ABC News Good Morning America has reported the arrival of Hurricane Dorian in North Carolina.
The storm made landfall along Cape Hatteras Friday morning as the state’s low-lying islands and waterfront communities brace for flash flooding and dangerous storm surge.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned residents who didn’t heed earlier evacuation warnings to stay indoors and “hunker down” until the storm passes.

“Hurricane Dorian is ready to unleash its fury on our state,” Cooper said Thursday.

Over 330,000 homes and businesses were without power across the Carolinas Friday morning as a result of the storm, now a Category 1 hurricane.

One storm-related death struck North Carolina before Dorian’s arrival. An 85-year-old man died after falling off a ladder while preparing his Columbus County home for the storm, Cooper said Wednesday.

Dorian is expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain in northeast North Carolina through Saturday, with as much as 15 inches of total rainfall accumulating in isolated locations. The combination of downpours and storm surge as high as 7 feet could cause life-threatening flash floods.

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-hurricane-dorian-lands-in-north-carolina/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said that the gunmen attack on its governorship primary election in Kogi has further united its aspirants, stakeholders, leaders, members and supporters.

Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary of the party, said this while addressing newsmen at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said that processes of the primary were still intact and would be peacefully concluded.

Nigeria News Agency reports that the governorship primary election was disrupted in the early hours of Wednesday when gunmen invaded the venue of the election, Lokoja Confluence Stadium.

NAN further reports that voting had ended and sorting of votes were going on when the gunmen came to the venue at about 1:45a.m. and started shooting from different directions.

Ologbondiyan noted that the party electoral committee members were still in the state to complete the process.

He described the attack as a failed desperate attempt to prevent PDP from presenting a candidate for the election.

He also said that nothing could sway PDP resolve and peoples’ will to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 16 election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP had a peaceful, decent, clean, clear, credible and transparent process in the conduct of our primary,” he said.

Ologbondiyan said that the people of Kogi had never in history, bowed in subjugation to anybody no matter the force or intimidation.

“We have decided to take back their state by voting in the PDP on Nov. 16,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/attack-on-pdp-kogi-primary-further-unites-aspirants-stakeholders-pdp/

The Imo State government has earmarked N3.9 billion for renovation and the building of new infrastructure in the state’s basic education sector.

Governor Emeka Ihedioha disclosed that some of the projects to be executed include the construction of 120 new classroom blocks, 100 toilets, the sinking of 45 boreholes and fencing of 10 schools to ward off external encroachers.

Executive Chairman of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB), Prof. Obioma Iheduru, told journalists in Owerri that part of the money would also be used to renovate 140 dilapidated classroom blocks, 138 boreholes and 346 toilets, among others.

He said the projects would be spread across the 27 council areas of the state, pointing out that the efforts as part of Governor Ihedioha’s aim at boosting the standard of education in the state, especially at the basic level.


https://m.guardian.ng/news/ihedioha-pledges-to-invest-n3-9b-in-basic-education/

One of the finest artistes in Nigeria’s music industry, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz has displayed his lyrical prowess again as he reacted to the list of shame containing 80 names of scammers from Nigeria released by FBI.



Falz also used the video to tell the government to address the issues raised by pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore and not detain him.

The musician, who is the son of popular rights lawyer, Femi Falana, made the call in a video tagged #BetterChallenge and posted on his Instagram page.

He also questioned why a senator caught on camera assaulting a woman still participates in legislative proceedings at the National Assembly.

This is not the first time Folarin will utilize music to pass his message, in 2018 he released a song titled “This is Nigeria,” to voice his opinion on some of the challenges in the country.



However, “This is Nigeria” was banned on August 6, 2018, by The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

According to NBC, a part of the song – “This is Nigeria; look how we living now everybody be criminal” has been tagged “vulgar” and the song is now declared “unfit for radio”.

His current video on FBI list, Sowore, Senator Abbo has received massive recognition and plaudits from his colleagues in the entertainment industry and members of the public. But it’s left to be seen if the song will be banned.

https://www.akelicious.net/falz-sends-message-to-buharis-government/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPCY65bfyyQ

The Lagos State Government has partnered with the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF), a non-governmental organisation, to provide free surgical intervention for 100 people in the state.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that this was part of the activities marking the 100 days in office of Gov. Babajide Sanwol-Olu.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, in a statement on Sunday, said that the surgical intervention would be for people with lipomas, breast lumps, hernia and fibroid.

Abayomi said that the surgical intervention, tagged “100 in 100”, would start with the screening and selection of patients which, he said, would hold between Sept. 2 and Sept. 6, at Ijede General Hospital.

He said that the surgeries would hold immediately after at designated general hospitals which would be communicated to the selected patients.

Abayomi added that aside the screening and surgery, medical consultations and dental services would be provided to patients at no cost.

The commissioner stressed that the programme would provide an opportunity for people to benefit from free health services that would improve their wellbeing.

He said that the programme, like other free medical interventions earlier organised by the state, was to improve access to quality healthcare services towards achieving universal health coverage.

Abayomi commended the NGO for collaborating with government in a humanitarian venture that sought to offer succour to the less privileged in the state.

He said that his ministry was always open to collaboration from well-meaning individuals and organisations whose ideals and mission aligned with that of government to ensure that citizens lived healthy and productive lives.

He urged the residents with specified ailments to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the programme to get the needed help.

“I also wish to encourage everyone, not just in Ijede, Agbowa or Ikorodu, but across the state, to take advantage of this opportunity to get free health checks from qualified medical professionals,” he said.

The statement quoted Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, the Executive Director, BOF, as saying that his organisation was happy to collaborate with the state government to offer help to the citizens and impact their lives positively, in line with the foundation’s mission.

https://www.akelicious.net/lagos-govt-ngo-partner-on-free-surgery-to-mark-sanwo-olus-100-days-in-office/

The last batch of 369 Pilgrims that travelled with the Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for 2019 Hajj exercise on Sunday arrived llorin, the state capital.

Nigeria News Agency reports that the Max Airline which transported the Pilgrims from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, taxied down at the llorin International Airport at about 4.15 am.

Among the last batch of pilgrims were the state 2019 Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Lasisi Kolawole-Jimoh, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Mohammed Unde-Jimoh and other officials.

The Pilgrims were met on arrival by their relations, friends and well wishers who had been waiting for their arrival at the airport since Saturday night.

reports that the first batch of 560 Kwara pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia via the llorin International Airport on Sunday, July 14 by the Max Airline.

A total of 2, 026 pilgrims from the state, including officials, travelled with the board in four batches for the 2019 Hajj pilgrimage.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019-hajj-last-batch-of-369-kwara-pilgrims-arrive-llorin/

Cristiano Ronaldo joked he hopes he can one day sit down for dinner with rival Lionel Messi as the pair sat side by side for the Champions League draw in Monaco.

Ronaldo has spent much of his career battling with Messi for the game’s biggest honours and the rivalry was heightened when the Portuguese spent nine years in La Liga.

The 34-year-old is now spearheading Juventus’ bid for Champions League glory but admitted in Monaco that he misses playing in Spain as Messi ‘pushed him’ to be the best.

I was curious because we shared this stage for 15 years me and him,’ Ronaldo said.

“I don’t know if that has ever happened in football, the same two guys on the stage at the same time, so it’s not easy.


“Of course we have a good relationship, we have not had dinner together yet but I hope in the future.’

Both players possess five Ballon d’Or trophies and found themselves nominated for UEFA’s Player of the Season award, only to be beaten by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

Messi is two years younger than his Real Madrid rival but while both are approaching the twilights of their careers, Ronaldo believes the two are secure in the history books for what they have achieved.

“Of course I miss playing in Spain, we had that battle the last 15 years, which was good,’ the Portuguese added.

“He pushed me and I pushed him as well, so it’s good to be part of history of football. I am there and of course he is there as well.’

