It is definitely no longer business as usual for the smugglers that adopted the creek as route for their nefarious activities, as the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) beamed it searchlight to the creeks, waterside at various locations in Southwest region of the country.
Indeed, the recent operations by the Unit has revealed several antics of the smugglers, leading to seizure of 15 trailers of rice among other items that were seized across different location between 16 May and 12 June this year.

The Unit also intercepted contrabands, goods and vehicles have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.3 billion while about N59.5 million was recovered from underpayments, making a cumulative of N1.4 billion.


The Controller FOU, Zone “A” Ikeja, Mohammed Uba, while parading the seizures before the media, said: “Some of our officers put their lives on the line making these seizures, most especially the 15 trailers load of rice knowing fully well it’s a big battle at the creek and bush parts. Their resilience and doggedness is highly commendable,”

He said: “In order to ensure full implementation of the government policy banning the importation of rice through land borders and following headquarters directive on same, we re-strategised our operational modalities and beam our searchlight on the creek, water side at various locations in Southwest zone, hence the massive rice seizure within the period under review.

“We will continue to make sure smugglers within our areas of jurisdiction count their losses until smugglers repent from sabotaging our economy,” he stated.

Uba listed other seized items to include; 15 exotic vehicles including three Toyota C-HR (2018 Model); one Toyota Camry LE (2018); one Toyota Prado (2018); one Mercedes Benz (2017); among others.

Other spectacular seizures include; 9,049 bags of foreign parboiled rice (15 trailers); 1,464 cartons of frozen poultry products, 870 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 273 bales of used clothing, 592 pieces of used tyres among others.

Also, four containers with no: PCIU850134/9, PCIU8278544, FCIU983753 and TGHU6924330 have been seized for false declaration.

While two of the containers were carrying 8,633 pieces of empty cylinders as against plumbing materials declared in their SGD, the other two carried 120 bales of new jeans as against punching machine declared.

Uba said 12 suspects were already arrested in connection with the 112 seizures.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/customs-beams-searchlight-on-creeks-to.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again intervened in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) to the tune of $343.06 million.

Figures made available by the bank thursday indicate that the amount released was for requests in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor confirmed this, saying the continued intervention were in line with the assurances made by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to sustain market liquidity in order to boost production and trade and maintain stability in the forex market.


Speaking further, Okorafor assured stakeholders that the CBN remained very committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the foreign exchange required for the business concerns.

The CBN recently injected the sum of $210 million into the interbank foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at N362/$1 in the Bureau De Change segment of the market yesterday.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/again-cbn-intervenes-with-fresh-343.html

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said there is need for Nigerian youths to rise above clannish tribal and ethnic sentiments and unite to work together for the benefit of the country.

He, however, described the policies and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari as laying solid foundations that will rediscover Nigeria for the benefits of the youths.


Bello made this known during the Iftar Ramadan breakfast with FCT youths at his official residence in Life Camp, adding that the present administration is essentially holding forth for the youths.

According to him, the progress, prosperity and tremendous transformation that is happening in the country is being done for the benefits of the youths.


His words: “Most of us here are basically just holding forth for you. The strength, progress, prosperity and the tremendous amount of transformation that is going to happen in this country is going to be done during your time.

“So, what Mr. President and his team are doing now is basically to rediscover Nigeria for your benefit, to lay a very solid foundation so that it becomes easier for you to govern it, live in it and to provide all the benefits for the teeming population.”

The Minister stressed, “We have to be friendly to each other, we have to love each other, we have to be united, we have to be disciplined, we have to be honest, we have to be hardworking and above all, we have to be very broad minded to accept your neighbours, irrespective of their tribe, religion and whatever they do and to work for the good of the community. If we do these, the sky is going to be the limit for all of us.”

“If all of you put heads together and really unite as Abuja symbolizes, then when it is your time, you are going to govern over a country that will be solid, that will be prosperous and that is going to be the envy of all African nations and all nations of the world,” he added.

He equally charged youths resident in the FCT to continue to work towards improving the security and harmonious coexistence within the city to ensure it remains the city that cherished is by Africa and the wider world.

Citing a recent statistics that shows that a larger proportion of FCT population is comprised of youths, the FCT Minister charged the youths to guard a city very jealously, including its security, beauty as well as its harmonious inter-religious, inter-communal and inter-ethnic relationships.


“Abuja as a city is something that many people from other parts of the world admire and cherish, we must therefore guard it jealously,” the minister said.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Programme, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, thanked the Minister for the honour and reception given to them by agreeing to host the youths to a special Ramadan breakfast dinner.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the not too young to run Bill into Law, urged the FCT Minister to create more opportunities for youths to serve in the FCT Administration to also make them, “not too poor to run.”

According to him, “We hope that when you come back as Minister of FCT in 2019, the appointments into the FCTA will be full of young and vibrant people,” he said.

He therefore, urged FCT residents to consider participating in elections in the FCT and not always running back home to their places of origin to cast their votes during elections.

According to him, “Whoever it is that resides in Abuja, we implore you not to be carrying your bags and your family to be going back home of origin to go and vote. Stay where you are to cast your vote.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/fct-minister-urges-youth-to-rise-above.html

The FCT Police Command Thursday paraded 25 suspects for their involvement in murder, car snatching, armed robbery and other crimes.

The Command also recovered 8 guns, three cars, four motorcycles, seven ammunitions, three knives, one generator and 12 street lights.


Two of the suspects paraded, Paul Chukwujekwu Ezengo and Emmanuel Adogah were arrested for allegedly killing Ezengo’s married lover in order to own her Acura Jeep.

The suspects after giving her excess alcohol, killed her, butchered her body and packed it into two sacks that were later dumped in a river.

To cover their trail, the suspects also changed the number plate of the vehicle of the deceased from Abuja number to Ebonyi State number; SKA625AA.

The deceased, a 44 year old Charity Chidebere Aiyedogbon mysteriously disappeared in 2016.

The Police while narrating efforts made to unravel the mystery behind her disappearance arrested the duo.

Giving details of how the suspects were nabbed, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Sadiq Bello Thursday said: “The dogged determination of the Command to unravel the sudden disappearance of 44yrs old Charity Chidebere Aiyedogbon since May, 2016 has yielded a positive result.


“On 1st June, 2018, Police Operatives attached to the Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad succeeded in arresting the principal suspect, one Paul Chukwujekwu Ezengo 27yrs at Benin in Edo State.

“Upon his arrest, the principal suspect who has been at large since the lady’s disappearance, confessed during interrogation that the mother of four was his girlfriend and that he conspired with one Emmanuel Adogah 28 years and murdered her on 9th May, 2016 at about 2330hrs at Kagini.

“According to Paul Chukwujekwu Ezengo, he gave her excess alcohol to consume before he moved her from Yaoundé Street, Wuse Zone 6 to Kagini area where she was butchered and her mutilated body packaged in two sacks that were later dumped by the river bank at Ushafa, in Bwari Area Council.

“He further confessed that he killed her because he wanted to take possession of her Acura ZDS Jeep and other properties.”

The Police said they were able to recover the deceased’s car and some of her properties from the suspect.

The CP who described Emmanuel Adogah as habitual criminal said he equally confessed to have participated in the commission of the heinous crime.

Narrating his involvement with Charity and how he killed her, Ezengo said: “We met on Facebook and she told me she was divorced. I was in a relationship with her for about a year and half. We were having issues in our relationship because I was not benefiting from the relationship.

