Wednesday October 9-15, 2019 Edition

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Today

VOL.4 No.38 N200

‘Find peace or there will be no country’ Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

•Cleric predicts Nigeria’s collapse within five years ‘if things continue this way’ •Recommends adherence to Ten Commandments as solution to nation’s ills •Decries explosion in number of fake prophets •P4 •Now in his 60’s, describes himself as ‘real’, says he answered ‘the call’ at 11

18th Ofala 2019: Igwe Achebe’s day in the sun

Anambra sets up unit to track 2020 budget implementation

By THEO RAYS

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ommissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mark Okoye , says the Anambra State Government has set up an efficiency unit to ensure that provisions allocated to ministries, departments, parastatals and agencies of government are deployed for the purpose they are meant for.

The commissioner who stated this at a news briefing in Awka, said government was interested in the actual utilisation and deployment of financial resources to meet the needs of the citizenry as it concerns social amenities and other infrastructure.

He said that 2020 budget would place more priority attention on infrastructure, youth empowerment and education, noting that the completion of strategic roads and bridges across the three senatorial zones of the state would gulp about N15 billion.

According to him, basic education and infrastructure intervention would consume about N3 billion while construction of modern health facilities would cost N1.5 billion, adding that the state government’s community-choose-your-project

Cont’d on page 4

Page 19

The Onitsha 2019 Ofala, 18th in the series, is here. A popular cultural fiesta, the festival is a means by which the people of Onitsha strive to keep their cultural heritage alive. It is an avenue through which the king socializes with both his subjects and well-wishers. The festival gives room for deep reflection, stocktaking and setting goals for the future. OBIAGELI NNAKA reports.

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HE Onitsha Ofala festival dates back to about 700 years ago, at the time of Eze Chima, the first monarch, who migrated to the area, now known as Onitsha (Henderson 42-46). In those early days, the King of Onitsha, referred to as, Igwe-Onitsha,

•Igwe Achebe dances to traditional music during one of his Ofala outings

was always confined to the palace. He did not have any business going anywhere because the responsibilities of administering the community were assigned to his lieutenants, the elders known as the

Cont’d on page 4

2023: Why Igbo should prefer restructuring to presidency,

by Nwodo

Cont’d on page 4

A new Telecom tax may further worsen an already faltering economic momentum

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

NEWS

‘Find peace or there will be no country’ A cleric, Bishop Jerry Dada Obi has warned that unless Nigerian leaders work hard to pull the country from the precipice to which it appears inexorably headed at the moment, they might wake up to find, in five years time, that there is no country to lead any more, ‘if things continue along this line.’

Obi, the founder of Tree of Life Gospel Ministry Inc. International with headquarters in Nanka, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, noted that the gale of killings in the country from violent crimes, kidnappings, imponderable lack of social amenities such as good roads and steady power supply, mass unem-

ployment, political insensitivity evident in the “immoral” campaign for 2023 when 2019 is yet to properly take-off, insensitivity to the plights and needs of people in certain sections of the country, “unconscionable” oppression of Ndigbo, among others, “clearly are not signs that the country is moving in the direction of peace

Television Monday, October 7, Nwodo explained that he does not believe in any form of power sharing arrangement, pointing out that even in the face of the agitation for the South East to have a legitimate shot at the presidency, the region does not need the presidency.

The Ohanaeze PG explained that under the current Nigerian political structure, the presidency is nothing more than “an instrument for sharing rather than baking the national cake.”

“Restructuring is devolution of powers. There is no reason on earth why primary education should start from the Federal Government. The presidency has

been made too important by the amount of power the constitution has invested in it. And that’s why the presidency is an instrument of sectional aggrandizement,” the former Minister of Aviation and Information said.

“I hate this idea of donating the Presidency to a particular section just to assuage their feelings. And rather than bake the cake we share the cake.”

According to him, “what the people of the South East should be clamoring for is an opportunity to develop at their on pace.”

For this reason, he noted that “what is important to me is that we should have the structure of Nigeria re-visited.”

2023: Why Igbo prefer restructuring to presidency, by Nwodo

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Cont’d from Pg 1

resident-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo has said that the Igbo would rather stick with a restructured Nigeria than run for the office of the president under the present constitution of the country.

Nwodo insisted that what the South East needs is a holistic restructuring of the country, arguing that a president of Nigeria from the South East with a constitution as jaundiced as the current Nigerian Constitution, would still remain ineffective and unsatisfactory to the people of the region.

In an interview with Channels

but is being pulled apart by forces bent on destroying the country.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today in his office in Nanka, Bishop Obi stressed that “the future depends on how far they can go to embrace peace.”

“Peace is very important to the future and progress of Nigeria and if they don’t give peace a chance, the country will break up within five years. Mark my words,” he declared.

Asked why he spoke with so much confidence when similar predictions had, in the past, been made by several other men of God but things rather than improve even got worse, he said: “Let me remind you of the saying that many are called but few are chosen.”

According to Bishop Obi, not all those that parade themselves as prophets are called and ordained

by God to work as prophets, pointing out that a “real prophet is judged by his performance in rendering service to the people.”

“I was just 11 years when I started working as a prophet,” he disclosed. “Today, I am in my 60s and I have never done any work outside the vineyard of God. I have not done any other work except preaching, praying for people and instructing people on what God reveals and asks me to

Anambra sets up unit to track 2020 budget implementation Cont’d from Pg 1 initiative would amount to N2.6 billion.

Okoye further disclosed that street light project across Anambra state would gulp the sum of N2 billion while N1.1 billion has been budgeted for waste disposal management.

Furthermore, the commissioner said N21 billion has been allocated to the state ministry of works , N7.4 billion provided for the health sector , basic education took N5.4 billion, public utilities and water resources has about N4.6 billion, tertiary and science has about N3 billion, en-

vironment about N2.8 billion, local government and chieftaincy matters about N 2.6 billion, agriculture about N 2.6 billion while housing and urban development has about N3 billion budgetary provisions .

Others include , house of assembly which has about N 1.7 billion, youth empowerment and creative economy about N 1. 4 billion, lands about N 1.7 billion, deputy governor’s office about N 1 billion, ministry of justice about N 1 billion , ministry of finance about N 1.7 billion, geographic information system cum land administration reforms about N800 million, Anambra international cargo airport to gulp about N5 billion, Awka international stadium about N 1 billion,

women and children affairs about N 700 million, innovations cum industrial hubs about N 200 million.

Okoye maintained that farm estates have about N 1 billion budgetary provisions while funding of small and medium scale enterprises would cost about N 1 billion too.

Whereas football pitches across the state would consume about N 900 million while the state high court has about N 678 million.

He said that the efficiency unit set up by the state government would ensure that the provisions of the 2020 budget appropriations were fully implemented to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Ndi-Anambra.

•See Full interview on P16

18th Ofala 2019: Igwe Achebe’s day in the sun Cont’d from Pg 1

•Some Anambra-born veteran journalists were recently feted by the Stae-owned National Light Newspaper at a ceremony in Awka, the State capital. Photo shows the celebrants cutting Nigeria’s 59th anniversary Independence anniversary cake to mark the occasion..

tell the people. Through me, God has healed the sick, recovered the mental deranged, given home to the homeless, provided relief to the needy and made people rich from the circle of poverty and am still alive and God is still using me.

I think my contributions to Nigeria and the society in particular can be judged from my performance.”

He insisted that Nigeria’s problems stemmed largely from no-adherence to the biblical Ten Commandments that the God of Israel handed over to Moses at Mount Sinai.

“When you talk about the impact of religious organisations in Nigeria, you have to bring certain things into consideration,” he explained. “First is to consider whether the organisation is rooted in the original mandate of God or operating on man-made principles? Are they keeping to the 10 Commandments of God or are they running the way it pleases their body, not minding what the Commandments say? Some of the Christian organizations are man-made because the people involved are not original with God. This is because they don’t serve God in line with the 10 Commandments. By their fruits we shall know them.”

Ndi-Ichie, and the rank and file of the community. The Igwe, also known as the Obi-Onitsha, only made public appearances during the Ofala.

The Ofala is celebrated yearly, precisely in the month of October, the period that is the climax of the celebration of the new yam. Four days before the festival, the Igwe goes into seclusion. He retreats to commune with his ancestors, and to thank them for protecting him and his subjects in the past one year as well as pray for peace and prosperity in the year to come.

On the day of the festival, the Obi makes three appearances. After the early morning rituals, the trumpeters announce his entry before he shows up, fully dressed in his royal regalia, highlighted with the royal crown (okpu ododo), acknowledging the crowd that would have gathered by waving at the people in all directions and then returns inside.

During the second outing, the trumpets are blown again and the Obi comes out and sits on his throne.

This is followed by the entrance of the red cap chiefs (ndi-Ichie) also well dressed in their traditional attires in batches. According to their village music and in order of seniority, they proceed to pay homage to the Obi by kneeling down to bow before him and sing his praises, after which he now performs the function of Iwa-ji (cutting of the first yam) to mark the official declaration of harvest season.

After this, the Igwe (Obi) returns into the inner chambers before he finally comes out the third time.

At his third entry, the royal music plays and sets the rhythm for the Obi’s dancing (egwu ota). As he makes his appearance, amid cheers and praises from the crowd, he steps

into the arena and dances to the tune of the drummers. He dances in turns with his first wife, his first son and first daughter and returns to his throne, giving way to a parade of dances by different groups such as titled men, the Otu Odu Association, age-grade groups, friends and well-wishers all dressed in colourful traditional apparels.

Relevance The significance of the festival includes that it is a means by which the ‘Onitsha people strive to keep their cultural heritage alive. It is a cultural avenue through which the king socializes with both his subjects and other well-wishers, including friends from far and wide.

For instance, the 2011 celebration attracted dignitaries such as members of the world famous Jackson Five musical family, which included Tito, Marlon and Fred. Others were the Mayor of Inkster, Michigan; Mayor Hill Hampton; Historian Bruce Bridge and Hollywood actor, Walter Jr. The festival provides an opportunity for deep reflection, stocktaking and setting goals for the future among the people of Onitsha. It is, in other words, a forum for charting a course for community development.

The Ofala festival has survived all these years among the Onitsha people, in spite of the impact of Westernization. The festival attracts corporate organizations such as the communications giant, Globacom, which has been sponsoring the event since 2011. Other sponsors are MTN, Interfact Breweries, makers of the Hero Lager beer.

NNAKA wrote this report originally for Nigeria Cultural Organisation (NICO) Training School, Lagos.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS

Ikpeazu reveals plans to end kidnapping, crimes in Abia

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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HE Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has revealed that a robust security plan was being put in place in the state to check kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Ikpeazu said the measure has become imperative now that Abia was attracting high volume of foreign direct investment with the establishment of Enyimba Economic City project.

He said: “Abia State today, is one of the foremost states in terms of foreign direct investments in Nigeria. I think we are within the first 10, if not the first five in this country today, courtesy of the investments that are coming to Enyimba Economic City.”

Ikpeazu told newsmen at the Banquet Hall of Government House that in the bid to boost security of lives and property and encourage investors, efforts were on top gear to acquire sophisticated crime-fighting equipment.

According to him, “we are working hard to see if we could procure a tracker that can help us tame the crime of kidnapping. But until that happens, we will continue to seek the cooperation and support of law enforcement agencies.”

He said the state has “a very robust security design that encourages gatekeepers in various communities of the state that provides intelligence on the movement of suspicion people and those on the security wanted list.”

The governor proudly asserted that since 2015, no bank robbery has been recorded in Abia and vowed that government would maintain that clean slate.

He continued: “Nigeria is challenged today security-wise and we have our fair share in that challenge in Abia, which include occasional cases of kidnapping and armed robbery.

“I thank God that all the banks that left the shores of Abia have returned, including the Bank of Industry, which has come to Umuahia,” He called for support of citizens for government efforts in stemming criminal activities in the state by assisting security agencies in any manner

• Gov. Ikpeazu

Flood wreaks havoc in Nnewi, sacks over 100 homes, 20 industries

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

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BOUT 100 residential buildings and 20 cottage industries were submerged in Nnewi, Anambra State following a downpour that lasted over four hours last weekend.

The worst hit is Mbanakwu-Odida, Nnewichi area of the industrial town.

The President General of Nzuko Oganiru, Nnewichi, Mr Cyprian Okolo who conducted journalists round some of the collapsed building said problem started when the water channels built to checkmate flooding in the area collapsed.

He narrated: “The rain unarguably was the heaviest this year and the flood waters ran over the channels. In the process, fences of many residential buildings collapsed.

“In my building, the flood washed away the entire ground floor and submerged everything from cars, generators and motorcycles.

“My table water industry (Taki Ta-

ble Water) was also submerged. The borehole sunk for the business collapsed and was filled with flood water, the pumping machine of course was destroyed. Many people in the area ran away from their homes when it became obvious that they may get drowned in the flood.”

Okoro said that properties worth over N20 million were destroyed in his country home and his table water industry. He noted that the area suffered a similar fate in 2009 after which several government officials visited them and promised that something would be done to prevent a reoccurrence. None of the promise according to him was fulfilled till the community was flooded again.

“Right now, many families are displaced and are squatting with relatives and friends residing in safe areas. We appeal to government and relevant agencies to come to our rescue. We are now displaced persons, no thanks to the rampaging flood,”

Okolo lamented.

A landlord, Mr. Nebo Chukwudi, while narrating his ordeal said close to 30 people are affected in one of his buildings, where all the tenants are now stranded.

He appealed to the Anambra State Government to help the community to reconstruct the flood channels, which according to him has become too shallow to take care of the volume of flood waters whenever it rains.

“On our own, we will try and open up the blocked sections of the channels but the truth is there is need for urgent reconstruction of the drainage channels to reflect the current realities and individuals certainly cannot handle that,” he said.

Summing up the plight of the people, he said that many families are now left with the option of relocating outside their homes for the fear of being washed away by the rampaging flood.

• Director-General (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, during the unveiling of the NAPTIP/ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) awareness material on human trafficking for state and non-state institutions as part of efforts to curb human trafficking, at the Dover Hotel Ikeja Lagos, Monday

Oil Subsidy: Bayelsa has lost N450 billion to FG in 13 yrs, says Commissioner From CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

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he Bayelsa State government on Tuesday raised the alarm that the Federal Government has been illegally deducting 4% as fuel subsidy from its monthly allocation, which has amounted to over N450bn in the last 13 years.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, who raised the alarm in Yenagoa during the monthly transparency briefing for the month of August 2019 said the deduction was made without the approval of the Council of States, which dated back to 2006 after the debt relief granted by the Paris Club to the country during President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

According to the Commissioner, the fuel subsidy is being deducted from the 13% derivation with adverse effects on the economy of the states in the South South region.

He noted that the Federal Government had been making withdrawals from the Excess Crude Account to fund petroleum subsidy, arms purchase and other activities that do not have any direct bearing on the oil producing states, thereby denying them of their full 13% derivation.

The Finance Commissioner, who said there was an improvement in the state’s allocation for the month of August as against that of July 2019, however noted that the Governors Forum and the Council of States would deliberate on the illegal deductions.

His words: “We noticed that there was a bit of improvement with the derivation figure for August compared to July. It is important that we highlight that for a long time, under the pretext that we are saving for the rainy day, the Federal Government used monies in the Excess Crude Account for activities such as petroleum subsidy, arms purchase and others.

Some states are contributing unfairly to those activities where we use that money for things like petroleum subsidy and other so-called critical government expenses that do not relate to the states.

“So that battle has been on. We have managed to reach some consensus as regards that. But if we want to save money in the excess crude account, let the 13% due to the states be given to them. So we know we are contributing at par with our colleagues based on what is received.

“By recent calculations, from the 13% derivation money that has passed through the excess crude account that the people of Bayelsa have not enjoyed the benefits amount to about N450b. That is what in the name of one nation we are subsidizing.

“This does not affect Bayelsa alone but almost all the oil producing states. We have been on this engagement and have some positive results in the month of August. The issues of backlogs are going to be handled as a nation because the monies taken from the account is humongous.

“So the Governors Forum and

Council of States will look at the total liability of what has been taken from the excess crude account, the beneficiaries and what they are entitled to and what the federal government is going to do about it.

“It will not happen the same way where the deductions were remitted to the NDDC and it was the Niger Delta states that had to suffer. The Finance Commissioners in the Niger Delta states are on one page on this and beyond just getting what should come to us; the battle is for the governors to take up.”

Presenting the financial statement for the month of August, Ebibai said the total inflow from the federation account was N14.5 billion, comprising statutory allocation of N3.5 billion, derivation N8.6 billion among others.

He also announced that the total deductions from the federation account stood at N1.1 billion while the net receipts for the month of August was N13.4 billion.

He said other receipts for August include IGR of N882 million, refund from other sources N1.5 billion and local government bailout funds of N16.3 million, bringing the total receipts for August to N15.7 billion.

Ebibai explained that the state government made a total payment of N7.4 billion leaving a net balance of N8.3 billion.

He added that out of the amount, N2.6 billion was spent on recurrent expenditure while capital payments gulped N5.5 billion leaving a balance of N401 million.

Ikpeazu boasts, says Abia’s performance in WAEC not fluke From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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HE Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has declared that the performance of the state in the West African School Certificate Examinations was not a fluke because the state was making deliberate efforts to improve education in the state.

During an interaction with reporters in Umuahia, Ikpeazu said that the state would reintroduce boarding system to ensure that the state retained its top spot in WAEC examinations for secondary school students in the country.

Secondary school students from Abia have claimed the number one position in Nigeria in WAEC performance back-to-back in the last four years.

The governor said that when Abia recorded the feat in the first years, many people made jokes of it, describing the performance as a fluke.

He said: “I must mention here without being immodest that for the past four years, back-to-back, Abia has maintained number one position in the West African School Certificate Examinations. And it is no fluke because the first time, some of my friends said, this thing is a fluke.

“But we have maintained the record for four years. Well, I said if it is a fluke, let it remain until 2023, let me go away with that record.”

He outlined steps being taken to improve the standard of education in the state to include reintroducing boarding system in secondary schools, training and retraining of teachers, introduction of computer appreciation in primary school, as well as improving infrastructure in schools in the state.

Ikpeazu said: “Our strategy in education is to retrain our teachers, using non-governmental (NGOs) and other development partners from outside Nigeria. Over 2, 000 teachers have gone through that programme and each of them graduates with a tablet.

“What we want to do is to make sure that first, our teachers are ICT-compliant and then we will introduce officially computer appreciation at the primary school level in our school curriculum.

“Today, we have established a Continuing Teachers Training Centre in Umuahia. Their office is in the permanent office of ASUBEB. Their remix is just to train primary school teachers because that level of education if important and foundational.”

According to him, in order to also improve and enhance the teaching, studying and learning environment, government has built 340 brand new classroom blocks across Abia and four model schools.

He said: “Each of these model schools is designed to have an e-library, a solar-powered laboratory, residential quarters for teachers and for students because we want to create a typical academic environment where teachers and students co-habit in the same environment because this new system where we have everybody as a day student leaves much to be desired.

“So, we want to see if it is possible to incubate and bring everybody within the same environment, instill discipline and teach them while they are there.

By the time we operationalise our four model schools which we have built, I think the result will begin to show.”

He commended the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), for running four academic years without embarking on strike, pointing out that for maintaining this seamless academic calendar, ABSU’s rating has improved tremendously, from 54th position to the first 15 universities in Nigeria. “I am sure that we will be in the first 10 among Nigerian universities very soon,” he added.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS Why I give scholarships to youths –Okonkwo

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usiness mogul and Founder of Pro-Value Humanity Foundation, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has explained that his love for youths and concern over their future, more than anything else, fuels his decision to empower them through scholarship awards.

According to him, every effort must be made by privileged Nigerians to ensure that youths, especially the indigent ones, have opportunities to improve themselves with the right skill set for the labour market so as to also contribute to nationbuilding.

Speaking in a statement issued by the Dikeora Media Office in Abuja Sunday, Dr. Okonkwo dismissed insinuations that his philanthropy was fuelled by his ambition to serve Anambra state in the future.

Dismissing such insinuation as “infantile”, Dr. Okonkwo said he had made a promise to God to impact on the life of Nigerian youths irrespective of their state of origin, political party affiliation or religious inclination adding that nothing will stop him from fulfilling the promise.

Okonkwo, who recently delivered a lecture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, titled ‘Giving Back To Society’, to mark the International Day of Charity, said that his journey into scholarship awards did not begin today adding that the joy of giving lies in not expecting anything in return.

He stated that he was always grateful to God when he sees beneficiaries of his scholarships turn out to become better persons and ready to contribute to societal development.

“I am not one to offer scholarships to people and expect anything in return. I made that position clear at the lecture I delivered recently at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka titled ‘Giving Back To Society”.

“It makes no sense to expect anything in return from indigent people whom God has used you to uplift.

Many of those who benefit from those scholarships probably have no means of furthering their educations or improving themselves through skills acquisition.

“I have stated it severally that I do not believe in handouts like giving people Keke and Okada for commercial purposes. If you think beyond the facade, you will realize that it is better to further one’s education than to become a commercial motorcycle operator.

“So, it is infantile to think that I awarded those scholarships for pecuniary reasons. Whoever thinks that of me, obviously has not been following me. I did not start awarding scholarships yesterday. No, I do so because it is about our common humanity and love of God. We must impact the lives of our youths and lift our people out of poverty using such scholarships as a tool.

“God that blessed me with what I give. I have not held any political office as to suggest that I cornered what ought to come to the people and used it to seek self-glorification.

No, whatever I give back to the people either through scholarships for university education or skills acquisition, or even assisting in business start-ups for people, many of who I do not even know, I do so for love of God and love of mankind”, the statement read in part.

Opone inaugurates Abuja Ndokwa Union executive, harps on unity From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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he President General of the apex socio-cultural group of Ndokwa ethnic nationality, the Ndokwa Neku Union, (NNU), Chief Johnson Opone, has called for unity of the ethnic nationality as he inaugurated the executive of the Ndokwa Neku Union in Abuja.

While administering the oath he reiterated his administration’s commitment to repositioning Ndokwa for proper development and charged them to be more proactive

and strive to ensure peace amongst Ndokwa people in Abuja.

He enumerated the achievements of his executive since inception and affirmed that interventionist agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, (DESOPADEC), have been approached to address some of the developmental challenges of Ndokwa land.

Opone pointed out that for the first time, the union has interfaced with the presidency and the Nation-

al Assembly over issues of interest to the ethnic nationality such as the establishment of federal tertiary institutions in the region and reminding the Federal Government that Ndokwa has the largest gas deposit in the West African sub-region and thus deserves a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), project.

He said: “We had attracted and are still attracting projects to our communities. The road that is now been done in Utchi is the effort of NNU, and my executive. We interacted and met with the Amnesty

office, and we were given attention.

“We have submitted the architectural plan for an Ndokwa House to the Delta State Government, and by the time we will be leaving office we shall publish a catalog of our achievements in office.”

The Chairman, Anigala Jonathan assured that the executive would work closely with the national executives to ensure a smooth running of the activities of union in the FCT as they strive towards genuine development.

We would rather spend on rehabilitation than funerals, Ikpeazu tells returnees

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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• The erosion site in Onitsha

Abia Governor to create over 100 jobs from waste management system

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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bia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that the ongoing reorganization of waste management, which would eliminate roadside waste bins in the State would create over 100 jobs.

Ikpeazu has in the meantime appointed 21 waste managers to oversee environmental sanitation in the four metropolitan local governments.

While inspecting new garbage buckets and compactor trucks the state acquired to boost waste management during the emergency period, the governor explained that government was tinkering with a new waste management system geared towards collection of waste from homes.

He explained: “We are working to phase out the use of secondary dump sites, that is the garbage buckets we place at strategic positions.

As we prepare our roads, we expect that the big trucks will have access from one point to the other and collect directly from households into the compactors.

“That is why the bulk of the trucks are compactors, and not roll-off trucks. So, we are collecting from households into the truck and straight to the tertiary dumps.

“And by so doing, we create an understanding between the waste collector and the polluter. At the end of the day, this re-arrangement and reorganization will offer employment to over 100 people in the state who are willing to work.”

In late September, Ikpeazu de-

clared a State of Emergency on Environmental Sanitation in response to the increasing challenges of waste management in some parts of the State.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said that the Governor would sign an Executive Order to create distinct Waste Management Authorities in the Metropolitan Local Government Areas of Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia South and Umuahia North, just as Local Government Waste Managers would be appointed to superintendent over the waste management authorities in the specified local government areas.

A statement by Ememanka stated that the Governor would coordinate waste management activities in the entire Aba Metropolis for four weeks, as a way of restoring sanity and discipline in the waste management system, during the emergency period.

On October 2, 2019, the governor said that Ikwuano and Isuikwuato have been added to the eight local government areas listed to be covered during the emergency era.

“We have agreed to include Ikwuano and Isuikwuato. They are going to begin to offer skeletal waste disposal service because Akara (in Isuikwuato) is becoming a major market and some parts of Ikwuano, including where the university is located, is also bursting with human activities and waste issues have sprung up there,” Ikpeazu said.

The Governor has appointed 21 Waste Managers for Aba North, Aba

South, Obingwa, and Ugwunagbo local government areas which form the commercial heartbeat of the state.

A statement conveying the appointment endorsed by Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, also listed specific areas of coverage by the new waste managers in their respective local governments of operation.

The six waste managers appointed for Obingwa with 7Up, Osusu Estate, Opobo Road, Ehere, Opobo junction, Umukalika, Umuokohia, Umuola and Ukaegbu as areas of coverage are Osondu Wigwe, Ken Nwanmuo, Don Ikongwa, Charles Opara, Chika Nwadinma, Grant Nwachukwu and Friday Akwarandu.

In Aba North, the five waster managers who would work to ensure the cleanliness of Breweries area, Railway area, Aba-Owerri Road, Umungasi market area and Union Bank area are Prince Anaba, Omenazu Ikonne, Enyinna Solomon, Ikechukwu Ubani, and Solomon Stevens.

Aba South has the highest number of waste managers comprising Otah Odim Ukariwo, Maduabuchi Ogbuji, Anthony Enwereuzo, Felix Emelogu, Solid Soul, Maduabuchi Ahukanna and Chidi Samuel who were assigned to ensure the environmental cleanliness of Port Harcourt and Ngwa Roads area.

For Ugwunagbo, Messrs. Iheanacho Wagbara, Promise Iheasimuo and Emeka Kanu (Akparawa) would man Nnentu Spare Parts Market area through Ihie as their area of coverage.

HE Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, says his government would rather spend money to rehabilitate indigenes of the state who were victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa than spending such money on their funerals.

Receiving the returnees in Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu said “we are happy that you came back alive. We prefer to spend money to help you find your feet again to spending such funds on your funerals.”

Ikpeazu enjoined the returnees to leverage on the numerous empowerment programmes in the Abia to improve their lives.

He informed the returnees that Abia has multi-skill acquisition centres in the three senatorial zones where they could be trained, as well as various agricultural value chain programmes, shoe making and others that they could engage themselves in, to make a living.

He described as unfortunate the xenophobic attacks in South Africa despite the assistance from Nigeria and other sister African countries to South Africa in regaining its freedom.

Ikpeazu commended the proprietor of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, for volunteering his aircraft to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa and lauded the quick steps taken by the Abia State Diaspora office in reaching out to the Abia returnees in time and profiling them accordingly.

In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, stated that the governor assured that his administration was committed to ensuring the reintegration of the returnees, urging them not to allow their recent experiences to weigh them down.

Presenting the returnees to the Governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, sought further assistance of the governor to the returnees, especially in their reintegration.

She said that the returnees have been profiled, adding that while some of them were skillful in various areas, others were traders.

One of the returnees, Mr. Uche Nwocha, disclosed that the killings have been there for years but that it degenerated to a dangerous level this time around. He said they lost all their belongings but thanked God for the intervention of all those who made it possible for them to come home.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS

Okowa hails the place of traditional institution in Africa From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba Local Government Area of the state, the governor said we must HE Delta State Governor respect the traditional stools and Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for traditional rulers. They are the more respect for the tradi- symbols of our pride and it also tional institution, saying monarchs God calls for such support for our are symbols of African pride. traditional rulers.”

At the inauguration of an ultraCongratulating the Ovie for the modern palace of the Ovie of people of Agbon for “erecting Agbon Kingdom, Ogunrimerime, such a wonderful palace, which Ukori 1, at Isiokolo, Ethiope East

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will stand the test of time for their king, the governor observed that it is is not just a palace, it would be a tourism centre in the state.

“We are proud of the king, we are proud of Agbon Kingdom,” he said, assuring that his administration would continue to execute developmental projects in the area.

A former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, said that the manner with which the project was delivered depicted the leadership style of Okowa.

Describing the governor as a moderate politician, Ibork said, “he works for all; we thank him and all those who contributed to the building of this palace.

“This is indeed a stamp of the au-

thority of the Ovie on the kingdom and it is worthy of emulation.”

Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Emmanuel Efeizomor II, said that at a time when some subjects derived joy in burning down palaces across the country, “Agbon people came together to erect a befitting structure for their king.”

18 candidates win Abia Overseas Scholarship to study in Australia

Delta Government to spend N381m on bursary scheme

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From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

HE first batch of 18 indigenes of Abia State has been selected for overseas training in two universities in Australia under the Abia State Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

The beneficiaries selected by the State Scholarship Board, which has implored other interested candidates to apply, are expected to leave Nigeria early next year.

Under the scheme, the state plans to send a minimum of 100 students per year to Australia for the four years.

Flagging off in Umuahia on Monday, the 2019/2020 scholarship award programme for those wishing to study in Australia, the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, said the essence of government was to create linkages and opportunities for young ones to aspire to higher heights.

He added that capacity building was a major component of government, just as education was a major pillar of his administration, “to create something great, education of the mind is necessary.”

Ikpeazu pointed out that the state lacks professionals in many fields of medicine, adding that the scholarship scheme was an opportunity to fill the gap.

Expecting that the recipients would, on their return, add value to the State, the governor advised local government chairmen to pick brilliant persons from their domain who needed to be assisted.

The governor advised the candidates to pursue their programmes diligently and be good ambassadors of the State by shunning fraud and other crimes that may tarnish the name of the state.

Ms Martha Hendra, one of the representatives of the Australian universities, disclosed that Australia has many opportunities for students as a multicultural nation and thanked Ikpeazu for providing wonderful opportunities for Abia youths.

The Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Empire Kanu, told the gathering at Michael Okpara Auditorium that the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with two Australian universities - the University of Newcastle and the University of New England - for undergraduate and post-graduate programmes for a minimum of 100 candidates per year throughout the second tenure of the Governor.

