₦airaland Forum

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the federal government to compensate victims of Benue killings.CAN said the victims have been abandoned by the government - The association also said Nigeria is gradually walking into a state of anarchy following various crisis in many state The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal government to compensate victims of January killings in Benue state. The association said victims of the clash between herdsmen and farmers in the state have been abandoned by the federal government. Speaking at a meeting organised by the National Council Committee on the herdsmen/ Farmers crisis in Makurdi, the Benue state chairmen of CAN, Rev. Akpen Leva, said the situation is saddening.

Leva said: “Considering the losses suffered by the people of Benue state, the federal government has not found it expedient to avail the victims any form of compensation, it is indeed saddening. “What we demand for is adequate compensation for those killed, we need compensation for those in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp where over 100,000 persons are currently taking refuge. “We also demand the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Maiyetti Allah kautal Horre because they had issued threats before the killings, that is the more reason why they should be made to answer to the law because nobody should be seen to be above the law.” “Our fear is that the incursion in our communities is another grand plan to Islamize the country because the sequence of the attacks clearly shows that they are carried out in Christian communities," Leva added.Also, a former military governor of Benue state, Atom Kpera (retired) warned that if the herdsmen are not tackled there could be anarchy in Nigeria. “We are gradually walking into anarchy in this country. People may be forced to take up arms to defend themselves if something urgent is not done to stop the killings. “The federal government must know that we all belong to this country and we must all be protected from the menace of herdsmen and those perpetrating the killings arrested and made to face the law," Kpera said. In his reaction, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse faulted the timing of the deployment of military personnel in the state. He said: "Why did government announce the deployment of the force way ahead of time allowing grace period to allow the killers of our people to run away. I have a concern over the entire arrangement."

Akelicious earlier reported that Benue and Taraba state governors have replied to a statement made by Emir of Kano blaming the anti-open grazing law on herdsmen crisis in the two states. The governors also debunked the belief that they are sponsoring militia to counter-attack herdsmen in the state. They urged the Emir of Kano to rather use his position as a traditional leader to help douse the heated situation between herders and farmer.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/we-are-gradually-walking-into-anarchy.html

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday revealed the identity of the person that would succeed him in 2019.

The governor said at a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Owerri Municipal Council Area, who visited him in the Government House in Owerri that he would support the governorship ambition of his Chief of Staff Chief, Uche Nwosu.

He said his decision to support Nwosu fondly called Ugwumba stemmed from the fact that the chief of staff has “the qualities of ideal leader.”

The governor, however, said Nwosu is yet to inform him of any governorship ambition.


Okorocha said: “The monumental achievements of his administration will not be left in the hand of any how person.

“The Chief of Staff has not told me that he wants to run for the governorship of the state. But if he comes out I will support him.

“I have known him (Nwosu) over the years but does not know his parents and described him as an honest man who, whatever he tells you in the morning is what he will tell you in the evening.

“Uche Nwosu is hardworking and never gets tired. He is a very humble young man. Not proud or arrogant. So, power won’t enter his head. Despite the position he occupies you can’t see him quarreling with anybody or maltreating anybody. He does not segregate against anybody whether from Orlu or Owerri or Okigwe zone. He relates with people enviously. I have checked him in and out, I have not found him wanting.

“What the state wants is Imo governor and not Owerri Zone or Orlu Zone or Okigwe Zone governor. Zoning does not put food on the table of anybody. The young man is a team player, who does not use his office to molest anybody. He has the qualities of a good leader. If he says he will run for governor, I will support him.

“Obviously it might be as a result of these qualities that most people are talking about Uche Nwosu for governor everywhere even when he has not declared for the governorship. It might also be the reason for the endorsements he is getting from all quarters. You see, you don’t hide a good product. And the joy of every leader is to have a worthy successor. You don’t mind political opportunists. We have done very well as a government and we should be concerned about what happens to the achievements after.


“I am not from Owerri zone, but my administration has done more projects in Owerri zone and Owerri Municipal in particular more that the administrations before me had done put together. We need Imo governor and not a zonal governor. I have done in Okigwe zone what the man from the zone could not do for them. The records are there.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/okorocha-picks-chief-of-staff-as-likely.html

An Evangelist, Pastor Arthur Uzoh says there is no disappointment in serving God.

Speaking at the end of the New Year praise worship of the Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area Pastor Uzoh, who is of the Church of God Evangelical Mission Awka, charged Christians to always rely on God to reap His blessings.

He used the occasion to call on Christians to always do the will of God instead of that of man.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution Professor Prosper Omailiko, charged the students and staff of the Polytechnic to always work hard to consolidate on the already established platform for a robust educational growth in the Polytechnic.

On her part the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic Dr Nneka Mefor maintained that the New Year praise service is an annual event aimed at giving praises and thanksgiving to God, for the wonderful exploits in the institution.

She thanked Governor Willie Obiano for upgrading the school to a Polytechnic and assured that both the students and staff will work hard to make the Polytechnic a citadel of learning.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/anambra-polytechnic-staff-students.html

Economic experts have advised the Federal Government to liberalize and privatize all infrastructure to sustain the post recession and have a strong foreign reserve to attract foreign investors to Nigeria. They also contended that instead of raising foreign loans to pay debts, government could realise over $500b from privatization of assets in five years.

The experts, who spoke at the monthly seminar of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), titled, “Transiting from Bust to Boom: Fiscal, Financial and Infrastructure Options” bemoaned various government properties, rotting away in different parts of the country and wondered why such assets could not be utilized to raise funds.

Presenting a lead paper at the Seminar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba noted if “breaking government monopoly by licensing new entrants have worked in the telecoms sector, it confirms it can also work in the rail and road transport, health, education and sports”.
By liberalizing some sectors, embracing joint ventures as done in the oil and gas sectors and partially or wholly privatizing assets, government will realize the revenue needed to shore up foreign reserves, boost non-oil revenue, build more infrastructures and also widen access to finance for the Nigerian business people.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/experts-advise-fg-on-post-recession.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Advisory Council, Plateau State, has reaffirmed its support for President Muhammad Buhari and Governor Simon Lalong ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Chairman of the Advisory Council, Capt. Joseph Din (Rtd), disclosed this yesterday in Jos during a media briefing where he said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida do not have the moral right to ask Buhari not to re-contest in 2019.

Capt. Din, who was flanked by Chief Jethro Akun, Amb. Ignatius Longjan, both former deputy governors of Plateau State, former Minister of Information, Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande and ex-governorship candidate, Arch. Pam Dung Gyang said Buhari is the only alternative for Nigerians in 2019.

“Based on the strong will exhibited by President Muhammadu Buhari on the fight against insurgency, corruption and provision of youth empowerment and employment, we in the Elders Advisory Council are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Simon Lalong to contest for a second term in 2019 in order to complete the good work they have started. The President should ignore the comments by some eminent citizens who have asked him not to re-contest the election and we assure him of our unflinching support.”

Din said Obasanjo who tried to force himself for a third term in office does not have the moral justification to stop Buhari, saying it is only Nigerians that will decide the fate of the President during the poll.

He said President Buhari inherited a collapsed nation from his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan where insecurity, corruption and economic backwardness strived. “This government has tried in the area of provision of adequate security, considering that it came to power when insurgents were holding 13 local governments in the north east as their territory and even here in Plateau State but our armed forces with the support of government have decimated the insurgents and have reclaimed our territory.

“The Buhari government has the political will to defeat the insurgency. No President can say throughout his tenure, there were no skirmishes so he cannot exempt himself. We support Buhari and Lalong because they have shown us beyond reasonable doubt that they have the will to curtail insecurity and any form of violence.”


The elders applauded Governor Lalong for sustained security in the state. “Lalong has made us proud, even by restoring peace in Plateau. He has institutionalized peace building and reconciliation through establishment of peace building agency. Now that people are being attended to, he has continued with the uncompleted projects of his predecessors, which has made him carve a niche for himself as this is an effort aimed at uniting Plateau people.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/obj-ibb-lack-moral-right-to-criticize.html

Seven days into Big Brother 3, the housemates got their first taste of reckoning at the first live show. Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Sunday’s show brought with it the usual blend of intrigue, suspense and entertainment, as Kcee, the Limpopo crooner, entertained studio guests and viewers at home.

Soothed by the absence of evictions for this week, the housemates got to share their experiences thus far in the house. After last week’s pairings, the housemates were once again tasked with competing to become the next Head of House. Bam Bam, Cee C, Tobi and Teddy A came out victorious, meaning that teams Cebi and Bamteddy will have to do battle for the HOH crown.

