₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has established a special dog unit known as K-9 to boost security in Air Ports and Air Force bases‎, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has said.

The Air Chief disclosed this while celebrating Eid El-Kabir with officers and men of the at the NAF Air Force Base in Yola at the weekend.
Abubakar noted that personnel of the K-9 unit had already been trained by Nigerian Police while some had gone for more training in South Africa.
"Very soon, they will be deployed to our air ports and bases to add value to what we are doing in terms of protection," Abubakar said.
He said the NAF was committed to improving capacity of its personnel as well as increasing number of planes, saying 450 Special Forces were currently undergoing training in Kaduna.
"Very soon in all our units no technician will go for guard duty,we are building capacity in terms of having the required number of Special Forces so that those trained as special force will take over the defence of the bases so that technicians concentrate on maintenance of aircraft. Right now we are training 450 special forces in Kaduna in phases,” he said.

ore details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/nigeria-air-force-establishes-dog-unit.html

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has called on political leaders to caution their followers against acts of violence.

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Sanusi made the call on Sunday during the traditional Hawan Nasarawa at the Government House in Kano. ‎‎
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“I am calling on political leaders to caution their followers against‎ political violence and thuggery,” he said.

He also urged government to create ‎employment for youths in the country in order to reduce the economic hardship being faced in the country.
“If the youths are employed or empowered, the level of hardship faced by many families will reduce,” he said.‎
‎‎The monarch also called on the Federal Government to revive agriculture in order to attain self sufficiency in food production.‎
He prayed for peace, tranquility and unity in the country and the safe return of Nigerian pilgrims from the Holy land.‎
‎Earlier, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had said that the state government had completed two hospitals with 500 beds.
‎”We completed two hospitals with 500 beds ‎and we provided them with state of the art equipment,” he said.‎
He said President Muhammadu Buhari ‎had recorded impressive success in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the country.
Ganduje restated his commitment to protection of lives and property of residents in the state.‎
He also said that the state government had distributed 30 vehicles to security agencies in the state.‎
“We will continue to assist security agencies as part of the government’s commitment toward ensuring sustainable peace and security in the state,” he said.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/caution-your-followers-against-violence.html

A Medical doctor by the name Oluh Tochukwu,who works with the Imo State University Teaching Hospital IMSUTH, recently did the right thing by returning N2.7 million that was mistakenly paid into his account by a stranger. Showing his account balance and a letter he wrote to the bank requesting the money to be removed from his account, Oluh on his Facebook page wrote;

“In this austere time and with the long holidays knocking, the sum of #2.7M (Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand naira) was MISTAKENLY credited into one of my “not well used” accounts 3days ago. I reported officially and have given the required consent and other stuffs necessary to REVERSE it back to where it came from successfully. There are still HONEST Nigerians. OLUH BEDE TOCHUKWU IS ONE OF THEM.
BARKA D SALLAH to all my Muslim friends and happy holidays to all and sundry”.
More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/medical-doctor-returns-n27m-mistakenly.html?m=1

Superstar singer Davido has confirmed that D’banj gave him a Rolex in 2014, adding that he (Davido) never signed anything. D’banj had on Spindle Magazine‘s artist on artist session said: I remember in 2014 when I went back to Nigeria, some young boy who used to work for me brought an artiste to me
Mire details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/yes-dbanj-is-right-he-gave-me-my-first.html?m=1

Photo of a young man who look exactly like Ghanaian artiste, Sarkodie
Is like everybody 2in this world ?
More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/photosee-guy-that-looks-exactly-like.html?m=1

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said over 110,000 people in 24 communities including Makurdi, the state capital, have been displaced by flood in recent months.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Boniface Ortese, told newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday that over 2,769 households were also affected.He explained that places affected included Achusa, Idye, Wurukum Market, Genabe, Industrial Layout, Demekpe, Wadata Market, Katungu, behind the Civil Service Commission, Agboughul-Wadata among others.
Meanwhile, President Mohammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize personnel and resources to provide aid to victims.

A statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, last night said Buhari is closely monitoring the situation and is receiving regular updates on the scale of the disaster, as well as the Federal Government’s humanitarian response.”
The statement said the president has also extended his sympathies to the government and people of Benue State, and assured that the Federal Government will make available any assistance needed to enable the state and affected communities cope with and surmount the impact
of the flooding.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Joseph Utsev, has urged the Federal Government to include Benue among states to benefit from the N1.6 billion ecological intervention fund.
Utsev said since 2013, the state had not received any ecological assistance from the Federal Government. He added that if adequate budgetary provisions were made, many disasters may be mitigated since natural disasters could only be controlled.
The commissioner said that dredging the River Benue would provide a permanent solution to the recurring flood in the state. “Benue Government is looking for ways in which River Benue can be dredged; this is because by dredging the river, the water can be accommodated and thus, prevent future overflow.
However, a cross section of Makurdi residents accused the state government of doing little to protect the citizens from flood disaster over the years. A resident told NAN “since the 2012 flood disaster, government has done little to mitigate the situation apart from talking.”
James Udam, a resident of Idye Village told NAN that for over 20 years of his stay in the village, government has done nothing to protect residents despite their cries. “This is where we find ourselves in Benue. Government officials are rather happy that there is heavy flood disaster so as to get free funds and relief materials to divert.
“The same thing is again about to happen. The only thing the government has done so far is to make noise. Not a single culvert has been constructed to mitigate the situation since 2012,” he lamented
Also, Juliana Agbo, a resident of Achusa, told NAN that their situation was pathetic as they have no shelter. According to her, government was yet to open camp for IDPs in the state. Investigations revealed that government officials involved in emergency management are still awaiting the governor’s approval to open IDPs camps.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/flood-displaces-over-110000-people-in.html

Nollywood star, Yul Edochie has emerged as Anambra governorship candidate for the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC).

Chief Edochie was elected unopposed at the party’s primary which took place yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The party also elected state party executives to run its affairs in Anambra for the next four years.

The delegates’ election was supervised by the National Chairman of the party Rev. Olusegun Peters and other national executives of the party in the presence of representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some security agents.

After his emergence, Edochie, urged his supporters to join hands with him to move the economy of the state forward saying, “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Some people may say they do not know me in politics, having made a name for himself in nollywood, but, if the state is in a bad shape, it is celebrities that should speak out. I need the support of the people of the state to make it work in Anambra state.

“My ambition is driven by the ineffective leadership style of those entrusted with the leadership of the state. Since the creation of Anambra State, it has been in the news for the wrong reasons. In all, the youths have been at the receiving end of the political tussle. The older generation of leaders recruit youths, arm them with weapons to actualize their political goals and abandon when elections are won. But when I take over as governor, youths will take their rightful position as leaders of the future.”The Independent Democratic (ID) yesterday elected 35-year-old Franklin Ndife as the governorship candidate of the party for the November 18th election in Anambra State.

