₦airaland Forum

Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, in his bid to stop his trial over an alleged N3.2 billion fraud.

Mr Kalu is currently a chieftain of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, and is one of the key supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari in the South-east.

Mr Kalu alongside his former Commissioner for Finance and Account, Jones Udeogu, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended 39-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.2 billion.

The EFCC, through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, had, on Friday, May 11, closed its case against the defendants, after the conclusion of evidence given by a prosecution witness, Chidi Chukwuka, Deputy Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC.

During the May 11, 2018 proceedings, the prosecution counsel had also moved an oral application to amend the charge against the defendants in view of the evidence given so far.


However, the defence led by Awa Kalu, had, on May 28 filed a no-case submission on behalf of their clients, which they subsequently adopted as their written address.

In his short ruling on the no case-submission today, Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants based on the evidence against the defendants.

The judge also held that there was a link between Mr Kalu and the two others.

“You have explanations to make,” the judge said.

Following the ruling, one of the defence counsel, Goddy Uche, informed the court that the lead counsel to the defendants, Awa Kalu, had written to notify the court that Mr Kalu has an appointment to undergo a surgery abroad.

He, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to September 10 to enable the first defendant, Mr Kalu, to open his defence.

In his response, the prosecution counsel, Mr Jacobs, urged the court to adjourn further proceedings to the first week of September, saying that “The President of the Court of Appeal has directed that the matter must be concluded before the end of September 2018.”

Consequently, Justice Idris adjourned the case to September 10, 2018 for the defendants to open their defence .

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/orji-kalu-loses-bid-to-stop-n32-billion.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has launched Nigeria's first Patients' Bill of Rights developed by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to protect vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday in Abuja, the Vice President said Patients' Bill of Rights is crucial as it borders on human lives and respect for human dignity.
Osinbajo said respect for patients and human lives explain how a country values its citizens and this is the responsibility of not only healthcare practitioners but includes the entire healthcare value chains.

The Vice President added that government is aware of the acute problem of the Nigerian healthcare challenges and government is putting the right policies to address them.

He further said healthcare is not just about government funding and provision of infrastructure but also includes what patients perceive as what they are getting out of it.

The Director General of the CPC, Barrister Babatunde Irukera said the rights encapsulated in the Bill have always existed in different laws and the CPC simply aggregated the rights for reference purposes.
Irukera said the Bill of Rights would help eliminate quacks in the country's health care sector as it will serve as a weapon in the hand of patients to demand better healthcare services.
"Protecting rights in the healthcare sector is of particular importance and is a defining feature of how society should, and must operate," he said.
The CPC boss said the Council took interest in protecting consumers in the health care sector considering that life expectancy depends on the quality of health care delivery in the country.

He said no matter the quality of health care infrastructure, if the right attitude and quality services are absent, quality health care will fail.

"We take a definite step in ensuring people's rights in the healthcare sector are truly respected and protected in part because no one in our country is insulated or immunised from needing medical services," he said.

The Bill of Rights seen by Daily Trust outlined 12 rights that patients are entitled to, including right to relevant information, right to timely access to medical records, right to transparent billing, right to privacy, right to clean health care environment and right to be treated with respect.

Other rights include right to receive urgent care, right to reasonable visitation, right to decline care, right to decline or accept to participate in medical research, right to quality care and right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/osinbajo-launches-patients-bill-of.html

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to achieve alliance 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goal [SDG].


The alliance 8.7 seeks to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and secure prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour by the year 2025.



Ngige stated this in Abuja during the commemoration of the World Day against Child Labour 2018 with the theme “Generation Safe and Healthy” and sub theme “Elimination of Child Labour and Protection of young workers.”


The minister explained that child labour is the engagement of child under 18 years of age in any work that deprives them of their childhood and the opportunity to be educated and also hamper their physical and moral development.


He said, “To build a generation of safe and healthy workers, preparation must begin early with parental and community awareness for young people to be aware of risks and able to advocate on their own behalf, education about work hazards and risks as well as about workers’ rights, need to start in school and continues through vocational training and apprenticeship programmes.”


He emphasized that practical steps must be taken to eliminate the root causes of child labour and ensure that the rights of young workers are protected within the ambits of the law.


Ngige, however, solicited the collaboration of frontline MDAs, workers and employers union, civil society organizations, (NGOs) and other stakeholders to create time bound child labour programmes and projects and make budgetary provision for them in line with their various mandates as encapsulated in the national action plan (NAP) for elimination of child labour and take such programmes to the communities.


Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Ibukun Odusote said that the day was an avenue to create awareness and rub minds on the more effective ways to tackle the menace of child labour and improve the safety and health of young workers in our society.


In their separate remarks, the representative of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Agatha Kolawole, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) Adenike Adebayo Ajala, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Maureen Onyia, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Hassan Anka, and National Agency For Prohibition Of Trafficking In Person (NAPTIP) pledged to support and collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to eliminate child labour and protect children within the working age.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/fg-restates-commitment-to-fight-child.html

Coordinator of the Kwara State Chapter of Buhari Support Group, Mashood Bakare, has formally resigned his appointment, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Bakare, who represents Omupo Constituency in the state assembly, announced his resignation on Thursday, at the floor of the House.

According to Daily Nigerian, Bakare, while explaining the decision, said his resignation was based on personal reasons.

