Wednesday February 5-11, 2020 Edition

Enugu Govt confirms 4th Lassa Fever case, begins train-the-trainers campaign From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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ourth case of Lassa Fever Virus has been confirmed by the Enugu State government.

Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi, while

confirming the case to newsmen said that the patient is stable and receiving intensive treatment at an undisclosed hospital, adding that tracing of all contact persons had begun.

“Yes, I can confirm it, but the situation is under con-

trol. The patient is stable and receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of one of our health facilities,” he said.

The latest report came on the heels of the flag-off of a special train-the-trainers workshop irganised by the state government where se-

The

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lected health officers from the 17 local government areas of the state were being trained.

The workshop which was christened “Sensitization Meeting on the Outbreak of Lassa Fever in Enugu State”, was organised by the State

Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA).

Addressing journalists during the opening session, the Executive Secretary of ENS-PHCDA, Dr George Ugwu said the training was about sensitisation and in-

formation step-down, adding that the LGA officers would, after the training, step down the sensitization to the council areas, community and ward levels, as well.

Ugwu noted that, “the

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SPORTS Hasselbaink faults Man U on Ighalo’s move

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Cleric to Igbo leaders: Forget presidency, go for Biafra •P5

•Hails Yoruba on Amotekun, urges Ndigbo to follow suit without further delay •Says prophecy on supreme court ruling on Ihedioha ‘stage-managed’ • Insists North won’t support Igbo presidency •Community not IPOB

burying Kanu’s parents, family Afarukwu, Ohanaeze Youths protest, urge military pullout

Coronavirus: Doctors in China commence test trial for cure drug •P11

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Gokada rider Sandra gets a car gift

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uccour has come the way of a young female Gokada rider named ‘Sandra’ who vehemently protested the ban on two/ three wheelers by the Lagos State government, as Kokun Foundation, Lagos, has gifted her with a 2004 model of Toyota Camry.

The video of the female

rider who worked with Gokada two-wheeler rider company bitterly appealing to the state government to reverse its decision on the ‘Okada’ and ‘Keke’ ban in parts of Lagos went viral on Saturday last week as the ban took effect in Lagos.

Sandra, a National Diplo-

Cont’d on page 11

Border: NIS arrests 4 human traffickers

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS

Cleric to Igbo leaders: Forget presidency, restructuring; go for Biafra

By IBE NWACHUKWU, Onitsha, and BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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cleric in Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has told Igbo politicians to halt the pursuit of Nigerian president of Igbo extraction or restructuring and concentrate on restoration of the much desired sovereign State of Biafra.

Bishop Ude spoke as the family of the late father of Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the people of Isiama Afaraukwu community called on the federal government to withdraw its troops stationed in the community to give them the opportunity and create the congenial atmosphere needed to give their departed monarch, His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Kanu and his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, a befitting burial, come Friday, February 14.

In a joint Press briefing in Umuahia Tuesday, the family, Afaraukwu community and the Ohanaeze Youth Council declared that the upcoming burial was not an IPOB affair but a discharge of traditional obligation which the affected family and the entire Afaraukwu community owed their foremost fallen traditional ruler and his Queen.

Both Eze Kanu and his wife died last year, in December and August, respectively allegedly of shock resulting from the army invasion of their palace during the September 14, 2017 Operation Python Dance II in Umuahia.

Speaking to The Oracle Today in Nnewi where his church headquarters is located, Bishop Udeh stated that it had been revealed to him in the spiritual realm that no amount of persuasion and propaganda would make the North allow an Igbo man rule the country until after 200 years of the end of the civil war which is in 150 years to come.

Udeh who is the General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries Inc. a.k.a By Fire By Fire, Nnewi, Anambra sate, insisted that it would boil down to hoping against hope and self-deceit for Ndigbo to contemplate that Northerners would allow them to smell the Aso Rock seat as president of Nigeria According to him, another Northerner, as was revealed to him, has been positioned to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

He noted that the declaration by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon of “no Victor, no vanquished” after the Civil War in 1970 was immediately abandoned and ever since then, Ndigbo have been systematically edged out of the leadership of Nigeria.

He said that the best bet for Igbo elders, politicians, the clergy and every well meaning Igboman or woman is to join the Biafra agenda now in pursuit of the restoration of Biafra or regret it in the long run.

“Igbo should wake up from their slumber. It was revealed to me that the Northerners vowed after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war that no Igboman can be President of Nigeria for the next 200 years.

Jonathan only became President by coincidence. If the Igbo cannot actualize Biafra now, they will regret it in the next 100 years and the Igboland will be dominated by the Fulanis,” he asserted.

The Bishop gave kudos to South West Governors for floating Amotekun as a new security outfit for the zone “whereas the Igbo who are in dire need of that structure are still moping.”

He wondered why the South East Governors were still wasting time to secure their zone.

“I always say that the Yorubas are wiser and more united than the Igbo. Good leaders see far.

Armed bandits are now everywhere. The Yorubas are more knowledgeable than the Igbo.

And the Igbo are supposed to have made this security arrangement before the Yorubas because the Igbo are the target,” he said.

Bishop Udeh noted that it is because some Igbo politicians have presidential ambition that they are hesitant to pursue the security arrangement in order not to offend the Northerners.

He also said the spirit of Biafra is not happy with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

On the removal of the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha from office by the Su-

preme Court judgement, the cleric insisted that the judgement must be reversed to reinstate Ihedioha.

He declared that the prophecy that brought Governor Hope Uzodima to succeed Ihedioha was stage-managed.

At the Media briefing media in Umuahia, Kanu’s family, the Afaraukwu community and the Ohanaeze Youth Council expressed apprehension that the presence of soldiers in the community was generating tension and creating fears among the people and general public, pleading that if necessary, they would sign a peace accord if that would guarantee them the privacy they needed to bury their dead according to their tradition.

Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of Nnamdi, said the family was doing its best to ensure that the traditional rites of passage of their late patriarch and his wife passed off peacefully.

“Everybody here is aware that my parents are late and will be buried on the 14th of this month.

We are doing all we can, humanly

possible, to make sure there will be a peaceful burial,” Emmanuel stated.

“Be that as it may, some of you are also aware that there has been incessant invasion of the community up until date. The last one happened a few days back when soldiers, numbered in hundreds, came into the community and everybody was running helter-skelter.

“There is no war going on in Isiama Afararukwu; it is a very peaceful town, so is Abia State, so is the entire South East. Why this unnecessary invasion? We are asking them to stay clear from us and allow us bury our parents. Make no mistakes, they (parents) died as a direct result of the Operation Python Dance.

“We are saying to the world today, to put them on notice, that they (federal government and its troops) should stay clear of this particular burial. We are here, we do not carry guns, we do not kill, neither have we asked anyone to kill for us.

“We have paid the ultimate

•Execurive Secretary, ENSPHCDA, Dr George Ugwu flanked on the left by the State’s Epideamologist, Dr Chinyere Ezeadu_ and Dr Onyinye Enebe of Disease Control Unit, ESPHCDA during the training

Enugu Govt confirms 4th Lassa Fever case...

Cont’d from Pg 1 workshop is organised for PHC Coordinators, Disease Surveillance Officers and Disease Information Educators in the 17 council areas; we will further step-down the training to each council area, community and ward in the state.

“We want to further deepen information and awareness on Lassa Fever, risk factors and life-style; everyone, especially our people at the rural communities must keep themselves and everyone safe because, prevention is better than cure.

“The training covers symptoms, case definition and appropriate way of sharing Lassa Fever education without causing panic. That is why the government, through the state ministry of health and the ENS-PHCDA are constantly on top

of the situation doing everything possible to contain the development,” he said.

He urged all PHC workers, who he said, were the first health responders at the communities, to always be on the alert and suspicious of all feverish symptoms, stressing that they should strictly maintain all personal preventive measures including ensuring regular hand washing and disinfecting of their PHC facilities always.

He also advised all residents to avoid consumption of all kinds of rat and always maintain high personal hygiene and general environmental cleanliness.

He also stressed that, “Our people should stop drying garri, abacha and other food items in open fields.

They must cover all food and food handling containers and plates, and ensure that they do not eat leftover food that is not properly, covered”.

According to the ENS-PHCDA boss, the state had recorded a total fourLassa fever cases, 307 contacts tracing for those exposed to the various confirmed cases in the state.

He added that of the figure, 251 contact tracing were done for health workers serving at health facilities within the state and 56 contact tracing for family members and relatives of confirmed cases.

He further explained that out of the four confirmed cases, two of the patients had died while the other two, including the latest case are receiving treatment.

The Oracle Today gathered that while the first deceased, a 75-year old farmer, died at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, the second diseased case occurred at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

price, like we always say it. Everybody who may have died in this struggle, especially my own parents, they have paid the ultimate price and I do know that humanity is watching.

“Please, I am using this opportunity to make it clear to the Nigerian government they should avoid Isiama Afaraukwu in the course of this burial. We assure them that we will carry out a peaceful burial, without problems. That is our stand today,” the younger kanu concluded.

He expressed optimism that sympathizers would have access to their palace on February 14.

“Everyone is free to come, I don’t think anybody will stop you,” he said while answering a question as to whether people would access the burial venue due the presence of the army in the community.

Contributing, President-General of Isiama Afaraukwu Development Union, Chief Ikechukwu Ndubueze, disclosed that a burial committee was already in place and that no stone was being left unturned to ensure a successful, peaceful burial of the Kanus.

“What we are doing is specifically a traditional burial for our late monarch and his wife. It is not all about Isiama Afaraukwu but the entire Afaraukwu as a community has gathered to bury their monarch,” Ndubueze said, adding that it was to their knowledge that some black legs were working against the actualization of their goal.

“We know there are some people who may not actually want this burial to be successful and I still believe that this people are doing everything within their reach to see that they will put up some propaganda aimed at scuttling the burial.

“We are saying that everybody should remain calm because we are very peaceful people and we are doing everything we are doing peacefully. We have tried our best to carry everybody along in the burial plans, including all the security agencies,” he added.

He blamed carriers of fake news on the social media for being behind the current ordeal of Afaraukwu people by posting unfounded lies about the community.

“We are still aware that most of the things that are still reported in the social media are not true. We are using this opportunity to tell the public that people should mind what they post about the burial or Isiama in the social media in order not to heighten the tension in our community because most of the things they post in the social media are some of the things inviting the army to invade and patrol our place,” he said.

On his own, National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboyaka, condemned the alleged invasion of the Isiama Afaraukwu community by soldiers, saying that the troops had better been sent to the North where there is insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

On whether members of IPOB were free to grace the burial, Nudbueze said it was not an IPOB affair as all guests would be appreciated as mourners. “What we have said is that the burial is not an IPOB affair,” he emphasized, adding “everybody that is coming to the burial is coming as a mourner, to mourn with us in this our moment of grief.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS Homeland security created for result-oriented communitybased crime fighting - Okoli From BONIFACE OKORO,

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• L-R: Mr. Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing , LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Jaafar Magrabi, Manager, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Racourse Road, Kano, Mr. Jiung Park, General Manager, Home Appliance Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations and Mr. Abbass Ghamloush, Regional Branch Manager, Fouani, Nigeria Limited , Kano at the commissioning of LG Electronics Free Laundry Center in Racourse Road GRA Kano State

he Commissioner for Homeland Security, Dan Okoli, has explained that the ministry was created to serve as a melting port for all other security outfits operating in the state so as to achieve positive results in community-based crime-fighting.

Okoli gave the explanation while interacting with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Abia State Command, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Umuahia.

The Commissioner added that evolving strategies to proactively curtail crime wave within the ambits of the law was the core mandate of his ministry.

He enjoined the group to intensify efforts in ensuring that their operations received legislative back-

ing and called on citizens to give credible information to security operatives regard incidences of crime.

Earlier, the South East Region who is also the State Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Very Reverend Emmanuel Ede, applauded the state government for creating the ministry.

Ede noted that the initiative would go a long way in boosting internal security in the state.

He said the visit on Okoli was to seek robust working synergy with his ministry and assured the Commissioner of the willingness of the Vigilante just like they were partnering other security agencies in the state in the fight against terrorism and other forms of crime.

The Homeland Security Ministry was created by Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, last October.

LG Electronics drives sustainability River Boundary through Inclusive Growth, launches Abia/Cross 1 killed, 3 injured, Third Free Wash Centre in Kano State clash: houses destroyed

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G Electronics, global leader in consumer electronics has reiterated its commitment to drive sustainability through its nationwide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and extension of its ‘Life’s Good with LG Wash’ intervention to Kano State. The company recently commissioned a new Free Wash Centre located at the LG Fouani showroom on 1 Race Course Rd, GRA with the aim of supporting communities lacking adequate water to efficiently carry out laundry activities as well as encourage a proper hygienic living.

The new Free Wash Centre becomes the third laundry cabin launched by LG Electronics since the opening of the state-of-the-art facilities in Lagos in April 2018 and Port Harcourt in May 2019 respectively.

According to Mr. Jiung Park, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa, the company is committed to driving sus-

tainability through inclusive growth.

“For us, we believe that ‘Life’s Good’ when shared with others. We have remained competitive while improving sustainability; we have enabled investment and innovation required to deploy new technologies and to safely and responsibly develop progressive products. LG Electronics will continue to support communities even in the future”, he said.

Commenting on the new opening, Mr. Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing Division, LG Electronics West Africa, the free wash centre is designed to operate on a daily basis in order to improve the living conditions as well as support the daily washing needs of people in the area.

“LG Electronics has over the years continued to receive commendation from Nigerian consumers for having their interest at heart in the development of cutting edge technological products. In almost two years of op-

erating both free wash centres, LG has served over 25,000 people and washed more than 190,000 set of clothes”, he said.

The laundry cabin is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to effectively take care of laundry needs of the people for free. The facility with several LG Washing machines, LG Dryers, LG Air Conditioning units, uninterrupted power supply, constant supply of water among others is to ensure that the facility operates seamlessly.

The second free laundry outlet is situated at the LG Fouani showroom on NTA road, Mgboba, Port Harcourt, River State.

LG Electronics has over the years been at the forefront of giving back to the society – engaging in different activities from different sectors including education, health, youth empowerment etc.

Niger Delta students warn against destabilizing agric varsity From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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undreds of students from tertiary institutions in the Niger Delta States Monday stormed Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), on a solidarity rally for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Otunta, issuing a stern warning to trouble makers to desist from destabilizing the institution.

The students, operating under the aegis of Niger Delta Students’ Union Government, expressed worry over orchestrated efforts by “enemies of the region” to destroy the only University of Agriculture in the nine Niger Delta States through blackmailing Prof Otunta.

In an address read by the Presidentelect of the Students’ body, Ambassador Dauebi Joey Ekadi (Jnr), the group warned people engaged in the campaign of calumny and blackmail against the MOUAU Vice Chancellor to desist forthwith or contend with the wrath of the students.

They noted that Otunta incurred

the wrath of his antagonists who have taken to maligning him in the media since he implemented the directive of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Governing council of the university, on the proper placement of staff.

“Is it a crime to promote excellence and enthrone due process and integrity in the running of the institution?” the group queried.

The group commended the Vice Chancellor for his giant strides in the academic and infrastructural advancement of MOUAU in the last four years and urged him not to be distracted by “enemies of the institution.”

President of MOUAU Students Union Government, Comrade Otuonye Famous, assured that the entire students of the institution were solidly behind Prof. Otunta because he had positively changed the image of the school.

Famous said MOUAU students were particularly happy with their VC’s policy of employing First Class

graduates of the institution, saying it was a way of tackling unemployment and offering opportunities to the youth.

He also noted that since the coming of Prof Otunta as MOUAU VC, the school has not recorded any interruption in the academic calendar while its academic rating has gone up and thanked his colleagues in the Niger Delta for coming on the solidarity rally.

Receiving the students on behalf of the Governing Council and Management of MOUAU, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Madu Iwe, described the visit as a demonstration of goodwill and the kind of support needed for advancement of the Niger Delta region.

He described all the anti-Otunta stories planted in the media as fake news engineered by enemies of progress and commended the students for being peaceful during the solidarity rally., promising to relay their messages to appropriate quarters.

• Lawmakers call for urgent deployment of security personnel

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia immediate deployment of security personnel to the trouble commune person was killed while nity has become imperative, pendthree others were injured ing the resolution of the boundary and property worth millions dispute between the two border of naira destroyed following re- communities. newed outbreak of hostilities beIn another development, the tween the boundary communities House also called on the on the of Isu in Arochukwu local govern- Federal Road Maintenance Agency ment area of Abia State and Utuma (FERMA) to, to as matter of agenin Biase local government area of cy, come to the aid of road users, Cross River State Monday. the people of Abam and Ohafia The development prompted the in Arochukwu and Ohafia local Abia State House of Assembly to government areas respectively by pass a resolution calling on the Po- repairing the dilapidated Mmuri lice Commissioner and other secu- bridge to prevent avoidable loss of rity agencies to move into Isu Com- lives and property. munity immediately to forestall The resolution was sequel to a further loss of lives and property in matter of urgent public Importance the area. brought by the Deputy Speaker of The resolution followed a mat- the House and member representter of Urgent Public Importance ing Ohafia South State Constituenbrought before the House by the cy, Rt.Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu. member representing Arochukwu Uchendu lamented the deplorState Constituency, Dr Mike Uko- able state of the ancient metallic ha, on the renewed invasion of the bridge on the only road linking the people of Isu clan by their Biase people of Abam and Ohafia, and neighbours, praying the House to beyond. intervene to forestall further loss He prayed the House to mandate of lives and property in the crisis. the House Committee on Works Isu and Utuma communities have and Project Monitoring to carry been embroiled in border clashes out an on-the-spot assessment and since 2018. report back to the House and also “Invaders from Cross River State prayed the House to prevail on the attacked people from Isu commu- State Government to carry out palnity this morning. They murdered liative measures on the failed porone person and injured three other tion of the bridge. people.

Also during plenary, HAB 13, the “I call on the Governor, his Depu- Abia State Orientation Agency Bill ty in particular who has the respon- 2019 sponsored by the Majority sibility of boundary adjustment, to Leader of the House, Hon. Solosend in security agencies as quickly mon Akpulonu, scaled through as possible.

Second Reading.

“And we are asking the federal While leading the debate on the government to send Boundary bill, Akpulonu said the bill, when Adjustment Committee to resolve passed into Law, would help in givthis matter. We need reconcilia- ing Abians orientation about the tion rather than regular attacks ei- norms and values of the state. ther from Isu or Biase,” Ukoha said After contributions by other while presenting the matter to his lawmakers, the Speaker, Rt.Hon. colleagues during plenary Monday. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, commitSpeaker of the House, Rt. Hon. ted the bill to House Committee of Chinedum Orji, while announcing the Whole for further Legislative the position of the lawmakers, said action.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS

Extortion, exploitation: RTEAN moves to unleash ex-service personnel on touts

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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erturbed by the level of extortion and exploitation of commercial motorists at most motor parks and loading points across Anambra state, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has vowed to unleash exservice personnel, such as the police and military officers on those extorting and exploiting the motorists, under the pretence that they are caring for the welfare of the drivers.

Tagged: “Operation flush out touts and extortionists from Anambra motor parks”, the action which is expected to kick off soonest, would be targeted at all groups and individuals who formed quasi

unions and printed all sorts of ticket and emblems for the purpose of extorting .and exploiting the gullible commercial drivers.

Chairman of RTEAN in the state, Comrade Kingsley Maduagwuna who disclosed this during a crucial meeting he held with local government executive members in the state, noted that arrangements are being concluded to mobilize the retired police and army officers, among other personnel to flush out the quasi unions extorting the drivers from the parks and loading units.

Maduagwuna accused other transport unions of fanning embers of discord and sponsoring crises in RTEAN, with a view to “hijacking the activities of the association for

pecuniary reasons.

He stated that the state chapter appreciated the efforts of the National President and Secretary of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Mohammed and High Chief Henry Ejiofor for making it possible for peace to return to the state chapter where traducers had allegedly exploited and sustained the protracted lacuna for their selfish reason.

Noting that RTEAN is empowered by the constitution ‘to have absolute control of authority over all motor-park activities throughout Nigeria, subject to the law or by-law of the country, Comrade Maduagwuna added that such organization like Urban Bus Drivers Association, UDWAAS and Motorcycles Transport Union of Nigeria, MTUN,

among others, were registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC by some persons in different transport organizations to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

The state RTEAN boss hinted that collection of approved tickets, emblems and other road user levies are restricted to the parks, pointing out that its members would not be found to destroy vehicles or disrupt public peace in the name of chasing an alleged offender, but work with decorum.

According to him, “the absence of RTEAN had resulted in the purported attraction of derogatory tag of ‘agbero’ to road transport business, vowing that its return and expected cordial relationship with the state

FG should invite all agitators and listen to them Lawyer

Ikpeazu promises electronic scoreboard for Enyimba Stadium, salutes team

By IBE NWACHUKWU

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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umphrey Udechukwu, a legal practitioner in Onitsha, Anambra state and legal adviser to Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has advised the federal government to assemble all agitators in the country and give them listening ear.

He said that it is only after listening to them that government would know the merits and demerits of their agitations and then engage them on useful dialogue aimed at considering all the areas that are beneficial to the nation’s existence and dropping the negative tendencies associated with the agitation.

Speaking to newsmen in his office, yesterday, Udechukwu noted that Igbo presidency does not matter much for now, rather, what matters most is restructuring and listening to all the agitators, adopt the positive sides of the agitations and drop the negative sides with elaborate explanations.

According to Udechukwu, “the era of unleashing Army, police and other armed personnel on the agitators is no longer fashionable rather what is fashionable at the moment is a true national conference because from the way things are going, it is like Nigeria is at the the verge of collapsing”.

“It is from the restructuring that all the agitations will be addressed.

Things are really not moving well.

We must address these burning issues soonest. Things are not moving well for both majority and minority political parties, winning and losing parties. Let there be meeting of all ethnic nationalities where all the agitations will be given a listening ear”.

“From the situation of things, restructuring and listening to agitators should be placed on top priority more than the general election and Igbo presidency or else the situation will continue to worsen to a stage where the whole country might collapse on our head”.

government and other relevant bodies would give a better positive image to the transport sector.

Maduagwuna said RTEAN was established by Decree 22 of 1978 under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime, as an offshoot of the Nigerian Motor Transport Owners of Nigeria (NMTOA) then led by its National President and Secretary respectively, Herbert Macaulay and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He hinted that the body is empowered to organize road safety campaign unilaterally or in collaboration with relevant establishments aimed at education its members and operators I the transport industry on their civic obligations to the traveling masses and to adhere to traffic regulations.

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• (From right): Mr Boyede Olawunmi presenting the laptop computers to Mrs Abiodun Ogunniyi, the Principal, Oriwu Model Senior Secondary School, Ikorodu, Lagos State

Umunnachi people in high spirit as they celebrated age-long Elim Ede cultural fiesta in grand style

By IBE NWACHUKWU

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t was a combination of culture, carnival and celebration galore for the people of Umunnachi community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra state, including the Arc. Frank Okechukwu Okonkwoled Umunnachi Improvement Union (UIU) as they stylishly marked this year’s Ili Ede (eating of cocoa yam) annual cultural festival.

The ceremony usually signaled the beginning of farming season in the area, just like the Afiolu festival of Nnewi, Uzo Iyi festival of Umuoji, Imo-Awka festival, Igu-aro of Nri, among others communities.

Also according to them, the ceremony serves the purpose of purification, cleansing and blessing of the people by the God of all creations.

The three-day rich cultural and traditional events which usually kicked off on a Friday, extended to Saturday with the Ojiani people (traditionalists) in control, were rounded off on Sunday with many types of masquerades displaying their cultural and mystic sagacity at the Eke market square, Umunnachi.

Speaking to newsmen at the ceremony, the President-General of UIU, Frank Okonkwo explained that the event which is as old as the community existed, is targeted an an avenue for mass return of all sons and daughters of the area at home and in the diaspora.

Flanked by members of Umunnachi royal cabinet and town union executive, Okonkwo further

explained that the town union, in conjunction with the royal cabinet valued the ceremony so much so that they decided to upgrade it to a carnival of sort.

According to Okonkwo, “just like we celebrate eating of new yam festival, we also celebrate eating of cocoa yam as an edible crop and to differentiate its celebration from that of new yam, we upgraded it to a carnival”.

“Eating of cocoa yam is the last festival we celebrate before entering into a farming season. I assigned the ceremony to Ndi Ojiani to organize on behalf of our town union, UIU and we all use it as an opportunity to organize a carnival when sons and daughters are expected to return home to join in the celebration. It serves as a purification, protection and blessing of all the people in the area since we inherited it from our ancestors”.

“We therefore appeal to our youths to celebrate the festival peacefully without any course for violence . We call on both the state government, individuals and corporate bodies to partner with us and possibly sponsor the festival in the subsequent years, since it will attract tourism potentials and revenue generation”.

His Highness, Eze Sir P. C. Obichigha (the Odu of Umunnachi), in his own speech, noted that the ceremony is as old as the creation of Umunnachi, adding that it is a festival of giving thanks to God of all creations for giving us edible things like yam and cocoa yam. “we also ask God to see

bia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has promised that an international standard electronic scoreboard would be installed at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, soon, to further complement the upgrade of the stadium.

Ikpeazu’smade the promise while congratulating the players and management of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, following their resounding victory which ensured their qualification for the Quarter Final stage of the CAF Confederations Cup. Enyimba, last Sunday, trounced their opponents, FC San Pedro, by 5-2 in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

While also assuring the Club of the commitment of his administration to providing steady support in her quest for national and continental supremacy in football, the Governor commended the players for their resilience and the coaching crew for its tactical superiority which resulted in the victory.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, in a statement he made available to The Oracle Today in Umuahia, “the Governor wishes the club more successes in their future matches, assuring them that the soccer loving people of Aba and indeed the entire state is behind them all the way.”

us forward and bless our grand children”.

On the number of masquerades featuring at the event, Obichigha noted that the masquerades are uncountable because apart from those owned by individuals and groups in the community, masquerades from other neighboring communities usually attend the festival in solidarity.

He advised youths the use their strength to improve on the general well-being of the people since according to him, every generation has their own time and evolution.

He urged government to create a forum where all the communities will come together so that government would help to sell the state to the nation in particular and to the whole world.

In their separate speeches, Chief Godwin Okagbue, Chairman of Mgbuke village, Umunnachi, his predecessor, Kosiso Okonkwo and a stakeholder, Emeka Eziamaka from Nkwelle village said they celebrate the festival in peaceas applicable in the olden days and not violently.

Okagbue, Okonkwo and Eziamaka also noted that the ceremony signifies unity and understanding among the indigenes, adding that its significance is to thank God for a bumper harvest of cocoa yams.

The leader of Odum masquerade, one the visiting masquerades from the neighboring Abagana community, Charles Onwujekwe, said: “we are here with our Odum masquerade on invitation to thrill the audience”. •Gov. Ikpeazu

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS Anambra 2021: All major political parties should choose their guber candidates from Anambra South – Ohanaeze chieftain

By IBE NWACHUKWU

C

hief Damian Okeke-Ogene, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra state has advised all major political parties in Anambra state to choose their governorship candidates from Anambra South Senatorial Zone for sake of equity and in line with the proposed zoning formula.

Speaking to newsmen at an empowerment programme organized by member representing Orumba North and South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Okwudili Ezenwankwo at his home town, Nanka in Orumba North Local government Area of Anambra state, Okeke-Ogene noted that though not yet enshrined into the constitution, equity demands that the next governor should come from Anambra South zone.

He recalled that Anambra Central and Anambra North have produced governors since the advent of democracy, adding that it is now incumbent upon all the political parties and other geo-political zones to allow the zone.

The Ohanaeze chieftain commended Ezenwankwo for the empowerment programme for the less privileged ones in the constitu-

ency, adding, “when people are happy, the heaven rejoice”.

“It is not the amount but the spirit. Ezenwankwo is reaching out and appreciating those who sent him to the national assembly and one good aspect of this empowerment programme is that he started with stomarch infrastructure and we advise him to let all the communities in his constituency, Orumba North and South have a sense of belonging”.

True representation in a democratic government is what we want. Isee him laying a foundation of making the national assembly his home”.

He warned that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN cannot impose sharia on Nigerians because Nigeria is a circular state.

He also stated that President Muhammadu buhari has no power, even as president to ask people to come into the country without visa.

On the on-going anti-corruption war, Okeke-Ogene declared: “Corruption cannot be completely eradicated in Nigeria but the fight against it is a gradual. Buhari may be a bad leader but not in all aspects. The border closure should be total to checkmate the influx of non Nigerians into the country”.

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•Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi hosted the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Manir Yakubu who came to congratulate him on his appointment as Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Monday

RTEAN vs. UDWAAS: Court orders status quo maintained till determination of motion on notice

By IBE NWACHUKWU

A

n Onitsha High Court in Anambra state, presided over

by Justice V. T. Nwoye has ordered that status quo be maintained in the legal battle between the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Urban Drivers Welfare Association of Anambra State (UDWAAS), pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

Specifically, the court has by this order, has restrained RTEAN and the police from further arresting, detaining, harassing or disturbing UDWAAS members, pending the hearing and determination of a substantive application before it.