T •Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) presenting an award at the State House, Ikeja to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ogudu Police Station, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), for saving the life of an orphan, Friday Ajabor, shot by a two-man robbery gang in the Ojota area of the state, Monday

Okowa rewards 12 teachers with cash, cars to mark teachers’ day From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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HE Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has rewarded 12 teachers in the state for outstanding performance, with cars and cash as the rest of the World celebrated World Teachers’ Day. Okowa, announced the rewards at a dinner and awards night organised

by Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for teachers in the state, in Asaba.

The Recipients of the awards who emerged from a selection process included principals, head masters and classroom teachers at primary and secondary school levels.

Okowa charged the teachers not to only teach but develop the attitude and moral traits of their pupils.

He said: “I congratulate the awar-

dees and to let them know that the reward of teachers is not only in heaven. This type of recognition will touch the hearts of our teachers and make them to work harder in the development of our children.

“The teachers, just like parents, play an important role in the development and upbringing of the child.

We need to continue to give care to our children and guide them right because it is at this foundational level that we can mould their character.”

While urging the lucky recipients to redouble their commitment to the upbringing of the pupils, the governor commended the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for organising the event and NUT for its support and partnership in improving the education sector in the state.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Patrick Ukah, stated that the awardees were selected from a process that involved over 49,000 teachers and students in 470 public secondary schools and 1,126 primary schools in the state.

He congratulated the awardees and said that the assessment was done and vetted by a team of academics drawn from various tertiary institutions in the country.

The awardees are Messrs Asanuvwe Elizabeth, Owumi Onome, Omotie Phoebe(Best Primary School Teachers); Oyemike Andrew, Ogwara Gabriel, Esiedafe Doris (Best Head Teacher); Imarah Georgina, Eseimokumoh Charles, Ikeh Bridget ( Best Secondary school Teacher); and Ominiabohs Adeline, Adiri Jonathan, Okolafor Fidelis (Best Principal).

ensured total compliance of the order of the Omu. Part of the activities was the reading out of the names of the victims, which were engraved on a platform, before the representative of the Azagba of Asaba, Obi Godfrey Konwe, laid wreaths for the fallen heroes.

Konwe said that the day evokes sad memories, which could not be easily wiped away, adding that “we have forgiven, but cannot forget the brazen murder of thousands of brilliant men, women, and children. We still wonder why the worrisome silence from the Federal Government on this injustice.”

According to records, the people of Asaba were deceived into a peace parley by Nigerian troops who unleashed terror on them and massacred many.

Prof. Epiphany Azinge urged the Nigerian government not to push

Asaba people and families of the victims into hostile agitation.

He said: “Our brothers and sisters were murdered in cold blood for no fault of theirs in 1967. Some were maimed, raped, and labelled as people of a vassal state.

“We were labelled conquered people. But because Asaba was built on a hill-top and cannot be destroyed, it rose to become a great capital city.

“Although the perpetrators have confessed to the crime and apologised, we need reparation by the Federal Government. We are not spurred for war yet. We will continue to clamour for compensation peacefully.”

As part of the reparation, Azinge recommended that the perpetrators be identified and tried at the International Criminal Court by the Federal Government to assuage the anger of the widows, orphans, and widowers they left behind.

he Delta State Government has approved N381 million for the 2018/2019 bursary scheme for students of Delta State origin in higher institutions in the country.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this while briefing reporters on the outcome of State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Asaba, said that the bursary will benefit over 17,000 students out of the 24,000 who applied.

He disclosed that government has also approved the recertification of all co-operative societies in the state to ensure that they meet best practices and reflect the yearnings and aspirations of their members.

Aniagwu also disclosed that SEC has approved the reorganization of the Ministry of Oil and Gas with the creation of additional six departments to ensure that the ministry meet up its mandate of monitoring the activities of the oil sector in the state.

While expressing government’s concern on environmental cleaning, the commissioner said that government would soon embark on the clearance of illegal structures on our highways to ensure safety of motorists and other deltans on these roads.

On the palliative measures on federal roads, he said that the state government would continue to carry out the repairs of the roads as they impact more on the state economy and the lives of deltans.

Deltans demand reparation in memory of slain kinsmen

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba TRADERS in Asaba, the Delta State capital, shut down markets for several hours on Monday, in remembrance of those who were massacred by soldiers during the Civil War. As the state citizens remembered their slain relatives, the President (Worldwide) of the Asaba Development Union (ADU) Prof. Epiphany Azinge,, urged the Federal Government to pay reparation and not to take for granted the peaceful clamour for compensation peacefully.

Indigenes and residents had in deference to the Omu of Asaba, Dr. Ada Biose, trooped out to the OgbeOsowe area in Oshimili South Local Council, to remember their relatives murdered by federal troops in Asaba, during the civil war.

The five quarters that make up the city, namely Umu Ezei, Umu Aji, Umu Agwu, Ogbomanta and Umu Onaje,

• Gov. Okowa

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Bishop Ezeokafor blesses Chapel donated by traditional ruler

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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T was joy for the parishioners of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State as the Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor blessed the newly completed St. Charles Borromeo Chapel at St Peter’s Church, an outstation of the St. Augustine’s Church.

The Chapel was built and donated by the traditional ruler of Ichida, Ohazulunye Obi II of Ichida, Igwe C. N. Ezeudogu (KSS) and his wife.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Anaekee the Parish Council Secretary, Barrister Okey Ubah and the parishioners thanked the Bishop for obliging them and opening the chapel.

The Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Augustine IK Ezenwa, pledged the loyalty of the parishioners to the Bishop, and extended his gratitude to the Igwe, the Ichida monarch.

The Bishop who commended the parishioners for their efforts in working for the progress of the Lord’s vine yard, charged them to emulate the gesture of Igwe Ezeudogu who he said has dedicated himself towards the service of God and humanity, adding that he was impressed that the monarch has exhibited so much philanthropic acts that endeared him to the people.

Nigerian Centre for Disease Control billed for Akwa Ibom From INI BILLIE, Uyo

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HE Nigerian Centre for Disease Control will soon be established in Akwa Ibom State, to boost the surveillance and control of diseases especially outbreaks of epidemic.

An epidemiologist, Dr Aniekeme Uwah who was trained to handle the Ebola disease, told reporters on Monday in Uyo that already the state has a surveillance network to check the outbreak of diseases, which involves the states 31 local government areas.

He said the state has made efforts to control many diseases from becoming an epidemic, and that about 41 priority diseases were being moni-

tored for epidemic outbreak, marked for elimination and as diseases of public health importance.

Government, he said, is already training health workers on emergency response to build up the manpower for emergency situations, and there are plans to make the emergency centers respond to epidemics.

He said through this relationship with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), many doctors and nurses have been trained in disease surveillance, control and case definitions.

According to him, “the benefits derived from my relationship with the AU and UN have been mainly in the areas of training. I have been able to get a number of our people trained

on epidemiology and disease surveillance. We have been able to partner with different non governmental organizations (NGOs) and have trained people in infection, prevention and control.

“We have partnered with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We had a number of doctors trained on front line fleld epidemiology based on the funds available. It enabled our doctors know how to respond to outbreak, investigate outbreak, do a report on outbreak and know the diseases we are watching out for and also know about case definitions.

“We have been able to attract support to the state mainly in the area of manpower development. Right now

Ikpeazu reveals plans to end kidnapping, other crimes in Abia

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

T • Houses destroyed, others under threat by gully erosion in Omaba area of Onitsha.

NIS grants 7,747 Erosion displaces over 200 in Onitsha, facilities in Edo several houses under threat igerian Immigration Service (NIS), Edo Command has grant-

N

ed 7,747 immigration facilities between July and September, Mr Kayode Eniolorunda, State Comptroller of the Service said.

Eniolorunda, who spoke in Benin on Tuesday, disclosed that the facilities included 6,794 e-passport, 17 e-pass and 23 Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Cards (CERPAC) renewals.

Others, he said, included 835 ECOWAS Travel Certificate (ETC), 15 Resident Permits, 32 Arrivals and 31 Departures.

A breakdown of the figures showed that the command issued 3,372 epassports in July, 1,969 in August and 1,453 in September.

He added that nine e-pass were issued in July, five in August and 17 in September.

Eniolorunda said that of the 23 CERPAC issued within the period under review, seven each were issued in July and August with nine issued in September.

“295 ETC were issued in July, 225 in August and 315 in September, just as six, three, six resident certificates were issued in July, August and September respectively,” he said.

The State NIS boss explained that one arrival was recorded in July, 16 in August and 15 in September, while three departures were recorded in July, 12 in August and 16 in September.

He further told NAN that within the period under review, the command inaugurated a Personnel Training and Resource Centre (PTRC) to boost the knowledge of its personnel in dealing with contemporary issues on migration.

He explained that the project was funded by the Government of Netherlands and Implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

we are having a discussion with the NCDC to open up a coordination centre in Uyo. Very soon that would be concluded because we need to have a house centre here.”

Uwah lamented the continuous outflux of doctors for greener pastures, saying that it is a sad reality that is affecting the state and it could become a major challenge in the health sector, if not checked.

He said many trained young and fresh doctors are leaving the country for better opportunities, due mostly to inadequate health facilities to accommodate them.

Uwah bemoaned the unhealthy situation where many fresh graduate doctors have to wait up to six months to get a placement for their housemanship.

By THEO RAYS

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HIS is certainly not the best of times for residents of Nkisi Aroli/Obelagu inside Inland Town Onitsha, Anambra State. They are anxiously looking forward to the end of the rainy season; as over 200 residents have been rendered homeless and six buildings washed away while some are tottering on the lips of a ravine that widens with every downpour.

“No building is safe in this area,” laments Arthur Mazeli, whose house sits uncertainly on the edge. Mazeli’s hope faded when the house next to his was swept away a few nights ago following a late night rain.

Their trouble had perhaps started when the channel that collects and drains water from the upper part of Inland Town to the Nkisi stream, collapsed. No one was certain what would have happened as none of the houses was on the water way.

But it was learnt that the channel was blocked following failure of government officials to desilt and clear the channel.

One of the residents, explained that, “it is just possible that as the gushing water could not force through the blocked channel, it sought the area of least resistance by overflowing its passage way.

The water just kept washing the soil away as the it forced its way around.

“The out of control flood rampaged and surged everywhere, sucking in everything on its path. Houses, and homes were swept away in a twinkle of an eye. With hands on their heads, tears in their eyes, the wearied residents watched helplessly as the ravine collapsed, sucking and shattering the structure that was once called a home.

It was like pushing down a pack of cards; houses giving way one after

the other and residents displaced from their ancestral homes. It is a huge economic loss, unimaginable.

We are alive but the trauma is painful.”

According to Mazeli, “within an interval of about two weeks the flood started eating deep into the soil. The incident actually started on September 11, 2019, after a down pour. It initially claimed a two-storied building. Today, it has taken four more houses. With each passing day, the scope expands and no one is safe as the ravine keeps swallowing people’s properties like an angry god that refuses to be appeased. Its ugly and scaring.”

Among the buildings staring at the threat are St. Philips Anglican Church and a school belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of God. There was a ray of hope when the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor visited the place.

For one moment the residents were convinced that their prayers had been heard. Government had come.

And her promise that work will start immediately to ameliorate the situation was soothing enough.

In the company of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Nnamdi Onukwuba who is an indigene, the minister expressed the sympathy of the Federal Government to the displaced persons and assured that government was going to do something fast.

Before the minister came on the scene, members of the Displaced Residents of the community, had sent a Save Our Soul (SOS), message to the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and President Mohammadu Buhari through the Office of the Ecological Fund, to immediately come to their rescue. They called for expert intervention to check the

widening erosion site to save the remaining buildings and the lives of frightened residents.

In the letters, they stated, “we hoped that the Onitsha North Local Government, the State Ministry of Environment would come urgently to our rescue to stop further devastation. Now, the fear is that more buildings will go once it rains. We fear for our lives. Our hearts ache because of the properties of families and the lost legacies.”

The spokesperson of the community, Mazeli, said they had equally written to the National Assembly through their representatives, Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu, representing Onitsha Federal Constituency and Senator Stella Odua representing Anambra North Senatorial zone but “sadly nothing has been heard from them.”

Expecting a more drastic response, his stomach churned when he and other members of the group saw the member representing Onitsha 1 State constituency, and the State Emergency Relief Agency (SEMA) officials with some relief items like two-inch mattresses for the displaced persons.

Mazeli said that while they thanked the State Government for the concern they have shown so far, “we expected that they should do more to prevent further expansion of the erosion site, which will swallow more houses and render more families homeless if nothing drastic was done.”

“Everything we have done so far has been purely communal effort, which has been inadequate. The development is overwhelming and unless government comes now to do something, it will be a different story. No individual can do anything in the face of the threat that we are seeing. We are helpless.”

HE Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has revealed that a robust security plan was being put in place in the state to check kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Ikpeazu said the measure has become imperative now that Abia was attracting high volume of foreign direct investment with the establishment of Enyimba Economic City project.

He said: “Abia State today, is one of the foremost states in terms of foreign direct investments in Nigeria. I think we are within the first 10, if not the first five in this country today, courtesy of the investments that are coming to Enyimba Economic City.”

Ikpeazu told newsmen at the Banquet Hall of Government House that in the bid to boost security of lives and property and encourage investors, efforts were on top gear to acquire sophisticated crime-fighting equipment.

According to him, “we are working hard to see if we could procure a tracker that can help us tame the crime of kidnapping. But until that happens, we will continue to seek the cooperation and support of law enforcement agencies.”

He said the state has “a very robust security design that encourages gatekeepers in various communities of the state that provides intelligence on the movement of suspicion people and those on the security wanted list.”

The governor proudly asserted that since 2015, no bank robbery hasbeen recorded in Abia and vowed that government would maintain that clean slate.

He continued: “Nigeria is challenged today security-wise and we have our fair share in that challenge in Abia, which include occasional cases of kidnapping and armed robbery.

“I thank God that all the banks that left the shores of Abia have returned, including the Bank of Industry, which has come to Umuahia,” He called for support of citizens for government efforts in stemming criminal activities in the state by assisting security agencies in any manner

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION NAPTIP secures 404 convictions, rescues 17,000 victims in 16yrs

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irector-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, says the agency has prosecuted and secured conviction for 404 human traffickers in 16 years.

She disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday at a two-day capacity building workshop for stakeholders in the aviation sector.

Okah-Donli said about 17,000 victims were rescued and counselled, stressing that good number of them had been empowered, including five victims who were trained from primary school to the University level, now employed by the agency.

The t participants were drawn from IATA, Nigerians Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), airliners and travel agents.

The DG said that the agency had established Task Force on human trafficking in four states in Nigeria.

On some baby factory girls rescued in Lagos, the DG said 29 ladies were handed over to the agency, stressing that 17 of them were with pregnancy raging from four months to eight months.

She said the agency had prepared for their delivery with the support of the agency’s partners, including UNODC, US and UK governments who provided foods, baby materials amongst other things.

Okah-Donli, urged the woman, one Nkechi, who allegedly camped the girls to report herself to the police or NAPTIP for investigation.

Meanwhile, a register containing names of men that had been prosecuted for sexually assaulting women in Nigeria would be launch soon by NAPTIP. Okah-Donli said the sex offenders register was another concept aimed at naming and shaming of sex offenders in the country, saying that the list would contain any one convicted and investigated for the crime.

According to her, the workshop is to strengthen the capacity of state and non-state institutions to assist, support and protect victims of trafficking in Nigeria.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as IFEJIOFOR ONYEBUCHI now wish to be known as IFEJIOFOR ONYEBUCHI CELESTINE . All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

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I formerly known as ONYEDIBE JOSEPHINE IJEOMA now wish to be known as OYIOBA JOSEPHINE IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

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Please Banks and General Public take note.

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“The list will contain both the high and the low in the country, who sexually assaulted any woman, including lecturers, politicians, students, stressing that the list would be part of reference point for peoples integrity guide for public office or employment, including school admission.

“The theme of the workshop is: “Identification, detection and reporting of human trafficking cases,” she said.

The DG said the workshop was aimed at creating very important synergies between the agency and the aviation sector partners in the fight against human trafficking by introducing a 4-page hand bill to them.

She said the bill would be used at the airport, inside the aircraft, at travel agent office, boarder points, stressing that the bill contained phone numbers of NAPTIP, where to reports incident of human trafficking, how to observe trafficked victims amongst other information.

“The purpose of the workshop is to build the capacity of frontline officers in the critical aviation industry with a view to sharpening their professional skills so that they could effectively contribute to national efforts to curb human trafficking.

“If you observe individuals or a group of individuals within the same age range under the control of another person, not in control of their travel documents, seemingly scared and silent, with inconsistent stories and unsure of their mission, report to Airport security.

“Don’t board an aircraft without knowing the next person seated close to you. The person seated on the right or left should be your business.

“Your concern could save someone being transported for slavery of prostitution, report suspected persons to the nearest crew member, “ she said.

The Project Coordinator of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), MS Harsheth Virk, said air transportation was one major channel where many human trafficking was carried out.

She commended NAPTIP management for its efforts, calling on the airline crew to always be vigilant in watching all passengers, assuring the agency of continuous support.

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It’s either Igbo presidency in 2023 or Biafra - Bishop Udeh

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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HE General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Ministries Inc. (a.k.a By Fire By Fire), Nnewi, Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has thrown his weight behind the agitation for Biafra.

At his church auditorium during the week, Udeh said the church had embarked on forty days of fasting and prayer to bring down God’s hands for the Igbo to actualize Biafra without bloodshed.

He described as very unfortunate, a situation where some people have claimed ownership of Nigeria and had continued to lord it over others who they considered as second class citizens in their own fatherland, insisting that the situation calls for sovereignty for Ndigbo and

the actualization of Biafra.

He said: “Those who are not terrorists are identified with terrorism whereas those who are terrorizing the country are tagged bandits but they massacre people in every corner of Nigeria.”

He explained that it is obvious that Ndigbo were tired of the toga, “one Nigeria” and should be allowed to be in their own country.

Self actualisation has happened in some parts of the world, and the case of the Igbo should not be an exception.

He advocated that alternatively, Ndigbo should be allowed to produce the next president in 2023 as “this is the only situation that could douse the agitation for separation, which would give Ndigbo a sense of belonging.”

He feared that it might not bode well if an Igbo man is not allowed to rule Nigeria in the next political dispensation at the federal level.

He warned Igbo politicians to stop getting what he called crumbs from the master’s table and to begin to cultivate think-home-philosophy.

Claiming that a revolution was imminent in Nigeria, if the words of the prophets were not heeded, he said that as a prophet, he would continue to pray for a change that would not lead to bloodshed.

“I know that if you over talk in Nigeria, security agents would come after you. But I’m not afraid of that.

The truth must be told. What they did to Nnamdi Kanu is what they are doing to Sowore. People in power now are corrupt,” he said.

• Bishop Ezeokafor (centre), other clergymen and parishioners shortly after Bishop Ezeokafor blessed Ichida Catholic Chapel at pastoral visit

Don’t advance ambition of any politician, Dickson warns INEC From CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

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HE Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and security agencies to be fair to all parties in the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Dickson gave the warning Monday, at the flag off the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the governorship election, at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion in Yenagoa.

He said: “Let me caution INEC and security agencies, if you are brought here to intimidate and to kill, you have to do so much work, because there are thousands and thousands of people to be maimed and to kill. Our state is peaceful and we will continue to work with all agencies to make it more peaceful.”

He maintained that Bayelsa is a PDP state, and the notion in some quarters that the All Progressive

Congress (APC) will win the election is inconsistent with the realities in the state.

According to Dickson, “from the late Alamieyeseigha to our former president, Jonathan and even Timipre Sylva, the PDP has done well in Bayelsa. Even Sylva did well when he ran a PDP government. Since he crossed over, he has not added value to our state. But he has opportunity now and we thank the President for appointing him. Let him not use that federal might to bring soldiers and police to kill and intimidate us during election as they did in 2015.”

He urged the people not to be afraid of any intimidation, but to organize themselves into units in their localities to resist any act of intimidation.

“You will form yourselves into units and that is how we will continue to defeat the federal might.

This time we will do that in greater numbers, at the unit level, community and ward level, PDP will win in

greater margin, more than what we did in 2015,” he said.

He advised the Minister of State for Petroleum, and Leader of the APC in Bayelsa, Sylva “not to forget to bring needed development to us. This is the time to bring back Brass LNG, that is his local government. This is the time to bring Brass fertilizer, to work with me and the government of Bayelsa to bring infrastructure to this state. Don’t use federal might for politicking only, federal might is meant for development.”

Dickson said that the PDP candidate, Senator Douye Diri has the requisite experience in government to take over the mantle of leadership and continue with the strides that the PDP is known for in the state.

The candidate promised to harness the aquatic wealth of the state for the good of the people, and to ensure youth empowerment, while continuing to attract investments to the state to boost its economy.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS Extra Sexual harassment: Kano Court remands lecturer

…Another docked for extorting students

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Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 36-year-old lecturer, Ali Shehu, in prison custody for breach of trust and sexually harassing his female student.

The accused, a lecturer of Kano State School of Technology, is facing trial on a two-count charge of breach of official trust and attempt to commit an offence, contrary to Sections 95 and 98 of the Penal Code.

Chief Magistrate Muhammad Idris ordered the remand of the accused person and adjourned the matter until October 15, for sentence.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Badamasi Gawuna, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 19, in Kano.

He said this followed a sting operation conducted by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.

Gawuna said on the same date at about 11 a.m, the accused who happens to be a lecturer of School of Technology Kano, took one of his female students (name withheld) to Ummi Plaza in Kano, to help him in marking the final semester exams.

“In the process, the accused admitted to touching the said victim’s private part,’’ the prosecutor said.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old lecturer, Aminu Chedi, was on Tuesday brought before a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano for allegedly collecting money from students to enable them pass their examination.

Chedi, a lecturer at the Kano State Polytechnic, is standing trial for a one-count of collecting gratification in the course of carrying out his official duty.

He however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP Badamasi Gawuna, told the court that on Aug. 9, the defendant directed one Jibrin, an ex-student of the polytechnic who is now at large, to dishonestly collect money from National Diploma (ND) students of the Department of Statistics of the institution.

The money was to enable them pass their English Language examination, the prosecutor said.“Jibril also passed the information to one Ibrahim Yusuf, the Class Captain of the ND2 class who was not in town and Bashir Muhammad,” he said.

Gawuna also alleged that the defendant directed the said Jibril to collect the sum of N1,000 from each of the students.

“In the process, Jibril collected N11,200 from few students and wrote their registration numbers,” Gawuna explained to the court.

He said that the offence contravened Section 115 of the Penal Code and Section 22 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, 2008, as amended.

Chief Magistrate Muhammad Idris granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties.

Idris said that one of the sureties must be the Rector or a Director in the Polytechnic.He adjourned the matter until October 15 for hearing.

Nigeria’s failure amid abundant resources shameful, says Anambra farmer R

By THEO RAYS

ENOWNED multipurpose farmer, Prince Ugochukwu Okpalaeke has said that the failure of a country blessed like Nigeria with abundant resources is shameful.

Addressing journalists at his office in Umuchu, Aguata LGA, innAnambra State, Okpalaeke said it is time for Nigeria to tow the path of development, by giving an effective response to the challenges of nation building.

Okpalaeke, who is the founder and Managing Director of Eagle Food Processing Industries and chairman Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Anambra chapter, attributed the failure of Nigeria to the leaders and their cronies, who according to him are recolonising the country with greed and corrupt practices.

He said: “These people buy expensive property in foreign lands and establish businesses there, pay tax there, employ people there whereas our youths are jobless.

Whatever you have in a county belongs to that country and they generate revenue from it, so why move your treasures away when your people are hungry, sick and jobless.

“Nigeria is hugely blessed for the people to have enough food, good roads, enough power supply, quality education, good health care, good wages for workers and jobs for the youth.

“But these people, behaving like colonialists are the bane of the country. Nigerians can do better in all facets of human endeavour if

they have the amenities and infrastructures.”

He lamented that goods that could be ordinarily produced in Nigeria and exported to other countries are being imported into the country.

He said, “no country can make progress without security and other things needed for business to thrive. It is a shame that China got independence from Britain just 11 years before Nigeria but today, Nigeria is small besides China.”

Emmanuel presents N597 billion budget estimate to Akwa Ibom State Assembly

From INI BILLIE, Uyo

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• His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III of Obosi Ukwalla kingdom with his wife(extreme right) Lolo Kosisochukwu Iweka, three African Americans- Yewande Austine, Lee Monroe and Levar Stoney.

‘FG lacks capacity to censor BBNaija’ -- NVFCB

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

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ederal Government of Nigeria says it lacks the capacity to stop the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show, because ‘Nigerians used their money to subscribe to the channel and not Government that do so on their behalf.’

Director General of the Nigerian Videos and Films Censors Board (NVFCB) stated this while reacting to queries over the inability of federal government inability to censor the BBNaija live show.

The DG who spoke on the sidelines of a courtesy call to Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji, however, said censoring such a show is not part of the agency’s mandate.

He called on the parents to monitor what their children purchase with money given to them and regulate the channels they subscribe to in their homes.

He said even if the show is taken to another location or continent far away from Nigeria, Nigerians who wished to subscribe to it would still do so because of the existing global network.

He said the agency would continue to carry-out media literacy campaign in the tertiary and secondary institutions in the country to curb the growing immorality among the young ones.

“The only mandate of National Videos and Films Censors Board is on films and not on such activities which is domiciled in another agency. Be it as it may, it is a live show that we equally have the mandate to look into that.

“I must confess to you that you cannot see any state or federal television station airing Big Brother in Africa. One, Big Brother is a huge investment. I was part of those who advocated that if it is Big Brother Nigeria, it must be in Nigeria.

“But I’m against the immorality being shown. This takes us to one of our mandates which is media literacy. This is why we enter the universities and Secondary schools and we are appealling to parents that there is something we call parental guide.

“Big Brother is not meant for anybody less than 18 years. Government cannot tell you not to subscribe.

Even if Government tells you not to subscribe, if Big Brother goes to Cotonou, you will still have to subscribe because of the global network. And it is your money you use to subscribe.

Government is not giving anybody money to subscribe into those channels.

“So, parents duty should come to bear. The morality of our child is in the parents’ hands. We should not lose that at all. We have what is called parental guide and we have classification where children must not

watch certain things. When you look at those thing, you have the right to block it in your own channel.

“Government did not give you money to go and hook into DSTV and that is why I said there is no state or federal government television or radio all over the country that you will see broadcasting anything immoral.

“This is an internet thing which tou must use your money to purchase and so, when you use your money to purchase those things at home, you should be able to control it. There is a limit to what Government can do.

“You see, we develop our children from home before they get to a level when Government starts seeing them. This is an opportunity again for me to plead with parents. Please, parents should be able to monitor their kids and they should know what they use their money to purchase.

“From Government side, we are doing media literacy campaign against these things in all states of the federation.

“It is part of immorality when children watch some films they don’t suppose to watch.

“Parents and Government should work together because it is not in the hands of Government for you to buy DSTV, GOTV or any other internet based subscription. So, I plead with parents to take the home very important. On our side, we will continue to do our best.”

KWA Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has presented a budget estimate of N597.80 billion for the 2020 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, which is lower than that of 2019, which stood at N672. 98billion.

Speaking in Uyo during the budget presentation, Tuesday, Emmanuel christened the Bill, “Budget of Industrialisation for Poverty Alleviation Phase II”, saying it is intended to build more industries and attract more direct foreign investment.

He said the 2020 fiscal year has a proposed recurrent expenditure of N228.16 billion which includes personnel costs of N60.94 billion, overhead costs of N50.28 billion and consolidated revenue charges of N116.93 billion.

The governor explained that the budget was prepared following the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS), and that it is predicated on the oil benchmark of $55 per barrel at a production rate of N2.3 million barrels per day, with estimated exchange rate of N305/ US$.

He noted that the policy objectives of the 2020 budget were to broaden and diversify the state’s resource base through improvements in the collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

According to him, the budget would boost production of local businesses through the promotion of trade, commerce and tourism between the state and the rest of the world.

He further highlighted that the 2020 policy objectives of the budget aims to develop agriculture through the supply of improved agricultural inputs, credit and extension services.

The sectoral allocation of the capital expenditure showed that Administration has N102 billion, Economic has N237.6 billion, Law and Justice N2.65 bilion, Regional N0.700 billion and Social sector has N26.67billion.

Roads, works and transport got N115.80 billion; education has N11.45 billion, Agriculture, N 12.37 billion; Land, housing and urban development has N53.64 billion, Investment, Culture and Industry has N6 billion and Health has N4.59 billion.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

NEWS Eze Iweka sues for peace, love as Obosi community marks Obiora

By UZO UGWUNZE

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GWE Chidubem Iweka of Obosi Ukwalla kingdom in Idemili North of Anambra State, has urged residents of his community to continue promoting peace and love beyond the festive seasons.

Eze Iweka made the call while addressing the people of Obosi inland and urban communities during his 8th Obiora festival held at AforAdike square, Obosi.

According to him, “Obiora festival marks the beginning of the New Yam harvest and celebration as the king of crops. It also designates a period of observance of peace in Obosi kingdom.

He said: “Our ancestors linked the iwa-jievent with the observance of peace, harmony, love and brotherhood, hence the strict law in Obosi kingdom that fighting and quarrelling were prohibited during Obiora.

“Anyone found guilty of this violation is fined by ‘Ndi Omenani’- spiritual custodians of customs and traditions of Obosi.

“We therefore urge the entire people of Obosi to extend this advent of peace and love beyond Obiora festival. Let peace prevail in Obosi land always regardless of festivity.”

The chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Anambra State chapter, Chief Ndudi Muonago also called on the Obosi elite to come home and take up leadership positions and help in the development of the community.

He advised youths to desist from vices that endanger their lives, urging them to pursue academics or acquire skills instead of constituting a nuisance.

The President General of Obosi Development Union (ODU), Ike Okolo said that the Obiora festival attracts home Obosi people from far and near to uphold their oneness and loyalty.

“We wish to remind you of our effort to restore Obosi to her former glory. Let’s focus more on recovering our lost image. Let’s join hands and make Obosi great again”, he said.

President General Obosi Urban Landlords, Chief Emeka Asimonye urged people to have the spirit of forgiveness during this season of Obiora, saying that there wont be any meaningful progress without peace.

One of the highlights of the festival was the special reception held for Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor and Chief Ndudi Muonago who was recently appointed a member of the Board of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Governing Council.

Others highlights include honoring of three African-Americans, Yewande Austine, Lee Monroe and Levar Stoney; masquerade and traditional dances. The state governor Willie Obiano, Senator Uche Ekwunife were present.

Bayelsa NUT faults policy on education, flays neglect of teachers

From CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa tion took place while public primary and secondary schools were shut DESPITE the often touted emer- down in Bayelsa following an indefigency in education sector in Bayelsa nite strike declared by the state NUT State, the state chapter of Nigeria over neglect of their members.

