The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the performance of its Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the Vice Presidential debate on Friday.
The party said Obi amply displayed an unprecedented understanding of the dynamics of the critical sectors of our economy with practical solutions to the myriad of problems as against Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who dwelt on false performance claims and displayed scanty understanding of economic issues.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday said that Obi’s spontaneous presentation of solutions on critical sectors including education, health, energy, power and security among others, showed PDP’s unparalleled preparedness to take over the reign of government, in line with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. The main opposition party however berated Vice President Osinbajo for not being able to articulate any solution or show what the Buhari administration intends to do differently, if re-elected but rather dwelt on lame excuses, blame games and playing to the gallery.


Ologbondiyan said, “This debate has further exposed the humongous corruption in the Buhari Presidency, as Vice President Osinbajo could not provide answers to the exposed N8 trillion sleazes in the fuel subsidy regime under the Buhari administration.”
The party further faulted Prof. Osinbajo’s attempt to brand the PDP as corrupt, saying all records and statistics show that corruption escalated under President Buhari and that his administration ranks as the most corrupt in the history of our nation.

The PDP stated that Osinbajo and the Buhari administration lack every moral standing to speak on social welfare when the Vice President is yet to explain the whereabouts of the N33 billion meant for the provision of food and other items for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) suffering in the North-east.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/pdp-hails-peter-obis-performance-at.html

A banker and Account Officer with Access Bank, Ojo Adefemi Adedoyin, who allegedly connived with one Favour Oriafoh, 30, to defraud a Hong Kong national, Xu Yue of £79,000 (Seventy Nine Thousand Pounds) have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Their arrest came, following investigation into a petition received from the Hong Kong Police Force, that the young lady was a victim of romance scam traced to Nigeria.

Admitting to the crime, Oriafoh who goes by the con name, Terry Mac, confessed that he opened a FaceBook account in the name, just to defraud whoever falls prey to his baits.

“She had fallen in love with me as Terry Mac, a football agent,” he said.

He thereafter took advantage of her love and defrauded her of the said amount, using the domiciliary account of one Adeyemi Hassan Adedeji.


During interrogation, he confessed that the Banker, Adedoyin, provided him with the domiciliary account information to which the money was transferred to.

“The agreement was that whatever funds were received through the account, the account officer and the owner of the account will be entitled to 15 per cent of the funds,” he confessed.

The Banker has made useful information to the Commission and they will soon be charged to court.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/efcc-arrests-suspected-fraudster-banker.html

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) on Friday shut down the offices of aviation agencies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, over the delay in the release of their Conditions of Service.

The union is protesting the delay in the release of the Conditions of Service of all aviation agencies by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

The union members were seen at about 6.30 a.m. on Friday carrying different placards and chanting solidarity songs.

They barricaded the offices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

Also, shut down were the headquarters of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the Lagos airport.

However, the action did not affect flight operations at the nation’s busiest airport as airlines and passengers went about their respective businesses without harassment by the union.

The National President, NUATE, Mr Ben Nnabue, told NAN that for quite a long time the workers and the management of the aviation agencies had signed the conditions of service but it had yet to be implemented.

“We have the Conditions of Service which is the agreement between the management and the aviation union.

“The Conditions of Service stipulates that it should be reviewed every three years and since 2015 this Conditions of Service has expired and the renewal is not coming.

“However, we have actually agreed with the new Conditions of Service with our management and we have forwarded it to the Salaries and Wages Commission but for the past five years it has not been implemented.

“So consequently, the spirit and morale of the workers as a result of the non-implementation of the Conditions of Service are very low and we felt that we have gotten to a stage where we can no longer keep quiet.

“The union cannot just keep quiet because, at a point, the aviation workers had felt that we had compromised and we have to provide leadership,’’ he said.

Nnabue said after this protest, the union would embark on a total strike if the Salaries and Wages Commission failed to accede to their demands.

According to him, this is just a minor protest we are embarking on and if after today nothing happens, then we have to plan for a total strike for the whole of the industry.

The NUATE boss said the strike would not affect the operations of airlines as their management boards were already implementing the Conditions of Service.

He said: “The protest will not affect the airlines and ground handlers because we are already handling the Conditions of Service with their management.

“Many of them have given us good Conditions of Service while others are at the point of signing it. At least 50 per cent of it has been implemented.’’

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/aviation-union-shuts-down-agencies.html

The Chinese Government says it is willing to give priority attention to Nigeria’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation.

Mr Zhao Linxiang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said this at a reception for participants of various training courses in China on Thursday night.

Linxiang said China was ready to work with Nigeria to strengthen cooperation in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure and capacity building.

“China is willing to give priority to supporting Nigeria in breaking the bottlenecks that hinder Nigeria’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation, including shortage of professionals and lack of funds,” said Linxiang.

He reiterated that trade and investment cooperation between both countries was steadily developing with bilateral trade reaching 12 billion dollars in the first 10 months of 2017.

The envoy added that Chinese companies had invested about 100 million dollars in the same period and was also impressed that more Nigerian companies invested in China in 2018.

He further announced that both governments had successfully trained more than 1,200 Nigerians both in China and Nigeria from 2016 to 2018.

“I am glad to inform you that with the effort of the two governments, we have achieved ‘Thousand People’ target of providing 1,000 Nigerians with training opportunities both in China and Nigeria,” Linxiang said.

He recalled eight major initiatives of the 2018 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit announced by President Xi Jinping in September.

“Among these eight initiatives, I would like to introduce infrastructure connectivity initiative and capacity building activities,” he said.

Under the activities, Linxiang said China would share its development experience with Africa, train talents for Africa and strengthen cooperation in human resource development with the continent.

“In 2019 to 2021, China will provide 50 thousand training opportunities and scholarships to African countries.

“China will also invite 2,000 young Africans for discussions and exchanges to strengthen understanding between youth in China and Africa.