Ndife, a farmer and business man was the sole aspirant and was elected by 243 delegates through voice votes conducted by officials of the party and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He was announced winner of the primary by the party’s Cross River State chairman, Mr. Sunday Michael.

The party’s national chairman, Edozie Madu congratulated him on his emergence and said it was time for young people to take over governance.


He said the party met and agreed that it would field a young candidate who would be acceptable to a larger population of the state and the candidate’s running mate would be a woman.

In his acceptance speech, Ndife pledged to stamp out poverty and also ensure youth empowerment if elected as governor of the state. “I came out to come and challenge the old men who have been in power for years and refused to leave the stage for the younger generation. As a youth, I am coming to change the way things are done and bring about economic progress” he said.

He said he went door-to-door to seek support from youths and voters in the state who gave him the go-ahead before he went on to pick his nomination form to contest. He called on young voters and women to support his governorship bid.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/09/nollywood-yul-edochie-emerges-dpc.html

Any one that is reading this , please I beg you, be careful and share with your loved ones!!! I read the story and watched this video in disbelieve. Guys please also notify your girlfriends, sister, mothers, cousins,aunts and neighboiurs who cant reach the net be helpful than sorry…
This lady (Laimi), is a PA working in a Laywer's office in Windhoek . Two months ago she went to an upmarket hair salon on Independence avenue and spent well over $1500 for a Brazilian weave. She looked good in her new hair style!. two weeks later she started suffering severe headaches that would not go away with compral. frequently she'd wake up at night with the constant headache. she went to a private doctor who gave her myprodols that would work for only a few hours and then the headaches will be back worse than before.
desperate she went to see a specialist who did blood tests and even a scan of the brain and all the tests were normal.because of the headaches she could not concentrate at work and was sleeping very poorly.
she went back to her doctor who decided to examine her scalp and under the beautiful weave he found worms! the worms were burrowing into her skull and after sending the samples to the lab they found that the hair had eggs from which the worms had hatched!
the doctor told her that the hair was probably from a corpse because the kind of worms are usually found on dead bodies!
the hairdresser who supplied the hair was shocked and told her that they fitted 10 weaves already and that batch of hair had gone very fast! if you have a weave and getting constant headaches, this is something you may consider checking out. Poor Laimi had to shave her head after this ordeal and take antibiotics for a full 2 weeks! if you know a sister you care about who may benefit from this message please forward ASAP before it's too late!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJok8R878p0
Source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/all-ladies-must-readsee-what-happen-to.html?m=1

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Wednesday disclosed that his child is also affected by the current ongoing strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Ngige revealed this when he spoke with state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

He said, “I have my child at home as we speak. Government is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that we reach a conclusive agreement with ASUU so that they can go back to classroom.”
The minister also said, “Students who are supposed to take their exams and promotional exams have been forced by circumstances beyond their control to stay at home.”
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/my-child-is-also-affected-by-ASUU.html

The Police in Lagos have arrested a roasted meat (suya) seller, Abdulahi, for allegedly attempting to slaughter a four- year-old girl for Suya.

The suspect, had allegedly abducted the girl at White sand area of Ebute Meta, while she was playing with her mates in an open field.

It was gathered that the suspect had taken the victim to a secluded area where he had attempted to slaughter the girl with a knife.

Daily Sun gathered that luck smiled at the little girl as a man who saw the suya seller trying to slaughter the girl raised the alarm, which attracted other people who rescued the girl. It was gathered that the suya seller who resisted the people stabbed one person and bit another.

Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident to newsmen yesterday said that the Good Samaritans succeeded in rescuing the victim from the grip of the suspect.

He said that one of the Good Samaritans in an attempt to disarm the suspect sustained minor injury on his hand. He said: “The suspect was subsequently handed over to the Police at Denton Police Station, Oyingbo. Police investigation revealed that the suspect had abducted the little girl from where she was playing with her friends with the sole intension of slaughtering her. It is a clear case of kidnap and attempted murder.”

However, in a swift reaction, a brother to the suspect who identified himself simply as Ibrahim, at the venue of the parade claimed that the suspect was a sick person.

He alleged that the suspect was mentally unstable but that he was treated and discharged.

He said: “I am a suya seller. I sell suya at White sand area of Ebute Meta. My brother was not okay before. He was treated in the village five years ago before he came to Lagos. Maybe the sickness has come back again.

“On the day of the incident, while we were selling suya, suddenly my brother started behaving funny. He grabbed the table and turned it upside down scattering the entire suya in the process.


We tried to hold him, but he escaped.

During the confusion that followed he grabbed the little girl and we tried to free the girl from him. It was while we were trying to set free the little girl that one man sustained injury on his hand.”
Full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/suya-seller-arrested-trying-to.html?m=1

Another ritualist’s den was yesterday discovered in a tunnel at the Challenge area of Mushin, Lagos State. One of the suspected ritualists was burnt alive, while two others were rescued by the police from being lynched. They had disguised as mad men.

They were found in a tunnel by the bus-stop that leads to a moribund company. Syringes believed to be used in injecting their victims with sedative drugs were discovered in the hideout.
This discovery is coming two weeks after some dens operated by criminals were discovered at different areas of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, which is along the same route.

Head of Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in Ojuwoye, Mr. Adeleye Olayinka, said two out of the three suspects who appeared like lunatics were sighted around a drainage at Challenge bus-stop area of Mushin.
He said one of the destitute persons was seen trying to enter the drainage by some residents who raised an alarm. They pounced on the three destitute persons before the arrival of policemen.
“In most cases, the place used to smell a lot that people would find it difficult to pass through. One of the supposed mad men was a man who disguised like a lady, but when the mob started beating him, he removed what he used to disguise like a lady and pleaded for mercy.
“Before we knew what was happening, area boys had swooped on them and also threw stones at security personnel who came to the scene to rescue the mad men,” he said.
Meanwhile, five persons have been arrested for allegedly lynching a suspected mad man at Mushin.
The suspects whose identities could not be ascertained as at press time are currently being detained at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba. It was gathered that the suspect were among those who attacked and killed the suspected mad man.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who addressed newsmen at the Officers Mess, Ikeja, said the suspects had allegedly attacked three persons who appeared to be mentally deranged at Mushin.
He said the three suspected mad persons were earlier seen with items that appeared to be suspicious and that items found on the three persons included a mobile phone, an ATM card and blood stain on the body of one of the suspects.
“On noticing these items, some people attacked the three persons on the ground that they were ritualists. In the process one of the victim was killed. Policemen from Mushin division swiftly moved to the scene and rescued two of the victims. Five persons who participated in the attack have since been arrested. They would be charged to court for murder,” he added.
A visibly angry Owoseni said the command would not tolerate jungle justice in any part of the country, noting that the actions of the suspects were barbaric and would not be swept under the carpet.
He added that the situation where by some group of persons would decide to take laws into their own hands would also not be allowed.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/another-ritualists-den-discovered-in.html

Dr. Stephen Mbah yesterday emerged as the Anambra State governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) during its primary which was held in Awka, the state capital.

