Tuesday July 23-28, 2019 Edition by oracle

DCO killed, others wounded as Shiites, Police in bloody clash in Abuja

protest in Abuja by members of the El-Zazakky group involving over three thousand (3000) has led to the death of a senior police officer and three injured, plus the arrest of several others. The clash on Monday started mid day in the within the

Central Business District of Abuja as the heavily armed protesters defied all sense of decency and violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty. A statement signed by the Force PRO, DCP Frank Mba, stated that “in the process, the Deputy Commissioner

of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman A.K Umar, was shot and fatally injured by the protesters. “The officer, who was immediately rushed to the hospital died moments later while receiving treatment. Also, two (2) Assis-

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

tant Superintendents of Police and a Staff of Channels Television sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment. “The violent protesters also razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal

Secretariat, Abuja and two (2) vehicles.” The statement stated further that, “the Police have arrested 54 suspects in connection with the incident. The suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.

racle www.oraclenews.ng

TUESDAY July 23 - 28, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

•He was pretending, didn’t want to rubbish his brother Justices on Adeleke •He is a round peg in a square hole •He seemed intent on misleading the Senate

Food dealers protest multiple quarantine posts, threaten strike

HE members of the Food Stuff Dealers Association of Nigeria have alerted the Inspector General of Police, security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture of their intention to shut down markets, stop moving food stuffs across the country, embark on protests and strike over multiple quarantine posts on the road.

Page 38

POLITICS

ADF hails Ezeemo’s entrepreneurial spirit for his investments in Anambra

•P13

BUSINESS

Shell plans N61.2bn proxy operations in Ogoniland •P17

SPORT

In a petition to the IGP and copied to the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the association claimed that officials of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) erected the posts to extort money from them and urged that the posts be dismantled or they will embark on indefinite strike. In the petition, the Association stated that they were

Cont’d on page 2

Today

VOL.4 No.29 N200

Outrage over CJN’s ‘technicality’ gaffe at Senate hearing

By THEO RAYS

“The IGP, while commiserating with the family of the late DCP, condemns the incident and warns that Enough-is-Enough as the Force and the nation at large will not continue to suffer losses on account of reckless and lawless persons and groups in the society.”

•Tanko Muhammad

Why Pinnick can’t fire Rohr

How Algeria emerged champions undefeated at AFCON 2019 •P37

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

NEWS

Outrage over CJN’s ‘technicality’ gaffe at Senate hearing From CHUKS EZE, Enugu; BON- it of cases before the Supreme either genuinely puzzled by the ing to be driven [sic] by HonourIFACE OKORO, Umuahia and Court on the basis of “mere tech- question or was simply feigning able Justice Ibrahim Tanko, I am ignorance of the word ‘technical- sure you will get out of the plane NATH OMAME Jr., Port Harcourt nicality.” As a reminder, Abaribe told ity’ as applied in law, said: “Per- because it is something that reOES the Chief Justice of Justice Muhammad: “In the 2018 mit me, distinguished senators, quires technicality and if I have Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibra- case of Akeredolu vs Abraham, to ask what a technicality is. It any technicality, my technicality him Tanko Muhammad ac- the Supreme Court said that is something, which is technical. will only be limited to law.” tually not know the mean- ‘technicality in the administra- By definition, it is something that Lawyers divided on CJN’s gaffe ing of ‘technicality’ in law or was tion of justice shuts out justice.’… is not usual and may sometimes Legal practitioners who spoke he, for some inexplicable reason, It is, therefore, better to have a defy all the norms known to merely out to mislead the Senate, case heard and determined on a normal thing. Now, we have with Correspondents of The Orwhen at his recent confirmation its merit than to leave the court technicalities in our laws and this acle Today on what has been dehearing, he was asked to justify with the shield of victory ob- is because these laws we have scribed in some quarters as ‘the big Tanko gaffe,’ were divided in inherited were from the British. the seeming routine recourse tained on mere technicality.” “Now, if something which their opinions . Continuing, Abaribe reportedto ‘technicality’ by judges rather While some said it is a sign of ly lamented that in spite of the is technical comes before the than ‘merit’ to decide cases? This is the question that has legal precedent the Supreme court, what we do in trial courts the new CJN’s incompetence agitated the minds of Nigerians Court had set regarding the pri- is to ask people who are experts written in bold, others said Jussince the appearance of the for- macy of legal merit of cases over in that field to come and testify. tice Muhammad simply played mer Acting CJN in the Senate on their technicalities in the dispen- We rely on their testimony be- with the senators’ intelligence. “Having risen through the Wednesday July 17 for his confir- sation of justice, the Supreme cause they are experts in that ranks of the Nigerian judiciary, it Court this year ruled against field. mation hearing. “Ask me anything about an is not possible that the Hon Chief The Senate confirmed Justice PDP’s Ademola Adeleke of Osun Muhammad as the substantive State not because his case lacked aeroplane, I don’t know. Ask me Justice of Nigeria does not know merit but on the basis of “a frivo- to drive [sic] an aeroplane, I am what technicality in law means,” Chief Justice of Nigeria that day. sure if you are a passenger and argued Barrister Soalabo West, The Red Chamber had, on arriv- lous technicality”. In answer, the CJN, who was they told you that the flight is go- a Port Harcourt, Rivers Stateal of Muhammad into the chamber, gone into a closed session to set the template for the screening. The CJN answered questions on corruption, administration of criminal justice and poor funding of the judiciary. Muhammad had been acting CJN since January 25 when the immediate past CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended from office over alleged corrupt practices. President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday the previous week, forwarded to the Senate a letter requesting the confirmation of Muhammad as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, pointing out that the nomination was sequel to recommendation made to that effect by the National Judicial Council (NJC). Stated the President in the letter titled ‘Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria:’ “In accordance with Section 231 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which gives the President the power to appoint a Chief Justice of Nigeria on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the Senate, I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honorable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria. “It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distin- 1. Mrs Taiwo Ojo,,FICAN 1st left, reading her inaugural speech after her installation as the new Chairperson for the Society guished Senate of the Federal of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN)Abuja Chapter at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abuja Republic of Nigeria.” In making the confirmation expeditiously, the Senate listed it on its order paper on Tuesday, upon which it resolved to carry out the screening at the committee of the whole on Wednesday, July 17, Katsina Ala in Benue are illegal Biu because we were part of the Cont’d from Pg 1 2019. hence their demand for governprocess where it was agreed that How CJN’s faux pas came to moved to petition the Police boss ment to dismantle them. they will be established, but those light following the lack of response to The Petition reads in part: “We at Katsina Ala and Orokam are ilHowever, what seemed like a a petition to the former Minister are aware of the importance of legal because there should not genuine gaffe or feigned gob- of Agriculture Chief Audu Ogbe Quarantine Posts, which is pribe three quarantine posts in one bledygook came to light from a against the multiple erection marily to check for animal disease state. We can no longer bear the leaked video of the closed-door of quarantine posts on roads in and unwholesome food stuff beburden of paying at three posts in hearing where Senate Minority Benue State, and the extortion ing transported from one location Benue hence our decision to once Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Aba- of money ranging from N2,000 to to another. We also aware of the more draw the attention of govribe (PDP, Abia South Senatorial N7,000 from their members. stipulations of the Section 12 and ernment through your revered District) had asked Justice MuThe petition, which was signed 20 of Animal Diseases (control) office.” hammad a question about the by the association’s president, Act of 1988 vis-a-vis the establishThe president of the Association apparent tendency of judges/jus- Chief Christian Afiaonwu, Secre- ment of control Posts in Nigeria. told journalists that there may be tices to ignore merits of cases in tary, Udoka Ahukanna, Opera- And to the best our knowledge it possible food shortage in many preference to technicalities. tional Officer, Sabastine Ageebee is mostly located at border areas homes in the coming month if Abaribe asked Muhammad if and Public Relations Officer, Ad- and not more than one in a State. they embark go on strike and stop he thought that it made legal and ams Alidu, stated that the quaran“We recognise the Federal moving food stuffs, if their demoral sense to jettison the mer- tine post situated at Orokam and Quarantine Control Posts at Jebmand is not properly addressed. ba, Lokoja, Makurdi and Gada

... Protest multiple quarantine posts

based legal practitioner. “So, his response to the Senate is very likely a voyage of discovery through a very scenic route to parry a question that would have compelled him to make a comment on the decisions of his brother justices which in turn would open them up to ridicule.” Speaking over the phone, Prof. Race Achara, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said, “I am slightly confused about the incident that took place at the Honorable Justice Tanko Muhammad’s screening at the Senate.” Achara, a former chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Enugu Branch added: “His reply to Senator Abaribe’s question does not seem to demonstrate knowledge of the term’s meaning. (But) I am confused as to the cause of the development because I have seen a Supreme Court Judgement by the CJN in which he seemed aware of the meaning of that word.” In his own reaction, lawyer and retired journalist, Felix Nwadioha disagreed that “the Tanko Gaffe” stemmed from a lack of grounding in Common Law, the CJN being an acclaimed Sharia Law expert. “If you say he is not grounded in Common Law, he has attained the apex court and before he got there, he must have started from somewhere. So, I want those who are judging him to look back and see that this man started as a judge somewhere. Even as a Sharia judge, he passed through the Rubicon before he got to the Supreme Court and today, fate has elevated him to Chief Justice of Nigeria and no person can still deny him that.” Asked if he did not see his difficulty in defining technicalities in law as indicative of his shortcomings in law, Nwadioha replied: “He might have his shortcomings, but for now, that is what we have.” However, he averred that “in law, we no longer talk about technicalities; we talk about substantial justice. And any justice hinged on technicalities amounts to justice denied. So, any person taking him up on technicalities may not be fair because the law has developed beyond that realm.” Also a lawyer and human rights activist, Innocent Nwokocha, said that from what he was able to glean, the CJN did not come through as a man who will run a transparent judiciary free from executive interference. “From all available indications, considering the way he started, it (his statement) is more like a play to many Nigerians and that is the way many Nigerians are looking at it,” Nwokcha said. New CJN a square peg in round hole But, for Enugu-based lawyer, Fabian Ugwuamah, the CJN is a round peg in a square hole. Said he: “The CJN’s performance at the Senate as well as his onward confirmation portends danger to Nigeria and her judiciary that parades creams of cerebral lawyers. It shows that the man that is supposed to be at the helm of affairs does not even know what he is there to do. “The CJN’s outing at the SenCont’d on page 11

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION 11,879 pupils write model college entrance examination in Lagos

o fewer than 11,879 primary six pupils on Saturday sat for the 2019 Paper Pencil Test (PPT) entrance examination into the Lagos State Model Colleges and upgraded junior secondary schools in 43 centres across the state. The pupils were tested in English Language, Verbal Aptitude, General Paper, Mathematics, Quantitative Aptitude and Primary Science. The candidates were divided into two batches in each centre to write the examinations with each batch lasting two hours each. The schools monitored by government officials and journalists include: Government Senior College, Iyana-Ipaja; Keke Senior High School, Ijaye Housing Estate, Ijaye, and Agidingbi Junior Grammar School, Ikeja. Director, Administration and Human Resources, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Folashade Lediju, said the placement test was smooth and hitch-free in all the 43 centres. Lediju told journalists when the monitoring team stopped by at the Keke Senior High School within Ijaye Housing Estate, Ijaye, that the government provided conducive classrooms for pupils to write the examination. She said that this was because the state government had zero tolerance for examination malpractice and had randomised both questions and answers to prevent cheating in any form. “From the little I had seen this morning in the three schools we had monitored, we saw that everything was in order. ”Each of our answer sheets which we referred to as the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) has the picture of each candidate, his or her examinationon number and name on the sheet giving to each of them. So, there will be no need for mix-up. “We have ensured that the questions are also randomised, there is no room for unnecessary malpractice. We ensured that we all started the examination at 9:am., in all the 43 centres across the state. “We did not have any overcrowded classrooms, we gave enough room comfortable for them to sit down to write the test. We are very hopeful that the students will perform very well,” she said. Also, Registrar, Lagos State Examinations Board, Dr Oluwafemi Hassan, told newsmen that the conduct of examination had been satisfying. Hassan said that the state government introduced a new OMR sheet with large pictures of candidates embossed on them and other security features to prevent malpractice. He said the conduct was tremendous because the board had not received any adverse reports from any of the centres as at the time of filing this report. ”The examination will elicit positive responses from the candidates. By the time they are admitted into the Junior Secondary spSchool, you will see a greater improvement in what will happen at that level of education.

Insecurity: Osinbajo kicks-off nationwide consultation tour with traditional rulers By VICTOR NZE

ederal Government has commenced a series of consultations with leading traditional rulers with the aim of securing the peace and effective maintenance of law and order across the country. A statement released by Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to embark on the consultations as the Federal Government in collaboration of the states is ‘working to significantly improve security in local communities while rearranging the security architecture nationwide.’ Fielding questions by reporters after separate meetings with the Akarigbo of Remoland and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Osinbajo said, Saturday, in Ogun State at the take-off of what is expected to be wide consultations with key traditional rulers in

the state, that it would also be done with traditional rulers across the country to ensure peace and security in their communities. “As you know, there are many significant concerns all over the country; and of course there are concerns also in the South West. So, I’m here on the instruction of Mr. President to consult with the Kayibesi, Governor Dapo Abiodun and other stakeholders on what to do to beef up security, and to generally improve the security architecture,” said to the VP. After meeting with the Awujale, Osinbajo said “of course, you know that the Kabiyesi is not just the traditional ruler, but also a very important part of the government. That’s why we are here to speak with him and to agree on a few modalities for beefing up security, ensuring that we are fully conscious of all that is going on around us, and just to be sure that peace and security reigns here and across the country. “There are some who might want

to cause instability and difficulties, but we are very confident that God helping us, working together as a nation, we will be able to overcome all our problems and set our country on the path of peace and prosperity.” In what appears to be a deflection of the public’s demand for the convening of a national security summit to address the rising wave of violence, the Vice President said the nationwide consultative tour by the government is also part of steps already taken to improve security. On the nationwide consultations with traditional rulers to improve security in their respective communities, the VP said: “We are consulting with many of the traditional rulers all across the country. But there are concerns in the South West. I’ve started here in Ogun. We are also going to be in Osun State on Tuesday. We are also going to go round and see several other traditional rulers. Primarily, they

themselves want to participate. We’ve spoken at various times and they want to participate in improving the security architecture. “One of the things that Mr. President has spoken about is the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security in their own locality.” As you know, they are the closest to the grassroots, to their communities. And one of the critical things that we expect is that even with our community policing efforts; we expect that there would be some interventions between the traditional rulers, the community police and some of the other efforts that they are making to improve intelligence to understand what is going on. We need to know who is where and what exactly is happening all around, so that these can then be transmitted to the security agencies.” The Vice President would continue on the consultations early next week.

• Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi flanked by members of the visiting African Development Bank (AfDB)’s team of technical experts including; Mr Tom Robert Muhoya, Principal Water Expert; Mr Patrick Musa, Transport Expert; Mr Emmanuel Akinwunmi, Private Sector Expert; Mrs Bola Olaoye , Principal Education Expert and Mr Zock Annong Aahmed, Security Expert after a meeting on upgrade of infrastructure which held at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.

Taraba Govt., CRS distribute mosquito nets to residents

araba Government on Saturday commenced the distribution of two million free mosquito nets to residents of the state. This was in line with government’s effort to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of malaria, especially among children and pregnant women. State Governor, Darius Ishaku, who supervised the exercise in Jalingo, said the aim was to transform healthcare delivery in the state beginning with the elimination of malaria and other child killer diseases. The net was distributed in conjunction with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP). Ishaku commended the Federal Ministry of Health and CRS for pro-

viding the treated mosquito nets for the people of Taraba. He described it as “a milestone and a very significant support to healthcare delivery system, my administration and the people of Taraba state.” Ishaku said in the past four years, his administration had given utmost priority to healthcare by building hospitals in Gembu, Bambur and Karim-Lamido areas of the state. ”Let me appreciate the efforts of all our partners who support us to achieve our set targets and goals because without them, there will be a huge vacuum in our healthcare delivery system,” he said. Ishaku directed local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders across the state to join in the campaign to reduce mortality

rate of malaria in the 16 council areas of the state. Earlier, the Country Representative of CRS, Rebecca Hallam, said that her organisation was currently the co-principal recipient of Global Fund Malaria Grant along with the NMEP. According to her, malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria and a key cause of mortality and morbidity, especially among children and pregnant women. Hallam said the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) has consistently supported the government and people of Nigeria in the fight to reduce morbidity and mortality of malaria in the country. Hallam said it was in view of this that NMEP and CRS were working with the Taraba Ministry of Health,

with funding from Global Fund, to distribute more than 2 million mosquito nets to the 16 council areas of the state. “CRS recognises the enormity of implementing such a huge mass distribution campaign and we are committed to ensuring a successful, hitch-free exercise in collaboration with NMEP and the government of Taraba state. “I wish to use this medium to publicly acknowledge the support and cooperation provided by Gov. Darius Ishaku and the government and people of Taraba state. “In the months leading up to this campaign, the Taraba state government has been an exemplary partner showing dependability and reliability in the mass distribution campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION 66,725 voters to participate in Plateau by-election – INEC

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 66,725 voters will be participating in the by-election into the Pengana Constituency of Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau House of Assembly. Head, Voter Education and Publicity of the Commission in the state, Mr Osaretin Imahiyereobo, made this known in Jos on Saturday. The by-election scheduled for August 3, was necessitated by the death of Mr Ezekiel Afon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who died just after he was declared winner of the election in March. According to him, 67,033 eligible voters in the constituency registered but only 66,725 who had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote on the day of election. “Elections will hold in 60 polling units and 127 voting points in seven Registration Areas (RAs). “Total registered voters in the constituency is 67,033 but only 66,725 have collected their PVCs. “Only those who registered and obtained their PVCs in these 60 polling units located in the seven RAs will be allowed to participate in the election,” Imahiyereobo said. The official said Smart Card Readers would be fully deployed and handled by well-trained INEC permanent staff during the polls. He also said training of Supervisory Presiding Officers commenced last Thursday and ended on Friday Imahiyereobo explained that the training for Presiding Officers, which consists mainly of NYSC corps members and Assistant

Human trafficking: Obaseki advocates stiffer penalties for perpetrators

do State Governor, Mr Godwin Ecollaboration Obaseki, has called for stronger between interna-

tional actors to mitigate the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration. Obaseki made the call at the commemoration of the World Day for International Justice, marked every July 17, by the United Nations and its agents. July 17 also celebrates the Rome Statute and the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The governor called for involvement of the ICC in effecting stiffer punishment for perpetrators, especially cartels propagating the dastardly act. According to him, as countries and sub-national actors work towards curbing human trafficking and illegal migration, it is important to stress that there is an international angle to the campaign due to the extensive network of perpetrators. “So, we need stiffer measures and a more holistic approach to mitigating the menace. “At the state level, we have made concerted efforts to tackle human trafficking by enacting the Edo State Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Law (2018) and establishing the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT).

Banditry: Protesting villagers drop dead body at Zamfara Govt. House

ver 100 villagers from Jirrawa community in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara on Saturday besieged Government House, Gusau with a dead body alleged to have been killed by bandits earlier in the day in the village. Spokespersons of the community, Muntari Abdullahi and Muhammadu Sani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bandits invaded the village around 10am and shot sporadically in the air. “We later realised that they have already killed Shafiu Inusa on his farm while he was trying to apply fertilizer on his plants after the rains of last night,” Abdullahi narrated.

He said, the deceased was just recovering from a gunshot wound inflicted on him when the bandits attacked the village four months ago during which Shafiu’s father was murdered. “It is exactly four months now when his (Shafiu) father was killed in a similar attack, because the wives of the old man are completing their four months stay at home as mandated by Islam. “We gathered from his farm neighbour and brother that initially, one of the bandits appeared before them saying anyone who knows he is guilty should run and who is not should stay. “Shafiu refused to run and when

the others numbering over a hundred arrived, they opened fire and killed him instantly, this is his remains that we brought here for the governor to see and know that this peace initiative is not working for us,” he said. On his part, Sani said: “these criminals have always passed by our village without any threat or harassment until the last few months. “So far, they have attacked us more than eight times and have killed many people. “Even while on our way to Gusau today, we received phone call that they also killed one Bala Danrabi, a vigilante leader who has always fought the bandits.” he said.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Nagogo expressed shock over the attack, said that such occurrences are expected during conflict resolution. “I can confidently assure you that the peace initiative by Gov. Bello Matawalle which I lead in the state is working as can be seen in the release of kidnap victims and the repentance of several bandits, but that does not mean that the hardened criminals are no longer there, they are the ones that will perpetrate this now. “I am in constant contact with bandits groups in all the bushes and our discussions have been positive leading to the peace we are now enjoying. “On this Jirrawa issue, I have spoken with my contacts around the area and the repentant bandits promised to meet tomorrow and fish out the perpetrators of this latest attack and hand the culprits over to me; this is in the spirit of the partnership we are now enjoying.” he said. The CP however said that there would not be any fire power against the bandits for now because of the ongoing peace initiative but that the command would await the outcome of the meeting to be held tomorrow by the repentant bandits.

Insecurity: Muslim cleric urges FG to convoke security summit

N •Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi flanked by members of the visiting African Development Bank (AfDB)’s team of technical experts including; Mr Tom Robert Muhoya, Principal Water Expert; Mr Patrick Musa, Transport Expert; Mr Emmanuel Akinwunmi, Private Sector Expert; Mrs Bola Olaoye , Principal Education Expert and Mr Zock Annong Aahmed, Security Expert after a meeting on upgrade of infrastructure which held at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, Thursday

Polio: 50,000 N/East children yet to benefit from polio vaccine – NPHCDA National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says no fewer than 50,000 children are yet to be reached with wild polio vaccine in some parts of North-East due to security challenges. Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, made this known during the investiture of the 11th District Governor of Rotary International, District 9125, on Saturday in Abuja. The NPHCDA boss was part of the dignitaries who received special award from the organisation at the ceremony. Shuaib said: “We still have almost 50,000 children that we are trying to reach in the next few months. “That is why the Chief of Army Staff Yusuf Buratai went to Borno last month and reactivated `The Buratai Initiative’. He explained that the `Theatre Command Buratai Initiative Task Force’ (TCBITF) was a collaborative effort between the army; the NPHCDA and the Federal Ministry of Health. Shuaib said that the initiative was to vaccinate kids in the security compromised areas and ensure that the kids get the health services

they require beyond the polio vaccine. “We are now seeing how the military personnel were collaborating with health officers to ensure that the 50,000 kids that were previously un-reached are now being reached with the medicine and vaccines,’’ he said. The scribe expressed optimism that Nigeria would be certified a polio free nation in spite of security challenges in some parts of the country. “In the next two to three months, the World Health Organisation would commence the processes of certifying Nigeria polio free country. “This is bearing in mind that no wild polio virus has been isolated anywhere in Nigeria. This is incredible and it is one of the requirements for Nigeria to be certified polio free,’’ he said. Shuaib said the agency was keeping its fingers cross to ensure that all kids in Nigeria were given the vaccine they need to ensure that they do not have polio virus. According to him, the agency is looking at everywhere in the country to ensure that no wild polio virus transmission is taking place.

The executive director said Rotary International was a major contributor towards eradicating polio globally. He therefore said the award was in recognition of what NPHCDA has been doing, noting that Rotary International is the first organisation that recognises the front line workers that helped Nigeria to stop Ebola outbreak in 2014. ”The award is not for me as a person alone but all the first responders who worked in the Ebola emergency outbreak response,” he said. Shuaib served as the Incident Manager and Head of the Nigeria Ebola Emergency Operation Center during the July to October 2014 outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease. As Head of the Nigeria Ebola Emergency Operation Center, he coordinated a team of over 1,000 health workers and volunteers in the country’s response to the outbreak. In his remarks, the 11th District Governor, District 9125, Dr Victor Onukwugha, said one of the strategic objectives of the club was to provide humanitarian services and support government to end wild polio virus.

ational Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Mosque, Abuja, Ustaz Adeyemi Fuad has called for an urgent National Security Summit to address the lingering insecurity in the country. The Imam made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the 12th Al-Habibiyyah Executive Walimatul-Quran and 11th Nigeria Muslim Merit Award Presentation. The cleric, who decried the spate of insecurity in the country, called on the Federal Government to organise the summit with leaders of thought from the six geo-political zones of the country. “It is disheartening to see the level of insecurity in the land, almost every day, cases of kidnapping and killings must be reported in the dailies. “We call on our government to convey what I term National Security Summit where credible leaders of thought and not career politicians from each geo-political zones will discuss and proffer genuine solutions to the problem of insecurity in the country,” he said. He said that all stakeholders including religious, traditional, civil societies and the Academia must also be carried along in order to achieve lasting solutions. Fuad also stressed the need for both Islamic and Western education for the country to fast track it’s socio-economic development. He said the Executive Quranic course was meant to carter for Executives and civil servants who want to learn the Quran despite their tight office schedule. Ambassador Ridwan Mustapha, pioneer Chairman of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, harped on the need for education in nation building.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

UNN honours Umunze Provost, others for contributions to TVET By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, Awka

HE Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, Dr Tessy Okoli, has been honoured by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), for her outstanding contributions in the development of technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in the country. She was recently conferred with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the end of a three-day international conference and homecoming organised by the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education of the university in collaboration with an international partner, Lucubrate Norway. Also honoured were the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr J.E Anene Okeakwu and the Acting Vice Chancellor, Adamawa State University, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta. The Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical

Education, Professor Emmanuel Osinem, said the award was in recognition of Okoli’s ‘giant strides and accomplishments in the management of vocational and technical education and overall development of the TVET sector in Nigeria’. Okoli commended UNN for pioneering the establishment of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education in sub-Saharan Africa and praised the lecturers of the university for their diligence as she noted that the graduates from the Faculty are now TVET ambassadors. She said: “In FCET Umunze, we are driving vocational education to equip our students with entrepreneurship skills. Our students are trained to acquire the required skills to become job creators, not job seekers. “I am particularly excited with the growing interest in vocational and technical education across tertiary institutions in the country.” Before her appoint-

ment as Provost, Okoli served as a consultant on capacity building in the World Bank FADAMA 111 Project tagged Graduate Unemployment Youths Scheme (FADAMA GUYS). The conference was attended by TVET educators, heads of some tertiary institutions, scholars from State University of New York, officials from Norwegian Directorate of Education and Training, representatives of the European Union, captains of industries, policy makers, industrialists, students, among others. Prof Osinem explained that “TVET is central to the achievement of sustainable growth in industries because they need people with the right set of knowledge, skills and attitude to grow. However, the skills deficit in various industries as well as the economic situation in many African countries, including poverty and unemployment, suggests that the TVET institutions may not be delivering their mandate successfully.”

•The Provost, Dr Okoli receiving the UNN Disntiguished Alumni Award

IFC to market Enyimba City Project globally From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia Economic City Ewithnyimba has signed an agreement global financial management services giants, International Finance Corporation (IFC), that has conferred on IFC the responsibility to market the project in the global market. Secretary and Legal Adviser of Enyimba Economic City, Barr. Chibuzo Chiemela Ekwekwuo, disclosed this while making a presentation on the project to a group of Igbo Economic Professionals, Nzuko Umunna, led by a former Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, at Government House, Umuahia. IFC is the Investment arm of the World Bank Group with over 60 years experience in unlocking private investment, creating markets and opportunities where they are needed most. The organization has leveraged over 2.6 Billion Dollars in Capital to deliver more than 285 Billion Dollars in business financing in developing countries. Ekwekwuo further ex-

plained that the agreement which was signed last week three “is the single biggest endorsement for the project and a clear indication that the Enyimba Economic City Project has all it takes to rank amongst the top business deals on the African continent.” Describing the Enyimba Economic City as the single largest Development Project in Nigeria to be undertaken under the Public Private Partnership model, Ekwekwuo made it clear that Enyimba Economic City was 100% private sector-driven with a clearly defined shareholding structure of 50 Billion shares. “50% of the shares have already been subscribed while the remaining 50% will be publicly offered through an Initial Public Offer within the first five years of the commencement of construction,” he said. He also said that the Project would boast of first class infrastructure provided by leading global infrastructure development giants with all agreements to that effect signed.