He said he was no longer willing to be part of the organisation which he had been with since 2014.
The lawmaker, however, assured that he would continue to be sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of his people.
Reacting, the Speaker, Ali Ahmad, inquired if the decision to relinquish his post was willingly taken, and he answered in the affirmative.

The Kwara governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed had hinted that he and other top members of the state chapter, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will soon dump the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during a meeting with youths, traders, local government chairmen among others.
Ahmed lamented that the APC formed in 2014 with the hope of meeting the needs and aspirations of the people in critical areas of national life has not delivered.
“We are gathered here to consult with our supporters, market women, artisans, youths and women on how to guarantee our people’s interest and our state’s progress,” he was quoted as saying.
“Our leader Senate President Bukola Saraki will soon come home to announce where we will go. APC has not met our expectations. You have told us that they have not met your aspirations as a people in APC.
“You have come to tell us that you want us to move on to a new platform that will give us room to meet our aspirations for the good of Kwarans. By the grace of God almighty, you will have a response very soon and very clear.
“But one is as clear as crystal you the stakeholders have told us to move out of the APC and because we run an inclusive process, that is why we have come to sit here and seek your opinion which you have expressed.
“And certainly your decision is our decision. So whatever you want is what we will do. God will guide us aright.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/2019-election-mashood-bakare-group.html[/url][/b]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will deploy over 3, 500 ad-hoc staff for the Bauchi South Senatorial District by-election slated for August, 11th, 2018.

This was disclosed by the Director, Voter Education and Public Enlightenment, Yahaya Salihu at the Commission's headquarters in Bauchi.

He said that the staff to be deployed for the election were; Collation Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers 1, 2 and 3.

Salihu further informed that the adhoc staff will be drawn from Civil Servants of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Members and Students of Tertiary Institutions in Bauchi State.

He said that the adhoc staff will be trained on the rudiments of election process in order to have a hitch free bye-election.

‎INEC had earlier disclosed that the bye-election will be held in 445 Voting Points, 1, 499 Polling Units in 75 wards of the seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi South Senatorial district.

The Seven local government areas include; Bauchi, Toro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa‎, Bogoro, Alkaleri and Kirfi.

Political parties have conducted primaries and elected their candidates that will participate in the bye-election.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/inec-to-deploy-over-3500-staff-for.html

The Zamko Comprehensive Medical Centre, Langtang in Plateau State recorded 430 cases of snake bites in the last eight months, according to its medical officer, Dr Nyam Azi.

Azi told the News Agency of Nigeria in Langtang on Thursday that nine of the patients lost their lives while some were still being treated.

He said that the hospital was currently filled with snakebite patients, adding that the rural health facility, an outpost of Jos University Teaching Hospital, was already overstretched.


“As we speak, the situation in the hospital is scary; we receive fresh victims of snakebites every day.

“Snakebites are common during the farming season because more people engage in outdoor activities. Some of the victims are children who dip their fingers into holes in search of rats.

“All the wards are filled with snakebite victims. Some of the admitted victims sleep on benches and along the corridors,’’ he said.

Azi, however, said that the mortality rate had reduced due to the availability of the anti-snake venom.

“Unlike in the past when many victims died, many of those bitten have survived because we have the right drugs.

“The villagers have also become more enlightened and usually rush to the hospital immediately they are bitten. They no longer patronise traditional healers,’’ he explained.

The medical officer said that 150 vials of anti-snake venom were donated to the hospital by Mr JohnBull Shekarau, a member of the House of Representatives and urged other office holders to emulate that gesture.

“The free drugs have helped indigent victims. Many of them, who usually refuse to come to the hospital because they could not afford the cost of the drugs, now rush here,’’ he said.


Azi urged governments at all levels to donate anti-snake venom drugs to the hospital to assist the rural dwellers, saying that snakes in the southern part of Plateau were “plenty and highly venomous.’

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/9-die-as-plateau-clinic-treats-430.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned a businessman, John Abebe, for alleged forgery.

Abebe, who is a younger brother to the late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, was arraigned on four counts before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

The EFCC, in the charges, claimed that Abebe “knowingly forged” a November 30, 1995 letter written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Ltd.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the businessman “illegally inserted” into page 2 of the said letter “the following statement: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields.”
According to the EFCC, Mr. Abebe also attempted to “pervert the course of justice” by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC accused him of making an attempt to “mislead the court” by using fabricated evidence, contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that by attempting to pervert the course of justice, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
The prosecutor added that forgery was a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
But when the charges were read to the businessman on Thursday, he pleaded not guilty.
Justice Mojisola Dada, while adjourning the case to enable the defence counsel, Mr. Uche Nwokedi (SAN), to file an application for his client’s bail, ordered that Abebe be remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/breaking-efcc-arraigns-obasanjos.html

Women in Politics (WIP) a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has trained 30 female aspirants in Jigawa, on electoral process ahead of the 2019 election.

WIP Programme Coordinator in the state, Mr Mustafa Umar, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Wednesday.

Musa said the training was organised in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute, adding that it was supported by the Department for International Development (DFID).

He explained that the training was to strengthen the aspirants’ understanding of Nigerian electoral process and how to navigate party nomination processes.

According to him, the training was geared towards strengthening their skills to develop and run effective political campaigns ahead of the 2019 general election.

“One of the objectives of the training is to expose the participants on different types of resources needed for political campaigns.