The chairman of the party’s screening committee, Humphrey Anaso said Mbah, a pharmacist, was the sole aspirant for the party primary as his opponent, Professor Jide Jesus did not purchase his nomination form.

During the primary, accreditation started by 1:00 pm and was closely monitored by a representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Out of 253 delegates drawn from the 21 council areas in the state, 252 voted for Mbah and he was declared winner.

The Abia State chairman of the PRP, Chief Godwin Kanu represented the national executive. He said that the party has come to stay in Anambra and is poised to take over the Government House, Awka. The party adopted option A4 in the exercise and was described by party members as the fairest primary election in Anambra for the November poll.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Mbah thanked the delegates and appealed for their support for the victory of the party.

He said his administration would focus on complete security, free education at all levels, food security, free anti natal for mothers, among other democracy dividends.
Source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/drstephen-obiorah-mbah-emerges-prp.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the family of former managing director of Champion newspapers and one of Africa’s foremost public relations practitioners, Bob Ewulonu Beremako Ogbuagu.

Buhari, in a statement yesterday, also commiserated with all the professional colleagues of Ogbuagu, who spent most of his life in the service of God and nurturing the growth of journalism and public relations in Africa.

The statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President affirmed that Ogbuagu consistently followed the path least travelled by many in his profession to establish public relations in Nigeria and Africa, agreeing to serve as the president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Federation of Africa’s Public Relations Associations.
The President also saluted the uncommon courage, foresight and integrity that Ogbuagu brought into the practice of journalism and public relations, attributing his success to the lessons drawn from the nationalist movements and inspirations from the late President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.He prayed God to grant the family and close associates the fortitude to bear the loss, the statement said.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/buhari-condoles-with-family-of-ogbuagu.html

The Director of Military Intelligence (Army), Maj.Gen Abubakar Tarfa, has said the reason why army formations are having difficulty training was the demand for increasing security presence, which has negatively affected its formations in their desire to achieve qualitative training for personnel.

He equally said the development had in similar circumstance touched the various formations in organizing capacity building programmes as outlined in their training directives.
Tarfa, who spoke as a special guest of honour at the Guards Brigade Third Quarter Inter-unit Cross country Competition 2017,held at Mambila Barracks, Abuja, expressed the hope that with careful planning, innovation and commitment, quality training of personnel and formations could still be achieved.

He however, tasked commanders at all levels and soldiers to train hard and realistically too, to meet up with contemporary security challenges, adding that training was an important aspect of every Army and it is the bedrock of every successful military campaign.
In an interactive session with newsmen at the occasion, the Commander Guards Brigade, Major General Musa Yusuf, whose unit is responsible for security in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as well as neighboring areas of Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger states, said the essence of soldiers stationed in most parts of the FCT, was to ensure maximum security to residence.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/army-formations-have-difficulty.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prove his seriousness about clamping down on hate speeches by arresting those behind the ‘quit notice’ order to Igbo in the North by the Arewa Youths.

IPOB, which reiterated its call on southerners in the core north to obey the order and return before October 1, said yesterday that rescinding of the order was inconsequential to it as it was sure that history would repeat itself.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group said, “it’s inconsequential to IPOB whether the ‘quit notice’ is rescinded or not because it will in no way impact the pace and direction of our effort to restore Biafra. We urge all southerners in the core North to return home before October 1, as history will most definitely repeat itself.

“Southerners were massacred in the pogroms of 1966 and 1967 after similar assurances were issued then that people should remain in the North. The presence of a serving governor and senator, during the supposed press briefing confirms what we have always known that the incitement to genocide which is what the ‘quit notice’ is all about, has the blessing of the Arewa political class.

“It betrays the mindset of those clamouring for One Nigeria as irredeemable blood thirsty psychopaths hiding behind ethnic bigotry to unleash what will amount to the 15 mass murder of non indigenes resident in core Arewa North. If President Buhari is at all serious about clamping down on hate speech, he should arrest those behind the ‘quit notice’ along with their sponsors.”

IPOB further said that, “Trying to drag the name of our revered leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu into their blood fest will be resisted. If the idea is to cower our leader with calls for his arrest, then those behind the genocidal edict of Igbos must leave the North are even more dumb than we thought. Nigeria is crumbling today before our eyes due to the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, those wishing for him to be arrested again is basically signing the death warrant of Nigeria.

“Our quest to restore Biafra is unstoppable and the sooner the Islamic Arewa North knows this, the better for everyone. If Nigeria has any case against Nnamdi Kanu they should present it before the law courts and not recruiting barely literate street urchins to issue a threat of mass extermination of Igbos living in the North.

“We are not afraid of the fabled Fulani hegemonic juggernaut that has literally steamrolled every other ethnicity in Nigeria into submission because we are Biafrans. Threats don’t have any effect on us, so our advice to Arewa North is to please stick to the October 1 deadline or else they have no honour.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/arrest-those-behind-quit-notice-to.html

A 26-year-old applicant, Maxwell Uchenna, was on Thursday arraigned in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly inflicting injuries on a tricycle operator over N20 ‘change.’

Uchenna, of Sheriti village, Kabusa area of the FCT, is standing trial on a count charge of causing hurt.

The prosecutor, Mr Donatus Abah, told the court that the matter was reported at the Apo Police Station by one Kabiru Sani on Aug. 10.

Abah said that the defendant boarded a tricycle operated by Nura Dalha, a brother to the complainant.


He said that when the defendant alighted from the tricycle, he forgot to collect his balance of N20 from the operator.

The defendant, the prosecutor said, pursued the tricycle and jumped into the tricycle.

He said that the defendant dragged the tricycle steering and it summersault on the middle of the road and the driver sustained injuries on his left hand and waist.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 246 of the Penal Code.

Uchenna denied committing the offence, while the Senior Magistrate, Ibrahim Jobbo, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 2 for hearing.
MORE DETAILS AT http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/applicant-in-court-for-inflicting.html

Only President Muhammadu Buhari will determine the fate of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, suspended over sundry allegations leveled against them.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who gave the indication yesterday after he submitted the report of the panel, which investigated the duo, was however silent on the recommendations in the two volume documents he made available to the President in the villa.
This happened as the weekly meeting of the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was put off yesterday.

