₦airaland Forum

Veteran Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe has emerged the new National President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP) at an election held in Asaba, Delta.
Akelicious reports that the election which ended late on Saturday saw members of AMP from various states voted for their new leaders who would paddle the affairs of the association for the next two years.

Anyiam-Osigwe at the end of the election polled 167 votes to defeat her opponent, Mr Michael Parish who polled 3 votes, while the Vice President, Queen Blessing Ebigieson polled 165 votes to beat Miss Rose Okwoli who polled only four votes.
Anyiam-Osigwe, succeeded the immediate past president, Mr Ralph Nwadike, who had completed his two term of two years each.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, who declared the occasion opened, lauded the association for painstakingly weathering the storm of sustaining the movie and entertainment industry with little or no support from the government.

The governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, said the association had attained a great success despite the economic and environmental challenges.

“You have achieved great feat on your own in the movie and entertainment industry; As a state, we have decided to support you by making you landlords in Delta.
“We have heard your challenges and I can assure you that they will be things of the past, because here in Delta, you will operate freely as landlords.

“We are building a film village for you to keep you permanently here and this project, hopefully will be ready in 2021; so, your challenge after now is to beat Hollywood,” the Governor said.
The immediate past president of the association, Nwadike, called for support from all members to enable the newly elected executive deliver on promises.

He noted that despite the challenges, the industry had achieved a lot without much of government’s support, adding that there was the need to consolidate on the achievements.

“I want you to give support to the new executive whose mandate is to deepen the association’s achievements over the years.

“Nigeria is one, we have one Nollywood and we have one AMP, we are film makers and we are businessmen, we must stop in-fighting and support the new executive to enable the association get value for its money,” he said.

Nwadike thanked Okowa for his administration’s commitment to build a film village as an incentive to producers to thrive and make Delta a Nollywood base and home.

On his part, Zeb Ejiro, a veteran in the industry, said the election was a turning point for the movie industry while thanking them for chosen Asaba for the national election.
In her, response, Anyiam-Osigwe, appreciated the association for electing her as the president and pledged to deepen the achievements of the association by opening other channels to enable members get value for their money.

She promised that the irony of the country being the second largest producer of movies in the world, but ranked poorest would be reversed

The new president assured that piracy would be checked to protect intellectual property and pledged to open operational database for producers in order to create contacts for members

While calling for a review of the association’s constitution to form a working document, she promised to explore opportunities in community cinemas, terrestrial television and the cable networks to ensure producers get value for their money.

“Distribution will not be a challenge as we shall explore the African market and if we can get only one per cent of the market, it will be a great gain.

“We shall build the value chain by engaging and integrating almost 70 per cent of movie producers in Nigeria,” she said.

The new president thanked the members and all who made the process of the elections possible and promised to carry everyone along in the delivery of her electoral promises.
Other elected executive members are, General Secretary, Mr Baba Agba; Financial Secretary, Mr Anthony Chukwuma; Publicity Secretary, Mr Nzeh Frankwyte; and the Provost, Mr Vitus Nnebu.

Akelicious reports that veterans in the industry who graced the event include, Fred Amata, Emma Ogugua, Tony Ani, Lancelot Imasuen, Franca Brown, Imagbon Abia, Sunny Macdon and Paul Obazele, a two term president of AMP.

Earlier, Macdon, the Chairman of the Election Committee, said 18 states participated in the election which was “conclusive, free and fair”.

Speaking with Newsmen, Mr Adamu Sokonko, Gombe AMP State Chairman, said the national conference had helped in fosterIng unity.

He underscored the need for production of movies that would explore culture to promote understanding and unity among the diverse ethnic groups in the country.

On his part, Imasuen, called on the government to create the needed enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

“We need serious regulations to check piracy and the law enforcement agencies need to be educated on areas that concerns the infringement on property intellectual rights,” he said.

Imasuen also enjoined the government to give tax incentives and provide vital equipment that would help their members to produce films that could compete globally.

https://www.akelicious.net/anyiam-osigwe-emerges-amp-president/

Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman dies at 43 after 4-year fight with colon cancer

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with wife and family by his side

Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said. He was 43.

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.

"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," his family said in the statement.

"From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more — all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther."
Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis. He is survived by his wife and a parent and had no children, Fioravante said.

Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television before his first star turn in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013's 42 drew attention in Hollywood.

Boseman died on a day that Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson day. "His transcendent performance in 42 will stand the test of time and serve as a powerful vehicle to tell Jackie's story to audiences for generations to come," the league wrote in a tweet.

"This is a crushing blow" actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter, one of many expressing shock as the news spread across social media.

"This broke me," said actor and writer Issa Rae.

His T'Challa character was first introduced to the blockbuster Marvel movies in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, and his "Wakanda forever" salute reverberated around the world after the release of Black Panther two years ago

The character was last seen standing silently dressed in a black suit at Tony Stark's funeral in last year's Avengers: Endgame.

Even at the outset of his Hollywood career, Boseman was clear-eyed about — and even skeptical of — the industry in which he would become an international star.

"You don't have the same exact experience as a Black actor as you do as a white actor. You don't have the same opportunities. That's evident and true," he told AP while promoting 42. 

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-black-panther-actor-chadwick-boseman-dies-at-43-after-4-year-fight-with-colon-cancer/

Sunday’s violence and killings in Enugu may have led to the removal of the Enugu state DSS Director.

Report says a new DSS boss has been appointed to resume in Enugu immediately.

