Mr Humphrey Anumudu, the 2019 APGA governorship aspirant in Imo state has dragged the sacked national chairman of APGA, Ozo Victor Oye, his wife, Nkechi Oye and one Andrew Amechi to the court.



Mr Anumudu took Oye and his wife to the Lagos state high court, asking the court to compel them to either return his jeep worth 50 million naira or refund the cost of the jeep.



Oye was alleged to have claimed that the 50 million naira jeep was a birthday gift given to him by Mr Humphrey Anumudu.



The sacked national chairman of APGA allegedly collected the jeep during APGA primaries as part of the deal to handover the party ticket to Mr Humphrey Anumudu but the agreement went sour when eventually senator Ifeanyi Ararume was handed over the Imo guber ticket without valid primaries.

Mr Anumudu who is the CEO of Global Motors said he procured the jeep from First Motors Limited. He has made real his threat by approaching a competent court of jurisdiction to recover his car.

The sacked national chairman of APGA has become a huge disgrace to the party having been enmeshed in many bribery allegations during the party primaries.

Oye was sacked last week by a Delta state high court, Kwale division.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/50-million-naira-car-anumudu-drags-oye.html

Nigerians and other nationalities from the 14 West African sub region, constitute 40% of the 70 million refugees globally, the Secretary-General of ECOWAS Parliament, John Azumah, has revealed.

Azumah, who made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja during the official inauguration of the West African Parliamentary Press Corps and Senate Press Corps Day, said humanitarian situations in the region are caused by “bad and unimaginative governance.”

Painting a bad picture of the region on humanitarian crises and poverty level in his key note address read on his behalf by the director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research of the ECOWAS Parliament, Azumah said in Nigeria alone, 2.1 million people are displaced by Boko Haram insurgency.

He said: “It is regrettable that despite the efforts being made in West Africa, the region is plagued with multiple crises.

“For instance, Nigeria’s North-East, North – West and North – Central are ravaged by Boko Haram terrorism and farmer-herder clashes, which has resulted in the killing of over 20,000 people and with about 2.1 million people displaced.

“This carnage has caused huge humanitarian crisis, such that there appear to be a lethargy of addressing the crises with funds by the international agencies. “In Mali, insurgency has run down the country and displaced many. These crises are replicated in many parts of the region.

“According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), West Africa is one of the regions of the world with the highest number of refugees and internally displaced persons, estimated to constitute about 40% of the 70million refugees and displaced persons in the world.” He blamed the sorry state of the region on bad governance, which according to him, has rendered many affected countries financially impotent to the point of depending on funds from donor agencies to implement their yearly budgets.

“The political crises that trigger these humanitarian situations in the region are products of bad and unimaginative governance, which has plunged a great number of our citizens into poverty and untold hardship. “The poverty level is so high in the region such that many member states largely depend on donor agencies and international humanitarian agencies to fund their activities and programmes because their streams of revenues can no longer fund the national budgets,” he lamented.


As a way out of the bad situations, he tasked the media and civil society organisations across the 15 countries in the region to hold their various governments accountable.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/nigeria-14-others-constitute-40-of.html

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on Monday, said that the court was set to review its 2020 budget legal year.

Dr William Towah, the Director of Administration and Finance of the court said this at the opening of the court’s 12th Administration and Budget Retreat held in Goshen city, Nasarawa state.

He said that the court would review the Draft of the 2020 budget and also work on the implementation of the 2019 budget.

Speaking on the relevance of the retreat, he said that the retreat was organised to present the 2020 Draft Budget to afford all the opportunity to make inputs and subsequent endorsement.

He said that the challenges encountered throughout the first half of the year would be looked at and measures would be taken to address it.

According to him, the 2019 budget is 37 per cent implemented and designed to impact the lives of citizens in ECOWAS community.

“The budget retreat is a time when all of us gather in court to come together to reflect on the current budget prosecution improve round delivery.

“We shall have the opportunity over the next few days to unravel issues that border on current trends in career management, recruitment, performance evaluation and staff training.

“Measures of social protection envisaged in the community institution, including staff leave, pension, insurance, travel and ticketing, risks management, will also be looked into.” he added.

Towah, said that procedures cost estimates were solicited from various departments and those submissions were collated into the 2020 Draft Budget to be presented soon.

He said that the 2020 Draft Budget was prepared without the issuance of the budget circular by the President of ECOWAS Commission but that it would be issued soon.

“The budget circular is a guideline issued by the president of the commission that provides the framework for the preparation, approval and execution of the budget.

“However, there may be need to revise the budget to harmonise with the content of the budget circular as when it is issued.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/ecowas-court-set-to-review-its-2020.html

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will revalidate the biometrics of all candidates who have participated in its examination in the last 10 years.

This is contained in a statement by the board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, issued on Sunday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the revalidation has become necessary in a bid to detect impersonation.

Benjamin said it had become a norm, each year, for the the board to be flooded with application for correction of data after its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

He said that the board had also vowed to make public the names of impostors in order to serve as deterrent to others, as well as stem the antics of ‘Professional Examination takers’.

“This step is taken as a result of the huge number of applications recorded by the board, aimed at perfecting fraudulent acts that had aided impersonation in the first instance.

“It should be noted that the board had, in recent times, been inundated with series of complaints bordering on change of names, state of origin, local government, gender, date of birth, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and subject combination of candidates.

“The board, in its attempt to block all forms of examination malpractice, has discovered that one of the ways candidates employ is professional examination writers, who register using the candidate’s name and afterwards apply for correction of such details, along the lines listed above.

“To address thus ugly trend therefore, the board has resolved to revalidate the biometrics of candidates that had taken the board’s examination to fish out these impersonators and prosecute them along with their sponsors,” the statement read.

Benjamin said that the board had discovered series of ‘unfortunate and pathetic situations’, into which some of the so-called elite schools had put some candidates.

He explained that in their (elite schools) bid to make money, they subject the candidates to group registration, after collecting huge sums of money from unsuspecting parents.

“Such group registration end up distorting candidates’ data.

“The public, therefore, should be mindful of some of these so-called elite schools, which exploit parents by collecting huge sums of money to register students in group, more often at unauthorised centres.

“The board’s examination is not a school-based examination, and therefore, does not require candidates’ registration in group.

“As such, all candidates, desiring to take the board’s examination are required to register individually and not in group.

“Similarly, the board urges some of these elite secondary schools which indulge in collecting money in bulk to register candidates to desist from such act or be held responsible for any misfortune that may befall such candidates,” the statement read.

Benjamin said that in the course of various investigations conducted by the board, many instances of attempt to register candidates using multiple PIN to conceal impersonation were discovered.

According to the statement, other cases emanated from candidates who are already admitted to various programmes in tertiary schools and are also seeking such corrections to normalise infractions that have been perpetrated to gain such admission.