“It is also to strengthen their skills so they can be able to build and sustain influential networks within their political parties as well as lobby key decision makers with a goal of emerging as party candidates.

“We are grooming them for political struggle as the 2019 is quite approaching,” Umar said.

He said the NGO had earlier trained 30 female aspirants in other part of the state.

“We plan to train another set of 30 aspirants in Hadejia or Gumel, as the training will be conducted in each of the three senatorial districts of the state,’’ Umar said.

Commenting on behalf of the participants, Hajiya Ramatu Sabo a trainee commended the organisation for the training.

Sabo said the gesture had exposed them to different strategies needed to actualise their political dream as female political aspirants.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/2019-ngo-trains-30-female-aspirants-in.html

The Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science (IDMSS) has called on Nigerians to be more safety conscious in order to prevent and reduce the risk of disasters in the country.

Mr Ochagwuba Edwin, the Registrar of the Institute, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, specialised education was required by Nigerians to effect meaningful improvement in the global response to disaster and management.

“Every year, thousands of people and property worth billions of Naira are affected by disaster, often receiving aid after a long delay and suffering.

“Nigeria is prone to multiple disasters like floods, erosion, droughts, desertification, terrorism, conflicts, and communal clashes.

“Many die or are injured needlessly as a result of inadequate social preparation, untrained and ill-prepared leadership for disaster response.

“We call on all Nigerians to be safety conscious by avoiding any form of carelessness both at home and the office for disaster risk reduction in the country,” he said.

Edwin said the Institute aimed at positioning Nigeria and Africa for disaster risk reduction, capacity building, security management, peace building and partnership through collaboration and empowerment.

The registrar disclosed that the Institute conducted training programmes, class room and online professional courses for various levels of stakeholders and members of the society.

“The Institute is a research body for human resource development, capacity building, professional competency certification and policy advocacy in the field of disaster risk management and Safety science.

“We give policy support for organisations and advice on disaster risk reduction and Safety strategies for safe living,” Edwin said.

He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to be safety conscious and pro-active in order to reduce risks of disaster in the country.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/disasters-institute-urges-nigerians-to.html

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have insisted that Senate President Bukola Saraki must submit himself for questioning.

In a statement by the Police on Tuesday, Police spokesman acting DCP Jimoh Moshood said the Senate President must honour an earlier invitation to submit himself to policemen for questioning over the Offa bank robbery.

He said: “The Nigeria Police Force on the 23rd of July, 2018 invited Sen. Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to report to the head of investigation team at the Intelligence Response Team office at Guzape junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja today, 24th of July, 2018 at 8am."

He explained that Saraki was invited "for further investigation on his indictment from confessional statements from some of the five gang leaders arrested for their active participation in the Offa bank robbery and murder of more than 31 persons and snatching of 21 AK47 rifles on the 5th of April, 2018.

"The Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki refused to honour Police invitation as at the time of this press release."

“The Force therefore, insist that the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria is being expected to report to the head of investigation team at the Intelligence Response Team office at Guzape junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.”

He insisted that Saraki "should honour the invitation, otherwise the Force will not hesitate to use all the instruments of the Law to ensure compliance with the law."

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/saraki-must-submit-himself-to-police-ig.html

15 All Progressives Congress, APC, Senators Tuesday morning defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Full reports and Photos at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/photos-saraki-storms-senate-announces.html

Security agents on Tuesday, barricaded the residences of the presiding officers of the Senate.

Our correspondent learnt that security operatives besieged the Maitama, Abuja residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki as early as 7am and blocked his convoy as he was set to honour the police invitation.at the force headquarters.


Simultaneously, a combined team of Police, DSS, and EFCC also stormed the Apo Legislative Quarters of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is expected to preside at the Senate in the absence of Saraki.

The Special Adviser to the deputy senate president, Uche Anichukwu, confirmed the development in a chat with our correspondent.

He said, “The Operatives from the DSS, EFCC and some policemen in their scores have barricaded the residence of Senator Ekweremadu at his Apo legislative quarters.

“He is preparing to preside over the Senate in the absence of the Senate President who has been invited by the police.”
An aide of the Senate President who refused to be quoted said, “The siege is still on as of 8:30am when I got there and I can not even confirm the whereabouts of my boss at the moment. ”

“The implication of both actions is that the Senate will not sit today if the two presiding officers were not still deprived of their freedom of movement or arrested before plenary which starts at 9am.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/punchng.com/senate-shut-down-as-security-agencies-lay-siege-on-presiding-officers-homes/amp/

The Adamawa House of Assembly has summoned the state deputy governor Mr Martins Babale and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Umar Bindir to brief it on issues relating to their respective offices.

The house also summoned the Commissioner of Finance Alhaji Sali Inusa, and the Executive Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue Alhaji Hamman-Adama Njabari.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion on Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the majority leader, Mr Hassan Barguma (APC-Hong) at the plenary on Monday.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Babale who is also the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties is expected to appear on Wednesday, to brief the house on how the ministry is handling the problem of rising conflicts in the state, as well as issues relating to provision of relief materials to displaced persons.

The SSG is to brief the house on a N6 billion World Bank multi-sectoral fund, while the Commissioner of Finance and the Executive Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue are to brief the house on the current financial status of the state.