“There will be uninterrupted power at the City to be generated independently of the National Grid through the construction of a dedicated Power Plant in addition to the Power Purchase Agreement already signed with Geometric Power with guaranteed financing of 135 Million Dollars already in place by Chinese Textile Giants, Ruyi Group,” he told his audience. The City, Ekwekwuo said, will have its own private sector driven administrative agency to ensure first class service to its stakeholders. According to him, “the strides so far achieved in the project couldn’t have been possible without the rugged commitment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who pulled all available strings to market this project to the Federal Government and successfully pushed for the granting of all necessary approvals from Special Economic Zone status, Free Trade Zone status, Inland Port status, among others, from the Federal Government.”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

NEWS

Prison Decongestion: Anambra CJ frees over 30 inmates By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

nambra State Chief Judge, Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu says that the ongoing prison decongestion exercise in Anambra State has witnessed over 30 inmates gained their freedom from Onitsha and Onitsha Prisons The chief judge who disclosed this to newsmen during the exercise which took place at Onitsha and Nnewi sequentially, maintained that the essence of the cell delivery exercise was to decongest the prisons and set free those that does not have business being in the prison for so long and particularly those

Delta Govt calls for standardisation in building construction

elta State Government has advised builders in the state to always engage the services of qualified personnel during construction of any building in order to avert loss of lives and property. Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie gave the advice when he visited the scene of a collapsed building at Sunny Block Industry by Christ Okocha Street, Camp 74 area of Anwai road, Asaba for on the spot assessment. Ebie who expressed sadness over the incident said it was unfortunate that a life was involved. He disclosed that a member of the community informed him that the owner of the building who lives abroad rejected the building as a result of the substandard materials used for the construction of the building. The SSG also stated that the construction of the uncompleted one storey building started seven years ago and warned private and public builders to always use approved building plans as well as construct projects according to specification and standard. He said the State Government would continue to enforce standards as it concerns building in the state with a view to averting future occurrence. Some residents in the neighbourhood including Mr Sunday Okenwe and Chidi Ndukwe who spoke to news men, disclosed that deceased was the only occupant in the collapsed building. The respondents said the incident occurred at about 5.pm the previous day but the rescue operation started around 10.pm till 3.am when the deceased was dug out from the wreckage.

CHANGE OF NAME

who have not had an opportunity to be taken to court. She said, “When I came in as the chief Judge of the Anambra State, I observed that people have been in custody for over ten years without trial. I also learnt that there are some who have stayed in the prison for over two years for minor cases without anybody taking them to court, so we delved into this exercise in order to decongest the prison. According to her, the Prison delivery exercise have treated over 42 cases in Nnewi and Onitsha prisons, disclosing that about 18 of the inmates were admitted to bail (8 in

Onitsha, 10 in Nnewi) while 17 (12 in Onitsha, 5 in Nnewi) were completed discharged because they have stayed for than their normal prison sentences if they were convicted at the appropriate time frame, then the other 7 their matter are already in the court, saying that 7 cases of inmate are already in the court. While admitting that the number of juveniles’ cases recorded in both prisons visited so far was quite high, Justice Onwuamaegbu disclosed that very soon, the court in the state would built what she called a reformatory home in Anambra state, where juvenile cases and offenders will be tried and

if convicted be committed for reformation. The chief Judge who promised that she would do anything possible to ensure that those who do did not have business being in the prison regain freedom, advised people to stay out of trouble, insists that the court would not shy away from her statutory responsibility of ensuring equity and fairness in justice delivery in the state. She however, urges people not to give anybody the cause to commit them into the prison while reassured that inmates who were unjustly treated would have reasons to smile at the end of the exercise.

State Government has asEusingkiti sured of its commitment towards its budgetary allocation for

women development in order to transform the lives of women in every rural family and improve their ease of living. A total sum of N807 million allocated to women development in the 2019 Budget would enable the Kayode Fayemi-led administration pay special attention to women development programmes this year. Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Olufemi Ajayi made this assertion during a radio programme “Women Advocacy Fora” anchored by one of the Radio Stations in the State. Hon. Ajayi, who said the Kayode Fayemi-led administration, was prioritizing women empowerment because of the high premium it placed on poverty alleviation which women will play decisive role, assured that women empowerment training activities will commence shortly at designated Centres that will be opened to all categories of womenvliving in Ekiti. The Commissioner, who described the Governor as a gender sensitive personality, commended him for recording an appreciable figure in the number of women in the House of Assembly and appointing several of them as political office holders in the administration. Commissioner Ajayi commended the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for performing excellently well, particularly in the area of Mul•President Muhammadu Buhari with Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo flanked Chairman, Governing Board, Federal Radio tiple Birth Assisted programmes.

Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Alhaji Aliyu Hayatu and the Director-General, FRCN, Dr Mansur Liman, who led the corporation’s Management Team to the State House, Abuja on a courtesy visit...

Imoke’s foundation empowers 45,000 youths S en. Liyel Imoke’s pet project, the Bridge Leaderhsip Foundation, has empowered 45,000 youths in capacity building and technological innovation training from 2011 till date. Imoke, a former governor of Cross River State, disclosed this during the 9th Career Day of the Foundation held on Saturday in Calabar. He said the foundation’s focused on Leadership and Community Development Programme, Teachers Support Programme, Transformational Mentoring Programme and Grooming Enterprise Leaders. According to him, the theme of the 9th Career Day ‘Technology and Innovation: Opportunities, Challenges and the Future’ was selected to deepen the knowledge on technology and its radical life changing

innovations. He explained that the mission of the foundation was to raise a community of inspired, equipped and influential young leaders. The former governor stressed the need for governments at all levels to increase funding in technology and its relevant infrastructure to enhance youth productivity. “Today, we have over 5,000 young participants in this hall who are ready to share the thought of a new generation. We are happy that we are raising a generation of transformational leaders. “Since 2011, the Foundation has addressed gaps in the provision of practical leadership model for young people and has over the years provided platforms designed to develop, mentor and empower these young people to maximise

their potentials,” he said. Remarking, the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, commended Imoke for sustaining the programme for 11 years and even after leaving office since 2015. Ihedioha said that the country was in dire need of honest leaders with new ideas that can move the nation forward. According to him, in the new age of technology and innovation, it was important for youths to explore their skills by using technology for self sustainance. “Nigeria is in dire need of honest leaders with new ideas. In this age of technology and innovation; if you work hard, you will attain greatness. I must commend Imoke for investing knowledge, technology and innovation in the minds of our future generations,” he said.

CHANGE OF NAME

FAVOUR: I formerly known as OKAFOR CHIKA now wish to be known as NWADIOKE CHUKWUEBUKA FAVOUR. DATE OF BIRTH NOT OCTOBER 22 1981 BUT NOVEMBER 22 1981.former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

ESOM: I formerly known as ESOM MICHEAL. Now wish to be known and addresses as ESOM CHINEDU All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

EBERE I formerly known as ESIOBU EBERE JACINTA. Now wish to be known and addresses as CHUKWU EBERE JACINTA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

NGOZI: I formerly known as NGOZI JACINTA ATUCHUKWU. Now wish to be known and addresses as NGOZI JACINTA UKATU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHINYERE: I formerly known as MISS CHIGBO PRECIOUS CHINYERE and OKOYE DORATHY CHINYERE now wish to be known as MRS ONYEKA IKPEOGU PRECIOUS CHINYERE. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

Ekiti Govt to prioritize women development

VIRGINIA: I formerly known as NWOYE CHIEBENE VIRGINIA now wish to be known as NWOYE VIRGINIA CHIEBONAM. Born on 26/02/1933. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

NWACHI: I formerly known as ANAJEMBA NWACHI SAMUEL. Now wish to be known and addresses as ANAEKWE NWACHI SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

JOEL: I formerly known as AGBO-NKWO AFAMEFUNA JOEL. Now wish to be known and addresses as AGBO AFAMEFUNA JOEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

2 die, 6 injured on Enugu-Onitsha expressway auto crash n accident involving two veA hicles on Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Anambra on Friday

claimed the lives of two persons while six others were injured. Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, who confirmed the incidence, said it occurred at Nteje on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. Kumapayi said the vehicles involved were a yellow coloured Innoson hiace bus with no registration number and an ash coloured Toyota shuttle bus with registration number DED 308 YC. According to him, the crash occurred as a result of wrongful overtaking and speeding. The sector commander said 13 persons including 10 males and three females were involved in the accident. “An accident occurred at Nteje near Awkuzu Junction on Enugu-Onitsha at about 12.30 p.m this afternoon and our rescue team arrived at the scene six minutes after we were contacted. “Two persons, all males were killed and six persons, five males and one female were injured. “The cause of the accident was wrongful overtaking and speeding,’’ he said. The sector commander said the deceased persons were confirmed dead at a private hospital and the bodies had been deposited at the morgue.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

NEWS Baptists charge men to shape society by their roles as mentors, fathers

overnments at various levels and security agencies have been called upon to collaborate in stamping out insecurity in Nigeria, while also devising special methods in ensuring the safety on highways, especially in Rivers State. The call was made at the end of the three-day (July 1820), 2019 annual conference of the Men’s Missionary Union (MMU) of the Rivers State Baptist Conference (RBC) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) held at the New Baptist

Association, Rumueme in Obio/ Akpor Council, River State. Themed “From Glory to Glory,” the well attended conference reminded men to “assume their roles as fathers, leaders, teachers and mentors in shaping the conducts of members of their families so that people susceptible to social vices will be minimized.” The Conference, which was attended by 185 men and boys from 21 associations in the RBC featured meetings, bible studies, revival service,

prayer sessions, symposium, neighbourhood evangelism, community service, and parade by the Royal Ambassadors of the RBC. In a 18 point communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Resolution Committee, Karibi T. George and two other members, Ikechukwu Eluozo and Victor Belema Pokubo, the conference resolved, on its missions and evangelism that “the men of the Rivers Baptist Conference should be more committed to Salvation Baptist Church, Bodo

through financial support and visits so that the objective of a permanent land for worship and evangelism will be attained within a reasonable time. “There is a need for men to devise strategies and tactics for raising the resources to undertake mission work.” To ensure that their influences were adequately felt by the society, Christians in different professions were called upon to take “the lead in developing, communicating and enforcing codes of practice

and conduct for their various professions for the benefit of the society,” while they should also try to “resolve ethical dilemmas in their professions and not fall into the pit of violating professional standards.” The conference enjoined “men of the Rivers Baptist Conference to massively attend the 2019 MMU Congress of the NBC, Ogbomoso from August 20 to 23, 2019 as well as the All Africa Baptist Men’s Congress in Lagos from October 8-11, 2019.

9mobile offers customers double data with MoreFlex Gov Umahi disowns social accounts

elecommunications firm, 9mobile, has announced double data deals on its MoreFlex package. Moreflex is a prepaid package that comprises flexible bundle offers with up to 300% bonus on recharges which can be used for calls, data, and SMS. To enjoy the offer, all a subscriber needs is to be on the 9mobile Moreflex package or migrate to it from other 9mobile packages by dialing *344*amount#. With this offer, new customers and existing subscribers that migrate from other packages to MoreFlex will enjoy 100 per cent data bonus on the purchased data plan within the first 30 days of being on the MoreFlex package. This is in addition to the flexibility that the package gives customers to

use their airtime for calls, data, and SMS. Speaking on the offer, Adebisi Idowu, vice president, Marketing, said MoreFlex is for all categories of customers including upwardly mobile, young and senior executives as well as traders and discerning professionals who want value for their money. “Moreflex package offers our customers great value for their money through its flexibility, quality, and simplicity. It’s a double whopper because not only do subscribers get to enjoy this double data reward on MoreFlex, they also get to talk more, browse more and SMS more with up to 300% extra bonus on a range of bundles”, he said. Idowu added that the

offer demonstrates 9mobile’s unwavering commitment to innovative solutions that enable customers to do more of the things they want to do without having to exhaust their resources, and also accessing technology using the most reliable network. Through an array of innovative solutions and platforms, 9mobile has been at the forefront of providing solutions that empower and support its customers to achieve more via technology. Since its entry into the Nigerian market a decade ago, the telco has consistently launched innovative products that enable individuals, businesses and communities to achieve their goals.

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

overnor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has raised the alarm over the activities of criminal elements who use his name and pictures to create social media accounts to defraud unsuspecting members of the general public. In a statement by the Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Social Media, Chief Emmanuel Igwe, on Monday, the governor said “he does not operate any social media account or authorized anybody to do so on his behalf”. He further cautioned the members of the public to be wary of the tricks of impostors who pose as David Umahi on social media, adding that anybody doing any business with them is

•Gov. David Umahi doing so at his/her own peril. The Governor, however, warned the unscrupulous elements indulging in this crime to bear in mind that the cybercrime Act of 2015 is still in force. He also directed the security agencies to immediately fish out and prosecute the pepertrators of this crime.

Reps Speaker tasks Hauwei on technology transfer, local content

peaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Huawei Technologies Nigeria to ensure adequate local content in its manufacturing activities in the country. Gbajabiamila who gave the advice while receiving a delegation of Huawei Technologists led by the Managing Director, Mr Eric John, on Thursday in Abuja, also urged the company to employ and train Nigerian engineers and come up with measures that would make the transfer of technology to the country possible. He, however, said that the 9th House of Representatives would look at ways to partner the Chinesebased company to develop Nigeria in the area of ICT.

•Femi Gbajabiamila

‎”Thank you very much for this visit, Huawei is a very prominent company, not just in Nigeria, but all over the world. This is the best thing to do, we will always look at how we can partner for the development of our country,” he said. Earlier, the managing director said that the company had invested heavily in the country over the years and would continue to deliver quality services to the citizens to enrich the communications industry. John said Huawei had been paying its taxes over the years and had paid about $75 million tax per annum, calling for a reduction in the assessment, while further noting that the company ‎was currently providing training for Nigeria ICT experts and wanted to build a stronger foundation for the

country’s ICT industry. Present at the visit was the House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu, among others. The Huawei team had ‎Deputy Managing Director, Lanre Odekunle, the head of Abuja office, Liteng Tang, among others. Meanwhile, the Chinese telecommunications giant, Huawei, last Thursday, explained that its Hongmeng operating system will be for industrial use and not for smartphones. The company said it intends to continue using Android for its smartphones. Huawei’s vice president Catherine Chen said in Brussels that the rumours that Hongmeng will be used on smartphones were untrue.

Activist hails Okowa for reconstituting DESOPADEC board From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

he Delta State Governor, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been lauded for selecting competent hands to reposition the lost glory and hope of oil and gas bearing host communities of the State for identifying technocrats and competent hands to pilot the affairs of the commission for Delta State Oil Producing Area Development

Commission,(DESOPADEC). A peace and environmental rights advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade while congratulating the members of DESOPADEC, charged them to reposition the Commission and give hope to the host communities in the state. He also charged them not to see their appointments as self-empowerment but an opportunity to give maximum support to the Governor and deliver dividends of democracy through the commission to the

citizenry of host communities in Delta. Mulade, who is also the national coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), while addressing journalists in Warri implored the appointees to pilot the affairs of the Commission with diligence and not disappoint the confidence reposed on them. He said, “you deserved the appointment to pilot the affairs of DESOPADEC; you are the last hope of host communities.

The expectations of oil and gas bearing host communities are high and you should not consider your appointments as stomach infrastructure fulfilment. “I am very hopeful that all the appointees will make immense and significant contributions to the development of the oil producing and impacted communities of our Delta and charge the oil producing communities to give maximum support to the appointees.” •Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

NEWS Baptists charge men to shape society by their roles as mentors, fathers

9mobile offers customers double data with MoreFlex Gov Umahi disowns social accounts

From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

Reps Speaker tasks Hauwei on technology transfer, local content

•Femi Gbajabiamila

Activist hails Okowa for reconstituting DESOPADEC board From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

NEWS

INEC to Uwajumogu: You can’t stampede us From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that the commission would not take any step outside the constituted elactoral process by allowing any individual or party to stampede or coarce it into issuing certificate of return to any candidate. The INEC National Commisioner and Chairman, Information, Barr Festus Okoye disclosed this at a press conference in Enugu while reacting to a protest by supporters of the candidate of Imo North Senaation’s District at the 2019 general elections,

Sen Benjamin Uwajumogu, at commission’s headquarters, Abuja. The protesters, had reportedly beseeched the commission’s headquaters in Abuja demanding that the commission should urgently release the Imo North Senatorial zone certificate of return to Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu. In a swift reaction Okoye stated that the commission will rush to issue certificate of Return to the Senator Elect of Imo North, Benjamin Uwajumobi. According to him: “the demonstration is of no moment because we cannot rush to hand over the certificate of return to him, we

must study the court judgement before we can comply. As a commission we must obey court order even if we are not satisfy, we will obey first before we appeal. “It could be recalled that the commission was served with the judgement of the court order on Wednesday on 16th day of July 2019. The said judgement could not undergo the regular processes and procedures of the commission and must wait for the next commission meeting. “The commission will not be stampeded into taking precipitate action or decision that may be detrimental to the electoral process and procedures,” he said.

Okoye revealed that the Commission has withdrawn and re-issued 87 certificates of return. He said “The Commission withdrew three Certificates of Return from the APC and issued to NNPP and NRM. The Commission withdrew 45 certificates of Return from APC and issued to the PDP (arising mostly from the Supreme Court decision on the Zamfara APC party primary election). The. Commission withdrew 39 certificates from the APC and re-issued to APC candidates,” he said. It could be recalled that Benjamin Uwajumogu, senator-elect of Imo north, led some protesters to

Outrage over CJN’s ‘technicality’ gaffe at Senate hearing

We are not planning to return to the North - Hausa community From PAMELA EBOH, Awka Hausa communities in Anambra State have TsaidHENnewi, they were not contemplat-

ing relocating to the North in response to calls by members of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of the Northern Groups for Fulani herdsmen to vacate the southern part of Nigeria. Speaking through the Secretary to the Hausa Community in the area, Sani Suleman said it would be difficult for them to leave the Southern part of the country as they have spent the better part of their lives in the area. He described the call for their relocation to the North as uncharitable as according to him, some of them had lived in the region for more than 40 years. According to him, “we have been living in the East since 1986. It will not be possible for someone after settling down in an area for decades to just wake up and relocate to his state of origin. “The Almighty Allah that created Nigeria and brought us together knows the reason he did so. One person cannot just break Nigeria for his personal interest. “As we are living here in Nnewi, so are people from other parts of Nigeria living in the North. And there is no way one can just get up and say Easterners go, Northerners go. It is not possible. “Not less than 5,000 of us reside in Nnewi and environs. Our greatest preoccupation is to secure parcels of land to build mosques, cemetery and market. “We’ve secured a piece of land in Nnewi to build a market, though not big enough. We’ve appealed to Igwe Nnewi, Kenneth Orizu III to help us secure pieces of land for our needs. “But he told us that land belongs to government and we have also appealed to the State government but still waiting for their response.”

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters over the non-issuance of a certificate of return to him. The electoral commission had set up a committee to look into allegations of misconduct in the senatorial election – after Uwajumogu had been declared winner. That decision was challenged by Uwajumogu who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The federal high court in Abuja ordered INEC to issue Uwajumogu a certificate of return but the electoral commission has not complied with the order.

•The Newly Elected Senators in Nigeria

State-of-the-nation: OBJ’s letter should be taken seriously - CLO chieftain By IBE NWACHUKWU

government has called upon to take the Tviewshebeenoffederal former President Oluse-

gun Obasanjo, as contained in his recent letter to the federal government, seriously, in view of the current insecurity and poverty situation of the country. Chairman of Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra state chapter, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha, yesterday, said in line with Obasanjo’s advice, as contained in his letter, government should engage stakeholders in discussions, dialogue, negotiations, reconciliations and reparations as according to him, no sacrifice is too much for the enthronement of peace and tranquility in all parts of the country. Ezekwueme who described Obasanjo as a patriot, statesman, de-tribalized Nigerian, conscience of the nation, former

head of state and two-term president, contended that his views should be given a holistic, nationalist and patriotic approach it deserves in the national affairs. According to him, “Obasanjo’s advice is in tandem with my earlier postulations that empowerment, job and wealth creations, employments, poverty eradication, education, inclusiveness and social justice are the most invaluable and inevitable weapons to fight and eradicate criminalities”. “The essence of government is primarily for the protection of lives and properties of its citizens with the citizenry. Government should assemble the stakeholders who have the panacea to the nation’s problems to brainstorm and marshal out plans to eradicate the menace of Boko Haram insurgency, herders/farmers clashes, banditry, bloodletting, kidnappings, restiveness, armed robbery and other forms of criminaliities”.

“To enthrone permanent peace, all aggrieved persons and groups should work towards peaceful co-existence as a cat, whether white or black, is regarded to be good, provided it a rat. Any suggestion that will help to an end this monster should be acceptable by the authorities concerned without condemnation but with commendation and appreciation in order to actualize a saved, secured, peaceful and prosperous country”. “Those who constructively and patriotically tell government what they need to know and do love the country and government but those who tell government only what they want to hear and at the same time sing their praises even when such opinions are anti-people policies, are no only unpatriotic but threat to good governance and development”.

Cont’d from Pg2 ate indicates that he is not the right peg. No, he is a round peg in square hole. His appointment is faulty, the Senate’s hasty screening of him and his confirmation are as well faulty, questionable and a mockery of our nation and her judiciary. The major threat is that the man is not supposed to be appointed, in the first place. He does not have the requisite knowledge of the law to man the third arm of government, which is the judiciary. “Again, CJN screening is supposed to be a display of the appointee’s wealth of legal knowledge, sagacity and competence, but in Justice Tanko’s case, it was more or less done in a secluded, closed-door manner and I think that Nigerians now know why. “Unfortunately, he is seen as an extension of the executive and people like us have no confidence in him as one that would deliver on the job. He, definitely, cannot lead us to the Promised Land. “I weep for the Senate and I weep for this country because we now have a parliament that appears to be devoid of any atom of independence. The National Assembly is now being led by a select group of people that were foisted on the hallowed chambers by APC and the executive, for specific motives. “And on the issue about the technicality question, the CJN ought to know that you cannot offend the course of natural justice on the ground of technicality alone. Court is the court of law, court of equity and court of justice. You cannot allow justice to be sacrificed on the altar of mere technicality. That is not substantial justice and is not the law and that is not the intendment of the makers of the law that we, the lawyers, say we adjudicate upon in court. “The open admittance by the CJN, using airplane to draw analogy is wrong, flimsy and unfortunate because, a judge is supposed to be an expert in the field of law that he is presiding over. You cannot give a wrong judgement and hide under the cloak of technicality. When you sacrifice what the law is on ground of technicality, you are being unjust to the party – the disputant.”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

HEALTH

Infertility or subfertility: Reconciling male and female issues in our contemporary Society ( 3 ).

ongenital abnormalities that occur in secondary infertility are too many and therefore make the approach to solution difficult or rather ambiguous to be ascertained. Klinefelter’s syndrome is a chromosomal disorder (45XXY) affecting 1 in 1000 males, involves both loss of leydig cells and seminiferous tubular dysgenesis is gradually moving from that former figure to 10 in 1000 males. Patients usually present with poor sexual development, small or undescended testes, gynaecomastia or agalatostia to infertility. They are occasionally mentally retarded. Clinical examination shows small pea-sized but firm testes, usually gynaecomastia and often signs of androgen deficiency. Confirmation is by chromosomal analysis. Treatment is androgen replacement therapy unless testosterone levels are normal. No treatment is possible for the abnormal seminiferous tubules and infertility eventually results. Kallmann’s syndrome is isolated GnRH (Growth Releasing Hormone) deficiency. It is often associated with decreased or absent sense of smell (anosmia), and sometimes with other bony (cleft palate), renal and cerebral abnormalities (e.g colour blindness). It is often familial and is usually, x-linked, resulting from a mutation in the KAL1 gene which encoded anosmin-1 (producing loss of smell); one sex-linked form is due to an abnormality of a cell adhesion molecule. Management is that of secondary hypogonadism and fertility is possible. Oligospermia or azoospermia may be secondary to androgen deficiency and can be corrected by androgen replacement. More often they result from primary testicular diseases, in which case they are rarely treatable. Azoospermia with normal testicular size and low FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels suggests a vas deferens block, which is sometimes reversible by surgical intervention. Lack of libido is a loss of sexual desire leading to erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be psychological, neurogenic, vascular, endocrine or related to drugs and often includes contributions from several causes. ED (Erectile dysfunction)is a common symptom in hypogonadism, but most patients with ED (Erectile dysfunction) have normal hormones and many have no definable organic cause. The endocrine causes are those of hypogonadism and can be excluded by normal testosterone, gonadotrophin and prolactin levels, and the presence of nocturnal emissions and frequent satisfactory morning erections makes endocrine disease unlikely. Vascular disease is a common aetiology, especially in smokers, and is often associated with vascular problems elsewhere. Autonomic neuropathy, most commonly from diabetes mellitus, is a common partial, if not total, identifiable cause. A careful history of physical disease, related symptoms, stress and psychological factors, together with drug and alcohol abuse, must be taken for investigations.

Psychogenic impotence is frequently a diagnosis of exclusion, though complex tests of penile vasculature and function are available in some centres. Offending drugs should be stopped. Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (slidenafil, vardenafil) which increase penile blood flow are usually first choice for therapy. Other treatments include apomorphine, intracavernosal injections of alprostadil, papaverine or phentolamine, vacuum expanders and penile implants are considered for some people. If no organic disease is found, or if there is clear evidence of psychological problems, the couple should receive psychosexual counselling. Impaired ovarian function, whether primary or secondary, will lead both to oestrogen deficiency and abnormalities of the menstrual cycle. The latter is very sensitive to disruption, cycles becoming anovulatory and irregular before disappearing altogether. Symptoms will depend on the age at which the failure develops. Thus, before puberty, primary amenorrhoea will occur, possibly with delayed puberty; if after puberty, secondary amenorrhoea and hypogonadism will result. Hirusutism and polycystic ovary syndrome are the extent of normal hair growth variations between individuals, families and races, being more extensive in the Mediterranean and some Asian subcontinent populations. These normal variations in body hair, and the more extensive hair growth seen in patients complaining of hirsutism, represent a continuum from no visible hair to extensive cover with thick dark hair. It is therefore impossible to draw an absolute dividing line between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ degrees of facial and body hair in the female. Soft vellous hair is normally present all over the body and this type of hair on the face and elsewhere is ‘normal’ and is not sex-hormone dependent. Hair in the beard, muscle cafe, breast nipple areola, chest, axilla, are sex hormone dependent. Any excess in the latter regions is thus usually a marker of increased ovarian or adrenal androgen production, most commonly polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but occasionally, other rarer causes. Patients with hirsutism, no elevation of serum androgen levels and no other clinical features are sometimes labelled ‘ idiopathic hirsutism;. However, studies suggest that most patients with ‘idiopathic hirsutism’ have some radiological or biochemical evidence of PCOS on more detailed investigation, and indeed several studies have demonstrated evidence of mild PCOS in up to 20% of the normal female population. Therefore, in routine clinical paratice, the majority of patients with objective signs of androgen-dependent hirsutism will have PCOS, and investigation is mainly required to exclude rarer and more serious causes of virillization. PCOS, originally known in its severe form as the stein-leventhal syndrome, is characterized by multiple small cysts within the ovary

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and by excess androgen production from the ovaries and to a lesser extent from the adrenals, although whether the basic defect is in the ovary, adrenal, pituitary (Brain hormone) or a more generalized metabolic defect remains unknown. The precise levels of androgens in blood vary widely from patient to patient. In addition, androgens are normally converted to oestrogens in adipose tissue, but aromatase levels are low (partly due to decreased FSH levels) so that, instead of androgen (mainly androstenedione) being converted to oestrogen, androstenedione is secreted and converted to testosterone in peripheral tissue. Furthermore, SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globlin) levels are often low (due to high insulin levels) and therefore free androgen levels are high. The response of the hair follicle to circulating androgens also seems to vary between individuals with otherwise identical clinical and biochemical features, and the reason for this variation in androgen response remains poorly understood. The ovaran ‘cysts’ represent arrested folicular development. Studies have shown an association of polycystic ovary syndrome with anovulation, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance,

which may also be associated with hypertension, hypelipidaemia and increased cardiovascular disease (the metabolic syndrome). Familial or idiopathic hirsutism does occur, but usually involves a distribution of hair growth which is not typically androgenic. Latrogenic hirsutism also occurs after treatment of androgens, or more weakly androgenic drugs such as progestogens or danazol. Non-androgen-dependent hair growth (hypertrichosis) occurs with drugs such as phenytoin, diazoxide, minoxidil and ciclosporin. Rarer and more serious, endocrine causes of hirsutism and virilisation include congenital adrenal hyperlasia (CAH), cushing’s syndrome and virilising tumours of the ovary and adrenal are also investigated. All these conditions should be considered in any patient with hirsutism as this may be the only presenting complaint. However, hope is high in achieving pregnancy with modern products readily available today. Some of these products includes: Eve comfort, Gynapharm and Golden six, used basically for such women of hirsutism. Men are not left alone. The product for them are Revive, Calmazine, Gold-

en Hypha and V.cal to correct hypogonadism. with all these, fertility is achievable when you properly follow prescription of your specialist Obstetrician/Gynaecologist. Congenital abnormalities that occur in secondary infertility are too many and therefore make the approach to solution difficult or rather ambiguous to be ascertained. Klinefelter’s syndrome is a chromosomal disorder (45XXY) affecting 1 in 1000 males, involves both loss of leydig cells and seminiferous tubular dysgenesis is gradually moving from that former figure to 10 in 1000 males. Patients usually present with poor sexual development, small or undescended testes, gynaecomastia or agalatostia to infertility. They are occasionally mentally retarded. Clinical examination shows small pea-sized but firm testes, usually gynaecomastia and often signs of androgen deficiency. Confirmation is by chromosomal analysis. Treatment is androgen replacement therapy unless testosterone levels are normal. No treatment is possible for the abnormal seminiferous tubules and infertility eventually results. Kallmann’s syndrome is isolated GnRH (Growth Releasing Hormone) deficiency. It is often associated with decreased or absent sense of smell (anosmia), and sometimes with other bony (cleft palate), renal and cerebral abnormalities (e.g colour blindness). It is often familial and is usually, x-linked, resulting from a mutation in the KAL1 gene which encoded anosmin-1 (producing loss of smell); one sex-linked form is due to an abnormality of a cell adhesion molecule. Management is that of secondary hypogonadism and fertility is possible. Oligospermia or azoospermia may be secondary to androgen deficiency and can be corrected by androgen replacement. More often they result from primary testicular diseases, in which case they are rarely treatable. Azoospermia with normal testicular size and low FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels suggests a vas deferens block, which is sometimes reversible by surgical intervention. Lack of libido is a loss of sexual desire leading to erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be psychological, neurogenic, vascular, endocrine or related to drugs and often includes contributions from several causes. ED (Erectile dysfunction)is a common symptom in hypogonadism, but most patients with ED (Erectile dysfunction) have normal hormones and many have no definable organic cause. The endocrine causes are those of hypogonadism and can be excluded by normal testosterone, gonadotrophin and prolactin levels, and the presence of nocturnal emissions and frequent satisfactory morning erections makes endocrine disease unlikely. Vascular disease is a common aetiology, especially in smokers, and is often associated with vascular problems elsewhere. Autonomic neuropathy, most commonly from diabetes mellitus, is a common partial, if not total, identifiable cause.