“We are also going to coordinate resources from governments, enterprises, social orgnisations and universities to upgrade 10 vocational centres or schools in Africa,” said the envoy.

Linxiang also said the initiatives focused on key areas in the development of Africa and further pledged China’s continued cooperation to promote mutual growth of both parties. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/china-pledges-support-for-nigerias.html

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger on Sunday thronged Minna/Suleja road in solidarity with Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello and his counterpart, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River, had on July 29, accompanied President Buhari to attend Heads of Governments of ECOWAS States meeting in Togo.

The governor, who was on his way from Kaduna to Minna after attending an official assignment in Zaira, was received by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, APC chieftains, delegates and supporters across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Passengers in commercial and private vehicles plying the Minna/Suleja road were stranded as the road was blocked by elated supporters that chanted “Lolo two terms”.

It took the governor’s motorcade three hours from Paiko to get to Minna, a journey of 15 minutes drive.

NAN reports that some of the supporters carried placards with inscription such as “Lolo 2019 yes, 2019 Lolo, continuity of government projects, 2019, sai Buhari”.

Malam Shehu Mohammed, one of the supporters who spoke to NAN, said that the warm reception was in solidarity with the governor and the president for meeting the aspirations of the people of the state and the country at large.

“I came from Rafi Local Government Area to show my support for our governor and the president and to let them know that they should continue with the good work they are doing as they have our support,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/niger-apc-supporters-throng-minnasuleja.html

Governor Aminu Bello Masari yesterday said Katsina State had expended about N5 billion to control erosion and construct drainages.

Masari said the project was to help check flooding and related environmental disaster which the state often witnessed during wet season.

He told visiting members of the North West Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who were in the state to inspect some government projects, that his administration had embarked on several development projects in urban and rural areas.

Masari cited massive fencing of schools to protect the students and newly installed equipment at laboratories. According to him, the state government has budgeted about N14 million for the project.
Masari said efforts were being made to encourage enrolment of young girls into schools to help them prevent being given out in marriage at a tender age.
The Zonal Vice President of the NUJ, Yusuf Idris, commended the state government for the achievement recorded.
The inspection was carried out by officials of state-owned media outfits in the North west region.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/katsina-state-spends-n5-billion-to.html

A First republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a dictator, calling on Nigerians to end dictatorship in 2019.

According to him, there was no difference between Buhari as military Head of State and Buhari as a democratic president.
The politician was quoted by Vanguard as saying that Buhari had violated all the rules of democracy, recalling that he was the only head of State to have overthrown a civilian government.

Amaechi said, “Nigeria is practicing dictatorship. Of all the military heads of state, it’s only Buhari that overthrew a democratic government.
“Other dictators overthrew military regimes. He is still a dictator. I have been saying it.
“He may have come in through a democratic regime but there is no difference between Buhari the dictator and Buhari the President.

“Whether he is wearing khaki or agbada, he is the same. Nigerians must fight to regain the country.
“Amongst all those who fought for the independence of Nigeria, I’m the only one still alive and I urge all the political parties to come together and eschew dictatorship in the country.
“We cannot continue like this because what is happening now has not happened in Nigeria before where institutions of democracy like the legislature and the judiciary are being trampled upon. It is not something to keep quiet about.
“It is something Nigerians should fight to stop because it is dictatorship.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/2019-buhari-is-dictator-well-not-keep.html

Twenty one states of the federation are to benefit from the N489 billion approved by the Senate to be refunded to states as funds spent on federal projects in their areas, according to a senator.

Sen. Victor Umeh (APGA Anambra Central) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Awka.

Umeh spoke in his capacity as a member of the Ad-hoc Committee on Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance that approved the refund.


He said the refund became possible following the rescinding of an earlier Senate resolution on the committee’s interim report of June 7.

“The Senate decided to settle some of the outstanding claims and liabilities of states in the sum of N488,743,526,204.77 based on state by state claims,” he said.

According to him, Lagos State topped recipients of the refund with N114.6 billion while Akwa Ibom came second with N78.7 billion.

“Zamfara State will get N60.02 billion from the refund; Ogun, N59.2 billion while Anambra will receive N37.95 billion.”

He explained that Anambra presented a bill for N43 billion but N37,970,048,097.03 was approved for the state.

“The approval of the refund followed a motion by Sen. Francis Alimikhena (Edo-North) that the Senate should settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations on refund to state governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.”

Umeh enjoined the Federal Government to release the money on time so that states especially, Anambra, could put such fund to use.

“The Deputy Governor of Anambra, Dr Nkem Okeke and I, led the Anambra delegation to the refund defence.

“I devoted my time to it because Gov. Willie Obiano is doing well and needs as much assistance as possible to continue his good work,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/21-states-to-benefit-from-n489bn-fg.html

Exactly twenty-one years ago, Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti died, having reportedly contracted AIDS. But, his family said soldiers of the Nigerian government killed the singer and not the disease.

Months ago, French President Emmanuel Macron was at the New Afrika shrine to celebrate African culture. He praised Fela for being more than a musician, for being a politician who wanted to affect the society.

Prior to his death, Fela was well known at home and abroad not just for his spirited musical performances and stinging lyrics, but also for his political and human rights activism. They were filled with antagonistic messages directed at the government of the country. It earned him several stays in jail on different counts and charges.
Fela’s music, both inspiring and rebellious was the height of social commentary at the time. Constantly, his music frayed military nerves with his album Zombie particularly stinging. It personified soldiers as mindless creatures that blindly followed orders and were incapable of thinking on their own. It also touched on their insatiable lust of violence and destruction.