Speaker of the House, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa who presided over the sitting directed the clerk to communicate the decision to the affected government officials.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/assembly-summons-adamawa-deputy.html

WhatsApp, the Facebook owned company, is stepping up the battle against fake news with a big change that’ll affect anyone that uses the messaging app as it limits people’s ability to forward messages to large groups.

The idea is that, in theory, it will make it harder for things to “go viral” and will stop the spread of sensationalised fake news.

Although this new strategy is going global, WhatsApp is taking things even further in India.

“In India – where people forward more messages, photos, and videos than any other country in the world – we’ll also test a lower limit of 5 chats at once and we’ll remove the quick forward button next to media messages.” the company confirmed .

In the rest of the world, users will only be able to forward messages on to 20 people. The previous limit was 250.

WhatsApp has confirmed that the new change is in response to the spread of fake news and in some cases resulting violence in places like India and Myanmar.

“We’re horrified by the violence in India, and we’ve announced a number of different product changes to help address these issues,” a representative from WhatsApp told Recode .

“It’s a challenge which requires an action by civil society, government and tech companies.”

The decision by WhatsApp is a likely a trickle-down from parent company Facebook , which has repeatedly been hit with criticism for its role in the dissemination of fake news.

One of the most serious instances was the perpetuation of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

Facebook has been used to spread propaganda against the Rohingya people that has led to killings.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/whatsapp-steps-up-war-against-fake-news.html

Mr Danladi Ibrahim, Acting Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says the ongoing construction of Lokoja, Oguta River ports will be completed before the end of 2018.

Ibrahim, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said the Lokoja port was 75 per cent completed while Oguta port, in Imo, was 70 per cent completed.

“We are looking at Lokoja, Oguta ports to be completed in 2018. We have also completed one of our major ports in Baro.

“The two ports will be completed before the end of the year. As soon as the budget implementation starts, we will swing into action,” the official said.

He said by 2019, the agency would commence the Makurdi port, adding that new ports would be developed as the need arises

Ibrahim said that the agency was going to buy equipment in batches to start moving cargoes from Lagos port to Onitsha and Baro.

According to him, when the Onitsha, Lokoja and Baro river ports commence operation, they will create over 2000 jobs.

“By the time Onitsha, Lokoja and Baro ports come into operation, more than 2000 jobs will be created because the operations of these ports will attract infrastructure.

“The port will be connected to rail, companies like Dangote and Bua will also be handy to utilise these ports.”

The NIWA boss, however, said that the dredging maintenance from Ajaokuta-Onitsha would be done as soon as allocation in the 2018 budget was released.

He said that the agency had embarked on direct maintenance dredging of its channels, which was a very cheap way of maintaining the waterways unlike the previous practice.

Ibrahim said the maintenanice of the dredging from Baro to Idah in Kogi state was recently completed.

“We are acquiring additional two dredgers from our 2018 budget and every year we will be adding, until we have a pool of sufficient number of dredgers that we can maintain.

“We are getting the additional dredgers to enhance our capacity for in-house maintenance dredging of the channels.”

He said Onitsha port had been concessioned, “so operations will start any moment from now”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/niwa-to-complete-lokoja-oguta-river.html

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with Borno State government has flagged off seasonal Malaria Prevention Campaigns (MPCs) against malaria for 1.1 million children in the state.

The joint malaria campaigns, which target children between the ages of three tofive, are to cover 13 selected local councils in Borno.Launching the campaign yesterday, in Maiduguri, at the Farm Centre; Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, the State Coordinator of WHO, Dr. Audu Auta, said the campaigns had already begun in the selected councils, including the security compromised local councils of Ngala and Monguno.

According to him, “malaria is responsible for more than 50 per cent of deaths in the state.”He said that the UN’s health agency’s data also indicated that children under the age of five were more vulnerable to malaria.

Auta urged residents and IDPs to avoid stagnant water in their communities and resettlement camps.Governor Kashim Shettima lauded WHO’s untiring efforts on the roll back malaria programme in the country.

Shettima, who was represented by his deputy, Usman Durkwa said: “It is expected that the anti-malaria drug administrators will be visiting households to administer the first dose of the four cycles. This is with the hope to reduce the trend of illness caused by malaria in Borno.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/borno-targets-11-million-children-in_16.html

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will today list the FGN N10.69 billion Green Bond on the Exchange, as part of efforts to make Nigeria one of the favoured investment destinations in Africa.

Nigeria became the first the first nation to issue a climate bonds certified sovereign green bond, the first African nation to issue a sovereign green bond and the fourth nation in the world to issue after Poland, France and Fiji.

Green bonds are fixed income, liquid financial instruments used to raise funds dedicated to climate mitigation, adaptation and other environment-friendly projects. This provides investors with an attractive investment proposition and an opportunity to support environmentally and socially sound projects.


Market analysts had said considering that Nigeria derives more than 90 per cent of its export income from crude oil, the push for green bonds to support initiatives aimed at moderating climate change by investing in solar plants, hydro power and agriculture is particularly noteworthy.

Former Minister of Environment and now Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed had last year commended NSE for conceptualising the idea of the green bond.

“The NSE sowed the seeds, they talked to me about sustainability principles and what business could do. We thought ‘hey what about green bonds’ – Nigeria was looking for an instrument that worked with its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’ and its national strategy to bring jobs and green infrastructure investment. Green Bonds provides a new product with new credentials that investors could buy into, which has gone through a vigorous process to ensure transparency, accountability in use of funds and is environmental friendly,” she said.