POLITICS

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

‘It is possible to Abia Speaker develop Igbo Land inaugurates 25 standing as a country within a committees Pg 14 Pg 17 country’

ADF hails Ezeemo’s entrepreneurial spirit for his investments in Anambra •Tasks South East Govs to develop, grow economy •Kicks against money politics

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

HE president of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Prof. Uzodimma Nwala has commended Mr Godwin Ezeemo for taking the pains effort to establish several firms in Umuchu despite the difficulties of doing business in the zone. At a stakeholders meeting of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) at the Honeywell Hotel Umuchu, Nwala said that the South East in general and Anambra in particular need to do more to attract investors with the challenges of lack of adequate power supply, man power and absence of government support. Frontline businessman and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra, Ezeemo said that looking homeward to invest in the South East is not exactly a tea party. The Chairman/CEO Orient Group of Companies, told a gathering of Ndigbo that he faced quite some challenges as a local investor at Umuchu and Awka where he has invested in agriculture, printing and publishing, ICT, hospitality and water. Ezeemo, who returned from London in 2012 to invest in Anambra State revealed that he almost opted for the option of dumping his money in a fixed

deposit account in the bank and earn the interest without stress or return to London rather than become an employer of labour.

However, he “decided to invest money where others can benefit, where Ndi Anambra can benefit and where Ndigbo can benefit. Since 2012 I have been invest-

•Chairman Orient Group of Companies Mr Godwin Ezeemo pointing at a project at Orient farm in Umuchu when members of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) visited Orient farm.

ing on electric generators, road construction, paying workers from other sources different from the firm where they work because there is no profit being made from where they work. It is very tough.” Ezeemo identified lack of power supply as the greatest challenge facing local investors as it is very difficult for any factory to depend on an electric generator. “Man power is another challenge as the youths especially in Anambra are not prepared to work; they want fast money,” he said. On how to improve the situation, he said the South East state Governors should work towards providing an enabling environment and put policies to assist the private sector with appropriate infrastructure, soft loan schemes and whatever is necessary to facilitate the development of the economy of the zone. He said: “People cannot come home to invest when the environment is not conducive. The economy cannot thrive without a viable private sector because the private sector is the bulwark of the economy. Unfortunately, the private sector in the South East is facing challenges rooted in a lot of inadequacies.“ He lamented that there is no equipment for farm works in Aguata LGA and most of the youth at Umuchu and its environs do not want to engage in salary work so it is difficult for an employer to find good hands. Despite the challenges, he called on wealthy Igbo sons to look towards the development and progress of Igboland as he also urged those in political positions to find solutions to the problems of lack of investment in the zone. Money, bane of Politics The two time governorship candidate of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) condemned money politics and lamented how the political space is occupied by few money bags who use money to buy party tickets and votes during elections. “Our elections are monetized at every stage, as candidates are imposed on the people, they buy votes at the polling booths, buy electoral officers and security agents and end up occupying political offices to the detriment of the masses,” he said. He continued, “we must choose our leaders by ourselves. We must stop the money bags from dominating the political space. We must stop external influence of the people we know have no good intentions for us. The influence of money bags and external people have denied us the choice of good leaders. We need selfless leaders for the people by the people and together we can achieve it.” He called on Ndigbo “to speak with one voice, talk less and act more in unity of purpose,” noting that it is to the benefit of those who don’t want the progress of Ndigbo when everybody is talking for Ndigbo at the same time on critical issues. He made a case for critical stakeholders like traditional rulers, pro-Igbo groups like ADF and reputable civil society groups to be part of the process of choosing who becomes governor in and South East States. A chieftain of ADF and the CEO of ABC Transport Company PLC, Frank Nneji, observed that Ndigbo have always been enterprising but lamented the way they invest more in foreign lands. He said that ADF has come to change the narrative and charged the thriving Igbo businessmen across the world to bring their businesses home.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

BOLD AND BLUNT If we take China, from your analysis, the country went from the violent, regimented era of Mao Tse-tung to the huge success it is today. In Nigeria, the reverse is the case. For instance, in the days of Dr. Michael Okpara, the economy of the Eastern region was reputed to be the fastest growing economy in the whole Commonwealth … (Cuts in) Not the Commonwealth but the world. I first drew attention to it with the data done from an American Think Tank based in the Michigan State University; I stumbled on it. Considering where we are now, we have not made much progress as a nation, so what makes you so optimistic? When changes are taking place in a society, it doesn’t happen in the market place and it doesn’t ring bells. Even Buhari will be surprised to hear me say this, but he is doing Nigeria a good turn right now in the things he is saying. This whole noise about anti-corruption, by the time he finishes, it would not have stopped corruption but it would have served notice that there is a fine line that decent people do not cross. In other words, a new thinking will be generated by these incessant bombardments, even though people think he is insincere but nevertheless, the mere fact that you keep on repeating it has impact. Secondly, there are young men and women doing fantastic things in Nigeria despite the very bad situation; those are the intimations of the future I am talking about. When they start networking among themselves and it starts bringing change in leadership, it will come to a time where new leadership elite will emerge and they will be building on the experience of the exceptional things they have done in Nigeria. Building an economy depends upon the productivity of the individual which you now aggregate and it becomes the productivity of the nation. A nation that is not productive cannot have a thriving economy; it is as simple as that. Right now, we are in a situation where young men are thinking that you can get rich overnight, ultimately it becomes clear that for each person who has a short cut and was able to get money and was lucky to have some of it remaining with him because there is no way if you don’t get money the right way you will not lose much of it and they learn their lessons from there and then start building. For the one person that does that, there will be 10 others who burn their fingers trying to get money through the short cut. That also will happen and when that happens, the thinking ones will learn a lesson from it. Nigeria is not different from any other nation, all the fault lines you are talking about, when you get a leadership that can reorganise them, it becomes a source of strength not weakness, our diversity is an advantage but we have had leaders who don’t understand that and have not used it. The younger ones will discover it, will apply it and this place will take off. Prof Wole Soyinka recently gave a narrative of the June 12 struggle, accusing Igbo leaders of indifference at best and worse, betrayal of the cause. Could that be true? Wole (Soyinka) is my respected Egbon but on this matter he is speaking out of ignorance and if he wants the true facts of the situation, he should go and have a lecture from Ayo Opadokun. If he still has questions, he should then go to Ayo Adebanjo. Let me start from the beginning. The road to June 12 started from Abiriba in 1990. What happened? Abdul-Aziz Udeh, Ebitu Ukiwe and I sat down to look at Nigeria. That time General Ibrahim Babangida had just added two more years to when the handover of power would take place, so we asked ourselves, if politics of Nigeria changes in two years’ time, how are we going to compete with the Yoruba, with the Hausa-Fulani because we came from the assumption that population-wise, the three major tribes were about equal. In fact, we believed that there were more Igbo than Yoruba but we had only two states at the time and there were five states in the West. In the core north, there were seven states or more. This was before the proliferation of postage stamp states. After that discussion, we agreed that we were going to call a quiet meeting of Igbo leaders. That meeting held on December 31,

‘It is possible to develop Igbo Land as a country within a country’ In this interview with IKECHUKWU AMAECHI, Prof Anya O. Anya, a chartered Biologist, who is distinguished for his work in Parasitology, 1992 Nigerian National Medal of Merit awardee, former Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Economic Summit Group, former President of Nigerian Academy of Science, speaks on issues of national importance. In particular, he explains the role played by the Igbo in the formation of the National Democratic Coalition that fought for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), rejecting the claim by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, that Ndigbo did not support the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate. Excerpts:

1990 in Abiriba. Pius Okigbo, Sam Mbakwe, C.C. Onoh, Evan Enwerem were all there. In fact, every who is who in Igboland was in Abiriba on that day. And the presentation that Ukiwe made was simple: Ndigbo are on the periphery of Nigeria and we have to decide whether we want to move into Nigeria or not … Ukiwe was no longer in Babangida’s government at this time? Yes, he had been bundled out. He left around October 1987, so that was three years after. When the matter was presented that way, we came to the conclusion that Igbo interest would be served best in the Nigeria that was developing. Since we tried to go our separate way and it didn’t work, we must make the most of the new situation. So, how do we recapture lost opportunities and lost time? The second agreement was that we needed to make up with the Yoruba because they cannot throw us out of Nigeria and we cannot either. So, we must learn to live together. It was then agreed that a delega-

tion be sent. That delegation which I led had Eustace Eke and Dr. Ishmael Anyadiegwu as members. The meeting agreed also that before the three of us went to see Adekunle Ajasin to tell him what the Igbo decided, another three-man delegation which I also led and which included Mbakwe and Onoh would go to Uwana to see Eze Akanu Ibiam. You couldn’t be talking about charting a new course for the Igbo and you have an elder like that and you won’t seek advice from him. So, we went to see him. Something interesting happened that day. When Onoh and I got to Okigwe junction to wait for Mbakwe, guess who we saw? Ralph Obioha. When he saw the three of us, he was curious, and asked what was happening. We were friends, so I told him we were going to see Eze Akanu Ibiam, and he said just seeing the three of us, whatever it was must be important and wished us safe trip. I am saying this because NADECO was still in the future. We then went on the journey and Akanu Ibiam agreed that it was a good

thing. Don’t forget that his late wife was Yoruba, I knew them as a child. I used to be taken to his hospital in Abiriba and the wife was then shall we say the super wife that looked after all the Abiriba young wives including my mother. So, we had a family relationship. So, with Ibiam’s blessing, Eke, Anyadiegwu and I went to Owo to see Ajasin. When I told him what our mission was, he was incredulous and suspicious. He said the Yoruba had been meeting with the Igbo, including Emeka Echerou and even Mbakwe and wondered what the new initiative was all about. But I pointed at my two colleagues and told him that they were politicians and I was not. I told him that the fact that I, a non-politician, was leading the delegation mandated by active politicians like Onoh and others should tell him that what we had was not a political meeting but that our people and his people should get together and say how do we co-exist and work together in Nigeria, what vision do we have for this country. I

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

BOLD AND BLUNT

•Prof Anya O. Anya told him that unless we do that, Nigeria was not going to go where we thought it could and should go. He said he would think about it and two weeks later, he rang me up in Nsukka to say his people had agreed to the meeting. So, it now became when, where and how. After a lot of consultations on our side and on their side, there was a meeting in Asaba in the late Sunny Odogwu’s house. Abraham Adesanya, Bola Ige, and other Yoruba leaders were there. On our side, the people I have mentioned were there. To cut a long story short, that meeting led to the formation of a group called the Council of Unity and Understanding (CUU) and we used that framework to interrogate the situation in Nigeria. Then the changes in politics started. Let me even make this bold claim and I believe that Ayo Opadokun and General Theophilus Danjuma can confirm it. The discussion with the Yoruba leaders was clear. They had an eye on one of them, that is a Yoruba man, succeeding to the governance of Nigeria and we said, yes, we will help them but we had to think about the Yoruba, who from the Igbo point of view would be broad minded enough and understand why it was necessary to now have a cosmopolitan leadership in Nigeria. We all agreed that Abiola was the most approximation, of course there were people who didn’t like him, and we said in politics you don’t choose your friends, rather your interest chooses friends for you. So we decided that from the Igbo point of view, Abiola was the best choice. Don’t forget that the people we were dealing with were mostly the Awoist School who obviously had their own candidate although it wasn’t clear but they took it for granted that we would pick their own candidate, so we kept on moving till we got to the point where having sold Abiola to them, they finally agreed but we had put a caveat: “If you accept Abiola, you must now present him as your candidate to the rest of us.” So, how did General Danjuma come into the picture? Yes, I mentioned Danjuma earlier. When the Igbo-Yoruba thing started catching traction, we thought it was necessary to bring the Middle Belt and a few of us including Ebitu Ukiwe were sent to discuss with Danjuma and of course, the Middle Belt Forum was so happy that this was happening. So the CUU became a tripartite group with the East, West and Middle Belt. To concre-

tise that, we had three co-chairmen – Danjuma representing the Middle Belt, Ajasin representing the West, Ukiwe representing the East. That was how the CUU operated. Now it got to the point where at a meeting in Danjuma’s house in Victoria Island, Ajasin told us they had convinced Abiola to come and see us, but when he presented it, it was as if all of us would now join to interview Abiola. And we said that was not the understanding, which was that we yielded to them that their son would with our support run for the presidency of Nigeria, but they would bring and introduce him to us. When this developed into an argument, the eastern delegation actually pretended a walk-out with the exception of Ukiwe who sat back. Then, of course, Ayo Opadokun and a few others came to plead with us to come back. We came back and Ajasin now agreed that they had adopted Abiola and soon after Abiola came in and we started discussions. To cut a long story short, the three sides agreed that we were supporting Abiola. And at that point I became the spokesman for the East in interviewing Abiola and I told him: “If the election was held today, you know that you will probably get 70 to 90 per cent of the votes in Yoruba land, probably 50 percent of the votes in the North, probably 60 percent in the Middle Belt, in the East I don’t want you to have unwholesome expectations, we won’t give you more than 10 percent, however that 10 percent is costlier than even the 90 percent you would get from Yoruba land.” And you know how Abiola talks, he cracked a joke and we all laughed. He then asked why? I told him the reason was simple: Where we were starting from was farther than where the other people were. We also told him that we were being realistic, because we may not presume we were speaking for all Igbo because the Igbo society was not like the others where everybody takes to one tendency. I told him that we were hopeful that we may give 40, 50 per cent or more but that we don’t want him to be unrealistic. He said that was okay, Later, Abdul-Aziz and I had a meeting with Abiola and we told him clearly that if what we were planning worked out, political offices would be shared equally. However, we specifically demanded that the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) which would be completely under his control, must be reserved for the Igbo.

He asked why? I told him Ndigbo had been excluded from the mainstream for a long time and we needed to have something that would give our people hope. We also told him that at some stage, he may have to make that promise public and that was what happened. So, we all now returned home to make sure that we prepared the ground and that was how the journey to Abiola’s aborted presidency started. As time went on, even two weeks to that election, nobody was sure but we had our own polling system in the East. Nma Agbagha, a Journalist, was the one that was coordinating the meetings between the leaders and the discussions on how people were feeling. Until two weeks to the election, it was not very clear that Abiola would win but in the last two weeks or so, it started looking like a seismic. Our contacts in other parts of Nigeria started indicating the same. The rest is now history. He won the election but then the crisis began. Now, this is where the story changed because what now happened was that after the election and changes in government took place and it became clear that Abacha was not going to yield as easily as was presumed, we had a meeting in General Adeyinka Adebayo’s house in Ikeja. When you say we, who are they? The leaders of the CUU. At this time, I was the assumed chairman of the strategic planning committee which included Ayo Adebanjo and Ayo Opadokun; occasionally Olu Falae would come because that time I was then special consultant to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, so I had a guest house at the Bar Beach area, that was where we used to meet. We would brainstorm and you must give credit to Ayo Opadokun, his passion was full and he was so happy that the Igbo and Yoruba could sit together and he was prepared to give anything to make sure that the entire thing went well. So, at what stage was NADECO formed? It was at this stage because we said with the way CUU was structured, it would not be capable of fighting the next phase of the battle which may entail public demonstrations and all kinds of things. So we agreed that we would now engineer the formation of a new organisation with the CUU still remaining as the steering committee but this other one will now be a mass movement. We then agreed to invite Anthony Enahoro to the meeting because he was more experienced with trying to mobilise people

and so on. It was at that meeting that we formed the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). If you go back to The Punch newspaper of that period, you will find the names of the 50 people who signed it. I was the only one holding a public sector office at that time. Adesanya, Ige, etc., were on their own and some people asked me why I signed and I said I had to because I was part of the leadership that planned it. And on a trip to Ghana, they took my passport at the Ikeja Airport, I wrote them a very short letter that if my passport was not released in five days, I would internationalise the issue. Luckily, they sent it back to me in seven days. They just phoned me and said, come and pick up your passport. Then Olu Falae came to me and said what did you do? Of course I knew that in the minds of some of them, to have gotten back my passport so fast, I must have done a deal with the government? So, that was how NADECO started but all kinds of people now joined it and it became what it became. But as we say, failure is an orphan nobody claims it but success is a bastard. NADECO is a bastard situation now and everybody is claiming it. At what point did the struggle become ethnicised? So, that introduced a new element, NADECO, into the struggle. Now, all kinds of people who never attended any meeting related to NADECO, started claiming to be the great apostles of democracy. But something happened that was to transform the nature of the NADECO that was formed. At one of our meetings, it was agreed that a statement should be issued, in that statement, there was one sentence that looked like an ultimatum to the government, I remember that Danjuma asked that the sentence be removed, Ukiwe also said the sentence should be removed and our argument was quite simple: that you are dealing with a military government and an ultimatum to a military government is a declaration of war, if they now decide to take you on, do you have the armament? Have you made the preparations? So unanimously we agreed that the sentence should be removed but one of those things that happens in history, when the statement was published in The Punch, that sentence was still there. Of course, it upset some of us. I knew it upset Ukiwe and Danjuma. So, what happened? Why was the statement not expunged as agreed? It turned out that after we had met, three people met again, all Yoruba, and decided that the sentence must be there. I can’t speak for Ukiwe and Danjuma but I speak for myself. For me, it was a dangerous signal because what we were involved in, we were now going into a situation where any of us could be arrested, where it is even possible that any of us could be executed, the least you expect is that those people you are working with you can trust them, that whatever was agreed as our collective wisdom will be obeyed. That was dangerous because it means that you can get into an understanding and you go away doing certain things that was agreed and then the results will be different because some people are doing something else. So it undermined trust. The result was that I started distancing myself from NADECO, but we were still maintaining contact with CUU. It also meant that Ukiwe, I didn’t discuss it with him, he didn’t discuss it with me, but he also distanced himself. The same thing happened with Danjuma. The result was that it became more ethnic Yoruba than the broad national thing that it was originally meant to be. But Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and some other Igbo people continued despite all that? In the article you wrote in your column in the Vanguard newspaper, you mentioned Ndubuisi Kanu but he was not part of the group that formed NADECO. I brought Ndubuisi into the system and I will tell you why. When things started moving, much of the mobilisation activities were here in Lagos and I was in Nsukka, I was flying in from there, so it became clear that I ought to be nearer so that there will be easier consultation, so I asked for a meeting with Abiola in his house in Ikeja, I had discussed with Ukiwe on the need to bring Ndubuisi Kanu into the picture so that he

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

INTERVIEW ...To develop Igbo Land as a country within a country’ Continued from Page 15 can do some of the running around that Ukiwe couldn’t do because don’t forget having left the government of Babangida, he was obviously on a watch list. I was the one who took Ndubuisi and introduced him to Abiola, and said because I was in Nsukka and events were moving faster if it was necessary to make contact, he should contact Ndubuisi Kanu, he will know how to reach me and others. At that meeting in Abiola’s house, not only was Kudirat there, but Beko Ransome-Kuti was also there because we were already thinking about how to mobilise the public, so Beko had to come into it. You said Soyinka spoke out of ignorance but he is a deliberate person, why would he make this type of intervention at this time? Maybe because, a man of great achievement as he is gets to the point where he thinks he is an oracle. Don’t forget, from the CUU to NADECO, the serious decisions that I narrated to you were taken quietly in private and nobody knew such things were happening, so I am prepared to accept that he may not have known either the origin of NADECO or even of the thinking of the Yoruba leaders – the Afenifere group, Awoist group – and don’t forget that he and them were not necessarily the best of friends. So he can speak based on the limits of his understanding but you can see from what I have said, he was a late comer to the NADECO story. Looking at all that you have narrated and the role Ndigbo played in pushing the Abiola candidacy and founding of NADECO, why is it that some Yoruba still perceive Ndigbo negatively? You have to go back to 1920s, 1930s and the early 40s, have you ever heard about the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)? You see, to the Alakijas and those other well educated Yoruba of that period, the Igbo, particularly represented by Nnamdi Azikiwe were upstarts who were now arrogating to themselves things they did not know. They were the ones who had the grace of how to deal with the white man. So because that strand of thinking had never been expunged, it has now developed a life of its own. The truth of the matter is that it also suited Awolowo’s politics at a certain stage of his political career to build on that and he took the same side during the debacle over the Nigerian Youth Movement with the other people. So, there is no point belabouring it, the truth of the matter is that to the average Yoruba of the old school, these uneducated ones just came out of nowhere and were now taking over Nigeria and it must be stopped. But because we ourselves have tended not to interrogate the situation even in my going to see Ajasin, most Igbo thought it was not in the Igbo interest to sit down and talk with a Yoruba man about the future of Nigeria because both sides see themselves as competitors. But it is the two ethnic groups that have what it takes to develop a proper vision of the future for Nigeria. It suited the politics of the North to keep them separate and we fell for it and from being the talk among the leaders it became the talk among the ordinary people but those ordinary people despite listening to what their leaders say, when they meet in the market they make friends, they interact with themselves. So it became more or less something that is within the elite, either you are struggling for the same offices in the public service or you are struggling for the same contracts in the private sector. Which was part of what I told Ajasin. It was now time that leaders from both sides are seen working together so that we can now tell the story to our people that this was not the way of the future. I illustrated it the time he was telling me that it was not necessary and I said, “Sir, you are older and more experienced than me. Why is it that when you have an office, and there are Igbo and Yoruba there, they see themselves not as people who can cooperate but people who must fight. Is that healthy? Is that good for the Yoruba or for

•Prof Anya O. Anya the Igbo?” He thought about it for some time and said okay, I have seen what you mean. I told him that we were looking for ways to remould the psychology of both peoples to start looking into a different kind of future. That was my argument and that was what finally, I believe, made him to align himself with our position and the rest is history. What then is your take on the June 12 Democracy Day? Do you think that has finally brought a closure to the ugly saga? I do not think it has brought a closure and the reason is that just declaring the day does not teach the lessons of what the entire experience should teach the nation because if we learn the proper lessons from it, it will now be codified in rules and regulations and values that guide the leadership of Nigeria. So, I don’t think it is closure. It is still a matter to be interrogated, but a platform has now been set where we can interact to learn the lessons. It is a historical situation and some of the things I told you now, are not in the public domain. And those who change societies, are not the people in the market place, changes come slowly but steadily. At times, those who make the fundamental changes are not even known. It just happens that I am still alive when these things are happening. Was there any particular thing that happened at the meeting in Asaba that made a lasting impression on you? At that meeting, Bola (Ige) and I had a head-on collision. But I think after that confrontation, he went to find out who I was, and when he did, he respected me to the point that he put every effort for us to become friends and we became very good friends. If you remember, when he died, the ceremony at the stadium in Ibadan, it was Wole Soyinka and I that spoke. There are three books that he wrote and I chaired the launching of all three including the ones that we started and security people came and chased us away. And he visited me the December before he was killed, he came to Abiriba, spent a night with us there in the village and we agreed that it would be my turn to visit the next year. But that was the December he was killed. He made contact with me when he decided to leave the Obasanjo government, he confided in me and told me the reasons. When my son Chidi got married, it was Bola Ige that chaired the occasion. And the relationship is still there. His son, Muyiwa, and

daughter still relate to me, though it is not as regular as I would want it but the relationship still exists. What was the point of disagreement in Asaba between you and Ige? It was also the presumption that they understand the politics of Nigeria better than we do. But that is not true. The fact that I don’t express an opinion when you are shouting doesn’t mean that you are more committed than I am or that I do not know what to do or that I will not even do what I have decided to do. So, we should not jump into conclusions like that. What is your take on the quest for Igbo presidency in 2023? Again, dealing with the Igbo, it is difficult not to be at times blunt and offensive. For instance, my late junior brother, Ojo Maduekwe, remember the trouble he got into for saying that the idea of Igbo presidency was idiotic. Of course, his choice of words might be the problem but the strand of idea is that let us be honest, Ndigbo won’t make one of their own president. Other Nigerians will. But let me ask a question, all the Igbo that have held high offices – the four past presidents of Senate, in fact, let me remind you, under Jonathan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was coordinating minister, which was just another way of saying she was the prime minister but in other not to offend the sensibilities of other people, she was designated coordinating minister, Pius Anyim was SGF – can you point to one benefit that occupying such high positions by Igbo brought to Igboland? Just name one. Although this is now a personal dimension, I had very good personal relationship with Anyim and Ngozi. Both respected me. At one stage I had to intervene with them one on one and I was horrified to find out that in the two years they had been in office together, at the time I was talking with them, the two of them had never sat down together to say what is the one or two things that our people needed that we must do now that we had this opportunity. Just meeting to exchange views. So, when you then look at it, it has led me to say, that we need a different approach and that different approach is simply to say, that between each election cycle, a group of Igbo people of sufficient intelligence, sufficient intellectual power, sufficient public spiritedness and patriotic in the Igbo sense can get together and say, what are the three or four things that the Igbo need at this point. We will now sit down and work

out details of that so that you can now use that to negotiate with whoever is interested in office. Those are the things that the man who wants to be president must commit to Ndigbo. Anyone who wants office, let him go and negotiate and whatever he gets is okay. But we must now as a people ask for those things that will have impact on the lives of the ordinary people. When you do that, our people are industrious. It will increase the productivity of individuals and therefore the productivity and economy of the southeast. That is more important to us. Is it even a good thing that we have the largest number of past senate presidents? It is failure not success. So, emphasis for me should not be on what individuals get. If individuals want anything, let them go and negotiate for it. What they get is up to them. As a people, we should have a common vision of what society we want to build and at each stage what and what we need to be done for that society for our vision to materialise. You see we keep on shouting about marginalisation, for me it is rubbish because even if you are being marginalized, the man who is doing it has his own purpose and when you start crying , you make him feel important. He has succeeded. What frightens people more about an individual or a people is that when they wrong you, you just ignore it as if you didn’t notice, as if it was nothing. Nothing is as painful to a person as being ignored. And for me that is the strategy I found very useful as a person. And that is the strategy I will always recommend to the Igbo. The man who wants you to cry, why should you gratify him by crying? So, we come back to 2023, four years is far away right now where we are in Nigeria. Will there be a Nigeria in four years? I don’t know and you don’t know. What kind of Nigeria? I don’t know and you don’t know because people are holding meetings as if this country is normal. This country is not normal. So, we do not know what is going to happen. The politics of appeasement in history has never paid. Look at Nigeria. Yoruba have succeeded more by being in opposition than by agreeing with governments because when you make people uncomfortable, they are not comfortable and at some stage, they would want that discomfort to be removed and they are prepared to sit and talk with you. And you can reach an agreement provided you are realistic. You don’t ask for the moon. You ask for things that are practical and can be done. And they will do it and once they have done it, a new situation has emerged. In that new situation, it will dictate what you now need and you proceed from there. Our problem really is that first we are too loud, second, there are not too many strategic thinkers amongst us, and third, we are too individualistic although I like our individualism because it is the seed of achievement. But the important point is to recognise the Igbo values – ana etoro ihe etoru and igwe bu ike. Therefore, the communal ethos is important however important you are as an individual. Don’t forget that in 1934 when Zik, Ibiam and others started emerging as the first graduates in Igboland, their classmates were the grandchildren of the first Yoruba educated people. So, there was that gap. But by 1948, the gap had been closed. By 1960 we were ahead. And we didn’t shout about it. Every community just settled down, looked for the best, if you were bright, the community will train you. Nobody will ask whose child you are. And that is the same principle that the Chinese are applying that brought them to where they are today. If I may even go further, you know it is possible to develop Igboland as a country within a country. We don’t have to be separate from Nigeria to be an enclave of the greatest but you do it by doing the things that need to be put in place either by individuals or the government should create the environment where these things can thrive. •INTERVIEW CULLED FROM THE NICHE ONLINE

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

POLITICS Abia Speaker inaugurates 25 standing committees

HE Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly has inaugurated 25 standing Committees for effective oversight functions of the Legislature . In the process, the representing Umunneochi State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Barrister Okey Igwe, emerged as the Chairman of House Committee on Energy and Solid Minerals. Inaugurating the Committees, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, charged the chairmen and committee members to live up to their responsibilities in performing their oversight functions. Orji further implored the members to be proactive in performing their duties for the good of all Abians. Other members of the House Committee on Energy and Solid Minerals are Veronica Kalu (Secretary), Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike, Hon. Godwin Adiele, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu and Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. The member representing Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Barrister Okey Igwe, has been named the Chairman of House Committee on Energy and Solid Minerals. Igwe was made the Committee Chairman Tuesday when the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, inaugurated 25 standing Committees

•Igwe heads emerges Energy, Solid Minerals Committee

From Umuahia, BONIFACE OKORO reports that the recent inauguration, by the Speaker, of 25 standing committees of Abia State House of Assembly signalled the readiness of the Abia legislative House to get down to serious work.