A terse statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and made available to newsmen did not give reasons for the development.
Lawal was grilled by the Osinbajo-led three man Presidential panel over the N220 million meant for welfare of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in North-East, while Oke was suspended over the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which NIA has made a claim.
Specifically, the three-man committee which was tasked to complete the assignment and submit the report included the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Babagana Monguno and Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami.
Briefing State House Correspondents after submitting the report, Osinbajo disclosed that the ‎president is expected to study the recommendations of the “very detailed report” and decide the fate of the duo.
“The President has to study the report and make decisions. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.’’
The Vice President revealed that the committee based its recommendations on facts made available to it from interviews of witnesses of what transpired in the cases.
He sued for patience on when President Buhari will make a pronouncement on the matter, saying, “if you want to know what is in the report you have to wait. You really have to wait.”
The Senate had first made accusations of corruption against Lawal in December last year, after its committee on the humanitarian crisis in the north-east indicted him and then asked that he should be suspended and prosecuted.
But in January, the president rejected the Senate’s indictment, saying he was not given fair hearing; before suspending him, alongside Oke, four months later.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/only-buhari-will-decide-fate-of-lawal.html

Scores of Nigerian vessels are currently lying idle and rotting away on the high sea due to a shortage of cargoes or lack of maintenance.

On a tour of the Lagos waters, The Guardian saw many of the ships permanently anchored, and scattered on the high sea around the Apapa pilotage. Experts classified them as abandoned vessels; wrecked ships; sneaking ships, and waiting vessels.
The abandoned vessels threaten the safety of incoming ships. The wrecks are also a huge loss to the maritime industry, which is currently struggling to gain strength on flag carriers.

It was learnt that operators of the affected ships are facing financial challenges as they could not gain access to the over $100million Cabotage Fund, which is being managed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Besides, a particular section of the Cabotage Law, which is meant to protect the indigenous ship owners, is allegedly being used to favour foreign vessels as government grants waivers at the expense of local operators.
Section 4 sub-section 15 of the Cabotage law states: “Upon application for a licence by a person resident in Nigeria, acting on behalf of a foreign owned vessel, the minister may issue a restricted licence for the foreign owned vessel to be registered for participation in the coastal trade, where the minister is satisfied that:
“The foreign owned vessel is eligible to be registered in Nigeria; the owning company of the foreign vessel has a representative office in Nigeria; all applicable duties, levies and tariffs imposed by the relevant authorities applicable to foreign vessels with respect to its participation in the coastal trade have been paid.
“The foreign vessel possess all certificates and documents in compliance with international and regional maritime conventions whether or not Nigeria is a party to the conventions and that such certificates and documents are current and valid; and the foreign vessel meets all safety and pollution requirements imposed by Nigerian law and any international conventions in force.”
Some of the ships were, however, linked to the failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to prioritise local vessels in its crude oil lifting contracts.
An industry expert and a master mariner, Ayodele Johnson, told The Guardian that most of those vessels lying idle on the high sea belong to Nigerian ship owners.
“Some of them are not up to the required standards; others are just being parked there because they are no more working. What led to this situation is that most of them are not being given opportunity to carry local consignments.
“There is a clause in the cabotage law that allows foreign vessels to come in and pay for waivers and they are allowed to operate. So, what they do is to take a few Nigerians aboard the vessels, take them to Port Harcourt and back to Lagos and pay to NIMASA and they are allowed to do local feeding without using our own vessels,” he said.
According to Johnson, “Some of those vessels are also not in good condition. They just parked them there. NIMASA knows they are supposed to protect Nigerian shippers, but what they are after is money, because they pay in foreign currency and that is what is killing our industry,” he said.
But the President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Greg Ogbeifun said none of the abandoned vessels is owned by any member of the group.
Another ship owner, who prefers anonymity, said the abandoned vessels were rickety and could sink at any moment because they have exceeded their lifespan and the owners have decided to abandon them. They have become damaged beyond maintenance and repairs.
Ogbeifun alleged that some of the vessels sneaked into Nigerian waters to perpetrate illegal business activities, and such ships are anchored amidst wrecked ones for cover-up pending when time is ripe for their illegal deals.
“For the abandoned ships, most of the owners may be looking for buyers because Nigeria does not have capacity for scrapping. Scrapping is the official way of disposing ships, by disintegrating the components and reselling them to various prospective users who find them useful for their own operations. That is what some advanced countries such as India are benefiting.
“When you have a ship and is going aground, you will submit the name to ship breakers. They will disintegrate it and resell the components to those who will find them useful. At the end of the day, such owners will still be able to save a substantial amount of money from scrapping,” he said. According to him, Nigeria does not have ship breakers because of the tough procedures.
Some of the ships are said to belong to the Pioneer Chairman of the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, (ISAN), now Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo who confirmed having about three of the ships. But he said the vessels were neither wrecked nor abandoned, only awaiting servicing and reclassification.
The maritime icon said Nigerians should change their ways of doing things in order to encourage private investors in the country. He linked the vessels’ ordeal to a failed contract by NNPC on crude oil lifting, alleging that the Federal Government discourages private investors though “unfriendly business policies”.
The President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero said: “The problem we are having in the country is that most of the agencies that are supposed to be responsible for engineering those ships are jumping up and down from one seminar to the other. The core function of NIMASA is to make sure that those ships are working. There are provisions in the laws that are very clear. There are three instruments; the Cabotage Act; Local Content Act; and the NIMASA Act. NIMASA is actually supposed to have quick expansion programme.
“In the Cabotage Act, we have indigenous operations and in the Local Content, there is need for NIMASA and Cabotage Act to work together. In all these things, you will still see Nigerian operators suffering because the core function of NIMASA is not being implemented. It’s very clear,” he said.

The Cabotage Fund, derived from two per cent deductions from every contract awarded, was meant to help boost the capacity of indigenous ship owners and provide the needed capital for them to acquire vessels.
The spokesman for NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi, said the agency was not pleased with the situation, hence it directed the owners of the wrecked ships to remove them or face strict sanctions.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/nigerian-vessels-rot-away-on-high-sea.html

As part of efforts to promote savings culture in Nigeria, Access Bank has rewarded 120 customers of the bank in the first monthly draw of the Family Fortune Promo.

Speaking at the draw in Lagos, Group Head, Inclusive Banking of Access Bank, Ope Wemi-Jones, explained that the promo is aimed at promoting financial inclusion.
“It is deliberate for us to have children as part of the audience because that is the whole essence of the promo; to drive financial inclusion and for families and individual members of the family to imbibe savings culture.
“We are pushing savings culture among Nigerians, and most importantly, we are speaking to the family unit. Families do everything together but not savings. So we think that adding this exciting Family Fortune Promo to the family savings scheme would give people a reason to save, in addition to the fact that their monies remain save and secure with Access Bank.”