Details about the recent changes at the Enugu DSS were still sketchy at press time but Everyday News shall update as the picture gets clearer.
The DSS were at the centre of the bloodbath in Enugu last Sunday and have largely been blamed for the unfortunate incident and consequent breakdown of law and order in Emene, a suburb of the state capital.
The DSS in an official statement said that two of their men lost their lives in the mayhem.

https://www.akelicious.net/ipob-killings-enugu-dss-director-removed/

The leading pan-African banking group, Ecobank, has announced that it has won the Award for Innovation in Financial Services at the 2020 edition of the prestigious African Banker magazine Awards. 

The Awards, which reward banking excellence in Africa, were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 26th August.

The African Banker’s judging process sought to recognise African banks that have demonstrated original and practical uses of technology to provide customer convenience, improved and more affordable services as well as greater access to the financial services sector in Africa.
The leading pan-African banking group, Ecobank, has announced that it has won the Award for Innovation in Financial Services at the 2020 edition of the prestigious African Banker magazine Awards. 

The Awards, which reward banking excellence in Africa, were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 26th August.

The African Banker’s judging process sought to recognise African banks that have demonstrated original and practical uses of technology to provide customer convenience, improved and more affordable services as well as greater access to the financial services sector in Africa.

https://www.akelicious.net/ecobank-wins-african-bankers-award-for-innovation-in-financial-services/

The people and residents of Rivers have been enjoined to support and sustain the peace building efforts of Gov. Nyesom Wike for a more progressive and peaceful state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, made the call on Friday when some Ministers and Ambassadors for Peace in the Niger Delta Region visited him in Port Harcourt.

Danagogo said that the people and residents of Rivers were duty bound to join the state governor to nurture and sustain the peace in their various environments.

According to him, Gov. Wike had been doing everything within his means to support and partner with all security agencies to fast track the developmental agenda of the `NEW administration’ of Rivers.

The SSG also said that sustainable peace was desired in all parts of Nigeria, especially for citizens in the North West and North East, who now live in constant fear because of the precarious security situation in that part of the country.

He urged the ministers to keep up the good work, continue to take the pains of going into the Niger Delta creeks to reorient the youths and encourage those who are yet to lay down their arms to do so.

“No amount of money is too much to reorient our youths if the resources are available. That is why I think one of the best presidents Nigeria ever had was the late President Musa Yar’Adua who set up the Niger Delta Ministry, Amnesty agencies with resources.

“If the monies were judiciously used, I think it would have been meaningful for our people through the reorientation and education to develop skills for empowerment of the youths.

“Yar’Adua was a president that had a lot of foresight and empathy.’’ Danagogo said.

He further observed that the issues of security, the ecology and topography in Rivers like other parts of the Niger Delta made contract sums much more expensive as compared to what was obtainable in other parts of the country.

He urged them to keep praying for the State in accordance with the Holy scriptures that directed Christian faithful to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

The President of the group, Bishop Samuel Richard told the SSG that they were working and praying for the peace of the Niger Delta and especially Rivers.

He noted that the association formed 14 years ago would also organise `a Peace Prayer Summit, one million man march for peace’ whenever the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

He enjoined the SSG to join hands with the association to win the souls of the youths in the Niger Delta.

https://www.akelicious.net/ssg-urges-rivers-residents-to-sustain-gov-wikes-peace-building-efforts/

Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation has said that the Hausa language topped the list of articles created by language category on Wikipedia women writing contest.

Mr Olushola Olaniyan, Chairman, the board of trustees of Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation disclosed this on Monday in Lagos.

Olaniyan said that 179 contents were written in the Hausa language, followed by English with 136.
Olaniyan said that Indonesia’s contents were 122, Yoruba 70, Igbo 30, Bangali 22, French 22, Malayalam five, and Deutch two.

He said that the writing contest took place between April 29 and May 27.

“As of today, Wikipedia, the world’s most visited online encyclopedia is written in over 300 languages and has over six million articles on English Wikipedia.

“Wikipedia has represented an imbalance in the number of women to men contents since the inception of the platform in 2001.

“Statistics shows that only two out of every 10 articles on English Wikipedia are about women, hence the need for a drive to change this narrative,’’ he said.

Olaniyan said that the story of Nigerian women’s digital coverage was quite similar to the pattern obtained from global statistics with over two thousand biographies covered.

“The wikiGap Nigeria online contest was deployed to achieve three cardinal objectives which include identification of training needs of Nigerian women and the deployment of a capacity development programme with a focus on digital content creation.’’

Another objective is the identification and fixing of various issues on existing biographies about women on Wikipedia.

Identification of remarkable women from Nigeria without a Wikipedia biography and profiling their content on Wikipedia is the third objective.

Olaniyan said that the highlights of the project include over 30 local and international Wikipedia editors contributed to the project.

He said that over 150 Nigerian women biographies created could be accessed in English, French, Deutsch, Bangali, Indonesia, Malayalam, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo languages.

The board chairman said that WikiGap was an initiative taken to close the gender gap and other diversity gaps on Wikipedia.

He said that the initiative was made possible with the cooperation between the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria, African Women in the Media (AWIM), and Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation Incorporation.

https://www.akelicious.net/hausa-language-tops-articles-content-on-wikipedia-writing-contest/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4KD_bwTLIs


A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has lamented that societal values have degenerated to the extent that online fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, have become role models in the Nigerian society.

The former minister, who is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for alleged fraud running into billions of naira said this while delivering a lecture at a virtual event, on Friday.

Speaking at the event organised by the Ijaw National Development Group, which was also attended by her former boss, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Diezani stressed the need for mentorship of young people, saying only hard work could guarantee success.

In a video posted on Twitter by Jackson Ude, publisher of Point Blank News, Diezani said, “The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values.”

