompassed this year’s theme: ‘Bold

leadership in a time of change,’ the ACI president stated: ”We all heard the good news: air traffic demand in the region for 2017 is looking up. A young population, growing labour force, accelerating adoption of new technology and urbanization are all factors that favour future economic growth, and subsequently aviation development, across Africa.

“However, we are also aware that Africa is a region that faces many challenges including political strife, security and safety concerns, lack of volume, protectionism, currency complications and sluggish growth in income levels in some key markets “Change is no stranger to the region’s outlook and state of the industry, and for this reason there could be no better place to explore this year’s theme of “Bold leadership in a time of change.”

Dunoma who is also the managing director of FAAN highlighted some ACI initiatives that will aid the region’s airport tackle the challenges that were mentioned “You will hear of the progress that the Airport Excellence (APEX) programme has brought to the Region—helping many African

airport improve the application of ICAO standards and recommendation practices, and international best practices. Out of the 14 APEX reviews that are scheduled for 2017, half of those were or will be in Africa.

“And, since the beginning of our partnership with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the number of Safety reviews in Africa continues to grow. The Safety Assessors Training programme, an initiative that helps build expertise in the region, successfully achieved phase one, where 20 new assessors are now part of the APEX pool of experts.

“In fact the first all-African review team conducted an assessment in Bangui this July and we should expect many more to come. ”And, you will learn of ACI Africa’s new development programme for the region’s airports.

The new initiative is designed to help and assist member airports to improve and respond to different challenges, including those posed by security operations, and achieve professional excellence in the application of international standards and best practices,” said Dunoma.

facing aviation

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resident, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Benard Aliu, says growth in aviation sector like the emergence of remotely-piloted aircraft technologies (drones) were part of the challenges facing contemporary civil aviation administration.

Aliu disclosed this at the 27th Airports Council International (ACI) AFRICA/WORLD Conference in Port Louis, Mauritius, with the theme of ‘bold leadership in a time of change’ A statement by ICAO made available in Abuja, Wednesday quoted Aliu as saying, “while our continued sectoral growth is a desirable outcome, it is also our greatest challenge”.

He said that there was rapid evolution currently underway in the field of commercial space flights, such as unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, which signaled the dawn of a new era in aviation.

Aliu said the projected doubling of flight and passenger volumes by the early 2030s posed significant risks to air transport safety performance, network capacity and efficiency, security preparedness, and emissions mitigation targets.

“Sustained negative performance impacts would not only be unacceptable, they would also pose significant risks to the basic value offerings of air services.

“Furthermore they would threaten air transport’s role as a significant engine for sustainable socio-economic development in small countries, which depend significantly on air transport for their tourism industry and global connectivity more generally “One of the most important prerequisites for future air transport sustainability depends on the quality and extent of the infrastructure and human resources development commitments which governments make today,” he said.

Aliu disclosed that ICAO had set out detailed planning and targets which have been endorsed by its Member States in the its Global Plans for aviation safety and air navigation.

He added that aviation security responses and coordination would be benefitting from a similar global plan for aviation security that was expected to be endorsed by the ICAO Council in November.

“This affords us a uniquely comprehensive perspective from which to identify key challenges for air transport, as well as to coordinate global responses to them.”

“I would further like to reaffirm our commitment to continue to assist our Member States in optimizing the incredible benefits of aviation under our No Country Left Behind initiative,’’ he said.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION NAICOM inaugurates public building insurance enforcement committee Stories by VICTOR NZE

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HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has inaugurated a Technical Committee that would drive the enforcement of public building insurance in the country.

The committee was inaugurated by the NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Mohammed Kari, in Abuja, last Tuesday.

The technical committee is made up of representatives of NAICOM, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) from all the zones and the Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA).

The steering committee on the other hand is made up of the Commissioner for Insurance, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service and the Director-General of the NIA. While the consumers are represented by the FFS, the NIA will supply the funds and NAICOM will be responsible for the disbursement of the funds.

Kari said that it was the responsibility of the committee to advise the steering committee on how public building funds would be effectively and efficiently be disbursed in the country.

Kari was represented by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Technical, Mr Thomas Sunday.

He said that NAICOM, under the National Insurance Act 2003 had the responsibility of ensuring that public buildings and buildings under construction were insured “We have the responsibility for collecting of funds, monitoring and also disbursing the funds for the purpose of improving fire activities in Nigeria.

“0.25 per cent of premium collected with respect to public build-

ings are supposed to be accumulated in the fire funds. But over time, these funds have not been forthcoming because the process for collection are not put in place.

“Therefore, the NAICOM in the spirit of transparency and all inclusive administration has decided to bring in those who know more about fire service into this activity,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that fire service activities were abysmal in many states of the federation, which was not supposed to be so.

On disbursement, Kari explained that the steering committee planned on disbursing the funds for the purpose of training of staff of the fire service both at the federal and state levels.

He said that a portion of the funds would be used to upgrade the activities of the academy of the federal fire service and refurbish/repair fire-fighting trucks and equipment.

He said that some of the funds would be used for the purchase of vehicles for inspection, investigation and also for the purpose of publicity.

The commissioner said that about N78 million had already been accumulated in the funds, adding that a template had been given to the market that would ensure proper enforcement for collection of more funds.

“The amount has a potential of multiplying itself and unlike what we had, we have set a template by which this collection will be appropriately and adequately remitted into the commission.

“But whatever we get in the collection is dependent on adequate enforcement of all the buildings that need to be insured.

“By public buildings, we mean all schools, hospitals, hotels and

•Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) Officials (R) attending to pensioners at the Pension Verification Exercise in Ibadan, Oyo State. offices and they have the responsibility to show evidence that they have complied with section 65 of the Insurance Act 2003,’’ he said.

The commissioner called on the committee and all stakeholders involved to collaborate, create the necessary awareness so that the required result would be achieved.

He said that if this was done, it would reduce the alarming incidents of fire outbreaks and building collapse as the FSS would be adequately equipped to carry out their mandate.

Kari said that the technical committee would be chaired by the Acting Director, Authorisation and Policy, Mr Leonard Akah.

The Controller of Fire Service, represented by the Commandant, National Fire Service Academy, Mr Callistus Agu, said that the N78 million accumulated in the fund was a far cry to what the FSS required.

Agu expressed the desire and commitment of the FSS to move fire service activities in the country forward.

According to him, there is a huge gap between the Federal Fire Service and the State Fire Service which is not supposed to be so.

He said that it was important for the FSS to be strengthened both at the federal state and local government levels to ensure economic development of the country.

Agu called on the government

to look into the premium assigned to the fire service as it was not enough to meet the demands of the service.

The Director-General, NIA, represented by the Head, Property and Risk Survey, Goldlink Insurance, Mr Oni Soji, said the association was ready to partner with all stakeholders to drive the enforcement.

He said that the enforcement would help the association generate more funds and grow premiums that would enable it to pay claims.

Soji urged the FSS to come up with a central data which would help the association in doing proper planning.

fied, their children can send us evidence to show the state of their incapability and we then go over for capturing.

“They can have this done in the comfort of their homes and

if everything is sorted out, they will be pay rolled,” she said.

The exercise, which was hitchfree, was ongoing simultaneously in three centres in Ibadan and two centres in Abeokuta.

PTAD to include pensioners in Diaspora in national data base T

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has assured pensioners living outside Nigeria of being captured in the national database being created for retirees.

Mrs Olufunmilayo Onafowokan, PTAD’s Director of Pensions Support Service, gave the assurance on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of a six-day verification exercise for pensioners in Ibadan.

She said PTAD was partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that pensioners in the Diaspora, particularly those under the Defined Benefit Scheme, were verified.

Onafowokan also said that the ongoing verification exercise, which started on Monday in Oyo and Ogun States, would help to create a digitalised database of pensioners.

“It is our aim to identify and ensure that genuine pensioners are paid every month and after computation, those identified as having arrears would be paid,” she said.

She also expressed optimism that no fewer than 13,500 pensioners would have been verified in the South West Zone at the end of the exercise.

“After six days, we should have verified 8,000 pensioners in Oyo State and about 5,500 in Ogun State by Saturday,” she said.

She gave an assurance that PTAD had made adequate arrangements for those who were unable to participate in the exercise.

“We have an office in Lagos for the South West Zone that has been equipped to take care of pensioners that cannot attend any of our verification ex-

ercises.

“We also have a dedicated section called the Mobile Verification Team to attend to pensioners in the villages, hospitals and those bedridden.

“Once we have been noti-

FG begins payment of pension to retired war-time police officers

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ederal Government says it will commence the payment of pension benefits to retired war-affected police officers and their next-of-kin.

A statement by the management of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in Abuja on Wednesday indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the payment of pension entitlements to the affected officers and their next-of -kin.

Some members of the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force

(NPF) and some paramilitary officers that took part with the secessionist group in the 1967 civil war were earlier dismissed from the service after the war.

The dismissal of the officers was later converted to retirement in 2000 through a presidential amnesty granted on May 29, 2000 by the administration of President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

A verification was conducted for the pardoned officers by the defunct police pension office and recently PTAD, on one hand and

the Police Service Commission.

In spite of the presidential pardon and verification of the officers, many of them remained unpaid years after the pardon.

According to the statement, PTAD is to commence the payment of the benefits to retired war affected police officers on Friday in Enugu.

It said the first batch of payment would also involve the payrolling of 162 affected officers and 57 next –of- kin that were yet to be paid the death benefits of their deceased persons.

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

5 Insurance companies to raise N20bn Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

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IVE of the quoted insurance companies on the floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have concluded arrangement to raise N20 billion by way of public offers and Rights Issue. These are WAPIC Insurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance (STI) Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Royal Exchange Plc and Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc This is in a bid to recapitalise and become stronger to play active roles in insurance market by the time the new supervision model, Risk Based Supervision (RBS), kicks off in the country sometime in new year 2018. Acoording to findings, WAPIC Insurance PLC, on its part, plans to raise N10 billion, with STI Plc aiming to raise N2 billion, even as Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc plans to raise N2.5 billion additional capital or its equivalent, whether locally or internationally or a combination of both.

Royal Exchange Plc intends to raise N3 billion from the capital market, while Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc plans to raise additional capital by way of private placement to the tune of 1,031,199,000 ordinary shares of N0.50 Kobo at N0.70 Kobo per share, even as requisite regulatory approvals were obtained for the placement issue.

Commenting on this, the chairman of WAPIC Insurance, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the company is approaching its shareholders at this time to seek approval to raise N10 billion additional capital as a proactive step towards getting the company ready and set

for a much-anticipated regulatory increase in the minimum capital of insurance companies. This, he said, is particularly instructive in view of the recent adoption of the Risk Based Supervision model by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the directive to insurance companies to implement the Solvency II Capital Allocation model by 2018.

STI PLC, on its part, said it sought the consent of its shareholders to increase the authorized share capital of the company from N5.5b to N7.5b by the creation of 4,000,000,000 (four billion) ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, ranking pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of the company.

The chairman, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance PLC, Mr. Obinna Ekezie, had informed its teeming shareholders at its recent 2016 AGM in Lagos that the firm plans to raise N2.5 billion additional capital or its equivalent, whether locally or internationally or a combination of both. The N2.5 billion, he said, would be raised through either private or special public offerings right issue or a combination or any other methods it deems fit.

In the same vein, the chairman, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Mr. Remi Babalola, said, “Consequent upon a conditional approval issued by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) that the investor’s post-placement position should not exceed 20 per cent of the company’s equity, the placement was 83.3 per cent subscribed, thus bringing the total shares subscribed to 859,000,000 ordinary shares”. The additional capital raised, he stressed, is ex-

•Chairman UBA Group, Chief Tony Elumelu (right) during his courtesy visit to the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam in Singapore. pected to significantly enhance the company’s operations and boost its capacity to play in the oil & gas and engineering subsector of the insurance space. In the same vein, Standard Alliance Insurance PLC has restructured its holding structure as part of plans to further raise additional capital to be competitive when RBS finally takes off.

The Group Managing Director of Standard Alliance, Mr. Bode Akinboye, said the share construction was the third point of his four-point transformation project

anchored on people, processes and product. “We shall move to the last of the four-point agenda, which is to raise fresh capital to enable Standard Alliance become a bigger player in the insurance market”, he added.

Akinboye explained that fresh capital might be raised through loan issuance, debt issuance, equity issuance, convertible shares issuance or preference shares issuance, both from local and international investors. While some had already notified NSE and the Security and Exchange Commission

(SEC) of their plans to approach the market through public offers, others are already discussing at the board level on ways to woo new and existing shareholders to acquire more holdings in their respective insurance firms.

