₦airaland Forum

Get the full details at https://www.akelicious.net/imo-election-pdp-stole-our-votes-from-388-polling-unitsbut-uzodinma-caught-them/

The planned demonstration by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced in Abuja with the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi leading other party chieftains.


The protest was called, among others, to show displeasure over the Supreme Court’s judgement voiding the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as the Imo State Governor.

Also present in the protest are the Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe. former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka among others.

The demonstration, which took off from Legacy House, Maitama, is expected to be taken through some major streets in the nation’s capital.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/imo-election-secondus-obi-lead-pdp-protest-in-abuja-video/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IXRE7BaiI

The impeachment trial against President Donald Trump began in the US Senate on Thursday, starting with a reading of the charges.

John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was then be sworn in to preside over the trial that will determine whether Trump should be removed from office.

“All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States, articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States,” the sergeant at arms announced.

I JUST GOT IMPEACHED FOR MAKING A PERFECT PHONE CALL!

https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1217909231946477575

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmvFI3QnOSw

Senator Hope Uzodimma of APC will be sworn in tomorrow by chief judge of Imo state as the elected governor of the state.

He will be at INEC to receive his certificate of return and proceed to Owerri to take oath of office.

The Supreme Court, this evening, sacked governor Emeka Ihedioha of PDP. The apex court, in a unanimous judgment by a 7-man panel of justices, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, held that Ihedioha who contested on the platform of PDP, was not duly elected.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who delivered the lead judgment declared Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the governorship contest that held in Imo state on March 9, 2019.

The Supreme Court therefore ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Certificate of Return that was issued to Ihedioha.

It ordered that a fresh Certificate of Return should be issued to Uzodinma forthwith, adding that he should be sworn-in immediately as the governor of Imo state.

https://www.akelicious.net/senator-hope-uzodimma-to-be-sworn-in-as-imo-state-governor-tomorrow/

The Supreme Court has declared Senator Hope Uzodimma as governor of Imo State.

The seven-membe panel of justices today held that Emeka Ihedioha was not duly elected Governor.
Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-court-sacks-ihedioha-declares-apcs-uzodinma-winner-of-election/

The 2019 SDP Candidate for Ideato North & South Federal Constituency Hon Onyedikachi S. Obijiaku has reacted to the purported prophecy by Fr Mbaka as laughable, describing it as "Spiritual BetNaija" and assuring Ihedioha & Imolites that Mbaka's lottery ticket "go cut game this time around".

Obijiaku who hails from Umuobom in Ideato South LGA reminded Ihedioha of Mbaka's antecedents as a rabble rouser, attention seeker and politico-spiritual merchant who has always danced to the tune of the highest bidder and advised the Governor not to be distracted in continuing his good works of uplifting Imolites from the economic and social hellhole that they have been thrown into by his Ideato South brother, Rochas Okorocha

He further assured Ihedioha that Mbaka or not, he and many politicians of conscience would rather die or retire from active politics than align with with Uzodinma and Rochas et al

He advised Ihedioha to go on his knees in prayer & humility to that same God that chose him out of many gubernatorial aspirants and gave him power against all the odds & permutation of men and assured him that victory will be his on Monday 13th 2020 when the supreme gives its final verdict.


https://www.akelicious.net/mbakas-new-year-prophecy-on-ihedioha-is-just-like-spiritual-betnaija-hon-obijiaku/

MTN Nigeria yesterday disclosed its legal counsel has received a letter dated January 8, 2020 from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) formally withdrawing his demand for N242,244,452,215.97 and USD$1, 283,610,357.86 alleged revenue indebtedness.

According to the company in a press statement sent to Saturday Sun and signed by Uto Ukpanah, MTN Company Secretary , the letter confirmed that following careful review and due consultation with relevant statutory agencies, the AGF has decided to refer the matter to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with a view to resolving contentious issues. MTN consequently said it will follow due court process to withdraw its legal action against the AGF and engage with the FIRS and NCS on the issues adding that MTN remains committed to conducting its business in accordance with applicable laws in Nigeria.

Expressing satisfaction at the development, MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman said “we are very pleased with the decision of the AGF and we commend him for his wisdom. We maintain our dedication to building and maintaining cordial relationships with all regulatory authorities in Nigeria and remain fully committed to meeting our fiscal responsibilities and contributing to the social and economic development of Nigeria.”

Recall that, the Attorney General Abubakar Malami had alleged that MTN owed taxes relating to the import of equipment and payments to foreign suppliers from 2007 to 2017.



MTN, which began operation in Nigeria in 2001, is the country’s largest operator with some 60 million subscribers.

The company last year settled a $1.5 billion fine levelled by the NCC for failing to disconnect unregistered subscribers.

https://www.akelicious.net/fg-withdraws-2bn-tax-claim-against-mtn/

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why he decided to become to join partisan politics after release from prison.

Speaking when he received the youths leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who came from across the country to pay him a visit in Abuja, Buhari said he took interest in politics after a clean bill on his integrity by those who detained him after the 1985 military coup and who thoroughly checked his record as governor of the North East, Minister of Petroleum and Head of State and found nothing incriminating.

READ Oyo Assembly seeks citizens’ contributions for robust legislation
“After I was released and nothing was found on me I took interest in politics. This is what pushed me into partisan politics; to serve with integrity. So I decided to try leadership as a civilian, after taking off the military uniform,’’ he added.