Ronaldo is the man tasked with beating Messi to the Champions League title this season and end the Old Lady’s run without it, having not lifted the cup since 1996.

Juventus are in a group with Atletico Madrid – who Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against last season to knock the Spaniards out – Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow.

“Tough group like always but we are confident, we are Juventus and we are looking forward to starting well,’ he added.

“As you know it is a difficult competition to win but we are very confident for this year. I don’t know what will happen this year but when it starts I am always confident. Step by step and we will see what can happen.”

https://www.akelicious.net/i-miss-playing-against-messi-in-spain-ronaldo/

The Federal Government says it will not compromise the quality of the agricultural commodities being traded on the country’s Commodity Exchange Platform.

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), Mrs Zaheera Baba-Ari, said this at a three-day training organised by the Commodity Brokers’ Association of Nigeria (CBAN) for its operators.

Baba-Ari said that the Exchange would ensure that the quality of products traded on the platform are of the highest quality.

According to her, quality control is one of the key things that the NCX is looking at as it seeks to win over buyers and sellers from the open commodity market.

Baba-Ari said that the exchange was critical to the nation’s quest for economic diversification, especially by being a destination of standard agricultural products for exporters.

She said that the viability of the exchange platform would also increase the nation’s agricultural productivity and also improve the income and livelihood of farmers.

The managing director said the training was part of efforts by the NCX to sensitise the public on how the community exchange operates and its numerous benefits to farmers and other stakeholders.

“The essence is to educate stakeholders, especially farmers, on how to trade on the system and use it to generate revenue for themselves and for the country,” she said.

The NCX Head of Quality Control, Dr Khadijat Abdulaziz, said as a market that facilitates trade between commodity buyers and sellers, the issue of quality was very important.

“We have to look at what makes a buyer to buy through the exchange without going to the open market. This consideration is the issue of quality.

“It is very important for participants, members and potential exchange players to know what quality is all about and get familiar with the terminologies because some of them might become warehouse operators and some brokers.

“So, as brokers when they receive orders from their clients to buy or sell certain commodities through the exchange, they must be familiar with the terms used to describe quality,” she said.

Similarly, the Head of Market Information System, NCX, Mr Oladotun Abiodun, said with the commodity exchange, the rejection of agricultural products from Nigeria at the international or local market would no longer arise.

“This is why we try to make participants understand that trading on the commodity exchange is all about quality certification and assurance,” he said.

The Coordinator of CBAN in the North Central Zone, Mr Ashaq Yahaya, said the training was designed to build the capacity of farmers, processors and marketers on quality control, among others.

This, he said, was to improve the quality of the country’s agricultural exports to drive the economic diversification vision of the present administration.

He said also that the participants would go through the second and third training, Intermediate and Advance respectively by November before becoming certified brokers.

One of the participants, Mr Abdullahi Maidoya, an exporter from Kano, said he had learnt a lot concerning the exchange of communities locally and internationally.

He said the training had increased his knowledge on proper storage, how to maintain contract without conflict and how to handle challenges.

Nigeria News Agency reports that the training centred on the foundation of commodity exchange operations and participants were drawn from CBAN, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Chartered Institute of stockbrokers, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/fg-promises-high-quality-agric-products-on-commodity-trading-platform/

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has raised alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar have hatched a plot to smear the character of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Tanko Mohammed ahead of the September 13 judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.



According to the group, this is the outcome of a recent strategy meeting of PDP leaders and the former Vice President in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, that it has credible information that Atiku and PDP, fearing near-certain loss at the Tribunal were preparing the ground for an appeal at the Supreme Court.

One of their strategies for a favourable outcome at the Supreme Court is to force the CJN to recuse himself from the Supreme Court panel to hear the appeal.

“We want to alert Nigerians of a devious plot concocted by PDP elements in their usual haven of dubious strategies to launch scathing media attacks on the judiciary with Chief Justice Tanko Mohammed as main target.



“The latest Dubai strategy of lies has been tidied up and is to be launched soon with the ultimate aim of preventing the CJN from heading the Supreme Court panel that will consider their appeal against the outcome of the Tribunal which they envisaged won’t be favourable to them.

“It is a pre-emptive move by a group of unpatriotic politicians which we want Nigerians to be aware of, before they bombard the public space with the type of spurious claims that made the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa stand down from the five-member panel that considered Atiku Abubakar’s petition against President Muhammadu Buhari’s overwhelming victory at the polls.

“Nigerians saw how these characters did not care about the sterling qualities of one of the country’s best judges as they maligned her for weeks on end in social and traditional media. They also saw through the crocodile tears of the former Vice President after Justice Bulkachuwa opted to recuse herself, even after the Tribunal dismissed PDP’s petition against her.

“Now, Atiku’s attention is on how to get Chief Justice Mohammed out of the way by again using the media to whip up unnecessary public sentiment, in line with his well-documented desperation to rule the country.”

BMO therefore urged Nigerians to remind the former Vice President of his promise to abide by the verdict of the Tribunal.



“In case he has forgotten, the PDP presidential candidate needs to be reminded of the promise one of his campaign spokesmen, Segun Sowunmi made on his behalf that Atiku would accept the verdict of the Tribunal on his petition challenging the emergence of President Buhari as winner of the election.

“Of course, we recognise his constitutional right to proceed to the Supreme Court but we are opposed to a situation where a former Vice President would be part of a scheme to tarnish the image and reputation of the head of our nation’s judiciary.

“For a man that once claimed to be interested in ‘institutional reforms that would enhance national development’, we consider it absurd that he is at the forefront of efforts to rubbish national institutions and their heads.

“And just like we said before the 2019 elections that their Dubai strategy would fail, this Dubai strategy too will also collapse like a pack of cards,” it added.


https://www.akelicious.net/presidential-battle-pdp-atikus-new-plot-to-demonise-cjn-exposed/

Ekiti State House of Assembly has summoned the immediate past Governor Ayodele Fayose, to appear before its Committee on Public Account over alleged misappropriation of local councils’ funds while in office.
Also summoned alongside the former governor were former Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Dapo Olagunju; former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Kola Kolade and all the former 16 local council chairmen.

The House also summoned a former Speaker of the House, Pastor Kola Oluwawole and some suspended members of the Fifth Assembly over the passage of an N10 billion revised budget proposal towards the end of the tenure of the former governor.

Besides, a former aide to Fayose on New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, was also directed to appear before the lawmakers for alleged unremittance of commercial revenue of above N13 million while serving as supervisor at the state-owned broadcasting service of Ekiti State.

But reacting to the summons, Fayose, who spoke through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said he would not dignify the Assembly with his presence.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has urged the Transmission of Nigeria (TCN) to build the 330kv power sub-station in the state as a matter of right, to shore up electricity supply.

The state’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi, who spoke with journalists yesterday, said Ekiti State was the only state being denied the 330kva sub-station facility as some are having more than one.

https://www.akelicious.net/ekiti-assembly-summons-fayose-aide-others-over-alleged-fraud/

The National Emergency Management Agency has received another batch of 153 stranded Nigerians from Libya.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihajja, represented by Mr Slaku Lugard, an official of the agency, received the returnees on Wednesday in Lagos State.

Maihajja said that the Nigerians arrived in the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 3:45 a.m.

According to him, the returnees are brought via Al Buraq Air Boeing 737 aircraft with flight number UZ 189 and registration number 5A-DMG.

He said that the Nigerians were brought by the International Organisation for Migration and European Union on the platform of the Assisted Voluntary Returnees Programme.

He also said that the returnees comprised 59 female adults, four female children and seven female infants as well as 78 adult males, three male children and two male infants.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that other agencies which received the returnees included the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Others were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Edo Task Force on Anti-Trafficking.