Another pair caught in the spotlight albeit for the wrong reasons was the dynamic quo of Khloe and K Brule, otherwise known as K-Square, who were handed their first strike by Big Brother following their unruly behavior. Khloe was able to single handedly tie herself to every controversy in the Big Brother house with her confrontational approach, but it was K Brule who escalated the duo’s troubles by jumping off a balcony, an action that triggered an emotional response from fellow housemate Bitto. Biggie handed K-Square a strike which ultimately is a step closer for them to get booted out of the Big Brother house; they were also disqualified from the HOH contest that took place shortly after.


Viewers were thrilled by Kcee, who performed his hit singles ‘Pull Over’, ‘Limpopo’ and more. After sharing his usual dose of wise words with the housemates, Ebuka let the viewers in on a twist: there will be fake nominations on Monday night, and no evictions next week Sunday. The housemates are however oblivious of the development and this guarantees even more excitement for the viewers.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/bbnaija-week-oneno-evictions-but-strike.html

The United Nations thursday said it requires $1.05 billion assistance to meet up its 2018 humanitarian intervention programmes in the North-east where Boko Haram insurgency has affected more than 10 million people.

According to the UN, 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan appeal was pecked at “$1.05billion, people targeted in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, 6.1 million: number of partners participating in the HRP: 60, number of projects included in HRP 173.”

The UN also disclosed that it recorded a shortfall of $196million in donations from the targeted $1 billion for humanitarian intervention in the North-east of Nigeria in 2017.


The UN in collaboration with other international organisations and government have been actively leading in humanitarian assistance in the North-east in the last nine years, owing to severe humanitarian conditions and insecurity occasion by activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, who made the disclosure thursday at the launch of the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for the North-east in Abuja, however announced a target of $1.05 billion for 2018.
He explained that the fund which is expected to come from about 60 donor organisations, would be expended on 173 projects and would impact on the wellbeing of 6.1 million people in the three most ravage states in the region; Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

Kallon commended the partners for their contributions and expressed optimism that through their support, the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan would be successful.

“In 2017, donors – who are represented here today – funded the plan generously.
“The $1 billion appeal was 70 per cent funded by the end of the year – representing more than $740 million, a staggering amount that actually meant that Nigeria was one of the most funded appeals globally. The donor commitment was extraordinarily impressive, and one of the most remarkable I have seen in career. The total donated to the humanitarian response last year, including HRP and non-HRP interventions, reached $945 million.

“We have also committed this year to including any carry over from last year, so as to be entirely transparent when it comes to funding. The carry-over from the 2017 HRP to the 2018 HRP will be an estimated $196 million. This means that this sum has already effectively been raised and allocated to the 2018 HRP,” he said.

The envoy stated that the 2018 intervention is aimed at building on the humanitarian work carried out in previous years, adding that it is anchored on three strategic objectives which include; Provision of life saving emergency assistance to the most vulnerable people in conflict affected areas ensuring that assistance is timely and to scale; Ensuring that all assistance promotes the protection, safety and dignity of affected people, and is provided equitably to women, girls, men and boys; and to assist people kick start their lives again and also reconstruct the foundations of their lives so that they are better prepared to face crises.

He said the 2017 HRP provided live saving assistance to 5.6million people in the North East, thereby, reducing the number of food insecure people from 5.1million to 3.9million.

“A cholera outbreak was contained through the innovative use of an oral vaccine. 1.3million farmers were assisted to help improve agricultural production. And thousands of children were supported to go to school, against all odds,” he said.

Kallon, however, called for a political solution to the challenges in the North-east, to prevent the crisis from degenerating in 2018.
Responding on behalf of the federal government, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, thanked the international community for rallying support for Nigeria at her time of need.

She also acknowledged efforts by the multinational task force and the military for liberating communities hitherto in the enclave of Boko Haram, adding that the country has now moved from acute crisis to a situation where people are now returning to their homes.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/un-seeks-105bn-assistance-for-north.html

A former Minister of Aviation, and now senator representing Anambra North in the Senate, Stella Oduah, has frowned at a recent report in one of the national dailies, alleging that N3.9 billion airport renovation fund was diverted under her watch.

In a statement issued, in Abuja, on Thursday, Sen. Oduah described the report as ‘the work of political detractors whose intent is to strike political blows as election year approaches’.

The chairman of Senate’s committee on Cooperation and Integration, also frowned at the newspaper “for stooping to an unprofessional level by publishing such unverified false report without recourse to her.”


She stressed that the content of the report were completely untrue, adding those behind the report were unhappy with her overwhelming popularity and want to tarnish her image.

Her words, “My attention has been called to a publication by The Nation in their newspaper of 6th February, 2018 in which it was stated that N3.9 billion of the money meant for installation of security devices at the airports was traced to a firm belonging to me and others.

“It is very unprofessional and indeed shameful for a seemingly reputable newspaper like The Nation to make such wild accusations without verifying the source of their information and without any recourse to me.

“This is purely the handiwork of my political detractors who are uncomfortable with my overwhelming popularity as a Senator representing my zone.

“It is not surprising that those tales are coming at a time when the general election and political parties primaries for the election are at the corner, with my detractors piqued with the staunch resolution of my people to re-elect me as Senator. What is surprising is how a once respectable newspaper will descend so low to run the errand of political libel.”

Oduah insisted that the statements contained in the publication were completely false and should be disregarded.

“At no time was any money meant for contracts under my watch as the Aviation Minister diverted to any company belonging to me neither did I pay back any loan from any such funds.

“All contracts awarded by Ministry of Aviation under me followed due process and as for the contract under reference, the said contract was executed.

“As the minister of Aviation, I committed myself to the service of my country to the very best of my ability and as it is widely acknowledged, my record and performance as the Minister of Aviation remain laudable and unbeatable. What we did in aviation was so far reaching that it had never been done before, it was so unprecedented.

“If you remember how just Abuja airport used to be: one used to literally find it impossible to use the rest rooms there. To get into the lounge where people sit was impossible, most motor parks were better than what we had at the airport whether it is Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto.


“We took them on and efficiently and in a very timely manner changed every single one of them: and we did not just change that we changed the safety of the Nigerian airspace.


“Before we were having accidents literally every six months but we made sure that the safety of Nigerian passengers was prioritised to ensure that the landing gears, the flight gadgets, every single thing that will make Nigerian airspace the airspace that it is today, recognised by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), it had never been done before.

“I challenge anybody to just do a spreadsheet; How aviation was before, How i made aviation and how aviation is today. In all honesty if the person does not give me 120 per cent it means that they cannot add. It is thus natural to expect odious reactions from some elements whose greatest political punches are calumny,” she said.

The former minister, therefore, cautioned the news medium to refrain from playing into the hands of political detractors who intend to ride on them to score cheap political points.

“Anyone in my position will be constrained to seek redress in a law court against the publisher of such news, but suffice it to pass a word of caution to the authors of that libel at this stage,” she added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/alleged-n39bn-airport-fund-i-didnt.html

As oil prices begin to rebound, hitting about $70 from an oil time low of $25, the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) has advised the Federal Government to remit its excess proceeds into the Excess Crude Account (ECA).
Nigeria’s 2018 oil budget benchmark is projected at $45 while oil production is put at 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd).
The OGTAN President, Mr. Mayowa Afe,, gave the advice on the sidelines of a media briefing on the forthcoming National Education Summit by OGTAN with the theme ‘’ Sustaining Local Content through Quality Education and Training: Challenges and Prospects, held in Lagos at the weekend.
The OGTAN boss said the country, having witnessed stability in the oil production and increase in oil price, should ensure that the implementation of the 2018 budget is followed to the letter.
Afe, added that Government should be disciplined with the budget and ensure that all excess above the budget benchmark should be remitted into the ECA.
Government should not spend profligately, but rather learn from its past experience. Yes, spending should be for critical intervention projects that will impact the lives of Nigerians. For such spending, they are a welcome development.
And this is where I want to align my thoughts with that of the Minister of Finance, when she said the country is not bothered about prices of oil rebounding. I credit her for that statement and I want them to remain committed to it because that would mean that, they are looking at other areas of revenue other than oil,’’ he said
On the summit scheduled to hold on April 16, Afe said the event is geared towards fulfilling one of OGTAN’S key objectives, which is bridging the gap between Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and the oil and gas industry.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/oil-price-save-excess-for-future-ogtan.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, declared that he was not backing any candidate for political office in 2019.

Rather, he would remain an elder statesman with passion for a greater Nigeria.

Obasanjo, who added that his Coalition for Nigeria (CN) movement was to galvanise the people to appreciate their interests and power, noted that transitions that had taken place in the country since independence neglected the people at the grassroots.

