₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has insisted that the challenges facing the power sector is not technical but manmade.

Nigeria’s energy crises have persisted despite series of assurances by the Federal Government that the power challenges will be given maximum attention and treated with despatch.
But two years down the line, not much had changed, and in some instances, the situation had gone from bad to worse, with energy costs accounting for the highest spend for homes and businesses as Nigerians rely on alternative sources to get by.
Besides, Fashola has faced a series of backlashes for failing to fix power following his past boasting that this could be achieved within months.
But speaking at a dinner organised by the Petroleum Club in Lagos last week, he clarified, “some people have said because I am not an engineer is the reason for continued power instability. But many people have served before me that are engineers and the challenges in power are still there, though I acknowledge their efforts.

“Most of the problems in the sector are not engineering but manmade. For instance, we have a situation where close to 900 containers that have switches, feeders, control units meant for the power plants are trapped in our own ports for almost a decade. During this administration, we have now received 387 containers in one year that could not be retrieved in a decade, and we have started moving them to different power stations in the country.”
He added that power has also improved under the Buhari’s administration. According to him, “two years ago, that is May 29th when this administration came to power, Nigeria was generating 2,690 megawatts (mw), but by May 29th this year, power generation is now 4,014mw. What we did is that from the onset, we set a road map that will take us to more incremental energy.”
Speaking further, he said: “the years we were getting 2690mw and perhaps less, this economy was growing. But at a time when we are generating 4,014mw, we are in recession. It shows we were growing but not developing. India, for instance relies on self generating power in their industrial sector, and they are manufacturing and exporting. India is advertising Made in India because they have developed the capacity to manufacture. So we have to look in the mirror.”
In addition, he said: “today, the power is largely controlled by the private sector, that is the Distribution Companies (Discos) and the generating companies (Gencos). After all, we said we don’t want government again but the private sector. We said the private sectors have the skills and technical know-how to run it, so if we are not generating or distributing power, whose fault? Government is only the manager of the transmitting company.”
He continued, “The problem is also a value chain; you don’t solve one and leave the other. If Nigerians understand the situation on ground, they will be more considerate in their assessment and work with us to get there.”
Fashola identified some other issues affecting the sector to include liquidity, debts, supply of gas etc, adding that most of the rich do not pay for the power they consume.

On supply of gas, he said his ministry is working with Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and related parastatals to improve on supply of gas, and urged members of The Petroleum Club to assist in the supply of gas.
He also said that government is also providing independent power to 37 universities and seven teaching hospitals, while the Rural Electrification Agency would assist in the provision of power in the rural areas.
In his opening remark, Chairman, The Petroleum Club, Lagos Godswill Ihetu, noted that issues and challenges relating to the power sector is among the commanding heights of the economy.

full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/poor-management-bane-of-power-sector.html

Ahead of the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, allegations of bribery to the tune of N850 million is already rocking the forthcoming exercise.

There are allegations that one of the governorship aspirants has already taken control of the forthcoming exercise by inducing the trio of National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, Sen. Chris Ngige and the State Chairman, Emeka Ibe to the tune of N850 million.

The aspirant was also accused of doctoring the list of delegates for the primaries in order to ensure a smooth victory for him as the candidate of the party.

When contacted, the state chairman of APC, Mr. Ibe made public the list of statutory delegates, saying that the party’s constitution is clear about who qualifies to be a delegate, drawing inference from the constitutional provisions that the delegates already know themselves.

He said: “At a time our great party is neck deep in fighting corruption across the country, one wonders how possible it would be to bribe an individual with the sum of N50 million or N500 million, without recourse to its grave consequences already put in place by the banks and financial regulatory bodies.

“I do not want to believe that our aspirants or party members are those involved in this campaign of calumny because they are real and loyal party men and women. This is the machinations of other political parties in Anambra who already know that we are coasting to victory.”

Former director of information and communication of Sen. Chris Ngige campaign organization Chief Charles Amilo denied the allegations. He said, “Ngige is the leader of our party here and as a father, he has created a level playing ground for all aspirants and he has given assistance to every aspirant. Ngige cannot condescend so low as to obtaining bribe from party members. Our national chairman is a man of impeccable character and people should be mindful of what they say in the name of party politics”.


The state youth leader of APC, Mr. Augustine Muofume also dismissed the reports, saying that the allegations were fears expressed by those who are afraid of losing the party’s primary and said people should run their campaigns based on issues not back stabbing.

“The idea of hate campaign should be discountenanced in the interest of the party’. We have aspirants like Andy Uba who moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join APC, we also have Tony Nwoye who represents Anambra East and west federal constituency, Obinna Uzor, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, so nobody among them should be singled out for persecution” he said.
Full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/anambra-guber-anambra-guber-n850m-bribe.html?m=1

General Overseer of Agape Life Ministries Outreach, Awka, Anambra State, Apostle James Mbazuruike who predicted victory for Donald Trump as the President of United States of America (USA) has said Biafra restoration would come through this year.

He said no power can stop God’s mission and Biafra is in line with God’s mandate.

He stressed that the more the delay to declare freedom for Biafra, the longer the sufferings of Nigerians.

While briefing newsmen in Awka at the weekend, Apostle Mbazuruike declared that more things will happen this year that would be in favour of the agitators of Biafra. He warned that recession was just the beginning of God’s punishment if Biafra’s future is not discussed.

“This is a cheering news for the people of Biafra, because many have died for the actualisation of Biafra. I did prophesy that Trump will win the US presidency and he did. That buttressed a point on what I said about Biafra. Biafra will ultimately be a reality because nobody in power can stop Biafra.

“Whenever God says a thing, nobody will stop it. God has said Biafra would emerge as a nation and no power in Nigeria would crush the spirit. The more they delay the emergence of Biafra as a nation, the more Nigeria sinks and the more the sufferings of its people.”

For anybody to say Nigeria would come out of this recession is foolhardy and a statement from somebody not in touch with God.”


According to Apostle Mbazurike, God has told him that the time to let His people go is now. His message entitled “Order from Above to President Muhammadu Buhari: Let my people go,’’ is an order that requires no appeal.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/biafrall-be-realistic-this-year-apostle.html

Former military brass hats have attributed the rebounding of insurgents in territories hitherto liberated by the Nigerian Armed Forces to a number of factors, including the absence of a blueprint for holding/dominating liberated areas, and the disclosure of vital information and plans to the insurgents, about military strategies, by insiders.

They are also of the view that the Federal Government’s concept of war against terrorists is completely wrong, in addition to the country being plagued by perennial poor maintenance/sustenance culture syndrome.
The resurgence of violence in the region and the loss of liberated territories, attracted the attention of the United States, causing the Department of State to express worries about the country’s inability to effectively secure and hold onto territories recaptured from the terrorists, despite the successes recorded by the Multi-National Joint Task Force.