Justice Nwoye who gave the order while granting an ex-parte motion brought before the court by UDWAAS, against RTEAN, also ordered an accelerated hearing of the motion on notice which is expected to commence on Wednesday, February 5, this year.

Four executive members of UDWAAS, Charles Obilom, Moses Ohanebo, Friday Okereke and Chukwuma Ibenwa had through their legal counsel, Victor Alo Esq., brought the motion ex-parte asking for an interim injunction restraining ex-

ecutive members of RTEAN and the police, including Celestine Anere, Osmond Okpe, Boniface Okonkwo, Onyeka Ezeani, Silas Igwe, Obinwa Ume, Inspector Festus Ediae, Supol Abba-Kyari (commander of IGP Response Team) Abuja and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP. The ex-parte motion was brought pursuant to Section 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Order IV Rules 3 & 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, and under the inherent Jurisdiction of the Hon. Court, supported by a 28-paragraph affidavit, deposed to

by Moses Ohanebo, the second applicant.

The applicants are asking the court to restrain the respondents by themselves or through their agents, privies, associates and hirelings from doing any act or acts capable of amounting to a violation of applicants’ rights as they pertain to or bother on the applicant’s complaints and application, including any further arrest and detention, harassment or disturbance of the applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application or other orders as the court may deem fit o make in the circumstance.

Also in the 28-paragrah affidavit, the second applicant, Ohanebo averred that prior to their arrest on May 21, 2019 and their detention by men and officers of IGP Response Team, IRT, who were Inspector Festus Ediae, Supol Abba-Kyari and IGP (7th to 9th respondents), at the instigation of the 1st to 6th respondents, there has been a protracted dispute between members of RTEAN and UDWAAS on which of them is duly recognized and approved by Anambra state government to manage, supervise or oversee the activities or welfare of drivers in the state.

Ohanebo further averred that during their arrest, the officers while still inside UDWAAS office located at Ifesinachi Plaze, Omagba Phase II, Onitsha, fired guns sporadically, ransacked all the drawers and cupboards and collected the sum of N436,000 realized from the sale of UDWAAS tickets, collected their bank account passbooks, their personal wrist watch and other valuables in the office, including phones and jewelries before whisking them off to Asaba, Delta state where they detained them for some day before taking them to Edo state where they were detained for more days before their lawyer ran to Abuja and secured their bail.

Youth protest against police attempt to arrest youth leader

Y

ouths in Iseke Community, Ihiala L.G.A., Anambra State have protested against alleged police harassment and relentless attempts to arrest a factional MASSOB Youth leader and a social activist in the community, Mr. Sunday Odimgbe who police said was on their “Wanted Persons’ List” for allegedly engaging in a land dispute that almost cost a life.

Odimgbe is a well-known youth activist and a factional youth leader of MASSOB in Ihiala L.G.A., Anambra State.

The police said the youth activist was wanted for allegedly being an accomplice to the killings that took place on May, 30, 2016 at the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The youth activist, who is also the factional youth leader of MASSOB in Ihiala, allegedly led his group to the city of Onitsha where they clashed with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as the latter attempted to stop them.

This encounter, the police said, eventually turned bloody.

According to the police, Odimgbe, 26, a factional Youth Leader of ‘MASSOB’ in Ihiala is allegedly linked

with “deadly terror among the residents” especially well known dignitaries around the area.

He is further alleged to have involved in an attempted murder of one Chijioke Okemdi, 38, over a land dispute in recent past.

But, speaking shortly after the protest match which took the youths around Ihiala L.G.A., leader of the protesters, Mr. Modestus Nwabululue said they embarked on the match to show their grievance over police insistence on arresting Mr. Sunday Odimgbe and the constant harassment of Mr. Odimgbe’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. Sunday Odimgbe as a peaceful, easy going, vibrant and social 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 commit murder or cause terror as being alleged by the police.

However, the police when con-

tacted insisted that based on the information at their disposal, that Mr. Sunday Odimgbe had been on their wanted list for his attempted murder of one Mr. Chijioke Okemdi over a land dispute as well as his involvement in the killings that took place in the commercial city of Onitsha alongside the terror attack on some Ihiala residents, especially well-known dignitaries in the area.

9

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS

Okowa wants more partnership in promoting clean environment From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

D

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for more collaboration, especially with the private sector in providing a cleaner and aesthetic environment in the state.

The governor made the call in Asaba while on a working visit to some Beautification projects executed by Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency.

The projects included sets of shops - SMART Delta Delicacies/Fruit Arena -.located at Summit Road, Nnebisi Road and NTA Junction, Federal Medical Center Bus Stop and unveiling of new Dennis Osadebe Statue on Anwai Road, which was unveiled by the governor.

Okowa explained that partnerships with the government would help to create better amenities for citizens.

He commended the Agency and some private concerns for the structures, saying “I am aware that some of the structures have been built either directly by the State Capital Territory Development Agency or in partnership with some Deltans as I am aware that two of the structures were donated to the state government by some very supportive deltans or people doing business in Delta.

“As a government, we are very grateful, and some willing Deltans and non Deltans who are trading in the state have also started to offer support to the state government by building some of these structures which tell us that our people should be willing to support government by giving back to the people.

“We will continue to ask and encourage our people to partner with government because government cannot do everything alone’’.

The governor charged the capital development agency to sustain it’s pursuit of clean and beautiful environment in the capital city.

According to him, I hope that they will continue to work judiciously to keep our capital territory and its environs cleaner and better.

“I can see that in the last few months there have been a lot of changes in the sanitary character of Asaba and I think that it is very instructive, not just in the capital territory.

“I want to use this medium to urge our people and let them know that sanitation is good; it is good for us to keep our environment clean.

“It is good for us to put in a lot of effort to make sure that our environments are tidy and in so doing every Deltan, non-Deltans living in our cities must be committed to doing what is needed to be done to be able to keep our state clean.

“I hope that our people will continue to support the programmes of the agency and also the programmes being put in place by the Warri-Effurun Development Agency to ensure better cleanliness of our environment.

“I am glad that Deltans are getting more interested in ensuring they do not dispose of waste wherever they feel like, particularly in our cities and I hope that better actions are taken to ensure that those who deliberately dump waste inappropriately will be dealt with accordingly.

“We are in the process of engaging environmental marshals; a task force has been created so people should be warned’’ the governor said.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Agency, Mrs Onyemaechi Mrakpor, stated that the main purpose of the agency was to redesign and reconstruct structures that would give the state capital a face lift and add value to the lives of Deltans.

She commended the governor for the support given to the agency and assured that more work would be executed to help in achieving the Stronger Delta mandate.

Ambazonia crisis: C’River seeks greater partnership with UNHCR over welfare of refugees

From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

C

ross River State Government has called for greater partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees so as to address the plight of refugees fleeing the crisis in Cameroon.

The government made the appeal through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng Jonas William during the Humanitarian Development Nexus meeting between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), state ministries and international agencies where they discussed on how to synergy for greater supports to the refugees.

The Speaker commended the UN agency for constructing inner city roads, school and temporary residential blocks and other infrastructure for the refugees emphasising

that the government has thus far donated 800 million naira and 100 hectares of farmland to assist in the welfare of the refugees.

Hon. Eteng stressed that it was very important for the UNHCR to carry the state along in their programmes so that there would be greater gains.

“We need you to carry the state government along as you continue with your commendable involvements and supports to ease the burdens of the refugees and host communities. But we need you to provide more boreholes for the refugees and host communities.

While we commend you for building school blocks, please remember to provide desks for the children.

“On our part the state government has since extended a further sum of N800 million and 100 hectares of our lands to enable the refugees do

some farming”, he said.

Also speaking, Hilary Bisong, the House committee chairman on Disaster Management and Humanitarian Crises, said due to the mass influx of the Cameroonian refugees, there has been increased social pressure on the host communities and state government.

He lamented that the state government cannot shoulder the burden of the refugees alone because of its lean financial resources and commended the UNHCR for their efforts thus far.

“Cross River alone cannot handle the refugees burden alone because of our very low financial resources.

“We need support and presence of the federal government regarding the huge presence of the Cameroonian refugees in our seven LGAs and commend UNHCR for their humanitarian role”, he said.

Head of the UNHCR sub-office in the state, Mr Mulugeta Zwedie explained that the joint is aimed at easing the challenges posed by the mass influx of the refugees in the two major camps of Ogoja and Calabar in Cross River as well as in Benue State.

He disclosed that Ogoja is the largest refugees settlement in West Africa and commended Nigeria, particularly Cross River and Benue States for hosting 51,723 refugees from Cameroon.

He said their role had mostly been to provide succour to the people fleeing their countries for many reasons such as the Cameroonians and to see that they are largely comfortable until situation in their home country is conducive for them to return.

Also speaking, Princewill Ayim, Director General of State Emergency Management Agency said they will work closely with relevant agencies to raise awareness in the area of joints resource mobilisation to address the challenges.

Boje crisis: Group seeks return of DPO to end communal war From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

A • Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (M), Mr Paul Howe, Country Director, WFP (L) and Ms Simone Partchment, Deputy Country Director, WFP (R)

Nigeria’s 17th Court of Appeal division inaugurated in Asaba From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

P

resident, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on Monday in Asaba, inaugurated the 17th Court of Appeal division in Nigeria, with a reaffirmation that justice would always be manifestly seen as done.

At the ceremony witnessed by Delta Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, Bulkachuwa said establishing the court in Asaba was in line with efforts of the Judiciary in ensuring access to justice and quick dispensation of cases as well as efficient administration of justice.

She said that the Court increased the number of its divisions in order to reduce difficulties associated with long distance travels to courts, cost of transportation and delays, adding that each of the divisions was always busy.

She explained that Benin division of the court was one of the divisions that covered Delta but was always busy, hence the need for another division in the area.

According to Bulkachuwa, there were numerous requests from the Nigeria Bar Association and the Delta State Government for the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal to be established which the Chief Judge of Nigeria graciously granted.

She stated that the Court of Appeal is primarily an appellate court.

“It hears appeal from the Federal High Court, High Court of Federal Cap-

ital Territory, Abuja, Sharia Court of Appeal of a state and FCT, competent tribunals that might be established

by Act of the National Assembly like Code of Conduct Tribunal and Elections Petition Tribunals.

“At inception in 1976, the Court of Appeal had three divisions namely, Kaduna, Lagos and Enugu and in 1976, the number was increased to five, with the establishment of Benin and Ibadan divisions, and subsequently other divisions were added.’’

The court president commended Okowa for ``prompt and result-oriented response which saw to the establishment of the Court of Appeal in Asaba.’’

She also thanked Deltans for creating the enabling environment for the Court to be established.

Bulkachuwa assured that the court ``will maintain effective presence in Asaba as it is our hope and prayers that this ceremony will provide peaceful and conducive atmosphere to do our duty to all and sundry without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and in accordance with our oath of office.

“It is also my prayer that those who come to us to seek justice will always leave this temple of justice fully satisfied that not only that justice was done but that it will manifestly be seen to have been done.”

In an address, the governor said that the inauguration of the Court complex was ``a thing of great joy and satisfaction of resounding hope and

fulfillment for the legal profession and all Deltans.’’

He said it had been a priority of his administration to extend the frontiers of justice administration and bring it closer to the people for the purposes of fairness, equity and timely service delivery.

“The opening of this court today further demonstrates our commitment to the rule of law and social justice. I wish to state that this administration is delighted to have this additional federal presence in our state.

“Aside the Court of Appeal providing speedy access to justice in a costeffective manner, the presence of such a federal institution enhances the profile of the state, creates jobs and impacts positively on the retail economy.

“It is my expectation that this temple of justice will stand as a beacon of hope for all - the rich and poor, the mighty and the lowly, the powerful and the weak - who seek refuge and protection under the rule of law,” the governor said.

Highpoints of the event were the unveiling of the Statute of Justice, inauguration of an e-Library for the Court and its inaugural sitting, presided over by Bulkachuwa.

Justices of the Appeal Court, other judges and top government functionaries including the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu, attended the event.

socio-political organization, the Boje Community Association (BCA), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate return of the Divisional Police Officer of Boki back to the community where he is expected to operate constitutionally.

The association said it is aligning with the motion moved by the Senator representing the state Central, Sandy Onor, on the floor of the Senate requesting the establishment of Mobile Barrack in Boje, the headquarters of Boki.

BCA made the call in Calabar through its Chairman, Charles Kembre while speaking on the lingering crisis in the community.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Boki, should immediately return to Boje where he is expected to operate from constitutionally.

“The CP may kindly enforce this as an interested party in the stability, peace and prosperity of Boki”, he said.

He said it is regrettable that subsequent local governments have not seen the need to live and work in Boje but rather ran the council in their cars and their private homes.

Nkembre said this has denied the council and Boki as a whole and effective local government administration.

He also called on the state governor, Ben Ayade to consider the plight of Boje as the seat of the local government headquarters to enhanced commerce in the area through provision of electricity, water and road network.

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS Extra 2020: FRSC to begin vision test for drivers

F

ederal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will begin conduct of compulsory eye test for drivers to ascertain quality of vision to reduce Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) in 2020.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said this at the corps operators’ meeting with Zonal Commanding officers (ZCO) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Oyeyemi said that poor vision was one of the major causes of road crashes globally and the corps would ensure that only drivers with excellent vision drive on Nigerian roads to avoid unnecessary carnage.

He said that the statistics of RTC in 2019 was not encouraging and admitted that the Corps needed to put in more strategies to ensure fewer accidents in 2020 and beyond.

The corps marshal said that the issue of poor vision was not limited to Nigeria, but was a global concern that needed urgent attention.

“The issue of vision for drivers is a global concern now from the preparatory conference held a fortnight ago in Washington DC. “This issue is not only a Nigerian problem as it has become an international issue happening even in the developed countries.

“When we conducted vision test randomly on the highway last year during the end of the year operation Zero tolerance special intervention patrol, 30 per cent of the drivers failed it.

“As you get older, the sight deteriorates in terms of accuracy of objects ahead of you; and this means failure to carry out the appropriate vision test for drivers may cause more harm than good.

“So, we would be partnering with Nigeria Optometrists Association (NOA) to ensure that commercial and articulated drivers’ inability to use glasses despite their poor vision would be corrected,” he said.

Oyeyemi reiterated that the issue of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol was a serious offence that would be strictly addressed, noting that drugs were more dangerous and stronger than alcohol.

He said that the FRSC would strengthen the partnership with National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW) and deploy various devices used in testing drivers to various parks across the country.

The Corps Marshal tasked all commanding officers to work harder not only to achieve these goals, but to sustain and improve the current status of the corps especially in terms of global recognition and achievements in the region.

“Zonal commanding officers are enjoined to ensure close supervision of commands under their purview as you guide towards achieving the 2020 corporate strategic goals.

“It is imperative to engage in strategic thinking as you carry out this functions as these will inspire you to device new and effective ways to executing your task with seamless efforts but quality output,” he said.

Boboye appealed to motorists in the county to accord the personnel of the Corps maximum courtesy and cooperation in the discharge of their duties.

He said that the Corps would ensure that the full weight of law would be visited on anyone who assaults its personnel.

SDGs: Okowa tasks authorities with targets attainment G

By EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has decried the inability of Nigeria to meet targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying there had been inconsistencies in governments’ commitment to the programme.

Speaking when the Presidential Management Team of SDGs led by its Coordinator, Dr. Albashir Ibrahim, who visited the governor, challenged authorities charged with the discharge of the programme to show more commitment, noting that the targets were achievable with dedication and consistency in drive.

According to him, we need to begin to work a lot more than we are doing at the moment if we are going to actually walk the talk, because many times we start goals that we do not finish.

Okowa said: “For instance, we started with Millennium Development Goals and now we have

moved to SDGs, we will set targets for ourselves as a nation then we are not able to meet up and in the end, we do not seem to have a clear analysis of how we meet out targets and that in itself is a challenge, “As a nation, I believe that all hope is not lost even if we are still behind.

We can still remain consistently constructive and committed to whatever we do so that we are able to actually change the narrative.

“It is not going to take one year or one tenure to achieve change, but the important thing all of us can continue to do is to develop that love and passion for our country so that everybody that comes will continue to build on the good things the previous person may have laid a foundation for.

“Yes, some mistakes have been made along the line but we need to continually build and remain focused on the goals and I think that that is very important for us.

“There is still a lot to be done in this nation and we need to find

ways of eradicating hunger; getting ways to educate our people because they are interwoven in one way or the other; we need to look at problems critically and that is going to involve getting people to be interested in development and the government has to support them.

“We need to re-work our educational system and create better funding for educational sector to make it more attractive and ensure that our children are focused; we need to look at the curriculum and many others.

“We need to grow jobs; creating the enabling environment for industries to grow is becoming a true problem considering the insecurity challenges that exist across the country; so, there are a lot of challenges but we must not be down about them.’’

The governor, however, expressed optimism that the country could still continue to realistically solve the problems with sincerity and ensure that Nigeria was taken

• (From left): Director of Administration Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB), Mr Emmanuel Ojong, presenting an award to the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, represented by the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr Stephen Odey, during the 2018 Federal Teachers Scheme which held at the Conference hall of SUBEB, Calabar, Monday.

National Park Service seeks media collaboration to cut down revenue flight

N

igeria National Park Service has called for media collaboration to sensitise Nigerians on the need to patronise Nigerian parks and conservation, to cut down revenue flight out of the country.

The Conservator-General, Dr Ibrahim Goni, made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during a media tour to Television Continental Communications (TVC) and Channels Television.

Goni told newsmen that Nigerians had yet to appreciate the importance of such protected areas and their contributions to the mitigation of climate change, security, wellbeing of citizens and the nation’s economy.

The Conservator-General said that Nigerians were building other economies within Africa and beyond when they visited their national parks instead of domesticating the money within.

“The service has produced several information materials to enhance the publicity of parks and has realised the need to collaborate and partner with the media to achieve this objective.

“It is in the pursuit of this that we are here today to seek for your collaboration and partnership towards the promotion of National Parks in Nigeria.

“We believe that by collaborating with the media, Nigerians will be adequately sensitised and educated on the importance of National Parks to national security, climate change mitigation, boosting of tourism, and generating the much-need foreign exchange in line with the Economic Recovery Growth plan of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.”

Goni highlighted the challenges facing the promotion of the country’s national parks, which include illegal activities within the parks (poaching, logging, encroachment and grazing) He also cited armed banditry and insurgency in and around the parks; poor quality of tourism infrastructure; lack of zeal of Nigerians for leisure and tourism; poor road network to the parks, as well as inadequate number of modern operational equipment.

Goni hoped that patronage at the seven national parks managed by the service across the country would increase, thereby raising its contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said that of the 6.7 forest cover of the country, the seven National Parks accounted for a total of 22,206km conservation area

which was about three per cent of the total land mass of the country ( 923.74km).

The seven National Parks are; Chad Basin National Park of 2,258sqkm; Cross River National Park of 4,000sqkm; Gashaka Gumti National Park of 6,732sqkm; Kainji Lake National Park of 5,382sqkm; Old Oyo National Park 2,512sqkm; Okomu National Park of 202sqkm and Kamuku National Park of 1,121sqkm.

Goni said that the service also plays roles in medicine, research, education, agriculture, tourism, spiritualism and is a critical component in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate change).

He said that the service provides security for countryside dwellers because the parks are located in the countryside.

The TVC representative, Mr Uzonna Ononye on behalf of the media outfit, said that the management was ready to collaborate with the service to push the interest of the country.

He said the National Park could become a huge revenue source if proper mechanisms were put in place.

out of the challenges.

He flayed the existing situation in the country where ``we put all our hopes on the oil economy and I think that it is a problem, because over the years we have only depended on oil which led to the abandonment of the agricultural sector.

“Now, it is going to take time to get the necessary support for agriculture and bring us to where we ought to be because the oil economy has taken all the attention and unfortunately the oil sector does not create the kind of job opportunity that is open to everyone and with poor management it still creates jobs that are too technical.

“I am glad that through the SDGs there is now a voice of advocacy so that we can begin to grow; the advocacy voice needs to be louder than it is at the moment and the issue should become more and more visible nationally.

“This monitoring visit is one more way to get the advocacy voice louder; it will let you all know what is going on and that creates a bonding between chief executives and the office of the SDGs so that the chief executives will be reminded on things we need to do in terms of partnership and I think that will make things work.

“A lot is being done in the state but looking at the challenges on ground a lot more can be done.’’

He disclosed that the state government was emphasizing technical education and trying to get the youths back into agriculture, adding that the government was driving the ideas with a lot of passion and creating various partnerships and mentoring programmes to help the youths to be trained to achieve their goals. ``We have set up various empowerment programmes for youths, women and children and the need to be able to bring up the younger females in our society whom are being neglected is paramount to us.

“While it is good that we want to achieve set goals of the SDGs, we need to work out processes that we can be committed to and being able to develop that committed way is important.

“We can no longer procrastinate because we may think that there is still time but we need to start to work now; we have had vision 2020 and now we are in the year and nothing has changed. A new target of 2030 has been set and 2030 is not far away.

“So, we need to work now because the greatest challenge that we face is that our population is growing astronomically faster than the economy can handle; we need to be honest with ourselves; face reality and see that we need to make changes to make our nation better,” he stated.

Earlier, Ibrahim had in his speech rated the government of Delta high in achieving results with the development goals, noting that the achievements could be traced to the track records of the governor in achieving desired results in whatever his activities are.

He hinted that the governor had deservedly earned an award from the national office of SDGs for his developmental efforts, and announced that the award would be given to the governor in a ceremony to be organized soon.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS

Coronavirus: Doctors in China commence test trial for cure drug

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hina has kick-started a clinical trial to speedily test a drug for the novel coronavirus infection as the nation rushes therapies for those afflicted and scours for vaccines to protect the rest.

Remdesivir, a new antiviral drug

by Gilead Sciences Inc. aimed at infectious diseases such Ebola and SARS, will be tested by a medical team from Beijing-based China-Japan Friendship Hospital for efficacy in treating the deadly new strain of coronavirus, a hospital spokeswoman said Monday.

Trial for the drug will be conducted in the central Chinese city of Wuhan — ground zero of the viral outbreak that has so far killed more than 360 people, sickened over 17,000 in China and spread to more than a dozen nations. As many as 270 patients with mild and moderate pneumonia caused by the virus will be recruited in a

randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study, Chinese news outlets reported Sunday.

The company said in a statement that remdesivir has demonstrated some success in treating MERS and SARS, two viruses similar to the Wuhan coronavirus, in animals.

Remdesivir has also been used for emergency treatment of patients with Ebola. But the drug has not yet been officially licensed or approved for treatment by any global health organization, Gilead added.

Investors were nonetheless encouraged. Shares of Gilead (GILD) rose more than 5 per cent Monday.

Gilead is not the only drug firm hoping to find a successful treatment for the coronavirus. Big Pharma rivals Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are also working on vaccines.

Drugmakers such as GlaxoSmithKline Plc. as well as Chinese authorities are racing to crash develop vaccines and therapies to combat the new virus that’s more contagious than SARS and could cost the global economy four times more than the $40 billion sapped by the 2003 SARS outbreak. The decision to hold human trials for remdesivir shows it’s among the most promising therapies against the virus that so far has no specific treatments or vaccines.

The experimental drug has not yet been approved for use by any drug regulator in the world but is being used on patients battling the new virus in the absence of approved treatment options, Gilead said in a statement last week.

Meanwhile, several other big biotech companies have also entered into a race to find a cure for

the coronavirus as they hope to treat the symptoms with existing antiviral medications.

Biotech company AbbVie (ABBV) has said that they have seen promising results for treating the Wuhan coronavirus with a mixture of two of its HIV medications and Tamiflu, which is produced in a joint venture by Swiss pharma giant Roche (RHHBF) and Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical Co (CHGCY).

Smaller drug producers Moderna (MRNA), Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO) and Novavax (NVAX) are also working on treatments.

Their stocks have all surged in the past month.

However, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it may be more than a year until a vaccine is available.

Gokada rider Sandra gets a car gift Cont’d from Pg 1

ma graduate of accounting, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State who worked with Gokada as an IT staff, appealed to the state government to regulate the riders as they moved in their motorcycles and Tricycles around town rather than ban them.

However, although her appeal apparently fell on deaf eye, greater succor came her way as Kokun Foundation, Lagos, a community-based NGO, in a rare philanthropic gesture gave her a Toyota car instead to replace her Gokada motorcycle.

Mobile Barrack in Boje, the headquarters of Boki.

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•China and other Asian economies face losses in tourism, aviation, retail and entertainment sectors due to the virus.

CA made the call in Calabar through its Chairman, Charles Kembre while speaking on the lingering crisis in the community.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Boki, should immediately return to Boje where he is expected to operate from constitutionally.

“The CP may kindly enforce this as an interested party in the stability, peace and prosperity of Boki”, he said.

He said it is regrettable that subsequent local governments have not seen the need to live and work in Boje but rather ran the council in their cars and their private homes.

Nkembre said this has denied the council and Boki as a whole and effective local government administration.

He also called on the state governor, Ben Ayade to consider the plight of Boje as the seat of the local government headquarters to enhanced commerce in the area through provision of electricity, water and road network.

Ambazonia crisis: C’River seeks greater partnership with UNHCR over welfare of refugees From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar River State Government Cshipross has called for greater partnerwith the United Nations High

Commission for Refugees so as to address the plight of refugees fleeing the crisis in Cameroon.

The government made the appeal through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng Jonas William during the Humanitarian Development Nexus meeting between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), state ministries and international agencies where they discussed on how to synergy for greater supports to the refugees.

The Speaker commended the UN agency for constructing inner

city roads, school and temporary residential blocks and other infrastructure for the refugees emphasising that the government has thus far donated 800 million naira and 100 hectares of farmland to assist in the welfare of the refugees.

Hon. Eteng stressed that it was very important for the UNHCR to carry the state along in their programmes so that there would be greater gains.

“We need you to carry the state government along as you continue with your commendable involvements and supports to ease the burdens of the refugees and host communities. But we need you to provide more boreholes for the refugees and host communities.

While we commend you for build-

ing school blocks, please remember to provide desks for the children.

“On our part the state government has since extended a further sum of N800 million and 100 hectares of our lands to enable the refugees do some farming”, he said.

Also speaking, Hilary Bisong, the House committee chairman on Disaster Management and Humanitarian Crises, said due to the mass influx of the Cameroonian refugees, there has been increased social pressure on the host communities and state government.

He lamented that the state government cannot shoulder the burden of the refugees alone because of its lean financial resources and commended the UNHCR for their

efforts thus far.

“Cross River alone cannot handle the refugees burden alone because of our very low financial resources.

“We need support and presence of the federal government regarding the huge presence of the Cameroonian refugees in our seven LGAs and commend UNHCR for their humanitarian role”, he said.

Head of the UNHCR sub-office in the state, MrMulugetaZwedie explained that the joint is aimed at easing the challenges posed by the mass influx of the refugees in the two major camps of Ogoja and Calabar in Cross River as well as in Benue State.

He disclosed that Ogoja is the largest refugees settlement in

West Africa and commended Nigeria, particularly Cross River and Benue States for hosting 51,723 refugees from Cameroon.

He said their role had mostly been to provide succour to the people fleeing their countries for many reasons such as the Cameroonians and to see that they are largely comfortable until situation in their home country is conducive for them to return.

Also speaking, PrincewillAyim, Director General of State Emergency Management Agency said they will work closely with relevant agencies to raise awareness in the area of joints resource mobilisation to address the challenges.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS GenCos fail to generate 3,205.5 megawatts due to gas shortage -- Report

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lectricity Generation Companies (GenCos), comprising gas-fired and hydro stations said that they could not generate 3,205.5 megawatts of electricity on Monday due to unavailability of gas.

This information was made known in a daily energy report by the Advisory Power Team, office of the Vice President, in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report also noted that 200.1 megawatts of electricity was not generated due to unavailability of transmission infrastructure during the period.

Similarly, it said that 0 megawatt was not generated due to high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure.

The report, however, said that the GenCos released an average of 3,942 MegaWatts/Hour of electricity into the national grid on Monday.

It said that the electricity sent out by the GenCos was up by 61.27 megawatts from the 3,881 released on Sunday.

The report said 150 megawatts was recorded as losses due to water management procedures.

The report revealed that the power sector lost an estimated N1.707 billion on Monday due to insufficient gas supply, distribution and transmission infrastructure.

On sector reform/activities, it said that the dominant constraint for Monday was unavailability of gas.

The report said that the peak generation attained on was 4,334.4 megawatts.

Delta approves construction of 11 new roads From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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elta Government has approved 11 new roads in the state for construction.

Commissioner for Works, Chief James Auguye, made this known while briefing newsmen at the end of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Asaba.

Auguye disclosed that the approved roads needed urgent attention as the state government was desirous of utilizing the dry season to construct a lot of roads.

“As we are aware, we are in the dry season and the government is working to increase the pace of road construction in the state.

He said that the council approved Oniore/High Court road, Orerokpe; Obi Azikwuo Street, Boji Boji, Owa; Alika Street in Boji Boji, Owa; Ogbeima internal roads in Bomadi Local Government Area and Okerenkoko township road phase 4.