Other Committees are as follows: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS, PRIVILEGES, RULES AND BUSINESS. Hon. Solomon Akpulonu – Chairman. Hon. Abraham Oba. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Kenneth Okorie – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. Hon. Mike Ukoha – Chairman. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Munachim Alozie. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Kingsley Alozie – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WORKS AND PROJECTS MONITORING. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe – Chairman. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Hon. Abraham Oba. Goddy Oyiuwa secretary HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. Hon. Paul Taribo – Chairman. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Barr. Oke Igwe. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Okoronkwo Abigail – Secretary. Chidinma Ogbaji – Assistant Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu – Chairman. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Abraham Oba. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Alili Onyemachi – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT. Hon. Munachim Alozie – Chairman.

•Chinedum Orji

Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Abraham Oba. Hon. Ichita Obinna. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Eke Michael – Secretary. Chukwudi Jennifer – Assistant Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT/CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu – Chairman. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Nduka Agwu Ukpai – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATION. Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku chairman Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike. Hon. Thomas A. C. Nkoro. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Emeka Otumchere – Secretary. Uloma – Assistant Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND DUE PROCESS. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo – Chairman. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Munachim Alozie. Hon. Chukwu Chijioke. Hon. Allen Nwachukwu. Hon. Abraham Oba. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Ijioma lzuta – Secretary. Oke Onyekwere – Assistant Secretary.

•Okey Igwe

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu – Chairman. Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Chukwu Chijioke. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Anosike Chima – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. Hon. Chukwu Chijioke – Chairman. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Ngozi Nwachukwu – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT. Hon. Abraham Oba – Chairman. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Munachim Alozie. Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Kelechi onuzuruike Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Nwaokoro Ijioma – Secretary. Bright Nwachukwu – Assistant Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LANDS & URBAN PLANNING Hon. Aaron Uzodike – chairman Hon. Chukwudi Apugo Hon. Barr. Solomon Chijioke Akpulonu Hon. Emeka okoroafor Hon. Paul Taribo Hon. Okey Igwe Hon. Chukwu chijioke Hon. Jerry uzosike Hon. Ichita obinna Martin Okezie chijioke secretary HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NDDC – ASOPADEC – PETROLEUM MATTERS. Hon. Godwin Adiele – Chairman. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Hon. Barr. Oke Igwe. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Rita Ihibudu – Secretary.

•Ifeanyi Uchendu

HOUSE COMMITTEE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND WATERS RESOURCES Hon. Ichita obinna chairman Hon. Barr. Solomon Chijioke Akpulonu Hon. Kelechi onuzuruike Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi Hon. Ginger Onwusibe Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu Hon. Chukwudi Apugo Hon. Mike Ukoha Mary Obum secretary Ogbonna mgbechi assist secretary HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SDG, PLANNING COMMISSION AND DONOR AGENCIES. Hon. Barr Jerry Uzosike – Chairman. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Onyeama Chukwuemeka – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WOMEN AFFAIRS. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi – Chairman. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Chukwu Chijioke. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Jerry uzosike Gloria Nwabuisi – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SPORTS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. – chairman Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Munachim Alozie. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Ugochukwu Irobunga- Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike – Chairman. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Mandela Obasi. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku. Hon. Chukwu Chijioke. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

POLITICS Abia Speaker inaugurates 25 standing committees

No more war in Umueri

Cont’d from page 17 Amaka Ukwu-Rocks – Secretary. Ndubuisi Umezuruike – Assistant Secretary.

•We didn’t buy grenades, AK47 rifles for any conflict, says Igwe Okebo From Awka, OZO RAY writes that the social media report that Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State is in turmoil over armoury, may be false after all. His conclusion, he reports, stemmed from the vehemence with which the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Ben Emeka Okebo denied what he was to dub “malicious reports”.

he social media has been abuzz of recent with allegations, what some people have described as “malignant social media propaganda, that Umueri community in Anambra-East Local Government Area of Anambra State” is in crisis following a supremacy struggle over the ownership and control of a purported clandestine armoury by the traditional ruler of the community His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Ben Izuchukwu Emeka Okebo ii of Umueri kingdom and the President-General of the Town Union, Chief Pius Ejimofor Okonkwo. According to the tale bearers, some youths of the community had actually died as a result of the rift between the two prominent individuals. But contrary to the “vile” allegations, the traditional ruler of the community has denied that his community is in turmoil, insisting that Umueri is peaceful and has not witnessed any pandemonium whatsoever, nor did anyone die in his community. In a press statement at the weekend, Igwe Emeka stressed that contrary to the contents of some social media reports alleging that the imbroglio between the Igwe and the President-General of the town union claimed the lives of some youths in the area, there was, indeed, nothing like that. He expressed worry at the rate at which some “unscrupulous” elements go on social media to cast aspersions on x`Umueri community . The press statement read in part: “The attention of the traditional ruler and people of Umueri kingdom in Anambra-East local government area of Anambra state has been drawn to a malicious report on the social media where some faceless, disgruntled elements claimed that the community has an armoury where it allegedly stored guns and ammunition for reasons the author(s) of the said report could not say. “Furthermore the said report equally alleged that some youths had lost their lives over what they interpreted as the face-off between the traditional ruler of the community His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Ben Izuchukwu Emeka ( Okebo ii of Umueri ) and the

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION. Hon. Thomas A. C. Nkoro – Chairman. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. Hon. Chukwudi Apugo. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike. Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Florence Nwankwo – Secretary. Uko O. – Assistant Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor – Chairman. Hon. Thomas A. C. Nkoro. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu. Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Aaron Uzodike. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Chibuzor Kalu – Secretary.

•Igwe Ben Emeka Okebo

President-General of Umueri Town Union Chief Pius Ejimofor Okonkwo where both prominent individuals had disagreed over the ownership and control of the purported armoury . “The traditional ruler of the town HRM Igwe Sir Ben Izuchukwu Emeka by this press release declares that the allegations of an armoury in his domain is false and, to all intents and purposes, intended to tarnish the reputation of his peace-loving community as well as drag his name to the mud . “There is no war in Umueri and the President-General and traditional ruler are working harmoniously well to ensure a tranquil atmosphere of love and unity for all and sundry to thrive . “Again the traditional ruler reiterates his position that nobody died in Umueri community contrary to malicious social media reports . That what they had was a minor internal town union leadership squabble where an impeachment attempt was made on the PG but said that he has the situation under firm control and that government was aware of the development and would resolve the matter in a short while . “The monarch by this press release states categorically that the perpetrators of social media propaganda against his throne and Umueri community were being tracked and would be sued for libel if apprehended by security agencies.” “He therefore urges members of the public and indeed all well-meaning individuals to adopt more viable means of fishing out persons who use fake names on the social media to malign people .” Igwe Umueri who stated that he does not reckon with social media contents anymore due to misinformation and disinformation, maintained that the reputations of many prominent Nigerians have been destroyed and rendered worthless by faceless social media influencers . He said Umueri didn’t buy AK47 rifles neither did it store arms and ammunitions for war . The traditional ruler of the community emphasized that he didn’t buy AK47 rifles and that no-

body in Umueri community bought AK47 rifles as maliciously alleged in the social media . The monarch noted that he has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction and can not take human life because he is not at war with any person but expressed great delight that the security agencies were aware of the situation; that if Umueri community had any armoury, it wouldn’t have taken security agencies too much task to discover the hideout where the said arms were kept . He stated repeatedly that no single soul died in his community over the town union leadership crisis the country had in the recent past . Apart from that, the traditional ruler equally stated that no attempt was made by the town union to dethrone him because according to him, the town union has no such powers and that if there was any established case of his high-handedness in office as the monarch, it was the entire community that would decide his fate while Governor Willie Obiano reserves the exclusive right to withdraw his certificate of recognition as traditional ruler of the community, stressing that some disgruntled elements in the community can not plot his removal over selfish reasons knowing fully that it took Umueri about 22 years to produce another traditional ruler . “The Igweship in Umueri is just two years old. We are going to three years and somebody will wake up one morning to say he wants to remove the Igwe of Umueri. He will first of all , remove himself before removing the Igwe of Umueri, the Igwe that Umueri never saw for 22 years and when I emerged a lot of developments started coming to the community? I have restored peace and development in Umueri community. There is no bloodshed and nobody died in my community irrespective of unfounded malicious social media propaganda against us.” •Igwe Emeka

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BOUNDARY AND SECURITY MATTERS. Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu – Chairman. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu. Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Paul Taribo. Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi. Promise Onwukwe – Secretary. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & SOLID MINERALS. Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe. Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Godwin Adiele. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Nnamdi Allen Nwachukwu. Hon. Ichita Obinna Martin. Veronica Kalu – Secretary. COMMITTEE ON HOUSE SERVICES. Hon. Mandela Obasi – Chairman. Sir. Johnpedro Irokansi – Secretary. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PETITIONS. Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor – chairman Hon. Barr. Jerry Uzosike. Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi. Hon. Mike Ukoha. Bright Nwachukwu – Secretary. Meanwhile, the House has proceeded on a two-month recess and would resume on September 23, 2019.

•Godwin Adiele

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

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Shell plans N61.2 bn proxy operations in Ogoniland

•Tourism

Energy

FG earns N6.33bn petroleum income in May P23

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

nglo-Dutch oil major, Shell, whose legendary animosity with the host Ogoni communities in Rivers State led to unmanageable hostilities, may have resorted to backstage reentry into the highly contentious oil mining lease (OML) 11 where its operations ran into quandary. Indigenous Lekoil and its new joint venture partner, Green Energy International Limited , is reported to be coordinating wider collaboration with group of other independent producers to develop a new oil export terminal onshore coastal Niger Delta to channel production from OML 11 for easy offtake by Shell. Lekoil operates the Otakikpo marginal field in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 licence acreage, and shares vision of common export facility in addition to an alternate plan with “an international oil company” and oilfield service giant, Schlumberger, to activate a drilling campaign for enhanced production and infrastructure development in the area. The Oracle Today gathered that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria Limited which operates the NNPC/Shell/Total/ Eni joint venture has been struggling with strategies of regaining access to the Ogoni oilfields after it lost face with the host communities following the execution of nine Ogoni community leaders including playwright, Ken SaroWiwa. The Ogoni leaders were executed by military government of Late General Sani Abacha in circumstances in which Shell was accused as the instigator. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari served as the head of the powerful Petroleum Special Trust Fund (PTF) under the regime. General Buhari had earlier in March this year directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to quietly assume operatorship of OML 11 from Shell after the acreage was excised from the joint venture through license renewal refusal by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Checks at DPR show that Shell has secured license renewal on 16 out of 17 expiring producing licenses, and was still in pursuit of OML 11 renewal. President Buhari who is in position to understand the issues and circumstances of the oil block had

AVIATION

Foreign airlines major problem of indigenous carriers –Onyema P25 e-Platform

OEMs sell over .6m devices in 3yrs –NITDA • President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned NNPC to make noiseless reentry into OML 11 considering “delicate situation in Ogoniland.” The directive carries the misleading inference that Shell had been downgraded to mere financial interest in the asset; but NNPC has not effectively taken over operatorship of the asset and Shell still engages DPR on renewal of operating license on the block. However, the charade between government and Shell started giving way to concrete moves with a report that the oil major plans to empower small independent companies to produce the asset under a backstage arrangement that fronts indigenous players. Under the arrangement, an unnamed IOC is reported to have pledged to undertake $170 million or N61.2 billion funding obligation for the group of producers in the massive OML 11 under a carried agreement. The unnamed IOC is also to recoup cost plus margin through exclusive commodity offtake from the new terminal. “The JV anticipates capex of around $170 million for the new wells and processing infrastructure, with

CBN Exchange Rates As At Friday, July 12, 2019 Currency Buying(₦) DANISH KRONA 46.0712 US DOLLAR 306 POUNDS STERLING 383.7852 SWISS FRANC 310.1875 YEN 2.8289 CFA 0.5036 WAUA 421.548 YUAN/RENMINBI 44.4565 RIYAL 81.5869 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 21.8299 SDR 423.2592

the unnamed IOC providing funding to the JV alongside other funding partners, subject to due diligence, project economics, entry into definitive documentation and a final investment decision. “The partners will also enter an exclusive offtake agreement with the IOC for the sale of crude produced, with Schlumberger serving as technical and project execution partner to provide oilfield services and project management services to assist in rampup of production and long-term field management,” the report stated. Although reports available to The Oracle Today did not mention Shell as the International Oil Company that is funding the arrangement, our findings showed that Shell still holds the operatorship of the joint venture in which the OML 11 is included. Under that JV arrangement, it would be difficult for any other partner to assume asset operatorship unless the terms of the joint operating agreement (JOA) among parties has been modified to permit the swap. Besides, the JV also runs a collective fiscal arrangement that captures operations in all assets into one budget.

Again, with the official directive on possible transfer of operatorship to NNPC, it would be difficult to contemplate Total or Agip coordinating alternative entry strategy on the controversial asset. The new effort to reactivate operations in Ogoniland would one of several in which Shell lurks behind the curtain. Shell had severally declared that it shut its operations in the Ogoniland over safety concerns, but it also continues to report production losses and spills from operated production facilities in the area, leading to suspicion that the company may have deployed remote operations technology to sustain production in the block. However, the company continues to deny claims that it taps production from Ogoni assets. It also blames third party interference for spills that regularly occur at its facilities in the area, prompting questions over modalities the company adopted in production shut-in in the area. According to experts that spoke on the issue, production facilities like pipelines and flow stations in Ogoniland Continues on Energy Page

P27 Equity & Capital Market

Lafarge investors demand for more restructuring P29 Money Market

LCCI lauds new lending policy of CBN P30

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AS AT FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019

Summary

Central (₦) Selling(₦) ASI 28,566.79 DEALS 2,707.00 46.1464 46.2217 VOLUME 100,373,875.00 306.5 307 VALUE N1,459,612,583.73 384.4123 385.0394 EQUITY CAP N13,922,041,087,469.36 310.6944 311.2012 BOND CAP N12,193,750,555,488.50 ETF CAP N0.00 2.8335 2.8381 0.5136 0.5236 Top 5 Trades 422.2368 422.9256 S/N Coy (By Volume) Value(N) 44.5296 44.6026 1. ZENITHBANK 17,363,357 N329,882,150.25 81.7203 81.8536 2. STANBIC 10,789,567 N431,572,631.85 3. FBNH 8,453,937 N50,606,026.45 21.8655 21.9012 UBA 8,403,131 N49,640,826.95 423.9508 424.6424 4. 5. CHIPLC 7,015,999 N2,314,779.72

5 Top Gainers

Symbols CCNN UACN ACCESS UBA UCAP

Last Close Current Change %Change N13.85 N14.5 0.65 4.69% N5.8 N6 0.2 3.45% N6.6 N6.7 0.1 1.52% N5.85 N5.9 0.05 0.85% N2.17 N2.2 0.03 1.38%

5 Top Losers NESTLE NB MTNN PZ REDSTAREX

N1280 N61 N130 N6.45 N5.4

N1225 N58 N129.65 N6.2 N5.2

-55 -3 -0.35 -0.25 -0.2

-4.30% -4.92% -0.27% -3.88% -3.70%

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Shiites Must Not Become Terrorists

protesters to wait for the outcome heikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader Emergency Management Agency of Zakzaky’s trial. But how long of the Islamic Movement in (NEMA) located on Ahmadu Bello will it take before the court gives Nigeria (IMN), otherwise called Way, beside the Federal Secretariat, its judgement? We know the speed Shiites, and his wife have been and burnt down two of its ambuwith which Nigerian courts operate. in detention since December 2015 lances. Detention without trial belongs only after a confrontation between the A fortnight earlier, two Shiites had in authoritarian regimes. And justice Islamic group and Nigerian soldiers been shot dead and two police ofdelayed is justice denied. in Kaduna State, which led to the ficers injured as they protested at Inspector-General of Police Mohammassacre of no fewer than 300 the National Assembly complex in med Adamu should pressure the Shiites. El-Zakzaky is being tried for Abuja. The aggrieved Shiites claim presidency to toe the path of peace murder, but a high court once orthat, in October 2018, more than 40 and not open new battle frontiers. dered his release. The Muhammadu people were killed when the security His usual claims that “everything is Buhari-led federal government has forces opened fire on crowds on the under control” appear suspect. Agrefused, and, instead, it has been outskirts of Abuja. grieved people have a right to probringing additional charges against Many concerned Nigerians have adtest in a peaceful manner; the police him. vised the Buhari administration to should not shoot live bullets at them. His followers have staged protest avoid creating another terrorist orIt is such attitude that often provokes marches in Abuja for at least two ganisation in the country by finding crowds to turn violent. years now, as they demanded a way to let El-Zakzaky, his wife and While we do not recommend that Sheikh El-Zakzaky’s release. Someother Shiite detainees regain freethe course of justice be altered, the times, they were peaceful protests; dom. We at The Oracle Today are courts should be encouraged to exat other times they turned violent. equally concerned that court orders pedite their trials. El-Zakzaky could This Monday witnessed the most have been disobeyed in the case of be taken on bail or put under house violent so far: at least 10 Shiites El-Zakzaky and other detainees like arrest as his trial continues. Also, were gunned down by soldiers and former national security adviser nothing stops the government from many more wounded. A deputy Ibrahim Dasuki. Already, the nation negotiating with the sect. After all, commissioner of police in the FCT, has been overwhelmed by the acit has been negotiating with known Umar Usman Belel, was shot while tivities of terrorist groups such as terrorist groups. Prevention is always he was persuading the protesters Boko Haram, the Miyetti Allah group better than cure. to spare public property; he later of cattle herders, and bandits from died and was buried on the same other African countries who kidnap, day in Abuja according to Islamic rape and kill innocent Nigerians in Our Vision rites. The Shiites also attacked the different parts of the country. The TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; Emergency Response and AmbuShiites would be one too many. to be a newspaper of records that effectivelance Bays (ERABs) of the National President Buhari last week told the ly caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Culled from Asukwo blogshot.com

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

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

OPINION Truth is, trailer park isn’t RUGA in Abia

By SUNDAY I. OWUALAH

y attention has been drawn to the press M conference in Umuahia on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 by the Honourable Attorney Gen-

eral and Commissioner for Justice of Abia State, Barrister Uche Ihediwa falsely accusing me of “malicious insinuations that Abia State has already set aside land for RUGA” at Arongwa. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this smear and aspersion on my name and image. Umuobasi Autonomous Community has had a long standing personal relationship with HRM Eze Edward Ndukwe Enwereji, who I understand, was present at the press conference that he deemed it apposite to invite my cabinet to mediate between him and his people over a lingering dispute which had even become a subject of litigation. On Sunday 21 April 2019, I led a delegation of some members of my cabinet to brief him on our findings from our preliminary investigation. At the root of the dispute as we discovered was the land earmarked for a Trailer Park in his Community that HRM Enwereji authorised its acquisition by government without wider due consultation and unanimity with the larger segment of his Community, particularly the elites. He equally informed us at this meeting, in his Palace, of the increasing number of litigations by his subjects which he showed us copies. He vowed he was proceeding to court himself and his entire household because he was being accused of enriching himself on account of the project. He lamented that he was being maligned and falsely accused by his people despite the amenities the Trailer Park would host viz: hospital, school, bank, hotel and Police post. It was at this stage that I cautioned there was need for circumspection in view of the unfolding developments around cattle

colony and cattle route in Nigeria presently. My word of caution stemmed from the size of land involved and the facilities to be hosted in the Trailer Park. It was at stage he referred me to Abia State Ministry of Land, Urban Development and Planning, Umuahia which he claimed had given approval for survey work. The survey of the expanse parcels of land covering parts of Umuonyeukwu Village and Umueje Village in Arongwa Autonomous Community has been completed awaiting compensation for members of the villages and other landlords who are non-indigenes. On the same Sunday, 21 April 2019, I put a call across to the then Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Barrister Uche Ihediwa which was abortive. I followed up with an SMS indicating interest to speak with him. It was not until Thursday, 25 April 2019 that I spoke with him on phone for 8.48 minutes. It is trite to state here that in our phone conversation I aver herewith centred on the land for Trailer Park. I shared my concerns and fears with him for the size of project in a land-scarce environment and if per adventure the project is diverted for the purpose it was not intended for in the long run in the unfolding events in Nigeria. He informed me that an MOU would be entered into between Abia State and the Federal Ministry of Works on behalf of the Federal government for the purpose of the Trailer Park. He further confirmed that such facilities were part of the project and assured me that if the project was diverted for another purpose, then the terms of the MOU would have been breached. The Community could approach the courts. He cited the case of Lagos State and Federal Government selling off its Ikoyi properties to private people. But recall that it was the Lagos State government, not individual Lagosians, that went to court. Contrast

it with a situation where the Trailer Park is still there and people are settled within the Park. Can it be rightly said it is not being used for the original purpose? Moreover, who are the people in Arongwa Community that will proceed to the courts? Is it those who have been duly paid compensation by the Federal Government or those who were not? Or would their traditional ruler, HRM Eze Enwereji go to court on their behalf? This informed my drawing the attention of Ngwa Social Club to help me interrogate this project at the appropriate quarters because of the Club’s strong stakeholder status in the affairs of Ngwa land over the years, through a WhatsApp group post on Sunday, 26 May 2019. Though the post went viral, the contents and my aforementioned conversations with HRM Eze Enwereji and the Honourable Commissioner Uche Ihediwa never alluded to RUGA (which by then was not known in popular lexicon of Nigeria) nor did I maliciously insinuate land being acquired for it. I challenge the Honourable Commissioner to produce any evidence to the contrary in audio, video or print. As a traditional ruler whose Community is contiguous to Arongwa Autonomous Community, particularly the two villages in the location of the proposed Trailer Park, I consider it my moral and ethical duty to protect the overall interest of my people and others resident in it now or in the future. That is exactly what I did in taking up the task of drawing attention to the unintended consequences of this decision that might affect generations now and those yet unborn so that proper and due consideration is given to it by all stakeholders and not just only HRM Eze Enwereji and his supporters. Let me place it on record that I am a strong

supporter of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, in words and deeds, in his first and second terms. Our Governor himself knows it. My unalloyed support for him and his administration encompasses Abia State and Lagos State where I am even a Patron of Abia State Youths Development Organisation. This organisation was in the forefront of the endorsement of the Governor for his second term. It is therefore unfortunate that instead of selling the Trailer Park project to Arongwa people in their homestead (the missing sore point), their traditional ruler chose to go to Umuahia and drag the Abia State Government into a mess he created by his autocracy and inflexibility in the face of overwhelming and compelling reasons. Portraying me as the villain in a matter I am innocent by staging a press conference and using the paraphernalia of state media apparatus to smear me will not detract from the failure of consultation and consensus in a touchy issue as communal land in Ngwaland or elsewhere no matter the project as evident in the vehement opposition to the RUGA Settlement. The State should have verified and be convinced that due diligence and environmental impact assessment (EIA) were done instead of making scape-goat of me. I feel vindicated since henceforth the Abia State Government “will scrutinise any request for land above 5 hectares from Federal Government”. The words of the outgoing British PM,. Theresa May recently at Chatham House are germane at this juncture: “Ill words unchallenged lead to ill deeds.” •HRH Eze (Prof.) Sunday I. Owualah MNIM is Ekeobasi 1, Umuobasi Autnomous Community, Osisioma LGA, Abia State.

No, Mr President: Your critics not unpatriotic

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latFmadu est “Open Letter” to President MuhamBuhari has raised a lot of dust, with the

president labeling him and other critics of his administration as “unpatriotic.” The question to ask is: What did Dr. Obasanjo say that other Nigerians, individually and collectively, had not said since the heightened insecurity in the land? He had written about issues in the polity, particularly concerning the governments after his military headship of Nigeria in 1979, and not a few Nigerians, though, found such commentaries as unsavouring and irritating. From the late Presidents Shehu Shagari and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, to President Goodluck Jonathan, and to Gens. Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar; Gen. Obasanjo had “meddled” in their governments, such that Abacha had to hang a “coup plot” on his neck, and detained him. Friend or foe, Obasanjo never spared any administration and its leadership. To him, they either toe his line or be fed with the poisoned chalice of his pen and/or tongue. Seeing and viewing himself as imbued with Solomonic wisdom and Messianic fervour, his approach to his successors in office is utter condescension. Hence, his messages, mostly in open letters, have been acidic in content and patronizing in delivery. Obasanjo’s escape of possible death by execution for alleged “coup plotting” didn’t deter him from “riding on the tiger’s back.” And it’s the turn of Gen. Buhari to feel the drip of his pen in three consecutive “letters” within a few months of each other. While previous “leaked” letters detailed alleged failure of Buhari to fulfill his campaign promises, last week’s “open letter” was essentially an invite to a “National Dialogue” on insecurity. As he noted: “Since the issue (insecurity) is of momentous concern to all well-meaning and all right-thinking Nigerians, it must be of great concern to you (Buhari), and collective thinking and dialoguing is the best way of finding an appropriate and adequate solu-

tion to the problem.” Even as he conduced his “deep worries” to about “four avoidable calamities,” Obasanjo recognized the president as one of the “well-meaning and right-thinking” Nigerians that should be concerned about the nation’s insecurity. Frightening as his alarm bell was, not many would imagine an Obasanjo tempering his persona, and offering conciliatory counsel to President Buhari, whom he reckons as his subordinate in age, career, political standing, worldview and statesmanship. But does this make him, and others “unpatriotic” for criticizing Buhari and his handling of the affairs of Nigeria? Certainly not! What the former president did is what Buhari’s aides may not dare. So, instructive here are the immortal words of the reggae maestro, Bob Nester Marley, who exhorts that, “Your worst enemy could be your best friend, and your best friend your worst enemy.” Or as a local adage goes, “Only your enemy can tell you that you have mouth odour.” And they don’t mind telling you in public, whereas your friends, even in private, would tell you that your mouth smells like the roses. Simply put, those that President Buhari termed “unpatriotic” (betrayer, collaborator, deserter, renegade, spy or traitor) may actually be the “loyalists” to save him from himself in these times of grave insecurity in the country. No matter the criticisms, so long as they aren’t subversive, we shouldn’t pigeon-hole Nigerians into “patriotic” or “unpatriotic” elements. That would be a situation of “us versus them,” and therefore “enemies of the State.” Our diversity - and our freedom and ability to speak truth to power - is our strength, and the way to harnessing this great asset is through programmes and actions that do not stereotype and stigmatize citizens as nonpatriots. In this wise, Obasanjo’s open letter to the president doesn’t belong in the realm of unpatriotic acts. Let his not be a matter of “calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it.” Nonetheless, it’s time President Buhari

realized his problem - perception - and how to overcome it. In politics and governance, perception matters. Ordinarily, reality should drive perception. But most times, perception leads, and muddies the reality. For allowing perception, or “body language” to define him and his administration, the president has earned many critics, including from the corps of his followers and supporters. Rather than looking at the concrete, and tangible things his government is doing to revamp Nigeria’s socio-political and economic morass, the people would rather focus on his body language, as the best barometer for his actions or inaction. Take the issue of the herders-farmers clashes. When it was brewing in the early part of the administration, and the victims, mostly the farmers, cried out, the presidency accusingly never issued any condemnation. But if the farmers retaliated, the authorities would reportedly give a stern warning against such reprisal attacks. Curiously, security operatives could arrest the farmers for “defending” themselves. Besides, what did the president say when a group, claiming to speak for the North, gave a 30-day ultimatum for Southern states to implement the controversial RUGA Settlement initiative, or it would take “action” against the 17 states of the South? In any case, the presidency had said that RUGA was the brainchild of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. So, why was it its business, and not that of the ministry, to suspend the programme? Being silent or ambivalent on the issue created the impression that the Northern group had the presidency’s “backing” to issue its threats against the entire Southern Nigeria. But unprecedentedly, the presidency expeditiously “revoked” the directive by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for Fulani herders to leave the South if their safety was no longer guaranteed. This should be the stand of President Buhari and his government at all times: Quick and undiluted intervention on all matters. No room for conjectures, speculations and reading of his body language that could be

exploited to undermine his intentions. Importantly, the president needs to connect, personally, with Nigerians, by leaving the comfort zone of Aso Rock Villa, and pay regular visits to the states, to meet with his constituents - Nigerians - that voted for him twice, for the exalted office. Buhari is president for all Nigerians, and not only for occupants of The Villa, his friends and political associates. He should speak to, and meet frequently with the masses, as no platitudes delivered from the seat of power could suffice for such intimacy that’s capable of engendering rapprochement that Nigeria desires sorely!