“She wasn’t very rich when I met her but I knew she was comfortable and I needed my own share of her wealth coupled.

“Later, evil thoughts came into me that I should kill her and take her car. I proceeded with the thought by involving my friend, Adogah.

“We went out to hang out one night in 2016 and while we were there, she had too much alcohol and dozed off. I carried her from the house to where we killed her in Kagini.

On why he decided to butcher her, he said: “That night after killing her, I was totally drunk. I wanted to carry her after killing her but she was unable to fit into the sack. That was why I decided to butcher her and dump her body in the river.

“It was greed and the devil that led me to do what I did. I was hoping to get her car after killing her. I feel really bad for what I did but at the same time, I feel better because her spirit has been disturbing me and I believe that was why I was arrested.”

Also narrating his own role, Adogah said: “My friend called me to come assist him. My only role was just to help carry the deceased body from Ezengo’s house to where she was eventually killed.”

Other suspects paraded include; Shamsu Tukur, Abdulrahman Haruna, Zakari Bawa, Friday Okpara Ojo Adebisi, Kasimu Isa, Samuel Eze, Kasimu Yakubu, Samaila Muhammed, Musa Yusuf, Abdullahi Ali, Ifeanyi Ugwu.

Others are; Godwin Obasi, Salisu Muhammed, Dimka Yohanna, Ebuka Ejeanyido, Chidebe Okocha, Chukwuma Amichie, Augustin Agbo and Chinedu Obi

As part of preparation for Sallah celebration, the CP also warned criminal elements not to do anything that will cause breach of peace adding that the Police and other security agencies have taken adequate measures to deal with such individuals or group in order to guarantee absolute peace and security.

Also to help curb criminality in the city, Bello said the Inspector-General of Police has boosted the operational capability of the Command with the provision of 40 patrol vehicles code-named Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

He said the vehicles have been deployed strategically to all parts of the FCT adding that their presence has contributed to the reduction in crime and criminality in the city.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/i-killed-my-married-lover-to-take-her.html

The Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP) has trained men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on community policing to combat crime and boost security.

The two weeks training, organised by the NPP and funded by the British Council, had 13 police inspectors, who were drawn from Borno, Kano and Enugu, trained on basic policing skills, intelligence led policing, ethics of policing, community and democratic policing.

The programme tagged ‘Training of Trainers’, according to the Senior Policing Adviser, NPP, Paul Morisetti, focuses on filling noticeable gaps in service delivery by the police officers, while the trained officers, would adapt and replicate the trainings to suit the policing demands of their respective states’ divisions.


Morisetti said the exercise would further enhance the officers’ understanding of democratic and community oriented policing that would aid police gain communities trust and confidence and ensure communication flow easily between both parties for effective tackling of crimes.

Also speaking on the objectives of the programme in strengthening security in communities, the Technical Adviser to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Prof. Olu Ogunsakin said the training was necessary to engage the communities to assist the police in preventing, solving crime and sustain the peace.

Ogunsakin stressed that the number of policemen presently in Nigeria cannot meet all the needs of every communities, adding that collaboration between the police and communities in information gathering would ensure peaceful and secured environment.

“The communities would be able to tell the police about problems and issues and once there is trust, the communities can then give out information,” he said.

Commending the programme, Inspector Kenneth Emegwamor of the Police Training School, Ikeja, Lagos said with the training, the police force would map out plans to extend the training to every officer, to enable them communicate with members of the communities, who know perpetrators of criminal activities that live among them, but lack confidence in giving out information to the Police Force.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/npp-trains-police-officers-on-community.html

Trading activities dropped on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday after two consecutive days of growth, with the All-Share Index reducing 0.40 per cent.

The index closed lower at 39,031.72 against 39,187.04 recorded on Tuesday, indicating a loss of 155.32 points or 0.40 per cent.

Also, market capitalisation which opened at N14.188 trillion shed N49 billion to close at N14.139 trillion.

Nigerian Breweries recorded the highest loss during the day, dropping by N2.10 kobo to close at N115 per share.


Dangote Sugar trailed with a loss of 50k to close at N19, while Zenith International Bank depreciated by 45k to close at N26.75 per share.

FBN Holdings was down by 30k to close at N10.90, while United Bank for Africa declined by 15k to close at N10.95 per share.

Conversely, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria led the gainers’ table, appreciating by N1 to close at N75.50 per share.

Flour Mills followed with a gain of 35k to close at N32.65, while UAC Property increased by 10k to close at N2.11 per share.

Union Bank of Nigeria rose 10k to close at N6.20, while Learn Africa grew by 7k to close at N1.51 per share.

A breakdown of the activity chart indicates that United Bank for Africa was the most active stock, exchanging 90.62 million shares worth N998.23 million.

United Capital trailed with an account of 78.69 million shares valued at N258.35 million, while Africa Prudential Registrar traded 72.10 million shares cost N312.59 million.

Access Bank sold 26.28 million shares valued at N282.27 million, while Africa Insurance Company recorded a turnover of 23.30 million shares worth N4.66 million.

In all, investors bought and sold 456.49 million shares valued at N4.13 billion achieved in 3,517 deals.

This was against a turnover of 341.48 million shares worth N5.19 billion traded in 3,769 deals on Tuesday.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigerian-stock-market-index-drops-by-040.html

The unique composition of sugars in a mother’s breast milk may prevent food allergies in her infant, according to a study published in the latest issue of Allergy.

The study highlighted the health role of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are not found in infant formula, suggesting a potential for therapeutic interventions.

HMOs are structurally complicated sugar molecules unique to human breast milk, and the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lactose, a different type of sugar, and fat.

They are not actually digestible by infants, but could help guide development of the infant gut microbiota, which previous research suggests is a key influencer of allergic disease.

Previous studies have shown that breastfed infants have a lower risk for a variety of medical conditions, such as wheezing, infections, asthma and obesity.

Researchers at the University of California (UC), San Diego School of Medicine and their colleagues in Canada analyzed breastmilk samples taken three-to-four months after birth from 421 infants and mothers.

Then, at one year of age, infants were given skin prick tests to check for allergic sensitization to common allergens, including certain foods.

The team found that 59 of 421 infants (14 per cent) displayed sensitisation to one or more food allergens at age one.

“Our research has identified a ‘beneficial’ HMO profile that was associated with a lower rate of food sensitisation in children at one year,” said Lars Bode, associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, who led the study.

No individual HMO was associated with food sensitization, but the overall HMO composition appeared to play a role, according to the study.

Composition of HMOs in breast milk is variable and determined by factors like lactation stage, gestational age, maternal health, ethnicity, geographic location and breastfeeding exclusivity.

“A positive test is not necessarily proof of an allergy, but does indicate a heightened sensitivity,” said Meghan Azad, a Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease.

“Sensitisations during infancy don’t always persist into later childhood, but they are important clinical indicators and strong predictors of future allergic disease,” said Azad.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/breast-milk-reduces-risk-of-infants.html

The aggregate value of insurance stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has depreciated by 15 per cent since the Exchange introduced a new pricing methodology and par value rule on January 29, 2018.

The new par value rule specifies that the price of every share listed on the exchange shall be determined by the market forces and equities may now trade below the erstwhile price floor of 50 kobo per unit.

Akelicious checks showed that the new pricing system has impacted insurance stocks negatively, depreciating the market capitalisation of the sector by N25 billion or 15 per cent since its introduction. The worth of the insurance sector has dipped from N159.432 billion to N133.974 billion.


