₦airaland Forum

Members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) who have since January 15, 2018 been protesting at different Federal High Court locations across Nigeria have called for the resignation of the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, for his role in what COSON has called “a frightening new assault on the Nigerian judiciary and an attempt to turn the Nigeria music industry into a gold mine belonging to no one, from where those who have made no investments nor contributions to the industry can cart away illicit billions of Naira while the true creators and investors in the industry languish in penury.”

Addressing a press conference at COSON House in Ikeja on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, on behalf of the society said that it was the position of COSON that Justice Abdul Kafarati should not be confirmed as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. According to Okoroji, “it is clear to any serious observer that the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, is being played like a tambourine and has become the turntable through which much of this very bad music is coming out of the Federal High Court, an important national institution. Justice Kafarati is not in control. If all these can happen while he is in an acting capacity, what will happen if he is made the substantive Chief Judge?”

Stressing the resolve of COSON, Okoroji said, “We will continue to protest until the arm twisting and blackmailing of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos is brought to an end, the Federal High Court of Nigeria is left free to do justice to all men as the judges deem fit and the Attorney–General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami is stopped from further meddling in the affairs of the Nigerian music industry.


“We will deploy our voices, drums, cymbals, trumpets, guitars and every other musical instrument available to us and we will employ our talents in our protest until the whole world hears us. We will continue this indefinite protest until the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is returned to the supervision of the minister charged with responsibility for culture as expressly provided in Section 51 of the Nigerian Copyright Act.”

Decrying the recent award of the sum of almost N6 billion against Mutichoice Nigeria to the group known as Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) which is facing seven pending criminal cases at the Federal High Court and which the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami ordered the Nigerian Copyright Commission to approve in 2017, despite the protest of the NCC, Okoroji said that the development was bizarre because at the time the purported infringement took place, MCSN was not an approved collecting society and that there is a plethora of Court of Appeal decisions stating that without approval, MCSN cannot collect royalties in Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/coson-calls-for-resignation-of-acting.html

In a mark of rising confidence in the Nigerian economy, aggregate foreign exchange (FX) inflow into the economy grew to $30.45 billion in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2017, indicating an increase by 14.5 per cent, compared to the preceding quarter.

This also represented a significant increase by 86.9 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2016.


The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its quarterly economic report for Q4 2017 released Thursday.
Increased FX flows were attributed to the 22.7 per cent and 7.7 per cent increase in inflows through the CBN and autonomous sources, respectively.

Also, the report showed that FX inflows into the economy increased in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the rise in the spot price of Nigeria’s reference crude oil, Bonny Light, to an average of US$62.48 per barrel during the quarter.

The rise in crude oil price was also attributed to the decline in United States shale oil output, increased global demand for refined petroleum products, and extension of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production-cut deal to the end of 2018.

An overall balance of payments surplus of 2.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) was also recorded by the country during the fourth quarter of last year.

“Consequently, FX inflow through the CBN stood at $14.71 billion, showing an increase of 22.7 per cent and 118.7 per cent over the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2016, respectively.

“The increase reflected the rise in receipts from oil and improvement in non-oil proceeds,” the CBN report indicated.

Aggregate outflow through the CBN, on the other hand, fell to $8.38 billion, from $9.34 billion in the preceding quarter, but recorded an increase over the $4.65 billion in the corresponding period of 2016.

According to the report, the decline in outflow relative to the preceding quarter reflected the fall in interbank utilisation, third party MDA transfer, drawings on letters of credits, external debt service, and FX special payments in the review period.

Overall, a net inflow of $6.33 billion was recorded through the central bank, compared with $2.64 billion and $2.08 billion in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2016, respectively

The report also showed that oil sector receipts, which accounted for 10.6 per cent of the total, stood at $3.23 billion, compared with $3.17 billion and $1.97 billion in the third quarter of 2017 and the corresponding period in 2016, respectively.

It also put non-oil public sector inflow at $11.48 billion (37.7 per cent of the total), indicating a rise by 30.3 per cent and 141.2 per cent above non-oil sector inflows in the third quarter of 2017 and the corresponding period in 2016, respectively.

“Autonomous inflows at $15.74 billion rose by 7.7 per cent and 64.6 per cent above the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2016, respectively, with inflows from autonomous sources accounting for 51.7 per cent of the total.

“At $9.19 billion, aggregate FX outflows from the economy fell by 9.6 per cent below the level in the preceding quarter, but represented a 69.9 per cent increase over the level in the corresponding period of 2016.

“The development, relative to the preceding quarter, was driven by a 10.3 per cent and 2.0 per cent decline in outflow through the CBN and autonomous sources, respectively.

“Total non-oil export earnings received through the banks rose by 20.7 per cent above the level in the third quarter of 2017 to $614.50 million in the review quarter.

“The development was due mainly to the 43.2, 18.0 and 6.1 per cent increase in foreign exchange receipts from agricultural, industrial and minerals sub-sectors.

“A breakdown by sectors showed that proceeds from agricultural products, minerals, industrial sector, manufactured products and food products were $312.6 million, $103.5 million, $98.9 million, $88.5 million and $10.9 million, respectively,” the report added.

Furthermore, provisional data showed that sectoral FX utilisation stood at $7.45 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, indicating a 5.5 per cent increase above the level in the preceding quarter. The development reflected the 7.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent rise in disbursement/utilisation for invisible and visible imports, respectively.
The invisible sector accounted for the bulk (47.7 per cent) of total FX disbursed in the Q4 of 2017, followed by the industrial sector (27.0 per cent).

According to the report, Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, averaged 1.80mbd or 165.60 million barrels (mb) in the review quarter.

This represented a decline of 0.03mbd or 1.8 per cent, compared with 1.83mbd or 168.36mb recorded in the preceding quarter.

The drop in oil output was attributed to the shut-ins/shut-down in some of the production facilities.

“Crude oil exports stood at 1.35mbd or 124.20mb, representing a 2.4 per cent decline compared with 1.38mbd or 126.96mb in the preceding quarter. This was due mainly to the continued commitment by OPEC and Non-OPEC countries to avoid flooding the global market, despite the exemption of Nigeria from the production cap agreement.

“Allocation of crude oil for domestic consumption was maintained at 0.45mbd or 41.40mb in the review quarter.

“The average spot price of Nigeria’s reference crude oil, Bonny Light (37° API), rose from $52.92 per barrel in the third quarter of 2017 to US$62.48 per barrel in the review quarter, representing an increase of 18.1 per cent.
“The increase was attributed to the production-cut agreement, demand growth from China and increased refining activities in the United States.

