₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Prisons Service, Ogun State Command, has registered 35 prison inmates for the 2018 National Examination Council (NECO) examination that will commence on November 15, 2018.

On Tuesday, the State Prison Service spokesman, Victor Oyeleke, said the 35 inmates were drawn from three of the six prisons in the state.

Oyeleke said, “The approval is made possible through efforts of the welfare officer of the Old Abeokuta Prison Ibara, ASP Abdulhakeem Awesu who is also the education coordinator of the prison.”


The inmates registered for subjects in Arts, Sciences, and Commercials. Eight inmates registered from Ilaro Prison, five from Ijebu Ode Prison while 22 are from Old Abeokuta Prison, Ibara.

He also disclosed that on June 2018, 21 inmates of the prison were enrolled to study various tuition-free courses in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) while 64 inmates were awarded vocational certificates and 69 of them successfully completed NCE program last year.

Oyeleke added the educating these inmates was made possible with the support of the religious bodies and individuals. He also appealed to others to emulate in assisting to reshape the minds of the prison inmates.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/prisoners-set-for-2018-neco-exam-in.html

The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday said his principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would prioritise security, national unity, education and job creation, if elected president of Nigeria, saying the country is broken, that another four years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is beyond contemplation of any right thinking Nigerian.

Obi, who was also a former governor of Anambra State, spoke on ARISE News, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY and said never in the history of Nigeria has the country been so divided, adding that since the APC took power, six Nigerians attain poverty every minute.


According to him, “This year alone, between January and September, over four million people lost their jobs. Every minute, six Nigerians are being pushed into poverty. Go to the market now, there is no demand. People don’t have money to do anything.”

While explaining some of the priority areas that the Atiku/Obi presidency would tackle, he said security was most critical and the Atiku presidency would do everything possible to restore security to the country.

He stated, “The country is so divided that you can’t imagine it, along tribal lines, religious lines between Muslims and Christians; an Atiku presidency will unite the country. Everybody knows that Atiku has friends in every part of the country, even in his own personal team, his friends are from everywhere.”

He spoke about the primacy of education in national development and said Nigeria under Atiku’s watch would pay special attention to the sector.

Obi said, “Atiku presidency will deal with the issue of education, which is the most critical investment any nation can do. The more educated the people are, the better the development of the society.

“Atiku as a person built a primary school, a secondary school, a university and he was not doing them for money. If he was doing them for money, he had the opportunity to build them in Abuja or Lagos, while he was the vice president. That’s when he built those schools, but he built them in Adamawa.”

Obi regretted the country’s debt burden and carpeted the APC-led administration for not curbing the trend, explaining, however, while he was not against borrowing, there must be a purpose for it, and that this must be explained to Nigerians.

According to him, “On May 1, 2017 I said the country’s debt was too high. The debt keeps getting worse. Everybody was busy playing politics. The Minister of Finance then questioned this revelation. I said, ‘Minister, I have managed money all my life.’ Most of the people contesting today, I have managed money more than they have managed money as a business man. I know when things go wrong. Because I wasn’t a famous economist, no one listened to me. Today, IMF, World Bank has said the same thing.

“We are using almost 60 per cent of our revenue to service debts. We are borrowing more. The Nigerian financial system, National Assembly, everybody is flying to London for a road show to borrow more money. This is what we should be discussing, what is this money going to be used for? Not discussing whether Peter Obi comes from Anambra or Imo.”

The vice presidential candidate commented on the ongoing conversation on minimum wage and said while he wasn’t speaking for the presidential candidate or the party, he said there was need to sit down with labour, look at the income of the nation and the various states and determine the appropriate figure.

“Personally, I do not believe that somebody from Lagos should pay same thing with somebody from Ebonyi State. If you go all over the globe, there is no place where two states pay the same salary even America that we always cite as example,” he said.

Reacting to a statement credited to the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that there is no single thinking brain left in the PDP, he mocked the Kaduna governor, saying, “All the good brains are in the APC and yet the country isn’t working.”

He stated, “Well, all the good brains are in APC, but the country is not working. The good brains are in APC, yet the country is collapsing. That’s all I can say. When APC came, this country was growing at six per cent, since they came, look at where we are! Everything has headed south, not one item is positive.”

The vice presidential candidate stressed that in 2015, APC came to campaign with a bundle of lies and presently, instead of the ruling party telling Nigerians if they had been able to fulfill their promises, they were spinning more lies.

Obi said what the PDP was concerned with now was to bring the country back to where it used to be.

On the search on Atiku by the security agencies, he said that the opposition leaders were not only targeted and persecuted, but the ruling party was turning the whole thing into childish affair.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/obi-lists-atikus-priorities-says.html

Diamond Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc have notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the general public that both banks are not in any merger or acquisition talks as being circulated in some media.

The banks, in separate statements to the exchange on Monday, denied the rumours that they were engaged in merger and acquisition talks.

Mr Uzoma Uja, Diamond Bank’s Company Secretary, said it was not in discussion with any financial institution at the moment on any form of merger or acquisition.

Uja said that the attention of Diamond Bank had been drawn to the rumour in the media stating that the bank was purportedly in discussion with Access Bank to acquire the bank.

“We wish to state categorically that the bank is not in discussion with any financial institution at the moment on any form of merger or acquisition.

“We trust that the above clarifies the position of the bank with regards to the rumour on the various media platforms,” Uja said.

Also, Mr Sunday Ekwuochi, Company Secretary, Access Bank, said the bank had not entered into any such discussion with Diamond Bank or any other institution.

“As a publicly quoted company built on best practice, the bank is fully cognisant of its disclosure obligations in respect of any such corporate action and will always discharge its obligations in the most professional manner.

“Consequently, any statement regarding any such corporate action that is not issued by the bank should be disregarded,” Ekwuochi said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/diamond-access-bank-dispel-merger-rumour.html

Mr Aliyu Aziz, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), says 33 million Nigerians have enrolled for the National Identification Number (NIN).

Aziz said on Monday said that the commission had stepped up its strategy to fast-track the enrolment of more citizens and provide them with legal identification.

”NIMC has stepped up its operations, which has seen the enrolment figure with the unique National Identification Number (NIN) now at over 33 million, astronomically up from just seven million three years ago,” he said.

The Director-General said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Sept. 12, 2018 approved the immediate commencement of the implementation of a strategic roadmap for Digital Identity Ecosystem in Nigeria.

Aziz said that the step would further boost enrolment across the country, moreso as government had set the enforcement of the mandatory use of the NIN for Jan 1, 2019.

He said that the Digital Identity Ecosystem was a framework that leveraged on the existing capabilities and infrastructure of distinct government agencies and private sector organisations.

The Director-General said that the framework was to carry out enrolment of Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database (NIDB).

