₦airaland Forum

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Awka is not safe any longer...



Cult groups terrorizing Awka town.. Who did we offend. No light, no peace.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/awka-not-save-any-longer-facebook-user.html

Online advertising is business for the modern world. Also known as online marketing or Internet advertising, the potential for success is huge. There are many strategies to learn and, while that in itself can prove to be pretty intimidating for a lot of people, the benefits of online advertising are varied.



So, in case you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, we created this article to remind you what you’re fighting for. Here are 5 advantages of online advertising:



Benefit 1: Online advertising Is A Long-Term Strategy.



Let’s look at the facts. Whether we’re talking about a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, most of us own a gadget of some sort. Furthermore, we’re on the Internet all of the time. What does that mean?



Well, thanks to technology, customers have never been so accessible. Online advertising can generate leads from all over the world. But crucially, over half the population of the world is under the age of 30. And technology is only going one way, so online advertising is only just starting.



Benefit 2: You’re In control With Online Advertising.



The trouble with traditional advertising strategies is that it’s often hard to justify your ROI (return-on-investment) and keep on top of what you’re spending. Flyers, brochures, banners, cold-calling… it’s all the same. It’s really hard to execute a laser-targeted campaign. By contrast, online advertising is different. Yes, it’s still possible to waste ad budget, but if you know what you’re doing, you’re greatly reduce you’re exposure.



The main reason for this is data and analytics. You can drill down into many different areas and identify which parts of a campaign are working and which aren’t.



Benefit 3: Online advertising Can Be Extremely Effective.



Regardless of whether the advertising is paid or free, the Internet can deliver a global audience to your door. Identify your USPs, refine your branding and get your copywriting in order, then you can really unlock your true potential.



The key word here is: traffic. The idea is to establish trust and use clever hooks to convince and persuade consumers to buy into you, just as much as what you’re selling. However, bear in mind that any form of paid advertisement only really rents you traffic. If your budget runs out, that traffic stops. And so, therefore, does any potential revenue.



As such, you have two possible solutions. The first is to keep on top of your advertising and constantly measure your progress. That should greatly reduce the chances of having any wasted ad spend. The other option is to work on organic online advertising strategies. By embracing SEO (search engine optimization) and content marketing, you could get quality organic results for free or on the cheap.



Benefit 4: Online Advertising Can Create A Big Fan-Base.



There’s arguably nothing as powerful as word-of-mouth marketing. It’s always been the stuff of dreams for business owners, but in days gone by, it was significantly harder to achieve. But now there’s social media, Internet forms and a whole host of ways that people can chime in and sing your praises.



Exemplary examples of customer service can now go viral. That gives you an amazing opportunity, because it means that you don’t necessarily need a massive marketing budget, a long history or a huge team to make a mark in your industry.



Benefit 5: Online Advertising Can Help You Reach A Better Kind Of Customer.



Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Surely any type of customer is a good one, right? Well, yeah. But online advertising can help you target people who are more likely to be interested in what you’re selling. Creating a buyer persona has always been important in business, but in the age of the Internet, you can find where these people hang out and display your online advertisements directly in front of them (and them alone).

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/5-benefits-of-advertising-online.html

Mr. Rafiu Balogun, Counsel to ex-governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday accused the Ekiti State Government and its top officials of deliberately frustrating efforts to obtain the report of the Ekiti State Panel that indicted the former Governor, more than a week after the document had been made public with the release of the White Paper.

But Lanre Ogunsuyi, Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports Development has dismissed his claims as deliberate effort to blackmail the state government, stating that the panel’s report is a public document that is available to him anytime he requests for it.

Balogun told journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that he had applied for a certified copy of the report of the panel through a written application to the offices of the Ekiti State Attorney General and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), as directed by the Secretary to the Commission.

He claimed that letters to the two top officials which were dated January 11th, were received on January 12th, but according to him, there has been no response from the government, despite repeated calls to the offices.
Balogun said the panel’s report is one of the important documents needed in the case being instituted by the former Governor to challenge the outcome of the panel, which barred him and a former Commissioner from holding public office for ten years among others.
Reacting, Ogunsuyi said: ” document is a public one. That allegation itself by the lawyer and the former governor is another effort to paint the state government in bad light while they are trying to escape the consequences of their fraudulent acts while in office. I am sure that everybody in the state including, journalists have this document. It is in public domain.

“You are aware that by antecedents, Fayemi even refused to appear during the sitting of the panel. I don’t know what the lawyer is saying by alleging that government is frustrating his effort to get the document. I am saying now that he should come , he will have it. If he is claiming that he has come before, he should come again, we will give him the document. It is a government gazette that is obtainable under the freedom of information bill. So, he should come and have it, he will have it.”
Speaking further, Fayemi’s legal counsel said the government does not have any justifiable reason to block efforts by the Minister’s counsel or any citizen from accessing the panel’s report, even after it had been made public.
Balogun said: “When we got the news from the print and electronic media that the Commission of Inquiry had submitted its report to Ekiti State Government on 13th December, 2017, our Clients Dr Kayode Fayemi and Hon. Dapo Kolawole briefed us to do the needful and get the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Report from the Registry of the Commission. To that effect, we caused a letter to be written to the Secretary to the Commission Mr Gbenga Daramola, (DPP Ekiti State) but he asserted that having submitted the report to Governor the commission had concluded its assignment and wound up. He therefore directed us to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
“We quickly wrote to the SSG on the 11th of January, 2018 and it was received on 12th January. We also wrote to the Attorney General Ekiti State requesting for the report since he chairs the Committee to review the report and advise Government on the White Paper. The content of our letters to the duo is clear and unambiguous. We gave the officials seven days to make available the CTC of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry and other documents submitted by the Commission.

“Our representative had at various time called at the offices of the SSG and AG to follow up but he was told that the two senior government officials were not available and that he should return the visit on Monday, January 22nd. The officials were also evasive when our representative went to request for the report on Monday.
“We are not pleased with the lackadaisical attitude of the Ekiti State Government to a simple request for CTC of the Report in their custody, even when we have informed them of our readiness to pay the requisite fee for production and certification.
“What does it take to produce and certify the report? It is in the public domain now that the Government has accepted the Report of the Commission of Inquiry by issuance of White Paper and requested our clients to return some money when the Commission did not find them guilty of fraud or embezzlement of any contract sum and it was not found that they have any interest in any Company that they claimed did not execute the projects.
“Our Clients were also purportedly barred from holding public office for 10 years. Are they not entitled to the Report as of right? We wonder why the government is afraid of releasing the Report.” Balogun stressed.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/again-fayose-fayemi-trade-words-over.html

The deputy governorship candidate of PPA and running mate to Chief Goody Ezeemo in the November 18, governorship election, Hon Nkwoka Stanley Atinga is with the state CID Awka.

