Wednesday July 11 2018 Edition

Wasting Abacha’s N116.26b loot through poverty

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari adores the late General Sani Abacha, a former Head of State who died in office in 1998. The basis of Buhari’s relationship with Abacha is cloudy, considering who Abacha was. Uncharitable ones claim Buhari’s hero-worshipping of Abacha is in appreciation of his appointment as Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, (PTF),

The Oracle Today Comment

a government intervention agency that still got funds to fix infrastructure, though crude oil prices crashed to as low as $10 per barrel.

ABACHA is back in Buhari’s life, in a manner that keeps dredging up the PTF days. There was applause over

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

PTF’s performances until a scrutiny of its books. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, probed PTF. In the midst of his tiff with Buhari last January, Obasanjo stated he regretted not implementing the PTF report. It was said to have indicted

Buhari’s management of the agency. Obasanjo simply abolished PTF. SOME THINGS make Abacha a concurrent memory. His loot is being recovered from banks all over the world, 20 years after his departure. The other is Buhari’s incongru-

racle

ISSN: 2545-5869

By FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU

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VEN without the controversy over alleged cut in the budget for the 2nd Niger Bridge in the 2018 fiscal estimates, there were already clear indications that the much-politicised project would suffer more setbacks in the current dispensation.

Shortly after signing the 2018 appropriation on Wednesday, 21 June 2018, Buhari complained to the nation the National Assembly had “drastically” cut the provisions in the 2018 budget for some “key” national projects, such as the 2nd Niger Bridge.

“The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as counterpart funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Ex-

From Chuks Collins, Awka

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HE the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has appealed to the United Nations, Britain, the United States of America and other nations to intervene and ask the Nigerian Government to produce its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group alleged that the Nigerian Army abducted him when it raided his home with deadly intent on 14 September 2017, leading to the death of 28 people.

In a press statement released in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Tuesday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful noted that, “with the recent leaked intelligence report on the whereabouts of our leader, wide-

HIV drug: Ezeibe gets FG grant From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

Govt slams oil firms over losses F

Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB raises new alarm to UN, US

Cont’d on page 2

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ederal government has raised new operations parameters for players in the petroleum industry, demanding commitment towards addressing host community issues that affect operating environment in order to achieve

Today

VOL.3 No.27 N200

•Contract terms, execution plan unclear •FG didn’t commit funds to project •NASS 2018 budget cuts final excuse

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

Cont’d on page 24

www.oraclenews.ng

2nd Niger Bridge finally stalled WEDNESDAY JUly 11, 2018

ous defence of Abacha’s integrity.

NOTHING would change Buhari’s impression of Abacha, he confessed. “No matter what opinion you have about Abacha, I agreed to work with him and the roads we did from PTF exist from here to Port Harcourt, to Onitsha, to Benin and so on,” Buhari told the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO),

drastic cost reduction and improved efficiency in delivering national economic aspirations.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu who delivered his remarks at Nigerian

Page 18

Oil and Gas (NOG) conference and exhibition in Abuja blamed multinational oil companies for the crisis in the Niger Delta, pointing at environmental rascality that has groomed agitations and protests

that currently weighed down the industry.

Dr. Kachikwu said persistent attacks on oil facilities, security

Cont’d on page 2

T

he Nigerian HIV medicine, Medicinal synthetic Aluminum-magnesium silicate (MSAMS), was among inventions for which the Federal Government made available some grants to some inventors on Tuesday in Abuja.

In addition, the inventors were given certificates of recognition.

The inventor of MSAMS, Prof.

Maduike Ezeibe, disclosed this to The Oracle Today in Umuahia.

The Federal Ministry of Science

Cont’d on page 5

Adamawa hails Fidelity Bank on CSR

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Continued from Pg 1 pressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of N11.5billion,” the President agonised during a press briefing at the Aso Villa shortly after appending his signature to the 2018 Appropriation Bill.

However, apart from the fact that the President did not mention any specific amount cut from the provision for the bridge, and that only an aggregate of “paltry” N11.5b was removed from the provisions for six critical national projects such as Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project, there were indications that the overall budgetary allocation to the bridge project fell short of what was required to continue the preliminary work at the site.

Even if the National Assembly did

2nd Niger Bridge finally stalled not cut the budget for bridge, what would still have remained unclear, even confusing, is the arrangement under which the project was being executed.

Many would not know that the cuts that the President lamented about were for the access roads to the proposed bridge, all of which were under the “preliminary works”. The budget for the bridge, estimated at about N210 billion was not in the budget, and was to be proposed in the 2019 budget.

Before the Buhari Administration, a lot of work had been done on the bridge project with a completion date set for 2017. Contract for the project was awarded in 2012. But, at its ascent to power in 2015, the Buhari Administration stopped the

contract with the explanation that it needed to review the process.

According to estimates provided by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in 2012, the project which Julius Berger Nigeria Plc-NSIA Motorway Investment Company Ltd (JB-NMIC) Consortium was handling, was estimated to cost $700 million- that is, N108 billion (at the then exchange rate of N154/$). NMIC is a subsidiary of NSIA. As then awarded, the project comprised phases 1, 2a and 2b and included a southern bypass at both Asaba and Onitsha with an approximate total length of 44km.

From the design, Phase 1 of the project, which is the bridge and adjacent roads, is approximately 11.9 kilometres and was expected to be

•Locked down! Residents trekking to their destinations as Lagos is shut down, awaiting the arrival of French President, Emmanuel Macron on a one-day visit

Continued from Pg 1 lationship with host communities to statutory regulatory requirement. He said the efforts and contributions of some of the oil firms failed short of creating adequate environment for credible operations.

The Oracle Today reports that years of clashes between oil companies, especially Shell, and Niger Delta communities degenerated into militant protests. The development led to the lingering insecurity in the Niger Delta manifesting in attacks and cost escalation in industry operations.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated in a separate presentation at the event that government is intervening with a combination of deployment of security forces and community engagements where oil companies operate in order to enhance operating environment.

He said the engagements with host community stakeholders in the Niger Delta as well as deployment of security forces to protect facilities have yielded improved access to site but have failed to achieve full capacity recovery in

constructed and operated under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

The bridge proper would comprise a 3.31 kilometre-long road section on the Delta side, including a 500 metre-long toll plaza; a 1.59 kilometre-tolled concrete box-girder bridge with two superstructures and a 7.0 kilometre-long road section on the Anambra side. The project was expected to be constructed and delivered in 48 months and, when completed, would have six lanes with three in each direction.

Phase 2a was connected to the Asaba-Benin Expressway while Phase 2b was connected to the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Phases 2a and 2b together constitute the feeding approach roads.

Out of the N108 billion project cost, the Federal Government, under the Jonathan Administration, made a commitment of N30 billion, which represented 28 per cent of the cost of the project.

The JBI-NMIC consortium would raise the remaining funds for the construction, operation and maintenance of the bridge and adjacent roads of Phase 1 under a 25-year concession.

The Sovereign Wealth Fund had already contributed N10.4 billion of the Federal Government’s counterpart funding for the project, leaving a balance of about N7.94 billion as at the time the Buhari Administration came to power.

But, when the Administration came into office and stopped the contract on the grounds that it wanted to review the project, it was not clear afterwards whether the government had actually reviewed the processes and what plan it had adopted for the execution of the project.

What is clear, however, is that as at June 2017, there were indications that government had not expended any money on the project.

A Member of the House of Representatives Abdulrazak Namdas said not a dime of the N12 billion allocated to the bridge in the 2016 budget was spent. While the allocation and

Govt slams oil firms over losses

the industry.

Dr. Baru said NNPC was leading industry community and corporate social responsibility initiatives that would positively affect the lives of stakeholders in a potent strategy enhance the operating environment and enable the industry deliver broader national objectives captured in the government’s economic recovery and growth agenda.

He pointed out that more work is still left undone in achieving the right fiscal and physical operating environment for the industry, explaining that the corporation was also leading persuasive efforts for speedy legislative correction of obsolete laws that impede progress in realization of key programmes in the industry.

According to Dr. Baru, NNPC is driving the industry evolve creative funding arrangements to meet key national targets set for 2020. He listed targets to include annual crude oil reserves growth of 2.0 billion barrels to meet national aspiration for 40 billion barrels, recovery and optimization of existing production capacity of 2.7 million barrels per day and pursu-

ing production growth to target capacity of 4.0 million barrels per day.

He said part of the targets is to drive exploration for reserves growth in the nation’s inland basins beginning from Bida basin to Benue through. He said hints of hydrocarbon formation have been recorded in previous exploration campaigns.

In the midstream, NNPC said it was working on new operating and commercial model for rehabilitation of the refineries. He said the model would entail contractor finance arrangements to pull in third party funding for rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and relieve the corporation of the sole responsibility for domestic fuel market supply.

Under the arrangement, he said, strategic investors with the requisite technical and funding capacity would be partnered with local marketing giants with huge assets for the rehabilitation and operation of the refineries for defined tenure after which they would exit.

In preparation for the expected local production of refined fuel

for the economy, Dr Baru said NNPC was also rehabilitating all its downstream facilities including plants, pumping stations, depots, pipelines and other market infrastructure and facilities.

On gas, he said the industry is working to boost supplies from current 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day (1.5 Bscf/d) to 5.0 Bscf/d in five years when total domestic demand is expected at 8.3 Bscf/d. The nation’s domestic gas demand is driven by the power sector, and Dr. Baru said the corporation was working to meet expected demand that would fire generation of 7.5 megawatts of electricity by 2020.

Greater gas supply volumes, he said, would be encouraged with commercial incentives provided in the Nigerian Gas masterplan for private players to stake funds in asset and infrastructure development in the gas sector of the industry.

He however pointed at ongoing sabotage of industry facilities across the country as a major concern in the entire programme,

Cont’d on page 47

non-expenditure of the money on the project was an issue, perhaps of more importance to the National Assembly was how the project moved from a PPP to being funded wholly again by government.

Confusion, more confusion According to The Oracle Today report on the bridge in October 2017, “The only thing that is certain about the 2nd Niger Bridge, proposed for 1968, is confusion, persistent confusion.”

We reported, then, that “Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo opened the most recent page on the bridge when he announced at flag off of the governorship campaign of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Onitsha, Anambra State, on October 20, that the Federal Government had paid contractors $2b for to commence work on the bridge, in fulfillment of electoral promises APC made in 2015.”

However, four hours later, the office of the Vice President said the actual amount that the Sovereign Wealth Fund had released for the project was N2 billion.

The confusion arose from the fact that it was still not clear whether the government had reviewed the contract and under what terms it was releasing N2b for “work to commence (continue) on a project whose contract sum amounted to N108b in 2012 when the exchange rate stood at N157/$1 compared to N360/$1 as of today.

Finance Ministry sources told The Oracle Today that the new Niger Bridge project is being considered under the new public private project PPP arrangements.

It was gathered that the Minister, Kemi Adeosun had actually prepared a memo for discussion at one of the Federal Executive Council meetings which if approved, would make most infrastructure development projects be done using the PPP model ahead of the 2018 budget.

The 2018 has ushered in more confusion into the entire affair.

But, as the controversy raged, the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he inspected works at the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra, and Asaba, Delta, said contract for the bridge would be awarded before the 2019 elections.

Federal Controller of Works in Anambra, Innocent Alumonah who was with him made more startling revelations about the project.

Earlier in April, Mr. Alumonah had said the early works of the fourphase project had been executed up to 46 per cent.

“Some culverts have been completed for the project. The link road to the bridge will be linked around Okpanam junction near Asaba Airport to Ibusa junction, Oko, through Ogbaru, Atani to Onitsha-Owerri Road and later join Enugu-Onitsha Expressway,” he said.

He said that 79 of the 83 piles had already been put in place at the Ogbaru end of the project with each pile measuring about 40 metres in length.

“By next week, we will be building the pile cap at axis 290. The entire Second Niger Bridge is 1.59-kms.

The second Niger Bridge project will cost N14.45 billion,” Mr. Alumonah told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. Mr. Okechukwu said that the project was no longer under Public, Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement, but being solely financed by the Federal Government. President Buhari believes that public fund is the fastest way to lay the critical foundation for critical infrastructure, Mr. Okechukwu said.

Three days earlier, Friday 27 April,

Cont’d on page 47

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

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The Oracle Today

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Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Tanker fire: Lagos to prosecute truck owner, driver …As CP dismisses renewed threat of militancy in Epe, Ikorodu axis

By VICTROR NZE

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AGOS State Government is perfecting plans to prosecute the owner and driver of the illfated fuel tanker which exploded last Thursday on Otedola Bridge inward Ojodu Berger along LagosIbadan Expressway, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal said, Monday.

Already, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem had at the weekend written to the CP to advise him on the relevant provisions of the law that could guide the ongoing investigation which would lead to possible prosecution.

Confirming receipt of the letter while briefing Government House Correspondents after the Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Edgal said investigations into the incident were ongoing, saying that government would not allow vehicles that pose serious danger to residents on the road.

The police chief, who briefed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, specifically commiserated with those who lost their loved ones to the tragic incident, while also commending emergency responders who quickly raced to the scene to keep the causality figure low.

“As regards investigation into the matter, it is in top gear. I have just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General and Commis-

sioner for Justice which stated very clearly charges which we are going to prefer against the driver and the owner of that tanker.

“Henceforth, we are using this opportunity to call on all tanker drivers, all lorry drivers, all owners of such articulated vehicles to please submit those vehicles for Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) test; they must go through the entire hub and get the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) Certificate of Road Worthiness. We will not allow such vehicles which obviously pose serious danger to other road users on our roads,” Edgal said.

He said government had already directed security agencies to intensify enforcement of relevant laws, especially the State Traffic Law, with the view to ensuring that the roads and highways in the State were safe for commuters to ply without any danger.

Edgal also urged residents to always refrain from converging on the scene of any accident of such magnitude as that of the unfortunate tanker fire incident, saying there could be secondary explosion which could lead to loss of lives.

Speaking on other issues deliberated at the meeting, Edgal said the Council reviewed the security situation in the State since the last time it met, saying it was gratifying to note that there had been 17 per cent reduction in violent crimes in the period under review.

He also allayed fears over renewed threat of militancy in the

Court reopens Metuh’s case

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HE Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the Federal Government to arraign a legal practitioner, Mr Ben-Chuks Nwosu and three members of staff of the Channels Television, Chamberlain Usoh, Gimba Umar and Nneota Egbe.

They are to be arraigned for participating and anchoring a programme on the station, “Sunrise Daily ” were it was alleged that contemptuous and prejudicial questions and comments were made by Nwosu, who is one of Metuh’s lawyers.

The judge, Justice Okon Abang gave the order while delivering a ruling after listening to the unedited video of the programme in open court.

Abang ordered that they should be arraigned in any court of coordinate jurisdiction within the jurisdiction of the court under Secction 134(4) of the Criminal Code.

He said they should be arraigned for the court to determine whether questions asked by the three anchors and the comments by Nwosu were not contemptuous and misleading to the public.

Abang held that upon arraignment, the court shall determine whether Channels TV had not made prejudicial statement thereby misleading the public, and distorting the facts of the case for selfish interest.

He gave the Federal Government 30 days to comply with the order.

“Federal Government shall within 30 days, file an affidavit of compliance. I cannot order arraignment of Ojogbane because I did not see his

creek areas of Epe, Imota and Agbowa, assuring that State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, was on top of the situation.

“We have just concluded the Security Meeting Chaired by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and a wide range of security issues were discussed but most importantly some of the threats which we are currently having in certain parts of the State.

“The first one relates to the renewed threat of militancy around the creeks of Epe, Agbowa, Imota and the action that we are taking.

There is a good synergy between the security agencies and the locals

in ensuring that we keep some of these militants who want to come into the State from Ondo waters to try to disturb peace of the State.

“We are calling on all those who are in the riverine communities to continue to partner with security agents to ensure that when they see strange movement, they quickly alert security agencies so that we can keep them safe. For now, I can assure Lagosians that those areas are being properly policed and security is tight in those areas,” Edgal said.

Besides, Edgal appreciated Lagosians for credible information which had aided the fight against kidnapping, cultism, drug sale and drug abuse in the State, revealing that operatives of the Command recently intercepted a Container with over 37 Cartons of Tramadol which

would have gotten to the public if not for prompt action of security agencies, just as he urged residents to continue to support security agents.

On the scheduled visit to Lagos by French and Namibian Presidents in the coming days, Edgal urged residents to show the hospitality the State is known for, while appealing for cooperation in the eventuality of road diversions and restrictions.

Giving update on the tanker accident, the Attorney General (Kazeem) said families of the victims had started submitting relevant samples to aid DNA test, saying: “I can confirm that today, families who lost their loved ones to the accident have started reporting at the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre for submission of reference samples that would be used to identify victims.”

•President Muhammadu Buhari (r) French President Emmanuel Macron and Ogun State Governor Ibikunle

face, and his picture was not used. I Amosun when the French leader paid a courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja as part of his official two-day only heard a voice, and it is risky to trip to Lagos State to commission the new French Culture Centre in Victoria Island, Tuesday. speculate.”

The judge ordered Oluyemisi Ipaye, Senior Manager News and Programmes, Channels TV to within 7 days from July 3, file 10 copies of the transcript of questions asked EDERAL Government has re- analytical/visualization tool that was not designed to measure poverby the anchors of the programme. jected the report by an organi- shows the number of people living ty indicators accurately and follows a He also asked Ipaye to file 10 copsatio in Europe which ranked in extreme poverty worldwide and methodology that can be misleading ies of the DVD showing questions Nigeria as the new poorest nation count(s) ‘excess’ poverty – the gap if relied upon for poverty estimates. asked by the anchors and com- in the world, saying that Nigerians between the actual number who “In line with extant laws, the Naments made by Nwosu and Ojog- have not become poorer under the have escaped poverty since end- tional Bureau of Statistics (NBS) bane. present administration of President December 2015 and the hypothetical remains the statutory agency of Justice Abang asked the pros- Muhammadu Buhari. number of who should have escaped government with responsibility for ecution to within 10 days, refer the The World Data Lab in Vienna, in order for the world to be on-track producing Nigeria’s official statistics, matter to the Disciplinary Commit- Austria, last week, released a report to reach the global target of ending including poverty estimates. Like tee of the Nigerian Bar Association, titled World Poverty Clock, indicating poverty by 2030. several other countries, Nigeria’s (NBA). that Nigeria has taken over India as “It should be noted that in deriving poverty estimates are obtained from He said this was for the NBA to determine whether the comments the capital of poverty in the world its poverty estimates, the Poverty the National Living Standard Survey made by Nwosu on the programme with over 80 million Nigerians living Clock does not, and in this case did (NLSS) undertaken every five years, not, directly rely on household sur- and which was last conducted in were in violation of Rules 33 of in poverty.

Minister of Budget and National vey data as national statistical offices 2010.

Rules of Professional Conduct of Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma in in most countries do. Instead, as stat“We are therefore optimistic that Legal Practitioners 2007.

The court further directed that a statement, Monday, while faulting ed in their methodology, they rely any poverty survey carried out now the defence and prosecuting coun- the report, said it would not accept on models to estimate poverty rates will show that this administration is sel should meet with the manage- the report because it was not prop- across countries using data provided succeeding in turning around the by national governments to interna- negative trajectory that the econment of Channels TVto agree that erly conducted.

“The attention of the Ministry tional agencies. omy had been on before we took the transcript represents questions of Budget and Planning has been “The models make assumptions on over. And that this turnaround will asked and answers gotten.

Justice Abang also reopened the drawn to a recent publication on the expected future changes in income, succeed in lifting millions of Nigericase of Metuh to enable him testify World Poverty Clock by World Data IMF medium-term growth forecasts ans out of poverty,” the statement personally and to also call two ad- Lab in Vienna, Austria, indicating that and long-term projections and analy- said.

Nigeria’s poverty rating was getting sis developed by the OECD, all of ditional witnesses. which are significantly influenced by The judge vacated the order worse.

“The Ministry has reviewed this uncertainty. It is, in essence, just a made on May 25 closing Metuh’s case saying the order was made in report and would like to assure Ni- model based on a lot of assumptions default because Metuh’s counsel gerians that the report is not based which cannot substitute for field on any recent surveys of the poverty work involving actual data collected was not heard.

Justice Abang, however, warned levels in Nigeria and cannot be relied from households in a consistent and Metuh not to cause any unpleasant upon as a factual indication of recent representative way.

“In the specific case of Nigeria, the scene or fall in the courtroom again trends in Nigeria.

“The authors of the report claim Poverty Clock uses as baseline the adding that the proceedings shall be on a daily basis. that the Poverty Clock is an online General Household Survey which

FG rejects World Poverty Clock report on Nigeria

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The Oracle Today

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Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Soldiers did not kill herdsmen, cows in Nasarawa – DHQ

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EFENCE Headquarters (DHQ) has denied allegation by the Nasarawa State branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that its Special Forces of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) had killed herdsmen and hundreds of cows in the state.

Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, made the denial on Tuesday while briefing Journalists at the Tactical Command Headquarters, Makurdi OPWS operational headquarters.

MACBAN had accused Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) of extra judicial killing of herdsmen and hundreds of cattle in the state.

Agim said that during OPWS’s cordon-and-search operation in Barkin Kato village in Keana Local Government Area of the state, criminals reorganised and killed two and injured five of military personnel.

“I wish to make it abundantly clear that the Special Forces troops

of OPWS did not kill herdsmen or cows as claimed by the Chairman of MACBAN in Lafia. The information is completely false and unfounded.

“The truth of the matter is that on June 26 at about 6:a.m., some troops of OPWS carried out a cordon-and-search operation at a suspected herdsmen militia camp at Barkin Kota village in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“After the initial success of the operation, the militia elements reorganised and attacked our team, killing two soldiers and injuring five personnel including the Officer Commanding who led the operation.

“Following this incident, some troops of OPWS were mobilised for reinforcement. In the exchange of fire that ensued some of the militia must have sustained some casualties as we were able to extricate our men that were injured.

“In the course of fighting, OPWS troops recovered 1 X AK 47 rifle with magazine; 2 X locally made guns; 1 X pistol; 1 X axe and 800 rounds of 7.62mm special. This was the criminal group that our troops were able to destroy their camp.

He said that the “Military was not in a hurry to link MACBAN to this militia as investigation had begun to unravel those behind the death of our men.

“The military is ready to take

down those who are responsible alongside their sponsors no matter how highly placed,” Agim said.

He disclosed that OPWS had in two months arrested 46 suspects in Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states, adding that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.

“So far, OPWS troops have arrested 21 suspects and recovered 20 weapons and 882 rounds of assorted ammunition in Nasarawa

State since the inception of the operation.

“Similarly, the force has recovered 3 weapons; 9 rounds of ammunition and arrested 12 suspects in Taraba.

“In addition, we have recovered 4 weapons and 169 rounds of ammunition as well as arrested 13 suspects in Benue since our operation began,” the acting director said.

Obasanjo assumes office as facilitator at NOUN

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has assumed office as a facilitator at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), as he inspected his office space at the Abeokuta Study Centre on Tuesday.

This was disclosed in a statement by the institution’s Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Ibrahim Sheme.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, had earlier appointed the former president as a facilitator after he bagged a PhD in Christian Theology in January from the institution.

A facilitator is a part-time academic coordinator for students in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system which open universities operate.

The Director of the Abeokuta study

History will judge us harshly if killings persist – Dogara

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PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has said that history will be hash on the present administration if it failed to stop the mass killing of innocent Nigerians.

Dogara said this on Tuesday while welcoming members back from the Eid- El- Fitr holiday.

He said that the killings of innocent Nigerians should be stopped immediately.

“History will have a harsh verdict for us as a government if we fail to live up to this responsibility and it will not matter if we succeed in other areas. Unfortunately, the stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system.

“This must not be the case. Before we ebb to the realm of anarchy, we must rise up as true representatives of the Nigerian people to salvage the situation and defend our hard won democracy,” he said.

The speaker said that the unresolved issue of rampant killings of defenseless people including innocent and vulnerable children and women, in various parts of the country, called for sober reflection.

Dogara added that there must be more concerted efforts by the National Assembly to exploit all its constitutional powers and privileges to ensure the protection of lives and property in the country by security agencies.

centre, Prof. Ibrahim Salawu, said the office allocation became necessary, following his appointment as a facilitator in January.

Salawu, who led Obasanjo and other members of staff on a familiarisation tour of the centre, said “I am very pleased to have a former President of Nigeria as a colleague in the academia.”

Obasanjo expressed satisfaction at the office space allotted to him and •Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, receiving a delegation of International Automative Investors in Nigeria led promised to work for the progress of by M.D. Volkswagen Group South Africa, Mr. Thomas Schaefer at the State House Abuja, Tuesday. the university.

Cont’d from Pg 1 and Technology advanced the grants to the inventors at a ceremony in Abuja.

The Oracle Today, had reported last April that an Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the federal government to authenticate Ezeibe’s drug had approved that Ezeibe be encouraged financially to conduct more research into his invention.

It was the first indication that the federal government has recognized that the scientist’s claims of producing a drug that cures HIV/AIDS has merit.

The Committee, therefore, recommended that he should approach the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to get more money that should be ploughed into further studies on his research result.

The letter containing that approval from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) and addressed to Ezeibe, was dated March 27, 2018 and signed by Director, Health and Biomedical Science Department, Dr. Manasseh Gwaza, for the Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu. It was entitled: “Authentication Of The Nigerian Antiretroviral Medicine: The Medicinal Synthetic Aluminium-Magnesium Silicate.”

The letter read in part: “Please recall that you requested for collaboration with Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) on the commercialization of a product (Medicinal Synthetic Aluminium-Magnesium Silicate (MSAMS) discovered for the cure of HIV/AIDS; subsequently, the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology(HMST) approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee, which was inaugurated on 19th December, 2017 and had a follow-up meeting on 23rd February, 2018 to evaluate the researcher’s claim on the discovery of

HIV drug: Ezeibe gets FG grant

a cure for HIV/AIDs and to ascertain if the research result was in conformity with national and international best practices.”

According to Gwaza, who is also the Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee which has Prof Zubairu Iliasu of Federal Ministry of Health as Chairman, the meeting resolved among other things: “That Prof.

Maduike should source funds from TETFUND for further research to be conducted on his research result,” adding that “if necessary, the Inter-Ministerial Committee should forward a letter to TETFUND recommending Prof. Ezeibe in order to facilitate the provision of grant for further research.”

Also, the letter added that “the Inter-Ministerial Committee should advise Prof. Maduike to conduct further research on his research result,” which necessitated the approval for Ezeibe to approach TETFund for more funds.

Recall that Ezeibe broke the cheering news of his discovery of the anti-retroviral drug for the cure of HIV/ AIDS in February 2017, but the news was quickly mired in controversy as experts accused Ezeibe of not towing the formal route for the announcement of such scientific discoveries.

Not daunted, Ezeibe, wrote to the federal government, requesting authentication of his claims and more funds to conclude his research which was at the clinical trials stage.

He equally approached the Senate, praying the upper chamber of the National Assembly to persuade the Executive arm of the federal government to investigate his claim, insisting that his drug would boost the nation’s economy even more than crude oil.

Reacting to the Federal Government’s grant, which was given to

him in Abuja, Ezeibe said: “My joy is that this recognition came after the inter-ministerial committee of the Federal government looked into our claim, that our medicine can cure HIV and other diseases said to be incurable. It means that they have seen that we are not talking nonsense.”

As part from his exhibition at the occasion, Ezeibe distributed abstracts explaining how MSAMS cures HIV and even cancer.

The abstract entitled “Reasons immune deficiency (HIV/HBV/HCV) diseases are ‘incurable’ and how The Nigerian Medicinal synthetic Aluminum-magnesium silicate overcomes them,” explained that Aluminum-magnesium silicate (AMS) molecules are made of Nanoparticles (smaller than HIV, Hepatitis B Virus

and Hepatitis C Virus).

“This ultra-small size enables them reach all cells,” he explained.

According to the Scientist, HIV and HCV are positively charged while HBV is negatively charged.

“So, AMS-Nanoparticles mop HIV/ HCV with their surfaces and HBV with their edges. Infected/cancer cells are negatively charged. Therefore, the Nanoparticles also bond onto the abnormal cells with their edges and destroy them,” he said.

Ezeibe has maintained that MSAMS could be used to potentiate other drugs to make them more effective, adding that if the drug is patented and commercialized by the Nigerian government, MSAMS has the capacity to yield more foreign exchange for the country than crude oil.

Ekiti: Group urges security heads to sanction INEC personnel

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LECTION Monitor, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has called on heads of security agencies to announce sanctions for security operatives caught involved in election malpractice.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Mr Abiodun Ajijola, made the call at the Public Presentation of the 2018 Ekiti State Governorship Election Observation and Research Guide on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, the call to provide clear punishment for security personnel liable of election malpractice was to deter those that might be tempted to collude with unscrupulous politicians.

Ajijola also advised security heads to take the welfare of their personnel seriously ahead of the election to prevent them from being induced to engage in election malpractice.

“The Nigerian Police leadership especially, should ensure that the welfare of its officers in Ekiti is made available to them on time,” the civil rights advocate said.

Media reports, he said, indicated that the police would deploy 30,000 personnel for the Ekiti election which was a sharp increase from the 18,000 deployed in 2014.

According to him, what this meant was that there will be an average of one policeman to every 30 voters in Ekiti and 13 to 14 security officers per polling unit.

“This is unprecedented in any governorship election in the past; with this sharp increase of police deployment, this election is going to be one the most heavily policed election.

While there have been some election violence related issues, the security agencies must be cautious not to aggravate the situation.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS

Reading culture can check exam malpractices - Experts From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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xperts in the literary world have maintained that cultivating the habit of reading in children remain the best option to curbing examination malpractice, a cankerworm that has eaten deep into Nigeria’s education fabric.

The experts gave this opinion in Aba during the third edition of the Enyimba Reading Festival (ERF), a literary and educational programme, last week. The theme of this year’s edition is “Reading to Rebuild.”

The festival is tailored towards exposing secondary school students to readings, poetry performance, drama and mentoring.

Addressing the participants, Coordinator, National Council of Child Rights Advocate, Abia State chapter, Apostle Innocent Akomas, identified reading as the antidote to examination malpractice.

“Any child that reads will always pass his or her examinations without any form of assistance. Reading is a stimulant to your performance,” Akomas said, while lamenting that reading culture has waned greatly, resulting in baking of mediocre professionals.

“If you can’t read, you will not succeed. Your intellectual content determines the level of your success in your chosen field,” he said.

Also, the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Abia State chapter, Elder Nwokoma Nwaigwe, agreed that reading would check examination malpractice.

“By reading, you gain knowledge and that knowledge will eventually influence your life. In other words, reading will help you to rebuild that which has been lost. We have lost so many educational values; students do not read any more and they depend solely on examination malpractice, may be, for them to excel.

“But if you start now to read, you will be able to be confident and have that composure that you can face your examinations without any help from anybody. So, that is why you start now to read to become confident and to be exposed academically so that you can excel,” Nwaigwe said A novelist and member of the National Executive of Association of Nigerian Authors, Rotarian Ernest Onuoha, lamented that social media was doing a lot of havoc to the children as it was diverting their attention to unimportant things and charged the children never to stop reading, pointing out that people with uncommon knowledge are those who read wide.

Welcoming guests and the participants, Coordinator of ERF, Obioma Okezie, said the aim of the programme, which has been running on for the past four years in Aba, was to encourage reading and writing “and push young people towards the path of literature.”

“Our nation is going through a lot politically, socially, religiously and for us to have a nation where we all will be proud of, we need to rebuild; and to get this done, we saw the need to read wide,” Okezie said.

Some of the school that participated include; Intellectual Giants Academy, Victory Early Learning Academy, All Saints Secondary School, United Evangelical High School and NINLAN Demonstration and Fountain of Knowledge, all in Aba.

Anambra market leader blames police for trader’s murder F

By OGE ONYEANUSI

ollowing the brutal murder of a trader at Bida Road near the Onitsha Main Market, last Friday, President-General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (AMATAS), Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo has accused the police in Anambra State of condoning criminal activities in the Onitsha.

Ezenwankwo who spoke to our correspondent in a telephone

interview in Onitsha, Monday, attributed the murder to the inaction and lack-lustre attitude by police officers in the town who he also accused of supporting the activities of a notorious criminal gang leader known as “Ikanda”.

According to Chief Ezenwankwo who is also the President-General of South East Amalgamated Traders Association (SEAMATA), “the police are in the habit of releasing “Ikanda” whose real name could not be ascertained at the time of

filing this report. On several occasions, he has been arrested over criminal activities in the commercial town, including the offence of illegal revenue collection and handed over to the police, but regrettably he has always been released on such occasions,” he said.

While recounting a scenario where some market task force members engaged the criminal gang in a show down over the gang’s extortion of traders in the name of revenue collection for

Anambra State Government, Chief Ezenwankwo (Ewepudike) lamented the with degree of injuries inflicted on the markets task force members by boys recruited by “Ikanda” to extort traders and residents alike of their hard-earned money.

Ezenwankwo stressed that members of the dreaded “ Ikanda” boys are very powerful and use dangerous weapons like guns, clubs, bottles and any available weapon they can lay their hands on to suppress their victims.

Navy deploys for 24-hr patrol on Niger waterways

By OGE ONYEANUSI

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• (From right): Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Most Rev Ukwuoma, Bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese, and wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha receiving an award at the 10th Episcopal anniversary of the Most Rev Ukwuoma.

Group decries abandoned N3.4bn FG capital projects in Enugu

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n Enugu based group, the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has expressed concern over abandoned and unimplemented federal capital projects worth N3.4 billion in Enugu State.

A research consultant of WACOL, Dr Uzochukwu Amakom, made the disclosure in Enugu on Monday at a press briefing on findings of monitored federal projects in the state.

The briefing was organised by WACOL in partnership with the Christian Aid, a donor agency.

According to Amakom, it is worrisome that the total number of implemented federal capital projects in Enugu is low compared to other states like Abia, Imo and Kaduna States.

He noted that 12 projects were monitored in the three senatorial districts of Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu West and cut across areas of education, health, works/ infrastructure and agriculture.

“Our community based team monitored 12 federal capital projects in the three senatorial districts of Enugu State as contained in the 2017 fiscal year project.

“Only seven per cent of these projects have been completed and in use while 15 per cent of these projects have been completed but are not in use because the people are not unaware of such projects.

“Also, 30 per cent of these projects have not been implemented, 46 per cent were ongoing with some of the projects suffering abandonment at different phases,” he said.

The university don blamed the lackadaisical attitude of representatives both at the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly to effectively monitor implementation of projects in their areas as the major cause.

He stressed the need for people to hold their representatives responsible for any abandoned project or lack of it in their areas as well as ensure early release of funds for effective implementation.

Amakom advised that the period of election was the right time to make representatives accountable and see that the various projects were not only implemented but also put into good use.

Some of the projects monitored

were the construction of Obolloafor-Ikem-Eha-amufu-Nkalagu Road and construction of model health care centre at Neke, Isi-Uzo. Others are renovation of three classroom blocks at Federal Government College, Leja and the rehabilitation of Oji-Achi through Obeagu-Mmaku-Awgu-NdeabohMpu-Okpanku-Akaeze roads.

The ongoing water projects at Umueke, Inama and Uvuru all in Uzo Uwani L.G.A were few of the major projects monitored by WACOL monitoring team.

Earlier, the program manager of WACOL in Enugu State, Mrs Anuli Ezennia, said the project monitoring was a project under the Voice to the People initiative (V2P) with funds from the Christian Aid. Ezennia disclosed that the objective of the meeting was to provoke major stakeholders to join hands to stop the spate of abandoned projects in the state which was a recurring event.

“It is good to monitor and measure project results so that successes could be rewarded and failure made public for transparency and accountability.

n a bid to sustain the current security network in various parts of Anambra State, including the riverine communities, the Nigerian Naval Outpost, Onitsha has commenced a 24-hour patrol along the various waterways and creeks in the state.

The exercise is aimed at forestalling any form of criminal activities by armed groups, especially cult activities that have been on the increase in the recent time.

Cultism related activities by various youth groups have been rampant in communities and urban centres across the state. Last month about ten people lost their lives at a suburb in Nkpor near Onitsha when some cultists invaded a residential house in the area and killed visitors who had gathered to celebrate the birth of a child by one of the tenants in the area.

The cultists who were about ten in number were said to have arrived the venue of the celebration when guests had gathered for the ceremony and shot at their targets in which ten people were reported dead and several others sustained injuries of various degrees.

The incident which has thrown the entire neighbourhood into utter confusion had repeatedly occurred in Obosi also in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state and home town of the former Secretary- General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku in which incidences of killings by cult members and sale of illicit drugs are reportedly high.

There have been various reports of perpetration of murder and other related activities by gang groups in the area despite frantic efforts by the traditional ruler of Obosi Community, Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111 to curtail the trend.

The traditional ruler had been under physical attack by some gun men who engaged him in a futile assassination attempt last year for spearheading a battle against cultism and illegal sale of hard drugs in the community by unscrupulous elements.

However , the Naval Outpost, Odekpe near Onitsha has engaged the various riverine communities in a 24 hour surveillance by water to nip in the bud any form of eventualities by cult groups to unleash mayhem on the populace.

In a telephone chat with the commander, Onitsha Naval Outpost, Navy Captain .K. Mohammed reiterated the commitment of the navy in assisting the police in suppressing criminal activities in the state.

He called for useful information by residents in assisting other security agencies in curtailing criminal activities in parts of the state.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Eze condemns suspension of 4 lawmakers in Imo From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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overnorship aspirant in Imo State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Okey Eze, has condemned the suspension of four members of the Imo State House of Assembly over what it said was “unparliamentary conducts”.

Briefing newsmen in Owerri, Okey said that the House abdicated its core legislative mandate and subjected itself to the whims and caprices of the Executive, forgetting that they were elected to serve the people.

He noted that some members have permitted themselves to be inflicted by the corruption and acquisition impulse that have polluted the Okorocha administration, thereby lowering the quotient of public expectations and accountability.

He said: “It is profoundly disturbing that the legislature in Imo State has lent itself to the Executive overhang and has turned into an administration of political vendetta. The Imo State House of Assembly, by its rash decision to suspend four of its members for no justifiable cause has chosen to stifle political expression and pluralism, and has defined itself as the opposite of what Parliament should mean and a dreaded enemy to democracy itself”.

Okey Eze noted that the current legislature in Imo State shares greater part of the blame for the bad governance in the state, adding that the House has failed the people of the state.

He said that the House had failed in making laws for the common good of the people and in exposing the impunity of those who misshape the state.

He challenged the Speaker of the House, Acho Ihim, to publicly disclose any bill with meaningful impact on the people of the state which the House has passed.

Abakaliki Street: Ebonyi Assembly issues 7-day ultimatum to Obiano N From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

o fewer than ten top Ebonyi state government officials have met with the Anambra state government officials in Awka it to press home their demand for the restoration of Club Road to “Abakaliki street”.

This is also as group of young professionals under the aegis of South East Family Union (SEFU) warned parties involved in the case to end the matter.

This also comes on the heels of the visit was the 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra state government by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, to restore the “Abakaliki street” which has been renamed Club Road in Awka recently by the Anambra state government The Ebonyi lawmakers resolved on June 26, that Anambra state government must tender an apology to the

people of their state, as well as the restoration of the renamed “Abakaliki street” in Awka with immediate effect.

They had insisted that failure to do so would necessitate Ebonyi state government to rename all structures that were presently named after Anambra people and towns.

The Awka meeting was confirmed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Communication, Mr C-Don Adinuba.

He noted the concern of the state government over the dramatization of the street name issue, which was now being carried too far and blown out of proportion.

Adinuba emphasized that Gov Obiano clarified that the state government has mapped out an exclusive layout where all the state capitals of the South East geopolitical zone would have major streets named after them in furtherance of the Igbo

unity. That the position has on more than one occasion been explained to all concerned.

Ironically, the chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, the council that allocates street names, Chief Leo Nwuba confirmed that the council has no “Abakaliki Street” registered anywhere.

He said it was sad that the Ebonyi state government could go public on an issue they were acting on ignorance, claiming further; ‘That no individual or group had in the past or present come forward to register Abakaliki street. That it was after due diligent search of the records and archives that council advices the state governor on the findings.’

Our findings from residents of the area revealed that about few years ago the Club Road which was baptized “Abakaliki street” area was a no-man’s land where anything goes.

It was so called because it was an

Ras Kimono to be interred in August, says family

• (From left): Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh (middle) cutting the ribbon to declare open, the 2018 FirstBank Agric Expo; MD/CEO, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan (2nd right); Executive Director, he late legendary Nigerian Reg- Corporate Banking, FirstBank, Dr. Remi Oni (extreme left); Executive Director, Public Sector, FirstBank, Mr. Abdulgae artist, Ras Kimono, who lahi Ibrahim (2nd left) and Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney passed on at the age of 60, will (extreme right); at the agricultural exhibition floor during the 2018 First Bank Agric Expo held in Lagos. be buried on August 25 in Lagos. The singer died in Lagos in May. A statement issued by the family reads, “We wish to inform the general public that the Burial Ceremony for late Ras Kimono has been slated for the August 25. that the rehabilitation of some units have been spent on the buildings so “The program of the events leading By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar of the estate takes place immedi- we have to maintain them regularly. to the funeral will be made available hief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt. ately.