Aziz said that the framework was to ensure issuance of digital identity, known as the NIN, to give Nigeria a credible and robust identity management system.

He said that the provision of digital identity to everyone in the country to be able to prove ‘who is who’ was critical to accessing services physically or electronically.

According to him, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations demands that nations provide legal identity for all including birth registration by the year 2030.

”From the above, it is very clear that identification plays an important role in enabling the achievement of other SDG targets, such as social protection, rights to economic resources, land and property, as well as universal health coverage,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/33m-nigerians-enrol-for-national.html

An Iyaganku Juvenile Court, Ibadan on Friday ordered that a 13 – year-old boy be given four strokes of cane for stealing a Toshiba laptop valued at N150,000 and jewelries.

The judge, Mrs Kehinde Omotosho, who presided over the case, also ordered the minor’s father who accompanied him to court to counsel his son.

Omotosho also ordered the minor’s father to register him in a public primary school to continue his education

“Your father must bring your report card to the court every last Thursday of the month, ” she ordered.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Adeogun told the court that the minor and others now at large conspired to commit the offence of stealing.

Adeogun said the minor broke into a house belonging to one Oluwatoyin Akomolafe and stole one Toshiba laptop valued N150,000 and jewelries valued N70, 000.

He said the incident of stealing was reported by the complainant at the Challenge Police Station, Ibadan.

After arraignment, the 13-year-old boy apologised for the part he played in the crime.

“On the fateful day, my brothers and I broke into the house. Afterwards, they gave me N1, 000 out and I used it to buy food,” he told the court.

Click link to watch video https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/watch-video-13-year-old-flogged-in.html

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) is working towards ensuring that Nigerian youths benefit from the blossoming bilateral relations between Nigerian and China.

To this end, a delegation on NYCN led by its President, Bello Shagari, has paid a courtesy visit to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja.

Shagari congratulated both Nigeria and China for the recent currency swap deal signed between the two countries and noted that noted that the relationship between the two countries was at its peak.

He said that the youths of both countries should benefit from the mutual relations.

The NYCN president also urged the embassy to encourage Chinese companies to support youth activities as part of their social cooperate responsibilities.

In his response, the Chinese Counsel, Li Xuda, assured the NYCN President of the embassy’s cooperation.

Xuda also expressed his desire and the commitment of the Chinese Government to work with the Nigerian youths also to support the NYCN in its objectives.

He harped on the importance of NYCN members meeting with their Chinese counterparts, assuring that the embassy would arrange for such meeting soon.

The bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China keep expanding on growing bilateral trade and strategic cooperation.

China is considered one of Nigeria’s closest allies and partners. China is also one of Nigeria’s important trading and export partners.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/nycn-moves-to-cash-in-on-nigeria-china.html

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has again called on investors to take advantage of the available manpower, natural resources, as well as peace and security in the state to invest and expand the state’s economy.

Emmanuel made the call while exchanging views with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 who was on a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, the state capital.

He noted that a strong economy gingers sustainable growth and enhances political development, noting that Akwa Ibom State is strategically located in the Gulf of Guinea, with a drought of 17.3 meters suitable for a deep seaport which is at the fourth stage of it execution, stressing that the successful completion of the seaport would ease the constraints at the Lagos Apapa Port.


Emmanuel said the state is blessed with the longest shoreline and that plans are underway for a logistic hub to be established in the state, adding that a cargo logistic terminal would be added at the Ibom International Airport to take care of the West African sub- region.

The governor expressed appreciation to the Emir for the visit and his vision for the growth of the country’s economy and lauded the Emir’s advocacy for a national conversation that would aid in chatting a way forward for the economy of the
country.

He said the state is saturated with a number of projects that await partnership and cited the coconut refinery and cultivation project undertaken by his administration, saying that the project would boost the state economy in view of the rating of coconut product in the international market.

Emmanuel said without adequate planning, the country will be in a deep economic mess in 2030 and urged the political players to see politics as a means of development and not creating enmity for the benefit of humanity.

He prayed for a strong team that would rescue the country in the forthcoming polls and thanked the royal father for the visit.

Earlier, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II stated that he was in the state on a double mission to foster goodwill between the people of Kano and Akwa Ibom states as well as explore modalities for the smooth implementation of Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited project (QIPPL).

Sanusi said that $1 billion is to be invested in the project with Mobil Producing Nigeria partnering in the gas pipeline with additional $300 million .

He said the power plant, when completed, is expected to add 540 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and expressed optimism that with the multi billion investment in the gas project, other firms would be attracted to the state, adding that the gesture would boost the economy of Akwa Ibom and the country as well as create jobs for the teeming youths.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, frowned at the fuel subsidy funds expended by the federal government, saying that the fund should be tailored to educational development, healthcare and other infrastructures as well as stimulate economic growth to cater for the youths.

Sanusi who is also the Chairman Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPPL) congratulated Governor Emmanuel for making Akwa Ibom an investors haven with landmark infrastructures and an enduring legacy of peace and sued for a peaceful political climate, advising that no investor would like to put his money in an unsafe environment.

On hand to receive the Emir who came in company of some members of his Emirate Council were Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, State PDP Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo, Senator Effiong Bob, Anietie Okon, Secretary to the state Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, State Executive Council members and Political stalwart.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/gov-emmanuel-seeks-partnership-with.html

The special adviser to the president on Social Investment Programmes, Office of the Vice President, Mrs Maryam Uwais has disclosed that the federal government is now feeding over 9,300,892 children in 49,837 government schools in 26 states.


Speaking on the update of the programme for the past three years in Abuja yesterday, Uwais urged Nigerians to draw attention of government to any problem they may perceive arising in their respective vicinities on the programme.

According to her, “So far, we are feeding over 9,300,892 children in 49,837 government schools in 26 states. Being a programme that also aims at empowering communities, we have also engaged 96,972 cooks with over 100,000 small scale farmers being part of the value chain, supplying locally sourced ingredients. It is noteworthy of mention that currently, public schools require 6.8million eggs, 594 cattle and 83 metric ton of fish weekly to be supplied to the cooks, for the purpose of feeding the children.”


She added that the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Social Investment Programme is also giving out N5000 monthly to 297,973 households in Nigeria, saying that it is currently being implemented in 20 states.

“As a critical component of the cash transfer programme, we have trained almost 3000 community cash transfer facilitators in every ward where the programme is ongoing, to build the capacities of our beneficiaries and support them to become productive and take ownership of their lives.”



She noted that the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) has so far reached over 1.1 million beneficiaries across the 36 states of the federation, with N27.4 billion in interest free loans, ranging from N10,000 to N350,000 disbursed so far.

She said the N-power programme is currently employing 500,000 young graduates, while 20,000 N-power non-graduate volunteers, have been trained at skill centres in every state, and given tool boxes to enable them apply their newly acquired expertise in the building and automotive industries.