The position was contained in the United States country report on terrorism for the year 2016, submitted to the US Congress, in compliance with the title 22 of the US Code. The report, published on July 19, 2017, highlighted the successes and failings of the Nigerian Army in the fight against the terrorists.
“Despite gains made by the MNJTF, much of its reported progress was merely duplication of failed efforts carried over from the end of the last dry/fighting season. The Nigerian military was unable to hold and rebuild civilian structures and institutions in those areas it had cleared,” the report said.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General John Eneche, has, however, disagreed with the report, describing its content as misleading and not portraying the reality of things in the fight against insurgents in the North East.
He stressed that the pockets of attacks still experienced were as a result of inside information by Boko Haram collaborators, whom he believes are still amongst the military.
But for Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GoldWater & RiverSand (GWRS) Consults, a defence and national security resource and solutions outfit, Captain Aliyu Umar Babangida (rtd): “In my opinion, why the military is unable to hold on to liberated territories is a combination of two saliently silent factors. First, there is seemingly no blueprint for holding liberated areas, post decimation and downgrading of the threat in 2015. Constituted civil authority, particularly law enforcement agencies may not have a counter or anti terrorism operations procedure. Consequently, affected and or liberated areas, will gradually relapse into the status-quo-ante if those to whom the safe areas are handed over, are not counter and anti terrorism savvy. Their shortcomings become leverages for exploit, by the threat.
“The question thus remains, other than the army, can others, including the Police, NSCDC, NDLEA, Nigeria Custom Services, the DSS, Nigeria Immigrations Services, Nigeria Prisons Services etc, be said to be, in the real sense of the word, in counter, and or anti-terrorism mode? Babangida asked.
He continued, “What other support elements does the Nigerian Army have? Are operations resource and solutions assets like the Air Force aerial surveillance and the relevant communications and information systems being optimally utilized? Are these systems even in existence at all, as opposed to the army being overburdened with expectations for results that out-span its traditional competencies?
While describing the country as one that suffers from chronic maintenance culture malaise as evident in “our propensity to put systems and measures in place and somehow expect these systems to run themselves. We do not track performance, nor seem to keep records of non-performance. We just seem to drift on and on. The strategy and measures applied to liberate areas and decimate insurgent capacity and capability may be suffering from a poor maintenance/sustenance culture syndrome, which is rife with us.”
Former military governor of Bayelsa State, Lt. Colonel Paul Edor Obi (rtd), is of the opinion that, “We are getting the concept of war on terror completely wrong as we are fixated on conventional warfare and going back in every military campaign. So, we need to understand what the strategic objective of war against terror is, and that demands knowing the kind of tactics and the kind of terrors we are fighting against.
“The terrorists we are fighting are people who do not have sovereignty, they do not own a country, and you cannot tell who they are, and where they are. Some of them are in the general area of Sambisa Forest, which is probably their stronghold, but you do not look at that to say we have taken their territory because in every military operation, you dislodge and dominate through different measures, physically, airpower, making sure that those places are registered so that when the enemies return they can be taken out.
The former governor maintained: “We need to be clear on strategy to deploy in the war against terror, and unless we get it clearly, we are going to be fixated on deploying strategy for conventional warfare, holding territory. The war on terror is a long drawn war and if we focus on the strategic objective and come up with a strategy for dealing with this, it will be easier to deal with Boko Haram, and in deed any terror organisation.”
Obi, who is convinced that Boko Haram has penetrated the security forces, especially with the bombing of military formations, also cautioned the military on making some pronouncements and giving ultimatums publicly saying, “We need to talk less and do a lot more using intelligence, otherwise people will begin to loose confidence in the government and the military. I know our security forces are doing a very difficult and complex job because fighting terrorism is not easy. The military command should step back on making political comments and focus on their assignment.”
Air Commodore, Yusuf Anas (rtd) is also in agreement that there should be inter-service synergy if the insurgents must be purged from the communities.
According to him, after the military has liberated a territory, there is supposed to be collaboration and synergy with other security agencies like the Nigerian Police, NSCDC, Immigration Services, to take over, and establish their presence there, by sending manpower and resources that can help restore normalcy.
“Somehow, the other security agencies have not been able to take up the challenge of taking over some of those territories. The military needs the assistance of other security agencies to be able to achieve results,” he said.
Former Commander, Brigade of Guards, General Yakubu Rimdan (rtd), said the country is losing liberated territories to Boko Haram because “there are elements in those areas, who have comprised themselves and leak vital information to the insurgents about military’s strategies and plans.”
Rimdan said that unless such bad elements are done away with in the localities, complete victory over Boko Haram will not be easy. “This is because, after the military operations and captured areas liberated, these same elements will go and tell the insurgents to come back and attack people.”
Rimdam, who also claimed that politicians were funding the insurgents, added that they want the carnage to continue unabated because “it is from it that they make their money. The military should fish out those moles who are doing that unpatriotic act.”
Civil war veteran and professor of Military Strategy at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Moses Tedheke, thinks differently and believes that reports that the insurgents were reclaiming liberated territories was tantamount to propaganda intended to weaken the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The former Head of Department of Political Science at the NDA, said poor funding of the military in the war against the insurgents was responsible for the prolonged battle.
The university teacher, who said, “as a matter of fact, it will be difficult to end the Boko Haram insurgency,” added, “If we cannot confront this insurgency properly and deal decisively with all those financing terrorist groups, as well as those who looted funds meant for arms procurement, why are we now beginning to blame the Nigerian Armed Forces for surrendering to Boko Haram?
Retired soldier and veteran journalists in Borno State, Ibrahim Mshelizza, said by reclaiming some territories, Boko Haram insurgents are now out to show people that they are still around, despite being decimated technically by the military.
He therefore urged the military to step up the fight in order to finish strong in a short while.
Giving details of attacks that lend credence to the recapture of liberated territories, Babangida said: “From January to July 31, 2017, 38 reported incidents of insurgent attacks took place in the North East, with the majority occurring in Borno State. A breakdown of this indicates a maximum of eight attacks (and minimum of two attacks) and a seven-month average of five attacks per month, except in April 2017, when only two attacks were recorded, or reported.
“We also observed within the time frame that a monthly average of three days frequency between one attack and the other persisted, while a seven-month attack frequency average, rested on four days between any two attacks. In some isolated cases, attacks recorded a one-day frequency between the last and the next, with other occurring concurrently (i.e. same day, different locations). What intelligence can be gleaned from these figures and others in our holding, can help immensely in identifying the habitual traits of the challenges as they unfold. For example, the ability of the insurgents to attack locations successfully increased at a point, from an average of three days, to 24 hours, between one attack and the other,” the retired captain said.
He continued, “Weighing in on the generally publicised position that insurgency has been downgraded or decimated post-2015, the figures above simply indicate that the insurgents are rebounding. Given the logistics and other related consideration for planning a successful attack, this could mean the ability to do so in an average of three days, is a likely indicator of some form of re-organisation.

On the way out, Babangida said: “We must begin to measure activity sequences to control outcomes; track performance for continuous improvement; keep and update a lessons learnt process data, to avoid doing same thing same way. All these are not in our resonance as a people and nation. The Army is just part and parcel of us… it is not an isolated entity as such.”
He stressed the need for the country to “address a cogent post decimation and liberated areas policy for all stakeholders; lean heavily on deliberately outlined benchmarks, and key performance indicators for results; be a bit more open to third party involvement for informed and measured solutions.
“One must warn though, that doing this calls for meta-cognition on the part of intelligence and law enforcement chieftains; professional and intellectual rigour from all stakeholder groups and agencies, not less so commitment to purpose of all involved.
“We must never underestimate the creative ability of the terror masterminds, who incidentally are not the ragtag itinerant fighters we see getting killed from time to time. Managing the North East calls for intelligent solutions,” he concluded.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/why-military-is-losing-captured.html

There are good reasons why Nigerians should take more than a passing interest in the controversy generated by the actions of members of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs and that of the Nigeria Ports Authority.

If the reports in the media are true, the matter goes beyond the victimisation of one organ of government by another. It is a possibility that members of the National Assembly might be on a mission to crash the federal governments’ war against corruption using the power of ‘oversight’ as cover. Two recent incidents would serve to illustrate the danger. Sometime in October/November, 2016, a rice trading company, Master Energy Commodities Trading Ltd, imported into Nigeria, 1,200metric tons of rice in thirty, 40-foot containers. In their attempt to evade paying the correct custom duties, they declared the ‘rice’ consignment as ‘yeast.’ The goods were later intercepted and seized on the orders of the Controller-General of customs CGC, Col. Hamid Ali (rtd).

Unfortunately, this seemingly patriotic action by a public officer was seen as an affront to one senior member of the National Assembly. A Senator, the leader of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariff, wrote the CGC demanding that the consignment be released forthwith, on the dubious claim that he had investigated the matter and had found the importer blameless. His findings? That it was the clearing Agent not the importer that called the goods ‘yeast’ instead of ‘rice’!