“UK Brent at $61.69/b, WTI at $55.47/b, and the Forcados at $62.60/b exhibited similar trends as the Bonny Light,” the CBN report explained.

In addition, the report revealed that activities in the industrial sector showed a significant improvement over the level in the third quarter of 2017.

This was attributed to sustained supply of FX and stability in the naira exchange rate, which facilitated the importation of critical raw materials as well as intermediate goods for domestic production, resulting in new orders, output growth and increased export business.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/signposting-confidence-nigerias-fx.html

Wife of the governor of Imo State, Nkechi Okorocha, has advocated an improvement in the welfare packages of wives of policemen who die in active duty.

Mrs. Okorocha noted that policing in Nigeria was hazardous, saying there are many women whose husbands had died while working for peace and security of the country.



She spoke in Owerri on Thursday during the 2018 Thanksgiving Service organised by the state Police Command.

She announced that her office, through her NGO, ‘She Needs A Roof Project,’ would build and furnish a two-bedroom bungalow for a late police officer’s wife.

While commending the Command for maintaining peace and security in Imo State, she said, “I want to ask you, Mr. CP, to get a widow from this Command, for us to build a bungalow for her.”

In response, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, thanked the governor’s wife for honoring their invitation, and promised to increase ‘visibility policing’ in 2018.

Ezike said, “In 2018, we will increase visibility policing. It is key because it gives people the confidence that the Police are capable of protecting them.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/okorochas-wife-to-build-house-for.html

The Amanyanabo of Okochiri clan in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Ateke Tom, has instituted a N1 billion suit against eight chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state over alleged defamation.

King Ateke, in suit No. PHC/345/2018, before a State High Court s in Port Harcourt, further demanded an apology from the APC chieftains on national newspapers for denting his character.

Defendants in the suit included, deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 election, Asita O. Asita, the party’s state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, Dumo Lulu Briggs, Sampson Ngerigbara.

Others defendants in the suit included Prince Tonye Princewill, Sekonte Davies, Emeka Beke, secretary of the APC in the State and Lawrence Chuku.

The defendants were said to have, during a pro-SARS rally organized, in Port Harcourt, by the party, in which Ateke’s picture was printed in a banner and allegedly described as a criminal made a king by the State government.

The suit read in part: “On the 11th Day of December, 2017, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, all the defendants falsely and maliciously wrote and published or caused to be written and published of and concerning the claimant in the way of his office as a Second Class Traditional Ruler recognised by the Rivers State Government in the form of Written Banner wherein his picture was displayed in his traditional regalia beside that of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike, with the following inscriptions on it”.

However, Ateke wants the court to compel the defendants to jointly and or severally pay him the sum of N1 billion for libel and defamation of his character.

Ateke also want the court to make an order directing the defendants to render a written apology in a prominent and conspicuous medium retracting the said offensive banner publication and publication in three national dailies.

He further sought a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their supporters from making any further defamatory publication concerning the claimant or his office in any form whatsoever, as well as an undertaking to that effect.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/defamation-ateke-tom-slams-n1b-suit.html

Nigerian equities continued on the downtrend for the third consecutive trading session yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as profit-taking transactions shaved off N122 billion from market values of quoted shares.

Despite global equities recovery, underlying profit-taking trend continued to dominate transactions at the stock market, after Nigerian equities hit a high of N16 trillion last weekend. Most analysts expected the market to regain its rally as the sustained depreciation continues to throw up attractive valuations.

With more than two losers for every gainer, benchmark indices at the NSE indicated a day-on-day decline of 0.77 per cent yesterday, equivalent to net capital loss of N122 billion. This brought the total capital loss for the three consecutive trading sessions to N395 billion. Average year-to-date return also trended downward to 13.85 per cent at the end of the five-hour trading session yesterday.

“Against the backdrop of sustained profit taking since the start of the week, we expect performance in subsequent trading sessions to remain negative. However, in light of lower pricing on fundamentally sound stocks we also anticipate more activity in the coming week as investors seek bargain opportunities,” Afrinvest Securities-a Lagos-based dealer at the NSE stated.


The All Share Index (ASI)-the benchmark index that tracks share prices at the Exchange, declined to 43,538.16 points from its opening index of 43,877.30 points. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities also dropped from its opening value of N15.746 trillion to close at N15.624 trillion.

All sectoral indices also closed negative with the exception of the NSE Banking Index, which rose by 0.6 per cent. The NSE Industrial Goods Index declined by 1.1 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index and NSE Oil & Gas Index dropped by 0.8 per cent each while the NSE Consumer Goods Index declined by 0.3 per cent.

United States (U.S.) shares gained in early trade yesterday, but continued to fluctuate as investors digested several frantic days of trading.

The Dow Jones and S&P 500 rose about 0.5%, while the Nasdaq edged up 0.1%.

The rise extended Tuesday’s gains and followed volatile trading, triggered in part by concern over the prospect of higher interest rates.

European stock markets also recovered ground on Wednesday, but a rally in Asia faded.


London’s FTSE 100 closed 1.9% higher, in Paris the Cac-40 rose by 1.8% and Frankfurt’s Dax was up by 1.6%.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigerian-equities-decline-despite.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Officials over bribery allegations.


The officials, Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda-Bashir, are currently standing trial on allegations of collecting bribes from the Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke, ahead of the 2015 elections.

The anti-graft agency arrested the suspects outside the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos shortly after the court adjourned further proceedings in their case to March 7, 2018.


Channels Television gathered that arrest of the suspects may not be unconnected from the fresh evidence uncovered by the EFCC against both men which have to do with alleged INEC funds misappropriation.

Before their arrest, the two defendants had told Justice Mohammed Idris of their intention to file “a no case submission” after the EFCC closed its case against them.

The EFCC had called two prosecution witnesses and tendered several bank documents to show that both men allegedly received various sums of money for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the elections in Kwara State.

Instead of opening their defence, the defence team informed the judge that the prosecution had not succeeded in linking them to the offense. They therefore asked for time to put in their ‘no case submission’ before the court.

Justice Idris granted the request and as the men stepped out of the court premises, they were arrested by officials of the anti-graft agency.

Until his trial, the first defendant, Christian Nwosu was the Director of Administration, INEC, Kwara State while the second defendant, Tijani Inda-Bashir was said to be the Head of Accounts of INEC’s Kwara State Office.

[b]http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/efcc-arrests-two-inec-officials-over.html[/b]

The Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are considering a motion demanding the immediate removal of the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Jimoh Moshood, for making derogatory remarks against the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.