With RBS expected to lead the sector to recapitalisation and specialisation of businesses, most companies planning to operate in the big and lucrative sectors, such as oil and gas, aviation, maritime sectors, among others, are trying to raise funds to increase their capitalisation.

Oando crisis deepens as JSE suspends trading in its shares C risis rocking Oando Plc, are far from over, as full suspension in the trading of the company’s shares by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for 48 hours as directed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ended last Friday.

However, with effect from October 20, 2017, the NSE placed technical suspension on the shares of Oando Plc. This means the pegging of the price movement in the shares Oando.

Although the shares can still be

traded on the floor of the NSE but there won’t be capital appreciation or change in its price. Whereas full suspension in the trading of the shares earlier implemented was a stoppage in transactions for a specific period.

Following the development, last Thursday, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, (JSE) in South Africa, suspended trading in the shares of Oando Plc. According to a statement by the JSE, the suspension was effected based on a correspondence between the Nigerian

bourse and JSE. Apart from the Nigerian bourse, Oando is listed in Johannesburg and Toronto.

The genesis of Oando crisis began when a group of aggrieved shareholders had attempted to disrupt its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the management of the oil firm.

Two of the shareholders, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal and Ansbury Incorporated petitions the Securities and Echange Commission. The

NSE donates School to IDPs in Borno

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has donated a school to the Borno State Government as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The school, Maisandari Alamderi Model Nursery and Primary School, located in the Abuja Talakawa District of Maiduguri, comprises two blocks of nine classrooms that will accommodate 330 students and an administrative block, housing the staff room, sick bay, security room and restrooms.

The school will be managed by Bridge International Academies, a renowned global educational firm that specializes in providing robust technology driven education system to low income households

in developing economies.

Other partners for the school intervention programme are Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Oando Foundation, AXAMansard Insurance Plc and MTN Foundation. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held in Maiduguri, Borno State, Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, noted that the Exchange is committed to providing quality education and improving the financial literacy of the communities it serves.

He said, “Education is one of the key foundational elements to building a peaceful and sustainable society. The donation of the Maisandari Alamderi Model Nursery and Primary School aligns with

commitment to providing an inclusive, safe and positive teaching and learning environment, and we are pleased that this gift will support the educational system in the state to mold the next generation of leaders”. Also speaking, the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, commended The Nigerian Stock Exchange for complementing government efforts in the delivery of robust and quality education in the state.

“It is very heart-warming to have NSE make such a significant contribution of providing physical infrastructure and human resources for the newly built school we are commissioning.

With this gesture, The Exchange is addressing the challenge of pro-

Commission in a statement said it carried out a comprehensive review of the petitions and made the following findings amongst others; that there was Breach of the provisions of the Investments & Securities Act (ISA) 2007,breach of the SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies, suspected ‘Insider Dealing’. Also, related party transactions not conducted at arm’s length and discrepancies in the shareholding structure of Oando Plc, among othe4rs.

As apex regulator of the capital

viding a conducive learning environment which forms the bedrock of qualitative education. We are indeed grateful and we hope that this partnership continues for the long term”.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange leverages its unique position as one of the leading Exchanges in Africa, to promote sustainability along the four key impact areas of Marketplace, its platform for promoting market-based approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives; Community, where it makes contributions to positively impact lives; Workplace, through which it facilitates diversity, wellbeing and harnesses the talent and skills of its people; and the Environment as it focuses on reducing the Exchange’s environmental impact.

market, it’s primary role as is to regulate the market and protect the investing public. The Commission notes that the above findings are weighty and therefore needs to be further investigated. It stated that after due consideration, the Commission believes that it is necessary to conduct a forensic audit into the affairs of Oando Plc. It noted that this is pursuant to the statutory duties of the Commission as provided in section 13(k), (n), (r) and (aa) of the ISA 2017.

To ensure the independence and transparency of the exercise, the Forensic Audit shall be conducted by a consortium of experts made up of auditors, lawyers, stockbrokers and Registrars. According to SEC, to further ensure that the interest of all shareholders of Oando Plc are preserved during the course of the exercise, the Commission directed the Nigerian Stock Exchange to place the shares of Oando Plc on technical suspension.

However in view of the fact that it is not technologically feasible for the Exchange to effect a technical suspension except after 48 hours, the Commission directed as follows; That effective for 48 hours the Nigerian Stock Exchange should implement a full suspension in the trading of the shares of Oando Plc; and implement a technical suspension in the shares of Oando Plc, till further notice.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

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31

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

Crime

Banker accused of transferring customer’s N14m

Stories by XAVIER NDAH

A

former banker with Unity Bank PLC, Mrs. Remilekun Ogunwole, has been arraigned before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja for alleged forgery and fraud.

Mrs. Ogunwole was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a 3-count charge for allegedly forging documents and defrauding a customer to the tune of N14 million.

The first count of the charge stated that, between the months of March

2014 and August 2014, as a staff of Unity Bank, the suspect allegedly transferred the sum of N14, 450,000 (fourteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira only) fraudulently from Zamzalim Enterprises account for her own use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 364.

In the second count, it was stated that, Mrs. Ogunwole allegedly committed the fraud through the forgery of the letterhead of Zamzalim Enterprises, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the

Penal Code.

The last count alleged that the suspect dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N14, 450, 000 (fourteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira only) belonging to Zamzalim Enterprises by converting it to personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308, punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

Initially, the defence counsel, Mr. Lawrence Alabi, had raised a preliminary objection, asking the court to dismiss the matter arguing that it was beyond the Commission’s jurisdiction but the ICPC counsel, Efanga Ima-

obong Eyo, argued against it and the presiding judge overruled the objection.

The suspect pleaded not guilty to the 3-count charge and an application for bail was made by her counsel which was not opposed by ICPC counsel.

The presiding judge granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety who must be an influential person, resident in Abuja and owning a landed property, in addition to submitting her driver’s license and international passport to the court.

The case has been adjourned to 22nd November, 2017 for commencement of hearing.

‘Hustling’ lands 3 in police net T

he operatives of Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three robbery suspects in separate incidences at different parts of the metropolis.

They were arrested between late last Friday and Saturday in the early hour’s operations commonly known in crime world as ‘hustling’ which hoodlums make frantic efforts to rob passengers either by snatching their telephones , money or anything they lay their hands on to make ends meet for the day.

The suspects: Moshood Olowu 24, and Olasunkanmi Ogundipe 26, both attendees of Felabration along with their respective accomplices separately robbed two commuters in Ojota and Ketu.

The third suspect, Rasak Adebola22, was arrested in Ikate

by RRS patrol team after snatching a hang bag belonging to one Helen Susan in traffic in Ikate.

According to Moshood Olowu, he and his two other accomplices, now at large, left New African Shrine in Alausa Business District, Ikeja, and were heading to

Moslem clerics, herbalists nabbed with human parts

T

• The suspects Ikorodu through Ojota when they committed the crime.

‘We were at Ojota around 5:00 a.m. after leaving Felabration venue to board a bus to Ikorodu. I dipped my hand into another passenger’s pocket when we were rushing the bus. I removed his phone and passed it to my colleague, Ayobami and Jide.

The owner held my hand and prevented me from joining the bus. Ayobami and

Jide, who I gave the stolen phone to, went away while RRS operatives who were on patrol duty arrested me’.

Olasunkanmi Olajide on his part stated that he was in company of nine other accomplices from New African Shrine when they accosted one Pastor Adetayo Samuel waiting to board a bus to Ibadan around 5:00 a.m. at Old Toll Gate Ketu, collected three mobile phones from

Two arraigned over assault on safety officer

T

he operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has dragged to court a suspected criminal over assault on an officer while performing his lawful duty.

The action was necessitated following an approval by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Imohimi Edgal over assault on an officer of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and his sibling at Fiditi Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos.

The Chairman of the Agency Superintendent of Police (SP) Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed

• Ogunwole

that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspected criminal stabbed the officers Mr. Aderemo Ramoni and his sibling Mr. Adeyemi Ridwan with scissors at different spots on the head after he was caught to have jumped a fence into a neighbour’s compound at Fiditi Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos on 4th of October, 2017.

tween the Nigerian Police and other security/enforcement Officers of the State on curbing criminal activities is yielding maximum cooperation across Lagos.

SP Egbeyemi enjoined members of the public to always give useful information on any noticeable criminal hideouts/activities around their area “when you see something say someSP Egbeyemi disclosed fur- thing”.

He however confirmed that ther that when the officer could not handle the suspected the Lagos State Commissioncriminal after he was stabbed er of Police Mr. Imohimi Edgal he called his sibling who sup- directed that the suspected ported him and took him to the criminal be charge to court after he was briefed about the nearest Police Station.

He noted that the synergy be- incident.

wo different syndicates that profess to having antidotes to diverse spiritual problems confronting mankind by using human parts to prepare the charms for its efficacy , have been smashed in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The syndicates, comprising three Moslem clerics and two herbalists, were arrested under separate circumstances by men of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Abeokuta The two groups, at the time of their arrests, had in their possessions various human parts ranging from skull to flesh, eyes and bones, liver amongst others.

However, while the suspected clerics were arrested when their vehicle was flagged down for search around Itoku area , the herbalists were apprehended in Obantoko area, both in Abeokuta, on a tip-off.

For the clerics, two of them, Adebayo Mubasiru, 33 and Rasheed Abass, 36, were said to be heading back to their office on 6, Baasi Compound, Totoro when

their vehicle was intercepted, and the officers insisted on searching their car.

Items found in their possession, were snails, native soap and red-head lizard and other items which arouse the operatives suspicion and curiosity to know their real identity.

It was gathered that further investigation led them to the suspects’ office, where a some pieces of human skull, flesh and eyes were discovered. ‘The eyes were preserved in a container’ .

Police source said the men named the third suspect Adenekan Rasaq, 42, as the supplier of the parts which they use to prepare success concoctions for their clients.

In his own account, Adebayo said he bought the skull and flesh for N100, 000 from one Ashipa who as at the time of filing this report, had been reported to be at large. In the case of the herbalists, 67-year-old Lateef Aremu the leader and Kolawole shodipo, both were arrested in Obantoko area on a tipoff.

him and N6, 000:00.

‘We fled the scene immediately and we broke into three groups. We were trailed by RRS patrol team who received complaint from our victim. They arrested me while I was trying to board a bus to Ibafo’.

According to the third suspect, Rasak Adebola, ‘I was going to Ajah to retire for the night. Just before I got to Chisco around Maroko at about 11:00 p.m., I snatched a lady’s bag. I attempted to escape but I was arrested.

‘I don’t know what came over me. I had only N200 on me. I have been waiting for traffic to build up. I have never been imprisoned before.

I plead for leniency. I won’t repeat it again. I was a motor cycle rider in Shomolu. I came to Ajah to learn carpentry and get serious’, he added.

Confirming the development, the Police PRO, ASP Olarinde Famous Cole stated that the three suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

• The herbalists and items allegedly recovered from them.

32

racleToday

The

www.oraclenews.ng

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33

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

Romantic Joke

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Tie Me Up One day, a man came home and was greeted by his wife dressed in stunningly sexy lingerie.

“Tie me up,” she purred, “And you can do anything you want.”

So he tied her up and went golfing.

Name: Blessing

LOVE NEWS

• If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

Man arrested for writing ‘good morning’ on Facebook

A

man in the West Bank was arrested by Israeli police after he wrote “good morning” in Arabic on Facebook and then software mistranslated his words as “attack them”.

Palestinian builder Halawim Halawi had posted the words with a photo of himself in the Israeli settlement of Beitar Ilit where he works.

Facebook’s automatic translation software interpreted the post to mean “attack them” in Hebrew and “hurt them” in English, according to Haaretz.

Israeli police were then informed of the message and they became suspicious because he was standing next to a bulldozer.

Such vehicles have been used in terror attacks and officers thought he may be threatening to carry out such an atrocity, the website reported.

Mr Halawi was arrested and then questioned on suspicion of incitement.

Fortunately, police realised they had made a mistake and released him a few hours later.

It was unclear how such a translation error could have been made as there are no apparent similarities between the Arabic expression used for “good morning” and the phrases in Hebrew or English.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri

told the AFP news agency that “a few days ago, a Palestinian was detained for questioning on suspicion of incitement through his Facebook page”.

She said he was “immediately released” after the suspicions turned out to be false.

Haaretz reported that the Facebook post has since been deleted.

Love Zoo: Will sex cure panda’s habit of walking backwards?