According to market operators, sovereign green bond represents a new stage in the development of the Nigerian capital markets and opens the way for further corporate issuance and international investment. The NSE is playing a key role in helping to develop this enormous opportunity for Nigeria while fulfilling one of its key objectives as a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative.

Market operators have called on government to implement tax incentives to issuers, while grant schemes should also be instituted to address some of the costs of issuing bonds for corporates including independent reviews and project assessment and evaluation.

Meanwhile, the stock market continued with its losing streak with the NSE All-Share Index depreciating further by 0.76 to close at 36,470.05.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/nigerian-stock-exchange-to-list-fgn.html

Some candidates of the National Examination Council, who could not write some papers due to the recent Plateau killings in the state have pleaded with the council to re-conduct the examinations.

The candidates, who are taking shelter in Internally Displaced Persons camps in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the attacks prevented them from writing the NECO Basic Education Certificate Examination and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

NAN reports that more than 11 communities in Jos South, Riyom, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas were affected in the recent attacks.


A BECE candidate, 14 years old Ezra Danjuma said he missed three papers because his school, Government Secondary School, Exland in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area was among the schools closed down because of the recent attacks.

“I registered for 10 subjects but could not write three papers because we had to run away from our community when the Fulani herdsmen attacked us, my father was killed in the process,“ he said.

Ezra, the second child of five children said that he paid N3, 500 for the exams and expressed worry that his mother might not be able to finance the exams as a widow, in addition to the school fees of his other four siblings.

NAN reports that at the Church of Christ in Nations IDP camp in Heipang, Barkin Ladi, that 11 SSCE candidates did not write all the papers they registered for and pleaded with the examination body to re-conduct the papers.

Bayat Yohana, a 16-year-old candidate said many of his classmates have lost a parent or both in the attacks and did not have the resources to re-register for the exams next year, “we paid N34,000 for the exams, most of us cannot pay again next year,“ he said.

NAN reports that candidates in Barkin Ladi LGA did not write literature, geography, Agric science, computer science, animal husbandry, additional mathematics and data processing and marketing.

The Plateau Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mr Jude Dakur said that a formal complaint was made to NECO on the issue and the council had directed them to collate the list of the candidates and the subjects they missed for possible consideration.


He said 13 public schools in Barkin Ladi local government were shut down, while statistics in the other affected areas were still being collated.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/plateau-killings-idps-plead-with-neco.html

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it will lead the South East and South South geo-political zones to boycott the 2019 elections, stressing that it is the only way to set the poor Nigerian masses free.

It stated that participating in the country’s electoral process had become counter-productive, with the permanent voter’s card (PVC) becoming a tool of enslavement.In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary, Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group warned that campaigning for votes in the two zones next year would amount to sheer waste of time.

Reviewing what it described as the “disgraceful charade that passed as Ekiti State governorship election ai the weekend”, IPOB said voting in Nigeria under the present political arrangement “is meaningless.”

The statement read in part: “Under the current electoral conditions in Nigeria, PVC has transmuted from a supposedly potent object of freedom to one of bondage. IPOB worldwide, therefore, restates categorically and for purposes of clarity that it would boycott all elections in Nigeria come 2019.

“Presidential elections next year will afford IPOB an opportunity to demonstrate its cast iron determination to set Biafra free by totally shutting down South East and South South regions.

“Anybody campaigning, seeking or hoping to get IPOB to participate in any election is wasting his time.“Should other parts of Nigeria wish to continue living in denial and keep participating in what is essentially an organised fraud, then they are welcome to do so. South East and South South will not vote and will not be part of it.

“By going out to vote, instead of demanding their freedom, the masses are only helping tyrants legalise rigging and electoral fraud. What people are doing by voting is willingly and legally renewing their pain and suffering every four years.”

Restating its stance on self-determination, IPOB expressed regret that some South East, South South and Middle Belt leaders were still calling for restructuring, instead of asking for referendum before 2019.“How would South East and South South want to participate in an election where INEC chairman and the director of operations are Fulani, and where the number of under-age voters in Kano is more than all eligible voters of South East and South South zones?” it queried.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/ipob-vows-to-lead-south-east-south.html

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika on Wednesday unveiled the name of Nigeria’s national carrier, as well as the logo at the Farnborough International Airshow in London.

Sirika said the national carrier is Nigeria Air.

During the unveiling, the minister said, “this will be a National Carrier that is Private sector-led and driven. It is a business, not a social service. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. The investors will have full responsibility for this.”


“The Nigerian Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/nigeria-unveils-name-of-national.html

Although there are about 240 million telephone connections in Nigeria, with no fewer than 160 million active lines, the country has 93.3 million unique mobile phone subscribers.

Unique subscribers mean individual connections to a device, but Nigeria has a multi-Sims culture, which has fueled the exponential growth in telephone connections in the country in the last one and a half decade.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda at the opening of the 2018 GSMA Mobile 360 Conference, Lead Analyst, GSMA, Kenechi Okeleke, disclosed that research showed that Nigeria had 93.3 million subscribers as at last year.


He noted that by 2025, there should be an additional 37 million unique subscribers, which would push the figure further up to 130 million.

