₦airaland Forum

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said a total of 6,672 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya from Jan. 6 to Dec. 28.

The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, made this known while receiving a fresh batch of 257 Nigerians who arrived from Libya.

Maihajja lauded the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for their efforts at continuing the repatriation exercise even during the festive season.

The D.G. who was represented by the Southwest Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu, enjoined the returnees to join hands with various government agencies to tackle the problem of human trafficking in the country.

He said they should assist the government in identifying the traffickers who had lured and deceived many young Nigerians to embark on the perilous journey with the promise of taking them to Europe.

Maihajja assured them that government would treat all information with utmost confidentiality and secrecy needed.


The new returnees arrived the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 6.05pm aboard an Afriqiyah Airbus A330-300.

They comprised 152 adult females, 82 adult males, nine children and 14 infants, with one having a medical case.


The returnees arrived barely 24 hours after another batch of 157 Nigerians landed in the country from Libya where they had been stranded en route to Europe.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/6672-nigerians-voluntarily-returned.html

Niger House of Assembly on Thursday confirmed 14 nominees for commissioners.

The lawmakers, however, rejected the nomination of the immediate past Commissioner for Agriculture, Kabiru Musa.


Three other nominees, George Koche, Danjuma Sallau and Isah Kanko were not screened due to pending cases of petitions against them to be resolved by the House Committee on Public Petitions.
The Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said that the affected nominees would be screened after the Legislators returned from break in 2018.
Those confirmed include Zakari Bawa, Dr. Mustapha Jibril, Hajiya Ramatu Yar’adua, Zakari Jikantoro, Zakari Abubakar, Amina Musa, Ibrahim Balarabe, Idris Amin, Mamman Musa, Nasara Danmallam, Ibrahim Panti, Mohammed Adamu, Ismaila Ibrahim and Fatima Magudu.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/niger-gets-14-new-commissioners.html

The Presidency has dismissed as `fake news’ an online story that the President’s son, Yusuf Buhari was flown out of the country early Thursday morning following his severe head injury in a bike accident.

An online media outfit, TheCable, on Thursday reported that Buhari had been flown to Germany over head injury he sustained following a bike accident on Tuesday night.

“As previously reported by TheCable, he is being flown to Germany for specialist care.

“The family is said to have decided on Germany.


“He was driven to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, in an ambulance with oxygen support.

“An orthopedic consultant with specialisation in head injuries was also on the flight to monitor his progress,’’ TheCable reported

However, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in a text message on Thursday in Abuja, said Buhari was still being treated at a private hospital in Abuja.

It would be recalled that Shehu had on Wednesday in a statement confirmed that the son of the President, Yusuf Buhari, who was involved in a bike accident, was in stable condition.

He said that Yusuf had the accident on Tuesday night around Gwarimpa area in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ), Abuja.

Shehu said Buhari junior broke a limb and also sustained an injury on the head as a result of the incident.


“He has undergone surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition.

“The President and his wife, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari are thankful to Nigerians for the good wishes and prayers for their son,” the presidential spokesman said.


http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/yusuf-buhari-not-flown-to-germany.html

Over 90,000 residents of Akwa Ibom State have over the past six years benefitted from malaria prevention service. Africare, an international non-governmental organization, has said.


The Africare Director, Malaria Programme, Dr. Patrick Adah who disclosed this recently in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state during a malaria sensitisation outreach tagged ‘Christmas in Good Health’, said the organisation has introduced a device for testing malaria infection called Deki Reader in 30 health facilities in Eket and Ibeno local government areas of the state.

According to him, the services rendered in two local government areas include regular sensitisation campaigns on malaria, testing, provision of malaria drugs and other commodities.

“The Deki Reader is more effective and reliable than the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) currently in use in Nigeria. The device has the advantage of eliminating human error in the reading of test results,” he further explained.

The director maintained that the test results captured by Deki Reader could be accessed by authorised personnel of the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the elimination of malaria in Nigeria.

He noted that with the Deki Reader accurate record of malaria prevention programme and the current prevalence rate could be determined easily in Nigeria.

Adah stressed that the malaria project in the two local government areas was sponsored by ExxonMobil under the programme ‘Malaria Prevention in Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN)-supplier communities (MAPS-C)’.

“We are here to create awareness that malaria is treatable and preventable. We want to encourage the people to utilise malaria commodities. We are choosing this festive mood of Christmas to do this sensitisation so that we can enjoy the yuletide in good health.

“We thank ExxonMobil for providing the funding for the project, we advise the people to use long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) while sleeping in the night,” Adah said.

Also speaking at the sensitisation outreach, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Perpetual Uhomoibhi, lauded Africare and ExxonMobil for their partnership in malaria prevention.
Uhomoibhi noted that funding from development partners for malaria control had decreased over the years and called on private sector in Nigeria to invest in malaria control.

“We encourage the private sector to step up funding for malaria prevention programme to maintain healthy workforce in the country,” Uhomoibhi said.

She appealed to ExxonMobil to increase its support to Africare so as to cover the 31 local government areas of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Mr. Ifum Henry, thanked ExxonMobil and Africare for partnering to reduce the prevalence of malaria in the area.

Henry promised to support the activities of Africare in the area as far as healthcare delivery was concerned.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/90000-persons-benefit-from-malaria.html

As part of the initiative to reposition the maritime sector for greater efficiency in line with International best practices, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will release the empirical forecast that will determine the outlook of the industry in Nigeria by the first quarter of 2018.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who disclosed this in Lagos recently further stated that the Nigeria forecast would deal with how developments on the international scene affects the industry in Nigeria, which would also serve as a guide for investors and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Peterside noted that the forecast would be released from a holistic perspective in order to know areas of advantage that will be of immense benefit to stakeholders and industry players, both locally and internationally.
“On the positive side, it will look at where the opportunities will be in 2018 and 2019; will greater investment in oil and gas translate to more demand for offshore support vessels? What are the industry perspectives? What government and its agencies should do to attract more investment in the industry, among other salient issues,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nimasa-to-release-maritime-industry.html

Violence against minority communities can be tackled through the strength of music that creates a social consciousness, Bangladeshi Minister of Cultural Affairs, Asaduzzaman Noor, said at Dhaka.

Speaking at the ongoing Bengal Classical Music Festival at Dhaka last evening, Noor said while on one hand the country has embraced and sheltered Rohingya refugees, on the other hand, “fundamentalist forces want to destroy the harmony among people”.

“They are killing people in the name of religion. We are giving shelter to foreigners but we see the people we have been living alongside for thousands of years are being attacked.