A

young female panda at Berlin Zoo is being set up with a male lover in the hope that sex will help cure her unusual habit of walking backwards.

Zookeepers believe the frustrations associated with life in captivity may be behind four-year-old Meng Meng’s strange afflicition.

They hope being romanced by Jiao Qing, a panda three years her senior, will literally help her to move forward.

“Meng Meng is in puberty,” Berlin Zoo director Andreas Knieriem told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper.

“The reverse walk is a protest against

things she dislikes, be it the food or the carers.”

Giant pandas in captivity are usually kept apart except during the mating season, between February and May. “By then, Meng Meng will have reached sexual maturity and could focus all her energy on seducing her partner,” Mr Knieriem added.

Both pandas are on loan from China and are the major attractions of the zoo’s £7.6m Chinese compound, which was opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping in July.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

True Confession

‘Unfaithfulness cost me my marriage’

M

y name is Janet. I’m 45years old. I got married 10 years ago to a good-looking man from Bayelsa state. My husband is a sailor who usually travels around the world.

He is a mariner with the Nigerian merchant navy. Our marriage was blessed with five children and my husband usually sent money from abroad to me whenever he was away for long periods. I had nothing to complain about our marriage except for one thing.

The problem is that I am a very sexy and romantic person. And whenever my husband was away for a long period, I missed him so much in bed.

Sometimes my husband would be away for up to six months at a stretch and I would feel sex starved and long for him to be around to make love to me.

I find it very hard to stay without sex for over three months and sometimes I would masturbate to satisfy my sexual yearning.

It got to a point that I could not resist the urge to have a boyfriend who would satisfy me sexually whenever my husband was away.

So I started dating a young banker with one of the new generation banks. I sometimes spent weekends in the house of my boyfriend.

Unfortunately for me, one of my husband’s friends found out about my affair with the young banker and informed my husband.

So my husband returned to Nigeria secretly without informing me that he was coming, in order to catch me red-handed in the act of adultery.

He traced me to my boyfriend’s house where I was spending the weekend and hell was let loose.

Out of anger, my husband threw my things out of his house and told me that our marriage was over. He took my children and gave them to his mother to look after.

Since my husband threw me out of his house, I have made many attempts to beg him and make him take me back as his wife, but he has bluntly refused.

My husband has now gone ahead to marry a new wife. I am now a divorcee because of my unfaithfulness to my husband.

My parish priest told me that my marriage broke up because I failed to live by the teaching of the Holy Bible which says that a woman must be faithful to her husband.

He blamed me for what happened between me and my husband and advised me to go on serious prayer and fasting. He even said that I need deliverance and that I should pray to God to forgive my sins.

I want people who are unfaithful to learn from my terrible experience because I now regret ever cheating on my husband. I’m now trying to reconcile myself with God because I have resolved to change for the better.

“He traced me to my boyfriend’s house where I was spending the weekend and hell was let loose.

Out of anger, my huband threw my things out of his house and told me that our marriage was over. He took my children and gave them to his mother to look after.”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

35

Relationships and Love Advice

‘I love him but he is always busy’

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Faith, 35, works and lives in Port Harcourt, needs a decent guy of 36-40 years. 09037846643.

Monica Ono, 35, beautiful, single mother of one, needs a handsome man of 38-41 years for marriage. 08036844539.

Blessing, 33, from Imo, in Lagos, fat, busty, single mother, needs a matured man of 45years+ for marriage. 08025117116, 08053407885.

Dear Love Doctor, I am Kenny, from OAU. I am 24 years old. I have a boyfriend whom I love so much and will want to spend the rest of my life with, but I always feel lonely most of the time, because he is always busy and seems not to have time for me. He always tells me to understand his situation, and I don’t want to cheat on him. What do I do?

From Kenny, Lagos.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Kenny,

You need to give your man time to get organized. If his job is so demanding and he seems to have little or no time for you, tell him to organize his time better, so that he can create time for you. If he is willing to make a change, your relationship can still be saved.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840.

Email: ireto007@yahoo.com

• Mature Singles Party is a romantic event for mature single men and women which will take place in December to help you find your Mr. Right or Miss Right. To register for the Mature Singles Party, call Diana on 08034033167.

Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840, 08077821830 for Counseling, infertility & Direct Hookup.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Donald, 37, tall, dark, Igbo, handsome, in PH, needs a female lawyer or working class graduate lady between 24-34 years for marriage.

07014061373.

Uche, in Lagos, needs a matured woman from 40 years and above for friendship. 08077821830.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840.

Email: ireto007@yahoo.com Do you have a marriage/wedding, birthday, anniversary or club or town meeting announcement to make? Call 07031028714 now!

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 07031028714, 08131161840.. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/relationship.

Adeola, 36, in Ilorin, needs someone that can help him realize his business aspirations for a relationship. 08032820002.

David wants a beautiful, mature, working class lady for friendship. 07038485483, 08094063208.

Kenneth, 40, wants a responsible woman for marriage. 08143002139.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

It happened to me:

‘I urinated in my boss’s tea’

I

have an OND but I was never able to get a good job. In Nigeria, if you’re inbetween being a graduate and being a school certificate holder like myself, you just never get respected.

Many a time, I had to sleep with men in order to get a job. It’s so difficult being a female job-seeker in Nigeria, as almost every manager wants to sleep with you before he can offer you the job, even if you’re well qualified for the job. People seldom get jobs on merit these days, because those who have ‘connection’ or sleep around call the shots.

So I could only settle for jobs for secondary school certificate holders. The salaries which such jobs offered were never good and I had to do many other things as a lady to make ends meet.

For example, I had to keep several boyfriends so that I could depend on them for some extra cash I needed. I couldn’t keep only one boyfriend because I knew that if he didn’t have money, it would be terrible for me.

So I kept many boyfriends so that if one didn’t give me money at the point in time that I needed it, the others would be able to give me money.

My strategy paid me well, and I was always able to take care of my needs by relying on my sizable number of boyfriends. In any case, I was careful and always practiced safe sex to prevent myself from getting infected with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/ AIDS. I condescended to do some very low jobs year after year, and I’d had enough of my life and “career” going nowhere, when I got a job as a receptionist at a Chinese company in the South-Western part of the country.

I was excited to be working for a company that could possibly give me a promotion after I had proved how good I was at my job and distinguished myself.

My first week there was great, the staff were friendly and I learned my responsibilities so quickly. I loved it and could see myself working there for a long time.

But the following week, when the Chinese CEO of the company returned from a business trip, I found out what the big boss was really like, a very horrible man!

Being a Chinese company, what he says goes, regardless of whether it’s wrong or inefficient. He loathes being corrected, and stories had gone around about employees he had fired simply because they offered a better and faster solution to a problem than what he thought of. It seemed the man simply didn’t need anybody with brains in his company.

I usually wore casual clothes to work but I wanted to make a great first impression when meeting him, so I wore a classic women’s black suit, elegant jewellery and perfect make up.

I greeted him when he walked through the door of the office, only to have him walk straight past me without making eye contact or even a sound, completely ignoring my greeting and introduction, and slamming his office door behind him.

I fought back my anger and told myself that he probably acted that way because he was just tired from a long plane trip, and that he would be himself in a few hours. So I calmed myself down and felt much better.

An hour later he called me (I was referred to as “You there”) into his office.

I smiled, straightened myself out and

“I filled the rest of the mug with his green tea and stood there for a few minutes trying to look neutral so that I didn’t raise any suspicion from anybody.

Once that was done, I took the mug into his office and then closed the door behind me when I left.” strode confidently into his office, only to be shot down with, “What do you think you’re doing wearing a suit? You’re not a staff member. You’re a receptionist.

Don’t ever wear those clothes in my office again. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” I replied meekly, looking at the floor and wishing it would swallow me up. “Good. Now go and prepare my tea.”

I rushed out of his office, trying my hardest not to cry. “Who the hell does he think he is? This is my country Nigeria!

He is not even a Nigerian but he treats people like slaves in their own country,” I thought.

My anger towards him became hotter as I thought of what to do to teach my Chinese boss a lesson. I knew that this man was no different from most other Chinese men managing companies in Nigeria, because they generally treat their Nigerian workers like slaves and pay them peanuts as salaries. It’s just like modern day slavery.

“I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire!” I said to myself. It was at that moment I stopped dead in my tracks as a ‘beautiful’ thought hit me like a stroke of genius.

I looked around to make sure nobody was looking and ran to the loo with his special mug in my hand. I positioned myself over it and filled about a quarter of the mug, smiled, finished up in there and strolled back my desk.

I filled the rest of the mug with his green tea and stood there for a few minutes trying to look neutral so that I didn’t raise any suspicion from anybody.

Once that was done, I took the mug into his office and then closed the door behind me when I left.. He called me a few hours later to demand another one. I collected his mug and beamed with pride when I saw that it was empty.

I made a decision then and there to stay on in that job, and every time I’m treated worse than dirt by the CEO, I brew him my special tea!

I’m not going to resign just because this man treats me like crap, because jobs are hard to find in this country and I have to survive. So I will keep tolerating my boss’s excesses and feed him with my urine whenever I’m angry.

What I’m doing may be “immoral” to some people, but to me it’s swift justice while keeping your job and in a way standing up to your boss for his cruelty and modern day slavery.

If I actually speak out against him I’ll be sacked and I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. So what would you do if you were in my shoes? This is the only way that a poor and helpless worker like me can defend myself against a cruel alien boss that is oppressing me in my own country!

• Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

Love & Living

“T

hey say one has to die to know just how it feels but each time he hits me, I die!”

Easily one of the saddest comments I ever heard and it came from Adaugo, a woman who has endured domestic violence for over eight years of marriage.

The last time you read, I promised to let you into the world of women who have continued to endure beatings at the very hands of the same men who swore to protect them before God and man.

For Adaugo, nothing prepared her for the worst since she felt she knew his tendencies well enough before marriage. They had met back in the university and soon became good friends. He would always say that her sociable nature and assertiveness got him. In those days, she was his closest confidant and he would never make decisions without asking her opinion.

Also, he loved the fact that she was the outgoing type who effortlessly related with people making her fun to be with. It was therefore very strange when the hit her across the face not too long after their wedding all because he saw her conversing with a male neighbor. It didn’t stop there, the sight of any male around her suddenly seemed to do something to him and he would always lash out at her.

How sour can love get?

Ify ARONU ifyaronu@gmail.com

“The things that he admired about me are the same things he now hates with passion”, she said.

Adaugo insists that she has never given him any reason to doubt her faithfulness. This situation has truncated her hopes of enjoying a happy married life as all she now does is to dodge men everywhere just so that her husband doesn’t beat her up again. Correspondence with male colleagues and friends has become a taboo as well.

“I’m always scared and worried that if he sees me around men even at work, he might get the wrong impression and attack me when I get home”.

Let’s get things straight, it is perfectly normal for a man to own his home and run things how he deems fit. It is also not wrong for him to be quite possessive in order to feel that he now owns her completely. It however becomes an issue when this craving becomes an obsession leading him to brutalise the

woman just because he desperately needs to feel he’s in control still.

The effects of domestic violence on women like Adaugo cannot be imagined, the sense of insecurity that she has to sleep and wake up with as well as the erosion of her sense of self worth and confidence are things that cannot be explained. Regrettably, the society encourages women in this kind of situation to live with it for the rest of their lives, they are never to challenge it or take a walk because marriage is all about endurance. But in all fairness, in the face of rising death rate among women occasioned by domestic violence, it has become needful for women to begin to speak out about these things, seek gainful information about ways to better their lots in marriage while keeping the home together and possibly seek measure to get the men to rethink their ways. There should be a way of reigning in this stark inhumanity.

Any married man who without cause keeps suspecting his wife has to face up with and deal with his insecurities rather than unleash it on the woman.

•Please send your comments, commendations, and condemnations to ifyaronu@gmail.com

Unique challenges of Nigerian girls

W

HILE we have lamented and lament so much about the many challenges we have as girls, let us note that there are certain potentials that we have and these potentials are visibly there to make our lives better. And most of these potentials are on the flip side of the challenges discussed earlier; it just depends on how we see them.

Potentials 1. Gender: While our gender is part of our challenges, it is also a huge potential. So let’s celebrate ourselves daily and every minute we have.

We are gifted differently and our difference affects how we do things.

There is a lot we can do in spite of what the society says about our gender.

There are some things that we can do, and trust me, we do them better because of some of the natural abilities we have in that we have been ignoring because we do not have an idea of how much power we have possessing those qualities.