He spoke during a courtesy visit by a youth group from Delta State, led a governorship aspirant, Frank Ufuoma Esanubi, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo disclosed that his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari was not meant to disrespect the Office of the President or embarrass the President, but to articulate his views about the situations in the country and offer his candid advice.

The former president added that his statement was well thought out and not based on frivolities, saying as a former president, he could not hold the Office of the President in contempt.

Obasanjo, however, reiterated that the Coalition for Nigeria would remain a socio-political movement, insisting that he would cease to be a member of the Coalition the moment it becomes partisan.

Said he, “In the year 2015, I said I would no longer participate in partisan politics. And I still stand by my decision. Everybody, irrespective of his or her political affiliation is free to come here for advice, I will gladly do that. I have no candidate, whatsoever, for any political office. I just believe that things must be done differently in Nigeria to get different result.

“If you study our transitions since the colonial era, they have all taken place without taking the people of the grassroots into consideration. So, CNM is about the people at the grassroots. It is a socio-economic movement where youth and women, especially, will be given opportunity to appreciate their interests and power. Unlike before, I believe we must put the horse before the cart.

“If the system and the platform sync, I believe Nigeria will get there. And like I said, the moment the Coalition gets involved in candidate sponsoring or participates in partisan politics, I will opt out of it”. Obasanjo stated.



Earlier, Esanubi said his group’s visit to Obasanjo was to pay homage to him and intimate him on their resolve to heed his clarion call for Nigerians to come together under the CNM, for a better Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/i-have-no-candidate-for-2019-says.html

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday in Akure hailed the Ondo State Government for signing the Social Protection Appropriation Bill into law, which will protect women and children.

Dr Niyi Olaleye, Officer in Charge of UNICEF, Akure, told newsmen shortly after Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had signed the bill into law on Tuesday, that it was the first of its kind in the country.

Olaleye said the bill was about the welfare of the vulnerable in the society, particularly the women and children.

He noted that the Federal Executive Council had a policy on it in 2017, saying, “Ondo State is the first to pass the bill into law at the sub national level.”


Olaleye noted that it was well in line with the mandate of UNICEF to assist government to protect children and appreciated the state government for passing and signing the bill into law.



“The bill is about welfare of the most vulnerable in the society, this is well in line with our mandate, we have been working with them for the past one and half years on the bill.

“It is a milestone for women and children of Ondo State, as it makes the state to provide for them. Ondo State is the first state in the country to pass the bill into law.”

Earlier in the day, Gov. Akeredolu had signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N181.42 billion, Contributory Health Protection Bill and the Social Protection bill into law.

Akeredolu said the bill was the primary reason the people of the state voted him into power.

“The bill is about the welfare of the citizens, there shall be a council in charge of the bill,” the governor said.


http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/unicef-hails-akeredolu-for-signing.html

Image result for Isaac Adewole
Thirty-one people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria since the start of this year, the health minister said, with cases of the viral disease recorded across the country.

Isaac Adewole told reporters in Abuja on Monday that the outbreak was currently “active in 15 states, (with) 105 laboratory-confirmed cases, three probable cases, with 31 deaths”.

Ten of the 31 dead were health workers, he added.


Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.

In Ivory Coast, meanwhile, Health and Public Hygiene Minister Raymonde Goudou Coffie said Tuesday that the country had stepped up vigilance “in light of the… situation in affected countries and the flow of (travellers) among the nations of the sub-region.”

Coffie said that no cases of the disease had been registered locally, but warned of a potential risk from countries where it is endemic, such as Nigeria and Benin, as well as neighbouring Guinea.

Ivorians should go “immediately to the nearest health centre if the following symptoms appear: high fever followed by a general illness, weakness and muscle pains,” Coffie said.

The virus is spread through contact with food or items contaminated with rats’ urine or faeces or after coming into direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. It can be prevented by enhanced hygiene and avoidance of all contact with rats.

The disease takes its name from the town of Lassa in northern Nigeria where it was first identified in 1969.

More than one hundred people were killed in 2016 in one of the country’s worst outbreaks of lassa fever, affecting 14 of the 36 states, including Lagos and the capital Abuja.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigeria-lassa-fever-death-toll-now-31.html

Covenant University is to represent Nigeria at the global CFA Institute Research competition this year.

The university came first in Nigeria’s stage of the global CFA Institute Research competition in Lagos on Saturday to emerge as Nigeria’s representative at the competition coming up in Dublin, Ireland, on April 4 and April 5.

It beat University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University, which emerged second and third place winners.

Eight universities in Nigeria took part in the competition.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CFA competition in Nigeria was sponsored by Zenith International Bank in partnership with CFA Society in Nigeria.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is the world most prestigious investment research competition among university students globally.

It is aimed at promoting best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts.

The competition promotes ethics and best practices in investment research through hands-on mento-ring and presentation.

Speaking at the final stage of the competition, Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, said the bank had always anchored its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards empowerment, development, building skills, talent and capabilities among the youths.

He said the bank aligned with CFA Research Challenge’s overall objective of providing a platform for university students to put into practice their theoretical knowledge.


“It is a way of encouraging the professionals to inculcate the spirit of professionalism and ethics right from very early stage.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/covenant-varsity-to-represent-nigeria.html

The Federal Government has renamed Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi state after the Late Former Vice-president, Dr Alex Ekwueme.


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the announcement at St John the Divine Church, Oko during the burial service of the Late Dr Ekwueme.

The Vice President, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event said the Late Elder statesman is being celebrated not because of his numerous academic accomplishments but because of his selfless service to humanity especially to people who cannot repay him.

Describing death as a necessary end for all mortals, Professor Osinbajo urged the family to celebrate as their late Patriarch left indelible prints on the sands of time and will always be remembered for the best reasons.
He thanked Anambra State government for its efforts at giving the deceased a befitting burial and expressed optimism that such will help encourage the younger generation to strive towards excellence and selfless service to humanity.

In his tribute, Governor Obiano expressed happiness at the calibre of persons that attended the event from all over Nigeria and beyond, noting that it speaks volumes of how revered he is.
He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased who he acknowledged, lived a life of purpose.
A close ally of the deceased and former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku said the Late Ekwueme left remarkable legacies in politics, national and international service and philanthropy, adding that his brand of politics proves to be the hope for Nigeria's political future.
In a vote of thanks, the younger brother of the deceased, Igwe Laz Ekwueme who is the traditional ruler of Oko, thanked all who supported the family in their moment of grief and prayed God to repay them.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha later presented the official condolence letter of President Buhari and the condolence register opened for the deceased to his family while music rendition by the Church Choir formed the highpoints.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fg-lauds-obiano-for-giving-late-vp.html

Chinese pay per view television, StarTimes has announced that it now has about four million customers on the network.

The figures were given on Saturday by the Vice President of the company, Mrs. Guo Zi Qi, at opening day of the Chinese New Year and Animation Festival in Abuja.


Guo said the digital TV operator, which partnered the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in 2009, also has over 170 channels and 50 actors on the network.

In addition, she said StarTimes has invested over $200 million in Nigeria in the past nine years in the development of different television contents for its viewers.

StarTimes is collaborating with the Chinese Cultural Department and the Embassy of China in Abuja to promote Chinese animation films in Nigeria.

Eight of the Chinese companies specialising in cartoon character production are in Abuja to market their products. The firms include Blue Arch Culture, Toonmax Expo Ltd, Fantawild Animation, Left Pocket Studio, China Literature, 2:10 Culture Communication, Migland Film and Television and National Animation Park of Tianjin.

“The collaboration is to allow Nigerians know more about Chinese culture and animations. We want to import the cartoons to Nigeria because of their educational and entertainment benefits to the children,” Guo said.

One of the producers, Xin Yu, the President of Leftpocket Studio, makers of Emma and Gooroo, said the company was exploring the Nigerian market in search of talented artists with potential for partnership for something different and special.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Adedayo Jones, has appealed to China to assist in strengthening the Nigerian film industry by curbing the influx of uncensored and unclassified films imported through China from being distributed to Nigeria.

Jones made the request at the launching of the Chinese Animation Festival. He described the trend as a huge development that is impacting negatively in intellectual property for both countries.

According to him, Nigerian producers and Chinese film makers stand to benefit more if that aspect is improved upon. He said the animation industry has always fascinated everybody because of the interest it has generated, notably the contents produced in China.

“Animation has contributed to the Chinese economic growth. While Nigeria and China are the biggest trading partners in goods, there are many opportunities between both countries if StarTimes and the Chinese partners can collaborate with NFVCB to develop the film industry,” Jones said.