In the motion sponsored by Rep. Mark Gbillah which enjoyed the support of most lawmakers, the conduct of the police officer was roundly condemned.

The motion seeks to have the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to provide an unreserved apology to the Benue state governor and also relieve the PPRO of his position.

Earlier, the Benue state Caucus of the House had addressed a press conference demanding the resignation of the PPRO over professional misconduct and partisanship.

According to the lawmakers, the statements of the Police Officer while appearing on the Channels Television Programme, Sunrise Daily, where he demanded the resignation of the Benue state governor indicates the partisanship of the Nigerian police as an agency.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/just-inreps-demand-removal-of-police-pro.html

Bitcoin plunged more than 20 percent to fall below $6,000 on Tuesday, its latest sharp loss following a series of setbacks, with a global stock market collapse fuelling the selling.

The virtual currency fell to $5,992 for the first time since mid-November, according to Bloomberg News, the latest hammering for the cryptocurrency that saw a stratospheric 26-fold rise last year.

Tuesday's collapse comes just six weeks after bitcoin hit a record high of $19,511, fuelled by a flood of speculators looking to make a quick buck.


Since those heady days the cryptomarket -- which includes dozens of other units -- has been pounded by news of crackdowns by governments including in China, Russia and South Korea, one of the biggest markets for the sector.

On Thursday, India said it would "take all measures to eliminate" cryptocurrencies' use as part of a payment system and in funding illegitimate activities, while Japanese authorities raided a virtual currency exchange after it lost $530 million to hackers.

Central banks in Europe, Japan and the United States have also flagged concerns about the unit. This week several commercial lenders said they would stop allowing their customers to buy bitcoin through their credit cards owing to debt concerns.

Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda, said "the dynamics behind the moves are regulatory clampdowns and investors losing confidence in crypto".

The sell-off on Tuesday was exacerbated by crushing losses on world stock markets, with the Dow on Wall Street suffering its biggest one-day points loss and wiping out all its 2018 gains.

Panicked investors are fretting over rising US borrowing costs, leading them to cash in profits after a stellar couple of months that have seen many indexes hit record or all-time highs.

Equities have enjoyed months of surges fuelled by optimism over the US economy, corporate earnings and the global outlook.

But while traders have been piling into equities, pushing many global indexes to record or multi-year highs, there has been growing concern on trading floors about elevated US Treasury bond yields -- at four-year highs -- and the likelihood of fresh Federal Reserve interest rate rises.

"The risk-off tone is hitting Bitcoin almost as hard as a global regulator and bank scrutiny," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader. "The latest dent to the Cryptospace has been banks saying they are shutting down the ability of clients to buy bitcoin with their cards."

"This could end up a full round trip back into the $1,850/$2,966 region."

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/bitcoin-drops-below-6000-for-first-time.html

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has injected 210 million dollars into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to ensure availability and meet customers’ requests in various segments of the market.

Giving a breakdown of the amount, the acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said in Abuja on Monday that the wholesale segment of the market received 100 million dollars, while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received 55 million dollars.

Okorafor said customers requiring foreign exchange for tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) among others, were also allocated 55 million dollars.


He reassured the public that the bank would continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market in line with its quest to sustain liquidity and maintain stability.

He said that the steps taken so far by the apex bank in the management of foreign exchange market had paid off, as reflected by reduction in the country’s import bills and accretion to its foreign reserves.

Meanwhile, the Naira continued its stability in the foreign exchange market, exchanging at an average of N360 to a dollar in the Bureau de Change segment of the market.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/cbn-injects-210m-into-foreign-exchange.html

As shared on IG
Mr P(P square) go back to your brother (Rudeboy) because you don't know how to sing you are just making loud noise serious i hate this your new trick "My Way" only

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bew03p6nqhs/?taken-by=mr_akeli

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The football pitch turned into a tragic incident in Akure, Ondo State capital, when a 500-level Applied Geophysics student of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Tunji Agboola, slumped and died while playing football in his lodge.

Akelicious gathered that the sad incident happened on Saturday morning at his residence off campus, but very close to FUTA South Gate.According to eyewitnesses, the deceased was rushed to a nearby private hospital because the institution’s health centre had been shut for months due to the strike by the Non-Academic Staff Unions (NASU).

They disclosed that the doctor at the private hospital could do little to resuscitate Agboola after he went to coma due to lack of oxygen apparatus. Agboola, who had no clear record of health challenges in the past, was later rushed by his friends to the State Specialist Hospital, Akure where he was confirmed ‘Brought in Dead’ (BID).

This almost sparkled off a protest by his colleagues especially, the Nigerian Association of Earth and Mineral Science Students (NAEMSS), who felt he would not have died if he had received prompt medical attention and treatment.


The NAEMSS president, Victor Awosiji and other union leaders had to intervene by visiting the Akure Area Command for immediate response to douse the rising tension. They appealed to the state government to shut down the hospital for not having ‘minimal requirements’ to operate and save life in times of emergency.

The Student Union Government (SUG) president, Adeyinka Olasehinde, who described the incident as disheartening, said the union would be meeting the management to express their dissatisfaction.

Olasehinde said it is not advisable to keep students in school without a functioning health centre due to the prolonged strike of the unions. He disclosed that the body of the finalist had been handed over to his elder brother for onward movement to his family in Ado Ekiti for burial.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/final-year-futa-student-slumps-dies.html

The bull run witnessed in the nation’s stock market in 2017 extended to the first month of 2018, defying profit taking and “January effects”, believed to be a time when investors develop apathy due to pressing demands after the December spending, as the All-Share Index (ASI) close the month with 13.71 per cent rise.

The composite NSE ASI recorded a 13.71 gain at the close of trading for the month of January 2018, the highest over the past two decades, according to data obtained from Investdata Consulting Limited.The significant gain is attributable to the renewed local and international investor confidence in the Nigerian market, arising from the undervalued nature and the intrinsic value inherent in most stocks on the bourse.

Specifically, activities in the 22 trading days of January on the NSE were mixed, comprising 14 sessions of up and eight days of down market to close on a positive note at 44,343.65 points from an opening figure of 38,243.19.The market capitalisation for the month gained N2.29 trillion after closing at N15.9 trillion, from an opening value of N13.61trillion, representing a 16.83 per cent appreciation in value.

The market had mixed sentiments in expectations of 2017 earnings reporting season as most stocks were trading above book value and new 52-week high.The month’s biggest advancers were second tier banking stocks, which were grossly undervalued, comparing their Book Value to market price during the period. Low cap stocks dominated the top 10 gainers, with the best performing being- Skye Bank, a bank that has not released its audited or unaudited result for two years to the market, to enable investors ascertain its financial health, gained 194 per cent of its opening price.