The GSMA represents and protects the interest of‎ global mobile communications industry with over 800 members, including Nigeria.

In his welcome address, GSMA’s Head of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Akinwale Goodluck, said over half of SSA’s population would subscribe to mobile services by 2025.

Goodluck, a former MTN Nigerian chief, said the latest edition of GSMA’s Mobile Economy report forecast that there would be 634 million unique mobile subscribers across the SSA by 2025, which represents 52 per cent of the population, up from 444 million (44 per cent) in 2017.

He explained that the mobile ecosystem would add over $150 billion in financial value to SSA’s economy by 2022, representing almost eight per cent of regional gross domestic product (GDP).

Chief Regulatory Officer at GSMA, John Giusti, said: “For many people in the region, especially those in rural areas, a mobile phone is not just a communication device but also the primary channel for getting online and a vital tool for improving connectivity.

“More needs to be done to extend connectivity to the unconnected and underserved populations in Sub-Sahara Africa, but this will require focusing on long-term industry sustainability that can only be achieved through investment-friendly policies and supportive regulatory frameworks.”

Responding, Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Technology, Jean De Dien Rurangwa, pointed out that Africa needed regional integration to connect the unconnected.

He stated that the mobile ecosystem has brought rapid economic development to the country with Rwanda ranking among the leading information and communications technology (ICT) nations of the world.

He said Africa was the ideal destination for new businesses, urging governments on the continent to work on improving the region’s business climate.

Rurangwa said technology had influenced every aspect of Rwanda and changed lives positively from 14 per cent in 2008 to 72 per cent and 89 per cent in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/nigeria-connects-933-million-unique.html

Eating just one orange a day could prevent a common cause of blindness, new research suggests.

Snacking on the popular citrus fruit reduces people’s risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects central vision, by 60 per cent, a study found.

Lead author Professor Bamini Gopinath, from the University of Sydney, said: “The data shows that flavonoids found in oranges appear to help protect against the disease.


“Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants found in almost all fruits and vegetables, and they have important anti-inflammatory benefits for the immune system.”

Despite flavonoids also being found in other produce such as apples, for unclear reasons, only antioxidants in oranges protect against sight loss.

Previous studies focussed on the effect that common nutrients such as Vitamin C,E and A have on the eyes.

But Professor Gopinath’s study took a new approach.

She said: “Our research is different because we focused on the relationship between flavanoids and macular degeneration.


“Flavanoids are powerful antioxodants found in almost all fruits and vegetables, and they have important anti-inflammatory benefits for the immune system.”

The researchers analysed 2,037 adults with an average age of 49 for up to 15 years.

The participants’ diets were assessed via food questionnaires.

Results suggest that eating oranges protects against AMD compared to never snacking on the fruit.

Professor Gopinath added: ‘Even eating an orange once a week seems to offer significant benefits.’

The researchers plan to investigate what genetic and environmental factors cause eye diseases to occur.

The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/eating-just-one-orange-daily-reduces.html

The Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Engineer Idowu Ologunagba, has warned all the newly matriculated students of the institution against involving in acts that violated the rules and regulations of the school.

The rector said that acts, such as gangsterism, cultism, hooliganism, lesbianism, examination malpractice and other social vices, that were detrimental to the image of the institution and the society at large, would not be condoned by the school and any student caught indulging in them would be sent out of the institution.


Ologunagba, who spoke at the 25th matriculation ceremony of the institution, noted that the polytechnic was known for discipline and would not compromise its standard.

He said, “As fresh students, you must have observed that the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic is a highly disciplined community.“

He also enjoined the students to key into the peace-promoting and development- friendly culture at the institution.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/rector-warns-new-poly-students-against.html

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) say they would demonstrate at the Hague on Tuesday as Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari arrives the Netherlands to present keynote address at the Solemn Hearing commemorating the anniversary of the International Criminal Court at Courtroom 1 of the ICC’s Headquarters.


A memo signed by Emma Powerful, media and publicity secretary of IPOB, said members of the organisation in the Netherlands would protest against the killings in Nigeria.

The group stated that the protest, which would hold on Tuesday and Thursday at different locations, would alert the International Criminal Court, ICC, of the killings going on in Nigeria, with the hope that the Nigerian president would be tried.


The memo partly read, “This is to inform all Biafrans and IPOB members in the Netherlands that there will be a demonstration against the visit of Muhammadu Buhari to the Netherlands.”

The memo stated further that Tuesday’s protest would hold at Dutch parliament building in the Hague at Lange poten 4, from 10am to 3pm, while Thursday’s holds at ICC in the Hague with Oude waalsdorperweg 10 as its venue and also commences at 10am through to 3pm.

The memo also stated that, “We will do this, not minding that the news for Buhari’s visit to Netherlands came late. We are swinging into action to make sure this Evil murderer and Boko Haram sponsor faces justice. He has no hiding place.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/ipob-to-demonstrate-at-hague-as-buhari.html

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Monday congratulated Dr Kayode Fayemi on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Chairman of IPAC in the state, Mr Ilesanmi Omolayo, congratulated Fayemi while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Ado-Ekiti.

He said the victory of Fayemi, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over his closest rival, Prof. Olushola Eleka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), reflected the will of the people.

Omolayo said that with Fayemi’s election, the people had put their trust in him to better their lots, urging the governor-elect to work to meet their expectations and not disappoint them.