It sparked different responses from the government, with soldiers invading and razing his Kalakuta Republic. During the invasion, Fela’s mother Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was thrown from the second floor of her home. That eventually led to her death.
Fela’s reaction was unexpected, when he took his mother’s coffin to Dodan Barracks, the seat of power then, after which he released the tracks Coffin for Head of State and Unknown Soldier.
The latter was in reference to General Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that the invasion was by an ‘Unknown Soldier’ while the former detailed the ordeal Fela and his mother went through during the raid.
He criticized the corruption of Nigerian government officials and the mistreatment of Nigerian citizens. He spoke of colonialism as the root of the socio-economic and political problems that plagued the African people.
Fela was referred to as “Abami Eda,” which means “a strange creature”. He swapped his middle name “Ransome” for “Anikulapo” which means “one that has death his pocket”.
Fela the politician almost became fully-fledged. However, he was refused to run for the presidency under the political party he formed, Movement of the People (MOP). Fela noted that party was going to “clean up society like a mop.”
He had his stand-off with the current Nigeria president, Muhammadu Buhari in 1984. Anikulapo harshly criticized and insulted the then military head of state Buhari.
Buhari jailed him afterwards on a charge of currency smuggling. After 20 months, Fela was released from prison by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Fela was far from perfect, he often drew controversies and attracted attention by promoting indulgence in sex, misogyny, polygamy, and drugs, especially marijuana. His song ‘Lady’ reeked of misogyny.
In a book, Fela: This Bitch of a Life, written by Carlos Moore, Fela infamously compared women to mere ‘mattresses’ on which men are meant to sleep. He noted he didn’t mind hitting any of his 27 wives when they defaulted.
He compared women to Satan and disappointing claimed some girls are ready for sex as early as nine-years-old. These imperfections added that veneer of fallibility to the Abami Eda, after all, he was only human. Still, he remains in our hearts and lives in our memories.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/why-is-fela-remembered-after-21-years.html

The Conference of APC Publicity Secretaries (CAPS) has called on Senate President Bukola Saraki to resign from the position immediately.


The APC spokespersons from various states, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said that Saraki, as a member of the minority PDP, had lost the moral ground to continue as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


The statement was signed by Engr. Yahaya Bashir (North-West), Taiwo Olatunbosun (South-West), Engr. Usman Adaji (North-Central), Senibo Chris Finebone (South-South), Mr. Sule Garba (North-East), Arc. Okelo Madukaife (South-East), Secretary, and Engr. Joe Igbokwe (Chairman).


They, however, lauded the appointment of the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, as the Acting National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), following the resignation of Malam Bolaji Abdullahi.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/you-have-lost-moral-ground-to-continue.html

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described the call by the All Progressives Congress on Senate President Bukola Saraki to resing as the leader of the Nigerian Senate as a joke.

“The call for Bukola Saraki to resign as the Senate president by the factional chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole is laughable and sickening,” PDP spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan said.

National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole on Wednesday said the right thing for the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, is to vacate his seat after leaving the party to join the PDP.


Oshiomhole said, “But whatever is the reason, we can defect from the party but we can’t defect from Nigeria. The only thing is that there are other consequential issues that every man or woman of honour who had taken such decisions would be expected to follow through.

“I mean you should not collect a crown that belongs to a family and wear it on behalf of the family if for your personal reasons which he has enumerated that he has gone to another family,” Oshiomole said.

But, the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbodiyan, said the call for Saraki’s resignation is “laughable and sickening”.

Saraki, after months of speculation, dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress for his former party, the People’s Democratic Party on Tuesday.

“I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/call-for-sarakis-resignation-is-joke.html

Junaid Mohammed, a Second Republic lawmaker, on Thursday, highlighted reasons former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar should not be allowed to rule Nigeria in 2019.

The social commentator stated that the Waziri of Adamawa lacked the capacity to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
In a chat with Akelicious, the trained medical doctor turned politician stressed that politicians like Abubakar, who made their money through “crooked means” have never been known to advance the welfare of the people.

According to Mohammed, “I’m more concern about the welfare of this country and I don’t see how Atiku can advance the welfare of this country one bit.
“Millionaires, especially those who made their money through crooked means have never been known to advance the welfare of the people. Their aim of wanting to be in power is to make money and Atiku is a good example of that.
“I will like to be told what Atiku has done to advance the welfare of anybody in his entire working and political career, nothing.”

He also cautioned Nigerians against voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
The former lawmaker stressed that both Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have failed Nigeria miserably, hence don’t deserve a second chance.
He said, “There is no need wasting time on Buhari because he has failed miserably, his APC has been a failure and he is now a sick both mentally and physically, so I can’t see how a weak person can lead a nation of 200 million people.
“The best option is the departure of Buhari and Atiku, while younger people with background knowledge of things like computer, economy, sciences and people who are known to have a sense of empathy for the common man are allowed to govern.
“Neither Buhari nor Atiku are qualified for this; none of them has any background that is relevant to governance. One only knows how to kill while the other one is a well-trained megalomaniac who stole money literally from the public.
“So how do you limit the choice of Nigerian leadership to these two irresponsible, corrupt and useless people? We need to start looking for real leaders.”

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/2019-atiku-abubakar-should-not-be-allow.html

Leading brewing firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced a profit after tax of N8 billion for the half year(H1) ended of 2018, showing a decline by 33 per cent, compared with the N12.317 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

An analysis of the results indicated that the company’s revenue dipped by five per cent from N181 billion in 2017 to N173 billion in 2018.


A further analysis of the performance showed that results from operating activities declined by 20 per cent from N39 billion in 2017 to N32 billion in the corresponding months in 2018, just as profit before tax also dropped by 19 per cent from N34 billion in 2017 to N28 billion in the period under review.

Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, attributed the lower performance to the new excise duty introduced by the federal government. According to him, the new excise duty regime and higher rate of beer introduced in June 2018 further impacted on affordability in the period under review.

The government had approved an amendment to the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco with effect from June 4. And the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said that the new excise duty rates were spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the products. Adeosun said that the new excise duty regimes followed all-inclusive stakeholder engagements by the Tariff Technical Committee of the Federal Ministry of Finance with key industry stakeholders. According to her, the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco is to achieve a dual benefit of raising the federal government’s fiscal revenues.

