Members of the Chief Ralph Uwazuruike-led Biafran Independent Movement (BIM) and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), yesterday, laid the foundation stone for its Awka South Regional Secretariat in honour of the late Biafran warlord, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Named Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Freedom Centre, Awka, the pro-Biafra group said building the edifice in honour of the great Ojukwu in Anambra State is a consolidation of its struggle for the take off of the independent republic of Biafra.

MASSOB-BIM leader, Warri South Region, Chief Joseph Odikpo, who represented Chief Uwazurike said with the unrelenting spirit of the pro-Biafra group, the government should read the handwriting on the wall and realise that Biafra has come to stay.

He attributed the various crisis in different parts of Nigeria and the escalating activities of bandits, herdsmen and Boko Haram in the North as a manifestation of Ojukwu’s statement after the Nigerian government betrayed Biafra.

He noted that nature was indirectly fighting enemies of Biafra.

He lauded the Regional Head of Awka South, Chief Arinze Igbani for towering above his contemporaries in the Biafran struggle and disclosed that MASSOB-BIM operates in all zones and areas in the South East and South South with a national headquarters in Owerri and a freedom house in Okigwe, Imo State.

The pro-Biafra group warned Anambra State government and its agents against disturbing its members and reminded Governor Willie Obiano that it was MASSOB-BIM led by Chief Uwazuruike that eventually ensured that plans by IPOB members to stop the governorship election in November 2017 was scuttled, leading to a successful election that gave him victory in the state.

The Awka South Regional Head, Chief Arinze Igbani said the foundation stone laying was in line with what Uwazuruike said earlier that Anambra will take a prime position in the Biafra republic because of the toils of Ojukwu despite the fact that some people still despise the name of Ojukwu in the state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/massob-bim-builds-ojukwu-freedom-centre.html

The Association of Resident Doctors of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Amaku Awka, have embarked on an indefinite strike.


The doctors said the strike was over what they described as the inability of the State Government to honour the agreement it signed with the body on 17th January, 2019, during the resident doctors’ warning strike.

In a release signed by the president of the association, Dr. Obinna Aniagboso and made available to newsmen in Awka, the doctors said, “This course has become inevitable following the failure of the State Government to honour the agreement it signed with us on 17th January, 2019 during our warning strike.


“We recall that an agreement was signed with the State Government that by April 2019, the following policies would be implemented in the hospital: Provision of adequate infrastructure that would improve clinical and diagnostic proficiency for improved patient’s care and specialist training.

“Completion and adoption of staff condition of service including granting of In-service training to qualified medical officers.

“Placement of staff in the appropriate salary scale with implementation of full welfare package as obtainable in other tertiary institutions.”


It said, “To point out some facts and throw more lights on these issues: the dearth of modern equipment and diagnostic facilities have been impeding efficient health care delivery, hampering Residency training, research and academic progress and thus posing a serious blow to patients’ treatment and production of needed specialist manpower.

“For instance, a considerable amount of patients’ investigations are outsourced at increased cost, the length of admission is increased and with the rising service cost all translating into enormous financial burden for the common man.”

The resident doctors maintained that it was a fact that health workers in the state-owned hospital earned the least in the country if not in the whole of West Africa, adding that it is also no news that doctors in the hospital earn below 50 per cent of their actual entitlement compared to their counterparts elsewhere.


“This meagre income hardly meets the bare necessities of life for the doctor and his family, let alone sponsoring professional exams and academic courses of Residency Programme. Again, Staff of the hospital have been subjected to professional stagnation without promotion or progress since employment.

“This pitiful situation has been going on for about 7 years now since inception of the teaching hospital. Consequently, our doctors have become the laughing stock of their colleagues.

“Frustration and disgrace have led to steady exodus of highly qualified and experienced personnel including consultants and senior residents, thus rendering the workforce unstable and undermined.


“Obviously, the remnant of the workforce is thrown into severe exertion and exploitation hence the recurring incidence of slumps among doctors overstretched and hyper-exhausted on duty. Needless to say, in this scenario, patients’ care and Residency Training Programme suffer terribly.

“Indeed, it is sad of note that the hospital being a strategically located tertiary health facility with so much great potentials of supplying intensive specialist care, generating seasoned doctors and cutting-edge researches has been underperforming due to poor funding and government commitment.

“We are by this means appealing to our able State Governor to hear our prayers and hearken to the plight of his Health Workers and that of Anambra Citizens. We deeply commend him for his teeming goodwill and landmark innovations in the state.


“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or difficulties this industrial dispute might pose especially to our dear patients. We do this for the betterment of our State’s Health Sector, for quality and affordable health care, for posterity,” the statement read.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/anambra-resident-doctors-begin.html

Policemen serving with Lagos Police Command are lamenting non-payment of allowances and running cost to ensure adequate security in the state.

The officers accused Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of abandoning the state police command, thereby, grounding its activities in the twilight of his administration.

According to one of the sources, “There are insinuations that the governor is not happy because his second term ambition was botched, but Police in the state should not suffer for it. Since the governor is counting days, he should not spoil his past good record of supporting security agencies.”

Lagos, like other states, receives monthly security votes, used to fund security structures. Security vote in Nigeria is a monthly allowance that is allocated to the 36 states for the sole purpose of funding security services.

Lagos State gets about N17.149bn annually of which N15.559 bn is for public order and safety and N1.59 bn is for Social Protection.

Reacting to the alarm raised by the police, Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, Habib Haruna maintained that no governor has invested so much on security in the state than his principal.

“I don’t think we are not funding the Police. It is not true as far as I know. Security of the state remains top priority of the government. Please, get your facts right. No governor has invested so much on security than Governor Ambode,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/police-say-non-payment-of-allowances.html

Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has formally written to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to commend the senate for the unpredicted support he has received from the legislative body since his appointment.

Adamu, in the letter dated April 25, thanked the upper legislative chamber for passing some critical bills to ease the work of the police.


According to him, the legislative support so far received by his office and the police force were commendable and appreciated by the Police generally.

He specifically mentioned the Police Trust Fund bill passed by the Senate and the Police Act (Amendment) bill, which has also been passed by the National Assembly.

Adamu also thanked the Senate for expressly working on the Police Academy Establishment bill, which he said, if passed will help restore the lost primacy of the police.

The letter read in part: “We appreciate in particular your goodwill, trust and support, which led to the passage of the Police Trust Fund Bill, the Police Act (Amendment ) bill and the ongoing speedy consideration of the Police Academy (Establishment ) bill.

“It is noted that the procession of these bills, which are articulated for the administrative and operational efficacy as well as long term capacity development of the police, have been lingering in the National Assembly.

“It is, therefore, a mark of landmark honour that the Senate facilitated the passage of the bills following our recent meeting and appeal to you and the Senate leadership.

“Furthermore, we are deeply appreciative of the concerns of the Senate for the funding inadequacy of the Nigerian Police and the commitment of the Senate to support our operations and reform agenda with the enhancement of our budgetary appropriation.”