The State CID is acting on a petition by chief Ezeemo who was the candidate of the PPA in the last governorship election, Akelicious learned.

According to a source, Ezeemo is demanding for the return of the campaign Siena bus that was giving to his running mate during the election.

The source told Akelicious that PPA realised about 200 million naira during the party's governorship campaign. The fund which was under the custody of the guber candidate has not been accounted for.

Hon Nkwoka is not the only member of PPA going through this harassment from their party guber candidate.

Many of the party chairmen were also arrested and forced to return the 1,000 naira given to them to lobby for votes at the day of the election.

This has caused many crisis in PPA and in the stakeholders meeting held at an undisclosed location at Awka, the leaders and all the LGA chairmen in PPA passed a resolution to expel Chief Ezeemo from the party.

Hon Nkwoka Atinga is a member of Akelicious. He decamped to APGA earlier this year, accusing Ezeemo to have ran their campaign like a personal business despite their individual contributions.

He is still at the State CID Awka and we appeal to the authorities to be fair and just in dealing with the matter.
http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/godwin-ezeemo-arrests-his-deputy-for.html

The repair of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, runway has been completed, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said in Lagos on Monday.



Mrs Herrienta Yakubu, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the runway is now open for full operations following its completion.

She said FAAN’s team of engineers led by the Managing Director, Mr Saleh Dunoma, inspected the project and certified it as meeting the required standards.

Yakubu apologised to travellers and other stakeholders for the inconveniences caused by the partial closure of the runway to pave way for its rehabilitation.

NAN reports that the first phase of the repairs was executed from Dec. 14 to Dec. 21, 2017 while the second phase started from Dec. 27, 2017 to Jan. 4.

During the period, the airport was open for operation only between 7.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. to enable the contractor to use the working hours to do the job to ensure a “stable and even surface” of the runway.

The project was, however, delayed for a few days before the runway was finally opened for full flight operations.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/faan-completes-repairs-of-enugu-airport.html

Former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, his deputy Ibrahim Aliyu with over 267,000 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Kebbi state have finally decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The state APC Chairman, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, formally received the decampees at a Haliru abdul Stadium in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

According to the APC Chairman, the defectors did not give any condition for their decision to join the APC fold in the state.
He however said they defected as a result of leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Atiku Bagudu, especially in the areas of security, agriculture and economic sectors.

He assured the decampees that they would be accorded equal opportunity and privileges in the party, adding that “the doors of the party are still open for others to join.”

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former Governor Dakingari said the defection was a result of deep thoughts in the past three years since he left power.

“ I joined the APC not for gain but for what President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Bagudu have been doing at the federal and state levels respectively for progress,peace and unity.

“I call on all those I have offended to forgive me and I forgive those who offended me too,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Bagudu said the state would continue to move forward with the coming of new members into the party.

“Our state is blessed with mineral resources but improper coordination had been the stumbling block toward exploitation of the resources.

“With the cooperation we have now, we will achieve greatness. If we are truly committed to our aims and objectives of moving our state to greater heights,” he said.

The APC North -West National Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, congratulated the defectors for joining the party. He said the successes recorded by Governor Bagudu was monumental.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/ex-kebbi-governor-deputy-pdp-members.html

It seems like the Mourinho vs Conte duel has taken quite an unexpected turn.

After all the verbal battles between the two managers, the Manchester United manager was given a Manchester United shirt with Antonio Conte’s name on the back. How did the Portuguese react?
Ok firstly let us tell you that this was all a prank that was performed on Mourinho by an Italian TV crew.

As the United manager was leaving Lowry Hotel earlier today he gave an interview to reporters Alessandro Onnis and Stefano Corti from the “Le Iene” show.
And that is when the reporter duo pulled out a Manchester United shirt and asked the Red Devils boss to sign it. But there was only one problem, it had the Chelsea manager – Antonio Conte’s name on the back.

But luckily Mourinho took the prank in good humour and even shared a joke with the Italian reporters.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photosjose-mourinho-was-handed-conte.html

A front line member of the #Bring Back Our Girls, Dr. Allen Manasseh, on Wednesday, said, his group did not make any statement with regards to the new video released by the Abubakar Shekau – led faction of the Boko Haram because they believe it was the usual propaganda by the sect to put the girls under duress to speak what they were told to speak.

According to Dr. Manasseh, BBOG’s biggest problem now is the Nigerian government’s continuous silence on the issue of abductions of both the university lecturers, the police women and the Chibok girls. He said hthe group was planing a sit-out to commemorate the four years since the abduction of the Chibok girls.He said, “what the Chibok girls in the new video released on Sunday are saying is not their own words but what the Boko Haram leadership wants them to say. As such, we have nothing to say about that, we take it as their usual way of expressing themselves (the Boko Haram).

” If truly the Chibok girls don’t want to return as they claimed, we could not have been hearing a different stories from those who escaped recently. You remember one of the Chibok girls was found recently and a number of them rescued are here with us. We know their stories, and we cannot be deceived by the new video.
“Yes, the girls are with them. Yes, they made a statement, but that is under duress. We all know about it. Let me tell you something, the consent of the girls were not sought for when they were abducted. They were forced into whatever marriage that took place in the Sambisa forest.
” Everything they said was speaking the mind of their abductors. The Boko Haram has their own legal wives, which they got married to before the insurgency. These women legally married to have also been escaping from the forest and we have their stories. What makes anyone believe that, the Chibok Girls would not want freedom? Given a choice they would all leave and return home. That is why we are insisting that, the Nigerian government should act now.

“We believe that, no amount of indoctrination can change these girls, who were abducted with a barrel of guns into accepting their current position on free will. There was never a choice in the beginning and that is our position.” Dr. Allen added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/chibok-girls-in-new-boko-haram-video.html

Prominent leaders in the North West on Wednesday gave a green signal to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, urging him to put forward his candidacy for the post of national chairman of the ruling party.

“We are enthusiastically encouraging Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to run again as chairman. It is for the good of the party” the leaders said.



They also predicted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would meet a contest of its life in 2019 as it would suffer a humiliating electoral defeat in February and March.


At a meeting in Sokoto, the leaders argued that Oyegun had achieved a lot and deserved a second term.

“Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has capacity to lead the APC into election in 2019”
They described the John Odigie-Oyegun led National Working Committee (NWC) as highly successful.

“The success of the ruling party did not only rest on his ideas but on his person, his charisma, supervision, initiative and vision.”

The leaders who are poised to reward the former Edo State governor with another term, heaped praise on Oyegun for consolidating the gains of the ruling party; getting progressives back to basics and changing the character of the country’s politics.

“Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has become the standard yardstick to measure performance in party administration. He deserves to continue to lead the ruling party.”

Meeting under the auspices of the APC United Front, the leaders called critics of the national chairman ‘brash’ and ‘narrow-minded.’

“They are playing cheap politics. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is a rare Nigerian and a shining example of how to serve the people. He has discharged himself very well.”

Leader of APC United Front, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa in a statement said the northern political leaders called on delegates and party members nationwide to give Oyegun a second term to enable him to continue to offer open and fair competition, positive relationship, support for the grassroots and stability.

"We are asking APC members in the North-East, North-Central, South-East, South-West and South-South to support Oyegun” the leaders said.

They hailed Oyegun as a great leader, lauding him for building the party in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring the elections of progressives and doing the right thing for the ruling party.

The leaders who are happy with the performance of the chairman of the ruling party said, “Oyegun is a chairman with a record of party service, growth and positive encouragement”

“We want Oyegun to help raise money and elect candidates in 2019. Anyone who runs against the current national chairman is going to be in for a rude awakening" the leaders added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/oyegun-deserves-second-term-northern.html

Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has approved the sum of N45.7 million for the purchase of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) forms, screening and registration of 5, 000 students who are billed to sit for the examination in 2018.

Briefing Reporters on the outcome of the state weekly executive council meeting yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Youths and Culture, Comrade Muhammad Garba, said out of the figure, N18 million was set aside for screening, training and registration of the students.

He further stated that the sum of N15, 640, 000 was also approved for 1120 students of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso College of Advanced Remedial studies for their registration, training and screening for the 2018 IJMB extermination.

He said the Council also approved the sum of N19, 24, 000 for another set of 1, 545 students to register and sit for the IJMB extermination.


According Garba, the Council also approved the sum of N35, 7, 543.00 for the hosting of the first matriculation ceremony of the state-owned Yusuf Maitama Sule University coming up in March this year.

On accreditation of courses in the state-owned tertiary institutions, the Commissioner recalled that, “when we came on board in 2015, most of the courses in our tertiary institutions were not accreditated for many years. We have secured accreditation of most courses in Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil and Kano state polytechnic.”

He added that, “in 2016 alone we spent N161, 819, 753 for the accreditation of 51 course programmes out of which 49 of them were fully accreditated, while two courses were not fully accredited. In 2018, we have 16 new programmes in Kano state polytechnic that have been presented to the Council for verification and presentation for accreditation at the cost of N100 million.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/ganduje-approves-n457m-for-jamb.html

The President Buhari-led Federal Government has by its defective response to killings by herdsmen wasted the huge public approval on which it rode into power, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) noted yesterday.

The body called for the immediate replacement of the inspector general of police and the redeployment of all police commissioners. It also urged Buhari to overhaul the National Security Council, with a view to sharing its membership equally between Christians and Muslims.

It sought the designation of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as a terrorist organisation and called for the arrest of its leaders.


Briefing journalists in Abuja, CAN National General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, accused Buhari of creating the impression that he was in power to serve only the interests of his Fulani ethnic group.

He claimed the president was undemocratic, had no respect for human rights and the rule of law, and was adopting a Sharia ideology.

Asake regretted that the president had also failed to protect Nigerians by willfully permitting herdsmen to kill, destroy communities and turn the entire Middle Belt into a killing field, while enjoying government’s protection from counter attack, arrest or prosecution.

The murderous Fulani herdsmen have enjoyed unprecedented protection and favour to the extent they have begun to treat Nigeria as a conquered territory. And rather than prosecute them, the security forces, usually manned by Muslims from the North, offer them protection, he said.

According to him, instead of bringing the leadership of Miyetti Allah to book for being the masterminds of the genocide, top functionaries of the government are advocating grazing colonies, with a view to granting them free land and support.

“By failing to curb the attacks of the Fulani herdsmen, President Buhari has failed to uphold Section 14, Para. 2 (b) of the Constitution that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria has reviewed the catalogue of horrendous and inhuman attacks on several states and mostly Benue State from 2013 to 2018. The impression has now been firmly established that the Islamists of the North have ‘legalised jihad’ in Nigeria,” Asake said

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) also warned, yesterday, that if government is incapable or unwilling to protect its citizens from the marauding herdsmen, the people might be tempted to defend themselves. The group also warned of the possibility of a complete breakdown of law and order in the country.

“Herdsmen may be under pressure to save their livestock and economy but this is never to be done at the expense of other peoples’ lives or livelihoods. It is, therefore, madness to slaughter fellow human beings, and shameful that we had to show the world this ugly picture of our country,” said CBCN in a statement by its President, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, and Secretary, Most Rev. William Avenya, in Abuja.


The chairman of the Christian Youths Coalition for Peace (CYCP), Reverend Johnson Audu, meanwhile, has condemned calls for the Benue State government to organise youths into armed militia groups for self-defence, saying the move would erode peace in the country.

But constitutional lawyer and former National Secretary of the Labour Party, Kayode Ajulo, differed, saying: “Self-defence is a resort that has been successfully employed the world over and even in some areas in Nigeria with success. It cannot fail now. And so, it must be an option fed with supervision to communities, in not just Benue State but in all areas in Nigeria whose natives live in constant fear of threats to their life or property.”

This came as the House of Representatives, yesterday, resolved to set up a high-powered committee to conduct a two-day public hearing on the crisis, with a view to finding a lasting solution.

The House condemned the mayhem, adopting two consolidated motions jointly sponsored by Babatunde Kolawole and Dickson Takighir.

At the plenary, presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the lawmakers particularly expressed concern over the murder of 70 persons in Logo and Guma Local Councils of Benue State.

Lawmakers, who contributed to the debate, included Princess Olufunke Adedoyin (APC: Kwara), who fingered internal migration, deforestation and the scramble for land. Wale Raji (APC: Lagos) blamed laxity on the part of security agents.

Mid-way into the debate, tempers almost flared after Sadiq Ibrahim (APC: Adamawa) and Aisha Dukku (APC: Gombe) tacitly spoke in support of the herdsmen’s need for an environment to rear their cattle.

House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who summed up the debates maintained that no condition warranted the Benue killings, saying there was the need to revisit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on migration of goods and services to prevent murderous herdsmen from entering the country.

Rising from six hours of debate, yesterday, over the killings, the Senate urged Buhari to protect life and property in the country.

It deliberated on the matter based on a report by its committee on security and infrastructure. It also sought the arrest, within 14 days, of persons involved in the Benue incident and mandated its President, Bukola Saraki, to meet with Buhari and ensure the recommendations are implemented.