The Cultural Attache, China Embassy, Li Xuda, described the festival as an opportunity for children to learn more about animation. He added that the festival will now be held yearly.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/startimes-subscribers-hit-4m-mark.html

A cross-section of Nigerians have criticised the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo panel for its decision to raise a committee to hold talks with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in its probe of the herdsmen killings.

The committee, which was set up by the National Economic Council to “find lasting solutions to the increasing cases of killings by herdsmen across the country,” is headed by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, had said this on Thursday at the end of a meeting of the Osinbajo committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Federal Government’s plan to meet with Miyetti Allah, however, has drawn the ire of different socio-political groups in the country.

Among those who faulted the move by the Federal Government are the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; the umbrella body for the Igbo, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and Middle Belt groups.

Others are a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, and a Niger Delta activist, Annkio Briggs.

The ACF does not, however, see anything wrong with the talks the Umahi committee is to hold with the cattle breeders.

Afenifere said that though the government’s plan to meet the cattle breeders association in order to end their killings was good, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could not be trusted.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, warned that the Federal Government was leading the nation down the path of anarchy and lawlessness by planning to negotiate with the herdsmen, who it said had stained the nation with the blood of innocent citizens.



Odumakin slammed the Osinbajo-led panel for proposing to meet with the Miyetti Allah, saying it was unfortunate that “a professor of law would be meeting to negotiate with criminals.”

He added, “If the panel is meeting herdsmen, who are staining the country with blood, it means the Federal Government is complicit in the murder of Nigerians. They have not brought one person to book, but they are negotiating with the murderers; this is an invitation to anarchy.”

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo also questioned the objective of the dialogue with Miyetti Allah.

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Uche Achi-Okpaga, told one of our correspondents that there was nothing to negotiate.

He stated, “What is the panel going to negotiate with the herdsmen about? Will they ask them (herdsmen) what the government should do to placate them before they will stop killing defenceless Nigerians? The setting up of the panel is simply unnecessary. It cannot achieve any result. It is the height of deceit. The panel has failed before it started.”

The President of the Middle Belt Youth Council, Emma Zopmal, said, “The government has never made an attempt to compensate the victims, yet it goes further to empower the Fulani herdsmen for killing innocent people. This is an irresponsible act on the part of the Nigerian government.”

Similarly, the President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Dalyop Chuwang, said that the government should desist from handling security issues with kid gloves.

Chuwang added, “The sole responsibility of the government is to provide security to all citizens, regardless of tribe, religion and geopolitical region.

“The killer herdsmen should be declared as terrorists just like the Indigenous People of Biafra, which has not even launched an attack anywhere but has been tagged a terrorist group by the government.”

In the same vein, a Niger Delta activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, expressed disapproval with the negotiation plans by the Federal Government.

Also, a member of the National Executive Council of Arewa Consultative Forum, Mohammed Abdulrahman, said, “If Buhari wants to do something, he should order the military to tackle the matter. He should ask them (herdsmen) not to come into Nigeria because they are not Nigerians.”

The Secretary General of the ACF, Anthony Sani, however, cautioned Nigerians against criminalising the Fulani.

He said, “Miyetti Allah is an umbrella body of herdsmen, but that does not suggest that the majority of its members are criminals who perpetuate the crimes of killing innocent people, including children who are not party to the feud.”

The ACF secretary noted that the plan of the Federal Government to negotiate with the warring parties, especially the herdsmen, did not amount to endorsing the killings.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/afenifere-ohanaeze-acf-chief-fault-fgs.html

Founder and leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, tells CHUKWUDI AKASIKE about the Biafran struggle, why an Igbo man may not become Nigeria’s president and the herdsmen crisis, among other issues

MASSOB has been agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra for a long time. Do you still believe that you can realise it?

Why not? MASSOB is even more realisable now, especially with the way things are going. Remember when we were in Aburi, and Ojukwu was talking about Biafra, nobody believed it. The things he said in those days, which people jettisoned and criticised him for, are the same things that people are clamouring for today. So also is my agitation for Biafra. In 1999 when I started the struggle, people criticised me, called me names. But today, the same people, who criticised and called me names, are repeating all the things I said. Just take a look at what is happening; the people who fought against Biafra are now regretting fighting against us. I am talking about the Middle Belt people. They (Middle Belt people) fought the war against Biafra and not the Fulani. The Fulani have no strength; they are not strong enough to fight. Till tomorrow, no Fulani man can fight; they only used the Middle Belt people. Today, the Middle Belt people are being killed by the same Fulani people who sponsored them to kill us. Now, they are regretting it. So, Biafra becomes more feasible because the truth begins to emerge every other day because Nigeria is led with lies and falsehood and people are beginning to realise their folly and are accepting the reality of time.



While you are saying that every region should go its separate ways, we still have some calling for national unity. How do you reconcile this?

Those who are calling for unity are politicians. They are the ones who are benefitting from the system. For instance, Nigeria used to be North, West and East. It was the Igbo that brought about the idea of the six geopolitical zones because of their selfish interest; they (Igbo) wanted to be President at that time. But the six geopolitical zones have rendered the Igbo a minority tribe in Nigeria. The Igbo lost relevance. It used to be three tribes before; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. They brought in six geopolitical zones idea out of selfish interest.

But the six geopolitical zones might have been created out of the need for national development.

Which national development? It was out of selfish interest. The Hausa got the entire North; three geopolitical zones. The South-East has five states and we became a minority. All these people who are talking about national unity; which national unity do we have in Nigeria? The fact is that some people want to narrow their interest to Vice President, Senate President or Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives. All these irrelevant positions are what the Igbo man is looking for because he can never be the President of Nigeria.

But there is this recent call on the Igbo to be ready to occupy the position of the President in 2023.

Yes, they started saying it since 1999. Remember, it was the Igbo man that formed this PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) but they snatched it from him. Then, it was clear that an Igbo man would be the President of Nigeria. But in Jos, it was the Igbo who robbed themselves of that opportunity. The Igbo at that political event in Jos started speaking Hausa. The Igbo started sponsoring (Olusegun) Obasanjo against (Alex) Ekwueme; giving N100 million and all that to another tribe to emerge. Let me tell you, the Igbo tribe is the most foolish tribe I have ever seen in the world.

That is too strong a word to use.

No, no, no; I wish I could use a stronger word. The Igbo tribe is the most foolish tribe I have ever seen in the world. While the Yoruba embraced unity, the Igbo man was the person speaking Hausa in Jos; the Igbo man was the one donating money against his own brother in Jos to another candidate. Is that a wise tribe? Then, who should I apologise to for using the word ‘foolish?’ Then what have we achieved from the PDP? For how many years have the Yoruba people used the PDP? Eight years! Now, when it was the turn of the South-East, they sent it to South-South. They wanted to appease the South-South region because of oil. This was because the South-South was agitating for resource control; they had to appease them. That was after power had gone back to the North. But the agitation for Biafra is never supported by the Igbo man. To the Igbo man, the agitation for Biafra is nothing. They want presidency. How did Obasanjo become president? It was because the Yoruba were angry over the death of (MKO) Abiola. So, Obasanjo was then brought out from the prison to become the President as compensation for the Yoruba. The quest for Igbo presidency started in 1999, and it will continue to elude the Igbo for the next 100 years. Forget about 2023 because you will be alive in 2023 and I will ask you: ‘How far? Has an Igbo man become the president of Nigeria?’ I bet with my life that no Igbo man will emerge as president in 2023.



How cordial is MASSOB’s relationship with IPOB?

I formed MASSOB. As a matter of fact, I am the originator of the new Biafran struggle. I originated it in 1999 and no other group spoke of Biafra before 1999. I also said it that we would allow the formation of other groups. I studied Political Science and Law and I have read many issues on struggles and revolutions and concluded that there was no way one body (a group) could achieve Biafra without other factions. I went to London and floated Radio Biafra there. I needed somebody to operate it and I appointed Nnamdi Kanu as the director but he felt that the best thing he could do was to blackmail me with the radio.

You mean with your own radio station?