About 15 of the over 25 insurance stocks on the exchange are trading below 50 kobo par value, while about 13 are trading at a prices below their years’ opening value.
Those trading below their par value are: African Alliance Insurance Plc; Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc; Cornerstone Insurance Plc; Equity Assurance Plc; Guinea Insurance Plc; International Energy Insurance Plc; LASACO Assurance Plc; and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc.
Others are: Niger Insurance Plc; Regency Alliance Insurance Plc; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; UNIC Diversified Holdings Plc; Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and WAPIC Insurance Plc.

Also, most of the stocks are trading between 60 per cent and 16 per cent lower than their year’s opening prices. Market analysts said although the lower prices offer new entry opportunities in some of stocks, investor apathy for insurance stocks are basically caused by two major factors.
“Investors’ low demand for insurance stocks stemmed mostly from their poor corporate performance, which often makes them to pay low dividends. Besides, low awareness about their operations equally discourages investors from the sector,” a stockbroker, Mr. Ayo Oguntayo said.

According to him, while some insurance companies have strong fundamentals and have put in place strategies to deliver improved returns to shareholders, most potential investors are not aware of such prospects.
When introducing the new pricing methodology, Head, Market Surveillance and Investigations Department, NSE, Mr. Abimbola Babalola had said it was aimed at making the market more efficient.

The amendments to the pricing methodology rule led to the introduction of a new price group – “Group C.”
“It should be noted that the new Group “C” consists of equity securities that are priced below N5.00 per share, for at least four of the last six months, or new security listings that are priced below N5.00 per share at the time of listing on the NSE. The minimum pricing increments and minimum quantity traded for equity securities will no longer be the one-size-fits-all of One Kobo (N0.01k) which has been used in the market for all equity securities.”

According to the new rule, a trade of at 10, 000 units is required to move the price of equities trading at N100 or above (Group A) by 10kobo. A trade of at least 50,000 units is required to move the price of equities trading at N5 or above but lower than N100 (Group B) by five kobo, while a trade of at least 100,000 units shall be required to move the price of equities trading at N0.01k or higher but below N5 (Group C) by one kobo.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/value-of-insurance-stocks-fall-15-on.html

The Yobe State Government on Tuesday officially declared an end to cholera outbreak in the state.

This is coming after the disease was reported in five local government areas of the state with a total of 404 cases including 16 associated deaths with a case fatality ratio of 3.7 per cent recorded.


Addressing a press conference in Damaturu, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bello Kawuwa, said that there has not been any new case of suspected cholera in the state in the last 21 days, which qualifies for the outbreak to be declared over.

He said the case of the outbreak was first noticed on March 28, 2018 in Gashua town, Bade Local Government Area of the state, with 16 deaths reported across the state.

Kawuwa said: “On the 28th of March 2018, in Gashua town, Bade Local Government Area, the state Ministry of Health got information that some 33 persons had symptoms suspected to be cholera with five associated deaths.

“The LGA Rapid Response Team responded immediately and thereafter, an already prepared Ministry of Health activated the state Rapid Response Team that were deployed to support the LGA in response efforts.”

He revealed that: “The outbreak first reported in Gashua town of Bade with subsequent spread to Karasuwa, Jakusko, Yusufari and Bursari Local Government Areas of the state, a total of 404 cases including 16 associated deaths with a case fatality ratio of 3.7 per cent was recorded.

“Bade LGA reported 379 cases in six wards, 16 cases in Karasuwa, four in Jakusko, three in Yusufari and two in Bursari.”

The commissioner declared that by all standards, the response activities were a huge success being able to keep mortality very low.

He said a cholera vaccination exercise was conducted in the six most affected zones where over 125,000 people received the Oral Cholera Vaccine.

He said: “As we speak now, it has been more than 21 days without report of any suspected case of cholera in Yobe State. According to epidemiological standard, when the number of suspected cases in the epidemic area significantly declines and all sample for suspected cholera cases tested were negative by RDT, culture or PCR for a minimum period of two weeks, the outbreak can be considered ended.

“Hence, we are here today to officially declare the cholera outbreak over.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/yobe-declares-cholera-outbreak-over.html

Donald Trump has vowed that the US will end the "very provocative war games” on the Korean peninsula, as he said America is “prepared to start a new history” with North Korea after holding a historic summit with Kim Jong-un.

Mr Kim has reaffirmed his commitment to "complete denuclearisation" as he and Mr Trump met for the first time after a year of exchanging warmongering threats and personal insults.

In a joint agreement, the North Korean leader and US President vowed to establish "new" relations between Washington and Pyongyang in a document signed by the pair in Singapore on Tuesday.

However, the text made no mention of US demands for "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" - jargon for scrapping weapons and committing to inspections. In a sprawling, hour-long Press conference, Mr Trump disclosed that Mr Kim has agreed to destroy a "major missile testing site".

Referring to his aspiration to bring back US troops from South Korea, he said: "I'd like to be able to bring them home… I'd like to be able to end the war games… I think it's very provocative." He added the US will save huge amounts of money by halting the "inappropriate" military exercises with South Korea. Mr Trump said "we are ready to start a new history, to begin a new chapter between our nations", adding: "Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace."

He also revealed that:
Mr Kim has accepted his invitation to visit the White House "sometime in the future"
he halted plans last week for 300 new North Korea sanctions because they would have been "disrespectful" ahead of the summit
any conflict involving North Korea could lead to the loss of tens of millions of lives in South Korea, he believes
he will probably need another summit or meeting with Mr Kim

After a working lunch concluded a morning of negotiations, the two leaders held a signing ceremony, with Mr Trump calling it a "comprehensive" agreement.

Mr Kim said "we are leaving the past behind us" as he pledged "the world will see a major change".

Saying he had formed a "special bond" with Mr Kim, the US president said he would be inviting his North Korean counterpart to the White House.

Asked earlier about the discussions, Mr Trump said: "A really fantastic meeting - a lot of progress. Better than anybody could have expected. Top of the line."

Before lunch, he hailed his “excellent” relationship with Mr Kim and predicted the pair will “solve” the Korean Peninsula stand-off.

The US president said his one-on-one meeting with the North Korean leader, which lasted around 40 minutes, was “very good” and predicted “tremendous success”.

The comments came after the two leaders shared a 12-second handshake as they met for the first time in front of a dozen American and North Korean flags. Mr Trump patted Kim on the arm and shared some words before the pair turned and posed for the cameras in Singapore.

The body language was surprisingly warm, with the pair at times smiling and laughing as they walked along a collonade towards their meeting. Mr Kim greeted his American counterpart with the words: “Nice to meet you Mr President.”

Never before have a sitting North Korean and American leader met. The summit took place at the luxury Capella resort on Sentosa Island, just off the Singaporean coast.

Before their talks - which they held alone except for interpreters - both men expressed optimism about the summit.

“I feel really great," said Mr Trump. "We are gonna have a great discussion and I think tremendous success. We will be tremendously successful. It's my honour. We will have a terrific relationship, I have no doubt.”

Mr Kim said: "The way to come to here was not easy. The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward but we overcame all of them and we are here today."

The sight of the two men sitting side-by-side encapsulated a remarkable turnaround in the pair’s relationship, given they were trading insults and threats last year. Mr Trump had said he would known within a minute if Mr Kim was serious about giving up his nuclear arsenal and, when the pair emerged, Mr Trump was pleased.

Asked how the talks went, Mr Trump said from a balcony: “Very good. Very, very good. Excellent relationship." Mr Kim stood next to him, but did not respond when repeatedly asked questions by reporters.