•Nurturers – We can nurture things into growth. Ask around, it is a super power, but like Spiderman, Batman and Wonder Woman. You do not need a cape to do this, it’s in you already, but like Peak said.

•Multi-taskers: We can do so many things at the same time; we are the custodians of the multitasking power.

•Compassionate: We are very compassionate and when this super power want to be dampened or looked down upon, they say we are too emotional, there is nothing like too emotional, we just express things differently and this trust me is potential, because it opens your eyes to possibilities only a compassionate person can.

•Unique: We are unique, with everything we were made of and how we look, walk and do things. Our uniqueness is a strong point and once we accept our uniqueness; our yes will be opened to possibilities that surround us.

2. Our past experiences and our background:

M

If we look back on the experiences in retrospect, but choosing to draw out positive lessons from them, and also look up ways to help prevent further occurrence of those experiences in the lives of others, and also seek to build something meaningful and tangible out of what once seemed dark, bleak and shameful.

If we take our eyes away from seeing ourselves as victims of circumstances, and desist from wallowing in pity party, then our eyes can see how much strength we have and can build to change the course of our lives.

e& ore

Maureen Alikor maureenalikor@gmail.com

3. Our mind: This is a very important tool that any human can be armed with. Everything that we have enjoyed in reality have first been formed and framed in the mind.

As girls, we have a mind of our own and if harnessed properly can be channeled into something wonderful and world changing.

Our mind is deep and houses ideas that can make huge impacts on our nation and the world at large.

4. Our significance: Knowing and accepting our uniqueness help us understand we are significant.

Knowing we have a role to play in the growth and development of our environment.

We were all created for impact, and this is synonymous with us, no one will do what we were called to do, better than us.

So having an understanding of who we are and what we are is a great tool in the hands of a girl child.

•Miss Mary Ukoli a model, one of the contestants in this year’s Face of Prestige Nigeria, educating children at the Destined Children School, Ajegunle, in Lagos.

We all have experiences, good, bad, ugly and unpleasant experiences, some we are proud of, the rest so shameful, we wish we could erase them from our

existence and our memories, but the sooner we realize this, The better our lives will become and the new positive turn our lives will take.

So look around you, the girls have potentials that can be harnessed.

It’s the collective responsibility of everyone to help the younger generation live out their best lives on earth, making impact and shaping narratives.

•Please send you comments to maureenalikor@gmail.com

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

The Law and You

T

he lender is the ‘mortgages’ while the borrower is the ‘mortgagor’ The simple idea of a mortgage is that it is security for loan. In fact a mortgage is birth. i.

A contract between the mortgagor and the mortgagee ii.

A proprietary interest in the land of the mortgagor granted to the mortgagee.

If a mortgage was only a contract, then this would not give the mortgage enough security as if the land was sold then the mortgagor would not have to repay the mortgagee before he/she sold the land. Therefore it must also give an interest in the land.

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Mortgages

TYPES OF MORTGAGE A mortgage is normally a charge by deed by way of legal mortgage.

CHARGE BY DEED: It is a statutory form of legal mortgage which is shorter and simple than the accustomed form. It states merely that the property has been charged with the debt by way of legal mortgage. There is no conveyance of any estate to the mortgagee. It must be made by deed and must contain a statement that the charge is made by deed and must contain a statement that the charge is made by way of legal mortgage. The effect of such a charge is that the charge get the same protection, powers and remedies as if he has had a term of 3,000 years.

ADVANTAGES OF THE CHARGE There are 3 practical advantages in using a legal charge; 1.

It is a convenient way of mortgaging a freehold and leasehold estates together.

2.

Probably, the granting of a legal charge in a lease does not amount to a breach of any covenant against subletting for the charge creates no actual sublease in favour of the mortgages but merely gives him the same right as if he has a sublease.

3.

The form of a legal charge is short and simple.

EQUITABLE MORTGAGES 1.

Mortgage of an equitable interest: If a mortgagor has no legal estate but an equitable interest, e.g. mortgages the effect must necessarily be equitable. It need not be made by deed but must either be in writing or by will.

2.

Informal mortgage: It is a contract to create a legal mortgage which gives an equitable interest to any party entitled to a specific performance. E.g. deposit of title deeds by way of security. Edge been served on the mortgagor and default has been made in the payment of part or all of it for three (3) months thereafter. v. Worthington 2.

Some interest under the mortgage is two months or more in arrears.

EQUITABLE CHARGE There has been a breach of some provision contained in An equitable charge is created by appropriating specific property 3. to the discharge of some debt or other obligations without there the mortgage deed. Section 125 of PCL. being any change in ownership either at law or in equity. No spe- In general, the power of sale is exercisable without an order of cial form of words is required. It is sufficient in an intention that the Court. The mortgagee may sell by public auction or private treaty property should constitute security can be gathered – Craddock v. or contract.

Scottish Provident Institution. The same applies where a will or volRemedies primarily for the recovery of interest untary settlement charges land with the payment of sum of money. 2.

To take possession Section 123 (I) (G) PCL, Section 19 (1) i.

Matthew v. Goodway, Re-Owen.

C.A 1881. See Chaplain v. Young Power to appoint a receiver Section 131 (1) PCL, Section ii.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGEE OR CHARGEE 19 C.A 1881, the power is not exercisable until the power of sale is A mortgagee may sue for the money due as soon as the date fixed exercisable. for repayment has arrived but not before there.

Appointive Property: Property subject to the power of apHowever, the REMEDIES peculiar to the mortgagee and charge 1. are those for enforcing the security, these are; 1.

Remedies primarily for the recovery of capital a.

FORECLOSURE By giving the mortgagor an equitable right to redeem after he had lost his legal right of action, equity interfered with the bargain made by the parties. Once the legal date for redemption has passed, the Dear Lawyer, mortgagor’s right to redeem was merely equitable. Foreclosure is the process whereby the mortgagor’s equitable right to redeem is Please, this question has been bothering me for a while declared by the Court to be extinguished and the mortgage is left as now hence my asking. Are widows automatically entitled the owner of the property, both at law and in equity. An order of the to letters of administration? court is essential for foreclosure. Section 111 (2) PCL. The right to foreclose does not arise until payment had become due at law – Williams v. Morgan. For until the equitable right redeem Kelvin, Edo State. has arisen, it cannot be extinguished for foreclosure. Repayment is due at law when; i.

The legal date for redemption has passed; ii.

If the mortgagor makes the money fall due; iii.

Breach of any term of the mortgage or iv.

The occurrence of any such breach e.g. failure to pay interDear Kelvin, est – Keene v. Biscoe.

A foreclosure action gives the mortgagee and all other interested in the equity of redemption an opportunity of redeeming the mort- Thank you for this your question but this is not the topic I gage or applying for sale in lieu of foreclosure. am discussing now. Anyways I will give you answers to b.

SALE Section 9 of Conveyance Act 1881 gives power of sale in non-PCL your question. A surviving widow of a deceased is not austates. In the PCL states, every mortgage is made by deed and has a tomatically entitled to the grant of letters of administrapower of sale provided that; tion in respect of the estate of an intestate. The court has i.

The mortgage was made by deed discretion in the matter. A widow who has been guilty of ii.

The legal money is due i.e. the legal date for redemption moral misconduct or who since her husband has led an has passed. Section 123 (1) of PCL immoral life may be passed over.

The power of sale is not exercisable unless and until 1.

Notice requiring payment of the mortgage money has

pointment 2.

Permission Appointee: Possible beneficiaries 3.

Possessory Interest: Allows a beneficiary to possess the property when the interest is conveyed.

4.

Future Interest: Allows a beneficiary to possess the property at some time in the future, after the interest has been conveyed.

Reversion: When a finite estate ends and there are no oth5. er grantees with a future interest in the property, the property will revert back to the grantor.

Possibility/Right to Reverts: For instance, if the grantor 6. conveys land to be used to build a church, and the grantee does not build a church, the land will revert back to the grantor automatically.

Right to entry: it is similar to a possibility of reverter ex7. cept that the right of entry gives the grantor a choice to re-enter the property if a condition is not satisfied. However, the grantor must obtain a court order to re-enter the property.

Question

Dear Lawyer, Is there any effect of failure to pay balance of purchase price of land?

Ngozi, Abuja.

Answer

Dear Ngozi, Where a purchaser of land makes part payment of the purchase price but defaulted in paying the balance there can be no valid where the purchaser is in possession, as possession cannot defeat the vendor’s title. In such case, the vendor can rescind the contract and resell the property. See Maryam v. Idris (2000) FWLR (Pt. 23) 1237 Ratio 3.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call or send a text message to Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

Entertainment With Douglas Omoyooma

Getting married my greatest decision ever –-Sound Sultan

I

n the early 2000s. the artiste known as Sound Sultan stormed the Nigerian music space with his debut hit single, Mathematics. Today, after a string of albums and marriage, the singer is still very much relevant in the industry. In this chat with Oracle Today, the singer opens up on the journey so far.

Sound Sultan, you look good. Who designs for you?

This one is a designer from New York, Sony Ade’s son. he is into fashion designing and is based in New York. The name of the brand is a French word, Raiff Collection What’s new coming from Sound Sultan?

We are definitely bringing on another movie after the last one. Then, of course, I just released a video featuring Harrysong. It is called Non-Stop and I also dropped a video last two-three weeks featuring Jennifer and George Too Funny; more videos are coming up and we are moving up.

Sound Sultan, you have refused to age, what is the secret to your youthful looks, do you diet?

It is God. I just feel like it is God’s mercy on me; he gave me the business. Diet? I even eat more than you, I just believe its God grace, I just have this inner peace within me that makes me stable.

What is the secret to your success?

As I said earlier Na God, it’s not that I am preaching God but the truth of the matter is that God is doing all the wonders in my life.

You have been in the industry for so long now. Could you give us the five tips to success in the Nigerian music Industry Put God first then persevere, be patient, be humble and be original We understand you were very close to your mum who was my teacher before she passed on. Tell us, in what way has your mum influenced you?

Growing up as ‘Omo Iya’ teacher was quite interesting. mum corrected you with everything possible including cane. My mom was a very lovely person but at the same time she never spared the rod. She beat you when you got it wrong but she was also a very embracing mum who was very close to her children. She accommodates people very easily and she was a very caring woman who listened.

How did you feel when you got the news that she had passed on?

I wasn’t prepared for such a sad news, after I had a show and I was going home to refresh for the day when I had the news, it was very bloody for me, so I prayed, I see it as a historical privilege to pay her, her last homage. .

Let’s talk about you as an artist, you got married few years ago, how has married been for you?

Unlike the notion that marriage will kill your carrier as an artiste, the reverse has been the case for me. It has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.

So we can say that marriage has been a blessing for you?

Yeah… it has been a great blessing and I would do it all over to the same woman again if it was possible.

What is is the best decision you ever took?

To marry my wife I must confess, and that is because marriage breaks barriers even in your career as a musician. Getting married to my wife remains my best decision ever.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

Entertainment

emerge in Best Aftermath of robbery: I’m Winners Model Nigeria contest hail and hearty – Mr. 2kay W S inger, Abinye David Jumbo aka Mr 2Kay who was reportedly robbed at gunpoint in his hotel room on Sunday, October 22, 2017 has revealed that he is hail and hearty.

The musician made the revelation in a phone chat with Oracle Today: “Thank God I am alive. it could have been worse. People get shot robbed and killed for the flimsiest reasons so I just want to thank God for saving me,” the Grafton records signee said.

According to reports, the incident happened at 11pm after the Buckwyld N Breathless” concert at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he also performed. The artist was said to have been brutalised by the robbers and threatened to be killed if he did not corporate with them.

The statement which was posted on the Grafton Records’ Instagram page read, “Mr. 2Kay Robbed At Gun Point In Hotel Room At Eko Hotel. The incident happened at about 11pm on Sunday, October 22, 2017, during the Buckwyld and Breathless concert where he also performed.

The robbers, four in number, gained access into Mr. 2Kay’s room after he mistook one of them for room service. They forced their way into his room and waved a gun with threats to shoot him if he made a noise. Mr. 2Kay, who was in the room with a friend, struggled with one of the robbers, as the others punched and hit him with a gun, repeatedly warn-

• Singer, Mr 2kay ing that they will shoot if he doesn’t calm down.

“One of the robbers led and locked 2Kay’s friend in the bathroom, while the others tied the singer’s arms, legs and mouth and took his valuables including jewellery, clothes, perfumes, phones, and money. They also cut the room’s intercom (phone) to avoid any form of communication as they left the hotel. The hotel au-

thorities and police have taken statements for investigation, while Mr. 2Kay is getting medical attention.