Union of Teachers (NUT) is lamentThe teachers had stayed away ing the neglect of teachers’ welfare from the classrooms since the Sepby the government. tember 23 when schools resumed At an event to mark this 2019 for the 2019/2020 academic session, World Teachers Day in Yenagoa, the a development that stalled the new NUT State Chairman, Mr. Kalama academic session.

Toinpre, noted that the challenges Toinpre, who noted that teachers bedeviling the teaching profession were poorly motivated said that the and the education sector in the problems of teachers in the state state contradicts the government’s “are many,” citing for example, the claim of investing massively in edu- non-payment of N18,000 minimum cation. wage arrears to primary and secThe World Teachers’ Day celebra- ondary school teachers.

According to him, teachers were unhappy that incremental promotions had not been implemented for several years, and primary school teachers were owed three and a half months salaries.

The NUT chairman further said that efforts by the union to ensure that teachers serving in rural areas earn “rural teachers allowance” had been unsuccessful.

Toinpre stated that the 2019 theme of World Teachers Day celebration, “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession”, would be meaningless if the motivation of teachers was not prioritized by government.

In his address to the teachers,

the state Governor Seriake Dickson, stated that his administration would not relent in its determination to respond to the needs of teachers and the education sector.

In his address read by the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite, Dickson urged the teachers to be focused in their noble profession to equip the future generation of Bayelsans for the task of developing the state.

Reps will pass 2020 budget before December – Lawmaker

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• Anambra state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke the management of Paul University, Awka

SIPs get N30bn in 2020 budget

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ederal Government has allocated N30 billion to its Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) in the 2020 fiscal year.

President Muhammadu Buhari communicated this while presenting the 2020 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS) on Tuesday in Abuja.

SIPs has four broad programmes– N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfers, National HomeGrown School Feeding and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes(GEEP).

GEEP comprises; TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni.

Buhari presented a budget of N10.33 trillion with an oil benchmark of 57 dollar per barrel and a target crude oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day to NASS. “Our government remains committed to ensuring the equitable sharing of economic prosperity; our focus on inclusive growth and shared prosperity underscores our keen interest in catering for the poor and most vulnerable.

“Accordingly, we are revamping

and improving the implementation of the National Social Investment Programme through the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“The National Social Investment Programme is already creating jobs and economic opportunity for local farmers and cooks, providing funding to artisans, traders, youths, and supporting small businesses with business education and mentoring.’’

According to the president, the draft Finance Bill proposes an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 5 to 7.5 per cent.

He said that the 2020 Appropriation Bill was based on the new VAT rate.

Buhari said that the additional revenues would be used to fund health, education and infrastructure programmes.

“As the States and Local Governments are allocated 85 per cent of all VAT revenues, we expect to see greater quality and efficiency in their spending in these areas as

well.

“The VAT Act already exempts pharmaceuticals, educational items, and basic commodities, which exemptions we are expanding under the Finance Bill, 2019.

“Specifically, Section 46 of the Finance Bill, 2019 expands the exempt items to include the following: brown and white bread; cereals including maize, rice, wheat, millet, barley and sorghum; fish of all kinds; flour and starch meals; fruits, nuts, pulses and vegetables of various kinds; roots such as yam, cocoyam, sweet and Irish potatoes.”

He listed other exempted items as meat and poultry products, eggs, milk, salt and herbs of various kinds, natural water and table water.

“Additionally, our proposals also raised the threshold for VAT registration to N25 million in turnover per annum, such that the revenue authorities can focus their compliance efforts on larger businesses thereby bringing relief for our Micro, Small and Medium-size businesses,’’ he said.

ouse of Representatives is determined to pass the 2020 Appropriation bill before the end of December, a member of the House, Mr Gudaji Kazaure (APC-Jigawa) has said.

Kazaure gave this assurance in an interview on the sidelines of the presentation of the N10.33 trillion 2020 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, we shall pass the budget before December; we could have even approved it today if not for the fact that we have to criticise it.

He said that the 9th Assembly would not tolerate any form of delay from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) during budget defense.

Kazaure said that the legislature was ready to deal with any MDA that refuses to appear for budget defense.

He said that the National Assembly would critically look at the budget with the aim of reallocating unnecessary funds in the budget to education and health sectors.

Kazaure, however, expressed concern for the N2.8 trillion earmarked for debt services in the budget.

He said the amount allocated for debt service exceeded the amount earmarked for capital projects.

“We are serving debt for stolen money that is what touching my heart, money stolen during the previous administrations.

“We are supposed to stop borrowing, arrest those who have stolen from the government and get them to refund the money.

“Investigate all the projects embarked on from 1999 till date to determine where the money had gone to,” he said.

In a related development, the Special Assistant to the President on House of Representatives Matters, Mr Umar Yakubu, commended the legislators for the warm reception given to Mr President.

Yakubu said that the legislature and the executive were now enjoying a more cordial relationship.

He said that Buhari had presented a budget that would touch the lives of Nigerians as it was about consolidation with key investments in education, health and security issues.

Yakubu said that adequate attention was given to social investment programmes, which were already ongoing.

According to him, the lawmalers look forward to quick passage of the budget so as to return the country to the January to December financial circle.

On the funding of the budget, Yakubu said that with steady internally revenue generation and the oil benchmark, the budget would be easily funded.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 - 15, 2019

Crime

S’African returnee, accomplice rob computer dealer of laptops worth N1.5m in Ikeja Stories by VICTOR NZE

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peratives of the Rapid Respond Squad of the State’s Police Command have arrested two suspects, Victor Remi and Ekeh Maxwell, for allegedly duping a computer dealer of three Apple laptops worth N1.5m.

Remi, a foreign exchange trader, and Maxwell, a musician, were said to have disguised as buyers and lured the seller to a desolate location on Acme Road in Ikeja and dispossessed him of the laptops.

It was gathered that the suspects, who got the contact of their victim on Twitter, sent a message to him and requested two Apple MacBook Pro – 2018 edition laptops.

Remi, a South Africa returnee, in his confessional statement to the police, said: “I told the dealer that I was the managing director of a new company on Acme Road, Ikeja.

I also told him that my daughter recommended that his laptops were legit. I ordered one for myself and another for my secretary.

“It took us a week to initiate,

perfect and execute our plan. My colleague, Maxwell, borrowed his brother’s Camry car with number plate FKJ 833 EZ for the deal. We bought a toy gun and painted it.

I controlled the dealer to Acme Road, because we knew that the area was desolate.

“While Maxwell drove, I sent a message to the dealer on WhatsApp that he should bring the consignment to my office. I told him that my driver would pick him up on Acme Road.

We met him there and he boarded the vehicle, while the driver picked

Police kill kidnap gang leader terrorising Ogoni Police in Rivers on Monday said they had killed “a notorious gang leader’’, Linus Lebari, 35, popularly known as Bobby/Devil, terrorising the Ogoni area of the state.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, in Port Harcourt that operatives from the Bori Police Station, in a coordinated operation, trailed the deceased and his gang to their hideout in a forest at Okwale in the boundary between Rivers and Abia.

He said that when the hoodlums noticed irregular movements around their camp, they started shooting randomly.

Omoni said the police returned fire and fatally wounded one of them, identified as Linus Lebari, the leader of the kidnap gang.

“The gang is responsible for all the attacks on the Ogoni axis of the East/West road and whose gang has

killed over 30 people in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas after collecting ransom,’’ he said in a statement.

According to Omoni, in the wake of the operation, two policemen sustained gunshot wounds and are currently responding to treatment.

“One locally made pistol and some cartridges were recovered, and efforts are on to arrest other gang members who fled with gunshot wounds,’’ he added.

Omoni quoted the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Mustapha Dandaura, as assuring the public that onslaught against banditry in the state would continue until all criminal elements were eliminated.

He urged the people assist the police by providing credible information using the following numbers: 08032003514 and 08028915462.

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1,7041.80kg of cannabis sativa.

He said the ages of the arrested suspects ranged from 15 to 65 years.

The commander said that most of the suspects arrested were from Edo and Delta, noting that 35 of the suspects representing 53.85 per cent were from Edo while 13 others representing 20 per cent were from Delta.

He said that about 24 drug dependent persons were successfully counseled by the command during the period under review.

Wakawa reaffirmed that the command would continue to work very hard to reduce the problem of drug production, trafficking and abuse in the state.

NDLEA arrests 65 suspects, seizes 4582.57kg of narcotics in Edo do State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it apprehended 65 suspected drug traffickers and seized 4,582.57 kilograms of suspected drugs.

The State Commander of the Agency, Mr Buba Wakawa said in Benin on Tuesday that the arrests and seizures were made between July and September 2019, adding further that those arrested included 39 males and 26 females.

Wakawa said that substance suspected to be Cannabis with a total weight of 4,561.57kg accounted for the bulk of the seizures while 1.02kg of psychotropic substance was also seized.

Giving a breakdown, he explained that in July, 28 suspects were arrested with 442.61kg of suspected illicit drugs while 11 suspects were arrested in August with 452.36kg.

Wakawa said that in September, 26 suspects were arrested with 3,687.60kg of suspected illicit drugs.

The state NDLEA commander said that within the period under review, the command discovered and destroyed 11 farmlands measuring 5.19 hectares on which cannabis sativa was being cultivated.

Wakawa explained that the farms were estimated to have capacity to produce a total of

ing concerted effort to rescue the persons kidnapped around Pegi Community on Monday 7th October, 2019 at about 2100hrs.

Though detail of the incident is still sketchy, the Command has urged members of the public to be calm while the Police intensify effort to rescue and reunite victims with members of their families.

The dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that he had no idea that the suspects were robbers.

“One Uche ordered two Apple laptops. We were communicating on WhatsApp and I never had the slightest inkling that they were robbers. They used a gun and knife to dispossess me of the laptops. The three laptops are worth N1.5m,” he stated.

According to the state Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, the laptops have been recovered from their buyers.

•Suspects Victor Remi, a recent returnee from South Africa and his accomplice, Ekeh Maxwell, arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) for allegedly duping a computer dealer of three Apple laptops worth N1.5m in Ikeja

Police commence 4-day workshop for PPROs

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igeria Police Force has commenced a four-day Strategic Training Workshop for Police Public Relations Officers across the country, tagged “Police PROs and Effective Communication in Con-

temporary Times” from 8th - 11th, October, 2019 at the Banquet Hall of the Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu Lake, in Agulu, near Awka, Anambra State.

According to a statement by

Father arrested for beating son to death

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he Police in Niger have arrested a 40-year-old man, Samaila Shuaibu for allegedly torturing his six year-old son, Habibu to death.

Commissioner of Police in Niger, Alhaji Adamu Usman, who con-

Police launch rescue operation for Abuja kidnap victims “Meanwhile, we call on the pub-

olice Command of the Federal Pinformed Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has the public that it is mak-

me up a few metres from where the dealer boarded the vehicle.

“He was sitting in front with the laptops. I placed the gun on his neck and ordered him to surrender the goods. We wanted to take his phone too, but he pleaded not to be stripped of everything. We told him to alight from the car and we escaped.”

However, it was gathered that Remi lied to his accomplice that two Apple laptops were collected from the dealer and that he sold each for N250,000, whereas he actually sold each for N500,000.

lic to be security conscious and provide information to the Police and other relevant security agencies on suspicious movements and activities within their communities.

“The Command reassures members of the public of its commitment to protect lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory,” a statement signed by DSP Anjuguri Manzah, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Abuja, read.

firmed the arrest in in Minna on Monday, said that a good Nigerian from Unguwar Tunga Maje in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger, where the suspect resides, reported the matter to the police.

The commissioner alleged that Shuaibu was giving his late son extra mural lessons at home but beat him to death because the deceased did not perform well.He said that the suspect had admitted that he tortured the son and never knew it would lead to his death.

“We have since commenced investigation into the case and the suspect will be charged to court,” the commissioner said.

The commissioner urged parents to desist from giving unnecessary punishment to children as those found doing that would be arrested and prosecuted.

Force Public Relations Officer, Abuja, Mr Frank Mba, the workshop for police spokespersons is in line with the ‘impassioned quest of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, for reinventing the image of the force and repositioning the Police Spokespersons for optimal performance as critical stakeholders, particularly in the implementation of the National Community Policing Model.’

The training workshop, which will be coordinated by the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer, will bring together all Police Public Relations Officers from the twelve Police Zonal Commands, the 36 states Commands, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Staff Officers of the Force Public Relations Department.

The training module of the workshop will be delivered by seasoned communication experts from the prestigious School of Media and Communication of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos and other top journalists and PR professionals across the country.

The workshop is sponsored by the Anambra State Government.

POLITICS

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 - 15, 2019

End of road for ‘Nigeria will break up in Ubah dynasty five years if the leaders Pg 14

can’t find peace’ Pg 16

S

ince the dawn of democracy in the nation in 1999, Bayelsa State has remained a PDP controlled state. And in 2015 during the build up to the state governorship election, Governor Dickson, then seeking a second term ticket referred to the PDP as an Ijaw party.

One would have expected that the outgoing governor would continue in that trajectory and seek to build on the strength of the party with a view to making it stronger even when he leaves office.

Quite unfortunately however, this expectation doesn’t tally with the decisions and actions of the governor as the state moves into a crucial election in November 16 to elect the next governor of the state.

The initial sign that Dickson may be up to something uncanny was when he employed all manner of smear campaign to ward off some governorship aspirants on the platform of PDP who were believed to have more masses appeal to easily win the governorship election than his preferred choice, Senator Douye Diri.

All over Bayelsa, the expectation was high that Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs would clinch the PDP ticket based on his acceptance and wide popularity in the state over and above any of the other 20 aspirants who had filed out to contest for the ticket of PDP. But Dickson allegedly employed all manner of crude tactics to edge Alaibe out and ensured that Douye Diri, who used to be Alaibe’s major- domo emerged the candidate.

Interestingly, the emergence of Diri as the PDP flag bearer has buoyed confidence within the camp of the opposition APC who now believes that PDP has presented a ‘soft’ opposition they would easily run over!

Amidst the hue and cry which had attended the process of choosing Diri, Dickson further bulldozed his way and brought a running mate to Diri from his local government area, Sagbama, rebuffing all appeals and entreaties that he should allow other parts of the state to produce the running mate.

Dickson whom it has been gathered is nursing senatorial ambition insisted on Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpor, his former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure also from Sagbama to be the running mate, such that in the event that PDP wins the election, he would present himself as a candidate during the bye election to fill the vacant seat at the senate when he would have finished as governor and handed over.

That Dickson shut out other parts of the state especially Bayelsa East who are left with nothing in the present political equation stirred much controversy in the party as many groups threatened to defect. Many observers had thought that even the influence of former President Goodluck Jonathan who is from Bayelsa East would have made the governor concede some positions to the senatorial district.

Apparently piqued by the attitude of the governor, the Otita Force, a strong political group in Nembe, Bayelsa East, led by the younger brother to the incumbent Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) defected with thousands of PDP faithful in the area to the APC. It was a development that has continued to haunt the PDP in the state.

The success of PDP in Nembe during the 2015 governorship election and other elections in the state has always been attributed to the influence of members of the Otita Force.

But Dickson was not done in his mission of self destruction as he again directed the poisonous snout at the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Emmanuel Tonye Isenah.

The Speaker who only assumed speakership of the 6th Assembly in June was asked to relinquish his position for a member of the house from Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, Hon Monday Bobou Obolo. Isenah had declined to resign and he was consequently impeached despite reportedly adjourning the house sine die.

Southern Ijaw is where the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. David Lyon hails from and he is said to be having a large fol-

•Dickson

•Senator Douye Diri

•Timi Alaibe

Dickson: Sowing the wind in Bayelsa PDP

Many watchers of Bayelsa State politics are wondering if the Governor, Seriake Dickson has the bizarre agenda to terminate the reign of PDP and hand the state over to the opposition after his tenure. From Yenagoa, CLEM ONYEMAECHI reports. lowership in the area because of his philanthropic gestures to the people of the area.

The dethronement of Isenah and enthronement of Obolo it was learnt was a stratagem by Dickson to widen the support base of the PDP in the area and expectedly, shrink the growing acceptance and popularity of the APC governorship candidate, Mr. David Lyon.

Interestingly, the immediate past Speaker of the 5th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson who served for eight years as Speaker also hails from Southern Ijaw. He was on seat as Speaker and lost the February National Assembly election to the candidate of the opposition All Progressive Congress, Hon Preye Oseke for the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency Seat.

Analysts had wondered the political capital the governor intended to reap by taking the leadership of the legislative arm of government again to Southern Ijaw which had just left the position after eight years! The same way he insisted that the running mate to the governorship candidate should return to Sagbama, even when he also from Sagbama is rounding off as governor.

This was part of the argument reportedly put up by the impeached Speaker; Isenah who insiders said had maintained that asking him to relinquish his position was premature as PDP had yet to win the election, which would have made his resignation inevitable since he and the governorship candidate, Diri hail from the same Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA. So is Dickson running out of ideas?

It was also gathered that the plot to impeach the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) is on the cards, and that part of the reason the governor went for the head of Isenah was because he refused to

set forces in motion for the impeachment of the deputy governor. The deputy governor whom the governor used to refer to as ‘my dependable ally’ has been out of circulation since his botched effort to clinch the governorship ticket of PDP. His entry into the governorship race was like a bolt from the blue as he had hinted of returning to Lagos to reunite with his family and enjoy his retirement after a fulfilled career in the Nigerian Navy and eight years as deputy governor. Insiders however say his joining the race was a sign that all was no longer well between him and his boss and that he wanted to prove some point.

According to sources, the plot to impeach the deputy governor was to spite him over his alleged plot to defect to the APC, following the footsteps of his younger brother and leader of the Otita Force who had earlier led the group to APC. It was learnt that the leadership of APC is promising the deputy governor the candidacy of the party for Bayelsa East senatorial seat with the expectation that the party will win the governorship election so that the deputy governor will take the place of Senator Degi Eremienyo currently holding the position who is now the running mate of the APC governorship candidate.

Dickson’s further plan it was learnt is to elevate the new Speaker of the State Assembly to the position of deputy governor when the incumbent would have been impeached, and then elevate the current deputy speaker, Abraham Ingobere from Brass in Bayelsa East to the position of Speaker.

With this, the governor it is said would have assuaged the agitation of marginalization from Bayelsa East in the unfolding political equation and also try to use the Speaker to

bargain for support from Brass and Bayelsa East in general which is the political stronghold of Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum and Leader of APC in Bayelsa.

But the bigger danger for the PDP and Governor Dickson which may bring all this calculations to naught is the suit filed by Chief Timi Alaibe at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa seeking the cancellation of the governorship primaries which produced Senator Douye Diri.

It was learnt that Governor Dickson has paid repeated visits to the residence of Alaibe in Lagos to beg him to withdraw the suit, but the former Managing Director of NDDC was said to have refused to grant him audience.

While working to ensure the emergence of Douye Diri in the primary by ‘fair or foul’ means, the governor was said to have told those around him that Alaibe would be forced to defect from PDP as has been common with him any time he loses a political contest in a party.

That Alaibe now refuses to defect but chose to remain in the party to fight especially with the material facts he has to pursue his case is what the governor is said to have least expected. And so, the governor and the party it was said are now like one who is between the devil and the deep blue sea with uncertainties all round, having the challenge of APC and that of Alaibe to contend with.

There are many party faithful who are said to be disgruntled with how the governor has managed the party and who are said to have vowed not to defect, but remain in the party and work for the opposition. According to them, Governor Dickson has sown the wind in the party and must, ipso facto, reap the whirlwind.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October9 - 15, 2019

BOLD & BLUNT

T

wo landmark judgments by the Election Petition Tribunal in Anambra State on September 9 solidified the choice of Managing Director of Capital Oil and gas Industries Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, as the elected representative of Anambra South Senatorial district at the upper chambers of the National Assembly.

Dr. Ifeanyi Uba of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) who was declared winner of the February 23 polls in the senatorial district with 87,081 votes was challenged by two brothers, Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who scored 13, 245 votes and Mr Christian Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 56,462 votes.

Interestingly, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 51,269 votes in the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not contest the results despite the obvious fact that Anambra State is governed by and remains the anchorage of his political party.

In his petition, EPT/AN/SEN/09/2019, against Dr Ifeanyi Uba, INEC Returning Officer for Anambra South, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, and INEC; Senator Andy Uba challenged the result of the election on allegations of process breaches and irregularities.

The former senator who is respected in the state for being the strategy brain box for cracking difficult riddles also demanded that the election be nullified to pave way for a repeat process.

In his own petition, EPT/AN/SEN/11/2019, against Dr Ifeanyi Uba, INEC and nine of its officials in the state, Mr. Christian Uba, sought disqualification of Dr Ifeanyi Uba with allegations of corruption and breach of processes. And being the runner-up in the election, Mr Christian Uba who is dreaded in the state for his immense political stamina, temerity and vision to squeeze out power, wanted himself declared winner. In an alternative prayer, he sought for repeat of the election in the senatorial district.

But against the expectations that the combined personality and party forces fused together in a daunting family megaforce would impose intimidating influence on the tribunal to snatch the mandate off the political upstart, all arguments strung together by both petitioners and their community of lawyers failed to muster significant weight of evidence to move the hands of the tribunal judges.

In his petition to the tribunal chaired

by Hon Justice Okara Ebimie Thelma, with Hon Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi and Hon Justice Ngele Gilbert Alo as members, Mr. Christian Uba contended that declaration and return of Dr. Ifeanyi Uba as winner in the February 23 election by INEC was unlawful and invalid, saying the winner did not score the majority of lawful votes cast at the election. He also contended that Dr. Ifeanyi Uba at the time was not qualified to contest the elections. He added that return of Dr. Ifeanyi Uba as winner was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended, and the regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the elections.

Mr Christian Uba prayed the tribunal to determine that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was not validly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election. He also wanted the tribunal to declare that he scored the highest number of lawful votes and ought to be returned.

Mr Christian Uba also prayed for an order of the tribunal declaring him winner of the election, contending that he scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election. He further sought an order of the tribunal nullifying the certificate of return issued to Dr Ifeanyi Uba and another order from the tribunal mandating INEC to issue

•Ifeanyi Uba

•Andy Ubah

End of road for Ubah dynasty SOPURUCHI ONWUKA writes on the poetic justice inherent in the seeming dismantling of the Ubah political family dynasty in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, by another Ubah, the effervescent, swashbuckling oil magnate, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, Ebubechukwuuzor Nnewi. him (Christian Uba) certificate of return forthwith.

In his alternative prayers to the tribunal, Mr Christian Uba sought an order disqualifying Dr. Ifeanyi Uba and nullifying all scores credited to him at the election, and consequently an order declaring him (Christian Uba) as winner of the election with the highest number of lawful votes.

He prayed the tribunal that in the event all his earlier prayers were not granted, the entire senatorial election for Anambra South constituency be nullified on the grounds of allegations of irregularities he had advanced.

To support his petition, Mr Chris Uba produced initial 207 witnesses to validate his claims, and later poured in additional number of witnesses.

In their separate responses to the petition, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba listed 57 witnesses while INEC provided 25 witnesses for itself and staff.

However, according to certified true copy of the judgement sighted by The Oracle Today, over 20 witnesses mainly from

the stock of Mr Christian Uba testified and were cross examined by all counsels, after which parties prayed for determination of issues.

Messrs JTU Nnodum (SAN) filed final written address for INEC and its staff involved in the suit; Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) filed final written address for Dr Ifeanyi Uba; while G.C Igbokwe (SAN) filed final written address for Mr Christian Uba. The petitioner’s council sought the tribunal to determine whether Dr Ifeanyi Uba was elected by majority of lawful votes following allegations of unlawful votes; or whether Mr Christian Uba won the majority of lawful votes and ought to be declared winner of the election.

In the alternative, the petitioner’s council wanted the tribunal to determine whether on the strength of allegations advanced by his team Dr Ifeanyi Uba would be disqualified and stripped of all votes credited to him in the election to pave war for the petitioner to be declared winner of the election. He also wanted the tribunal to determine whether the entire election

would be nullified on account of allegations made by the petitioner.

In his own, JTU Nnodum (SAN) wanted the tribunal to determine whether the petition was incompetent in the absence of YPP which sponsored Dr Ifeanyi Uba in the election; whether the petitioner’s statement that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was not qualified to contest the election was competent in the absence of any averment in support; and whether the petitioner proved that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was not duly elected with the majority of lawful votes or whether the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) wanted the tribunal to determine whether the petitioner failed to establish that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election; whether the petitioner failed to establish that declaration and return of Dr Ifeanyi Uba as winner of the election was invalid on the grounds of allegations of the petitioner; and whether the petitioner failed to establish that Dr

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday October9 - 15, 2019

BOLD & BLUNT

•Chris Ubah

Ifanyi Uba was at the time not qualified to contest the election.

Having discharged all motions pumped in by various parties at the onset of the proceedings, the tribunal consolidated all issues raised by counsels in their respective final written addresses into five main issues for determination.

The tribunal held that the petition was competent; thrashing the first issue raised by INEC. It declared that a political party is not a mandatory party in an election petition.

The judges also declared that the petitioner failed to advance facts in support of his insistence that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was at the time not qualified to contest the election.

“It is very clear that a petitioner who fails to plead facts in support of a ground of his petition stands the risk of having such ground struck out,” the judgement reads, adding, “In the absence of pleadings in support of this ground and sequel to the aforementioned authorities, this ground cannot stand and consequently it is hereby struck out.”

On whether the petitioner failed to establish that declaration and return of Dr Ifeanyi Uba as winner was invalid based on allegations of corruption and breach of provisions of Electoral Act 2010, the tribunal pointed out that “no polling agent was called to testify to hearing of this petition despite the fact most of the alleged corrupt practices like vote buying, non use/malfunctioning of card reader, voting without accreditation, intimidation of voters, and violence happened at the polling units.”

The judges also picked fatal flaws in the statements of the witnesses provided by the petitioner, observing that in most cases the statements were identical in form and content, mindlessly contradictory and in some cases self indicting.

“On the whole the petitioner in this case has failed to discharge the burden on him to proof the allegations of, corruption and electoral malpractices; as no credible witness was called by the petitioner to proof these allegations.

“To this end this petition is bound to fail.

The petition is hereby dismissed for grossly

•Nicholas Ukachukwu

lacking in merit. The election, declaration and return of the 11th Respondent, Mr Ifeanyi Patrick Uba as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District is hereby upheld.”

The judgement is signed by the Chairman and two members of the tribunal.

In the second petition by Senator Andy Uba, he contended that Dr Ifeanyi Uba was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election; that election of Dr Ifeanyi Uba was invalid by reason of corrupt practices; and that non compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2010 impacted the outcome of the process.

Senator Andy Uba sought a declaration of the tribunal disqualifying Dr Ifeanyi Uba in the February 23 National Assembly elections on the allegation of corrupt practices; a declaration nullifying the election and an order for INEC to conduct a fresh one in which Dr Ifeanyi Uba would not participate; an order setting aside the return certificate issued Dr Ifeanyi Uba by INEC; a declaration that the election of February 23 was null and void on allegation of use of violent means to secure victory; and an order setting aside the February election and mandating INEC to conduct a fresh election within weeks.

From issues raised by the respondents, the tribunal consolidated on two main issues for determination: Whether on the state of pleadings and evidence led, the petitioner has established that there was substantial non-compliance with Electoral Act which affected the contested election to warrant its cancellation and conduct of a fresh one; or whether Dr Ifeanyi Uba was duly elected and returned by INEC having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election.

In the first part of the issue for determination, the tribunal, after dispensing impinging motions and applications, examined statements of witnesses under cross examination.

It observed that out of the 19 witnesses that testified for the petitioner, only five were polling unit agents for APC, adding however that the evidence of the witness-

es were promptly impeached under cross examination. The tribunal also pointed out that the evidence of another 11 roving party agents cannot hold any probative value.

The judges also observed that the remaining two witnesses failed to substantiate allegations they made in their depositions “which were also badly discredited under cross examination.”

“Their reference to voter reward voucher was vague and unsubstantiated and could not be linked to the 1st Respondent,” the tribunal determined.

After extensive examination of the statements of witnesses under cross examination, the tribunal judges declared that “all respondent witnesses were ad idem on the fact that the election held on February 23, 2019 were free, fair and peaceful in Anambra South Senatorial District.”

“In view of the outcome of evaluation of evidence, issue one is hereby resolved in favour of 1st Respondent against the Petitioner,” the tribunal declared.

On the second issue which borders on whether Dr Ifeanyi Uba was validly declared winner of the election and duly returned by INEC, the tribunal considered key allegations of disorderly conduct at the venue of result collation, bribery, undue influence, and threats.

The judges declared: “We agree with the counsel for the 1st Respondent submission that the evidence of PW8 and PW9, none of whom was a polling unit agent at the election, has not established the allegation of bribery and vote buying through the alleged use of ‘Voter Reward Voucher’ at the election which allegation traversed over 1000 polling units in the said Senatorial District.”

The tribunal pointed out that the grave allegations of assault, intimidation and harassment of electoral and security personal demand to be proven beyond all reasonable doubts. The judges also pointed out that the gravamen of the petitioner’s issue was that officials of INEC were intimidated into announcing result of the election even before collation concluded and after they had declared the process inconclusive.

“We have gone through the records in this petition and there is no valid evidence that the election was declared inconclusive by the same 2nd Respondent who signed EXP. 1P-EC8E(i) and EXH. 1R-EC8E(i) 01 being the declaration of result sheet for the Senatorial District, which showed that the election was conducted and 1st Respondent declared as winner thereof.

“Therefore Section 27 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) was duly complied with by 2nd-4th Respondents in the declaration of the 1st Respondent as the winner of the election,” the tribunal held.

The judges also noted that the petitioner failed to produce victims of the alleged assault who are incidentally policemen and officials of INEC to testify in at the tribunal, saying. “we hold that the petitioner did not call necessary witnesses to prove his case.”

After extensive analysis of the facts and witness statements presented in the hearing, the tribunal reached a conclusion that Senator Andy Uba failed to muster adequate weight of evidence to sway justice in his favour.

According to the judges, “the petitioner has not in our view led credible evidence to justify the grant of his reliefs and so we hold.”

“On the whole, we hold that the petitioner has not by credible evidence proved his case and has failed to show that he is entitled to any reliefs. Consequently, the petition is hereby dismissed. The return of the 1st Respondent, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, is hereby upheld,” the judges concluded.

Thus, in both petitions, the tribunal members upheld the election, declaration and return of Dr. Ifeanyi Patrick Uba as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District. And the double declarations by the tribunal find convergence north the scale of justice for all stakeholders.

The Oracle Today reports that the two judgments from the tribunal mark not just double victory for the Dr Ifeanyi Uba who demystified entrenched power blocs to beat back daunting oligarchic stalwarts on the turf of power play, they also signal a seismic shift in the flow of political mandate. The election and subsequent tribunal judgments consolidate the will of the people, a deviation from the past when powerful individuals determined election results in the state.

