₦airaland Forum

At least 19 people, including four suicide bombers, were killed in multiple bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, yesterday.
Four suicide bombers attacked Molai, a suburb of Maiduguri at about 10.05pm on Tuesday night, detonated explosives at different locations within the area, and killed 19 people, including the bombers, while 23 people, mostly members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were injured.
Sources said the first bomber infiltrated a local tea joint and detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), killing nearly all the people. The second explosion came about five minutes and two other explosions came later, near security posts of the civilian JTF.
Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Damian Chukwu confirmed 19 people died in the duskblasts.
“Four suicide bombers attacked Jiddari-Polo Molai area. The terrorists detonated IEDs in the area, killing 19 people including the bombers. Also, 23 people were injured,” he disclosed at one of the scenes of the attack. He also confirmed some members of civilian JTF were injured.
The incident happened nearly a month after suicide bombers invaded a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Dalori, a community at the outskirts of the city killing eight people.
On Tuesday, the military held bilateral talk with Cameroon security chiefs, to fashion out areas of collaboration to improve the counter-insurgency operation in the North East.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/19-killed-23-injured-in-maiduguri-dusk.html

In a post she shared on IG today, actress Tonto Dikeh said she is a proud Born again Christian and a radical for Jesus.

"I am a proud Born again Christian. Christianity isn't religion to me it's a way of Living.. Am soaked in Gods Strength,No weapon formed fashioned against me or my son or my workers can/Shall prosper In Jesus Name Amen..
Even when the devil tries he knows he already lost with TONTO.. The day I gave my life to God the kingdom of darkness Knew that trouble awaits them,the kingdom of God took their best player.. Never trade the presence of God for anything.. #MAMAKING #KINGTONTO#Papi� #celeratingmyhappiness#protectingmyhappiness #RADICAL4JESUS".
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/i-am-proud-born-again-christian-says.html

Dangote Group, controlled by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to invest $3.8 billion in sugar and rice and $800 million in dairy production in the next three years as the company seeks to expand and deal with a shortage of dollars in its home market of Nigeria.

The conglomerate plans to increase its production of sugar to 1.5 million metric tons a year by 2020 from 100,000 tons now and is seeking to add 1 million tons of rice, Edwin Devakumar, executive director at Dangote’s industries unit, said Tuesday in an interview in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub. The company also plans to have 50,000 cattle producing 500 million liters of milk a year by 2019, he said.

A lack of foreign exchange means companies are struggling to pay for imported goods, increasing the burden on local agriculture to meet demand for food from Nigeria’s population of more than 180 million, Devakumar said. “All raw sugar has to be imported today, same thing for flour milling,” he said.
Dangote, whose cement unit is Nigeria’s biggest listed company, has been investing in agriculture as the country’s government seeks to diversify away from oil, which accounts for 90 percent of the nation’s export earnings and the bulk of revenue. The economy, which plunged into its first recession in a quarter-century last year amid falling crude prices, is forecast by the World Bank to expand by 1.2 percent this year.
The company has established Dangote Rice Ltd. and will list the unit on the Nigerian Stock Exchange “at the appropriate time,” Devakumar said.
Dangote plans to cultivate 350,000 hectares (864,850 acres) of land for sugar cane and add 200,000 hectares for rice, according to the executive director. The company has ordered five plants for sugar milling and 10 for rice from Switzerland to be located in the north of the country, he said.
Sourcing Funds
The Lagos-based company will finance the projects through “internal resources or equity funding” and loans from banks and export-credit agencies, Devakumar said. The funds will be used mainly to procure “farm-development equipment” as well as sugar and rice mills, he said.
Dangote is “at the planning stage’’ to invest in other agricultural projects including production of soybean, oil palm, palm kernel and corn, according to the executive director. It will support rice cultivation by supplying high-yield seeds, pesticides and fertilisers to contract farmers
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/dangote-invests-46b-in-farming.html

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has explained how the new minimum wage would be negotiated.He disclosed that $140, which was the equivalent of N18, 000 minimum wage in 2011, would be used in the process.Wabba spoke yesterday at the 60th anniversary of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

According to him, it was crucial because N50, 400 is the current value of $140, going by the current exchange rate of 360 to one dollar.He said: “We think that it is only reasonable to demand a wage that can sustain the working class. We are aware that the value of our national currency has gone down. This is why it is appropriate to base our negotiation on that.”
Also, NECA President, Larry Ettah, said the crowding out of the private sector has affected employment and discouraged entrepreneurship and wealth creation.He stressed that access to credit has also been hampered, as government seeks funds to cover budgetary deficits, which has led to the emergence of a rent-seeking economy.

He also identified high interest rate as the bane of doing business in Nigeria, saying, “The current dispensation of high interest rate is clearly negative to growth and development.
“Our concern here is the need for managers of our economy to appreciate that high interest rate is antithetical to growth and must be backed by sound fiscal and monetary policies to bring it down to single digit.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma explained that the cumbersome regulatory framework had slowed down the privatisation process.Udoma explained that the newly launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) were conceived to drive the economic revival and put the country on the path of sustainable growth.
Meanwhile, the NLC yesterday disrupted the operations of Egypt Airlines at the Aminu Kano International Airport. This followed its alleged non-payment of 10 per cent of the workers’ annual increment since 2016.
The union besieged the corporate headquarters of the airline on Murtala Mohammed Way, as well as its MAKIA office as early as 7:00 a.m.The General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Olayinka Olu Abioye told journalists that the picketing became necessary after the management neglected several notices and reminders.
The Chairman of the Kano State branch of the NLC, Kabiru Ado Mingibril, said the union would not tolerate any form of injustice and maltreatment of workers.Efforts to speak with the management of the airlines were unsuccessful, as the officers in charge explained that they were not authorised to speak to the media.Both parties later resolved to settle the matter amicably.The Guardian obtained an interim agreement, jointly signed by the representatives of NLC and the management of the airlines.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/why-labour-may-demand-n50-400-minimum.html

The governor of Anambra state Chief Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike global) mulled this afternoon that work is to commence immediately to check a major erosion site at Odume layout by Minaj by-pass, Obosi.
Governor Willie Obiano also inspected ongoing control works on an erosion site at Ngene -ukwa stream along the Ziks Avenue, Amawbia.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/photos-governor-obiano-visits-major.html

Nigeria’s ailing president Muhammadu Buhari and the country’s acting president Yemi Osinbajo are meeting in London, the Presidency said on Tuesday.