Speaking on his second tenure, the President assured that he would be more firm, focused and relentless in delivering results, especially in securing the country, stimulating the economy to work for all, and fighting corruption.

“I am currently serving my last term in office. I swore by the constitution to defend the country, and I will do the needful for the country,’’ President Buhari said.



In his remarks, National Youth Leader of the APC, Comrade Sadiq Shuaibu Abubakar, congratulated the President for winning the Presidential elections in 2019, assuring him that the youths will continue to support his policies and vision of greatness for the country.

Abubakar urged the President to get more youths involved in governance so as to learn from his “treasured wisdom.’

https://www.akelicious.net/i-joined-politics-because-im-not-corrupt-says-president-buhari/

Enugu state government has dismissed the media report that the government through Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) wants to demolish the house of the former governor, Sullivan Chime saying there are no such plans.

A media report emerged Wednesday that the state government had concluded plans to pull down the perimeter fence of the house of the former governor in the ongoing effort of the state government to restore the master plan of the capital of the state.

A staff of ECTDA who spoke to our correspondent described the report as a malicious publication by some mischievous fellow as there is no truth in it.

Asked if the house of the ex-governor has been marked for possible demolition as reported, the fellow who doesn't want his name in print said the information is false and a figment of the imagination of whoever authored such article.

He said this could be one of the ways some disgruntled journalists in the state wish to set the state ablaze and their chosen route is unprofessional and irritating to say the least because the report is a fallacious one.

in his reaction, the Chairman of ECTDA, Ken Onoh, said emphatically, that there was no such plan stressing that he as the chairman of the agency is not aware of such development neither is the agency, aware of such.

"Good evening Sir, I personally, am not aware of such development neither is ECTDA aware of such" Mr. Onoh said via SMS.

https://www.akelicious.net/there-are-no-plans-to-demolish-the-house-of-ex-governor-chime-enugu-state-govt/

The Iranian supreme Leader, Hassan Rouhani on has warned Donald Trump to “never threaten the Iranian nation”, after he issued a US strike list of 52 targets in the Islamic republic.

Recall that Trump warned that Washington had lined up 52 targets in Iran if it attacked American personnel or assets in retaliation for a US drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani.

HE WROTE:




https://www.akelicious.net/never-you-threaten-iran-iranian-leader-warns-trump/

06th January, 2020

NUF/NS/GVTA/EEDC-20-1
The Chief Executive Officer,
Enugu Electric Distribution Company (EEDC),
Head office,
Okpara Avenue,
Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria.

Dear Sir,
ULTIMATUM TO EEDC TO REVERSE THEIR UNPOPULAR AND ECONOMIC RAPE AGAINST NDIGBO WITHIN THE NEXT 48HOURS OR FACE THE WRATH OF NDIGBO.
NDIGBO woke up on Friday the 3rd of January 2020 and was greeted with an uncheerful, painful and unfortunate episode from the stable of EEDC saddled with the responsibility of distributing Power to the Southeast region. This organization owned and operated by Umu Igbo initially gave out prepaid meters to consumers. This option enabled customers to regulate consumptions as it were as part of the Federal Government policy to improve power, ensure financial accountability by Distribution Companies and serve the citizens better. The Federal Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity and Regulatory Commission (NERC) are committed to this with a view to discarding estimated billing system that has every trapping of exploitation, intimidation, colonization, imposition and dehumanization.

Rather than towing this line of global development and accountable service delivery concept, EEDC chose to dance naked in the market place thereby showcasing ineptitude and criminality by promptly despatching consumers by informing them that henceforth they should discard prepaid meters and brace up for estimated billing that has brought untold hardship, gross disservice and stress to people. This we believe wasn’t approved by either the supervising Ministry nor NERC. This tantamount to economic rape and exploitation of Ndigbo by the Ndigbo operators. We reliably gathered that NERC never granted EEDC any approval to replace prepaid meters.
Further to the above, Ndigbo United Forum (Worldwide) NUF is among other things:
Calling on the Ministry of Power and NERC to immediately instruct/advise the reversal of this obnoxious and annihilative policy of EEDC within the next 48 hours;
The EEDC should purge itself and maintain the prepaid policy and even improve on distribution of prepaid meters within the next 48 hours;
That at the expiration of the 48 hours on Wednesday 8th January, 2020, Ndigbo United Forum will be left with no option than to call out Ndigbo including students, market women, organized labour and all consumers on mass Southeast Preservative Protest against EEDC. It will be the first of its kind and will be the beginning of the end of EEDC as all her offices and facilities in all Igboland will be occupied indefinitely;
To avert No3 above, Southeast governors are hereby put on notice about this action that will cripple everything n'ala Igbo until justice is done through reversal.
NUF as a sociopolitical organization has one of her objectives as protection of Igbo interest and sustained growth. This EEDC policy is therefore clearly against our mandate and must NEVER stand. Our people in positions of authority MUST begin to account to the people whom the real power belongs to as we are fully championing accountability and good governance across Ala Igbo.
EEDC has a choice to make in this regards and enough of the mechanised manipulative tendencies that has stagnated the growth of our region.
Signed

Mazi Agodi KANU
Acting Secretary General.

