Wednesday 6- Tuesday 12 November 2019, Edition

Osinbajo to launch national TIN in Anambra From OZO RAY, Awka

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HE vice president, Professor Yemi Osibanjo will this week launch the New National TaxPayer Identification Number Registration System and Consolidated TaxPayers’ Data-

base in Anambra State.

Osibanjo is also expected to inaugurate the Stamp Duties Office and Revenue Stamps in Anambra.

The Deputy Director and Head TaxPayers’ Education and Enlightenment Team (TEET) of the Anambra

The VOX POPULI SACRUM

POLITICS

Dickson sings own praise as administration winds down P.13

State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs. Sylvia Tochukwu Ngige said the vice president is expected to perform the flag-off ceremony of the events for the entire South East region in the state.

She said Anambra was se-

lected for the inauguration ceremony because of the tranquil business environment in the state.

According to her, the forthcoming event was a tripartite arrangement between the National Joint Tax Board, the state Gov-

ernment and its State Internal Revenue Service.

Tochukwu further disclosed that the state revenue service has harmonised tax payment system in the state such that tax

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019 ISSN: 2545-5869

NEWS Youths are P.11 ourfuture; invest in them – Dame Mbakwe

Today

VOL.4 No. 41 N200

BUSINESS

Border closure: P.19 Inflation, hunger defeat objectives

Cleric to Kanu: Return to Nigeria at your own risk

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Says ‘you dare not return home for your mother’s burial’ Kanu’s safety, freedom not guaranteed Asks South East governors help bury IPOB leader’s mom Monarchs silent on earlier hints of possible reprieve from government for Kanu’s return

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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ne of the Igbo clerics who claimed to be fighting spiritually for the restoration of sovereign State of Biafra, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has advised the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu not to return home for the burial of his mother or else he would be rearrested and thrown into prison without fair trial.

He said he saw in the spiritual realm where Kanu returned and was rearrested, warning that it would amount to a grievous mistake of his life and a suicide mission for Kanu to come home in the name of his mother’s burial, after narrowly escaping from Nigeria, barely a year ago.

Early last week, traditional rulers in Imo had called on the Federal government to allow Kanu to return to

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Nigeria from his self-exile to bury his late mother, Ugoeze Sally Meme Kanu, who died on August 30 this year in Germany following a protracted illness.

The Monarchs made the call shortly after conferring on Kanu the prestigious chieftaincy title of ‘Ihe Africa’ (Light of Africa) at a ceremony held at Amakwo, in Osu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Kanu was represented by his younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, at the event, which attracted a mammoth crowd of members IPOB and other pro-Biafra activists, while the Imo State Chairman of Council of Ndieze in Biafra lad, Eze Gideon Ejike decorated Kanu with the title.

Eze Ejike said Kanu was honoured in appreciation of his “uncommon sacrifice to-

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• Atilogwu Udo military exercise: Soldiers on alert

2023: Iwuanyanwu backs Igbo Presidency, Okorocha afraid for APC

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS

Return to Nigeria at your own risk Osinbajo to launch Cont’d from Pg 1

wards restoration of Biafra” According to him, Kanu has brought hope to the oppressed people South East and South South geopolitical zones.

Bishop Udeh who is the General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries Inc. a.k.a By Fire By Fire, Nnewi, Anambra State, told newsmen in his Cathedral that he also saw in the spiritual realm where plans were being made to lure Kanu back to Nigeria through diverse means by those he called his pursuers to send him back to prison.

He told Kanu not to listen to anything like that because his safety was not guaranteed if he returns to Nigeria, adding that Kanu has other siblings that could represent him at the burial ceremony.

He appealed to South East Governors to rally round Kanu so as to give his late mother a State buri-

al, adding that it would be unfair if the South East Governors distanced themselves from the burial arrangements and failed to play active role as they are expected to do.

Bishop Udeh contended that no matter the differences between the IPOB leader and the Governors, it would amount to failure of responsibility for the Governors, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders to give Kanu’s mother a befitting burial.

“If he returns, I will blame him.

Steps reportedly being taken by Igbo monarchs for Federal Government to grant him pardon in order to return home to bury his mother would not be in his best interest. His safety is not guaranteed at all,” the cleric cried out.

On the proposed relaunch of Operation Python Dance 4, Bishop Udeh said there would be enough pythons and other wild animals at the Sambisa forest where he said

the army could dance to their satisfaction instead of re-enacting the operation in the South East where there is peaceful co-existence, except acute hunger imposed on Nigerians by their leaders.

He lamented that the Igbo had been relegated to the background enough, with the North having a big chunk of rulership of Nigeria, adding, “time has come when leadership of Nigeria should be left in the hands of Ndigbo or in the alternative, allowed to have Biafra”.

“If they can allow an Igbo man to lead this country at least for eight years, Nigeria will indeed be Japan of Africa. The Igbo man is full of ingenuity enterprenuership. They are number one in Nigeria in that regard,. Nigeria should return to the 1963 Republican Constitution and abandon the present Constitution which was the handiwork of the military”, Udeh further stated.

national TIN in Anambra

Cont’d from Pg 1 remittances were currently done electronically using the Tax Identification Number (TIN), which only the agency issued to eligible tax payers.

She recalled the porosity of tax collection in the state, as government revenue went into private pockets because of the analogue system and multiplicity of tax agents.

According to her, that system will soon be a thing of the past as the new Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) headed by Dr.David Nzekwu has streamlined and harmonised tax collection system such that people no lon-

We will restore the reputation of Onitsha business community, says ONICCIMA boss

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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• United Nigerian Chaplaincy (UNC) Commandant General, Dr. Tony Emebo 2nd right and others at their national meeting in Onitsha...recently.

Scare as Owerri-bound Air Peace aircraft suffers mid-air engine failure

By VICTOR NZE

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n Air Peace aircraft bound for Owerri from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, GAT Terminal suffered a mid-air engine failure, early Tuesday morning, which forced the plane to make a return to the Lagos airport.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-500 type with registration marks, 5N-BUJ, had on board 90 passengers.

According to reports, the aircraft made a safe landing at the MMA domestic terminal.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) confirmed the incident and noted that it had commenced investigations into the matter and called on the public for photos or video evidence on the near disaster.

In a statement, Tuesday, the General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB, Nigeria, Tunji Oketunbi, Tuesday, stated that the aircraft, which departed the GAT Terminal of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport at 07:35 local time was enroute Owerri from Lagos with 90 passengers and six crew members on board.

He added that from the information provided by the Air Traffic Control (ATC), the flight crew declared engine failure at 07:47 local time and subsequently made an air return to Lagos.

The aircraft, he continued, landed safely at 08:06 local time, all the

occupants disembarked with no injury sustained.

The AIB team of safety investigators, he said, has commenced investigation.

“As the sole agency mandated to undertake the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents, the Bureau wants the public to know that it would be open to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence or information that may assist in this investigation.

“The Bureau, therefore, appeals, therefore, to the media and the public to respect the privacy of the people involved and not to preempt the cause of the serious incident,” Oketunbi stated.

This is not the first major technical issue involving an Air Peace aircraft. On July 23, at about 10.28 am an Air Peace B737-300 aircraft with Registration Marks 5N- BQO also had an incident on landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with its landing gear suffering major damage.

It would be recalled that the B737300 nearly crashed after its nose landing gear snapped during a hard landing at the Lagos airport, where it was diverted after running into turbulence.

On its way back from Port Harcourt, the passenger jet ran into turbulence and reportedly experienced some technical trouble that forced it to request an emergency

landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), however, after completing a thorough technical audit of Air Peace fleet of aircraft following that hard landing incident certified all the operational aircraft on the fleet of the airline airworthy.

Explaining that July incident, Air Peace stated that the hard landing suffered by its Boeing 737-300 plane flying into Lagos from Port Harcourt, which damaged its front landing gear is not as a result of the serviceability of the aircraft.

The airline said its position followed an in-house preliminary investigation carried out after the incident which recorded no passenger casualties.

The airline’s Safety Manager, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu who stated this in a short statement to the media said the aircraft may have been landed harder by the pilot than intended.

The statement issued by Mrs. Toyin Olajide, the Chief Operating Officer, further explained that “our preliminary in-house investigation indicates that in a bid to make a positive touchdown as required by procedures during such wet weather operations, the pilot landed the airplane harder than intended which affected the nose-wheel.

“The Management wishes to assure the flying Public that Air Peace Ltd has never stopped appraising its safety practices and procedures as demanded by industry standards,” read the statement.

ger did cash transactions through agents but did so electronically.

The AIRS official said the agency has introduced the Anambra State Social Identity Number (ANSSID) to enable the revenue service know who are the eligible tax payers.

She stressed that payment receipts, tax clearance certificates and other vital documents from the internal revenue service were no longer issued manually but electronically.

Tochukwu explained that the state ANSSID addressed the issues of double and multiple taxations as well as issuance of fake receipts to tax payers in Anambra.

HE recently inaugurated 13th President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), Chris Ukachukwu, has restated the chamber’s commitment to restore the glory of Onitsha business community.

He also expressed his determination to strengthen institutional relationship, dispute resolution, accountability and building of the chamber’s befitting permanent secretariat within his two-year tenure.

In his post inaugural speech at the C.J. Paterson auditorium, All Saints Anglican Church cathedr, Onitsha, Anambra, Ukachukwu, a pharmacist and chairman of Anambra State Distillers Association, insisted on taking the chambers to the next level with the cooperation of his executives, members and stakeholders.

He praised his predecessor, Don Ebubeogu and the past presidents of the chamber for their efforts in raising the status of the chamber to its present level and urged them to assist him in achieving the desired objective.

According to him, “ONICCIMA today begins a new day in its his-

tory and I and my team accept the responsibility before us and we will not fail in pursuing my policy thrust for the next two years of my stewardship.”

The Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of GUO Transport Limited, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke, said that the chamber has all it takes to better the economic sector.

He commended those in attendance despite their tight schedules and expressed hope that the new president would achieve what he has in mind to achieve.

The President of Association of Anambra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Sir Humphrey Ngonadi eulogized ONICCIMA council members in their commitment towards seeing that the chamber grew.

Ebubeogu disclosed that during his two-year tenure, the chamber’s fund increased to N62 million, with the registration of 111 members, which raised N9.2 million for the chamber.

Highlight of the event included the conferment of awards on Sir Tim Anosike and Pharm. Uchenna Apakama, past presidents of ONICCIMA, as well as Joseph Ukeji of J.I. Ejison firm.

Ikpeazu names new Chief of Staff

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HE Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has named the General Manager of Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMS), Dr ACB Agbazuere, as his Chief of Staff.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka, noted that the Human Rights lawyer and activist, is coming to the job with experience as a former commissioner, Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South and a former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.

The Governor also approved the appointment of Barrister Eze Chikamnayo, a former Commissioner for Information, as his new Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications.

• Dr. Agbazuere

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

FG begins social media sanitisation

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ederal Government says it has commenced the process of injecting sanity into the Social Media space to prevent it from setting the nation on fire, according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this in Tuesday in Abuja.

“As a matter of fact, we have already put in motion the machinery for this. We have written letters to the major stakeholders who would nominate representatives and we are going to sit down together to decide on how best to confront this menace,’’ he said.

The minister noted that the government had the responsibility to keep the country together, therefore, social media would not be left alone to destabilise the nation.

He said the government welcomed the debate that had followed the decision and announcement to sanitise the social media space and the airwaves.

“We are glad about the criticism because what we set out to achieve is to bring the matter to the front

burner of discourse. We are not under any illusion that the people will take this hook line and sinker.

“We are, however, glad that there are more people who believed that the social media poses imminent danger to the unity of Nigeria, especially as they have become merchants of fake news and hate speech,” he said.

The minister noted that those who had opposed the regulation of the social media had not denied the fact that the platform was being used by purveyors of fake news and hate speech with grave consequences.

“Their concern largely, which is unfounded is that it might lead to the stifling of the freedom of press or gagging the media.

“However, we want to make it clear that it is not our intention to do this. The only people who are afraid of the decision to sanitise the social medi and the airwaves are the purveyors of hate speech and fake news.

“It must be put on record that Nigeria is not the only country that is doing something about this, Germany, Egypt, Russia, India and the UK are

all doing something about regulating the social media platform,’’ he said.

Mohammed expressed concern that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media professional bodies, that were supposed to support the regulation were kicking against it.

“This is amusing, because they should be glad as they are the one we are protecting. The honest truth is that the established, well trained professional journalists do not indulge in fake news and hate speech because they have regulatory bodies already.

“The NUJ has regulatory body and Code of Conduct and they are largely not the one responsible for the dissemination of fake news and hate speech. I am therefore, really surprised that such criticism is coming from them because they are the people we are protecting and they are the ones that will benefit the more from the government action,’’ he said.

The minister reiterated that no amount of criticism and opposition

•Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (second right) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama (right) with two Nicaraguan ministers, Denis Moncada Colindres, and Mohamed Farrara Lashtar, at the State House in Abuja, with a Special Message from the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, Tuesday

Boundary commission working on Benue, Ebonyi border demarcation

ational Boundary Commission is N working towards resolving the lingering boundary dispute between

Benue and Ebonyi states, its Acting Director-General, Mr Adamu Adaji, has said.

Adaji spoke with State House correspondents after the commission’s 10th board meeting presided over

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that the commission had started demarcating the border between the two states as directed by the vice president and the governors of the two states.

“The last meeting between the vice president and governors of the two states directed that we should resume the demarcation that was stalled for many years now and we have started action accordingly.

“We have met at technical level to identify the number of beacons as permanent markers that are re-

quired and what we need to do preparatory to the field work.

“We have come out with a programme; we will discuss with the states at a joint meeting of officials that will be scheduled very soon.’’

On the boundary dispute between Ebonyi and Cross River states, Adaji said that the commission was also intervening in the matter.

He said it had been agreed that some measures should be taken.

“We are in contact with the states to ensure that agreements are adhered to; we plan to carry out a complete ethnographic survey along the boundaries, in fact all the communities along the boundary.

“We have also agreed that a monitoring team of security personnel will be constituted to ensure peaceful coexistence while we resume activities of trying to define the boundaries.’’

He said that the meeting was successful as it considered the promotion of staffs that were interviewed

for 2019 promotion.

Adaji said that the meeting also looked at the status of all of the interstate boundaries of Nigeria.

The acting director-general said that the meeting discussed the importance of attending to internal boundaries because of their security implications.

“Also, the meeting agreed that there is need for proper advocacy, sensitisation and seminars to educate people on the work of the commission and the essence of boundaries as the administrative limits of states as against the perception of traditional boundaries.

“We are talking about the limits of the states and the limits of Nigeria as a nation.

“When we talk about limits, we talk about the boundary between Nigeria and our neighbours of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic and the internal boundaries between states and local governments.

would stop regulation of the social media and the air waves.

“We heard all kinds of threat, some even went as far as calling for the removal of the minister. Let me assure them that the minister is not perturbed by this and we are focused.

No amount of intimidation, sponsored articles in any form is going to stop us from regulating the social media.

“This is not just a menace to the government, many people have committed suicide because their reputation have been destroyed by the social media,’’ he said.

The minster reiterated that the government would neither gag the media nor stifle the freedom of speech in regulating the media platforms.

On the regulation of the media

waves, Mohammed said he would receive recommendations on the implementation process in few days from the committee he recently inaugurated.

He said they had also received a lot of attacks from some critics that the intention was nothing but an attempt to gag the media and stifle free speech.

“Again, our answer to this is simple. Under our watch, hate speech will not become free speech.

“Let me say once again that only those who are purveyors of fake news and hate speech have things to fear from these recommendations,’’ he said.

According to the minister, the regulation of both the social media and the airwaves is in the national interest.

Ebola: Reps call for immortalisation of Adadevoh H ouse of Representatives has called for the immortalisation of the late Dr Stella Adadevoh in recognition of her contributions to curbing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in 2014.

This followed a unanimous adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Akiolu Kayode (APC-Lagos) during the plenary presided by the Speaker of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday.

The house recalled that Adadevoh risked her life in a bid to curb the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country by placing an infected LiberianAmerican diplomat, Mr Patrick Sawyer, in quarantine.

The green chamber recalled that the health sector was not prepared for the epidemic and led to the death of Adadevoh and members of her medical team, who had to make do with the resources available to them.

The House appreciated Adadevoh’s bravery and professionalism which saved Nigeria from the impact of an uncontrolled outbreak of the virus and also promoted the swift, strategic and coordinated containment process of the virus.

The legislature noted that the process led to the country being declared Ebola-free on Oct. 20, 2014, by the World Health Organisation.

“The house is aware that Nigeria recorded a total of eight deaths out of the 20 Ebola cases, with 11 health workers being part of the victims, of which five died, including the proactive Dr Adadevoh who died on 19 August 2014.”

The house expressed concern that failure to give due recognition to the heroic acts of the doctor and her team could dampen the spirit of patriotism among Nigerians, especially health care workers.

It noted that a national college or

one of the nation’s teaching hospitals be named after Adadevoh as a way of immortalising her.

The green chamber also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to confer a befitting Posthumous National Honour on her.

Furthermore, the house called on the Ministry of Education and other related authorities to ensure the inclusion of Adadevoh’s acts and other such national heroes in the country’s civic education curricula to encourage patriotism and nationalism in the young ones.

The representatives also observed a minute silence in memory of Adadevoh, her medical team and all Nigerians who lost their lives to the disease.

In a similar motion, moved by Rep. Paschal Obi (APM-Imo), the house called on the Ministry of Health to deploy necessary materials and personnel at the airports, sea ports and land borders to check the possible spread of Ebola Virus.

It recalled the recent outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in March where more than 1,000 cases of Ebola infections were reported.

The house commended the Federal Government for its efforts in tackling the menace in 2014, but expressed concern that measures needed to be put in place to avert any reoccurrence.

It urged the Ministry of Health to assess and certify the country emergency preparedness against unexpected epidemics.

It also urged the Federal Government to set aside funds for the management of Ebola should it reoccur.

For both motions, the green chamber mandated the Committees on Healthcare Services and Health Institutions to ensure compliance.

‘Lagos safe for all law-abiding residents, visitors’ – Sanwo-Olu State Governor Mr. Baba- led to the arrest of the Boko Haram Ltheagos jide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated suspects by the military operatives, government’s commitment to the Commissioner maintained that the safety of residents and visitors to the State, following the arrest of some Boko Haram suspects.

The Governor, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, praised the gallantry of officers of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army who foiled an attempted attack on one of the universities in Lagos.

Referring to the operation that

the security apparatus of the State has strategies in place to forestall any threat to the peace that exists in Lagos.

Omotoso assured citizens that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will continue to provide the equipment and resources that are necessary to fortify the security machinery of the State, saying “Lagos remains safe and residents should maintain peaceful co-existence with one another”.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

FRSC denies issuing Kano ‘Chip Whip’ number plate

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orps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered investigation into a particular plate number in Kano.

The number plate has the inscription of “Chip Whip” purportedly for a member of the Kano state House of Assembly.

Oyeyemi directed the Sector Commander of Kano State to investigate the origin of the number plate in the state.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

“The Corps marshal has directed all field commands across the country to be on vigilance and clampdown on producers and issuers of fake number plates.

“We wish to state categorically that the said number plate did not originate from any of the FRSC Number Plate production centres, neither was it issued by the Corps.

“We are therefore making it abundantly clear to members of the public that FRSC as the lead agency in road traffic management and safety administration in the country has nothing to do with the said number plate.

“For the avoidance of doubt, FRSC with its International Quality Management certification (ISO 9001: 2008) has rigorous quality procedures for producing and issuing any of its security documents which makes the possibility of such obvious grammatical errors on any of its licences an impossibility,” he said.

Oyeyemi said that a careful assessment of the said number plate revealed that the characters of the dye were not the same with that of the FRSC production plants.

He added that the colour of the graphics (Nigeria Map) on the plate is brown instead of green that FRSC uses.

“All blanking and screen printing for such plates are done at the Gwagwalada production plant to ensure quality, uniformity and standards in line with quality procedures of the FRSC in all its produced number plates in contrast to this one.

“So, we can confirm with certainty that this number plate was neither produced nor issued by the FRSC,” he said.

Oyeyemi called on members of the public to immediately report any act of such illegality against all FRSC security documents.

Ortom calls for immediate arrest of Miyetti Allah leader B enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called for the arrest of the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bodejo, over his alleged threatening comments in a recent interview. According to a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, Bodejo in a recent interview, allegedly threatened to disrupt the peace of any state that fails to establish cattle colonies also known as Ruga settlements. “…you are a governor and you want to enjoy peace in your state, you don’t need any long meeting, just create a particular area for the

Fulani and equip them with modern amenities.” Bodejo allegedly said in a recent interview.

Governor Ortom in the statement described the purported comment of Bodejo as inciting and direct invitation for anarchy. ”The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore’s outing has confirmed the fact that the group is not only responsible for attacks on farming communities in parts of the country but is also determined to reject any method of animal husbandry that does not agree with nomadic cattle breeding and are poised to sponsor violence in states not willing to donate land

for open grazing.

“Utterances such as those of Bodejo are inciting and direct invitation for anarchy. No group should be above the law to be dictating to states on how to accord preference to it at the expense of other Nigerians. We call for the arrest and prosecution of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore President for persistently making statements capable of stirring crises in the country.” he said.

It would be recalled that the Benue state House of Assembly passed the anti-open grazing bill last year following the incessant clash between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

NIMC assures enrolling all Nigerians in 5yrs - DG

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ational Identity Management Commission (NIMC), says it is working towards enrolling all Nigerians into national identity database in the next five years.

This was disclosed by NIMC Director General, Mr Aliyu Aziz on Tuesday, on the commission’s website.

Aziz said the National Identity Number (NIN), identify the owner for his or her entire lifetime.

He therefore urged Nigerians to strive hard to get enrolled into the national identity system to enable them obtain their NIN. “Our focus is to enroll every Nigerian and foreign legal resident in the country into the national identity database in the next five years.

“Because the number identifies you for life, you can use it to verify or authenticate your identity anytime, anywhere and every Nigerian is encouraged to enroll today as he or she will be identified for life,” he said.

The NIMC Boss also called on parents and guardians to enroll their children into the database.

VIOs to adopt e-enforcement strategy for safety, compliance on Nigeria roads

N •(From left): Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Hon. Oladele Ajayi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commercial Consul, Consulate General, People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Liu Junsheng; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Ruwase and Vice President, LCCI, Dr. Olawale Cole during the cutting of tape to open the United Asia International Exhibition at the Lagos International Trade Fair, Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Monday

Senate confirms Tsoho as Chief Judge of Federal High Court

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enate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Justice John Tsoho as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

The confirmation followed a report submitted by Sen. Michael Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters which recommended the confirmation of Tsoho’s appointment.

It would be recalled that the Senate at Plenary on October 29 deliberated on President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the confirmation of the nomination of Tsoho for appointment as Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Presenting the report, Bamidele said that the appointment became necessary as a result of the retirement of Justice Adamu AbdulKafarati after attaining the retirement age of 65 years as provided by Section 291(2) of the Constitution.

“In compliance with this requirement the erstwhile Chief Judge, retired on July 25, thus making the position of the Chief Judge of the Court, vacant,” he said.

The chairman said that after consideration of Buhari’s request, the Senate referred it to the committee by order of referral dated Oct. 29 for further legislative action and to report back with its recommendation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the appointment of Justice Tsoho was made pursuant to Section 250 of the 1999 Constitution. ” It provides that the appointment of a person to the office of the chief judge of the federal high court shall be made by the president on the recommendation of the National Industrial Council subject to confirmation of such appointment by the Senate,” he said.

He further said that it was on the strength of this provision that the appointment of the nominee –Tsoho — was forwarded to the Senate.

“Tsoho is the most senior judge on the bench of the federal high court. He was recommended in order of seniority and preference by the Federal Judicial Service Commission to the National Judicial

Council for appointment as Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,” he said.

A member of the committee, Sen. Gabriel Suswam (PDP-Benue) who gave credence to the report said that Tsoho was a man of unimpeachable integrity.

In a related development, the Senate also confirmed Justice Benedict Kanyip as President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

The appointment of Kanyip became necessary as a result of the retirement of Justice Babatunde Adejumo after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65 years as provided by Section 291(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan said that the judiciary in Nigeria was supposed to be a very active one and as such, should be given the necessary support to discharge their functions.

He called for more funding for the judiciary to ensure the effectiveness of the sector.

ational Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) have resolved to adopt an e-enforcement strategy to improve safety and compliance on Nigeria roads, in addition to ensuring that governments at all levels improve road infrastructure to reduce crashes associated with bad roads.

The decisions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the four-day Conference of Directors and Chief Road Trafic Officers in all 36 States and FCT in Lagos.

The participants also agreed to support the re-introduction of weighbridges and immediate enforcement of retro-reflective tapes on all vehicles, tailboards and sides of heavy duty and articulated vehicles to improve on their visibility especially at breakdown locations.

The communiqué revealed that further investments will be ploughed into technology infrastructure towards automating drivers’ testing procedure through a computer-based system.

Other initiatives agreed upon conference include the establishment of a tripartite arrangement between the VIO, BIR and FRSC for seamless transfer of biometric information of qualified applicants to eliminate the present manual approval method, thereby giving States more control over the issuance of drivers’ licence.

“Henceforth, all vehicles must be duly inspected by Vehicles Inspection Officers before they are issued Road Worthiness Certificates which must be duly signed before use by States that are not presently on Computerised Inspection Services”, the communiqué stated.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS

NAS advocates private sector participation in healthcare delivery From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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he National Association of Seadogs, NAS (Pyrates Confraternity) has called for increased private sector participation in the nation’s healthcare sector as a way of ensuring access to quality healthcare services.

At a recent free medical outreach organized by NAS for residents and natives of Nkonib community in Calabar Municipality, the Secretary of Health Committee of NAS in Calabar, Edomene Chiazor said that it is certain that the government alone cannot address the challenges of the healthcare sector.

He explained that the outreach is one of the events organized quarterly by the association to contribute to the development of the society.

Chiazor said, “the Health system in the country is in a dilemma and the problem is that people think it is for the government alone but if the private sector can participate there will be a change because it’s actually very expensive.

“If you keep saying the government, how much can the government afford and the country is going down financially, economically so we cannot all depend on government. So I think communities, the private sector can contribute.”

Speaking on the outreach, the National President of the organization, Kwaghbunde Gbahabo said the outreach has been running for the past ten years and it is part of their contributions to the development of the country.

Gbahabo who was represented by the National Secretary of NAS, John Nya said the Pyrates Confraternity was formed to give this kind of support to the society and several professionals have been deployed to address the various health needs of the residents and people of Nkonib in Calabar Municipality.

He said about 500 people are expected to benefit from the various medical facilities like eye examination, malaria and communicable diseases.

He thanked the elders and traditional rulers for helping to mobilize their subjects to participate in the outreach.

Vreonica Bassey Okon, one of the beneficiaries commended NAS for the intervention saying many people who were sick and could not afford going to the hospitals benefitted from the opportunity to address their health challenges.

Another beneficiary, Asa Asuquo Martin said “We are very happy and grateful they they came out to give us free drugs, take care of our eyes and also give us free glasses. Its long we had a thing like this and its very good because without this outreach, we wouldn’t know that there are so many people living with ailments and we are happy they have been taken care of.”

Navy seizes N300 million worth of smuggled rice in Cross River From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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HE officers of the Nigerian Navy have seized about N300 million worth of smuggled rice in Cross River State in 2019 in furtherance of its commitment to end the scourge of smuggling in the nation’s water ways.

The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, Commodore Vincent Okeke disclosed this while parading another set of seven suspects with 1,221 bags of smuggled rice worth about N34.4 million.

Commodore Okeke who with deputy superintendent of Customs, Sanusi Barade paraded the suspects, said that the personnel of the Navy

will not relent in their efforts until the country’s waterways are rid of the scourge of smuggling.

The suspects, all Nigerians, were arrested on Saturday 26th October 26, this year on a wooden boat by men of the NNS Victory while transiting from Cameroon and heading for Akwa Ibom State.

He said: “The boat with its crew was intercepted offshore Ibaka. The seven suspects, 1221 bags of rice and one wooden boat would be handed over to the Task Force Leader, Operation Swift Response Calabar area for further investigation.

“The total value of the seized items is about Thirty Four N34,420,000.

Since January, the base has record-

ed 18 arrests of wooden boats of various sizes with 87 suspects and contra band items worth over N300 million.”

He warned smugglers and criminally minded elements to desist from acts of criminalities especially within NNS Victory Area of Operation as the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral IE Ibas has zero tolerance for any form of criminalities or vices in our maritime domain.

Barade commended the Nigerian Navy for their courage, and understanding they have with sister agencies stressing that further investigations will be conducted and the suspects prosecuted.

•the new Director General of Abia Marketing & QualityManagement Agency, Mr. Sam Hart, in a handshake with his predecessor, Mrs Olewengwa, during the official handover

Echoes of APC primaries, Okorocha, Gulak bicker over bribery

By COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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ERTAINLY, the last word has not been heard on the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2019 governorship primaries in Imo State, especially as the face off between the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee for the primaries, and the former governor of the state continues.

On Monday, the Chairman of the primaries committee, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, alleged that the former governor of Imo, Senator Rochas Okorocha, had offered him a $2million bribe to deliver the party’s governorship ticket to his candidate and son in-law, Uche Nwosu.

Gulak claimed in a newspaper interview that he rejected the bribe because of his integrity. He said: “I have no regrets over any action I took during the primaries I conducted in Imo. I don’t expect Okorocha to be happy with me, and I did not go there to make him happy anyway.

“I went there to do my job and I did it to be best of my knowledge and ability. I can walk the streets of Imo including Owerri with my shoulders high. I may not be perfect as a

human being but I did not go there to make him happy. Somebody who offered me up to $2 million to give certificate of return to his nominee but I turned it down.

“How many people can turn down such an offer. I would have given him the certificate and pocketed my money because it is money that you don’t go to court for but my conscience will not be clear. For now, my conscience is very clear. I can move around the streets of Owerri unmolested.”

In a swift reaction, Okorocha, described Gulak’s claim as an afterthought, stressing that he “does not offer bribe, what more, offering that to a character like Ahmed Gulak.”

In a press release by his media Adviser, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor stated that “Gulak waited till more than a year after the ugly incident to come up with his fictitious claim of $2 million bribe. And after he had claimed that he fled Owerri over kidnap attempt. In fact, fraudsters are known for speaking from both sides of their mouths. So, Gulak is acting true to type.”

Okorocha said that, “Gulak was sent to Owerri to ensure the destruction of APC in Imo and by extension, in the South East. And he

achieved that purpose to a large extent. Otherwise, he would not have been, ab initio, sent for such a sensitive task, knowing his porous character, and one month after he had left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for APC. He came to Imo with a bad script and he acted his part, with the PDP spirit still alive in him.”

He added: “Under a normal scenario, Gulak should have by now been serving deserving jail terms because what he did in Imo was sabotage against the nation and her democracy. He should have been arrested, put on trial and jailed, to serve as a lesson to elements like him.”