Yes, with my own radio station! It is not new because that is the nature of an Igbo man. It is for the Igbo man to backbite, to double-cross his brother; and that is why we are behind the Nigerian scheme. As long as the Igbo man continues with that mentality, the Igbo race is doomed. Look at what is happening in the political parties. If an Igbo man sponsors another person to be governor, that governor becomes his enemy the next day. Juxtapose it with what is happening in Yoruba land. If (Bola) Tinubu had been an Igbo man, he would have gone on exile. Look at how many governors he anointed in Yoruba land; they all pay him respect up till today. If it were to be in Igbo land, they would send him out of town immediately. He will not live in Igbo land because they will chase him out. Look at all the Igbo who were anointed governors. How many of them respect those who anointed them? That is the mentality of the Igbo man, retrogressive mentality; the mentality that leads to nowhere but doom. So, what Nnamdi Kanu did was of no difference because it is the typical nature of the Igbo man. That is what makes the Igbo man to be backward and they will continue to remain backward until they change their ways of life.

To answer your question finally, I have no quarrels with IPOB or any other group in the struggle. What I am against is falsehood, blackmail and lies, which IPOB brought into the struggle. The more, the merrier; I want more factions to emerge. If Uwazuirike were the only person speaking of Biafra, the tempo would not have been like we have noticed it today. The tempo should be higher if other groups emerge, but to use lies and blackmail against the founder is abominable.

MASSOB appears to be fractionalised and we hear different persons claiming to be spokesmen for your group. How do you address this situation?

There is no problem. Where don’t you have factions? Even in the political parties in Nigeria, there are factions. In the PDP, the APC, even in the Ohanaeze, you have factions. Our people like power. One of the persons you could be talking about, I appointed him, but they will always allow politicians to influence them. Some of them would say that Uwazuirike has amassed wealth, but they forgot that in 1999 when I started MASSOB, they were all sleeping in their homes. They didn’t know what I used to float MASSOB, to nurture MASSOB up to the time they joined. They did not realise that by the time I travelled to India to study Law and Political Science, they were in their mother’s womb. I did not travel with their money. If I was feeding from the gutters, I would not have travelled to India and stayed there for almost nine years or more. They felt that I started getting money immediately I floated MASSOB. They forgot that even the house I used in Lagos as the headquarters of MASSOB up till today belongs to me and that I bought that house almost five years before I started MASSOB. They did not realise that even the one in Okigwe that was destroyed by the Federal Government was bought in 1989. But I started MASSOB in 1999, 10 years later. So, they saw Uwazurike as a rich man overnight because he floated MASSOB. Since they floated their own factions, how rich are they? Why are they not millionaires?

There is this allegation that MASSOB is into land grabbing in the name of Biafra, especially in Imo State. Is this true?

Let me tell you, by right and nomenclature, all the land in the South-East belong to MASSOB. This is because we are agitating for a republic and that republic has a territory and the territory is the South-East and to an extent, the South-South. So, all the land in the South-East belongs to MASSOB.

Even when you have not realised Biafra?

You are here now asking me about Biafra. Would you have done that many years ago? No, because nobody used to talk about Biafra, but you are talking about it now. Who told you I have not realised it? We have realised it. What we have not realised now is sovereignty; the power to have our own army, our own currency and our territory manned by our own soldiers. In other spheres, we have had that and this is why we are discussing it now.

Which political party is MASSOB supporting in the South-East?

We are not into politics; we are not into Nigerian politics.

But some politicians may want to curry your favour…

Why not? I am even encouraging my members to register and vote. Time will come when we will look at the terrain and we can make our decision. We have 25 stages and I blatantly refused to announce the 25 stages because all these people floating around, saying they are faction this and faction that, they have no programme. If I had published my 25 stages, they would have stolen it.

What are these 25 stages all about?

They are 25 stages towards realising Biafra. It is still ongoing and time will come when we shall do other wonderful things that people have not even heard about. They want to hear what Uwazurike will say. Before I say something, they start making it their own programme. I studied this thing.

What is Biafra doing to stop Fulani herdsmen from killing the people in the South-East?

The issue of Fulani herdsmen is political.

Why do you say so?

Yes, it is political because it is being organised by the President himself. It (killing) is an organised agenda by the Federal Government. It (Fulani herdsmen crisis) is Buhari’s agenda to Islamise… If Buhari has no hand in it, it can never last 24 hours before it will go into oblivion. There is something our people forget. When (former President Goodluck) Jonathan was there and the Army was attacking Boko Haram, it was the same Buhari that said that any attack on Boko Haram was an attack on the North.

Has Boko Haram relented?

It is because they cannot control the boys again. It is just like MASSOB. I formed MASSOB, but at a certain stage, some elements thought they could also emerge. Then it looked as if Uwazurike could not control MASSOB again; but this is non-violent, not to talk of violence. When you have bought guns and given to a set of boys, you cannot control them again. They (Boko Haram members) started getting support from some Arab countries and saw themselves as independent. They were getting more money than you can even afford as their sponsors. So, when you talk, they don’t listen to you again. That is what happened with Boko Haram.

Do you have proof of what you have just said?

They (Federal Government) is aware that I know so much. It is just like the way they lured Nnamdi Kanu to work against me. At a point, the man started enjoying popularity; enjoying a following and they could not control him again. Immediately he (Nnamdi Kanu) started announcing from London, they invited him; I was here and I heard it. The DSS (Department of State Services) was inviting him to Abuja. At a point, the entire thing intoxicated him; then they could not control him and they started fighting him. Let people not be deceived; Boko Haram, killings by herdsmen are all organised. Okay, have you ever seen cattle herders before carrying AK-47? How many cows can you sell to buy AK-47? But these guys are carrying them. Who bought the guns for them? When Fulani herdsmen kill people, instead of arresting them, they start blaming the farmers. They have the courage to go to somebody’s farm and burn it down. If they don’t have sponsors, would they have the courage to go and burn people’s farms? We are watching the trend of the so-called herdsmen and we have realised that it is a Federal Government–sponsored programme to Islamise Nigeria by force. We have done our own investigation. On this, maybe the President wants to be the second Usman Dan Fodio by using his own men, Fulani men, who are not up to three million people, to conquer Nigeria. We are watching him. At a point, we shall take them head-on. When we do that, the entire world will see it because nobody has the monopoly of violence.

What is MASSOB’s view on the issue of restructuring?

What are we restructuring? We are not interested; we want Nigeria to be divided into six geopolitical zones. Let each zone be a republic. If they (zones) want restructuring, let them restructure. In the North before, they used to say ‘One North, one destiny’. But does the man in the Middle Belt believe in one North? No! If you ask the man in the Middle Belt, he will say he wants his own republic, freedom and security of life and property. The one Nigeria that is being talked about now is because of the oil. The moment there is no more oil, the Hausa man will be the first that will say we should go our separate ways.

Do you think MASSOB can realise Biafra through its non-violence stance?

Yes, I can point out many areas where non-violence has realised independence, but you cannot give me one area where violence has achieved it. It will only take time. Now, the ball is playing out itself. Look at where Nigeria is heading towards. For instance, if by 2023, an Igbo man is not the President, what else would you tell an Igbo man for him to believe you? That is when it will dawn on him that one Nigeria is a mirage. They are using the Yoruba in the APC now. After some time, the Yoruba will realise that the Hausa are using them and they will begin to ask themselves questions. Take a look at the Fulani herdsmen. Immediately Buhari emerged as the President, all of a sudden, they came into prominence. Where were they all these years? It is because they saw their own person at the helms. They felt that it was time for them to Islamise Nigeria. They see themselves as conquerors.

But do you think it is possible to Islamise Nigeria?

Are you asking me? You should ask them. Let them try it; we are watching. What they are thinking is that since President Buhari is the Commander-in-Chief, all Fulani are now commanders-in-chief. Then they have the control of the army, air force, navy, police and all that, but Buhari and his Fulani people can never succeed. We understand their subterranean moves.

What is your view about cattle colony?

That is what I am talking about. Now, cattle rearing has now become a Federal Government concern. But this is private business. If you are giving cattle herders colonies, then you should give piggery farmers colonies too in Nigeria. There are ranches all over the world. You don’t want to establish ranches, but you are saying people should give them land for colonies. This is a subtle way of colonising Nigeria so that anywhere they (Fulani) go, they become a republic in that place. Before you know it, in the next 100 years, the entire country will be colonised by them. It can never work.

How would you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s government?

It is a nonsensical government.

That is harsh.

Yes, look at when he was (head of) the military government, it was hardship. Today, the same thing is repeating itself. Look at when he started, what he did with the exchange rate. The economy slumped. A government that lacks knowledge and did not surround itself with intelligent people, the economy crashed within two days. Up till now, the dollar is sold for over N360. Does that show intelligence or knowledge? But they say ruling is their right; that they were born to rule. Rule now; and they don’t know how to rule. Ruling is not by mouth, but by intelligence. The currency of a country is the photograph of that country. The government has no agenda and he wants to come back in 2019. But he will win because he has his brother as INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) chairman. Then they will continue because they say they were born to rule when they have no knowledge about how to rule.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/ipob-brought-falsehood-into-biafran.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has vowed to step up the fight against vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other vices in the Niger Delta region.