Cc:
Executive Governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and IMO States
GOC, 82 Division, NA Enugu.
CP, Enugu State Police Command
State Director, DSS
State Commandant, NSCDC



https://www.akelicious.net/ndi-igbo-united-forum-open-letter-to-eedc/

Mario Balotelli lashed out on Sunday after again being targeted by racist insults, this time from Lazio fans after he scored for Brescia in a 2-1 Serie A defeat, telling his tormentors: “Shame on you”.

“A defeat that hurts but we will come back stronger and we are on the right track,” the 29-year-old Italy international wrote on Instagram.

“Lazio fans that were today at the stadium SHAME ON YOU! #saynotoracism.”

Balotelli struck the first goal after 18 minutes at Brescia’s Stadio Mario Rigamonti before title-chasers Lazio hit back with a Ciro Immobile double.


But the game was overshadowed by insulting chants aimed at the former Manchester City and Liverpool player.

“It’s already the second time,” Balotelli told referee Gianluca Manganiello after half an hour, with the latter replying: “Now I’ll take care of it”.

Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi gestured in front of the visiting fans to stop the chanting, as an announcement was read over the stadium speakers reminding spectators play would be suspended and their club penalised if they continued.

Brescia fans tried to drown out the insults with whistles and cheering which Balotelli applauded.

Lazio later issued a statement condemning the behaviour of “a very small minority of fans”.

“The club confirms once again that it condemns these unjustified excesses and it intends to prosecute those who betray their own sporting passion and cause serious damage to the image of the club and the Biancoceleste team,” Lazio said.

In November, Balotelli threatened to walk off the pitch after being the target of monkey chants at Verona, with Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku, AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and Fiorentina’s Dalbert also victims of abuse this season.

An anti-racism campaign launched by Serie A featuring three monkeys last month drew widespread criticism and ridicule.

Balotelli picked up where he left off before the winter break pulling clear of Luiz Felipe to volley in his first home goal for Brescia and first of the decade.

He also scored the first goal of the previous decade in January 2010 with Inter Milan.

Lazio stretch winning run
However, Lazio still stretched their winning streak to nine consecutive league games to consolidate third place, three points behind leaders Inter Milan and Juventus who play on Monday.

Immobile struck the winner after 91 minutes, having also converted from the penalty spot before the break.

Relegation-threatened Brescia were reduced to 10 men when Andrea Cistana was sent off for a second yellow card after bringing down Felipe Caicedo after 39 minutes.

Serie A top scorer Immobile pulled Lazio back on level terms from the penalty spot three minutes later.

Immobile brought his league tally to 19 goals connecting with a Caicedo cross to fire in the injury time winner.

Inzaghi, meanwhile, equals Sven Goran Eriksson’s record of nine consecutive league wins set in the 1998-99 season.

The Swedish coach led Lazio to their last Serie A title in 2000.

“We absolutely want the Champions League,” said Inzaghi, whose side beat Juventus to lift the Italian SuperCup trophy last month.

Roma fall
City rivals Roma, four points behind in fourth, lost ground with an Andrea Belotti brace giving Torino a 2-0 win in the Stadio Olimpico.

Belotti broke through just before the break and converted a penalty four minutes from time after Roma’s Chris Smalling handled the ball.

Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu pulled off big saves as the ninth-placed northerners back winning.

Verona are just behind in tenth with Giampaolo Pazzini and Mariusz Stepinski scoring in either half in a 2-0 win over ten-man SPAL, who drop to bottom place after their 12th defeat this season.

New Genoa coach Davide Nicola got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo, the port side’s first since October.

Inter Milan restart the title battle with Juve on Monday, with both sides level on 42 points after 17 games.

Antonio Conte’s side travel to Napoli with the champions at home against Cagliari.


https://www.akelicious.net/shame-on-you-balotelli-lashes-out-in-new-italy-racism-storm/

Iran may be raising red flag and vowing to revenge the killing of its Revolutionary Guards’ (Overseas Forces) Commander, Qasem Soleimani, in a Thursday, United States, US, airstrike, but the effect of the strike is already disrupting the price of oil, leaving a volatile development for the world economy.

Even though crude oil prices were heading higher following reports by Energy Information Administration, which revealed that crude oil inventory declined in the last week of 2019, the price soared to almost $70 per barrel, almost immediately after the attack at Baghdad Airport.

While Analysts may be concerned about the implications of the development for the global market, the prevailing situation could in a short term, benefit oil dependent economies like Nigeria.

In the 2020 budget, the Federal Government estimated oil sales to stand at 2.18 million barrels per day (bpd), at a price of $57 per barrel, while the exchange rate is expected to remain at N305 per dollar. The current development could therefore, improve budget implementation, according to Stakeholders.

With Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promising to retaliate, while the US is reportedly sending more troops as much as 3,500 to the Middle-East, there are indications that the development could continue to keep oil price high. President Donald Trump had said that the airstrike was ordered “to stop a war”, as well as prevent attacks on Americans.

As at last Friday, the price of a barrel of Brent crude stood at $69.16, a level last seen in September, last year, after attacks on processing facilities owned by Saudi Arabia’s State-controlled oil giant, Saudi Aramco.

The tension between the US and Iran started in 2018, when the US threatened the country’s nuclear programme, and prevented its capacity in nuclear weapons development, while re-imposing sanctions, which affected the country’s oil exports and affected its economy.



Iran produces about 4 million barrels of oil per day, but the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, said that Iran’s oil production went down by a whopping 1.65 million bpd, since US sanctions.