“Also approved for construction is the Pamol Road in Ethiope West local government area; Construction of additional drains at the Ekwuoma/Umunede road, a road that has already been completed; DDPA

road phase 4, Agbor, in Ika South; Igbite Street, Staff Quarters in Okpe Local Government Area; reconstruction and resurfacing of Alihame/Agbonta/Oki road and Tete road in Boji Boji, Owa, Ika North East.

“Contracts are awarded based on available money, and contractors are happy, projects that can be paid for are awarded because the process for the award of contracts are well planned.

“I want to use this opportunity to state that the Abari/Asaba-Ase road is not abandoned; the only way for the contractor to move equipment to the site is through Uzere federal road which is in a very bad shape.

“So, our governor has requested for what it will take to carry out remedial work on the federal road to enable the contractor access the Abari/Asaba-Ase road,” he said.

On his part, Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, who, along with his Information counterpart, Mr Charles Aniagwu, was part of the briefing, stated that plans to reduce irregular migration in the state included aggressive enlightenment in schools and creating more job opportuni-

ties.

“Our Governor is committed to discouraging brain drain and irregular migration in the state.

“So, during the Exco meeting, a lot of issues were discussed and we all agreed that the bulk of the victims are youths.

“Measures are being taken to encourage youths to develop skills and we are initiating a lot of projects to discourage youths from irregular migration and we are engaging in a lot of partnership to achieve results as it concerns the youths.

“Entrepreneurship programmes for youths cannot be exhausted; we are taking critical look at rural youth dwellers and we will meet them where they are and we will have purely local government domiciled programmes for youths,” Egwuyenga said.

The information Commissioner, Mr Aniagwu, reiterated the determination of government to stop irregular migration of the youths under the guise of seeking greener pastures in places with no guaranteed security and assurance of better living conditions.

Ogun Govt pledges to rebuild burnt Sagamu market

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gun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has assured of the state government’s quick intervention in respect of the fire incident that razed the popular Sabo market in Sagamu, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The governor, who led other government officials to the scene of the incident few hours later, said that the market would be rebuilt as soon as possible.

He added that the new market would also be equipped with modern amenities like access roads, quality architecture, security gadgets and fire-fighting devices.

Abiodun, however, urged the affected traders to be calm and patient with the state government, adding that the traders should learn lessons from the incident.

“By the grace of God, we will rebuild this market and we will not waste time.

“We will put measures in place to ensure that it does not happen again in future and we will also look at how to ensure the efficiency of our fire service.

“We will do everything we can to bring succour and relief to all those who are affected.

“We must learn a lesson from what has happened here overnight.

This must not happen in any of our markets again,” he said.

The governor promised that his administration would enumerate and quickly consider immediate relief measures for the affected traders.

• Cross River State Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (CRS-NIPR), Ntunkae Offion Ani Offiong (l) receiving the award for the overall best performing chapter in Nigeria for the year ended 2019 from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Comrade Asu Okang on behalf of the NIPR President during the Chapter’s January 2020 Annual General Meeting held at the Conference room of the Ministry of Information & Orientation, Calabar, Monday

NEMA prepared to tackle predicted floods in 2020 – DG

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ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has assured Nigerians of its readiness to effectively tackle the 2020 flood predicted for the country.

Director-General, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, said Tuesday in Abuja that it was important to bring key stakeholders in disaster management together to chart the way forward toward handling the predictions.

“Preparations and planning are key to any successful activity or project. Knowing our role in disaster management, we started our planning since October through November, last year.

“So, we have come out with a work plan that guides us on a stepby-step approach to possibilities.

And with the seasonal rainfall pre-

diction released, we will now engage all stakeholders for technical meetings.

“The report will be analysed vis a vis the possibilities as far as disaster management is concerned and at the end, we will come out with a disaster management implications and socioeconomic consequences should the flood occur,” he said.

The director-general added that the organisation would be airing sensitisation campaigns through radio jingles and television programmes.

He added that the organisation had also perfected plans on sensitising flood-prone communities through video clips.

“We intend to bring a new approach to sensitising people as we

have made plans to go directly to these flood-prone communities with video clips to show them the dangers of staying in these areas in case flood occurs.

“That will prepare them so that when there is need for evacuation, they will listen to us,” he said.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), on January 21 released the 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), report.

According to NiMet, a normal to above normal rainfall is expected generally in the country.

The agency envisaged total rainfall amounts to be 400mm in the North and about 3000mm in the South.

2023: Abia APC begins preparation, holds strategic meeting From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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arty chieftains and major stakeholders of Abia State chapter of All Peoples Congress (APC) have identified clannish interest as the major factor that militated against the party’s quest to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in 2019.

APC, which is very hopeful of taking Abia, has therefore commenced early preparation for the next general election after a rather disappointing outing in the 2019 governorship election.

As part of the preparations, a strategic meeting convened by Chief Ikechi Emenike, a party chieftain and grassroots mobilizer, was attended by over 4,000 party faithful from all the wards across the state, at his vast compound in Okpuala Umukabia, Umuahia North local government area.

Sources at the meeting revealed that during deliberations at the meeting, the APC members took stock and told themselves “the home truth” about the party’s performance in the 2019 governorship poll and the role some of the so-called party leaders played to wreck the ship of the party.

“Blames were apportioned where necessary and those that failed to lift the party at their poling units were identified and reprimanded while commendations were given to star performers,” a source said.

According to the source, it was evident that the party could not live up to expectations at the poll due to the activities of “moles in our midst who worked for the ruling PDP because of clannish interests.”

However, Emenike, while addressing the meeting, urged party members to put the past behind them and work for the interest of the party in future elections, adding that the party must match its desire to take over Abia state with proactive action.

“We must close ranks and approach subsequent elections with unity of purpose and absolute loyalty to the party,” he said, noting that the party would never achieve its set target if members continue to work at cross purposes.

He also called on the APC members to remain faithful and stick with the party as it would eventually become the ruling party in Abia.

Emenike said that he was hopeful that APC would rule, since the party which was in opposition became the ruling party by wresting power from the then ruling PDP. A long-time associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, Emenike urged Abia APC members to continue to support Mr. President to ensure that the next level agenda was successfully implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.

POLITICS The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

Burial of Kanu’s father, 2021: Anambra people not an IPOB affair across Nigeria root – family, community for Soludo Pg 14

13 Pg 15

Can 2023 be an open race for all ethnic nationalities in Rivers?

As Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers States says he won’t impose anyone as governorship candidate on the people of the state come 2023, NATH OMAME Jr., The Oracle Today’s Correspondent in Port Harcourt, echoing Nyesom Nwike’s dictum that For politics of bitterness cannot attract development to any community, asks: Can and will 2023 be an open race for all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State?

•Nyesom Wike

I

n 2015, Governor Nyesom Wike, then a minister of state for education, led the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to a landslide victory in Rivers State. It was in all standards an arduous task to accomplish, considering that the incumbent governor was of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who was subsequently elevated to the position of supervisory minister of education by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, swarm through a turbulent sea of fierce opposition posed by governorship aspirants from the riverine area of the state. At the last count, there were about 14 governorship aspirants from the riverine area.

Even if Wike was anointed at all, he may, have, arguably, been endorsed by former President Jonathan and provided with the expansive appurtenances of the federal might to accomplish his desired goal. Jonathan, too, was running for a second term. So, it will would make smart political sense to support Wike to dethrone the APC in Rivers State.

Of course, power didn’t come to Wike easily. He contested for the PDP primary and won with a landslide. But went into a

vigorous bout of deft negotiations with some of the aspirants that contested the PDP governorship primary with him.

On April 11, 2019, Wike, soundly defeated the governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Peterside Dakuku. The APC governorship candidate was foisted on the party by the then-sitting Governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. In this wise, Dakuku emerged through popular affirmation by party delegates, rather than through a contest in a state primary.

Governor Wike contested for a second term of four years in the March 9, 2019, governorship election and won, again.

This time, the main opposition APC that was expected to pose a formidable challenge to the PDP, kicked itself in the foot because of the rapid desire of its leader, Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, to, again, foist a candidate on the party.

He ferried his friend, Tonye Cole, a billionaire oil mogul from the private sector, and unanimously made him the governorship candidate of the APC. Senator Magnus Abe, then-representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, who had wanted to contest the 2015 governorship primary with Dakuku, was again, frontally shut out from the process

Amaechi was desperate and in his desperation demolished the electoral fortunes of the APC in Rivers State. He organized a cham wards, local and state primary to select delegates that will chose the party’s candidates in all elective positions in the state.

An aggrieved Senator Abe and his supporters approached the court for redress. They won. The PDP capitalized on the judgement given in favour of the Abe-led faction of the APC and also went to court. And in its judgement, the court nullified all the candidates presented by the Amaechi faction of the APC. Amaechi, in his desperation to prevent Senator Abe from securing the APC’s governorship ticket in Rivers State, has begun repeating the mistakes he made in 2019. But Governor Wike does not want the PDP to be sucked into the vortex of the running tragedy into which the APC has, wilfully and deliberately swamped itself.

To assure members of the PDP in Rivers State, Wike has now proclaimed that he will not impose any governorship candidate on the party in 2023.

“For the governorship position, if you

have the capacity, come out and contest. Nobody zoned governorship to me. I struggled for it . I will not impose anybody on Rivers people as governor in 2023.”

Wike spoke on Saturday, January 11, when the people of the Orashi Region of the state, comprising Abua/Odua; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Ahoada West and Ahoada East local government areas visited him at government house, Port Harcourt.

He stated: “I will not do it; I don’ t even have that power, not to talk of giving it out. You cannot give what you don’ t have. To be governor of Rivers State, you must have the capacity to deliver.”

Governor Wike has often enjoined politicians in Rivers State to put the state first no matter the political party that the belong to. He, therefore, used the event to further amplify his long-held position.

“Don’t allow anyone to sow the seed of discord among you. Politics should not divide us. Politics of bitterness does not make sense. All of us must not be in one political party. But you must support yourselves to attract projects to your area.”

He reiterated that it was better for the people of Orashi Region to work as a team, even if they belong to different political parties, rather than work at cross proposes.

Governor Wike counseled: “The people of Orashi should remain steadfast in their march towards development.

Don’t be intimidated as you seek for the development of your region. We must be able to work as a people. We will not abandon any project awarded by the state government. You must work as a team to achieve results.”

Politicians from different political parties in Orashi Region attended the carnival-like event at government house.

Prominent figures in the Senator Abe faction of the APC were also in attendance. Senator Wilson Ake and the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibodum Nwuche, among others were there, too.

Their presence further rekindled, though unfounded speculations, that the Abe faction of the APC has a subterranean working arrangement with Rivers PDP. Governor Wike and the PDP leadership have not pointedly embarked on projects or located projects in communities based on party affiliation.

Wike’s infrastructural developmental drive has touched most of the 23 local government areas in the state. And there are, unarguably, members of all political parties in each local government area.

No matter the governor’s genuine intention, though, there are active political players who will still be pondering whether a formidable political maestro, such as Governor Wike can be neutral in the selection of his successor in 2023.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

POLITICS

•Left to Right: His Royal Majesty, late Eze Israel Kanu, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his wife, late Ugoeze Sally Kanu

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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amily of the late father of Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the people of Isiama Afaraukwu community have called on the federal government to withdraw its troops stationed in the community to give them the opportunity and create the congenial atmosphere needed to give their departed monarch, His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Kanu and his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, a befitting burial, come Friday, February 14.

In a joint Press briefing in Umuahia Tuesday, the family, Afaraukwu community and the Ohanaeze Youth Council declared that the upcoming burial was not an IPOB affair but a discharge of traditional obligation which the affected family and the entire Afaraukwu community owe their foremost fallen traditional ruler and his Queen.

Both Eze Kanu and his wife died last year, in December and August, respectively. The family is claiming that the duo died of shock resulting from the army’s invasion of their palace during the September 14, 2017 Operation Python Dance II in Umuahia.

At the Media briefing, the parties expressed apprehension that the presence of soldiers in the community currently was generating tension and creating fears among the people and general public.

They said that if it becomes necessary, they were ready to sign a peace accord if that would guarantee them the privacy they need to bury their dead according to their tradition.

Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of Nnamdi, said the family was doing its best to ensure that the traditional rites of passage of their late patriarch and his wife passed off peacefully.

“Everybody here is aware that my parents are late and will be buried on the 14th of this month. We are doing all we can, humanly possible, to make sure there will be a peaceful burial,” Emmanuel began.

“Be that as it may, some of you are also aware that there has been incessant invasion of the community up until date. The last one happened few days back where soldiers, numbered in hundreds, came

Burial of Kanu’s father, not an IPOB affair – family, community

“

“We are saying to the world today, to put them on notice, that they (federal government and its troops) should stay clear of this particular burial.

We are here, we do not carry guns, we do not kill, neither have we asked anyone to kill for us.

“

into the community and everybody was running helter-skelter.

“There is no war going on in Isiama Afararukwu, it is a very peaceful town, so is Abia State, so is the entire South East. Why this unnecessary invasion? We are asking them to stay clear from us and allow us bury our parents. Make no mistakes, they (parents) died as a direct result of the Operation Python Dance.

“We are saying to the world today, to put them on notice, that they (federal government and its troops) should stay clear of this particular burial. We are here, we do not carry guns, we do not kill, neither have we asked anyone to kill for us.

“We have paid the ultimate price, like we always say it. Everybody who may have died in this struggle, especially my own parents, they have paid the ultimate price and I do know that humanity is watching.

“Please, I am using this opportunity to make it clear to the Nigerian government they should avoid Isiama Afaraukwu in the course of this burial. We assure them that

we will carry out a peaceful burial, without problems. That is our stand today,” the younger kanu concluded.

He expressed optimism that sympathizers would have access to their palace on February 14. “Everyone is free to come, I don’t think anybody will stop you,” he said while answering a question as to whether people would access the burial venue due the presence of the army in the community.

Contributing, President-General of Isiama Afaraukwu Development Union, Chief Ikechukwu Ndubueze, disclosed that a burial committee was already in place and that no stone was being left unturned to ensure a successful, peaceful burial of the Kanus.

“What we are doing is specifically a traditional burial for our late monarch and his wife. It is not all about Isiama Afaraukwu but the entire Afaraukwu as a community has gathered to bury their monarch,” Ndubueze said, adding that it was to their knowledge that some black legs were

working against the actualization of their goal.

“We know there are some people who may not actually want this burial to be successful and I still believe that this people are doing everything within their reach to see that they will put up some propaganda aimed at scuttling the burial.

“We are saying that everybody should remain calm because we are very peaceful people and we are doing everything we are doing peacefully. We have tried our best to carry everybody along in the burial plans, including all the security agencies,” he added.

He blamed carriers of fake news on the social media for being behind the current ordeal of Afaraukwu people by posting unfounded lies about the community.

“We are still aware that most of the things that are still reported in the social media are not true. We are using this opportunity to tell the public that people should mind what they post about the burial or Isiama in the social media in order not to heighten the tension in our community because most of the things they post in the social media are some of the things inviting the army to invade and patrol our place,” he said.

On his own, National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboyaka, condemned the alleged invasion of the Isiama Afaraukwu community by soldiers, saying that the troops had better been sent to the North where there is insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

On whether members of IPOB were free to grace the burial, Nudbueze said it was not an IPOB affair as all guests would be appreciated as mourners. “What we have said is that the burial is not an IPOB affair,” he emphasized, adding “everybody that is coming to the burial is coming as a mourner, to mourn with us in this our moment of grief.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

POLITICS

2021: Anambra people across Nigeria root for Soludo Will Professor Chukwuma Soudo make it as governor of Anambra State time? In this report, THEO RAYS examines the chances of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in next year’s Anambra Sta1e governorship election.

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he quest by former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Professor Charles Soludo to become the next Governor of Anambra State in 2021 is generating a lot of momentum in the State, The Oracle Today Correspondent, THEO RAY has reported.

According to The Oracle Today findings, the ambition of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to govern Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be receiving positive response from indigenes of Anambra home and abroad, who are reported to be practically queuing to contribute to Soludo’s success at the polls.

According to the findings, Anambra people across Nigeria have started to rally support for Soludo through a pro Soludo pressure group known as Soludo Solutions 2021 (SSs21) for Anambra State.

Checks reliably proved that Anambra people from Lagos, Abuja and Delta State attended second SSs21 general meeting in Awka, the State Capital at the weekend during which the group started building structures for effective Soludo for Governor 2021 campaign with the emergence of a National Coordinator and the inauguration of Anambra State Executives .

Hon Emeka Orji was announced as the National Coordinator of SSs21 at the

meeting,followed by the inauguration of Anambra State Executive members of SSs21 headed by Chief Vin Nwankor Ikelie as State Chairman with Ogbonna Obi as Vice State Chairman and Kingboy Ifeanyi Chiagozie as Secretary respectively. Others chosen into the State Executive were Dubem Uzoka as Assistant Secretary, Sunday Nwasa as Welfare Officer and Chinwe Uko as PRO. The group at the meeting also deliberated on effective grassroots out reach targeting women and youth upon which it was agreed that people will be appointed to serve as Church coordinators, Market Coordinators •Prof. Soludo and Campus Coordinators.

Inaugurating the Anambra Executive members, the National Coordinator Hon Emeka all good luck” Orji maintained adding that the Orji charged them to move into action im- group will spread across the 36 States of Nimediately and mobilize people mostly non geria, including Abuja FCT and foreign lands In his acceptance speech the State ChairAPGA members to build the structure at the Senatorial zones, Local Government Areas man, Vin Nwankor Ikelie expressed optimism that he and his team will get the job done beand the ward levels.

“No dull moment, we intend to start inau- cause Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo gurating zonal structures in the three Sena- is a marketable and saleable material in all torial zones, Local Government structures in nooks and crannies of Anambra State.

The State Chairman added “I don’t think all 21 Local Government Areas and the entire 326 wards in the State. And like I said, the tar- we have much work to do because we have get is non APGA members because we don’t a wonderful material in the person of Soludo want people miss out in the SSs21 train in the to sell and we believe that Ndi Anambra are name of political party, so you have got a earnestly wishing to have him as the next huge task ahead of you, but I am sure you are Chief Executive Officer at the government all capable enough to deliver, so I wish you house in Awka. So on behalf of my team, we

Continued from P21 One of the questions that has most vexed the disappointed Likud ministers in the days since Netanyahu promised them that annexation would begin this week concerns Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer.

“There’s something crazy going on here,” one minister told Zman Israel. “Dermer is Kushner’s best friend. They do everything together. So what happened here? How did Kushner flip on him and on us so abruptly?”

It was, after all, Kushner who last Wednesday declared flatly that the US would not support any Israeli unilateral annexation of West Bank territory until Israel has a properly functioning government after the March 2 elections — contradicting US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who had said on Tuesday that there was no impediment to immediate annexation. And it was Kushner who turned the screw still further by saying over the weekend that one of the goals of the deal was to ensure that Israel not expand its settlements any further.

What’s a prime minister to do? The only option left that could rescue Netanyahu from his self-made nosedive with the right and the settlers, and rescue his election prospects, is to annex something, and not just little Kfar Etzion or Oranit, but a significant stretch of

land. The Americans would have to absorb the pressure from their Arab allies that would result from such a move – if only Netanyahu could be certain that even that would help.

Actually, “his only real hope is to convince President Trump that a significant unilateral annexation would help Trump himself in the coming US presidential election,” one senior Likud minister said. The political pressure will now be turned on American Evangelicals.

The Israeli right believes that only they, Trump’s most important base, can force the American president to greenlight a significant Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements.

Evangelicals are not interested in a Palestinian state – only in a Jewish state in the land of Israel, given to the Jews by God in the Bible. Massive pressure from them, Netanyahu hopes, might force Trump’s acquiescence.

“If that happens, we can argue that this is a historic moment of opportunity, and get an okay from the attorney general,” the Likud minister said, referring to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s repeated remonstrations to ministers not to advance major policy initiatives under the current caretaker government.

“In any other situation, the attorney general would oppose annexation, and then it’s all lost,” the minister added, brushing his palms in a gesture of defeat.

•Culled from the Times of Israel

assure that we are going to deliver. Thank you for given us the opportunity to do the job” Those who came from other States which includes Lagos led by Princess Amaka, Delta led by Ifeanyi Ozurumba and Abuja led

by Victor Ezeoke in separate remarks said their interest is to ensure that their home State remains in safe hands in years ahead as obtained under the current Governor Willie Obiano where the security situation in the State is very tight noting that Soludo is capable enough to continue where Obiano stopped and that is why they have made up their minds to support him.

Netanyahu falls into annexation trap

•Netanyahu

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

EDUCATION ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

F

ounder, Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tansian University, Umunya, Very Reverend Monsignor (Prof.) John-Bosco Uchechukwu Ndubueze Akam has said that the institution has zero tolerance for cultism and all immoral acts.

Reverend Monsignor Akam, in a chat with newsmen in his office at Umunya, said, as faith-based insitution of higher learning, Tansian University has no rooom for cultism, which he said is completely zero in the university and will never be accepted in the university.

Flanked by Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, former Dean of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka but on Sabbatical to Tansian University, Umunya, and the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Prof Godwin Akam said the university is training the students to have a level of lifestyle of its Patron Saint Iwene Tansi and will enusure that that level is attained by the university.

Monsignor Akam who is the Founder of the famous Konigin Des Friedens College, (KFC), Enugu and Our Lady of Waldenstein Educational Centre, Uga, as well as Lumen Radio said: ‘’In Tansian University, we have zero tolerance for cultism, immoral life. We don’t say we manage this way and continue the other way. No! We don’t cut corners. As far as cultism is concerned, it is completely zero; we don’t accept that.

And whoever is doing anything like that is in camera; it’s hidden; it’s obscured. ‘’ Anytime the person is discovered, the person is gone. And therefore, we cannot say that it thriving here, it is progressing or blossoming. No! Cultism will never be accepted. This is my will as a person. And it will be contradiction in terms for a priest of God starting a university to breed cultists. It is a contradiction in terms and reality. So, we don’t talk about it. If a child comes in and says that the only way he can get his B.Sc is by belonging to a cult group, that person, if known, is already gone. ‘’ The knowledge and the going are contemporaneous. When one is happening, the other one is happening. But supposing a student comes here and he is living at a certain street and the other one at another street in the town comes in only for lectures, but when he goes back to the other private halls and so on, cultists come to him and woo him into becoming; well I don’t know what he is doing when he is there but as long as he is in school here we cannot tolerate that. We don’t have any cultist here as a matter of fact because it is against our will, faith, and nobody can do things that contradict his own personal life. ‘’The second point is on the issue of rape or immoral life in general. Ask the students. If they do that in camera; hidden somewhere, we can’t break our head over that. But if they come here while in class or we are doing something, and a boy grabs a girl, the person goes home immediately. It is intolerable.’’

Monsignor Akam added that Tansian University in its 13th year of existence has excelled in discipline and rules hence the saying that ‘’Tansian University excels in rules and discipline. There are many things we can buy with money. There are many things we may not also have because there is no money but in the area of discipline, good life; there is need in our society today to have people who will come out and ruggedly follow good life, good living; a way of living that will be commensurate with their own faith because this university is a faithbased university. It is not like any other university where I go I get my knowledge and

Tansian University has zero tolerance for cultism –Reverend Monsignor (Prof.) Akam

•Photo of Tansian University: Founder Pro Monsignor Akam flanked right by Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Unizik, and left, the Chancellor Prof Akam

“

‘’Tansian University excels in rules and discipline. There are many things we can buy with money. There are many things we may not also have because there is no money but in the area of discipline, good life; there is need in our society today to have people who will come out and ruggedly follow good life, good living; a way of living that will be commensurate with their own faith because this university is a faith

“

then I go into the world to look for work. ‘’Our motto is ‘knowledge is power.’

Knowledge is power is not power to do evil but power to achieve, power for success and so on. The second part of the motto is ‘knowledge is virtuous life.’ We got it from Socrates of many centuries before Christ who said that if you know really what is good, how honourable, how excellent noble knowledge is, you will certainly pursue virtue. It is by pur-

suing virtue that your knowledge is climaxed. That is the two particles you have to note in the definition of our motto.

What is pursing us on is that if get knowledge from this school, I am also going to get virtue. That’s why we have rules about dressing. ‘’There is a way our students dress.

I don’t mean tattered trouser; calling it fashion and so on but we have a way of dressing up that depicts or smacks

of clean dressing. And it is not a type of dressing that may lure somebody into evil or immoral behaviour. For that reason, you get most of our students honestly pursuing all that; more of being a good person. If I get my B.Sc with 2.1 and I come out a rugged person, a drunkard, an immoral personality, a person who doesn’t believe in good life, your B.Sc has no meaning as far as Tansian University is concerned. That moral aspect; that rectitude of life, we put it as supreme or superior to even knowledge; but the two of them are intertwined’’.

Prof Okunna lauded the philanthropy of Monsignor Akam as over 1000 students are on scholarship even as she pointed out that the unbundling of Mass Communication remains the best as it would generate a lot of jobs and admission opportunities for students as well as engineer specialization; while Prof Akam, the Pro Chancellor in his separate speech pointed out that not even the Federal government or the state were able to cater for its university, hence Monsignor should be commended for sustaining the university in the past 13 years.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

HEALTH

Succour as Anglican Church brings health down to Ogbaru grassroots The four quarters of Ogbaru One State Constituency comprising Nkpipa, Anumudu, East-Niger and Central Okpoko seem to have been shut out from government health policies and programmes as the constituency lacks functional health facilities thereby culminating in poor access to basic healthcare services. As a result of the poor state of government health centres in the riverine area, peasants currently grapple with the prevalence of malaria, cataracts, hypertitis and a host of other ailments. OZO RAY reports.

F

aced with the above sad reality, rural dwellers resort to private health facilities to get solutions to their numerous medical problems. In spite of their meagre resources, the poor inhabitants of this area pay through their nose to offset exorbitant medical bills at private hospitals. To this end, the constituents of Ogbaru one are in dire need of government health intervention schemes to address medical needs in the area. Other pressing challenges of the urban-slum as enunciated by some residents of the constituency include bad roads, poor housing, insecurity and flood, to mention just a few.

Succour, however, came when the people became beneficiaries of a twoday free medical outreach at St.Luke Hospital Okpoko owned by Ogbaru Diocese of the Anglican Communion. The free medical mission was put together by the lawmaker representing Ogbaru one state constituency in the 7th Legislature of Anambra state, Hon. Chukwunonso Noble Igwe. The hospital could not contain the multitudes of persons who thronged the venue to obtain free diagnosis and treatments for various health issues. The patients who were mostly the elderly said the outreach was indeed a rare gesture and a veritable opportunity to ascertain their health status because they lack the resources to patronise private health centres in the area. Mr. Maxwell Diokoro aged 60, who resides along Cooperative road New Heaven Okpoko said he has poor vision but received free eye treatment and glasses.

He, therefore, described the experience as unprecedented because the medical team did not ask him to pay for the treatments. Diokoro, however called on governnent to extend its health programmes to Okpoko community and its environs to enable them benefit from such schemes.

Also, Mr. Christian Asika aged 57, who resides at Ogbudike Street Okpoko said it is a thing of joy that the lawmaker is helping to solve their health problems . Asika who said he received treatment for malaria and typhoid respectively , noted that the entire Okpoko community lacked roads , water , electricity and other amenities ; urging goverment to rescue Okpoko from infrastructural decay .

Another beneficiary of the free medical exercise , Mrs.Apolonia Esiobu , aged 65 , who lives along Ojoto lane Okpoko , said she was diagnosed of arthritis and was given drugs free of charge to cater for herself . She also used the platform of the free medical outreach to send a Save Our Soul Signal to the state government to intervene on roads in Okpoko community , stressing that all the roads in the area have gone totally bad and require urgent remedial works. Other issues she mentioned were perennial power outage and absence of portable water . Furthermore , Mrs.Helen Ukaegbu who resides at Chukwuonovo street

•Hon. Chukwunonso Noble Igwe

Okpoko said her case was high blood pressure and optical issues but was given treatments and free glasses to aid her vision . Although she expressed profound gratitude to the benefactor for placing priority attention on the health indices of his constituents but frowned at the deplorable conditions of roads in the area as well as the absence of electricity supply . Meanwhile , the head of the medical team , Dr. Emma Nwosu , said the essence was to give the downtrodden free medical services . Nwosu said there are prevalence of eye problems and hypertitis B in Okpoko community .

According to him , those with eye problems were diagnosed of cataracts and underwent free surgeries while those suffering from hypertitis B were given maintenance drugs too , noting that the treatments were completely free of cost even though he said cataract surgery cost about N50,000 in a conventional hospital . He said due to the riverine nature of the area , malaria , arthritis , hypertitis and other infections are prevalent in the area . He said the patients were also given antibiotics , eye problem drugs , analgesic for arthritis and a host of others . He said governnent has

quite alot to do in the area , judging from their observations . Nwosu pointed out that the people do not have access to basic healthcare and that healthcare in the area is almost dilapidated . He said the multitudes coming to access the free medical exercise , portrayed the fact that the people lacked health facilities and there is every need for government to provide basic healthcare services in the area .