“The president must act. Those responsible must be held accountable. Military all the time cannot be the solution. The military is being stretched. That is not good for us. More importantly, action must begin to happen, to show to Nigerians that we are not just talking. We need to ensure that this never happens again. We need to restore hope,” Saraki said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/wake-up-can-tells-buhari-over-herdsmens.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmoHM9GvdA8

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday kicked against the heightening frenzy trailing the 2019 general elections.

Saraki warned that it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and larger work of governance.

The Senate President gave the warning in his welcome address to Senators on their return from the Christmas and New Year recess.

He described the lingering fuel scarcity in parts of the country as man made a situation the chamber was determined to get its root.

Saraki said, “Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people.

“This is my appeal: it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the National Assembly as a whole, as well as to the Executive and indeed all political actors.”
“Many were on the queue for petrol; many households are grief-stricken. This mood of reflection is also one from which no lawmaker is immune; what affects one, affects all. When one part of the body is hurting, the whole body hurts, and this holds true for the entire nation.
“We have all been witnesses to the hardships with which many Nigerians saw in the new year, stuck on fuel queues tailing from petrol stations in many of our cities. It has been disheartening to see, especially during the festive period when Nigerians should have been enjoying carefree time with their loved ones, with enough petrol in their tanks to make that cherished journey to their various hometowns.
“We, as representatives of the people, feel the pain of the people. Things being the way they were, we could not but respond to the crisis. I therefore had to direct members of the Senate Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity to cut short their recess to commence hearings into the lingering problem; and that work is ongoing. I commend the committee for their prompt response and the work carried out.
“We seek the cooperation and understanding of Nigerians as we try to get to the bottom of this issue. My own estimation of the fuel scarcity phenomenon is that it is man-made. We thought we had left the problem of fuel queues firmly in the past in this country, but sadly, that appears not to be the case. In any event, there is a problem, and it must be solved. We await the findings of the Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity, firm in our resolve that whoever is responsible must pay the price for visiting this needless hardship upon our people.
“You will agree with me that even more sober reflection attends the killings in some parts of the country, particularly recent tragic events in Benue State. We condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless bloodletting has no place in our society. I offer our sincerest condolences to the people of Benue, and indeed to all who have suffered the loss of their loved ones as a result of these wanton acts.
“Human life is sacred. We state without equivocation that Nigerian life must become sacred. When we fail in our duty to protect Nigerian lives, it is a tragedy and an indictment on us all. We as the 8th Senate stand ready to help find solutions to assuage the hurt to affected parts, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to enthrone peace in all four corners of this country.
“Let me state that the 8th Senate is disturbed by these unfortunate incidents, and we have been for some time. We were concerned enough to have inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee on Security in November of last year. And so it was that, with the shocking reports from Benue, Rivers and other places, the Security Committee members also cut short their recess to resume sitting, with a view to fast-tracking their investigations, in order to present an interim report for the Senate’s consideration immediately on resumption.
“We are a people-oriented Senate, and I believe I speak for us all when I pledge that we shall continue to demonstrate similar dedication to our duties this year, as worthy representatives of the people who voted us into office.
“The 8th Senate has continued its historic run, because by the end of 2017, we had passed 140 Bills over a period of 30 months. The landmark Economic Bills we passed, helped to propel the country’s emergence from recession, powering us upwards in the Ease of Doing Business Report. While the legislative feats of the year gone by shall go down in the annals of lawmaking in this country, what is also true is that we cannot lose momentum, nor can we afford to rest on our oars.
“Going into the New Year, I can only wish each and every one of us the best as we prepare for the task ahead. It is a crucial year. As you all know, this, in all probability, will be the last productive year before we go into the 2019 electioneering period. Not only is there a need to up the ante in terms of productivity, it is important we keep our eyes on the big picture. Let us not be caught in the political fray before due season.
“To each and every thing under the sun, its own time. This is Nigeria’s time. Let us devote ourselves to her service. It is therefore imperative that we speed up consideration on the various bills on which legislative work remains outstanding – particularly economic bills. Calling for similar attention are the other parts of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) related bills still to be passed, namely: the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill and the Petroleum Host Community Bill.
“Let me opine that 2018 will be defined by the collaboration between the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly as regards the number of items due for concurrence. We must work to build on the very cordial relationship between the two chambers as witnessed so far, and elevate the level of cooperation, for the benefit of the people.
“To this end, I urge you all to reach out to our counterparts in the House, so that we can fulfill the lawmaking function in the most expeditious manner. This will help streamline the process – and clear the way for the passing of various legislations – making for improved synergy and joined-up working between the two chambers.
“Currently, distinguished colleagues, there are two major ongoing issues before us – namely the Constitutional Amendment process and the 2018 Appropriation Bill. It is encouraging to see that the Assemblies in the States have already started work on the Constitutional Amendment; I urge us all to keep a keen eye on developments on that front. With regard to the 2018 Budget, let me take this opportunity to give a word of encouragement to the Committee as they work to ensure the proper conduct of the process.
“Once more, my distinguished colleagues, we are a people-oriented Senate. Nigerians already have a measure of who we are, particularly through our interventions and engagement in areas such as Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, the Welfare of Nigerian Students Overseas, and the Drug Abuse Epidemic ravaging through Nigerian Communities. We will not relent in our efforts in these arrears.
“It bears reiterating that we cannot waste a moment of this year that rolls its boundless opportunities out for us. As the legislative arm of government, we must do everything we can to transform the developmental firmament of this country, to bring succour to the masses, and to leave our prints in the sands of time. There is really no other choice. The work is upon us. We can get it done.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/2019-dont-abandon-governance-for.html

[quote author=akelicious post=64237376][/quote]

1. Creative Crocodile Hand Art Posture



2. A Panther Ready To Run



3. A Dog Looking For Hunt



4. Dearest Cat Posture



5. Crane and Sharp Eyes



6. Duck Tales



7. Innocent Dog



8. Sharp Eye Kite



9. Old Eagle Posture



10. Sky Is The Limit
more at
http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/top-10-creative-hand-art-and-hand.html?m=1

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has extended her most profound gratitude to the Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM), the APC family in Etche, Rivers State and all lovers of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Honourable Minister for Transportation and former governor of Rivers State for the overwhelming show of love displayed for the former governor during the IYM grand reception held in his honour at Osiokpo and that of APC in Etche over the weekend.



The APC in a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt today said, “There is no doubt that the people and residents of Rivers State still appreciate the peace, good governance and duty of care for every citizen and resident of Rivers State which characterised the administration of the former governor between October 2007 and May 2015.We share in the pride that as leader of the APC in Rivers State, the legacies of Chibuike Amaechi are appreciated and continue to endear him to a vast majority of the good people of Rivers State as demonstrated by the mammoth crowd that turned up to receive him at all the venues.”