Last year, the attack on Saudi Aramco temporarily forced the Kingdom to close down almost half of its oil production, as the situation pushed oil price to the current level of increase.

While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was able to swiftly respond to the development, most Analysts are pessimistic that the current dispute between Iran and the US would fade away quickly, considering that Iran had vowed to retaliate the killing.

While Oil Workers in Iran and neighbouring countries are reportedly leaving Oil fields as the US Embassy has ordered its citizens to leave Iran, there are indications that oil supply would suffer from any attack on Gulf Oil vessels or facilities.

The Managing Director, Oildata Energy Group, Emeka Ene, stressed the need for Nigeria to be neutral in the current geo-political face-off, while describing the development as a double-edged sword.

“The international Oil market has always been sensitive to Middle-Eastern politics. Unfortunately, this tends to create uncertainty and instability, and may drive prices up too fast for the already fragile global economy to catch up”, Ene stated.

The Director, Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law, CPEEL, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, noted that the country must be wary of the current tension, adding that, it remains a temporary fluctuation.

“While this is a bit of a relief to oil dependent countries, they should rather plan on the basis of long-term price, which would be driven by fundamental factors of demand and supply”, Adenikinju, who is a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, said.

The former Chairman of the Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and Dean, College of Postgraduate Studies, Caleb University, Segun Ajibola, maintained that Nigeria and other OPEC and non-OPEC countries have benefitted from Middle-East crisis in the past, through high crude prices and increased revenue.

“Experience has shown, however, that the crisis are often stemmed quickly, even though America often triggers these for political and economic reasons. The current crisis has pushed the price to close to $70/barrel”, he said.

The Economist believes that the prevailing development is a plus for Nigeria, with the budgeted price of $56 for 2020.

“However, due to the sophistry of international diplomacy in this age, I do not see the crisis lasting for long. It is hoped that Nigeria will make the best use of the “honeymoon” while it lasts”, Ajibola stressed.

While the market remained soft currently, a former President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics, Prof. Wumi Iledare, expects the price impact to remain similar to the 1991 short-lived Gulf war, after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.

Iledare noted: “The impact on Nigeria is perhaps having to have more market outlets for its crude in the short run. I do not see much beyond that in the long run, unless we deal with the amorphous governance structure of the oil sector. According to him, the country needs to separate regulatory responsibility from policy and commercial institutions, to benefit from oil market shocks in the long run.”

https://www.akelicious.net/jubilation-in-aso-rock-as-buhari-receives-the-best-news-ever/

JAMB Cut-Off Marks 2020/2021.
The following is the JAMB cut-off marks to be used for the 2020/2021 academic session admission exercise. JAMB Cut-off marks for degree – awarding institutions is 160. See more details below.

The minimum cut off marks suggested by JAMB for admissions into public universities, private universities, public polytechnic, private polytechnics and colleges of education are 160, 140, 120, 110 and 100 respectively.

Jamb Cut-off mark For Universities and Polytechnics 2020.
JAMB reintroduces post-UTME and reduces general cut-off mark to 160 for universities and 120 for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

Candidates will have to score at least 160 (universities) and 120 (Polytechnics / Colleges of Education) in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission.

JAMB Cut-off Mark for Private Universities.
The JAMB approved cut-off mark for private universities is 140 as minimum UTME score for admission.

Candidates will have to score at least 140 in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission.

JAMB Cut-off Mark for Public Polytechnics 2020/2021.
For public polytechnic in Nigeria, JAMB cut-off point is 120 minimum UTME score for admission.

Candidates will have to score at least 120 in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission.



JAMB Cut off Mark for Private Polytechnics 2020/2021.
While 110 UTME score is approved as the least score for admission into private polytechnic.

Candidates will have to score at least 110 in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission.

SUMMARY:



Public Universities — 160
Private Universities — 140
Public Polytechnics — 120
Private Polytechnics — 110
Colleges of Education — 100


Full List of JAMB Cut-Off Mark 2020/2021 Admission Exercise.
All tertiary institutions in Nigeria have fixed their 2020 official JAMB cut-off marks for admission. This followed the directive gave by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB at its last policy meeting.

As decided by the Senate and management of each institution, the 2019 admission cut-off marks for all institutions are as follows;

For more details visit https://www.akelicious.net/jamb-cut-off-marks-2020-2021-admission-universities-poly-coe/

https://www.akelicious.net/oshiomhole-obaseki-angry-with-buhari-over-new-year-card-gift/

…Says Oshiomhole stands suspended

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed anger over a meeting between his predecessor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole and some top members of the ruling party had on Friday paid a visit to Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, while also presenting a new year card to the president.

The visit is said to have angered Governor Obaseki, who has been at loggerhead with his benefactor (Oshiomhole) over the controversial inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly.
A top government official, who pleaded anonymity, said the visibly angry Governor Obaseki expressed disappointment at the president for receiving Oshiomhole whom he said he has since suspended.

The government official, who spoke to our correspondent over the telephone, said Mr. Obaseki felt betrayed that Buhari would receive a gift from the same man he allegedly asked him to deal with.

“Don’t quote me, I repeat don’t quote me(sic). His Excellency felt betrayed, you know he is like a son to Mr. President. The Governor has the support of top aso rock officials that’s why he’s angry because such a meeting could be fixed without him getting wind of it.