She denied claim by Senator Biodum Olujimi that the Social Intervention Programme which was created for the benefit of every Nigerian is being manipulated to buy PVCs for President Buhari’s reelection.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/fg-feeds-over-9m-pupils-in-26-states.html

The Senate Committee on States and Local Government has lamented lack of social amenities in the 22 border states sharing boundaries with other countries or the Atlantic ocean, saying it has contributed to the security challenges in the country.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulahi Gumel disclosed this Wednesday in Abuja during an oversight visit to Nigeria’s Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).


He said lack of social amenities had attracted border dwellers to neighbouring countries to access medical care, school, water, among others.

According to him, “This committee is very conscious that for security purposes, we have to bring amenities to our border towns and make sure our border communities are well taken care of.”

He stressed that the aim of the visit was to find out the performance of the 2018 budget, adding that the committee would invite the agency for a close executive session so that there would be discussion on how every amount that was released was spent.

Gumel, “The members of this committee is very conscious of what is going on in terms of budgetary allocation that is expected for this agency, and we will go to any length to get fund for this agency.”

Also, the Chairman of the agency, Junaid Abdullahi, said that the agency will provide dwellers with social amenities to secure their loyalty and make activities across borders that threaten security unattractive.

He said, “The border areas are the gateways into this nation, we need to provide for the people in those areas such amenities that they have no need to look across borders seeking any social infrastructure or services from neighbouring countries.”

“Because of the vulnerability of border areas, they are susceptible to infiltration by undesirable elements that threaten the security of the country.

“We need to secure the loyalty of the border dwellers to make them feel they belong to this country and they have a duty and allegiance to this country, so that they are not even tempted to in any way be a party to anything that will be against the interest of our security.”

Abdullahi assured the committee that every budgetary allocation to the agency would be judiciously utilised to ensure that the country gets value for the services it renders

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/senate-committee-laments-poor.html

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said the takeover of the defunct Skye Bank PLC has been able to save more than 6,000 jobs and over NN949.60 billion in customers’ deposits as at June 2018.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NDIC had in September this year withdrew the operating licence of Skye Bank and transferred its assets and liabilities to a newly licenced bank, Polaris Bank owned by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), for failure of its shareholders to recapitalise the bank.

Speaking at the NDIC special day at the ongoing International Trade Fair in Lagos, the managing director and chief executive of NDIC, Umaru Ibrahim, noted that the option of a bridge bank was reached as it is less costly to the macro economy.


Explaining that bridge bank is a temporary bank created to operate a failed bank until a buyer can be found, Umaru who was represented by the head of corporate communications, Muhammed Kudu, said the resolution option was reached as is less disruptive to rendition of bank services, unlike outright liquidation or depositors’ payoff.

“The staff are retained in the bridge bank and with this expert arrangement, Polaris was able to continue banking operations in the 277 branches of the bank, over 6,000 jobs were saved and depositors have unhindered access to deposits in excess of N949.60 billion as at June 2018,”he said.



He noted that all those that contributed to the failure of the bank are being investigated by relevant agencies of the government and would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent for others.

“As provided for in the NDIC Act 2006, When financial institutions fails, depositors of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Interest Banks (NIBs) and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) are reimbursed up to a maximum unit of N500,000, while the maximum insured coverage for depositors of MFBs is N200,000.


“However, it is important to stress that depositors who have funds in excess of the insured limits are paid dividends from the liquidation of failed banks depending on the quality of their assets and outcome of debt recoveries by the NDIC.


“The changing landscape of the Nigerian financial sector brought to fruition the broadening dimension of Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) in Nigeria. Although, this effectively altered the scope and depth of regulatory/ supervisory interventions, but the NDIC remains resolute in its determination to safeguard depositors’ funds.


“As it stands, the number of licensed MMOs by CBN is currently 23, with eight being Bank-Led and the remaining 15 Non-Bank Led. As at 2017 year end, the number of accounts in the MMOs stood at over 153 million. The NDIC provides deposit insurance coverage to subscribers of MMOS to the maximum limit of N500,000 through the Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Framework. This is to further promote financial inclusion drive across the broad spectrum of the Nigerian economy.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/skye-banks-takeover-saved-6000-jobs.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday disclosed that he was “distressed and depressed by the atrocious ethnoreligious killings” across the country.

Speaking when he received leaders of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, led by Rev Dr Dachollom Datiri, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari appealed to Nigerians to learn to live together in peace and harmony.

Buhari urged religious, community and traditional leaders to do more in promoting peaceful co-existence among Nigerians at different walks of life.

He said, ”As an organised institution (COCIN), I have no reason to doubt your report on the atrocities being committed in your communities including the killing of Idris Alkali, a retired Major-General, the dumping of his car into a pond and the body of the deceased thrown into a disused well.
”The communities (in Plateau) have lived long enough to know that there is nothing they can do without each other than to live together in harmony.
”As leaders, we must persuade the upcoming generation, using every channel particularly the educational institutions, to live together with our neighbours.’’

Buhari, who used the occasion to underscore the important roles religious leaders play in engendering peace, lauded the exemplary role of the Imam in Plateau State who risked his life to save hundreds of Christian families fleeing attacks, in June.
”It is not all Muslims that are against Christians and neither are all Christians against Muslims. The leadership in the respective religions have to work harder to make sure they convince the coming generation that they have to live together in the same country,” he said.
The President assured the Christian delegation that he will continue to exert pressure on the Nigeria Police Force to do the needful in protecting lives and property.
”In our security arrangement, the police is in the frontline in making sure that communities, irrespective of ethnic or religious bias, live together in peace,” he said, adding that “Nigeria cannot afford to take its unity for granted and allow a return to the unfortunate perils of a civil war.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/why-im-distressed-depressed-president.html

Low prices of equities in the financial services sector and improved third-quarter results by some banks fuelled a robust performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in October.

Data obtained from the exchange in Lagos indicated that banking equities dominated the gainers’ table with Fidelity Bank emerging the best performing stock in percentage terms.

Specifically, Fidelity Bank during the period rose by 20 per cent to close at N2.04 per share against the opening price of N1.70.

Diamond Bank trailed with a growth of 19.49 per cent to close at N1.41, while Newrest ASL improved by 17.86 per cent to close at N6.60 per share.

Other top gainers’ are Cadbury, Forte Oil, Zenith Bank, Total, Mutual Benefits, Sterling Bank and UPL.

Conversely, Cutix emerged as worst performing stock in percentage terms with a loss of 50.49 per cent to close at N2.03 per share against the opening price of N4.10.

The loss by Cutix was due to the price adjustment for bonus share of one ordinary share for every one held and 20k dividend.

Mcnichols came second with 43.06 per cent to close at 41k, while Niger Insurance dipped 29.73 per cent to close at 26k per share.