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

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

ENERGY

NLNG begins monetization of Egina By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

igeria’s signature gas export venture, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, has taken additional commercial advantage by monetizing flare gas harnessed from Total operated deepwater Egina field. Egina is one of Nigeria’s remotest oil production sites located in ultra deepwater terrains about 150 kilometres offshore Niger Delta. Development of the field had raised enormous concerns over flare gas capture and commercialization. Thus, projects sanction was necessarily based on plans to export gas from the field through proximate infrastructure to onshore processing facilities. Total operates of the OML 130 field with a 24 percent interest in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO) and Petroleum Brasiliero (Petrobras). Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is asset concessionaire. Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPN) Limited had activated the floating production, storage and offtake vessel last December with routine flares while flare gas capture processes progressed. The Egina Field in Total’s Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130, achieved first oil on December 29, and the field is currently producing over 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed). The French multinational major player which leads deepwater development and operations in Nigeria later declared in the month that it has achieved zero routine gas flare at the field under a gas commercialization agreement with NLNG. The flare out milestone allows for sustainability of peak production of 200,000 boed over an estimated period of 4 years, with monetisation of about 124 million cubic feet of gas per day. Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, whose presentation was delivered at the 2019 Nigeria Oil and Gas

“The flare out milestone allows for sustainability of peak production of 200,000 boed over an estimated period of 4 years, with monetisation of about 124 million cubic feet of gas per day.”

(NOG) conference in Abuja had stated that liquefaction company continues to account for 90 percent of Nigeria’s total gas export and associated revenue to government and sundry stakeholders. The company had earlier declared that it has earned over $100 billion or N36 trillion in the past 20 years by harnessing and commercializing huge volumes of gas that would have been burnt off at oil production sites across the country. The addition of Egina is just part of incremental gas volumes envisaged for the company which is currently working on capacity expansion with its 8.0 million tons per annum (mtpa) Train 7 project which is expected to boost

cumulative liquefaction plant capacity to about 30 mtpa. More gas is expected to flow from the same channel as Total also plans development of deepwater Porowei field to form a clustered deepwater production hub. With zero flare declaration at Egina, Total is flowing full gas production capacity through subsea conduits that connect multiple offshore production fields to NLNG’s onshore feedgas grid. The Egina flare down achievement followed completion of Total’s gas compression system at the field in accordance with development design and approval requirements. Associated gas from the field is now being compressed, transported through the existing gas export pipeline that runs through promimate Akpo field to conventional offshore AmenamKpono Oil and Gas Export Programme (AKOGEP) and onward to NLNG. “Total has again honoured its commitment to the rule of law of its host country by fully abiding by the Nigerian Government’s Gazetted Flare Gas Regulations of 2018. This landmark achievement, a first of its kind in Nigeria further drives home Total’s ambition to be the responsible energy major by actively reducing our CO2 emission footprints in all our activities,” said the Senior Vice President Africa, Nicolas Terraz. Total’s Country Communications Manager, Mr. Charles Ebereonwu, explained that Total has honored its commitment to the rule of law of its host country by fully abiding by the Nigerian Government’s Gazetted Flare Gas Regulations of 2018.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

ENERGY

EEPNL shops drillship for 2020 campaign

… Seadrill deploys West Gemini in W/Africa

xxonMonbil’s deepwater affiliate in Nigeria, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) is shopping deepwater drilling services for a campaign which is expected to kick off at the company’s operated assets offshore Niger Delta. The company declared on the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (Nipex) which is the common platform for approved contracts that it would need deepwater mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) for deployment in its deepwater operations. The mobile offshore drilling units, according to ExxonMobil, would be required for execution of deepwater drilling campaign that is envisaged for next year to cover activities in oil mining leases (OMLs) 133 and 139 acreage licenses. The campaign which is expected to start by October, 2020 will also include activities in operated oil prospecting lease (OPL) 223 acreage license.

The declaration comes as global deepwater factor, Seadrill Limited announced that it has landed a contract for its West Gemini drillship in West Africa, but the identity of the client is still undisclosed. According to Seadrill, the $84 million contract covering nine wells with three options, each for two wells would engage the West Gemini drillship for one year from the fourth quarter of this year. An ultra-deepwater drillship built in 2010 by Samsung Heavy Industries, West Gemini can operate in up to 10,000 feet or 3,048 meters of water and drill to 37,500 feet or 11,430 meters, the company stated on its website. Mobilization to site would be smooth as the vessel is already operating offshore Niger Delta. Seadrill’s first quarter 2019 fleet status report also indicates the drillship, which can accommodate 180 crew members, was contracted to Eni S.p.A. offshore Angola from January 2018 to June 2019.

Chevron, Agbami parties applauded at TB conference

elegates at the National Tuberculosis Conference that held at the International Conference Centre Abuja have commended the efforts and contributions of commended Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a Chevron Company, and its parties in the Agbami field on their efforts in the fight against tuberculosis in the country. The Agbami deepwater field is operated by Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited in partnership with Famfa Oil Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Equinor, and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited. The conference themed “Building Stronger Partnerships to End TB in Nigeria” was organized by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria showcased the role of Chevron and its Agbami partners in the fight against tuberculosis in the country. In his presentation on the “Role of the Private Sector in Health Systems Improvement: Agbami Parties Experience on TB”, Medical Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Areyenka, who represented the Agbami parties stated that Chevron and the parties have been supporting

government in strengthening health systems targeting the triad of HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis in the past 50 years. He noted that the Agbami parties have deployed a social health investment program targeting TB disease which covers building of infrastructures such as chest clinics, conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns and assisting in protecting TB health care workers in order to contribute towards the National Tuberculosis program goals. “Through the construction and equipping of 28 Chest Clinics across the country, we have contributed to strengthening health systems and supporting the treatment and care of tuberculosis patients in Nigeria. The chest clinics were built in close collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTLCP) of the Ministry of Health, in existing government hospitals and handed over to the States in which they are located for management, and the facilities are fully-equipped with standard X- Ray machines, male and female wards, treatment rooms, laboratories and Gene Xpert Machines,” he stated.

• NNPC GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari, and Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhay Thakur, in a discussion on how to deepen the energy cooperation between the two countries, during a business visit of the Indian envoy to the NNPC Towers.

FG earns N6.33bn petroleum income in May Stories by SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

ederal government earned about N6.33 billion from the operations of the petroleum industry in month of May, being the combined market returns from the export of crude oil, other petroleum liquids and natural gas. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which manages government’s financial interests in the operations of players in the industry declared weekend that the nation’s improving operating environment accounted for higher production and export volumes in the month. Spokesman, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, who published the key contents of the corporation’s monthly financial and operations report, stated that NNPC earned $458.59 million from crude oil export or 79.02 per cent of total dollar transactions, while the rest income came from export of natural gas and gas liquids. Mr. Ughamadu pointed at visible increase in oil and gas output in May over the preceding April, explaining that the revenue inflow from the industry operations in May indicated some 13 percent or N0.73 billion over the revenue performance of the corporation in preceding April. The corporation, according to him, made $342.11 million from crude oil in the previous month.

According to the report, Nigeria amassed a total of $5.97 billion or N2.15 trillion from export of crude oil and gas between May 2018 and May 2019. According to Mr. Ughamadu, NNPC also recorded significant profits in the operations of its downstream entities like NNPC Retail, Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Duke Oil. The report stated that NNPC supplied a total of 2.06 billion litres of petrol or 66.49 million liters per day to the domestic market in the month of May. The Oracle Today reports that there has been unresolved dispute over the actual volumes of petrol consumed in the domestic economy. Whereas private analysts estimate that petrol consumption in the country averages 25 million liters per day, NNPC declared in the latest operations report that consumption has ballooned to over 66 million liters per day. Nigeria uses petrol mainly for light automobile transportation and domestic micro power generation. Independent statistics show that over 60 percent of road and rail transportation in the country is fuelled by diesel supply of which is not by NNPC. NNPC stated that it battled to stabilize petrol supply across the country despite leakages inflicted on its distribution pipelines. The

corporation stated that pipeline sabotage by product thieves remained rampant in the western region of the country where it said 61 percent of pipeline hacks were recorded. “Within the period, a total of 60 pipeline points were vandalized which represents a remarkable 52 percent decrease from the 125 points vandalized in April 2019. The Atlas Cove-Mosimi and Ibadan-Ilorin pipelines accounted for 38 percent and 23 percent respectively and other locations accounted for the remaining 39 percent of the total breaks.” The new NNPC Management headed by Mallam Mele Kyari has pledged to enhance the current approach to encourage increased citizenship participation and greater accountability to the public.

• President Muhammadu Buhari

Shell plans N61.2 bn proxy operations in Ogoniland Continues from Cover should not spill petroleum liquids if the standard procedures for production shut down and abandonment were followed. “The flow-lines and stations would be dry if the production wells are properly capped as required in the case of anticipated long term production downtime,” a source told The Oracle in confidence. He added that in the case of pipeline breaks, “only volumes trapped in the pipes at the time of shutin could sip out but not at a volume that could cause large scale pollution.” The scale of pollution in the area,

according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is large scale, deep impact and far reaching that it is estimated that full remediation would take about 30 years to achieve while cost would reach $3.0 billion or N1.08 trillion. A report by UNEP directly indicts Shell, but the company and its JV partners have not displayed any significant move to commit resources in the starting highly hyped Ogoni cleanup campaign. Thus, both government and Shell lack bold face to reenter OML 11 while the clean up obligation waits. Thus, the move to sponsor proxy producers and

support them with world class oilfield services and project management appears to be the best available subterfuge for back entry. The Oracle Today gathered from the report that the Lekoil/ Green Energy JV has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Schlumberger and the international oil company, which is described as having history of Nigerian operations, for development of shared infrastructure and a drilling program that covers a group of marginal field assets spread across the offshore and onshore areas of OML 11 lease. The MOU sets the terms for

involvement in phased development projects under a plan that entails drilling of five new wells on the Otakikpo field in the swamp region. It also covers expanding processing infrastructure with a new onshore terminal located outside the Otakikpo field operations area. The MOU also provides for construction of an export pipeline connecting the onshore terminal to an offshore buoy to handle production from Otakikpo and other fields in the lease. Project management and associated asset management costs incurred by Schlumberger are

to be shared between the JV and the operators and owners of other marginal fields involved in the project. The Oracle Today reports that OML 11 is about the largest oil block in Nigeria measuring 3,036 square kilometers of land swamp and shallow water space; and efforts by the DPR wanted break the oil block into three new acreages in line with new standards is stridently contested by Shell. The contest over the size of OML 11 also supports analysts’ conclusion that the Aglo-Dutch major is still in firm control of the oil block despite the presidential directive to the contrary.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION InsuResilience Investment Fund acquires 39.25% stake in Royal Exchange

nsuResilience Investment Fund (IIF) has officially announced the acquisition of a 39.25 per cent stake in the Royal Exchange General Insurance Company (REGIC). This is contained in a notice released, Friday, to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, its shareholders and the investing public that the investment has been

approved by the regulator of REGIC, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). Through its activities, the IIF is expected to reach out to more than 1 million Nigerian farmers by 2025. The IIF and REGIC have signed an agreement according to which the Fund will acquire a 39.25 per cent equity stake. REGIC, a

LASACO’s GWP rises by 35%

ational Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM) has approved the 2018 audited financial statements of LASACO Assurance Plc. This is contained in a notice to the Exchange that its Gross Written Premium for the period raised from N6.67 billion in 2017 to N9.01 billion by December 2018, represent a 35 per cent increase. The notice added that non- life business rose to N5.64 billion while N3.38 billion came from life assurance services. Net underwriting income grew to N5.22 billion in 2018 when compared to N3.99 billion in 2017, representingm31 percent appreciation. The underwriting profit was more than doubled as it rose by 64 percent to N2.06 billion last year December as against N1.25 billion the company realised in 2017. Accordingly, 67 percent of the underwriting profit, or N1.39 billion was realised from the non-life services while 33 percent or N667.54 million came through life assurance services. Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at N958.20 million in 2018 as against N854.27 million made in 2017, indicating a 12 percent increase. While Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at N736.27 million. Total income rose to N746.14 million as against

N661.87 million and N527.29 million in 2017, representing an increase of 64 percent over the 2017 bottom line. Following the performance of the insurer, the Board of LASACO Assurance proposed the payment of a dividend of N0.0 5 kobo per share to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2018. At the end of December 2018, the company had approximately N10.2 billion invested in fixed income and N967million in equity instruments, according to the Board in the financial statements. Meanwhile, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has lifted the suspension placed on LASACO Assurance Plc. According to the NSE, LASACO Assurance has now filed its Audited Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2018 to the Exchange. “The suspension of trading in the Issuer’s securities shall be lifted upon submission of the relevant accounts provided The Exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of The Exchange. The Exchange shall thereafter also announce through the medium by which the public and the SEC were initially notified of the suspension,” NSE’s Iwenekhai said.

subsidiary of Royal Exchange Plc, is a leading player in agriculture insurance. The proceeds of the investment will help REGIC to spur growth by increasing its risk capital and supporting its underwriting capacity in agriculture, hereby extending its outreach to low income farmers. “The history, team and

commitment of REGIC to agriculture insurance make it a great addition to our portfolio. REGIC is uniquely positioned to capture the opportunity presented by 30 million under insured small scale farmers in Nigeria. We are thrilled to partner with and support REGIC with capital, technical assistance and our international network in the

agriculture insurance space, with the objective to increase the resilience of small scale farmers to climate change“, says Ernesto Costa, Senior Vice-President Private Equity at BlueOrchard. “REGIC has entered into strategic alliances with various stakeholders in the agricultural space to drive insurance within that sector of

the economy. Agriculture and retail insurance, we believe is the future of insurance and at Royal Exchange, we will continue to develop products and services to ensure that we remain relevant in this space. REGIC is determined to take advantage of growth initiatives available in the industry, while leveraging on technology.

Ekiti Govt pays N3.9bn on pensions

kiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has disclosed that his administration has expended a sum of N3.9 billion on monthly payment of pensions between October 2018 and June 2019. He also stated that a total of N549 million has been paid till date to clear part of the pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose. The governor made the disclosure in AdoEkiti on Wednesday while distributing cheques worth N100 million as gratuity

to retirees of 61 local government and primary schools. Fayemi said the steps taken towards clearing the backlog of gratuity is a testament to the desire of his administration to ensure that those who had spent their productive age in serving the State do not suffer after their retirement. “It is a fact that outstanding gratuity debt profile is running to billions of naira, but it is my belief that a journey of one thousand miles starts with a step. Based on this premise, we are starting with the release

of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) for the offset of the outstanding gratuity. In spite of paucity of fund, I have mandated the quarterly release of fund for the payment of gratuity to retirees of Local Government and Primary Schools of Ekiti State”, he said. While promising to alleviate the sufferings of the pensioners by making regular payment of their exit benefits a top priority, the governor stated that their entitlements would be paid within available resources. Fayemi said his

government is not unmindful of those who had passed on in the cause of waiting for their entitlements; saying this is regrettable. “I urge the beneficiaries of this tranche of the payment to take advantage of the talks on financial prudence already shared with you and utilise the fund judiciously for a blissful retirement. I enjoin others to keep faith with our administration as we are poised to fulfil all our promises to the people of the State, and of utmost importance is your gratuity”, the governor said.

•Retirees of the Ekiti State Government waiting to collect their gratuities in cheques during a ceremony organized by the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, to distribute cheques worth N100 million to retired employees of 61 local government and primary schools in the state, which held at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, in Ado Ekiti, Wednesday.

Reinsurers offering better prices, capacity for preferred trading partners –Report

trengthening primary insurance market conditions underpinned improvements to reinsurance prices, terms and conditions at the June 1 and July 1, 2019 renewals, according to the latest 1st View renewals report from Willis Re, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson. Most reinsurance buyers were able to secure the capacity they desired at the renewals, but reinsurers are beginning to differentiate between cedents — providing “superior pricing and capacity” to ceding companies that are considered “preferred trading partners.” The accuracy of cedents’

previous catastrophe loss estimates appears to be a big factor in identifying those preferred partners, the report explained. Indeed, “marketstandard” price increases have been displaced by reinsurers’ more discerning approach, creating a wide pricing disparity between different accounts, the report said, noting that loss-hit programs saw the highest premium hikes (similar to previous renewals). N o n - m a r i n e retrocession coverage saw the greatest price increases of up to 35% for loss-hit programs, while loss-hit Florida and U.S.-nationwide property catastrophe and

per-risk exposures saw prices rise by up to 25%, the report affirmed. In the United States, for example, property reinsurers remain supportive of cedents that “have not presented substantial losses or loss creep.” “For casualty classes, there are continued improvements in original rates and reinsurance terms,” said the report. “However, there are signs that the longstanding concern over the level of reserve redundancy in past year reserves is coming to fruition.” In some casualty classes, there is a clear trend of worsening loss ratios in

recent underwriting years due to the prolonged soft market and an increase in loss severity, the report went on to say. While few doubt that conditions are improving, there remains a concern that the current improvements will need to move further to ensure sustainable returns, Willis Re affirmed. In casualty lines, prorata treaty commissions typically declined, despite improvements in the underlying terms and conditions for most classes, the report indicated. It noted, however, that the same dynamic of superior pricing for the better performing companies was

also seen in casualty lines. The report indicated that cyber modeling tools are providing cyber insurers with helpful portfolio and pricing guidance, but the output from models, especially for extreme scenarios, is viewed with caution. This, the report explained, is fueling reinsurance demand. At the same time, underlying cyber rates continue to drop, which is moderating certain reinsurers’ appetites, although capacity remains plentiful, the report continued. As a result, “reinsurance (over)supply is particularly evident for niche, small and medium enterprise, low

limit and geographically diverse business with limited first party exposures, as distinct from United States & global / Fortune 500 insureds where accumulation challenges are prevalent.” Further, the report said, more standalone cyber treaties are coming to the market as “buyers look to ring-fence their cyber exposures and react to pressure on ceding commissions on multi-line treaties.” Willis Re noted that reinsurers are closely monitoring coverage expansions “and whether cyber underwriters will land on a consistent approach to war and cyber terrorism.”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

AVIATION Foreign airlines major problem of indigenous carriers –Onyema ... Decries multiple frequencies allotted to international operators into Nigeria Stories by VICTOR NZE

anaging Director of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema has decried the undue favouritism extended to foreign operators in the country’s commercial aviation industry by the Federal Government, in the form of multiple frequencies allocated them, as he called for a halt in the policy. According to Onyema, the Federal Government needs to halt the multiple frequencies allocated to foreign airlines to fly into the country, adding that the unwholesome development will not encourage much-needed investment, save foreign exchange or build capacity in the industry.

Speaking at the just-concluded 2019 League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), the Air Peace boss warned that the local aviation industry cannot grow as long as foreign airlines like the Turkish airlines are allowed to round trip from Istanbul through to Abuja, Port Harcourt and back to Abuja before returning to Istanbul. The seminar which held in Lagos, Wednesday, had as its theme; Boosting aviation investments through policy. “This is not done anywhere; the government should help us stop the proliferation of designation and frequencies to these foreign airlines. Protecting us is not just bringing up policies to hound any airline but also stopping some of

the decision giving this multiple frequencies. It will go a long way to protect Nigerian airlines,” Onyema said. Maintaining that foreign airline operators are the major problem of the domestic airlines, the Air Peace boss called on Nigerian airlines to support each other and to collaborate with other African airlines with a view to forming a formidable force against the bigger European and Asian carriers in order to compete favourably with them. “We should form alliance among ourselves as local airlines and also in Africa and our agreement should be based on a win-win situation.” “Since the foreign carriers have been operating into Nigeria, how many jobs have they created for

Nigerians? Since we began four years ago, we have created over 3,000 jobs; we have employed over 150 pilots and we only have 30 expatriate pilots. “The earlier Nigerian airlines begin to come together, the better for us. “In America foreign carriers do not do multiple destinations; in Nigeria, not only do we have multiple destinations for the foreign airlines, we also give them multiple frequencies at the detriment of our own local airlines. “If we support Nigerian airlines, 95 percent of them will succeed. We must begin to have deliberate policies to support our local airlines,” said the Air Peace boss, who also insisted that the single

aviation market remains a fraud because ‘there is no level playing field among Nigerian and other foreign airlines.’ “The government is on a good track by giving us all the waivers they gave us. The next thing is the ravaging of this country by foreign airlines. If that is not stopped it will continue to deplete our reserves through the money they pile out of this country and trying to pretend that they love us more than they themselves. “If we get it right, with the right policies in aviation, there are so many rich people in this country that can even turn aviation round but a lot are not ready to come into aviation because they are scared of certain policies”.

FAAN accepts responsibility for MMIA runway breach; suspends security unit heads

anaging Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Hamisu Yadudu has revealed the identity of the man said to have encroached onto the runway of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, while attempting to board an already taxing Azman Air Port Harcourt-bound plane. Yadudu said during a press conference, Saturday, in Kano that the man, identified as one Usman Adamu, and suspected to hail from Niger Republic, was apprehended by operatives of the Aviation Security (AVSEC), Sunday. The FAAN boss who spoke during a press conference called at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano (MAKIA), Saturday, over the event, announced that apart from talking full responsibility for the incident, his agency has also directed the immediate suspension of all AVSEC unit heads at the International, Domestic 1 and 2 terminals of the Lagos airport. Yadudu who said that FAAN would take full responsibility for the incident involving the Azman Air aircraft, 5N-HAI at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, said the suspect was apprehended by FAAN AVSEC around 10pm within the Aerodrome premises.

”The suspect, identified as Usman Adamu suspectedly of Nigerien origin who claims to reside at Number 1 Araromi Street Iyanu-ipaja on the 19th of July was reported to have appeared on the domestic end of the taxiway and attempted to gain access into the aircraft while it was taxiing to the holding point. “The pilot alerted air traffic control and the message was intercepted by FAAN AVSEC control Centre who mobilized. He was apprehended, detained and is currently with the airport police command while our investigation progresses. “The authority considers this incident a serious security breach and an air side incursion, this is unfortunate and most embarrassing bearing in mind the huge effort and resources deployed to the air side for airport safety. Assuring the traveling public on measures to safeguard them, the FAAN boss reeled out some of the redundancies put in place to provide security and promised to sustain them while improving on what is. “FG through the ministry of transport and honorable minister of state aviation has also assisted in the award of contracts for the perimeter fences, which includes detection devices and

From left: Chairman CEO, Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema, Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, Mr. Basil Agboarumi and Managing Director/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria [FAAN], Capt. Hamisu Yadudu during the 23rd edition of 2019 League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference/Awards which held at the Raddison Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Wednesday. CCTV cameras with infrared capacity for night operations in addition observation towers being erected this year to ensure proper coverage of the airport. “We also have FAAN security patrol and there are also joint patrols that are conducted, FAAN AVSEC, the police and the Military this is done to guard the sanctity of our air side and ensure the security of live operations and the traveling public using our facility He commended the Azman

crew stating, “FAAN also recognizes and commends the very professional actions of the Azman air flight crew in preventing the safety issue from escalation. We hereby assure our stakeholders and Nigerians that FAAN is ready to eradicate these things from our airport. Meanwhile, FAAN has listed the suspended AVSEC officers to include: the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku, International Terminal

Security Officer, Oni Adedamola Abiodun, Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Owotor Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Badejo Adebowale Ayodele. According to a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the Unit Heads will remain on suspension pending the completion of the ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.

Business jets market to grow from $24.7 billion in 2019 to $36.4 billion by 2030

newly-released report has projected that the business jets market would grow from an estimated US$ 24.7 billion in 2019 to US$ 36.4 billion by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6 per cent during the forecast period. The report titled; “Business Jets Market by Aircraft Type (Light, Mid-Sized, Large, Airliner), Systems (OEM Systems, Aftermarket Systems), End-User (Private, Operator), Point of Sale (OEM, Aftermarket), Services, and Region – Global Forecast to

2030”, further claims that the increasing number of high net worth individuals, upcoming new aircraft program, and aging fleet size would drive the growth of the market. Light aircraft segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the business jets market during the forecast period. Based on aircraft type, the light segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2030. The growth of this segment can be attributed to new startups focusing on

developing aircraft in the light category. Commercialization of urban air mobility will further drive the growth of light business jets market, which will be used for intra- and intercity travel. The OEM segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the business jets market during the forecast period Based on the point of sale, the OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2030. The growth of this segment can be attributed to increasing aircraft deliveries

during the forecast period. New aircraft programs such as Bombardier‘s Global 5500, 6500, and 8000; Embraer’s Praetor 500 and 600; and Textron’s Citation Longitude, among others contribute to increasing OEM deliveries. Based on systems, the avionics sub-segment of OEM systems is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2030 The growth of this segment can be attributed to the periodic upgrades in avionics systems. Manufacturers are currently

focusing on avionics components to develop products that are more reliable, accurate, and efficient. Continuous improvements in software technology have modified the human-machine interface of avionics systems. It has become more user-friendly and can automate a wide variety of in-flight tasks, thereby reducing the workload of the flight crew to a large extent. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region for business jets market during the forecast period.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

Travel & Hospitality

South Africa excludes Nigeria from new e-Visa regime Stories by VICTOR NZE

outh Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has disclosed that the country’s new e-Visa system will be officially launched in November 2019, just as the southern African nation added new countries to the list of those that can enter without visas, with the exclusion of its biggest trading partner in West Africa, Nigeria. According to a report confirmed by the unverified Twitter handle of Home Affairs @ HomeAffairsSA on Wednesday, seven new countries can now visit South Africa visa-free. The report quoted the South African Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, as announcing that seven new countries will be added to the list of nations that are able to come to South Africa without a visa. “Tourism will soar if we relax visa requirements for entry into South Africa. We know that tourism is very important for job creation. “Out of the 193 countries who are member states of the United Nations, the Department has granted visa-free status to 75 countries. Of these, 16 are in our continent and are SADC (Southern African Development Community) members and 59 are from all over the world,” he said. The department announced that the following countries will now be able to enter the country, visa-free include: Qatar, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand,

Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe The minister said his office will immediately enter into discussions with the countries about how a visa-free regime will work, with “homework” still needing to be done for countries like China, India and Nigeria. “While we are busy tackling the matter of the three countries, we shall, this financial year, increase two and a half times the number of people who work for Home Affairs to process visas in both China and India. “We shall double the number of people who process visas to our country in Nigeria,” he said. A department spokesperson said that the countries announced by the minister only apply to inbound visas (citizens from the listed countries visiting South Africa), and that outbound visas (South Africans visiting the countries listed) need to be negotiated on a country-bycountry basis. The department noted that some countries, such as Qatar and Ghana, already have visa-free or visa on arrival agreements with South Africa. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, South Africans can visit 99 countries around the globe visa-free. Also speaking at the department’s budget vote, deputy minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza said that the department is moving forward with the implementation of the country’s e-Visa regime.