“We congratulate Dr Fayemi on his election as the new governor of our dear state and wish him all the best.

“We believe the outcome of the election reflects the will of the people. The people actually spoke.

“However, we urge Fayemi to see his victory as a call to service to meet the expectations of Ekiti people.

“We advise him not to betray the trust reposed in him and disappoint them, but to work for the collective interest of everyone in the state”, he said.

The IPAC chairman also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he called the credible conduct of the election.

He said IPAC was pleased with the conduct by INEC and efforts of security agents and other stakeholders to make the election a success.

Omolayo dismissed complaints in some quarters that the election result was manipulated, describing such as baseless.

“You see when some people’s expectations in elections are not realised; they tend to say all sorts of things.

“For the records, the results of the last Saturday election in Ekiti were not manipulated. I can say this, because IPAC monitored the whole process.

“in fact, I moved from one local government to another on the election day, and I can tell that the whole process was transparent.

“At the final collation centre, I, as IPAC chairman, was the one that opened all the ballot boxes and everything was sorted out and counted in the presence of everybody.

“I urge everyone to put politics aside and accept the fact that the election was okay. We should all join hands with the governor-elect to move Ekiti forward,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/ekiti-dont-disappoint-people-ipac-tells.html

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has commended the outcome of the just concluded Ekiti governorship election which was held last Saturday.

He said, “The Nigerian people have spoken, they have spoken loudly about their perception of the APC-led Buhari administration”.

The Minister stated this at a press conference on Sunday which was held in Lagos State.

He said that with the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the election was more than one state’s gubernatorial poll. “It was a referendum on the performance of the Buhari Administration. And Nigerians have given their verdict”.

The APC candidate, Kayode Fayemi was declared the winner of the election on Sunday morning by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after he outpolled the Deputy governor of the state, Professor Kolapo Olusola of the PDP, and others in the race to succeed Governor Ayodele Fayose.

He won in 11 out of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

The Informationation while commending the outcome said, “It’s not just a defeat for the PDP, it’s a defeat for all the naysayers who have made themselves the spokespersons for Nigerians”.

He added that “It is a death knell for fake news! Anyone who monitored the social media before and during the election would think it would be a landslide for the PDP. But the reality is different.

“We want to most sincerely thank the people of Ekiti State for ensuring that the election was free, fair and credible, as attested to by local and international observers and for turning out en masse to exercise their franchise.

“In 2014, the votes of the people of Ekiti did not count as the then PDP-led Federal Government used federal might to hijack the election and concoct the result.

They barred two serving Governors from travelling to Ekiti to support their fellow Governor. They wilfully shut the Akure airport and we, leaders of the opposition APC, were forced to return to Lagos by road in the night.

“With the roles reversed in 2018, we did not pay the PDP back in its own coin, because of our strong belief in the rule of law. The rest is history”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/ekiti-election-lai-mohammed-hails.html

The Nigerian Army said 23 of its soldiers and eight trucks are not missing, contrary to reports.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu said the report was exaggerated , “untrue and misleading” and that the “Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.”

“The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.

“Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.”

The military spokesperson confirmed that although there was an attempted attack on troops in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists due to the bad roads where some military vehicles were stuck, the terrorists were repelled and some arrested.

“There was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bugged down.

“The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.

“About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.”

Chukwu said one officer and a soldier sustained injuries during the attack and they are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.

He urged members of the public to disregard the report of the missing soldiers and go about their legitimate businesses as the

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/army-says-no-troops-missing-confirms.html

U.S. President Donald Trump, his predecessor Barack Obama and American singer Katy Perry, the most followed celebrities on Twitter, lost an astonishing number of followers on Thursday following Twitter’s account purge. Twitter announced on Wednesday that users would see a drop in their follower accounts on Thursday as the company clamped down on ‘problematic’ and ‘fake’ accounts. Trump, who is well known for his controversial twitter account @realDonaldTrump, saw his follower count drop by about 300,000, from 53.4 million to 53.1 million. Also, Barack Obama’s, who tweets @barackobama, saw his total followers shrink by 2.1 million, from 103.63 million to 101.5 million. Meanwhile, Singer Katy Perry, who has the most-followed account on Twitter, lost 1.5 million followers, dropping from 109.61 million to 108.1 million followers. Follower counts for Justin Bieber fell from 106.71 million to 101.50 million while Rihanna was down to 88.44 million followers from 89 million. Television host Ellen DeGeneres dropped from 78.09 million to 76.10 million followers and Taylor Swift fell from 85.57 million to 83.27 million, while Lady Gaga’s followers declined from 78.97 million to 77.47 million. Twitter’s official account on the social network was not spared from the purge as it shed 7.5 million fake accounts to drop from 62.85 million to 55.35 million as at press time. According to its official statement, Twitter will begin removing tens of millions of suspicious accounts from users’ followers signalling a major new effort to restore trust on the popular platform. The affected accounts will include those that have been hijacked to spread abuse, misinformation and propaganda.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/24m-unfollow-trump-obama-on-twitter.html

The telecom industry annually contributes N450 billion in form of taxes to Nigeria’s economy, Mr Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has said.

Teniola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the industry had been paying the sum in the last five years to the three tiers of government.

He said that certain taxes including corporation and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) were statutory, claiming that multiple taxes and some other levies made up the sum.
“These levies represent N200 billion out of the N450 billion we pay annually.