Other top losers are Honeywell, Lafarge Africa, GSK, Union Diagnostic, Beta Glass, Fidson and Meyer.

Consequently, the All-Share Index during the period shed 300.10 points or 0.92 per cent to close at 32,466.27 compared with 32,766.37 achieved in September.

Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N11.962 trillion lost N110 billion or 0.92 per cent to close at N11.852 trillion.

Prof. Uche Uwaleke, Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University Keffi, said the performance of the market in October remained weak in spite of the positive financial results released by some listed companies.

Uwaleke attributed the trend to the exit of foreign investors occasioned by the higher yield environment (on a risk-adjusted basis) in developed countries especially the United States and the heightening political uncertainty in Nigeria.

He said the performance of the capital market in the near term would not be any different, noting that domestic investors were not insulated from the political risk.

Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., attributed the development to mixed sentiments and liquidity problem.

Omordion said cautious trading among investors as the 2019 general elections drew closer in the midst of dwindling economic activities and weak economic data contributed to the negative trend in the market.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/fidelity-bank-others-drive-positive.html

About 34 vessels expected at seaports across the country, particularly in Lagos, may be impeded by dockworkers’ strike.This was contained in the Shipping Position issued yesterday by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

It revealed that many of the vessels are conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, Automated Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel, and general cargo goods, as well as sugar and wheat.

The vessels, slated to arrive Lagos pilotage district from today to the end of the month might be in jeopardy, as dockworkers have endorsed the strike and are ready to shut the ports from business activities.However, four vessels that are waiting to be berthed and eight motor tankers that have already arrived the ports might be affected by the industrial action.

The motor tankers are all laden with petroleum products while the vessels have wheat and fertiliser.The strike will involve all affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and United Labour Congress (ULC), including the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), of which the dockworkers and all other shipping companies are members.

Efforts to reach the President, MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, were not fruitful, as he did not pick phone calls, or responded to text message sent to him yesterday.But a source in the union who preferred anonymity told The Guardian that the group is currently mobilising its members for the strike.He said they would not hesitate to shut the ports, if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands.

Importers and clearing agents are expected to suffer losses from the strike, as closure of port activities comes with heavy storage charges.The industrial action will also worsen cargo congestion in the ports, which has not abated after the last strike in October.

An importer, Johnson Abiyebi appealed to the Federal Government to reach an agreement with labour to halt the strike, as the masses will be the ones to suffer.

“The closure of the ports will lead to another round of congestion. I don’t know why our leaders are treating us like this. The port is not accessible, the roads are bad, we cannot clear our goods and demurrage is accumulating on daily basis. “This action will definitely worsen the matter, and I can say I am already regretting importing though Nigerian ports,” he said

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/dockworkers-action-to-shut-34-vessels.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that over 300,000 ineligible voters were dropped after the Automatic Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) screened out their names.


The commission noted that that was part of effort aimed at ensuring a clean voters’ register ahead of 2019 general election.

Consequently, the electoral body will today publish the voters’ register across the country.

This is coming as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, urged voters to troop out to their various polling booths to check their names during the four-day display of the voters’ register as the first step against rigging the 2019 elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when ECOWAS Pre- Election Fact-Finding Mission paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters, where he assured the group that the commission would continue to perfect and improve it processes and deliver logistics and the functionality of technology.

According to him, “For the registered voters…as at last week before I travelled, I was told that over 300,000 names were dropped after the Automatic Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS). But cleaning the voters’ register is not just the responsibility of the commission, it is also the responsibility of every Nigerian.”

AFIS is a system used by the electoral body to check for multiple registrations.

Yakubu said based on the provision of the law, the commission would between November 6 and 12, display the voters’ register for claims and objections in 120, 000 polling units nationwide.

He said: “I will like to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to check when we displayed the register so that they can draw the attention of the commission to the prevalence if any of any ineligible person so that we can further clean up the voters’ register.

“Let me say that as far as the commission is concerned, we are prepared, and we have to be preparing for the 2019 general election. In fact we can say that the 2019 general election is perhaps the most deliberately well-planned elections in our history.”

The electoral body said it would conduct elections into 1,558 constituencies in 2019, including, one presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 29 governorship elections, 991 state constituencies and 68 constituencies in the FCT for the area council, the chairmen and councillors, making a total of 1,558 constituencies.

On his part, the leader of the delegation, Mohammed Ali Monte, said the visit was aimed at getting an update on the preparation of INEC ahead of the 2019 elections.

He added that the delegation also wanted to know the condition under which the election would be conducted to gather information from INEC on how prepared the commission is.

Meanwhile, Secondus has said the desire to rescue Nigeria from the clueless All Progressives Congress (APC) government would be meaningless if everything pertaining to voting is not sorted out ahead of the 2019 elections.

The PDP national chairman in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Aide, Mr. Ike Abonyi, stressed that the essence of the four-day display as stipulated by the Electoral Act is to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, adding that this is the first step to avoid it.

According to him, “Cross checking and confirming the details ahead of the election is a mechanism put in place to reduce attempts by the electoral umpires to manipulate the system by saying that names of voters are not available.

“By cross checking and re-cross checking, the voters wittingly would have begun the battle to frustrate rigging of the election.”

Secondus, said INEC should ensure that the registers are not only displayed at the polling booths but that the correct ones to be used for the election are the ones on display.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/inec-screens-out-300000-ineligible.html

President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki has received over five thousand youths who have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Saraki, a National leader of the PDP received the youths at a ceremony held in Illorin, the Kwara state Capital at the weekend.

According to the media office of the President of the Senate, Saraki received the new defectors in the company of the Kwara State PDP governorship candidate, Razak Atunwa.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/photos-saraki-receives-5000-youths-from.html

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter has announced former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state, Dr Kadri Hamzat, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The state party leaders made the official presentation of Hamzat as Sanwo-Olu’s running mate on Sunday at the party secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba area of Lagos.

Hamzat was born September 19, 1964.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1986 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and subsequently furthered his studies at home and abroad, resulting in both an MSc. in Crop Processing Engineering (1988) and a Ph.D. in System Process Engineering (1992).

Sequel to this, he garnered about two decades of work experience in several organisations, including the City of New York, RTP Consulting Services, Columbia University, Merrill Lynch Inc, Morgan Stanley and Oando Plc.


In August 2005, Hamzat was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology during the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He retained his position when Governor Babatunde Fashola assumed office in 2007. It was during his tenure as Commissioner for Science and Technology that Hamzat enforced the application of modern technology in the state’s ministries, thus changing the face of data and record keeping in Lagos and at the same time eliminating the trend of state ghost workers.

It is reported in some quarters that this single act was largely responsible for his elevation as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure at the commencement of the second term in office of the Governor Fashola’s administration. The office had gone on without a commissioner during Fashola’s first four years, with only a Special Adviser reporting directly to the governor.