From left: Chairman Polo Luxury Limited, Mr John Obayuwana, with Managing Director, Polo Luxury Limited, Ms Jennifer Obayuwana, during the official unveiling of Omega watch at the flagship store in Victoria Island, Lagos, Wednesday. “This regime will place technology at the centre of our operations by making it easy, yet secure, to enter South Africa,” he told Business Tech. The e-Visa system will allow tourists and visitors to South African apply for their visas online. These applications will then be sent to a central adjudication and approval office, while the prospective visitors “sit at the comfort of their own home.” The new system will also open South Africa as a desirable destination through the ease of its visa systems, the deputy minister said, adding that it will have huge tourism growth implications for the country. The e-Visa regime is anticipated to be fully introduced in November 2019.

Marriott opens first Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! in Durban

lobal hospitality chain, Marriott has officially opened the highlyanticipated Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! In Durban’s uMhlanga Ridge district making it the first Fire & Ice! brand in KwaZulu-Natal and the fourth in the entire South Africa. A highly anticipated addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio, it joins Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels in Melrose Arch (Johannesburg), Cape Town and Menlyn (Pretoria). A short drive from King Shaka International Airport, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge is nestled along the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal coastline in the sought-after seaside town of uMhlanga, just north of Durban. In close proximity to the breathtakingly beautiful uMhlanga Rocks Beach, the Gateway Theatre Mall and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, it provides easy access to the region’s resplendent natural beauty, rich cultural heritage as well as its burgeoning energy and vibe.

Featuring the hallmarks of the Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand such as comedy and DJ nights, bold décor, and associates who go the extra mile, it is set to transform the hotel scene in uMhlanga and emerge as the new coolest hotspot. A Durbaninspired menu, a retro VW combi, DJ booth, and design elements linked to a beach and surf theme, lend the hotel its own unique flavour and twist. “Durban is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with a need for a hotel brand that matches its spirit. We are thrilled to introduce Fire & Ice! by Marriott (www.Marriott.com) brand with its trend-setting aesthetic fused with local influence to the thriving town of uMhlanga. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge will provide the quirky, modern vibe that guests and locals in this area are looking for. The property reflects our agility and adaptability to identify and transform a property to suit an evolving destination,” said Volker Heiden, Area Vice-President for

Marriott International. Previously a Protea Hotel by Marriott, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge has been rebranded after a complete transformation “This entailed heavy-duty renovations, an aesthetic metamorphosis, and a complete change in operations. Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels dare to be different − they are progressive and fun, and while each hotel is individual in its personality, it is this edge that unites them under the brand. We had to balance that in creating this beautifully sassy hotel,” said the designer of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge, Peter de Klerk. 205 completely renovated chic and stylish guest rooms offer both comfort and thoughtful amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Breakfast Room on the first floor and choose indoor seating, one of the two private dining rooms or the outdoor deck.

Sheraton Hotels in Nigeria announce exciting food offers in July

heraton Hotels in Nigeria, comprising the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Sheraton Abuja Hotel teams have announced exciting offers for food lovers in the month of July, in addition to ‘fun twist’ for children in the same period. In a statement made available to Oracle Today, the Sheraton hotels said ‘there is something for lovers of Italian food and an additional fun twist for the children at Sheraton Lagos Hotel,’ in July. “For our valued guests visiting in July, our Sheraton Lagos Hotel teams have come up with a lineup of delight some and inspiring culinary options, one such activity is the commemoration of World Lasagna day. “Lasagna is one of the world’s most quintessential Italian dishes and a popular cuisine choice all over. On the 29th of July, the hotel will mark world lasagna day where all guests who dine at our Italian restaurant will get a portion of lasagna with every order that they make. We believe that by doing this, everyone will get a chance to taste this delicacy which our chefs are renowned for. “For our little tots, we are delighted to offer every child who checks in with their parents or dines during Sunday brunch, 2 inspiring coloring sheets to keep them busy. At the end of their stay or meal, the children get to put one of their coloring sheets on the hotels children board of fame while they keep the other one. The colored sheets get to stay on the board for a month where the kids can see it and feel proud each time they visit. “And because we love and appreciate our children, we are constantly looking for ways to engage them in fun activities and offer them unforgettable experiences while visiting with us.

“At Sheraton Abuja Hotel Lasagna day will equally be a special one as our teams will celebrate this day at our bustling Pool Bar & Restaurant. We encourage all families and friends to sit back, relax and be inspired by the ambience at the pool side while you share a meal and catch up with loved ones. “Our Luigi’s Italian Restaurant makes for another great option for lovers of original Italian gourmet cuisine in Abuja. Every diner who orders a meal at both our Luigi’s and Pool Bar & Restaurant will get an elevated experience of a delicious complimentary slice of Lasagna from 12noon to 10pm on Monday the 29th of July 2019. We encourage all our Patrons not to miss the opportunity of experiencing our savory Lasagna as we mark this flavorful dish. “With the proven success and exceptional reputation of our hotels in culinary expertise, Our Sheraton Hotel teams in Lagos and Abuja look forward to everyone enjoying their portions of lasagna and coming back for more. “At Sheraton, the world comes together and infuses the energy of our guests coming into our spaces,” said the Area General Manager for Marriott Hotels in Nigeria, Barry Curran.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

e-Platform

OEMs sell over .6m devices in 3yrs –NITDA

N Spectranet introduces new ‘Spectra-cular’ data plans

pectranet 4G LTE has introduced what it calls ‘Spectra-cular’ data plans as part of efforts to make internet connectivity affordable and accessible to its subscribers. Structured to suit the needs of all types of data users – casual users, moderate users and heavy users, these simple, easy-to-understand plans named as Unified Value, Mega Value and Always On plan, singularly focused on delivering value to the subscribers resulting in significant savings. “In a rapidly evolving Data market like Nigeria, the subscribers most often get confused by extremely complex and difficult -to-understand data plans offered by various operators. At Spectranet, we understand data users’ behaviour much better, being the first operator to launch 4G LTE services in Nigeria. For example, over a time we have noticed a significant shift in usage behaviour from day time to nighttime driven by YouTsubers, online videos, and students undertaking Massive Open Online courses (MOOC). “The core idea behind the launch of these plans is to offer Data users superior value through simple, uncomplicated data plans packing in either bonus night time GBs or Unlimited Night time browsing. Our subscribers in all usage categories can now enjoy seamless Day-Night access to Internet without having to worry about paying exorbitant charges. Spectra-cular Data Plans empower subscribers to “do more” and “save more” with reliable and affordable internet,” said Chief Executive Officer, Ajay Awasthi.

ational Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the country sold 608,296 devices in three years. Director-General, NITDA, Dr Isa Pantami, made this known during the 14th Annual Technology Africa Leadership Roundtable, held on Friday night in Lagos. The theme of the Roundtable is: “Broadband, Big Data, Cyber Security, Local Content, Infrastructure Protection: Catalyst for Economic Growth and National Development”. Represented by Dr Vincent Olatunji, the Director, e-Government Development and Regulatory, NITDA, Pantami said the period was from 2015 and 2017. He said that the number of the locally-assembled devices sold by OEMs in the country increased because of the National Local Content Policy on Information Communications Technology

(ICT). According to him, in line with the Federal Government’s efforts at economic diversification, our efforts resulted in an unprecedented increase in the patronage of locally-assembled devices. “Records have shown that, Indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) sold 98,224 devices in 2015, 154,424 in 2016 and 355,647 in 2017. This is unprecedented in the history of the country and this is expected to continue to grow significantly. “NITDA’s efforts attracted the establishment of AfriOne as an Indigenous IT company and an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in 2017. “The agency is reviewing six other applications for the indigenous IT companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers,’’ the directorgeneral said. He said that with the growing pressure of globalisation, every

LG registers M10 name for new lineup L ast month, LG launched a new lineup of W-Series smartphones consisting of the W10, W30, and W30 Pro. However, following the success of the new lineup of W-Series devices, LG is planning to launch a new lineup of M-Series devices. Corroborating through a filing with the KIPRIS (Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service), LG has registered to use the name “M10” for a future device. It is presumed this is the base model for a lineup of M devices, perhaps numbered the same

way as the W-Series: M10, M30, and M30 Pro. In addition, if the two have any similarities or if the M-Series is intended only for specific markets, South Korea included, the impression is that an M10 might be a lower-end device compared to the W10. At the same time the ‘M10’ trademark was submitted, LG also filed for two more names: ‘V60’ and ‘V70’. The latest device in the V-Series lineup is the V50, which is basically a 5G variant of the LG V40. LG V50 ThinQ LG V50 ThinQ LG used to launch the next V-Series device around the summertime. With the V50’s

government as well as captains of industry were charged with the burden of finding ways to ensure that their regions or jurisdictions remained competitive and were capable of fulfilling local demands. Pantami said that it was imperative that the right frameworks were created to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities, as well as remain competitive. He said that regions must look inwards to drive development, promote local innovation and production as well as play in almost all parts of the value chain. According to him, in an effort to change the narrative and place emphasis on the need to derive benefits from its human capital in technology, the National Local Content Policy on Information Communication Technology (ICT) was put in place by government. The director-general said that the policy was put in place through the Ministry of Communications,

Canal+ acquires Nigeria’s ROK studios

F announcement occurring alongside the LG G8, perhaps we won’t actually see a V60 device until next year. If anything, these trademark filings prove LG’s plans to continue with the V Series for at least two more product cycles. With LG’s recent launch of LG Pay in the US, it doesn’t seem the Korean phone maker is giving up on competing anytime soon. LG is still taking risks and trying new features like Hand ID on the LG G8. Unfortunately, LG hasn’t quite found the killer feature that would make it stand apart from the likes of Samsung and Huawei’s flagships.

SystemSpecs, NIBOX ink deal to deepen financial inclusion

ystemSpecs and NIBOX have entered a partnership to extend financial products and services to the banked, under-banked and unbanked in the country. SystemSpecs is a Nigerian company with interests in financial technology, designs and development of human resource management, (HRM) solutions, while NIBOX is a multi-platform payment solution provider. SystemSpecs in a statement said it would leverage NIBOX’s self-service payment terminals strategically located throughout

Nigeria, and online through its innovative mobile platforms. Through this partnership, it added that services such as federal and state governments’ payments, electricity recharge token, airtime and data phone top-up, cinema tickets purchase, insurance premium payment, cash transfers, and other utility bills would be accessible on NIBOX touchpoints. It added NIBOX had deployed 55 terminals in Lagos and Abuja, with plans to deploy additional 500 terminals in Lagos and Abuja by the end of 2019. “We are glad to be

collaborating with SystemSpecs to deliver new services to customers. Indeed, the value proposition and attainments of the Remita brand are a boost for this partnership and would ultimately be to the advantage of the end-user, who would now have improved access to various services and products across Nigeria,” Dr. George Manuwuike, chief Executive officer/founder, NIBOX, said. “This partnership is also in line with our aim of becoming the fastest and most convenient platform for cash payment for broad-based goods and services

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC). “Subsequently, the Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC) was established in 2013, as a subsidiary of NITDA to spearhead the National Local Content Policy. “NITDA through ONC is set out to drive the development of local content through the implementation of the Regulatory Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT. ”This is with a mandate to push for the development of local skills, technology transfer, use of local manpower and local manufacturing. “It has been estimated that Nigeria will spend about N120 billion by the year 2020 on importation of foreign technologies, considering that about 80 per cent of ICT hardware and software purchases are still being imported,’’ Pantami said.

for public and private sectors,” Manuwuike added. Commenting on the development, Demola Igbalajobi, SystemSpecs’ divisional head, Payment Gateway, and Infrastructure, said, “At SystemSpecs, we understand that access to financial services is key to the development of a strong and efficient financial ecosystem, which facilitates economic growth. It is, therefore, a delight for us to partner with NIBOX to further bring Remita services closer to customers at their point of convenience using NIBOX touchpoints.”

rench media giant, Canal+ Group, has acquired Nigerian production studio, ROK Film Studios from VOD company, Iroko TV. Canal+ Group said the acquisition is informed by the desire to strengthen its position in Africa’s movie market. According to a statement released by ROK, the studio, launched in 2013 by Mary Njoku, actor, and producer, is Nigeria’s largest production house with more than 500 movies and 25 TV shows and currently produces Ghanaian and Nigerian movies, reaching 15 million subscribers across DStv and GOtv platforms. “They (Canal+) wanted an organization that could supply their studio with Nollywood content. They have some channels in Francophone Africa and wanted a supply of African content for those channels,” Njoku commented. Njoku continued that Nigeria’s movie industry is doing well in producing quality content for the continent. “When a company as big as Canal+ acknowledges and is ready to work with us to export Nollywood, it sends out a positive signal to the movie industry. Filmmakers are assured that they are doing something right,” she said. The French media company has turned its sights on African viewers as growth has declined in its home terrain due to competition from Amazon, Apple, and Netflix. “This acquisition represents a key stage in Canal + group’s international expansion. It allows the group to be present across the entire Nollywood value chain, and acquire unique expertise in the mass production of African fiction — films, series, and entertainment,” Canal+ said in a media release.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

e-Platform Sony announces A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera with 61MP sensor NFIU, NCC to sign MoU on detecting financial infractions

igerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to open vista of relationship for the benefit of the country. Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Mr. Modibbo Tukur, who made this assertion during a courtesy visit to the management of NCC on Thursday in Abuja, explained that the visit was to explore greater areas of collaboration and institute the process that will lead to signing of the MoU. He further said that the need for greater collaboration was underscored by the plan to introduce a common currency in West Africa and other emergent financial phenomena like Cryptocurrency. The director, who led a delegation of management staff of the NFIU, said that the analysis was incomplete without telephone data even when there were quite a number of crimes committed with non-registered SIM cards. “Though, we have special detection tools for transactions involving unregistered SIM cards. We have seen a number of crimes committed with non-registered SIM cards. We seek special collaboration with NCC because of the great works NCC is doing in this

regard as a competent authority and key ally in the detection of financial infractions,” he said. Tukur commended NCC for imposing sanctions with the most conscientiousness of honour with its integrity intact and for not putting itself solely at the mercy of the integrity of self-disclosure of stakeholders. He described NCC as the flagship of integrity in public service. According to him, the commission had worked in a transparent and collaborative manner with stakeholders to drive the growth in telecoms and other sectors of the economy. “It is on record that NCC has imposed the highest level of financial sanction than any regulatory authority in Nigeria,” Tukur said.

ony has launched the new A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera. It is the successor to the popular A7R III and while not quite the flagship (which remains the A9) it represents the highest image quality currently available from a Sony digital camera. The A7R IV bumps up the resolution from the A7R III’s already impressive 42.4MP up to an incredible 61MP. According to Sony, this is the first 35mm fullframe back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with this resolution. The back-illuminated design will help reduce noise and increase sensitivity. The sensor boasts 15-stops of dynamic range for smoother color gradation. There is also a 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization. To go along with the new sensor is a new 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED EVF, which has a 1.6x the resolution of the EVF on the A7R III. It can be set to standard or high image quality mode with a choice of 60fps or 120fps refresh rate. There is also an improved Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode

available, which can stack 16 full-resolution images to create 963.2MP of data, which is then composited into a 240.8MP image using Sony’s desktop application. This allows you to get even higher resolution of stationary subjects. The A7R IV can shoot full resolution 61MP images at 10fps with continuous AF/AE tracking for up to 7 seconds and about three times as long in 26.2MP APS-C mode. There are 567 phase detection AF points that cover 74 per cent of the image area along with additional 425 contrast AF points. The camera also features real time eye AF that keeps the focus locked even if the subject moves around or looks away. For video production, the A7R IV supports 4K video recording that uses the full width of the sensor with full pixel readout without pixel binning in the Super 35mm mode. Sony’s S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 modes are also available for color grading with 14-stops of dynamic range available in S-Log 3. HLG is supported for an HDR workflow. The A7R IV also features eye tracking AF for video for the first

time in a Sony camera. This allows the camera to track focus on the subject while the video is being recorded and always keep the eyes in focus. Other features include improved weather sealing, a tilting touchscreen display, dual UHS-II memory slots, addition of digital audio interface to the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe, dual-band Wi-Fi, and USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1. The A7R IV has a CIPA rating of 670 still images on a single charge and an optional battery grip can hold two batteries at once. The Sony A7R IV is priced at $3500 (N1.3 million).

Modibbo Tukur

Instagram changes policy on disabling accounts, ‘likes’ feature

acebook-owned Instagram has received a lot of flak in the past for disabling accounts without any prior notice. Now, the company has changed its policies and has committed to warning users before disabling their accounts. Instagram users will receive in-app notifications when their accounts are at the risk of getting disabled for violating the community guidelines about nudity, pornography, bullying, harassment, hate speech, drug sales, and terrorism. Users will also get a chance to appeal deleted content and disabled accounts from within the app instead of having to go through the Help Center. Instagram also said that in addition to removing accounts with a certain percentage of violating content, it will “remove accounts with a certain number of violations within a window of time”; similar to how policies are enforced by its parent company Facebook. Last week, Instagram rolled out AI-powered anti-bullying features,

and with today’s update, the company aims to keep its platform “a safe and supportive place.” In a similar development, the social media platform had expanded testing on its upcoming feature which hides the number of likes on a user’s posting from followers. In Canada, Instagram has been testing a change to its platform that hides the number of likes on posts so only the owner can see them. Now Instagram has expanded the trial to several new countries including Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. Likes are usually used as a metric to compare posts to one another, as well as subjectively measure popularity. “We are testing this because we want your followers to focus on the photos and videos you share, not on how many likes they get,” the Group said in a statement. Instagram has recently rolled out a new anti-bullying measure that pre-flags nasty comments and makes the commenter think again about the comment.

Xiaomi introduces T-Series CIGA Design mechanical watch

iaomi has been known to branch out in areas outside smartphones for a while and the latest in that line of innovation is the T-series CIGA Design mechanical watch. If you’re a fan of gadgets with transparent design than this watch will surely grab your attention. It features a fully clear round body exposing all the mechanical internals of the

watch. Xiaomi introduces T-Series CIGA Design mechanical watch While it does not offer any of the fitness tracking and notification features found in conventional smartwatches, the T-Series watch focuses on the premium aesthetic and crafstamanship. The casing features a 360-degree view of the insides which allows you to

see both the bottom and top insides of the watch. The T-Series CIGA Design mechanical watch will set buyers back CNY 699 ($101) while those who support the crowd-funding program can obtain one for CNY 499 ($72). The campaign will open on Xiaomi Mall later today in two versions with a black and red watch band.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market

Lafarge investors demand for more restructuring Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

hareholders of Lafarge Africa Plc have called on the Board of directors to embark on more restructuring, especially of human capital to address the imbalance in the composition of the Board currently dominated by the French (expatriates). The investors who were speaking at the 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos on Monday, unanimously requested for appointment of Nigerians into the Board. In addition, they asked the Board to appeal to its foreign technical partners not to shift its responsibilities as per expenditure to Lafarge Africa Plc as the impact has led to non-payment of dividend for the financial year ended, December 311, 2018. Addressing shareholders on the issues. Chairman of Lafarge Africa Pl, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun reassure the investors that the Board will ensure that more locals would be represented on the Board as the on-going restructuring is aimed at optimum performance of the company as well bumper returns on investment to members of the company. He disclosed that the weaker subsidiary of Lafarge in South Africa has been sold and efforts

…Okays dissolution of Lafarge Readymix

Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun

are being made to pay off foreign debt owed by the company. However, the shareholders who also participated in separate court ordered meeting approved the dissolution of Lafarge Readymix Nigeria Limited. According to the scheme of arrangement, Lafarge Africa will consolidate the entire assets, liabilities and business undertakings of the companies with Lafarge Africa Plc becoming the surviving entity. In addition, Lafarge Readmix Nigeria limited is dissolved without being wound up . As a result, the previous Readymix business will continue to operate as a business division of Lafarge Africa. Commenting on the amalgamation, the Chairman of Lafarge Africa, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun said, “ It is anticipated that the amalgamating of these operations shall lead to many synegies , including but not limited to repositioning Lafarge Africa as a more profitable business with enhanced returns to its shareholders , increased economies of scale , especially in the areas of purchasing and distribution , improved efficiency through more focused management of resources and elimination of cost efficiencies”.

SEC considering rules amendment to capture digital transactions

n order to capture digital transactions in the country, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is making amendments to its rules. This, the Exchange also believes would combat crime in the capital market. In a related development, the capital market regulator has signed a pact with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). This is aimed at eradicating suspicious transactions in the capital market.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU between SEC and NFIU, the capital market regulator’s acting Director-General, Mary Uduk, stated that the partnership would enable the closure of ranks in the face of insider dealings, re-awakening of Ponzi schemes, cybercrime and other fraudulent activities that have engulfed the market in the last few years. Uduk added that the Commission already has regulations that prohibit “shell companies” from operating in

the capital market. The acting DG, however, implored the NFIU to assist with solutions that will help track suspicious transactions as they occur. “If we have solutions that will help us track transactions, it will reduce the incidence of insider dealing greatly. We will be very willing to collaborate with you on that in our determination to ensure that our markets are efficient and transparent and all investors are protected.“Some areas where the MoU seeks the cooperation

of both agencies include training, secondment of middle cadre officers between both organisations, crossborder monitoring, repatriation of stolen funds from the capital market and prosecution of offenders, among others.” Prior to this development, SEC had issued a notice to announce the commencement of verification exercise for about 4,160 Nigerians who participated in an illegal investment (Ponzi Scheme) organized by Dantata Success and Profitable Company(DSPC).

SEC warns Capital Market Operators against Unethical Practices

ewly qualified authorised dealing cleared of the Nigerian Stock Exchange have been warned that the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, does not tolerate infractions and because of this, steps are taken to ensure that regulatory oversight is more effective; investor protection is advanced, while systemic risk is mitigated.The Inductees were therefore urged to abide by the highest principled standard expected in their profession. Speaking at their induction ceremony in Lagos, Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, also enjoined them to maintain the integrity of their profession and imbibe the culture of compliance to rules and regulations, as well as transparency, as they carry on their activities in the market. Uduk who was represented by the Zonal Head Lagos Office of the SEC, Mr. Stephen Falomo, described as a welcome development the induction ceremony for the deserving freshly qualified professionals, who have, by their exemplary performance during their Automated Trading System (ATS) training at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, secured their place in the stock broking profession. She said “This ceremony marks the final point at which the inductees become fully fledged dealing members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a position of great trust; because now you will be handling investments for individual and corporate investors and this you must do with utmost care and highest standards of integrity and ethical practice to forestall any breach of trust. “You must also be determined to bring positive changes into the market as you launch your careers and challenge the status quo in the areas of capacity building and innovativeness, while bringing fresh and innovative ideas into product development, as well as efficiency in service delivery to the investors. Uduk said the use of ICT has been fully integrated into financial services and as such Financial Technology (Fintech) and Regulatory Technology (Regtech) are trending, having been embraced by both the operators and the investors as ways to further enhance the growth and expansion of business in addition to regulatory and compliance issues.

NSE, GRI host roundtable on Sustainable Development Goals

n X-Academy, a knowledge platform of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE”) partnered with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), to host a roundtable on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 18, 2019 in Lagos. The workshop which was driven by the need to raise awareness on the inherent economic opportunities and social impact businesses can achieve by aligning their operations towards the achievement of the SDGs was sponsored by IHS Towers Nigeria. It was also organized to help organizations develop

more innovative approaches in the communication of their sustainability initiatives and their contribution to the SDGs. The forum is in line with NSE’s ongoing partnership with GRI to advance sustainability reporting among listed companies in Nigeria. It offered a peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing platform for sustainability thought leaders and practitioners to exchange best practice approaches which they have successfully applied in aligning their business operations and reporting the progress achieved in the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking on the event, Mr. Bola Adeeko, Head, Shared Services Division, said, “corporate ambition around SDGs is on the increase as businesses recognize the need to operate within stable economies. Conversely, poverty, gender inequality, climate and water issues pose serious threats to almost any business model. While various businesses are investing independently in capacity building in sustainability, it is important to create a platform where key actors can share knowledge and learn from each other with the aim of achieving sustained impact”. “The NSE understands its

unique role as an engine for economic growth and earlier this year hosted a sustainability reporting implementation workshop where it unveiled its Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines for listed companies with support from GRI. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with various local and international organizations to provide the requisite knowledge for market participants to improve their Environment, Social and Governance (SDG) reporting practices”, added Mr. Adeeko. The event was headlined by Douglas Kativu, Director, Global

Reporting Initiative (GRI) Africa, who said, “Businesses have key roles in addressing the development deficit across the continent. The call to business is not premised on charitable contributions, SDGs present significant opportunities for investment, business growth and sustained returns. Platforms such as this provide opportunities for companies to exchange and learn from one another with regards to their contributions towards the attainment of the SDGs, sustainability reporting, and addressing common challenges with the aim to scale up impact”.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

MONEY Market LCCI lauds new lending policy of CBN Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) new lending policy for deposit money banks. Commenting on the development, Director General of LCCI, Muda Yusuf, said, the focus of the policy on SMEs, retail, mortgage and consumer lending under the proposed lending regime is laudable. The new lending policy for deposit money banks prescribes a minimum Loan Deposit Ratio of 60 percent, effective 30th September 2019. He said, the Nigerian private sector has over the years grappled with issues of credit access, cost of credit and tenure of funds. According to him, “These challenges are more severe for MSMEs in the economy with huge financing gaps. The economy has

been characterized by profound crowding effect of the private sector in the financial markets owing to more attractive returns from credit to government through the instrumentalities of treasury bills and federal government bonds. These developments created considerable distortions in the financial markets and considerably impeded domestic investment. It created major financial intermediation issues as the banking system became largely disconnected from the investing public. The real sector investors and the SMEs were the foremost victims of this distortion.” He said, the high and attractive returns on government debt instruments was a major worry because they have zero risk and the earnings are tax exempt. Naturally, there was a gravitation of capital towards these investment windows, depriving the investment community of

funds, posing major constraints to job creation and the advancement of the economy, he said. The LCCI sees this new lending policy as a timely policy intervention to normalize the credit markets, spur economic growth and broaden the interface between entrepreneurs and the banking system. LCCI DG said, the banks will be obligated to be more tolerant of the entrepreneurs and be more creative in the creation of financial assets. The LCCI expects that the new lending policy would impact the economy in quality of financial intermediation will be improved and this would impact the economy better as funding gaps in many sectors are addressed; reduction of the crowding out of the private sector in the credit market; improvement of economic inclusion as more SMEs and broader range of sectors have better access to credit.

He stressed that, the policy will promote economic diversification in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and improve purchasing power as consumer credit increases. “This would also impact positively on the economy because of the stimulating effect increased aggregate demand.” Meanwhile in order to address some of the possible downside risks in respect of loans asset quality arising from the new lending policy, Muda implored the CBN and the fiscal authorities to strengthening the collateral registry to enhance the profiling of borrowers in the banking system. He noted that, the character of the borrower has been identified as a major risk factor in the lending in the Nigerian economy, saying effective credit registry would be improve the quality of customer profiling and credit risk management.

Ige Olorunsogo, Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS); Charles I. Ojo, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc; Ugochi Obi, Head, X-Academy, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and Akin Oyegoke, Managing Consultant, Johan Consults Ltd during an X-Academy & Johan Consults training on GDPR & NDPR Masterclass, which held at the Exchange in Lagos.