I was quite shocked when I got to Mr. 2Kay’s room last night. This was somebody I watched perform some minutes before the incident. Anyway, the hotel authorities and police are already investigating the incident and we hope they’ll apprehend the criminals as soon as possible

inners have emerged in this year’s edition of Best Model Nigeria held on October 8 at Four Points

by Sheraton Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

They are Miss Agu Chinonso Nneze Lucy, who emerged over all winner, Face of the World Nigeria 2017 and will represent the country at the Face of the World pageant taking place at United Kingdom in 2018, Michael Okorodudu Ajose, who emerged Best Model Nigeria 2017 (male category). He will represent Nigeria at Best Model of the World in Paris, France and Kadiri Adepeju Tejumola, Best Model Nigeria 2017 (female category). She will represent Nigeria at Best Model of the World in Paris, France.

The event was well attended by fashion icons, corporate Nigeria and government officials, who came to witness the making of history in the fashion industry in Nigeria.

The organisers of the event, Mr. Emmanuel Okitiakpe and Mrs. Augustina Okitiakpe of

Moremi the Musical to animate QMA

A Actress, Funke Abisogun is dead

Y

oruba Nollywood actress, Funke Abisogun Alhassan has reportedly passed on a few days after giving birth to baby. She reportedly died few days after giving birth to a baby.

Ironically, her husband, Taofiq Alhassan had announced a few days earlier that she had given birth on his Instagram page. However a few days later, a friend of the actress, Tunde Ola Yusuf announced the sad demise of the actress after posting the following message on social media.

“ADIEU FUNKE...Just days ago, people celebrated with you for the delivery of your baby, now the Sun

set at noon and you are no more.

May God look after the new born child and give your husband, the family, friends of the family and the industry at large the fortitude to bear the loss.

Good night Funke Abisogun @ funkealhassanabisogun , wife of my brother Taofeek Al Hassan Abisogun. May her soul rest in peace.

Amen!”

Funke Abisogun’s husband and family are yet to release a public statement. This is coming five months after another Yoruba Nollywood actress, Moji Olaiyareportedly died of cardiac arrest two months after she gave birth to a baby girl in March in Canada.

• Late Funke Abisogun Alhassan

Modelslink International were full of gratitude to guests who made time to attend the show.

Anchored by the duo of MC Abbey and Vera Onaro, the event also included performances by some of the finest in the music and comedy industry including Obelife, AK Fly, Modana, T-Play and Nedro.

Guests that graced the show included Mrs. Gloria Dafeta, who represented and received award on behalf of the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda; Best Model of the World, Joy Ejiro Akpokiniove; President, Nigerian Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Oye Akinsemoyin, Dr. Austin Izagbo, Frank Osodi and Uche Naji.

Past winners of Best Model Nigeria and Face of the World also graced the event. They are Adedamola Cruz, Shegun Oyeyemi, Elvis Ikpa, Myever Akinleye, Stephanie Cole, Tarere Obaigbo, and Faith Nwihim.

s the grand finale of Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) 2017 gathers momentum, the organisers of the yearly cultural beauty pageant have announced the debut of Moremi The Musical, as part of events to make the presentation colourful.

Billed for December 3 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the musical feature will tell in a moving manner the story of the legendary Queen Moremi, a Princess from Offa who was married to Oranmiyan, the ruler of Ile Ife.

Through an act of bravery, selflessness and love for her people, Moremi dared death to save her people.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who is the brain behind the project stated thus: “Moremi Ajasoro exhibited an unrivalled heroism in fighting for liberty and dedicated her life to the liberation of mankind by sacrificing her only child to free the people of Oodua land from the invasion of some faceless terrorists, thousands of years ago.”

All set for COSON Bryan unleashes Attention

A

fter months of waiting, the stage is set for the 2017 edition of COSON Week which kicks-off on Sunday, October 29 with a grand event dubbed COSON in the Church at Pastor Ituah Ighodalo’s Trinity House located in Lekki, Lagos.

The one-week event will feature COSON in the Streets, an initiative that will see artistes clean the streets of Lagos. It will also feature seminars and lectures. The climax will be a concert which will hold on Saturday at Federal palace Hotel, Lagos dubbed The COSON Song Awards among other events.

Speaking, COSON Chairman and copyrights expert, Tony Okoriji said: “This year Nigerians should prepare for a blast as we unleash COSON Week 2017. This is an epoch making event that will linger for a long time to come. Join us as we celebrate the very best of Nigerian music.”

N

igerian singer, Bryan Ebuka Chiji aka Bryann has released a new song entitled Attention which was accompanied by visuals directed by Unlimited LA. According to a stayement from his management, the C4 Records signer’s style of music is a fusion of sub- genres of African sounds; highlife and R &B. His awareness of the various cultures and understanding of music in general increased as an adolescent under the influence of musicians Fela, Bob Marley, Brenda Fassie and Tuface Idibia among others and he has also performed alongside big names in the Nigerian entertainment space.

The statement continued: “The new groovy self-produced love inspired tune further confirms Bryann vocal dexterity and lyrical prowess. He pours so much soul and emotions into the song with his adorable voice, and it will be interesting to see how much different the new song will make in a couple of weeks.”

Bryan’s career began at Emerald High School when he joined the school choir and to further gain control over his sound, he studied sound production. Currently an undergraduate of Babcock University studying Computer Science, he is definitely one of the new acts pushing the • Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and others standing infront of a Statue of Princess Moremi envelope.

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

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I formerly known as IKEDIMMA UZOCHUKWU now wish to be known as IKEDIMMA UZOCHUKWU CLEMENT. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

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Banks and general public take note

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I formerly known as EMENDU IKECHUKWU GODSPOWER now wish to be known as EMENDU IKECHUKWU AFUMEFUNA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

U.S. considering sanctions over Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya – State Dept

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.S. is considering a range of further actions over Myanmar’s treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority, including targeted sanctions under its Global Magnitsky law, the State Department said.

“We express our gravest concern with recent events in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and the violent, traumatic abuses Rohingya and other communities have endured,” the department said in a statement.

It added: “It is imperative that any individuals or entities responsible for atrocities, including non-state actors and vigilantes, be held accountable.”

Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar in large numbers since August when Rohingya insurgent attacks sparked a ferocious military response, with the fleeing people accusing security forces of arson, killings and rape.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

said on Oct. 18 that the U.S. held Myanmar’s military leadership responsible for its crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Tillerson stopped short of saying whether the United States would take any action against Myanmar’s military leaders over an offensive that has driven more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims out of the country, mostly to neighboring Bangladesh.

The State Department made the announcement ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s maiden visit to the region early next month when he will attend a summit of Association of Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, in Manila.

It marked the strongest U.S. response so far to the months-long Rohingya crisis but came short of applying the most drastic tools at Washington’s disposal such as reim-

posing broader economic sanctions suspended under the Obama administration.

Critics have accused the Trump administration of acting too slowly and timidly in response to the Rohingya crisis.

The State Department said: “We are exploring accountability mechanisms available under U.S. law, including Global Magnitsky targeted sanctions.”

The department said measures already taken include ending travel waivers for current and former members of the military in Myanmar, also known as Burma, and barring units and officers in northern Rakhine state from U.S. assistance.

“We have rescinded invitations for senior Burmese security forces to attend U.S.-sponsored events.

“We are working with international partners to urge that Burma enables

unhindered access to relevant areas for the UN Fact-Finding Mission, international humanitarian organisations, and media,” the department said.

In addition, Washington is “consulting with allies and partners on accountability options at the UN, the UN Human Rights Council, and other appropriate venues,” the department said.

Interviews with more than a dozen diplomats and government officials based in Washington, Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, and Europe have revealed that punitive measures aimed specifically at top generals were among a range of options being discussed in response to the Rohingya crisis.

Such measures could include the possibility of imposing asset freezes and prohibiting American citizens from doing business with them.

Washington has worked hard to establish close ties with Myanmar’s civilian-led government led by Nobel laureate and former dissident Aung San Suu Kyi in the face of competition from strategic rival China.

Forty-three U.S. lawmakers urged the Trump administration to reimpose U.S. travel bans on Myanmar’s military leaders and prepare targeted sanctions against those responsible for the crackdown.

The Magnitsky Act, originally passed in 2012, imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials linked to the 2009 death in prison of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old Russian whistleblower.

It has since been expanded to become the Global Magnitsky Act, which could be used against the generals in Myanmar.

Brexit negotiations will be bloc’s toughest stress test, EU president says

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he President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, on Tuesday described negotiations over the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the bloc as “the toughest stress test,” for the European Union.

“As for the Brexit negotiations, we have managed to build and maintain unity among the 27, but ahead of us is still the toughest stress test.

“If we fail it, the negotiations will end in our defeat.

“We must keep our unity regardless of the direction of the talks,’’ Tusk said during a debate in the EU parliament.

He added that the outcome was up to Britain.

“It is in fact up to London how this will end, with a good deal, no deal or no Brexit,’’ he said.

Both sides have met five times to agree on the terms of Britain’s withdrawal, but have only made incremental progress.

More talks are set to happen over the next two months.The UN envoy also called for the implementation of basic laws not obeyed in some countries, such as using seat belts and helmets, child safety seats, and prohibiting drunk drivers.

“As much as strong legislation is important, a national vision and leadership are essential to lasting improvements in road safety.”

According to him, the third area which could lead to reduced road traffic fatalities is to place more resources in collecting data, and development of strategies, monitor needs and assess impact.

“At the very basic level – within how many days after a crash can a death be classified as a road traffic fatality?

“Can we as a global community come to an agreement on data issues like these? Todt quarried.

He added that reliable data was urgently needed to achieve the Decade of Action for Road Safety, which runs through 2019.

“The continent suffers from the highest road traffic fatality rate than any other region, despite having less than five per cent of the world’s reg- • French troops collect the wreckage of a cargo plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on its approach to Ivory Coast’s international airport in Abidjan. Four crew members from Moldova died in the crash, and six others istered vehicles.”

According to him, 90 per cent of from Moldova and France were injured. Photo: CNN. people and goods on the African continent are moved by road, adding that road crashes “can strip a country from realising its true develome 264 million school-age cent of countries make that right enWhile calling for accountability at opment potential.” children and young people forceable in the courts. all levels, the report said accountworldwide were not in educa“Governments are the primary ability measures for schools needed tion in 2015, the United Nations cul- duty bearers for the right to educa- to be flexible and carefully designed. ture and education agency UNESCO tion, yet this right is not justifiable “Schools may adjust to perforsaid on Tuesday. or capable of being the basis for a mance-based accountability sysThe agency, in a progress report court case in almost half of coun- tems in negative ways, gaming the on the UN’s development goals for tries, and the primary course of ac- system and avoiding sanctions to ed that Qatar cut its links with ter- education, said that after a decline tion for those with a complaint is the exclusion of longer-term reforms,’’ the agency warned. rorists, but that it also downgrade in the early 2000s, out-of-school lost,’’ Bokova wrote. ties with Iran, a regional rival of rates have started to stagnate.

“Worldwide, there was a compleSaudi Arabia.

Qatar had complained that these tion rate of 83 per cent for primary moves amount to coercive meas- education, falling to 45 per cent for t least, 650 people were cle ownership in the region over the upper secondary schooling,’’ the ures to isolate its economy. killed daily in road accidents coming decades.

According to the official, who agency said.

“Road traffic fatalities and injuries throughout Africa, Jean Todt, The agency meanwhile quoted UN Special Envoy for Road Safety will continue to take a rising toll on spoke on condition of anonymity Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt household survey data from 128 said on Monday at the 2017 Africa countries, if no significant changes backed the UAE at the WTO meet- countries for the 2010 to 2015 pe- Road Safety Conference in Cape are made,” he warned. riod. ing.

To change the trend, Todt urged Town, South Africa.

There were 40 countries where The U.S, an ally of Saudi Arabia Todt said road accidents in Africa participating governments to impleand a long-standing enemy of Iran, fewer than one in four young peo- were among the deadliest world- ment the Global Plan for the Decade also sided with the quartet, arguing ple had completed secondary edu- wide, urging more action. of Action and the African Road Safethat the WTO should not rule on na- cation, but only 14 where no less The top UN official called for more ty Action Plan, which focuses on than 90 per cent had done so. tional security issues. to be done to keep drivers as well as safer roads, vehicles and road users.

UNESCO Director General Irina pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyReport says Qatar can now ask He said the plan also detailed imother WTO countries to mediate, Bokova, however, called for more clists, safe. proved post-crash care and stronger and it can make a new request for government accountability.