“We saw Chittagong tribals and Buddhists coming under attack. We saw Santhals being targeted… we saw in Rangpur, Hindu localities were attacked. The hyper activities of such elements ought to be overcome,” the minister said.
Noor along with finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of India, formally inaugurated the five-night classical music festival at Dhaka on Tuesday.
The culture minister emphasised that music festivals help in the revival of the “value of pluralism”, which he said, was getting destroyed by “militancy and fundamentalist forces”.
“We see that in our country fundamentalist forces are destroying peace. Their social exploitation of women and children make us concerned. We have to overcome these hurdles.
“This is not just a festival, it is creating a social consciousness. Young people are enjoying the classical music. If we can create this consciousness, I feel that Bangladesh will have nothing to fear,” Noor said.
Shringala also reiterated Noor’s thoughts, and added that the festival will be a source of inspiration for the secular citizens of Bangladesh.
The 6th edition of the musical extravaganza commenced with a passionate performance by violin maestro L Subramaniam at the Abahoni Grounds here under a half moon sky.
With Sriram Murhty Dhulipala on mridangam to his one side and Pandit Tanmoy Bose on tabla on the other, complemented by Sathya Sai Ghantasala on morsing, Subramaniam held the audience in a trance that was broken only by a crashing crescendo.
The evening moved to another spectacular performance by world-famous Astana Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra from Kazakhstan that started off with an exhilarating rendition of Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’.
Conducted by Berik Batyrkhan, the orchestra played close to a dozen compositions by famous musicians from across the world including a symphony by Tless Kazhgaliyev.
The audience was then treated to an emotional composition of “Shanti Priya” by Subramaniam, as he joined the orchestra.
Rajrupa Chowdhury, took the evening forward, gracing the stage with her sarod, with Avijit Banerjee on tabla.
The musical air continued to resonate in and around the Abahoni Grounds with performances by Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, who sang Raga Kedar, Tarana in Raga Desh, Meera Bhajan and Raga Bageshree; sitar artist Firoz Khan from Bangladesh accompanied by Zakir Hossain on tabla, who performed Raga Jhinjhoti and Dhun.
The first night of the musical gala also witnessed performances by Supriya Das, who rendered Khayal in Raga Malkauns and Thumri in Raga Desh.
As the first light of dawn illuminated the surroundings, the event came to a close with a jugalbandi by Rakesh Chaurasia on flute and Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar.
The annual musical fete will conclude on December 30.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/music-can-help-tackle-communal-violence.html

A wild African Civet locally known as ‘Edi’ has been killed vigilante at Fanalou Street, Off Country Home Motel Road, Ugbor in Benin City.

Details of how the Civet was killed was sketchy as at press time but pictures of the Civet was posted on Facebook by one Hon Tony Osazuwa.

A Benin based lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren, who shared the story and pictures on his facebook page described it as a daredevil leopard but was corrected that the animal was a Civet.

A post by Jefferson reads, “My brother, Hon Tony Osazuwa few minutes ago posted Images of a dare devil leopard killed early this morning by the local vigilante in his area Nigeria. Leopards in Benin?”
However, the killing of the Civet caused outrage online as commentators condemned by some facebook users who preferred that it would have been sent to the Zoo.

Others said it was a mere bush meat that should be consumed.Abdul Malik in his comment said, “Was it disturbing or attacking the community and if it was, after the capture why was it not taken to a zoo or somewhere safe. Hope say the bush meat belle full una.”

To Bright Edward, “Now that the hungry, lazy and criminal CDA chairmen and their hungry, lazy and criminal followers destroyed their natural habitat selling the land, the poor animals are now everywhere seeking shelter and food. The other day dem turn Bush Baby (Galagos) to witch for Benin city, killed and burn the poor animal for nothing, This is a Civet cat bro. If dem see Leopard the size alone and the looks in its eyes the whole area for don vamoose.”
Aguinede Oghogho said she was traumatised by the killing. “Where are the animals right activist? Am traumatized by a human killing an innocent animal.”
Darlington Ehondor said, “This beautiful cat shouldn’t have been killed, it should have been shot with tranquilizers and, when revived, housed in a zoo or some wildlife facility. So sad we blissfully destroy items of great potential tourist and economic value.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/photosvigilantes-kill-africa-civet-in.html

Technology solutions provider, Huawei disclosed recently that 53 per cent of Nigerians are yet to have access to the Internet.

Managing director, Huawei Nigeria, Mr. Frank Li, stated this during a media conference organised by the company in Lagos.

The event focused on the impact of ICT development on the Nigerian economy.

Li also noted that the ATM card has a prevalence of less than 12 per cent in the country and many people in rural areas have need for financial service but don’t have an ATM card.

He noted that Huawei would continue to support technology development in Nigeria through its various initiatives.

Li said, “We are building a national backbone for 36 states to enable e-government and to redefine the way Nigeria does things.”

He also cited low broadband penetration, which is currently 21 per cent, and the need for Nigeria to surpass its broadband target of 30 per cent penetration by 2018, has called for increased fibre optic cable deployment across the country.

Li stressed that the need for Nigeria to invest more in broadband infrastructure deployment, to enable its citizens fully utilise the huge deposits of broadband capacities at the shores of the country, from various submarine cable operators like MainOne, Glo1, MTN WACS, and SAT 3.

Aside from the need for ubiquitous broadband access, through heavy deployment of fibre optic cables across the country, Li also called for policy consistency on the part of government, which he said, would enable every successful government to build on existing projects that are tilted towards digital technology transformation.

He further stated that digital transformation remained the bedrock of economic development for advanced nations, and Nigeria must take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution, that is purely knowledge based.

“Nigeria needs more fibre optic cable deployment and long-term policy implementation for speedy technology development, and Huawei will continue to play a major role in Nigeria’s digital transformation, since Nigeria is a huge market for Huawei.


“Government must do more to fast-track digital transformation across the country. The ripple effect with return on investment is high and it will continue to boost GDP growth of the county,” Li said.


Also, ICT consultant and former director-general of NTA, Vincent Maduka, who spoke at the conference on technology growth in Nigeria, observed that a lot of development has taken place in the country’s ICT sector, but there was still need for more investment in modern technologies that would speed up economic development.

Looking at the impact of ICT development on the Nigerian economy, the country editor of The Business Year, Silvia Lambiase disclosed that aside from the major chalenges, ICT occupies a central role in the current administration’s agenda, “and it is expected to contribute to monitoring and tracking information in real time, allowing better decision-making.”

Director, communication and information, UNESCO Nigeria, Macaulay Olushola, who was represented by Anthony Ogunniyi, called on Nigerians to use ICT for education, creation of wealth, poverty eradication, job creation and global competitiveness.

He said the use of ICT would ensure sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

“At the wake of 2000, the federal government of Nigeria embarked on an aggressive drive on the privatisation and deregulation policies of the ICT sub-sector, which led to the establishment of the National Telecommunication Policy in December 2001.

“The policy, among other things, recognised the need for the establishment of an enabling environment for deregulation and rapid expansion of the telecommunication services in the country.

“The implementation of ICTs policy led to the adoption of Global System for Mobile-Communications (GSM) and its related components in Nigeria, and this has led to telecoms growth in the country,” Olushola said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/53-nigerians-dont-have-access-to.html

Men of the Ogun State police command have shot dead the escaped and last member of an armed robbery gang that shot and fatally injured the former Divisional Police Office in charge of Ogbere, Adeyinka Akingbade.

The suspected armed robber was shot and killed in an encounter with the police operatives at Ijebu Ife on Christmas Day.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the suspect who escaped arrest and fled to Delta State after shooting the DPO, had been on the wanted list and the command had been on his trail since then.

Luck, Oyeyemi added, ran out for the suspect on Christmas day when police operatives received information that he was sighted in a beer parlour at Itawade area of Ijebu ife.

“Upon the information, policemen swiftly moved to the place, but before getting there, he had left the place. He was however traced to his in-law’s house where the police operatives caught up with him.

“Having realized that the game is up, he brought out a pistol and started firing at the policemen. The operatives were left with no other alternative than to fire back consequence upon which he was shot dead.
“Recovered from him are a locally made pistol, a matchete, assorted charms and a Toyota Highlander SUV with two different registration numbers”. The PPRO stated.
The Ogbere DPO had been shot and seriously injured by the gang during one of their robbery operations at Ijebu Itele.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Iliyasu, has commended the resilience of his men in making sure that the last member of the gang was finally brought down.
He, therefore, noted that killing of the suspect was a warning signal to criminals that no crime committed in Ogun state will go undetected.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/wanted-shooter-of-dpo-shot-dead-in-ogun.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has sued for peace and transparency in Tuesday’s presidential run-off election in Liberia.

Jonathan, who is co-leading the United States’ National Democratic Institute (NDI) International Elections Observation Mission to the country, made the appeal in Monrovia.