“In light of this, prospective candidates are therefore advised to do the registration themselves, at approved JAMB CBT centres, to avoid unnecessary centres.

“Candidates are also warned against examination malpractice acts, including impersonation, as the board has deployed appropriate technology to detect impersonation and apprehend perpetrators.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/jamb-set-to-revalidate-biometrics-of.html

Man of the match in yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Cameroon, Odion Ighalo said they didn’t give up after going down 1-2 in the first half.

Speaking after the match, Ighalo who scored two goals said they psyched themselves up in the dressing room at half time that if the Camerounians could score two goals in five minutes they (Eagles) can also do same.

He thanked God that his colleagues gave all they have to the match and came out victorious at the end.

“At half time, we went into the dressing room with expectations that if they could score two goals in five minutes, we can also do the same. And I thank God the players responded and we cancelled their lead and scored the winning goal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aiteo boss, Mr Benedict Peters has rewarded the Super Eagles for their victory over defending champions Cameroon in the five goals thriller that saw Nigeria eliminating the AFCON defending champions.

Peters, who is in Alexandria to cheer the Super Eagles had promised the team $25, 000 per goal, urging the team to repeat the feat of Uyo and get $100,000 after the game.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/we-never-lost-hope-after-two-goals-down.html

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned the newly recruited marshals against extortion and bribe-taking during patrols.

Mr Kabir Lawal, Deputy Corps Marshal in-charge of training, gave the warning at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 2019 set of Marshal Inspectors Cadre in Jos on Monday.

According to him, the corps will not spare any personnel caught extorting money or taking bribe from motorists.

Lawal said that FRSC had put in place stringent measures to tackle the menace within the system, adding that many of its personnel were sacked because of “the unwholesome practice”.

“We have told newly recruited marshals during the training that any of one caught taking bribe or extorting drivers on highways is doing it at his own risk.

“We all know there are bad eggs in FRSC, but if you are caught collecting bribe, that will be the end of your career.

“It is against the ethics of the corps and we shall not hesitate to sanction any of you who involve his or herself in such unacceptable act,” he warned.

Lawal noted that the corps was doing all within its power to expunge all “bad eggs” within it’s ranks.

“For so long, I have been chairman of the disciplinary committee at our headquarters, and I can tell you that majority of these newly recruited are replacement to those that have been sacked for various misconducts.

“So, FRSC has zero tolerance for corruption because that has over time dented the image of the corps.

“We are working assiduously, and with the cooperation of the members of the public, to ensure corruption doesn’t fair part of our daily lies,” he added.

Lawal called on the newly recruited personnel to be committed to ensuring an accident-free environment in the areas they would be posted to.

In his address of welcome, Mr Imenbvore Ojemeren, the Commandant of the FRSC Training School Jos, said 893 marshal inspectors passed out after a successful six-month basic course training at the school.

Ojemeren, who said that the training of the marshals began in June 2018, thanked them for enduring the tortuous and painstaking exercise.

He, however, urged them to contribute their quarter in creating a safe motoring environment on the nation’s highways.

“Working in FRSC is undertaking humanitarian tasks which require selflessness and absolute commitment.

“The challenges that lay ahead of you are certainly daunting, but definitely not insurmountable.

“So, I urge you all to be good ambassadors of the FRSC anywhere you are posted to,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/frsc-warns-newly-recruited-marshals.html

The jungle was so thick that Emmanuel Olabode only found the elephants he was tracking when the great matriarch’s sniffing trunk reached out close enough to almost touch.

“She flapped her ears, blocking us to guard her family, then left in peace,” recalls Olabode. “It was extraordinary.”

The elusive elephants are just 100 kilometres from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital.

“They are scared of humans,” says Olabode, who leads the Forest Elephant Initiative, a conservation group in the Omo Forest, northeast of Lagos. “So they are active at night.”

Forest elephants are the shy relations of their larger savannah cousins and are experts at hiding; so skilled, in fact, very few in the city know about them.

The crowded concrete jungle of Lagos is better known for wild nightlife than nighttime wildlife.


“When people hear about the elephants, they do not believe it,” says Joy Adeosun, a government scientist working with Olabode.

“They are in shock,” adds Adeosun, fixing a motion-sensitive camera that has not only snapped elephants, but antelope, buffalo and chimpanzees too.

Omo, spreading across some 1,325 square kilometers of Ogun state, was protected as a government reserve nearly a century ago.

A UNESCO “biosphere reserve” of global importance, it is one of the last patches of pristine rainforest left in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s deforestation rates are among the highest in the world, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Chopping down trees is easy,” says Olabode, whose team of eight community rangers are overstretched.

“But if the forest goes, the whole ecosystem changes. The rains reduce, then the farms lose fertility. Everyone suffers.”

Half of the forest, a 650-square-kilometre area, is reserved for wildlife and logging is banned.

Researchers had feared only a handful of elephants were left. Then, in April 2018, the elephants burst out of the jungle.

Drivers slammed on their brakes as herds stampeded across a four-lane highway, with desperate mother elephants trying to smash central barriers for babies to cross, rangers said.

“They were looking for a new home,” Olabode explains, suggesting quarry blasts could have been the final straw.

Many were chased back, although some found a happy hideout even closer to the city.

Olabode now believes there could be a hundred elephants in Omo — but their remarkable survival is under threat like never before as their forest home is in danger.

Africa Nature Investors (ANI), a Nigerian conservation foundation, plans to develop eco-tourism to protect the forest.

“It will provide alternative employment,” says Filip Van Trier, a Belgian businessman brought up in Nigeria, outlining funding proposals he is heading for ANI, including tripling ranger numbers.

“But first we have to stop the logging.”

At dawn in Omo, monkey chatter echoes across misty treetops.

Then there is the echo of a gunshot, signalling that a hunter is in the forest. Soon after, the whine of chainsaws begins.

Both poachers and ivory dealers risk five years in prison — if laws were enforced.

In Omo, Olabode and his tiny team trek each day through the forests, trying to stop its destruction.

“If we let the forest go, people will say, ‘we should have protected the elephants’,” he says. “But by then, it will be too late.”

*Adapted from an AFP report on Omo Forest.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/elephants-thrive-in-oguns-wild-forest.html

The United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva, Switzerland, has raised questions over the Zaria killings, which it said claimed the lives of 350 persons and those of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The development followed the Human Rights Committee review of civil and political rights situation in Nigeria. The Committee also noted with concern, rampant corrupt activities in the country.

The Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights, in a statement published on its website, Friday, said: “The Human Rights Committee concluded today its review of the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Nigeria.”