In execution of his mandate, Hamzat’s ministry has completed several key projects for Lagos State in the mega-city era.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/lagos-apc-announces-femi-hamzat-as-jide.html

As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) prepare for its planned November 6 nationwide indefinite strike on account of the inability of the government of the federation to accept payment of N30,000 new national minimum wage, the Senator representing Anambra-central senatorial district at the Red Chambers Abuja, Senator Victor Umeh has said that the federal government’s option for a court order to stop the strike will not resolve the issue, instead it will further aggravate the situation.

Umeh stated this at the Awka-South local government headquarter over the weekend during an Award ceremony organize by the Transition Chairman of the council, Hon Leo Nwoba in honour of Obiano’s wife Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano for her outstanding performance in the state while responding to questions from newsmen on the planned industrial action by labour from November 6, 2018.

He said that the federal government should not bluff workers when dealing with them, pointing out that even if the federal government got a court order to stop labour from embarking on strike, workers must go on strike to press home demands for better working conditions and welfare packages.

The Senator opined that the federal government should engage labour in a meaningful dialogue and that the only dialogue was for the FG to consider the money workers were demanding and whether in all sincerity a Nigerian worker could run a home with N22,500 salary per month as proposed by governors.


He also stressed that Nigerian workers did not have a living wage and that the federal government should no longer pretend that there was no money when a lot of people were living in affluence while workers languished in abject poverty.

The Senator said, what Nigerian workers deserve is a living wage, not the N30,000 they were currently agitating for emphasising that “there is nobody in his employ that earns below N40,000 a month. Many people earn N70,000, N50,000, N100,000 and above, so I don’t know why the government is very adamant in the plight of workers. The governors that are saying that they will pay workers N22,500; how can a worker use N22,500 a month to look after his or her family?”

Umeh stressed, “I work in the Senate and I know that there’s money we appropriated in the budget; this year alone over N9 trillion was in the budget and N500 billion was dedicated to special projects to fight poverty. Where is the money?

“They said they spent about N24 billion every month; I am from Anambra state and I have not seen where the money was applied. Government should learn how to manage their resources and pay workers the money they are asking for. My gateman earns about N35,000 every month even cleaners. So why should the government say a man with about seven children should go home with N22,500 a month?”

He maintained that government should know that it was not only those in leadership positions that should have access to the nation’s treasury and that N30,000 can’t solve problems in homes. He urged leaders to cut down on excess expenditures for the interest of all.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/minimum-wage-victor-umeh-backs-nlc_4.html

Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has admonished corps members that would take part in the 2019 general elections to display high sense of integrity.

Kazuare gave the warning on Saturday while addressing 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 corps members at the Oyo State NYSC Orientation Camp in Iseyin.

A statement by Mrs. Christy Olatoye, Assistant Director, Public Relations, NYSC Oyo State on Sunday, quoted the DG as reminding the corps members that the NYSC as a non-partisan organisation.


Kazaure was represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu.
“When you are called upon, with discipline and steadfastness, ensure that you put in your best and at the end your name will be written in the sand of time.
“As corps members, who are part of the Big Family (NYSC), you should be celebrated having graduated from the various institutions which qualifies you to be mobilised for the one year mandatory service to the fatherland.

“I want you to be happy being a part of this great family which from inception had not relented on its efforts in building and incorporating young vibrant graduates into the plan of nation building.
“The Management celebrates you our dear corps members; we see in you the future great Dangotes and Otedolas.
“You are advised to embrace hard work and good virtues that will elevate you to the top,” he said.
The NYSC boss also enjoined the corps members to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by acquiring skills that would turn them to employers of labour and wealth creators.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/2019-elections-nysc-issues-warning-to.html

The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the killing of a man and his three children by his wife, who also took her life.

“The man, Mr Nicholas Adetsav, a staff of Makurdi Local Government Council, and his children, were killed on Friday night in Makurdi.

His wife, believed to be responsible for the death of the quartet, also killed herself.

“From information available to us, the woman has been having issues with her husband which might have culminated into this,” Mr Moses Yamu, the command’s spokesman, told the News Agency 0f Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Makurdi.

Yamu said that the couple, who lived at Vandeikya street, were both staff of Makurdi Local Government Council.

“They have been having issues; just yesterday(Friday), the woman was seen with a pestle trying to smash her husband’s car. No one knows the cause of their frequent fights.”

He said that Police personnel sent to the house found the man foaming in the mouth, the three kids already dead, while the woman, also dead, was found holding a knife in her hands.

“The incident happened at 8:30 p.m. on Friday; from what we have gathered, the couple fight on daily basis,” he told NAN.

Yamu said that investigation had begun toward determining the reasons for the actions, while the corpses had been deposited at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital, Makurdi .

The Chairman, Makurdi Local Government Council, Mrs. Akange Audu, confirmed that the couple were employees of the local government council.

“The husband worked in the Department of Finance while his wife worked with the Department of Agriculture,” she said.

She also confirmed that the couple “were always fighting”, adding that the woman had warned neighbors to stay off their fights.

A cross section of the neighbours, who spoke to NAN, said that the couple had been having issues.

They said that the couple had been fighting since Friday afternoon, but no one appeared sure of the cause of their fights.

One of the neighbors told NAN that she stopped intervening on their quarrels when Mrs. Adetsav threatened her with a knife during one of such interventions.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/photos-woman-kills-husband-children-and.html

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has verbally agreed a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions, which doubles his wages.

Sterling has developed into one of England’s most exciting players since joining City from Liverpool in 2015.

The 23-year-old, whose existing terms were set to expire in 2020, will reportedly earn around £300,000 ($389,000) per week once he officially signs the improved contract, which would currently make him the highest paid English footballer.

Sterling played a key role in City’s record-breaking title triumph last term and this season has netted four goals in eight Premier League appearances in all competitions.

His future at the club has been a hot topic since the start of the season.

Coach Pep Guardiola, who has managed to get the best out of Sterling during his time at the Etihad Stadium, said before August’s Community Shield match against Chelsea that there was “no doubt” City wanted him to stay.

Guardiola left the situation in the hands of Sterling’s representative and City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain and it appears the protracted negotiations have now been successful.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/raheem-sterling-set-to-be-highest-paid.html

A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to hold Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode and others responsible for the "disappearance" of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from the country.

The court was also asked to order their arrest and prosecution after proper investigation into how the IPOB leader fled the country.

According to the plaintiff in the matter, Isaiah Agidi Ayugu, a lawyer, said Abaribe and Fani-Kayode aided Kanu's escape.

Joined in the suit dated October 31, 2018 as respondents are the Director-General, the State Security Service, the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force.

SaharaReporters obtained the court documents on Thursday, which was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1254/18.