The APC specially thanked the traditional rulers and other community leaders who, despite their personal engagements, spared time to honour their outstanding and cherished son and political leader.

“We implore the people to remain calm, law-abiding and prayerful as the APC will, by God’s grace, occupy Government House Port Harcourt come 2019 and usher in a government that will place the people first by developing our youths through education, capacity development and empowerment and not cultism, thuggery, kidnapping, killing and deception as characterised and promoted by the present government in Rivers State” the party advised.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/we-appreciate-your-show-of-love-for.html

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) yesterday stated that it would not be deceived by the video clips of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, which was made public after a press conference last Saturday in Abuja.

In a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, spokesman of the Islamic group, also known as Shiite, Ibrahim Musa, said: “We are not placated by Sheikh Zakzaky’s video clip.”


The press conference was arranged by the DSS for the Islamic leader following rumours that he had died in detention.

The short video clip was made public after the press conference.

The IMN, however, said it was not impressed with the stage-managed press briefing and “certainly is not fooled by the antics of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s security agencies.

“We are not placated by Sheikh Zakzaky’s short and edited video clip.”

Musa said although it was cheering to see the IMN leader speaking live in the short video clip after over two years of illegal detention, saying however that “it falls very short of expectations of his total and unconditional freedom as ordered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.”

According to Musa, “Credible and dependable sources have it that the arranged interview by the security men was made to appear as impromptu, but our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky, granted a much longer interview and addressed far more issues than was released.

“What did he say about his continuing detention? What did he say about his similarly incarcerated wife and her own ill- health? What did he say about the legal tussle or even how the whole saga began in the first place? What did he say about the destruction of his properties, the desecration of his mother and children’s graves? What did he have to say about the killing of his elder sister, a nephew, three sons and over a thousand of his disciples? What was his reaction to the mass grave at Mando in Kaduna which the security did their utmost best to conceal?

“Why did he opt to challenge his supposed ‘protective custody’ on court when the authorities are telling the world that it was of his own volition? Why did he reject going to Kaduna State constituted Judicial Commission of Inquiry but submitted a memo to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo panel of investigation only to refuse giving testimony in secret? The questions are nearly endless.

“We challenge the security forces to either release to the public the full unedited interview, or allow an open live free interview with no restrictions.

“The local and global free Zakzaky campaigns will most certainly continue. Our goal is not to see Zakzaky in a controlled press clip but our goal is his unconditional freedom and his wife as ordered by a competent Nigerian court. Nothing short of that will suffice.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/were-not-fooled-by-zakzakys-video-clip.html

A boutique operator at 5 Education Close, UNILAG Estate, Magodo, Lagos, Mrs. Bola Omidiji, says her business is on the brink of collapse after a customer paid N496,000 dud cheques for goods bought from her.

The debtor, Babatope Adeeso, had reportedly bought pairs of shoes, wristwatches, perfumes and clothes, for himself, his wife and children from Omidiji sometime in April 2017.



Akelicious learnt that Adeeso, who is an executive member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ore depot, had wanted to pay for the items through PoS, which was not available at the shop.

He reportedly asked the woman to follow him to a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in the area to transfer the money via an Automated Teller Machine.

Omidiji told our correspondent that after failed attempts to transfer the money, Adeeso collected her account number and promised to effect the payment later that day.

She said she became apprehensive when Adeeso did not pay the money into her account several days later and she called him on the telephone.

She said, “We knew each other about a year ago through an online platform where I advertised my products. He had bought some items from me a couple of times before the April 2017 transaction.

“He said he had wanted to do shopping for his family abroad, but he aborted his travelling for some reasons. He bought shoes, wristwatches, perfumes and clothes worth N496,000 for himself, wife and children. After collecting the items, he wanted to use PoS for payment. I told him I didn’t have and we went to GTB around my shop, so he could transfer the money.

“The transfer was not successful. We also went to Skye Bank without success. He collected my account number and promised to do the transfer later that day. Days went by without receiving any credit alert from him.

“When I called him, he said he was having issues with his business and pleaded with me to give him some time. After some weeks, I started calling him again. In July, he gave me cheques of N496,000. My mother died at that time and I needed part of the money to do her burial.



“He split the payment arrangements into three tranches dated July 17, July 21 and August 18, 2017. I presented the cheques at the bank twice, but they were dishonoured.”

Omidiji said afterwards, Adeeso hardly picked her calls, adding that she eventually learnt that the bank account on which he made the cheques out to her was his late father’s company account.

She said later in August 2017, she met with an IPMAN executive and boss to Adeeso at Monsimi depot, Ogun State, where he (Adeeso) is currently based.

She added that the man urged him to pay the money by September.

“After the meeting, he (Adeeso) stopped picking my calls. I then reported the case at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, Lagos, in September. The police got an order from the Ogun State Police Command to arrest him. They went there, but could not find him. I also reported at the Isheri Police Station. They advised me to let the SCIID continue with the matter.

“The police told me to be monitoring him, but for how long can I do that? My business has been seriously affected.

“When I called him early December, he said he had travelled out of the country. He said he would return on December 20. When I called him on December 21, he said he was back and promised to pay me that week. He reneged on his promise and has refused to pick my calls since then,” she added.

Adeeso admitted that he owed Omidiji the sum. He explained that he paid by the dud cheques because the woman continually pestered him for the money.

He, however, said he intended to pay the debt by the end of February 2018.

Adeeso said, “It is true I owe her. I have not said I will not pay her. I have the intention of offsetting the debt, maybe by next month because my business has not been moving. By the special grace of God before the end of February, I will pay. Any time I call her, she is always nagging.

“What happened is more than what she told you. But that is not the issue for now. As of the time I bought those goods from her, I never had any intention of issuing cheques. It was when she kept pressurising me that I gave her the cheques under duress.

“The cheques were just an assurance that I would give her the money. The issue between us is a business transaction. She calls my relatives who were not there when we were transacting and keeps threatening me with abusive words. Business is not moving this time, but any time I try to communicate that with her, she flares up. She should give me till the end of February, but if she wants to take it up, IPMAN cannot cough up money from my pockets and heaven will not fall.”

But Omidiji expressed doubts on Adeeso’s pledge, saying he would not pay at the end of February.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, promised to get back to our correspondent with comment, but had yet to do so as of press time.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/fuel-marketer-buys-n496000-goods-with.html

Southern leaders have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the country now, if he still desires Nigeria to be one.

The leaders, who made this demand at the Handshake Across the Niger Summit organised by Nzuko Umunna, at Base Event Centre, Enugu State, cut across the South West, South East, South South and the Middle Belt.