In July 2018, NEMA announced that it received a batch of 160 Assisted Voluntary Returnees from Libya who were stranded in failed attempts to reach different European countries.

https://www.akelicious.net/nema-receives-153-nigerians-from-libya/

Pharmaceutical products import to Nigeria has increased from $358.04million to $513.89million (N185billion) or 30.3 per cent within the last one year, New Telegraph has learnt.

Its major suppliers of drugs, India and China exported drugs valued at N108 billion ($300million) or 58.38 per cent of the drugs to the country.

According to a new data by the international Trade Statistics (ITS) on Nigerian pharmaceutical products imports, India exported some drugs valued at $205.36million, while China supplied $94.63million drugs to the country.

It also noted that imports from Netherlands were up by 77.1 per cent, as drugs from Netherlands to the country increased from $7.39million to $32.29million within the last one year.

Also, the ITS statistics noted that the United Kingdom, which is the fourth supplier exported some pharmaceutical products valued at $25.44 million to the country.

Some of the drugs coming from India, according the the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), were banned or fake pharmaceutical products.

Last July, the service handed over 58 containers of tramadol and other illicit drugs valued at N14.7 billion to National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC for destruction.

This month, the service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A has seized some 1,239 cartons of fake viagra, sexual enhancements drugs with N409million mostly imported from India to the country.

It also confiscated N5billion worth of tramadol and codeine at a warehouse in Lagos respectively.

Worried by the influx of drugs into the country, the Executive Secretary, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) had said in Lagos that Nigerian drug manufacturers were making strategic collaborations with local and international partners, to reverse the trend of 70 per cent drugs importation to the country instead of 30 per cent local production.

He explained that Nigerian manufacturers had invested over N400 billion in the last 20 years in upgrading facilities to acquire the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s prequalification needed for international competition.

The Chairman of PMG-MAN, Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, also noted that Fidson Healthcare had pumped between N20billion and N25 billion into its facilities in Lagos and Ogun states.

The chairman said that the Nigerian manufacturing sector was the most challenged due to man-made and not-too-good conducive environment in which firms operate.

He complained that the 30 per cent of the total quantity of drugs manufactured locally in the country were not enough.

To reverse the situation, industrial pharmacists under the umbrella of Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (AIPN) recently stressed the need by the pharmaceutical industry in the country to begin to innovate towards the transformation of the industry.

The association advocated for strategic innovations and a brand new approach to transform the nation’s pharmaceutical industry for maximum growth.

https://www.akelicious.net/india-china-export-n108bn-drugs-to-nigeria-in-one-year/

The Inter-Security Task Force set up by the Federal Government to conduct joint border security in four geopolitical zones have arrested 33 illegal migrants and seized several items in a week operation.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Joseph Attah, said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Attah explained that as at Monday, 33 illegal migrants were arrested, while 3,560 of 50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice had been seized.

He said 59 bags of NPK fertiliser; 15 vehicles; 12 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); three engine boats; 65 drums of groundnut oil and four trucks were also confiscated.

According to him, other items seized are 75 gallons of PMS; 29 motorcycles; 68 gallons of vegetable oil, and another 70 jerricans of PMS.

“The exercise, which commenced barely a week ago, has received appreciable support from members of the populace such as border community dwellers and other well-meaning Nigerians.

“The exercise, led by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with other Security and Intelligence agencies, have continued to patrol and secure our border areas.

“While an exercise of this nature is likely to create some inconveniences to members of the public, the overriding interest is to prevent the country against transnational security concerns, such as smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

“Other concerned issues are irregular migration, terrorism and armed banditry, among others,” he said.

Attah said this was consistent with the constitutional responsibility of any well-meaning government, hence the need to continue to seek the support of all and sundry to achieve the desired objectives of the exercise.

According to him, this will help to promote a secured, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that the joint border security exercise, codenamed “Exercise Swift Response”, commenced operation on Aug. 20.

It is set up to ensure a better security of the country’s territorial integrity, particularly the land and maritime borders against trans-border security concerns.

The exercise is being coordinated by Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in the four zones of North-West, North-Central, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones.

https://www.akelicious.net/joint-border-security-agencies-arrest-33-migrants-seize-several-items/

In the wake of more than 70 Nigerians indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nigerian Embassy in the United States of America, says the President Muhammadu Buhari regime “condemns such criminal acts in all ramifications”.

The statement signed by Senior Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mohammed Suleiman, on behalf of Ambassador Sylvanus Nsofor, expressed the federal government’s “willingness to cooperate with the government of the US in accordance with the laid-down universal human rights and due legal processes in the interest of our nation".

“The embassy wishes to reaffirm that Nigerians are a generally law-abiding and hardworking people wherever they are, including in the US," the statement said.

In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) promised to fish out the suspects. EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu said he suspected that the number of Nigerian suspects would be more than 77 going by the joint operation of the EFCC and the FBI in the past few months.

He said the anti-graft agency would watch developments and cooperate with the FBI on cybercrimes.

Magu added, “We’ll cooperate with other stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies in this country and outside the country like the FBI and the NCA and other law enforcement agencies in the neigbouring countries to make sure we deal with this issue.

“We’ll also deal with all Nigerians who connive with other Nigerians just like the one that just happened where want to do everything to defraud this country. I told you that it was a joint operation here in Nigeria. I don’t have the details now and we have not been contacted but they’ve acknowledged our participation in their release but I do not have the details because what we have is even more than 77 maybe we must have screened some out.

“Maybe the information they’ve given us did not include the operations they’ve carried both here and America. We need to go through the record to give you the exact figures. When you go outside this country, the search exercise they subject you to the moment they realise you are a Nigerian is humiliating. So if we don’t address this and allow the activities of the 419ers to resume, it will be bad.

“For us at the EFCC, we’ll continue to cooperate with both within and outside Nigeria to stop this menace. I want you to give us information and we’ll raid all their hideouts. It is very sad that the era of this 419ers is coming back. I remember we worked with the American FBI particularly in Lagos and its environment in an operation tagged ‘Wire-Wire’. They (FBI) mentioned that we are one of the agencies that actually participated in the operation and it was very successful.

“But only to come out with the list of this 77 Nigerians is very unfortunate."

https://www.akelicious.net/fbi-indictment-nigerian-embassy-in-us-breaks-silence/

Edo state has over 50 per cent cases of human trafficking, making it the highest affected state in the federation, State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, disclosed this Monday.

According to her, a total of 4,943 returnees, made up of 3,329 male, 1,400 female and 214 children were repatraitrated to the State.

She further disclosed that majority of those trafficked were from Uhumwode, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas, all in Edo South Senatorial District.

Omorogbe, who is also Chairperson, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), disclosed that over N300 million was spent between 2017 and 2019 to pay stipends and loans​ to indigenes of the State who were repatriated from Libya.

The Commissioner, who said some returnees received as much as N700,000 each, added that each of the returnee also received the sum of N60,000 from the state government as well as cash from the International Organization of Migration (IOM).

While commending the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), for adopting the state government towards fighting irregular migration, Omorogbo disclosed that the agency was currently handling 12 cases in court, buy that nobody had been convicted.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/08/27/4943-edo-indigenes-repatriated-from-libya/amp/

….declares free transport services

Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared free transportation services for staff and management of the ministry.

Amaechi said the decision was to help ameliorate the challenges faced by the staff in the discharge of their civic duties.

The Minister stated this at an interactive session with staff and management of the ministry, Monday.

Amaechi said, “knowing the background I come from, I felt that you people are spending more money having to transport yourselves to work and I’m surprised that they are collecting money from you for those buses.”
Directing the Permanent Secretary to ensure the bus services are free of charge henceforth, he added, “We’ll increase the number of of staff buses, fuel and maintain them ourselves.”

Amaechi further assured that to improve on service delivery, training and retraining of staff personnel will be given top priority.