It was followed by Unity Bank, which gained 186.78 per cent; Wema Bank, 182.69 per cent; and Diamond Bank, 112 per cent. There were a few medium cap stocks like FCMB, 106.76 per cent; Sterling Bank, 94.44 per cent; and CCNN, 86.84 per cent; among others.The worst performing for the month were led by Royal Exchange Assurance, which lost 16 per cent; ABC Transport, 16 per cent; LASACO, 16 per cent; AG Leventis, 14.29 per cent; Airservice 14.29 per cent and GSK, 12.08 per cent. The month’s traded volume was up by 215.16 per cent to 23.7bn shares, from previous month’s 7.52bn.
During the month also, the following companies released their 2017 full year results, Vitafoam and Niemth Phram, while quarterly reports came from Honeywell, Flour Mills, Guinness, Redstar Express and others. Also within the period, NB, International Brewery, Union Bank, Lafarge Africa and UACN listed additional shares as a result of right issue or bonus shares.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Research Officer of Investdata Consulting, Ambose Omodion, urged investors to take the correction wave opportunity to enter good stocks, especially as over 100 quoted companies with December 31, 2017, financial year-end are due to release their audited report within the 90-day time frame that ends March 31.
“Considering the effects of these factors, investors who understand the operations of the stock market should take the correction wave opportunity to enter good stocks, especially as over 100 quoted companies with December 31, 2017 financial year-end are due to release their audited report within the 90-day time frame that ends March 31.
“It is obvious that investment is against expectation, therefore, when such expectation is not met there is need to cut losses quickly to protect your capital. As investors, it is expected that you relate the current selling price of stocks on the floor of the exchange with their third quarter filings, looking at their previous full-year Earnings Per Share, as well as the last dividend paid.
“This comparison will help you project whether the company is likely to pay better dividend or not before buying into the stock. Earnings have always been a factor considered for equity price movements, in addition to corporate actions of these companies, which are expected to attract more market players, dividend investors and possibly foreign bargain hunters to the market.”
Meanwhile a total turnover of 3.268 billion shares worth N28.123 billion were recorded in 35,761 deals by investors on the floor of the exchange last week, in contrast to a total of 7.157 billion shares valued at N42.545 billion that was exchanged in 39,037 deals during the preceding week.
At the close of transactions last week, the financial services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.482 billion shares valued at N17.056 billion traded in 23,039 deals; thus contributing 75.96 per cent to the total equity turnover.
The conglomerates industry followed with 375.113 million shares worth N1.047 billion in 1,968 deals. The third place was occupied by consumer goods industry with a turnover of 262.198 million shares worth N6.843 billion in 5,921 deals.Trading in the top three equities namely – FCMB Group Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, and Skye Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 1.181 billion shares worth N2.830 billion in 5,219 deals, contributing 36.14 per cent to total equity turnover volume.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/stock-market-index-soars-by-1371-per.html

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil's week just keeps getting better.
After putting pen to paper on a new deal worth a staggering £350,000 a week a few days ago - he got to celebrate with his 'lucky charm' popstar pal.
Arsenal hosted a very special guest for their impressive 5-1 victory over Everton on Saturday afternoon as global pop star Rihanna watched on from the stands.
Straight after the match, the German uploaded a snap of himself and the 'Umbrella' star with the caption: "She knows which football teams to support."

Ozil later added on Twitter: "Still unbeaten with Riri."

And that's because they first met in Brazil during 2014's World Cup final when Ozil's international pals beat Argentina 1-0 in the showpiece event.
Always one for a party Rihanna helped the Germany squad celebrate after they lifted the biggest trophy in football.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/photosozil-poses-with-rihanna-after-she.html

• Ex-minister writes EFCC, says “I’ll be available on February 19th”
• Anti-corruption agency quizzes Sen. Nwaoboshi over N2.1b failed contracts, 30 undeclared accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to be running out of patience with former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, over an alleged N9.4billion curious contract involving her.

The agency believes she has been playing a ‘hide and seek’ game over repeated invitations to her for questioning in respect of the allegation.

She may be declared wanted if she continues to be evasive, The Nation gathered yesterday, although sources said she had informed the EFCC of her intention to now make herself available on February 19.


The anti-graft agency has already interrogated Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for alleged N2.1b failed contracts, securing questionable loan from NEXIM Bank and operating 30 accounts without declaring same to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Reliable sources said yesterday that Oduah had been invited thrice in the last seven months over the security contract only for her to fail to turn up on each occasion.

This development informed the decision of the EFCC to consider the option of declaring her wanted.

The former minister, according to a fact sheet sighted by The Nation, is wanted by the EFCC in “respect of investigation into a N9, 443,549,531.25 contract awarded to I-Sec Security Nigeria Limited for the procurement and installation of security equipment in 22 airports across the country.

“The contract was awarded when she held sway as Minister of Aviation in the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

“There were issues surrounding the contract, including alleged non-execution of the project in some airports, abandonment of the contract in a few ones, diversion of part of the contract sum and suspected case of money laundering.


“These are allegations she is expected to respond to in order to clear the air on the security contract. She is only expected to explain her roles.”

Attempts to interrogate Oduah over the last seven months have failed following excuses from her.

An EFCC source said: “ She was invited on three different occasions to report for interview on the 13th June, 2017, 29th June 2017 and 13th November 2017 but she failed to honour any of the invitations.

“Rather than appear to face a panel that was raised by the EFCC to interrogate her, Oduah, through a letter dated January 5, 2018, informed the commission that she would honour the invite on January 29, 2018.

“The letter was duly acknowledged by the commission and just as the investigators were looking forward to her arrival, Oduah played a fast one on the EFCC with another letter indicating that she would no longer be available on January 29.

“She cited an invitation by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu to accompany him to London where he was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the House of Commons on January 25.

“Oduah stated that her next convenient date to honour your invitation is 19th February, 2018”.

The source said it was obvious that this suspect “is not willing to submit herself to the Commission for interview in relation to the ongoing investigation, which leaves the Commission with a few options.”

The source added: “The Commission has been very patient with her but she may be declared wanted if she continues this hide and seek game”.

It was also gathered that after several efforts, the EFCC has succeeded in interrogating Senator Peter Nwaoboshi over alleged failed N2.1b contracts; obtaining loan from NEXIM Bank while still on the board of the bank; and for operating 30 accounts without declaring same to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

A source said: “As regards your enquiry, Nwaoboshi finally presented himself for interrogation by the Commission on 27 November, 2017 and, for two days , was grilled by operatives of the Commission on sundry allegations bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and under declaration of assets.”

Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North in the Senate, is alleged to have “used his company, Bilderberg Enterprises Limited, to secure contracts worth N2.1 billion to supply new equipment to two agencies of Delta State Government but defrauded the state in the execution of the contract by importing and supplying used equipment which he passed off as new.”

He is also accused of laundering the proceeds of alleged criminal activity to acquire properties in Delta State and Lagos.

Listed among such properties are a 12-storey building at Apapa in Lagos belonging to Delta State Government which Nwaoboshi bought for N805million and an N800million warehouse at Apapa Wharf, Lagos

The 12-storey building property was allegedly acquired through one of his companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited.

The warehouse is already subject of interim forfeiture by the EFCC.

Continuing, the source said: “besides, Senator Nwaoboshi allegedly diverted proceeds of a NEXIM loan to acquiring properties, objectives which contravene the conditions for which the facility was granted in the first place.

“The senator equally failed to disclose his interest in about 30 bank accounts in the assets declaration form.

“Preliminary findings indicated that he has a case to answer. So, he might face trial accordingly.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/alleged-n94b-contract-efcc-may-declare.html

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has inaugurated four special courts to solely try corruption, economic crimes and sexual offences.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was held at Rosaline Omotoso High Court Complex, Ikeja, yesterday, Ambode charged judges to dispense justice fairly and speedily.


Represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, the governor described corruption as “a major challenge to the sustainable development in the state,” which must be fiercely combated.

He stressed that Lagos has keyed into the federal government’s drive to root out corruption, promising that the state would assist in the expeditious prosecution of corruption cases.

The governor believed that the creation of the special courts would assist in the expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes and ensure that justice is attained by bringing offenders to justice without delay.

He said it was proper to classify Lagos, of over 20 million population as one of the most populous cities in the world and indeed the economic and financial capital of Nigeria and by extension West Africa.

The governor said this was why the courts are being designated special courts to focus primarily on effective prosecution of these cases.
“These courts are an indication of our commitment at making Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of such offences and our judiciary, that has always led the vanguard at combating crimes in its own way, is resolved to discourage same,” Ambode added.

Earlier in her welcome address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, said the setting up the special courts was in obedience to the directive given last year by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for all heads of courts in the country to create special courts for the speedy trial of corruption cases.

Justice Oke said there were no fewer than 500 financial crimes and 600 sexual offences currently pending before the Lagos State High Court, most of which had now been transferred to the special courts for expeditious hearing.

The chief judge said the judiciary shares in the concern of President Muhammadu Buhari that most of the corruption cases filed under his administration had at best moved at snail’s pace.

“We in Lagos State and the Lagos State Judiciary in particular, have taken the bull by the horns and implemented the CJN’s directive by designating four courts as special offences courts to hear corruption and financial crime cases.

“We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast-track the trial of these types of cases and encourage the EFCC and other relevant bodies like the ICPC to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases.

“Presently, there are over 500 cases of financial crime pending before the high court, the bulk of which have now been assigned to the Special Offences Courts,” she said.

Justice Oke described sexual harassment and violence as serious threats and grave danger to women and children all over the world and a crime that has become an epidemic.
In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, said the courts would make access to justice easier and faster for our people.

Mrs. Osinbajo decried the rising cases of rape and domestic violence and commended Lagos Chief Judge for the creation of special court to try the perpetrators.

“The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos is very frightening, it only speaks of half of the true picture.
“Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys,” Osinbajo said.

Present at the inauguration were the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice M.I. Garba, who represented the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachukwa, Lagos State Solicitor General, Mrs. Funmilola Odunlami, who represented the state Attorney General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/ambode-inaugurates-special-sexual.html

Afro-pop singer Kiss Daniel enters into the month of love with his second single since oating his label, FlyBoy INC. titled “4Dayz.” The singer whose ‘Yeba’ hit song has been one of the most downloadable songs and club banger, parted ways from his record label G-Worldwide Entertainment late last year, to start his own imprint label characteristic of the music industry. His new single, “4Dayz” is a mid-tempo love song dominated by heavy percussion sounds accompanied by rhythmic strings. Here, Kiss Daniel sings about the end of his search for love as he has found just the perfect girl. The singer then tries to woo her by describing how deeply he is in love with her. The song has lyrics like, “Girl I am loving you ‘4 dayz’,” and “Anytime you call my name e be like I dey craze.” Daniel goes on to beg her to sincerely reciprocate his feelings with the line: “Don’t betray me,” he pleads, don’t be a liar.” Produced by Runtinz, ‘4dasyz’ is a danceable tune that will resonate with anyone who has ever been in love as we approach the valentine season. Kiss Daniel whose real names are Anidugbe Oluwatobiloba Daniel came into the music scene barely four years ago and has shown immense talent and ability to churn out hits upon hits. Woju and Laiye were the two songs that brought him to limelight and even made him to perform at top events like the Nigeria Idols 2015 opening show. The graduate of Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (FUNAAB) got threw awards at Headies 2016 after missing out on Next Rated Category in 2015 edition of the award.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/kiss-daniel-finds-his-perfect-girl-in.html

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says that young people are leaders of today in addition to being leaders of tomorrow.

He said this at the ongoing annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at the UN headquarters in New York.

Guterres said: “Young people are leaders of today, not just tomorrow. A warm welcome to everyone at the ECOSOC Youth Forum”.


Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed in her advice for youth early in their career said: “Young people should make some noise, take action and call for accountability for the SDGs.

“With their involvement we will succeed with the 2030 Agenda. Work hard, thank those who help you and be grateful for the journey.”


The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, tasked the older people to not only give youth a seat at the table but give them the table.

“Don’t only give the 1.8 billion young a seat at the table, give them the table. It’s their future more than many others,” Wickramanayake said.

“In many countries we make up the majority of the population- the largest ever seen. If the world’s problems are to be solved, it’s not going to happen without us.”

She regretted that more than 40 per cent of the world’s young people were either unemployed, or working but still living below the poverty line, adding that more needed to be done to empower and advocate for them.

The UN youth envoy also identified the lack of representation of youth in politics and government in many countries.

In this situation, building on the work of young people to address the problems of the young people is critical, Wickramanayake stressed.


Marie Chatardová, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council, said it was vital to empower young people to break cycles of poverty allow them to fulfil their potential to the fullest.

“If young people have the right support, education, and means, they can go on to build better societies. They have energy, creativity, and innovation to power entrepreneurship and create jobs for themselves and others”

Chatardová cited examples of the youth taking action on pressing global concerns, such as on impacts of climate change or growing pollution.