The leaders, in unison, bemoaned how the demand for restructuring has been rejected by the Buhari administration while Fulani herdsmen have continued to unleash mayhem and terror on southern Nigeria.

The leaders agreed that Yoruba and Igbo should bury all acrimonies and come together, again, to fight their relegation as ‘second class’ citizens in the country.

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, who led Ndigbo to the summit said: “The Igbo/Yoruba alliance, which has catalysed the Southern Leadership Forum and the Middle Belt Union, is a bold statement that unity is possible in Nigeria.”

Nwodo disclosed that their irrevocable stand that Nigeria must be restructured is non-negotiable.

“To abandon restructuring is to self-destruct Nigeria. Every credible analysis shows that unless we devolve powers to the states and allow them control of their natural resources and basic utilities of powers, environment, education and infrastructural development, Nigeria will collapse. Anyone opposed to restructuring is a proponent of the liquidation of Nigeria,” he said.

Similarly, Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who was represented by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said those opposed to restructuring are just deceiving themselves, and stressed that president Buhari is the problem of the country, by opposing restructuring.

He told the large gathering that the president will not agree to restructure the country in peace as his people are direct beneficiaries of lopsidedness in Nigeria.

“Buhari will not do it (restructuring) in peace because all the military and para-military are in his hands. He refused to declare Fulani herdsmen terrorists but did that to IPOB, who are just shouting for self-determination,” he said, and added that Fulani herdsmen kidnapped former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, in his farm and the president did nothing about it.

Adebanjo declared that the antagonism between Igbo and Yoruba has come to an end with the handshake across the Niger, even as he explained that the coming together of the two enthnic nationalities is not a gang-up in any way.

Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who was represented by Ndosit Ikanga, agreed with leaders from the other zones and insisted that Nigeria needs restructured fiscal federalism; as envisaged by the country’s founding fathers.

He told southern leaders that if the North has created a political North, through which they dominate others, the South should equally create a political South, to strike a balance.

Also former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, who led the Middle Belt to the summit, said restructuring is not debatable, and added that it must be supported by all.

Jang noted that it is the antic of those who do not want the country to remain as one that caused disaffection between Igbo and Yoruba. He advised the two ethnic groups to shelve their differences and begin to trust themselves again.

Jang insisted Nigeria must be restructured, to keep a country for Nigerian youths.


The crowd went hysteric when former Aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who represented Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, and the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Otunba Ganiyu Adams, rose and declared that “if there is no restructuring, there will not by any Nigeria anymore.”


Fani-Kayode said the day of reckoning has come as Igbo and Yoruba have come together, again, just as he called on the federal government to declare Fulani herdsmen terrorists, just as it was done to the proscribed IPOB.

He sympathised with the South East and the Middle Belt, on what they have passed through in the country, and added that Ndigbo deserves an apology from the country, for undue suffering.

“We need to come together, in one accord, to say that we are not slaves and will never be slaves,” he said, adding that the servant-master relationship existing in the country between the South and North must end.

The former minister said the coming together of Igbo and Yoruba was long overdue.

The summit honoured former Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi and former governor of Western Nigeria, Col. Adekunle Fajuyi on whose stead a new brotherhood was forged by Igbo and Yoruba.

At the end of the summit, a communiqué read by Ambassador Humphrey Orjiakor stated in part: “After today’s (yesterday) meeting of all strata of persons of Igbo and Yoruba origins in Enugu, the erstwhile capital of Eastern Nigeria, the conferees, comprising leaders of the South West, South East, the South South and the Middle Belt made several observations and resolved as follows: “Noted the immense strength of Igbo-Yoruba close affinities of kinship and brotherhood, shared origins and cultural/ethical values, a common world view and inherent love of freedom and justice.

“Noted that the Hand Shake Across the Niger (HSAN), anchored on the heroism of Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi and Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, though long overdue, has finally burst the myth of Igbo-Yoruba irreconcilable differences and spiteful rivalry, thus, providing new impetus for resurgence of the same bold, patriotic and nationalist solidarity of the two ethnic groups from the 1930s to the 1950s, that earned independence for Nigeria in 1960; noted that in a long history of close relations and association, Igbo and Yoruba have no recorded instances of violence against each other’s ethnic group, such as inter-ethnic mass killings and destruction and/or seizure of property; that instead, they have lived, worked and prospered together, accommodating and respecting their differences.

“Expressed awareness that grievances generated by past errors on both sides can no longer justify or sustain dissention between the two groups whose solidarity and mutual collaboration have the capacity to dramatically change the fortunes of Nigeria, thereby also, changing the fates of the African continent and the black race.

“Noted that the HS has brought about a new dawn of irreversible amity in the horizon of Igbo-Yoruba relations, that they have, today (yesterday), declared time-up for, and permanently buried, the hatchet of distrust and spiteful rivalry, leading to a credible tipping-point of optimism and opportunity in realising the destiny of Nigeria as a start-up nation-state that can achieve great things.”

Other leaders from the zones who attended the summit included: Prof Anya O. Anya; Prof Pat Utomi; Chief Olu Falae; Prof Joe Irukwu; Chief (Mrs) Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi; former Imo governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim; Chief Chris Asoluka; Mr Tony Uranta; former Anambra state governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.

Others were former governor of Ondo State, Chief Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represented Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Ayo Fagbemi who presented the book on Handshake Across the Niger, Oba Adedapo, who represented the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Dr Patrick Ubah, who is the chairman Local Organising Committee of the summit, Senator Femi Okoronmu, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, former governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Donald Fajuyi and many others.

Governors Rochas Okorocha and Okezie Ikpeazu of Imo and Abia states sent their deputies while their other colleagues sent representatives.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/southern-leaders-to-buhari-restructure.html

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, said its attention has been drawn to the broadcast by Gov. Nyesom Wike in which all forms of half-truths and sometimes outright lies were pushed into public space.

The opposition party in Rivers State in a statement signed by Chief (Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, JP, State Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, today stressed that, “While some of the lies may be ignored at the moment and dealt with at a later date, however, it is manifestly important to immediately prevent unsuspecting members of the public, critical stakeholders and particularly security agencies from being hoodwinked by a frivolous list of supposed cultists and kidnappers contained in the governor’s broadcast. The truth has come out. Gov. Wike merely compiled names of cult groups opposed to his own gang of killers, names of his hit-men known to have fallen out with him, then some APC members and is asking for their arrests.”

The statement reads: “Since the broadcast by Gov. Wike, many are still asking a plethora of questions. Why did the governor know those persons as criminals as he claimed and never did anything since he came into office over 2 years ago? Why did he not make the names of those individuals available to security agents for arrest, investigation and prosecution? Why were those names kept until Don Wani was killed before he made them public in less than 48 hours after? Were those names given to him by security agencies? Indeed, how were those names generated; where they generated in Government House Port Harcourt or by the police?