“There is projected increase in ur- road safety governance, including The report noted that while 82 per banisation, motorisation, infrastruc- the enforcement of strong legislaa ruling at a future WTO dispute setcent of national constitutions men- ture development projects and vehi- tion. tlement meeting. tion a right to education, only 55 per

UAE blocks Qatar request for WTO ruling on economic boycott

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he United Arab Emirates on Monday blocked a request at a World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting from Qatar, which had asked the trade body to rule on the economic boycott imposed on the nation by other Arab countries including the UAE. “The UAE said a formal WTO dispute settlement process was not in order.

“For the reason that its actions against Qatar were based on national security considerations and therefore in line with international trade rules,’’ a Geneva trade official said.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and transportation ties with Qatar in June, accusing Doha of supporting and funding terrorists.

The quartet has not only demand-

264m children worldwide are not in school, UNESCO says

S

650 people killed in road crash daily in Africa – UN

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The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

‘I don’t have world-class goalkeeper’ •Victor Moses is a world-class player

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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ATIONAL team Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has finally confessed that he does not have a world class goalkeeper as Nigeria prepare for the quadrennial football biggest showpiece, the FIFA World Cup. According to him Ikechukwu Ezenwa is not world class but expresses happiness at the progress made by the captain of the home-based Eagles. He explained that despite the challenge, he has no choice than to make do with what is available.

Speaking further, the Franco-German football tactician explained he is happy with the progress so far made by Ezenwa in the last couple of weeks even as he expressed optimism the FC IfeanyiUba goalkeeper continues to work hard and improve his confidence and performance before the Mundial.

However, it is not all about bad news for the team as the national team gaffer has declared Eagles and Chelsea player, Victor Moses “world class player” who could be called upon to play at any point in time.

It is recalled that recently, after Eagles qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Rohr had declared that the Edo State-born Victor Moses is going to be his joker for the Mundial. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear him describe Moses as world class player.

“I don’t have a world class goalkeeper now but we’ll go with what we have,” Rohr began.

“Ezenwa is progressing so much that in the past few weeks, he is becoming a very good goalkeep-

er and that is why he kept in the games against Cameroon and Zambia. He is a goalkeeper much stronger than before, we shall have to see what will happen in the next few months.

“It is a very important position for any team. For the moment, we are very happy about the performance of Ezenwa. He has suddenly become an important member of the squad and we would keep working on him and see how it goes,” Rohr declared.

On Victor Moses, the former Bayern Munich defender said: “Victor Moses is a world-class player and you can rely on him any time and any moment he is player.

“He is the most impressive player in my team.

“He is fast and I hope he will not get injured before the World Cup in Russia.

“I have absolute confidence in him.”

The Edo State born utility player is Eagles’ leading scorer in the qualifiers with three goals and he has been the No 1 inspiration in the country’s qualification for Russia 2018.

It is recalled that CAF have selected Moses in the best XI in the last three World Cup qualifiers. Moses first played at the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil and next year’s Mundial will be his second World Cup appearance.

Already, Rohr has tipped him as

his World Cup Joker. Moses at the moment is nursing an injury have been substituted in Chelsea’s lost to Crystal Palace and will be out for 6 weeks.

The declaration by Gernot Rohr that he has no world class goalkeeper should not be a surprising thing for discerning minds unless we want to live in denial. This should not be shock news because over time, Nigerians have been clamouring for the return of Vincent Enyeama to the national team line-up particularly after Carl Ikeme was diagnosed of acute leukemia earlier in the year which ruled him out for the remaining World Cup Qualifiers.

Of course many Nigerians knew that there is no way Ikechukwu Ezenwa could be classified as world class goalkeeper neither will any sane person see Chipa United Fc of South Africa, Daniel Akpeyi as a world class goalkeeper not even with the 2019 Africa Nations Cup Qualifier blunder against South Africa in Uyo. Before now, many concerned stakeholders have at different times voiced out their frustration on the lack of quality goalkeepers in the national team, but nobody took their concerns seriously. But with the confession of Gernot Rohr, those doubting Thomases will have to do a rethink.

It is true that a good team is not only about a good goalkeeper or

goalkeeper but there is need to have somebody at the post who knows his onions and the goalkeepers in the national team at the moment do not inspire any confidence.

Rohr made the confession that he does not have a world-class goalkeeper in his squad while fielding questions from Journalists after

Rivers Angels claim AITEO Cup in Jos •Now N10m richer

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omen Federation Cup now AITEO Cup holders, Rivers Angels FC have retained the trophy as they claimed their first AITEO Cup trophy last Wednesday, after beating hard –fighting Ibom Angels 3-1 on penalty shoot –out, following a 1-1 draw at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos. It was a well –fought battle as both teams proved they merited their places in the final, with Rivers Angels scoring first through Falconets’ ace Cynthia Aku, before the girls from Promise Land replied via Gloria Ogbonna.

Despite fighting very hard to see whether they could repeat the feat achieved by their male counterparts, Akwa United, who won the trophy penultimate Sunday in Lagos could not realize their dream like their brothers who had won the male via male edition through penalty shootout. The Governor Emmanuel Udom’s girls could not replicate the feat of their male counterparts as they proved deficient in taking penalty kicks and as a result lost the opportunity of taking the glittering trophy provided by new sponsors, AITEO. Meanwhile, Rivers Angels by retaining the trophy they won last year pocketed the N10 million champions’ prize, while the Ibom girls went home with N5 million.

Eagles’ stars, Ekong, Mikel meet Buhari in Turkey

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It was not all about losing the diadem to Rivers Angels, the Most Valuable Player of the competition was won by Ibom Angels’ Charity Reuben.

Bayelsa Queens, who lost out in the

quarter –finals, won the Fairplay Trophy, while Tochukwu Oluehi of Rivers Angels won the Best Goalkeeper award and the Best Coach diadem went to the winning tactician Edwin Okon.

his charges secured the World Cup ticket in Uyo, with a game to spare.

It is recalled that Eagles’ goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa conceded only a goal in the last three games that he kept for the team but that was not enough to convince the Franco German tactician.

wo national team players, William Troost-Ekong and Mikel Agu last Thursday met President Muhammadu Buhari and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Erdogan as President Buhari, his wife, Aisha and other Nigerian officials landed in Turkey for a state visit.

Both Troost-Ekong and Mikel Agu feature for Bursaspor in Turkey and only penultimate week helped Nigeria qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia, There are several other Nigeria stars plying their trade in Turkey but the two see it as honour to meet with the Nigerian No 1 citizen.

Many of these players are following in the footsteps of the like of all-time Nigerian greats Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Uche Okechukwu and Daniel Amokachi.

It is recalled that just about three seasons ago, former Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Emenike was player of Turkish side Fenerbahce before he was loaned to Al Ain and also on loan to English Premier League side West Harm Unite. He is currently plying his football trade with Greece side, Olympiacos.

Meanwhile, Eagles’ Vice-Captain, Ogenyi Onazi is currently playing for Trabzonspor among many other Nigeria players in Turkey.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

SPORTS

NFF take far reaching decisions T at Jos Annual General Assembly

Emenike robbed

he Athens home of former Nigeria striker and Olympiacos striker, Emmanuel Emenike was last Wednesday night broken into by thieves according to report from Greece.

Fanatik reported that the burglars watched the former Super Eagles star leave his house before breaking in through the balcony door of his Athens mansion to cart away valuables like cash, jewellery and other items.

Olympiacos faced Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night and the Nigerian was dropped from the Greek club’s 22-man squad that lost 3-1 at Camp Nou. The city police have commenced investigation with the hope of bringing the culprits to book.

The incidence got to prove that it is not only in Nigeria that the men of the under-world perpetrate their nefarious activities. It is most unfortunate and the Oracle Today Sports sympathizes with the Imo State born player.

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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T is no longer news that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last Thursday in Jos held their Annual General Assembly, but what is news is the outcome of the august assembly.

The annual general assembly is coming on the heels of the country’s World Cup Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup that Russia will be playing host to with a game to spare.

This year’s NFF’s Annual General Assembly held in Jos has helped the country’s football governing body take far reaching decisions to reposition the administration of the sport in the country.

Apart from the decisions to reposition the administration of the sport in country, the NFF used the occasion to express appreciation to the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung, the National Assembly, stakeholders and the Super Eagles for their efforts which made it possible for the country to qualify for the FIFA 2018 World Cup. The august assembly also commended the Executive Committee and Management of the Federation for their prudence and accountability following positive comments and good recommendations from auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers for the Federation’s Financial Statement for the year ended December 2016. The NFF’s AGA also praised the patience and diligence of the Executive Committee and the Secretariat in working hard with PWC over the past three years to eliminate areas of concerns in the financial records admonished the Executive Committee to build on the positives.

Meanwhile, below are the far reaching decisions taken by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at Annual General Assembly last Thursday in Jos were contained in the communiqué released by the Federation at the end of the AGA and they include: 1) General Assembly expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the

Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Assembly, various football stakeholders as well as players and officials of the Senior National Football, Super Eagles, for their tremendous efforts in ensuring Nigeria’s qualification for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals.

2) Congress commended the NFF Executive Committee and Management for their prudence and accountability following positive comments and high recommendations from auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers on the NFF Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December, 2016. It praised the patience and diligence of the Executive Committee and NFF Secretariat in working assiduously with PWC over the past three years to eliminate areas of concern in financial records, and advised the Executive Committee to build on the positives.

3) The General Assembly approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed. The Federation’s total budget for year 2018 activities is the sum of N6,382,500,310.00. The guaranteed revenues from sponsors

and government subvention is the sum of N3,062,500,310.00, leaving a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions.

4) The Congress appreciated the Leadership and Sports Committees of the National Assembly for the Stage at which the NFF Bill is presently, and approved that an Extra-Ordinary General Assembly be convened once the Bill is fully harmonised in order to streamline the NFF Statutes along the lines of the new Bill.

5) Congress adopted motion to the effect that future Elective Congresses be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year. This is to guarantee stability in the system to prepare the National Team for credible participation at the finals, and to avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year.

6) General Assembly approved the venue and date of the next NFF Elective Congress. Venue is Katsina and the date is 30th September, 2018. However, this approval is subject to any amendments to the Statutes in view of

the coming NFF Bill.

7) The Congress composed new NFF Electoral and NFF Electoral Appeal Committees thus: Electoral Committee: Barr.

Mohammed Sani Katu; Mr. Sani Salawu; Barr. S.C.A. Umeha; Barr.

Olusola Oke; Mr. Mohammed Manzo; Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary). Standby: Hon. Isong Isang; Barr. Mohammed Aliyu Sambo.

Electoral Appeal Committee: Barr. A. U. Mustapha; Mr. Mojeed Adegbindin; Barr. Gbwen Alex Gbejule; Secretary to be provided

by NFF Secretariat. Standby: Sir Emma Ochiagha; Barr. Mohammed Zanna Mala.

8) In consideration and appreciation of the numerous on-field (including Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup finals with a match to spare) and off-field (including but not limited to numerous sponsorship agreements secured and high reckoning for Nigeria in global football administration) achievements, the General Assembly passed a vote of confidence on the NFF Executive Committee led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

2nd Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming on Oct 27

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he 2nd edition of Africa (CANA) Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship holds October 27-29 at the newly refurbished National Stadium Swimming Pool complex, Surulere Lagos.

This much was made public during a press conference held at the O’Jez Entertainment Chinese Restaurant by the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) at the National Stadium.

According to the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams, the Africa CANA Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship is an

age group competition for two categories of swimmers. He explained that the first age group is 13/14 while the second age grade is 15/16 years. He said what it means is that the first age group category will only accommodate swimmers who were born in 2004 and 2003, while the second age group category will comprise of swimmers who were born in 2002 and 2001.

The Aquatics Federation boss explained that the maiden edition of the championship was held in Akure in 2012 while Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was the governor of the Sunshine state.

Williams further explained that the essence of the sub-regional competition is to develop the sport of swimming in the region and that no other better way of achieving that than to discover young swimmers through this type of competition.

“Well, this is the 2nd edition of CANA Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming championship. We played host to the maiden edition in 2012 in Akure, the Ondo State capital,” William began.

“This second edition is to be held here in Lagos and we are using this Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming championship to re-open

the newly rehabilitated National Stadium Swimming Pool complex which last held competition in 1996.

“We are delighted that the National Stadium Swimming Pool Complex has been rehabilitated and we are using this regional developmental swimming championship to open the complex.