“We would devise a means of training and retraining our staff, be it locally or internationally; and it will be according to our resources,” he said.

Amaechi also directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to liaise with authorities of NYSC to post some doctors to the Ministry of Transportation in view of establishing a medical center for staff of the ministry.

“Let us get the NYSC to post to the ministry at least two doctors, so we can ascertain the cost of establishing a clinic for our staff. This will enable those who fall ill to get free treatment,” he said.

The Minister also noted that henceforth, provision of laptops for Engineers will be included in the ministry’s budget.

In her remarks, Minister for State, Transport, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki assured workers of smooth working relationship, stating that she would work together with Amaechi to improve on staff welfare.

“Whatever the Minister (Amaechi) had been doing I will follow suit, I will always be behind him and I will do my best to always ensure that we do what will promote staff welfare,” she said.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari said the essence of the interactive session was to have a better understanding with the Ministers.

He enjoined the staff to provide support to the Ministers to achieve the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

According to him, “the purpose of this interactive session is to have a better understanding with the Ministers. It is an opportunity for us to air our views and understand what they (Ministers) want us to do in this second term of Mr. President. It is our hope that as we gave our support to the Hon. Minister of Transportation during the first tenure, we’ll give even more this second term.”

RT HON CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI MEDIA OFFICE
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019

https://www.akelicious.net/amaechi-promises-better-times-for-staff/

In actualisation of its determination to weed out unqualified graduates from its mobilisation process and ensure more credibility, the National Youth Service Corps has uncovered six persons who attempted to register with fake certificates during registration in its Orientation Camps.

Three of the culprits who were apprehended in Taraba State Orientation Camp claimed to have graduated from Istop University, Cotonou in Benin Republic.

They are; Nasiru Yau from Mass Communication department, Sheu Muktar – Computer Science and Iliyasu Usman from Sociology department.

It was discovered that none of them can neither write nor say anything logical about their certificates or courses of study.

In a similar vein, NYSC Verification Officers also detected two persons in Katsina State Orientation Camp during registration.

They are; Offor Blessing Chinelo KT/19B/3696 Call-Up-No, NYSC/ISU/2019/280122, with BSc result in Insurance and Actuarial Science, Mezenwa Ngozi Chidinma KT/19B/3836 with Call-Up-No NYSC/ISU/2019/259331 with a degree result in Education/English Language while the six suspected victim from the same camp is still under thorough screening.

However, the duo claimed to have graduated from Imo State University.

Meanwhile, they have been handed over to the police for further investigation.

In Kebbi State Orientation Camp, Dakingari, four persons were discovered to have come to camp with fake documents.

They are; Nwachukwu Chimaobi Curtis KB/19B/3046, Ononuju Amarachi Nwamaka KB/19B/3147, Francis Joseph Arinze KB/19B/3135 and Chigozie Evidence Chijioke KB/19B/ 3231.

NYSC Management had earlier issued stern warning that unqualified graduates would not be allowed to participate in National Service adding that anyone caught fake documents in its Orientation Camps would be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

The Director-General while addressing Corps Members at Sokoto State Orientation Camp in Wamakko today urged them to abide by the Oath of Allegiance to the country which they swore to.

He counseled them to embrace Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development of the NYSC Scheme to empower themselves.

‘Identity your talents and harness it. Use social media positively, be decent and respect your dignity as graduates. Don’t get involved in fraud, prostitution and any form of cybercrime’.

‘Don’t endanger your safety. Your movement outside the state must be approved by the State Coordinator and do not go outside your place of abode to worship’.

‘Your parents are looking up to you to take care of them in their old age and we don’t want to lose any of you. Please let your colleagues know your movement’, the Director-General appealed.

The NYSC boss upon arrival in camp had earlier inspected Corps Members hostels, camp clinic, kitchen and other facilities.

https://www.akelicious.net/nysc-releases-names-of-fake-corps-members/

A downpour experienced across Adamawa State on Friday washed away three communities while destroying properties worth several millions, rendering many people homeless.

The state Emergency Management agency, said three communities in the Shelleng Local Government Area was washed away by the flood from the downpour.



It also noted that a temporary shelter for 300 persons, mostly women and children, displaced by the flood waters had been set up at in the Yola South LGA.

The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Agency Although Suleiman Muhammad, added that there was no reported case of death but the downpour caused massive destruction of farmlands and properties in five local government areas.

He said, “Three communities were washed away in Shelleng as a result of the floods. We set up a temporary IDP shelter camp in Modire, in Yola South were 300 persons mostly women and children are camped. They may return back to their homes in a day or two once the flood waters recedes.

https://www.akelicious.net/flood-washes-away-3-adamawa-communities/

Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Saturday said his ministry would arrive to ensure that the decaying Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja would be renovated soon.

Dare, who was sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, stated this on Twitter.



“The Youth and Sports Development Ministry will look for innovative ways to generate funds to maintain Nigeria’s sporting facilities including the Moshood Abiola stadium,” he tweeted.

The minister had on Friday embarked on an inspection tour of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Dare said Nigerians would watch the Super Eagles play in the stadium soon.

“We are going to be innovative to see how we can get extra funding, and how we can privatise the football pitch.

“I don’t want to put a timeline, but it’s sufficient to say that it’s right at the top of our agenda, because we know it’s taking sometime and Nigerians are interested in seeing Super Eagles play in Abuja, the stadium will be ready soon.’

“I’m going to be a minister for youth development and sports development. I understand that soccer is loved by most Nigerians, but in the same breath badminton, cycling, tennis and other sports will all get equal attention.

“We will find a way to make sure that beyond football, we will also get other sports up to speed.”

Speaking further, Dare reiterated his commitment to developing sports in Nigeria while expressing his satisfaction at Africa’s only velodrome.



“The fact that the velodrome is functional, that is what we should expect from all the facilities around the stadium, and other facilities in the country.

“We are committed to youths and sports development; we have been charged to look for innovative ways to be able to generate funds for our ministry,” he added.

https://www.akelicious.net/dare-promises-immediate-renovation-of-abuja-stadium/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has injected 297.92 million dollars into the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS).

The bank’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr Isaac Okorafor made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Okarafor disclosed that CBN also injected CNY21.2million in the spot and short-tenured forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market.

According to him, the United States dollars-denominated transactions are to meet requests in the agricultural and raw materials sectors, while those in Chinese Yuan are for Renminbi-denominated Letters of Credit.

The director reiterated that the bank’s management was satisfied with the continued stability in the foreign exchange market.

He assured that the CBN remained committed to meeting foreign exchange needs of all sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile, N358 was exchanged to a dollar, while CNY1 exchanged at N46 at the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market on Friday.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/08/24/cbn-injects-297-92-into-secondary-market/amp/

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated his new cabinet and assigned portfolios to all the ministers. The ball is now in the courts of the ministers and indeed the president as well. Nigerians expect a lot from them. The ministers are coming on board at a time the country is facing new challenges. The performance of the new cabinet will make or mar President Buhari’s government and All Progressives Congress in 2023.

In most democracies, ministers are selected from technocrats with strong professional track record. But a right-thinking president also brings on board topnotch grass-root politicians to hold the political front when the need arises. President Buhari and the APC did very well in that area.



The 43 ministers are people who know what is expected of them. They know they are called for a national assignment. Nigerians expect them not to only saddle themselves with the responsibilities within their respective portfolios, but also be team players that will bring new and feasible ideas.

The performance of returning first term ministers was excellent, while the new comers are men and women who will enliven the cabinet with development initiatives. However, there are new challenges that require fresh dynamism and off-the-shelf approaches. President Muhammadu Buhari rightly reiterated to the ministers to get ready for laborious days ahead as the government is committed to tackling these challenges which include kidnappings, farmer-herder violence, improving the safety of our roads, railways, air traffic and fire control capacities.