“Just like I said, I have also diin due course. We wish to thank eveGeneral TY Buratai has directed “I here in Calabar both on an Ad- rected the immediate rehabilitation ryone who has individually and colarmy engineers to immediately ministrative and operational visit to of the blocks and also the immedilectively supported us during these trying times and we pray the Almighty address the gully erosion threaten- the units and formations here in Cal- ate inspection and assessment by ing the Nigerian Army Military Can- abar that is Nigerian Army Units and Nigerian army engineers to see that God to guide and protect us all.”

Born on May 9, 1958, Ras Kimono tonment at Eburutu Barracks, in formations and to access the infra- something is done to remedy this at structure they have on the ground our own level before the bigger inrose to fame in 1989 with his album, Calabar.

The erosion menace which is in- and also assess their operational tervention”, he said.

‘Under pressure’ which launched him creasing by the day is threatening readiness in view of the various reHe said the condition of the troops to stardom. in the barracks is below expectaIt set the tone as he released more major parts of the cantonment and sponsibilities that we have across.

“I’ve given directives for the im- tions and urgent steps will be taken songs and started touring Africa, poses a potential danger to families Europe and the U.S.A. He also won of servicemen who reside in the can- mediate rehabilitation of the blocks to ameliorate some of the challengseveral awards, including the Nige- tonment. and also taken steps to remedy es faced by the troops. A rian Music Awards, and Fame Music Speaking in Calabar while under- the erosion that is threatening the According to him, from the briefs Awards. taking an administrative and opera- blocks which require attention. I given to him by the commanders, The reggae star, who was known tional visit to army formations in Cal- also use this opportunity to call on the morale and discipline of the for hit songs like ‘We No Want’ and abar, the Army Chief said the army the appropriate government agen- troops is very very high and com‘“Rumbar Stylee” had reportedly con- engineers are expected to carry out cies particularly the federal ministry mended them for standing firm and cluded plans to travel to the United remedial works on the erosion site of environment to see how they can maintaining discipline. He said the States on Saturday. pending when relevant government support us to contend this erosion army is well placed in strategic locaSadly, he was rushed to a hospital in agencies particularly the federal Min- that is threatening the barracks. tions to contend threats posed by Lagos where he passed on . istry of environment will intervene.

“I’ve spoken with the governor agitations from neighbouring places Born in Delta State, he celebrated He said besides this, the housing also and he promised to see what and assured that reinforcements will his 60th birthday amidst fanfare in units in the cantonment which is in he can do see to the welfare of our be carried out where necessary to Lagos in May.In October 2017, he an advanced state of decay will be troops and also to see to the up- ensure that the spillover from agitadropped a new single after many rehabilitated and has also directed grade of the infrastructure. So much tions is contained. years of hiatus from the music scene.

From JONATHAN AWANYAI , Asaba

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Erosion: CAS Buratai deploys engineers to undertake remedial work at Calabar Cantonment

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abandoned backstreet where only the dregs of the society, criminals, call girls, lay-about, pickpockets, small thieves, rapists and kidnappers live and operated round the clock.

Prodded further one of the respondent who gave his name as Chibueze Okafor, an indigene of Okpuno, emphasized that “these people do not like to live in decent house.

They always avoid paying for anything. They like every free thing, even if it’s something that would kill them.

“That is why even their governor is making so much noise out of this.

I learn he is a very young man who appeared uninformed about how and who names streets in any state.

His language and that of his officials betray their real emotion. They have been nursing longstanding animosity against Anambra people. This phantom “Abakaliki street” thing was just a smokescreen that gave him and others like him platform to go haywire.

According to Okafor, a graduate of Ebonyi State University, “their governor’s clannish politics make him hate anyone who is not from his village.

He fought the former predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi to a standstill and had to sabotage him at the polls by accusing him of being ‘this Anambra man’, which the then outgoing governor repeatedly and vehemently denied. Elechi was so branded because he supported the sale of the old and abandoned Nigercem, Nkalagu Ebonyi state, to Chief Cletus Ibeto.

When contacted for his comments on behalf of the Anambra state government, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Adinuba, appealed for caution, pointing out that there was no need for any media war Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Government, and the State Assembly have been warned to learn from the mature disposition of Gov Willie Obiano and his people and face more challenging tasks facing the beleaguered citizens of their state instead of chasing shadows concerning the naming of a street in Awka.

The South East Family Union (SEFU) gave the warning at the end of their extraordinary emergency meeting in Enugu weekend.

Describing the political antics of the Ebonyi government as mere showmanship, the group said they had “watched with deep anxiety as political leaders of Ebonyi state led by the Governor abandoned the serious issues of governance for cheap emotional showmanship to buy and manipulate the support of an increasingly suspicious electorate for the 2019 general elections.

“We are surprised that Ebonyi lawmakers could devote a whole plenary session to bellyache over the renaming of a street by a sister state. And we sincerely feel that the time has come for reason to prevail in Ebonyi state.”

The group described as the height of insolence, rascality and insensitivity the so-called ultimatum of seven days the state assembly gave for Obiano to reverse the naming of Club Road and to rename it Abakaliki street.

The statement which was signed by professionals from the five South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo that Umahi betrayed his emotions so abysmally not minding his position as the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum where he would have simply put a telephone call through to Obiano and talk things over as members of one family.

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Killings in Nigeria not religious motivated – Okorocha From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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overnor of Imo State, Owella Rochas Okorocha, has said that the killings in Plateau and Zamfara states were not motivated by religion, noting that in some of the incidents both Christians and Muslims were killed.

The Governor disclosed this during the 10th episcopal anniversary of Most Reverend Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu, last Saturday, adding that the country is passing through very difficult times.

He urged religious leaders across the country and all Nigerians to pray to God for the peace of the country, not minding where one comes from and which religion one belongs to.

He said that some Nigerians have lost their sense of value for life with the rate at which bloodletting is going on in the country, stressing that the situation in the country calls for God’s intervention.

“Initially, I thought that what was going on in some parts of the country was a religious war, but the Plateau and Zamfara killings have shown that what we have in our hands is beyond religious killings.

“In these killings Muslims were killing Muslims and Christians killing Christians. They kill innocent citizens both young and old. And for us Christians, this is the time to pray for peace and love for one another”, he said.

In his goodwill message to the Bishop, the Governor said: “The reason I join the world to celebrate you at your 10th Episcopal Anniversary is that you are a very good Bishop. You are the kind of Bishop that uses his office to attract people to God rather than chase them away from God. And that has endeared you to God”.

He commended the Bishop for starting a university project, saying that he had challenged the Bishop about two years ago that the Diocese should start a university. He expressed the joy that the Diocese has begun the university project.

He noted: “I also remember that the Imo State Government promised to donate a taken of N100million for the university project, of which N50million had been given.

And let me use this opportunity to ask that the balance of N50million would be paid immediately to complete the N100million”.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop thanked God for being solidly behind him in his priesthood.

Cross River Govt, lawyers in showdown over pay disparity with magistrates

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

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awyers in Cross River State under the auspices of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), have embarked on an indefinite strike action over pay disparity with magistrates and government’s failure over time to address their demands.

The lawyers numbering over 200 besieged the premises of the governor’s Office, Calabar demanding to see the governor and table their demands to him in person.

The lawyers who accused govern-

ment agencies of frustrating their moves to have the disparity in remuneration addressed pledged to continue the protest until government bows to their demand and harmonize their salaries with that of magistrates in the state.

Led by the state chairman of the chapter, Eneji Amajama, the lawyers shut down activities at the state Ministry of Justice before marching to the governor’s office where the Acting governor of the state, Prof.

Ivara Esu addressed them.

Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “Pay arrears of sala-

ries of law officers employed in 2016,” “Ayade not problem, Joe Abang, a stumbling block to harmonization,” and “We are learned gentlemen/women, not illiterates,” among others.

Speaking with Oracle Today on the industrial action, Amajama the state chairman said: “We embark on this strike action to agitate for our welfare. It is not just an empty agitation: it is the official policy of this government that there is parity between Law officers and the Magistracy.

“The governor came to the min-

• MD/CEO of Hybrid Micro Machines Products Ltd., Engr Sebastine Omeh, Guest lecturer, (right), receiving an award of excellence from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Enugu Branch, during the association’s recent lecture in Enugu. With him are the Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Fabian Okonkwo (left), and the NSE Enugu branch Chairman, Engr. Mr Ifeanyi Ofili

Armed robbery: Two to die by hanging From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba Jereoma Sam-Oligida (Mrs.) had proved beyond reasonable doubt elta State High Court sitting at the essential ingredients of the Warri Judicial Division has sen- crime of conspiracy to kidnap one tenced two members of a no- Mr. Ogboghro Vincent, and the torious gang of armed robbers and attempted kidnap of one Mrs Prekidnappers to death by hanging or cious Ibenegbu. firing squad.

Justice Onojovwo also held that The Court presided over by Hon- prosecution was able to establish ourable Justice A.A. Onojovwo on the case of the substantial offence Friday, June 30, 2018, while deliv- of kidnapping and multiple armed ering its judgment found Ejemuta robberies against two out of the Adam Ogofure, a driver and na- three accused persons arraigned tive of Canan Community in Isoko before the court on a 10 count South Local Government and Col- charge.

The court however, discharged lins Okoro, from Ekieugbo, Ughelli North local government, who the 3rd accused person, 24 years pleaded guilty to the charges of old Jonny Oghenemairo of all conspiracy to commit armed rob- charges for want of sufficient evibery, armed robbery, kidnapping, dence but was seriously warned to attempted kidnap and demanding desist from committing crime as he property with menace. might not be lucky when arrested Justice Onojovwo who con- again.

The trial Judge outside sentencdemned the criminal acts of the two accused persons for their com- ing Ejemuta Adam Ogofure and plexity in multiple armed robbery Collins Okoro to death by hanging operations were sentenced for for the offences of armed robberkidnapping Mr. Ogboghro Vincent, ies also slammed both defendants a lecturer with the Delta State Poly- with a sentence of 5 years imprisontechnic, Ozoro who was kidnapped ment each for conspiracy to comby the criminal gang on the 7th day mit kidnapping and 7 years imprisof May, 2012 at Irri, within the Oleh onment each for kidnapping.

The defendants were said to be Judicial Division and also robbed him of his Honda Accord car with terrorizing Oleh in Isoko South Loregistration No. AL 51 LEH, and cal Government and its environs thereafter demanded a ransom of were charged under the old law N5million naira for his release. that prescribed a maximum punishIn his verdict, the trial Judge ruled ment of 10 years imprisonment for that prosecuting Counsel from the offenders.

Delta State Ministry of Justice, Counsel to the State, Jereoma

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Sam-Oligida (Mrs.) through prosecuting witnesses had told the Court that after Mr. Ogboghro Vincent was kidnapped and robbed of his car and other valuables, he was whisked away to somewhere around Otrofani, Bayelsa State where he was unlawfully kept while a ransom of N5 million naira was demanded from his family members before his release.

The court was further told that a ransom of N700, 000 was eventually paid to his captors before he regained freedom after spending 10 days in captivity.

The convicts with others now at large were said to be members of a criminal gang responsible for terrorizing Oleh, Irri, Aviara and its environ before they met their waterloo when they attempted to kidnap one Mrs. Precious Ibenegbu at Oleh when their vehicle got stuck in a muddy road and their victim harped on the situation to raise an alarm.

The armed group was also responsible for series of armed robbery and kidnapping operations within the headquarters of Isoko South and surrounding communities.

They were also sentenced to death for robbing one Honourable Blessing Ese, a former Counsellor of his Honda Accord car with registration no BP 134 GWA and other valuables on the 21st June, 2012 while armed with guns.

istry of justice sometime in May to commission our Library and agreed that the harmonization should be implemented and also made provision that more law officers should be recruited. Since then, more law officers have been recruited but the implementation of the harmonization policy has not been done.

“The association had embarked on the same action in November 2016 and they pleaded with us to suspend the action so that it can be captured in the budget of 2017 and nothing happened even though it was captured in the budget.

“When we wrote to the Attorney General, Joe Abang to remind him, he treated us with total disdain. He never allowed the governor to see our document and we were patient.

We wanted to have a courtesy visit to the governor, but Abang threw away the letter.”

He added: ‘When we gave them 21 days’ notice to embark on this protest, they treated it with disdain. And we gave them another seven days’ notice, they never did anything. That is why we said let us move to the governor.

“Maybe they are not telling him the truth that there is a policy on the ground, it was in the budget of 2017 and is in the budget of 2018 and up till this moment nobody is implementing it”.

He said that parity between lawyers and magistrates in the state is statutory and also consistent with the policy position of the government in document No. 6 of 1978 which states that there is parity between law officers and the magistrates.

However, in a release, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Joe Abang warned the striking lawyers that the government will not hesitate to invoke the “no work no pay policy” as the issue demanded by the lawyers is being handled by the government.

Part of the release states: “This issue is in the 2018 Budget and presently being handled by the HOS Barr Ekpenyong Henshaw and the Accountant General of CRS. The SA Labour to the Governor has said this group is not part of NLC and TUC and therefore cannot declare a strike against a Governor who has performed creditably well!

“Our Digital Governor remains open to negotiations in this respect.

But the Attorney General and commissioner for justice CRS will not hesitate to implement the “No work No pay policy” of the Federal government should the need arise. This Notice is approved by the AG/CFJ.” Meanwhile, the Acting Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu has appealed to the Lawyers to return to work, promising to do everything to resolve the issue after studying documents relating to the matter.

Professor Esu who just resumed office early hours of Monday as acting governor further said, “It is amazing that this is the first issue I am having to deal with as acting governor of the state. The governor is on leave now and we cannot refer anything to him.

“So, what I can tell you now is that as soon as I leave you, I will call the Accountant General to find out what has been the hindrance to the implementation of this policy and I want to assure you that if it was an oversight, it will be addressed immediately”, he said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

POLITICS

2019: Harvest of endorsement G rallies in Coal City State oing by the standard of leadership in Nigeria, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has done quite well. In fact, political observes are of the view that Governor Ugwuanyi is among the top three best performing governors in Nigeria at the moment, considering what he has done in the last three years as Chief Executive Officer of Enugu State.

From enhanced security measures to massive road projects in all the three senatorial districts in the State; delivery of other social amenities in education, health, water, housing and other sectors to prompt payment workers’ salaries; from sanitizing the environment to disbursement of funds in the tune of N10million to each community in the State for rural development, Governor Ugwuanyi has really done many things that can propel even the blind to give him a credible good performance mark.

It is of note that with adequate security measures in place, coupled with good road network and decent environment devoid of revenue touts and waste management challenges, Enugu under the present administration is not just conducive for business but also a good destination for investors from within Nigeria and foreign lands.

Interestingly also, Governor Ugwuanyi has been able to largely rid the State of corruption by caging the system against heartless politicians who are more interested in milking the resources of the State than providing service to the people. Ugwuanyi’s administration is quite different from those of his predecessors.

For instance, during the era of Nnamani as Chief Executive Officer of Enugu State 19992007, politicians and ‘the boys’ had a good run on the resources of Enugu State. Under Nnamani, there were powerful civilians in his set-up who wielded enormous influence in the system and consequently milked the State at will. Under Nnamani, governance in Enugu State was more of government of few people by few people for people as only a few people took charge and controlled the Lion Building, the ministries, agencies and the parastatals as well as the local governments Similarly, under Sullivan Chime, a female politician was the be all and end all in Enugu State politics. Under Ugwuanyi, such overbearing character and massive looting of the resources of the State by a few powerful civilians are definitely a thing of the past.

The blocking of politicians from milking State resources is among the top strides of Governor Ugwuanyi in Enugu State. However, there are certain questionable things that are happening under Ugwuanyi in recent times. Among them are the so-called endorsement rallies orchestrated by political leaders, traditional rulers, traders, civil servants, labour unions and Church groups in various parts of the State.

Political leaders who are categorically poor performers compared to what their counterparts are doing in other parts of the country organise what they call senatorial and local government rallies to inaugurate what they call Gburugburu Support Movement for 2019. Worst of all is that members of the National Assembly from Enugu State packed many trailer-loads of local politicians to Abuja to also endorse the governor. Imagine such waste.

To foot the expense of these rallies, political leaders such as National Assembly members, State House of Assembly members, Commissioners and Special Advisers/ Assistant to the governor, local government chairmen and ward councillors as well as non-serving politicians who are well to do all combined together to raise money to rent

THEO RAYS examines endorsement rallies in Enugu State and contends that the oft-colourful ceremonies come at a cost, though.

•Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his deputy Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo arriving at the Nsukkka township stadium for the Enugu North PDP mega rally

•Ugwuanyi with Okwesilieze Nwodo acknowledge cheers from crowd at the endorsement rally at Nsukka. crowd, print larger-sized flex banners like no man’s business and do advertorials in national dailies to publicize the rallies.

One of such rallies recently took place at Nsukka, Governor Ugwuanyi’s senatorial zone, during which the people of Enugu North Senatorial District unanimously endorsed the governor for a second term.

Rising from a colourful and well-attended zonal mega rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Government Field Nsukka, the people of the zone expressed satisfaction with Governor Ugwuanyi’s sterling performance in spite of the nation’s daunting economic challenges.

They noted that the governor has created an ambience for peace, security and uncommon transformation of the entire state through his peaceful disposition and grassroots development initiatives.

The historic event witnessed a warm boundary reception at Opi junction and brief stopover at St. Charles’ Parish, Opi; St. John’s Parish, Ugwuorie; Ogige Market, Nsukka and Church of Transfiguration (Anglican Communion), where special prayers were offered to God for the governor’s his re-election in 2019, God’s protection and guidance.

Speaking at the rally, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Rt. Hon. Prin-

cess Stella Ngwu, on behalf of the people of the zone, disclosed that the major aim of the event was to celebrate Gov. Ugwuanyi’s achievements in three years in spite of “the dwindling revenue from crude oil and economic recession”.

Hon. Ngwu added that another reason for the rally was to endorse the governor for a second term in office, recalling that the other two senatorial zones of the state had endorsed him for re-election.

She said: “While many States were struggling to pay workers’ salaries with bailout

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

TRIBUTE

It’s all over!

It was a parade of Nigeria’s finest journalists as well as revered dignitaries, including the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the burial of his late Chief Press Secretary, Uwakwe Abugu, who died in India on June 5, after a protracted illness.

The governor also received a myriad of condolences as well as accolades from the clergy, Olido community, sympathisers, stakeholders of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area and other well-wishers, for the loss of his key staff, on one hand, and for standing by the deceased and his family through his challenging period to his burial.

The governor, who was said to have bankrolled Abugu’s hospital bills as well as his funeral expenditure, was also present at the funeral ceremonies, where he received official condolences from friends and well-wishers, including the Managing Director/Editorin-Chief of The Oracle Today newspapers, Ikeddy Isiguzo and Editor, Felix Oguejiofor Abugu; former Governor Obi of Anambra State, represented by his SA media, Mr. Valentine Obienyem; Chief Chuks Iloegbunam (Ide Abatete), erstwhile Chief of Staff to former Governor Obi and currently Director of Communications in Governor Willie Obiano’s office and Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Chief Osita Okechukwu.

Other media top shots at the burial were Editor, Daily Sun, Onuoha Ukeha and his Sunday Sun counterpart, Chidi Nnadi; Head of Politics, Saturday Sun, Willy Eya; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, James Eze; publisher Starlite Newspapers, Nsukka, Mr. Harrison Ogara; ace journalist and Special Adviser to the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche secondus, Ike Abonyi; Assistant Editor-in-Chief News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Ejike Obeta, among several other veterans.

Other dignitaries outside the media included members of the Enugu State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Elder G.O.C Ajah; various political leaders and political appointees in Enugu State as well as members of Enugu State House of Assembly, among them the House leader, Hon. Ike Ezeugwu and Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Ethel Oyibo Ugwuanyi; Member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze Federal Constituency. Sir Dennis Agbo; Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja; former Chairman, PDP Enugu North zone and retired director of Banking Supervision (CBN), Chief Mike Ejinima; an elder statesman and chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya (Egbe Evumbe); former Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr. Sally Adukwu-Bolujoko; former Commissioner in charge of Special Duties, Enugu State, Chief Emeka Ukwuaba and former Chairman, Igbo-Eze North LGA, Nze Chidi Omeh.

There were also captains of industry; reverend gentlemen and sisters, among others.

The funeral ceremony, which took place at Olido, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Abugu’s country home, also attracted the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Godfrey Onah, who was represented at the burial Holy Mass, which was celebrated by over a dozen priests.

After the Mass, Uwakwe’s body was moved to his private residence, where he was lowered to his final resting place, bringing to a glorious end the deceased’s earthly journey that began on November 23, 1958, when he was born into the family of Mamah Abugu and Oyima Odu, aka, Okoso.

The Holy Mass was exceptionally thoughtprovoking, solemn and emotional. The Oracle Today observed several sympathisers, including priests, vainly trying to roll back tears, especially when Uwakwe’s first son, Chibundu got stuck midway while presenting his oration entitled, “An Accolade to my Hero”, overwhelmed by emotion. Everyone beheld him battling to wedge an apparent surging stream of tears, all to no avail. He stopped, the church got infected and paused too. But as several people were battling to

•Tears, regrets at Abugu, Enugu CPS’s burial •Accolades for Ugwuanyi for his support •Nigeria’s media top-notches on parade

CHUKS EZE covered the burial of the late Chief Press Secretary to Enugu State governor, Mr. Uwakwe Abugu last Friday and reports…

•Gov. Ugwuanyi (middle) flank by Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman (left) and Hon. Dennis Agbo, Member representing for Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives (right).

•Gov. Ugwuanyi syspathising with the widow and children of his late CPS, Uwakwe Abugu contend with inevitable tears, the PresidentGeneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, who was also at the Holy Mass, rose to save the situation. He quickly walked up to the younger Abugu, grabbed the microphone off him and tuned a popular Christian chorus, ‘Another Fellowship in Heaven,’ to ginger up Chibundu and stir up the glum atmosphere, as well.

The emotive oration read thus, in part: “Daddy, I dropped you off at the airport; I could remember you uttering unprecedented words of courage and faith about you coming back stronger, in health. That goodbye wave and smile still resonates in my heart, I never knew it was the final goodbye neither did I ever imagine coming to pick your corpse.

“It is clear: You only needed a quiet place so you can sneak away from me to the great beyond.

“But I am happy not because you left but because I could see your face on those orphans you voluntarily showed fatherly love; I can see you on the faces of those you wholeheartedly became the bearer of their problems”.

He further pointed out that, the mention of his late father’s name was enough happiness; his words enough good luck, and his life, “like a fruit which its sweetness never disappears”. He also added that his late father was a great mentor, who projected gigantic dreams for his beloved. While stressing that those dreams were still valid, even at his father’s death, Chibundu also avowed that, he would ensure that ” that that name, Uwakwe Abugu will never die”.

Similarly, Abugu’s widow, Rose, who described her late husband, in her tribute, as her “dependable” companion, also noted that news of his death came to her “like a

hurricane wind”. She recalled the pains that Abugu went through during his trying times, as well as his works to humanity, pointing out that they were now her sources of strength and comfort.

She also pointed out that when her husband was hospitalised in India, they spoke daily, including on June 2, when she said that the deceased last spoke to all the members of the family. She added that all that came from Abugu were “words of hope, courage, plans for the future and trust in God for your testimonies in no distant time”.

Rose further informed that she and her children had prayed for her husband’s healing and wished him well, believing that God had answered them.

“That fateful day, we gathered when we were about to leave for the day’s business and said ejaculatory prayers proclaiming

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

POLITICS Cont’d from page 9

funds, His Excellency, the governor of Enugu State, was busy exploring means and options to be less dependent on revenue from the Federation account.”

The committee Chairman commended the governor for “the massive infrastructural development going on in all nooks and crannies of Enugu State” as well as other spheres of development such as education, health, security and investment drive, etc.

Also speaking, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, who eulogised the governor’s uncommon leadership style, added that his footprint is unprecedented, declaring: “The only party we have is Gburugburu and PDP”.

Senator Utazi disclosed that the people of Nsukka zone have also unanimously agreed to purchase the party’s nomination form for the governor, in appreciation of the peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state.

Moving the motion for the governor’s endorsement, former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, assured Gov. Ugwuanyi that the zone is proud of him for entrenching peace and good governance, as well as equitable distribution of amenities, maintaining that it is a great thing that “Enugu East and West Senatorial zones are saying

... Endorsement rallies in Coal City State that you will go for a second term in office”.

Seconding the motion, Chief Maximus Ukuta, who expressed delight at the mammoth crowd at the rally, said he was convinced and satisfied with the governor’s remarkable achievements in the state.

The motion was, therefore, unanimously adopted with a loud ovation by the jubilant crowd after Senator Fidelis Okoro put the motion to a voice vote.

Other speakers included the party’s zonal Chairman, Rt. Hon. Nze Michael Onyeze and Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu.

Popular Nollywood actors who witnessed the event in solidarity with Gov. Ugwuanyi such as Nkem Owoh (Osuofia), Pete Edochie and John Okafor (Ibu), all praised the governor for his good works, humble disposition and peace initiatives, stressing that he deserves a second term in office.

Deputy governor of the State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Edward Ubosi; PDP National Youth Leader, Rt. Hon. Sunday Udeh Okoye; State Chairman of the Party, Engr. Augustine Nnamani and other public office holders also graced the epoch-making event.

However, observers say these rallies are

more of eye service politics, which is not necessary because of the high level of popularity and acceptability of the governor by the people of the State. Ugwuanyi commands so much popularity in every part of Enugu State that people have begun to predict that he may emerge as the first governor to be elected unopposed in the history of Nigeria.

This prediction of Ugwuanyi emerging unopposed as governor is not unconnected with the poor presence of opposition in Enugu State and the massive support he enjoys from the State as well as the stability of zoning formula in the State. Common sense tells the good people of the Coal City State that Ugwuanyi who is from Enugu North zone should be allowed to complete his second term as his predecessors from Enugu East and West zones had done. After that, power would move to Nkanu zone on the principle of zoning and rotation of power.

Under the zoning vein, anybody coming out from Enugu North to contest against Governor Ugwuanyi in 2019 will unlikely succeed because common sense will tell the good people of the State that the person wants to truncate the zoning arrangement to the detriment of Nkanu and Udi because if elected in 2019, the person would like to go

for re-election in 2023, thereby attempting to keep the governorship in Enugu North for 12 years.

Against the foregoing, Ugwuanyi’s second term is 80% a done deal. Yes, going by the number of endorsements so far done and the ones that are under way Ugwuanyi has no rival to contend with in 2019. Thus, the governor should checkmate the antics of eye-service politicians and stop these unnecessary renting of crowds, printing of banners and placing of advertorials in national dailies.

All parts of Enugu State are being flooded with billboards being mounted by eye-service politicians who are just interested in what to gain from government quarters and not what to give for the cause of good governance.

Ugwuanyi should checkmate the antics of the power and money-hungry politicians to avoid falling into their traps. What these politicians want is nothing more than getting political positions to enable them gain access to the resources of the State for their selfish aggrandisement. Going in for a second term, Ugwuanyi should device means to reduce the cost of governance to enable him meet the challenges of rural development.

TRIBUTE

Tears, regrets at Abugu, Enugu CPS’s burial Cont’d on page 13 that daddy will live, he will not die. But some hours later, we got the news that God’s wish had happened,” she wrote.

While eulogising the virtues of the late CPS, Rose noted that he was a man that “loved decency, perfection, Godliness, serious-mindedness, diligence and honesty,” among others, adding that he was also exceptionally humane, humble, gentle, and a responsible role model who touched the life of everyone that he came across.

She assured that she was aware of her husband’s wishes for all their children, and the less privileged under his scholarship scheme, adding: “You never stopped talking about the less privileged under your scholarship scheme, which is now a big hurdle for us now that you are gone”.

Earlier in his homily, during the Mass, Abugu’s Spiritual Director and the Parish of St. Peters, Nru, Umuoyo Nsukka, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Ogbonna-Asogwa, paid glowing tributes to the late Abugu, describing him as a good man, who touched many lives while he was alive.

Using his baptismal name, Remigius, to describe Uwakwe’s virtues, Fr. Asogwa observed that from the kind of life he lived, it appeared that the late CPS had prepared for his death ahead of time.

According to him, his name ‘Remigius’ represented one of Uwakwe’s prominent virtues.

“I would like to define Uwakwe with his name Remigius,” he said, pointing out that, “He was ‘Religious’ – a religious man that knew God, loved God, and respected Him, from the cradle till death”.

The priest further noted that the late CPS was always ‘empathic’ to people’s plights, adding that he was also a great ‘mobilizer’, who had continued to mobilize people even at death, going by the quantum of dignitaries that assembled at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to receive his body, and those that had attended his funeral, to accord him last respects.

According to Fr. Asogwa, Abugu was ‘industrious’, ‘generous’, ‘unassuming’, ‘simple and selfless’.

“His life was full of service to humanity.

He demonstrated that life is not about how much wealth you amass for yourself and family, but about how many lives you touch with your position and wealth,” he conclud-

•Chibundu Uwakwe Abugu reading the funeral oration for his father ed.

Fr. Asogwa, however, hailed Governor Ugwuanyi for not only bestowing key appointment of CPS on Abugu, but also for exhibiting endless faith in him during his active days and throughout his period illness.

In his tribute, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo said he received the news of Uwakwe’s death with heavy heart and prayed God to comfort his family over the “highly destabilizing, sorrowful and irredeemable” demise of the late CPS. He encouraged Mrs. Abugu to take heart and find solace in the fact that her husband “lived a good, purposeful life, and impacted on the society through his professional output.”

For the traditional ruler of Olido autonomous community, Abugu’s community, HRH, Igwe Augustine Agashi, news of his death threw the entire community into a terrible confusion. According to him, when the sad news was broken, broad day turned into thick night, in the community.

Igwe Agashi eulogised the late CPS for his contributions to the development of Olido community, adding that “you offered both

your talents and treasures to foster equity, peace and progress of Olido community.

May God sustain the family you left behind, especially the Chief Mourner.”

In addition, a group, under the auspices of Enugu State Media Team – an amalgamation of staff and political appointees of the governor’s media department and that of the state House of Assembly – also registered their unreserved condolences to the Abugu’s.

Led by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Ogbuagu Anikwe and the House Committee Chairman on Information, Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, the group’s tribute read thus: “On behalf of the media team of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, we offer our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Abugu, the late Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.”

They described Abugu as a devoted professional who carried out his duties with profound diligence, adding that most people who worked with him would attest that, “he left a mark that would be difficult to surpass.”

There were also tributes and condolences from several other organisations, friends, as-

sociates and well-wishers, such as the Chief of Staff to Governor Ugwuanyi, Dr. Festus Uzor; the Enugu State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Amb Fidel Ayogu; Clerk of the House/Perm Sec, Enugu State House of Assembly, Dr. Emma Udaya; Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Comr. Uwakwe Ezeja; representative of Udenu/Igbo-Eze North federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Dennis Agbo; his counterparts at the State House of Assembly, representing Igbo-Eze North Constituency 1 and 2, Hon. Ethel Oyibo Ugwuanyi (Deputy Chief Whip), and Rt. Hon. Tony Ogidi.

Also, the Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, South East Zone, Ken Offorma; Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Enugu, Petrus Obi and the National President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), South East Zone, Mrs. Chibota Edozie, led a throng of journalists to the occasion to pay their last respects to their deceased colleague, Abugu.

Various cultural troupes, including the Orube-Orube women Dance Group of Olido, led by Rev. Sister Josephine Apeh and Amaka Urama, were on hand to keep the ceremony warm with thrilling displays.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS PDP stalwart wants more women in National Assembly From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State, Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Eunice B. Oguma has called for better representation of women in Nigeria’s political structure.

Oguma, who is seeking to be elected into the Federal House of Representative, said enough women were not contesting elective positions because of the stiff resistance they face from men, who have conquered the political space.

She, therefore, urged parties’ leadership to encourage more women to come forward to be part of the political process.

She maintained that women would have to play key roles in their liberation if they are to get more representation in the political space, even as she encouraged other women to do more in enlightening their fellow women.

“Viable strategies to expand the space for women would have to come from the women themselves. Women also need to be educated so they come to see participation as a duty, a responsibility” Speaking to The Oracle Today at Eku in Ethiope-East Council area of Delta State during a zonal meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, she noted that her experience and stature have positioned her to further serve her people at a larger stage, pledging to attract government’s presence to her constituents aside other dividends of democracy, if elected.

Traders threaten APGA with payback over ‘okada’ ban in Anambra

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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s a backdrop of the banning of motorcycle transport otherwise known as Okada in the commercial city of Onitsha by Governor Willie Obaino, operators of Okada who were affected by the ban along with those who were affected by the recent decongestion drive by State Government have vowed to pay back the Governor by voting against his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) during the 2019 governor election.

It will be recalled that before the Okada ban that came into a full force early this week Governor had earlier demolished road side shops, shanties and kiosks in a bid the decongest the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs for easy

flow of traffic.

Some of the operators and those who spoke to The Oracle Today declared that 2019 is a payback time against Obiano as they will mobilize support for either All Progressive Congress (APC) or People Democratic Party (PDP) against APGA pending in the party they considered to be more favorable.

An operator who gave his name as Prince Nwaidenyi said that they were disappointed that after voting for APGA in 2017 governorship election the Obiano led APGA government sacked them from operation without providing alternative.

Also speaking an operator who. gave his name as Nze Nath Uzekwu who is 67 years old said that he was disappointed with the ban because it was clear to everybody

that Obiano has chased out criminals in Onitsha noting that the ban of Okada on the basis that criminals are using Okada is a surprise development.

Uzekwu lamented that the ban has hit him badly because he will now find it difficult to feed his family most especially paying the school fees of his last daughter in the University noting he trained three of his children in the University from Okada earnings.

“I have been in okada business for 22 years. I build my second house with Okada and also trained all Children including those who went to University with the money I made from Okada, now at my age, I don’t think I can do other things safely, so it as bad as saying that I am finished,” he lamented.

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Delta seals off 25 business premises over tax default From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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Bill to prohibit violence against persons in Edo scales 2nd reading

Bill for a law to prohibit violence against persons in Edo, Monday, passed second reading at the state House of Assembly.

Leading debate for passage of the bill, its sponsor, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie (APC-Uhumwode), said that the bill would address all forms of abuse against any offender. ”The bill when passed, will address all forms of violence against both gender, including children. It will also seek to prosecute offenders who abuse girls,” she said.

Ativie noted that the bill became necessary due to the alarming rate of domestic violence against women, children, and even men, in the state.

Other lawmakers, who unanimously supported the bill, said that its passage would stem the tide of domestic violence and abuse against vulnerable persons.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, who summed deliberation on the bill, said ”it is high time the state came up with a law to address the high rate of violence and abuse against vulnerable persons’’.

Adjoto directed that the bill should be sent to the Committee on Women Affairs for fine-tuning within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers confirmed the appointment of Mr Audu Omogbai as Clerk of the House.

Contacted to react on the danger ahead of APGA, Board of Trustee (BoT) member of APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka hailed the okada ban and dismissed their threat with a wave of hands saying that those claiming to have voted for APGA in 2017 governorship election never voted during any election.

“Forget them they don’t have voter’s card. They have never voted in any election, where is their wards and their polling units. Let them show evidence that they have ever participated in voting during elections. On record Anambra has over 2 million registered voters before 2017 governorship election but not up to 500,000 people voted, so where were the votes from okada riders and petty traders,” he asked.

• Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu (l) at the official flags-off distribution of 2 million Tenera oil palm seedlings nursed by the Uzo Azubuike led Ministry of Agriculture in the state

Igbo leader tasks governments, schools over skills acquisition programmes

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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gbo leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo) has tasked the Federal and state governments as well as operators of private schools in the country to as a matter of urgency introduce practical skills oriented and acquisition programmes both in secondary and tertiary institution curriculums with a view to churning out productive graduates who will be self-employed and even create jobs upon leaving school.

Speaking at Sharon Hall GRA Onitsha after he was conferred with a prestigious Icon of Leadership Award by the Turning Point Learning Field, an international Education Development Institution, Chief Ezeonwuka posited that introducing skills oriented vocations such as tailoring, carpentry, brick laying, mechanic, tilling and wedding among others in the school system will help boost the chances of making graduates establish themselves with something

doing instead of parading files with bogus certificates in search of jobs.

Chief Ezeonwuka who is the proprietor Rojenny Games and Tourist Village Oba and a Board of Trustees (BoT) Member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) said that as an employer of labour for over 35years, he has discovered that most number of graduates are not skilful enough to do certain jobs because they were not involved in skill oriented and acquisition programs in both secondary schools and universities practically noting that Education system in Nigeria will continue to lag behind international standard if Government and OPS do not introduce skill oriented and acquisition programs in the school curriculums.

“I am an industrialist and employer of labour for over 35 yreas and going by my huge experience in employer and employee relationships, I can boldly say that most graduates from Nigerian Universities are not employable. For instance, i have a zoo

at Rojenny Tourist and Games Village and over time I find it very difficult to get a skillful and competent graduate of zoology to manage the zoo.

After fielding questions on interview you discover that the candidate is nowhere near the quality needed to manage a zoo even as a graduate of zoology, it is a terrible situation.

“I encounter the same problem in other departments of my establishments and that is why I have been championing the cause for introduction of practical skills oriented and acquisition programmes in the school curriculum. Introducing skill oriented and acquisition programs will go a long way to making graduates employable in the job market and also inspire graduates to get themselves established with private business. When you train somebody as a tailor or a welder the person can rally support to establish his private firm instead of parading bogus certificate,” he said.

he Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) has sealed off 25 private companies, including schools and Petrol Stations operating in Udu, Warri and Effurun, for different acts of tax default running into millions of naira, as part of efforts to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the State.

The sealing off of the business premises is consequent upon the verdicts of the State Revenue Courts in Warri, Otor-Udu and Effurun, in cases filed by DBIR for tax evasion and failure to file their annual tax returns within the stipulated time.

Leading the enforcement team which comprised Court officials, security agents and staff of the Board, the Director of Enforcement and Compliance, Mr Joel Ogege, reiterated the Board’s resolve to continue to enforce relevant tax laws in the state to enable government raise funds to discharge its obligations to the citizens in the areas of critical infrastructural development, as well as the general improvement of the living standard of all Deltans.

Ogege advised Deltans and corporate bodies not to neglect paying their taxes, and to file their annual tax returns with the Board between January 1st and 31st each year for the preceding year.

According to him; “Paying tax to government is the civic responsibility of citizens and corporate organizations, which is a veritable way of contributing to the development of the state.”

He explained that the judgment costs against the companies ranged from N50,000.00 for enterprises to N500,000.00 for limited liability companies.

Those affected included Kepas Petroleum Limited, Voe Oil Nigeria Limited, Famz Hotels, Victory View Hotel and Suites, Step Forward Group of Schools, and Olden Petroleum Limited, in the Orhuwhorun-Ovwian axis.

Also affected were Palmer Clinic, Ekete Inland, as well as Lee Consolidated Petroleum Limited, and Sonik Plantinum Engineering, along DSC Expressway.

Those sealed-off in Effurun area include Hajj Khalid Int’l Limited, Winners Club/ Hotel, Little Paradise Home & Suites, Teki Bottling Company, Jomaro Int’l School, and Clemline Services Limited.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Monarchs accuse oppositions of plotting to kill governor Umahi

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

M

onarchs of Uburu extraction in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have accused oppositions of plotting to eliminate Governor David Umahi because of their inordinate quest of grabbing the governorship seat of the state.

Uburu is the country home of governor Umahi.

In a press statement made available to Journalists which was signed by the Traditional Rulers of the Uburu autonomous communities namely: HRH Eze Godwin Akpandu Okoro of Enu-Uburu autonomous community, HRH Eze Lazarus Umahi of Uburu autonomous community and HRH Eze Uchechukwu Onu of Etiti-Uburu autonomous community and Chief Vincent Igboke, the Prime-Minister/Regent of Eweze Uburu autonomous community frowned at the activities of oppositions in the state.

In what appeared to be solidarity rally, at Aja Ama-eze ancestral ground in Uburu, the Traditional Rulers under the aegis of Uburu Traditional Council alleged that the plot by oppositions to eliminate Umahi became obvious following the planting of Improvised Explosive Device, IED, at the state People’s Democratic Party,PDP, Secretariat “where our illustrious son and governor of Ebonyi state,Engr. Dr. David Nweze Umahi was expected”.

Police had two weeks ago, discovered a bomb planted inside PDP secretariat situated along Abakaliki/ Enugu highway in the state.

Governor Umahi had fingered oppositions as prime suspects in the crime.