Wondering why Okorocha would bribe anyone over the affairs of the party, the statement noted: “The question is even why would Okorocha bribe anybody over APC affair or business in Imo? He built APC in Imo from the scratch. He has the structure. And also played a leading role in the existence of APC in the South East. So who was his contender in the leadership of APC in Imo then and even now, to warrant anybody contemplating him offering bribe to anybody and moreover, Gulak over APC primary?”

Okorocha: APC may lose the presidency

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eanwhile, the former governor of Imo, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) might lose the 2023 presidential election if the current impasse among the party leaders is not urgently addressed.

Speaking in Kano against the backdrop of the protracted feud between the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and Edo State Governor Godwin Obasaki, Okorocha warned against crisis within the ranks of the party leadership.

He said: “A political party should be a group of people, who share common political interests and beliefs; people, who pursue a common goal or objective for the good of the common man. That will be my understanding of a political party. But any political party that is full of internal crisis is no longer a political party in the real sense.

“This idea of crisis and commotion shows that the said party does not have a common ideology. If the ideology is one and you believe in one thing, there should not be reason for disagreement at that level. You might have a minor disagreement, but when it comes to the issue of door-die, it is no longer a political party.

“So, let us see what we can do in this country to redefine what we mean by internal democracy. This is why people have options; this is why we don’t believe in one party system.

We must have different political parties and identify the one that is in line with our vision and political belief.

“What has been our challenge in Nigeria is that we don’t really have a common vision and common ideology for our political parties. So, it is just what we call Agidi and Goro combination. People come from all different beliefs, meet up in one place and form a political party.

“So, until we have such a political party that is more like a family in their belief, then, we are still growing our democracy. Talking about what is happening in Edo, it is unfortunate but a true political party cannot work against itself. So, I want to advise that they reconcile and settle their differences. The truth is that a party that is divided against itself can never stand.

“I have said this earlier, APC is a party that we hurriedly put together when we were governors, because we felt that the government at that time was not living up to expectations and we wanted to make sure that we brought about change at that time. That is why we came together and formed APC and we ensured that the party got power in 2015. That was how it was then and we achieved that. Right now, I think we should continue with the same pace that we started with in 2015 election but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“President Buhari gave character to APC. He brought his integrity to bear on the party. He made the party what it is in the northern part of the country and the masses of the North, who saw him as a true leader, and we all rode on that to achieve that victory, but after the credibility of Buhari into this party, there seems to be no alternative in the same manner that will drive this party to 2023 victory.

This is why I expressed my concern that if we are not very careful, APC might go with Buhari in 2023, and that will be a very unfortunate situation for the founding fathers of APC. The party needs to show purposeful leadership, show character.”

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS 2023: Iwuanyanwu backs Igbo Presidency, Okorocha afraid for APC

By COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has said that there is no going back on the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.

Speaking at the 81st birthday celebrations of the four time Senator, Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe, at his Haven of Peace country home, in Oguta, Imo State, Iwuanyanwu explained the South East is the only zone in the South yet to produce the president in the present democratic dispensation.

He said: “The Northern part of Nigeria has ruled the country more than the South. Presently, power is still in the North. In 2023, being eight straight years of the North holding unto power again under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is expected that power would shift to the South.

“When you come to the South, the South West and South-South part of the country have both produced presidents. It is therefore the turn of the South East to produce the president of this country come 2023 in the interest of equity and fairness.”

Iwuanyanwu recollected that Nzeribe had always made a strong case for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, while he argued for the restructuring of of the country.

“These are among the things Nzeribe fought for in his active days in the Senate and the time has come for its realization. This is non-negotiable,” he said.

Iwuanyanwu described Nzeribe as a strong and dependable ally, who stood firmly in the defense of the South East and everything just.

The Deputy Governor of Imo, Gerald Irona, lauded the philanthropic activities of Nzeribe, whom he described as a blessing to the country.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Vice President of City Bank, United States, Chief Austin Obigwe, described Nzeribe as a reliable partner who has made the country proud globally.

He said: “Nzeribe is very reliable; he is a phenomenon. His credentials are very intimidating. He is honoured globally and has always made the country proud. Love him or hate him, he is not someone you take for granted. He is a dogged fighter and always consistent in whatever he sets out to do.”

• Chief Iwuanyanwu

Be servant-leaders, saintly, Archbishop Okeke tells political office holders

By UZO UGWUNZE Ojoto, and IBE NWACHUKWU

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HE Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke has charged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the spirit of servant-leadership at all times so as to ensure steady economic and democratic advancement .

In his homily at a Mass Service to mark All Saints Day, at All Hallows Seminary Onitsha, Archbishop Okeke noted that Jesus Christ told His disciples that anyone who

is a leader must humble himself and serve the people in order to achieve the desired target.

He said, “true leaders are those who serve. I beg them to be servant leaders. Saints are those who led good lives while on earth. We should learn from them.

“Sainthood is possible. If our brothers and sisters have achieved sainthood in the past, we alive can also do the same. The saints are praying for us.”

Insisting that Saints are not far away from the people and that, “true leaders are those who serve and are servant-leaders,” Arch-

bishop Okeke charged Christians in general and students of All Hallows Seminary in particular to always aspire to become saints by living holy life, so as to be celebrated along side other patron saints after our journey here on earth.

Earlier in his address, the Rector of the Seminary, Rev. Fr. Charles Onwumelu described the Archbishop as a true servant-leader, having taken it upon himself to officiate the All Saints Day celebration on an annual basis.

According to him, “we desire to be celebrated as saints and we at the seminary school here are

• The Archbishop commissions the basketball court

Onitsha Rotary to grant loans, scholarships, medications to indigent people

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

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elief is expected to come the way of indigent students, traders and physically challenged as the Rotary Club of Onitsha Royal, Anambra State, hinted of arrangements to commence execution of its projects for 2019/2020 Rotary year.

Disclosing the during her installation as the Charter President of the club, held weekend at the Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre, Onitsha High court Premises, Rotarian Ijeoma Obiaku (a.k.a. Adorable) said the club plans to offer grants and scholarships to traders and indigent students alike.

“We will give scholarship to more than 15 indigent students, grant loans to scores of indigent traders to enhance their lives and we will come to the rescue of the disabled by going to their homes to touch their lives” “We will drill boreholes for pipe borne water, provide medication and hope to continue our polio, hepatitis and malaria eradication programme. Rotary is all about connection and making friends to impact positively on people’s lives. We will

use our money to put smiles on the faces of the people.”

The Charter President who said that, “I gave myself to serve humanity and since then God has been equipping and guiding me”, reiterated that, “we have been given ourselves to selfless service without counting cost, Onitsha Royal is made up of like minds.”

She paid glowing tribute to the past District Governor, Rotarian Emma Udeh-Akpe, who presented the certificate of recognition to her as the Charter President, adding that he has been of immense aid to her and the club financially and otherwise.

In his contribution the former President of Rotary club of Onitsha Metropolis, Rotarian Ifeanyi Onwuanyi, expressed optimism that the new President would take the club to the next level. “she will lift the club higher and her priorities will bother on giving health attention, scholarship and loans to indigent people. She will go for gigantic projects like upgrading the Nkwelle-Ezunaka hospital and I have no doubt in my mind that she will achieve a lot.”

In a similar development, the President of Rotary club Onitsha Main, Rotarian Victor Chigere, disclosed during his installation at Shanahan Hall, Basilica of the Most Trinity, Onitsha, that he will continue his medical assistance to indigent people.

According to him, “a Rotarian from the club, George Nwankwo, who hails from Awgwu, Enugu state, sponsored a medical team that comprised of five doctors, six nurses and a pharmacist, to Awgwu where over 640 patients were diagnosed and treated” “The Rotarian philanthropist spent N700,000 and we increased it to N1million in treating patients of various diseases that included, High Blood Pressure, malaria/typhoid, among others and drugs purchased worth #600,000 and some of the drugs still remain”.

“Rotary is voluntary service and my belief is that God will pay you back when you assist the less privileged.”

Highlight of the occasion was induction of new members with presentation of polio shirts and caps to them.

opportuned to be aiming at sainthood.”

He thanked the Archbishop, Parents Teachers Dialogue, Priests, Vicar, confessors and vocation supporters who have been assisting the Seminary and requested financial support to establish a mega poultry farm, standard laboratory, furnish the modern library and studio complex, reconstruct field, and renovate the Fathers’ house at the Seminary.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Somadina Ifinta, who announced a donation of N1 million, said he accepted to chair the ceremony because of his regard for seminary as a place where character and moral rectitude are moulded and impacted on the students.

A former lawmaker that represented Idemili North State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, whose son, Kennedy Mmegbuanaeze emerged as the Igwe (traditional ruler) of All Hallows Seminary, praised the management of the seminary for their quality standard of education and morality.

On the recent petrol tanker fire incidents in the state, Mmegbuanaeze said that the incident was a wake up call for the state Governor Willie Obiano who is now making preparations to prevent any such incident.

In their separate speeches, some parents whose children are in the seminary, Chief Osita Ogidi, Jude Obi and Azunna Augustine noted that saints are being celebrated because they are in heaven enjoying the fruits of their labour while on earth and charged the students to pursue their purpose vigorously in order to attain sainthood.

The president general of the Onitsha Catholic Men Organization chairman, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Nnajiofor said that saints were being celebrated for good works so that the living will aspire to become saints after their sojourn on earth.

Chief Emmanue Nwaonu called on parents to register their wards with the seminary due to their high academic standard and the numerous awards the schools has been winning in various competitions.

Comrade Pius Njoku advised the students to be focused in their quest to celibacy saying that the prelate who celebrated mass today was once like them and made it.

Other highlights of the occasion include the commissioning of a basketball court, competition for students Igweship, cultural and masquerade dance.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS Another Petrol tanker falls in Anambra From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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NOTHER tanker leaden with petrol has fallen at Abba junction, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, making it the fourth tanker to fall in the state in the last one month.

It was gathered that there was no casualty in the accident, which occurred following brake failure.

An eye witness said some of the petroleum products spilled, but did not ignite fire.

Security operatives cordoned part of the expressway, restricting movement, while some men

of the Anambra State fire service were on the standby, in case of incident of fire.

The head of the Anambra State Firefighters Martin Agility Agbili said that he and his men were ready at the scene of the accident and that the men of the Federal Road Safety Corps were working to tow the tanker out of the area.

Agbili called motorists to avoid using the road but take alternative route for the time being.

Effort to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed to confirm the development were unsuccessful.

We will not surrender our ancestral land to invading bloodthirsty horde from the Sahel – IPOB From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised alarm over the recent unguarded threat by the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) against Biafrans following their resumption of the illegal terror induced movement of cattle through farms and villages in Biafraland.

The group warned that though the South-East political leadership may have surrendered its land, ‘IPOB will never and can never contemplate such.’

In a statement by the group’s media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB vowed never to surrender the land of its ancestors to people it described as invaders.

The statement partly read: “We will not surrender the land of our ancestors to this invading bloodthirsty hoarde from the Sahel no matter the political package they wrapped it unEMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri Akpabio for his leadership and der. is ready for these terrorists commitment to the overall devel- in“IPOB whatever guise they might use to r. Victor Ben Ebikabowei opment of the oil rich region. come into our land. One thing is cer(aka General Boyloaf), has The ex-warlord also pledged tain, Miyetti Allah with their support

‘Boyloaf’ lauds Buhari, Akpabio over interim management at NDDC

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joined several stakeholders and leaders in Niger Delta region to commend President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for setting up an Interim Management Committee to oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC. It would be recalled that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, last Tuesday announced the 3-Man Interim Management Committee at Abuja.

Ebikabowei who spoke, Monday, specifically commended

the supports of all ex-agitators to President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, assuring of their collective willingness to partner with the Ministry for the development of the Niger Delta.

The 3-man Interim Management Committee includes; Dr. Gbene Joy Nunieh, Acting Managing Director, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, Acting Executive Director Projects and Mr. Ibanga Utang, Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

and sponsorship from federal government, South East governors led

by Dave Umahi and Ohaneze Ndigbo led by Nnia nwodo will not succeed no matter what they do.

“This is not the first time representatives of the caliphate through their various mouthpiece have threatened the lives of peaceful law abiding citizens of Biafra. It happened with their treasonous quit notice and have continued through Ango Abdulahi et al culminating in this abominable utterance by the leadership of Miyetti Allah.

“We IPOB do not blame Miyetti Allah but the caliphate imposed spineless and compromised political leaders that occupy government houses across our land. Having sensed the fear, impotence and political hopelessness of these quislings that call themselves governors in the East, Miyetti Allah (which is the glorified name for Fulani herdsmen) have been emboldened to continue issuing threats of further bloodshed if their demands are not met.

“The most shocking of all is that ordinary citizens who for years now have been at the receiving end

of Fulani terror and savagery appear transfixed with fear and have wimpishly surrendered their fate to murderous cattle herders from God knows where. Miyetti Allah along with their foot soldiers in the Nigerian army must understand that their deal with south east governors is not applicable to IPOB. IPOB stressed that the same way IPOB today is dedicated to the defence of Ebonyi State and Anambra West is how every inch of Biafran territory will be defended adding that the ongoing resistance in Ebonyi is testament to the very fact.

Continuing, IPOB said, “We will not surrender the land of our ancestors to this invading bloodthirsty hoarde from the Sahel no matter the political package they wrapped it under.

“Miyetti Allah and their sponsors are the real terrorists and shall remain so in our eyes. Their strategy of threats and terror cannot work with us. They cannot succeed because IPOB is here on the ground and meeting them head-on. Ruga settlement nonsense is dead in our land and cannot be imposed on us.”

Man, 23, beaten to death for attempted ritual killing in Anambra From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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23-year old man from Benue was on Monday killed by angry mob as they meted out jungle justice on him for allegedly attempting to use a 4-year old girl for ritual in Awka, Anambra State capital.

The deceased identified as Samuel from Benue State and a driver with a private school in the area, were said to have attracted the little girl in her mother’s shop as the woman was reportedly out to buy lunch.

Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Ginika Eze, an indigene of AlumonaNsukka, Enugu said, “That man’s mission was to kill my daughter for ritual purposes. I brought my daughter to stay with me at the shop so as at to keep an eye on her since her school was on mid-term break.

“When she complained she was hungry and wanted to eat beans with bread for lunch, I dashed to a nearby shop to buy the items. It was not long when my attention was drawn to my shop where I saw my daughter struggling with a man almost half naked.

“I rushed back and saw him kissing my daughter and fondling her breast, while muttering, “I must drink your blood.”

“I had to raise alarm as the man was already kissing her all over her face and was about to defile her.

“Luckily, some boys within the area ran to the scene of the in-

cident and started dragging my daughter away from him. By then, blood was already dropping from her face as the man held her tight in his arms.

Eze said the boys succeeded in freeing her daughter from the man’s grip.

An eye witness who spoke on condition anonymity, said the deceased was shouting for blood and was about to suck the girl’s blood before he was lynched.

He said the father of the deceased had already been contacted.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed while confirming the incident said the deceased may have acted under the influence of some hard drugs.

He said: “He captured the 4-yearold girl and was molesting her sexually before he was arrested by some civilians who carried out jungle justice on him.

“When the police arrived the scene, the boy, who was probably in his late 20s, was lying motionless on the ground while his assailants had dispersed.

“He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Investigations are still on to ascertain what transpired and to arrest perpetrators of the crime.”

The PPRO said the victim was responding to treatment adding that the police is yet to make any arrests.

•Dignitaries cutting the conference cake at the event

Bianca Ojukwu to Obiano - ‘You have stepped on fingers of benefactors...’

From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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ife of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bar Bianca Ojukwu on Monday wondered why the state Governor, Willie Obiano has kept away from attending the memorial lecture of her late husband for a second consecutive time despite being one of the highest beneficiaries of his legacy.

Speaking at the second memorial lecture of the late patriarch held at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam, Anambra State, Ojukwu urged the governor not to erode the legacy of her late husband especially as it concerns the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

She stressed that there was no evil spirit at the venue of the event for the governor to avoid attending the event.

The former ambassador to Spain said: “This is the second time the event is holding and Obiano doesn’t want to attend by himself. Tell Obiano that there is no evil spirit in the venue of Ojukwu memorial lecture.

“Lastly, tell him that he is gratuitously handing over the credentials for history to call him an ingrate, who step on fingers of all the benefactors that held the ladder for him to climb to political power.”

She further hailed former Gov. Peter Obi for renaming the institution after her late husband who was not only a hero in life but also in death.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke said Obiano’s absence was not intentional but due to other official engagement.

His words: “It is unfortunate that Obiano has not attended the memorial lecture since it started last year, but that is not to say that he will not attend. The governor still has time in office and could still attend in future.”

Delivering the memorial lecture titled: Ndigbo in the contemporary Nigerian politics, problems, prospects and way forward, a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank if Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Kingsley Muoghalu said that Igbo people must be given equal treatment like other tribes in the country.

He regretted that the effect of the Nigeria/Biafra civil war had held the nation backward due to inability on the side of the leaders to address the matters arising.

Muoghalu called on major actors of the Nigerian civil war like retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon to rise up and speak to heal wounds saying that such action will ensure lasting peace.

Chairman of the Former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu in his address called for restructuring of the country and introduction of state police.

He explained that only restructuring and de-centralisation of the police were the key factors to addressing the mirage of problems plaguing the nation.

On his part, one of the Board member of APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka condemned the statement made by Bianca Ojukwu saying, “I am disappointed the way and manner late Ojukwu’s wife labelled the state governor in public as an ingrate. I am saddened by it. She is a member of Board of Trustees of APGA which her husband founded.”

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS Patronise homemade goods, Abia marketing agency’s boss appeals From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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irector-General of Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency, Mr Sam Hart, has appealed to Abians to patronize made-in-Abia products as a way of supporting government’s efforts in promoting goods and products made in the state.

Hart, a lawyer and a former aide to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Public Communications, made the appeal while officially taking over from his predecessor, Chief (Mrs) Uwaoma Olewengwa, who is now the Commissioner for Industry.

Hart bagged his new position on October 29, when the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, in a statement, announced that the Governor Ikpeazu, has approved the appointment.

Ememanka explained that in his new role, Mr. Hart “will implement the vision of the Governor which is to expand existing markets and find new ones for all goods produced in Abia State.”

He added that “the Agency is also mandated to outline and enforce quality standardization of all goods made in Abia State.”

During last Friday’s handing over ceremony held at the Factory Road, Umuahia head office of the agency, Hart extolled his predecessor for toiling had to nurture the agency.

“Today, I officially took over from Chief Mrs. Uwaoma Olewengwa to carry out the mandate of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as the Second Director-General of the Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency.

“I thank Chief Mrs. Olewengwa for the work she has done to nurture the Agency to fruition, including securing a befitting office at a strategic location,” Hart said.

The DG hinted that agency’s warehouse has been renovated and already has in stock, large quantity of Osikapa Abia (Abia rice).

He said he has visited Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area to discuss modalities for buying Osikapa Abia with Pastor Okechukwu Dike, the Director of Abia Rice Production and also visited Acha Rice Mill for the same purpose.

“We discussed his (Dike’s) readiness to meet up with the imminent surge in demand for Osikapa Abia and he assured me that his Mill has capacity for over 500 bags a day,” the DG said.

“Let me reiterate my call for us to support our own. Abians, please buy Osikapa Abia,” Hart said, adding that government officials should emulate Ikpeazu and “insist on eating and distributing only Osikapa Abia.”

Explaining the services to be rendered by his agency, Hart said it would serve as aggregators for producers & traders based in Abia; produce a comprehensive Yellow Page of Producers of different products in Abia State, with hard copy and online version to avail the public, contacts and addresses of producers for people who would prefer dealing with them directly as well as open MadeIn-Abia shops nationwide and beyond to serve as walk-in purchase shops for Abia products & pick up points for goods ordered from the agency or directly from producers in Abia, among others.

Hart also said that his agency would be providing Trade Insurance Services where customers would pay to the agency for goods ordered in Abia and the money would be remitted to the producer only when the purchaser expresses satisfaction with the product.

Appeal Court affirms election victories of Omo Agege, Manager, others

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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he Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has affirmed the elections of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie OmoAgege, and House of Representatives members from Delta Central Senatorial District in the February 23, 2019 National Assembly election.

The House of Reps members whose elections were affirmed by the court are Rev. Francis Waive, Ben Igbakpa and Efe Afe. The court affirmed the ruling of the Election Tribunal, which upheld the election of Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central.

Evelyn Oboro, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the

election, had challenged the declaration of Ojo-Agege as the winner of the election.

But in a unanimous ruling delivered by Justice A. Jauro on Monday, the court dismissed Oboro’s petition for lack of merit and upheld the ruling of the election petition tribunal, which had earlier afffirmed OmoAgege’s victory.

The Court of Appeal in Benin, Monday, upturned the decision of the election tribunal, which nullified the senatorial election in Delta South Senatorial District won by Senator James Manager of the PDP. The Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, had nullified Manager’s election in a petition filed by former governor of Delta and candidate of the APC candidate

in Delta South, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

In a ruling in September, the tribunal cancelled the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in the district with 30 days.

But Justice A. Jauro-led appeal panel in a judgement delivered on Monday set aside the judgement of the tribunal and affirmed Manager as the winner of the election in Delta South.

The appellate court dismissed Uduaghan’s petition urging him to be declared winner of the election.

Similarly, the appellate court also affirmed the victory of the member representing Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency, Rev.

Francis Waive, on the platform of APC. The court dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Chief Samuel Marierie, for failing to prove alleged over voting and irregularities in the election.

Meanwhile, Court of Appeal has upturned the decision of the tribunal, which sacked the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Ben Igbakpa of the PDP. The court held that the tribunal erred by declaring the candidate of the APC, Hon. Halims Agoda as the winner of the election.

Also, the election of Hon. Efe Afe of the PDP representing Uvwie, Okpe and Sapele Federal Constituency was also upheld by the learned justices.

Police warns against ‘shadow government’ in Imo State

By COLLINS UGHALAA

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• L-R: Mr. Taieck Son, Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. James Lee, Regional President, LG Electronics, Middle East & Africa Region, Ms. Toke Makinwa, Celebrity and a renowned On-Air Personality and Mr. Mohammed Fouani, Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Ltd at the launch of the LG DUALCOOL Premium Air Conditioner today at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.

LG Electronics Unveils DUALCOOL Premium Air Conditioner into Nigeria market

L

G Electronics has unveiled its new DUALCOOL Premium Floor Standing Air Conditioner into the Nigeria market. The product is first of its kind to be introduced in the The Middle East & Africa region apart from the Korean market.

LG DUACOOL Premium is a life changer because it’s beyond just an Air Conditioner as it is packed with health benefits for our consumers and other mind-blowing features that you would desire to have in your kind of AC. Announcing the launch of this new range of air conditioner, Mr. James Lee, President, LG Electronics, Middle East & Africa Region said; “As a global company, LG Electronics has come a long way in supporting millions of households with quality, cutting-edge technological products. Our philosophy to technology and innovative designs has obviously endeared us to our esteemed consumers in Nigeria and all over the world.

“The new product is equipped with Dual Premium Design and unique features such as LG ThinQ, Air Purification, Ice & Custom Cooling, Energy saving and many more.

LG DUALCOOL Premium Air Conditioner comes in Rose Gold and

White Colour, they are truly an epitome of beauty as they add décor and novelty to your home.

Speaking about the LG DUALCOOL Premium air conditioner, Mr. Lee said “Dual Premium Design is an art of technology inspired by a form of round pillar that sends optimal wind to anywhere. It also has two short-haul and long distance runners inside the air conditioner to operate in the most optimal way in each section to save energy through the help of AI Dual Inverter”.

Compared to the general cooling of 10.8 in average, LG DUALCOOL Premium Air Conditioner blows 6.8 wind in average to provide instant cooling when it is turned on. Even the electric fans adjust the wind directions. It does not make sense an air conditioner is unable to adjust the wind directions. The Air conditioner provides custom cooling of direct-indirect winds with up down left right wind control.

With LG ThinQTM, users can operate the air conditioner, change the mode or set the temperature from anywhere. LG ThinQ app can be downloaded on the smartphone from Google Play Store by Android mobile phone users or app store by

iPhone users.

In his remark, Mr Mohammed Fouani, Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Ltd, said LG has been consistent in producing quality products that meet the yearnings and aspirations of customers. “Life’s more than having the latest electronics but about the experiences technology creates. LG has been consistent in churning out products that create comfort and peace of mind and we are happy to be one of their distributors.

“I believe the new LG DUALCOOL Premium Floor Standing Air Conditioner will address the needs of our esteemed consumers who are health conscious and want to live a healthy lifestyle. The new air conditioner is a solution provider to all worries, especially when you are worried about the quality of the air you breathe in. You can be rest assured the LG DUALCOOL Premium AC will beautifully take care of everything.

“As the leading and sole distributor of LG Electronics products all over Nigeria, you can get the new range of ACs at any Fouani Nigeria Ltd outlet evenly spread over the country in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Asaba, Ibadan and Benin”, he concluded.

HE Imo State Police Command has warned seriously against the establishment of a shadow government by the members of other political parties in the state.

In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer SP Ikeokwu Godson Orlando, the Police said that the attention of the Command has been drawn to the planned establishment of “Shadow Government” by a group of people, in a primary school at Alike, Obowo Local Government Area.

The Police said that the move to establish the shadow government was illegal and capable of causing chaos, anarchy and breach of peace.

The statement noted that: “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not recognize any such structure or composition as such the present political dispensation does not accommodate such as well; one begins to wonder why and how the said group of people came about such approach.

“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police warns the group to desist from any plan to constitute the said “Shadow Government” or any other composition under any guise as anyone arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Members of the public are advised to resist any temptation or coercion by any group or individuals to join such a group and also to report any of such gathering(s) to the Police for prompt and decisive action. The command further advises members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation as machineries have been emplaced to ensure safety and security of all and sundry.”

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS PDP, Obosi welcome Chidoka’s A’Court victory, saying, we are consoled

Six years after, protest over police attempt to arrest youth leader re-echoes

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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HE supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra State chapter and stakeholders from Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area said they are consoled by the Appeal Court judgement, in favour of Obinna Chidoka.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, had ordered the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Chidoka, “as the genuine winner of February 23 election for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra.”/ The court equally directed INEC to withdraw the certificate earlier issued to Ifeanyi Ibezi of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as winner of the House of Representatives seat for Idemili North and Idemili South Constituency.

Since the ruling, PDP supporters have not stopped singing victory songs in strategic spots in the town.

From the entrance of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Obosi near Chidoka’s country home, some located at a junction leading to Iweka road, and yet others at drinking joints at Umuota, and Ire villages, singing and drinking.

The state chairman of PDP, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu described the verdict as “a victory for democracy.

From day one as a party, we have always said that the February 23, 2019 result was sacrosanct and that there was a winner in Idemili North and South Federal Constituency Election.

“We equally knew that what the lower tribunal did on the matter was a miscarriage of justice and today God has vindicated the just.”

Nwobu urged politicians to always respect the sanctity of the ballot box, and noted that what happened was a sure way to strengthen the nation’s democracy.

The PDP chieftain advised the party’s supporters to rejoice over Chidoka’s victory, while noting that the development had added greater impetus to the PDP’s quest for taking over power in Anambra in 2021.

Chiefs Linus Mgbakogu (Atta Obosi), Chief Hyman Udemba (Akamkposi Obosi) and Emma Obi, natives of Obosi told newsmen that they were particularly happy with the victory as the wrong declaration of result of election caused some pains to Obosi people.

Mgbakogu, Udemba and Obi maintained that there was no way the same results of the polling units in Obosi, which gave victory to PDP at both presidential and senatorial election would turn against the PDP at the National Assembly election.

“We were at the Obosi collation centre and we all knew that what played out that day was the height of injustice, but with the outcome of Court of Appeal today, we are consoled,” they said.

Y

ouths in Umuicheke community, Umuobom village, Ideato South LGA, Imo State, have protested against alleged police harassment and “relentless attempts” to arrest a youth leader and cultural activist in the community, Mr. Nzubechukwu Sunday Azubuike whom police said was on their

‘Wanted Persons’ list for allegedly engaging in a university cultist war and human sacrifice.

Mr. Azubuike is a well-known youth activist and university undergraduate whose family is associated with cultural activities in the area.

The police said the youth activist is wanted for allegedly being an accomplice to a two-man devilish gang, comprising one Mr. Ikenna Okwara 32 and Mr. Ekene Odimfe, 36 who were allegedly caught when they attempted to kill and sacrifice one Mr. Anthony Obichukwu to an idol AMADIOHA EKWEEKE shrine allegedly owned by the youth activist on January 9, 2013.

According to the police, Azubuike is also “the supreme” leader of a deadly cultist group called the Vikings Confraternity allegedly linked with deadly terror among university students and dignitaries around the area.

Speaking shortly after the protest match, which took the youths around Ideato South LGA, leader of the protesters, Mr. Kingsley Mekan-

ya said they embarked on the match to show their grievances over police insistence on arresting Mr. Nzubechukwu and the constant harassment of Mr. Azubuike’s family house with its accompanying human rights violations, noting that up to the time of the protests, the whereabouts of the activist was unknown as he had fled the area for fear of being killed.

Describing Mr. Nzubechukwu Sunday Azubuike as a peaceful, easy going, vibrant, religious and cultural activist, the youths said the entire people of the area, including the youths in the community, could attest to the fact that the activist was incapable of descending so low as to engage in human sacrifice and associating himself with a deadly cult group called Vikings Confraternity, not after his family, especially his mother, had accepted to send him to a pastoral school to ensure he worked in God’s vineyard, pointing out that the whole allegations against the youth leader were false.

However, the police when contacted insisted that based on the

• From left Mr. William Barbo, Mr. Ifeanyi Anthony Nwufo and Mr. Oliver Chua during the UNO Premier one year anniversary held at Archbishop C. J. Patterson Auditorium Complex, Onitsha. Photo Oliver Udeogu

Dame Mbakwe calls for support for youths, says they are investment in future

By OLIVER UDEOGU

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Special Adviser to the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has expressed concern over youth restiveness in the state, and described as alarming the rate of cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, suicide and other vices among the youths.

At a youth workshop in Awka the Anambra State capital, the Special Adviser on Secondary Schools Monitoring Dame Chinyere Eminient Mbakwe, expressed sadness over the reign of “youth crimes” and asserted that, “the youths, as future leaders should be trained in special entrepreneurial skills and empowered to be useful citizens.”

She spoke against the backdrop of plans by Progressive Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), a pro-youth and family NGO to launch a N500m Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Fund in Anambra State.

Mbakwe, who is also the Proprietor of Creative Model School, Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State, said that in the face of growing unemployment of youths in Anambra and the country at large, youths should be positioned and assisted to be be self-employed and to own their own businesses.

She said: “They are our children,

brothers, sisters and family members. They need our care and support and our encouragement. Let us embrace them, welcome them by putting smiles on their faces by empowering them in their chosen areas of interest.