“AgP @ProfOsinbajo meeting with President @MBuhari in London today, and returning to Abuja immediately afterwards,” the Presidency tweeted. But there was no detail on the subject of the discussion.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/osinbajo-meet-with-buhari-in-london.html


https://mobile.twitter.com/akandeoj/status/884843392101998592

Colombian international James Rodriguez has joined Bayern Munich on a two-year loan from Real Madrid, the Bundesliga club announced Wednesday.

The two clubs have agreed on a two-year deal until June 30, 2019, with the option for Bayern to buy the 25-year-old midfielder who was the top scorer at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with six goals.
“We’re delighted we’ve been able to complete this transfer,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“Signing James Rodriguez was our coach Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest wish, following their successful spell working together in Madrid.
“James is a very versatile player. He’s a goalscorer himself, he sets up a lot of goals and on top of that he’s great from set-pieces. There’s no question that this transfer further increases the quality in our team
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/james-rodriguez-joins-bayern-munich-on.html

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (EMTS) trading as Etisalat Nigeria on Tuesday informed its customers that the change of brand name will not affect its operations.

Mr Ibrahim Dikko, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, EMTS made this known in a statement.

Dikko said that EMTS was aware of recent news reports regarding Etisalat Group’s withdrawal of the right to the continued use of the Etisalat brand in Nigeria by EMTS.

He said that EMTS had a valid and subsisting agreement with the Etisalat Group.


According to him, the agreement entitles EMTS to use the Etisalat brand notwithstanding the recent changes within the company.

“Indeed, discussions are ongoing between EMTS and Etisalat Group pertaining to the continued use of the brand.

“EMTS will issue a formal statement once discussions are concluded.

“The final outcome on the use of the brand in no way affects the operations of the business as our full range of services remain available to our customers,’’ he said.

Dikko said that EMTS launched in Nigeria in 2008 with “0809ja’’ to affirm the “Nigerianness’’ of its origin and sphere of influence.

He said that in nine years of operation, the company remained a prime driver and avid supporter of the Nigerian spirit of excellence.


According to him, the telecommunications company will continue to stay true to its “Naijacentric identity’’.

“This notion is strongly reflected in our core messages and depicted in major projects and initiatives, which we have been known to support.

“All these initiatives have their foundation embedded in supporting key aspects of the Nigerian fabric: building Nigerian businesses and empowering Nigerians with a focus on the youth.

“Nigeria remains the soul of EMTS’ business and we have made the brand alluring to our teeming subscribers, who see a piece of the spirit and character of Nigeria in everything we do.

“EMTS is here to stay and we wish to assure our esteemed customers that our core values of youthfulness, customer-centricity and innovation will remain the pillars on which we operate.

“We thank our esteemed customers for their abiding faith in us,’’ Dikko said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports since the month of March, Etisalat Group has been having the issues with the consortium of 13 banks over the payment 1.2 billion dollar loan.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/change-of-name-will-not-affect.html

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said the flooding caused by heavy rainfalls in the State within the last few days would soon be a thing of the past, as the State Government was working towards embarking on holistic solutions to address the situation once and for all.

Speaking at a sensitization workshop on water management and environmental control held at Ikeja today, the Governor said aside the fact that the issue of flooding was not peculiar to the State or Nigeria as it was a global phenomenon, but that urgent steps are being taken to tackle the challenge in a holistic manner and protect the State from future re-occurrence.

In his words, 'if we have learnt anything in the on-going flooding of some parts of the State, it is that there is an immediate, even urgent need for us to embark upon a review and re-engineering of our canals and drainage systems. This must be pursued hand-in-hand with a clear and crystal re-envisioning of our water management system. So, in effect, what we should immediately pursue is a holistic solution to what is certain to be a recurring problem. It must be a sincere collaboration between government and the citizenry'.
The Governor said despite the fact that the State had been denied ecological funds by the previous federal government for political reasons, several reforms were being implemented in line with the capacity of the State Government to protect the shoreline and carry out de-flooding, which according to him, are equally expensive to implement.
More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/we-are-working-on-permanent-solutions.html

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode oyesterday charged traditional rulers in the state to rise to their responsibilities and ensure that the menace of ritual killings and kidnappings happening within their communities is quickly stamped out of the state.

Ambode, who spoke while commissioning the rehabilitated Fire Station in Itamarun, Epe, said he was deeply concerned about the spate of kidnappings and the recent cases of killings perpetrated by a faceless cult group, popularly known as Badoo, assuring that he would leave no stone unturned to rid the State of their activities.
Speaking specifically on the recent killings by the Badoo group, the governor said there was intelligence reports that their activities had the backing of some persons, saying that it was the responsibility of the traditional rulers to speak up against such happenings within their vicinity, as members of the group were not spirit but human beings.