The Acting Inspector General of Police had on Tuesday appeared before the Senate, in a closed-door session, the first of its kind in the last three years to brief the Senate about steps being taken to address the myriad of security problems facing the country.

Adamu’s predecessor, Ibrahim Idris, had maintained a hostile relationship with the National Assembly and refused to appear before the lawmakers each time he was invited.

The former IG at a time, dragged the Senate to court, while the Police as an institution also dragged Saraki, Senators Dino Melaye and Ben Murray Bruce to court over alleged assault on some policemen during a protest rally within the precincts of the Force Headquarters, Abuja last November.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly yesterday summoned the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, to brief it on the current state of facilities and healthcare services in the nation’s Teaching hospitals.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled: “Alarming Report on Poor Quality of Services in Nigerian Teaching Hospitals,” moved by Senator David Umaru (Niger East) who expressed concern that most teaching hospitals in the country have been overstretched, “forcing patients to sleep on bare floors, plastic mats and other unhygienic conditions that put them at the risk of contracting other ailments”.

The Senate, therefore, mandated its committee on health to within one week hold an emergency investigative hearing on the state of healthcare services in the nation’s Teaching Hospitals.

It also urged the federal government to urgently adopt short and long term measures “that will holistically address the challenges confronting our Teaching Hospitals and retool them for excellent tertiary healthcare services in the country”.

The Senate also yesterday confirmed the nomination of former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tunde Lemo, as Chairman of the board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Nurudeen Rafindadi as Managing Director.

This was sequel to the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on FERMA headed by Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) that screened the nominees whose names were forwarded to the Senate last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Six executive directors of FERMA whose nominations were also confirmed include Oladapo Kolawole, Buba Abdullahi,Mujaidu Dako, Babagana Aji, Loretta Aniagolu and Shehu Abdullahi

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/09/ig-writes-saraki-lauds-senate-for-supporting-police-reforms/?amp

The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Works has commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the massive road projects going on in the rural areas of the state in spite economic challenges.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Chuma Obieze, gave the commendation at the quarterly oversight function of the assembly at Oji-River Local Government Headquarters of Enugu State on Tuesday.

Obieze said that the committee had just commence the supervision of ongoing road projects in the state, adding that it would cut across the 17 council areas to ensure that the proper thing was being done by the contractors.

He said that the road projects had both phase one, two and the extension.

“As you can see, when we are moving round, we passed through Ufuma that is the border between Enugu and Anambra states and Inyi in Akpugoeze, all in Oji River Local Government of Enugu State.

The committee chairman said that one of the contractors whose site was visited was Mr Anayo Onwegbu, who is the son of the soil, adding that they did not expect less from him as he was known for quality jobs.

“We are impressed, we also took time to visit some of the projects being handled by the local government chairman and his team, some of them is the office extension and administrative hall all within the council area.

“Others are Ugwumba Housing project and the market project too, we are impressed that at the local government area they are not leaving all the developmental projects to the governor alone.

“The local governments are also doing their beat to ensure that they bring development to the people at the grassroots.

“The committee is impressed with the visit and urged every local government to emulate the good works going on in Oji River LGA,” he said.

The chairman said that phase one and two of the roads was totalled about 10km and works had reached advanced stages.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/enugu-assembly-commends-gov-ugwuanyi.html

The Governorship, National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal in Katsina State says it will not entertain any form of delay tactics by counsel during its sitting.

The Tribunal was constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulckachuwa , to handle petitions arising from the elections of Feb. 23 and March 9.

Justice Hadiza Ali-Jos, the Tribunal Chairperson, who gave the warning during the inaugural sitting of the panel on Monday in Katsina, said: ”the strategies of delaying proceedings will not work.

”We are expected to deliver judgment on each petition within 180 days from the day of filing of the petition.

“We wish to categorically state that no unnecessary delaying strategy will be accommodated by this tribunal.

“We are calling on counsels as stakeholders to ensure that justice is done rather than win their case at all cost.

“We cannot afford to sideline Justice for our personal interest. If anything bad is our personals interest. If any thing bad is said about the Judiciary as stakeholders, counsel are also affected.

In his remarks, counsel to Gov. Aminu Masari, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, assured that all counsel to parties will support the tribunal to discharged it duties quickly.

In his comment, counsel to the PDP Governorship candidate, Sen. Lado Danmarke, Mr Patrick Okolo, SAN, pledged his support while urging the panel to abide by the rule of law.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/elections-tribunal-in-katsina-warns.html

The growing adoption and investment in financial technology has earned 11 deposit money banks about N124.5bn revenue from electronic transactions in 2018.

Nigerian banks have continued to introduce digital products into the financial sector and their operations, organising hackathons in order to develop tech solution to address problems in the industry, sponsoring innovation competitions and introducing chatbot and Whatsapp banking to improve user experience.


All these are believed to have contributed to the growth experienced in the revenue from electronic transactions by the banks.

Analyses of the audited 2018 annual reports of 11 banks showed their revenue from electronic transactions grew by 43 per cent year-on-year from the N86.72bn earned by the financial institutions in 2017.

The revenue was generated from the fees and commission that the banks charged their customers when they carried out transactions through Automated Teller Machines, USSD, Internet banking, Point of Sale payments and agency banking.

Some of the banks assessed are Zenith Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Fidelity Bank Plc.

Others are Jaiz Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Wema Bank Plc.

First Bank earned the highest income on its electronic products in 2018, reporting N34.03bn revenue, a 36 per cent increase in revenue from N24.99bn in the corresponding period of 2017.

UBA ranked second, reporting N27.92bn revenue from electronic transactions, a 33 per cent increase from the N20.92bn generated during the same period in 2017.

With N20.42bn revenue, Zenith Bank reported a 44 per cent increase in its electronic banking income in 2018 as against N14.15bn earned in 2017.


Earnings from electronic transactions by GTB rose by 28 per cent from N7.48bn in 2017 to N9.59bn in 2018.

Access Bank’s electronic business income closed 2018 with N8.38bn, an increase of 45 per cent over the N5.79bn revenue earned in 2017.

FCMB’s earnings from electronic transactions also improved by 45 per cent to N8.32bn in 2018 as against N5.75bn in 2017.


Sterling Bank recorded N4.85bn income from electronic payments in 2018 but there was no record of its electronic payment earnings for 2017.

With N4.73bn reported for 2018, Union Bank’s earnings grew by 40 per cent year-on-year from N3.38bn in 2017.

For Fidelity bank, it generated N2.85bn from its digital products in 2018, an increase of 62 per cent from the N1.76bn earned in 2017.

Wema Bank earned N2.84bn from its digital payment platform in 2018, growing by 29 per cent as against the N2.20bn revenue in 2017.

Fees and commissions on digital payments earned by Jaiz Bank amounted to N323m as against the N303m it earned in 2017, recording six per cent year-on-year growth

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s guidelines on bank charges, which took effect on May 1, 2017, stipulated that withdrawal from other banks’ ATMs within the country would attract N65 charge after the third withdrawal within the same month.

According to the guidelines, bills payment on electronic channels of the banks also attracts N50 for transactions below and above N10bn, while real-time gross settlement attracts N550 per transaction.