“Most of them are graduates, some are not but they have skills and are ready to work, so let us help them out and in that way, a huge barrier would be put on crime in our state.”

Mbakwe thanked the state governor for his persistence towards bettering the lives of youths and pleaded that more should be done for the youths especially on empowerment after entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programmes.

She called on kind-hearted indigenes of the state and corporate bodies to come out to support the youths, by supporting them in setting up their own businesses.

She insisted that “it is our sole responsibility to help these youths in any way we can,” calling on the youths, however, not to be lazy but “to sit up and face life challenges.”

“Even when you are empowered, you must work to earn money or your empowerment will be a waste,” she stressed.

While calling on well-meaning individuals to attend to the needs of youths, she thanked the State Com-

missioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Afam Mbanefo for his efforts in training youths in the state.

She commended foremost transporter and industrialist Chief Godwin Okeke aka GUO and his wife for their roles in the forthcoming 2019 Youths Entrepreneurship Empowerment programme billed for the first quarter of next year in Onitsha just as she promised to give the youths her support.

information at their disposal, which was provided by an unidentified informant, they stormed the dreaded shrine AMADIOHA EKWEEKE located in Umuicheke community, Umuobom village, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, allegedly owned by the youth leader, Mr. Azuibuike, arrested Mr. Ikenna Okwara and Mr. Ekene Odimfe at the shrine when they were allegedly about to kill and sacrifice one Mr. Anthony Obichukwu to the said shrine.

The police added that that Mr. Azuibuike had also been on their wanted list for his involvement in a terror cultist group known as Vikings Confraternity, that had caused more killings in the State among university students and some well known dignitaries.

Anambra philanthropist to host Festival of Carols From OZO RAY

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Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is billed to hold on December 20, at the Honeywell Hotel, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State involving six choral groups from various parts of the State.

The Honeywell Hotel has already played host to an audition of the choral groups, which are Angelic Voices from Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Awka, Anambra Broadcasting Service Chorale group, Voce Angelica Chorale Group, Immanuel Church choir, Isuofia, Cathedral Church choir, Ekwulobia, and St Luke’s Church Choir, Okpoko.

The Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group, which has Honeywell Hotel as a subsidiary, said that the event is intended as a foretaste of an evangelizing experience during the forthcoming Christmas celebration.

He explained that he sought to provide a different experience of Christmas for people in the rural communities and disabuse the minds of city dwellers that Christmas celebrations cannot be relished in the rural areas.

He said: “If we all go to the city, it will be densely populated and that would pose a problem, while our localities remain untapped. So, I felt that this idea of organizing a Christmas carol, which was a wonderful way of evangelizing Christ Jesus and as well providing a novel and enriching experience for our people who would have had to travel far to the cities to find a replica.”

The chairman of the Honeywell Carol and Nine Lessons planning committee, Joy Mbachi was thrilled by the success of the audition, which she described as overwhelming.

She thanked Ezeemo for sponsoring the project and applauded the groups that graced the audition, while she disclosed that on December 20, the choral group that excels above the rest would win a huge prize.

One of the judges at the event, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Umezinwa, a musicologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka noted that music played a key role in religious practice especially in Christianity.

He enjoined choristers to be wary of watering down solemn Christian songs meant for the upbuilding of the soul into mere entertaining songs.

The Catholic priest said that, “Umuchu is becoming a tourist attraction and I must appreciate Ezeemo for building such a beautiful hotel here and introducing such beautiful activities here.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

AFRICA REPORT

•Muammar Gaddafi Reuters-Max-Rossi

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allen Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, entered the world in 1942, near Sirte.

A son of an itinerant Bedouin farmer, Gaddafi was brilliant in School and soon graduated from the University of Libya in 1963.

He graduated from the Libyan military academy in 1965 steadily rising through the ranks.

Unimpressed with King Idrīs’ rule and the dominance of foreign nationals like Italians and Jews in the country, Gaddafi with other officers planned the overthrow of the monarch.

On September 1, 1969, Gaddafi and his men took over the country in a bloodless coup. He was commander-in-chief of the armed forces and chairman of Libya’s new governing body, the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). He soon formed the Libyan Arab Republic, with the motto “freedom, socialism and unity.”

He moved to remove the U.S. and British military bases from Libya in 1970. By 1973 he had nationalized all foreign-owned petroleum assets in the country, a move western countries never forgave him for. He also outlawed alcoholic beverages and gambling, in accordance with his own strict Islamic principles.

The RCC government initiated a process of directing funds toward providing education, health care and housing for all. Public education in the country became free and primary education compulsory for both sexes. Medical care became available to the public at no cost, but providing housing for all was a task the RCC government was not able to complete.

Under Gaddafi, per capita income in the country rose to more than US $11,000, the fifth highest in Africa.

Ruling for 42 years until his demise in October 2011, Gaddafi chalked impressive feats to improve the lives of his people.

Per his Green Book, Libyans had to own houses because it was a basic right. The Green Book was his political philosophy, first published in 1975.

Gaddafi’s Libya boasts of one of the best healthcare services in the Middle East and Africa. Education and medical treatments were all free.

Given that Libya is largely a desert, there was need to have a robust irrigation system to sustain life. Gaddafi’s government funded the largest irrigation system in the worldman made rivers to supply water to citizens.

Among others, a bursary was given to mothers with newborn babies, farming encouraged as Libyans who desired to start a farm were given a house, farm land, livestock and seeds for free.

There was free electricity, cheap petrol and state bank which provided loans to citizens at zero percent and then there was no

•Muammar-Gaddafi-with-Barack-Obama-in-2009

•Sarkozy-was-questioned-over-claims-Muammar-Gaddafi-helped-finance-his-2007-election-campaign

Photo-AFPGetty

CREDIT-REUTERS

‘What did I do to you?’

MICHAEL ELI DOKOSI writes on what he says were the last words of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi to rebels just before he was killed external debt, a rarity for an African state.

African states are often saddled with loans with steep interest from the IMF and World Bank.

But crucially, Gaddafi raised the level of education of Libyans from 25% when he emerged as leader to 87% .

But while various leaders met with him including France’s Sarkozy, Britain’s Cameron and America’s Obama, they plotted his overthrow. Sarkozy’s tale is even more curious given he was investigated and charged in France for receiving £42 million in illegal funds for his election campaign.

In early 2011, a civil war broke out in the context of the wider “Arab Spring”. The anti-Gaddafi rebel forces formed a committee named the National Transitional Council on February 27, 2011. It was meant to act as an interim authority in the rebel-controlled areas. However, the state’s armed force managed to quell the uprising. France and Britain then co-opted Obama into what will become a multinational coalition led by NATO force to essentially go to war against Libya.

They needed America for the fire-power.

On March 21, 2011 providing air cover for the rebels on the ground, the offensive began. To put the pressure on Gaddafi, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him and his entourage on June 27, 2011. By August 20, 2011, Libya’s capital, Tripoli had fallen in the hands of the rebels with Gaddafi making Sirte the new capital.

With a drone attack from the US and France hitting the convoy attempting to smuggle Gaddafi out of Sirte and smoking a dozen vehicles, a wounded Gaddafi and his immediate agents had to make a dash for a tunnel. It wasn’t long when the rebels following the blood trail came to meet the leader who had evaded capture for months and had grown weary.

On October 20, 2011 when the TC fighters retrieved Gaddafi from the storm drain, bleeding heavily from a deep wound on the left side of his head, from his arm and from other injuries to his neck and torso, he is said to have asked his captors: “What did I

do to you?”

Soon Gaddafi’s last moments as captured by a phone show clips of him slumped on a pickup truck, face smeared with blood, shirtless and bloody.

His body was then stored on the floor of a room-sized freezer in Misrata usually used by restaurants and shops to keep perishable goods.

The “What did I do to you?” question from the late leader is poignant. The rebels and their Western backers claimed he was ousted because of abuse of rights of citizens, as well as his long stay in power. Perhaps it is his attempt to introduce a single African currency linked to gold so that he could introduce and only trade in the African gold Dinar which would have thrown the world economy into chaos but freed African nations from debt and poverty.

Today, Libya is in ruins as it’s seen no development since Gaddafi’s fall with Obama acknowledging not having a plan after Gaddafi’s ouster was one of his worst foreign affairs blunders.

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POLITICS The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

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ayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson says God has used him in the past eight years as an instrument to engender unprecedented peace, stability and development in the state.

The Governor who spoke at the valedictory State annual Thanksgiving Service ahead of the end of his administration in February 2020 prayed God not to allow those who do not mean well for the state to win the November 16 Governorship election to assume the reins of governance in the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, expressed optimism that the PDP Governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri, would emerge victorious in the November 16 Governorship election through a free, fair, peaceful and credible process.

The Governor who emphasized the importance of thanksgiving urged the clergy and the people to sustain their prayers and support for the state.

Highlighting some of the achievements of his administration, the governor thanked God for giving him the wisdom to institute the State Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration by law to give God His proper place.

According to Dickson, critical infrastructure such as roads, health facilities, airport, educational facilities and public buildings including the Ecumenical centre are some of the lofty projects that have elevated the status of Yenagoa, the state capital, thanks to the effort of his administration.

His words: “The forthcoming elections will be free, fair and credible and our candidate, Senator Douye Diri will win the election. This is the only way we can continue the developmental path taken by me.

“It’s been eight years that we started this and I thank God for using me as an instrument to serve the people of Bayelsa. It is a great honour. He used me to build this Ecumenical Centre.

“I want to thank you all, the men women and youths of this state who keyed into my policies and we pray that those who want to destroy this state do not get there.

In his goodwill message, the Prominent Clergy and General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, described the forthcoming election as a contest between good and promoters of evil in Bayelsa.

He said that the Dickson Administration was the first to break the jinx of truncated administrations since the commencement of democratic governance in the state.

Pastor Zilly Aggrey noted that the election was not just about Bayelsa State but also about the future of the Ijaw nation.

The Clergy who praised Governor Dickson for laying a solid foundation for the worship of God called on Bayelsans to vote for a leader that would continue with the path of development of the Dickson’s Administration.

He commended Governor Dickson for championing the Ijaw cause and the recognition accorded Major Adaka Boro, the leader of the Ijaw struggle.

“This is the first government that has broken the chain of unfinished administration; the coming election is a fight between righteousness and promoters of evil.

“We should ensure we vote in someone who will continue with the legacies of the governor. He is the one that has opened up the 3 senatorial roads and gave kolokuma people the opportunity to have a senator and a speaker irrespective of their population. This election is not just about Bayelsa but the future of the Ijaw nation.”

In his sermon, the Archbishop of York, Church of England, Dr John Sentamu stressed the significance of thanksgiving and urged the people to show commitment to the service of God and humanity.

Archbishop Sentamu also acknowledged the power of God in transforming lives and called on all to drawer closer to God in order to receive salvation.

•Dickson

•Jonathan

How God used me in Bayelsa, by Gov Dickson •Sylva

Governor Dickson Seriake does not pull punches: he hits hard and straight when he fights his political enemies. He considers himself a good Bayelsan, perhaps one without compere, a man on whose shoulders alone lies the burden of leading the Niger Delta State to its manifest destiny of abundance and prosperity, being a golden, oil-producing State. But, Dickson faces a disconcerting political backlash following what many see as less than transparent governorship primary, which he seemed to have conducted with a predetermined result in mind. It would appear that the recent thanksgiving service to mark his eight years in office ahead of the end of his administration in February was to debunk insinuations in some quarters that the concentration of politics around himself or what others would describe as the monopoly of power by Dickson in Bayelsa State, has been politically deleterious for the tiny, eight-local government oil-producing State that gave the nation its first minority President in the person of the self-effacing Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Or, at least the following report by CLEM ONYEMAECHI, in Yenagoa, seems to suggest that.

Dignitaries at this year’s edition of the annual Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day includes, one time Information Minister, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas, PDP governorship flag-bearer, Senator Douye Diri, his run-

ning mate, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, Speaker of the State Assembly, Monday Obolo-Bobou, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, PDP

governorship aspirants, state and national lawmakers.

Highpoint of the event was the offering of special prayers by the clergymen led by Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

FOCUS

•Ekiti Governor handing over the school to Anglican Bishop

Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka celebrates 40th anniversary in grand style •Archbishop Ibezim tasks Old Boys

•A crosection of people at the ocassion

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU writes on the pomp and pageantry that heralded the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Anambra State.

Saturday October 12, 2019, was a great day at Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka. That day, the Old Boys Association drew crème de la crème of the society to join them in the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Seminary amidst pomp and ceremony. It was a gathering of great achievers and gentlemen who have done well for themselves and the society.

Delivering his sermon at a thanksgiving service at the seminary from the book of 1Corinthians 3 vs 7- 17, the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim advised Christians to be labourers for God, so as to harvest the things that God made for his labourers, adding that most people have sickle in their hand but don’t utilize it in the vineyard of the lord.

Bishop Ibezim commended the principal of the seminary, Venerable Dr Nnamdi Emendu, Chairman of the Board of the

Seminary Dr Sir Emma Emelumadu and the 12-man national executive committee of the Bishop Crowther Seminary Worldwide led by the President Worldwide, Dr Churchill Okonkwo for their dedication and commitment in uplifting the seminary to become one of the best schools in Anambra State and South-East at large. He also commended the PTA chairman, Mr Preston Madu and the 34-member 40th anniversary planning committee led by chairman, Chuka Umenne as well as the chaplain, Rev (Pharm) Clement Izuegbe.

The Anglican Bishop who is also the proprietor of the Bishop Crowther Seminary School said one must endure suffering to gain the fullness of blessings from God, pointing out that although Jesus Christ has been the foundation of the Bishop Crowther seminary, individuals could also be used to lay a strong foundation where other people

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The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

FOCUS

•A cross section of dignitaries including Sir Emelumadu, Odu Mbaukwu, Ven Osondu

•Ven Emendu, Archbishop Anikwenwa (Rtd), Archbishop Ibezim can benefit.

According to him, “there is no other foundation. Jesus is the foundation. If you trace the history of the school, you will notice that the pioneer set of students suffered a lot to get to their present height of today.”

He, however, commended the management team for the good work they have done in the school including working in close contact with the PTA which has brought rapid turnaround in the fortunes of the teachers and students through the building of ultra-modern staff quarters within the school even as the conducive study environment of the school today is borne out of the efforts by the management to fully utilize the resources at their disposal.

Bishop Ibezim who is also the Archbishop of Province on the Niger warned the school management against the development of shops in front of the school gate as it will only distract the students from giving their best in the school. He said that efforts should be made to stop things that would adversely affect the discipline being imparted in the students of the school, stressing the need for an extension site of the Bishop Crowther Junior seminary to ease the population of students.

He also said: “Here in Bishop Crowther,

there is zero tolerance for homosexuality.

There is no corruption. We want to make this place what it should be--a place for sound academic learning where cultism and immorality is not tolerated. We don’t want the discipline in this place to be tampered with by the madness outside.”

Also speaking at the event, former Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa commended the management of the Bishop Crowther junior seminary for their good works, stressing on the need to resuscitate cricket game in the school. He informed that the school was named after Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther of blessed memory.

Speaking to our reporter, an old boy from 1972 set, Comrade Igbokwe Samuel said the anniversary was an opportunity to address some of the challenges facing the school. He advised the students to take their studies seriously and abide by school rules and regulation so that they can learn the morals that will help them cope with life after school.

Member Representing Awka South and North Federal Constituency, Sam Onwuaso commended the management of the seminary led by Venerable Emendu for championing serious learning and morals in the seminary even as he reassured the Bishop

of Awka Anglican Diocese, Dr. Ibezim that he would continue to support the Seminary in any way possible and donated N200,000 .

From Bishop Crowther Alumni in North America, BANA-North America (USA and Canada) led by Dr Chukwudi Buchi Ufondu, they appreciated the zealous and dedicated teachers of the school who gave everything for their sake, assuring that they would continue to support projects in the seminary.

International President of Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka, Dr Churchill Okonkwo in his address reiterated that the Old Boys were committed to sustaining the ideals of the founding fathers, noting that they are targeting making Bishop Crowther Seminary the most sort-after post primary school in Nigeria. He called on all and sundry to be part of making the seminary a destination point for students.

Chairman, 40th Anniversary planning committee, Chuka Umenne and PTA Chairman, Mr Preston Madu pin-pointed different roles the committee and PTA played to see the success of the 40th anniversary of the seminary, appreciating the high standard of education in the seminary championed by the Ven Emendu-led school management.

They appealed for more support including landscaping the seminary compound and equipping the science laboratories as well as providing the seminary a bus for the students.

In his address, the Principal Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Venerable (Dr.) Nnamdi Bennett Emendu, thanked the Proprietor of the seminary, Most Rev (Dr.) Alex C. Ibezim for his love for education particularly for the seminary as it has contributed to the physical, moral and spiritual standard of the school.

Ven Emendu who is one of the pioneer students of the seminary said the journey of the school started some 40 years ago precisely on 18th September, 1979, reminding that the pioneer Principal, the late Ven (Dr) J.P.C. Okeke nurtured, cared and tutored them, which explains why most of them that p[passed through him are successful in life today. He recalled that in their era, Bishop Crowther was the best school in the entire Eastern region of Nigeria in terms of academic, discipline, and service to God. He regretted dearth of equipment in the Introductory Technology workshop built several years ago and appealed for support to enable the school equip the workshop.

He recalled how Canon E.E. Ekwenchi as a teacher then instructed him to mobilize

and form the Old Boys Association in 1988.

He said Bishop Crowther is reigning all over the world in Cricket courtesy of Sir Victor Obidike who introduced it to the school. He noted that Bishop Crowther Junior seminary Awka was changed to Bishop Crowther seminary, Awka during Obidike’s regime.

The Principal said the school has conducive environment for learning and teaching, hence it has continued to garner excellent results in all external examinations (BECE, WASSCE, NECO and JAMB) and excelled too in games like football, cricket, chess, scrabble, athletics, table tennis, volley ball etc.

He disclosed that nine 9 of their students represented Anambra State in cricket, Athletics and scrabble games in Kwara State.

He said the school has other extra-curricular activities like Boys Brigade, Press Club, Dramatic Literary and Debating Society, Cultural society, Jet clubs, choir, Bible society etc, adding that the students face competitions like STAN science competition, MAN mathematics competition, SPARK National Science Competition, National ICT Olympiads, Chemistry competition organized

by Science Chemical Engineers, UBA essay competition, Cowbell Mathematics competition, Awka diocesan, quiz to mention but a few. The good news is that they all came out in flying colours, he added.

The Acting Chairman, Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka Management Committee, Dr Sir Emma Emelumadu in his address said it had been 40 years of very impressive and continuous all-round growth of structures and people of the school, lauding the school’s impressive academic and sports performances. He described the Principal, Emendu as a pedigree of the ideals of the founding fathers.

After the 40th anniversary thanksgiving service, presentation of awards and fundraising inside the Archbishop Patterson Memorial Chapel, foundation-laying of seminary administrative building by the Old Boys and dedication of seminary 12 Flats staff quarters built by PTA, and Science laboratory complex/ examination hall as well as the Seminary gate by Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Most Reverend Chibuzor Ibezim was conducted.

Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka has 11 houses represented by colours –Purple for Emendu House with patron Ven Nnamdi Emendu, PhD; Lemon for Kamto Obi House with patron Ven Dr Kamto Obi; Pink for Joel Akunazobi House with patron Ven Joel Akunazobi; Yellow for Chinedu Onyenekwe House with Patron Prof Chinedu Onyenekwe; Sky Blue for Sir Prince Oduche House with Patron , Sir Prince Oduche.

Others were Blue for Echezona House with patron Barr Echezona Etiaba, SAN; Orange for Barr Uche Okeke House with patron Barr Uche Okeke; Red for Arinze Nnabugwu House with patron Sir Arinze Nnabugwu; Green for Benjamin Echendu House with patron Arch Benjamin O. Echendu; White for DSP Chidi Enukora House with patron Rev D.S.P Chidi Enukora and Cream for Rev Canon and Mrs Basil Orji House with patron Rev Canon and Mrs Basil Orji.

There were six categories of the award ceremony including category A for super outstanding contributions to the 40th anniversary project –Barr Uche Okeke and Mr Uche Umezulorah; category B for very outstanding contribution to their 40th anniversary project –Sir Arinze Nnabugwu, Engr Alford Ukaigwe, Dr Chris Igboamalu, Dr Vincent Ebulue, Prince Onyeka Eze and High Chief Dr Sir Prince Uche Oduche.

Other categories C were as well for outstanding contribution to their 40th anniversary project-Mr Emmanuel Ekwechi, Barr Chinedu Igbokwe, Mr Chuka Umenne, Mr Alex Elebo, Mr Chijioke Oraelosi, and Sir Ikechukwu Umunnnakwe. Category D were posthumous award to Late Ikenna Victor Maduka for his contributions to the anniversary before death snatched him away.

While Category E was for appreciation for outstanding Engineering/ Technical Services in support of 40th anniversary project by Engr Echezona Uchechukwu Akanegbu and a Special category F for appreciation of the great leadership support provided for the 40th anniversary to Dr Churchill .C. Okonkwo.

16

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS Extra Operation Atilogwu Udo: Nigerian Army assures of hitch free Christmas

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

T

he Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has said that the military exercise Atilogwu Udo, which kicked off on November 1st across Nigeria is for a peaceful Yuletide celebration.

To kick off the exercise, a summit on civil-media-military relations, was held in Enugu for journalists, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the zone with the theme ‘Galvanizing citizens’ support for military operations through the media.

Buratai said the exercise is meant to sharpen the operations of men of the military and also help curb crime during the period.

The Chief of Army Staff who was represented by Chief of Training and Operations, Major General EO Udoh said, “the exercise is meant to sharpen the operations of our men and also curb crime during the Yuletide.

According to Buratai: “This summit is held in line with our desire to keep members of the public informed on military activities, exercises and operations that are routinely conducted in the country and especially in the South East zone.

“This summit is to ensure that the media will be able to inform the people correctly especially on the operations of the military as it relates exercise Atilogwu udo 1.

“As you know, our brothers abroad dread coming home for Christmas for fear of kidnap. The peak of it was in 2015, when many people were kidnapped during the Yuletide. This informed the reason for exercise Egwu eke.

“This exercise has been helping to curb kidnapping, abduction, robberies and other violent crimes, and allows Ndigbo to come home and celebrate in peace and even invest.”

The Director of Army Public Relations Col Sagir Musa said the summit is intended to create a civil, media and military relationship and cause the media to orientate the people on what exercise Atilogwu Udo was all about.

“This exercise which started on November 1 will check cattle rustling, kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes. It is not targeted at any individual, but to consolidate on the successes of exercise Python dance one and two.”

The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented at the summit by the Secretary to the State Governor, Prof Simon Otuanya said that “the summit will create cordial relationship between the media, civilians and military, through the period of the exercise.”

The Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Enugu State University of Technology and Guest lecturer, Prof Sunny Udeze’s paper “The military, Media, Peace and National Development; Exercise Atilogwu Udo1 in perspective,” was presented by Dr Ifeanyi Didiugwu.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Brig- Gen. Lasisi Adegboye reassured the public and particularly the media men that the Nigerian Army is open to suggestions and ideas that will improve Military and civilian media relations.

Stakeholders, traditional rulers, media men praised the military for engaging the civil stakeholders to understand the exercise and promised their support.

Seadogs advocate private sector participation in healthcare delivery From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

T

he National Association of Seadogs (NAS) (Pirate Confraternity) has advocated increased private sector participation in the healthcare sector of the country so as to ensure increased access to qualitative healthcare delivery in the country.

This, the association believes is imperative as government alone cannot address the challenges besetting the healthcare sector of the country.

This was disclosed by the Edomene Chiazor the Secretary of Health Committee of the association in Calabar during a free medical outreach organized by the association for residents and natives of Nkonib community in Calabar Municipality.

The outreach which is one of the quarterly events organized by the association to contribute their quota to the the development of the society.

Speaking to Oracle Today on the sidelines of the outreach which attracted hundreds of residents, Chiazor said, “The Health system in the country is in a dilemma and the problem is that people think it is for the government alone but if the private sector can participate there will be a change because it’s actually very expensive.

“If you keep saying the government, how much can the government afford and the country is going down financially, economically so we cannot all depend on government. So I think communities, the private sector can contribute”, he said.

Speaking on the outreach, the National President of the organization, Kwaghbunde Gbahabo said the outreach has been running for the past ten years and it is part of their contributions to the development of the country.

Gbahabo who was represented by the National Secretary of NAS, John Nya said Pirates Confraternity was formed to give this kind of support to the society and several professionals have been deployed to address the various health needs of the residents and people of Nkonib in Calabar Municipality.

He said about 500 people are expected to benefit from the various medical needs of the people including eye examination, malaria as well as a number of communicable diseases and expressed appreciation to the elders and traditional rulers

for helping to mobilize their subjects to participate in the outreach.

Veronica Bassey Okon, one of the beneficiaries commended NAS for the intervention saying many people who were sick and had no means to go to hospitals have a great opportunity to address their various health challenges.

Also speaking, Asa Asuquo Martin said “We are very happy and grateful they they came out to give us free drugs take care of our eyes and also give us free glasses. Its long we had a thing like this and its very good because without this outreach, we wouldn’t know that there are so many people living with ailments and we are happy they have been taken care of”, she said.

Chinua Achebe: Anambra Govt lauds Young Nigerian Writers

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

T

• SP Haruna Mohammed displaying the rescued missing children from Borno State found in Anambra at the command headquarters Awka.

UNC expresses commitment to peace in Nigeria

By THEO RAYS

T

he United Nigeria Chaplaincy (UNC) has expressed its commitment to pursue and enthrench peace in Nigeria. The UNC who exclusively made this known to The Oracle Today during its national meeting held in Onitsha stated that the members across the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja the nation”s capital are ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders including the security agencies to ensure that there is peace in the country.

Speakers after speaker at the meeting said the target to entrench peace in Nigeria is in line with the agenda of the new leadership of UNC under Dr Tony Emebo as the Commandant General and Rev Dr BS Okoye as the chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT). They expressed confidence in the new leadership noting with nostalgia that the Chaplaincy has been suffering from bad leadership under someone who used the members to enrich his personal pockets.

Rev Phillip Jonga Chiroma from Gombe State who represented other northern States at the meeting pin pointed leadership as the main challenge facing UNC owing to the fact that the immediate past leader-

ship which was ousted by the court didn’t carry the members along.

“UNC members all over Nigeria are ready to work but we had the problem of leadership because the Commandant General then failed to carry us along, now that we have a new leadership, we believe that UNC will work towards realizing its target of entrenching peace in Nigeria” he added.

In his address, the Secretary of BoT Rev Uzoma Nwandu said the Onitsha meeting was meant to address relevant issues in line with the Ideology of UNC to move it forward adding that the bad eggs have been flushed out by the court. Rev Nwandu dismissed the issue of marginalization of northerners being raised in some quarters saying that all parts of Nigeria have equal rights in UNC and are well accommodated and as such, the issue of marginalization doesn’t arise at all.

“Yes, there was crisis in UNC following bad leadership. The BoT which is the governing hierarchy of UNC was sidelined completely and the leadership became a one man show business. No account of the list of members of UNC, no account of the money that comes in and go out. Is that how to run an organization? No. Several attempts made to

call the man to order failed. And he kept boasting that he was in charge and nobody should dare to question him. So eventually the court gave judgment against him, so we are now reorganizing and that is why we are here” The BoT Secretary noted that the crisis lingered when the chairman of a 7 man steering committee charged to articulate the way forward started parading himself as the Commandant General and engaged in campaign of calumny against UNC noting that the said committee chairman has been publicly disowned by the new leadership for act of betrayal. He charged the new leadership on transparency and accountability noting that an organization grows from strength to strength when the leader is accountable to the members and organograms of the organization.

Earlier in his remark the new Commandant General Dr Emebo expressed the readiness of his administration to unleash the services of UNC to the fullest best in crime fighting and making peace from the local government level to the Federal level assuring that his regime is a clear shift from the immediate past regime that was more of a one man show business.

HE Anambra State Government has lauded the immortalization of the late Chinua Achebe, by Society for Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), which instituted the annual Chinua Achebe Literary Festival that holds every November.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, made the commendation when he hosted members of the Society of, Anambra chapter of the Society in his office.

The Managing Director/Editorin-Chief of the State Newspaper and Printing Corporation, Chuka Nnabuife described the Festival as a great honour to the memory of Achebe.

Nnabuife commended the Society for remaining consistent in hosting the festival since 2016, despite all challenges.

Adinuba revealed that the state government was planning a great immortalization for Achebe and appointed the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategic Communications, Mr. Maxim Uzor, as state government’s link person.

He assured them of government’s support as they host the 2019 Chinua Achebe literary festival.

The Coordinator of SYNW, Anambra Chapter, Mr. Izunna Okafor, called for the establishment of writers’ residence in memory of Achebe.

He said that the Society came to intimate the state government of this year’s edition of the Festival and appealed to the state government to be the first to immortalize Achebe and to add to what the Young Writers have done so far.

According to Izunna, “this year’s Chinua Achebe Literary Festival is themed “Chinua The Savant: An Epistle For The Leaving.” It will feature lectures in memory of Achebe, dramatization of Achebe’s selected books, Spoken Word Poetry, quiz competition based on Achebe’s works and life, announcement of winners of Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition (for secondary school students in the state), unveiling and launching of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology entitled “Arrows of Words” (which is our newest collection of poems and essays in honour of Achebe), entertainment and other literary packages slated for the day.”

17

The Oracle Today Wenesday November 6 - 12, 2019

POLITICS

D

r Aham Uko is a humble, easy-going personality and a financial savvy. A self-made man, he came into government in 2017 when he was appointed into the cabinet of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as Commissioner for Environment, an appointment he accepted with humility and promised to serve “with all sincerity of purpose.”

That, he did. And since the reward for hard work is more work, he was on October 16, 2019, sworn in as the Commission for Finance.

“I now find myself as a Commissioner for Finance in Abia State at this critical juncture,” he said in an interview with The Oracle Today.

True to his observation, to head the finance ministry at the moment is not a tea party. Issues he would have to tackle include inventing a formula for regular salary payment, device leakage-proof revenue collection systems, determine the right persons, groups, agencies (government and private) that would be trusted with revenue collection and getting more people to pay taxes, to mention but a few.

The Finance Ministry is where you have to battle entrenched forces siphoning public funds into private pockets.

But Uko has assured that he would deploy his wealth of experience to turn things around without compromising.

The Commissioner said resolving the salary arrears owed pensioners and civil servants in the state which has dominated public discourse for years now would be his top priority.

“I will see that as a primary duty to the people of this state, to x-ray the circumstances that led to the arrears. I will see areas where we can block leakages to be able to generate enough funds to offset this recurrent expenditure,” he said, adding that there would be a comprehensive audit of pensioners and civil servants in the state.

“I will ascertain if we actually have that number of pensioners and civil servants in the state. The implication is that I will spearhead a reform and ensure that imaginary pensioners are taken out of our books. Let’s know who are the true pensioners and let them be the ones to demand for their pension.”