“The bravest attempts to answer the aforementioned questions simply confirm the fact that Gov. Wike merely want to muddle up investigations by security agents following the killing of his associate, Don Wani. The governor very well knows that if Don Wani and his boys could be tracked and killed in faraway Enugu, then information from his mobile call logs, text messages, bank accounts, etc. will likely reveal a lot which may incriminate him or his party leaders who freely played host to and/or appeared in photographs with Don Wani at various times in the past.
“The APC calls on Rivers people, Nigerians and security agencies to look beyond the names made up of either opponents or his boys that have fallen out with him. Security agents should rely on names independently generated by the various security services over time and clamp down on them accordingly.
“Again we ask: if Gov. Wike had names of criminals since he became governor over 2 years ago, why did he have to wait until Don Wani met his waterloo before he made such names public?”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/wikes-broadcast-of-lies-rivers-apc.html

These are photos from the wedding of Anambra men, Okey and his lovely German wife. Nigeria men are now marrying foreign women like Kilode!!

more photos at
http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/photosanambra-man-gets-married-to-his.html

The federal government said the Tin Can Island at Apapa Port in Lagos declared 160 per cent increase in agricultural exports last year.


Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this disclosure yesterday at a retreat held in conjunction with Synergos towards enhancing public service delivery.

Ogbeh said the increase projected a robust outlook as the country exported more than it was importing last year.
The minister said that more than 35 million dollars was earned last year from the export of Zobo, a local drink produced from Hibiscus leaves.

“All containers that used to carry cargo before and were half empty are now going out fully loaded with goods for export, such that we are now short of containers at the ports,” Ogbeh said.
He stressed that apart from oil and gas, agriculture was the biggest sector in terms of job creation in the country, saying that additional six million jobs were expected to be created by the 12 million Nigerians involved in the cultivation of rice.

“This year is our last lap and today, rice importation from Thailand has drastically reduced by 95 percent as directed by the President, who wants Nigeria to be a major exporter of food. There is a demand for Nigeria’s agro produce. All we need do is to strengthen our quality control and once make agriculture a force and a national culture,” he said.

He criticised the practice of drying tomato in Kano and Katsina States, which he said is harmful for human consumption, when they come in contact with the excrement of goats and cattle, whenever they run their mouths on them.

Ogbeh also added that government has the desire to open new frontiers this year by focusing heavily on improved fertilizer blending and plantation crops particularly cashews and cocoa.
Nigeria is presently rated as the fourth leading producer of cocoa beans in the world, behind Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia.

According to Ogbeh, government intends to move up in the ranking as the leading grower of the cash crop over the next five years.
Cote d’ Ivoire’s current cocoa output as at April 2017 was 1, 148,992 tonnes while Ghana was second at 835,466 tons.
Nigeria produced 367,000 tons of cocoa in 2017.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/apapa-port-declared-160-increase-in.html

As shared

So I spent my birthday with my cute little Angel, the latest addition to my squad, my 5 months old son.
Victory Zane Chukwubuike Yul-Edochie.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/yul-edochie-spent-time-with-his-5.html

Malaysia’s opposition coalition on Sunday named 92-year old former premier Mahathir Mohamad as its prime ministerial candidate for a general election that must be called by August.
With the country’s most popular opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in jail, Mahathir is seen as the biggest threat for 64 year-old Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is engulfed in a corruption scandal.

Mahathir, who earned a reputation during his 22-year tenure as prime minister of being a no-nonsense authoritarian with little time for dissenters promoting liberal values, stands to become the world’s oldest leader if the opposition wins.


A victory could also potentially pave the way for former Mahathir foe Anwar to become the prime minister. Mahathir and Anwar’s wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s candidates for the premier and deputy prime ministerial posts respectively, secretary general Saifuddin Abdullah said at the alliance’s convention. If the opposition wins, the component parties have agreed to immediately commence legal processes to obtain a royal pardon for Anwar, Saifuddin said.

“…So that Anwar could immediately play a role in the federal government and subsequently be proposed as a candidate for the eighth prime minister,” he said.

The Mahathir-Anwar coalition and their endorsement of each other is a turnaround from their bitter feud that has shaped Malaysia’s political landscape for nearly two decades.Anwar was once a protege of Mahathir, and the rising star of Malaysian politics, but they had a falling-out in the late 1990s..

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/92-year-old-to-run-as-prime-minister-in.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday warned that the killings allegedly by herdsmen should not be politicised.

He said a political interpretation could ignite unprecedented crises.

Osinbajo cautioned that under no condition should Nigerians allow anyone to create a religious crisis.

Osinbajo sounded the warning during an inter-denominational church service to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.


The vice president said due to the prevailing circumstance regarding the violence and loss of lives in parts of the country, President Buhari had ordered the police and the armed forces to deal decisively with the situation and ensure that the perpetrators were found and punished.

He recalled that it was the politicisation of Boko Haram at the early stage of the group that gave rise to its heinous activities, and enjoined Nigerians not to fall into another trap regarding the problems associated with herdsmen.

Osinbajo said: “We must recognise that as dangerous and as deadly and heartless as these killings are, there is also the danger of our allowing politics to play a part as this could lead to what we sometimes say “pour petrol into an already burning fire.”

“We must not permit the politicisation of this tragedy. One of the reasons why for years Boko Haram thrived, was because of the politicisation of the insurgency.

“There were those who are planning to benefit politically from the tragedy and they painted the opposition then as the perpetrator.”

The Vice President continued: “Again, we see some today who want to benefit politically from the killing of women and children in Adamawa, Benue, Jos and several other places stoking the embers of ethnicity and religion.


“By their hate speeches, they want to fix the criminal acts of the few individuals on who thrives and hold people and they would want to create a religious crisis if they are allowed.

“Our obligation is to stop them from playing dangerous politics that could threaten our unity and stability just as we continue to enforce the peace in the troubled areas.”

Vice President lauded the commitment and dedication of Nigerian military personnel to service, particularly the fallen heroes, stating that save for their efforts, Nigerians would not have been enjoying the peace.

Osinbajo said: “I am especially honoured to be here today to join family and friends of our departed heroes to mark this day when we remember the incredible sacrifices that they made to fill the vacuum.

“We have seen in the past few years how this rights have been challenged by the mindless extremism of the Boko Haram in the North East and how again our gallant military, the police and even the civilian population have risen jointly to rout these criminal combatants and restore peace to most communities in that zone.

“We have also seen even recently the killings that have resulted from the attacks of herdsmen and farmers and communities and also where farmers and communities have attacked herdsmen.”