The new Head of Operations, EFCC Port Harcourt zone, Nnagbe Obon Itam, made the pledge yesterday in Port Harcourt during a formal media presentation.According to Itam; “We know there is the challenge of vandalism, oil bunkering, crude oil theft in the zone and we are determined to reduce the corruption trend in the zone.

“EFCC is going hard to fight the corruption in the oil sector, we will fight them headlong. The South-south zone is the base of the nation’s economy. So with the partnership of the security agencies and the public, we will end the economic crimes against the nation.

“All crimes in the oil sector are illegal activities and economic crimes, that is why the anti corruption body is here to fight activities that impede the nation’s economy.”

The EFCC zonal boss assured that no case of oil theft, bunkering and others that comes to the agency would be swept under the carpet no matter how highly placed the individual may be.

He said every case would be treated and prosecuted accordingly, vowing that the agency would ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book.He attributed the delay in administering justice to culprits to the problems within the chain of arrest and investigation.

He said, “A lot of challenges along the chain of arrest hampers prosecution. From the receiving point to the interception point, sometimes the evidences are not properly documented and that hampers the processes of prosecution.’’ He however, noted that accurate exchange of ideas between the agencies and better synergy would yield better results.Itam until his new appointment was the Director, Internal Affairs, EFCC corporate headquarters, Abuja. He succeeded Ishaq Salihu.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/efcc-vows-to-step-up-fight-against.html

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has described the Nigerian maritime sector as strategic to tackling issues of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Peterside, stated this in a paper titled: ‘Nigeria’s role in combating maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea,’ at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London. He noted that Nigeria, which accounts for 65 per cent of cargo generated and accounts for the largest population within the region, is central to the success or otherwise of the fight against piracy in the GoG.


While acknowledging that maritime insecurity has economic, social and environmental implications in the region, the NIMASA boss told the international community that Nigeria is leaving no stone unturned to solve the challenges, “which has led it to approaching the menace through a total spectrum maritime strategy which include law enforcement, regional cooperation, response capability building and enhanced maritime domain awareness for all organs of government responsible for maritime security.”

“We in Nigeria have installed satellite surveillance systems, Coastal Radar systems, and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System GMDSS amongst others. The Anti-Piracy Bill, which is currently undergoing legislative procedures, is aimed at criminalising piracy and all maritime crimes in the country’s maritime domain with attendant punishment enshrined in the Nigerian legal framework,” he said.

The NIMASA boss noted that the implementation of an Integrated National Surveillance and waterways protection solution with command and control infrastructure in the agency is part of Nigerian government deep blue contract to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, “the deliverables from the deep blue project are expected to bolster Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and increase monitoring and compliance enforcement within the Nigerian waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

He said the Nigerian Navy has stepped up its activities in the Nigerian creeks which has seen the figures of illegal refineries destroyed rise exponentially from 97 in 2015 to over 1221 in 2017.

Peterside also cited global maritime piracy statistics obtained from icc-css, which shows a decline in piracy attacks in Nigerian waters from 445 in 2010 to about 180 in 2017 as an indication that the fight against piracy in Nigeria is headed in the right direction.

Accordingly, he noted that Nigeria’s intervention has led to the establishments of ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Security Strategy (EIMS), and Inter-Regional Coordination Centre (ICC) in Yaoundé Cameroun and that Nigeria played a leading role in the establishment of African Integrated Maritime Security (AIMS).

Speaking further, he highlighted factors that make Nigeria strategic in the fight against maritime crimes in the region to include: “being the country with the highest number of military contingent and might within the region, huge deposit of oil and gas thereby making it a place of interest for international energy dynamics, the geo-strategical location of Nigeria and the country with the largest delta areas of the world characterised by thousands of creeks.”

On the operational level, he disclosed that NIMASA, through collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in 2012-2013 established “Operation Prosperity”, which has seen to the reduction of criminal activities in the region.

“NIMASA on behalf of Nigeria also houses one of the five designated Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC),” he said.

Peterside, who is the current Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) called for continuous collaboration amongst partners across continents and proffered that improved profiling and information sharing on maritime criminality and illegality, enhanced maritime domain awareness and surface to air patrol capabilities, functional legal framework, integration of national inter-agency efforts, youth empowerment programmes amongst others are factors that can help bring solutions to the issues surrounding insecurity in the maritime space.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigeria-strategic-to-tackling-maritime.html

The state government has declared today work free day in honour of late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.

This is to enable workers in the state join the rest of Ndi Anambra in paying their last respect to the late elder statesman in a commendation service billed for the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

A statement endorsed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, says markets and businesses in the state will also be closed.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/anambra-govt-declares-today-work-free.html

A former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, says the continued killing of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen showed that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has failed.

He called on both the federal and state governments to take urgent actions to stop incessant attacks and killings across the country.


Maku, the National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, spoke at the backdrop of recent killings in Benue and Nasarawa State.

In a chat with newsmen in Lafia on Wednesday, he called on Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa to take steps towards protecting innocent citizens who were chased out of their communities along Nasarawa/Benue border.

He said, “The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property but a lot of senseless killings are going on simultaneously across the country. These killings do not speak well of the government.

“Every life is sacred and should not be taken by another; our cities, towns and villages are vulnerable and our people unprotected.


“Every citizen of Nigeria should be able to sleep with his or her two eyes closed; it’s a failure on the part of our government when citizens are slaughtered like animals,” he added.

Maku stressed that sending condolence messages and condemnation of the killings by the government were not enough, saying “I think these deaths are too many.”

“Condemnation alone won’t do; it is time to ask our leaders to protect us as they have sworn to do.’’


He also said that if government could not protect lives and properties, it had failed in its fundamental mandate.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/herdsmen-killings-buhari-has-failed-maku.html

Information have emerged that about 50 per cent of the 1.2 million candidates that met the Joint Board Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off mark have been given admission to their various university of choice with the remaining 50 per cent still unsure of their status.

The implications are that about 600,000 prospective university students are currently frustrated and unable to access their admission after being offered one by their respective institutions of choice.
Akelicious findings revealed that both the affected schools and candidates are blaming JAMB for the stalemate in the admission processes.

According to some of the university officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, “The JAMB action to appropriate admission processes is frustrating to both the students and the schools.
“Do you know that most of the students are yet to access their admission in the JAMB portal?”
They alleged that the newly introduced Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) by the Board has stalled admission of many students “who can’t access the portal, leaving them stranded with deadline for admission having elapsed last week.”


But while speaking to us, Head of Media and Public Relations for JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, debunked such claims, saying they are misleading and borne out of ignorance of the admission processes.
Benjamin clarified that while they helped to facilitate examinations for candidates and ensured that standards were applied across board, it is actually the universities that propose admissions to candidates who must have passed both the JAMB and Post-UTME.

He said: “A candidate writes JAMB and if he meets the cut-off mark and sent to their university of choice, the institutions conduct the post-UTME and the admission officer computes the results and forwards the successful candidates to the Vice Chancellor who in turn proposes these candidates for admission.

“The JAMB will now screen these candidates to ensure they have the standard criteria and are qualified for admission. So we will approve depending on whether the candidates are eligible, and all they need to do is accept their admission at the portal which is accessible contrary to what you heard.

“Some institutions have unloaded but the heads of such institutions have not approved. It’s not from our end. The CAPS is managed by us but institutions and JAMB interface on it.”
On CAPS, Benjamin said the system was created to facilitate a central admission process to ensure uniformity and enforce standard.

He stressed that most of the candidates complaining about the situation did not care to find out if they meet the eligibility requirements like the possession of the necessary O’Levels, A’Levels among others.
Benjamin noted that based on eligibility criteria, over 80 percent of the candidates have processed their admission.

According to him, “About 1.7 million candidates sat for the last JAMB out of which 1.2 million passed with 600,000 (which is 50 percent) eligible for admission. I can tell you that out of that number, we have successfully processed the eligible candidates with 80 per cent accepting their admission at the portal so far.”

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ish’aq Oloyede, had in September 2007 at the training and sensitisation Forum CAPS in Abuja, estimated that about 50 per cent of admission in the country’s tertiary institutions prior to 2016 were done through illegitimate means, promising to put a stop to it post-2016.

He said: “We have a situation; for example, if universities admit one million students, about 500,000 are done illegally. We do not yet have accurate data but we will regularise all the irregular admissions up to 2016. However, as from 2016 onwards, we cannot regularise anybody who got admitted through irregular means.”