Ambode said: “This is a good opportunity for me to say this, since the majority of our traditional rulers are here. We just want to pass a message to say that we need to come together and ensure that we speak to all our Baales in the communities that we are having issues and also in Ikorodu to say that we must speak to ourselves.
“We have intelligence here that some of these things are coming from within and our Kabiyesis and Obas need to do something as quickly as possible to arrest this decadence that we have here.
“As far as the Badoo case is concerned, I don’t believe that it has anything to do with a disappearing ghost. I don’t also believe that the rituals can be taking place, without some people not being behind it.
“So, I challenge all our Kabiyesis and all our traditional rulers and Baales, we must arrest this situation as quickly as possible and show that traditional value that we have always been known for and then we would continue to support you.”
Assuring that his administration was not relenting in its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and properties of all residents, the Governor said that there would be no stone left unturned towards ensuring that the nefarious activities of kidnappers and ritual killings have no place in the State.
Giving an update on the six abducted Igbonla Model College students, the Governor said that efforts have been stepped up to secure their release and reunite them with their families, assuring that government would spare nothing to ensure their safe return.
“We know that no amount of expenditure is enough to keep the city safe. I just want to assure Lagosians that we are doing everything possible. “We don’t run the government on the pages of the newspapers, and that’s why you see that we do not make comments on the newspapers, but we are trying as much as possible to make sure that we get these children back safely which is more important for us,” he said.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/ambode-tasks-traditional-rulers-on.html

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its helicopters, Agusta 109 Light Utility, while undertaking a liaison mission in the North East, suffered a technical mishap and crashed into a pool of water in Borno State yesterday.

Though, no life was lost in the incident, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has immediately constituted a board of inquiry to unravel the cause of the incident.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said members of the board of inquiry were already in Maiduguri, to carry out their assignment.

The statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Agusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter has suffered a mishap while undertaking a liaison mission targeted at further enhancing the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NAF in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East.
“The experienced NAF pilots, however, successfully ditched the helicopter into a pool of water to minimize damage and loss of lives. “Consequently, there were neither any injuries nor loss of lives to anyone on board or on the ground. “The Chief of the Air Staff has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incidence while efforts are ongoing to recover the helicopter and members of the board are already in Maiduguri to commence work.”
Meanwhile, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), is set to probe the 2012 plane crash involving former Governor of Taraba State, Dambaba Suntai, and five others in Yola, Adamawa State.The bureau yesterday said all was set for the engine of the crashed private jet to be sent to its manufacturer in North America for “teardown.”
AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru, attributed the delay in investigation to paucity of funds, preventing the shipment of the engine abroad for analysis since the crash occurred on October 25, 2012.
Olateru explained that the engine teardown was necessary to determine the state of the aircraft’s engine before the plane went down in Yola.Late Suntai and five of his aides were, on October 25, 2012, involved in an air crash after their private plane, Cessna 208 aircraft marked 5N-BMJ, crashed in Yola, Adamawa State capital.
Suntai, who did not recover from the severe crash injuries, died in Houston, Florida, in the United States on June 28, 2017.The late governor was said to be piloting the small aircraft at the time of the incident. Olateru added that the shipment of the engine for teardown was one of the processes of accident investigation, which the agency would carry out.

Meanwhile, former Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai has advocated for an all dominated infantry force in the Nigerian Army that would be able to tackle the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast region.
Agwai, who is also a one time Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) at a lecture he delivered at the 2017, Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), in Abuja, yesterday, said the time has come for the Nigerian Army to train all its personnel as infantry soldiers irrespective of their trades, saying that was the only way the Boko Haram terrorists would be wiped out.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/naf-helicopter-crashes-into-water-in.html

The Senate Committee on Appropriation yesterday asked the Works, Power and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to resign if he could not cope with the responsibilities of his ministry.

After being briefed at a plenary session by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, on the utterances of Fashola, the Senate resolved to await the outcome of the meeting of the minister with the House of Representatives before taking a final decision on him. The development is an indication of the worsening rift between the National Assembly and the Executive.
The minister and the National Assembly have been squabbling after the passage of the 2017 budget, as Fashola alleged that the National Assembly altered the document.

Goje had raised a point of order, drawing the attention of the chamber to the statements credited to Fashola on the role of the National Assembly on the 2017 budget, while the lawmakers were on Sallah recess.
He advised Fashola to resign, if it becomes too cumbersome for him to effectively manage the three ministries under him.
“I advise Fashola to remember that he is now a minister and should behave like a minister. He is not a governor, and this National Assembly is not Lagos State House of Assembly.
“This is assembly made up of very patriotic Nigerians; very experienced Nigerians. Many of them have done his job; many were in government before him. Fashola should know that in dealing with the National Assembly of Nigeria, it is not Lagos State House of Assembly.
“If his job is too much for him because the ministries are too big for him and he cannot adjust, then he should do the honourable thing and resign. But no amount of blackmail or propaganda by him or his surrogates will stop this National Assembly from discharging its duties in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We have sworn to uphold and protect this constitution, and we will do this to the end of the life of this assembly. For now, I will cease fire and watch how the House of Representatives will handle it. If it is well handled there, then we leave it with them; if the House is not satisfied and they pass it to us, then we take it over.”
In his remarks, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said: “The spokesman of the Senate has spoken on this matter and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations has also spoken on it. I am happy that the House of Reps has also taken up this matter.
“I want to advise those who are in government to be responsible. The cabinet members of the Federal Government must always speak from a national point of view and in the interest of all Nigerians. We will definitely wait for the outcome of his appearance before the House of Representatives before further contribution can be made on it”.
The Committee on Power suggested that defaulting agencies of government regarding the electrocution of over 30 persons last April at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State should be probed. The panel said it was sad that those agencies which were supposed to ensure due diligence to secure lives simply failed to do their job.
Also yesterday, the Senate mandated its Committee on Marine Transport to investigate a $3 billion fraud allegation against the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The allegation was raised yesterday on a Point of Order moved by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District.
Omo-Agege said the alleged fraud was in connection with the activities of the Joint Venture Enterprises of the NPA, namely, the Lagos Channel Management, the Bonny Channel Company, and the Calabar Channel Management Company Limited.