Meanwhile, gains by bellwether tickers such as Nestle Nigeria Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc helped to sustain the upbeat at the stock market and lifted the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) by 0.19 per cent to close above 37,000 threshold yesterday. Although there were a total of 17 price gainers, lower than the 24 price losers, the NSE ASI closed higher at 37,017.78 following appreciation recorded by highly capitalised counters. As a result of the positive close, the year-to-date decline further improved to 3.20 per cent.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigerian-breweries-half-year-profit.html

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, revealed that doctors at the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital and state-owned Diagnostics Centre had given him a clean bill of health after undergoing a five-hour medical check-up at both medical facilities.

The ex-Nigerian leader who made good his promise to begin his annual medical examinations at the facilities when he first visited the state in February this year, noted that results of the tests carried out on him, aligned with those previously conducted by his doctors in Atlanta, United States.


Obasanjo said part of his vital organs examined by the doctors included the ones on his heart, the kidneys, liver, spleen, blood and urine.

He added that a scan was also conducted on his brain which showed that “my head is still correct,” adding that the examinations on his prostate, teeth, eyes and ears also revealed that he was still very sound.

The former president, who had earlier last Monday night attended a prayer vigil at the Government House Church, with Governor Seriake Dickson, disclosed that all he was charged was N350,000 for all the tests as opposed to the $25,000 (about N9 million) he would usually spend on his medicals in the United States.

“Last time, l was here in February, l did say that l would want to come and patronise the facilities because l was impressed with what l saw then. Having made that promise, l had to fulfill it. I started last night with the gadgets l had to wear to sleep to check my blood pressure while l am awake and while l am sleeping. This morning, l started with blood and urine tests.

“I went through the whole process of heart tests. They looked at other internal organs such as kidneys, liver, spleen and all the internal organs. Eventually, l had a semi-sleep in the MRI where my brains were examined and it may be of interest to you to know that the doctor said my head is correct,” he added.

Obasanjo, who later chaired the first Infant and Maternal Mortality Summit in the state held at the Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, said with the facilities on ground in Bayelsa State, there was no need for Nigerians to fly abroad for medical check-ups.

“Wherever we get best practices, let us spread it. When l was here last February, l saw the standard of the facilities here that could be used by all Nigerians. There is no need for a Nigerian to say he is going to Dubai, United Kingdom or America for medical checkups.

“I came here last night, before 1 p.m, what l started at 8a.m came to an end. I went through all the medical checks, that l would normally have gone through anywhere else – The eye, the mouth, the head and the doctor showed me what my brains looked like.

“When l looked, he said my brain is clean and clear and l said, it means my head is correct. Not only that the cost is reasonable, the services were superb. So, what people were going to Dubai, India, America, UK, Saudi Arabia for is here in Bayelsa State,” he noted.

He thanked Dickson for the warm welcome accorded him, and praised all the staff of both medical centres for their commitments, stressing that he remains a beneficiary of Dickson’s revolution in the healthcare sector in the State.

“I went through the machines, the way l used to go through them where l normally have my medicals at Atlanta, Georgia. We have trained Nigerians and the machine here. I got my results and it is the same thing l had in USA. The difference is that it is cheaper here than there.

“ I am also a beneficiary of the health insurance in Bayelsa State and l pay monthly. And again, it is good to know that health insurance is very good because when you are in need of attention and you don’t have money, you have insurance to take care of you.

“I have done and paid for one year and half. My health insurance is N14, 000 and my bill for my medical checks is N350,000. What l have gone through today is nothing less than $20,000 and $25,000 in America and that is millions of naira.

“I got my results and l am as fit as a fiddle. The doctor said the only thing l need to do is to drink more water. The same thing you can get anywhere in the world, you can get it here. Why do you have to travel?” the former president queried.

Also at the summit, Dickson announced that henceforth, pregnant women will be paid a total of N27,000 during their nine-month period from the point of registration.

“At this summit, I want to announce a government policy that in order to make it possible for every pregnant woman to deliver safely, in order for us to know that every pregnancy is accounted for, supervised and supported all through up to delivery, the government is announcing a safe maternity allowance of N3,000 per month to every pregnant woman in Bayelsa State,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/doctors-have-certified-me-medically-fit.html

A Magistrates’ Court in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday sentenced two men, Michael Godwin, 24, and Yemi Odutosin, 24, to three months imprisonment each for assaulting officials of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE).

They were said to have committed the offence on April 2 in Ijebu-Ode while the officers were performing their lawful duty.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Magistrate S.S. Sotayo sentenced both men to three months imprisonment each on the five-count charge against them.

Sotayo said the sentences would, however, run concurrently.

Amongst the charges were conspiracy and unlawful assault of some TRACE Officers–Adekoya Ope-Oluwa, Oyeyemi Morakinyo, and Adelabu Muinat.

Though the convicts initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, they, however, later admitted guilt and begged for leniency.

Reacting to the judgement, TRACE Corps Commander in Ogun, Abdul-Fatai Ogunyemi, expressed delight that justice was finally delivered.

Ogunyemi, in a statement signed by the TRACE spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

The TRACE boss further used the opportunity to assure all officers and men of the corps of their safety and lawful protection at all times while on lawful duty.

Ogunyemi, however, advised officers and men of the corps to be civil, polite and courteous while on duty.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/2-jailed-for-assaulting-ogun-trace.html

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday said it recovered a stolen articulated truck with registration number NSR 141 ZX at the Sango -Ota Toll Gate in Ogun.

Mr Adekunle Oguntoyinbo, Sango-Ota Unit Commander of FRSC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota that the trailer was recovered on Saturday at about 8.00 a. m.

Oguntoyinbo explained that the truck, which was reportedly snatched by suspected armed robbers in Ikorodu on Friday night, was abandoned at Sango Ota Toll Gate on the Lagos Abeokuta highway.

According to him, a FRSC patrol team sighted the truck on the highway during a routine patrol exercise.