When that is done, Uko said his next task would be to make salary payments regular.

“We will ensure that, going forward, in consonance with the vision of the governor, we will be making salary and pension payments regular; let’s maintain regularity in the payment first and then we sit back and structure arrears to genuine pensioners and civil servants of certain parastatals.”

In his blueprint, Chief Executives of parastatals where workers are owed salaries must brace for innovations, particularly in revenue generation.

“The other parastatals that are complaining of outstanding salaries, we will look at the circumstances surrounding the operations of their institutions and see how we can fine tune the operations of those institutions to make them more efficient.

“If we make them more efficient, we see how we can improve on their revenue and ensure that, going forward, we will like to bring as many people as possible into the tax net of the state to enable that state to meet its obligations,” Uko said.

He, however, assured that taxes would not be increased but revenue collection would have to be reviewed as a matter of necessity to eliminate non-professionals, individuals and unions.

“We must ensure that collection agents that are not professionals in the art of collecting revenue, particularly the one they call flying revenue; there is no revenue that flies, will cease.

“The era of financial leakages as it relates to revenue collection will cease. There is no going back. All leakages must be blocked, the hemorrhages, the bleeding, we have had enough of it. We must stop that bleeding because we need the resources to do a whole lot of things.

“I will not compromise the fact that we must do what is right. So, be it Aba or Umuahia, for as long as it is Abia State, we will make sure that all revenue due the govern-

I will spearhead sweeping reforms, says Uko, Abia •Unveils new policies, vows to resolve lingering salary issues Dr Aham Uko, a renowned finance expert, was made the Commissioner for Environment on November 13, 2017. After his successful tour of duty, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor, found him fit to be the political head of the Finance Ministry. But Uko, with a Ph.D in Economics and Econometrics and a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Sierra Leone, is coming on the scene at a time of critical challenges that will task his experience and expertise. He has, however vowed to plug the Abia revenue hemorrhage as he was determined to spearhead reforms that would block the monstrous revenue leakages, end the lingering salary issues and bring more people into the tax net to enable the state to meet its financial obligations, reports BONIFACE OKORO, who spoke with the new Commissioner in Umuahia

•Dr Aham Uko ment will be collected,” he said.

Trade unions, he said, would no longer be allowed to print their own receipts, distribute same and collect money on behalf of government.

He spoke further on mode of revenue collection: “We must track all genuine revenue in this state and ensure that individuals not appointed by government, or even if you are appointed by government, you don’t have the professional competence to collect revenue on behalf of government, all of that will cease.

“Everything in my view, with the blessing of the governor, will be centralized. We will suggest a system where we have something like a Treasury Single Account, such that everything comes into the pool.

“If we are having the Board of Internal Revenue, the board should collect all revenue due to the state. This idea of Ministries, Departments and Agencies collecting revenues on behalf of government will cease.

“Government will collect all revenues and then we will make our budgeting process more reliable and effective and sacrosanct, so that let MDAs come and indicate what their recurrent expenditures are, we collect

everything and ensure that going by the approved budget, as passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Governor, we will abide by it and ensure that the MDAs get regularly what is due them to effect payment of salary.

“So, it is not enough giving them subvention and asking them to go and collect revenue and make up. No, let’s collect all the revenue, know exactly what even they could collect, whether it would be enough and then know exactly whether the subvention given them would be enough or if they ought to collect more and they are not collecting it, then we make recommendations,” Uko submitted.

Simply put, the Commissioner promised to do things in a new fashion. “The bottom line is that we must make the system to work and I can assure Abians that to the best of my ability, we will introduce changes that will make the system more efficient and more effective, particularly as it relates to financial management. That is my assurance.”

Walking his talk, Uko did not waste time in announcing new plans to address various financial issues, after a three-day retreat for the new Commissioners, in Aba late last

month, including a roadmap to clearing accumulated arrears and pensions, including parastatals, make payment of salaries regular and sustainable and improved revenue collection method.

Addressing newsmen after the retreat for the Commissioners, Uko said that salaries would be paid not later than the 28th 0f every month.

According to him, henceforth, Abia would utilize the electronic salary payment platform and do away with the Abia Salary Enhancement and Audit Committee as well as other consultancy firms managing salary payments in the state due to incessant complaints of salary deductions by civil servants.

Three members of the Salary Committee are currently facing trial in Umuahia Federal High Court, in an 11-point charge of salary padding preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Uko said: “We intend to upload (salaries) electronically. From next month, there will be an auto- pay system. That way, salary payment will be seamless.

“We are going to utilize the salary payment platform to pay civil servants to reduce incidences of manipulation, insertion of figures, all forms of falsifications and grafts will be reduced pending when we formally conduct a comprehensive enumeration,” adding that the exercise would be done “straight from the parameters provided by the civil service commission as relates to salary payment.”

However, the Commissioner pleaded with Abia pensioners to exercise patience with the state government as it was working out modalities to ensure regular and prompt payment of pensions.

He disclosed that government has constituted a committee to look into actual verification of pensioners in Abia, adding that the Ministry would soon embark on Comprehensive Physical Biometric Verification Exercise for all pensioners in the 17 local government areas of the state to get the authentic data of pensioners on the state government’s payroll.

Furthermore, Uko urged the MDAs to liaise with the Board of Internal Revenue to raise Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as emphasis would be on IGR and blockage of revenue leakages through the automation of the entire system with a view to reducing human interface in revenue generation.

He assred that the state government was committed towards infrastructural development, collaborating with financial institutions such as NEXIM Bank, AFREXIM BANK, and African Development Bank in charting a fresh cause for the overall development of the state, stressing that “if the people see progress in provision of infrastructure, transparency, honesty and sincerity of purpose in the way and manner finances are collected and applied, they would be motivated to genuinely pay their taxes.”

Abians are watching to confirm if Uko is a new broom in the Abia Finance Ministry.

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

POLITICS

When Pastors tussle in Ebonyi In this report, CHINEDU NWAFOR in Abakaliki, writes about the internal wrangling rocking Divine Mandate Pastors Forum in Ebonyi state, especially the recent revolt against the Coordinator of the forum, Pastor Mrs Eunice Oyeyemi, by some aggrieved Pastors.

T

he internal wrangling that has been rocking Divine Mandate Pastors Forum came has taken a new twist for the worst as some aggrieved Pastors are now up in arms against the Coordinator of the Forum, Pastor Mrs Eunice Oyeyemi, who doubles as the State Pastor of the Christ Embassy, otherwise known as Believers Loveworld, Abakaliki. They accused her of abuse of office and fraud.

Divine Mandate Pastors Forum are a group of Pastors who came together to support the reelection of Governor David Umahi in the just concluded general elections. They meet weekly, mostly on Monday, to pray for the Governor and his administration; and they are over 2500 in number.

The Pastors derived the name of the forum from Governor Umahi’s 2019 campaign council, known as Divine Mandate campaign organization.

Governor Umahi and the entire family worship at Christ Embassy headquarters, Abakaliki, where Oyeyemi superintends.

Throughout the period of 2019 electioneering, there had been reports of skirmishes going-on within the forum, especially on issues that are connected to money. Take for instance, a pastor (name withheld) was in the past suspended for embezzlement of fund belonging to the forum.

But the matter got to a head as a group of aggrieved pastors under the aegis of concerned members of Divine Mandate Pastors Forum has accused the Coordinator, Pastor Mrs Oyeyemi of abusing her office, fraud and misconducts.

In a press statement signed by the chairman of the splinter group, Rev. Ifeanyi Igwe, and Ernest Anayor, further accused Oyeyemi of indulging in imposition of leadership, corruption, injustice, lack of transparency and no accountability and abuse of the forum.

The statement alleged that Pastor Oyeyemi, who doubles as the Chaplain, Government House Chapel, has turned Divine Mandate Pastors forum as her personal business. ”Pastor Oyeyemi of Christ Embassy came and highjacked the forum because of her close relationship with the state Governor,David Umahi.

“After pastor Oyeyemi highjacked the organization, she brought her pastors from Christ Embassy to constitute members of Divine Mandate Pastors Forum and ordained them as the state working committee and zonal Coordinators and charge them to defend her course,” he said.

Reacting to the allegations, pastor Oyeyemi described it as baseless and falsehood.

Oyeyemi said that the financial account of the forum is open for auditing as Ebonyi State Government has every knowledge of what she does as the leader of the pastors that pray for the Governor.

Her words: “All those things are absolutely demonic and baseless, they are not correct and anyone who has taken to do such a thing, if the person is a pastor, his pastoring is questionable.

“There are all incorrect because as the chaplain of government house, I have all my records clear. So if anybody wants to see the statement of account, the bank account are all available to be seen by anybody. Everything I do in Divine Mandate,

•Pastor Mrs Eunice Oyeyemi the government is fully aware.

“Well some people could be malicious or it could be bitterness and envy; just being driven to do what is demonically influenced but what I will say to you as a journalist is that every government officer has government account and all activities are done from the government account. So, this account is subject to auditing. So they

are not correct”.

Expectedly, another group loyal to the Coordinator, Oyeyemi, has come to her rescue by absolving her of any wrong doing and took a swipe on the accusers.

In a communiqué they issued on Tuesday, the group dismissed the allegations; stating that Rev. Ifeanyi Igwe and his cohorts were fake pastors. They said the

recent screening conducted by the forum discovered that the duo are not genuine pastors as they claimed.

They explained further that Ernest Anayo and Ifeanyi Igwe are impostors and are not members of the Divine Mandate Pastors forum.

They maintained that before any pastor is admitted to the forum, such person must have a pulpit which according to him Ifeanyi and Ernest don’t have.

They reiterated that the accusers were admitted to the forum in error, and that the group is presently screening all its members in other to fish out fake ones in their midst.

The communique was signed by Rev. Odu Paul Ozoemenam, member of the state working ommittee of the forum; Eluu Ifeanyichukwu, member state Working Committee of the forum; Blessing Ali,Ebonyi Central Zonal Coordinator; Mike Nwankwo, Ebonyi North zonal Coordinator; pastor James Obasi, Ebonyi South zonal Coordinator; Njoba Ambassador; Oyari Michael; Christian Igbala; Stanley Ori; Offor Godwin, among others.

They reiterating that there was no crisis in the forum, and urged members of the public to disregard the allegations as they were false.

The communiqué read in part: “We the members of the Divine Mandate Paators Forum, make bold to say that the allegations are baseless.

“Divine Mandate Pastors Forum is not in crisis and we are more than ever committed to the vision of His Excellency for setting up the forum.

“Every Monday, we gather together at the government house chapel to pray at different locations in the state, and that has not changed”.

With the ongoing exchange of cross fire in form of allegations between the two groups, Obsevers are of the view that the end to the crisis is not in sight, except the Governor intervenes.

We have zero tolerance for criminal – Ihedioha •Community leaders pass vote of confidence on Gov

By COLLINS UGHALAA

G

overnor Emeka Ihedioha on Monday in Owerri assured that his administration has zero tolerance of criminal activities.

This is even as community leaders of Obile Autonomous community passed a vote of confidence on the Governor.

The Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona, disclosed this while addressing over one thousand stakeholders of Assa and Obile autonomous communities in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of the state, who came on a solidarity march to the Government House. He charged the leaders of town unions in the state to run an inclusive government.

Irona explained that the present administration in the state is taking steps towards returning government to the people, even as he urged them to remain law abiding.

Earlier in his speech, President General

of Assa Autonomous Community, Barr.

Uyaeme Promise Chinedu, said they were at the Government House to express their gratitude to the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha for checking criminality in the area, assuring the government of their continued support.

Also speaking, Festus Ogbonna of Obile Autonomous community distanced the two communities from a recently sponsored protest against the setting up of a caretaker committee in the two committees, even as they passed a vote of confidence on the Governor Emeka Ihediohaled administration in the state.

“Our area has never had electricity, but, in less than six months of the present administration, Imo State Government, through the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has commenced the process of giving us electricity.

Before now, we were living in fear, following the activities of bandits, but, today, the

•Ihedioha state government has arrested the situation and normalcy has been restored in our area”, he said.

19

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

•Energy

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•Aviation

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Border closure: Inflation, hunger defeat objectives

•Tourism

Energy

Seplat still bullish on growth agenda

P23

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China rolls out 5G services in race to narrow tech gap P27 AVIATION

• Border closure

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

N

igeria’s notorious title of World’s poverty capital has been amplified by the prevailing harsh economic realities imposed by government’s closure of the nation’s key land borders and the consequent acute shortage of consumer goods in the country.

From crushing hardship facing poor masses to business shock that has befallen small and medium enterprises in the informal sector, The Oracle Today reports, the border closure has exposed strategy flaws and government’s inefficiency in addressing systemic ineptitude. And a spate of public outcry from organized private sector, the academia and investor groups also exposed lack of consultation with key stakeholders in deploying the measure.

Comptroller-General of the Customs Service, Hameed Ali, had explained that the borders were closed to stem the influx of smuggled goods, especially rice and tomatoes, into the country. He pointed out that the border closure has significantly increased revenue from import duties.

Unfortunately, the closure came pointedly at the approach of the Christmas and New Year celebrations when the targeted food items are traditionally at high demand. The measure has thus inadvertently created internal scarcity and even made smuggling of the items more

lucrative.

The border closure in a country that depends on imported commodities to sustain its large population expectedly pulled off a chain of poverty triggers in the economy: sparking off galloping inflation; neutralizing micro, small and medium scale enterprises that that engage millions of young Nigerians in informal employment; breaking regional supply chains; and creating acute internal commodity shortages.

Since the borders, especially the Seme route that links other West African countries, were closed, there has been jumps and sustained increases in food prices, forcing more Nigerians with meager income to spend more on food and also driving greater number of the vulnerable into abject poverty.

Since the border close came into effect, the country’s inflation rate has assumed galloping dimension rising to 2019 high of 11.24% in September. Ad official statistics showed that the new inflation rate is driven mainly by sharp increases in food prices. And prices have been on the rise as the Yuletide season approaches.

According to Chair of the Economics Department at Allegheny College, Professor Stephen Onyeiwu, “If the closure persists and causes sustained increases in food prices, Nigeria could see more people driven into poverty. This would result in an increase in the country’s poverty rate of about 50%. The potential to disrupt

CBN Exchange Rates As At Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Currency Buying(₦) US DOLLAR 305.95 POUNDS STERLING 395.3792 EURO 341.6238 SWISS FRANC 309.7287 YEN 2.8216 CFA 0.5005 WAUA 421.5981 YUAN/RENMINBI 43.5166 RIYAL 81.5801 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 20.6724 DANISH KRONA 45.7174 SDR 422.211

Central (₦) 306.45 396.0253 342.1821 310.2349 2.8262 0.5105 422.2871 43.5882 81.7135 20.7062 45.7921 422.901

Selling(₦) 306.95 396.6715 342.7404 310.741 2.8309 0.5205 422.9761 43.6598 81.8468 20.74 45.8668 423.591

the economic lifelines of many traders who depend on legitimate crossborder trade is real.”

Prof Onyeiwu also pointed at informal job losses that could exacerbate poverty with border closure. He argues that “thousands of Nigerians, especially women, engage in buying and selling of consumer goods around the border areas. They buy at low prices in one country and sell at higher prices in another. Black market foreign exchange dealers thrive at border posts.

“For a country with limited employment opportunities in the formal sector, the informal activities along the borders are instrumental for the survival of many poor Nigerians. The inability of the formal sector to absorb a growing labour force, coupled with a freeze in public-sector employment under recent economic reforms, has resulted in a bloated informal sector.

This is estimated to be about 65% of the country’s GDP – the largest informal sector in sub-saharan Africa.”

Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Timothy Olawale, while commenting on the border closure, urged the government to take broader look at the fundamentals of its assumptions that led to the decision to close the borders. He also urged government not to stifle legitimate businesses because of the inefficiency of the customs service to keep the borders safe.

He demanded government to ensure that the citizens’ welfare and businesses are not sacrificed for inefficiency in our border policing, arguing that coordination of fiscal policies should be geared toward enterprise competitiveness, job creation and alleviating poverty against impoverishing the people by such policies of government.

“Despite the many merits that come with the border-closure, we are concerned that the policy comes without any palliative for legitimate local businesses which negate the attempts at alleviating poverty and reduce unemployment. The continuous closure also possesses the capacity to render many Nigerians jobless and hungry.

He faulted the policy as more consistent with income generation and in disagreement with the harsh effect it has on households, businesses and investors’ confidence in general.

Mr Olawale pointed out that “since the advent of this policy, prices of goods, especially food items have increased tremendously, further making the average Nigerian vulnerable as 70 per cent of poor households budget is spent on food.”

“Government’s fiscal and monetary policies should focus on sustainable enterprise, job creation and rapid economic development premised on wide-range consultation with critical stakeholders,” Olawale said.

Air navigation: NAMA sets up planning unit to domesticate ICAO concepts P26 Equity & Capital Market

Dangote Sugar proposes merger with Savannah Sugar CompanyP29 Money Market

UBA commits to creating superior value for customers P30

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AS AT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 05, 2019

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

26,375.35 3,091.00 304,279,459.00 N3,993,693,638.21 N12,839,408,341,418.61 N12,661,960,914,134.70 N6,352,681,911.37

Top 5 Trades S/N Coy 1. LAWUNION 2. UBA 3. ZENITHBANK 4. GUARANTY 5. GUINNESS

5 Top Gainers

Symbols STANBIC ETI FBNH ACCESS ZENITHBANK

Last Close N37 N6.5 N5.3 N8.1 N17.15

Current Change %Change N39 2 5.41% N7 0.5 7.69% N5.5 0.2 3.77% N8.3 0.2 2.47% N17.35 0.2 1.17%

5 Top Losers (By Volume) Value(N) 70,397,734 N29,571,097.64 51,830,406 N335,444,405.80 50,428,941 N877,045,595.25 26,018,921 N678,026,322.10 18,823,653 N438,575,669.40

NESTLE N1199.9 N1150 -49.9 MTNN N125.55 N124 -1.55 GUINNESS N23.85 N23.3 -0.55 UAC-PROP N1.07 N0.97 -0.1 HONYFLOUR N1.04 N0.98 -0.06

-4.16% -1.23% -2.31% -9.35% -5.77%

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

Probing NDDC

F

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

20

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ollowing persistent outcries over Lagos, Abuja and other cities. Consetrillion in contracts awarded, expressing alleged non-performance of the Niquently, the Niger Delta is littered with hope that the forensic audit would help ger Delta Development Commission barely started projects, even as some to uncover how the debts were incurred.

(NDDC), President Muhammadu Buhari contractors have received full payments “It is these phantom contractors that are has ordered a forensic audit of the opfor them. Crooked politicians, especially preaching and making noise to stop the erations of the commission. The audit is those from the nine Niger Delta states, probe. All they want is for the stealing to expected to cover the operations of the feel they are entitled to something from continue,” Ojougboh said. “Our job is to NDDC from inception. Although it was the honey pot. make sure that we avail the auditors all established in 2000, it started working On the other hand, however, the managethe necessary documents and informain 2001. ment staff of the NDDC has, over the tion, all the necessary help they need, The NDDC has, over the years, been acyears, complained that the interventionbecause we are not protecting any intercused of endemic corruption in its ist agency is underfunded, since it does est but to help the auditors do their job as activities along with endless internal not get its full allocation as prescribed by it is required.” squabbles. The projects it has executed law.

We hope Ojougboh has spoken for the IMC. in the Niger Delta do not justify its anA “forensic probe” of NDDC’s activities is The committee should try to keep its nual budget of N300 billion. The Niger therefore a step in the right direction. At promise. Let the audit uncover the culprits Delta states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayela time agitations for resource control or and let them face justice. If experience is sa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo justice for the goose that lays the golden anything to go by, probes rarely achieve and Rivers. egg have become strident, derailing of much in Nigeria because of so many hidThe allegations are many: Powerful inNDDC’s mandate of developing the reden interests. Often, the reports of individuals have been treating NDDC as gion would be a calamity. vestigative panels are left in the archives. their ATM. Some of its workers are President Buhari had, in August, approved At times, another panel is appointed to owed 15 years’ salary arrears. Some a new 16-man board for the commission. probe the first panel. genuine contractors have not been paid To create an “enabling environment” This one should be different. And all eyes for more than 10 years. Contracts are for the audit, however, the minister of and ears are anxious to see and hear the hawked in the streets of Port Harcourt, Niger Delta affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has outcome of the NDDC probe in the near named a three-man future. committee to overOur Vision see the manageTO BE among the top five newspapers ment of the comin Nigeria and, in due course, the Nummission: Gbene Joi ber One; to be a newspaper of records is the new acting that effectively caters to the informamanaging director; tion needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all soCairo Ojougboh, cial classes and cultures. Essentially, we acting executive want to be a responsible corporate citdirector, projects; izen, a commercially viable, properly orand Ibanga Bassey, ganised media business, which meets its acting executive obligations to society, government and director, finance and administration. the workforce.

They are to disMission charge their duties WE INTEND to contribute to the devel”without fear or opment of an inclusive Nigerian society, favour”. with a view to getting rid of the dark Recent revelations sides of our national life such as slothfulby a member of the ness, greed, corruption, nepotism and totalitarianism, among several others. interim manageWe will strive to continually engender ment committee and sustain national debates that would (IMC), Ojougboh, ultimately lead to the enthronement are instructive. He of healthy national values--to wit, hardsaid that an unwork, justice, equity and fair-play, transnamed senator parency and good governance, resultwas handling 300 ing in the egalitarian Nigerian society of of the NDDC’s jobs, our dream. and that 120 of the We will give voice to the voiceless and, contracts have at all times, strive to be balanced, objecbeen paid for, even tive, honest, truthful and fair to all sides so that through The Oracle Today, our though the “conpeople, the Nigerian people, can see a tractor” has not mobilised to site for bright light at the end of what has been these 120. He added a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses that the commisgood intentions. sion is owing N3

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

OPINION

S’Court verdict and PDP’s disorientation S

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

hock and disbelief, then criticism, swept through the camp of the opposition on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, following the Supreme Court judgement in the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Whether it’s for real or mere pretence, the opposition expressed bewilderment that despite the “indisputable evidence” it adduced, and the brilliance of its presentation, the court dismissed the appeal for “lacking in merit.”

Did Atiku and PDP actually think that the Supreme Court would upturn the well-founded judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which dismissed, in its entirety, the petitions filed against the declaration and return of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23, 2019, poll?

Perhaps, they were gambling, and hoping for a “miracle” to turn, in their favour, the PEPT verdict that’s unanimous on the five grounds they pleaded for determination.

However, delivering the lead judgement, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, said he and members of the panel had read, for two weeks, the documents and exhibits filed in the case, and found the appeal “lacking in merit.”

The six members unanimously consented to the judgement given in less than an hour after the court took arguments on the 66 grounds of appeal filed on September 23.

The appellants had prayed the court to reverse the return of President Buhari, and declare Atiku as the victor in the election, or order a re-run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Failing to get their prayers, they blamed the Judiciary for being hijacked and emasculated by

Buhari, who, coincidentally, the apex court’s decision favoured in the February poll.

Leading the pack, as usual, at throwing mud at the Judiciary, was the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), spearheaded by Imo Ugochinyere.

The CUPP and its mouthpiece have been unrestrained in levying bogus and unsubstantiated allegations against institutions of government that have anything to do with elections in Nigeria.

Sadly, Atiku, a former Vice President, who’s a beneficiary of the same court in the 2007 general election, joined the fray, describing the Judiciary as being “sabotaged and undermined by an overreaching and dictatorial cabal.”

In other words, he’s accusing the court of doing the bidding of the Buhari government, by not properly evaluating the evidence and submissions of the appellants both at the PEPT (Appeal Court) and the instant court.

But holding brief for the PDP, its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who has lately taken the back seat in the face of the burgeoning CUPP headhunter, was measured in his reaction.

“What we witnessed today (Wednesday) was not what majority of Nigerians, who participated and observed the presidential election, expected; and this includes even members of the APC,” he said.

“The PDP notes that it, indeed, made a solid case, with indisputable evidence, showing that Atiku Abubakar won the presidential election, and as such, is surprised that the justices of the Supreme Court held otherwise; however, that is the highest court of the land.”

Similarly, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, would rather leave the matter in the hands of God, “the ultimate Judge,” even as he thanked Nigerians for their

“support for PDP, for your commitment to democracy.”

To him, “Nigerians know that you voted PDP; even APC knows that you rejected them on February 23, 2019. The international community knows you voted for PDP. If the Supreme Court of seven justices says otherwise, leave it to God, the ultimate Judge.”

Yet, nothing could sober the CUPP, represented by Ugochinyere, who spewed diatribes.

Since forming alliance with the PDP ahead of the 2019 polls, the group has levied fathom allegations against President Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC), INEC, security agencies, and the Judiciary.

Particularly in the lead-up to the petitions, and appeal by Atiku and PDP, the CUPP regularly raised “alarms” over “uncovered plans” to manipulate the system, to favour Buhari and the APC. It orchestrated the recusing of the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, from heading, and participating in the PEPT, on the grounds that she’s likely to influence the composition of the panel, and its final decision.

The CUPP also maligned Justice Mohammed, as a “handpick” of President Buhari to replace former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who’s forced to retire for alleged official misconduct.

In that regard, it repeatedly claimed a “plot”

by Justice Mohammed to also handpick, “without regard to tradition,” the members that would hear the appeal by Atiku and PDP. It called for empaneling of the members “by seniority,” and the list accordingly published in advance of the sitting of the Supreme Court on the matter.

Thus, its mind made up about a potential bias by the Supreme Court, it’s no surprise that the CUPP came out swinging, blasting the institution as having “murdered the hope of Nigerians

for a better life, and betrayed the country with the hurried affirmation of President Buhari’s election.”

It reminded Nigerians of its earlier revelation about the “plan” by Buhari to “write the results” of the February 23 poll for the INEC to announce, and by inference, for the courts to endorse, as the product of the balloting.

But the poser: Wasn’t this the same CUPP that accused Justice Mohammed of a sinister motive, for “delaying” to constitute the appeals panel, to frustrate the timely disposal of the matter? So, what’s its problem with the quick resolution of the case?

The issue shouldn’t be the “haste” to dispose of the appeal, but on whether the Supreme Court did “substantial justice” to the causes brought before it, to satisfy the expectations of the people, and for the decision to serve as an enduring precedent!

It’s gladdening for Atiku to come around, and acknowledge that the “Supreme Court is not final because it is infallible, but that it is infallible because it is final,” and that the judicial route he chose to take, as a democrat, “has come to a conclusion.”

What he and others crave is for Nigerians to decide “whether justice was done,” as, in his words, “only Nigerians are infallible in our democracy,” and “only God is infallible everywhere.”

Still, it’s Atiku, PDP and its coalition partners’ right to criticise the judgement, but they have to accept the reality. The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for electoral matters in Nigeria; the zenith of all legal struggles; and the end of the political road for them in 2019.

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

Tippy Tap and Mrs Ugwuanyi’s traducers

By CHUKWUDI NYIA

O

N October 15, 2019, Amechi, Awkunanaw in Enugu South Local Government Area hosted Her Excellency Monica Ugwuanyi, the wife of the State Governor. It was a visit that suddenly shot the sleepy town of Amaechi into the focus of social media. The intense glare of the social media on the visit of Her Excellency was obviously for the wrong reasons as it turned out, but Amechi could actually do with more of such visits.

Mrs Ugwuanyi had visited Amechi, one of 10 communities in the local government area. The visit was under the auspices of her nonprofit organization, Ugo Touch Of Life Foundation, (UTOLF); and in response to the Global Hand Washing campaign.

The Global Handwashing Day is an annual global event that is dedicated to the pursuit of the ideals of improvements in personal hygiene and general cleanliness. As the name implies, it is simply a campaign to promote hand washing; effectively washing the hands with soap is an affordable way of preventing diseases and saving lives.

The global campaign started since 2008, was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership, “and is an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.”

Since it started 11 years ago, billions of children around the world have washed their hands every October 15, in over 80 countries, including Nigeria.

Last October 15, children from Amechi Primary School, joined their mates elsewhere in the world to wash their hands with soap and water.

Mrs Ugwuanyi and her NGO brought the word to those children, who most likely, do not have the habit of washing their hands with soap and water before eating their snacks or lunch at school. And if they had the awareness, it is possible that the school doesn’t have even a source of water. One interesting aspect of the Global Handwashing Day is that community leaders and national leaders have used the occasion to erect sinks and tippy taps, to demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands.

The Global Handwashing Day has definitely come to stay; it is endorsed by governments, civil society organizations and nonprofit organizations, international institutions, corporate

bodies and even individuals.

There is no doubt that the pupils of Amechi Primary School were oblivious of the rants on social media. For them and their parents, what was more important was the reinforcement of the habit of hand washing and the health implications. The hand washing campaign and the creative Tippy Tap wasn’t a project. It was another example of the concern of Her Excellency in bettering the lives of the people. The welfare of families have become her concern. Her identification with advocacies and campaigns that touch the lives of people have endeared her to families, women and children in the state.

This is not a response to the uninformed comments and criticisms that trailed her visit to Amechi Primary School, which symptomatic of the times.

As one of those who ensured that the visit was made to the Amechi Primary School, I was looking at the children, our future, the next generation of leaders. In that school were future governors, senators, local government chairmen, mothers and fathers. They no doubt need to understand that it takes people of concern to change things around them; they need to know that those with their future in mind are around them and such concerns and initiatives do not come in well packaged multi million naira projects as many of the advocates on social media believed.

A sleepy town like Amechi is faced with quiet concerns. Washing of hands might not be a big deal in the metropolis, but it might be in a rural area. Hygiene is an issue because improper disposal of human feaces is a common source of diarrhea, typhoid, gastro-enteric infections amongst others. The hand is the part of the body that comes in contact with human faeces and will most likely cause an infection to our body if it is not washed with soap and water.

An unwashed dirty hand is as much a danger to the body as a vision-less leadership is in the grassroots. It becomes more worrisome when we realise that those who are busy criticizing Mrs Ugwuanyi’s participation in a global advocacy were those who were supposed to know better. The Tippy Tap is creative technology and not rocket science; the sort of leadership the people need is one that recognizes their immediate needs and offers it with the minimal fuss in recognition of the circumstances of the people. The pupils in Amaechi Primary School

might not have access to reticulated water, but today, they have the awareness to wash their hands. It is how big things start: small.

The Tippy Tap is an euphemism for awareness of life saving principles. We need leaders in Enugu South Local Government Area and Amechi community to adopt the principle of Tippy Tap in grassroots governance.

Respiratory tract and diarrhea like infections are the two biggest killers of children in developing countries and the only way of abating it is through a populace sensitized on a regular hand washing tradition with soap. These are the issues an enlightened populace will take away from the Global Hand Washing advocacy

by Mrs. Ugwuanyi.

Discerning members of the society will understand that Her Excellency and UTOLF made a positive intervention in governance by organising a campaign on preventive medicine rather than curative medicine that is our business as usual.