He noted that both the Lagos Channel Management and the Bonny Channel Company were established in August 2005 for the management and routine maintenance dredging of Lagos and Bonny navigation channels, while the Calabar Channel Management Company Limited was established for the management and capital dredging of the Calabar channel.
The lawmaker said the aforementioned companies were established to operate a public-private partnership (PPP) model and to reduce financial burden on the
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/resign-if-you-cant-cope-senate-tells.html

Members of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, (Ocha Brigade) have cried out that the administration of Obiano is owing them about 4 months salary.


OCHA Brigade which has become a state police and been used as revenue drive agency has raised so much funds to this administration and owing them salary is unfortunate.

According to a member of OCHA Brigade who pleaded anonymity to APGA Interactive Forum media, "Anambra own us close to four months salary which started from April till now."

"Some of us are married and we can't pay school fees of our young ones and our children...

"We are about 400 youths from this State and non of them is happy with what is happening to us this moment... "

Owing this important agency in the state is an indication that Obiano govt that met 75 billion naira from his predecessor is broke while some govs that met empty treasury, liabilities and debts are paying their workforce regularly and carrying out other obligations.

The alarm raised by ex gov Peter Obi that the money he saved has been squandered is now playing out.

Very unfortunate that while Obiano has been moving from one court to another paying heavily on senior lawyers to represent his faction in a mere internal crisis of APGA, some section of the govt work force are being owed 4 months salary.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/obiano-is-owing-us-4-months-salary-ocha.html

Nigeria and Obasanjo should not push IPOB to pick up arms if they do what happened in 1967-70 would be a child's play because we shall fight for revenge . In fact, I can tell you that my father fought the war and I strongly believe am more smarter than my father because of the environment I found myself , I have travelled far and wide , I have heard the stories of the biafra war and I have seen the effects in my life and my environs . I now understood what our fathers fought for . When you fought for nationhood revenge is always sweet and that we shall give to the killers of our people .


Telling me that I was not born before the war is nothing but trying to scare me off not to fight for my survival. Nigeria should know that NNAMDI Kanu is a good man for this struggle , some people that follows him are hungry to revenge for the harassment and intimidation , killing and injustices melted out to our leader And our people .

You can call us names but give us Biafra, I wonder how people like Obasanjo will be talking arrant nonsense that Nigeria should stop NNAMDI Kanu now or what happened in 1967 will repeat itself . Obasanjo what will happen? Is it war? Is it hunger ? or what ? We have seen all and as long as the restoration of Biafra is concern we are ready for anything and you should be ready also .

You killed our people during the war , you killed our people in Odi and zaki Ibam you handed our land over to Dangote ,all our land has been destroyed by your policies and you still come up in this 2017 to tell us what to do and calling Nigeria to raise against us . We welcome this development and we shall teach you that this generation of Biafrans are called to restore Biafra .

Obasanjo you are part of the cabal that appointed all the governors in Biafra , ask yourself are they performing well, you imposed Orji Kalu in Abia state years back , till today Abians are still suffering for that appointment. You brought Jonathan Goodluck can you show us his report card after 6years as a president . Just count all your boys you imposed in Biafra what have they done to better the lives of the people . I can count your numerous sins and atrocities .
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/nnamdi-kanu-and-ipob-will-crush.html

The Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has released the sum of N684m to pay accrued pension rights to 218 retirees across the state.According to the Public Affairs Officer, Basirat Lawal, told The Guardian that the retirees would draw from Mainstream Civil Service, Local Governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teachers Establishments and Pensions Office (TEPO) and other Parastatals of Government under the Contributory Pension Scheme for the month of June 2017.

Addressing the retirees at the 40th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation in Lagos, the Director-General- LASPEC, Folashade Onanuga, gave the retirees, His Excellency’s goodwill message stated that the retirees having contributed their quota to the development of Lagos State deserve to be treated like elderstatesmen with right to receive their pension early as active workers also receive their salaries on time. She implored the beneficiaries to be gentle with life. “Maintain a low profile, eat healthy and exercise well as this is what your body needs. Let moderation be your watchword”, she said.
She also explained that even though there is two options available for receipt of monthly Pension entitlements i.e. the Programmed Withdrawal and life annuity options, not many insurance companies have received PENCOM’s nod to transact Annuity business. However, Leadway Assurance plc, FBN Insurance Custodian Life and ARM life have gotten approval. Only Leadway assurance & ARM life are for now given approval to provide Annuity services for Lagos State Government retirees.

The retirees pray that God will continually give the Governor the heart of helping the less privileged. The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) was recognised again as the ‘Best Public sector Pension Administrator in West Africa by the West Africa Innovation Awards 2017 held on Thursday, 29th, June 2017 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has indicated moves to begin to probe the performance of the 2017 budget with a view to checking the midterm performance of all Ministers, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
The House took steps to commence this move during the plenary yesterday when the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. RotimiOlowo, pointed out that reviewing the budget performance in the past six months would also help give direction for the 2018 budget estimates, which he said had the potential of hitting the N1trn mark.
He said: “The exercise will help scrutinise how the MDAs are doing in terms of the revenue generated as well as their level of compliance with their capital and recurrent expenditure,” he said.
The call was supported by a number of other lawmakers including the Majority Leader, Hon. SanaiAgunbiade, who also posited that when carried out the exercise would help reveal whether the current budget estimates were working according to the House’s outlook.
He further posited that the move would also help the lawmakers to serve members of the public better, as the outcome of the exercise which would be eventually made public would help taxpayers know how their taxes had been put into use in the past six months.

In his view, the lawmaker representing Oshodi Isolo 2, Hon. Jude Idimogu, said the development was apt as it would help in scrutinising the activities of all the ministries including those he deemed not to have measured up to what was expected of them.
The lawmaker questioned the performance of agencies in charge of road maintenance in the state adding that most of the roads are unusable since raining season began.On his part, the Speaker of the House, Hon MudashiruObasa noted that the reviewing of budget would not only be an annual venture but periodically so that loopholes can quickly be corrected.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/lagos-state-government-pays-218.html

Efforts by the Taraba State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Council of Nigeria (MCN) to reach a truce in the Mambilla Plateau yesterday failed as members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders walked out of the peace parley.