It noted that the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Audu Ayinla Kadiri, in his opening remarks, said the composition of the Nigerian delegation was a testimony to its commitment to the implementation of the Covenant. The Nigerian delegation consisted of representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the National Security Adviser, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Department of State Services, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Kadiri apologized for Nigeria’s inability to submit its second periodic report, adding that the country had implemented many initiatives to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, accountability, transparency and fairness of the justice system such as the development of justice sector reform action plans and the establishment of judicial research and training centres.

“The Nigerian Government was firmly committed to promote and protect the human rights of Nigerians. While much had been done in this regard, across a broad range of fields, the government acknowledged that challenges remained,” Kadiri reportedly said during the meeting.



But the Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights, said the Committee experts thanked the delegation for their presence and stressed that the purpose was to find common ground so that the Committee could formulate recommendations to help the government to move forward.

“They pointed out that corruption remained rampant and that implementation of the legislation was weak. They also asked the delegation to comment on recent events, notably the killing of people in Biafra region and the killing of 350 people in Zaria, in Kaduna province.

“Experts asked if there was a law that prohibited discrimination that would cover direct and intersected forms of discrimination. Was the Government considering repealing article 214 of the criminal code which criminalized sexual acts between persons of the same sex? What measures were in place to address the discriminatory effects of legislation on polygamy and repudiation?” the United Nations Human Rights Office said.

Kadiri however said in his concluding remarks that the dialogue between the committee and the Nigerian delegation had been interesting and illuminating and that the delegation had done its best to answer the experts’ questions.

“All is well that ends well,” Kadiri stated, adding that the delegation and the Committee shared a common purpose. “The delegation looked forward to cooperating further with the Committee,” Kadiri added.

Ahmed Amin Fathalla, Committee Chair, in his concluding remarks, thanked the delegation. “He recalled that parties to international legal instruments had to abide by their obligations. It had been a fruitful debate,” Fathalla said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/un-probes-ipob-shiites-killings.html

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu has reshuffled his cabinet.

The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye said the decision was to enhance optimal performance by members of the State Executive Council.

In the new arrangement, Mr. Kola Olawoye (SAN) is to serve as the

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Wale Akinterinwa is the Commissioner for Finance; Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan is to head the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, while Mr. Funso Esan is in charge of the Ministry of Environment.

Also, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi is now in charge of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Hon. Julianah Omolola Fagbemi (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Prof. Bayonile Ademodi (Regional Integration and Special Duties), Mr. Femi Agagu (Education, Science and Technology), Dr Wahab Adegbenro (Health), Mr. Rasheed Badmus (Physical Planning and Urban Development) while Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye heads the Works and Infrastructure ministry.

Others are Mr Adegboyega Adefarati who is in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Donald Ojogo (Information and Orientation), Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju (Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene), Mrs. Titilayo Adeyemi (Women Affairs and Social Development), Mr.

Temitayo Oluwatuyi (Natural Resources), Hon Fatai Olotu (Lands and Housing) and Mr Akindotun Olubunmi Owanikin (Youth and Sports Development).

Also, the Special Advisers appointed by Akeredolu include Dr. Olawumi Juliet Ilawole (Education), Mr. Akinboye Taiwo Oyewumi (Investment and Development) Mr. Tunji Ifabiyi (Commerce and Industry), Mr Tunji Ariyomo (Energy), and Mr Tobi Ogunleye (Transport).

Others are Mr. Alaba Isijola (Union Matters), Raimi Olayiwola Aminu

(Lands, Works and Infrastructure) Mrs. Olubunmi Olubukola Ademosu (Public and Inter-governmental Relations), Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye (Health), Mr Adekanye Olabimtan (Political Matters and Strategy), Babatunde Kolawole (Rural and Community Development) and Oyebo Aladetan (Niger Delta Affairs).

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/ondo-akeredolu-reshuffles-cabinet.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), said on Thursday it was planning to review its payment structure for energy joint ventures operating costs to ensure smooth financing for projects that have often struggled to secure timely contributions from the Federal Government over the years.

The new “incorporated joint venture” model would allow the ventures to operate as independent entities, so they could raise capital through equity or debt and then pay dividends to shareholders, NNPC said in its statement.

Under the current structure, International Oil Companies (IOCs) cover costs and issue cash calls to NNPC for its share.

But the Corporation, which is responsible for oil production that provides the bulk of government revenues, has rarely paid on time and had had to face bigger challenges after the 2014 oil price slump, which led to a sharp rise in its arrears.

Those arrears are being paid off with surplus oil output. But outgoing NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru said this payment arrangement was only a temporary measure, although it did not give details about the new structure or when it would be introduced.

He however said the new model could take the burden of regular payments off from NNPC, which has already announced plans to slash its stakes in the joint ventures to less than 40 per cent this year from between 55 per cent and 60 per cent in a bid to raise revenues for government.


The Corporation’s joint venture partners include Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil.

Meanwhile Italian prosecutors are widening an investigation into suspected obstruction of justice by officials of oil group Eni, sources said, threatening to open a new legal front for the company as it defends itself in a major corruption trial.

The inquiry is preliminary and has been overshadowed by the ongoing trial, which centres on the 2011 purchase of a Nigerian oilfield by Eni and oil major Shell, but it is gathering momentum, said three sources familiar with the probe.

Milan prosecutors have been questioning a growing number of people, and Eni itself is under investigation, over suspicions that a few company officials tried to discredit two key prosecution witnesses in the corruption case, the sources said.

Eni has said in public statements that it knew of no attempt to obstruct justice and would consider itself a victim if any crime of obstruction were shown to have been committed.

“Eni declares itself an offended party from any point of view linked to alleged activities aimed at diverting any investigations carried on by any Italian prosecuting authority,” the company said further in a statement to Reuters.

Prosecutors have not laid any charges against Eni officials or the group itself and their investigation may not lead to charges.

The 18-month-old probe is adding to the legal workload of top management, which has begun an internal investigation into possible obstruction, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

In the corruption case, Eni and Shell were accused of buying Nigeria’s OPL 245 offshore oilfield in the knowledge that the vast majority of the $1.3 billion purchase price would be siphoned off to agents and middlemen in corrupt payments.

Eni and Shell have denied any wrongdoing in that case, one of the industry’s biggest corruption scandals. They are being tried in Milan along with some of their managers, including Eni Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi, who have also denied wrongdoing.


In the obstruction investigation, prosecutors are looking into whether in 2015 and 2016 Eni’s then head of legal affairs, Massimo Mantovani, and other yet-to-be-identified Eni officials sought to discredit two independent board members who later became witnesses in the Nigeria case, the three sources said.

One of the two directors, Luigi Zingales, who has since left the board, told Reuters that at the time of the possible obstruction he and fellow independent director Karina Litvack were critical of the group’s handling of the Nigeria case, including its oversight of a broker firm used in the deal.

Litvack, still an Eni director, declined to comment.