Today, it is obvious that the psyche of the average Nigerian is designed to see elephant sized structures as an indices for success and development.

Beside the Amechi Primary School is a giant overhead tank with perhaps a capacity for thousands of litres of water. There is maybe a borehole or a source of water. That’s certainly good intentions; but to the best of my knowledge, that overhead tank does not function.

The culture of Tippy Tap is a culture where simple things simply work. That’s our advocacy.

To Her Excellency, I ask for one thing: Please forgive your traducers for they know not what they were saying. I thank you and UTOLF for gracing my community with the Global Hand Washing campaign. We promise you the simple act of hand washing will lead to other good habits in the lives of out children. For one, we look to see a reduced queue at the sick bays.

We look to see more hand washing centers in the village squares and family compounds. I need not restate the fact that the impact of the October 15, 2019 campaign is positively reverberating in Amechi Awkunanaw. The wind will certainly carry the good news beyond Amechi to other communities in Enugu South Local Government Area.

There are a lot of positives to take from the uninformed criticisms. One is that the hand washing awareness has heightened in Amechi

and beyond and those who had hitherto ignored the advocacy of UTOLF are having second thoughts. Incidentally, on a rather very personal note, some friends and kinsmen in the diaspora, who were shocked by the bashing, and after proper enlightenment, have pledged to contribute their quota to the ideals of UTOLF. While we in Amechi Awkunanaw, implore you to come again with your organization, we ask that the Almighty God hear the prayers of those innocent children and strengthen you.

•Nyia a legal practitioner writes from Enugu.

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

22

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

BUSINESS

Ecobank Chief advises bankers to unite for economic growth Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

T

he Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr. Ade Ayeyemi has called on workers in the Nigerian banking industry (bankers) to work together to support the development of the economy of Nigeria.

Ayeyemi who was speaking in response to questions from newsmen during the conferment of Honorary Fellow on him and some astute bankers by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos added that there is also need to build capacity of people within the banking industry to be able to understand what needs to be done and to support the Nigerian government in doing the right things.

The Chief Executive Officer emphasized that the Nigeria economy is not growing as much as it should and banks need to be able to participate by lending to the economy to grow and also to support the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to succeed in driving monetary policies for economic growth.

He said “people that borrow need to pay back, because when they don’t pay back, they make it difficult for the bank to continue to lend in the future; they are taking away those opportunities of young people who are entitled to financial institutions to lend to them. Those people who have borrowed need to pay back, so that people who are coming

L-R: Chief Emeka Anyaoku, chairman of event; uche Olowu president and chairman of council CIBN; Ade Ayeyemi, CEO Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Seye Awojobi Registrar CIBN during the conferment of Honorary Fellow of the CIBN on Ayeyemi. behind them will have the same opportunity”.

However, Ayeyemi noted that the prospects and opportunity for the Nigerian economy to get to the peak is very bright.

He declared that the country has a large population, they also have one of the largest market, we have people that are intelligent, we need to be able to convert those opportunities

to real outcomes and that is why I said, the banking industry is important, but the people who are borrowing need to be diligent in paying back, not paying back is not a good business”. He stressed.

He argued that any money that is denied or not payed back on time, is money denied permanently, just like justice delayed is justice denied. Money

delayed in paying back is money denied as well.

The CIBN had at the event conferred honorary Fellow on successful Nigerians in the banking industry both locally and internationally; these include Professor Benedict Oramah, President, Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM); Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of First Bank Nigeria Limited; Dr Mahmoud

Isa-Dutse, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance; Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, CEO Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

Others were Mr. Abba Bello, MD Nigeria Export - Import Bank (NEXIM) and Mr. Bakary Jammeh, Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia amongst others.

Risk: Uduk urged investors to diversify investments in capital mark

T

he Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk has advised investors in the capital market to diversify their investment portfolio in order to mitigate risk.

Uduk who was speaking at a one-day enlightenment programme for the Nigerian Army Ordinance School, Ojo Cantonment, Lagos,last weekend, said, , “Investment in the Nigerian capital market, just as in any other capital market across the

world is a mixed bag of fortunes. A smart investor is expected to have this consciousness at the back of his mind at all times, even as he wades into the market, to pick his choice instruments or instrument of investments”.

She said that there were good opportunities to achieve decent returns on investment in the market and urged investors to seek knowledge before investing She explained that an investment portfolio connotes a mixed bag

of investment instruments such as shares and bonds adding that investment in mutual funds had continued to be a worthwhile investment in the recent time.

The Acting DG said the Commission has a number of initiatives that have been put in place to boost investors’ confidence.

“We have the E-Dividend mandate system, the Direct Cash Settlement as well as multiple subscription in place. Investors have to take ownership of their

investments. They have to be able to monitor their investments, attend Annual General Meetings as well as read the annual reports sent out to them.

“We also protect them through the National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF) Risk Based supervision that enables us to supervise the operators to ensure that they do not do what they are not supposed to do. And again the Complaints Management Framework enables investors to know where to complain

to and how long it takes for such complaints to be resolved” she added.

However, Uduk said that an investor must be smart to avoid some obvious mistake which could lead to capital erosion through mixed bag of investment.

She was represented by the Head Lagos Zonal Office of the SEC, Mr. Stephen Falomo, said that investors must learn to invest in various asset classes to mitigate risks and exposure.

IOSCO to consider risks, benefits of stable coin initiatives

T

he International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is to consider the risks and benefits arising from ‘stablecoin’ initiatives with a potential global reach (Global stablecoins), and how securities market regulation may apply to such initiatives.

This was the focus of its Board at a meeting held on October 30, 2019 in Madrid-Spain. During the meeting , IOSCO examined a number of initiatives.

The IOSCO Board acknowledges that stablecoins can potentially offer benefits to market participants, consumers and investors. However, it is also aware of potential risks in a number of areas, including consumer protection, market integrity, transparency, conflicts of interest and financial crime, as well as potential systemic risks.

To support its discussions, the IOSCO FinTech Network produced

an assessment for the Board of how IOSCO Principles and Standards could apply to global stablecoin initiatives.

The detailed assessment concluded that a case-by-case approach is needed to establish which IOSCO Principles and Standards, and national regulatory regimes, would apply.

A detailed understanding of how the particular proposed stablecoin is expected to operate is therefore needed, including the rights and obligations it confers on participants and the continuing obligations of the sponsor.

Ashley Alder, Chair of the IOSCO Board, said: “Our analysis has shown that so-called ‘stablecoins’ can include features that are typical of regulated securities. This means IOSCO Principles and Standards may apply to stablecoins depending on how they are structured, including those related to disclosure,

registration, reporting and liability for sponsors and distributors.

Global Stablecoin initiatives are rightly subject to significant international and public scrutiny.

We agree with the recent G20 press release that global stablecoins with potential systemic footprints give rise to a set of serious public policy and regulatory risks. We therefore encourage international collaboration, so the risks relating to stablecoins can be identified and mitigated, and the potential benefits realised. The recent G7 Report outlined a number of concerns and IOSCO will participate fully in the Financial Stability Board’s follow-up work, working closely with other standard setting bodies to ensure a coordinated response.

It is important that those seeking to launch stablecoins, particularly proposals with potential global scale, engage openly and constructively

with all relevant regulatory bodies where they may be seeking to operate.

In addition to supporting the work of the FSB, the IOSCO FinTech Network will continue its assessment and consideration of global stablecoin initiatives. The Network will also facilitate information sharing between securities market regulators on such proposals.”

IOSCO is the leading international policy forum for securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for securities regulation.

The organization’s membership regulates more than 95% of the world’s securities markets in more than 115 jurisdictions and it continues to expand.

The IOSCO Board is the governing and standard-setting body of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), and is made up of 34 securities

regulators. Mr. Ashley Alder, the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong, is the Chair of the IOSCO Board. The members of the IOSCO Board are the securities regulatory authorities of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Ontario, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (both the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). The Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the Chair of IOSCO´s Affiliate Members Consultative Committee are also observer

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

ENERGY

Dr. ABC Orjiako

Mr. Austin Avuru

Seplat still bullish on growth agenda …$29m interim dividend for shareholders

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

I

ndigenous integrated petroleum player, Seplat, remains focused on its aggressive growth programme despite unmet revenue expectations imposed by less than expected production volumes and dips in oil prices in the first three quarters of the year.

The company reported that its revenue for the nine months slipped by $73 million from $568 million in 2018 to $495 million. It explained that the figures reflect lower production and sales yearon-year together with lower price realizations of $64.22 per barrel ($64.22/bbl) and $2.8 per million standard cubic feet ($2.8/mscf) against $71.14/bbl and $3.06/mscf in 2018.

Managing Director, Mr. Austin Avuru, stated that despite lowered expectations, Seplat would continue to drive both organic and inorganic growth programmes in order to remain in track towards realization of the company’s medium to long business aspirations.

The company posted operations income of $306 million; $80 million lower than the $386 million it generated in the same period in 2018. Besides, the company’s capital expenditure also rose by $35 million from $29 million in 2018 to $64 million.

Seplat projects full year 2019 capital expenditure to reach about $120 million.

The company flaunts a healthy cash flow scenario with a $350 million gross debt for the period consisting “solely of the 2023 senior notes with undrawn headroom of $225 million available through the 2022 RCF. Cash at bank at 30 September was US$455 million resulting in a net cash position of US$105 million.”

Rising capital expenditure plus falling operating income took toll on gross profit which fell by

$41 million from $306 million in 2018 to $265 million. The figure however remains positive at 54 percent gross profit margin.

Operating profit also fell by $53 million from $264 million in 2018 to $211 million.

Seplat also listed other figures in its balances, including the “$36 million recognized within Other Income: $31 million oil underlift position and $3.0 million income generated by third party useage of the Group’s Warri pipeline; and a $5.0 million net fair value gain offset by a $40 million impairment of NPDC receivables.”

A 37 percent year-on-year reduction in finance costs buoyed profit for the period by $94 million from $91 million in 2018 to $185 million. The leap, according to Seplat, reflects de-leveraging of the balance sheet early in the year when the outstanding balance on the 2022 RCF was ultimately reduced to zero.

Seplat declared that total gas revenue for the period is $172 million, comprising gas sales of $105 million and tolling fees of $67 million.

“Gas sales reflect lower than expected gas production owing to constrained production from the Oben-47 well and delay in completing the Oben-48 gas well,” it explained.

Seplat slashed its full year output projections, stating, “full year average working interest production guidance has consequently been revised downwards to 45,000 boepd to 48,000 boepd (from 49,000 boepd to 55,000 boepd), comprising 23,000 to 25,000 bopd liquids and 128 to 133 MMscfd gas.”

In maintaining its commitment to growth agenda, the company stated that its recent £382 million cash acquisition of Eland Oil and Gas Plc, delivery of its Assah North and Ohaji (ANOH) gas project, and activation of drilling campaign in operated acreages would create

more value opportunities for shareholders going forward.

The company lowered its cash income expectations for the year but remains bullish on its parallel asset growth strategies designed to guarantee sustainability of operations and long term commercial returns.

In the nine month result which holds $29 million (N10.44 billion) interim dividend for shareholders, Seplat declared that lower revenues imposed by less than expected production volumes, drop in oil price, and delays in production enhancement programmes delivered no dent on solid growth projections.

Mr. Avuru said “2019 so far has seen us make significant progress towards furthering our ambitious growth strategy. Our core business remains highly cash generative and with four rigs now operational in the field we expect to quickly regain momentum.

This is reflected in our decision to declare an interim dividend of US$29 million.”

He listed greenfield ANOH gas and condensate development project and acquisition of LSE listed Eland Oil and Gas Company Plc as other major strides Seplat has made in driving its growth agenda.

“We have set the next major growth phase of our gas business in motion having taken FID for the large scale ANOH gas and condensate development to position us as Nigeria’s largest supplier of processed gas to the domestic market.

The Oracle Today reports that Seplat and partners took the final investment decision (FID) on the large scale ANOH gas and condensate development last March. The first phase of the project comprises midstream gas processing development with capacity for 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd).

The ANOH project is a joint venture between Seplat and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). The two main partners in the projects are equal stakeholders in the ANOH Gas Processing Company (“AGPC”) established to operated the venture.

Seplat and NPDC have already contributed equity investment of $150 million each to AGPC; and Seplat stated that “final equity injection of $120 million expected in Q4 and funding discussions have progressed with prospective bank lenders and relevant advisors, in anticipation of debt funding being in place in H1 2020 in advance of the time that such funds are needed to meet project costs.”

ANOH project is billed for commissioning by first quarter of 2021; and Seplat states that key regulatory, commercial and engineering work streams run on schedule.

“In another major step, and in line with our overall growth strategy, we have made a strong statement of intent by becoming the first Nigerian company to undertake a public market acquisition of a London Stock Exchange listed company, and in doing so highlighted our ambitions to be a consolidator within our space.”

Mr. Avuru explained that in addition to its organic growth agenda, acquisition of Eland Plc further would provide additional basis for reserves and production growth, value generation and enhanced commercial returns for the company’s shareholders.

He pointed out that the Eland acquisition would boost Seplat’s opportunity to accelerate growth from a new asset base.

Pointing at prospects of successful acquisition, Mr Avuru stated that “the enlarged asset base will enhance our inventory of production, development, appraisal and exploration

opportunities and enable us to ensure capital continues to be deployed to the most value creative opportunities for shareholders.”

He added that acquisition of Eland “is a logical continuation of our business model and represents a rare opportunity to secure a well run asset base that lies firmly within our core geographical area of focus and expertise. Following completion, the enlarged asset base will enhance our inventory of production, development, appraisal and exploration opportunities and enable us to ensure capital continues to be deployed to the most value creative opportunities for shareholders.”

The Oracle Today reports that the boards of Seplat and Eland had announced separately last October that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Eland by Seplat.

The Acquisition expected to complete by year end values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Eland at approximately £382 million on a fully diluted basis, and Eland’s shareholders have already issued Seplat irrevocable undertakings that stand at 60.92 percent.

Seplat stated that it intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of existing cash and new $350 million acquisition bridge facility put in place to meet the acquisition cost upon completion.

“Seplat believes the combination will leverage Seplat’s core production and development expertise to capture potential upsides and increase growth and profitability.

The combined business will have greater scale in production and reserves and should create longterm value for stakeholders,” the company explained.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

ENERGY

I

Lekoil stakes more in OPL 310 license

ndigenous Independent upstream petroleum player, Lekoil, is putting additional $11.5 million or N4.14 billion on the table to retain its operating license and other interests in oil prospecting lease (OPL) 310 acreage.

The company declared in a statement that it drew funding from various sources to meet its license extension obligation to regulators, pay up outstanding arrears and take part of the operator’s fees hanging on its partners in the block.

According to LEKOIL’s CEO, Lekan Akinyanmi, partners in the asset are working to derive value from the block and reward all stakeholders.

“We are pleased with the positive momentum being created with our partner Optimum and the Federal Government of Nigeria in taking the Block forward. We continue to expect to unlock significant value in this asset for all stakeholders involved, who we thank for their

patience and support,” he said.

The company explained that it paid the $7.5 million license extension fee announced in September for OPL 310 “as mandated by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

“The company funded this payment from a mix of existing financial resources and debt facilities.”

In addition, LEKOIL also said it paid the full balance of “outstanding G&A arrears of approximately $3 million together with $1 million of the $5 million Operator’s fee due to its partner on the Block, Optimum Petroleum Development Company, as announced on August 30.”

The company expects to fund the balance of the fee or $4.0 million from a combination of existing financial resources and a potential funding partner, it said. It had previously announced that the balance would be due by February 2, 2020.

Representative of the NNPC GMD and Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services, Engr. Farouk Sa’id (2nd from right), displaying one of the bids during the public opening of bids for the financing and redevelopment of OML 119. With him are the Group General Manager, Supply Chain Management, Mr. Abdulhamid Aliyu (3rd from left) and representatives of some of the bidding companies.

FG leans on Dangote for 1.495 mbd refinery capacity

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

Africa Oil alone in $1.5 bn Nigerian assets deal

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wo major parts of the foreign consortium seeking to buy the commercial interests of Petrolio Brasiliero also called Petrobras in three major Nigerian deepwater producing fields have pulled out of the deal, leaving Africa Oil to pursue the opportunity alone.

The Petrobras Africa assets include an 8 percent interest in OML 127, which includes Agbami, and 16 percent interest in OML 130, which contains Akpo and Egina. A Chevron affiliate operates OML 127, while Total affiliates operate OML 130.

Akpo produces 130,000 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate, while Egina, which started last year, will produce roughly 200,000 bpd.

Agbami, with 240,000 bpd of light, sweet crude, is the most prized part of the asset.

According to a report monitored online, oil trading firm, Vitol, and foreign independent, Delonex Energy, have pulled out from the lingering transaction despite recovering oil prices and excellent production profile of the producing deepwater assets.

The Oracle Today gathered that Vitol is dumping the deal after it discovered that it might not have direct access to its equity production.

However, Vancouver-based Africa Oil said it would conclude the $1.5 billion acquisition.

Chief Executive, Keith Hill,

said Africa Oil would complete the acquisition and work with Petrobras and all stakeholders to accomplish the transaction.

Africa Oil said the deal will go ahead under the previously agreed terms. It has agreed a $250 million loan facility with BTG Pactual and will fund the rest with available cash.

BTG, Brazil’s largest independent investment bank, owns the other 50 percent stake in Petrobras Africa, whose core assets are stakes in offshore fields that produce Nigerian oil grades Agbami, Egina and Akpo..

A source close to Vitol said the deal was taking too long to close, including the wait for necessary clearances from Brazilian and Nigerian officials.

Two sources close to the deal also said Vitol soured on it in part because it would not have got physical oil cargoes from it. “At the end of the day, it was a non-core business for Vitol, so they walked away,” one source said.

David Round, E&P analyst with BMO Capital Markets, said despite Vitol’s exit, it remains an attractive deal.

“Africa Oil’s decision to become sole acquirer (and ability to fund) illustrates the impressive level of cash generation from the assets, although we expect the market to remain cautious as completion is still pending after 12 months,” Round said.

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ederal government is riding on the momentum spurred by the successful Dangote Refinery project to mass up total internal refining capacity to 1.495 million barrels per day and transform the country into a regional exporter of petroleum products.

The plan includes building two new 200,000 barrels per day condensate refineries, rehabilitation of existing 445,000 barrels per day government refineries, and expected commissioning of the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Silva, who led a delegation of to officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to inspect the ongoing Dangote refinery project in Lagos, said government would capture the private refinery initiative into its growth plans for internal crude oil processing.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, also stated that the corporation would act on the spur of excitement generated by the Dangote Refinery

to drive greenfield refinery projects and bronwfield plant rehabilitation programmes to boost total internal capacity beyond sufficiency.

The Oracle Today reports that NNPC has failed to rehabilitate its moribund refineries located in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt since 1999 when initial plans was launched to recovery the three refineries with total processing capacity of 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day (445,000 b/d).

Successive administrations of the federal government had failed in their pledges to revive the refineries in order to reverse the prevailing reliance on costly and corruption fraught importation of petroleum products. Lip service has been paid to the glowing economic advantages of local refining as government continued to dangle the refinery rehabilitation programme before stakeholders.

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had in 2014 berated the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to revive the refineries, and vowed to the electorate that it would restore Nigeria to the position of continental

source of petroleum products within months in power.

Chief Silva’s predecessor in office, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had boasted at assumption of office in 2015 that all the refineries would be up and running by the end of the year, mandating the respective managements of the three refining companies owned by NNPC to realize the target of have their assets sold to private investors.

Before Dr. Kachikwu was fired in June, he had announced that new target for the rehabilitation of the refineries would be 2023. He also estimated the cost of losses sustained by government in feeding the domestic fuel market via fuel importation at N1.4 trillion annually.

He ended up pointing at the Dangote refinery project as the new source of hope for the domestic fuel market.

Other numerous vain refinery initiatives enunciated by government in the past five years include brownfield plants collocation, modular refinery clusters, midstream joint ventures with local and international oil firms as well as simultaneous rehabilitation of existing plants.

Kosmos strikes find offshore E. Guinea

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overnment of Equatorial Guinea weekend announced that Kosmos Energy has made an oil discovery in the country but the reserves figures are yet to be established.

According to the statement by the government, Kosmos drilled the S-5 well to a total depth of 4,400 meters and encountered 39 meters of net oil play in the Santonian reservoir, in the offshore Rio Muni Basin.

The discovery was the first well drilled in Kosmos’ infrastructure-

led exploration (ILX) in offshore Equatorial Guinea.

The drilling of the S-5 well was accelerated following exciting 3D seismic acquired in 2018. Partners in the S-5 well include GEPetrol (20 percent), Trident Energy (40 percent) and Kosmos (40 percent).

Kosmos Energy has operated in Equatorial Guinea since 2018.

Further evaluation work is ongoing to establish the full extent of the discovered resource and determine a schedule of the development phase.

Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, stated: “We are very excited about the results of the S-5 well, the first well drilled in this ongoing exploration campaign. The discovery is a strong validation of our strategy to replace oil reserves by exploring the highly prospective oil basins like Rio Muni. We are eager to establish more oil prospects in offshore Equatorial Guinea.”

“This is good for more jobs and opportunities for our citizens and investors,” he added.

Demand for NCD spread rises amid quality concerns

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

L

egislative and industry stakeholders are mounting pressure for the Nigerian Content Development policy to be extended to all sectors of the economy, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) wants everyone to also subscribe to prevailing standards.

The development has also sparked discussions on forging partnerships and collaborations in localising major shipyards and sundry facilities capable

of taking full orders for production of heavy equipment for upstream, midstream and downstream industry operations.

In separate meetings with indigenous ship owners, legislators and oil companies, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, who has been piloting policy implementation strategies to accommodate vast stakeholder interests, received support for extension of the policy across the full spectrum of the economy.

However, he has been relentless in

pointing out that all benefits that come with the policy also demand contractors to muster good capacity and efficiency standing to be able to deliver on global industry standards and requirements.

In his meeting with Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr Wabote said NCDMB is already working with Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LACCI) to develop an oil and gas industry marine vessels standards.

He told visiting executive committee of SOAN led by the President, Dr. MK

George Onyung that the standards being evolved with the body of oil producing companies in the country would apply in marine tenders and will specify uniform technical specifications that must be met by marine vessels willing to work in the oil and gas industry.

The standards, he explained, would enhance business opportunities for marine operators and stimulate capacity building, efficient maintenance of vessels and optimum service delivery.

He added that NCDMB was desirous to promote the development

of shipyards and would collaborate with the shipowners or any group that would submit a bankable proposal on how to domicile that important capacity in-country.

The Oracle Today reports that government has achieved its first target of integrating topsides of floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in-country. Part of the topsides of Total operated Egina FPSO which went online December 2018 at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130, offshore Niger Delta was integrated in Lagos.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION NSIA Insurance prioritises professionalism –CEO

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SIA Insurance on Saturday said that prompt payment of claims remained part of the company’s commitment to customers.

NSIA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, gave the assurance in a statement in Lagos, saying the company placed high value on integrity and professionalism.

“NSIA Insurance places high value on integrity and professionalism which is why the prompt payment of claims is a part of our commitment to customers.

“Proof of this is the payment of over N679 million in 2017 and N2.4 billion in claims settlement to our clients in 2018.

“This is in keeping with

the commitment to render stellar customer service to clients and in line with our quality objectives to pay genuine claims within 48 hours following the receipt of the signed discharge voucher”, the CEO said.

According to her, NSIA has also launched a Group Life Insurance scheme which covers members of a group or organization, as either employees, club members ,society, association, church, mosque, among others.

Nwachukwu said the scheme provides financial compensation in the event of death of a member of the group.

She said Death, for this purpose, includes natural or accidental death , while the scheme operates on a 24-hour, world-wide basis.

Linkage Assurance increases ASC to N15bn

U

nderwriting firm, Linkage Assurance Plc has secured the approval of its shareholders to increase the authorized share capital (ASC) of the company from N7.5 billion to N15 billion by the creation of additional 30,000,000,000 billion ordinary shares at 50 kobo each.

Directors of the company at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting held in Lagos also secured the approval of the shareholders to raise additional equity capital up to the maximum limit of the authorized share capital, whether by way of way of special placement or public offer, right issue or other methods or combination of any of them, either locally or internationally and upon

such terms and conditions as the directors may deem fit in the interest of the company and subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.

Chairman of the company, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, addressing shareholders at the meeting said “the new share capital regime provides unique opportunity for the company to strategically position itself as a key market leader within the insurance industry”.

Fumudoh therefore assured the shareholders, that the Board and Management will utilize the additional equity capital to aggressively expand and grow the business and ensure consistent returns on investment to shareholders.

Lagos Govt pays N1.181bn into RSAs of 279 retirees Stories by VICTOR NZE

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agos State Government has disbursed the sum of N1.181billion accrued pension rights into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of another batch of

279 retirees of its civil service.

Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Mrs. Folashade Onanuga made the disclosure at the 68th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate presentation ceremony held on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja.

She affirmed that the present administration is committed to the regular payment of retirees’ benefits to ensure that beneficiaries do not undergo financial pressure after meritorious service to the State.

Onanuga assured the

retirees of the government’s interest in their wellbeing in old age, noting that the issue of backlog payments was being addressed as additional funds would soon be released in tranches for further payments.

Senate to FG: Settle N400 billion pension liability

C

hairman of the Senate Committee on Pension Matters, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau; has urged the Federal Government to pay the over N400 billion it owes pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Shekarau made the call on Friday, November 1, in Lokoja, Kogi Stae, while assessing the ongoing data capturing and verification of Federal pensioners in the state.

The verification exercise was conducted by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

Shekarau stated that the amount represented the difference of 2.5 per cent from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent; in

the contribution of the Federal Government which had accumulated over the years.

According to him, the Senate deems it necessary for the government to remit the amount now. Further, he noted that this is essential before it escalates to the level that the government would not be able to pay.

He said that the outstanding amount was one of the reasons delaying the payment of the first tranche of money; to fresh retirees under the scheme. ”Payment of pension should be in the first line charge. It should be paid before other workers receive their pay.

“We have listened to the pension bodies during budget defence. And we have taken note of the huge outstanding pension yet to be remitted by the federal government.

“We have discussed extensively and we intend to take the issue up with the Federal Government. So that the backlog is settled without further delay,” he said.

Shekarau, who is also a former Governor of Kano State, said that the pension of retirees would be reviewed upwardly in line with the new minimum wage, saying that the issue was a settled matter under the Pension Act. ”As soon as the new minimum wage comes on

board, we are ready for it and we have instructed all pension paying bodies to start calculating the increase. ”This is why we are graciously appealing to the government to pay all the backlog of unpaid pensions because as a result of the new minimum wage and new pension coming, the burden will keep growing and will be difficult for the government to pay,” he explained.

Shekarau expressed satisfaction with the verification and data capturing of retirees being carried out

by PITAD, urging pensioners under the Direct Benefit Pension Scheme to come out for the exercise.

On-demand insurance to dictate industry’s future –Research

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n - d e m a n d insurance will play a fundamental role in the future of the industry, according to research published by the International Underwriting Association (IUA).

Pay-as-you go models of cover will allow customers to automatically activate policies, when and where they need them, said the IUA, which represents the London company market.

“In the future insurance will be based around whatever you are doing. You will be in your house and your insurance will be active and when you leave your front door your premium will step up as it is now

unoccupied. You will then get into a shared economy car and your phone will interact and automatically trigger your insurance for that journey,” said Tom Chamberlain, underwriting manager General Aviation and Aerospace, London, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

In the report, he outlined how premiums will be adjusted according to data on a person’s location and activity.

“Your insurance will follow you as you go and as your activity changes. It will no longer be a manual process and could realistically work for everything you do requiring insurance,” Chamberlain explained.

From left: MD/CEO, Mr. Ebose Augustine; Chairman, Dr. Elijah Akpan; and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Ime Umoh, all of Anchor Insurance Company Limited during the Company’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held over the weekend at Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

FBN Insurance set for recapitalisation

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BN Insurance said it had enough money in its reserve to meet up with the June 2020 recapitalisation deadline given to all insurance companies by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FBN Insurance, Mr Valentine Ojumah, disclosed this in in Lagos, Monday.

“As at the end of December 2018, we already had more money in our reserve to recapitalise FBN

Insurance. As at that time, we already had over N5 billion capitalised, so all we need is just about N3 billion, which is not a problem at all.

“We are just waiting for the deadline, the money is on ground and even the regulators and the entire insurance market is aware that we have the money,” he said.

According to him, FBN Insurance is playing a very important role in the return of investment of all shareholders of First Bank holding as a

financial service group.

He said the Insurance company was moving in the right direction with an annual incremental addition to the FBN group Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC).

“We are actually the most profitable insurance company in Nigeria and that is not going to change in the near future,” Ojumah said.

The Managing Director hinted that the group had also improved its system and upgraded to the 21st century insurance technology

demand, to meet up with the needs of its customers.

It would be recalled that NAICOM, in exercise of its statutory powers and regulatory functions, on May 20, reviewed the minimum paid-up share capital requirement for all classes of insurers, that is, Insurance and Reinsurance companies.

The directive was with the exception of Takaful operators and Microinsurance companies doing business in Nigeria.

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

Travel & Hospitality

26

‘Stop charging VAT, remit consumption tax to Lagos Govt’ –Hotel association directs members

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otel Owners And Managers Association of Lagos State, the umbrella body of hotel operators in the state, has issued a directive to all its members to henceforth collect and remit the Hotel Occupancy Restaurant Consumption tax to the Lagos State Government in obedience to a recent court judgement.

The body also directed its members to stop charging Value Added Tax (VAT) in a bid to forestall the issue of double taxation.

In an advertorial issued by the Director-General of the Association, A. A Ologun to its member, the association said its decision was informed by a recent court ruling which affirmed that the only level of government that is constitutionally empowered to impose and collect taxes on goods and services consumed in Hotels, Restaurants, and allied businesses within its jurisdiction is the state government.

The statement read in part: “We wish to confirm the highlights of the judgment as follows; That the VAT Act is inconsistent with the relevant provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; That the only level of government that is constitutionally empowered to impose and collect tax on goods and services consumed in Hotels, Restaurants, and allied businesses is the state government. That the Lagos State’s Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law is valid; That the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS is perpetually stopped from enforcing the provisions of VAT Act for goods and services consumed

in hotels.

“In view of the above, we hereby urge all our members to obey the judgment and continue to collect and remit the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS and cease forthwith the implementation of VAT in their different establishment.”

TCN had earlier reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on October 3rd ruled that all hotels, restaurants and relaxation centers must henceforth remit consumption tax to the coffers of the Lagos State government.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Aikwa J, the Court dismissed the originating summons instituted by the hoteliers and resolved all the questions and reliefs in favor of the Lagos State Government.

Delivering the judgment, Aikwa held that consumption tax is not stated in either the exclusive and concurrent legislative list in the Constitution of Nigeria. As a result, the absence of consumption tax on the concurrent and exclusive lists, puts it on the residual list which is within the legislative competence of State Governments.