The meeting, which was convened to reconcile the Fulani and the Mambilla ethnic groups in Sardauna council area who have been fighting was conveyed by the leadership of the two religions at the multipurpose hall of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Gembu, the council’s administrative headquarters.
It brought together religious leaders and the leadership of all the ethnic groups in the area since the crisis started.Speaking, the state chairman of CAN, Reverend Ben Ube and that of MCN, Alhaji Inuwa Jauro Manu, said they called the meeting to appeal to the warring communities to bury the hatchet and embrace peace.

They added that it was no time to apportion blames but to harness all legitimate avenues to restore peace to the Mambilla Plateau.But the meeting took a different turn when chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders, Sardauna Branch, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, said there would not be reconciliation until the state government deems it fit to arrest and prosecute those behind the killings.
Meanwhile, the Spiritual Head, Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, has urged Nigerians to combat the forces of disintegration with the spirit of oneness.
He lamented the killings by Fulani herdsmen across the country and wondered why they were unleashing terror on various parts of the country at this time, adding that they have been in the country long before now.
Oshoffa made the remarks yesterday at the media briefing in Lagos, where he was represented by a member of the Church’s Board of Trustees, Evangelist Samson Olatunde Banjo to unveil its “Prayer for the Nation and Holy Mary Service” with the theme: “Time to Rebuild And Restore.”
He disclosed that as part of the activities marking its 70th anniversary, the Church would pray fervently for the country, adding that Nigeria has had enough internal wrangling in which it is desperately contending for its unity and progress.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/cattle-breeders-walk-out-of-parley-to.html

Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu disclosed on Friday, June 30, 2017 that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recorded 113 convictions in six months from its operations nationwide. According to Magu, corruption is the greatest threat to Nigeria and her development.

"Despite known challenges that we face, the Commission has recorded 113 convictions in the past 6 months across the zonal offices in the country. This was made possible by contributions and support we enjoy from people like you. We will not fail to bring to book those who have stolen our commonwealth and who thrive in destabilizing our anti-corruption initiatives. I will not relent. I will fight for the interest of our citizens and our children's future"; Magu said.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/in-6-months-efcc-secured-113.html

A 50-year-old farmer, identified as Mathias Abah, was on Saturday evening killed by suspected armed robbers, who also stole his motorcycle along Oda Road on the outskirts of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Abah, husband of two wives and father of 12 children, from Benue State, was killed while returning to his Isagba camp from Oda Town, in Akure South Local Government Area.

According to the victim’s brother, Friday Bernard, the deceased was attacked by the robbers after he had dropped his daughter, Esther, where she wrote the common entrance examinations for admission into secondary school.

Bernard said his brother dropped his daughter at Ogbe High School, Oda, but was shot dead on the way to his camp.
He said the remains of his brother were moved to the mortuary by policemen from Ala Police division.
Police Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command, Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident.
He said the command had commenced investigation into the incident.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/breaking-robbers-kill-50-year-old.html

Leader of the indigenous people of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi kanu, meets with his one time friend and sister Ethel Ukoji ,who is currently blind as a result of glaucoma and motor accident .As a kind and good man he is, he has given instructions across the world, for the best hospital to handle her case..
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/nnamdi-kanu-to-help-blind-friend-regain.html

As we clamour that Benue should move forward, this morning I am elated because of unfolding circumstances.

One ,that My Father Alhaji Abubakar Tsav is on this day Sunday 2/07/2017 with His Brother Governor Samuel Ortom with all Commissioners at the public complaints Commission begging for forgiveness at the Benue peoples House.

Tsav ,my father who is the first guest of the Benue first family is looking very sobber and remorseful.
Two, the plea simply means all he has been writing against the Governor putting him at Loggerheads with Benue citizens has always been false ,this will also bring peace in our house for the simple reason that we his children will now be in good terms with him.
Daddy,Thank you for the peace move, you have indeed demonstrated the highest level of maturity.
Your Brother Governor Ortom is a peace loving person and I know he will surely forgive you.
There is nothing bad in begging for forgiveness when you discover your fault.
Recall ,my father Alhaji Tsav is reckoned as the only person who has petitioned the Governor to anti graft agencies on frivolous allegations, also recently a makurdi high court ordered him to pay Governor Ortoms Aide 10million for similar cases of falsehood. Seriously my father don't have such amount to pay,and those who use to instigate him to write have deserted him.
This is cheering news for Benue.
Congratulations Alhaji Abubakar Tsav for making restitution. Daddy I love you.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/gov-ortom-vindicated-as-tsav-begged-for.html

Thirteen people died, two of them children, when a long-haul passenger bus collided with a truck in Russia on Sunday, authorities said.

The bus was travelling from Samara on the Volga river to Izhevsk, around 900 kilometres (550 miles) east of Moscow, when the accident happened, the Investigative Committee, which probes accidents and disasters, said.

It said it was possible the bus driver was blinded by headlights.


The bus rolled over and caught on fire as a result of the collision, the regional interior ministry said, adding it would be arresting both drivers.
Russia ranks among the world’s worst countries for road deaths, mainly due to drink-driving, poor roads and traffic violations.
Last year more than 20,000 people died in road accidents, a 12-percent drop compared to 2015.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/13-dead-in-bus-crash-in-russia.html

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states on Sunday morning with prospects of thunderstorms over Abuja, Mambilla Plateau, Lafia, Kaduna, Makurdi and Bauchi.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Saturday in Abuja also predicted thunderstorms over Ibi, Jos, and Bauchi in the afternoon.
It added that the central states would have day and night temperatures of 26 to 32 and 18 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that Southern states would experience morning rains over the coastal areas of Lagos, Calabar, Uyo, Port Harcourt and Eket with day and night temperatures of 27 to 32 and 21 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.
Thunderstorms will be experienced in Osogbo, Akure, Ado-Ekiti, Obudu, Awka, Onitsha, Benin, Enugu, Abakaliki, Yenagoa, Calabar, Uyo, Portharcourt and Eket later in the afternoon and evening hours.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience cloudy morning with thunderstorms over Kano, Yelwa, Maiduguri, Nguru and Sokoto later in the afternoon.
“The region will also have day and night temperatures of 32 to 40 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/thunderstorms-will-hit-abuja-others.html

Despite the economic hardship, some Nigerians still stand out in their disposition to honesty. Recently, a civil servant in Kogi State, Mrs. Husseina Mohammed, a level seven accountant attached to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in Lokoja returned the sum N1, 780,500 paid in excess of her March salary to the coffers of the state government.