Eni lawyers denied in trial hearings that the company’s anti-corruption controls were inadequate and in a statement to Reuters, the company said its governance and controls were effective, now and at the time of the oilfield purchase.

“Overall, Eni does not consider the statements by its former director Prof. Zingales a reasonable proxy to assess the governance and contractual functioning of ENI on OPL 245.”

Prosecutors are reviewing whether Mantovani, who now works for a European subsidiary of Eni, directed a conspiracy to file false criminal complaints against the two directors, alleging they had criminally defamed CEO Descalzi, the three sources added.

Mantovani, whose Rome and Milan offices were searched by prosecutors in February 2018, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer declined a request for comment.

The Nigeria case was still in an investigative stage when the complaints were made against Zingales and Litvack, alleging they had defamed Descalzi by implicating him in corruption over the Nigeria purchase, the sources added.

The anonymous complaints were investigated and dismissed by a Milan judge in September 2017.

Court records in the Nigeria graft trial show that the two directors never testified that Descalzi had known or was involved in corruption, only stating that Eni had lacked proper anti-corruption controls.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/nnpc-to-review-jv-payment-structure.html

One of the greatest players in our history during his long and illustrious career, Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge having signed a three-year contract.

The 41-year-old said: ‘I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach. Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead. I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started.’

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia (pictured above right) added: ‘It gives us great pleasure to welcome Frank back to Chelsea as head coach. Frank possesses fantastic knowledge and understanding of the club and last season, he demonstrated he is one of the most talented young coaches in the game.

‘After 13 years with us as a player, where he became a club legend and our record goalscorer, we believe this is the perfect time for him to return and are delighted he has done so. We will do everything we can to ensure he has all the support required to be a huge success.’

Lampard learned from some of the best managers in the history of the sport during his trophy-laden 13 years at Chelsea when he blazed a trail. Only Ron Harris, Peter Bonetti and John Terry played more than his 648 games and Lampard famously leads our all-time scoring chart with 211 goals. His goal touch allied with all-round quality and fantastic stamina helped change the way football views the modern central midfield player.

Lampard's dedication to improvement, versatility and reading of the game was exemplary, and those assets bode well as he begins life in charge of an elite Premier League club he knows inside out.

Not surprisingly Lampard has a fantastic relationship with the Chelsea supporters, who voted him their Player of the Year three times and who have sung his name regularly since he left in 2014. Everyone at the club is excited to see him patrolling the Stamford Bridge touchlines and leading the quest for more silverware.

As a player he was the man for the biggest occasions - not least when his goals fired the team to the league title at Bolton in 2005, when he provided the vital pass for Didier Drogba's winner in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley, or when he led the team in John Terry's absence in the Champions League final in Munich.

Lampard's brilliance was not just limited to the deluge of goals he netted over the years, nor was it confined to the significance of so many of those strikes. What really stands him out as one of the all-time greats was his extraordinary consistency.

He netted 20 or more goals for five consecutive seasons and according to Premier League statistics, he supplied the fourth-highest assists figure in the competition's history. He also made a record-breaking 164 consecutive league appearances between 2001 and 2005, still the highest for an outfield player.

Through this unflinching commitment, he blossomed from the solid Premier League midfielder he was when he joined Chelsea in 2001 to become the runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year awards four years later. No such global recognition has been bestowed on any other Chelsea player, before or since.

Lampard left Stamford Bridge in 2014 having won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and, of course, the Champions League. He is also the Blues player to have represented their country more than anyone else in our history. He retired from England duty with 106 caps and 29 goals to his name, hanging up his boots for good in February 2017 having left a remarkable legacy in the game as a player. We hope he will do likewise as a manager.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/breaking-frank-lampard-has-been.html

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday in Asaba swore in the first batch of eight commissioners with a charge on them to add value to the peoples’ lives through selfless service.

The commissioners are Mrs Flora Alatan, Chief James Augoye, Mr Basil Ganagana, Mr Peter Mrakpor, and Prof. Patrick Muoboghare and Chief Festus Ochonogor, Chief Chika Ossai and Chief Patrick Ukah.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor did not announce their portfolios dur the swearing-in ceremony.

Okowa described them as seasoned politicians and tested administrators and tasked them to work with the civil servants to ensure development in the state.

He emphasised that the new commissioners should be punctual, creative and have the zeal to go extra mile in carrying out their duties so as to transform the state’s economy and impact on the people.

He said: “you must lead by example. Do not expect your staff to be punctual if you are in the habit of coming late to the office.

“As the saying goes, everything rises and falls on leadership. The buck stops at your table.”

Responding on behalf of the others, Muoboghare thanked God for the appointment and appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve.

He pledged the commissioners’ resolve to render effective and efficient service to the people.

In an interview, Ukah, who was the immediate past Commissioner for Information, thanked God for his reappointment.

He noted that his re-appointment was a testimony of his stewardship in the past administration and pledged to justify the gesture.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/gov-ifeanyi-okowa-swears-in-first-batch.html

Am set

AIG Shehu Lawal, the Assistant Inspector-General of police Zone-2, has said that the zone was battle ready against any criminally minded herdsmen in Lagos and Ogun.

Lawal disclosed this on Monday while parading some suspected herdsmen, kidnappers and armed robbers at the Zone-2 headquarters, Onikan Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 26 suspected persons with 50 different arms and 250 different ammunition were recovered in the two states.


Lawal said there was no place for criminal herdsmen in Lagos and Ogun States, as Operation Puff Adder will check all forms of criminality in the zone.

“I am sending warning to herdsmen who want to commit any crime in Lagos and Ogun States to relocate. We are battle prepared for them. We have employed the public to give us information in time.

“The Puff Adder which was recently launched by both Lagos and Ogun commands is aimed at fighting violent crimes including the menace of herdsmen /farmers crises, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, banditry, land grabbers, rape among others,” he said.


The AIG said that a visible patrol had been deployed on the Lagos/ Shagamu interchange, especially on the long bridge between MFM Church Camp and Karrat Bridge notorious for armed robbery.

Lawal also assured residents of the two states of adequate security during the sallah holidays.

On the trend of negative stories on the social media, the AIG appealed to the public to verify their facts before posting such stories.

He stressed that false information could cause bigger crisis if not properly managed.

He also advised the media to help in correcting false information on the social media, urging them to verify stories from the appropriate authority before going to the press.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/06/no-place-for-criminal-herdsmen-in-lagos.html

Beyoncé is wearing a custom-made glittering, feathery golden catsuit featuring an image of a lion across the bodice For her mum’s annual Wearable Art Gala and we cannot get over her just yet.