Oloyede had clarified that contrary to public perception, JAMB is just a ranking and not an examination body like WAEC or NECO.
He said: “It is a screening body to rank already qualified students. It is not UTME that qualifies a person for admission but O’ Level. What JAMB does is just to rank presumably qualified person as pass or fail is not the focus of any ranking body.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/admission-over-600000-students-in-limbo.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said yesterday that the government is owing it N170.6 billion in unpaid subsidy between January 2006 and December 2015.

NNPC Group Managing Director Maikanti Baru told the Senate Investigative hearing on the N5 trillion subsidy payments from 2006 to 2016 that the figure was computed after the deduction of N4.950.80 trillion received as payments from the corporation’s N5.121.40 trillion approved subsidy claims within the period.

The Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, who was also on the team, Mr. Isiaka AbdulRazaq, traced the advent of the subsidy regime to October, 2003 when the NNPC was directed by the government to begin the purchase of domestic crude oil at international market price without a corresponding liberalisation of the regulated price of petroleum products.

He explained that under the subsidy regime, the NNPC and other suppliers of refined petroleum products were entitled to file claims to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).


AbdulRasaq, however, noted that unlike other oil marketers, the NNPC did not receive cash payment for subsidy claims as its subsidy claims were deducted out of cost payment to the Federation Account after due certification by PPPRA.

He said:‘’In summary, the NNPC submits that the amount of over N5.1 trillion was duly approved by PPPRA as subsidy claims for NNPC. Out of this sum, NNPC is still being owed N170.6 billion.’’

The corporation asked the Senate Committee to assist in ensuring that the outstanding debt was settled to enable NNPC effectively achieve its obligation as the supplier of last resort to the downstream sector.

Committee Chairman Senator Kabiru Marafa pledged to support stakeholders in the sector to ensure uninterrupted supply and distribution of petroleum products.

Inaugurating the hearing, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the fuel subsidy scheme designed for the benefit of poor Nigerians had become a cash cow of a few who continued to milk the country dry in trillions of naira.

Saraki said the fraudulent activities of the fuel subsidy cabal had continued to be perpetrated under a process insulated from public scrutiny.


He noted that the Federal Government had failed to curb fraudulent practices associated with fuel subsidy.

He said the Senate was working to unearth the subhead under which fuel subsidy had continued to be funded without budgetary provision.

The hearing followed a resolution which mandated the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to probe subsidy payment by the NNPC.

Saraki said: “For years, our country has been plagued with the issue of fuel subsidy and, for too long, a scheme designed to reduce the burden on the poor has become the cash cow of a few who continue to milk the country dry in trillions under a process so opaque and insulated from public scrutiny called fuel subsidy.

“You would recall that it was only after my motion on the 5th of March 2012, with the support of my colleagues in the 7thSenate and after a thorough review and investigation of the scheme we unearthed the monumental fraud bigger than our capital budget for a year going on in the name of fuel subsidy. Five years down the line, we are back on the same matter. This is not acceptable and we are determined to get to the bottom of it.

“The mere fact that we are here again today to discuss this issue shows that those who benefit from this grand deception are not willing to let loose and government has not done what we need to do to nip this problem in the bud.”

He spoke of how the Senate cut short the committee members’ end of year recess to investigate the resurfacing of queues at pump stations.

Said Saraki: “The findings of the committee have brought to light the fact that our downstream oil and gas industry needs critical reforms. It has exposed among other things that in spite of the stoppage of the fuel subsidy regime, and the non-appropriation of funds for the scheme due to the fraud and maladministration going on in the scheme, that fuel subsidy payments continue to be paid from our commonwealth illegally and without appropriation by the National Assembly to a few quietly in order to dodge scrutiny and avoid exposure.

“But this 8thSenate is here to expose every corruption in the system, irrespective of how highly placed those involved are and therefore the reason for this public hearing today.

“This unconstitutional and illegal practice must be addressed and we are not going to rest until it is fully addressed.

“It is the duty of this committee to get to the bottom of this issue and proffer long lasting solutions to this racketeering in the fuel market that leaves the Nigerian people poorer every year.”

He raised other questions for the committee, saying: “What is the actual quantity of fuel the Nigerian market consumes? What are the underlining reasons why the market is struggling to operate without government intervention. In other words why the reoccurring scarcity? Third and equally crucial is the process and all those involved in signing out unbudgeted funds outside the budget passed by the National Assembly.

“This hearing today spotlights the importance of the recently passed Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which after many years and several obstacles faced, has been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives for the first time in 17 years and is ready for the assent of Mr. President.

“It is our belief that this piece of legislation, if implemented to the letter, has the potential of eliminating the present distortions in the system and sanitise the governance of the oil and gas industry of corruption and the rot in the system.

“It will introduce the market competition that would bring efficiency to the system. It is our hope that this will set the tone for the necessary institutional reform required to clean this all-important industry of opacity and maladministration.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/fed-govt-owes-nnpc-n1706b.html

Nollywood actress and producer, Aisha Ibrahim, has explained why it is hard for an actress to find a husband.

According the Aisha, no one was ready to trust and settle down with an actress.


The make-believe star, who spoke with Vanguard, said the reason behind delayed marriages for some actresses was because, “most times we come across men who do not want us for wives, they only want us for a fling.
“They believe so many people are after us and can’t bring themselves to trust an actress and settle down with her. So, even if a man gets together with an actress, it doesn’t last because not every man is comfortable with a person that is always away on set.
“It takes only a man that understands the nature of the job and is ready to support, but then as an actress you have to make your man trust you no matter what.”
She, however, added, “I’m in a relationship and I see myself getting married soon by the grace of God.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/why-men-dont-like-marrying-actresses.html

Nigerian ‘starboy’, Wizkid and popular Nollywood actress, Biodun Okeowo, have reacted to the emergence of ‘sex dolls’ which has now become topical in the social media.

Recently, a trend broke out all over the world on the sale of sex robots fused with Human Artificial Intelligence which is sold for 800,000 Naira.


This development has drawn reactions from many celebrities and notable Nigerians who have now taken to their social media accounts to air their views on the highly debatable topic.

Reacting, Wizkid said it seems those who created the sex dolls for such an amount, have forgotten how cheap it is to patronise a commercial sex worker.

”Bazy say the people wey make s*x doll… Be like dem no know how much olosho be for street.”

Also, Actress, Biodun Okeowo, described ‘having intimacy with a robot as trashy.


She said, “It’s trash to me but individual choice matters. I don’t judge people’s choices or their acts.”

”In cases like this, individual choice matters. If a guy so wants it, well, good for him. Let him enjoy it. It might not be worth it to me, but I think it will surely have one emotional side effect on the long run,”

Similarly, Former personal Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan,Reno omokri, said ”Come on guys, God made you for greater things than to be lusting after a machine! Get a wife not a machine for sex.

”You have to be a dullard if the best you can get is a doll instead of a beautiful woman whose libido matches yours.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/sex-dolls-celebrities-react-to.html

The Bayelsa State government Friday assured residents that in the next nine months it would put a halt to the perennial power outage in the state, especially Yenagoa, the state capital, with the supply of 24-hour uninterrupted electricity by September.

Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company, Mr. Olice Kemenanabo, who gave the assurance while showcasing the activities of the Ministry of Power since the inception of the present administration, asked the people of the state to hold him personally responsible of plan does not materialise.


He blamed the current power outage in the state on cable theft and vandalism, but disclosed that all the Local Government Areas in the state had been successfully connected to the national grid.

Kemenanabo, an engineer, said efforts were being put in place towards achieving the target, which include upgrading of existing electricity transmission stations from 40 to 90 megawatts as well as ensure that the second mobile transformer functions optimally.

“We have upgraded the transmission from 40 to 90 MVA, we also want to work on the second mobile transformer to make sure that we have a second transmission station that will serve the eastern part of Bayelsa, then dedicate the supply from the 90 MVA for the central and western parts of the state.

By so doing, the constraints in the sector would be a thing of the past”, he explained.

According to him, the mobile transformer will serve as a second transmission station to service the eastern part of the state while the power generated from the 90 megawatts transmission station will be dedicated to cover the central and western parts of Bayelsa.

Kemenanabo also pointed out that the state government had signed an agreement with a private firm in December last year to provide a 5.26 megawatts power plant to boost power supply.

He explained that the power plant was being provided to service communities in the Agbere-Odoni axis not only to boost social activities but also for the economic emancipation of the area through the proposed industrial park.

In his comments, the Commissioner for Power, Chief Partner Jim-Ogbolo, said that in the last six years, government awarded 48 projects, out of which 23 had been completed while 25 are ongoing.