The screening exercise embarked upon by the Governor Yahaya Bello administration generated so much controversy and confusion, with the accounts of some workers who were not owed any salary arrears credited in huge sums, while some owed as much as 15 months waited in vain for alerts crediting their accounts.
Mrs. Mohammed, who could not contain the surprise package delivered to her account, was cautious, even with the knowledge that her spouse, also a civil servant, was cleared in screening exercise, but still waiting payment of his 16 months salary arrears.

Her phone received an alert one early morning indicating that her account had been credited with almost N1.8million as her monthly salary, which is approximately N34, 000. The message read: “Salary for the month of March, 2017.”
Husseina, who was surprised, read the message severally and on getting home, narrated her excitement to her husband. They had a brief family meeting to consider the implication and decided to refund the money, convinced that it was the right thing to do.
The decision to refund the money was not unexpected, especially being an accountant and knowledgeable of the implication of spending the money. Though a difficult decision, especially with outstanding school fees of their children running into the entire session, but the spouse would not be tempted to do otherwise.
She quickly rushed to the Director General, Bureau of Information and Grassroots Mobilisation, Alhaji Abdulkareem Abdulamlik, explain that she received an alert from her bank in the afternoon of May 21 and discovered that a huge sum had been credited in her favour.
She said she started the process of returning the money to the state government on May 22, adding that the money was paid into the government account with the Lokoja branch of the Zenith Bank Plc.
She then handed over the bank teller and other documents used in paying back the money to Abdulamlik. She pleaded with government to reciprocate her good gesture by paying her husband’s outstanding 15 months salary arrears being withheld over discrepancy in his age declaration, which she said had since been rectified.
Abdulamlik commended Mohammed for her honesty, saying with people like her in society, Nigeria was sure of winning the ongoing war against corruption.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/civil-servant-refunds-n17m-excess-salary.html

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), yesterday staged a peaceful protest against the proposed local governments’ autonomy in Ibadan, the capital city.

They said if local governments autonomy was imperative for the federal and state governments, payment of primary school teachers, funding and management of the schools should not be the responsibility of the local councils.
The rally, which took-off at the Agodi Secretariat of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), was led by the state chairman, Niyi Akano and the state Trade Unions Congress (TUC) chairman, Waheed Olojede, to deliver their protest letter to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The placards carrying teachers argued that granting political, financial or administrative autonomy to the local government, would mean transferring the management, equipping and funding of primary school education to the local government.
They said the burden would be too heavy for the third tier of government to bear.Some of the inscriptions on the placard read: “Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing says no to local government’s autonomy,” “Basic education is a right of every child,” “Local government councils do not have the capacity to pay primary school teachers salaries,” “Basic education is a right and must be protected by all,” “Foundation of education in Nigeria under threat again,” among others.
Akano said that the rally was not a protest against salary arrears but a fight for the soul of primary education in the state and the country at large.Olojede maintained that allowing the local governments to take charge of the primary school education in the country was a good way of sending the sector back to the woods, saying that the teachers would not support local government autonomy in any way
He suggested that payment of primary school teachers’ salaries and entitlements should be left with State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo assured that he would deliver their demands of the group to the governor.Adeyemo who expressed shock at the massive turn out noted that until the protest, he had thought the teachers are strong advocate of local government autonomy.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/teachers-protest-against-council.html

The Kenya government has committed to invest $72 million (Sh7.5 billion) annually on a local plant that will make anti-HIV/Aids drugs.

The partnership with the Global Fund, and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will produce Dolutegravir (DTG) – an anti-Aids drugs with roots in India.

The plan, which was rolled out Wednesday, makes Kenya the first country in the world to introduce the “cheapest” version of the Tivicay ARV brand.
Tivicay is the brand name for DTG’s anti-retroviral ARV, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline through ViiV Healthcare. Tivicay has been available in private hospitals such as the Aga Khan University Hospital at a cost of between $12 and $50.
Prolong the lives
DTG, which will be available for free in public hospitals and select private facilities, is said to have fewer side effects on users and can improve, prolong the lives of tens of thousands of patients, who suffer adverse drug reactions and resistance to other treatments.
“We are starting with 27,000 Kenyans living with HIV who are intolerant to Efavirenz (the first-line HIV drug currently in use), injecting drug users and those in need of third-line treatment,” said the Deputy Director of Medical Services and Head NASCOP, Dr Martin Sirengo.
“DTG generic has no counter-interaction with other drugs like TB medicine and produces fewer side effects.
All patients
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/kenya-unveils-cheaper-hivaids-drug.html

Sen.Walid Jibrin, National Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said on Wednesday that Biafra would be realized only by referendum and not quit notice.