“He (Obaseki) even insisted that the person who received the national chairman must be ‘Jubrin of Sudan’ and not the same Buhari who asked him to deal with Oshiomhole”, the government official said.
Governor Obaseki only recently openly boasted that President Muhammadu Buhari had given him the permission to deal decisively with Adams Oshiomhole and other members of the Edo APC.
According to the government official, the Governor has concluded plans to have a meeting with President Buhari which he said will be influenced by Governor Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti State, who doubles as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Meanwhile, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday said that his stellar performance is the reason he has been under attacks and attempts being made to remove him from office.

Oshiomhole spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when he led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on a New Year visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said the visit was also to congratulate the President on the successes so far recorded since his second term administration was inaugurated.

The party national chairman who has faced a barrage of criticisms, however, urged Nigerians to recognise that under the Buhari-led administration, a lot have changed for better.

https://www.akelicious.net/oshiomhole-obaseki-angry-with-buhari-over-new-year-card-gift/

“To recapitulate, some of the projects Nigerians should expect to come upstream from 2020 include:

(a) 47 road projects scheduled for completion in 2020/21, including roads leading to ports

(b) Major bridges including substantial work on the Second Niger Bridge

(c) Completion of 13 housing estates under the National Housing Project Plan

(d) Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Enugu international airports to be commissioned in 2020

(e) Launching of an agricultural rural mechanisation scheme that will cover 700 local governments over a period of three years;
(f) Launching of the Livestock Development Project Grazing Model in Gombe State where 200,000 hectares of land has been identified
(g) Training of 50,000 workers to complement the country’s 7,000 extension workers;

(h) Commissioning of the Lagos – Ibadan and Itakpe – Warri rail lines in the first quarter;

(i) Commencement of the Ibadan – Abuja and Kano – Kaduna rail lines also in the first quarter

(j) Further liberalisation of the power sector to allow businesses to generate and sell power;

(k) Commencement of the construction of the Mambilla Power project by the first half of 2020; and commencement of the construction of the AKK gas pipeline, OB3 gas pipeline and the expansion of the Escravos – Lagos pipeline in the first quarter of 2020.

President Buhari New Year Address to the nation January 1, 2020

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/from-the-mouth-of-president-muhammadu-buhari/

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 72nd regular course (Degree programmes) for the 2020/2021 academic session.

Candidates admitted into NDA for Regular Course will undergo military and academic training as Officer Cadets for a duration of 5 years for Nigerian Army cadets 4 years for Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air force cadets. On successful completion of training, graduands will earn a honours degree in a core discipline (BSc, BEng, BA). They will equally earn a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 72nd regular course admission online application form will be available for sale as from 5 December 2019 to 20 March, 2020 and it is open to both male and female Nigerians.

The NDA screening test will be conducted as phase one of the Post-UTME screening and is scheduled to hold on Saturday 16 May, 2020 at designated centres across the country. Only candidates with JAMB 2020 Registration Number will be eligible to write the exams.

Only candidates who score a minimum of 180 (for Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Military Science & Interdisciplinary Studies) and 210 (for Faculty of Engineering) in JAMB 2020 examination shall be offered admission into NDA by the AFSB.

NDA 72nd Regular Course Admission Requirements.
Candidates eligible for 72 Regular Course admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) must have the following:

Must be medically and physically fit and must be of good moral character.
Must be single male or female without legal obligation to support any child or other individuals.
Present a Certificate of indigeneship from the state government or local government area.
Be at least 17 years old and NOT more than 21 years old as at 22 August 2020 in the year of entry into the Academy.
Must have a minimum of 5 ordinary level credits at GCE, SSCE (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS and NABTEB) English language, Mathematics and three other subjects which are relevant to the intended programme at not more than two sittings.
Must have passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation examinations (UTME) and attain an acceptable minimum national standard (as determined by JAMB annual policy meeting) in English language, Mathematics and any other 2 subjects relevant to the proposed course of study as set out by the JAMB Brochure.
Must NOT be less than 1.68 meters tall for male and 1.65 meters for female.
French and Arabic, Madarin language is an added advantage.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/nda-application-form-2020-2021/

Ogbete Main market went up in flames Friday, but the spread was promptly checked by the quick arrival of the fire service.

Combined efforts of the State Fire service, traders and market security personnel yielded positive result.



What could have been a new year fire tragedy was averted as traders made use of fire extinguishers of various sizes provided by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to the market.
Recall that Enugu State Fire Service led by Engr Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa had embarked on sensitization and education of traders on how to combat fire out breaks using fire extinguishers provided for them by the state government.
That training paid off when the traders and security men led by Fela, used the knowledge gained from the fire training program to put out the inferno and stop it from escalating.
The fire which started at a foam shop rampaging to adjoining shops was immediately arrested by traders making good use of the fire extinguishers installed in all corners of the market to combat the fire before prompt arrival of the state fire service.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, the Chief Fire Officer, Enugu State, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa expressed happiness that the traders lived up to expectation by putting their fire training knowledge by the State Fire service to work before his men could arrive the scene.
Engr. Ohaa appealed to traders to be careful and always be on the lookout especially this harmattan period to avoid fire desaster in the market emphasising that the market authority should make the roads leading to and around the market accessible to fire trucks in case of any eventuality.
The Fire boss regretted that his men fought so hard for about half an hour to gain access into the market.
He thanked the state governor for the provision of fire extinguishers in the market and for his support to the State Fire Service pointing out that the governor’s proactive measures had saved the situation.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/ogbette-fire-how-fire-service-saved-enugu-traders/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3vim5uxi8A

A visibly angry Pope Francis had to pull himself away from a woman in a crowd in St Peter’s Square on Tuesday after she grabbed his hand and yanked him toward her.