“This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is therefore a vicious cycle. If you plant cocoyam, you cannot harvest plantain.”

https://www.akelicious.net/yahoo-boys-now-role-models-in-nigerian-society-diezani-alison-madueke/

American Rapper Cardi B during an interview with SiriusXM’s Swaggy Sie on Friday (August 7) says that she will have “a mental breakdown” if Donald Trump wins the election and becomes president of the United States for another 4 years.

She said: “You know what, I was so f–king mad because it’s like people, when he dropped, people was like ‘oh what do you mean?’ Why? Because of y’all! Because you know how this new generation is. We be loving something but we just be lazy to do it, it’s like motherf–kers was just lazy to vote for him,” she said of Bernie Sanders dropping out of the presidential race.”

Cardi B who had endorsed Joe Biden severally, explained why she chose to.
“I feel like it’s important now because like, yo Trump is…I cannot, I’m telling you, if Trump goes for like another four years, I’m going to have a meltdown, Like I will have a mental breakdown. I cannot deal with this anymore…I do be scared of the state of the country…not only do I care about the people, but it’s like I am afraid of the future,” she went on to say.”

“I don’t want an another war…the economy right now, it sucks, like people are not making money. Some people are getting money, and they are not supposed to be getting money. This coronavirus s–t, I want it to be over but I don’t want people to lie to me…God forbid that my grandparents, somebody gets sick. I haven’t seen my grandparents in a month and I’m dying to see them,” she continued.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9NCz3IFC80

Odumeje visits Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Lion’s Building, Government House, Enugu, Enugu State.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zC3y8hMS68

DonKachiERA:
IHEDIOHA ARRIVES IMO AMIDST CHEERS FROM EXCITED IMOLITES


The erstwhile Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, arrived Imo State.

The former Governor arrived the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri around noon today. The Airport was agog with cheers from a huge crowd of excited Imolites who defied the rain to welcome him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni4vZwKJfXI

A football star is born in Enugu State Nigeria.
He is Nigeria’s version of Lionel Messi.
His skills are startling. His ball control is wizardry.
Master Agu Joshua is definitely another football gift from God.
Six-year-old Agu Joshua is a kindergarten talent that cannot be ignored. His talents are not just exceptional but stunning, considering his very tender age.

He has so much passion for the game that he even plays in the bedroom.
Anything he sees becomes football and he plays the game at any slightest opportunity.
Little Joshua does not understand any other language but football.
He thinks, sleeps and lives football.
He wants to play like Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, and Jay-Jay Okocha of Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPdCtrBYLqY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-sykJ1YFpY

US President Donald Trump has worn a mask in public for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L2jwddmkqE

The president was visiting the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington, where he met wounded soldiers and health care workers.

"I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place," he said as he left the White House.

He has previously said that he would not wear a mask and mocked Democratic rival Joe Biden for doing so.

But on Saturday he said: "I think when you're in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you're talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it's a great thing to wear a mask."

The change of tone came as the US recorded 66,528 coronavirus cases on Saturday, a new daily record.

What has Trump said about face masks?

Speaking to Fox Business Network last week, Mr Trump said: "I'm all for masks."

He added that he "sort of liked" how he looked with one on, likening himself to the Lone Ranger, a fictional masked hero who with his Native American friend, Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.

But when the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in April began recommending people wear masks or cloth coverings in public to help stop the spread of the virus, Mr Trump told reporters he would not follow the practice.

"I don't think I'm going to be doing it," he said back then. "Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens - I just don't see it."

Some media reports have suggested aides have repeatedly asked the president to wear one in public.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-us-canada-53378439

This is the most unbelievable Child abuse story I’ve come in contact with so far…

The picture of the girl here is that of a young Princess. She is fourteen years old from Kuturah in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Her father moved his family to Kaduna town when the neighboring village was attacked by the forces killing our people.

You should know that in Southern Kaduna we have over fifteen thousand internally displaced persons, and since they don’t have a camp, those in the city centers have accommodated these people and are still doing that.

Mrs. Iyema Oyemola otherwise known as Mrs. Oyewole or so whose picture appears above is a Refinery Staff. She is also a Church Deaconess with the Living Faith Church Barnawa. She has five children.

Mr. Oyewole begged for Princess to come and stay with them. The father single-handedly gave the girl to the woman. The woman even used holy water when he handed his daughter to the woman. He thought she was a good Christian woman.
A month later, he called to speak with his daughter; the woman said he must speak with her in English and not Hausa. She knew the daughter would likely spill.

She would now put the girl on the speaker to monitor her. Meanwhile, the girl was sleeping in the toilet all these while with not even a wrapper. The woman gave her a cup and told her that whenever she’s thirsty she should fetch water from the toilet to drink.

In the interview video clip, you’d hear the girl say, “They would now give me leaves like an animal” while in the toilet before the girl would come out to work her ass off.

The father said, “I did not collect or want any money from the woman. All that I wanted to be was for my daughter to go to school.” But in reality, for the past one year, Princess has gone to school just a week.

When asked, why did you go to school just once? And she replied, “The woman opened my bag one week after I commenced school and saw a carrot that I had put inside to eat during break and beat the living daylight out of me. Since then she stopped me from going to school…”

Check the scars on her face? The woman puts a knife on a burner or stove and when it’s hot, she would place it on her face. Her face used to be very swollen.

When the parents insisted on seeing her, she refused to let anyone have access to the girl. The mother, months ago went to the house to see the girl. It was raining, and for three hours, Mrs. Oyewole refused to let her see her daughter. She told her she would not allow her into the house because she does not want the woman to bring in corona into the house.

When the mother refused to leave, she opened the gate for her and let her see the daughter from the gate of the house. She told her, “You can see your daughter is alive right? Now leave my house!”