Jibrin stated this while speaking with newsmen in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.
He said that he would not support any group to bring division in the country, adding that peace and unity were the necessary requirements for the development of any nation.
According to him, if truly the Igbos want their country, it is only referendum that will grant that independence.
Jibrin said that everybody had his opinion as a Nigerian, and that if public opinion said Igbos should have their country or the North should have theirs, “so be it”.
He cited Britain which conducted referendum on European Union membership, saying that due process must be followed before granting independence to any group.
He cautioned that agitations should be devoid of crisis and called on Nigerians to see themselves as one.
The BoT chairman also advised politicians and other groups, who had formed the habit of instigating youths to foment trouble in the society, to desist from such acts.
He said that the people should offer positive guide to the youths “for the growth and development of the nation”.
“If Igbos want their own independence as Biafra, is it enough for the Northern youths to give them quit notice to leave the north to their states?
“The answer is no. I will not instigate any youth to do that, and `quit notice’ is not a good word. This quit notice will not bring peace.
“We must live together, live in unity, unite ourselves and we should not threaten anybody as everybody has the right to live in Nigeria and we don’t have to call for war,” he said.
Jibrin urged Muslims and other Nigerians to use the lesson of Ramadan to continue to preach peace, unity and love irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
He urged Nigerians to be law-abiding, respect constituted authorities and to shun negative tendencies and pursue interests of peace and national development always.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/referendum-not-quit-notice-will-create.html

It appears that there is no going back for Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, as her marriage to Olakunle Churchill has been dissolved traditionally.

Churchill has received the money he paid for Tonto’s bride price after he requested for it.

In a video published by Media Room Hub, the father of the actress, Sunny Dikeh and Churchill’s uncle, Bishop Dare, are seen at the ceremony.

The return of the bride price from Dikeh’s family to the Churchills, signifies that the traditional marriage between their children has been annulled.
Tonto and Olakunle got married in 2015.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/tonto-dikeh-and-churchills-marriage.html

I love the works of researchers. The opinion piece by Iyke Nwambie, a leadership consultant from Miami, Florida in The Guardian of 19, June, 2017, is no different. As well-intentioned as the piece is for development – there are grey areas. The writer opined that the press didn’t bother about the health of Presidents FDR and JF Kennedy ( a cover up) because unlike Nigeria at the moment, the economy wasn’t in straits (nosedive, the author’s) and people were practically having a good time as it were. (paraphrased). President Buhari should do the needful therefore and resign since Nigeria’s economy is in smithereens.

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Secondly, though not a major mistake, could be a typo error, but President Woodrow Wilson – was incapacitated in 1919 and not 1914 as stated by the writer and even went ahead despite this incapacitation to outlive his successor, President Warren Gamaliel Harding who died on August 2, 1923 and Woodrow Wilson on February 3, 1924. But again if this is a typo error and Wilson was incapacitated in 1914 for 17 months as stated by the writer, who took America into the First World War in 1917 which ended in 1918? It was Woodrow Wilson. From that surmise, I can faintly imply, though I may be wrong that the writer had a hidden script for writing that piece.

I support President Muhammadu Buhari but, unlike many people, not out of blind loyalty. I have my reservations against his presidency which I have chronicled again and again. One of which is that he engages less with Nigerians. I had hoped that he would have been like General S. Patton.

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Wasn’t it during the FDR presidency that America was in the Great Depression? Could the press have covered up for FDR when the life expectancy of an American male of that era was put at 62 years? An era unlike now when people who had jobs would remain in employment until they were either too sick or too old to work because there was nothing like Social Security until FDR introduced it. Historians are kind to FDR because of the presidential leadership he asserted in a straitened economy not because the American economy was well under his direction. Under President FDR, Americans were deprived of personal holdings of gold by law, and forced to submit their gold to the state, to build the economy. This led to the establishment of the largest deposit of gold reserves at Fort Knox.
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Before the New Deal by FDR, people took care of themselves. Extended families stuck together. I have watched movies, where old people longed for those days because Americans looked out for one another, unlike now where prosperity has isolated Americans and there is no love as in the halcyon days. In America today, the old live in homes for the elderly, either because their children back-package around the country or because of the death of loved ones. I feel sad when well-informed writers try to distort history. Who didn’t know that JFK had a lower back problem before he joined the Navy in WW2? A back problem which he re-injured as a Naval officer, during an encounter at sea with Japanese invaders. His health was a major issue during his presidency which required plenty of rest and medications again and again. JFK had a wide approval rating not because of the economy but because of the leadership he provided even though he was a philanderer in office, which wouldn’t be tolerated now.
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Michael Edward Reagan the adopted son of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan shocked the world in a book authored by him (and got flak from Reagan’s biological son and others) where he claimed that Ronald Reagan had Alzheimer’s disease as President. How come the presidential doctors (four) and the media missed the observations that Reagan, as his presidency wore on, couldn’t remember the names of certain people and places? Some conservative commentators say, though not proven, that after he was hit by an assassin’s bullet that he didn’t put in more than one-hour’s work daily in the White House for seven years. Could this have happened, so he wouldn’t resign the presidency? Does Alzheimer’s disease happen upon people suddenly, only after leaving office? How come, Reagan’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and disease was confirmed in 1994 when he had left office? These and more, they posited.
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George Bush, the 41st president of the United States, had a heart bypass surgery in his presidency at a time of great recession. I am sure according to the thesis by Iyke Nwambie, we should assume the press missed it because the country was in good stead. No, Sir. The massive depression was inherited post-Reagan and President Bill Clinton brought the country out of it.‬
Presidents everywhere are human beings with the foibles associated with humans. President Buhari is no different. What writers should be concerned about is his capacity to make decisions and to lead. But I hear calls along ethnic lines. Is the president well enough to make rational decisions, does he still think critically? It is a well-known fact that medical records of statesmen are almost always covered up.
They let you in on what they want you to know. President JFK Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s disease years before (denied by his older brother) but hid it before the presidential debate and elections of 1960. Abraham Lincoln suffered clinical depression during his terms in office. Did this mental illness dilute his legacies?‬

The problem of Nigeria is caused by the establishment not by a president. How patriotic is the Nigerian establishment? I remember when General Sani Abacha died, people cavorted. President Umar Musa Yar’Adua died, many did the same. Have Nigeria’s problems been solved by the many people who directed the ship of state after them? Will Nigeria be better off only when President Buhari dies (God forbid) or resigns? Do we have a unifier anywhere in this country that can be accepted warts-and-all by the people in all regions even with tribal war lords everywhere? The system we have and lack of leadership is our problem, not an individual’s. Such a system makes us row the affairs of Nigeria instead of stirring the ship of state. Why do we celebrate fripperies?
FDR could introduce Federal Home Loans in 1934 which made home ownership a national priority, the G.I Bill in 1944 to give veterans the opportunity to go to college, own homes and run businesses, Social Security in 1935 to secure the lives of older Americans after
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/buhari-osinbajo-and-political-urchins.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured that Nigeria would meet its 6.1 million tonnes rice demand by the end of this year’s harvest season.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications of the bank, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, who disclosed this in Awka during a three-day sensitisation workshop for the people of Anambra State, said already the national rice output has risen to about 5 million tonnes.