Non-Oil Exports: Fidelity Bank, NEPC, LBS Trains 100 MSMEs In Kano

…Set to unlock potentials of Northern export market

idelity Bank Plc, top Nigerian lender is training over 100 SMEs at the 8th edition of the highly acclaimed Export Management Programme (EMP) with the aim of providing impactful, world-class support to Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kano State. Organised by the bank in strategic partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Lagos Business School (LBS), this programme currently in its third year was designed specifically to enhance the competitiveness of export-

oriented businesses. The programme has since graduated over 400 entrepreneurs who have transitioned from base level export experience to becoming established exporters with extensive export market footprints. Since the commencement of the programme in 2017, the bank had always planned to take EMP to other parts of Nigeria where there are critical mass market opportunities for exports. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Bank’s Deputy

Managing Director (DMD), Mohammed Balarabe commended the participants for enrolling for the programme, adding that it was smart investment decision in the light of emerging opportunities in the non-oil sector of the economy “I am very confident that your business will benefit immensely from the insights and knowledge that the programme provides, with return on investment far exceeding the financial and economic costs of the programme to you” Balarabe said. Commenting on the rationale behind holding this edition in

Kano, Mr. Balarabe noted that the decision was borne out of the need to exploit the massive potentials of the positioning of Kano as the hub for aggregation of agro commodities in Northern Nigeria. “Kano is the hub for agro commodity exports in Northern Nigeria and majority of these exports are done informally. We have brought this Programme closer to you to fully unlock the potentials of the Northern Exports market and help you gain the knowledge required to increase your market access” he said.

Effective tax drive key to states’ financial independence –Sanwo-Olu …Fowler: ‘Lagos set the pace for tax administration’

n aggressive tax drive through tech-driven process will wean federating States from overdependence on federal allocations, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said. Sanwo-Olu said, understood the challenges associated with overdependence on federal handouts early enough, prompting the State to pursue an inclusive revenue generation push to achieve financial autonomy and reduce its reliance on crude oil earnings. The Governor spoke on Thursday when he officially flagged off the new National Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) Registration System and Consolidated National Taxpayers Database in the Southwest region. The new TIN was introduced by Joint Tax Board (JTB) - a body headed by the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler. Sanwo-Olu said the sustenance of Lagos’ tax collection drive in the last 20 years had helped to insulate the state from the effects of decline in revenue derived from Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), arising from the 2014 crash of global crude oil prices. He said: “With improved tax revenues, governments of the federating states can begin to wean themselves from an overdependence on crude oil earnings. In Lagos, we very much understood the importance of this early enough. “The overwhelming success of our tax collection drive over the last 20 years has helped, in no small measure, to insulate Lagos from the worst effects of the decline in FAAC allocations resulting from the 2014 crash of global crude oil prices. Many other states in the federation were not as fortunate.” To achieve improved revenue generation, the Governor said there was need to pursue efficient tax compliance among the citizens, pointing out that an improved tax collection and tax compliance drive would be a win-win policy for the government and the people. He said: “We know that as the level of tax compliance rises, citizens are more inclined to hold their governments accountable and demand a higher quality of governance and service. “Citizens everywhere in the world are constantly seeking easier ways of engaging with their governments and fulfilling their civic responsibilities. It is the duty of governments to respond to this need by removing barriers that inhibit compliance.” How would the government achieve higher tax compliance? “It is through technology,” SanwoOlu declared, adding that a techdriven process remained the vital tool that should be leveraged by the government to actualise the purpose.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 - 28, 2019

Operation Keep Anambra Clean, Obiano’s new song By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

NTIL now, sights of refuse dumps in the major cities, markets, parks and the adjourning cities in Anambra State were an eyesore. Anywhere you turn to, there is a pyramid of putrid refuse dump calling for attention, yet there is a ministry and there are agencies responsible for disposing refuse in the state. What went wrong? At some points in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi dump sites have been as high as 10 storey building and left for over 30 years without evacuation before former governor, Peter Obi did justice to all that. But, human beings are very difficult to handle when it comes to keeping the environment clean. It appears we have returned to the old order. Refuse disposal is still a headache to good governance in the state. Most of the dump sites were located beside residential areas hence a threat to the health of the residents. Wastes from homes and markets are dumped without care in open places for the Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) to evacuate to open dump sites located mostly in erosion prone areas without treatment and recourse to the United Nations approved refuse dump site at Nise, Awka South council. The wastes are not segregated and burning the wastes, which adds to putrid smells, contributes to air pollution. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an arm of the UN coordinates the organization’s environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was formed ‎ June 5, 1972 in ‎Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations of countries, regions and global levels. That is why the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Obi Nwankwo has keyed into the UNEP six strategic areas to ensure a cleaner environment for the people of Anambra. Nwankwo wants Anambra to rank as the cleanest state in the South-East, if not Nigeria. He is integrating climate change responses and raising public awareness having conducted environmental assessment of the state. The laws are already institutionalized to minimise the impact of harmful substances and hazardous waste on the environment and people and create a more environmentally friendly state. But can he succeed? Anambra even before the advent of Governor Willie Obiano had procured modern solid waste handling and evacuation equipment including motorized bins, plastic receptacles, waste bags and other refuse evacuation materials to ensure proper disposal of refuse but it still beats one’s imagination why refuse dumps still litter the cities. There are more procurement since Obiano became governor. There are street sweepers and gutter cleaners numbering over 150 employed in 2015 to help keep major roads, streets and gutters clean. There is as well the regular clean up exercise at the end of every month. The question is why is waste management in the state remains a challenge? Obiano has given a directive to the Environment Commissioner to keep Anambra safe, clean and healthy for the people. Can the citizenry adopt a more

CORNUCOPIA By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Telephone number: 08060750240

E-mail : odogwuchampionawka@yahoo.co.uk

•Dobe Anambra Ocha team to Onitsha on enlightenment campaign

environmental-friendly disposition for their safety? The Ministry of Environment is mobilizing ASWAMA and all other ministries in sensitizing the public via public enlightenment on the new cleanliness regime. There is now a commitment to ensure that the mountains of refuse in all nooks and crannies are taken care of. The campaign is dedicated for prompt and continuous collection of refuse from different areas in the State with proper disposal in designated areas. Already, there is an ongoing desilting exercise in the state starting with the cities and will get to the grassroots for meaningful impact. The ministry said it was ready to partner with President Generals of town unions and Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas to ensure that the effectiveness of the exercise is felt. Nwankwo’s campaign has gone round the state particularly in Onitsha that generates about 3,000 tons of waste daily. Other cities visited by the Ministry of Environment joint team with the message of “Dobe Anambra Ocha” (Keep Anambra Clean) to end all manner of abuse of the environment in major markets, cities and streets. They include Awka, Eke Awka, Enugu Ukwu, Abagana, Iyi-Enu-Ogidi axis, Nkpor roundabout, Odume Obosi, Awka Road, Egerton, Ajasa market, Main Market, New Market Road, Oguta Road and Ochanja Market, Agulu, Ekwulobia, Uga, Igboukwu, Nnobi, Nnewi, Ihiala, Awkuzu and Otuocha to mention but a few. The campaign is ongoing. The head of the Environmental Marshals of the Ministry of Environment, Mr Ogonna Ibe is advocating for environmental

mobile courts, patrol vehicles and manpower to enforce compliance since the public has been sensitized on the need to bag their waste and drop in waste bins for onward evacuation. The Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr Amechi Akorah is re-echoing Obi Nwankwo’s stand that government would no longer tolerate the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roads. He said: “We are creating awareness among our people that dumping of refuse on the roads will not be tolerated anymore. They should look around their vicinities and make use of the waste bins.’’ Now that meetings have been held with market leaders, it is hoped that the ministry would work with representatives of the market associations and neighbourhood sanitation prefects to ensure that the desired goals are attained. It is instructive that Nwankwo on July 12, flagged-off Environmental Action Campaigns tagged “Dobe Anambra Ocha’’ and afterwards his Ministry, in conjunction with ASWAMA and officials of OCHA Brigade took the campaigns round the state starting from Awka; distributing fliers and enlightenment materials to members of the public. Nwankwo said: “We want everybody to key into this, because maintenance of clean environment is collective responsibility and we must always remember that cleanliness is necessary for healthy living.” The commissioner stressed the need to shun open defecation and dumping of refuse in drainage channels, noting that operators of petrol stations and supermarkets should provide public conveniences for customers. He also said that government had established courts that would

prosecute defaulters of sanitation laws and enjoined the people to imbibe the virtues of proper waste disposal. Joining Nwankwo in his campaign is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Miss Jessica Nweke who presented refuse disposal receptacles among others and sensitized the market on the proper ways of refuse disposal and their benefits. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Liaison, Princess Biana Nwankwo and Mr Henry Agbalusi, regretted the poor attitude of traders in waste disposal, noting that the availability of the waste bins and trash bags will encourage attitudinal change and advised them to maintain proper hygiene and clean environment. Mr James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to Obiano stated in a statement in Awka that the State Government plans to partner with an Austrian firm to generate electricity through waste-to-energy technology. Eze, who is part of a delegation on an official visit to Austria, said government was exploring best possible and cost effective ways of converting tonnes of waste in the state. “The state delegation visited leading electric power and gas companies in Austria,” he said. When shall this waste conversion to electricity come to reality? But , sooner than anticipated, the enforcement of state sanitation laws shall happen and no one should cry foul with this massive campaign. Nwankwo explained that the enforcement and prosecution of offenders will follow the sensitization campaign, as the campaign will be taken to homes, offices, schools and markets in Anambra, urging the people to cultivate the right attitude towards

the environment. Supporting Nwankwo’s campaign, Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Stanley Nkwoka and Mrs. Florence Oraedum of ASWAMA said that the Ministry will sustain the sensitization exercise and enforcement until the aim of making Anambra the cleanest state in the country is achieved. At Onitsha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Chief Chido Obidiegwu said the existing condition evidently witnessed at Onitsha does not tally with the state government’s vision of a Smart City and admonished them to see their surroundings as their individual homes. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Beautification of Environment, Mrs Chinwe Aniemena revealed that an instructive aspect of their objective is to inculcate in residents, a culture of proper waste disposal and charged the people to imbibe positive attitudinal change towards their environment. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Emmanuel Okafor and the Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Mrs. Edith Ike, emphasized that keeping the environment clean is a collaborative effort, between the government and the people, as according to them, government cannot do it alone without the people’s input, adding that Ndi Anambra will soon start seeing Environmental Officers on the streets, who have been mandated to enforce the State Environmental Laws. If the ministry is serious with this campaign and can rid the markets of debris and ensure water channels are kept clean by maintaining proper disposal of waste, stop trading on waterways by traders, Anambra residents shall appreciate the importance of paying for utilities and social services like solid waste disposal. Confirming this directive on clean and healthy Anambra, Obiano cautioned against indiscriminate dumping of wastes in water channels across the state. He gave the warning when he inspected some drainages around Ogbaru Council where the state government is about to commence desilting and re-channelling work. In the pipeline for further desilting were Idemili River at Iyiowa Odekpe and Sakamoli drainage at Obodo-Ukwu road. Obiano, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke attributed some of the flooding experienced by the state to unwholesome practice of some residents who turn drainages into waste bin. He advised them to desist from such practice as it is against the environmental laws, and leads to artificial flooding. The Commissioner for Works, Engineer Marcel Ifejiofor who said that the first stage of the project will be the confluence of the Sakamoli drainage and Idemili River to the River Niger, which is about 4.5 kilometers in length, 10 meters in width, and five meters deep, expressed hope that at completion, there would be no more flooding in the area. Now that massive and robust sensitization has gone round the state, defaulters of any kind will be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law. Indeed, this new song of Obiano that cleanliness is next to godliness as espoused by Nwankwo should be supported to yield its targeted results for a cleaner, greener and healthier Anambra 2020. •Phone Number: 08060750240

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

‘The pain was an 11 out of 10’: Man’s penis ruptured after he heard ‘popping’ sound during sex

Name: Omobolanle Tel: 08185125174 If you want to be our next Model of The Week, e-mail or forward your photos/data to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714

ODD NEWS

Revolutionary one-day stem cell treatment could save lives of hundreds of thousands suffering heart failure

t sounds too good to be true and there is no doubt the results are astounding – even though medics are not really sure why. A revolutionary new stem cell treatment, which takes only a few hours, is being hailed as a potential benefit for the hundreds of thousands of people suffering heart failure. Lying in a hospital bed, Denise Williams knew her time was almost up. Her heart was failing and she was being sent home to get her affairs in order. Even worse, as sole carer for her brain-damaged teenage son, Denise

knew the outlook for both of their futures was looking dire. Depressed and desperate – and with her heart working at just 10-20% of its normal capacity – she was out of options. Then she saw an advert for medical trials for those suffering from heart failure. The very thought of being a guinea pig would be u nderstandably terrifying but, figuring she had nothing to lose, Denise applied for the stem cell treatment at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. Just months after the pioneering treatment, using adult stem cells, Denise’s heart was back within

normal limits which she says, “is nothing short of a miracle”. Denise, 61, has gone from spending all day in bed to feeling “20 years younger” with loads of energy and a renewed vigour for life. Remarkably, she no longer takes any medication and the treatment itself took just a couple of minutes. “There are virtually no drugs involved, and you’re ‘done’ within a few hours,” she says. “If what has happened to me can happen to the countless thousands of others out there with heart and other health problems, it would be amazing.” It sounds too good to be true and there is no doubt the results are astounding – even though medics are not really sure why. The innovative procedure involves taking bone marrow from the patient’s pelvis, harvesting stem cells and injecting these straight into the heart. So far, just 150 people have received the treatment, which has seen an incredible 80% positive response with patients typically experiencing improved heart function and a better quality of life with no further use of medication. And now doctors hope it could change the lives of countless people living with heart failure and save thousands of lives. The procedure, which normally

man whose penis ruptured after he heard a ‘popping’ sound during sex has described the pain as ‘an 11 out of 10’. Ross Asdourian, 32, ruptured his penis muscles and severed his urethra during the horrific incident. The author from New York shared candid details of his genital trauma on Kyle and Jackie O, an Australian breakfast radio show on Friday while promoting his new book about the experience, B r o k e n Bananah. “We were having sex in what doctors call “doggy style” position and I came out and then went back in, and we both did that in equal but opposite force, and it caused a very audible “pop”. “I didn’t really scream because if you’ve ever been in that real pain you don’t really make much noise, some sound comes out of you but it’s not sustained,” he said. “I went into emergency

costs up to £10,000 per patient, is not currently available on the NHS. Professor Anthony Mathur, the senior cardiologist leading the programme, says the results so far are “impressive”. After 10 years of trials at St Bartholomew’s involving more than 400 volunteers, he adds: “To achieve long-lasting, potentially life-saving health benefits with no need for additional medication is revolutionary, and could save the NHS millions of pounds.” Heart failure currently affects 900,000 people in the UK. It is caused by the heart failing to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure, because the muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly. It causes breathlessness, extreme tiredness and death. For most people, it is a long-term condition that cannot be cured and is managed with medication such as beta-blockers. In the most serious cases, a heart transplant may be required.

protocol, I got up, flipped the lights on all while this poor woman is still there on all fours looking confused because she didn’t know what was happening.” He called an ambulance, telling them that he thought he had broken his penis. His injury was so bad that even medics looked a little shocked by his genitals, he said. M e d i c s managed to repair his torn genitals and he confidently attests that he has regained 8090% function after a long, painful, expensive and sometimes bizarre road to recovery. His penis injury racked up $60,000 (£43,000) in medical bills and left him stuck with a catheter for four months. He also required two surgeries and many stitches. Ross now says that he likes to blame the injury on the heated, passionate nature of his love-making with the unnamed woman who he said was a former college lover who happened to be visiting his city that fateful night. Heart failure can be caused by high blood pressure, c oronary heart disease, an abnormal rhythm or weak heart muscles. Trials into the treatment were funded by the Heart Cells Foundation charity who hope the procedure could become widely available on the NHS. As a result of promising findings, the charity has now launched the Compassionate T reatment Programme, which offers stem cell therapy to heart disease patients on compassionate grounds. The programme aims to treat one patient per week and hopes to increase this number in 2018. Jenifer Rosenberg set up the charity after her husband Ian became seriously ill with a heart condition and was given weeks to live. The couple travelled to Germany where Ian received stem cell therapy which transformed his life. Sadly Ian has now passed away but Jenifer continues to run the charity with the aim of raising the necessary £6.5million to fund the initial trials.

Romantic Joke

The Wife’s Experiment

A man drinks a shot of whiskey every night before bed. After years of this, the wife wants him to quit. She gets two shot glasses, fills one with water and the other with whiskey. After bringing him to the table that has the glasses, she brings his bait box. She says, “I want you to see this.” She puts a worm in the water, and it swims around. She puts a worm in the whiskey, and the worm dies immediately. She then says, feeling that she has made her point clear, “What do you have to say about this experiment?” He responds by saying, “If I drink whiskey, I won’t get worms!”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

True Confession

will always love you, No matter what happens. My name is Ade and my story is a sad one. The love of Ifeoma is the greatest love I have ever had, and will ever have. In my own estimation, love is not measured by how long it lasts, but by how strong it is. Even if it lasts for a moment, there is a kind of love that could be stronger than the loves that last for years. That was the kind of love that I and Ifeoma shared. Don’t look down on me because my wife is now a mad woman, because I’m determined to stand by her till the end. I met Ifeoma 15 years ago while we were still teenagers. I was staying with my aunt in Lagos and my school was on holiday, so my aunt suggested that I go and spend the holiday with the children of her bosom friend in Enugu. That was how at the age of 16, I went to Enugu to spend a holiday. The family of my aunt’s bosom friend

“My aunt did everything to turn my parents against my plans to wed Ifeoma by saying that Igbos are only after money. According to my aunt, Ifeoma would only take my money and abandon me. But still, I was undeterred. I swore to go ahead with the wedding as long as my parents had agreed to it. But I didn’t know what my aunt had in store for us..”

was a very happy and united one. We called my aunt’s bosom friend Aunty Ngozi, and she had 3 girls. I was gladly introduced to all her children who welcomed me with open arms. Ifeoma was her first daughter and even at the age of 12, she looked bigger than her age. We became fond of each other and continued our friendship through to adulthood. I yearned for Ifeoma like a deer yearns for water. And I prayed to God earnestly for the day she would finally be mine. When I finally got a job in Lagos, I invited her to come from Enugu and stay with me in Lagos, pending when I would have saved enough money to do her introduction. Ifeoma and I picked a date for our wedding and we looked forward to that day when we would become husband and wife. However, our wedding day proved to be the saddest day of my life. The truth was that one of my aunts was totally

‘She ran mad on our wedding day’ against my getting married to Ifeoma because she is Igbo. My aunt did everything to turn my parents against my plans to wed Ifeoma by saying that Igbos are only after money. According to my aunt, Ifeoma would only take my money and abandon me. But still, I was undeterred. I swore to go ahead with the wedding as long as my parents had agreed to it. But I didn’t know what my aunt had in store for us. On our wedding day, we woke up early and went to the church with Ifeoma looking immaculate in her wedding gown.

After we had exchanged our wedding vows, that my aunt and other relatives came to greet us. Suddenly, my aunt brought out a black substance from her bag, and rubbed it all over Ifeoma’s head. Immediately, Ifeoma, my newly wedded wife, started acting funny and taking her clothes off. She would have run out of the church naked if I hadn’t held her hands. At first, it didn’t occur to us that my wife had gone crazy. We rushed her to a private hospital thinking it was fever or malaria. It was at the private hospital that it

dawned on me that my wife had run mad on our wedding day when the doctor referred her to a psychiatric hospital. Ifeoma is still in the psychiatric hospital. Yet my aunt is saying that she has found another wife for me, a Yoruba girl from my hometown. But I have vowed never to let her succeed in her evil plans. I will stand by my wife, Ifeoma, till the end. I will never take another wife.

Do you have a story or comment about this confession? Call 07031028714.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

Relationships and Love Advice

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Precious Gift, Igbo orphan, good looking, a pentecostal with great potentials, needs a serious widower, who’s truthful god fearing, good looking, carring, healthy, wealthy, comfortable, educated man of 40-50 years, with a few kids, for a soon marriage before two months. 07065658063. Chi baby, 34, based in Lagos, HIV positive, from Imo state, needs a HIV positive man from the Eastern side, from 40 years and above for marriage. 08064177446. Oluchi, 34, tall, dark, busty, single mother, in Festac Town, Lagos, needs a responsible, working Igbo man from 3845 years for marriage. 08164007657. Lora from the middle belt wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage. 08090925014. Linda, 20, loving, caring, romantic and kindhearted, needs a loving, understanding soulmate looking for a companion to enjoy life with and be happy. 09037154601. Gift, 35, from Imo, needs a man of 40-50 years for a serious relationship even if he is a widower. 09068433969. Vanessa, 20, chocolate, young, calm, supportive, patient and sweet needs a mature, wealthy man for a very happy relationship. Distance is not a barrier. Call +2348171590309.

‘I need a man who can truly care for me’

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Dear Love Doctor, I’m a young lady living in Lagos. I’m very attractive and men like to be with me. But the problem is that I don’t think that the men around me really know what it takes to care for a woman. I need a man who knows what it means to love someone and has what it takes to care for a lady. If there’s any man among your readers who

knows how to care for a lady please give him my number. I need a man who truly cares. Thanks Juliana, 07033501858

Men seeking relationship/ marriage

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Augustina, It’s a good thing that you have an open heart that is ready to give and accept love. With patience you will definitely find someone who truly loves you and cares about you enough to stay committed to you for the long term. Just continue being who you are,

because the one for you will definitely be attracted to you because of the natural you, that is, because of who you are, and not because of what you have. Since you will like to be connected with any of my readers who has what it takes to truly care for a lady, I think there are many readers who will also like to get to know you. Let’s see what happens when they start calling me.

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However, just remain true to yourself and you will definitely find the kind of man you want. Note: In order to help women seeking relationship and marriage have a fuller figure and better shapes and curves, intimate products are available for you, such as hips and breast enhancement products and products that help ladies to have bigger buttocks.

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E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08077821830, 08131161840 for Counseling, fertility problems & Direct Hookup.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 -28, 2019

Crime

Police raid blackspots in Anambra, arrest serial rapists, car snatching syndicates, others Stories by VICTOR NZE

olice Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at the Anambra State Police Command, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, said the command has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a 24 year-old man from Umuru village in Ogidi, who was alleged shot dead over a girlfriend dispute. Mohammed said in his report, Thursday, and signed on behalf of the state’s commissioner of police that the two suspects are now awaiting trial at the court. “On the 18/7/2019 at about 7:am, following intelligence report Police detectives attached to Ogidi Division arrested one Dabem Okeke, aged 28 years and another, Okechukwu Okafor, aged 37 years all from Ogidi Aniuku village in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State. “The suspects allegedly stormed the house of one Ifenyichukwu Kamsisichukwu ‘f’ aged about 20 years, forced her to open her door and took away her boyfriend, one Chinedu Okoye ‘m’ aged 24years of Umuru village Ogidi and shot him with a gun. “The scene was visited and victim who sustained a gunshot injury on the back was rushed to Twinkle Tospital Ogidi for medical attention and was certified dead by a medical doctor while receiving treatment. “Corpse deposited at Iyienu hospital morgue Ogidi for autopsy. “Meanwhile, exhibits recovered

from the arrested suspects include one single barrel gun allegedly used in perpetrating the crime. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the principal suspect Dabem Okoye who allegedly pulled the trigger was suspected to be having a disagreement with the deceased over a girlfriend. “Case under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution,” Mohammed said. Also, Mohammed statement also included a report of the arrest of two armed robbery suspects in Abatete said to be terrorizing the community. “On the 18/7/2019, following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Eziowelle Division in conjunction with the Abatete vigilante group arrested two armed robbery

suspects who have been terrorising the Area with robberies and other heinous crimes. “The two suspects are; Ifeoma Joy Ugegbe, alias “Sabath” ‘f aged 20 years and, Ifeanyi Chinweze alias “cheplat” ‘m’ aged 19 years both from Oranto Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State. “Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; one cut to size single barrel gun loaded with a cartridge. “Case under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution. “Furthermore, on the 18/7/2019 following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Oyi Division arrested one Charles Igwedibia aka Alagbon ‘m’ aged 46 years of Dusogu village, Awkuzu in Oyi local government area of Anambra

State. “Suspect allegedly had series of unlawful carnal knowledge with a 12 year-old girl at Nkwelle village between June and July 2019 “Preliminary investigation also revealed that same suspect defiled another 12 year-old girl of same address within that period. “Meanwhile, all the victims were taken to Chira hospital Awkuzu and the Medical Doctor confirmed laceration of their hymen. “Case under investigation after which suspect would be charged to Court for prosecution,” Mohammed’s report said. In a related development, the Anambra State Police Command’s Puff Adder unit said it has smashed a car snatching syndicate operating in Awka, the state capital. Police Public Relations Officer

Police arrest suspected murderer, cultist in Enugu

he Police Command in Enugu Tpected State said it had arrested susmurderer and cultist, Nnae-

meka Aniamalu, who had been disturbing the peace of coal camp axis of Enugu. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, made this known on Friday in a statement in Enugu. Amaraizu said that the Anti-Cult Unit of the command recovered a locally-made double-barrel pistol from the 26-year-old “notorious suspect’’ arrested on Monday through intelligence information and swift response of operatives of the unit. “The suspect has been on police wanted list for the murder of one Obumneke Chinegbundu alias Obumneme of Colliery Avenue, Coal Camp, Enugu, on January 21, 2019. “Since then, the suspect escaped and allegedly took refuge in military barracks in Onitsha, Anambra. From the barracks, he always come to Enugu for series of cult activities and armed robbery. He was arrested in a hotel he lodged in Enugu through intelligent information on his movement and activities,’’ he said. Amaraizu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, had directed that fullscale investigation be conducted on the suspect’s alleged nefarious activities. “The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is over on his criminal activities,’’ he added.

•Kano State Police Command parading suspected criminals in the state arrested for offences ranging from drug trafficking, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and others during various operations supervised by the state police commissioner, CP Ahmed Iliyasu

EFCC nabs notorious Facebook hacker in Warri

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office have arrested a notorious FaceBook accounts hacker, Okohwan Kelvin, in Warri, Delta State. His arrest followed discreet monitoring of his online activities, based on complaints from members of the public alleging that he hacked and took over their Facebook accounts,

after they clicked on a phishing link he sent to them. A statement signed by Mr. Tony Orilade, the Acting Head, Media & Publicity, said preliminary investigations showed that Kelvin had hacked about one hundred Facebook accounts using phishing links generated from an online hacking website. It was also discovered that the

suspect was selling hacked Facebook accounts to other fraudsters who were using them for various nefarious online activities. In some cases, he used many of the accounts himself to defraud friends of his victims. According to the EFCC, Kelvin would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Bandits loot houses, rustle livestock in Katsina community

andits, on Friday night, struck again at Danbirgima in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, stealing residents’ money and rustling an unspecified number of animals in the process. No death was reported during the two-hour attack on the community. Residents said the bandits stormed the town around 9:45 p.m. and carried out their activities for the next two hours. It was learnt that during the operation, many residents especially men escaped to nearby villages and Kankara, headquarters of the local government. The bandits were said to have met mainly elderly people and women, who they relieved of their money.

One of the residents, who preferred not to be identified for his safety, said the bandits ransacked virtually all the houses in the community and carted away goats and cows. He said, “The bandits arrived 9:45 p.m. Friday night. I escaped but my old mother was left in the house. The bandits inquired from her why she did not run away as others had done. She asked them, where they expected her to run away to at that age and at that time of the day. They collected her money and went away with her two rams. They did not maltreat her. “I had to run because I have been kidnapped once and I had to pay four million Naira to regain my free-

dom. I know that the bandits are ruthless and they mean business. So, I had to run for my life when they arrived and started shooting. “Fortunately, I relocated my wives and children from the community shortly after I was kidnapped and released. I cannot say when I will return there (Dabirgima) for I believe the bandits have informants who always inform them about what goes on.” The spokesman for the Katsina police command, SP Gambo Isah confirmed the incident. “Yes, Danbirgima was attacked but nobody was killed or injured. The bandits only succeeded in rustling some animals.”