The apex bank stated that alerts on transactions should not be more than N4 per SMS, while bulk payments such as salaries and dividends attract a maximum of N50 per beneficiary, which is paid by the sender.

The electronic payments have become a huge revenue earner for Nigerian banks as can be seen in the growing volume and value of electronic payments logged by the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Scheme. In 2018, electronic instant payments grossed N80.4tn on NIBSS platform, growing by 43 per cent year-on-year from N56.17tn in 2017.

The Managing Director, Upperlink Limited, Mr Segun Akano, said investment in technology for financial transaction was more profitable for Nigerian banks when compared with funds required to establish bank branches for customer’s transaction in the banking hall.

According to him, the customers also have a preference for transactions at their convenience, especially on mobile devices.

“Walk-in bank branch payments are reducing and it is an indication that consumers have accepted other channels of payments more, probably because of convenience and availability. Many people have embraced their phones because the banks have improved in terms of expanding their reach through these devices and it is more profitable for them too, obviously a win-win situation,” Akano said.

He added, “Imagine a bank branch that has to deal with 2,000 customers a day, the services they need to provide a comfort level are quite enormous. The security arrangement, fear of misbehaviour, noises in banking halls, car park hassles, etc, then compare with where you don’t have to have physical contacts with these customers and yet your transactions are going via devices like mobile phones, laptops, ATM and PoS terminals.

“Certainly, transactions have not reduced; it is only the channels that keep experiencing different levels of traffic. While some are increasing, some are reducing but the traditional walk-in bank branch will continue to be a victim.”

The Chief Digital Officer, Alat by WEMA, Mr Dele Adeyinka, said the target of all stakeholders, comprising fintechs, banks, card schemes, switches and the regulator, was to ensure that all Nigerians were financially included.

According to him, bank customers and non-bank customers should be able to use several alternative means of payments, except cash, to carry financial transactions.

Adeyinka said, “Techs and banks as well as several others in the ecosystem, our ultimate goal is to be able to bring a 100 per cent of the Nigerian population into the financial ecosystem. Meaning that we should allow everyone to have access to financial transactions using their devices at the comfort of their homes, offices and wherever they find themselves.

“Today, we only have about 38 million Nigerians who have access to financial services; a fraction of them have accounts in different banks but that is not ultimately where we need to get to. Our work is clearly cut out for us. Until when we are able to make financial services available in the urban and rural areas and bring everyone into the financial sector, that is when we can say we have achieved.”

The Anambra State Government has procured a piece of land in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state for the construction of children’s prison.

The institution, it was gathered, would serve as a correctional home for persons in conflict with the law.


This is coming barely a week after the National Human Rights Commission raised the alarm that no fewer than 523 children were languishing in various (adult) prisons in the state.

Speaking during an inspection tour and handover of the property to the state government by the Umunze community, the Commissioner for Children and Women’s Affairs, Ndidi Mezue, expressed gratitude to the community for providing the land.

She also thanked Josephine Onah of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption of the European Union for initiating the process of securing the site.

Assuring government’s partnership with RoLAC in developing the project, Mezue assured that her ministry would soon clear the site to begin perimeter fencing of the facility.

She said she would involve other ministries that would have roles to play in the development of the physical structure at the centre as well as set up a committee that would plan the development of the facility and forward reports to Governor Willie Obiano for implementation.

According to Mezue, the correctional facility would provide a proper place for rehabilitating minors who were often picked up on the streets or found guilty of a crime by courts in the state.

“Before now, we have been having issues with where to keep young ones, who had been found guilty of crimes or picked on the streets.

“We used to put them in our orphanage at Awka, but it is not enough. So, we really appreciate the people of Umunze for donating this place and we will make the best of it,” Mezue said.


The State Programme Coordinator of RoLAC, Josephine Onah, said the initiative was part of the European Union’s programmes for rights of children, women and the disabled.

She said it was during an interactive session with Presidents-General of the communities in Anambra State that she sensitised them on the need to provide land for building a correctional centre to take care of cases of those in conflict with the law (children offenders below 18 years of age).

Onah added, “We brought our consultant who, after studying the land, came up with a recommendation that the place was suitable for the centre.”


RoLAC Consultant, Dr Ifediora Orakwe, on his part, said the centre would be a school and skill acquisition centre for minors, who might have committed crime as a result of peer group influence and could be easily rehabilitated to become functional members of the society.

Speaking, the President General of the community, John Akanyeonu, said the community resolved to donate the piece of land as part of its contribution towards the development strides of the Willie Obiano administration.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/anambra-procures-land-to-build.html

Policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command have arrested six suspects in possession of poisonous cow skin (ponmo).

The Spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos that the suspects were arrested following a police tip-off.

“On May 5, at about 5 a.m, acting on the strength of information from a credible source that a truck load of cow skins, popularly called ‘ponmo’, suspected to be poisonous were heaped in a warehouse at No. 9, College road, Igando.

“A team of Police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer Igando, mobilised to the scene.

“The huge pillage and pyramid of poisonous ponmo and the chemicals used in the preservation of the cow skins were recovered.

“One TATA Truck with registration number AKD-375-XB which was used in conveying the goods was impounded

“Officials of Lagos State Ministry of Health were contacted and after due examination, the cow skins were confirmed to be poisonous and not fit for human consumption.

“Six suspects Adelowo Yinka 50, Olawumi Onabanjo 40, Omowumi Wasiu 43, Adeshokan Taiwo 43, Iyabo Oluwa 38 and Taye Kazeem 40yrs were arrested in connection with the case.’’

According to Elkana, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Zubairu Muazu mni assured Lagosians that the Command will continue to protect life and property of the people.

Muazu also assured that the command would ensure the preservation of public health and safety as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source and destinations of those poisonous food items, and suspects will be charged to court.’’ he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/police-arrest-6-in-possession-of.html

Some 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) candidates have appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to release their results.

The candidates spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Bwari.

The 2019 UTME commenced on April 11 to April 18 with 1.8 million registered candidates.

The board, has repeatedly said that it would take its time to screen the results because of the several infractions dicovered during the exercise.

Madueke John, a candidate said that the long wait for the results has held some of the candidates back, while also causing a lot of tension.

“With everything we are hearing from JAMB and other media reports we are getting, we are tensed.

“I know I did not do anything that will incriminate me during the exams but the entire process this time around has really changed.

“If JAMB, while screening, discovers those who are innocent, why don’t they release those ones and continue screening others, seriously, this is taking forever.

“I really don’t know what to expect again, but please, they should just focus on this year’s exercise and release at least parts of the results to reduce the tension.”

Another candidate, Henrietta Adams said that the board is undoubtedly doing what it deemed best for the country.

She, however, added that it would also do a lot of good if some of the results are released.

Adam added that the long wait has caused some of the candidates to be unsure of what may happen at the end of the day.

She said: “Even if you are sure you did not commit any malpractice during the exercise, with the way the entire process is going, one is forced to start thinking if one’s result will be held for mere turning his or her head during the examination.