The former president spoke during separate meetings with the two contestants in the race – former FIFA World Football Player of the year, George Weah, and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai.

His media adviser, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, made public the meetings in a statement on Tuesday morning.


While calling for a free and fair process in the Boxing Day poll, he advised the two presidential candidates to accept the result of the election in the interest of peace and stability in Liberia.

Weah of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP) are battling to succeed outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whose constitutional two terms in office end in January.

Jonathan met with both men alongside former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Hanna Tetteh, and other NDI leaders, according to Eze.

He noted that the future of Liberia depended on the outcome of the run-off, urging Weah and Boakai to advise their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the election.

“In any election, there are winners and losers. Only one presidential candidate will be declared winner.

“The other should accept the election results to avoid a political crisis, especially if there are no good grounds to challenge the outcome,” he was quoted as saying.


Jonathan equally called on the National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other stakeholders to be conscientious in playing their role to ensure a “peaceful, inclusive and transparent electoral process.’’

“The economy of Liberia will benefit immensely from a positive and peaceful outcome as a free and fair process would go a long way in reassuring investors that the country is now safe for lasting investment.

“If the election fails it means Liberia has failed, it also means that Liberia has failed West Africa and failed the entire Africa,’’ he said.

The former president noted that Nigeria and other West African nations played vital roles in stabilising the nation, urging Liberians not to do anything that could jeopardise the post-war peace in the land.

“ Although both candidates pointed out some lapses in the preparations, especially with the issue of the voter register, they, however, agreed to accept the outcome of the results.

Speaking at the meeting, Weah reportedly said he was prepared to accept the outcome of the election.

“If the Liberian people decide that the other side will have another twelve years in the Presidency, we will call and congratulate them.

“But as I said, if the election is free and fair, we are going to win. This is because we have worked so hard and our people want the change which we are offering,” he said.

Jonathan and other NDI team members also met with the chairman of NEC, Mr Jerome Korkoya, where he emphasised the need for a transparent, free and fair election.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/liberia-run-off-poll-jonathan-meets.html

Most motorists in Abuja and Lagos yesterday celebrated Christmas on long queues at filling stations, as the scarcity of petrol bites harder in the country.

Akelicious checks showed that many residents stormed the few filling stations selling the product in the Lagos metropolis in a bid to get the product but ended up celebrating Christmas at petrol stations.

They lamented that the few petrol stations stop selling the product as soon as hoodlums come into the station to disrupt the queues.

Some residents who spoke with our correspondent about the situation said the federal government should have envisaged that fuel scarcity would occur this time.

Some residents were also seen doing brisk business by selling the product along some major roads in the Lagos metropolis.
Lamenting about the ugly trend, Gabriel Adegbenro said, “This is a minus for this government. How come they subject Nigerians to this kind of hardship this yuletide period? This is not fair at all. This must be probed. Why now, this festive season? They keep talking about tourism. Just imagine how tourists will see us as a bunch of unserious people”.
Also, Mr. Benjanmi Kolade who expressed disappointment at government said people could not go out as a result of fuel scarcity.
“Some are even stranded because there is no money. In short, what the nation needs is divine intervention”, he said.
Our correspondent also observed that many Nigerians celebrated the season in a low key, but appreciated God for the gift of life and good health.
Commenting on the situation, Mrs. Funke Bamidele, appealed to government to take drastic action in solving the scarcity problem.
“Above all, we appreciate God for His faithfulness despite what is happening in the country but I believe that God will deliver His people”, she said.
Also in Abuja, it was observed that there were long queues in most fuel stations visited yesterday, including NNPC, Oando and Total filling stations.
Mr Chris Abiti, in an interview with NAN, said he and his family stayed on a queue at the NNPC Mega Station in Central Area for more than three hours.
Abiti said that something urgent needed to be done to avert the recurrent scarcity during festivities, especially Christmas and New Year seasons.
“It’s not the leadership problem or government at fault. It’s a systemic failure of some private companies and individuals causing the problems. Something urgent must be done to spare Nigerians from this yearly agony. We should not continue like this”, he said.
Abiti added that NNPC mega stations are better than other fuel stations because the queues are moving.
In a separate interview, Aminu Ibrahim, said he was not happy about the fuel situation, adding that “festive season should be enjoyed and not spent in the fuel station”.
He called on the federal government to passionately look into the fuel problem in 2018.
Similarly, Mr Teso Joseph told NAN that he spent over four hours on the queue at Oando filling station in Zone 4.
He said the station workers sell to some selected people and also in kegs.Meanwhile, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo has described as such a shame the said reality that Christmas has been, to some extent, celebrated amid the discomfort caused by fuel scarcity.
He also stated that the Buhari administration is doing everything possible to quickly resolve the fuel shortages experienced by Nigerians.
Osinbajo who said this during an unexpected stopover at Oando Filling Station in Lekki area of Lagos State on Christmas Eve also stopped at Hayden Petrol Station on the Island.
In a chat with Nigerians from all walks of life on Sunday evening during the stopover, the Vice President noted that the federal government was moving as quickly as it could to solve the fuel crisis and reduce the difficulties Nigerians were facing as a result.
“It’s such a shame that Christmas has been, to some extent, with this sort of discomfort. This is deeply regretted, and l know that, despite the resilience and strength of people in Lagos and the Nigerian people, we would see ourselves through this and will enjoy our Christmas and have a great new year”, a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande quoted the VP as saying.
On what government is doing to stop the ugly situation, Osinbajo said, “We are trying to move as quickly as we can. Obviously, people have gone through a lot of pain and anguish in the past few days, and that is deeply regretted. We were trying to do what we can to move as quickly as possible and there is certainly enough products to be able to solve the problem.
“We will be able to solve the problem; the short period of scarcity is quite a bit of burden, but we know that so long as products are enough and the trucks coming out and feeding the stations, this will be over very soon.
“I am going around with the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources here in Lagos to ensure that first, the trucks are being loaded from all the depots, and also looking at the filling stations to see that things are moving on very well.
“The GMD of the NNPC is also working in Abuja to see that that things are moving quickly and we are moving around the country. So, we expect that it will be resolved very quickly”.
Also, in continuation of his on-the-stop assessment of the fuel situation in parts of Lagos, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday paid a visit to fuel depots in Apapa area of Lagos State.
During the visit to Oando and Total depots in Apapa, Lagos, Osinbajo reassured Nigerians that the Buhari’s administration was working round the clock to end the fuel crisis as soon as possible.
Osinbajo said one of the most important objectives of the Buhari administration is to ensure that the average Nigerian citizen is not again put through the pain of an increase in fuel price.
The vice president, alongside the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, also held a closed-door meeting with oil marketers in Lagos in a bid to resolve the issues involved with supply of fuel nationwide and clear up the queues at filling stations.
The VP said, “We have been here holding a meeting with major oil marketers and as you see everyone is at work trying to ensure that the petrol queues are cleared. We are trying to look at some of the issues and what needs to be done to ensure that things move very quickly.
“Just yesterday, Mr President tried to see how exactly he could really work on the problems that we are experiencing and how to very quickly clear up the queues and ensure that everyone is able to have a happy holiday; that’s exactly why we are here today.
“The GMD of the NNPC is up in Abuja and I’m here with the Honourable Minister (of State for Petroleum Resources), trying to take a look at what the problems of the marketers may be and also what other issues there may be getting the products to petrol stations across the country.
“We had a very good meeting and we hope that in the next couple of days we will be able to resolve the petrol queues and l hope this rather sad episode come to an end as quickly as possible”.
After his visits to the fuel depots today, the vice president who spoke with journalists in Lagos said, “I think that part of the reason why you find these disruptions at the end of the year is because of what we described as this winter phenomenon, where prices of petroleum products go up in the winter month in many parts of the world, obviously because of the places where we are getting the PMS from and the situations out there at this time.
“Obviously, that gives rise to problems of those who are bringing in fuel, and we had one or two short deliveries on account of some of these problems. So, clearly, what has happened here is that on account of some of the short deliveries that we have experienced, panic buying, hoardings in different places started. So those are largely the issues.
“So we are also trying to ensure that these sorts of disruptions won’t happen in the future and that’s one of the reasons why we are spending a bit of time to look at some of the issues.
“There’s a premium on products. That’s what it usually would happen at the end of the year, but if you notice it didn’t happen last year at all. We had a very smooth December 2016, there was no disruption whatsoever; it all went very smoothly.
Osinbajo continued: “So we can actually take care of those situations. It is when you have a problem, a disruption that you usually would find the hoarding. That’s what you are seeing today, we are seeing a bit of hoarding and the DPR has been going round the stations trying to regulate that and, in some cases, have to close down the stations and force the petrol stations to continue to sell.
“So, really all that can be done is regulation, and more enforcement by the DPR, which is what the DPR has attempted to do. But l think the ultimate solution is to have adequate supply going everywhere. Once you have adequate supply everywhere, the hoarding and disruption will stop.
On rumours on social media about a possible increase in the price of fuel, Osinbajo said, “We are certainly not expecting to increase oil prices at all; the government has absolutely no intention of increasing fuel prices and that’s it”.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/abuja-lagos-residents-spend-christmas.html