In the suit, the plaintiff asked the court to immediately order the respondents in the matter to commence investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape of Kanu from Nigeria after the Nigerian Army were accused of abducting, arresting, killing and assassinating him.

Aside Abaribe and Fani-Kayode, others accused of aiding Kanu's escape are Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu and Uchechi Kanu.

In the suit filed through his counsel, Oghenovo Otemu, Ayugu prayed the court for an order mandating all the respondents in the case to investigate and prosecute Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Uchechi Kanu and all those who worked together to propagate the falsehood that Kanu was abducted, kidnapped, arrested and detained by the Nigerian Military.

The document read in part: “An order mandating the respondents to investigate and prosecute Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallom Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Uchechi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and all those who worked together to propagate and spread the inciting lies and falsehood that Nnamdi Kanu was abducted, arrested, kidnapped, detained, killed and assassinated by the Nigerian Military when indeed they were well aware of Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts because they played roles in helping Nnamdi Kanu disappear from Nigeria."

The plaintiff said during the period when the blackmail was against the military and the Nigerian government, he suffered emotional and psychological trauma as his freedom of movement and rights were hindered both at home and abroad.

He added that there was pressure on the Federal Government by the duo of Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and Femi Fani-Kayode, demanding the release of Kanu, dead or alive.

He said in the affidavit attached to the origination motion ex parte: "That the said Nnamdi Kanu, the so-called self acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group that has long been proscribed and designated a terrorist group is alive and was seen in Israel from where he called a World Press Conference and made a live broadcast of his new and renewed agenda for his group. In the broadcast, Kanu boasted that he will bring 'Hell to Nigeria'.

"That it is therefore clear that whilst Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Uchechi Kanu, leaders of Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state, the different Civil Liberty Organisations and media practitioners and so many others too numerous to mention were making several dangerous claims that Nnamdi Kanu has been killed, abducted or being held by the Army of government, they were aware that he was actually out of the country by their collective or respective assistance from where he resurfaced in video clips of him praying in Israel and subsequent video broadcast.

"That because Senator Abaribe took Nnamdi Kanu on bail, the case against Nnamdi Kanu has not seen the light of the day as Nnamdi Kanu has now jumped bail."

He also accused IPOB of stockpiling arms to "truncate the 2019 general election".

No date has been fixed yet for the hearing of the case.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/abaribe-fani-kayode-helped-nnamdi-kanu.html

The News Agency of Nigeria today launched its long-awaited multimedia web platform for photographs, videos and infographics.
Styled, Nan Multimedia, the platform can be reached via the link https://multimedia.nan.ng

According to the managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the platform had been in the works since 2016 and is meant to further expand the services being offered by the agency.

“The launch brings our agency in line with world’s best practices in news agency journalism. I am especially excited that the launch coincides with the 40th anniversary of the agency”, said Onanuga.
“We expect to see a flood of users from foreign and local newspapers, publishers, bloggers, news sites looking for photographs and visuals about events in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy”, he added

Existing subscribers have already been given log-in details by Metric Internet, the designers of the platform. Once they log in, they can download pictures as needed. They will see a ‘download’ button.

Non subscribers can also view the site and buy photos individually by clicking the ‘add to cart’ button. They can pay with any debit/credit card or make direct bank payments at checkout.

Download links will be emailed to the buyer once payment is successfully made.

To subscribe, new subscribers can signup at https://multimedia.nan.ng/subscribe/

Accounts will created for new subscribers once payment is successfully made. They can pay with any debit/credit card or make direct bank payments at checkout.

All payments are processed by PayStack (https://paystack.com/)

“This being Version 1.0 of the portal, will be followed by regular system updates to continuously improve service delivery”, said Femi Olubosi, the Co-founder and CEO of Metric Internet, in Lagos.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/nan-launches-multimedia-web-platform.html

A 96-year-old woman set a record by scoring 98 marks out of 100 in the literacy exam in southern Indian state of Kerala, officials said Thursday.

The Kerala State literacy mission conducts equivalency examination in different grades for people who could not get proper schooling.

After the results were declared on Wednesday, Karthyayani Amma was felicitated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Amma, who hails from Cheeped in Alapuzha district north of Kerala state’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, has never attended any school.

She is said to have been inspired by her daughter, who recently finished the literacy mission’s course, local media reported.

“I saw children studying and got inspired. I didn’t study when I should have but I am glad that I am getting the opportunity to do that now,” Amma said.

The literacy test is equivalent of exam for Class 4 and Amma said she looks forward to passing Class 10.

“After this, I want to learn computer too. In my free time I can use the computer, type on the computer,” the nonagenarian told reporters.

Amma was married at the age of 13.

According to local government officials, of the 43,330 students who sat for the exam, Amma was the oldest ever, in the state, to take a literacy test.

The literacy program tests reading, writing and basic mathematical skills. Officials said this year 42,933 candidates passed the exam, taking the state closer to its aim of 100 percent literacy.

The photographs of Amma writing the exam went viral on social media and soon after her exam result came out people took to social networking sites to describe her as a source of inspiration and laud her dedication.

“I had tweeted about this 96-year-old Kerala student when she began her studies.

Yesterday she passed her literacy exams! Congratulations Karthyayani Amma!” Congress lawmaker from Thiruvananthapuram Tharoor tweeted.

Kerala was declared fully literate in 1991, which means attaining 90 per cent literacy, as per the UNESCO norms.

As per India’s 2011 census, Kerala has around 1.8 million illiterate.

To achieve the goal of 100 percent literacy, the local government initiated a scheme in January to eradicate illiteracy among marginalized communities across the state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/96-years-old-woman-scores-98-in.html

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Justice and Equity has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on the activities of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) especially within the period of 2016 and 2017.

The group also called on the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to personally look into the issues at IST by listening to the staff agitation and the response of the tribunal with a view of salvaging the situation.


The Convener of the group, Comrade Olayemi Success, made the call Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja where he made the position of the group known on the lingering issues at IST.

He said that IST staff under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Public Cooperation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Employees (AUPCTRE) protested against the management some months ago with continuous threat of strike action to halt the activities of the tribunal.

Olayemi stressed that IST as an agency of government under the supervision of Ministry of Finance had the responsibility to resolve any issue of dispute arising from the Nigeria capital market and also to boast investors’ confidence.

He stated that investigation by the group revealed that the agitations of the staff were deliberate attempt to cover up some of the atrocities committed in the past.

Olayemi noted: “Before the inauguration of the current tribunal on the 19th September, 2017, the tribunal was inactive for almost two years without immediate replacement.

“Obviously, the period has made the staff to grow wild in corruption, lack of transparency, lateness to work , abandoning duty, etc were the status quo the staff want to maintain even after the inauguration of new tribunal that ready to work and pursue the vision of the tribunal.”