The CGC brushed aside this incredible story; as any right thinking person would do. But to the shock of all Nigerians, all hell broke loose. The Senate Committee then summoned him to appear before them in uniform – seeing that as a retired army colonel; the CGC had refrained from wearing the customs uniform. He was also directed to answer a long list of queries by this same angry panel. In the end, he was dragged before the Senate at plenary, put through a cruel inquisition, publicly humiliated and dismissed as ‘not fit to hold Public office.’
Fast-forward to last week. This time, a dubious scheme was uncovered in which a subsidiary company of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, went into a joint venture with a private company to manage the Calabar Port. Both the NPA subsidiary, called Calabar Channel Management, CCM and the private company, Niger Global Engineering & Technical Co. Ltd, were incorporated together in 2014, just for this deal. The purported JV partner was then awarded a contract to dredge the Calabar Channel; a contract the Bureau of Public Procurement was to condemn as violating all due processes. This did not discourage them from demanding and getting a whopping 12.5million dollars upfront payment from the NPA or asking for a purported balance of 22million dollars. In the meantime, a rash of petitions and reports had inundated the NPA against this contract, with many alleging it to be a bogus scam to siphon public funds. The Bureau of Public Procurement was the first to cry out, saying both the award of the dredging contract and the initial payment of over N4billion to Messrs Niger Global Engineering & Technical Co. Ltd, were done in violation of the law. Even worse, all efforts of the new management of the NPA under Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, to find evidence of the dredging work purported to have been done in the Calabar Channel at the time the company claimed to have done so, was unsuccessful. That is not all. There was also the report by a consultant that advised against a joint venture partnership for the purpose of managing the Calabar port. Their reason was simply that maritime activities in the Calabar port was too low, that a joint venture scheme as obtained in Lagos and Bony was unsustainable. Faced with these negative outcomes, the NPA management under Ms. Bala Usman decided that national interest would be better served if the JV scheme as well as the so-called dredging projects are terminated.
On their part, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have moved in, with a mission to “recover public funds collected for job not done.” Now, the name of the person driving this scheme is quite instructive going by the very loud and sustained counter attacks being mounted against the public officers; officers that insist that right things are done. He is the leader of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff. He is the owner of both the Niger Global & Engineering Co. Technical Ltd; as well as the rice smuggling giant, Master Energy Commodities Trading Ltd. Nigerians must not leave the likes of Hamid Ali, Ibrahim Magu, Hadiza Bala Usman, (former BPP DG) Emeka Nzeh et al at the mercy of these strange law makers; politicians that have demonstrated time and again that they are in politics to serve themselves and themselves alone. The experience of Hadiza Bala Usman, the new M.D of the NPA, is particularly sad. The more she tries to fight, to reduce graft and perfidy, the more determined they seem to mobilise against her, to neutralise her and see her back. They want her out because, they now claim, she is ‘too young’ to manage a complex organisation such as NPA – even though she is past 40 years of age.

Unashamed, they question the wisdom of appointing a woman to such a post – her training and experience counting for nothing; apparently, incidents such as these are the reason the Nigerian public feels let down by our Parliament.
They are the reason why a whole lot of Nigerians take a dim view of members of the National Assembly. Some even believe the conduct of our legislators is a major factor holding Nigeria down; why it is a laughing stock among the nations of the world. It is the duty of all Nigerians to demand correct conduct from all public officials, including from members of the National Assembly; especially the Senate.
Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, must enforce discipline among his colleagues. No member of a committee, much less a chairman, should remain in his duty post once credible information about possible crime is received on the person. We need not remind our political leaders, most of all our legislators, that punishment always follow excess.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/abubakar-umar-writes-senate.html

An 18-year-old man, Agugu Adau, has allegedly killed his mother for refusing to give him a “disappearing” charm he claimed was his inheritance from his late herbalist father.

A family source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Agugu committed the crime at his Kisaghyip village farm in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.
The source said that Agugu, after killing his mother, removed the sum of N20,000 from her blood-sucked clothes and used it to buy a mobile phone, a shirt and a pair of slippers.
Mr Tyopev Terna, spokesman of the Plateau Police Command, confirmed that the suspect was being held, but declined further comments.
“Investigation is ongoing. The details are not ready. Please understand with us and be patient,” he told NAN on phone.
But Agugu, who spoke with our correspondent, said that he killed the woman because she refused to give him a charm that was his inheritance from his father.
“When I was 14 years old, my late father, who was a native doctor, showed me a charm that enabled him to disappear and reappear at will. He promised to handover the charm to me when I turn 18.
“On his dying bed four years ago, he gave my mother the charm and asked her to give me when I turn 18. But I am now 18 and she has refused to give it to me.
“On this fateful day at the farm, I asked her about it, but she threatened to throw the charm into the river, if I disturbed her too much.
“Her response infuriated me and I suddenly felt that she was of no value as a mother. I immediately slaughtered her with the knife I was using to harvest potatoes.
“After slaughtering her, I dumped her body in the bush,” he said.
Mr David Adau, senior brother to the suspect, has, however, dismissed the suspect’s claim that he killed the mother because of a charm.
“Prior to the incident, the family had faced several problems with Agugu. He was fond of stealing and causing trouble.
“I believe he killed our mother because of the N20,000 I gave her a day before the incident. I work at the mines in Barkin-Ladi, and usually give my earnings to our mother to keep for me.
“I handed over the money to my mother in his presence; in fact, when I gave her the money, she expressed fear that Agugu could attack her to get the money. He has proved her right,” David said.
David said that on his return from work a day after the incident, he asked after the mother but Agugu said he did not know of her whereabouts.
“He said he did not know where my mother was. Later in the day, I saw him with a new mobile phone, a new shirt and slippers, and I became curious.
“I asked him (suspect) where he got them from, but he could not give me satisfactory answers.
“Other family members joined me and we kept pestering him over our mother, but he insisted he knew nothing.
“Three days later, I invited the Police to question my brother. That worked immediately as he confessed to killing her,” he said.
David said that the suspect later led family members and the police to the farm where they saw the already decomposing corpse of the woman.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/man-kills-mother-over-disappearance.html

Information reaching us has it that the same unscrupulous elements that attempt to disqualify Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye that was foiled by Abuja High Court yesterday are at it again.

After their attempt was foiled by Abuja High Court, instead they will bury their face in shame and swallow their spit, they went on rampage on social media using pseudo names peddling falsehood and undermining the ability of the formidable Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye. They were impersonating APGA in most of their baseless undermining write-ups.

However, investigation by Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye's media team revealed that the architets of those undermining write-ups are from the same camp who were shamely disgraced at Abuja High Court. Until this morning one of them decided to unmask himself on APC Group Whatsapp Chat room and we now know they are from the camp of those running away from primary election and want the party ticket to be given to them without contest as uncovered by the media team.

This afternoon information reaching us has it that they have now deviced another means by luring some people from zonal and state executives of the party (APC) to disqualify Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye before or during the party's primary election. This new means also came with threat to those who have received some gifts from the camp since they defected to APC and most of these gifts are Cars, Keke, Jeeps, motorcycle and monetory gifts.

We also gathered that these poeple are willing to do the bid orchestrated by a man who's afraid of facing a strong force like Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye in APC primaries, because of the gifts received in the past and have promised to give them more in order to induce them.

He want those he believed to be his foot soldiers at the ZONAL AND STATE EXECUTIVES OF APC to use the same measures used against Hon. Uche Ekwunife during her primary election with Mrs Sharon Ikeazor which saw Uche Ekwunife disqualified even when the primaries were ongoing and she was leading with wide margin and was obvious she would appear possible winner of the primaries. THE QUESTION BEGGING FOR ANSWERS ARE WHAT ARE THE SINS OF DR TONY NWOYE AGAINST THE PERSON WHO WANT HIM DISQUALIFIED?

1) Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye is so popular to the extend he can win the primaries with APC structures and delegates lists he met in the party.

2) Hon. DR Tony Nwoye foiled their attempt to change the existing delegates list in order to fix their apologists who's not even APC loyal members, but an apologists of a selfish aspirant.

3) Hon. Dr Tony Nwoye want to save Anambra APC from going the way of PDP in the state which was as a result of imposition and lack of internal Democracy.

4) Hon. Tony Nwoye who started his political career as an activist who believed in due process. Also believed in what is worth doing, is worth doing right.

Finally, we call on APC National Working Committee (NWC) to please investigate this allegation and call the zonal and state executives of APC to order, let all the aspirants go to the primary election field to test their might and popularity. It is only this can assure APC of electing a formidable candidate who's capable of unseating the incumbent governor Willie Obiano. All these events should've opened the eyes of APC executives to know who's more of a formidable candidate than the other.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/anambra-guber-another-plot-to.html?m=1

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, described a former governor of the state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, as having made legendary contributions to the political development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.


According to his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa, while acknowledging the achievements of Ibori as he turned 59, said: “Deltans and Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry how you laboured to build the most virile, potent and unassailable political family in Delta State and beyond, even as your legacies still dot the nooks and crannies of the state.”


Okowa, who described the ex-governor as “an astute administrator and enthusiastic leader of impeccable disposition,” said the former governor championed the fight for resource control and fiscal federalism in the country.
Ibori, who was convicted of corruption and money laundering in the United Kingdom in 2012 and was jailed for 13 years, has continued to enjoy loyalty and respect in the state. He returned to Nigeria in February this year after he was released from a UK prison in December last year.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/delta-celebrates-ibori-at-59.html

The Chairman of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Ambassador Shettima Yarima, has said the quit notice given to Igbo in the northern states stands, pending the outcome of their current consultations across board.

“Our stand on Biafra still stands. But when the period expires, we are not going to expel them by force. We don’t have the constitutional power to do that. So whoever does not believe in Nigeria can leave at his will peacefully. We are not using any force to eject them from the North,” he said.

Yarima spoke at a town hall meeting organised by a coalition of northern youths at Ni’imah Guest Palace Hotel, Kano under the leadership of Nastura Ashir Sharif.

In his keynote address, Sharif said that apart from the quit notice, they had also written to the United Nations on the violent activities of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, urging them to declare him a terrorist and his agitation illegal.
According to him, the Arewa youths are still expecting a response from the UN which would guide their next move. “That is why we say our quit notice still stands and our resolve that anybody who doesn’t want to stay in Nigeria should vacate our region still stands, but we are not going to use force to actualize that. We will do it through peaceful means, this is because of the fact that one cannot be living with us and talking Biafra,” Sharif stated.
He said it was sad that people focused more on the quit notice issued by the northern youths rather than on a “presented recorded video evidence where Nnamdi Kanu called for genocide like what happened in Rwanda.”
Sharif revealed that “After our Kaduna Declaration, when we issued a quit notice to all Igbo residing in the North to leave the region on or before 1st October, 2017, we received various calls from people both within and outside the country telling us to review our stand and come up with other demands or issues affecting the North.”
He said they were advised to go beyond Biafra issue and come up with strategies to tackle issues bothering on economy, unemployment, security, Almajiri and drug abuse as they affect the North.
“We are indeed heeding the calls, that is why we are here in Kano holding a Town Hall meeting in line with the advice. We would organise similar meetings in North East and North Central after which we will come up with our final stand regarding this issue,” he said.
Prof. Aliyu Jibia, who is the chairman of the Arewa Summit Development Initiative, in his submission, lamented the issue of Almajiri, urging the people to rise against the menace by proffering lasting solution to it.
He revealed that on the 1st of October, the group would hold a one- million-man march to sensitize the people on the menace of Almajiri that has been affecting the region for many years.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/our-quit-notice-to-igbo-stands-say.html

A member of the House of Representatives and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Nwoye, has raised the alarm of a plot by some highly placed people within the state chapter of the party to prevent him from contesting.

The claim follows a court action taken at an Abuja High Court to stop Nwoye from participating in the primary election. The ex parte motion was rejected on Wednesday by the court.

One Mr. Okechukwu Ogbonnaya, who filed the motion had made several prayers including a prayer to restrain the APC “from clearing the 1st defendant (Nwoye) to contest or stand for its primary elections for the purposes of selecting the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

The vacation judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, however, refused to hear the case on Wednesday and by that paving the path for Nwoye’s imminent participation in the primaries.

A source in the Nwoye camp said that they have been able to trace the court case to a fellow aspirant who wants him out of the contest for fear that he the aspirant sees him as the most formidable obstacle.

“We have been told who is doing this and their objective is to stop Nwoye from the primaries so that the race can be clear for their man. We are shocked that someone who has been desperate to stop the courts from interrogating his secondary school certificates would have the boldness to approach the courts on irrelevant issues as this,” Nwoye’s source said.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/anambra-guber-some-members-of-apc-have.html

Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, better known as Kcee, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formerly in the Hip Hop duo group called Kc Presh. He currently has a record deal with Five Star Music. Have now join politics
The singer and politician share on on his IG page of his interest of contesting for Forthcoming Anambra Election.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/breaking-kcee-join-politics.html?m=1

Nigeria’s ailing President Muhammadu Buhari who has been away in London for almost three months has become the subject of a sports betting game in his homeland.

A popular sports gaming site, NaijaBet.com, is asking those interested to stake their money on when Buhari who left Nigeria on May 7 on his latest medical trip to the British capital, would return.

The company usually focusses on English Premiership, Champions League and other sporting events, but recently launched the ‘Buhari to Return’ game:


The 74-year-old Buhari first sought treatment in London in June last year for what presidency officials said was a persistent inner ear infection, returning in six months for check-ups that were later said to be “a long period of treatment”.

Buhari himself admitted on his return to Abuja in March that he had not been that ill before.

Despite Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s acting on his behalf, Buhari’s protracted absence has sparked intense public debate in Nigeria.

Last month, both members of the ruling party and the opposition went to see him in London and even took pictures with him in London to douse public anxiety.

The health of Nigerian leaders has often been a contentious issue.

Buhari, a former military ruler in the 1980s, was dogged by speculation about his health even before the election win in 2015 that brought him to power.

During that campaign, the then-ruling party claimed he was seriously ill with prostate cancer and even put out advertisements insinuating he would die in office.

He rejected the claims as unfounded.

In 2010, Nigeria was plunged into months of political turmoil after president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died in office following months of treatment in Saudi Arabia.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/buhari-becomes-subject-of-betting-game.html

Spain’s football league refused to accept a 222 million euro ($260 million) cheque on Friday in a new twist to Neymar’s ‘transfer of the century’ from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

Representatives of the 25-year-old Brazilian were turned away from the Madrid headquarters of La Liga after their payment to meet Barcelona’s buyout clause was refused by officials who have accused the French club of breaching transfer rules.

“We can confirm that the legal representatives of the player attended La Liga to pay the clause and this has been rejected,” a spokesperson told AFP.


The move may delay Neymar’s transfer but is unlikely to derail it, according to experts.

However, the player, initially expected in Paris later Thursday, is now due to arrive a day later, according to airport sources in the French capital.

The transfer dominated front pages across the world with many commentators aghast at the rampant inflation in football transfer fees with Neymar’s new mark more than doubling the previous record set by Manchester United’s capture of Paul Pogba last year.

However, in the French capital there is huge excitement at PSG’s Qatari-backed project landing a star name to finally make them feared among European football’s elite.

“Neymar to PSG – the transfer of the century”, splashed Le Parisien’s front page with the first five pages devoted to his impending arrival.

“Neymar could be wearing the parisian shirt from this week,” added Le Parisien with a possible presentation to take place at PSG’s Ligue 1 opener at home to Amiens on Saturday.