“The matter has been handed over to the police for further investigation since neither the driver nor motor boy was sighted where the vehicle was parked,” he said.

The unit commander advised drivers to always be security conscious and avoid stopping in isolated areas .

He also implored haulage operators to ensure they install speed limiting and tracking devices to safeguard their vehicles from accidents and car theft.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/frsc-recovers-stolen-truck-at-sango-ota.html

Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade deployed in operation Lafiya Dole have intercepted a 15 year-old girl, who claimed to have escaped from a Boko Haram camp.

Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman said the teenager, identified as Zainab Mohammed was intercepted at Gubia, while repelling a terrorist attack. The hostage will be handed over to the appropriate authority on completion of investigation, he said.

Chukwu, in another statement also disclosed the arrest of five robbers at Felele, along Lokoja – Okene highway.

Chukwu said the robbers were caught wearing military camouflage and robbing innocent commuters.Chukwu said three of them – Saviour Denis, 39 years, Isaac Donald, 35 years and Joseph Isah, 35 years were arrested while one Atsen was killed during an exchange of fire with the troops.

He said two female accomplices, Janet Isah and Oyinoye Ochefije were also arrested during the encounter.

Chukwu said the suspects were being interrogated and would be handed over to the appropriate authority for further necessary action.

He listed items recovered from them as one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 rifle magazine loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition and four pairs of military camouflage uniform.

Others recovered items were one pair of Nigeria Police pullover, three pairs of berets, one pair of black boot, two machetes, one Plier and 22 handsets.

Chukwu also said N16, 980 was recovered from the suspects.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/photos-army-arrests-5-robbers-in-action.html

FBN Holdings Plc and Sterling Bank Plc have announced their results for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2018, showing higher profits.

Sterling Bank Plc recorded a higher profit growth. A breakdown of the results indicated that the bank’s profit after tax (PAT) grew by 63 per cent.

Specifically, Sterling Bank Plc recorded gross earnings of N77.637 billion, up 34 per cent from N57.1017 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2017. Net interest income (NII) fell from N27.018 billion to N25.547 billion, while fees and commission income rose from N5.902 billion to N6.896 billion. Credit loss reduced from N4.081 billion to N1.844 billion, while total expenses increased from N25.676 billion to N32.388 billion.


Despite the increase in expenses, Sterling Bank Plc ended the H1 with profit before tax of N32.388 billion, up from N4.334 billion to N6.388 billion showing an increase of 48 per cent. PAT grew faster by 63 per cent from N3.802 billion to N6.214 billion in 2018.

On the other hand, FBN Holdings Plc profit went up by 13.7 per cent. FBN Holdings Plc posted gross earnings of N293.3 billion in 2018, up from N288.8 billion. NII fell from N164.1 billion to N149.6 billion, while non-interest income rose from N50.5 billion to N61.3 billion. Impairment charges fell by 15.4 per cent from N62.4 billion to N52.8 billion.

Consequently, FBN Holdings Plc closed the period with a PBT of N38.9 billion, up 9.3 per cent from N35.6 billion. PAT stood at N33.5 billion, up 13.6 per cent from N29.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

A further analysis of the FBN Holdings performance showed that non-performing loan(NPL) improved from 22 per cent to 20 per cent, while customers’ deposits increased from N3.1 trillion as at December 2017 to N3.3 trillion in June 2018. Loans and advances to customers fell from N2.0 trillion to N1/9 trillion.

Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings, UK Eke said, “FBN Holdings continues to make steady progress towards delivering on its strategic targets. This has been demonstrated with a 13.7% y-o-y increase in profit after tax, 21.4 per cent year-on-year (y-on-y) growth in non-interest and 15.4 per cent y-o-y decline in impairment charge. Clearly, the Group is on its way to delivering its promises on asset quality, enhancing revenue generating capacity through non-interest income and driving further efficiencies.

“As we ramp up initiatives to grow interest income, we remain focused on the implementation of key initiatives across our subsidiaries and further strengthen our businesses towards delivering sustainable performance as well as optimising returns to our shareholders.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/fbn-holdings-sterling-bank-post.html

The French parliament has approved a far-reaching ban on mobile phones in schools, radio broadcaster Franceinfo reported on Monday following the result of the vote in the National Assembly.

The law fundamentally bans the use of mobile phones in all preschools and primary schools, as well as middle school.

The move had been a campaign demand by centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

French students are already not allowed to use their mobile phones during class, and each school can decide individually to implement rules that go even further.

With the new law, that position will be reversed: The use of mobile phones is generally banned in the entire school, with each one deciding to make exceptions to that rule.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that Senators and national assembly deputies reached the agreement late Wednesday on the ban for all three tiers of French education (primary, middle and high school), except for educational purposes.

Teachers have been calling for the ban to curtail a growing distraction in classrooms, with nearly nine out of ten French teens aged 12 to 17 now owning a smartphone.

Besides cutting down on screen time, the bill also aims to protect children from dangerous online content such as violence or pornography, as well as cyberbullying.

Each school will decide how to apply the ban, for example by making students hand them over when entering school premises or requiring them to keep them turned off in their backpacks.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/french-parliament-bans-use-of-phones-in.html

The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC) in Bayelsa State have kicked against the reduction of workers grade levels and steps by the committee on workers placement and progression in the Bayelsa State civil service.
A statement signed by the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Chairman, Comrade Bipre Ndiomu and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Chairman, Comrade Tari Dounana, said the errors on steps and levels are capable of dampening workers morals which could lead to reduced productivity.

“While labour would not support any illegality, we reaffirm our commitment to the interest of all workers in the state. We therefore, direct workers whose grade levels/steps were unjustly reduced to immediately route their complaints through their respective permanent secretaries to the committee,” said the statement.


The labour leaders also called on the state government to implement promotions and annual increment now that the disparity in the grade levels and steps has been addressed.