“We are sad, angry, shocked and utterly dismayed that the opposition in Ebonyi state in their desperate attempt to have one of their own elected the governor of Ebonyi state, so that they can turn back the clock of the development of our state by pillaging our patrimony, will go to the extent of making attempt on the life of the Governor because of his soaring popularity with the Ebonyi electorates”, said the monarchs.

They warned that the people of Uburu would not fold their hands and watch oppositions do any harm to their son and Governor of the state.

According to them, they recognise the place of opposition in a multiparty democracy, but abhor and condemn the resort to violence and attempt on the life of the state chief executive.

“We invite the opposition to note that contest for political position is not and should not be a do-or-die affair but rather a contest of ideas. If they consider themselves popular, the 2019 general elections is a golden opportunity for them to test their popularity”, they added.

They further noted that the nefarious act of seeking to eliminate the state Governor by the oppositions was an early confirmation of their lack of solid political base and acceptance of defeat that awaits them in the 2019 general elections.

The Traditional Rulers Council also applauded the achievements of Governor Umahi in the last three years of his administration and urged Ebonyians to continue to support the Governor and ignore the antics of a few self-serving elites.

They said the people of Uburu are peace loving and had been demonstrating same since the last two civilian regimes and naturally deserved to be accorded same now that their illustrious son is on the saddle as governor of the state.

Military blamed for ‘undermining’ Nigerian youths – Eno

By ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

T

he incursion of the military in the socio-political scene of the country has been blamed for the exclusion of Nigerian youths in politics.

According to John Owan Eno, the Senator representing the Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, this exclusion of the youths by the military, ‘unfortunately, has a hangover effect on the democratic setting and the present situation is at variance with Nigeria’s political development right from the First Republic.’

Eno made this known at the International Convention Centre, in Calabar during the second edition of the Cross River Young and Emerging Political Leaders Forum.

He said the youths have over time played a pivotal role in the development of the country maintaining they participated effectively in securing independence for the country and also the first republic and called for more involvement of youths in the political development of the country.

“A glance at our country will show that there is an acute shortage of young people playing sensitive roles in our politics and our economy either because of alienation, disempowerment or a poor perception of the youths themselves in getting directly involved.

“There is a huge disconnect between the older generation and the youths and we have never had it so bad in the history of the country. Most of those who got Nigeria’s independence were in their

20’s and 30’s.

“The Foundation of Nigeria’s nationhood was laid by the youths.

A rupture seems to have occurred along the line perhaps starting by the incursion of the military in politics and unfortunately, there is a hangover of this in our democracy where youths have been relegated to the background”.

He maintained that retrogression is bound to happen in a society where youths are relegated to the background stressing that a number of countries nowadays have youths as leaders and leading technological developments in the world like Facebook, are made possible by youths.

He said the situation of the Nigerian Youth seems gloomier than that of his counterpart in the world and called for measures to

be taken to address the escalating level of youth unemployment in the country before it gets out of hand.

The convener of the forum Peter Anyamgbe Macdonald in his reaction commended the government for legalizing the Not Too Young to Run Bill but lamented the parlous economic situation of the Nigerian Youth.

He said despite the enactment of the law, the Nigerian youth of today cannot compete with older generation during elections because they have the spending power and will easily outspend the youth who cannot match his resources.

While commending other keynote speakers for gracing the occasion and preferring solutions to the myriad of problems facing the country, he said the platform is to bring youths across the country to sit down face to face and proffer solutions to the nation’s myriad of problems without acrimony.

Killings: Nigerians in Diaspora demand sack of service chiefs

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

T

• Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (r) interacting with some of the students who participated in the one-day Walk Against Drugs / Substance Abuse organized by the Come Alive Initiative in Onitsha.

Ebonyi PDP not threatened by Odoh, Nwankwegu’s defection to APC -- Party chairman

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

E

bonyi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, says the party is not threatened by the defection of the former Secretary to the state government, Prof Bernard Odoh and the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Augustine Nwankwegu, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nwebonyi who stated this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the party’s 42nd State Executive Council (SEC), meeting of the party held at its Secretariat along Abakaliki/Enugu expressway, said the party was not bothered by their exit in any form.

It could be recalled that Professor Odoh had resigned from governor David Umahi’s cabinet on April 2018 while Nwankwegu was sacked

by Umahi but the duo have since joined APC. The party chairman said Odoh who contested Ebonyi central senatorial seat in 2015 under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was appointed SSG

by the governor in the spirit of inclusiveness and that he left the government when he felt he was okay.

“I must tell you that we are not threatened by the exit of the former Secretary to the State Government and that of the former attorney general. Our reason being that the former SSG was never a member of our party. We all know that he contested under APGA, and he remains an APGA member, but we, out of magnanimity and the spirit of inclusion accommodated him in our party. At the time he felt he was okay, he left.

“He did not leave as a member of PDP, because he was never known.

You can check the party register, his name is not there. If you go to his ward at Oshiegbe, his name is not there as a member of PDP. So, we have lost nothing. As for the former Attorney General, Barrister Nwakwegu, we all know him as a political liability- a man that does not respect his words. It is that attitude that we observed, that made us sent him out of government. So we are not threatened in anyway” On the party’s primaries ahead of 2019 general elections, the party

chairman said they were very much prepared and assured that party would give all aspirants level playing ground as there would be no imposition of candidate.

“We are very much prepared for our primaries. I must tell you that we will do everything in line with the party constitution and the guideline that will come before the primaries. One thing you will take home is that our primaries will be free and fair, there will be no imposition of candidates, there will be no automatic ticket and anointing of any candidate.

“That is my stand. Ever other member of the party might have his opinion, but I tell you my position is the position of the party. I enjoined our party members to work hard, talk to the people and the people will decide”, he said..

On the alleged constant attack of the state government by opposition political parties on the social media, Nwebonyi said it was the highest thing they could do because as a government doing very well, they were not bothered much about social media attacks.

he Nigerian Roundtables Series, a socio-cultural organisation of Southern Nigerians in Diaspora and Nigeria, has through its Press office in London, the United Kingdom issued a Statement to condemn the recent attacks in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria, where hundreds of innocent lives including children were brutally massacred in cold blood and at the same demanded for the immediate sack of all the Service Chiefs for gross incompetence.

The group in the statement signed

by Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, Abimbola Kumapayi Esq and Charles Omorodion noted that the security chiefs have no business in keeping their jobs for the catastrophic failure exhibited in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians and urged the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari to sack and probe them for negligence and gross incompetence.

The statement further stated that it is an act of barbarism and callousness to kill fellow citizens in that manner no matter the provocations.

Consequently the group charged Nigerian government under President Buhari to do all that is within its resolve and to put an end to the unnecessary waste of human lives.

The group commends the Vice President and the President for their timely visits to Jos, but, went ahead to condemn the President for stopping only in Jos without visiting the affected communities to offer them hope. The group also condemned series of comments in the media that encouraged the unnecessary killings in the country.

“We reiterate that community unity is core to nation building as without it nothing could be achieved in terms of the socio-economic and political development of people in the regions. It then advised the state and the federal government to work hand in hand with the security agencies to return peace to the region to avert future crisis that could lead to future loss of lives,” the group said.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Extra Drug abuse: Igwe Achebe to construct rehabilitation centre in Onitsha

Do not donate land to FG for ranching -- Ohaneze warns S’East Govs

O

I

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

bi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi) says plans were on by his community to set up a rehabilitation centre to help victims of drug addiction and abuse.

Achebe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after a walk through major streets of Onitsha against drug abuse staged by a NonProfit Organisation, the Come Alive Initiative.

The monarch, who expressed worry over the increasing spate of drug addiction in the area, said the fight against drug abuse especially among youths had been a tough fight in the commercial city.

He said victims of drug abuse from the area were currently sent to Lagos for rehabilitation, noting that some of them had returned fully rehabilitated to become part of the movement against drug addiction.

“It is a tough fight but we are up to it. Thanks to volunteers like Come Alive Initiative. We are going to set up a rehabilitation centre in Onitsha to help victims. More important, we are reaching out to schools and youths because to us, prevention is more important than rehabilitation.

The overall objective is to see how we can declare Onitsha as drug free area,” he said.

Igwe Achebe called for collaboration in the fight against drug addiction and other vices that destroys youths in the country.

While advising youths to steer clear of drugs and avail themselves of opportunities in the education sector, the monarch advised them to develop ambition and work hard towards achieving it.

The member representing Onitsha 1 constituency, Mr Chugbo Enwezor expressed concern over the increase of drug abuse in Onitsha, noting that it had caused a lot of havoc to the community.

“Youths should apply themselves in meaningful endeavours. They must be determined to stay away from things that are bad or things that will destroy them,” the APGA lawmaker advised.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Come Alive Initiative, Mr Victor Enwezor said the walk was part of early intervention against drug abuse and addiction in the area.

According to him, we have been talking to age grades, students, youth organisations and parents, but now decided to do a walk to sensitise the entire community on the impending challenge and how it could be handled.

“What we want to achieve is to find a way of reducing the scourge in Onitsha-Ado. The situation on ground in Onitsha is alarming even though the town is not tops in terms of the scourge, but we are not waiting for drug to consume the community before we start talking,” he said.

The walk was done in company of some school pupils, Nigerian Red Cross Society and Police.

They started from Obi Ozor Onyea road through St. Stephen’s road, Bishop Onyeabor road, Emmanuel Church road and to Ime-Obi, Awka road.

According to the national coordinator, the sensitisation would continue in some select schools within the area as well as film shows in strategic areas of the community.

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

gbo sociocultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has once again warned South East Governors against donating land to the federal government for the proposed establishment of ranches in some states, maintaining that any Governor who does so, ‘has pitched himself against the people of the region.’

Ohaneze made this known in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Barr. Uche Achi-Okpaga, in which they commended the leaders of Afenifere for their fearless position on national issues without allowing the Presidency to ‘hoodwink them into believing in their blurred political shenanigans,’ even as it expressed confidence on Afenifere leadership for standing their ground.

The statement expressed concern over the manner the presidency is using Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Department of State Security, DSS, and Police to intimidate and harass every perceived opponent.

Ohaneze said Nigeria was deeply

threading the political jungle and warned that if respect for human rights and rule of law was not restored, it was capable of truncating 2019 general elections in the country.

“We wholly commend and identify with Afenifere for standing on the truth. I have no reason to doubt that the leadership of Afenifere cannot be hoodwinked by the blurred political shenanigans of the presidency.

“It is pertinent, at this juncture that we sleek the truth to Nigerians since the opposition parties, NGOs and privileged Nigerians are been cowed to political oblivion. If it is not EFCC dragging you, it is the DSS or Police charging you for knowing robbery suspects or you are before the CCT and other Courts for one case or the other.

“Few days ago Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was arrested by the DSS. He was not informed of his offence nor charged to court, neither did they inform the Senate President before arresting a serving Senator.

“Nigeria is fast threading the verge of a political jungle and if the

respect for human rights and the rule of law are not restored I doubt there may be anything like 2019 elections. With those that will be kept in different detention centers and those that will not survive the herdsmen onslaughts, I wonder what will then remain of Nigeria”.

Ohaneze further alleged that President Muhammad Buhari has sold his heart and conscience to his tribal and ethnic chauvinism which they said is evident in his appointments and other actions in which he has displayed that he does not guarantee the safety of the lives of Nigerians who are not Fulanis.

“The President has completely sold his heart and conscience to his pretenses of his crystal and inalienable tribal and ethnic chauvinistic embellishments encapsulated in his security appointments and other actions invariably displaying that he does not guarantee the safety of the lives of non-Fulani Nigerians.

“Each time that there is a burning national issue, he throws up some inconsequential matter to divert the attention of Nigerians. Instead of

• Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (r) cutting the tape to commission the College of Medical Sciences building at the Rivers State University, as State Governor, Nyesom Wike (l) and his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (second left) watch

Delta Assembly to enact new audit laws From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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he Delta State House of Assembly is set to repeal and re-enact the Audit law of the State which is aimed at providing a better legal framework for the operations of the State and local governments Auditors.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri while addressing stakeholders during a public hearing on the bill organized by the Committee in Asaba, said the ultimate goal of the proposed law is for an objective assessment of public resources by the auditors.

Hon Elekeokwuri noted that public resources must be managed responsibly and effectively with a view to achieving desired results as well as maintaining accountability and integrity.

He disclosed that the bill which is to provide for the Audit of Public Accounts of the State Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs,

and Local Government, was forwarded to the House by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa through a letter to the Speaker for legislative action.

The Lawmaker stated that the bill was committed to his Committee on Public Accounts after its second reading following extensive debate on its merits by members who he said were unanimous in their arguments for a sound legal framework for better auditing system in the State.

Hon Elekeokwuri said the public hearing was not seek the inputs of relevant stakeholders as further measures to passing a bill that is not just elegant but in conformity with the times.

He recalled the content of the Financial Management of Delta State Government bill which is also before his committee, stressing that they were all intended to strengthen the management of public financial expenditures in the state.

State’s Auditor-General, Mr

Goddey Amudo, who expressed happiness with the proposed law, however observed the need to effect some amendments in some session of the bill to conform with the provisions of the constitution of federal Republic of Nigeria.

He also proposed the establishment of an Audit Service Commission in the state to domesticate the federal act as it were in some states in the country, including Lagos and Ondo States.

For his part, the SEEFOR Project Director in the State, Mr Benson Ojoko, said the proposed law is in conformity with the realities of the time, stressing that the reform will strengthen the independence of the Auditors.

The public hearing held at the State House of Assembly Complex in Asaba was attended by other critical stakeholders including Council Chairmen and the offices of Accountant- General and AudtorGeneral Local Government.

tackling the maddening and orchestrated killing of Nigerians by the blatant and cantankerous Fulani herdsmen, he veered off completely to say that those calling for restructuring are parochial.

“If the call for restructuring to progress Nigeria is parochial I wonder what is not. Because Fulani herdsmen are involved, the military and the police have suddenly become helpless. The same military that declared Operation Python Dance and wasted innocent lives of IPOB members.

“The same military that declared Operation Crocodile Tears in the Niger Delta so that oil business (or spillage) will thrive. That is the same military that cannot match the miscreants masquerading as herdsmen.

“Surprisingly, the Government has borrowed millions of dollars to fight insecurity but after each incidence of killings by herdsmen in the Middle Belt military and/or police fighter jets would fly over and around the vicinity for a while and the killing spree continues unabated. He cannot concede for restructuring; yet, he has no answer to the myriads of socio-political, economic and security quagmire rearing him on the face”.

Ohaneze also said the best decision President Buhari would have taken is to rescind his decision to seek reelection since it has become evident that he has no answers to the many problems of Nigeria.

“We restate our earlier stand that no part of the South East should be ceded in any guise to people who value cows more than human lives and behaves so irrational like the hunter’s dog that suddenly goes mad and pounces on the owner. Any of our governors who does that has pitched himself against the people.

I will not be surprised if cows are allowed to vote in 2019 since they now preponderate over registered voters”.

Police confirm release of two children kidnapped in Ebonyi

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

P

olice in Ebonyi state has confirmed the release of two children kidnapped last two weeks by kidnappers.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Loveth Odah who confirmed the development pointed out that the children were freed after men of Anti-Kidnapping squad arrested one of the kidnappers holding the two children in the forest under pressure.

The children were sleeping in their Uncle’s home in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State when the kidnappers invaded the house, took them away and later demanded N5m as ransom for their release.

The two children, Chinwe Igwe and Ibiam Igwe aged nine and five years respectively, regained their freedom on Sunday.

The police spokesperson, APS Odah said efforts were on to arrest a fleeing member of the gang, pointing out that the Commissioner for Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde had directed that the two children be rushed to Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki as they looked sick and traumatized.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Extra

Ebonyi Govt warns pharmacies against OTC sale of codeine, Tramadol products

By CHINEDU NWAFOR

E

bonyi state govt has banned the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of codeine and tramadol containing pharmaceutical products in the state, eve as it warned pharmaceutical shops against indiscriminate sale of such drugs to people without prescription from a Physician.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA), to Governor David Umahi on Health Services, Dr. Sunday Nwangele, who disclosed this to Journalists as part of the outcome of an enlarged security meeting held at Government House Abakaliki, Monday, added that government also imposed restriction on the sale of antibiotics and analgesic drugs over the counter.

“His Excellency, Engineer Apostle Dr. David Nweze Umahi has declared a total ban on tramadol and codeine containing products in Ebonyi State.

Furthermore, there is also a restric-

tion on the sell of antibiotics and analgesic over the counter.

He also said that government observed with concern the increasing cases of hypertaitis B surface antigen among the youths in the state and has concluded plans to embark on public health awareness about the ailment.

“It has come to the knowledge of Ebonyi State that during screening of our potential youths by the police, army and paramilitary recruitment, a lot of these people were found to be positive of Hepatitis B surface antigens, especially among the youths of the population at risk.

“On the 26th of last month, was the United Nations Day on drugs and Drug trafficking. There is now in Ebonyi State a committee on fake drugs, unwholesome food products, and a substandard medical and health services in the State.

“This taskforce is seriously working with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforce-

ment Agency and other groups in the state in partnership with the Nigeria pharmaceutical society, throughout the local government and alternative medicine providers.

“This taskforce shall drive this conception. We are appealing to vendors, the pharmacy shops owners and all the vendors of health products, because to be forewarned is to be fore harmed.

“Henceforth, there is a ban on codeine and tramadol. We are aware there is increase in crime and there is no crime that is not associated with substance abuse, he said.

On his part, the SSA on internal security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala told Journalists that the state government following rise in crimes has directed the security agencies in the state to set up a joint patrol team to would from time to time move round the state to curtail crimes.

“We deliberated on some rising se-

curity issues in the state, the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices in the state. The Council resolved that the commissioner of Police, and other security chiefs must liaise seriously to set up a joint patrol in all the communities in the state.

“The essence of it is to make sure that all criminal elements in all our local localities are fished out and treated according to the law. His Excellency, the Chairman of the Council directed that it is now a law for a joint patrol team to be done, at least two times in a month”, Ugbala said.

The state according to Ugbala also approved the increment of the number of neighborhood watch from 10 to 20 in each LGAs to assist in curbing crimes in the state.

“Council also directed that the vigilante in our areas that at least ten should be converted to make up the Neighbourhood Security Watch at the local government areas to

APC chieftain, Akano, murdered

Aspirant blames lack of leadership, infrastructure for unrest in N’Delta

By COLLINS UGHALAA

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From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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elta State House of Assembly hopeful from Warri South-West Constituency in the 2019 General Election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Sheriff Mulade has revealed that lack of quality representation, leadership development causes tension and series of violence in the Niger Delta region.

Comrade Mulade made the declaration known on Monday during a press conference to give an update on his consultations visits so far and on his intention to contest the Warri South-West House of Assembly seat to represent people of the area at the Delta State House of Assembly.

He pointed out that leadership development and poverty has been the bane militating against peace, security and development in the region, adding that as an aspirant from Warri South-West which had been affected immensely, if given the PDP ticket, he will battle poverty eradication and other economic challenges in the area.

Comrade Mulade, at the briefing also unveiled his 5-point agenda for Warri South-West Constituency, which includes: Peaceful Coexistence in Warri South West Council Area, assuring that he will pursue a programme devoid of ethnic bias and that the goal of his programme will be to serve the Ijaw and Itsekiri Nationalities in the Council Area in a most virile way and work towards ensuring that peace prevail in all communities., embark on Poverty eradication programme, carryout empowerment through development of educational Facilities, sports development in the local government area and pursue environmental justice for all people of Warri South-West in order to enjoy fresh air.

twenty.

“This is hoped at bringing synergy among all security chiefs, pointing out at a common goal of combating crime. The Council equally charged Neighborhood Security Watch members in the state to take their work seriously. And directed that any Neighborhood Security Watch member that is found wanting should be shown the way out.

“The essence of bringing them on board is to partner with relevant security agencies by providing information to ensure that our state is crime free”, he said.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cletus Ofoke, also told Journalists that government has directed the committee in charge of farmers and herders clashes to continue to meet so as to continue to checkmate the activities of the duo to maintain the existing peaceful coexistence.

• Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, former Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, former Edo State Chief of Staff, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, Imo State Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu and other dignitaries at the APC South East Mega Rally at Owerri, Imo State.

ONICCIMA tasks Govt, private sector over Agriculture value chain

By THEO RAYS, Onitsha

T

he Onitsha 2Chamber of Commerce Industries Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has called on both Federal and State Government in Nigeria as well as the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to endeavour to take advantage of values in Agriculture business to build the economy of the country most especially this time when the country is under pressure to diversify its economy following the dwindling fortune in oil sector.

The Chamber who gave the charge during its annual lecture tagged; Onitsha Perspectives held at Sharon Hall GRA Onitsha observed that both Government and the OPS are yet to take advantage of the values available in Agriculture on a full stretch to move the economy of the country to the next level. The Theme of the lecture was Overcoming Critical Challenges in Agriculture Through Value Chain Management.

Two scholars Mr Sulleiman Dikwa of Green Sahara Farm and Professor Segun Sogbesan of the Onitsha Business School (OBS) delivered papers on the Theme. Mr Dikwa

who spoke with facts based on his practical experiences as a farmer described value chain as the process of making proper use of Agriculture produce to derive quality gains noting that one Agriculture item can yield value in three or more dimensions.

He noted that from the labour made available at Farm work as regard planting and harvesting to the transportation involved in evacuating produce Farm to the market including other values obtainable from the Agriculture items such as feeding, selling and processing into other products the value chain in Agriculture are interestingly available for economic development and growth both for Government and OPS. In his own paper, Professor Sogbesan dwelled much on Agriculture produce in Nigeria that can be produced in large quantities and exported to foreign countries beyond expectations if the people can invest much more energy and take good advantage of the values available in such produce. Such produce according to him includes yam, cassava, cocoa, cashew, vegetables

and many others including rice.

According to the OBS boss there are too many values in Agriculture and one of the interesting among them is exportation through which the country, State Government and private companies can earn foreign exchange. “If you go to Omor in Anambra State here where they produce rice you find out that, there are many things that are associated with rice farming, there are people who plant it, people who harvest it, people who bring it out from farm, people who cook and filter it and then eat and sell it that is what we call value chain” he explained Earlier in his address, the President of the Chamber noted that the lecture which has attracted eminent speakers as guest lecturers and quality participants from the across the country has immensely contributed in mainstreaming Starbucks sectors bearing directly on national life and wellbeing of the citizenry by preferring research based and practical solutions to identified challenges which have been limiting the socio economic, political and other developmental oriented potentials of Nigeria over the years.

he crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has claimed the life of a chieftain of the party, Mr. Amos Akano, who was kidnapped and eventually killed by his captors.

Akano was the Director General of Ezihe Foundation, one of the groups supporting the governorship ambition of Uche Nwosu, State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son in-law and Chief of Staff.

He also hailed from Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo State, same as Uche Nwosu.

Members of the Okorocha’s camp told The Oracle Today in Owerri that Akano was a strong ally of Uche Nwosu who also owns the Ezihe Foundation and Ezihe Farms.

According to one of his kinsmen, Mr. Martin Nwadike, Akano was kidnapped by armed men on the eve of the national convention of the party on his way back home from Owerri.

His abductors were said to have blocked him at the Isu-Njaba Road.

His body was found when the Governor’s camp returned from the national convention.

Nwadike who also described the killing of Akano as saddening and devastating added that the murderers made away with Akano’s body after killing him.

He said: “Desperate politicking has no place in a decent democracy. The deceased was a gentleman.

He was educated and civil in all his dealings.

“We urge the security agencies to bring his killers to book. Imo is not known for violent politicking”.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Andrew Enwerem, had yet responded to The Oracle Today’s inquiries at the time of filing this report.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Lagos plans sign language pamphlets for police stations, others

L

agos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri on Tuesday disclosed that the Ministry will in the next few days compile some basic sign language pamphlets for use in the police station, hospitals, banks and other major places where services are rendered to the general public.

According to him, the idea of the sign language booklet was aimed at addressing the difficulty often faced by persons living with the challenge of speech impairment to communicate their intentions when seeking for services from some government and private institutions.

Dabiri, who spoke at the Year 2018 Sign Language Training Workshop organized by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, with the theme: “Towards An Inclusive Lagos”, said that the trio of hospitals, police stations and banks would be used as pilot scheme while the initiative would also be extended to other areas including the mass media to educate the populace on some basic communication signs for speech impaired persons and the general public.

While decrying the difficulty often faced by these physically challenged persons in accessing quality healthcare, security and in transacting businesses, Dabiri stated that the state government was more determined to bridge the long communication gap that had hither though made these persons feel isolated and excluded from enjoying same privileges with other members of the society.

“The government of inclusion promised by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is not just a political statement. The Government of Lagos State is for everybody and this is why we deemed it necessary to involve participants from different professions all in a bid to make life more meaningful to every resident of the State”, the Commissioner restated.

He said in view of the fact every member of the society has at least one person living with a disability either as a family, colleague or friend, makes it instructive for everyone to join hands with government to show concern for the day-to-day challenges faced by persons living with disabilities and work towards eradicating the challenges.

He added that the workshop was informed by the various feedbacks gotten from persons living with speech impairment and expressed the hope that the workshop would go a long way in restoring confidence in physically challenged persons.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of LASODA Governing Board, Dr. Waheed Oki said that since the creation of the Office in 2013, over 2,000 persons have been trained to attend to persons with hearing impairment challenges and also communicate with them whenever they come in contact with them in the course of official duties.

He stated that as at today, there is no Ministry, Department or Agency of the State government that cannot boast of at least two staff members who can communicate with speech impaired persons.

General Manager, LASODA, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje was hopeful that participants at the end of the three-day workshop would be better informed about the challenges of people living with hearing impairment.

Governor Wike is a promise keeper -- Tambuwal

S

okoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has described the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as a promisekeeper who is committed to the development of the state.

Governor Tambuwal also commissioned the College of Medical Sciences building at the Rivers State University.

This is as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike berated the Minister of Transportation for failing to attract a single project to the state and resorting to falsehood on the execution of projects in the state.

The two leaders spoke on Tuesday when Governor Tambuwal was invited by the Rivers State Governor to commission the College of Medical Sciences building, initiated and

constructed by the Wike administration.

He said: “I am tempted to recommend Governor Wike so highly. He is the ‘Ekwueme of Rivers State ‘. It only takes a leader with a vision, passion and commitment to come up with this idea and implement it”.

The Sokoto State Governor said that no investment is greater than investments in the area of education, pointing out that Governor Wike deserves praises.

He lauded Governor Wike for projects that are tailored to the needs of Rivers. He said such projects will enhance the development of the state.

“The projects are tailored along the needs of the people Rivers State.

This is a trend in governance to deliver projects based on the needs of

the people “.

He stated that posterity will vindicate Governor Wike. He urged leaders to focus on development and de-emphasise issues that generate disunity.

In his address, Governor Wike said that it is unfortunate that Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will lie about projects delivered by the present administration to improve the living condition of the people.

“There are several projects which were initiated, constructed and commissioned by my administration. Amaechi didn’t have meaningful projects, that is why he had no projects to commission. We have meaningful projects and we will continue to commission them.

“Projects like Sakpenwa-Bori

• Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike during the flags off construction of Kira-Nonwa-Barayira-Sime-Eteo Road in the state

Watch your comments – PDP warns Oshiomhole From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

F

or publicly declaring war against the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in 2019, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has told new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomole not to heat the polity.

State chapter of the party, through the Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, in a statement made available to The Oracle Today frowned at the statement credited to Oshiomole, as the former Edo State governor reportedly expressed his ultimate personal ambition to unseat the State governor, and take over the state for his party, APC by every means possible.

“We read with dismay and disappointment, some recent comments credited to former Edo State Governor and now National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, in which he openly expressed his ultimate personal ambition to unseat His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State and take over the State for APC by every means possible.

According to the Delta PDP, Oshiomhole is quoted as saying: “One of my principal reasons for accepting to run for the National Chairmanship of our great party is because I want to pay back Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in his own coins.

“Earlier in 2016 he used Delta State money to fight me in order to install his party in my state, in 2019, I will be fighting, knocking and even biting him with Federal government might to ensure that PDP dies a natural death in Delta State.”

The statement which called the quote by the national chairman of APC ‘a threat’ said the statement was confirmed by Senator Okowa during a recent press briefing in the state capital.

“The veracity of the above ‘threat’ was confirmed by Governor Okowa himself, during his quarterly media briefing with newsmen in Asaba, who cautioned former Comrade Oshiomhole and indeed other politicians and political parties not to make comments that have the potential of heating up the polity and advised that that Nigerians should not be divided because of politics.”

While confirming that the APC national chairman, may be playing politics like any other politician, it stated that they are joining the leader of the party in the state, to caution politicians against statements that will breed tension and disharmony in the state, but rather discuss issues in their statement.

“We join our Governor and Leader in the believe that former Comrade Oshiomole is playing politics just as we in the PDP and indeed any other political party have the right to play politics, but we also want to emphatically re-echo the advice

Governor Okowa gave to Oshiomhole and other politicians which is that there must be decorum in our politics and we must be cautious in the language that we use as they should be decent.”

“Politicians should address issues instead of personalizing their ambition for it is only when issues are addressed that the people will have an opportunity to make their choices.”

“We should as politicians try to be civil in our approach to politics because that is the way it ought to be and it is on this basis that we are warning former Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to watch his comments and utterances.”

“Former Comrade Oshiomhole’s attacks on our Governor is not new to us in the Delta PDP, as he has not hidden his inferiority complex whenever he has had an opportunity to reference Delta State and Governor Okowa in his comments.

However, we had expected that his delusional tendencies would have been greatly tempered with his ‘arrangee’ elevation to the leadership of his dysfunctional and inept All Progressives Congress. How wrong we were.”

The party reminded Nigerians that ‘Oshiomole has a crude, unstable, pugnacious, distasteful and abrasive manner, and the statement is a futile attempt to engage Okowa in his belligerence and play his politics of rhetoric.’

Road, National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Rivers State Ecumenical Centre, Federal High Court Complex, Court of Appeal, Igwuruta-Chokocho, College of Medical Sciences building, Elelenwo-Akpajo, Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Rumuokoro Market and Park, Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty, Government Secondary School, Onne, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta and several others were the brainchild of this administration.

“Our projects have overwhelmed them, everyday they are worried.

We are here to contribute our efforts to the development of Rivers State “, Governor Wike said.

He said instead of complaining about the high level performance of the present administration, Minister of Transportation should focus his energy on the completion of the Port Harcourt International Airport, revival of the seaports and the completion of the East-West Road.

“Look at the dilapidated nature of the Port Harcourt International Airport, the abandoned seaports and the neglected east-west road.

Amaechi has not attracted a single project to Rivers State .

“As a Minister of State for Education I brought the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt. I also attracted the Claude Ake Faculty of Social Sciences Building. I attracted major grants of N500million each to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori, Ignatius Ajuru University and ensured the major rehabilitation of over 22 Primary and Secondary Schools in the state . As Minister of Transportation, what have you done, what have you brought to your people. I challenge him to tell us just one project he attracted to Rivers State “, the Rivers State Governor said.

On Rivers State University, Governor Wike noted he will ensure that the institution becomes the best.

He assured that the School of Nursing will be reconstructed to ensure that it becomes part of the College of Medical Sciences.

He added that the State Government will build a proper hostel to replace the prefabricated hostel in the institution.

The governor noted that his administration will train medical professionals for the development of the health sector.

Governor Wike noted Amaechi attempted to move Rivers State University to another location , but upon assumption of duty he checkmated the movement and focused on the development of the Rivers State University.

Rivers State Health Commissioner, Professor Princewill Chike said that the medical world is excited on what Governor Wike is doing in the health sector.

Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Didia for over four decades successive governments in Rivers State struggled to establish a medical school without success. He said that God empowered Governor Wike to succeed where his predecessors failed.

Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) commended Governor Wike for his commitment to deliver key projects in the Rivers State University.

Chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Datonye Alasia said that Wike’s administration has propelled Rivers State into the golden era of Medical practice.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Cyber security risks expose Nigerian firms, as global spends hit N51t in 4yrs

By ISAIAH ONWUANUMBA

I

NFORMATION and Communications Technology (ICT) ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly, in the same way as developments in the world of cybersecurity. This is also as the problems remains a growing priority for organizations of all sizes, across all industries such that it is shaping organisations’ projections, spendings, and priorities for 2018 and beyond.

With new threats appearing on a daily basis and attackers continuously evolving their techniques, it has become extremely difficult for companies to match the pace of cyberciminals who appear to be getting ahead in the game.

According to Ponemon Institute in Tweet, 7 out of 10 organizations say their security risk increased significantly in 2017. That represents a huge 70 per cent.

Considering 2017 was the year that brought the biggest ransomware outbreak in history, WannaCry, and data breach that exposed the personal information of billions of persons worldwide, it is perhaps no surprise that organizations report they are facing more dangers online.

However, recall that the start of 2018 began with the stunning disclosure that involved Facebook and Cambridge Analytica plus reports of vulnerabilities, which put practically every operating system and device on the planet at risk.

While risks and threats continue to pile up though, the good news is that these challenges are not insurmountable. A key part of managing them effectively is staying up-to-date on most current threats, working, but also stepping back to understand the big-picture trends that are driving them.

GlobalData has stated in a report that it is essential that companies of every size collect, store and adequately protects customer data and proprietary secrets especially at a time worldwide spending on cybersecurity products is expected to pass N51.1 trillion by 2021.

It warned in a latest study that failure to do so will significantly damage a company’s brand and reduce the quality of the product it produces, with concomitant impact on revenues and profitability. ‘‘Traditionally, most companies have adopted a prevention-based approach to cybersecurity, but recent advances in technology areas like machine learning are enabling a move towards active detection of threats,’’ it stated.

Head of Thematic Research at GlobalData, Cyrus Mewawalla said this measure allows pre-emptive action to be taken to stop breaches before they occur and also serves to free up resources currently occupied with chasing false positives from existing, more reactive systems.

She added that the frequency of cyberattacks is only likely to accelerate over the coming years, therefore, it is vital that senior executives have a full understanding of the inherent risks and implications. The losers will be those companies whose boards do not take cybersecurity seriously, as they run a higher risk of being hacked.

GlobalData believes that this figure is expected to have passed $140bn by 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6 percent, adding that spending on services accounted for 68 percent of total spending in 2017 and this share will remain relatively steady through 2021, despite the CAGR of the services segment (4.9 percent) being outstripped by that of products (7.7 percent).

GlobalData identifies the key cybersecurity technologies as network security, unified threat management, artificial intelligence, behavioural analytics, SIEM, endpoint security, mobile security, identity management, data security, application security, email security, cloud security, managed security services, post breach consultancy services.

Many of these monies will be spent on artificial intelligence (AI) -infused cybersecurity tools, which is set to increase significantly over the coming years. But in Nigeria, the challenge seems

CBN EXCHANGE RATES JULY 3RD, 2018 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

304.75 US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING 400.2587 354.3328 EURO 306.5279 SWISS FRANC YEN 2.7512 0.5226 CFA 428.0213 WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI 45.699 RIYAL 81.258 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 22.0238

305.25 400.9154 354.9142 307.0308 2.7557 0.5326 428.7236 45.7745 81.3913 22.0599

305.75 401.5721 355.4955 307.5337 2.7602 0.5426 429.4258 45.8499 81.5246 22.0961

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Energy FG, investors revive $25.6bn gas campaign P20 e-Platform

Govt to strengthen development with 2017-2030 ICT roadmap – Minister P22

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not over.

Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communication, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta said at the Cyber Secure Nigeria 2018 Conference organized by Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN ) in Lagos that incomplete or deficient database of Nigerians and poor technical manpower are the major impediments to Cybersecurity in the country.

“Lack of effective and functional forensic labs, techniques and manpower to match the speed, anonymity and fleeting nature of evidence in cybercrime investigation for the problems in the fight against cyber crimes.

“The dynamic nature of cyber terrorism threats demand that our capabilities be continually refined to provide the most effective containment strategy. Thus, we are implementing the National Cyber Security Strategy. We have also established a Cyber Security Incidence Responses Team (CSIRT) exclusively for the telecom sector,” Danbatta explained.

However, CSEAN President, Remi Afon said the cybercrime law that was passed in 2015 is outdated in a space of less than four

years as cybercrime is dynamic and changes from time to time.

“When the cybercrime law was passed a few years ago, there was no mention of cryptocurrency.

A lot of cybercriminals were not in the dark web. So there is a need for cybercrime laws to keep changing to keep pace with the activities in cyberspace,” he said.

He noted that a number of cyber-attacks in Nigeria are never reported as companies try to face their and maintain integrity.

“Yes! Nigeria is vulnerable. A lot of our information is online these days. Even the government has started connecting their system online. The only way we can tackle this problem is to have a strong legislation, which will make organizations to be compelled to make sure their assets are secured, and whenever there is a breach, there also is a notification. Many cybercrime activities are taking place in Nigeria on a daily basis, but because they are not reported, nobody notices them.

“We hope that Government and its arms come up with strong legislation and policies to curb the menace of cyber threats in Nigeria,” he said.

Wike pledges ‘record setting’ NAFEST 2018

P26

Insurance

PTAD commences computation of 19, 561 pensioners P28 Equity & Capital Market Expansion: Dangote cement targets 3 more African countries P30 Money Market

NOTN’s attitude on AfCFTA agreement worries MAN

P31

Stock Market Highlights As At 3rd JULY, 2018

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

S/N

37,605.12 3,932.00 257,389,294.00 N2,647,761,087.08 N13,622,475,697,344.11 N10,058,793,491,070.70 N6,891,140,048.61

Coy (By Volume) Volume

MULTIVERSE ZENITHBANK GUARANTY ACCESS FBNH

Value(N)

100,000,000 N20,000,000.00 16,485,957 N403,277,184.75 13,006,180 N515,963,220.75 12,901,895 N133,019,186.45 10,813,044 N113,958,087.80

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close BETAGLAS N86.3 UNILEVER N52.5 NB N113.1 REDSTAREX N6 CUSTODIAN N5.12

Five Tope Losers

NESTLE MOBIL WAPCO DANGCEM CADBURY

Current Change N90.45 N55 N113.9 N6.5 N5.5

N1575 N199.9 N40.95 N224.1 N13

N1510 N190 N39.45 N222.8 N12.3

%Change 4.15 4.81% 2.5 4.76% 0.8 0.71% 0.5 8.33% 0.38 7.42% -65 -9.9 -1.5 -1.3 -0.7

-4.13% -4.95% -3.66% -0.58% -5.38%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

BUSINESS

Adamawa hails Fidelity Bank on CSR

By VICTOR NZE

G

OVERNOR of Adamawa State, Jibrila Bindow has commended Fidelity Bank Plc for supporting the development of education in the state and across the country through its sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The Governor who spoke during the handover ceremony of the newly constructed block of classrooms to the management of Kwarhi B’ Primary at Mubi in Hong Local Government Area, noted that the project was significant as it would go a long way to provide an appropriate learning environment for Children in the community.

Bindow who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mahmud Abubakar urged other financial institutions to emulate Fidelity Bank, stating that the lender maintains high standards of integrity and professionalism in its relations with the State government and host community.

Speaking in the same vein, the School Principal, Luka Usman thanked the Bank for its timely intervention, adding that the project has

brought to an end years of teaching and learning in an unconducive environment. “The entire school was formerly built with mud and practically had dilapidated roofs.

“The pupils were made to learn under hard conditions by sitting on woods as school chairs, thereby making the environment unconducive for learning. This situation compelled Fidelity Bank to step in and gave the school a facelift”, Usman noted.

The bank’s Regional Bank Head (RBH), North East, Musa Tarimbuka said the school project was borne out of the realisation that education remains fundamental to the development of any economy. He said the move was also in keeping with the culture of giving back to the society. “Early education is one of the vital instrument to a child’s development and that is why the Bank has taken this step to create a conducive environment for the pupils to learn”, Tarimbuka posited.

According to him, the Bank strives to reinforce robust, healthy community relations by identifying with host communities in activities that are most relevant to them.

•From left: Education Secretary, Adamawa State, Saleh Sadiq; Regional Bank Head North East, Musa Tarimbuka; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji Mahmud Abubakar (representing Governor of Adamawa State, Mohammed Jibrila Bindow); District Head, Sirkin Noma Salmanu Titus, during the handover ceremony of the newly-constructed block of classrooms built by Fidelity Bank, to the management of Kwarhi B’ Primary at Mubi in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State recently.

Sustainable PSC terms wil drive Nigeria’s deep offshore investment – Total

Zubairu succeeds Alli as AFC President D

A

FRICA Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced the appointment of Nigeria’s Samaila D. Zubairu as the its third President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding compatriot, Andrew Alli who ended his tenure at the institution having served since 2008.

Zubairu is a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an accomplished Infrastructure development finance specialist with over 29 years of professional experience.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Africapital Management Limited, in which position he established a joint venture with Old Mutual’s African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) to develop the Nigerian Infrastructure Investment Fund1 (NIIF1) for infrastructure private equity across West Africa.