French President Emmanuel Macron added to the anticipation, saying the move was “good news.”

– Fair play –
The mood was understandably more somber in Spain.

Madrid-based sports daily AS ran with “pay and go” alongside a smiling Neymar, whilst Marca described the move as “the signing that changes the history of football.

In Barcelona, attention turned to who the Catalans can sign to replace Neymar in the month before the transfer window closes with Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele both linked.

There was also scepticism at the role played by PSG’s owners Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) at a time of political crisis for the oil rich state emirate which has been boycotted by its Gulf neighbours in recent months and will play host to the World Cup in 2022.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo described the move as a “state signing.”

Whilst coaches, including Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, have lamented that the move could cause even greater inflation in transfer fees and player wages, France’s Budget Minister claimed to be “delighted” Neymar will earn a reported 30 million euros after tax.

“If in fact Neymar does come to a French club, the budget minister will be delighted at the tax that he will be able to pay in France,” Darmanin told France Inter radio.

PSG’s finances will come under heavy scrutiny in the years to come with both La Liga and Barcelona threatening to report the French giants to European football’s governing body for breaches of financial fair play regulations (FFP).

Clubs can be sanctioned by UEFA for making a loss of more than 30 million euros over a three-year period.

According to reports Neymar underwent a medical in Porto on Wednesday after saying his goodbyes to his Barcelona teammates before returning to the Catalan capital late on Wednesday night.

Once the hype over the astronomical figures involved subsides, Neymar must deliver on the pitch to make PSG’s dreams of lifting the Champions League for the first time and his own ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or come true.

By leaving Barca, Neymar is stepping out from under the shadow of five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to try and prove himself as the world’s best.


“It was a huge pleasure having shared all those years with you, my friend @neymarjr,” Messi posted on Instagram alongside a montage displaying some of the pair’s finest moments together on Wednesday.

“I wish you lots of luck in this new stage in your life. See you soon tkm,” he added. “Tkm” stands for “te quiero mucho” (I love you loads).

“Thanks brother. I will miss you man,” Neymar replied.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/breaking-la-liga-rejects-payment-of.html

Anmbra guber aspirant Dr stephen mbah have advice IPOB members to participate on the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.
Source:http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/ipob-members-should-participate-on.html?m=1
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHzNejWXdS4

More at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/08/sen-dino-maleye-dapper-in-new-photos-as.html?m=1

The Katsina State Custom Command of the Nigerian Customs Service has confirmed the killing of two of its officers by suspected armed robbers.

The Spokesman of the command, Mr Peter Duniya, who confirmed the killing in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Monday, said the officers were killed on July 30 while on duty.
He said that the officers were shot dead by people, suspected to be armed robbers on Daura Road in Katsina.

Duniya said the officers were on routine patrol at Dogon-Hawa Community, near Shargalle Village in the Dutsi Local Government Area of the state when they met their fate.
The spokesman named the dead officers as Asistant Superintendent of Customs Babandi Nuradeen and Chief Superintendent of Customs Maidama Yabo.
“The command has already commenced investigation into the circumstance that led to the shootings of the officers,” he stated.
Duniya said that the command had deployed officers from the intelligence unit of the customs to unravel the reason for the killing.
A NAN correspondent in Katsina reports that the state had been witnessing series of armed robbery attacks in recent times.
It will be recalled that security agents had recently smashed a gang of cattle rustlers, who had been terrorising herdsmen in the state.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/suspected-armed-robbers-kill-two.html

Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) will embark on a protest march to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The group will march to Aso Rock to express their disappointment with the Federal Government’s silence on the fate of the remaining 113 Chibok girls.

The Spokesperson for the group, Sesugh Akume, disclosed these in a statement on Monday.

He said: “As earlier indicated, Tuesday, 1 August, our movement shall be marching to the State House to among other things express our disappointment and press our demands about our missing 113 #ChibokGirls.


“For three months since May, the federal government has not given any updates on the return of our 113 missing #ChibokGirls. The parents, families, community, and the public at large have been left in the dark wondering. This is unacceptable. Our march is also intended to wake the federal government up and prevent it from relapsing and sinking into inertia and complacency.”
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/bbog-will-embark-on-protest-march-to.html

At least 200 families have been displaced by flood in Oduke layout, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The situation was sequel to a three-day consecutive downpour, which also resulted in the damage of property worth more than N10 million



Speaking to newsmen on the incident, chairman of the layout, Mr. Nicholas Okechukwu, said: “the flood submerged about 100 buildings, especially bungalows in the dead of the night, which made it impossible for inhabitants to pack their belongings. As you can see, all the houses are without occupants, about 200 families who ran away that night might not return, some are hospitalised, the half-drowned ones are recuperating in hospitals where they have been placed on the danger list.

“This has become a perennial occurrence and has been compounded by a blockage deliberately erected by one of the landlords, Mr. Francis Chukwuka, who refused to remove the pillars along Obiajulu road.


“We want Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB), to come and remove this obstacle for the smooth flow of flood water along the Obiajulu road. He should be made to pay compensation to the victims.”

In his defence, the accused, Chukwuka said: “I can’t remove the pillar (fence) because it is erected on the land I procured, I am not the cause of the flood and there is no way land demarcation can be straight as they accused me of not making the fence to be straight when it was being erected.”
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/flood-sacks-200-families-damages.html

Tragedy struck early on Thursday morning, when residents of Ogo-Oluwa community in Amikanle, Agbado Okeodo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, woke up to discover the lifeless body of a taxi driver in a drainage under construction in their locality.

The death of the taxi driver, according to residents, was the third in the area in the last two months as two other people were said to have lost their lives in almost similar circumstance.

The deceased taxi driver was suspected to have brought a passenger into the community late at night when his car rammed into the drainage.

He was believed to have been making efforts to get the cab out of the drainage when he suddenly slipped and hit his head against the iron rods which hung out dangerously from the concrete drainage.

A check by our correspondent on his cab showed that the unidentified man was attached to Iponri Shopping Center Taxi Park, Surulere branch.

The taxi cab, a Toyota Carina with registration number BDG-203-XN was equally at the same spot when Sunday Sun visited.

Residents of the community who spoke to Sunday Sun complained about the slow pace of work by the contractor handling the project.

One of them, Ishola Olapade, told our correspondent that an elderly woman died few weeks ago in Amikanle area after slipping into the drainage and hit her ahead against the rods and concrete. Similarly, Sunday Sun gathered that a boy equally fell into one of the drainages and died in May.

“The problem is that those handling the project are not putting safety first in their work. If go around you will see that the iron rods are left unprotected. They are supposed to be bent so as to reduce the risk of injuring people who may fall into the gutters especially during rainy season.

“In the last two or three months, three lives have been lost due to the carelessness of the contractor handling the project. An elderly woman fell and died inside the drainage some weeks back. The woman died because she hit her head against the iron rods and the concrete in Amikanle.


“Another incident happened also around the area when a boy of about 20 years fell into the gutter again. This is another one now,” he lamented, referring to the dead taxi driver.

Residents also accused some officials of the company handling the project of demanding gratification before constructing the culverts in areas where they are needed.

“If you go around you will discover that some culverts have been done while some are yet to be done. These things are being done haphazardly, without following any logical order. So, what we found out is that those who are able to tip them are attended to first. Imagine if this one had been done the man would not have died, because his car would not have been stuck there,” a resident lamented.

Irked by the death of the taxi cab, some irate youths in the community attempted to vent their anger on some of the drivers working with the construction company but for the timely intervention of some community leaders in the area.

When Sunday Sun correspondent called to get the view of the handlers of the project, the site engineer, Samsudeen said he was not in position to speak on the matter. He directed Sunday Sun reporter to Alausa.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/road-project-claims-3-lives-in-2-months.html

At least 69 people are known to have died in a Boko Haram ambush of an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria, as three men kidnapped by the jihadists made a video appeal.