The Chief Medical Director of St.Luke Diocesan Hospital Okpoko , where the free medical outreach took place , Dr.Ejikeme Okonkwo said the hospital is the biggest hospital in Ogbaru local government and that it has been responding to the health needs of the people.

He said the hospital provided treatment for all major illnesses . He said the area lacked basic healthcare because government is not proactive in responding to the health needs of the people . He mentioned refuse disposal , access roads and total emphasis on the environment as factors that would greatly improve the living standards of the people . According to him , the free medical exercise has provided opportunity for the medical experts to discover ailments like hypertension , diabetes , arthritis and malaria.

The lawmaker representing Ogbaru one state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly , Hon.Chukwunonso Noble Igwe , who is the chief sponsor of the free medical outreach to the poor and less privileged of his constituency , said that there are no functional health centres in the entire Ogbaru one constituency ; that what they have are dilapidated health posts with no staff and no drugs , stressing that they only make do with private missionary clinics like St.Luke Diocesan Hospital where he hosted the free medical outreach . Igwe noted that the state government should build a functional hospital in Ogbaru one constituency so that the people will have access to medical care . He said his constituents are poor and needy and could not afford the exorbitant bills of private clinics as a result , they suffer and die because they don’t go to hospital .

According to him: “My people are poor people. This is a sub-urban area where the poor masses go and hide to do their small businesses . So we need government incentives so that at least my people will feel the impact of democracy.”

The lawmaker said malaria, arthritis and eye problems are prevalent in the area because of the water-logged nature of the constituency as well as menial jobs people do to survive in the area. He however emphasized that the two-day free medical mission is the first phase and focuses on the treatment of malaria ,arthritis as well as checking their HIV status .

He said more of such advocacy would be organized for his constituents to attend to their health needs while they await government comprehensive healthcare packages for his constituents .

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

FOCUS

•Tanker explosion

FRSC, DPR, others advocate specialised petrol tankers to curb explosions

P

etrol tanker explosions have ascended a level where the government and the citizenry must seek proactive measures to remedy the situation. Only last year, petrol tanker explosion claimed the lives of a mother and her child during an inferno that razed Ochanja market.

The massive fire outbreak, which destroyed the said market, was caused by a petrol tanker that lost its brakes and fell into a gutter at Upper Iweka Onitsha and the contents began to spill leading to an explosion that resulted in the disaster at Ochanja market. Though the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano had long compensated those affected by the hell fire, the memories remain indelible in the minds of the victims .

Thereafter another tanker explosion occurred at Omagba area of Onitsha where goods and vehicles were destroyed again. The misfortune was also attributed to brake failure . Another explosion occurred at Amawbia near the fire service substation which recorded another monumental damage in the state . There was yet another tanker explosion at Immigration junction Awka which also left sad memories , including a few others last year .

This year there was another tanker explosion at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha . Though not caused by brake failure this time but by mechanical fault which ignited the explosion . Most pathetic was the explosion that occurred at a welder’s workshop at Amawbia by-pass Awka axis that burnt the welder to death . It was said that the ill-fated welder was working on a petrol tanker with some remnants in it . It was said that the welder didn’t know the vehicle had an opening where the contents leaked and the lightening from his machines caused the explosion which sent him on early grave and left three other persons in critical condions .

On 20th January this year another disaster involving a petrol tanker was reported by the Federal Road Safety Commission.Though it was a multiple fatal

accident involving a 911 truck , a Honda SUV and the petrol tanker at Abba junction Enugu-Onitsha highway . The petrol tanker whose content was leaking profusely as a result of the crash was in a critical state even though the men of the Anambra State Fire Service were said to be on standby to avert possible explosion . Although one person was trapped dead in one of the vehicles , there was no fire outbreak .

Indeed Anambra needs fervent prayers as well as a viable correctional approach to redeem herself from these misfortunes because it all amounts to huge unquantifiable economic loss to the people and governnent of the state . Now , the sight of a petrol tanker anywhere across the state sends cold shivers down the spine of individuals due to the calamities associated with such vehicles . Articulated vehicles have become monsters and maruaders to citizens of Anambra state . It’s time the state government rose to the situation and uphold its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property of the people from incessant tanker failures . While it is pertinent that the state seek the face of God in curbing the menace and nightmares caused by tanker drivers , stakeholders have equally advocated the dire need to have specialised tankers such that even when there is a crash , the contents will not spill and there will be no explosions .

To this end, Engr. Ignatius Anyanwu , the Operations Controller Department of Petroleum Resources Awka office , highlighted some critical factors that could make a vehicle fail. Some of these factors include bad roads , driving without certification , over-speeding , wrongful over-taking , to mention a few . Anyanwu however advised investors in the petroleum sector to procure the new customised tankers for their drivers . The tankers , according to him , are specially designed such that the products will not spill when an accident occurs and it will also prevent explosions . He said petroleum market-

ers must subscribe to the new tankers to prevent disasters from occurring now and then .

The Federal Road Safety Commission also lent credence to the efficacy of the special petrol tankers . The commission noted that the new technology, if completely embraced by players In the petroleum industry , fuel tanker explosions will be eliminated totally . Although the sector commander of the commission in Anambra state Mr.Andrew Ayodele Kumapayi expressed concern about the incessant falls of petrol tankers and articulated vehicles in the state , the FRSC boss stated that the commission had to initiate a tripartite strategy to combat the menace . These strategies according to him , were stakeholders’ collaboration , sensitisation and enforcement . Kumapayi further explained that most crashes were caused by human errors on the roads . To curb petrol tanker disasters , the Federal Road Safety Commission suggested the replacement of the old tankers with the new specialised tankers designed to save lives and to gaurd against explosions even when contents spill during an accident . The Anambra FRSC boss however disclosed that apart from the introduction of specially designed petrol tankers , the commission also issues Professional Drivers License to drivers .

Though he mentioned certain conditions for the issuance of the aforementioned license to include at least 6 years of driving experience , individual must not be less than 26 years of age , must present authentic medical fitness report and must be a registered member of a transport union . Cognisant of the fact that the Anambra State Government has set up an investigation committee to determine the remote and immediate causes of petrol tanker failures in the state , he was emphatic that if the specialised tankers were embraced hook-line and sinker by petroleum marketers , explosions and disasters associated with tankers would be forgotten in the dust bin of history .

On the other hand, Mr.Emeka Ejide, a concerned citizen of the state noted that although it is practically impossible for the state government to restrict the movement of certain category of vehicles just because of the phobic impressions such vehicles create in the minds of the citizenry , he therefore queried whether accidents involving such vehicles were as a result of bad roads or plying the roads at a particular time of the day ? Ejide maintained that accidents caused by petrol tankers and other articulated vehicles were purely lack of maintenance culture on the part of the drivers . According to him , only the Vehicle Inspection Officers , the Federal Road Safety Commission and Unions in the petroleum industry can successfully combat the menace of articulated vehicles . Ejide advised that petrol tanker drivers must attend refresher courses to update their knowledge of road safety , stressing that driving a petrol tanker is not the same as driving a lorry loaded with yam . He said government must insist on renewal of license for tanker drivers every 6 months and vehicle inspection officers must ascertain the condition of the truck before it leaves the loading bay .

To curb petrol tanker explosions as well as calamities associated with articulated vehicles , Ejide recommended that government must empower the vehicle inspection unit to do their jobs effectively . Secondly , governnent must also engage unions in the petroleum industry to pay more attention to their drivers and conditions of the vehicles used in conveying petroleum products from one destination to another . That governnent should compel tanker drivers through a legislation to comply with its directives on adequate licensing and special certification of certain categories of transport to operate in the state . It is therefore expected that the measures propounded here-in and a host of other measures will go a long way to curb the menace of petrol tanker explosions as well as misfortunes from other heavy duty trucks plying Anambra roads .

19

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

•Energy

•Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

•Tourism

Business

Nigerian gas sector booms, deepwater glooms P22 AVIATION

Coronavirus: FG assures will strengthen surveillance at 5 int’l airports P26

Beyond GDP figures,

Africans

e-Platform

Tablet sales drop by 0.6% in Q4 2019, Apple still P27 leads

are still poor

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

D

espite the comforting numbers that confer African nations with economic growth status, the citizens of the continent have remained very poor, with the greatest economies in the continent habouring world’s poorest people.

But the paradox of rich nations of poor people is beginning to gather attention of economists and growth agencies that now begin to highlight the urgent need for government’s drive policies that would enable national wealth deliver dividends to the underprivileged majority.

According to the numbers released in the 2020 edition of the African Economic Outlook published by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the continent’s economies would sustain steady growth from 2019 t0 2021. The bank projected that economies of the countries in

the continent would grow above global average, rising from 3.4 percent in 2019 to 3.9 percent in 2020 and 4.1 percent in 2021.

The report also showed that few African countries posted significant declines in extreme poverty and inequality, which remain higher than in other regions of the world.

The report however indicated that inclusive growth occurred in only 18 of 48 African countries, leaving over 30 countries without any visible link between the rich and the poor.

President of AfDB, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, however points at yawning gap between the projected growth and worsening living conditions of the people; he challenged African governments to emplace policies that promote inclusive growth.

“Nobody eats GDP” he declared, adding that growth alone cannot meet the needs of the continent’s poorest citizens.

He pointed out that the

CBN Exchange Rates As At Monday, December 9, 2019 Currency Buying(₦) Central (₦) Selling(₦) US DOLLAR 305.95 306.45 306.95 POUNDS STERLING 401.0393 401.6947 402.3501 EURO 343.6736 344.2353 344.7969 SWISS FRANC 307.2096 307.7116 308.2137 WAUA 423.9944 424.6873 425.3802 YUAN/RENMINBI 45.5687 45.6437 45.7186 RIYAL 81.578 81.7113 81.8446 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 21.0564 21.0908 21.1253 DANISH KRONA 46.0269 46.1021 46.1773 SDR 424.7504 425.4445 426.1387

projected growth figures do not tell the whole story as, according to him, the poor across the continent do not see enough of the benefits of the hyped robust growth. He made it clear that growth must be visible, equitable and palpable among the masses.

The 2020 Africa Economic Outlook called for developing Africa’s workforce for the future, demanding governments to take swift action to address human capital development in African countries where inclusive growth has been held back by a mismatch between young workers’ skills and the needs of employers.

The bank’s tasked African governments with increased investments in education, progressive universalism in education spending, high priorities for the poor and disadvantaged, and focus on basic education. It pointed out that social returns in the priority areas are highest.

Other recommendations

include improving access to education in remote areas, incentives such as free uniforms and text books, banning child labour and improving teaching standards.

To better match skills with job opportunities, the report recommends that governments need to develop a demanddriven education system in tune with rapidly emerging jobs in the private sector, including software engineers, marketing specialists and data analysts.

Director of the Macroeconomic Policy, Forecasting and Research Department at the Bank, Hanan Morsy, argues that “Africa is blessed with resources, but its future lies in its people while education is the great equalizer.

Only by developing our workforce will we make a dent in poverty, close the income gap between rich and poor, and adopt new technologies to create jobs in knowledge-intensive sectors.”

Equity & Capital Market

NSE lists Interswitch’s N23bn bond P29 Money Market

FAAC Allocation, Oil Revenue Is Why Many States Ain’t ‘Viable’ –Osinbajo P30

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AS AT MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

26,872.09 3,585.00 239,221,339.00 N2,278,227,703.71 N12,969,883,793,404.69 N13,184,703,328,762.70 N6,434,139,498.73

Top 5 Trades S/N 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Coy (By Volume) Value(N) FBNH 74,027,644 N558,420,986.50 TRANSCORP 19,187,675 N19,569,252.21 ZENITHBANK 18,306,997 N342,453,170.50 GUARANTY 17,232,896 N506,182,339.15 UBA 14,157,539 N107,565,505.90

5 Top Gainers

Symbols FLOURMILL STANBIC MTNN DANGCEM DANGSUGAR

Last Close N16.25 N39 N119.05 N144 N12.25

Current Change N17.85 1.6 N40 1 N120 0.95 N144.9 0.9 N13.1 0.85

%Change 9.85% 2.56% 0.80% 0.63% 6.94%

5 Top Losers CCNN N20 N18 -2 UNILEVER N18.5 N17.45 -1.05 ZENITHBANK N18.8 N18.6 -0.2 UBA N7.75 N7.6 -0.15 WAPCO N14.5 N14.4 -0.1

-10.00% -5.68% -1.06% -1.94% -0.69%

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

20

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Humiliation of Nigerians abroad: Time for introspection

A

ir Peace has been lifting Nigerians from and service to fatherland: “Arise O compatriots, Nigeria’s problems have been documented; what South Africa back to their home country.

Nigeria’s call Obey/To serve our fatherland with is left is implementation. The issue of power, for At least 500 have returned, as the benevlove and strength and faith…” instance, has lingered for 50-plus years without olent airline continues its philanthropic One troubling question many home-based Niany end in sight for its solution. Why? activity and the federal government also starts gerians ask is: to what have these returnees Nigerians have not been mad like the xenophobic atferrying angry citizens back from the “rainbow returned to? It is a happy thing that they have tackers of South Africa. But some Nigerians have nation”. We say congratulations to all those escaped death in the hands of haters in South been madder by killing their fellow compatriots who have been saved alive from the xenophoAfrica, but is the reason for their emigration in or colluding with foreigners to inflict terrorism bic attacks in South Africa. the first place no longer relevant? South Africa, and banditry on their own people. Desperate for We do not, however, sympathize with those a nation Nigeria committed enormous resources survival in an economy that offers no hope, some who were, indeed, criminals peddling drugs, to free from Apartheid more than two decades have taken to such crimes or even sold their own robbing people or luring young women into ago, is not one of the most attractive places on biological children for a few naira notes. prostitution. But the South African authorities earth. Even now, Nigeria’s economy is much We must return to the words in the National Anshould have dealt with criminals the same way larger than South Africa’s. What is in South Afthem: “Guide our leaders right/Help our youth they deal with South African criminals. Their rica and some other smaller economies in Africa the truth to know/In love and honesty to grow/ law enforcement agents are at liberty to trace that millions of our able-bodied youth are strivAnd living just and true/Great lofty heights attain/ and arrest Nigerian criminals, put them on trial, ing so hard – and dangerously so – to pluck?

To build a nation where peace and justice shall jail them or deport them. They could also have We can hazard a few answers. They seek jobs even reign.” If we don’t build this country so it could adopted a more stringent visa policy to stop if they are low-paying ones. They seek a place offer opportunities for those who wish to work foreigners from “overrunning” their country. they can find stable power supply necessary for and earn legitimate income, our youth will keep Hiding behind their inability to stop their own doing any kind of business. They want to sleep embarking on dangerous trips to countries that criminals carrying out xenophobic attacks is with two eyes closed and not be terrified by are less endowed than Nigeria. Every day, we not acceptable. It seems the authorities like armed bandits. They seek to drive on well-paved read reported cases of young Nigerians dying in what their “criminals” have been doing. Their roads. They want to drink clean water and thus the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea as diplomatic shuttles to Nigeria and to some avoid several diseases that cause sicknesses and they seek to cross over to Spain through northother African nations now won’t help their deaths. These are the bare necessities of life that ern African countries like Morocco and Libya. case. every well-run nation provides for its citizens.

Those trapped or kidnapped in Libya tell horrifyAs the returnees sang the National Anthem and It is understandable when Nigerians therefore ing stories: Many have become slaves by choice heaped praise songs on the chairman/CEO flock to Europe, America and now Asia in search just to escape imminent death. of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, as soon as of greener pasture. But what is South Africa?

The latest humiliation by South Africans should the aircraft first landed in Lagos, penultimate The Boers that ruled it under Apartheid might serve as a wake-up call for everybody. It is time week, tears welled up not only in the eyes of have grown its economy, but that era of relative for soul-searching. And we urge the political leadChief Onyema but also in the eyes of thouprosperity for white South Africans ended 25 ers of the country to reexamine their ways. Let us sands of their compatriots who watched the years ago. The blacks of South Africa are not far build a better country for this and future generaairport event on television and video clips better off than Nigerians. tions. shared widely on social media. The anthem re- The leaking roof which Nigerians are fleeing should minds all Nigerians of the need for patriotism be mended quickly. The solutions to most of Our Vision

TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectively caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream.

We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

OPINION

Netanyahu falls into annexation trap

P

rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have had many long hours for contemplation during his flight Monday to Uganda.

How did it come to pass, the prime minister will likely have agonized, that he could deliver such a climactic crescendo in Washington, only to awkwardly stumble days later?

Why did he vow so publicly that he would immediately start to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and all settlements in Judea and Samaria in a cabinet meeting that was supposed to have taken place on Sunday, only to have to swallow the bitter pill and cancel that meeting, because he could offer no annexation plan for the ministers to vote on — and couldn’t even be sure he had a majority among ministers from his own Likud party? How did so much optimism turn to such bitter disappointment for the right?

Just last week, he was sitting in Blair House with all the heads of the Yesha Council, the umbrella advocacy group for West Bank settlements, who had come to Washington to support him. He convinced the settlers that this was the best plan for everyone.

And now the chairman of the Yesha Council, David Elhayani, says the entire plan — which Netanyahu has worked on with the Americans for three long years and which was supposed to get Likud voters out to the ballot stations and grant him a decisive victory in the elections — is actually kalam fadi, or “empty words” in Arabic, and should be “thrown in the trash.” No less.

It is hard to overstate the melancholy on the ideological right. The rhetorical spectrum

How did the prime minister’s moment of ‘historic’ triumph in Washington descend into a bitter farce, turn Jared Kushner into a nemesis, and infuriate his right-wing base? By SHALOM YERUSHALMI runs from “despair” and “disappointment” to “lies” and “deception.” Netanyahu is hearing these mutterings in Likud as well.

No one is speaking openly yet, because no one wants to confront the prime minister, who is still the unassailable king inside Likud.

It is hard to overstate the melancholy on the ideological right. The rhetorical spectrum runs from “despair” and “disappointment” to “lies” and “deception.” Netanyahu is hearing these mutterings in Likud as well.

No one is speaking openly yet, because no one wants to confront the prime minister, who is still the unassailable king inside Likud.

But privately, no one understands how Netanyahu ended up failing so spectacularly: how, despite his intimate working relationship with President Donald Trump and the US administration, and despite his promises of annexation, he is now in a desperate search for some half-decent strip of territory to which he can apply Israeli law before election day on March 2 – because the alternative would constitute one of the more resounding political farces in Likud history.

Netanyahu will likely have done some introspection on the flight to Uganda – and also some political calculus. What does he do now? He could bring the “deal of the century” to the cabinet and try to squeeze it through with a majority vote, but that would require enormous efforts on his part to pressure and

cajole ministers from his own Likud party.

They’re all spooked by the Palestinian state that lies on the other side of the equation put forward by Trump and Jared Kushner.

Ironically, Netanyahu’s fall this time came in the very area that is usually his greatest strength: marketing. All his explanations and protestations that the Palestinian state contained in the plan is merely “limited and conditional sovereignty” that is unlikely ever to coalesce into a state aren’t convincing his fellow Likud members. His many years of demonizing the very idea of a Palestinian state are now coming back to haunt him. No minister wants to see this “state” acquire 70 percent of Judea and Samaria, with Israeli enclaves inside it.

“This plan is bad for Israel,” one Likud minister told The Times of Israel’s Hebrewlanguage sister site Zman Israel on Sunday.

“It has anti-rightist paradigms – this Palestinian state, the tunnel connecting Gaza [to the West Bank], the territory in the Negev [annexed to the Palestinian state], the capital in East Jerusalem.

“You’re talking to me about handing the neighborhoods in Jerusalem beyond the security fence to a Palestinian state? What is that? Take Shuafat – it lies between French Hill and Pisgat Ze’ev. What do we want to happen there? We want rockets on those two neighborhoods? That’s worse than the

shooting at Gilo during the Second Intifada.

It’s much closer.”

Netanyahu may be able to pass the plan through the cabinet with the help of the ultraOrthodox parties and some of the moderate Likud ministers. A quick calculation would put the group of possible supporters at 14 votes out of the 25 cabinet ministers in the current caretaker government. But the very fact that he would face vocal opposition in his own cabinet, from his own party members, would render the exercise politically useless. So he has given up on forcing such a vote.

The key figure in these calculations is Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who is still considered a close ally of Netanyahu. Katz opposes the plan and will vote against it if it comes up in the cabinet. That alone ensures that no other major Likud figure looking to position themselves as a future heir to Netanyahu can afford to face the next Likud primaries with the stain of having voted in favor of a Palestinian state in the heart of the country – no matter how comically limited that state would be.

It’s been clear since Netanyahu’s jaunt to Moscow last Thursday after the spectacle in Washington that he has stumbled into an impossible situation. On Sunday evening, he showed up at a big family event for MK Miki Zohar, spoke for three minutes and then fled the scene. Anyone who spoke with the hundreds of Likud members who packed the event hall at the Doria compound east of Ashkelon heard the Trump plan referred to as “diplomatic sabotage.” And Israelis’ confusion is only growing.

Cont’d front page 15

The comedy at Imo House of Assembly

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON

A

mid the tension generated by the sacking of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a comic relief is playing out at the House of Assembly in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State.

Within days of the collapse of the Ihedioha government, two-thirds of members of the PDP emptied themselves into the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) installed on January 14, 2020.

By Tuesday, January 28, 16 members of the PDP had switched camps on the floor of the assembly, in utter disrespect for the extant laws regulating defections in political parties.

A proviso to Section 109(1)(g) of the amended 1999 Constitution allows for defection of a member of the House of Assembly only on two grounds: a division in, or a merger of the sponsoring party or a faction of it with another party or parties.

Absent these conditions, a defecting lawmaker’s seat can be declared vacant by the Assembly Speaker, who then directs the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election into the position.

But is the Imo Speaker capable of or willing to undertake such a venture when he leads the exodus from the PDP? This could be why the party side-stepped the Speaker, and asked the INEC to conduct new poll into the seats.

The spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, told the press on January 30 in Abuja that: “The PDP is left with no other option than to request INEC to immediately commence the processes for the conduct of fresh elections into the respective state constituencies where the legislators have vacated their seats in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.”

Alleging that the defectors were “easily bought by personal pecuniary and political interests,” Mr Ologbondiyan said the lawmakers “have indeed shown absolute lack of character, failure of leadership capacity in moments of challenges and absence of faith to stand with the people in their most trying

moment.”

It seems the decamps were praying, and waiting for Governor Ihedioha and the PDP to lose the appeals filed by Senator Hope Uzodinma and the APC at the Supreme Court of a seven-member panel of Justices, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

With Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunmbo Kekere-Ekun reading the lead judgement, the court voided the election of Mr Ihedioha, and declared Senator Uzodinma as the Governor of Imo State.

The court ruling generated instant controversy, leading to aggrieved members of the PDP, led by its Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, staging daily protests, and calling for the reversal of the verdict, and return of Ihedioha as governor.

Possibly unknown to the PDP apparatchiks, including the vice presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi, the lawmakers had accepted the court verdict, and decided to decamp to the newly-installed APC government in the state.

The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Chiji Collins, holding on to his position, led the way, switching from the PDP to the APC. A few days later, seven PDP members crossed the carpet.

The ranks of the defectors swelled by eight members on Tuesday, January 28, bringing the number of members of the APC to 18 in the 24-member Assembly.

Worsening the irony is Eddy Obinna, the lawmaker representing Mr Ihedioha’s Aboh Mbaise State constituency, who couldn’t see out Ihedioha’s appeal praying the Supreme Court to reverse itself.

Reports indicate that the remaining six PDP lawmakers were on the verge of departing the party, “as some of them couldn’t conclude consultations within the week,” but that by last Wednesday, “more lawmakers would have made up their minds.”

This corps of legislators is telling Nigerians that when it suits their interest, there’s no scruple moving from one party to the other in a twinkle of an eye. Yes, their interest! That’s what dictates this melodrama in the absence, and observance of party ideology.

Forget the platitudes mouthed by the defectors: That they wanted to be on the same page with the executive arm of the Imo Government, so together, they could move the state forward.

As a lawmaker said: “They (defectors) joined APC so the House of Assembly and the executive arm of the government should be on one page to make laws for Imo people.

“Remember, when Emeka Ihedioha was governor, all of us dumped the party that elected us, and joined the PDP to move the state forward. So, it is not a new thing to be a member of APC. All we are doing is for the betterment of Imo people.”

Baloney! Must you all belong to the same political party “to move Imo State forward” in terms of development and delivering the “dividend of democracy” to the people?

Without a viable opposition, the government would sooner turn into a one-party state, and ultimately an autocracy that brooks no challenge to its authority, no matter the effect of its policies and programmes on the people.

Because, those who could hold the government to account have become enablers in the guise of being “on the same page” with the executive. Is that the essence of democracy?

The “tragedy” at the Imo House of Assembly is the dilemma of the Nigerian political system of “winner-takes-all” that leaves members of the opposition stranded in influencing government’s programmes as they affect their constituents.

If a political party can’t serve the interest of its members due to lack of actual representation in government, what option is left for its members but to decamp to the ruling party!

Yet, do the constituents complain about their representatives offering their mandate to other platforms? No, because the lawmakers either consult with them, or simply impose their will, as they do often to get elected.

So, head or tail, the Imo lawmakers are representing their people, who, owing to the crumbs, code-named “dividend of democracy” they receive, let them get away with murder in their behalf.

LAST LINE: An appeal for health safety

Mr Bolawole(+2348023842418): “I observe, with dismay, how food vendors, especially akara (bean cake) and bounce (buns) (bread rolls) sellers, expose these items to dust and flies at bus stops around Lagos metropolis. I wish you use your column to alert the relevant agencies on this wicked act.”

I appeal to the Lagos State health and environmental authorities, to take note, and help monitor these spots, to prevent contamination of these foods by air-borne diseases we can ill-afford amid growing concerns over the rapid spread of the deadly Lassa fever to many states in the country.

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

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

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

BUSINESS

Nigerian gas sector booms, deepwater glooms

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

P

olicy and price incentives floated by government to monetize Nigeria’s abundant gas resources are beginning to spur increased activities in the sector, boosting both reserves and production volumes for sustainable values.

According to industry regulator and lease administrator, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), gas reserves has sustained growth with the gas Revolution policy programme of the government which came into effect in 2013.

However, growth rate remains slow and sustainable at 1.0 percent.

Similarly, gas development projects in the sector have seen uptick in gas focused investments as opposed to ancillary gas

valorization at oil production sites.

Non associated gas development jumped by 300 percent from two projects in 2017 to six in 2018.

The Oracle Today reports that government had deployed a policy measure to drive domestic industrial and power production growth by mandatorily requiring oil firms to meet determined supply volumes for domestic gas market. It also adjusted domestic gas market prices to offer lucre for investments in domestic gas supply.

With the domestic gas price correction, investors have the advantage of earning more from supply of gas to local industries and power stations at an adjusted price of $2.80 per 1000 standard cubic feet ($2.80/1000scf) of wheeled gas.

The price incetive had since sparked huge gas development and processing investments as

investors scramble for space in the fast developing domestic gas market. The evolving domestic gas market has driven improved compliance to the domestic supply obligation which the DPR stated has led to delivery of 1.3 billion standard cubic feet (1.3 Bscf) of gas per day.

With compliance to mandatory supply requirement near 50 percent, DPR said, developed capacity for gas delivery in the domestic market optimized to about 80 percent in 2018 with 41 percent exported, 32% utilized in operations, 13.6% supplied to domestic market while 11 percent was flared.

A report by industry magazine, Africa Oil and Gas Report, monitored by The Oracle Today quoted DPR as stating that “the zero routine gas flaring target in 2020 is vigorously being pursued

by the Department. The impact of regulatory instruments such as Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations 2018 would undoubtedly facilitate the attainment of the zero-flare elimination target and improve gas utilization in the coming years”.

It also has it that DPR would continue to drive the on-going implementation of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC).

“The review of the Network Code licensing framework and development of all its ancillary agreements have been firmed,” DPR stated in an industry report.

Meanwhile, whereas boom rules the gas sector, gloom shadows the nation’s deepwater oil play where depletion rate is increasing disproportionately with

reserves profile.

The sustainability of petroleum industry production lies in the balance between oil production and reserves replacement. Rising production without proportionate reserves addition means that the output life would be short.

And DPR reported that Nigeria’s deepwater activity is depleting reserves.

With total liquid reserves of 37 billion barrels, the deepwater play which is less vulnerable to production losses pumps over 36 percent of the nation’s 2.3 million barrels of oil per day from only 7.75 billion barrels or 21 percent of the total reserves. The reserves to production ratio implies a depletion rate of 3.1 percent.

If new reserves are not added, DPR stated, production from the deepwater would dry out in 32 years or in 2052.

Maurel Et Prom replaces rep in Seplat board

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

F

rench independent with stake in Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Maurel et Prom (M&P), has appointed its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olivier de Langavant, to sit on the board of the indigenous integrated energy independent.

The appointment of Mr. de Langavant follows retirement of

Mr. Michel Hochard as Executive Director representing M&P in the board of Seplat.