The court further held that the provisions of the Value Added Tax, VAT Act relating to consumption tax are inconsistent with the Nigerian constitution. As such, the Minister of Finance has corrected the anomaly by including consumption tax in the list of taxes collectible

by State Government. Thus, the responsibility for collecting consumption tax lies on the State Government.

From left: Founder and Director, Art X Lagos, Ms. Tokini Peterside; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Founder, StanbicIBTC PLC, Mr. Atedo Peterside and Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Olufunke Adebolu during the Art X Lagos 2019 VIP Opening Night Cocktail at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Friday.

NTIFE 2019: Stakeholders seek legislative framework for development of Nigeria tourism Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ourism operators in the country have called for a legislative framework to drive development in the industry in Nigeria.

The operators under the aegis of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) made this call at an event to also announce the hosting of the 2019 edition of the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), the group’s annual flagship tourism conference and exhibition.

NTIFE started in 2014, with the fifth edition of NTIFE now scheduled to hold from November 19 to 20, 2019, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

NTIFE 2019 is themed: “An insight into the legal framework of Tourism in Nigeria”.

The 2019 NTIFE Organising Committee is co-chaired by FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, who confirmed to reporters that a number of Nigeria tourism stakeholders, leading travel brands and government agencies, including Nigerian Federal and State governments, would showcase their tourism assets and destination offerings during the NTIFE event in Abuja.

It is noteworthy that in previous NTIFE events, some tourism-friendly state governments in Nigeria regularly participated in NTIFE by taking up exhibition booths to showcase tourism potentials in their states, so as to attract tourists, financial investors, and to eventually grow their internally generated revenue (IGR) base.

Speaking with tourism news men at FTAN headquarters in Abuja, Rabo stated the federation aims to use the NTIFE 2019 as platform to move for the enactment of a pro-tourism development Act of Parliament for the sector in Nigeria.

“Our primary goal with NTIFE 2019 is to get a workable consensus among Nigeria tourism stakeholders and facilitate the enactment of a pro-tourism development Act of Parliament.

Considering, the intergovernmental and tourism multi-sectoral operative native of the global Tourism industry, Nigeria needs an all-encompassing legislative framework that clearly stipulates roles and responsibilities of government and the organized private sector in Nigeria.”

“FTAN earnestly desires a nationally applicable tourism development legal instrument which respects the rights of State governments to regulate tourism in their domains, and at the same time, empowers the private sector to financially invest in Nigeria tourism development with consequential powers of administration, standardisation and regulation of tourism practice and operations in Nigeria. This is already happening in several leading tourist destinations of the world, and is long overdue in Nigeria, otherwise we would not grow the industry here. This is the thinking behind the NTIFE 2019 event theme.”

“You may recall that in 2013, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave a landmark judgement, which clearly stated that tourism, like culture, is the statutory responsibility and can only be regulated by state governments;

and not the Federal Government.

This is because tourism matters come under the Residual List of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, as amended.”

Rabo further expressed the industry’s frustration at the lack of progress in the industry before 2013 and long after, explaining that ‘Nigeria’s tourism industry has been like a rudderless ship, with the diverse tourism value-chain operators seemingly working in fiefdoms, without the much required coordination to grow the infantile tourism economy into a leading tourist destination that employs thousands of direct and indirect workers.’

“We are not contesting the Supreme Court judgement on the matter; in fact we cannot, because the Supreme Court is the final court in Nigeria. But the operational reality of tourism is that States governments alone cannot successfully administer and regulate a sustainable tourism industry. So, you see, for Nigeria tourism to grow to the extent of generating foreign revenue with measurable economic multipliereffects in rural areas, all hands must be on deck, literally.

“For tourists to be able to come to Nigeria, they would necessarily first use the services of Federal government agencies and infrastructure including visa, transportation, and national security, among others, which come under the Exclusive List of our constitution.

Furthermore, the tourist products (they are actually intangible services) that attract tourists to Nigeria are provided by the tourism private sector - most of whom are FTAN members.”

New Badagry theatre opens in December

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agos State Government has disclosed that its newly constructed theatre in Badagry will open to the public by December for use during the festive period.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Tayo Ayinde disclosed this during an inspection tour of State projects in Badagry, alongside top government officials

including Mr. Solomon Bonu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture.

Ayinde explained that the present administration is very keen on the rapid development of Badagry due to its inherent tourism potentials as well as being the gateway to Nigeria.

According to him, “The aim of the visit to Badagry is to inspect as

well as determine the status of State projects in the area. The inspection exercise would give us a firsthand experience about these projects in order for the team to properly brief the government on what needs to be done”.

The first point of call during the tour was former Lagos State VIP Charlet site in Badagry which

was demolished by the past administration for construction into a modern Five-Star Hotel.

The team also inspected the Badagry General Hospital, the ongoing road construction at Samuel Ekundayo Road along Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, the proposed site for the new Oba Akran’s Palace at Oko-Alubosa in Badagry town as

well as Marina Waterways and Jetty areas.

Also on the inspection team were the Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Olujimi Hotonu and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Seyi Whenu, amongst others.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

AVIATION

Air navigation: NAMA sets up planning unit to domesticate ICAO concepts Stories by VICTOR NZE

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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has created a National Air Navigation Planning unit geared towards overseeing the domestication and replication of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) global and regional plans for the enhancement of air navigation in the country.

The unit, the agency stated was created in a bid to facilitate the development and implementation of a National Air Navigation Plan, National Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) Plan, National Air Traffic Management Plan as well as other ICAO new concepts in Nigeria.

This is coming as the agency concludes one-week training for 20 critical personnel to run the newly created unit.

The training which was held

at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos bordered on areas such as Global Air Navigation Plan and its priorities, Global Aviation Safety Plan, Global Aviation Security Plan, National Air Navigation Plan and the National Aviation System Block Upgrade Implementation Plan.

Specifically, the training focused on ASBU Block 18 Modules some of which include Airport Collaborative Decision Making; Performance Based Navigation with Vertical Guidance; Continuous Descent Operations and Continuous Climb Operations.

Others are Surface Movement Radar and Ground Control; Arrival and Departure Management Systems, Digital Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), System Wide Information Management, Flight Information Collaborative Environment, as well as the strategic objectives of the different modules, their

applicability and cost benefit analysis.

Rationalising the training for the new unit, NAMA Director of Operations, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, who was a facilitator at the training said the job ahead of the team is “both strategic and critical, as they would be researching to define future requirements of NAMA and airspace user requirements, in order to enhance airspace capacity, air traffic management capacity, efficiency and economy and safety of flight operations.”

“If we must encourage traffic growth into our airspace, then we must develop strategic growth plans, be sensitive to airline equipage and their user requirements. We need not reinvent the wheel as ICAO has developed adequate strategies for the enhancement of capacity, safety, security, efficiency, etc.

We must therefore domesticate these global plans into national

plans for implementation in accordance with global, regional or national timelines and priorities,” Pwajok said.

He stated that the team would be required to work towards ensuring the effective implementation of the three major global plans of ICAO which are Global Air Navigation Plan, Global Aviation Safety Plan and Global Aviation Security Plan.

According to him, “ICAO is drawing global attention to emerging challenges such as cyber threats or cyber security; therefore we must develop a security plan for our Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities. If these systems are hacked, safety and security could be compromised. Thus, the air navigation planning team will work in collaboration with other agencies as the implementation of some of these ICAO concepts

requires collaboration with sister agencies, the users, the military, NCAA, and others.”

“The team will equally interrelate with some ICAO structures such as the Air Navigation Bureau (ANB), Technical Cooperation Bureau (TCB) and Air Transport Bureau (ATB), Regional Aviation Safety Group (RASG) and the AFI Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APIRG), the decision, resolution and conclusions of which impact on our services. We need a team that understands the workings of these ICAO bodies as they are the technical works of ICAO that affect us directly. Finally, the team will be expected to strategize and ensure active participation in ICAO activities, meetings, and workshops, thereby ensuring that NAMA becomes a key player in the affairs of the international body at the regional and global level,” he said.

Med-View completes aircraft check, resumes operations November

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hief Operating Officer (COO, Med-View Airlines, Mr. Michael Ajigbotoso, has disclosed that carrier which suspended flights due to maintenance checks on its fleet, will resume operations this November.

Ajigbotoso who told aviation correspondents, Thursday, in Lagos that the management was preparing to return to service operations in November, explained that the airline temporarily suspended operations due to lack of equipment, as he also assured that the management had perfected plans to return to some of its old routes in the country.

According to Ajigbotoso, who reminded customers that the carrier was the only indigenous airline on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), the company would resume flight operations in the next few weeks.

He said the airline was in compliance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 9.1.1.12 (A), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was aware of its current status, adding that some aircraft of the airline which went for maintenance checks would return to service very soon.

He said that the airline would return stronger despite the recent challenge in operations, with safety and comfort of its passengers still paramount to its operations.

“We appreciate the staff for their commitment in spite of the little operational challenges, which we believe are the hallmark of any business. Businesses have their high and low moments and I can tell you we are surmounting the challenges.

We are coming back soon bigger and better.

“Also, to our numerous customers, we want to tell you that the best is yet to come. We have done it before, making the nation proud at the domestic, regional and international fronts. We have been consistent with our hajj operations in the past 14 years.

We remain the only carrier to have done that successfully.

“We want to assure you that as soon as our aircraft return from the scheduled maintenance, we will begin to provide the excellent and safe flight services, which we are known for and maintained since the commencement of our operations.”

NAMA Director of Operations, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok (left) presents a souvenir to Rtd Air Marshal Adeola Amosu at the just concluded NATCA AGM in Kano, while NATCA President, Yomi Agoro (middle) looks on

Air Peace to commence flight to Makurdi, November –Onyema

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hairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema on Thursday said the airline would begin flight operations to Makurdi, Benue capital before the end of November.

Onyema made this known in Lagos, Thursday, said: “Our flights to Benue will begin before the end of November because we have almost finalised preparations. We are only waiting to receive another Embraer 145 Jet which we are using for such

operations.’’

It would be recalled that Air Peace had on June 28, 2018 signed an agreement with the Benue State Government to operate flights to Makurdi.

Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, had said that the airline would deliver exceptional flight experience to residents of Benue and others travelling on the Makurdi route.

Olajide said the route would

be serviced by an Embraer 145 jet, under Air Peace Hopper, the airline’s subsidiary and would terminate at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi.

According to her, the operations will cover AbujaMakurdi-Abuja and LagosMakurdi-Lagos.

The Chief of Staff to Benue State Governor, Mr Terwase Obunde, had assured the airline of the government’s support to ensure its success on the route.

NAMA to install VSAT station, VHF radio systems at Enugu airport

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igerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it will begin installation of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) station and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio systems at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

According to a statement made available to newsmen, Monday, by the General Manager, Public

Affairs, NAMA, Mr Khalid Emele, the agency’s Managing Director, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu, made the disclosure at the 48th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) in Kano.

Akinkuotu said the move followed the successful installation of the VSAT station at the Jos Airport and the integration of the VHF into the network

in the North East corridor, adding that the installation of the equipment at Enugu Airport would enhance upper airways communication along the South East corridor using 127.3MHz radio frequency.

According to him, the agency’s determination to totally eliminate blind spots from the upper airspace informed these recent deployments.

“We have seen improvement along the North East corridor that we tackled lately in Jos and we are determined to see that communication is 5/5 in the entire airspace. If you can communicate just once instead of five times, the person at the receiving end understands you and is happy just as you are happy.

“If we can get better radios with

good clarity, it will lessen the burden and make the job easier for both the air traffic controller and the pilot,” Akinkuotu said.

He implored controllers to imbibe good work ethics and strive for professionalism and also support initiatives of the agency such as the implementation of sectorisation was a continuous process.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

e-Platform

China rolls out 5G services in race to narrow tech gap

…As Nigeria to trial technology for 3 months before approval Stories by VICTOR NZE

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The new Motorola razr

ColorOS 7 to be unveiled on November 20

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hinese phone maker Oppo launched the ColorOS 6 last November, and now the company has announced that it will detail its successor - ColorOS 7 - on November 20 at an event in Beijing, China.

Oppo has not divulged much about ColorOS 7, but this custom skin is expected to be based on Android 10 and come with a system-wide dark mode, focus mode as well as gaming and performance improvements.

The complete list of devices eligible for ColorOS 7 upgrade will be likely revealed on November 20, but the company VP has already confirmed that Oppo Reno 10x zoom will be

one of the smartphones getting ColorOS 7.

In addition to Oppo, Realme smartphones will also get ColorOS 7, but it will be different from what Oppo devices will run since it will be close to stock Android.

Realme is holding an event in New Delhi, India on November 20 where it will announce the X2 Pro for the Indian market, but alongside that, it’s expected to expand its ecosystem with a fitness band and a power bank with VOOC support. We will hopefully know more about the ColorOS 7 (Realme Edition) at this event.

hina’s three major state telecom operators rolled out 5G wireless technology Thursday, as the country races to narrow its technology gap with the US amid a bruising trade war.

This is as the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) said last Monday that trial of the fifth generation (5G) network technology would be on trial for three months in the country before actual approval and rollout.

China Mobile, the country’s largest carrier, announced its 5G services were available in 50 cities -- including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen -- with packages starting from 128 yuan ($18) a month.

5G mobile networks which provide high-speed mobile internet services, allowing users to download entire movies in seconds © FABRICE COFFRINI 5G mobile networks which provide high-speed mobile internet services, allowing users to download entire movies in seconds Rivals China Telecom

and China Unicom are also offering services at comparable prices in major cities, according to notices on their websites.

The ultra-fast mobile internet service -- which is 100 times faster than existing 4G networks -- allows consumers to download full-length films within seconds, or use apps with virtual reality.

The technology will also pave the way for driverless cars, further automation in factories, and allow users to remotely control appliances such as coffee makers and ovens via the internet.

China is expected to be a frontrunner in the adoption of 5G services with over 170 million 5G subscribers by next year, according to estimates

by China Telecom.

South Korea will be in second place with a predicted 75,000 users, followed by the US with 10,000, analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein said in a research note last week.

“China will promote the deep integration of new generation information technology and the real economy,” said Chen Zhaoxiong,

vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology at a technology conference Thursday.

Two of the biggest economies in the world – the U.S. and China – have been caught in the throes of a bitter and potentially catastrophic (for themselves and the world) trade war over the past year. Take a look at this timeline to understand the progression of the dispute between Washington, D.C. and Beijing.

“This involves accelerating the integration and application of 5G in industries, transportation, energy, agriculture, education and health,” Chen said, according to a statement on the ministry’s website.

Beijing has been pushing for a quick rollout of the technology, and China’s state economic planner said in January that developing a 5G network was one of its “investment priorities” this year.

Despite the success of 5G networks at home, Chinese telecom equipment giants have faced regulatory push back abroad.

Microsoft launches all-in-one Office app for Android

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icrosoft just released a new Office beta app for Android that combines all the essential office tools, including; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others. In fact, the app itself is called Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint & more.

The app will let you create, edit documents and manage documents on your Android phone or tablet. You can

even collaborate on certain documents with friends and colleagues through the app.

Something like Google’s Sheets, Docs, and others.

One standout feature is the ability to create PDF files from a photo or convert Word, Excel and PowerPoint files into PDF. Signing the latter with your finger and then sending is also possible.

You can find the app right now on Google Play Store.

Whatsapp implements fingerprint lock for Android

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hatsapp promised to deliver biometric security to Android users after its iOS users have enjoyed the feature for some and after a short period of beta testing, it’s now available for everyone.

The latest version of Whatsapp allows you to lock your logs, conversations and the app itself with your enrolled

fingerprint. You can do that in the Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock after you have updated the app to the latest version, of course.

There is also an additional setting for lock timer, which is rather convenient because you probably do not want to unlock your conversations every single time you use the app.

9mobile celebrates 11th anniversary, doles out airtime, data, gifts to customers

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t was all fun and excitement for 9mobile customers, as the telco reached out to loyal subscribers recently to appreciate them for staying with the network over the 11 years of its launch in Nigeria.

In its peculiar innovative way, 9mobile once more demonstrated how much a caring network it is when it delighted its customers with fantastic gifts including bonus airtime and data as well as special ‘9nniversary’ cakes.

Sharing their happiness after receiving the gift of special 9nniversary cakes in Lagos, two of the lucky customers – Teslim Gbajabiamila and Destiny James – expressed gratitude to 9mobile for the thoughtful gesture and pledged their continued loyalty to the brand.

Destiny James, a female customer said, “thanks so very much 9mobile for this kind

gesture. I didn’t expect it, I really appreciate the cakes; most ladies love cakes” even as she commended 9mobile for its quality of service. “It’s all been good since I became a 9mobile customer. I don’t have any complaints; I’m happy with the quality of service,” she enthused.

Gbajabiamila was also full of appreciation for the telco for the special cake gift and stated that he had only positive things to say about the telco. “All my children use 9mobile lines, and it’s been good experiences all the way, both for voice and data,” he said.

Commenting on the 11th 9nniversary commemoration, Acting Director, Marketing, 9mobile, Layi Onafowokan, said the giveaways were 9mobile’s way of saying thank you to its customers for keeping faith with the network.

“The 9nniversary freebies are our way of thanking our loyal customers. It’s a token of our appreciation and reaffirmation of our acknowledgement that we have come this far largely due to the support of our valued customers,” he said. “For the last eleven years, we have made your dreams our dreams, your goals our goals and your satisfaction our number one priority, and together, we have built a quality network that grows with every aspiration. Our promise of quality is one we are honored to keep,” he added.

9mobile launched as Nigeria’s fourth mobile network operator (MNO) on October 23, 2008 and has since then made indelible success marks in the industry especially in the areas of quality of service, innovation and customer experience.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

e-Platform Apple’s 5G iPhones to have 5nm chipset, Qualcomm’s X55 modem

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ow a new report out of Japan claims that next year’s iPhones will employ Qualcomm’s X55 5G modem, according to people familiar with the plan. However, there may be supply constraints on the X55 as everyone will want to use it in 2020.

Apple’s A14 SoC that will debut in next year’s 5G iPhones is said to use the world’s most advanced 5nm fabrication process, and TSMC will

be manufacturing it. Only Apple and Huawei currently have plans to go to 5nm next year.

At least two of the three new iPhones will use flexible OLED displays, which means they may possibly be curved (but not foldable).

Technically Apple has been using curved OLEDs since the iPhone X, but there’s just one curve and you can’t see it because the screen basically

folds into itself at the bottom, which allows that bezel to be so thin - as the display panel connectors are housed in the lower part. No other company has so far deemed this solution worthy of the price premium it entails, which is why on other handsets the bottom bezel is slightly thicker than the rest.

Apple is also said to be developing a 3D-sensing rear camera to be used

for AR. The company apparently wants to ship 80 million or more of its 2020 iPhones, an aggressive sales target as it typically ships between 75 to 80 million units each year. Analysts estimate that 206 million 5G phones will be produced worldwide in 2020, so if Apple’s plan pans out, it will have a sizeable chunk of that market. And it may also help drive 5G adoption, especially outside of China.

LG already dreaming new generation TVs

T ISACA recommends cyber space monitoring for national digital security

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nformation Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) on Monday, urged the Federal Government to establish a cyber space monitoring team charged with the responsibility of ascertaining the country’s digital security level.

Chairperson, Conference Committee of the association’s just concluded annual conference, Mrs Chinenye Ajachukwu, said this while reacting to areas government needed to address to ensure value and growth of digital economy, in Abuja on Monday.

The conference which took place in Abuja from October 21 to 24, had as theme: “Digital Concepts in a Growing Economy.”

ISACA is an independent, nonprofit, global association that engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted information system knowledge and practices.

The association was incorporated by individuals who saw the need for a centralised source of information in the growing field of auditing controls for computer systems.

It has over 140,000 professionals in more than 180 countries.

Ajachukwu, who decried that the country was losing resources to cyber criminals due to poor gateway

services, said with appropriate policies and implementation, the menace could be mitigated or the reoccurrence stopped.

“Nigeria should establish a cyber, digital space monitoring team to determine the state of the nation’s digital security.

“The government should increase the visibility of the centralised National Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NCSIRT) that is responsible for handling any attack on critical National Information Technology infrastructure.

“Nigerian government should come up with a regulation that would protect victims from financial losses via the Nigerian Payment gateway and digital frauds due to the failure of the gateway.

“We should, through the appropriate agencies, establish national policies, regulations, standards in the design and deployment of mobile applications for financial transactions in Nigeria that will guarantee safety of users’ funds.

“Establishing a digital economic hub that would be responsible solely for the use of ICT to create value for economic growth should be considered for achieving digital economy,” Ajachukwu said.

elevisions can be found in billions of homes around the world.

But 100 years ago, nobody even knew what a television was. Since replacing radio as the most popular mass medium in the 1950s, television has played such an integral role in modern life that, for some, it is difficult to imagine being without it. Both reflecting and shaping cultural values, television has at times been criticized for its alleged negative influences on children and young people and at other times lauded for its ability to create a common experience for all its viewers.

How such a ground-breaking technology turn from a niche invention to a living room mainstay remains one of the most interesting story about human development over the last decades.

Interestingly, the world’s first electronic television was created by a 21 year old inventor named Philo Taylor Farnsworth. That inventor lived in a house without electricity until he was age 14. Starting in high school, he

began to think of a system that could capture moving images, transform those images into code, then move those images along radio waves to different devices.

We can see the advancement and the evolutionary journey of how the TV resolution and picture quality have improved in the last 20 years. The changeover from analog to digital television technology was a slow process, and it wasn’t until the mid1990s that HDTV broadcasting began.

At that time, most HDTVs were plasma TVs, which were expensive, so HDTV adoption was slow. By the mid-2000s however, affordable 40-inch LCDs started to be sold.

By the end of the decade, LCD HDTVs were outselling traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs as well as plasma TVs. Post HDTVs, companies started looking for newer technologies that could be offered to consumers. The last few years have including curved screens, high dynamic range (HDR), smart TVs, OLED TVs, and 4K. Now with the hyperrealist detail and picture

quality of 8K available to consumers, the next generation of TVs are upon us.

One of the major factors that influence TV preference in many homes today is the picture quality.

In the last two decades, LG has taken a lead in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, 8K technology; dived into gaming innovation, Nano Cell, OLED, projector and introduced some of the best TVs with high-quality resolution.

It’s a range of TVs has covered all the new innovations in OLED TVs, NanoCell TVs, ULTRA HD 4K TVs, Full HD Smart TVs and Full HDTVs. According to Mr. Vanjamin Kim, General Manager, Home Electronics Division at LG Electronics West Africa, “Life’s about more than having the latest technology. It’s about the experiences technology creates.

Beyond technology, the picture quality of our TV is second to none. We are a pacesetter in the industry and we will continue to deliver consumer electronics that let you embrace life and prepare you for its greatest moments.

The new LG AI TV range

Tizeti partners MainOne in expanding high-speed WiFi in Africa

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izeti, a Nigerian wireless internet company, has extended its partnership with MainOne, as it launches GhanaWifi. com. in Ghana, leveraging on the strong partnership between the companies in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer, Tizeti, Mr Kendall Ananyi, who made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Monday, said it would be his company’s first expansion outside Nigeria, in continuation of the existing partnership that had seen increased broadband accessibility across Lagos since 2017.

Speaking on the expansion,

Ananyi said that Tizeti would operate solar-powered WiFi Towers across Ghana, utilising the same technology used in Nigeria.

He said that Tizeti in partnership with MainOne and Facebook would continue to serve thousands of users with unlimited high-speed broadband internet access, covering over 90 per cent of Lagos.

According to him, since its inception, the company has installed over 17,000 public WiFi hotspots within Nigeria with over one million unique users, rolling out hundreds of internet hotspots across Lagos, Ogun and Port Harcourt.

“We are proud to have built a world-class network that delivers connectivity to users at a fraction of the current cost, not just in Nigeria but also across the region.

“We understand the importance of world-class, quality broadband connectivity to the growth of a global digital economy.

“We will continue to push the development of a replicable costeffective solution to reach millions of Africans, starting one country at a time with Nigeria and Ghana, ” he said.

Ananyi said using solar-powered base stations, Tizeti would be able to reduce operating costs,

which would provide competitive subscription packages for Ghanaian customers and businesses.

He said that the company’s operation in Ghana would start with next-generation 802.11AC WiFi equipment for better service quality, which was much faster and more reliable than previous generations.

Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke, commended the commitment of Tizeti to improve the accessibility of quality broadband services across the region.

She said that MainOne remained committed toward the

digital transformation of the region and was happy to extend the partnership with Tizeti beyond the borders of Nigeria.

According to her, leveraging our cable capacity to ultimately improve the digital services in West Africa and enabling capacity development, wealth creation and economic growth through affordable and ubiquitous connectivity is something we are excited about.

Opeke said that with the existing connectivity and data centre in Ghana, the company looked forward to a seamless WiFi penetration entry for Tizeti.

The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market Dangote Sugar proposes merger with Savannah Sugar Company T

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Stories By JEROME USHAKANG he Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR) has proposed a merger with its subsidiary, Savannah Sugar Company Limited (SSCL), a private limited liability company engaged in sugar cane farming and sugar milling.

The transaction as recommended by the Board would be a business combination via a scheme of external restructuring (Scheme) which will culminate in the merger of both entities: Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR) and its subsidiary, Savannah Sugar Company Limited (SSCL).

The Board in a statement informing the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the investing public said that the Scheme will involve the transfer of all assets, liabilities and undertakings of SSCL to DSR and the cancellation of the entire issued share capital of SSCL with DSR emerging as the surviving entity.

Meanwhile, the transaction will be subject to the receipt of the approval of the shareholders of DSR and SSCL at duly convened separate court ordered meetings of DSR and SSCL respectively as well as, the receipt of regulatory approvals of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The Board pledged to keep its shareholders and the investing public abreast of the deal stressing that further announcements on the progress of the transaction will be provided to the market.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Union Bank records profit growth as income, Gross Earnings, declines

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nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has released its Group unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 with Profit Before Tax (PBT) rising to N15.6billion representing 5 percent when compared with N14.9billion achieved in the same period of year 2018.

Similarly, Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 4 percent to close the third quarter at ₦15.2billion as against ₦14.7billion in the previous year period.

The nine months results filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) also showed that Non-interest income depreciated by 12 percent to settle at N27.1 billion, in contrast to N30.7billion in comparable period of last year. A financial analyst hinted that this was driven by reduced market volatility in 2019 which had an impact on trading income.

According to Union Bank Group Financial highlights, Interest income dropped by 2 percent to ₦90.0billion in the year under review as against ₦91.5billion 2018. In the same vein, Net operating income fell by 2 percent to end the third quarter at ₦71.4billion compared to ₦72.7billion achieved in same period Operating expenses also dipped by 3 percent to close the nine periods at ₦56.2billion in contrast to ₦58.0billion achieved last year. In addition, Gross earnings were down 4 percent as it stood at ₦117.2billion

in contrast to ₦122.2billion in 2018 due to a decrease in average earning assets.

However, Net interest income after impairment grew by 6 percent to peak at ₦44.3billion during the year compare to ₦42.0billion in 2018) driven by the impact of collections on impaired facilities.

Gross loans rose by 9 percent to close at ₦566.5billion as against ₦519.7billion, while Customer deposits went up by 4 percent to ₦892.9billion compared with ₦857.6billion in 2018 .

Thus reflecting the bank’s continuing acquisition of low-cost deposits driven by strengthened brand affinity. Net interest income after impairment also rose by 6percent to ₦44.3billion in contrast to ₦42.0billion. The bank said this was driven by the impact of collections on impaired facilities. In addition, Cash recoveries went up 114 percent to close at N8.4billion during the year against N3.9billion recorded in 2018.

The Group Managing Director (GMD) /Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, in his assessment of the results, said: “Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the Group is up to ₦15.6billion, a 5 percent increase over the same period in 2018.

Our continued focus on consumer centric service and product propositions is yielding solid results,

contributing to a 28 percent growth in our electronic channels fee income which is at ₦5.6billion for the period.

Our debt recovery drive continues to record successes with ₦8.4billion of recoveries year to date.

In line with our stated business objectives, we are continuing to grow our asset book by creating quality risk assets in targeted sectors.

This has led to a 9 percent growth in our loan portfolio to ₦566.5billion compared toN519.7billion at yearend 2018.

Going into the rest of the year, our ambition remains to deliver superior customer experience across all customer touch points.”

Also commenting on the nine months results, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Joe Mbulu said: “While we had a slight decline in Gross Earnings for the Group from ₦122.2billion to ₦117.2billion in 2018,our efficiency initiatives, including the deployment of Robotics Process Automation as well as our cost optimisation programme, ensured we delivered 4 percent growth in Profit After Tax (PAT), recording ₦15.2billion compared to ₦14.7billion in the prior year period.

Our operating expenses reduced by3 percent to ₦56.2billion from ₦58.0billion in nine duration in 2018 and the Bank’s customerrelated non-interest revenue drivers remained strong with net fee and commission income growing 10

percen to ₦9.5billion from ₦8.7billion for the corresponding period in 2018.

We continue to maintain adequate levels of capital with our Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 17.8 period which is above the regular Speaking on the 9M2019 numbers, Chief Financial Officer, Joe Mbulu said: “While wehad a slight decline in Gross Earnings for the Group from ₦122.2bnto ₦117.2bn in 2018,our efficiency initiatives, including the deployment of Robotics Process Automation as well as our cost optimisation programme, ensured we delivered 4% growth in Profit After Tax (PAT), recording ₦15.2bn compared to ₦14.7bn in the prior year period.

Our operating expenses reduced by3% to ₦56.2bn from ₦58.0bn in 9M 2018 and the Bank’s customerrelated non-interest revenue drivers remained strong with net fee and commission income growing 10% to ₦9.5bn from ₦8.7bn for the corresponding period in 2018.

We continue to maintain adequate levels of capital with our Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 17.8 percent which is above the regulatory threshold. Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) declined to 8.0 percent from 8.7 percent as at year-end 2018.

Union Bank of Nigeria, Plc was established in 1917 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1971, it is

one of Nigeria’s long-standing and most respected financial institutions.

The Bank has a network of over 300 Sales and Service Centres across Nigeria.

Following recapitalisation in 2012 from new investors and a new Executive Management team, Union Bank has undergone an award winning transformation programme to re-establish the bank as a leading provider of financial services in Nigeria.

GMD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

MONEY Market

UBA commits to creating superior value for customers

Fidelity Bank celebrates 2019 compliances …Launches self-printing debit card machine at flag off of Lagos Trade Fair & ethics week

By Kayode Ogunwale

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) have announced that it is committed to continued investment in cutting edge technology for efficient and improved service delivery to its customers and by extension the business community.

The Chief Executive Officer, UBA Africa, Victor Osadolor, made the disclosure during a well-attended flag off ceremony of the 2019 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF), in which UBA is the headline sponsor.