Therefore the emergence of Dr. Ifeanyi Uba as the Distinguished Senator for Anambra South Constituency has not only unsettled political calculus in the state: it has also finally dismantled the oligarchic dynasty of his major contenders in the contest.

The twin success at the tribunal proves the weight of popular mandate against the tyranny of power brokers that trade the will of the people.

Smarting from behind with the disarming art of grandeur, Dr Uba left no one in doubt about his intention to clinch a position in the nation’s legislative chambers.

And despite the initial headwinds he encountered in marching up the major political platforms in the state, he invested massive energy into propelling the new and little known Young Progressive Party (YPP) into the status of an aggressive upstart with disruptive momentum.

Driven by unblemished reputation of public spirit and legendary record of social philanthropy, it was not as difficult as speculated for the Dr Uba to muster multitude of progressive and youthful followers that backed him up with both physical and ballot mandates with which he has successfully altered political stereotype in the state.

His popularity is not cheap either. Most of his massive followers had tracked his social investment and community empowerment programmes across the country.

However, the greatest incredulity is Dr Uba’s defiance to indignation of entrenched political interests and party structures that earlier ruled him out as contender in the February 23 national elections.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 - 15, 2019

INTERVIEW

Nigeria will break up in five years if the leaders can’t find peace, says Prophet Obi

Leadership is a problem in Nigeria. Have you ever imagined that the Churches and Mosques can produce good leaders in Nigeria?

When you talk about the impact of religious organisations in Nigeria you have to bring certain things into consideration. First is to consider whether the organisation is rooted in the original mandate of God or operating on man made principles. Are they keeping to the 10 Commandments of God or are they running the way it pleases their body not minding what the Commandments say? Some of the Christian organizations are man made because the people involved are not original with God. Why? Because they don’t serve God in line with the 10 Commandments. By their fruits we shall them. Some of the Churches are ignorant of 10 Commandment but they collect tithe and offering. The only thing they emphasise on is the tithe and offering. You cannot collect tithe and offering without keeping the Ten Commandments.

That is why they make a meaningful impact. You cannot produce a good leader through religious organization without first getting it right with the Commandments. Secondly, when you talk about religious organizations you also put into consideration the politics involved. They politicise religion so much in Nigeria. They recognise some and ignore some and that is very wrong because no particular religious organisation has the monopoly of God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding. So when you want to judge the impact of religious organisations in Nigeria you will first judge those who are eating on the same table with government. Those organizations whose members are governors, Senators, House of Reps members, ministers and Chairman of this and that.

Are you saying that if your organisation was recognized, it will do better?

You are here because you recognize that I exist in this part of the world.

We we are Sabbath worshipers serving God according to the original mandate

•Says without peace the country will fall within five years time •Recommends adherence to the Ten Commandments Nigeria might be sitting on the crossroads. From bad roads across the country, lack of power, lack of jobs, poverty, rampant killing to violent crimes and kidnapping. With the fever over the 2023 elections kicking in, Bishop Jerry Dada Obi, the founder of Tree of Life Gospel Ministry Inc. International headquartered at Nanka, Anambra State, says leaders should work on peace for the country to remain united. Bishop Obi, predicts that the country may break up in five years time if peace is not found. He spoke with THEO RAYS. Excerpts:

•Prophet Dada Obi given to the Israelites through Moses. If you serve God according to the original mandate you will have your problems solved. You can’t come to our Church and go back the same because we are original with God through the 10 Commandments.

We are the last bus-stop. People from these other churches run to us when the going gets tough. When they get solution to their problems they run back to their Church. Nigeria will change for the better if those in authority can take the pains to embrace Sabbath worship and serve God in line with the Ten Commandments. How do you think that Israel is making progress

with all the external crisis surrounding the country? It is because the Israelites are serving God according to the 10 Commandments. My advice to Nigerians is to take the path and embrace Sabbath so that things can change for the better in the country.

How do you look at the future of Nigeria considering the challenges facing the country?

The future depends on how far they can go to embrace peace. Peace is very important to the future and progress Nigeria and if they don’t give peace a chance the country will break up within five years. Mark my words.

“

The future depends on how far they can go to embrace peace. Peace is very important to the future and progress Nigeria and if they don’t give peace a chance the country will break up within five years.

“

WHAT do you think prophets like you have contributed towards the development of the nation and social revival?

Let me remind you of the saying that many are called but few are chosen.

Not all that are parading themselves as prophets are called and ordained by God to work as prophets. A real prophet is judged by his performance in rendering service to the people. I was just 11 years when I started working as a prophet. Today, I am in my 60s and I have never done any work outside the vineyard of God. I have not done any other work except preaching, praying for people and instructing people on what God reveals and asks me to tell the people. Through me God has healed the sick, recovered the mental deranged, given home to the homeless, provided relief to the needy and made people rich from the circle of poverty and am still alive and God is still using me. I think my contributions to Nigeria and the society in particular can be judged from my performance.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday Octomber 9 - 15, 2019

FOCUS

A

s you are reading this piece, some Chinese engineers and technicians are airborne, on their way to Nigeria. Their final destination is Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. Mission: to install machines/ equipment for production of shoes in the Enyimba City, where the ambitious Enymba City Projects, a catalyst for industrial revolution in God’s Own State, is in the offing.

On a note of certitude, the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said before the end of December 2019, the Aba Automated Shoe Factory will swing into operations.

Ikpeazu who was on a state-wide tour of projects (completed and ongoing) across the state last week, disclosed this to journalists in umuahia.

The tour had many trajectories: it set the state agog and served to reassure the people that the Ikpeazu administration was not in doldrums as was being canvassed in many quarters; inaugurate some completed projects and to ascertain the state of uncompleted projects.

The projects inaugurated by the governor during the two-day tour include two rice mills at Acha and Uzuakoli, in Isuikwuato and Bende local government areas respectively; the brand new headquarters of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASPODEC) and the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu Relief Market in Amuzukwu, both in Umuahia North local government area; the gully erosion reclamation works and 2.5km asphalted road with culvert at Umuogele Umuakwu Nsulu and also the gully erosion reclamation works and 2.5km asphalted road at Umuezeukwu Nsulu, both in Isialangwa North local government as well as the 3.4 Km UmueneOmoba road in Isiala Ngwa South.

Projects inspected were the Osisoma flyover, Ayaba-Umueze-ABSUTH road, AbaOwerri road, Eziukwu and Osusu roads in Aba town, the 36 kilometre Obikabia road and laying of the foundation stone for the construction of Isuikwuato Central Motor Park at Ahaba Imenyi, Isuikwuato, among others.

During an interaction with journalists after the tour on the first day, Saturday, September 28, 2019, Ikpeazu disclosed that plans to make Aba the hub for shoe manufacturing in Nigeria and Africa have reached advanced stages.

On the second day, Monday, September 30, 2019, at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba, Ikpeazu explained that heaps of metals and machines covered with tarpaulin inside the compound were the production lines equipment of the Aba shoe factory. He said the building for the factory was almost ready.

“In the interim, we have sent invite to China for our technical partners, those who sent these machines to us, to come and install and test-run the machines…. By the grace of God, before the end of this year, we will put it to use,” Ikpeazu said.

When the Aba shoe factory comes on board, it will be the major yield of small and medium scale manufacturing, especially in the leather and garment sub-sector, as a pillar of development.

Upon assumption of office in 2015, the Ikpeazu administration enunciated five Pillars and their enablers to drive Abia’s development. The other pillars are trade and commerce, the foremost; agriculture, oil and gas and education.

The essence of enunciating the five pillars, according to Ikpeazu, was to create a better life for the people through making Abia the best investment destination in Nigeria, adding that the most logical thing to do will be to leverage those things which Abia can do better than other states.

“To drive these five pillars, it became imperative that there must be very good roads and other infrastructure, security and health, which were identified as the enablers of the pillars of development. This informs the forays the Ikpeazu administration is making in these areas.

To achieve the goals of his administration, Ikpeazu kicked off with trade and commerce, launching with zeal, his aggressive promotion of Made-in-Aba products campaign, the biggest endorsement of the youthful zest and energy of the Nigerian youth and the creative mind of Abia people.

ABA Shoes for Africa

Abia will be hub for shoe manufacturing in Africa –Ikpeazu Plans by the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu administration to make Abia State the biggest industrialized economy, not only in Nigeria but Africa as a whole, is gathering momentum as two world-class shoe manufacturing factories, with the capacity to engage over half a million hands, are springing up in Aba. They are the automated Aba Shoe Factory, a partnership between Abia State and a Chinese firm, as well as NIBRA, another partnership between Abia and a Brazilian firm. BONIFACE OKORO reports that Ikpeazu told journalists during a tour of projects in the state that these efforts were geared towards making Abia the hub for shoe manufacturing in Africa

•Abia State To Send 100 Shoemakers To China For Training (insert) Okezie Ikpeazu

“Aba is an existing brand and we decided to just run on an existing brand rather than create something entirely new,” the governor will always tell you.

At the beginning of the campaign, in Aba town, there issues in power, source for funding small and medium scale (SMEs) businesses; automation and market share for those made-in-Aba products.

Worst of all, Aba manufacturers were not even proud to stamp Made-in-Aba on their products. Instead, they chose to stamp on their products, either made in China, Taiwan, Dubai, Japan or elsewhere.

To change the perception and practice of the average Aba manufacturer in giving their hard-earned credit to others, the Ikpeazu government decided to create a new orientation and launch a war against the syndrome of talking down on Aba products.

The promotion of Made-in-Aba campaign as championed by Ikpeazu himself has yielded tremendous results as it has attracted patronage from the federal government which issued an executive order mandating federal agencies not to buy from outside the country, anything that is manufactured in the country.

The military placed order for 50, 000 military boots, the office of the Wife of the President placed orders for Cortina shoes for children in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across North East, amongst others, thereby increasing the volume of business for Aba manufacturers.

To cope with this increased demand, there was need to change from manual production to automation, which gave rise to capacity building.

“To us,” Ikpeazu said, “the first thing to do was to go into capacity building. We sent about 30 shoe makers we picked form Ariaria International Market to go to China to

learn how to manufacture shoes using modern machines and equipment and they have done their time and they have come back with great and wonderful experience.

“On our part as government, the first automated shoe factory in Aba is nearing completion. Already, the equipment has been imported and we have written to our technical partners to come all the way from China to install the equipment.”

The governor said that when the shoe factory is operationalised, the 30 persons sent to China to acquire the skills in automated shoe production would be the first recruits.

He added that the main focus of the Aba shoe factory would be Cortina shoes and military boots. “In future, we may decide to add other lines. But suffice it to say that everything we need to set up the shoe factory and the building is almost ready. We are hopeful that by December, we will roll out the first set of shoes,” the governor said, with optimism.

According to him, the factory will have no dull moment as it will continue to partner with their Chinese technical partners who are also not only major global shoe manufacturers but is a major supplier to some chains of stores in America and other countries, from where it gets so much orders that the 34, 000 shoes it produce per day hardly satisfies market demands.

That is why part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese company and Abia is that they will collaborate with the factory in Aba, since they have trained and know the competence and capacity of the workers that will work in Aba Shoe factory, that they are going to ask the Aba shoe factory to help them produce additional shoes in their name, just in case they are not able to meet market demands.

Apart from the Aba Shoe factory, the NIBRA Footwear Factory and Leather City Industrial Project, another partnership between Abia State and a Brazilian shoe manufacturing giant, is springing up in Obuaku, Ukwa West local government area of the State.

“We had to go to Brazil again to get another partnership in a Brazilian who is also known for the manufacturing of very good shoes and that gave birth to what is today known as NIBRA, an acronym for Nigeria and Brazil.

“NIBRA shoe factory is in Ukwa West and, in fact, it is a shoe village because they are building a factory that will employ over 6, 000 people where all kinds of shoes would be manufactured for export,” Ikpeazu explained.

He added that because NIBRA shoe factory would take off any time from now, the company has already commenced negotiations with major shoe importers in Alaba, Lagos to come and see the prototype of the kind of shoes they will produce so that they Alaba traders) will be major vendors of those shoes when they hit the market.

The governor also disclosed that manufacturing of shoes will take a prominent place within the industrial cities that would be established within Enyimba Economic City. He said that the motive behind the focus on shoes was to make Abia the hub for shoe manufacturing in Africa.

“We are determined to be the major suppliers of shoes, not only to the 180 million Nigerians that need them, but we want to be the major suppliers of shoes to Africa and other parts of the world. And we are determined to make Abia State the hub for shoe manufacturing in Nigeria and Africa,” Ikpeazu said.

The Oracle Today Wednesday Ocotober 9 - 15, 2019

Youths watch it, before our time elapses: The Primus Ugochukwu Odili example (1)

A

ugust 10th every year remains the International Youth Day, and it stands out for celebrating young people across the world whose ideas are transforming and shaping the future in Politics, ICT, healthcare, education, technology, food security and many more for a better society.

International Youth Day came into existence in August 12th, 2000 by the United Nations to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth targeted at efforts by and for youth towards making education accessible and inclusive, thus a true enabler of the SDGs. Some youths are already making the world proud like France’s Emmanuel Macron who became President at 39; Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, at 37 and Austria’s Sebastian Kurz, at 31; and Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, at 38 as well as North Korean’s Leader, Kim Jong Un, who was 34 when he took over. Of course, we have Primus Odili and others, making youths proud in Nigeria.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state during this year’s International Youth Day celebration in Awka with theme “Transforming Education“, reminded that fifty-two percent of his appointees are youths including his Chief of Staff, Primus Odili, even as he announced that his government plans to establish a film village and upgrading sports facilities in schools, among others.

Primus Odili! Rings bell right? Internet wizard!

Online specialist! Netizen! Social media critique!

Digital Entrepreneur aka Digipreneur? Computer guru! Social Media personality! Young at heart! Journalist? Controversial person? A fighter? Crusader of sorts? Lover of youths?

A goal getter? Diligent, handsome and good looking with cash, even in power and authority? Have you encountered him? Tell me what you know him for, if you do? His other name is Ugochukwu. He is a titled man, Okosisi Aguleri.

Amazing!

Just the other day, African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) bestowed on Primus, a Pan African Distinguished Leadership Honour as Icon of Nation Building in Nigeria. According to ASUP leadership with representative across Africa, the Union profiled all the Chief of Staff in Nigeria and found Primus outstanding for the honour as the best Chief of Staff in Nigeria. The honour according to them was unique because he is still a youth doing the nation of Nigeria proud with his diligence and commitment in service.

Primus on his part has reassured ASUP that he will continue to do well and his best to make Nigerian Youths proud always. Similar awards has come from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), and the Anambra state APGA youths to mention but a few.

Youths are taking over all over the world, but in some climes, they are a disappointment.

In others, they are champions of democracy.

Their actions and inactions determine the fu-

In

CORNUCOPIA

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD Telephone number: 08060750240 E-mail : odogwuchampionawka@yahoo.co.uk

ture of other youths. When they do well, there would be chances for other youths, but when they fail, other youths won’t have a chance.

Across the globe youths are taking over leadership of their countries like in France and others, but in Africa, the reverse is the case. Youths must stand up to be counted in this 21st century because their forebears like Ojukwu, Gowon, Zik of Africa were leaders in their late 20’s and early 30’s.

Here in Anambra some youths are political urchins, fighting dirty in the cyberspace for no reason. Who and who are youths fighting for their political interests now? Governor Willie Obiano, former Governor Peter Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Andy Uba, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Chief Andy Uba, Senator Stella Oduah, Chief Ben Nwankwo, Dr Okey Udeh, Chief Chris Uba to mention but a few. There are others in business controlling who takes what in governance of Anambra state like Dr Cletus Ibeto, Chief Engr Arthur Eze, Dr. Azudialu-Obiejesi aka ObiJackson , Sir Daniel N. Chukwudozie aka Dozzy Oil, Sir Emeka Offor aka Sir E, Chief Innocent Chukwuma aka Innoson to mention but a few, as well as other former office holders and influential traditional rulers in their 80’s like Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Obi Alfred Achebe among others who have their own strengths in recommending political appointees. Who are youths fighting their political interest, I ask again?

These aforementioned Anambrarians would be retiring politically between next 8 years and next 16 years and I ask, who takes over from them at that point? The internet urchins throwing tantrums all over the cyberspace or thugs in actual political chase game? Who? Most of these people youths fight wrongly for and create enemies for themselves, would be hitting 70 years old and others hitting 80 years of age.

A few of them, would be in early and late 60’s, but where would all these e-rats and e-squirrels insulting and humiliating our best in the social media space be? Can they be trusted to take

•Primus Odili with Uche Nworah MD, ABS and Amarachi Unizik student painter

over leadership and governance? Why has reasoning eluded youths of today?

Rather than perfect plans to take over leadership as Primus has done, and now being seen among the new breed of youths gradually taking over governance across the world, some are still stock in hauling abuses on our leaders across board. Political criticisms could be done constructively without insult on a personality and our collective sensibilities as Ndi Anambra than what is obtainable now. Those we, as youths insult in cyberspace, still have time to pop champagne together and laugh at our follies.

Primus Odili was a household name in ASAUSA, comprising of indigenes of Anambra resident in USA. He has served in different capacities in ASA-USA before joining politics. Primus read Philosophy in Nigeria. He did some other courses and a post graduate degree in Computer including Masters, hence he sleeps and wakes in the computer during Chris Ngige and Peter Obi’s era. His peer ruled the cyberspace then. He was not left out. He competed with Sowore , Ikenna and Elombah. He later did MBA. He has a thriving corporate marketing business in medical line with about 47 marketing staff. He is not just a politician, he has a career before being a politician. Now, that he is here as a Chief of staff, his wife takes charge of the business front.

He is against youths creating an imaginary lines of enmity in the name of politics. He cautioned youths to know the boundary in relating with other political bigwigs while serving their masters as after their service, they still have their own lives to live and ambitions to meet. He still has relationship with all the political giants and Businessmen in Anambra state and beyond. He is articulate and perseverance in pursuing his interest or that of his master in politics without ruining friendship. He has risen to be Governor Willie Obiano’s secretary 2017 re-election Campaign Organisation. He was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties before the election. And today,

18

he is the Chief of Staff to Governor Willie Obiano. A youthful CoS at that.

Is he proud? Is he humble? They said he wanted to be APGA National Chairman. Was aspiration a crime? They said EFCC invited him. Was invitation a crime? Has he been indicted? What the noise? So, I called him to give me audience on some issues. He called me by name and we took an appointment. I honoured the date and he cleared the air for me. But someone, a youth at that in the House of Representatives I was part of his success story could not pick my calls, severally and never returned the calls.

Can’t there be relationships even with different political sides? So, in a family, brothers should be enemies for belonging to different political bodies or religious groups? Why are we youths?

Unbelievable is the word!

Why should we as youths not determine the bridge between political campaigns and governance period? We must not all support one person during elections, but, that should not ruin our relationship as youths supporting different camps. Primus understood this unknown to me. I went to him but he gave me more than a dose of the political understanding I was thinking I had. Simple and unassuming. Open and straight forward but not without his fangs as a ‘political tiger’ he is.

Primus has been busy working unperturbed as Chief of staff to Obiano, particularly bridging the gap that existed in the first term of lack of communication and far from the people. Now, the people’s pulse are known to the government.

Odili’s about two years in office has turned around perception between political office holders and civil servants particularly Permanent Secretaries. He rejigged the positions and postings effectively by bringing new Permanent Secretaries to Commissioners in other ministries who have stayed two months old.

They both became learners on same page and cooperate to move the ministry ahead or the good of Ndi Anambra. The suspicious relationship and bottlenecks previously experienced between the duos were brought to a halt by the ingenuity of Primus in collaboration with the Anambra state Head of Service, Bar Harry Uduh. Turnaround time on attending to files improved, Competition died. Service, synergy, mutual understanding and cross fertilization of ideas enthroned.

Communication gap that existed in first term of Governor Obiano with the public was closed up in the last one and half years of Primus as CoS. Issues that emanate from the public were resolved immediately Primus assumed duties. Individuals had complained bitterly during Obiano’s first term that the government had no time for the opinion and views of the masses but that is no longer the scenario with Primus. He demystified the office of the chief of staff. I engaged those who were at the waiting room in discuss. A government House Chief Photographer, Obi Nwosu was emphatic as he summed Primus Odili in a sentence. He said Primus is a man of his words, excellent personality, down to earth and unassuming.’’

But, for Chief Uche Nworah, MD/CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service: ‘’In Primus Odili, Chief Of Staff to Governor Willie Obiano, His Excellency made a good choice. Uche called him the bridge builder as he relates well with everyone irrespective of age, political leaning or social standing.

He said further: ‘’I have a fantastic working relationship with him dating back to when he was SSA on Special Duties to His Excellency. As Chief of Staff to the Governor, a very busy and strategic position, I like the fact that he doesn’t just sit in his office giving instructions and carrying out His Excellency’s directives, he goes about and visits people and offices to achieve what he wants to achieve. This collegial approach to governance has endeared him to many people. ‘’ He practices what management scholars call ‘Management by walking about’, going down to the ‘shop floor’ and to the ‘trenches’ to rally round the troops. His office is quite busy, you have to feel for him as anytime one visits there for one thing or the other, you will see a huge crowd waiting to see him but we all know that God will not give one a load he or she cannot carry. He has been very supportive of our work at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). He used to feature regularly on our programmes but not lately as the demands of his office doesn’t quite allow him much time’’.

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BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – 15, 2019

•Energy

•Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

VAT increase or a new Telecom tax may further worsen an already faltering economic momentum

By Kayode Ogunwale

R

ecently, the Nigerian Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved FG’s plan to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from the current 5 percent to 7.2 percent, effective from January 2020.

This is to help the Federal Government (FG) shore up its weak revenue base.

However, as President Buhari presented the 2020 appropriation bill to the National Assembly on last Tuesday, there are indications that lawmakers may oppose the proposed VAT increment, in a bid to shield Nigerians from being inflicted with more hardship.

Alternatively, lawmakers are pushing for a new levy on communication services, as the Communication Service Tax (CST) bill of 9 percent passed its first reading at the Senate, last week.

Experts are of the view that, the proposed CST is expected to have a similar impact on consumer wallets, to the proposed increment in VAT. More so, communication and internet connection now rank along with other necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

More importantly, many individuals; micro and small businesses rely on data and telecommunications services for survival, hence a 9 percent charge on telecom service may inflict more pain on the very people the lawmakers are trying to protect.

Commenting on the state of the economy, an economist and Director General Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Muda Yusuf said, the major challenge facing the Nigerian economy at this time is the inability to regain the confidence of investors, both local and foreign.

Regrettably, the instability and inconsistency in the foreign exchange

management policy have been complicating matters, he said.

According to him, “The economy has a major structural defect of being heavily import dependent. This cannot be fixed in the short term. Therefore, the shocks arising from the collapse of oil price and the corresponding depreciation in the naira exchange rate were inevitable. But the policy responses could make a whole lot of difference in the profundity of the impacts of these shocks on the economy and the citizens.

Historically, autonomous supply of foreign exchange had been a higher than the CBN supply. But this has virtually dried up because of the collapse of investors’ confidence.

Of course, the plunge in crude oil price was a major causal factor.

But perhaps the bigger issue is the unstable and inconsistent foreign exchange policy which has continued to create uncertainty in the forex market, thus deepening the liquidity problems.”

Muda stressed that, for an economy that is in fragile mode; and for an economy that is highly exchange rate sensitive, policy actions and pronouncements that could impact the market should be done with utmost caution and care.

“This is imperative to avoid unintended consequences which may hurt the economy in very profound ways. Such is the recent suspension of nine banks from the forex market. These are shocks that the economy can ill afford at this time. It is right to penalize banks for proven infractions, but this should done in a way to minimize collateral effects on investors and the larger economy, given the high sensitivity of the economy to developments in the foreign exchange market. This is even more so at a time when the economy is grappling with a major confidence issue in the forex market. There should

CBN Exchange Rates As At Friday, August 16, 2019 Currency Buying(₦) US DOLLAR 306 POUNDS STERLING 377.5734 EURO 335.9574 SWISS FRANC 307.8471 YEN 2.8665 WAUA 417.2144 YUAN/RENMINBI 42.8023 RIYAL 81.5761 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 20.1883 DANISH KRONA 44.9901 SDR 418.5162

•Tourism

Energy

NLNG pays back N14.38 Trn to Nigeria P23 AVIATION

NAMA installs VSAT station at Jos airport

P27

• DG, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Muda Yusuf be more creative and less disruptive ways of imposing such sanctions.

Many innocent investors and citizens are already bearing the brunt of this action given the unprecedented hike in naira exchange rate. Ongoing forex transactions in the affected banks have been stalled with serious consequences for investors”, he said.

He said, the second major policy development that could pose a risk to the stability and transparency of the foreign exchange market is the recent policy on sectoral allocation of foreign exchange.

He lamented that, the CBN circular did not indicate any HS Code to properly define what would qualify as raw materials and machineries.

“The first concern will be that of definition. The result of this will be discretionary interpretation by the banks as what qualifies as raw materials and machineries.

The second major concern is the potential crowding out of other sectors in the forex market. Sectors outside the manufacturing sector account for over 85 percent of the country’s GDP and jobs in the economy. They all have varying import contents in their operations.

Therefore, if a minimum of 60 percent of all forex allocation goes to manufacturing for raw materials and machineries; what happens to other sectors? Currently petroleum products imports are priority and could take another 25 percent of foreign exchange. This implies that the rest of the sectors would settle for the balance of 15 percent. This is

clearly not a sustainable framework.”

It is important to recognize the interdependence of sectors and the integrated nature of the economy, he said.

“All sectors complement one another for the economy to function properly. This is not to diminish the critical importance of the manufacturing in the economy. But we should realize that other sectors play important roles as well. Such other sectors include ICT, Telecoms, real estate, transportation, Aviation, Maritime, tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Agriculture, distributive trade, Health services, education services, broadcasting, print media, solid minerals, Engineering and construction etc. There are also very important invisibles that will require foreign exchange. The sustainability of the forex sectoral allocation policy is in doubt. It could only create more confusion in the foreign exchange market.”

Muda said, fiscal policy measures are better suited to address sectoral imbalances than monetary policy.

Such policy tools include import tariffs, taxation and other incentives.

Above all, there is need to upscale infrastructure investments very urgently, he said.

In all, while many experts believe the FG needs to ramp up its revenue base by expanding its tax-net, introducing new taxes will not necessarily amount to more tax revenue as it may further worsen an already faltering economic momentum.

e-Platform

Telcos reject proposed 9% communication tax P28

Equity & Capital Market

NSE proposes amendment to meetings of Issuers P30 Money Market

Buhari tasks NESG on economic growth P31

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AS AT MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

Summary

Central (₦) Selling(₦) ASI 26,866.41 306.5 307 DEALS 2,854.00 VOLUME 151,714,943.00 378.1904 378.8073 VALUE N1,504,247,538.13 336.5064 337.0553 EQUITY CAP N13,078,453,242,669.60 308.3501 308.8531 BOND CAP N12,760,478,853,366.00 ETF CAP N6,558,427,553.33 2.8712 2.8759 417.8961 418.5778 Top 5 Trades 42.8727 42.9431 S/N Coy (By Volume) Value(N) 1. FCMB 55,672,474 89,061,945.07 81.7094 81.8427 2.

TRANSCORP 17,154,141 N17,208,435.31 20.2213 20.2543 3. FBNH 14,393,568 N76,238,104.55 45.0636 45.1371 4. ACCESS 7,357,417 N52,351,344.35 419.2001 419.8839 5. ZENITHBANK 6,866,512 N123,543,463.40

5 Top Gainers Symbols UACN CCNN AFRIPRUD NASCON CONOIL

Last Close N6.55 N14.8 N3.52 N13.2 N15.25

Current N7.1 N15.2 N3.87 N13.5 N15.4

Change %Change 0.55 8.40% 0.4 2.70% 0.35 9.94% 0.3 2.27% 0.15 0.98%

5 Top Losers SEPLAT NESTLE STANBIC CADBURY NB

N555 N517 -38 N1255.5 N1230 -25.5 N38 N37.05 -0.95 N10.45 N9.85 -0.6 N50.35 N50 -0.35

-6.85% -2.03% -2.50% -5.74% -0.70%

The Oracle Today Wednesday Ocotober 9 - 15, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

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VOX POPULI SACRUM

Before we bury public schools...

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Let us know where the rains started beating us: lot has been said about the state of from Anambra that is partnering the The decay began when government took public schools in the country, but too churches to resuscitate public schools. Let over missionary schools in the early 1970s. few reforms have been implemented so missionaries run the schools while governThen, the Nigerian factor set in. The churchfar. State governments, particularly in the ment provides support to teaching staff. The es are gradually taking back their schools in south-east and south-south states, should Anambra model is the way to go because not states like Anambra. Some are establishing take the lead in this direction. They have only is it cost-effective but would also bring universities. But they seem to be in a rat race not. seriousness in teaching and learning as well over high fees, so much so that most memRivers and Anambra states seem to have put as high moral standard back to primary and bers of the churches themselves cannot aftheir right foot forward. Consistency and secondary school classrooms. ford to take their children and wards to the The states should also borrow a leaf from Rivsustainability of policies are now imperasame institutions they contributed to build. tive even in the two states, for government ers. Former governor Chibuike Amaechi is a continuum. A major weakness of state We cannot complain now about low enrolintroduced a model he christened “Model ment of pupils in primary schools, though governors has been their penchant for Primary Education System”. He took pains the picture is different in secondary schools starting new projects and neglecting the to rebuild all the primary schools, providing in a state like Anambra. To have and keep ones initiated by their predecessors. Yet, all required infrastructure and science equipthe children in schools, decent buildings an enduring policy – one that generations ment. To attract population from private and other infrastructure are necessary. The of citizens could benefit from – cannot be schools that had taken a chunk of the schoolstandard of education must be restored by a completed within a single or second tenchildren population, he provided facilities like higher standard of teaching and learning. As ure. boreholes, science equipment, community everyone knows, a school is as good as the Attention should start shifting to schools – clinics close to the schools, beautiful recreateachers in it. They must, however, be well education is a formidable weapon that can tional facilities and so on. In addition, all the motivated teachers. And what could motibe used to carry out a revolution. And it is schools were fenced round with a security vate a teacher? Not high salary and allowin this light that we emphasise an immediman to control the gate of every school. He ances alone but also availability of decent ate response to the derelict state of public further recruited a large population of wellstructures and facilities. Well-equipped laboprimary and secondary schools in the qualified teachers. These brought tremenratories and classrooms, provision of teachcountry. It may not be possible to invent dous improvement to public primary educaing aids and, perhaps, school feeding under new schools or new teachers, at least tion in Rivers State. It also drew more people the National Social Investment Programmes. in the foreseeable future, but a gradual from among the middle class back to public transformation would surely take us to the The beautiful public spaces that the white schools. man left to primary and secondary schools Promised Land.