He also recently coordinated the US$300 million acquisition of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc. He was the pioneer CFO for Dangote Cement Plc, during which he launched Africa’s largest syndicated project finance facility for a local corporate to actualize the Obajana Cement project and managed the watershed unbundling of Dangote Industries Limited to listed subsidiaries on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

He has led finance transactions for over US$3 billion covering: greenfield project finance facilities, acquisitions, corporate transformation initiatives, privatisation and equity capital market transactions.

Samaila is an Eisenhower Fellow and sits on the Eisenhower Fellowship’s Global Network Council as well as the President’s Advisory Council.

EPUTY Managing Director, Deep Water, Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd., Ahmadu-Kida Musa, MOnday in Abuja, said the country must put in place sustainable Production Sharing Contract (PSC), and gas terms to drive continued investment in the nation’s deep offshore oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the Nigerian Content Seminar, as part of the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference & Exhibition (NOG), Musa revealed noted that six out of the 18 topside modules of the Egina FPSO were fabricated, lifted and fully integrated in-country.

He also noted that sustaining such efforts can engender building a full EPSO in the next eight years provided Nigeria had the right policies and investor-friendly laws.

According to him, with some large deepwater discoveries such as Bonga South West or Owowo, still to be developed in Nigeria, sustain-

sioner described it (the theme) as a clarion call to members of the cooperative movement to show how they run successful businesses while respecting natural environment and the resources it offers.

The International Day of Cooperatives is an annual event aimed at increasing awareness about cooperatives societies, highlight the complementary goals and objectives of the United Nations and the International Co-operative Movement, underscore the economic contributions of the Cooperative Movement and also strengthen and extend partnerships between International Co-oper-

ative Movement and other actors.

Some activities lined up for the week-long celebration by the state government, are: Cooperative Awareness Walk, Quiz Competition, Visitation to some Homes & Orphanages on Tuesday, Annual Lecture/Exhibition on Thursday, Jumat Sevice/ Parade on Friday and the grand finale on Saturday July 7thwhich will be followed by Thanksgiving service on Sunday.

The grand finale will feature Merit Award/Gala Night at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja and will have the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the Special Guest of Honour.

Lagos Cooperatives’ investment hits N152b

By VICTOR NZE

L

AGOS State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, disclosed Tuesday, that Cooperatives’ investment in Lagos State economy has climbed to N152 billion in the last three years.

She attributed the feat to concerted efforts by the present administration in the State to turn the cooperatives movement into an instrument of economic growth and business prosperity.

The Commissioner, who disclosed this on Monday at a Press briefing organised by the State Government to commemorate the Year 2018 International Day of Cooperatives, also noted that there has been an appreciable growth in the number of registered Cooperative Societies in the State.

She explained that the state government will continue to unleash the economic potentials of the Cooperative sub-sector for increased contributions to the State’s economy.

“The general objective of this realignment is to deploy cooperative principles towards the establishment of viable and profitable enterprises”, the Commissioner stated.

Speaking on the theme of this year celebration, “Sustainable Consumption and Production”, the Commis-

able PSC and Gas terms are imperative, as fundamental requirement for the growth of the country’s deep offshore.

Musa added that favourable terms would enhance efforts, as private operators are focused on reducing the cost of new deepwater projects to ensure their sustenance and bring value at $50 per barrel.

The DMD, who said the development of new projects was critical to maintaining industry capacities, said: “As the industry moves even further offshore, the need for this know-how cannot be over-emphasised.

Nigeria must move up to a level where it is able to meet the competency needs of other new entrants within the Africa sub-region and be considered as a technological hub for the region.

“Nigerian Content in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry, through careful legislation and government policies could also have great impact in other sectors of the economy, including: Information & Communication Technology/Telecommunication, agriculture, engineering and construction, manufacturing, transport and storage, power, finance, etc.

“The next frontier is very broad and filled with opportunities. But it is also lined with a lot of challenges that I believe are surmountable.

Let’s take the bold steps and decisions that we all require to move into the next phase.”

Musa said the Egina FPSO, currently in Lagos, would in the coming weeks, sail away to Egina field, which is located in oil mining lease, OML 130, approximately 150 kilometres offshore Port Harcourt.

CBN directs banks to resolve USSD disputes in 3 days

C

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Saturday directed all commercial banks to resolve disputes arising from use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel within three days.

CBN’s Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Mr Dipo Fatokun, gave the directive at the ‘Meet The Executive’ forum organised by Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos.

Fatokun, represented by Assist-

ant Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Mr Taiwo Oladimeji, said such resolution would help build more confidence in the payment system and bring more people into the financial services net.

The director said some provisions of the regulatory framework for USSD were meant to make the channel more effective.

He listed some of the provisions as authentication measures for transactions, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), Date of

SIM Swap, Date of Device change, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

The director said the maximum USSD transaction limit remained N100, 000 per customer daily, and that any amount above that required customers to execute indemnity at the bank. transactions above “USSD N20,000 require two-factor authentication (2FA). “No USSD financial service should be activated for customers unless the deactivation mechanism is put in place with effect from October, 2018.

“It is the deepest offshore development carried out so far in Nigeria, in water depths of over 1,500 meters and the project is designed to produce 200,000 barrels per day of oil at plateau,” he said.

I’ve never received a call from Buhari to give out oil blocs – Kachikwu

M

INISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, says he has never received a call from President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to allocate oil blocs.

Kachikwu said this on Tuesday while declaring open 17th edition of the annual “Nigeria Oil and Gas Strategic Conference and International Exhibition’’ in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that Buhari not calling him to allocate oil blocs was in line with the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

According to him, he has led the restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a culture which the Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru carried out under the careful watch of the President.

He reiterated that Buhari had also never interfered on how he carried out his duties or tried to influence him negatively in the allocation of contracts.

“One of the reasons why we have done so well is the fact that quite frankly, in my three years of serving as petroleum minister of state, I haven’t received a single call from the president urging me to do an allocation to somebody or give a bloc to somebody.

“I have not received such a call,’’ Kachikwu said.

He said the President was expected to launch the `Project 100’ by December even as he urged delegates to raise the benchmark of growth in the sector and not just attending conferences.

The Project 100 is a concept Kachikwu initiated to financially assist at least 100 competent Nigerian companies in the execution of projects hitherto handled by foreign companies.

Kachikwu disclosed that Nigeria’s gas reserves had increased by seven trillion cubic feet (tcf) to 200tcf up from 192tcf.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

BUSINESS

No commercial oil discovery in Bida Basin so far – NNPC

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had declared that exploration activities in the Bida Basin have not yielded any discovery worthy of staking development funds.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has said that the speculations that oil has been found in commercial quantity in the Bida Basin should be discountenanced.

Dr. Baru who was conferred with the fellowship award by the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai, weekend, however said search for oil in the basin was still ongoing.

Dr. Baru delivered a speech on “The Role of Inland Basins in Unlocking the Socio-Economic Benefits of a New Nigeria.”

He stated that NNPC was desirous of discovery of oil and gas in the frontier basins, stressing however that

the corporation was currently at the fourth, out of ten intensive stages, of determining if hydrocarbon has been generated in the basin.

He said that upon determination of key exploration leads, the corporation would initiate another six stages of integration of the studies to identify positive hydrocarbon anomalies, acquisition of 2D seismic data over anomalies, acquisition of 3D seismic data to validate identified structures, drilling of exploration wells, drilling of appraisal wells and evaluation of the engineering and economic parameters required.

He emphasized that NNPC recognised that the Bida basin exploration was in the fourth stage of these activities, adding that it is important to state that efforts have not advanced to the level of declaring discoveries.

He said there was no basis to claim that the oil and gas present is in commercial quantities.

Dr. Baru maintained that NNPC, as the concessionaire of all the blocks in these basins, is committed to work-

Arthur Eze’s Oranto sees reward in Zambian risk

N

IGERIAN independent asset explorer, Oranto Petroleum, has executed entry rights into two virgin oil blocks in Zambia, indicating the desperation of indigenous companies seeking new reserves to sustain their businesses.

Oranto is a sister company to Atlas Petroleum owned by Chief Arthur Eze, Nigerian businessman from Anambra State. Atlas Petroleum International and Oranto Petroleum claim reputation for Africa’s largest privately-held, Africafocused exploration and production group with extensive footprint across the African continent.

The group says its operations assets include 22 oil and gas licenses in 11 jurisdictions, including producing assets in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and numerous Atlas/Orantooperated blocks.

Operating as sister companies in the West Africa region since 1991, Atlas and Oranto now operate throughout Africa, with regional offices and representatives in all our core investment locations.

The company declared in a statement that it is farming into Blocks 17 and 27 located onshore Zambia, representing Oranto’s first investment in the country.

Under the agreement, Oranto Petroleum will hold a 90 percent stake and ZCCM Investment Holdings will

control a 10 percent share, on behalf of the Zambian Government.

Oranto ould be required to conduct geological and geophysical studies for first two 2-year sub-periods.

Current operators in Zambia include Tullow Oil and Bowleven.

Though only marginal finds have been discovered, the under-explored market shares basins with Tanzania to the northeast and Angola to the west. Both Tanzania and Angola have hosted mega oil and gas discoveries.

Chairman of Oranto Petroleum, Prince Aurthe Eze, said: “Oranto Petroleum is committed to an aggressive work program to increase the level of prospectivity in one of the world’s last true frontier markets.”

“Our specialty at Oranto Petroleum is discovering the vast potential of Africa’s frontier oil and gas markets, and we are very pleased to add Zambia to our extensive portfolio.

We are committed to developing Zambia into an oil and gas producing nation, as we have many times with other countries on the continent.”

Oranto Petroleum and its sister company Atlas Petroleum International comprise the largest African independent by acreage, with active exploration and production programs across the continent, including Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan and Uganda.

ing with all stakeholders around the Bida basin and beyond to advance the current efforts to fruition and thereafter follow all the laid down regulations for reporting such discoveries.

“It is also imperative to state that even after commercial discovery of hydrocarbons, it is pertinent that pronouncements be made only after due validation of claims by the Industry Regulator - the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR),” Dr. Baru advised.

He expressed the hope that with the clarity provided, all claims and counter claims in respect of the Bida basin hydrocarbon discoveries would be given the befitting rest they deserve, advising that until the conclusion of the current NNPC-led efforts or any other ones in that respect, all claims should be discountenanced.

Dr. Baru said NNPC was currently engaged in aggressive exploration campaign at most inland basins with a view to discovering new oil and gas reserves that will boost oil and gas production and the extended economic benefits to the people within those basins and the nation at large.

The Oracle Today reports that NCDMB had on Friday in Lagos signed a $10 million equity investment agreement with Waltersmith Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited for the construction of a 5000 barrels per day modular refinery to be located at Ibigwe, Imo State.

Mr. Wabote and the Director of Finance and Personnel Management, Mr. Isaac Yalah signed on behalf of NCDMB; while the Chairman of Waltersmith, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isah, and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Mr. Danjuma Sale signed for the company.

Under the Shareholders Agreement and the Share Subscription Agreement, NCDMB took 30 percent equity in the modular refinery.

Mr. Wabote said the investment decision was in line with the board’s vision ‘to be the catalyst for the industrialization of the Nigerian oil and

gas industry and its linkage sectors.’

He added that NCDMB was also keen to support government’s policy on modular refineries and meet the key objectives of the EGRP. According to him, “we have our exit strategy in place to ensure that the refinery reverts back as a fully owned, privately run modular refinery as our role is clearly defined as a catalyst.”

He also commended Waltersmith for developing a bankable proposition, stating that“they sorted out the project feasibility, regulatory approvals, and other pertinent details before reaching out to the Board with the value they are bringing to the table and a clear definition of the support they seek.”

Mr. Wabote confirmed that NCDMB would intervene and fund projects and activities directed at increasing Nigerian Content in the Oil & Gas industry, especially those that utilize available resources in-country, add value and create jobs locally.

Bida basin. “Ours is a symbiotic collaborative relationship with this ivory tower,” he concluded.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya Bello, expressed gratitude to the NNPC for engaging the University on the basin exploration, saying that the GMD deserves the recognition bestowed on him by the university.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, gave kudos to Dr. Baru on the efficient way he runs NNPC thereby impacting the lives of Nigerians positively.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare, thanked Dr. Baru and the NNPC for partnering with the University in the Bida basin exploratory activities, assuring that the University would continue to contribute its quota to the oil search in the basin.

Prof. Maiturare averred that the GMD of NNPC was deserving of the fellowship award, given the corporation’s quest to grow the nation’s reserves base and spread the oil exploration map across the country.

•From left: President, Lagos State Cooperative Federation, Mr. Oriyomi Ayeola; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Mr. Olalekan Akodu during the Press briefing to commemorate the year 2018 Day of Cooperatives, Tuesday.

AfCFTA will grow partnership among e-commerce firms – Anammah

By VICTOR NZE

C

HIEF Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah has assured the Federal Gov-

NCDMB activates govt’s industrialization plan Continued from P 21

“It is our utmost desire that the success of the ongoing exploration campaign in the Inland Basins will usher in a new Nigeria. A new Nigeria with balanced resources distribution; diverse economic activities and sustained energy security as we move towards the industrialised economy we all desire,” the GMD said.

Dr. Baru applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the corporation the mandate and all the necessary support and encouragement to lead a renewed search for oil in the inland basins, adding that the Niger State Government has been very helpful towards the cause of securing Nigeria’s energy future as exemplified by its support for the NNPC exploration activities in the Bida basin.

He also commended the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University with respect to the studies carried out on the characterisation of the Bida basin, stressing that the studies would help NNPC in the ongoing exploration activities in the basin.

According to him, the corporation would from time-to-time engage the University for further support in areas relating to the ongoing exploration in

The intervention, according to him, was in line with the mandate of NCDMB in the NOGICD Act 2010 and as part of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap “Establishment of LPG depots, resuscitation of abandoned or establishment of new LPG cylinder manufacturing plants, partnerships on mini-petrochemical plants, and several others fall into the pack of interventions we are willing to look at,” he said.

He advised project sponsors and promoters of modular refineries seeking the Board’s support to study the checklist of requirements hosted on the Board’s website.

He restated his belief that at least 10 percent of Nigeria’s oil production should be refined using modular refineries, assuring that NCDMB would be willing to consider proposals that meet the guidelines.

Chairman of Waltersmith, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isah had explained that feasibility studies indicated that

ernment that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will encourage partnerships among e-Commerce firms within the continent, and impact the country’s

small scale refining could be viable business because of the significant demand for refined petroleum products. He said the project was originally conceived to mitigate the incessant vandalism of the company’s crude oil export pipelines.

He confirmed that the refinery would be sited close to the firm’s oil field at Ibigwe, Imo State and the refined products would be distributed to consumers within 40 kilometer radius of the plant.

He expressed optimism that the project would support government’s plan to displace imported refined petroleum products and as well as address the menace of pipeline vandalism, illegal refining and other social challenges prevalent in the oil producing region.

He commended the leadership of the NCDMB for supporting the project and assured that the company would do everything within its power to make it a success.

“This is landmark in the history of the NCDMB and we pride ourselves as the first beneficiary of this initiative,” he declared.

growing economy significantly.

Concerns and controversies have continued to trail decision by the federal government to stall on signing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has already been signed by 44 out of the 55 African countries.

Annamah made the remark while fielding questions from journalists in Lagos on the implications of the Trade Agreement and the possible impact on e-Commerce’s operations in Nigeria and Africa, wherein Jumia has established an unrivalled presence, and has earned the Alibaba or Amazon of Africa’s title.

The scope of the pact covered agreements on trade in goods, services, investment, and rules and procedures on dispute settlement, including a range of provisions to facilitate trade, reduce transaction costs, provide exceptions, flexibilities and safeguards for vulnerable groups and countries in challenging circumstances.

According to her, a diligent review of the structural trade barriers, establishment of the right trade agreement, cross border and taxational cross border tariffs, will foster partnerships amongst eCommerce companies within and outside the continent.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

ENERGY

FG, investors revive $25.6b gas campaign ...Gas to drive industrial growth plan

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

G

the industry.

He also said Nigeria is working to build her global share of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market to over 10 percent with revival of stalled and new liquefaction capacity development projects in the country.

Implementation of the nation’s gas supply capacity growth plan will target development of over 1500 kilometers of new gas pipelines as well development of 58 metric tons per annum (mtpa) of liquefaction capacity, according to a survey of midstream gas industry projects conducted by The Oracle Today.

Whereas the gas pipelines are many and in various project stages, concepts and purpose; the liquefaction projects are export oriented and

er, cleaner and more sustainable fuel gas for commercial and industrial application. The various gas pipeline projects conceived under the Nigerian Gas Masterplan (NGMP) and implemented under the Gas Revolution programme were slowed down by policy changes associated with political transitions from one administration to another.

However, the present government is driving full realization of the programme through reactivation of contracts for various projects. Dr. Baru stated in a release distributed to the media by the corporation’s Group General Manager in charge of Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, that over 600 kilometers of pipeline have been completed to connect gas to power plants across the country while industrial gas grid projects still run.

Some of the completed projects, our checks showed, include 196 kilometer Oben-Geregu pipeline; 110 kilometer Escravos-WarriOben pipeline; 128 UkanafonCalabar pipeline; 50 kilometer Emuren-Itoki pipeline; 31 kilometer Itoki-Olorunsogo pipeline; and 24 kilometer Alaoji pipeline.

Some of them are offshoots from the 29 year old 439 kilometer Escravos-Lagos Pipeline (ELGP) that currently form the domestic supply backbone.

With mmaximum discharge capacity of 800 million standard cubic feet per day (MMcf/d), the 36 inch Escravos-Lagos pipeline which currently feeds the domestic market and exports to West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is billed for upgrade in order to feed pressures from 40 MMcf/d Odidi gas plant operated by Neconde, 510 MMcf/d upgraded Utorogu gas plant operated by NNPC,

‘ Nigeria’s gas resource base was significant, as its estimated 199 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) has the potential of up to 600Tcf in undiscovered resources and the reserves profile presents Nigeria with a tremendous opportunity to compete favorably with its peers

‘

dollar targeted. Investments in LNG follow global race to capture more grounds in the rapidly energy export market.

Most of the gas infrastructure projects in the domestic market are conceived to primarily provide fuel gas to remote power generation plants, and in correcting the poor project planning that caused the electricity generation stations to be sited in locations remote from gas production sites, government launched a parallel masterplan to create industrial corridors along gas routes to the power plants.

Subsequent plans were also evolved to expand the gas transmission networks to connect the northern parts of the country with cheap-

and Seplat operated 300 MMcf/d Oben gas plant.

Total demand on the ELGP include 200 MMscfd from WAGP; 360 MMsfd from Egbin power plant; 120 MMsfd from Ihovbor power plant; 90 MMsfd from Omotoscho I power plant; 120 MMsfd from Omotoscho II power plant; and 120 MMsfd from Sapele power plant.

Other gas offtakers from the ELGP include Olorunsogo I power plant with nameplate consumption of 90 MMsfd, and Olorunsogo II power plant with 120 MMsfd. Also, the ELPS can supply also Geregu I and II power stations and Ajaokuta steel mills, according to factsheet at NNPC. However, government and private investors are driving an aggressive $4.2 billion (N1.512 trillion) gas infrastructure expansion programme with a robust supply outlook to support the domestic industrial and future export plans. The biggest and most ambitious in the domestic expansion projects built into the current investment profile is the $2.8 billion (N1.008 trillion) Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline approved by the Federal Executive Council at its 46th meeting in December, 2017.

NNPC said contract agreements for the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and financing for Lots 1 and 3 of the 614 kilometer 40 inch AKK have been executed to guarantee job delivery and enable gas supply for power generation and industrial growth.

The job is split among companies for easy handling with the OilServe/ Oando Consortium taking $855 million Lot 1 contract with total length of 200 kilometer under a 100 per cent contractor financing model. The Lot 1 phase of the pipeline stretches from Ajaokuta to Abuja Terminal Gas Station.

The Brentex/China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP) Consortium snatched the Lot 3 of the contract, covering 221 kilometers at $1.2 billion.

The Lot 3 phase runs from Kaduna Terminal Gas Station (TGS) to Kano TGS. Lot 2 whose contract agreement was yet to be executed covers 193 kil

OVERNMENT’S economic growth policies and associated domestic industrialization plans will draw momentum from ongoing gas infrastructure campaign just as rising demand in the export markets presents commercial opportunity for the country’s stalled liquefaction projects.

To realize all the resource value potentials, government is leading investments in the nation’s gas infrastructure and liquefaction facility development projects which were stalled in a wave official policy hiccups in the past 10 years.

Returning activity at the abandoned project sites across the country, The Oracle Today reports, will require over $25.6 billion (N7.808 trillion at official exchange rate or N9.216 trillion at parallel exchange rate).

A survey of policy declarations by officials of the petroleum ministry showed that government has started wooing investors to revive a campaign of gas valorisation projects which lost steam as switches in government’s industry priorities shocked investors.

In recent pronouncements, both the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; and the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, indicated rekindled policy focus on gas development as global energy demand factors steadily indicate gradual shift from oil to gas and other cleaner fuel options.

The Oracle Today reports that strategic position of gas in the global energy transition, though situated in the medium to long term demand shift, would see manufacturers of transport vehicles churning out automobiles powered by electric batteries, and both manufacturing plants and power generation plants are to be primarily fired by natural gas.

Thus, the long term domestic and export market scenarios have renewed conversations about new capacity for gas supplies across the globe.

At the just concluded World Gas Conference in Washington DC, United States, three separate organizations comprising Italy’s Snam, the International Gas Union (IGU) and the Boston Consulting stated in their Global Gas Report that gas has arguably not yet met its most optimistic growth projections.

“Global gas demand growth in 2017 was estimated at 3.7%, more than double the 1.5% average growth rate from 2010 to 2016 and ahead of the 2.1% year-on-year growth in global energy demand. Gas last year accounted for 22% of the global energy mix,” the report said.

Outgoing IGU president, Mr. David Carroll, and Chief Executive of Snam, Mr. Marco Alvera, at different presentations at the conference called for increased investments in facility and infrastructure development to meet expected demand surge.

“In developing countries alone, gas infrastructure critical to enabling security of supply will require an estimated $35 billion to $55 billion per annum of capital investment for gas transmission, distribution and LNG infrastructure.

“Gas storage infrastructure is said to be another key component of supply security. In Europe and North America, substantial underground storage capacity is available, equivalent to between 15% and 25% of total annual gas consumption,” according to the report which was released on Wednesday last week at WGC 2018.

Dr. Baru who attended the conference told investors that Nigeria is opening up opportunities again realization of new and existing gas projects in the country, adding that the nation’s gas-to-power programme provides huge commercial incentives for private investments in

Continued on P 21

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

ENERGY

NCDMB activates govt’s industrialization plan

... Opens funding window for modular refiners

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

B

tion, he said, would require interagency collaboration driven by the board to ensure streamlining of policy implementation goals.

The strategy, according to him, requires consultations, opportunity fairs and stakeholders’ collaboration to overcome key challenges on skills gap, weak sectoral linkages, policy inconsistency and others issues.

“On these areas, we have engaged PTDF and PTI to streamline our areas of intervention in Human Capacity building. We have engaged NNPCNAPIMS on in-country capacity utilization. Other stakeholders engaged by the Board include NEPZA, NCAA, OPTS, IPPG, DPR, and others.”

To support capacity development,

Y 2020, budding manufacturing clusters will mark key commercial centres of the country where the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) would have established well conditioned operating environment and crucial factors of production that would support commercial manufacturing of goods.

Development of the industrial enclaves driven with the support of host state government’s runs in parallel with similar funding arrangement to encourage modular refining projects in the country as a lead strategy to meet internal fuel demand, create jobs that would mop up idle youths in the Niger Delta and also assist in curbing the nation’s huge fuel import bills.

Executive Secretary of the local industrialization agency, Mr. Simbi Wabote, an engineer, stated at a seminar preceding the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) conference and exhibition in Abuja Monday that the manufacturing enclaves slated for Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Edo and Delta states would be hosted in five oil and gas parks conceived to stimulate industrialization of the Niger Delta in the initial stage of the plan.

He told the audience that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has directed that the industrial enclaves should also be developed in all zones of the country as key strategy for implementation of government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

According to him, host state governments have donated land for the parks while the NCDMB would pay for the surface titles for effective acquisition. And after development, an entity to be created would manage creation of congenial operating environment and provision of requisite facilities and infrastructure that would beat down cost of production and make goods produced in the enclaves globally competitive in cost and quality.

He said the parks are being established at the tertiary level of Nigerian Content Development policy implementation with the objective to shift the attention of indigenous businessmen from contract chasing to real domestic production of goods and services. He pointed out that the economic recovery and growth target of the government was anchored on development of enduring manufacturing capacity, and not in the short term benefits of oil and gas industry contracts.

Mr. Wabote described manufacturing as critical industrialization index, explain that envisaged activities at the oil and gas parks would generate adequate employment to engage educated and skilled youths in the country, adding that priority was currently on oil producing states to control the operating environment for generation of industry revenue required to develop similar facilities in other zones of the country.

He said government would fasttrack the establishment of the five oil and gas parks, explaining that site developments works have commenced on two of the parks in Bayelsa and

Cross River states.

“Architectural and detailed engineering design works are on-going for the parks in the Akwa-Ibom and Imo States. Land acquisitions are in progress for the ones in Delta and Edo states. In line with the directive of the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, we are looking at the establishment of similar parks in other geo-political zones of the country,” he said.

Mr. Simbi said government was supporting the industrialization plans of the board with various Executive Orders aimed at sustaining and expanding the realm of local content practice in the country.

Cross sectoral policy implementa-

he said the board has mapped out princely $200 million from the Nigerian Content Fund to launch of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund in partnership with Bank of Industry.

He added that provisions have been made to partner indigenous investors with plan for scalable modular refineries to enhance development of local refining capacity in line with pan-industry commitment to recover the nation’s parlous refining industry and save the nation the huge import bills and non-financial losses associated with large scale fuel importation.

Part of the refinery recovery funding arrangement, he pointed out, is the $10 million (N3.6 billion) participation in a modular refinery project by indigenous marginal field operator, WalterSmith.

Continued on P 19

•From left: Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Olusegun Banwo; Chairman/MD, ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Mr Paul McGrath; a guest, and GM External Relations, Mr. Niyi Idowu, at a cocktail reception hosted by the company for delegates at Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) conference and exhibition in Abuja, Tuesday.

FG, investors revive $25.6b gas campaign

Continued from P 20

ometers of 40 inch pipeline, stretching from Abuja to Kaduna with contract value of about $835 million.

“The 614km Ajaokuta-KadunaKano (AKK) pipeline project will, on completion, deliver gas along these areas, thereby generating additional 3600 MW of electricity to the national grid,” Dr. Baru told conference delegates.

In the new infrastructure development plan is also the ongoing 363 kilometer ELGP loop expansion project. Official project budget is uncertain but industry experts estimate $700 million (N252 billion).

In addition, Oilserv Limited and Nestoil Group which are handling the $400 million contract for the 127 kilometer East-West Obiafu-ObrikomOben (OB3) pipeline announce 80 percent completion of the job, checking off some 15 of the 17 contract modules. The remaining two modules are said to be in advanced stages of completion.

The gas infrastructure projects under different stages of execution are part of the masterplan which also provides for possible 4, 400 kilometer Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP), the $12 billion multilateral export pipeline project conceived to channel 30 billion cubic meter (Bcm) of Nigerian gas from Niger Delta through Niger and Algeria to Spain per annum.

Also on the export side is the whisper about possible extension of WAGP from the current terminal in Ghana farther left to other neighboring countries in the Gulf of Guinea.

However, restraining concern has been the source capacity to meet expected demand pressure on the pipeline.

Still on export, Dr. Baru NNPC restated government’s resolve to expand the capacity of NLNG with a seventh train from existing 22 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) Nigerian LNG plant to 8.0 mtpa.

The Oracle Today reports that whereas NLNG has doggedly sustained pressure on policy drivers to permit its expansion ambition, feasibility of persuading investors to return to other stalled liquefaction projects in the country is very low.

The LNG projects including the $25 billion NLNG Trains 7&8 located in Bonny, Rivers State; the $7.6 billion Olokola LNG (OKLNG) in Ondo State; and the $4.0 billion Brass LNG in Bayelsa State. The LNG projects were stalled in 2007 following transition of power from former President Olusegun Obasanjo to Late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The projects whose investments decisions were being worked out among partners ran into glitches following swerve of policy focus from export gas revenue to domestic supply. Former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Mohamed Barkindo, had declared at gas exporters’ confab in Doha, Qatar, that Nigeria was no longer pressing forward with export projects in order to meet domestic supply sufficiency.

The management of NLNG had consistently challenged the new policy, arguing strongly that the two objectives of meeting domestic energy needs and pursuing export revenue

could be simultaneously achieved in a well articulated policy programme that offers commercial opportunity at both ends.

Former Managing Director of the company, Mr. Chima Ibeneche, had persistently pointed out that export market presents Nigeria the opportunity to harness the right level of funding for domestic infrastructure development projects.

Current MD, Mr. Tony Attah, vigorously draws government’s attention to the growing global competition in the LNG market and the imminent energy transition that threaten Nigerian gas opportunities with closing window. He consistently warned that Nigeria has limited period within changing global energy demand dynamics to monetize her huge gas resources.

Expectedly, government has started shifting its grounds on LNG investments in the face of the popular conversations around imminent peak oil and deadlines in Europe for countries to switch to green energy.

Unfortunately, the timing of the government’s policy correction appears late as partners in the 25.2 mtpa Olokola LNG who reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2005 and signed shareholders’ agreement in 2007 have dispersed.

The partners including BG, Chevron and Shell had envisaged expansion of Ok-LNG’s liquefaction capacity to 40 mpta in the medium to long term and considered Foster Wheelers and the Saipem/Technip consortium for the front end engineering design (FEED) and the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) jobs

respectively.

Also, partners in the two-train 10 mpta Brass LNG project, including Chevron, Eni and ConocoPhillips have also walked away and the project which was expected to ship first LNG in 2009 was never realized.

The failure of the two LNG projects resulted in some $11.4 billion investment loss.

Dr. Baru did not explain the capacity requirements or the project plans Nigeria needs in order to grab 10 percent of global LNG market share, but other sources said that most of the corporation’s partners in the failed LNG projects are still around, and would need the project to create export window for gas flare down commitments in the country.

BG is no longer anywhere in the country, by the way.

In justifying the new investment interest in gas infrastructure in the country, Dr. Baru explained that the gas-to-power initiatives have placed the nation’s quest for industrialization drive the new gas plan.

“We are focused on jumpstarting and sustaining gas supply to support a rapid growth in power generation, re-positioning Nigeria as the regional hub for gas-based industries such as fertilizer, petrochemicals, methanol, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), as well as leveraging our enormous reserves position to strengthen our footprints in high value gas export through LNG and regional gas pipelines,” Baru told delegates at WGC in Washington.

He said with emerging gas markets and the need to generate more power across Africa’s Sub-Saharan

region, there abound an unprecedented investment opportunity in the gas sector for the country.

He further noted that towards achieving these gas aspirations, the Federal Government recently approved three-pronged reforms in the gas sector which included domestic gas supply obligation, gas pricing policy and regulation as well as gas infrastructure blueprint.

On the planned Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, Baru stated that the project would foster regional economic integration, reduce desertification, as well as enable accelerated regional electrification.

“It will contribute significantly to the overall economic development of the region through the emergence of a wide range of industrial clusters around petrochemical, manufacturing, agro-business and fertilizers among others,” he stated.

Baru, who described gas as fast evolving preferred fuel for power generation, added that as an economic energy source, natural gas has, today, transformed the economies of several nations.

Dr. Baru said government had intervened to drastically reduce gas flare from 25 per cent down to 10 per cent, even as it had stepped up efforts to stimulate gas utilisation and monetization.

He said Nigeria’s gas resource base was significant, as its estimated 199 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) has the potential of up to 600Tcf in undiscovered resources, saying the reserves profile presents Nigeria with a tremendous opportunity to compete favorably with its peers.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

e-Platform

Govt to strengthen development with 2017-2030 ICT roadmap – Minister

By ISAIAH ONWUANUMBA

M

INISTER of Communication, Dr Adebayo Shittu has said Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to sustain technology development by implementation of 2017 - 2030 ICT Roadmap.

Shittu was speaking within the week at a conference organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in association with the Peoples’ Republic of China Embassy in Nigeria and Huawei Technologies. “let me reiterate here that the President had approved a science and technology roadmap 2017 to 2030 and ICT Roadmap 2017-2020 to drive this initiative. We plan to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem by supporting the development of innovation hubs in partnership with the private sector.”

“Certainly, we have the human capital – our large population and high number of productive youth across the nation is a strategic resource and asset. By facilitating the requisite support systems, training and access to the latest and relevant tools, we can become a truly formidable digital hub.”

I am confident that this future is foreseeable and even closer than ever; one in which the transformational impact of digitization and mass adoption of connected digital technologies and applications will drive socio-economic development across the nation and the rest of the world, he said.

We remain committed to working with development partners like

Huawei technologies and others as well as leading and promoting continuous investment to achieve our collective goals.

“The Ministry participated in the ICT Training Programme titled ‘’Seeds for the Future’’ organised

by Huawei Technologies company limited in 2016 in China. In the same token, the Ministry is also participating in the annual seminar on construction of broadband networks for developing countries organized by Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s office, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce People’s Republic of China, These initiatives speak volumes with the participants and they have been retooled and reskilled for greater productivity in the service. These partnerships on human capital development should be sustained,”.

There continues to be optimism in international circles about Africa’s potential for growth and development. Speaking from an ICT point of view in particular, I am sure you will agree with me when I say that the global enthusiasm about our continent’s prospects is fully justified, he said.

“In close to 2 decades, access to telephony services has grown and tele-density has soared by over 80 percent in many African countries.

This truly impressive development has been underpinned by rapid investment in and significant deployment of digital mobile infrastructure by telecommunication operators in many African countries, most especially by Chinese companies- Huawei technologies.”

For instance, Minister said, in Nigeria, the revolution in the ICT

Internet Society gets new President

I

NTERNET Society has within the week announce that Andrew Sullivan has been selected by the Board of Trustees to become the Internet Society’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, formally taking up his position on September 1, 2018.

A multi-lingual Statement added that Andrew works in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). He brings a wealth of Internet industry and technology experience with him. He served in a number of past roles, including time at Oracle Dyn managing Doman Name System (DNS) development and architecture departments and as the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) Chair for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016. Andrew also played an instrumental role in the IANA Transition as many of you may remember. I’d encourage you all to read his testimony on the IAB Website.

He is currently serving as chair of the IETF Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC), where he has been involved with discussions around updating the relationship between the IETF and the Internet Society.

Most importantly for us as a global community of members, organizations and individuals that care deeply about the Internet, he embodies the core values of openness, transparency, inclusion and diversity that lie at the very heart of the Internet Society. He is committed to the ISOC vision of an Internet that works for all of us and

believes fervently in the struggle to bring an Internet that is open, globally-connected, trusted and secure to everyone.

Not only that, but he is also committed to strengthening and growing our global community.

Together, we have built this global technical infrastructure, this resource to enrich people’s lives, and this force for good in society.

Because it is a challenging time for the Internet, he knows that it’s also a challenging time for the Internet Society, but he firmly believes in the power of this community to realize its shared vision for the Internet.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kathy Brown for her strong leadership over the past four and a half years. She has been pivotal in the organization’s transformation and I believe that we have never been in a stronger position, not just to face the challenges ahead of us, but to emerge as a true world leader in shaping the path and future direction of the Internet for the good of all humanity.

Kathy will continue in her current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Society until September 1. On assuming his new role, Andrew will work with Kathy during a period of transition to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Please join me in congratulating Andrew as we prepare to welcome him into the growing ISOC family as our new President and CEO.

•Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu; Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Senior Special Assistant on ICT to President Mohamadu Buhari, Lanre Osibona; , Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian; DG, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bukar Bukarambe, at the Africa-China Digital Economic Forum 2018.

companies have invested over $16 billion to date in fixed assets and facilities nationwide to build and support most network operators in the country.

Such investments in infrastructure have created an ICT backbone

that powers various critical sectors of the economy such as Banking, E-commerce, Insurance, Oil & Gas. Small wonder that mobile and broadband infrastructures have been described as the infrastructure of infrastructures, Shittu add.

•MDXI now most certifiedGeneral DataManager centreofinMDXI, Nigeria Gben-

tres in Sagamu, by Q4 2018, Ghana in 2019 and Cote d’Ivoire in 2020.”

Speaking on the presentation of Tier III Constructed Facility certification (TCCF) documents, President of Uptime Institute, Lee Kirby said “We congratulate MainOne’s Data Centre Company, MDXI on receiving their Tier III Constructed Facility Certification Documents.

This is indeed a significant step for the region and we look forward to working with them as they build multiple facilities across West Africa”.

MDXI is West Africa’s largest full-scale data centre provider offering colocation, interconnection and cloud services to OTTs and major network, content and financial providers, as well as access to multiple Internet exchange points in Nigeria, Ghana, Amsterdam, and London.

sector has provided well over $32 billion in foreign direct investment over the last 15 years. As part of that ICT ecosystem and guided by the recognition of the boundless potential of our great nation within the digital economy, Chinese

MainOne’s MDXI Data centre bags tier III Constructed Facility certification

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AINONE’S Data Centre subsidiary, MDXI has just received its Tier III Constructed Facility certification (TCCF) from the Uptime Institute, the company said in a statement.

It added that with this new milestone, MDXI becomes the leading Data center in West Africa with the top 5 certifications in the industry, being the Tier III Constructed Facility certification, TCCF, the PCI-DSS certification which certifies the Data center to process payment card information, the SAP Infrastructure Services license which certifies the Data Center as ideal for running SAP applications and infrastructure, and ISO 27001 and 9001 certifications.

This TCCF certification is awarded by the Uptime Institute as a performance-based evaluation of a data centre’s concurrently maintainable site infrastructure.

Tier Certification of Constructed Facility is a progression from Tier Certification of Design Documents (TCDD) and goes beyond the review of paper designs to rigorous on-site testing to root out discrepancies between the actual installation and design.

The multiple certifications of MainOne’s MDXI demonstrate compliance to globally accepted standards on high availability, commitment towards the security and protection of the information assets of the company and its customers, and provides assurance of the quality of the Data Centre’s infrastructure and ability to react to disruptions due to unplanned activities.

MDXI’s 600 rack facility in Lekki is the premier commercial Data Center in West Africa built to meet the rapidly growing demand for Colocation, Managed Hosting and Cloud services within the region.

ga Adegbiji announced that the certification further validates the company’s investment in critical infrastructure to grow West Africa’s Digital Economy.

“With the increased recognition of Africa as home of fast growing economies, it is important that we have the infrastructure required to establish, enhance and sustain effective business performance in today’s global digital economy.

Outsourcing of Data Center services to a reputable provider such as MDXI ensures businesses can adopt more cost effective models of consuming technology to allow increased focus on business development and growth. As we build a data centre ecosystem spanning facilities across West Africa, we plan to launch new Tier III data cen-

Anambra State holds ‘Digipreneur Week’ July

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NAMBRA State announed recently it is set to hold ‘Digipreneur Week’ will hold in Anambra State from July 9 to July 11, 2018 at Stanel World, Awka, the state capital, statement said.

According to the event host, Engr Ifeanyi ANIAGOH who is the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development and Digital Entrepreneurship to Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra State, “the event will bring together different stakeholders to brainstorm on new innovations and way forward while exposing the participants to unlimited opportunities in the cyberspace, improve their capacity in digital skills, encourage effective use of the internet and show the world the strength of Digipreneurs within and around Anambra State”.

Launched in Awka in 2016, Digipreneur Week, formerly known as Social Media Hangout, from being a one-day gathering of social media influencers has grown to become a

point of convergence for the best brains in digital entrepreneurship covering Exhibition, Networking, Training, Summit and Hangout.

With the theme “The Next Level”, this year’s edition would explore the prospects of curbing unemployment using job opportunities in the digital entrepreneurship space.

The event would also focus on key socio-economic and technology challenges being faced by start-ups in digital entrepreneurship.

Aside the 3 day Exhibition by successful Digipreneurs, the DPWeek 2018 conversation will focus on digital skills training, trending jobs and money making opportunities with N2m worth empowerment for top of the class trainees.

Renowned experts in Wikipedia, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as trainers from DigitalPRWire, DigitalAfrica, Digipreneur.xyz and Faith Foundation have all indicated interest to be part of DPWeek2018.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

e-Platform

Why tech enterpreneurs must rely on innovation, capacity building knowledge, less prayers – Zinox Chair

By ISAIAH ONWUANUMBA

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HAIRMAN, Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh has said the solution for business investment in Nigeria and other African countries lies in applying at least 40 per cent common sense, 20 per cent spirituality and 40 per cent knowledge of the business to succeed..

Eke was speaking during a keynote address delivered at the Africa Summit organized by Nottingham University which held in the United Kingdom (UK) recently.