Five customers of the bank had won complete set of sofa with center table while another five won 49 inches LED televisions. Also 10 customers had received home theatre systems and 20 others had gone home with Samsung mobile phones. The bank likewise gave out DSTV decoders to 50 of its customers while 30 others won shopping vouchers of N50,000 each.
For the last weekly draw, winners emerged from 21 states. We’ve been doing the draw in other states: we’ve done in Abuja, Port Harcourt. We are doing the first monthly one in Lagos.
Wemi-Jones stating the bank’s plans to take the draws to Kaduna, Kano Onitsha and some other parts of the country before the promo ends, said customers still “have the chances to win some of the fabulous prizes like what we gave out today.”
On his part, the Head, Corporate Operations of the bank, Banjo Adegbohungbe said “We want to inculcate savings culture even among the kids while they are young to set aside some money for the raining day for the future. Savings is a culture that should be cultivated by everyone in the family unit. And when children learn something right from when they are young, they will continue with the habit when they grow holder.
“So, we want to encourage people to build a savings culture. That’s one of the things we are doing through this promo. And the second thing we are doing is to reward people who build that savings culture with Access Bank
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/access-bank-raises-stake-in-customers.html

Governor Udom Emmanuel has restated his administration’s commitment to diversification and food sufficiency for the people of Akwa-Ibom State.He spoke when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Cattle Ranch at Adadia in Uruan Local Government Area to evaluate the level of Development.

According to a statement, the Governor said the cattle ranch is one of the many agricultural sector based interventions his administration has embarked upon to boost commerce and ensure not only food sufficiency for the state, but availability of raw materials for the industries that are springing up in the state.

The ranch is an IPP arrangement between Akwa Ibom State Government and San-Jo Agric Group, Mexico . The governor disclosed that, so far, over 89 youths have been employed in the Ranch to help in the cultivation of grass which the cattle at the ranch will graze .
“The special grasses have been planted on well over 100 hectares of land, with four hundred hectares more to be cultivated”, he added.Governor Emmanuel revealed that the upon completion, the Ranch will have an abattoir for meat processing , milk factory that will produce fresh milk and cheese and leather works factory to transform the skin of the cows into by-products like shoes ,boxes ,bags among others.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/akwa-ibom-to-improve-food-production.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it has no preferred candidate in any of the 12 aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party in the forthcoming Anambra governorship poll.

National Organising Secretary of the party, Chief Osita Izunaso, stated this yesterday while inaugurating the party’s governorship primary election committee led by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
Izunaso also faulted insinuations that the party had zoned the governorship ticket to a senatorial district in the state, adding that such information should be disregarded.

Shettima, who thanked the party for reposing confidence on his four-member committee, assured that his panel would strictly abide by the guidelines stipulated by the party.
He noted: “The road-map is very clear, there is a modus operandi for accreditation and of course, it is not rocket science since the list of the accredited delegates had been given to us and we shall abide by all the norms and values laid down.”
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/no-preferred-candidate-in-anambra-poll.html

It’s no news that “Mo MI Crooner” Adepegba ololade known as Lollymade an indigene of Ogun state (Abeokuta) is one of Nigeria’s indigenous rap Lord whose Latest single “Mo Mi” is hitting the air wave around the country.


The Afro hip hop star “Lollymade” in a recent interview with the freshprince of rockcityfm in Abeokuta made his intention clear about challenging one of Nigerians’ Rap king’ Olamide "Baddo".


In his words “I have always loved Olamide and had to prove to him my worth and make other rappers sit tight by challenging him down to a 60mins Rap battle”.He revealed how passionate he has always felt to be on stage with some of Nigerians finest rappers but would prefer a rap battle


with some especially “Olamide”
“MO MI” the single is currently receiving massive love from DJs and OAP’s in Nigeria but the big question is ,Can Lollymade stand the heat on stage with Olamide?
Source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/i-challenge-olamide-baddo-to-hour-rap.html?m=1

A bunch of Apple code that prematurely found its way into the hands of the public continues to yield great clues about what to expect from the forthcoming iPhone.

Since it was leaked earlier this month, developers and programmers have been combing through a new version of firmware for Apple's HomePod speaker, looking for secrets it might reveal about the company's new flagship device due out later this year.

The clues include a basic design image pointing to a bezel-less face as well as code that appears to reveal a new feature that would let you unlock the iPhone with your face, dubbed BKFaceDetect.

And the latter could allow for a pretty cool feature in which the iPhone will automatically silence audio notifications if you're looking at the device.The potential feature - and the underlying code - was shared on Twitter last week by developer Guilherme Rambo.

Apple has long been rumoured to follow Samsung by producing a device with facial recognition technology.

However the company famously refuses to comment on speculation or leaks, and guards its secrets with serious intent.

If Rambo is correct, it would certainly be a nifty feature and a cool way for Apple to use the new facial recognition software.

Apple still hasn't announced a launch date for the highly anticipated 10th anniversary device. But the tech giant usually showcases a new iPhone in September so it shouldn't be long until all is revealed.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/cool-new-feature-predicted-for-iphone-8.html

Information coming from the villages said that the incident started on Wednesday 9ht August as the woman finish cooking and then after her husband came back from okada work and was served food so as he was eating with his three children the man fail down and started vomiting blood some mins after one of his son started also not to long all of them started vomiting blood and was rushed to the hospital and have been dying one after the other since that day and on Friday the wife slumped as she can't face her self losing her family and also gave up this morning wish make the villages to assembled they Corpse so they can go for investigation...
What wicked world
Full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/breakingfamily-poisoned-to-death-in.html?m=1

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), yesterday, threatened to shut down the country if the Federal Government arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, again.
It said Kanu’s non-violent activities towards Biafra actualisation and restoration have never breached, truncated or confronted the fragile and inconsistent constitution of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Uchenna Madu, MASSOB also lambasted the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzu, “who declared the intent of Buhari-led Government of their plan to re-arrest the Biafra leader.”
It accused Dambazzu, of defending “youths of Arewa that threatened the people of Biafra with an ultimatum of quit notice to vacate Arewa land before Oct 1st, 2017 that the coalition of the Arewa Youths were misquoted by the media.”
MASSOB warned that any attempt or plan to re arrest Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be thoroughly and massively resisted. We can never tolerate it. It is an insult and embarrassment to our inalienable rights.
“Now that we know that our consistency and exposure of the hidden truths is dangerously frustrating, disorganising and killing the age-long Hausa/Fulani Islamic agenda against the people of Biafra, we shall never relent or surrender,” the statement added.
Kanu, who is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on 12 conditions, one of them forbidding him to be in a crowd exceeding10 people.
However, Kanu described the conditions as laughable and said he would flout them because President Muhamadu Buhari had not been held to account first for flouting all the court orders to free him, free El-Zakzaky and others who still being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Meanwhile, IPOB over the weekend staged a protest in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital over the arrest and detention of its members by the state Police command at the Akenfa Police station.
The group during the protest, which caused gridlock along the Mbiama/ Yenagoa road, said it had to stage the protest to demand for the release of its members.
Leader of the group, Denis Okeleke, said IPOB would not accept the arrest and detention of its members because of being in possession of IPOB emblems.
“The Police cannot arrest innocent citizen going about their legitimate business because of IPOB emblem. Anybody that has committed an offence should be charged to Court after 24 hours. The Police should charge them to Court or release them,” he said.
The spokesman said during the protest, the Police attempted to intimidate them and threatened to shoot, noting, however, that they would not relent until all their members arrested unlawfully were released.
The protesters later shifted base to the secretariat of the group along Imiringi road where they watched Biafra Television Broadcast.
A Police source who confirmed the arrest of IPOB members said the protest was unnecessary, as the leadership of the group had earlier been invited to bail its members.
He said Bayelsa State Police has made it clear that it would not allow IPOB disrupt the peace of the state with its activities.
Recently the Court in Bayelsa State discharged and acquitted 30 members of the group that were charged to the Court by the Police for unlawful gathering.
Two frontline Igbo group, MASSOB and the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), said it would celebrate its first anniversary on September 13.
Leader of the group in Ebonyi South zone, Chief Sunday Ezaka, who disclosed this in Abakaliki said the event would be celebrated in Awka, Anambra State with numerous activities.
He said Biafra’s actualisation was near and urged agitators not to be intimidated by those he called enemies of progress.
Ezaka lauded founder of the MASSOB/BIM, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike for floating new Biafra Radio station in Germany, which he noted has come on air. He described Uwazuruike as the authentic Biafra leader.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/nigeriall-boil-if-kanu-is-arrested.html