She said young people do not wait idly for others to transform their ideas into reality, adding they are leaders who roll up their sleeves and work hard to transform their societies.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/youths-are-leaders-of-today-tomorrow-un.html

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its humanitarian partners on Wednesday launched an inter-agency funding appeal of $157 million dollars for people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The Deputy UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ms Kelly Clements, said at the appeal launched in Niamey, Niger, that “the Boko Haram crisis lingers on and is far from over.

The 47 UN agencies, including the UNHCR, and humanitarian organisations participating in the 2018 Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan will provide support to some 208,000 Nigerian refugees.

The agencies would also provide support for 75,000 of the Nigerian refugees’ hosts in Niger, Cameroon and Chad.


“The world should not forget the victims of this deadly conflict, especially as there appears to be little hope for a return to peace and stability in the near future,” Clements said.

She said Nigerian refugees continued to arrive in very remote and impoverished communities in neighbouring countries.

The UNHCR said since it started in 2013, the Boko Haram conflict has internally displaced another 2.4 million people in North East Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/unhcr-launches-157m-appeal-fund-for.html

Chelsea have officially signed Oliver Giroud from the Premier League giant, Arsenal FC, in a weird deal for Arsenal fans after they sold two of their most important strikers to Premier League rivals during this winter transfer windows.


Chelsea have finally signed a new striker this season after a huge effort by the board and Antonio Conte to secure another striker for the squad after the bad form of the Spanish’s striker who newly arrived at the Stamford Bridge from the La Liga giant, Real Madrid, Alvaro Morata.

Oliver Giroud is expected to be a backup for Alvaro Morata, and a starter in several games as well instead of Michy Batshuayi who is expected to be leaving to the Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund, on loan.

Knowing that Oliver Giroud is eye more playing time with Chelsea in order to be able to secure a place in France’s squad in the world cup this summer in Russia.


Oliver Giroud, 31 years old, is reported to be signing a one and a half year contract with one more year optional extension with the Blues and he will wear the blue shirt until he turns 33 years old, in the summer of 2020, if he signs the extra one year extension.

Here is the picture of Oliver Giroud in Chelsea’s shirt, and we would like to welcome Giroud to the Stamford Bridge!

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photos-oliver-giroud-announced-by.html

Workers in the employ of the Yobe State Government would have noticed a delay in receiving payment alerts for the month of January 2018.


While the State Government apologizes for the delay, the public is hereby informed that the delay is due to an ongoing software upgrade at the Ministry of Finance and migration to the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NISS).

The measure will enable the Ministry of Finance, going forward, to pay workers’ salaries directly into their individual bank accounts.

The partnership with NISS will also make salary processing and payments seamless, faster, and more secure.

For the month of January 2018 therefore, any worker who notices any problems with their payments for the month should please contact the ministry of finance for a resolution of the problem.

The migration to NISS and relevant software upgrades will be completed soon, and salary payments will not only be normalized but will be enhanced and made faster.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/yobe-govt-explains-delay-in-payment-of.html

The leadership of APC Youths Renaissance has reacted to the scathing
remarks made against President Muhammadu Buhari by the General
Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

The group said Pastor Bakare has formed the habit of constantly
criticizing the government without providing single solution to the
numerous problems facing the country.

The group wondered why Pastor Bakare who has every access to President
Buhari could not put his observations on paper and passed them to Mr.
President for immediate action but chose to do otherwise in the public
glare.

The group however enjoined the pastor to stop using the pulpit to
advance his political aspiration, asking him to run for an election if
he thinks governance is easy.

The group further advised politicians who have developed the habit of
constantly bashing the President to equally form the habit of
constantly providing solutions to the many challenges facing the
country.

A situation where the likes of Bakare and his fellow armchair critics
chose to make themselves cheap heroes in the public domain, we will
have no other option than to expose their dirty dealings in the secret
by sending our advanced team to probe their secret lifestyles.

Signed:

Mr. Collins Edwin,
National Secretary,
APC Youths Renaissance.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/apc-slams-bakare-over-scathing-remark.html

Press Statement


The attention of Enugu Youths Coalition has been drawn to a statement attributed to the Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress in which the state Chairman Mr. Ben Nwoye accused the state governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of violating the nation's Electoral Act over the posting of his posters in some locations in the city.

We want to educate Mr. Nwoye that Governor Ugwuanyi breached no law as the said posters do not not have his implicit or explicit consent before it was pasted in the state.

Besides, the Governor through his party have already dissociated himself from the activities of the group in a press statement issued by the Chairman of PDP in the state.

On the issue of early campaign posters which the APC claimed it's only in Enugu State that such action could take place, the coalition urged Mr. Nwoye to take a trip to Lagos, Bauchi, Kastina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Yobe among other APC states to see things for himself before passing such parochial judgment.

The coalition however backed the group which posted Gov. Ugwuany's posters in the state saying it is part of the Freedom of Expression guaranteed by the nation's constitution.

Adding that, the group like the Enugu APC which exercised their freedom of expression by endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election next year even when Mr. President have declared intention to do so; also exercised their own freedom by urging the governor to seek re-election through their posters.

While promising to give crushing defeat to APC in the state, the coalition however advised Enugu APC to always think before it speaks on matters concerning Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Signed:

Dr. Edwin Obune,
National Coordinator,
Enugu Youths Coalition.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/press-statementcoalition-blasts-enugu.html

These men are Hausa and Fulani men who are hunters (not the herdsmen). The are all northerners. They are at my farm having fun. Every few months they will come in group of at least 20 of them with dogs and hunting gears to hunt and use my farm as base. It was really fun. They don't come anymore because the guys Lai Mohammed calls the foreigners have driven them away as well. Those so called foreigners have AK47.

This was before Buhari came. There was no big agenda then. These men are the good guys. Some people think southerners hate northerners. But as you can see, there are lots of northerners in my farm. These are the peace loving types. Not killing herdsmen. Trouble starts when someone is trying to kill the other. Without a dogmatic and myopic leaders Nigerians can really live together.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/2015-fulanis-use-my-farm-as-hunting.html

El Kanemi Warriors striker, Nura Muhammed is confident that he would have the opportunity to shine in the on-going African Nations Championship in Morocco.

The tournament youngest player has been largely used as a substitute in the Eagles’ last three matches and he has always made an impact any time he came on.

In a chat with SportingLife, Nura said he is not losing sleep over the Eagles’ starting line-up because the success of the team is more important to him.