Experts said the attack — Boko Haram’s bloodiest this year — underscored the persistent threat it poses, despite government claims the group is a spent force.

“So far the death toll stands at 69,” said an aid agency worker involved in the recovery of bodies after the attack in the Magumeri area of Borno state on Tuesday.

The worker, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said 19 soldiers, 33 civilian militia and 17 civilians were killed.
“The last body was recovered Friday in the bush in the Geidam district of neighbouring Yobe state, which is several kilometres from the scene of the ambush,” he told AFP.
“It shows the victim, who had gunshot wounds, died after trekking a long distance. There could be more such victims in the bush.”
Another source with knowledge of the rescue operation gave the death toll as “70 or more” and also said it was unclear whether all the victims had been accounted for.
The attack hit Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation staff.
“It’s a confirmation of the boldness and reassurance that Boko Haram has managed to gain over the last six weeks,” said Yan St-Pierre, from the Modern Security Consulting Group.
“They have been attacking more and more military outposts and more military convoys. For them to go after NNPC personnel just shows they don’t fear any military reprisal.
“Basically they have managed to gain enough resources, enough material, to plan ambushes targeted towards high value targets.”
– Video appeal –
News of the rising death toll came after Boko Haram published a four-minute video in which three men identified themselves as being from the University of Maiduguri.
The trio were part of a NNPC team on a mission to find commercial quantities of oil in the Lake Chad basin.
“I want to call on the acting president professor Yemi Osinbajo to come to our rescue to meet the demand,” one of the men says in the video, which he said was shot on Friday.
He attributed the attack to the Islamic State-supported Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, which has vowed to hit military and government targets.
“They have promised us that if their demands are met they will release us immediately to go back to the work we were caught doing,” the man added.
There was no indication of where the video was shot but Magumeri is some 50 kilometres (31 miles) by road northwest of Maiduguri.
University of Maiduguri spokesman Danjuma Gambo confirmed the identities of the three kidnapped men in the video.
“They are our staff but one more is yet to be accounted for,” he told AFP.
Five members of staff from the university — two lecturers, two technologists and a driver — were killed, vice-chancellor Ibrahim Njodi said on Friday.
He told reporters the university had been hesitant to send staff with the NNPC team but had been assured about security.
Nigeria is searching for oil in the northeast to try to reduce its reliance on supplies from the Niger delta, where militant attacks have slashed production.
– Suicide bombings –
Kidnapping has been a feature of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed at least 20,000, displaced more than 2.6 million and left millions of others on the brink of famine.
Thousands of women and girls have been seized, to be married off to fighters, used as sex slaves or suicide bombers, while men and boys have been made to fight in the Islamist ranks.

The al-Barnawi faction differs from fighters loyal to Boko Haram’s long-time leader Abubakar Shekau in that it disagrees with the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
On Friday, two suicide bombers struck a camp for displaced people in Dikwa, 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Maiduguri, killing five.
Civilian militia member Babakura Kolo said the men disguised themselves as traders wanting to buy grain.
In Bama, 70 kilometres (45 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, three young female suicide bombers were killed when their explosives detonated prematurely on Thursday, he added.
“A fourth bomber, an 11-year-old girl, was too frightened to pull the trigger. She succeeded in removing her vest and sneaked into town. She was found and taken into custody,” he said.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/boko-haram-ambush-death-toll-hits-69.html

Kelechi Iheanacho’s move from Manchester City to Leicester City is as good as done, according to the Vice Chairman of Leicester City Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha‎.

Srivaddhanaprabha confirmed the deal for the 20-year-old in an interview with BBC Leicester Radio monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com’s London-based correspondent, Michael James.


“A fee has been agreed, only the medical to go, and it could be as early as Friday”, the chairman said.The fee is reportedly in the region of £19 million with several add-ons set to inflate the fee further to around £29 million, with City having the option to buy him back for a fee based on several variables.
Iheanacho will sign a four-year deal if he passes the medical, and it will bring to an end an unhappy spell at Manchester City last season, where he was made to play second fiddle to the likes of Sergio Kun Aguero and Gabriel Jesus by manager Pep Guardiola.
source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/iheanacho-for-leicester-medical-tomorrow.html

The number of internet users in Nigeria’s telecommunications networks increased to 91.6 million in June, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The NCC made this disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for June 2017 posted on its website Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the NCC data, internet users increased to 91,598,757 in June as against 91,565,010 users recorded in May 2017, showing an increase of 33,747.
The data also showed that the GSM service providers 33,747internet customers after recording 91, 598.757 in June and 91,565,010 users in May 2017.
The data revealed that MTN had 31,691,070 subscribers browsing the internet on its network in the month of June.
It said that MTN recorded an additional 28,642.9 internet subscribers in June as against May internet subscribers where it had 31,406,441.
soure http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/nigerias-internet-users-rise-to-916m.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said it would go ahead to perform its constitutional role of conducting the governorship election in Anambra, as earlier announced.

Fielding questions from newsmen yesterday, Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr. Emeka Ononamadu expressed shock that people were tinkering with the idea of preventing the electorate from exercising their civic duty, warning that no matter any agitation, election was crucial to governance.

Denying any interference by IPOB and MASSOB in the on-going Continued Voters Registration exercise in Enugu State, the INEC Commissioner urged the media to educate the people to realize that some cause are bizarre and detrimental to the development of the society.

“I don’t think we are having that challenge here in Enugu, however, I will say as a person that no matter any agitation, whether you stop people or not, somebody must come out to vote and INEC must announce a result and somebody must rule the state.

“We are working on ensuring that the low turnout that we experienced in the past will not be the case in this one, because the more you get, the more there is the opportunity of getting the best candidate into office.

“Even if you want to do a referendum today you must go to voters’ register in order to get those who are 18 years and above to do it. If you discourage people from going to register you are also shooting yourself in the leg.

“So it is important that we do what others are doing; it’s a national exercise and I don’t think that INEC has any business with either call for secession or call for boycott. Our mandate is to conduct election for those who will occupy certain federal and state offices and we are determined to do that and I am not sure there is any threat in Enugu that I am aware of,”

Mr. Ononamadu, added.

He further announced that 68,672 voters have been registered during the first quarter of the continued voters’ registration exercise which ended on April 27, 2017 and urged newly registered voters to visit the centers to check the displayed register for claims and objections.

I’ll key into SEREDEC programme -Nwike

By Chinelo Obogo

A medical practitioner and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Anambra State, Dr. Patrick Bufo Nwike has said that his administration would key into the South-East Regional Economic Development (SEREDEC), to move the state forward.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, The Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government born medical doctor said, the development programme, if properly implemented was capable of moving the entire South-East states to an enviable industrial and infrastructural height saying, “no state is expected to be an island to itself.”

According to the Dublin, Ireland based doctor cum politician, if his party chooses the best aspirant as its candidate for the contest, the November election was as good as won, asserting that, “I stand a good chance of picking the ticket going by the quality of my programmes.”

While expressing confidence of picking his party’s ticket, Nwike asserted that he has the Midas touch to make a difference in the state if given the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election, stating that the leadership of the party would not make the mistake of picking any contestant whose sources of income are questionable.

“My source of income can be verified and certified as genuine. And without sounding immodest, I can tell you that my chances of being the party’s choice are very bright. I believe the leadership of our great party would look at the programmes the aspirants would present to the people. It is about programmes and not about personality. I am not rich in terms of liquid cash but I am rich in ideas. I am a civil servant and my source of income can be verified. It is the people that would assess us and ask questions about how some people came about their sudden wealth.”

On the chance of his party, Nwike said, “People are disenchanted with false claims of achievements; they want concrete achievements and not noise without action. It is our programmes against theirs. This is the time to separate the substance from the chaff because the people will, on their own make the assessment and then judge.”