The Yobe Government says it will achieve 90 per cent access to water supply and sanitation by 2025 in line with the water and sanitation reform policy.

Alhaji Bukar Mohammed, the General Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), disclosed this on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.

He said government has already achieved 90 per cent access to water and 85 per cent access to sanitation in Bade and Nguru local government areas under the joint partnership between the state and UNICEF.


According to the manager, “450 hand pump boreholes, 30 solar powered boreholes and 120 toilet facilities were constructed in 346 communities reaching out to 227, 500 people in under the state and UNICEF partnership”.

He said the state government paid counterpart of N309 million representing 30 per cent, while UNICEF paid N750 million or 70 per cent of the project cost.

Mohammed said the State Task Group on sanitation had certified 130 communities in the two local government areas as Open Defecation Free communities.

He said in appreciation of the state’s performance, UNICEF approved extension of the programme to Bursari local government area with construction of 380 hand pump boreholes, 40 solar boreholes and 60 toilets in 336 communities.

“UNICEF would pay N649 million while the state and local governments are to pay a counterpart of N374 million for execution of the projects against May 2018 date line,” said the general manager.

He expressed confidence that the state and local governments would meet their financial obligations to pay the counterpart fund “for us to be on the same page with UNICEF’’ and ensure completion.

“When this is completed, there will be 90 per cent access to water and sanitation in the three local government areas of Bade, Nguru and Bursari in 2018,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/yobe-government-targets-90-access-to.html

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has won in all the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State in Saturday’s election into Chairmanship and Councillorship seats keenly contested for by five politically parties in the state. The parties included Action Democratic Party, (ADP), National Democratic Liberty Party, (NDLP), Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Party of Nigeria, (PPN) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Recall that the All Progressive Congress (APC) had boycotted the election.

Addressing the newsmen and other stakeholders shortly after the announcement of the results by all the Returning Officers in the LGAs, Chairman of Ekiiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Kayode Bamisile, a retired Justice, said it was peaceful, violence-free, fair and free.

According to all the Returning Officers, who were senior academic staff members from tertiary institutions in Ekiti and Ondo states and who took turn to announce the results on Saturday night between 8.30pm and 10pm at the SIEC office in Ado-Ekiti, state capital, the local government election was keenly contested by all the five political parties that participated.

In Ido Osi, LGA of the state, Returning Officer Isaac Babatunde, announced PDP’s Aladedemi Tunde as winner having polled a total of 24,432 votes against his closest in NDLP’s candidate who polled 121. In Ekiti East LGA, PDP’s Ogundana Sikiru Sunday was winner having polled 27, 918 votes against his closest opponents of ADP and NDLP who polled 231 votes.

In Irepodun Ifelodun LG, Governor Fayose LGA, Ebenezer Tunde Bisi who is Returning Officer announced PDP’s Dapo Olagunju as winner having polled 31,724 votes against his second runner up of ADP who polled 1361 votes.

While in Moba LGA, Returning Officer Clement Olaoye, announced PDP’s Ayeni James as winner having polled 20,444 votes to defeat opposition in ADP who polled 237.

In Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State’s second largest number of voters, PDP’s Ayeni Aderemi Ezekiel, polled 22,354, to emerge winner and in Oye LGA, Sunday Alonge of PDP polled 29,380 to emerge winner.

Ikole LGA has Abiola Racheal Olukayode of PDP polling 29,956 to emerge winner, while in Efon LGA, Yemi Owoeye, emerged winner with 11,900 votes.

In Ekiti South West, Omolase Lanre of PDP polled 24,657, to emerge winner while Akindele Ogidi also of PDP in Gbonyin LGA scored 24,940 to emerge winner.

In Ise-Orun LGA, Kolawole Oluropo polled 26,420 to emerge winner and in Ekiti West LGA, Ayodeji Daniel Francis polled 23,162 to emerge winner as announced by Returning Officer Faparusi Michela OlubunmI. While in Emure LG, Ayenimopa Idowu announced PDP’s Olubayode Okeya who polled 15,293 votes against ADP’s candidate who polled 201 votes, as winner.


In Ilejemeje LGA, PDP’s Awolola Sunday Johnson polled 7303 to emerged winner as announced by returning officer Ojo Olutope Stephen.

In Ijero LGA, Bayo Ojo, who is Returning Officer, Provost of Ijero College of health technology announced PDP’s Dada Biodun as winner having polled 23,587 votes as against the Second Runner up who polled 233 and for NDLP.


Lastly, in Ado LG, the capital city with largest number of electorates, PDP’s Bamisile O Clement emerged winner by polling 43,262 votes against ADP’s candidate who polled 770 votes as Mrs. Fasiku Adesola Mercy, senior lecturer at Ikere College of Education.

Bamisile who appreciated all stakeholders for supporting the state’s electoral umpire to achieve a peaceful, free and fair election, in his address said: “Today, December 23, 2017 marked another political improvement in bringing democracy to the door step of our people. In 2015, we conducted an election that was widely adjudged free, peaceful and fair and got befitting award for our efforts.

We thank God for the successful conduct of the poll to fill Chairmanship and Councillorship seats in the state which held from 8am and 2pm and has been peaceful and violet free.

” We took our work seriously anf put in the best, hence we are have conducted free and fair election. We had visited all LGAs, traditional rulers, security agencies, political parties and others to seek for their support and for them to mobilise their people for participation in the poll. They had showed readiness for election and fullfiled their promise to vote. We have protected our people’s rights in deciding cautiously their representatives. We particularly appreciate Governor Ayodele Fayose for strengthening democracy. It is an undisputable fact that Governor Fayose always follow the constitutional dictates to conduct LG elections as at when due.

LG is closest to the people, this is why it’s election is very important. The use of caretaker committee is an aberration which we must all reject.

We appreciate all stakeholders.

In totality, PDP has won all the 16 LG chairmanship and councillorship seats in the state. Appreciate all Ekiti people for peaceful conduct. I implore all to accept the results, no Victor nor vanquished as we are all working together for good of all. Certificates of return to be given to all winners by 9:00a.m on Sunday.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ekiti-lg-poll-pdp-win-all-16-lgas.html

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), yesterday, rescued a middle-aged male destitute that got stuck in the mud around the Third Mainland Bridge.