According to him, technology is bound to resolve some of the contemporary problems faced

by African economies, nevertheless, Ekeh lamented the high failure rate of start-ups on the continent, an anomaly he attributed to the desire by entrepreneurs to take pleasure before pains.

“Success for an entrepreneur in Africa does not come cheap. This is because the continent is still struggling with a lot of infrastructural deficiencies, many of which technology will help resolve soon. To succeed in the peculiar business terrain in many African economies, an entrepreneur requires 40% common sense – especially since common sense is not by any chance, common; 20% spirituality which is important in view of the highly religious nature of Africans and 40% knowl-

edge of the particular business one is investing in.

“It is, however, worrisome to see the high failure rate among start-ups on the continent. A lot of young African entrepreneurs are not ready to take pleasure before pains. As a result, they get too excited at the first sign of business break through and allow sentiments take over.”

Noting that African entrepreneurs must connect spiritually with their true origins, Ekeh submitted that Africa’s booming population which is expected to gross over 25% of the entire world’s population by 2050 is one that is overwhelmingly dominated by youths, thereby making Africa more important than ever to the global economy and arguably the world’s most attractive continent.

“Africa has for long been held back by its quality of leaders, many of whom are partially analogue due to their age and originating circumstances. This is not entirely their fault though as it is caused by a number of factors beyond their direct control.

However, things are changing.

There is a conscious interest in most African countries in the calibre and status of leaders that take office. Also, the current generation of youths have the benefit of better education and global exposure as a result of the internetmediated world we live in. With

StumbleUpon shuts down July 2, launches ‘Mix’

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TUMBLEUPON has shut down July 2, 2018 after 16 years and at same time , Launched Mix, touted as a replacement.

A statement said “This isn’t “goodbye”; it’s more of a “see ya on the other side”. Recently, we’ve shifted our focus to build a new discovery platform with the lessons we learned from StumbleUpon.”

July 2 2018 is the last day that Stumbleupon.com exists online, and “as we head into this moment, we want to look back and thank you for making StumbleUpon an internet legend.”

Before posts and tweets, before snaps and pins, StumbleUpon was there providing endless internet entertainment with just the push of a button. Because of users like you, we served up nearly 60 bil-

lion stumbles to over 40 million Stumblers, and infinite hours of “woah, cool” moments. StumbleUpon was more than just a button.

People connected, made friends, found career inspiration, and even fell in love!

The company said regarding Mix, “you’ll be able to build shareable collections of your favorite finds across the internet: articles, videos, podcasts, and more. As you curate the web, your saves will turn into meaningful recommendations for others in Mix.” it added that ‘We hope to make discovery a collective endeavor, helping each other find gems from the depths of the web that we wouldn’t have come across on our own. And you’ll be in good company with your fellow Stumblers that have already given Mix a try.”

the right leadership in place and technology accorded its rightful place as the driver of its future development, Africa may just be the continent for smart investors to bet on.

“It must be noted though that

GLOBAL research body, Gartner has revealed that Artificial Intelleligence (AI) will be a net job creator while at the same time eliminate some in global technology ecosystem by 2020.

In a latest study, it stated that AI will introduce new opportunities and challenges in the workplace, it will improve productivity as well as revolutionise industries.

“AI will create 2.3 million jobs in 2020, while eliminating 1.8 million. The company says AI will become a positive job motivator,” the report said.

AI can be used by organisations that use heavy machinery to detect immediate faults and make real-time decisions and in the banking sector to streamline the process of applying for loans.

This technology is coming to the workplace at a rapid pace. AI will undoubtedly impact the workplace and become the biggest disruptor the business world has seen in over two centuries. furthermore, according to Rob Jardine, Head of Research and Solutions at the NeuroLeadership Institute South Africa, AI is set to change the workforce in

communities and urban centres and not venture capitalists or angel investors who are only keen on milking the continent for profit and short-term gains,” he stated.

•From left: Sales Manager, SAS West Africa, Babalola Oladokun; Vice President, SAS Africa, Desan Naidoo; Artist and co-founder of the Cyborg Foundation, Neil Harbison; and Marketing Content & Communications Lead, SAS Africa, Vijayne Govender; Senior Manager, Advanced Analytics, Nedbank, Prenton Chetty and Senior Business Solutions Manager, Advanced Analytics & AI, SAS, Larry Orimoloye at the SAS Road to Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Workshop in Lagos.

SAS urges organizations to embrace Artificial Intelligence

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AS Africa has revealed that businesses will become more successful based on how they use data, analytics and collaboration in the new analytics economy.

This was the thrust of the conversations made at the SAS Road to Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, AI Showcase in Lagos recently. Desan Naidoo, Vice President, SAS Africa said that seeing we are in the analytics economy where data, people and machines work right to accelerate the pace of innovation, critical business decisions must be made via data analytics instead of gut feelings and guess work.

“At SAS, we are the leaders in business analytics software and services, and we help organizations across the globe transform their data into deep and welldefined insights. Insights that provide fresh perspective on your business, helping to identify

Artificial intelligence will be net job creator – Gartner

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Africa needs investors with the right conscience to help change its narrative for good; investors who are interested in growing the economy, in creating employment opportunities and empowering local talents in the various

the next few decades, but not all these changes will be threatening. He says employers need to ensure that their employees realise this by playing to the social domains that trigger the brain so that every individual can continue to perform optimally, learn new skills, and work towards their future roles in stimulating our economy.

Study conducted by Gartner shows that four percent of CIOs have implemented AI, while a further 46 percent have developed plans to do so.

what’s working and fix what isn’t and innovate in ways that keep you ahead of the competition.

Our solutions turn large amounts of data into knowledge you can act on, and also empower business leaders to capitalize on new opportunities and be seen as strategic business advisers by using analytics to align the marketing process with the customer journey.”

He added, “we want to avail businesses operating in Nigeria with solutions that help them to achieve a customer-centric business strategy with an integrated decision management approach—underpinned by artificial intelligence capabilities such as machine learning and cognitive computing. Our platforms address critical challenges across marketing —including planning customer-centric strategies, gaining insight from big data and analytics, optimizing omni-channel customer interactions, and understanding the customer’s digital experience.”

The purpose is to help reduce compliance costs, improve efficiency and effectiveness, stay competitive and drive innovation whilst looking for better ways to serve their customers.

“Humans have limited number of sensors, but if we merge with technology, we could have more sensors that will enable us understand and unfold the real beauty of nature. We can add new senses and additional organs to extend our bodies’ capacity to experience the world.

We can, in effect, redesign ourselves. Our current evolutionary

step is to merge with technology and take an active part in the birth of our future selves. I work with artificial senses, which I call AS,” Neil said.

In a rapidly changing business environment, businesses are under pressure to not only comply with constantly changing regulations but also to modernize their processes and systems.

In his presentation, Senior Business Solutions Manager - Advanced Analytics & AI, SAS, Larry Orimoloye encouraged organizations to adopt AI as it is transforming businesses by enhancing current analytical capabilities to better understand customers and deliver the best experiences like never before – and fast enough for business differentiation. AI also sets new target for organizations and helps them to make informed decisions based on the outcome of its data analytics.

“AI has increasingly refined the ability of machines to study data in order to detect patterns, that then allow computers to organize information, identify relationships, make predictions and detect anomalies. Today, modern applications of AI have already given us self-driving cars and virtual assistants and our solutions have helped us detect fraud and manage resources like electricity more efficiently. AI will help organizations improve their marketing effectiveness, increasing digital intelligence by integrating web analytics data with multichannel data to gain a comprehensive view of the customer for better personalization and engagement, said Orimoloye.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

ISSN: 2545-5869

EDITORIAL

www.oraclenews.ng

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Wasting Abacha’s N116.26b loot through poverty Cont’d front page 1 that paid him a visit in Abuja on May 22 this year.

He extolled the virtues of Abacha1 whom he said was better than other Nigerian leaders.

“One of the former Heads of State between that time was bragging that he spent more than 16 billion American dollars, not Naira, on power. Where is the power? Where is the power? And now we have to pay the debts.”

He was apparently referring to Obasanjo.

FEW doubts exist about Abacha. “The largest kleptocracy forfeiture ever in the US,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the US Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said of the $458 million seized Abacha loot that was forfeited to the US government. “Gen. Abacha was one of the most notorious kleptocrats in memory, who embezzled billions from the people of Nigeria while millions lived in poverty.”

BUHARI maintains an Abacha narrative he began 10 years earlier. “Gen. Abacha did not loot the national treasury, contrary to the general impression,” Buhari said, in Kano, 8 June 2008, at the 10th memorial of Abacha’s passing.

INTEGRITY was suspended on 22 May 2018 to accommodate another round of Abacha praisesinging, six months after the Federal Government had received $322.5 million (about N116.26 billion) from the Swiss government, being the final part of what Abacha stole that was warehoused in Swiss banks.

THE Federal Government has announced a vacuous plan to redistribute the returned loot to 305,000 households, with each getting about

$14 (N5, 000) a month, N60, 000. How were the households selected? How are the families supposed to use the money? What are 305,000 households among Nigeria’s more than 187 million people? How long would the programme last as N60, 000 yearly for 305,000 households is just N18.3 billion? How much would be spent on bureaucracy? No poverty alleviation project was considered suitable for N116.26 billion?

THESE are some of he questions that would have been asked if the money passed through appropriation at the National Assembly. The 1999 Constitution states, “Section 80. (1) All revenues or other moneys raised or received by the Federation (not being revenues or other moneys payable under this Constitution or any Act of the National Assembly into any other public fund of the Federation established for a specific purpose) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. (2) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by this Constitution or where the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Appropriation Act, Supplementary Appropriation Act or an Act passed in pursuance of section 81 of this Constitution. (3) No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.

(4) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

OUR reasons for an insistence that the money is not spent outside the oversight of the National Assembly are simple – the Constitution states so, and the opaque expenditure of previous recovered loots is an outstanding matter.

We do not think that a repeat should be permitted.

SWISS Ambassador Eric Mayoraz on 28 June, in Abuja, said, “All funds hidden in Swiss banks by Abacha were fully repatriated and so we don’t have any of such funds in Switzerland again.

In 2005, $752m was returned, and we discovered more and more in other banks and that involved the $322.5m that was repatriated earlier this year.”

Over $1 billion has been returned from Switzerland alone.

MAYORAZ said: “Unfortunately, some of the assets that were returned, there was not so much transparency in it. So, we have to introduce the World Bank to get involved in this so that this particular one can be used by the Nigerian government with the monitoring of the World Bank.”

A MAJOR damaging factor to our democracy is the latitudes the National Assembly gives the Executive to abuse the Constitution. Infractions are addressed with words, creating room for bigger instructions. Similar inaction greeted the use of unappropriated $1 billion to purchase aircraft from the US earlier this year.

WHAT does anyone make of the silence of the National Assembly? Is the National Assembly a party to the con-

stitutional violation? Are its members queuing to benefit from the loot? Or has the National Assembly abdicated its responsibility of over-sighting the use of public funds?

WE expect, therefore, that the Constitution’s position on the matter should prevail. We should not keep blasting trumpets about the integrity of the Buhari administration while allowing it to escape every opportunity to put that integrity into action.

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has a two-year-old judgement on recovered loot that the government has refused to obey. When the latest loot was returned, SERAP noted: “The return of the Abacha loot is a chance for President Buhari to commit to the enforcement of the 2016 judgment by Justice Mohammed Idris, which ordered his government to publish, disclose the spending of recovered loot since 1999 by past and present governments till date, as well as details of projects on which the funds were spent.”

WHO will listen to SERAP? Who will listen to the millions of Nigerians still seeking explanations about how $322.5 million would be spent outside appropriation? Who cares about the avoidable scandal that would attend this expenditure? Who will interrogate the content of the brand of transparency and integrity the government sells?

SHOULD a government that advertises integrity, adorns it as garments, be in doubt about how to prove its words? Where is the integrity if it misses moments like this? Would it cost government its integrity if it gave the full details of what it intends to do with the money? How is this government different from the ones it ridicules?

IF the Buhari administration gets away with spending the recovered Abacha loot as it wishes, Nigeria would have been in the final stages of the abrogation of Section 80 of the Constitution, though it would remain in the books to emphasise its emptiness.

Our Vision

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

Mission

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

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

OPINION Snapshot of a moving target (6)

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n fairness to the Nigerian leaders of the First Republic, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nwafor Orizu and several others were great men of thought, erudition and letters, whether you agreed or disagreed with them. For as one of my favorite American philosophers—Henry Commager—once put it: “...It is not orthodoxy of thought or heterodoxy of thought that is the problem, but the absence of thought.” Those First Republic Nigerian leaders wrote copious philosophical and political books about history, society, government, development, democracy, federalism and so on and so forth. They wrote their autobiographies and provided an intellectual roadmap on how they got to where they got.

Today among our public officials, there is, intellectually speaking, a deafening, deadening silence! The need to write about ourselves by ourselves, to ourselves and for ourselves continues, in my opinion, to be a great one. All too often, Westerners—Americans and Europeans—are the ones writing about and documenting the social, cultural and political history of Africans and other nonEuropeans. Although Nigerians are one of the leading African nations at chronicling their own existential experiences and cogitative thoughts, our efforts are hardly enough on the global scale of things. So much more needs to be done, not only to fill the domestic need for such information but also to render redundant the Western cottage industry of writing about us because of our irresponsible omission.

Permit me to suggest to you that in contemporary Nigeria, the biggest business

In this final installment of his review of Oseloka Obaze’s Prime Witness: Change And Policy Changes In Buhari’s Nigeria (2017), EMEKA ANIAGOLU extols the intellectual depths of the First Republic leaders compared to today’s leaders. is government whereas in the industrially developed economies of the world, the biggest business is “big business.” If, in the developed economies, the fear and concern is that ‘big business’ will overwhelm, or, at the very least, undermine the integrity of governance and the democratic system of government, in the developing economies, the exact opposite is the case: the fear and concern that “big government” will overwhelm and undermine “small” as well as “big” business.

Consequently, the challenge we face in Nigeria, among others, is not only how to make government and governance more effective but also how to make it less profitable as a business. On the other hand, how to make business more profitable as well as more insulated from rent-seeking public servants: politicians and civil servants. Once we find the right method and balance between the two, genuine statesmen and women will naturally gravitate towards the public service of government; whereas, creative and gifted entrepreneurs – men and women alike - will naturally gravitate towards private business.

Under normal circumstances, no one who wishes to become rich, offers himself to serve in public service—in government. Instead, he goes into the private sector—into business.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is one of the

countries in the world in where it is more profitable to go into government—the public sector—than it is to go into business—the private sector (Dangote notwithstanding); because, as I said a short while ago, government is the biggest business in Nigeria.

And if, per chance, you happen to have already made some money in business— in the private sector—you do your best to either get into government, in order to make even more money or to “sponsor” those who are involved in government so you can make even more money through government patronage of one kind or another.

It is that bastardization of government as business, rather than as a scared calling, a sacred duty – a public service – that is at the crux of our national dilemma!

Fluency of language, it would seem, is child to acuity of mind. How could it be otherwise? For words are, ultimately, nothing more than thoughts and images conceived in the human mind, and then, given symbolic expression in the characters we use to capture them in longhand and digital print, for social communication and referential conservation.

The beauty of words, their subtlety, elegance, evocativeness, arcane nature and so on and so forth attest to the facility of the human mind that is their birth parent. In the light of the foregoing, one

must conclude that Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the fountainhead of both exquisite poetry and incisive scholarship possesses a deeply philosophical mind, a mind that probes the innards of the meaning, purpose, motive-force, responsibility and consequential outcome of our existential journey.

It is, therefore, hardly surprising that Mr. Obaze set himself the task of interrogating the policy context, content and consequences of the Buhari Administration. In my estimation, Oseloka Obaze is a crossbreed between “policy-wonk” and “philosopher-king,” between salubrious poet and meticulous reporter, at once a romanticist and a pragmatist, an idealist and a realist.

Some might argue that Oseloka Obaze wishes to eat his cake and have it at the same time. But for me, I see him as a fastidious searcher for truth, who would rather be a “discontented philosopher” in the noble tradition of Aristotle—because he is unable to find all the answers he seeks—than a “contended pig.”

At any rate, ladies and gentlemen, modern representative democracy is nothing, if it is not essentially about two things: (1) electoral manifestation of the “will of the people and (2) accountability to the citizenry of the selfsame democratic state by the elected government of the day.

And it is to make manifest the “will of the people” through accountability that is ultimately Oseloka Obaze’s supreme objective for interrogating his “Prime Witness,” the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the repertoire of his public policies.

•Concluded

Ekiti 2018: Showing signs of 2014 episode

By Ehichioya Ezomon

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arely 12 days to the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, the two main political parties in the contest, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), are accusing each other of planning to manipulate the process before and on Election Day. Such accusations have been commonplace in the scheme of the state PDP and its government of Governor Ayodele Fayose. Since the 2014 poll that brought it to power, no week passed without the party megaphones levelling hardly unproven allegations against the APC in Ekiti and at the federal level.

Often tagged along, as a “collaborator” in the reported underhand to swing the votes in favour of the APC and its candidate for the election, is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has seemingly been mute rather than offer timely clarifications.

But due to their frequency, and frivolity, these allegations have lately sounded like broken records, such that many Nigerians, who were previously hoodwinked, have learned to discard them as baloney and bunkum.

Consider, for instance, Fayose’s claims (on a broadcast programme the upper week) against the APC and INEC, as regards the July balloting. They include: Manual preloading of card readers in Ondo State; hired voters to stuff boxes with ballot papers at targeted polling units; printing of fake voter cards in Akure, with support of the Ondo State Government; 7,000 of about 14,000 people, to be ferried from Ondo, already is-

sued with fake voter cards; and each of the voters to get N15,000 to stuff the ballot boxes.

Now, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor and candidate of the APC, who had been spartan in bandying “alarms” about potential electoral malfeasance in Ekiti, has joined the fray, giving out in equal measure to Fayose and, ironically, the INEC. Fayemi, via his campaign office, listed three officials from the INEC headquarters in Abuja, who joined a former official living with Fayose in the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, to hold a secret meeting with the governor.

He said: “Curiously, these three top officials hold strategic positions in election management. One is from the Administration; one is of the Stores and Distribution Department, while the other is an Information and Communications Technology top official... For the reasons best known to them, only the Government House was their exclusive port of call; APC was never in the picture.”

Their strategy, as Fayemi alleged: Illegal production, with the help of the INEC officials, of some sensitive documents, with stamps, PVCs, result sheets (Form EC 8A) and INEC accreditation forms.

To authenticate his deposition, Fayemi called on the INEC headquarters “to note these atrocities being perpetrated by its corrupt officials to tarnish the image of the electoral body,” and urged the “security agencies to investigate all these activities and bring the culprits to book.”

As Fayose surprisingly confirmed the presence of the former INEC official in the government house as a “consultant” engaged since 2016, the Ekiti INEC quickly responded to the indictment by the APC

candidate. Ordinarily, it would ignore any allegation, or dismiss it as a distraction.

But this time, it not only discountenanced the exposé, but also accused Fayemi of peddling falsehood, whereas “our doors are open to all political parties; so the APC is free to come here and make verifications, rather than making unsubstantiated allegations,” said Taiwo Gbadegesin, INEC Public Relations Officer in Ekiti.

Admitting that the four INEC officials named by Fayemi were genuine but did not visit Ekiti “for any reason,” Gbadegesin said there’s no form called “accreditation form,” adding that, “form EC8A is with the CBN and it will be deployed to Ekiti with ballot papers. They are coded with serial numbers and can’t be duplicated by anybody.”

Appropriate as this “lecturing” is, the Ekiki INEC, and indeed, the national headquarters would have assisted in dousing the tension created by the series of allegations, even against it, had it come out swiftly, and forcefully to debunk the protestations.

Why did the commission not also give tutorial on the possibility or otherwise of preloading the card readers, as alleged by Fayose? INEC appears to give free rein to the governor and PDP to make speculative and spurious insinuations against it and the APC, concerning the Ekiti poll, and the 2019 elections.

With just days to the July 14 voting, the INEC may be leaving its flanks open for us to possibly witness a repeat of the unsavouring happenings in the 2014 contest, which poll watchers initially adjudged free and fair.

But later events, as revealed by official

investigations, indicated pre-election manipulation of the system by federal officials and agencies, including the Military, to give the votes to the PDP, and Fayose.

So, INEC must be on its toes for Ekiti 2018. It should quickly and thoroughly investigate the allegations surrounding the election, to prevent the wrong party and candidate from assuming governance of the state on the back of a supposed people’s mandate.

•Mr. Ezomon, journalist and media consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Abuja Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Business Manager Kelechi Nze Circulation Manager Felix Oti

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Travel & Hospitality

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Wike pledges ‘record setting’ NAFEST 2018 Stories by VICTOR NZE

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N line with the desire of the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, to keep improving on the quality of the annual cultural festival, especially in the area of adding value to the creative industry and empowering the public, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has promised to deliver on the goals of the festival and surpass records set in the past.

With the recent commissioning of the cultural centre, which is scheduled to be the venue for the one week long event, indications are that participants and the NCAC should expect a most thrilling and successful gathering that will enjoy the personal touches of the governor, who is said to be committed to hosting the festival and using it to make a statement about the cultural wealth of the state and its

leading position when it comes to tourism and creative industry.

Buttressing the governor’s position, state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, during commissioning ceremony of the cultural centre, described the complex as ‘a game changer,’ further assuring that the state is gearing up for the forthcoming National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

She revealed that the governor in his directive gave an order for the centre and its facilities to reflect international standard and ambience, disclosing that this was strictly adhered to.

“Everyone that comes into the complex will be amazed by what it has become and we promise that it would be a befitting edifice for the host of various events, including NAFEST for which it has been primed, hence the prompt delivery of it,” said the commissioner.

Governor Wike has never hidden his quest to give his people the desire to transform the state which is evident in the level of mass infrastructure development across the various sectors that the governor has embarked on since taking over the reins of power.

The once abandoned cultural centre has now been transformed into a colourful and appealing centre, with inviting architectural piece that has been infused with sophisticated amenities of all sorts.

With the state billed to host this year’s NAFEST in the coming days,

indications are the state is set to host the best and most colourful and entertaining NAFEST ever, and also beat the record that was set last year by the Kaduna State government, which was applauded by NCAC, stakeholders and the general public.

Africa’s international arrivals grow by 6%

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CCORDING to the recent United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO’s) World Tourism Barometer, the continent consolidated last year’s robust results, led by Sub-Saharan Africa (+6 per cent) while North Africa saw a 4 per cent increase during the first quarter of 2018.

International tourist arrivals also grew 6 per cent in January to April 2018 compared to the same period last year. Results reflect a continuation of the strong trend seen in 2017 (+7 per cent) and so far, exceed UNWTO’s forecast of 4 per cent to 5 per cent for the entire year 2018.

In 2017, Africa surpassed its counterparts to record a +9 per cent increase in international arrivals, as international tourism receipts increased 5 per cent. This equates to 63 million visitors to Africa, out of the 1,323 million world arrivals; accounting for USD 38 billion receipts.

Confidence in global tourism remains strong according to the latest UNWTO Panel of Travel Experts survey.

The Panel’s outlook for the current May-August period is the most optimistic in a decade, led by the particularly upbeat sentiment in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Experts’ evaluation of tourism performance in the first four months of 2018 was also robust, in line with the strong results recorded in many destinations around the world.

Meanwhile, international tourist arrivals grew 6 percent in the first four months of 2018, compared to the same period last year, not only continuing the strong 2017 trend, but exceeding UNWTO’s forecast for 2018.

Growth was led by Asia and the Pacific (+8 percent) and Europe (+7%). Africa (+6percent), the Middle East (+4percent) and the Americas (+3percent) also recorded sound results.

Earlier this year, UNWTO’s forecast for 2018 was between 4-5 percent.

“International tourism continues to show significant growth worldwide, and this translates into job creation in many economies. This growth reminds us of the need to increase our capacity to develop and manage tourism in a sustainable way, building smart destinations

and making the most of technology and innovation”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili.

From January to April 2018, international arrivals increased in all regions, led by Asia and the Pacific (+8percent), with South-East Asia (+10percent) and South Asia (+9percent) driving results.

The world’s largest tourism region, Europe also performed strongly during this four-month period (+7percent), pulled ahead by the destinations of Southern and Mediterranean Europe, and Western Europe (both +8percent).

Growth in the Americas is estimated at 3percent, with strongest results in South America (+8percent). The Caribbean (-9percent) is the only sub-region to experience a decrease in arrivals during this period, weighed down by some destinations still struggling with the aftermath of the hurricanes of August and September 2017.

•(From left) System Engineer, Jotron AS, Nads Nilsen; Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Engr. Farouk Umar; NAMA MD, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu; Project Manager, Jotron AS, Roger Svendsen and MD, Banna Worldwide Solutions, Salihu Saidu, after the successful Site Acceptance Test of the Stand-Alone VHF radios in Lagos.

FTAN gears up for 2018 AGM in Abuja T HE Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has confirmed that preparations are in top gear for its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM), which has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday July 11 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Speaking on this development, the President of FTAN, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, disclosed that the AGM planning committee is working on having a very successful and colourful

AGM that is focused on strengthening the federation and consolidating on its gains over the years as well as on Nigeria tourism development and promotion.

The non – elective meeting, he said, will be attended by all the federating associations, stakeholders from across the country and government officials with the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, billed to deliver the keynote address.

into the top five West African countries with 10 new hotels in the pipeline, a 205.7% increase on last year – 549 of the total 1,830 rooms are on site. All the planned hotels are in Abidjan, driven by multiple deals signed by AccorHotels and by Marriott.

This reflects the confidence in the country as the return to democracy, after several years of

civil war, have brought economic and political stability, with the IMF forecasting GDP growth of 7.4% this year, one of the highest on the continent.

Cape Verde is sustaining growth with 2,710 rooms now on site, up 15.3% on last year. Sao Vincente accounts for 28% of the country’s pipeline. Other developments are in Boa Vista, Mindelo, Praia, Sal and Santiago.

The theme for the one – day event, which holds at the Kapital Club and Apartments in Asokoro, is: ‘Developing sustainable tourism through standardization and security,’ with papers to be presented by Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) and a director from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Also expected at the meeting are the directors general and management team of the various agencies in the Ministry of Information and Culture and others, including; the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality (NIHOTOUR).

One of the special features of the AGM is the presentation of the highest award and honour - Father of Nigeria Tourism -- to Alabo Mike Amachree, who is the founder of Brooklyn Hotels and Port Harcourt Beach Resort, among others. Cultural and musical entertainments will also feature alongside the business of day.

ance Test, NAMA Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said “in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, it is incumbent onAir Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) like NAMA to facilitate safe airways, safe separations and also provide critical fall-back plans for airspace users and that is the essence of this project.”

He described the stand-alone radios as a robust solution for emergency/backup coverage in unexpected circumstances like when there is technical failure or during routine maintenance of the main RCAG system.

He said: “test transmission has been conducted on the system by

air traffic control officers with aircraft flying at different flight levels just as contacts have been established for a distance of up to 220 nautical miles at different flying levels of the upper airspace and this conforms with the VHF propagation predictions submitted for scrutiny during the design phase of the project.”

Explaining further, Akinkuotu said the high-powered VHF radios are designed to provide cover for Lagos en-route East using 127.3MHZ and Lagos en-route West using 120.9MHZ. Similarly, he said the radios will provide VHF back-up for Kano en-route-East (124.1MHZ) and Kano en-route West (128.5MHZ).

Nigeria, 2 others lead West Africa’s hotel expansion

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IGERIA holds its pole position for hotel development in West Africa despite a slight reduction on last year, according to a regional influential annual hotel pipeline survey.

Details of the survey cover the whole of Africa will be one of the key discussions at an upcoming conference in Kenya.

Nigeria has the largest pipeline in West Africa (and the 2nd largest on the continent), with the concentration being in Lagos and Abuja, the commercial and political capitals, respectively.

There is, however, an increasing number of deals being signed in other cities, such as Enugu, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Benin City.

The pace of deal making in Nigeria has noticeably slowed down, with only 6 deals signed in 2017 compared to 10 in both 2015 and 2016, a reflection of the economic situation in the country.

Hotel pipeline development in terms of total planned rooms for Nigeria is down 5.1% on last year, but it still has 4,146 rooms actually under construction, out of a total of 9,603 in 57 hotels.

Impressive strides have been made by Cote d’Ivoire, moving

NAMA deploys stand-alone VHF radios at Lagos sub-FIR

N

igerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has successfully deployed two Jotron highpowered very high frequency (VHF) long-range communication radios, each installed in Lagos West and Lagos East Area Control Centres (ACCs) to address Remote Control Air to Ground (RCAG) communication challenges in the nation’s upper airspace.

The installation of equipment which began a few weeks ago culminated in the successful Site Acceptance Test (SAT) carried out by NAMA engineers in conjunction with their counterparts from Jotron AS, Norway.

Speaking during the Site Accept-

27

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

AVIATION

Aviation industry not ready for National Carrier

By VICTOR NZE

F

EDERAL Government needs to, as a matter of priority, ensure that challenges bedeviling the aviation industry in the area of regulations, are fixed before embarking on the planned roll out of the National Carrier by December, this year, according to operators and other sector experts.

The experts posit that if these issues are not effectively addressed before the emergence of the National Carrier, then what befell its predecessor, the Nigeria Airways, which wound up in September 2004,awaits the new project.

It would be recalled that earlier June, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muktar, had told newsmen at a forum in Lagos, that the Federal Government was finalizing plans for the new National Carrier to acquire an operational certificate by December, this year.

He also informed journalists that government had learnt from the mistakes of others to come up with a perfect arrangement, adding that once the operator meets the necessary requirements, the process of getting an Aircraft Operators Certificate would not be an issue as it takes only 90 days to obtain the certificate.

The aviation expert emphasized that the major thing for now was to ensure that the national carrier follows guidelines and meets international standards.

“The NCAA guides operators when it comes to documentation and preparation of the manual, which we produce. If there are errors or corrections, the NCAA works to see that everything comes out clean. All these we did with all other airlines. So, it is usual that you find us in that task force,” he said.

“We have been told to ensure that even before commencement, nothing is short-circuited and that the right process is followed,” Muktar added.

While commenting on insinuations that government was planning to have full control of the national carrier, the NCAA chief said federal government was not “midwifing it in the real sense of the national carrier, but it is guiding the process to ensure that it is done in line with international standards and best practices in the area of safety, security and also comfort of passengers.”

However, the concerns raised by experts and operators alike stem largely from what they describe as the inclement operational environment of the Nigerian aviation industry, that came to a head, last month with the airline owners declaring stoppage of remittances of Value Added Tax (VAT) on ticket sales, which in turn prompted the intervention of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The operators, under the umbrella body of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had frowned at the tax regime while

also noting that the Nigerian Domestic Airline Travel is the only mode of transportation that is subjected to VAT. Commenting on the proposed National Carrier, the airline owners described the project as not only ‘counterproductive’ but also ‘inimical to the overall interests of the present corps of private entrepreneurs,’ adding that the private operators were ‘still at a loss as to the relevance or need for a National Carrier at this point in time in the history of the nation.’

Presenting the position of the airline owners, during a press briefing in Lagos recently, Chairman of the group, Capt. Nogie Meggison observed that said there should be a level playing field and transparency in the operations of the planned national carrier.

He said if the federal government is sincere about the establishment of a national carrier their members should have been in- • Moribund Nigeria Airways vited to come and take equities in and charges that come under charges which the local airlines the national carrier.

Meggison pointed out that the guise of statutory levies in are forced to pay,” according to bringing the Director General of addition to other charges. These Meggison, who further lamented the NCAA, the industry regulator include 5 per cent Ticket Sales that even with all these charges, to be part of the committee to set Charge, 5 per cent Cargo Sales many of the airports in the counup or run a private sector national Charge, 5 per cent Value Added try do not have runway lights and carrier is ‘a misnomer that should Tax (VAT), Passenger Service navigational landing aids stating Charge, Charter Sales Charge, that such airports are only open not happen anywhere.’

“In the overall scheme of Aircraft Inspection Fees, Simu- between 7am and 6pm daily.

Also commenting, the Internathings, the National Carrier can lator Inspection Fees, Landing only result in a huge distortion to Charges, Parking Charges, Termi- tional Air Transport Association the current market and will be a nal Navigational Charge, Enroute (IATA) Area Manager, Southwest huge drainpipe to government’s Charge, Fuel Surcharge, Airport Africa, Mr. Samson Fatokun, said treasury. In this regard therefore, Space Rent, Electricity Charges, during a Federal Inland Revenue we urge the Federal Government and Apron Pass, Ramp Access Service (FIRS) parley with AON, to provide clarity on the Agenda Charges, ODC and a newly im- recently, that the tax agency whether it’s for job creation or posed Registration Fee all of should assist airlines in Nigeria by for profit as well as steps being which are paid to government evolving measures that will ensure their sustenance. Absence of taken in the establishment of this agencies.

“Many of these taxes and such assistance, he said, has led National Carrier, especially when viewed against the background charges amount to double taxa- to the collapse of many airlines.

While identithat the Minfying multiple ister of State charges as part Aviation has i n d i c a t e d These complaints by airline operators are embar- of the problems grapple that this airrassing and should be addressed before commis- airlines with, Fatokun line will comNigerian mence op- sioning that new national carrier, except, of course, said erations on they want to start a trade war with private owners carriers have an average morDecember by creating for the new carrier a different tax and tality rate of 10 24, 2018. stress“Moreover, levies regime different from the one for the private years, ing that there this model is no longer operators. This has to be only country in the world was an inherent practicable where the government levies operators extremely problem in the operating enviworldwide just so as to fund the regulators’ activities ronment that inas back in creases the high the 70s, 80 mortality rate. percent of Rising from the airlines in a one-day senEurope were government owned airlines. To- tion such that any incentive seem- sitization workshop on the Sinday, 98 percent of the airlines ingly provided by government to gle African Air Transport Market airlines is taken back by the agen- (SAATM), also known as the Afrihave been privatized,” he said. can Open Skies agreement, which It would also be recalled that cies.

“The Nigerian Airspace Man- took place last April at the Nigeria during an earlier forum, the AON had listed a plethora of taxes ad agement Authority (NAMA) Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) levies regime paid by operators, charges domestic airlines differ- Annex under the theme: ‘Implewhich it said has resulted in the ent kinds of navigational charges mentation of SAATM: Its impact demise of many airlines in the which they should ordinarily be on the Nigerian Aviation Industry exempted from in line with global and National Economy,’ Meggicountry.

Nigeria presently has less than best practice, except Nigeria. The son used the platform to further eight viable private operators in implemented charges range from raise worries over the harsh opthe industry, as many others have Terminal Navigational charges erational environment in Nigeria.

“Nigerian airlines are subjected closed shop or under administra- to enroute navigation charges, Over-flight charges, clearance to multiple charges, taxes, levies tion.

“Domestic airlines, on the aver- charges, and extension charges. and fees. On the average, we pay age, pay about 35 per cent to 40 Even foreign airlines don’t pay about 37 different charges that per cent of a ticket cost as taxes enroute charges or extension come under the guise of statuto-

‘

‘

ry levies and taxes to sustain staff strength of about 18,000 staff of the various government agencies compared to most African carriers who pay a fraction in their countries to support staff strength of less than 500,” he said.

In view of these operational challenges, therefore, experts wonder under which environment the planned National Carrier would operate in, as clearly the business condition which has strangulated nearly five airlines in the last two years has become toxic for operators.

While some aviation experts add that government should as a matter of importance, move to win back confidence of investors by rolling out incentives geared towards that end, in addition to easing up on some charges and levies to allow gestation periods for new competitions, others maintain that government should adequately fund its agencies who in turn should focus on sanitizing and regulating the industry.

“If these operational clogs are not removed before commissioning the new Nigeria Airways, then you can be rest assured that the new project will meet the same fate as its predecessor because that particular carrier went under due to operational realities in the form of industry challenges coupled with some unprofessionalism.

“These complaints by airline operators are embarrassing and should be addressed before commissioning that new national carrier, except, of course, they want to start a trade war with private owners by creating for the new carrier a different tax and levies regime different from the one for the private operators. This has to be only country in the world where the government levies operators extremely just so as to fund the regulators’ activities,” opined Mike Aderoju, a ticketing officer at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION PTAD commences computation of 19, 561 pensioners Stories by VICTOR NZE

P

ENSION Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the computation of 19, 561 verified pensioners of defunct and privatized agencies and firms in the country.

The affected organizations include: Nigeria Reinsurance, Delta Steel Company, NICON Insurance, and NITEL. A statement by PTAD, Friday, said while the computation of Nigeria Reinsurance’s 371 and Delta Steel Company’s 4,261 pensioners already commenced last June 28, and July 3, respectively, those for NICON Insurance’s 1,211 as well as NITEL’s 13,718 retirees would take place on July 4 and August 7, also.

PTAD further explained that the continuation of its computation of pension benefits and related entitlements due to regular pensioners and their Next of Kin (NOKs) was meant for qualified deceased pensioners respectively.

“Following the successful veri-

fication exercise carried out in Q4 of 2017 and Q1 of 2018 by the Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) for pensioners of some defunct and privatised agencies, PTAD has continued the computation of pension benefits and related entitlements due to regular

pensioners and Next of Kin (NOKs) to qualified deceased pensioners respectively.

“So far, the Directorate has completed the computation and enrolment of pensioners of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Nigerian Defence Academy – Civilians

Old Mutual, Ecobank sign MoU on Bancassurance

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Oak Pensions assures better investment return for contributors

O

AK Pension Limited has reiterated commitment to giving its contributors better returns on their investment.

This was disclosed by the company’s chairman Dr. Awa Ibraheem, during the company’s 12th yearly general meeting in Lagos.

“Our duty is to manage the funds on behalf of the retirees and ensure the funds grow so that when they retire, they benefit more than what they contributed.

Our retirees are happy with us with the rate of return on investment,” according to the chairman.

Ibraheem said that OAK Pensions tries to balance the return with the risk, by making sure that the interest of its retirees is well protected, and balancing the high returns with low risk.

To get closer to its stakeholders, he said that the company has extended its call centers so that its interaction with retirees will be more efficient and effective.

“We have also gone far by improving on our ICT, we have completely computerised now, and on the feedback we are getting from retirees, it is much easier for them to be served than in the past,” he said.

The chairman also said that OAK was motivating its staff, and that the company had been able to retain the best hands who were also doing well to cater for the contributors.

He said that the company was preparing to welcome the informal sector into the company when the micro-pension scheme eventually commences.

While observing that most of the contributors of the Contributory Pension Scheme were from the government and private sector, he said that the informal sector were actually the drivers of the economy.

“What we are doing now is to expand our informal sector department, to provide them with more facilities,” he said Ibraheem said that the company was committed to protecting the financial future of the Nigerian workers and will continue to enlighten the informal sector on the need to key into the CPS.

onto monthly pension payroll since April 2018.

“Presently, the computation of the pension benefits of the pensioners of the remaining agencies are on-going,” said the statement.

•(From left): Mr Chris Dieke, Zonal Business Manager, South-East, Premium Pension Limited, Mr Chidi Ezema, Head of Service, Enugu State Government, Mrs Kemi Oluwashina, Executive Director, Business Development, South and Strategy, and Mr Paddy Ezeala, Regional Manager, South – East during a courtesy visit to the Head of Service, Enugu State recently.

Regulators target 40m financially-excluded Nigerians

A

UTHORITIES in the nation’s insurance sector say they are committed to ensuring that more than 40 million Nigerians who are excluded financially are empowered and brought into the system through insurance.

President of Institute of Loss Adjusters (ILAN), Alhaji Femi Hassan, said in Lagos, Monday at a media briefing that the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), the umbrella body for all insurance institutions in the country, was committed to the project.

The IICC consists of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the regulatory body, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA).

Others are Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) and Institute of Loss Adjusters (ILAN).

“The 2012 Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) survey revealed that 40 million adults are still financially excluded,” Hassan said.

The hurdle above, according to Hassan, had prevented many adults from contributing maximally to national development.

Hassan said the authorities would make insurance services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses irrespective of networth and sizes.

On the forthcoming National Insurance Conference, Hassan said the financial exclusion would be addressed at the conference scheduled for Abuja from July 8 to July 10.

He said the theme of the 2018 conference is “Insurance Industry and Financial Inclusion”.

Hassan, who is the Chairman of Planning Committee, said the conference would highlight stakeholders’ roles in attracting financially excluded Nigerians into financial sector using insurance.

According to him, the survey made the Central Bank of Nigeria to launch the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in October 2012.

“The aim of NIFIS was to reduce

the number of Nigerians that are excluded financially and get them empowered, promote savings, increase investments and income among others.”

He stressed the need to boost insurance industry’s contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Hassan said Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had accepted to open the conference, while the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, would give a keynote address.

He added that the CBN Deputy Governor in charge of financial stability, Miss Aishah Ahmad is expected chair discussion session.