The grains that the woman brought for the family, the woman instantly gave it out to the security men at the gate.

When the girl’s father was told of the inhumane treatment, he then realized that something was wrong. He made contact with the relevant people on how to get his daughter back but every effort proved unsuccessful. The woman told them that the girl was in Abuja.

On Monday, the Uncle to the girl called the woman and warned her that she had just six hours to return the girl and here we are today.

It was then she started treating the girl with iodine and ice to dry up the wounds.

Mrs. Oyewole has a son who beats Princess at will. Punishes her even under the rain. When all of these happens, the husband locks himself in his room and pretends like nothing is happening. Her children Tito and Nifemi would hold the girl’s neck while the mother would burn her buttocks and vagina with lighter.

They hold her down while the mother inserts a stick into her private part at the same time burning the vagina. They also put pepper in the vagina and over the wounds.

When asked at the police station, why did you treat the girl so, and she replied, “I didn’t know the fire was burning very well like that!”

Her Church had settled the matter. But luckily, Alheri Magaji and the rest have got other NGOs involved.

The Church in Nigeria is as culpable as anyone else. You settled this case and wanted that girl back to that woman’s home?

https://www.akelicious.net/a-must-read-the-most-unbelievable-child-abuse-ever/

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has announced the cancellation of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL and the family National League, NNL season following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This means there will be no winner, promotion or relegation of clubs this year. Instead, the NFF has adopted Point Per Game for the final top 3 teams that will represent the country in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Nigeria’s new season is now fixed to tentatively commence in September or October of this year.


Some leagues across the world have also been cancelled by their respective federations including in France, Holland and Belgium among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-nff-cancels-2019-2020-league-season/

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged both federal and state governments to expedite action on reopening of schools for academic activities, saying the continued closure ofschools would have negative impact on the students.

The leadership of the association also warned those parading themselves as NANS officials and issuing fake statements purportedly on behalf of the student body to desist from the act.

NANS spoke yesterday, in a statement signed by its officials, including Kowe Odunayo Amos Coordinator, NANS Zone D; Akinteye Babatunde , Chairman, NANS, Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Ondo axis; Bamgbose Tomiwa Chairman, NANS, JCC Ogun axis; Busari AbdulQowiyy, Chairman, NANS JCC Lagos Axis; Agbogunleri Seun, Chairman, NANS JCC Osun Axis and Fadare Blessing, Chairman, NANS, JCC Oyo Axis.

NANS said the major interest of the vast majority of Nigerian students

[b]https://www.akelicious.net/covid-19-nans-wants-schools-to-reopen/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgCWDNb4I0

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says 218.37 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of natural gas was produced in March 2020, translating to an average daily production of 7493.65 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (MMSCFD).

This was contained in NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report for March, 2020 which reveals 3,119.89BCF of gas was produced for the period March 2019 to March 2020, representing an average daily production of 7,912.05mmscfd during the period.

A statement by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Kennie Obateru explained that period-to-date production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC contributed about 69.37 per cent, 21.67 per cent and 8.95 per cent, respectively, to the total national gas production.



Out of the 218.37BCF of gas supplied in March 2020, according to the report, 120.73BCF of gas was commercialized, consisting of 33.45BCF and 87.28BCF for the domestic and export market respectively, translating to 1,235.56mmscfd of gas to the domestic market and 3,817.40mmscfd of gas supplied to the export market for the month.

The report said 55.63% of the average daily gas produced was commercialized, while the balance of 44.37% was re-injected, used as Upstream fuel gas or flared.

https://www.akelicious.net/nnpc-gives-figures-of-natural-gas-produced-in-march/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dissolved the Zonal South-South caretaker committee and reconstitutes a fresh one.

The new caretaker committee is chaired by Chief Dan Orbih. Other members to be announced later.

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-pdp-dissolves-zonal-south-south-caretaker-committee/

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) as a member of the Five (5) man GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTORAL COMMITTEE to elect the Party's Flagbearer in Edo State, for the upcoming 2020 Governorship Election in the State.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

1. HE. Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Gov Bauchi (Chairman)

2. HE. Engr. 'Seyi Makinde Gov Oyo State (Member)

3. HE. Bello Mutawallen Gov Zamfara (Member)

4. Dist. Sen. Lilian Uche Ekwunife (Member)

5. Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren (Secretary)

The exercise is scheduled for Thursday June 25, 2020 in Benin City, Edo State.

Congratulations to our distinguished Senator!


https://www.akelicious.net/pdp-nominates-senator-ekwunife-as-member-edo-gubernatorial-primary-electoral-committee/

Anambra State Governor's Seat Declared Vacant

Very recently, in a viral video, an unknown Prophet and Self-Claimed Man of God was seen around the governor's Lodge, Awka, where he prophesied that the seat of the governor is vacant.

According to the pastor, he said: "Today, the Lord has declared the seat of Anambra State Vacant, Anambra State don't have a Governor, go and tell Obiano a servant of the Most High God Said So"

"I wish he (Governor) could have hear, maybe he could have repented, but he did not hear".

Meanwhile, Willie Obiano is currently serving is second term tenure as the Governor of Anambra State, in the South Eastern Nigeria where the heat of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra is preponderant.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb7Yp6jAGcY

https://www.akelicious.net/anambra-state-governors-seat-declared-vacant-prophet/

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, has alleged that church leaders are responsible for the guidelines placed on churches.

Oyakhilome insisted that some leaders have insisted that government should ensure that churches remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The founder of Christ Embassy made the remark while faulting the guidelines issued by government for the gradual reopening of churches.