The agency said it was yet to identify the victim. It said the man’s buttocks had been seen sticking out of the sand and that he might have been stuck for over 24 hours before help arrived. He was thereafter moved to Gbagada General Hospital for medical treatment.

On hand to lend support during the rescue were the Lagos State Fire Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Services.

The General Manager, LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, advised Lagosians to imbibe safe practices.


http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lasema-rescues-man-stuck-in-mud.html

Despite not making too much noise about it, Sterling Bank Plc has confirmed it is vigorously supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy and enhance alternative revenue stream through heavy investments in agriculture and other social infrastructure.

Specifically, the bank said it is among the top three banks heavily financing agriculture, and has consistently done so in the last five years.
Expatiating more on the investments in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Sterling Bank, Yemi Adeola, also disclosed that “A lot of the programmes that are now being used nationwide to finance agriculture are ideas, which started with Sterling Bank.”
Furthermore, he said the bank had actively invested in the environment for the last decade, through a number of beautification programmes. “We have spent millions of Naira in supporting the state governments to keep our environment clean. Most of the cleaning kits that you see cleaners wear across so many states in the country are provided by Sterling Bank.

“In addition to that, we organise a national cleaning exercise which promotes hygiene and sanitation on a regular basis. In 2017, we covered 14 states of the Federation. We participate in cleaning as bankers to encourage the belief that cleaning the environment is a task that must be done by all.
We also pioneered the conversion of used batteries for tree planting. We have companies that take away the batteries to properly recycle them and in return they use the proceeds for tree planting. It has been a success and we hope the industry will adopt it as a standard.


Still on the environment, we recently promoted an art competition tagged ‘Recyclart’ where we encouraged young and aspiring Nigerian artists to convert waste into artworks. It was very successful with the Vice President (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo) visiting the Recyclart exhibition booth during the African Culture and Design festival in Lagos. We invested in Recyclart to boost the culture sector while also championing the cause of the environment. It is about creating employment and at the same time calling attention to the environment.”With regard to other sectors of the economy, Adeola disclosed that over the last three years, the bank has been investing in education, and grown industry capacity

He said: “We are the first bank in this country to get approval for a student loan solution that will allow us to lend to students who are doing well in selected schools and courses. We have a financing plan and are working with relevant stakeholders to boost the education sector. We also invested in technology to digitise the content of the secondary school curriculum to make it readily available to schools. We have provided financing to some schools to enable them access this content. Using our Non-interest Banking solution, we built a secure and affordable hostel in the University of Ilorin in partnership with a real estate developer. We are exploring opportunities to replicate the same in other universities.”

In addition to these, the bank has also invested in the health sector, by being a premier partner to the Federal Ministry of Health, to improve primary Health Care Centres across Nigeria, and in particular with the Lagos State Government, and working with the manufacturers of original equipment for hospitals to enable it provide financing.

In the area of transportation, the Sterling Bank boss disclosed the lender is also investing heavily in the development of the mass transit system. “We are the number one financier of the mass transit system in Lagos. All the big blue and red buses were funded by Sterling Bank but more importantly, we funded a payment system that is like the world class master payment system you see in London and Chicago. It has been implemented and the ticketing system is working, and we are about to go live with contactless cards. Anywhere you come from in the world, you can use your contactless card to tap and get into the buses,” he explained.

Recognising the importance of power to the growth of the economy, Adeola said the bank is now investing in renewable energy, saying: “It is part of our response to the huge power problem which requires a lot of capital. We think there is an alternative, using solar power and distributed power grids. We are now working with the entities in the renewable energy sector to provide support and financing so that homes and businesses can have inexpensive solar solutions that work.”

To cap its investment in social infrastructure, the CEO it now supports as many Nigerians as possible through Three Fs programme, which covers Film, Fashion and Football. “We felt that the better part of the Nigerian population is covered under those three pillars,” he added. In doing all of these, Sterling Bank has also become one of the top banks championing financial inclusion to capture many more of the un-banked and under-banked customers.
According to Adeola, the bank had brought about 700,000 new customers into the banking system through its financial inclusion platforms, and become the primary partner for the government in disbursing funds in the rural communities through agent banking.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/sterling-bank-leads-in-agriculture.html

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has described the over $1bn earmarked by the federal government to wrestle insurgency in the country as a broad day robbery, adding that there is no Boko Haram to fight.

In a exclusive chat with Daily Sun, on Thursday, in Abuja, Chairman of ADP, Yusuf Sani, said that the money was budgeted to gag opposition ahead of the 2019 general election, which negates the core values of democracy.

Said he, ” We know that there is no insurgency to combat. It is a case of robbing the people at the highest level of governance. The APC government knows that they haven’t done anything, so they want to rob the citizenry of their free choice.

“This government is much more corrupt. In fact corruption is endemic. It took this administration almost two years to accept that the SGF dubed the federation. And they have still refused to allow the EFCC take up the case.

“They want to bastardized the system more than what we have seen before. Even the 2017 budget suffered setback. Here we are in 2018 capital budget.

Recall that the federal government in conjunction with state governors had voted $1 billion to tackle insurgency across the federation.

Sani added that the federal government should be transparent in her dealings.


“We need to entrench the dividend of democracy, where the peoples say would count.

” We have no reason to be where we are today. Because every state has something to offer,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/1b-to-fight-boko-haram-broad-day.html

Some Niger Delta youths from the Ijaw ethnic nationality have vowed to resist any attempt by the Federal Government (FG) to extend the tenure of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere.

The youths also warned that Federal Government should not use NDDC to disrupt the fragile peace currently enjoyed in the region, stressing that Ijaw people want to see a new NDDC board from January, 2018.

The Ijaw people declared this, on Thursday, when they staged a peaceful demonstration at the head office of the Commission, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to heed to their request in the interest of peace.

The protesters used several placard inscriptions to express their displeasure on the activities of the Commission, cautioning against using NDDC appointments to compensate failed politicians.

Some of the placards read: ‘Ijaw nation rejects NDDC tenure elongation’, ‘NDDC is standing on the blood and tears of Ijaw youths’, ‘We need the fragile peace sustained in Niger Delta’, ‘NDDC has become the fourth tier of government to settle failed politicians’, ‘Ijaw youths will resist any impunity from NDDC’, ‘End corruption of NDDC now’ and ‘Federal Government should not instigate crisis in Niger Delta through NDDC’.

President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and leader of the protest, Pereotubo Oweilaemi, while addressing protesters, frowned at the alleged plot to elongate Ekere’s tenure against the interest and opportunity of another Niger Delta indigene.

He described as ‘illegal, fraudulent and unacceptable’ the tenure elongation procured by the management board of the NDDC, pointing out that, on December 16, Ekere completed the four years of his predecessor, Dan Abia.

Oweilaemi noted that the Commission was established in 2002, as a result of continuous agitations by Ijaw people and other ethnic nationalities in the region for development.

“But, today the essence for the creation of the Commission has been defeated. We are here as Ijaw people to register our displeasure about the management of NDDC. To the best of our knowledge, this present board of the Commission has failed Ijaw people. This board has failed people of the Niger Delta region.

“People, who are appointed to hold different offices of this NDDC have decided to play politics with our blood. And, we are saying, that we will not allow that.


“Now, coming to the nitty-gritty of the matter today, we are here as a people, to tell the world, to tell dear President, who does not what to see or hear corruption, as far as we are concerned, this is the most corrupt institution. The NDDC board today, is the worst so far,” he alleged.

The IYC leader vowed that failure of Federal Government to appoint a new management on or before January, the Ijaw youths would shut down the Commission.