Seplat’s spokesman, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, stated that the changes were made in accordance with Rule 4 of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Amended Listing Rules and Rule 9.6.11 of the UKLA Listing Rules.

She said Mr. Hochard in his role as the Chief Executive officer of M&P was appointed to the board

of SEPLAT in 2009 as a nominee of M&P and served meritoriously before his retirement.

Following the retirement of Mr. Hochard as the Chief Executive Officer of M&P and from the Board of SEPLAT, she explained, Mr. de Langavant who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of M&P was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Seplat with effect from January 28.

“Mr. Langavant now replaces

Mr. Hochard as a nominee of M&P on the Board of the Company,” she said.

Mr. Langavant holds an Engineering degree from the National School of Mines of Paris.

He has served in various capacities within the Total Group which include Senior Vice President, Operations in the Netherlands; Deputy Managing Director, Total E&P Angola; Managing Director, Total E&P

Myanmar; Managing Director, Total E&P Angola; Senior Vice President, Finance, Economics & Information Systems of Total’s (E&P) branch; and Senior Vice President E&P Strategy, Business Development and R&D. “The SEPLAT Board of Directors is indeed privileged to have him on board and look forward to his immense contribution towards the continued success of the Board and Company,” Dr Nwachuku stated.

NCDMB, Rungas Start Cylinder Factory in Polaku

T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced that it has partnered Rungas Prime Industries Limited in the establishment of a 400,000 per annum Type 3 LPG Composite Cylinder Manufacturing Plant in Polaku, Bayelsa State.

Making the announcement in Yenagoa during a town hall meeting with chiefs and representatives of the Polaku Community, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, confirmed that Rungas had been allocated two hectares of land at Polaku for the establishment of the factory.

NCDMB had purchased 10.6 hectares of land at Polaku in June 2013 for the purpose of establishing a pipemill but ddiscussions with Yulong Pipemill of China and other investors did not yield expected results, leaving the land to lie fallow for almost seven years.

He stated that the ground breaking ceremony for the cooking

gas cylinders manufacturing facility would be performed in a few weeks by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, adding that NCDMB was keen to start the project immediately because it will create employment opportunities for youths from the state and environs.

He indicated that another strong motivation for the facility is the direct linkage to one of the minister’s operational priorities, which is the penetration and utilization of liquefied petroleum (cooking) gas by Nigerians.

The Executive Secretary expressed hope that theproject will generate up to 200 direct and indirect jobs during construction phase and about 350 direct and indirect jobs during the full operations phase, in addition to other induced employment and economic activities.

He also confirmed that NCDMB had allotted another hectare of the Polaku land to a gas distribution company

for the construction of a Pressure Reduction and Metering Station. ”This is meant to supply gas to upcoming industries in Polaku, Gbarain, and other surrounding areas to the distribution of domestic gas for power generation and for other industrial uses.”

He explained that the Board changed its strategy after experiencing long delays in getting investors for the planned pipemill. The new strategy willensure utilization of the site and bring manufacturing outfits to the area for creation of jobs and increase in economic activities, he said.

Wabote hinted that NCDMB was also in discussion with other investors to take up the remaining portions of the Polaku land, adding that “we will allocate the land to as many companies as possible for setting-up of viable businesses until the land is fully allocated.”

He maintained that NCDMB’s partnerships with investors were in line with its vision to serve as a catalyst for

the industrialization of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Identifying reasons why Yulong pipe mill did not continue with the pipemill project, the Executive Secretary said the company had concerns about security, cooperation from the host community and return on their investment, especially after the crash of crude oil prices in the international market. He noted that the company moved to Lekki Free Zone in Lagos and set up the pipemill within six months in 2016.

He charged the Polaku chiefs and leaders to support the new investment because it will place their community on the map of oil and gas manufacturing activities and provide job opportunities for their children.“Your roles should include checkmating any individual or group that wants to derail this wonderful opportunity from coming into fruition in your community,” he advised.

He also promised that the Board

will set up a community interface committee that will comprise of representatives of the community, the investor and NCDMB, with responsibilities to ensure community participation in the project, enhance cordial relationship and promote compliance with the Community Content elements of the project.

He however warned that the Board would move the investment to another location if the Polaku community became difficult, uncooperative or unreceptive.

In their comments, leaders of the community pledged their support to the incoming investment and assured that itwill not be disturbed in any way.

They stated that Polaku is a peaceful community and was desirous of development. The women leaders also welcomed the project and expressed willingness to be part of the workforce during the construction stages of the gas cylinder manufacturing plant.

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

BUSINESS

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

T

he influence of the Chinese economy across the globe has became most palpable with the horrible coronavirus pandemic which has forced governments and business organizations to temporarily draw the curtain against the Asian giant.

The Oracle Today reports that China confirmed outbreak of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus in the city of Wuhan last December. The virus, also named 2019-nCoV, is linked to pneumonia and other deadly infections that attack human organs, including the kidneys.

The outbreak has spread to every province and region of China; and Hubei Province remains the epicenter of the pandemic, with over 8,000 positively diagnosed with coronavirus and hundreds of people threatened with death.

Beyond the country, the number of cases has since soared and spread to over 20,000 confirmed cases around the world and over recorded 400 deaths. The latest death in the Philippines is the only one so far outside mainland China.

Global governments have since activated measures to contain spread, including mass quarantine, evacuation of citizens and travel restrictions.

Within China, almost 100 million people remain on effective lockdown as the country battles to contain the virus with limited beds and medical supplies. The mass quarantine became effective after the government, challenged with shortage of medical supplies, imposed travel restrictions on a number of cities in Hubei province.

Restrictions have been placed for travelers going to and coming from several Chinese cities, including Wuhan, Huanggang and Ezhou, with countries both in the Asia-Pacific and elsewhere initiating body temperature checks at airports and railway stations to stop those at risk of carrying the virus.

The United States and other countries have also raised their travel advisory warnings on China to the maximum, labeling the Asian giant a “do not travel” destination.

The United States, Australia and New Zealand further announced “no entry” restrictions for all foreign nationals who have traveled from or transited through China to enter their territories: and citizens who are returning from, evacuated from or through China must be quarantined on arrival.

Again, fears associated with the pandemic have crashed global passenger traffic to China and forced major international airlines to amend flight schedules following declines in demand for China tickets.

Major airlines including British Airways and Australia’s Qantas announced withdrawal of flights to mainland China. Delta also said in a press release that it has suspended US flights to China until at least April 30.

Since the deadly virus started afflicting deadly blows on the Chinese population in December, the country’s internal economic activities, external trade links and global commodity markets have suffered significant turbulence. And the internal spread controls which

“The stock market which mirrors the business performance in economies shows that China’s economy is currently suffering huge dent from the coronavirus pandemic as fears triggered a sharp fall in Chinese shares when the market reopened after the Lunar New Year holiday. Trading was suspended on multiple stocks within minutes.”

Coronavirus shakes world’s greatest economies

call for lock down of highly populated cities also come with huge impact on Chinese, neighboring and world’s export markets.

Foxconn, Toyota, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Volkswagen are just a few of the corporate giants to have halted operations or shuttered outlets across China. Other multinational firms including Disney, Starbucks, Ford and Apple have closed stores and suspended operations in vulnerable Chinese cities.

Even indigenous Chinese retail companies have also been forced to shut down because of acute labour shortage as virus spread control locks down over 100 million people across cities. Even Beijing streets and subways were pictured on Monday to be eerily empty.

Also, most sectors of the economy from hospitality and retail to airlines, insurance, and manufacturing have been knocked down by low patronage as numerous cities and towns implemented own quarantine measures. Ripple impact is that labour has become scarce and costly for companies that are still online.

The stock market which mirrors the business performance in economies shows that China’s economy is currently suffering huge dent from the coronavirus pandemic as fears triggered a sharp fall in Chinese shares when the market reopened after the Lunar New Year holiday. Trading was suspended on multiple stocks within minutes, as they touched the daily 10 percent limit that Chinese law allows.

The Shanghai Composite index closed nearly 8 percent lower, its biggest daily drop for more than four years. Manufacturing, materials, and consumer goods companies were among the hardest hit, while healthcare shares soared.

China expert at Verisk Maplecroft, Kaho Yu, stated that business interruption and closures would be devastating for many small and medium-sized enterprises, adding that the entire production cycle across most industries in China would be impacted by the outbreak.

China, the world’s second biggest economy, is also the world’s biggest commodity importer. The country has expanded trade ties and supply-chain connections with its Asian neighbours, Africa, the U.S. and other Western nations. Thus, any slowdown in the Chinese industrial sector impacts trade flows across the globe

and thins down revenue earnings of resource dependent economies like Nigeria.

Therefore, the overall knock-on effects of China’s coronavirus pandemic could deliver long term devastation across international trade ties.

Again, multinational businesses reliant on Chinese suppliers are also reported to be facing production and sourcing challenges, a development that could accelerate decoupling between the Chinese and foreign economies.

Consequently, the decoupling of the international supply chains and already plummeting commodity prices have started dampening growth prospects from Southeast Asia to South America and beyond, an analyst at business advisory firm Wood Mackenzie said.

U.S stocks tumbled 1.5 percent to steepest lows in six months on January 27 and lost even more grounds on January 31 following health and travel warnings on China. The falling share prices came after global markets were rattled by the epidemic, with Wall Street’s S&P 500 index recording its worst week since October.

Investment bank, Citigroup, slashed its forecasts for commodity prices across the board, with crude oil getting the steepest downgrade. The price forecast projects gloomy revenue prospects for oil dependent economies crowded in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) where Nigeria eminently sits.

The bank forecasts that the brent crude oil grade to slide to as low as $47 a barrel in consideration of the coronavirus impact on demand, warning that the impact on the economy of the world’s biggest oil buyer could be worse than initially thought.

Citigroup now sees brent crude grade averaging $54 a barrel in the first quarter (Q1), down by a massive $15 from the previous forecast of $69. The forecast for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices was slashed to $50 a barrel this quarter, also down by $15 from a previous estimate of $65 per barrel.

In expecting the impact of the coronavirus outbreak to linger till the fourth quarter of the year, the bank projected brent crude at $50 in second quarter, down from a previous forecast of $68 a barrel. Third-quarter brent crude prices were now expected at $53, down from $63 a barrel. For Q4, Citigroup revised up its forecast to $58 from $57 a barrel.

The price projections have formed major concerns for members of OPEC and other 10 countries involved in a 23 nation coalition of producers struggling with difficulty to wedge oil prices from total crash.

Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, Ole Hansen, said on Monday that the market would keep a close eye on OPEC for signs of price support through additional measures to curb supply.

The market worries imposed by coronavirus formed key discussions at the “joint technical committee” meeting by OPC+ coalition in Vienna, according to Iraq’s oil ministry. The committee is to recommend measures to protect market prices at the next ministerial meeting.

The meeting which would also consider moving the ministerial meeting forward was holding at a time brent crude plunged by about 20 percent since early January while the US benchmark oil contract (WTI) fell by around 18 percent over the past month.

Chief market analyst for Markets.com in London, Neil Wilson, said the kind of prevailing oil demand shock imposed by coronavirus has not been seen for over a decade, adding that the impact would be greater if the lockdown in China and travel restrictions globally linger.

Analysts at Oxford Economics stated that more serious and longer-lasting impact could not be ruled out due to differences in behaviour of the virus, a larger effect from government travel restrictions and company closures, as well as a much more connected economy this time around.

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

INSURANCE & PENSION Lagos Govt pays N I.92bn to another batch of retirees

L

agos State Government has approved the release of N 1.92 billion for the payment of Accrued Pension Rights to 444 retirees of the Lagos State Public Service.

Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga disclosed this at the 71st batch Retirement Bond Certificates presentation ceremony held at the NECA Auditorium recently, noting that the number of beneficiaries and amount involved was the biggest so far in the payment of accrued pension rights.

She reiterated that from inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme the State Government complied with the financial obligation demanded by the Scheme as it relates to the monthly funding of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) as well as payment of death benefits to employees who die in service.

According to her, the present administration should be commended for the Pension bailout fund of N13 billion approved in the year 2020 budget and for increasing the redemption funding rate from 5 % to 10 per cent of total emolument of active workers.

The Director-General expressed optimism that the monthly payment of entitlements to retirees will continue in Lagos State so that the issue of retirees waiting for months before being paid will soon be a thing of the past.

She advised the retirees to be prudent with their spending and also be aware

of their health status so they can live a healthy and long life as there are different ailments that come with old age.

Onanuga informed the beneficiaries to their delight that those above 60 years would be enrolled for the Health Insurance Scheme, while the premium would be paid by government.

Mr. Emeka Nwagunor of the Lagos State Health Management Agency enlightened retirees on the benefits of the health scheme which will be obtainable in all general hospitals, private hospitals and all primary health care centres across the state.

He said pensioners can enjoy 100 per cent medical treatment on some ailments because the scheme covers certain categories of surgery at government-owned health facilities including General Hospitals in all parts of the Lagos, as well as designated private hospitals in the states.

While noting that the scheme also covers high blood pressure, Arthritis, typhoid, malaria, x-ray for hand and legs, he urged the retirees to always visit the nearest hospital to cut transportation expenses and make the hospital visit less stressful.

Mrs Abike Olubamido, who spoke on behalf of other retirees, was full of praise for Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu for having the love and interest of Lagos State retirees at heart.

She also commended the head and management of Lagos State Pension Commission on the diligent service delivery to retirees.

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PenCom set to sanction employers without life insurance policies for workers Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ational Pension Commission (PenCom) has directed employees to report to the Commission any employer that fails to procure the minimum required Life Insurance Policy in their favour not less than three times their annual total emolument.

The commission disclosed this in a notice titled: ”Re Compliance with guidelines for life insurance policy for employees and submission of insurance certificate for 2020″ that all employees in the Public Service of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory and States that have implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme as well as private sector, that it is their rights;

under Section 4(5) of the PRA 2014 to have Life Insurance Policy taken on their behalf by their employers for an insured amount of not less than three (3) times their annual total emolument.

The commission added that employees are also required to ensure that all pension contributions deducted from salaries and/ or contributed by employers are remitted to the Pension Fund Custodian (PFC) by the Employer not later than seven working days from the date of payment of their salaries.

PenCom further advised employees to report to the Commission where the employer fails to: “submit the evidence of compliance with Life Insurance Policy to the Commission and place the

certificate in a conspicuous place within the organization.

“Remit the deducted pension contributions into their Retirement Savings Accounts.”

“In accordance with the provisions of Section 4(5) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 and Section 5.5 of the Guidelines for Life Insurance Policy for Employees, Employers of labour covered by the PRA 2014 are required to submit copies of the Insurance Certificates with the schedule of benefits to the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

“The Insurance Certificates shall state that all employees are covered up to an amount not less than 3 times their respective Annual Total Emoluments (ATE).

“Employers that have not yet submitted copies of Insurance Certificates for the current year to the Commission, are therefore advised to do so before 31 March, 2020 failing which the National Pension Commission would consider such employers in default of Section 4(5) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.

“The Guidelines for Life Insurance Policy for Employees can easily be accessed and downloaded from the following website address: www.pencom.gov. ng/guidelines/guidelines for Life Insurance Policy.

“Please note also that Compliance with PRA 2014 is not complete without the Group Life Insurance Policy.

Linkage Assurance grows PBT by 902% Q4 2019

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inkage Assurance Plc says it has recorded a 902 percent growth in profit before tax (PBT) for the fourth quarter (Q4) unaudited financial statement ended 31st December 2019.

The figure rose to N1.4billion as at the end of 31, December, 2019 as against N135million in same period of 2018.

The underwriting firm’s gross premium written also rose by 21 percent from N5.45billion in 2018 to N6.5billion at the end of

fourth quarter ended 31, December 2019.

The company’s underwriting profit also rose at fourth quarter (Q4) from operations increased by 149% to N376million in2019 from a loss position of N772million in same period of 2018.

According to the financial statement made available to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Linkage during the period under review said there is an increase in investment income by 10%

when compared on a YoY basis.

Speaking on the outlook, Daniel Braie, Managing Director/CEO of Linkage Assurance Plc said, it will continue to refine its strategy in line with the political, economic, sociological and technological changes in the industry.

“Also we will continue to develop innovative products, alternative channels of distributions and strategic initiatives that will enable

us achieve our corporate goals and objectives. With a medium-to-long term perspective, we believe that we will benefit from growth in these initiatives.”

On operational efficiency, the Linkage Assurance boss said it will consolidate on the going initiatives to improve our operational efficiency so as to reduce the cost of doing business, improve business processes, eliminate wastages and achieve higher margins in our core business.

Anchor Insurance targets N10bn premium

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nchor Insurance Company Limited on Monday said it is targeting to grow its premium income to N10billion by the end of 2020.

Managing Director, Ebose Augustine Osegha, who made the disclosure at the company’s interactive session with insurance journalists in Lagos, announced that the in 2019 the company grew its premium to N5billion, even as he explained that the company plans to increase their presence across the country and employ the use of technology to sell its products.

On its recapitalization plans, he said the company has achieved 80percent of the new minimum capital required

by the insurance market regulator, adding that they are making efforts to get ahead of the deadline set by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

He further said that 9.6billion of shares was acquired by Akwa Ibom state government through right issue.

The company which 61 percent of its stake is owned by Akwu Ibom State government while revealing its post recapitalization plan, said they will be investing in real estate, ICT and hospitality business.

On claims payment, he said “claims administration in our company has improved greatly.

Claims are paid promptly.”

From left: Adebisi Ikuomola, (Executive Director, Technical), Ime Umoh, (Company Secretary/Legal Adviser), Ebose Augustine, (MD/ CEO), Olubukola Koyenikan, (Head, Enterprise Risk Management), Jide Fasanmi, (GM, Business Development) and Nelson Egboboh, (Head, Brand & Corporate Communications), all of Anchor Insurance Company Limited, during a courtesy visit by Insurance Correspondents at the firm’s Victoria Island office, Lagos.

Why PFAs shun equities market –Operators

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perators in the Nigerian stock market, Tuesday, attributed low participation of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in equities market to unimpressive returns.

They said in Lagos that negative returns recorded by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2018 and 2019 made PFAs to reduce their exposure in the equities market.

Though the PFAs regulation

(Amended) requires the administrators to invest as much as 30 per cent of their total assets annually in equities, that has not been the case, as they committed mere 5.36 per cent of their total assets in equities.

Data from the National Pension Commission indicated that about N7 trillion of N9.99 trillion pension fund assets had been invested in the Federal Government securities by PFAs. Latest data from the

National Pension Commission also showed that the PFAs raised their investment in infrastructure to N40.52 billion, as of November 30, 2019.

The N7 trillion invested in the Federal Government securities represents about 70.88 per cent of the total pension fund assets.

Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., Malam Garba Kurfi, said that purpose of investment was for

good returns.

Kurfi said that PFAs invest in FGN Securities due to good returns offered by them when compared with equities.

He said that most Federal Government investment before now offered double digits returns, unlike equities that closed at -14.74 per cent in 2019.

Kurfi, however, expressed optimism that the trend would change this year with the

rally being experienced in the equities market.

According to him, government instruments offer single digit return at the moment, whereas the stock market return presenting is about 10 per cent.

Kurfi said that many PFAs were returning into equities to take advantage of the upward trend.

He noted that the market performance was the

determining point whether to invest in equities or not.

Also, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said investments by PFAs were driven by predictable profits and government regulations.

Tella said that returns on investment in government bonds were predictable and higher than what could be earned in the stock market.

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

Travel & Hospitality

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FG unveils new visa policy Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ederal Government on Tuesday in Abuja launched a New Visa Policy (NVP) to boost the nation’s economy and allow travellers to visit Nigeria without visas and only commence the process of obtaining visa upon arrival into the country.

Nigerian Immigrations Service (NIS) Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James, who disclosed this in a statement said the new visa policy broadened the scope of visa obtainment in Nigeria from the hitherto six categories to 79.

He said that the enhanced visa policy by Nigeria, one of Africa’s key economies, comes on the back of the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

He added that it was a treaty seeking to establish a continent wide, marketplace with increased trade and freer movement among its major economic powers.

“The objective of the reforms that have birthed NVP 2020 is to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key economy in Africa by attracting more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

“This would in turn provide jobs for the people and lift Nigeria’s teeming population out of poverty in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

“NVP 2020 is also designed to support the attainment of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 -2020) and is a pathway to achieving the Security, Economy and Transparency (SET) Agenda of the present Administration,” he said.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while speaking at

the launch of the NVP 2020, stated that its operation was cardinal to the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Aregbesola said that the new visa regime was expected to boost economic activities in the areas of tourism, aviation, entertainment, commerce and other areas where Nigeria has comparative advantage over other African countries.

He added that it also presented Nigeria with the opportunity to apply the principle of reciprocity with her visa policy in the nation’s bilateral and multilateral relations.

“The NVP 2020 introduces special visas for Nigerians in diaspora who either by birth, marriage or nationalisation have assumed dual citizenship.

“Such category of Nigerians will now be able to make use of the passports of their adopted countries to visit Nigeria without the need for short stay visa,” he said.

The Minister expressed the commitment of the federal government to the implementation of the NPV 2020 in view of its supervisory role on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

He assured that the NIS would adhere to the published conditions of issuance of visas in a professional, timely and transparent manner.

He also assured that NIS would invest heavily in the training of the officers and men charged with the responsibility of processing visas in all the visa issuing centres and passport control at points of entry.

“NIS would also work with all stakeholders within and outside Nigeria to ensure that the policy is not abused and the security of Nigeria and indeed other countries is not compromised,” he said.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (first from left), with other African Ministers at the 11th Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (Investour) in Madrid, Spain, recently.

New commissioner promises to harness tourism potential in Lagos

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he newly-deployed Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has assured she would bring her wealth of experience to bear in her quest to harness the tourism and entertainment potentials of the state.

Akinbile-Yussuf, who stated this, Monday, while addressing staff of the Ministry after resuming for duties, said that her legacies in her previous places of assignments are evident and speak volume of her resultoriented nature.

While noting that the cooperation and support she received from the staff in former

Ministries where she served made her excel, Akinbile-Yusuf enjoined the officials of the Ministry of Tourism to be innovative and come up with ideas that would complement her vision for the Ministry, in line with the policy framework of the government’s drive for Entertainment and Tourism as enunciated in his T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

In her words, “I believe that ideas rule the world, I believe in good ideas that can promote government and promote the Ministry, there is always something new that we can tell the world about Lagos tourism on a daily basis and as such we must be determined to sell Lagos

State to the outside world with the aim of improving our local economy”.

She harped on the need for a cordial and good working relationship among the staff, stressing that the success of any of the departments should be collectively celebrated as a joint effort made possible through mutual effort.

The Commissioner reiterated her desire to maintain a target of 80 per cent budgetary performance of resources allocated to the Ministry for the year and ensure that funds are judiciously used for the intended purposes in order to better the lot of residents of the State.

Minister woos investors to Nigeria’s creative industry

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inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged investors to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in the nation’s creative industry, which he described as the fastest growing sector of the nation’s economy, in terms of business opportunities, employment, earnings and entertainment.

The Minister made the pitch at the 11th Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (Investour), which was held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday.

He said the sector currently employs about 1 million people, directly and indirectly, and has the potential to employ millions more, with the much-needed investment. ‘’Nollywood, for example, is not just about entertainment. It is also a major driver of economic growth and job creation, especially for youths and women,’’ Mohammed said. ‘’With over 2,000 movies produced annually, the opportunities are immense for wealth and job creation.’’

He said though the growth in the area of cinemas, for example, has been impressive, it is yet a tip of the iceberg. ‘’In 2014, Nigeria had just 23

cinemas, 100 screens and three digital platforms. By 2018-2019, the cinemas have grown to 51, the screens to 184 and the digital platforms to five.

Now, this is just a tip of the iceberg, considering that 6,000 screens and 1,000 cinemas are required to serve the Nigerian population of about 200 million people,’’ the Minister said.

He said the potential impact of such growth includes the creation of additional 1 million jobs and a GDP growth contribution of 3 to 5 per cent.

Mohammed, who served as a panelist at the event, said the nation also boasts of a very vibrant and popular music industry which not only reflects her cultural richness,

but has over the years translated into international recognition and acceptance. ‘’The Nigeria music revenue grew from about $36 million in 2014 to $53 million in 2018 and is projected to hit $86 million in 2021, making it the biggest in the region,’’ he said, noting that a chunk of the figure comes from digital music consumption, an area of the market which significantly boosted the industry in Nigeria and paved the way for local artists to thrive.

In the area of fashion, the Minister put the earnings at over N4 trillion of Nigeria’s re-based GDP (National Bureau of Statistics, 2018), and described arts and crafts as

another growing area of the Creative Industry.

He declared that with a rich food diversity, Nigeria could also leverage on gastronomy to grow its tourism and create job, especially for women who, he said, dominate the sector. ‘’It offers opportunities for communities to integrate tourism and local food systems in order to promote economic activities.

Gastronomy tourism contributes positively to many levels of the tourism value chain, such as agriculture and local food manufacturing and provides a platform for the promotion of cultures through their cuisine,’’ Mohammed said.

Sheraton Lagos, Abuja unveil ‘dynamic’ February

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he teams of Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Sheraton Abuja Hotel have jointly unveiled their compelling food and beverage initiatives for everyone including friends hoping to reconnect over a drink and families having some fun and bonding weekend time out.

General Manager of both hotels in Nigeria, Mr. Barry Curran announces “all pizza, wine and carrot cake enthusiasts are in for a treat this month of February.

“At Sheraton Lagos, we will

celebrate Pizza day in grand style on the 8th of February 2020. As this iconic dish makes a grand feature at our Italian restaurant, our guests and patrons are encouraged to sit back and savor a slice of pizza with all its cheesy goodness.

“We are happy to offer a complimentary glass of beer or soda for every pizza purchased at the Italian Restaurant as well as the Pool Bar. Pizza is best enjoyed with your favorite beverage and therefore we hope to delight our customers this way.

“We have also packaged an inspiring pizza giveaway on our Sheraton Lagos Hotel social media handles for those who will be unable to make it to the hotel. A complimentary pizza will be given to a lucky winner who meets the criteria set out on our social media post.

In addition, on the 18th of February we encourage all wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts to celebrate drink wine with us. We shall provide our customers with the opportunity to indulge their wine palates. A

complimentary glass of wine will be given out to every diner who arrives for dinner at both our Pumpkin Leaf and Italian Restaurants. Our hotel will equally offer a 15 per cent discount off every bottle of wine bought on that day to the added pleasure of our guests.

Curran further adds: “If you are visiting Abuja, do drop by at Sheraton Abuja hotel and join our teams to celebrate Carrot cake day on Monday the 3rd of February 2020. A beautifully prepared carrot cake will delight your

eyes and those checking in to the hotel will be treated to a delicious complimentary slice of carrot heaven at the front desk.

“Furthermore, you can purchase cake slices at the hotel’s restaurants and get a 20 percent discount for just that day.

“We look forward to welcoming all our esteemed patrons to a fabulous February with us at Sheraton, where the world comes together and infuses the energy of our guests coming into our spaces.”

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

AVIATION FAAN sensitises stakeholders on quality service at airports Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has urged stakeholders within the airport community to always ensure continuous improvement in the quality of service rendered at the nation’s airports.

An online statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said that the Managing Director of the agency, Capt Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, made the call during Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality Sensitisation Programme at the conference Hall of the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Tuesday.

In his Goodwill message, Yadudu, who was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Mukhtar Muye noted that FAAN signed an agreement with ACI in the year 2018 for the periodic audit of her airport systems and processes with a view to improving on the quality of service offerings at her airports.

He advised stakeholders to continuously embrace the philosophy to Total Quality Management in their day to day activities.

In her presentation, the General

Manager, Operations of FAAN who is also the ACI focal person in FAAN, Mrs. Olajumoke Oni noted that between 2018 when the agency signed up into the ACI ASQ programme, it has recorded some measures of improvement in general facilitation as depicted by the ACI’s analysis of various customer surveys conducted within the period.

She appealed to stakeholders to keep working at improving the quality of service delivery at airports at all times to compete favourably with other airports in our categories.

Present at the event are the General Managers Planning, Estate,

Customer Service, Electrical and ICT. Others are representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Immigration Services, the airlines community, among others.

Meanwhile, following the expiration of the contract agreement to manage the Murtala Muhammed International Airport access gate between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and I-Cube West Africa Limited, officers of the various aviation unions have now formally taken over the management of the access gate.

The various aviation unions

include; the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Union of Pensioners (NUP).

A statement signed by General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, Monday, explained that the unions dislodged the concessionaire and took over the facility unilaterally at about 7am today February 3, 2020.

“However, the management of FAAN is working to address the matter and find a lasting solution to the imbroglio,” the statement said.

Air France, KLM, Delta, Virgin Atlantic launch $13bn JV

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ir France, KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic have launched expanded Joint Venture (JV) offering a greater choice of routes and loyalty options when travelling between Europe, the U.K. and North America.

The JV according is expected to generate a combined annual revenues estimated at $13 billion.

The new partnership provides customers with more convenient flight schedules and a shared goal of ensuring a smooth and consistent travel experience, whichever airline people fly.