Election now will be about personality –PRP


From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Anambra State, Dr. Stephen Obiorah Mbah in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday said his party stood a better chance of producing the next governor of the state.

According to him, his claim was based on the fact that his party was the only political party with sound manifesto including provisions for anti corruption and a combination of socialist and capitalist ideologies.

Dr. Mbah disclosed this to his teeming supporters at the area during the inauguration of the council executives of the party, where Dr. IK Nnowalue emerged as the local government chairman among other members of the council executives.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) , as a political party has failed at the federal level with the level of economic hardship Nigerians were suffering because the party has little or nothing to offer, insisting that for arresting Nnamdi Kanu, the Igbo should not make the mistake of voting in an APC candidate to be the governor of Anambra State for any reason.

As for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said that the party for sure had not overcome its crisis, at least in the state and would have to settle factional differences, first. He said that the same thing applies to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which he noted would likely still be in court after the election would have been won and lost.

He assured that the PRP in Anambra had the adequate grassroots support and had designed well articulated way to reach out to the 21 councils in the state before November 18, assuring that the party would take over the Government House, Awka on March 17, 2018 when he would be sworn in as the new executive governor of the state.

There is need for leadership change –Obaze

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

One of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party , PDP and former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, (SSG), Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze has said that sentiments aside, the state needed a change of leadership after the November 18 guber election.

Obaze, a former Diplomat with the United Nations and who had served as SSG in both Obi and Obiano administrations, told Journalists yesterday that going by the perceived public opinion, Anambra was working presently, but when subjected to critical analysis of measuring all indices of good governance, the state was overleveraged and there was need to change the status quo.

He noted that having served the incumbent administration and left, he felt that there are some missing links presently which he is fully prepared to restore to make a positive difference.

“Every leader brings to public office his vision, style and political and leadership DNA. Management style, focus and a full grasp of the imperatives of good governance become critical variables of leadership. Ultimately, the issue becomes whether your government is functional or dysfunctional. So it’s not a matter of what I did then or will do now; it’s also not a matter of correction, as it is a redemptive effort that will insist on efficient optimization of institutions, extant laws and available resources. Governance is about delivery. By analogy, if you have two Olympic sprinters in the finals, you are better off with the sprinter who is not prone to false start, and who can run the 100 meter dash under nine seconds, than the sprinter renowned for false starts and whose best record for the 100 meter dash is ten seconds or more,” he said.

source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/anambra-state-election-must-hold-says.html

Source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/photo-pdp-release-time-table-for.html?m=1

Even if you are on a budget or short on cash, these 5 simple fashion tips will leave you looking more expensive instantly.

1. Make sure your clothes are properly tailored.
As simple as this tip may seem, it is easy for one to get carried away with fashion trends and whatnot, and end up wearing ill-fitting clothes. Having a tailor fit your clothes to your perfect size goes a long way of making your clothes look more expensive. This is not primary school where parents bought clothes a size bigger when their kids were growing too fast.

2. Change the fasteners.
Fasteners like buttons and zippers can change the look of your clothes. The devil is in the details. Plastic buttons are super cheap, and guess how they make clothes look. Exactly. Get richer-looking buttons or zippers (that won’t pop open without warning). Your tailor or dry cleaner can help you change them.


3. If you see the flaw, chances are that others see it too.
That “little” crease or stain or tear that you pretend is not there is bad. You see it; others see it. Try to make sure your pieces look new. The only piece of clothing that is allowed to look distressed are your ripped jeans. Make sure your clothes are freshly ironed or steamed too.

4. Invest in expensive, timeless pieces.
There is just something about structural, gilded extras — whether a bag or jewelry or both — that make you look like you stepped out of the pages of a magazine. You may be wearing the most basic white tee with jeans, but your statement watch or strong metal bracelet for instance will stand out and make the whole look seem more expensive to people. Invest in attention-grabbing trend items that will become the focus of your outfit.

5. Keep it simple.
You know the saying that “more is less, and less is more”. This should apply to the clothes you wear. Expensive clothes are mostly simple and well put together. One strong colour from top to bottom not only elongates and slims your figure, it also makes your clothes look thoughtfully well-put together.

source https://m.guardian.ng/life/style/five-ways-to-make-cheap-clothes-look-expensive/

A Lagos State High Court has ordered that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to pay fine of N2 million for approving Sprite and Fanta, products of the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC).

The court also dismissed NBC’s application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement where it was asked to include on its label a warning to consumers against taking Sprite and Fanta with Vitamin C.
The trial judge, Justice, Adedayo Oyebanji, however, ordered conditional stay of execution of N2m cost awarded against NAFDAC.

The judge ordered the agency to pay the money into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court pending the hearing and the determination of the appeal filed by NAFDAC.
Justice Oyebanji had observed that contrary to the argument of NBC that its business interest would be adversely affected if the order is not stayed.
“It is imperative to add the resultant effect of the order sought to be stayed is the preservation of human life, the business interest of Nigeria bottling company cannot in my respected view take precedence over public health.”

“It is beyond argument that if the application for stay is granted and human health is consequently adversely affected, it is most unlikely that there can indeed be a return to status quo.”

“The importance of public health is clearly demonstrated and underscored by the constitutional provision in section 45 thereof.”
“For the reasons herein adumbrated, it seems to me it manifests that Nigeria Bottling Company has failed to disclose any special circumstances which would warrant the grant of this application.”
“Accordingly, Nigeria Bottling Company’s application for stay of execution fails and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Oyebanji held.

The ruling was sequel to an application filed and argued before the court by a Lagos lawyer T.A. Busari SAN on behalf of NBC, urging the court to stay the execution of the judgement of the court.
The lawyer premised it on the ground that, the order made by the court would adversely affect the operation of the company if the execution of same was not stayed pending the outcome of the appeal filed by the company.

It would be recalled that in a judgement delivered by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji on the 15th February 2017, the court had ordered NAFDAC to forthwith mandate Nigeria Bottling Company PLC to include on all bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with vitamin C.
source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/court-fines-nafdac-n2m-over-fanta-sprite.html

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would cost about N7billion to empower persons in the insurgency-affected areas of North East with entrepreneurial skills.

This was as Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, promised that government through the 17 agencies under the ministry would pursue vigorously, programmes and projects that could help transfer skills to displaced and vulnerable persons in the affected areas.

He made the disclosure in Abuja, while receiving the report of a committee set up to work out intervention for the reconstruction of the North East region.

He said the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), would be used to help affected persons become more productive, acquire skills and become entrepreneurs with small or medium scale industries.

He said: “I believe it can help hire other people in the process, jobs would be created also wealth will be created but above all it will help to fight poverty.Chairman of the committee and Director General, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammed Haruna, represented by Dr. Zainab Hammanga, said the committee visited all the areas that needed restructuring in the region and came up with the report grouped into products and services and collated into various sectors of the economy.
source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/n7bn-needed-to-empower-idps-fg.html

Former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has called on the ex-Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to use his political clout to bring generational shift in political leadership.

Agbakoba, who made the call in an open letter dated July 20, 2017, said Obasanjo’s intervention would bring about the desired change.
He said: “I feel compelled to request your intervention because you are one of the few past leaders with enough clout to galvanize the political elite to produce like in France, a Macron or in Canada, a Trudeau.

“I believe it is time for our elder statesmen to give way to a young new vibrant political leadership. I am also convinced that with your support this can be achieved and expanded to become high policy amongst all political parties in Nigeria. Nigeria will greatly benefit. I strongly feel that a radical change in political leadership from old to new will be transformational.”
The SAN expressed concerned about the quality of leadership in Nigeria, saying that corruption is endemic, while poverty is high. “Life expectancy is low. Nigeria ranks poorly on all international human development indicators. Chinua Achebe in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria” pointed out the situation of Nigeria is directly linked to failure of leadership.
“Our country is held back by a crop of leadership that have outlived usefulness and effectiveness as a result of old age. It beggars belief that there is no culture among our political elite, to encourage younger people with new ideas to aspire to positions of leadership, in particular the office of the President,” he stated, adding that the modern history of Nigeria was shaped by young people.
Source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/help-bring-generational-shift-in.html

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the newly registered Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has said that its presidential candidate for 2019 general elections would emerge through Electoral College.