(PPRO) at the Anambra State Police Command, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, said in his report that: “On the 17/7/2019 at about 1:40am,following intelligence report, Puff Adder operatives in conjunction with Patrol team attached to B’ Division Awka smashed a robbery syndicate operating close to Roselife hotel, Old INEC Road Awka and arrested the following suspects; Audu Paul Victor ‘m’ aged 20years, alias “executioner” who hails from Ejule in Ufu local government area of Kogi State but residing at Nodu market road Awka, and, John Okoli ‘m’ aged 28years alias “ocha”, who hails from Okposhi in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State, but resides at Mbaukwu. “Exhibits recovered from the suspects includes a locally-made cut-tosize single barrel gun loaded with a live cartridge, a tricycle with registration number, IMO UML 452 Q6, and a vehicle identification number 2981. “Case under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution. “On the 17/07/2019, Surveillance Patrol team attached to Awada Division arrested three suspected cultists as follows, named; Andrew Ejike ‘m’ aged 20 years, Chidiebere Edwin ‘m’ 19years, and Chisom Christian ‘m’ aged aged 17years. “All the suspects who have confessed to their membership of a cult group known as the “SAITARIS” abducted two young girls aged 15 and 17years and forced them to undergo some initiation rituals and allegedly gang-raped the two young girls before letting them go. “Case under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

Police nab suspected killer of 2 NYSC members in Bayelsa

olice Command in Bayelsa on Thursday, said it had apprehended the suspected killer of two national Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state, an offence allegedly committed in March, 2019. The command said that the suspect and 28 others were nabbed across the state for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism. Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Uche Anozia, told journalists in Yenagoa that the suspects were arrested in different locations in the state, and that different types of arms were recovered from them. Anozia said the arrest of the suspect were carried the Special Squad of the command, which swung into action with the launch of “Operation Puff Adder” in the state. “Among the suspects are 14 armed robbers, 10 arrested in connection with cultism and five suspected kidnappers, who have been operating in the state. “On March 2, 2019, at about 2230 hours, six unknown gunmen invaded the residence of one Oluwatobi Papoola Olakunle and George Onokpoma, who were corps members serving a Izi-Victory International School, Swali community, Yenagoa. “The gunmen shot and killed the corps members and stole some valuable items from their residence, which included an Infinix X601 phone belonging to Oluwatobi.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

SPORTS

REVEALED!

Why Pinnick can’t fire

Rohr

McLeod still interested in 100m sprints By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

How Algeria emerged champions undefeated at AFCON 2019 Algeria’s tact of starting off quick and playing the ball in Senegal’s half worked perfectly until halfway through, when the Teranga Lions started roaring slowly into the game. t is no longer news that the Desert Foxes of Algeria were In the 26th minute, Henry Saivet attempted to catch keeper on Friday, crowned champions of Africa after defeating the Adi-RaisMbohli off his guard with a freekick from range, but the Teranga Lions of Senegal 1-0 in the final of the 32ndedition of hawk-eyed shot stopper adjusted quickly to gather. the continental biggest football fiesta, the Africa Cup of Nations MbayeNiang had a brilliant effort later with a superbly struck which held in Cairo, Egypt from June16 to July 19, 2019. volley from range. The burly forward chested the ball down from Baghdad Bounedjah’s first minute deflected effort was all 20 yards out and took a sweet volley on the half turn, his stinging that Algeria needed to lift their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a 29-year wait with a 1-0 victory over Senegal in effort going just over. At the stroke of halftime, Sane almost made amends in exact a highly charged final at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday same fashion he had conceded in the first minute, but this time is night. strike from range off a corner was deflected over the bar. It is noted that Algeria, who were playing only their second The second half started in as much pace as the first had ended final since 2010 held on to the slim advantage for the rest of the and Senegal thought they had been given a lifeline on the hour 90 minutes while Senegal’s wait for a maiden AFCON title still lingers on. It is another case of so near, yet so far away, the Lions mark when DjamelBenlamri seemed to have handled the ball inside the box off a Sarr cross. of Teranga having lost another final in 2002 in Mali. However, after consulting the VAR, the referee overturned Within the opening minute, Algeria was one goal up. his earlier decision of a penalty and gave possession back to the Bounedjah picked the ball after ChekouKouyate had missed Algerians. his attempted tackle on the left, drifted in and struck a shot Senegal kept their push on and came close again in the that came off Salif Sane, the man coming in for the suspended 65th minute when Sarr beautifully picked up a long ball from Koulubaly. LamineGassama before striding into the box, gliding past the The ball took a punishing dip beyond the keeper into the keeper but his eventual shot came off the side netting. net with one half of the stadium stunned into silence, while the Youssef Sabaly was next to line up an effort when he picked other half in green and white of Les Fennecs roared in deafening the ball on the left from Sadio Mane before moving into good crescendo. By MADUABUCHI KALU

amaica’s hurdler supreme, Omar McLeod rarely runs the flat sprint events, but things may change when he has accomplished all he hopes to in the 110m hurdles. Speaking in London, ahead of this weekend’s IAAF Diamond League meet, the Olympic and World hurdles champion said he hopes to sprint full time in the future. At the same press conference yesterday, he asked for patience as Jamaica’s track and field proceeds following the retirement of the incomparable Usain Bolt. Asked what events he enjoys watching at major championships, he said, “You know, I love sprinting.” Perhaps with his flat 100m personal best of 9.99 seconds in mind, he said, “I’m in the hurdles, but I love sprinting.” Then in a promise of things to come, he indicated, “Hopefully, when I’m done with the hurdles, I’d love to switch over to full-time sprinting.” In addition to winning 110m hurdles titles at every level, the 25-year-old reigning World champion has also shown his sprint speed on the 4x100m relay for Manchester High School, Kingston College, the University of Arkansas, and Jamaica. Unfortunately, Bolt suffered an injury in the race where McLeod made his Jamaica sprint relay debut – the 2017 World Championships final in London. Faced with a query about the recent issues concerning the Racers Track Club, McLeod responded thoughtfully. “I think Jamaica is just going through that little phase right now, like figuring stuff out, figuring who is next, who’s the next big sprinter,” he said. “You know, Usain Bolt retired, and he left a little dent in track and field, and it’s that constant struggle and pressure to fill that void, and I just feel like they really need to be patient, be very patient with the athletes and allow us to shine our own light. “The fans are a little bit uneasy, (but) we’ll be all right.”

shooting range, but his rocket of a shot was smothered behind for a corner by Mbohli. On the other end, Algeria who were pushed on the wall by Senegal managed to conjure a chance at goal off a set piece, but YoucefBellaili’s curling effort was deflected for another corner that was well defended. With the clock ticking and a goal urgently needed, Senegal boss AliouCisse made changes, Saivet coming off for MbayeDiagne, Niang came off for Keita Balde while earlier, KrepinDiatta had come on for Papa Ndiaye. As a matter of fact, the Algerian Desert Foxes deserved their victory because they were the best at the tournament and despite their being the best team at the tournament. They never take anything for granted as they continued to push for victory after victory.

Okala lauds Eagles over Bronze medal ... Says “it’s better than nothing” By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

ormer national team safe hand and a member of 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Emmanuel Okala (MON), has felicitated with the Super Eagles for winning the 2019 AFCON third-place match in Egypt, saying “bronze medals were better than coming back with nothing.” According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) an OdionIghalo goal after three minutes of play on Wednesday ensured the Eagles beat their Tunisian counterparts 1-0. Okala, who helped Nigeria to win their first AFCON title in 1980, told NAN in Enugu shortly after the match,

that the encounter was a very difficult one. According to him, it was, however, good that the Super Eagles triumphed at the end of the day. “Bronze medals are better than coming back with nothing. I must laud the Super Eagles for their commitment. “They have shown patriotism and love for the country in discharging this national assignment (participation in 2019 AFCON) on behalf of Nigerians, both at home and abroad,’’ he said. On the way forward, Okala said that the Super Eagles had to go back to the drawing board. “The senior national team must take patience to study their loopholes, as well as strengths in the entire tournament.

Usain Bolt makes dancehall debut

olt is bubbling along as he makes riddim named after his own signature ‘Olympe Rose’ champagne TO BE a champion takes a quality that only a select few possess. That clinical desire to be the very best, and to carry that energy, commitment and enthusiasm across anything and everything you do. Usain Bolt has that quality in abundance. In the eight years between August 2008 and August 2016, he won 20 Olympic and World Championship gold medals in the 21 events he entered, a staggering tally that makes

him the greatest sprinter of all time. That’s what you call platinum status – and now he has turned his magic touch to a new music venture. As the producer of a new riddim called “Olympe Rose”, Usain has entered the music market in a big and boasy way. “Music has always been a part of me throughout the years. I used to be a DJ, and we have always spoken about doing something special in music,” he tells me on the line from St Lucia. PASSION “I have been working with the

champagne producers Mumm, and we created a brand for myself called “Olympe Rose”. When it came time to launch it in Jamaica we wanted to do it with a difference, so we decided to launch the riddim with it and couple the pair together.” His passion is obvious, and the enthusiasm jumps out. This isn’t a fly by night decision, it’s clearly something that has been bubbling for a while and it isn’t a project that he is just putting his name to, as he explained.

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

SPORTS Owolabi wants Rohr fired ... Says “he’s technically inept” By MADUABUCHI KALU with Agency Report

REVEALED!

Why Pinnick can’t fire Rohr By MADUABUCHI KALU

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not be able to sack Gernot Rohr easily, because of what it would cost them according to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick. The Oracle Today’s findings revealed that the FrancoGermany Football Tactician who still has a year left on his contract with the federation, has a $1million (N360m) payment clause inserted in his deal if the Federation ventures to wield the big stick before the expiration of his contract and the Federation would not want to do that. It is recalled that the former Bayern Munich’s defender led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Tunisia 1-0 on Wednesday. So, despite the cacophony of voices from different quarters in the country for him to be booted out of his position following what many of those calling for his sack considered as the poor performance of the Super Eagles at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the FrancoGermany football tactician, may likely not be shown the exit door because of what it will take the Federation to take such action. As a matter of fact, most of the people who want Rohr out of Eagles hinged their position to what they described as the team’s poor style of play which in their view is as a result of lack of tactical astuteness on his part. However, speaking the third place match against Tunisia last Wednesday, the NFF President, AmajuPinnick, ruled out firing the German tactician from his job. “He (Rohr) will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him,” Pinnick began. “Gernot took us to the semifinal, the target we set for him. Right now, we have a third-place match to play for and we intend to have our team leave Egypt with honour. “There are some people that have been calling on me and the

federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that. In fact, Gernot is going on a refresher training period with Bayern Munich after the Nations Cup. We have a long-term plan with him. “We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people. “He is a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon,” Pinnick said. It is on record that since taking over the reins from former captain and coach, Sunday OgochukwuOlise, Rohr has won more than twice the matches than he lost and draw. And having met the federation’s target which is the semifinals, the Federation has no reason to fire him. We may not have appreciated what he has achieved so far, but it will be foolhardy for the Federation to sack him and part with a $1million of tax payers’ money under this economy. We should also remember that other big teams like the Pharaohs of Egypt, Black Stars of Ghana, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon could not make to the quarterfinals including the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and the DR Congo and they did not pull down the roof.

ormer Nigeria international, Dr. Felix Owolabi, (MON) has added his voice to those calling for the Gernot Rohr to be shown the way out. Reacting to the question posed by sportsvillagesquare.com, on whether the tactician should continue to stay as Eagles’ coach, Owolabi wrote, “it is so sad that we lost to Algeria in the Semi-Finals of the 2019 AFCON. There are no doubts in my observation that the players through their sheer-will and individual brilliance got to the semifinal stage. “The tactical ineptitude of Gernot Rohr cost us the defeat. Remember we faced a similar scenario against Argentina in the last World Cup and we lost out in the dying minutes. For me, the Algerian match has exposed the coach and it has given all of us the best platform to access the man in

totality. “We lacked team game. There was poor cohesion. The team lacked character. No game plan, no strategy, no organization, no playmaker and no-match-maker.” The former winger didn’t mince words in condemning Rohr’s lack of organisation as he wrote, “the team didn’t have any football mentality and football discipline at all,” adding, “a good coach is retained when he succeeds when others fail. And same is sacked when he fails.” Owolabi questioned NFF President’s decision to send Gernot Rohr to Germany for a refresher course when he is not a Nigerian. “Rohr is not a Nigerian citizen, meaning he is not our product and so cannot be said to be sent on any refresher course.” Owolabi explains further, “he was employed on contract and cannot be sent on any course on the taxpayers money. I am hearing this submission for the first time. It is funny”.

Chaney sends Caudle out of ring in brutal 1st-round TKO

A Mahrez tips Eagles to rule African Football soon

espite spearheading the defeat of the Gernot Rohr coached Super Eagles, Algeria and Manchester City star, Riyad Mahrez, has tipped the young Nigerian side, the Super Eagles to be up there with Africa’s best in two years’ time, if the core of the team is kept together. The Algerian star bared his mind on the Nigerian side while fielding questions with Nigerian sports journalists in Cairo at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations. He, therefore, called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other football stakeholders, to continue to support the team. It is recalled that it was the Manchester City winger that struck a heartbreaking 94th-minute goal, as his country beat the Eagles 2-1 in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He believes he saw potential in Gernot Rohr’s men that can see them go on to become one of the best. “In my mind, I was just thinking to score. “It was a very good free-kick for me as a leftfooter. I think we deserve to win and we are very happy. “Nigeria team is very good and very strong too. They will be better in the next two years or so if they are given more chance. They will be up there again,” Mahrez said.

merican heavyweight, Cassius Chaney knocked Joel Caudle out of the ring in a brutal first-round TKO victory. Chaney, a 32-year-old heavyweight with a record of 16 wins and no defeats, needed less than three minutes to see off Caudle at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland on Friday night. From the opening bell, Chaney’s power was too much for Caudle to deal with and although the fight was scheduled for eight rounds, it was clear that the contest would not be going the distance. After a flurry of heavy punches, Chaney caught Caudle with a huge right uppercut which

sent him flying through the ropes. Caudle bravely got to his feet and climbed the steps to get back in the ring. Amazingly, the referee deemed Caudle fit to continue after a quick check and the fight continued. Chaney immediately hunted down Caudle to end the fight and just 10 seconds later, the referee had seen enough and waved off the contest.

Tomic’s appeal against fine rejected, receives stinging rebuke

ustralian Bernard Tomic’s appeal to overturn a fine for not playing to “required professional standards” at Wimbledon earlier this month has been denied in a stinging rebuke by the Grand Slam board. Tomic lost his first round match 6-2 6-1 6-4 to France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon and was fined his entire winnings of 45,000 pounds ($56,241), after

organisers ruled he had put in minimal effort in the 58-minute defeat. The 26-year-old Tomic appealed the decision, citing the fact he was unwell before the match, while Tsonga added that he felt his

victory had been devalued. The board, however, refused to overturn their original decision and heavily criticisedTomic’s attitude to tennis. “A review of your historical record of misconduct at Grand Slams, never mind elsewhere, provides little justification for an adjustment,” board director Bill Babcock wrote in the decision letter that was published by the New York Times. “In your case, Bernard, I am sure you would agree there is no historical evidence to give comfort to the theory that you can reform your behaviour.” Babcock added that if Tomic goes without a sanction in his next eight Grand Slam events then he would be refunded 25 per cent of the fine. “Admittedly, I am sceptical that you can achieve this reform of Grand Slam on-court behaviour,” Babcock added. “Many others, no doubt, would be even more than just sceptical.”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 23 – 28, 2019

SPORTS Man Utd reject £54m Inter Milan bid for Lukaku

Mayweather has ‘zero interest’ in Pacquiao rematch By MADUABUCHI KALU

loyd Mayweather has “zero interest” in coming out of retirement for a rematch with Manny Pacquiao after their money-spinning 2015 superfight, close confidante Leonard Ellerbe said Wednesday. Ellerbe, the chief executive of Mayweather Promotions, told the boxingscene.com website that not even the prospect of another lucrative payday would tempt Mayweather back into the ring. Mayweather is believed to have earned an estimated $300 million from the points victory over Pacquiao, which remains the most lucrative fight in history and generated more than $600 million revenue. Pacquiao’s long-time trainer Freddie Roach said last week he would be keen for the Filipino icon to set up a rematch with Mayweather after a frustrating defeat in the first meeting. However, while Mayweather will be at ringside for Pacquiao’s world title fight against Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday, Ellerbe says there is no chance of a rematch. “Floyd has no interest,” Ellerbe told boxingscene.

“He has zero interest. He’s been doing this all his life. And after a while, you get burned out. He’s given the sport everything.” Ellerbe said Mayweather was instead happy in his retirement. Breaking: Man United appoint Solskjaer as permanent manager(Opens in a new browser tab) “He’s very content,” Ellerbe said. “He’s living his best life. I just talked to him earlier today. We went over some business stuff. He’s travelling, spending time with his kids, spending time with his family. “He’s doing all the things that he never got a chance to do because boxing has consumed his life ever since he was 5 years old.” Speaking to reporters last week, Roach said he was still bothered by Pacquiao’s loss to Mayweather, when the Filipino’s challenge was hampered by a shoulder problem. “Hopefully we can get Mayweather to come to the table,” Roach said. “I would like us to have one more crack at him.” “We didn’t fight a great fight that night. Manny’s shoulder didn’t help at all. He’s had surgery since then, he’s 100 per cent now. I would like us to fight Mayweather again because I didn’t like the way we performed.”

Ighalo calls time on Nigeria career

AFCON 2019 top scorer By MADUABUCHI KALU

igeria striker Odion Ighalo has told BBC Sport that the decision to call time on his international career was the ‘hardest’ of his life. The 30-year-old, who finished as top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with five goals, confirmed his immediate retirement from international football on Friday. The former Watford striker scored 16 goals in 35 appearances in a Super Eagles career spanning four years after making his debut in March 2015. Ighalo said it had been a hard decision to make but added: “You always dream of playing for Nigeria as a boy and luckily I managed to do it from the under 20s to to the senior side. “But you only need to take the time to reflect and tell yourself the truth, even though it was the hardest decision to make in my life as a footballer, I think it is the right one.” The Shanghai Shenhua of China player endured death threats aimed at his family after failing to score at the 2018 World Cup last summer. But he produced seven goals to finish top scorer in the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying and his five goals and one assist helped Nigeria finish third at the tournament in Egypt. He added: “I feel honoured to finish as top scorer in Egypt with the help of my teammates and coaching staff. Personally, it is also time for me to give way to the promising young players in the national team set up. “I am extremely proud to have represented my country - and despite not reaching personal and

collective ambition as a team - I have really enjoyed every moment. “I returned to China with an injury and I now plan to focus on my club career. “I’m going to support the country as a fan now and hopefully return to help my club as soon as possible.” Ighalo captained his country’s youth side at the Under-20 World Cup in 2009. He made his senior debut six years later in an international friendly at home to Uganda in Uyo. Ighalo only made two tournament appearances for the West African nation, yet his 16 goals at international level rank him among the country’s top six scorers. Despite efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president AmajuPinnick to convince him to have a change of heart, Ighalo says his decision is final. “I respect him (Pinnick) a lot, so I listened to him. Then I discussed it with my family and we all decided that now is the right time to leave the national team for those coming up,” he added. “I believe the squad has enough talent coming through that will hopefully help the country improve going forward. “It’s been tough and I just need to get back on my feet again after this injury in Egypt. To finish as the top scorer in Egypt is the perfect ending, I thank my country for the opportunity.”

anchester United have rejected a 60m euro (£53.9m) bid from Inter Milan for striker Romelu Lukaku. The bid falls well below United’s valuation of the 26-year-old Belgium international, who joined them from Everton two years ago for £75m. Inter boss Antonio Conte has made Lukaku - who will not play for United against the Italian side in Singapore on Saturday his number one target. “You know I like this player,” Conte said on Friday. “When I was Chelsea’s coach [from 2016 to 2018], I tried to bring him to Chelsea. “I like this player and consider him an important player for us to have a good improvement, but at the same there is a transfer market. “We will see what happens - but for now Lukaku is a United player.” Inter’s move for Lukaku is thought to hinge on the future of Mauro Icardi, who has not travelled on the club’s summer tour of Asia amid reports he is to leave. When asked about the Argentina striker, Conte replied: “The club was very clear that Icardi is out of Inter’s project. This is the reality.” When pressed on Lukaku’s future at Old Trafford, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday he had “no more updates”.

Netball World Cup 2019: Australia beat South Africa to reach final

ustralia reached their fourth successive Netball World Cup final after edging a 55-53 win against South Africa in Liverpool. The 11-time winners squandered an eight-goal half-time lead as the Proteas stormed back to within one with four minutes remaining. But the Diamonds held on to reach Sunday’s goldmedal match. Australia now play either England or New Zealand, who contest the second semi-final at 15:00 BST. “I’m proud of them. They’re a bunch of fighters. They played smart when we needed it and that’s exactly what we have to do in pressure games,” said Australia coach Lisa Alexander. Having sailed through the first five matches of the group stages, Australia only just came through their match against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by a single goal to set up a meeting with South Africa. As the world’s best side, they were firm favourites to progress against a team ranked four places below them on Saturday. Diamonds coach Alexander made some big calls with her starting line-up, opting for a completely fresh shooting partnership in Caitlin Thwaites and Gretel Tippett, and it paid off in the first half.

Adekoya, latest Bahrain runner to get doping ban

ormer world indoor 400-meter champion,KemiAdekoya, has been banned for four years for doping in another drug case to hit Bahrain’s squad of elite African-born runners. The Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping cases in track and field, said on Friday that Adekoya tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol. Her ban is backdated from November 2018. Adekoya competed for Nigeria but switched allegiance to Bahrain ahead of the 2014 Asian Games. Since then, she has won four Asian Games gold medals and an Asian championship title, plus the 2016 world indoor 400 gold in Portland, Oregon. KemiAdekoya’s doping ban runs until 2022. She also has been stripped of a pair of Asian Games gold medals, according to Reuters. The AIU said Adekoya’s results since Aug. 24 would be struck out, meaning she loses her Asian Games gold medals in the 400 hurdles and the 4x400 mixed relay. The hurdles gold is due to pass to Vietnam’s QuachThiLan and the relay gold to India. Bahrain’s longstanding policy of fielding African-born runners has come under scrutiny after Olympic marathon silver medalist, Eunice Kirwa was banned for four years last month in a doping case. Another distance runner, ViolahJepchumba, was banned last year.

TUESDAY July 23 - 28, 2019

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Why Oshiomhole should resign

ny good student of Nigerian politics can see the looming expulsion of the All Progressives Congress from the south-east and south-south geopolitical zones. Although it currently boasts one elected governor and a few lawmakers from the two zones, APC as a force may be smothered in both zones by 2023. And, no matter the judgement of the courts on the 2019 presidential election, the party’s fortune in the four other zones is likely to plummet so long as it has Adams Oshiomhole in the driving seat. For starters, I have little sympathy for APC or PDP, since I’m not a member of either. My support for each lasted a few years after its formation: PDP from 1999 to 2002, APGA from 2002 to 2007, and APC from 2013 to 2016. At present I’m party-less. My faith in Nigeria has diminished extensively partly because a fellow activist in the 1990s – a “comrade” ex-labour leader named Oshiomhole whom I constantly covered as a journalist in Lagos – has failed to differentiate himself from the Nigerian politician we all had derided. I didn’t expect him to be associated with accusations of election rigging or primitively accumulating wealth as governor. But now his opponents are initiating probes into the contract of Edo Central Hospital, his investments in a foreign country, a palatial home in his home village, and a hospital for his doctor son, among others. So much for a “comrade”! Edo, the state Oshiomhole ruled for eight years before relinquishing power to his Godwin Obaseki in 2016, is the only stronghold of the APC left in the south-south and south-east. By the time the next governorship election in the state is concluded in 2020, a lot would have changed, especially if the governor is pressured to dump the party and run under the PDP that once held sway in the state. The faceoff between Oshiomhole and Obaseki, which has begotten the current standoff in the Edo State House of Assembly, provides all the clues. A power game in crude form ahead of 2023 is just crystallizing. Why, I wonder, does Oshiomhole not want to take his own medicine? As governor, he constantly railed against godfathers but he now wants to be recognised as one, having been appointed national chairman of the ruling party last year. Squabbles between governors and Abuja politicians are common in this part, but one expected Edo to offer a shining example of peacefulness – a state where a governor and an ex-governor in Abuja are friends and no discordant voices are heard in the management of the state’s affairs. Free and fair polls – whether party primaries or actual elections – are alien in Nigerian politics. Oshiomhole and Obaseki must have managed to manage their differences in the run-up to, and during, this year’s general election. The result: APC won all the 24 House of Assembly seats, though the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, defeated APC’s Muhammadu Buhari in the state

Aniebo

Nwamu

•Oshiomhole

two weeks earlier. The simmering conflict of interests between the two Edo chieftains came to the open because each had loyalists in the state assembly. And with eyes on 2020, each sought to control the assembly’s principal offices. Governor Obaseki was not ready to receive the Ambode treatment, and so on the night of June 17 about 10 assembly members “loyal” to him met and chose their principal officers. The rest “loyal” to Oshiomhole (including his blood brother) were reportedly not informed of the time for the nocturnal inauguration because they had “not completed their documentation”. There is no denying, therefore, that Oshiomhole knows why the federal House of Representatives waded into the affairs of the Edo assembly, threatening to take it over. As APC national chairman, he along with another chieftain Bola Tinubu was instrumental in the emergence of the principal officers of the National Assembly, notably Femi Gbajabiamila as House speaker and Ahmad Lawan as Senate president. President Muhammadu Buhari and most other chieftains of the APC must have become worried that Oshiomhole’s strong-arm tactics could wreck the party irretrievably. For only in Lagos State has a contest between a sitting governor and a national leader in Abuja ended in victory for the latter. Even in Anambra State, in 2003, Dr Chris Ngige

triumphed over Chief Chris Uba; despite receiving the backing of President Obasanjo, Uba did not succeed in an effort to kidnap the governor or dethrone him. The PDP national chairman at the time, Audu Ogbeh, supported Ngige – he saved the governor’s job but lost his own soon after. Like a bull in a china shop, the APC chairman is blamed for the party’s loss in at least five states in this year’s polls. Imposition of candidates or manipulation of processes in the party primaries directly or indirectly led to the humbling of APC in states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Imo, Taraba, Benue, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. The party is certain to be eased out completely from Edo if Governor Obaseki decided to move to PDP. He might not dump APC if the party’s Central Working Committee or the presidency tamed Oshiomhole. Members of the National Assembly being used to bury the party in Edo had better look at the big picture before it’s too late. Enough of this hypocrisy! We know they’re not taking their steps now because of any love for democracy. For the past 20 years, we’ve witnessed worse events in states like Plateau, Anambra, Lagos and Ekiti. Virtually all state assemblies have been led by legislators handpicked by governors. Party candidates for state and national legislatures have almost always been selected well in advance of presumed congresses – in every state.

Oshiomhole has yet to speak openly about his quarrel with his successor. Yet, nothing is hidden. Obaseki was said to have been one of those who financed his election in 2007 and the legal tussle that finally gave him victory 18 months later. When it was time to pick his successor, Oshiomhole sold Obaseki’s candidacy to Edo people, describing him as “the engine room” of his administration. What happened after Obaseki’s inauguration? With the present crisis in the state assembly, we’re hearing the likely reasons the godfather and his godson are no longer the best of friends. Obaseki says it’s because he refused to “spend public funds on some private individuals” who claimed they brought him into power. He told a delegation in Abuja: “The only thing they have said is that I refused to share money; that I am not taking care of the people who brought me into office. I said 300,000 Edo people voted for me to be governor; if I do for the people, everybody will benefit… I will not allow Edo State to be a pawn in anybody’s political chess game. For me, I keep asking the question: what have I done wrong? What is my offence that they want to now get people to come and create confusion in the state?” In a recent interview with This Day, Oshiomhole refused to comment on the quarrel with Obaseki, brushing it aside as a “non-issue” since Governor Obaseki himself had also described it as such. This Day asked him: “A lot of people blamed you for the loss APC suffered in the last elections in some states and because of that called for your resignation. And Oshiomhole answered: “A party man wins depending on perception and also the performance of the executives. In 2015, the gap between Jonathan and the President was about three million. In 2019 the gap was about four million. Have I not done well?” The actual figures scored by the two presidential candidates are being contested at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal. But not many leaders and ordinary members of the party would agree with Oshiomhole’s self-assessment. If he is allowed to continue fighting needless battles, even the few who pretend to be on his side (after he has helped them to get certain positions) are likely to desert him before 2023. He has been mentioned in certain quarters as nursing an ambition to be vice president; a confrontation with a major ally (who wants to be president) is inevitable. Oshiomhole may well save the day by resigning as national chairman. In the alternative, he would do well to reverse the crisis he allegedly ignited at the House of Representatives over the inauguration of the Edo assembly. But will he? The party’s NWC should quickly give him the boot, if he doesn’t, or the party should be ready to lose everything soon. •Nwamu, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of Eyeway.ng. +234-8054100220 (SMS/WhatsApp

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited. Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha. Lagos Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja. Abuja Office: 1st Floor, Plateau House, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenews.ng@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.