Addressing his members, Oyakhilome also said pastors who are afraid of the virus don’t believe in God.

He said: “You can’t believe in Jesus Christ and be afraid of virus. Jesus touched people with leprosy and healed them.
“But these people who are afraid are pretending to be representing the Christians. It’s a shame. I think the leaders are laughing at them.

“If you are a Christian and minister of the gospel and you are afraid of the virus, you have no gospel. Your gospel has ended. The moment you start giving such guidelines to people in the church, you’ve repudiated your faith in Christ.

“We have to pray for our leaders and pastors who are scared of the virus.

“You may not know this but the reason many churches are still shut down is not just government but church leaders who insisted that government should not let the churches open, except the churches follow these wicked guidelines.
“Some of those guidelines like wearing of gloves before laying hands on the sick, suspending holy communion, holy communion that Jesus Christ told us to take, now we are told to suspend them because of a pandemic, this is crazy.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had months ago placed a ban on religious gathering in the country, following the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, had issued guidelines for worship centres across the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/pastors-afraid-of-covid-19-have-no-faith-in-christ-oyakhilome/

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alh. Atiku Abubakar are the major prominent politicians people are watching to contest the 2023 presidential election. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, being a former governor of Lagos state and the national leader of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been waxing stronger politically and a household name not only in the southwest region of Nigeria but Nigeria in general. Alh. Atiku Abubakar on the other hand is the former Vice President of Nigeria and the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 General Election.
There are rumours that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu would contest the 2019 presidential election as the party is trying to zone the presidency of the party to the Southern region of the country. Being a former governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu laid the foundation for the modern Lagos State of today. It was on the foundation the likes of his successors like Gov. Babatunde Fashola and Gov. Akinwumi Ambode built on. It is the hope of Nigerians that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu will perform wonderfully well as an elected President of Nigeria.
Alh. Atiku Abubakar has never administered state before, but was familiar with the workings of the federal government being a former Vice President of the country. His knowledge as the vice President of Nigeria will assist him to govern the country well.

Also drop your comments https://www.akelicious.net/2023-tinubu-vs-atiku-who-can-make-a-better-nigeria-president/

Dr. Godwin Maduka is a renowned medical doctor with a specialty in anesthesiology. He is the founder of the Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Centre in the United States, where he has received accolades for his expansive infrastructural and research work in medical science. Dr. Maduka is also an unrepentant philanthropist whose connection to the homeland is not lost. This has made him stretch personal resources to contribute to and develop his town, Umuchukwu, his state, Anambra State, and his Nation, Nigeria, in order to create a conducive landscape for generations. On the occasion of his birthday, Dr. Maduka engaged the media as he reflects on his journey and his newfound resoluteness on governance.



I: Can you give us insight into your background, what growing up was like?

DGM: I was born in 1959, before the civil war, I was a little boy during the war and it went a long way to shape me. If you survived the war, you will realize that fear, death, and uncertainty are no longer your enemies because we came face to face with them. After the war in 1970, I started primary one, I was around 11 years old, and so you can see that the civil war robbed part of my childhood. We lived in the village so there were no social amenities; we grew up using the lantern to see and read. The saying that “a responsible child makes a responsible adult” is true, you can not allow a child to play too long, if you do, it will get ingrained in his head, and he will never know how to take responsibility. We were taught how to take responsibilities; we had to get firewood, we fetched water, went to the farm before and after school. We read with lantern and sometimes we hunted for bush meat, and we were living with snakes and scorpions. The survival rate was low, so you saw young people dying of treatable ailments. We didn’t have modern medication and 75% of adults in my community at that time were native doctors, including my father. We trekked to school because my town didn’t have a secondary school, except for a primary school, which I attended in my town. I continued with my secondary education at Nawfia Comprehensive School, which was too far and as a result, I had to come back to All Saints Grammar School, Umunze.

I: What would you say are the remarkable things about your upbringing that shaped your personality?

DGM: My father was one of the best native doctors around then, and people may not know that much of the drive to go into medicine, stemmed from watching my father’s prowess as a dibia. He never ventured into juju or witchcraft, but he cured malaria, infections, and several kinds of ailments. And these are the things we do today as medical doctors. We give hope to the sick, but the only time we don’t give them hope is when we know that the end is near, so we prepare them for their passage with a high level of consideration. I was close to my father, and I watched with keen interest all his ways, methods and realized that empathy was Germaine for humanity. I think that shaped me a lot.

I: What is fascinating about your specialty, Pain Management, and how has medicine shaped your thoughts about life generally?

DGM: We have a lot of people who suffer pain in the world today. Personally, as an anesthesiologist; I can relieve pain with surgical procedures, medicine, and by talking to my patients. It is a humane specialty. If you have never been in pain, you will not understand what people in pain go through. No matter how your partner loves you, they can never take away your pain. So that makes the sufferer a lonely person. I am well trained in it, and we are the pioneers of interventional pain management. We own six medical centers in the US, and in Las Vegas alone, I own more facilities in pro-health pain management than any other doctor. We are the largest in Nevada, and in terms of quality, we are still one of the best in the US, as well as the world.

I: June 21 is your birthday, if you look back at where you started and now, what comes to your mind?

DGM: Looking back, the journey, the sacrifices, it is amazing how a young village boy that was surrounded by hopelessness could attain this level of success; playing at a global stage. I am thankful and full of gratitude to God, but then I do not think we should rest on our oars, because so much hasn't been done yet. It is not yet Uhuru. I believe so much in the power of hope. I think I work harder now than I worked about 20 years ago, because so many still need to have access to medical care, so many need to receive qualitative education. As an African, a Nigerian in the diaspora, I believe we should triple our efforts to bring our country and continent at par with what is obtainable globally.