The statement also drew the attention of the state government to the three months salaries arrears owe workers in the state and appealed to the government to begin modalities to ensure that the arrears are paid immediately.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/labour-decries-downgrading-of-workers.html

The Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, has said that 15 persons have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Saturday in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

Rikiji told newsmen in Gusau on Sunday that the security situation in the state called for serious review.

This coming as President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday,approved the deployment of fighter jets to combat terrorism in the state.

The State Assembly Speaker recalled the ugly incidences recorded in the last two days in Zurmi Local Government Area where bandits took over three districts comprising over 18 villages and towns.

“As I said yesterday in Zurmi the issue of insecurity in this state require general study system review to tackle the prolonged security challenges facing the state.

“Security agencies should do more and more to deploy enough security personnel in Zamfara; we need permanent security stations in the affected area.

“We thank the immediate intervention of the Federal Government to this issue. As I am speaking now the troops, security personnel, have been deployed to the affected areas in Zurmi.

“They have started restoring normalcy in the area. We appeal to the people of the area to remain calm as government in collaboration with security agencies is working to maintain peace and stability in the areas,’’ he said.

The speaker also thanked the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, over his concern and commitment to the protection of his people.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/gunmen-kidnap-15-in-zamfara-speaker.html

The victory of Senator Victor Umeh in the Jan. 13, Anambra senatorial rerun election has been upheld by the Anambra Central Senatorial Election Petition Tribunal which described the petitioner as rabble-rouser.

The tribunal which sat in Awka on Friday struck out a petition challenging the victory.

The three-man tribunal, presided over by Justice H. A. Olusiyi, Justice A. O. Ayoola, and Justice A. U. Birnin Kudu dismissed the five reliefs sought by the petitioner.

The tribunal said the petition was lacking merit and the inability of the applicant to proof his case.
The petitioner, Mr Nkem Ekweozoh, the candidate of the Mega Peoples Progressives Party (MPPP), had sought the voidance of Umeh’s victory on five grounds.
Ekweozoh claimed that Umeh was not duly elected by majority of valid votes cast at the election and that the victory was invalid as it was fraught with corrupt practices and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
He further said Umeh was not qualified to contest the election as his nomination came at a time he was still the national chairman of his party, APGA.
Ekweozoh equally claimed that Umeh spent far above the maximum election expenses of N40 million as stipulated by law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were joined in the petition marked “EPT/AN/SEN/01/2018’’ as second and third respondents respectively.
Delivering a unanimous judgment, that lasted more than five hours, Justice Olusiyi, described the petitioner as a “`meddlesome interloper” and noted that Ekweozoh lacked the locus standi to contest the out-come of the election.
The panel further ruled that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to look into one of the complaints which related to Umeh’s nomination, sponsorship and candidature.
Olusiyi also described Ekweozoh as `a “rabble rouser” for making heavy weather of the issues of Umeh’s sponsorship and nomination when he was not a member of APGA or an aggrieved aspirant.
”You cannot meddle into the domestic affairs of a party to which you are a complete stranger.
““All the particulars of fact in support of the petitioner’s grounds that Umeh at the time of the election was not qualified to contest the election were not proved by any credible evidence known to our laws and therefore the petition had failed woefully,” he concluded.
Reacting to the judgment, Mr Ikeobi Ejiofor, a political associate of Umeh, who led other supporters to the tribunal, said the victory was not only for Anambra people, but for the entire South-East.
Ejiofor, who is also the chairman of Anaocha Local Government of Anambra, said with the victory Umeh would now settle down to continue to provide voice to Anambra people and Igbo people in the Senate.
Ekweozoh who also spoke said he would appeal against the judgment on the grounds that the same lacuna that robbed off Mrs Uche Ekwunife of Peoples Democratic Party victory in her senatorial position also played out in his matter.
“”I am pained that the tribunal tagged me a meddlesome interloper for challenging Umeh’s nomination by APGA when it was the same situation that robbed Mrs Ekwunife her victory after 2015 general election,’’ he said.
Ekweozoh, who was represented by his 90-year old father and legal practitioner called to bar in 1958, said his father would equally petition several flaws noticed during the trial and judgment of his matter.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/tribunal-upholds-umehs-election.html

Tech giant, Google will make available free Wi-Fi facilities in about 200 sites in Lagos and five other states in Nigeria between now and 2019.

Within this period, about 10 million Nigerians, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are expected to benefit immensely from this project. The other states are Kaduna; Port Harcourt (Rivers state); Ibadan (Oyo state); Enugu and Abuja.

The project, which comes as Google Station, is in partnership with 21st Century, a leading ISP in Nigeria. Four of the Stations, including Local Airport, Landmark; The Palms and Ikeja City Mall, went live on Wednesday.

Nigeria is the fifth country to launch Google Station, following India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.


Google Station is a service that allows Google partners to roll out Wi-Fi hotspots in public places by providing software and advice on hardware to turn fibre connections into Wi-Fi.

Speaking with The Guardian and some five other select media houses on Wednesday, in Lagos, Google’s Vice-President, Product Management, Anjali Joshi, said the service, which is targeted primarily at countries, where the next-billion Internet users are set to come from, aimed to give users fast, secure, and easy-to-use Wi-Fi experience.

Joshi explained that in order to provide the service, Google offered fibre carriers, the companies, which build software for Internet-connected hardware, and venues a cloud-based platform and devices, which make it easier for them to provide, manage and monetise the Station hotspots.

She disclosed that the initiative is a long term project and that the security aspect has been fortified and encrypted to guard against any breaches.

Joshi said Google was doing this because the Internet has the potential to completely transform Africa. “Across the globe, countries which have invested in nurturing digital and innovation-based cultures not only enjoy extraordinary wealth (and job creation), but have also transformed the way people live and do business. That positive change can only happen, however, if everyone can access the Internet,” she stressed.