“This board would for no reason, come to resume work in January, 2018. If this board, I repeat, if this board after the festive period, comes back to resume here, we would resume before them. Let me tell you that this protest you see here today, is a warning protest. You will see a mother protest in January, if this board attempts to resume work in January”, he vowed.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/photosijaw-youths-protest-against-nddc.html

The Ogun State Government has given the family late Kehinde Odusina, an officer of the Vigilante Service of Ogun State (VSO), who was shot and killed by armed robbers in Ayetoro area of the state few months ago a sum of N500,000.

Presenting the cheque to an elder sister of the deceased, on behalf of the state government, on Wednesday, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jide Ojuko, advised that the money should be judiciously used in taking care of the family left behind by the late officer.

While conveying the state government’s condolence to the family of the late officer, Ojuko commended the gallantry of late Odusina in confronting and foiling the robbery incident.

He explained that the slain officer was killed in active service while attempting to foil an armed robbery attack on a filling station in Ayetoro, the headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Area of the state with three of his colleagues.

The commissioner said, “The state government is grateful and indebted to the fallen officer. We share in your grief and pains of the family at this period. He has paid the supreme sacrifices in the cause of protecting lives and property of residents of the state”.

Okujo, however, assured the people of the state that the government would not relent in its determination towards combating insecurity headlong in the state.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Commandant of Vigilante Service of Ogun State, Soji Ganzalo, recalled that the security outfit received a distress call that a group of armed robbers had wanted to rob a filling station in Ayetoro. He said that the late Odusina, with three of his colleagues, rose to the occasion and went to the scene of the robbery.

“Though Odusina was felled by the armed robbers’ bullet, but the team was able to dislodge the hoodlums successfully.”


Ganzallo appreciated the efforts of the state government towards the officers and men of the security outfit, saying that the state governor has been of great assistance to the VSO.

He added that the state government had at different occasions, taken care of the medical bill of injured officers.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ogun-govt-gives-n5m-to-family-of-killed.html

Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU, says it will resist any attempt to sell National assets such as

the National Theatre, Igamu Lagos, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Television Authority, Voice of Nigeria, among others.

In a resolution reached at the end of its meeting in Abuja, the Union said that anyone who does not remit check off dues to it, will henceforth not benefit from weigh-in allowance, adding that no State Council or Chapter should under any guise secure loans from Banks without approval from the National Secretariat of the Union.

It warned that any organ of the Union that does not remit the actual deducted dues meant for National Secretariat should be sanctioned.
According to the Union, its 2011 Constitution as amended , stated that check-off dues shall henceforth be on two per cent of consolidated salaries.
It maintained that there shall be periodic audit of all accounts of the Union at both State council and chapter levels.
The resolution which was signed by its Deputy-President, Comrade Pascmon Mgbebe and General Secretary Comrade Akpauso, affirmed that the suspended Chairman and Secretary of the Union in Taraba State have been removed from their various offices due to financial recklessness and mal- administration.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/rattawu-vows-to-resist-sale-of-national.html

Former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), has appealed to Nigerians to sheath their sword and embrace the course of peace.

This, according to him, was because no nation can experience socio-economic growth and development, if it fails to give peace a chance.

The elder statesman who spoke in Abuja yesterday during the official presentation of provisional license to six new private universities, admitted that each nation has its peculiar challenges and need different approach to solve it.

He however commended the National Universities Commission (NUC), for insisting that minimum academic standard was maintained in the university system, which, he said, will produce graduates that would rely less in unavailable white collar jobs.

As Chairman of Board of Trustees, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, Abdulsalami promised to stand firmly for the best of academic practices that will eventually produce quality and good medical doctors.

Meanwhile, the proprietor of the university and the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, said he was worried that only four percent of qualified candidates that applied to study medical related courses in the University secure admission.


“One is forced to ask, what happen to the remaining 96 percent applicants who are desirous of having a successful medical career?

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/no-peace-no-development-in-nigeria-says.html

Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, has said that Igbo people are superior race in Africa.

He also said that under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government, Ndigbo are staring face to face with the brutal reality and the youths cannot develop their God-given potentials.


According to the Biafra leader, “it is regrettable that today, under the present Nigerian government, Ndigbo are staring face to face with the brutal reality that the full energies and potentialities of their youths would never be realized in Nigeria, but only in Biafra when the government takes off. “
Uwazuruike spoke in a press statement issued on his behalf by his Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, from the MASSOB’s Headquarters, Owerre-Okwe in Onuimo LGA of Imo state.
The BIM chief declared that he could not accept to belong to Nigeria where an Igbo man can never be president, minister for works, minister of petroleum, Federal Capital territory (FCT), Chief Justice of the Federation among others.
His words, “I reject slavery in all its ramifications and I must emphasize that if there was equity, fairness and justice, even if you were pushing any region to secede, such a region will be saying no to secession but a situation where there is no equity, justice and fairness, what do you expect Ndigbo to do?

“Today if football were to be ranked like in the military, the likes of Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo and many others would have been decorated with the epaulets of field marshals.
“For every Emeagwali, Nnaji, Oliseh, Nwankwo, Onumah whom the world is seeing today there are thousands of other Igbo potential great minds who are still frustrated in Nigeria and can never realize that they are great minds not to talk of realizing their potentials because of the repressive environment of Nigeria that is injurious to their enterprising spirit.
“Another Igbo man, Dr. Philip Emeagwali had to beat the Yankees in their own game and made away with the prize of designing the fastest computer in the whole world.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/why-i-will-never-accept-being-nigerian.html

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has approved N360 million loan for 451 civil servants of Adamawa, an official has said.

Mrs Rahimatu Aliyu, Executive Director, Loans and Mortgage Services of the bank, disclosed this in Yola on Monday at the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the FMBN Home Renovation Loan in Adamawa.

Aliyu said that the gesture was in line with one of the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration which was the provision of housing.

She said that the bank had so far disbursed N4.7 billion to 6,000 beneficiaries across the country.


The director said that the bank had funded two estate development projects in the state.

According to her, ”we have so far funded 400 houses in Wauru Jabbe in Jimeta and another 88 houses at Konan Waya on Ngurore-Yola road of the state.

The executive director said that all the projects were aimed at providing affordable housing for Nigerian workers.

Aliyu commended the commitment of the Adamawa Government in processing documents that led to the approval of funds for civil servants in the state.

She noted that the gesture was a clear demonstration of the concern of the administration for the welfare of workers through partnership that would
address their housing needs.

The director also expressed the determination of the bank to support the state government to achieve the task of providing affordable housing for its workers.

Presenting the cheques, Gov. Mohammed Bindow directed the Ministry of Lands to provide adequate land for the organised labour for development of housing for workers.

Bindow said that his administration would continue to support any initiative that could enhance welfare of workers in the state.

The governor, while commending the bank for the provision of the loan, said it was first of its kind in the history of the state.

According to him, nobody has given any civil servant, a one-million naira loan to pay back within five years.

He urged civil servants to work hard as their elevation to the rank of permanent secretaries would be considered on merit.

Dr Louis Mandama, Head of Service of the state, commended the bank for such an opportunity.

Mandama said that the gesture was unprecedented as it would impact positively on the living condition of civil servants in the state.

He commended the governor for rehabilitation of roads within the state secretariat and other infrastructure development across the state.

Mandama assured the governor of improved and efficient service delivery on the part of the civil servants in the state.

He urged beneficiaries of the loan to use them judiciously and advised the organised labour and tertiary institutions in the state to take advantage of the window and develop houses for their members.

One of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN, Mrs Florence Zira of the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude for the gesture.

Zira, who received a cheque for N1 million, said that she did not expect that her aspiration for having her own house would come to a reality.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/fmb-approves-n360m-loan-for-451-civil.html

5. MineCraftForum.net — [$151,830 monthly] Owned by Curse Inc. MineCraftForum is the largest gamers discussion board on the internet, attracting more than 22 million unique visitors a month. It’s purpose is to help gamers enjoy the game in all aspects of their gaming lifestyle— from tips for a game they are playing, engaging with their friends in the gaming community to watching their favorite gaming professionals compete.