The cabinet should build on the work already started and pioneer fresh ones that will impact on the generality of Nigerians. For instance, Minister of communication, Dr. Ali Pantami is expected to uplift the ministry into one alive to latest technological trends. All eyes will be on Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Silva to drive the ministry from less talk to more action, especially in the face of tumbling oil prices in the international market. The new minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare is expected to reorient the ministry as a body for addressing delinquencies among young people and make sports a tool for productively engaging the nation’s teeming youths. A golden opportunity is given to Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to bring his mastery of infrastructure development to the fore in moving his home region forward, issues like the Ogoni clean-up project and bringing the South South region to the mainstream APC politics. Among the returning ministers – all eyes will be on Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, if the dreamed Nigeria Air will finally come to reality.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Works and Housing Minister is expected to complete ongoing projects and put his signature on the nation’s infrastructural outlook. The recently growing display of senselessness by IPOB abroad should be a top task for Geoffrey Onyeama – Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Apart from supporting the president, ministers should see themselves as the ‘faces’ of the APC from their respective communities – their political presence and contact with locals is very important. During the 2019 presidential elections, most of Buhari’s first term appointees from the north became mere spectators in their states due to their weak link with the grassroots. Buhari’s personality won him the north.

President Buhari should be firm in assessing every member of his cabinet. Non-performing ministers should be replaced quickly so as not lose time, and also keep others on their toes.

President Buhari has directed Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha to put in place a framework for continuous assessment of the ministers. They will have realistic and measurable goals to achieve within a set period. This idea will strengthen ministers’ commitment and leapfrog development. The cabinet will become an engine-room for the Buhari government to fulfill its promises especially to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

https://www.akelicious.net/nextlevel-president-buhari-and-his-new-cabinet/

Ms Harriet Thompson, the new British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos on Wednesday night enjoined individual Nigerians and organisations to support the U.K. government’s scholarship awards to young Nigerians.

Thompson made the appeal at the pre-departure event for the 57 young Nigerian selected for this year’s Chevening Scholarships in Lagos.

The deputy high commissioner said that if Nigerians would support the funding of the Chevening scholarship awards, there would be opportunity for more young Nigerians to benefit.

“This year, the British High Commission and the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria are very keen to work with Nigerian individuals and organisations who would be willing to sponsor more Chevening

Scholarships to enable more of us give more scholarships to Nigerians.

“We must know that this scholarship awards give young Nigerians the opportunity to go and study in some of the best universities in the world.

“We want them to after learning come back to contribute to and pursue the development of this country, Nigeria.

“We all really need to support and give more opportunities for more young Nigerians to go out there to study in U.K.’s internationally recognised universities,’’ she said.

Thompson, who congratulated the 57 selected Nigerians, said that the beneficiaries had gone through three rigorous application stages and processes before their selection.

The deputy high commissioner charged the Chevening scholars, who would be going for their post graduate studies in different U.K. universities, to pursue excellence.

“I challenge you newly selected Chevening scholars to go, and pursue excellence in you studies in the U.K.

“Be good Nigerian ambassadors while you are in the U.K. Squeeze every arm of opportunities during your studies. Do your best to maximise all other opportunities that would come your way,’’ she said.

Thompson commended LADOL who, she said, had since 2015 been sponsoring a Chevening award for young Nigerians selected for studies in different U.K. universities.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigerians-should-support-chevening-scholarship-awards-uk/

Real Madrid are ready to offer €100million and three players to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, L’Equipe reports.

Zinedine Zidane has spent over £300m already this summer but is still not satisfied with his squad.

Los Blancos are now ready to give Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas plus cash at the Ligue 1 champions for Neymar.

With Bale impressing Zidane, Madrid could yet throw Luka Jovic into the deal.

Jovic has struggled to hit the ground running since his £62m summer move from Frankfurt after a difficult pre-season.

The European transfer window closes September 2.

https://www.akelicious.net/real-madrid-to-offer-e100m-three-players-for-neymar/

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau has advised Mrs. Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs, to avoid listening to gossips from people that had no good intentions for Plateau.

“You should not listen to gossip from people who don’t mean well for Plateau. There are people who would sow seeds of discord between me and the minister for their selfish gains. Don’t listen to them,” Lalong said on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke at a post-inauguration dinner organied to honour Tallen, the north-central state’s representative in the Federal Executive Council, who was inaugurated as women affairs minister by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Lalong promised to work with Tallen and members of the National Assembly from the state for the progress of Plateau.

The governor, who congratulated Tallen on her appointment, said that Plateau would be better for it if they worked together.

“Today, you are a minister; Idris Maje is Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives. Others are members of the National Assembly and I am the governor.

“Respect everybody’s position; let’s work together and Plateau will be better for it.

“You need the governor as a minister to succeed and the governor needs you as minister to succeed.

“If I need to do something in Abuja, I will just call you and it will be done,” he said.

Lalong declared that he had nothing against Tallen, saying that he would always respect President Buhari’s discretion in appointing her as minister.

In his remarks, Idris Maje, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, said that he had no doubt that Tallen would succeed, given her experience as a politician.

“We are going to cooperate with you from the National Assembly, especially in the area of oversight function, for you to succeed.

“You have the senators and members of the House of Representatives behind you. I assure you that we are going to work with you,” he said.

The deputy speaker said that it was needless to blackmail or malign anyone for political gains, and advised those who had made gossip their trade to desist from that.

Tallen, in her remarks, thanked the governor and Plateau people for the honour done her.

The minister said that she would be a minister for every citizen of Plateau and Nigeria, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations.

“Whoever knows me knows that I don’t believe in ethnic or religious politics.

“My doors are open; we will work together for the progress of Plateau.

“I am your ambassador Mr Governor; I am at your disposal for anything that pertains the national level,” she assured.

The Nigeria News Agency , reports that the dinner was attended by members of the Plateau House of Assembly, traditional rulers, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/lalong-to-tallen-do-not-listen-to-gossips/

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Monday that they were “shocked” by a life ban on former national coach Samson Siasia by FIFA for bribery, vowing to overturn it.
On Friday, the governing body of world football banned Siasia, 52, from football, following a long-running investigation into convicted match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal.

After his arrest, Perumal collaborated with investigators.


FIFA’s Ethics Committee found Siasia “guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.”

Siasia, a striker, played 51 times for Nigeria and had two short spells as national coach.

Acting NFF president Seyi Akinwunmi said in a statement that the FIFA report had been given to the body’s lawyers “to study and provide legal advice to the federation,” he said, adding that Siasia “gave his all for Nigeria.”

“The NFF was shocked to learn of the investigation and the subsequent decision by the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) placing a life ban on Mr. Samson Siasia,” said the statement.

“Siasia is a football legend but most importantly he is a Nigerian”, he said.

“We respect the FIFA processes”, said Akinwunmi but added, “the least we as a Federation can do is empathise with him at this time make ourselves available to him and hope that in some way he is able to clear his name.”

https://www.akelicious.net/nff-to-help-siasia-clear-his-name/

Investors’ sentiment was positive for most of yesterday’s trading even as late sell-offs on MTNN led to negative market return of 0.21 per cent to 27,058.62 points.

Consequently, the Month-to-Date and Year -to-Date losses worsened to -2.38 and -13.91 per cent respectively, while market capitalisation fell by N28 billion to N13.2 trillion.

Similarly, activity level declined as volume and value traded fell by 16.4 and 22.4 percentages respectively to 209.6 million units and N3.2 billion.

The most active stocks by volume were TRANSCORP (43.6 million units), GT Bank (43 million units) and Zenith Bank (34.1 million units) while GT Bank (N1.1 billion) , Zenith Bank (N592 million)and Nestle (N526.9 million) led by value.