Pope Francis was walking through the square in Vatican City and greeting pilgrims on his way to see the large Nativity scene set up in the huge, cobbled esplanade.

After reaching out to touch a child, the pope turned away from the crowd only for a nearby woman to seize his hand and pull her toward him. The abrupt gesture appeared to cause him pain and Francis swiftly wrenched his hand free.



The woman had made the sign of the cross as the pope had approached. It was not clear what she was saying as she subsequently tugged him toward her.

https://www.akelicious.net/pope-francis-tries-to-extricate-himself-from-the-woman-in-st-peters-square/

…Cautions Northern Leaders Against Winner Take-All Mentality

Former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka has made a strong call to all other geo-political zones in the country to yield the Presidency of the nation to the SouthEast, come 2023 to avoid a serious political crisis in the country.

The former Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal, maintained that such is the only sure way to guarantee the unity, national cohesion and political stability of the country adding that the nation may have to contend with very serious consequences if the South east is alienated in the race.

Chidoka, who spoke while reviewing a book by First Republic minister, Mbazulike Amechi “A Political History of Modern Nigeria: Words and Thoughts of Mbazulike Amechi,” on Monday, insisted that the two major parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) should respect the zoning tradition and zone the 2023 Presidency to the South East.

Chidoka said ‘I crave your indulgence to use the words of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), used in an advertorial where they warned President Jonathan not to contest the 2011 election, to sound a note of warning that, “If the country’s two major political parties do not continue in the tradition of the agreed rotation, they will “undermine the peace and tranquility of Nigeria". Furthermore, failure to incorporate the South East in the 2023 calculations will be "ill-conceived, ill-advised, and definitely divisive".

Further echoing the words of the NEF, Chidoka cautioned that using perceived strength to alienate the Igbos in 2023, “would open old wounds of primitive politics where ethnic, sectional, religious and other primordial, undesirable sentiments will assume center-stage with attendant unpleasant consequences".

Chidoka noted that the South East has always been committed to the unity, harmonious co-existence, mutual understanding, economic development, social and political wellbeing of the country as a whole, adding that it is time, narrow minded individuals in other parts of the country drop their unfounded distrust of Ndigbo, and fight to enthrone the politics of live-and-let-live.

“Electoral results show that the South East is ethnically blind when it comes to voting. We voted Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and Jonathan against Igbo Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates. This voting pattern is the ultimate proof of the cosmopolitan ethos of Ndigbo.

“In Presidential elections, South East votes have been cast on a largely ideological basis in support of inclusion, rule of law, freedom, democracy and open markets. They will vote against an Igbo Vice President if he is co-yoked with a president who is anti-market, anti-merit, and divisive. They will vote for a Northerner and a devout Muslim if they believe he is a man of character and a unifier. It is time for the country to take note of these salient points, drop their unfounded distrust of Ndigbo, and fight to enthrone the politics of live-and-let-live.

"In 2019, of all the regions of Nigeria, the South East region gave General Buhari the largest percentage increase in votes. While Buhari’s votes in the North West (his core voting block) declined by about 15 percent in 2019 (when compared to 2015 election results), his votes in the South East region grew by over 200 percent over his 2015 votes. He got 25 percent of the votes cast in three South East states where, in 2015, he got less than the (In)famous five percent of the votes."

“It is also important to note that on January 12, 2020 it will be 50 years after the civil war. The generation born during and after the civil war are now in their 50s free from the prejudices of our chequered past, hopeful of a new paradigm of equal opportunities and conscious of global trends. That new generation provides a new opportunity which if lost will be at great cost to Nigeria”.

He also urged northern leaders “to recalibrate its position on the rest of Nigeria as this winner-take-all mentality may neither be sustainable nor enduring”.

Chidoka however advised the southeast not to rest on its oars and wait for Igbo Presidency but to constructively engage with the rest of the country to actualize the dream.

“Let us not sit and wait for “restructuring” or “Igbo Presidency”. The political class of the South East should be bold, creative and constructive in affirming our right to the highest office in Nigeria or in the continuous alteration of the constitution to reflect the region’s strategic interest.”

Chidoka extolled Amaechi’s leadership qualities adding that his book emboldens all well-meaning Nigerians and deepens our collective resolve to speak the truth as we see it.

Signed:

Ikechukwu Okafor
Media Adviser to Chief Osita Chidoka

https://www.akelicious.net/2023-only-south-east-presidency-can-guarantee-national-stability-chidoka/

Members of Umuchigbo community in Enugu East local government area have rejected a Christmas gift presented to them by the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi.

Speaking on behalf of the elders of the community after their resolution, Ichie Ben Okoye, said it was shameful that Ubosi who hails from the community could think of presenting a cow to them for Christmas when he refused to intervene in the lingering leadership crisis which was tearing the community apart.

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-enugu-speakers-christmas-gift-rejected-by-his-own-community/

The 82 year old retired school principal said they had informed Ubosi to come and take back his cow as they were not disposed to eating meat while the community continues to be in tumoil.

According to him, "we rejected the cow because we are in chains. We are in prison. Firstly, they have converted our village land to their personal property and secondly because of the crisis in our community which the speaker has turned a black and eye to.