A motivational speaker dubbed "the world's ugliest woman" has revealed how she'd love to give the person who labelled her "a big hug".

According to the Daily Mail, Lizzie Velasquez, 28, from Austin, Texas, found a video on YouTube when she was 17 in which someone made the hurtful comment, but said she's come to see it as a "blessing".

"It was so hard, looking back on that time I probably blocked a lot of it out because I was so hurt and devastated but if I found out who that person was I'd probably give them a big hug for giving me one of the biggest unknown blessings I could have ever asked for," she told today's Good Morning Britain."We're all put on this Earth for a reason. I've realised we're all put on this earth for a reason. Luckily I was able to take the path of positivity and turn my awful situation into something that was a lot nicer."The activist has rare Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that gives her an aged appearance. It affects her face, muscle tone, brain, heart, eyes, and bones, and also prevents her from gaining body fat - meaning she weighs just 29kg.
Her TED Talk, How Do You Define Yourself, has had more than 54 million views, and she's made a documentary about her life and success as a motivational speaker.But she admitted that as a teenager, she was initially she was deeply hurt by the video.
"When I found that video I was 17 and a high school student trying to figure out what I was going to do when I graduated.
"It was completely devastating and crushing," she explained.
"I think if anyone were to put themselves in my shoes, whether you have a condition or not, if you are told that you're disgusting and ugly and you should end your life, you would immediately know what I was feeling at that time.
"Luckily I was able to take the path of positivity and turn my awful situation into something that was a lot nicer.
"Now being able to look back and realise no matter what horrible thing has happened, I'm not going to let that define me. I'm going to find a way to turn it round.
"One of the biggest lessons I've learned is realising that people hurt other people because they're hurting themselves. Hurt people hurt people.
"They might not have the tools to express themselves in a positive way. Unfortunately, they're hurting other people whether it's online or in person and getting that instant gratification of feeling of, 'I got to them'."
Hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Ben Shepard were noticeably impressed by Lizzie's incredible positivity, calling her an "inspiration".
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/meet-worlds-ugliest-woman.html

China has sent an “unbreakable” code from a satellite to the Earth, marking the first time space-to-ground quantum key distribution technology has been realized, state media has reported.

China launched the world’s first quantum satellite last August, to help establish “hack proof” communications, a development the Pentagon has called a “notable advance”.
The official Xinhua news agency said the latest experiment was published in the journal Nature on Thursday, where reviewers called it a “milestone”.
The satellite sent quantum keys to ground stations in China between 645 km (400 miles) and 1,200 km (745 miles) away at a transmission rate up to 20 orders of magnitude more efficient than an optical fiber, Xinhua cited Pan Jianwei, lead scientist on the experiment from the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, as saying.
“That, for instance, can meet the demand of making an absolute safe phone call or transmitting a large amount of bank data,” Pan said.
Any attempt to eavesdrop on the quantum channel would introduce detectable disturbances to the system, Pan said.
“Once intercepted or measured, the quantum state of the key will change, and the information being intercepted will self-destruct,” Xinhua said.
The news agency said there were “enormous prospects” for applying this new generation of communications in defense and finance.
China still lags behind the United States and Russia in space technology, although President Xi Jinping has prioritized advancing its space program, citing national security and defense.
China insists its space program is for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. Defense Department has highlighted its increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed at preventing adversaries from using space-based assets in a crisis.
source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/china-sets-world-record-in-unbreakable.html

NTA-Startimes has donated 20 sets of direct to home satellite TV decoders, two sets of satellite projector TV receiver complete with solar power supply and a set of 32 inches digital TV to Hulumi Village.

Mr Yakubu Mohammed, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the NTA-Startimes network disclosed this at the inauguration of the community “Satellite TV Viewing Project’’ on Thursday at Hulumi Village, Idu, FCT Abuja.
Mohammed, also the Director-General of NTA, said that the gesture was to compliment the Federal Government’s effort in providing access to satellite digital TV to some small communities across the country.
“This village like other villages in Nigeria has limited access to digital TV.
“In the first phase of this project, five villages will benefit from the exercise, two from FCT, another two from Nasarawa and one village from Kwara State.
“And we are committed to providing these facilities to more villages in the near future.
“We shall also provide and maintain the facilities free of charge in the next one year, ” he said.
According to him, NTA-Startimes is presently in 34 states including FCT and presently operating from 80 sites.
“We have been operating in Nigeria for the past seven years.
“NTA-Startimes has a vision and a mission to enable every African family afford digital TV and enjoy its benefits.’’

In her remarks, the Vice Chairman, Startimes, Nigeria, Mrs Guo Ziqi said that the network had been in Africa since 2002 and also operated in over 30 countries.
Ziqi noted that the community would not only enjoy local programmes, but also programmes from China and other parts of the World.
She further said that the project would boost Nigerian televisions as well as create employment opportunities.
In appreciation, the Sarki Giwa, Dr Idris Mohammed on behalf of the district Heads of Hulumi Village expressed gratitude to the delegates of NTA-Startimes for their donation and pledged to support programmes that would improve the living standard of his people.
He also suggested that such gesture should be extended to other villages.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NTA-Startimes also donated stationery to Hulumi Primary School to enhance learning.
source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/hulumi-village-fct-receives-20-sets-of.html

About 12 power projects in the country, with cumulative construction value of N4.637 trillion and installed capacity of over 6,000 megawatts (MW) have either been abandoned by the operators or remained idle since completion. This is amid the country’s struggle to generate less than 4,000MW daily for consumers.

Besides, about 15 power units in various plants across the country were unable to generate electricity on August 9 due to gas and frequency management constraints which resulted in unutilised capacity of over 2,261.8 MW.
Plant operators attribute poor generation to gas shortages and their huge debt burden to producers. The plants are starved of gas because many generating companies (GenCos) are indebted to the producers to the tune of N155 billion ($500 million) between January 2015 and December 2016. As a result, gas producers prefer to channel their product for export to get good value.