Stay with us for the latest updates and reaction throughout the day.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/trump-kim-summit-trump-vows-to-end-war.html

Prices of retail items in urban centres in Nigeria recorded an upward movement to the tune of 1.1 per cent month-on-month (MoM), from 0.69 per cent in April to 0.77 per cent in May. The increase in commodity prices, among others, run contrary to the success so far achieved in Nigeria’s headline inflation, otherwise known as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which has for the 15th consecutive month recorded a decline.

As at April, headline inflation in Nigeria stood at 12.48 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). But going by the outcome of its research in May, ARM Securities Limited revealed that prices of goods in Nigeria, especially in the urban centres, have continued to soar.


“Our Urban Retail Price Tracker—the PURP index— recorded an increase of 0.77% MoM to 105.7 pts in the month of May (vs 0.69% MoM in April),” ARM Securities said.

The report added, “Our survey revealed a mixed play of prices. While the brewery and commodities sector saw increased prices due to high transport cost and the on-going Ramadan festival, prices in the consumer sector were largely lower MoM. Volumes were generally higher across board.”

The report, which captured five key sectors of the economy, namely, Brewery, Commodities basket, Consumer, Cement, and Oil and Gas, hinted that it was a mixed play of prices.

According to analysts at ARM Securities Limited, the brewery sector saw price increases for the third consecutive month, with prices up 0.86 per cent month-on-month.

“Notably, Trophy (2.22 per cent) and Gulder (1.96 per cent) both witnessed a faster pace of price increase MoM.”

Feedback from retailers, according to the report, linked the increase in prices to higher transport cost in the month. “On volumes, feedback from retailers revealed a decline in volumes during the month,” analysts added.

Meanwhile, the consumer sector, according to ARM Securities, saw a mixed play of prices with an overall decline in prices by 1.56 per cent. Among the products that witnessed price increase were Honeywell (12.82 per cent) and Dangote pasta (13.89 per cent), while Lipton (-15.22 per cent) and Milo (-7.79 per cent) saw the largest decline in prices. “Overall, most of the decline was as a result of price discounts in the on-going Ramadan festival,” the report revealed.

ARM Securities also disclosed that commodities basket increased by 0.84 per cent month-on-month in the review period, as prices were higher across board, save for palm oil -0.69 per cent. Over the period, both vegetable oil and rice witnessed price increases of 0.43 per cent and 2.25 per cent month-on-month, respectively. “For palm oil, feedback from retailers showed that stability in prices has been driven by increased supply of the commodity,” the analysts said.

“Elsewhere, feedback from retailers associated the general increase in price of both vegetable oil and rice to higher transport cost in the month of May as well as the Ramadan festival, which made it possible for retailers to raise prices,” the research added.

The price pressure bit harder in the cement sector, as it witnessed an increase in prices by 2.21 per cent month-on-month. “On volumes, retailers noted higher sales volume compared to the previous month,” the report noted.

Likewise, prices in the oil and gas sector expanded 1.72 per cent month-on-month with prices of lubricants increasing by 2.47 per cent, accounting for the increase. “Elsewhere, the price of cooking gas was relatively flat over the month,” the report revealed.

Similarly, selected food price watch data for April 2018 by NBS, reflected that the average price of one dozen of Agric eggs medium size increased year-on-year by 6.45 per cent and month-on-month by 4.70 per cent to N552.09 in April 2018, from N527.32 in March 2018, while the average price of piece of Agric eggs medium size (price of one) decreased year-on-year by -8.59 per cent and increased month-on-month by 2.52 per cent to N42.25 in April 2018 from N41.21 in March 2018.

The average price of one kilogramme of tomato increased year-on-year by 1.32 per cent and month-on-month by 8.38 per cent to N289.49 in April 2018, from N267.09 in March 2018.

The average price of one kilogramme of rice (imported high quality sold loose) decreased year-on-year by -4.92 per cent and increased month-on-month by 1.66 per cent to N369.35 in April 2018, from N363.33 in March 2018. Also, the average price of one kilogramme of yam tuber increased year-on-year by 11.71 per cent and month-on-month by 9.86 per cent to N279.61 in April 2018 to N254.51 in March 2018.

Meanwhile, explaining the research methodology adopted to achieve the result, ARM Research said, “To determine how retail prices have moved on average, we fashioned out a Pentad Urban Retail Price Index (PURP), which adopts April 1st to April 8th as a base period. The PURP index accords 30 per cent weightings apiece to consumer and commodities prices, 20 per cent weighting to the brewery basket with a further 20 per cent distributed evenly between cement and cooking gas prices.

“Across the sectors, price evolution is monitored on a weekly basis while we adopt 0.6 per cent, 0.0 per cent, and -0.6 per cent as indicators for volume expansion from prior week, no change in volumes, and week-on-week output contraction (respectively) in a manner slightly akin to CBN’s PMI methodology.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/research-urban-retail-prices-in-nigeria.html

Bargain hunting in many highly capitalized stocks has continued to push transactions on the equities sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as the All-share index surged further by 1.53 per cent.

Specifically, at the close of transactions yesterday, the All- Share Index (ASI) gained 580.37 points, representing 1.53 per cent rise to close at 38,435.29 points from 37,854.92 recorded on Tuesday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation gained N210 billion from N13.712 trillion to close at N13.922 trillion. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria and Flourmill Nigeria.

Analysts at APT Securities and Funds Limited noted, yesterday’s gain was dominated by high cap stocks in industrial, consumer goods and banking sector. We expect more bullish stance to counter the 11 consecutive down days just concluded.”

Codros Capital Limited said:” Gains are likely to extend in the equities market, on the back of attractive prices of value stocks, and still-positive macroeconomic fundamentals.”

Further breakdown of yesterday’s transactions showed that market breadth expanded its positive space with 41 gainers as against 16 losers. Fidelity Bank led the gainers’ table by 9.91 per cent to close at N2.33 per share. Oando followed with a gain of 9.70 per cent to close at N7.35, while Diamond Bank appreciated by 9.46 per cent to close at N1.62 per share.

Also, Lafarge Africa went up by 9.35 per cent to close at N38 and Dangote Flour rose by 9.09 per cent to close at N10.20 per share.On the other hand, Mutual Benefit Assurance and Guinea Insurance led the laggards’ table by five per cent each for both stocks to close at 38 kobo, while NPF Microfinance Bank trailed with a loss of 4.73 per cent to close at N1.61 per share.

May and Baker dipped by 4.15 per cent to close at N2.54, while Sovereign Trust Insurance went down by 3.85 per cent, to close at 25 kobo per share.Also, total volume traded rose by 15.73 per cent to 393.12 million shares, valued at N6.67 billion, and exchanged in 5,285 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank topped the activity chart with 110.6 million shares valued at N3.1 billion. Fidelity Bank traded 63.87 million shares worth N148.4 million and UBA transacted 22.46 million shares valued at N255.33 million.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/market-index-grows-on-on-sustained.html

Huawei has denied collecting data from Facebook users after the social media giant confirmed that the Chinese phone maker deemed a national security threat by the US was among companies given access to user information.

Huawei was able to access Facebook data to get the leading social network to perform on its smartphones, the California-based company said.

“Facebook along with many other US tech companies have worked with them and other Chinese manufacturers to integrate their services onto these phones,” Facebook mobile partnerships leader Francisco Varela said in a statement on Tuesday.