“This extra N200 billion we are paying can be used to effectively roll out our networks and improve quality of services,’’ he claimed.

Teniola said that there were currently 38 taxes being paid by the industry.

According to the ATCON chairman, the taxes include right of way, annual operating levy, corporation tax, custom duty and stamp duty.

“The fact remains that, of the 38 taxes, only 10 are applicable to the industry.

“We call for harmonisation of all taxes in our industry by the Federal Ministry of Finance; if it is done, things will be better.

“If the taxes are harmonised, the Federal Government can distribute taxes paid at the federal level to the state and local government.

“That way, state and local governments will stop asking for money that is not even paid at the federal level.

“Likewise, local government should go to the state to request for its share of taxes paid by the industry,” he said.

Teniola appealed that state and local governments should align taxes which have things in common.

He also appealed to the governments to use the taxes to improve the lives of the citizens.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/telecoms-industry-pays-n450b-taxes.html

Master Chineke Cajethan Goodluck hails from Agbariji Inyi under Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. The young Cajethan Participated in 31 different academic national and international competitions and came out first place winner in 30 competitions.

In 2009, he participated and won all primary schools quiz challenge, emerging 1st five times in different categories and the next year, he took 1st and 2nd in ANCOPPS quiz competition. He won 1st position five consecutive times in “All Niger State quiz competition for junior secondary schools at all stages. In 2012, he emerged 1st position in the NYSC essay competition at Oji River Local Government, the following year, he emerged 1st five times in the Hon. Tobias Okechukwu debating competition in Enugu State at all levels.

Goodluck later won a gift from Goi-Peace Foundation in 2014 and, came 1st three times in the ASWANS National Essay Competition after which he was given award as “Nigeria Most Innovative and Creative Student 2015”.



The same 2015, the Inyi Born genius, son of Enugu State and Nigerian citizen won gold twice in the Commonwealth Essay Competition in Nigeria and Africa and got bronze at the world level which all the youths around the world took part.

Coming to 2017, Cajethan was sent to represent his university (Peaceland College, Enugu) for the “Western African All Universities Debating Championship”, which was held at the University of Calabar, Cross – River State. Cajethan still came back with award naming the school as the best debating institution in West Africa 2017.

In June, 2018, Chineke Cajethan received a certificate of Excellence from UNESCO-GOI-PEACE for motivating young ones to participate in academic competitions.

Amb. Chineke Cajethan Goodluck was later invited to meet the Queen of England, other leaders of the World during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held from the 16th -18th April, 2018 in London after winning another Gold award which attracted more than 13 thousand youths across the world. The young Nigerian missed the opportunity as a result of no support especially from the state government.

The awards winning citizen has written series of letter to the Enugu state government after which he was invited in one of the state EXCO meeting and was promised to receive feedback they never fulfilled until the deadline of the invitation passed.


The Secretary General of Commonwealth Society of Nigeria who charted with the state commissioner for education appealed to the state government to do their part and leave the rest for them but all was in vain.

Principal of his Alma –Mata who pleaded anonymity during a phone chat, described Goodluck as “not only a lucky chap, but brilliant minded that has made the school proud throughout his career in secondary school. While the Dean of Student Affairs of his University described him as an “extra ordinary student as his performances since he was admitted in the College is too high.

To sum of it up, the Goodluck is a 100 level student of English and Literary Studies that he is using this medium to solicit from the good people of this country who believe in their own of his talents that the end, he will be an asset to the country. Covered by Dream F.M, Enugu.

See some of Cajethan’s awards below. For more confirmation and assistance, call 08141968966 or email chinekecajethan@gmail.com.

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday commiserated with the Government and people of Japan over the loss of lives and property following a heavy downpour that resulted in flooding and landslides.The President said the government and people of Nigeria extend their sympathy and prayers for the Japanese as they surmount the fall out of the sad incident.President Buhari said: “On behalf of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to commiserate with the Government and people of Japan, following last week’s torrential rain that caused floods and subsequent landslides in Western Japan,killing over one hundred and seventy six persons and forcing millions to evacuate their homes while dozens remain missing.“It is indeed sad that the unprecedented weather disaster, the worst since 1982, has caused massive destruction to livelihood in the flood stricken areas."Our thoughts and sympathy are with the distressed population and indeed the entire people of your country during this period of national grief.“I am confident that the Government and people of Japan will quickly recover from this tragedy and show resilience while embarking on the rebuilding process.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/president-muhammadu-buhari-expressed.html

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has ‘accidentally’ liked a tweet celebrating Antonio Conte’s exit on Twitter.

It became clear on Thursday afternoon that Chelsea had finally reached an agreement with Conte for his dismissal, with former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri set to fill his compatriot’s spot in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

One man who had worked under Conte’s stewardship for the two-years he was in charge is Fabregas. He was used primarily as an impact substitute throughout 2016/17, while playing a more considerable role in the side last time around.


It felt as though Fabregas was forced to play with the handbrake on under Conte, so part of him may well be happy that there will be a change of management in West London.

Fabregas appeared to confirm he felt that way by liking a tweet which was celebrating the news that Conte had been sacked by the club. Fabregas fast reacted to the social media meltdown over him liking the tweet, claiming that it was an accident. We’re not convinced – what do you think, Blues?

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/cesc-fabregas-join-fans-to-celebrate.html