“We are all working towards the same goal and any player can do the job. I have respect for all the strikers that are currently starting for the Super Eagles. All of us cannot start at the same time and the coach can only use his discretion to choose players for the match. I am not worrying myself about it because all the strikers are good. All I know is that my time will come and I will always make use of it when I get the opportunity to play. What it is important is the success of the team,” Nura said to SportingLife.

The young star has also thrown his weight behind the embattle Super Eagles striker Anthony Okpotu.

Okpotu has managed to score only one goal in the team’s three matches but Nura insists that the Lobi Stars hitman is still a striker Nigeria needed in this tournament.

“I think Okpotu need our support at the moment because he was playing under pressure before. I always tell him to keep believing in himself as a striker. I am very happy that he scored against Equatorial Guinea and the pressure is off him now. I will continue to encourage him.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/nura-muhammed-my-chance-will-come.html

Niger Delta Amnesty Vendors' Forum in collaboration with Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-agitators/Justice for the Abandoned Youths of Nigeria, today marched through major streets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the National Security Adviser, Gen. Mongonu to stop interfering with the day to day administration of the Presidential Amnesty Office in the interest of peace in the Niger Delta region.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the massive rally which started from the beginning of Ada-George road to terminate at Agip round about by Ikwerri road, President of the Niger Delta Amnesty Vendors' Forum, Tari Okosi and Coordinator of the Coalition for Niger Delta Ex-agitators/Justice for the Abandoned Youths of Nigeria, Comrade Okpakariari Eferebo lamented how the National Security Adviser has shut down the Amnesty Office, warning that the interference of the NSA could trigger fresh simultaneous violent protests across the region.

They called on the President to use his good offices to intervene before the issue gets out of hands. Meanwhile, the groups have expressed fears that the National Security Adviser may be playing out a prepared script from politicians who are bent on derailing the President’s new vision for the Niger Delta region.
In a swift reaction to the unfolding developments at the Presidential Amnesty Office, Coordinator of the Patriotic Niger Deltans for Good Governance, Comrade Adonba Amgbare, pointed out that the ongoing undue interference from the National Security Adviser to the President has come to the people of the Niger Delta region not as a surprise, judging from the recent provocative statements from some persons in the north.


According to him, the current reported actions of the National Security Adviser against the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme may invalidate all the milestones of the present administration in achieving sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region, saying that the people of the area are satisfied with what the Presidential Amnesty Office under Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) is doing in the region.

More photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/call-nsa-to-order-nigerdelta.html

Crude oil prices thursday hit their highest since December 2014 after the United States crude oil inventories posted a 10th straight week of declines and as the dollar continues to weaken.

International benchmark Brent futures settled at $71.12, above the three-year high of $70.37 reached on January 15, 2018.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures climbed to 66.22 dollars per barrel in early trading, also the highest level since early December 2014.


WTI first reached its highest since December 2014 on January 16 at $64.89.

Healthy world economic growth prospects and expectations for continued production curbs by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and their allies have continued to boost oil prices.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last Monday revised upward its forecast for world economic growth, which could help demand the for petroleum products.

This is coming as OPEC, Russia and other producers continue their supply-cut agreement which began in January 2017 and is due to run until the end of 2018.

OPEC’s main objective for the cuts is to eliminate a global surplus in oil stocks and rebalance the market.
There is some expectation that OPEC will let the agreement expire at the end of 2018, but major producers have not yet suggested that this is in the offing.

The sharp plunge in Venezuelan production is offsetting increases from the United States, which is on the cusp of breaking its all-time production record of 10.04 million barrels per day.

Venezuela’s output fell to a meagre two million bpd in 2017, far short of expectations for 2.5 million bpd, and the International Energy Agency said it could keep declining in 2018.

In foreign exchange markets, the US dollar hit its lowest level since December 2014 against a basket of other leading currencies.
A weakening dollar often results in financial traders taking investment out of currency markets and into commodity futures like crude oil.

Oil traders had said the prices were unlikely to fall far due to risks to supply disruptions.
In Nigeria, the militant group Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had threatened to launch attacks on the country’s oil sector in the next few days.

The militant group had warned the Nigerian Government to brace up for another round of attacks that it would soon unleash on oil and gas facilities in the country.

The group had also stated that with the recent killings across the country, the time was ripe for the restructuring of the country.
Reuters quoted analysts as saying that rising oil prices would likely start to have an inflationary effect.

Looming over the generally bullish oil market has been US oil production, which is edging ever more closely towards 10 million barrels per day (bpd), hitting 9.88 million bpd last week.

US output has grown by more than 17 per cent since mid-2016, and is now on par with that of top exporter Saudi Arabia.
Only Russia produces more, averaging 10.98 million bpd in 2017.

Meanwhille, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), one of the upstream subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has said it will increase its daily crude oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bd) before 2022, from the 200,000bd it currently produces.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this new crude oil production target of the NPDC when he inaugurated its board of directors in Abuja.

According to a statement from the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, yesterday Baru, who is the chairman of the board, however charged its officers to grow the company’s assets and ensure that the 500,000bd oil production target is met by 2022.

He disclosed that the company was currently supplying 50 per cent of the gas needed by the West African Gas Pipeline, adding that it was necessary for it to have more gas assets.

He said the NPDC’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with host communities should be tied to the availability of the gas lines, saying: “As stakeholders, they share in both our success and losses as well.”

The statement also quoted the Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Yusuf Matashi, to have said at the inauguration that from the growth the company had witnessed since 2016, the 500,000bd target would be realised by 2022.

Matashi said the board came at an appropriate time, adding that it would address issues of processes and procedures necessary to drive a major oil company like the NPDC, while assuring it of the commitment of the company to the growth target.

The statement said the NPDC currently produces about 200,000bd of oil and would according to its work programme, increase it to 300,000bd in 2018.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/crude-oil-jumps-as-brent-tops-71-on.html[color=#006600][/color]

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra said on Thursday that it would not contest the victory of Gov. Willie Obiano in court but would rather give credible opposition to the administration.

Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, Anambra State PDP Chairman, made the position of the party known during an interview with newsmen in Awka.

Nwobu said the party’s decision was based on its mature approach to politics adding that contesting the outcome of elections in court would be retrogressive to the state.

“As a party, the PDP in Anambra will not go to court against the declaration of Gov. Obiano based on the outcome of Nov.18, 2017 election.

“But will ensure that we give credible opposition to the administration from start to finish.