“Given the interest from Congress, we wanted to make clear that all the information from these integrations with Huawei was stored on the device, not on Huawei’s servers.”

Before now-ubiquitous apps standardised the social media experience on smartphones, some 60 device makers including Amazon, Apple and Blackberry worked with Facebook to adapt interfaces for its website to their own phones, the social network said.

Facebook, which has been blocked in China since 2009, also had data-access deals with Chinese companies Lenovo, OPPO and TCL, according to Varela.

“Facebook’s integrations with Huawei, Lenovo, OPPO and TCL were controlled from the get-go,” Varela said.

Huawei said its cooperation with Facebook was to improve user services and denied collecting or storing user data.

“Like all leading smartphone providers, Huawei worked with Facebook to make Facebook’s services more convenient for users,” Huawei told AFP, adding that it “has never collected or stored any Facebook user data”.

Huawei has long disputed any links to the Chinese government, noting that its infrastructure and computing products are used in 170 countries.

“Concerns about Huawei aren’t new,” US Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the senate select committee on intelligence, said Tuesday.

“I look forward to learning more about how Facebook ensured that information about their users was not sent to Chinese servers.”

Contracts with phone makers placed tight limits on what could be done with data, and “approved experiences” were reviewed by engineers and managers before being deployed, according to the social network.

Facebook said it does not know of any privacy abuse by phone makers who years ago were able to gain access to personal data on users and their friends.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she would not comment on cooperation between companies because she was unaware of the details.

“But I hope that the US can provide a fair, transparent, open and friendly environment for the investments and business activities of Chinese companies,” Hua told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

– Done with deals –
Facebook is winding up the interface arrangements with device makers as the company’s smartphone apps now dominate the service. The integration partnership with Huawei will terminate by the end of this week, according to the social network.

Facebook said it “disagreed” with the conclusions of a New York Times report that found that the device makers could access information on users’ friends without their explicit consent.

But the report raised concerns that massive databases on users and their friends — including personal data and photographs — could be in the hands of device makers.

Huawei maintains that its products “meet the highest standards of security, privacy and engineering in every country we operate” and that “no government has ever asked us to compromise the security or integrity of any of our networks or devices”.

The social network came under attack early this year over British political consultant Cambridge Analytica’s harvesting of personal data on 87 million Facebook users and their friends.

Cambridge Analytica obtained the data without Facebook’s permission and used it to help the election campaign of US President Donald Trump.

In April, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg apologized in Congress over the Cambridge Analytica fiasco, amid rising calls for more regulation of the company.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/chinese-phone-maker-huawei-denies.html

A fresh batch of 171 stranded Nigerian returnees from Libya have arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

It would be recalled that two batches of 186 returnees had arrived last week through the Assisted Voluntary Returnees programme of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).


The returnees, who arrived via the cargo terminal of MMIA, were handed over to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the presence of other relevant government agencies.

The Buraq Airline flight with registration number 5A-DMG conveying the returnees arrived at about 8:25 pm on Tuesday.

They comprised 70 female adults including nine pregnant women, 90 male adults, three children and eight infants.

It was learnt that the voluntary returnees were brought from Zintan District of Libya with eight of them having minor health-related issues.


The South-West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alh. Yakubu Suleiman, who received the returnees, advised parents and guardians to desist from encouraging their children or wards to embark on such perilous journeys.

According to him, it is only by dint of good luck and God’s mercies that those embarking on such journey usually return.

Suleiman expressed disappointment that some parents support their children to go outside the country through illegal routes by selling their property to raise funds for the journey.

“We have been inundated with parents calling that they have lost contact with their children while many would continue to raise money from home and send to children who would have been held captive and must be settled before their children would be set free,” he said.


The coordinator appealed to the returnees to be anti-trafficking champions by disabuse the minds of those still trying to embark on such journey.

He added, “You have seen it all, experience is the best teacher, today, all of you are saying ‘you will never encourage any of your family members to travel outside wasting huge resources through illegal routes despite various risks and dangers you went through.

“I am begging you to also carry this message to the people you come across in life and share your experiences to discourage young people wasting their energies and productive life in seeking wealth.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/human-trafficking-fresh-batch-of-171.html

The Police Command in Jigawa has said 189 out of 1,728 candidates who sat for the Computer-Based Test (CBT), in the state were successful.

Spokesman of the command, SP Abdu Jinjiri, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducted the nation-wide test on May 25.

Jinjiri said the candidates sat for the CBT in six designated centres across the state.

“1,728 candidates sat for the Computer Based Test conducted by JAMB in Jigawa. Only 189 candidates were shortlisted for medical screening conducted at Zone One, Kano, between May 31 and June 6,” Jinjiri said.

NAN recalls that 4,705 applicants applied for the ongoing nationwide recruitment into the police in the state, out of which 1,728 passed medical and physical fitness screenings.

NAN also reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen into the Force.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/189-out-1728-candidates-pass-police.html

After over one hour session behind closed doors on Tuesday, the Senate has moved to the House of Representatives for a joint session.
Immediately, the joint session was convened in the chambers of the House, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara announced that both chambers were together to discuss political tension in the country.
Akelicious could not confirm as at the time of filing this report, if the Senate President’s problems with the Police would form part of today’s joint session.
Details at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/senate-house-of-reps-in-joint-session.html

The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) on Monday asked for the intervention of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in lifting the paralysis of their businesses by the Akinwunmi Ambode led Lagos State government on the Ikorodu axis.

Its President and Chairman of Ifesinachi Group of Companies, Prince Emeka Mamah, said this while addressing State House Correspondents after the group paid a courtesy visit to Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Mamah, sometime in 2017 the Lagos state government issued an executive order, directing all transporters on the Ikorodu corridor to relocate to Ojota.

He noted that since the order, the group tried its best to meet with Governor Ambode to resolve the problem without success.
Mamah said that the deployment of police on the Ikorodu axis to stop the businesses of the bus operators in their private parks had crippled the transportation of persons and property to different parts of the country.
“That is the main reason we said we should come to his excellency (the Vice President) to complain and to appeal so that he can step into this matter and see reasons we should maintain our private parks.

“These are investments that we owe banks and we have spent so much to develop those places,” he pleaded.
He said that the group had confidence in the APC government and expressed optimism that the Vice President would step into the matter to resolve the problems.
The LUBON president also urged the federal government to address the issue of import duty tariff on luxury buses as the duty of 35 per cent on a bus of about N150 million was too high for investors.
He also requested the federal government to intervene in the Value Added Tax being demanded from bus owners as it was difficult for them to collect VAT from commuters.
“The road users, especially commuters do not pay VAT; there is no how that we can collect that from commuters.
“And we are appealing to him to also look into that direction and see what can be done so that the tax people will not be disturbing us regarding VAT,’’ he said.
The Patron of the Association, Chief Eugene Nzom-Ojukwu (MON), added that the Association presented an award to the Vice President to show its support and strong solidarity with the government.
According to him, all the association needs is a level playing ground to enable it to serve the public better.
He said that the Lagos incident had pushed the operations of the group down, adding that about three months ago, the Lagos government impounded the association’s buses and kept them for three months without justification.
“We will find it difficult to set off all the accumulated bank interest that that action caused to us.
“You can also agree with us that the luxury bus association has never for one day gone on a strike no matter what it is.
“Our primary objective is to keep the nation moving; we do not want to be a stumbling block on the movement of the government and the people as well.
“We are trying to do whatever we think is possible for us to make sure that everything in Nigeria moves perfectly as far as transportation area is concerned,” the ALBON patron added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ifesinachi-chisco-others-report-ambode.html

The Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr. Adebola Lawanson, yesterday disclosed in Abuja that 420 Nigerians die everyday due to tuberculosis.