Vice-Chairman of the committee, Mr Mufutau Oyegunle, also said at the briefing that the insurance industry would stop at nothing to increase its contributions to the nation’s GDP. He expressed the hope that insurance penetration would increase from the present 0.07 per cent after the conference as many Nigerians would be sensitised and encouraged to take up insurance policies.

Project and Resources (GHPR) in collaboration with Anadach Group USA. Speaking on the recognition, Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health Limited, Mr Tope Adeniyi, stated that, “We are truly delighted to be recognized as the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) of the year by the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA). This recognition is indicative of our unwavering commitment to provide effective healthcare solutions to Nigerians.”

AXA Mansard Health recently launched Easy Care health insur-

ance plan which allows subscriber to access various health care services with as low as N12,000.

Some of the available services on the plan include; In and Out Patient Care, General and Specialist Consultation; X-Rays; Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests. Other health care benefits accessible to subscribers on the plan are NPI Immunizations; Prescribed Medicines & Drugs; Accidents & Emergencies; Dental care; Evacuation of patients to the hospital; HIV/AIDS – to the Extent of Diagnosis and Treatment at Free Specialist Centres nationwide.

AXA Mansard Health wins Best HMO at NHEA

A

XA Mansard Health, duly regulated by NHIS, has been announced as the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) of the year.

The firm was bestowed with the honour at the 2018 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) held in Lagos last Friday.

NHEA is an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding personalities and organisations for contribution to the health sector through innovative, efficient and qualitative healthcare delivery services.

It is an initiative of Global Health

LD Mutual General Insurance and Old Mutual Life have announced a Bancassurance agreement with Ecobank Nigeria to offer insurance products and services to existing and prospective customers in Nigeria.

Managing Director, Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Company, Keith Alford, who disclosed this in Lagos said the partnership known as the ‘Bancassurance Referral Model,’ offers Old Mutual an extensive outlet to offer life and general insurance products to Nigerians across 62 Ecobank branches in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ibadan.

The partnership according to him is will be extended to 200 branches across Nigeria by 2019, adding that the partnership which commenced on 4th June 2018 enjoys the approval of the related industry regulators, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the sale of insurance products in banks through the Bancassurance Referral Model.

“The Old Mutual-Ecobank Bancassurance partnerships already exists across eight African countries with Nigeria projected to be the most robust in reach and spread.

“Having been in partnership with Ecobank on other fronts of our business over the years, this Bancassurance partnership further strengthens the capacity of both financial institutions to offer multiple access points for our various products and services to customers across Nigeria and indeed Africa.

“This is very unique and strategic. Through this partnership, Old Mutual will leverage on Ecobank’s existing customer base, and wide distribution to promote financial inclusion and insurance penetration whilst pushing our brand offerings to customers of Ecobank.

“Customers and corporates with multiple footprint across African markets now have a one stop shop for all their Bancassurance services within the continent. With Old Mutual and Ecobank’s exemplary track record and extensive years of experience in providing financial and insurance services, customers are empowered to do more with increased access to insurance solutions.”

On his part, Executive Director, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs Carol Oyedeji said: “We are delighted to be consolidating our longstanding partnership with Old Mutual in Nigeria. It is an alliance of brands whose pan-African agenda and customer delivery objectives align perfectly.

“This strategic partnership is one of the ways Ecobank Nigeria aims to create a one-stop hub for robust financial services offerings. Our customers in Nigeria like others in selected markets on the continent now have the advantage of accessing our excellent banking services and Old Mutual’s insurance expertise under one roof.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

INSURANCE & PENSION

NIA generates over N1.5b from tax refunds, contributions Stories by VICTOR NZE

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IGERIAN Insurers Association (NIA) has secured a tax refund of over N1 billion in the year 2017.

In addition, the umbrella body of all the operating insurance companies across the country, received a total contribution of over N500 million within the period under review.

The immediate past Chairman of the association, Eddie Efekoha, disclosed the figures, while making a valedictory press briefing during which he gave account of his stewardship within his two years tenure.

He said the fund realised from tax refunds and contributions from members amounting to N1.5 billion is being ploughed into the ongoing construction of NIA Towers.

Efekoha stated that the construction has commenced for the seven-storey new secretariat building and it will cost the association a

total of N1.5 billion to complete it in the next two years.

We are delighted that the building construction has taken off. We will continue to work hard to make sure the building is completed in the next two years. I thank members for their support, morally and financially, in making the building realisable.

Eddie pointed out that the two years of his leadership was very productive and four critical areas in line with the theme were significantly addressed.

While discussing on the topic: Sustainable Market Development Through Stakeholders Engagement, he said it was strategically chosen to address the observed information gap that exists between the insurance profession/industry and the insuring public/other stakeholders.

He said NIA has been able to engage stakeholders constructively and has recorded productive relationships.

•(From left): Ndubueze Onyekachi of Aba Sales Region, overall winner, 2017 FBNInsurance Retail Awards, receiving the keys to a brand new car from Val Ojumah, MD/CEO, FBNInsurance at the firm’s annual retail awards in Aba.

to enhance industry FBNInsurance rewards outstanding salesmen with car, trip to Dubai NAICOM urges synergy among insurance armsever, it was misconstrued as a licence

M

ANAGEMENT of FBNInsurance has rewarded top retail agents at the firm’s annual Retail Awards in Aba, Abia State, in line with the company’s corporate strategy and continued commitment to growing the insurance retail market, At the event, Ndubueze Onyekachi of the Aba Sales Region, won a brand new car as the overall winner in the financial advisor category; Ikenhi Wisdom got an allexpense paid trip to Dubai as first runner-up while Iyogwoya Rose-

line, last year’s winner, won a 55” OLED TV as the second runner-up.

Speaking at the event, Head, Retail Distribution, FBNInsurance, Odinakachi Umekwe, acknowledged the support of the Board and Management of the company while encouraging the winners not to relent in their sales drive. “Winning is not the end of it, there is always more work to be done. Congratulations for winning this time, but remember, many others want to win too; so, work harder,” he said.

Prestige Assurance settles N750m fire insurance claim

P

RESTIGE Assurance Plc has says it recently paid out a total sum of N749,680,925.20 as claims in a single fire incident to one of its numerous customers, Celplas Industries Limited.

The incident which caused extensive damage to its plants and machineries, raw materials as well as finished goods, is similar to the fire incident that happened in 2017, where N200 million was paid to Rida Plastics as a co-insurer.

Managing Director, Dr. Balla Swamy, stated that over the years, the company’s prompt claims settlement has helped to strengthen the relationship between the company and our customers across the country.

“Our quest in meeting the growing needs of our esteemed clients and assuring the insuring public of our desire to provide best cover, have seen us repackage our Reinsurance arrangement with the support of A rated Reinsurers across the globe such as Africa Re, Continental Re and WAICA Re. “In his words, we do not allow our customers to go through distasteful experience in the process of getting their claims settled. Our processes are hinged on professionalism, speed, ethics and promptness”.

Executive Director of Celplas Industries, Mr. Abhijit expressed his satisfaction for the timely claims settlement by Prestige Assurance Plc in restoring the company to status quo to resume their operations.

Dr. Swamy also reiterated the payment of Dana Aviation legal liability

claims which was a major national calamity where USD42,000,000 has been paid by the insurance industry with the support of the Regulator.

He further noted the fact that the company is totally committed to settling all genuine claims within the agreed time frame.

He said, “there is no compromise to genuine claims settlement in the company and that will always remain so to keep our customers always coming back.

He also expressed his appreciation to all the customers for reposing confidence on Prestige which remains one of the reputable brands in providing timely service delivery and customized insurance products.

The recent innovative products available to the Nigerian market are Prestige Mediclaim Policy, Prestige Worldwide Travel Insurance and Prestige Salary Protection Shield meant for the employed youths.

C

OMMISSIONER for Insurance (CFI), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Alhaji Mohammed Kari, has called for synergy among arms of insurance to enhance the industry.

Kari who made the call in a statement issued by Mr Rasaq Salami, the Public Relations Officer of NAICOM in Lagos, Thursday, spoke at the justconcluded Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Chief Executives retreat in Uyo. The theme of the retreat is “The Future Broker’’.

The insurance arms include The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), and Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA).

Others are the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Institute of Loss Adjusters (ILAN) and Association of Registered Insurance Agents (ARIAN).

Kari said synergy among the arms would also enhance growth of the industry.

He, however, expressed regrets that such synergy was often ignored by the “we will do it alone’’ attitude being displayed by some arms, stressing that such practice is not healthy.

Kari who said that there was the need for brokers to address the practice in order to be part of the future market, explained that NAICOM’s approach to regulation was an interactive one and should be emulated.

“Primarily, NAICOM encourages self-regulation where feasible, how-

Linkage Assurance names Braie Acting MD/CEO

B

OARD of Directors, Linkage Assurance Plc, last Tuesday, announced the appointment of Daniel Braie as Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

He takes over from Dr Pius Apere whose appointment with the Company ended 21st June 2018.

The decision follows an emergency board meeting held on the 21st June

2018.

According to statement made available to regulatory authorities, the decision was taken in line with the Articles of Association of the Company and the employment contract of the Managing Director.

He will be in charge of the management of the Company pending the appointment and confirmation of substantive Managing Director.

UTUAL Benefits Assurance Plc has received approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to go ahead with plans to raise N2billion through right issue towards its five years plan and enhance its financial status.

The insurer will be selling shares to existing shareholders by way of rights issue of 4,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at 50 kobo per share on the basis of one new ordinary shares.

Shareholders of the company had approved the board proposal to raise additional equity at an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Ibadan on

June 27, 2018.

Acceptance List for the rights issue opens on Monday, August 6, 2018, to close on Friday, September 14, 2018, while the rights being offered are tradable on the floor of The Nigerian Stock Exchange for the duration of the programme.

The insurance cVompany, a general business and life insurer, has an authorised share capital of N10 billion with a paid up capital of N4billion.

The company provides insurance coverage across several sectors including aviation, oil and gas, marine cargo and hull business and other non-life insurance underwriting, in-

mation of the IICC is to give a unified and cohesive voice to the industry, adding that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun will give a keynote address, while the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, will be the Chief Host.

According to him, the conference, with the theme: ìInsurance Industry and Financial Inclusionî, will feature an array of highly resourceful speakers to do justice to the subject of discourse, adding that the Founder/Chairman, Zenith

Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, will discuss the theme paper.

He maintained that in view of the topical nature of the theme, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Financial System Stability, Aishah Ahmad, is expected to be the Chairman of session, while a team of seasoned discussants, notably the Head, Financial Inclusion Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Temitope Akin-Fadeyi; Olu Okunnu of Old Mutual; and Dr. Ndubisi Chinedu would lend their dependable voices.

cluding motor, fire and special perils, goods-in-transit, engineering insurance, retail and micro insurance, amongst others.

Chairman of the company Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, at a completion board meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, said that the proceeds of the offer will be used to fund the Company recapitalisation and growth plan, provision of additional working capital and financing the expansion of IT facilities to support the company enlarged operations.

We will consolidate on the modest achievements recorded in 2017 by commencing our IT transformation blueprint in 2018,î he said, adding that the move will help to eliminate slack time in its processing and ultimately enable them to focus more on customer delights and satisfaction.

Our strategic aspiration is to become the number one insurance company in Nigeria in terms of growth and profitability.

Despite the tough business environment we have been able to bounce back to profitability and delight our shareholders. Dividend of N0.02kobo per share will be paid to our esteemed shareholders who have stood by us over the years, he said.

SEC approves Mutual Benefits’ N2b rights issue

M

IICC confab to discuss sector, financial inclusion T he fourth edition of the Insurance Industry Consultative Conference (IICC), scheduled for July 8 to 10 in Abuja, will gather stakeholders in the industry to discuss issues affecting the economy, how it relates to insurance and the financial inclusion programme.

The conference is expected to be declared open by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, according to the Chairman, Planning Committee, Femi Hassan, at a media parley in Lagos.

He said the idea behind the for-

for statutory independence. This is a misnomer in any clime,” he said.

Kari said that in order to bridge the regulation and supervision gap, the commission would continually issue new and supplementary guidelines.

“To supplement tweaking in the distribution channels, this would expose specific drafts of guidelines directed to each arm. When that of the Brokers’ is released, you would see the commission’s idea for the future broker.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

EQUITY & Capital Market Expansion: Dangote cement targets 3 more African countries Stories by JEROME USHAKANG

G

ROUP Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Joseph Makoju has disclosed that there is an ongoing plan by the company to further expand into three more African countries in the next few months in continuation of its investments and expansion drive.

This would bring to a total of 17 countries where Dangote Cement factories are located, with the successful completion of the plants in the three African countries yet to be named. The company currently has operations in fourteen African countries, including Ethiopia where it, unfortunately, faces protracted mining disputes with local youths.

The tense controversy recently resulted in a tragedy following the shooting dead of the company’s Country Manager, Deep Kamara.

Makojo was speaking recently when some top management personnel of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) visited the Ibese Cement Plant on a facility tour.

He described the expansion drive as strategic and necessary towards the actualisation of economic advancement on the African continent, while also ensuring that the Dangote brand becomes the most preferable to most African consumers.

The GMD said, “In the last 10 years, Dangote Cement has embarked on an aggressive expansion drive, which has seen it having an annual production of cement to the tune of over 29 million metric tonnes from its three production plants in Ibese, Obajana and Gboko, thus effectively eliminating the importation of cement. Wherever we operate, we operate as economic partners, because we

add value to the economy by creating employment.”

Makoju was represented by Dangote Cement’s National Sales and Distribution Director, Mr Adeyemi Fajobi,who added that the company’s investments are already contributing to the economic betterment of the countries where they currently operate.

Meantime, apart from expanding into other countries, Dangote Cement is also in the business of exporting its products to countries such as Togo, Benin and Ghana.

Makoju noted that the exportation helps with foreign exchange generation for Nigeria.

In another development, the company had earlier revealed that it will also begin the exportation of about 3mnt of clinker per annum to Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Cameron latest by this fourth quarter of 2018.

There are great expectations that expansion in other territories, as well as increased exportation of Dangote Cement to other African countries, will altogether improve the company’s revenue and profit, and by extension increase shareholders’ chances of earning higher dividends.The company currently has the biggest traded stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) by market capitalisation.

The company recently declared a 16 percent revenue increase for the first quarter of 2018 ended March 31st. The company’s revenue grew from N208 billion in the first quarter of 2017 to N242 billion in first quarter of 2018.

Dangote Cement is a subsidiary of Dangote Group. The company was founded in 1992 and is one of the biggest cement producers in the country. The company’s shares traded at N225 during today’s session on the NSE.

NMRC seeks approval for $1.4bn debt programme

N

IGERIA Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) plans to seek approval from members by the end of the month to triple the size of its debt programme to 440 billion naira, the state-backed mortgage agency said, Monday.

Nigeria set up a mortgagebacked guarantee company in 2014, partly with World Bank

aid, in an effort to boost lending through the creation of a secondary housing market, which is virtually non-existent in Africa’s most populous nation.

NMRC said the notes could be issued through non-convertible loans and bonds, either through public offering, private placement or a book-building process, it said in a notice to members.

Ecobank plans dollar bond after investor meetings

E

COBANK has mandated international lenders to arrange investor meetings in Britain and the United States, after which it plans to issue a fiveyear dollar-denominated bond, the African bank said on Monday.

Ecobank, which has operation

in 36 African countries, has hired Deutsche Bank, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered to arrange meetings from June 18, it said.

Proceeds from the offering will be used for debt refinancing among other things, Ecobank said.

Insurance industry grows premium by N47bn

T

HE Gross Written Premium (GPW) of insurance companies in Nigeria grew by N47.1 billion in 2017, according to the Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA).

The GPW is the value of total business undertaken by insurance companies during the period.

Immediate past Chairman of NIA, Mr Eddie Efekoha, disclosed this at the association’s 2017 and 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

Efekoha who said that the GPW grew to N363 billion from N315.96 billion recorded in 2016, attributed this success to the Market Restructure and Development Initiative (MDRI) of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

He said NIA had also put introduced a monitoring team to ensure that the 58 insurance companies under its umbrella operated ethically and paid claims promptly to policy holders.

•Baylon Duru, First Vice President, Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association; Felix Ekundayo, Deputy President, Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association; Tinuade Awe, Executive Director, Regulation, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nuhu Yakubu, President, Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, Alhaji Auwalu Ilu, Managing Director, Ultimate Gas Limited and Tukur Sahabi, Director, Borkir Int. Co. Limited during a Closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange.

Britain, Nigeria to list naira bonds in London

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RITAIN and Nigeria are exploring ways to list nairadenominated bonds on the London Stock Exchange to help fund infrastructure projects in the West African country, the City of London’s Lord Mayor told Reuters.

Charles Bowman, who acts as an ambassador for the British capital’s financial district, made the comments during a three-day visit to Nigeria during which he held talks with the vice president, trade minister and representatives of both Nigeria’s stock exchange and central bank.

Nigeria, once a darling for frontier investors, suffered its worst recession in a generation in 2016 after the price of its main export - oil - collapsed. It has since recovered but growth is fragile, with dilapidated infrastructure holding it back.

“We are looking at clever methods of essentially being able to list, by way of example naira-denomi-

nated bonds, but having those listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Having local bonds with an access point into the London Stock Exchange,” said Bowman.

Bowman, speaking to Reuters in an interview in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, did not provide specific details of who had been involved in the talks, how advanced discussions were or when such a move could take place.

“We have a lot of capital in London but we don’t have the projects to support. Nigeria has lots of projects to support and not the capital - you are reliant on the banking structure,” said Bowman.

“Unleash the capital market, link London and Nigeria and what a great opportunity,” he said.

Britain voted in 2016 to leave the European Union, which has forced London to rethink its trade ties with the rest of the world. The United Kingdom and the EU struck an agreement in December that opened the way for talks on future

trade ties.

“Nigeria is an example where in due course one would hope to have a profitable, pragmatic free trade agreement,” said the lord mayor.

His comments come after Britain in February said its export finance agency would add the naira to its list of “pre-approved currencies”, allowing it to provide financing for transactions with Nigerian businesses denominated in the local currency.

He said the finance agency has so far provided 20 million pounds to local businesses from its 750 million pound facility.

Britain is due to leave the EU in March next year, a month after presidential elections are scheduled to take place in Nigeria.

Bowman said peaceful elections next year could help boost Nigeria’s image abroad and attract the sort of capital badly needed in the West African nation to develop infrastructure and propel growth.

eration for a long position, saying this is with reference to the fact that the bears are currently taking profits within the sector.

Market breadth closed negative, with 16 gainers versus 20 losers. Honeywell Flour recorded the highest price gain of 9.55 per cent, to close at N2.41, while Law Union and Rock Insurance followed with a gain of 9.30 per cent to close at 94 kobo per share.

Aiico Insurance and Lafarge Africa appreciated by five per cent each to close at 63 kobo and N42 respectively, while Regency Alliance Insurance appreciated by 4.17 per cent to close at 25 kobo per share.

On the other hand, Equity Assurance led the losers’ chart by 4.55 per cent, to close at 21 kobo per share. Wema Bank followed with a loss of 4.11 per cent to close at 70 kobo, while Diamond Bank shed

3.52 per cent to close at N1.37 per share.

Prestige Assurance depreciated by 3.51 per cent to close at 55 kobo, while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) declined by 3.50 per cent to close at N1.38 per share.

However, the total volume traded went up by 11.47 per cent per cent to 414.93 million shares, worth N4.45 billion, and traded in 3,354 deals. Transactions in the shares of Champion Breweries topped the activity chart with 140.36 million shares valued at N269.5 million. Sterling Bank followed with 47.77 million shares worth N66.42 million, while Zenith Bank traded 26.23 million shares valued at N651.78 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank traded 22.76 million shares valued at N921.56 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 19.56 million shares worth N209.19 million.

NSE indices sustain sliding profile, down by N83b

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RANSACTIONS on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) sustained sliding profile yesterday, following price losses suffered by most blue chip stocks, resulting to a further slide in market capitalisation by N83 billion.

Yesterday, the All Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 230.49 absolute points, representing a loss of 0.61 per cent to close at 37,733.44 points, as the year-to-date loss increased to 1.33 per cent. Similarly, the market capitalisation shed N83 billion to close at N13.669 trillion.

Declining shares of tier 1 bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and FBN Holdings depressed the NSE Banking Index by 0.72 per cent, which affected the general index of the market.

Analysts at APT Securities Limited noted that stocks within the banking sector are worth consid-

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

MONEY Market

NOTN’s attitude on AfCFTA agreement worries MAN •Seeks proper negotiation before ratification Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the Nigerian Office of Trade Negotiations’ (NOTN) in just concluded nationwide stakeholders’ engagements on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Nigeria’s’ possibility of ratifying the free trade agreement AfCFTA before the end of the 180 days deadline set by African Union (AU) member-countries, after the deal

was signed on March 21, may suffer another setback as local manufacturers have dissociated themselves from the outcome of the consultations being presented for Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.

The association in its observation said, the NOTN version of the outcomes of the stakeholders’ engagements and sensitization as reported in the media does not adequately reflect the overall proceedings and factual expressions at the meetings held across the country.

Heritage Bank partners NEFF to check e-fraud

H

ERITAGE Bank Plc, has partnered with the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) on the prevention of fraud in the Nigerian banking system.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said at unveiling of the 2017 NEFF annual report in Lagos that the bank was very proud of successes recorded by the forum, remarking that the advent of the forum has undoubtedly created revolutionary effect in the conception of banking services in the industry.

Sekibo who was represented by Mr. Ike Williams, Executive Director, Services and CIO of Heritage Bank said financial institutions in the country had exploited these successes to introduce innovative banking products, especially eproducts.

He said Heritage Bank would continue to support the forum and advised NEFF not to rest on its oars.

The Heritage Bank helmsman also commended Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, the out-going deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), operations as an exceptional leader who made invaluable contributions to the success of the forum, remarking that it will be difficult for any to surpass the achievements he recorded for the forum.

While unveiling the NEFF 2017 annual report, titled “Tightening the Belt of e-fraud Prevention: A 4 sided approach,” Adelabu, noted that in an environment that has witnessed fast-paced growth in both volume and value of electronic transactions, it would not be out of the ordinary if fraud attempts are also on the increase.

Adelabu who was represented

by Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, Director of other Financial Institutions Department of the CBN added that a true test of resilience security and strength of a payments system is where losses were minimized, and measures taken to learn from those losses to forestall a recurrence.

According to him, in the last six years of the forum existence, NEFF has consistently acted as a catalyst in the formulation of cohesive and effective fraud and risk management strategies.

He said the forum has contributed

to a year on year reduction in actual losses from e-fraud as reported by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBBS), which accounted for the 25.71 percent in actual loss value in 2017 when compared to actual loss figures for 2016.

Adelabu also commended NEFF for its decision to focus on fraud mitigation by engaging all stakeholders from banking, other eco system players, law enforcement agencies and telecommunication operators which has been put together to form the acronym BELT, from which collaboration should be tightened always.

In her contribution, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, Executive Director, Technology & Operations, NIBBS, said the organization has been adding value to the eco-system through the deployment of electronic banking and formulation of measures to monitor fraud.

She said NIBBS would continue to collaborate with other stakeholders in the continued effort to reduce e-fraud in the system.

Speaking with journalist in Lagos, MAN President, Dr. Frank Jacobs, said the association is worried that the outcomes could be misleading and may not put Nigeria in good stead and could inexorably put the nation in a disadvantaged position if or when the implementation of the AfCFTA commences.

According to Jacobs, “we are now even more worried that, in spite of the widespread concerns that necessitated Mr. President’s reservation of his signature at the summit in Kigali, the subsequent activities of the NOTN was not tailored towards addressing those concerns.

Rather than squarely addressing those critical issues, all efforts were

MDQ OTC Securities Exchange and S&P Dow Jones Indices have commenced co-branding of Indices collaboration leads to the successful transition of Nigeria’s foremost Sovereign Bond Index FMDQ, the foremost debt capital, foreign exchange and derivatives Over-The-Counter (OTC) securities exchange in Nigeria, and S&P Dow

stakeholders before presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and ratification of the trade agreement.

He believed that, AfCFTA is a good project that will benefit Nigeria if properly negotiated; as it would expand Market Access for export of Nigerian products and improve the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

“The starting point of an effective AfCTFA negotiation is the recommended studies, robust consultations and proper representation of manufacturing and the private sectors at all national and continental AfCFTA negotiation meetings. This we believe would equip members of the Nigerian negotiating team with requisite data for the negotiations ahead”, he said.

•Director, Services/Chief Information Officer, Heritage Bank Plc, Ike Williams; Executive Director, Technology and Operations, NIBSS Plc, Christabel Onyejekwe; Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), Dipo Fatokun and Director, Other Institutions Dept, CBN, Tokunbo Martins, at the sponsored 1st Annual General Meeting of NeFF at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Functional NPS crucial to financial sector – CBN

O

NE major factor that can reshape Nigeria’s financial sector is a well-functioning National Payments System (NPS).

Director, Banking & Payment Systems Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ‘Dipo Fatokun, revealed this over the weekend in Lagos.

Fatokun who was represented

by Assistant Director, Banking & Payments System Department, Taiwo Oladimeji, said a well-functioning NPS is crucial to the financial sector development as it increases confidence in the financial sector by ensuring a credible, reliable and efficient payment system.

He added that in recent years, the Nigerian payment landscape has experienced a lot of innovation, bursting with enterprise and reaching the unbanked and undeserved.

Speaking further, he said consumer protection, involves a whole range of laws, policies, structures, actions and behaviors designed to protect consumers

from the abuse and exploitation of service providers.

“Consumer protection is critical in improving access and usage of financial products and services. Ensures that increase access and usage of financial services, translate into benefits for the economy and individuals. Helps protect consumers from probable market abuse and exploitation. Helps consumers benefit from well informed decisions. Helps consumers appreciate how best to use and manage financial products and services,” he said.

The apex Bank according to Fatokun has directed all commercial banks to resolve disputes arising from use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel within three days.

Fatokun, said such resolution will help build more confidence in the payment system and bring more people into the financial services net.

He said some provisions of the regulatory framework for USSD

Jones Indices (S&P DJI), the world’s leading provider of financial market indices, had in 2017 announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to create and launch co-branded fixed income indices.

Today, the successful transition of the S&P/FMDQ Nigeria Sovereign Bond Index marks the activation of the inaugural co-branded index under the agreement. A range of

other S&P/FMDQ Fixed Income indices will be developed under the agreement.

The S&P/FMDQ Nigeria Sovereign Bond Index, formerly branded as S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Index, tracks the performance of local currency denominated sovereign debt publicly issued by the government of Nigeria in its domestic market.

S&P, FMDQ to track Nigeria’s Sovereign Bond

F

geared towards extolling the laudable objectives of the AfCFTA, its potential benefits and what Nigeria is expected to benefit from its implementation.”

The manufacturers urged government to provide details of how concerns bordering on the tariff lines and product lines (categorised using HS codes) that have been agreed for liberalisation, as well as the exclusion and sensitive lists, implementation of market access without negotiating the rules of origin and other safeguard measures, would be addressed once the AfCFTA is ratified.

Jacobs noted that the draft of the consultations, held with the private sector, remains shrouded in secrecy as no technical paper was presented for validation by the affected

such as the authentication measures for transactions, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), Date of SIM Swap, Date of Device change, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) among others were meant to make the channel more effective.

He said maximum USSD transaction limit remains N100,000 per customer per day adding that any amount above that requires customer to execute indemnity at the bank.

Speaking on the theme: Half-Year Review of Developments in the EPayment Industry and Customer Protection, Fatokun said: “USSD transactions above N20,000 require two-factor authentication (2FA). No USSD financial service should be activated for customer unless the deactivation mechanism is put in place with effect from October, 2018. In addition, the CBN is currently working to properly structure and formalize the sandbox arrangement in Nigeria by collaborating with some infrastructure providers like the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to interact with FinTechs”.

Fatokun added that the financial system is undergoing transformation through technology, adding that it is not only peculiar to the financial services sector, but all sectors of human endeavours.

“We are seeing new operators with technology savvy, more efficient models, and collaborations among new entrants as well as established participants in payments

systems in ways that exhibit regulatory challenges. To meet up with the challenges, some countries have adopted regulatory sandbox approach which is not totally novel to the CBN. We are however working to properly structure and formalize the sandbox arrangement in Nigeria by collaborating with some infrastructure providers to interact with FinTechs,” he said.

CBN injects $210m into foreign exchange market

C

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday injected 210 million dollars into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to sustain liquidity.

The CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said in Abuja that the apex bank offered 100 million dollars to authorised dealers at the wholesale segment of the market.

He said the Small and Medium Enterprises segment received 55 million dollars, while customers requiring foreign currencies for tuition, medical payments and travels were allocated 55 million dollars.

Okorafor said the CBN would continue to intervene in the inter-bank foreign exchange market in line with its desire to sustain liquidity in the market and maintain stability.

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

AGRIBUSINESS

Agribusiness, youth CHINEDU empowerment AGBAJI and NASS

By CHINEDU AGBAJI

A

gr0business is the business of agricultural production; it includes crop production, animal rearing, seed supplies, agrochemical, farm machinery, processing and packaging, marketing, retail sales and distribution. The ultimate target for any agriculture-related activities is bottom-line, profit.

With the decline in the oil sector, agriculture is becoming the most important sector in the Nigerian economy; indeed, it is THE FUTURE. But, it also comes with its own challenges, both natural and man-made. It has the capacity to employ a large number of Nigerians, including rural women and youths and contribute a large percentage to the country’s GDP. Nigeria remains a net importer of food, for many reasons. First, majority of the agriculture-focused operations in the country are small-scale. That means they have limited access to new technologies, inputs, harvesting, processing and packaging, distribution and markets. Most of the people engaged in agriculture operate at the grassroots level where their access to training and finance, which are among the biggest challenges faced by agribusiness in Nigeria, is very limited.

Meanwhile, engaging youths in various communities in agribusiness today will create the prospects for sustainable socioeconomic development and peace in the nation. Youths, who constitute the majority in the the population and should be visibly contributing as political actors, innovators, entrepreneurs and peace builders, however face disproportionate social, economic and political barriers, which prevent them from unleashing their full potential. To utilize Nigerian youths as potential agents of change requires empowering them with skills and programmes that would enable them to effectively contribute to the development of

their immediate environment through engagement in agricultural entrepreneurship, which has the capacity to engage a large number of them at all levels.

Youth empowerment is different from youth development because development is centered on developing individuals, while empowerment is focused on creating greater community change by relying on the development of individual capacity.

If our youths were empowered to engage into agro-allied businesses in their localities, there would be a change in the socio-economic activities in our communities because there is no community or local government area without a unique agro product. Farming activities would be boosted and as a result, jobs would be created and revenue generation for the farmers, the entrepreneur and government at all levels.

Agribusiness such as food processing and packaging is the business of adding values to agro produce by packaging and branding it.

Such processing and packaging can be done with: Cassava: Gari (Gari Ngwa,Otukpo gari,Edu gari,Ijebu gari), Starch, Abacha, flour).

Yam: Yam flour, tubers (tying it with a rope in 2-5 tubers with a branded name such as Gboko white,Giwa white, etc ) etc. Plantain: (flour, chips, bunch).

Local Rice: (rice flour for tuwo shinkafa, kunu geda, rice grains).

Beans: beans seed, beans flour (for moimoi,akara,soup) Soya-beans: grains, drink, powder and snacks etc.

Crayfish: wet or dry, even powdered.

Pepper: (Sokoto, Ose Nsukka) powder and can be used as an active ingredient for making spices such as yaji.

Potatoes (Irish/local): chips or seed.

Egwusi/Ogbon: Soup thickener.

Tomatoes: Tomato paste, powdered or fresh.

Onions: Powdered, flecks or fresh in a net bag.

AGRIBUSINESS

Ginger and Turmeric: Fresh, powdered, used to prepare ginger drink, as an ingredient for spices production.

Palm oil: Packaged in gallons and sachets.

Meat: Any kind of meat can be processed in different ways depending on the available market. It can be dried meat, powdered or baked, among others.

Garlic: Paste or powdered.

Processing and packaging is certain to bring about reduction in agro produce wastage.

However, if youth empowerment were focused on creating greater community change by relying on the development of youth capacity and involvement in adding value to produce in their community, the National Assembly (NASS) AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGE concept can produce 469 youth agro-entrepreneurs in our communities going by the number of Senators and House of Reps members in Nigeria This will go a long way in promoting and encouraging youth parwticipation in agribusinesses thereby creating jobs and revenue, food security and a sustainable development.

NASS AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGE is to produce 469 youth agropreneurs every year in a competitive, innovative agribusiness concept if well thought-out.

Profitability of food processing business

The returns on agribusiness are quite attractive because agro-produce processing business is a business with soaring return on investment in Nigeria today going by our population and improved standard of living.

With less than N1,000,000, you can comfortably start this business anywhere in Nigeria, even in your house, all you need is weighing machine, sealing machine and packaging material which will not cost you more than N200,000 depending on the scale you want operate.

But you are advised to process or package only locally sourced foods to avoid overhead cost, as dollar rate to Naira is very high and cost of agro commodities are on increase in the market. People are now patronizing locally processed food with the entrance of international supermarket brands in the country. With gradual improvement in the power sector, new malls being constructed according to international standard and the steady transformation of informal markets into more formal and modern facilities are setting new bars by providing a wide choice of shopping experiences in a modern, customer-oriented building.

Food processing and packaging is all about adding value to raw agro-produce sourced from our local communities.

33

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

Princess Diana ‘saved’ the Royal Family, Sir Richard Branson says

P

rincess Diana helped to “save” the Royal Family and stop Britain from becoming a republic, according to Sir Richard Branson.

The English entrepreneur, who was a friend of Diana’s, has said the 20th anniversary of her death should be treated as an opportunity to celebrate her legacy.

He explained: “She’s had two magnificent kids who have done fantastic things and will continue to do great things. And I would say that actually has saved the Royal Family.

“There was a time when Britain could have easily become a republic, a few years before her death.

“But now the thought of that has gone completely and I think that’s largely to due to her two wonderful children.”

Sir Richard first met Diana when she stayed on Necker Island, his private island paradise, with a young Prince William and Prince Harry.

Their regular tennis matches were often a time when she would talk about the more difficult aspects of her life in the public eye.

He said: “We used to play tennis together - she won of course.

We’d obviously talk afterwards, she’d had a lot of struggles, and particularly in the last two or three years of her life, she would open up about them.

“She put on a very strong face about it and just got on with her life.”

Sir Richard also recalled Diana’s sense of fun - and how she had “everybody in fits of laughter” during a Virgin Atlantic flight.

“She went into the cockpit with Prince William on her knee and she got on the loudspeaker to everybody in the plane and said ‘if you look out to the left you will see granny’s house’ as we flew over Windsor Castle,” he said.

Comedian Ruby Wax, who was also a friend of the Princess, recalls being totally star-struck the first time she met Diana.

She said: “As she shook my hand I went into a plie position, and I couldn’t pull out. I froze, with my legs in the second position in ballet as we call it.”

Wax has recently worked with Prince William and Prince Harry on their Heads Together campaign.

She believes that, like their mother, they are shining a light on causes that traditionally have been surrounded by stigma.

“Mental health has such bad implications, so I would rather that they’re the representatives than someone who is on screen. These are clean, healthy, smart, sexy boys,” Wax added.

Name: Sonia Tel: 08027648715.

• If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS Stray dogs in India turned blue by pollution in river

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esidents living near India’s financial capital Mumbai were shocked to see a number of stray dogs had turned a bright shade of blue.

It emerged the animals had been wading through water as they searched for food in the Kasadi river where untreated industrial waste from nearby factories had been dumped.

There are claims at least one of the dogs had gone blind and other animals, including birds, had also been affected by the pollution in Navi Mumbai.

Arati Chauhan, who runs the Navi Mumbai animal protection shelter, was the first to highlight the issue.

She told Sky News: “It’s just not dogs. All other animals are being affected by the environ-

ment pollution. I witnessed five such dogs. In fact, one of the dogs has gone blind.”

Ms Chauhan said she when she went to survey the area her eyes started burning and she fell sick. She said: “I had to see a doctor and am still recovering.”

She added: “Workers in the factories and security men guarding various factories tell me they have health issues, breathing is a problem, but say ‘We are helpless, we have to work here it’s our bread and butter’.”

There are about 1,000 pharmaceutical, dye manufacturing and food factories in the Taloja district.

A quality check by the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation found the waste treatment of

effluents was inadequate.

The level of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was 80 milligrams a litre.

According to official guidelines, fish die when the BOD level is above 6mg/l, and a level above 3mg/l makes the water unfit for human consumption.

For years, activists have complained to authorities of indiscriminate dumping of untreated effluents into the river, but to no avail.

Ms Chauhan and her group have now filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

Anil Mohekar, regional officer of the board, told reporters they were aware of the complaint, adding: “Discharge of dye into any water body is illegal. We will

ROMANTIC JOKE MASTER OF THE HOUSE

A solicitor for the Red Cross called upon a well-to-do young couple for a donation. Hearing a commotion inside he knocked extra-loudly on the door. A somewhat disheveled man admitted him in. “What can I do for you?” he growled, clearly upset about something. “I would like to speak to the master of the house,” said the solicitor politely. “Then you’re just in time,” barked the young man. “My wife and I are settling that very question right now!” take action against the polluters as they are destroying the environment.”

One of the industrial units producing chemical dyes has been sealed by authorities.

Ms Chauhan claimed only part of the factory was sealed and not the manufacturing unit.

She said: “It’s all hogwash.

How can only one factory pol-

lute the entire area. Hundreds of factories are saving money by dumping toxins in the river instead of sending it to the mandatory common effluent treatment plant.”

The Taloja industrial zone, located outside Mumbai, employs almost 76,000 people and generates billions of pounds a year for the economy.

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

True Confession

‘He slept with his own daughter-in-law’

I

couldn’t take my eyes off Bimpe when I first saw her. Her ravishing figure was the first thing that attracted my attention. She was tall and shapely, with the right curves in all the right places. Her face was beautiful and shone like the Northern Lights. It was brightly lit with a most charming smile that seemed to charm even the very earth on which she walked. Her boobs were firm, full and high, and the points of her nipples were quite conspicuous through the black blouse she wore over a blue jeans skirt.

She left me breathless with the way she swung her hips, and the spectacle of her long slender legs moving in rhythm blew my mind. I had never seen a girl with so much sex appeal before in my life, and so I had completely fallen for her even before I had become acquainted with her.

I couldn’t help but stare at her like one transfixed, as she walked up to the bus stop to wait for a taxi to take her to the place she was going.

Even though we were neighbours residing in the same housing estate in Lagos, I had never been able to summon the courage to toast her in the past. But that day, it was as though a new spirit of boldness seized me.

Maybe it was because I was going crazy due to the maximum sex appeal she was oozing.

So I damned the consequences, ignored the odds and took the future of my love-life in my hands as I walked up to her at the bus stop.

Luckily for me, Bimpe had not yet been able to flag down a taxi when I got to the place she was standing. I had always been a shy guy, and although I had been bold enough to step to her, I still managed to introduce myself with some shyness.

“Hi, Bimpe, remember me? I’m your neighbour here in Dolphin Estate,” I said. To my surprise, Bimpe smiled back at me and seemed delighted to see me. “I’ve always thought you never talk, since you’re the most quiet guy in the neighbourhood,” she said, with a little mischief in her voice.

I knew she was only teasing me in a positive and cheerful manner, so I calmed down and relaxed, and gladly let go of my nervousness. That was how we became friends and then I saw her off to the shopping complex she was heading to.

But Bimpe showed that she was really different from the crowd of girls that I had known before her. At the shopping complex, we visited a boutique and she offered to buy several shirts and trousers for me at the men’s section of the boutique.

No woman had ever bought a gift of clothes for me before. And from that moment, I made up my mind to make Bimpe my one and only steady girlfriend. Her positive attitude and character were just too good to be overlooked by any man in his right senses.

When I returned home that day, I tested my new clothes and found to my delight that they were a perfect fit. All my friends admired my new shirts but I was too ashamed to tell them that a lady had bought them for me, because I thought they would laugh at me and portray me as unmanly.

However, that is not to say that I did not appreciate what Bimpe had done for me. In fact, I treasured it in my heart as an unforgettable act of love.

I didn’t have to tell Bimpe formally that I wanted her to be my one and only girlfriend.

It was not necessary to put my intention into words, because my feelings for her were clearly expressed in the way I looked into her eyes and held her hands.

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words. So every fool would have known that I cared about Bimpe from the way he saw me acting whenever I was with her. Indeed, I considered it a rare privilege to be blessed with the company of such a pretty girl. In Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, where we lived, I was sure that there was no one as adorable and lovable as Bimpe. She was simply my Cinderella, my one and only princess.

I had dreams of spending the rest of my life with a kind-hearted lady who would show a man true love. I wasn’t in any doubt

about Bimpe’s feelings for me because I noticed the glow in her eyes whenever she saw me, and I could almost hear the sound of her heart beating wildly whenever I held her in my arms and kissed her soft sweet lips.