The current curriculum is incapable of giving are now being taken over by the desired knowledge. We will not get churches. Right in the centre anywhere if information and communication of some school fields, churchtechnology (ICT) is not firmly integrated into es are erupting. The effect of our secondary education system. converting school fields to Our Vision churches is felt most in sports TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nidevelopment. geria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; Supervision of the teachers to be a newspaper of records that effectiveis key: there is need to work out how to make the teachers ly caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society turn up for work every day as well as all social classes and cultures. Esof the week, not just on pay sentially, we want to be a responsible corpoday, inspection day or whenrate citizen, a commercially viable, properly ever they’re collecting illegal organised media business, which meets its fees or dues from the school obligations to society, government and the children. Many teachers in workforce.

Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State, for example, are reportedly farmers first and teachers Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the developsecond. Some teachers look ment of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a unkempt and are addicted to alcohol – they cannot be good view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, role models for the kids to nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually emulate. engender and sustain national debates that Because the public school at all levels is dying, parents have would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, had to seek relief in private equity and fairplay, transparency, good govschools. But some so-called private schools are mere scam ernance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will centres which charge high give voice to the voiceless and at all times, fees but deliver little in terms of teaching and learning. Total strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The reassessment of the teachOracle Today, our people, the Nigerian peoing staff of public secondary ple can see a bright light at the end of what schools is needed to make all the deficient teachers improve has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do themselves. Governor Nasir el- all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

Rufai did it in Kaduna State.

States in need should learn

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The Oracle Today Wednesday Ocotober 9 - 15, 2019

OPINION

2019 polls: Petitioners versus INEC’s returns

By Ehichioya Ezomon

“T

he petitions are hereby dismissed” is what you hear from the three-man Election Tribunals sitting in 29 states over the outcomes of the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Nigeria.

Not one return and declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been upturned by the courts in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba.

The only near-exception is Katsina State, where the tribunal arrived at a split decision of two-one, but with the majority ruling favouring the respondents.

So, what can be deduced from the “unanimous” verdicts of the tribunals? Is it that the INEC did a good job of producing “credible” results at the polls?

On the surface, that’s what the tribunals’ judgments imply, despite the hue and cry over alleged breaching of the laws by politicians, in connivance with the electoral umpire and security agents.

Similar threads run through the petitioners’ claims: Over-voting; cancellation of results; alteration of figures; disruption of voting; stuffing, and snatching of ballots; intimidation by thugs and security agents; submission of false/non-submission of certificates; variation in age; incorrect names; and sundry allegations bordering on substantial non-compliance with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC guidelines issued for the elections.

Having formulated the issues for determination, the petitioners are required to substantiate their complaints “beyond all reasonable doubt,” in order to be declared, as prayed, the winners, or

the polls nullified and fresh balloting ordered by the tribunals.

The failure by petitioners in the 2019 governorship polls to do so is what we’ve seen across board at the election tribunals: unanimous dismissal of the petitions “in their entirety.”

The judgments took hours to deliver, as the tribunals had to rule on “pending motions and applications,” several of which had no bearing on or probative value to the substantive matters.

Let’s sample the judgements so far, picking, in alphabetical order, one state from each of the geopolitical zones, and see why the tribunals ruled the way they did.

Delta: The tribunal, while dismissing the petition of Chief Great Ogboru of the APC, on grounds of gross incompetence, ruled that Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP was validly elected and declared as winner by the INEC. The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Suleiman Belgore, held that, “the petition was badly drafted, devoid of details and insufficient data,” even as he described the petitioner as “a gold-digger,” who made no efforts to provide adequate data to justify his prayers.

“We have no reason to upturn that declaration. This petition is gold-digging, opportunistic; it failed and it is hereby dismissed,” the tribunal ruled at a threehour proceeding.

Imo: The tribunal, led by Justice Malami Dogondaji, dismissed the petitions of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Arurume; Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu; and the APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Besides alleged malpractice and substantial non-compliance with the electoral laws, the petitioners prayed for cancelation of the election, as the declared winner, Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, didn’t meet the mandatory 25 per

cent in two-thirds of the local government areas in the state.

Uzodinma specifically claimed non-inclusion of his results from 366 of the 388 polling booths approved by INEC in the state, and asked the tribunal to declare him the rightful winner of the election.

But the tribunal held that the petitioners were unable to prove their allegations, stressing that, “failure to discharge the heavy burden of proof makes the petitions liable for dismissal.”

Kano: The panel, headed by Justice Halima Shamaki, dismissed the petitions by the PDP and its candidate, Kabir Yusuf, against the election of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of the APC, on the grounds that they were unable to prove the case of substantial violation of the Electoral Act. The tribunal noted that the reliefs sought by the petitioners were contradictory and mutually exclusive, and could not be granted since they were not sought for in the alternative.

“It is only when a petitioner proves his case before the tribunal that he will have a case; the petitioners failed to prove the exact number of valid votes in each polling units,” lead Judge Shamaki said.

Ogun: The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and its candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, filed petitions against the declaration of Dapo Abiodun of the APC, challenging his educational qualification and age, and also alleged over-voting at the polls.

But the tribunal, led by Justice Yusuf Halilu, dismissed Akinlade’s petition for being “lazy, fictitious, malicious, and mischievous,” adding, “it is unreasonable to do such and expect a meaningful judgment.”

Saying, “We cannot waste valuable time of the tribunal on irrelevant documents on over-voting,” the tribunal said the WAEC certificate tendered by Abiodun was a pre-election issue, and made

As Israel’s post election talks fall apart…

By MEHUL SRIVASTAVA

T

alks between the two leading parties in Israel’s deadlocked elections have fallen apart, deepening a protracted political crisis just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyers started his defence against a possible indictment on corruption.

Benny Gantz, the ex-military chief whose fledgling alliance, the Blue and White party, beat Mr Netanyahu’s Likud in last month’s inconclusive elections, called off talks with the four-time premier to form a unity government.

Unless talks resume next week, Mr Netanyahu is likely to inform President Reuven Rivlin that he is unable to form a governing coalition of at least 61 seats, increasing the likelihood of a third election.

Neither Mr Gantz nor Mr Netanyahu currently has enough coalition allies to cross that threshold without each other.

The stalled negotiations come as Mr Netanyahu begins a final defence to attorney general Avichai Mandelblit to ward off pending charges on corruption, fraud and breach of trust. The charges stem from a two-year police investigation into gifts he received from wealthy friends, and alleged regulatory favours he promised a telecoms tycoon in pursuit of better media coverage.

Mr Netanyahu has denied all the al-

legations, which include detailed inventories of some $200,000 in cigars and champagne from one group of friends, and tape recordings and testimony from former allies. He has described them as a media-orchestrated witch-hunt designed to topple his government.

The hearing on Wednesday, which Mr Netanyahu did not attend, is the final chance for his lawyers to convince the attorney general that the evidence collected by the police is inadequate for a conviction, or even indictment, said Gad Barzilai, a former dean of the law school at the University of Haifa.

“The charges are very severe — the chance that the attorney-general will not indict is very low,” he said. “We are now entering a long political crisis in Israel.”

The primary goal of Mr Netanyahu’s lawyers on Wednesday and Thursday will be to convince the attorney general to lessen the charge of bribery to the lesser charge of breach of public confidence, said Mr Barzilai.

While that could still carry a prison sentence — Mr Netanyahu’s predecessor, Ehud Olmert, served eight months in prison after being convicted on the same charge — it would not carry the similar political stigma.

“We’re sure that when we finish, there will be no choice but to close the case,”

Amit Hadad, one of Mr Netanyahu’s lawyers, told television cameras as he entered the hearing. “These cases must be closed.”

Mr Netanyahu’s prior strategy — of passing a bill that would guarantee his immunity against prosecution through the Knesset — was stymied by the political deadlock that has seen Israel without a smoothly functioning government since early this year.

Voters have delivered a divided parliament twice this year, as one of Mr Netanyahu’s long-term allies broke with him over the power wielded by the political representatives of the minority ultra-orthodox community.

The breakdown of talks could just be a political gambit, said one Likud member. “They want to see how this hearing goes — will Netanyahu be stronger, or weaker?” he said. The attorney general is expected to make a final decision by about mid-December, with most political analysts expecting an indictment.

But the court cases that would follow an indictment could take as long as two years to conclude, including a possible appeal to the Supreme Court.

Mr Netanyahu has vowed not to resign if indicted, leading to the unprecedented possibility of an indicted prime minister leading the country while defending himself against criminal charges.

reference to the Appeal Court’s ruling on Abiodun’s age issue.

Plateau: The Justice Halima Salamichaired tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Sen. Jeremiah Useni, for failure to prove their case against the return of Governor Simon Lalong of the APC. The petitioners claimed cases of overvoting, and non-qualification of Lalong, as the certificate he submitted to INEC had a different name other than his. But the tribunal ruled otherwise, stating that the names were linked, and belonged to the governor.

Taraba: The tribunal dismissed, for want of competence and evidence, a petition by the APC, challenging the election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the PDP. Particularly, the tribunal ruled that the APC petition was not brought by competent applicants, as the first petitioner, Abubakar Danladi, had been disqualified by successive judgments from appearing as a candidate for the APC in the March 9 election.

Danladi and the APC accused the PDP of massive election rigging, but the tribunal held that the petitioners’ allegations didn’t include sufficient evidence to warrant nullification of the election.

In any case, the panel declared that the decision of various courts, including the Supreme Court, which ruled against the candidacy of Danladi in the election, due to intra-party dispute, rendered the petition incompetent.

While the winners at the tribunals dedicate their “victories” to God, virtually all the petitioners are heading or have headed to the Appeal Courts to “upturn the rulings” they said “turned justice on its head.” Good luck to them!

•Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

THE GROUP Managing Editor/COO Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Managing Editor/COO Sopuruchi Onwuka Chairman Editorial Board Igwebike Mbanefo Political/Production Editor Kodilinye Obiagwu SE/SS Editor Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Acting BDM Kelechi Nze Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Circulation Manager Felix Oti

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

BUSINESS

NSE suspends 14 firms over non-filing of account Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has suspended trading in the shares of Evans Medical Plc, Union Homes & Savings Plc ,Nigerian German Chemicals Plc, Roads Nigeria Plc , DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, Aso Savings & Loans plc and Omatek Ventures plc, among others for their failure to file financial accounts with the Exchange for some years now.

The Oracle checks revealed that other quoted companies that came under the NSE hammer are STACO Insurance, Unic Diversified Holdings, Resort Savings & Loans, Goldlink Insurance, Standard Alliance Insurance and FTN Cocoa Processors.

The companies were suspended in pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, Rulebook of The Exchange (Issuers’ Rules).

The Rule stipulates that, if an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the Cure Period, The Exchange will send to the Issuer a Second Filing Deficiency Notification” within two business days after the end of the Cure Period; suspend trading in the Issuer’s securities; and notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Market within twenty- four hours of the suspension.

According to the NSE’s X-Compliance Report, which was released on September 20, 2019, the companies have failed to comply with minimum listing standards of the bourse as some of them have consistently failed to file their audited financial statements since 2014.

For instance, NGC, DN

Tyre, Union Homes Savings & Loans, and Aso Savings & Loans have not sent their 2014 – 2019 audited results to The Exchange. While Omatek, Evans, Unic Diversified, Juli, Anino, Multi-Trex failed to file their results since 2015, Roads, Staco Insurance, Goldlink, FTN Cocoa, Capital Oil, Guinea Insurance, Resort Savings, Standard Alliance Insurance, International Energy Insurance fall in the category of firms that have not submitted theirs in 2017 and 2018 reports, respectively.

The sanctions for noncompliance, according to issuers’ rules, states that N100,000 per day for the first ninety calendar days of noncompliance. N200,000 per day for the next ninety calendar days of non-compliance.

And N400, 000 per day thereafter until the date of submission.

The implication is that with the above fines, the companies which have not filed their reports since 2014 are seriously indebted to The Exchange.

For example, firms like DN Tyre & Rubber, Nigerian German Chemicals, Union Homes Savings & Loans and Aso Savings & Loans are expected to pay millions of Naira (about N623 million) to The Exchange if they want the sanctions: (Buyers beware) embargo placed on their shares to be lifted.

A market Analyst who prefers to remain anonymous told The Oracle that the economic downturn prevailing in the country imparted negatively on the companies’ ability to generate income nor make profit . He added that most of the firms are distressed.

For instance, the last result posted by Nigerian

German Chemicals Plc, which was not submitted to the NSE for obvious reasons, was its 2015 Half Year (H1).

The pharmaceutical firm’s profit after tax (PAT) declined to N49.4 million from N79.6million representing 37.9 percent. It was discovered that the company was indebted to its creditors to the tune of N2.71 billion.

It stated that the company owes bank overdrafts, commercial papers, Term loans, Trade payables, other payables and Accruals and taxation, among others worth N637 million, N182 million, N456 million, N306.3 million, N818.5 million and N257.8 million respectively.

On the other hand, DN Tyre and Rubber, the company has been witnessing a lull

since it shut down its tyre manufacturing business in 2008 pending the improvement of the business operating environment in Nigeria.

According to its 2015 half year results, which was the last result it posted, its loss after tax dropped from N346.4 million to N43.7 million.

Also, its credit portfolio stands at N845.1 million. While Trade is worth N126.1 million, the Accruals and others, Term loans, and Sundry creditors are worth N63.9 million, N100 million and N554.9 million respectively.

These are different from tax brought forward worth N52 million.

In the case of Aso Savings & Loans between 2013 and 2016, the financials were missing even on the site of the firm. In 2016

and 2017, Aso Savings posted summary its first-quarter interim statements.

The company managed to grow its PBT from a loss of N12.4 million as at March 2016 to a profit before tax of N10.4 million by end of March 2017, as well as witness the increase of the bank’s total liabilities from N73.3 billion to N76.6 billion within the same period.

In the same vein, Union Homes has not been consistent in posting its results. The last time its investors and stakeholders heard from the bank was in 2015 when it posted its third quarter 2015 unaudited account. It posted a loss after tax of N67 million, lower than the N1.3 billion declared in 2014.

The bank’s total liabilities also stood at N36.2 billion.

NSE CEO, Mr. Oscar Onyema

PFAs achieve N1.69trn profit from investments on contributions

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he Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) have made a profit of N1.69 trillion as return on investments from workers’ pension contributions.

The Report obtained from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) have showed that the total assets under the scheme

stood at N9.32 trillion as at the end of June 2019.

The assets include the total monthly contributions collected from both public and private firms into the workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA), which amounted to N5.45 trillion.

Other components are the

Approved Existing Scheme totalling N958.2 billion, and the Closed Pension Funds Accounts totalling N1.24 trillion according to figures at the end of June.

A review of the total monthly contribution showed that N2.73 trillion or 50percent of the contributions came from the public sector while the

private sector contributed the remaining 49.91 percent representing N2.72 trillion.

Meantime, the total assets had continued to increase despite challenges experienced within the economy. Operators invested a substantial part of the pension funds in the Federal Government bonds, treasury

bills and state governments’ securities.

Others were invested in agency bonds, supranational bonds, commercial papers, foreign money market securities, open/close-end funds, REITS, private equity funds, infrastructure funds, cash and other assets.

External reserves drop by $3.2bn in Q3

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igeria’s external reserve has depreciated by $3.22 billion in the third quarter of the year from $45.07 billion at the end of June 2019 and currently stands at $41.85 billion as at the end of September 2019.

The development is attributed to the impact of volatility in the price of crude oil, a slowdown in dollar inflows from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), and increased dollar sales

by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Analysts projected that the downward trend, which started from $45.149 billion on July 5, this year would likely persist this month (October), with the possibility of touching the $40 billion mark. Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivative Company Limited, Mr. Bismack Rewane hinted on some of the factors that will impact the reserve this month in his monthly economic review

in Lagos recently. Rewane said, “Demand for dollars will increase in the coming month due to inventory build-up ahead of Christmas and this will mount pressure on external reserve, hence gross external reserve level may decline to $40 billion.

I am cautiously optimistic that the reserve will stay above $41 billion this month because when it falls below $41 billion everybody begins to panic.”

However, another expert, an

Executive member, Corporate Banking, FSDH Merchant Bank, Ayo Akinwunmi, said, “The direction of the reserve in October is unpredictable.

However, if it continues to decline the way it did between August and September when it fell by about $3 billion, it may go below $40 billion by the end of this month. “And as the reserves drop, foreign portfolio investors will be hesitant to bring in their money and this will

further reduce accretion to the reserve.”

Akinwunmi explained that while FPIs still find the Nigerian market attractive due to the huge difference between yields on the one year Treasury Bill (TB) in the United States and Nigeria which, for now, overcompensate for the risk of devaluation, further fall in the reserves below $40 billion may, however, trigger serious concerns among the FPIs

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

ENERGY

NLNG pays back N14.38 Trn to Nigeria

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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frica’s biggest gas export company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, has declared contribution of over N14.38 trillion to the economic and social development of Nigeria in the past 20 years of its operation in the country.

General Manager in charge of External Relations, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams, who hosted media stakeholders weekend in Lagos declared that the company which government partnered in realizing its gas commercialization policies and programmes has succeeded in meeting all economic aspirations that informed its establishment.

The Oracle Today reports that NLNG is Nigeria’s premier incorporated joint venture in the midstream petroleum industry with policy target to harness and commercialize flare gas from Nigeria’s numerous producing oilfields, especially those operated by Shell, Total and Eni. The company hosts overriding 49 percent equity stake of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while Shell, Total and Eni jointly hold majority stake of 51 percent and operatorship of the company’s plants and faciltities.

According to Mrs FataiWilliams, apart from cutting routine gas flare at oil production sites by 45 percent and reducing Nigeria’s total flare volumes from notorious 65 percent of total production to less than 25 percent, the company has also earned over $100 billion or N36 trillion from gas that would have been burnt off as waste.

Out of the generated revenues of the company, she pointed out, about 40m percent or N14.38 trillion has been ploughed back in the social and economic development of the country.

In providing figures of financial contribution of the company to the nation, Mrs Fatai-Williams stated that NLNG paid some $8.0 billion or N2.9 trillion in direct taxes to the government, and another $17 billion or N6.12 trillion in dividend to government’s

• NLNG Trains 1and 2 overriding 49 percent equity stake in the joint venture.

On the business side, she explained, NLNG has purchased and paid for gas worth $13 billion or N4.7 trillion from the government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The gas purchase receivables are not limited to the N4.7 trillion paid to NNPC, the company also buys gas from a host of other players in the upstream petroleum industry, including its shareholders and third party producers. It also dominates local gas offtake market which forms the bases for numerous investments in upstream gas development, processing and distribution businesses in the country.

Mrs Fatai-Willians stated

that NLNG has gone beyond mandatory business patronage and tax payments to participate in the pooling of funds for the development of host Niger Delta communities through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The company, she said, has in the period, paid over N25 billion in contribution to the developments in the Niger Delta, committed to contribution of another N60 billion to the construction of ever highway of roads and bridges to link the Bonny Island to the rest of the country.

Beyond the tripartite agreement for the N120 billion Bonny-Bodo Road project, the company has also signed a separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bonny Kingdom for the economic

development of the island.

Towards the terms of the MOU, NLNG has volunteered to pay princely N75 billion in development grant on annual installment of N3.0 billion for 25 years.

Beyond contributions for physical development of host Niger Delta and especially Bonny communities, NLNG says it is also promoting scientific research in developing solutions to key developmental challenges in the country through sponsorship of the $100,000 (N36 million) Nigeria Prize for Science.

It also sponsors another $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature to promote excellence in creative literature. The prizes are separate from scholarships, health initiatives and infrastructure development

in many Nigerian communities, Mrs Fatai-Williams stated.

She stated that the project for the seventh liquefaction train of the company to increase production output by 35% from 22 million tons per annum (mtpa) to 30 mtpa forms the big part of NLNG’s plan for the next 30 years “Our future is our growth agenda and that is being a top quartile LNG supplier. We are fast making progress on this. This year, we prepare for the future, to regain our position in the ranks of LNG producers worldwide and to regain our reputation in the world, as the fastest growing LNG plant in the world.

“We are committed to bringing value to both our shareholders, which includes the Federal Government, and our stakeholders,” she stated.

Renewables take half of world demand by 2050

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ver half of global electric energy demand will be met with renewable energy by 2050 with solar, wind and hydro power systems recovering significant share of power demand from petroleum fired plants across the world.

According to the latest data published in the International Energy Outlook 2019 by the Energy Information administration of the United States of America, renewable sources will provide nearly half of world’s net electricity generation in the next 30 years.

The projected renewable generation surge is expected to jump from 28% of global electricity in 2018 to 49 percent of global generation by 2050.

EIA stated in the report that the

new capacity surge would be driven by growth in wind, solar and hydropower technologies.

It added over 96 percent of current renewable energy comes from the three main technologies.

In the outlook, EIA projected that renewable sources of power generation would collectively increase to 49 percent of global electricity generation would ride on fast paced growth in solar power despite projected decline in the pace of hydropower development.

The Oracle Today reports that EIA’s international outlook includes analysis of eight countries and eight multicountry regions. Different regional- and technology-specific factors influence the growth rates

of renewable technologies throughout the world.

Resource availability, renewable policies, regional load growth, and declining technology costs drive EIA’s projected increase in global electricity generation from solar technologies.

As more solar power systems have been installed, installation costs have experienced the steepest cost declines of all renewable technologies in recent years, and EIA expects that they will continue to decline as a result of learning-by-doing effects, the report states.

“In many regions, solar resources are also generally more abundant than wind resources and typically follow very predictable daily and seasonal

generation patterns. Resource availability and predictability and relatively simple plant construction technology also support favorable economics for solar photovoltaics, the most common solar generation technology in the IEO2019 Reference case.”

EIA projects that China is the country that will see the most growth in solar generation because of its growing demand for electricity, favorable government policies, and competitive technology costs.

The agency also pointed out that growth in solar generation is also strong in India, European countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United States; each of which

have near-term renewable policies in place.

The EIA observed that wind power is still a relatively new technology, and the declining capital costs it experiences as a result of learning-by-doing effects are not as steep as solar technologies. It added that wind technology adoption has significant growth potential, noting however that many wind resource areas around the world are not yet developed.

Similar to solar power, EIA forecasts that near-term renewable policies in India and OECD Europe would lead to wind generation growth in those areas. It noted wind is among the many sources meeting the China’s increasing demand for electricity.

24

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

ENERGY

AFREXIMBANK seeks opportunity in Nigerian petroleum sector

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nfrastructure development deal might be underway for rapid financing of the numerous projects mapped out by the government in the country’s oil and gas industry.

The African Export and Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) has offered to participate in the infrastructural development and rehabilitation in the country, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is accepting funding partnership not just from the bank, but from any funding agency.

Executive Vice President of AFREXIMBANK, Mr. Amr Kamel, and the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Melle Kyari, held talks in Abuja weekend to explore collaboration on project funding in the petroleum industry where the corporation is grappling with challenges of financing midstream infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion.

During the talks at NNPC Towers, the corporation expressed readiness to collaborate with AFREXIMBANK or any financial institution willing to finance its critical projects, especially refineries rehabilitation, downstream infrastructure, and pipelines.

Mallam Melle Kyari, who hosted visiting Mr. Amr Kamel and other top

officials of the bank who paid him a business visit at the NNPC Towers, restated the eagerness of NNPC to tap into any funding opportunity to drive developments in the expansion of the industry infrastructure and facilities.

According to Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Samson Makoji, who issued a statement on the event, both [arties discussed several funding models and project development options.

Speaking in response to the AFREXIMBANK boss’ desire to participate in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, Mallam Kyari said the corporation was open to financial and technical partnership with reputable financial institutions like the AFRIXIMBANK to develop the Industry.

“We have a number of financing needs; it depends on how much you are bringing to the table. We need support particularly in refineries rehabilitation, depot optimization and pipelines financing”, the GMD stated.

He assured the team of his readiness to work with the bank, adding: “We will provide you with basic information. We are ready to talk to you”.

Belema deploys MAN Energy on power solutions

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ndigenous upstream petroleum player, Belema Oil Producing Limited (BPL), has awarded a contract to MAN Energy Solutions to supply three gas turbine generator packages for deployment in operated facilities in the Niger Delta.

Value of the contract was not declared in a mandatory disclosure published by MAN Energy but the job entails delivery of around 20 megawatts (MW) to a power plant which supplies heat and electricity to BPL oil and gas facilities 30 miles southwest of Port Harcourt.

The job involves three packages with the proven single-shaft MGT6000 gas turbine technology, the company stated.

The turbine technology will deliver power using Dry Low Emission technology and natural gas as a low-emission fuel.

Delivery of the machines is planned for November 2019. All gas turbines are manufactured in Oberhausen (Germany) and the packaging is done at MAN’s Chinese workshop in Changzhou.

The system also features specifically modified intake aircooling in order to guarantee flawless operation despite the high temperatures on site. The set-up comprising three gas turbines trains enables a flexible load profile for the operator.

The contractor stated that all

trains are equipped with Analytics Telemetric Unit (ATU) Box, which is connected to the new digital platform MAN CEON. The system collects and evaluates operating and sensor data and enables the customer to monitor the machine’s operation around the clock and easily request advice for remote support.

Project Manager in charge of sales for gas turbines at MAN Energy Solutions, Sebastian Könning, stated: “We are honored to collaborate with CAI on this important power generation project in Nigeria. This latest contract award and the recently commissioned MGT gas turbines trains in China prove that the benefits of MAN’s technology solution are being recognized by the market.”

The order for MAN was placed

by American EPC and equipment exporter Combustion Associates Inc. (CAI). Together with Exterran Corporation, the company is responsible for the engineering, manufacturing and installation of the overall project.

CAI chairman, Mukund Kavia, stated: “We have seen the exceptional quality and performance of MAN MGT6000 gas turbines and are confident in placing our first order for them. This is the beginning of a longterm partnership between CAI and MAN and we plan to work together on other power projects in Africa, which is CAI’s key market.”

•NNPC GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari, briefing the Media Initiative for Transparency in Extractive’ (MITEI) delegation to the admiration of the group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Bassey Udo.

Transparency: NNPC to Commence Publishing Details of Petroleum Products Supplies

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n line with the Mallam Mele Kyari-led management’s drive to conduct the business of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a transparent manner, the corporation is set to commence the publication of details of its petroleum products supplies.

As release by NNPC Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji, said the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, disclosed this Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the Media Initiative for Transparency in Extractive Industries (MITEI) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

Addressing the MITEI delegation led by its National Coordinator, Mr. Bassey Udo, the GMD stated that beyond publishing the corporation’s Monthly Financial and Operations Reports, arrangements were afoot to make public all petroleum products supply transactions in the country to further deepen the culture of transparency in the system.

“We will continue to be

transparent to our stakeholders, we will do more than you can ever imagine in terms of transparency.

We will not just publish our financial records, but very soon, we will publish more things that Nigerians need to know, particularly details of petroleum products supply and distribution which is an area most people don’t understand”, Mallam Kyari assured.

He said the corporation stood to gain more in terms of reputation and goodwill from being transparent, noting that trust in business requires corresponding responsibility of accountability to all stakeholders.

“You lose nothing by being accountable and transparent, and the combination of the two will enable you have a good relationship with your stakeholders and ultimately lead you to excellent performance”, he said.

Mallam Kyari explained that his relationship with MITEI was based on the principle of “common good” since the objective of the group aligns with the core values of the corporation.

Earlier in his remarks, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Bassey Udo, commended the Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) initiative of the GMD as a visionary move to reposition the oil and gas sector.

He expressed delight that the NNPC boss, within the short period of his appointment, had started walking the talk by taking bold decisions towards realizing his promises to the nation and citizens.

Udo said the group’s visit was informed by the consistent and remarkable track record the GMD has maintained since his days as the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD).

He listed some of the actions of the current NNPC leadership that endeared the corporation to the group to include: Publishing of the DSDP contract winners, refineries rehabilitation efforts, signing of Key Performance Indicators by top management, and the Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) initiative.

Acceptable PIB underway for petroleum investors

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overnment has assured foreign investors in the upstream petroleum industry that the new version of the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would provide a win-win scenario for all players in the industry.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, who made a presentation at the 2019 Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, said passage of the bill has become urgent to accelerate inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDi).

He said NNPC would work with the National Assembly and all other stakeholders to ensure passage of

the long awaited bill.

As release by NNPC Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji, said Mallam Kyari explained that for Nigeria to make the most of the Oil and Gas Industry, passage of the petroleum legislation was imperative as the bill has the prospect to guarantee a robust fiscal regime, protect the environment, ensure development of host communities, ensure proper alignment with other sectors and encourage investors to expand their investments in Nigeria.

“Getting the petroleum legislation passed is the right thing to do because investors will not invest their money if they are not sure

of how they are going to get their investment back and what benefits can they get from their investment and how stable the investment climate is. We must resolve the petroleum legislation and am aware that this administration is working assiduously to get the law passed within the shortest frame of time,” Mallam Kyari assured.

He stated that the petroleum law, when passed, would create a robust fiscal regime that would make the Oil and Gas Industry competitive, even as he expressed optimism that International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the country would be spurred to invest more in the petroleum sector after the passage of the bill.

Exxon awards $33 bn LNG contract to JGC consortium …Africa’s biggestever private project

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orld’s multinational oil behemoth, ExxonMobil Corporation, has awarded a JGC Corporation-led group a contract to develop its Mozambique liquefied natural gas (LNG) project which is set to be the biggest-ever private investment in

Africa.

ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President for LNG, Mr Peter Clarke, explained Tuesday that JGC is in the consortium with Fluor Corporation and TechnipFMC Plc to develop the Rovuma LNG project. He added that preliminary activities costing about $500 million will start soon.

Secondary report from Bloomberg has it that the facility will cost between $27 billion and

$33 billion, according to March estimates by Johannesburg-based Standard Bank Group Ltd. ExxonMobil stated that all commercial gas feedstock and LNG offtake agreements have been closed to pave way for a final investment decision (FID) next year, and production will probably start in 2025.

Mr Clarke said the Mozambican government approved sales and

purchase agreements for the gas while ExxonMobil has secured adequate buying commitments to enable the project to close financing.

Rovuma’s planned output is 15.2 million tons of LNG per year, higher than a nearby project that Total SA is developing with capacity of 12.9 million tons. Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, is looking to the projects to uplift its

$15 billion economy.

The Mozambican government said Saturday that it was preparing for ceremony marking the FID that took place on Tuesday while ExxonMobil’s spokesman said the company was looking forward to progressing the Rovuma LNG project and working with the government to maximize the longterm benefits .