"So when he brought the cow, we rejected it based on fact that he was supposed to use his position as the second person in government of Enugu State today to settle the crisis in the community. 


"He was there when elders, old men who gave birth to him were taken to court and he chose to do nothing. If I may ask, can someone who is in prison eat beef? No, you can't eat as you like. It's not possible because he is not free.


"Was told the speaker to come and carry his cow. If are able to settle the crisis in the village then we can think of eating meat. We are in chains so we can't eat meat," he said. 


Speaking on the crisis ravaging the community, Chief Okoye said that, "Francis Anike whose tenure had elapsed three years ago as the chairman of Umuchigbo village in his bid to remain in power obtained an injunction from the Enugu state high court stopping the entire Umuchigbo from having any form of meeting. This injunction stopped both the elders, the youths and other groups from meeting. 


"His tenure was supposed to end in May 2017 but he has refused to step aside or allow for an election to hold. He said that the method of his replacement should be by appointment and not through election. 


"That was the reason why he went to court for the injunction. He has been sharing lands which belong to Umuchigbo to unknown people. We the Oha(council of elders) expect the speaker to intervene and ask them why the council of elders was taken to court. 


"Our demand is that the speaker should compel these people to allow an election to hold as has been the practice over the years.  We are not against the speaker or Francis Anike if they have a candidate, what we want is for an election to hold so the people can decide who leads them. Leadership should not be by imposition," Okoye said.

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-enugu-speakers-christmas-gift-rejected-by-his-own-community/

Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised the alarm that his Facebook account and that of Radio Biafra have been cloned.

Kanu who disclosed this in a statement he personally signed and obtained by Sunday Sun yesterday said that the “shameful practice by Facebook Nigeria to allow the suppression of truth and free speech is indirectly supporting state-sponsored terrorism in Nigeria.”

He also disclosed that they have made official complaint to Facebook headquarters in California, USA, adding that IPOB expects the management of the group to clear its reputation, and desist from the shameful act.

His statement reads in full: “I wish to apologise to my followers on Facebook for the Nigerian government sponsored attack on my page with the help of corrupt Facebook local staff based in Lagos.



“Facebook Nigeria in collusion with the Nigerian government is removing my followers and reducing the reactions to my post in an effort to demoralise our activist base and give the misleading impression that not many people are interested in exposing the ills of the totalitarian Fulani APC regime and Biafra restoration.

“Facebook is actively preventing the general public from accessing the truthful messages that I publish.

“Tactfully, they are directing my followers to numerous fake ‘Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ Facebook page cloned by Nigeria’s secret police DSS with the help of Facebook Nigeria in an effort to defraud the public and control the narrative.

“IPOB had on many occasions reported these fake Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Facebook accounts to their highly corrupt Nigeria office, but it continues to be an active participant in this massive effort to deceive the public.

“This present attack has come in the critical time when Nigeria, West Africa and Biafraland are experiencing the horrific slaughter of 11 Christians in Nigeria during this goodwill season of Christmas. Facebook by its actions as part of a wider government effort to clamp down on the truth is knowingly aiding and abating terrorism.

“Also Radio Biafra Facebook page and many frontline IPOB activists have also been experiencing this pattern of attack for many months now.

“This shameful practice by Facebook Nigeria to allow the suppression of truth and free speech is indirectly supporting state-sponsored terrorism in Nigeria.

“IPOB made an official complaint to Facebook headquarters in California USA, and we expect the management to clear its reputation, and desist from this shameful act.

“I will continue to expose evil in Nigeria, fight for the enthronement of justice for all and restoration of Biafra regardless of the corrupt tendencies of Facebook Nigeria.”

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-ipob-facebook-accountradio-biafra-cloned/

Who is your best South East Governor of the year 2019?

Please, let’s comment our choice. Then share this post to other social media so others will have the opportunity to vote.

Also Click On The Link To Vote https://www.akelicious.net/who-is-your-best-south-east-governor-of-the-year-2019/


Lalasticlala

Lalasticlala, move this to front page

President Donald Trump was impeached for abuse of power in a historic vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, setting up a Senate trial on removing him from office after three turbulent years.

By a 230 to 197 vote in the Democratic-majority House, the 45th US president became just the third occupant of the White House in American history to be impeached.

Democrats said they had “no choice” but to formally charge the 73-year-old Republican, whose impeachment along stark party lines places an indelible stain on his record while driving a spike ever deeper into the US political divide.

“What is at risk here is the very idea of America,” said Adam Schiff, the lawmaker who led the impeachment inquiry, ahead of the vote.


Trump will now stand trial in the Senate, where his Republicans hold a solid majority and are expected to exonerate him.

The House vote came four months after a whistleblower blew open the scandal of Trump pressuring Ukraine’s president to investigate his potential White House challenger in 2020, the veteran Democrat Joe Biden.

After a marathon 10-hour debate, lawmakers also voted 229-198 to approve the second article of impeachment facing Trump — for obstructing the congressional probe into his Ukraine dealings.

Trump spent the first part of the day holed up at the White House, tweeting in frustration, but on Wednesday night the president was on friendlier territory.

In an extraordinary split-screen moment, as the House was casting votes to impeach him, thousands of Trump’s most fervent supporters were cheering him at a rally in Michigan where he railed against a “radical left” he said was “consumed with hatred.”