Tina Lawson‘s annual gala for this year, was themed “A Journey to the Pride Lands,” inspired by Disney’s upcoming CGI-live action The Lion King reboot, in which Beyoncé provides the voice of Nala.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/06/check-out-beyonces-lion-king-inspired.html

Some financial experts have urged the Federal Government to pursue policies that would accelerate infrastructural rehabilitation and development as well as help tackle rising unemployment and population.

The experts made the appeal in separate interviews with told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

They were reacting to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele’s statement on May 22, that the country risked sliding back into recession if spiraling unemployment rate was not checked.

Emeifelee also said that the country’s economic growth was not growing at par with its population growth.

The CBN Governor, who spoke at the third Eminent Lecture Series of the University of Benin, said recent projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria would become the third most populated country after China and India should be taken seriously.

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun said that government must ensure quick passage of yearly budget and timely release of funds to accelerate infrastructural and other developments.

“The economy has not been growing as fast as it should be and no thanks to the tight money policy of the CBN and persistent delay in budget approval by the outgoing legislature.

“When an economy is coming out of recession, reflating the economy through directing credit to the real sector, particularly agriculture and manufacturing is essential,” Tella told NAN.

He stressed that the Bank of Industry and Agriculture must be empowered to perform their duties in ensuring credit flow to the real sector.

Tella said that government should redirect its focus by empowering the real sector, noting that real sector contributions would accelerate economic growth.

On population control, he said that government needed to revitalise education sector to reduce illiteracy in the country.

“We have to improve on the level of literacy as literate people know the importance of small family size to enjoy some quality standard of living.

“Poor people see large family as God’s compensation for their poverty.

“Also, rapid electricity supply in the rural areas through solar technology can keep the rural people awake for large part of nights by watching television programmes,” he said.

Tella explained that affordable and quality education and employment are of essence to curb rapid population growth, adding that no amount of legislation or use of contraceptives can solve the problem.

“The country can use tax reduction to generate employment and still earn the same amount or more from personal income tax.

“There is the need for planning the future of Nigeria going into the next decade,” Tella said.

Mr Sola Oni, a chartered stockbroker and Chief Executive Officer, Sofunix Investment and Communications, lamented over the country’s increasing unemployment rate.

“Unemployment in Nigeria is growing in leaps and bounds. At present, unemployment rate is conservatively hovering around 23 percent.

“If government tackles unemployment, particularly among the youths, it will have a multiplier effects of reducing insecurity. The way forward is not rocket science,” Oni said.

He urged government to create an enabling environment for business opportunities to thrive.

“Most of the existing companies are operating below capacity while high cost of doing business makes it almost impossible for new companies to spring up.

“Apart from the need for deliberate policy of bridging infrastructure gaps, government should encourage entrepreneurship with fiscal incentives.

“When companies operate optimally, they will expand and also create opportunities for our large unemployed group to work and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP),” Oni added.

He said that government should pursue some fiscal policies, such as tax holiday for new entrants into any sector, patronage of products and services of companies in Nigeria. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/rehabilitate-infrastructure-to-create.html

The Arewa Pastors For Peace Initiative, yesterday, prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of his inauguration for a second term.

President of the forum, Bishop John Richard said the prayers and fasting were necessary due to the challenges in the country.

The group said it believed in peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, warning against religious intolerance and utterances capable of truncating the country’s peace and progress.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/christian-forum-prays-for-buhari-ahead.html

The battle to stop the Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha from going to the Senate took another dimension on Saturday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was ordered not to issue a Certificate of Return to him as a senator-elect for Imo West.

The order was made by a High Court sitting in Owerri.

The court, in a suit filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate for Imo West Hon Jones Onyeriri against the INEC, ordered that the status quo be maintained until the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The presiding judge, Justice E.F. Njemanze, adjourned the case till June 5 2019, for hearing.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/why-court-stopped-gov-okorocha-from.html

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling and Saturday’s declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who contested in the 2019 general elections will get their Certificates of Return next week.


The development means the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not hold a single elective position from June 2019 when the new executive and legislative occupants would gave been sworn in the state.

At a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, who declared PDP candidate, Bello Matawalle, winner of Zamfara State governorship election, said he and his deputy will get their certificates on Monday, May 27 in Abuja.


However, others will get theirs at the INEC office in Zamfara on Friday, May 31.

Below is complete list of Zamfara PDP candidates, who are now the winners:

GOVERNORSHIP


Bello Matawalle

DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP

Mahdi Gusau


SENATE

Ya’u Sahabi – Zamfara north

Mohammed Hassan – Zamfara central


Lawali Hassan – Zamfara West

HOUSE OF REPS

Umar Dan-Galadima – Kaura-Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency


Bello Hassan Shinkafi – Shinkafi/Zurmi federal constituency

Kabiru Amadu – Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency

Shehu Ahmed – Bungudu/Maru federal constituency


Kabiru Yahaya – Anka/Talata Mafara federal constituency

Ahmed Bakura – Bakura/Maradun federal constituency

Sulaiman Gum – Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency

STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Zaharadeen M. Sada – Kaura Namoda north constituency