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION Niger Insurance appoints Igbiti MD/CEO

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arely three months after retiring as head of AIICO Insurance Plc, the management of Niger Insurance Plc has announced the appointment of Mr Edwin Igbiti as substantive managing Director.

Igbiti is the immediate past Group Managing Director/CEO of Aiico Insurance Plc. He also served and gained vast experience in Insurance from Phoenix Insurance Company, where he worked for several years.

He is a seasoned professional with an inestimable depth and wealth of technical experience that is acknowledged across the industry. He has managed relationships between the company and several international partners and affiliates and is a solution proffering, team-spirited leader with excellent interpersonal skills.

Igbiti holds an MBA from the University of Ado-Ekiti (2005) and an Advanced

Diploma in Management from the University of Lagos.

He is a Certified Insurance practitioner with the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

Aside from being professionally affiliated to the Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered (NIMC), he is also a certified Business Continuity Systems Lead Auditor from the British Institute, UK and an alumnus of the Howard University Business School, U.S.A. He currently seats on the Governing Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

Igbiti is one of Nigeria’s most prominent business executives. Thanks to his educational background and many years of professional experience, he has managed to make a name for himself as one of the strongest voices as far as insurance is concerned.

25

Insurance sector’s life annuity fund portfolio reaches N323bn Q2, 2019 Stories by VICTOR NZE

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igeria’s Insurance sector life annuity fund portfolio stood at about N323 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2019.

The information was made available

by Mr Rasaq Salami, Head, Commissioner for Insurance, Directorate of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Salami said that the figure represented a growth of 17.46 per cent compared to that of 2018

which was N 275 billion. ”Within the same period under focus, the cumulative total Retiree Life Annuity (RLA)payouts stood above N122 billion as at end of the second quarter of 2019,” he said.

According to him, the RLA market has been in existence since the advent of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Salami said the RLA portfolio has recorded 73,554 contracts purchased for a total premium of ₦342 billion as at end of the second quarter of 2019.

“This depicts 13.02 per cent and 6.21 per cent growth in count and

volume, respectively, ” he said.

The NAICOM spokesman said that the growth during the last three years for RLA business averaged 34.28 per cent and 35.12 per cent in count and volume respectively.

He noted that the RLA fund portfolio growth averaged 27.46 per cent, notwithstanding the RLA cumulative total payments of N122 billion.

“The graph of the annuity payouts, premium receipts and portfolio fund balance depicts a clear representation as the difference between

the cumulative premium amounts received and fund balance is small compared to the cumulative annuity payouts earlier stated.

“The above indicates growth in the RLA business and a positive future outlook for the business in Nigeria,” he said.

RLA is an insurance product and one of the available retirement benefit options for retirees.

The product can be purchased from a Life Insurance Company licensed by the NAICOM and authorised to sell RLA under the regulation of retiree life annuity.

NIA unveils ‘Wetin You Carry’ campaign to boost motor insurance awareness

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mbrella body of insurance operators in country, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Wednesday, launched a campaign tagged, Wetin You Carry?

Director-General of the NIA, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori disclosed this at a media launch of the campaign in Lagos, said the association would from October 2, 2019, deployed 33 Insurance Squad, who will be in all parts of Lagos State to educate the motorists on the benefits of genuine motor policies.

She explained that the slogan “Wetin you carry?” is meant to let people understand that they can have genuine policies that could give them rest of mind in times of incidence.

The pilot scheme of the campaign according to her would be would commence from Lagos and later extended to other states.

“We are going to be seen on the road from

October 2, and we are deploying personnel we call Insurance Squad. We have engaged 33 people for this. The plan is to cover the entire Lagos State, over a period of one month.

They would be kitted and interact on a friendly manner with motorists, telling tell the nature of their insurance whether it is genuine or about to expire.

Details of the policies would be derived from the USSD code.”

According to her, whilst the campaign runs, the association would also launch a unified platform that would enable people buy insurance with ease.

“The platform would have an application that would showcase all the insurance companies and this would enable people buy insurance with ease and help weed out fake.

The platform would also provide opportunities for people to lodge their complaints,” she said.

From left: Controller/Head, Human Resource, Administration and Corporate Communications, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Davis Iyasere; Director-General, NIA, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori and Controller, Information Technology, Research & Statistics, NIA, Mrs Bola Omole at the media launch of the ‘Wetin You Carry?’ campaign by NIA in Lagos.

NUT appeals to governments to address payment of gratuities, pensions

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igeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to Federal and state governments to address the issue of payment of gratuities and pensions so as to make retirement life joyful for teachers across the country.

National President of NUT, Dr Muhammed Idris, made the plea at the 2019 World Teachers’ Day celebrations organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, on Saturday in Lagos.

The theme of this year’s celebration is: “Young

Teacher; The Future of the Profession.”

The World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5, to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.

According to Idris, every teacher across the country deserves to be purposeful fulfilled and find fulfillment after retirement.

“NUT has observed with dismay the plights of retired teachers who,despite their toils, sacrifices and had

performed meritorious services to the nation, are denied retirement benefits.

“The establishment of the contributory pension scheme in the country is a right step in the right direction. However, the scheme is engulfed in teething challenges in some states of the federation,”Idris said.

He said that the theme of this year’s celebration would draw public attention to the issues of attriion, teacher shortage and the challenge of attracting and retaining young, motivated and

dedicated teachers into the teaching profession.

“According to UNESCO, Institute of Statistics (2016), over 69 million teachers are needed for primary and secondary education to meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the world by 2030.”

“Out of this number, the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) report indicated that 48.6 million new recruits are needed to replace those teachers who are to leave the profession either through retirement or voluntarily.”

pension judiciously and not embarking on any business that will be stressful to their health.

The retirees prayed and show appreciation to the government for the consistency in payment of

their terminal benefits.

The workforce of Lagos State Pension Commission was also applauded for the transparent and organized way they perform their duties.

Lagos pays N1.559bn to 287 retirees

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agos State has disbursed the sum of N1,559,662,536.44 into Retirement Savings Account of 287 retirees during the 67th retirement bond presentation ceremony which held , at

the Lagos State Pension Commission office in Ikeja.

In her welcome address to the retirees at the occasion, the Director General of Lagos State Pension Commission Mrs

Folashade Onanuga said Lagos State Government has consistently been funding the accrued pension rights without which retirees will not be able to have access to the balance in the Retirees

Savings Account.

She also implored the retirees to go for regular medical checkup to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing at all times. They were advised to spend their

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

Travel & Hospitality International tourism grows 4% in H1, 2019 Stories by VICTOR NZE

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nited Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer has revealed that the International tourist arrivals grew 4 per cent from January to June 2019 as compared to the same period last year.

Middle East, Asia and the Pacific were responsible for the growth showing +8 per cent and +6 per cent. There was 4 per cent growth in Europe but Africa and the Americas showed +3 per cent and +2 per cent respectively showing moderate growth.

According to the data, released, Monday, between January and June 2019 the destinations worldwide received 671 million international tourists’ arrivals. This was almost 30 million more than the same period last year and a continuation of the growth recorded last year.

The growth is in line with UNWTO’s forecast of 3-4 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals for the full year 2019.

Strong economy, affordable air travel, increased air connectivity and enhanced visa facilitation drove the growth.

The prolonged uncertainty about

Brexit, trade and technological tensions and rising geopolitical challenges have started to take a toll on the business and consumer confidence which was shown in the more cautious UNWTO Confidence Index.

Destinations worldwide received 671 million international tourist arrivals between January and So far, the drivers of these results have been a strong economy, affordable air travel, increased air connectivity and enhanced visa facilitation.

However, weaker economic indicators, prolonged uncertainty about Brexit, trade and technological tensions and rising geopolitical challenges, have started to take a toll on business and consumer confidence, as reflected in a more cautious UNWTO Confidence Index.

In the first six months of 2019, Europe grew by 4 per cent, it saw a positive first quarter which was followed by an aboveaverage second quarter which was due to a busy Easter and the start of the summer season in the world’s most visited region.

Much of the growth was due to the International demand fueled much of the growth and the performance among major European source markets

From left: President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard; President, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye; the Olota of Otta Kingdom, in Ogun State, Oba Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege; author, Cultural Travel Guild of Nigeria, John Faoseke; Seriki of Otta Awori Kingdom, High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun and former President, Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), Tope Ogbeni Awe at the 2019 Annual Tourism Seminar, organised by ANJET at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Tuesday. was uneven amid weakening economies. The positive result was also due to the demand from the overseas markets like the USA, China, Japan and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

During January- June 2019 Asia and the Pacific (+6 per cent) showed recorded above world average growth which was largely fuelled by the Chinese outbound travel. South Asia, North-East Asia, South-East Asia

were responsible for the growth along with the arrivals in Oceania by 1 per cent. After a weak start of the year in the Americas (+2 per cent), the results improved.

The Caribbean befitted from the strong US demand and continued to rebound strongly from the impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria in the late 2017. North America showed 2 per cent growth and Central America 1 per cent. Due to the decline in outbound travel

from Argentina South America arrivals were down by 5 per cent which affected the neighbouring destinations.

There was a 3 per cent increase in international arrivals in African North Africa showed robust results with +95 after two years of double-digit figures. However, the growth in the Sub-Saharan Africa was flat zero. The Middle East saw two strong quarters due to Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

UNWTO adopts Global Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics Africa’s hotel RevPAR continues 87-month rally

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nited Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has formally adopted the international Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics in a bid to make the global tourism sector fairer, more ethical and more transparent.

The Convention was adopted, Wednesday, during the just-concluded 23rd UNWTO General Assembly taking place in St Petersburg, Russia. It will be open to signature by member states from 16th October 2019.

The Convention converts the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the UNWTO’s main policy document, from a voluntary instrument to a

convention which obliges signatory States to implement the principles of the Convention.

Commenting on the announcement, Pascal Lamy, Chair of the World Committee of Tourism Ethics, said, “In the name of the Committee, I can only congratulate the countries who took this historic decision to elevate ethics of tourism into a binding legal instrument.

Globalization needs to be harnessed by principles that make it better, not worse, for humankind.”

The 9 Ethical Principles of the Convention include: Article 4: Tourism’s contribution to mutual

understanding and respect between peoples and societies; Article 5: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment; Article 6: Tourism, a factor of environmental sustainability; Article 7: Tourism, a user of cultural resources and a contributor to their enhancement.

Others are: Article 8: Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities; Article 9: Responsibilities of stakeholders in tourism development; Article 10: Right to tourism; Article 11: Liberty of tourist movements; and Article 12: Rights of employees and professionals in the tourism sector

Minister unveils agenda for tourism sector

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inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Sunday unveiled his agenda to transform the creative, tourism and culture industry into Nigeria’s new oil in the next four years.

The minister who disclosed the plans in Lagos at a meeting with Travel Journalists, Arts and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria said the sector would also create millions of jobs for the youth.

Mohammed who corrected

the misconception in certain circle that he paid more attention to information sector during the previous administration said he would consolidate on the numerous achievements recorded and do more for the culture and tourism sector.

Highlighting the programmes to build on the gains of the past four years, the minister said he would set the necessary legal framework, conclude inauguration of the National Policy on Culture and National Policy on Tourism.

He said he would make the National Summit for Culture and Tourism a yearly affair, starting from the first quarter of 2020 and ensure a regular meeting of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) to catalyse the growth of tourism.

Mohammed said that the ministry would complete work on the establishment of Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), working with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

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evenue per available room (RevPAR), the key hotel industry performance metric, has grown for 87 consecutive months amid a period of low supply growth and strong demand, according to STR director Thomas Emanuel.

According to Emanuel in his presentation at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, using a 12-month moving average and U.S. dollar constant currency to remove the impact of currency fluctuations, Africa’s RevPAR was up 6.4 per cent to US$67.10 as of August 2019. Average daily rate (ADR), up 3.3 per cent, has had more of an impact on that growth than occupancy (+2.9).

“Africa has shown one of the better supply and demand balances on a global level. The continent’s industry continues to expand alongside rapidly developing economies and infrastructure, so there is definite investment opportunity even though finding the right opportunity is challenging. The

prospects of greater supply growth as well as political and economic instability can also create difficult situations for the region’s hotel industry moving forward,” Emanuel said.

Other highlights from Emanuel’s presentation include that: Despite its massive geographical area, Africa has just roughly 5,000 hotels. Only four countries in Africa offer more than 50,000 rooms: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa.

“Accor and Marriott International represent the largest inventory presence in Africa. Six years ago, there were 18 countries with no globally branded hotels. Today, there are only seven countries in that category.

“Dakar, Senegal, has seen RevPAR rise since 2017. New supply in Senegal has been more focused away from Dakar, and more toward Saly and the Blaise Diagne International Airport. Supply is however expected to ramp up in Dakar ahead of the Summer Youth Olympics in 2022.”

Mixed-use, key to funding hotel development in Africa –Report

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new report from JLL, the world’s largest professional services firm specialising in real estate, has revealed that people seeking to finance a new hotel project in Africa will be much more successful if their hotel is part of a mixed-use development.

JLL’s research into global property transactions reveals that in the first half of 2019, there was a 42 per cent

increase in the value of mixed-use property transactions, whereas there was a decline in other sectors, with Office down 4 per cent, Industrial down 6 per cent, Retail down 20 per cent, Hotel down 18 per cent and alternatives down 40 per cent.

Executive Vice-President, JLL Sub-Saharan Africa, Xander Nijnens, explained that the trend is driven by lenders’ approach to risk. He said:

“Diversifying risk by including alternative types of property, commercial, retail, hotel and branded residences, in one development, provides comfort to financiers due to the diverse and more consistent income streams generated.

Branded residences are also increasing in prevalence because they provide up-front cash inflows and a more predictable source of revenue than one gets from a hotel alone.”

In Africa, the leading funders of hospitality construction projects are government-backed Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) like International Finance Corporation (IFC), Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the CDC Group, Proparco and the German Investment Corporation (DEG). They are motivated by economic development, skills development and job creation and have

a lower requirement for the predictable, consistent loan repayments required by a commercial bank. DFIs are also able to stomach more risk.

A driving factor for this trend is that hotels rent their rooms in euros and US dollars rather than in local currency which, from a financing perspective, reduces the risk to the lender and lowers the interest rate paid by the borrower.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

AVIATION NAMA installs VSAT station at Jos airport Stories by VICTOR NZE

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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said it has completed the installation of a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) station at the Jos airport in Plateau State.

The development the agency stated was In line with its resolve to totally eliminate blind spots in

the nation’s airspace.

With the installation that was completed a week ago, the agency has successfully integrated the VHF radio into the network in that sector.

Speaking, the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu said this new installation has greatly improved the upper airways radio communication in the North East

sector to the delight of air traffic controllers and pilots alike.

He expressed optimism that the challenge of radio blind spots in some parts of the nation’s upper airspace would soon be history as the ongoing massive deployment of VSAT network and VHF radio systems embarked upon by the agency was yielding positive results.

He noted that the Jos -Obudu

corridor which had experienced radio blind spots over time had to be tackled headlong because of the intense traffic on that axis, even as he commended NAMA engineers for addressing the problem with the installation of the new VSAT terminal.

Akinkuotu said under the ongoing AIS Automation project, the Installation of VSAT stations has been completed in Lagos,

Abuja, Port Harcourt, NAMA headquarters and Jos while that of Kano VSAT master station would commence by next week. He also stressed that the installation of the VSAT stations will be done in 26 airports while the VHF radios will be installed in 14 strategic remote sites to finally eliminate radio blind spots in the upper airways segment of the entire Nigerian airspace.

SAHCO expands cargo warehouse to boost operations, acquires new equipment

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kyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) has acquired a fleet of brand new ground handling equipment, expanded its cargo warehouse to boost operations to accommodate its growing activities.

The company has also been presented an award as the Most Impactful Ground Handling Company of the Year.

SAHCO’s new fleet of equipment include; Baggage Carts, Conveyor Belts, Passenger Steps and Static Pallets which are of high quality with exceptional features. The Passenger Steps which are manufactured in Italy by Bombelliare equipped with peculiar safety features that prevent unwarranted interference, some of which include censors that automatically slows it down to snail speed to avoid any form of collision with aircraft.

The Ground Support Equipment which can both be remotely and manually operated thereby making usage very flexible, can be used for both wide and narrow body aircraft seamlessly.

Just like the Passenger steps, the Conveyor belts are the latest model in the aviation market, they are equipped with Aircraft Proximity Censor which gives a signal when

approaching the aircraft to avoid collision and they can go as high as 6ft unlike the old model which could only do about 3 feet.

Also, the static pallet dollies are made of synthetic aluminum which prevents rusts, very rugged and easy to lift from all angles without folding or damaging the flat bed. Just like the pallets, the newly acquired baggage carts model has special features which includes; higher ground clearance that enhances accessibility, a canopy,and is kitted with synthetic aluminum that prevents rust.

SAHCO’s constant investment in ultra-modern equipment is one of the reasons the organization stands out among its competitors.

Recently, the company invested in brand new baggage tow tractors to boost its operations across the country, this immense investment in modern technology and state-of-theart equipment which has resulted in excellent performance has boosted clients’ confidence and even brought about interest in intending clients.

Furthermore, SAHCO has expanded its export warehouse to accommodate the growing export business which is fitted with brand new modern cargo scanners to make export cargo processing safe, effective and speedy.

B737 Max crash aftermath: Ethiopian Airlines mulls Airbus patronage

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thiopian Airlines is reportedly at the final stages of striking a $1.6 billion deal with European aerospace giant Airbus for the purchase of 20 of its narrow-body A220 jets.

According to a report, citing the airline’s CEO Tewolde Gebre Mariam, the state-owned airline is considering a purchase of a whole fleet of Airbus aircraft.

This is not the first time Africa’s largest air carrier is looking at purchasing the 100-seat Airbus A220s for its fleet. The airline was considering European jets last year, however, it eventually had decided to go with larger Boeing 737 family aircraft.

“It’s a good airplane – we have been studying it long enough,” Tewolde was cited as saying about the Airbus A220 aircraft.

The agreement is set to be completed by the end of the year.

Should the deal go through, it would be the airline’s first order since the crash of its Boeing 737 MAX in March.

According to Tewolde, Ethiopian Airlines faced difficulties operating large Boeing 737 MAX, as it had to stop off at a second destination on flights from Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to cities including Windhoek in Namibia and the Botswana capital Gaborone for refueling. Operating Airbus A220s will allow direct flights with no additional stops.

Ever since Boeing’s best-selling 737 MAX jets have been grounded after two deadly crashes earlier this year, Airbus’ profits have been growing exponentially, while Boeing posted its largest-ever quarterly loss in July, calculating the total cost of the 737 MAX crisis at over $8 billion.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) celebrating the Customer Service Week with presentation of gifts to customers and stakeholders at the Domestic and International Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, Monday.

Delta backs ‘Global Goal Live’ campaign to end extreme poverty by 2030

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elta Air Lines Foundation has made a generous multimillion dollar commitment to international advocacy organization Global Citizen’s Global Goal Live, a yearlong campaign to mobilize resources to end extreme poverty, address climate change and reduce inequality by 2030 as outlined by the 2015 United Nations Global Goals.

“Our commitment to the Global Citizen movement is born out of our determination to make the world better and more connected,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to be part of this remarkable effort to end extreme poverty and improve the world around us.”

Bastian will co-chair Global Citizen’s private sector CEO Coalition, which also includes CEOs Chuck Robbins of Cisco, Hans Vestberg of Verizon, Alex Gorsky of Johnson & Johnson and Chief Marketing Officer Marc Prichard of P&G. In addition to The Delta Air Lines Foundation’s contribution, Delta announced its partnership today at a press conference in New York City with representation from the worlds

of entertainment, private sector, policy and philanthropy. Leaders from each sector promised increased efforts to mobilize the next generation of concerned global citizens and demand the attention of and secure commitments from world leaders, policymakers, NGOs and socially conscious corporations.

Delta’s partnership with Global Citizen illustrates the company’s commitment to connecting the world while making it better through environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion, and community development. Delta and Global Citizen will join forces to activate the leading voices on the world’s most significant social and economic challenges while climbing toward a more sustainable future.

Global Goal Live is campaigning to bridge the $350 billion funding gap in the 59 poorest countries in time to reach the Global Goals through three focus areas: sustainability, gender equality and human capital. Delta has contributed significantly in these areas through its own work.

Delta’s sustainability strategy drives accountability and evaluates

areas of opportunity across the business to lower its environmental impact. Since 2005, the airline has reduced its jet fuel consumption, leading to an 11 percent decrease in emissions as Delta works toward its long-term goal of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2050.

Most recently, Delta invested $2 million in a feasibility study of a biofuel production facility and flew its first of 20 carbon-neutral delivery flights using biofuels and carbon offsets this summer. Delta has capped its carbon emissions at 2012 levels by purchasing offsets and also removed a variety of single-use plastic items onboard, from amenity kits and from Delta Sky Clubs.

Delta works to promote gender equality in the workplace and again achieved 100 percent pay parity for employees in frontline jobs in 2019, in addition to partnering with womenowned businesses through its supplier diversity program. This year, the airline will celebrate its fifth-annual “WING Flight” to close the gender gap in aviation. Delta is also a leading voice in the fight against human trafficking, a criminal and social issue that largely exploits women and children.

Dana Air boosts 25thNES with complimentary tickets, discount for delegates

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ana Air says it offered complimentary tickets and a special discount to guests and delegates of the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit which held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja between October 7 and 8.

Dana Air said this was aimed at facilitating their transportation to

the summit in Abuja.

An online statement issued by the Media /Communications Manager, Dana Airlines Ltd, Kingsley Ezenwa, said it was part of its partnership agreement with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) towards the success of the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit.

According to the airline, the theme for this year’s Summit is “Nigeria 2050: Shifting Gears,” and that the focus is to set a new agenda for Nigeria as it usher in the next industrial revolution and mark a critical strategic shift to a competitive private sector economy by 2050.

“As an anniversary event, NES #25 is unique because it marks a major milestone in our history of productive, robust and impactful public-private dialogues. Therefore, it is not just an opportunity to assess our progress and impact but, even more importantly, to project into the future.”

Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri.

The airline reputed for its world-class in-flight service, innovative online products and services and unrivaled on time departures.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

e-Platform

Telcos reject proposed 9% communication tax Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ssociation of Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have flayed the proposed 9 percent tax bill moved by the National Assembly on telecommunications services in the country.

A former leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, it would be recalled, had, last Wednesday, moved a bill which would tax electronic communication on services like calls and data usage from

telecommunication providers and Internet service and also subscriptions to cable television services.

It would also be recalled that in 2016, a similar bill was brought forward but the Bukola Saraki-led Senate, and after deliberations with ATCON, suspended action.

Reacting to the latest development, ATCON, in a statement asked the Federal Government to drop the bill seeking to impose communication services tax (CST) on charges payable by consumers at the rate of 9 percent.

According to the body, this

would be another burden when on a subscriber base of 173 million, considering, as it added, that the value added tax of 5 percent already applies to voice, SMS and data services.

ATCON recommended that the Nigerian tax base should be widened to more payers, saying:“Only 13 million out of 70 million were contributing to the tax revenue of the government.

Since 2016, Nigeria has under gone a recession and suffered GDP growth coupled with recurrent expenditure that now exceeds oil revenue.”

The operators said the CST Bill is

a direct copy of Ghanaian tax and it should not be pushed through the National Assembly without due consultation with all stakeholders.

Further noting that the tax would affect the standard of living of Nigerians whose purchasing power of Naira is already very low, the association said that imposing tax on essential services like calls, texts and data will not help improve this.

Ndume introduced the Bill for an Act to establish the Communication Service Tax at Wednesday’s plenary session.

The bill is set for a second reading before being referred to

the appropriate committee for further legislative action including a public hearing.

If the is bill passed into law, it means there will be a tax of 9 percent on all communication services – voice calls, SMS, MMS, surfing data from both telecommunication services providers and internet service providers, as well as payper-view TV stations – and this means less value for the same amount of money, or less value for more money.

For example, if a subscriber buys a recharge card of N1,000; it will either mean they get N910 in value or pay more to the tune of N1,090.

GE executes PIP upgrade on two out of six 6B gas turbines

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E Power and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL) have successfully executed GE’s 6B Performance Improvement Package (PIP) upgrade on the first two out of six 6B gas turbines at the petrochemical facility in Eleme, Rivers State.

The upgrade increased Indorama’s plant output by 15% per gas turbine, more than doubling the expected increase of 6%. The upgrade will help extend the interval for combustion and hot gas path inspections, reducing overall maintenance costs. In addition, this project is expected to increase power plant availability of up to 3,960 hours over 16 years.

“The growth in production is directly proportional to an increase in power needs and operational costs”, said a senior management official of Indorama Group of Companies, adding: “Due to growing power demand in Nigeria, our objective is to expand our production. GE’s technology will help us mitigate costs while ensuring there is enough power to support increased production at a lower cost.”

At Indorama’s Eleme plant, GE successfully installed the technology upgrade on two of GE’s six 6B gas turbines on

site. The turbines achieved an increased output of 5 MWs per unit, exceeding the expected benefits of 2.5MWs. In addition, Combustion and Hot Gas Path inspections which were separately carried out at 12,000 hours and 24,000 hours respectively, will both take place at 32, 000 hours. Over 16 years, this new schedule will save Indorama the cost of carrying out 21 separate combustion and four HGP inspections and adding 3,960 hours of production.

“At GE, we’re always focused on understanding our customers’ needs so we can tailor the right innovative solutions to increase the power plant’s operational performance and profitability,” said Elisee Sezan, CEO for GE’s Gas Power businesses in SubSaharan Africa.

“In 2009, GE launched the 6B Performance Improvement Package, featuring advances in materials, coatings, sealing and aerodynamics derived from its F-class technology to increase output and efficiency. We’re proud that GE’s continued investment in upgrades for mature fleets are helping power producers and industrial operators – like Indorama remain competitive in today’s very dynamic marketplace.”

From left: Director of Corporate Communications, Airtel, Mr Emeka Oparah, representing the CEO/ Managing Director, Mr Segun Ogunsanya; State Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Olatokunbo Talabi, representing the governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, as well as the Baale of Olumodi of Imodi-Ijebu, Mr Adewale Okusajo, and others during the commissioning of a fully equipped ICT centre for the Imodi Ijebu community in Ogun State donated by Airtel Nigeria, under the Airtel Touching Lives’ initiative, Saturday.

Airtel commissions ICT centre for Ogun community

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esidents of Imodi Ijebu community in Ogun State have been empowered by a leading telecommunications service provider in the country, Airtel Nigeria, with the donation of a fully equipped ICT centre to them.

The gesture was made to the community on Saturday, October 9, 2019, with the facility having over 30 brand new cutting-edge computers.

It was gathered that the ICT Centre was donated under Airtel Nigeria’s CSR initiative, ‘Airtel Touching Lives’; so as to foster

Tecno launches Spark 4 with 6.52” screen

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obile phone brand Tecno Mobile has launched new smartphones Tecno Spark 4, with AI Bright Camera. Tecno Spark 4is coming back with its unprecedented big screen and with 13MP AI Triple Rear Camera for its outstanding shooting performances.

Already touted as an “immersive screen smartphone”, it is no surprise that Tecno Spark 4takes unprecedented step of adopting 6.52” Dot Notch Screen, giving the users the true super full view experience. With 90% perfect screen ratio and high resolution, the world explored through TECNO SPARK 4 would be much broader and more wonderful.

Meanwhile, Tecno Spark 4is equipped with a 13MP AI triple

rear camera with Aperture F/1.8 and 8MP bright front camera. This camera setup captures amazing pictures in low or poor light scenarios clearly showcasing dark details and of course, TECNO’s signature hidden flashlight also brings you brightness in dark night.

Equipped with 13MP Triple Rear Camera and 8MP Front Camera, Tecno Spark 4does well in clear photography, bokeh effect and AI portrait mode.

Photos and selfies taken by Tecno Spark 4would be much more impressive and attractive under any scenarios. Sticking with the essence of AI Bright Camera, Tecno Spark 4breaks through the limitation and hides its flashlights in the dot notch screen. Fearless

of the night, you would always be the shining star in the photo.

Apparently, we can infer that the 6.52” Dot Notch screen display is definitely one of the best cuttingedge screen technology to have, with excellent colors and viewing angles. And the newly upgraded algorithm “AI Camera 2.0” brings AI HDR, AI Scene Detection and more amazing photography functions enable Tecno Spark 4still be able to be brighter and clearer, avoiding overexposure of the light parts and clearly showcasing dark details even in back light scenarios.

The seamless interplay between hardware and software allows the Tecno Spark 4to offer an optimized smartphone experience.

learning and give the community members unfettered access to information.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by community leaders, dignitaries, and indigenes, who came out in numbers to witness a momentous development in the community’s history.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, Airtel CEO and Managing Director, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, who is also an indigene of Imodi and was represented by Director of Corporate Communications, Airtel, Mr Emeka Oparah, stated that the

ICT centre will usher in a new wave of innovation for the community in today’s technology driven-world.

“At Airtel, we are always excited to offer opportunities that will help uplift communities, empower young people and transform lives.

“We believe an ICT centre is critical to the success of a community and the development of both young and old because it offers a passport to the world.

Without ICT, a community will remain isolated, detached, removed, forlorn and hard to reach,” he remarked.

HTC plans comeback in smartphone business

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TC has said it is not giving up yet on the smartphones business despite a lull in activity from nthe Taiwan-based firm.

There may have been a couple of handsets released in the last couple of years almost all of which are either mid-range or high-end smartphones, but this year, the company has been absent and is yet to release any phone.

The company’s new CEO, Yves Maitres, however, says HTC is not giving up on the smartphone business. He shared his vision of a return to the high-end smartphone market when the time is right. HTC will focus on markets with high GDP instead of competing in developing markets.

He also pointed out the reason why HTC is so far behind the rest of the industry smartphone makers. According to him, HTC stopped investing in research and development a long time ago and instead focused on its VR business.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

e-Platform Google confirms devices launched after January 31, 2020 to run Android 10

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ndroid 10 was launched in early September and Google has just confirmed that all phones launched after January 31, 2020 must have the new OS. According to XDA Developers, Google will authorize the use of GMS (Google Mobile Services) only if the OEM has provided a build, based on the latest Android 10.

The step, made by the Mountain View company is to ensure all manufacturers will provide up-to-date software to their users and Google will be able to issue timely security updates.

However, the documentation says builds must be approved before January 31, meaning it’s technically possible for a phone to launch after that date with

Verve rewards customers on 10th anniversary

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ayments technology and card business in Africa established by Interswitch Group in 2009, Verve, is rewarding its customers as it celebrates 10 years of breaking boundaries.

The celebration kicked off officially on Friday, September 27, 2019, with a press launch at the George Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event which saw members of the press, partner banks, regulators and other stakeholders come together for the noteworthy milestone, paved way for a series of activities to celebrate with customers.