My darling Bimpe was like a wild rose flower waiting to be picked by a handsome prince who would offer her true love from the bottom of his bold and beautiful heart.

Bimpe was a wild flower even in bed. Her love drove me wild. Her romance tasted like wild honey. I must confess that her sex appeal had a tremendous effect on me, and as a result, I couldn’t help making love to her almost all the time and in any location. I was addicted to Bimpe and whenever I felt a sexual urge for her, I entered inside her with hard, deep thrusts that seemed too strong for her to control.

On one of such occasions we were at a party on the island. A friend of mine was getting married and had invited us to his bachelor’s eve party. I think we had both gotten tipsy from the amount of alcohol we had consumed that night when I felt a pressing urge to make love to Bimpe. Maybe it was the miniskirt she had on, and the sight of her exposed smooth thighs that aroused me.

So I playfully slipped my hand under her miniskirt and caressed the inner sides of her thighs. Bimpe also felt turned on, and as she clung to me, I began to touch her. By this time she was moaning loudly and panting, like one losing her breath.

But we didn’t want to make love in the presence of so many people at the party. So we went outside to the car park, and in the darkness of the night, we reached our climax.

I had found true love at last, and so I wasted no time in taking Bimpe to the altar. My parents loved Bimpe and were very excited about her becoming a part of the family.

Members of my family gave us so many gifts on our wedding day. We were said to be made for each other and it seemed that our union was designed by heaven and perfected by the love we shared.

However, though everyone appeared quite excited about my wife and overcome by her charms, my father appeared to be more excited about my wife more than any other member of my family. One thing I disliked about my dad was his womanizing nature.

Though my mum was his lawfully wedded wife, he had so many girlfriends and mistresses outside.

My father was a politician. In fact, he was a public figure because he had held some political offices in the past and was still holding a big position in his political party.

Sometimes, he requested that my wife, Bimpe, accompany him to political party meetings and other functions. According to him, it would be nice to show off his beautiful daughter-in-law to his friends and political associates.

I didn’t object since I felt I could trust my father with my wife. But I started suspect-

ing my wife was up to something because whenever we had a quarrel, she would run away to my father’s house and spend the night there, in the name of reporting me to my father.

It was baffling that even when we had the slightest quarrel she would run off to report me to my father and would not come back until the following morning or a few days later. If she ran off to report me to my father on a Friday, she would not come back until the following Monday.

Last month, Bimpe announced that she is pregnant and we started expecting our second child. But the bubble burst when my mother caught her and my father red-handed making love in our family house five days ago.

My mum had gone to the market but had to return to the house unexpectedly to pick something she had forgotten. That was how she caught my father naked on top of my wife who is supposed to be carrying a onemonth old pregnancy.

Now, I know for sure that my wife’s pregnancy belongs to my father. My father has brought shame to my family. He slept with his own daughter-in-law and he still doesn’t look remorseful for committing the shameful act.

I have now instituted a divorce suit at the High Court. As for that shameless old fool that calls himself my father, I will make sure he loses his big position in his political party.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Relationships and Love Advice

I want him back

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage Mojisola, 43, works in Lagos, needs a Yoruba man of 45-50 years for marriage. 08091027827.

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Chichi, 28, from Abia, needs a caring, God fearing, loving man for marriage. 08130775977.

Roseline, 38, chocolate, from Cross River, living in Port Harcourt, needs a honest, mature, caring, god-fearing and well-to-do man of 40-50 years for marriage. 08180072310.

Dear Love Doctor, I messed up with my ex boyfriend and he left me. But now I want to get my ex boyfriend back. We dated for almost one and a half years. We had a very healthy relationship, shared lots of interests, just like a perfect match to each other.

We broke up after he accused me rightfully of cheating on him, and then he said he had lost his feelings for me. I tried to bring him back but failed. How can I succeed in bringing my ex back to me?

From Bimbo.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Bimbo,

T

his is the best way to achieve your goal of getting your ex back. First and foremost, do NOT make him feel that you are trying to twist his arm or change his mind regarding the break up. In other words, do not act as if you’re desperate; because if he feels you’re putting him under undue pressure, he’ll go the other way. So you have to be resigned yourself to thinking that you might not get him back before you approach him again.

However, when you do approach him, your first order

of business is to apologize.

You need to tell him that what you did was game playing and wrong. He needs to hear that you totally understand why he was furious with you.

Tell him that you have become aware of your actions and their negative effect on your relationship. Tell him that you have changed and that you have realized that he is truly the one you love. Therefore you will like him to do you a favor by telling you what you did or didn’t do in the relationship, so that you will know the particular areas that

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36

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

It happened to me:

I was his shameless side chick

A

ll my life, I never intended to be the side chick of any man.

That’s because I come from a very proud family of achievers and go-getters. My mother is one of the best specialists in her field of medicine, while my father is one of the best in his own field of law.

For that reason, I have always hoped to achieve my own goals in both my career and my relationships.

And one of my principles in life which I believed would help me achieve my goal concerning marriage is to have a man who is committed to me and me alone. So, dating a married man or being a side chick to anybody was totally wrong and out of the question. I just couldn’t stand the humiliation of sharing my man with another woman. So I thought!

My name is Agatha and my life experience story is about how I dated a married man two years ago. He was my boss at the office.

We worked together, but we didn’t really start talking of going out until I had broken up with my boyfriend at that time and started going out with someone else.

I was aware that he was married because his wife used to visit him in the office occasionally. But the secrecy thing about our relationship really made the whole affair exciting.

His wife never found out about our relationship. She was always away working because her job as a medical doctor was very demanding. So I usually spent the weekends and sometimes weekdays in his house whenever she wasn’t around.

When I think about it now, I realize that it was a ridiculous arrangement and a silly relationship I had with him.

I spent most of my time waiting for him to call me, saying that his wife is not around and ask me to come over to his house.

In other words, I was his shameless side chick who sought for satisfaction from a married man instead of looking for my own man. Come to think of it, the time and effort that ladies spend on dating married men could be better spent on building the right relationship with a young man who will eventually find them good enough for marriage. That’s what many of our young ladies these days don’t realize.

I was simply at his beck and call with nothing to gain for myself. How foolish I was for what I thought was love! I even found myself cancelling plans with my family and friends just in case he wanted me to spend the weekend at his place.

He only ever came to my house once. And the only reason he came to my house that day was because he had called me and asked me to come over to his house but I had refused because I was getting so sick of sneaking around.

An hour later after the call that day, he was at my door and at the time

I was trying to fool myself that he actually loved me instead of his wife.

Obviously he didn’t love me, because first thing the next morning, he asked me to leave his place so quickly after speaking with his wife on phone, that I knew he was really committed to his wife.

The way our affair ended is what I’m most ashamed of. One night, I went to his house while his wife was away. We watched a movie, had dinner and went to bed.

The following morning, we woke up to the sound of the front door closing because his wife had come

back early to surprise him.

I was absolutely so scared and grabbed my clothes but he wouldn’t let me out of the room and made me hide behind the door just before she walked in.

He managed to convince her that they should go out to an eatery for breakfast since she was too tired to cook, and then I quickly left the house after they had gone because he deliberately didn’t lock the door with the key when they were leaving.

On my way home, he called me apologizing profusely and I asked him never to call me again, and he

never did.

Can you imagine? He told me to hide behind the bedroom door so that his wife would not see me when she walked in. And I actually did that!

That was certainly the lowest point of any relationship I have ever been into in my life. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed of myself.

Since that day, I decided never to date a married man anymore. I’ve since found out that I was only one in a long line of women he had cheated on his wife with, and that last year she actually caught him with another woman.

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Trinity in one system of government: Is it applicable in Nigeria?

H

aving studied carefully the intrigues between the Executive and the legislative arm of government against public interest, I am compelled to write on this topic now after much reluctance because it appears that there is a conflicting and confused understanding of the various organs or arms of government in Nigeria about their duties and functions as is entrenched in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

If this issue is not highlighted at this stage where it is very obvious that those in power are absolutely confused on what their functions are or are being absolutely corrupted by power, and if not promptly called to order their actions may result into dictatorship and anarchy in the country, considering the way and manner in which the different arms of government especially the executive and the legislative arms are getting about their business.

Government and Law is very interesting because their systems and principles are properly tested, planned and set-up so that any country or powers in position in the country that follow the system and avoid interfering in the separate powers of the others will experience absolute peace and progress in the country and make life more meaningful and comfortable for the governed.

It is very unfortunate that in Nigeria, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary that are meant to be separated and manned by different individuals in a presidential system of government that operates what I call the trinity-in-one system, are operated as if it is a cabinet system of government with fusion of powers that is existing. It is operated as if the legislative and judicial arms of government are under the control, dictates and administration of the executive arm of government. I wish to highlight further my understanding of the definition of the organ of government. This can be defined as the structural division of the powers of government into different segments namely; the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Part II (4(i), (5(i) (6(i) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended specifically highlighted these organs of Government and their functions.

One then wonders why there are always conflicts, confusion and quarrels among these organs – the Executive, the legislature and the judiciary in Nigeria. These three organs which ought to work harmoniously for the peace, progress and success of governance in Nigeria are always “fighting”, “quarrelling” and sowing seeds of discord among themselves.

Recently, there was a pandemonium and insecurity situation in the upper house of Nigeria, the senate, as well as in the judiciary in Rivers State because of poor understanding of the works of different arms of government in the country as well as absolute disobedience to legally constituted summons by one of the arms of government without its leadership directing that the constitutional procedure should be obeyed for good governance. It appears that the executive arm is abusing its powers of controlling the security operatives in the country to “cow” the other arms through intimidation and harassment. The other arms of government – the legislative and judicial arms – now operate in fear of the executive arm hence, make most of their policies to suit the executive arm and no longer in the best interest of the generality of Nigerians.

Honesty of purpose as well as sincerity of intentions is no longer operational. A situation of this nature is no longer best classified as democracy but dictatorial government which the French man and political thinker and jurist Baron de Montesquieu who developed and popularized the principle of separation of power in his book entitled “Espirit des Lois” which means the spirit of law expressed in separation of power. This Frenchman went further to state that if rights, liberty and freedom of citizens are to be maintained and guaranteed, then the three organs of government – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary – must be separated and entrusted to different people to administer. Also, the functions of government of Law making, execution and adjudication should be handled by

different organs of government without “interference”.

That there will be chaos, violence dictatorship, tyranny and oppression if there is no separation of power. The question now is; what is the situation of things now in Nigeria? Is it different from what this French thinker of 1748 saw? Because the different arms of governments are not fully autonomous but dependent financially on the dictates of the executive arm, there is confusion, improper actions from the other two arms. There is no real doctrine of checks and balances in practice in the country any longer. The principle of checks and balances advocates the use of one organ of government to check the activities of the other organs. These constitutional acts of checks and balances are meant to check the abuse of office, constitutional violation and the naked use of powers by different organs of government contrary to the constitutional provisions in the 1999 constitution of the country. An instant case is the issue of oversight functions of the legislature over the executive organs - which is being seriously abused by members of the executive. A situation where an official under the executive arm of government is summoned by the legislative arm of government and he fails to appear but gives excuses without any caution from the executive arm does not show respect to this principle of separation of powers as propounded by this French thinker and jurist Baron de Montesquieu and the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the grand norm, gave the law making powers of the nation only to the legislative organs while the interpretation of this law is for judiciary and the executive is to implement or execute these laws. This division of government is well planned and set up to make governance very interesting and for the governed to enjoy the dividends of democracy – if the excessive acts of one arm of the government is not checked or allowed to be checked by the other organs vested to doing so, it is tantamount to an abuse of powers and will transform to dictatorship, anarchy and abuse of powers. The executives function of government is not to make laws and that of the legislature is not to execute or interpret the laws or process of laws in the country while the judiciary is not authorized to perform the functions of the other two.

Let me now highlight some of the reasons and impor-

tance of separation of powers in a country. They include: (1) When the three arms of government are separated, it brings about efficiency and orderliness in the administration of a country.

(2) It assures and ensures the rights, liberty and freedom of the citizens. Today, most Nigerians live in fear for their lives and safety.

(3) None interference in the workings of other organs of government by another ensures smooth running of government. Not government full of blames for the other arms.

(4) When other arms of government in a country are allowed to function freely and act as checks and balances on each other, officials and even the citizens are cautious and meticulous in carrying out their duties and functions thereby bringing in efficiency and orderliness within the country.

(5) Separation of powers when properly put in place in a democratic set-up will lead to checks by each arm of government on the other. This will drastically reduce the much talked about corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria because of fear that one arm can embrace any official of the other arm that acts ultra-vires.

(6) The principle of inflation of contracts, excesses and recklessness on the part of the different organs of governments is checked by separation of powers in government.

(7) With separation of powers in practice, it leads to the full maintenance of law and order to bring about rapid and progressive economic and political development.

Finally for this edition, I am of the view that if the three arms of government in the country are given free hands both financially and otherwise to operate to the best of their abilities, these rampart, frequent and excessive killings of innocent and armless citizens of this country will come to an end. However, honesty and sincerity of purpose of those in these different organs of government is very necessary.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call or send a text message to Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

Why I’m not bothered about marriage –Anita Joseph Controversial. That aptly describes curvy actress and sex siren, Anita Joseph. The callipygian and singer has sensationally declared that she is not bothered about the fact that she is not yet married.

I

n a chat with The Oracle Today, the thespian revealed that she was tired of answering questions about her single status but would give an answer anyway.

“Hmmm…” she began rolling her eyes. “I can decide not to answer you know but I choose to and my response is as simple as it comes.

Marriage will come when it will. I will not break my head or stress myself over it. The Bible says ‘For this reason shall a man leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife and they shall become one flesh.’ So you see, I am not bothered about it. At the right time it will happen.

“But if by chance my lover shoots and I get pregnant, that would be a big one; a big congratulations to us then. I love my man so much because he makes me feel I am the only woman in the world. and guess what, he doesn’t get jealous when he sees me acting romantic scenes in movies,” she adds laughing softly.

Anita Joseph could be very daring.

Could she act nude for a mouth watering sum? “Are you trying to insult me?” she quips. “Are you well at all?

Don’t put that sh*t in my interview.

At least call better money and even if you do that I will still reject because my body is priceless; it is only meant for my man.”

Love life To date, the actress has been romantically linked to a number of governors and actors including Charles Okocha aka Igwe Tupac.

Is she in a relationship? Could she describe her ideal man? “yes I am in a relationship but I won’t disclose the identity of my man. My kind of man must be spirit filled. A man that fears Jehovah God. There’s noting more attractive to me than a man that loves God. He must make me laugh, have a good sense of humour and must be a dresser and must smell good.”

Today, the belief is that entertainers are morally lose and their marriages don’t last.

Could she marry a fellow actor? “Yes I can,” she says bursting with exuberance as she giggles. “ I don’t like loud men.

Oh biko. I don’t like a man that picks or blows his nose anyhow. Especially in the public. I love a man that I can fart in his presence and he will tell me ‘welldone Princess’. He can fart too, that is okay. But too much of everything is bad oh,” she adds laughing.

“yes I am in a relationship but I won’t disclose the identity of my man. My kind of man must be spirit filled.

A man that fears Jehovah God. There’s noting more attractive to me than a man that loves God. He must make me laugh, have a good sense of humour and must be a dresser and must smell good.”

• Anita Joseph

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Entertainment Why talent is no longer enough, by Godfrey Eguakun

M

• Ejaiz

• Jimoh

Daffang Entertainment berths in Nigeria

A

FTER months of scouting the 36 states of the federation, South Africa based record label talent management outfit, Daffang Entertainment has found and unveiled two new talents in Nigeria.

The acts, Jimoh Wasiu, a songwriter and record producer, and Ejiro, a pop artiste popularly known as Ejaiz, were unveiled in Ikeja Lagos for the world entertainment market.

Speaking at unveiling, Chief Executive Officer, ClapStiik Entertainment and representative of Daffang Entertainment in Nigeria, Ibrahim Kabiru stated that the talent management company had over 500 people that auditioned for its talents hunt, which cut across the 36 states in Nigeria last year.

According to Ibrahim, Wasiu and

Ejaiz were selected from the large pool of talents based on the fact that they possessed the requisite talents that the Daffang Entertainment seeks to unveil to the world, adding that are they proved themselves as confirmed leaders in the music space.

He said, “As a talent discovery outfit, we went round the 36 states of the federation in search of the best of talents, and it is amazing to know that in course of sojourning, we had over 500 talents. But due to some constraints, we are unveiling these two acts for now — Jimoh Wasiu, a songwriter and record producer, and Ejiro popularly known in Warri as Ejaiz to the world.”

“We are thrilled to welcome them to Daffang Entertainment family. They have all it takes to devel-

op and become superstars in the African music scene, and will be game-changers in dominating and bringing African music to the world.

We are extremely excited to have them as a part of the team and eager for the journey ahead,” he added.

For Wasiu, an Ajegunle based act, Daffeng Entertainment has everything an artiste want to progress, particularly good management. “I believe with the management structure and style in place at the outfit I can go anywhere with them.”

Asked what he is bringing to the industry, he said, “I’m bringing good songs,” stressing that the songs that currently pervade the industry are not appealing but appalling. “So I’m bringing into the industry good melodies,” he stated.

Basorge Tariah Jr. launches Solid Star Records unveils new acts

V

eteran actor Basorge Tariah Jr. has officially launched his record label; Solid Star Records.

The unveiling of the music label and its two fresh acts; Nifty Boy and Bere took place on Sunday, June 24 at Carnavalah Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nifty Boy, real name Enoch Solomon is a promising young act who hails from Kaduna. Armed with a compelling youthful voice while Nifty, on the other hand is a creative song writer and gifted producer.

He is adventurous and experiments with different genres of music including R&B, Afropop and Dancehall.

They both welcomed guests with a resounding performances that ended with a round of applause.

On why he picked the name Solid Star for his record label, the GrandMaster, told TSWeekend that the name has been in existence over a decade ago, even before Solidstar the artiste sang his first song.

“Solidstar records has been in existence since. We didn’t just start yesterday. My partner and I, are out to make stars; solid stars. Not just in music but other genres of the entertainment sector.”

Basorge also expressed his expectations from his new signees.

“I expected to do very well. Emulate the likes of Wizkid and Davido, that’s the standards I set for them. I told them to emulate stars and make good hits. These stars have confi-

dence in themselves and they deliver, so they should try to reach and as well surpass them in all their doings.

They are great talents out there, so I expect my boys to make a career for themselves and also make a living. I expect them to be good, humble and work hard. They should know people expect good behavior and work tirelessly to attain that,” he noted.

Continuing, multi talented music label boss, revealed why he picked Bere and Nifty Boy to join his team.

“I picked them because of their good character. I employ boys that when I chastise them, they listen and make corrections.

People don’t like my style because I am too blunt. I’m someone who moulds character. They are good in music already, that’s why they are with me, so I go hard on them to get the besy of them.

We don’t have discipline in the entertainment industry and thats what I keep teaching them”.

r Godfrey Eguakun who is the Chairman and CEO of Monkey Media Limited, The parent company to Monkey Media House records based in Nigeria and in the USA has said in an interview that talent is not just enough anymore to be successful in the entertainment industry.

In his words he said, “Recent advancement in technology and globalization has made it easier to distribute your music across the world while making money from it, now you don’t have to wait for shows or endorsements to cash out with your music, you can be in Nigeria and be cashing out from fans in Japan who love your music. Also the internet and social media most especially has helped us connect with fans across the globe, as well as other talents who are catalyst to our success, however this advancement has also helped us discover many more talented people across the world, some we never would have imagined existed and this has opened our eyes to the number of great minds that were initially hidden, with this wide pool of talents being discovered on an hourly basis it is almost impossible to rely on talent alone to be successful” Mr Eguakun who recently made a public announcement about MMH records newly signed music producer kreatunez who now joins afropop artiste Akaycentric on the label went further to say that the internet and social media most especially came with its merits and demerits for the industry.

He added “We must however focus on the merits that this global growth has brought and adjust with it. Artistes must think outside the box and be creative in showcasing their crafts in order to make a mark and make a living off their careers. The internet is a very powerful tool if you know how to use it, it requires a very high level of creativity to bend it to your advantage, not just in making your music, but in promoting yourself and building a reputable as well”.

Nollywood and Harvey Winestein Syndrome

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arvey Winestein, remember him? The disgraced Hollywood moviemaker accused of abusing a record 80 women? After the news went viral, the moviemaker’s career came crashing; thanks to the #metoo campaing.

And back in Nollywood, the story is the same but not really considered a big deal. This much Nollywood practitioners who spoke to TS Weekend on grounds of anonymity revealed.

“Thanks to #metoo. A lot of women are now coming out and telling their stories. I can assure you that in Nollywood, Harvey Winestein will be a saint because the level of abuse going on in Nollywood is awesome!

Said a source who spoke to TS Weekend: “A number of actresses have come out to accuse moviemakers of couch casting. However, due to the stigma attached, victims most times keep quiet but when they choose to talk, they don’t want to mention names.

“There are many Winearein’s in Nollywood. A lot of producers are abusing wannabe actresses and getting away with it,” alleges another source who also spoke on grounds of anonymity.

“A couple of years ago I tried using my contacts to get my niece into Nollywood but they told me straight in the face, unless they first took her to bed, they wouldn’t offer her a role. And this is a top director in he industry.

“In fact, there is a popular actor currently trending on social media who swore that unless he first sleeps with a wannabe first, he would never assist her find her feet in Nollywood. Some girls are principled and will not budge. But what happens to millions of vulnerable girls out there who have nobody to protect them.”

The source added that if Nollywood moviemakers are subjected to the Harvey Weinsten test, just a handful would escape jail.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS

2019 will make or mar Ndigbo – Buhari P

By COLLINS UGHALAA

resident Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday warned that the 2019 general election is not about him but the Igbo nation, saying that it would make or mar the Igbo nation.

He also said that the people of the Southeast have the right to produce the president of the country since they are part and parcel of it, stressing that when the time for Ndigbo to produce the president comes, they would support them.

President Buhari disclosed this through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, at the Southeast All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally tagged South-East APC Rally for Buhari held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri on Tuesday, July 3,

2018.

Mr. Boss described the President as a true lover of Ndigbo.

He said: “In 2015, Igbos played bad politics like Owelle rightly acknowledged and that Igbo people are not good starters, but when they start, they have the capacity to overtake. I assure you that the Igbo nation are ready to overtake other parts of this country in 2019.

“The election in 2019, for the Igbo nation, is an election that will determine or mar your chances. I want to appeal to you that this is not about party but about the Igbo nation, and I am calling on the Igbo nation and brothers in the diaspora and in this land to have a paradigm shift and think seriously about their nation and position in this country, “I have had opportunity to speak to Igbo leaders and I told them this,

CHANGE OF NAME AND PUBLIC NOTICE This is to confirm that the names: KALU LOVETH CHINECHEREM and LOVETH KALU UGBAKU refer to one and same person and I now wish to be known as KALU LOVETH CHINECHEREM. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I formerly known as OPURUM LEONARD MADU now wish to be known as OPURUM LEONARD MADU JERRY. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

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Banks and general public take note

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THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

BUSINESS ARENA Tax is a civic obligation for the development of the state

PAY YOUR TAX AS AND WHEN DUE This message is from Anambra State Internal Revenue Services.

TAX OFFICE SHOPRITE NO 7 PARK ROAD GRA ONITSHA

that the Presidency of Nigeria has always been negotiated and you can only negotiate on the basis of strength.

“If you are weak, then you don’t have a chance and your position of strength will be determined by the votes you give to Buhari in 2019.

“You are important people in this nation. You control industries, you control trade and commerce. You control every facet of our entrepreneurship. I appeal to you and I urge you to bring the skills you have built in the past to bear on your political arena so that you can navigate your way to the presidency of this country through your votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, “The choice is that of the Igbo nation. What happens in 2019 will determine the future of this country. I appeal to you, please stop listening to the stories that are being peddled. Buhari is an honest man, that cuts the entire African continent.

Buhari is not a selfish man. He is not a tribalistic man, he is a man that has a vision for a true Nigeria, “Never in the history of this country do we have the SGF and Head of Service from the same religion. But because of his dire desire to move this country forward he accommodated that. Nigeria is not a Banana republic, Nigeria is a serious country, and President Buhari is the only man that can fix this nation”.

Also speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said President Buhari would not have to change his name to win votes or break grounds at the Niger Bridge to win votes, adding that he would win by doing the right things and obeying his consciences as a man of integrity.

“Everything they said was impossible, Buhari has demonstrated that they are possible; For the first time we have seen military generals been brought on trial in advancing the anti-corruption crusade of his administration. Truth is bitter, those who are writing letters now, governed as absolute ruler for 3 years and came back for another 8 years, what did he do for the second Niger Bridge?

His only dream was to take us back to Mugabe where there is no tenure ending. We thank a great Igbo man, a great Comrade Chief Ken Nnanami.

“Okorocha is a great asset to APC in the South East. I am a believer that in matters of politics, it is not like matters in the bible where we are told that we may believe without seeing. In politics you rather see before you believe. I have come and have seen people, energetic youths and intelligent women and men under the rain to show support for President Buhari. With this rally, I am assuring that our opponents who had banked on the South-East won’t sleep tonight”.

“Rochas, you have shown who owns the land, for so long we have been having the problems of People Deceiving People (PDP) when they come to the South East, the answer Azikiwe, but doing what Azikiwe did becomes a problem for them.

The South East had everything going for them in terms of positions in government the President of the Senate, SGF, Finance Minister, CBN Governor etc but still they couldn’t construct or reconstruct the second Niger Bridge” he stated.

Governor Rochas Okorocha said: “Igbos love President Buhari. What he is doing in Igboland has touched the Igbos. Let him know we love him. I have brought the emerging new leaders of Igboland who have come to take their rightful place and they will deliver in 2019. These might not be the usual faces you know in Politics. We are celebrating excellence. In 2015, Igbo people played bad Politics, because the Igbos never believed in Buhari but in 2019 Igbos will vote massively for Mr. President, “To create the wrong impression that there is no APC in the SouthEast some of our leaders have begun to negotiate away APC and certain positions by saying vote for Mr. President and APC, and vote for another Candidate for another position in another party. This is unacceptable. There is no half support for APC. If you are supporting Mr. President, you must also support

governorship and other candidates of APC. I have risen to my responsibility. Those who are aspiring for governorship and other positions should go ahead” he said.

Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Gandunje in his speech stated “This crowd here is wonderful. This crowd is from God. There are even more people outside than those inside. I am in Kano because of the crowd. I am impressed by this crowd I have seen here. I have seen a lot of development in the State. I have seen a new Owerri.

Imo governor is a man of integrity.

He has made Imo the heart of APC in the South-East. With this crowd the South-East has made U-turn in Politics, to be at the centre”.

Former Governor of Borno State and former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Modu Sheriff said: “I have seen that Igbos are happy with Buhari. If I didn’t come to Owerri, I would not have been happy. People of Imo State have impressed Nigerians. It took 2 hours to get to the Stadium from Government House. The permutation of Nigeria will change in 2019. Igbos will vote for Buhari”.

Chief Timi Sylva former governor of Bayelsa State said “I know for a fact that the South-East did some magics in 2015. The zone delivered eight million votes to PDP in 2011, and in 2015 the votes were reduced to two million and in 2019, 8 million votes will be delivered to APC in the South-East and further reduce the votes of PDP to ten votes. The present administration has done well for the nation. Those complaining are those who enjoyed the profligacy of the past. The majority of Nigerians are with APC and President Muhammadu Buhari”.

Some other APC dignitaries at the event are, Deputy National Chairman of APC, Adeniyi Otumba Adebayo, National Legal Adviser of APC, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, National Organizing Secretary, Barr. Emma Ibediro, National Auditor, Chief George Moughalu, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Emma Anosike, Senator Emmanuel Agboti, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator Chris Emenike and a host of others.

From CHUKS EZE

500MM2 intermediate cables, in May, 2018.

Ezeh further pointed out that “The leader of the gang, Ifeanyi Okeke, has disclosed the name of the dealer whom they sold the items to, and the Police are already on the trail of the cable dealer. He (Okeke) equally confessed that he had co-opted three other members of the gang to assist him in conveying the stolen cables to the said dealer”.

The EEDC spokesperson further disclosed that the four suspects had already been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court (Court 2), Otuocha, in Anambra State, on Thursday, May 24th May, 2018, adding that members of the second gang were Emmanuel Nwigwe and Okechukwu Onu. He said that the two suspects were nabbed by men of the Enugu State Police Command, in June, 2018, pointing out that the alleged hoodlums were indigenes of Isu Community in Ebonyi State. The statement said they were arrested for allegedly stealing and vandalizing electrical installations belonging to EEDC in Oji-River, Enugu State.

Decrying the rising spate of vandalism on EEDC electrical installations, which he said, had been hampering the company’s operations, Ezeh noted that bundles of armoured cable belonging to the company were recovered from the suspects.

He commended various security agencies, including the Police, Civil Defence and the vigilante groups among others, for their continued efforts and support in protecting EEDC staff and installations, and enjoined customers and the general public to also assist in wedging war against vandals in their domains.

“That way, we would not be diverting funds meant for key projects such as metering, transformer installation and network boosting, among others, into replacement of vandalized materials”, Ezeh said.

Six EEDC vandals nabbed in Enugu, Anambra

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ix persons have been nabbed by the Police authorities for allegedly vandalising electrical installations belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), including a 500KVA Distribution Substation.

Four of the suspects, were arrested by a local vigilante group, at Nsugbe, in Anambra State and handed over to the Police, according to a statement issued by EEDC’s Head of Communication, Emeka Ezeh, include. He named members of the gang to include their leader, 18 years old Ifeanyi Okeke, who is also said to be an exconvict; Ifeanyi Udekwe, 22 years; Emeka Mokwe, 22 years and Kosisochukwu Mokwe, 17 years.

According to Ezeh, the suspects had confessed to the crime during police interrogation, and as well disclosed that they had been involved in other similar unlawful acts in the past, including vandalising of two EEDC Substations (Akpalagu 500KVA and Amumu 500KVA), where the EEDC’s spokesman said the alleged hoodlums had carted away seven

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS Uwazuruike deploys Biafra commandos after ‘Achaere‘ producers

By IBE NWACHUKWU

L

eader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), and founder of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has directed those he identified as Biafra commandos otherwise called B-Com. a security arm of BIM/MASSOB to arrest any seller or buyer of deadly concoction popularly known as Achaere (ripe and decay) in Igbo local dialect.

He specifically directed B-Com to search for those hawking the deadly poison on wheel barrows or open markets, arrest and treat them like armed robbers.

In a press statement issued to newsmen in Onitsha and signed by his Personal Assistant on Media Matters, Mazi Chris Anierobi Mocha, Uwazuruike frowned that the deadly poison has become so rampant that it is now being sold and hawked in open markets to people as cheap as N20 or N50 as the case may be, while the victims often die with swollen legs and severe pains or narrowly survive with huge amount of money spent on treating it with herbal medicines.

In the statement, Uwazuruike who holds the traditional title of Ijele Ndigbo, noted that this warning is coming in the wake of reported cases to MASSOB by some residents of Akokwa in Ideato south, Imo state, Achalla and Ihiala towns of Anambra State that the deadly disease and poison were in circulation.

On the continued detention of some BIM/MASSOB members in Enugu state, Uwazuruike frowned that out of the five states in Biafra land, it is only in Enugu State that about 32 of their members are still being detained since May 22 celebration of New Biafra Day. Uwazuruike decried the I don’t care attitude of the Enugu State Governor Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the plight of the detained members in the area, accusing the governor of working on behalf of the enemies of Biafra struggle as condition to secure second term in office.

Uwazuruike recalled how Chimaraoke Nnamani was governor for eight years and when he left the office, BIM/MASSOB still remained very active in Agbani, his home town.

He also recalled that when Sullivian Chime took over as governor of Enugu State, his agents arrested him (Uwazuruike) alongside 280 of BIM/ MASSOB members and when Chime vacated the office after eight years, they are still there in Udi town and in Enugu because there was absolutely nothing the former governor could do to stop Biafra.

He said that today, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is chasing BIM/MASSOB members in Nsukka, Agbani, Udi, arresting and detaining them like the Owerri High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Kemakolam Ojiako who imprisoned him (Uwazuruike) Head of state of the New Biafra Nation over a land matter, stating that “he was not afraid of going to jail but he can only go to prison for the noble course of fighting for emancipation of the Igbo through non-violence.

“I was imprisoned for 2 years from October 25, 2005 and was granted bail on October 26, 2007 to go and bury my mother Mrs. Ezinne Monica who died while I was in Keffi prison in Nassarawa state. And after I finished the burial on January 19, 2008, on 22nd I gave myself to Imo state police command headquarters, Owerri, Imo state and told the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Ahmed Yusuf to take me into custody, but the police declined”.

Ugwuanyi approves over N1.8bn for construction of court buildings, roads

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ommitted to the effective and efficient dispensation of justice in Enugu State, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration has approved the award of contracts for the construction of 14 new court buildings in the judicial divisions and magisterial districts across the state.

The state government also awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of the access road leading to the dump site of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) at Ogui Nike, Enugu North Local Government Area, which is currently being evacuated by the state

government for the first time in the past 12 years. Also approved was the construction and rehabilitation of Ebeano Estate road and John Nwodo close by Otigba junction, Enugu. The three projects will cost the state government the sum of N452,001,262.95.

The administration equally approved free artificial limbs for 300 persons with amputated limbs in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), revealing that 250 amputees have so far applied for the exercise.

Briefing newsmen after the State

Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, the commissioner for works and infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, explained that court buildings spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, include eleven magistrate courts of various types, two open court registries and a High Court, adding the projects were awarded at the cost of N1, 390, 272,622.13.

Engr. Nnaji stated that Gov. Ugwuanyi has always shown outstanding commitment to the growth and development of the Judiciary through his administration’s numer-

•Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing and Guest Lecturer, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle),Dean Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Prof.Ogbonna Oparaku(2nd right), Chairman of the Ocassion, Emeritus Prof. Silva Anika(2nd left) ,Chief Maximus Ukuta(right) and Deputy Vice – Chancellor,Enugu Campus, Prof. Edith Nwosu(left) shortly before the Special Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture organized by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and delivered by the Hon. Minister at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium(P.A.A) Nsukka, Enugu State.

Provision of basic amenities will solve security problems – Gov. Emmanuel tells SGF, SSGs

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kwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has asserted that if the basic needs of Nigerians were provided, a whole lot of security problems facing the country would have been solved.

Emmanuel who said this when he declared open the Second Quarter 2018 Forum of Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Secretaries to State Governments at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, the state capital, also advised Nigerians to reason beyond political parties, partisanship and ethnoreligious sentiments and look at the core value system that can build the country and the people.

The Governor told the forum that what matters most for those in positions of authority is what they do for the benefit of the citizens and how they intend to see the country progress in the next ten to fifteen years.

He advised that a forum such as that of Secretaries to State Governments should engender a new conversation in the country while also urging citizens to begin to see themselves first as Nigerians and later as politicians.

According to the Governor, “politics and politicians will come and go but the soul, spirit, abiding tenets and values of the Nigerian enterprise will endure.”

The Governor stated that the theme of the Conference, “Improving Access to Social Services at National and Sub-National levels” was apt as it summarised the philosophical base of what he defined as the social contract theory of gov-

ernance.

“Government exists to provide services to the people across national and sub-national levels.

Failure to abide by this need and demand means a great abdication of a cardinal responsibility and the resultant effect will be deep apathy and a resort to self-help approaches by the citizens and that will not be good enough for us as a country,” the Governor noted.

The Governor reiterated his call for a review of the country’s education curriculum to train people on how to become entrepreneurs in every field instead of producing graduates who only come out to write applications for employment.

He warned against population being allowed to grow at a faster rate than the social services provided by government even as he reiterated the serious need for the provision of those services.

In an address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha thanked Governor Emmanuel for accepting to host the meeting and his immense support towards its actualization.

The SGF said the forum exists to give members the much needed avenue for sharing of ideas, comparing notes and assessing one another on the implementation of national and sub national policies and programmes of government.

He stated that the National Government is saddled with the responsibility of setting agenda for governance and socio economic development while the States and

Local Governments remain invaluable partners.

He said the forum has provided the platform for members to create linkages that will drive the socio economic goals on national development.

Mustapha spoke about the last forum meeting at Yola in Adamawa State which focused on the National Socio Investment Programme, NSIP, and the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, with recommendations to further advance the gains of the programmes presented to the Federal Exectuive Council and the country’s Governors’ Forum.

He identified the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs and the National Primary Health Care Programme, NPHCP as the two interventions of government for discussion in the Uyo meeting with experts invited from different fields to give informed positions on issues at stake.

The SGF further said that the meeting was to provide recommendations that will promote National Development and deliver dividends of Democracy to the people.

Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem had earlier expressed joy to have members of the forum in the state assuring that with the ambience of creativity, industrialization, innovation and concerted efforts

by Governor Emmanuel, they will leave the state satisfied and fulfilled.

ous programmes, disclosing that the last time new courts were constructed in the state was over 11 years ago.

The commissioner noted that the council’s decision was also borne out of the governor’s vision to reposition the Judiciary to maintain its pride of place as the last hope of the common man. He added that the structures were carefully designed and will be provided with state-ofthe-art facilities to effectively serve the purpose of a modern court.

On the ESWAMA dump site, the works commissioner further explained that the road project was considered and awarded to create access for the transportation of refuse to the site, stating that the engineering design provided for “drainage and complete remediation and re-generation.”

He also added that the infrastructural development at the site will open up the area for investment as investors in waste management would be able to access and exploit the waste and transform it into wealth for the economic benefit of the state.

Engr. Nnaji equally told newsmen that the state government has provided a temporary dump site at Ugwu Onyeama, off Enugu-Onitsha expressway, as an alternative place pending the completion of the access road.

On the Ebeano road, the commissioner pointed out that it will serve as bypass for motorists from Otigba junction through UBA to Bissalla road and decongest traffic at the popular New Haven junction for ease of transportation in that area, saying that the project will be flagged-off on Thursday as the contractor is already mobilizing to site.

On health, the commissioner, Dr. Fintan Ekochin, disclosed that Enugu at the global level was one of the three states nominated for the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award as one of the state governments with best policies on free maternal and child healthcare programme.

Dr. Ekochin further disclosed that the council in keeping with the state government’s vision to take healthcare delivery to the next level especially during outbreak of deadly diseases approved the establishment of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in conjunction with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He stated that the centre will serve as the information technology hub for the coordination of emergency activities in the state, saying: “Enugu State is one of the states doing this at this point in time with the NCDC”.

Speaking, the commissioner for information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, re-emphasized the importance of the access road to the dump site, stressing that it would promote investment in the state especially in the area of waste utilization for economic growth and employment generation.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Crime

Promotion galore for policemen in Lagos … As Edgal decorates police spokesman, State traffic officer, Anti- Cultism commander others Stories by XAVIER NDAH

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ommissioner of police, Lagos state command Imohimi Edgal has urged the newly promoted officers of the command to demonstrate a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duty.

Edgal made this call while decorating newly promoted officers of the command who were recently promoted to the position of the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and other ranks at the police Lagos state command headquarters during the week.

Edgal who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, in charge of operations Mohammed Ali admonished the officers to be upright in their duties and shun corruption The commissioner urged the officers to be outstanding in their duties and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of emulation by other upcoming officers as they are their role model in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, promotion goes with additional responsibility and a challenge and they must live above board so as not to let down the police authorities who repose that trust on them to make them worthy ambassadors of the police.

“The police have been bedeviled due to public perception that they take bride and other forms of corruption, but we have to redeem this image by shunning corruption and with your new positions in the force , you now have the opportunity to redeem the battered image.

“You must uphold to police ethics and be fair to all in all your dealing. Please be guided against taking bribe and put an eye on your subordinates and discourage them from soiling their hands in same” Edgal stated.

Officers who were decorated at the occasion amongst them were the Lagos State Traffic Officer ,CSP Margaret Okonkwo, Police Public Relations Officer Lagos Command CSP Chike Oti, Commander Anti Cultism Unit, Akanniyene Etuk.

The Lagos state traffic officer (STO) CSP Margaret Okonkwo obtained the national certificate from Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri. Bachelors of Science degree in Economics/Education from University of Nigeria Nsukka, Masters in public and International Affairs from University of Lagos. She was appointed into the Nigeria police force as a cadet Assistance

• DCP Ali and ACP Nurat decorating STO SP. Margeret Okonkwo to the new rank of CSP

• Egbeyemi being decorated by Governor Ambode and CP Edgal

• Lagos State Police image maker SP. Chike Otibeing decorated to the new rank of Chief Suprintendent of Police

•OC Anti-cultism Etuk

superintendent of police of course 21/2002. She was the general number one for female cadet Inspectors and Asp’s respectively. After going through several training and courses, she was drafted to the United Nation peace keeping Mission in Kossovo and Liberia respectively.