“I truly don’t know what to say or expect again, I am just confused, if at least some results were released in parts like last year, then at least, one will be hopeful but as it is, only God knows what they may come up with next.

“We will continue to wait but please JAMB, do something soonest.”

Mr Joseph Onimisi, a candidate’s parent, commended the board for exposing some of the corruption in the system, but advised that parts of the results be released too.

This, he said would reduce the criticism of the board by those skeptical of the intention of the board, adding that the entire process may take longer than the board expected.

The board had continued to assure that it would release the results of the 2019 UTME as soon as it was done screening the entire results, to cut out those who were involved in one malpractice or the other during the exercise.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/2019-utme-candidates-appeal-for-release.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki, have paid tribute to late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died 9 years ago.

Jonathan who served with Yar’Adua as Vice President and later became president after his death, described the late Yar’Adua as a selfless leader.

He stressed that the former president always placed national interest up and above self or ethnic interest.

“On this day nine years ago I lost a friend, colleague, brother, and boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was a selfless leader who placed national interest above personal and ethnic gains.

“President Yar’Adua was a man of integrity with a humble spirit who always took upon himself the burden of national reconciliation, peace-building, and democratic consolidation.

“He used the opportunity he had in public service to build bridges of love, foster unity and give hope to Nigerians.

“Today, I remember and celebrate him for the works that he had done. Peace he lived for and homes of peace he built. Democracy he loved and democracy he nurtured. We will always remember you for your service. A servant leader truly you remain,” he wrote on twitter.



Also on twitter, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also hailed the former President as a patriot and a compassionate leader.

For the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki, he extolled the virtues of the former president who was elected in 2007 after President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Today, I remember the selfless statesman, former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who passed on 9-years ago.

“His legacy of integrity as a great leader will always remain indelible in our hearts. May the mercy of Almighty Allah (SWT) continue to be upon him. Amen.

In his tribute, Senator Shehu Sani described the late President as an honest man, a true democrat and one who respects the rule of law.

“President Umaru Musa Yar’adua died on this day nine years ago.He was a honest man,a true democrat,respecter of the rule of law and a humble visionary.May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Aljanna Firdausi,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/jonathan-atiku-saraki-others-pay.html

A 22 year-old youth corper,Jemila Yusuf serving in Kaduna state says she makes N60,000 every month from the sales of beauty products and beauty consultancy.

Yusuf who resides at Shooting range area of Kaduna made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“I’m a graduate of Mass communication and I have passion for beauty, I like women who care about their looks and do all the needful to take care of themselves.

” Due to the passion I have , I decided to join an international beauty company ( name withheld) in November last year, where I was able to run my business online.

” The company is a multi-leveled marketing company where one can gain not only from selling products but also by registering Interested people; in order words you don’t need much capital to start “,she stated.

She mentioned that she started the business with N22,000 and was able to get N6,000 profit after selling the products she bought.

The beauty consultant also noted that she had trained four people in the business who were all female and were doing well adding that she earned through them too.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/corp-member-makes-n60000-monthly-from.html

The Principal of Ede Muslim High School who issued a testimonial for the People’s Democratic Party Governorship Candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has admitted that there were errors in the testimonial.

The principal said that he did all that was expected of him.

The Principal told Journalists in Ede that there were a few errors in the imputation of some information on the testimonial, but described them as mere administrative error.

An alumnus of the school also said Mr. Adeleke was one of them.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/breaking-principal-who-issued-adelekes.html

A man, Deji Adenuga, a.k.a. Dakar, on Tuesday allegedly set eight family members of his estranged girlfriend ablaze on Adetuwo Street, Igbodigo town, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Akelicious gathered that five of the victims had given up the ghost, while three others were receiving treatment at the Trauma Centre, Ondo town, Ondo State.


A source told our correspondent that Adenuga was dating a girl in the family, identified only as Titi; but she later called off the relationship.

In retaliation, the suspect was alleged to have set the room where the family lived ablaze.

The source said, “What happened today (Tuesday) was shocking. The man (Adenuga) almost wiped out an entire family early this morning.

“He was angry because the girl (Titi) he was dating said she was no more interested in the relationship. In order to deal with the girl, he poured petrol in the room where all members of her family were sleeping and set them ablaze.

“He actually missed his target because the girl was not in the room at the time he set the room ablaze.

“Eight members of the family were severely burnt. Five of them have been confirmed dead, while the remaining three were rushed to the Trauma Centre, Ondo, where they are receiving treatment.”

The source noted that the suspect fled the town after the act, adding that his whereabouts was unknown to residents.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Mr Femi Joseph, said the police had begun investigation into the incident.


“We are on the trail of the suspect, while investigation has commenced into the matter. We will soon arrest him,” Joseph said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/jilted-lover-sets-girlfriends-family.html

Singer, Ruby Gyang, has said that marriage is not on her priority list for now. Refusing to comment on the possibility of getting married to her baby daddy, Jesse Jagz, Gyang said, “I will eventually get married but it is not now. I am trying to make good music and money. My daughter is a major reason I am working hard because I want to show her that she can achieve anything she sets out to do.
“I have yet to achieve my full potential in music. I have experienced challenges but I have learnt in life that we all have different paths; so, I don’t compare my growth with others. For me, music is a lifetime thing. I will continue to push forward.”
Speaking about her quarterly show, O’ Live, Gyang noted that she started the concert due to her desire to create a platform that would cater to artistes like her. She said, “Many events I attend are focused on the afrobeats or pop market. I wanted a platform where people like me could perform. I also desired to organise a great show for my audience because I felt they were worth giving my best.
“I started this live show last year and we have had about nine events, which ended with a festival. But Saturday (yesterday’s) edition was our first show for this year.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/money-not-marriage-on-my-mind-ruby-gyang.html

The recent revelation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that the country attracted $6 billion foreign investments in the first
three months of the year is a welcome development. The trend is an apparent endorsement by the international community of the Buhari
administration’s tripartite policy on the war against corruption, insecurity and revitalising the economy.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the Bankers Committee meeting in Lagos, penultimate week, CBN Director, Banking Supervision,
Ahmad Abdullahi, noted that confidence in the economy by both local and foreign investors has been on the rise despite the elections.
He said the committee noted that despite the numerous headwinds in the economy, “lending to the private sector and the economy generally
has increased and that is very positive news. The confidence by foreign investors has also increased. For instance, between January and March
despite the election, up to $6 billion came in and that is positive news.”

The Bankers Committee also disclosed that it will be setting aside N200 billion for cash crop promotion in the country and would commence
disbursement of funds for the creative sector this month.To this end, he said, the committee decided to consolidate on the
gains made so far and continue with the initiatives such as import substitution programme, the Anchor Borrowers Programme, and some
other initiatives of both the CBN and the Bankers Committee.

On his part, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Kennedy Uzoka, noted that the Bankers
Committee will be setting aside not less than N200 billion that will be given at single digit for up to 10 years span to farmers and value chain
operators in the cash crop industry.