MindCraft Forum topics comprises, tools, databases, videos, guides, live streaming, and eSports teams. Online gaming enthusiasts depend on Curse for the tools and expertise they need in order to take their gaming to the next level. It a one stop forum for game lovers

4. WebHostingTalk.com — [$187,560 monthly] This forum is probably the best monetized forum is the world. Everything about web host, web hosting, server management and administration is discussed here. You can never have anything to do with host without bumping of this forum, that’s how big it it, occupying the forth position among the biggest forums in the world.

3. Nairaland.com — [$204,660?] Nairaland is the biggest forum in Africa and third biggest in the world. This forum is probably the opposite of WebHostingTalk in terms of monetization. If properly monetized and all the potentials realized, this forum has all it takes to comfortably bring in $250,000 monthly but I doubt if it’s bringing anything close to that now. The forum is a broad discussion board, catering for all things under the sun as long as it’s worth talking about. It is founded in 2005 by a Nigerian Entrepreneur Oluwaseun Osewa.

2. DigitalPoint.com — [$465,690 monthly] Digital point sits on number two spot comfortably with nothing to worry about. After all, the champion is holding sway to number one spot without any desire whatsoever of relinquishing the top position . Digital Point is the center point for discussion on anything digital and computer. It is another well monetized forum.

1. WarriorForum.com — [$1,150,530 monthly] With over 20,000 registered member online and another more than 22,000 guest online at any giving time of the day, you dare not compete with warrior forum in anyway. This monstrous forum on Internet marketing is unarguably the biggest forum on the Internet. Founded in 1997 by Allen Say, the forum has grown beyond every measure and has become the number one meeting point for Internet marketers worldwide.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nairaland-among-5-biggest-forums-on.html

A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Abuja on Monday sentenced a security guard, Nasiru Ribado, to six months imprisonment for sleeping at his duty post.

Ribado, 37, who resides at Jabi Forest, Abuja, was arraigned on a one-count charge of negligent conduct.

The presiding officer, Abubakar Sadiq, convicted Ribado after he pleaded guilty to the charge and ordered him to pay N363, 000 as restitution to the complainant.

Sadiq, who did not give the convict an option of fine, warned him against committing crimes after his prison term.


Earlier, the prosecutor, Mrs. Florence Auhioboh, told the court that one Nwankwo Chukwudi of Karmo, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on December 8.

Auhioboh said the complainant employed the convict to work as security guard in his spare part shop at Jabi Forest.

“The accused was expected to be on duty at the time the crime was committed but he deliberately abandoned his duty.

“The accused was sleeping and abandoned his duty post, paving the way for burglars to gain access into the complainant’s spare part shop,’’ she said.

The prosecutor told the court that the burglars made away with the complainant’s goods valued at N363, 000.

Auhioboh said all efforts by the police to recover the stolen items proved abortive.


According to her, the offence contravened Section 196 of the Penal Code and punishable under same.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/security-guard-jailed-six-months-for.html

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday revealed the causes of crisis in Nigeria.

Abubakar spoke, in Sokoto, while crowning the state Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Sa’idu Umar, as the new ‘Ubandoman’‎ Sokoto.


The Sultan said the lack of education and proper orientation were key factors responsible for the countless number of crises currently plaguing Nigeria.
“If there was education and proper orientation, all these would not have been happening especially at a time when the country is making efforts to secure its rightful place in the development process of its economy and citizens.
“This title is not a mere or conventional title but one with religious responsibilities of leadership to foster the teachings and practice in Islam as well the revered institution of the caliphate.
“We have to stick to and maintain the track records and legacies bequeath us for over 200 years,” said Abubakar.

The monarch, however, urged the new Ubandoma to see his position as a reflection of ‎leadership responsibility not rulership.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/sultan-of-sokoto-abubaka-reveals-what.html

A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties and contestant in the recently-concluded national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, on Monday, filed a suit before the Federal High Court, in Abuja, seeking the cancellation of the December 9 convention.

Adedoja told journalists, in Abuja, that his name was excluded from the ballot paper used in the election of the national chairman.

According to him, what was on the ballot paper was Prof. Taoheed Oladoja. “That was not my name. Delegates could not have voted for a name that is nonexistent. If my name is not there, it means that there was no election,” he said.

Adedoja said his exclusion from the ballot paper was responsible for the zero vote, he scored at the convention.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/pdp-convention-fallout-adedoja-goes-to.html

300 Nigerian doctors left the country in 2016, the national president also of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Mike Ogirima, has revealed.

He said more doctors have joined the migration train this year. He did not give any statistics, although NAN learnt that 500 doctors sat for qualifying foreign medical examination preparing to move out.

Mr. Ogirima made this revelation at the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Lagos.
An estimated 35,000 Nigerian doctors are practising abroad, out of the 72,000 registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The United Kingdom and the United States are the top destinations of the migrant doctors.
In August, an official of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Abimbola Olajide, revealed that no fewer than 2,500 doctors would leave the country this year.
“Nigeria is using her resources to train doctors and professionals at the advantage of foreign countries.What are those things attracting these professionals outside? Can we duplicate those things here?” Mr. Ogirima asked.
The NMA president said the responsibility to check the migration lies with the government, the people and professionals to provide good working environment.
Mr. Ogirima said, “The government should provide adequate remuneration. We are not saying we should pay so much, but pay them for the job they are doing as at when due.
“We, on our part as professionals should look inward to change our attitude to patients. We should make patients as the Centre focus of why we are called doctors.”
He said the National Health Act of 2014 has not been fully implemented despite warnings of legal action and its implications from the NMA.
According to him, the act holds the key to revolutionising the health industry.
“It will encourage provision of additional fund to the system and ensure care of the vulnerable in the society.
“The present provision of only three to four per cent of our annual budget to health sector is not helping the development of our system.
“Some African countries who have voted up to 15 per cent or more to their health systems are witnessing gradual improvement in their health sector.
“Nigerians are now patronising health facilities in our neighbouring countries,” he said. (NAN)
Also, the Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Gbolahan Lawal, urged NMA to create sustainable policies that would make major economic impact on Nigerians.
Mr. Lawal said, “If we consider informal housing, that is, houses that do not have the approval of government and located in slum areas, and the consequences, it has a lot to do with health.
“The government already has building code that does not allow for houses not good for human habitat,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/300-doctors-left-nigeria-in-2016-nma_16.html

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Tolu Olaoye, a lawyer, over an alleged violent abuse of her house-help, one 15-year-old Abigail Opebiyi at 5, El Shaddai Crescent, near Unique Estate in Baruwa, Ipaja area.

Spokesman of the Police Command, Mr. Chike Oti, who confirmed the arrest yesterday to newsmen, said the arrest followed the order of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi.Oti said the suspect, who was alleged to be in the habit of abusing her house-help, inflicted serious injury on her, which attracted the attention of the Police boss.


“The CP, known for his prompt actions on all issues concerning domestic violence and abuse, was moved with compassion on seeing the picture of the victim trending on the Internet with a deep cut on her forehead.

“The cut was allegedly inflicted on her by the said female lawyer, Tolu Olaoye. He immediately ordered operatives of the Command to rescue the victim and fish out the suspect.

“This order was carried out diligently and the suspect is now undergoing interrogation at the Gender Section of the Police Command in the state.“The suspect will be charged to court on Monday,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lagos-police-arrest-female-lawyer-over.html

Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, of the Adoration Ministry, has declared that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is the new blessing for Nigeria.