The event, which held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, had in attendance distinguished guests, including the Deputy Governor, of Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Babatunde Paul Ruwase; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Mariam Katagum; Commissioner for Commerce,

Industry and Cooperatives, Lagos State, Lola Akande amongst others, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Industry, and cooperatives, Ajayi Oladele, among others.

Osadolor used the occasion to launch another first of its kind in Nigeria’s financial sector, from UBA, called self-printing debit card machine, targeted at encouraging increased use of debit cards which also offers more options to pay.

The new self-printing debit card machine will allow for seamless business transactions with great value to customers and businesses.

He stated that that there is no gain saying that the world is tilting into a knowledge based economy, adding that businesses that would survive in the 21st century must invest in technology to remain competitive.

He also commended the federal government’s efforts at improving

the nation’s investment climate, saying this is the reason the country is currently ranked fifteen place upwards in the global ease of doing business index.

He also added that the bank would continue to support initiatives aimed at boosting trade in the country.

On delivery of its brand promise, he said, “We are creating superior value for all our customers, because we believe they are key to our everyday operations.”

He further said, the bank’s small and medium scale enterprise banking unit has been actively supporting small businesses with industry-specific loans that ensure maximum impact.

According to Osadolor, UBA also keys into government intervention funds to expand access to credit facilities at competitive interest rates, while providing services such as advisory and technological infrastructure that help to reduce the

cost of doing business.

“Most of our customers have enjoyed free advisory services that have helped them navigate the very difficult business terrain. We also have businesses, latching on to our technological assets to improve their services as well as foster growth” Osadolor restated UBA’s commitment to continue investing heavily in technology to remain a pillar to millions of businesses that have not only chosen to bank with UBA, but have also partnered the bank for growth.

“We are consistently supporting our SMES. We have a huge amount of funds allocated to SMEs. UBA is committed to supporting entrepreneurship. We are the major promoter of the Fair. The new selfprinting debit card machine will go along way in allowing for seamless business transactions with attendant value to businesses.”

Sam Egube, Commissioner of Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State (representing the Governor, Lagos); Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail products,FirstBank; Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank; Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank; Chief Joseph Sanusi, Former MD, FirstBank & Former CBN Governor; with the National Winner of the 2019 Firstmonie Agent Awards, Zayyanu Hassan Ishaq from Abuja - North Central - (3rd right) at the Firstmonie Agent Awards held in Lagos last Friday which had 37 leading agents of the Bank rewarded for their role at promoting financial inclusion in the country.

First Bank rewards top performing Agents with over N15 million

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited has expressed its commitment to driving financial inclusion across Nigeria. With currently over 37,000 Firstmonie Agents, present in 99 percent of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, the Bank is the leading financial institution at promoting financial inclusion in the country to all Nigerians, regardless of where they are.

Speaking during the Firstmonie Agent Banking national award ceremony, recently held in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, said the Firstmonie agent network is a bespoke channel through which the Bank expresses its unalloyed commitment and

passion to promote opportunities and access to financial services by every Nigerian, especially within the low-income segment. The Firstmonie Agent Banking awards had the Bank – FirstBank – reward 37 leading Agents that have promoted financial inclusion in the country. The sum of N250,000 was won at the State level by 31 Agents; N1,000,000.00 at the Regional level by 5 Agents with the grand prize being the sum of N2,500,000.00 at the National Level.

Adeduntan explained that with the initiative, the gap between the tech savvy and the low literacy clients has been breached as Firstmonie agent network represents the convenient and

comfortable alternative for customers, that are unacquainted with sophisticated digital channels.

In his remarks, the Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Francis Shobo, noted that the agents are the most critical part of the banking ecosystem because they take deposits, make payments and open accounts, provide transfers and sell airtime at locations with little or no access to financial services.

Shobo lauded the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele for the role the apex bank has played, stating that the CBN has made a lot of changes in regulation around agency banking, “they have

allowed the programme to scale as much as it has scaled.”

In chat with newsmen after receiving the cash prize at the event, the N2.5 million grand prize winner at the national level from Abuja (North Central), Zayyanu Hassan Ishaq, expressed his amazement at his prize, one he noted he finds very encouraging and a miracle from God. “I want to thank FirstBank for this gesture. It took me by surprise, because I never expected it from them. This is a miracle.

“FirstBank is truly different. This will spur me to work harder and ensure more people have access to the top-class financial services offered by FirstBank” joy-filled Ishaq concluded.

A

s part of sustained efforts to promote ethical values and professionalism within the bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, weekend disclosed plans to participate in this year edition of the Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week. Commencing on November 3 and running up until Friday, November 08, the bank has organised series engagement initiatives that are part of the annual activities around the celebration.

Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, organised annually by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) provides organisations with the ideal occasion to demonstrate their extensive and comprehensive compliance and ethics programmes in a manner that strengthens its ideals while educating employees.

Commenting on the celebration, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo pointed out that the bank remains committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in its dealings with customers.

“Guided by the Fidelity Code of Business Conduct & Ethical Policy, we expect our employees to uphold its tenets always, and act in a way that reflects the bank’s principles. We have instituted an Ethics Committee to drive this agenda and intervene in guiding staff when necessary”, he stated.

Okonkwo also promised to put the best interest of its teeming customers first, adding that strict adherence to proper ethical values has helped sustain the bank’s standing as a socially responsible organisation and good corporate citizen.

As part of the Compliance & Ethics Week, the bank will conduct a host of engaging staff activities including trivia contest, quiz and lectures.

“The focus is to remind ourselves of the need to imbibe ethical values within the organisation even as we strive to build an enduring institution”, concluded Okonkwo.

Fidelity Bank is a fullfledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 5 million customers who are serviced across its 250 business offices and various digital banking channels. The bank remains focused on select niche corporate banking sectors as well as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and its currently driving its retail banking businesses through its robust digital banking channels.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Butchers’ Union to sanitize meat processing in Delta State

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

A

s part of efforts to improve the standards, processing and handling of meat consumed in Delta State, the Delta State Butchers’ Union (DSBU) has unfolded strategies aimed at sanitising the red meat value chain in the State.

Comrade David Akusu, in a chat with newsmen in Agbarho, Ughelli North LGA of the State, disclosed that plans are underway towards the actualization of his agenda to transform abattoirs in Delta State into the acceptable international standards in the processing and provision of meat for consumption.

Adding that activities of abattoirs would be standardised in the state such that all the approved points would not only be functional, hygienic and conducive for slaughtering activities but strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures.

He listed some of the strategies to include the linking of approved slaughter houses and abattoirs to the markets.

He said that processed meat in the abattoirs would also be subjected to veterinary tests.

“We want to raise the standard of slaughtering, processing and marketing of red meat in the State. The purpose is to ensure the safety and health of the populace by ensuring that only certified animals are slaughtered and wholesome beef is available in our markets.”

Akusu said that sanitising the red meat sector would help promote the value chain by providing wholesome and hygienically processed beef for the populace.

He said it was also to boost beef processing to international standards in order to facilitate export opportunities and foreign investment into the value chain.

To ensure compliance, comrade Akusu revealed that “We are setting up monitoring team comprising officials of the Ministry of Health and our team. There is a need to improve the slaughtering process, ensure that the abattoir is cleaner than before, devoid of miscreants and be of international standards.”

He stated further that the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Unit on dislodgement of illegal abattoirs, seizure of stray animal, monitoring of illegal practice would discipline any of the butchers who refuse to obey the directives.

However, he opined that the major challenge if the union in the State is proper transportation if meat which is usually done with rickety vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles.

He called on the State government to assist in providing vans to ease transportation of meat.

PANDEF renews calls for restructuring of Nigeria From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

T

he Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has renewed calls for restructuring of Nigeria, stressing that the country needs to be restructured for growth and even development across board while inaugurating the Delta State chapter of the group.

The national leaders of the agitating group were in Warri, Delta State, recently to inaugurate the Delta State executive committee.

An elder statesman, former Chairman Guardian Editorial Board, Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism Advocate and renowned Professor of English and Literary Studies, Prof Godini Gabriel Darah unanimously emerged as the Delta leader of the vibrant PANDEF. It was also an opportunity by the leaders to reflect and ventilate their opinions on some burning national issues affecting the Niger Delta.

National Chairman of PANDEF, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) led the national officials of PANDEF to the State. The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, including the national youth leader, Chief Vincent Oyibode JP were in attendance.

An elated Darah expressed happiness that PANDEF had come to stay.

He said the group had given the Niger Delta an opportunity to speak with one voice.

He lamented the injustices, inequalities and lopsidedness in all affairs concerning the region.

Darah described the task ahead of the State chapter as a worthy mission. He lamented the beggarly dispositions of states in the country, which failed or outrightly refused to develop and exploit their own resources.

He said instead of developing areas they have comparative economic advantage, such states heavily de-

pended on the oil and gas resources produced in the Niger Delta. He said the federal government should take the initiative and make concerted efforts to urgently restructure the country in a gradual process to make room for adjustments.

He acknowledged the role of PANDEF led by Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) in uniting the various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta to have a unified voice. But he also emphasised on the need for adequate sensitization and mobilisation through establishment of local government chapters of PANDEF to drive the message of restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

He said: “This is a worthy mission that every Niger Deltan must follow.

The battle must be won whether there is someone saying we cannot do it, the federal government must make efforts to restructure the country.

“Every state is meant to own, de-

• Admin Secretary, The Orace Today, Mrs. Chioma Ede and her husband, Ifeanyi cut their wedding cake at their reception in Onitsha

Appeal Court affirms election victories of Omo-Agege, Manager, others

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State capital, on Monday affirmed the election victories of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, and House of Representatives members from Delta Central Senatorial District in the February 23, 2019 National Assembly election.

Representative members whose elections were affirmed by the appellate court are Rev. Francis Waive, Ben Igbakpa and Efe Afe. The court affirmed the decision of the Election Tribunal which had earlier upheld the election of OmoAgege who won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central.

Hon. Evelyn Oboro, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, was challenging the declaration of the Deputy President of the Senate as the winner of the election in the district.

However, in a unanimous ruling delivered by Justice A. Jauro on

Monday, dismissed Oboro’s petition for lack of merit and subsequently upheld the ruling of the election petition tribunal which had earlier afffirmed Omo-Agege’s victory.

The Court of Appeal in Benin on Monday upturned the decision of the election tribunal which nullified the senatorial election in Delta South Senatorial District won by Senator James Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the state capital had nullified Manager’s election in a petition filed by a former governor of Delta State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta South, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

In a ruling in September, the tribunal cancelled the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in the district with 30 days.

But Justice A. Jauro-led appeal panel in a judgement delivered on Monday set aside the judgement of the tribunal and affirmed Senator

Manager as the authentic winner of the election in Delta South.

The appellate court dismissed the petition filed by Uduaghan urging it to be declared winner of the election.

Similarly, the appellate court also affirmed the election victory of the member representing Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency, Rev. Francis Waive, on the platform of APC. The court dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Chief Samuel Marierie, for failing to prove alleged over voting and irregularities in the election.

Meanwhile, Court of Appeal has upturned the decision of the tribunal which sacked the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Hon. Ben Igbakpa of the PDP. The court held that the tribunal erred by declaring the candidate of the APC, Hon. Halims Agoda as the winner of the election.

Also, the election of Hon. Efe Afe of the PDP representing Uvwie, Okpe and Sapele Federal Constituency was also upheld by the learned justices.

velop and exploit their resources, but instead they are resting on the oil and gas produced in the Niger Delta.”

“We now have a very authentic voice in the Niger Delta. The part of the country we come from has been deprived its right from the foundation of the country.

The Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism Advocate berated the federal government over its alleged failure to implement the 16 point agenda presented to it for the development of the oil rich region.

Adding that nothing significantly has changed except the opening of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, which was one of the items on the 16-point demand that was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari on November 1, 2016, in Abuja.

In his remarks, National Chairman of PANDEF, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) said the people of the Niger Delta must benefit maximally from its resources, through a restructured Nigeria, to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the region.

He said the forum was aware of the myriads of challenges facing the country.

According to him, the group joined forces with Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndiigbo, the Middle Belt Forum and recently the Northern Elders Forum, in clamouring for the restructuring of the country including fiscal federalism.

He said the country could not afford to be a first class country with second class citizens, adding that there was a need for President Muhammadu Buhari to commence the process of restructuring the country, so as to give all ethnic nationalities equal opportunities.

He criticized the Federal Government for abandoning its planned consultations with the region since 2016.

The group said that the government was currently engaging in a monologue instead of its planned dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta, adding that Buhari has yet to act on the 16-point agenda presented by PANDEF on the way forward for the region.

Nkanga, erstwhile military administrator of Akwa Ibom State said: “On the first of November 2016, we met with the President and that resulted in a 16-point agenda. What could have followed and what was desired was that there should be a dialogue between the Niger Delta and the Federal Government, so we could look at the myriad of problems we have here.

“But there was just, perhaps one dialogue. Since then, it has turned to monologue and today we have no ‘logue’ at all. Yet, the problems are still there.”

He said: “The call for restructuring has reached a deafening crescendo and it has come to the point that anybody who wants to be in charge of the affairs of this country must explain to us how restructuring will be carried out in his administration.”

In a related development, the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe and the national youth leader, Chief Vincent Oyibode JP, Monday, congratulated the newly inaugurated Delta state executives of PANDEF .

Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, they urged the new executives to rededicate themselves to promoting the unity of the forum in the State. They also enjoined the team to work to take PANDEF to a new level.

33

The Oracle Today wednesday November 6 - 12, 2019

Crime

‘We specialise in defrauding friends, families of foreign-based Nigerians’ – Suspects E Stories by VICTOR NZE

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cracked down on a gang of fraudsters who specialise in exploiting personal data of foreign-based Nigerians to defraud their friends and relations back home.

Four of the gang-members – ‘Hon.’ Oladipupo Adebayo, Bimbo Bilewu, Ibrahim Odunayo and Oyeleye Oluwatosi – are currently in the EFCC custody. Others are still at large.

A statement by Head, Media &

Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the Commission had launched a manhunt on the suspects after receiving a petition from one Prof Godwin Ekhaguere.

The professor of Mathematics, who retired from the University of Ibadan, alleged in the petition that the gang defrauded him of sums totalling N565, 500. He also alleged that the fraudsters made him to part with MTN recharge vouchers worth N36, 000 in the deal.

According to him, he only realised that he had been scammed after he managed to reach his friends on the

phone, who denied sending anyone to him. That prompted the petition.

It was in the course of investigating the allegations that the Commission arrested Bilewu at an ATM point where he went to cash the money sent to him by one Pastor Osuji. Incidentally, Osuji was also a victim of a crime similar to that which the Commission was investigating. The gang’s patterns of operation are similar in nature.

One of them would call their would-be victim with the impression that he was an old-time friend, now based abroad. He would claim

that he has a mouth-watering gift to be sent through someone who is allegedly coming home for an event.

The victim would then be handed over to the ‘home-bound’ member. He would be the one to make all sorts of requests ostensibly to clear some obstacles to delivering the consignments from the foreignbased ‘relation’ or ‘friend’, as the case may be.

Investigations into the gang’s operations revealed that they have a mobile application used in making a local number appear foreign to the call recipient. They also use unregis-

tered SIM cards to make their calls in order to blur out chances of tracing their real identities.

Another trick to evade arrest, according to investigations, was to open bank accounts in other people’s names and take over the ATM cards from them.

They direct their victims to pay into such accounts and use the ATM cards to withdraw the cash.

The suspects have owned up to the allegations against them, and are now helping the Commission in further investigations into crimes of similar nature.

Notorious kidnapper nabbed; 8 victims rescued

K

•Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu (right) congratulating the new Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Mr Alex Opara (left) during a ceremony to decorate newly-promoted Senior Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Friday

Police arrest ‘hijab’ kidnap suspects

ive persons have been arrested in NiFkidnapping ger state for alleged involvement in and armed robbery in Rafi

and Mariga local government areas of the state.

Disclosing this to newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Usman Adamu, said one Alhaji Ibrahim Garkuwa of Tashan Kare reported at Kagara Police Division that some hoodlums who were armed with machetes, sticks and dressed in Hijab and face masks, invaded his house at Tashan Kare.

Adamu quoted Garkuwa as saying the criminals attacked his (Garkuwa’s) wife and daughter, inflicting various degrees of injury on them.

The police say the suspects will soon be charged to court.

The commissioner revealed that on receipt of the complaint, a team of policemen from Kagara Division arrested the three suspects – Usman Daiyabu, 20, Mohammad Nata’ala, 20, and Afani Lawal, 23, of Tashan Kare. According to Adamu, the suspects have confessed to the crime.

Adamu added that further investigation into the matter revealed that the suspects proceeded to the shop of one Hippolite Onyebor of the same address, broke his shop and carted away half a bag of rice, soft drinks, bread and some other items. ”We recovered one Hijab, face mark, two knives, one phone, one iron and some sachets of Peak Milk from the suspects,” Adamu said on the recovered items from the suspects.

The police commissioner also said

one Sarkin Fulani Iro Aliyu of KudunGure Fulani settlement, Kotonkoro, Mariga Local Government Area reported to the police that some hoodlums numbering about five invaded his compound, firing sporadically into the air and kidnapped his daughter, Defu Ibrahim.

Acting on the complaint, a team of police detectives from Bangi Division,

gave the hoodlums a hot chase and rescued the victim unhurt.

Adamu explained that one of the suspects, Mohammed Betuwa, 25, was arrested. Further investigation by the police, according to Adamu, led to the arrest of Betuwa’s accomplice, Hamidu Alhaji Badori, 35.

Adamu said the suspects will soon be charged to court.

olice in Enugu State says it has started investigation into the alleged killing of a man, Mr Friday Okafor, by his business associate, over a failed transaction.

In a statement issued on Monday in Enugu, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said that the incident happened on Sunday morning in Onuogba Nike community of Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

“It was gathered that the unfortunate incident occurred in the house of one Sunday Nwangwu of Onuogba Nike as he tried to broker peace between both parties.

“Ogbonna Agboya, the prime suspect, allegedly used the gun kept by the said Sunday Nwangwu in his house and shot the victim who was rushed to hospital and confirmed dead later,’’ he stated.

The police spokesman said that the

state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahnan, had directed full scale investigation into the unfortunate incident.

“Nwangwu has been arrested and he is helping in the investigation while manhunt on the fleeing assailant Ogbonna Agboya is still on.

“The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Annunciation Hospital mortuary in Emene,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Enugu command says it is set to conduct a one-millionman march against cultism and related vices in Enugu metropolis.

National Coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in Enugu on Saturday.

Amaraizu said that POCACOV secretariat had concluded modalities for the march, adding that it was aimed at deepening the campaign in the minds of the public.

Enugu police probe killing of man by business associate P

aduna State Police Command says it has arrested a notorious kidnapper and rescued eight kidnap victims in Kaduna.

The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo made the disclosure in a press statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.

Sabo said a combined team of police operatives from Rigasa, Nariya division and personnel of the command’s Operations department carried out the operation on Oct. 29 at about 8:30 p.m.

He said that the team, ”on a reliable tip off, swung into action and succeeded in arresting suspected notorious kidnapper, one Mustapha Ibrahim of Daura Road, Rigasa, Kaduna red handed with a kidnapped victim.”

Sabo said that the suspect was on his way to deliver the victim, Abubakar Aminu, a 13-year-old boy of Maraban Rido, Chukun LGA, Kaduna State to his gang members when he was nabbed.

He explained that the suspect subsequently led the operatives to rescue two other victims, Ismaila Hussaini and Hussaini Umar, both residing at Ado-Gwaram area of Rigasa Kaduna.

“The suspect is helping police investigation. The Command is currently on the trail of other gang members for possible arrest and prosecution.

He added that the Command, in continuation of its current onslaught against all identified bandits camps in the state, also successfully rescued another set of kidnapped victims on October 31.

Sabo said that operation at Maguzawa and Gurguzu Forests successfully rescued five kidnap victims after storming some bandit camps at about 1:30 a.m on Thursday and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.

He said that the suspected bandits escaped with bullet wounds but the captives were successfully rescued.

Sabo identified those rescued as Sada Abdullahi, Maimuna Umar Sharif, Ismail Umar Sharif, Aisha Umar Sharif and Husaini Umar Sharif, all adult of Nariya village, Chukun LGA. He said the Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga has urged the general public to keep supporting the Police with prompt and reliable information to enable the command nip crime in the bud and restore public order.

Sabo assured that the Command would continue to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of citizens in the state.

Car snatcher arrested at border post

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atsina State Police Command says it has nabbed a notorious car snatcher in the state.

“On 3/11/2019 at about 10:26hrs, based on a tip off, the Command succeeded in arresting one Mohammed Sani, m, aged 24yrs, of Dei-Dei, FCT Abuja in possession of a stolen Toyota Camry car, 2008 model, silver in colour, with registration No. KWC -32 AH, Delta state at Dabai Village, in Danja Local Government Area of Katsina state.”

The said vehicle belonging to one Amao Livingstone, m, of Dove Resort, Mabushi, FCT Abuja was snatched at gun point on November 2 at about 11pm, at Mabushi area, Abuja.

“Nemesis caught up with the said suspect when he drove the said vehicle to Katsina state with the aim of transiting through the Nigeria – Niger border post.

“Suspect is assisting the police in their investigation. Investigation is ongoing, please,” said SP Gambo Isah, the Police Public Relations Officer, for the Katsina State Command.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Flood: Delta Building collapses in Ebonyi, kills three siblings approves drainage for Warri, Effurun

By CHINEDU NWAFOR Abakaliki

A

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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elta State Government has approved the construction of drainage in Warri and Effurun to control flooding in the area.

Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Asaba.

Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said that the approval for the drainage in the area was part of the state government’s efforts at addressing flooding in the state.

He explained that the project would cover first and second phases and that work on it would commence in the emerging dry season “to ensure that results are yielded quickly and efficiently without fear of interruption by rain’’.

The commissioner also disclosed that the government approved the construction of roads, including the ones linking OteOkpu and Owanta, and Aliesimie to Abavo.

He added that the council gave approval for the construction of Mother and Child Advanced Medical Diagnostics Centre in Ika North East Local Government Area.

According to him, the purpose is to reduce the level of mother and child morbidity and promote the wellness of mother and child in the state.

Aniagwu further stated that the government had approved the construction of a Film Village and Entertainment Park in Ugbolu, near Asaba to boost the entertainment industry in the state as well as create employment for Deltans.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as NSOBUNDU BLESSING UCHEBUKA now wish to be known as ANOGHARA BLESSING UCHEBUKA. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as AGWUNOBI IFEOMA PATIENCE now wish to be known as MGBEMENA IFEOMA PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as OKOYE CHINONYE JUDITH now wish to be known as OBI CHINONYE JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

building that collapsed in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, has claimed the lives of three siblings.

The victims were identified as Mmesoma, 11yrs, Onyinyechi, 5yrs, and John, 3yrs, who are children of one Mr. Okereke in the area.

The building which is a thatched house was said to be in a state of dilapidation prior to the incident.

According to a source, Okereke’s wife, Elizabeth had expressed fear over the physical condition of the house and pleaded with her husband to for them to vacate the house to no avail.

“But the reason for refusal was due to hardship. So, it is not as if the husband did not know there was need for him to work on the house or vacate it”, the Source said.

The remains of the deceased were recovered from the building through the help of neighbors and

have been buried while their mother and her only surviving son were still receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital as at the time of this report.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Loveth Odah, said the matter has not been reported to her office and promised to give details on incident when she is properly briefed.

“I called the DPO of Akaeze Development Centre and he said he will text me the details but he has not,

I am still waiting for his text”, she said.

However, the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Onyebuchi Ogbadu confirmed the incident.

“When I received the information, I rushed to the place and saw that three kids were dead instantly while the surviving mother and one of the children were rushed to the hospital. It was very critical. The incident happened on Friday night”.

‘Over 200 AfricanAmericans have traced their roots to Igboland’ – Eri monarch …As 25 more expected for World Eri Festival in Anambra

By Theo Rays

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• shows Archbishop Okeke (5th from left), Dr. Chris Ngige, labour minister on his right and Anambra state commissioner for basic education, Prof. Kate Omenugha on his left, among others cut the cake in celebration of Bishop Valerian Okeke’s birthday inside the prison

Work for a better country, Okowa urges leaders

From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged political leaders to work for the interest of the people and for a better country rather than self.

He made the call at the annual reunion of Class ‘81 of the Nigeria Air Force Military School, Jos. The event which featured the delivery of a lecture on the topic, Path to Purposeful and Legacy Leadership by Mr Gbenga Oyebode took place in Asaba.

The governor who decried situation where money is becoming a strong determining factor in who holds what position, observed that there should be emphasis on health, education and good moral upbringing for children to enable them become good leaders, and better citizens.

“I hope one day, our politicians will be futuristic in their actions, put the interests of the people first and not what they stand to gain as individuals; that way, our country will be better; we hope that one day, we will have leaders who will be compassionate about our people and about the nation.

“The perception concerning politics and the way it is played is a great challenge in our country, if only we can start to rework our thought process to positively think more about how the people feels,

how our actions and inactions are affecting the people, it will be good for us because, the politicians in Nigeria can do things right.

“The question is, are the emerging political leaders ready to play by the rules? Most of those who want to do the right things are constrained by money; so, the way politics is played in Nigeria does not encourage the eradication of corruption.

“People are made to spend money the way they ought not to in the political arena; someone who is running for an election must have a deep pocket otherwise, someone with a deep pocket will sponsor him and at the end, will be pulling the strings from behind; there is a new trend where the leaders take over the Assemblies and the governor has to obey the leaders; our youths also want the immediate gratification; the current drive in the society is not good for our nation as we now have more youths that wants to make quick money, engage in thuggery.

“Education is very important but unfortunately, some times, the budget for education is more about recurrent expenses,” the Governor said.

He also, decried situation where population is used as determining factor for allocating resources to states by the federal government and commended Class 81 of the Nigeria Air Force Military School

• Gov. Okowa

for organising an annual reunion which creates opportunity for them to set agenda for themselves and for the good of the country.

Oyebode had in his lecture, described Governor Okowa as a man with strong faith who is committed to leaving legacies.

He urged leaders to innovate, stay updated, keep learning and encourage more Nigerians to acquire education and give back positively to the society.

he traditional ruler of Eri kingdom in Enugwu Aguleri community in Anambra State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri has revealed why the people of the Igbo race live and do business all over the world saying it is a blessing they inherited from their forefather known as Eri who is said to have migrated from Israel and landed at Aganabo Ezu n’ezu Omabala River Confluence.

The monarch who gave the revelation at his palace while addressing journalists on preparation for a 3 day event lined up for the annual festival in remembrance of the father of the race now known as World Eri Festival said that Ndigbo inherited the blessings to go and live and do business everywhere and make progress from their father.

Flanked by the Council of Chiefs and visitors which includes the Chairman Chief Osita Chinwwuba, Odum Obi, Chief Gilbert Ogii, alias Bravo, and others, the Eze Eri described the World Eri Festival as a time when the entire Igbo race converge to remember and celebrate their father adding that the palace has lined up a 3 day program for this year’s edition of the Festival coming up at the weekend.

He said that Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and about 25 African Americans from the United States, among other dignitaries from all walks of life are expected at the festival. He said the visiting African Americans are those who have traces their root to the Igbo race following DNA test adding that the visitors will be taking to the Aganabo Ezu n’ezu Omabala Confluence to pay homage to Eri, the father of the Igbo race.

“We have received over 200 Africans Americans who trace their root to the Igbo here. They come in batches every year. This year about 25 are coming,” he added. §Corroborating the monarch, the Chairman of the planning committee Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said the festival provides Ndigbo the opportunity to retrace their root and unite with their ancestors assuring that ‘everything is in good shape for the festival including tight security.’

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Name: Chika Tel: +234 812 342 3134 If you want to be our next Model of The Week, e-mail or forward your photos/data to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714

LOVE NEWS

When love is a drug: Doctor reveals unhealthy signs you could be genuinely addicted to your partner ‘We can get addicted to people just as we can to alcohol or food’, doctor says Being addicted to your partner can damage your career and mental health Experts say it is important to enjoy time away from your partner It is often said that love conquers all and the throes of romance are a buzz that’s hard to beat, but could being in love actually be bad for you?

Experts say the way people’s brains work means you can become addicted to your partner in the same way you could be hooked on drugs or food.

If you are infatuated with your partner you could develop a dependency which has knock-on effects on your mental health, your job and your friends and family.

Dr. Femke Buisman-Pijlman, an addiction researcher at Australia’s University of Adelaide, and author and counsellor Margaret Paul, PhD, have come up with 19 signs that you could be unhealthily attached to your other half.

‘We can get addicted to people just as we can to alcohol or food,’ says Paul.

‘It’s a form of self-abandonment where you use another person to avoid responsibility for your feelings.’

In the list written for Cosmopolitan, Dr Buisman-Pjilman adds: ‘When you [first] fall in love, you can feel ecstatic like with initial drug or alcohol use.

‘When the thrill of new love subsides, you could be left with a psychological dependence where you think you need the other person.’

Here are the experts’ signs you should be worried about your relationship: You want to be with them so

much it invades your own life You annoy your friends by taking your partner everywhere, and spend time with them when you should be doing more important things.

Dr. Buisman-Pijlman says: ‘Addiction is not about really enjoying something, but being unable to stop something that gives some pleasures but many problems.’

Your sex life gets in the way of the day-to-day If you’re regularly skipping work to have sex, having it in inappropriate places or at bad times, or it’s taking up hours of your day, it could be unhealthy.

You can’t control your desire to see or talk to them If you set yourself rules about when you want to have contact with your partner but you can’t stick to them, you might be out of control.

You spend all your money on them It can be nice to give a gift every now and then, or help out with the bills, but you could be dependent if you keep buying your partner presents or get into debt because of them.

You start arguments just to get attention If you often pick fights about petty things you might just be desperate for their attention, which puts strain on both of you.

You feel high when you’re around them, but low when you’re not If you feel sort of drunk with happiness when you’re together and devastated when you’re apart, you could be addicted to them.

ODD NEWS

Humans who have their brains reanimated after they die could be locked in an eternal ‘living HELL’ and suffer a ‘fate worse than death’

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xperiments to reanimate dead brains could lead to humans being locked in an eternal ‘living hell’ and enduring a ‘fate worse than death.’

That’s according to Nottingham Trent ethics and philosophy lecturer Benjamin Curtis who made the comments in light of controversial experiments on pig brains.

Last month, Yale University announced it had successfully resurrected the brains of more than 100 slaughtered pigs and kept them alive for up to 36 hours.

Scientists said it could pave the way for brain transplants and may one day allow humans to become immortal by hooking up our minds to artificial systems after our natural bodies have perished.

‘Even if your conscious brain were kept alive after your body had died, you would have to spend the foreseeable future as a disembodied brain in a bucket, locked away inside your own mind without access to the

sense that allow us to experience and interact with the world,’ Curtis told The Conversation.

‘In the best case scenario you would be spending your life with only your own thoughts for company.

‘Some have argued that even with a fully functional body, immortality would be tedious. With absolutely no contact to external reality it might just be a living hell.

‘To end up a disembodied human brain may well be to suffer a fate worse than death.’