Gains were evident across all sectors, as the Banking (+1.88 per cent), Oil & Gas (+0.99 per cent), Insurance (+0.59 per cent), Industrial Goods (+0.56 per cent) and Consumer Goods (+0.22 per cent) indices closed positive.

Market sentiment, as measured by market breadth, was positive as 20 stocks recorded gains relative to 13 losers.

On the gainers list, Oando Plc (+10 per cent) and TRANSCORP (+10 per cent) recorded the largest gains, while CUTIX (-9.62 per cent) and PZ (- 8.33 per cent) recorded the largest decline.

Reacting, Analysts at Afrinvest said: “We maintain our bearish stance for the equities market as investor sentiment remains weak.”

https://www.akelicious.net/stock-exchange-resumes-bear-run/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told ministers-designate and other presidential appointees that there is a collective responsibility to improve the welfare of majority of Nigerians.

Buhari gave this charge on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the Presidential Retreat for Ministers-Designate, Presidential Aides and other top government functionaries at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The president told the appointees that their work had just begun as their concerted effort was needed to take Nigerians out of poverty.

“These last two days have been very instructive for me personally because I have had the opportunity to know many of you new Ministers-Designate better.

“I was also pleased to see that you have all equally enjoyed debating and deliberating on the various challenges before us over the next four years.

“Ladies and gentlemen, majority of our people are poor and are anxiously hoping for a better life; a Nigeria in which they do not have to worry about what they will eat, where they will live or if they can afford to pay for their children’s education or healthcare.

“Our responsibility as leaders of this great country is to meet these basic needs for our people.’’

Buhari said that his administration inherited many challenges from its predecessors among which was that 18 local governments in the Northeast were under the control of Boko Haram.

He also listed decayed infrastructure in which rail lines and roads which deteriorated severely as well as a rent seeking economy that depended largely on oil revenues and imports.

More so, Buhari mentioned significant unpaid pensions, subsidy debts, legacy contractor debts among others.

According to him, his administration, in its first term, has laid the foundation to rebuild the country.

“ We recaptured those 18 Local Governments previously held by Boko Haram, whose activities are now limited to sporadic attacks against soft targets.

“ Our investments in road and rail infrastructure are without precedent, and many of you can attest to this. We also focused on diversifying the economy from oil towards agriculture and industrialisation.

“ Despite reduced revenues from oil and gas compared to past governments, we have broadly addressed many of the legacy debts they left behind.

“Whilst we have obvious successes to celebrate, the challenges ahead are significant as you would have observed in detail over these two days.

“Nevertheless, from the quality of the deliberations, it is clear that solutions to our problems are well researched and have been well articulated.

“ We have discussed solutions relating to addressing Insecurity; Macroeconomic Stability; Agriculture and Food Security; Energy Security for Petroleum products and Electricity; Transportation and Critical Infrastructure; Industrialisation and SMEs Development; Human Capital Development; Social Inclusion; Anti-Corruption; Housing Financing and Consumer Credit,’’ he said,

The president reminded the appointees that public service was not easy work, and at times it could be thankless.

He urged them to see the opportunity to serve as an honour; to give their best to deliver on the mandate for a more prosperous Nigeria.

Earlier in his closing remark, Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, presented a summary of the two-day retreat.

He said that they had spent the past two days agreeing to and prioritising the key strategic initiatives required to drive accelerated economic growth in our country as well as the critical enablers required for seamless execution.

Mustapha said the participants also agreed on the appropriate Key Performance Indicators(KPls) and measures of success for each initiative.

“Some of the agreements from our deliberations include: Consolidate and accelerate on the agricultural agenda to achieve full food sufficiency Increase revenue, implement measures to reduce leakages and drive cost optimisation Ensure effective coordination between monetary and fiscal policy .

“Invest in human capital development with strong focus on early education and health insurance Facilitate investment in oil and gas sector by ensuring speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and Deep Offshore Oil and Exploration and Production Bill Resolve the liquidity challenge in power sector and facilitate private sector investment.

“Furthermore, it was emphasised that we need to work effectively with all other arms of government such as state government, national assembly etc. for major high impact initiatives such as provision of large scale land for agriculture and food security, passage of critical legislations, among others,’’ he said.

President Buhari will perform the inauguration of the Ministers-designate on Aug. 21 at the Presidential Villa.

https://www.akelicious.net/we-have-responsibility-to-improve-welfare-of-nigerians-buhari-to-ministers-designate/

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shortlisted a total of 15 consortia made up of reputable and experienced international companies and Nigerian downstream companies who were successful as it partners for Direct Sale of Crude Oil and Direct Purchase of Petroleum Products (DSDP) tender exercise.

The move was in line with its Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari’s pledge on assumption of duty recently that the NNPC under his leadership would continuously entrench transparency and accountability across all the corporation’s operations.

The NNPC disclosed this in statement from its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, titled: Publishing of Successful Bidders for the 2019/2020 Direct Sale of Crude Oil and Direct Purchase of Petroleum Products (DSDP) Contract,” obtained yesterday.

What this means is that those that qualified would be lifting Nigerian crude oil grades in exchange for delivery of the corresponding petroleum products on value for value basis in line with the executed agreement.

The companies shortlisted included BP Oil International Limited/AYM SHAFA Limited; VITOL SA/Calson-Hyson; Total Oil Trading SA/Total Nigeria Plc; Gunvor Group Limited/AY Maikifi Nigeria Limited; Trafigura Pte Ltd./A. A. Rano Nigeria Limited; Compañía Española De Petróleos, S.A.U. (Cepsa)/Oando Plc; and Mocoh Sa/Mocoh Nigeria Limited.



Others included Litasco SA/Brittania-U Nigeria Limited/Freepoint Commodities; MRS Oil & Gas Co. Ltd;

Sahara Energy Resource Ltd;

Bono Energy Ltd./Eterna Plc/Arkleen Oil & Gas Ltd./Amazon Energy Limited; Matrix Energy Ltd./Petratlantic Energy Ltd./UTM Offshore Ltd./Levene Energy Dev. Ltd; Mercuria Energy Trading Sa/ Barbedos Oil & Gas Services Ltd./Rainoil Ltd./Petrogas Energy Trade West Africa Lt; Asian Oil & Gas Pte Ltd./ Eyrie Energy Ltd./ Masters Energy Oil & Gas Ltd/ Casiva Ltd, and Duke Oil Incorporated.

The statement explained: “Following the successful completion of the 2019/2020Direct Sale of Crude Oil and Direct Purchase of Petroleum Products (DSDP) tender exercise, 15 consortia made up of reputable and experienced international companies and Nigerian downstream companies were successful as the DSDP partners for the 2019/2020 DSDP contract.

“The tender process comprises technical bid submission, evaluation and short listing, commercial bid submission, evaluation and short listing, commercial negotiations and contract agreement execution.”

The statement pointed out that in keeping faith with the NNPC’s commitment to transparency, the under listed 15 consortia would be “lifting Nigerian crude oil grades in exchange for delivery of the corresponding petroleum products on value for value basis in line with the executed agreement.”

Mele Kyari had said: “Under my leadership, NNPC will strive to be more credible, competent and accountable institution that manages the oil resources on behalf of the citizens of Nigeria in accordance with its mandate and the core persuasions of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He had said for NNPC to maintain positive image, there must be transparency, shared values of integrity and professionalism among its members of staff.

https://thenationonlineng.net/nnpc-picks-15-firms-to-lift-crude/amp/

Blogger, Kemi Olunloyo has described members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, as terrorists for attacking former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in Germany.



Read her reaction in a tweet: “GERMAN POLICE MUST DETERMINE THIS AN ACT OF TERRORISM. 2 days ago I reminded you that IPOB members were TERRORISTS. Now they have proved me right on German soil. They tried to lynch former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.”

https://www.akelicious.net/attack-of-ekweremadu-ipob-members-are-terrorists-kemi-olunloyo/

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), as a courageous leader who devoted his time and strength to upholding the glory and honour of Nigeria.