He said Abubakar has what it takes to “put smile on Nigerians suffering different marginalization,” if given the opportunity to rule the country in 2019.



Speaking in Enugu, the fiery preacher said the Waziri of Adamawa was advocating a “new order, a new paradigm shift in the government.”
Mbaka said, “Every political relationship is open for negotiations, without pre-set outcomes. Atiku do not fear negotiations, as democrat and businessman that is what reasonable human beings that love his people do. This is even more important if a stubborn resistance against negotiations can lead to unsavoury outcomes, which the present governments have demonstrated!
“For the Nigerian State to have a soul, the constituent parts need to renegotiate and rework the union. It is what will reduce to the barest minimum the feelings of injustice and poverty among Nigerians. It is what will make Nigerians believe that they chose this union willingly, ending effectively the theory of Lugardian contraption.
“It is a perfect antidote for peace. The times call for new ideas For creative solutions, for restructuring, for people to be happy, for people to have means of living, for people to love Nigeria again!

“Atiku is the only person that have contested and is still contesting for Nigerian presidency that love the youths more and have created more jobs for the youths to prove that more than most state government!
“Imagine what he will do when he have the power and resources to do more! Let’s pray that the blessing and protection of God to be with him to put smile in Nigerians suffering different marginalization!”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/mbaka-reveals-why-atiku-should-be.html

Nollywood Actor Yul Edochie the Governorship Candidate of DPC in the last gubernatorial election in Anambra State and a Nollywood Star joins APGA.

Edochie who is the son of a Veteran actor Pet Edochie, defected to APGA this afternoon at Sir Alex Ekwueme Square, venue for the flag off of Sir Victor Umeh campaign for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the January 13th 2018 Election Re-run.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/photonollywood-actor-yul-edochie-dumps.html

@ www.Akelicious.com
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday evening said the state had enjoyed an appreciable level of religious tolerance and harmony in the last 30 months since he assumed office, attributing it to the atmosphere of peaceful co-existence prevailing among Lagosians of different faith and ethnic leanings.

Ambode, who spoke at an Inter-Faith Parley of Religious Leaders and Organisations, held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja, said such atmosphere of peace has also engendered the massive infrastructural and all round development that has taken place across the state since May 29, 2015.


Commending the religious leaders in attendance at the parley, predominantly from the Christian and Muslim faith, the governor said their prayers and support for his administration was pivotal to the steady progress that has become synonymous with Lagos, adding that the event was the state government’s way of bringing them together to appreciate their commitment and contributions to the success story of Lagos.

“I just want to say a big thank you to all our spiritual fathers for all your prayers. You really don’t understand the depth of what you are doing and the truth is this, there is no how anyone can manage Lagos if we don’t have this kind of harmony, that’s the truth. No matter how brilliant you are, how intelligent or how virtuous you are, or you want to do something, one thing is to say that you want to do something; another thing is for it to work.

“Because you are having millions of people who are having different DNAs and they all converge at the same time to say this is the way to go, and it goes that way, it has to be somebody else that is doing it. You cannot make a pronouncement on a microphone and everyone would sleep on the same side and agree, there is something behind it and that thing is that spirituality.

“This gathering is therefore not in futility, it’s to show the essence of that convergence of the spirituality that exists in a cosmopolitan state like Lagos that really makes it work. So, if someone was to ask me what is the secret of my success, it’s not the brain, it’s already endowed, it’s the combination of that spiritual teamwork,” the governor said.

Ambode also commended the religious leaders for their support and identification with state policies and programmes, especially using the pulpit in the churches and the minbar in the mosques to mobilise and sensitise Lagosians to become law abiding and discharge their civic responsibilities to the state and other citizens.

“I wanted a platform where I can bring all religious leaders together and celebrate them and I tried it last year it worked, so I decided that you know what, maybe this is another day of doing thanksgiving, let me do it again. So, it’s more or less like a celebration. So I told the commissioner and I asked him, let’s do this every December, we would bring all our spiritual leaders together and say thank you to them. They really don’t understand, because it’s not all about bridges and flyover, peace is intrinsic, the value is more precious, it’s only in an atmosphere of peace that you can do a road. That which is immeasurable, must be celebrated before the one that is physical,” he said.

The governor also recalled the inaugural parley held last year, saying that most of the issues raised by the leaders had been implemented and that the growing economy of the state has contributed in the peace being enjoyed.

He said one of the strategies taken by his administration was to strengthen the agencies responsible for spiritual development in keeping with its all-inclusive adding that the clear evidence was the award given to Lagos State by the National Hajj Commission as the most outstanding state in Hajj operations, while the Christian Conscience Group also awarded the state as the best in Christian pilgrimages.

He said that the state government also made efforts to decentralize the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri parties which was held for the first time in all the local governments across the state, just as he disclosed that this year’s Christmas party will also take the same pattern.

Besides, the governor said that the state recorded another first as it became the state to have decentralized the operations of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) with the inauguration of 798 Christian and Muslim leaders to join hands with the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in fostering religious harmony and peaceful coexistence through participatory democracy in the state.

“In the same vein, I wish to urge you all to continue to pray for the prosperity of our state and our people. We shall continue to collaborate with you in ensuring effective communication of our policies and programmes for you are our greatest partners in the development of our state.
“Let us persist in our good efforts in sustaining conditions that will increase our progress and bring greater prosperity; let us pray more for Lagos and do more to preserve and grow our gains. As we continue to win together and break new frontier together, Let us continue to live in peace and harmony for more of God’s mercies, favours and blessings,” the governor said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lagos-state-has-enjoyed-religious.html

@ www.Akelicious.com
The Lagos State Government wednesday lamented intractable traffic congestion in Apapa Central Business District, noting that the Apapa ports were never designed for haulage trucks or articulated vehicles.


If the trio of traffic congestion, security challenges and environmental nuisances associated with Apapa must be effectively solved, the state government canvassed re-activation of the rail system.

The state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, lamented Apapa’s hydra-headed challenges at a business forum with foreign investors he addressed at the State House, Alausa wednesday alongside his Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass.

At the business meeting, Ambode disclosed that the Apapa ports were not originally designed for haulage trucks, noting that there was negative impact on the state roads due to what he ascribed to the failure of the port authorities to adhere to the original design of the ports.

He therefore lamented that the design and concept of the Apapa Ports “cannot actually accommodate the volume of the business the country is currently running. The ports were never designed for haulage trucks.”

He also lamented that it was not possible “to have just one seaport in a commercial capital like Lagos. Smaller ships are coming into the ports because of the shallow state of the port. It cannot actually receive big ships. So the turnaround is just too much.”

By implication, the governor explained that the failure to adhere to the original design of the Apapa ports “has affected the logistics and the capacity of the Apapa Port to respond to the volume of the business.”

He, therefore, observed that the Federal and Lagos State Government “have decided to join forces to solve the challenge. We are looking at different initiatives including the need to disperse cargoes from the other two ports.”

He also linked the resolve to solve Apapa’s challenges to the state government’s decision to conceptualise the establishment of seaports in Lagos West (Badagry) and Lagos East (Lekki) to use the boundaries to transport the goods or containers, rather than having containerised trucks plying the main streets in the state.

He said: “We need a lot of investment in transportation and logistics. The way the Apapa road was designed was that the goods should be transported by rail from the port to the hinterlands.
“The rail system needs re-activation. So we must design and provide deeper seaport for us to have lesser ships and lesser integrations. So the idea is you either go to the East of the state in Lekki or Badagry in the West.”

“The injury on infrastructure that has been caused by that port is what you see in the city centre. Technically, you do not need to have port in the center of a city. It kills the infrastructures. We are already engaging investors.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lasg-apapa-ports-not-designed-for.html