Nura Daihiru – Birnin Magaji constituency

Salihu Zurmi – Zurmi east constituency

Nasiru Muazu – Zurmi west constituency

Muhammad G. Ahmad – Shinkafi constituency

Musa Bawa Musa – Tsafe east constituency

Aliyu Namaigora – Tsafe west constituency

Ibrahim Naidda – Gusau east constituency

Shafiu Dama – Gusau west constituency

Kabiru Magaji – Bungudu east constituency

Nasiru Bello Lawal – Bungudu west constituency

Yusuf Alhassan Muh – Maru north constituency

Saidu Umar – Maru south constituency

Yusuf Muhammad – Anka constituency

Shamudeen Hassan – Talata-Mafara north constituency

Aminu Yusuf Jangebe – Talata-Mafara south constituency

Tukur Jekada – Bakura constituency

Faruk Musa Dosara – Maradun I constituency

Nasiru Atiku – Maradun II constituency

Abdulnasir Ibrahim – Gummi I constituency

Mansur Mohammed – Gummi II constituency

Ibrahim Mohammed Naidda – Bukkuyum north constituency

Sani Dahiru – Bukkuyum south constituency

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/zamfara-full-list-of-pdp-candidates-to.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday berated political parties for abandoning their agents during the 2019 General Elections.
The electoral body said some of the agents had to compromise because they were hungry.
Making this known, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Niger State, Prof. Sam Egwu, said the cost of democracy in Nigeria is too high.
According to him: “Most political parties could not afford to even feed their agents during the 2019 General Elections.”
Prof. Egwu said in Minna at the 2019 General Elections Report Presentation organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Information Chapel that most of the political parties don’t know their manifestos and so did not have anything to offer.
The Resident Commissioner while disclosing that the INEC in Niger State uploaded all results to the INEC Headquarters within 72 hours after the elections, said: “Every information you want as regards the General Elections are readily available”.
“We should think of the costings for elections in Nigeria.
“It is a very big issue; we put so much in the elections, so much that we usually don’t have enough left for service delivery.
“The cost of printing ballot paper is too much and almost equivalent to that of printing money.
“We pay so much because of lack of trust.
“We need to be transparent and open so that the people can trust us.
“No democracy can thrive without the middle class.”
Furthermore, Egwu lambasted the attitude of most politicians who believe they can always buy their way, adding: “Politicians are very terrible and desperate.
“They want to pay for everything.
“They don’t want to follow the due and right process.”
Presenting the report, the initiator, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed, said: “Some of the Political Party Agents complained that they didn’t have any form of synergy with their parties.
“They need capacity building, monitoring and most of them lacked knowledge of elections.”
Also in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Danjuma Salau, called for a cut down in the cost of elections and governance in the country.
According to Salau: “The interest of the country must be first in our hearts; the cost of elections is very vital, it should be cut down.
“We should consider that some things are not necessary.
“Why should we be printing our ballot papers abroad when the cost is too high?
“We can also reduce the cost of governance so that the masses can also benefit in terms of development.
“When there is trust, there won’t be need for vote buying.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/2019-elections-why-agents-of-some.html

The All Progressives Congress has put in place strategies to ensure that the President of the Senate, Bulola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, do not influence the election of presiding officers for the Ninth National Assembly, Akelicious has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the national leadership of the party and the preferred candidates for the positions of presiding officers had arranged a series of meetings with members-elect to douse apprehension.


It was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari had held Iftar (dinner for breaking of fasting) with members-elect as part of the plans.

An APC chieftain told our correspondent that the party would work hard to thwart whatever plans Saraki and Dogara had against the emergence of its anointed candidates.

Akelicious had reported that the APC leadership had endorsed Senators Ahmed Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege as the next President of the Senate and Deputy Senate President, respectively.

It also reported that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and Ahmed Wase, had been anointed as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively for the House of Representatives.

But a member of the National Working Committee of the APC said party leaders were aware of counter-moves by Dogara to frustrate the agenda of the ruling party.

He said, “We are aware of clandestine meetings he had been having with some members of the House of Representatives against the wish of the APC.

“We are not surprised because he is no longer our member; but we are watching keenly the activities of our members who had been meeting with him.

“The agenda is for the party and everybody to respect party supremacy.”


Another chieftain of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the party, was also monitoring developments in the Senate as some senators in the opposition PDP had stepped up their game to cause disaffection among the APC members, with Saraki at the background.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the party was not threatened by the influence of Saraki and Dogara.

He said, “I will advise we stop talking about Dr Saraki as far as the Ninth National Assembly is concerned.


“By the time President Muhammadu Buhari will be inaugurating the Ninth National Assembly, Saraki would have become a former member. So, he is to us irrelevant to this discussion.

“Dogara would be a floor member and of the opposition party, so he has no role to play in deciding who rules for the majority.”

Saraki and Dogara had emerged in 2015 as President of the Senate and Speaker against the wish of the APC, which they then belonged.

Issa-Onilu, however, expressed confidence that the situation would be different this time.

He said, “What happened in 2015 was a coup against the people of this country. It was a very unpatriotic action. Our President told them (members-elect) that much when they had Iftar(breaking of fasting) with him.

“I can assure you that the party has done enough to ensure that those that ran on our platform are loyal members who share in the vision of the party, who understand that we have a mandate to save this country from the PDP and their nefarious collaborators.

“They also understand that it would be a betrayal of the President, the party, and indeed, majority of electorate to work for those who the people rejected at the polls.”

https://punchng.com/ninth-assembly-apc-moves-to-check-saraki-dogaras-influence/

President Muhammadu Buhari will preside over the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, exactly a week before his inauguration for another four-year tenure.

The Federal Executive Council is the cabinet of Nigeria and is made up of the President, Vice-President and ministers appointed by the President. Other members are
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and Chief of Staff to the President.

The body formalises Section 148, subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution that says that:

“The President shall hold regular meetings with the Vice-President and all the Ministers of the Government of the Federation for the purposes of –

(a) determining the general direction of domestic and foreign policies of the Government of the Federation;

(b) co-ordinating the activities of the President, the Vice-President and the Ministers of the Government of the Federation in the discharge of their executive responsibilities; and

(c) advising the President generally in discharge of his executive functions other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this Constitution to seek the advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body.”

Most of the 36 ministers were sworn-in on 11 November 2015, with President Buhari holding the Ministry of Petroleum as its substantive minister.

President Buhari essentially kept the team, with few exits in the last three and half years.

Barrister James Ocholi, the minister of state for Labour & Employment was the first to take a tragic bow, about four months after he was appointed. He died 6 March 2016 in an accident on Abuja-Kaduna road.

Next was the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, who went on to become the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations.

Two of the original ministers also resigned to contest for political offices. They were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, who was then Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, and Aisha Al-hassan, who went to run for governorship seat in Taraba, after falling out with the All Progressives Congress.

Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs also left to run for a House of Representatives seat in Yobe. She won.

Kemi Adeosun, who was the original Minister of Finance left amidst proof that she forged her NYSC certificate.

In December last year, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, Minister of State for Environment quit to become the 13th Emir of Nasarawa emirate in Nasarawa State.

The President also made some new ministerial appointments in the course of the tenure. One of them was Suleiman Hassan, who was initially appointed Minister of state for Power in 2017. Later, he became the Minister of Environment, following the exit of Emir Ibrahim Usman Jibril.

Also appointed in 2017 was Professor Stephen Ocheni, who replaced late Barrister Ocholi.

President Buhari had on April 17 asked for a comprehensive “status reports on policies, programmes and projects” from cabinet members on their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

The deadline for submission of the reports to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President was April 24.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had said that despite the valedictory session today, the cabinet will not be dissolved simultaneously.


In a statement issued in Abuja on 25 April, the minister said it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the cabinet anytime he chooses.


The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Segun Adeyemi, clarified the minister’s earlier statement to State House correspondents after Thursday’s FEC meeting in Abuja.


‘’It is inaccurate to extrapolate from my statement – that the FEC valedictory session will hold on 22 May – to say that the President will dissolve the cabinet on the same day.


“They do not mean the same thing,” he said.

Some of the Original Ministers:
Chris Ngige – (Anambra) Minister of Labour & Employment, Rotimi Amaechi – (Rivers) Minister of Transportation, Babatunde Fashola -(Lagos) Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Abdulrahman Dambazau- (Kano) Minister of Interior, Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi) Minister of Science and Technology, Abubakar Malami – (Kebbi) Minister of Justice & Attorney-General.