“The Democrats are declaring their deep hatred and disdain for the American voter,” Trump said to boos and cheers.

“They’ve been trying to impeach me from day one. They’ve been trying to impeach me from before I ran,” he said.

“Four more years, four more years,” the crowd chanted back.

Despite testimony from 17 officials that Trump leveraged his office for political gain, the president maintained his innocence throughout the impeachment inquiry — denouncing it as an “attempted coup” and an “assault on America.”

– ‘Threat to national security’ –
White House spokesperson Stephanie Grisham blasted the House vote as “one of the most shameful political episodes in the history of our Nation,” saying Trump “is prepared for the next steps and confident that he will be fully exonerated.

Neither of the two previous presidents impeached since 1789, Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998, was convicted in the Senate, and both held onto their jobs.

But despite the high likelihood of Trump being cleared by Senate Republicans, Democrats said that overwhelming evidence had forced the House to act.

“It is tragic that the president’s reckless actions make impeachment necessary. He gave us no choice,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“It is a matter of fact that the president is an ongoing threat to our national security and the integrity of our elections.”

The day of dramatic and often angry oratory saw both sides delving deep into Constitutional law, citing the country’s hallowed founders Benjamin Franklin or Alexander Hamilton, as outside Congress protesters clamored for impeachment.

Republicans claimed Trump was treated more unfairly than witches tried in the 17th century — or even than Jesus Christ.

“Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers. During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats afforded this president and this process,” said Georgia Republican Barry Loudermilk.

“Voters will never forget that Democrats have been triggered into impeaching the president, because they don’t like him, and they don’t like us,” charged Republican Matt Gaetz.

– Battle opens over Senate trial –
Both sides were already gearing up for a battle over the Senate trial, where Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has the upper hand in setting rules and has already said he will coordinate with Trump’s team in doing so.

That could lead to a trial as short as two weeks, which by acquitting the president could turn impeachment into a political win in the run-up to the November 2020 election.

Democrats declared after Wednesday’s vote that McConnell needs testimony from four current and former White House aides with direct knowledge of Trump’s Ukraine dealings — and who he blocked from testifying in the House.

“The question is now whether Senator McConnell will allow a fair trial in the Senate, whether the majority leader will allow a trial that involves witnesses and testimony and documents,” said Schiff.

Pelosi hinted that the House leaders could hold off sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate to pressure McConnell on the witness issue.

“So far, we haven’t seen anything that looks fair to us,” she told reporters. “We’ll decide what that dynamic is.”

“But right now, the president is impeached.”

https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-donald-trump-impeached-for-abuse-of-power/

With the shameful rate of extortion by members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)on Nigeria’s highway, the news that a whopping number has been deployed to the roads have sent shivers down the spines of drivers and road users.

The days of respect for the Road Safety Competition is gone with their high involvement in the commission for bribe on the roads.

No fewer than 39,450 personnel including Special marshals are reportedly being deployed across the country for the 2019 ember months campaigns.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja

Kazeem said the deployment was aimed at ensuring safer roads during the festive periods and beyond.

He informed that the Corps had also deployed 806 patrol vehicles, 120 Ambulances, 204 motor bikes, and 27 tow trucks along designated routes in the special patrol that commenced on Dec. 15, and which will end on Jan. 19, 2020.

The officer said the deployment was due to commitment towards the realisation of the Corps’ corporate mandate and the imperatives of making the highways safer during the yuletide.

“This is part of the measures to ensure sanity on the nation’s highways, during this year’s Christmas and end of the year celebrations.

“It entails 24 hours enforcement along major highways, robust public enlightenment campaigns across the nation, prompt rescue/recovery services, stakeholder collaboration, Road Safety Observatory, uninterrupted motorized patrol, and day time route lining.

”It also include traffic control, operation of mobile courts, activation of high alert on internal and external medical facilities, establishment of road camps and help areas, aerial surveillance, and purposeful synergy with other security agencies.

Kazeem said the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, have directed that the 2019 ember months campaign be targeted at enforcement on critical offences.


He said the offences include speeding, dangerous driving, tyre violation, lane indiscipline, road obstruction, use of phone while driving and overloading violation.

Others are seat-belt use violation, child safety, passengers manifest violation, mechanically deficient vehicles and unlatched container carrying vehicles.

According to Kazeem, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to ensure adequate deployment of logistics and operational materials within their Commands to aid the campaign.

“The Operational Materials are: patrol vehicles, advance life support ambulances, heavy duty tow trucks, medium and light duty tow trucks, patrol motor bikes, extricating machines and reflective jackets.

”(Other are) traffic cones, patrol lights, radar Guns, breathalyzer, cameras, e-tablets, alcolphones, walkie-talkie, and CUG mobile phones,” he said.

Kazeem urged motorists to ensure strict compliance with all traffic rules and regulations as well as proper maintenance of their vehicles.

https://www.akelicious.net/bribery-ticket-as-frsc-deploys-39450-men-for-xmas/

The Leader of di Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu speak in boldness telling lawyers to tell the President of Nigeria that he is “MAD”

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/flashback-tell-buhari-he-is-mad-nnamdi-kanu-speak-in-boldness/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb6lPvxOHmc

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Tuesday 17 December 2019 present his first second term budget of N169, 557, 658, 300billion for 2020 to the state House of Assembly for approval.

More details at https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-ugwuanyi-presents-n169-19b-budget-for-2020/