“This 2nd edition of Africa CANA Zone 2 Swimming Championship will have two groups or categories of swimmers.

“In the Group 1 (13/14), there will be 20 individual events and 2 relay races while in Group 2; there will be 24 events and 2 relay races.

Echiejile not for Algeria Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has confirmed that Elderson Echiejile won’t be in the Super Eagles squad for the dead rubber World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against A ‎ lgeria next month.

Nigeria were the first to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World from the Africa Zone after defeating the Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 in Uyo to make the game against the Desert Foxes of Algeria inconsequential.

It is also recalled that Echiejile was stretchered out of the pitch during the encounter after he sustained an injury suspected to be groan.

It is on record that moments after Eagles defeated Zambia to book their place in Russia, Rohr hinted of his desire to rest some of his key players with just a game to go in Confederation of Africa Football World Cup 2018 Qualifiers. With the dropping of Echiejile, Rohr has made true of his position to rest some of his key players for the Algerian game.

The dropping of Echiejile was made known by Rohr in an interview with Nigeria lifestyle television HipTV during a chat about his plans for the game against Algeria in November. ”Echiejile is injured, had an injury at the end of the game against Zambia and he will be out for about four weeks. So, he cannot come for the next game, which is an opportunity to see another player, perhaps Ola Aina and Tyronne Ebuehi, some young players in this position,” he said.

The Oracle Today

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Wednesday November 1, 2017

SPORTS

Eagles to battle Argentina in Russia Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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HE Super Eagles are currently reaping from their fantastic run of form in the World Cup Qualifying campaign as the team have become the beautiful bride being sort after by different countries for friendly matches after emerging the first country on the continent to qualify for the Russia 2018 FIA World Cup. According to the country’s football governing body, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), many countries are asking the three time African champions for friendly games as they prepare for the Mundial next year in Vladimir Putin’s country of Russia.

The NFF disclosed this at the weekend through the Federation’s Secretary General, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed. He disclosed that they had fruitful deliberations which culminated in Eagles going to play high profile friendly game with two time world champions, Argentina in Russia next month as one of the Grade A friendly matches that the football house is planning for the team. He also disclosed that the venue of the friendly match in Russia is Krasnodar Arena Stadium, one of the venues of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “We have had long and fruitful talks, and we can say that we have an agreement. We

await the approval by FIFA and also, we have to agree on the flight arrangements that would be comfortable for the players and crew.

“The match will come up on 14th November, four days after the Super Eagles’ final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Algeria. We had offers from teams like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Morocco but

we have opted for the Argentines,” Sanusi said.

It is recalled that this is not the first time the three time African champions will be confronting the two time world champions, Argentina. Before the big friendly game in Russia against Argentina, Eagles will first take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the final of the World Cup Qualifier on the 10th

November, at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in Constantine on Friday before confronting Argentina four days later.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, who organized the friendly match with the Argentines has been working hard for various Nigerian National Teams in the areas of training camps and friendly games since 2009, told thenff.

com: “We are very pleased to be able to deliver such a high -profile game to celebrate the Super Eagles’ 2018 World Cup qualification.

“It was a lot of work over the past week but we are happy this has become reality. We will, in due course, reveal the Nigerian sponsor of the match who will have the match rights in Nigeria.”

LMC probes alleged salary Mbappe is Europe’s ‘Golden Boy’ arrears by FC Ifeanyiuba K

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he officials of the League Management Company (LMC) have swung into action to unravel the alleged 5 months indebtedness of players of Nnewi based Nigeria Professional Football League outfit, Fc Ifeanyi Uba. The LMC officials stormed into the Anambra State industrial hub on Monday to verify claims by players of FC Ifeanyiubah that they have not been paid five months’ salaries by the club.

The players had petitioned the domestic football league organisers through their solicitor earlier in the month over their alleged unpaid salaries.

The LMC on Friday last week in a letter signed by the Chief Oper-

ating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, informed the players through their solicitor that they will be at the Nnobi Road, Nnewi office of the club on Monday to verify their claims.

This followed counter claims by the club that they are not indebted to the players.

Following the players petition, LMC wrote to the hierarchy of the club conveying the players claim,

leading the decision for an on-thespot verification which it slated for Monday.

“All the affected players are hereby directed to be present at the venue for the verification exercise”, LMC said in the letter.

The rules are clear that players owed as much as three months’ salary can terminate their contracts and walk away as free players.

ylian Mbappe has won the prestigious Golden Boy Award for the best player in Europe under the age of 21.

The PSG striker, who has scored four goals and provided four assists in 11 games for the club this season, burst onto the world stage with Monaco last season and is now flourishing in the French capital, having formed a terrifying partnership with Brazilian Neymar.

The 18-year-old, who has already won eight France caps, is currently on loan at Parc des Princes, and will officially join the club on a per-

Quadri signs deal with Premier Lotto

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frica’s table tennis champion, Aruna Quadri has signed a three-year endorsement deal with Nigeria’s sports betting firm, Premier Lotto Ltd., also known as “Baba Ijebu’’.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) made the disclosure on Sunday on its Africa twitter account, @ITTFAfrica.

The deal, signed at the ongoing 2017 ITTF World Cup in Liege, Belgium, is valued at $75,000 and will also boost the player’s preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“This is the first in Africa for table tennis and the first sports ambassador for Premier Lotto.

“The deal is valued at $75,000 with annual payment of 25,000 dollars and this will surely help the player to take part in many competitions in readiness for the 2020 Olympics Games,’’ the tweet said.

On his part, Quadri expressed excitement via his twitter handle @AQttennis: “I am so happy with this development, it’s a dream come true for me because I’ve been looking for opportunity like this from my home country.

“This is a morale booster for me to continue to work hard and hoping that @premierbetng support will help me attend more competitions and make Nigeria proud,’’ he concluded.

manent basis next season, for a fee of €180 million.

Mbappe wins the award ahead of the likes of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele and Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, and joins a list of illustrious previous winners, including Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Isco.

Mbappe won with 291 votes, ahead of second-placed Dembele by some distance - the Barcelona star earned 149 votes. There has been some confusion over third and fourth place, however, with Marcus Rashford seemingly beating Gabriel Jesus into third.

Tuttosport confirmed the top three earlier this week, however, with Jesus joining Mbappe and Dembele and Rashford nowhere to be seen, though Monday’s edition claims the Manchester United striker received 76 votes, with Jesus claiming just 72.

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 1, 2017

News Continued from Pg 1 paigns since 1999. Apart from the confusion on amounts paid or released, the bigger cloud is on the mode of financing for the bridge.

Under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, wanted to pay for the construction of the bridge. Sources told The Oracle Today that the bidding process was unclear. IFC withdrew, complaining that the processes were not clear.

At the opening session of the Africa Regional Public-Private Partnership Conference, sponsored by IFC, the World Bank’s Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, in Lagos, Jean Philippe Prosper, IFC Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the financing of the second Niger bridge was in realization of the fact that Africa requires more than $90 billion annually in investment in maintenance and new projects, but is spending less than half of that. That was in 2011.

A lot of work had been done and actual construction started with a completion date of 2015 announced. The Muhammadu Buhari administration stopped the contract with the explanation that it needed to review the process.

Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) had given a breakdown of the cost and commitments of the Second Niger Bridge project, by 2012.

The project which Julius Berger Nigeria Plc-NSIA Motorway Investment Company Ltd (JB-NMIC) Consortium was handling, was estimated to cost $700 million- that is, N108 billion (at the then exchange rate of N154/$). NMIC is a subsidiary of NSIA. The Second Niger Bridge project comprised Phases 1, 2a and 2b and includes a southern bypass of both Asaba and Onitsha cities with an approximate total length of 44km.

The phase 1 of the project, which is the bridge and adjacent roads, is approximately 11.9 kilometres and will be constructed and operated under a Design, Build, and Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

The bridge will comprise a 3.31 kilometre-long road section on

Confusion over Niger Bridge

•Pieces of the 2nd Niger Bridge at the Asaba side the Delta side, including a 500 metre-long toll plaza; a 1.59 kilometres tolled concrete box-girder bridge with two superstructures and a 7.0 kilometre-long road section on the Anambra side.

It is expected that the bridge would be constructed and delivered in 48 months. When completed, the bridge and approach roads will have six lanes with three in each direction.

Phase 2a is connected to the Asaba-Benin Expressway while Phase 2b is connected to the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Phases 2a and 2b together constitute the feeding approach roads.

Out of the N108 billion project cost, the Federal Government has already made a commitment to contribute N30 billion, which represented 28 per cent. The JBI-NMIC consortium would raise the remaining funds for the construction, operation and maintenance of the bridge and adjacent roads of Phase 1 under a 25-year concession.

The Federal Government contributed N18.31billion out of its commitment of N30billion, comprising N8.464billion from SURE-P budget

in August 2014 for early works II and a further $50million (about N9.8billion) from its Eurobond loan for the execution of early works III. The Sovereign Wealth Fund contributed N10.4 billion of the fund allocated by the Federal Government has so far been disbursed, leaving a balance of about N7.94 billion of government contribution with the sponsors.

The arrival of the new government increased the confusion that included protests over the toll that was to be paid to use the bridge. The Senate in 2011 had shot down the proposed toll, saying that tolls could only be collected if there were other routes for those who were unable to pay tolls.

A Member of the House of Representatives Abdulrazak Namdas said last June that not a dime of the N12 billion that was allocated to the bridge in the 2016 budget was spent. The wonder for the National assembly was how the project moved from a PPP to being funded wholly again by government.

The Oracle Today gathered that while this may not be a problem to

Migrants invade Nigeria as Southern Cameroon declares Independence From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

F

ollowing the declaration of Ambazonia Republic by the English speaking part of Cameroon, a number of Nigerians and some Cameroonians have migrated to Nigeria to flee persecution by the Cameroonian authorities in Yaunde.

It would be recalled that on the 1st of this month, the English-speaking part of Cameroon declared independence from the French-speaking part of the country, birthing a new nation called Ambazonia Republic.

As a result of the crisis in the Central African country, the federal government has begun a process of documenting Nigerians stranded at various border posts between Nigeria and Cameroun following the closure of borders by Cameroonian authorities last week.

The Head of a team from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced (NCRMID), Mr. Titus Murdakai disclosed that the commission has

commenced registration of Nigerians as well as Cameroonians who intend to take asylum in Nigeria.

Mr. Titus Murdakai who visited the Nigeria-Cameroon border for fact finding, stated that they were in Ikom in Central Cross River State on Thursday to take the statistics of stranded Nigerians and other migrants.

His team, he said, would be at the various border points for five days to ensure that they reach out to those stranded at different locations, adding that the commission was impressed with the management of the situation at the Mfum border by the Nigerian security operatives.

Briefing the team earlier, the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration at Mfum border, Mr. Lawrence Asuquo said 75 migrants of different nationalities were stranded at the Nigerian side of the border, while 20 Nigerians were stranded at Ekok in Cameroon.

Asuquo, who spoke on behalf of the Controller of Immigration Ser-

vice, Cross River State command, Mrs. Funke Adeniyi, explained that initially, the border on the Cameroonian side was to be closed for 72 hours as emergency measure but expressed concern that it has remained closed ever since.

Some of those stranded at the border included women and children who said they lacked basic necessities like food, water, and clothing to change as well as finances to continue to sustain themselves.

A representative of the Cameroonian migrants who spoke on their plight, Tateh Donard Silav said the people of Southern Cameroon were marginalized by the authorities at Yaounde, and expressed gratitude to Nigerian authorities for granting some of them asylum.

One of the leaders of the Ambazonian struggle, Bishop Simon Apana said they would never give up even if President Paul Biya of Cameroon will kill all of them, insisting that Southern Cameroon has had clear and recognized geographical boundaries which, he claimed, were documented by UN bodies.

beneficiaries of the project, stakeholders are however concerned about government’s commitments to the speedy completion of the project. What would N2 billion do for a N108 billion at the older, friend exchange rate of N157/$, considering the current exchange rate? When would government budgetary allocations be enough to complete the work?

Efforts to extract more information from government officials on the present scope of work, sources of finance and exact completion schedules met with brick walls, as none was willing to provide the details.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President), Laolu Akande who was away with his boss to Indonesia could not be reached for comments on the project.

A visit to the main contractor, Julius Berger PLC, at their work yard in Onitsha, and at the head office in Abuja did not yield the required results.

Barrister Duku, head of media, said he was “very busy with other activities” and could not speak on the scope of work so far done.

Sources at the Ministry of Finance revealed, however, that the paucity of funds has hindered the progress of work on the bridge. None was willing to discuss why government stopped the PPP model for the project.