Sen Hadi Sirika – (Katsina) Minister of State, Aviation, Barr. Adebayo Shittu – (Oyo) Minister of Communication, Suleiman Adamu – (Jigawa) Minister of Water Resources, Solomon Dalong – (Plateau) Minister for Youth and Sports, Ibe Kachikwu – (Delta) Minister of State, Petroleum.

Dr Osagie Ehanire – (Edo) Minister of State, Health, Audu Ogbeh – (Benue) Minister of Agriculture, Udo Udo Udoma – (Akwa Ibom) Minister of Budget & National Planning, Lai Mohammed – (Kwara) Minister of Information, Ibrahim Usman Jibril – (Nasarawa) Minister of State, Environment.

Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo) Minister of State, Niger Delta, Prof Anthony Onwuka (Imo) Minister of State, Education, Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dan Ali (Zamfara) Minister of Defence, Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna) formerly Minister of State Budget and National Planning and now Minister of Finance

Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia) Minister of Trade, Investment & Industry, Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa) Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Borno) Minister of State, Power, Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) Minister of State, Trade & Investment and also took over the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa) Minister of State, Agriculture, Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) Minister of Education, Isaac Adewole (Osun) Minister of Health, Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Niger) Minister of State for Mines, Pastor Usani Uguru (Cross River) Minister of Niger Delta.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/buhari-ministers-in-valedictory-fec.html

The Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, says the Federal Government (FG) will electrify 37 federal universities under the energising education programme of present administration.

Fashola disclosed this during an inspection visit to the one Mega Watt (1 MW) hybrid solar power plant project at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi.

The minister noted that the project was one of the policy interventions of the FG aimed at breaking down access to power especially to the rural communities.


According to him, the intervention project at the university is one of the projects created by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s rural electrification strategic implementation plans.

He said that the project in the 37 federal government owned universities would power the entire university communities.

He noted that electrification project at AE-FUNAI would soon be completed and inaugurated by Mr President.


“The Alex Ekwueme university electrification project under the energising education initiative is among the 37 federal universities mapped out for electrification and the project is due for completion this year.

“This is 1mw solar power plant and 3,500 solar panels are being installed; it comes with eight-kilometre lighting and we are in the last phase of the implementation”, Fashola said.

The minister said that rural electrification programme was an indication that policies enunciated by the FG since the privatisation of the power sector were beginning to take foothold.

He said that there was a policy for eligible customers which was targeted at industries and heavy consumers where an estimated two million consumers would be captured.

He said that there was also a policy to energise markets and stressed that the policy had led to the interventions at Ariaria (Aba), Sabongeri (Kano), and other markets across the country.


He added that the intervention project at the federal universities which involved students was part of policies to ensure that universities had their independent power plants which they could service and maintain.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister inspected the power panel station, control room, transformers and other vital components of the plant.

Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Vice Chancellor of the university, commended Buhari for his intervention programme in the power sector and for choosing the institution as one of the benefiting federal universities. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/fg-begins-electrification-of-37-federal.html

A Lagos State High Court currently has a charge bothering on unlawful interference with property, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016, before it.

Lagos socialite, Buhari Oloto alongside four others is involved in the case.

High court Charge Number LD/8821C/2019 dater 18th February and signed by Mr Henry Obiazi, a Deputy Supretendent of Police on behalf of the Inspector General listed Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar and Chief Edward Akande as co-defendants. The police gave the particular of the offence as follows: “Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar and a Chief Edward Akande between January and April, 2016 at Alaka area of Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully interfered with a vast expanse of land, property of the Registered Trustees of the Estate of Late Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu and prevented the trustees, their lawful representatives and genuine purchaser of the portions of the said land, from making use of the said property and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(3) of the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016.” ALSO READ: Atiku demands N500m for defamation The said land was said to be in peaceful possession of the Registered Trustees of the Estate of Late Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu. They were also charged with forcible entry, contrary to section 3 of the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016. The police accused the defendants of entering the land in a manner that likely to cause a breach of peace. The defendants were also accused of forcible possession of land contrary to section 4 the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016. Particulars of count 3 read: “Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar and a Chief Edward Akande between January and April, 2016 at Alaka area of Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, without a claim of right, forcibly took and held possession of the landed property of the Registered Trustees of the Estate of Late Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, located at Alaka Area of Lagos State and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 4(3) of the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law of 2016” The case has been scheduled for June 11 for the police to produce the accused persons.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/buhari-dragged-to-court-for-property.html

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced the death of a part 3 student in the department of Microbiology, Mr Akorede Kayode Omotola, who reportedly slumped and died on Friday while playing football.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju.

According to the statement, Omotola was immediately rushed to the University Health Centre where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Osun State, regret to announce that one of our students, a part 3 student in the Department of Microbiology, OMOTOLA, Akorede Kayode, died suddenly on Friday, 17th of May, 2019.

“The student was playing football with his colleagues when he suddenly slumped. He was subsequently rushed to the University Health Centre where he was confirmed dead on arrival. All measures to resuscitate him proved abortive.

“The management hereby commiserate with the parents, family, classmates, colleagues and the entire University Community over this irreparable loss. And may the good Lord grants us all the fortitude to bear the loss”, the statement read.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/oau-speaks-on-sudden-death-of-student.html

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected armed robber after his gang engaged the police in gun battle.

Police Pulblic Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday said on Friday, at about 10.20pm, a team of policemen from Okokomaiko Police Station, on surveillance patrol intercepted a gang of traffic robbery suspects, at Cassidy bus stop, Okokomaiko.

He said the hoodlums engaged the police in a gun battle but eventually succumbed to the superior power of the Police.

“One of the hoodlums was fatally injured and one Adigun Ganiyu ‘M’ 26 years old, was arrested, while other gang members escaped. One Double barrel gun with one live cartridge and two expanded cartridges were recovered. One motorcycle used by the hoodlums for the robbery operation was also recovered.

“The suspect confessed that their gang is responsible for series of traffic robbery along Okokomaiko and he is helping investigators with useful information about his fleeing Colleagues. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.

In a related development on Saturday, Elkana said at about 2030hrs, surveillance patrol team attached to Ilemba Hausa Police Station, intercepted a gang of traffic robbery suspects operating on motorcycle along Church bus stop Ilemba and shooting sporadically.

“One justice igboanusi, 29 years old of no 11 Jinadu Street Ajangbadi was arrested and one short double barrels gun with one live cartridge was recovered from him while other gang members escaped. Investigation is ongoing. Suspects will be charged to Court,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/police-robbers-in-gun-battle-in-lagos.html

A philanthropist and oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, has doled out N185 million to Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCEN) for construction of its hostel and students’ feeding. The donation was in response to the protracted accommodation challenge facing the students which compelled many of them to live off campus. Prince Eze, who donated the money to the management of the school after laying foundation stone of the ultra modern hostel project, said N125 million would be used for construction of the hostel, N50 million for feeding of the students, while his friend and associates supported him with the sum of N10 million.