He, however, stated that the committee believes that the country has not made much progress in its drive to diversify the economy away from
oil. Uzoka said the committee had set up a subcommittee “and the subcommittee of members; those who have operated in geographies
in our continents where exports have done very well. We have seen some countries that have similar products with us that have excelled in
exporting while we have dropped.

He said the CBN has different types of fund which the committee looked at for which to address the current challenges.
He said: “We looked at some products, with viability of these products to export, and how it would help export, address employment issues,
create the necessary economic activities and create relief in terms of foreign exchange because if we add value to a commodity, we would
create employment here and that would save us forex as against what we do today – most of our products are exported in raw form. We believe
that with a little push we can add a lot more value.

“Our immediate focus would be oil palm, cocoa, sesame seed and of course shea and cashew. Based on the meeting we had today, we are
going to be lending at single digit up to a maximum of 10 years and we are going to devote N200 billion to support this and that would change
the narrative for export.” Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, said the committee would commence disbursement of
funds for the creative industry. He said the committee revisited the entitle value chain of music, movies, information technology and fashion right
from the production facilities to the production in terms of capacity building to ensure that whatever is produced along each of the verticals
is world class.

Meanwhile, the Director Corporate Communications of the CBN, Isaac Okoroafor, has debunked reports that 70 per cent of the rice in Nigerian markets is imported. Okoroafor noted that the CBN would be working with relevant authorities to deal with smugglers as well as those who fund activities aimed at frustrating the efforts of the apex bank at revitalising the economy.
It is instructive that Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in Nigeria averaged $1261.83 million from 2007 until 2018, reaching an all timehigh of $3084.90 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and a record
low of $435.64 million in the second quarter of 2018. It increased by
$438.84 million in the third quarter of 2018.

We observe that this impressive data on FDIs in Nigeria is largely attributable to the government’s sustainable macro-economic policies
and successes recorded in the fight against corruption, combating insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east,
kidnappings and armed robbery across the country, as well as revamping
the economy which is exemplified by the fact that the nation has exited
economic recession and other negative economic indices.

While we commend key economic actors like the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment for this economic feat, it
is pertinent to draw attention to the fact that it is not yet Uhuru as the nation’s economy is grossly under-industrialised, resulting in mass
import dependency. There is, therefore, the urgent need for the federal government to accelerate its economic diversification programme
in order to free the country from over-dependence on crude oil and encourage manufacturing.

https://www.nairaland.com/5140074/power-generation-slumps-1675mw-after

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has inaugurated a six-man committee to see to the implementation of six new universities, colleges of education and polytechnics.

Prof. Chima Iwuchukwu will lead commissioners and other members of the committee.

But the move did not go down well with the governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, as he has written to the National Universities Commission (NUC) not to honour the approval of more universities in the state.

Okorocha said the House of Assembly backed the committee’s inauguration with a law.

He compared the move to about 15 universities established in Ogun State, which enhanced admission opportunities and job placements.


The proposed new schools include: Aboh Ngor University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; University of Agriculture and Developmental Science, Umuagwo; University of Science and Technology, Onuimo; University of Creative Technology, Isiaku-Nkwerre; University of Medical Science, Ogboko, Ideato South; Marine University, Oguta; College of Health Technology; Mbonu Ojike Polytechnic, Arondizuogu; and Bishop Shanahan Polytechnic, Ahiara Mbaise.

Okorocha said the new institutions would be on 90 per cent private investors funding and 10 per cent government input, noting that government would handle infrastructure areas.

Meanwhile, medical doctors in health facilities owned by the state have commenced indefinite strike.

Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Imo, Kyrian Duruewuru, who briefed journalists in Owerri yesterday, accused the state government of treating the doctors unfairly.

He noted that the industrial action was to register their disaffection with the way Imo government under Okorocha had openly marginalised medical practitioners in the state.

The NMA chairman explained that the first phase of the strike would involve all doctors in Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu; Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma; and the Hospital Management Board (HMB).

According to him, the second phase of the industrial action will involve all doctors in private hospitals and those in federal health centres in the state.

Duruewuru asserted that while their colleagues practising in other states were enjoying the adjusted salary structure for medical practitioners, Okorocha refused to implement it.

He said: “For the past four years, doctors in Imo have received 70 per cent of their salaries. Also, the doctors are being owed three months salaries by Imo government. For us, this highly unacceptable and very insensitive.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ihedioha-kicks-as-okorocha-sets-up.html

The Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday April 19 and 22 public holidays; to enable Christians mark this year’s Easter celebration.

Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. (retd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, enjoined all Christians to emulate the exemplary attributes of Jesus Christ amongst which are tolerance, love and peaceful co-existence.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah, the Minister urged all Nigerians at home and abroad to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of the country.

“The minister of Interior urges all Nigerians at home and abroad to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of our great country Nigeria irrespective of diversity in religious beliefs,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/fg-declares-friday-monday-public-holiday.html

Technology ride-hailing company, Uber out-paced its rising competitor Lyft by more than $9 billion in revenue and at least 60 million users according to its IPO paperwork filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In order to pitch its business to investors, and befitting the company’s size and complexity, Uber filed 285 pages, plus 83 more of financial statements. According to it, the company, generated more than $11 billion in net revenue last year, a 42 per cent growth rate from the year before. In identifying potential risks for its public filing, Uber acknowledged that it has “incurred significant losses since inception.” The company also acknowledged that its revenue growth has slowed in recent quarters, exacerbating concerns about whether Uber can be profitable given massive expenses. Uber said it spent $14.3 billion in 2018. The company said, “We expect our operating expenses to increase significantly in the foreseeable future, and we may not achieve profitability.” Uber said it had 91 million registered users on its platform through the end of 2018. The company’s drivers have earned more than $78.2 billion through the platform since 2015. The app is active in more than 700 cities, with drivers completing more than 14 million trips per day. Uber stock, which would trade on the New York Stock Exchange within weeks, is seeking to fetch the company a $100 billion valuation, which is lower than initial reports. Beyond ride-hailing, Uber also operates meal-delivery service Uber Eats, shipping service Uber Freight. Uber said its gross bookings, which cover all of the customer payments generated by ride-sharing and food-delivery services outside of tips, rose 45 per cent annually in 2018 to $49.8 billion and 37 per cent in Q4 to $14.2 billion.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/uber-generates-11bn-full-year-revenue.html

Nigerian prisoners languishing in Togo Prisons, Mr. Franklin Ezeona, President Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC) has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama on the unbearable condition of Nigerians in Togo Prisons.

In the letter, Ezeona called for the extradition of the Nigerian prisoners in accordance with Section 1 subsection 1 of the Extradition Act, which emanated from the extradition treaty signed by Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Nigeria in October 1984.

According to him, the representative of the Nigerian prisoners in Togo, Mr. Ben Okolie, in an emotion-laden voice complained that the Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, His Excellency, Joseph Olusola Iji visited the inmates on April 7, 2019.

The visit, he claimed, fuelled more disappointment and hopelessness among the prisoners.