“The president has also in almost daily meetings and strategic sessions with relevant security and law enforcement agencies work to find lasting and enduring solution to this issues,” he added.

In his sermon, Bishop of Jos Diocese Anglican Communion, Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, who represented Primate Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Oko, noted that the Armed Forces remained the only institution of hope of Nigerians.

According to him, the Nigerian military personnel laid down their lives against the Boko Haram terrorists ,against Fulani herdsmen, against kidnappers, against men and perhaps women who do not wish the country well.

He urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country, he regretted that many of the nation’s military personnel have died in line of duties in their commitment to keep the nation peaceful and safe for the citizenry.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/dont-politicise-herdsmens-killings-says.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS3be5FxJJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNH8Jy_3xRA

Reportedly, voting exercise had been disrupted in some communities in Isoko North LG and ballot papers torn and scattered on the ground.
Particularly in Owhelogbo from where our source spoke, children and youths are on a rally yelling "No Wayo! No Vote!" to and fro the community express part.
From an interview with one of the protesters, he said:
"Out of about 3000+ eligible voters, only about 1000+ ballot papers (less than 50%) were brought to the community reportedly released by DSIEC"

This has arose the anger of the voters specifically at the community junction and has torn and spread the ballot papers on the ground.

Still speaking, he said:
"Even Card Readers were hijacked by unknown members of unknown political parties, and no one knows their whereabouts. But until the Materials are Complete, there will be no election in the community."
However, we're hoping that the issue would be resolved in the shortest time and voting exercise will take place.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/delta-lg-elections-no-vote-in-some-part.html


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

Akwa Ibom State Government, Thursday, revealed that over 40 per cent of achievements recorded by the federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari were from the rich oil potential of the state.

The State Government confessed that with the huge contributions from the oil income of the state to the federal purse, the government at the centre had not reciprocate same in terms of providing infrastructure for the people in the state.


The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh who made known the feelings of the state, during an interview in Uyo, fumed that the State under the present regime experienced zero federal presence even in the area of infrastructural development.

He said the present tempo of development which presents the state as a destination of choice and investors’ haven could only be achieved by a focused administration that prevents the high level of negligence of the federal government to influence its performance.

The Commissioner said the industrialisation drive ,which was a key component of the five-point agenda of the state administration was still at the front burner, hence the state government’s decision to upgrade key facilities like road network and the International airport for improved service delivery.

Already, he said the airport runway had been upgraded to category two to ensure landing, even in very difficult weather.

The Commissioner warned against playing politics with development projects enunciated by the administration since coming on board in 2015.

He scored the state administration high in areas of physical infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development and free education for children up to the secondary school level.

The Commissioner noted the interest shown by the people of the state in agriculture development especially in rice, cocoa and cassava plantations to create wealth for themselves.

He said in the current year the state would continue to embark on free and compulsory education, urging parents to encouraged their wards and ensure every Akwa Ibom child is allowed access to education.

The Commissioner called for more supports for the administration as it strive to spread development projects across the three Senatorial Districts of Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene.

“Let us bury our political differences and unite in love for governor Udom Emmanuel to build a State we will all be proud of.

“Akwa Ibom belongs to all of us, the governor is poised at ensuring sustainable development for the State and the people that will outlive this administration”, he stated.



On the relocation of offices of International Oil Companies (IOC) to the state, Udoh said the ongoing 21 story building undertaken by the present administration is a smart building with facilities for modern offices.

“We know how much ExxonMobil is paying as tax to Lagos State government. Now we are construction a 21 story building with the intention to gradually increase it to about 30.

“This is a smart building with standard facilities for a modern office. So ExxonMobil would no longer have any excuse for not relocating to the state”, he stressed

Speaking on his recent talent hunt and Unity football match in his Obio Offot community, Mr. Udoh said the essence was to identify and nurture talents from the state for export to the world.

The youth engagement, according to him was also a strategy to take the young minds off crime especially during the yuletide season.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/akwa-ibom-contributes-over-40-to-buhari.html

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte suggested on Friday that Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has a mental problem identified as “senile dementia.”

According to the Italian, that is why the Manchester United manager is still focused on events at Stamford Bridge two years after he was sacked.


Mourinho, who coached Chelsea two times, appeared to take a swipe at the Italian and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, for their antics in the technical area yesterday when he said he did not feel the need to behave like “a clown” on the touchline.
Asked about Mourinho’s comments during his [ress conference on Friday, the former Juventus coach used the Italian phrase “demenza senile” in relation to the Portuguese, which translates as senile dementia.
He said, “I think he has to see himself in the past — maybe he was speaking about himself in the past.
“Maybe, sometimes, I think that someone forgets what’s said in the past, which is his behaviour.

“Sometimes I think there is, I don’t know the name, but demenza senile… when you forget what you do in the past.
“There is a person that continues to look here. You understand? He went away, but he continued to look here.”
During the 2-2 draw at Emirate on Wednesday, Wenger accused Eden Hazard of diving to earn a penalty but Conte believes other decisions went the Gunners’ way and referred to previous meetings.
“I think if Arsene Wenger watched the game again, (he would) understand he was very lucky during the game with the referee’s decisions.

“Don’t forget, in the last few games (with Arsenal) we finished the game with 10 men, when they won the FA Cup, the Community Shield. I think the referee’s decision(s) were a bit strange.
“If I want I can talk about refereeing decisions for one month. But I don’t want to do this. I think we must have respect for referees’ decisions.
“I think Wenger has to accept the decisions. He’s an old coach, he has a lot of experience, he won a lot. He has to continue to do what he did in the past,” he told reporters.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/jose-mourinho-suffering-from-mental.html

A former Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Reuben Abati, has described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party that has not been able to develop into a party.


He stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Abati, who is also a former Chairman of the Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers blamed the APC for failing to keep to its electoral promises to Nigeria before assuming power.

“It is unfortunate the APC has not been able to graduate, to develop into a party per se. It is still a party of disparate interest, conflict,” he said.

“It is a party that continues to implode within a lot of intrigues, with a lot of suspicion. What you are likely to have in 2018 is the possibility of the APC, many of those intrigues that have been managed carefully coming to the fore.

“On the other hand, you could also have the APC coming together as a stronger party in an attempt to hold onto power. But all of those dynamics, of course, the question to ask is how does it serve the interest of Nigeria?” he asked.The former Guardian boss also explained that for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2019, it must first address the ‘internal contradictions’ within the party.

He added, “With the many challenges that the PDP administration has had, the PDP looks like it stands a good chance in 2019. But it may be sabotaged by its own internal contradictions and I had called for an attempt o address those internal contradictions frontally.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/apc-has-not-been-able-to-develop-into.html