Speaking in the same vein, Google’s Country Director, Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, who said the move was to ensure that more Nigerians participate in the digital economy, noted that the technology firm hoped to roll out Station to as many public locations as possible, including markets, malls, bus stops, city centres, and cafés, universities so that people can have a consistent Wi-Fi experience during their daily routines.

On the choice of Nigeria now, Ehimuan-Chiazor said the country is an important market for Google and the largest market in Africa, saying that the target was to develop the technology ecosystem and later scaled to other part of Africa.

Silent on the amount gone into the investments, she disclosed that the initiative was targeted at a populated area, with the hope that by 2019 about 10 million Nigerians must have benefitted.

According to her, there are huge possibilities of the initiative helping the country to leapfrog the 30 per cent broadband target set by the Federal Government for this year, “knowing full well that a World Bank report claimed that there is direct correlation between broadband and GDP growth. That is a 10 per cent increase in broadband correlates to 1.38 per cent increase in GDP growth.

“Even beyond GDP growth, the Internet provides opportunities to pursue social and developmental objectives. So we expect this to fuel some changes, especially in creating jobs, helping the SMEs, among others.

“We have believed since the very beginning of Google that when more people have better, more dependable and secure access to the Internet, everyone in the entire Internet ecosystem benefits. Google Station will work to this mission by bringing more people fast, reliable, quality Wi-Fi to more places.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/10m-nigerians-to-get-free-wi-fi.html

Iran’s Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani warned U.S. President Donald Trump against war on Thursday, saying it would “destroy all that you possess”, the website of Iran’s Arabic language Al Alam TV reported.

“You know that this war will destroy all that you possess. You will start this war but we will be the ones
to impose its end.

“Therefore you have to be careful about insulting the Iranian people and the president of our Republic,” Soleimani said in a speech, as reported by Al Alam in Arabic.


“You know our power in the region and our capabilities in asymmetric war. We will act and we will work,” he said.


Earlier, the chief of Iran’s elite military Quds force warned Trump not to take military action against Iran, saying if Washington started a war, Tehran would be the one to end it, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.


“We are near you, where you can’t even imagine … Come.


“We are ready. If you begin the war, we will end the war,” Qassem Soleimani said in a speech in the central city of Hamedan, Tasnim reported.


NAN reports that on Monday, Trump warned Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that he will face dire consequences for threatening the United States.


Trump tweeted about the dangers to Iran of making hostile threats after Rouhani said Sunday “American must understand well that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.”


Trump responded with a tweet that warned: “NEVER EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKE OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.”


Trump earlier this year pulled the United States out of the international deal meant to prevent Tehran
from developing a nuclear weapon and ordered increased American sanctions.


Rouhani had warned Trump Sunday to stop “playing with the lion’s tail” and threatening Iran, “or else you will regret it.”(Reuters/NAN)

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/war-will-destroy-everything-you-own.html

Beyonce is giving us a look at her adorable twins in this new picture.

Queen B and JAY-Z turned Europe On The Run II World Tour into a family vacation. The music icons went for the concert bringing along their 6-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, and their 1-year-old twins, son Sir and daughter Rumi.

The Carters family is back in the states, Beyonce the proud mom shared an enormous collection of vacation photos to her website, including a snapshot of herself holding Sir and Rumi in her arms.She also posted another photo of Rumi, held by her dad while they stood at the back of an enormous yacht, as they traveled through idyllic European waters.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/beyonce-shares-new-photo-of-twins-rumi.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria might start lending to companies directly by buying their commercial papers.

Speaking on Tuesday while announcing the decision of monetary policy committee of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, said the bank will be willing to buy if the papers are issued at single digits.

“The committee believes that the Bank should continue to encourage deposit money banks (DMBs) to increase the flow of credit to the real economy to consolidate economic recovery,” he said.

“In this regard, the committee believed that a heterodox approach to reform the market in order to strengthen the flow of credit would be appropriate at this time.

“Consequently, credit constrained businesses, particularly the large corporations are encouraged to issue commercial paper to meet their credit needs and the Central Bank of Nigeria may if need be, buy those instruments to complement the efforts of the DMBs.”


“In addition, as a way of incentivise deposit money banks to increase lending to the manufacturing and agriculture sectors, a differentiated dynamic cash reserves requirement (CRR) regime would be implemented, to direct cheap long-term bank credit at 9 percent, with a minimum tenor of seven years and two years moratorium to employment elastic sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

The committee also advised that the government take advantage of rising crude oil prices to improve the nation’s savings.

“As the prices of crude oil in 2017 and 2018, the monthly allocation to various levels of government increased suggesting that federal government was not conscious of saving for the rainy day.

“The committee, therefore, advised the fiscal authority to build the buffers especially now that the price of crude oil is relatively high.”

Dangote Group recently listed its N50 billion commercial papers on FMDQ at 13.21%.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/central-bank-may-lend-directly-to.html

Internationally acclaimed rapper and singer Drake has scored a double victory on the UK Billboard Chart with his viral single ‘In My Feelings’.

The American rapper, who is known for his acting gained a large chunk of Nigerian fans when he remixed Wizkid’s ‘Ojuelegba’ in 2015. Billboard shared the news through its twitter handle @billboard on with the link to the charts while commending the viral dance challenge that has helped to promote the song. They captioned it, “Drake’s In My Feelings challenge is spreading worldwide.” The song went viral through the #Dotheshiggy challenge now dubbed the #inmyfeelings challenge where fans all the world are making and posting videos of themselves dancing to the song. The hashtag #InMyFeelingsChallenge went viral earlier in July on Instagram. Celebrities including Will Smith, Kevin Hart and Ciara have all taken part in the craze. “In My Feelings” is Drake’s third No. 1 U.K. single this year, making him the first to pull that off since Justin Bieber in 2015. The song rules with combined units of 91,000, according to the Official Charts Company, comprised of 8.8 million streams and 11,000 download. ‘In My Feelings’ follows ‘God’s Plan’ and ‘Nice For What’, earning Drake a hat-trick of chart-toppers in 2018 The song is off his new album ‘Scorpion’ which has also been getting rave reviews and is currently topping the Billboard Chart.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/drakes-in-my-feelings-hits-no-1-on-uk.html

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the invasion of the residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and that of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
Akelicious had earlier reported that the Police on Tuesday morning blocked the Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s convoy at Lake Chad junction in Abuja.