The partnership also provides the flexibility to book flights on any of the four carriers through their respective mobile apps, websites, or via travel agents.

Customers will enjoy awardwinning service, top-tier premium cabin products and complimentary food, drink and seat-back in-flight entertainment in all cabins on all transAtlantic flights.

Enhanced customer benefits starting from February 13, means that loyalty programme members will be able to earn and use miles or enjoy elite benefits for flights on any of the four airlines’ worldwide operations, including a trans-Atlantic trip, intraEurope hops, or domestic U.S. journey, offering more opportunities to quickly move through loyalty tiers and reach a higher status.

Eligible Elite loyalty programme members can also enjoy priority boarding and relax in over 100 airport lounges when travelling internationally.

Other highlights of the JV include: Up to 341 peak daily trans-Atlantic services, covering the top 10 routes on a nonstop basis; Onward connections to 238 cities in North America, 98 in continental Europe and 16 in the UK; A choice of 110 nonstop trans-Atlantic routes.

The enhanced network is also fully available to cargo customers and is built around the carriers’ hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit,

London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Paris, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

It creates convenient nonstop or one-stop connections to every corner of North America, Europe and the U.K. Speaking on the JV, Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said, “Customers are at the heart of this expanded joint venture with our partners Delta, Air France and KLM, where seamless connections, a greater range of flights, unrivalled customer service and increased frequent flyer benefits will reinforce its position as the choice passengers most love to fly. One of the pillars of our strategy is successfully collaborating with our partners. Combining our strengths, our network, and our people allows us to achieve more together.”

The customer benefits effective this month are just the start, with more initiatives being rolled out later this year such as the launch of more codeshare routes, aligning schedules to reduce connection times and smoothing the airport experience from check-in to baggage claim. Customers will also soon be able to check-in and select their seat through any of the partner airline mobile apps or websites.

Also speaking, the Delta Air Line, CEO Ed Bastian said, “Our expanded partnership is a major step forward for all of our airlines as we deliver greater reliability, top travel benefits and leading service that our customers deserve. Today’s launch brings our historic, longstanding collaboration to a new level as we continue to build the partnership of choice across Europe and North America that sets us apart from the rest of the industry.”

On his part, the Group CEO of Air France-KLM, Benjamin Smith, “Ten years after starting our joint venture with Delta, this new agreement is a major milestone that will even further reinforce our presence on the Atlantic, by allowing our passengers the choice between four major airlines combining their network for the benefit of our customers.

A cross section of participants at the just-concluded Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality sensitization programme which held Tuesday, at the conference Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Air Peace secures Tel Aviv operations approval, readies for Mumbai in March

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hairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema disclosed, Wednesday, that the Federal Government has given the airline approval to operate flight to Tel Aviv, the economic and technological centre of Israel.

This is just as the airline stated that it was making arrangements to make Mumbai, India, one of its international destinations in the next two months.

Onyema disclosed these in a brief interaction with select aviation correspondents at the weekend in Lagos. “Between now and end of Mach we will hit Mumbai. We have also be given approval to fly to Tel Aviv,” he said.

Speaking on the Tel Aviv flight operation, the Air Peace hinted that very soon Israeli authority would be in Nigeria to concretize the operations.

Though elated over the planned

operations, the Air Peace boss however lamented that despite years of establishing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel, there was no direct flight from Nigeria to Israel and vis versa.

It would be recalled that that Nigeria severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 1973, as result of the strained relations between the two countries over the Arab-Israeli conflict and Nigeria’s position on the Palestinian issue.

However, relations between the two countries was restored in 1992.

Relations have since been balanced and have flourished into many areas of mutual benefit such as the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and other holy sites in Israel, economic, political security and agricultural relations.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Air Peace planned flight operations to Israel, will further strengthen the already existing

bilateral relationship between the two countries.

He also called for support for Air Peace and other domestic airlines in the country, adding that because they employ a lot of Nigerians, they must be supported to grow.

Onyema stated that there was nothing wrong supporting domestic airlines, who employed Nigerians and put food on their tables compared to foreign airlines despite their years in Nigeria are only concerned about their home country.

To buttress his point, he cited how Air Peace carried out 9 C-Checks in 2019 and that cost the airline millions and downtime in operations, calling on Nigerians to support Aero in its efforts at sustaining its maintenance business and facility.

Aero, Onyema stated was doing an amazing job in maintenance and that it needed support to enable it carry out D-Checks on aircraft.

Coronavirus: FG assures will strengthen surveillance at 5 int’l airports

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ederal Government has assured Nigerians of its readiness to strengthening surveillance at five international airports in the country to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The five international airports are in Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and the FCT. Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said government would also set up intermultisectoral committee to scale up surveillance and vigilance.

According to the minister, the committee will help to scale up surveillance to detect suspicious cases and ensure containment.

“The committee shall comprise of critical stakeholders in the health, security, aviation and transport sectors and also include development partners, bearing in mind that air travellers are more likely carriers of the virus.

“Attention will be given to five international airports to ensure that the points of entry are monitored and the ministry is working to forestall

the importation of coronavirus to the country.

“The risk of importation is possible in all countries. However, the ministry wishes to assure all Nigerians that the capacity to detect, access and respond to this and other public health challenges are put in place.”

The minister said that in addition, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had set up coronavirus group and was ready to activate its incident system for coronavirus if any case emerged in Nigeria.

According to him, NCDC is currently receiving World Health Organisation (WHO) advisory to countries and agencies on surveillance and response.

“The collaborative engagement will not attain success without the support of state governments, particularly states hosting the international airports. The ministry is finalising plan to engage authorities of those states to enhance surveillance and response in their domains.’’

Ehanire, therefore, urged airlines

to comply with protocol on any passenger who took ill or looked ill on board to be reported by authorities.

He also urged airlines and the public to call stipulated lines at the airports’ entries to share any information on the virus, and gave the telephone numbers as: 09092996283; 08095553232.

While fielding questions from journalists on capacity of Nigeria to handle the virus, the minister said that the country had good laboratories for testing suspected samples.

27

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

e-Platform

Tablet sales drop by 0.6% in Q4 2019, Apple still leads Stories by VICTOR NZE

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fter a slight upheave during the Q3 period, worldwide tablet sales have yet again declined in the fourth quarter of 2019. According to the latest IDC report, the tablet market is down

by 0.6% year over year as a total of 43.5 million units were shipped during the October-December period.

Unsurprisingly, Apple is still the runaway leader as it managed to sell an estimated 15.9 million units in Q4 2019. Samsung with 7

million and Huawei with 4 million round our the top three. Amazon saw a steep decline of 29% compared to Q4 2018 with just 3.3 million shipments this time around while Lenovo sits in fifth place with its 2.5 million sales.

For the full 2019 calendar

year, the tablet market shrank by 1.5% as global shipments totaled 144.1 million units. Apple sold the most tablets with 49.9 million, more than double of secondplace Samsung which managed 21.7 million units.

Huawei sits at third with 14.1

million shipments, followed

by Amazon with 13 million and Lenovo with 8.5 million shipments. Apple (+15.2 per cent) and Amazon (+9.9 per cent) were the only two vendors to see sales growth in 2019.

Galaxy S20 official release date announced as March 6

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amsung is announcing the Galaxy S20 family alongside the Galaxy Z Flip at an event on February 11.

Samsung has also created a registration page where you can go and enter your email if you’re interested in purchasing any of these upcoming smartphones aka “the next Galaxy”.

On the official registration page, an information reads: “Delivery by March 6 while

supplies last”. That is of course if you end up pre-ordering an S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra. Registration does not equal that, but Samsung should send you an email when pre-orders actually open, so you can be among the first people to jump at the opportunity of giving it a not insignificant amount of cash for either device.”

The date may or may not apply to the Galaxy Z Flip too. A previous report said that would

actually ship soon after the event in February, ahead of the S20 line, so it remains to be seen if that pans out.

Meanwhile, from a myriad of leaks we know most of the key specs of the upcoming Galaxy S20 family. A new leak however is spilling more details on the camera side as all three S20 phones will be able to take simultaneous shots and videos from their main, ultrawide and telephoto shooters.

According to XDA’s Max Weinbach, this feature will be called “Quick Take” and will let you let go into the gallery app after taking the triple shot and select which image you want to keep.

This won’t be the first time we’ve seen such as feature as LG’s “Triple Shot” which was present on the V40 back in 2018.

More recently, iPhone users also got similar functionality albeit

through a third-party app called DoubleTake.

Going back to the S20 rumors, Samsung is also expected to bring another camera feature called “Single Take” which compiles images captured from the three camera modules into short videos.

The S20 lineup is shaping up to be a big leap in camera hardware and software so we’re definitely looking forward to next Tuesday’s big event.

America and Europe.

The LG Mobile Communications Company is still struggling. The yearly revenue of $5.07 billion lead to a $858.34 million loss, due to higher marketing costs needed to support LG’s flagship devices.

Looking forward, LG is pinning its hopes for 2020 on costcutting measures and selling 5G smartphones in the mid-range and premium segments.

The LG Home Entertainment Company brought in $13.73 billion in

revenue with an operating income of $833 million. These numbers are relatively unchanged from last year.

The LG Vehicle Component Solutions Company deserves a pat on the back. The $4.65 billion in revenue is up 27% from 2018,

the highest annual sales in this division’s history. It did post a loss of $165.6 million for the year, but LG expects the market to pick up in 2020 as European environmental regulations tighten and demand for electric and hybrid cars increases.

LG posts record sales, as mobile division keeps bleeding money

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G published a report on its financial performance in 2019, boasting a record-breaking sales of $53 billion. The company recorded operating profits of $2.07 billion, 10 per cent down from 2018, which LG explains with the additional investments it made in marketing and developing future tech.

Most of the money came from the LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. It brought it a third of the revenue ($18.29 billion) and most of the operating profit ($1.7 billion). This division set company-wide records for both the revenue and profit it delivered this year.

The financials for the fourth quarter – $3.92 billion in revenue (up 7 per cent YoY) and operating income of $103.86 million (up 8.5%) – are a company record for Q4.

The increased performance was thanks to healthy demand in North

6G theoretical speeds can go up to 1TB/s, as China gets headstart

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ure, 5G is not even live in most countries and, but researchers are already working on the next-generation wireless network.

The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology recently started preparatory work and experts involved believe speeds can up to 8,000 times higher than the current 5G speeds.

According to members of the working group, 6G can achieve mind-blowing speeds of around 1TB/s.

Dozens of researchers and experts are on the job but we are still years away from its deployment. For reference,

the current 5G network we are beginning to use has been in development since 2008.

As 5G goes hand in hand with IoT, or at least it supposed to, the 6G era will most likely give us a whole new perspective of connectivity once again.

And since we are still far away from the commercial 6G network, the use cases for such high-speed lowlatency network are unclear.

Still, according to those early estimates, the network will let you download 40 to 50 movies worth of high-quality 4K content on your device in a second.

Huawei overtakes Apple in 2019 mobile 9mobile launches Enin, first smartphone market, Realme gains most Artificial Intelligence personal

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uawei has overtaken Apple in the battle for the second place on the global smartphone market.

Counterpoint Research revealed that Cupertino fell under 200 million shipments while its Chinese competitor reached almost 240 million.

The analysts reported that switching 2019 strategies lead to improving some results, such as Samsung and its Galaxy A lineup and Apple’s relatively more affordable iPhone 11. The non-Pro phone was actually the

reason Apple to be the top smartphone maker in Q4 2019, surpassing Samsung and gaining 18 per cent of the total smartphone market.

Other interesting takeaways from the report are that Realme is now a Top 10 manufacturer with an overwhelming 483 per cent jump in sales, while Xiaomi remained the top player in India during the full 12 months of 2019.

Sales of 5G smartphones accounted to only 1% of all the 1.486 billion shipments, but Counterpoint expects the share to reach 18% in 2020.

digital customer assistant

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elecommunication company in Nigeria, 9mobile, has reaffirmed its commitment to a superior experience for its esteemed customers with the launch of ‘Enin’, a personal digital customer assistant on the 9mobile network. ‘Enin’, an Artificial Intelligence-enabled chatbot solution, is the firstof-its-kind by any Nigerian telco which provides virtual assistance to customers and interacts with them as a human would.

According to Acting Director, Customer Care, 9mobile, Ehimare Omoike, ‘Enin’ performs several roles such as airtime purchase, subscription to data plans, presents customers with

offers, bonuses, sales, reminders, notifications, recommendations, subscriptions and customer service information. It can also help to activate or deactivate services, as well as hand a customer over to a live agent, among other services. “‘Enin’, is currently available on the 9mobile website, and plans are already underway to extend the service to our social media platforms. This service is a significant New Year incentive for our customers as it provides 24-hour quality service to them.

With ‘Enin’, customers not only get their queries resolved promptly, but the icing on the cake is also that the service is not limited by time or physical location,’’ Omoike explained.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

e-Platform B

lackBerry phones are about to go into extinction as the company just announced that its partnership with TCL will come to an end on August 31, this year. After that, TCL will no longer have the rights to design, make and sell BlackBerry-branded devices.

However, existing customers do not need to worry, as TCL will provide customer service

and will handle warranties until August 31 2022, or as long as is required by your local laws.

The BlackBerry-TCL partnership dates back to 2016 with the first phone, the first wave of devices featured the DTEK50, DTEK60 and BlackBerry Keyone. These were designed and built by TCL and ran secure software by BlackBerry.

Africa Industrial Internet Programme: Young Africans benefit from GE’s $500,000 Scholarship funding

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eneral Electric and the Africa Leadership University (ALU) have announced the kick-off of the 3rd cohort of the Africa Industrial Internet Programme (AIIP) which is aimed at equipping young Africans with skills that will enable them to take part in the fourth industrial revolution.

The 2020 cohort has enrolled 35 students from eight countries across Africa, including nine Nigerians, drawn from Oil & gas, transportation, power, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, telecoms and aviation industries.

Over the last two years, the rigorous training programme has graduated 64 students, 21 of them Nigerians, of which 50 were fully sponsored by GE from a scholarship fund totalling US Dollars 500,000.

GE will give 10 full scholarships for the current cohort.

Launched in 2018, the programme has empowered participants with essential skills for building applications for the Industrial Internet, which enables machine-to-machine communication that results in systems that can collect, analyze, and deliver data in real-time. These features provide significant benefits such as predicting when a device will require maintenance, enhancing logistics management, enhancing quality and optimizing safety.

The training takes place at a time when spending on the Internet of Things is predicted to reach a trillion US dollars by 202 , with the total number of connected devices being projected to rise to 75.44 billion worldwide by 2025, a fivefold increase in ten years.

Commenting on the Programme, Farid Fezoua, President & CEO for GE Africa said, “As a digital industrial company, it’s exciting to see how over the last two years the AIIP has developed an ecosystem of digital engineers that utilise data science as an enabler for their work across industries, developing solutions for the most pressing challenges. Our partnership with ALU for the AIIP is a testament of our commitment to develop the next generation of leaders that will drive solutions made in Africa for Africa in this transformative digital age.”

The AIIP is designed using a

project-based approach where participants get to apply their learning in real world contexts. The Programme includes regular assessments in each module culminating with a final project where participants are tasked with applying their learning to solve an existing problem either in their business or in a partner organization’s business operations. This is achieved through modules in machine learning and big data analytics, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Cloudbased Application Development. A unique aspect of the Programme is a deliberate focus on creating links to industry for participants by inviting industry experts to intensives to share

BlackBerry, part ways August 31 Note that this is not the end of the road for BlackBerry, the company. It still offers secure enterprise services and owns QNX, a popular OS for automotive applications. Plus, some other manufacturer might take up the BB mantle.

Still, this is the final death

knell for a mobile legend, which started as Research in Motion (RIM). Its first product was the Inter@ctive Oager 900, unveiled in September 1996.

The “BlackBerry” name is due to the BlackBerry 850 pager from January 1999 whose keyboard reminded the RIM team of the

fruit. The last BlackBerry phone prior to the TCL deal was the Priv.

TCL recently started marketing phones under its own brand. It also has the license to use the Alcatel brand until the end of 2024 (Alcatel-Lucent itself is owned by Nokia).

Apple shuts stores, offices in China through February 9 over coronavirus Stories by VICTOR NZE

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pple has issued a brief statement announcing it will be closing all its physical stores, corporate offices and contact centers in Mainland China through the end of next week (February 9). Motivated by ‘an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts’, the move aims to limit the exposure of company employees to the coronavirus outbreak that’s been increasingly troubling China and the world for the past two months.

The Apple online store in China, on the other hand, remains open.

It was previously reported that the coronavirus situation may disrupt the production of the rumored upcoming iPhone 9, as well as the latest AirPods. Key

Apple partner Foxconn later denied those rumors, assuring that they will ‘continue to meet all global manufacturing obligations’.

The iPhone 9, meanwhile, has gone into trial production, industry insiders have stated. Market launch is rumored to be scheduled for the end of March with a planned order volume of 30 million units.

Meanwhile, analyst has predicted a 10 per cent drop in Apple iPhone shipments due to Coronavirus outbreak Apple had a strong Q4 with the iPhone 11 dominating global sales, but the company’s Q1 prospects have taken a hit due to the Coronavirus outbreak, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He forecasts a 10 per cent decrease in shipments, down to 3640 million units for the first quarter

of 2020, despite assurances from Foxconn last week that production will not be affected (iPhone camera parts and other components are made in Foxconn’s factory in Wuhan, the center of the outbreak).

It is not just the current models that are affected, the so-called iPhone 9 (aka SE 2) was supposed to start production this month in preparation for a launch in March.

However, it now looks like the initial supply will be limited. Apple accessories like the AirPods could be affected too.

Apple stores in China are closed until the end of the week out of “an abundance of caution”. The Chinese market as a whole is down 50-60% year-over-year after the Chinese New Year celebration due to the outbreak, according to Kuo’s numbers.

LG Electronics commissions free wash centre in Kano, commits to sustainability

case studies, projects of interest, trends and opportunities, through industry field visits and mentorship opportunities with data science professionals.

“African Leadership Group is thrilled to be partnering with GE to build a new generation of digital leaders for Africa” said Fred Swaniker, Founder of African Leadership Group, which includes African Leadership Academy, African Leadership University, and ALX. “We share GE’s passion for data, and what it can bring to the African continent and the world. The Programme enables midcareer engineers to build new skills in data analytics, data science, data engineering and data visualization. By leveraging the power of data, today’s engineers can significantly improve the performance of high-tech industrial machinery and processes, thereby increasing the bottom line for companies.”

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G Electronics has reiterated its commitment to driving sustainability through its nationwide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and extension of its ‘Life’s Good with LG Wash’ intervention to Kano State.

The company recently commissioned a new Free Wash Centre located at the LG Fouani showroom on 1 Race Course Rd, GRA with the aim of supporting communities lacking adequate water to efficiently carry out laundry activities as well as encourage a proper hygienic living.

The new Free Wash Centre becomes the third laundry cabin launched by LG Electronics since the opening of the state-of-theart facilities in Lagos in April 2018 and Port Harcourt in May 2019 respectively.

According to Mr. Jiung Park, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa, the company is committed to driving sustainability through inclusive growth. “For us, we believe that ‘Life’s Good’ when shared with others. We have remained competitive while improving sustainability; we have enabled investment and innovation required to deploy new technologies and to safely and responsibly develop progressive products. LG Electronics will continue to support communities even in the future”, he said.

Commenting on the new opening, Mr. Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing Division, LG Electronics West Africa, the free wash centre is designed to operate on a daily basis in order to improve the living conditions as well as

support the daily washing needs of people in the area.

“LG Electronics has over the years continued to receive commendation from Nigerian consumers for having their interest at heart in the development of cutting edge technological products. In almost two years of operating both free wash centres, LG has served over 25,000 people and washed more than 190,000 set of clothes”, he said.

The laundry cabin is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to effectively take care of laundry needs of the people for free. The facility with several LG Washing machines, LG Dryers, LG Air Conditioning units, uninterrupted power supply, constant supply of water among others is to ensure that the facility operates seamlessly.

HMD trademarks new eSIM service ahead of new phones’ arrival

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s makers of high-end Nokia devices, HMD is preparing to announce at least 3 new phones at MWC 2020 later this month, the company has filed a patent for a new embedded SIM card (eSIM) solution with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The tech is called SIMLEY and will serve a multitude of purposes ranging from telecommunication services to an e-wallet and banking service tool as well as an extended warranty service.

The more important takeaway here is that HMD is planning to introduce eSIM compatible Nokia

phones in the near future. While competitors like Apple and Google have offered this type of service on their devices for a number of years now, the new standard is still not that common.

In addition to functioning as a SIM card for mobile service, SIMLEY is also speculated to work as an electronic mobile payment service with added protection for user data.

We don’t have much to work with here so we’ll just have to wait for HMD to provide more information on the matter. For a more indepth explanation of eSIM and its advantages check out this piece we did a while back.

From left: Mr. Jaafar Magrabi, Manager, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Racourse Road, Kano, Mr. Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Abbass Ghamloush, Regional Branch Manager, Fouani, Nigeria Limited , Kano and Mr. Jiung Park, General Manager, Home Appliance Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations at the commissioning of Third Free LG Electronics Laundry Center in Race Course Road GRA Kano.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

EQUITY & Capital Market

NSE lists Interswitch’s N23bn bond

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the listing of Interswitch Limited’s N23 billion Bond on its platform.

The Callable Senior Unsecured Bond, with a tenor of seven years, at a fixed rate of 15 per cent, was part of a N30 billion Debt Issuance Programme issued through a Special Purpose Vehicle – Interswitch Africa One Plc. Interswitch Limited is a technology-driven company with a focus on the digitisation of payments in Nigeria and other African countries.

Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema congratulated the management of Interswitch and the professional parties to the issue for a successful debt capital raise and the subsequent listing of the bond on the Exchange.

“We are pleased to be a partner to Interswitch Limited in its quest to expand its footprints by raising fresh capital. We see a win for Interswitch as a win for Nigeria. As a sustainable Exchange and a premiere listing destination, we are committed to supporting our issuers with tailored financing options that will place them in a vantage position to compete in the regional and global markets.” he said.

The Group Managing Director/Founder Interswitch Limited, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our capital raising efforts. We have evolved

over the past 17 years into a technology unicorn focused on providing digital solutions to customers in Nigeria and across Africa. We, therefore, see this

listing as a first step in a new phase of our journey and we are determined to keep going.” He went on to thank the Exchange for its support in achieving this

feat.

Parties to this transaction are FBNQuest Merchant Bank and Stanbic IBTC Capital acted as Lead Financial Advisors/

Issuing Houses and ABSA Capital Markets Nigeria, FCMB Capital Markets, Quantum Zenith Capital & Investments and Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria.

Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange presenting a replica of the closing gong to Mitchell Elegbe, Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch during the Listing of Interswitch Limited’s N23billion Bond at the Exchange.

Total oil reports 70% drop in FY’2019

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otal Oil Plc has posted a 70 per cent decline in profit after tax for the full year ended December, 31 2019.

The oil firm in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange said it posted a profit after tax of N2.421 billion in 2019 as against N7.960 billion posted in 2018.

Profit before tax stood at N3.652 billion from N12.098 billion posted in 2018. Revenue dropped by six per cent from N307.987 billion in 2018 to N290.883 billion in 2019.

However, cost of sales stood

at N257.055 billion in 2019 from N273.202 billion in 2018.

Shareholders of Total Nigeria Plc had at the company’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos approved a total dividend of N17.00 per share worth N5.77 billion declared by the company for the financial year ended December 31, 2018.

The oil firm had earlier distributed the sum of N1.02 billion as interim dividend, representing N3.00 per share.

However, despite the challenges in operating environment,

the board recommended for approval by shareholders the sum of N4.75 billion, representing another N14.00 to be distributed as final dividend for the year 2018, bringing the total dividend pay-out to N17.00, valued at N5.77 billion and same as what was paid out last year.

Speaking at the AGM, Sir Sunny Nwosu, founder of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), commended the oil and gas company for the performance achieved in 2018 despite of challenging operating

environment.

He said that the shareholders were happy with the company’s performance, dividend declared and accessibility despite restricted funds.

Peter Oluwale, another shareholder lauded the company for what it was doing despite harsh operating environment.

Oluwale appealed to the management to continue to try to raise the stake in return on investment, adding that it has weathered the storm in spite of the operational challenges faced

by the oil companies during the period under review.

Addressing shareholders at the AGM, the chairman of the company, Mr. Stanislas Mittelman said: “The company has continued to experience sustained pressure on its cash flows due to late payment of subsidies resulting in huge financial expenses (high and unanticipated interest charges).

All of these add significant costs to doing business, had negative impact on our sales and affected our profitability.

Honeywell posts 6% growth in 9M revenue

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oneywell Flour Mills Plc. (HFMP) has reported 6 per cent growth in revenue for the 9-month period ended 31st December 2019.

According to a statement from the company, Honeywell Flour Mills unaudited results for the nine-month showed a revenue growth of 6 per cent from N55 billion to N58.2 billion when compared with the same period in 2018.

The company noted that the growth in revenue was driven by corresponding growth in sales volume by 5 per cent. Efficient management of input costs and operating expenses

also led to a healthy gross margin of 17.6 per cent and 9-months operating profit increasing by 19 per cent from N2.8 billion to N3.4 billion.

‘Lanre Jaiyeola, Managing Director said: “Despite the challenging operating environment occasioned by rising input costs, reducing spending power of consumers and product evacuation challenges due to the traffic logjam at Apapa, the company grew its 9 months revenue by 6 per cent to N58.2b, when compared to revenue of N55b recorded in the corresponding period of the last financial year. This was driven by

sales of our various Flour and Pasta products.

The Managing Director further explained that in line with our objective to continuously improve operational efficiency, the execution of well–embedded operational efficiency initiatives led to 9-month operating profit accelerating at a faster rate than revenue by 19 per cent from N2.8 billion to N3.4 billion.

We will continue to improve our operational efficiency in order to maximize value to shareholders.

“The growth in operational efficiency was however moderated by

the increase in finance expense which was up by 60 per cent from N2.6 billion in the corresponding period last financial year to N4.2 billion. The increase in finance expense was as a result of the cost of financing part of the Foods and Agro-allied complex which is now being charged into the Income Statement following the commencement of commercial operations. As a result, profit for the 9-month period reduced by 747 per cent from N143 million to a loss of N925 million.

“We are confident that our performance in the coming quarter

and the new financial year thereafter will record significant improvement.

We have implemented strategies to maximize shipment of products to our customers in spite of the Apapa traffic gridlock. We are also well positioned to substantially increase our capacity utilisation of the Pasta production through continuous flow of input materials to the Pasta factory in Sagamu. We are also working on the introduction of new products tailored towards the preference of our most valued consumers in terms of satisfying their nutritional needs, taste and spending power,” he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 -11, 2020

MONEY Market FirstBank hosts SME Clinic, reiterates its commitment to building capacity of SMEs

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irst Bank of Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to driving growth and building the capacity of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Speaking at the FirstBank SMEConnect Business Clinic, held in Lagos on Thursday, the Group Head, Lagos Island 1, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Olufunke Smith stated that the business clinic provides an opportunity for SMEs to understand how to develop their business plans, and run their business. It is one of the key initiatives that the bank has put in place to drive development of the SMEs. She further noted that the Bank’s SMEs proposition is based on seven pillars that would connect SMEs to- capacity building, market, infrastructure, talent for business development, policy and regulation, finance and resources.

According to her, “Building the capacities of SMEs is an ongoing process. SMEs are the engine of growth of any society. At FirstBank it is our responsibility to bring them on-board through support, knowledge sharing, and advisory in order for them to add value to the society. The SMEs attending the clinics today have gone through a selection process and it is the first of 2020, there will be more clinics to be held in the course of the year.

“SMEs are the bedrock of economic growth of any society. It is when you have functional SMEs that the country can grow. It is noteworthy to mention here that SMEs are great employers of labour. When you have viable SMEs they provide various services and innovations that traditional corporations may not provide. These strongly underscore our commitment – at FirstBank – to strengthening their impact on the economy.

“This clinic is part of giving back to the society, thereby ensuring we continue to develop SMEs. FirstBank has recognised that for it to serve SMEs adequately there is a need to offer more than traditional banking services. We know that connecting SMEs to the right information and business tools can save turnaround time, cost and give them a competitive edge in the sector that they operate. It is on this

knowledge that we have created value propositions for SMEs that cover financial and non-financial services.”

We expose SMEs to the best deals and they have access to tools that position them at an advantage for growth.”

In his remarks, the Managing Partner, Traction, Dolapo Adejuyigbe, said “we have a coaching marketplace that SMEs can come on our platform and even firstbank platform to book vetted coaches that can provide advisory services to them either for one session or a number of sessions. We also consider reemerging how our business clinics can work and how to bring insights and make it practical. The FirstBank business diagnostic tool enables SMEs identify the needs, especially operational, of their business and the business clinic is designed in such a way we can follow up on the impacts and also track the business after three to six months. The focus of this business clinic is to help them design the strategy for 2020.

A core part of that is for them to understand the economic trends, and we have catered for different kinds of businesses and how the economy is going to impact them.”