He said the feat was made possible by the apex bank’s intervention through the Anchor Borrowers programme, which, according to him, added 2.1 million tonnes of rice to the national output in the first year.
He said: “Nigerians are rising up to the occasion. In Kebbi State alone, over a 100 farmers are taking part in our Anchor Borrowers programme. There are so many of them across the country and more and more states are cuing in. For the first year of operation of the Anchor Borrowers programme, it added 2.1 million tonnes of rice to the national output and that is what brought the national output close to 5 million tonnes.
“Our national demand is 6.1 million tonnes and you can see that that gap will be closed in the first one year. In some states there are three harvests a year, one wet season and two dry seasons. By the time we conclude that of this year, we hope that we will be very close to target if not beyond it.
“We have for the first time in many years reversed the nation’s misfortunes in rice production to the extent that by the end of next year, Nigeria will become a net exporter of rice. We’ve done it in Kebbi. It is going on in Anambra. It is going on in Enugu, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa, Ogun State. So our Anchor Borrowers programme strives to set up a process that will enable farmers get the most critical inputs and the best practices and so more than tripple their output and it is working.
“Now we talk of Anambra rice. We talk of Ebonyi rice. There is Lake rice, which is a collaborative effort between Kebbi and Lagos State. Our farmers are rich again. Every farmer that is taking part in Anchor Borrowers programme is a millionaire today because we stopped selling foreign exchange for the importation of rice last year. The price of rice rose last year and our farmers rose to the occasion and started making the money. It is better that we create jobs here than creating jobs abroad where we import those things.”
Okoroafor further said the CBN policy of reserving foreign exchange for critical inputs that would bring back the production lines in factories and support the farmer to grow more foods, helped to raise value of the naira.
He said: “As a country, we are facing a very critical shortage of foreign exchange arising from the economic crisis that started two years ago. At a time our naira crashed to over N520 and N525 to a dollar. That is not a good development for an economy like this. So what do we do? We decided that in order to meet the critical needs of the economy, we needed to prioritise the use of the foreign exchange that is available to us.
“As our foreign exchange reserves were depleting, we decided that we will no longer sell foreign exchange for the importation of those items that Nigerians can produce at home and that is the most logical and most reasonable thing to do.”
Even in families, people adjust when things change. So we came up with a group of 41 items, including eggs, beaf, toothpick, rice and so on.
I think it’s foolhardy for a country to begin to spend scarce foreign exchange to import what it can produce at home, comparatively advantageously.
“So we decided that if anyone wants to import those things, he can go and source his foreign exchange but for us, we reserve our foreign exchange for critical input that will bring back the production lines in factories, that will support the farmer to grow more foods; those are our critical needs and we have done that successfully.”

On the campaign the bank brought to Awka, Okoroafor said, “the purpose of our journey here is to bring CBN and what it does nearer to the grassroots and our intention is to enable them understand what we do, especially our real sector interventions, and also know how best to benefit from them. We are also here to explain to them some of our policies, especially our foreign exchange policies, the current ones going on, and to make them realise that we have come to a point as a country where we must decide to produce what we eat and eat what we produce.
“That no nation can develop by depending on foreigners for its food needs and that the only way to grow our economy and advance our nation is to ensure that we apply our creative energies in innovation, in creativity to production and that productivity is the root of progress. That the CBN stands ready to provide the financial support by way of loans at 9 per cent interest to all Nigerians especially the creative, enterprising and hard working people of Anambra State. To enable them to produce, add value and even export and make money to better their lives and to bring up their children.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/nigeriall-meet-61m-tonnes-rice-demand.html

The Kwara State Government has received a total of N2.48 billion as federal allocation for June

The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Ilorin.
The commissioner, while giving the details, said that the sum was made up of statutory allocation of N1.38 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N740 million and Exchange Difference of N366 million.
Banu further disclosed that the 16 local governments in the state got a total of N1.82 billion as allocation for June.
Giving a breakdown of the allocation figures, Banu said that the local councils received statutory allocation of N1.16 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N420million and Exchange Difference of N241million, totaling N1.82billion.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/federal-allocation-kwara-govt-gets.html

The Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Martin Uzoukwu, has emphasised the need for Nigerians to live as family and desist from inflammatory statements that could jeopardise the nation’s unity.

He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday, noting that the recent development of hate speeches was unfortunate.

He said “God has reason for bringing us together; we should love one another, irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political differences.”
Uzuokwu said if concerted efforts were put in place in utilising the abandoned mineral resources in the country, Nigeria would be a force to be reckoned with in the world.
The cleric said “we have all it takes to maintain our status as giant of Africa if we can sustain our hard-earned unity.”
He, therefore, urged Muslims to take advantage of the remaining day in the month of Ramadan to pray for God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs.
He also urged stakeholders and development associations in the country to always watch and guard their utterances, saying “we should always promote love and religious tolerance instead of saying things that would heat up the polity.”
He stressed the need for fervent prayers by Nigerians to strengthen the nation’s unity, saying every agitation for breakup would seize and God would intervene.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/bishop-uzuokwu-advises-nigerians-to.html