He was reportedly on his way to report to the police headquarters after he was invited for questioning by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris over Offa bank robbery.

Also, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday morning laid siege at the residence of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Abuja.


However, reacting to the development, Atiku while condemning the siege urged President Buhari to take charge and call the security operatives to order.

His reaction was contained in a press statement by the Spokesman to the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Showunmi.

The Statement reads, “We are outraged at the information reaching us which suggests that our democracy is under unprecedented attack. Separation of powers and an independent legislator is the hallmark of a stable democracy.


“We call on President Buhari to take charge and call security operatives to order. The world is watching and so are Nigerians.”

Full details at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/sarakiekweremadu-call-your-security-men.html

The Minister of Communications, Engr Adebayo Shittu, has revealed that the ministry will establish five new companies from the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST).

The companies are: NIPOST banking and insurance company; NIPOST property and development company; NIPOST transport and logistics services company; NIPOST E-government services company; and NIPOST E-commerce services company.

Shittu, who spoke at the official launch of the Nigeria information and communications technology (ICT) roadmap in Lagos yesterday, said the five new companies, which will take effect by the end of the year and will be recruiting hundreds of Nigerians in each company.

The roadmap launch and sensitization workshop which was organised to reawaken the interest of the private sector, has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the implementation has commenced.


He stated that the ICT sector Roadmap 2017 to 2020, will focus on the ICT industry and infrastructure development, governance, policy, legal and regulatory environment, capacity-building and cross-cutting issues such as information security and innovation.


“The intention in developing the roadmap is to create broad, yet flexible pathways to ensure that ICT reaches all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria as well as to provide every Nigerian with access to ICT and improved quality of service delivery by government.


“It will also promote public private partnerships (PPP) to attract investments in high quality infrastructural facilities and services.”


Shittu added that, in the roadmap, the ministry plans to leverage business process outsourcing and other ICT sector opportunities to create two million jobs, establish a technological park and ICT exhibition centre, create ICT innovation hubs across the nation and reposition NIPOST to enable it provide cost effective 21st century services.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/5-new-companies-to-emerge-from-nipost.html

The Naira on Monday remained stable at the parallel market in Lagos exchanging at N358 to the dollar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian currency had exchanged at same rate on July 20, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N480 and N418 respectively.

At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the Naira was sold at N360 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at NN480 and N418 respectively.


Trading at the investor’ window saw the Naira close at N362 to the dollar, while it closed at N305.80 to the dollar at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window.

NAN reports that since the CBN began its aggressive interventions at the foreign exchange market, the Naira had remained stable at the parallel market.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/naira-stable-at-n358-to-dollar.html

The Integrity Group (TIG) on Monday said that vote-buying was not only a criminal offence but the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

The founder of the group, Livingstone Wechie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that such act contravened sections 124 and 130 of the Electoral Act.

He called for immediate enforcement of the punitive prescription of the law to deter recurrence.

“We are calling for the immediate enforcement of the law against perpetrators of such act.

“This is the time to save our democracy for posterity sake,” Wechie said.

The group’s leader, who called on the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to rise up against such electoral offence, said the battle was a collective one.

He condemned in strong terms any of form of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

According to him, this crime if established must be treated with the full weight of the law.

Wechie commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts on voter education.

There are allegations of vote-buying in the Ekiti election by politicians.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/vote-buying-biggest-threat-to-nigerias.html

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed plan to deploy a technological solution that will enable tracking of SIM boxes used to perpetuate the fraud.

This is just as members of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes have commended the NCC over the commission’s prompt intervention in addressing the issue of call masking in the country.

Call masking is a practice where calls are generated from one network to another, with the identity of the caller hidden from the call recipient, aimed at defrauding the call recipient.

Therefore, the lawmakers expressed its satisfaction with the measures so far taken by the NCC with a view to curbing the menace of call masking and refiling in the country.

Speaking while leading other members of the committee to a meeting at the NCC office in Abuja, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Kayode Oladele, expressed concern about the dangers the menace of call masking portends in the country.

“Within a very short time we are very impressed by the responses and I wish Nigerians could be told about what we have done here today.

“Many people feel that nothing has been done whereas so much has been done, except that if you ask me what we have achieved today I will say that I am leaving here more confused because the problem is bigger than what we thought,” Oladele said at the end of the meeting.


Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta told the committee that the menace was not peculiar to Nigeria’s telecom industry alone, adding that the agency had assembled a technical team brains to select the best technology solution to be deployed for detecting SIM boxes used by the perpetrators in the country.

“When we notice a phenomenon which is anticompetitive or undermining the security of the land we promptly take actions. In this regard, we have taken some steps to ensure that operators licensed by the commission abstain from the act.

“And we noticed an anecdotal improvement as the numbers came down reasonably. Yet all of a sudden we have an additional dimension, SIM boxing. These are electronic boxes with a capacity to receive and transmit calls.

“We are at a loss how these items of equipment find their way into this country because we don’t type-approve them, and we couldn’t have type-approved them. It’s illegal to bring SIM boxes into the country,” Danbatta pointed out.

According to him, other African countries bedevilled by the same menace of call masking had successfully used technology solutions to tackle it, adding that the commission would soon speed up its procurement process to ensure its deployment in Nigeria.

Speaking further, the NCC boss said the regulator had to resort to taking administrative sanctions on operators including the recall of redundant numbers to ensure that they were not used in undermining the security of the land, among other several measures taken to nip the crisis in the bud.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/ncc-set-to-deploy-tech-solution-to.html