In his keynote address, Mike Ogbalu III, CEO Verve International revealed that Verve owes its success story to its customers, partners, the press and other stakeholders.

“We are 10 today and we have a lot of people to thank for our journey so far – our partner the banks, our cardholders, the press, regulators, the Verve business & marketing team, other stakeholders,…Thank you for keeping the Verve dream alive, thank you for your resilience and thank you for always raising the bar,” he said.

To appreciate its customers for their support, the brand is rewarding them across several of its touchpoints. One of such exciting customer reward initiatives is the Verve Free Toll activation: For 10days, Verve will give free toll passage from 10am to 10.10am. This activation is available to both Verve Card holders and non-Verve holders, reinforcing the brand’s key benefit as The Rewarding Way to Make Payments. This Verve tollfree access started on Friday, September 27, 2019, and lasted

till Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

In addition to the free tollgate pass, Verve cardholders who purchase at least N3,000 worth of petrol will be rewarded with free 5 litres at select Oando stations from 6 am to 8 pm every Friday. The reward is valid till November 8, 2019.

Also, every Saturday, for the next 10 weeks, 10 lucky Verve cardholders will be gifted with N10,000 prepaid card in 10 supermarkets. Saturday, September 28, 2019, was the first of such Saturdays. 10 lucky Verve cardholders won N10,000 prepaid card each at Spar supermarket, Ilupeju, Lagos.

Opebi Spar SuperMarket Lagos comes next after this. As the Verve “train” continues to move across Spar Supermarkets, it will also reach Verve Card Holders in PortHarcourt, Abuja, Enugu, & Calabar.

Speaking on these activities, Cherry Eromosele, The Chief Group Marketing & Corporate Communication Ofiicer said, “We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and the role our customers play in this journey cannot be overemphasized.

“On behalf of Verve International, I would like to thank all our customers for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to serve them.

“Every time a customer brings out his/her Verve Card to pay for a transaction, it’s a statement of trust & loyalty. It is only right to give back to the very people who believed in us right from the get-go till date.

“That is why we will continue to roll out these and other reward schemes from time to time. Afterall, Verve is the rewarding way to make payments.”

an older Android as long as its software was ready earlier.

The GMS is basically the Google apps package, including Google Play Store and Services that all phones outside of China come with. One major exception is the Mate 30 series, which is launching across the globe without them due to the Huawei US trade ban.

LG OLED TVs’ bag hat-trick of awards at HDTVTest

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G Electronics’ organic lightemitting diode (OLED) TV has been adjudged the best television of 2019 by global experts and customers.

The Korea brand edged rivals in clash of the TV titans at the HDTVtest Shootout organized in London by UK electrical retailer Crampton & Moore.

The review event which was hosted by Vincent Teoh of the HDTVTest YouTube channel featured top four TV brands: three OLED models – LG (OLED65C9), Panasonic (65GZ2000), Sony (65AG9) – and one Q-LED TV from Samsung (65Q90R).

At the end of the shootout, LG C9 won A panel of 38 judges. The company bagged Best Gaming TV, Best HDR TV and Best TV of 2019. The accolades put to rest the long-standing debate

of market leadership in the TV category.

LG Electronics products are being designed to enhance the way you live. The future of television is now a brazen reality with LG’s OLED TVs. LG OLED TVs deliver vivid colours, stunning contrast with infinite detail. So, these awards show the company’s unrelenting effort to meet customer needs and aspiration through user-friendly technological innovation.

Built to impress, each OLED TV comes with state-of-the-art LG features including incredible TV technology. By using organic light-emitting diodes that turn on and off individually, OLED TVs deliver deeper blacks and brighter, more lifelike colors than ever before. 4K resolution: Select models of LG OLED TVs offer an incredible 8.3 million pixels, with

a resolution that’s four times that of Full HD. The results of the HDTVtest Shootout were especially meaningful to LG as this year’s event employed a new blind test format, which helped to remove any question of brand bias. Additionally, the inclusion of real AV enthusiasts in the judiciary panel illustrated that the company’s TVs are definitely hitting the mark with their target audience.

LG C9 OLED is the direct successor to the brand’s 2018 C8 TV. It combines 4K HDR cinema screen design with advanced AI to further enhance both picture and sound. Perfect Colour on Perfect Black ensures real-world colour and contrast, while Dolby Atmos sound unites with Dolby Vision HDR for a cinematic experience.

The LG ThinQ AI television set

Facebook expands 3rd party fact-checking programme to Nigeria, 9 others

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acebook announced, Tuesday, the expansion of its third-party fact-checking programme to 10 African countries including: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon and Senegal.

In partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP), the France 24 Observers, Pesa Check and Dubawa this programme forms part of its work in helping assess the accuracy and quality of news people find on Facebook, whilst reducing the spread of misinformation on its platform.

Working with a network of

fact-checking organizations, certified by the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network, third-party factchecking will now be available in Ethiopia, Zambia, Somalia and Burkina Faso through AFP, Uganda and Tanzania through both Pesa Check and AFP, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cote d’Ivoire through the France 24 Observers and AFP, Guinea Conakry through the France 24 Observers, and Ghana through Dubawa.

Feedback from the Facebook community is one of many

signals Facebook uses to raise potentially false stories to fact-checkers for review. Local articles will be fact-checked alongside the verification of photos and videos. If one of our fact-checking partners identifies a story as false, Facebook will show it lower in News Feed, significantly reducing its distribution.

Kojo Boakye, Facebook Head of Public Policy, Africa, said: “The expansion of third-party fact-checking to now cover 15 countries in a little over a year shows firsthand our commitment

and dedication to the continent, alongside our recent local language expansion as part of this programme. Taking steps to help tackle false news on Facebook is a responsibility we take seriously, we know misinformation is a problem, and these are important steps in continuing to address this issue.

We know that third-party factchecking alone is not the solution, it is one of many initiatives and programmes we are investing in to help to improve the quality of information people see on Facebook. While we’ve made

great progress, we will keep investing to ensure Facebook remains a place for all ideas, but not for the spread of false news.”

When third-party factcheckers fact-check a news story, Facebook will show these in Related Articles immediately below the story in News Feed.

Page Admins and people on Facebook will also receive notifications if they try to share a story or have shared one in the past that’s been determined to be false, empowering people to decide for themselves what to read, trust, and share.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market

Revenue drops as NSE proposes amendment NSE: Assets record growth in 2018 to meetings of Issuers T …Ends Sept transactions positive Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has proposed amendments to its rules relating to board meeting and general meetings of issuers.

The Exchange in a statement said that comments on the proposed amendments are expected not later than the close of business on October 24, 2019.

The Exchange also proposed amendments to its dealing members rules on net liquid capital requirements, prohibition of manipulation of financial statements among others.

On the other hand, transactions on the floor of the NSE, ended positive in September with the All-Share Index (ASI) rising by +0.38 percent in contrast to -0.69 percent loss recorded in the

month of August in 2019 while the NASD USI closed negative with -2.89 percent loss at the end of the month under review as against -0.50percent loss in August 2019.

The positive performance of the market in September halted negative sentiment witnessed in the past three months.

In addition, the NSE ASI ended third quarter 2019 with -7.80 percent loss as against -3.46 percent loss in the second quarter of 2019 and -1.24 percent loss in first quarter 2019 while the NASD USI closed the quarter negative with -6.26 percent loss as against -1.51percent loss in the second quarter of 2019 and +2.31 percent gain recorded in first quarter 2019.

Also, the NSE ASI has shed -12.09 percent while the NASD USI also shed -5.54 percent as at the end of September 2019.

On market development,

regulation and investors protection, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the exposure of New Rule on fee structure which shall apply to the registration of existing fixed income securities.

This also extends to dual listings. As the introduction of a cap serves in fee structure serves as an incentive to attract big ticket issues for listing in the Nigerian market.

According to the Nigerian Capital Market Service Report, it would continue the updates of its data section with latest figures on Economic indicators and upcoming Events in the market and economy.

This is to ensure that it deliver a comprehensive capital market service report that helps cover and track innovations, developments as well as service issues in the market effectively.

NSE CEO, Mr. Oscar Onyema

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was not spared the glut in global markets in 2018 as its listings revenue stream declined by 21 percent to close the year at N1.4 billion.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema at the 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the NSE Event Centre, in Lagos Onyema said that the NSE listings revenue stream was the most impacted, as it was influenced by the capital market trends within the period, adding that transaction fees also declined to N3.3billion, representing a 13 percent drop when compared with that of the previous year.

“Similarly, Total Revenue declined to 8 percent or N7.67billion as investors sought towards more guaranteed investment asset classes in the face of uncertainty.” Onyema said.

However, the Chief Executive Officer stated that the NSE demonstrated resilience in the face of a challenging operating environment closing the year with a surplus of N2.70billion.

He stressed that the balance sheet remained strong with a 9 percent growth in total assets as the Group closed 2018 with total assets of N29.1billion, with approximately N4.1billion representing 14 percent held in liquid assets and an accumulated fund of N25.9billion to close the year with a sound liquidity position and strong balance sheet”.

The CEO stated that the Exchange witnessed a 47.6 per cent increase in foreign outflows of N642.65billion, compared with N435.31billion in the corresponding period in 2017.

Onyema attributed the development to flight to quality by foreign investors to higheryielding assets with lower risks in developed countries.

According to him, the situation was intensified by the political risks associated with the presidential elections, which held in February.

He said, “State governments and corporates raised a total of N157billion from the NSE

during the period under review. We believe this level of activity validates our position as a competitive capital-raising platform for both business and government issuers to finance various economic activities.”

Onyema stated that the NSE future revenues and net incomes would continue to be influenced by key domestic and international market forces such as pricing, product features and regulatory changes.

Also speaking at the AGM, the President of the National Council of the NSE, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo said, “In line with global markets, our equities market experienced a decline in 2018.

He stated that the trend, however, was counterbalanced by the NSE’s delivery of key initiatives for the development of the Nigerian capital market.

Ogunbanjo said, “We witnessed the Debt Management Office (DMO) list the pioneer N10.69billion Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Sovereign Green Bond, and a N100billion FGN Ijarah Sukuk Bond. This further asserted our aspiration as the platform for both the public and private sector to raise and access capital, encourage financial inclusion and create sustainable value.”

According him, the Exchange also expanded its focus on retail investment, positioning the Exchange to deploy innovative and agile smart products and services.

“We made significant progress with the Demutualization process, with the bill now signed into law and assented to the President. The successful completion of this project will ultimately strengthen our market as a significant driver of socioeconomic development”. The President of the National Council of the NSE, added.

Meanwhile, the NSE said that it would continue to capitalize on new opportunities, take advantage of recent technological disruptions and seek corporate partnerships, to maintain a fair and orderly market while delivering sustainable values to its customers and stakeholders.

Osinbajo says vibrant Commodities Exchange will improve Forex earnings

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ice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has advocated for the development of a vibrant commodities trading ecosystem in order to diversify the economy away from dependence on crude oil for improved government revenue and foreign exchange earnings (Forex).

The Vice President made the submission at a Roundtable on Nigerian Commodities Trading Ecosystem held by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC ) in Lagos.

Osinbajo said the Commodities Trading Ecosystem ecosystem is of paramount interest because Nigeria has an abundance of

natural resources and accordingly a comparative advantage in agriculture, solid minerals and oil and gas, hence emphasis in the immediate term is the agricultural sector.

The Vice President said the Federal Government attaches great importance to an active and vibrant capital market which will contribute to national growth and development.

He said in order to achieve this objective, the capital market has to operate at an optimum level which is why the implementation of the 10 year Capital Market Master Plan remains a key priority.

According to the Vice President, “Agriculture accordingly occupies a

pride of place in Federal Government policy, as stated on numerous occasions by the President and as articulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

The importance of agriculture was underscored during the last recession as its growth then of about three to four percent prevented a steeper decline.

Agriculture is also important for food security and as a means of generating a quick production response.

“The agricultural sector is also important for job creation and employment and for producing the raw materials that go into agro-processing.

Indeed, the subsisting Agriculture Promotion Policy specifically aims to ‘integrate

agricultural commodity value chains into the broader supply chain of Nigerian and global industry’.

Osinbajo added that a vibrant commodities trading ecosystem is therefore essential to underpin agricultural transformation in Nigeria as organising production in the agricultural sector would ensure that every part of the value chain contributes to its growth.

He was represented at the Roundtable by Dr. Yemi Dipeolu, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters.

In her welcome address, Acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk said the Commission is collaborating with all relevant

stakeholders to implement the 10year Capital Market Master Plan with the aim of making Nigeria’s capital market one of the world’s deepest and most liquid as well as the largest in Africa by 2025 One of the crucial initiatives of the Plan she said, is to develop a thriving commodities trading ecosystem.

Nigeria is well endowed in agricultural, metals and energy commodities.

“Currently, our potential as a nation is grossly underutilised in the area of commodities. There is therefore the need for these commodities to be efficiently harnessed to the benefits of our consumers, industries and governments.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – Tuesday October 15, 2019

MONEY Market Buhari tasks NESG on economic growth Stories by Kayode Ogunwale

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resident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday challenged Nigerian economists to come up with innovative, productive and made-in-Nigeria ideas as part of measures to grow the economy.

Speaking at the 25th editions of Nigerian Economic Summit (NES25) in Abuja, with the theme as “Nigeria at 2050 Shifting Gears” President Buhari said his administration will collaborate with the private sector in designing and implementing developmental projects that will keep Nigeria on track for sustained, inclusive and prosperity driven growth.

He said:”In your deliberations, I would request that your proposals are productive, inventive and innovative keeping in mind that Nigeria’s unique challenges can only be solved by made in Nigeria solutions.”

Explaining further, Buhari said he was happy that the summit “has

identified key job-creating sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, creative industry and extractive industry as focus sectors. I am also told that your deliberations will focus on unlocking capital through our financial services sector to actualize the opportunities in these sectors”.

He said his government will “equip our citizens with the means to seize any opportunities that may arise. This means we continue investments in education, health care, infrastructure, security and strengthen and entrench the rule of law.”

He said: “We have put before the country policies that focus on delivering prosperity to all Nigerians through; enhancing security; eliminating corrupt practices in public service; supporting sectors that will create jobs, and promoting socially-focused interventions to support the poorest and most vulnerable among us. ”Wealth in its simplistic form,

is money or other assets. In recent years, global events have shown that when a society and its leaders are driven and motivated by these alone, the ultimate outcome is a divided state of severe inequalities.

But a prosperous society is one where majority of its citizens have an acceptable standard of living and a decent quality of life.”

Buharis aid Nigeria “is a country with close to 200 million people living in 36 states and the FCT. A significant proportion of Nigeria’s prosperity today is concentrated in the hands of a few people living primarily in four or five states and the FCT. Some of the most prosperous Nigerians are here in this room. This leaves the remaining 31 States with close to 150 million people in a state of expectancy and hope for better opportunity to thrive. This, in the most basic form, drives the migratory and security trends we are seeing today both in Nigeria and across the region.”

In her opening remarks,

Minister of finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, described NES as a perfect platform for collaboration between the private and public sectors to evolve ways of tacking challenges facing the economy.

The Minister noted that it has become “imperatives for the country to move to a more robust competitive private sector economy with focus on the implications of the projected population of the country hitting over 400 million, making Nigeria the third most populous country in the world by 2050.”

According to her, “the structure of this population shows that majority will be under the age of 35, representing a large percentage of Africa’s young working-age population. The opportunities are endless, as are the risks, however, if we do not accelerate our efforts towards sustainable and inclusive growth, and improved human capital”

Executive Director, Operations and Information, Gbolahan Joshua; Executive Director, South, Aku Odinkemelu; Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Chijioke Ugochukwu; Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Nneka Onyeali- Ikpe all of Fidelity Bank at a press conference, announcing the official launch of the Fidelity Get Alert in Millions Promo Season 4 in Lagos recently.

CSR: Ecobank pledges support to fight against non communicable disease …As its staff walk against cancer

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cobank Nigeria has pledged it’s commitment and financial support to the fight against non communicable diseases.

The Managing Director Ecobank Nigeria Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan said this over the weekend during the bank’s cancer awareness walk in Lagos as part of the commemoration of Ecobank Day. Ecobank Day is a special day set aside every year by Ecobank Group, for management and staff of the bank to embark on CSR activities that impacts its immediate environment and people.

The theme for this year’s edition is “Preventing Non Communicable Diseases” with special focus on “Cancer Awareness” Ecobank Day holds simultaneously in the 33/countries in Africa where the bank operates.

According to Akinwuntan, “We started the Ecobank Day in 2013

where we picked the first Saturday of every October to come together across our 36 countries to pick an item where we can add value to the society. This year, we decided that non communicable diseases deserve to be highlighted.’

He said the bank choose to support these cause because of its mortality rate and the need to encourage the people on regular check-ups to prevent the disease.

He said this year the bank would financially support a few selection of cancer patients nationwide and as well as cancer prevention awareness campaigns.

“For 3 years, we are going to focus on preventing non communicable diseases and this year we are focusing on cancer.”

Furthermore he added: “For us,

across all the venues today, we are offering either subsidised or free check-up for all the participants, work force, family and friends in order to check our health status and take care of early prevention.”

“And for those that the cancer impact is much higher, we would bring people together to contribute money to support them as they go through their cancer treatment. So for us in Ecobank Nigeria, you can go to our mobile app and you would see under our pay bills Ecobank cares and you are able to contribute so we support people battling cancer.”

On his part, the Chief Risk Officer Mr. Biyi Olagbami who also doubles as the lead CSR champion for Ecobank Nigeria said the bank plans to intensify its CSR activities nationwide.

He said: “In Ecobank, we take

our CSR very seriously and we do this across all our presence countries “This should be the spring board to a stronger impact going forward. We have been doing this for a few years and we don’t intend to stop instead we intend to increase the intensity of our activity in this area.”

The cancer awareness walk took place simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The “walk” in Lagos led by its Managing Director and other Management staff kicked off at the bank’s headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way through major streets on Lagos Island and it attracted accolades from passersby along the route. The event also witnessed health talk by cancer specialists, speeches and testimonies from cancer survivors including free cancer screening.

Fidelity Bank launches GAIM Season 4 to promote culture of savings …N120m To Be Given Out During Promo Season

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idelity Bank Plc, has announced the introduction of a new savings campaign in Lagos, as part of concerted efforts to promote the culture of savings amongst Nigerians.

The Savings campaign which will ride primarily on digital technologies is one of the many initiatives of the bank aimed at rewarding new and existing customers for their unwavering loyalty and patronage.

Dubbed “Get Alert In Millions (GAIM) Season 4”, the savings promo is expected to run till April 2020, a duration of six months and will see customers cart away a total of N120 million in cash prizes. Speaking at a press conference heralding the commencement of the promo in Lagos, the Bank’s MD/CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo pointed out that the campaign is the ninth in the series of savings promos organised by the Bank in last 12 years to incentivise its customers.

Okonkwo who was represented by the Executive Director, Shared Services & Products (EDSS&P), Chijioke Ugochukwu pointed out that the campaign seeks to reward customers for their loyalty and patronage. Whilst the savings promo is targeted at a cross section of customers, Chijioke noted that the Bank apart from using traditional channels will utilise digital platforms such as its Quick Response (QR) code and Virtual Assistant to reach unserved areas.

Giving insight into the rationale behind organising this initiative, Okonkwo noted that savings promos remained an integral part of the Bank.

He asserted that the promo was focused on reaching out to the unbanked population across the nation. “We embark on campaigns like this to drive financial inclusion in line with the financial inclusion strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN. This savings promo allows us to take banking services to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

“It also gives us an opportunity to promote a savings culture which is critical to building up investible funds for individuals and companies and a key component of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth”, she added. Stating that the lender remained on course to achieve its strategic objective of becoming a tier one Bank by 2022, the MD explained that building a robust and solid saving volumes for the institution was a critical pillar to attaining the aforementioned target.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

Crime Feature F RIDAY, September 27, 2019 was supposed to be just another day; for the Policemen on patrol in the Ndiegoro community in Aba South Local Government Area, Abia State, nothing untoward was anticipated. But before dusk, the day turned out to be memorable.

It turned out to be a day the Police and many residents of Ndiegoro would not forget in a hurry.

An eyewitness recounted that, “trouble started when the Police, who patrol the area daily, attempted to extort money from some of those they know as drug dealers and cultists in the area. The daily extortion by the Police in that area was is a routine. A group of unidentified young men confronted the Policemen on patrol. Fracas ensued.”

The eyewitness related how one of the young men beat up a policeman. Perhaps, acting in self-defense, the Policeman fired at his assailant. The shot was of no effect. The young men, enraged by the attempt to kill one of them, pounced on the policemen, collected their guns and fired at them. In the melee, one of the Policemen, popularly known as Alhaji, and the driver they had hired for the operation were killed.

A security operation had gone awry. A reprisal attack by the police, quickly materialized to avenge their late colleague.

And in the fracas, eight buildings were torched, many people were arrested and clamped them into detention.

The Oracle Today gathered that the Ndiegoro area, a flood-prone area of Aba, is believed to be a enclave of drug dealers, cultists and other criminal gangs. This was the same area that the late Second Republic governor of Imo State, Sam Mbakwe visited for an onthe-spot assessment following a flood disaster. Overwhelmed by what he saw, the governor broke down in tears, earning the nickname, The Weeping Governor.

Another witness, Godwin Ozor, a resident of Oko-Jumbo Street, said policemen who, he believed were from Ndiegoro Police Station, arrived in five Hilux Vans and a Sienna vehicles, that night.

He related how the Policemen used tear-gas on residents in their homes, broke into many houses and forced the residents out of their homes. Many were arrested. Some other residents claimed that the Policemen looted the houses before setting the houses on fire.

The reprisal continued till Tuesday, October 1. For their safety, some residents fled the affected streets like Anaba, Degema, Oko-Jumbo and Umuosi streets in Ndieogoro area and Uzomkpa Road in Owerri-Aba Road. The area became an instant ghost town.

When the dust settled, eight buildings had gone up in flames.

Some of those arrested were the Publisher, Bende Analyst newspaper, Mr. David Kalu, who was in the area to print his paper; and 15 year-old Kingsley Ogbonnaya who was looking after his aged grandfather.

A resident, Mr. Nnamdi Nkwachukwu, said he, his wife and three children escaped death by the skin of their teeth before their house was set ablaze. According to him, the red-eyed Policemen did not seem to bother if people were inside the building before setting it on fire.

Another resident who did not want his name in print said the “police carried out this despicable act of breaking into and burning of houses. We saw them and they cannot deny it. Otherwise, how can they explain their inability to arrest the arsonists who destroyed over eight

Police, hoodlums clash leaves policeman, driver dead, 8 buildings burnt •Police deny burning houses; say killers of Policeman must be punished .•Ikpeazu sets up 5-man panel A clash between Policemen and hoodlums in the Ndiegoro community of Aba, sets the commercial city of Aba on edge, reports BONIFACE OKORO houses since ‪Friday night‬.”

The Police in the State have washed their hands off the events in Aba. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ene Okon, denied that his men burnt down houses in Aba. He said: “Police has not burnt any house. Where is the Policeman? The ones that were caught in army uniform, who were they? They can go back and burn whatever they want.

“I don’t know of any Police and I’m the head of Police in Abia and I’m saying that Police has not burnt any house.”

The CP, who has briefed the Police High Command in Abuja on the incident, stressed that “anybody involved in killing a policeman will face the law.” According to him, the people in the affected area were whipping up sentiments to cover their nefarious action of killing the policeman and collecting two AK-47 rifles

with 40 rounds of ammunition from the policemen.

He continued: “The members of that community should bury their head in shame. They’re harbouring criminals and they’re accusing Police of coming to collect money. Even if police came there to collect money, does that warrant killing them?

“Where did the group that did this come from? Is it not from that community? The people burnt the buildings to cover their tracks.”

Groups, individuals condemn Police, seek justice SOME groups have condemned the incident in Aba, describing it as threat to peace in the commercial city.

In a statement, “Police Brutality and Chaos in Aba,” the Abia State Civil Society Network (ACSON), an umbrella plat-

form of Civil Society and Human Rights groups based in Abia, examined the security and human rights situation in Aba, following the incident. At the end of an emergency meeting on October 2nd, at Hotel Terminus, ACSON condemned the killing of a police officer on official duty, and decried, “the reprisal attack and the siege against the city and innocent residents of Aba by members of the Nigerian Police following the killing of the police officer” and a civilian “by unknown armed bandits.”

ACSON further condemned “the extortion of law abiding citizens, mass arrest and unlawful detention, which affected a civil society activist and publisher, Comrade David Kalu.”

Pointing out that burning houses, sporadic gun shots in parts of the city had resulted in forceful closure of business activities in Aba metropolis, ACSON called

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 -15, 2019

Crime Feature killed their colleague rather than embarking on mob action.

The group alleged that “Ndiegoro Police Station has a poor human rights record as it is known for committing different forms of illegal arrests and intimidation of people in the name of policing.

They are known for torture and beating of innocent, law-abiding citizens. It was in the same station that a woman died in the office of the DPO some years back.”

COSEYL called on the Inspector General, Adamu Muhammed, to step into the Aba security situation before it “gets out of hand.”

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, apart from reporting the incident to the Inspector General, on Wednesday, October 2, set up a five-man committee to investigate the incident within 14 days.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, stated that the panel is headed by one who is versed in security issues in the state, Dr Ukpai Agwu Ukpai. Other members are Mr. Sopuruchi Ernest Beke, a traditional ruler in Aba, Eze Sunday Emejiaka, the Transition Committee Chairman of Aba South, Dr NCNC Okoli and a Pastor, Rev. (Dr) Ogboso Ejindu, who would serve as Secretary.

The panel is charged with the responsibility of looking into “the remote and immediate causes of alleged extra-judicial activities by some suspected security agents around the Ndiegoro area of Aba, and determine those involved with a view to bringing them to justice.

The panel will also evaluate properties destroyed as a result of the action,” Kalu revealed.

Kalu explained that the panel was without prejudice to the ongoing police investigations, which will primarily determine criminal culpability.

Ikpeazu, urged residents of Aba to go about their normal businesses without fear of further molestation as the government was fully on top of the situation.

Meanwhile, victims of the alleged police brutality whose houses were burnt and vandalized, led by the Chairman of Oko-Jumbo Street Residents Association and spokesman for other streets affected by the invasion, Mr Machi Onyekwere, have appealed to Ikpeazu to make public, report of the panel of inquiry.

He said that the attack on their area has destabilized and instilled fear in residents of the area and forcing them to flee for their lives. He requested that a proper safe environment should be created for those ready to testify before the panel.

for urgent intervention by the State Government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders. It called “for a stop of the state of anarchy that is pervading the great city of Aba before it escalated into an uncontrollable state.”

Members of ACSON that signed the statement are: Godson Ibekwe-Umelo of Center for Popular Participation and Local Initiatives; Mrs. Eunice Egbuna of Divine Guidance Education Services; Cassius Ukwugbe of Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation; Okoye Chuka P. of Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society and Onyinye Nwosu of

Vivacious Development Initiative .

The rest are Comrade Henry Nwaigwe of Ohuru Youths Grand Alliance; Comrade Emenike Ogba of Centre for Peace and progress; Naomi Onuoha of Centre for the Advancement of Children and Women’s Rights; Hon. John Ukpo of National Council for all Abia Youths and Pamela Adiele of Partners for Peace.

Also, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), condemned “in strongest terms,” the action of police men while protesting the killing of their colleague by hoodlums. It described as unwarranted the “beating, wounding and arrest of innocent persons,” while al-

leging that the Police collected N100,000 as bail fees from those arrested.

A statement signed by President-General of COSEYL, Goodluck Egwu Ibem and the Secretary-General, Kanice Igwe, stated that “though we condemn in its entirety the killing of the policeman and the driver, the looting of the homes of innocent people, shops, and carting away household items and other valuables, is callous and wicked.”

COSEYL said that the Police should have relied on the principle of good policing, which is anchored on gathering of credible intelligence to dispatch its best team to fish out the hoodlums who

Task before the Ukpai Agwu Ukpai-led panel THE Ukpai Agwu Ukpai-led panel has an onerous task. Aba residents have been living under the “high-handedness” of security agents since the Operation Python Dance in 2017, which led to the death of several members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).Tales abound in Abia, of policemen providing arms to criminal gangs, extortion, illegal arrests and detention, torture of innocent residents and visitors.

Recently, people in military uniform invaded Aba, arrested boys wearing dreadlocks, beat them up and forcefully shave their heads.

As the people were recovering from that, a soldier shot and killed a motorcyclist for refusing to part with N100 bribe at a military checkpoint in Obingwa.

There are other bizarre incidents. There is need to douse the tension in the commercial city.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – 15, 2019

True Confession

‘Unfaithfulness cost me my marriage’ M “I find it very hard to stay without sex for 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

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.”

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.

Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday October 9 – 15, 2019

With Douglas Omoyooma ENTERTAINMENT Tolulope Fowowe-Asanu

How couples can avoid divorce

By Douglas Omoyooma

F

ast rising actress and mother, Tolulope Fowowe-Asanu show says she looks up to God first and then, RMD, Toyin Tomatoes and Mercy Johnson. Today she has starred in over a dozen movies including popular TV series, The Johnsons and blockbusters like Boycott, Daluchi, Lemonade, Na Yarda and Unraveled. In this chat, the Osun-State born thespian talks about her journey so far in the make belief industry and how couples can avoid divorce.

The actress who met her husband on the set of a reality TV show said: “It is sad that marriages, especially in Nollywood keep breaking up and my stand on divorce is simple. I am a married actor and as such, divorce is the last thing on my mind.

I would like to advice that couples should do all within their power to ensure the heat in the home front is always under control.

“As a couple you need to safeguard your marriage through trust, respect, understanding and love which must always be rekindled are key among others.”

The graduate of Bayero University, Kano who studied Industrial Chemistry reveals that before graduation she started learning how to become a makeup artiste. Upon graduation, she decided to follow her passion and that was how she ended up in Nollywood and today, the rest is history.

“I got into Nollywood through auditions of course and specifically, Amstel Malta Box Office Season 5 was very key and then there was The Great Search. My first role was playing Aisha in popular TV series, The Johnsons.

“To date I would say that the movie, Boycott remains my most challenging to date; it was the most challenging project for me. I actually sustained a couple of injuries due to the make belief explosions and bombing scenes. However, the main challenge was the fact that I had to drive long distances through narrow roads at night just to get back home from location.”

Talking about what she liked most about her character in Boycott she continued: “That was being RMD’s daughter. I never thought in my wildest dreams that one of my life long dreams will come to me on a platter of gold; it was amazing how we bonded like father and daughter.”