Also, transmission challenges make it difficult for the little output from the Gencos to be evacuated because the national grid is not strong enough to wheel all the power generated.
Specifically, six out of the 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), valued at $7.5billion (N2.287trillion) are hampered by lack of gas, while the rest valued at N2.348billion were put on hold due to funding challenges.
According to data from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the power units that were not able to produce electricity on August 9 included Geregu Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) Gas Turbin (GT)22; Omotosho Gas GT2, GT3 and GT4; and Alaoji NIPP GT1 & 4.
Others are Olorunsogo Gas GT5; Egbin ST2; Gbarain GT2; Afam VI GT13 & ST18; Geregu NIPP GT22; Ihovbor GT1 & 2; Olorunsogo NIPP GT1 & 3; Omotosho Gas GT4 & 5; Geregu Gas GT1; Olorunsogo Gas GT2, 4 & 7 and Omotosho NIPP GT2.
The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Statistics (NESI) analysis revealed that the nation’s inability to utilise 6,000MW represents a daily loss of N2.568 billion to the economy. The sum could have been used to upgrade infrastructure in the electricity sector, noted for being the biggest debtor to the nation’s banks.
The country lost N1.199 billion for not utilising about 2,498 MW of electricity on July 30th due to transmission and frequency management constraints.With regard to the idle plants, the 270MW capacity AES Barge IPP completed since 2001 is not operational, just as the 726MW Afam IV-V Power Station completed in 1982 and 2002.

Calabar 561MW and the Egbema 338MW plants have been idle for almost five years after completion, as is the case with 225MW-capacity Omoku II. The contract for the 215MW Kaduna power project awarded in 2009 was to be completed within 36 months, but it is experiencing some delay.

The alternative power projects are not spared as the completion of the 10MW Katsina Wind Plant has been stalled. The N4.4 billion project was awarded to a French company in 2010 and scheduled for completion in 2012, but it is still awaiting completion. Similarly, the 1,000MW Enugu coal plant, the MoU of which was signed in September 2014 between the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and HTG-Pacific Energy at the cost of $3.7billion is yet to take off.

Also, the $4billion Delta State 2,500MW IPP which started since 2015 and was scheduled for completion within 13 months is yet to record significant progress. The 136MW Trans-Amadi plant is not yet feeding the grid. The Phase 1 consists of a 3x12MW Solar Mars Gas Turbines commissioned in 2002, and Phase 2 consists of 4x25MW Nuovo Pignone frame 5 Gas Turbines commissioned in 2009. Two of the Phase 2 turbines were procured in 2004, and the remaining two were purchased in 2005.

Due to the weaknesses of the transmission network, a number of projects were initiated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to fortify the grid, but are yet to be completed.These projects include the construction of new Abeokuta-Igboora double transmission line and 132kv double-circuit Tee-off at Igboora-Igangan; construction of 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation at Odogunyan and construction of 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation at Auobo. There are also the Ikeja West Ayobo 132kV D/C transmission lines and 2x132kv line bays extension at Ikeja west; and construction of Benin North-Osogbo 330KV DC line with turning in and out to new Akure substation.


Others are construction of Kaduna-Jos 330KV DC line in Plateau and Kaduna states; installation of 1x60MVA & 132/33kv power transformers, auxiliary equipment and devices at GCM transmission substation in Onitsha; and construction of 330KV and the D/C Kaduna Power Plant-Mando Substation Transmission Line.
On the transmission weaknesses, the Interim Managing Director of TCN, Usman Gur Mohammed, said the company planned to reconstruct the existing single circuit Kaduna to Kano line. This would be upgraded to a 330KV double circuit line using quad conductor design which would effectively quadruple the power wheeling capacity of the existing line from 600MW to 2400MW, first of its kind in Nigeria.TCN also plans to build a bigger transmission system based on the expanding need of power to Kano and environs.

He said the performance of the new transmission lines already constructed or under construction would depend on the completion of the Kaduna-Kano 330KV; Kano-Katsina 330KV, Katsina-Daura 132KV, Kano-Hadeja 132 KV, and the Kano-Duste-Azare 132KV Transmission Lines.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had admitted that “some generating units are out of service due to lack of relatively minor repairs. Some power plants have been unable to undertake these minor repairs and/or required maintenance due to lack of funding.
“Minor repairs and maintenance, combined can unlock up to 1,700MW of existing installed generation capacity for dispatch. These are relatively easy fixes that can increase capacity at minimal costs.”

On the idleness of the plants, the spokesman for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Yakubu Lawal, said some of the projects, which are not yet generating electricity, are still under construction, while the completed plants that are not generating electricity are complaining of gas supply and transmission challenges.

“If a power plant has four units available and there is gas, it is only the TCN that can guarantee what the plant can generate. If the TCN can only take power from two units, the plant can only generate from two units because if TCN takes from all the four units, the system will collapse,” he said.

But disregarding the supply complaints, the Group Spokesman for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ndu Ughamadu, said the daily average natural gas supply to the plants had risen by 64 per cent.


He put the average gas supply at 729 million standard cubic feet/daily (mmscfd) in May 2017, 63.74 per cent higher than the 446mmscfd supplied a year ago. If this is the case, it means there is something much more than gas supply that is keeping the thermal stations from generating electricity.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kano State government for the establishment of 100 megawatts solar power plant that will cost $150 million. This is a refreshing shift from the gas-dependent thermal plants that are lying moribund.
The Group Executive Director of Dangote Groups, Mansur Ahmed, signed the MOU yesterday at the office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji.
He said: “We will strongly help in reinvigorating the state economy, as was obtained in so many years back. This proposed plant will source its material from the environment,” Ahmed said. He revealed that the project would be financed by Dangote Groups and Black Rhino company, disclosing that a sizeable land had already been acquired for the Plant.
source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/n4637-trillion-power-plants-with-6000mw.html

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has revealed how over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply was allegedly squandered under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the report, the total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over Eleven Trillion Naira (N11 Trillion Naira).

This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector.

It is estimated that may reach over Twenty Trillion Naira (N20 Trillion Naira) in the next decade given the rate of Government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling fortune and recurrent revenue shortfalls.

The 65 page report is titled: From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are Paying the Price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector.

The report shows that, “The much-publicised power sector reforms in Nigeria under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 is yet to yield desired and/or anticipated fruits largely due to corruption and impunity of perpetrators, regulatory lapses and policy inconsistencies. Ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector--staying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills.”

Mr Femi Falana SAN who chaired the report launch said that, “This report is a must read, and I promise to lead in the follow-up litigation efforts to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the report.”

The report launch was also attended by Babatunde Irukera, the Director General/Chief Executive of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC); and Mr Ibrahim Magu, Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who was represented by Mr Osita Nwajah, Director Public Affairs EFCC.