She said N14.4 billion is needed to control the spread of the disease, even as 154, 000 deaths are also recorded every year.

The coordinator advocated stiffer tariff on mobile phone users to tackle tuberculosis, adding that about 300,000 undiagnosed tuberculosis patients pose public health risk

Lawanson explained that of the 105,000 cases diagnosed in 2017, 63 per cent were between the productive ages of 15 to 44.


She said that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest burden of TB, and HIV and is also the 7th highest in the world, and second in Africa.

Lawanson stressed the need for increased domestic funding and procurement of first and second line drugs, diagnostic equipment and other commodities to end the disease.

In a similar development, the Managing Director of Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Jean Philippe Torres, has lamented that HIV has continued to be a major global issue, where it has killed more than 35 million people across the globe.

Torres disclosed that approximately 160,000 people died of AIDS-related illness in Nigeria in 2017.

The General Manager and Company Secretary, Mrs. A.O. Popoola Mordi, represented him at the event, which also had the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA), Mr. Gbenga A. Alabi,

According to them: “Nigeria has 3.2 million people living with HIV. Only 31 per cent of the HIV positive adults and 21 per cent of HIV positive children are on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).”

He revealed that Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 220,000 new HIV infections in 2017, and is among the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Torres canvassed a voluntary HIV counseling and testing among the Nigeria population to ensure that people know their status.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that 25 people have been killed by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was contained in Ebola situation reports on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was published yesterday.

The report said the outbreak remains active, as fresh cases have been confirmed.

Also, a virologist from Lancaster University, Dr. Derek Gatherer, in an editorial published in the Journal of General Virology and reported by DailyMailUK Online warned that the fresh outbreak is ‘reminiscent’ of the 2014 Ebola pandemic.

The WHO Assistant Director-General, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Dr. Michael Ryan, had reported that vaccine provides protection and hope for high-risk communities.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigeria-needs-n144b-to-control-tb-as.html

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to ensuring proper banking regulation has assisted in helping the country out of recession.

The President of the institute, Dr Uche Olowu, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, while speaking on the sideline of a “Special Luncheon” held in his honour by the management of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State.

“Shortly (after) he (Buhari) was sworn-in, the economy went into recession.

“That was occasioned by the fall in government revenue occasioned by fall in oil prices and that had a toll on the banking system because what it meant was that there was the scarcity of the dollar as the exchange rate went to the roof.

“But with the alignment of fiscal and monetary policies, we came out of recession.

“That’s a big plus because never have we had a situation where you saw that kind of synergist alignment between fiscal and monetary policies.

“So to that extent, you’ll have to give kudos to them.

“There are lots of reforms that the CBN governor has been doing carrying out.

“The agricultural revolution, the intervention by the apex bank means quite a lot to the economy because it was in furtherance of the government policy of food security.

“So he intervened a great deal in making sure that the right revolution worked..

“And so, that to a great extent, it has also improved the economy.


“And of course, a successful economy means that the financial sector would be deepened.

“So to that extent, you also will agree that yes, the banking system is better off with the kind of reform (that was carried out).

“We must give kudos to the government for handling the situation well, although there is still room for improvement.’’

Olowu, however, identified some areas in need of adjustment.

“I think the banks are well regulated. There are some policies that negate the efficient management of the banking system.

“Take for example, the sovereign risks that the banks took, take away liquidity from the system.

“So, the governments should respect their own obligations because it sends out a signal to investors that if your sovereign risks that bank took were not respected because the banks are so pivotal to sustainable economic growth.

“Everything that would be done to making sure that the banks are properly regulated, policies are sustainable, because banks do not strive on uncertainty.

“There are too many policy summersaults; that should be stopped and then we should also encourage the issues of building human capital that would make for the virile banking system.

“We also will encourage a situation where the government will align physical and monetary policies basically and then regulation and compliance issues are taken seriously.

“That heavy punishment, fines should be meted to any person so that it should serve as a deterrent to whoever that would want to compromise the system.’’

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/cibn-scores-president-buhari-high-on.html

The Nigerian Senate today will be holding the Public Hearing on the following Bills:

1.Petroleum Industry Fiscal Framework Bill;

2.Petroleum Host Community Bill; and

3.Petroleum Industry Administration Bill.


This was made known by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki via his twitter handle in the early hours of today.

The Petroleum Industry Bill ( PIB ) seeks to provide solutions to several issues militating against the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

The PIB, as a single, all embracing, and comprehensive document, will change the whole gamut of the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

It will encourage more investment as well as achieve improved regulation, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

You can follow the conversation on twitter via: #PIBPublicHearing.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/senate-holds-public-hearing-on-pib.html

Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev’d Owen Nwokolo, has called on Nigerian leaders to pay close attention to their spiritual health, particularly in the face of the crisis facing the country.

This was as he lamented that Christians in the country have been subjected to killings.

Nwokolo made this call while speaking shortly after the consecration of four new bishops and presentation of archbishops at the All Saints Cathedral Onitsha, Anambra State on Sunday.
His words: “Our leaders should not pretend that they do not hear or see the cries in the faces of the people. There are killings, maiming and sacking of people from their various communities in Nigeria.
“Christians in the country have been subjected to killings that have never been witnessed in Nigeria by people hiding under the name of herdsmen; that is not proper and acceptable.
“Leaders in Nigeria seem to have abandoned their relationship with God, but I am here today urging them to take seriously their relationship with God as he is capable of solving all the problems militating against their administration.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/christians-in-nigeria-have-been.html

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been inaugurated in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, with its leaders claiming that they will wrest power from the Governor Muhammed Badaru led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

The political party under the chairmanship of Alhaji Abba Anas said the time has come for people of the state vote out the APC for non-performance and for not meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the masses.

Speaking at the breaking of Ramadan fast in Dutse, a former member of the House of Representatives, representing Kazaure federal constituency, Alhaji Bashir Adamu, said he was formally announcing his departure from the APC and pledged his loyalty to SDP.

Adamu, who declared that the APC led-leadership in the state was full of deceit and lacked the vision to steer the state to the Promised Land.


He said, “We are all living witness in Jigawa to how the previous administration had laid down a formidable foundation for the gradual development of the state, but today what we are witnessing is retrogression and deplorable state of affairs in the polity,”

He also stated that the recent APC state and local government congresses in the state were a testimony that APC lacked what it takes to handle ‘simple’ domestic problems that are currently tearing the party to pieces in the state.

He declared: “Very soon major APC stakeholders from within the party would cross carpet to the SDP”, stating that, “we are battle ready to confront them in the forthcoming general elections,” he stated.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/2019-sdp-vows-to-wrest-power-from-apc.html

Barely one week after the killing of 26 people in a community in Zamfara State, gunmen have, again, hit another village in the state, killing 15 people.

Public Relations Officer of the state’s Police Command, DSP. Muhammad Shehu said, on Saturday, in Gusau, the state capital, that the bandits killed the people in a village called Zakuna.

He said the village is in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State in Nigeria’s northwest.


Zamfara State has seen repeated attacks in recent times that have left scores dead and added to the agony of unending attacks that have been blamed largely on the jihadist group, Boko Haram.