Speaking after handing over the cheque to the Provost of the institution, Dr. Ifeyinwa Osegbo, Eze explained that he embarked on construction of the state-of-the-art hostel for the college due to his love for education. He stressed that the gesture was his own way of supporting the development of Anambra State, promising to add N50 million more for students’ feeding so as to make them come out with flying colour.

In her remarks, the Provost of the College, Dr. Osegbo described the project as a big relief to the College, adding that school accommodation would prevent students from indulging in immoral behaviours such as cultism, prostitution armed robbery among other vices.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/arthur-eze-doles-out-n185-million-to.html

No fewer than 40 physically challenged persons, 188 youths and women, on Friday, received N300,000 each from the Federal Government at the graduation ceremonies organised by the Ministry Of Niger Delta Affairs for trainees in Edo, Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

The ministry, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Press, Stephen Kilebi, on Saturday, said 104 youths and women, who trained in fishery and poultry farming, graduated in Benin City, Edo State, while 84 graduated in Asaba, Delta State.


Also, 40 physically challenged persons, trained in bead-making, embroidery, confectionery and entrepreneurship, were said to have graduated at Amayam Clan, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The statement read, “The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, represented by a Deputy Director in the Economic Empowerment Department of the ministry, Philip Ndiomu, in Benin City, told the trainees to put the knowledge gained to good use.”

Usani said the training programmes were aimed at equipping participants with practical and theoretical knowledge on poultry and fishery products as well as other business management skills that would make their individual businesses grow.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/228-trainees-graduate-receive-n68m-from.html

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the achievements he made in government to constant prayers from Nigerians.

The ex-President also urged Nigerians to pray and support the federal government’s effort in tackling insecurity while speaking on Friday at the third session of the 10th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, held in Abuja.

“As a nation, from the beginning, we’ve been passing through a lot of challenges; the issues of kidnapping and armed robbery,” he said.

“Even to travel to very near cities such as Kaduna is becoming a nightmare to Nigerians. With constant prayers, the country will get through all its challenges.

“For me, who you all gave privilege of being president for five years, the little achievements we made were through your constant prayers. Whenever, I have opportunity, I thank you for the support you gave me.”

Jonathan also denied the allegations of withdrawing billions of naira from the nation’s treasury while in office.

He described reports on this it as false and misleading.

Nicholas Okoh, primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), lamented the failure of those in government to punish evil doers within their fold.

He said the country is currently in short supply of servant-leader politicians.

He highlighted the qualities of servant leaders and tasked governments at all levels to maintain justice and fairness.

“Under the servant leadership model, power comes from gaining the trust and support of people, and is given freely as a gift,” he said.

“Power is a means for helping others, and not an end in itself. It’s to be exercised on behalf of others. It’s only a tool, and its true test is determined by the improved welfare of people.

“Do we have agents of government who believe in being guided by the servant-leader spirit in relationship with their constituencies? Do they really serve their people or use them and dump till another election time?

“We must pray for servant leader politicians at federal, state, and local government levels as well as traditional ruler. “Some politicians are trying to outsmart their people by stealing and heaping riches without improving the lives of their countrymen. That’s why our country is in a terrible short supply of service-oriented politicians, statesmen and women.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/i-overcame-challenges-as-president.html

The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has emerged as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum for the next four years.


He was elected by his counterparts during the meeting of the forum which held in Kaduna on Friday.

Earlier, Akelicious reported that Governors of the 19 Northern states in the meeting appealed to the federal government to strategise and come up with measures that could permanently deal with the issue of insecurity in the region.


Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick and immediate response to issues of insecurity in the region which of recent, seems to be deteriorating.

Shettima, who is the outgoing chairman, explained that the forum has introduced and implemented quite a number of measures to stem the tide of security challenges in the region.

He further appealed to the Federal Government to restrategise and come up with measures that could deal with the situation more permanently.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/gov-lalong-elected-as-chairman-of.html

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu has shrugged off the allegation that he is on a personal vendetta against the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

He said that there was nothing personal in the fresh investigation of the Senate President by the commission, stressing that EFCC can investigate anybody at any time.

He spoke shortly after receiving an award of ‘Outstanding Leadership in Public Service’ from Euro Knowledge Group.

The commission recently launched an investigation into the earnings of Saraki during his eight-year tenure as governor of Kwara State as well as contract awards and spending by the Senate under his leadership.

Saraki’s spokesman, Yusuf Olaniyonu, claimed the fresh investigation of his boss by EFCC was a witch-hunt.

He said: “This new investigation into his activities as Governor of Kwara State is a repeat performance. The EFCC is fishing for evidence that they did not get in the past investigations which have spanned almost nine years,” he said.

“To single out one individual for persistent investigation can only be logically and plausibly interpreted to be a witch-hunt. This is definitely no fight against corruption. It is a battle waged against a ‘political enemy.’ It is a ‘label to damage’ plot.”

However, Magu insisted that there is nothing personal in the investigation. Instead, he said the new move was in line with the duty of the commission to investigation anybody residing in the country no matter how highly placed.

He said: “No, it is not personal, it is not personal. I am not after anybody on personal ground. His is not different from other investigations that we are doing.”

Beyond Saraki, Magu denied the recurring allegation that he is on a witch-hunt against some individuals. He said: “No, no, never, never. Have I gone for those who are innocent? We invite those who have committed financial crimes, those who are corrupt. If you are not corrupt you are not in EFCC. If you are not a 419, internet fraudster or yahoo boy you cannot be in EFCC. We do our homework very well.


“Sometimes we conduct investigation up to six months on a particular matter. The person will not even know that he or she is being investigated. We have investigated people for more than five years without them knowing. I have no reason witch-hunt anybody.”

He described corruption as a national malaise that should be jointly fought by Nigerians.

The EFCC boss said: “Corruption is a national disaster which every Nigerian should fight. It is the mother of all evils. All these banditries, Boko Haram insurgency and other social ills are rooted in corruption. They are sustained by corruption.”

On the award given to him by Euro Knowledge Group, he said it was encouraging to receive such honour from a credible organisation.

He said: “It is encouraging; I welcome such an award. We do a background check before accepting any award. We are ready to work with those who show genuine willingness to join in the fight against corruption.

“We are mobilising every Nigerian to come and join us in the fight against corruption.”

He regretted that some people were yet to see corruption as an evil that must be tackled headlong. Magu emphasised that there is an urgent need to join forces against bribe-taking even as he called for an increased campaign against corruption at all levels.

In her short speech, Chairman of the group, Mrs Olayinka Fayomi, described corruption as a problem that must be fought and addressed. She recommended that the campaign against corruption must be taken to all age groups, museum and centres.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/im-not-on-personal-fight-against-saraki.html