Both promised to work to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.

The report accused Dr. Ransom Owan-led board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of allegedly settling officials with millions of Naira as severance packages and for embarrassing them with alleged Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000.00) Fraud.

The authorities must undertake a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation as to the reasons why corruption charges were withdrawn, and to recover any corrupt funds, SERAP says

The report also called for the reopening and effective prosecution of corruption allegations, including the alleged looting of the benefits of families of the deceased employees of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) levelled against a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali”

It reads: “The Obasanjo’s administration spent $10 billion on NIPP with no results in terms of increase in power generation. $13.278,937,409.94 was expended on the power sector in eight years while unfunded commitments amounted to $12 billion.

“The Federal Government then budgeted a whopping N16 billion for the various reforms under Liyel Imoke (2003 to 2007) which went down the drains as it failed to generate the needed amount of electricity or meet the set goals. Imoke was alleged to have personally collected the sum of $7.8 million for the execution of the contract for the construction of the Jos-Yola Transmission Line, which was never executed. There were documented/reported allegations of corruption against Imoke that fizzled-out shortly thereafter.

“Professor Chinedu Nebo handed over the assets of the PHCN to private investors on November 1, 2013. Prof. Nebo is alleged to have corruptly funded the privatized power sector with over N200 Billion despite privatization. The allegation of N200 Billion funding of the privatized power sector during Prof Nebo’s tenure should be thoroughly and transparently investigated and anyone suspected to be responsible prosecuted. Any corrupt funds should be fully recovered.

“Our research revealed that the sum of N1.5 billion with which the vehicles were acquired was allegedly sourced from the diverted N27 billion insurance premium of deceased workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“The National Assembly and members should desist from and avoid manipulating the award of electricity contracts or cite projects in their constituencies under the guise of “Constituency Project”. The National Assembly should publish and ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of all power-related investigations to date.”

The report also said “The Federal Government should back-down from Rural Electrification initiatives and allow States to undertake rural electrification through their respective Local Governments and Development Areas. Federal Government should consider fully divesting its stakes in the power sector and allow for efficient, decentralized sector governance by Federal and State governments, as appropriate, in line with the provisions of the Second Schedule, paragraph 13 and 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“The 36 state governments should wake up to their rights, duties and obligations under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria relating to the power sector by working to promote and ensure access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply for all residents within their states. The 36 state governments have been abdicating the duties to the power sector, bearing in mind that Power is an item on the Concurrent Legislative List under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).

“When the late Bola Ige took up the mantle of the Power and Steel Ministry in 1999, he probably didn't understand the magnitude of problems in the power sector and consequently, promised that within six months of his appointment, “power failure will be a thing of the past” and that on a regular basis, he will brief the nation on the state of power, steel and aluminum. Current minister Babatunde Fashola SAN also claimed that ‘a serious Government will fix the power problem in six months

“The power sector under Ige was characterized by epileptic and unreliable supply, bogus billing and archaic rate collection. The late Minister failed and was unable to put an end to these. His failure was attributed to acts of sabotage and corruption by people who were benefitting from the use of generators. The late Bola Ige was not accused of corruption.”

“When Rilwan Lanre Babalola (2008 to 2010) took over the affairs in the Ministry of Power, he met 3,700MW on ground and promised to increase it to 6,000MW and ensure a 24-hour power supply by the end of 2009. Six months after assuring Nigerians of making a significant impact in the sector, in September 2009, the 3,700MW capacity he met on ground dropped to 2,710MW which shortfall was attributed to inadequate supply of gas to the new generators.

“The duo, Elumelu and Ugbane allegedly colluded in misappropriating over N10 billion public funds from the account of Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The research also established, based on evaluation and analyzing documents, a prima-facie case of misappropriation of unspent funds at the end of the year instead of returning same to the treasury. Alleged misappropriation of N500million to buy houses; diversion of REA’s funds; flouting of government’s rules on award of contracts and award of fictitious and unnecessary contracts without following due process.

“The government of Nigeria handed over the transmission company to a Canadian company Manitoba, to manage and under a management service contract of over $200 million. Findings also show that the Transmission Company of Nigeria could not execute most of its approved 44 projects after having 50 percent of its N30 billion 2016 budget released to it. Funds were released from Eurobond. $23.6 million allegedly paid to Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) of Canada to manage the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would appear to be without due process.

“The privatization of PHCN would appear to have yielded the country total darkness. Gains of privatization were lost through alleged corruption, manipulation of rules and disregard to extant laws and lack of transparency in the exercise. The PBE encouraged the deferment of payment and restructuring of payment terms in contravention of bidding rules to the disadvantage of other bidders.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/how-over-n11tr-for-electricity-was.html

The Ebonyi State police command yesterday said it arrested 11 suspects including an alleged kidnap master strategist operating within Ebonyi and Abia states, Ogonna Alioka.

Alioka, popularly known as Pilot, was allegedly among the gang of kidnappers involved in the abduction and killing of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs. Catherine Okorie Chukwu.
The late Okorie, an indigene of Ishiagu community in Ivo local council of Ebonyi State, was on January 18, 2017 abducted at her residence.

Unfortunately, she was later killed and buried by her assailants in a shallow grave located in a in a forest bordering Lokpanta in Umunneochi and Awgu local councils of Abia and Enugu states, for recognizing one of the kidnappers.
The suspect Alioka, in a chat with reporters, confessed to the crimes. He said the woman was killed while fleeing from them in the bush, pointing out that he engaged the kingpin in a fight when the incident occurred.
He said after killing the woman, he ran away to avoid being arrested, pointing out that the woman’s abduction was masterminded by a politician in Ishiagu.
Other suspects, which included one Chukwudi Nwezaku, Otu Okpara, Eze Chima, Chiadikaobi Ani, Uchechukwu Aniewo and Ozomena Obasi were arrested in connection with armed robbery attacks, electricity cable vandalism, buying of stolen cars and unlawful possession of firearms.
Mr Madu explained that Police also arrested one Gideon Omaka who was just released from prison custody in March this year for allegedly robbing and killing one Eze Idam Ogbonnaya during a robbery incident in Amasiri, Afikpo North local government area.
The group is believed to be responsible for various armed robbery and other criminal activities recorded recently in the area.
Omaka’s arrest came after angry youths in the community attacked and buried alive his brother Chukwudi Omaka who was also part of the robbery gang who robbed Ogbonnaya.
An eyewitness and resident of the community, Emmanuel Udu told our reporter that Omaka was also among robbers who robbed one cool room known as Etuelughu which belongs to Oko Udu Monday and another businessman identified simply as David who sells provision.
“This handsome boy was beaten thoroughly; despite that, he refused to call the names of his members. He was later buried alive by Amasiri youths”, Emmanuel told our Correspondent.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/police-nab-notorious-kidnapper-for.html