The group alleged that the staff seem to have collaborators in the supervising ministry, as the new tribunal is not enjoying much needed cooperation in the ministry to rescue the situation and bring the perpetrators to book.

“We call on the EFCC to beam it searchlight on the activities of the IST especially within the period of year 2016 and 2017.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/11/group-wants-efcc-to-investigate-ist.html

The Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded plans to demolish illegal buildings including churches built close to the collapsed Reigners Bible Church along Uyo Village Road, Uyo.

Reigners Bible Church collapsed, on December 10, 2016, killing more than 30 people and injuring hundreds of others including commissioners in Akwa Ibom State Government who had accompanied Governor Udom Emmanuel to the bishopric consecration of the church founder, Pastor Akan Weeks.

The state commissioner for lands and town planning, Mr. Chris Ekpo told Daily Sun, on Monday, that some of the churches had since been put on a red alert, even as they had been instructed to provide insurance cover for 500 of their members in case of any such mishap.

“They say they have approval. But I will like to see such approval. That church (name withheld) structure we had already given them demolition notice.

“When they came begging, what I told them was given three to four years, that structure will come down on its own because the erosion behind the church is very active.

“By the time we went on inspection, even the first fence they erected had gone down.

“So, what I insisted they should do is to pose an insurance of 500 worshippers so that if anything happens, the families would have something to fall back on. So they have done that and I have made sure that it is active on a yearly basis.

“There are a lot of illegal structures in Uyo. In this ministry we have already set a demolition squad.

“We have already identified structures we need to bring down so that others will also know that before they erect a structure they must get approval.

“That is why you have development control agencies like Uyo Capital City Development Authority and the area planning authorities.

“Master plans are supposed to be guides to development control which people are supposed to adhere to.

“But people, instead of submitting their drawings to the appropriate quarters, they take the laws into their hands and feel that they can erect structures they way they like. That is why you have all these problems.”

Ekpo attributed the increasing flooding in Uyo to illegal structures which were not a problem when the Uyo master plan was conceived.

“By right, the cost of the demolition is supposed to be borne by the illegal developer. How to enforce that is going to be a problem.

“So, we will not wait for that. As soon as we the funds we are expecting, we are going into demolition.

“So, if you have a friend that has illegal structure and has been fortunate enough to see the description on the building, tell him to make alternative plans; to start looking for another accommodation.”

He said as early as November 2000, there was a relocation order for all the inhabitant of Uyo village road in which the ill-fated Reigners Bible church was situated because of the poor nature the of the soil and topography of the areas.

He, however, lamented that the villagers were still selling plots along the area to unsuspecting members of the public including even the Nigerian Society of Engineers which only realised their mistakes when they went to get approval to start constructing their state secretariat.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government has earmarked for development, 1,000 units of different typology of houses in five local government areas of Uyo, Eket, Ikot Abasi, Onna and Uruan, where are suspected as areas people are moving into from the city.

He also expressed concerns over the proliferation of markets in Uyo, especially around the Ibom connection and other similar city centres; but promised that two new public-private-partners markets would be developed in Uyo to take care of the seemingly stranded traders in the streets.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/uyo-church-collapse-adjoining-churches.html

A humanitarian crisis is likely to recur in Gombe State due to the continuous influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the trouble-stricken parts of Adamawa states.

Information from the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), indicated that influx of about 19 thousand fleeing IDPs, fleeing clashes in Lafiya Lamurde, in Adamawa, was recorded, as at last Friday evening, in Gombe and that the number keeps growing.

Daily Sun came across about 40 of the IDPs on Sunday, at Gombe Bypass, where they appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid. Majority of the IDPs said they had to flee Lafiya Lamurde following a massive raid, by a group involved in communal clashes in the town and its surroundings.


Hajara Hassan, a 22-year-old mother of two, who is also almost nine months pregnant, told Daily Sun her family lost everything, including their house and only escaped with the clothes on their backs during the attack.

“We are now living with a relative in Gombe but, we are in dire need of help. We need food and clothes,” Hajara said.

For 68-year-old Binta (Uwani), they trekked for about 30 kilometres to escape the attack and had to pass the night at a military check-point. They were later transported to Cham, in Balanga Local Government Area.

The widow and mother of seven said they were later offered a lift to Gombe, where they are now being sheltered by a nephew in the state’s metropolis.

“My house, five goats and other wearables have all been stolen and destroyed,” the grandma said in Hausa.

It is still unclear why and how the communal clash between Waja and Lunguda communities in Lafiya Lamurde in Adamawa began, despite having age-long history of living together in peace.

An IDP seeking refuge with an uncle in the state, said the pandemonium occured after a group allegedly beat up two and killed one member of Lunguda community.

“The clash that was expected to be between the Lunguda and Waja ethnic groups, took an unexpected turn, Bilyaminu, a Kano indigene living in Lafiya Lamurde added.

On its part, Gombe SEMA office said it hasraised a memorandum to the state governor seeking assistance for the IDPs, whose condition is horrifying.

Relief and Rehabilitation Officer of SEMA Gombe, Muhammad Garba, said they cannot help the matter rather than wait for what will come from the state Government.

He said the agency went to access figures of the IDPs who are spread across towns and communities in the state.

“We have about 6, 264 in Bam-Bam and another 11, 126 who are at present being sheltered in a primary school in Cham all in Balanga LGA, with another over 500 in Local Gona, Akko LGA.

“That is it and the figure is growing. There are about 67 in Tumu town and also in Akko LGA, not talking about those in Gombe metropolis, who are hard to count because they are mostly living with friends and relatives” Garba said.

He also added that there is the need for groups and individuals to come in and ender some help, “pending when relief would be coming from our agency, this is because the IDPs are in dire need of assistance.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/19000-displaced-by-adamawa-communal.html

The police have arrested a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Joko Pelumi, and 49 others over alleged attack and killing of a police officer attached to the anti-cultism unit.

Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, told newsmen in Ikeja that the former speaker, along with others, attacked and killed Akingboju Akindele, a deputy superintendent of police, while trying to effect the arrest of some suspected cultists.

“On Oct. 27, at about 4:30 p.m, a team of Anti Cultism policemen attached to Area ‘N’ Ijede, were attacked while trying to effect arrest of some suspected cultists.

“In the process, a police officer by name DSP Akingboju Akindele was killed.
“Investigation into the case led to the arrest of 49 suspects including a former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joko Pelumi,” he said.
Edgal added that the suspects were traced to the former lawmaker’s house where they were reported to be hibernating after committing the dastardly act.
He said investigation had narrowed down the arrested suspects to five who actively took part in the crime.
“The policeman’s rifle had been recovered at water front Ijede where it was burried.
“The other suspects and the former lawmaker will be treated as accomplice.
“All the arrested suspects are currently being investigated at SCIID Panti, Yaba and would be charged to court on Monday.” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/police-arrest-former-lagos-speaker.html

MasterCard, the world’s leading technology company in the global payments industry hosted the African Debit Forum recently to discuss role of technology in helping banks deliver a seamless consumer experience

Over the one-day event, executives from leading financial institutions discussed the need to harness new technologies such as mobile, and add targeted loyalty offerings to appeal to the emerging digital natives in Africa.