She is a recipient of many awards including the Gold Medal Award from the United Nation for hard work and dedication to duty.

CSP Akaninyene Etuk is the new Anti- cultism unit commander he was appointed into the Nigeria police force as a cadet Assistance superintendent of police of course 21/2002. Until his appointment he served In Akure Ondo Command,FSARS Lagos, PMF Jalingo, he was a pioneer member of the Special Protection Unit,SPU,PMF 51, Ogara, Delta state.He has also served as DPO at Emure Ekiti and

Oye Ekiti before he was posted to Lagos where he served as the Officer in charge of the human right unit.

He was the Divisional crime officer at the Somolu Division before he was posted to head the Anti –Cultism unit of Lagos Command.

Also promoted was the The Chairman of the Lagos State Task CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi was also decorated with his new (CSP) rank by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the state house Alausa.

CSP Egbeyemi who was appointed Chairman, Lagos State Task Force on March 10, 2016 by the Governor studied Philosophy at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) and also obtained Masters Degree in International Relations and Startegic Studies at Lagos State University (LASU).

Between August 15, 2002 and February 2004 he was at the Nigeria Po-

lice Academy (POLAC), Kano State where he was trained as a cadet Assistant Supretendent of Police (ASP).

He started his Police career at Aguda Police Station, Surulere, Lagos in 2004 as Traffic Officer and an administratibpvd officer at Elere Divisional Police Station, Agege.

CSP Egbeyemi was deployed as Crime Officer (1) at Alausa Divisional Police Station and Deputy Police PRO, Lagos State Command.

After his excellence performance, he was deployed as PA/Staff Officer to Inspector General of Police IGP Mike Okiro (Rtd) and later he became the ADC to Governor Ibikunle Amosun where he resigned voluntarily with reason best known to him.

He attended several courses, both home and abroad which includes: Peace Support Operation and Anti-

N

Ibrahim Idris, said he would not tolerate lukewarm attitude, laziness.

Until his promotion, he was the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the PSFU, Ikoyi, a unit headed by Ibrahim Lamorde.

With his new rank, Okoro had been appointed as the CP in charge of the Police Anti-Fraud Unit, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He reminded the decorated officers that PSFU was known for its transparency and professionalism.

He said: “No senior officer wants to work with a lukewarm personnel. You all must make good names

for yourselves in the force.

“You have to be known as fearless, incorruptible officers. Be strict, decent and very professional. Do not disappointed your families nor bring the force to disrepute. Be counted among the good eggs.

“The IG has no tolerance for indiscipline and corruption. He does not hesitate to show the exit to officers who soil their hands.

“Also, the SFU has been known for its transparency and professionalism. As you serve your tour of duty, be sure to respect and uphold those values”. He stated

New police boss warns operatives against graft, other misconduct

•CP Nkem Okoro

ewly appointed Commissioner of Police in charge Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Dan Nkem Okoro has warned operatives of the unit against corruption and other misconducts, saying anyone caught in the act will be shown the way out of the police job.

Okoro gave the charge at the weekend while decorating 27 officers who were recently promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The senior officer, who was earlier decorated with the rank of CP by the Inspector-General of Police (IG)

Terrorist Course at the Prestigious Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Unit (COESPU) in Italy, Combat Craft Operation at Gwazo, Bornu State. Leadership and Citizenship Training at Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State. Aide-De-Camp (ADC) Induction Course at Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State in July 2011. AdHoc duties include Joint Task Force (JTF) with the Military and DSS in Potiskum, Yobe and Kano State engaging insurgents in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

CSP Egbeyemi is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police and has attended the ICP Conferences at Philadelphia, Florida, Chicago, and San-Diego in Califonia in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively in United States of America. He is now promoted to his new rank as the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) on June, 2018.

The Police service commission has elevated the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Chike Oti to the next rank of Chief Superintendent of Police. CSP Oti, a Business Administration graduate of the University of Lagos, assumed the position of PPRO sometime in the month of November 2017.

CSP Chike Oti, was once as a lecturer in the police academy and has also served at the Anti Fraud section of Zone 2 police command before the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi appointed him as the command’s spokesman.

He has been doing wonderfully well in making sure that the public is regularly informed about the activities of the Command under the able leadership of CP Imohimi Edgal. His promotion was backdated to 2015.

He is still the current Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the police Command, Lagos state.

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

Crime

Lawyer, suspected criminals in police net for alleged extortion

landlord of No. 23, Adeoye Street Oko Baale Onipanu Ogun state one Sunday Omosule has been arrested by Police in Ogun State for allegedly killing his tenant’s four year old son.

Making this known was the Deputy Superintendentof police (DSP) Abimbola Oyeyemi who said the landlord was arrested following a distress call received by Police at Onipanu Divisional headquarters that the said landlord went berserk and started using mortal pestle to chase his tenants.

He said consequent he used the said pestle to hit the mother of the deceased on the hand before using it to hit the child one Joseph Sunday Akpan on the head.

On receiving the information, Oyeyemi said,the DPO Onipanu Division Superintendent of police (SP) Sangobiyi Johnson led his men to the scene where the suspect was arrested.

“On interrogation, the suspect claimed to be under spiritual attacks which always make him to behave erratically sometimes. The mother of the deceased who also sustained injury has been taken to the hospital where she is responding to treatment, while the corpse of the victim has been deposited at the State hospital mortuary for autopsy” Oyeyemi said. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police,Cp, Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the suspect be transferred to Homicide section of the State criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation.

Stories by XAVIER NDAH

A

legal practitioner Barrister Kayod Oshiyemi has been arrested by men of Ogun state police command for allegedly conniving with some suspected criminals to fraudulently extort money from a businessman Alhaji Shakirudeen Olufowobi, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Al Amin farm situated in imagbon area of Ijebu ode.

Making this known was the Police spokesman Ogun state Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)Abimbola Oyeyemi who said the arrest of the lawyer followed a petition written by the businessman to the commissioner of police CP Ahmed Iliyasu in which he alleged that the lawyer and some hoodlums were after his life.

In the petition, he alleged that the lawyer, having failed in his several attempts to make him part with millions of Naira to him has perfected plan in connivance with some hoodlums some of whom have been arrested earlier on in his Al Amin farm for stealing to either rope him in a case he knew nothing about or get him kidnapped for Ransom.

Oyeyemi said on the strength of the petition, the commissioner of police, CP, Ahmed Iliyasu directed the officer in charge of FSARS Superintendent of Police ,SP, Uba Adam to discreetly investigate the petition.

“In compliance with the CP’s order, the outfit embarked on a technical based investigation and also technically monitored the activities of the said lawyer.

“Their efforts paid off when the lawyer was caught on tape where he was planning with others to use any possible means to make the businessman cough out the sum of N250 million which according to him will be shared among all those who participated in order to teach the complainant Alhaji Shakirudeen Olufowobi the lesson of his life for only God knows reason.

“Arrested along with the lawyer are: Adeborode Ogunlaja, Sodiq Owolabi, Abolaji Alabi, Mukaila Abolaji, Abiodun Adebayo and Abolaji Adebola.

“On interrogation, Mukaila Ab-

Uncle did it three times says girl 6 P olaji narrated how the lawyer in collaboration with Adeborode Ogunlaja lured him into the plan to fraudulently extort money from the complainant and how the money will be shared among them, stating that he reluctantly keyed into the plan because of the amount of money involved.

“In his own statement, Abiodun Adebayo who regretted knowing the lawyer accused him of once used him to profess a fake miracle in a crusade organised by one of his pastor friend where he was asked to tie a life tortoise on his chest and come out while the crusade is going on to confess been a strong

member of an occult group who is disturbed by the pastor’s prayer.

“The allegation the lawyer was unable to deny.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police CP Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the suspects be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded’ Oyeyemi explained. .

more easier is lack of support from other motorists because immediately they hear armed robbery attack all they do is to find an escape route without waiting to give assistance to other road users as such they always have a free way to operate.

The suspect revealed that the only job he had was robbing motorists and commuters of their belongings between 4:00 a.m and 6:30 a.m as well as at night.

He disclosed that he and about 20 colleagues of his work in twos or threes holding toy guns, machetes, Jack knives, hammers, rods and other weapons to dispossess commuters of phones, money, jewellery, laptops and other prized possessions.

According to him, “it’s a job I have been doing now for more than a

year. As soon as we approach a car.

We tell the occupants to bring out their belongings. Some would cooperate with us and give us their phones and money. ‘’Some would wind up. I laugh at them because we would break that glass or use our prepared mixture that when thrown at their side glasses, would bring them down gently and we would take all that we want and leave the place”.

‘We do this every day. We know when to come and when not to. We work with the nature of traffic. We target passersby too. Those going to work or traders going to market are our main target. If you are old on the job, you get good targets.

I sold the phones I collect for between N3,000 to N4,000 daily”.

He explained further, “recently we collected huge money from

three occupants of a vehicle. I don’t know the precise amount. We were two, my colleague tried to abscond with the money and I tried tracking him. Unfortunately for me, he noticed me and eventually used his matchet on me.

“I lost so much blood and I was there unconscious. The cut was so severe that three hospitals rejected me. Here I am still alive. I still see this guy and he is still in this business with me.”

Tunde stated that he lost his mum at an early age. He added that he was assisting an Indian Hemp seller in Mile 2 before he was introduced into traffic robbery. He maintained that those who lured him into it assured him he was going to make more money doing that than assisting a hard drug seller, who offered him only food.

It is easy to rob in Lagos traffic – suspect

Raphael, 24, who was arTcialsunde rested and detained by the offiof the Rapid Response Squad

of the Police Lagos Command, has explained how he and 19 other gang members dispossessed motorists and commuters of their belongings in Mile 2 Bridge traffic.

Tunde who was arrested in Mile 2 traffic at past 5:00 a.m. along with two other accomplices, Samuel Kolawole,23 and Solomon Omini,32 were arrested on monday after a chase by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad,while they were robbing motorists in traffic says robbing in Lagos traffic is the easiest way of robbery.

He said Motorists are always ready and willing to let go their properties mostly when they are shown any object that resembles gun.

According to him, what makes it

Landlord in police net for killing tenant’s son A

olice in Ogun State have arrested one a 26- year -old man Daniel Essien for having an unlawful carnal knowledge of a six years old girl (Name withheld).His arrest came following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother Ayoola Tolulope of No.6, Olufemi Oshin Street Alagbole Akute. She reported that she was called by her child’s school teacher to be watchful of her daughter because the girl confided in her that a man has been abusing her sexually.

According to the woman, this made her to interrogate the child on her arrival from school consequent upon which the girl told her that it was Essien who owns a barbing salon in the neighborhood who has been abusing her sexually for three times now.

Commenting on the matter the Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Abimbola Oyeyemi said on the strength of the report, the Divisional Police Officer ,DPO, Ajuwon Division Chief Superintendent of Police, Afolabi Kazeem led his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested. On interrogation, that he abused the girl for spiritual purposes he denied the allegation but rather accepted that he did it just for sexual satisfaction. It was gathered that the medical report conducted on her confirmed that there was penetration but he insist that he was only rolling his penis on the girls private part just for sexual satisfaction.

Meanwhile , the Commissioner of Police,CP, Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the suspect be transferred to Anti-Human trafficking and child labour unit of the State criminal investigation and intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

44

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45

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

SPORTS

Stop blame game, focus on Nations Cup, Chukwu tells stakeholders Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

A

S the controversy over the early exit of the national team the Super Eagles from the ongoing World Cup rages on, former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu has urged stakeholders in Nigeria Football to stop trading blames on who is responsible and who is not.

According to him, the 2018 FIFA World Cup as far as Nigeria is concerned is in the past because there is no amount of blame trading that would restore the country back to the Mundial.

He said instead of wasting precious time trading blames, the stakeholders should direct their attention; energy and focus in ensuring that country do well in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with a view to winning the continental premier football tournament.

“You see, I do not see the need for all these blame game flying all over the place on why the country exited the ongoing World Cup in Russia,” Chukwu began.

“It is too late in the day for anybody to busy himself or herself in trading blames on the exit of the Super Eagles at the World Cup. There is no amount of blame trading that would bring back the Super Eagles to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “I am of the view that it will be better if the attention, energy and focus of all stakeholders should be directed at making sure that we qualify for next year’s Nations Cup and at the same time do well in the championship by targeting the trophy and busying ourselves in blaming each other over what is in the past.

“I believe there are many more positive things that we can do to better our football than what is going on at the moment in the name of portioning blames on why we could not go beyond the group stage of the World Cup. There other countries that couldn’t make beyond the group stage including four time champions,

Germany,” Chukwu said.

Reacting to those who are of the opinion that the Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, was to blame for the early exit of the three time continental champions at the Mundial, Chukwu said he was not surprise at such views because it has been the norm. He explained that whenever a team does well, the praise goes to the coach and whenever a team failed to perform the blame also goes to the coach.

“Like I said earlier, we should stop this blame game and focus on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Any way it is a normal thing in football that whenever a team does well, the praise goes to the coach and whenever a team fail to deliver the blame also goes to the coach. That is what obtains in football,” Chukwu explained.

“I believe that blaming the coach now is of no use because I know that both the coach and the players must have realized where they made mistakes and should be willing to correcting them in their future engagements.

“However, there is one advise I would like to offer the coach. That advise is that he should return to the country and settle here and start watching our league matches with a view of discovering budding talents in the league and nurturing them for the national team.

“I have been making this suggestion for a very long time now because I know that it is wrong for us as a country to be over reliant on our foreign based players. No country does that.

“There are so many football talents in the country that if discovered and nurtured have the capacity to give us what we want. So, the coach should return home and settle down for business because that is why he is paid.

“Apart from that there are so many other things that he should be helping us to do like overseeing other national teams because that is what he is paid for to do,” Chukwu explained.

•Super Eagles in training in Russia during the Mundia before their exit.

Why our elimination is painful – Adepoju

F

ORMER national team midfielder and a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee, Mitiu Adepoju, has disclosed why the exit of the Super Eagles was painful to him and other Nigerians.

Adepoju, who was the former general manager of 3SC of Ibadan said he was pained that Eagles had to exit the 2018 FIFA World via the defeat they suffered yet in the hands of their World Cup regular foes, Argentina.

He exonerated the team of any wrong doing in the defeat saying they fought gallantly but were unlucky to have succumbed to their more star studded and illustrious ignated for arrival and registration opponents, Argentina. of coaches for the clinic and that “It is most unfortunate that the the exercise started at 8am.

Super Eagles who have done their Onyeacholam said he sent the best in that game against Argenrelease on behalf of the President of the NAqF, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams.

NAqF holds 5 - day coaching clinic

T

HE board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) led by Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams is holding a five day coaching clinic for swimming coaches at the refurbished National Stadium and Teslim Balogun Stadium both in Surulere-Lagos.

According the release to the Oracle Today Sports by the chairman of the technical committee of the Federation, Mr. Steve Onyeacholam, the coaching clinic started on Monday, July 02, and will end on Friday July 06, 2018.

He said that all the coaches for the coaching clinic should note that the Theoretical classes in the mornings will be held at the Sports Bar of the main bowl of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere while the practical sessions in the afternoons will take place at the swimming pool complex of the National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos.

Continuing, Mr. Onyeacholam explained that morning sessions will commence at 9am, while the afternoon sessions will start at 2pm.

He said Monday, July 02 was des-

tina. But as you know, some times things don’t work out as planned.

And in a game you can never predict.

It is sad that the Argentine victory came when the game was in its last five minutes. Well, Eagles tried their best and their best wasn’t just a lucky enough.

“Well it is very painful, more so when it is Argentina makes it even more painful because Nigeria have lost so many times to them,” Adepoju lamented.

It is recalled that Eagles were in the verge of making to the round of 16 when Victor Moses penalty kick brought Eagles back to the game after cancelling out Lionel Messi’s earlier goal within the first five minutes of the game only for Roja to lash out at a cross to put the game beyond the Eagles with

five minutes remaining.

The Mikel Obi captained Eagles battled to equalize once again but failed resulting to the crashing out of the tournament by the three time African champions.

It is also noted that Eagles lost two of their three group matches and won a game to exit the tournament with garnering only three points after they succeeded in beating Iceland 2-0 while they were beaten by Croatia and Argentina.

The Nigerians scored three goals and conceded four with Ahmed Musa accounting for two of the three goals after he scored twice to give Nigerian hope of possible qualification to the round of 16 while Victor Moses converted the penalty in the game against Argentina.

“May be because he gave the first penalty and he doesn’t want to give the second one. But a penalty is a penalty. If you have given the first penalty, you can still give the second one if it is a penalty.

“For us, we have seen it again in the dressing room, it was a clear penalty, it was a clear handball.

“So there wasn’t any way the referee couldn’t give that. I mean he looked at the VAR and I asked him, did the ball hit the hand and he said yes. So, why is it not a penalty? I do not understand.

“So, this is the explanation. I asked did the ball hit the his hand he said yes. But why is it not a penalty? So why did he not give a penalty he said he doesn’t know.

“For me, I can’t say any more about this. This is the VAR,” Mikel declared.

Meanwhile, former CAF and FIFA badged referee, Linus Mba has

thrown more light on the raging controversy as it regards the penalty the Super Eagles were denied in their clash against Argentina.

According to the retired referee, if the ball hits the hand in its natural position, such an infringement cannot be considered as handball or foul since the hand is in its natural state.

“There are issues and circumstance you have to watch out when you are charging handball. If your hand is in a natural position and the ball touches you, will you have cut off your hand to throw it off?

“If you are jumping up to head a ball, where do you keep your hand?

At your back? Natural position of the hand, if the ball hits the hand at its natural position, it is not a handball.

“Or if you are putting your hand down and you are on the ground and the ball hits or touches your hand and did not propel the ball, it is not a handball,” Mba explained.

Mikel insists Eagles were denied clear penalty

S

•Babatunde Fatayi-Williams

UPER Eagles TEDA Tianjin captain, John Obi Mikel has continued to rue the penalty denied Nigeria in the Super Eagles’ last Group D match against two time world champions, Argentina.

The former Chelsea defensive midfielder is of the opinion that there is no reason for the referee to deny Eagles the penalty because he asked the referee after watch the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and confirmed that the ball touched the player on hand within the 18-yard-box and as a result does not know why the penalty was denied the Eagles.

“I do not understand how that wasn’t a penalty. For me it was a clear handball, it was a clear penalty,” Mikel began.

“And I think if you look again at the game Spain against Portugal, I think that wasn’t even close to this. I think this is even worse, I think this is even very open. He headed the ball and the ball hit his hand.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

SPORTS

Rohr should take responsibility for Eagles’ early ouster – Lawal Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ORMER Super Eagles midfielder and a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee, Garba Lawal has asked the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser to be man enough to accept responsibility for the early exit of the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. According to Lawal, Rohr at the helm of affairs of the national team as it concerns technical matters should be blamed for the team’s early ouster because he alone selected the players that represented the country at the Mundial and as a result should not exonerate himself of any blame.

He explained that the game of football is all about winning your matches and if for whatever reason you failed to deliver, there is nothing wrong in accepting blame for the failure instead of trying to blame the players by claiming that they made many mistakes and that the players are young.

“I think that Nigerians who are angry and bitter over the early exit of the Super Eagles from the World Cup have every reason to be angry.

“I am saying this because the game of football is all about winning your matches and for whatever reason you failed to deliver, you have to take responsibility for the failure and not trying to shift the blame on other people,” Lawal said.

“I do not understand what the coach meant by saying that the players are young, Is that an excuse for the team’s failure?

“Some of us also started playing for the national team when we

were young. And so, what is the big deal that a player or players are young?

“Is he saying that the game of football is no longer meant for the youth or young people as the case may be? So I do not really understand what he talking about,” Lawal declared.

“Gernot Rohr should take responsibility for our early exit from the World Cup because he selected the players that he took to the World Cup. So whatever comes out of that decision he made should be accepted by him and not trying to shift the blame on some other persons.

“I think it is high time we started having self-examination, self-criticism. If are sincere, we should be able to search our conscience and tell ourselves the truth. They say truth is bitter but we need the truth to make progress in life.

“So, the coach should examine himself and if there is any area that he is convinced that he didn’t do well, should accept it with a view of making amend,” Lawal explained.

Talking of Rohr’s future with the national team, the former Julius Berger FC of Lagos said he does not know the terms of contract that the Franco-German football tactician had with the Amaju Pinnick led Board of the Nigeria Football Federation saying only Amaju and Rohr know the content of the contract.

“I believe that the NFF will tell Nigerians the what will be the fate of the Eagles manager because I do not know the content of the contract he signed with the Federation.

It is only Amaju and Rohr that know the terms of the contract.

“So, whether he will continue to stay or be sacked after this failure will be determined based on the

Nigeria is determined to host basketball championship

T

•Gernot Rohr terms of the contract he signed with the NFF. Ordinarily, having failed to deliver, the coach ought to have been fired because his team did not meet the minimum expectations of Nigerians which means that the coach has failed in his job. It is as simple as that.

“But like I said earlier, I do not know the terms of his contract and

I believe that in due time the NFF will tell us what they intend doing with the coach either to retain him or to fire him for his failure to even take the team to the second round of the competition,” Lawal explained.

True confession: Wearing Argentina shirt is heavy pressure – Crespo

T Dalung gives reason for Amaju’s sack

•Directs NFF to recognize Giwa as President

T

HE Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solom0on Dalung, has given reason why the ministry deemed it expedient to sack the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

According to Dalung, the reason for directing that Amaju should be sacked was based on competent court orders even as he explained that he does not want to go to prison for his failure to comply with that order by the court.

It is recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is a parastatal under the Minister of Sports and Youth Development. He explained that he had to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 27, 2018, which restored the orders of the Federal High Court, setting aside the purported election into the Executive Committee of the NFF held on September 30, 2014.

The Minister statement that the directive followed a written notification signed for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requesting the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure compliance.

The notification states thus; “I have been directed to notify you of the Orders dated June 5th 2018, made by Honorable Justice M. H. Kurya sitting at the Federal High Court Jos in respect of the above mentioned suit between

Yahaya Adama Vs Alhaji Aminu Maigari which states that the election of the NFF held on August 26, 2014 under the leadership of Amb. Chris Giwa be given recognition pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case and that the purported ban of the Executive Committee elected on August 26, 2014 from football activities of the NFF is unconstitutional, null and void.

“It is trite law that court orders are sacrosanct and any acts of disobedience to it constitutes threat to the rule of law. Consequent upon the above, you are hereby advised to comply with the orders of court made therein which for now, is the valid and binding order of court, in the absence of any other subsisting order or judgment to the contrary”.

Consequently, Barrister Dalung has however directed the parties involved to comply with the court order.

“This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same.”

The order compels the defendants, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, their servants, agents and privies howsoever, the Inspector General of Police and all

law enforcement agencies to forthwith enforce the orders made by the court on 19th September 2014 and 23rd October 2014 and give recognition to the General Assembly Meeting and election of the NFF held on 26th August 2014 under the leadership of Amb Chris Giwa pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed in this case.

However, it is not yet known whether the Hon Minister of Sports and Youth Development will succeed in sending Amaju packing considering that football matters are not determined in the regular courts.

There is every likelihood that Nigeria will have to contend with the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) particularly as it is an open secret that Amaju Pinnick is a close ally of the President of the world Football governing body(FIFA), Gianni Infantino.

HE Secretary of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Chimezie Asiegbu has disclosed that Nigeria will benefit from hosting the 2019 FIBA Qualifiers despite the challenges of hosting an event of this magnitude for the first time in 15 years.

He, however, said that the Federation has resolved to bid for the African leg of the Basketball World Qualifier.

“It is very difficult to host no doubt. But the board is convinced that the benefit of hosting far, far outweighs the difficulties.

“So if Nigeria has not hosted anything like that in the last ten, fifteen years because of the difficulties I guest.

“But this board is determined that we would host and the two window in the beginning of July.

Most Nigerians believe that if Eagles were not denied the second penalty they would have made to at least the second round of the competition but that was not to be as Eagles were eliminated and Argentina moved on at their expense.

There is a problem here also in the sense that there two basketball governing bodies in the country and that certainly will make it difficult for the country to actually hos a successful FIBA Qualifiers.

HIS is true confession in deed.

Former Argentina striker, Hernan Crespo has confessed that wearing Argentina shirt brings about heavy pressure on the any player that wears the shirt.

Crespo made the confession after seeing Argentine players burst into tears after beating Nigeria 2-1 last week Tuesday to sneak into the World Cup last 16 of the Mundial in Russia. He said the tears in the eyes of the players after that hard fought victory over Nigeria was a sign of the enormous pressure that comes with playing for the national team.

“It’s normal, you play under pressure, because the Argentina shirt is so heavy, but at the same time it is abnormal that after the game you see players crying, that is the effect of all that pressure,” Crespo told reporters.

Lionel Messi, five-times world player of the year and Argentina’s all-time top scorer, often appears to shoulder most of that pressure but Crespo said every player wearing the blue and white stripes is under the same demands from the football-crazy country.

•Hon. Solomon Dalung and Amaju Pinnick

“The pressure is the same, it’s not just him (Messi) but for all the players, what happened yesterday (last Tuesday) wasn’t normal, when you watch so many players crying after the match, that means that it was an enormous pressure,” he added.

“I hope that in some way they have released this pressure, and that now they can find the best version of themselves in the next match.”

World Cup winners in 1978 and 1986, Argentina were on the brink of a humiliating early exit after drawing 1-1 with Iceland and losing 3-0 to Croatia, but Marcos Rojo’s late winner against Nigeria means a mouthwatering last-16 clash with Group C winners France awaits them.

“We surely aren’t the favourites, we have a team of good players, but so do France, and they played with the same coach for a long time, and so they already have an identity. Argentina don’t,” Crespo said.

“Argentina is still growing, we are in the World Cup and this is what we have got. But I think France is more worried than Argentina, because reaching the last 16 and playing against Argentina, let’s face it, it’s not the best option. And because of that, it will be a very good match.”

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday July 11, 2018

NEWS

Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB raises new alarm to UN, UK, others Cont’d from Pg 1 ly reported in all major news platforms, exposing where the Nigerian Government kept our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we expect the same Nigerian Army that abducted him to charge him to court or release him to the British Government.”

The statement further read, in part: “Despite the best efforts of Aso Rock propaganda unit, in concert with Igbo Efulefus to sweep the deadly army invasion of Isiama Afara Ukwu on 14 September 2017 that resulted in the death of 28 people under the carpet, this timely intelligence information has nailed their lies to the mast for the world to see.

“It is now clear to all and sundry that orchestrated sightings of our leader in Cameroon, Ghana, Niger Delta creeks, Malaysia, London and other weird and wonderful places were lies concocted and planted in mainstream Nigerian media to fool and confuse the public.”

“We the global family of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and its leadership wish to reiterate our call to United Nations, Britain, USA and other civilised nations to compel Nigeria to produce our leader. Nigerian Army abducted him when they raided his home with deadly intent,” the statement added.

“We know Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state where there are no civilised rules or behaviour. This obvious fact notwithstanding, there is no law in Nigeria, ECOWAS, AU or United Nations that empowers the Nigerian armed forces to kidnap and detain people at will without recourse to a court of law.

Failure to release our leader is an invitation to anarchy because the leadership of IPOB cannot guarantee how long the simmering rage of the masses can be contained.

“The periodic harassment of those that stood surety for our leader through Justice Binta Nyako’s court is a clever ploy to drum the false narrative into the brains of Nigerians that our leader jumped bail, when in actual fact it was the army that invaded his home and killed 28 people in the process. What the government may have succeeded in doing is convincing some gullible people that deadly invasion of Kanu’s home by Nigerian soldiers that led to many being shot dead and injured, doesn’t matter and should be forgotten.

“This Nigerian Government headed by Major General Muhammadu Buhari and his soldiers must release our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others abducted along-

Cont’d from Pg 2 saying that peace in the Niger Delta was crucial for realising the full industry programmes required to drive government’s economic recovery and growth agenda.

The Minister who shared the same frustration with insecurity in the operating environment said the operators must take full responsibility for enhancing the environment by evolving creative ways of addressing discontents and demands of the host communities.

He emphasized that the crisis in the Niger Delta has translated to cost escalation in the industry where per capita cost of production for a barrel of crude oil rank among the highest in the world.

He made it that even countries

side him last year during the invasion of his compound, without further delay. Or they can await the catastrophic consequences their extra-judicial killing spree will cause in the near future.

“Those in the habit of condoning

the excessive human rights abuses of this APC government must know, in the words of Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris, that he who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind. When the inevitable breakdown of law and order starts, am-

ateur historians and government propagandists should not seek to shift the blame to anybody else.

They should be brave enough to acknowledge that their handling of the brutality of this Buhari’s regime was the catalyst for the in-

evitable violent demise of Nigeria.

“Nigerian Government and her security operatives must produce our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others abducted with him last year.”

now is at the end of the two sides of the bridge.

“Most people on the existing bridge will not see what is happening now but once the main work is awarded, everybody will see it. It is a project that is very critical not only to Nigerian economy but also to countries along the corridors including Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Uganda and Kenya,” said Mr. Adetokunbo.

With the provision for the bridge in the 2018 budget neither here nor there now, will the contract still be awarded?

The confusion runs through the length of the bridge to the method of financing. The project had a certain status until the Buhari Administration stopped work on the bridge in June 2015.

“If government insists on funding the bridge, or decides to review the PPP processes that the ICRA had

approved, not only would these be illegal, but the process would also mean that there would be no new bridge across the River Niger in the next five years, if ever,” an expert who did not want his name in print said.

“The biggest assault on the project was the government’s decision to stop the contract. The collapse of the exchange rate has more than doubled the cost of the project.

Where would the government find the money?”

In a chat with The Oracle Today in Owerri in March 2017, Dr. Umar Eleazu, economist and pioneer Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, described the planned bridge as inadequate and worse than what was proposed decades ago.

“It was to start at Ogwashi-Uku with expressway that would have opened new opportunities by the

coastal lines. The idea was to create industrial clusters along the route that the road would serve,” he said.

“It was not meant to be just a road.”

The uncertainty about the completion of the bridge is a major question that the Federal Government would have to address.

For now, there isn’t much work going on, on the 2nd Niger Bridge.

At best, it is an abandoned project, at the instance of government.

In a post entitled “GEJ, Buhari & The People,” on the wall of a Facebook user, Mr. Chidi Cali, Dr. Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesman declared, among others: •That the bridge is not being constructed by the federal government •That it’s a PPP project to which the FG contributes a tiny fraction (28 per cent) • That the 2nd Niger Bridge will cost about N117 billion (2012-2013 estimates) • That the project was started in 2013 and should have been completed in 2017, but worked stopped for 31 months. Completion date not certain now • That the FG’s share of the cost is N30billion out of which the Jonathan Administration through the Sure-P paid N21.2billion (71%) including N7billion for the completion of preparatory work (Phase 1) • That 38% of the work had been done as at Jan 2015.

•The N140b Oshiomole said was wasted on Admin cost on the bridge was a lie, as admin cost would not be higher than the cost of the whole project • That the Buhari government paid N2billion not $2billion as Osinbajo said during the Anambra State election campaign tour. They will be paying another N3.05 when 2018 budget is approved That all the pictures flying all over the Internet are pictures of work-inprogress made during the 1st quarter of 2015 •That in summary, the Jonathan government had paid 71% of FG’s share of the cost, while Buhari’s govt has paid 6.1% • That the construction company is funding the project and the people using the bridge will bear the cost via toll charges •That the real people building the bridge are Nigerians that will use the Bridge, as they will repay the cost to Julius Berger •That for those celebrating politicians and sharing old or fake pictures of 2nd Niger Bridge, the facts are not on their side “All the work that has been done so is from funds that had been paid earlier for the project,” a source conversant with the project told The Oracle Today. “Costs have gone up from N117 billion in 2012 to N210 billion in 2018. Who would pay for the bridge? What happens to the earlier contracts?

“If the government thought something was wrong with the old contract, what did it find out in almost three years of stopping the project? The budget cuts is the latest excuse for not building the 2nd Niger Bridge. The cuts are not enough to affect the Bridge. The truth is that there were no budgetary provisions for the N210 billion required to build

2nd Niger Bridge finally stalled Cont’d from Pg 2

the Director of Highway Bridges and Design, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Sogbesan Adetokunbo had told the media in Asaba that the main project of the second Niger Bridge will cost N210 billion.

There was no mention of who would fund the project as he listed the procedure that would lead to the realisation of the project and the extent of work done.

According to him, “the main works will be awarded in the next one or two months and the approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha axis will be awarded before the end of the year.

“When the main bridge is awarded, there will be a lot of piling works in the water and that is what people will see. They can stand on the existing bridge and see piling works going on but where we are working

•ºPRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari adores the late General Sani Abacha, a former Head of State who died in office in 1998. The basis of Buhari’s relationship with Abacha is cloudy, considering who Abacha was. Uncharitable ones claim Buhari’s hero-worshipping of Abacha is in appreciation of his appointment as Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, (PTF), a government intervention agency that still got funds to fix infrastructure, though crude oil prices crashed to as low as $10 per barrel.

ABACHA is back in Buhari’s life, in a manner that keeps dredging up the PTF days. There was applause over PTF’s performances until

Govt slams oil firms over losses with similar operating environment like Nigeria post lower cost of production and greater operations management efficiency.

He pointed at the traditional community crisis in Ogoni land in Rivers State where Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) has stalled operations and divested its stake in operated assets.

Dr. Kachikwu declared that government would no longer accept the failure of the oil companies that fail to manage their relationship with the host communities.

He pointed out that Nigeria still has a 50 year outlook on the oil industry with 36 billion barrels of reserves to enable the economic environment benefit from oil.

He pointed at the tightening

competition in the oil market and shrinking regional market space as the reasons why Nigeria must make haste with monetization of her hydrocarbon resources to afford government the revenue to drive the nation’s economic agenda.

He made it clear that government would no longer approve field development plans unless the operator provides convincing cost reduction models that address host community issues and gas monetization. He said government would no longer tolerate flaring despite the existing financial fines.

He told the companies in the country to take responsibility for their operating environment, stressing that issues that currently build cost in the operating envi-

ronment actually arose from failure of operators to address community issues.

In a presentation delivered on his behalf at the event, the Group Managing Director of Aiteo. Mr. Chike Onyejeckwe, stated that oil theft rather than neglect was responsible for community crisis in the Niger Delta.

He declared that there was massive theft that led to outage of key facilities in the region, adding that inability of the industry to meet key economic aspirations of the government was not a function of capacity but an issue of crime.

He point at the recent attack on the Nembe Creek Trunkline as one of the bold affronts that forced a group of producers to shut in production.

WEDNESDAY July 11, 2018

The

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It’s well… NO, it’s not well

S

OMETIMES I wonder when we grew deceit to a culture, a thriving culture.

My searches have produced no answers. That is the more frustrating part of efforts at solving a problem that few see, or know that it exists.

We are exalting deceit in many ways.

Nobody cares any longer about our utterances, though we are the first to admit that the fullness of the heart and its abundances reflect in the things we say, how we say them, and who we address with those words.

How do we look daily killings around us and all we can say is: It’s well? How did we arrive at that level of depravity?

Just a look at some of them -

• January 27, 2015: 17 people were killed in attacks on Abugbe, Okoklo, Ogwule & Ocholoyan in Agatu LGA by Fulani herdsmen.

• January 30, 2015: Over 100 attackers stormed 5 villages in Logo LGA, killing 9 persons in the attack.

• March 15, 2015: Fulani herdsmen invaded Egba village in Agatu LGA and over 90 locals, including women and children, were killed.

• April 27, 2015: 28 people were killed by herdsmen in an attack on 3 villages at Mbadwem, Guma LGA Benue State.

• May 11, 2015: 5 people were killed in Ikyoawen community in Turan Kwande LGA Benue State • May 24, 2015: 100 people were killed in an attack by Fulani herdsmen in villages and refugee camps at Ukura, Gafa, Per, and Tse-Gusa, Logo LGA Benue State.

• July 7, 2015: Fulani herdsmen killed one person following an attack on mourners in Imande Bebeshi in Kwande LGA Benue State.

• November 5, 2015: 12 people were killed, 25 others injured in Buruku LGA following an attack by suspected herdsmen Benue State.

• Feb 8, 2016: 10 people were killed and over 300 displaced in a clash between herdsmen and farmers at Tor-Anyiin and Tor-Ataan in Buruku LGA Benue State • February 18, 2016: Fulani herdsmen at Okokolo village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State killed five people.

• Feb 21-24, 2016: Over 500 people were killed and 7000 displaced in an attack on Agatu LGA by Fulani herdsmen.

• March 5, 2016: the rampaging Fulani herdsmen killed About 500 people after an attack on Agatu local government area of Benue State.

• March 9, 2016: 8 people were killed by Fulani herdsmen in attacks on Ngorukgan, Tse Chia, Deghkia and Nhumbe in Logo LGA Benue State.

• March 13, 2016. Herdsmen in an attack on Tarkaa LGA killed 6 people.

• February 29, 2016: 11 people were killed in Edugbeho Agatu, Benue State.

• March 10, 2016:2 people were killed after Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in Agatu.

• April 12, 2016: Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State and killed 15 people.

• April 19, 2016: Fulani herdsmen alleged-

ly killed over 23 persons in Delta State.

• April 25, 2016: Fulani herdsmen killed About 40 people after they attacked 7 villages in Nimbo in Uzo- Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

• June 16, 2016: A 45-year-old renowned farmer was shot by Fulani herdsmen in Ossissa community in Ndokwa east local government area of Delta State.

• June 20, 2016: At Least 59 people were killed following an attack in Benue State.

• January 24, 2017: 15 people were killed by rampaging Fulani herdsmen, who attacked farmers in Ipiga village in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

• March 2, 2017: 10 people were killed after Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashed in Mbahimin community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

• March 11, 2017: 7 people were killed when Fulani herdsmen attacked a Tiv community, Mkgovur village in Buruku • May 8, 2017: Three persons were confirmed killed by herdsmen in Tse-Akaa village, Ugondo Mbamar District of Logo Lo-

cal Government Area of Benue State.

• May 13, 2017: Less than one week after many people were killed by herdsmen in three communities of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, armed herders struck again on May 13 killing eight more people.

• December 31, 2017 and January 2, 2018: 73 persons including seven members of the Benue State Livestock Guards killed in fresh attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen after they invaded Gaambe-Tiev, Ayilamo and Turan all in Logo LGA as well as Umenger, Tse-Akor and Tomatar near Tse-Abi in Nongov District of Guma LGA • January 7, 2018: Fulani herdsmen kill 5 Mambilla men and injured 6 others • January 14, 2018: 10 people were killed as Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government of Kaduna State.

• January 17, 2018: At least 4 people were killed in an attack on Uhime and Angyo communities at Dooka in Doma Local

Government Area of Nasarawa State by Fulani herdsmen.

• January 17, 2018: 4 people were killed in a fresh attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas on Wednesday in Benue State.

• January 25, 2018: 6 people were killed in two separate attacks by Fulani herdsmen on two communities in Plateau State.

• January 30, 2018: Fulani herdsmen attacked NNPC officials, killed one person in Benue State • February 26, 2018: Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in Delta State and killed a couple.

• February 28, 2018: 20 people were killed in Adamawa State after Fulani herdsmen attacked farmers.

• March 3, 2018: A Mambilla woman from Takam Village, east of Maisamari, Taraba State, was returning from market when the Fulani mercenaries caught up with her and slaughtered her like a ram.

• March 4, 2018: The entire Maisamari-Tungan Ahmadu-Escarpment highway was taken over by hundreds of armed Fulani mercenaries emerging from Gashaka area. The mercenaries on the Escarpment Highway killed several people. The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi’s convoy ran into these mercenaries on his way to Mambilla and captured four of the mercenaries whom he took along with him to Gembu.

• March 5, 2018: 10 people were killed by Fulani herdsmen in Benue’s Omosu village • March 7, 2018: 26 people were killed as herdsmen sack Benue village in a fresh attack.

Of course numerous attacks took place in April, May, then Jos June, but I would not bore you with those details. What is listed above are some of the attacks. There are attacks in almost every State. There have been attacks in these States - Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Imo, Enugu, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Cross River, Katsina.

Religiosity may just be at the centre of the galvanised attempts to deny that we are in dire situations that require decisive actions. We are treating cancers with analgesics that can barely cure headaches.

Nobody is bothered. We go to church. We are at the mosque. We claim we are human beings; we worship a Supreme Being, who made the lives we are wasting. Is it easier to explain the attacks than to do anything about them? What we do with the attacks is a matter for our governments to decide quickly. The international community are too interested in trades and diplomatic relations with Nigeria to be concerned with how many Nigerians are killed, and whether the killings are daily or annually.

Government has a choice to stop the killings or to look away. Every decision has its consequences. The fragile peace that exists is that the victims have not opted to defend themselves as Gen Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma suggest in March.

Nothing is well in Nigeria. It is the naked truth, and we should do something about it, quickly.

•In case you think we are shouting too much about these killings, see how stretched they are.

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