In his remarks, one of the speakers at the event, Gospel Obele, said the clinic provided an opportunity to develop a business and market outlook for SMEs, stating that the goal was to scale economic knowledge into useable insights for SMEs. Commending FirstBank on the SME Clinic, Obele noted that the event exposed SMEs to lots of opportunities for their business growth like how the Nigerian business environment is going to look like through the year as well as the transition dynamics of the consumer.”

He said: “Examining strategy from the outlook that was presented today, it is more of how SMEs rework their internal systems to respond to the changing environment that we have. Nigeria is a high fluid and dynamic economy which means that our own business environment is changing faster than advanced economies.”

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed (left), in a chat with Senior Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie, UUBO), Aniekan Ukpaka, at the 2nd Private Equity Summit organised by UUBO; while Managing Partner of the firm, Dan Agbor, and Acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Mary Uduk looks on.

FAAC Allocation, Oil Revenue Is Why Many States Ain’t ‘Viable’ –Osinbajo

By Kayode Ogunwale

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n apparent agreement with the recent call by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as experts, for the government to stop the monthly revenue sharing among the three tiers of government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has challenged state governments in the country to focus on improving internally generated revenue.

In a lecture at the National Defence College Course 28 lecture, Osinbajo said state governments have no excuse for not focusing on IGR, he lamented a situation where today, very few states and even the Federal Government see no need to be aggressive in revenue generation.

“The reason why States are not generating as much as they should is that there is something coming from the Federal

Government every month. If there is nothing coming from the Federal government, the States will pull their weights.

“If the Federal Government itself did not have oil revenue, we will pull our weight,” he added, unlike in the old regional arrangement, where the subnationals “paid all of their bills from internally generated revenues, tax and agriculture mostly.”

The situation today, the Vice President continued, is that the various tiers of government “are not as aggressive because whether we work or not, something will come from federal allocation and that is why there is need to ensure that we hold ourselves to account for revenue generation. A country of this size certainly can do far more than we are generating at the moment.

He stressed that although the Federal Government plans to

spend N10.6tr this year, from the previous N8.9 trillion, aggregate revenue is projected at N8.4 trillion, resulting in an estimated N2.2 trillion a shortfall.

Since the government is not making enough to fund the budget from its regular sourcesoil proceeds and taxes, it has resorted to borrowing, especially to fund our capital projects; just as most States cannot generate enough revenue to pick their bills in one month.

He noted the cases of some states in Adamawa with Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N6.2 billion, or N517 million monthly on the average in 2018, the same year the state’s expenditure was N14.8 billion a month; just like Benue with 2018 total IGR of N11.2 billion, or about over N900 milliona month, as against a monthly expenditure of about N14.9 billion, resulting in a huge financing gap.

Fidelity Bank reports double digits growth across key income lines

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idelity Bank Plc in its recently released 2019 unaudited numbers posted double-digit growth across key income lines.

Gross Earnings grew 15 percent year on year (Y/Y) to N217.3 billion, coming above our estimate of N209.9 billion. Buoyed by growth in Net Interest Income (up 12 percent year on year), its Net Fee and Commission Income (up 17 percent year on year) as well as a positive balance on Impairment Charge (N6.8 billion in full year (FY) 2019 compared to a negative of N4.2 billion in FY 2018), Pretax Profit grew 29 percent y/y to N32.4 billion, ahead of

the estimate of N27.3 billion.

Accordingly, EPS rose to the highest level in over a decade, printing N1.02 in FY 2019.

Net Interest Income grew 12 percent y/y, supported by growth in Interest Income (up 16 percent y/y) which partly offset the increase in Interest Expense (up 20 percent y/y). The growth in Interest Income was on the back of a sturdy growth in the bank’s loan book (Net Loans to Customers grew 33 percent y/y; the highest level since 2011; 77 percent).

The bank attributed the strong double-digit growth in the bank’s loan book to the directive of CBN mandating

banks to maintain LDR of 65 percent by December 2019. On the other hand, the rise in Interest Expense (up 20 percent y/y) reflects the increase in Customers Deposits (up 25 percent y/y).

The bank recorded an impressive growth in Net Fee and Commission Income (up 17 percent y/y to N20.0bn), on the back of higher Account Maintenance Charges (up 16 percent y/y), Commission on Fidelity Connect (up 20 percent y/y) and Commission on E-banking Activities (up 23 percent y/y).

This was attributed the strong growth in these

income lines to the retail strategy adopted by the bank which is hinged on leveraging technology in delivering banking services.

The bank reported positive Impairment Charge of N6.8 billion in FY 2019 compared to a negative of N4.2 billion in FY 2018, reflecting the impact of recovery efforts of management.

It’s operating Income grew modestly, up 5 percent y/y to N106.1 billion but was slightly stronger during Q4 (up 6 percent y/y). The slower y/y growth was due to the fall in Other Income (down 64 percent y/y)- this was due to a first-time charge of N4.73

billion, which management attributed to loss on financial assets.

Operating Expenses grew 12 percent y/y and 15 percent quarter on quarter.

Overall, Pre-tax Profit and Profit after tax grew by 29 percent y/y apiece to N32.4 billion and N25.1 billion respectively. On a quarterly basis, Pre-tax Profit grew 18 percent y/y to N9.4 billion, due largely to a positive balance on Impairment Charge (N2 billion compared to a negative Charge of N630 million in Q3 2019). RoAE also improved to 13.8 percent in FY 2019 compared to 11.6 percent in FY 2018.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

NEWS Extra Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project:More buildings to be demolished

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ore buildings on right of way along the LagosIbadan Expressway are to be demolished to pave way for the expansion of the road.

Director of the South West Zone of Federal Highways Department, Mr Funso Adebiyi, made the announcement on Tuesday in Lagos, when he led a team of engineers to inspect the ongoing construction on the highway.

He said that 75 buildings were earlier marked for demolition around the Redeemed Christian Church of God axis and that more buildings would be pulled down to make way for expansion.

Adebiyi assured, however, that adequate compensation would be paid to owners of buildings that would be affected before any building would be pulled down.

He said that government was taking advantage of the dry season to complete the building of the road, which is one of the busiest highways in the country.

“We are taking advantage of the weather to fast-track the construction process and we are making significant progress.

“We are not leaving any stone unturned. As a matter of fact on some of our sites, we are now working 24/7 to ensure we make significant progress before the rains come.

“Those around Lotto should bear with us. If you see your house marked for demolition it does not mean the end has come.

“We will not demolish the houses until all compensations are paid.

Even if we are to relocate pockets of communities we will do our best to ensure we move them to a better place.”

Adebiyi restated the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring the reconstruction of highways nationwide.

He appealed to road users to bear the discomforts arising from the road rehabilitation, pleading with them to obey traffic rules to minimise gridlocks on the roads.

The director assured that adequate traffic diversions had been put in place and that government had provided enough funding for the completion of the project on schedule.

He said that about 20 kilometres of the highway had been completed out of the 43 kilometres from Ojota in Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange in Ogun.

According to him, 45 kilometres have been completed out of 84 kilometres on Section Two of the project, spanning from Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan, representing 45 per cent completion.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Adedamola Kuti, speaking on the section of the road between Berger and Kara, which is also under construction, assured that the project would be completed next month.

Kuti said that materials had been moved closer to site, to ensure speedy completion, saying that “the February completion date for that portion is sacrosanct and we are sure we are delivering it.”

Lagos begins commercial water transportation, launches new speed boats

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arely two days after banning commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations in some local councils, the Lagos State Government has formally kicked off waterways transportation, with the official launch of eight newly acquired speed boats by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu unveiled the speed boats, which will be operated by the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), at a ceremony held at Badore Ferry Terminal in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The event marked the commencement of commercial operations in waterways transportation by LAGFERRY. The Governor also launched a mobile application designed to facilitate easy access to the water transportation services.

Sanwo-Olu said the intervention represented a “great leap” in his ad-

ministration’s strategy to deliver an effective and integrated inter-modal transportation system in addressing the perennial issue of traffic congestion on the roads.

He said: “The narrative of transportation in Lagos is about to change for good, as we are set to take full advantage of the water bodies to decongest our roads and substantially reduce travel time for commuters.

“Today, we are launching eight units of additional ferries to complement the existing six ferries in the fleet of Lagos Ferry Service. It is glaring that for Lagos to be a functional smart city that we desire, there must be diversification of the mode of transportation. There must be interconnectivity of the rail, road and water transportation systems.”

The design and fabrication of the new boats were totally worked out

by two local boats manufacturers in line with Sanwo-Olu’s promise to exploring local capacity in providing solutions to various challenges.

The Governor observed that the commencement of commercial operations on waterways would promote a healthy living and restore aesthetics of environment through reduction of carbon emission.

He charged private investors to move in and harness opportunities in the value chain, noting that the Government had solved the teething problems associated with the mode of transportation and infrastructure.

“We are fully committed to increase investment in the development of more routes on the waterways. To consolidate on infrastructure we have provided on the waterways, we will embark on the construction of more jetties and provision of more modern

• (From left): Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede; Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; President Muhammadu Buhari and former governor Shettima, officially presenting to the public, the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020, at the State House, Abuja, Monday

Re-run election: INEC rejects results in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom

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ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected results of Saturday’s rerun election in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa-Ibom, where its officials were abducted and forced to compromise the processes.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okoye said that the commission had deployed a high-powered team to the state to coordinate the regeneration of results and conclusion of collation, declaration and announcement of final results of the rerun election in Oru East/Orsu/Orlu Federal Constituency.

He said INEC took the decision on Tuesday after reviewing Saturday’s re-run election in 28 Constituencies in 11 states.

Okoye said that INEC noted a marked improvement in compliance with its processes and procedures during the election, and commended voters, security agents, the media and election staff for their praiseworthy conduct.

He, however, said that regrettably, deviant behaviour by a few persons determined to subvert the people’s will was noticed in a few areas in the course of the election.

“These isolated incidents minimally affected the peaceful and orderly

exercise in only four of the 28 constituencies where elections were conducted.

“However, consistent with the Commission’s resolve to sanction electoral bad behaviour, INEC took the following steps to protect the process: In Akwa-Ibom State, where the officials of INEC were abducted and diverted to an undesignated location and forced to compromise the elections in Essien Udim LGA, all the polling units involved were identified and their results discountenanced,” he said.

Okoye disclosed that in Isa LGA of Sokoto State, the activities of bandits prevented INEC from operation in a few polling units, but the Commission successfully conducted election and declared results.

“In Abi State Constituency of Cross River State, officials of INEC were abducted and thus prevented from deploying in eight polling units. All officials of the Commission that were abducted have been rescued and accounted for.

“In furtherance of its resolve not to accept results from areas where the processes were disrupted and its officials attacked, the Commission took a firm action by not accepting results from such areas as it could not vouch for their integrity.

“But the Commission notes that in most cases, these incidents were not widespread and did not significantly affect the overall results. As

such, declarations and returns were made,” he said.

Okoye said that in the case of Oru East/Orsu/Orlu Federal Constituency of Imo, the election was conducted peacefully in the 18 polling units as ordered by the court.

“However, thugs disrupted the collation of results at the designated Centre in Orlu. They injured our staff and other persons at the Centre, destroyed result sheets and damaged the Commission’s Local Government building being used for the collation. Consequently, the Commission suspended the process.

“Arising from the suspension of collation, the Commission has decided to apply the provisions of Paragraph 47(f) of its Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of the elections.

“This provides that in the event of such a disruption, saved original and duplicate result sheets be used to complete the collation of results.

Okoye said that accordingly, the Commission had deployed a highpowered team consisting of National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners and Senior Staff of the Commission to Imo. “The team is to coordinate the regeneration of results and conclusion of collation, as well as declaration and announcement of the final outcome of the rerun election in Oru East/Orsu/ Orlu Federal Constituency,” he said.

ferry boats to create opportunities for more private sector participation in water transportation,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor said the State would drive full compliance on measures put in place to ensure the safety of commuters using the waterways, adding that the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) was being strengthened to effectively discharge its monitoring and regulatory duties in line with best practice.

He said: “We are going to spread the efficiency of the LAGFERRY services to meet the demand of the people at various times of the day. Before the end of the year, we will double the capacity in the LAGFERRY’s fleet from 14 to 30 boats. This is to enable the agency discharge its mandate to ease the movement of Lagosians from various parts of the city to another through the waterways.”

Sanwo-Olu promised that modern jetties would also be built in Badagry, Lekki, and Ajegunle, pledging that the one being built in Ijegun would be completed.

Chief Executive Officer of LAGFERRY, Hon. Abdulbaq Balogun said the launching charted a new course for water transportation in the State.

The agency, Balogun said, remained fully committed to exploring the capacity of waterways to strengthen mass transportation in line with transportation blueprint of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

With over 30 jetties across the State, the LAGFERRY boss said Lagos had provided infrastructure to boost water transportation, adding that the commencement of commercial operations by the agency would reduce persistent gridlock on the highways.

He said: “With our global water transportation licence, LAGFERRY will operate on all the waterways routes in Lagos, starting gradually according to the available capacity. We will be deploying all our 14 available ferries to cover the three senatorial zones immediately.

“Our well developed and properly coordinated water transportation is also helping in haulage across the State, moving trucks, containers and goods, thereby relieving the roads of heavy duty trucks which contribute in no small measure to failure of roads.”

Before the fourth quarter of the year, Balogun said LAGFERRY would extend its services to all 40 water routes licenced for Lagos.

Also, Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladehinde, described the event as another giant stride in Transport Sector Reform embarked on by the Sanwo-Olu administration, saying the standard of the boats would meet the transportation need of residents in an emerging Smart City.

Oladehinde announced the six routes of LAGFERRY’s operations, which include Ikorodu to Falomo; Ikorodu to Ebute Ero and Marina; Ebute Ojo to Ijegun Egba, Apapa and Marina; Bayeku to Oke Ira Nla and Falomo; Mile 2 to Marina, and Badore to Ijede.

Three of the boats deployed for operations by LAGFERRY have the capacity to carry 60 passengers, two were built to carry 50 passengers, while another two had capacities of 40 passengers. Also, three of the boats will carry 30 passengers, four will carry 25 passengers and two will carry 25 passengers.

All the boats are built with comfortable seats, in-built Wi-Fi and modern technological devices that will aid smooth operations and safety.

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

Crime

Police, FRSC move to clamp down on illegal use of sirens, others ..As IGP orders commissioners to impound defaulting vehicles Stories by VICTOR NZE

O

rders clampdown on illegal use of siren, revolving lights and spy number plates and impounding of vehicles with covered number plates.

Sequel to the working visit of the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu at the Force

Border: NIS arrests 4 human traffickers, rescues 4 victims

peratives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Seme O Border Control Post and Mazanya

Headquarters on Monday, the IGP has ordered all state Commissioners of Police to forthwith impound all vehicles illegally using spy number plates, sirens, revolving lights or covered number plates and ensure diligent prosecution of the offenders.

To this end, all vehicles found to have spy number plates not duly issued, using sirens, or revolving lights without permit or having covered number plates will be prompt-

ly impounded. These practices are illegal and pose monumental security risks to the nation and its people.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Office, Mr Frank Mba, said the Corps Marshal who visited the Force Headquarters in company of his management team also sought for improved collaboration between the Police and the FRSC in key operational areas.

The IGP while responding, restated his commitment to the contin-

ued partnership between the Nigeria Police and the FRSC especially in the areas of operations, training, intelligence sharing, and prosecution of offenders.

Meanwhile, the IGP has commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, for personally taking the charge against these unwholesome practices, especially the unauthorized concealment of number plates and other related offences.

Border Patrol, have arrested four suspected human traffickers with four victims respectively.

The Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

James said that three of the suspected human traffickers and three victims were apprehended at Seme border on their way to Ghana.

He added that the other victim and suspect were arrested at Mazanya border patrol along Jibiya road, Katsina State making the total of eight persons respectively.

According to him, the comptroller, NIS, Seme border, Mr Joshua •From left: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi in a handshake with the Inspector General Ajisafe, after thorough investiga- of Police. Mr Adamu Mohammed, when the former led Strategic Managers of FRSC o a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, tion confirmed the status of the Abuja aimed at improving the existing synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and the FRS victims as being trafficked.

“The victims were deceitfully persuaded to embark on the trip for a job but on being interrogated they were discovered to be victims of trafficking for the purpose of prostitution.

“The human trafficking, an illicit business has been on the increase under various guises but they have always been discovered by officials.

“This has been done through timely intelligence and operational synergy between officers along the national borders and airports leading to the arrests,” he said.

James said the suspect and victim apprehended at Katsina had been handed over to NAPTIP Zonal office in Kano after interrogation.

The Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede cautioned parents to keep eyes on their children especially teenagers that were prone to fall victims of deceitful acts.

Babandede also advised parents to embark on proper guidance and counseling to forestall them from becoming victims of trafficking.

He urged youths and teenagers to shun ways that made them fall prey to traffickers who may be close family members, friends and even sourc- •Participants at the one-day workshop on capacity building in Public Relations services for Assistant Inspectors-General of es on the internet connecting them Police and Commissioners of Police organized by the Police Public Relations School, Lafia organizes which held at the Police Officers’ Mess/Suites Abuja, Thursday to such criminal elements.

NAPTIP secures 84 convictions in Lagos within 17yrs

N

ational Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) Command in Lagos state, says it secured conviction for 84 human traffickers since inception in 2003.

The state NAPTIF Research Officer, Mrs Comfort Sanni, gave the figure on Tuesday during a stakeholders-media engagement on human trafficking and child abuse in Nigeria.

The meeting was organised by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP), with the theme: Success and Challenges of Law Enforcement.

Sanni said that many cases were still pending in various courts.

She said NAPTIP was working with its partners to check human trafficking and child abuse in the country, with the limited resources available, calling for more information about traffickers and child abusers.

Sanni called for more funds and partners for the agency with a view to reach out to more victims and prosecute suspected offenders.

Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwangum, said the meeting was organised due to increasing rate of child abuse and human trafficking in spite of efforts by NAPTIP and other security agencies.

Nwanguma noted that the story indicating that more Nigerians were being trafficked to Lebanon and other Asian countries was a wakeup call for more efforts that on the fight against human trafficking.

He lamented that more Nigerians were been taken into slavery and prostitution daily.

The director called for more funding for NAPTIP and security agencies to enable them carry out their responsibilities.

A lawyer and member of the civil society group, Mr Jude Agbanoi, said trafficking was both internal and external, stressing that many government agencies were hiding under the guise of fighting human traffickers to enrich some people.

He called on NAPTIP to engage private prosecutors so as to secure more convictions against offenders.

The meeting was attended

by Civil Society organisations, National Human Right Commission, NAPTIP, and lawyers.

33

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Name: Chika

Tel: 08123423134 If you want to be our next Model of The Week, e-mail or forward your photos/data to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714

ODD NEWS Humans who have their brains reanimated after they die could be locked in an eternal ‘living HELL’ and suffer a ‘fate worse than death’

E

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 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.

LOVE NEWS

When love is a drug: Doctor reveals 19 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’ 19 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.

You try to calculate how much they love you by their actions You could be obsessed if you scrutinise everything they do from their body language to the gifts they give and things you do together.

You shouldn’t agonise over trying to gauge how much they love you.

You can’t cope when they’re away for work If you stop caring and don’t want to do anything if they go on a work trip, you need to take charge of your own happiness.

Likewise, you can’t cope when they’re away with friends

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!”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

Relationships and Love Advice

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Peace, 36, gainfully employed, from Imo, living and working in Abuja, wants a military, para-military or international businessman from 35-45 years for marriage. 07067144846.

God’s Favour, good looking, homely, needs a widower and serious Igbo man from 35-50 years for marriage within a month.

07065658063.

Uche, 39, graduate, tall, pretty, needs an evangelist or godfearing, graduate, tall, handsome, loving and caring Igbo man for marriage. 08161174156.

Brave, 30, pretty, chocolate, average height, residing in Anambra, needs a mature, caring man that can assist her. 07086053704.

Jennifer, 38, tall, fair, slim, living and working in Anambra, from Anambra, wants a responsible and working lgbo man from 40years and above for marriage.

08177478807.

Chi baby, 34, based in Lagos, HIV positive, from Imo state, needs a HIV positive man from the Eastern side, from 40 years and above for marriage. 08064177446.

Chiommy, very tall, fair, sexy, hippy, busty, needs a sugar daddy who will take good care of her and she will satisfy him very well.

09028379398.

“I need a positive man who can treat me like a queen” Dear Love Doctor, I need a caring man in my life. I’m a very beautiful, young HIV positive Igbo lady. Some men have already started asking for my hand in marriage, but I don’t feel anything for most of these

men. I want a man who can treat me like a woman and make me feel special and loved; not just any man. Is that too much to ask? All I want is for a man who knows how to treat a woman

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Chichi,

It is certainly not too much to ask for a man to treat you like a woman. That’s because real men are gentlemen. A gentleman is simply a refined kind of man and such men are truly separate from the crowd because they are real men.

Real men treat their women the way they ought to be treated. A real man is an ever-loving gentleman who knows what a woman deserves and gives it to her.

Don’t give up because it seems like you’re yet to find your ideal gentleman, because like they say, God’s time is the best. Destiny can only be delayed but never denied. So never give in to despair because what belongs to you will eventually come to you.

You will definitely find your soulmate.

Just keep searching and praying and God will help you find the one for you.

Money is not everything. So don’t assess a man only by how much money he has in the bank.

Don’t focus your attention on

right to call me.

Thanks.

From Chichi, Lagos.

outward appearance but look out for the inner beauty that will reveal the truth about him.

I wish you the best in your relationship!

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Chinyere, 35, dark, single mum, humble, works, seeks a hardworking man from 38 years and above for marriage.09038028331.

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

Men seeking relationship/ marriage Aman, 52, single father, 6ft, businessman, needs a working class lady. She can be a single mom and a Christian from 40-46 years.

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Whatsapp only: 0540708352.

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Charles, 35, from South-East, living in Maraba, Abuja, and does aluminum roofing work, needs a single mother or matured woman of 40 years and above for a relationship. 08066899458, 08064558484.

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

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

It happened to me:

“I Gave Birth to the Baby I Was Told Didn’t Have a Heartbeat”

S

ince I was a little girl, I always dreamed of the day I would become a mother. I remember playing with my dolls, pretending to walk them in their strollers, dressing them and doing their hair.

When I met my husband, we were on the same page when it came to having kids. I was in my late 20s, and with him being eight years older, he was ready. I remember when we got engaged, he told me that when he picked out the ring, he pictured us married and the ring sparkling on my hand while holding my belly.

One month after marrying my

husband, it looked like my dreams were about to come true when we took the pregnancy test and got the “faint positive.” Of course we obsessed over the “faint positive.”

Did this mean we were really pregnant? Could this be a mistake?

After a trip back to the pharmacy and multiple positive tests later, we finally started to believe we were pregnant.

We called our family doctor the next day and ran to have a blood test.

With blood confirmation, we were pregnant! We were so excited we told both of our parents and siblings

that weekend. Our child was going to be the first grandchild on both sides.

The next day I called the OBGYN to make our first appointment at six weeks -- the first time we would hear our baby’s heartbeat.

However, at the end of week five, on a Friday night, I started spotting blood. We decided to go to the emergency room. I couldn’t make it through the entire weekend not knowing.

Going to the emergency room is never fun. We waited hours until we were finally seen. They took us back to a room where we were about to have our first internal ultrasound -this was not how we had pictured it. On television, the wife looks up at the husband, who’s holding her hand, and they gaze at the monitor as they see the image of their baby for the first time; we were in a freezing room, scared to death.

We were informed in plain terms, “There is no heartbeat. You lost the baby. There is a pill we can give you to get rid of the baby.”

It felt like I was just punched in the stomach. Although I was only close to six weeks pregnant, this baby was part of us. This just could not be happening. Why us? What did I do wrong? I kept thinking, what if we can’t ever carry a baby?

My husband and I just sobbed. She then explained that she would have the doctor come in and confirm her findings.

Wait, what? You aren’t a doctor, and you just told us we lost our baby? We asked to immediately see the doctor. She explained that she was a resident at the hospital and that she was confident the doctor would back up her findings. Thanks for the compassion.

Unfortunately, when the doctor, who seemed like he was in a hurry, came in, he did not have different news for us. Along with the resident, he highly recommended that I take a pill to “get rid” of the pregnancy, as the miscarriage would be very painful naturally.

The decision was an easy one for us: no matter what the pain was, we wanted to go through this naturally.

We just couldn’t pull the trigger and take a pill. I tried my best to prepare myself for the pain of going through the loss both mentally and physically.

The rest of that weekend went by in slow motion. We both tried to stay strong for each other. I did not know how my body would react to the miscarriage. I was in emotional pain and scared of the coming physical pain. Our families tried to say the right thing. “Everything happens for a reason... You will have a baby when the time is right.” We knew they meant well, but nothing could stop the pain.

On Sunday night we realized we had our six-week appointment at the OBGYN that we had looked forward to so much. We decided we should go to the appointment and let them know what had happened in the emergency room. Perhaps they would be able to give us a plan for trying to conceive again in the

future.

When we saw our doctor that Monday, we explained what happened at the emergency room.

The last thing we wanted was to hear the bad news again, but we went ahead with an ultrasound to confirm.

To our shock, there it was: the most beautiful sound we ever heard.

Our baby had a heartbeat! How could this be?

The doctor asked me if my menstrual cycle was regular. When I told her I had a history of having longer cycles than usual, she explained to me that was the reason -- the heartbeat was delayed and not formed yet when we’d gone to the hospital just three days prior.

I could not believe that the emergency room doctor never thought to ask me that question.

What if we went ahead and took the pill they so highly recommended? I remember leaving that appointment so angry about what had happened in the emergency room but at the same time we were literally jumping up and down in the streets of Manhattan.

I had a pretty easy pregnancy from that point forward, physically.

Mentally, we kept thinking we were going to lose the baby. We paid for a ridiculous amount of ultrasounds just so we could hear the confirmation of that beautiful beat that brought all our dreams back to life.

In March 2009, I went into labor.

As I was in the midst of pushing, the doctor informed me that a resident would be observing the birth. To our shock, it was the same one who had told us we lost our baby and recommended we take a pill to get “rid of it.” She did not act like she recognized us or remembered that awful night. I wanted to tell her about the pain she caused she us. I wanted her to feel that pain. Most of all, I wanted her to witness the birth of our baby she recommended we kill with a pill. There was so much I wanted to say to her. I was so angry.

We were so angry. But seeing her was like seeing a ghost. We both just froze and couldn’t get the words out of our mouths.

The next sound we heard was our son’s cry.

Almost six years later, this experience is still a sensitive subject for me and my husband. Does this happen all the time? How can a resident be diagnosing patients without a doctor? How can a doctor not be paying attention enough to ask the right questions?

I am so thankful that I am not telling a different version of this story. Instead I am telling this story because something inside me told me not to take that pill that would have taken my healthy son’s life before it even started.

Your say: Have you been a woman scorned? What revenge have you sought? Call 07031028714.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Tuface Idibia – Artiste ‘I never believed that I could be this big’

With Douglas Omoyooma

My manager Efe Omorogbe. He is all round wonderful! He is like my big brother, friend and confidant. He is awesome!

By Douglas Omoyooma

L

ast year, one of Nigeria’s most decorated musicians, Tuface Idibia rolled out the drums to celebrate 20 years on stage in a series of activities tagged: 20 Years the King. In this chat with Oracle Today, the act opens up 0n the journey so far among other interesting issues.

Last year you celebrated 20 years on stage. When will you look back, how do you feel?

I feel absolutely incredible. I am grateful to God for the talent and opportunities. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of friend like you. I want to say a big thank you to my family, fans and friends and all those who have contributed to my growth. When I look back I shed tears of joy.

Twenty-years ago, did you see it becoming this massive?

When I started I must confess, I never knew I would be this big though I knew something great was going to come out of my singing talent. You start something, pray and work towards it and hope for the best and that is exactly what I did. Dreams metamorphose. At some point you dream of one thing, you pray and work towards it, achieve it and then you move on to a bigger dream; that kind of sums up my journey so far.

What has been your happiest moment?

Wow! My happiest moment? There re many of them but I think the one that stands out the most the first time my song was played on radio, the entire country was spellbound. Imagine walking on the streets and hearing my songs playing at the bus stops, in bars, cars and everywhere. The feeling was awesome!

What is that event that happened in the last 20 years that made you cry?

It was when things were happening to me and I saw them as blessings but the press and many people were just using it to make fun of me. They kicked me all over the place but I just didn’t let it affect me. I was sad and was like why? Despite this, I felt it was a blessing and I kept talking to the media because I have to tell my own story. Nobody can tell my own story except me. The media is just like the police which is your friend (laughter).

Tell us about your dad and how he has contributed to your success?

May his soul rest in peace. Dad was the kindest and most humble man I ever met in my life. He instilled in me discipline and taught me that my lane is my lane.

God sent us all here for a purpose so don’t get carried away when you see other people making it. Respect everybody; treat them the way you will want to be treated. Do your thing and do it well.

What is your relationship with your mum?