Jonathan stated this in a goodwill message issued on Friday in Yenagoa by his Media Adviser, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, on the occasion of Babangida’s 78th birthday.

He said that the former military president contributed immensely to the physical and economic development of the country.

“I am delighted to join your family and other well-wishers to celebrate with you on the occasion of your 78th birthday.

“You are a courageous leader who has committed his time and strength to defending the honour and glory of Nigeria.

“As a military president, you contributed immensely to the physical and economic development of our nation.

“As you celebrate, I pray that God Almighty will keep you in perfect peace and bless you with divine health,” he said.

The former president prayed God to grant Babangida more glorious years on earth.

https://www.akelicious.net/jonathan-salutes-babangida-at-78/

Sen. Uche Ekwunife of the PDPon Wednesday urged the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, to dismiss the petition filed by Sen. Victor Umeh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), challenging her election.

Ekwunife made the prayer through her counsel, Jude Nnodum, SAN, while adopting her final written addresses in the petition in Awka.

However, Nnodum said the petition should be dismissed as the issue of invalid nomination which the petitioner raised, did not arise in the two grounds stated in their petition.

He argued that Ekwenife was not returned with lawful votes cast.

Nnodum said the whole argument in the matter was mere academic exercise as the issue of nomination was a pre-election matter in the context of the petition in question.

He said that section 138 (1a) of the Electoral Act is explicit on who is qualified to contest election.

Addressing the tribunal, R.O. Yusuf, counsel to INEC adopted the prayers of Ekwunife’s lawyer, adding that Umeh should be made to pay some punitive cost.

Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, counsel to PDP said the breaches the petitioners were talking about belonged to pre-election component of the election process as contained in section 285(14)(a,b,c) of the Electoral Act.

Ezechukwu said Ekwunife was nominated by substitution which was provided for the electoral law.

He said Umeh lacked the competence to challenge her nomination because he did not participate in the primary election.

The PDP counsel said Umeh had the opportunity to challenge the perceived faulty nomination by petitioning INEC 14 days after the final list of candidates was published but failed to do that.

He argued that the door for that had closed and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

But in his response, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, counsel to Umeh, said the petition had merit and should be upheld.

Ikwueto argued that elections could be questioned on the grounds of corrupt practice and non-compliance which was part of the grounds of the petition.

He urged the tribunal to read through the petition again and see that non-compliance was the crux of the matter, adding that the Supreme Court had already decided on such matters.

Earlier, Ikwueto had drawn the attention of the tribunal to the fact that part of the records of proceedings on the matter which the petitioners obtained was not reflective of what happened.

Nnodum told the court to stand the observation down as there was no application before the tribunal with respect to that.

The tribunal ordered that issued be set aside for the business of the day which was adoption of final written addresses to commence.

After listening to all arguments in the matter, Justice Thelma Okara, chairman of the tribunal reserved ruling in the matter for a yet to be determined date.

Okara urged the parties to forward their authorities to the tribunal.

https://www.akelicious.net/anambra-central-ekwunife-urges-tribunal-to-dismiss-umehs-petitions/

A large number of physicians from seven states in a letter to the Nigerian government called for the transfer of jailed Shiite leader Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky to a well-equipped hospital due to his critical conditions.
A group of doctors from Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq in a letter to the Nigerian government pointed to Sheikh Zakzaky's physical conditions, and asked the Nigerian government to transfer him to a well-equipped hospital as soon as possible.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

"In the name of God, The healer

From the community of Doctors

To the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Buhari.

In the past several months, the world has constantly received troubling news regarding the health of one of the prominent figures in Nigeria, Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. Both Skaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife are kept in prison and the health status of both of them is very alarming.

We have chosen to be doctors even after knowing that this job is very difficult and troublesome, but we chose to save people's lives and preferred the health of the society over our personal interests.

According to the medical reports regarding the health status of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky:

1. He is suffering from a total blindness in the left eye, and is also suffering from vision problems in the right eye including glaucoma and progressive macular atrophy. According to the diagnosis of the visiting physicians, Shaikh Zakzaky will lose his vision sooner or later if the current circumstances do not change.

2. He has shown symptoms of Ischemic heart disease which can lead to Myocardial Infraction.

3. He is also suffering from severe cervical spondylosis which has resulted to nerve root compression and symptoms are progressive causing insomnia.

4. The experiments show that he has heavy metal toxicity including Lead and Cadmium. Laboratory tests that are performed on May 31st, 2019 show that blood lead level is 171.94µg/dl. Later on June 18th, 2019 this level was reported to be 231.48µg while in the last laboratory test the blood lead level was three times more than the toxicity level (grade 5 of poisoning).

Based on the points highlighted above, Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky should be transferred to a well- equipped medical center that has Neuro-ophthalmologist, glaucoma specialist and low vision expert, cardiologist, orthopedist and neurologist. Also he may need to have a surgery to reduce intraocular pressure.

We, doctors of different nationalities cannot take the health of any human for granted. This is something that is inherent in our obligation as doctors. Ignoring the critical health status of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky can end up in irreparable consequences.

We request the government and parliament of Nigeria to immediately transfer him to a well-equipped hospital to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

A group of doctors from Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq

Dr Abbas alahmad, Pediatrician, Syria

Dr Abd alkrim Hariri, Neurosurgeon, Syria

Dr Abd almonaam hsanato, Radiologist, Syria

Dr Abdo salami, Dentist, Syria

Dr Addel maheiri, Maxillofacial Specialist, Syria

Dr Ahmad alrahal, Otorhinolaryngologist, Syria

Dr Ahmaad alzien, Thoracic Internist, Syria

Dr Ahmad nasrullah, Dentist, Syria

Dr Ajmal Farooq, General practitioner, India

Dr Alla Aldrin Hassan, Neurosurgeon, Syria

Dr Allaa allnassan, General Surgeon

Dr Amar kiali, Ophtalmologist, Syria

Dr Anas hellali, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Asma Khalid, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Bakri dablloni, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Bassel alshaher, Dentist, Syria

Dr Bsam kedeh, Gastroenterologist, Syria

Dr Fadi alaar, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

Dr Farhat, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Fizza Batool Zaidi, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Furqan Ali khan, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Hania Batool Zaidi, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Hassam Saleem, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Hassan alkhatib, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

Dr Hassan Khalil, Internist, Syria

Dr Houda abdalhadi, Internist, Syria

Dr Ibrahim hadid, Urologist, Syria

Dr Idrak Hussain Bhat, General practitioner, India

Dr Iftikar Hussain, General practitioner, India

Dr Kashaf Zehra Durrani, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Mamdoh zitoni, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Manaaf sharbjii, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Mhmmod Nasser, Gastroenterologist, Syria

Dr Mirza Arsalan, General practitioner, India

D.Mohamad mohiedin, Pediatrician, Syria

Dr Mohanad battal, Pediatric Surgeon, Syria

Dr mohanad naasan, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Mohanad zanoube, Ophtalmologist, Syria

Dr Mohd Yaseen Mir, General practitioner, India

Dr Motaz alhmod, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Muhammad Ajmal Hussain, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Muhammad Ali Kazmi, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Muhammad ali raseed, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Muhammad Amjad Hussain, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Muhammad Baqir, 4 year resident internal medicine, Pakistan

Dr Mouhamad batikh, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Muhammad Farhan, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Myllad zahlloq, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

Dr Ossama attar, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Owais Raza General practioner (MBBS), Pakistan

Dr Owais Siddique, General practitioner, India

Dr Raja Munawa, General practitioner, India

Dr Saman Fatima, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Samer alhames, Thoracic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Samer sharbo, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

Dr Sami bitar, Nephrologist, Syria

Dr Saqib Hussain, General practitioner, India

Dr Sharaf ud deen, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Showkat Hussain Dar, General practitioner, India