I: We have witnessed all the works you did and the ones you are still doing in your town, Umuchukwu. What inspired you into philanthropy? How do you intend to extend this gesture to Anambra State?

DGM: I think watching my father a great dibia then healing people and bringing relief to many, must have rubbed off on me. I guess I picked up that humane side of life from him because medicine, whether native or orthodox is primarily a humanitarian job. Most times, my father gave people treatment without charging a dime. Secondly, my father was a philanthropist, I remember he built three houses in our compound, one for us; his immediate family, another for our wares and belongings, and the third for any relative or indigene of my community who visited Umuchukwu but had no house of his own. Another remarkable event that instilled a kind heart in me, was how my brother sold off everything he had in his shop to raise about five thousand Naira, which was the amount I needed to travel to the US at that time. I told God that if my brother gave me all he had, that I will never relent in my act of kindness to humanity. I will always give my all.

I: You built the tallest hospital in Africa which you envisioned to equip with state of the art facilities in your town; Umuchukwu. What motivated you to conceptualize that kind of structure for your town?

DGM: I have lived in America for a long time; I have seen and experienced how the developed world functions. As a black man, I am always driven to replicate what I have seen and experienced here in the US. The 17 storey hospital in my home town; Umuchukwu, is beyond a physical structure, it is a functional replication. It is a symbol of hope, the power of possibilities. Just like the statue of liberty in America symbolizes freedom. It is an indication that if we put our minds and commit our resources in the building of our motherland, there is no limit to what we can achieve. All things are possible.

I: What is your perception of Nigerian democracy and June 12 and how do you think we can improve our democracy for the good of the greater majority?

DGM: Let me say that our democracy is still nascent and growing. If you compare Nigeria with a country like the US where I reside, you will realize that we are still in infancy; America’s democracy is about 300 years old. Therefore, our democratic journey is still a process; there are so many learning curves. I see democracy as the journey of an entrepreneur…a lot of ups and downs, today you are moving forward, the next day you dive. However, it is still not an excuse for underperformance. We can do better. Coming to the June 12 incident, it is one of the potholes in our journey to nationhood. It is imperative that we learn from it and do better going forward. But then, beyond June 12, the Niger delta issues, the Biafra agitation, the farmer-herder crisis in the middle belt, restructuring, and so on, are all questions begging for answers. With all these agitations, people are saying they are marginalized, we should be able to listen to these voices and summon the courage, and the political will to solve these problems. This will go a long way in helping us build a great nation of our dream.

I: We have seen cases where philanthropists fail in leadership positions, is there any connection at all between philanthropy and leadership?

DGM: What we see most times in this clime is what I call political philanthropy; when elections are getting closer, people begin to share rice and garri. I think we sometimes mistake politicians with philanthropists. We should be able to look at the pedigree of some people who parade themselves as philanthropists. For example, in my case, I have been giving back to my people for over 20 years now. It is a passion, it's purely a commitment; I never had it in mind that I was going to be a politician. If in my dream, an angel had appeared to me and told me I will be aspiring to be a governor in my state, I would have doubted the message of the angel. This is because it was never in my plan. If you see an individual distribute rice, share tricycles, and in the next 2-3 years shows interest in any political position, he was never a philanthropist. But then, philanthropy is somehow connected to leadership, in the sense that a good leader must have compassion and a charitable heart. However, leadership goes beyond philanthropy, it is about experience, pedigree, sound education, vision, accountability, good judgment, and integrity.

I: Why do you want to contest for the Governorship position in Anambra State?*

DGM: Let me tell you something, I have never nursed any political ambition at all in my life. I have always wanted to retire a much fulfilled medical doctor. Something happened to me when I first came to Nigeria from the US, I had started working by then, so when I came to Umuchukwu, things were so bad. It was all about poverty, despair, and underdevelopment. I was so sad about that visit and I promised myself that I won’t allow the village where I grew up to remain the same. It was out of “positive anger” that I decided to build a semblance of an American city. So if you go to Umuchukwu today, you’ll see that that “anger” has paid off. I’m worried and sad again, not against anybody, but sad about poverty and underdevelopment. I have clarity of vision of the kind of development; I want to bring in Anambra state. Anambra people are very special people, we are like the heart of Igbo land, and when things are not going very well here, there’s the possibility that other places in Igbo land will be affected. We need the best man for the job now. To be frank, the next couple of years won’t be so easy in Nigeria, so we need leaders who can think outside the box in their effort to provide solutions. I tell people always that people who approach leadership with that kind of angry disposition are always the best. Prof Dora Akunyili (God bless her soul) lost her sister as a result of fake drugs, and when she was made the DG of NAFDAC, she fought the circulation of fake drugs with such a ferocious determination. I call it “positive anger,” the kind of anger that gives you the motivation to go the whole hog, not the one that encourages a person to harm, malign people for selfish reasons. It is not the kind of energy that pushes you towards brigandage or any dastardly acts. It should be a motivation to create new developmental imprints while consolidating and building upon the efforts of your predecessors.

I: People believe that instead of contesting for the governorship position in Anambra state, you should be thinking of how to actualize the Igbo presidency project considering the fact that you are a highly successful professional in the diaspora, to them being a Governor will not add anything to your profile rather it will be a minus

DGM: Public service is like community service; no one should be big enough to serve his people. That’s why you can see the likes of Okonjo Iweala leave the comfort of her world bank job to come down to Nigeria and help fix the economy. I have seen a director at IMF; a Vice President at African Development Bank, being summoned by the people to serve his community as a traditional ruler, and he obliged. Therefore, I will never be ashamed to serve my people as a governor; I will rather be ashamed if I fail when the responsibility is given to me. Excelling in the job of a governor should be a stepping stone for a higher office. Friedrich Nietzsche said,”...he who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.”