Boko Haram has waged a deadly insurgency on Nigeria since 2009 in a bid to enthrone a strict Islamic code in the north but the Federal Government has descended on the group, decimating them.

Shehu said that the attackers invaded Zakuna in the early hour of June 1 and rustled cows belonging to villagers.

According to him, a vigilance group known as Yansakai took on the rustlers, forcing them to flee only for the bandits to reinforce and attack the village, killing 15 people.


“On receiving the reports of the attack, the police mobilised to the village and discovered 15 dead bodies majority of whom were Yansakai.

“The police have, however, deployed heavy security to the area to maintain peace and stability.

“Bush combing and rigorous patrol is being carried out throughout the area by the police to avoid further loss of lives.”

Shehu said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kenneth Ebrimson, had ordered discreet investigation on the latest incident to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He pleaded with communities in the state not to relent in providing information to security operatives to end the deadly attacks in the state.

On May 25, some communities in Gidangoga District in the Maradun Local Government Area of the state were similarly attacked by bandits, resulting to the death of 26 people and injuring of three others.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/fresh-attack-claims-15-lives-in-zamfara.html

Singer Subject to deliver his most anticipated single titled ”Way forward”. A song that speak about how the young star went about for daily bread

Clickon the link to download http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/download-subject-way-forward-mp3.html

Our attention has been drawn to a trending story to the effect that the wife of the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mrs Judith Amaechi supervised the assault and manhandling of some airport officials on the 26th May 2018, because she was refused boarding an Air Peace flight from Port Harcourt to Abuja.

The Authority will like to state emphatically that the incident has nothing to do with the Honourable Minister's wife; it was between some security personnel at the airport and the airline officials.

Yakubu Henrietta (Mrs.)

General Manager, Corporate Affairs

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/faan-dispels-assault-story-credited-to.html

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) have evacuated 186 more Nigerians from Libya.

The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos.

Farinloye said the returnees arrived in two batches at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday and Thursday.

He said,” Within 24 hours, NEMA has received 186 Nigerian returnees from Libya on two different flights at the MMIA, Lagos.


“The flight with 154 returnees arrived the airport at 8:45p.m. on Thursday aboard a chartered Libya Airline with registration number 5A-DMG. They were received at the Cargo Wing of the airport.

“The other 32 returnees arrived via a commercial flight, which landed at the International wing of the airport on Wednesday at 3:45a.m.”

According to him, the returnees comprised of 99 female adults, 75 male adults, four children and eight infants.

Farinloye said the new arrivals were those based in Libya but voluntarily decided to return home when opportunity came from IOM because of the current volatile state of the North African country.

He disclosed that IOM had started training past returnees in batches in order to reintegrate them into the society.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/186-nigerians-return-from-libya.html

The expectations of workers in the country getting a new national minimum wage by the end of September 2018 May not materialize after all as the government said on Tuesday that the September date was just a date to conclude negotiation on the issue of minimum wage.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told newsmen at his residence in Abuja that the committee on the new National Minimum wage is expecting to conclude its work by the end of September and present its report to the government for deliberation and approval before an executive bill is sent to the National Assembly on the issue.

He said however that the issue of capacity to pay is also paramount in the deliberations on the minimum wage, pointing out that it was to get the input of all those concerned including state governments and the organised private sector that the committee embarked on zonal public hearing across the country.

The Minister said further that in the course of the zonal public hearings, many state governments made different submissions ranging from N22,000 monthly to N58,000,adding that the governors were also of the believe that foe the new minimum wage to become effective, the current revenue allocation formula will have to be reviewed in favour of the states and local government.


He said further that some other states are also of the view that the minimum wage should be maintained at the current N18,000 in view of the inability of some states to pay the current wages.

Senator Ngige said when the minimum wage committee concludes its report, it will be submitted to the National Council of State and the Federal Executive Council for approval before a bill is sent to the National Assembly to legalize the work of the committee.

He said even though it was not an easy task, the committee was making progress in its assigned responsibility, pointing out that it was in other to carry everybody, including the states and private sector along that six governors were elected to be members of the committee as well as representatives of the organized private sector.

On the threat non-teaching staff of universities to resume their suspended strike as a result of government failure to honour the terms of their agreement, the Minister said government was sourcing the N6 billion needed to pay them their earned allowances as contained in the agreement.

He said his experience as Minister of Labour said him that majority of about 95 percent of agreement currently being paraded by trade unions in the country were signed before the Buhari government came into office in 2015,adding that most of such agreements had no timeline for implementation.

He also said many of the agreement signed by the last government were not implementable because of the amount involved, adding that the principles of the International, Labour Organisation allowed employers to renegotiate agreements which they feel they cannot implement.


He said further that what is important in all collective bargaining agreement is the ability to pay what is being demanded and what is agreed upon.

He appealed to striking health workers to return to work while negotiations continue on their demands, pointing out that the delay in the implementation of their signed agreement was as a result of failure of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission to defend the two different figure presented to a government high powered committee.

He said the committee has directed the commission and the Federal Ministry of Health to go back and recompile the figures for onward submission to the committee for deliberation.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/thenationonlineng.net/minimum-wage-may-not-ready-by-september-says-ngige/amp/

The national leadership of APC Youths Renaissance has felicitated with

President Muhammadu Buhari as he celebrates his third year anniversary in

office.

In a statement issued in Abuja to mark this year's Nigeria's Democracy Day,

the group said President Buhari has performed well to the admiration of

many especially among those who once lived in a country without hope.

The group further noted that President Buhari's fight against terrorism,

corruption and unemployment has rekindled hope and vision in Nigeria and as

well brought peace and lasting prosperity to the people.
Poverty alleviation programmes of the Buhari administration such as
N-Power, conditional cash transfer, school meal programme as well as
massive recruitments in Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Police
Force, civil service among other agencies and parastatals of the Federal
Government are equal to none since the return of democracy in 1999.
Hence, contrary to what some Nigerians have been made to believe, there is
no doubt that President Buhari has justified the mandate given to him by
Nigerians in 2015 in every ramifications. And because one good term
deserves another, we appeal to all our members in the 8, 812 electoral
wards in the country as well as our teeming supporters and well-wishers in
the 120, 000 Polling Units in Nigeria to endeavor to collect their
Permanent Voters Card so as to once again demonstrate our collective love
to Nigeria by re-electing President Muhammadu Buhari in next year's
Presidential Election.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/apc-felicitates-with-buhari-as-he-marks.html

Few weeks after receiving its protest letter, a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, is currently meeting with the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) faction.

The APC delegation led by Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo is currently holding talks with the nPDP delegation led by the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, in Akinnola Aguda House.

In FG delegation are Lawal Shuaib, Deputy Chairman of the APC, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, Deputy Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ade Ipaye and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.
On nPDP side are the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal, Leader of the nPDP Kawu Baraje and Gov. Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara.Others on the nPDP delegation are former Kano governor Senator Rabui Musa Kwakwanso, former Governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako, a former leader of the PDP Senator Barnabas Gemade, former governor of Gombe State Sen. Danjuma Goje and other House of Representatives members.
Three weeks ago, the nPDP members issued a seven-day ultimatum, asking the party to address their complaints of marginalization.
Their letter which was addressed to the National chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was signed by by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former National Chairman of the former PDP bloc and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the group’s former National Secretary.
Both signatories are known to be lukewarm to the alliance put together in 2014, with Oyinlola openly rejecting a board appointment and teaming up with Olusegun Obasanjo’s national coalition movement and Baraje being accused by APC members in Kwara state of being anti-Buhari.
With the tone of the letter, the political bloc may just be preparing the ground
to break away.
The group accused the ruling APC of marginalising its members in cabinet positions, board appointments and working to block the emergence of Yakubu Dogara and Bukola Saraki as speaker and senate president in 2015.
The group also listed five other sins committed against them by the APC, among them the lack of consultation of their members in decision making and the harassment of their members, which was not substantiated.
They thus gave Chief John Oyegun, seven days to respond and arrange a meeting.
“Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter,” the letter read.
However, after the expiration of heir ultimatum, nothing was heard from either the APC or the nPDP as regards their next line of action, save for the Leader of the nPDP to state that the faction was still part of the APC.
Since the issuance of the ultimatum, this is the first meeting that is being held.