Sunday Sun gathered that Okolie in his outcry alleged that the ambassador could not be trusted, insisting that he has done nothing to save them from their deplorable conditions in prisons.

Okolie, revealing what transpired between the prisoners and the Ambassador on the day of his visit, stated that the Ambassador was defending the authorities of Togo Prisons and the government, claiming that the Togolese government was very lenient with them more than prisoners from other countries.

“When they complained about their sleeping conditions and lack of medical attention, he said that they should not expect to sleep well since they are prisoners.

“They gave an instance where a Togolese was convicted of same offence but was sentenced to five years while Nigerians were given 10 years. The Togolese served three years and was released while his Nigerian counterpart is still serving his 10-year jail term. They complained to him about Nigerian prisoners in Togo lying critically ill in the hospital and Nigerians are contributing money for their treatment but the Ambassador said nothing about it than telling them he brought Paracetamol to them.

“One of the women gave birth in prison but the Ambassador did not show any concern whatsoever to her plight or any of other Nigerian women prisoners.

“In this regard they are begging President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian government to come to their rescue as they are dying one after the other in prison.

GSAC, in the letter dated Friday, March 15, 2019, to President Buhari and copied the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Nigeria to Togo, revealed that it was in possession of video recordings and pictures of over 200 Nigerians jam-packed in a room and forced to sleep on the floor. “The actions of the Togolese government are against the provision of United Nations Universal Declarations of Human Rights, the group said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/come-to-our-rescue-nigerians-in-togo.html

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the first national vice of the party, Chief Edozie Njoku has assured that his mission was to reposition the by installing internal democracy if he wins the national chairmanship slated for June this year.

Njoku, a business mogul and a frontline contender for the National Chairmanship seat of APGA maintained that the party was capable of winning several elective positions by next general election in the country if the leadership at the national level gets her acts together.


The aspirant who comes from the Aboh Mbaise council area of Imo State told newsmen at the party secretariat, Egbu road Owerri that lack of internal democracy in both the APGA and the All Progressive Congress (APC) was responsible for the electoral success of the PDP in the last general elections in Imo.

He spoke shortly after the chairman of the party, Peter Ezeobi briefed party members on preparations for the party’s state congress and National convention coming up in May and June respectively.

“We need to be thoroughly reorganised to strengthen and fortify ourselves for the great 2023 battle. We were registered in 2002 and I was the 1st National Vice Chairman in south East and we started with Chief Chekwas Okorie. It is quite impossible for the South East to get a presidential ticket under APC or PDP and the hope of the South east lies in APGA. We of the APGA must wake up and go back to the drawing board to salvage the South East”, he stated.

He further explained that he was in the Chairmanship race to inject fresh air in the cock symbol party and to place the party on a reliable formidable tripod for victory in 2023 saying, “I will build relationship for our party to attain greater heights if I become the national chairman”.

Peter Ezeobi the party state Chairman assured the party members of level playing field in the forth coming congress and convention of the party, assuring that guidelines to regulate the exercise would soon be out,

“If you comply with the provisions of our party, we will accept you and issue forms for you”, he stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/i-will-reposition-apga-for-2023-edozie.html

A non-governmental organization under the aegis of Legends Anti- Violence Foundation Thursday expressed concern over the unending spate of cult related killings in Edo state.

Director General of the group, Kadiri Christopher stated this during the foundation’s protest match over cult killings in Benin City, the state capital.

The group carried placards with inscriptions such as: “No more killings, No more brutality, No more revenge/retaliation, Shun cultism, it is evil”.

According to Kadiri, the state has lost no fewer than 200 persons to cult related clashes since December 2018.

He said the group cannot afford to fold its arm and watch innocent souls being killed on daily basis “particularly in Upper Sakpoba, Ogida, Ebvuobore parts of Benin City.”

The DG called on youths to sheathe their swords, embrace peace and channel their energy unto meaningful and productive ventures

Also, founder, Crusader Against Campus Cultism and Violence Foundation, Samson Briamah said the group is readily available to offer assistance to cult members who are willing to trend the path of peace.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/over-200-killed-in-edo-cult-war.html

The commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Kayode Egbetokun, has assured the people of the state of the command’s commitment to the security and safety of lives and property. The police boss gave the assurance in a statement issued last night and signed by the command’s spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi. “The Command is not unaware of the concern of some citizens over a false alarm going the rounds to the effect that, an Helicopter was sighted at Lalaji town, in Edu Local government area of the state, discharging men bearing dangerous weapons in the bushes. “Even some online reporters went public with the unsubstantiated rumour without recourse to the command, this is very unprofessional and highly provocative. “However, the command for the umpteenth time is assuring the people of Kwara state of its capability to provide security for the citizens. The people sighted at Lalaji town were a team from Padlink Resources Limited, who were at the location to conduct geological mapping and mineral exploration, with the approval from the Federal Ministry of Mine and Steel Development under the National Integrated Mineral exploration project (NIMEP). “The people of Kwara are advised to pass information of any suspicious movements within their areas through the established channels made available by the command, rather than making false statements that is capable of creating unnecessary tension in the State. Journalists, especially bloggers and online reporters are advised to always verify their stories before going public, the Kwara state command holds and will continue to hold members of the press in high esteem. “The good people of the state are advised to go about their normal businesses, and disregard the false news of terrorists invading the state, the Nigeria Police Force and sister security agencies in the state are working round the clock to ensure that good people of Kwara sleep with their two eyes closed, please,” the statement said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/no-security-threats-in-kwara-says.html

A registered group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the platform of APC Youth Solidarity Network, has appealed to the leadership of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader, Bola Hammed Tinubu to withdraw support for a particular senator (Ahmed Lawal) and throw the position of Senate Presidency open to all members.

The group also accused the preferred candidate of the APC, Sen. Ahmed Lawan of conceding the office of the Deputy Senate President to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) in some of the midnight meeting he has been allegedly holding with the governors of the PDP.

Addressing a Press conference tagged “Ahmed Lawan has betrayed the confidence of the APC” on Wednesday in Abuja, spokesman of the group said the party must stop any kind of agreement Sen. Lawan might have had with the PDP governors now so as to avoid the repeat of the outgoing 8th Assembly.

“Today, one of the contenders for the office of the Senate President, an APC member, Senator Ahmed Lawan has commenced visitation to the PDP governors mostly in the night to seal deals with the opposition party in order to gain their favour. The meeting is to persuade PDP senators to support his candidacy.

“We make bold to say that while most APC young leaders faulted our National Chairman’s statement of endorsing Ahmed Lawan as a preferred candidate for the Senate President. We stood with the Chairman and even trying to convince other members of our great party but Sen. Lawan has clearly betray the party and Mr. President for his alliance with the PDP in a desperate move to lead Nation as President of the Senate.”

While calling on President Buhari, Tinubu and Adams Oshiomohle to quickly withdrawn their support for Sen. Lawan, the group said: “What we are asking the leadership of our party to do is to throw the office of the Senate President open. We condemn in totality the endorsement of Ahmed Lawal as tbe sole candidate.