I: People complain that you’re coming from the diaspora and may not have a full grasp on the terrain, what are you bringing to the table?

DGM: Living in the US has exposed me to global best practices. I know how to manage institutions, human resources, creativity, and innovations; I possess the know-how of wealth creation. In a nutshell, I will bring immense capacity to governance. People shout about living in the diaspora as if it is a crime to do so, but it's not. Living in the diaspora should be an advantage because you have been exposed to how things are done right, and you will like to replicate that in your environment. For instance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is from the diaspora and she did well as the finance minister. Mr. Peter Obi also came from the diaspora and he did well as a governor. Leadership is not about location, where you have been or not. Leadership and governance have a universal language, if you are doing well, you are doing well, but if you are not doing well, you are not doing well. Nevertheless, somebody could be living in the US and be so connected to his root, and another person may be living in Onitsha and be so alien to his roots.

I: People believe that your philanthropy focused more only on your town Umuchukwu, how will you allay the fears that if you become a governor, you will not focus development in your town only?

DGM: Yes, we indeed started from Umuchukwu, but then we have also done so much more beyond my community. We have contributed to a project in Ihite, we have done a road project in Owerri Ezukala and Ogbunka. We have gone as far as Mbano in Imo state and Nneato at Abia to execute projects. In Umunze, we have contributed to a project and in the next couple of years; we'll begin to develop a housing scheme to help reduce the housing deficiencies in that area. We have supported various dioceses both Anglican and Catholic, in Anambra. We shared palliatives to all the 182 communities in Anambra, and all the Bishops; both Anglican and Catholic, during the COVID19 total lockdown in Nigeria. Furthermore, those who have benefited from our healthcare intervention scheme at Annunciation Hospital Enugu are Anambrarians across board. Our educational scholarship fund caters to many Nigerians all over the world. If you have been attentive in the course of this interview you will realize I have a global perspective. I am committed to the course of the black man. I always contribute to helping the black race find its place in the world stage.

I: What is your opinion about the zoning of Governorship position in Anambra state?*

DGM: When there are unanimous agreements by stakeholders, zoning can be a good policy, because it ensures equity and gives all and sundry a sense of belonging, but it doesn’t mean competence should be sacrificed on the altar of zoning. I am not just coming out from the angle of people from Anambra South Senatorial Zone, but also on capacity. When you talk about zoning, we are there; if you talk about competence we are there as well.

I: What do you consider to be your comparative advantage over other aspirants?

DGM: I am not a trial and error aspirant. I am not coming to learn on the job, I am well prepared and I have a very clear vision of what I want to do in Anambra state. Umuchukwu is a perfect test run of what we want to do on a larger scale in Anambra; it is a progressive experiment. The other day, I was reading an article from someone who came to Umuchukwu to understudy the things we have done. He said that Umuchukwu is simply a replica of the Sustainable Development Goals. What more is governance if not Healthcare, Justice delivery system, Security, Housing, Education, Ease of doing business, and other little but outstanding innovations.

I: Political parties sponsor candidates for elections, under which platform do you intend to contest the forthcoming election?*

DGM: I am a member of the PDP, but the most important thing now is to drive our message to the people. In a democracy, power resides with the people. Party is just a vehicle through which people get to power. Whatever symbol that your party displays, once the people accept your message, you are good to go.

I: As a medical doctor, what prompted you to build a law court in your community?

DGM: Law is the foundation of every society, a building block of every other area of human endeavor. Law is what controls the animalistic nature of man. Without the law, we will be back to the Hobbesian state of nature; it will be man eat man or survival of the fittest. I recall how my people travel as far as Ekwuluobia, Onitsha, and Awka in search of justice. Most times, when the poor and downtrodden calculate the cost implication of getting justice, they will naturally want to leave their fate in the hands of God.

I: What is your concept of justice delivery?*

DGM: Justice should not be cash and carry; justice should not be delayed, because justice delayed is justice denied. I am an advocate of an independent judiciary because that will give the bench the freedom to deliver justice without interference or external pressure. Justice shouldn’t be shaken by the status of the accused or the defendant. It should, in the same way, serve the rich and the poor.

cc:lalasticala Mynd44

https://www.akelicious.net/2021why-i-want-to-be-anambra-governor-dr-godwin-maduka/

Happy birthday sir

Despite the challenging economic situation in 2019, Dangote Cement Plc has been able to sustain 54,000 jobs in four African countries, where the company has its operations.

The countries are: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal and South Africa. The president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote stated this at Dangote Cement 11th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, recently.

Dangote stated that more jobs would be created as the company intensifies export of clinker to other neighbouring countries from Nigeria.

He said, “In our 2019 socioeconomic impact assessment study on our operations in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal and South Africa, we sustained 54,005 jobs (direct, indirect, induced) in these four markets in the year under review.”



Dangote Group is the highest employer of labour in Nigeria, outside the federal government and with its Refinery project coming up, the company will have more than 100,000 Nigerians under his employment.

It would be recalled that Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, commended the investment drive of Dangote recently, said “He is excited with the progress made at Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical plant so far, and that when it becomes operational, the refinery and petrochemical plant will increase its workforce from the current 34,000 to over 70,000.”

Speaking to shareholders at the AGM, Dangote, said that the year 2019 was a strong year given the tough business environment across most of its operating geographies, disclosing that the Group recorded volumes of 23.7 million metric tonnes and revenues of N891.7 billion.