Full details at[url] http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/photos-osinbajo-led-fg-delegation-meets.html[/url]

Some 17 surrendered suspected Boko Haram on Monday said that they surrendered to the Nigerian military due to the Federal Government’s pledge to offer them amnesty.

One of the surrendered suspects, Ahmed Alhassan, disclosed this when Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas paraded the suspects at Theartre Commander of Operation Dole in Maiduguri.

He said they heard President Buhari’s appeal through the radio at their camp known as “Marcas of Nguma” at the shores of Lake Chad region.
“We have been contemplating to surrender ourselves after we realised that we were being recruited into false movement.

“What pulled us back was the fear of been caught and killed by either our members or the military.
“But after the announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari on granting amnesty to those who surrender, drop their arms and accept peace, we decided to defile all the fear and eventually came out.
“We also made up our minds to sacrifice our lives in a bid to secure freedom, knowing fully that God will forgive us for attempting to embrace peace and stop the killings,’’ he said.
The suspect said that he was forcefully initiated by the Mamman Nur’s faction after the insurgents stormed their town in Munguno four years ago.
“They gathered all of us and selected some of us, which they said we shall be working for the cause of God. Those who refused were eventually killed.
“Many have been conscripted and recruited, some have spent one and half, some two and some of us have spent four years,” he said.
He commended the military for treating them with respect and dignity, urging other members to embrace the Federal Government’s peace avenue to surrender.
“We eat the best of food and sleep in a conductive atmosphere.
We are also allowed to interact with some our colleagues. They listen to us and share our pain,“ he said.
Mustapha Umar, another suspect, who claimed to be from Abubakar Shekau’s faction, said he had worked as a commanding officer for the group for about three years.
Umar said he laid his arms because he was tired of the atrocities being committed under the guise of fighting for the religion of Islam
“We realised that the group was serving the course of the devil by committing all forms of atrocities. There was a lot of hardship in the camps. Many have been killed by one form of disease or the other.
“I am happy to be out here. The military have been treating us very humanly and I want to ask for forgiveness for all the pain I may have inflicted on the people while fighting for the baseless course,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Roger Nicholas, The Theartre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, said that the 17 suspects willingly surrendered themselves and renounced their membership to the fighting troops.
Nicholas said that about 70 suspected Boko Haram surrendered in Munguno and 60 in Bama, adding that many others had continued to drop arms in different designated military centres.
“You can see that they are finding it easier to surrender. We have our designated centres where such persons can come out and surrender and it is yielding result,” he said.

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/we-surrender-due-to-fgs-offer-of.html

Ecobank has won two major awards, one of them as the Africa’s best retail bank, at the African Banker’s prestigious ceremony held at the Paradise Hotel in Busan, South Korea.

The bank was named Best Retail Bank in Africa after impressing judges with the strides it has made to leverage digital financial services and an enhanced service model, to be the retail bank of choice.

The ever improving feature set of the truly revolutionary Ecobank Mobile App, which has now been downloaded by more than five million people, took the prize for Innovation in Banking, because of the way it has redefined borderless and inclusive banking, along with several other transformative innovations designed to deliver financial services to all.
Commenting on the double award win, Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Banker said: “Ecobank has had a game changing year in so many ways and their approach to embracing technology and putting it at the centre of their growth strategy has obviously paid dividends.”
Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO of Ecobank said: “It gives all of us at Ecobank great pride to be recognised as not only the Best Retail Bank in Africa, but also the Most Innovative. This is further proof that we are on the right track in our quest to be the bank of choice for middle Africa. We will continue to ensure that we are at the forefront of harnessing state-of-the-art technology to provide our customers with accessible and affordable banking services.”
Ecobank is committed to providing the range of financial products and services that meet the day-to-day banking, transactional and investment needs of all Africans. Ecobank enjoyed a 40% increase in customer numbers during 2017 and the bank aims to serve 100 million customers by the end of 2020.
The Ecobank Mobile App aims to deliver real convenience to customers and with its removal of barriers to entry, at affordable price points, is an integral part of Ecobank’s strategy.
It is the first unified banking application across 33 countries and enables customers to do their banking activities where and when they want, 24/7 and 365 days a year, conveniently on their mobile phones. It allows transactions in 18 different currencies and in four languages (English, French, Portuguese and Spanish).
The app includes the multi-featured digital payment solution, Ecobank Pay, which enables customers of any bank to pay for goods or services. It unifies all of Ecobank’s digital payment offerings for internet payments, paying bills and airtime top-ups by mobile.
Patrick Akinwuntan, Group Executive, Consumer Banking said: “Ecobank represents more possibilities for every African. Our Ecobank Mobile App, Xpress Account, Ecobank Pay, Xpress Points and Rapidtransfer are fast becoming top-of- mind consumer banking brands that represent convenience, affordability and instant fulfilment to our customers across Africa and in the diaspora.”

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/ecobank-wins-2-awards-in-south-korea.html

A renowned All Progressives Congress Chieftain in Bauchi, Alhaji Nasiru Darazo has allayed fear that the nPDP group led by Kawu Baraje is a serious threat to the survival of the party ahead of 2019 elections.
Darazo volunteered the statement exclusively to Akelicious in Bauchi on Sunday, saying President Buhari should promptly intervene to save the party from sliding.

” To be candid, APC is not fair to most political parties that collapsed to the ruling party ahead of the 2015 election especially to Baraje and Tinubu groups because they have been sidelined under Buhari considering their weight in facilitating the victory of Buhari in 2015 elections and unless something is done, APC is at the verge of losing coming elections,” Darazo pointed out.

He added that those groups agitating for justice within the APC should not be ignored having suffered to rescue the party in 2015 as anything short of that will further jeopardise APC chances come 2019 elections.
According to Darazo, President Buhari should have a second thought and cancel recent congresses of the party nationwide, blaming governors for hijacking the exercise targeting at Baraje’s group.
” These groups were totally sidelined in terms of appointments, yet the president keeps quiet, thereby giving governors supreme power to neutralise them from their respective states in spite of their political strengths, especially Speaker Dogara, Dr. Yakubu Lame, senator Mohammed A. Mohammed and a host of them. A stitch in time saves nine,” warned Darazo

He maintained that trouble awaits APC ahead of its national convention if eventually the group is ignored and their pleas are not attended to by the party’s national headquarters.
” We are waiting for the time bomb when APC will finally tear apart and collapse to PDP if nothing is done to ensure justice to Baraje’s nPDP group before the convention dateline. However, what is happening in APC is worse than during PDP years of governance,” he said.
He assured that in Bauchi State, APC will definitely lose to the opposition if the party insisted and secure guber ticket for Abubakar.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/2019-npdp-threat-to-apc-partys-chieftain.html