On challenges facing the sector, Chief Jim-Ogbolo blamed the current power outage on vandalism on the 132KVA high transmission line by some youths in Ahoada area and a faulty 40MVA transformer at the Gbarantoru sub-station.

He, however assured that power would soon be restored as efforts are on to rectify the problem.

He also enumerated achievements in the sector to include, construction of a new 33 KVA sub transmission line from Ogbia to Nembe, Ikibiri-Angiama 33 KVA, upgrading of electricity supply in Akipelai community.

Others, he said, included the Okpoama/Diema electrification project, rehabilitation of Nun River 33KV feeder to serve Southern Ijaw local government headquarters including the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso Markson, said the restoration administration is investing so much in the power sector with a view to driving industrialization and wealth creation.

Chairman of the occasion, King Alfred Diets Spiff urged the state government to explore other sources of power such as solar and wind energy.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/bayelsa-to-get-24-hour-power-supply.html

As shared on Facebook
Sen Victor Umeh........At home with his people at Nwagu Agulu.

Just an impromptu trip.....

Hundreds of people from Agulu received their son whom they gave the title Ohamadike Agulu.........


Cars are parking......

More people are coming to catch a glimpse of Sen Umeh........

Indeed,every politics is local..........

Ohamadike is loved by Ndi Agulu.....

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photoshundreds-of-people-from-nwagu.html

The seating arrangement for the 2018 Grammy Awards which is set to take place this weekend at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and has been revealed.Seats have been assigned for music stars which includes Bruno Mars, Beyonce, JAY-Z, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Tony Bennett, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Victor C
ruz, Cardi B, Chrissy Teigen, Jerry Seinfeld and othersSee some of the name cards below:

more photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photosseating-arrangements-for-grammy.html

Click the link to drop your comments
http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/in-what-year-will-nigeria-have-this.html

A human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Festus Keyamo, has urged the federal government and the administrative panel of inquiry, investigating the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, to make the probe report public.


In a letter addressed to the panel and made available to Akelicious, the human rights lawyer recalled that he had earlier on December 5, 2017 written the panel requesting a thorough investigation into the activities of the erstwhile Director-General of the SEC.

Keyamo stated that in the previous letter, he had wanted to know if the suspended DG of SEC paid to himself the sum of N104,851,154.94 as ‘severance benefits’ for his elevation from Executive Commissioner of SEC to DG of SEC, despite not having completed his tenure as Executive Commissioner in contravention of Section 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act?

According to him, another question he raised is: “Did the suspended DG of SEC award contracts to companies like Outbound Investment Limited, Northwind Environmental Services and Micro-Technologies Nigeria Limited in which he and his cronies are both directors and shareholders in contravention of Section 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers set out in the 5th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 101 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation and Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act?

“Did the suspended DG of SEC divert for his personal use the vehicles belonging to the Securities and Exchange Commission despite receiving the sum of N84,388,886.00 as monetised car grant/allowance for four cars in contravention of Section 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act?,” Keyamo also asked.

He said it was disheartening that several weeks after the panel was established, Nigerians who have been patiently expectant, are yet to be informed of the report of the Investigation or indeed the progress of the said Inquiry.

“I had expected that the investigation will be swift and thorough as the issues raised touch on the twin evils of corruption and impunity. Despite the inordinate delay, I am still confident that the investigations have not been compromised.

I am by this letter kindly requesting that the Investigation Report be made public irrespective of whose ox is gored as this would help correct the perception that the anti-corruption crusade has been bedeviled by politics and ethnicity. Nigerians deserve to know the truth and the falsehoods in the allegations and counter-allegations that have characterised the investigations into the activities of the DG of SEC and Oando Plc,” Keyamo explained.

Keyamo also sent copies of the letter to the Minister of Finance, Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/keyamo-wants-report-on-dg-sec-to-be.html

Nigeria may sell $2.5 billion of Eurobonds in the first quarter to refinance its domestic debt and wants to start talks with JPMorgan Chase & Co. about being reinstated on its local-currency emerging-market bond index, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has revealed.

The issuance would complete a dollar-debt programme that started with selling $3 billion of Eurobonds in November, the Director General of the DMO Patience Oniha told Bloomberg.


The yield on dollar bonds due November 2027 have fallen about 60 basis points since they were issued late last year to 5.92 per cent, almost eight percentage points lower than the yield on similar maturity local-currency government bonds.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is selling more foreign debt to help reduce the financing burden from paying double-digit yields on local-currency bonds.

That would help free up funds to increase investment in infrastructure and spur economic growth.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast the Nigerian economy will expand by 2.1 per cent this year compared with 0.8 per cent in 2017, driven by the oil sector.

The issuance is “subject to market conditions”, Oniha said in an interview in Abuja. The whole $2.5 billion could be raised in one go or in tranches, she added.

Oniha said the government also plans to begin talks with JPMorgan about being included in its government bond index for emerging markets.

The nation’s naira securities were removed in 2015 because of foreign-currency shortages.
“We would like to get back on the index,” Oniha said.

Daily trading volumes for the naira have risen to about $200 million from as little as $20 million three years ago, according to Standard Chartered Plc. That bodes well for discussions on returning to the index, according to Oniha.

“The securities trading was never the problem, it was always the foreign-currency liquidity,” which has now improved, she said.
“The government is looking to sell another Sukuk — debt that complies with Sharia principles — after the 2018 budget is approved. The securities are tied to specific projects,” Oniha added.

Nigeria in September sold a seven-year Sukuk of N100 billion ($278 million), and used the proceeds to fund development of 25 roads across the country.

Due to declining borrowing costs in Nigeria, corporate bond sales are expected, probably after the second quarter as the process of issuing improves, Oniha explained.

“There is money on the table. Rates are lower. So let’s begin to work on encouraging corporate bonds. The main reason there aren’t many corporate bonds in Nigeria is because interest rates were too high,” she said.
Of the $3 billion raised in November’s Eurobond sale, $2.5 billion went to funding the 2017 budget, and $500 million to refinancing local debt.

On her part, the Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said the government was focused on improving the economy, saying indexes would “naturally” return to Nigeria when they see adjustments in line with their requirements.

“JPMorgan have their own framework of how they evaluate an economy, and when they are ready, when conditions are good, they will list Nigeria again,” Adeosun said in an interview in her office in Abuja

She added: “We should just move in our own direction. What we need to do is to re-position this economy. JPMorgan or any other index will come naturally.

“My focus really is on the recovery of the economy. They will come when the macro fundamentals are right. They left because the macro fundamentals were not right.”

Meanwhile, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo Thursday said a weaker United States dollar does not necessarily hurt the Nigerian economy.
According to Reuters, Osinbajo made the comment after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin welcomed a weaker dollar, saying it benefited U.S. trade balances in the short term.

OPEC member Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer. Crude oil sales make up two-thirds of Nigeria’s government revenues and most of its foreign exchange earnings.

“A weaker dollar doesn’t necessarily hurt Nigeria,” Osinbajo said while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
“We are concerned most about ensuring that we are able to make our own exports cheaper and we are working on all of that. Our major concern is how to make ourselves more competitive,” he added.
The welcoming of a weakened dollar, seen by markets as a departure from the usual U.S. currency policy, has been seen as an indication that President Donald Trump is stepping up his attack on China and other big trading partners as part of his America First agenda.
Trump arrived in Davos Thursday.

Earlier this month, the president was accused of using vulgar language against Haiti and African countries, though he denied using the specific language.
“We need each other: Africa needs America. America also needs Africa in several important ways, so for me the most important thing is that we continue to maintain those relationships,” Osinbajo said, when asked about the alleged remarks.

“I’m also told that Mr. Trump has said that he did not in fact make those statements and we should be able to accept that,” he said.
The vice-president also discussed security in Africa’s most populous nation, which is contending with Islamist militant Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east and working to maintain a fragile peace in the restive southern Niger Delta oil-producing region.
“We are recruiting more policemen and we are recruiting more people in the army. Security is dynamic and you have to keep working at it,” Osinbajo said. He did not provide details of the number of new recruits.

Attacks on energy facilities in the Niger Delta region pushed Africa’s biggest economy into recession in 2016, its first in 25 years.
Niger Delta Avengers, the group which claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, last week said it would resume attacks within days.

“We are in constant consultation with all groups in the Niger Delta,” said Osinbajo, when asked about the government’s response to the latest threat.

The country’s recovery has largely been driven by crude oil sales since emerging from the recession in the second quarter of 2017.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/fg-plans-25bn-eurobond-sale-in-q1-seeks.html