The source said the project is being considered under the new public private project PPP arrangements.

The Oracle Today gathered that the Minister, Kemi Adeosun had actually prepared a memo for discussion at last week’s Federal Executive Council meeting which if approved, most infrastructure development will be done using the PPP model ahead of the 2018 budget.

What is consuming the attention of Ministry of Works officials now, is the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos. They said so Tuesday when The Oracle Today wanted to discuss the 2nd Niger Bridge with them.

Earlier in the year at the funeral service of Mrs. Roseline Akabueze mother of the Director-General of Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze, in Ifitedunu, Anambra State, Vice President Osinbajo had promised that the Federal Government would complete the bridge.

The 2nd Niger Bridge is not in the list of 2016/2017 projects that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission listed for PPP

Section 2(4) of the ICRC (Establishment etc) Act 2005 requires the Commission to publish all Federal government projects eligible for Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts.

At the site of the proposed bridge, there were beams that had been cast for the Asaba (Delta State) side.

Soldiers were on guard, claiming that they were under instructions not to allow anyone near the site.

None of the work was done recently.

At the Ogbaru, the Anambra side of the site, that shares the neighbourhood with the sprawling Harbour Industrial Layout, equipment appeared abandoned, weeds were growing on the gravels that were being used while workrooms were looked, or their doors flung open, in perfect exhibition that noting of value was there.

The Oracle Today was referred to the work yard that adjourned the Onitsha Port, on the foot of the old bridge across the River Niger. Officials said that only the Abuja office could answer enquiries about the construction of the bridge.

French company, Dumez, constructed the Niger Bridge, between 1964 and 1965, to link Onitsha and Asaba. It cost £5million. During the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970, Biafran soldiers destroyed the River Niger Bridge at Onitsha to halt the advance of Nigerians troops. The bridge was rehabilitated.

The need for a second bridge was realised almost 50 years ago. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwele-Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres.

With this length, the Second Niger Bridge will surpass the world’s longest bridge in China (42.4km), to become the world’s longest bridge.

The confusion continues. There have been talks of the proposed rails linking Lagos with the South East and South South being a part of the bridge. Nobody is willing to provide more details.

“If government insists on funding the bridge, or decides to review the PPP processes that the ICRA had approved, not only would these be illegal, but the process would mean that there would be no new bridge across the River Niger in the next five years, if ever,” an expert who did not want his name in print said.

“The biggest assault on the project was the government’s decision to stop the contract. The collapse of the exchange rate has more than doubled the cost of the project.

Where would the government find the money?”

In a chat with The Oracle Today in Owerri last March, Dr. Umar Eleazu, economist and pioneer Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, said the planned bridge was inadequate and worse than what was proposed decades ago.

“It was to start at Ogwashi-Uku with expressway that would have opened new opportunities by the coastal lines. The idea was to create industrial clusters along the route that the road would serve,” he said.

“It was not meant to be just a road.”

The uncertainties about the completion of the bridge are a major question that the Federal Government would have to address. For now, there is no work going on the 2nd Niger Bridge. At best, it is an abandoned project, at the instance of government.

C

WEDNESDAY November 1, 2017

The

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racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

GUEST COLUMIST Alex Otti

Till debt do us part

“I

sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity under the name of funding (debt) is but swindling futurity on a large scale” Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826).

Close to a year ago, I had drawn attention to the challenges of government’s attempt to borrow about $30billion in the next couple of years ostensibly for infrastructural development across the country. Though my intervention did not go down well with the Debt Management Office (DMO) at that time, I was convinced that the danger in plunging the nation into such a huge debt was clear and real. Close to 12 months after, we are back to the same issue as the debt debate seems not to be receding.

Following the conclusion of the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, at a press conference on Sunday, October 15, 2017 stated that the country will have to borrow more money to deliver on critical, but lacking infrastructure. According to her, “Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio is one of the lowest. We are at 19%, but most advanced countries have over 100%. I am not saying we need to move to 100%, but I am saying we need to tolerate a little more debt in the short-term to deliver the rails, the roads and power so as to generate economic activities, jobs, revenue, which would be used to pay back the debt”. She also noted that the government adopted an expansionary fiscal policy with an enlarged budget in order to deliver a fundamental structural change to the economy, thereby reducing the country’s exposure to crude oil.

She explained that the government was borrowing because mobilizing revenue aggressively was not advisable, nor indeed possible, given the economic challenges recorded in the last two years. With the positive growth witnessed in the last quarter, and subject to continued growth, the government’s revenue strategy would be accelerated. You must please, permit me to quote the Honourable Minister quite extensively, as this is crucial. In her own words, “This is being complemented by a medium-term debt strategy that is focusing more on external borrowings to avoid crowding out the private sector. “This would also reduce the cost of debt servicing and shift the balance of our debt portfolio from short-term to longer-term instruments. This Government will be very prudent around debt.

We won’t borrow irresponsibly”. According to her, one of the advantages of foreign borrowing is that the cost is low and therefore is a veritable way to avert job losses. “With Nigeria’s source of revenue dropping by nearly 85 per cent, the country had no option but to borrow. The option before the country was to either cut public services massively, which should have led to massive job losses, or borrow in the short-term, until it begins to generate sufficient revenues”.

“We felt that laying-off thousands of persons was not the best way to stimulate growth. Also, when we came into office, about 27 states could not pay salary. If we had allowed that situation to persist, we would have been in depression by now.

So, we took the view as a government that the best thing to do was to stimulate growth and spend our way out of trouble, get the state governments to pay salaries, making sure that the federal government pays and invests in capital infrastructure,” Mrs. Adeosun concluded.

However, a day later, the Word Bank came out with a starkly different position from that of the Honourable Minister. Gloria Joseph-Raji, Senior Economist at the Word Bank insisted that Nigeria’s cost of borrowing was no longer sustainable.

Her argument was that the country did not have the capacity for more loans in the light of dwindling revenues. She further explained that in one year, Nigeria’s debt to revenue ratio had increased by an alarming 25%. In 2015, the country’s debt to revenue ratio stood at 35%. This figure jumped to 60% by 2016. The only way this could have happened was that either the debt went up astronomically or that revenue plummeted sharply or both. While agreeing that Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio was low at less than 20%, she maintained that what was worrying was the sustainability of the debt represented by the debt to revenue ratio. She also pointed out that a chunk of the debt denominated in local currency had put more pressure on sus-

tainability as these debts were contracted at very high interest rates. She supported the view taken by the DMO to rebalance the government debt portfolio in favour of foreign loans. The strategy is to switch the ratio from the then 80% domestic and 20% foreign debt to a more comfortable 60% and 40% domestic to foreign debt components, respectively.

Before we delve deeper in this discourse, it will not be out of place to highlight some important statistics. According to the DMO, the Federal Government has total external debt stock of $15.05b and domestic debt of $39.34b. In addition, states have domestic debt of almost $10b. This brings the total debt for both the Federal and State governments to circa $64.2b as at June 2017. At the current CBN official rate of N305 per dollar, the Naira equivalent would be about N19.6t. The external debt stock is broken down as follows: Multilateral Debts, $9.67b (64.29%), Non-Paris Club Bilateral Debts, $2.07b (13.78%) and commercial (Eurobond), $3.3b (21.93%) Considering that we completely exited the Paris and London club of creditors barely 10 years ago with a write off of about $18b after we had paid down $12.4b, we cannot be said to have been of good behaviour in the way we manage our debts. At the time of our celebrated exit in 2006, our outstanding debt reduced from over $30b to about $3b and a little above N1t. So, we are basically on our way back to where we were in 2005.

Sadly, in 2005, patriots were worried that there was nothing on ground to justify such large amount of borrowing by successive governments and that the debt service obligations were crippling the economy. It is in this context that the new debate on borrowing should be understood.

In the first place, I sympathize with the government as it is faced with a situation that looks like, “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. Unfortunately, that is the nature of challenges in economics. What is required in the circumstance, is to delicately execute trade offs. If there is any where that trade offs are required, this is it. Readers would recall that in analyzing the 2017 budget this column had described the budget as being “between the rock and a very hard place” (Outside the Box of May 29, 2017). As highlighted in the column, the budget stands the risk of partial implementation if government was unable to sustainably fund the deficit of N2.35t which represents almost 32% of the budget and constitutes 46% of projected revenues. At the current exchange rate, the deficit works out to about $7.7b. Given that the government has sent a request to the Senate to approve external borrowing of $5.5b, out of which, about $3b would be used to refinance existing maturing domestic debt obligations, the calls for the Senate to withhold consent, even if understandable, is misplaced as the same Senate approved the budget in the first place. There are, however, more serious concerns that border on sustainability.

Listening to the argument made by the Honourable Minister, there is no dispute over the fact that she made sense. However, it is important that we move away from the justification of more loans merely on the basis of the Debt to GDP ratio. That argument is unhelpful like we had argued in the write up under reference in May. We had opined thus, “there is this misleading argument made by “experts” about Nigeria’s debt profile. The argument goes this way: “Nigeria has a lot of room to borrow more and more to the extent that our debt to GDP ratio is lower than the average of 42% for developing countries and 56% benchmark for developed countries as per the IMF/World Bank Debt Sustainability Framework”. The problem with this argument is that it does not take into account the revenue earning capacity of the country. It also doesn’t account for the low Tax to GDP ratios of the country. While Nigeria’s Tax to GDP ratio is a meagre 6%, the global average is about 15%, leaving the country with oil as the major financier of the budget. Given the heavy drop in oil prices, the ability of the country to generate revenue is therefore impaired. … The Federal Government is said to have ramped up its debt “at a compounded annual growth rate of 16.2% over the last 5years to about USD42.1b (N13.8t) in 2016.

Going by the borrowing plans for 2017, the debt stock could increase by as much as 20% year on year to USD54.4b (N16.6t) with debt to GDP rising to 17% from 15% in 2015.

You cannot isolate the issue of debt to GDP ratio from debt service capacity. If at 15% debt to GDP ratio, we are using up

to 50% of revenues to service debt, it follows that doubling the debt would still leave us below the debt to GDP ratio threshold while we may use all our revenue to service debt annually. This does not work and is the problem with the argument of the experts”.

I guess it was this same position that the World Bank Senior Economist had taken a week ago. It is instructive that some of the estimated numbers I posted have already been exceeded as total debt is now about $64b (N19.6t). The point being made is that debt cannot be repaid by GDP but by revenue. So, while it may be helpful for purposes of analysis, comparing debt to GDP, tend to mask the real danger. A more useful and realistic tool is the debt to revenue numbers. To drive the point closer home, there is a better measure which relates debt service to revenue. In 2015, the debt service to revenue ratio was 33%, by 2016, it had worsened to 59%. This number is sure to get even worse by the end of this year if the government adds close to $8b to the national debt. What this means in simple English language is that while 33% of our revenue went into payment of interest in 2015, we spent close to three fifth of our revenue to pay interest in 2016. Professional lenders would most times only lend when they are convinced of capacity to repay. As we get to the point where we use virtually all we earn in servicing debts, we will become more and more unattractive to serious and well-meaning lenders.

Beyond all these, there are a few other concerns that discerning citizens have. One of them is the use of the funds borrowed.

This concern becomes more serious given the intrinsic inefficiency in public sector operations worsened by our penchant for mismanaging resources. Who would believe that with oil prices as high as they had been in the recent past, we could not put appropriate infrastructure in place. On the contrary, we were borrowing to pay salaries. So, government must continue to pay attention to the possibility of the borrowed funds disappearing into private accounts. Citizens are also concerned about the impact of the loan on the domestic economy, quite unlike the government’s theoretically correct argument that the loan would stimulate the economy. We say “theoretically correct” because if the funds are spent on goods and services imported from China, the full impact of the spending would be felt in China and not in Nigeria.

The latest suggestion of switching more of our loans from Naira to Dollar, even though sounds logical because of assumed lower interest rate of the Dollar has some hidden danger. With devaluation, the more dollar we are exposed to, the more the Naira we have to cough up to pay back the loan at maturity. Not long ago, exchange rate was at N150 per dollar and now it is at least N305 to the dollar. This means that you require over twice the Naira you required before now to pay back a dollar loan.

Besides, dollar loans expose the country to external shocks. For instance, if like it happened recently, the US economy has to borrow dollars, interest rates will immediately go up.

•Dr. Otti was Managing Director of a bank, and a governorship candidate in the 2015 election in Abia State

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited. Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha. Lagos Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja. Abuja Office: 1st Floor, Plateau House, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenews.ng@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.