She is based in the US now and I don’t see her as often as I would love to but we ill have that mum and son bond.

And you know naturally, you will always be a baby where your mum is (laughter).

Do you get to spend quality time with your family?

Sometimes I feel very bad I don’t spend as much time as I would love but I try to create time. No matter how bad it is, whenever I am free I hook up with them. Sometimes I cancel important events just to be with them because it is not all about money but love and family.

20 years after, any plans to retire professionally from music?

I will not retire but somethings will reduce like stage performances and some kind of outings. We don’t have retirement in music as long as inspiration is still coming.

Even if I don’t sing, I will write for people.

Can you recall the early years when there was so much uncertainty and doubt?

The stories plenty-o (laughter). Sometimes there was no money and no support. It was raw hustle all the way and there were many ups and downs but we kept the faith. There was no point when I felt like quitting. It never happened. Right from when I was quite young, music has been my first love so for me, there was never a time I felt like quitting no matter the challenges.

What do you miss about the Plantashun Boiz?

Those beginning days were awesome! The laughter, the jokes and many things like you know but apart from that, we have all grown and moved on.

How do you keep reinventing yourself?

Wow! I think it is majorly based on the kind of music I put out and I always say that my fans are the ‘baddest’ fans in the world. And it is also a lot of work. You just can’t say you have made it and start feeling like a gee because it is all by the grace of God. I don’t know what I am doing differently. All I do is whatever Tubaba does (laughter).

Do you have political ambition?

I am more of a creative person. I just want to have things done correctly. I want my country to maximise its full potentials. I just want to see my country grow, Nigeria is the greatest country in the world.

What is the next level for the Tuface Idibia brand?

I am into one or two businesses. You know, I am also into real estate and hospitality business. I have two nite clubs. I am into anything that brings clean money so expect a lot from me.

In the last 20 years, who would you say has influenced you most career wise?

Your core music is reggae. Do you have any plans to release an all reggae album?

I have had that plan for so long. As a matter of fact, I have started recording the album. It is a work in progress.

Nigeria is going through rough times, what is your advice for youngsters?

Nigerian youths should realise that despite the madness, you have to remain focused and keep you head straight. Look for opportunities and pursue them. There should be dignity in labour. If you want to be a shoe maker, there should be no shame. There should be no shame in being a bricklayer, a farmer, tailor or whatever.

The idea is to take the game to the next level so pursue your passion and package yourself for the next level.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

SPORTS Hasselbaink faults Man U on Ighalo’s move

By MADUABUCUCHI KALU with agency report

W

hile Nigerians re busy celebrating the recent six months loan move by former Super Eagles’ and Watford of England goal poacher, Jude Odion Ighalo, former Chelsea and Leeds United forward, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, has a contrary view of the much celebrated Ighalo’s Manchster United loan move

FCT Minister receives NSF Unity Torch

F

ollowing the presentation of the 2020 National Sports Festival Unity Torch to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development in Aso Rock, the baton was switched over to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello on Monday.

The Unity Torch was handed over the FCT Minister at the FCTA secretariat at a brief ceremony.

Receiving the Torch from a contingent of FCT Athletes led by the FCTA Director of Sports, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Bello prayed for the successful visit of the torch to all the 36 States of the Federation.

“As we flag-off the journey of this beautiful torch of unity for the unity games, we hope that God Almighty will see this torch go through all the 36 states and culminate in Benin the Sports city.”

The minister commended the Edo State contingent for its excellent performance during the 2019 Games in the FCT in which they emerged as the overall best.

Bello also appreciated the Ministry of Sports for partnering with the FCT Administration to revive the National Sports Festival, after six years of the Games not holding.

According to him, the games provides a platform for Nigerian sports men and women to showcase their talents.

The Minister was joined by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijani, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, Acting Transportation Secretary, Mrs Alice Odey, among others during the ceremony.

The Oracle Today Sports reports that Gbagyi cultural troupe accompanied the unity torch to the Minister’s office where they provided entertainment.

According to Hasselbaink the fact that Manchester United could bring in Ighalo to assist them upfront highlights the difference between Manchester United and Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

It is recalled that ‘The Red Devils’ completed a late loan move for Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day as they strengthened their attacking options after losing Marcus Rashford

to injury.

Prior to the deal, the Nigerian forward was in Shanghai with the rest of his teammates preparing for their AFC Champions League opener after scoring 10 goals in 17 league appearances last year.

Surprised by the move, Hasselbaink said Ighalo was neither United’s number one nor number two transfer target in January, but he believes the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer rode his luck to

the Theatre of Dreams.

In his words: “He must be the luckiest man! Going to China, being away from Europe nobody seeing him for two and a half years since he was at Watford and then getting a loan move at United,” the exNetherlands striker told SkySports.

“Wow. That doesn’t happen!

“It says how far behind United are from Liverpool, Manchester City and even Chelsea. They have got a big job ahead.

“They needed somebody in. I think he was not their number one and I would be surprised if he was their number two or three as well.

“He is getting an opportunity and he will definitely get minutes and we will see if he can do it.”

The former Watford attacker is back in England, and he arrived in Manchester on Sunday ahead of his formal unveiling by the Red Devils.

We’ll focus hard on qualifiers, Fortune on youth programs in 2020- Pinnick smiles Amokachi

G

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

A

maju Melvin Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss, has declared that the country’s football governing body will this year work very hard in the various qualifiers as well as youth development and grassroots development programmes.

Pinnick made it known on Tuesday that the football –governing body will set much store by the qualifying campaigns of the Super Eagles for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the qualifiers of the Super Falcons for the 12th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations, and those of the U17 girls and U20 girls for their different FIFA World Cup finals.

“We are also determined to concentrate much effort and resources on youth development programmes, including but not limited to the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Programme.

It is important that we continue to churn out quality talents and work hard to nurture them to excellent products who will then fit into the age-grade National Teams and bring honour to the nation at various championships.

“As we have made known, teams representing Nigeria in international matches and competitions will be told in no uncertain terms that they are expected to win, not just participate. The era of simply being

•Pinnick there to participate is long gone.”

The draw for the qualifying campaign of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals will be conducted in Egypt in January 2020, with 10 groups of four teams each that will produce only the winner from each group advancing to a fierce, five homeand-away battles which will eventually produce Africa’s flagbearers in Qatar.

Already, the Super Eagles are in command of their pool in the qualifying race for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals in year 2021, with two wins out of two against Benin Republic and Lesotho last month.

Second –placed Benin Republic are three points adrift, with the race set to resume in August 2020.

Nigeria took the bronze medals

after finishing third among the 24 participating teams in the biggest – ever Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this year summer.

Nine –time African champions, Super Falcons also have a qualifying round to negotiate before heading to the finals of the Women Africa Cup of Nations to defend the crown they taken consecutively between 2014 and 2018.

The U20 girls, Falconets and the U17 girls, Flamingos have qualifying matches for their different FIFA World Cup competitions already set. The 2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will be co-hosted

by Costa Rica and Panama, while India will host the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals

ood fortune has come the way of former Nigerian international, Daniel Amokachi as President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Nigeria’s Football Ambassador.

Amokachi’s appointment was made public via a statement issued

by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu in Abuja yesterday (Tuesday) explained that as Nigeria’s Football Ambassador – a largely ceremonial role – Amokachi will assist the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to scout for talents, be part of processes to revive the country’s football development, as well as mentor young sportsmen and women.

It is recalled that Amokachi became a household name in Nigerian football when as a youngster, he broke into the Clemens Westerhof’s Super Eagles that went on to win a second Nations Cup at Tunisia’94 and then qualified for the nation’s first ever World Cup – USA’94.

A serious knee I jury restricted him to just one match at France’98 before he finally threw in the towel the following year after failing to recover from the injury.

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

SPORTS

I won’t push my child to run track-Bolt • Says “there is so much pressure”

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

R

etired Jamaican king of the track, Usain Bolt, has declared that he will be more than happy if his future child does not follow in his Olympic footsteps.

The retired Olympian who is currently expecting his first child with longtime girlfriend, Kasi Bennett recently told PEOPLE that he’s in favor of their baby on the way not pursuing track and field.

“People always say, ‘Are you going to put your kids in sports?’ ” Bolt, 33, said at the Bolt24 By Gatorade pop-up studio in Miami during Super Bowl weekend.

“But for me, if they want to be in sports, fine, I don’t really care.

But, I won’t push them to do track and field. I think it’s going to be hard.”

“I think it’s the hardest thing when you have a dad that is a superstar in a supersport, I don’t think you should do that sport,” Bolt added. “I think you should do something else because there is so much pressure on you to live up to expectations.”

Mikel finally reacts to his racist abuse

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he immediate past captain of the national tem, the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel has finally reacted to the racist abuse aimed at him during his side 2-1 home victory against visiting Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig at weakened.

Trabzonspor midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has finally responded to racist abuse aimed at him during his side’s 2-1 home victory over Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig last weakened.

The Oracle Today Sports recalls that the Chelsea legend was abused racially on social media following the game, which moved Trabzonspor into the third position above their opponents.

Reports in Turkey claimed abusive messages were sent to Mikel’s Instagram page, which included the use of the N-word and banana emojis.

Trabzonspor have since confirmed they have filed criminal complaints against the offenders.

Reacting to the development, the former Super Eagles captain, in a post on his official Instagram page, on Tuesday sad all humans are equal and the same “We are all one and equal.

It is just a game at the end of the day.#saynotoracism,” the 32-year-old tweeted.

The former Nigerian captain has played 22 games in all competitions for Trabzonspor this season.

The nine-time gold medalist admitted that he is “more nervous” than Bennett, 30, to become a first-time parent. “My girlfriend is really excited, she’s excited to be pregnant, and I’m like, ‘What am I going to do, I’m about to be a dad.’ You know? I’m that guy.”

Bolt also said that he anticipates being a dad will be much harder than conquering the Olympics.

“The good thing about it is that I have a lot of experience with my friends’ kids and my aunts’ kids and stuff like that, so I kind of understand but I’ve never had a kid 24/7,” he said. “You know what I mean? This is 24/7, so it’s going to be challenging but I’m so excited.”

Bolt announced Jan. 23 that the couple is expecting with a breathtaking photo of Bennett on the beach dressed in a billowing red dress that showed off her baby bump.

“I just want to say a KING or QUEEN is about to be HERE. @ kasi.b,” he captioned the stunning photo by Lexon Photography.

Bennett also shared the news on her own social media, sharing

a series of three posts with additional photos from her red dress maternity shoot. Each photo was consecutively captioned, “Our biggest blessing..,” “Our greatest celebration…,” and finally, “Our golden child Coming soon…”

The pair, who are both originally from Jamaica, have been dating for nearly seven years. In 2017, Bolt told PEOPLE that they were ready to start a family together.

“I have [had] a girlfriend for four years now [and] it’s going steadily, so we’re thinking about kids very soon,” he said at the time. “We’ll see how it goes, we’re taking our time.”

The couple became more serious following Bolt’s retirement in 2016, right after he took home his ninth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Rio. When Bolt announced the retirement news, he told people that he planned to dedicate more of his time to his relationship with Bennett.

“She’s happy, I’m happy!” Bolt said of his relationship. “We just got really serious, we are taking it one step at a time.”

• Bolt and girlfriend

Ibrahimovic still champion at 38 – Lukaku Novak’s

R

omelu Lukaku has heaped praises on former Sweden international, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is 38 already, an age many footballers do not play active football but not with his former Manchester United teammate. Lukaku remains a big fan of the enigmatic Swede that he once shared a dressing room with at Old Trafford Zlatan Ibrahimovic “is a champion”, says Romelu Lukaku, with the 38-year-old considered to still be setting the standard for an Inter striker, who once played alongside the Swede at Manchester United.

Two former Old Trafford frontmen currently find themselves on opposing sides of the Milan divide.

Both are at San Siro, with Lukaku having linked up with Inter in the summer of 2019 and Ibrahimovic returning to Italy for a second stint with AC Milan.

A pair of prolific forwards have been among the goals this season, with Lukaku impressing after leaving the Premier League for a new challenge in Serie A. Ibrahimovic is also proving, in the

latter stages of his career, that he still has what it takes to compete in Europe after calling time on a productive stint in MLS with the LA Galaxy.

Lukaku, ahead of a Milan derby date on Sunday, claims to have never had any doubt that a modern day legend would shine back in Italy.

He claims to have taken important lessons from Ibrahimovic during their brief time together in Manchester, with an experienced head always on hand to offer out advice.

“Ibra is a champion, I respect him,” Lukaku told Tiki Taka.

“In Manchester I could train every day with him, that was the most beautiful thing for me.

“It will be nice to play against him He is a great champion and professional.

“For me it’s normal that he can do those things at the age of 38.

He works a lot; he always gave me advice when we played together in Manchester.”

Recent comments from Ibrahi-

movic suggest that the former Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain star was eager to see Lukaku work on his first touch in England.

The outspoken Swede said of his experiences with the Belgian back in October 2019: “I will say this on Romelu: don’t expect good technique from Lukaku. His best strength is sheer power. If only he’d listened to me.

“At Manchester United, we made a bet: ‘I’ll give you £50 for every decent first touch you make’.

“He replied: ‘What do I win if I get them all right?’ I told him nothing, he would simply become a better player.

“For the record, he never accepted the bet! Perhaps he was afraid of losing?!

“Joking aside, Lukaku has this mad hunger to prove himself to the world and I’m sure he will do well at Inter too.”

Lukaku has netted 20 times in 29 appearances for Inter this season, while Ibrahimovic has two in five since rejoining Milan in January.

I’m at home with Lukaku, Eriksen – Moses

F

ormer Super Eagles and Chelsea wing back, Victor Moses who is on loan to Inter Milan made a surprise start for his new club, Inter Milan, even as they recorded a 2-0 win against Udinese at the Dacia Arena, thanks to a second half brace from former Manchester United striker, Romelu Lukaku.

Moses and Lukaku were part of Chelsea’s loan army during the 2013-2014 season, with the wingback loaned out to Liverpool and the Belgian spending the campaign

at Everton.

Speaking after Sunday night’s clash, the former Nigerian international revealed that he has a good relationship with Lukaku and another signing from Manchester United, Ashley Young and the rest of his teammates, which had helped him settle at Inter.

“I’m settling in very well because I know a few lads as well, Ashley Young, Lu- kaku and Eriksen that came in as well,” Moses said to Inter TV.

“It’s like a family in the changing room and all the lads are cracking jokes, which is very good.

“We are all settling in well and we are enjoy- ing every moment, but the most important thing when it is time for the game, we have to switch on and make sure we win every game.

“To be a champion, you have to work hard and then we have to put that in now right from today to the end of the season.”

trophy’s too big for showcase –t isFather no longer news that Novak

I

Djokovic won the 20th Australian Open on Sunday thereby recording his record-breaking 8th trophy won at the Australian Open and arrived his home country of Bulgeria with arousing welcome.

However, the news is that this year’s trophy is quite bigger than the other trophies that he had earlier won at the Australia Open as his father declared too big for showcase.

The trophy was brought Belgrade by his brother Djordje, who flew in from Australia on a flight that lasted almost 24 hours, with several layovers.

According to Telegraf, who exclusively welcomed the arrival of Novak’s trophy at the Novak restaurant, where a party was organized to celebrate Djokovic’s 17th Grand Slam title and his return to the top spot on the ATP list.

Novak’s family and their closest friends welcomed the trophy with music, and a particularly emotional moment was when his mother Dijana started singing with tears in her eyes.

The trophy had a reserved place in the showcases where all the trophies from Melbourne are kept, eight of them now. Telegraf recorded the moment when it was placed into the showcase.

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 5 - 11, 2020

SPORTS SerenaWilliams needs to face reality - coach

South Korean fans compensated after Juventus’CR7 fails to play

S

erena Williams needs to “change her strategy” and “face reality” after failing to win a Grand Slam title since returning to tennis, says her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

The American 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, 38, has lost four major finals since giving birth to her daughter in September 2017.

She was knocked out of the Australian Open in the third round last month, according to the BBC. “We have to accept the fact that it is not working,” said Mouratoglou.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: “Maybe come back with a different angle, a different strategy and different goals so she can make it.

“She does feel positive, she feels negative too because it is a failure when she doesn’t win a Grand Slam.

“We have to face reality, but she is positive that she can make it otherwise she probably wouldn’t be on a tennis court anymore.

“She believes she can make it and I believe it too. She’s not that far, but we have to change a few things.”

Williams said she made “far too many errors to be a professional athlete” when she lost to China’s 27th seed Wang Qiang in Melbourne.

She has been coached by Mouratoglou since 2012 and has won 10 of her Grand Slam singles titles under him.

She returned to tennis four months after giving birth to daughter Olympia with the aim of breaking Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

In January, she won her first title in three years and first since becoming a mother at the Auckland Classic – her 73rd WTA title overall – but Mouratoglou says her performance in Melbourne was “disappointing”.

“We didn’t expect at all to be losing so early, or to be losing at all,” he said.

Mouratoglou added: “She had everything to retire, 23 Grand Slam titles. But she decided to come back, she decided to make all the efforts, the physical efforts, the mental efforts, to come back to the game, with the goal to score more Grand Slams and beat the all-time record.

“It’s difficult to know how many chances she will have, I don’t know how long she is going to be able to play, but being able to reach four Grand Slam finals says a lot about her level, and she’s not that far.

“Her level is good enough but we have to understand what is going on and why she is not able to win one.

There is a big difference between reaching a final and winning one.”

• Serena

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TigerWoods‘ different man’10 yrs after

O

ver a decade ago, Tiger Woods was embroiled in a sex scandal that ended his marriage, cost him millions of dollars in endorsements, and derailed his career.

On the day after Thanksgiving 2009, he crashed his Cadillac Escalade outside of his Florida mansion.

His then-wife, Elin Nordegren, used two golf clubs to shatter the rear windows of the vehicle. She told police that she had broken the windows to help rescue an incoherent Woods from the vehicle, but there was widespread speculation that it followed an argument.

The seemingly minor traffic accident ignited a firestorm of controversy. Dozens of women soon came forward, alleging that they had sexual relationships with the married golfer.

Woods remained silent for weeks as the scandal unfolded — but finally spoke out in February 2010, 10

years ago this month, admitting to being unfaithful and apologizing.

Now 44, Woods is a changed man, a friend tells PEOPLE. “He is a different man than he was  before [the scandal],” says the insider. “He’s grown up a lot. He’s not the narcissistic little kid he used to be; he now realizes that he’s not the center of the universe.”

“He is just focused on being a dad, and he’s a damn good one,” the insider continues. “His kids are his proudest accomplishment and the most stable force in his life.”

After winning the Masters Tournament last year, Woods opened up about how “special” it was to have his son Charlie Axel, 10, and daughter Sam Alexis, 11, there to witness his triumph after years of injuries and four back surgeries.

“It means the world to me,” he told reporters at the time. “Their love and their support, I just can’t say enough how much that meant

to me throughout my struggles when I really just had a hard time moving around. Just their infectiousness of happiness; you know, I was going through a tough time physically. There was a lot of times when I really couldn’t move and so that in itself is difficult.”

Older and wiser, Woods has some regrets.

“He still feels bad about how [the scandal] affected Elin,” says the source. “He knows he hurt a good woman. But they are very friendly, he has moved on, and so has she.

There was a lot of forgiveness.”

Despite the past, Woods has adopted an attitude of gratefulness.

“He has said that he’s thankful that he went through the things he went through,” says the source. “It helped him to grow up. And now, he is in the best place that he’s ever been.”

Real Madrid, Barcelona battle for Osimhen

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here is no gain saying that Nigerian International, Victor Osimhen has made heads turn since his switch from Bundes Liga side Wolfsburg to French Ligue 1 as he has continued to get suitor from different clubs both within France and outside.

However, the most interesting overtures for his services are the ones coming from the two Spanish La Liga sides, FC Barcelona and Real Mdrid. Both club showered much interest in his services that they had to contact his employers, Lille of France. Unfortunately, Lille rejected their bids for their top scorer as they considered their bids as being below their rating for the young Nigerian international.

It is recalled that Osimhen joined from Wolfsburg in the summer in a €13.5m deal to replace Nicolas Pepe who joined Arsenal.

• Osimehen The former Charleroi striker has been prolific in front of goal since joining the Ligue one side, scoring 16 goals in 32 appearances in all competition including the winning goal against Strasbourg on Saturday.

It is expected that both Spanish

giants will return for Osimhen in the summer as they aim to strengthen their forward line especially Barcelona who will be on the lookout for a striker having failed to sign a replacement for Luis Suarez who has been ruled out for four months.

South Korean court has told a local match organiser to compensate two fans after Cristiano Ronaldo did not play in a Juventus friendly as advertised.

Fans were told the Portugal forward would play at least 45 minutes against a K-League all-star team last July, but he did not come off the bench.

Organisers, The Fasta have been ordered to pay 371,000 won (£240) to two fans.

The award includes 300,000 won (£194) for “mental anguish” caused, lawyer Kim Min-ki said.

Kim, who filed the lawsuit, said: “The Fasta misled and used the fans of Cristiano Ronaldo for their own benefit.

“To the fans of Ronaldo, this is equivalent to losing the player whom they would have admired and supported their entire lives.”

Kim also told news agency Reuters he was representing a further 87 plaintiffs in other cases filed in connection with the match, which finished in a 3-3 draw.

The 65,000 tickets for the match sold out in less than three minutes, with 34-year-old Ronaldo featured heavily in advertisements.

Fans became angry when he made no sign of coming off the bench, even chanting the name of his rival Lionel Messi.

South Korea’s professional football governing body K League also sent a letter of protest to Juventus for violating the contract.

Rivers, Chinese coy partner on Real Madrid Academy

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ivers State Government and the World’s largest Textile Company, Hieng Yuan Xiang (HYX), China have agreed to partner towards the development of Real Madrid Academy, with a view to empowering less privileged children in the state.

Rivers State Government and the Chinese firm reached the agreement on Monday during a meeting on the sidelines of the 83rd Congress of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS) holding in Budapest, Hungary.

Governor Wike represented the Rivers State Government, while Mr. Liu Ruiqi, HYX Chairman of Board represented HYX. The meeting was facilitated by the AIPS President, Mr Gianni Merlo.

Speaking during the meeting, Rivers State Chief executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated that his administration initiated the Real Madrid Academy to groom future international football stars and also empower the less privileged.

He said: “We initiated Real Madrid Academy to empower the less privileged and give them the opportunity to actualize their potentials. We are offering them training in football and academics.”

Governor Wike said the Rivers State Government had completed world-class facilities in the area of football and basketball at the academy. He said hostels and additional classrooms were being developed, pointing out that they would be ready before the next academic session.

“We are at the moment developing hostel and additional classrooms for the Real Madrid Academy. These facilities will be ready before the beginning of the next academic session,” Governor Wike said.

WEDNESDAY February 5 -11, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS: We must all be alert

By PETER EMEKA KATCHY

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ntil recently coronaviruses in man have been known only as causes of a proportion of the common cold syndrome, although similar viruses caused diarrhoeal disease in animals, particularly in pigs and cows. Coronaviruses-like particles similar in general structure to respiratory strains but differing in detailed morphology, have been observed in the stools of adults rather than children in the UK, India, and Australia. Prolonged excretion, lasting up to several months, can be found and this has raised doubts whether they are genuine causes of diarrhea. Virus-like particles with morphological and antigenic similarities to the Breda virus of calves have been recently described in diarrhoeal faeces. Their identity and significance have been established.

Coronaviruses are the family of viruses known as CORONAVIRIDAE for containing strains that cause potentially deadly diseases in mammals and birds. In humans they are typically spread via airborne droplets of fluid produced by infected individuals.

Some rare but notable strains, including Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV), those responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), can cause death in humans.

First described in detail in the 1960s, the coronavirus gets its name from a distinctive corona or ‘crown’ of sugary-proteins that project from the envelope surrounding the particle. Encoding the virus’s make-up is the longest genome of any RNA-based virus – a single strand of nucleic acid roughly 26,000 to 32,000 bases long.

There are four known genuses in the family named Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. The first two only infect mammals, including bats, pigs, cats and humans. Gammacoronavirus mostly infects birds such as poultry, while Deltacoronavirus can infect both birds and mammals.

Coronaviruses can give rise to a variety of symptoms in different animals. While some strains cause diarrhea in pigs and in turkeys. Most of the time infections can be compared to a bad cold, causing mild to moderate upper respiratory problems such as a runny nose and sore throat. There are a handful of lethal exceptions, which have had a devastating impact on livestock and human health around the globe.

WUHAN CORONAVIRUS Wuhan coronavirus was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019. At the time of writing, numbers of infected are still on the rise, with a number of deaths having been reported. Snakes have been suspected as a potential source of the outbreak.

ORIGIN OF CORONAVIRUS Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say came from a Seafood Market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally. The WHO also says an animal source appears most likely to be the primary source of the outbreak. Snakes – including the Chinese krait and the cobra – may be the source of the newly discovered virus, according to Chinese scientists.

SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was first recognized as a distinct strain of coronavirus in 2003. The source of the virus has never been clear, though the first human infections can be traced back to the Chinese province of Guangdong in 2002.

The virus then became a pandemic, causing

•A Chinese embassy in Paris tracked down a woman who gloated on social media about cheating airport detection with a medicine that lowered her fever

more than 8,000 infections of an influenza-like disease in 26 countries with close to 800 deaths.

MIDDLE EAST RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (MERS) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 in people displaying symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and occasionally gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.

An animal source for the virus has never been officially confirmed, though evidence points to dromedary camels as a potential reservoir of infection. The World Health Organization has identified around 2,500 cases of infection in 27 countries since initial outbreaks, resulting in nearly 860 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency over a NEW CORONAVIRUS that has killed at least 320 people in China following an outbreak in the central city of Wuhan, forcing a government lockdown in almost 20 cities that, in effect, has quarantined an estimated 56 million people. Nearly 12,000 cases have been reported worldwide, most of them in China and especially in Wuhan and nearby cities in Hubei Province. The infection is now more widespread than the 2002 – 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which also originated in China, in terms of affected people but not deaths.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people. SARS, for instance, was believed to have been transmitted from civet cats to humans while MERS travelled from a type of camel to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. The name coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus is reminiscent of a solar corona. A novel coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and named 2019-nCoV, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. Little is known about it, although

human-to-human transmission has been confirmed.

SYMPTOMS According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. The incubation period of the coronavirus remains unknown. Some sources say it could be between 10 and 14 days. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses (Coronaviridae) that cause not only the common cold but also more serious respiratory illnesses.

•Unknown incubation period •Fever •Difficult breathing •Impaired liver and kidney function •Kidney failure •Severe cough •Pneumonia CONTROL A novel coronavirus (2019 – nCoV) was identified as the source of the illnesses on January 7 with the infection traced to a Wuhan Seafood Market that also sold live animals. Some experts say it may not be as deadly as other types of coronavirus such as SARS, which killed nearly 800 people worldwide, more than 300 in China alone – during a 2002 – 03 outbreak that also originated in China.

MERS, which did not spread as widely, was more deadly, killing one-third of those it infected. In China, however, the infection is more widespread than SARS in terms of case numbers.

Most cases have been reported in China.

All deaths have been in China – the vast majority in Hubei Province. The virus has spread to many Asian countries, as well as Australia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Nearly all of the dozens of cases outside China are among people who recently travelled there.

There is no vaccine yet for the virus. Chinese authorities have effectively sealed off Wuhan, state media said. The move was meant to “resolutely contain the momentum of the epidemic spreading” and protect lives, the central city’s special command centre against the virus said, according to

state broadcaster CCTV. More than a dozen other Chinese cities also adopted transport restrictions, affecting 56 million people. Several airlines, including United Airlines and British Airways, have cancelled flights to China. Airports around the world have introduced screening measures and some countries are working to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan.

GLOBAL EMERGENCY The outbreak constitutes a global health emergency, the WHO said. The decision to sound the top-level alarm was made after the first confirmed cases of transmission between people outside China.

The international health alert is a call on countries around the world to coordinate their response under the guidance of the United Nations health agency. There have been five global health emergencies since 2005 when the declaration was formalized: Swine Flu in 2009; Polio in 2014; Ebola in 2014; Zika in 2016 and Ebola again in 2019.

PREVENTION Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public. WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices.

•Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; •When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with fixed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands.

•Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough; •If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and shape previous travel history with your health care provider; •When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals; •The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

•Ensuring triage, early recognition, and source control (isolating patients with suspected nCoV infection).

•Applying standard precautions for all patients; •Implementing empiric additional precautions (droplet and contact and, whenever applicable, airborne precautions) for suspected cases of nCoV infection; •Implementing administrative controls; •Using environmental and engineering controls; •Encourage HCWs to have a high level of clinical suspicion; •Establish a well-equipped triage station at the entrance of health care facility, supported by trained staff; •Institute the use of screening questionnaire according to the updated case definition.

•Post signs in public areas reminding symptomatic patients to alert HCWs. BE AT ALERT! PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THESE DEADLY VIRUSES! •Prof. Katchy (Gold Medalist) FCAI FIPAM, wrote in from Onitsha.

Tel: +2348039510069 E-mail: emekakatchy@yahoo.com

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