Dr Shyar mostafa, Neurosurgeon, Syria

Dr Suhail Ahmad Mir, General practitioner, India

Dr Syed ali kuamil, General practitioner Pakistan

Dr Syed Muntazir Mousavi, General practitioner, India

Dr Syed Wafadar Hussain Naqvi, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Syeada Maimoona Batool Rizvi, General practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Taher farfotli, Neurologist, Syria

Dr Tahssin hmidi, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Waael akari, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr wisaam dieb, General Surgeon, Syria

Dr Yamen yousuf, Neurosurgeon, Syria

Dr Yassin alrahal, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Yousef sabsabi, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

Dr Zaher and allaziz, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

Dr Zaher batal, Nutritionist, Syria

Dr Zaid Jeelani, General practitioner, India

Dr Zeeshan Hadier, Liver transplant surgeon, Pakistan

Dr Arezoo Mohtasham, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Azadeh Hashemi, Radiology Resident, Afghanistan

Dr Abolfazl Mohammadi, Orthopedic Surgeon, Iran

Dr Amanollah Karami, Ophtalmologist, Iran

Dr Amir Rahmanian, Emergency Medicine Resident, Iran

Dr Amirhossein Izadyar, General PractitionePractitioner, Iran

Dr Aniseh Aliabadi, Dermatology Resident, Iran

Dr Hamed Abdi, Internist, Iran

Dr Hojjat Madarshahi, otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

Dr Hasan Boskabadi, Pediatrician and Neonatal Specialist, Iran

Dr Hasan Rajabi, Iran

Dr Hasan Sezavar, Iran

Dr Hossein Amirzargir, Urolohist, Iran

Dr Hossein Mohaddes Ardebili, Psychiatric Resident, Iran

Dr Hamidreza Safaei, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Hourieh Soleimani, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Rahil Daghmagh, General Practitioner, Lebanon

Dr Rose sadat Shamsa, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Reyhaneh Aminorroaya, Elderly Medicine Specialist, Iran

Dr Zahra Behnam Rasouli, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Iran

Dr Zahra Jafar, General Practitioner, Lebanon

Dr Zahra Joshaghani, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Zahra Khalili Matinzadeh, Pediatrician, Iran

Dr Zahra Movahedinia, General practitioner, Iran

Dr Zahra Moaddab Shoar, Dentist, Iran

Dr Zeinab Babasafari, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Sajedeh Mousavi, Physical Medicine Resident, Iran

Dr Saiedeh Khatami, Dentist, Iran

DT Soleiman Heidari, Toracic Surgeon, Iran

Dr Samaneh Rahmani, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Seyed Javad Hosseininezhad, Neurologist, Iran

Dr Syed Zaker Hossein Naqvi, General Practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Syed Omran Hyder Zeidi, General Practitioner, Pakistan

Dr Seyed Mohammadreza Parizadeh, Biochemistry Ph.D, Iran

Dr Seyed Mohammadsadegh Mirzaei, general Practitioner, Iran

Dr Seyed Moadkazem Mozaffari, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Seyed Naser Emadi, International Dermatologist, Iran

Dr Seyedeh Afsar Sharafi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Seyedeh Zeinab Hashemi Javaheri, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Saeb Aliabadi, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Seddigheh Ayati, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Tahereh Labbaf, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Arefeh Edalatian, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Iran

Dr Atefeh Kermanshahi, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Abbas Shojaei, Otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

Dr Azra Rashidnezhad, Neurology Resident, Iran

Dr Afraalshahrstani, Pediatric Resident, Iraq

Dr Atieh Mohebbi, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Atieh Mohammadzadeh Vatanchi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Iran

Dr Ali Anjomshoa, Anesthesiologist, Iran

Dr Ali Taghiparvar, Epidemiologist, Iran

Dr Ali Rezazadeh, Internist, Iran

Dr Ali Fazli, Anesthesiologist, Iran

Dr Ali Madarshahi, Internal Surgeon, Iran

Dr Fatemeh Ouchi Ardebili, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Fatemeh Taghizadeh, Physical Medicine Resident, Iran

Dr Fatemeh Joshaghani, Dentist, Iran

Dr Fatemeh Dadelahi, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Fatemeh Mehrparvar, Dentist, Iran

Dr Fouzieh Takhari, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Afghanistan

Dr Ghasem Amini, Surgery Resident, Iran

Dr Kamal Heydari, Dentist, Iran

Dr Leila Moaddab Shoar, Radiotherapy and Oncology Specialist, Iran

Dr Majid Habibzadeh Moghaddam, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Majid Abdollahi, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Iran

Dr Majid Ghayour Mobarhen, Nutritionist, Iran

Dr Mohammad Ebrahimi, Iran

Dr Mohammad Sajjadi, Psychiatrist, Iran

Dr Mohammad Sadeghi, Iran

Dr Mohammadtaghi Rajabi Mashhadi, Surgeon, Iran

Dr MohammadJafar Modabber Azizi, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Mohammadreza Behrouz, Iran

Dr Mohammadreza Javdani, Family Medicine Resident, Iran

Dr Mohammadali Kiani, Gastroenterologist, Iran

Dr Mahmoud Jozhaghani, Cornea Specialist, Iran

Dr Mahmoud Fatemi, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Mahya Yargholi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Morteza Amiri Soleimani, Orthopedic Surgeon, Iran

Dr Morteza Tajaddodi, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Maryam Sadat Paknezhad, Iranian Traditional Medicine Specialist, Iran

Dr Maryam Rezaeian, Dentist, Afghanistan

Dr Maryam Yargholi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Mozhgan Mahmoudian, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Masoud Maleki, Dermatologist, Iran

Dr Masoud Mahdavi, Radiologist, Iran

Dr Mostafa Jafari, Internist, Iran

Dr Malihe Akbari, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Malihe Hatefipour, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Mahdi Oughli, Internist, Iran

Dr Mahdi Mokhtari, Ophtalmologist, Iran

Dr Mahdieh Pouryazdanpanah, Nutritionist, Iran

Dr Mahdi Miri, Internist, Iran

Dr Mahsa Kia, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Milad Hadadi, Dentist, Iran

Dr Najmeh Khodadadi, Iran

Dr Najmeh Zamani, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Narjes Khatoun Movahedi Rad, General Practitioner, Iran

De Narges Salehi, Cardiologist, Iran

Dr Narges Arabzadeh, Internist, Iran

Dr Nasrollah Hamraz, Internist, Afghanistan

Dr Nafiseh Kazemi Rad, Radiology Resident, Iran

Dr Nafiseh Aliabadi, Pediatric Resident, Iran

Dr Nayerreh Khadem Ghayebi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

Dr Hadi Hasanzadeh, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Hadi Sherouni, Otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

Dr Hadi Jalali, General Practitioner, Iran

Dr Rezaei, Interventional Cardiologist, Afghanistan"

Sheikh Zakzaky, a prominent Shiite leader, has been in detention along with his wife for close to four years despite the deterioration of his health conditions.

Last Tuesday, in an exclusive interview with FNA, Dr. Pourrahim Najafabadi, MD, said Sheikh Zakzaky needs to be cured by an experienced medical team of physicians in a specialized multi-specialty hospital outside Nigeria, since there is no such medical center in the African country.

"With the current physical condition of the Sheikh, especially the virulent lead poisoning, Sheikh’s life is seriously at risk by delayed treatment. Meanwhile, there is a need for special medical care even in case of complete medical treatment. There is serious risk to Sheikh’s life if he is kept under detention,” said Najafabadi, the founder and spokesperson of a group of expert physicians who have volunteered to treat Sheikh Zakzaky.

https://www.akelicious.net/el-zakzaky-health-condition-186-doctors-from-7-countries-write-buhari/