“We must stop any agreement Senator Lawan has made with the PDP and install a complete APC Senate President loyal in the morning and the night, and not APC in the day and PDP at night.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/apc-group-accuses-lawan-of-conceding.html

The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, has promised to rid riverine areas of the command of kidnappers.

Speaking with journalists after he took over as 39th FOC of the command in Lagos on Tuesday, Daji said that the Navy would do its best to rout kidnappers completely out of the area.

“What we know about kidnapping in riverine areas is that it is on the decrease.

“We are going to rout them out from the source because they don’t live perpetually at sea, they have somewhere that they operate from so we will rout them out.

“What we are coming to do is to build upon what has already been done; to bring fresh ideas to some of the challenges we have out there as the maritime expands”.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for acquiring more patrol boats for the navy.

“This is not to say that we have enough because the past maritime expands, but with the use of the Maritime Awareness Domain facilities, we will use these assets provided for us to ensure we accomplish our tasks,” he said.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/navy-declares-war-on-kidnappers.html

Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who doubles as President of the Enugu Sports Club has expressed delight over the level of turnaround at the foremost recreational centre.

The centre is 90 this year.

He made this known when he led an array of dignitaries which included President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former Anambra State Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njeze, former Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia and traditional ruler of Nnobi, Igwe Nick Obi, among others, to inaugurate projects executed by the Chief Ben Etiaba-led Club Executive Committee at the Golf Section.

The projects inaugurated were the new face of the Golf section, the new Clubhouse, the Dame Virgy Etiaba Golf Range and the old colonial (1929) clubhouse.

The occasion also witnessed the formal swearing into of Chief Innocent Alilionwu, as trustee of the club and Prof. Agu Gab Agu as legal adviser.

Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma had a week earlier, also commissioned a number of projects initiated and completed by the Etiaba administration at the main club.


Some of the upgraded facilities commissioned by the cleric were the Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Auditorium; the new face of Enugu Sports Club and the Museum and Gallery of Arts.

Etiaba’s administration did not only rehabilitate the centre but also brought God into its affairs with the introduction of monthly breakfast prayers at the club.

Inaugurating the centre, Chukwuma explained the need for Nigerians and leaders to involve God in whatever they do, saying that with the dedication of the club to God, it will now attract more people to have more confidence in coming to relax there.

The ceremony, which was well attended by members of the club, the cleric and well-wishers started with a special breakfast prayer session.

Archbishop Chukwuma called for the establishment of more relaxation centres across the country, just as he decried the high level of frustration in Nigeria due to successive bad leadership since the nation’s independence in 1960.

“Life is dynamic and coming here from 1929; you expect that Enugu Sports Club should have been transformed by the new generation so that it will look more attractive for people to come, it shouldn’t look more out-fashioned.

“I am happy that there is a museum side where old structures were still retained and the museum. So, this transformation is very much apt at this time so that it can attract the presence of younger generation and also changing the programme whereby we now accommodate something like breakfast fellowship with God which is very much ideal.

“There is so much frustration in Nigeria that people need a place to relax and Enugu State as it is now, we don’t have much places to relax than this sports club, for elderly people and mature people. So, it is important that people should have a place of relaxation and have the presence of God there so that people will feel comfortable and confident,” Chukwuma said.

Former governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Virginia Etiaba and mother of the executive chairman of the Club, said: “I know that without God this couldn’t have been transformed. God uses people to act and to transform; so, I am really very happy. I am elated to be alive to see one of my children being honoured today because he is leaving the stage after 24 months and anyone that had been here or who knew or who saw the picture of this club which was founded in the year 1929 will really say that he has performed.”

Earlier in his remarks, Etiaba, the outgoing Chairman, thanked members of the Club for their support which led to the modest achievements recorded under his watch, stressing that he promised God and himself that he would not complete his tenure without adding value to the Club.

A new chairman, Onyeka Onwe, formally assumed duties on Thursday, March 28.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ugwuanyi-nwodo-laud-clubs-legacy.html

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger Command, has deployed 39 personnel to provide security for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in different parts of the state.

Mr Phillip Ayuba, Corps Commandant in the state made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

He said there would be security in the 17 computer – based centres for the 11th conduct of the UTME in Niger, which kicked off on Tuesday.

Ayuba said that two personnel would provide security in each of the centres, while five personnel from the headquarters would supervise the exercise across the state.


The commandant said that the monitoring team had been constituted to carefully monitor the conduct of the exercise in the state.

He explained that the corps would work with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure security at the centres before, during and after the computer-based test.

Ayuba urged prospective candidates to be law abiding, adding that the NSCDC personnel would be professional in carrying out their mandate to ensure a hitch-free examination.

He also warned parents against malpractices as anyone found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nscdc-deploys-39-officers-to-man-utme.html

Several weeks to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for second term, debates and discussions as to where his successor should come from in 2023 have begun, with Igbo leaders insisting that it would be the turn of the South East, for the sake of equity, justice and fair play.

President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, had let the cat out of the bag last month that the North might compete for the position in 2023. Last weekend, former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and former federal lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, joined Shettima to say that south should forget about 2023.

However, prominent Igbo leaders including former health minister, ABC Nwosu, President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP) and Chief Goddy Uwazurike, lawyer and former President- General, Aka Ikenga have reacted, with apex Igbo body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo asking Southeastners to discountenance the statements.

Ohanaeze said the conspiracy against Igbo would collapse like pack of cards.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chuks Ibegbu, advised Igbo not to be jittery whenever some persons speak in the country claiming to be speaking for their people.

“Which North are they speaking for; there is no monolithic North again? Are they speaking for the people of the Middle Belt who are calling for restructuring; those who have been repeatedly killed by terrorist Fulani herdsmen or are they speaking for the over 10 million Talakawas or 10 million Almajiri? The political dynamics would determine who will become what in 2023. Four years is long enough for anything to happen,” Ibegbu said.

Prof. Nwosu also dismissed the 2023 talk as mere provocation unworthy of response from serious Igbo leader.

“They can invite a Chadian or Nigerien to become the president. What we are fixated on is restructuring. We want the Federal Government unbundled with greater power to the federations units. The Igbo’s preoccupation is to be allowed to develop at our own pace through restructuring. ”


Speaking on the matter, Uwazurike, said: “The constitution says power must go around. This means nobody or group should monopolise power. It is unconstitutional for a section of the country to say we are in power and we will continue to be in power. I know the All Progressives Congress (APC) is talking about the rotation of power between the North and South. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is talking about rotating power among the six geo-political zones. Since 1999, the South West has had a chance, the North West has had two chances, the South-South has taken a chance too. As it is, it remains the South East, the North Central and the North East which have yet to take their turn. The rotation arrangement is between the North and the South. So, when power comes back to the South in 2023, it should naturally go to the South East for equity and justice. It does not make sense to say because I have more people than you, we will continue to rule. It is not fair that after eight years of a northerner being president, a political party will be talking about fielding another northerner again in 2023… So, in 2023, we expect them to take a stand and respect the agreement and reciprocate.”

The Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) also weighed in on the matter, and said the plot to scheme Igbo out of 2023 presidency shows how other groups in Nigeria hate the region.

According to leader of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu: “Igbo should forget about being president of Nigeria. Hausa Fulani and Yoruba are always seeing Igbo as Biafrans, Igbo should better behave, think, act and focus as Biafrans. They do not want a Biafra as president of Nigeria.”

For national leader of Ohanaeze Youth wing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Arthur Obiora, Igbo presidency in 2023 is non-negotiable.

He said anybody who loves Nigeria must ensure that the South East produces the president for the sake of equity, peace, fairness and justice.

Reacting, the Coalition of South East Civil Society Organisations, flayed the comment, which it said is capable of sparking national unrest.

Co-convener of the group, Ibuchulwu Ezike said: “When there is no fairness, justice and respect for human rights in a society, there is likely to be tension, which may lead to confusion that may blow nobody any good.”


President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) Prof, Uzodinma Nwala, toed the line of ABC Nwosu that the presidency is not the region’s primary issue.

“We don’t want to engage in idle debate. What is important for us now is how we can organise ourselves to protect our interest – economic, social, and political and other interests- in view of the pressures and forces against us. That is very primary for us. As things stand now, you get the presidency at their behest anytime they think we get presidency. The meaning of the statement is to tell us that we have no future in Nigeria. Therefore, if we want a future, we must work hard and create our own future, forge our own future and protect our own interest. That is the message they are giving us.”

For Okorie, the South East has to fight to get 2023 presidency, adding that every section of the country has the legitimate right to vie for the presidency in 2023.

“I have always maintained that nobody gives any person power on the basis of the milk of human kindness of the giver. In other words, political power is contested for and won or lost. For the Igbo presidency to work, it means that we have to win in a contest. Buhari never waited for the presidency to be zoned to either the North or to himself before he contested four times and eventually won. But the truth remains that the South East needs to get its act together. If they are waiting for the presidency to be micro zoned to the Igbo people, I do not see such possibility.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/igbo-insists-on-2023-presidency.html

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has seized 501 drums of illegal Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) worth about N35 million from eight suspects in the state.
Speaking on Monday in Ibaka during the hand-over of the suspects, drums of AGO, wooden boat and outboard engines to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Acting Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Reginald Adoki said from their findings, the products contained inside the boat is suspected to be illegally refined AGO (diesel).

Adoki explained that based on intelligence reports in the early hours of April 5, 2019, they intercepted the suspects conveying the boat load of AGO brought in from Oyorokoto in Rivers State along the Calabar channel leading to Oron river with three Yamaha outboard engines.


He said the activity of the suspects showed a clear case of economic sabotage of which the navy is committed to rid the area of, adding that the handover to the EFCC is a sign of their confidence in the commission.

His words, “From findings, the products contained inside the boat are suspected to be illegally refined AGO (diesel). The 501 drums of this AGO is about 300 litres sized drum which gives you about 150,000 litres of AGO which estimated market value will be put at about N25 to N35 million.

“We have strong evidence that there was a case of converging illegally refined AGO which have definitely been from broken pipes by way of crude oil theft because you need crude oil to refine to be able to get the illegal AGO. This is a clear case of economic sabotage.”


Receiving the drums of AGO, eight suspects and other items from the Navy, Uyo Zonal Head of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdukarim Chukkoh represented by Mr Alex Ebbah, Chief Superintendent of Police, EFCC said, “I want to sincerely on behalf of the EFCC and my Chairman, thank the effort of the Nigerian Navy for this noble job.

“We really assure you we will do our best to ensure that for every crime of this nature, the suspects are brought to book and we will also give you feedback,” he noted.

One of the suspects, Victor Umana from Mbo Local Government Area, said the urge to better his lot financially led him into taking up the illegal job.


He said he used to load fish and crayfish from the beachside for a pittance, adding that he was offered N15,000 to bring in the AGO from Rivers State and was contracted to do the job through a telephone call.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/navy-seizes-501-drums-of-illegal-ago.html

The Buhari Media Organisation has criticized the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over their support for the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.


BMO In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, asked PDP and its leaders to go and hide their faces in shame after Justice Onnoghen tendered his resignation letter over corruption allegations.

Akelicious recalls that the lawyer to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), disclosed that his client took the decision in the interest of the judiciary.


The pro-Buhari group stressed that the resignation of the former Chief Justice has proven that President Buhari acted in national interest by suspending the Chief Justice,

The statement reads: “Nigerians all saw the manner PDP and its leaders, including its former Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ran from pillar to post before the election in a bid to defend Justice Onnoghen.

“The party leaders even suspended their flagging Presidential campaign at that time for 72 hours! Just to be seen to be fighting perceived injustice, but discerning Nigerians knew they were playing to the gallery.


“They were quick to shout political witch-hunt to the high heavens and that was in spite of the overwhelming evidence which they insisted on not interrogating because the CJN’s suspension tallied with the wrong impression of a dictatorial government that PDP was keen on selling to the electorates in the run up to the election.

“We were also not surprised that another key PDP leader, the usurper Senate President Bukola Saraki, attempted to drag the Senate into it until the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus which had a clear majority shot it down.

“We won’t also forget PDP governors in the South-South region in the hall of infamy, especially as they encouraged the man who was at the time the custodian of the nation’s law not to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).


“And now that Onnoghen has done what he should have done in the first instance rather than engage in judicial rigmarole, does it not amount to a smear on what is left of the character of these PDP elements. All these prove that PDP is still what it is-a party that supports and glorifies corruption.”

According to them, President Muhammadu Buhari also deserves an apology from a segment of the civil society who castigated him for suspending Justice Onnoghen on the basis of a valid order from the CCT.

The group added: “We at BMO have every reason to demand an apology on the President’s behalf from everyone, including the latter-day rights activists who were actually paid hacks, and the real ones who failed in their duties to hold people in government accountable.


“These are the people that used the traditional and social media to whip up enough sentiments that some members of the international community bought the lies and took the unusual step of upbraiding the Presidency in a move that amounted to interference in the country’s internal affairs.

“The positive take away from this is that those who made genuine mistakes in misreading the situation would now see President Buhari from our own perspective as one who acts always in national interest, no matter whose ox is gored.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/why-atiku-pdp-supporters-should-bury.html

Tozali Women and Girl-Child Education Foundation has empowered over 1,300 women with economic tools and food items in Gombe State.

National coordinator of the foundation, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar, disclosed during an empowerment programme in the state that the aim of the programme was to promote education of girls.

She said women were in need of empowerment to be self-reliant and able to assist their husbands and children.

Some of the women are trained tailors, but they don’t have sewing machines; some of them can operate at home by using grinding machine to make money, but because of lack of assistance, they were not able to do so, she added.

According to her, the foundation has supplied one truck of maize floor fortified with vitamin A, some of which had been distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), orphanages, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), women in prison and girls’ schools across the state.

The deputy director, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Lamis Benjamen, commended the foundation for touching lives through its humanitarian services.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ngo-empowers-over-1300-women-in-gombe.html