The pig research was presented at a National Institutes of Health meeting by Yale University neuroscientist Nenad Sestan Researchers were able to successfully remove the heads of between 100 and 200 pigs and resuscitate their brains while detached from the body.

The organs were connected to a closed-loop system the scientists dubbed ‘BrainEX’ that pumped key

Romantic Joke The Wife’s Note

A man comes home and sees a note on the refrigerator from his wife. She wrote, “This isn’t working.

I’m at my mother’s.”

The man opens the fridge, the light turns on, and he says to himself, “What the hell? The fridge is working fine!” areas with artificial oxygen-rich blood to sustain life.

In what Dr Sestan described as a ‘mind-boggling’ and ‘unexpected’ result, billions of cells in the brains were found to be alive and healthy.

He told the NIH it is possible the brains could be kept alive indefinitely and that additional steps could be taken to restore awareness, according to a report in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Technology Review.

The neuroscientist said his team chose not to attempt either because

‘this is uncharted territory.’

Chemicals added to prevent swelling during the procedure would likely prohibit consciousness indefinitely.

This means it may not be possible for the team to resuscitate brains that can still ‘think’ using their current methods.

According to Dr Sesta, the brains they operated on were definitely not alive or conscious.

‘That animal brain is not aware of anything, I am very confident of that,’ he said, according to the MIT

report.

Previous research has shown it is possible to keep the brains of a number of mammals alive after the organ is removed from the body.

HOW SOON WILL WE BE ABLE TO UPLOAD OUR MINDS TO A COMPUTER? Brain and memory preservation has been explored at length by futurists, scientists and science fiction junkies alike.

Many say it falls under the category of ‘transhumanism.’

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

ENTERTAINMENT Chika Ike – Actress

With Douglas Omoyooma

Why people think I’m a snub

By Douglas Omoyooma

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ontroversial actress, Chika Ike is on the march again! The divorcee and mother of one who is also the CEO of African Diva, a reality TV show dedicated to grooming young African girls recently launched her make up line christened Bloom Edition. In this chat, the thespian opens up on the journey so far, her make up line and why people think she is a snub and why she scarcely responds to fan’s messages on social media.

She said: “A lot of people think that I am a snub but that is not just true. A guy once asked me, they say you’re a snub, is that true? I was so shocked I laughed and said ‘even you don’t know me! Over time I have come to realise that everyone is a snub until you meet them. It is only when you meet them that you get to know who they truly are. I have had such impressions before about a number of people and it was only until I met them that I found out otherwise. I was like after all , this person is not a snub-o.”

On why she scarcely responds to messages on social media Chika Ike continued: “Do you know how many DMS I get every day? Sometimes I can get like 500 eDMS in just one day. The question is, how do you reply? Truth is I hundreds of thousands over a very short time frame so it is hard to keep up. Truth is I don’t respond because I am a snub but because of the sheer intimidating volume.”

Bloom-edition Chika Ike is also an entrepreneur and she also used the opportunity to open up on her recently launched make up like, Bloom Edition. She began: “I would like to say that for the fact that my name is on the brand, it means that to a large extent I am putting myself out there to be received or crucified if anything goes wrong with the products. For me to come all out and say I trust this product and this is my name makes it special. Secondly, the ingredients in this product is not like the regular ingredients. It took me two years of research around the world to ensure that I had the right ingredients for Bloom Edition. I did a lot of test running of the ingredients and of textures. I have nurtured this desire for a long time. But beyond all that, Bloom Edition is a package for every bold and assertive woman.”

As an actress, how do you combine it with business? “It is hard but God gives me the strength.

It is not a walk in the pack; I try to just take one step at a time. It is all based on a scale of preference.

Whatever is priority to me at a particular time I treat as priority and whatever is not I put behind me. Right now, cosmetic is on the front burner so that is what is important to me at the moment.”

Could she put a price tag to her make up line? She breaks into laughter as she responds: “Hmmm… I don’t want to put a figure. If I put a figure to it, you might not understand. I know my figures and I know how to make my profits. It is made of great stuff and

long lasting and guess what, the quality and packaging is beautiful as you can see.”

Nollywood Despite her foray into reality TV and make up business, Chika Ike has not forgotten her roots. She also shares her plans for Nollywood. She began: “My fans should expect more jobs. I’ve been doing a post-production for a year now. I have been travelling and trying to get the right film out.

I am doing cinema in January and we already have a date so I am so excited. Before the end of the year you will see the promotion start. You will see it online. The plan is going everywhere to ensure that it is seen and heard in Nigeria and beyond the shores of Nigeria; it will make

global impact!

“I like the fact that the character which I played had this misconception about herself because she is a dancer. You kind of put her in a box but she is strong and powerful with a dark past but I can’t tell you everything because I wanted you to go and watch the film.”

Politics Today, a lot of Nollywood celebs have ventured into success. While some have found success, others have experienced failure. Does she have any plans to venture into the soap box anytime soon? “I don’t know anything about politics now. Maybe in the future I will think about that. Right now I am just focused on what I am doing.”

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

SPORTS

Olympic Qualifiers: Eagles set to devour Cote d’Ivoire

By MADUABUCHI KALU

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igeria’s Under-23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, have set their sight on devouring the Ivorian national Under-23 team when both teams clash in their opening game of African Championship in Egypt, which serves as qualifiers for next year’s Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan.

The Coach Imama Amapakabo’s charges’ sole aim of the match is picking all three points on offer against the Ivoirian national Under-23 team as they make effort to

qualify for the football event of the next year’s Olympics which Japan will be playing host to.

The Olympic Eagles The Oracle Today Sports gathered will not have the pleasure of their captain, Azubuike Okechukwu and top striker, Taiwo Awoniyi in action in Saturday’s opening group match, as the duo were not released by their respective clubs in Turkey and Germany, but Amapakabo is staying optimistic of a great start to the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations.

Consequently, the communications department of Nigeria Foot-

ball Federation (NFF) reported on Monday that Amapakabo’s boys have intensified final preparations for the this edition of the championship, as they aim to defend the title they won four years ago in Senegal with a sterling show this month in Egypt.

The reigning champions will confront Cote d’Ivoire’s Under-23 squad at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Saturday afternoon, before further matches against Zambia (Tuesday, 12th November) and South Africa (Friday, 15th November) at the same venue.

Midfield ace, Kelechi Nwakali was the first overseas-based player in the team camp (he joined before the team left Nigeria), and he has since been joined by the likes of Tom Dele-Bashiru, Sincere Seth, Muyiwa Olabiran, Orji Okwonkwo, Valentine Ozornwafor, Anthony Izuchukwu, Bright Enobakhare, Sunday Faleye and Aliyu Yau Adam.

The Olympic Eagles are expected to depart Ismailia to Novotel Hotel base in Cairo on Thursday and Amapakabo admitted he would have loved to be with Okechukwu and Awoniyi, as well as defenders Bitok Stephen and Josiah Chukwudi, but says they will make do with what they have for the game this Saturday in the Egyptian capital.

With high expectations buzzing through the Eagles’ in Ismailia, Egypt, as all the players thinking of picking three points against the Ivorians in Saturday’s opening game of Group B, Amapakabo is delighted with the output of his wards in their training sessions, which have been holding at the training pitch of Mercure Hotel in the city of Ismailia since the team arrived on Thursday evening.

Amapakabo disclosed: “The players have been working very hard and that is a positive point. They are looking forward to the tournament with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence. We are also happy to have most of the Europe-based squad members with us already. That allows time for good planning, bonding and team building.”

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon gets silver label rating

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he Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has moved up the ladder from a bronze label marathon to a silver label marathon, less than five years after its maiden edition.

Head Communications and Media, Olukayode Thomas, said IAAF Head of Road Races, Alessio Punzi, conveyed the good news to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Thomas said: “The certificate for the new Silver Label status was sent over the weekend to Race Promoter, Bukola Olopade, and General

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

T

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, has described sports as a potential unifying factor in the country, especially during trying moments as an independent state.

Muhammad made the remark in Minna, Niger, while inaugurating the 25th edition of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports Competition.

The Oracle Today Sports reports that the annual competition, scheduled to take place between October 30th and November 12th, was organised by the National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ).

He said that sports had continued to unite Nigerians “in such a way that they cannot be separated, in spite the

Manager Marathon, Yussuf Alli.”

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is unarguably the biggest one-day event in Africa from its inception in 2015, has been organised according to the standard of IAAF, the world governing body for athletics.

From the over 50,000 participants that took part in the first edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, over 100,000 took part in the most recent edition that took place February 2019.

Clijsters delays WTA comeback

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

K

im Clijsters, four-time Grand Slam champion has delayed her WTA Tour comeback because of a knee injury.

The, 36 year old tennis star, says she will not be able to compete in January as she continues her rehabilitation and treatment.

“It’s a setback but I’m determined as ever to get back to the game I love,” the Belgian mother of three said.

Clijsters, who first retired in 2007 to start a family, says she has been “inspired” by other mothers such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

The former world number one returned in 2009 and won three more Grand Slams before her second retirement in 2012.

When her latest return was announced in September, Clijsters said she was targeting a return in January when the 2020 season starts but added she would remain flexible in her scheduling.

As a former world number one, Clijsters is eligible for unlimited wildcards at WTA tournaments. She will need to play three tournaments or earn 10 ranking points to re-establish a ranking.

She said not having to play a set number of tournaments a year has “made the choice a little bit easier”.

Clijsters won 41 WTA titles and spent 20 weeks as world number one in her two previous spells.

Her daughter Jada was born in 2008, followed by sons Jack in 2013 and Blake in 2016.

Sports, unifying factor in Nigeria – CJN differences in culture and religion.”

In the words of the CJN: “As you are all aware, sports is very important to the physical, mental, and psychological development of every sportsman.

“It is also a unifying factor to Nigerians, especially at this trying moment of our country as an independent and inseparable entity.”

The chief justice, who was represented by Justice Aliyu Mayaki, the Chief Judge of Niger, said that the competition provided an avenue for staff of the judiciary across the federation “to come together as one family.”

“This event provides opportunity for the judiciary staff from various jurisdictions to keep themselves fit and mentally balanced to face the challenges

of the administration of justice in the country,” he said.

He called on the participants to reflect on the objectives of the competition and work hard to ensure that the aim was not defeated.

He further charged them to exhibit true spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Also, Gov. Abubakar Bello assured the officials and athletes of their safety during and after the games.

Bello, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, thanked the organisers for choosing the state to host the competition.

Earlier, Mr Emeka Ndili, President, NASAJ, said that the competition

would feature 10 sporting events, such as football, table tennis, handball, athletics, badminton, chess, scrabble, draught, ayo and volleyball.

The Oracle Today Sports also reports that contingents from the Supreme Court, Federal High Court, Abuja, National Industrial Court, Customary Court of Appeal from Kano, Edo, Lagos, Anambra, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom judiciaries attended the inauguration.

Others included National Judicial Institute, Court of Appeal, FCT Judicial Service Commission, Body of Benchers United, National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission, Abuja.

• CJN, Muhammad

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

SPORTS

• Fabio Capello

Capello admonishes Allegri on next job MADUABUCCHI KALU with agency reports

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Dare promises to get sponsorship for NWPL M inister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, has promised to assist the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) to gain sponsorship to enable it flourish.

The Honourable Minister made the promise while addressing journalists after the 2018/19 season NWPL Super 4 final won by Rivers Angels after a 1-0 triumph over Confluence Queens on Sunday.

Dare commended the skills displayed by the women footballers, adding that the sports ministry was dedicated to the development of women’s football in the country.

He said: “I am impressed by what I have seen. We have seen women professional football at its best.

We’ve seen the exhibition of talents; we know some of our footballers are headed for the professional league outside of this country.

“All I can say is that the sports ministry would partner with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and we will also try to see that we get the sponsorship to support them to do better.”

While expressing his delight at the commencement of the men’s professional football league, Dare said: “We will meet with all the key stakeholders before the end of November to start to draw a strategic plan on how to improve the domestic league.

“As I said earlier, it is very critical; it is the engine room of our football development, that’s where we produce our professional players that can go abroad.

“So, we are going to pay close attention working with the NFF, the club owners and the referees and coaches to isolate the issues and

abio Capello, former England manager, has advised fellow Italian, Massimiliano Allegri to wait for the Manchester United job to become available.

While Capello feels that his compatriot would do well in the Bundesliga in the light of Niko Kovac’s sacking as Bayern Munich coach earlier this week, he has advised him to wait for his opportunity in the Premier League.

Asked by Football Italia whether he thought that Allegri should consider a move to Bayern with whom, he has been heavily linked, Capello said: “Allegri would be a good fit at Bayern Munich, although I don’t know how welcome Italians are in Germany after (Carlo) Ancelotti.

“England’s exciting, there’s the possibility of doing well and the Premier League is a championship that enriches you.

“If I were Allegri, I’d go to Manchester.”

Capello was one of Allegri’s managerial predecessors at Juventus, where the latter won five consecutive Serie A titles before his departure at the end of last season.

As two of the most successful Italt is no longer news that Delta State ian coaches in recent history, Capelhas continued to dominate the Nilo won the Scudetto four times with gerian sports space over the years AC Milan, and once with Roma. ranging from the National Sports Festival to Nigeria Youth Games (NYG) including the Chief Naval Staff national Open Swimming Championship, but the news is that Delta dominance in the country’s sports • As Emery’s job hangs in balance space is not going to end any time soon if what the former Technical ollowing unimpressive outings Director of the State’s Sports Comof form English Premier League champions, Arsenal, in the cur- mission and a board member of the rent season, the management of Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), the West London club have fired Mr. Steve Onyeacholam is anything eight members of staff, as part of an to go by.

According to him Delta will continextensive overhaul, if report in the ue to dominate the country’s sports Daily Mail is anything to go by.

Among the members of staff who space for a very long time to come are to join the labour market is the because sports is one of the priority head of youth scouting, Steve Mor- areas in the state’s economy.

He explained that the state’s sucrow.

Morrow represented the Gunners cess in sports is not by accident rather a painstaking planning and execuas a player from 1988 to 1997.

The others staff members who are tion including the huge resources believed to have been axed include channeled to the industry by the Kevin Beadell, Dan Rice and Dave state government.

Onyeacholam stated this in exLee, who each held recruitment poclusive interview with The Oracle sitions at the Emirates.

However, head coach Unai Emery Today Sports at the swimming pool has been given reassurances over complex of the national Stadium his job, despite a poor run of results. Surulere Lagos during the recently The Gunners have won just two concluded 8th edition of the Chief of their past nine fixtures in the of Naval Staff National Open SwimPremier League and have thrown ming Championship in Lagos.

“Forget about Lagos, they are away points from winning positions and are currently placed 5th with pretenders as far as swimming and 17points in 11 league games. sports are concerned in this coun-

• Sports Minister, Dare deal with them.”

It is recalled that the Sports Minister recently ordered the refund of N23m ($65000) to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to complete the debt Nigeria owes to the federation.

The IAAF in 2017 wrongly credited the account of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to the tune of N43m ($135000) which has been difficult to get back.

After much pressure, Nigeria did pay back some of the sums under the former minister of sports, Solomon Dalung but the complete refund has been held back but the current minister has ordered that the remaining part of the money should be refunded to the IAAF. Dare stated this in a twitter message: “IAAF- I have approved the release of funds to refund the IAAF

overpayment wrongly credited to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria,” Dare said on Twitter.

“In a few days from now the funds should hit the account of the IAAF barring any interbank delays.

With this Nigeria’s reputation is regained.”

He later clarified that he approved the sum of N23m ($6500) the sum remaining after the initial payment from the AFN under the former minister.

“Re: IAAF refund approval is for the outstanding balance of $65,000-sixty five thousand US dollars,” Nigeria’s minister of sports added.

“The first trench of the refund was made by the former Minister. I have only completed the refund because it is the right thing to do.”

No state can topple Delta in sports for now – Onyeacholam

I

Poor run of form: Arsenal axe 8 staff

F

try,” Onyeacholam declared in response to the performance Lagos State swimming team to this year’s National Sports Festival where Lagos came very strongly behind Delta with just a gold medal difference.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t see any state toppling Delta in sports in few years to come. I say this with every sense of humility and sincerity.

“The reason is that the success that Delta State has continued to record over the year is not by accident but borne out of painstaking planning and execution coupled with the huge resources expended to sports by subsequent administration in the state.

“Despite the tremendous achievements in sports so far recorded by the state, I can tell you efforts are being made to improve on the already recorded achievements.

“As we speak, despite the state government’s efforts in sports development having realized earlier before now that sports is a veritable instrument to create employment and at the same time empower the teeming youth of the state, the local governments in the state have keyed into what the state is doing in the area of sports.

“I can tell you for free that the local governments in the state will be organizing sports festival through which more talents will be discov-

• Onyeacholam ered outside of what the state government is currently doing.

“So, you can see that as other states are battling to catch up with Delta in what they are already doing they have already started planning ahead. That is why I don’t foresee any state toppling Delta in the shortest possible time,” Onyeacholam explained.

How Enugu Rangers redeemed Nigeria’s image

I

t is no longer news that one of the country’s representatives for the CAF Confederation Cup Championship, Enugu Rangers have qualified for the money spinning group stage of the championship but what is news is that they qualified at the expense of the country’s recent nightmare, Togo.

There is no gain saying that Togo have enjoyed the footballing edge over Nigeria in recent months, and therefore it was a great relief to see Enugu Rangers advance at the expense of ASC Kara in Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup showdown at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium popularly called “The Cathedral” by home fans .

It’s understandable that Rangers fans weren’t overwhelmingly confident heading into the showdown, having been beaten 2-1 by the reigning Togolese champions in the first leg in Lome a week earlier.

However, this Flying Antelopes are a well organized side and resolute unit under Coach Benedict Ugwu, and Eziekwe Chinonso’s first-half goal was enough to see them through to the group stage on away goal rule.

There was always a chance that Ifeanyi George’s away goal from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute of the first leg was going to be critical in settling the match and so it proved. The striker could have even added to his tally in the return match but had a first-half effort saved by Noble John.

The Coal City-based club deserves immense credit for overcoming their first-leg deficit, reaching the group stage, and ending Nigeria’s miserable run against Togolese opposition.

Indeed, the West Africans’ fortunes against their nearby neighbours have been miserable of late.

It was Togo that ensured that Nigeria won’t be present at the 2020 African Nations Championship after dispatching the Super Eagles 4-3 on aggregate during the qualification campaign.

The Sparrowhawks’ 4-1 victory in Lome was decisive, ensuring that Sikiru Alimi’s valiant second-leg two-goal salvo act in the return leg in Lagos ultimately proved to be in vain.

Richard Nane, who struck twice against the Eagles in the Togolese capital, had also fired home a 92nd-minute winner in the first leg against Rangers but fell just short of eliminating two Nigerian teams from two continental competitions in the space of a month.

What is interesting in Enugu Rangers triumph over their Togolese counterparts is that about seven of the Hawks of Togo national team players play for the of ASC Kara and there are their country’s reigning champions.

It is expected that Rangers will take this good form to the group stage and ensure that they give good account of themselves and perform better than they did last year in the competition.

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The Oracle Today WEDNESDAY 6 - TUESDAY 12 November 2019

SPORTS

Akpoborie backs Balotelli against racism • Says “I suffered racial abuse in Bundesliga”

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• Woods

Woods perfecting swing that gave him victory in Japan T iger Woods has been perfecting a swing that has worked well for him during his latest victory in Japan.

Typical golf fans may have not noticed the changes Woods have made in his swings. Being the greatest in the said sport, some might think that Woods doesn’t need much development in his game.

However, Rob McNamara, the TGR Ventures vice president, who has not only played more than 500 rounds with Woods in the last 15 years, but is also his designated practice partner, begged to disagree.

In fact, it is quite evident that Woods’ swing in Japan looked better than it has in years – arguably the best since Woods’ back surgeries from 2014 to 2017. And After recovering from the knee procedure, the golf GOAT was able to practice as much as he wanted without much

worries.

McNamara’s main job is to help Woods confirm what he’s thinking and feeling about his swing. In a recent interview with Golf Digest, McNamara revealed basically how his relationship with Woods works.

According to McNamara, Woods typically coaches himself. However, his feedback has been quite useful for the legendary golfer.

“Tiger is his own coach, and he takes the lead on what he’s trying to do. Our back and forth comes when he shares where he wants to be and I see where he is and give my feedback,” McNamara explained.

McNamara then detailed what he and Woods have been working on recently. As per the swing expert, Woods goal is to perfect a swing which will clear his left hip, a technique which they find “critical” for Woods at this point.

“His overall goal is to clear and

he Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, has commence intense preparation ahead of the second visit of International Olympic Committee, IOC President, Dr. Thomas Bach, later this month, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

In a release made available by the Director of Press, in the ministry, A.B. Lere, Monday, it noted that government is very much prepared and is putting modalities in motion to ensure a memorable visit.

According to the itinerary made available, the Olympic President will commission the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa’s (ANOCA) new secretariat that is situated in Abuja, Nigeria, during the visit, and some other places of interest, as well as hold a world press conference on Monday, November 11.

“As we count days to the visit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, His Excel-

lency, Dr. Thomas Bach, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, is in high spirit to receive the number one man in the Olympic circuit.

“This visit to Nigeria further confirms that the government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, is not only committed to the development of sports across board, but using it as a tool to drive his government and project them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

“This is the second time the IOC President will be visiting our great country, the first being the coming of former IOC President, Dr. Jaques Rogge, in 2009, which was an historic visit.

“The IOC president, accompanied by his delegation, will commission the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa’s (ANOCA), new secretariat, which is situated in Abuja, during the visit and some other places of interest.

give himself room while not producing side bend. He wants his shoulders, knees and hips stacked. We’re always focusing on the clearing of the left hip. That’s critical to Tiger on a lot of levels,” McNamara revealed.

In simpler terms, Woods is currently working on a swing that could be as neutral as possible. Based on McNamara’s feedback, Woods is really determined to master a neutral swing as the said strategy worked really well in Japan.

“He’s a shot maker, and he wants to play the proper shape and attack flags. He doesn’t just hit one shot shape. He wants a setup that is neutral,” McNamara pointed out.

“No fade bias or draw bias—and then he says, let me try fade, try draw, try high, try low. That’s the checklist. He had all of that he wanted in Japan,” McNamara emphasized.

ormer national team striker, Jonathan Akpoborie, has thrown his weight behind former Italy striker, Mario Balotelli, for attempting to walk out of the pitch after being racially abused in Brescia’s 2-1 loss to Hellas Verona on Sunday in the Italian Serie A, even as he revealed that he faced racial abuse during his playing time in Germany.

It is recalled that the former Nigerian international played his entire football career in Germany with clubs such as; Hansa Rostock, VfB Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg scoring 143 goals in 325 appearances.

“Racism in football is one of the cruelest things in the world. I faced racism during my days in the Bundesliga,” he tweeted.

Reacting to Balotelli’s decision to walk out of the field, the former player noted that issues such as racism are handled differently by the affected persons.

“We have different characters in different individuals, so they also have different ways of dealing with situations like that. Nobody can understand how you feel unless you have suffered the same. Racism is one of the worse things that can happen to a human being.”

• Balotelli Akpoborie also stated that football governing bodies (FIFA and UEFA) must do better in handling the scourge.

“It’s time for FIFA and UEFA to stamp it out, they need to handle it with a strong hand, and it can be done,” he concluded.

• Nadal

Nadal to play ATP FG, Sports Ministry prepare for IOC president’s visit Finals in London despite injury T

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• Dr. Thomas Bach

orld No1, Rafael Nadal, has confirmed his intention to play at the 2019 ATP Finals in London despite battling with an injury.

The Spaniard, who returned to the top of the ATP world rankings on Monday, took to Twitter to signal his plans to fans on Tuesday.

The Mallorcan was forced to withdraw from his Paris Masters semi-final with Canada’s Denis Shapovalov with an abdominal strain on Saturday in what he described as a “super sad moment”.

But despite that late-season setback, he still believes he has a chance of competing in London and will travel to the UK ‘on Thursday or Friday’ to continue his preparations.

“Despite having a small strain in the right abdominal, I will travel to London,” he said in the post.

“Thursday or Friday I will start adapting to the surface. The idea is

to be able to play the ATP Finals in London. Thanks for the support!”

Nadal qualified for the seasonending tournament way back on July 11, but after his withdrawal in Paris last week his status was very uncertain. While his appearance is still not guaranteed, it sounds as though he could well compete.

The 33-year-old had to end last season prematurely due to injury, but in 2019 he has recorded a 51-6 match record and won two Grand Slams.

Nadal has won four titles in total this season: a ninth Rome Masters crown; a 35th ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Montreal Masters; his 12th Roland Garros triumph; plus a fourth US Open to round off the Slams in style.

The ATP Finals get underway on Sunday, November 10 with the final taking place on Sunday, November 17.

WEDNESDAY November 6 - 12, 2019

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Restore Cargo Tracking Note, Enable Dry Ports

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omptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) stirred the hornet’s nest, last week, by directing customs area controllers at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos, to ensure that containers intended for dry ports are first unsealed and examined in Lagos. Non-examination of foreign cargoes destined for inland container terminals, Ali said in the circular dated October 22, “has been largely influenced by illicit activities”; and “in order to curb this illegality” all importations “are to be unsealed, opened, examined to ascertain the contents and resealed before exiting the mother port”.

Ali’s order has irked dry port operators, shippers, freight forwarders and importers who have argued that it makes the existence of inland dry ports (IDPs) meaningless. I agree. Among other setbacks, the treatment of IDPs as bonded terminals is likely to lead to delays and port congestion, cause payment of demurrage by importers, result in multiple screening of same cargoes, render cargoes unsafe (since containers would be opened in the absence of their importers), and hinder foreign direct investments into the country.

I wonder if the customs boss considered these drawbacks before issuing this directive associated only with military administrators. Perhaps he forgot he wasn’t a garrison commander in the army anymore!

Had he consulted the stakeholders before ordering the area controllers to “report any breach of the above directives to the headquarters”, Ali could have learned he’s reversing the gains expected from having dry ports in the country. The Customs Service is not the only agency that operates at the ports – it’s not even the lead agency.

I know, however, that Ali’s current move has been prompted by frustration over the lack of a tracking system in place. Less than a year ago, he hinted that the NCS was evaluating different proposals with a view to commencing the electronic cargo tracking system in the country; and he hoped that, by 2019, its enforcement and use would commence.

Undue delays caused by bureaucratic bottlenecks or inefficiency and lack of policy continuity in almost every sector have been a cog in the wheel of the nation’s progress. The cargo tracking note (CTN) was, for instance, first introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in December 2009 after the Federal Executive Council’s approval. Stakeholders in the maritime industry as well as the organised private sector protested the additional charges the CTN brought. And, on November 9, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan “approved the abolition of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) for all shipments into and out of Nigerian seaports with immediate effect”.

When the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) reintroduced the CTN in July 2015, the stakeholders still resisted it. NSC eventually yielded as opposition mounted. By 2018, however, both the executive secretary of the NSC, Barrister Hassan Bel-

Aniebo

Nwamu

•Comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali (retd.)

lo, and customs boss Ali were expecting CTN’s restoration after widespread consultation with stakeholders including the shippers, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Bello said: “The Cargo Tracking Note will soon be reintroduced at a very negligible cost. CTN is a security thing because, when we have it, there won’t be smuggling of firearms and all other contraband. Smuggling of contraband won’t happen because everything coming in will be tracked; we will know the weight of the cargo, values and materials used.”

It does not mean that the inputs of stakeholders like the customs are not needed in the supervision of cargoes. But the NSC is the No. 1 stakeholder that initiated the idea of dry ports. The governments of states where they are sited, NCS, Nigerian Railway Corporation, importers and exporters, shipping companies, seaport terminal operators, road transporters, clearing and forwarding agents – they are all stakeholders. When agencies work at cross-purposes, the result is often disastrous. Too many cooks, as they say, spoil the broth!

IDPs deserve every support they can get

at this time. Is it not strange that, of all the seven dry ports already in the gazette, only the one in Kaduna has been commissioned? What is needed now is completion of other dry ports and commencement of new ones in other parts of the country.

Nigeria is a vast country and its seaport facilities have been over-stretched. Shipping and port services cannot be provided in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar or Warri alone. So far, approvals have been given – and concessionaires named – for IDPs in Ibadan, Aba, Jos, Kano, Funtua, Maiduguri, and Kaduna. Now that Kaduna is working, the concessionaires of the six others should accelerate work on theirs.

Indeed, some private-sector operators have proposed the establishment of dry ports also at Dagbolu in Osun State, Lolo in Kebbi State, Onitsha in Anambra State and Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State. In my view, Enugu, Makurdi, Yola and Abuja deserve dry ports too.

Across the world, progressive nations know the benefits. The United States has dry ports in Virginia, Arizona, Texas and a few other states. Canada has at least four.

Europe harbours many examples, as does the Asia-pacific region. Australia, India, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Turkey, Thai-

land, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and Afghanistan have their dry ports scattered in their hinterlands. African nations including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda have created theirs. Dry ports are meant to remove the pressure on the conventional seaports. Among the advantages are speed in clearance of cargo, reduced traffic bottlenecks, lower transportation costs, lower environmental impact, stimulation of business activities, creation of more jobs, and economic growth and prosperity.

While commissioning the Kaduna Inland Dry Port in January 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari did not lose sight of these gains. He said there would be easy access for the exportation of farm produce from Kaduna as well as neighbouring states and landlocked countries; provision of facilities for processing, packaging and forwarding of exports to customers worldwide without being physically present; elimination of congestion at the seaport and traffic gridlock in the port complex, and consequently reduction of the cost of doing business and transportation.

A typical dry port has all the facilities of a seaport; the only difference is that it is located in the hinterland. It receives containers by rail or road from the seaports for examination and clearance by customs and other competent authorities. The aim is to decongest seaports and make them user-friendly. Dry ports would drive greater interest in reviving and modernizing railways and roads for long-distance haulage.

In view of these advantages, shouldn’t the federal government have prioritized completion of dry ports in more Nigerian towns and cities? It should be a legacy project of the Ministry of Transportation led

by Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as minister.

Customs CG Ali should reverse his directive immediately. For now, customs officials at Tin Can should scan cargoes but not to unseal them before they arrive at any IDP. Consignments could be escorted by customs operatives, but it is the responsibility of IDP personnel to ensure that required documentations for cargoes are concluded and certified at their final destinations. If unnecessary obstacles are placed in the way of importers and exporters now eager to use Kaduna or waiting for new dry ports, other concessionaires might become discouraged. Nobody wants that now.

Minister Amaechi would do well to quickly remove all impediments to CTN’s reintroduction. Had it been restored as planned, Ali wouldn’t have issued the directive to unseal and examine cargoes going to dry ports. By now, the security functions of government at the ports would have been enhanced. There would have been instantaneous information and statistics, much more revenue collection and easier international trade.

•Nwamu, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of Eyeway.ng +234-8054100220 (SMS/WhatsApp only)

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