Today she has seen it all and done it all. What are the lessons she could say she has learnt? “First is patience. Against that backdrop that we are from different worlds, we tend to have diverse views and attitudes and that is inevitable and so you have to always deal with it if you want to be successful.

“You see, knowing how to co-exist with colleagues on set is key even if it is temporary in order to attain team goals once cameras start rolling.”

In her opinion, what makes a great actress is portraying your character such that it comes alive and is animated. “I am talking about making the character as realistic as possible. A good actor should immerse herself in the character she is portraying in such a way that it is true-to-life.

Personally, I make exhaustive research on the

New projects

“They should expect a lot from me. I am a very diverse actress. I can definitely say that many projects are ahead for me. I am working on a film production. I must confess, the window of growth in my career is very much open and I see an exciting future.”

attributes of any character I am portraying before I hit set. In a nutshell, I make the character come alive as realistically as possible, and yes I pray, I pray a lot.”

What has been her most embarrassing moment?

“That would be the day I went to receive an award on behalf of a friend who had earlier said she wouldn’t be showing up. The embarrassment however

stemmed from the fact that while thinking I was the one being applauded as I walked up the stage to receive the award, I realised the actual recipient had already received it moments before my arrival. That was really embarrassing as I had to walk all the way back to my seat.”

37

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

SPORTS

Prince Oduah’s Service of Song comes on Thursday, October 24

Brume ends Nigeria’s 6 year medal jinx at IAAF World Championship

N

Storie By MADUABUCHI KALU

I

t is no longer news that the former member of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Prince Isidore Oguejiofor Oduah, has joined his ancestors after spending almost 80 years on planet earth.

However, the news is that the family has release the time table for his burial. According information the family made available through his daughter, Mrs. Gigi Ola (Nee Princess Gigi Oduah), there will be a Service of Songs for the late Prince Oduah’s Lagos residence at Kenneth Minimah Estate, Ikeja on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

According to Princess Gigi Oduah, the final burial of the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association will take place at his country home of Ochuche, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State will take place on Friday, November 22, 2019.

It is recalled that Prince Oduah died in a private hospital on Sunday, August 24, in Lagos after a brief illness. He was a veteran sports administrator par excellence whose foot print in the administration of Nigeria football cannot be wished away.

He was a strong voice in Nigerian Football even when his peers had gone silent on the issues of Nigerian Football, but due to his passion for the game and the patriotism he couldn’t keep quite when things were going wrong.

He was so passionate about Enugu Rangers and Nigerian Football that on a number of occasions, he sacrificed his personal resources to ensure that things did not go wrong at the national team and at Enugu Rangers.

It is therefore, incumbent on those who love and appreciate the contributions of the former Anambra FA Vice-Chairman to pay their last respect by attending the Service of Songs at his Lagos residence at the Kenneth Minamah Estate, Ikeja.

• Irabor

Irabor gives reasons for delay in kickoff of Nigerian League

F

ollowing the persistent delay in the commencement of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League, Hon. Nduka Irabor, the League Management Company (LMC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director, has come to explain why the league season is yet to kick off despite several proposed dates.

According to the former member of the lower chambers of the National Assembly, the ongoing investigations of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) eggheads by the nation’s anti-graft agencies the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP).

It is noted that NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko, who also doubled as the League Management Company chairman, are being investigated by the government anti-corruption agencies for alleged misappropriation of funds.

It is also recalled that recently reports circulated the media few that the trio had the properties locked down by these agencies as part of the investigation into financial activities of the country’s football governing body.

However, Irabor has now disclosed that the development is the main reason the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football Federation (NPFL) season which was originally scheduled to kick off on September

22nd 2019 is yet the start.

Irabor stressed further that the current situation is not good for the image of Nigerian football who are struggling to get sponsors for the new season.

“League gets money mainly from broadcast right. Now, we don’t have a robust sponsor, and we don’t have television for the league. We are still negotiating.

What we have is ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission) and the SPIP (Special Presidential Investigation Panel) on the neck of many people.”

“Most of the things being investigated are internal rivalry, but some people have created the impression of a different thing,” Irabor explained Continuing he said: “The atmosphere is not okay for our league to start now. Some of the people involved in the running of our football are being invited for questioning by the ICPC and SPIP, and this has made the environment not good enough,” he said.

“In 2017, we did some economic presentations to the government on how to go about the business of our football, but until this moment, the government has not responded. We did another one in 2018, and there has been no response. We had a sports minister who was more worried about what money comes into the NFF, rather than think on how to improve the standard of our league,” he stated.

Irabor added: “In England, the

people are crazy about football, but you will never see their government talk about the British FA. The business of the government is to provide the basic infrastructure like stadium and television for the game to thrive.

“Our local league is not popular because our football is not on television. Our stadia do not have the facilities to attract people to match venues. There is also the problem of insecurity and others at the league venues. Even, if we have an ex-Olympics medallist as our sports minister, and he has no creativity and the drive for business, such person won’t take our sports anywhere. What I am saying is that to manage sports successfully is not necessarily the work of a former sportsman or woman.

“League gets money mainly from broadcast right. Now, we don’t have a robust sponsor, and we don’t have television for the league. We are still negotiating.

What we have is ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission) and the SPIP (Special Presidential Investigation Panel) on the neck of many people. Most of the things being investigated are internal rivalry, but some people have created the impression of a different thing.

The atmosphere is not okay for our league to start now. Some of the people involved in the running of our football are being invited for questioning by the ICPC and SPIP, and this has made the environment not good enough,” Irabor said.

igeria’s long jumper, Ese Brume spared the country’s blushes by securing bronze in the women’s long jump final in at the IAAF World Championship in Doha, Qatar.

The Delta State born athlete secured a podium place with a 6.91m jump to earn the country her first medal at IAAF World Championship in six years.

Brume, who is the current African long jump champion led with her initial jump, but was overtaken by Malaika Mihambo, who leapt to a massive personal best of 7.60m to seal gold. With Ukraine’s Maryna Romanchuk securing silver with a jump of 6.91m.

Brume’s bronze is the first medal for Nigeria, in the last six years, with Blessing Okagbare being the last Nigeria athlete to have picked a medal in the IAAF organised championship as she won silver at the IAAF world championship in Moscow, Russia six years ago.

• Ese Brume in action

Sports Ministry queries AFN Technical Director, Adeleye

By MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ollowing the disastrous outing of Team Nigeria to the just-concluded IAAF World Championship in Doha, Qatar, the Sports and Youth Development Ministry has queried the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Sunday Adeleye, over his role in the initial disqualification of sprinters Divine Oduduru and Blessing Okagbare from the IAAF World Championships following their failure to line up for the 100m events at the just-concluded championships in the Middle East.

It is recalled that the duo were banned from participating in the championship following their failure to run after they were duly registered for the race which contravened IAAF competition’s rule 142.4, of which penalty was expulsion from further participation in the championships.

They were, however, reinstated on appeal as the IAAF discovered that Adeleye, who was accredited as the technical delegate for Team Nigeria and whose duty it was to confirm Nigeria’s entries during the championships did not do his job properly.

Following the uproar the incident generated in the athletics community, Sports Minister Sunday Dare ordered Adeleye’s immediate recall from Doha.

In a letter addressed to the former Police Corporal on Wednesday, the ministry queried Adeleye over the manner he handled Nigeria’s affairs in Doha, asking him to explain circumstances that led to the fiasco.

“The minister is quiet serious about this because he believes the way this is handled will set the tone for what is expected of all officials in the discharge of their duties,” a source close to the Minister said.

He added that the minister is determined to ensure qualified and competent personnel are deployed in positions for efficiency.

“What happened in Doha has exposed the problems in most of the sporting federations and the minister, a stickler for excellence, wants square pegs to always be in square holes,” the source added.

Athletics watchers had in 2017 queried the move by AFN President, Ibrahim Gusau, to make Adeleye the technical director of the federation, arguing that the position was meant for trained officiating officials and coaches.

“Part of the roles of a technical director is to evaluate performances, as well as programmes of coaches registered with the federation. If you are not a trained coach, how do you evaluate performances or programmes drawn up by coaches?

“It is like elevating a bank clerk to the position of Central Bank Governor. It is abnormal and I hope the Sports Minister can help correct this so that we can see the sports grow,” Patience Itanyi, a trained coach and former African champion in the Heptathlon, who also represented Nigeria at the 2000 Olympics, said.

38

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

SPORTS

Chairman in the house • Says ‘Pinnick’s promises political’ • Lauds Ugwuanyi, Otedola, Ejindu

By MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ormer national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, has described the promises made to him by Amaju Melvin Pennick led executive board of the country’s football governing body, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the eve of his departure to England for proper medical treatment following his ill-health that put him out of circulation as political.

He explained that as far as he is concerned the Amaju promises were things said at the spur of the moment as he has not been seen any of the promises made to him or heard from the leadership of the NFF since he returned to the country from the medical trip to the United kingdom about two months ago.

It is recalled that while leading the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the representative of Mr. Femi Otedola to Chukwu’s country home of Obe-Nkanu in Nkanu West local Government Area of Enugu State, the NFF’s boss, Amaju Melvin Pinnick had made mouthwatering promises to the former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu (MFR).

According to Pinnick, the death of two former national team legends, the late Stephen Keshi and Rasheed Yakini has thought the Federation a big lesson and as a result would not like the country’s football legend like Chukwu to go the way of the two late players.

He, therefore, rolled out the Federation’s plan for Chukwu whose foot print in Nigerian football is indelible.

According to him, Chukwu would be placed on five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) salary a month, he will be a part of the National team set as he will be a part of every Super Eagles matches both locally and internationally and that he will be paid allowances for that. He explained that the reason the Federation have rolled out such package is because for Chukwu is to encourage the current national team players that they will not be forgotten after serving the country meritoriously like Chukwu. He equally explained that by being with the national team, Chukwu’s presence will serve as moral boaster to the current crop of national team players in each of their matches.

However, the man at the centre of the NFF’s promises told the Oracle Today Sports in exclusive interview at VinBecca Hotel Enugu moments after Rangers came from behind to snatch victory from their visiting opponents, AS Pelicans of Gabon in the return leg of Confederation of African Football Total Confederation Cup competition at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, otherwise referred to as The Cathedral by the Coal City fans.

Chukwu, however, used the opportunity to express gratitude to Pinnick for the role he played as he the person who recommended the hospital in England where he was treated. He disclosed that Amaju was the one who knew the hospital and the doctors that work at the hospital.

Speaking further, Chairman as the former Enugu Rangers captain, coach and General Manager is popu-

larly called, heaped praises to the Enugu State government led by Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, oil and gas billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, the patron of former Rangers players, Benson Ejindu, Amaju Pinnick and Nigerians for their outpouring of love and solidarity during his ill-health.

“Well, as you can see, do I look like someone who receives N500,000 a month? There is nothing like that I can assure you,” Chukwu began.

“As far as I am concerned at moment, I only see Amaju’s promises during the period before my departure to England for proper medical treatment as political. That is something said for the moment. As I speak with you, the NFF have never contacted since I came back over the Amaju promises,” Chukwu declared.

“Nobody has said a thing to me since I came back but like I said earlier, I do not hold it against Amaju or the board of the NFF. “I appreciate the enormity of financial challenges facing the Federation. They’re owing all the national team coaches including Gernot Rohr.

So, where will they get the money to be paying me N500,000 monthly? It is not possible and like I said earlier, it was what Amaju said in my house for the moment when they came to my house for the arrangements for my medical trip abroad,” Chukwu explained.

“I want to state for the records that, it does not in any way take away or belittle the critical role Amaju played during that period and I am most grateful for all that he did. He was the one who recommended the London Hospital for my treatment. It was a world class hospital I must tell you, and I thank him for everything.

“Meanwhile, I would like to use this medium to thank most sincerely, the Enugu State Government led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for their urgent response immediately I fell sick. I remain grateful to ‘Gburugburu’ and his entire team.

I can’t thank them enough and I remain eternally grateful.

“More importantly, I would like to use this medium also to once again dispel the insinuation that I was abandoned by Enugu Rangers and by extension the Enugu State Government. There was no iota of truth in that insinuation as it never happened,” Chukwu declared.

Continuing, the former Harabee Stars of Kenya coach poured encomium on the man who provided the financial muscle that enabled him travel abroad for proper medical treatment, Mr. Femi Otedola, describing him as very patriotic and humble man with golden heart. He disclosed that he never knew him from Adam and revealed that when he got information that Otedola has stepped out to foot his medical bill abroad he was surprised saying where is this one coming. But low and behold, he sent one of his managers who came with the NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnik and His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to his house.

“I must say that I will remain eternally grateful to that humble, patriotic young Nigerian with golden heart, Mr. Femi Otedola for providing the finances for my foreign medical treatment. I got proper medical treatment from the London Hospital.

“As far as I am concerned, words

are not enough to express my gratitude to him for coming to assist me get proper medical treatment after I had been discharged from a private hospital in Enugu.

“As a matter of fact, when I heard that one Femi Otedola has offered to foot my medical treatment abroad, I said to myself, can it be true? This is because I have never met him all my life but low and behold, it was true.

“Though I have thanked him before after returning from England for the medical treatment, I can’t be tire of thanking him and expressing my gratitude for what has done for me,” Chukwu declared.

“What Otedola did for me has reinforced my belief in this country, knowing that as long as you serve the country selflessly, you will not be forgotten. The government may but patriotic Nigerians may not,” Chukwu enthused.

“Of course, when we played there was no money in the sport as it is today, however we offers our services because of the passion and the love for fatherland.

“Otedola, may be a small boy when we served the country but he was the one who stepped out to assist me in

my hour of need, I thank him.

“He is a very humble young man with golden heart. It was when he paid me a visit in the UK that I realized how humble he is.

“When I was told he will be visiting me, I expected to see someone with flowing native attire but it was not to be. His dressing was simple, a pair of jeans trouser and a T shirt. So simple and mind you, his driver in the UK is a Whitman.

“How I wish most of our leaders and wealthy men could emulate him.

It was in the course of the visit that he told me that he has also offered to foot the medical bill of another exinternational, Peter Fregene which is noble.

“I am of the opinion that gestures like the one Otedola has extended to some of us will go a long to assure the current crop of national team players that once they served this country with all their hearts, they will never be forgotten as I am a living example,” Chukwu said.

Speaking further, the former Heartland FC of Owerri coach commended the patron of ex Enugu Rangers players, Mr. Benson Ejindu for the role he equally played during

the period of ill-health saying his clarion call for his assistance was what brought the like of Femi Otedola who footed his foreign medical bills.

It is recalled that it was the patron of ex Rangers players, Mr. Benson Ejindu that made Chukwu’s ill-health public and even solicited for financial assistance saying the former national team captain needed $50,000 to enable him travel to the United States of America for proper medical treatment.

It was on the basis of the save our soul plea by Mr. Ejindu that the press went wild to declare that Chukwu has been abandoned by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led Enugu State Government.

It is also noted that it was during the period of trying to send Chukwu abroad that the Enugu State Government offered Chukwu’s son, an Engineer by profession automatic employment to the Ministry of Works and Housing. While, Enugu State Government has since fulfilled its promise to Chukwu, nothing has been heard of all the promises made to Chukwu by the Amaju Pinnick’s led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

39

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 9 - TUESDAY 15 October 2019

SPORTS

By SAB OSUJI

F

ormer Youth and Sports commissioner in Enugu State, Barrister Ray Nnaji, has predicted in clear terms that sports will collapse in the country if government withdraws from funding it.

The lawyer cum football administrator spoke against the backdrop of demands for government to hands off sports for private individuals and corporate bodies to administer. Nnaji made his position known in exclusive interview with The Oracle Today Sports in his office in Enugu.

It is no longer secret that many people have been calling on governments to hands off the funding of sports to enable individual and corporate bodies to come in for better administration of the industry. This, those in this school of thought said could only happen if Decree 101 is repealed. A decree that gave government control over sports arguing that since the country has return to democratic rule almost two decades ago, the Decree 101 which is a military legislation should be repealed to enable sports make the desired progress expected of it in the country.

In order words the concerned Nigerians are of the view that if the government is finding difficult to repeal Decree 101, they should turn it into an act of parliament in order to free the sporting space for individuals and corporate bodies to take over.

In the words of Barrister Nnaji: “Let me be frank with you, if you remove government from sports, there will be problem,” Nnaji began in his office in Enugu.

“Our sports sector will collapse.

Reason is that the environment is not ripe for private individuals to thrive, sportswise.

“Tell me, in football, how many

Nnaji predicts imminent collapse of sports if Decree 101 is repealed privately owned clubs have survived?

“Abiola Babes FC funded and sponsored by a billionaire (late chief MKO Abiola), was unable to sustain the team and at a certain stage, he disbanded it.

“Leventis United disbanded immediately Leventis shops folded up. Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Flash Flamingoes, New Nigerian Bank, ACB, where are they now”? Nnaji querried.

Continuing, the Enugu based lawyer declared that the environment is not conducive for privately owned clubs to operate as the few ones around have continued to struggle.

“Look at FC Ifeanyi Ubah, MFM and even Go Round FC of Omoku, they are all struggling. Reason is that the environment is not conducive for them to thrive.

“There is supposed to be incentives for private individuals that have clubs. Incentives are supposed to be coming to the clubs from government. But instead of doing that, the government makes policies that even destroy the private clubs.

“Nobody would like to throw away his hard earned money. Football is a profit making venture. Once the environment is ripe and conducive, lots of people will invest in it.”

Asked why it is difficult for government to hands off sports, Barrister Nnaji said it was because sports is viewed by government as a social responsibility.

“Government see it (sports) as a

social responsibility”, he quipped.

“Government does not see it as a big business but as a social responsibility that must be carried out.

That’s the point.

“Sports is part of government recurrent expenditure, not even in the capital expenditure.

“So, that’s why I said if you remove government from it, everything will collapse”.

Nnaji was conspicuously visible at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium when Rangers came from behind to thrash AS Pelicans of Gabon 3-1 in a CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round return leg tie penultimate Sunday.

He always attends Rangers games unlike most other officials of the team, who hardly come around to watch the Coal City Flying Antelopes once they leave office.

“It is difficult for me to say if there is anything different between myself and the others. But one thing I know for certain is that I have passion for the game and the club.

“Before now, I was one of the most fanatical supporters of Rangers. I also managed the team too.

“But one thing is clear; I don’t watch all their games. I select the ones I come to watch. I love good display of football. I don’t mind if it is the away team that’s playing well, I will be very pleased with them.

“My love for quality and entertaining game makes me always come around during their continental games. I also come to the stadium whenever a big team or a team I know that plays well like Enyimba,

• Ray Nnaji Heartland, Kano Pillars, among others are coming to play Rangers.

“Football is a BP (blood pressure) and hypertension clinic. You come to the stadium and laugh and be happy while leaving, and by so doing relieve yourself of tension, blood pressure and all that.

“When you come to the stadium and laugh it off with cheers and

happiness that you have watched a good game, you gain a lot and not a situation you go there and at the end of the game your BP starts rising, it doesn’t help.

“That’s why I always select Rangers matches that I watch at the stadium”, the former National Treasurer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) explained.

8th CNS Open Swimming Championship holds Thursday

By MADUABUCHI KALU

T

he 8th edition of the Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship which is the flagship event in the calendar of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) will kickoff tomorrow, Thursday, October 9, 2019 at the Swimming Pool Complex of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

It is a three day swimming championship that will end on Saturday October 11 while swimmers, coaches and other technical officials and administrators are to depart to their various destinations on Sunday, October 12, 2019.

The championship is being sponsored by the Chief of Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy. It is being organised by the Nigeria Aquatics Federation and will last for three days.

The Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Aquatics Federation have been in partnership for the championship for a very long time. It is an annual swimming championship aimed at discovering and training elite swimmers that represent the country’s in international competitions like the CANA Zone II, Africa Games, FINA World Championship, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

There is no gain saying that this championship which has suffered several postponements will see swimmers from 16 states arrive Lagos on Wednesday while the events proper will commence on Thursday at the National Stadium Swimming

Pool managed by a private company.

According to the press release by the Nigeria Aquatics Federation which was made available to the Oracle Today Sports, there will be two sessions each day, morning and evening for both men and women events.

The morning session will be from 9am to 12pm while the afternoon session will be from 3pm to 6pm each day. The individual events in both men and women include: Freestyle- 50mtrs, 100mtrs and 200mtrs, Breaststroke- 50mtrs, 100mtrs and 200mtrs. Butterfly -50mtrs, 100mtrs and 200mtrs. Backstroke-50mtrs, 100mtrs and 200mtrs and Individual Medley: 200mtrs

There will also be mixed relays (2men/2women): 4x50mtrs mixed Freestyle Relays and 4x50mtrs mixed Medley Relays.

This year’s edition of the Chief Naval Staff Swimming Championship will feature 26 individual events and 2 Relay Races making a total of 28 events.

According to the Press release, there will be awards presentations for (gold/silver and bronze medallists) while there will cash prizes the different categories of medals. The climax of the championship will be the presentation of trophies to the Best Teams and two Runners ups) and plagues for outstanding swimmers.

Sponsors of the 8th CNS National

Open Swimming Champions include the Nigeria Navy (major sponsor), Achwas Global Limited, O’Jez Entertainment and the Nigeria Breweries Plc. It is recalled that the annual Chief Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship did not hold for two consecutive years no thanks to Lagos State Government who continued to renege in it promises to partner with the NAqF for the 2017 and 2018 editions.

Even as it is at the moment, the state is not contributing anything to the event. It is noted that the state aquatic splendor for the very first time played host to the CNS Open swimming Championship in 2016 and after being impressed with the

outcome of the event pledged to rehost the championship in 2017 but reneged to fulfill its promise and at the same time refused to allow the Federation to take the championship to another state with consistent promise that they will partner with the Federation to bring to fruition their earlier promise. Hence, the championship could not hold for two consecutive years.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that this year’s edition of the annual Chief of Naval Staff National Open Swimming Championship is unique in the sense that the number of states that have indicated interest are heartwarming, as there has never been a time that the number of states that have showed interest for the championship have been like this. Again, there are some states who have never indicated interest in the sport in the past that have expressed their interest for this year’s edition like Anambra and Imo. The States that are expected to take part in the championship include: Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers. Others expected at the championship are Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police, NSCDC )Civil Defence), Federal Fire Service, Obafemi Awolowo University (University of Ife) university of Lagos, university of Port Harcourt, Ikoyi Club and Delta Force SC.

WEDNESDAY OCOTOBER 9 -15, 2019

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racle Today

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ISSN: 2545-5869

Idoko-Akoh and the unseen hands behind labour S ix months after President Buhari signed the new minimum wage bill into law, “organised labour” has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike next week if the government “fails to reconvene the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment on the new minimum wage”. So, the contest is not yet about payment of a new wage but about meetings! Haven’t we passed this road several times before?

Labour unions couldn’t be trusted even in the days of Adams Oshiomhole as Nigeria Labour Congress president. Now it’s doubtful if an organised labour exists in a true sense: the United Labour Congress (ULC) has become a reluctant ally of the NLC or Trade Union Congress (TUC), an alternative rather than an affiliate. And some so-called affiliate unions now operate on their own without the NLC or TUC’s cover. They strike at will and demand the sack of chief executives of ministries, departments and agencies who refuse to play ball with them and their collaborators.

When you hear that the CEO of a government agency is being probed or has been removed, you don’t need to be excited. The accusation usually levelled against victims is either an unproven act of corruption or failure to offer better working conditions for workers. Behind the façade, however, are the unseen hands: politicians seeking to plant their cronies, contractors bankrolling a union to help remove obstacles to their sharp practices, or some members of top management of the same agencies aspiring for control.

That these unseen hands almost always succeed in achieving their aims, no matter how skewed, even by employing the services of anti-graft operatives and top public servants, must rank as one of the wonders of Nigeria. Let me illustrate this steady travesty of justice and the dishonesty of some labour leaders with my own recent experience with the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) whose chairman, Barrister Siaka Idoko-Akoh, was purportedly removed penultimate Thursday.

Long before his appointment as IST chairman, two years ago, our company had done a media-related job or two for the tribunal. In November 2017, I submitted a quotation to IST, as I occasionally did to some agencies. For about a year thereafter, I didn’t set foot on the premises of the IST now in the Jabi district of Abuja or receive any correspondence from the organisation.

But one morning in February, this year, I received a call from one Lizzy who identified herself as a staff member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“EFCC?” I asked in surprise. “What have I got to do with EFCC?” She politely informed me that they needed information from me and that a letter inviting me to the commission’s office had been sent to our office in Garki. I didn’t receive the letter because it was a marketing office we’d vacated. There and then, I asked for Lizzy’s WhatsApp number and she posted a copy of the letter to me.

On the appointed day, February 26, I travelled to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi for the first time. I couldn’t reach my friend, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, on the phone when I wanted to know what business the commission had with me that day.

It was after I was ushered into Lizzy’s office on, I think, the third floor of the imposing edifice that I knew the invitation was in relation to IST and the quotation I had even forgotten I submitted.

They literally forced me to write my biography in long hand. I confirmed photocopies of the documents I’d submitted to the IST and answered probing questions about the “contract”. In the end, I guess, they were satisfied my company wasn’t offered any job nor did it receive a kobo from IST following the quotation we’d submitted. All through the three or four hours I spent there, they couldn’t offer me tea or coffee. Not even an eggroll.

It was obvious the labour leaders of IST had lifted and photocopied our documents in the office file and handed to the EFCC, perhaps to prove that IST was funneling money to a non-existing company or a crony. I later learned they also reported other companies that submitted bids. Yet, they knew the tribunal hadn’t awarded a contract or paid money to anyone – their kingpins and sponsors likely are in the accounts department of IST. As I angrily left the EFCC premises that day, I kept wondering what manner of investigations the anti-graft body conducted.

Why listen to vendetta-seeking workers and their agents without sighting any shred of evidence that money was paid? If a contract had been awarded or cheques paid, wouldn’t there be approval letters or photocopies of cheques or other evidence of the transactions? I would have written a column on that matter that week. But because Lizzy had not deeply offended me, I declined to pillory the EFCC whose activities we’ve always reported on Eyeway.ng and other media. One day I sent a WhatsApp message to Lizzy, jokingly asking her whether they’d caught the “thieves” at IST.

Aniebo

Nwamu

•Idoko-Akoh I met Idoko-Akoh for the first time in my life only last month, but I have read news stories about IST and agitations by the inhouse branch of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE). I’ve learned that some union members helped to destroy and replace the key to his office just a few hours after the “sack” letter was received at the IST headquarters.

So, that’s our country for us. Was Idoko-Akoh really under an investigation? Was it the one presumably conducted by the EFCC? Or was the Ministry of Finance also investigating him? If it did, what were its findings?

As the story goes, however, the permanent secretary of the finance ministry, Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, in concert with labour union agitators, authored a letter claiming that he has removed Idoko-Akoh on the directive of the State House with immediate effect. For a casual worker without any condition of service, this kind of sack order may suffice. But certainly not for a head of a tribunal that is equivalent to a high court in Nigeria, and not for its chairman whose five year tenure is secured with legal provisions. What does “Mr. President”, whose directive was purportedly conveyed by permanent secretary Isa-Dutse, know about all these?

In June, I read that AUPCTRE had picketed the headquarters of IST over the management’s failure to meet agreements reached in February 2018. They appealed to the ministry to compel the chairman to respect the 2018 agreement and also step aside

from office while he was being investigated.

All things considered, the IST chairman’s removal is a shameful national scandal that must not be allowed to stand. It’s not just that Idoko-Akoh was visited with grave injustice, it’s more so because certain individuals at the corridors of power have shown that they don’t care about the national interest, rule of law and an orderly and equitable Nigeria. Under the act establishing the tribunal, the chairman “shall hold office for a term of 5 years renewable for another term of 5 years and no more”; and he is removable if “he is convicted of a felony” or found “guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties”, among others.

The short letter signed by the permanent secretary has no basis in law or the civil service rules. No infraction or crime was given as a reason for his sack – nothing except “the approval of Mr. President for your removal from office”. And he was directed to hand over his office “including all property(ies) of the IST in your custody to Mr. J. I. Udunni…who by the same letter from the State House has been appointed as Acting Chairman of the IST”.

More questions begging answers: can the permanent secretary, who himself is not a civil servant but was brought into the service based on his relationship with the president, usurp the powers of the secretary to the government of the federation, chief of staff to the president or the principal secretary to the president to remove appointed public officers allegedly on the approval of the president? If the removal was done on the basis of a directive from the State House, why wasn’t the reference number of the directive cited to authenticate it?

This certainly goes to show the extent those who see themselves as close allies of the president could go to abuse the rule of law on his behalf. Whether the permanent secretary knows that there is a law establishing the tribunal and procedures to remove its members from office is unclear. But his action has shown that he does not know and does not care to know.

When I watch Nigerians constantly lamenting how Malaysia borrowed palm seeds from Nigeria in the 1970s but started exporting palm oil to Nigeria from the 1990s till date, I just laugh because much more damage is being done today to permanently endanger the future of this country.

The IST, a specialized court still at a formative stage and grossly underfunded, has been hailed as a model for quick resolution of business cases, thereby encouraging both local and foreign investors to come into Nigeria. But now the political wayfarers and powers that be appear determined to rubbish all that. In the four years of the Buhari administration, four people have headed the tribunal in what the Vanguard refers to as “one year one chairman tribunal”. How can foreign investors trust us with their hard-earned money when government officials wilfully destroy the confidence-building mechanisms put in place?

Idoko, from Kogi State, retired from the Securities and Exchange Commission as a director in 2006. He was appointed IST chairman in 2017 along with nine other members after the tribunal was left for two years without any activity – and that was because the same Federal Ministry of Finance bought the rumour that billions of naira were embezzled by the then chairman.

The situation at IST is typical of what happens in many other federal bodies I know: constant fights over who controls money; attacks on non-compliant CEOs, non-productive workers who use “labour unions” or are used by external forces to install the person who signs the cheques; false accusations, unfounded and uninvestigated claims meant to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

Just as AUPCTRE members in IST appear to have had their way effortlessly, I believe the larger NLC or TUC can, when incited, get any minister of their choosing sacked. All it takes is for a cabal or a contractor to get the labour leaders’ ear. Idoko-Akoh may have been humiliated to the cheers of his traducers and accomplices but certainly the courts should have the final say on it.

In the current matter of minimum wage, however, the unions are simply toothless. What’s more, the leadership of labour has a price! I’m sure they’re already aware of the delay tactics being employed by government. They may not even declare a strike after October 16 because it costs nothing to reconvene a meeting of the committee they requested. But, as I’ve stated in the past, the minimum wage may never be paid – at least not in upwards of 30 states – and the “negotiations” might stretch to 2020 and to the commencement of a possible naira devaluation era.

Nwamu, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of Eyeway.ng +234-8054100220 (SMS/WhatsApp only)

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