He said, “We recorded a strong EBITDA margin of 44.3 per cent. As a result of this performance, the Board has recommended for your approval a dividend of N16.00 per share.”

Speaking on the local Nigerian operations, he said, “Nigeria’s cement market grew slightly in 2019. We estimate that total market consumption was up between two to three per cent on the 20.7Mt estimated in 2018.”

Dangote explained that the modest performance was in spite of the fact that the market generally was impacted negatively by the disruptions related to the 2019 election cycles, heavy rains and the loss in land export volumes due to the border closure.



“Dangote Cement’s Nigerian operations remained at 14.1Mt in 2019, including export sales of 0.45Mt. Domestic sales in Nigeria were nearly 13.7Mt, compared to 13.4Mt in 2019. However, land exports reduced to 0.45Mt from 0.7Mt for the full year owing to the border closure in the last few months of 2019.

“The Bag of Goodies promotion, launched in July, drove strong increases in our Nigerian volumes in the third quarter,” Dangote pointed out.

He added that the innovative marketing effort enabled the company to maintain its market share despite the 4.5Mt new capacity which came into the market during the year.

He alluded to the new feat by Dangote Cement in commencing export of clinker via shipping from the Apapa and Onne ports to West and Central Africa, adding that the management was encouraged by the performance of its offshore operations.

https://www.akelicious.net/dangote-cement-sustains-54000-jobs-in-4-african-countries/

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Denizlispor of Turkey player, Ogenyi Onazi, has acquired a multi-million naira home in Lekki, Lagos.

The former Lazio midfielder who lived on the mainland previously, acquired the property in anticipation of his 4th wedding anniversary.

A photo and video of the mansion was shared on Twitter by Sports Journalist Shina Oludare on Wednesday night.


Onazi reportedly earns € 50,000 weekly in Turkey.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o5OHjaMSzM

https://www.akelicious.net/check-out-super-eagles-player-ogenyi-onazis-multi-million-naira-home-in-lekki-video/

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will provide a summer food fund for struggling families in England.
The development means he is bowing to pressure from England forward, and his campaign to prevent children from going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.

British ministers originally said school food vouchers would not be available over the long summer holiday.

This had prompted the 22-year-old Manchester United forward to take up the cause and reveal how he had relied on such support as a boy.

Also, Roundup: Face covering compulsory on public transport as UK further eases lockdown.

Before a debate in parliament, and as some lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party called for a change, Johnson’s spokesman said the government would be providing a COVID summer food fund.

He said this would be costing around 120 million pounds (150 million dollars).

“Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this, we will be providing a COVID summer food fund,” his spokesman said.

Rashford used a column in the Times newspaper on Tuesday to argue that while he may not have the education of a lawmaker in parliament, he did have a social education.

He has already helped to raise around 20 million pounds with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families.

“I don’t even know what to say,” he said on Twitter of the change in policy. “Just look at what we can do when we come together. THIS is England in 2020.”

The move by the government was met with widespread praise for Rashford from fellow sports stars, politicians and the Mayor of London.

“Well played, Marcus. Well played,” said former England captain and pundit Gary Lineker on Twitter.

“Good to see Marcus Rashford keeping up his record of scoring on debut in each new competition,” one comment said.

https://www.akelicious.net/uk-prime-minister-bows-to-rashfords-pressure-to-provide-summer-food-fund/

...Urges EFCC's thorough investigation of Akpabio, Nwaboshi's allegations

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has asked President Muhammad Buhari to remove the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) currently under the Niger Delta Ministry back to the Presidency.

Frank described as embarrassment allegations and counter allegations between the Senate and the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry Godswill Akpabio, over alleged missing N40 billions and other contract racketeering, saying politicians have turned the commission to a cash cow.

In a statement made available to newsmen Tuesday in Abuja, the Bayelsa born political activist said it is sad that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies were still looking other ways despite the ongoing revelations between the Senate committee Chairman on Niger Delta Sen. Peter Nwaboshi and the Minister, Godswill Akpabio, regarding alleged contract racketeering and looting of public funds in the commission.


Senator Nwaboshi, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Luka Igbinoba, had accused Akpabio of looting the NDDC through contracts, adding that documents available with him clearly show that the Minister recieved N500 million contracts from the NDDC in 2017 when he served as Minority Leader of Senate.


The activist said there were also allegations that the Minister has been demanding for 30 percent kick-back from all the contractors he ordered the commission to pay, saying all these allegations must be investigated.


Frank said while majority of his people in Niger Delta are living in abject poverty, "politicians are daily running the commission like a private business against the purpose the commission was established.


"Where is the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari today? I commended the President when the news broke that he had ordered for the forensic audit of the commission but today the story remains what it was.


"It is shamful and embarrassing to the people of Niger Delta because each day you open the pages of Newspapers the damaging reports of looting in NDDC is always conspicuously written.


"I hereby call on the government to save the region of this daily embarrassment by removing the NDDC from the control of the Niger Delta Ministry back to the Presidency and ensure that all the names mentioned in all the allegations of looting in the commission are brought to book.


"I will also call on the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside for now to allow an independent probe of the commission."


Frank called on EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to do thorough job of cleaning the NDDC of corruption and expose all those who have used their influences to enrich themselves through fake contracts and all manners of activities in the region.


Frank, however, called on all the elders and leaders of Niger Delta region to put pressure on the presidency to return the commission back to its control so as to save it from total collapse ,adding that since the commission was brought under the Ministry nothing tangible has been achieved.


Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
Political activist and ex-Deputy Publicity Secretary of APC
Abuja

https://www.akelicious.net/corruption-nddc-stinks-take-it-back-to-presidency-frank-tells-buhari/