“We wish Obiano well because power comes from the Lord and howsoever the Lord wants, He gives power.
“Today, Obiano is the elected governor of Anambra state and so we will cheer him when he does well and condemn him where he performs poorly’’, he said.
Nwobu, who also spoke on the party’s arrangements for next week’s burial of the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s first Vice President, urged citizens of the country to emulate his brand of politics.
Ekwueme was one of the founding fathers of PDP and remained there, providing quality direction and material support.
According to him, observers have described this as a rare political behaviour in Nigeria.
Nwobu who said that the party was happy that it reconciled with the late elder statesman before his death.
He added that if Nigerians could borrow a leaf from Ekwueme, the practice whereby people cross-carpet to other parties would be a thing of the past.
He said that if politicians learned to be committed to their parties, it would help engender a stable political system.
Nwobu said notwithstanding that the Federal Government was giving a national burial to late Ekwueme, the PDP had concluded plans to accord the deceased board of trustee member of the PDP a befitting burial.
“Yesterday, the National Chairman of PDP in company of governors elected on the platform of the party and others paid a courtesy visit to the family of Ekwueme in his Enugu residence.
“The PDP also has other activities lined up in honour Ekwueme,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/pdp-will-not-challenge-obianos-victory.html

“Die With Me,” is a fresh chat app that can only be used when your smartphone has 5% or less battery remaining.


When it comes to smartphones and Android in particular, one of the most common Googlesearches is the inevitable "How to improve battery life of X", with X being any widely-popular iPhone or a totally unknown Android handset. Yet... it's often tiring to always pamper to your device and try to protect its precious juice as close to 100% as possible, even at the expense of revoking core smartphone features. That's why some juggernauts just don't care.

A brand new and rather fun $0.99 Android/iOS chat app aims to cater to all those who let their Android phones completely die on them due to depleted battery. Dubbed Die With Me, it allows users who have less than 5% of battery juice to enter a chat room and conversate while their phones are dying a slow and painful death. Oh, the exclusivity!

In something quite similar to Titanic's orchestra that stayed behind to play one last song more than century ago, Die With Me users can chat and express their frustration with other similar-fated phone users.

But don't take our word for it, check out some of the funny reviews on Google Play and Reddit:

"very good. finally ran my battery down enough to enter the room, so now i can begin writing a revie, " - Lain Andry.

"Won't see many N6P users there. As all their phones die at any random moment from 0-30%. It's like Russian roulette."- Kommradeobvious

"I am using this from Nextbit Ro," - SabashChandraBose

"Finally a good messaging app for Galaxy S6 owners, " - guyver_dio.

Die With Me has a neat concept but a few shortcomings, namely the rather morbid name and the price tag of $0.99, which is seen by many as unsubstantiated because you are essentially buying something you won't be able to use very often. It's pretty much similar in concept to that notorious I Am Rich app that cost $999 and essentially... did nothing. As we said, the app is available to both iOS and Android devices, so there's no discrimination here.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/die-with-me-new-chat-app-usable-if-you.html

A former Nigerian Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over fraud allegations relating to grass cutting contracts.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/breakingefcc-detains-former-sgf.html

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mba Ekpezu Ukweni, has blasted President Mohammadu Buhari over bad governance and commended the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for speaking the minds of Nigerians.

Ukweni said that Obasenjo’s statement came at the right time, saying it is something that has been bothering him for a long time. He added that the statement was apt, appropriate and direct to the point.

Interestingly, the legal luminary said that the former President spoke the minds of majority of Nigerians, “98% of Nigerians know what is going on and any person who thinks that the statement made by the former President is not appropriate in the circumstance, I think such person is misguiding himself.

He pointed it out that the statement wouldn’t have come out at a better time than now, that the political class are gearing again to take over the realm of power for another 4 years.
He said, ”President Obasanjo made the statement as a Statesman; it would have been bad if a person of his standing makes no statement in respect of the situation in the country. “We all have been talking and if he doesn’t come out to say something, to let people know his position, it would have been too bad.”
“We welcome his statement, this is not something that the APC or the President should take as a careless statement, it is a statement that they need to reflect upon, It is an appropriate statement; they should reflect upon it and know that Nigerians can no longer be taken for granted.

“The people who are governing us, who are ruling us, must realize the fact that they have a responsibility to govern us purposefully and in accordance with the oaths of office they took.”
Consequently, Ukweni said, “If the statement was to come from somebody like immediate past President, President Jonathan, people would not have taken it as they are taken the one of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo who himself fought against President Jonathan and stood by Buhari.
“It wouldn’t have had weight, many people would have considered the statement as coming from the immediate past President, Jonathan that it is a political statement made to undermined the present administration. It is better spoken by President Obasanjo.
Regretting the performance of APC, Ukweni said, “Well, from the beginning of this administration and the way it started, most of us, not been pessimistic anywhere, said if they succeed in turning round the economy and everything in the system including succeeding in the governance, then they would have prove me wrong, I did not believe that they were going to succeed.

The SAN, however, blasted President Buhari for not giving Nigerians the governance they expected. “It is the most barbaric and illegal act that a Country and government should condone the killings of Nigerians by Fulani headsmen.
“That is one of the things that the former President has put in his statement and we have all been shouting. Was it not the same reason that was given for Jonathan not to continue his governance that they were killing in certain part of the country and he did not visit them?
“But you see very clearly that the Federal Government was supporting what the herdsmen are doing, the mayhem they are causing in various communities. They are obviously supporting them, they are trying to pass a bill through the National Assembly, that a private businesses of rearing cows have now become public businesses that the various state government now have to allocate land for the private business of certain persons.
“Why would they not allocate land for other people’s private business so these were all the issues that make some of us to keep crying out in the country that we need to be restructured? The country need to be restructured and let nobody think that when the country is restructured and there is fairness in the system that there are certain persons who would be oppressed by the fairness,
“Fairness apply to all, and I don’t know what is the fear in certain group of people in ensuring that let us sit down and talk on how we can appropriately co-exist together since this one is not working. All of us have seen what is going on in the country and we are very very uncomfortable about it.
“This is not governance, the Federal Government cannot sit down there, the Police system is bastardized, the military is no more a military, they cannot do what they suppose to do, people are moving round killing citizens of the country and because it doesn’t affect certain group or certain ethnic group, then the Federal Government keep quiet and we felt that we are all together in one country, it is not acceptable, it is very sad and unacceptable,” he stated.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/san-blasts-buhari-commends-obasanjo-for.html

Anambra Traffic Management Agency on Sunday 21st January went for a thanksgiving service at the Church of Pentecost, Government house, Awka.
The officers thanked God for a successful cum hazard-free operation in 2017 & they ask for divine protection in 2018.

More Photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photos-from-anambra-traffic-management.html