In its journey to build a stronger payment ecosystem across Africa and as part of its Connecting Tomorrow, Mastercard brought to Barcelona experts to discuss topics such as the strategic role that current accounts and debit cards play in shaping consumer relationships, trends and insights into how African retail banking is evolving, as well as how digital and mobile channels are changing the habits of consumers and what this means for the banking industry.


“Consumers and merchants across Africa are seeking simple, more secure methods to transact,” says Mark Elliott, division president, Mastercard Southern Africa.

“This forum was a perfect opportunity for us to share insights with issuers into how our debit card solutions and innovative mobile technology and payments solutions can displace cash while making it safer and more convenient for people to pay.”

With an estimated 95 percent of retail transactions still being made in cash in Africa, there remains a great opportunity to drive financial inclusion within the region through innovative technologies, as well as driving debit card adoption and usage.

The continent’s banking industry is the second fastest growing of any global region, with a revenue pool expected to grow further at CAGR 8.7% until 2022.

Banking penetration, however, is low with only 300 million banked adults in 2017 (35%), although it is expected to grow to 460 million by 2022 (48%).

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/mastercard-hosts-african-debit-forum.html

The Department of State Services, DSS, has warned members of the public to be wary of the activities of fraudsters using Facebook accounts of some officials of the service to defraud unsuspecting persons.

NAN reports that a statement issued on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, stated that the fraudsters in some instances had promised employment and made victims to part with various sums of money.

“The service advises applicants to verify information of recruitment from its formations across the country or send an email to dsspr@dss.gov.ng for confirmation.


“In this regard, the public is advised to be wary of the fraudsters and avoid falling victims,” he said.
He said that the criminals had cloned the Facebook accounts of some DSS senior officials, including that of the immediate past acting Director General, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa.
Afunanya said that the service was currently not recruiting any cadre of officers and does not recruit through the Facebook and does not charge money.

The spokesman said that the service has continued to apprehend these criminals, and warned operators of the latest false accounts to desist from the illegality.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/beware-of-fraudsters-were-not.html

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, at the weekend said two modular refineries would be commissioned in Delta and Rivers states in December.


Speaking at the 2018 graduation of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, he added that government had issued licences for 38 of the facilities currently at different stages of completion.

Represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Idang Alibi, the minister stated: “As I mentioned during my last visit, the Federal Government is very much interested in constructing modular refineries.


Their development would help to address the perennial shortage of domestic supply of petroleum products, create jobs and stop illegal refining of crude oil and the attendant deleterious impact on the environment. He also disclosed that government was poised to end flaring by utilising and monetising the abundant gas resources in the country.

Kachikwu added that the current administration had redoubled efforts to drive utilisation and commercialisation hence its investment in the nation’s seven critical gas development projects to deliver about 3.4 billion standard cubic feet of the product yearly to bridge the medium-term supply gap by 2020.

He noted that the approval of the Nigeria National Gas Policy last year by the President Muhammadu Buhari government was to ensure the product play its full role to the growth of the national economy.

The policy, according to the minister, is key to the realisation of a full-blown domestic gas market in the country in the future.

He, however, regretted that the nation lacked the critical manpower in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the industry.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have deplored the continued burning of illegal refineries by the military in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

At the yearly tripartite meeting involving oil companies, Rig/HWU firms and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Warri, the players observed that the incineration of confiscated crude and contrivances was not only destroying the delicate ecosystem in the zone but also posing severe health risks to inhabitants.

The Warri Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, Mr. Asuquo Antai Eyo, said the presidency had recently set up a panel to look into the issue and was agreed that the military joint task force should henceforth put an end to the exercise owing to observed health hazards.

He added that it was equally resolved that the stolen content be taken back to the oil firms whose pipelines were vandalised for the scooping.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/two-modular-refineries-for-inauguration.html

Nigeria has introduced a sanction on foreigners who overstay in the country for more than 56 days.

The measure is to discourage foreigners from overstaying in the country without visa approval.

A source within the Ministry of Interior said that depending on the number of days they overstayed, foreigners would have to pay between $200 and $4,000.

The source said a foreigner would have exceeded his stay by 56 days before he could be said to have overstayed.

According to a document from the ministry, citizens of the Economy Community of West African States are however exempted from the sanction as they can enter and reside in the country without visas.

It added that a non-ECOWAS visitor who wished to stay for more than 56 days, but not beyond 90 days would be made to pay a fine of $200 or the naira equivalent while those who stayed beyond 90 days, but less than 180 days would pay $1000 or its naira equivalent.

Also, non-ECOWAS visitors who intend to stay in Nigeria or who overstays for a period exceeding 180 days, but not beyond 365 days would pay $2000 or its equivalent and those who stay in the country without authorisation would pay a penalty of $4000.

According to the ministry source, the Federal Government had to introduce the system, to check foreigners who abuse visas given to them.

The source added, “It was discovered that some of them intentionally overstay in Nigeria without regularising their papers. The government will not agree with this and will do everything possible to stop such abuse.

“However, in order to prevent corruption or leakage in the system, the government gave out the concession to a firm that will work with officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service at various points for the remittance of the sanction fee.

“What the concessionaire does is that it issues them a sanction ticket, which the visitor pays to a particular bank. So far, the regime is free of any corrupt practices and our men at various stations are cooperating with the officials.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/nigeria-set-penalty-for-visa-defaulters.html

Co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group, Aisha Yesufu, has reacted to a statement by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, that President Muhammadu Buhari will return power to the South West in 2023.


Fashola had while speaking at a special Town Hall Meeting on infrastructure organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday called on the people of the South West to support Buhari’s second term bid in order to regain power in 2013.

“Did you know that power is rotating to the South-West after the completion of Buhari’s tenure if you vote for him in 2019?


“A vote for Buhari in 2019, means a return of power to the South-West in 2023. I am sure you will vote wisely,” the former Lagos governor said.

His statement has since stirred reactions especially from some leaders in the South-East who had on several occasions, maintained that President Buhari will be handing over power to the region in 2023 if he gets votes from the South-East.

However, Aisha reacting to the statement in a post on her Twitter page described Fashola as one of the leaders who has depreciated since he got appointed into Buhari’s administration.


According to her, “Some leaders build people around them. Others depreciate people around them. See how Fashola depreciated before our very eyes.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/fashola-has-depreciated-aisha-yesufu.html