The National Chairman of the party, Shittu Mohammed, disclosed this at the weekend. He said the idea was part of the decisions reached yesterday at the end of the NEC meeting of the party held at its national secretariat in Abuja.

He said the party embraced the use of Electoral College as against the common practice where presidential candidates emerge through delegates election to allow for the participation of all party members in choosing their presidential candidate, adding that there was need to depart from a tradition that did not serve the interest of the masses.

“Apart from the fact that it reduces waste, because delegates will not need to travel to Abuja from their various states to elect their candidate, the process will also ensure that the presidential aspirants traverse the length and breadth of the country to get votes.

“When they move across the country, they will be able to understand the plights and needs of the people better, and they will therefore be better prepared to serve their interest,” Mohammed added. A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the National Secretary of the party, Emeka Okengwe, noted that “APDA is changing the old order that did not add value to the masses. APDA will ensure that masses are well represented and it is only their wish that will be considered uppermost at all times.”

It added: “The NEC also resolved that APDA will build and sell its ideology of social democracy based on 60 per cent of appointive and elective positions.

Women will have 30 per cent, youths will have 25 per cent, and people living with disability will have five per cent.


“The NEC also reaffirms its believe in the indivisibility of this country.

APDA believes in one Nigeria where each state is able to take comparative advantage of the natural resources in its domain, for the good of all.”
MORE at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/2019-our-presidential-candidate-to.html

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has said that insecurity and attack of its workers have contributed to its inability to repair and restore electricity supply to three communities, Eha-Amufu, Ikem and Obollo Afo, in Isiuzo and Nsukka Councils of Enugu State.

The communities have been without power supply in the last two months and it was gathered that attempts by EEDC staff to rectify the problem and restore supply to the areas were rebuffed on June 8, as youths allegedly attacked them at Eha-Amafu, destroying some equipment, furniture and other work tools at the EEDC Service Centre in the community.
In a statement yesterday, EEDC’s Communications Manager, Emeka Eze, stated the company would not like to expose its workers to avoidable danger, adding: “As a business, we value our staff and their safety is our greatest concern.

“In this case, the environment is no longer safe for our men to move in and clear the fault. It is important to note that prior to this incident, Eha-Amufu community enjoyed good supply, as they are fortunate to be situated at the source of supply, which radiates from Nkalagu.
“Due to this unfortunate incident, other communities feeding from the same line have been out of supply.”
He, however, disclosed that in a conscious effort to resolve the issue and restore supply to customers, EEDC representatives have been meeting with Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Benjamin Edeoga, some selected traditional rulers, the president general and other critical stakeholders of the communities.
“At these meetings, EEDC made some demands, some of which are: an undertaking by the community, assuring and guaranteeing EEDC of the safety of its personnel to enable them move in and clear the fault and replacement of all the destroyed equipment and providing the youths that perpetrated the act.
“We are not happy about this development; we are in business and have lost millions of naira as a result of this incident. We are committed to providing service to our customers and expect them to pay for service rendered.
“If for any reason customers are aggrieved, there are established channels for them to channel their grievances. There is no justification for this gruesome act and we condemn it in its totality,” he said.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/why-we-have-not-restored-electricity-to.html

The Angolan President, Mr. José Eduardo dos Santos, has returned home after 17 days in Spain where he normally travels for medical treatment and holiday.

President dos Santos, 74, arrived in Luanda late Wednesday, accompanied by the First Lady, Ana Paula dos Santos.
They were received at the Luanda military air base by Vice-President Manuel Domingos Vicente and other top government officials.
The veteran leader has visited the European state several times since 2013, Africa Review said.
President dos Santos left Angola on July 3 for Barcelona, with his office alluding in a statement that the visit was private, without divulging details.
He spent 28 days in Spain in May without an official explanation, prompting claims of his death on both the social and traditional media.
“He is in Spain and when he gets fine he will be back home” Foreign Affairs minister Georges Chikoti told journalists in Luanda on May 29.
It was the first time a top government official confirmed that President dos Santos usually went to Spain for medical treatment.
“President dos Santos normally seeks medical treatment in Spain and this is normal for him to be there,” he said.
“It is all right but you know it happens with everyone. Sometimes you don’t fill fine but he is fine.”
President dos Santos has been in power since in 1979 and is Africa’s second longest serving president after Obiang’ Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
The southern Africa state goes to the polls on August 23 that will see the long-serving leader retire.
The ruling party, MPLA, has nominated Defence minister João Lourenço as its flag bearer for the August presidential contest.
Opposition has been calling on the government to reveal the state of the President health amid reports that Africa’s second-longest ruler is seriously ill.
Dos Santos, who has run the oil-producing southern African nation since 1979, first left Angola at the start of May on what was officially billed as a two-week “private visit”.
His daughter, Isabel, took to Instagram to knock down “fake news”, that her father was probably dead.
“Someone has gone so low as to invent information about the death of a man in order to create confusion and turmoil in Angolan politics,” Isabel dos Santos, who is also head of state oil firm Sonangol, said.
Raul Danda, parliamentary president of the opposition UNITA party, said the lack of clarity about the health of the man who has been central to Angola’s stability since the end of a long civil war in 2002 was becoming a national security issue.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/angolan-president-returns-after-medical.html

A Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, otherwise called 2Face or 2Baba has said the protracted Boko Haram crisis which has claimed the lives of millions and traumatized thousands with billions on property lost has nothing to do with religion but rather the failure of the political leadership of the country.

According to the music maestro, “unless government and politicians step up their games by doing the needful in eradicating poverty among the masses, particularly youths, ensure justice to all manner of people or else, ending the Boko Haram insurgency and other violent clashes across the country will be difficult and unrealistic”.

Mr. Idibia who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri as he winds up his visits to displaced people in the state where he visited the Camps in Banki, a border community with Cameron Republic and other resettlement areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as part of his Foundation’s collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to drum support for the IDPs said he was particularly “sadden by the pathetic living conditions of the IDPs in the camps”.
He announced that he will donate part of the proceeds from his new song launched on World Refugee Day this year to support the affected population through UNHCR., adding that he will be staging a concert in Abuja at the Hilton Hotel on 24 July as part of continuing efforts to support IDPs and returnees in Nigeria.

He Urged government, security agencies, Media Practitioners and other Humanitarian agencies to scale up a coordinated efforts in addressing the plights of IDPs and other victims of violence, as well as tackling terrorism in the bud.

his world, ” I am here in Maiduguri with support from UNHCR to use my music in contributing to alleviate the suffering of our IDPs and other victims of insurgence.

“I feel honoured to work with organization like UNHCR, am just one person, when I went round some of these camps, I was saddened, I saw fear, sorrow and trauma, I feel disappointed looking at the faces and eyes of the IDPs. You will see hunger and object poverty. Unless Government and politicians shun injustice, corruption and remained focus and committed to our collective development, these same set of traumatized and displaced people in camps may turn up to be more dangerous in the society.

“Although, I have seen hope of life among some of these IDPs, all hands must be on deck to the needful by rendering support no matter how little it is. Presently I have a song, titled ‘Hold my Hands’, this song is on many platforms, all people need to do is to download it and use it ringing tone. It will only cost you N50 per month, but will surely contribute in giving hope of life to our traumatized victims of insurgency.

“In my little way, I have come and seen the live in camps and next week, when I go back to Abuja, we are going to do a concert as my proceed donation in alleviating the suffering of the IDPs”, 2Face stated.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/07/boko-haram-is-political-not-religious.html